Carra Stamey Smith Kissiah is my great grand grandmother. I have her portrait hanging in my hall and we share the same birthday, almost 100 year apart. I have always felt a connection. I have a few memories of my great grandfather, her son, James Dennis Smith. He had a hook arm from a mill accident and I was a little scared of him. Luckily my mom said that I never showed it. He died before I started kindergarten. I also knew her daughter Elsie Kissiah Bishop who died when I was in my teens.

There is a bit of a mystery around our lineage and her. My mom told me that James Dennis Smith told her his parents were Carra Stamey and William Harrison Smith. William appears to be the father of James Dennis Smith's older siblings but I don't think he is James's father according to DNA. I discovered this through a bunch of close DNA matches that were not matching anything known to me and my extensively researched family tree. The one thing that they have in common is Polk Co., GA. and a few have Barney Howard Smith (1888-1962) and has to be related. I have DNA matches with Carra's sister Jessie Stamey Holland's descendants. Harrison Smith is believed to be the son of Silas Smith and Minty Ella Smith.

So the following is everything that I "know" about her in hopes to figure out some of this mystery. Her grave marker has the dates 13 Dec 1876 - 17 Apr 1944. Her father was about 30 when she was born and her mother was about 19. I have visited her grave at the First Baptist Church of North Spartanburg Cemetery in Spartanburg, SC. Ironically my mother and I were heading to my cousins baby shower in Atlanta, Georgia and were heading down I-85. I decided to look up how far the cemetery was once we got in Spartanburg and it was literally just a few minutes away right off the interstate. Amazing or divine timing for sure!

In the 1880 census, taken on June 11, 1880, she is listed as age 3 living in Beaverdam Township, Haywood County, NC with her parents Elijah Cerbron Stamey, Jr. and Nancy Belle Muse and her younger sister Charlotte Cornelia Stamey Davis. Her name is spelled Carrow and her sister's was spelled Sharlot, which I am guessing was phonetically. Her father was listed as a Farmer and her mother as Keeping House. There is a tic mark in Nancy's column under the heading as Cannot Write, but there wasn't a tic mark in the Cannot Read column. It looks like about half her neighbors on that census page had the same reading/writing skills. It is marked that they were all born in NC as well as Elijah's and Nancy's parents. None of other boxes are marked indicating any infirmary or unemployment. I did not see any other family members living nearby.

On March 1, 1891 she was married to Harrison Smith in
Beaverdam Township, Haywood, Haywood County, NC. They applies for the license on 26 Feb 1891 (which is ironically the day I am writing this!). She was 14 and 2.5 months at the time and I believe he was 24. Their ages were listed as 18 for her and 24 for him! Interestingly enough, there is a statement handwritten and added below the verbiage about being of legal age. It says "& that I am personally acquainted with the said Carra Stamey & know her age & and that she is 18 years of age or more." How strange this was added but it appears someone didn't believe she was old enough but she got someone to vouch that she was either knowingly or not. I think that person was J.... Sharpe? The Witness was D. H. Nelson. It says that they were married at the residence of D. Smith and the witnesses were W.O. Cabe?, Jeff Martizen?, and Berry Smith. Their parents were listed as S. & M.E. Smith and Elija and Nannie Stamey and are written very clearly. Their marriage certificate was returned on April 16, 1891 and registered by the Register of Deeds.

On 21 March 1892, Carra's daughter Willie E. Smith was born. Willie later married Major George Guy.

On 13 Nov 1894, Carra's daughter Lula Smith was born. Lula later married Clarence Eugene Lawson.

On 24 Oct 1896, Carra's son Guss Lee Smith. I do not believe he ever married and is buried by Carra at First Baptist Church of North Spartanburg Cemetery.

On 27 Apr 1899, Carra's son Perry Coke Smith was born. He died at age 20.

In the 1900 census, taken on June 26, 1900 in Beaver Dam, Haywood County, NC, she is listed correctly as age 24 (9 years after she was married as being age 18!) and Harrison appears to be listed correctly as age 33. Her name is spelled Corey Smith. Birthday's are given as July 1866 for Harrison and Dec. 1876 for Carra. It shows they had 4 children born to them and 4 children are still living, they are listed as Willie, Luley, Gussie, and Perry. They are all listed as born in North Carolina as well as their parents. Carra and Harrison are both listed as able to read and write. I can't tell if it is marked as owning or renting their home but I would say it looks more like an R for renting than an O for owning but is very hard to read and there isn't a mortgage listed. The property was described as a Farm as Farm schedule 263.

On 14 May 1903, Carra's son James Dennis Smith was born in Spartanburg County, SC. I am unsure of his father due to DNA. James later married Lillie Mae Starnes.

Her husband Harrison Smith died between 1900-1910. We have a date of 7 Jun 1906 from family records but I have no proof about that.

According to the 1910 census, she also had another child that was born between 1900-1910 and died.

In the 1910 census, taken on April 18, 1910 in Union Township, Union County, SC she is listed as Corrie Smith, age 32 (should be 34) with her children Willie E., Lulu C., Augustus S., Perry M., and James D. as head of the house. Also listed is Samuel Kissiah as a cousin age 31. I don't know how she considered herself to be a cousin of Samuel or this was just a rouse for the benefit of the census taker. They would marry shortly after this. They were both listed as widowed. She may have "lowered" her age to be closer to his. Carra and her children (except for 6 year old James) are listed as spinner's in a cotton mill. Samuel is listed as a Seeder Hand. It is possible after her husbands death she moved to Union County, SC for mill work to provide for her children. All but the youngest two children (ages 10 - Perry and 6 - James) are listed as able to read and write with none of them as attending school or missing any work. Samuel is listed as unable to read or write but in the 1930 census he is listed as able to do both. It shows Carra as Renting a Home.

In 1904 spinner's average $3.00 per week and Seeder hands averaged $4.50 per week so he was probably making significantly more than she was. Seeder hands were more skilled at removing the bobbins, pirns or spindles holding the spun fiber and spinners were "The workers who ran the spinning machines were called spinners, and almost all of them were women. One spinner tended her side of four different spinning machines, meaning that she was responsible for 288 or more strands of thread at a time."

On 24 Sep 1913, Carra's daughter Elsie Kissiah was born. Elsie later married to Earl Melvin Bishop. Elsie was the daughter of Carra Stamey and Samuel Melton Kissiah.

On 21 Dec 1919, Carra's son Perry Coke Smith died at aged 20 in Reidville, Spartanburg County, SC, USA of Pneumonia. The informant was S M Kissiah, Fairmont Mills, or most likely Samuel Melton Kissiah. Parents are listed as unknown for some reason. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC in an unmarked grave in the W B Lawson plot (listed as WL Lawson plot on burial record). I do not know the connection with this Lawson family but her daughter Lula married a Lawson and his brother John Ward Lawson Sr. was also buried in that cemetery but I am unsure if it is the same plot.

On June 19, 1925, she is listed as a survivor in her fathers obituary. It was in the Asheville Citizen-Times from Asheville, NC. She is listed as Mrs. S. M. Kissiah and it indicated her father died after a long illness. His funeral services were held at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery in Candler, Buncombe County, NC where her mother was later buried.

In the 1920 census, taken on April 13, 1920 in Ormonds Township, Green County, NC she is listed as Carra Kissiah living in her husband, Samuel Kissiah's household with Gus, James (very hard to read) and Elsie. The children are listed as sons and daughter of Samuel. Cara is listed as age 43 (correct) and Samuel as 39. None of the children are listed as attending school and all but the youngest (Elsie, age 5) can read and write. Their occupations were listed as Farmers except the youngest. I think Sam is listed as Gen Farm Schedule 511 and the others as House Farm. It is very hard to read.

In the 1930 census taken on May 16, 1930 in Upper Hominy, Buncombe County, NC, back in the mountains where Carra is from, she is listed as Carra age 53 and Sam as 52 living on a farm. Also living with them is Elsie and Wayne. Wayne is listed as Step-grandson (son of James Dennis Smith). Wayne was not attending school nor could read and write. Their marriage age was given as 16 (Sam) and Carra (15). I guess this means their 1st marriage. Only Sam is listed as employed as a farmer and a Veteran of Spanish Expedition.

In the 1940 census taken on April 5, 1940 she (age 62) is listed with Sam (63) only on Riverside Road, Berryhill (Charlotte) Mecklenburg County, NC and grandson Wayne as a lodger in 5th grade. Sam is a farmer.

There is a snapshot of Carra with two of her sisters. It is labelled Charlotte Stamey Davis, Jessie Stamey Holland, Carra Stamey Kissish About 1933 or 1934.

On 7 Apr 1934, Carra's daughter Elsie Kissiah married Earl Melvin Bishop in Mecklenburg County, NC.

1935 Charlotte City Directory living at 917 Calvine Ave. with Sam listed as textileworker.

On 17 April 1944, Carra died in Charlotte, NC.

* * * *

She married 1st William Harrison Smith and 2nd to Sam Kissiah.

Carra was born December 13, 1876 and she married William Harrison Smith on March 1, 1891. Children:
- Gus Smith b. Oct. 24, 1896 d. May 7, 1942
- Perry Smith b. April 27, 1899 d. Dec. 21, 1919
- Willie (Female) b. Nov. 13, 1894
- Linda b. Nov. 13, 1894
- Infant b. Nov. 16, 1901
- James Dennis b. May 14, 1903 d. Feb. 19, 1978

Carra's father was E. C. Stamey and mother was Nancy Stamey.

* * * * * * *

Corrie Kessiah
in the 1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Corrie Kessiah
[Corrie Hessiah]
[Corrie Kissiah]
Age: 63
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1877
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: North Carolina
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Home in 1940: Berryhill, Mecklenburg, North Carolina
Map of Home in 1940: Berryhill, Mecklenburg, North Carolina
Street: Riverside Road
Inferred Residence in 1935: Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina
Residence in 1935: Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 3B
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Woman Marriages: No
Woman Age at First Marriage: 20
Number of Children Ever Born: 3
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 8th grade
Weeks Worked in 1939: 0
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: No
Native Language: English
Veteran: Yes
Military service: Spanish-American War, Philippine Insurrection, or Boxer Rebellion
Social Security Number: No
Usual Occupation: Housewife
Usual Industry: Home
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
Sam M Kessiah 62 Head
Corrie Kessiah 63 Wife
Wayne Smith 15 Lodger [her grandson]

* * * *

Cora Kissiah
in the 1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Cora Kissiah
[Carra Kissiah]
Birth Year: abt 1877
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age in 1930: 53
Birthplace: North Carolina
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Homemaker?: Yes
Home in 1930: Upper Hominy, Buncombe, North Carolina, USA
Map of Home: Upper Hominy, Buncombe, North Carolina
Street Address: Morgan Cove
House Number: See ?? line 46-477
Dwelling Number: 318
Family Number: 324
Age at First Marriage: 15
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Able to Speak English: Yes
Household Members Age Relationship
Sam M Kissiah 52 Head
Cora Kissiah 53 Wife
Elsie Kissiah 16 Daughter
Wayne Smith 5 Stepson (Step Son)

* * * *

Carra Kissiah
in the 1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Carra Kissiah
Age: 43
Birth Year: abt 1877
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1920: Ormonds, Greene, North Carolina
Street: Hookerton Road
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: S M Kissiah
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Native Tongue: English
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Farm
Industry: Home farm
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
S M Kissiah 39 Head
Carra Kissiah 43 Wife
Guss Kissiah 24 Son
Dan Kissiah 16 Son
Elsia Kissiah 5 Daughter

* * * *

Corrie Smith
in the 1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Corrie Smith
[Carra Smith]
Age in 1910: 32
Birth Date: 1878
[1878]
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1910: Union, Union, South Carolina, USA
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Native Tongue: English
Home Owned or Rented: Rent
Farm or House: House
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Number of Children Born: 6
Number of Children Living: 5
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
Corrie Smith 32 Head
Willie E Smith 16 Daughter
Lulu C Smith 15 Daughter
Augustus S Smith 13 Son
Perry M Smith 10 Son
James D Smith 6 Son
Samuel Kissiah 31 Cousin

* * * *

Coney Smith [sic]
United States Census, 1900
Name Coney Smith
Event Type Census
Event Year 1900
Event Place Beaverdam Township Canton town, Haywood, North Carolina, United States
Gender Female
Age 24
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Relationship to Head of Household Wife
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Wife
Number of Living Children 4
Years Married 9
Birth Date Dec 1876
Birthplace North Carolina
Marriage Year (Estimated) 1891
Father's Birthplace North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace North Carolina
Mother of how many children 4
Household
Harrison W Smith Head M 33 North Carolina
Coney Smith Wife F 24 North Carolina
Willie Smith Daughter F 7 North Carolina
Lesley Smith Daughter F 6 North Carolina
Gussey Smith Son M 4 North Carolina
Perrey Smith Son M 2 North Carolina

* * * *

Carrow Stamy
in the 1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Carrow Stamy
[Carra Stamy]
[Carrow Stamey]
Age: 3
Birth Date: Abt 1877
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1880: Beaver Dam, Haywood, North Carolina, USA
Dwelling Number: 52
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Elija S. Stamy
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Nancy J. Stamy
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
Elija S. Stamy 33 Self (Head)
Nancy J. Stamy 22 Wife
Carrow Stamy 3 Daughter
Sharlet Stamy 2 Daughter

* * * *

Name: Harrison Smith
Gender :Male
Race: White
Age:24
Birth Year: abt 1867
Marriage Date: 1 Mar 1891
Marriage Place: Haywood, North Carolina, USA
Father: S Smith
Mother: M E Smith
Spouse: Carra Stamey
Spouse Gender: Female
Spouse Race: White
Spouse Age: 18
Spouse Father: Elige Stamy
Spouse Mother: Nannie Stamy
Event Type: Marriage

* * * *

name: Carra Kissiah
titles & terms:
event:Death
event date: 17 Apr 1944
event place: Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina
birth year: 1877
estimated birth year:
burial date: 18 Apr 1944
burial place: Spartanburg, S. C.
cemetery: New Pisga
funeral home:
residence: Charlotte, Meck., N. C.
street address: 1005 N. Adams
gender: Female
death age: 66
marital status: Married
race: White
occupation: Housewife
birth date: 13 Dec 1877
birthplace: Bumcombe Co., N. C.
father:Elige Stamey
father's titles & terms:
father's place of birth: Bumcombe Co., N. C.
mother: Nancy Muse
mother's titles & terms:
mother's place of birth: N. C.
spouse:Sam Kissiah
spouse's titles & terms:
additional relatives: X
informant:
reference number: v 8A cn 8224
film number:1943242

* * * *

Carra Kissiah
in the U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: Carra Kissiah
Gender: Female
Residence Year: 1935
Street Address: 917 Calvine av
Residence Place: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Spouse: Samuel M Kissiah
Publication Title: Charlotte, North Carolina, City Directory, 1935

* * * *

According to Sam Kissiah's death certificate, he was married to a Ruby at the time of his death. He had a cousin-in-law Ruby Helms who married an unknown Kissiah on her death certificate. Ruby was the daughter of John Helms and Nealy Broome. Nealy married 2nd to Sam's uncle James Willard Kissiah. Sam's obit confirms that Ruby's children from her 1st marriage are listed as his stepchildren.