Mary Catherine was the daughter of Elisha and Nancy (Middaugh) Pocock. She was born in 1845 in Ohio. Elisha and Nancy had eight children; Milton, Mary Catherine (1845), John H (1850), Emeline (1852) , Elias (1856) , Margaret (1858) , Nancy (1861) , Charles (1868).

In the 1850 Census, Elisha and Nancy are found in Wayne Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. They have three children; Milton, Mary and John and Andrew Middaugh living with them. Andrew is 42 years old and since Nancy’s maiden name is Middaugh he is likely a brother or cousin. Elisha is a Carpenter and Andrew is a farmer.

On December 31, 1867, Mary Catherine married Joseph Smith in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. In 1869, Mary and Joseph had twin sons names Ashley and Ashland. In the 1870 Federal Census, Joseph, Catherine and their two sons are living with Susanna Smith, Joseph’s mother. By the 1880 Federal Census, Catherine and Joseph have two more children, Ira D and Emma F.

One hundred and twenty nine years ago today, Mary Catherine Pocock Smith died at the age of forty- five. She is buried in the Lindenwood Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana with her son, Ira, who died in 1882.

Rest in peace, Mary Catherine!

Love, Jan

Mary Catherine was the wife of my Great Grand Uncle Joseph Smith