Mary Jane Smith

Brief Life History of Mary Jane

When Mary Jane Smith was born on 29 April 1813, in Stockholm, St. Lawrence, New York, United States, her father, Asahel Smith Jr., was 39 and her mother, Elizabeth Schellenger, was 27. She married George Washington Gee on 27 January 1837, in Kirtland Township, Geauga, Ohio, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons. She died on 1 March 1878, in Provo, Utah, Utah, United States, at the age of 64, and was buried in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States.

Photos and Memories (3)

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Family Time Line

George Washington Gee
1815–1842
Mary Jane Smith
1813–1878
Marriage: 27 January 1837
Elias Smith Gee
1838–1855
George Washington Gee II
1841–1919

Sources (26)

  • Mary J Gee in household of Geo W Gee, "United States Census, 1860"
  • Mary Jane Smith, "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013"
  • Mary J S Gee, "Utah, Salt Lake County Death Records, 1849-1949"

World Events (8)

1819 · Panic! of 1819

With the Aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars the global market for trade was down. During this time, America had its first financial crisis and it lasted for only two years. 

1827 · Slavery Becomes Illegal in New York State

During the years 1799 to 1827, New York went through a period of gradual emancipation. A Gradual Emancipation Law was passed in 1799 which freed slave children born after July 4, 1799. However, they were indentured until 25 years old for women and 28 years old for men. A law passed 1817 which freed slaves born before 1799, yet delayed their emancipation for ten years. All remaining slaves were freed in New York State on July 4, 1827.

1832 · The Black Hawk War

Convinced that a group of Native American tribes were hostile, The United States formed a frontier militia to stop them in their tracks. Even though Black Hawk was hoping to avoid bloodshed while trying to resettle on tribal land, U.S. officials opened fire on the Native Americans. Black Hawk then responded to this confrontation by successfully attacking the militia at the Battle of Stillman's Run and then left northward. After a few months the militia caught up with Black Hawk and his men and defeated them at the Battle of Wisconsin Heights. While being weakened by hunger, injuries and desertion, Black Hawk and the rest of the many native survivors retreated towards the Mississippi. Unfortunately, Black Hawk and other leaders were later captured when they surrendered to the US forces and were then imprisoned for a year.

Name Meaning

English and Scottish: occupational name denoting a worker in metal, especially iron, such as a blacksmith or farrier, from Middle English smith ‘smith’ (Old English smith, probably a derivative of smītan ‘to strike, hammer’). Early examples are also found in the Latin form Faber . Metal-working was one of the earliest occupations for which specialist skills were required, and its importance ensured that this term and its equivalents in other languages were the most widespread of all occupational surnames in Europe. Medieval smiths were important not only in making horseshoes, plowshares, and other domestic articles, but above all for their skill in forging swords, other weapons, and armor. This is also the most frequent of all surnames in the US. It is very common among African Americans and Native Americans (see also 5 below). This surname (in any of the two possible English senses; see also below) is also found in Haiti. See also Smither .

English: from Middle English smithe ‘smithy, forge’ (Old English smiththe). The surname may be topographic, for someone who lived in or by a blacksmith's shop, occupational, for someone who worked in one, or habitational, from a place so named, such as Smitha in King's Nympton (Devon). Compare Smithey .

Irish and Scottish: sometimes adopted for Gaelic Mac Gobhann, Irish Mac Gabhann ‘son of the smith’. See McGowan .

Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.

Possible Related Names

Story Highlight

Memories of the George W. Gee, Jr. Home by Martha Electa Gee

I remember on one of the Sundays I was sitting on the door-step half in and half out of the doorway with my back against the door jam. My two sisters, Mary Jane and Esther were in the bedroom getting …

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