Robert Rufas Smith
and
Sarah Louisa Hagan Smith
In 1838 Robert Rufus Smith was born in Wilcox County Alabama to Seth Smith andpage updated on: May 27,2010
Nancy Rackley Smith. Seth Smith died fighting in the Alabama Creek Indian uprising.
Shortly thereafter when Rab was 12 years old his mother died, leaving him with no living relatives.
Tradition has it that Rab, at the young age of 12, set out on foot to Florida, heading to
Calhoun County.He was befriended by a black preacher (free-man) named Nathaniel Hiers.
Until Rab was 20 years old he remained with Preacher Hiers who, according to
census documents, was a "shingle cutter". A man named Halcomb Hagan lived in Calhoun
County and also befriended young Rab. Halcomb Hagan had 5 sons near the age of Rab.
Rab, along with Hagan's 5 son's entered the Civil War together.
Upon Rab's discharge he returned home to Calhoun County and married Halcomb Hagan's
eldest daughter, Sarah Louisa on 5 September 1866.
Later in life he settled in Auburndale where he died at the home of his only living
daughter, Mary Dove (Smith) Norman.
(Prepared by the family of Rab Smith: Mary Traylor Lyons / Kathy Best Brosky /
Jennifer Taylor Nichols / Jeff & Shelda Gary)
In Deepest Appreciation and Honor
©
Jennifer
Nichols
22 Juniper Drive
Cedar Knolls, New Jersey
07927
Tel. 973.285.9294
UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE
CONFEDERACY
Lakeland Florida Division Annie H. Darracott
791
Treasurer / Registrar 2008-2010
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~flahudc/
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by: Peggy McSwain