Mariah Eachus.
1. Mariah M[argaret] Eachus she was the daughter of Rufus Eaches and his first wife. Mariah died September 10, 1896, she was 79 years, 6 months, and 8 days old, making her birthdate March 2, 1817. 1 According the Bedford Gazette of July 26, 1833, John P. Smith married Maria Eachus, both of Procidence Township on the 1st of July, 1833.
1840 census Mount Sterling, Muskingum County, Ohio p. 1. If I am correct this John Smith is Mariah's husband. According to one online genealogy that gave me a feeling of confidence, John and Maria were living in Muskingum County at this time, and according to the census they had one son age 0-5, and 2 daughters age 5-10. That's very close to the site saying Mary was 6 and Amanda was about 4 and John was a year old. It also cancels my theory that Malissa was living with her sister, as she is in the 1850 census.
1850 census Mariah's household consisted of her husband John Smith age 40 a farmer born in Pennsylvania. Maria age 33, also born in Pennsylvania, and their children Mary age 16 born in Ohio, Amanda age 14 birthplace listed as Ohio, Eliza age 8 John age 11, Rufus age 6, Ann age 3 all born in Ohio, and her sister Maliza Eaches age 26 born in Ohio.
1860 census shows John P Smith age 49, Maria age 46, Eliza age 18, Rufus 16, Ann 14, William 12, and a James Smith, who appears to be 9/12ths of a year. John P and Maria are listed as Pennsylvania born, Eliza, Rufus and Ann are all Ohio born, and William and James are Pennsylvania born.
John P. Smith died April 4, 1862.
1870 census shows that Maria is now a widow, John W., who was away from home in the 1860 census, is back home again. I can't quite make out his age, it should be 31 but it looks like 34? Rufus E is listed as 25. Both John and Rufus are listed as "dry goods merchants (retail), Ann is also still at home age 22, William P. is 19 and James (can't make out middle initial) is 13, all listed as having been born in Pennsylvania.
1880 widowed age 63, children Annie 27, James 22 and grandson Harry age 4 everyone born in Pennsylvania.
The children of Maria and John P. Smith:
1. Mary born abt. 1834, she married Thomas J. Kay on December 22, 1853 in Bedford County and moved to Wyandotte County, Kansas,about 1865. She died in Kansas in July of 1904. biography of William S. Kay, son of Thomas J. and Mary E. Smith Kay. another biography2. Amanda Malvina born May 17, 1836, married John W. Steele May 21, 1858, Yellow Creek, Bedford, Pennsylvania. well documented 3. John W. born abt. 18394. Eliza born abt. 1842, m. a Mr. Taylor5. Rufus E. born October 17, 1844, in Muskingum County, Ohio. Family moved back to Hopewell township, PA 3 yrs. later biographical 6. Ann born about 1847 m. a Mr. Ritchey7. William P. born about 1848 also of Hopewell township8. Emma Cardellia, died June 6, 1855 age 1 yr. 11 m and 9 days making her born June 28, 1853 (died of severe burns) [source obituary]9. James V. born abt. 1857 of Everett, PAMariah died September 10, 1896. In her obituary reads in part : "Mrs. Smith's maiden name was Maria M. Eachus. She was born in Franklin county, Pa., and has many relatives in that county, the Eachus, Crunkletons, Hollars and others. Her children are Mrs. Mary E. Kay, of Kansas... Mrs. Anna P. Ritchey... Mrs. Amanda M. Steele, of Yellow Creek, John W. Smith, of Yellow Creek, Mrs. Eliza Taylor, who died in Nebraska about eleven years ago, Rufus E. Smith, of Yellow Creek, Pa, William P. Smith, of Yellow Creek, and James V. Smith of Everett... Mother Smith has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian church for many years..."
Footnotes, more to come!
1. obituary sent to me by Cheryl.
