Individual Details

From a biography written by his descendant Reverend L. L. Stevens:James Smith fought in the war of 1812 and was at Battle of New Orleans. He volunteered in Lincoln County Tennessee where he lived at the time. James Smith moved from Tennessee and became a Mexican citizen March 30, 1835 at Nacogdoches, Texas. He was a Colonel and fought in the Battle of San Jacinto in the war for Texas independence and later in the wars with the Native Americans. He wrote at least one letter to General Sam Houston asking for more troops. Sam Houston wrote a letter of introduction to a land agent, naming James Smith as his friend. James Smith was the first Judge, East Texas District and also a Legislator--Texas house of Representatives 1844-1847. Smith County, Texas is named for General James Smith. A marker is at his gravesite in Henderson, Rusk, Texas, also on Shelby county courthouse grounds and dedicated by the State in 1936 His photo is [or was] displayed in the Rusk County, Texas courthouse in Henderson, Texas.He owned one of the largest plantations in Rusk County, Texas.He married Hannah Parker.He wanted to be buried in sight of the Rusk County, Courthouse.Some records have his death as December 1855, but probate record prove that his death had to be in 1854:Estate of James Smith:The State of Texas County Court January Term 1855To the Hon John C Miller, Chief JusticeYour petitioner Henry M Smith, a resident of County of Rusk respectfully represents unto your Honor that his father James Smith, late of said - died at his resident in said county a short time since, intestate, leaving a considerable real and personal estate:That the widow of said intestate -to wit- Hannah Smith declines to administer upon the estate of said intestate and is desirous that your petitioner will do so. He therefore prays that your Honor will grant him letter of administer upon the estate of the said James Smith and for all other things necessary in the premises.Filed January 5th 1855Vol. D, pages 505 - 514 Probate Minutes in the Rusk County Court House.
Parents:David Smith (1761 - 1806)Barsheba Harrington Lusk (1773 - ____)Spouse: Hannah Parker Smith (1799 - 1864)Children:Henry Madison Smith (1817 - 1882)Sarah Elvina Smith Crain (1818 - 1902)Frances E Smith Timmons (1823 - 1854)Joseph P. Smith (1825 - 1860)Andrew Jackson Smith (1826 - 1899)Isaac Newton Smith (1830 - 1886)William Jasper Smith (1830 - 1894)Barsheba H. Smith Morehead (1834 - 1904)Birt Smith (1837 - 1863)
Inscription:General James Smith 1792-1855 Fought in War Of 1812 War of Independence of Texas 1836 Battles of Texas Republic 1837-1838Commander of North Western Frontier of Texas 1841 Donated land for county site of Henderson 1843 Settled in Henderson 1836 Smith county was named in honor of this valiant soldier and patriot

Birth	10 Sep 1792	Spartanburg County, South Carolina
Marriage	Abt 1816	South Carolina - Hannah Parker
Death	25 Dec 1854	Henderson, Rusk County, Texas
Burial		Smith Park Burial Site, Henderson, Rusk County, Texas

Spouse	Hannah Parker (1799 - 1864)
Child	Capt. Henry Madison Smith (1817 - 1882)

Father	David Smith (1761 - 1806)
Mother	Bersheba Harrington (1773 - 1841)