Rev. Erastus P. Smith
Chenango Union, February 17, 1876
Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]: The funeral of the Rev. Erastus P. Smith, who died after a short illness, on the 9th last, at Hamilton [Madison Co., NY], where he was located as pastor, took place in the Episcopal Church in our village, on the 12th, and was attended by a large concourse of relatives and former townsmen. His remains were interred in the family grounds of our cemetery. Mr. Smith was about 60 years of age, and for upwards of sixty years a resident of our town, residing during the greater part of that time at Smiths' Corners, a mile north of our village, upon the farm which his father, the late Samuel A Smith, first settled, and where he died. During this time Mr. Smith occupied a prominent position before our people, and was repeatedly placed in public positions of power and trust by his townsmen. Upon the death of his father, he relinquished farming, and shortly after entered the clerical profession, at first in the northern part of our State, from whence he went to Whitewater, Wis., and from which place, after a few years, he returned to this State, and was located at Hamilton. though from circumstances, Mr. Smith was prevented until late in life from gratifying a literary desire, he early in life gave evidence, in his numerous addresses and essays, of ability of no mean degree. Could his life of usefulness have been spared in the full vigor of health and mental faculties, a few years longer, his worth would have been more fully realized. In his sudden death a large circle of relatives and friends is left to mourn his loss.
Sudden Death of a Clergyman
Rev. Erastus P. Smith, Rector of St. Thomas Church in Hamilton, died suddenly about noon on Wednesday of last week. On the day previous he was in his usual health, and at tea he partook of some canned cherries. About nine o'clock in the evening he was taken with a violent pain in the stomach, and it is supposed that the cherries must have fermented and caused his death.
Deceased was a son of the late Samuel A. Smith, one of the pioneers of the town of Guilford in this County, who for many years was one of the most prominent and respected citizens of that town, and who during his long life filled many offices of honor and trust. The son inherited the sterling qualities of his father, and was also at various times placed in office by his townsmen. After the death of his father, Erastus gave up his farm for the ministry, locating at first in the northern part of the State, from whence he went west, where he remained for a few years, when he returned to this State, and took charge of the Episcopal Church in Hamilton. In announcing his death, the Hamilton Republican says:
"Mr. Smith's loss will be deeply felt in this community. He had, during his short residence among us endeared himself to all who knew him. He was of that peculiar quiet, happy disposition, that did not push an acquaintance so rapidly as some, but so far as he was known, his many virtues, genial temper, Christian spirit, and example, made him universally beloved. His death is a great loss to St. Thomas' Church, will be mourned by the members of his own congregation and by those who have not sat under his ministry. All regret his seemingly untimely death, and all sympathize with his deeply afflicted family."
On Friday the remains reached this village, on the D.L.&W railroad, accompanied by a number of friends from Hamilton, and were escorted to their final resting place in Guilford, where funeral services were held on Saturday, at the Episcopal Church, the last sad rites being largely attended by relatives and friends of the deceased. His age was sixty-nine years.
Nancy Smith
Chenango Union, September 8, 1881
Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]: Mrs. Nancy Smith, widow of the late Rev. Erastus P. Smith, died at the residence of E.S. Bradley, in this village. Tuesday morning, aged 65 years. The funeral was held on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Revs. Randolph, of Christ's Chruch, Sherburne, and Pearse of Christ's Church, Guilford, officiating. In June last Mrs. Smith came to Guilford from Hamilton, and from that time until the day of her death her health gradually failed. Although the ties that bound her to earth were many and strong, she felt for many weeks that it was only a few days and she would be with the loved and departed. Possessed of fine social qualities, a beautiful Christian character, she was ever living nearer the master. She leaves a large circle of near relatives to mourn her death.
Nicholas Smith
Bainbridge Republican & Saturday Review, January 22, 1876
In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 12, 1876, Nicholas Smith, aged 88 years. The past history of this man deserves more than a passing notice. Mr. Smith was born in Gloucester, Providence county, R.I., and passed the years of his boyhood in the vicinity of his native town. Born amid the stormy days immediately following the revolution; his character partook of that buoyancy of spirit, and love of adventure which the times and circumstances under which he was placed, were calculated to develop. With this ardent temperament in full play, we find him in the first flush of manhood, bidding adieu to his native home, and full of confidence in the present and of faith in the future, turning his footsteps toward what was then termed the "far west," where, with his young companion and other friends from the same locality, he selected a house deep in the wilds of this new country and commenced his great life work in sober earnest. The journey from Rhode Island to this place in those primitive times was one of serious moment, and we find this resolute company accomplishing that journey of two hundred and fifty miles in the short space of fourteen days. On the 8th day of October, 1813, this enterprising company landed within the present limits of this town, to commence the battle of life ready to meet and overcome every obstacle that opposed their onward march. A grist mill at East Guilford, was the only resort of the few inhabitants, and the surrounding wilderness was only broken here and there by small openings of the few pioneers who had braved the dangers and deprivations of frontier life, in their voluntary seclusion, while the blazed trees were their guides of communication with each other and the distant settlements. Of all that grand pioneer host, who thus united in the opening ceremony of our present greatness in this particular vicinity, but one now remains. Like an aged pine on the mountain's brow, lofty in its altitude, grand in its position, lonely in its surroundings, smitten indeed of its foliage, yet towering in its loneliness above its fellows, a beacon of the glory of the past, the grandeur of the present, and the hope of the future. Let us then throw the mantle of Charity over the errors and short comings of this noble company, who ere long, will have passed from our sight forever, and let us remember the tolls, the sufferings, and the sorrows of those noble men and noble women, who through their sufferings bequeathed to us the noble inheritance of the love of country, the blessings of liberty and the smiles of Heaven.
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