Lois Smith, Ninetieth Anniversary
Bainbridge Republican, November 7, 1879
The surviving children, grandchildren and great grandchildren met at the old homestead in the town of Coventry, Chenango county, N.Y., on Saturday the 20th day of September 1879, to celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of Mrs. Lois Smith, their venerable mother. Mr. Clark Smith, the father of these children and the husband of this venerable mother, departed this life fifteen years ago, in his eighty-second year.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were blessed with twelve children, all of whom they consecrated, in their infancy, to their covenant keeping God, by their prayers and at the baptismal font, and had the satisfaction of seeing them gathering, with them, from day to day, "like olive plants round about their table" and around their family altar, and all, except one, growing up to maturity of years. Six of these children, four sons and two daughters, are still living and are heads of families, useful members of the church and respectable citizens. All the surviving children of this venerable mother, except one daughter, whose home is in Nebraska, were present on this interesting occasion of their mother's ninetieth anniversary. One son, Harvey, became a minister of the gospel, in connection with the Presbyterian denomination; and was pastor at Triangle, Masonville and South Amenia, at which latter place he died in the year 1873, in the midst of his usefulness, and greatly lamented by his people. The family is not left, however, without a minister of the gospel, for a grandson, Mr. Clark Beardslee, and a graduate of Amherst college, Mass., and of the theological Seminary at Hartford, Conn., and who has just been appointed assistant professor in his Theological Alma Mater, is licensed minister of the gospel and not only so but a grand daughter, and the mother of five great grand children, is the wife of the pastor of the Presbyterian church of Nineveh, Rev. Wm. H. Sawtelle, who was present at the anniversary and added much to the interest of the occasion, especially, by his able prayer and appropriate remarks. The venerable mother greatly enjoyed the privilege of sitting down with her children, grand and great grand children and their friends, about forty in number, and partaking of a rich repast prepared unitedly by the different families represented. After this bountiful and most enjoyable repast, this interesting celebration was closed with appropriate remarks from a number present, singing and prayers. Mrs. Smith and her late husband came of a pious ancestry, and having full faith in the Abrahamic covenant they carefully trained up their children "In the nurture and admonition of the Lord," and had the great satisfaction of seeing all of them who arrived at the year of discretion, recognizing their covenant relations and privileges by making true personal consecrations of themselves to the love and service of the God of their fathers.
Like the Puritan and pious ancestors, they were strict and conscientious observers of the Lord's day, and faithful attenders, with their children, at the church of which they were members. The business of the farm and of the household was habitually, so arranged during the six working days of the week that each Lord's day was left free from secular cares and employments. No unnecessary labor was performed on the Sabbath, not even in harvest and no crops were damaged or lost in consequence of their conscientious observance of that day according to the commandment. Mrs. Smith, whose maiden name was Kelsey, and whose ninetieth anniversary was celebrated on the 20th ultimo, was born in this town (Bainbridge) her father living at the time of her birth on the farm occupied now by Mr. Jerome Sands, still enjoys the proper use of her mental abilities and appears to have health and strength sufficient to carry her even to her one hundredth anniversary. But whether she shall be spared to see her centennial or not, may her last days be her happiest days and her last end be one of peace --Green American
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