Duncan Emrich, 1974, former Chief of the Folklore Section, Library of Congress, "American Folk Poetry," pp. 686-688, gives the words to "Poor Ellen Smith" as I posted them; from Ethel Park Richardson, "American Mountain Songs," 1927 (1955), Greenberg, NY. He gives the same comments about Peter Degraph.
Emrich mentions no date for the murder (nor did Laws). No tune given.

Emrich notes that "Poor Ellen Smith" was recorded by Herbert Halpert from the singing of Mrs. W. L. Martin, Hillsville, VA, 1939, Library of Congress AFS record 2745B (not listed in the Traditional Ballad Index).

As noted previously, "How Firm a Foundation" is mentioned as the tune for the Henry Reed fiddle version; Cyberhymnal provides a midi which seems unrelated to the Reed tune, but also lists several alternate tunes for that 18th C. hymn. I have not heard the shape note version.