CENSUS: The census records says she was born in Pennsylvania. Notes from a family researche r says she was "of Hamilton, New York".

1850 census of Sangamon, Illinois shows: 26 259 259 Shutt Joseph 40 M Farmer KY 27 259 259 Shutt Rachel 34 F K Y X 28 259 259 Shutt Angeline 13 F I L X 29 259 259 Shutt Elizabeth 11 F I L X 30 259 259 Shutt Amanda 9 F I L X 31 259 259 Shutt Jefferson 7 M I L X 32 259 259 Shutt Harrison 5 M IL 33 259 259 Shutt Franklin 3 M IL 34 259 259 Shutt Sarah 1 F IL

Marriage record of Switzerland County, Indiana.

Protrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Iowa, 1888: Peter Smith, a stock-raiser an d farmer residing on section 28, Marion Township was born July 12, 1830, in Switzerland Count y, Indiana and is a son of Abraham and Eleanor (Van Dorin) Smith, the former a native of Nort h Carolina, born 19 May 1794, and the latter August 10, 1800 in Pennsylvania.

The marriage record shows Abraham Smith married Elander Van Dorin in Switzerland, Indiana.

Abraham's family moved to Switzerland, Indiana in 1814. Elander's family moved there in 180 4. Here they became acquainted and friendship ripened into love, and the marriage was celebr ated in 1815. They remained in Switzerland County, Indiana until 1833, and here their seve n oldest children were born. In that year they emigrated to Hancock County, Indiana at whic h place the five youngest children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Smith made Hancock Counnty thei r home until 1849, when they came to Henry County, Iowa, locating near Rome. Here he bough t 120 acres of raw land and developed a fine farm, residing here until his death in July 1871 . Mrs. Smith died 3 August 1875. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church a t the time of their death, but had formerly belonged to the Baptist Church before coming to I owa. They were devoted members of the society, and no couple in the county were more highl y esteemed than they were.

Marriage record of Switzerland County, Indiana.

1850 census of Henry, Iowa shows: Abraham and Ellenor SMITH and children: Chenay (son), Peter , Marcus, James, Nancy, Hiram, Lurinda.

!DEATH: Salem South Cemetery of Henry County, Iowa.

MIGRATION: Cheney was a farmer in Crawford County, Kansas.

!MARRIAGE: Record of Henry County, Iowa.

MARRIAGE: Cheney's marriage to Elivira took place at the home of William Thrash.

!MARRIAGE: Record of Henry County, Iowa.

MIGRATION: Jabez was a plasterer and brick-layer in Villisea, Iowa.

MIGRATION: Marcus was a farmer in Jefferson County, Iowa.

!DEATH: Salem South Cemetery of Henry County, Iowa.

!DEATH: Salem South Cemetery of Henry County, Iowa.

BIOGRAPHY: Protrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Iowa, 1888: Peter Smith, a stock- raiser and farmer residing on section 28, Marion Township was born July 12, 1830, in Switzerl and County, Indiana and is a son of Abraham and Eleanor (Van Dorin) Smith, the former a nativ e of North Carolina, born 19 May 1794, and the latter August 10, 1800 in Pennsylvania.

BIOGRAPHY: The earlier years of Peter were spent in attending the common schools in the Stat e of Indiana and doing his part of the farm work. Born upon a farm, the greater part of hi s life has been spent in the peaceful avocation of a farmer. He remained with his parents un til 1853, when he made the overland trip to California, where he remained but a short time, t hen went to Oregon, and for two years was there engaged in farming. Returning to California , for about fourteen months he engaged in mining, and then went to freighting in California , Oregon, Idaho and Washington Territory, but later engaged in stock-raising in Oregon, and f or a time in merchandising. He 2was very successful in the far West, remaining there until 1 868, when he returned to Henry County and purchased eighty acres of land, a portion of the fa rm on which he now resides. In 1883 he bought ninety acres more, making 170 acres, which i s now under a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Smith is a successful stock-raiser, his stock c onsisting principally of fine Poland China hogs and Durham cattle. Everything that he has was made by his own industry. On the 26th of April, 1869, Mr. Smit h was united in marriage with Miss Lucy B. Crew, daughter of Walter and Sarah (Rice) Crew. S he was born Aug 18, 1844, near Richmond, Virginia. Five children have been born to them: Ann ie L. was born Jan. 27, 1870; Nellie M. born Feb 25, 1871, died May 28 of the same year; Char les S. born 16 aug 1873; Mary J. born Jan 30, 1875; John born Jan 28, 1877, died Jan 18, 1879 . Mrs. Smith is a member of the Society of Friends. In politics he is a Democrat. As a cit izen he stands high in the estimation of all. He is always ready to advance any interest fo r the public good.

1870 Census of Marion County, Iowa. Andrew Ayers 56-PA, Susannah 57-PA, Adaline 24-PA, Elmir a 22-pa, Sarah 20-PA, John 17-IL, Mary 15-IL, Ayers 3-Iowa-female. James MATTHEWS 17-Iowa, F arm Laborer. Susan CASTLE 79-PA, Infirm and Charge. a few doors down is Peter Horn 32-PA, s on of Susannah Ayers. With him is his wife, Elizabeth 27-OH.

1880 Census of Marion County, Iowa. Andrew and Susan were 67 years old. They and their parents were all born in Pennsylvania . Their son John lived with them. John's wife, M. Mary was 23 years old and born in Illino is. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and her mother was born in Virginia. They had a so n named Elmer who was 3/12 in June. He was born in Iowa. Irena was also living with them. She was their granddaughter, age 13. She is the sam e as the girl 'Ayers' in the 1870 census. It says that she was born in Iowa, her father wa s born in New York and her mother was born in Pennsylvania. Since she had been living with h er grandparents at least since she was three, she had their last name. I suspect that her mo ther was Fanny. I could not find Fanny anywhere and so it is likely that she had died, leavi ng her young daughter in her parents tender care. Living next door to this family was Stephen CASTLE age 61. He was born in Ohis and hi s parents were both born in Pennsylvania. Sarah 59-Virginia whose father was born in Pennsyl vania and their son John 35-Ohio were living with him. Since Susannah Ayer's parents were Susan and Peter Smith - Susan Smith's following husba nd being a CASTLE. Since Stephen's age overlaps with Smith siblings of Susannah's the Stephe n is likely to be a step-brother.

Legal Document giving power of Attorney to Andrew AYERS for Wife, Susanna Smith

1850 census of Cass, Illinois page 9 shows: Thomas and Mary SMITH and children: Samuel, J. W . (son), J. H. (son), D. S. (son), Z. K. (son), and A. E. (daughter). (Initials may not be c orrect.)

BIOGRAPHY: Biographical Encyclopedia of Louisa county, Iowa.

MARRIAGE: Marriage record of Louisa, Illinois.

BIOGRAPHY: Biographical Encyclopedia of Louisa county, Iowa.

CENSUS: 1850 census of Louisa, Iowa shows: Francis and Nancy SPRINGER and son: Francis.

CENSUS: 1850 census of Salem, Henry, Iowa. Living with Samuel Wilson and his wife, Nancy (Sp urgin).

1850 Census of Salem, Henry, Iowa: A. Stanley, Phebe, Elizabeth A., Joseph H., Daniel W., Mar y.

Marriage record of Henry, Iowa.

!SOURCE: Sangamon County First Settlers p. 643

!BURIAL: Record of Sidney Cemetery, Fremont, Sidney, Iowa

!SOURCE: Fremont County, Iowa Cemetery Records

!BURIAL: Record of Sidney Cemetery

!DEATH: Fremont County, Iowa, Cemetery Records

!MARRIAGE: Marriage records of Fremont County, Iowa

!Source: History of Fremont County, Iowa

CENSUS: 1970 Census shows Jacob H. Stephens as John N. Stephens. John N. was Jacob's father . I wonder if Jacob changed his name after his father died or if it was just a recording err or. The age and birth listed is correct for Jacob. Frances is listed as the wife in the cen sus. Jacob's wife is Frances Richards. This census shows a son, Milton, age 4. Frances Ric hards' father is Milton Richards. I am sure this is the right family.

CENSUS: 1970: John N. Stephens 31, Ind., Frances 32, Ill, Luella 3, IA, Alice A. 6, IA, Milto n, 4, IA, Dicey F. (male), 2, IA.

!MARRIAGE: Marriage records of Fremont County, Iowa