Smith Family

FAMILY BACKGROUND

John Alex Smith, the earliest discovered ancestor of this line, was born in Georgetown, District of Columbia on 14 Feb 1792. His full middle name may have been Alexander since he had a son named John Alexender. John died 24 Jul 1879 in Adelphi, Ross County, Ohio. His birth year differs depending on the record.

• The 1850 U.S. Census shows his age as 52 (1798), married to Sarah, with an occupation as a Shoemaker

• The 1870 U.S. Census shows his age as 75 (1795), married to Sarah, with an occupation of Works in Shoe Shop

• His Death Record shows his age at 87 year 5 months and 10 days when he died on 2 Jul 1879 which calculates to 14 Feb 1792.

In addition, his place of birth is reported differently on different records.

• The 1850 U.S. Census shows his birth place as Pennsylvania

• The 1870 U.S. Census shows his birth place as Pennsylvania

• The 1880 U.S. Census shows "D.C" as father's birth place for his daughter, Sarah Ann Smith

• The 1880 U.S. Census shows "D.C" as father's birth place for his son, Joseph T. Smith

• The 1880 U.S. Census shows "D.C" as father's birth place for his son, John Alexander Smith

• John's death record shows "Georgetown, D.C" as his birth place

John married Sarah. It is not known if he married in Ohio or in Pennsylvania or what her maiden name was. Sarah is listed as born in Pennsylvania in 1850 U.S. Census and the 1870 U.S. Census.  There is a marriage record on 20 Jan 1814 in Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania for John Smith and Sarah Kerper. There are a number of marriages between 1814 and 1816 in counties other than Ross County, Ohio. These years would be about the right timeframe given the birth of their first child, however none have been proven.

From the census records, it appears that John and Sarah had at least 7 children, 5 noted in the 1830 U.S. Census and 2 additional in the 1840 U.S. Census.

• In the 1830 Census for John and Sarah, there are 5 children listed: 1 male under 5; 1 male 5-9; 1 male 10-14; 1 female under 5; 1 female 10-14.

              Presumed names and ages are:

• Mary Ann Smith - age 13 (counted in 10-14 female group) 

• Joseph T. Smith - age 8 (counted in 5-9 male group)   

• Sarah Ann Smith - age 4 (counted in under 5 female group)

• John Alexander Smith - age 2 (counted in under 5 male group)

• Unknown male - age ? - May have died before 1840 or had left the household by 1840 (counted in 10-14 male group).

• In the 1840 Census for John and Sarah, there are 3 children listed: 1 male 10-14; 1 male 15-19; 1 felmale under 5; and 1 female 10-14.

              Presumed names and ages are:

• Julia Smith - age 3 (counted in female under 5 group)

• Sarah Smith - age 14 (counted in female 10-14 group)

• John Smith - age 12 (counted in male 15-19 group)

• William Smith - age 8 (counted in male 10-14 group)

• In the 1850 Census for John and Sarah, there are 3 children listed:

• Sarah, age 22, born in Ohio

• John, age 20, born in Ohio

• Julia, age 13, born in Ohio

• In the 1870 Census for John and Sarah, there is 1 child listed:

  • Sarah A., age 43, born Ohio

The 6 known children of John and Sarah Smith are:

• Mary Ann Smith (Abt 1817-1884) - married Abraham Grim Neff

• Joseph T. Smith (Abt 1822-Bef 1900) - married Ruth Byers

• Sarah Ann Smith (1826-1892) - did not marry

• John Alexander Smith (1828-1985) - married Martha Jane Mauk

• William Smith (1832- ? )

• Julie Ann Smith (1836-1872) - married John C. Tomlinson

Based on the above Census Records, John and Sarah Smith lived most of their lives in the village of Adelphi, Ross County, Ohio. From the 1875 map below, there were other Smith families living close by. In addition, Mary Ann Smith, daughter of John and Sarah, and her husband Abraham Grim Neff lived in the same village.

Per John's death record, he was widowed. It is presumed that Sarah died between 11 Jul 1970 (date of 1870 Census) and 24 Jul 1879 (date John died). It is very likely that John A. and Sarah Smith are buried in Belleview Cemetery, located at the intersection of High Street and Market Street in Adelphi, Ross County, Ohio. Many related family members are known to be buried there. Many of the older stones have disintegrated or worn smooth where the names were inscribed.

Click on the following link to view information on the descendants of John A. Smith to the present. This report is generated by the Legacy Genealogy program. (Report with documentation also available)

Smith Family Descendant Book (1792 - Present) - a privatized (dates & places of living people omitted) 9 Generation Descendant Book (PDF), starting with John Alex Smith - 57 pages plus index.

John Alex Smith Find A Grave - Burial information with links to descendants