Cocke County, TNGenWeb
Descendants of John Smith

Submitted by Julie Walters

Generation No. 1

1. JOHN1 SMITH was born abt. 1745.

Generation No. 2

2. THOMAS2 SMITH (JOHN 1) was born 1772 in VA. He married MARY BOTTOMS June 12, 1797 in Jefferson County, TN.

Notes for THOMAS SMITH: Thomas Smith (known as Uncle Tommie) was born about 1772 in Virginia. He was a Primitive Baptist Minister and was pastor of the Slate Creek Church for forty years. Slate Creek Church minutes show Thomas Smith, Moderator 1825-1854, Pastor 1845, corrects letter of dismissal for Runnels 1853, church met at his home April, 1872, gave land for church 1818 and 1822, ordination Sunday after May 18, 1826. October, 1830 accepted a request to take pastoral care of Slate Creek Church.

J.B. Burnett wrote in his book Pioneer Baptist Preachers that he remembered the day Uncle Tommie was 100 years old. He told of the crowd he watched go to the Slate Creek Church to hear Uncle Tommie preach his famous birthday sermon. People were walking, some in buggies, wagons, and some on horseback. The community had prepared weeks in advance and it was the topic of conversation for long afterwards. Thomas took his text from Judges chapter 15;14, 15;16, of Sampsons feat of defeating heaps of Philistines with the jawbone of an ass.

Article about a Rev. Thomas Smith appearing in the HERALD AND TRIBUNE, published in Jonesboro, TN February 12, 1874 - Vol. V #21: "Rev. Thomas Smith, of the Baptist Church, who lives in Parrottsville, in Cocke County is one hundred and one years old. He still preaches and rides horseback to his appointments. He was Pastor of one church for forty years; remembers the battle of Brandywine; quotes scriptures rapidly; memory unimpaired; never missed a meal on account of sickness; never took but three doses of medicine; was always temperate; enjoys good health; eats heartily; and reads without glasses and never did use them. He is probably the oldest preacher in America"

The 1840 Cocke County census shows Thomas as the owner of four slaves, one male and one female and two children. The 1850 census lists him as owning $2,000 in real estate. He was by occupation a miller and owned the old Smith Mill on what is known as the Les Bowles or Max Johnson farm. All evidence of the mill is gone now.

Thomas lived to be 102 and two months old. He died March 10, 1874. His request was to be buried facing the church. He was buried at Slate Creek - but no evidence of his grave has been found.
source: article by Eddith Emma Smith Johnson - 1970's

Generation No. 3

3. JOHN L.3 SMITH (THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 1807, and died 1883. He married (1) SARAH D. MASON, daughter of JOEL MASON and SARAH. He married (2) ELEANOR abt. 1877.

Notes for JOHN L. SMITH: John L. Smith claimed to be descended from Pocahontas. It is true that somewhere he had a grandmother Penn of the Quaker William Penn. John's father moved from the "Bend of the Chucky" to Clear Creek in Parrotsville. Here they operated a big mill.

John and Sarah had three daughters and seven sons. They lived at Clear Creek in Parrottsville. John L. Smith was of English descent with black swarthy hair, had some Indian blood. His wife, Sarah, was French.

The Civil War divided the nation and in some instances the families, but this family stayed together. John's five oldest sons were forced to make a decision. They took their guns into the woods and spent the day. When they returned they told their mother they had decided to join the Union. She concurred with the statement, "I would let the moss grow on me before I would fight for Jeff Davis". The boys walked to Kentucky and enlisted at Camp Dick Robinson on May 15, 1863. The sixth son enlisted at Greeneville, TN in 1864. Five sons returned, Crockett C. Smith was killed in action. He died instantly according to his brother, Francis, that was in the same battle. The brothers were discharged at Raleigh, NC. This is probably the answer to why John L. Smith's family shows that a colored boy age 18 born in NC named William Dawson was listed with his household in the 1870 census. William was the grandfather of Nelson Dawson. Nelson said that his grandfather was a slave in Raleigh, NC and when the slaves were freed, he was without a home. John L. Smith brought him home with him. William rode all the way back from Raleigh on the back of John L.'s horse.

After John's wife, Sarah passed away on February 24, 1874 he remarried a second time. His wife Ellenor was 50 years younger than John. It appears that John was just as prolific as his father - having children well into his 70's. Known children of this union were Pochantas born about 1878, Powhaton born about 1879 and listed as a female on the 1880 census. Their son, Garfield was not listed on the census.

The 1880 Cocke County Census shows the following: John L. Smith age 73, Elleanor age 22, Ro age 2 (female) (this should have probably read "Po"), Powhaton (female)

A medical ledger of Dr. Darius Nease shows that he treated John L. Smith in January 1882. It was listed as a call visit. Shortly after his ledger showed that Widow Ellenor Smith paid her bill in full.

The Last Will and Testament of John L. Smith:
In the name of God Amen, I John L. Smith of the County of Cocke and State of Tennessee being admonished by the advance of age and declining health that it is appointed that man shall die, whilst of sound mind I do make and ordain this my last will and testament for the disposition of such wordly goods as it has pleased God to give me.

In the first place my will and direction to my executor herein after appointed is that he shall have my body buried in a decent christian manner and pay the expense out of my estate.

2nd pay all my just debts out of my estate.

3rd To my beloved wife, Ellenor Martha Smith and the heirs of her body by me begotten. I will and bequeath the lower end of the farm on which I now reside from a line commencing on a sugar tree stump on the original line near a branch and in a hollow and running a direct course up a steep hill in a northwesterly direction until it intersects the original line.

I further direct that in case she should contract another marriage after my death she shall hereby forefeit her interest in this bequest and the same shall there upon revert to the children above referred to.

4th I give and bequeath to my beloved sons Francis M. Smith and John M. Smith the remaining portion of my farm not included in bequest No. 3 provided that they shall pay to each of my remaining heirs to wit: Aiden Smith, Nancy Fox, Thomas Smith, George Smith, Lydia Tally, James Smith, Dorcas Smith the sum of forty four and one half dollars.

5th I further will and bequeath to my beloved wife all my personal property except one bed and bedding which shall be sold for the advantage of my other children mentioned in the 4th clause above.

I also direct that out of the monies owing to me all my just debts shall be paid and the remainder shall be turned over to my wife for the use of her and her children.

She shall also have timber sufficient to keep up the fencing on her end of the farm for which no charge shall be made by the other legalies herein mentioned.

And I hereby constitute and appoint my beloved sons in whom I have implecit faith and confidence Francis M. Smith and John M. Smith my joint executors of this my last will and testament and do hereby revoke recall all former wills and testaments made by me declaring the same will and void and establishing this my last the only and genuine.

In witness whereof I have to this instrument affixed my seal and signature this the 28th day of December A.D. 1882.
John L. (X) Smith
J.J. Shields - Attest
J.R. Smith

sources: Cocke Co., TN & Its People and an article by Eddith Emma Smith Johnson - 1970's

Notes for SARAH D. MASON: Sarah's parents are thought to be Joel and Sarah Mason both born in VA. Joel and Sarah were members of the Slate Creek Baptist Church and the only Masons listed in 1850 on the Cocke County census. Sarah is buried at the Smith Cemetery, Cocke County, TN.

4. LYDIA3 SMITH (THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born October 25, 1815, and died August 12, 1891 in Cocke County, TN. She married JOHN HOLT abt. 1839.

Notes for LYDIA SMITH: Lydia Smith along with her husband, John Holt are listed on the 1850 Cocke County census as follows: John Holt age 33, Lydia age 33, Asa age 10, Mary age 8, Susan age 6, Thomas age 4, Prudence age 3. By the 1860 census, they had added three more children to their family: Plesant age 9, Joseph age 7, Margaret age 5
More about LYDIA SMITH: Buried at Slate Creek Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

More about JOHN HOLT: Buried at Slate Creek Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

5. THOMAS B.3 SMITH, JR. (THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 1817. He married (1) MARY abt. 1853. He married (2) OBEDIENCE bef. 1880.

Notes for THOMAS B. SMITH, JR.: Thomas Smith Sr. deeded his property to this son before his death. A record of this transaction can be found in Deed Book 017 in Cocke County Court House.

In the 1870 Cocke County Census, Parrottsville Dist No. 3:

By the 1880 Cocke County Census, it appears that Thomas B. Smith's first wife, Mary has passed away and Thomas is re-married to Obedience. Also by this time both Thomas' father, the Rev. Thomas Smith and his son, Robert are both deceased.

The Thomas B. Smith family probably left the area shortly after 1880.
source: article by Eddith Emma Smith Johnson - 1970's

6. THOMAS L.3 SMITH (THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 1833 in Cocke County, TN, and died abt. 1870 in Cocke County, TN. He married MARGARET (MARY) C. CLUCK abt. 1856 in Cocke County, TN.

Notes for THOMAS L. SMITH: Thomas L. Smith is listed as living in the household of the Rev. Thomas Smith and his wife, Mary on the 1850 Cocke County, TN census. He is approximately 17 years old. It is still hard for me to believe that he is a child of the Rev. and his wife, but possibly a grandson or nephew. It is doubtful because of their age (the Rev. would have been 61 and Mary 55 when Thomas was born). Although it's possible that a man could be of that advanced age and still have a child, but during the early 1830's knowing how many women died during childbirth, with the lack of adequate medical attention, a mother in her 50's - I find it unlikely. Although another of the Rev.'s sons, John, was still having children (with his second wife) well into his 70's!

I thought that perhaps Thomas L. Smith's father may be John (Little John) who was a son of the Rev. Thomas Smith. Little John is listed on the 1850 Cocke County, TN census with his family: Sarah 43, Thomas 19, Dorcus 16, George 14, Francis 12, Lydia 10, Crockett 8, John 6 and James 2. This is probably not the case though, because I show a different spouse and children for this Thomas.

Thomas age 19 could also have been Thomas, age 17. (Sometime the census takers back then were not that accurate - or possibly a mistake was made when given the age of Thomas). He may have been included as were the other children of Little John's - even though he was living with his grandparents? Perhaps Thomas was just visiting his Grandparents and when the census taker asked them to list everyone in the house - he was included. From the book Tracing Your Roots: A Basic Handbook to Genealogy Research by Jeannette Prouse c. 1997 The census day is the day set by law for the census to begin, it is the date for which certain statistics were taken. (source Jeannette Prouse) In 1850 the census was to begin June 1, 1850 and there were 5 months allowed to complete the census. Another source (Nancy Wood) adds that although census information was asked and written down between July and September of the census year, BUT it was asked as if the information were taken on January 1 of that year. Example, on July 7, 1850 a census taker would ask the household who had been the head of the household, etc. as of or on January 1, 1850. Still a mystery.

1860 TN Census, Volume 4 lists: Smith, Thomas L., Cocke County TN 375, 8th District, Page 16 enumerated on the 8th day of June 1860, W.F. Morris, Ass't Marshall, Post Office Newport, Entry 109:

1870 Census page No. 28 lists the wife of Thomas L. Smith as Mary A. Smith; Franklin Smith 11 years, Julia Smith 10 years and Alies J. 6 months, female white born November, 1870. Thomas L. Smith is not found listed in any of the 1870 Census lists and presumed deceased by this time.

Thomas L. Smith was a member of the Confederacy with the 63rd TN Infantry Company B. He enlisted on May 12, 1862 in Knoxville by Captain Lyon. In 1864 he was listed as absent - sick and sent to Richmond Hospital. According to Tennesseeans in the Civil War, the 63rd TN Infantry was organized July 30, 1862; surrendered and paroled at Appomattox Courthouse, April 9, 1865. The Field Officers were Cols. Richard G. Fain, and then Abraham Fulkerson.

Company B was commanded first by Captain William Lyon and then Amos M. Hardin, and was organized May 12, 1862, of men from Roane County, as well as some men from the 26th TN Infantry and others from Company E, 3rd TN Cavalry Battalion. They fought in both the western theatre, notably at Chickamauga, and in the east (Virginia) at Drewry's Bluff, Petersburg, Walthall Junction, New Market, and the latter days of the war, culminating at Appomattox. At the end of the war Col. Fulkerson reported there were only 28 men left from the 63rd TN.

Wayne Smith has examined the records of Confederate Soldiers for the War Between the States. He adds that there is a soldier, Thomas L. Smith, Private, Co. B, 63 Reg't TN Infantry, appears on Company Muster roll, enlisted May 12, 1862, Knoxville, TN by Capt. Lyon for period: For the War. (Fain's Regiment, 74 TN Infantry) Card Numbers 50175063 through 50176465. Thomas died of possibly pneumonia or dysintery between 1864 - 1870. He is not listed on the 1870 Cocke County, TN census.

I am going to try to obtain any Civil War Records on Thomas - and hopefully this will confirm who his parents were. According to Wayne Smith, his father, Mack Clinton Smith, told him verbally that Franklin Pierce Smith brought his father's body (Thomas L. Smith) back to the community of Point Pleasant Baptist Church in Cocke County, TN and buried the body at Solomon's Ferry in the Solomon Cemetery. (Time somewhere in the 1860's or 1870's). Mack Clinton Smith also stated that his grandmother, Isabell Campbell Correll, told him that she had heard his (Mack Clinton Smith's) great-grandfather preach when his great grandfather was 100 years old.

I have found a family cemetery in Cocke County by the name of Solomon Cemetery (not sure if this is one in the same) and have a copy of the cemetery index. This cemetery is located in the Point Pleasant area. From the Point Pleasant Church continue on the same road. Take the left fork ad follow it until it runs out. Just before it ends, there is a driveway on the right. it leads to the home of Mr. Loytt Solomon. The cemetery is in a field near his home (source: Eddie Walker and Duay O'Neil abt. 1970's). Although there are a couple of Smiths buried there, there is not a listing for Thomas L. Smith. This is an old cemetery - the oldest headstone listed is dated 1858 - Thomas' headstone may be illegible - or destroyed. A lot of the old cemeteries in the Cocke County area are in the middle of pastures and cows have knocked over many of them. Some are just to old and worn to read.

Tom Smith, born in TN, is listed as the father on the death certificate of Frank Pierce Smith (see notes for Frank Pierce Smith). A note of interest, this Thomas L. Smith is not mentioned in any of the Smith Family material written by Eddith Emma Smith Johnson.
sources: Wayne Smith, Conrad Smith, Cocke County census lists, Cocke County, TN & Its People, Tennesee National Archives

Generation No. 4

7. ADON4 SMITH (JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born February 15, 1827 in Cocke County, TN, and died September 01, 1887 in Cocke County, TN. He married LUCINDA FOX.

Notes for ADON SMITH: A search of the Slate Creek Cemetery told a sad story. Almost completely covered with bushes and briars but still standing are two small gravestones with the inscriptions: "Crockett infant son of A & L Smith 1852 Jan 1853" and "George Infant son of A & L Smith Jan 20, 1856 to Oct. 20, 1858". These two little graves were so overgrown by 1972 that they were no longer visible.

Adon joined the Union Army February 28, 1863 at Camp Dick Robinson, KY. Sixteen days earlier four of his brothers had joined the same regiment. Military papers from the Archives show that Aden was not in very good health. His son, John, was born less than six months after he had left to join the Army. He named this son John Rosecrans presumably for the Union General Rosecrans.

Adon Smith is buried at the Smith Cemetery, Cocke County, TN.
source: article by Eddith Emma Smith Johnson - 1970's

More about LUCINDA FOX: Loucinda is buried at Smith Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

8. NANCY4 SMITH (JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born April 23, 1828, and died April 22, 1892 in Georgetown, TX. She married HENRY DALE FOX.

Notes for NANCY SMITH: The Foxes went west to Tyler, TX. It is a guess that Nancy Smith Fox didn't like this move, because when her husband went west, she wouldn't go. This led to a divorce.

9. DORCAS4 SMITH (JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born August 1834, and died September 11, 1911. She married JAMES SMITH 1855-1858, son of JOHN SMITH and ANNA GRAGG.

Notes for DORCAS SMITH: The 1850 Greene County census lists a John Smith, Anna, and their children James, William, Samuel, Elijah, Robert, John, Alex and Sarah A. as living next door to John Renner who owned a big mill. John Smith gave his occupation as a miller. John Renner died in 1855 and John Smith brought his family to Cocke County where he worked for Rev. Tommie Smith who had a mill on Clear Creek.

The Smith brothers fought in the Civil War. Some were Rebels, some Union. William and Eljah were never heard of after the war. James and his wife Dorcas had two daughters born before the Civil War and a son after the War. James wanted no part of the war, so he tried dodging. He with his friend Simeon Eisenhour dug a hole into a bank; the dugout was large enough that they kept their horses inside with them. James eluded the conscription soldiers for a time but came a snow and he was tracked down. He and his horse were taken into the Long Creek area where his captors had another dodger waiting. When they stopped they guarded only the horses thinking James wouldn't try to escape without his horse as a means of fast transportation to get out of the area fast. Through hook and crook he managed to stay hidden and move toward home where he picked up a few supplies and walked to Kentucky where he became attachd to the Union Army as a wagoneer. He never joined the army and it was known that he mourned losing his horse until his death. The supplies he carried with him included food, a quilt and a skillet. Eddith Smith Johnson still has the skillet.

The only written record that James served in the army is the 1890 Civil War Census of Union soldiers and their widows. It lists James as a wagoneer but gives no Company or Regiment or any unit. Dorcas was known to have said to James, "Jim, we would be getting a pension if you had joined the army like you should have". James answered "Speck I might have been dead too". He was nicknamed "Speck I" because of his habit of using the phrase "Speck I, had better do this or that, or Speck I will go here or there".

He was dearly beloved by Dorcas's family, and although their home was never left untended after the Civil War, he would sometimes ride a horse to Dorcas's brothers home and spend the night. He was known to have been very industrious and very, very religious. James had a pig that was fat and pretty and he made a pet out of it and one day when he was feeding it the pig kept trying to get the corn before he had it shucked. James wacked it across the head with an ear of corn and the pig dropped dead. He looked so amazed and often spoke of the day he killed his pig.

When Rebels or Bushwackers came to her home after James had left to go to the Union Army, they found her meat. They layed it in the yard while they caught her chickens and she pulled up her dress and hopped around over the meat and wet all over it. She got to keep her meat. This took nerve and I think it is one of the bravest things I have heard concerning the Civil War. From the description I have of her I think she would have done anything to protect her family and she used the only weapon she had.

Because of the Civil War James and Dorcas lost their first farm and they sharecropped on the farm of Nechelous Susong. In 1875 James and Dorcas built a 3 room log cabin about 1/2 mile from Parrotsville off the Baltimore Road where they raised their children, Emma, Sally and Crockett (named for Dorcas' brother killed in the Civil War). The home site was located in a hollow. He hewed the guttering for his home from logs. The cabin was covered by boards that he made. It had one fireplace with two small windows on either side. The kitchen had two doors and one window. Water was from a cistern he dug himself. They had two cisterns, one at the house and one at the barn. As you approached the home from the east you first came to his orchard that had apple, peach and plum trees. His pear trees were at a different place on the farm. Next was his garden spot, then the cabin. Although the cabin is completely gone, one would still know that once a home had been near this spot becasue each year the flowers still bloom and the fruit trees struggle to produce. He furnished his cabin with furniture made by Pinky Dave. He paid for the furniture, his staple groceries and his doctor bills with farm produce, wagon loads of stove wood, and manual labor. Emma never allowed any help in the kitchen, and when company left she scoured the dishes and chairs with ashes and water.

James and Dorcas raised their garden produce and corn and wheat. They made fodder that was feed for their one cow and several horses. James liked horses. He had one that was blind and deaf but was a good work horse. He raised hogs and chickens.

The following copied from the day book of Dr. Darius Nease gives an idea of how James and Dorcas lived. The year was 1881. Dr. Nease was a very good source of information for most as he listed his patients as so and so, and the son of so and so. However he listed James as "sheep legs" because James' legs were so skinny.

After the Civil War, all of James' brothers and his sister loaded up in a covered wagon and went west. They settled in Wright and Platte County, Missouri. James never saw his family again, but they corresponded and sent pictures and talked of "Jim who stayed in Tennessee". They had no idea in which part of TN they originated until James' descendants located them in 1971.

James and Dorcas had a good long life togehter; they were married at least 52 years before death seperated them. The greatest tragedy in their lives was the knowledge that they would have to leave Emma with a small child to care for. Their second child's death was surely mourned till their last days.

Neighbors heard her cry the day Crockett married. She was reluctant to give up her only son. She wanted to keep her home and family together. She gave this gene to her only grandchild, and to her great grandchildren; all live and will likely die within hollering distance to where she spent her life.

When their daughter, Sally, was in her teens, she died, not from a dreaded disease, she just died and was buried in the Smith family cemetery on Clear Creek. Crockett grew up to be a tax assessor and school teacher. He married Minnie Ragan. Their son, Paul, was born in 1903 and Minnie died six months later of T.B. Emma took care of the baby. She never married and they lived happily until December 1910 when Crockett died of T.B. also. One month later in January 1911, James died of pneumonia. He had chopped wood all day the day before his death. He was 78 years old. He is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery. In August of the same year, Dorcas died. She was also 78 years old.

This left Emma to raise her seven year old nephew. She took care of their expenses and added an acre at a time to the farm. She did this with farm produce. When Paul grew to school age, his friends became his constant companions in the home. Among them were Dennis Ragan, Troy Wardroup, Frank Shelton and John Stevens. Dovie Stevens Trentham, Francis and Stella Hommell would spend the night with Emma. They looked at family pictures, wrote letters to the Missouri cousins, but most of all, they enjoyed singing together. Emma lived to the age of 78.

Paul married Bessie Freshour. They had three children, including one son, William Crockett, to carry on the family name. This son married Margaret Ottinger and they had four children, one, a son, Ronnie D., to carry on the name. Ronnie married Connie Ottinger and broke a four generation tradition of producing one son. He has three sons, Joshua, Matthew and William Ceth and a daughter, Rebecca. This family lives on the Warrensburg Road in Greene County. They have gone back from whence they came.
source: article by Eddith Smith Johnson (about 1976) copied from: A Look Back at the Parrottsville Community

Notes for JAMES SMITH: The notes for James Smith are included with his wife, Dorcas' notes.

10. THOMAS4 SMITH (JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born abt. 1834. He married MARTHA CLINE.

Notes for THOMAS SMITH: Thomas, the third child of John L. and Sarah was born about 1834. He married Florence or Martha Cline, probably the daughter of Clieve Cline from North Carolina. 1880 census has Thomas's wife listed as Catherine. Thomas was a rolling stone; he once swapped the Les Boles farm for a rifle and a dog. At one time he lived on his brother John's place; he cropped there, and had built a log cabin. John's children always referred to this field as the "Old Uncle Tom Field". When he took sick to die he went to live with his brother Francis, and died at his home and is likely buried in the Smith graveyard.
source: article by Eddith Emma Smith Johnson - 1970's

11. FRANCIS M.4 SMITH (JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born September 02, 1830 in Cocke County, TN, and died September 18, 1907 in Cocke County, TN. He married SARAH EISENHOUR.

More about FRANCIS M. SMITH: Buried at Forest Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

More about SARAH EISENHOUR: Buried at Forest Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

12. GEORGE4 SMITH (JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born September 08, 1837 in Cocke County, TN, and died May 09, 1901 in Cocke County, TN. He married MARTHA PARROTT, daughter of HENRY PARROTT and ELIZABETH YETT.

More about GEORGE SMITH: Buried at Smith-Byrd Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

More about MARTHA PARROTT: Buried at Smith-Byrd Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

13. JOHN M.4 SMITH (JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 1845. He married (1) CINDY REECE, daughter of PETER REECE. He married (2) MARY FLEENOR.

Notes for JOHN M. SMITH: John's wife Cindy died after the birth of their youngest child and he married Mary Fleenor. She was called Aunt Mary by the children she raised for John.

When John heard of his brother Crockett's death, he rushed off to join the Union Army. He was with the 3rd Regiment TN Vol. Mounted Infantry. He was wounded at Greeneville, TN October 1864. He lay wounded and unattended for days and it is unclear how he got home. For the rest of his life he wore a minnie ball in his neck and was known as "Shot John".

John tended for the Smith Cemetery during his life time. Recently his grandson, John and Dorcas's great grandson William Crockett Smith, built a fence around the Smith Cemetery.
source: Eddith Emma Smith Johnson

14. JAMES4 SMITH (JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 1848, and died abt. 1880. He married ELLA BROWN.

Notes for JAMES SMITH: For some reason, this line either was not on the 1870 or 1880 Cocke County census, or has been missed each time it was read. The only trace of James comes from the medical ledger of Dr. Darious Nease. Dr. Nease wrote: "The Widow Ella Smith of James"; this notation was made in 1881. Likely James was dead in 1880.

15. FRANK PIERCE4 SMITH (THOMAS L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born July 22, 1857 in Cocke County, TN, and died July 19, 1919 in Cocke County, TN. He married (1) ELIZA JANE OVERHOLT January 23, 1876 in Cocke County, TN, daughter of JAMES OVERHOLT and JANE ALEXANDER. He married (2) ALICE VICTORIA CORRELL February 26, 1888 in Cocke County, TN, daughter of FIELDEN CORRELL and ISABELL CAMPBELL.

Notes for FRANK PIERCE SMITH: Frank Pierce Smith was born on July 22, 1857 to Tom Smith and Mary Cluck. The parents of Frank are still quite a mystery to me. They are both listed on Frank's death certificate as his parents and as being born in TN - yet to go back one generation further seems impossible at this time. (please see the notes for Thomas L. Smith).

I hope to find more information on Frank's father by obtaining his Civil War records. I was told that his father was a member of the 63rd TN Infantry.

Frank Pierce Smith's Death Certificate reads as follows:

A family member, Wayne Smith, told me that he believes that after the death of his father, Frank bound himself out to James Wiley Overholt as an indentured servent to care for his mother and his sister. Frank married James' daughter, Eliza Jane Overholt on Januay 23, 1876. Wayne also believes that Frank went into partnership with the Overholts to purchase several hundred acres of land. Wayne still ownes 80 acres of this original land.

Another family member, Conrad Smith, who is the grandson of Christian Smith, son of Fuller Smith, recalls a story he heard: "Eliza Jane Overholt's father was in the Civil War - fought for the North - and would send money back home to his wife. When he returned home she took him back out to the smoke house and dug up $600 worth of gold - it was all the money he had earned. He then took the money and bought 300-400 acres. Some of the land was given to Christian & Noah. Mr. Overholt retired and Christian and Noah (Frank's children) were also able to retire with the $600 that bought the land". Conrad also mentions that whenever someone asked Frank where he was from, he would just say "North Carolina, and that's all you need to know". (More to add to the mystery!)

Frank Pierce Smith died on July 19, 1919 just three days shy of his 62nd birthday. He is buried at Point Pleasant Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

Notes for ELIZA JANE OVERHOLT: Buried at Point Pleasant Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

Notes for ALICE VICTORIA CORRELL: Alice is listed on the 1880 Cocke County census with her father, F.M. age 32, mother Isabell age 32, N.E. 6, J.P. 12, M.E. 11. Alice is listed as A.V.

16. JULIA A.4 SMITH (THOMAS L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 1860. She married UNKNOWN.

Notes for JULIA A. SMITH: Nothing is known of Julia. It is not certain if she was married - or who the father was of her daughter, Bonnie.

Generation No. 5

17. CHARLIE5 SMITH (ADON4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1). He married LIZZIE KILGORE.

18. PENELOPE5 SMITH (ADON4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1). She married PHIL REESE.

19. JOHN ROSECRANS5 SMITH (ADON4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born July 07, 1863 in Cocke County, TN, and died 1931 in Cocke County, TN. He married KATHERINE ELIZABETH BASINGER.

More about JOHN ROSECRANS SMITH: Buried at Forest Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

More about KATHERINE ELIZABETH BASINGER: Buried at Forest Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

20. LOWEY5 FOX (NANCY4 SMITH, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1). He married (1) SARAH ELIZABETH TALLEY, daughter of CHARLES TALLEY and SUSAN FOX. He married (2) MARY ETTA REECE.

21. CROCKETT5 SMITH (DORCAS4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 1866, and died 1910 in Cocke County, TN. He married MINNIE RAGAN.

More about CROCKETT SMITH: Crockett was a tax assessor and school teacher. Died of T.B. Buried at Forest Hill Baptist Church cemetery, Cocke County, TN

Notes for MINNIE RAGAN: Minnie passed away just six months after the birth of her son from T.B. Her son, Paul, was raised by her sister-in-law, Emma Smith. Minnie is buried next to her husband at the Forest Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Cocke County, TN.

22. FRANCES5 SMITH (THOMAS4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1). She married ALEX SMITH.

23. GEORGE5 SMITH (THOMAS4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1). He married ? TRENTHAM.

24. CALVIN5 SMITH (FRANCIS M.4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1). He married SALLY STEPP.

Notes for CALVIN SMITH: Calvin made a family tree and traced the family back to William Penn. Lucille Smith Seviney, a daughter of Luther Smith, used it for an assignment in 1923. All she remembered was that we had a grandmother Mason and a grandmother Penn. This record was either destroyed or misplaced.
source: Eddith Emma Smith Johnson

25. IDA5 SMITH (FRANCIS M.4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1). She married PHIL CLINE.

26. HATTIE5 SMITH (GEORGE4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) died in Oklahoma. She married IKE BROOKS.

27. HORACE5 SMITH (GEORGE4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1). He married JENNY LESLIE, daughter of HEVER PARROTT.

28. LILLI MAY5 SMITH (GEORGE4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 1867, and died February 02, 1901. She married (1) JAMES BROOKS. She married (2) GEORGE BYRD.

Notes for LILLI MAY SMITH: Lilli's babies were buried on the Frank LaRue farm which was once the home place of George and Martha Smith. After the death of her husband George, Lilli May took her two surviving sons and joined her brother and sister in Oklahoma.

More about JAMES BROOKS: Buried at Smith-Byrd Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

More about GEORGE BYRD: Killed in a train accident. Buried at Smith-Byrd Cemetery, Cocke County, TN

29. VENIE5 SMITH (JOHN M.4, JOHN L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1). She married DARIUS HOLLOW.

30. CHRISTIAN5 SMITH (FRANK PIERCE4, THOMAS L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born October 27, 1876 in Cocke County, TN, and died July 14, 1954 in Cocke County, TN. He married LILLIE TURNER abt. 1898 in Cocke County, TN, daughter of WILLIAM TURNER and SARAH CALFEE.

Notes for CHRISTIAN SMITH: Christian was a blacksmith and had a log blacksmith shop on his farm. They just recently tore it down (1997). Christian and others would go to the 8th grade 2 or 3 years, because it was not easy to get to a school and there were not many high schools available. Christian wanted his kids educated and brought someone into the home to teach his kids.

Christian's house was just recently sold at auction. Conrad Smith went and said that the house looked much the same. He remembers the inside with no running water, no electricity or plumbing. He said his grandfather used kerosene lamps and a wood fireplace for heat. The house was never finished upstairs. Conrad's father told him there were some mornings he would wake up with snow on the bed.

Christian and Jay Calfee would kill a beef cow, put it in the back of their truck and peddle it out up and down the road - selling 4 to 6 pounds at a time.

Christian is named in his Grandfather, James Wiley Overholt's will. Please see note for Noah Smith.
source: Conrad Smith, Dennis Snapp

31. NANNIE ANN5 SMITH (FRANK PIERCE4, THOMAS L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born January 18, 1879 in Cocke County, TN, and died July 16, 1958 in Cocke County, TN. She married CAULEY SAMPLES August 13, 1898 in Cocke County, TN, son of JOSIAH SAMPLES and RHODA CALFEE.

Notes for NANNIE ANN SMITH: Nannie is named in her grandfather, James Wiley Overholt's will. Please see note for Noah Smith.

32. NOAH ABRAHAM5 SMITH (FRANK PIERCE4, THOMAS L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born September 19, 1881 in Cocke County, TN, and died July 29, 1961 in Cocke County, TN. He married BERTHA C. CALFEE August 15, 1903, daughter of JAMES CALFEE and NANCY TURNER.

Noah Abraham Smith
Noah Abraham Smith

Notes for NOAH ABRAHAM SMITH: Noah Abraham Smith, along with his sister and brother, received land from their grandfather, James Wiley Overholt, as written in his will: "...I have already executed a deed to my grand children Christian Smith, Nancy Samples, Noah Smith for a certain tract of land known as the Ramsey place bought of George Inman executors I design that as their part of my real estate....The remainder of the Ramsey farm about thirteen acres which is not included in the deeds executed to my grandchildren Christian Smith, Nancy Samples, and Noah Smith ... said property by this my will. I hereby appoint my Son Newton S. Overholt executor and excuse him of bond. This January 3, 1912. Jas Overholt

I don't know how much land was included as the "Ramsey Place", but it was thought to be about 200 acres. Noah, in turn, gave his son J.B. 35 acres on McCowan Creek Road to start his own farm.
source: J.B. Smith, Dennis Snapp, Conrad Smith, Wayne Smith

Notes for BERTHA C. CALFEE: Bertha Calfee Smith died on June 12, 1945 from a blod clot due to complications from surgery.

33. MARY BELLE5 SMITH (FRANK PIERCE4, THOMAS L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born May 01, 1889. She married BEN HARRISON THOMAS.

34. WALTER HESTER5 SMITH (FRANK PIERCE4, THOMAS L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born June 03, 1894 in Cocke County, TN, and died October 29, 1918 in Cocke County, TN. She married HOWARD CALFEE, son of BUB CALFEE and MARTHA GIBSON.

35. MACK CLINTON5 SMITH (FRANK PIERCE4, THOMAS L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born May 16, 1901 in Cocke County, TN, and died 1986 in Cocke County, TN. He married MAMIE KATE HOLT.

36. ARLIE VAUGHAN5 SMITH (FRANK PIERCE4, THOMAS L.3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born May 07, 1909 in Cocke County, TN, and died April 15, 1978 in White Pine, Jefferson County, TN. He married CRESSIE FOX October 30, 1933 in Cocke County, TN.

More about ARLIE VAUGHAN SMITH: Arlie's full name may be spelled Arlie Von Smith

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