Robert Smith and his cousin, John Stephen Smith, were among many southerners attracted by the prospect of free or cheap land int he new Republic of Texas in the 1840's. Robert soon acquired about 3000 acres in the James Rankin Survey on the west side of the Trinity River in 1845 at a sheriff's sale on the steps of the Polk County courthouse at Livingston.During the Civil War, Robert Emmett, his brother John William (Billam), and five of his cousins, ___ Quishenbury, William LSmith, Robert Eason Smith, James Otis Smith, John William "Big Hoss" Smith, and Edwin Eason Smith succumbed to the lure of "fighting the yankees." But by 1869, four months after his return from the war, Robert Smith was lying in an East Texas Grave, his murder was never solved.
Smith's body, pierced by gunshots, was found lying by the front gate of his family's plantation home near the Trinity River. His head rested on the removed saddle of his prize horse, Black Prince.
Smith's body, pierced by gunshots, was found lying by the front gate of his family's plantation home near the Trinity River. His head rested on the removed saddle of his prize horse, Black Prince.
Robert Smith and his cousin, John Stephen Smith, were among many southerners attracted by the prospect of free or cheap land int he new Republic of Texas in the 1840's. Robert soon acquired about 3000 acres in the James Rankin Survey on the west side of the Trinity River in 1845 at a sheriff's sale on the steps of the Polk County courthouse at Livingston.During the Civil War, Robert Emmett, his brother John William (Billam), and five of his cousins, ___ Quishenbury, William LSmith, Robert Eason Smith, James Otis Smith, John William "Big Hoss" Smith, and Edwin Eason Smith succumbed to the lure of "fighting the yankees." But by 1869, four months after his return from the war, Robert Smith was lying in an East Texas Grave, his murder was never solved.
Smith's body, pierced by gunshots, was found lying by the front gate of his family's plantation home near the Trinity River. His head rested on the removed saddle of his prize horse, Black Prince.
Smith's body, pierced by gunshots, was found lying by the front gate of his family's plantation home near the Trinity River. His head rested on the removed saddle of his prize horse, Black Prince.
Inscription
In memory of my beloved son, Robert E. Smith, born Dec. 24,,1846. Assassinated in cold blood.
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