Anna E. (Laws) Smith 1806-1880

Anna E. Laws was born on Friday, August 15, 1806 to Moses Laws and Hester Laws in Onslow County, North Carolina. Her mother Hester died prior to 1818 in North Carolina and is buried there. "Moses Laws, a North Carolinian, came from that state in 1818. He was a widower with seven children, William, John, James, Lewis, Sarah, Elizabeth and Annie." source: Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations ... and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers" Publication date 1883; Christy Twp, Lawrence Co, IL; Pg 264

Anna was four years old when she was counted with her parents and siblings in the 1810 census in Onslow County, North Carolina. In 1820 she was counted with her father and siblings in Edwards County, Illinois. On January 16, 1821, Lawrence County, Illinois was created from Crawford and Edwards Counties.

"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. Anna was age 23 at the time of their marriage. In 1830 and 1840, she and William were listed 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 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.
-Caroll 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)

In the summer of 1846 when Anna was about 40 years old, her husband William died. She was left to raise 10 children who were under the age of 14 at the time. She never remarried.

Anna died at the home of her daughter-in-law Amanda C. (Judy) Smith in Claremont Township, Richland County, Illinois on Saturday, February 28, 1880 at 2 p.m. at the age of 73 years, 6 months and 13 days. Cause of death was: typho-pneumonia and paralysis, complications: debility. She was buried on Sunday, February 29, 1880 at Antioch Cemetery. The undertaker was Stephens of Sumner, Lawrence Co, Illinois and the physician was Dr O.A. Battson, MD.
~~~~~
Link to mother requested by Sara Johnston (49324615) on 3/10/2021. Link was accepted, but Hester Laws is not buried in the Hadley Cemetery.