The Captain & The Commercial Artist

Arthur Belmont Smith was my 1st cousin 1x removed. He was the first born child of Perley and Agnes Smith. Perley was brother to my grandfather Malcolm.

Arthur was born on June 12, 1919 in Bridgewater, MA. and graduated from the Normal High School. 

On July 19, 1941, at the age of 22 Arthur enlisted in the US Army Air Corp in Falmouth, MA at Camp Edwards as a radio Technician for a period of three years. He served in China, Burma, India Theatre of Operations, rec'd the distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medals.

Phyllis Belair was born on Sept 16, 1917 in Meriden, Conn. She attended Meriden High school where she played the violin in the school orchestra. Her year book described her, "Who knows most says the least". She was a graduate in the class 1935.

Phyllis received her Registered Nursing Degree at Children's Hospital in Boston.

During WW11 Phyllis, known as Phil, joined the army and earned the rank of Captain.  She was deployed in the European Theatre from Jan 1942 to Jan 1946. She was a member of the Harvard Unit, the first nursing unit to land on Normandy.

When Arthur was discharged from the Military he went back home and enrolled at the Boston Art School.  Arthur received his degree in Commercial Art. 

It seems plausible that Arthur and Phyllis met while they were both in the Army. Perhaps Arthur was injured or ill and she tended to him. Perhaps even in Boston where they went to college. Just seems like they were destined to meet.

They were married in June 1948 at the Bridgewater Congregational Church with the Rev. Mr. Coe officiating.  Phyllis at this time was the assistant to Dr. Engelbert Dumphy at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston.

Soon after the couple moved to Kirkwood, New York where Arthur had his own Commercial Artist Business.

They had three children, and six great grandchildren 

Arthur passed away at the age of 73 in Kirkwood, New York on June 1, 1993.  He was a retired commercial artist with his own business, a member of  the Mason-Fellowship Lodge and the Lions Club. He was an avid golfer and fisherman. He was cremated and laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

Phyllis retired after 30 years as a school nurse teacher. Then she moved to Venice, Florida where she was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church .

Phyllis passed away at the age of 89 in Venice Florida. She was cremated and laid to rest with Full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery on December 3, 2007 at 11:00.

Divorced his family For His Wife

    Forrest was born on December 21, 1901 in Bridgewater, MA. to Joseph Hobson Smith and Laura Eunice Jones, the youngest of five children.   He was my great uncle, brother to my grandfather, Malcolm. Forrest, at the age of 18, went to work at the shoe factory in Brockton, MA. where his brother worked.

When Forrest and his wife, Marie, wanted to return home due to financial problems His mother told him, "You can come but your wife can't.  Forrest left and was never seen nor heard from again. 

If rumors are true, I suspect it may have been his mother Laura that made this comment for she was described as being a difficult woman

Laura's husband Joseph after 40 years of marrage decided to go back to the state of of  Maine, where he was initially from.  Laura chose not to go. So Joseph said to kiss his 10 year old granddaughter Eugenie goodbye, and he left.

Forrest and Marie were married in 1925 but where the wedding took place is unknown at this time. I suspect it took place in the state of New York where Marie was from.  It is unclear if they had children. I wonder if they met while Forrest was in the military.  I do see a draft card when Forrest was 40 and he was married to Marie at time. 

 I found them living at one point in Jersey City, New Jersey in the 1930 census.   He was 29 and she was 27, no children were listed.  Forrest was a service man at this time working for Frigidaire. 

Forrest was rumored to have moved somewhere out west with his wife.  For years I have been searching for my grandfather's brother. It was difficult for he lived in more than one state. Finally,  perseverance has paid off. I found they were living at 247 E. 123 St Manhattan, New York

Marie I discovered is a nickname for Lillie Marie, maiden name unknown. Forrest died of Chronic Cardiovascular Disease at the Metropolitan Hospital in New York City Manhattan, New York on July 2, 1947 at the age of 45.

His brother Malcolm died at the age of 54 of a major heart attack in Bridgewater, MA. His sister Mertie also died of a heart attack at the age of 69 according to her granddaughter. 

In 1950 we find Lillie working as a switch board operator at a hotel in New York, Kings, New York listed as a widow. 

 

William, Druzillah and Florence

William G. Smith was born on April 24, 1819 in Biddeford, Maine, son of Samuel and Sarah. In 1852 William married Druzillah J. Gray, daughter of Luther H Gray and Rebecca Jordon, born in Falmouth, Maine on May 30, 1831. She was 11 years younger than he. They had 10 plus children.

Private William G Smith served in the Civil War from Feb 8, 1864 to July 11, 1865 in the 6th Battery light artillery.

In 1881 William G Smith was living with his family at 12 Elm Street in Biddeford, Maine. The Bradbury Bridge also on Elm Street crossed over the Saco River.  Located along the river was the J G Deering  & Son Lumber Company where William worked as a saw mill operator. The Saco River powered the Mills equipment and light at the doorway to illuminate the work area. 

William died on February 22, 1902 at the of 69 of senile Gangrene - brain cancer in Brockton, MA.

Druzillah died of hepatorenal Syndrome, severe liver damage commonly associated with farming. They  are all buried together in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Hollis, Maine. William has an American Legion post 73 G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic flag on his grave.

December 7, 1881 his six year old daughter, Florence fell off the Bradbury Bridge under construction on Elm Street and to her death.