Introduction
Catherine 'Kate' Smith was born April 30, 1854 to James Washington Smith and Jane R. Garret. She was born in Big Lick, Wayne County, West Virginia.
Kate's father was a Confederate soldier, serving in the Civil War in Company K, VA 8th Cavalry. James, who was called by his middle name of "Washington", was a bugler, and enlisted December 17, 1861. Company K was also called the Big Sandy Rangers. He was wounded in the Battle of Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. The battle took place on January 3, 1864. Washington Smith died 20 days later from gangrene, complications from his wounded knee. Kate was 10 years old when her father died.
On November 3, 1870 , Kate's mother, Jane R. Garrett Smith, remarried to her neighbor, John Everald Ferguson. Both were widowed and had 7 children at home. And, on May 13, 1871 Kate married her William 'Worth' Ferguson, who was also the son of John Everald Ferguson and step-son to her mother, Jane!
Because Wayne County had families that had sons serving in the Union Army, and some who served in the Confederate Army, the Ferguson family moved across the Big Sandy River from Wayne County, WVA to Lawrence County, KY. They felt this would lessen some of the animosity that was still prevalent after the war was over.
Per Lawrence Co. 1880 US census, household # 249, Voting Precinct #11
Name: Will W. Ferguson
Home in 1880: Twin Branches, Lawrence, Kentucky
Age: 27
Estimated birth year: abt 1853
Birthplace: W. Virginia
Relation to head-of-household: Self (Head)
Father's birthplace: Virginia
Mother's birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Marital Status: Married
Household Members:
Name Age
Will W. Ferguson 27
Catharine Ferguson 26
Sarah J. Ferguson 8
George W. Ferguson 7
Margret Ferguson 4
Nevada Ferguson 1
On August 8, 1882, the family lost their young daughter Nevada. Also, between July 1887 to the end of August, 1887, the family lost 4 more of their children: Charlie, Myrta, Alfred and Elva, to a flu epidemic.
Listed in the 1900 Lawrence Co., KY census as household #221, Cherokee Precinct, page 13B.
Name: Worth Ferguson
Home in 1900: Cherokee, Lawrence, Kentucky
Age: 47
Estimated birth year: abt 1853
Birthplace: West Virginia
Relationship to head-of-house: Head
Occupation: farmer
Household Members:
Name Age
Worth Ferguson 47
Catherine Ferguson 46
Della B Ferguson 8
Lucy Ferguson 3
Listed in the 1910 Lawrence Co. census as William W. Ferguson, age 57:
Birthplace: West Virginia
County: Lawrence
Relatives: Wife Catherine 55, West Virginia
Daughter Lucy 13, Kentucky
Enumeration District: 0100
Listed in the 1920 US Census in Cherokee Precinct, household #72...daughter Lucy living 5 doors away from her parents, while Della lives next door..... States Catherine, Worth and parents all born in KY, which isn't true. All were born in Wayne Co., West Virginia.
1920 US Census
Name: William Ferguson
Age: 67
Birth Year: abt 1853
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1920: Cherokee, Lawrence, Kentucky
Relation to Head of House: Head
Household Members:
Name Age
William Ferguson 67
Cathrine Ferguson 65
On Feb. 14, 1929, at the home of Worth Ferguson, there was a double wedding: daughter and granddaughter were marred by Rev. McNeal; Della Ferguson & Harry Alexander, Hester Hylton & James Alfred Green.
Kate Smith Ferguson passed away February 7, 1930 in Cherokke, KY. Kate died from breast cancer. Her remaining 5 children were alive at the time of her death.
Death cert, file no. 25451; County of Lawrence, Voting prct. of Cherokee, KY.
Kate and Worth were still married at the time. Kate died at the age of 75 years, 9 months and 7 days. Kate's occupation was listed as a 'housewife'. Cert states that Kate was born in Wayne Co. West VA to Washington Smith and 'Virginia' (mothers actual name was Jane). The person providing info was Harry Montgomery of Houckville, KY. Kate was buried in the Ferguson Cem. on 2/9/1930.
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