John Lucius Smith was a Shirley from Texas

[Alan M Smith]

My great great grandfather came to Edgefield Co SC before 1870.  On that census, he is listed as John Lucius Smith, single, age 30, born in Tx, physician.  In 1880, his widow is listed with 3 young sons.  Family story was he was running from law being unjustly accused of a crime in Texas and came to SC.  Also that his surname was Shirley.  I have had y dna test for myself and learned Shirley is correct. We want to know what, why, when…….Can anyone help us identify John Lucius Smith?  All help greatly appreciated.  

[Admin: Ken]

I'm a bit confused.

The 1870 census says "J L" Smith, physician was born in South Carolina, not Texas. And the death certificate of his son Sibley (I think it was) says his father "Dr J L Smith" was born in Aiken SC. Thus the only 2 legal documents in which his origins are mentioned, both say South Carolina.

Are family whispers the only source that John Lucius Smith was born in Texas?

For 'needle in haystack' reasons, the more we nail down the more helpful it will be.

Ken
Shirley Association

[Admin: Ken]

More...

J. L Smith, physician is living in the household of Elizabeth Nagel in Edgefield Co SC. It seems she was the widow of A. G. Nagel who himself was a physician living in the town of Edgefield, Edgefield Co SC in 1860 census. Dr. A G. Nagel is enumerated in the 1869 SC State census, so he must have died (or was absent from household) by the next year's 1870 census. Thus, J. L. Smith took over Nagel's practice

Did he know the Nagel family, or did he move to Edgefield SC simply to assume Nagel's medical practice (possibly by notice in a newspaper?). If the latter, then where was J L Smith living, or practicing medicine prior to assuming Nagel's medical practice.

Other questions: where did J L Smith learn how to be a physician, a medical college, or possibly a young apprentice during the Civil War? Surely based on age, J. L. (Shirley) Smith served in the Civil War - maybe he was a military deserter, thus the story of him fleeing ("unjustly accused" or otherwise)

Last: J L Smith named a son after himself. Thus it seems John Lucius was an important moniker. Was his name John Lucius Shirley prior to fleeing? (I don't find anyone by that name in the era). Assuming the surname "Smith" as an alias is a bit obvious?