Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-07-08
For the Worcester Daily Spy.
Benjamin. Smith.


Another revolutionary hero has passed
away from earth. We are panied to chron-
Gle the recent decease of the veteran Beni4-
min Smith, at Hopkinton, Mass. Perhaps
we should not say panied, for he has bowed
unto the final conqueror, ''full of years and
glory" ''Immortal, though no more his
example remaineth as a lesson that should be
fruitful in all that dignifies or elcvates hu-
manity. The favored son of a favored cline,
he hath witnessed the cycle of an hundred
years welded to those beyond the flood. No
centennial period has been so pregnant with
events affecting the condition of man as that
to which we refer.
The teachings of the Purirans, made holy
by their sacrifices, eliminated in producing
the men OF the revolution, among whom was
the SUBJECT OF our notice, who was born at
Needham, Mass, the Sth of February 1853
His youthful ear listened to the recital of
British tyranny. The history cf colonial
rights and colonial wrongs was the primer of
his boyhood. Of this his youthful dreams
were made, Taxation without representation
was 70 him the sum of national viany. The
tea ana stamp actwere but precursors Of 9TH
erS, born OF an uSurpation which recognized
no legislation save that of force. The mas
sacre OF lG0, the volleys OF Lexington, the
prestige of Bunker Hill, were potent educa-
tors for the battles glorious hour. That hour
was freedoms opportunity. No deaf ear was
turned to their monitions. The blood-stained
fields of Saratoga and Monmouth, the car
mage of Brandywine, the sufferings of Valley
Forge, wrought as by fire upon the beardless
boy, and lie became a soldier in soul if not in
stature. In l1I9, at the tender age OF six
teen, young Smith, then living on the Farrs
estate, Natick, volunteered with a comrade
named Mills Tor the war, receiving as bounty
$50 in gold, which was duly paid his father.
In company with many others, the line of
march was formed for birmingham, reaching
the residence of the late Capt Jonathan
Maynard at evening, bivouacking in the barn
upon the premises for the night. The day
following Maynard assumed command. AZ
ter toisone journey the little band halted
upon the Hudson near West Point. The charge
OF this post had been assigned to Cen Bene-
dict Arnold. 1t was here the majestic pres
ence of Washington first greeted his vision.
Eighty-four years did not serve to Danish the
incident from his memory My lad, you are
rather young to be here" was the remark of
the general, placing his hand upon the head of
the young volunteer, who looked a mere child
beside the stalwart men upon drill. Over
come with awe, Smith was unable to reply.
inns, the writer had from the veterans own
lips. Mr.. Smith remembered well the cir
cu'stances OF Arnold's treachery. The dis.
mounting OF the fortress guns. The aupre-
henSlOn OF Andre, whom he had seen
describing him as model soldier. of fine
physique, and martial bearing. Also of Cal
JameSon's njudiciously permitting Andre IN
correspond with Arnold, enabling the latter IN
reach the British lines in a boat rowed b,,
several Needham soldiers, whom he unavaii.
ingly persuaded to accompany him in his ex.
odus. Upon Col. Heaths recommendation
young Smith was assigned the position of
OTHER: the honors of which he discharged till
released from service. Mr.. Smith took part
in no important battles. His acquaintance
with royal bullets was confined wholly to a
few skirmishes. 1t has been assumed that he
was present at the battle of Kings Mountain
No assumption could be more tallacious. He
was never further south than Yorktown. On
the arrival of peace he returned to the pater-
nal roof, and has passed the residue of his lite
in agricultural pursuits, with the exception of
to Il few months service in the last war with
Great Britain. He was twice married.
Children and grandchildren remained unto
him at his death. On the passage of the PEN
sion act Of 1918 his claims as Il revolutionary
soldier were presented and allowed, securing
him 500 per year during forty-ive years.
This sum, however, proved insufficient for the
inirmtieS OF extreme age. Alas fJtGt duty
WtS Silenti Was the consciousness of an hu-
initiating and dependent age to be the harbn-
ger OF his time-worn steps to the grave? Was