William J. Smith

Parents are unknown at this time.

Please Note: The deed which shows land distribution for John Smith (1762-1831) of Mt. Olive, Wayne County, NC does NOT show evidence that William J. Smith who lived and died in Lawrence and Richland Counties, Illinois and was born in Tennessee, is a son of John Smith . [Wayne Co NC Record of Deeds 1833-1836 bk 16 pg 332-334 FamilySearch]

Year of birth (1805) is an approximation.
William J. Smith was born between 1801 and 1810, in Tennessee.

"On the 12th day of September AD 1829 Marriage License issued to William Smith and Ann Law" signed by V. J. Bradley, clerk [Valentine J. Bradley]. "Recorded 9th Oct 1829." in Lawrence County, Illinois.

In 1830 and 1840, William and Anna are counted on the Lawrence County, Illinois census records. This area became part of Richland County, Illinois when Richland County was formed on February 24, 1841.

William died in 1846 before August 10th (maybe July or early August 1846) in what is now the Claremont area of Richland County, Illinois. He was approximately 41 years old. William purchased government land in 1836, 1837 and 1838 and signed legal documents with his mark which looked like a "B". He and Anna sold land in 1839 and he again signed the document with "B". Probate documents and a deed for a daughter show his middle initial "J".

In 1840, William was engaged in agriculture. At the time of his death he owned sheep, hogs, cows, horses, bee hives, plows and other farm implements.

William J. and Anna (Laws) Smith had the following known children:
-Malinda Smith abt 1832-July 31, 1884 m. Thomas Jefferson Sanders in Nov. 1846 in Richland County, IL.
-Luzana Smith February 3, 1833-December 31, 1911 m. #1. Andrew Lowry on July 12, 1850 in Claremont, Richland County, IL #2. George Henry "Doc" Combs on February 15, 1880 in Mercer County, MO.
-Carroll Smith b. abt 1834 m. Mary Frances Cropper on December 31, 1859 or January 1, 1860 in Richland County, IL.
-Elizabeth A. Smith 1835-1858 m. William T. Miller on December 8, 1852 in Richland County, IL.
-Mary Ann Polly Smith April 15, 1836-November 9, 1921 m. Charles Wesley Higganbotham in January 1852 in Richland County, IL.
-1836 – 1840 – a male child was born in Lawrence Co, IL and living with the Wm Smith family in 1840. Name unknown.
-Susan Smith abt 1839 to Bet. 23 Sep 1860–31 Jan 1864 m. Thomas Craig on May 1, 1856 in Richland County, IL.
-Rebecca Smith July 23, 1841-December 2, 1889 m. Clinton M. Shaw on November 12, 1857 in Richland County, IL.
-William Laws Smith b. Apr 6 in probably 1843 [stone says 1841, but that conflicts with sister Rebecca's birth. Military records and several census records indicate 1843. His daughter Mary Etta Smith England listed his birth as April 30, 1843 in her DAR application and gave his middle name as Laws] died: March 18, 1879 m. Amanda Campbell Judy on March 8, 1866 in Richland County, IL.
-Sarah Jane Smith December 25, 1844-February 16, 1913 married 1st to Samuel W. Leasor 1839-1865 on August 9, 1860 in Richland County, IL ; married 2nd to Morris Bradley Lowry 1836-1906. (additional information for Sarah was provided by Don P. Shipman 49143841 on 10/18/2018)
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Additions/suggestions welcome.