Humphrey "Yankee" Smith facts for kids

Humphrey Smith, also known as "Yankee" Smith, was born in New Jersey in 1774 and passed away in Clay County, Missouri, on May 5, 1857. He is known as the unofficial founder of the city of Smithville, Missouri. He was an important person in the early history of Missouri.

Who Was "Yankee" Smith?

Humphrey Smith was called "Yankee" because he was from the northern United States. In his time, many people in Clay County, Missouri, supported slavery. But Humphrey Smith was different. He was an abolitionist, meaning he strongly believed that slavery should be ended.

He settled in the area that became Smithville in 1822. Two years later, in 1824, he built Smith's mill on a fork of the Platte River. This mill helped the community grow, and the town was named after him.

Even though many people around him supported slavery, Humphrey Smith openly spoke about his belief that slavery was wrong. He often told people that slavery would eventually be abolished in the United States. His honesty and hard work earned him the respect of his neighbors, even if they disagreed with his views on slavery. He always remained peaceful, which helped keep him safe.

When he died in 1857, his tombstone was later engraved with a special message that showed his beliefs:

Here lies Humphrey Smith, who was in favor of human rights, universal liberty, equal and exact justice, no union with slave holders, free States, free people, union of States and one universal republic.

His Fight for Freedom

Humphrey Smith's son, Calvin Smith, wrote about his father's efforts to end slavery. Humphrey Smith moved to Missouri in 1816. He worked hard to make Missouri a free state, meaning a state where slavery was not allowed.

Because of his strong beliefs, he faced danger from people who supported slavery. His son wrote that his father was attacked by armed slave-holders. His wife was also hurt while trying to help him. Because of these dangers, he had to move his family from Howard County to Carroll County, and then to Clay County.

Even after moving, he continued to speak out against slavery. People who supported slavery called him an "Abolitionist" because he believed in freedom for everyone. Humphrey Smith asked that his tombstone message not be put on his grave until Missouri became a free state. This shows how dedicated he was to the cause of human liberty.