The Shemwell Family

Reuben M Smith Jr Birth Date Curently, Reuben's birth date is estimated as 1873 as per his transcribed Marriage Record; however, he was not listed in the 1880 Census with his parents. This is very unusual as a young child, presumably just 7 years old, should be listed in the 1880 Census with his parents. It is important to note that while the transcribed Marriage Record estimates his birth year as 1873, the ACTUAL Marriage Record image does NOT show a birth date at all. It is not clear how an estimated birth date was determined when it is not found on the actual Marriage Record image. The only Birth Record that we have found for a young Smith is one from May 25, 1880 which provides no name for the Infant. Without further records, it is reasonable to assume that the Birth Record could be for Reuben since there is no supporting evidence of his 1873 date. It is consistent that he could have been born in 1880 and later married in 1899 when he was 19 years old. The only anomaly with the 1880 Census is that is reportedly taken on June 24, 1880. Referring to the Birth Record's date of May 25, 1880, it would seem that the young infant (aka Reuben) should have been listed. It is not clear why he wasn't. Perhaps he was sick and at a hospital or the Census taker did not record him; however, this is just conjecture pending more data.

Know all men by these presents, that I, ANNA JOHNSON, of Conway County, state of Arkansas, being old and feeble, but of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. First: I hereby constitute and appoint Thomas Kilgore and M. L. Asbury to be sole executors to pay all my just debts and funeral expense and the legacies hereinafter: Second: After the payment of my said debts and funeral expenses, I give each of my grandchildren (should read children) viz: AUSBER(Asburn) P. HOOD AND PATSY HAMPILTON (Hamilton) and JOHN HOOD, the legal heirs (should read heir) of RANSOM HOOD, deceased, who was my legal heir, the sum of five dollars, each and the remainder of my property, both real and personal, I bequeath to be divided equally among the remainder of my legal heirs. One fourth to BELFANE HARRINGTON, if living, if dead to her legal heirs. One fourth to the legal heirs of BELLZANE GRAY, viz, WILLIAM A. GRAY, MARY M. GRAY, my grandchildren. The remaining one fourth divided equally between the heirs of VAN BUREN JOHNSON, viz, NANCY A. CHAMBERS AND WILLIAM T. JOHNSTON, my grandchildren. Third: For the division and distribution and the payment as aforesaid, it is my will that my executor soon after my death, proceed to sell all my real and personal property and after paying ,my just debts then to pay off the legacies as herein before mentioned, to those entitled and it is my will that my executor keep possession of the property that may be due my grandchildren that are minors until they arrive at the maturity or of sufficient discretion to transact their own business and it is also my will that my executor, Thomas Killgore during his life is to transact and put into effect this my last will and testament, but in the event he should die, I want W. L. Asbury to proceed to carry this my last will into execution. In testimony whereof I hereunto put my hand and seal and publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in presence of the witnesses named below this 1st day of April 1878. Signed: ANNA JOHNSTON ( HER MARK ) Witness: I, John Hinkle, signed Anna Johnston's name to this will at her request. Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Anna Johnston as and for his last will and testament in presence of ers" ( not clear) who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto: Signed: John Hinkle, R. L. Cargile, C. C. Murphy Filed for record January 12, 1884 ( this date stricken out and replaced with the date of April 7., 1884 ) Signed by M. L. Asbury, Clerk I, John Hinkle, being duly sworn before M. L. Asbury, Clerk of the Probate Court within and for the County of Conway and state of Arkansas on this the 7th day of April A.D. 1884 do depose and say that I was present at the execution of the last will and testament of Anna Johnston which was executed and published by her on the 1st day of April 1878 and is hereto annexed that I saw the said testator subscribe her name by mark to said will and heard her publish and declare the same to be her last will and testament and that the said testator at the time of executing said will was of full age and of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint and that I signed said will as a witness at her request and in the presence of R. L. Cargile (who is dead) and in the presence of C. C. Murphy who is now absent from the county. Signed John Hinkle Subscribed and sworn to before me on this 7th day of April 1884. Also personally appeared before me at the same time, W. S. Hanna, and N. A. Nations, who after being by me, first duly sworn, deposed and says that they are familiar with the handwriting of R. L. Cargile who is now deceased and whose name is signed to the annexed will of Anna Johnston as a witness thereto. That they believe the name was written by the said R. L. Cargile. That they have no interest in the probate of said will whatsoever. signed: W., S. Hanna and N. Nations. Filed for record April 7. 1884