John W. Smith (b. circa
1845 - d. 1914)
MSA SC 3520-7606
USCT Soldier, Queen Anne's County, Maryland
Biography:
John W. Smith was born a slave around 1845 (aged 18 at the time of enlistment) in Centreville, Queen Anne's County, Maryland.1 His father was John E. Smith of Maryland and his mother was unknown according to the informant for his death record, Mahaley Smith.2 There was a conflict as it pertained to his birth date, which was a common occurrence for many slaves. Smith mentioned in an affidavit that "one of my master" told him he was born around 1840, but Smith felt it was 1844 because his sister was said to be born in 1840.3 Regardless, it was strongly felt that he was born between 1840 and 1845.
In his affidavit, Smith implied that he had multiple slave owners. The bounty rolls record his owner as being Perry (Pere) Wilmer.4 Perry Wilmer, or "P.W." as it's referenced on the map, owned a significant amount of land around Centreville.5 However, the roll of slaves for Queen Anne's County records his owner as John K.B. Emory.6 His military service record also displays his owner as John K.B. Emory.7 It's possible he was owned by Emory and sold or transferred to Wilmer for any number of reasons, including death or repaying a debt. However, it was Pere Wilmer of Queen Annes County that manumitted John W. Smith. In Smith's manumission, Wilmer wrote "in consideration of said enlistment manumit, set free, and release the above named John Smith" and "his freedom to commence from the 6th Jany 1864."8 However, the manumission did not appear to be officially acknowledged with witnesses until September 18, 1864.9
With Smith being manumitted, Wilmer was eligible to receive compensation of $100 for the loss of his slave, which was paid to him on November 16, 1864.10 According to the Act of 1864, Chapter 15, Section 4, "to the owner of every negro slave who shall agree to the enlistment of his slave as above, the sum of one hundred dollars shall be paid when such owner shall file with the proper authority a good and valid deed of manumission."11 Wilmer, like many slaveowners, may have viewed this as their final opportunity to receive compensation for the loss of their slaves as the institution of slavery was rapidly deteriorating. Not only were slaveowners entitled to compensation, but free blacks and slaves also counted towards the state quota, thus many slaveowners could have protected their family members from having to join the war.
When President Abraham Lincoln enacted the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, this enabled African-Americans to fight for their freedom in the Union Army during the Civil War.12 This was an opportunity for many free blacks and slaves to gain their freedom. John W. Smith took advantage of this opportunity and enrolled as a private in Company E of the 19th U.S. Colored Troops regiment at Baltimore, Maryland on December 18, 1863.13 The 19th regiment was primarily composed of colored men from Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.14 The regiment was organized by Brig. General Birney at Benedict, Maryland on December 15, 1863.15 They remained at Benedict receiving instruction until March 1, 1864.16
During the war, he was cutting wood at Benedict, Maryland when a tree allegedly fell and struck him in the head causing severe damage.17 He was sent to McKim's Mansion Hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured skull.18 He continued to suffer with neuralgia, headaches, vertigo, and general debility for the remainder of his life.19 He was eventually transferred to the U.S. Navy on April 17, 1864 (according to his muster roll) where he served as a Landsmen aboard the U.S.S. "Alleghany," "Potowska," and "Princeton."20 He was officially discharged from the U.S. Navy on August 19, 1865 while aboard the U.S.S. Princeton at Philadelphia.21
After gaining his discharge, he moved to Baltimore in 1868. On May 15, 1875, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in the Kent Cavalry.22 After serving for five years, he was officially discharged on May 14, 1880.23 Soon after gaining his discharge, he and Mahaley A. Boston were joined in marriage by Reverend Henry Landis at Baltimore City on September 27, 1881.24 His occupation after the war was a bricklayer, but due to his war experiences he was considered unable to work.25 According to medical records, Smith had a "tattooed crucifix" on his left arm.26
For the remainder of his life, Smith lived off his pension since his ability to perform laborious activities was limited. On June 27, 1890, he began earning a monthly pension rate of $8.00.27 On March 21, 1908, his monthly pension rate increased to $12.00.28 John was dropped from pension rolls due to his death; he was last paid $16.50 on June 4, 1914.29 In 1910, John W. Smith rented a home at 1015 Race Street, where he resided as early as 1895.30 The 1910 census also records John and "Mahala" as being married for 28 years and residing with their three grandsons and a lodger.31 His occupation was listed as an herb doctor on the census.32 This occupation was confirmed on his death record as he was listed as being an "erb doctor."33
On July 24, 1914, at around 69 years old, John W. Smith died from a nervous breakdown and general debility.34 He was subsequently buried at the National Cemetery on July 27, 1914.35 After his death, Mahaley received support from a widow's pension earning $12.00 per month, which commenced on August 7, 1914.36 Mahaley was dropped from the pension rolls due to her death on January 16, 1920; she was last paid $25.00 on December 4, 1919.37
For a visual representation of John W. Smith's journey from slavery to freedom, please click here. Users must have access to Google Earth in order to utilize this file, which includes landmarks (pins) in Smith's life from 1845 to 1914. You may take the tour and investigate individual sites under the "Places" tab on the left of the screen, or you may navigate using the slider and cursor on the map itself.
15. Ibid.
16. Ibid.
17. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS. John W. Smith. Page 74.
18. Ibid., 88.
20. Ibid., 68.
21. Ibid., 20.|
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