FAMILY NARRATIVE:

The following is from a notebook “written by Mary D Smith” (wife of Henry Martyn) “begun Oct 30-1900”.  The pictures have been added.

 
Many, many years ago there lived in the town of Westfield, Mass. a young man named Horace Smith with his wife, Grata Bagg.  They were both upright and sincere Christian people coming from hardy Puritan stock and through these generations descend the fragrance of a Godly life simple in faith and fervent in piety.

On Nov -1819 they were made happy by the advent of a little son, their first born, Henry Bagg Smith. They were afterwards blessed with 8 other children: Joseph A, Franklin F., William H., Samuel D., Lyman, Margaret, Harriet and Caroline.

When Henry was four years old his parents moved to West Springfield where they always remained.

Henry worked on the farm helping his father who supplied milk (to) customers across the Connecticut River in Cabotsville, now Chicopee.

Henry and his brother used to carry the milk across in a skiff. That was before the days of iron bridges and even wooden bridges were only just beginning to take the place of the ferry boats.

While driving cattle before a harrow in the field one day when he was 14 years old, Henry was thrown to the ground and drawn under the iron teeth of the murderous instrument. How he escaped alive no one can tell but the cruel wounds laid him at deaths door for days.

With recovery came the conviction which never left him, that this was as truly a call of God to his soul as ever the dazzling glory that smote Saul blind. The fervor to the young convert’s zeal stopped short of only the fullest consecration of himself to the blessed master’s service and he soon obtained his father’s consent to prepare for the Gospel ministry.

That preparation began at Wilbraham and he used laughingly to say that he narrowly escaped becoming a Methodist minister.
The subsequent preparatory studies were pursued at Westfield, his native place, and at Munson, Mass.

A couple of extracts from a diary found among his paper will show the spirit of the student,

While at Westfield he wrote: Last evening I attended a prayer meeting. Mr. Bullard and another minister, a stranger, addressed the meeting very solemnly on the words: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and be led to glorify your Father which is in Heaven”. How truly this is applicable to every Christian! Today I have not studied so much as I ought, but I will strive to be more faithful in future. We have had very good speaking this afternoon and several very good compositions read. As I am living upon thy bounty, great God, oh may I live to Thy glory and in everything strive to imitate my blessed Savior.”

The same spirit breathes through a later Munson entry: “I have not anything special to write but things go on as usual with me and I have got along as well as I expected to in my studies. I had a letter yesterday from Mr. Boies and heard good news from Ashleyville concerning the revival. Also I wrote a letter home. This afternoon it being Saturday, I took a walk up to the rock house and I truly admired the grandeur of the sight which nature had formed. This rock house is a ledge of rocks which rises more than 100 feet and projects over so as to form a shelter. I hope during the three past days I have made some advancement in my heavenly course. I feel that I have a deceitful heart and I desire to pray with the Psalmist: Create in me a clean heart of God, and renew a right spirit within me.

The student pursued his collegiate course at Amherst College and at once took up his theological studied at Andover seminar graduating from college in 1843 and from seminary in 1846.

Rev Dr. Herman Humphrey was president of Amherst in those days. The young graduate created considerable enthusiasm with his commencement oration which was a thrilling anti-slavery address. The slavery agitation was growing warm at that time.

The theologue was licensed to preach in April 1846, before he left the seminary.

His first charge was at Charlemont, Mass where he was hired for a time. His first settlement was at West Granville, Mass where he was ordained July 22, 1847. President Hitchcock of Amherst College preaching the ordination sermon and Rev Reuben S. Hazen of Barkhamsted, the young pastor’s future father-in-law, giving the charge to the people.

In the meantime had been growing up a beautiful young lady not far from the place where Henry lived. Sarah Stedman Hazen was born Aug 4-1828. Her parents came from old Puritan stock and furnished many ministers of the word. Sarah’s father Rev Reuben Stedman Hazen married Mary Ann Wood, daughter of Rev Luke Wood in Waterbury. Rev Reuben took his bride to Agawam where he was called as the first pastor of first church in Agawam. Here four children were born to him, Sarah being the youngest of the four children, Reuben Mary Ann, Timothy Allen and Sarah Stedman.

When Sarah was 2 1/2 years of age, her mother died and one year after her father married a second time, one Eunice King who was all that a mother could be to the little girl. There were three children by this marriage- James King, Elizabeth Abigail and Reuben Stedman.

When Sarah was almost 12 years old she attended a school taught by one Eliza Bliss who was want to give much religious teaching and here some of her religious instruction was obtained. One day there came to the school to visit a young student, Henry Smith and his sister Margaret. The teacher to show the brightness of her pupils called a spelling match and in this match Sarah stood the longest on the floor which no doubt made a deep impression on the mind of Henry although he had never seen her before.

At the age of 17 years she attended school in Westfield but not being well she was taken out of school and was ill for quite a long time. It was at this time her lovely curls were cut for the first time. She did not seem to regain her usual health and was sent to Grandfather Woods, in Somers, Conn., to be under the care of his brother Dr. Oren Wood, a physician. Here Sarah became acquainted with the pastor of the church, Dr. Vail, who proved a spiritual advisor to the young lady and through his good counsel she was led to come out as a bright and shining light for the master.

One day Sarah attended the preparatory lecture and instead of hearing the regular pastor she was surprised to hear a young theological student, a Henry Smith by name. After the meeting the student made inquiry as to whom the young lady was and was introduced to her. Soon after this Sarah was called home on account of the illness of her father and upon reaching home found him confined to his bed. When he heard of Sarah’s conversion, and he had just heard of Timothy’s conversion, he folded his hands and said: Lord, now lettest thou, thy servant, depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation-but he did not die at this time.

About this time Martha Wood a young aunt of Sarah’s who had taken a private school in So. Windsor, called for Sarah to come and be her assistant. And it was here that she found the acquaintance of a young man Tudor Bissill. He was quite wealthy but we never knew just why there was no contact made between them.

At one time, I do not know whether before or after this, Timothy being in poor health it was thought best for him to go to the sea shore. Train cars were not as common in those days as they were later and so Timothy and Sarah drove with horse and chaise from Agawam to Saybrook, stopping over in Hartford for a littler rest.

While in Saybrook Julia Ripley and Mr. Rice were married and Sarah and Mr. Willard Rice, a brother of the groom, stood up for them and here a pleasant acquaintance was formed which was in danger of proving more serious only for the intervention of a more pleasing young man.

In July 1847, Rev H.B. Smith was ordained at West Granville, Rev Reuben Hazen assisting in the ordination. In some mysterious way he found out that the Rev Hazen was father to the lovely young lady he had previously met and immediately made arrangements for an exchange of pulpits. The Sunday that he preached Sarah attended morning and after services but, lest it might cause talk, refrained from attending in the evening. After evening service and the young minister had returned to the home of Sarah, they all sat talking for a while in the sitting room. Finally so as to leave the older members alone with the young pastor Sarah and Elizabeth withdrew to the parlor and talked quietly to themselves. When Henry found the company dull he made the excuse to go to bed and going along by the parlor door tapped and walked in. He talked a little to the two girls and then politely requested Elizabeth to withdraw. This course incensed Elizabeth but no account is given of her words at the time. When Henry and Sarah were left alone, the proposal was made which of course was a great surprise to Sarah. She could give no immediate reply only that she was not fit to be a minister’s wife. Henry said think over it until morning. She consulted her parents immediately and finding them well pleased with the idea it was accepted and forthwith plans for the wedding were begun.

The wedding of Rev Henry Bagg Smith and Sarah Stedman Hazen in Barkhamsted Dec 29-1847 was one long to be remembered in that locality.  The people of Rev Mr. Hazen’s parish were so interested in the young couple that they did all in their power to make the time a happy one. There was a committee who came to the pastor and his wife and made the request that they the people of the parish might make all of the wedding entertainments invite what guests they wished. Permission was given and friends from all the surrounding towns as well as their own town were present.

During the evening the bride’s father was known to have gone down to the cellar to see if the floors were giving way. No such sad catastrophe happened however and the Bride and Groom took their departure. They took a wedding journey to New Haven, Conn., stopping at the Tontine.

(Note and poem from Mr. Strong are omitted)

Rev and Mrs. Henry B. Smith returned from their wedding trip to their future home in West Granville to find a large wedding reception awaiting them. Before their pastor’s marriage, the report was handed around that he was to marry a school-teacher. Everyone was expressing a great deal of sympathy for the pastor, not to him but to each other, that he would probably not be half fed or cared for. School teachers were not supposed to know much about house keeping. Soon after Sarah had become mistress of the parsonage she was called to prove whether or not the minister would be properly cared for.

Before each preparatory lecture the committee always met at the parsonage to conference with the minister and, as the custom was, always stayed to tea. Only a short time after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Smith were visited by this committee, 8 in all and the ladies were more than satisfied that the minister’s wife, although a school teacher, was fully competent to care for their beloved pastor.

A touching little incident is remembered of Steady, the youngest brother of Sarah’s. The ladies of Barkhamsted, where she was married, made her an album quilt, each lady making a block and writing thereon their name and a short inscription. Steady, although only 8 yrs old thought he must have a block, so his mother made one and when asked what inscription he would like on it replied, “Blessed are the pure in heart” for said he, I think Sarah is pure in heart. Steady in later years died at college where he had gone to prepare himself to be a foreign missionary.

The life of the young married couple in Granville was very unsettled. There being no regular parsonage belonging to the church, they were obliged to hire a house and every house was sold after they had moved into it until they had moved eight times in five years that they were there. Here they had a checkered experience.

Here their first son, Henry Franklin was born; died at the age of 6 months. The father’s heart was bound up in the child and the shock of its death threw him into a serious illness. At first he could not bow to the divine will in his affliction, but submission came with his prostration. The lesson was thoroughly learned and opened depths of sympathy for the poor and needy which death alone sealed.

Here he second son Reuben Hazen was born, April 23, 1851.

Dismissed from West Granville, Nov. 4-1831, Mr. Smith was called to Abington in Jan 14-1852 where he stayed eleven years, being the longest pastorate he ever had. Here were born Horace Dwight, Nov 8-1852, who only lived until the next August. Then came Clara Wood, Feb. 9-1854, Sarah Maria, Jan 23-1856, Robert Davis, Oct 4-1857, William Day, June 7-1859, Charles Hughes, April 11-1861 and Henry Martyn, Jan 5-1863.

Abington House-early 1900s

The Abington pastorate was especially fruitful in revival of God’s work and it was in revival that this pastor found his great delight. He wanted everyone to enjoy the comfort of his own firm faith and the invitation “Come” was continually on his lips. It even lingered in his dying delirium and his unconscious invitation was still: “Ask and ye shall receive, Seek and ye shall find”. Twenty young people joined the Abington church at one communion as a result of his active Christian effort. The school in which he was always enlisted enjoyed the benefit of his direction in Abington. All the schools in town being under his charge at one time. He also secured the temporary services of college students to conduct the select schools, thereby promoting an interest in educational matters and fitting the young more carefully for the actual experience of life.

A few remembrances of the children might be of interest here as it was probably in this town that they happened.

The editor- No. 1 was a youth of high aspirations. His chief ambition was to be a rich man so he might buy his mother a silk dress. When very young, he was discovered one day churning with a hammer in a bucket where had been placed a brood of young ducks. The ducks did not escape to tell the story.

Clara is and always was the Bible girl. She was found crying bitterly on Sunday night after returning to her trundle bed. Upon being asked the cause of her grief she replied that she had played with her doll that day and feared that God would not forgive her.

Sarah Maria very early developed a taste for music and would spend hours playing that an old chair was a musical instrument. She would place a book against the back of the chair while a box would serve as a stool. She was not happy until she was in the possession of a melodeon.

Robert came when his father was in the house of God declaring the Gospel message. Once he was saved from the flames just escaping with his life and another time his life was despaired of. The whooping nearly demoralized him. In one of his paroxysms of coughing, he overturned a tea-kettle of boiling water from which he received severe burns. When he merged from petticoats to pants, his sisters in their delight and pride took him to the store to show him off but the school children only laughed at him because his pants were too short and he such a fair little fellow.

Charles Hughes. The name Hughes from the dear old doctor who traveled over the hills night and day when this wee boy was very sick, spending whole nights with him and bringing him safely through. Before he could walk or talk, he would sit on the floor and sing a tune correctly. On account of extreme illness he had no mother care for a while. One of the best of sable daughters had pity on him and took him to her home where he was cared for with all the tenderness of a mother’s love. Peace to the ashes of the dear old soul. During Charlie’s stay there, one of the brothers of the church inquired if he was beginning to get crocky. He distinguished himself while very young by leading the singing in his father’s prayer meeting. He would also sing on the stage together with a fairy-like damsel of his own age. We can imagine them now the two like puppets sitting on the stage awaiting their turn.

We by accident overlooked Willie Day. It must be because he stood between his two tall brothers, Robert and Charles. When Willie Day (I emphasize and repeat the Day remembering it is worth $200) was an infant “he had no wool on de top of his head in the place where de wool aught to grow” but at one time he did have his little bald pate covered with chicken pox which caused great merriment among his brothers and sisters. His mother loved him but she came near being the death of him when she gave him poison by mistake. No one but the Lord was present at the scene and before help could be summoned he danger was over. A kind Providence suggested the remedy to be used and strength and courage were given for the trying hour. We do not know as he has mistaken his calling, not when a very small boy, his ambition was to preach like his father. He would spend a great deal of time walking up and down the room, with hand crossed behind him, holding a pencil, stopping now and then to correct his manuscript, which lay in a chair before him, and swaying up and down in exact imitation of his father in his study.

Henry Martyn who was named after the missionary, Henry Martyn, had a varied experience in his childhood. He was subject to more of the ills of life than the majority of children. He early developed an inventive turn of mind and a thoughtful and generous disposition. When about 18 m old, he was, from some cause, quite lame. One day while lying on the floor, his playthings being beyond his reach, he called for the creepers to draw the playthings nearer to him as he had seen them used the day before in raising the basket from the well. Later he cut his foot with glass quite seriously and when he was brought into the house asked who would have his new straw hat now. Henry was a clinging vine, but he always aspired to wearing the garb of a man and no amount of coaxing would induce him to don the pretty kilt skirt that was given him. He could not be satisfied till he owned coat and pants just like any of the big boys

In all matters of public moment Mr. Smith was prominent, taking a leading part with other citizens, a man among men. He preached a sermon at the 50th anniversary of the Abington church, that was published.  With scarcely an intermission, for stalwart health, boundless push and indomitable will kept him at work every Sunday during his whole ministry.

Aug 27-1863, Rev Mr. Smith removed to Burlington, Ct. His work there was remarkably successful despite the rugged character of that missionary soil. The Sunday School was more than doubled and the church repaired and put into first class order during his stay. The Sunday School was his joy. Children he delighted in and the little ones delighted in his pleasant recognition. Many a distant child he hunted up, perhaps supplying him with clothes and he ever was tempting them with prizes to their best endear(?).

Alison Parrish was born Oct 2-1866 while they were living in Burlington. The advent of this youth caused great indignation amongst the sisterhood. Clara and Sarah were sent to a neighbor’s to pass the night and no detailed account given as to the reason why caused this indignation. When they were tucked away in bed by the young lady of the house, they stoutly refused to say their prayers or to kiss her. When, on their return home the next day, they saw the little new baby, they understood the cause of their banishment and were too mad to give the little innocent a look or a kiss. Allison was much admired by his Aunt Lizzie for his long, drooping eyelashes which charm he has never lost. He was the special charge of his sister Sarah whose patience was sorely tried by his continuing wailing. As the children sat one Sunday evening with their mother hearing Bible stories and being catechized, he often perplexed and amused her by his questions and remarks. Once he asked: “Did God sew up the lion’s mouth with needle and thread so they couldn’t eat Daniel?”

Left Burlington-May 6-1867.

Mr. Smith moved to Newtown June 5-1867 having preached three years in Burlington. The same devotion which marked him elsewhere followed him here.

In pastoral visitations, in which he excelled, he showed what he could do to cement and build up. The poor and afflicted were near that great generous heart and no Good Samaritan but found a peer in him. He carried the word into the outlying districts and his third services in Dodingtown Huntingtown and Lake George are not forgotten. His physical strength made endeavor a delight and what would have exhausted others, nerved him to his best. Three sermons a Sunday were his rule.

While in Newtown, Arthur Judd was born March 10-1868 and Emily Louise May 12-1870.

When Arthur was born there was great disappointment. What! another boy! A horrid boy! We’ve had so many boys, I don’t want to see him! I wont love another boy. I wont kiss him! were some of their exclamations that reached the poor tired mother’s ears. But babies win their own way and this one was not an exception, for this was the veritable Arthur Judd.

Last, but not least, came Emily. Oh goody, goody it’s a girl, just what we wanted. The Lord sent her. No name in the whole vocabulary was quite good enough for the new girl baby. She was petted and caressed by the whole family and if she had been of spoilable material she would have been spoiled. She had an idea that God was very good to her. Upon returning from church one Sunday she was as full of spirits as a colt let loose. When reproved and being told that God did not love her for being so naughty, she declared that he did. Then running into another room called loudly God! God! don’t you love me? Then in a subdued tone she answered yes. There I told you He loved me and he said he did.

She must have been a little bewitching, for a young lad from the school, next door would come daily and sit by her cradle, write sweet little rhymes for her and feed her with candy.

While in Newtown, Mr. Smith moved the hearts of people in all the outlying districts by going to them and preaching and visiting amongst them. And twenty-five years later when three of his boys were in the business in Newtown, many, many people spoke of their father with loving remembrances.

In July 7-1873 Mr. Smith was called to the Congregational church in Greenfield Hill, Conn. It was while here that he secured(?) the 150th anniversary of the church. When finally first moved into Greenfield Hill, they were obliged to move into an old, old house to await the completion of the new parsonage which, when completed, proved a comfortable and commodious house for them. While here, Reuben brought home his bride Rebecca later in the year.

About this time Mr. Smith attended the meeting to the American Board in Chicago and while there met a young man by the name of Dewitt Clinton Jencks who was about to enlist in the service of the H.B.C.F.M. but I will tell the story as I read it in the third book of Chronicles as written by on of Dewitt’s friends.

note: this section which “chronicles the marriage of Sarah to Mr. Jenks is not reproduced here.  Sarah and Dewitt Clinton Jencks were married at Greenfield Hill on October 25, 1876.

Sarah thus passed out from the sheltering roof and began her work in far away Japan where she stayed for eleven years doing faithfully the work set before her in that heathen nation.

The life of the family remained about the same. Will, Robert, Charles and Henry worked what time they had out of school hours and earned money enough to take a trip to the Centennial. Mr. Smith remained in Greenfield Hill until July 24-1877 when he moved to Staffordville where he was acting pastor for a year and a half. In the mean time his boys were growing up and needed more education than that found in the common country school.

Mr. Smith looked toward Amherst and remembering the educational advantages there, purchased a farm in South Amherst and sent four of his boys there. Will and Charles to obtain an education, Robert and Henry to do the work on the farm.

In November 1879 Mr. Smith moved his whole family to South Amherst. He preached a short time in the Congregational Church there and afterwards supplied in Shutesbury, ten miles from South Amherst, where he began a yearly supply.

In Shutesbury Charles found his wife Abbie Spear. In Staffordville Clara found her husband. Each town furnished a contribution to the family circle. In Amherst Henry found his wife: and Newtown furnished a double portion, a husband for Emily and a wife for Arthur.

Mr. Smith’s latest effort was to raise funds for a parsonage. His death was caused by a fall from the cars at Sandy Hook where being a little late tried to jump on to the back end of a train. He was dragged about 40 feet. He went home and preached the following Sunday, baptizing a candidate by immersion. In this way he caught cold and his death followed soon after. He was buried in West Springfield.

The following winter Ellen Jackson, the faithful colored servant who had been in the family for twenty-three years died of pneumonia. The wife then fell as if her cup of sorrow was full, her two props being taken away in so short a time. But, she still had her family.

Will had graduated from college. Robert had gone to Dakota and taken up a claim. Charles was still in college but took up the work his father had laid down and until he finished his college course continued to fill the pulpit in Shutesbury. Clara was an invalid and the weight of the house work fell upon Emily (their about twelve years old) with what uncertain help they were able to employ. Henry was the back-bone of the family working early and late indoors and out.

In July 1884 Charles married Abbie Spear of Shutesbury continuing his work in Shutesbury until the Fall term of the Theological Seminary opened and for some time after until he obtained a parish in Burlington, which was a much more convenient location during his stay in the Seminary.

The Fall of 1884 Mrs. Smith, Clara, James, Emily moved to Bridgeport into a house on Broad St. Henry had been working in Bridgeport for a short time and naturally the family learned towards him.

In August 1885 Henry married Mary L. Dickinson of South Amherst and took his bride to Bridgeport. Here for nearly three years they lived in the same tenement with Mother, Emily, Clara and husband having three rooms of their own to keep house in. Here Carlton Stedman was born June 8-1887.

Bridgeport House where Carlton S. Smith was born.

When Carlton was six weeks old Sarah and Dewitt with three children, Anna 8, Mabel 5, Phillip 4 came from Japan and had the misfortune a few days after their arrival to be injured in a runaway accident, all being thrown out and more or less slightly injured and Mabel had one leg broken. As soon as Mabel was able to be moved the entire family with Emily as nurse maid and general helper went to DeWitt’s in Danielsville where she passed the remainder of the summer. The following winter they hired a house on Elwood Ave Bridgeport and here also Emily was their chief help.

The family of Smiths who lived in Bridgeport all celebrated their Christmas 1887 around Dewitt and Sarah’s Christmas tree. Adeline Alfred was also there.

The following May 1888, Henry moved into larger and more commodious tenement on State St. and nearer his work (The Village Store Co.). Clara and James with Mother moved into the tenement on the other side of the house owned by Patrick W(ade)?, 365 South Ave. where they lived many years and James is still living there (1909).

In July 1888 Henry’s work was so heavy and he was so worn down that he felt compelled to make a change. H. Dickinson in Hartford made him and offer and in July he moved with his family and household goods.

Thanksgiving of 1887 there was held the first family gathering of the Smith family at Lakeside Newtown at Reuben’ house. All of the family were present. The following notice is copied from the Newtown Bee.

Nov. 1887 The Smith Family Reunion.

The Reunion at the Bee mans house at Lakeside Thanksgiving day came off as arranged. Around the board were gathered the mother Mrs. Sarah Hazen Smith, widow of the late Henry B. Smith, a daughter Clara and husband James N. Thresher of Bridgeport; Sarah and husband DeWitt C. Jencks with three children, Mabel, Anna and Phillip lately returned from Japan; Robert D., just home from a five year pioneer life in Dakota; Will D. principal of school in Port Jervis, N.Y.; Rev Charles H. with wife and daughter Mabel recently settled as pastor of the Congregational church in Belchertown, Mass.; Henry M., shipping clerk with the Village Store, Bridgeport, wife and son Carlton; Allison P. from the reportial staff of the Springfield Homestead, Springfield, Mass.; Arthur J. clerk in the Mechanics and Farmer’s Savings Bank, Bridgeport and Emily Louise the youngest sister. The Smith children numbered ten and the grandchildren numbered 10. Susie, Ernest, Reuben Jr., Sarah, Julia children of Reuben. Anna, Mable, Phillip, children of Sarah. Mabel child of Charles and Carlton son of Henry.

As Newtown was the home of the family from 1867 to 1873 and the birthplace of two, many pleasant memories were recalled as the children gathered for the first time in eleven years. A family thanksgiving service was held in the morning and the children all passed in review before the mother later, each striving to be a little taller and a little bigger than the on standing next to him. The dinner was one long to be remembered being loaded with all of the good things each sister could think of and bring.

…………………………………………………

In the Fall of 1888 Sarah and family removed to Colorado Springs where they have always remained.

Jan 1st-1889 Robert was married to Lizzie Leaskey and came to Newtown to live. Here Bennie was born Jan. 20-1890.

In Aug 29-1888 Will married Eunice King Hazen of Bon Air, Va. and began keeping house in Warwick N.Y. Here Elizabeth Moulton was born June 10-1889 and here Phillip King was born Nov 3-1892. Later they moved to Bon Air near Eunice’s father’s house where Helen Hazen was born Dec 7-1893 and only lived until the following July 3-1894. Here Dorothy Eunice was born Sept 9-1895 and Emily Hazen June 30-1900.

Robert afterwards moved to Port Jervis onto the farm owned by his father-in-law. Here Horace Arthur was born Sept 13-1893 and Alice Cornelia May 31-1897. In May 1900 Robert and family moved to Newtown onto the Samuel Scudder farm in Dodgingtown District.

Allison married Hattie Elizabeth Hazen Springfield, Mass. May 17-1890.  In 1892 Allison and Arthur bought out Reuben and both came to Newtown and took possession of the “Bee”. Here in 2896, Mar 25 Hazel Hazen was born

The following Fall Reuben and family moved to California where they stayed but a short time. Returning they located in Hartford and bought out the Religious Herald. The paper was in its last stages and did not survive long. Then Reuben located in Plymouth filling the position of editor on the Thomaston Express. His health giving out, he and family removed to Waterbury. Here Julia died April 12-1906.

Emily was married at Robert’s house in Newtown June 18-1889 to Arthur D Fairchild, beginning housekeeping in the house with the father Albert Fairchild in the Taunton District. Here three children were born to them, Mary Hazen June 13-1890, Arthur Warren October 13-1893, Robert Dunning Nov 28-1895.

Charles after leaving Burlington was settled in Belchertown Mass. where Vernon Charles was born Feb 8-1890 and who died at Plymouth Dec 22-1896 of malignant diphtheria. Charles was afterwards settled at Hartford, Windsor Ave Cong. Church, and later in Plymouth Conn. Here Ruth Abbie was born Nov 19-1896 and did of the same disease and at the same time with Vernon Dec 26-1896.  In Feb. 3-1901 Pearl Lucile was born. Charles later moved to Barre, Mass. where Frances Louise was born March 13-1905.

In November 18-1893 Henry was made the father of twin girls, Helen Hazen and Olive May. They lived less than six months. They died May 8-1896. Mary was ill for two years and owing to this illness was obliged to leave the city so Henry was employed as traveling agent for the Newtown Bee moving family and household goods to Newtown May 1st-1898. Later he was taken into partnership and elected Vice President of the business.

In the year 1908 there were living in Newtown five of the ten children born to Rev Henry and Sarah Smith, all married with families.
Henry, Allison and Arthur proprietors of the local paper “The Newtown Bee”. Robert living on the Samuel Scudder place in Dodgingtown where her worked when he was a boy and Emily wife of Arthur D Fairchild living in Taunton District.

Robert was blest with a good wife a help mate indeed and hereby is a tale. When Robert was young and handsome and very attractive (according the report of the young ladies in South Amherst) he felt called upon to go forth and see the world so he conceived the idea of taking up a Government claim in Dakota. Leaving home and friends for six years he lived there long enough to establish his claim. But just before his time was up he was taken sick with typhoid fever. Will who was at liberty at that time, it being the summer vacation, went and cared for the sick brother and it is supposed by the other brothers and sisters that he urged upon Robert the necessity of having a wife and whispered in his ear that he knew just the girl for him, a Lizzie Caskey in Sparrow Bush and when the right time came about behold, Robert, acting upon his brothers advice and the result is told when everyone says what a lovely wife Robert has.

They began the new year of 1889 by having a wedding and I will add like the story of the “Little Red Hen” and they lived happy ever after. There are three children- Benjamin Day, Horace Arthur, Alice Cornelia a bright and happy family.

Emily used often, when a girl, to like to visit Reuben, then living at Lakeside. A nice young lady lived near and she and Emily were such loving friends and their this nice young lady had a very nice brother and it doesn’t take very heavy head work to see where Emily’s husband came from. And in June … Arthur D. Fairchild and Emily Louise Smith were married at Robert’s home in Newtown. Here also are three children, Mary Hazen Arthur Warner and Robert Dunning. The house is on the Fairchild homestead, “Valley View” Taunton District.

Some years after this Reuben, owner of the Newtown Bee conceived the idea, or the idea was conceived in the family, of seeing some different clime than Connecticut. So broaching the subject to Allison, then living in Springfield and Arthur living in Bridgeport, he offered to sell them the “Bee” and he would go to California and invest and come back a rich man. Allison and Arthur liked the idea of going into business together so accepted the offer.

Allison who was married and keeping house in Springfield gave up his business of the New England Homestead and moved bag and baggage to Newtown. Arthur who only had himself to consult left his business n the Farmer and Mechanic’s Bank Bridgeport and boarded with Allison and Hattie which made it very pleasant all around.

Arthur is a fine tenor singer, Hattie a good alto but where to find a soprano. There was none short of Dodgingtown’s Frances Scudder. The church must have a choir, the choir must have rehearsals. But Frances had no brother so of course in the natural course of events, the tenor must go and get the soprano and must carry her home. Thus you see, end of romance number three. Arthur Judd Smith and Frances Carolyn Scudder were married in Newtown Church.  There are two boys, Paul Scudder and Earle Wright Smith. They have a lovely house and we always enjoy going there.

Henry has a nice little home down the street. In 1900 he too became a partner with the other boys.

FAMILY REUNIONS:

Well as I was going to say when I began these five families conceived the idea of getting together once in a while and getting acquainted with each other again besides recalling the old times. So these family gatherings were started in November 13, 1908.

The first one was held at Henry’s home, all of the brothers being present and their wives (except H) and Emily and her husband. Alice and Hazel being the only children present. Letters were read from Mother and Charles, a poem written by Charles, a letter to mother from Ernest. Refreshments-of cocoa, wafers + candy + grapes were served. Singing of the old hymns best loved by Father Smith filled up the evening. “In the Christians Home in Glory”.

The second meeting of the the Newtown Smiths was held at Robert’s home, Dec 30, 1908. The twentieth anniversary of Robert’s and Lizzie’s marriage coming January 1st we called this the anniversary gathering, each of us carrying a little token of good will as a memento. It being held during vacation, the children gave the entertainment. Mary, Hazel and Alice each playing a piano solo, Alice spoke a nice little pice entitled “Thanksgiving Day”. Benjamin also spoke and with the speaking gave such eloquent gesticulations that he was applauded with great zeal. Carlton read a piece. After this letters were read by Emily and Allison from Mother and Reuben. Mother’s letter consisted of reminiscences of Robert’s childhood and youth. It is as follows.

Memories

While I cannot be with you at your gatherings, it is a comfort to me that you have them, to know each other better and strengthen the bond of family friendship. When your host was a wee baby boy in Abington we had an old lady living with us whom we all called Aunt Polly. She was a simple quaint old lady but had a heart full of love for our family, especially for the little boy Robert. At one time he was very ill with lung fever now termed pneumonia. Faithfully and tenderly Aunt Polly helped to nurse and care for him and, with the blessing of God, he was soon retired. At another time, very early in the morning Robert was left sleeping in bed, while Aunt Polly with the rest of us went across the hall to breakfast. The fire was burning brightly in the wood stove the bed was so far from the stove that no danger was anticipated, all precaution having been taken, as we thought, to prevent trouble from it. In some mysterious way, the snapping wood sent forth a spark that lighted on a sheet hanging in the room. During the meal, it was thought best to look into the room to be sure everything was all right-Lo! and behold! The sheet was on fire and the flames had nearly reached baby Robert and but for my timely though which I believe was from above (that it was best to look at him) and Aunt Polly’s instant response, our darling Robert would have been beyond held. We did thank God with grateful hearts for saving our boy.

When Robert was about six years old, he with all of the rest, but he worse than the rest, had whooping cough. Paroxysms would come on with such violence as to force blood from his eyes. At one time he was sitting by the stove when one of his worst paroxysms came on during which he fell from a chair overturning a kettle of hot waster and burning one of his legs badly. It was then that dear old Aunt Polly was called into service and her services were most valuable. When excited she would go to the window as if much interested in the weather and remark “I guess if it don’t storm today if will be pleasant.”

At one time when I was very ill, the children were all sent from home, the girls to Uncle James Hazen’s in Hanover parish where he preached and Reuben and Robert were taken to Grandfather Smith’s in West Springfield. At first Robert was very homesick but soon became attached to the dear old grandmother, so that when he finally returned to Abington he would go about screaming Grandma!. Grandma! until our hearts ached for him. It was a long time before he could be pacified. We read that through much tribulation we enter the kingdom of Heaven and that trials and troubles purify us and make us meet for the Kingdom and so I have sometimes though that such happenings as these have made our Robert what I sometimes call him our “Pure Gold” boy. for his faithful kindness to his mother he will not lose his reward.

I wish here to add a tribute to the Grandmother whom he so dearly loved. She was one of God’s chosen ones, a faithful wife and mother, true and faithful in every walk in life. When we moved from Abington to Chicopee Street, a distance of some fifty mile your father undertook the job with only the assistance of Reuben then only elven years old, father driving the two horse team and Reuben driving “Old Jim”. Saturday night came and they had not come. My heart and the dear Grandmother’s as well were filled with anxious forebodings. Eight o’clock and nine came and they did not come. The hour came in Grandfathers house for the usual Saturday eventing prayer meeting when each member of the family, even the children, offered prayer. This night Grandma’s prayer was just a wrestling with God for the safety of the dear ones for whom we were all so anxious. No one who listened could doubt that God heard, even while she was yet speaking or just finishing the beating of the horse’s hoofs was heard and our hearts were up in praise to God for the relief brought to us. They had been detained by what might have been a serious accident. Reuben’s horse fell in going down hill and it was a wonder that horse and rider escaped with so little injury.

I wonder if Robert remembers that while at Grandfather’s this time, Aunt Amanda, the crusty old maid, became angry with him and banged his head against the mantel piece!

Grandma Smith with her dying breath repeated the twenty third Psalm and was gone. Your father in the stupor of his last illness roused up one night and said “My Mother is here”. At another time as I was sitting by him he said with tears streaming down his face “What ill become of poor Clara?” Now Grandmother, Father and Clara are all safe in the arms of Jesus.

Well! our Robert grows to be a young man and he heard Horace Geeeley’s advice “Young Man go West!” until advice became a resolve. As you may imagine his Mother’s heart was nearly broken when he bade he “good bye”. Now she could only pray that God would keep him. She and the faithful Ellen would make cracker, cookies and other goodies and send them far away to his Dakota cabin to comfort his loneliness with loving prayers that God would keep him. How strange God’s ways sometimes seem to us and sometimes so hard to bear. One night after a hard days work, on account of the arrival of Sarah and family from Japan. Mabel the little six year old daughter suffering from the pain of a broken leg had screamed and kept me awake until at twelve o’clock at night the door bell rang and a message came that Robert was very ill with typhoid fever and some one was needed to care for him immediately. As I believe God had so ordained, Will came home that very day and said he would go to Dakota.

We did not have sufficient money in the house and being midnight we could not get it, but bless with a kind neighbor (Mrs Wade) we borrowed the requisite sum and in less than two hours, Will had started for the West. Up to this time I had had no sleep. I had laid me down but could not sleep but followed Will in his long journey or sat in thought by Robert’s bedside and feeling the danger could not sleep. I cried to God “Lord I cannot sleep”. In less than a moment in the twinkling o and eye the voice came to me as from the clear heavens “In Me is thy help!” In less time than I can tell it I was sleeping quietly wakened to see the morning light streaming in.

Will proved a most faithful and capable nurse and doctor, and with his kind care Robert was restored to health and strength. As soon as able Robert came East and entering the asked home in Sparrow Bush love completed the recovery. Faithful and true to each other Robert and Lizzie through all these succeeding years have been thoughtfully kind of the aged mother whose heart has often been cheer and warmed by their filial loyalty-The rich reward promised those who honor their parents-will be theirs.

I wish I had time and strength to tell of pleasing incidents, the goodness and kindness of al the dear ones even those who have been grafted in. You must wait for this however until each in turn has the gathering in his own home.

Mother

The third meeting of the family was held at Emily’s house in Taunton on January 27-1909. The whole family i.e. all of the Newtown families were there excepting Carlton, Paul, Earle and Allison’s wife, sixteen in all. A social hour was taken up by recalling old times. Letters were read from Mother, Will- a letter from Grandmother Smith written when little Henry was ill which must have been Aug 1850. The “memories” or Emily recalled a great number of interesting facts- Robert told of his trip after the nurse and the other boys told how indignant they were because there was another baby to be rocked. Emily served a bountiful lunch consisting of chicken sandwiches, cocoa cakes, ginger bread cakes, cocoa, nuts, candy. It was a beautiful night, moonlight and not very cold. I forgot to say Frances san a solo- Arthur and Frances duet- Emily some gospel songs and we all joined in the chorus.

Memories of Emily written by Mother

My dear children:

It would be a great pleasure for me to be with you tonight to enjoy the evening of this gathering with our precious “baby Emily”. As I cannot- I will just go back and if possible recall some to the important events in her life. Her advent to our family was welcomed with great joy (This last was denied by the whole family i.e. the original family at the gathering). For since the last sister came there had been six boys, so that the small people unanimously declared there must never be another baby in the family. if it should be a boy they would never look at it or love it. Even the faithful Ellen said she could never care for another boy. I can just imagine their joy when the wee little sister was presented to them (groans). She was a dainty bit of womaninity and as she lay in her cradle playing with her wee fingers, she was indeed very bewitching. She was always Papa’s “Duckie” and Aunt Debby’s “Darling”.

The was a young lad in our parish 
willie” by name about fourteen years old, he attended school at the academy situated close by the parsonage. His spare minutes were spent sitting by Emily’s cradle amusing her.

She was a precocious child and with all a very good child but one Sunday on coming home from church she was like an uncaged bird and continued her merriment even though it was Sunday. Ellen, the maid remonstrated with her saying: “You are a naughty girl Emily and God will not love you if you behave like this”. Emily replied: “God does love me, I know he does. I will go and ask him”. She went into another room and closing the door said in a loud voice “Go, don’t you love me?” and thin in her natural voice she said “Yes”. Coming out of the room she said “There, He says he does, I told you He did.”

As she grew in years she became very useful, and helpful in saving Mother’s steps. Only once can I remember her being a naughty girl. She had been to the barn to gather the eggs and accidentally broke on to these. I asked her about it and she said she did not break it. I knew by her appearance that she had told me a wrong story. I said “we will go upstairs a few minutes”. (Chorus from all the boys “O yes we have all been up stairs a few minutes with the hair brush”). I talked to her of the wrong she had done, that it was a sin. Then we knelt side by side and asked God to forgive her. After this she seemed very happy and never repeated it again.

At the time father passing away of the dear Father and the faithful maid Ellen-Emily made herself most useful and valuable. I think she was twelve years of age at that time. She could make and bake bread for the family and it was delicious. Following this break in the family, there were weeks and months of suffering for the Mother. There were many hours when the aching head was soothed by Emily’s dear hand. It was a sad day when she left me to go to her own home and care for her loved ones. God in His mercy has supplied the need and I rejoice as I think of her ministering to other suffering ones thus following in the steps of the Lord Jesus. I rejoice in her love for Him and His followers and trust that through her, many may be brought into the kingdom.

I want to say just here that I do tis morning in great weakness come to my Father and thank Him for so many faithful daughters, all willing to do all in their power for me, and every one who did so much to make the festive days jus passed, pleasant and happy. During these days, I have at times been very ill but God in His mercy has spared me and I trust I may live more for His glory. To know that you have these gatherings is a source of great pleasure to me and I trust tie that binds you so closely together can never be broken and that you will ever by love serve one another. I trust you will all bear me daily on your hearts at the mercy seal. May we at last join those home before on the other side of Jordan.

The fourth meeting to the Smith family was held at the home of Mr. + Mrs Arthur Smith, Saturday evening February 27-1909. Cousin Addison Smith and his wife had been invited to be present and we all enjoyed meeting with them. I think all of the Newtown families were present except Carlton and Arthur Warren Fairchild who was sick with a cold. Arthur Smith had personally coaxed Mother not to write anything about him and were all greatly disappointed not to hear of some of his exploits. The following letter was sent by Mother and was read at this meeting.
These letters were mostly from Mrs Emily Sanford, a dear lady who was formerly one of the parishioners of Rev H.B. Smith. Every Sunday morning while in Newtown, on of the Smith boys would take the team to Sandy Hook bring Mrs Sanford to church and after church would carry her home and be rewarded with a dollar bill. Emily was named for the friend of the family.

April 24-1909
Fifth meeting of Smith family held at house of Henry M Smith. All Newtown families present. All the family relics on exhibit including al the pictures of the Smiths when they were children. Letters were read that had been written by Grandfather and Grandmother Hazen before their marriage. a pleasant evening was passed looking over relics and visiting.

Sixth meeting Smith families-July 11-1909
Reuben visiting at Allison’s was the cause of an impromptu gathering. All present excepting Emily’s family. We stayed in front yard. We had a very pleasant social hour.

Aug 4 1909
Family gathering in Bridgeport with Mother. Will there with others. Mother’s birthday.

…………………………………………………………………………….

A Poem. Written March 9, 1885 by Allison, sent by mail on two postcards to Mrs H.B. Smith, his mother.

There was a dear good mother
That much I’ll have you know
And I would not pick another
If there was billions more in a row.

But her name was Sarah Hazen
And she came of good old stock
And her store of brain was ‘mazin
Though not as solid as a rock.

When at the age of nineteen years
She married Henry B
She was one of those charming dears
That one doth not often see.

The first dear drop God gave them
His name was Henry Frank
But at the age of one and ten
He faded from the rank.

Then came the sprightly Reuben
The second in the throng
Came forward to salute them
And grew up well and strong.

One Horace Dwight the second
Did next the bright world see
But the kind Lord did gently beckon
His should into eternity.

The next we have in line
Is modest Clara Wood
Who at the age of twenty nine
She married James the Good.

Sarah Maria was the next
She was a lovely child
And her gentle mother oft was vexed
Because she set the young gents wild.

O yes we see our brother Rob
Come promptly in on time
In after years our hearts did throb
Because se sought a Western clime.

Charles Hughes next did head this line
In this sad world of sin
An in after life he spent his life
In calling our (?) in.

Oh! Henry Martyn lovely lad
You have a goodly form
Which doth make me rather sad
In thinking how weak you was when born.

The author next was on the scene
And he did make lots of noise
But his mother dear was quite serene
In granting him with lots of joy.

Our next was Arthur Jug
He grew a duding boy
But he was fearful on the rug (bug?)
When working with Henry and “Oi”.

Oh Emily, Emily little dar
You was the last to come
And you brought up the rear
We all shouted “Well Done”.

God’s blessing rest on Mother
And Honest Fathers frame
And all the other brothers
And sisters just the same.

A.P.S. age 19