Smyrna times., 1912-01-31
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
Mrs. Elizabeth G. Smithers, Age 90,
SmYrna's Oldest Woman Died Fri
day at Her Home on Main ST.

her eternal rest at five O'Clock Fri
day morning in her Gath year. She
had retired the night before in ap-
parently her usual health. Later
she was taken with one of her little
nervous spells and befure her
daughter, Miss Elizabeth Smithers.
could minister to her wants, her
mother had passed away. The death
of "Auntie Smithers" removes a
lovable woman, a sweet Christian
character from our midst. Possess
sed with nearly all her faculties until
the last, she took a keen interest in
everything that was done around her
and in the community, especially in
her home and with her children,
to which she devoted her whole life.
She was born October II, 1918, and
raised in the vicinity of Barrett's s
Chapel. She was the daughter
of Thomas and Sarah (Neele)
Brittingham. She was of Quaker
ancestry, her grandfather being of
the well-known Neele family of
Philadelphia, a jeweler and aboli-
zionist. Daniel Neele, her great
uncle, was tarred and feathered in
Smyrna before the War of the Re-
bellion. He had accompanied Lucretia
Mott to Smyrna when she gave her
famous lecture at the "Four
Corners. The speech so incensed
the crowd that the woman was left
alone and Neele was dragged aside
and given a coat of tar and feath-
ers. Mrs. Smithers Twas married
twice. Her first husband was Will
liam Dawson, well-known farmer
near Barratt's Chapel. He died in
1854, leaving her with six children
who survive her as follows: Thomas
G. Dawson, of Angels Camp, CAL
ifornia; Mrs. Smith, widow of Dr..
j. M. Smith, of Cheswold; Mrs.
John H. Bishop, of Cheswold; W.
Fl. Dawson, of St. Georges; Ezekiel
W. Dawson of Elkton, and DR.. John
G. Dawson, Milford. Her second
husband was William P. Smithers, a
retired farmer and uncle of Ma
thaniel B. Smithers. ESQ.,, Della
wares famous lawyer. He died in
January 1891. Of this union one
daughter, Miss Elizabeth Smithers.
survives. The latter kept up the
home for her mother since the death
of her father and was constant in
her attention and devotion. Mrs.
Smithers had been a resident of
Smyrna since the spring of 1872.
She was member of Asbury M. E.
Church, having been a member of
church since girlhood. When her
health permitted she was a regular
and contant attendant and was affil-
lated with all the church societies and
other good organizations. Funeral
services were held at her late resi-
dence on Main street Monday morn
ing at 10 O'Clock in charge of Rev.
W. D. Parry, pastor of Asbury M.
E. Church, and Rev. Robert Watt.
D. D., district superintendent. Each
payed beautiful tribute to the<life
and character of the deceased. Ow-
ing to the inclement weather, the
remains were not taken to Barratt's
Chapel for interment until yesterday.
Death of Joseph L. BonsaII, Dover
Capt. Joseph L. Ronsall, of
Dover, one of the most widely known
citizens of Delaware, died late
Saturday evening in his 81st year.
He had been confined 10 the house
for about two weeks, being first
stricken with the grip, which later
developed into a complication of |
diseases. Capt. Bonsall was in |
every sense of the term "sea far
ing man. having owned several
vessels during his lifetime. He had
various experiences.
Twice he had his vessels burned to
the waters edge. He was once
wrecked on a desolate island and
always claimed that his life was
'PaACN bhLOuSh giving IuC SlBu VI
Masonry, of which order he had been
/ member for many years. For sew
,ral years past he had dealt in fish
md oysters and was well and favor
Ibly known along the Delaware Bay.
lie was bailiff to the grand jury of
kent county. He leaves a widow,
wo sons and daughter. Funeral
ervices were held from his late res
dence yesterday afternoon at l
'clock with Rev. A. W. Light
'ourne, pastor of the Peoples
jhurch, Dover, in charge. Capt.
Sonsall was an active member of the
'eople's Church. Interment was
made at Odd Fellows cemetery.
;amden, and Union Lodge A, F. and
l. M. of Dover, had charge of the
erviees at the grave.
Mrs. Eliza Appleton Dies in Odessa