I started tracing my Smith family roots in 1985 shortly after the birth of my first child. As far as I knew only Hilda Barnett, and Letha Thompson were the only ones that were really involved in the search for our roots. And I must acknowledge both of these ladies as they set a spark in me to my internal flame of curiosity in the quest to find our Smith family lineage.
Being born to parents who were older, my mother was 37 when I was born and my father was 41, I had heard the stories and I was blessed to be privy to many old pictures that I still have to this day. I also have a few family bibles, along with my father’s Navy books, and countless other records that were preserved by many of my ancestors. Those records contained quite a bit of information in them that has assisted me in many record searches.
Throughout my years of searching for my Smith lineage and their kin I have been in contact with many, many of my cousins which have aided me in my research to the point where I could never mention all of them without forgetting to mention at least one and that would be a huge discredit to them and the memory of our ancestors. So without naming them specifically I will thank them all here publicly as they know who they are and I would never deny them their credit. I would also like to ask God’s blessing for them and all of our family(s) and give him the father the credit for making this possible and making us what we are today. Amen
This is one of the first postings in search of the family and its members from 2001:
Family Group Sheet
Name: Stephen SMITH[1],[2],[3],[4],[5]
—————————————-
Birth: abt 1801 North Carolina[1],[2],[3]
Death: aft 1861 [6]
Occupation: Farmer[3],[4]
Marriage: ?
—————————————-
Spouse: Nancy UNKNOWN[3],[4],[6]
—————————————-
Birth: 1813 Alabama[3],[6]
Birth: 1815 S. Carolina[4]
Death: aft 1870 [6]
Occupation: housewife/farmer[6]
Children:
—————————————-
1 F: Mary A. SMITH[3],[4]
Birth: abt 1829 Alabama[3]
Birth: abt 1839 Alabama[4]
Spouse: WEBB
—————————————-
2 M: Isaac Andrew SMITH[2],[3],[4],[6],[7],[8],[9]
Birth: 15 Sep 1832 Alabama[3],[4],[6],[10],[8]
Death: 7 Nov 1908 Franklin County, Alabama
Spouse: Rachel Catherine PENNINGTON
Marriage: 15 Sep 1851 Vernon, Fayette County, Alabama
—————————————-
3 F: Sarah J. SMITH[2],[3]
Birth: abt 1839 Alabama[2],[3]
—————————————-
4 F: SMITH[2]
Birth: abt 1841 [2]
—————————————-
5 F: Ditha or Dicey S. SMITH[3],[4],[6],[8]
Birth: May 1842 Alabama[8]
—————————————-
6 F: Martha SMITH[3],[4],[6]
Birth: abt 1842 Alabama[3]
Birth: abt 1843 Alabama[4]
Birth: abt 1844 Alabama[6]
—————————————-
7 M: William A. SMITH[3],[4],[6]
Birth: abt 1845 Alabama[3]
Birth: abt 1846 Alabama[4],[6]
—————————————-
8 F: Eliza SMITH[3],[4]
Birth: abt 1847 Alabama[3],[4]
—————————————-
9 M: Henry C.or G. SMITH[3],[4],[6]
Birth: abt 1848 Alabama[3]
Birth: abt 1849 Alabama[4],[6]
—————————————-
10 F: Catherine SMITH[4]
Birth: abt 1852 Alabama[4]
—————————————-
11 F: Francis SMITH[4],[6]
Birth: abt 1855 Alabama[4],[6]
Spouse: MADDOX
Notes for Stephen SMITH
[1]A Stephen Smith appears on page 15 A of the 1830 Blount County Alabama
Census with 1 Male between 30-40, 1 Female under 5, and 1 Female between
20-30.
[2]A Stephen Smith appears on page 214 of the 1840 Fayette County Alabama
Census with 1 Male under 5, 1 Male 30-40, 1 Female under 5, 2 Females
between 5-10, 1 Female between 10-15, and 1 Female between 20-30.
[3]This Stephen Smith is listed as head of household on page 5B of the 1850
Fayette County Alabama Census and shown as being 49.
[4]This Stephen Smith is listed as head of household on page 73 (321) of the
1860 Fayette County Alabama Census and shown as being 50.
Misc. Notes
Stephen is my earliest SMITH relative as of 12-4-2000
Notes for Nancy UNKNOWN
[1]If applicable, she appears on the 1830 Blount County Alabama Census
records as a Female between 20-20.
[2]If applicable, she appears on the 1840 Fayette County Alabama Census
records as a Female between 20-30.
[3]She appears on pg 5 B of the 1850 Fayette County Alabama Census as being
37 and born in Alabama.
[4]She appears on pg 73 (321) of the 1860 Fayette County Alabama Census as
being 45 and born in South Carolina.
[6]She appears on pg 383 of the 1870 Sanford County Alabama Census as being
57 and born in Alabama.
Sources
1. United States Census, Blount County, Alabama, 1830, pg 15 A.
2. United States Census, Fayette County, Alabama, 1840, pg 214.
3. United States Census, Fayette County, Alabama, 1850, Beat 2, pg 5 B.
4. United States Census, Fayette County, Alabama, 1860, pg 73 (321).
5. Land deed certificates, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Land
Management, Eastern States Office, http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/,
Certificate #’s: 23094, 26582, 29588.
6. United States Census, Sanford County, Alabama, 1870, pg 383.
7. United States Census, Marion County, Alabama, 1880, pg 19 (111 C).
8. United States Census, Franklin County, Alabama, 1900, pg 10 (73).
9. Land deed certificates, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Land
Management, Eastern States Office, http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/,
certificate no. 9720.
10. United States Census, Marion County, Alabama, 1880, pg 19 (119 C).
—————————————-
Last Modified: 10 Sep 2001
This is where we are today:
Stephen & Nancy Smith Families
Updated July 2016
We first find a Stephen Smith living in Blount County, Alabama in the 1830 census. It is quite possibly our own Stephen Smith as we find the following information in that record:
1830 BLOUNT COUNTY, ALABAMA
pg 15 A
1 male between 30-40,
1 female under 5,
1 female between 20-30
The story of this family’s earliest recorded ancestry begins the 18th day of April 1837, when Stephen Smith purchased what is thought to be his first parcel of land at the Tuscaloosa Land Office. This parcel, the Northwest quarter of the Northeast quarter of section 7, Township 15 – S, Range 15 – W, was located in Fayette County, Alabama near the town of Vernon. That part of Fayette County would later become Sanford County and eventually Lamar County.
In his land application the following information is recorded:
The State ofAlabama NW ¼ NE ¼ sec 7 T 15
FayetteCounty of Range 15 West
I do solemnly swear that the and above described being the NW ¼ NE ¼ Section 7 T 15R 15W in the district of land subject to sale at Tuscaloosa is intended to be entered for my own personal benefit and not in trust for another that the same is designed for the purpose of cultivation or to add to my improvements and I do further swear that I have not in this or any other land office in the United States entered more than one forty acre lot under the provisions of any law authorizing the division of sections into quarter quarter sections. Sworn and subscribed before me at my office this 18th day of April 1837
his
Stephen X Smith
Mark
Benjamin Savage JP
On the 22, April 1837 receipts and a certificate for the property were given by the land office in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They read as:
23094 LAND-OFFICE, AT TUSCALOOSA,
Apr 22 1837
I, Stephen Smith of Fayette Co do hereby apply to purchase NW ¼ NE ¼ section 7 Township 15 Range 15 W containing 40 372/100 acres, according to the returns to the Surveyor-General, for which I agree with the register, to give at the rate of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre
40 372 for Stephen Smith
10 094 William Pennington
I John H. Vincent Register of the Land Office at Tuskaloosa, do hereby certify that the lot above described contains forty 3/2 acres, as mentioned above; and that the price agreed upon is one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre.
JohnH. Vincent Register
No 23094 LAND OFFICE, TUSCALOOSA April 22, 1837
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED, that in pursuance of Law, Stephen Smith of Fayette County on this day purchased of the Register of this Office, the lot or North West quarter of the North East quarter of Section, Number Seven of Township Number Fifteen in Range Number Fifteen West containing Forty 372/100 acres, at the rate of One Dollar and Twenty-five Cents per acre. Amounting to 50 47/100 for which the said Stephen Smith has made payment in full, as required by law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT KNOWN, That on presentation of this certificate to the Commissioner of the General Land Office the said Stephen Smith shall be entitled to receive a PATENT for the Lot above described.
John H.Vincent
No 23094 RECEIVER’S OFFICE Tuscaloosa
DUPLICATE April 22 1837
RECEIVED from Stephen Smith of Fayette Cty the sum of fifty 47/100 dollars, being in full for the NW q NE q section No 7 Township No 15 Range No 15 W containing 40372/100 acres, at the rate of one dollar and twenty five cents per acre.
CASH 50.47 (illegible signature) Register
STOCK
The certificate for the property’s ownership was issued to him on 20 Sep 1839. It reads as:
CERTIFICATE
No. 23094 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
To all to whom these Presesnts shall come, Greetings:
WHEREAS, Stephen Smith of Fayette County
Has deposited in the GENERAL LAND OFFICE of the United States, a Certificate of the REGISTER OF THE LAND OFFICE at Tuscaloosa whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said
Stephen Smith according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled “An Act making further provision for the sale of the Public Lands,”for the North West quarter of the North
East quarter of Section seven, in Township fifteen, of range fifteen West, in the District of lands Subject to sale at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, containing forty acres and thirty seven and a half hundredths of an acre
According to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the SURVEYOR GENERAL which said tract has been purchased by the said Stephen Smith NOW KNOW YE, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, HAVE GIVEN AND GRANTED, and by these presents DO GIVE AND GRANT; unto the said Stephen Smith and to his heirs, the said tract above described: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtences of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Stephen Smith and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, Martin Van Buren PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, have caused these Letters to be made PATENT, and the SEAL of the GENERAL LAND OFFICE to be hereby affixed.
GIVEN under my hand, at the CITY OF WASHINGTON, the twentieth day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine and of the INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES the Sixty fourth
BY THE PRESIDENT: Martin Van Buren
By M Van Buren Sec’y
______ Garland Recorder of the General Land Office.
We next find Stephen Smith in the 1840 census of Fayette County. It becomes clearer that this is our own Stephen Smith as later census records show. The information in that census is as follows:
1840 FAYETTE COUNTY, ALABAMA
pg 214
1 male under 5,
1 male between 5-9,
1 male 30-39,
1 female under 5,
2 females between 5-9,
1 female between 10-14,
1 female between 20-29
The 1850 census recorded on 8 November 1850 shows us the names of family members for the first time.
1850 FAYETTE COUNTY, ALABAMA
pg 5 B dwelling # 67
Stephen SMITH Farmer 100 49 NC /unable to read and write
Nancy 37 AL /unable to read and write
Mary A. 21 AL /unable to read and write
Isaac Farmer 18 AL /in school within the year
Sarah J. 11 AL /in school within the year
Dicy 10 AL /in school within the year
Martha 8 AL
William A. 5 AL
Elijah (m) 3 AL
Henery C. 2 AL
Stephen must have been a productive farmer because he had saved enough to make 2 more land purchases in the 1850’s. The first occurred 1 January 1852. This is the certificate information:
Certificate
No.26582 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
To all to whom those Presents shall come, Greetings:
WHEREAS Stephen Smith of Fayette County
Has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a Certificate of the REGISTER OF THE LAND OFFICE at Tuscaloosa whereby it appears that payment has been made by the said Stephen Smith according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled “An Act making further provision for the sale of the Public Lands,”for the North East quarter of the North East quarter of Section seven, in Township fifteen, of Range fifteen West, in the District of lands subject to sale at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, containing forty acres and thirty seven and a half hundredth of an acre
according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the SURVEYOR GENERAL, which said tract has been purchased by the said Stephen Smith
NOW KNOW YE, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, HAVE GIVEN AND GRANTED, and by these presents DO GIVE AND GRANT; unto the said Stephen Smith
An to his heirs, the said tract above described: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Stephen Smith and to his heirs and assigns forever.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I Millard Fillmore PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, have caused these letters to be made PATENT, and the SEAL of the GENERAL LAND OFICE to be hereunto affixed.
GIVEN under my hand, at the CITY OF WASHINGTON, the first day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two and of the INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES the Seventy sixth
BY THE PRESIDENT: Millard Fillmore
By M T Fillmore Sec’y.
- S. Terry recorder of the General land Office
The date of the second 1850’s land purchase was on 1 June 1858. The certificate information is:
E½SE Sec 6/ T 15-S R 15-W
SWSE Sec 6/ T 15-S R 15-W
SWNE Sec 7/ T 15-S R 15-W
Certificate
No.29665 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
To all to whom those Presents shall come, Greetings:
WHEREAS Stephen Smith of Fayette County
Has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a Certificate of the REGISTER OF THE LAND OFFICE at Tuscaloosa whereby it appears that payment has been made by the said Stephen Smith according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled “An Act making further provision for the sale of the Public Lands,”for the East half of the South East quarter. The South West quarter of the South East quarter of Section Six, and South West quarter of the North East quarter of Section seven, in Township fifteen, of Range fifteen West, in the District of lands subject to sale at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, containing one hundred and sixty acres and ninety seven and a half hundredths of an acre according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the SURVEYOR GENERAL, which said tract has been purchased by the said Stephen Smith
NOW KNOW YE, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, HAVE GIVEN AND GRANTED, and by these presents DO GIVE AND GRANT; unto the said Stephen Smith
An to his heirs, the said tract above described: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Stephen Smith and to his heirs and assigns forever.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I James Buchanan PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, have caused these letters to be made PATENT, and the SEAL of the GENERAL LAND OFICE to be hereunto affixed.
GIVEN under my hand, at the CITY OF WASHINGTON, the first day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight and of the INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES the Eighty Second
BY THE PRESIDENT: James Buchanan
By T I Albright Sec’y.
J N Granger recorder of the General land Office
In terms of physical landmarks, his property ran south from Lebanon Church, turning west close to the present day Vernon city limits, going west almost as far as Turner Cemetery. Watson Creek runs through this land and today I believe there are gravel pits located within parts of the original boundaries.
The 1860 census recorded on 10 July 1860 shows us the following information about the family:
1860 FAYETTE COUNTY, ALABAMA
page 321 dwelling # 526
Stephen SMITH 60 Farmer NC cannot read or write
Nancy 45 SC cannot read or write
Mary 21 AL attended school within the year
Dicy 19 AL attended school within the year
Martha 17 AL attended school within the year
William 14 AL attended school within the year
Eliza 13 (f) AL attended school within the year
Henry 11 AL
Catherine 8 AL
Francis 5 AL
Isaac 27 Farmer AL
pg 322 dwelling # 526
Rachel 20 AL
William 1 AL
Alexander 3/12 AL
The state census of 1866 is the last census our Stephen Smith appears on. It shows us the following information:
Township 15, Range 15 W pg 31
1 Male 10-20
2 Males 20-30
1 Male 70-80
3 Females under 10
1 Female 40-50
The 1870 census of 23 Jun 1870 shows us the following information:
1870 SANFORD COUNTY, ALABAMA
pg 383 A dwelling # 29
Nancy SMITH 57 Keeping house & Farming 220/150 AL
Ditha 28 at home AL
Martha 26 AL
William 24 work on farm AL
Henry 21 AL
Francis 15 (f) AL
Sometime after this census was taken, Nancy Smith must have passed away because on 28 Nov 1870 the family property was divided and sold. Here are the transcribed court papers:
State of Alabama)
Sanford County)
Know by all men these presents that we L.F. Smith Isaac Smith and William Smith and Henry Smith and Sarah Smith and Mary Webb and Dica Smith and Martha Smith of Sanford County in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars in hand paid by William Clearman of Sanford County and State of Alabama the receipt whereof do hereby acknowledge have lay aimed sold and quit claimed and by these precsense do buy and sell and quit claim unto the said William Clearman and his heirs and assigns forever our and each of our right title interest estate claim and demand both at law and in equity and as well in possession as in expectancy ofand to all that certain farm or piece of land situated in Sanford County Alabama with all and singular the hereditements and appurtances thereunto belonging in witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seal this the 23rd day of November 1870
his
L.F. X Smith
mark
his
William X Smith
mark
his
Henry X Smith
mark
her
Sarah X Clearman
mark
her
Mary X Webb
mark
her
Dica X Smith
mark
Isaac A. Smith
State of Alabama)
Sanford County)
On this day the 23rd of Nov 1870 personally appeared the within names severally and acknowledged the within conveyance to be there act and deed and I certify that I well know the said parties within signed and the are the same persons who is described in the within conveyance and who executed the same severally
Jhn G. Holladay JP
On 28 Apr 1871 later we find Isaac and Rachel Smith selling their portion of the property which was probably given to them as a wedding gift. This is the transcribed court document(s) of that sale:
This indenture made + entered into the twenty eighth day (illegible)one thousand eight hundred and seventy one between Isaac Smith and his wife Catharine Smith of the first part and William Clearman party of the second part witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of five hundred dollars to them in hand paid at and before the sealing of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold released conveyance and doth by these presents grant bargain sell release + convey unto the said party of the second part and to his heirs and assigns forever the North East ¼ of the NE ¼ also SE ¼ of the NE ¼ all in section No 6 T15 R15 together with all and singular the tenements and appurtances thereunto belonging on in anywise appertaining thereto + remainders rents and profits thereof also all the estate right title intended dower right of dower property possession claims and demands whatsoever as well in law as inequity of the said partys of the first part and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtances to hold all and singular the above mentioned described premises with the appurtances to the said party of the sec’ part his heirs and assigns forever + the said party of the quiet and peacible possession of the party of the second part his heirs and assigns the said party of the first part there heirs against all and every person whomsoever lawfully claiming the same will warrant and for defend in testimony whereof the parties have set the law.
Isaac A. Smith (seal)
Rachel C. Smith (seal)
State of Alabama)
Sanford County)
I John B. Gillmore a Justice of the in said County hereby certify that Isaac Smith + Catharine Smith his wife whose names is signed to the within conveyance and who is known to me acknowledged before me on this day being informed of the contents of said conveyance acknowledged they signed the same voluntarily on the day. The same bears date given under my hand 28th day of April 1871
John B. Gillmore Justice of the Peace
State of Alabama)
Sanford County)
I Thos. Morton Judge of the Probate Court in and for said county hereby certify that the forgoing deed was this day filed in my office for record and was duly recorded in Vol 1 page 520 of the record of deeds in my said office
Given under my hand Oct 30th 1872
Tracing my Smiths - by Christopher A. Smith - © 2021 