Thomas Smith, Jr.

My great great grandfather, Thomas Smith, Jr., was born 1811 in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, to Thomas Smith and Mary Lyons. He married Rose (Getty) Gibson on April 7, 1842 in St. James Presbyterian Church, Ballymoney, County Antrim. They had 4 known children in Ireland: Nancy, Jeanette, Elizabeth, and Sarah.

Thomas emigrated with his family from Ireland to the United States via Liverpool, England, on the British Ship Thomas Fielden. They arrived in the United States at the Port of New Orleans on February 7, 1851. From there they traveled to Marissa, St. Clair County, Illinois, and settled into the life of farming. Thomas and Rose increased their family by 3 more children: a baby whose name is unknown, Roseann, and James.

Based on a letter written by Thomas to family back in Ireland, the surname was also spelled Smyth, as that is how he signed the letter.

Thomas died in November of 1879 at the age of 69 years. He is buried in the Marissa Cemetery. In his Will he left to his son, James Henry Smith, a team of horses, a two horse waggon, a combined Champion Reaper and Mower, a Gandlach drill, 4 hogs, and all his corn, fodder, hay and oats.

His wife, Rose, was still alive in June of 1880 living with son James and his wife. It does not say so in the Will, but I would assume Thomas' estate was left to son James so he could take care of his mother.

All of Thomas' children married and raised families in St. Clair, Perry, and Randolph Counties of Illinois.