The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1895-11-21
Death CT Capt. w. II. Smith.

Capt. William Henry Smith died a
bis home near Scotland Neck, Wedne=
day night, Noy. -, 1895, aged 65 years
A year ago last January Capt, Smith
was taken sick with la grippe About
the same time he received a severe hur'
from fall. He was never well again
| only leaving his house few times C
visit his mother who lived near by
lie bore the long and severe suffering
With remarkable fortitude, and when
about 4 month before his death he wa,
convinced that the carbuncie which
had developed on his back would prob
ably prove fatal, he submitted with
great resignation. Although not a
commitment of any church, durin g
his severe sufferings he frequently re-
quested that bis friends pray for him,
took delight in hearing the Bible read
and some time before his death he
asked the privilege TO partake of the
sacrament Of the Lords supper, and he
thus died in the hope OF blessed i'm
mortality
Deceased wa, the second son of Will
liam X. and Eusan Smith, and was
born on Oct. %, 1880 He commenced
his education at Vine Hill Academy.
was prepared for college by W. T. Bling
ham, graduated from Chapel Hill in
Senator Nance's class in 1852 On Dec
lst, 1858, he married Miss Julia Spruill
daughter of Hon. George E. Spruill Of
Warren county, settled upon farm on
the Roanoke river and was a successful
farmer until the beginning of the war.
lie Joined the first company that was
raised in this community, the Scotland
Neck Mounted Rif1emen, and in the
organization of the company he was
elected LIST Lieutenant. He went into
service at Wilmington, and upon the
resignation OF Capt. P. NJ. Edmondson
he was in command of the company
until its reorganization. He then re-
signed and was one Of the firm of Gil
bert Elliott & Co, who built at Ed
wards ferry the Confederate gunboat,
the Albemarle.
After the war Capt. Smith resumed
his farming, brought the first stock of
goods to this community, purchased
steam boat and opened communication
with Norfolk. He first suggested the
building of the town of Scotland Neck
and materially aided Mr.. John H. Hy-
man, who was the real founder of the
town. He operated tram road to Ed
wards ferry until the great freshet OF
1877. He did much for the enterprise
Of building the railroad from Halifax
to Scotland Neck, and 1t was said that
it would have fallen through but for
his diplomacy in raising $1,000 in
Deceased was friend to all whom
be knew. The highest and the low
est, the richest and the poorest, shared
alike his sympathy in everything
worthy. He did much for the colored
people about him, assisted in establish
ing the first colored school in the COM
aided them materially in the |
Of the first chapel for worship,
gave them their Bible and during
his last illness they assembled and Of
'ered special prayer for him, their lead
er remarking, HE gave us this very
Bible from which I'm reading"
The number OF his friends was limit
ID only by the extent of his acquaint-
ance, for he was remarkably popular
wherever he was known.
The remains were inferred in the |
Episcopal cemetery Friday, Nov. 10Th,
1ear the body of his mother who was
buried just week before.
A large crowd of relatives and friends
the remains to the last resting !
place. and when the mound was finish
ID 1t was covered with beautiful autumn
lowers and all turned away with sor-
'owful hearts at the loss OF a mutual |
riend. He leaves widow and no
children.
The DEMOCRAT joins in sympathy
or all those who have been thus sorely |
,ereft In this sad death