In 1838 Robert Rufus Smith was born in Wilcox County Alabama to Seth Smith 
and Nancy Rackley Smith. Seth Smith died fighting in the Alabama 
Creek Indian uprising. 
 Shortly thereafter when Rab was 12 years old his mother died, leaving him with 
no living relatives. Tradition has it that Rab, at the young age of 12, set 
out on foot to Florida, heading to Calhoun County.He was befriended by a black 
preacher (free-man) named Nathaniel Hiers.Until Rab was 20 years old he 
remained with Preacher Hiers who, according to census documents, 
was a "shingle cutter". A man named Halcomb Hagan lived in Calhoun County 
and also befriended young Rab.Halcomb Hagan had 5 sons near the age of Rab. 
 Rab, along with Hagan's 5 son's entered the Civil War together.
Upon Rab's discharge he returned home to Calhoun County and married Halcomb 
Hagan's eldest daughter, Sarah Louisa on 5 September 1866. 
Later in life he settled in Auburndale where he died at the home of his only living 
daughter, Mary Dove (Smith) Norman.

(Prepared by the family of Rab Smith: Mary Traylor Lyons / Kathy Best Brosky / 
Jennifer Taylor Nichols / Jeff & Shelda Gary)
In Deepest Appreciation and Honor