Thomas Russell Smith Reminiscences 1908

Access and use

Location of collection:
Thomas Balch Library
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Alexandra S. Gressitt
Phone: (703) 737-7195
Fax: (703) 737-7195
Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Terms of access:

Physical characteristics and conditions affect use of this material. Photocopying of original not permitted. Use copy is filed by title in Unpublished Papers.

Preferred citation:

Thomas Russell Smith Reminiscences, 1908 (SC 0098), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Summary

Creator:
N. R. Smith, Medford, NJ
Abstract:
In 1908, Thomas Russell Smith, at the behest of his children, set down his memories of the American Civil War. As a member of Society of Friends and the Goose Creek Monthly Meeting, Smith was a conscientious objector. During the war, Loudoun was buffeted by soldiers from both sides of the conflict. Smith provides a flavor of this back and forth and talks about family members, including one who joined the Union forces despite Smith's efforts to dissuade him. The narrative comments on enforced labor, transportation of grain and corn, theft of livestock and horses, and the burning of his barn. Smith's memoirs start with a description of his wedding day, 17 October 1859, which was the night prior to John Brown's raid, and provides detailed description of how these events impacted their wedding festivities and life. The concluding passages of the memoir recount the burning of his barn, removal of his livestock and recounts how he went after the soldiers and retrieved a cow needed to provide milk and butter for his children.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Thomas Russell Smith Reminiscences, 1908 (SC 0098), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

In 1908, Thomas Russell Smith, at the behest of his children, set down his memories of the American Civil War. As a member of Society of Friends and the Goose Creek Monthly Meeting, Smith was a conscientious objector. During the war, Loudoun was buffeted by soldiers from both sides of the conflict. Smith provides a flavor of this back and forth and talks about family members, including one who joined the Union forces despite Smith's efforts to dissuade him. The narrative comments on enforced labor, transportation of grain and corn, theft of livestock and horses, and the burning of his barn. Smith's memoirs start with a description of his wedding day, 17 October 1859, which was the night prior to John Brown's raid, and provides detailed description of how these events impacted their wedding festivities and life. The concluding passages of the memoir recount the burning of his barn, removal of his livestock and recounts how he went after the soldiers and retrieved a cow needed to provide milk and butter for his children.

Biographical / historical:

Thomas Russell Smith (16 August 1833-17 October 1914), was a son of Jonas and Miriam (Russell) Smith of Lincoln, Loudoun County, Virginia. Smith was a farmer and member of the Goose Creek Monthly Meeting. He married Ellen Haines (25 July 1835-5 February 1925) daughter of Reuben and Sarah Haines of Carroll County, Maryland, 17 October 1859. They had four children: Anna T. (b. 4 June 1862-15 August 1903; married Eli Elliott and moved to Iowa), Sarah H. (22 March 1864-29 November 1939, m. Howard M. Hoge and moved to Iowa), Harvey T. (27 April 1867-26 August, 1888-kicked by a stallion), and J. Russell (3 February 1874-unk, married Henrietta Stewart and moved to Swarthmore, PA).

Thomas R Smith was a faith based conscientious objector and was one of several members of the Friends in Loudoun County who paid a fine, $500 Confederate, to insure exemption from military duty.

Acquisition information:
N. R. Smith, Medford, NJ
Custodial history:

Formerly catalogued and NUCMC 87

Processing information:

Alexandra S. Gressitt, 9 February 2012

Arrangement:

Folder

Accruals:

2000.0010

Physical / technical requirements:

None