 Robert Smith and Harriet Matilda Huff abt 1885 |
 Effie Smith - Covington (Abt: 1940) |
- Origin: Kentucky
- Religion: ?
- Earliest Date Known: 1834
- Arrived in America: ?
Robert Smith and Harriet Matilda Huff abt 1885 |
Effie Smith - Covington (Abt: 1940) |
Robert Smith's father was born in Kentucky according to his statement to US Census enumerator. Research continues.
1870 US Census: Texas: Hopkins Co., Sulfur Springs, Bright Star P.O,- Enum; 27 July 1870 -B.H. Dawson, Asst. Marshall.
Here is evidence that the Smith family left Hopkins County before 1880. Wise County is north of Dallas County. Harriets brother, Richard stays in Sulfur Springs, Hopkins Co.
From:Handbook of Texas Online
Wise County:The majority of Wise County settlers were immigrants from southern states, though only fifty-three of the county's 3,160 white residents owned slaves in 1860. Prior to the Civil Warqv cattle and sheep production were the major industries; cotton was not introduced into the county until the 1870s. Most residents engaged in open-range ranching through the 1880s; the two most prominent ranches, owned by W. H. Hunt and Daniel Waggoner,qqv were located in western Wise County. The predominantly southern populace supported secessionqv in 1861 and raised five Confederate companies that fought in the Civil War. The removal of federal troops from the frontier left outlying settlements at the mercy of hostile Comanches and other plains Indians. Texas militia units, formed to patrol from the Red River to the Rio Grande, set up a post in Decatur. Local volunteer groups also defended the frontier communities. Nevertheless, many farms were abandoned, as fearful residents moved into towns for protection against Indian attack.
In 1862 Wise County was gripped by the same Union League conspiracy hysteria that precipitated the Great Hanging at Gainesville.qv Five men were tried and hanged for plotting to aid the Union cause by burning property, stealing weapons, and reducing the people to helplessness. When the war ended, an angry mob of 200 people protested the hangings but was dispersed by local supporters of law and order. Though many Wise County inhabitants remained bitter in defeat, the Reconstructionqv county governments usually included both ex-Confederates and Republican partyqv appointees. Indian raids continued until 1875, and the population of the county grew slowly. Only 1,450 people resided in Wise County in 1870. During the antebellum period Decatur was a stop on the Butterfield Overland Mailqv route from St. Louis, Missouri, to San Francisco, California. A government telegraph line also connected the county with larger population centers. Between 1866 and 1886 the Eastern Cattle Trail to Abilene, Kansas, crossed Wise County east of Decatur. The coming of the railroads eventually provided a more convenient and cheaper means of transportation for crops and livestock. In the 1880s and 1890s two railroads were built through the county„the Fort Worth and Denver City, which passed through Decatur, and the Rock Island, which crossed the western section of the county through Bridgeport.
Robert Smith Family moved to Ardmore, Carter Co., Indian Territory about 1885.
The Smith's moved to Ardmore, Indian Territory, Oklahoma about 1885-1890 from Wise County,TX. In 1900. Robert, Harriet,Robert M. and Maude are living near Roff, Chickasaw Nation, I.T. Mattie, Effie and Ada are married and not in household.
ciiisiii 2004: The 1890 US Census is very sparse. Texas and I.T. are lost. I went to the 1900 US Census Oklahoma (I.T.) of the Chickasaw Nation and found the Robert Smith family enumberated in Township 2 North Range 6 East. This location is about 8-10 miles from the town of Roff, Indian Territory, Chickasaw Nation (after 1907 as Oklahoma).
1900 US Census Indian Territory Chickasaw Nation>(Pontotoc Co.,Oklahoma)
Township 2 North Range 6 East. Enum: 15 Jun 1900 by Alexander S. Hotchin.
Harriet gave birth to 8 children of which 5 were lived to adulthood. Census lists Robert as a Farmer. Census ndicates that Maude was born in Texas 1885, so it seems that the family came to the Roff area after 1885. The 1900 I.T. Chickasaw Nation census does not show Martha A. (Mattie), Ada or Effie as living in the Household since they were all married before 1900.
Living next door to Robert and Harriet Smith family in 1900 is daughter Martha 'Mattie'Smith-Raker:Married 19 years
1900 US Census: Indian Territory: Chickasaw Nation(Pontotoc Co.,Oklahoma)
Township 2 North Range 6 East. Enum: 15 Jun 1900 by Alexander S. Hotchin.
Children of Robert Smith and Harriet Matilda 'Mattie' Huff:
2nd m. James W. Stockton b.Dec 1870 AR.
3rd m. Charles A. John: b.? d.? Married 1910: Witnesses to Marriage: Ollie Smith (daughter) and Effie Smith-Covington (sister) in Stephensville,Earthe Co.,TX
Maud b. 1885 TX d.? (our mystery child, and still researching what happened to her)
 Effie Smith and Thomas Jefferson Covingtion abt 1920 |