On other pages in this series and on this web site, the life and times of the Womack children have been reported, at least, they have been the subject of speculation.  Mary Ann's life would have been no different from theirs as far as we know.  She grew to be an adult in one of the most turbulent periods in American history and watch the events unfold that proved to be prelude to the Civil War.

For many years, the Mary Ann Womack story was concealed by the difficulty that researchers experienced in finding a record for her. But then, a strange and interesting thing occurred.  The author made a trip to Tallapoosa County, Alabama to view the actual records in the Court House at Dadeville.  While searching for all Womacks and Smiths-Harriett Smith married William Harrison Womack-it was discovered that the transcribers and indexers had mistakenly entered her name as Mary Hammock.  Indeed, one researcher had listed a marriage for one Mary Hammock and Lemuel P. Smith.  An examination of the official record revealed that the actual name began with a "W" and not an "H".  Moreover, the bondsman for the marriage license was William Womack, her brother, and Lemuel P. Smith was the brother of Harriett..

Lemuel P. Smith had served as bondsman when his sister, Harriett married William Womack, in November 1860 and now, one month later, William Womack was serving as the bondsman for the marriage of HIS sister, Mary Ann, to Lemuel P. Smith.  The revelation, while astonishing, shows once again the importance of seeing the actual record rather than a transcription because not matter how careful the indexer may be, errors occur.

It will now be possible to search other records that may shed light on the Mary Ann Womack story.  Return here often to see the latest discoveries.