John Baptist Smith

(1843-1923)

At a Glance

John was a Civil War hero. He invented the lantern system of naval signaling [1].

Biographical Data

Important Dates

John Baptist Smith was born on September 19, 1843. He died on May 30, 1923, and was buried in Red House Presbyterian Church in Caswell County, NC. John died in Halifax County [2].

Places of Residence

• Hycotee, NC [2].
• Leasburg, NC, from 1880 [2].
• Danville, VA, from 1910 [2].
• Halifax County, VA, from 1920 [2].

Schools Attended

• Hampden-Sydney College.

Occupations

• Farmer.

Relatives

• Parents: Richard Ivy Smith (1800-1871) [2] and Mary Amis Goodwin (1815-1889) [2].
• Spouse: Sabra Annie Long [2].
• Siblings:
  • five brothers, Samuel Maurice Smith (b. 1838), William Goodwin Smith (b. 1845), Robert Kennon Smith (b. 1854), Richard Ivy Smith, [Jr.] (1857-1857) and James Richard Smith (b. 1858).
  • seven sisters, Frances Elizabeth Smith (1838-1873) , Rebecca Cameron Smith (1840-1888) , Mary Ivy Smith (1842-1913) , Amy Webb Smith (1847-1849), Mildred Isabella Smith (1848-1849), Anne Wilson Smith (b. 1850) and Penelope Campbell Smith (b. 1853).

References

1. Wikipedia.
2. Caswell County Historical Association. Caswell County Family Tree.