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Ancestors of Eleanor Matilda Smith

Generation No. 1

1. Eleanor Matilda Smith¹, born 1821 in Coosawhatchee or Beaufort, SC; died 1888 in Mt. Pleasant, FL. She was the daughter of 2. Aaron Purcell Smith and 3. Mary Ferguson. She married (1) Richard Gittings Wellford August 24, 1841 in Tallahassee, FL. He was born 1816 in Baltimore, MD, and died October 06, 1841 in Tallahassee, FL. He was the son of Robert Yates Wellford and Louisa Gittings. She married (2) Samuel Woodbery¹ January 22, 1850 ^2,³.

Notes for Eleanor Matilda Smith:
Mary Richard Wellford wrote: "After the Indian War, my mother's family moved to Tallahassee, suppose in the year 1840. My mother, Elinor Matilda Smith, was married to my father Aug. 15, 1841. He died of Yellow Fever six weeks afterward, also his whole family. " See Mary Richard Wellford Notes, August 28, 1908 letter.

More About Eleanor Matilda Smith:
Burial: Tallahassee, FL

Notes for Richard Gittings Wellford:
According to a letter written by Mary Richard Wellford, "During the Indian War, my father, Richard Gittings Wellford, a boy of 18, went to fight Indians. He was aide to Gov. Call (Mrs. Brevards father) during the battle of Withlocoochee. When the bullets and arrows were flying thick, Gov. Call asked who would volunteer to carry dispatches across the river. My father stepped out. He crossed with the dispatches the bag behind him was riddled with Indian arrows, also his horse, which dropped dead just as it gained the other side. He was then and there, promoted Major. My cousin in his letters frequently mentions 'the boy Major of the Tallahassee Volunteers.'"

The Sentinel (Florida Newspaper?), Oct 15, 1841, stated, "The fate of the Wellfords is melancholy in the extreme. In little more than a week, the father, mother, and three sons (Richard being one), were borne to the grave, leaving a whole community to regret their losses as they remember their virtues." Richard's wife of six weeks was pregnant at the time of their deaths from yellow fever.

Probate of will dated October 6, 1840 (should be 1841), witnessed by John H. Pope and H. Archer. Names wife Eleanor Matilda, leaves her all property with provisio that slaves Mary and her children Francis, Rachel, Robert and Joe shall be emancipated if Elanor Matilda remarries. Names his friends Charles S. Sibley and John Carraway Smith executors.

Codicil, dated October 7, 1841, provides that should child be born, all property both real and personal to go to wife, Eleanor Matilda during her widowhood. In event of her remarriage, estate to be delivered to executors, who shall apply income therefrom to education of the child. Child to receive estate upon marriage or attaining age of 21. Proved Oct. 27, 1841.

More About Richard Gittings Wellford:
Burial: Tallahassee, FL - no stone

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