A militia is a military unit composed of citizens who are called up in time of need.
Major William Smith was born January 31, 1789. His father was Captain John Smith in Campbell County Virginia. Captain John Smith’s father was Solomon Smith who received 400 acres of land in a North Carolina land grant in 1784.
Major William Smith served as an officer in the Tennessee militiabetween 1813-1814 after which he returned home, married, and began his family.
He married Elizabeth Boy on March 14, 1816 in Sullivan County.
Joseph Smith (1817, married Mary Jane Latham and Esther Martha Booher daughter of Benjamin Booher.)
Ireson Smith (1819)
Jacob Smith (1821 married Margaret Anderson and Jane Rhea),
Louisa Smith (1823, married William R. Rhea)
Sarah Smith, (1825),
Mary Ann Smith (1827, married Capt. L. H. Denny),
William H. Smith (1829, married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Hodges),
Elbert S. Smith (1832, married Eliza F. Burke),
Robert M. Smith (1835, married Lavinia Akard),
George B. Smith (1838, married Lorena Dulaney), and
Elizabeth Smith (1841).
Major William died November 4, 1858 and Elizabeth died September 7, 1876. They are buried in the Boy Cemetery, Rockhold.
William’s headstone reads:
Maj. William Smith
Born Jan 31, 1789
Died November 4, 1858
He served two difficult and arduous campaigns
against the Creek Indians during the War of 1812.
In the War of 1812 (1812-1815) the United States declared war on England because of trade restrictions, impressment, and British support for Indian attacks. They signed the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814 after reaching a stalemate.
