UNDER CONSTRUCTION
My start in genealogy began in 1996 when Linda Jean Benner ROBERTS’ 1st cousin, Mary Margaret Streetman JANAK, contacted Linda’s mother, Dot BENNER. Mary Margaret was trying to prove Henry SMITH was the son of Old 300 colonist, Cornelius SMITH, so she could obtain a “Texas First Family Certificate.” Mary Margaret did correctly have the facts on Henry SMITH and the Brazoria County courthouse had the proof. Henry SMITH was the gg-grandfather of Linda Benner ROBERTS and Mary Streetman JANAK. (David Roberts - Sep 2002) Henry SMITH, 8th child (of 12) of Cornelius SMITH and Elizabeth ROBERTS, was born 8 Aug 1827 in what is now known as “Bailey’s Prairie,” Brazoria County, Texas. Henry was the first child of Cornelius and Betsy born in Brazoria (Mexico).
Henry SMITH married Margaret Jane WEST 7 Aug 1851 in Brazoria County, TX, in a double wedding with his brother, Gaines Bailey SMITH, who married Margaret Jane’s sister, Susan WEST. Henry's and Jane's first child Elizabeth was born 1 May 1855 and died before the 1860 census. Next child was Susan Henrietta SMITH born 4 May 1858 and is listed as "Lizzie" in the 1860 census. Their last child Robert S. SMITH was born 20 Nov 1860.
Margaret Jane WEST, daughter of Hamilton WEST and Clarissa Eleanor HINDS, was born 10 April 1836 in Wayne Co, Kentucky.
1850 Census of Cherokee Co, TX
p.64b
H. WEST 39 m Farmer Ky
Clarissa 31 f 1111 “
Susanna 17 f “
Margaret 15 f “
p.65a (cont.)
Nelson 11 m “
Harrison 9 m “
Celia D. 7 f “
Eliza A. 5 f “
Hamilton 4 m “
Larinda 1/24 f Tex
Saml GOODEN 24 m Carpenter Ky
1850 Census of Brazoria Co., TX
p.388b; 158/158
Elizabeth SMITH 65 f Farmer 2800 Ky
Gains B. 21 m none 1280 Tex
Westley 18 m none 1280 “
James 14 m 856 “
Elizabeth 9 f 856 “
Henry 23 m none 856 “
1860 Census of Brazoria Co, TX
p.63
Henry SMITH 30 m Planter 600 Tex
Jane 20 f Ky
Lizzie 2 f Tx
Harrison WEST 18 m Ky
Henry and Margaret Jane SMITH died before 1870 and were probably buried in Brazoria County in the family plot. They may have died in the yellow fever epidemic that occured during the late 1860's. The family plot has yet to be located. Henry did serve in the Columbia Blues of the CSA during the Civil War. There are no Brazoria County probate records for Henry or Jane. Only two land records were found at the Brazoria County courthouse and are as followings.
The State of Texas |
County of Brazoria | Know all men by these presents that whereas
I Henry Smith, a citizen of Brazoria County &
State of Texas, am desirous to make provision for my daughter Susan
Henrietta Smith, now about three years old, against future continge
ncies and for her maintainance and support, and whereas, I, the said
Henry Smith, am desirous that my said daughter Susan Henrietta
shall enjoy the full benefits arising from the labor of a certain
negro boy named Stephen partitioned to me in the settlement of
the Estate of Elizabeth Smith deceased, free from control, liability
or interference from all other sources whatsoever ~ Now therefore
I, the said Henry Smith in consideration of the love and affection
I bear for my said daughter, Susan Henrietta, have this day given
aliened remise & released and conveyed, and by these presents
doth give alien, remise, release, convey and conform unto the
said Susan Henrietta Smith, the said negro boy name Steph
en about five years of age ~ To have and to hold the said negro boy
Stephen to the said Susan Henrietta Smith, her heirs an assigns
forever ~ to her own proper use benefit and behoof ~
In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed
my seal (scroll for seal) this 9th day February A.D. 1860.
Signed, sealed and delivered Henry Smith seal
in presence of
R.L. Weir
J.M. Previtt
(Transcribed by David Roberts July 1997)
Confederate States of America | Know all men by these presents
Eastern District of Texas | That whereas on the 18th day of February
AD 1863 by the decree of the District Court of the Confederate States
for the Eastern District of Texas sitting at Houston the following
described tract or parcel of land viz Two hundred and four-
teen acres of land lying and being situate in the County of Bra-
zoria State of Texas in Weedy Prairie being part of League No. 119
granted to Cornelius Smith the said 214 acres of land is the part
of said league allotted to Henry Smith ( a son of said Cornelius
Smith ) in the division of said league or a part of it among the
heirs of said Cornelius Smith was adjudged condemned and Se-
quistered to the Confederate States of America under the Sequistration
Laws thereof as the property of Kent Poag & Co. Alien enemies to the
said Confederate States and all right Title and Interest in and
to the said tract of land forever divested from and out of the said
Kent & Poag Co. and out of all other alien Enemies to the Confederate
States and Vested in the Confederate States: And Whereas also on
19th of November 1863 The sale of said tract of land was ordered by
said Court to the highest bidder for Cash having first given Twenty
days notice of the time and place of Sale: And Whereas after due
advertisement and notice of the time place and terms of Sale in pur-
suance of said decree. I did on the (11th) Eleventh day of April AD 1864
before the Court House Door in the Town of Brazoria County of Bra-
zoria offer the said above described tract of land at Public Sale to the
highest bidder for Cash according to law and thence from J. A. Corker
became the highest and best bidder therefore and the purchaser of said
land at the price of One thousand and Seventy dollars and duly paid
the said sum to me in Treasury Notes of the Confederate States And
whereas the said Sale was duly reported to the said Court and on this
20th day of May AD 1864 the said Court made its decree confirming
the said Sale and ordering conveyance made to the said purchaser
by me, Now in Consideration of the premises and of the sum of One
Thousand and seventy dollars to me in Hand paid in Treasury Notes
of the Confederate States as aforesaid the receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged. I, Harris T. Garnett Confederate States Receiver do by
these presents grant bargain sell aline convey and confirm all and
singular the foregoing described tract or parcel of land together
with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise apper-
taining unto the said J. A. Corker his heirs or assigns forever as fully
and completely as authority therefor is Vested in me by law.
(Transcribed by David Roberts June 1997) There is a story passed down of how Linda Benner ROBERTS’s great-grandmother, Susan Henrietta SMITH, came to Caldwell County (arrived before 1870). Linda’s mother, Dot BENNER, was told this story by her mother-in-law, Maggie Derina Matthews BENNER; “A Mr. BIGGS (possibly Miles Monroe BIGGS) rode to Brazoria from Luling to get orphans Susan Henrietta SMITH and her brother Robert (Maggie’s mother and uncle).” Every time Maggie visited (circa 1955-1975) her son, Bob BENNER, in Freeport, she wanted to find the graves of her grandparents, Henry and Margaret Jane West SMITH. According to Maggie, they were buried in Brazoria. Maggie never knew if was the city of Brazoria or the County of Brazoria and the graves were never found.
1870 Census of Caldwell Co, TX
p.104
HINDS, Guerron 68 m w Farmer 3000 1000 Ky
Margaret 61 f w Keeping house “
Sarah J. 16 f w At home Tex
SMITH, Susan 10 f w “ “ “ (Susan Henrietta SMITH) NOTE: Susan Henrietta Smith's brother, Robert S. SMITH, was living with Miles Monroe BIGGS in the 1870 census of Caldwell Co. p.108
BIGGS, Miles 45 m w Farmer 500 500 AL
Rebecca 42 f w Keeping house AL
Cincinnatti 20 m w Farmer AL
Licurgis 18 m w Farmer AL
Jane E. 13 f w At Home Tex
SMITH, Robert 9 m w Tex (Robert S. SMITH) Charles M STREETMAN married Mary M.E. COOK 25 May 1878 in Taylor Co, GA. Ancil Hewitt STREETMAN, son of Charles and Mary, was born 14 Feb 1888.
1880 Census of Caldwell Co, TX
p226a
WEST, Hamilton w m 33 head Farmer Tex Ken Tex
Sarah J. w f 26 wife Keeping house Tex Ken Tex
Elar w f 7 dau Tex Ken Tex
Samuel G w m 5 son Tex Ken Tex
Margarett E w f 5 dau Tex Ken Tex
Annie w f 3 dau Tex Ken Tex
Charles G. w m 5/12 son Tex Ken Tex
HINDS, Margarette w f 70 Aunt Ken NC NC
SMITH, Susan H. w f 22 Niece Tex Tex Ken
1880 Census of Taylor Co, GA; ED75
p.33a; 3/3
COOK, Margaret E. w f 46 Keeping house Ga Ga AL
Nancy R. w f 12 dau Ga Ga AL
3/4
STREETMAN, M.C. w m 21 Farmer Ga Ga AL
Mary E. w f 20 wife Keeping house Ga Ga AL Susan Henrietta SMITH married John William MATTHEWS, son of C.W. MATTHEWS, 18 Jan 1882 in Caldwell Co, TX, in a double wedding with her brother, Robert S. SMITH, who married Mary A. THOMPSON. John William MATTHEWS died 7 Apr 1889 in Smith Co, TX. Susan next married Lucius Newton MOSES, son of Dewit Clinton-Adams MOSES and Mary Tibathy Askew, 5 May 1898 in Caldwell Co, TX. Susan and Newt had one child Henry Ray MOSES born 12 Dec 1900 and died 17 Aug 1905. C.M. STREETMAN married Clara COOK, 31 May 1890 in Calhoun Co, FL. 1900 Census of Calhoun Co, FL, ED75
p.263b
STREETMAN, Charles M head w m April 1857 43 Ga Ga Ga
Clara wife w f April 1876 34 Ga Ga Ga (2nd wife; married 9 years; 5 children, 5 living)
Artis E son w m Aug 1880 19 Ga Ga Ga
Henry M son w m Dec 1884 15 Ga Ga Ga
Lilla R dau w f April 1886 14 Ga Ga Ga
Ansen H son w m Feby 1888 12 Fl Ga Ga
Newton V son w m Dec 1891 9 Fl Ga Ga
Charles R son w m Sept 1895 4 Fl Ga Ga
Gratton L son w m Oct 1897 3 Fl Ga Ga
Baby son w m May 1900 0/12 Fl Ga Ga
COOK, Margaret E. mother-in-law w f Sept 1833 66 Wid Ga Ga Ga
1900 Census of Lavaca Co, TX; Yoakum; ED96
MOSES, Newt head w m Sept 1858 41 mar Miss Miss Miss
Susie wife w f May 1858 42 mar Tex Tex Tex
Ola dau w f June 1884 15 single Tex Miss Tex
MATTHEWS, Pearl dau w f Sept 1885 15 single Tex Miss Tex (step-daughter)
Chester son w f Dec 1882 17 single Tex Miss Tex (step-son)
Maggie dau w f May 1888 12 single Tex Miss Tex (step-daughter) Susan and Newt MOSES divorced before the 1910 census and Susan resumed the name, MATTHEWS. Pearl Francis MATTHEWS, daugher John William MATTHEWS and Susan Henrietta SMITH, married Thomas Henry HANSON 24 Feb 1904. Pearl's brother, Cincinnatus Winchester "Chester" MATTHEWS, married Clara Eugenia BENNER 29 Dec 1907 in Luling, Caldwell Co, TX. Clara was the daughter of August Martin BENNER and Caroline Franks GREENWOOD.
1910 Census of Caldwell Co
p.164 ; ED29
SMITH, Lee head m w 47 Tx Un Ky
Laura wife f w 46 Un Un Un
Susan mother f w 76 Ky Un Un
p.134; ED28; Luling City
WEST, Charlie head m w 29 Tx Tx Tx (son of Hamilton & Sarah West)
Laura E. wife f w 27 Tx Ten Ten
MATTHEWS, Susan H. head f w 51 Tx Ky Ky
Maggie D. dau f w 21 Tx Ten Tx
p.140
MATTHEWS, Chester W. head m w 26 Tex Ky Tex
Clara E. wife f w 21 Tex Ger Tex
Chester A. son m w 1.1/12 Tex Tex Tex
BENNER, Herbert brother-in-law m w 23 Tex Ger Tex 1910 Census of Houston Co, TX; ED74
p.261b; 210/210
STREETMAN, Chas M head m w 53 Ga Ga Ga (married 18 years)
Clara wife f w 34 Ga Ga Ga (married 18 years; 8 children, 7 living)
Marvin son m w 26 Ga Ga Ga (son of Charles and Mary Cook STREETMAN)
Ansel son m w 22 Ga Ga Ga (son of Charles and Mary Cook STREETMAN)
Lela dau f w 23 Ga Ga Ga (dau of Charles and Mary Cook STREETMAN)
Newton son m w 17 Fl GA Ga
Charlie son m w 15 Fl Ga Ga
Gratan son m w 12 Fl Ga Ga
Richard son m w 8 Fl Ga Ga
Lizzie B. dau f w 5 Fl Ga Ga
Elbert son m w 2 Tx Ga Ga
Lemuel son m w 1 Tx Ga Ga
COOK, M. E. mother-in-law f w 76 Ga Ga Ga (widow; 6 children, 3 living) A. H. STREETMAN married Mary WILLIS 19 Jan 1913 in Houston Co, TX.
Maggie Derina MATTHEWS, daughter of John William MATTHEWS and Susan Henrietta SMITH, married Hebert BENNER 24 Dec 1920 in Luling, Caldwell Co, TX. Maggie and her brother, Chester, married brother and sister Hebert and Clara. Robert Lamar BENNER, son of Maggie and Herbert, was born 17 Dec 1923 in Luling, Caldwell Co, TX.
1920 Census of Caldwell Co, TX
p.147b; ED55
MATTHEWS, Chester W. head m w 37 Tx Miss Tx
Clara wife f w 31 Tx Ger Tx
Raymond son m w 11 Tx Tx Tx
Lillie M. dau f w 9 Tx Tx Tx
Hazel dau f w 7 Tx Tx Tx
Purcie L. dau f w 4.11/12 Tx Tx Tx
Susan H. mother f w 60 Tx Ky Ky
p.117 ; ED53
BENNER, Herbert head m w 32 Tx Tx Tx
Maggie wife f w 32 Tx USA Tx (dau of Susan H. SMITH and John W. MATTHEWS)
Herbert Jr son m w 8 Tx Tx Tx
Margurett dau f w 6 Tx Tx Tx
August son m w 4.7/12 Tx Tx Tx
Caretta dau f w 1.9/12 Tx Tx Tx
Lesslie son m w 10/12 Tx Tx Tx 1920 Census of Houston Co, TX; ED88
p.221b; 41/41
STREETMAN, A. H. head m w 31 Florida Florida Florida
Mary wife f w 28 Florida Florida Florida
R.C. son m w 6 Texas " "
Gilbert son m w 3 Texas " "
Coy son m w 1/12 Texas " " Susan Henrietta Smith MATTHEWS died 21 Jan 1921 and is buried in the McNEIL Cemetery which is located about 5 miles north of Luling, Caldwell Co, TX.
Charlie White MAULDING, son of Victor Hugh MAULDING and Sallie THOMAS, married Rita Jane KIRCHMAN, daughter of James Max KIRCHMAN and Hattie Elizabeth Rutherford KIRCHMAN, 8 Aug 1925 in Gonzales, Gonzales Co, TX. Dorothy Mae MAULDING, daughter of Charlie and Rita, was born 17 Mar 1930 in Edith, Coke Co, TX.
1930 Census of Caldwell Co, TX
p.137; ED7
BENNER, Herbert head m w 43 Tex Tex Tex
Maggie wife f w 42 Tex Miss Tex
Margrute dau f w 18 Tex Tex Tex
August W. son m w 16 Tex Tex Tex
Carretta dau f w 14 Tex Tex Tex (Carretta BENNER)
Leslie son m w 12 Tex Tex Tex
Percy M son m w 10 Tex Tex Tex
Bobbie son m w 6 Tex Tex Tex (Robert Lamar BENNER) 1930 Census of Coke Co, TX
p.44a; ED7
MAULDING, Charlie W. head m w 30 Tex Tex Tex
Rita J. wife f w 26 Tex Tex Tex
Henry S. son m w 3.9/12 Tex Tex Tex
Dorothy M. dau f w 1/12 Tex Tex Tex (Dorothy Mae MAULDING)
1930 Census of Houston Co, TX; ED20
p.239b; 84/91
STREETMAN, A. H. head m w 41 Tex Tex Tex
Mary wife f w 38 Tex Tex Tex
R.C. son m w 16 Tex Tex Tex
GILBERT son m w 13 Tex Tex Tex
Coy son m w 11 Tex Tex Tex (Coy Wilson STREETMAN)
Floy dau f w 6 Tex Tex Tex Coy Wilson STREETMAN, son of Ancil Hewitt STREETMAN and Mary Almira WILLIS, married Carretta BENNER 11 Aug 1941 in Luling, Caldwell Co, TX. Their daughter, Mary Margaret STREETMAN was born 1 Jul 1946 in Co, TX. Mary Margaret STREETMAN married Jerome E. JANAK 25 Nov 1965.
Robert Lamar BENNER married Dorothy Mae MAULDING 9 Mar 1947 in Lockhart, Caldwell Co, TX. Their youngest daughter, Linda Jean BENNER, was born 22 Oct 1949 in Luling, Caldwell Co, TX. Linda Jean BENNER married David G. ROBERTS 11 Mar 1971 in Freeport, Brazoria County, Texas.
The following is Linda Benner ROBERTS’s link to Cornelius SMITH:
1 Cornelius SMITH
+ Betsy ROBERTS
2 Henry SMITH
+ Margaret Jane WEST
3 Susan Henrietta SMITH
+ John William MATTHEWS
4 Maggie Derina MATTHEWS
+ Herbert BENNER
5 Robert Lamar BENNER
+ Dorothy Mae MAULDING
6 Linda Jean BENNER
+ David Gerald ROBERTS The following is Mary Margaret STREETMAN JANAK’s link to Cornelius SMITH:
1 Cornelius SMITH
+ Betsy ROBERTS
2 Henry SMITH
+ Margaret Jane WEST
3 Susan Henrietta SMITH
+ John William MATTHEWS
4 Maggie Derina MATTHEWS
+ Herbert BENNER
5 Carretta BENNER
+ Coy Wilson STREETMAN
6 Mary Margaret STREETMAN
+ Jerome E. JANAK |
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