The origin of the Smock family is traced to the Netherlands, when in 1654 our earliest ancestor Hendrick Matthysen Smock came to the New World and settled in New Utrecht, which was located in what is now lower Brooklyn. Hendrick married Geertje Harmens Coerten, also from the Netherlands.
Hendrick and Geertje had eight children, their fifth born, Leendert Hendrickse Smock. Leendert was born about 1675 in New Utrecht. After his marriage to Sarah van Zandt he moved to Piscataway, Middlesex County, New Jersey where he spent the rest of his life.
Our branch of the Smocks remained in New Jersey for the next four generations when Abraham Smock moved to Westmorland County, Pennsylvania. His son Peter was born there March 1, 1808. At some point Peter moved to Guernsey County, Ohio and married Ann Carnes. The Carnes family was among the earliest settlers of Guernsey County. Ann?s mother's maiden name was Sarah Stark and she was said to be the daughter of Colonel John Stark of Revolutionary War fame.
Peter and Ann Smock had seven children all born in Spencer Township, Guernsey County, Ohio. They were: Mary, Sadie, Anna R., John S. (born 1834 and died 1899), Abraham (born 1837 and died 1919), Philip Shepler, and Martha (born 1847 and died 1946).
Philip Shepler Smock was born 09 May 1840 and died 06 March 1910 in Cumberland, Ohio. Philip was a veteran of the Civil War, having served as a private in Company D, 15th. Battalion, Independent Ohio Calvary.
Philip Shepler Smock married Emily Francis Jordan on 11 October 1864 in Guernsey County. Emily was born 24 November 1848 in Spencer Township and died 04 November 1934 in Cumberland, Ohio. Emily was the daughter of Joshua Jordan and Evaline Phillips. Joshua, an early settler of Guernsey County, was born 1789 in Loudon County, Virginia. Evaline was born about 1805 in Virginia. Evaline and Joshua Jordan had three children: Robert (born 1844) , Margaret A. (born 1846), and Emily Francis.
Emily and Philip had twelve children, among them, Harry Blaine, born 23 December 1884 . Harry was a brakeman on the Pennsylvania Railroad and died in a train crash 31 July 1940 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Harry Smock married Sharilda Jane (Janie) Reeves 17 June 1911 in Guernsey County. Janie, born 16 February 1892 in Wellston, Ohio, was the daughter of Charles Allen Reeves and Ida Mae Rose.
If any of the persons in this journal are of interest to you, please let me know, I am always glad to share information.