John Henderson Smyth1,2

b. 12 August 1818, d. October 1864
FatherJohn Smyth3,4 b. 3 Jun 1778, d. 8 Sep 1835
MotherNancy Stewart5 b. 4 Nov 1778, d. 16 Dec 1851
Birth12 Aug 1818 John Henderson Smyth was born on 12 Aug 1818.6 
Cens-185010 Aug 1850  John was still single and living at home with his widowed mother when the 1850 census of Washington County was recorded.7 
Marriage22 Dec 1852 He married Elizabeth O. Jane Logan, daughter of William Shaw Logan and Elizabeth Dunn, on 22 Dec 1852 in Washington County, Virginia. John was 34 years old. Elizabeth was 30.8 
Cens-186029 Jun 1860  John and Elizabeth lived near other members of the Smith/Smyth family including John's grandfather, Tobias Smyth. In 1860 John's farm was valued at $4,500. He owned personal property of $4,000. Besides children Mary, Thomas and Lydia, the census recorded Mary Smith, age 40 [John's sister].9 
DeathOct 1864 John died on the 3rd or 4th of Oct 1864 at age 46. John's headstone states that he "was mortally wounded while gallantly fighting in defense of the south his native land in the Battle of Saltville VA - Oct. 3rd, 1864 - and died the next day". On the surface this suggests the battle was fought on the 3rd and he died on the 4th, however historical records list the Battle of Saltville as having taken place Oct. 2, 1864 suggesting perhaps the date listed on his stone was intended as his date of death, not the date he was wounded.6,10,11 
Burial John was buried at Smyth's Chapel Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.6 
  Elizabeth died just 2 years after John, leaving 4 orphaned children who were raised by John's sister Mary Smyth.12 

Related Links and Images:

John's headstone
Other interments in Smyth's Chapel Cemetery

Family

Elizabeth O. Jane Logan b. Sep 1822, d. Aug 1866
Children
  • Mary Elizabeth Smyth2,13 (15 or 16 Oct 1853 - 5 Oct 1927)
  • Thomas L. Smyth14,15 (17 Sep 1856 - 20 Feb 1936)
  • Lydia Dorcas Smyth+16 (29 Mar 1860 - 19 Sep 1936)
  • Nannie J. Smyth17 (8 Aug 1862 - 13 Feb 1924)
Last Edited18 Mar 2013

Citations

  1. [S828] Mary K. Smyth will (recorded 1903), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 27: 189. The will was dated May 18, 1896 and recorded March 2, 1903.
  2. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 84. Desc. chart for John Henderson Smyth and Elizabeth O. J. Logan; author unclear.
  3. [S695] John Smith will (1835), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 7: 71.
  4. [S1788] Jack Hockett, "Washington County, Virginia Chancery Notes", New River Notes (http://www.newrivernotes.com/hockett/wcvchancery.htm : Nov. 2010). Reel 118; case styled as Benjamin F. Fuller & others vs Tobias Smith, J. Kelly, admrs of the will of Jonas Smith, dec'd. Includes statements as to the heirs of Jonas Smyth which included the heirs of John Smyth deceased.
  5. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 76. Desc. chart for John Smyth and Nancy Agnes Stewart; author unclear.
  6. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 163. Stone reads: John Henderson Smyth, 12 Aug. 1818, "was mortally wounded while gallantly fighting in defense of the South, his native land, in the battle of Saltville, VA., 3 Oct. 1864 and died the next day, age 46y 1m 21d.
  7. [S367] Nancy Smith household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. 92b, dwelling 371, family 371, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2003, image 50 of 289. Nancy Smith, 67, owns property valued at $4,000; Tobias 34, farmer; Mary 32; John 31, farmer; William 29, farmer; James 21, farmer; Alexander 16, farmer; all b. VA.
  8. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 60. Smyth John H. and Elizabeth O. I. Logan, 22 Dec. 1852.
  9. [S234] John H. Smith household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 74 (original script), dwelling 512, family 500, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2007, image 76 of 361. Household includes: John H. Smith, 43, farmer, owns land worth $4,500, pers. prop of $4,000; Elizabeth, 30; Mary 7; Thomas 4; Lydia 1; Mary Smith, 40, owns land worth $1,500 and pers. prop of $50.
  10. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 45. Died Oct. 4, 1864.
  11. [S27] Leonidas Littleton Papers titled "Washington Co. Families". This record says John died on the 3rd. A list of family members buried in this cemetery and compiled by Smyth descendants uses the 3rd as well.
  12. [S165] Mary K. Smith household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 94, page 77C (stamped), dwelling 433, family 436, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2008, image 49 of 54. Household includes: Mary K. Smith, 64; Mary E., 23, niece; Thomas L., nephew, farmer; Nannie J., 16, niece; all b. VA.
  13. [S2169] Donald Helton, compiler, "Washington County Virginia Abstracted Death Records 1912-1939" (manuscript shared by author), p. 65; Mary Elizabeth Smyth entry.
  14. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 103. Smith, Thomas L., 27, s/o John H. & E. Smith, farmer AND Boyd, Mary 25; 17 Dec. 1893.
  15. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington County, VA Death Register for the year 1936 as viewed on microfilm at the Library of Virginia in Richmond: Glade Spring, Meadowview, VA: T. L. Smith, Meadowview, VA, white male, mar. to Mary Smyth, b. VA, 17 Sep 1856, 80y; d. 20 Feb 1936, s/o John Smyth, VA & (blank) Logan, VA; Mrs. P. L Smyth, Meadowview, VA, inf.; bur. Smyths Cem.
  16. [S2169] Donald Helton, compiler, "Washington County Virginia Abstracted Death Records 1912-1939" (manuscript shared by author), p. 94; Lydia Dorcus (Smyth) Cuddy entry.
  17. [S24] Shelby Ireson Edwards, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1881-1890, Vol. 62, p. 28. Akers, C.B., 27y, sgl, born Floyd Co., VA, s/o James M. & Matilda Akers AND Smith, Nannie J., 23y, sgl, b & resid WCV, d/o John H. & Elizabeth O. Smyth.