Reproduction of archived family records

Chiefly letters and other papers of family members reflecting daily life, social events, and family matters. Persons represented include Hannah M. Smith.

They settled into the Kentucky counties of Clay, Laurel, and Knox after following the Wilderness Road - shortly after Daniel Boone blazed a trail through the Cumberland Gap. Our Smith family history extends back over 600 years. Here are listed those Smith family ancestors who lived through the bubonic plague in England, the cholera, typhus, crossed the ocean in wooden ships, survived the American Revolutionary War, Native American attacks, the War of 1812, the War Between the States, World War I, and World War II. They are pioneers, patriots, and adventurers with a deep sense of self sufficiency and craftsmanship. They carved out the wilderness with their bare hands, simple tools, and raised children to have confidence, respect for others, and faith in God.

Correspondence, accounts, diaries, genealogical papers, historical references, and other papers, chiefly of Samuel Smith, businessman and civic leader and Albert Smith, physician, who wrote the first town history. Subjects include Samuel's activities as owner of a general store and the Phoenix Factory, manufacturers of paper and cloth; Albert Smith's medical practice; standards within the medical profession; theology; views on slavery; education; local and state politics; and family activities.