If the curtain of history could be rolled back about one hundred and thirty five years,
we would find William Berry (Camel Back) Smith and his wife, Mary Ann Ashmore, and one
small child embarking upon a journey in a covered wagon, drawn by oxen, into an unknown
land, described as the "Land of Legend and Lure." This land was Texas, and at that time,
inhabited by Indians and under the Mexican Flag.
This country was just being settled. Everything had to be primitive -- dwellings, furniture,
and even food. Most of these pioneers had to build their houses out of logs before they could
even have a place to live. There must have been such bravery, courage, and faith to undertake
such a journey into this land.
It was about 1827 that William Berry Smith and family left North Carolina. They first settled
in Mississippi, where they remained a few years. Two or three children having been born in
Mississippi, they resumed their journey to Texas, arriving in Texas aobut 1834.
This William Berry (Camel Back) Smith and Mary Ann Ashmore were my Great Grandfather and
Great Grandmother, (see note below), and I am proud to have had such brave people for my
ancestors -- they with other brave pioneers helped build Texas, did much and received so little.
William Berry Smith was born about 1792 and the place being evidently North Carolina. He died
at or near Iradell, Texas, on or about June 20, 1876, being in his 84th year. He is buried
on what is now known as the "Old Pitts Farm", being part of the tract of land consisting of
about 5000 acres that William Berry Smith once owned. There is a beautiful monument at his
grave, this marker erected by the State of Texas on account of his being at the Battle Of San
Jacinto.
Mary Ann Ashmore Smith died between 1840 and 1850, and according to family tradition, is buried
on lands that they once owned between Chapel Hill and Independence, Texas. The grave has not
been found.
William Berry Smith was evidently married a second time, but no record of this marriage has
been found.
(NOTE: Copy by Josephine & Jack Henson, August 26, 1978.)
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