The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-09-20

Editor nj thc RcgjSer. The greatest
misfortune that ever happened you is, that
you were not descendant of the Smiths,
and the next great misfortune is, that you
we're not present to participate with the
favored ones in celebrating the centennial
anniversary of the settlement of Samuel
and Hannah Smith, in Bridport, which
was observed Oh Thursday the Sth, inst.
The day was clear and delightful, and
large number of ladies' and gentlemen
with their baskets, boxes, pals and bags
well filed with the richest and rarest lux
uries that Champlain valley produces),
numbering nearly 300, worthy descend
ants of Samuel Smith assembled on the
point of land where their tent was first
pitched in ITO: la a grove on the bank
of our beautiful Lake Champlain seats
had been arranged for the friends, and a
stand for the speakers Ten beautiful
banners bearing the names of the Parents
and their nine children, had been prepar-
ed by Mrs N. s. Bennett, and so arrang-
ed as to be visible to all, which added
much to beautify the scene, AT III o.
clock G. N. Hayward of Bridport Presi.
dent of the day, called the friends to or
der, and after happy greeting ANNOUNCE
ed that Sheldon Smith Esq, had been
appointed by the Association, Historian.
Mr.. Smith gave an interesting and detail
ed account of the settlement, suffcrings
and privatons of their venerable grand
sire, whose descendants were met this
day to honor his memory, after which he
gave an interesting account Of his child
rem, two sons Nathan and Marshall were
taken prisoners by the British and carried
to Qubec but at length made their escape
returning through an unbroken wilderness
in safety to their home having compass
only that guided them along their weari
some journeyings, which identical. compass:
was shown by the Historian, he also stat
ed that their descendants now numbered
; something over 200, embracing I gencr
atoms. After few moments recess thu
President introduced the Hon. Marvin
Smith of White Hall n. Y, as Orato
whe did himself great credit on the oc
casion. He hled the audience in breathles
silence for nearly an hour giving vivic
description of the improvements of tn
> last century and what we may expect il
: the future. 1t is expected that the Histor
and Grafton will soon be published il
, pamphlet form.
' Mr.. s. Doty Esq, of Salisbury wa
then called upon, being over fore score year
!, old, and the Oldest living grand son @
!, Samuel Smith whose remarks were we
u received and listened to with interes
after which the company were invited t
a bountiful collation. which was done fu
IS justice to by all present The steame
I. Curew brought along a load of invite
It guests from Burlington, Vergennes an
). elsewhere which increased the festivite
|. of the OCCASION Many Smith relics c
s. Antiquity were brought forth, zone anon
m many others in the shape Of an old ha
which called forth the singing of that al
s. cent song, "When this old Hat was new
8, by D. F. Doty ESQ. of Bridport, whic
Il caused much merriment. H. c. Johnso
h Of the Vergennes Vermonter was Gale
s. out and said he had been much intereste
er in listening to the Smith history, but
wasn't a circumstance 10 the johnson
ii By common consent, the Johnson's CO
furnish an example which the Smiths wi
&c never seek 10 rival, one who in the lang
lie age of David Crockett, can dive deepe
IT, come up dirtier and swing round mo
lie circles than any Smith that ever lived
III Hon j. n. Smith of Addison was call,
III upon who interested the audience in rel
n. ting incidents and anecdotes told to hi
is by his venerable grandsire in his boyho'
I'd days, which were well received, the ft
#. lowing resolutions were introduced al
passed unanimously:
he Resolred, that we the descendants
ot Samuel and Hannah Smith. who a
d. living % years hence, will reunite a
hit celebrate this Joyful anniversary.
Is Yours truly,
in G. n. HAYw ARD