Here you can read, learn and share about The United States Colored Stoops. It’s vitally important for us to tell our stories our way about our ancestors and the important contributions and sacrifices they made, not only for the war but for their entire existence and their families.
Private Robert Smith
By Candace Chivis, 3rd great-granddaughter,
Robert Smith was born August 28, 1840 to parents James Smith II and Lucinda Hipps in Harlan County Kentucky. James and Lucinda were free people of color. The family moved to Michigan in 1860 and Robert enlisted in the 102nd USCT(then called the 1st Michigan Colored Infantry) on August 20,1863 in Kalamazoo, Michigan along with his brothers; Samuel, Alexander and George. All four men survived the war. He returned to Michigan after the 102nd was disbanded and married Almina or Almira Montsinger, a mulatto woman of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. He passed away on May 1, 1900 of the Tuberculosis that he caught while serving. He received a veteran’s pension for his tuberculosis. Enclosed is a photo of the Robert Smith family circa 1900. Robert is the one with the beard. Also enclosed is a photo of his children, King David Smith and Mary Smith Chivis. Nearly all of his descendants are from these two children.Â