Luke Smith (1804 - 1889)

Born 29 Dec 1804 in Acworth, Sullivan, New Hampshire, USA

Ancestors

Died 13 Apr 1889 at age 84 in Milford, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Claire Smith [send private message]

Biography

Birth

Luke was born in Acworth in 1804^[1]. He was the son of David Smith and Eleanor Geddings. Luke had 11 siblings.

Luke Smith is recorded in the History of Milford^[2] where his house is noted - but this is possibly an earlier Luke Smith as it refers to a time before 1804.

Marriage

Luke married^[3] Sarah E Sargent on 4 Jan 1860 in Milford, New Hampshire.

Census Data

In the 1850 Census^[4] Luke (age 45) is a farmer in New Boston, Hillsborough, New Hamshire.

In the 1860 Census^[5] Luke (age 55) is a farmer, in Milford, Hillsborough, New Hampshire.

In the 1870 Census^[6] Luke is a retired farmer living in Milford, Hillsborough, New Hampshire.

In the 1880 Census^[7] Luke is a farmer in Milford, Hillsborough, New Hampshire.

The History of Hillsborough County^[8] has a section on Luke Smith:

A little more than sixty years ago, in the spring of 1824, Luke, son of David and Ellen (Giddings) Smith, at that time twenty years old, having been born December 29, 1804, at Acworth, N. H., left his father's home, carrying a small bundle containing all his worldly possessions, to go to Boston, there to find employment. His father was a farmer, and Luke's school advantages were limited ; but by his many years' work on the farm he had acquired vigor of health, habits of diligence and frugality that were of practical use to him in after-life. He found work at brick-making for the summer, then returned home and was employed in a saw-mill for the winter, receiving eight dollars per month. The next spring he went to Utica, N. Y., then a small village, for the summer, but again passed his winter in the hard labor of the saw-mill. Returning to Boston, he learned the trade of a nailer, and worked diligently for four years, and with his strictly temperate and frugal habits was enabled to save some money. In June, 1831, Mr. Smith removed to Hillsborough, where his father was at that time residing, purchased a farm, became a resident of Hillsborough, where he lived two years. Here he married, June 16, 1831, Wealthy, daughter of Deacon James and Susan (Senter) Eyres. Mr. Smith interested himself in affairs of the town, and being strong, vigorous, of fine i^resence and military bearing, he was made lieutenant of the militia, which position he resigned when leaving Hillsborough for New Boston. On coming io New Boston, in 1835, he purchased a saw, grist, shingle and clapboardmill, which he conducted for eighteen years successfully and was one of the prominent manufacturers and business men of the town, besides owning considerable real estate. After so many long years of patient, diligent and efficient labor, he disposed of his mill and farm, and devoted a season to recreation, and traveled through Ohio, Michigan and other Western States gaining much enjoyment as well as information from his journey. After his return to New Hampshire, on account of his wife's delicate health, in 1854, he purchased the place in Milford where he now resides. Mrs. Smith died July 5, 1859. Their children were Wealthy (died aged six years), George L., Mark J., and Charles H. V. Mr. Smith married, January 4, 1860, his second wife, Mrs. Stirah G. Sargent, "daughter of Issachar and Mindwell (Sillsby) Mayo, of Lempster. Mr. Smith has been a man of unwearied industry. He was trained to work when a boy, and has never been too proud to work, even during his days of prosperity. Through many long years he has been a worker, a producer, and not a mere consumer. And he has taught his children to walk in the same steps. He holds the old-school principles, such doctrines as were established and current in the periods of his early manhood, for men rarely change their views after they pass the boundary of middle life. Socially, he is plain and unpretending, a kind husband and father, a good neighbor and a worthy citizen. Politically, Mr. Smith has ever remained true to those old Democratic ideas of Jefferson and Jackson. Religiously, he holds to the Bible and rests his hopes on it. His theological views are best expressed by his life, — in deeds, not words. He has been a member of the Baptist Church at New Boston for many years, having never removed his membership to Milford; but he has given generously to the churches of his chosen faith of both places, especially to the latter, Avhich has received fifteen hundred dollars.

Death

Luke died^[9] on 13 April 1889 (age 84) in Milford, New Hampshire. Luke was buried^[10] in West Street Cemetery, Milford, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.

Research Notes

Acworth^[11] was was regranted on 19 September 1766.

The name Acworth was given to the town^[11] in memory of Sir Jacob Acworth^[12][13] by the Govenor at the time, Benning Wentworth. Wentworth must have known Jacob Acworth, who died in 1749. There are possible points of contact in the Bahamas and back in London. Acworth (pure speculation) may have helped Wentworth sort out his financial affairs^[14].

Sources

1. ↑ Death: "New Hampshire, U.S., Death and Burial Records Index, 1654-1949"
   FHL Film Number: 1001107
   Ancestry Record 2555 #246729 (accessed 3 May 2024)
   Luke Smith death 13 Apr 1889 (age 84), son of David Smith & Elinor Gideons, in Milford, New Hampshire.
2. ↑ Book: Ramsdell, George Allen, 1834-, The History of Milford
   Concord : The Rumford Press; 1901; page: 18
   Internet Archive (accessed 3 May 2024)
3. ↑ Marriage: "New Hampshire, U.S., Marriage Records, 1700-1971"
   New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services; Concord, NH, USA; New Hampshire Marriage Records, 1700-1969
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61836 #204296 (accessed 3 May 2024)
   Luke Smith (54) marriage to Sarah E Sargent on 4 Jan 1860 in Milford, New Hampshire.
4. ↑ 1850 Census: "1850 United States Federal Census"
   The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: New Boston, Hillsborough, New Hampshire; Roll: 432; Page: 172b; Line Number: 8
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8054 #10921147 (accessed 3 May 2024)
   Luke Smith (45), Farmer, in New Boston, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, USA. Born in New Hampshire.
5. ↑ 1860 Census: "1860 United States Federal Census"
   The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Milford, Hillsborough, New Hampshire; Roll: M653_673; Page: 354; Family History Library Film: 803673
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7667 #54748545 (accessed 3 May 2024)
   Luke Smith (55), Farmer, in Milford, Hillsborough, New Hampshire. Born in New Hampshire.
6. ↑ 1870 Census: "1870 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1870; Census Place: Milford, Hillsborough, New Hampshire; Roll: M593_844; Page: 41A
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7163 #3349171 (accessed 3 May 2024)
   Luke Smith (65), Retired F, in Milford, Hillsborough, New Hampshire. Born in New Hampshire.
7. ↑ 1880 Census: "1880 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1880; Census Place: Milford, Hillsborough, New Hampshire; Roll: 763; Page: 366c; Enumeration District: 141
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6742 #22160636 (accessed 3 May 2024)
   Luke Smith (75), married, Farmer, head of household in Milford, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, USA. Born in New Hampshire.
8. ↑ Book: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
   Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis; 1885; page: 608
   Internet Archive (accessed 7 May 2024)
9. ↑ Death: "New Hampshire, U.S., Death Records, 1650-1969"
   New Hampshire Archives and Records Management; Concord, New Hampshire; New Hampshire Death Records, 1650-1969
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61834 #231698 (accessed 3 May 2024)
   Luke Smith death 13 Apr 1889 (age 84), son of David Smith & Elinor Gideons, in Milford, New Hampshire, USA.
10. ↑ Burial: "U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current"
    Find A Grave: Memorial #49566237
    Ancestry Record 60525 #17765882 (accessed 3 May 2024)
    Luke Smith burial (died in 1889) in West Street Cemetery, Milford, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States of America. Born in 1804.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Acworth Town:
    Wikipedia contributors, "Acworth, New Hampshire," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Acworth,_New_Hampshire&oldid=1219231481 (accessed May 2, 2024)
12. ↑ Sir Jacob Acworth:
    Wikipedia contributors, "Jacob Ackworth," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jacob_Ackworth&oldid=1192811730 (accessed May 2, 2024)
13. ↑ Book: Merrill, J. L. (John Leverett), b. 1833, History of Acworth : with the proceedings of the centennial anniversary, genealogical records, and register of farms
    Acworth, [N.H.] : The Town (Springfield, Mass.: Press of S. Bowles & Co.); 1869; page: (10 of 434)
    Internet Archive (accessed 2 May 2024)
14. ↑ Benning Wentworth:
    Wikipedia contributors, "Benning Wentworth," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benning_Wentworth&oldid=1214098486 (accessed May 2, 2024)