The Godfreys et al.

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Originally uploaded by amyegodfrey

This man may be Dr. Sterling Tried Smith, my great-grandfather. I found the photo on a Reed-Matthews family blog site. I think there is a strong resemblance with Russ, Dennis Colson, myself, and Neil. Here are comments from James County: A Lost County of Tennessee. pub. 1983.
“Dr. Sterling (pronounced Starling) Tried Smith was born April 11, 1839, near Long Savannah, Tennessee, in the part of Hamilton County which later became James County. The son of Major Peyton Fauntleroy and Nancy Welch Smith, he was a descendent of the Virginia Smiths, the name Sterling being a family name dating back several gererations.
Sterling attended the Georgtown Academy of the Cumberland Presb. Church, completing his course of study at sixteen years of age. He taught school one term in Hamilton Co before entering medical college. He studied medicine under two physicians before entering the Un. of Nashville in 1857. In 1858 he began his practice at Birchwood, Tn. He was the first doctor to practice there. He and Amy moved to Dunlap, TN in 1860 and practiced there.
Sterling married Amy L. Matthews, daughter of Harlan and Matilda Dunn Mathews on 12 July 1856. They had thirteen children: Theodosia, Delilah Isobel, John L.B., William Henry, George Peyton, Mary Brooks, Florence Virginia, Dr. James, Nancy, Hettie Elvira, Polk Briggs, who was the druggist in Dunlap, Mattie Lee (Russ’ mom) and Sallie. Sterling served the Southern government during the War of the Sates as an assistant surgeon in the 36th TN Inf. He was active in local politics, education and was elected Sequatchie Co Circuit Court Clerk and served four years.”