Where My Smith Name Began in 1579

Who is Anthony DeBland?

We begin here with the Deposition of Nathanial and Abraham Drake who were both aged in their 70's. They appeared before the Justice of the Peace and gave oath on April 27, 1691, in Hampton, New Hampshire. "That they knew John Bland who at times was called John Smith, but his name and ancestors were called Bland. He was commonly called John of Martha's Vineyard. That they also knew Isabel Bland and have known them since they were children. And, at times lived here.

Sir John Bland Smith was born in 1572 in Colchester Parish, London, England. He was actually the son of Anthony DeBland. John kept Bland as his middle name but chose to take on his stepfathers' surname, James Smyth/Smith in honor of him. This is the juncture where my Smith family began.

In 1604 he married Isabel Drake, born in Elmstead, Essex, England in 1579, the daughter of Sir William Drake and Joan Marrylis.  They sailed to Colonial America on the James, from the Winthrop fleet of 1630.

Sir John Bland and Mistress Isabell, a title which had a definite significance in those days, had at least seven children, John Jr, Thomas, Daniel, Isabel, Anabelle, Abraham and Francis.

Sir John Bland, Mistress Isabel(la), their son John Bland Jr, and George Parkhurst moved to Watertown, Massachusetts. John and George are both credited as being two of the founding fathers of this town and a plaque bears their names. 

John Bland Smith Jr meets and marries Deborah Parkhurst, daughter of George Parkhurst in Watertown They had at least four children, daughters Deborah an Abigail, and sons John (The Cooper) Smith, Samuell and Philip.

In 1642, John Bland Smith, Jr, a widower, moves to Martha's Vineyard with Thomas Mayhew, Jr. and begins using his father's surname and is now known across the island as John Bland of Martha's Vineyard.  Their mission was to convert the Wampanoags to Christianity. In turn, the natives taught them how to capture whales tow them ashore and boil out the oil.

John owned a minimum of 20 acres of land on the island. He made his will in Nantucket leaving his land to his sons Samuel and Philip. Descendants through both sons still reside on the island in the tenth generation. John Bland died on October 16, 1687 in Edgartown, Massachusetts at the age of 67.

Babunia

Antonia Chicanowicz, a Polish woman, was born in Stamstwiska, Vilna, Poland, a Russian Federation in 1894.  From 1795 to 1918 the area was under the Imperial Russian Rule and it had a strong grip on the Polish people.  They were not allowed to speak Polish on the streets and the stores could only post signs in the Russian language. 

 

Russia during this time was made up of Lithuanians, Jews and Pols.  All three were striving for cultural domination. The languages spoken were Yiddish, Polish, and Lithuanian.  The man she would eventually marry, John Kopcych, was also born in Vilna, Poland in 1892 and immigrated to America in 1910, at the age of 18, due to Russian rule and cultural unrest.

 

At the start of WWI in 1914, at the age of 20, she immigrated to America.  It was here that she married John Kopcych and purchased land on Hayward Street, in Bridgewater, Massachusetts and began a life of farming.  Their first son was named Josef after John’s father, and their son Anthony was named for John’s brother.  They had two daughters, Stephanie Stella and Mary Rose.

 

Anthony, known to me as Uncle Tony married my father’s sister, Bertha.

 

I came to know Antonia, a widow, at this time, now living next door to my parents. We called her Babunia, which is grandma in Russian. She made great cookies.  I remember sneaking one from her kitchen as a child.

 She loved her booze and did imbibe a little too much at times.  I remember she would take about a two-foot-long log from her wood pile that she kept for her wood stove and carry it out to the edge of the street and set it on end.  Somewhat portly she would firmly plant herself down with feet apart on the ground for balance and yell “hey” and she waved to the cars as they drove by.

It is believed that a wood stove caused her home to catch fire.  Her son, Tony, lived right next door to us.

 

In the middle of the night, my father's cousin, Eddie Marvel, who lived two houses down, woke my parents by banging on their bedroom window.  My mother was startled and screamed for the reflection from the fire made it look like our house was on fire. 

 

Babunia’s son, Tony, ran to his mother's home that was on fire. In an attempt to save her he broke a window to get to her. It was a valiant effort in futility for the house was totally engulfed and the flames much too hot.  Tony cut his hand on the windowpane and was bleeding heavily.  Knowing he was not able to save his mother, he walked over to our house leaving a trail of blood.  My mother wrapped his hand in a towel to stop the bleeding while sitting on the back porch steps, just as the fire trucks and police arrived. The house was a total loss.

Sadly, Antonia died in that fire in 1955. I was eleven years old as I looked out our living room window at all the activity. The night air was red with fire.  I watched as she was put into the back of an ambulance in a black body bag and taken away.

Only the foundation of her home remained where trees and weeds grew in and around the foundation and property for decades before the land was sold and a new home was built.

 

 

Robbing The Cradle

 I always heard the term "Robbing the Cradle", perhaps this is where it started.

     Thomas Tomson was born Oct 19, 1664 in Middleboro, MA. He was good friends with John Morton who also lived in Middleboro and they frequently visited each other. 

On one occasion when Thomas had turned 25, Morton advised that he should soon marry as he was of the proper age. Thomas is alleged to have replied, "I will marry that daughter of yours when she is old enough," pointing to John Morton's infant daughter Mary in her cradle. 

 John is not known to have objected, and when Thomas was 50, he made good his word, marrying Mary, aged 25. They married on December 13, 1715 in Middleboro, Massachusetts. They had seven children.

Thomas was a farmer and a glazier, and set diamond glass in lead, a feature of windows common in those days.

Thomas had an estate of 700 acers.  He was well off financially and was always charitable.  Rev. Cotton, the first minister of Halifax said, “Thomas Tomson was the wealthiest man in town but more to his honor was rich toward God.

 

 

Sleeping Beauty

 

A beautiful little blue eyed blonde healthy baby girl was born on January 15, 1934  to Lloyd and Myrtle Yarrinton. They named her Vivian Maxine and called her by her middle name, Maxine.

March 4, 1936

Two and half old Maxine diagnosed with sleeping sickness remains unresponsive. She never cries and it is believed she feels neither pleasure nor pain since the frantic day her parents brought her to the hospital. She suffered an Encephalitis attack five months ago last September.

Since September 24 1935, the doctors have studied Maxine’s case to no avail.  Her mother calls weekly prayful for some sign of recognition. Four year old Maxine remains comatose after 26 months despite normal growth and temperature.

Maxine Turned five with unseeing eyes from the birthday cake her father Lloyd offered her. The child in her mother’s arms celebrated her birthday by taking the liquid diet she has received since 1935, sleeps through her birthday.

Her parents fear she may never awaken. The parents of the rosy-cheeked blonde child hope that someday she may return home to join her two brothers and sisters.

According to her death certificate, Maxine passed away on September 12, 1934 at 9:02 pm at the age of 7 years, 7 months and 28 days. One month prior to her death she acquired Pulmonary Tuberculosis. That along with her six years of Encephalitis contributed to her death, which left her in the state of mental deficiency – Idiot. 

She is buried I Hope Cemetery, Carnesville, PA.

 

 

 

 

Colonel Josiah Edson

 

The Tory House in Central Bridgewater derives its name from its historical association with Loyalists, commonly referred to as Tories during the American Revolutionary War.

The house was built in 1698 by Jacob Leonard, (still standing today) a descendant of James Chilton who came over on the Mayflower, and whom we also descend from.  It was run as a hotel with many small rooms. Later, during the “Ante Bellum” days preceding the Civil War, this house was a station on the Underground Railroad helping runaway slaves escape to Canada.

Rev Allen, Minister of the First Parish Church, who under pressure for his Tory sympathizers, sold the property in the year leading up to the Revolutionary war, to our sixth great grandfather, Colonel Josiah Edson. He was a sympathizer and head of the militia.  Edson was born in Bridgewater on New Year’s Day, January 1, 1682.

 He was a Justice of the Peace, a Deacon of his church, a town Selectman from 1704 to 1734, a representative of the General Court in Boston for many years, and owned the largest and best kept farm in Bridgewater. Josiah was a highly respected and trusted man in town.

But, in 1774, Josiah’s great loyalty to the Crown and King George angered his fellow townsmen because he sided with the British, was forced to leave town and the Tory House was confiscated by the Continental Congress in 1775.

Josiah feeling threatened, left his farm, family and friends behind to seek the protection of the British Army in Boston and became identified as the enemy of Bridgewater. In the early part of 1776, he accompanied the British Army from Boston to Halifax, Nova Scotia and from there to Newport Long Island where he died on December 26, 1778.

Bridgewater for many years had a 4^th of July celebration with a pageant depicting the town’s history during the Revolution, with Colonel Josiah Edson featured not as a strong and courageous man who dared stand up for his minority and mistaken beliefs, but as the dirty villain, and a bronze plaque in front of the house labeled it as “The Tory House” for all to revile.

Remembering a COVID-19 Thanksgiving

 Written Nov 25, 2020

Thanksgiving arrives tomorrow and I will be cooking dinner for me alone. Am I sad? No. I have much too be grateful despite COVID-19 invading my way of life. 2020 has been filled with many challenges in varying degrees. Missing the human touch, celebrations missed, overcoming family health issues, and yet, here we are surviving all that has been thrown at us, a testimony to family strength, love, strong faith and a willingness to help others that may be lonely by a simple phone call. 

Being a genealogist I know the difficulties my ancestors overcame that taught me perseverance, determination, commitment, compassion, support and the true meaning of love by putting others before oneself. 

As a direct descendant of ten Pilgrims, I wish you a very happy thanksgiving no matter where or how you celebrate. Remember all that you have to be grateful for.

Giving a Voice

So you want to write a book?

You need curiosity, love of knowledge, know your subject and eager to write it down. Bring readers in to propel them forward. Example: Freezing to death, or a fiery crash.

But this is what I do know. What is it that motivates you?  Just understanding the type of books you enjoy reading could give an indication as to the direction you would go to write a book. Lesson number one, “First you have to know who you are”. 

If you aren’t sure, you’ll make a mistake.  But we learn by them.  Example, a close family member wrote two completely different fictional books.  One was only half-way good, the second a complete failure. Lesson two,  ”Write what you know.”

Every author does research. No matter how much you know about a subject, there is always the need to do research.  Whether it is about genealogy, history, children stories, romance, or any other topic. “Lesson three, Research is part of writing.”

There are many writing veins.  It could be a book, but it also could be a blog, newspaper, magazines, or specialty quarterly journals. And, we mustn’t leave out writing poetry. So lesson number four, “It doesn’t have to be just books”.

For me, it was biography/memoir, my book Forever Laced, A Journey Through Two Centuries, also writing for the Southern Genealogy Exchange, a blog, and writing many short ancestor stories. Lesson five: “Editing is a writer’s worst enemy”.

Talk about main stream publishing. Getting an agent, also called mission impossible, vs. self-publishing, hard work, expensive and other pitfalls. Lesson six, “It is a lot of work, frustrating, but very rewarding, enjoy the process, have fun”.

Jürgen Trapp- Texting My German Cousin

 

Jürgen Trapp, son of Emil and Elizabetha Trapp

One of the greatest joys genealogy has given me was discovering my cousin, Jürgen Trapp, who lives in Sasbackwalden, Germany along the Black Forest. He is my 6th cousin 1X removed.  We connect through my 5th great aunt, Christiana Rosch, when she married Josef Bruder, his great grandfather, on February 26, 1781. Their daughter, Hermine, was his grandmother.

It has been such a joy getting to know him and his family, his wife Elke, three daughters. Anna, Lisa, and Lena, and son Alexander. He has shared stories, pictures and legends of the homeland. Some of which I have written about in my book " Forever Laced, A Journey through Two Centuries, but had never actually seen until now through his pictures.

My third great grandparents, Mathias Rosch and Magdalena lived in Sasbachwalden, a Black Forest municipality in Western Baden-Wurttemberg Germany.  It is located on the western slopes of the the Hornisgrinde Mountain located in the Northern Black Forest and belongs to the district of Ortenau. More than 70% of the town is forest.  They lived along the Oos River at the bottom of the Black Forest. Jürgen has brought my German ancestry to life.

Jürgen has a big heart. When Russia invaded Ukraine and the people had to flee to other countries, many Ukrainians went to Germany, Jürgen took in Tetianna, and her two children, Anna and little Alex while her husband was fighting the war.  Then he also worked to find apartments for the refugees .

                                                           

  Christiana Rosch and Josef Bruder 

       parents of Hermine  

                                                      

            

 Home of Christiana Rosch and Josef Bruder, 

Marberg, Germany

   (Today it is a hotel)

Following, are various views of Jürgen's ancestral home. He is the third generation to live in this house.  Painted on his house is evidence of the love of his family and his history.  The first two names side by side are his name, Jürgen Trapp and his wife Elke. Next are his parents, Emil and Elizabetha Trapp, then his grandparents Hermine and Emil Trapp.

Below that are two Coat of Arms in memory of his grandparents and parents who built the house. The Coat of arms of Sasbachwalden with the fir tree is for his grandparents Hermine, Emil and himself. The second Coat of Arms of Lauf is for his parents, Emil. Elizabetha, and his wife Elfe who are all from Lauf.

Below that is a saying by Hoffmann Von Fallersleben, who also composed the German national anthem.

"Like the oaks striving towards the sky, despite the storms, we want to be like them, free, and firm, like Germans oaks lifting out heads."

                       

 

His text messages always begin with,  

"To My Dear Cousin." He became a grandfather for the first time this year, 2022.

He shared with me his Christmas and Easter traditions:

"You can say sauerbraten, is our national dish here in the southwest of Germany, especially in our region here.  At Christmas the children are all there and Elke's parents, of course. It has always been like this at Christmas and Easter".

"On Christmas Eve, we traditionally serve sauerbraten noodles and potato dumplings. This is a festive meal with a long tradition here in the Black Forest, Sauerbraten ..... is a piece of beef that is pickled in red wine vinegar with bay leaves for a few days. After souring, the meat is seared and then left on the fire for a long time.

Everyone is already looking forward to it".

"With all that we have shared, and yet to share, me learning more about my German ancestors, he learning more about his American ancestors, has brought us closer together. We are both enamored with our family and its' history, indeed we are, dear cousins.

Ten Life Lessons

     I look up at heaven and say to my husband, “It started with just you and me, now we number twenty-seven. I see the faces of our children, their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren and realize how blessed we are.  My crystal ball sees more great grandchildren arriving in the future.

 I have been blessed to be here on this earth for seventy-eight years. and hoping for many more. I have experienced life in all its forms; love, pain, disappointment, sadness, joy and struggles. But something happens from living a long life. You learn what is important.

For the last twenty-five years I have delved into the genealogy world. What started out as just a curiosity, turned into a lesson of not just where we came from, but what our ancestors can teach us, but also who we are as family.

My heart is full. How do I pass this knowledge of living a life of joy effectively so it is understood.  These are my "Ten Life Lessons".

1. The most important lesson my dad taught me, for as long as I can remember, "Family First", without them you have nothing. Keep them close and protect that relationship.

2.  All marriages run into difficulties.  Don't give up so quickly, hang on, for in time all will heal and you will  discover the love you have for each other remains and has grown even stronger for what you endured.  What a great gift you give yourself, love everlasting. 

3. Don't be quick to judge a family member. You cannot fully understand what problems they may be going through. Try to be patient, loving and understanding.  Don't assume their unusual behavior has anything to do with you. Give them time to resolve their situation.

4. Everyone needs financial help at one time or another. You may have been given monetary assistance without judgement or question of having to pay it back. Just remember, pay it forward without expectations of repayment. It's all about love and supporting each other.

5. Continue the family traditions that have been practiced and carried forward for so many generations. Life can get crazy busy with work, children, and all that it entails.  These special gatherings of  Christmas, birthday parties, and summer cook-outs, keep you connected to one another.

6. Encourage each other, so that they may build confidence in themselves to achieve the dreams they are seeking. We all need someone to believe in us. Be that cheerleader.

7. Life is shorter  than you think. Always accept invitations when possible from family and friends, for the opportunity may never come again. Don't regret missed life experiences with those who are important to you.

8. Learn to forgive. Everyone makes mistakes, forgive them. Not everyone has the same beliefs as you, accept it. Not everyone has the same values as you, understand it. Not everyone has the same life-style as you, be open-minded. Being critical of others doesn't bring you joy, let it go. 

9. Be kind to yourself. We can be our worst enemy. We are more judgmental of ourselves than anyone else ever could be. Erase the negative thoughts that rob you of your happiness.  Accept yourself.  Believe you are worthy because you are. You are perfect the way you are. 

10. Lastly, find peace. There is so much tragedy in the world. We are confronted with it daily and it can rob you of contentment and at times make you fearful. You have to look for it through faith, the beauty of nature, the sounds of birds and ocean waves.  Connect with family and friends to share laughter.  Don't let negativity drag you down, smile, happiness and contentment is out there and can be yours if you seek it.  

Reprieve 1982

Bob and Elsie

                                                 

 The Story Behind Reprieve

          It was in 1982 when the George O. Jenkins Company on High Street located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts closed its' doors forever.  Dad, who was the General Manager was suddenly out of work.

The only option for mom and dad was to sell their home and move to the Florida Homestead where mom grew up. But, as luck would have it, dad received notification that he would still have a job, but, it was located in Lawrence, Massachusetts, about 56 miles away.

It was a long two hour drive, in heavy highway traffic, and it quickly took a toll on his body and his health began deteriorating. Dad, who was approaching retirement in a few short years, lost a lot of weight, his color was pale, and we all could see if this continued we would lose our father.

It was at this point, led by our mother, that the decision  was made to sell their house and move to the  Florida homestead. The house was sold to our sister.

As much as they loved being at mom's childhood home in Florida , missing family was emotionally difficult.

 

Widowed at Age 28

Ellen Sullivan Wilber, my third great grandmother, known as Nellie was widowed at age 28.  She was two months pregnant with her fifth child when her husband Joseph passed away in 1886. She was left to raise one year old Ellen, Mary Catheren at age two, four year Dennis and William age six. She went to work in the Bay State Iron Works company sewing hats to support her children for the next seven years.  She would marry again in 1892.

Nellie goes to work

                              Nellie is in the front row, 9th from the left.

The following information is from "Recollecting Nemasket" writing about the history of the town of Middleboro and Lakeville.

       "At the start of the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the Bay State Straw Works, located in Middleboro, Massachusetts, was producing half a million hats and bonnets annually, or over 1,300 a day. To produce these goods, the plant employed nearly two hundred and seventy operatives, divided equally between men and young women, as well as some 1,200 women and girls as outworkers “who are engaged sewing hats and bonnets at their homes,” the company’s braid cart delivering straw to these women and collecting straw braid in return.

"One of the few comments upon nineteenth century female labor history in Middleborough concerns the lot of women in the Bay State Straw Works, the firm which was located on Courtland Street and was once the world’s largest manufacturer of straw hats and bonnets. Of their work there, it was written of the firm’s female operatives: 'The work was easy and pleasant; the girls’ tongues flew as fast as their fingers, and they said of their work. It is just like going to a party.’

"There are reasons to doubt, however, the characterization that work in Middleborough’s straw industry for women always was either “easy” or “pleasant” as some have maintained.  

"The Bay State Straw Works employed 150 females and 8 men.  Like other industries, straw manufacturing preferred the use of female help wherever possible, largely due to the wage differential between men and women, as well as the presumed greater docility of female workers, though this latter view carried little import at this stage in Middleborough as labor remained disorganized and would remain so for some time. Men, however, were engaged by the straw works for the physically more demanding tasks at the manufactory, working as bleachers, dyers, blockers, printers, packers, teamsters, machinists, carpenters and firemen, among other occupations, and as the firm’s business increased, so too did the number of men on the payroll to support these functions.

"The treatment of its female operatives would be a frequent source of potential conflict for the Bay State Straw Works, as it frequently was for other employers. In February, 1876, female employees’ wages were docked twenty-five percent, prompting sympathy from at least one journalist who opined that the reduction was 'a heavy cut when they didn’t get too much before.' In December, 1885, shortly before Christmas, wages of sewing machine girls were similarly docked.

 "Nonetheless, women of talent were recognized by the firm and promoted to positions of authority as overseers and forewomen, supervising other women in areas such as the trimming department.

 “While characterization of employment during the latter half of the nineteenth century for women in the local straw industry as “a party” is highly suspect, unquestionable was the role of these women, many whose names have long been forgotten, in helping build and sustain one of Middleborough’s historically most important industries."

                                     Nellie Sullivan Wilber Thompson

'The Marching Twelfth'

 

Herman (Heinrich) Roesch, my 2nd great uncle was born in Baden, Germany on July 8, 1845. He sailed to America with his parents and sibling in1857 on the William Nelson. They settled in Potosi, Wisconsin. He was one of four brothers who served as union soldiers in the Civil War.

Herman was paid $600 as a substitute soldier and entered into service on October 15, 1864 at the age of 19.The Twelfth, known as “The Marching Twelfth”, was formed under the command of Colonel George E. Bryant of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Herman joined General Sherman when Sherman took his army along with the now ‘Fighting Twelfth, ‘to march to the sea in November of 1864.

 The12th Wisconsin participated in the occupation of Savannah. The Twelfth's last battle was at Bentonville, N. C. in March of 1865 to end their participation of the War. Herman was in the March from Atlanta to the Sea and attended the Grand Review in Washington, D.C.  He mustered out of service in Louisville, Kentucky on June 16^th, 1865 serving for a total of eight months. 

In 1910, when he was 65 years of age, he entered the United States National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers suffering from asthma and bronchitis. On the 23rd of August 1919 at the age of 74, he died from Interstitial Nephritis, a kidney disorder in which the kidneys become unable to filter waste materials and fluid properly, which brought on acute cholecystitis, a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain. Acute cholecystitis causes bile to become trapped in the gallbladder. The build up of bile causes irritation and pressure in the gallbladder. This lead to bacterial infection and perforation of the organ.

 Herman was described as five feet five inches tall, having gray eyes and gray hair, a farmer by trade.  Nine years later on August 23 1919 he died of renal failure. Herman was collecting a pension of $32 a month at the time of his death.  His personal effects totaled $590.25. He bequeathed this money to his youngest brother, John who was living in Potosi, Wisconsin with his wife Susan Taylor, son Lake and daughter Iona

 Herman was buried in the Danville National Cemetery in Danville, Illinois.

No Business Like Shoe Business

  The Keith family emigrated from Scotland to Bridgewater, Massachusetts in 1662. The Rev. James Keith became the first minister in town. It was his grandson, Levi, that built an addition to the house where he ran a tannery business. It remained in the family for a number of generations. But, it was George E Keith who invested $1000 into a  new shoe manufacturing company in the campello section of Brockton, Massachusetts, which at this time was known as North Bridgewater, and becoming one of the premier manufacturer of quality shoes.

Brockton, MA was known as "Shoe City". The Keith Shoe mfg. co. was established in 1758.  The Walk Over name came from a newspaper headline in 1899. "America's Cup Defender, 'Columbia' wins in a Walk Over of Sir Thomas Lipton's 'Shamrock'". 

The shoe mfg. company built a clubhouse for its' employees on thirteen acres. The Walk Over Club had baseball fields, tennis courts, croquet, archery and all kinds of outdoor sport activities. Indoors, there was a bowling alley, a swimming pool, billiards and so much more. There were rooms that catered to men only and other rooms with fireplaces  just for the women. There was ample room to conduct dances, socials, weddings, and other entertainment.

The clubhouse was so popular that by 1900 more than 1600 employees became member for a fee of $2.00.

By 1919 Walkover shoe was not the only shoe mfg. company in the city.  The city now had approximately 13,000 employees making shoes. Walkover shoe in Brockton came to end in 1945.

When this building came to its end of life and it was being torn down, this brass door knob was rescued. You can literally see George walking over the shoe, hence Walk Over Shoe.

When WWII began there was a need for military boots. One of those manufacturers was Corcoran Shoe where my grandfather, Malcolm Leroy Smith, worked from 1941 until is death of a heart attack in 1955.

There were others in my family tree that made shoes.  They too were one of the many that worked for the largest industry in Southeast Massachusetts.

My dad, Robert Franklin Smith, also worked in the shoe industry, by making the leather board in large vats that went in to making the shoes.  He was the General Manager for the George O Jenkins Company in Bridgewater, Massachusetts until his retirement. Dad passed away in 2008 at the age of 86.

I remember hearing on the the radio one day in late 1969 early 1970 how shoes were going to made overseas; less expensive to produce, lowering prices for Americans to purchase  This was the beginning of the final curtain for the shoe business in Massachusetts.

Oscar of Orient Maine

     Oscar Sidney Maxell was born in Orient, Maine on June 1, 1879 on Maxell Settlement Road. He held the position of deacon in the Orient Baptist church longer than anyone else.  He was a confectioner who had his own candy store on Congress Street in Portland, Maine.

Oscar was a staunch republican, who held the position of state representative for two terms. He was on the Temperance Committee. A fitting committee due to the fact he was against alcohol and managed to keep the state of Maine dry for years.  He was also House Chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee. 

Oscar vacationed in Florida with his wife Susie and daughter Shirley every winter. He became president of the Maine-Florida Society of more than 200 members. Here he would promote the state of Maine and all that it offered. 

On March 3, 1931, Oscar sailed aboard the SS Governor Cobb out of Tampa, FL for a five-day trip to Cuba.  In his diary, he summed up his visit to the island this way: "The Cubans are a friendly people and hold U.S. of America, and its people, in high esteem.  The Cubans its (sic) all America, both North and South, but they always emphasize the United States of America to which they belong.  On every hand, the names of General Wood and Teddy Roosevelt, and others, are, to them, sacred, and they avoid being connected with Spain...even say 'we speak the Cuban and English language, and not Spanish', where as a matter of fact, it is Spanish."  Oscar, a strong prohibitionist, firmly believed that "with the Cubans taking the U.S. as their example, someday will adopt prohibition."  He truly believed in the "words of Gifford Gordon: 'Hold on, America!  The son follows in the footsteps of the father and one day Cuba will follow their father in prohibition'."

Oscar was well-known throughout the Aroostook County of Maine. New Newspapers would often have stories of his him, and his family. Stories of his political career, stories of his family in Florida and how his daughter Shirley was crowned Queen in the Maine-Florida Society. They led a privileged life.

Oscar was interviewed frequently by the news media. This newspaper article read, "Grandson of Pioneers.”

Oscar’s father, Sidney P Maxell was born in Orient, Maine on June 7, 1848 to Thomas Jefferson Maxell and Elizabeth (Betty) Jane Colson.  Oscar was one of six children.

The article went on to quote Oscar.  “There were six in our family and we children found plenty to do on father’s one hundred acre farm. My grandfather, Thomas, was one of Orient’s earliest settlers.  I still possess the old family Bible that came from the old county. He took a plot in the wilderness in Orient, built a log cabin, and cleared the forest and brush for planting crops.”

“I heard my grandmother, Betty, tell how often at night it was necessary for him to go forth with an axe and drive away bears from the wheat patch. Grandmother said she was often awakened at night by the howling of wolves, and when grandfather was away she would let the fire go out because she was afraid to go to the wood pile because of prowling Indians.”

“There were no roads in those days and when grandfather had wheat to be found he carried it in a bag on his back through the woods to the grist mill at Hodgdon. (The town borders the province of New Brunswick, Canada to the east and Houlton to the north.) After living in a log cabin for a considerable time grandfather put up a frame building which burned. After that disaster, he built the old Maxell homestead in which I was born”.

“When I was a boy all the famers for miles around engaged in mixed farming, cattle, sheep and hog raising.  Every fall each farmer sold eight or ten head of yearlings and these cattle were driven to Danforth and shipped to Bangor. Sometimes these herds included several hundred head of cattle. Hundreds of sheep were also driven to Danforth.”

“When I was 15 years old, I joined three other boys in driving a large flock of sheep to Danforth and I shall never forget the experience. We started at 6:00 a.m. and it was 3:00 p.m. before we pulled into Danforth. We were exhausted from chasing those sheep. Often the leader would head for a noise in a fence and the entire flock would follow him. Sometimes it would be an hour before we got the flock back on the road and headed in the right direction.”

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.

A Hero's Cry Is Heard

A HERO'S CRY IS HEARD

 Private Howard Leroy Smith, brother to my father Robert, was born on the 1st of April 1925 to Malcolm Leroy and Mary Ann Smith.  He enlisted in the army at Fort Devens in Massachusetts on the 29th of March 1943, two days before his 18th birthday, and entered into active service on April 21, 1943.  He joined Company L 134th Infantry APO #35, as a Rifleman 746, an M-1 Rifle Marksman.  He is described as 5'6", blue eyes, blonde hair, weight 135 lbs. 

He was engaged in the battle of Normandy, France where on July 30, 1944 he was shot in the leg with an MG-42 German machine gun, the most powerful and fastest gun in existence, its' nickname was zipper.  Howard lay there in pain, his leg shattered, with dead soldiers all around him as bullets threatened to strike him again.  He cried out, Ma, for he thought he was about to die.

His mother, Mary Ann, was in Florida visiting her other son Robert who was stationed in Cocoa Beach at the Banana River Naval Air Station. She went there to visit him and his wife Elsie who was expecting their first child. Mary Ann felt she was going crazy for she could hear her son Howard calling out to her. She was compelled to go for a walk by herself, haunted by his call. She later learned that her son had been seriously injured and she really did hear his voice calling out to her.

Howard was rescued that night after dark.  He was transported to Staten Island, New York and admitted to the Halloran General Hospital. The surgeon recommended amputation; but Howard and his mother both said no.  Here he stayed until his discharge on November 8, 1946 along with a certificate of disability that discharged him from the military. He returned to Massachusetts and entered the Veterans Hospital in Framingham.  Here is where he met his future wife, Pasqualina Virginia Fazzari, known as Pat. 

 Howard was hospitalized for a period of three years and underwent a total of twenty surgeries. He wore a metal brace for the rest of his life. I babysat for my young cousins, at the age of 16, while my mother drove Pat to the hospital to visit her husband. He died of cancer on Jan 2 1961, at the age of 36 leaving a wife and five small children.  The cancer began in this injured leg. 

Howard was awarded the Purple Heart, WWII Victory Ribbon, American Theatre Campaign Ribbon, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with 1 Battle star. 

Cherished Companion

Mercy Ann Hampton and Russel Cardy
          my 3rd great grandparents

Mercy, although a Quaker, married Russell Cardy of Irish descent and a Methodist in Hamburg, Erie, NY on August 25, 1842. It was in 1863 that Russel and his wife moved to Potosi, Wisconsin. Here Mercy taught school.  Russell was a kind, respected man of great faith who wrote poems of devotion.   Mercy united with the Methodist Church but always clung to the belief of her early years.           

                                                           Obituary April 5, 1988

                                                        Cherished Companion Died

On the 21st of March death entered the home of Russel Cardy in the town of Potosi, and claimed his cherished companion as its victim.  Mercy Ann Hampton was born of Christian parents in the state of New Jersey in 1813.  Her parents moved from New Jersey to Erie county, N.Y. while she was young, where they lived at the time of her marriage.  Her early life was spent among the friends-"Quakers"-and from them she learned the true lesson of virtue.  In 1842 she was married to Russel Cardy on the 25th of August.  They came to Potosi the same year.  She taught school in their own home their first winter in Wisconsin, besides attending to her household duties.  She lived a quiet life, never yielding to wrong.  They will see her no more here, for she has joined a brighter band.  Though the weather was cold she was born to her resting place followed by her numerous friends.  The procession walked to the grave.  They have the sympathy of all who know them.