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Author: bscjones
Surnames: Smith, Rittenhouse
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
Looking for any information on Anitpas Thomas Smith. He was in Union County around 1850.
He was the father of Mary Alice Smith who was James Whitcomb Riley's Little Orphant
Annie. Antipas may have gone by "Thomas Smith."
I am first and foremost trying to absolutely determine who Thomas Smith's wife was -
and trying to find out what happened to her. I have three possible names for her. The
only Thomas Smith in Union Co in 1850 is in the census and he is married to Ellen. They
are of the right age. I did find a Thomas Smith marrried to an Ellen Reddenhouse (should
be Rittenhouse) - in 1849 in Fayette Co. This is significant because Rittenhouse was the
last name of the uncle who brought Mary Alice to the Riley Home. However, in church
records from the 1880's where I found Mary Alice's membership records - her
parents are listed as "Thomas and Nellie" Smith. The third possible name comes
from a divorce records in Union County. There is some rumor that the Smiths may have
divorced when Mary Alice was around 4 years old. I could find no divorce record for a
Smith in 1854. The only divorce that is close in date is between a "Thomas and
Nancy" Smith in 1850 - prior to Mary Alice even being!
born. This is very questionable - so I am unsure about this one. It also lists two
older children - which makes no sense - as to why Thomas would keep one child and not his
other children.
So is Thomas Smith's wife: Ellen, Nellie or Nancy? Any help??
Of interest is that I have some information that Thomas is the son of Peter and Alice
Smith. There is some reference in an old Union County history of a Peter Smith owning
land in Union County. And, the land patent for Peter Smith's farm in Shelby County -
clearly states "Peter Smith of Union County. These were dated in April of 1835.
Peter Smith would die by 1844 in Shelby County. His probate records list his widow Alice,
his daughter Malinda who was the wife of John Rittenhouse (the uncle who brings Mary Alice
to the Riley Home), and John Rittenhouse himself. There were also minor children:
Daniel, Mary, Antipas, Asa and William Smith.
I found a court record dated 1851 in Union County where "Antipas Thomas Smith"
was listed as a defendent in a court case. This explains why there was no Thomas Smith
listed.
So looking for records in Union County under the name of Anitpas Thomas Smith or Thomas
Smith - regarding where they lived when Mary Alice was born in 1850.
Also, looking to find out what happened to the marriage of the Smiths - was there a
divorce?? Or did Mrs. Smith die??? Unable to determine which way this went.
Any help or info on this family would be greatly appreciated!
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