A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
W. W. Smith was a pioneer in the township of Burns, Shiawassee County, Michigan.
From the History of Shiawassee and Clinton Counties, Michigan, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of their Prominent Men and Pioneers, Philadelphia: D. W. Ensign & Co., 1880 - On the 18th of June, 1815, in Leicester, England, was born W. W. Smith, the subject of this sketch and son of John and Mary (Poole) Smith, and eighth in a family of fifteen children. His father was a blacksmith by trade, following that occupation until 1823, when with his family he sailed for America, locating at Geneva, N. Y. Here he resided till his death, which occurred in December 1876, having reached the advanced age of one hundred and four years, ten months, and fifteen days. The mother of our subject died at the age of seventy-five. Mr. Smith remained at home till twenty-six years of age, and on the 10th of January 1843, married Rebecca Woodin, who was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., May 3, 1821. She was the third in a family of eight children. Her father, Robert Woodin, was a native of England, and her mother, Mary (Moline) Woodin, was born in Ireland. Mr. And Mrs. Smith moved to Warren Co., Pa., where they remained and engaged in farming for three years, at the expiration of which time, in 1848, they came to Washtenaw Co., Mich., and bought eighty acres of land, for which he paid six hundred dollars. Four years of energy and industry had placed it in such a condition that he was offered sixteen hundred dollars for it, which he accepted, and then came to Burns (Twp.) and bough one hundred and twenty acres of choice land. Of this but fifty acres were cleared. Mr. Smith has since added to his farm until he now owns two hundred and thirty acres, one hundred and thirty acres of which are under good cultivation. Of the family of fifteen children, but two remain besides Mr. Smith, a brother and a sister, the latter being seventy-seven years old. Mr. Smith was a staunch Democrat until the formation of the National party, since which time he has adopted many principles advocated in their platform. He is opposed to monopolies of every description, and especially disapproves legislation in their behalf. Mr. And Mrs. Smith have lived to acquire a fine property, and to see several of their children married and comfortably located near them. They have been parents of the following children, viz.: Mary Jane, born Nov. 11, 1843; George M., born April 15, 1845; Charles H., born Nov. 2, 1849, died Jan 22, 1878; Robert J., born Oct. 20, 1855; William B., born Oct. 17, 1857, died Sept. 5, 1858; Willis Winfield, born Dec., 27, 1859; John F., born, March 23, 1862.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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