Elizabeth Jane McClelland1,2

b. 2 April 1843, d. 20 April 1903
Elizabeth (McClelland) Smyth (cropped)
photo courtesy the Sells & Mannon families
FatherSamuel McClelland2
MotherMary Ann Dougherty2 b. 26 Mar 1823, d. 29 Nov 1917
Birth2 Apr 1843 Elizabeth Jane McClelland was born on 2 Apr 1843.3 
Marriage2 Mar 1862 She married first John Hudson on 2 Mar 1862 in Washington County, Virginia.4 
Widowed  She was widowed a few months later when John died at the Battle of Seven Pines while serving as a Confederate chaplain.5,6 
Marriage9 Aug 1864 She married second William "Buck" Smyth, son of John Smyth and Nancy Stewart, on 9 Aug 1864 in Washington County.2 
  Elizabeth was 21; William was a 43 year old widower with 3 children. 
  In the years following the Civil War William made an unusual decision for a man in his 40s: he decided to return to college. He attended Emory and Henry and then "read" medicine with a Dr. Barrow, eventually becoming a licensed physician. He helped people as he could, often being paid in farm products, if at all.7 
Cens-188016 Jun 1880  William and Elizabeth also farmed land in the Saltville District of Washington County. The 1880 census captured them with 8 of the 11 children who would eventually make up their family. William's age was entered as 49; he was closer to fifty-nine. Elizabeth was thirty-seven.8 
WidowedAug 1891  William died in August, 1891. Nine of Elizabeth's 10 surviving children, ranging in age from 21 to 7, still lived at home. 
Cens-190018 Jun 1900  Elizabeth continued to run the family farm. In 1900 she was enumerated as the head of a household that included sons Willie (25), Charles (20, Anderson (18) and daughter Mollie (16).9 
Death20 Apr 1903 Elizabeth died on 20 Apr 1903 at age 60.3 
Burial She was buried at Smyth Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 

Research Comment:

Aleta Spicer, a great granddaughter of William and Elizabeth, compiled a wonderful manuscript about the couple's descendants. A picture emerges of a family that was close knit and exceptionally welcoming to friends and neighbors. William and Elizabeth's sons were known for their love of fun, their wit and affection for each other, their capacity for work, their honesty and their ability to protect each other in an era when some disagreements were still resolved the old fashioned way.

The couple's daughters seem to have been exceptional homemakers who worked tirelessly to care for their families, and who did so with much joy. They were proud of their heritage.10
Elizabeth and William's home
To locate the William ("Buck") and Elizabeth Smyth homesite see the Washington County homes map

Family

William "Buck" Smyth b. 20 Dec 1820, d. 15 Aug 1891
Children
Last Edited7 Aug 2013

Citations

  1. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 47.
  2. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 343. William Smyth, 43y, widow, b & resid Washington Co. VA, farmer, s/o John & Nancy A. Smyth AND Elizabeth Jane (McClelland) Hudson, 21y, widow, b. Rockbridge Co., d/o Samuel & Mary McClelland; 9 Aug 1864.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 132. Smyth, Elizabeth McClelland, 2 Apr 1843-20 Apr 1903.
  4. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 173. John Hudson, 24y, sgl AND Elizabeth McCleland, 18y, sgl, b. Rockbridge Co. VA, res. WCV, d/o Samuel & Mary McCleland; 2 Mar 1862.
  5. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 92-3. Desc. chart for William (Buck) Smyth and Elizabeth Jane Hudson/Huttson McClelland; author unclear.
  6. [S16] The Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station, was fought near Richmond, Virginia on May 31 and June 1, 1862 (Wikipedia).
  7. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 23.
  8. [S165] William Smyth household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Saltville District, ED 99, page 38 (227B stamped), dwelling 332, family 342, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 38 of 63. William Smyth, 49, marr, farmer; Elizabeth, 37, wife; Jonas 14, son; Margaret 12, dau; Nancy 10, dau; Hugh 9, son; Sarah 8, dau; William 6, dau [sic]; Pirdrue 4, dau; Bettie 2, dau; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  9. [S634] Elizabeth Smith household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Saltville district, ED 122, sheet 15B, dwelling 197, family 197, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2007, image 30 of 53. Household includes: Elizabeth Smith, 57, wid, b. Apr. 1843, mother of 11 children, 10 living, farmer, owns land, no mortgage; Willie S., son, 25, b. Apr. 1875; Charles W., son, 20, b. June 1879; Anderson M., son, 18, b. Dec. 1881; Mollie M., dau, 16, b. Feb. 1884; all sons working as farm laborers, all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  10. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth.
  11. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 22. George W. Counts, 19, s/o John & Nancy Counts, farmer AND Smyth, Sarah C., 21, d/o William & E. J. Smyth; 22 Nov. 1894.
  12. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 52. Helton, William Milburn, 23, b. Russell Co., VA s/o W. F. & Malissa Helton, farmer AND Gertrude Smyth, 19, d/o Dr. Wm & E. J. Smyth, 22 Oct. 1895.
  13. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 24. Geo. Sanders Crenshaw, 23, b. Smyth Co., VA s/o W. J. & Mary Crenshaw, farner & Smith, Bettie, 21, d/o William & E. J. Smith; 7 Mar 1899.
  14. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 102. Charles W. Smith, 22, s/o Wm & Elizabeth Smith, farmer & Sarah A. Boothe, 19, d/o Joel & America Boothe, 20 Aug. 1902.