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Archiver > ILHARDIN > 2002-11 > 1038585406


From:
Subject: More on the SMOCK family of Cave in Rock, IL
Date: Fri, 29 Nov 2002 10:56:46 EST


I have just read on the BELT web site <www.microforce.com/default.htm> that
the area of Cave in Rock was something of an outlaw hideaway. As this is the
case, at least at one time in the history of the area, the activity must have
been known to the local population, even if they did not participate.

My SMOCKs were in this area from before 1808 to at least 1900. They lived on
the Ohio River in Cave in Rock, IL. Yet the history of the area as written
by Belt does not reference them. I am curious as to the SMOCK's occupation
and activity and, specifically, the identity of one C. SMOCK who came to the
area before 1808. He died before 1816 leaving a widow and large family. His
wife/widow was Sarah, and known surviving children: Hiram, Barney, Alfred,
Nelly, and Matilda. Since Hiram was born in 1800 KY (USC 1850 Hardin Co.,
IL) and Barney in 1808 IL, it is presumed that these dates bracket the
arrival of this SMOCK family in IL. The daughters married a PALMER and a
FAIRCHILD, while the sons married a WILKERSON and a HUGHES.

There is evidence that Barney, Alfred and a Casper SMOCK were in AR in 1830.
Barney started a family there, while Alfred returned to IL to marry in 1832.
Barney subsequently returned to IL by 1840 as he was on the IL census of that
year. There is no further info on Casper.

In 1850 a new name was introduced, Thomas SMOCK. Thomas was born 1821 in
Cave in Rock, Pope Co., IL. His parents are unknown although there was only
one SMOCK family in Pope Co. in 1820, that of Widow (Sarah) SMOCK. Thomas
who would have been 9 in 1830 does not appear in the only SMOCK family of the
census of that year nor in the 1840 census as a 19 year old in any of the
three SMOCK families or as an independent. At 28 he appears in the census of
1850 with three young children, but no wife. The 1850 Mortuary Schedule of
Hardin Co., IL carried the January death of Polly SMOCK, 21, married, who is
presumed to be Thomas' wife.

In 1850 Hiram and Alfred are still in Hardin Co., while Barney had moved to
Pulaski Co., IL nearby. They all had families and by 1860 their children
began to appear in the records. Some of them are difficult to place. There
is no evidence that another SMOCK family moved into the area.

Aside from Thomas, b. 1821, there is a Martin Madison SMOCK, b. 1836 and two
James SMOCKs who remain unplaced among others. Madison SMOCK was born in AR,
thus he is associated with Barney who started a family while in AR, however
the linkage is not established. We know that Madison married in 1856 in
Hardin Co., IL and served in the CW in an IL regiment. Madison is not found
again until the 1880 Census in Hardin Co., IL.

Since Livingston Co., KY is across the river from Hardin Co., IL it maybe
that some SMOCKs moved to or married in KY. This needs investigation.

Best regards,
Hugh








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