Smith Family Story

First Generation

1. John (Schmitt) Smith. Born Circa 1755. Died 24 Feb 1835 in Richland Twp., Northampton Co., PA.

John Smith was born about 1755, as is indicated by the notice which appeared in the paper, 1835 Der Friedens - Bothe, p. 1537, Thursday, April 2, 1835, "Died - on Feb. 24, in Richland twp., Mr. John Smith, in his 80th year. The deceased served throughout the Revolutionary War, and since then has been an esteemed resident of this township for the past 56 years." This also shows us that he first came to the Bethlehem twp. area about 1779, after the Revolutionary War in which he fought. We can also learn that he was a young man in his twenties when he decided to serve the struggling colonies in the war effort. Deed Abstract: Easton Court House, Docket C , Book 6, p.91, Jun.1, 1836, rec., Mar. 30, 1837. John Smith,land of his estate to Valentine Smith, son of the deceased. John Smith bought this land from John and Richard Penn in 1803, as is recorded in Deed Book En. Vol. 4, P 135. In addition to $1,127 , Anna Maria, widow of John Smith to be paid $12 May 1 and $6 on Nov. 1 for the rest of her life. This reference proves the relationship between John Smith and Valentine Smith. The will of John Smith, names his wife Anna Maria and his Sons- in - law Peter Ritter and George Moser, Exs.

He married Anna Maria (Schmitt) Smith, Circa 1796. Died After 1835.

Her name is given in the will of John Smith as Anna Marie, the widow of John Smith. Also named in the will are known and probable children as,

Sons in Law: George Moser, Bethleham twp. (married Catherine Smith; 1850 Census record, Bethlehem tw., Northampto Co. #233/2h3 shows Val Smith as neighbors of George and Catherine Moser. Since George Moser was a bother in law to Val, Catherine Moser (age 54 , b. circa 1796) must be a sister.) and Peter Ritter, Hanover twp ( married Elizabeth Smith) Sons **Valentine Smith Born 1806 ** Jacob Smith is also named as a son of John Smith.

They had the following children:

2 i. Valentine Smith
3 ii. Elizabeth Smith
4 iii. Catherine Smith

Second Generation

2. Valentine Smith. Born 3 Aug 1806 in Bethlehem Twp., Northampton Co., PA. Died 11 Nov 1894 in Bethlehem Twp., Northampton Co., PA. Buried in Altonah Cem., Bethlehem Twp. Northampton Co., PA.

Born in Bethlehem twp. on Aug. 3, 1806, Valentine Smith lived to be 88 years old, a legacy of longevity that continues in the Smith family today. His father bought the property from the sons of William Penn in 1803. He must have been a farmer all his life. In his will it is noted that he wishes son Wilson to have the first opportunity to buy the 30 acre farm, which ajoins the lands of George Engler, Richard Dorn and George Stuber. This property was discribed to me by Franklin Smith to be just north of Macada Rd on Rt. 191. He remembers that there were two houses near each other. In 1996 these two houses are still standing. Valentine and Caroline Smith are buried at Altonah Cemetery. Their stone is a tall oblique one in the south east corner of the cemetery directly across from the church. Smith is inscribed in large letters on the front. Dates are clearly marked. I believe Valentine Smith to be the son of John Smith (1755 - 1835) and his wife Anna Maria (died after 1835) for these reasons ;
1. Deed Abstract . This deed is written as a will of sorts in that it states " ..the last will and testament of John Schmidt late of the twp of Bethlehem... and Valentine Smith ( son of the deceased) of the twp of Bethlehem, (farmer)..." The deed conveys two lots of land, (one 13 acres and a 2 acre woods) bordering on the road leading from Bethlehem to Nazareth. The 13 acre piece bordering lands of George Moser, Michael Moyers, John Lynn and lands of the widow Smith. The 2 acre woods bounded by lands being conveyed to Elizabeth Ritter and Jacob Smith, and Michael Spangler.
2. 1850 Census record, Bethlehem tw., Northampton Co. #233/2h3 shows the family as neighbors of George and Catherine Moser. Since George Moser was a brother in law to Val, Catherine Moser (age 54 , b. circa 1796) must be a sister.
3. The name Valentine Smith seems unusual enough to warrant the assumption that this man is the father of Edmund Smith as family history records and as is listed in the 1850 census .

He married Caroline Bundstine, 18 May 1834 in Bethlehem Twp., Northampton Co., PA. Born 17 Jul 1816 in Bethlehem Twp., Northampton Co., PA. Died 24 Mar 1888 in Bethlehem Twp., Northampton Co., PA. Buried in Altonah Cem., Bethlehem Twp. Northampton Co., PA.

Caroline Bundstine was 18 years old when she married Val Smith on May 18, 1834. He was 10 years older. They were married by Rev. Jaeger as recorded in the newspaper, Der Friedens - Bothe. Caroline lived to be 71 years, 8 months and 8 days old as is recorded on her tombstone. Her birth and death dates and family name are recorded by Beatrice Smith in the Smith Family record book. The children of Val Smith and his wife Caroline Bundstine Smith were: ** Edmund born Sept. 27, 1835, James born Sept. 8, 1837, Anna Marie born circa 1840, Elmira Catherine born July 3, 1844, Oliver born circa 1847, Asher born Mar. 9, 1849, buried Altonah, Allen born 1853, buried Altonah, Wilson born May 3, 1856, buried Altonah, Stephen born Mar. 4, 1860. Franklin Smith remembers an Uncle Ephraim Smith, "Uncle Effie", who he believes was an uncle of his father (Arthur). This Effie may have been a member of the above family or a brother to Valentine. Franklin remembers visiting them where they lived across the street from Zionsville church. Effie was a Saddle and harness maker.

They had the following children:

5 i. Edmund H. Smith
6 ii. James Smith
7 iii. Anna Maria Smith
8 iv. E. Catherine Smith
9 v. Oliver Smith
10 vi. Asher Smith
11 vii. Wilson Smith
12 viii. Allen Smith
13 ix. Stephen Smith

Third Generation

5. Edmund Henry Smith. Born 27 Sep 1835 in Bethlehem Twp., Northampton Co., PA. Died 18 Dec 1925. Buried in Greenmount Cem., Rt 248, Bath, PA.

Edmund Smith was born the year his grandfather John Smith died, 1835. The 1836 deed that conveyed a piece of his grandfather's estate to his father in Bethlehem twp. It is thought that he was born on or near this property. Family members remember it to be located on Rt 191 near Macada Rd. He was the oldest son of Val and Caroline Smith. He is listed on the 1850 census record of Bethlehem twp., Northampton Co., age 14 years, living with his parents. Edmund Smith was about 33 years old when he married Camilla Engler, 10 years his junior.  They were the sponsors at a baptism in 1868, so were married by that time.  Infant Edmund Smith, who died in 1871 and is buried in the Altonah Cemetery may have been their first born child.  The 1910 census reports that Camilla was the mother of 3 children.    Edmund and Camilla Smith are buried at Greenmont Cemetery on Rt. 248 in Bath, PA. Their birth and death dates are clearly recorded. Edmund lived to be 90 years old, Camilla was 76 years old when she died 3 years before Edmund.The grave is towards the back on the upper side nearest Rt.248.

Camilla Engler, daughter of Michael Engler and his wife Dorothea Kocher was born 6 Oct 1845 in Bethlehem Twp., Northampton Co., Pa. She died 6 Apr 1922. Her obituary was published in the Easton paper, April 7 1922 on page 2. It states that Camilla died at home on Penn St. in Bath PA. Among her survivors was one brother, Frank Engler of Carlton, Oregon. In the 1860 census, Bethlehem twp., Northampton Co., Pa, the Michael Engler family contains the following members, Michael Engler 53, Dorothy Engler 48, Peter Engler 25, Martin 18, Camilla 14, Clara 12, Franklin Engler 10.

Their families were hard working German speaking people known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. Pennsylvania Dutch was spoken in their homes through out their lives. Some of the older members of the family still have the "Dutchy" accent in their voices today. Edmund and Camilla Smith instilled strong religious values in their children Arthur and Florence. They enjoyed attending Moorestown Reformed Church once a month for a high German service. Their grandson, Franklin, remembers that he and his father and mother attended these services with them. They last lived in the homestead on Rt. 512 between Moorestown and Bath. Their children were: **1. Arthur Smith b. 10/ 18/ 1874 d. 8/ 20/ 1970 m. Estella Mae Kunkle b. 3/ 1/ 1878 d. 12/ 25/ 1966 2. Florence R. Smith b. 5/ 11/ 1879 d. 9/ 11/1965 m. Lewis V. Hahn b. 6/ 28/ 1878 d. 9/ 4 / 1945

They had the following children:

14 i. Arthur Smith
15 ii. Florence R. Smith

Fourth Generation

14. Arthur Smith. Born 18 Oct 1874. Died 20 Aug 1970. Buried in Greenmount Cem., Rt 248, Bath, PA.

Arthur Smith was a hard working man who didn't retire until he was 80 years old. He is remembered by his family as a man who expected you to be able to do whatever it was that he had taught a person to do. Aunt Eva says, "He taught kids something once and than they were supposed to know it." She told this story about her experience learning to drive a car. One Sunday when she and her brother Russell were taking a drive in the old Model T Ford, Russell asked his younger, 15 year old sister, Eva, if she wanted to learn to drive. At supper that evening Russell told "Pa", "Now Eva can drive the Ford." The very next morning Arthur told Eva to take the milk to the market in the Model T, to which they had attached a wagon bed to haul things. One lesson and she was on her own. Later he showed her how to drive the Studebaker, than told her to take the little children to Sunday School. Eva says no one told her how to stop the thing, so she had to ease up to the side of a building to bring it to a rest. Later when she stepped in front of the car to crank it up, it jumped and almost ran her down. They all laughed and gave her a lesson on how to put the thing in gear. With so many children to care for it's easy to understand that he didn't have time to teach something twice. Arthur and Estella were married on May 10, 1896 and were married for 70 years when Estella died in 1966. They are buried at Greenmont Cemetery on Rt. 248 in Bath, PA.

He married Estella May Kunkle, daughter of John Henry Kunkle & Sarah Jane Fehenel, 10 May 1896. Born 1 Mar 1878. Died 25 Dec 1966. Buried in Greenmount Cem., Rt 248, Bath, PA.

Estella was the daughter of John Henry Kunkle and Sarah Jane Fehenel Kunkle. She was 18 years old when she married the than 21 year old Arthur Smith. Arthur and Estella were the parents of thirteen children all born at home and for which the only time she saw the doctor was when he came for their births. The doctor was paid $5.00 at each delivery. She was 46 when the last child was born and never entered a hospital until she died. Two sons, Emmet and Herbert died at an early age. Emmet was injured in a thrashing machine accident and died as a result of those injuries. Herbert became ill with pneumonia. Eva remembers that she did all her cooking and canning on a wood burning stove. She baked fresh pies and cakes every day. They didn't last very long since it took at least two to feed her large family.

They had the following children:

16 i. Emmet E. Smith
17 ii. Helen J. Smith
18 iii. Herbert J. Smith
19 iv. Russell Valentine Smith
20 v. Eva C. Smith
21 vi. Hilda M. Smith
22 vii. Marie K. Smith
23 viii. Dorothy E. Smith
24 ix. Florence A. Smith
25 x. Franklin Arthur Smith
26 xi. Lillian Smith
27 xii. Lester Charles Smith
28 xiii. Walter C. Smith

Fifth Generation

19. Russell Valentine Smith. Born 19 Sep 1900 in Bethlehem Twp., Northampton Co., PA. Died 23 Apr 1989. Buried in Seemsville, PA.

Russell was the oldest son in a family that included 13 children. He began working at the Keystone, Portland cement mills in the Bath area as a young man and retired in 1965. He and Beartice raised their three children in Bath and later moved to their home outside of town on Rt. 248 after they bought the 30 acre property from Beatrice's aunt. He raised a few chickens and pigs and rented out the fields. Russell loved to garden and take care of the lawn and shrubs. He was a 32 degree Mason and belonged the the Monocracy Lodge in Bath. He was a member of the St. Peter's UCC church in Seemsville, PA, where he served on the Consistory and was an Elder of the church. Russell and Beatrice were married 66 years before Beatrice passed away. He lived to be 89 years old.

He married Beatrice Elizabeth Graver, daughter of Wilson S. Graver & Jennie E. Lauer, 1919. Born 16 Jan 1900. Died 12 Jun 1986. Buried in Seemsville, PA.

Beatrice Graver Smith was a quilter. She loved to quilt all winter, setting up her large quilting frame in the living room. She made numerous quilt tops, designing her own applique patterns, and than quilting the layers together with intricate stiching. She often finished quilts others had begun. There were years that she completed as many as twenty quilts. It was with pride that she produced a baby quilt for each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Later she made it her goal to give each grandchild a full size guilt as a wedding gift. These quilts are charished by her family today. Beatrice belonged to the Moorestown Garden Club. She was an avid gardener, enjoying raising flowers, which often took prizes in the fairs and garden club shows. She belonged to the Women's Guild of the Seemsville UCC church, were she and Russell were lifetime members. Beatrice was born near Bowmanstown, PA. After her father left the family, when she was 12 years old, the children were taken in to be raised by her Uncle David Graver's family. Beatrice recorded her family's genealogical data. I copied her notes and interviewed her in 1981. Much of the information recorded here regarding the Graver family is from those notes.

They had the following children:

29 i. Clarence Edward Smith
30 ii. Arlene E. Smith
31 iii. Margaret A. Smith

Sixth Generation

29 Clarence Edward Smith. Born 1 Nov 1919 in Bath , PA. Died 3 Jan 1983 in Bethlehem, PA. Buried in Seemsville, PA. Occupation farmer.

Clarence attended school through the 8th grade in Bath, PA. He enjoyed the Big Band sound, having played the trombone in different bands during his youth. He started working on his grandfather Arthur's farm at about age 15. By age19, he moved to the Richmond area with his first wife Lottie Hess, who died in October, 1946. They were married a few years. He continued to live on the farm on Gravelhill Rd., sharing the house with his sister Arlene and brother-in-law Carl Miller and their family. Clarence bought the 117 acre farm on Gravelhill Rd., Bangor, PA in 1955, after having rented and farmed the land for a number of years. He operated a dairy herd of 30 or so Holsteins. Clarence raised corn and hay in the fields and kept pigs and chickens on the farm. Pigs were butchered during the winter months. Clarence and Dorothy, along with his dad, Russell and his mother Beatrice, and his Uncle Franklin and Aunt Marion worked together to butcher and process several pigs at a time. The meat was sold, lard rendered and homemade sausage and scrapple produced for family and friends in the area. Clarence was a lifetime charter member of the Richmond Lions Club, having served terms as president, treasurer and commitee chairperson. He also served terms on the consistory of Christ Evangelical Reformed Church (now Trinity UCC) as president.

He married Dorothy Alice Good, daughter of Earl Sanford Good & Edna Marie Frey, 1 Feb 1948 in Mt. Zion Reformed Church, L.Mt.B.twp. , Northampton Co., PA. Born 23 Jan 1925 in L. Mt. Bethel twp., Northampton Co., PA. Died 2 Jun 1987 in Easton, PA.

Dot was the oldest daughter in a family of five. She accepted her role as big sister throughout her life, hostesting family get togethers and preparing fabulous meals for family celebrations. Mom was well known for her bountiful table. Meals of fried chicken, roast beef, roast pork, stuffing, homemade sauerkraut, and fresh vegatables from her garden were always looked forward to. A meal wasn't complete without homemade ice cream, cake, and pie. Dot spent the summer months canning and freezing garden produce. She made several kinds of pickels and relishes which were always served at family dinners as well as her jams and jellies. Dorothy was a faithful member of the Trinity UCC Church. She belonged to the Adult Sunday School Class and the Women's Guild. She served on many committees to help prepare the church suppers, She could always be counted on to lend a helping hand. She is remembered for her caring concern for others. It was her habit to send cards to the sick and to visit shut ins.

Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. It is with pleasure that I am able to present this information here for you to see. If you discover a relationship here, I would very much enjoy hearing from you.