New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-23
ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN YEARS OLD.
THE LONG LIFE OF MARVIN SMITH, OF MONT
WILLIE, CONN.


Norwulk, Conn. Aug. % (SpeciaD. Marvin Smith, OF
Moptye should he live until next Tuesday will be 1o7
wears old He was born August 25 1884, in MOntyille
and he has always resided there For over 100 he
has dwelt within miles Of HIS birthplace. lie has been
twice married. first wife. Newton, who the
mother Of his children born in 1884 and dcd in 1874
Mr. smith married his second Wife, Sybii Morgan IN 1870
She was born in 1896 and will be nncyhve years old
November 1891. The first marriage took place in 1872
Just before Mr.. Smith has never been further
from homo than Long Island when he visited
NewYork with his brother about the year 1902 going
there in little sloop which HIS brother owned. This
brother several years than himself and
living. MI Smiths father died in 1852, leaving six
children, centenorian being the oldest Two bothers
now living IN Monc respectively ninety and ninety
two years old. Mr.. Smiths house stands the west
the Thames River, opposite Ayn's Point The
old house ia which he the river
about miles above his present home. . whole life
been spent along this rver. In his younger days he
vas ship carpenter sometimes employed in the shpyars
In London other times in Norwich and at other
points along river. His house is about half be-
tween Norwich and NcwLondon. lie has held the title
about sixty OF land since 1872 date
erecting thereon his present residence Tie buildings
on his place and al the surroundings show
thrift and The grounds adjoining sold
by him q considerable nCtoriety this time being
owned by the Kttemaug Association On these grounds
the association erected buildings for social and
vvia entertainments 1t Is beautiful SPOT by
grove OF beauty and lying elevation which slopes
toward the river and extends 70 It's hanks.
Mr. Smith has led quiet lifc attending closely 20 his
personal affairs, holding any town o.cc although
fully qualified being man Of fair education for hts day
and possessing remarkably good judgment on matters la
which he concerned lie never sought Office Of any
kind regular at the polls has voted at every
Presidential election since he an eector except
at last ia 1888 His first President was cast
In There has never been highway nearer 70 his
house than the orc two miles away. The Thames has
bec0 his only highway, and his travelling usually has been
over the water In his skif rowboat
Mr. Smith remembers well the War of 1879 lie was
then called service and stationed at Ne ondop He
now pension soldier u that war lie dis
tnctly remembers about the rcaes United States and
Macedonia and the soopofwar Hornet yn. nearly oppo-
he lives. the river having been bockndcd by
the English vessels OF the Of Ncw.I.ondon Har.
Dor He clearly reclte the Incidents OF that time
the ships lay at anchor and he remembers taking out
ships milk oysters and other articles needed On
lie often mentions the incident Of the rt steam
boat tire Fulton and contrasts the shape STYLE and pro.
peing machinery Of that day with those OF the pr-en
He says that the people along the were p.aty sur
prIsed at seeing steam vessel rushed out Of their
houses N In wonder moved slowly but gracefully
past In the month Of July, 1917 Mr. Smith says the
steamer Fulton sailed up the river with flag, nylne and
music PLAYING In honor Of James Madison then Presden.