Five Sons

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On July 3, 1867, the day before Independence Day, William and Mary welcomed into the world twin boys - Perry and Carey Smith. It is not known whether the boys were identical or fraternal, but there is no evidence so far to suggest they were identical. Unfortunately, birth certificates are not available for the boys. Indiana did not start issuing birth and death certificates until 1882 and such records were not mandatory or collected at the state level until 1907. Nevertheless, Mary had her hands full with newborn twin boys, and two other young boys Allen and Elmer, age 5 and 3 respectively. Then, less than a year and a half later Mary had yet another baby boy, Florian on September 10, 1868.

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By the 1870 Census there were 5 children- all sons and all under the age of 8. Fortunately for Mary, there was also a 20-year-old housekeeper living with the family, named Mary Carson, to no doubt help with the house full of rambunctious boys. William also had a 15-year-old apprentice Tinner, named Peter Shoaf living with the family. The influx of immigrants to Indiana coupled with the economic boom in the 1870s and 1880s meant even the middle class could often afford household help. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The 1870 Federal Census was the first census to provide detailed information on the black population, only years after the culmination of the Civil War when slaves were granted freedom. The population was said to be 38,555,983 individuals, a 22.62% increase since 1860. The 1870 Census' population estimate is controversial, as many believed it underestimated the true population numbers, especially in New York and Pennsylvania.

 

The 1870 Census was the first of its kind to record the nativity of the American population. This social statistic indicates which areas were more highly composed of immigrants than native-born Americans. New York City had the most foreign-born individuals, with 419,094 foreigners, who comprised 44.5% of the city's total population. Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, and San Francisco also had a great population of foreigners that made up a significant fraction of their total populations. Therefore, a great ethnic and cultural change was witnessed from 1860 to 1870, as part of the population growth was due to immigrants continuing to move in and a shuffling of residents across state borders. 

 

The Census did not identify the Smith family’s address. But it shows that William and Mary Smith owned their home in Cicero and that it was valued at about $2000, which appears to be above average judging from the values of other homes in Cicero at that time. We can assume the family had at least a reasonable standard of living.