Rowan County, North Carolina
SMITH, Thomas - Died at the residence of Mr. Henry Mullins, Richland,
Washington County, Ark., on the 3d of Aug. 1870, Mr. Thomas Smith. Mr.
Smith, an old and respected citizen of our county, was a native of North
Carolina, emigrating to Tennessee in his early boyhood and from there to
this state. He was one of the pioneers of Arkansas. There is probably no
man living who was here to welcome his arrival in this county. He found
this an unbroken forest but was spared to a long and useful life, to reap an
abundant harvest, to see broad fields spread themselves across his fertile
acres and the country around him grown into prosperity and influence.
Bur few are spared to so ripe an age; he lived to see three generations "rise
up and call him blessed." How long a life his wast days lengthening into
weeks, weeks into months, months into years and years had eighty-six
times counted their seedtime and harvest between his cradle and his grave.
His body has been laid to sleep beneath the shadow of a church which was
the fruits of his generosity and public spirit. [Fayetteville Democrat 9/10/70]