New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-27
SMITHS BY THE THOUSAND.
THEIR ANNUAL REUNION AT PEAPACK.
PICTURESQUE SURROUNDINGS or THE VALLEY
ENJOYMENTs OF TnE CLANS.

PICTURESQUE SURROUNDINGS or THE VALLEY
ENJoYMENTs OF THE CLANS.
Peapack was deeply moved yesterday ana "hen
papack IA moved all the surrounding part Of Jersey Is
stirred The exciting the asst milling oil the
Smith family or rather of that particular branch OF that
ub,auitous family which is desconoed from john
srr I'LL who settled somewhere IN the neighborhood oil
Peapaok in tho year 1740. John smith had seventeen
children and they increased and multiplied, 80 that
now when his descendants hold family gathering
they have 10 hold il out of doors and the people who
attend are numbered by thousands One OF Johns de-
sccndants built his house by the swiitrunning waters
of the North branch of the beautiful valley OF Peapack
lila grandson Peter h. still lives the place, and on
ma grounds is annually held what Is known TO tho
country folk as the Smith picnic" Once year tie
gory eros. is sent around in the shape Of pasted cards.
and the smiths and oil their kiih and kun come in
bugeie. and farm wagons and buck boards TO the
muster plaoe "As the mountains are round about
Jerusalem 40 ere the lofty hills around the valley OF
pespaok On reaching the brow Of tho hill. where the
winding road leads from Chester tho eye ranges
over miles and miles Of fruitful farm lands. pastures
ereener than emerald and woods that eloihe with the
dark foliage bills that the distance seem TO mnse
with ths ky In the middle OF the happy valley lies
the village Of Peapaok iniie emo mar 10. ,naon, -
tive or roar OF aden traineve disturbed the tranquility
~ tbe valley and however the outside world wags on
,ranouiliv the seed l. and the crops are gathered
the valley OF Peapack, aud the North Branl stesdiIy
turns the wheels OF It's grist mills and saw mills.
IL was time OF meeting old ironds and relatives
time of Handwriting aud embracing. and everybody
was uncle or aunt or cousin or grandfather. ltOud
Was the man Who bore the name OF smith, nnd no
eristooI ATTIC patronymlc that CLEANS in the pages OF
Bnrke would have tempted him for one moment TO
think of appealing the Legislature Tor change oi
name lhey spoke OF this one who was IN California,
of That one who was In Illinois. OF OF those who slept
In The village church yard and even the unfortunate
fok of the nejghbOrhO0d who were OF no Kim "a the
smiths were permitted 20 come IN their wagons ana
gaz. with envy on the defendants OF the original
John Ginger ale flowed like water Chickens and
bean, and peaches disappeared with startling rapidy
there was babel Of voices which even the noise OF tho
hand aud the music OF tho wind among the trees could
moi drawn everybody enjoyed himself and almost
eyor, body caught cold. Even tho blood OF smith
viii be chilled when "a November day L. suddenly
dfopned into the middle Of August. Tho Rev. Dr. |.
onlmby of Jersey City delivered an rhetorical ad-
dress in The afterioon showing tho relation OF the
smith family TO the Nation business meeting was
oso held al which the following oiboors we're elected
presiacnt of the Smith Association, lsaih smith, OF
MilLnrn yice-president Abraham smith of Peapack
treasurer J. d. smith. and secretary. James e. smith
I'm the evening q fair was held IN the Reformed
Cburob AT peapaek aud all the Smiths living IN the
surrounding country attended.