Shep's Place Family Tree

"Brice H. Smith is a resident of Guyan township, and is engaged in farming. He is a son of William Smith, who was born in North Carolina, August 15, 1786, died November 26 1849, and Margaret ‎(Waugh)‎ Smith, who was born in West Virginia, December 22, 1794, died June 6, 1860. They came to this county in 1808.

Mr. Smith was born in this county June 27, 1831. His wife, Nancy L. Dickey, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Wilson S. and Elizabeth ‎(Riley)‎ Dickey, the former born in Centers county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1794, and died December 23, 1860; the latter was born February 11, 1802 in Washington county, Pennsylvania. they settled here March 9, 1832.

Mr. Smith married Nancy Dickey in Harrison township, this county. their children are: George R., born May 10, 1848, resides at Bladenburg, Ohio; Orlander W., August 18, 1851, died October 18, 1852; Viola a. May 2, 1854, resides in Ohio township; Willson R., November 26, 1856, resides at home; Margaret E. April 25, 1859, died September 23, 1861; Henry Mc., August 23, 1861, resides at home; Mary E. February 26, 1864, resides at home; Andrew J. april 26, 1866; William B., February 25, 1869, resides at home.

Mr. Smith's parents were married March 24, 1814 in this county. His father was in the war of 1812, most of the time along the Maumee river, and Mr. Brice Smith served his country during Morgan's raid for about nineteen days, and helped to capture about eighty-two men at Oldtown and thirty at Crown City.

Mrs. Nancy Riley, of Greenup county, Indiana, was born February 20, 1778. She had a distinct recollection of seeing Washington and some of the generals of the revolutionay war. It was a rare treat to hear her relate her early recollections of Indian wars. Mr. Brice Smith's postoffice address is Mercerville, Gallia county, Ohio."

I couldn't find Brice and Nancy in the 1860 census, but by 1870 the family had increased significantly. After all it had been twenty years. George was by then 22, Viola 16, Wilson 14, Henry ten, Mary seven, Adam four and William one year old. The older boys were helping Brice on the farm, as Viola was helping her mother with the housework. Henry and Mary were attending school. Two of their children had died, Orlando in 1852 and Margaret in 1861.

The family's assets had increased signficantly also. The value of real estate owned was now $10,000.00 and personal assets $2,000.00.

By the June of 1880 George and Viola had left home to start their own families. That left Tad ‎(Wilson)‎, Henry, Mary, Andrew and William to do the work.