ILHARDIN-L Archives

From:
Subject: SMOCK mysteries
Date: Fri, 29 Nov 2002 07:26:34 EST

In a message dated 11/28/02 8:52:35 AM, writes:

<< The name Barney is one of the strongest clues. Somewhere, there has to be
the missing link. >>
__________________
David,

Thanks for you confidence.

As I analyze the large family of C. and Sarah (?) SMOCK of USC 1810 Randolph
Co., IL Terr. and Widow (Sarah) SMOCK of USC 1820 Pope Co., IL, I am coming
to the realization that that this Cave in Rock household could have been a
boarding house for travelers on the Ohio River. Because of the lack of
identification of most of the adults in both censuses, one must entertain the
thought that, perhaps, they weren't SMOCKs.

I find the 1818 IL State Census curious, in that this SMOCK family showed 2
adults and 7 minors or 9 total. By 1820 the count was 15. In 1810 when C.
SMOCK was alive the count was 12. This fluctuation includes only 2 new borns
between 1810 and 1820, and these are not necessarily Sarah SMOCKs. I am of
the option (no research) that the 1818 count was of the SMOCK family while
the 1810 and 1820 counts were of the households. Even the 1818 count leaves
room for several unidentified members-I can account for Sarah, Hiram, Barney,
Alfred, Nelly and Matilda or 6 total of the 9. The difference of 3 has to
include one adult and 2 minors. The 2 minors could be new borns shown in
1820 (<5). The one adult is of interest as the adult could be male or female.

I seem to be working in circles without deriving any useful data.

On another tack. What happened to C. SMOCK? Between 1810 and 1816 C.
disappeared. The Indians were active and hostile in this time frame in IL;
the War of 1812-1815 occurred; and the hazards of the Ohio River were ever
present. Assuming C. = Cornelius (b, 1772 PA), C. would have been 38 in
1810. Its more likely he died of other than natural reasons.

It is curious that there is a partial record of Sally SMOCK filing in
Gallatin Co., in 1816 as a Widow, but no follow up documents have been found.
Since she lived in Cave in Rock which became a part of Pope Co. (established
in 1816), perhaps, the matter was transferred to Pope Co. courts. Still no
evidence. It is obvious that Sarah/Sally retained the land well passed 1830
as Hiram, her son, was on the property in 1840 and she was in his household.
Some record of this land, its ownership and its sale must exist.

The mysteries of the SMOCKs of Southern Illinois continue.

Best regards,
Hugh

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