Nena.......where in the world did you get all the notes and extra info? That was great! Thanks a bunch! Karen Theofanides

In genforum message #88 you may remember this John Greb that posted a message that a John sr b 1748 was Elisha's father, and that a James b 1728 was John's father, with a wife name Mary. Was just revisiting some ole data exploring the Nelson connection. Wonder what ever happend to Greb and dont think we ever did really make contact on his information. Elisha Smothers Author: Lynn Ewing Date: 24 Jan 2003 10:59 AM GMT Email: laewing@ix.netcom.com I've heard that it was Sullivan, but I've really found no proof to substantiate that name, so for now, I'm leaving it blank. I also heard that she may have been the daughter of General John Sullivan of the American Revolution, but checking on his family, I don't find a Sarah. I've also heard different names for Elisha's parents as well. Has anyone come up with the maiden name of Elisha's first wife, Sarah? I've heard Sarah's maiden name may have been Sullivan? My line is Elisha & Sarah Elija & Lucinda (either Roach or Taylor?) Sarah Jane & James Calton Hopper Dona Bessie Hopper & Kearney Casey Jones Una Fern Jones & William Bryan Mattocks William Dean Mattocks & Jo-Ann Daisy Sprinkle Lynn Mattocks & Richard D Ewing _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

"This is your ol' cotton pickin', snuff dippin', tobacco chewin', coffee pot dodgin', dumplin' eatin', frog giggin' hillbilly from Hill Country!" --Willie's opening line when he became a DJ on KCNC in Fort Worth (1954). Austin-son of ELISHA Smothers b Jan 14 1800 Va This is the line of Karen, Jan, Virginia, Bernie and Russell-if I left anyone out, let me know. Descendants of Austin L. Smothers 1 Austin L. Smothers 1827-1915 .. +Mary Elizabeth Henry 1832- 1892 .... 2 William Marion Smothers 1861 - ....... +Mary Elizabeth Rose 1861 - ......... 3 Nancy Elizabeth Smothers 1882 - 1979 Tarrant Co Tx ............ +William Alfred Nelson 1884 - 1940 Hill Co Tx NOTE: "Following Willie & Bobbie's mother's desertion and the death of their father Ira, Willie and his sister Bobbie were raised by their grandparents Nancy and Wm Nelson. Willie worked cotton fields until he was ten, when he began playing guitar & Bobbie was encouraged to play the piano in local German and Czech polka bands." .............. 4 Ira Nelson b 1905 Pindall Searcy Co Ark - ? NOTE:Ira was a traveling mechanic ................ +Myrle Greenhaw b 1911 Pindall Searcy co Ark NOTE:Md Sep 6 1929 Newton Co Ark. She dau/o Wm Alex Greenhaw and Bertha Reynolds. She had 4 other siblings. Wonder where she went & WHY? .................5 Willie Hugh Nelson b Apr 30 1933 Abbot Tx - ***** +1 Martha Cherokee Indian md 1953 Waco Tx NOTE:"In 1953 Nelson began a traumatic marriage in Waco, Texas. "Martha was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian," says Nelson, "and every night was like Custer's last stand." When they moved to Fort Worth, Texas, Nelson was criticized for playing beer-joints and inappropriately evangelizing - he fortunately gave up the latter. A Salvation Army drummer, Paul English, has been his drummer ever since, and is referred to in "Me And Paul" and "Devil In A Sleepin' Bag." 6 Lana Nelson b 1953 6 Susie Nelson b 1956 +2 Shirley Collie md 1965 6 Paula Nelson b 1969 6 Amy Nelson b 1973 NOTE:"He had his first country hits, "Willingly" and "Touch Me" both were duets with Shirley Collie, his second wife, and both made it into the Top 10 in 1962. In 1965 Nelson married Shirley Collie and took up pig-farming in Ridgetop, Tennessee." +3 Ann Marie D'Angelo md 1991 6 Lukas Nelson b 1989 6 Jacob Nelson b 1990 NOTE:"In 1991, Nelson married Annie D'Angelo and they now have a young family." .................. 5 Bobbie Lee Nelson b 1931 Hill Co Tx + Bud Fletcher NOTE:"Sister Bobbie married the fiddle player Bud Fletcher, and they both played in his band. When Fletcher booked western swing star Bob Wills, the 13-year-old Willie Nelson joined him for a duet." .............. 4 Rosa Lusetta Nelson 1903 - 1998 ................. +William Ernest Nichols 1898 - .................. 5 William Marion Nichols 1922 - .................. 5 Moody Nelso Nichols 1926 - ........ 3 Henry A. Smothers 1887 - 1931 ............ +Julia H. 1888 - 1931 ............. 4 Haskell S. Smothers 1911 - 1925 ...... 2 Josephene Smothers 1863 - ...... 2 Sarah E. Smothers 1865 - ...... 2 Nancy J. Smothers 1867 - ...... 2 John T. Smothers 1872 - OTHER NOTES ON WILLIE HUGH NELSON Education: After he graduated high school, he spent nine months in the Air Force, but was discharged due to back problems. Soon he enrolled part-time in a farming program at Baylor University. Best known for: being one of the greatest songwriters of all time, an accomplished guitar player, and having a unique style of performing which has ranked him among the finest country singers. Career: By the age of seven he was writing cheating-heart-style songs. "Maybe I got 'em from soap operas on the radio," he said, "but I've always seemed to see the sad side of things. Willie's career began at the age of 10 when he joined John Raycjeck's Bohemian Polka Band. He worked several jobs when he got a little older as a disc jockey, selling encyclopedias, and selling other door-to-door items. After graduation he enlisted in the US Air Force, but was invalided out with a bad back, which has continued to plague his career to the present day. He later attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Before dropping out, he sold Bibles and encyclopedias door-to-door, worked as a disc jockey and musician, and taught Sunday school. While teaching Sunday school in Fort Worth, Nelson was also playing honky-tonk clubs on Saturday nights. When his parishioners demanded he choose between the church and music, he chose the latter. With the $50 he earned from his first published song, "Family Bible," Nelson went to Nashville where songwriter Hank Cochran got him a publishing contract. Eventually he had a recording contract of his own, but his weathered tenor and his taste for sparse backup were considered uncommercial. 1965 after his marriage to Collie Ray Price refused to record any more of Nelson's songs after an accident when Nelson shot his fighting rooster. However, they eventually joined forces for an album. Chet Atkins produced some fine albums for Nelson on RCA Records, including a tribute to his home state, Texas In My Soul. Nelson was only allowed to record with his own musicians on the live Country Music Concert album, which included an emotional "Yesterday" and a jazzy "I Never Cared For You". He recorded around 200 tracks for the label, including well-known songs of the day such as "Both Sides Now", "Help Me Make It Through The Night" and, strangely, the UK comedy team Morecambe And Wise's theme song, "Bring Me Sunshine". Yesterday's Wine remains his finest RCA album, although it begins somewhat embarrassingly, with Nelson talking to God. Nelson wrote seven of the songs in one night, under the influence of alcohol and drugs; "What Can You Do To Me Now?", in particular, acutely indicated his anguish and instability. When his Nashville home burned down around 1970, Nelson moved back to Texas 1972, continuing to record, write, and perform. In 1972 he held his first annual Fourth of July picnic with young and old rock and country musicians in Dripping Springs, Texas & turned it into a festival of contemporary country music -- an event that would soon become a local institution, with the Fourth of July named Willie Nelson Day by the Texas Senate in 1975. He planned the Texas Fourth of July Picnics and worked on Farm Aid Concerts benefits, and he and Kenny Rogers represented country music on the number 1 USA For Africa single, "We Are The World". In 1975 Nelson signed with Columbia and wanted to record a lengthy, old ballad, "Red Headed Stranger" which contained the cross-over hit single "Blue Eyes Cryin' In The Rain." His wife Shirley suggested that he split the song into sections and fit other songs around it. This led to an album about an old-time preacher and his love for an unfaithful woman. The album consisted of Willie's voice and guitar and Bobbie's piano. Columbia thought it was too low-key, too religious and needed strings. They were eventually persuaded to release it as it was and Red Headed Stranger (1975) has since become a country classic. Nelson's gentle performance of the country standard "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" was a number 1 country hit and also made number 21 on the US pop charts in 1975. [If you've never seen this Film...you should...its suppose to be a story of his own love gone wrong and he plays a Preacher!] Later, as "the unofficial Mayor of Austin," he brought together the various groups of Country Music fans and helped start a new interest in the genre by attracting long-haired rock and roll fans. He let his hair grow long, wore a T-shirt and blue jeans, and wrapped a bandana around his neck. He also began to take an interest in karma and reincarnation. Various artists have appeared on his many albums, including Johnny Bush, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Julio Iglesias, George Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Brenda Lee, Roger Miller, Dolly Parton, Webb Pierce, Ray Price, Leon Russell, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb, Faron Young, and Neil Young. Nelson's record label, Lone Star, which he started in 1978 with Steven Fromholz and the Geezinslaw Brothers, was not a commercial success, but he later developed his own recording studio and golf course at Pedernales, Texas; he produced Timi Yuro - Today there in 1982. http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/nelson_willie/bio.jhtml With all this activity, it is hardly surprising that his songwriting has suffered and he rarely records new compositions. He wrote "On The Road Again" for the country music film in which he starred, Honeysuckle Rose, and he also wrote a suite of songs about the old west and reincarnation, Tougher Than Leather, when he was in hospital with a collapsed lung. Nelson's touring band, Family, is a very tight unit featuring musicians who have been with him for many years. Audiences love his image as an old salt, looking rough and playing a battered guitar, and his headbands have become souvenirs in the same way as Elvis' scarves. His greatest testimony comes from President Jimmy Carter, who joined him onstage and said, "I, my wife, my daughter, my sons and my mother all think he's the greatest". Unfortunately, the USA's Internal Revenue Service took a different view, and in an effort to obtain $16 million in back-taxes, they had Nelson make an acoustic album, which was sold by mail order. His collaboration with artists such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon on Across The Borderline brought him back into the commercial mainstream for the first time in several years. Albums have flowed fast and furiously as Nelson brings himself back into the black financially, with Just One Love and Teatro, the latter recorded with Daniel Lanois, the high points of his prolific 90s period. Milk Cow Blues, Nelson's first release of the new millennium, was a straightforward blues album. Nelson is a true outlaw and probably the greatest legend and performer in country music since Hank Williams. http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Shores/5498/wnindex.html Willie Nelson has proved to be a representative of American persistance under adversity and of what we call Americana. Throughout his life, Willie Nelson has not only entertained, but has provided a part of himself as our country's heritage. Willie continues to pursue his passion for performing with months of touring, year after year. Yet he also manages to always fit in time for a good round of golf, as well as card games with his friends or an afternoon playing dominoes in the little Texas town of Luckenbach. [Looking Back Texas....been there...also saw him in person in the '70s] As an overall answer to the question "Who is Willie Nelson?", Leon Russell put it best: With hair as long as the generosity and talent as big as the heart, there is also a compassion that appears to be endless. Willie is a giant among men who lives inside a quiet down to earth understanding. -Leon Russell http://www.allsands.com/Music/Bio/willienelsonbi_roc_gn.htm _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

Hi, All! Was doing a little research and found this online for a Michael Smothers. These are land warrants granted for service in War of 1812. http://www.sources2go.com/image.cfm?region=ML&ID=11503&Cat_ID=108219&view=r

Descendants of George Fredrick Smathers Generation No. 1 1. GEORGE FREDRICK5 SMATHERS (JOHN4, WILLIAM3 SMITHERS, JR., WILLIAM2, JOHN1 SCHMITHERS) was born September 09, 1807 in Rowan County, NC., and died June 24, 1894. He married EVE KINSLAND May 17, 1825 in Haywood County, North Carolina, daughter of JOHN KINSLAND and REBECCA SIMMONS. She was born 1812 in North Carolina. More About GEORGE SMATHERS and EVE KINSLAND: Marriage: May 17, 1825, Haywood County, North Carolina Children of GEORGE SMATHERS and EVE KINSLAND are: i. JOHN C.6 SMATHERS, m. LUCINDA ELIZABETH JOHNSON, May 01, 1848, Haywood County, North Carolina. More About JOHN SMATHERS and LUCINDA JOHNSON: Marriage: May 01, 1848, Haywood County, North Carolina ii. LOUISA SMATHERS, m. J. BRADFORD MEASE. 2. iii. NANCY ELMIRA SMATHERS, b. August 30, 1837, Haywood County, North Carolina; d. August 20, 1871, Haywood County, North Carolina. iv. MARY MINERVA SMATHERS, b. 1830, North Carolina; m. JOHN CURTIS, October 18, 1845, Haywood County, North Carolina. More About JOHN CURTIS and MARY SMATHERS: Marriage: October 18, 1845, Haywood County, North Carolina 3. v. JAMES HENRY SMATHERS, b. April 02, 1830; d. March 09, 1897. vi. EMMALINE SMATHERS, b. 1838, North Carolina; m. COLUMBUS C. ROGERS, October 26, 1858, Haywood County, North Carolina. More About COLUMBUS ROGERS and EMMALINE SMATHERS: Marriage: October 26, 1858, Haywood County, North Carolina vii. GEORGE MARION SMATHERS, b. October 15, 1839, North Carolina; d. July 21; m. JESEPHENE MCDANIEL, March 29, 1862, Haywood County, North Carolina. More About GEORGE SMATHERS and JESEPHENE MCDANIEL: Marriage: March 29, 1862, Haywood County, North Carolina viii. WILLIAM JASPER SMATHERS, b. 1842, North Carolina; d. November 02, 1864. ix. JANE SMATHERS, b. 1846, North Carolina; m. WILLIAM RILEY CLONTS, August 19, 1865, Haywood County, North Carolina. More About WILLIAM CLONTS and JANE SMATHERS: Marriage: August 19, 1865, Haywood County, North Carolina Generation No. 2 2. NANCY ELMIRA6 SMATHERS (GEORGE FREDRICK5, JOHN4, WILLIAM3 SMITHERS, JR., WILLIAM2, JOHN1 SCHMITHERS) was born August 30, 1837 in Haywood County, North Carolina, and died August 20, 1871 in Haywood County, North Carolina. She married ELISHA WILSON MORGAN February 16, 1854 in Haywood County, North Carolina. He was born January 16, 1829, and died January 23, 1874 in Virginia. More About ELISHA MORGAN and NANCY SMATHERS: Marriage: February 16, 1854, Haywood County, North Carolina Children of NANCY SMATHERS and ELISHA MORGAN are: i. JASPER LAFAYETTE7 MORGAN, b. November 23, 1854. ii. MARY JANE MORGAN. iii. JEPTHA WILSON MORGAN, b. November 26, 1861. 3. JAMES HENRY6 SMATHERS (GEORGE FREDRICK5, JOHN4, WILLIAM3 SMITHERS, JR., WILLIAM2, JOHN1 SCHMITHERS) was born April 02, 1830, and died March 09, 1897. He married THEODOCIA SHARP February 02, 1854 in Haywood County, North Carolina. She was born December 27, 1834, and died February 15, 1898. More About JAMES SMATHERS and THEODOCIA SHARP: Marriage: February 02, 1854, Haywood County, North Carolina Children of JAMES SMATHERS and THEODOCIA SHARP are: 4. i. GEORGE R.7 SMATHERS, b. July 1856. ii. JAMES SMATHERS, b. Abt. 1858. iii. WILLIAM SMATHERS, b. Abt. 1859. iv. JOHN E. SMATHERS, b. Abt. 1861; m. MARY ETTA CARTER. v. COLUMBUS SMATHERS, b. Abt. 1868. vi. HASELTINE SMATHERS, b. November 1869. vii. JOSEPH Z. SMATHERS, b. Abt. 1863. Generation No. 3 4. GEORGE R.7 SMATHERS (JAMES HENRY6, GEORGE FREDRICK5, JOHN4, WILLIAM3 SMITHERS, JR., WILLIAM2, JOHN1 SCHMITHERS) was born July 1856. He married (1) MARGARET ESTES. She was born June 1861, and died Bef. 1902. He married (2) SARAH EVERHART. She was born January 1880, and died June 1961. Children of GEORGE SMATHERS and MARGARET ESTES are: i. EVA B.8 SMATHERS, b. June 1883. ii. JESSE E. SMATHERS, b. June 1885. iii. JAMES W. SMATHERS, b. February 1887. iv. MINNIE R. SMATHERS, b. July 1890. v. MANIRA A. SMATHERS, b. May 1892. vi. ETA E. SMATHERS, b. March 1894. vii. ROBERT G. SMATHERS, b. August 1898. Children of GEORGE SMATHERS and SARAH EVERHART are: viii. HAROLD DAVID8 SMATHERS, b. September 22, 1911; d. October 21, 1995; m. UNKOWN QUEEN. ix. LIVING SMATHERS. x. LIVING SMATHERS. xi. LIVING SMATHERS. xii. LIVING SMATHERS. xiii. LIVING SMATHERS.

From: "Sharon Karns" <skarns3@cox.net> First, there are STATE land records. This would include those listed in Willard Rouse Jillson's "Old Kentucky Entries and Deeds: A Complete Index to all the Earliest Land Entries, Military Warrants, Deeds and Wills of the Commonwealth of Kentucky", Baltimore,Genealogy Publishing Co., 1969. Most major libraries have this book. Kentucky State Land Office records fall into 9 categories - I'll give more information as we progress: 1. Virginia Land Grants of 1782-1792. The earliest records of Kentucky, made by the State of Virginia; contain warrants given for military service during the French and Indian War and the Rev War. 2. Old Kentucky Grants - 1793-1856. Given by Kentucky under the plan similar to Virginia's. Covers military, seminary, academic, treasury warrants, pre-emption grants, based on arrants and surveys made by VA. 3. Grants South of the Green River 1797-1866. Sometimes called the "Headright Claims." Lands bounded by the Green River on a SW course from the head thereof to the Cumberland Mountains, along these mountains to the Carolina line, to the Cherokee or TN River, with this river to the Ohio River, along the Ohio River to the Green River. Set apart prior to KY statehood as military reservation by VA. None prior to 1797 but a soldier could enter a survey within this area. After statehood,lands were opened to anyone over 21 who had a family. Each householder could receive a maximum of 200 acres at $30 per 100 acres. Fee simple title not given until the land was paid for. Must be a REAL sesttler for one year. 4. Tellico Grants 1803-1853. Lands that were ceded to the US by the Cherokee Indians in 1805. 572 grants, mostly located in the Big Sandy Valley and eastern KY. 5. Kentucky Land Warrants 1816 - 1873. Based on an 1815 act recovering all vacant lands in the state except those west of the Tennessee River. Sold for $20 per 100 acres to anyone except an alien. Had to get a receipt from the State Treasurer - was issued a land office warrant which allowed the land to be located and surveyed. After the latter, warrant was returned to the land office, registered, patent issued to the owner about 6 months later. 6. Grants West of the Tennessee River 1822-1858. Based on the 1818 acquisition of lands between the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers in what is now TN and KY from the Chickasaw Indians thru a treaty written by Andrew Jackson and Isaac Shelby. Includes the present counties of Calloway, Graves, Fulton, Hickman, McCracken,Carlisle, Ballard and Marshall Counties - the "Jackson Purchase." Not opened for settlement until 1820. 7. Grants South of Walker's Line 1825-1923. Many of the original grants are now physically in TN. They were located south of Walker's line and north of the parallel 36 degrrees 30 minutes which was the established boundary between KY and TN. These grants SOUTH of Walker's line are found in TN, not KY books. 8. Warrants for Headrights 1827-1849. Smallest group of land records, 55. This might have been also part of an earlier group of grants but Jillson was uncertain. 9. County Court Orders 1836 --. Largest group of land records. Law was passed 1835 for each county in KY lying N and E of the Tn River was given all the vacant and unappropriated land within its boundaries. According to Roseann in "Kentucky Ancestry" and other sources - the Secretary of State's Kentucky Land Office, the Capitol, Frankfort, KY 40601 and the Kentucky Historical Society are the only ones that have the entire list of INDEXES. In the Archives research room at the Land Office they have: Resident lands forfeited to ht state 1854-1913; payments made by Green River settlers 1799-1814; resident lands sold for taxes 1833-1868; Land office records (actual settlers) 1796-1806 and land office records (sales of nonresident lands) 1806-19. Problems arose through the early years of Kentucky settlement in relation to the claims for land. To be "secure", claims had to be surveyed and registered. It was a difficult task for the surveyors; they called on all the deputies they could engage in order to meet the demands for surveys, not to mention the Indians and other perils. In 1785 (before the formation of the state of Kentucky), the Virginia requirement for the survey had to be filed within one year from the entry. This was repealed as being too rigorous. By three separate acts of Virginia in 1786, 1788 and 1790, and two acts in Kentucky in 1792 and 1793, conditions to complete claims were extended. Lands within the bounds of the Cherokee Indians on Tellico lands, or within the bounds of the Chickasaw Indians, or lands south of Green River were set apart for the Officers and Soldiers of Virginia for their military service. These lands could not be claimed or settled by the early pioneers. Much confusion would arise as many of the military grant boundaries were not too well identified. Prohibitive, as well as correctional laws were enacted in these instances. Pioneers were suffering from the scarcity of money and a government lenient to give indulgence from payment of the land occurred, as well as accumulated abuses of the land law and their corrections. Some innocent settlers stood to lose their land and improvements by hardship or through their ignorance of the requirements. Some settlers would seize land by a technicality for speculation and profit. HEADRIGHT CLAIMS - were for 200 acres. In 1795, the Kentucky legislature passed an act entitled "For the Relief of Settlers of the South Side of Green River." It dealt with the settlers who landed on the vacant lands south of the Green River who thought these land would no longer be taken up by military warrants - they thought the legislature would grant them settlement after paying a moderate price for them. The law read that every housekeeper or other free person above the age of 21 years, who had actually settled on the land within these boundaries (the military land) on or before the first of January 1796, would be entitled to hold 200 acres including such settlement provided that the land did not include any Salt Lick or body of ore. Salt licks meant oil was likely present. The act provided that the Governor would appoint three commissioners to act as a Court; the one in our area was held at the Logan Co Courthouse. These men had the right to determine settlement rights and grant certificates from which the surveyor would make his survey. To avoid a pioneer from obtaining all the rich bottom land in a strip along the stream, the act further provided that the settlement tract could not exceed, in its longest part, twice the width of its narrowest part. A law in 1797 stated that the land would be in as near a square as possible. The act of 1797 provided commissioners to meet in Lincoln, Green, Warren and Logan Counties. The settler paid $60.00 per 100 acres for first rate land; $40 for other lands of "inferior quality." The County Sureyor was required to obtain all the Virginia military boundaries in order not to overlap settlement rights. The settler was required to live on the property for "at least one succeeding year", or the land reverted back to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. At every Salt Lick or Salt Spring, the state reserved 1000 acres which could not be included in the settlement right. In 1798, the Kentucky Legislature amended the headright law to include widows, free males over 18 years of age, and every free person having a family who "shall settle ... on or before July next, and tend the same in corn." MILITARY GRANTS: Officers & Soldiers were awarded the land, as stated above, south of Green River and in the other areas named. These claims took priority over all other claims. They were made secure by the Compact With Virginia. It was not necessary to possess the land. The development of these grants were very slow. By an Act of 1797, if a settler accidently located on a military grant and obtained a certificate, he could REMOVE to another vacant but unappropriated land with his certificate and complete his title. To those who settled on military grants, on which an entry was not made before 1 May 1792, the settler was fined $500. One half went to the "informer" and the other half to the Commonwealth. The main reference book for Kentucky land grants is Jillson's "Old Kentucky Entries and Deeds." By virtue of the fact that counties have split out of counties, it is often necessary to go back to the parent, grandparent or great-grandparent county to find the entries. Many entries are missing from Jillson's book. Most of Barren Counties are not entered. Jillson listed the original survey number, the acreage, the county (or military), watercourse, date of survey, original book and page #, grant date and the original book and page of the grant. Jillson's book is found at most major libraries. If you note the word "Removed", this means that the settler had settled on military land or land previously claimed by someone else. (The previous information taken from the files of a late researcher, lawyer and surveyor here in Barren Co). Each county maintains what is normally called "Order Books". They will be found in the majority of courthouses, maybe under a different name, but they contain all the recorded business activities of the county. One thing recorded was when they voted on the tax base for the next year and appointed tax collectors. The tax records themselves were kept in separate books, very few exist in this area, but they were microfilmed and are available for every county from date of formation. The Kentucky Historical Society has these films and they will copy them for a fee. In most counties, the tax collector broke down his records into districts - seemingly military districts and the head of that district's man will be shown to the left of the columns. As a clue, most of the people shown under this individual's district would be neighbors, hence family names shown in the same district have a chance of being relatives. The head of household's name was shown next. He was the one responsible for paying the taxes. Next came a description of the type of land, normally shown as 1st, 2nd or 3rd rate land. First rate land was almost always the rich bottom lands near a waterway. The taxes were higher for this land. Then came the less fertile lands called "2nd rate" and the really rough land called "3rd class" or "3rd rate." Many counties were classified as primarily all 3rd rate. Next - the location of the land. It was always shown in reference to the nearest waterway ... the only way they had to describe its location. Now, this description might vary from year to year - same land, different tax man describing it. Then, the acreage was shown. This again could vary from year to year as the settler bought, sold, traded, or mis-reported how much land he owned. There are several columns which followed which showed who had patented the land, who had entered the land, etc. This can be a clue for you to look into the deed books and see when your settler purchased/sold this land placing him in the county on a certain date. Until 1809, there were several categories of people who were taxed. A tax was paid for every white man 21 and over. This is normally the head of household. If you see this column with a greater than 1 in this column, probably grandpa lived there, or a relative. Then they had to pay taxes on any white male over 16. This was done away with about 1809. Next was a count of the slaves - males over certain ages, total slaves, etc. Again, these columns varied over the years. Settlers were also taxed on other things - billiards tables, carriages, buildings, horse, etc. The value of the property was entered many times, some counties and years have very little detail. _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8 is here: Try it free* for 2 months http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup

[again..this was another reason I was inquiring abt Ky once being part of Va]Fr the Bath Co mail list TAX RECORDS AND THEN INTO MORE LAND RECORDS: There is more information that I need to pass on to you on the tax tecords. Some of this material is taken from "Kentucky Ancestry" by Roseann Hogan, some of out of old law books, some from my own experience. Here are some very important clues to look for and some further explanations: Kentucky's tax laws were based on Virginia's laws at the beginning.** Virginia, just before the founding of the State of Kentucky, made it mandatory that every county be divided up into precincts with a justice in charge of each precinct. All free males above 21 were required to pay a poll tax. So, in 1792, when Kentucky became a State, they organized each county into tax districts and a commissioner was appointed for each district. These men had to call on every person who was liable for tax, prepare a written list and submit to the County. There was also another way for taxes to be taken. Tithable lists were also completed during military musters in April and June. The commisioner had to give them 10 days notice that they were coming. The list included the standard information - number of white men over 21, slaves over 16 and the land information. Tax assessments were made on the 10th of March. This caused a small problem with the muster tax lists, because they weren't able to see widows and the sick this way. So the commissioner had to go to their homes. Single men and women who wouldn't be at the muster dates were given until August 1st to submit their tax information. After 1828, the tax commissioner for each district had to visit the actual residence. In 1837, it became the law for the taxpayer to fix a sum of his total worth. He had to swear that this was an accurate assessment. This did NOT include the $300 exemption that was allowed, any lands held outside of the state, a growing crop, a one year crop on hand, or anything that was made at their home for their own domestic use. There were exemptions allowed each family. Women and free blacks were taxed only if they owned land in their own right. White females were excempt, but were listed and responsible for the taxes of any free white males or slaves in their household. A widow normally waited until after the settling of the estate before paying taxes. Additionally, a person MIGHT be made exempt from paying taxes if he was a minister, a war veteran, deceased (paid by the estate), a widow (unless she had a male over 16 residing in the household), the poor and disabled. These tax lists were maintained, then mailed to the KY State Auditor. There was also a delinquent tax list prepared - hefty fines were imposed if someone turned in a fradulent return. _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

Nena I have a map of the United States that is of the orginal Thirteen States, Kentucky was included in Virginia, until it became a State in 1792, Virginia went as far West as St. Louis, Missouri. Virginia also claimed the land West of and around the Great Lakes. The first census taken in 1790, showed a population of nearly four millions, about one-fifth was negroes, mostly slaves, and one fiftieth Indians. Only five percent of the people lived west of the Alleghanies. Virginia was the most populous state; Pennsylvania ranked next; then followed in order North Carolina, Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, South Carolina and Connecticut. Vermont was admitted as the fourteenth state in 1791, and Kentucky as the fifteenth in 1792. There were three main routes of travel to the western settlements: (1) The Ohio River was reached at Pittsburgh by a route through Pennsylvania or by way of the Potomac and Monongahela Rivers. (2) The Virginia valley settlers followed the Greenbrier River to the Great Kanawha, a branch of the Ohio. (3) The greatest number of the frontier settlers moved by way of the Cumberland Gap or Wilderness Road. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nena Smothers" <smothersnena@hotmail.com> To: <SMOTHERS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 11:27 PM Subject: [SMOTHERS] KY Pioneer Soldiers : Here again is a short comment I keep trying to figure out.... : "Kentucky once a part of Virginia" : SO.....what part of KY was VA?????? bef 1792? : : TIP #204: PIONEER SOLDIERS, 1778 TO 1781 : Lewis Collins, in his wonderful history of Kentucky, has aided us greatly in : piecing together the names and locations of our earliest settlers in : Kentucky. : Kentucky did not reach statehood until 1792, but even while we were still a : part of Virginia, ******* : the hearty pioneers were blazing out trails into this wonderful : commonwealth. : : : : _________________________________________________________________ : Help STOP SPAM: Try the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* : http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail : : : ============================== : To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: : http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 :

Cleveland, OH Necrology Database. It's located at: http://www.cpl.org/LinksLibrary.asp?FormMode=DBSubCategory&ID=178&CatID=3 (Note: this link may wrap, so be sure to paste the full link in your browser.) This link takes to you to Cleveland Library's Database links page, so just scroll down until you see the Necrology Database. Id#: 0731638 Name: Smothers, William J.Date: Dec 7 1971 Source: Cleveland Press; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #157.Notes: Smothers. William J. Smothers, beloved husband of Gertrude M. (formerly Davis), stepfather of William H. and Charles A. Davis, and Mrs. Wilma Funk, grandfather of ten, great-grandfather of six, brother of Odell of Florida, Mrs. Sally Evelyn Reed, and Hubert of Winston-Salem, N.C. Contributions may be made to The Cuyahoga Unit of The American Cancer Society. Friends may call at The Chas. A. Mandley Funeral Home, 18871 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park. Services Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 1 P.M. Visitation 3-5 And 7-9 P.M. Tuesday. Id#: 0731637 Name: Smothers, EllaDate: 08-89-1952 Source: Cleveland Bureau of Vital Statistics; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #157.Notes: 2535 E. 31. 8-6-52. 50 yrs. Id#: 0337322 Name: Smothers, Robert Date: 10/8/1935Source: Cemetery record; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #076.Notes: Age 46. Harvard Grove Cemetery Cleveland, Ohio. Id#: 0333597 Name: Smathers, William G.Date: January 6, 1910 Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #075.Notes: Smathers-William G. Funeral services for the late William G. Smathers will be held at the residence of James Rignall, 10115 Hampden ave., at 1:30 p. m. Friday. [MUST BE SAME AS ABOVE] Id#: 0333626 Name: Smeathers, William G.Date: 1910 Source: Cemetery record; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #075.Notes: 1838-1910. Lakeview Cemetery Cleveland, Ohio. Id#: 0731404 Name: Smithers, Walter C.Date: Sep 19 1973 Source: Cleveland Press; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #157.Notes: Smithers. Walter C. Smithers, beloved husband of Ruth (nee Urban), father of Richard, Donna and Robert, grandfather of Stephanie, passed away Sunday, Sept. 16. Memorials may be forwarded to The Memorial Fund of St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 125 E. Ridgewood Dr., where Memorial Services will held Wednesday evening, Sept. 19, at 7:30 P.M. Friends received at the residence, 2422 Keystone Rd., Tuesday, Sept. 18 From 2-4 And 7-9 P.M. Busch Funeral Service, 741-7700. Id#: 0731403 Name: Smithers, Richard C. Jr.Date: Dec 3 1971 Source: Plain Dealer; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #157.Notes: Smithers. Richard C. Smithers Jr., beloved son of Richard C., Sr., and Ellen (nee Wood), brother of Stephunie, grandson of Walter and Ruth Smithers. Howard and Mary Wood, great-grandson of Art and Anna Urban and Mrs. Steve Wood, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 1. Services at The Busch Funeral Home, 7501 Ridge Rd., Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10:30 a.m., where friends may call 3-5 And 7-10 P.M. Friday. Id#: 0731402 Name: Smithers, Emma B.Date: Apr 20 1961 Source: Plain Dealer; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #157.Notes: Devoted mother of Mildred Smith and Ivison E. Smithers; grandmother of three; great-grandmother of two. Family will receive friends Thursday, 8-9 P. M. at Cummings Funeral Home, 7204 Cedar Ave., where services will be held Friday at 10 a. m. Burial Highland Park Cemetery. Id#: 0731401 Name: Smithers, Anna Date: Mar 13 1954 Source: Cleveland Press; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #157.Notes: Smithers, Anna, beloved wife of the late Stanley, mother of Marion, Eugene, Regina, and the late Irene, and grandmother, late residence, 13868 Clifton Blvd. Friends may call at Berry's Funeral Home, 7200 Detroit, Ave. Funeral services from St. Luke's Church (Clifton and Bunts Rd.) Monday, Mar. 15, at 9:30 a. m. Id#: 0337185 Name: Smithers, Kittie G.Date: Dec 30 1936 Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #076.Notes: Smithers: Kittie G., of Akron, O., passed away Monday, Dec. 28, 1936. Id#: 0337184 Name: Smithers, Furman Date: 12/7/1936 Source: Cemetery record; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #076.Notes: Age 49. Harvard Grove Cemetery Cleveland, Ohio. _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

Here again is a short comment I keep trying to figure out.... "Kentucky once a part of Virginia" SO.....what part of KY was VA?????? bef 1792? TIP #204: PIONEER SOLDIERS, 1778 TO 1781 Lewis Collins, in his wonderful history of Kentucky, has aided us greatly in piecing together the names and locations of our earliest settlers in Kentucky. Kentucky did not reach statehood until 1792, but even while we were still a part of Virginia, ******* the hearty pioneers were blazing out trails into this wonderful commonwealth. _________________________________________________________________ Help STOP SPAM: Try the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE WARS FRENCH & INDIAN WAR: About 1754, when the French & Indian War broke out, a new challenge faced Virginia. She needed more men to serve! Many of the citizens either ignored or refused this plea by Govenor Dinwiddie as they couldn't see how it involved them. So, Virignia came up with an "offer they couldn't refuse." Virginia offered land to its soldiers with the re-quisite that they served honorably. Sounded better - even if it did also require service until the end of the war. As a result of this offer, most of the surveys made in Kentucky up until 1775 were for military bounties in the French and Indian War. There is a book, availability unknown, entitled "A Calendar of the Warrants for Land in Kentucky for Service in the French and Indian War, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co, 1867. It contains data from the original surveys and plats that are housed in the Kentucky Land Office and gives the number, name of soldier, rank, acres surveyed, by whom and a brief description of the land. SOURCES: Taylor, Philip Fall "A Calendar of the Warrants for Land in Kentucky Granted for Service in the French and Indian War, Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co, 1967.(number, rank, acres, by whom surveyed, description). Rev WAR: Kentucky land once more came to the rescue of the Virginian government some twenty years later. The Revolultionary War had just ended and along with it a huge military debt caused by Virginian's inability to pay its troops. All states suffered basically from this problem ... have you ever heard the expression "not worth a Continental..."? Money - script - had lost its value. So, Virginia resorted to the land for service technique again and "paid" its officers and military men with land. In Vol 10, page 56 of the Hennings Statutes it says: "...Bounded by Green River and a southwest course from the head thereof to the Cumberland mountain; with said mountains to the Carolina (now Tennessee) line, with the Carolina (Tennessee) line to the Cherokee or Tennessee River, with the said River to the Ohio River, and with the Ohio to the said Green River..." There were, however, some grants west of the Tennessee River as granted by An Act of Kentucky Legislature, which was approved Dec 26, 1820. (Sessions Acts, 1820, Chapter CLV, pp.197-200). This was after the Jackson Purchase. It is interesting to note that rank determined acreage. A private received 100 acres; an officer received 1,000 acres. A volunteer soldier who had served under General George Rogers Clark originally received 100 acres; troopers of cavalry who would enlist in defense of the eastern frontier, 100 acres. Land set aside for the men of Gen Clark's were on the southeast side of the Ohio upon the waters of the Cumberland River and between the Green and Tennessee Rivers. If this proved to be insufficient land, then any deficiencies would be paid in good land between the Rivers Scioto and the Little Miami. BUT, VA ran into problems laying off this land ...Indians. In 1784, when the laying off of the land began, this Indian Country caused immediate problems for the settlers. So the VA Legislature stopped. VA feared any further encroachments into this area would cause serious Indian uprisings. In October 1784 the VA Legislature authorized the Governor to suspend the work, this held under January 1785. This left the VA soldiers and officers in a state of limbo. They had the paper saying they would get the land - but now he couldn't claim it. So, in 1786 the Treaty of Hopewell was enacted. The government guaranteed the Cherokee Indians that (1) All the lands below the Tennessee River was theirs and theirs alone - for hunting and habitation. (2) That if ANY citizen - anyone who was not an Indian settled on this land, the Indians would be allowed to punish them as they saw fit. Now, in 1792 - here comes Kentucky as an independent state. We were no longer a part of Virginia ... what about the land grants? The KY General Assembly stepped in during the late part of 1810 and made a definite ruling that allowed the settlers a longer period of time to present their plats and certificates to the Register's office. March 1812 saw the last ruling of extension. As a result of all these difficulties, many of the warrants were never located, resulting in approximately 650,000 acres of warrants unlocated by 1844. SOURCES: Jillson's books (1) "Old Kentucky Entries and Deeds: A Complete Index To All the Earliest Land Entries, Military Warrants, Deeds and Wills of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and (2) The Kentucky Land Grants: A Systematic Index To All Of The Land Grants Recorded In The State Land Office At Frankfort, Kentucky 1792-1924. The National Genealogical Society published in 1966 an Index of Revolutionary War pension and Bounty Land Warrants which will give the researcher some help. There were codes used which the reader needs to understand: An "S" before a pension number indicated Survivor. "W" meant widow; "R" meant rejected; "DIS" means disabilities for which the veteran is being pensionse and "B L W" refers to Bounty Land Warrant. The National Archives has microfilms of these pension records. Quissenberry, Anderson Chenault, "Revolutionary Soldiers in Kentucky", Baltimore: Southern Book Co, 1959. "Register of Revolutionary Soldiers and patriots Buried in Kentucky with an Index of Women's Names" - located at the Duncan Tavern Library, Paris, KY. Sons of the American Revolution, Kentucky Society, "Year Book of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, 1894-1913 and Catalogue of Military Land Warrants Granted by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolution"; "Revolutionary Soldiers of Virginia" by H J Eckenrode, Richmond, VA, 1912. WAR OF 1812: The war against England bought out the best of Kentucky's men. Approximately 25,000 answered the call for troops and about 1,200 of its finest died during same. Some of the major battle sites included Ft meigs, River Raisin, Battle of New Orleans, Tipecanoe, Battle of Lake Erie and Fort Stephenson. Records of the soldiers who served in the War of 1812 are fragmented, lost, scattered, however, there are some lists and rosters in the office of the Adjutant General at Frankfort. The KY State Legislature published, in 1891, "Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kentucky: Soldiers of the War of 1812. Later editions contained an index thankfully. Another book, published by Mrs Carl W McGee included not only the War of 1812 soldiers but the Indian Wars and the Revolutionary War as well. It was entitled "Kentucky Pensioneers of the Revolultionary War, War of 1812 and Indian Wars, Washington, D C. I have never been able to locate this book. The researcher needs also to look within the county of residence where the soldier served. Many counties still have such lists, usually in loose paper form; many of Barren County lists exist and many counties' records have been published. OTHER SOURCES: George Rogers Clark Papers, VA State Library, Richmond, VA (Filson Club has most); "Notes on Kentucky Veterans of the War of 1812 by G G Clift, Anchorage, KY: Borderland Books, 1964. MEXICAN WAR: In 1889, the Kentucky Adjutant General's Office printed a book listing the veterans of this war. "Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kentucky, Mexican War Veterans, 1846-1847. It shows name, rank, enlistment date,when and where mustered, years served, when and where mustered out. The Ky State Historical Society and the Filson Club in Louisville have an index to this book. The Genealogical Society Library at Salt Lake has microfilmed indexes also and these can be ordered. CIVIL WAR: Although Kentucky was neutral during the horrible war, its people were split in sentiment. Many of our Kentuckians in the northern part of the state were loyal to the Union and crossed the Ohio River to enlist. (The 6th Ohio showed a goodly amount of Kentuckians). Those Kentuckians sympathetic to the South joined the famous "Orphan's Brigade." The State of Kentucky has Confederate Pension records. There are approximately 4,800 applications, they are indexed, but it is almost impossible to find where the applicant lived from these forms. Many lawsuits were filed by drafted Kentuckians because the US government failed to refund the monies promised for communation or providing substitutes -they had been drafted anyway. You can find these suits in the records of the Court of Claims in the National Archives. Another interesting event of this era ... many of the southernly located Kentuckians professed loyalty to the Union, but were secretely Southern sympathizers. They also presented claims before the Commission for property losses, etc. and had to prove their loyalty. If the Commission found out that you had paid confederate taxes, loaned a horse to a Reb, sold goods ... ouch! A total invasion of privacy resulted ...newspapers from the claimant's area hunted for damaging evidence, pollbooks were checked to see how a person voted, court records were attached, witnesses called. Here are some of the questions asked of the applicant for pension: Name, age, residence, how long a resident there, occupation. How are you related to the claimant if you are not the claimant? Where were you born, if not in the US, where and when were you naturalized (papers required as proof). Where were you residing when the war broke out, what was your business for six months before the outbreak, where did you live and what was your business during the war. If you moved, why, where and when. On which side were your sympathies and did your sympathies change during the war. Did you ever do anything for the Union cause - if so, what, when, where, names of persons aided and were they your relatives. Do you have relatives in the Union Army or Navy - if so, what company, regiment, vessel, service dates, how did they leave service, produce discharge paper. Were you in the service for the Union - if so, when, where, etc. Were you ever threatened with damage or injury because of your sentiments - if so, details. Were you in the service of the Rebel government - if so, when, where. Did you take an oath of allegiance to the Confederate States - when, why, where and nature. Do you have any near relatives in the Confederate service - all details if yes. Have you been pardoned by the President? Did you take any amnesty oaths before, during or after the war? Was any of your goods taken by the government because of your sympathy to the Confederats (if applicable). Do you belong to a vigilanty committee or any other type of organization like this? If you were testifying for an applicant you were asked: In whose favor are you here to testify? How long have you known the person, did you live near him during the war? If so, how far away. What was his reputation for loyalty or disloyalty to the US? What did other people think or say, what was his public reputation? Who were the most well- known Union people in the neighborhood during the war, will they testify for him? And on and on and on. IF you were fortunate enough to be the wife ... you got it both barrels too. Married or single, when were you married? Was your husband loyal to the Government throughout the war? Where does he now reside, why hasn't he joined in this petition? Children - names, ages, and were any of them in the Confederate service? If you're a widow, when did your husband die, did he leave any children, was he loyal? Names and ages and proof. Did you ever belong to any sewing society making clothing for soldiers for confederate soldiers or their families, did you make any flags for them? If you were a black soldier - Were you a slave, if so, when did you become free? Were you free or a slave at the beginning of the war? If you are free, what business do you follow? Do you own property now, did you then? How did you obtain your freedom? If you own property, how did you find the money to pay for it? Is your former master still living, what is his address? Will he be a witness for you; do you live on his land or did you buy land from him? Are you in debt? Wasn't easy was it? OTHER SOURCES: Edwin Porter Thompson's "History of the Orphan Brigade", Louisville, 1898. Quisenberry's "Kentucky In the War of 1812, with an Added Preface by Glenn Clift and an added Index by the Kentucky Historical Society, Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co, 1969. Kentucky Historical Society Register, Vol No 32, "Kentucky Militia 1789. National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol 16 "Kentucky County, Kentucky Militia Rolls." G G Clift "The Corn Stalk Militia of Kentucky, 1792-1800, Frankfort, Kentucky Historical Society, 1959. _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus

A LOOK AT KENTUCKY Trying to find one's early family in Kentucky can be a trying experience! Knowing that Kentucky didn't form as a state until 1792, our families could have been physically here, but "on paper" been listed in many other locations. We normally turn to Virginia for our starting point, but even that can be a wide area in which to look! If our earliest families can be traced back to "Virginia", we must realize that they could have been: 1. In any part of Illinois from 1781 until its statehood in 1818 - 2. In any part of Indiana from 1787 until its statehood in 1816 - 3. In any part of Kentucky from 1775 to its statehood in 1792 - 4. In any part of North Carolina from 1728 to 1799 - 5 In any part of Ohio from 1778 to its statehood in 1803 - 6. Any part of Pennsylvnia from 1752 to 1786 - 7. Any part of Tennessee from 1760 to 1803 - 8. Any part of West Virginia from 1769 to 1863! (Fuqua Family Foundation Newsletter, Vol 2, #2). Before KY reached statehood, and long before white man explored here, Kentucky was part of Augusta County, VA. In 1584, it was included in Virginia County. The first permanent settlement in KY was at Harrodsburg in 1774, and Boonesboro was founded 1775 by Daniel Boone. Along the line - Kentucky became part of Fincastle Co VA. It was laso called Kentucky County during the Boone expeditions (Dec 1776). inally, in 1780, Kentucky County was subdivided into three separate counties: Fayette - Jefferson - Lincoln. By 1790, these three counties were subdivided into Mason, Bourbon, Woodford, Fayette, Madison, Jefferson, Mercer, Nelson and Lincoln Counties. According to the Handy Book for Genealogists by Everton Publishers - those original nine counties split over the years into the following: Mason - the eastern 6/7ths of Pike, Floyd, Martin, Johnson, the east half of Magoffin and Morgan, Lawrence, Elliott, Rown, Carter, Boyd, Greenup, Lewis, Fleming, Mason, Robertson, Bracken, Campbell and the eastern third of Pendleton Counties. Bourbon - Eastern 4/5ths of Harlan, Letcher, the western 1/7th of Pike, Knott, Perry, east of Leslie, Breathitt, western half of each of Magoffin and Morgan, Wolfe, northern half of Lee, Estill, Bath, Powell, Manifee, Montgomery, eastern half of Clark, Bourbon, Nicholas, eastern 3/4ths of Harrison and a triangular shaped south 1/5th of Pendleton. Woodford Co has been split into - Woodford, Scott, eastern 1/2 of Franklin, Owen, Grant, Boone, Gallatin and the eastern half of Carroll. Fayette - Fayette, Jessamine and the western 1/2 of Clark. Madison - Madison, eastern half of Garrarad, south half of Estill, Jackson, NE 1/3rd of Rockcastle, Owsley, southern half of Lee and Clay and the western half of Leslie and western 1/5th of Harlan. Jefferson - Northern 1/2 of each of Spencer and Bullitt, Jefferson, Shelby, Oldham, Henry, NW corner of Anderson, Trimble and the western half of Carroll. Mercer - Southern third of Franklin, eastern half of Anderson, Mercer, northern 2/3rds of Boyle and the NW third of Garrard. Nelson - Washington, Marion, Taylor, northern 1/2 of Green, Hart, Edmonson, Butler, McLean; Ohio, Davies, Hancock, Breckinridge, Meade, Hardin, southern 1/2 of Bullitt and Spencer; Nelson, Larue and Grayson. Lincoln - Henderson, Webster, Hopkins, southern 1/2 of McLean, Muhlenberg, southern 1/2 of Butler; Warren, southern half of each of Edmonson, Hart, Green, Adair, Casey, Lincoln; west of Garrard; southwest 2/3rds of Rockcastle, Laurel, southern 1/3rd of Boyle, Knox, Bell, Whitley, Pulaski, Wayne, Russell, Clinton, Cumberland, Metcalfe, Monroe, Barren, Allen, Simpson, Logan, Todd, Christian, Trigg, Caldwell, Lyon, Marshall, Calloway, Graves, Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle, Ballard, McCracken, Livingston, Crittenden and Union. _________________________________________________________________ Help STOP SPAM: Try the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

KENTUCKY FORTS, THE KENTUCKY MILITIA AND STATE GUARD. These are not all the forts in the State of Kentucky, but a good sampling. Fort Campbell: This is a fort of more recent times, it is a military training base located on the Kentucky-Tennessee line, 16 miles south of Hopkinsville. It was approved 6 Jan 1942 with 101,755 acres in Montgomery and Stewart counties of Tennessee and in Christian and Trigg in Kentucky. Grant's Fort: This was also known as Grant's Station, and was a Bourbon County settlement located on Houston Creek near Bryan's Station and the Fayette County line. John Grant, of North Carolina and William Wllis, of Virginia, built this fort in 1779 to accomodate approximately 20-30 families living at the fast over-crowding Bryan's Statin. An Indian war party attacked here in June of 1780. The fort was burned and two men and one women were killed. It was rebuilt later in 1784. The Grant family sold the fort and all of its land 14 June 1788 to George Berry. Fort Harrod: A company of thirty men, named below, arrived 6 June 1774 and together became the first permanent white settlement in Kentucky. They were: James Harrod (leader), James Blair, James Brown, John Brown, James Carr, Abraham Chapline, John Clark, John Crawford, Jared Cowan, John Cowan, John Crow, William Crow, Azariah Davis, Patrick Doran, William Fields, William Garrett, Robert Gilbert, James Hamilton, Elijah Harlan, Silas Harlan, Jacob Lewis, James McCulloch, Samuel Moore, Azor Reese, Jacob and James Sadowsky (Sandusky), Thomas Quirk, Martin Shell, James Wiley, David Williams and John Wilson. They had come from the Monongahela settlement down the Ohio River to the Kentucky River, along the latter about 100 miles. They landed at Harrod's Landing (later Warcick) and then traveled to the Salt River and on to where Harrodsburg now stands. The first settlement was approximately one mile from Salt River and near a large spring. Each man took 1/2 acre lots and ten-acre out-lots. On the south side eight to ten cabins were erected and known as Town Branch. The men drew lots for the cabins and the acreage. On July 8th, Shawnee Indians attacked, killing two men. Dr George Hart was the first physician; others arriving werre George Rogers Clark, the Rev. John Lythe (Episcopal). The first women and children were the Thomas Denton, Richard Hogan and Hugh McGary families. In 1776 Jane Coomes arrived and started a school, and Rev Peter Tinsley, Baptist minister came. Fort Heiman: In southeast Calloway County on a ridge overlooking the Tennessee River. It was constructed by the Confederates January 1862. It was unfished when about 1000 men under Col Adolphus Heiman occupied it. On February 5, the fort was occupied, without a fight, by the 5th Iowa Cavalry until March 1863. Gen Nathan Bedford Forrest mounted guns in Oct 1864, destroyed the steamer Mazepa and then abandoned the fort. Fort Jefferson: This fort was constructed in 1780 under the supervision of George Rogers Clark. Thomas Jefferson issued the order for the construction, and it was situated in the valley of Mayfield Creek, near its confluence with the Mississippi River, 5 miles below the mouth of the Ohio River, now in Ballard County. Construction began 19 Apr 1870 and was completed in June 1780. Capt Robert George was the commander. This fort was attacked by the Chickasaw during the Revolutionary war. Fort Knox: This is a 109,000 acre permanant garrison of the U S Army and takes in part of Hardin, Meade and Bullitt Counties. It is also known as the U S Bullion Depository. It was established in 1918 as Camp Knox, a field artilery training range. During the Civil War, both Union and Confederates fought just north of the fort. Fort Massac: This was located on the Illinois shore of the Ohio, on the long stretch just below the mouth of the Mississippi. George Rogers Clark's army landed here June 24, 1778. It was known as a "captain's command" between 1778 and 1794. Although not located in physical Kentucky, it has played an important part in her history. Fort Mitchell: This lies in a suburban city in the hills of north-central Kenton County in northern Kentucky. The city is the site of 27 earthen fortifications that guarded Cincinnati, Covington and Newport during the Civil War. It was occupied by Union army soldiers and the local Home Guard Militay in the late summer of 1862. Fort Nelson: This is known as the most impressive fortification in pioneer Kentucky, located in Louisville. It was built in 1781 by Richard Chenoweth under a military contract. It's location was between the present 7th and 8th Streets on near Main Street. This was a critical position overlooking the Ohio River and at the head of the Falls of the Ohio. There was a row of sharpened pickets which was unearthed in 1843 and 1844. General George Rogers Clark assisted in the fort's design. Fort Thomas: This is now a suburban city in the northern part of Campbell County on the hills overlooking the Ohio River. It was originally part of a half-million acre grant by Virginia to the Ohio Company in 1749. It was surveyed by Christopher Gist in 1750. There were fortifications in this area during the Civil War. The first commander of Fort Thomas was Col Melville A Cochran. It is now the site of the Brooks-Lawler Army Reserve Center and Veteran's Administration Hospital. Fort Wright: This lies in the hills of northern Kenton County, two miles southwest of Covington. The present area takes its name from an earthen fort which was erected as part of the Cincinnati defense perimeter during the Civil War. The Kentucky Militia was an organized and also an unorganized citizen soldiery dating from the Revolutionary War until the 1850's. For each county in VA (later in KY), the chief executives chose county lieutenants- each holding the rank of Colonel. He enlisted and drilled all able-bodied males 18 to 45 years of age. They did not match the army regulars in their abilities. From the mid 1790's the militia men supplemented regular soldiers in the northwestern campaigns - names including Gen Josiah Harmar, Arthur Saint Clair and Anthony Wayne. They served in 1794 at the Battle of Fallen Timbers and in the War of 1812. Once the Indian Wars of the Old Northwest ended, the Kentucky Militia found itself outmoded. In 1854, the law stipulated that each county was to conduct only one muster every six years - and the General Assembly later abolished the Militia. The Kentucky State Guard was Kentucky's organized volunteer militia in 1860-61 and again came into service from 1878 to 1912. It was the state's universal militia system and took the place of the Kentucky Militia. Gov Beriah Magoffin led the passage of the Kentucky State Guard using the persuasion of John Brown's "widespread and hellish conspiracy against the slave states." Simon Bolivar Buckner, the inspector General noted that perhaps 4,000 men, largely pro-Southern and pro-slavery in outlook participted. It was felt that the guard was actively engaged in Kentucky's secession from the Union. From April to September 1861, during a time of neutrality, the Home Guard companies were formed - with both groups seeking men, recruits, weapons ... but they never fought each other. The groups later became a quiet one until the General Assembly re-established it during major strikes and rioting in Louisville. The guard, lead by the state's adjutant general, was poorly funded and had little over 1,000 men. There were three regiments - Bowling Green, Louisville and Lexington. In 1912, this became the Kentucky National Guard. _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

Looking for information on a Jane Smothers, born about 1818 in Kentucky, and died 18 March, 1855 in Marion Co., Arkansas. She married Thomas R. Lance in Tennessee, son of Thomas Lance and Nancy A.. He was born about 1818 in Tennessee, and died 28 June, 1901 in Ozark, Co., Missouri. Until next time, Jan

Lois is not on the list but wanted me to post this, in case some of you working on this Christian Smither line could help her, thanks Nena From: "lois wallace" <loiswallace@charter.net> To: "Nena Smothers" <smothersnena@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: Smothers Family Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 10:45:37 -0500 Nina>Also sent that to Tim Abel. He says their are 3 different Johns Smothers refered to here. As for my John being the son of Christian, he isn't. The John that signed the marriage for sister Hannah, could be looked ito more, because the were both siblings of Christian. He may have been that John. I've been working on getting what we do know, on our line, so I can send that onto you. Maybe you can post that to the list. Maybe we will be able to find someone, that knows more. I had hope Joyce would have were the names of the children came from. Tim says they may be right, just that some of them wasn't raised. It would explain why we are finding many of them. With imfo from other Smothers, I see ours mixed in. So It's like a rope we have to unweave. >Lois ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nena Smothers" <smothersnena@hotmail.com> Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 2:19 AM Subject: Re: Smothers Family Hi Lois...this is certainly a strange format......not sure I get it either....nor what she is talking abt PROVING...except the marriage..I think you should write her and ask her to explain the best she can a little bit better for you. Looks like some service info on a John Smothers in a blue book.... would this be your John Smothers?? Also some census info on Henry and a mortality list A pension application Some Ohio land in Franklin City on Henry ?? John having a sister Hannah...?? This is pretty confusing. ..I would ask her to try to explain it better. Nena From: "lois wallace" <loiswallace@charter.net> Nina Can you make any since of this? Do you suppose anyone on the Smothers List would know anything about the reeferences in Ky & Tenn? I started with info from this womens deceased dau. This is suppose to be where Cyndie found info. Lois ----- Original Message ----- From: JSmot8159@aol.com >To: loiswallace@charter.net Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2003 6:47 PM LOIS, Cyndies notes American Heritage service vol. sec 2 1810 census of Rutherford CITY Tenn.(Blue book)John Smothers p.144 Smothers John 85016 yr and pg William Ancestor News Harding city tax records Harding city tax records W central Kentucky--1797 1870 Census Defiance city 300 Franklin 302-A Henry 307 Ohio Mortality-roll #14 1850 #29 1860 104 1880 Pension applications &55 Ohio Land ownerships maps 622 Franklin City 640 Henry Ohio sur name index OH 54 Franklin City 8 Marriage 1 Wills 3 Family Records Williams History of Washington County of Ohio 1881 pg 575 Marriages children of Christian Smothers Henry Catherine John Matilda [marriage:3-17 Mar 17 1881..???] Hannah sister of John This is the pages of Cyndies notes, HOPE THEY HELP. I have never proved this. Joyce _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus

--------------------------- EDITOR'S NOTE ---------------------------- Whether you're a newcomer to genealogy or have been researching your family tree for 20 years, there are always new surnames to search. Just last month I received some birth certificate copies from France as a Christmas gift from my grandmother and, since they include mother's maiden names, I now have several new families to search. Needless to say, I can't wait! <p>In honor of all of the family lines that we're continually adding to our family trees, this week I've collected a host of resources for tracing your family surnames. Some may be new to you, while others are bound to be old favorites. But, whether you've tried them before or not, I bet you have found new surnames to search for since your last visit. <p>Have fun hunting this week and be sure to post in the About Genealogy Forum about your successes. We all love to hear about Happy Dances :) http://genealogy.about.com ------------------------- IN THE SPOTLIGHT --------------------------- Top Ten Surname/Pedigree Databases Search for your surname and make family tree connections in these ten outstanding, lineage-linked databases, containing a combined 650 million surnames. The linked family trees include names -- and often dates, places, and submitter contact details -- making it easy to collaborate with other researchers to exchange surnames and family trees. Most are free or allow some type of free access. http://glclk.about.com/?zi=10/7gR Creativity Required Many genealogists, both beginner and advanced, fail in the quest for their ancestors because they don't take the time to search for anything other than the obvious spelling variants. Don't let that happen to you! Get inspired when searching for alternative surname spellings with these quick tips. http://glclk.about.com/?zi=10/7gS ---------------------------- MORE TOPICS ----------------------------- Ever Wonder What Your Surname Means? Surname origins from around the world GuideSite http://glclk.about.com/?zi=10/7gT Surname Search Tips Become an Internet super sleuth GuideSite http://glclk.about.com/?zi=10/7gU Tips for a Successful Surname Query Make new genealogy connections GuideSite http://glclk.about.com/?zi=10/7gV How to Find Maiden Names Don't forget your female ancestors GuideSite http://glclk.about.com/?zi=10/7gW Soundex Made Easy Discover your surname's soundex code GuideSite http://glclk.about.com/?zi=10/7gX Free Interactive Family Group Sheet One of the most handy tools ever invented for the genealogist the Family Group Sheet comes second only to the familiar pedigree chart (ancestor chart) in usefulness and popularity. This free, interactive version provides room for documenting the family unit - husband, wife, and children, with spaces for births, deaths, and marriages, plus notes and sources. Fill it out online right in your browser, or print out copies and fill in by hand. A great way to share your genealogy information with friends and family. http://glclk.about.com/?zi=10/7gc copyright 2002 About, Inc. Thanks for being a subscriber to the About Genealogy Newsletter. _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

In a message dated 1/10/03 6:52:38 PM Pacific Standard Time, joejan@viclink.com writes: > Karen, please send me what info that you have on this line, I want to > compare it to some of my information. Until next time, Jan > Jan.......I'm afraid I would have to look thru the files (hard copy) of Helen's as I don't have them in my computer. It may take a bit before I have time to get to that. Did I ever send you my outline? Can you so the same by sending yours to me? Talk to you soon! Karen Theofanides

Karen, please send me what info that you have on this line, I want to compare it to some of my information. Until next time, Jan To: <SMOTHERS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 6:38 PM Subject: Re: [SMOTHERS] marriages for Smothers > In a message dated 12/3/02 5:28:09 PM Pacific Standard Time, > smothersnena@hotmail.com writes: > > > Smothers, Eward Spouse : Jenkins, Susan > > Marriage date : Nov 25, 1842 > > > > This was the line of our dear Helen Swenson. I don't know of anyone else on > this list that was of this line, but I probably have some info on them if > anyone wants. > Karen Theofanides > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > >

Here is some information Ihave put together on Smither etc., from Pennsylvania. This is from various census information. Noah Descendants of Pennsylvania Smither Generation No. 1 1. PENNSYLVANIA1 SMITHER Notes for PENNSYLVANIA SMITHER: [Smithers.FTW] Spelling variations include: Smithers, Smithies, Smythies, Smither, Smithurs, Smothers, Smother, Smethurst, Smethers, Smetters, Smetter, Smittersm, Smatters, Smadders, Smatherson, Smythers, Smyther, Smeathers, Smeather, Schmithers, Strothers, Strother, Smathers, Smuthers, Schmether, Schmethers, and others. 1790 U. S. Census James Smithers, Philadelphia County, PA. 1790 U. S. Census Jno Senr Strothers Washington County, Pennsylvania. 1790 U. S. Census Jno Jur Strothers, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Children of PENNSYLVANIA SMITHER are: i. JAMES2 SMITHERS, b. Bet. 1750 - 1765, <Pennsylvania>. Notes for JAMES SMITHERS: [Smithers.FTW] 1790 U. S. Census James Smithers, Philadelphia County, unknown township, Image 0362, Roll, M637_9, page 240, James Smithers, engraver, free white males over 16, 3, free white females 5. 1800 U. S. Census James Smithers, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, unknown township, page 104. 1810 U. S. Census for South Mulberry Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, James Smither, engraver, free white males, 45 and up 1, free white females, 16 to 26, 2, 45 and up, 1. 2. ii. JNO SENR STROTHERS, b. Bef. 1790. iii. JOHN SMITHER, b. Bet. 1765 - 1784, <Pennsylvania>. Notes for JOHN SMITHER: [Smithers.FTW] 1800 U. S. Census John Smither, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Salem Township, page 355, John Smither, free white males, 16 to 26, 1, free white females, under 10 1, 26 to 45, 1. ( Index said John Smither is in Huntington Twp, however the image shows John and George Smither is in Salem Township). 1810 U. S. Census for Walnut Ward, township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, page 191, John Smither, free white males, 10 to 16, 2, 26 to 45, 1, free white females, under 10, 2, 16 to 26, 1, 26 to 45, 1. iv. GEORGE SMITHER, b. Bet. 1735 - 1755, Pennsylvania. Notes for GEORGE SMITHER: [Smithers.FTW] 1800 U. S. Census George Smither, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Salem township, page 355. Free white males, under 10, 2, 16, to 26, 1, 26 to 45, 1, 45 and up 1, free white females under 10, 2, 10 to 16, 1, 16 to 26, 3, 45 and up 1. ( There is another George Smither in Huntington Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania). v. PHILLIP SMITHER, b. Bet. 1755 - 1774, Pennsylvania. Notes for PHILLIP SMITHER: [Smithers.FTW] 1800 U. S. Census Phillip Smither, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, East Pennsboro township, page 122, on line image # 63. Free white males, 16 to 26, 1, 26 to 24, 1, free white females, under 10, 1, 16 to 26, 2, 26 to 45, 1, 45 and up 1. vi. GEORGE SMITHER, b. Bef. 1755, Huntington, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Notes for GEORGE SMITHER: 1800 U. S. Census, George Smither, Huntington Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, page 354, free white males, under 10, 1, 26 to 45, 1, 45 and up, 1, free white females, under 10, 2, 26 to 45, 1. (There is another George Smither in Salem Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, that is not in the index). vii. JACOB SMETHERS, b. Bet. 1745 - 1765, Salem Township, Luzeren County, Pennslyvania. Notes for JACOB SMETHERS: There are two Jacob's in the 1810 census, not sure how they are related...Noah December 21, 2002. 1810 U. S. Census for Neoscopeck township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Jacob Smithers, free white males, under 10, 1, 10 to 16, 2, 45 and up, 1, free white females, under 10, 2, 16 to 26, 1, 45 and up, 1. (1810 U. S. Census for, Salem Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Jacob Smethers, page 95, free white males, under 10, 1, 10 to 16, 2, 45 and up 1, free white females, under 10, 2, 10 to 16, 1, 45 and up 1.). Generation No. 2 2. JNO SENR2 STROTHERS (PENNSYLVANIA1 SMITHER) was born Bef. 1790. Notes for JNO SENR STROTHERS: [Smithers.FTW] 1790 U. S. Census Washington County, Pennsylvania, unknown township, Image 0105, roll M637_9. 1790 U. S. Census for Washington County, Pennsylvania, Jon Strothers, Sr., (may be Smothers), free white males over 16, 4, free white females 7. Child of JNO SENR STROTHERS is: i. JNO JUR3 STROTHERS, b. Bef. 1790. Notes for JNO JUR STROTHERS: [Smithers.FTW] 1790 U. S. Census Washington County, Pennsylvania, unknown township, Image 0105, roll M637_9. 1790 U. S. Census for Washington County, Pennsylvania, page 254, Jon Strothers, Jr. (may be Smothers), free white males over 16, 1, free white males under 16, 1, free white females, 5.

Some good sites to keep in mind for your research: 1. There is a great Rootsweb site, Password Central, you can go to if You want to find out what Rootsweb lists you are a member of or need to unsubscribe from a list, just follow the instructions. http://passwordcentral.rootsweb.com/ 2. If you would like to visit the archived messages for this list you may go to http://archiver.rootsweb.com/ and type in the name of the list you want to see the archives for. From there you can search by date. 3. If you are interested in knowing about other mailing list out there,one of the very best inventories of genealogical mailing lists is John Fuller’s Genealogy Resources on the Internet located at http://www.rootsweb.com/~jfuller/gen_mail.html _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail