Mary Elizabeth Booth1

b. 30 December 1877, d. 4 January 1969
FatherJoel Booth2 b. 1849, d. 5 Jul 1889
MotherAmerica Virginia Crenshaw2 b. 14 Apr 1848, d. 2 Dec 1939
Birth30 Dec 1877 Mary Elizabeth Booth was born on 30 Dec 1877 in Washington County, Virginia.3,4 
Childhood5 Jul 1889  Mary grew up in the Saltville District of Washington County. When she was 11 Mary's father died suddenly, leaving her mother and older brothers to care for the family which included twin siblings born after their father's death.5,6,7 
MarriageMay 1901 She married Hugh Lee Smyth, son of William "Buck" Smyth and Elizabeth Jane McClelland, on the 13th or 15th of May 1901 in Washington County, Virginia.8,9 
  The following year Mary's younger sister Sarah married Hugh's younger brother Charles. 
Residence  Hugh and Mary first lived in a house at Lyndale and then for a short time in a house at the mouth of Tumbling Creek on the North Fork of the Holston River. A few years after their marriage they purchased a home at Meadowview where they lived the rest of their lives. Following the death of Hugh's mother in 1903 the old Smyth family land was sold. Hugh and Mary then provided a home for Hugh's younger brothers William and "Mac", and for his sister Mollie, as well as Mary's sister, Meck.10 
Cens-191023 Apr 1910  The 1910 census enumerated Hugh and Mary at their home in Meadowview. It was described as a farm on the north side of the railroad tracks. The couple's 4 children were recorded, along with Hugh's brothers Will and McClellan.11 ["Mac" lived with Hugh and Mary until his death in 1916] 
Occupation  Hugh had acquired a saw mill and equipment for logging as well as a wood-working plant. In 1910 his occupation was listed as "sawyer" but by 1920 he had expanded into building houses. The business grew and Hugh moved into heavy construction, forming Meadowview Construction with two friends. The company built bridges and roads.10 
Cens-193014 Apr 1930  The 1930 census enumerated Hugh and Mary along with their 4 children. The eldest two, daughter Lelia and son Gordon, had married in the intervening years. The household incuded their spouses and children.12 
Death4 Jan 1969 Mary died on 4 Jan 1969 in Washington County, Virginia, at age 91.3,4 
Burial She was buried at Emory Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.4 

Related Links and Images:

Mary (front row, second from left, standing) with her husband and children; also aunt Mary Elizabeth (Crenshaw) Moore and other family members (circa 1908). Click on camera icon for larger image.13
Mary (front row, second from right) with her mother and siblings (1938). Click on camera icon for larger image.13

Family

Hugh Lee Smyth b. 28 Sep 1871, d. 17 Jun 1937
Children
  • Lelia Smyth14 (7 Mar 1902 - 26 Oct 1974)
  • Gordon Smyth14 (25 Sep 1903 - Mar 1952)
  • Mary Virginia Smyth14 (22 Aug 1905 - 3 Jul 2006)
  • Fred Lysander Smyth14 (30 Aug 1907 - )
ChartsDescendants of John Buchanan and Ann Ryburn
Descendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited15 Mar 2013

Citations

  1. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 92-3. Desc. chart for William (Buck) Smyth and Elizabeth Jane Hudson/Huttson McClelland; author unclear.
  2. [S1584] Peggy Lester, "Descendants of America Virginia Crenshaw and Joel Booth", report dated 10 Oct. 2006. Peggy is the granddaughter of Joel and America (Crenshaw) Booth.
  3. [S1584] Peggy Lester, "Descendants of America Virginia Crenshaw and Joel Booth", report dated 10 Oct. 2006. Peggy is the niece of Mary Elizabeth Booth and Hugh Smyth.
  4. [S54] Virginia Historicial Society of Washington County, High On A Windy Hill Vol II, p. 32, Stone reported to read: Mary Booth Smyth, Dec. 30th 1877 - Jan. 4, 1969.
  5. [S165] Joel Booth household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Saltville District, ED 99, page 220C (stamped), dwelling 207, family 212, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, Oct. 2004, image 23 of 63. Enumeration reports: Joel Booth, 32, marr, farm laborer; America, wife, 33; Harvey, son, 9; James, son, 4; Mary, dau, 1; Margaret, mother, 62; all b. VA.
  6. [S574] America V. Booth household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Saltville District, ED 122, sheet 11A (p. 301 stamped), dwelling 126, family 126, viewed online at Genealogy.com, Oct. 2004, image 59 of 92. Enumeration includes: America V. Booth, 52, wid, b. Apr 1848, mother of 9 children, 8 living; Mary E. dau, 21, b. Dec. 1878; Lysander, son, 19, b. __ 1881; Sarah A. 17, b. May 1883; Nannie W., dau, __, b. Dec. 1886; America V., dau, 10, b. Aug. 1889; Joel, son, 10, Aug. 1889; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  7. [S928] Peggy Lester, "Harvey Booth," e-mail to D. Powell, 12 Oct. 2006. Peggy cites a newspaper article written about Harvey by his family.
  8. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 31. Narrative on Hugh Lee Smyth authored by his daughter Mary Virginia (Smyth) Smith; marriage date given as 13 May 1901.
  9. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 105. Desc. chart for Hugh Lee Smyth and Mary Elizabeth Booth; marriage date given as 15 May 1901.
  10. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 31. Narrative on Hugh Lee Smyth authored by his daughter Mary Virginia (Smyth) Smith.
  11. [S237] Hugh L. Smyth household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 117, sheet 6A (p. 21 stamped), dwelling 83, family 89, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2006, image 11 of 45. Enumerated includes: Hugh L. Smyth, 38, marr #1, marr 8 yrs, sawyer at lumber mill, owns farm, no mortgage; Mary, wife, 31, marr 8 yrs, mother of 4 children, all living; Lelia, dau, 8; Gordon, son, 6; Mary, dau, 4; Fred, son, 2; Will, brother, 25; McClellan, brother, 27; all b. VA; all parents b. VA; resid north of railroad at Meadow View.
  12. [S639] Hugh Smyth household, 1930 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Meadow View, ED 96-5, sheet 5B, dwelling 108, family 109, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2006, image 10 of 14. Enumeration includes: Hugh Smyth, 55, marr at 27, contractor on roads; Mary E., wife, 53, marr at 24; Lelia Jackson, dau, 28, marr at 20; Leslie, son-in-law, 29, marr at 21, inspector at lumber mill; Dow, grandson, 5; Mary Smyth, dau, 24, sgl; Gordon, son, 26, marr, marr at 19; Fred, son, 21, sgl; Kathleen, gr-dau, 4 __; Myrtle, dau-law, 20, marr at 15; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  13. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Peggy Lester 2006.
  14. [S237] Hugh L. Smyth household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 117, sheet 6A (p. 21 stamped), dwelling 83, family 89, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2006, image 11 of 45. Enumerated includes: Hugh L. Smyth, 38, marr #1, marr 8 yrs, sawyer at lumber mill, owns farm, no mortgage; Mary, wife, 31, marr 8 yrs, mother of 4 children, all living; Lelia, dau, 8; Gordon, son, 6; Mary, dau, 4; Fred, son, 2; Will, brother, 25; McClellan, brother, 27; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.