Sunday, May 17, 2015

Sunday’s Obituary~J. Frank Smith


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Mr. J. Frank Smith died at his home in South Wadesboro Monday, age about 45. Mr. Smith, who was night watchman at the cotton mill, was taken violently ill Friday with uremia poison and sank rapidly until death relieved him of his sufferings. A wife and seven children survive him. The remains were taken to Ruby, S.C. for interment.
Mr. Smith, it will be remembered, was tried here for his life several years ago, for the murder of his brother-in-law, Mr. Thos. Sellers, and acquitted.





J. Frank Smith married Dora Sellers, daughter of Phillip A. Sellers and Martha Ann Brooks on 19 January 1881. Before his death in 1901 Frank and Dora would have nine children; 5 Daughters and four sons.

Frank was acquitted in 1895 for the murder of his brother-in-law, Thomas Brooks Sellers on 25 April 1894. He shot his brother-in-law on the 24 April 1894 at the Covington Bros. merchandise store on Rutherford Street, Wadesboro, NC.  Thomas died the next day, Doctor Kollock of Cheraw was summoned in an effort to save the life of Thomas Brooks Sellers.

Dora Sellers Smith is my 2nd Cousin 3 times removed. Thomas Brooks Sellers is also my 2nd cousin 3 times removed. Dora and Thomas are siblings.







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[1] [The Messenger and Intelligencer, Wadesboro, North Carolina, 28 February 1901, page 3.] Obituary courtesy of Julie Hampton.

15 comments:

  1. I am a Smith relative.
    Like to hear from relatives.

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  2. Brenda, thanks for reading my blog. J. Frank Smith was quite a character.

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  3. Oh You Saw me. So how do I find j f smith's children. He would be my great grandfather. Tks.
    Will txt more soon.

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    1. Brenda,
      Here is what I have:
      J. Frank Smith and M. Dora Sellers had the following children:

      i. S. Etta Smith, born Nov 1881, Anson County, North Carolina, United States; married Walter Carpenter.
      ii. Nona Ronita Smith, born 20 Nov 1883, Anson County, North Carolina, United States; married John Alexander High, 18 Feb 1912, Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina, United States; died 1933.
      iii. Mattie Lee Smith, born 20 Apr 1885, Anson County, North Carolina, United States; married Adam Green.
      iv. James Franklin Smith, born abt 1887, Anson County, North Carolina, United States; married Lucille Hedrick.
      v. Dora Maynard Smith, born 2 Sep 1889, Anson County, North Carolina, United States; married Bud Huneycutt.
      vi. Hugh M. Smith, born 15 Jun 1894, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married Bessie Dry; died 31 Jan 1935, Anson County, North Carolina, United States.
      vii. Flora Adella Smith, born 14 Jan 1893, Anson County, North Carolina, United States; married William Jacob Usrey, 26 Oct 1913, Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina, United States; died 9 May 1957, Lilesville, Anson, North Carolina, United States.
      viii. Eugene Lockhart Smith was born on 5 Nov 1895 in Anson County, North Carolina, United States.
      ix. Dewey Smith, born 2 Apr 1898, Anson County, North Carolina, United States; married JoAnna Spears.

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    2. Omg, how great.
      I can add to my tree branches.
      Looking to see anyone alive still on the newest tree. God Bless. Can't thank you enough. Brenda

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    3. Eugene is my grandfather. I have his purple heart. MacHine gunned up the legs. Did not die though, died yrs after heart attack.

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  4. Oh what a sad story,sex,murder,suicide

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  5. I wonder how to search for j frank smith parents

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  6. J. Frank Smith parents were Hugh Moore Smith and Sarah A. Sellers. Sarah was the daughter of Roland Sellers and Margaret Eddins. Hugh Moore’s father was Neil Smith, Mother unknown.

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  7. Omg. Thks so much. Trying to see how far I can go back in family. Like if they arrived in VA.or near. Where can I find more dob,town of residence for j frank smith's parents

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  8. As far as I know the line has not been researched beyond Neil Smith. The Sellers line goes back to Hardy Sellers and Mary Cook. No one has found his parents. The Smith line is not my line and I don't have time to research it.

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  9. Ok. I found a first or second czn who is working with me.

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  10. so i hope you are ok, ad wanted to update that my grandfather Eugene Lockhart Smith

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