The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-09-16
Miscellaneous,
CoURTsHIP OF THE ELDER ADAMS.

COUkISHlP OF THE ELDER ADAMS.
Some ten years since spent college vacation in
the town Of Weymouth, Norfolk County Mass-
While there,l attended church one Sunday morning
at what was called the OLD Weymouth meeting house
and heard n sermon from the venerable pastor, Rev.
Jacob Norton. About the same time made Mr. Nor
ton visit, and became much interested in the old
gentleman. mentioned my agreeable visit 10 an
aged lady of the parish, whose acquaintance l had
made. She Informed me that Mr. Norton was ordan
ed their pastor when he was about twentyone years
ofnge, and that he had been with them nearly forty
years. She observed that most of his pensioners
could remember no other paste but that she could
remember his predecessor, the Rev Mr. Smith, and
that he and Mr. Norton had filled the same pulpit for
the better part of the last eighty years.
'Slr smith, said she, excellent man and
very fine preacher, but no had high notions OF him
selfand family -in. other words he something of
an aristocrat. One day, she said me ito illustrate
to you little the character Of old parson Smith,
will tell you anecdote that relates to himself and
some persons of distinction. Mr. Smith had two
charming daughters-(the eldest of these daughters
Mary, the others name have fotgo,ten)-who
the admiration of all the 6eaux, and the envy of
all the bellies of the country around. But while two
consultations the subject, it rumored that two
young lawyers Il think both of the town Of Quincy,)
a Mr. Crunch, aud Mr. Adams, were paying their
addresses TO the two Miss Smiths. As every man,
woman and child, of a country Parish in New Eng
land is acquainted with whatever takes place in the
Parsons family all the circumstances Of the courtship
trnnspred. Mr. Cranch was of a respectable
family of some note, considered young man of
prnunise nd Duuh, Of tba ,Ij ha
sought lie very acceptable to Mr. Smith, and
was greeted by him and his family with great respect
and cordially. lie received by the oldest daugh-
Ter a lover; and in fact young'man of much
responsibility. He afterwards to the dignity OF
Judge OF the Court of Common Pleas in Massachu-
sets and the father ofthe present Judge Crunch
of the District Of Columbia.
The suitor OF the other daughter John Adams
who afterwards became President Of the United
States But at that time in the opinion Of Mr. Smith
and family, he gave but slender promise of the dis
tinction to which he afterwards arrived. His pre-
tensions scorned by the whole family, except
the young lady 10 whom his addresses especial
ly directed. Mr. Smith showed him of the
binary civiles Of his house, he asked 10 par
take Of the Inequalities Of the nb!e;and is reported
that his horse doomed to share with his master
the neglect and modification, which he was subject
ed, for he was frequeaty shivering in the cold,
and gnawing the post at the PASTORS door, of long
winter evenings. In fine it reported that Mr.
Smith had inlimated TO him that his visits
acceptable, and he would do him favor by discon-
tInuing them; he told bis daughter that John Adams
not worthy of her; that his father an honest
trndesman and farmer, who had tried 10 initiate John
the arts and husbandry and shoe making but with
out success; and that he had sent him TO collage
the last resort He in fine begged his daughter not
to think Of making alliance with one much be-
meath her.
Miss Smith among the NEST dutful Of daugh-
tiers, but she Mr. Adams through medium very
different from that by which her father viewed him.
She would not for the world offend dsobey her
father, but John something in her eye and man.
which seemed TO say sperseuere, and on that hint
he acted
Mr. Smith, like good parson, and ufectonate
father, had told bis daughters if they married with
his appreciation, he would preach each of them a
n the sabbath after the joyful OCCASION;
and they should have the privilege of choosing the
text.
The espousal of the eldest daughter Mary, arrived,
md she united to Mr. Cranch in the holy bonds.
with the approval the blessings, and benedctions of
her parents and ner trends. R1T Smln then salu,
my dutifu child now ready to prepare your
sermon; what do you select for next Sunday?' my
dear father said Mary, have selected the latter
part of the s2nd Of the 10Th chapter Of Luke;
MARY hath chosen that good part which shall nerer
be taken from her.
very good, my daughter said her father;und so
sermon was preached.
Mr. Adams persevered in his suit in defiance of all
opposition. 1t was many years after, and on very
different occasion and in resistance Of very different
opposition, that he suffered these memorable words,
sink or s'cm, lipe die, surVioP perish, gfUe
my heart and hand 10 this measure But though the
measures were different the spirit was the sumo
Besides, he had already carried tho main point o!
attack, the heart of the young ladyand he knew the
surrender OF the citadel mus; soon follow After the
usual hesitation and delay that attend such an
pleasant affair, Mr. Smith, seeing that resistance