Spartanburg County, South Carolina - Chapter 15: The Smith Family, 1900

In Revolutionary times there resided several branches of the great Smith family within the limits of the original county of Spartanburg, from which have sprung a long and respectable line of posterity. Among the first settlers within the territorial limits of Spartanburg coimty was Ralph Smith,* son of William Smith, of Wrightstown, Pennsylvania.

Ralph Smith emigrated from Bucks county, Penn., to South Carolina in 1765, and was a prominent citizen in his day. At the outbreak of the Revolution, he was a justice of the peace, and though well advanced in years, he threw up his commission and served in the army. When he removed to South Carolina he brought with him three sons and a daughter. The names of the sons were William, Samuel and Aaron ; all these became distinguished soldiers during the Revolution.

William, the eldest, was born in Bucks county, Penn., September 20th, 1751. Of his early life but little can now be ascertained. From the responsible and elevated positions which he filled, he must have received the very best educational advantages that could be offered in his day. His military career began when he was twenty-four years old. He served in the snow cam-

*In a revolutionary sketch published in Spartan June 28tli, 1899, Samuel Smith, son of Ralph, states that his father was raised among the Quakers in New Jersey, but that he did not follow them; that he moved to Pennsylvania before he (Samuel) was born.

paign in the winter of 1775, as a member of the Spartan regiment under the command of Colonel Thomas, Sr., and in the next year (1776) in Williamson's expedition against the Cherokees.

In 1777 William Smith was made a captain of the militia and was stationed for a time in Wood's Fort, near Beaver Dam Creek, between Middle and South Tyger rivers. This old fort was constructed near the border line of the Cherokee Indian Nation (the present line between the counties of Greenville and Spartanburg), as a protection to the white settlers living in vicinity of the border line, against unexpected outbreaks and invasions by the Indians.

In the Revolutionary sketch by Samuel Smith, brother of William Smith, republished in- the Spartan^ June 28tli, 1899, it is stated that Benjamin Roebuck was First Lieutenant in the comjDany of Captain William Smith, and that Lieutenant Roebuck was not advanced by promotion until after the fall of Charleston, May, 1780.

In December, 1778, Captain Wm. Smith was ordered to Georgia with his company, serving under General Lincoln, and participated in the battle of Stono, June, 1779.

After the surrender of General Lincoln at Charleston, the territory of South Carolina was completely overrun by the British and Tories, and by many the province was considered as completely subjugated to British authority. Many of the brave spirits of the Revolution sought and accepted British protection. Many of these, and among the number General Andrew Pickens, took the field again and fought bravely to the end of the war. Many, however, like Marion, Sumter, the Hamptons, and others preferred to remain in the field and continue the struggle. Among the latter class were William,

During the year 1780 Captain William Smith participated in the capture of Fort Thickety and in the battles of Wofford's Iron Works, Musgrove's Mill and Blackstocks. It appears that after Sumter recovered from his wound received at Blackstocks, Captain Wm. Smith became attached to his command and was promoted to the office of major. He was at Guilford Court-house, the siege of Granby, the skirmish at Ouincy Bridge, the affair at Juniper, and the capture of some British vessels at Watboo Landing under Colonel Wade Hampton, whose command formed a part of Sumter's forces. He continued in the service of his country until the end of the war. *

Soon after the organization of Spartanburg county in 1785, by virtue of what was known as Judge Pendleton's "County Court Act," William Smith was chosen as one of the county court judges for Spartanburg. He served in this capacity until 1797, wdien he was elected to the Congress of the United States and served several terms in that body. Joseph M. Rodgers says of him : " He was leader of the House, a solid man of some eloquence, but

*In searching among the records in the office of Secretary of State, Columbia, S. C, January, 1900, the writer ran across the roll of Captain Wm. Smith's company while a member of Sumter's command. This, the writer was informed, had been picked from the rubbish of a vacant room only a few months before. The following names appear on said roll: Captain Wm. Smith, Lieutenant Berry Jeffers, George Autly, Richard Bearden, Wm. Bearden, Nathan Bird, Jesse Chandler, Wm. Caldwell, James Dawkins, Samuel Day, Charles Elliot, James Flinn, James Gaston, Thomas Griffis, Robert Glasco, John Harris, Wm. Herrie, George Hughes, Wm. Houldich, George Jeffries, Jonathan Jones, Samuel Lancaster, Robert Lusk, John Morton, James Neal, Benj'n Neighbors, Henry Petitte, John Rest, Rob't Scott, John Steele, Wm. Swords, Nathan Smith, James Strother, Zopher Smith, Wm. Seigler, Abraham Lowery, Joseph Walliston, Archison White and Wm. Young.

he lacked the magnetism of true leadership. Had he remained longer in Congress he would have become a leading figure in American politics." He died June 22, 1837, in the eighty-sixth year of his age.

The official records in Columbia, S. C.,sho\v William Smith to have been State senator, representing the upper or Spartan District from 1788 to '92. This election district embraced all of the territory of the original county of Spartanburg, and the larger portion of the county of Union (see map " Colonial and Revolutionary History of Upper South Carolina," p. 43). He was also senator representing Spartanburg District proper from 1792 to 1800, and from i8i2to 1816, having served his constituents as State senator for a period of sixteen years. Few men served the public longer or more faithfully than Judge Smith. He married in early life to Miss Mourning, daughter of Mrs. Lettice Bearden, who was a sister of General Richard Winn of Fairfield District. By this marriage fourteen children were born, eight sons and six daughters. The names of the sons were Isaac, Eber, John Winn, Elihu, Eliphas, Ralph, William and Aaron. The names of the daughters were Lettice, Marsey, Polly, Jane and two daughters unmarried. Several of the sons became prominent in State politics. Colonel Isaac Smith, the eldest son, was State senator, representing Spartanburg District from 1818 to '26, a period of eight years, and was a representative from the same district in the House from 1828 to '30. He married a Miss Barry, and by said marriage four sons and four daughters were born. The youngest son, Elihu, was a soldier in the civil war and is still living.

Dr. Eber Smith, second son, was a prominent physician in his day, and was elected a representative from Spartanburg District to the State legislature for three times consecutiv^ely, which embraced the years 181 8, '20 and

'22. He married a daughter of General Thomas Moore, by which marriage one son was born - Mr. Aaron Smith, on Dutchman's Creek, who died in 1880, leaving a wife and eight children, five sons and three daughters.

Dr. Smith married a second time to Miss Ashford, of Fairfield District. They had one son, George, who died of yellow fever in Charleston in 1858.

Dr. John Winsmith,* third son, was a prominent physician and a man of extensive reading. He possessed a broad intellect, and figured for a number of years in the politics of his native country. He represented Spartanburg District in the State legislature from 1856 to '58, and from i860 to '62.

After the close of the war between the States, he served one or two terms in the State legislature, and was also elected one term to the State senate. He was also one of the delegates to the State Convention of 1852 from Spartanburg District. In character he was devoted to his friends, but bitter to his political enemies ; but during his life he contributed to many objects of charity, and was kind and benevolent in disposition. From his extensive library he made a valuable contribution of books, both historical and biographical, to the Kenedy Library of Spartanburg, which if destroyed, could not be replaced.

Dr. Winsmith was the father of J. Christopher Winsmith, a graduate of the Citadel Academy in Charleston, S. C, a gallant soldier of the Confederate army, and Captain of Co. H, ist Regt. , S. C. V., commanded by Colonel Haygood. Dr. Winsmith was also the father of Mrs. Baxter Moore, of Charlotte, N. C, these being his only children. He married Miss Catharine Faber.

William Smith, was a prominent and inflnential citizen and politician in his day, possessing the same distinctive characteristics that belonged to his distinguished father. He was a polished gentleman, a true patriot and represented his native district (Spartanburg) in the State legislature for eight years, from 1842 to '50, as shown by the official records. He married Miss Christina Faber, by w^hich marriage he had nine children, six sons and three daughters.

The eldest, Dr. Wm. F. Smith, of Glenn's Spring, is a prominent citizen and physician, well-known to the people of Spartanburg. He is well educated and a finished gentleman. He was in Europe when the war between the States began, but came home immediately and volunteered. He was for a time a member of the cavalry company known as the Brooks Troop from Greenville, but being a physician, he felt that he could serve his country better as an army surgeon, which position he held when the war closed. Since then he has practiced his profession in and around Glenn's Spring with success.

The second son, Eliphas, was a successful farmer. He entered the army at the commencement of the war and remained in service until its close. He then resumed planting, and continued this business until his death in 1888.

lege when the war began, and, like thousands of noble young men of that period, left the schoolroom and enlisted in the service of his country. He was wounded in one of the battles around Richmond, and died from effects of same shortly afterwards.

The fourth son, Eber C, was also in the South Carolina College at the outbreak of the war, but quitted the schoolroom and entered the army, and remained until the close of the war. He is farming successfully near Glenn's Spring.

The fifth son, Elihu, was quite a boy when the war began, but during the war he entered the army, and towards its close he was captured and carried to prison at Elmira, New York, wdiere he died of disease.

Judge Eliphas Smith, fifth son of Judge Wm. Smith, removed to Alabama when quite young, and was a prominent citizen in that State, and became a captain in the Mexican war. He married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of General Washinton Earle. Thev had two dauo-hters - Miss Lizzie, who married Dr. Durham of Fairfield, and Miss Cassie, who 'married-Captain John Sondley of Newberry county, S. C. He married a second time to a lady in Jacksonville, Ala., from which a daughter was born, Miss Jane, who married Eliphas Smith, now deceased. She survives her husband, and is a successful teacher.

Captain Ralph Smith, sixth son of Judge Smith, was also a prominent citizen in his day, though never in public life. He was a merchant and farmer, and married Miss Susan Turner of Clarke county, Ga. They had four children, one son and three daughters.

The son. Captain William James Smith, was prominently known to the people of Spartanburg county as an honest, intelligent and patriotic citizen, always taking an interest in everything looking to the welfare of his country. He was a typical Southern man, courtly in appearance, with large, penetrating eyes, which gave him the sobriquet of " Big-eyed Bill," only to distinguish him from others of the same name.

lead that company of gallant yonng men to the army, but being well advanced in years at the time, he resigned his commission after serving a year or more. This was on account of ill health, being unable to withstand the fatigues of active camp life ; but after returning home and recruiting his health he continued to serve his country as best he could until the close of the war. After this, to the time of his death, he continued in his farming operations on his plantation near Roebuck, S. C, where his family now reside. He was a prominent member of the Grange organization until this was superseded by the Alliance movement. He was also for a number of years the chairman of the Democratic Club of his township and an efficient member of the County Democratic Executive Committee, and tendered important service here in the management of political affairs in Spartanburg county when the State was under despotic rule.

Early in the fifties Captain Smith was married to Miss Mary R. Austin, a lady of intelligence and refinement, who survives him. She was a daughter of Dr. Thomas Austin, of Greenville District, S. C, a soldier of the war of 181 2, and granddaughter of Colonel Wm. Austin, a Revolutionary soldier, and also a granddaughter, on the maternal side, of IVIrs. Jane James, a sketch of whom appears at another place in this volume. By this marriaofe eisfht children were born - three sons and five dano^hters. Of these only five are living. Clifford, the eldest, is a planter in Marengo connty, Ala. He married a niece of Rev. J. L. M. Curry, D.D., wellknown in the South. He was a minister to Spain under Cleveland's first administration. One daughter. Miss Emma, married Mr. G. F. Bobo, near Roebuck, wellknown to the people of Spartanburg as a progressive farmer. Another daughter. Miss Ella, married Mr. W. B. McDaniel, of Greenville, where they now live. The youngest son, Ralph, resides in Demopolis, Ala., and is engaged in planting. He married Miss Evelyn Hatch of that place. One daughter, Mourning, is single, and lives with her mother.

Of the daughters of Captain Ralph Smith, Miss Mourning, the eldest, married Josiah Smith of Abbeville, S. C. , who died a few years after this marriage. She then married Mr. Miner Gracey of Newberry county. He lived ten years after their marriage. Three years after his death she married General W. P. Bocock, of Appomattox county, Va. , who was an eminent lawyer and attorney-general of the State of Virginia at the time of their marriage. She died in 1886 and her husband shortly afterwards. The second daughter, Miss Jane, married General L. W. Lawler, of Talladega county, Ala., a prominent man in that State, where he filled various positions of importance. He was appointed one of the commissioners to settle the debt of Alabama after the close of the war, in which he displayed great financial ability. He was also a prominent member of the Baptist church, and died in 1892. His widow survives him as the only living child of Captain Ralph Smith. Two accomplished daughters were the issue of this marriage. One, Mrs. Richardson, who died in 1887, leaving a daughter, and another, Mrs. General Whiting, of Mobile, who has two sons and two daughters. The third daughter of Captain Ralph Smith, Miss Elizabeth, married IVIr. S. N. Steele, of Newberry, S. C, a successful merchant. They removed to Marengo county, Ala., where he died in 1886, leaving two daughters, Mrs. Dr. Turk and Mrs. Wm. Spencer.

Colonel William Smith, another son of Judge Wm. Smith, removed to Fairfield District, many years before the civil war between the States and engaged in plant-, ing. He married a Miss x\shford, of Fairfield District, S. C. They had a large family, but most of them died young. One son, Mr. Joel Smith, served in the Confederate army ; was wounded and died not long after the close of the war from the effects of the same. Aaron, the youngest son, died before he reached the age of manhood.

Among the daughters of William Smith, Lettice, the eldest, married to William Jenkins of Chester District, S. C, and subsequently removed to Talladega, Ala.

Of the other daughters mentioned, Marsey married to Thomas Rabb of Fairfield District, Polly to Mr. Goel Brewton of Spartanburg District, and Jane to Mr. William Bogan of Union county.

It is said that during the war the family of William Smith were greatly persecuted by the Tories. They went to his house, destroyed his property and threatened his life. A Tory went to his house one day and told his wife that he and some other Tories, who were neighbors, had resolved to kill Captain Billy as soon as they laid eyes on him. Not long after his departure the captain rode up, and learning of the intention of the Tories, went immediately to the house of the Tory giving the information for the purpose of killing him. When the door was opened the Tory was not to be seen, but noticing that a plank in the floor had recently been moved.

he prized it up with his gun and there lay the cowardly wretch, who begged most piteously for his life. "Go," said the captain, "but iDeware of making any more threats. ' '

On one occasion Captain William Smith ventured home to see his wife. A Mr. West, who was a neighbor and a member of his company, accompanied him. Mr. West and he parted and were to remain a few hours .at their homes and then meet to return to their command. The wife of Captain Smith prepared a hurried meal, and as he was in the act of sitting dow^n to the table, he heard a firing in the direction of West's house. He immediately left, and when he came to the place of meeting, which was near where Philadelphia Church now stands, he was horrified to see the dead body of West suspended from a hickory tree. The fact has been related to the writer that Captain Ralph Smith (son of William) said his father had often shown him the tree, when they would be deer-hunting, where his friend West was placed after they had killed him before his wife's eyes.

Another time William Smith was going home alone, and hearing some persons talking, he concealed himself in some bushes near the road. The moon was shining brightly, and he recognized them as they passed. One of them remarked : " What a glorious night to kill Bill Smith! " Although he was treated badly by them, after the war he befriended them. He would say to their persecutors: "Come, men, the war is over; let them alone." Many Tories would have been driven from their homes had not his peaceful counsel prevailed. In after years when old age was growing upon him he would call his grandsons around him and tell them to always go to the elections and vote early for good and

Samuel Smith, second son of Ralph, the ancestor of this branch of the Smith family, and brother of Judge William Smith, was a resident of Spartanburg District, and also a gallant soldier of the Revolution. From a fragment of a Revolutionary sketch published in the Carolina Spartan under date of June 28th, 1899, containing recollections of Samuel Smith, we gather much valuable information as to his career in the army, and particularly as to the battle of Cowpens. He performed, however, gallant service against the Tories after the retreat of Morgan's army from the Cowpens, he being detained at the latter place on account of his wounded brother. In his sketch he states : "After the battle of Cowpens we stayed a few days in this neighborhood. We got word of a company of Tories coming up ; we rallied what force we could to meet them. Caj^tain Shelby, from the mountains, came along and joined us. There were other captains, Carey of Newberry, Elder and Berry from up Tyger. The command was given to Shelby, and we went after the Tories. The Tories had taken up for the night at a house near Enoree, where Odle lived. Shelby gave them a fire which the Tories returned, but we retired, as they were in the house. Elder was shot and a rain came up and our scout went to another house ; when our party came back the Tories had gone.

"When Roebuck came back from North Carolina, I was with him in several excursions in search of squads of Tories. After one of our excursions Roebuck, with Captain Mat Patton, went to stay at a neighbor's house to get some clothing which was in preparation for him but not ready ; so he had to stay through the day and at night some Tories came and took him and Patton. I was taken the same night and, perhaps, a dozen others in different places. This was the loth of March, 1781. We were taken to Little River to a Tory station and tried for onr lives. Captain Patton, Charles Bruce and two of the Elders were condemned to be hung. The rest of ns were taken to Ninety-six, where we remained until the day before Greene laid siege to the place. A number of us were paroled and started home. We turned back at the Saluda River. Major Mcjunkin was of this number. I had the smallpox while in the jail at Ninetysix. We came near perishing to death while there. The reason we turned back was that Colonel Brandon told us it was not safe to venture and that he would come back with us. After this I kept scouting about after the mischievous Tories till the war was ended. I was not able to do regular service on account of losing the skin from the soles of my feet with the smallpox."

In a manuscript letter before us of this branch of the Smith family, it is stated that Ralph Smith, the elder, was taken prisoner with his young son Samuel, and incarcerated at Ninety-six, where they were nearly starved to death. They chewed bits of leather to appease their hunger, and their finger- and toe-nails dropped off in that loathsome prison.

In the sketch of the recollections of Samuel Smith, already referred to, he does not allude to his father, Ralph Smith, in this connection, but says he "was taken the same night " that Roebuck and Patton were taken, and, "perhaps, a dozen others in different places," and further states that they " came near perishing to death while there." Aaron Smith, third son of Ralph Smith, Sr., was also a gallant soldier of the Revolution, and was among the gallant heroes slain at the battle of Cowpens, receiving there a mortal wound, which caused his death in a few days. In referring to that battle, says

Samuel Smith, in the sketch already quoted from : "I heard one gun fire before the general fire ; after this the British infantry commenced a general fire. We presently retired behind the line commanded by Pickens. Brother Aaron was wounded there about the time we began to give back. I remained with him till the next day, when we carried him over Broad River where he died."

Let the name and memory of Aaron Smith live and be perpetuated in connection with that brilliant achievement for American liberty. It has been truthfully said that had there been no victory at Cowpens, there would have been no surrender at Yorktown.