Robert Lee Smith House circa 1901

NATIONAL REGISTER of Historic Places (Pezzoni 1989): 202 Walnut Street - Three-bay "I" house with center-hall plan, two-tier front porch, one-story ell now detached and located on adjoining property. Smith was Swansboro's most prolific early 20th century carpenter - he participated in the construction of at least thirteen structures between 1900 and 1940 - and also built many boats. This was Smith's residence from circa 1901 until 1913.

Robert Lee Smith was born November 30, 1875 in Carteret County, North Carolina to James Smith and Abbie Willis. He married Lina H. Russell in 1897. Lina Russell 1870-1967 was daughter of 1837 Major Russell and 1846 Mary Amelia Barnum. In the 1910 Swansboro census, children in the home included Daisy L. 13, Amelia B. 9 and 11-year-old Marjorie R. Smith. In the 1920 census Smith was listed on Water Street and was a ship carpenter.

Amelia B. Smith married Everett Canady. Daisy Lee Smith Moore 1897-1995 offered history to Early Swansboro History by Lucy Greene.

Robert Lee Smith 
Death Certificate

Lina Russell Smith 
Death Certificate

According to the Swansboro Historical Association's tour brochure, after salvaging a shipwreck on Bear Island, Smith built his home at the corner of Walnut and Church Streets.

Smith retired in 1939, four years before his death. He died from influenza/pneumonia complicated by hypotension.