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Willie Jason Smith
was born July 24,1845 in Butler County, Alabama. His real name was most likely William. At the age of 20, Willie Jason enlisted at Greenville as a
private in Pou's Company, Alabama Volunteers on March 16, 1862 to fight in
the Civil War.
In April 1862, Smith
was listed as a 4th Sergeant with Company A, 33rd Alabama Volunteers. His
pension records state that he was injured while engaging in Battle at
Shiloh, but the 33rd did not fight in that engagement.
There were a number of units from Alabama present. As this battle was a two
day skirmish, April 6-7, 1862, it was probably a result of his actions, or
the need for a replacement, that he was promoted to 4th Sergeant and
transferred to Co. A, 33rd.
Sometime after that he
was transferred to Company H. On November 4, 1862, he was among the soldiers
riding the train near Cleveland TN when it wrecked. As a result, he was
hospitalized at General Hospital, Cleveland, Tennessee. Records indicate that
he was hospitalized during the month of December 1862.
From July through
December 1862, he was listed as a sergeant. For most of 1862, he was shown as
a 4th SGT. Records indicate that he received $102 for six months pay from
July 1 through December 1, 1862, a rate of $19 per month.
Willie Jason was
discharged from military duty on March 31, 1864 as a private. On the day of
discharge, he was issued one pair of pants valued at $12. This document was
issued from the Quartermaster Department of the Confederate States of America
to PVT. W. J. Smith of Company C, 33rd Alabama Regiment. It indicates his
name as William J. Smith in one place; however, his signature is just W. J.
Smith. In one place he is listed as Wm. J. Smith, Jr. Quartermaster at his
time of discharge was Capt. E. C. Milner, also of Butler County.
After he was
discharged, Willie Jason returned home. On May 8, 1867, he married Mary
Frances Anna Gibbons, daughter of Joseph H. Gibbons. They were married in
Pineville, Monroe County, Alabama. Names listed on the marriage license
include William Griffin, bondsman, and J. B. Colley, J. P.
Smith was killed
August 28, 1902, when his horse ran away with his buggy coming down what is
known as the Old McKenzie Grade. He was thrown from the buggy when it
overturned. He is buried in the Providence Cemetery in the Starlington
Community.
William Jason Smith,
Jr., called Willie Jason, is believed to have been the son of William J.
Smith, Sr. Family members say his mother's name was Sally which was probably
a nickname for Sarah. No records of his parents have been found.
On December 3, 1920,
Mary Smith filed for a pension based on the military service of her husband
with the C. S. A. The application indicates that he enlisted in Bellville in
Conecuh County, rather than Greenville.
At the time of her
application, she was living at Route 1, Georgiana with her son-in-law, George
Leander Stinson. She listed no income and the following property:
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