An American Family History

John Humphreys Smith was born December 22, 1813 in Piney Flats, Sullivan County, Tennessee. His parents were John Smith and Catharine Humphreys. He was named for John Humphreys. His name on his tombstone is "John U. M. Smith."

While a young man he found work as a carpenter in Greene County, Tennessee and met his wife there.

He married Malinda Matthews about 1839. Malinda was the daughter of Elizabeth (Betsey) Matthews Naff. Malinda was born about in 1814 in Tennessee. Malinda's mother married Jonathan Naff after Malinda's father died. Jonathan and Elizabeth lived with John and Malinda in their later years. John inherited the Naff plantation.

John and Malinda's children included:
Eli Smith (died young),
Elizabeth Catherine (Kate) Smith Ripley (1840, married Demetrius B. Ripley),
King Henry Smith (1841),
George Washington Smith (1843, married Elizabeth Florence Cross),
Amanda J. Smith (1847, died young),
Margaret A. Smith Cash (1850, married Samuel Cash),
Elbert S. Smith (1851, married Sarah Catherine Smith, Martha Cole daughter of Amos Cole, Victoria J. Cross, Alice K. Cartright, and Lula May Cross Willen) and,
Sarah Adeline Smith Akard (1855, married Joseph Henry Akard).

At the time of the 1850 census, the household was living in Division 9 of Greene County, Tennessee. The household consisted of John age 38 who was a carpenter, Malinda age 38, Catharine age 11, Henry age 10, George W. age 8, Amanda age 3 and Margaret A who was 11 months.

In 1860 they were still in Greene county. The post office was Rheatown which was named for John Rhea. The household consisted of John age 46, Melinda age 46, Catharine age 21, Henry age 19, George age 17, Emanda S. age 13, Margart A. age 11, Elbert age 8, and Sarah, age 4.

They returned to Sullivan County after the Civil War because of the hostility in Greene County towards Confederate soldiers.

In 1870 they were in Blountville, Sullivan County. The household consisted of John and Malinda both 57, Henry age 30, Margaret age 18, Elbert age 17, and Sarah age 14.

Malinda died July 8, 1878 and John followed a month later on August 6, 1878. They both died of typhoid fever. They are buried together in Smith-Cross Cemetery with their daughter, Sarah Akard.

The Deery Inn Blountville, Tennessee