An American Family History

King Henry (Henry King) Smith was born November 17, 1815 (tombstone says November 29th) in Piney Flats, Sullivan County, Tennessee. His parents were John Smith and Catharine Humphreys. His name is probably in honor of the King family from Sullivan County.

He married Sarah Hunt on August 26, 1841 in Greene County, Tennessee. The marriage was performed by Reuben Payles (?), minister of the gospel.

Sarah was born in February, 1823 in Tennessee. Her parents were Samuel Hunt and Sarah Crouch.

Henry and Sarah's children were Mary C. Smith Toby (1842, married George Henry Toby), Nancy A. Smith (1844), Martha C. Smith Humphrey (1847-1881), Edna M. Smith Doty (1849, married James C. Doty), John Thomas Smith (1852, married Mary Ann Doty), William W. Smith ( 1855), Samuel R. Smith (1857), James Benjamin Smith (1861, married Sarah Jane Gass) and Hannah Smith (1862).

At the time of the 1850 census, Henry was in Greene County, Tennessee. The household consisted of Henry age 35, Sarah age 29, Mary C. age 8, Nancy A. age 6, Martha age 4 and Edna 11 months.

In 1860 the family was in Rheatown, Greene County, Tennessee. The household consisted of Henry age 45, Sarah age 37, Mary C. age 18, Nancy A. age 15, Martha C. age 13, Edna E. age 11, John L. age 9, Wm. W. age 6, and Saml R age 2.

According to Dr. Samuel Massengill, Henry was on the Union side during the Civil War.

On account of his being for the Federals in the Civil War the other members of the family did not associate much with him.

However, there was King H. Smith in 61st Regiment, Tennessee Mounted Infantry (Pitts') (81st Infantry). He was in Company G. He served for one year and 8 months.

In 1870 they were still in Rheatown. The household consisted of Henry R. age 55, Sarah age 4, Edey age 20, John F. age 18, William age 15, Samuel R. age 12, James B. age 9, and Hannah age 7. There was also a 26 year old black farm laborer.

At the time of the 1880 census the family was in District 20 of Greene County, Tennessee. The household consisted of Henry Smith age 65, Sarah Smith age 57, Marah Smith age 19, Sam Smith age 23, and John Smith age 18.

Henry died May 15, 1887 and was buried with his wife and several of his children at Mt. Zion E. U. B. Cemetery in Greene County, Tennessee.

In 1900, Sarah was a widow and living with her son James B. , his wife Sarah Gass Smith and their large family in Greene County.

Of their 10 children, only 3 were living in 1900 and James B. died in 1900.

Sullivan County is in far northeast corner of Tennessee between North Carolina and Virginia and was originally part of those states. It was formed in 1779 when it was divided from Washington County. In 1784 they attempted to form the state of Franklin which only lasted until 1788. Tennessee became a state in 1796.

Sarah Gass Smith

James B. Smith

The Massengills, Massengales and Variants, 1472-1931 by Samuel Evans Massengill, M.D. The King Printing Company, Bristol, Tennessee, 1931.

King Henry Smith located in Greene County, Tenn., and m. a Pitts (sic). On account of his being for the Federals in the Civil War the other members of the family did not associate much with him.