15740.Dea. James Smith. Born in 1692 in Ireland.388 James died in Palmer, MA on 16 Jun 1776.388 Buried in Palmer Center Cemetery.
From the History of the Town of Palmer, pages 532–533:388
James, married Margaret Brown, of Scotch descent. The parents, two sons and their wives, two daughters and two grandchildren left their native land for the New World, 1718. They had already signed the memorial to Gov. Shute of the Massachusetts Colony, which added enthusiasm for the new settlement. During the voyage the aged mother died, and her grave was the briny deep.
We learn nothing of their location in this district till 1728, when they purchased their farms from a specific grant that had been made to Col. Samuel Patridge by the General Court and before the district was organized. Patrick entered common lands and was one of the proprietors, but the other families are not known on the records in any business transaction till after the more permanent organization of the district in 1752.
James, the eldest son of Robert, Sen., married Margaret Brown, 1715, in Antrim, Ireland. Ilis eldest son, John, was born, 1716; James, Jun., 1719, and was about six years of age when he came to this district. Among the preserved relics they brought from the Old Country is the old family Bible, prayerfully dedicated to James Smith by the following lines, written in the round, plain hand-writing of that day:
“James Smith
His Book
God give him Grace hereon to look
Not to look, but to understand
That Learning is better than houses or land.
When houses are gone and money is spent.
Then Learning is most excellent.” The Bible is now in the family of the late John W. Smith of Monson. — [Information by Mary J. Seymour.]
The book was probably a treasure to Mr. Smith and a guide to his Christian life, as he was deacon for many years and an elder in the church.
Palmer Center Cemetery, Palmer, Hampden County, Massachusetts
James Smith, d. 16 Jun 1776, æ. 84
Sarah, wife of James Smith, d. 15 Aug 1762, æ. 58
In 1715 James first married Margaret Brown in Antrim, Ireland. Margaret died on 30 Dec 1750.
15743.Mary Smith. Born ca 1711. Mary died in Benson, Rutland County, Vermont on 26 Oct 1800. Buried in Old Benson Cemetery.
Old Benson Cemetery, Benson, Rutland County, Vermont
Mrs. Mary Parkhill died Oct. 26th 1800 in the 90th year of her age. Wife of Mr. Robert Parkhill
Behold & see as you pass by
As you are now so once was I.
As I am now so you must be.
Prepare for death & follow me.
Mary married Robert Hugh Parkhill. Born on 4 Sep 1698 in Antrim, Ireland. Robert Hugh died in Sutton, MA in 1766.