Rachel J Smith Hiett

b. 1828 (Morgan Co. OH) - d. Oct. 25, 1891 (County Infirmary, Morgan Co., OH)

McConnelsville Cemetery (Morgan Co., OH)

Email from W Smith (author of a family history on this Smith family)

Rachel Hiett is buried in the McConnelsville Cemetery according to her death record.  I would be surprised if there is a monument for her considering the family’s economic condition at that time, but it is possible.

Email from W Smith (author of a family history on this Smith family)

RE: Rachel J. Smith.  You may see her referred to in records as Rachel Kennison, Rachel Smith, or Rachel Hiett.  Here is the story as best I can tell.

In 1836 Ezra Kennison married Sarah Smith in Morgan county, Ohio.  This was Ezra’s third marriage.  In the 1860 census Rachel Smith, Manly and his brother John were residing with Ezra and Sarah Kennison in Morgan county.  Since Rachel was born in 1828 and Sarah married Ezra in 1836, then I believe that Rachel Smith was a daughter of Sarah Smith from a previous marriage and she was not a Kennison.

I spent several years researching the Kennison family and sadly came to this conclusion. The Kennison family is really an interesting bunch that go back to the very beginnings of our country.

There are other pieces of key information to support the idea that Rachel was not a Kennison.  You might find other information on the internet and elsewhere that list her as a Kennison, but they neglected to look at the real data.

There was also another Rachel Kennison in Morgan County that you will find in records that is not our Rachel Kennison.

Rachel retained the name Rachel Smith until 1864 when she married William Hiett.  Her death record indicates Rachel Hiett and Manly Smith’s death record lists his mother as Rachel Hiett and his father’s name is left blank.

All in all the Manly Smith family and descendents have been a real challenge because they were so elusive all down through the generations.

1870 US Census
Morgan County Infirmary / Morgan Co., OH

Children:

• Manley Smith
  b.1853 - d. 1920
  -
• John Smith
  b. abt 1857 - d. ?
  -
• William Thorne or Thorpe
  b. ?
  Half Brother of Crooksville is listed in Manly's obituary.