Happy Birthday Soapy Smith

From my book.

Jefferson Randolph and Emily [Soapy's father and mother] moved in with Ira [Soapy's grandfather] at Shoal Creek to help care for Ira’s ailing wife, Ellen. Another Ellen, the daughter of Columbus Darwin Smith and the granddaughter of Ira, named Ellen Smith Faver, also moved to Shoal Creek. She came after her mother, Nancy Edmundson, died on October 21, 1860. Two days later Ira’s wife Ellen also died. In a letter, Ellen Faver Smith writes that ten days later, on November 2, 1860, Jefferson Randolph Smith II was born.

So much pain mixed in with the joy.

Jefferson and Emily had five children, of whom four survived. They were Jefferson Randolph, Eva Katherine, Emmie Lou, and Bascomb. Ellen Faver, who lived at the plantation until after the Civil War, came to know the first-born child and had good to say of him as a youngster: “I can truly say that a brighter more manly little boy, I have never known.” This good opinion did not last. Jefferson Randolph Smith II was to become infamously known by the moniker of “Soapy.” Jeff’s future exploits brought so much shame and disgrace to his kin in Coweta County that his name was erased from birth records in the family bible. The eraser marks can be faintly seen to this day.

Jeff Smith

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