Death of One of the Oldest Pioneers of Charleston
Fulton Smith, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Smith, was born in Herkimer County, N.Y., June 9, 1830 and died Friday, May 13, 1921, in Charleston, aged 90 years, 11 months and 4 days.
He married Miss Jane Bockus, Nov 12, 1854, she died June 11, 1861. Of this union one son survives, Mr. Gerould Smith of Charleston. He was again married to Miss Lydia M. Rice, March 6, 1862. She died May 11, 1911, of this union three survives, one son, H.E. Smith, residing on the homestead and one daughter, Mrs. Jane March, widow of the late Wm.. March; also surviving is one sister, Mrs. Joshua Thompson, widow of the late Joshua Thompson, who is now aged 93 years and five months, believed to be the last of the pioneers who settled in Charleston in the thirties.
This Smith family by direct lineal decent comes from the virile, sturdy race of the people who settled at an early date in the Mohawk Valley, New York State and are known as the Mohawk Dutch.
Nicholas Smith brought his family consisting of wife and nine children, from Herkimer county, N.Y. into the wilds of Charleston in November of 1839. They came by wagon, with what household goods they deemed necessary, all in one load, and they were nearly a week on the road. Fulton, then a husky lad of nine years walked with other members of the family the entire distance, about 200 miles. There were no railroads at that time in this part of the county and very little in the entire country.
Upon arrival in Charleson the family was located for a short time about two miles from Wellsboro on land that later became known as the Beauge farm. This was only temporary, for soon after, Nicholas Smith purchased a tract of forest land in the Welsh Settlement located on the east side of what is known as the Marsh, cleared the land, erected a home and abode thereon the remainder of his life.
Young Fulton assisted his father in the maintenance and support of this paternal home, working out at intervals at a sawmill located near by, at the south end of the marsh, it being the first saw mill erected in the southern part of the township and was known as the Watt Seely mill. A portion of the mill dam embankment still remains in evidence.
In 1850 he bought 100 acres of woodland directly north of his fathers holdings and having cleared a portion of same in the meantime, in the spring and summer of 1854, he built thereon a suitable house and with his wife moved into same the following November. By patient, persistent labor, thrift, and economy, they succeeded in surmounting the obstacles and difficulties encountered by all pioneers of that period and carved for themselves and their posterity a comfortable home amid pleasant surroundings that are good to look upon especially at this season of the year, when dame nature is at her best. It seemed so fitting and proper that this grand old pioneer should pass hence amid such beautiful surroundings; much of it the result of his own life time of labor, while loving hearts and willing hands so tenderly cared for him, ministering to his every want and need.
Mr. Smith was a civil war veteran, serving in the 98th Regt., Pa., Vol’s Inft’y., and was honorably discharged threfrom. He was a faithful consistent member of the Cherryflats Baptist Church for more than fifty years.
When the Smith’s came to Charleston in 1939, Wellsboro was a small hamlet. There was no common school in the Welsh Settlement at that time, nor for several years later. Notwithstanding lack of educational opportunities, Mr. Smith was well posted in current affairs, a fairly good reader and possessed a wonderful retentive memory , and was a pleasing conversationalist. He was of a conservative, yet kindly disposition, one who lived all his life close to nature, industrious, thrifty and generous to the needy and of universal good repute. One of God’s noblemen, loved and honored by all who knew him.
His remains was laid to rest in the Cherryflats cemetery, May 16, 1921. Rev M.S. Blair, of Wellsboro, and Rev. J.W. Stephenson, of Dartt Settlement, officiating. Honor bearers, six comrades: J.J. Rogers, T.J. Davies, C.T. Kelley, D.H. Hotchkiss, C.H. Dartt and Edwin Campbell.
Card of Thanks
We wish to express our thanks for the sympathy and help rendered in various ways, during the illness and funeral of our beloved father. Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Gerold Smith, Mrs. Jennie March.