Merrick Luther Smith (1856-1934) S2

Though I have a lot of information on my different ancestors, every time I go to put a writeup together I find something new to track down.  That why there can be a delay between post.  In this post I want to give you some of the information I have on my Great Grandfather Merrick Luther Smith.

Merrick Luther Smith around 1925

Merrick Luther Smith (11856-1934) S2
Birth: June 6th, 1856 in Lee, MA.
Father: Edward B. Smith (1815-1863) S4
Mother: Lydia Edna Kilborne (1814-1898) S5

Married: Catherine Ellen McCann (1861-1955) S3 on October 18th, 1883 in Lee, MA

Children:
Estella L. Smith (1886-1955)
Female Child Smith (1889-1889)
Florence Edna Smith (1892-1937) S1

Death: October 3rd, 1934 in Pittsfield, MA

1856-1880

Merrick Luther Smith was born to Edward B. Smith and Lydia Edna Kilborne on June 6th, 1856 in Lee, MA.  He was the 9th of ten children.  His father was a paper maker as were many of his siblings.  He was living with his parents and his seven surviving siblings in 1860 according to the U.S. census.


His father joined the army during the civil war and died of consumption in Lee, MA on September 3rd, 1863.  His oldest brother, Franklin Adelbert Smith also joined up and died in Memphis,TN on July 1st, 1864.  He was a Sargent in Company C of the 19th Pennsylvania Calvary.    I'll do some research and post about his Civil War experience in another post.

According to the 1865 Massachusetts Census, Merrick was still living with his mother and 6 siblings in Lee, MA.  The 1870 U.S. Census shows only four other siblings and his mother living in the house.  He is attending school.  By 1880, he has left school and is now working with in a paper mill.  He is still living with his mother and three of his siblings.

1881-1900

On October 18th, 1883 he married Catherine Ellen McCann (1861-1937) S3 in Lee, MA.  She was the daughter of John McCann and Mary Clasby and was born on January 1st, 1861 in Lee, MA.  The marriage was conducted by Reverend D. McCartney, pastor of the Methodist Church.  Merrick is listed as being a mill operator, likely at a paper mill.

Their first child, Estella L. Smith was born in Lee, MA on August 15th, 1886.  Merrick is still listed as a paper maker.  By 1889, the family had moved to West Springfield, MA and Merrick is working as a paper maker for the Southworth Co.  He continued working there until sometime in 1900.  The are living at 73 Front Street, in the Mitteneague neighborhood of West Springfield.


On June 23rd, 1889, they lost a baby daughter in childbirth.  Their last daughter, Florence Edna Smith, was born in West Springfield on March 19th, 1892.  Merrick's mother passed away on September 10th, 1898 in Lee.  His brother, Grove moved in with the family soon after this.  Grove seems to have been a grocery store merchant.

Calendar Machine

The 1900 U.S. Census and the 1900 City Index shows that family still living at the 73rd Front Street address.  Merrick is shown to be renting the property, and working as a Calendar Man which is a part of the paper making process.  He, and many others, appears to be out of wok because the census lists him as zero months employed.  This must have been a very difficult time for the family.  By 1901, they had moved to Housatonic village of Great Barrington, MA.


The 1910 U.S. Census shows the family renting a house on Park Street with a lodger, Margaret Scenlon.  He is working as a Calendar Man at a paper mill.  the 1920 U.S. Census shows him now working as a foreman for the mill.  The 1923 city index lets us know the house was near the corner of Mountain and Park and the paper mill was owned by RPCo.  I believe that RPCo stands for the Rising Paper Company which ran the mill across the street from where Merrick lived.  The mill still stands today and is currently being run by the Hazen Paper Company.  Looking at the maps, it is likely that the house still stands as well.

Rising Paper Company, Housantonic, MA

Merrick was initiated into the Cincinnatus Lodge of the Masons in Great Barrington on October 25th, 1912.  He passed on November 22nd, 1912, was raised and became a member on January 3rd, 1913.

By 1920, the children had moved out, but Grove was still living with them.  Grove passed away on December 19th, 1921.  The 1923 City Index shows that Merrick is not only working in the stockroom of the RPCo but also owns Smith M.L. & Co, a grocery and provisions store.  The store is being run by H.V. Bradbury, who I believe is Merrick's son-in-law through Estella.  I haven't had time to validate this theory yet.

Merrick Luther Smith and Catherine Ellen McCann
and eight grand children

306 Maple Street house

By 1926, Merrick is listed as being an employee in the finishing room at RPCo.  He and Catherine had moved to a house on Maple Street.  The 1930 U.S. Census shows Merrick owning a house at 306 Maple Street, Housantonic, MA.  The house is listed as being worth $5,000.  Looking at the ariel photo of the area, I think the house is still there.

Merrick Luther Smith

Merrick passed away on October 3rd, 1934 in Pittsfield, MA.  He is buried next his wife in Fairmont Cemetery, Lee, MA.

Sources:

• 1860 United States Federal Census, Year: 1860; Census Place: Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: M653_487; Page: 716; Image: 717; Family History Library Film: 803487
• Massachusetts, State Census, 1865, Household Number 662, Reel Number 2, Volume Number 3
• 1870 United States Federal Census, Database online. Year: 1870; Census Place: Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: M593_; Page: ; Image: .
• 1880 United States Federal Census, Database online. Year: 1880; Census Place: Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 521; Family History Film: 1254521; Page: 214B; Enumeration District: 051; Image: 0430.
• 1900 United States Federal Census, Year: 1900; Census Place: West Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts; Roll: 653; Page: 24B; Enumeration District: 0612; FHL microfilm: 1240653
• 1910 United States Federal Census, Database online. Year: 1910; Census Place: Great Barrington, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_572; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0036; Image: ; FHL microfilm: 1374585.
• 1920 United States Federal Census, Database online. Year: 1920; Census Place: Great Barrington, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T625_679; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 18; Image: 1130.
• 1930 United States Federal Census, Database online. Year: 1930; Census Place: Great Barrington, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 884; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 16; Image: 133.0; FHL microfilm: 2340619.
• U.S. City Directories, West Springfield-1889, 1890, 1891, 1900, Springfield, MA-1896, 1897, 1899, 1901, Great Barrington-1923, 1926
• Massachusetts, Birth Records, 1840-1915, Merrick L Smith, June 6th, 1856
• Massachusetts, Marriage Records, 1840-1915, Merrick Smith and Kate McCann, October 18th, 1883
• Massachusetts, Death Index, 1901-1980, Volume Number 70, Page number 357, Index Volume Number  93, Reference Number F63.M363 v.93 1934 - Pittsfield - 70 357
• Massachusetts, Mason Membership Cards, 1733-1990, Name Merrick Luther Smith, Birth Date 6 Jun 1856, Birth Place Lee, Death Date 3 Oct 1934, Last Residence Place Great Barrington, Lodge Cincinnatus, Occupation Paper Maker
• U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Find a Grave