Camilla J. (Cotten) Smith (abt. 1845 - 1920)

Born about 1845 in Port Gibson, Claiborne County, Mississippi, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Joseph Smith — married 1875 in Ohio

Descendants

Died 22 Dec 1920 at about age 75 in Cedarville, Greene County, Ohio, United States

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Biography

Camilla (Cotten) Smith is a part of US Black heritage.

Camilla Cotten was born between 1845-1851 in Port Gibson, Claiborne County, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Hannah Cotten and their enslaver James Cotten of Claiborne County, Mississippi.^[1][2] He freed them in 1858 and purchased a farm for them in Greene County, Ohio.^[2][3] Three deeds of emancipation were issued for the family:

1. A deed for Hannah and her children Octavia, Camilla, Orlando, Priscilla, and Douglass^[2]
2. A deed for "James Cummings Cotton" (age 63) and his wife "Tamer C Cotton" (age 68)^[4]
3. A deed for "John Cummings Cotton (age 17) and "Asa Cummings Cotton" (age 15).^[5]

In 1860, they were all enumerated together in Xenia Township, Green County, Ohio. In this census record, John was using the surname Fuller or Fallor, the elder James and his wife Tamer were using the surname Cummings, and the rest of the family used the surname Cotten. There was also a Tillman Pruttis[?] (age 37) and Lucy Pruttis[?] (age 40) living with them.^[6] Camilla's brother Asa Cotten was a Civil War Veteran of the all-black 54th Massachusetts regiment. In 1870, Camilla lived with several of her siblings in Xenia Township.^[7]

Camilla married Joseph Smith in 1875. Their marriage license was issued on 31 Mar 1875 in Greene County.^[8] They lived in Xenia Township, Greene County, Ohio and had six children, four of whom died young. Camilla's brother John and sister Priscilla lived with them for many years.^[9][10][11] By 1920, Camilla had become a widow. In 1920, she lived in Cedarville, Greene County, Ohio with her brother John and brother-in-law Charles Smith.^[12]

Camilla died on 22 Dec 1920 in Cedarville, Greene County, Ohio.^[1]

Occupations

• Farmer

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Ohio, Death Certificates, #75564, Camila Smith, 22 Dec 1920, Cedarville, Greene County, Ohio, USA; "Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953", database with images, FamilySearch, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZHS-1Y7 : accessed 20 Apr 2024).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Emancipation Deed for Hannah Cummings Cotton and Children:
   Ohio, Greene County, Deed Records, volume 36, page 618, James Cotton to Hannah Cummings Cotton and children Octavia, Camilla, Orlando, Priscilla, and Douglass, 1 Sep 1858; FamilySearch, film #8330848, image 331 of 344 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSTC-T9Z5-T?i=330 : accessed 20 Apr 2024).
3. ↑ Ohio, Greene County Deed Records, volume 38, page 130, James Cotton to John Cotton et. al, 8 Dec 1859; image copy, FamilySearch, film #8330849, image 390 of 638 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSTC-29ZB-V?i=389 : accessed 20 Apr 2024).
4. ↑ Emancipation Deed for James Cummings Cotton and wife Tamer C Cotton:
   Ohio, Greene County, Deed Records, volume 36, page 618-619, James Cotton to James Cummings Cotton and Tamer C Cotton, 1 Sep 1858; FamilySearch, film #8330848, images 331-332 of 344 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSTC-T9Z5-T?i=330 : accessed 20 Apr 2024).
5. ↑ Emancipation Deed for John and Asa Cummings Cotton:
   Ohio, Greene County, Deed Records, volume 36, page 619, James Cotton to John and Asa Cummings Cotton, 1 Sep 1858; FamilySearch, film #8330848, images 331-332 of 344 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSTC-T9ZR-W?i=331 : accessed 20 Apr 2024).
6. ↑ 1860 United States Federal Census Year: 1860; Census Place: Xenia, Greene, Ohio; Roll: M653_968; Page: 213; Family History Library Film: 803968; FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCLZ-877
7. ↑ 1870 United States Federal Census Year: 1870; Census Place: Xenia, Greene, Ohio; Roll: M593_1205; Page: 254A; Family History Library Film: 552704; FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M624-7TC
8. ↑ Ohio, Greene County, Marriage Records, volume 6, page 91, Joseph Smith and Cornelia J Cotten, license issued 31 Mar 1875; "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016", database with images, FamilySearch, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XDGT-MHZ : accessed 20 Apr 2024).
9. ↑ 1880 United States Federal Census, ED 90, Xenia Township north Jamestown & Belbrook Pike, Greene County, Ohio, USA; page 4, family 40, Camilla Smith in Joseph Smith household; FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8MV-7FC.
10. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census Year: 1900; Census Place: Xenia, Greene, Ohio; Page: 5; Enumeration District: 0095; FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MM83-54V
11. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census Year: 1910; Census Place: Xenia, Greene, Ohio; Roll: T624_1185; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0099; FHL microfilm: 1375198; FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLX3-X2F
12. ↑ 1920 United States Federal Census, ED 159, Cedarville, Green County, Ohio, USA; sheet 5A, family 96, Camilla J Smith in Charles Smith household; FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDYV-SFW.