Cornell I Smith 1799-1876

One reason I wanted to start this blog was because I wanted a way to remember the people in the lines – to honour their place in our history.

For example, this quiet little obituary for Cornell…..

Cornell I Smith was born in Halfmoon to James H Smith and Ruth Rogers – Ruth was the daughter of Hezekiah Rogers Jr & Hannah Vincent; which makes Cornell the 4x grandson of Charles Vincent Sr and he was the uncle of Giles B Smith.

He married Sarah 'Sally' Frasier and went on to have four children: Silas H; Anson B; Martha M; and Elvira (Alvira).

Based on the 1860 & 1870 censuses, it would be easy to think that they only had two children, Silas & Martha, but I found his will on Family Search and it revealed that he had four children.

It’s apparent that Cornell was a hard worker and had done well enough for himself that he could provide for his family including his spinster daughter Martha who as a teacher and his unwed son Silas.  

Silas did go on to marry a Mary Jane Morse, but like Martha, had no children.  Their sister Elvira married William H Sickler, and their brother Anson married Emily Peters; both had children.

But what about the life altering accident that Cornell was involved in?

One day in September of 1874, Cornell and his employee, Adam Massoth, were on their way to West Troy with a load of hay.  As they neared the Cohoes railway crossing, the horses were spooked by the incoming train and started across the tracks.  Having gotten only halfway across, their wagon was struck by the locomotive.  Adam was killed instantly and Cornell’s hands were mutilated. 

Given that he was 76 years of age, it was feared that he would not make it.  God only knows how his hands were mutilated because the story isn’t clear but he did make it.

He did try to sue the Delaware & Hudson Railway Company but he died before it went to court.  His son Silas tried to continue with the case but I couldn’t find an article indicating whether or not he was successful.  However, Adam’s wife sued and received a $4000 settlement. 

Union Cemetery, Crescent, NY

There you have it, a simple little clan with an unusual accident to talk about.

 

Union Cemetery, Crescent, NY

Will
Saratoga Sentinel, Thurs, 17 Sep 1874
Saratogian, Fri, 21 Apr 1876