A Single Line

u/k paper - courtesy of Arlene Smith Lowe collection

You wouldn't know it, but the woman in this obit was the first of eight children born to a Nova Scotian farmer.  That she married her own farmer and had 11 children.  That her husband of 50 years had died 14 years earlier and that she was laid to rest beside him at the New Annan Bell Gift Cemetery.

courtesy of Arlene Smith Lowe collection

Mary J Smith was born Mary Jane Vincent on 22 Jul 1859 in Middleboro, Nova Scotia to James 'Edward' Vincent and Nancy Annie Heather.  She married Joshua Smith in 1879. 

Of their children, James 'Henry' Smith died at the age of 14; Burton Wiley Smith died at 24  just under a year after getting married; Cassie Mae died at the age of 6; and Pvt William George Smith died in France during WWI. Minnie married Harry Sartoris; Merl married Myrtle Whidden and died as a result of a fall at the age of 35; and Annie married Ivan Slack and died in Toronto. The other 4 boys.....

Austin married a Lucy Porter - his brother Burton's widow
Unknown Paper, Jan 1952
The death occurred at Rockley on Friday morning, Jan 25th, of Austin Arthur Smith in his 65th year.  Mr Smith had been ill over a period of five years, during which time he was cared for by his wife at his home here.  On Christmas day, Mr Smith suffered a stroke and was taken to North Cumberland Hospital at Pugwash.  Two weeks ago his health was improved to such an extent that he returned home but on Thursday, Jan 24th, he became worse passing away the following morning.  Mr Smith was born in East Wentworth in April, 1886, a son of the late Joshua and Mary (Vincent) Smith.  He moved here 35 years ago.  He has always been of a kindly disposition and had many friends here and elsewhere who mourn his passing.  He is survived by his widow, the former Lucy Marie Porter, two sons, Cecil of Rockley, William of Amherst one step son Logan of Foleigh Mountain, two daughters, Minnie (Mrs Harold McKay), Rockley; Audrey (Mrs Cecil Smith), Harmony and 14 grandchildren, two sisters Anna (Mrs Wylie Slack), Oxford; Minnie (Mrs Sartoris) Thorburn; two brothers Wesley, East Wentworth and Lester, Brule, Col Co.  The funeral which was held from his late home on Sunday, Jan 27th was largely attended.

Albert married a Lillian Teed
Unknown Paper, 17 Sep 1925
Sept 9 - Mr. Austin Smith of Rockley, received word Aug 31st from the Dartmouth Hospital of the death of his brother Albert C. Smith, age 37 years, and son of Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Smith, East Wentworth.  The deceased is survived by his wife, a sorrowing mother and father, two sisters, Mrs. H. H. Sartoris and Miss Anna B. Smith of Merigomish, Pictou Co., and four brothers, Austin of Rockley, Merle of Onslow Mountain, Lester of River John and Wesley at home in East Wentworth.  Two nephews also survive, Logan E. Smith of Rockley, and Percy Sartoris of Merigomish. Deepest sympathy is expressed by a large circle of friends to the parents and family in their sad bereavement.  The remains were brought to Tatamagouche and taken charge of by Mr. McLellan, undertaker and then taken to the Presbyterian Church, West New Annan, where the funeral service was held. Rev. R. W. Bennett, D.D., of Truro , had charge of the service.  The text selected was John 14th Chapter, verses 1-4 and very comforting words were spoken.  The hymns sung were, The Lord is My Shepherd, Asleep in Jesus and Shall W Gather At The River.  The pallbearers were Walter H. Byer, Herbert Terry, Geordie Kirk, John Duncan.  The remains were laid to rest in his father’s lot in West New Annan Cemetery.

Wesley married Hattie Graham
Unknown Paper, Sep 1974
Wesley Otis Smith, 76, of Wentworth Centre, died in the Colchester Hospital Friday.  Born in East Wentworth, he was a son of the late Joshua and Mary (Vincent) Smith.  He was a life-long resident of Wentworth and served overseas in the First World War.  He was predeceased by a number of brothers and sisters.  He is survived by his wife, the former Hattie Graham; one daughter, Maizie, at home; three sons, Wyman, Wallace; Dale, Shearwater; Darrell, Halifax; one sister, Anne (Mrs Wylie Slack), Downsview, Ont; one brother, Lester, Brule; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.  The body is at the Matatall Funeral Home, Truro, from where funeral service will be held Monday at 2 pm, with Rev Morley Bentley officiating, assisted by Rev A G Kelloway.  Burial in the Upper Wentworth United Church Cemetery.

Lester married Cora Langille
Unknown Paper, Jan 1976
Lester Marvin Smith, 82, died Friday at Victoria General Hospital, Halifax.  Born in East Wentworth, he was the son of the late Joshua and Mary Jane Smith.  He is survived by a daughter Elsie (Mrs Ronald Fraser), Moncton; a sister Anna (Mrs Wylie Slack), Toronto; and seven grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his wife, the former Cora Langille, Marshville; a son, Ivan, one sister and seven brothers. The body was resting at his late residence, Brule, from where a family service was held Monday, Jan 12.  The funeral service was held at 2 pm at the Salem United Church, River John, with Rev Dan Gunn officiating.  Pallbearers were Cy Langille, Harry Tattrie, Wyman Smith, Gary Irving, harry Redmond and Bert Mertin.  Interment was held at the Lockerby Cemetery in Tatamagouche.