Smyrna times., 1908-12-02
RECOLLECTION OF SMYRNA
OF OVER HALF A CENTURY
WILLIAM A.HUKlLL RECALLS HIS
BOYHOOD DAYS IN THIS VICINITY
Tells of People He Knew Who Were
Prominent in Smyrna in The Early
Forties and Relates Incidents

l knew Daniel Cummins the son of
John. He was quite tall and stylish
and to distinguish him from Daniel
B. Cummins, of the Girard Bank, he
was commonly called "Long Dan."
He owned the nice farm where
Spruance City now stands but lived
somewhat of retired life. He was
horse proud and always kept a nice
pair. l recollect one pair of dark
bay Vermont horses he called Mon
treal and Quebec; they were con-
sidered fast in those days, but don't
think could have made mile in three
minutes. l remember on one occa-
sion coming home from the fair at
Dover Mr.. Cummins and another
man, l think his name was Walker,
had an argument about the speed of
their horses They came to a good
stretch, Mr.. Cummins ungeared his
double team an he and Mr.. Walker
raced to sulkies. He had son, A.
Lee Cummins, now of Philadelphia
and daughter, the late Mrs. DR..
Derrickson of Berlin, Md. Alexander
G. was an Episcopal minister in
early life, had farming interests,
raised fruit and left one son, Alex
ander G. Cummins, Jr., who is rec
tor of Christ Episcopal Church at
Poughkeepsie. l did not know him.
Robert H. Cummins the youngest of
the seven brothers never married and
is still living near Smyrna at a good
old age. knew him personally and
was associated with him under Edwin
Wilmer, when Wilmer was provost
martial.
john and Ebe1 Cloak Families
The Cloaks used to be a prominent
family in Smyrna, John and Eben.
One of them lived in town near the
M. E. Church but am not familiar
enough with the case to be exact.
think John lived out over the mill
pond on the farm and at the mansion,
and think the other lived across the
street from where A. L. Hudson
lives. The one over on the farm haC
two daughters one of which is nov
Mrs. Speakman and about 1847 there
as a young colored man by the name
of Hamilton secreted himself in, tn,
house one night and was lynched il
or near Smyrna on account of it
which i have mentioned in some pre-
vious letter.
Samuel Cats and John Derring
Samuel Cats of the firm of Ben
son & Cats Carriage Manufacturers
had two sons, John and Samuel. job
died young man and Samuel still
lives in Smyrna. Neither ever mar
ried and the family name is goin
out. John Derring was a carriag
manufacturer and had shops just be
low the lower hotel in the forties an
ffties. l knew him very well an
did business with him frequently, bu
know nothing of his family. He wa
one of the Episcopal faith and toll
me of little amusing incident tina
happened one lecture night when DR.
Julius E. Grammer was rector at tn
Episcopal Church in Smyrna. Their
was a young man who wanted
get married and was short of
preacher, having sent to the trai
where he expected to have met tn
parson engaged for the job, but q
he had failed to come the man VIII
was acting as best man for the pros
pective bridegroom, being an Episct
palian, was thrown on his own re
sources to fill that want, fell bac
on DIR Grammer and when he mao
his wants known to the Doctor
said: eyes, l would be only tc
glad to accommodate you but this
my lecture night. If you will wa
till lecture l will 60. The your
man said he would wait, so the D.
was prompt to start on time and wei
through with his lecture like scho
boy reciting his lesson, dismissed h
audience, picked up his hat, move
for the door, without further form
ceremony. The Doctor being bo
affable and sociable he left his peop
gazing in wonder as to what hs
affected such change in his mann
on this occasion and to relieve the
excited curiosity some one follow
him to the door to discover that som
one was spiriting him away viii
left them in suspense till they cou
get to the Doctor the next day.
Captain William Denney and Family.
Captain William Denney original
from Raymonds Neck but in his Ia
ter days was prominent citizen
CONTINUED ON EIGHTH PAGE.