Jim - it's possible.
We discovered not too long ago, a Jason A Smith (1839-aft 1910), son of Jason M Smith and Mary Catherine Denny, who lived in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties. (Real close to Salem, I think.)
Jason M had another son Oscar who had a son Jason Mulford Smith. Thus the potential MULFORD connection.
Do let me know if you're able to go back from Smith Ballenger!
Happy hunting,
Janet