William G. Smelser was born about 1798 to Paulser and Mary (Gordon) Smelser
probably in Kentucky or Virginia.
He married Mary "Polly" Thompson in Calloway Co., Kentucky about 1825.
William has been found paying taxes in Calloway during the following years,
possibly other years.
1823 Calloway Co., KY Tax Lists - Wm Smelser, 1 white male 21, 1 horse/mare
1824 Calloway Co., KY Tax List - Wm Smelser, 1 white male 21+, 1 horse/mare
1827 Calloway Co., Ky Tax List - Wm Smelser, 1 white male 21+, 1 horse/mare
William and Mary were still in Calloway County, Kentucky in the 1830
census, with one female, born 1825-1830. William and Mary's first child, Rebecca A. "Becky" was born December 1830 in Kentucky.
1830 - Calloway Co., KY
Smelser, William
1 male 30-40
1 female 5-10
1 female 20-30
1834 -Deed from WILLIAM SMELSER to ABRAHAM SMELSER
Indenture made this 10th day of November 1834 between William
Smelser of the county of Calloway and state of Kentucky and
Abraham Smelser of the county and state aforesaid, for and in
consideration of three hundred dollars to him in hand paid for his
undivided interest in his father, Palser Smelser's estate, both real
and personal. In witness he has set his hand and seal the day and date
above written.
Signed:William Smelser
Attest:
E.H. Curd
Amasa Spencer
John J. Briggs
1835 -Deed from H.H. MARTIN, et al to JAMES H. BARNETT
Indenture made this
7th day of December 1835 between Harlin H. Martin and Amasa Spencer and
Phillip Andrews and Stephen Smelser and Abraham Smelser and William
Smelser and James H. Barnett, all of Calloway County, Kentucky, for and in
consideration of the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to us
in hand received, for the North east quarter of section Twenty-five
Township two Range four East, containing one hundred and fifty-six acres, it
being one part of P. Smelser, deceased, to him, his heirs forever.
Signed, sealed the day and date above written.
Henry H. Martin
Amasa Spencer
Phillip F. Andrews
Abraham Smelser
William Smelser
By 1840 William had moved to Greene County, Arkansas and lived next door
to his brother Abraham in Cache Township. By now, he had two three
daughters, Rebecca born 1830, Nancy born 1832, and Catherine born 1833,
and three sons,
William born 1836 Kentucky, Abraham born 1838 Arkansas, and
Stephen 1840 Arkansas. It has not been determined who was the female age 20-30
living with William.
1840 - Greene Co., AR,
Smelcer, William 3000001-030011
3 sons -5
1 male 40-50
3 females 5-10
1 female 20-30
1 female 30-40
William moved to Big Creek Township by the 1850 census. Their household
had expanded with three more children, John born 1842, Elizabeth born 1845,
and Joseph born 1848.
1850 - Greene Co., AR, Big Creek Twp.: Nov 1850, Fam #226
Smelser, William 52 m farmer KY
Mary Polly 48 f TN
Nancy 18 f KY
Catherine 17 f KY
William 14 m KY
Abraham 12 m AR
Stephen 10 m AR
John 8 m AR
Elizabeth 5 f AR
Joseph 2 m AR
He was back in Cache Township by 1860.
1860 Greene Co., AR Cache Twp., 24 Jul 1860 P.O. Crowley #288 #284
Smelser, W.G. 62 m farmer $350 KY
Mary A 56 f hk NC
Stephen 20 m AR
Elisabeth 14 f AR
Joseph G. 13 m AR
William died before 1870 in Greene County, Arkansas. It is assumed he is
buried in Greene County, but no headstone has been found. Mary has not
been found after the 1870 census.
1870 Greene Co., AR, Cache Twp., 6 Jul 1870 P.O. Crowley #48 #48
Smelser, Mary E. 67 f kh-widow $400 $100 NC
Joseph G 22 m farmer AR
Children of William and Mary (Thompson) Smelser:
Photos of Descendants of William G. Smelser
James Ernest & Ella May (Dickerson) Smelser and children, 50th Anniversary, 1959
Elizabeth
James Ernest Smelser, 1905
James Ernest Smelser, 1960
Farming with Mules in Greene Co., AR, 1910
James Abraham Smelser
James Abraham & Zona Belle (Willis) Smelser
