Smith King (abt. 1825 - 1864)

Born about 1825 in Virginia, United States

Husband of Nancy (Alley) King — married 13 Aug 1848 in Wythe, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 12 Aug 1864 at about age 39 in Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States

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Biography

Smith King was born sometime in 1825 in Virginia. His father is unknown, but based on census records his mother is believed to be Polly King.^[1]

Smith married Nancy Alley on August 13, 1848 in Wythe County, Virginia.^[2] They had six children together: Eli (b. 1849), Mary (b. 1853), David (b. 1854), Sherwood (b. 1856), Sarah (b. 1858), and Nancy (b. 1862). They lived in Wythe County, where Smith worked as a laborer.^[1] In 1860, they housed Polly King (75), David Collins (72), and Elizabeth Collins (76). While Polly King is believed to be Smith's mother, the Kings' relationship to David and Elizabeth Collins is unknown.^[1]

Sometime in 1861, Smith enlisted in the Confederate Army. He was in the 45th Virginia Infantry.^[3] On June 5, 1864, he was imprisoned in Piedmont, Virginia and taken to Camp Morton, a Union prison camp in Indianapolis, Indiana.^[3][4] The conditions there were poor, and some family members believed Smith starved to death in the camp after having nothing but parched corn to eat.^[4] Smith died a prisoner of war two months after being brought to Camp Morton on August 12, 1864. According to his soldier record, he suffered from Typho-malarial fever.^[3] It is believed that the malnutrition he faced while in the camp contributed to his poor health before his death.^[4] He was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.^[5]

Shortly before his passing, Smith entrusted his few possessions to Stephen Porter, who was his neighbor and also imprisoned at Camp Morton. After the end of the Civil War in 1865, Stephen Porter was released from Camp Morton and brought the news of Smith's passing to his family, along with returning his possessions to his wife Nancy.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} 1860 Census - "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHMW-4SP : 11 November 2020), Smythe King, 1860.
2. ↑ Marriage to Nancy - "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRMD-69Z : 29 January 2020), Smith King, 1848.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Civil War Soldier Record - Historical Data Systems, Inc.; Duxbury, MA 02331; American Civil War Research Database
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Blue Ridge Mountain Kinfolks - King, Larry. Blue Ridge Mountain Kinfolks: a Record of Ancestors, Descendants, and Relatives of the Author and Wife, Including Fisher-Gilbert-Hall-Hartley-Hill-King-Kirby-Lawson Families. King, 1976.
5. ↑ Find A Grave Profile - Find A Grave: Memorial #14736084