William Smith

He was the son of Colonel James Smith. William originally had land in Butler Co. near the Hamilton Co. line. He sold that land to the Hall's that had large adjoining tracts. He then bought land at the mouth of the Indian Creek, next to the land owned by his father-in-law, James Dunn.

William was a Justice of the Peace. He had a mill on Indian Creek and a blacksmith shop at Peoria. He and Elizabeth Dunn had four sons and one daughter. They came to the Miami country in 1799.

He joined the rifle company under Captain Joel Collins. The battalion was under General James Findlay. The Company saw active service under General William Henry Harrison.

When he died in 1822, his will stated that he wished his wife to have one third of all real and personal property during her lifetime. He stated which parts of the farm were to go to each son, and the amount of money to be given to his daughter, Elizabeth Abbott. Anything remaining was to be sold and divided between the sons, after deducting enough to buy his wife a mourning dress.

His tombstone at Bethel Cem. bore the simple inscription "William Smith. Died May 30, 1822, aged 53 years, 6 mo and 7 da". His widow lived until 1859 and is buried in Reily Cemetery. He was one of the original members of the Bethel Church.

It is thought that his father, Col. James Smith (died around 1812) may also be buried at Bethel Cem., but this has never been proven. His father was an Indian fighter and one-time Indian captive. It is believe that he was visiting his son, William, on Indian Creek and that he died during that visit.

Source - Butler Co. Historical Society

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=smith&GSfn=w...

Plot: buried in unmarked grave next to James Dunn