Walter Smith and the Bonham Family

This is some information sent to us from Donnette Smith
Gordon

Thought you might like to read this and save it with your family histories.
Donnette

Walter Smith and the Bonham Family
by Donnette Stringham Smith 2011

Thomas Smith had been born 4 Sept. 1837 in Bicester, Oxfordshire,
England, the oldest son of James and Ann Smith of Wretchwick Farm.

Thomas Smith married Matilda Heritage on 12 Apr 1864. They had six
children, Edith Annie, Emily Matilda, Herbert James, Beatrice Ellen,
Minnie and Florence Mary. In May of 1872, when Florence was only seven
months old, Matilda became very sick and died.

Thomas had a large group of family members to help with the six
children. Matilda’s older sister, Mary Ann Heritage Smith (wife of
George Smith who was no relation to our Smiths) had cared for Matilda
and her children through her last illness and promised to take the baby,
Florence, and raise her as her own. Mary Ann and George Smith moved to
Sheffield, Yorkshire and were good parents to little Florence. Two of
Thomas and Matilda’s girls, Edith Annie and Beatrice Ellen, were raised
at Wretchwick Farm by Thomas’s parents.

In 1874 Thomas Smith married Mary Ann Heritage Smith’s oldest daughter,
Mary Ellen Smith (often called Nellie). Thomas and Mary Ellen moved to
Pennsylvania to try to get better employment. They took three of
Thomas’s children, Emily, Herbert James and Minnie, to America with them.

In Pennsylvania, Mary Ellen had three children, Nellie, Lillie and
Walter. Mary Ellen died after Walter was born in 1877. There ws no close
family around to help with the children.

Mary Bonham Scott born in Pennsylvania in 1832, wife of James J. Sco tt,
a plasterer, seems to have cared for Thomas Smith’s children after the
death of his second wife, Mary Ellen.. When Thomas married Mary Bonham
Scott’s younger sister, Margaret Bonham in 1879, Mary didn’t want to
give up the baby, Walter, and was given permission to adopt and raise him.

In about 1884, Margaret and Thomas moved to Utah with his other
children. Somehow Margaret and Thomas lost touch with Margaret’s sister,
Mary Bonham Scott, and with Walter and didn’t know what happened to
Walter. Beatrice Annie Harrison Edwards (daughter of the Florence Mary
Smith who was raised by her aunt in Sheffield, Yorkshire) said that
Thomas Smith didn’t ever let them know about his children. Years later
someone in the family thought Walter might have moved to Texas.

Recently I became interested in Walter and Mary Bonham Scott and decided
to try to find what happened to them. The Bonham family were found in
many US Censuses which were taken every ten years and which have been
transcribed and indexed by Ancestry.com.

In 1850 Mary Bonham is shown as 17 years old living with her parents,
Matilda and Llewellyn Bonham in Ohio, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania -
just a few miles north of Pittsburgh on the Ohio River.. Mary was
probably married in 1859 and was not living with her parents in the 1860
census. The census in 1860 shows that her father had died and her little
seven year old sister, Margaret was at home.

The 1870 census shows Mary in Sewickley, Allegheny County married to
James J Scott, age 38, a plasterer and they had a nine year old
daughter, Anna M. Scott..

Ten years later, in 1880 in Leet Township, Allegheny County, Pa., J.J.
Scott, and his wife, Mary had two children at home. Anna M Scott who was
now 18, (all of them born in Pennsylvania and their parents all born in
Pennsylvania,) and Walter K. Scott, their two year old adopted son (who
was born in Pennsylvania, but whose parents were both born in England).
Just a short distance away, Thomas Smith and his third wife, Margaret
Bonham Smith, were living with three of Thomas’s children by his first
wife, Matilda Heritage, Emily age 14, Herbert age 12, and Minnie age 10,
and the two girls by his second wife, Mary Ellen Smith, Nellie age 5 and
Lillie age 4. Thomas Smith and his family soon moved to Utah so he could
work for the railroad.

The 1890 census was all destroyed by fire.

In the 1900 census Mary Bonham Scott was living in Sewickley with her
daughter, Margaret A. Scott McDonald, and Margaret’s family, (husband
John A McDonald, son Roydon Hunter and daughter Ethel M. Hunter). Walter
was living in the same house and was now going by the name of Walter Smith.

It is interesting that in 1870 and 1880 Mary has only one daughter
living with her, Anna M. But from 1900 to 1920 Mary was living with her
daughter, Margaret A. In 1900 Mary says she has had two children and
both are living. I thought for a while that Mary had two daughters, Anna
M and Margaret A. Now I wonder if she meant she had one daughter, Anna
Margaret and one son, Walter.

By 1910 Margaret A. Scott McDonald’s husband had died and her mother,
Mary Bonham Scott, was still living with her.

By 1920 Mary Bonham Scott and her daughter, Margaret Scott McDonald, are
living with Margaret’s daughter, Ethel Hunter Hotby, who during that
last ten years had married, had three children and had been widowed.

In 1910 Walter had been living nearby as a hired hand helping a farmer.
In 1920 Walter was living alone in Clearfield, Butler County,
Pennsylvania and working as a station agent for the railroad. .

During WWI the men had to register for the war. On Sept 12, 1918 Walter
registered as Walter Kennedy Smith with a birthdate of 15 Nov. 1877. He
was short in height, medium build, grey eyes and light colored hair. His
nearest relative was listed as Mrs. Mary Scott. This is the first time
we have known what Walter’s middle name was, and the earliest complete
birthdate given.

The 1930 Census, which is the last one open to the public, shows fifty
one year old Walter, still single and not married, owning a home and a
radio in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He was still an agent for a railroad.
Living with him was his “sister”, seventy year old Margaret A. McDonald.
His adopted mother, Mary Bonham Scott, must have died. It is interesting
to note that the census says that Walter’s father was born in
Pennsylvania and his mother in England. I suspect Margaret was the one
who gave the information to the census taker and she didn’t realize that
Walter’s father, Thomas Smith, was also born in England.

Walter registered for the draft in 1942. He was six feet tall, 188
pounds, ruddy complextion, black hair and brown eyes. Walter was working
for the B & O Railroad as a telephone operator.
The person who will always know his address is Mrs. O.E. Johnston of
Rochester, PA who happenes to be Ethel Hunter Hotby Johnston, daughter
of Margaret Scott McDonald and granddaughter of Mary Bonham Scott.

The following entry was found in the Social Security Death Index which I
think must be our Walter’s entry. He had given his birthdate as Nov 1877
in the 1900 census, and the 15 Nov 1877 date jibes with the WWI and WWII
Registration forms, and he did work for a railroad..

From: Ancestry.com
Social Security Death Index - Is this our Walter? Probably
Walter SMITH
SSN: 705-10-1467
Last Residence: Pennsylvania
Born: 15 Nov 1877
Died: May 1964
State (year) SSN: Railroad Board (issued Through) (Before 1951)

So, it seems that Walter worked for the railroad, never married. but did
stay fairly close to his adopted family. He died at age 87 within a few
miles of where he was born and spent his whole life.

_____________
Sources:

1850 Census Ohio, Allegheny, Penn.
Roll: M432_744; page 390B; Image 785;FHL film 552,822
Luellen Bonham 48 m farmer -value of estate owned 900
Matilda Bonham 37 f
Caroline Bonham 18 f
Mary Bonham 17 f
Rachel Bonham 15 f
Anne Bonham 14 f
James W Bonham 12 m
Samuel Bonham 10 m
Madison Bonham 8 m
Elizabeth Bonham 4 f
Leah Bonham 2 f
[Mary was Walter Smith’s adopted mother.]

1860 Census Ohio, Alleghany, Penn.
Roll M653_1065; Page 519; FHL film 805,065
Matilda Bonham 47 f born in PA
Madison Bonham 18 m PA
Elizabeth Bonham 14 f PA
Leah Bonham 13 f PA
Cordelia Bonham 9 f PA
Margaret Bonham 7 f PA
Luellen Bonham 4 m PA [Llewellyn Bonham]
[Margaret married Thomas Smith]

1870 CENSUS -; Census Place: Sewickley, Allegheny, Pennsylvania;
Roll: M593_1299; Page: 387; Image: 293.
Scott, James J 38 Male White Plasterer born in Penna
Scott, Mary 34 F W keeps house Penna
Scott, Anna M 9 F W Penn.

1880 CENSUS for Alleghany, Leet Township, Penn. house 109 family 113
Scott, J.J. 48 m w plasterer M Pa Pa Pa
[born in PA, father and mother born in PA]
Scott, Mary 47 f w keeping house wife M Pa Pa Pa
Scott, Anna M. 18 f w at home daughter s Pa Pa Pa
Scott, Walker K. 2 m w adopted son s Pa Eng Eng
[Born in PA,, father and mother born in England]
[Mary Scott is sister to Margaret Bonham who married Thomas Smith. The
Scotts
took Walter Smith when his mother died and raised him.]

1900 CENSUS Alleghany Co. Penn., Sewickley, Borough 2nd Ward
T623-1371 Vol 26, E.D. 489, sheet 7, lines 68-73
[2 families in 1 house ] Beaver Street, Dwelling #133, family #139 & #140
68 Walter Smith head white Male birthdate Nov 1877 age 22 single Penn.
England England
clerk in steel works
69 John A. McDonald head w m birthdate Oct 1872 27 m Penn Penn Indiana
musician
70 Margaret McDonald wife w f birthdate Mar 1863 37 m Penn Penn Penn
married 3 years - mother of 2 children, 2 living
71 Rowdom? S. Hunter son in law w m birthdate Mar 1886 14 s Penn Penn Penn
[Roydon - step son to head of house]
72 Ethel M Hunter dau in law w f birthdate Nov 1887 12 s Penn Penn Penn
[step daughter]
73 Mary Scott mother in law w f birthdate Mar 1832 67 wid Penn Penn Penn
mother of 2 children 2 living
[Walter was known as Walter Scott in the 1880 Census but as Walter Smith
in all later records.]

[It is interesting that in 1870 and 1880 Mary has only one daughter
living with her, Anna M. But from 1900 to 1920 Mary was living with her
daughter, Margaret A. In 1900 Mary says she has had two children and
both are living. I thought for a while that Mary had two daughters, Anna
M and Margaret A. Now I wonder if she meant she had one daughter, Anna
Margaret and one son, Walter.]

1910 Census Moon, Alleghany, Pennsylvania
Roll T624_1296; page 4a; enumeration district 1065; Image 184
FHL film 1375309
Margaret A Mcdonald 49 head f w widow
married 13 years - 3 children and 3 alive Pa Pa Pa
Royden S.H. Mcdonald 8 son m single Pa Pa Pa [Alan?]
Royden S Hunter 24 son m s Pa Pa Pa
Ethel M Hunter 22 dau f s Pa Pa Pa
Mary Scott 77 mother f wid married 51 yrs (no children noted)
Pa Pa Pa
[I think this means Mary Scott was married 51 years ago in 1859 - but I
haven't found her in the 1860 census. This also means Margaret A
McDonald had been married 13 years before to John McDonald.]

1920 Census Rochester, Beaver, Pennsylvania 14 Jan 1920
Roll T625_1532; pg 12b; Enumeration Dist 64; image 815
Holby, Ethel head rent female white 32 widow Pa, Pa, Pa (Hotby in 1930)
boarding house - private home
Holby, Charles son M W 8 single PA, PA, PA (Hotby in 1930)
Holby, Margaret dau F W 6 single PA, PA, PA (Hotby in 1930)
Holby, Emmett son M W 4 -3/12 single PA, PA, PA (Hotby in 1930)
McDonald, Margaret mother F W 59 widow PA, Virginia, PA
McDonald, Alan half brother 18 single PA, PA, PA laborer in steel mill
Scott, Mary grandmother F W 87 widow PA Ohio Ohio

1910 Census, Oakland, Butler, PA - 27 Apr 1910
Roll T624-1322; pg 4b; enumeration district 0099; Image 181; FLS 1375335
William O Vandivoer 55 head farmer
Joseph R 16 son
Walter K Smith 32 hired man; single,
born in PA - father born in Eng, and mother born in Eng
[Oakland, Butler, PA is 20 -30 miles north of Pittsburg.]

WW I registration card. for 12 Sept 1918.
Name: Walter Kennedy Smith
Birthdate: 15 Nov 1877
His nearest relative: Mrs. Mary Scott. of Vanport, Beaver, PA
Height: Short; Build: Medium; Eyes grey, Color of Hair: light
(There are a couple of lines I need to look at again. I think one says
that he worked at that time as a telephone rutstor? for some Independent
Telephone Co. in Fenelton, Butler, PA)
[It is interesting that Walter seems to have a middle name starting with
K in the 1880, 1910 and the 1930 census and this record finally gives us
that name.]


1920 Census Clearfield, Butler, PA [living alone]
[ 25 to 30 mi NNE of Pitsburgh by Oakland, PA]
Roll T625_1544; pg 8b; Enumeration Dist. 36; Image 363
Walter Smith self 42 single renting station agent for rail road - on wages
born PA - Father born Eng. -Mother born Eng.


1930 Census Clearfield, Butler, PA - April 9, 1930
Roll 209 pg 4a; Enuneration district 25; image 7720
Smith Walter K Head owns home, has a radio, doesn't live on a farm, male
white 51 single, didn't attend school last year, reads & writes PA PA Eng
Agent for Railroad
McDonald, Margaret A. sister Female white 70 Widow (age at 1st marriage
23) PA, PA PA
[ Margaret probably gave the information as to Walter’s father being
born in PA and not Eng.]





Source Citation: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA);
Washington, D.C.; State Headquarters: Pennsylvania; Microfilm Series:
M1951; Microfilm Roll: 296.
Ancestry.com
Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Rochester, Beaver,
Pennsylvania; Roll: 1997; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 90; Image: 809.0.
Ollie E. Johnston head m w 38 mar (mar at age 30 for 1st time) Rent PA
PA PA
blower of glass
Ethel M Johnston wife f w 42 Married (mar at age 23 for 1st time) PA PA PA
Charles A. Hotby step son m w 18 single yes yes PA PA PA
Margaret R. Hotby step dau f w 16 s yes yes PA PA PA
Harry E. Hotby step son m w 14 s yes yes PA PA PA

Ancestry.com.
U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line].
Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data:
United States, Selective Service System. Selective Service Registration
Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. National Archives and Records
Administration Branch locations: National Archives and Records
Administration Region Branches.
Serial number U 470
Apr 27, 1942
Walter Kennedy Smith,
Fenelton, PA, Clearfield Twp., Butler, PA
Mailling Address - same
Telephone: none,
Age in years 64,
Place of birth: Allegheny PA
Date of birth: Nov 15, 1877
White, Height 6, 188 lb, Ruddy complexton, hair black, eyes brown
Name & Address of Person who will always know your address
Mrs. O.E. Johnston, 399 Penna. Ave, Rochester, PA
Employer’s name & address
B & O R.R., Fenelton, PA (telephone operator)

From Ancestry.com
Social Security Death Index -
From: Ancestry.com
[Is this our Walter? Probably]
Name: Walter SMITH
SSN: 705-10-1467
Last Residence: Pennsylvania
Born: 15 Nov 1877
Died: May 1964
State (year) SSN: Railroad Board (issued Through) (Before 1951)

I told Stuart about finding the WWII registration. He sent this:

For a second I thought it was interesting that he tried to enlist at age
64. But after reading about that database on a.com, I see that all men
ages 18-65 were required to register. Here's the info:

About U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
The U.S. officially entered World War II on 8 December 1941 following an
attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Just about a year before that, in
October 1940, President Roosevelt had signed into law the first
peacetime selective service draft in U.S. history, due to rising world
conflicts. After the U.S. entered WWII a new selective service act
required that all men between ages 18 and 65 register for the draft.
Between November 1940 and October 1946, over 10 million American men
were registered. This database is an indexed collection of the draft
cards from the Fourth Registration, the only registration currently
available to the public (the other registrations are not available due
to privacy laws). The Fourth Registration, often referred to as the "old
man's registration", was conducted on 27 April 1942 and registered men
who born on or between 28 April 1877 and 16 February 1897 - men who were
between 45 and 64 years old - and who were not already in the military.
Information available on the draft cards includes:
Name of registrant
Age
Birth date
Birthplace
Residence
Employer information
Name and address of person who would always know the registrant's
whereabouts
Physical description of registrant (race, height, weight, eye and hair
colors, complexion)