Smyrna times., 1909-02-03
RECOLLECTION OF SMYRNA
OF OVER HALF A CENTURY
WILLIAM A.HUKlLL RECALLS HIS
BOYHOOD DAYS IN THIS VICINITY
Tells of People He Knew Who We're
Prominent in Smyrna in the Early
Forties and Relates Incidents

w Inning IOll, reD. among the
substantial business men of Smvrna
seventy years ago was Ayres Stockly
born in 1900. Colonel Charles Stocklv
of AccOmac county, Va, was an
officer in the Revolutionary Army
and had two sons, Nehemiah and
Ayres, who came to Smyrnasin early
life and was at one time Justice of
the Peace and after engaged in the
general merchantile business; was
elected president of Smyrna Bank
in 1886, which position he held for
long time and was succeeded by
George Henry Raymond. Mr.. Stockly
was a tall straight gentleman of
sterling integrity. He had two sons,
John c. and Homes. The latter died
young man. John C. married the
daughter of DIR. William Daniels and
has two sons and one daughter. The
latter married Crawford Stevens who
think is the son of William Stevens
of the Alley, near Blackistons Cross
Roads. The sons are Charles D.,
a young lawyer of Wilmington, who
in December last married Lucrecia
Rogers of New Castle county and
the younger brother, Ayres j., is
reading law in Smyrna. This family
and the family of the late Governor
John Stockly of Sussex county were
related but l am not sufficiently in
formed to go into details. There
was also a William Stockly who
used to deal in horses in Wilmington
some years ago, but l can't connect
him with the other families.
StradleY and the Numerous Smiths.
George Stradley was foreman for
Joseph Ferris, shoe manufacturer,
from the early forties for long time
and had two sons whom knew. One
of them went to Wilmington in con-
nection with the provost marshal's
Office in 1864 and afterward took up
the trade of sign painting and is quite
an artist. The other was connected
with the Charles F. Rudolph jewelry
business till his death a short time
ago. Now for the Smiths, and what
shall l say?
On the Jones did my best
And on the Smiths will have to try,
Bu as to Brown " hen comes the test
think III pass him by.
The Smiths ere like the scattered seeds.
Take root and mutlpi'
And IN some cases have mixed the breeds
Till great is the supply.
There was a Smith a nice kind OF
a man a wheelwright by trade, who
had a shop near the Ferries Cabinet
makers shop about So years ago, fol
know he sold my father a new wagor
in 1855, think his name was James
but am not sure. He had brother
Charles, a house carpenter, who wa:
also hard working good kind of ;
man and did considerable work fol-
me in 1861. There was also Ben
jamin Smith contractor and builder
who had brother Charles, rolling
stOne). These are about all the
Smiths l can recall as Smyrnians, bu
up the road at Blabckbird was Aunti
Smith with three sons, Benjamin
shoemaker who went West; William
house carpenter, but later a mer
chant in Smyrna just east of the oil
Temple Corner in 1857 and later su
cessful commission merchant in Phil
adelphia and is still living at rip
old age. His granddaughter was take
to Smyrna a short time ago as a
bride by young DR.. Comegys form
erly of Middetown. James Smit
the youngest of the Blackbird broth
ers, was also house carpenter an
went to Philadelphia.
Sam Smith a Wel-known Stage Drive
There was another family of thre
brothers, two of whom were carriag
q builders in Odessa, but an older brotf
\ er, Samuel Smith was still known
Smyrna as a stage driver on the ol
mail and stage coach route betwee
II Smyrna and Wilmington who hav
good reason to recollect. In the sprin
4 Of 1852 Lewis W. Stidham, who VIZ
4 elected Sheriff of New Castle count
AoVt, kept Lne fOAWeH AAOeSi
Smyrna and came out to my father
A house and traded two horses for one
and / was sent home with Mr.. StlC
A nam to bring the second horse out
n the morning. l stayed all night
n the hotel and was put to sleep wi
sam Smith as everybody called hin
lie oversight himself and was so la
mat he had to take his stage o
without time to get his breakfast al
ne was in bad humor at that.
was later wildly known as carrial
peddler. Then there was Geori
smith who owned fine farm abo
nj boyds Corner in st. Georges Hundre
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