The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-05-16
THE SMITH FAMILY.

A name which demands volume
to do it justice is that Of Smith, which
enjoys the proud preeminence of be-
ing the commonest of all English sur
names.
II am not sure" says one, but
that the name demands new science
to be called 'Smithology.' 1t would
doubtless prove quite as instructive as
many existing 'ologies, and it would
have the merit of being more anus
ing"
The name is derived from the Saxon
word Smitan-to smite. 1t was ap-
| piled not only to workers in metal,
but valorous soldiers were called
mighty warsmiths. The term was
not confined to iron work, but was ap-
piled to everything which required
"smiting.' Thus the poet was a
versesmite, though he only had to
smite his brains to produce results.
In the early ages of the world
every king and chief had smith, and
great was the honor paid to him.
In Wales the Kings smith sat beside
His Majesty at table, and had right
to drink of every wine brought into
the banquet hall before even the
guests were served. The smith then
shaped armor and military weapons,
and part of his duty was to teach
young warriors how to use the weap-
ons after he had made them.
Among Highland clans the smith
ranked third in dignity to the chief.
As a surname, it is one of the very
oldest. By some historians it is said
to be the Oldest surname of all, with
or-nh1g. +l-rn- -oro-t t5rorus the namS-
appears as Smith, Smithe, Smeith,
Smyth, Smithe and Smijthe. Ger
many has its Schmitts, Schmiths,
Smids, Smidths, Smits and Schmizes.
In France, the name is the more
euphonious Lefevres. In Italy it is
Fabbroni. Then there are the classic
Fabri and Fabricii. In Scotland one
hardly recognizes the name of Cow
ans.
If you have a friend who is
"Smyth, if you please; 1 have ~.
in my name" pray don't make the
objectionable mistake of calling him
"Mr. Smith" He was probably
"Smith" three generations ago, but
that makes no difference, because,
like all the rest of us, he is very SEN
sitive over an error in the pronuncia-
ton or spelling of his name.
The Smiths of English ancestry
trace back to the Right Reverend
William Smith, who was born in Lam
caster county, England, about 1860.
He was bishop of Lincoln, and Litch-
field, and, with one other, founded
Brazenose College, Oxford. He is
buried in Lincoln Cathedral.
One of the immigrant ancestors of
the English Smiths was the old fa-
miliar John Smith, who was born in
England about 1909, and probably
came to this country in 1893, landing
in Boston. With him came his broth
er Nehemiah. Edward, a nephew,
came in 1862. He was the first reg
ular customhouse official in the col
ony.
To John Smith, the second Mayor
of Newcastle, England, and the fifth
in descent from Bishop William
Smith, was granted a crest in 1924,
the family arms having been recog-
nized in 1861. The arms-a token Of
prowess-displayed a lion rampant
the crest was tiger passant wound
ed on his shoulder.
The proudest earldom in England
is that of the Smiths-the real family
surname of the Earl of Derby. Ar
important organization is the Preston
Choral Guild of Lancashire, England
The Guild Mayor for 1902 was the
Earl of Derby who is the fifteenth
one to bear the title.
An American Smith boasts not o.
crests aud titles, but glories in the
fact that his country's hymn was
written by member of his family
Rev. DR.. Samuel Francis Smith o.
Newton Center, Mass. 1t was writ.
ten in 1892, and first brought into
use at the Fourth of July celebration
in same year at the Park Stree
Church, Boston.
The Smiths could fill every regi
ment and man every ship in Uncl'
Sans service, so far as numerical ant
age requirements are concerned. 0
the total appropriation made for th'
Civil Service, 81, 600, 900 is paid ou
of the treasury to the Smith famil,
each year.
Seven Smiths distinguished them
selves as generals in the Civil War
One Smith has been nominated a
President of the United States; sil
have been members of Presidential
cabinets one was elected Presiden
pro TEN. of the Senate. One in ever,
I27 Americans is of this name, an
one in seventy-two in England.
"Is Mr.. Smith here?" some on
inquired at door, when meetin
was in progress:
One thousand gentlemen arose.
at is Mr.. John Smith want"
Five hundred gentlemen sat down