Descendants of John N. Smart

Submitted by Jan J. Barnes

© 2004 - 2008

John N. Smart was born in North Carolina (possibly Rutherford County) on 1 May 1795.  He first appears in the 1840 Sumner County census living next to a Leroy Smart, who was probably a close relative . John N. named one of his children Leroy.   Leroy's census information shows 1 male between the ages of 20 - 30, 1 male between 70 - 80, 1 female 20 - 30, 1 female between 70 - 80.  He does not appear in Sumner County after this 1840 census.  John N. Smart owned land in the Mitchellville area and was referred to as a Justice of the Peace and Esquire in court records. He was married twice, first to Mary G. Wilson, buried in the Smart cemetery with the tombstone inscription reading:  Died 30 Sep 1857  Wife of Jno. N. Smart  Age 45.  Mary was shown as 44 years of age on the 1850 census.   He married second to Mary A. (Adeline) Night on 25 August 1859 in Sumner County, TN.  John N.  was murdered on 1 February 1866 by person/persons unknown.  He was buried in the Sengtown. Only the base of his tombstone remains in the corner of a field.  (Inquest of John N. Smart)

Children of John N. Smart and Mary Wilson:

1. Hiram W. Smart, born about 1828, married Elizabeth W. Garrett in Sumner County, TN. on 30 January 1854 (Marriage License).  Hiram disappeared after 1870.  Elizabeth was living in Simpson County, KY. in 1880,  where she remained until her death, 8 July 1892 (age 69 yrs.  11 mos. 8 days).  She is buried in the Smart Cemetery in Simpson Co., KY. where several fieldstones are located.
   Children of Hiram W. Smart and Elizabeth W. Garrett:
   • Silas Franklin Smart born abt. 1857.
   • Robert Benjamin Smart, born 15 January 1858, died 11 March 1919 in Lewisburg, Logan County, Ky.
   • Nancy E. Smart, born abt. 1859.
   • James H. Smart, born abt. 1860/1861.  (James was 6 yrs. old in 1870; in 1880 he is living with his uncle, Jonathan W. Smart and is listed as 19 yrs. old.)
   • Mary Jane Smart, born 15 January 1864; died 9 September 1948.  Buried in the Peden Cemetery, Simpson Co., KY.  Never married.
   • Susan E. Smart born 1866, died 28 Feb. 1956 (tombstone has 1955).  Married James A. Hall , son of John W. Hall and Nancy Jane Meguiar abt. 1895/1896 in Simpson County, Ky.  James was born 9 March 1854, died 31 May 1911.  He was married previously and had children with his first wife. Susan and James are buried in the Meguiar Cemetery, Franklin, Simpson County, Ky. Children of Susan E. Smart and James A. Hall:
     1. Bennett C. Hall, b abt. 1897
     2. Mary D. Hall b 1899 in Simpson County, Ky; died 19 June 1994, Simpson County, Ky.  Married Bennie Griffin Pennington.  Buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery, Simpson County, Ky.
     3. Norman H. Hall, b 28 June 1901, Simpson County, Ky., d 4 August 1983 in Simpson County, Ky.  Buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery, Simpson Co., Ky.
     4. Grace S. Hall
     5. Eldon G. Hall, b 20 December 1904, Simpson County, Ky. d 2 August 1996, Simpson County, Ky.  Burial in Restlawn Memory Gardens.
     6. Lucy F. Hall
     7. Willis Hall, b 26 June 1910 in Simpson County, Ky., d 27 April 1994 in Simpson County, Ky.  Buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery.
2. Leroy B. Smart 29 July 1830 - 25 April 1875.  Leroy was the Executor of his father's estate.  He never married.  News article about L. B. Smart;  Will of L. B. Smart.
3. Jonathan Wilson Smart, 27 May 1832 - 1 January 1897; married Susan A. E. Groves, (dau of Bennett Groves and Unknown - Inventory for Bennett Groves) on 16 September 1866.  Susan was born on 7 November 1848 and died, 15 April 1898.  She is buried in the Ebenezer Cemetery beside Jonathan.  (Inventory and Settlement of J. W. and Susan A. E. Smart)   (Photo of Jonathan W. and Susan Smart)
   Children of Jonathan W. Smart and Susan A. E. Groves:
   • Bennett Smart, 14 Oct 1867 - 19 Oct 1874  Buried in the Ebenezer Cemetery, Sumner County, TN.
   • Mary Jane "Mollie" Smart, 3 August 1869 - 13 January 1940; Died in Christian Co., KY.  Buried in the Ebenezer Cemetery.  Never married.
   • Martha "Mattie" Smart;  born 31 March 1871, died 29 August 1944.  Married  in Sumner County on 16 November 1890 to Joseph Berry Johnson, b 2 December 1859, d 18 November 1946.  Buried in the Round Pond Cemetery, Simpson County, KY.  Children of Martha "Mattie" Smart and Joseph Berry Johnson:
     1. Opie P. Johnson, b 26 September 1891 in Simpson County, Ky, d 17 March 1913 in Simpson County, Ky.  Buried in the Round Pond Cemetery.
     2. Infant Johnson, d 24 June 1903.
     3. Orville Johnson, b October, 1894.
     4. Alma Johnson, b April, 1898.
   • Marietta "Rettie" Smart, 3 March 1875 - 6 May 1959, married Isaac Brackin (28 September 1870 - 16 February 1926, son of Bailey P. Brackin and Mary Ann Terrell, on 11 January 1897 in Sumner County.  Buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery.  Children:  Eva Nell, Dewey Peyton, and Zelma.  Photo of Isaac and Rettie Smart.  Isaac Brackin Family  Will of Rettie Bracken
   • Eunice "Unity" Smart, 1876 - 1956.  Buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery, Simpson County, KY.  Never married.
   • Maude Smart, 19 February 1879 - 13 January 1954, married Robert David Wright 7 May 1903 in Sumner County, TN.  Robert was the son of Scroggins Wright and Mary J. McGlothlin. Maude and Robert had one son, Julius Milford Wright, b 10 May 1907 in Portland, Sumner County, Tn., d 15 September 1984 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tn.  He married Mary Lois Boss in Georgia. Maude and Robert separated in 1912, divorced in 1921. Robert remarried.  Maude did not remarry.  She is buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery, Simpson County, KY. (Will of Maude Smart Wright)  (Photo of Maude Smart Wright)
   • Jonathan S. Smart, 7 March 1880 - 21 September 1883.  Buried in the Ebenezer Cemetery.
   • Martin F. Smart, born abt. 1883, listed as an heir in Estate records.  He married Lena Myrtle Poole on 29 December 1904, Sumner County (Marriage License).  Moved to Modesto, California before 1930.
   • Charles W. Smart, born abt. 1884.  Listed in the Estate Inventory for Susan Smart as one of the heirs.  Mollie Smart was guardian for Charles until September, 1905 when he turned 21 years of age.  He was not listed as a surviving relative on his sister, Maude Smart Wright's funeral record in 1954.
4. Elizabeth "Betsie" J. Smart, born about 1832/1833, married Robert L. Garrett  (27 November 1835 -- 16 May 1887*) in Sumner County, TN. on 18 June 1854.
   *Betsie was appointed Executrix of R. L. Garrett's estate on October 3, 1887 and applied for a widow's dower on October 10, 1887.  She had his tombstone erected in Jan., 1888.
   Betsie married second to James A. or Wm. Honeycutt, 7 Oct. 1897, Sumner County.  The Marriage Index list him as James A.  Honeycutt.  A loose record lists him as William Honeycutt.  He is listed as Anderson Honeycutt on the 1900 census.  Betsie was living in 1904.
   Children of Betsie Smart and Robert L. Garrett:
   • Louisa A. Garrett born 1856, d 1932.  Married James R. Dorris (1845 - 1884) on
     July 3, 1873 (Sumner County Marriage Index).   
   • J. Alice Garrett, 1860 - 1932, married Dr. H. D. Denning (1848 - 1939) in Sumner County, TN on 6 October 1881 (Marriage Index).  Alice is listed as Annie on her tombstone, J. A. in the marriage index and the 1880 census record has Alice.  In other census records she was called Anna.
     (Obit of Dr. H. D. Denning and Mrs. H. D. Denning)  
   • Eunice Jane Garrett born 15 Oct. 1863 - 13 Jan. 1952 married John W. McNeely in Sumner County on 1 May 1880.  Buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery.
   • Nancy E. Garrett born abt. 1864/1865, married Pleasant Taylor in Sumner County on 17 August 1882 (Marriage Index).  In 1904 they were residents of KY.  On the 1920 Allen County, KY. census she is a widow.
   • Robert E. L. Garrett born abt. 1866; living in Davidson County in 1904.
5. Joseph E. Smart born abt. 1834/1835,  married Mary A. Garrett on 6 September 1858 in Sumner County, TN.  Joseph and Mary lived in Robertson County.  Joseph died before 1900 and Mary, listed as a widow, was living with son Albert in 1900.  She moved to Collin Co., Tx. and is buried in the Plano Mutual Cemetery.  Her tombstone is inscribed:  Mary Ann Smart b Apr. 29, 1842, d Aug 5, 1919 but she is not listed with Albert and his family in the 1910 census.
   Known children of Joseph Smart and Mary Garrett:
   • Frances M. Smart born abt. 1860; Married Benjamin F. Heriger on 19 June 1878 in Robertson Co., TN.  Frances and Benjamin were living in Todd Co., KY. in 1880.  Marriage license for B. F. Heriger and F. M. Smart.
   • Albert Smart born 1864 in Robertson Co., Tn., died 1920 in Collin Co., Tx.  He married Sue Iva Pool (b 1873, d 1962) 22 December 1891 (Sumner County Marriage Index)  Albert and Sue moved to Collin Co., Tx. after 1900.  Photo of Albert Smart.
     Children of Albert E. Smart and Sue Iva Pool:
     1. Eddie L. Smart, born January, 1893 in Sumner Co., Tn.
     2. Joseph W. Smart, born June, 1894 in Sumner Co., Tn.
     3. Lucy L. Smart, born July, 1896 in Sumner Co., Tn.
     4. Ollie M. Smart born February, 1899 in Sumner Co., Tn.; Married James W. Floyd; living in Breckenridge, Stephens Co., Tx. in 1930.  Mother, Sue, was living with her.
     5. Irene Smart, born abt. 1904 in Collin Co., Tx.
     6. Ellis Eugene Smart, born April 19, 1908 in Collin Co., Tx., died November 12, 1937 in Collin Co., Tx.
   • Virginia (Dade) Smart born abt. 1868
   • Robert Smart born 1870.
   • Joseph Smart born 1872.
6. John Marion Smart, 11 April 1836 - 9 Sep 1887*, married Mary Jane Summerville/Somerville(3 Jul 1843 - 23 Mar 1926), daugher of James Somerville and Sally Roney, on 8 January 1860 in Robertson County, TN.  John Marion moved his family to Sumner County in about 1879 and a note left in the Jean Durrett Collection from Robertson County says that he "lived in a two story log cabin in Sumner County once owned by the Payne family".   (Photo of John Marion Smart and Mary Jane Summerville) . Mary Jane married second to John Tatham, Sr. (photo) on 16 August 1895 in Sumner County.  (Obituary)
   *John Marion Smart's will was produced in Court on October 18, 1887 by J. W. Smart and G. L. Belcher.  The Sumner County Cemetery Book lists his death date as 1867, but the tombstone actually reads 1887.
   Estate of John Marion Smart.
   Children of John Marion Smart and Mary Jane Summerville:
   • Dr. John William Smart, 4 September 1861 - 16 November 1941. (Obituary) Dr. Smart practiced medicine in the White House/Cottontown area for more than 50 years.  He was a member of the Walnut Grove Methodist Church and is buried in the graveyard there.  He was married 3 times.  His first wife was Maggie Anthony, daughter of Dr. Joseph Anthony and Henrietta A. Sarver.  She married John W.  in Sumner County on 1 September 1887.  It is unknown when Maggie died or where she was buried but a small newspaper clipping in the possession of J. W. Smart, her grandson, states that she was buried next to her grandmother who had died a few days before.  Maggie's maternal grandparents were Alfred and Adaline Sarver of Sumner County.  Her paternal grandparents lived in New Roe, Ky. in 1860.  (Photo of Dr. John Smart and wife Maggie)  His second wife, Emma Organ, was born October 20, 1875 in Wilson County, TN.  John W. and Emma were married in Trousdale Co., TN. on 6 Jan. 1895.  She died from consumption on 28 Dec. 1897 and is buried in the Friendship Cemetery, Sumner Co. Obituary of Emma Smart.  His third wife was Cassie Etta Hickerson, married in Sumner County on 4 July 1898. Cassie's tombstone inscription reads: 1877 - 1962.  Photo of Cassie Hickerson Smart  Will of Dr. J. W. Smart.
     Children of John William Smart and Maggie Anthony:
     1. George Taylor Smart, 28 May 1889 - 28 Jul 1975;  married Bonnie Richardson.
     2. Ida Bell Smart, b March, 1891; no death information.  Married first to Ed Lamberth, 22 June 1910 (Marriage Index).  One daughter, Maggie.  Married second to Austin Douglas Smith on 17 Oct. 1931.  (Photo of Taylor and Ida Bell Smart)   (Photo of Ida Smart Smith)

     Children of John William Smart and Emma Organ:

     1. Leonard A. "Jack" Smart, born May 23, 1896 in Sumner County, shot and killed on August 28, 1938 in Cook County, IL.  Married Johnnie Thompson 27 Apr 1918.  Photo of Jack Smart

     Children of John William Smart and Cassie Hickerson:

     1. Willie Dean Smart, b 16 Feb 1903, d October 8, 1980; married Marjorie Louise Ogg (19 April 1903 - 30 Sep 1981) on 20 April 1929 in Sumner County; no children.  Photo of Dean and Louise Smart. 
     2. Ellis Eugene Smart 1904 - 1910
     3. Stillborn, 16 October, 1918
   • James Marion Smart (10 Jun 1864 -- 4 June 1928)  (Photo of James Marion Smart) married Nina Adella Belcher (Photo of Nina B. Smart) (29 November 1871 - 3 Feb 1942, dau of George L. Belcher (son of John Richard Belcher and Malinda Tennessee Terry) and Eliza "Lizzie" Lucas (dau of James Lucas and Minerva McKendree Colley Lucas) on 23 Dec. 1887 in Sumner County.
     Children of James Marion Smart and Nina A. Belcher:
     1. Winnie Beulah Smart born January 1, 1889, died August 14, 1963. (Obituary) Beulah married Millard Austin Crafton 6 Dec. 1904 in Sumner County, TN. They divorced in 1919 (Divorce of Beulah and Austin Crafton) and she married O. G. Payne in Sumner Co. on 23 March 1934. They divorced 29 July 1937.  (O. G. Payne vs. Beulah Payne) She is buried as W. Beulah Crafton next to M. Austin Crafton in the Maple Hill Cemetery, Portland, TN.  Children - Leo, Nellie, Nina and Estelle.  Photo of Leo Crafton; Photo of Nellie Crafton.
     2. Clarence E. Smart born 11 Aug. 1890, died 14 Jul. 1914. (Obituary) Clarence was working for the railroad, under the management of Austin Crafton. He ran in front of a train to retrieve some tools from the other side and was killed instantly.  Nina and Marion filed a lawsuit shortly after his death. (J. M. Smart vs. L& N RR)  He was first buried in the Halltown Cemetery, but Nina later had his body moved next to his father in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Portland.  He did not marry but was engaged at the time of his death.  (Photo of Clarence Smart)
     3. Lela Mae Smart born 15 Mar 1892 in Wilson Co., TN, died 15 Apr 1989 in Sumner Co., TN. She married Martin Luther Johnson (son of Davis B. and America D. Short Johnson) in Sumner Co. on 2 Nov. 1910. (News article for 50th Anniversary) Both are buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Portland.  (Photo of Lela Smart)  Lela gave oral history to her daughter, Winnie Johnson Lane, at about age 95.  This information was taped and  was an important beginning in compiling this family history.  Lela remembered her great grandfather's name was John N. Smart but did not know his wife's name.  Children:  Guilford Martin, Garnett Odell, James Davis, and Winnie Lucille.  Records from Lela Smart Johnson's Bible)  (Sons of Luther and Lela Johnson)Children of Lela Smart and Martin Luther Johnson:
        • Guilford Martin Johnson, b 22 September 1911, d 16 March 1998.  Guilford married Mildred Marie "Tis" Wiseman in Sumner County on 26 December 1932.  Tis was the daughter of James William Wiseman, Sr. and Tempie Lane.  She was b on 14 October 1915, d 22 March 2002.  Guilford and Tis are buried in the Portland Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  Guil and Tis had 4 children.
        • Garnett Odell Johnson, b 27 February 1913, d 25 September 1982. Photo of Garnett.  He married Barbara Louise Harris on 29 May 1946.  They divorced in 1971.  They had 7 children.  Three children are deceased, Mark Clark Johnson b 22 May 1947, d 28 August 1975; Sandra Lynn Johnson Keen,  b 24 April 1948, d January, 1991; and Garnett Ann Johnson, b 14 November 1958, d 31 July 1997.
        • James Davis Johnson, b 13 October 1918, d 9 July 2001.  J. D. married in Allen County, Ky. on 20 February 1939 to Marie Durrett, dau of Leslie Davis Durrett and Cora Belle McMurtry.  Marie was born in Robertson County, Tn. on 3 August 1921, d 21 February 2003 in Sumner County.  J. D. and Marie are buried in the Portland Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  They had two children.
        • Winnie Lucille Johnson, b 15 July 1925, married Kenneth Bryan Lane in Simpson County, Ky. on 26 June 1943. They have 4 children.
     4. James Lillard Smart born 1894, died 1969. Lillard married Nona Link (1898 - 1989) in Sumner Co. on 6 Jan 1914.  Both are buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Portland.  Children:  Horace and Mary Lou.
     5. Mary Lizzie Smart born 7 Oct. 1903, died 3 Oct. 1995, married Spencer Stinson (12 Apr 1894 - 11 Sep 1985) on 19 Jun 1921 in Sumner Co. Both are buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, 3 daughters.  (Photo of Beulah, Lillard, Lela, and Lizzie)  (Photo of Smarts and Related Families)
        
   • Charles Andrew Smart, 17 Apr 1869 - 20 Dec 1925.  Buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery.  Charles married Palastine Brinkley who was known as Aunt Pal to family members.  She was married previously and had two daughters.  Charles and Pal had no children together.  (Photo of Charles Smart)
   • Mary Alice Smart, 11 December 1872 - 27 June 1948.  Alice married J. Wallace Butt on 3 Jan 1894 and J. G. Harrison on 29 Nov 1928.  She is buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery and her tombstone lists her as Alice Smart Butt Harrison.  (Photo of Mary Alice Smart and Wallace Butt)
   • Virgil Edgar Smart born 1877, died 11 Dec. 1907, buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery, Simpson Co., KY.  "Bud" was shot and killed in MS. during a card game.  Did not marry.  (Photo of Virgil Smart)
     (Obituary)
7. Martha Amine Smart, born 21 April 1839 - 26 January 1934, married Peter Seng/Sang b 15 April 1817, d 14 Feb 1866) on 26 July 1858 in Sumner County.  She married Wm. H. Wims on 19 April 1870.  (William was listed as "James" Wyms on the 1870 census; William H. Wymms in 1880; Tombstone listing is William H. Wims).  William is buried in the Hobdy cemetery in Sengtown, 10 Jan 1839 - 1 Aug 1904.  Beside William is Peter Seng and Martha A. Wims.
   Children of Martha Amine Smart and Peter Sang (Seng):
   • Mary J. Seng born 1859.  She married J. W. West in Sumner County on 25 November 1881.
   • John Boregard Seng born abt. 1861.
   • Charles B. Seng born 1862, d 1956; buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery; married Emma Brown (1874 - 1951) 5 September 1894 in Sumner County. (Marriage Index)
   • Ann E. Seng born abt. 1864, married D. E. Mayes 29 Dec. 1891 (Marriage Index)

   Children of Martha Amine Smart and William H. Wims:

   • Fannie  B. Wims 7 November 1870 - 15 Jan 1953; buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery; married James E. Perdue 6 Feb. 1887 (Marriage Index). Three children:
     1. Herman Perdue, b September, 1889, d 1972; burial Crestview Memorial Park, Sumner County. Married Gussie Travelstead on 15 March 1907 (Sumner County Marriage Index) Gussie was b in 1888, d 1960.
     2. Ruby Perdue, b abt. 1903/1904.  Married Dee Denning 15 July 1920 (Sumner County Marriage Index) and was living in McCracken County, Paducah, Ky. in 1958.
     3. Dovie Perdue, b abt 1912; Married Ernest C. Huffines 9 December 1930 (Sumner County Marriage Index).  She later was married to Maynard Briggance.
   • Nora Wims, 1 Dec. 1872 - 1958; buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery; never married  (Will of Nora Wims)
   • Nola Wims, 1 Dec 1872 - 19 Mar 1907; buried in the Hobdy Cemetery; never married
   • Babe Wims, Wilkinson/Wiseman Funeral record:  b 10 Apr 1874 - 26 Mar 1954; Father's name was listed as Jim Wims;  buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery; never married.  (Will of Babe Wims).
   • Mattie S. Wims 31 Oct 1878 - 16 Sep 1940; married Daniel R. Perdue (4 May 1870 - 31 Jan 1952) on 7 January 1904 in Sumner County. (Marriage Index)  Mattie and Daniel are buried in the Hobdy Cemetery.
   • Birdie Wilson Wims  27 Oct 1880 - 27 Jun 1911; buried in the Hobdy Cemetery.
8. Mary L. Smart born about 1843; married Himon Calendar Wims 6 May 1865 in Sumner County, TN.  Himon (b 11 May 1844, d 24 March 1918 in Collin Co., TX) the son of William H. Wims and Sarah Coker. This family moved to Collin Co., TX after 1880.  Mary died before 1884.  Himon remarried in 1884. (Researcher Debbie Sanders)
   Children of Mary L. Smart and Himan C. Wims:
   • John W. Wims born abt. 1866.
   • Mary E. Wims born abt. 1868.
   • Louisa A. Wims born 1869.
   • Henry V. Wims born 1873.
   • Joseph C. Wims born abt. 1875.
   • Henretta L. Wims born abt. 1877.
   • Ucera J. Wims born 1879

The marriage of John N. Smart and Mary Adeline Night (25 Aug. 1859) produced at least 3 children.  Debts listed in the inventory for John N. Smart indicated that he had purchased two caskets for children.  A loose record lawsuit, Hiram Smart vs. R. L. Garrett, lists a child, Isabel, daughter of Adeline and John N., who was purported to be illegitimate because a divorce had not been obtained by Adeline Night.  Mary Night was married to Willis Johnson in Robertson County, TN. on 31 October 1850.  Marriage License for Mary Night and Willis Johnson.  A divorce has not been found in court records as yet, but there is no indication from court records that the sons of John N. Smart ever proved Isabel to be illegitimate.  Mary Adeline Smart remarried on 13 April 1867 to James McMahan.  In the 1870 census, Mary, age 27,  is listed with James McMahan and Isabel is listed as 7 years old.  James was previously married to Margaret Rogers and had one child with her, John.  Mary Adeline and James had a child 7 months old named Mary.
Child of John N. Smart and Mary Adeline Night:

1. Isabel J. Smart, born about 1862/1863.  Married Charles Montgomery, on 30 Jan 1878 in Sumner County, Tn.  Isabel and Charles had 7 children together (Researcher Otis Slusher)   It is unknown when or where Charles Montgomery died, but Isabel remarried on 6 Apr 1907 to John C. Sanders.  Her death date and place is unknown.

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