Some Wiregrass Ancestors and More


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Lydia A. Smith 
      Sex: F
Individual Information 
     Birth Date: 22 Jun 1864 - Georgia
    Christening: 
          Death: 4 Jan 1938 - Racepond, Charlton County, Georgia ( at age 73)
         Burial: in High Bluff Cemetery, Hoboken, Brantley County, Georgia, USA
Spouses and Children 
1. *John Melton Crews
       Marriage: 
         Status:
Notes
General:
Lydia Stone was the name she was best known by, but she was born Lydia Smith and died Lydia Crews, the name of her second husband.
Lydia Stone was known by such various nicknames as "Queen of the Okefenokee," "The Swamp Baroness," and simply "Miz Liddie."
In an interview in 1928, the simple-living millionairess told her formula for success: "When I was a girl, my `pappy' gave me and my sisters a cow and a sow apiece and told us if we would look after them we could make some money. Before the year was out, I made a few dollars off mine and had saved every penny of it. After another year I made enough to buy 45 acres of land. I got it dirt cheap. And as soon as I could save little money ahead, I would buy some timber land; until now, I own nearly 30,000 acres."
"I never went to school but six days and the pity of it is, I didn't learn anything in those six days. But a man ain't livin' that can outfigger me." All witnesses agreed that this woman's self-education in the fields of economics, business, timber and cattle placed her in as powerful position as the Indian chieftain Osceola, who once had roamed this area. Her loyalty to that childhood dream allowed the swamper very little time for anything else but her land, which she talked about constantly and expanded continually until the entire Racepond community was Miz Liddie's holdings.
The "Queen of the Okefenokee" died at her Racepond home on January 4, 1938; she was laid to rest beside her parents, a sister, and a former husband. And the tallest monument in the cemetery was erected to the unschooled woman who, once, very simply, stated the chief rule of finance: "I always said I could make $5 out of every $1 I could get my hands on. I believe anybody can if they're careful and not afraid to work." And her estate of over a million confirmed her philosophy.

(First Appeared in Sunday Magazine,
Florida Times-Union, February 26, 1967)
October 12, 1928

WEDDING. An interesting event of the week was the marriage of Mr. J. Melton Crews, age 22, son of Mr. Bryant Crews, who resides on the Little Okefenokee, to Mrs. Lydia Stone, a blushing bride of 63 years, who is the best known character of Charlton County, being the owner of some 17,000 acres in the Racepond section of the Okefinokee Swamp, an accumulation of her own honest toil and frugal habits. The ceremony was performed in the courtroom at Masonic Hall by H.G. Gibson, Ordinary before an audience of a hundred and fifty friends and well-wishers of the happy couple who showered upon them their hearty congratulations. The groom has been assisting with the care of the large interest of Miss Lydia's for the past year or so and proved his ability in taking care of her interest in such a splendid way and won the esteem and affection of the lady. The bride, it is stated, said that having laid by in store a plenty for rainy days intends to enjoy her remaining years with her husband as their desires prompt them, the income being sufficient, while the landed estate will be kept intact. A lease on a part of the timber the past week supplied some $2,000.00 for honeymoon expenses and a handsome Chevrolet Sedan purchased by the bride for that occasion brought them to the wedding place and more than happily on their way back to their home near Racepond. The Herald wishes them all the joys that life has in store for those that can and are able to enjoy it.

Lydia Stone was the name she was best known by, but she was born Lydia Smith and died Lydia Crews, the name of her second husband.
Lydia Stone was known by such various nicknames as "Queen of the Okefenokee," "The Swamp Baroness," and simply "Miz Liddie."
In an interview in 1928, the simple-living millionairess told her formula for success: "When I was a girl, my `pappy' gave me and my sisters a cow and a sow apiece and told us if we would look after them we could make some money. Before the year was out, I made a few dollars off mine and had saved every penny of it. After another year I made enough to buy 45 acres of land. I got it dirt cheap. And as soon as I could save little money ahead, I would buy some timber land; until now, I own nearly 30,000 acres."
"I never went to school but six days and the pity of it is, I didn't learn anything in those six days. But a man ain't livin' that can outfigger me." All witnesses agreed that this woman's self-education in the fields of economics, business, timber and cattle placed her in as powerful position as the Indian chieftain Osceola, who once had roamed this area. Her loyalty to that childhood dream allowed the swamper very little time for anything else but her land, which she talked about constantly and expanded continually until the entire Racepond community was Miz Liddie's holdings.
The "Queen of the Okefenokee" died at her Racepond home on January 4, 1938; she was laid to rest beside her parents, a sister, and a former husband. And the tallest monument in the cemetery was erected to the unschooled woman who, once, very simply, stated the chief rule of finance: "I always said I could make $5 out of every $1 I could get my hands on. I believe anybody can if they're careful and not afraid to work." And her estate of over a million confirmed her philosophy.

(First Appeared in Sunday Magazine,
Florida Times-Union, February 26, 1967)
October 12, 1928

WEDDING. An interesting event of the week was the marriage of Mr. J. Melton Crews, age 22, son of Mr. Bryant Crews, who resides on the Little Okefenokee, to Mrs. Lydia Stone, a blushing bride of 63 years, who is the best known character of Charlton County, being the owner of some 17,000 acres in the Racepond section of the Okefinokee Swamp, an accumulation of her own honest toil and frugal habits. The ceremony was performed in the courtroom at Masonic Hall by H.G. Gibson, Ordinary before an audience of a hundred and fifty friends and well-wishers of the happy couple who showered upon them their hearty congratulations. The groom has been assisting with the care of the large interest of Miss Lydia's for the past year or so and proved his ability in taking care of her interest in such a splendid way and won the esteem and affection of the lady. The bride, it is stated, said that having laid by in store a plenty for rainy days intends to enjoy her remaining years with her husband as their desires prompt them, the income being sufficient, while the landed estate will be kept intact. A lease on a part of the timber the past week supplied some $2,000.00 for honeymoon expenses and a handsome Chevrolet Sedan purchased by the bride for that occasion brought them to the wedding place and more than happily on their way back to their home near Racepond. The Herald wishes them all the joys that life has in store for those that can and are able to enjoy it.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33896686/lydia_a-crews: accessed December 29, 2024), memorial page for Lydia A. "Queen of Okefenokee" Smith Crews (22 Jun 1864\endash 4 Jan 1938), Find a Grave Memorial ID 33896686, citing High Bluff Cemetery, Hoboken, Brantley County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by d powell (contributor 48137798).


picture Maria Smith 
      Sex: F
Individual Information 
     Birth Date: 
    Christening: 
          Death: 
         Burial:
Parents 
         Father: William Nathan Smith Jr.
         Mother: Lucinda Crews



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Martha J. Smith 
      Sex: F
Individual Information 
     Birth Date: 29 Sep 1835 - Lowndes County, GA 1
    Christening: 
          Death: Abt 1863 -  ( about age 28) 1
         Burial:
Spouses and Children 
1. *William Evander Connell
       Marriage: 
         Status: 



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Mary Smith 
      Sex: F
Individual Information 
     Birth Date: 
    Christening: 
          Death: 
         Burial:
Spouses and Children 
1. *Hillery Cason Jr.
       Marriage: 
         Status: 



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Mary J. Smith 
      Sex: F
Individual Information 
     Birth Date: 
    Christening: 
          Death: 
         Burial:
Spouses and Children 
1. *Dr. Lafayette A. Carter
       Marriage: 
         Status: 



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Matilda Smith 
      Sex: F
Individual Information 
     Birth Date: 
    Christening: 
          Death: 
         Burial:
Spouses and Children 
1. *Asberry Crews
       Marriage: 
         Status: 



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Nancy E. Smith 
      Sex: F
Individual Information 
     Birth Date: 1845 - Florida
    Christening: 
          Death: 13 Feb 1920 - Micanopy, Alachua County, Florida ( at age 75)
         Burial:
Parents 
         Father: William Nathan Smith Jr.
         Mother: Lucinda Crews
Notes
General:
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203518092/nancy_e-long: accessed December 26, 2024), memorial page for Nancy E. Smith Long (1845\endash 13 Feb 1920), Find a Grave Memorial ID 203518092; Burial Details Unknown; Maintained by David (contributor 48905234).

picture Owen C. Smith 
      Sex: M
Individual Information 
     Birth Date: 1848 - Florida
    Christening: 
          Death: 14 Jan 1927 - Newberry, Alachua County, Florida, USA ( at age 79)
         Burial: in Forest Grove Cemetery, Alachua, Alachua County, Florida
Parents 
         Father: William Nathan Smith Jr.
         Mother: Lucinda Crews
Notes
General:
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/153893162/owen_c-smith: accessed December 26, 2024), memorial page for Owen C Smith (1848\endash 14 Jan 1927), Find a Grave Memorial ID 153893162, citing Forest Grove Cemetery, Alachua, Alachua County, Florida, USA; Maintained by Rita (contributor 47188275).

picture Rebecca Smith 
      Sex: F
Individual Information 
     Birth Date: Nov 1811 - Liberty Co., GA 1
    Christening: 
          Death: 20 Dec 1852 -  ( at age 41) 1
         Burial:
Spouses and Children 
1. *Joseph Sirmans
       Marriage: 1829 1
         Status: 



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William Henry Smith 
      Sex: M
Individual Information 
     Birth Date: 13 Mar 1847 - Alachua Co., Florida
    Christening: 
          Death: 13 Jun 1920 - Alachua County, Florida ( at age 73)
         Burial: 14 Jun 1920 - Jonesville Church
Parents 
         Father: William Nathan Smith Jr.
         Mother: Lucinda Crews
Notes
General:
Name:Henry Smith
Event Date: 13 Jun 1920
Event Place: Alachua County, Florida
Gender: Male
Race (Original): White
Race: White
Age (Original): 73y 3m
Birth Date: 13 Mar 1847
Birthplace: Alachua Co.
Marital Status: Married
Father's Name:W.N. Smith
Father's Birthplace: Fla
Mother's Name: Crews
Occupation: Farmer/His Own Farm
Cemetery: John White
Burial Date: 14 Jun 1920
Additional Relatives: X
"Florida, Deaths, 1877-1939," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FPCW-GQF : accessed 08 Jul 2014), Crews in entry for Henry Smith, 13 Jun 1920; citing Alachua County, Florida, reference rn 11280; FHL microfilm 2116176.

NameWilliam Henry Smith
Event Date13 Jun 1920
Event PlacePrecinct 6, Alachua Co., Florida
GenderMale
Race (Original)White
RaceWhite
Age (Original)73y 3m
Birth Date13 Mar 1847
BirthplaceFlorida
Marital StatusMarried
Spouse's NamePollie Anna Smith
Father's NameWilliam Nathan Smith
Father's BirthplaceFla.
Mother's NameLucy
Mother's BirthplaceFla.
OccupationFarmer
CemeteryChurch
Burial PlaceJonesville Church
Burial Date14 Jun 1920
Additional RelativesX
Citing this Record
"Florida Deaths, 1877-1939," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FP97-XDD : 24 December 2014), William Nathan Smith in entry for William Henry Smith, 13 Jun 1920; citing Precinct 6, Alachua Co., Florida, reference 13787; FHL microfilm 2,116,177.

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