The lineage of Henry C. Salts can be found in his wife's Civil War, Widow's Pension file. In this package of "231" pages, there is a sworn statement from Daniel Salts clearly stating that he was the father of Henry C. Salts -and father-in-law of Catherine C. Smith. The letter was dated 13 June 1879.

1830 - Washington Co., TN Census
Page 239 - listed in Ancestry.com as Daniel Stts
Daniel Salts - males: 111001; females: 001101

1 male under five [Henry C.]
1 male of five under ten [Thomas B.]
1 male of ten under fifteen [Leland]
1 male of thirty and under forty [Daniel, husband]

1 female of ten and under fifteen [Sarah]
1 female of fifteen and under twenty [Hannah Emaline McCardle]
1 female of thirty and under forty [Rebecca, wife]

1840 - Washington County, TN Census Page 210
Daniel Salts - males: 0012001; females: 0100201
1 male of 10 and under 15 [Henry C.]
2 males of 15 and under 20 [Thomas B. and Leland]
1 male of 40 and under 50 [Daniel]

1 female of 5 and under 10 [Nancy]
2 females of 20 and under 30 [Hannah and Sarah]
1 female of 40 and under 50 [Rebecca]

1846 - He is listed in the Washington County, Tax Book 1844-1850 District 15, which was the city of Jonesborough and surrounding area (Jonesborough Courthouse Vault Records)

1847 - He is listed in the Washington County, Tax Book 1844-1850 District 15, which was the city of Jonesborough and surrounding area (Jonesborough Courthouse Vault Records)

1848 - He is listed in the Washington County, Tax Book 1844-1850 District 15, which was the city of Jonesborough and surrounding area (Jonesborough Courthouse Vault Records)

1849 - He is listed in the Washington County, Tax Book 1844-1850 District 15, which was the city of Jonesborough and surrounding area (Jonesborough Courthouse Vault Records)

1850 - He is listed in the Washington County, Tax Book 1844-1850 District 15, which was the city of Jonesborough and surrounding area (Jonesborough Courthouse Vault Records)

1850 - Washington County, TN Census87,101
SALTS, Daniel age 47 collecting officer TN
SALTS, Rebecca 55 VA
SALTS, Sarah J. 25 TN
SALTS, Nancy F. 18 TN
SALTS, James M. 5 TN [grandson, son of Sarah, J.]
SALTS, Henry 23 blacksmith TN

1860 - Washington County, Tennessee Census
SALTS, Henry 30
SALTS, Catherine 22
SALTS, Charles A. 5
SALTS, John W. 1
SPROWLS, Hugh 23
SPROWLS, Sarah 19

From his wife's Civil War Application a great deal can be learned about Henry. In fact, there are around 231 pages in this document with extensive interviews from his family, friends, and work colleagues from the different railroad positions he held. It seems that there was concern over the cause of his death -if his illness was contracted during his service while on duty, or if it was due to his extensive, fast life style. From looking at the recorded interviews which are rather complex, it is possible to see where his wife, Catherine C. Smith Salts, seem to dig her own grave. In her original interview she painted a rather harsh picture of her husband and there was also concern over the relationships he had with other women outside his marriage -not to mention within his marriage. Catherine was originally given the pension, but it was later taken away. She then fought to have it reinstated, but died in 1895. All in all, it's a good read.

It was said that Henry ran an engine on the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad, that during this time, which ran from Bristol to Knoxville, Tennessee. The Confederate Government shipped a great many troops over this road. It was thought that this track was controlled by a civil company who charged for all transportation, and paid the employees out of their own funds -stating that the Confederate authorities had nothing to do with employing those who conducted and ran the train, but at the same time, it also sounded like they were still involved.

Henry was a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. M, in the Eight Regiment of Calvary, Tennessee. He enrolled on October 7, 1862. He was then mustered out on July 31, 1864 when he took up his position as a 2nd Lieut. Individual M.O.R. Dated Sept 11, 1865 - reports him as a 2nd Lieut of Company M. Mustered out on September 11, 1865 at Knoxville, Tennessee with remarks -originally enrolled as private, promoted Serg't April 12, 1865, discharged as Serg't July 1, 1865, accepted promotion as 2nd Lieut in company M. He was diagnosed with chronic dysentery in April of 1865 and discharged from service. His illness then turned into Typhoid Fever, which led to his death. He died on March 2, 1866.90

1866, March 2nd - Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, Henry C. Salts died.

1868, June 22nd - Rheatown, Greene County, Tennessee - On this date Catherine Salts completed a form stating that she was the widow of Henry Salts, a 2nd Lieutenant of Co. M, commanded by Samuel E. Erwin. It was the 8th Calvary Regiment of Tennessee. IN this document she gave the names and dates of births for her three sons.

1870 - Rheatown, Greene County, Tennessee Census194
SMITH, John 75 shoe & boot maker MD
SMITH, Ellen 58 keeping house TN
SALTS, Catharine 35 TN

Catherine's children are not living with her on the 1870 census. Henry and John were in a Soldier's Orphan Home. Charles, was working for a printer and can be found in TN. More information can be found under each person’s sketch.

When Henry C. [the husband] went off to war, Catherine went home to her father's house. She stated that she saw her husband twice during this time when he was on leave.

1880 - Knoxville, Knox County, Tennesse Census195
SALTS, Kate C. 40 keeping house TN MD TN
SALTS, Charles A. 24 son RR Fireman TN TN TN
SALTS, John W. 22 son laborer TN TN TN

1883, April 16th - On this date Catherine was still living in Knoxville, she gave her residence as White Street, 2 doors south of Park in the city of Knoxville, Knox Co., TN

At some point Catherine's pension was stopped and there was extensive written interviews asking personal questions regarding Henry's death, his health, his morality, as well as her own. I don't think I've ever seen such an extensive application doucment.90

A George J. Collins wrote a reference for Catherine's pension application. George was the husband of Ruthie Adeline McGinnis-Smith, daughter of Richard D. Smith. To date, no connection or relationship has been found between the two Smith people. (5 April 2002)

License was issued 5 May 1855 and they were married by A.G Worley. Their return was recorded on the 13th of November.