Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...
Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...
Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...
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setts, who forbid their withdrawal. They<br />
then applied to the court <strong>of</strong> Massachusetts<br />
for a grant <strong>of</strong> land in Hadley, which<br />
was given them on condition that they<br />
should submit to an orderly hearing <strong>of</strong><br />
the differences between themselves and<br />
their brethren. In appointing the annual<br />
Thanksgiving in November one reason<br />
given for thanks was the settling <strong>of</strong> the<br />
differences in Hartford. The General<br />
Court <strong>of</strong> Massachusetts, so careful to<br />
have the members separate from the<br />
church in an orderly manner, never sug-<br />
gested that there was any irregularity in<br />
the conduct <strong>of</strong> the Wethersfield members<br />
who settled in Hadley in 1659. The<br />
Saybrook platform, in 1708, was the<br />
result <strong>of</strong> this compromise between the<br />
parties. Mr. Smith was one <strong>of</strong> the lead-<br />
ing men in Hadley, where he also held<br />
important <strong>of</strong>fices in both church and<br />
State, was representative from 1661 to<br />
1673, a commoner and magistrate <strong>of</strong> the<br />
town in 1661, lieutenant <strong>of</strong> militia from<br />
1663 to 1667. He was a thrifty and substantial<br />
farmer, and died about 1680, aged<br />
seventy-eight. The inventory <strong>of</strong> his<br />
estate was taken January 17, 1681<br />
amount a little more than £700.<br />
John Smith, youngest child <strong>of</strong> Lieutenant<br />
Samuel and Elizabeth Smith, born<br />
about 1637, probably in Wethersfield, was<br />
slain by the Indians in Hatfield Meadows,<br />
May 30, 1676. In 1668, in an association<br />
with his brother Philip, he purchased the<br />
three-acre homestead <strong>of</strong> his father on the<br />
west side <strong>of</strong> Broad street, Wethersfield,<br />
but later lived in Hadley. He mar-<br />
ried, November 12, 1663, Mary Partridge,<br />
daughter <strong>of</strong> William and Margaret<br />
(Smith) Partridge, <strong>of</strong> Hartford and Had-<br />
ley. After his death she married Peter<br />
Montague, and died May 20, 1683.<br />
Benjamin Smith, son <strong>of</strong> John and<br />
Mary (Partridge) Smith, was born 1673,<br />
in Hadley, and settled in Wethersfield.<br />
;<br />
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY<br />
328<br />
He married, March 14, 1700, Ruth Buck,<br />
born December 4, 1681, daughter <strong>of</strong><br />
Henry and Elizabeth (Churchill) Buck.<br />
Their fifth son, Jonathan Smith, born<br />
in February, 1719, in Wethersfield, lived<br />
in that town, where he died January 20,<br />
1800, and was buried in the ancient ceme-<br />
tery at Wethersfield. No record <strong>of</strong> his<br />
second marriage appears. His widow,<br />
Keziah, born 1734, died April 26, 1804.<br />
Their son, George Smith, born 1773,<br />
died June 15, 1854, in Wethersfield. He<br />
married Sarah Blinn, baptized December<br />
10, 1775, eldest child <strong>of</strong> Hosea and Ruth<br />
(Smith) Blinn, and died November 19,<br />
1855, in Wethersfield.<br />
Their son, George Smith, born Decem-<br />
ber 27, 181 1, died April 5, 1902. His education<br />
was supplied by the common<br />
schools <strong>of</strong> his home town, and he became<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the most active and useful citizens<br />
in the town. Early in life he was a<br />
teacher, later engaged in the insurance<br />
business, and for many years did most <strong>of</strong><br />
the fire insurance business <strong>of</strong> the town as<br />
representative <strong>of</strong> the Hartford County<br />
Mutual Insurance Company. He was also<br />
extensively interested in the seed busi-<br />
ness and in packing and shipping tobacco.<br />
He was a Democrat in politics, filled<br />
nearly every <strong>of</strong>fice in the town <strong>of</strong> Weth-<br />
ersfield. and was twice postmaster there.<br />
His commissions, during the administra-<br />
tion <strong>of</strong> Andrew Jackson in 1835, and <strong>of</strong><br />
Andrew Johnson in 1867. are preserved<br />
by his son, mentioned below. He married,<br />
November 26, 1835, Lucy Robbins<br />
Griswold, born November 9, 1812, baptized<br />
June 17, 1821, eldest child <strong>of</strong> James<br />
and Lucy (Robbins) Griswold, <strong>of</strong> Weth-<br />
ersfield.<br />
Edgar Robbins Smith, eldest son <strong>of</strong><br />
George and Lucy Robbins (Griswold)<br />
Smith, was born June 20, 1840, in Weth-<br />
ersfield, where he has made his home to<br />
the present time, and through his indus-