Louisa Amanda FORRESTER1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

20th Oct 18661,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 - 16th Sep 19401,6

Life History

20th Oct 1866	Born in Georgia.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
about 1882	Married Robert Lee SMITH
14th Oct 1883	Birth of son William Chandler SMITH in Georgia.10,7,9
8th Jul 1884	Birth of son James William SMITH in Tyler, Smith, Texas.10,11,7,12,3,13,9
1885	Birth of son Zechariah A SMITH in Talking Rock, Pickens, Georgia.14,3,15,7,6
May 1889	Birth of son John David SMITH in Fair Mountain, Georgia.7,3,16,17,18,2,8
22nd Oct 1889	Birth of son Carter Lee SMITH in Georgia.19,7,20
Oct 1890	Birth of son Ephram SMITH in Georgia.21,7,22
25th Oct 1893	Birth of son Martin Lee Arthur Van Buren SMITH in Talking Rock, Pickens, Georgia.10,7,3,6,23,17,24
Apr 1895	Birth of son Florence A SMITH in Georgia.18,2,3,7,8
Jan 1897	Birth of son Joe Harvey SMITH in Georgia.10,2,3,7,18,8
5th Jun 1900	Resident 1900 census enumeration with husband Robert Smith in James County, Tennessee.7
22nd Jun 1902	Birth of son Enoch SMITH in Georgia.3,10,18
15th Mar 1905	Birth of son Edward Edgar SMITH in Georgia.10,18,2,3
2nd Jan 1908	Birth of son Robert Lee SMITH in Georgia.18,2
9th Apr 1910	Resident 1910 census enumeration with husband Robert Smith in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma.3
4th Apr 1930	Resident Enumerated in the census with husband Robert Smith in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma.2
21st Apr 1939	Death of Robert Lee SMITH in Brady, Garvin, Oklahoma.1,6
1st Apr 1940	Resident in Stratford, Garvin, Oklahoma, United States.8
16th Sep 1940	Died in Stratford, Garvin, Oklahoma.1,6
after 16th Sep 1940	Buried in Mt Olivet Cemetery, Pauls Valley, Garvin, Oklahoma.6

Notes

1870 Federal Census, Pickens County, Georgia, 25 July, PO Jasper, page 111 (scan 55), Hse/Fam #863
Forester William 51 M W Farmer $200 Real Estate $200 Personal born S Carolina [b abt 1839]
Forester Zenith 43 F W Keeping House born S Carolina [b abt 1827] Cannot read or write
Forester Louisa 3 F W born Georgia [b abt 1867]

1880 Federal Census, Pickens County, Georgia, 12 June, Jerusalem, District 163, page 19B, Hse/Family #165
Forrester, William W M 61 Farmer SC NC SC Forrester
Forrester, Zenith W F 51 Wife Keeping House SC SC SC
Forrester, Louisa L W F 15 Dau Work on Farm GA SC SC

Louisa may be the same daughter known as Amanda or Mandy, who married Robert Smith. Amanda's death certificate says her parents were Bill Forrester and Zenas Barnes, which appears to be the same Bill and Zenith. But we have accounted for all their children and no Mandy or similar occurs in the pertinent census records.

The daughter matching Louisa in later records is referred to by the names Mandy, Manda or Amanda. Amanda married Robert Smith.

Terri Smith Escamillo and I have worked together to confirm Amanda's identity. Terri has probed it extensively. We have eliminated other possibilities Terri concludes that Louisa is the same as Mandy. This seems to account for the information we have.

Amanda Forrester married Robert Smith, and they are found in Tennessee in 1900 and in Oklahoma by 19120. Amanda Forrester Smith died in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, in 1940. Her death certificate reports that her parents were Bill and Zenis Forrester, seeming to refer to our William and Zenith.

Terri discusses Amanda Forrester Smith and her family.

"Manda Forrester Smith and Robert Smith are my great grandparents and their son Martin Lee Arthur Van Buren is my grandfather that I didn't know. Robert and Mart were born in Georgia and my dad Leman Smith was born in Henryetta, Oklahoma, but my mother divorced him when I was 9 years old. My dad joined the Navy when he was 17 and was in California where he met my mom in Cupertino, California and married the same year. I was born in San Jose and lived most of my life in Santa Clara County until 6 years ago when my husband and I moved to Petaluma in Northern California, but both sides of my family are from Georgia, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Missouri."
-- Terri Escamillo, email to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 28 February 2011

We have found no single record or reference that contains the both the names Louisa and Amanda. Other facts fit pretty well to provided a full-life picture of Louisa Amanda.

The first record I found under the name Amanda is the 1900 census where she and her husband Robert Smith are living in James County, Tennessee, before they moved to Oklahoma, where they were enumerated in 1910.

1900 Federal Census, James County, Tennessee, 5 June, Civil District 7, Enumeration District 77, page 3B, Hse #53, Fam #56
Smith, Robert Head W M May 1858 42 Married 18 yrs GA GA GA Log Driver Rents
Smith, Amanda Wife W F Oct 1866 33 Married 18 yrs 13 children/9 living GA NC NC
Smith, William Son W M Oct 1883 16 Single GA GA GA
Smith, James A Son W M Sept 1885 14 Single TX GA GA
Smith, Carter Son W M Dec 1886 13 Single GA GA GA
Smith, John D Son W M May 1889 11 Single GA GA GA
Smith, Epheham Son W M Oct 1890 9 Single GA GA GA
Smith, Mart Son W M Jan 1893 3 Single GA GA GA
Smith, Florance A Dau W M Apr 1895 5 Single GA GA GA
Smith, Harvy Son W M Jan 1897 4 Single GA GA GA
Smith, Zack Son W M Jan 1899 1 Single GA GA GA

James is reported born in Texas. This means they moved from Georgia to Texas between October 1883 and December 1885. Then after James' birth, they were not in Texas a whole year, before they moved back to Georgia, where Carter was born in December 1886. I wonder why they would make such a major move, then come right back after such a short time.

"William Chandler "Mink" Smith b-14 Oct 1883 GA d-16 Jul 1973 Denton, Denton, TX and married to Ella May Walkins b-19 Aug 1889 Talking Rock, Pickens, GA d-07 Nov 1983 Aubrey, Denton, TX. Mink and Ella are buried in Belew Historic Cemetery in Aubry, Denton, TX. Kizzie Olivia Mosier b-05 Feb 1887 Berryville, Carroll, AK d- 27 Feb 1972 Pauls Valley, Garvin OK was married to Mink's brother James William "Raspberry" (Berry) Smith b-13 Jul 1884 Tyler, TX d-08 Feb 1970 Pauls Valley, Garvin, OK"
-- Terri Reneé Smith Escamillo, Comments on a Smith Family Photo, Ancestry 2016, https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/80054212/person/34409984806/media/089fa55d-4c41-4855-a379-5efa38681866?_phsrc=DzJ746&usePUBJs=true

All the other children were born in Georgia. Thus they moved into Tennessee about a year or so before this census. Before long, though, they were back out west.

1910 Federal Census, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, 9 April, Francis Township, District 256, page 14A, Hse #218, Fam #254
Smith, Robert Head M W 52 Married 30 years GA GA GA Farming Rents
Smith, Manda Wife F W 43 Married 30 years 17 children/13 living GA GA GA
Smith, Berry Son M W 24 Single TX GA GA Farmer
Smith, David Son M W 19 Single GA GA GA Farm Helper
Smith, Mart Son M W 17 Single GA GA GA Farm Helper
Smith, Harve Son M W 14 Single GA GA GA Farm Helper
Smith, Florence Dau F W 16 Single GA GA GA
Smith, Zachariah Son M W 13 Single GA GA GA Farm Helper
Smith, Enoch Son M W 7 Single GA GA GA
Smith, Eddie Son M W 5 Single GA GA GA
Smith, Robert Son M W 2 Single GA GA GA

In age, David here matches John D of 1900. There is a discrepancy in age and reported birth date in 1900 compared to the age in 1910. Birthdays are not very reliable in the 1900 census. Family sources identify this child as John David, known as Dave, also called D W for some reason. Epheham, whose age reports overlap with Dave in these reports, is reported with separate details. Epheham died and was buried in Ada, while Dave died in Pauls Valley and is buried in Mt Olivet Cemetery.

Berry matches James A because there is only one child born in Texas. All other children were born in Georgia, except Robert, who was born after they moved to Oklahoma. The age of Robert indicates they moved there after the creation of the State of Oklahoma in December 1907.

It is not clear from this evidence whether the initial A was an error or Berry is a nickname. Berry is often a proper given name, but is also sometimes a nickname for the popular name Greenberry. The middle initial in James' 1920 census record fits with the given name William. But William was listed as well as James in 1900, and two years older than James.

At least one genealogy has James William Raspberry as one child, combining the two children William and James of the 1900 census. This does not seem possible, since William and James were enumerated as two separate children in 1900, with different ages.

Some other genealogies do have Berry as William's middle name. Berry matches James here. No further clarification has been found on the names. This also matches later censuses where the wife of James is named Kizzia (or Kizzie) and her husband is sometimes reported as Berry.

--------------------------
Another note about Amanda Forrester Smith on the 1910 census she states she gave birth to 17 children with 13 living, however, all the info I have obtained. I can only identify 12 children:
William Chandler "Mink" 1883-1973
James William "Berry" 1884-1970
Carter Lee "Seal" 1886-1957
John David "Dave" 1889-1955
Ephram 1890-1969
Martin "Mart" Lou Arthur Van Buren Smith 1893-1972
Joe Harve "Harvey" 1895-1975
Flossie Annie 1898-1974
Zachary 1899-1986
Enoch 1902-1974
Edward Edgar "Eddie" 1905-1990
Robert Lee "Robb" 1908-1989
No one seems to know the names or where buried of the other 4 children.
-- Terri Escamillo, Ancestry messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 16 September 2019
--------------------------

In the 1920 census, Robert is named Robert B instead of Robert L. This time they are in neighboring Garvin County. In the 1930 census, they are back in a Pontotoc County locale.

1920 Federal Census, Garvin County, Oklahoma, 7 February, Brady Township, District 21, page 2A, West Township Line, Hse #23, Fam #24
Smith, Robt B Head Rents M W 65 GA GA GA Cotton Farmer
Smith, Mandy Wife F W 57 GA GA GA Cotton Picker
Smith, Dave Son M W 29 GA GA GA Farm Laborer
Smith, Harve V Son M W 20 GA GA GA Farm Laborer
Smith, Florence Dau F W 21 GA GA GA Farm Laborer
Smith, Enoch Son M W 17 GA GA GA Farm Laborer
Smith, Edward Son M W 16 GA GA GA Farm Laborer
Smith, Robert Son M W 14 GA GA GA Farm Laborer
- Fam #25 -
Smith, Charter Head M W 33 GA GA GA Farm Laborer
Smith, Rosetta Wife F W 22 GA GA GA Farm Laborer
Smith, Dewey Lee Son M W 2yrs5mos GA GA GA
Smith, David E Son M W 4mos GA GA GA

1930 Federal Census, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, 4 April, Maxwell Township, District 24, page 2A, Hse/Fam #216
Smith, Dave Son M W 40 Single GA GA GA Farm Laborer
Smith, Florence Dau F W 37 Single GA GA GA
Smith, Harve Son M W 35 Single GA GA GA Farm Laborer
Smith, Edgar Son M W 26 Single GA GA GA Farm Laborer
Smith, Robert Jr Son M W 23 Single GA GA GA Farm Laborer
Smith, Manda Sister F W 66 Single GA GA GA

Manda's husband Robert Lee died in 1939. In 1940, Dave is enumerated as the Head of the household, with his widowed mother and two siblings in the home, and their Aunt Mandy, Robert Lee Smith's sister.

1940 Federal Census, Garvin County, Oklahoma, 19 April, Stratford, District: 25-22, page 10A, Hse#161, Rent $5
Smith, Dave W Head M W 51 Single Grade 1 born Georgia Same House in 1935 Farmer
Smith, Florence Sister F W 44 Single Grade 3 born Georgia Same House in 1935
Smith, Harve Brother M W 42 Single Grade 3 born Georgia Same House in 1935 Farmer
Smith, Mandia Mother F W 77 Widow Grade 0 born Georgia Same House in 1935
Smith, Mandy Aunt F W 78 Single Grade 0 born Alabama Same House in 1935

Amanda Forrester Smith died in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, in 1940. In the 1940 census, Manda was a widow in the home with several of her children, with her son Dave Smith reported as the head of the household.

Forms of the names of William and Zenith Barnes Forrester are reported as Amanda's parents, by her son Dave (under the name D W Smith), the informant on Amanda's death certificate.

Louisa Amanda Forrester
Birth 10/20/1866 in Georgia
Death 9/16/1940 in Stratford, Garvin, Oklahoma
Parents:
William M Forrester 1819 - 1894
Zenith Barnes 1826 - 1907
Spouse:
Robert Lee "Bob" Smith
Birth abt 1852 in Culloden, Monroe, Georgia,
Death April 21, 1939 in Brady, Garvin, Oklahoma
-- Smith, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/30103154/person/12241566604

This genealogy also has a note stating:
"Robert is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Pauls Valley, Ok in Section 1 lot 6 block 44 space 1." No burial memorial has been found for either Robert or Amanda on Find a Grave.

Louisa Amanda Forrester
Birth 10/20/1866 Georgia
Death 9/16/1940 Pauls Valley, Garvin, Oklahoma
Burial 1940 Mt Olivet Cemetery, Pauls Valley, Garvin, Oklahoma, section 1; block 6; lot 44; space
Parents:
William M Forrester 1819-1894
Zenith Barnes 1829-1907
Spouse Robert Lee "Bob" Smith
Birth 5/1858 Culloden, Monroe, Georgia
Death 4/21/1939 Pauls Valley, Garvin, Oklahoma
Burial 4/21/1939 Mt Olivet Cemetery, Pauls Valley, Garvin, Oklahoma, section 1; block 6; lot 44; space 1
-- Phelps Family Tree, http://person.ancestry.com/tree/10946636/person/860061039/facts

Sources

1. Ancestry Trees
- Smith, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/30103154/person/12241566604
2. 1930 Federal Census, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma
- 4 April, Maxwell Township, District 24, page 2A, Hse/Fam #216
3. 1910 Federal Census, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma
- 9 April, Francis Township, District 256, page 14A, Hse #218, Fam #254
4. 1880 Federal Census, Pickens County, Georgia
- 12 June, Jerusalem, District 163, page 19B, Hse/Family #165
5. 1870 Federal Census, Pickens County, Georgia
- 25 July, PO Jasper, page 111 (scan 55), Hse/Fam #863
6. Find a Grave Memorial Registry
7. 1900 Federal Census, James County, Tennessee
- 5 June, Civil District 7, Enumeration District 77, page 3B, Hse #53, Fam #56
8. 1940 United States Federal Census
- 19 April, Stratford, District: 25-22, page 10A, Hse#161, Rent $5
9. Terri Smith Escamillo
10. Social Security Death Index
11. 1930 Federal Census, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma
- 29 April, Fitzhugh Township, District 20, page 3A, Hse #41, Fam #42
12. 1940 Federal Census, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma
- 17 April, Fitzhugh Township, District 62-21, page 5A, Hse #79, Rents $5
13. 1920 Federal Census, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma
- 10 February, Ada, District 120, page 8B, Hse #136, Fam #131
14. 1940 United States Federal Census
- 6 April, Judicial Township 15, District 15-84, page 4A, Hwy 399, Hse #62, Rent $9
15. Ancestry Trees
- Private Tree, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/24344689/person/1509504416
16. Gravestone of John David Smith, Mount Olivet Cemetery, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Footstone
17. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
18. 1920 Federal Census, Garvin County, Oklahoma
- 7 February, Brady Township, District 21, page 2A, West Township Line, Hse #23, Fam #24
19. 1920 Federal Census, Garvin County, Oklahoma
- 7 February, Brady Township, District 21, page 2A, West Township Line, Hse #23, Fam #25
20. Arizona Death Records
21. 1930 Federal Census, Caddo County, Oklahoma
- 16 April, South Lathram Township, District 48, page 4B, Hse/Fam #260
22. Ancestry Trees
23. Obituary of Martin Smith 1972
24. Texas, Birth Certificates, 1903-1932