True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-11-07
sglisttuang.
CoURTsHIP OF THE ELDER ADAMS.

Hiate NdCdlIOu III ttiS tONii va w ihO"''
Norfolk county Mass. While there | at
tended church on Sunday morning, a
which was called the Old Weymouth
meeting house, and heard sermon from
the venerable pastor, Rev. Jacob Norton.
About the same time, made Mr.. Norton
a visit, and became much interested in
the old gentleman. mentioned my a.
greeable visit to an old lady of the parish,
whose acquaintance had made. She in
formed me that Mr.. Norton was ordained
their pastor when he was about twenty
one years of age, and that he had been
with them nearly forty years. She OBJ
served that most Of his present parshion'
ers could remember no other pastor; but
that she could we'll remember his prede-
cessor, the Rev. Mr., Smith, and that he
and Mr.. Norton had filled the same pull
pit for the better pant Of the last eighty
years.
Mr.. Smith, said she, 'was an excel
lent man. and very ine preacher, but
he had high notions of himself and iami-
ly-in other words, he was something OF
an aristocrat."
One day, she told the following anec-
dote of old parson Smith, and several 9TH
er persons Of distinction;
Mr.. Smith had two charming daugh'
ters. Mary was the name Of the Oldest,
the Others name have forgotten. They
were admired by the beaux, and envied
by the bellies of the country arouud.-
But while the careful guardians of The par
sons family were holding consultation on
the subject it was rumored that two young
lawyers--I think both Of the neighborlng
town of Quincy-a Mr.. Cranch and a Mr.
Adams--were paying their addresses to
the Misses Smith. As every man, wo-
man and child ora country parish in New
England, is acquainted with whatever oc-
ours in the parsons family, all the circum'
stances Of the courship soon transplred.
Mr.. Cranch was of respectable FAINT
" of some note, was considered young
man of promise, and altogether worthy
of the alliance he sought. He was very
acceptal ls to Mr.. Smith, and Was greeted
BY himself and family with great respect
and cordially. He was received by the
eldest daughter as lover, and, in fact a
young man with great resPeciahlIly.-
lie afterwards rose 10 the dignity fudge
of The Court of Common Pleas of Mas
sachusets, and was the father of the pres
ent Judge Cranch, of the district of COL
umhia.
The suitor of the other daughter WIS
John Adams, who afterwards became
President of the United States. But at
that time, in the opinion Of Mr.. Smith
and family, I've gave but slender promise
of the distinction to which he afterwards
arrived. His pretensions were scorncd
by all the family, excepting the young Ia
DIV TO whom his addresses were especial
" directed. Mr.. Smith showed him none
Of his ordinary civililies of the house he
was not asked to partake of the hospital
tiles of The table, and il is reported tha
his horse was doomed to share with his
master the neglect and modification 10
which he was subject, for he was fre
quently seclh hshivcring in the coId' an(
gnawing the post at the pastors door, o
long winter evenings. In short, it wa
reported that the parson had intlmated II
him that his visits were unacceptable an
that he would confer favor by discon
tnuing them. He told his daughter tha
JOIN Adams was unworthy of her -tha
his father was an honest man and trades
man, who had tried to initiate John in tn
art of husbandry and shoemakipg, bu
withou! success and that he sent him t
College as last resort. He begged hi
daughter not to think of making an all
ace with one so much beneath her.
Miss Smith was among the most dulj
ful of,laugh,ers, but she saw Mr.. Adam
through a medium very different froI
that IN which her father viewed him.
She would not for the world offend {
dsobey her father, but John saw somt
thing in her eye and manner, which seen
ed tie say, 'persevere ! and on that hiI
lie acted.
Mr.. Smith, like a good Parson and a
fctionale father, had told his daughter
that if they married with his appreciation
he would preach each Of them sermc
on the Sabbath after the joyful occasion
and they should have the privilege
choosing the text.
The espousal Of the oldest daughte
Mary, arrived, and she was united to NJ
Cranch in the holy bonds, with the a
proval, the blessings, and the benedi
tions Of parents and her friends. NJ