It's time for my semi-regular posting of one of my Smith brick walls. Bert Smith, (full name thought to be Burtram/Bertram/possibly Bertrand Trammell Smith) b. 1835 in Wilson County, TN (Lebanon), d. 1908 in Lebanon,TN. He married Sarah Elizabeth 'Betty' Fakes (she used the maiden name Brown, also, because her mother remarried to Harrison C Brown when Betty was about 7 years old). in Wilson County. His marriage record says Bertrand Smith. The 1850 Wilson County census shows a Burtrane (?) Smith, age 12 or 15 (I can't tell which), living in the household of James Hatcher(household #979) in the 6th Civil District. I've followed up on the possibility that James Hatcher's wife might be Bert's sister but it doesn't appear to be so. The next time I find Bert is: 1860 Lockporte, Dist 6, Wilson Co., TN p. 304: David Young 32 M/Farmer/Real Property $7000/Personal $1320/b.TN. Elizabeth Young 33 F/b.VA. Francis Young 16 F/TN. David E. Young 13 M/TN/school in yr. Adaline Young 11 F/TN/school in yr. Bertrand Smith 25 M/Farm Laborer/TN. Then: 1870 District 5, Lebanon P.O., Wilson Co., TN p. 404: B.T. Smith 35 M/W/Farmer/TN. Sarah E. 26 F/W/Keeping House/TN. Nancy [G. ?] 3 F/W/at home/TN. James F. 2 M/W/at home/TN. I find Bert/Burt again on the 1880 Wilson County Census which shows the following: Fifth Civil Distrtict, County of Wilson, State of Tennessee Page 10, Supervisor's Dist. No. 3, Enumeration Dist. No. 251 Dwelling 77 Smith, Burtram T 45 farmer TN TN Sarah B 36 keeping house KY TN TN Nancy L. 13 James T. 12 works on farm Sarah F. 9 William B. 7 Laura E. 4 Alexis M. 1 (Denise's note--the name should be Alexon) Now, I know there were a lot of Smiths in that area at the time but I can't seem to place my Bert/Burt with any of them. I have no idea who his parents were. If anyone here has thoughts on this, I'd love to hear from you. This one is making me crazy! :-)

I am looking at a couple of 1820s deeds for Wilson County that refer to lot and tract numbers. They are on the waters of Spring Creek and I am pretty sure they are not town lots. One deed refers to "the old tract eleven," others to numbered lots. I have looked at other Wilson County deeds but so far haven't seen others like this. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks, Jan