The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1868-07-01
OBITUARY..

DIED, at his residence in Fairfield d lis
trict. on 23d May last, Col. WILLIAM
SMITH, in tho 10Th year of his age. The
deceased was among tho oldest citizens OF
his District, and his sterling worth, and
useful life, claim moro than q passing no
tice
His father was William Smith, Of Spartan.
burg Dist, who emigrated from Ponnsylva
MIA. at an carly age, and became one of the
earliest settlers of that District. lie held
the Office Of Colonel in the American army
during tho Revelation, and afterwards re-
presented his congressional district in the
U. s. Congress. Still later in life ho held
tho office Of District Judge. His name
stands enrolled during that bright and
glorious list Of patriots who delivered the
American people from British opprcssion.;
and who also assisted in guiding the trem-
bling; helm Of our republican government,
amidst tho shoals and breakers, that, in
its early history, threatened its overthrow
"a government which would have shed its
mild and peaceful influence overHs 70 the
| present hour, had ii not been for tho re-
crcant, and faithless spirit of fanaticism.
AS was the sire, so was the son, Colonel
Smith possessed several traits Of character
| which rendered him morc than an ordinary
|
| hc bclievedt to be right, and denounced
oolGly, an2fcarlessly, whatcverhc believed
to bo wrong, whether in politics, religion or
the affairs of life. lie was mnn of re.
markable fidelity. This was exhibited
through his whole life. The interest Of
others, when conGded to his hands suffered
no dctriment, but received more attention,
perhaps, thap would have been given, had
it been wholly his own. lie was also n
/ 80 L. Al.
and acted for himself unmovcd by smiles
or frowns.
He had his own standard Of excellence,
and marked out his own course, both of
which were entirely independent Of the
views or opinions Of others. And if those
who knew him thought that he sometimes
carried this spirit beyond its legitimate
bounds, let them remember that to err is
human and that an excellence carried be-
yond its just limit is, perhaps Il less evil,
than not exercising that excellence at all.
| Col. S. was emphatioally man Of order
and deciplinc. Possessing n strong mind,
and an uncompromising Will he was fitted
by nature to rule, order and dcciplinc was
not only apparent in the transactions of
| business with others, but also IN the trans
FACTION Of his own affairs in the plantation
| and about the house. Every one had their
| specific duties, and these duties had to be
performed at tho right time. and in the
right manner. l heard it said, since his
death by one who know him we'll that he
worked freedmen more successfully than
most others, which was attributed to the
order and tirmness that belonged to his
nature. The writer has heard him say
more than once'"it will not do to yield
an inch, yielding produces the trouble"
When elected Colonel to command n rcgi-
mcnt Of cavalry under the old militia laws
Of South Carolina, his summary dealings
with all dcfnulters, and his rugged enforce
mcnt of military law, at tho commencement
made him very unpopular but after his
command had seen tho results Of such
course, in promoting strict order and obedi-
cnce they first admired then loved, until
he reached the pinnacle of popularity lie
belonged to the State Rights School Of
poltics-was great admircr Of Calhoun,
and even iii his OLD age would become
enthusiastic when speaking Of the glorious
history Of S. c., from 1913 to 1882. lie was
in the Convention which rescindcd the act
of notification but instructivcly true to his
native State he stood among tho noble ccv-
ell tout of above 1907 who voted against
resembling thatact.
lie became member of the Fairfield
Baptist Church during the time Rev. J.
Davis had charge of it, and was afterwards
ohooOh - uSuSoh WhiOli oihCC hc uUlll
that body was disorganized by the burning
OF their house of worship No minister
within his knowledge was so much admir-.
cd by" him rs DR.. Furman, of Grccnville,
who had charge of the Fairfield church
during his professorship in the Furman
Institution. He spoke of him frequently
in the latter part Of his life, and was often
heard to say that ho possessed the best
balanced mind ho ever knew, that while
most men were strong in ono or two points
only DR.. +. was strong in many.
Col. S. was the friend of education. lie
had received, in youth distinguished cdu-
cational advantages, and gave to cnch Of his
children excellent opportunities for mental
cultivation. He was for n time an active,
working member ofthe Board Of Trustees
Of urman Institute, but he had no sym
pathy for tho Manual Labor School the
speedy failure Of which proved the sound
ness of his judgment His long and event
full lifo had peculiar trials and vicisitutles.
lie had eleven children seven of whom he
saw buried. lie lost his wife in 1918 Of
the seven children that died five were grown,
and bad been prepared by education to
enter upon the stern realities Of life. How
sad to tho heart Of n fond parent, to sec his
children, with the bright prospect Of useful.
ness aud honor before them, suddenly laid
in the tomb!
But perhaps no event so weighed down
and depressed his spirits rs tho sad changes
that have Of late years withercd the pros
poets, and blasted the hopes, Of the south
ern people. These sad changes led him to
say, not long before his DEATH to his niece
Mrs. Judge Robertson, of Winnsboro', II
am now weary of life." Alas many Of
our old and valued citizens are sinking into
their graves with their spirits broken and
their hearts crushed by tho onlamities that
have fallen upon our once happy country
Col. S. belonged to the past generation
tho companions Of his youth and those asso-
ciated with him in active life, have most Of
them passed away. Yet he will be missed
as citizen, neighbor, and q friend =
Farewell, high-toncd and noble spirited old
man The storms Of life beat not upon
thee now. We fondly hope your weary
feet rests in happier land-a moro congo
NAL cline.
"Fecisi nos, Domine, propter te, ct inquietam
esf cor nostruRs, donec IN 10 redcat."
G.