The Society of Friends (Quakers) began in England in the 1650s, when they broke away from the Puritans. Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn, as a safe place for Friends to live and practice their faith.
Jemima Dillon Smith was born on August 16, 1791 in Greene County, Tennessee.
She married George P. Smith on August 20, 1810 in Greene County. He was born on September 14, 1789. He was the son of Abraham Smith and Martha Payne. Abraham's father was a founding member of the New Hope Monthly Meeting in Greene County.
Jemima and George's children included:
Jesse M. Smith (1829, married Elizabeth Jane Baker).
The next session of court was opened December 14, 1838.
During the April, 1839, term of [the Henry County, Iowa Court], an "indictment for assault with intent to commit murder" was found against Shadrach Scott. This was the first case on the docket that smacked of capital crime.
A jury were empaneled, composed of the following names: Thomas Alexander, Johnson King, Henry Emberson, Thomas Ross, John W. Payne, Benjamin S. Whorton, John Morris, Thomas Clark, Henry Caulk, James Cormer, Henry Snyder, George P. Smith.
These were given over night to deliberate and return a sealed verdict. They did as ordered, and the first business done at the opening of the court on the morning of April 4, 1839, was this:
And now came the defendant in proper person, also the District Prosecutor, for and on behalf of the county and the jury, empaneled and sworn on yesterday came into Court and on their oaths do say, 'we, the jury, find the defendant not guilty.' Therefore, it is considered and adjudged that the said defendant be acquitted and discharged of the charge aforesaid, and go hence hereof without day, &c.
George died on September 6, 1852 and Jemima died on March 5, 1854, in Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa.
