It’s Family Time~Ferguson Hale Smith Families

Ferguson Hale Smith was born Sept 1815, a son of Rilah Smith and Timmey Spencer. He was the third born of six children with 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

Ferguson Hale Smith was married three times. He first married at the age of 26 to Catherine Melton  daughter of Lewis T. Melton and Rebecca Lewis. Catherine was born in 1821 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Ferguson Hale Smith and Catherine Melton had the following children:
        i.    Albert M. Smith was born in 1842 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States. He served in the Civil War with Capt. Coit's Company "Chesterfield Artillery" enlisting 25 August 1861. He died 11 Dec 1861 at the age of 19.
Ferguson H. Smith, his father, was paid Seventy-one dollars and thirty-six Cents ($71.36) the pay he was entitled to for those 3 months and 17 days. Payment made by Confederate States of America on April 5, 1862. No. 327, Confederate States of America, Treasury Department. Film #1447136.
         ii.    Elisha Brown Smith, born 29 Jun 1844, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Martha Jane Graves, abt 1866; died 8 Jun 1925, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
         iii.    L. Elizabeth Smith was born in 1846.
         iv.    Templeton Rebecca Jane Smith, born 21 Oct 1847, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married John Ferguson Davis, 1 Sep 1867, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; died 5 Feb 1920, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
         v.    Ellen Cenora J. Smith, born 16 Feb 1853, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married John Wesley Bittle; died 2 Apr 1929, Marshville, Union, North Carolina.
        vi.    James Ferguson Caswell Smith, born 2 Jun 1855, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Nora Pittman; married Martha Adaline Teal; died 1 Jun 1922, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
       vii.    Joseph Riley Smith, born 23 Apr 1857, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Eliza A. Rivers, 1889; died 23 Mar 1916, Pageland, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
       viii.    Susan C. Smith was born about 1857 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
        ix.    Mary Catherine "Massie" Smith, born 3 Jun 1859, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married James Calvin Griggs; died 25 Feb 1920, Anson County, North Carolina.
        x.    Teresa Arassia Examina Smith, born 4 Jun 1862, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Peter Claude Rayfield; died 21 Apr 1917, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
Ferguson’s wife, Catherine Melton Smith, died about July 1867 leaving him was a large family to care for while still maintaining his daily farming chores.
Ferguson needed a wife and he found her in the form of the Widow of William Rivers who had died in the Civil War. The widow, Mary Ann Graves Rivers, was the daughter of Thomas J. Graves and Eliza Mollie Rivers. Mary Ann was born in 1838 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina and had one son, Thomas J. Rivers, born to the union between her and William Rivers.
Ferguson Hale Smith and Mary Ann Graves Rivers were married about 1867. This date is based on the birth of her first child to this union on 29 August 1868 and the death of Ferguson’s  1st wife Catherine about July 1867.

Ferguson Hale Smith and Mary Ann Graves had the following children:

        i.    Rev. Adolphus Bunyan Smith, born 29 Aug 1868, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Jesse E. Flake, 24 Dec 1895, Anson County, North Carolina; died 7 Nov 1932, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina.
        ii.    Marion Augustus Smith, born 25 Nov 1870, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Annie Virginia Jones; died 18 Nov 1954, Rockingham, Richmond, North Carolina.

Sadly, Mary Ann Graves Rivers Smith died shortly after the birth of her son, Marion Augustus Smith, on 25 Nov 1870.

Ferguson Hale Smith then married his 3rd wife, Ann Rebecca Powell. Ann, age 24, was born 8 Jan. 1847, a daughter of Thompson B. Powell and Mary Boatwright.

Ferguson Hale Smith and Ann Rebecca Powell had the following children:

    i.    Arthur P. Smith, born 29 Sep 1872, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina,; married Susie Coker, 1900; died 23 Apr 1947, Columbia, Richland, South Carolina.
     ii.    Etna Florence Smith, born 16 Aug 1877, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Carl Gerome Morgan; died 7 Apr 1937, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
     iii.    Nettie M. Smith was born in Dec 1879 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina She died 28 April 1967, Florence, Florence, South Carolina.
     iv.    Mamie Clara Smith, born 4 Feb 1882, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Jesse Lee Jenkins; died 1 Jan 1975, Pageland, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
     v.    Annie Garfield Smith was born on 11 Dec 1884 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina She died on 24 Nov 1946 at the age of 61 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. Buried at Hopewell, never married.

Ferguson Hale Smith was a farmer and raised 17 children with 3 wives and one step-child.

Mary Ann Graves Rivers Smith, the second wife of Ferguson Hale Smith, is my 1st Cousin 4 times removed.






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1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed  4 November 2010); Memorial page for Ferguson Hale Smith; (1815–14 January 1902); Find a Grave memorial # 50034221, Citing Ferguson H. Smith Cemetery; Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
     2. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 176B, Line 23, Dwelling #1197, Family #1197, Household of Ferguson H. SMITH; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed March 2009); citing  National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
     3. 1870 U. S. Census, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, Page 294B, Line 28, Dwelling 143; Family 143, Household of F. H. SMITH; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 15 July 2011); citing National Archive  Microfilm M593, Roll 1491.
     4. 1880 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) # 5, Page 317D; Line 48, Dwelling 148, Family 148, Household of  Ferguson H. SMITH; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2008); citing National Archive  Microfilm T9, Roll 1225.
     5. 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Mount Croghan, Chesterfield, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0025, Page: 4/151 (stamped); Line 81, Dwelling 74, Family 74, Household of Ferguson H. SMITH; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : Viewed 6 June 2016); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_1523.
     6. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Probate Files & Loose papers, Ferguson Hale Smith Estate; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: viewed 11 November 2017); Probate Folder #585.
     7. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Ferguson Hale Smith Estate, Probate Folder #585.
     8. Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (https://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 25 March 2012), entry for Albert M. SMITH, Pvt.; Capt Kelly's Light Artillery; Confederate.   
     9. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 137; Line 22, dwelling 612 family 611, Household of William F. RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 15 July 2011); citing  National Archives Microfilm M653-1217.   
     10. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Mary Ann Graves Smith (1838–November 1870), Memorial # 138633351.
     11. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Ann Rebecca Powell Smith (8 January 1847–24 February 1902), Memorial # 138632980.
     12. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Population Schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 177B, Line 12, Dwelling 1211, Family 1211, Household of Thompson POWELL.
     13. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 118; Line 9, Dwelling 350, Family 349, Household of T. B. POWELL; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2008); citing  National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.

Chesterfield County SC Estates~Estate Folder #585~Ferguson Hale Smith

This is a new series of posting, appearing every Sunday, on selected Estate Folders from the Estate files of Chesterfield County. No known estates exist for the period before the Civil War. They were destroyed with the burning of the Courthouse. There are a few “Equity Records” in the State Archives. Do not overlook this valuable resources if you are looking for ancestors in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. 

Today we will be looking at the following Estate folders:
Folder #585
Ferguson Hale Smith.¹

This estate folder begins at image #706 and ends with image #735. (images 706-735) 

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19427-40703-33?cc=1911928

On 14 January 1902, Ferguson Hale Smith died leaving surviving him his 3rd wife Ann Rebecca Powell and six children conceived with Ann Rebecca. Also surviving were 6 of 10 children conceived with his first wife Catherine Melton and 2 children conceived with his 2nd wife Mary Ann Graves.
Sadly, one month and 10 days after the passing of Ferguson Hale Smith his widow Ann Rebecca Powell Smith passed away on 24 February 1902. 

Ferguson left a small estate and on 27 January 1902, C. C. Griggs petitioned and made suit to the Court for Letters of Administration on the estate.
 














Transcription:
State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}
The petition of C. C. Griggs respectfully shows to to this court_
First That F. H. Smith a citizen of Chesterfield County – died intestate on or about the 13^th or 14^th of Jan 1902 leaving a personal estate amounting to about Three Hundred dollars and it is necessary that others should be an administrator in order to settle the estate – wherefore your petitioner prays that Letters be granted him - and he will ever pray &C.
C. C. Griggs
 












Heirs receiving a share of the estate are named in image #732, named were 5 married daughters and 6 sons.

• Mrs. Bittle - Ellen Cenora J. Smith wife of John Wesley Bittle
• Mrs. Davis - Templeton Rebecca Jane Smith wife of  John Ferguson Davis
• Mrs. Griggs - Mary Catherine “Massie” Smith wife of James Calvin Griggs
• Mrs. Rayfield - Teresa Arassia Examina Smith wife of Peter Claude Rayfield
• Mrs. Morgan - Etna Florence Smith wife of Carl Gerome Morgan
• A. B. – Rev. Adolphus Bunyon Smith
• M. A. - Marion Augustus Smith
• A. P. -  Arthur P. Smith
• J. R. – Joseph Riley Smith
• E. B. - Elisha Brown Smith
• J. F. C. - James Ferguson Caswell Smith

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[1] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19427-40703-33?cc=1911928 : accessed 13 September 2015), Chesterfield > Probate Court, Estate records > 1865-1927 > Cases 0553B-0637 > image 706 of 1488; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.
[2] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 3 March 2013); Memorial page for Ferguson Hale Smith; (September 1815–14 January 1902); Find a Grave memorial # 50034221, Citing Ferguson H. Smith Cemetery; Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

Sunday’s Obituary~John Wesley Bittle

J. W. Bittle
Special to The State
Chesterfield. April 9.- J. W. Bittle, who lived near town, died on Thursday and was buried in the family burying ground on the 7th. Mr. Bittle served through the war in Company A, Fourth cavalry, S.C.V. He had been in bad health for several years. He was almost 72 years old.¹

John Wesley Bittle was married to Ellen Cenora J. Smith daughter of  Ferguson Hale Smith and Catherine Melton. They had 6 children; four daughters and 2 sons.
John Wesley died on 6 April 1911.




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[1] J. W. BITTLE obituary, The State, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, 10 April 1911, page 7, column 2.

Tombstone Tuesday~Ann R. Smith

Ann R. Smith

Wife of

F. H. Smith

b. 9 Jan. 1847

d. 24 Feb. 1902

Gone but not forgotten

Cropped photo with inverted colors:


Ann Rebecca Powell Smith was the 3rd wife of Ferguson Hale Smith. She was the daughter of Thompson B. Powell and Mary “Polly” Boatwright.

Ann and Ferguson Hale ware married about 1871. There firstborn, a son, called Arthur P. was born 29 September 1872. They would have a total of 5 children, the other four being all girls.

Ferguson Hale Smith died on 14 January 1902 and the following month on 24 Feb 1902, Ann Rebecca Powell Smith passed away.

This tombstone is located in a Smith Cemetery near the NC State Line on the right hand side of  Mayesville Road going north/north east.  Cemetery was accessed from NC side of state line. I was taken there years ago by B. J. Steele and has been unable to relocate. B. J. Steele has passed away. If you know where this cemetery is located (specific direction) please contact me or the Chesterfield County Genealogical Society.