Re: Smiths of Northampton MA
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In reply to:
Smiths of Northampton MA
Kathy Patterson 11/22/04
Hello Kathy
The following obit of Milo J. Smith explains the history of the Smith family of Smith's Ferry, Northampton MA. PS There are many newspaper articles on Smith's Ferry, which was land contested over the years by both Northampton and Holyoke. The Smith's Ferry Cemetery is on-line at http://www.rootsweb.com/~mahampde/cem/sf.htmlhttp://www.rootsweb.com/~mahampde/cem/sf.html
Jim Carroll
Hampshire Gazette (Northampton, MA) Tuesday Aug 19 1884
Death of Milo J. Smith
Milo Judd Smith, one of the most prominent farmers of Hampshire county, died at his residence in Smith's Ferry last Saturday evening, aged 70 years. He was born in that place, and spent the whole of his life there. His father was Lewis Smith, and his mother Eunice Judd. His father came from Monterey in Berkshire county, and was the first settler of the name of Smiths who settled at Smtih's Ferry, and it was from him and his numerous family that the place took its name. He had a family of eleven children; seven sons and four daughters. Five of the sons - Milo, Charles, Hervey, David and Chester - married and settled in Smith's Ferry village, and occupied five houses, all standing in a row on the main street. The father of this family occupied the house since occupied by his son Charles H. Smith, the nurseryman. Of these eleven children, only two, Chas. H. and Mrs. Hiram Bagg of Erie, Pa. are now living. Milo married Sally, daughter of John Street of Ireland Parish. They had three children, Milo L. Smith, Mrs. S.H. Gould, and Josephine, the latter dying about eight years ago. This family of Smiths has long been noted for its energy, enterprise and thrift. Capt. Hervey was for many years a selectman, and but for his Democratic politics he would have been still more prominent in public life. His brother Milo was a Whig, which was the popular party in this region, and in 1842 he was chosen one of the town's Representatives in the General Court, his colleague being Dr. Benjamin Barrett. He was one of the selectmen for eight or ten years. One year both he and his brother Capt. Hervey were chosen selectmen, the former being on the Whig ticket, and the latter on the opposition. For four years from 1866 to 1870 he was annually elected and served as president of the Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden Agricultural Society, and was afterward chosen amember of the State Board of Agriculture. He was a member of the town committee to consider the question of changing the form of government to the city system, and favored the change. He was a large and successful farmer, and was noted for his fine herds of Shorthorn cattle. He took many of the leading premiums at the local cattle shows. About seven years ago, in company with Andrew T. Judd of South Hadley Falls, he engaged in the raising of Durham stock at West Liberty, Iowa. They owned, and stillown, a large farm there, and at times have had from [75] to 100 head of cattle on it. His plans were well matured. He had excellent judgment, was alwyas fair and candid in his opinions, and expressed them with firmness yet with courtesy and becoming dignity. He was an honest and upright man in all his dealings, and throughout his long and active life he enjoyed the respect of his fellow citizens in a high degree. It is understood that he leaves a fair estate, as the result of his industry and skillful management. His sickness began four or five years aog; since April last he has been confined to his bed, and for the last six or eight weeks he has been entirely helpless. He was a member of the First church of Northampton and the church at Ireland Parish about forty years, and lived a consistent Christian life. He was fully conscious of his failing condition and expressed his readiness to depart to the unseen world. His funeral will be attended at his late residence this afternoon.
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Re: Smiths of Northampton MA
Stanley Gould 2/16/06
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Re: Smiths of Northampton MA
Jim Carroll 2/17/06
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Re: Smiths of Northampton MA
Stanley Gould 2/17/06
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Re: Smiths of Northampton MA
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Re: Smiths of Northampton MA