Willam & Rachel Smith Family

Slavery ended after the Civil War (1861-1865).  The US Federal Census began recording blacks by their names in 1870.

The records from the 1890 US Federal Census were lost on January 10, 1921, due to a fire at the Commerce Department building, and Congress authorized the disposal of the remaining damaged records on February 21, 1933.

The 1900 US Federal Census data for Pinckney, Union, South Carolina, shows that William was married to Rachel Howell both pictured below.

 

 

The 1900, 1910, and 1920 US Federal Census records for Pinckney, Union, South Carolina, enumerate William and Rachel's children as follows: Francis (Aunt Frank), Horace, Monroe, Vernon, James (Jim), Townsend, Bennie, Millus, Madgie Aunt Polly), Trannie, Hiawatha (Aunt Dump), Morris, Miles, and Lee.

The picture below, along with the names displayed on the leaves, represents William and Rachel’s children. According to family folklore passed down through generations, William and Rachel had 17 children. However, only 14 of their children have been confirmed through U.S. federal census records. In total, there are 17 photos and leaves shown below. However, according to Ancestry records, Austell is listed as the oldest son of Vernon, and Clyde as the oldest son of Jim. The name “Leanders” shown beneath Hiawatha’s picture does not appear in Ancestry records; however, Uncle Lee’s death certificate (dated April 4, 1968) lists his name as Lee Anders Smith.

 

  A FAMILY OF TRUE LOVE