Louisa Cheves (Smythe) Stoney (1868 - 1939)

Born 31 Jul 1868 in Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Samuel Gaillard Stoney — married 29 Oct 1890 in Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 18 Aug 1939 at age 71 in Charleston, South Carolina, United States

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Biography

Louisa Cheves Smythe was the daughter of Augustine Thomas Smythe and Louisa Rebecca McCord. She was educated at Miss Murden's School and the Misses Sass's School. In her youth she was an accomplished horsewoman and fox hunter. In 1890 she married Samuel Gaillard Stoney. They had five children. She was a long-time leader in the civic and cultural life of Charleston, South Carolina and served as President of the Board of the Confederate Home and College.

She was described as a woman of unusual talent and character. Her interests were in poetry, painting, history, and the welfare of people. She was a leader in the organization of the Interracial Committee and was instrumental in the establishment of the Y.W.C.A. for African American women in Charleston. She won prizes for her verses from the Poetry Society of South Carolina. She edited her grandfather's work "The Life, Letters and Recollections of the Rev. Thomas Smythe" and compiled historical data on women's activities in the Presbyterian Church. She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church and a pewholder in St. Michael's Episcopal Church for nearly 50 years.

Sources

• Simons family genealogy records.
• Obituary published in The Columbia Record, Columbia, South Carolina on 19 Aug 1939.
• Obituary published in The State, Columbia, South Carolina on 19 Aug 1939.
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33148139/louisa-cheves-stoney