Francis Anthony Smith was born about 1809, in Germany, according to census records. On the 25 day of October, in the year 1858, Francis made his Oath of Allegiance to the United States. This took place in Clinton County, Kentucky, where he was residing.

The attached document is the Clinton County, Kentucky court document, in which Francis Anthony Smith took the Oath of Allegiance, and renounces forever, all allegiance and fidelity to Gustav August, the Grand ___ of Hessen Darmstadt, in Germany.

Francis arrived in the United States at the Port of New Orleans, on the 2nd of June, in the year 1834. He appears on the 1850 census in Clinton County, Kentucky, at the age of 40, residing with the family of John Pittman. Also living with John Pittman, and his wife, Nancy, was Elizabeth Parmley, age 36; and her 4 year old daughter, Nancy Parmley. Elizabeth may have been a daughter of John and Nancy Pittman, and was probably previously married to a Parmley.

Sometime before 1860, Francis had apparently married Elizabeth Parmley; for the 1860 Clinton County census shows that Elizabeth is now his wife; and her daughter, Nancy, is also in their household. Also living in Francis's household at this time, was Elizabeth Johnson, age 28. It is not known if she was related to Francis or his wife.

Elizabeth's daughter, Nancy Evaline Parmley, married Harry Lawson, in Clinton County, Kentucky, on 25 May, in the year 1861. At the time of the 1870, Clinton County census, Harry, Nancy, and their children, are residing in the household of her mother and step-father, Francis and Elizabeth Smith.

Apparently, Francis died sometime before the 1880 census, when his widow, Elizabeth, appears in the household of her daughter and son-in-law, Harry and Nancy Lawson.

It does not appear that Francis and Elizabeth had any chidlren together.

I am not connected to this family; but had found the Clinton County court record, regarding Francis Anthony Smith, while researching at the Kentucky State Archives in mid 2007. The document had me curious, so I decided to do a bit of research on Francis. In doing so, I wanted to share the document, and additional information I had found about Francis, with others. Thus, here is the story of Francis Anthony Smith, as I know it.

I hope I have helped someone.

Francis Anthony Smith & Elizabeth Parmley