The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-11-15
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND.
a Brief Biographical sketch of Rich

a Brief Biographical Sketch of N Rich
Reformer.
[Letter to the Evening Post.l
Gerrit Smith was born at Utica, N. Y, in
1797; hence he is approaching his 10th year.
He graduated at Hamilton college at the age
OF Fl. He still occupies the mansion built by
ms father which was once the largest house
west OF johnson Hall, at Johnstown. 1t is
sixty feet square and two stories. The upper
hoor once was entirely occupied by hall, in
whieh The Indians were often entertained;
out oil late it has been divided into apaIt-
ments such is the size and accommodation of
the building, that score of visitors can. be
entertained without Inconvenience Mr.
Smith inherited large estate from his ia
ther, out of which he presented to each OF the
children of bis deceased brother $25 900.
Since then he has not only managed his prop
erty, but has occnpied prominent position
among the reformers Of the day. He has
studied law and is a member OF the bar of
this Stale, and has also been admitted TO prac-
tice in the federal courts. Mr.. Smith mar
red into slayeholding family in Baltimore,
but bis wife harmonized with his views, and
their slaves we're emancipated and provided
came to Oswego and began milling, but failed,
aud as Mr.. Smtrh was heavily on his paper,
he became deeply involved. He remarked to
a friend at that time that he expected to die
in debt. A vast benefit accrued to him, how
ever, out of this very affair; for the property
was assigned TO him and he assumed the
claim that encumbered ii. The amount of
the latter was about $250,000, and the prop
erty, which he still retains, is now worth six
it.Sao hot ffttta
the chief part of his wealth. II has been for
% years in the hands OF faithful agent, Mr..
John B. Eimunds, who now collects an in
come from it which is estimated at 100000.
Peterboro contains small Methodist socie-
ty also church founded by Mr.. Smith when
he abandoned that of his ancestors on acce unit
of its adherence to American slavery. His
mother was pious woman, and he had at an
early age Joined her church 1.-THE Reformed
Dutch, or Presbyterian, but its bondage to
slavery disgusted him, and he formed re-
ligious society whose terms of membership
were of a more liberal character. The Pres
byterian church is now public readingroom,
while the "Church of Peterboro," as Mr.,
Smiths is called, remains. Among its pas
tors was the Rev. Fl. p. Crozier, now of
New York. lMr. Smith has frequently preach
ed in this house, and bis knowledge of He
brew and Greek enables him TO examine the
Scriptures in the original. After morning
service on Sabbath he holds Biblerclass
composed of young ladies. AS speaker he
possesses rare gifts. The mansion 1t Peter
boro is managed by bis son, Green Smith
whose wife is the housekeeper
The rising hour is 6, and half hour after
the bell has struck Mr.. Smith beats a musical
triangle for family worship. This he con-
ducts in person, but he is wont to substitute
the recitation of the Scriptures for their pc
n Stt0ii ic hia hot ha
peat most of the Psalms and other parts of
the Bible. Singing and prayer follow. From
to II the time is devoted to the library, and
then comes walk to the Office, where Caleb
Calkins has for 80 years officated as clerk.
Mr. Smith has been for long time selling
the lands inherited from his father, and
hence has a vast number of bonds and mort
cages in bis possession. His entire income
must be about 100000. OF this a large
amount is given away in a private manner.
Two pensioners, now advanced in years, oc-
cupy cottages near his mansion, but when
winter approaches they become members OF
his household. One OF these, called Aunt
Laura" has been with him 40 years; and the
other, "Aunt Betsy" has served so years. The
latter, though 81, has her faculties in good
preservation, and is Iemployed to answer all
begging letters, and to look after Mr.. Smiths
private charity-roll in that neighborhood.
answered in the negative, unless special claims
are advanced.
Mr.. Smiths only daughter inherits much
of her fathers intellect; but her life has been
quiet one. She married many years ago,
and resides in Geneva Green Smith, who
.s Gertits youngest child, is about 25, and is
ch 'efy noted for his love of birds. He has an
aviai~Y 40 feet square, containing great num-
Der OF cages, whose inmates are allowed, at
"a the whole He
has presented to Cornell University about 800
stuffed specimens of Amerl.an orpitholosy.
Gerrit Smiths variations in th,@ @oiosy nave
been long before the world At one time ne
wandered into specie. of deism, but he uas
of late years expressed views similar to wbaL
is commonly called "liberal Christianity.n-
He loves simplicity, and is chidlike and hum
BILE in his department. His benevolence fire.
quenty works out in original methods, and an
illustration may. be found in the fact that in
lS47 he directed the supervisors of Madison
county each to designate in his own town
seven spiDsters who should receive $500
apiece. As there are 20 towns in this coun-
ty the amount OF this gift was $4,000. His
opposition to land monopoly is shown by the
donation of 100000 acres at various times TO
deserving persons
In 1852 Mr. Smith was elected 10 Congress,
and there witnessed the attempts OF northern
uS uSHh"cOS0So anu oOubueEu pdItlSdES 10 Dd-
tionalize slavery. He hoped for peaceful
adjustment of the question, but when the ap-
peal was made TO arms he advocated the war
and made speeches in support of the federal
cause. Mr.. Smiths friendship for John
Brown brought him into an apparent COM
plication with the Harper's Ferry affair which
only time could remove.
Mr.. Smith is now approaching his 18th
year, and has succeeded in getting his busi-
ness in shape which will give but little
trouble to his executors. Having accomplish
ed this, he is looking for the hour of his de-
parture, which he contempiates with serenity
andhope. His domestic as well as his public
life has been of felicitous nature, and the
bride whom he welded half century ago is
the companion aid helpmate of his latter
days. His foIm is still erect but his once ra-
ven locks are silvered' and those who see him
now can form but an imperfect idea Of the
great pillar of the antislavery cause as he APP
peared on the platform 80 years ago.