Smyrna times., 1920-10-27
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
MIS- Caroline Elizabeth Cloak Peter
sOn-Speakman Passes Away at "Bel-
mont Hall" After Lingering Illness

0peakman, one of SmyIna's
oesU known women, died Friday even
ing at her home at Belmont Hall /,
a1ter a lingering illness in the 78th
year OF her age. She had been an in
Valld ever since hec fall of moro thar
a year ago and was confined to her
room. Her death was due to general
oeDllty. The passing of Mrs. Sneak
man, removes from the community
one who in her day was a most chi.
tured and charming woman. For
years the owner and hostess Of "ReI-
mont Hail." she dispensed a rare hos
pltalty that made her known through
out the state and her family connec-
tlons and friends brought her in
touch with old line families AMI per-
sonages of a generation ago. that
made her home one of the social CEN
ters OF the State. Mrs. Speakman
was daughter of the late John and
Sarah l. (Piper) Cloak. She was
born raised and spent her whole life
about Smyrna. Belmont Halr'. which
was the home of Governor Collins and
was a center of historic interest dur
ing the Revolutionary War, came in
TO the possession of her father. John
Cloak, IN 1852 and upon his death de-
cended to the subject of this sketch.
which has been iler home ever since
Mrs. Speakman was married twice
Her first husband was Howard Peter.
son, OF prominent family and popular
socially,whose untimely death left her
a widow early in life. Some wears
later she married Gideon Speakman.
noted as an expert shot and a spo1ts-
man ot-known ability Mrs. Sneak
man was one of the organizers and
was long regent of Elizabeth Cook
Chapter Daughters of the American
Revolution and entertained the state
and local D. A. R. frequently. She
was a communicate of St. Peters
Episcopal Church. One son Cumnoins
81. Speakman, who recently took over
Belmont Hall" and made it one of
the show places of Kent County, sur
yves her. Mr.. J. Harvey Speakrnan.
station agent at Smyrna Railroad sta
tion and Mrs. Lillian Cloak, widow of
DR.. Z. Norris Cloak Of Smyrna, chill
dren of Mr.. Gideon Speakman also
survive. Funeral services took olace
Monday morning at ten o'clock in
charge of Rev. Thomas Getz Hill. rec
tor of st. Peters Church and inter
ment, which was private, took place
at st. Peters Cemetery.
Ex-Sheriff RObinOsn's Widow Dead
Mrs. Lydia R. Robinson, AGED "a.
widow of Ex-Sheriff Sames C. Robin
son, died yesterday morning at the
home of her son, James Robinson.
near Smyrna, after lingering illness.
Three months ago, she went out to
the farm to stay while her grandson,
Mail Carrier Herman Robinson, wita
who she made her home, was ON his
vacation. She did not return to
Smyrna. About a week ago she suf-
fered relapse which resulted in her
death. Mrs. Robinson was a woman
of quiet home characteristics to which
she gave life of devotion. Before
her marriage to Sheriff Robinson, she
was Lydia Reynolds, daughter of Jas.
and Rachel (Goldsborough) Reynolds.
Her husband died several years ago.
Mrs. Robinson is survived by two
sons: Joseph c. Robinson, a retired
farmer of Smyrna and James Robin
son, who resides on his farm en- the
Smyna-Leipsic road. She is also sur
vived by fourteen grand children and
twenty great grand chiudren. Funeral
services will take place Friday after
noon at two o'clock from the residence
Of her son, James Robinson, near
town, and interment will take place in
Glenwood. Cemetery.
Another Civil War Veteran Dead
w. Thomas Tucker, aged n, vet
eran Of the Civil War and with the
exception of Mr.. Morris, of "Spru-
ance City" was the last survivor of the
First Delaware Regiment Volunteer
in this vicinity, died Sunday morni lg
following a stroke of paralysis. He
was around Saturday and was in
Smyrna both morning and afternoon,
ard retired Saturday night in SEEM
ingly his usual health. Early Sunday
morning he was stricken and rdied
without ever regaining consciousness.
Comrade Tucker saw service in nearly
all the important battles of the Civil
War, including the bloody angle at
Gettysburg, and came out without
scratch. He was an active Grand Ar
my Post man, and only last week adj
dressed the First Delaware Volunteers
at their reunion in Smyrna. Comrade
fucker never married. For many
years, and until compelled to relin-
quish on account of advanced years,
was employed in Prices Fertilizer
works at Smyrna Landing. Funeral
services took place yesterday after
noon and interment was in Odd Eel