The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-07-21
A PATRIARcIAL GATHERING.
Reunion Of the Family Of George
Smith, Esq.
A Few items OF Local history.

with Squire WOofter, to witness one
Of tho most notable and pleasant gath
eriugs known to our countryside as.
scmblagc Of tho children, grundchiI
drcn, great.granlchildrcn, and other
relatives Of George Smith, Esq. Of
Smiths Run, in this county. The
occasion was tho old gentlcman's 10Th
birthday; and heaven itself, as well as
tho happy faces Of relatives, seemed to
smile upon tho family reunion. We
cant say how many werc present to
count them would have been impossible.
A long table, capable Of seating about
so persons, had been set out in tho
orchard and at tho appointed hour.
Uncle George" and his estimable
wife led of tho procession, and taking
their seats at the head of the table,
were followed by other members Of the
family. according to age. Tho scene
reminded US of tho Scriptural illus.ra.
ton of the old patriarchs gathering
to them oil their household, and than
king God for his favors. The dinner
vas triumph Of culinary skill aud
We hero aver that no better cooks can
DO found than those who oficiatGd on
that occasion.
After dinner VIC wandered of into q
q uict corner. With Dir. Smith, and
learned many incidents Of interest in
relation TO tho early history Of our
county. Mark Smith, the father Of
Uncle George" was q soldier in tho
Revolutionary army ; and had the hon.
or Of being ono Of tho number who
served in tho campaign under Wash.
ington, which ended in tho surrender
Of CORVALLIS at Yorktown md the
complete establishment Of American
Independence. Alter the war he set.
tied in what is now PGpdleton county,
on the waters Of ono Of the forks Of the
South Branch Of the Potomac. In the
year 1904, when the tide Of emigra.
ton began TO reach Westward, Mark
Smith moved with bis family to liar.
rison (nOw Lewis) county, bringing
with him lis wife, seven sons and one
daughter. Tho names Of tho children
will be familiar to all Of our older citi-
zeus: They were, Jacob, Elizabeth,
(who married John Peterson, Esq. }
John. Henry, Peter, Martin. George
md Abram. Peter Smith was one Of
our representatives in the war Of 1872.
which struggle is well remembered by
George Smith, who is now the only
surviving one OF the number who came
West. Mark Smith, Oh arriving in
this county, located at first near where
Jacksou's Mills now arc, but only re.
manned there ono winter. 10 1906,
after On examination Of tho lands on
Smiths Run. Chen called Schoolcraft's
Rum he determined to purchase land
there which he did. and in the fall
Of that year, he built tho house now
occupied by Edgar Wilson Smith. Esq
subsequently, as the boys" began
to grow up, he added to his possessions,
until no aud his family owned nearly
all the lands in that vicinity. In 1905,
there was but enc house between Mr..
Smiths clearing and the Flcshcr lands
opposite Weston. Our town was then
not dreamed Of, and its location was
then n thriftlcss piece Of swampy
ground. Roads were things hoped !or
but not seen, and Mr.. Smith had to
cut a way with axes through the woods
10 the place be had fixed upon for his
dwelling.
Ia 1920 " Uncle George " was mar
ried to Mary Flcshcr, sister of Henry
Flcshcr. Esq who resides near Yves.
ton, and by her had tlrcc children ::
Lias G., Alcindp. and William l.. She
died in 1926. aud afterwards he was
united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth
Bonnet, who is still living. By his
second wife ho had ten children, as
follows: Amanda, Ruhana. Calvin
W, EIvira, Hanson II Harriet X,
Samuel r., Wccden S.. Adelinc. L.,
aud Edwin L., of this number ten are
living, oil of whom have children, and
several Of them hAvo grand.chil
dren. How many times " Uncle
George" is grandfather aud great.
father, is q harder SUN in addition
than We care about attempting; and all
of them who arc able to como annual.
Iy pay tho tribute Of respect and ven
Grafton to tho head Of their family.
Iio enjoys these gatherings, naturally