Merrick Smith and Catherine McCann Smith Picnicking with Friends, abt 1917

 

Merrick Smith and Catherine McCann Smith Picnicking with Friends, abt 1917

Photo of the 306 Maple St house in Great Barrington, MA abt 1923

The 306 Maple St house in Housatonic, MA abt 1923

 

Photo Friday: Can anyone identify this make of car?

 

This car either belonged to my Grandfather David Sanders Wright or my Great Grandfather Merrick Luther Smith.  I believe it was taken at the 306 Maple St house in Great Barrington, MA. If you look closely inside the car you can make out David Sanders Wright, Florence Edna Smith and 2 children. The person beside the car may be Merrick Luther Smith, but I am not sure. I came up with the year based on the license plate of the car.

Car at 306 Maple St, abt 1923

Photo Friday: Postcard of the B.D. RIsing Co. Risingdale, Mass

 

Postcard of the B.D. Rising Co. Risingdale, Mass

Catherine and Merrick Smith with Catherine Wright as a baby, 1920

 Here is the next one:

Catherine McCann, Catherine Wright, and Merrick Smith, 1920

Merrick Smith's Funeral

 October 5th, `934

Funeral Tomorrow

The funeral of Merrick L. Smith of Risingdale will be held at the Methodist Episcopal Church tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be in Fairmont Cemetery, Lee. The committal service will be in charge of Cincinnatus Lodge of Masons of Great Barrington.

October 6th, 1934

SMITH FUNERAL THIS AFTERNOON

HOUSATONIC, Oct. 6-The funeral of Merrick L. Smith of Risingdale, who died Wednesday afternoon at a Pittsfield Hospital, was held this afternoon. The service was held at the Methodist Episcopal Church at 2 o'clock. The Rev. Edward G. Walh of Goshen, N.Y., a former pastor, and the Rev. Purdy Halstead were the officiating clergymen.

The body was taken to Lee for burial in Fairmont Cemetery, Members of Cincinnatus Lodge of Masons of Great Barrington, conducted the committal service led by William H. Smith of this village. The bearers were, Irving Lobdell, Karl N. Peiffer, Roy Parsons and John S. Watson of this village; Clayton Smith of West Springfield, a nephew of the deceased, and Allen Brooks of Lee.

Merrick Smith announcing the opening of the Horseshoe Pitch

 May 5th, 1930

HORSE SHOE PITCHING TO START TONIGHT

HOUSATONIC, MAY 5-Merrick L. Smith, president of the Methodist Episcopal church Men's club, announced today that the field for pitching horse shoes in Risingdale would open for the season tonight. Additional space has been made for more players and the Men's club teams will pitch tonight. Following the meet a business meeting of the club will be held in the home of Mr. Smith.

Merrick Smith's Retirement

 November 3rd, 1931

MERRICK SMITH IS PRESENTED PURSE

Housatonic, Nov. 3-Merrick L. Smith, who completed his duties at the Rising Paper company plant two weeks ago, after being employed there for 31 years, was presented with purse of $25 in gold yesterday. Walter J. Raybold of Pittsfield, and official of the company, called Mr. Smith to the factory and made the presentation on behalf of the employees of the finishing department. Mr. Smith was the forman of this department for many years.

Newspaper articles on visits to Merrick and Catherine Smith

June 30th, 1931

Elizabeth and Allen Bradbury have returned to their home in Dalton after spending a few days with their grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Merrick L. Smith in Risingdale.

June 1st, 1932

Mrs. Mary Kroh of Springfield is spending the week with Mr. and Mrs. Merrick L. Smith in Risingdale.

August 9th, 1932 

Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Buddington and children have returned to their home in SPringfield after spending a week with Mr. and Mrs. Merrick L. Smith in Risingdale.

July 20th, 1933

Mr. and Mrs. David Wright have returned to their home in Northampton after spending several days with Mrs. Wright's parents, Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Smith in Risingdale. George and Charles Wright are remaining here for a few more days.

October 30th, 1933

Housatonic

Mr. and Mrs. Merrick L. Smith of Risingdale left Saturday for a few days visit with Mr. and Mrs. Henry V. Bradbury in Dalton before going to Northampton where they will spend the winter.

Merrick Smith's car accident

 My cousin Frank has found a number of interesting newspaper articles that I thought I would transcribe.

August 27th, 1932

The civil cases of John Scarmana vs. Merrick Smith and of Merrick and Catherine Smith vs John Scarmana were heard in the district court Friday and the court will render a decision Friday of next week. The cases were brought as a result of an automobile accident at the subway in Housatonic sometime in June. Attorney Frank H. Wright appeared for the plaintiff Scarmana in the case against Merrick Smith and the attorneys in the other case of Mr. and Mrs. Smith against Scaramana were Paul Stoezel of Adams and C.E. Bigg of Springfield who represented insurance companies.

September 2nd, 1932

Defendants Win

Judge W.B. Sanford this morning found the defendants without costs in the civil cases of John Scarmana against Merrick L. Smith, both of Housatonic, and Merrick L. Smith and his wife, Catherine Smith against John Scarmana, which were tried in the district court earlier this week. The cases grew out of automobile accident which occurred at the underpass in the village of Housatonic on June 1 and the court in rendering it's decisions stated that the accident was due to the failure of both parties to exercise ordinary care.

Happy 164th Birthday to my Great Grandfather, Merrick Luther Smith!

Here is what I've posted on him so far:

• Biography
• Descendants
• Obituary
• Merrick's Letter to Catherine
• Some vignettes about Merrick and Catherine
• The Smith History of Paper Making
• Plum Pudding
• Great Grandfather Merrick's Old England's Plum Pudding
• Merrick's Plum Pudding in process
• The Plum Pudding Saga Continued
• Plum Pudding, the Conclusion

Merrick Luther Smith's Obituary

Going through the stacks of documents I received from my parents house, I found my great grandfather's obituary.  He died on October 3rd, 1934. Here is a transcription:

Housatonic
M.L. SMITH, 78, DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS

Native of Tyingham Had Lived in Housatonic for 31 Years

HOUSATONIC, Oct 4.-- Merrick L. SMith, 78, well known papermaker, died at the House of Mercy Hospital in Pittsfield yesterday afternoon after a long illness. Born in Tyringham June 6, 1856, son of Edward and Lydia Kilbourne Smith he had resided in this town 31 years.

The funeral will be held tommorrw afternoon at 2 P.M., in ht Methodist Church with the Rev. Purdy Halstead, assisted by Rev. Edward G. Wahl of Goshen, former pastor here, officiating. Burial will be in Fairmont Cemetery, Lee.

Mr. Smith followed the papermaking trade all his life until he retired from active work bout two years ago. He worked at his trade in West Springfield, Lee, and came to Rising Paper Company formally known as the B.D. Rising Company soon after the firm started business in Risingdale. He was for years foreman of the finishing department and was known far and wide for his knowledge of finishing paper products.

While in the employ of the old Rising concern, working for his employer ad those who labored under his orders, he invented a lift which relieved those handling paper rolls of considerable weight. This type of lift, with added features, continues to be used in many paper plants.

Mr. Smith was also engaged in the grocery business with his brother Grove, under the firm name of M.L. Smith & Co. in Risingdale for years, until the business was purchased by Watson Brothers. With Mrs. Smith he conducted the Rising Boarding House. He was also interested in clubs and aided in the organization and served as head of both the old Risingdale Men's and Boy's Clubs. in addition to considerable work in the interest of the Y.M.C.A. when the unit was actively at work in Southern Berkshire.

Active in Church
He was an active member of the Housatonic Methodist Episcopal Church and hled various offices in the church. He helped organize and serve as the first president of the present Methodist Men's Club and through this organization brought back the popular pastime of barnyard golf into this section. After his retirement he built two ranges for this game at his property in Risingdale and opened it for the use of the public. He was also a member of the Cinsinnatus Lodge of Masons.

Last fall Mr. and Mrs. Smith went to Northampton to spend the winter with relatives and while there Mr. Smith suffered a shock. He underwent two operations and recovered sufficiently to return to his Risingdale home early in the spring. He got around the home in a wheel chair. Another operation was deemed necessary more then a week ago. He was taken to the House of Mercy Hospital in Pittsfield and the operation was performed on Friday after which his condition was serious and death came about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon.

Besides his wife, Mr. Smith leaves two daughters, Mrs. Florence Wright, wife of David Wright, the well known athletic director at Northampton High School, and Mrs. Estelle Bradbury, wife of Henry V. Bradbury of Dalton; a sister, Mrs. Lucy Strong of Boston.

The Smith History of Paper Making

This generation shows a strong preference for the paper making industry.  Here is a list of all of my Smith relatives who where Paper Makers.

Generation 4:

• 3rd Great Grandfather: John Smith(1786-UNKN)-S8

Generation 3:

• 2nd Great Grandfather: Edward B. Smith(1815-1863)-S4
• 2nd Great Grandmother: Lydia Edna Kilborne(1814-1898)-S5

Generation 2:

• 2nd Great Uncle: Franklin Adelbert Smith(1842-1864)
• 2nd Great Uncle: Charles F. Smith(1843-1914)
• 2nd Great Uncle: Ezekiel G. Smith(1846-1905)
• 2nd Great Aunt: Martha A. Smith(1848-1921)
• 2nd Great Uncle: Riley C. Smith(1850-1914)
• 2nd Great Uncle: Grove C. Smith(1854-1921)
• Great Grandfather: Merrick Luther Smith(1856-1934)-S2

Descendants of Merrick Luther Smith and Catherine Ellen McCann

I though it might be good to do document the descendants of each of my Great Grandparents.  And then do some quick biographies of some of those descendants.  Let's start with Merrick and Catherine.

• Merrick Luther Smith(1856-1934)-S2 married Catherine Ellen McCann(1861-1937)-S3
• Estella L. Smith(1886-1955) married Henry Vanderveer Bradbury(1886-1966)
• Allen Rossman Bradbury(1919-1966) married Phyllis Esther Corey(1924-2012)
• Elizabeth Vandervere Bradbury(1922-1991) married Frank Hopkins Cande(1921-2007)
• Merrick H. Bradbury(1926-2002) married Mary Stiles(1925-2002)
• Not Named Smith(1889-1889)
• Florence Edna Smith(1892-1937)-S1 married David Sanders Wright(1887-1967)-W1
• Living married William Leonard Grandia(1912-2005)
• David Joy Wright(1922-1991) married Rita Mary McFarland(Unkn-2015)
• Charles Merrick Wright(1924-2008) married Living
• Living married Hope Gilson(1929-2012)
• Florence Caroline Wright(1930-2016)-W0 married Robert Ervin Putnam(1927-2011)-P0

Merrick and Catherine lost a child at birth on June 23rd, 1889 in West Springfield, MA.

Plum Pudding, the Conclusion

After Steaming

So we tried it on Christmas Day and I though I would give you a report.  FIrst, I'll go through the last steps.

First, I removed it from the fridge and re-steamed it for 2 hours.  I forgot to sprinkle it with sugar.  I the put some brandy on it and light it on fire.

Flaming

Cut a served it.   Some people had it with the Brandy Butter Hard Sauce, others did not.

Of the testers (victims) one did not enjoy it, but she does like much and dislikes raisins so I am discounting here vote.

Everyone else said they enjoyed it though it was a bit rich.  Some liked the Brandy Butter, others did not.  I did not that it was a bit dry toward the center, so maybe I should steam it a bit longer for serving.  Also, the Brandy Butter was a bit strong, next time I'll actually try Merrick's recipe.  Overall, I would call it a success, and will try and do it next year early enough so it can age properly.

First Piece

With Brandy Butter

So, here is the final recipe, please let me know if you try it.

Merrick’s Old England’s Plum Pudding

1 lb raisins

1 lb currants

½ lb citron (thinly sliced)

¼ lb candied lemon peel (chopped)

½  teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon mace

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon allspice

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 lb suet

1 ½ cup brandy

1 lb bread crumbs

1 cup scalded milk

6 eggs
1 lb Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1 cup molasses

1 teaspoon salt

Blend raisins, currants, citron, lemon peel, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, ground cloves, allspice, black pepper, and suet in a bowl.  Add ¼ cup brandy.  Cover tightly and refrigerate for 4 days, add ¼ cup brandy each day.

Soak bread crumbs in milk and brandy.  Combine with well-beaten eggs, flour and molasses.  Blend with the fruit mixture.  Add flour, baking soda, salt and mix thoroughly.  Put the pudding in  buttered bowls or tins, filling them about ⅔ full.  Cover with foil and tie it firmly.  Steam for 6-7 hours.    Add a dash of brandy to each pudding, cover with foil and keep in a cool place.

To use, steam again for 2-3 hours and unmold. Sprinkle with sugar; add heated french brandy. Ignite and bring to the table.  Server with Merrick’s Plum Pudding Sauce.

The Plum Pudding Saga Continued

So, over the last few days I have been working on the Plum Pudding.  I know it was suppose to be done earlier in the month and let rest for weeks but that wasn't possible this year.

The final mixture

Working with my kids I mixed the dried fruit with the rest of the ingredients and put them in a pudding mold.  I then steamed it for seven hours.

The pudding mold in the steamer.

I then removed it from the steamer, wrapped it in foil and am now letting it rest till Christmas Day.  The recipe produced enough "batter" that I may be able to make on for New Years as well, but will see how the first one comes out before attempting it.  I ended up not making Merrick's sauce recipe.  Their were enough unanswered questions that I fell back to one I found online for Brandy Butter Hard Sauce.  I'll post the results and reviews after Christmas.  

I hope everyone has a Happy Christmas!

Plum Pudding

Merrick's Plum Pudding in process

So, I forgot the flour in the recipe.  I've gone back and added it to the former post.  I've had a hard time find the ingredients, but finally started to make it last night.  Here are some photos of the process:

Some of the ingredients

The fruit mixture

Great Grandfather Merrick's Old England's Plum Pudding

Going through some of the old papers, I found this recipe which I believe is from my great grandfather, Merrick Luther Smith, based on the writing. I thought it would be fun to see if we can pull it off this holiday season.

First, I transcribed it to see what we had:

Old England’s Plum Pudding

1 lb Bread Crumbs

1 lb raisins

1 lb suet

1 lb currants

1 lb flour

6 eggs

½ lb citrons

¼ lb candied lemon peels

1 cup of molasses

Salt, spice to taste

½ cup brandy, mixed with milk

Sauce

Make a plain sauce of custard, sugar, salt, slice of butter and cold water.  Guess at the amounts of each

Then flavor with french brandy

It is missing a lot of important information, so I went to the web to see if I could find similar recipes to fill in the blanks. Here is what I came up with for the main recipe, I'll do another post once I figure out the sauce part.

Merrick’s Old England’s Plum Pudding

1 lb raisins

1 lb currants

½ lb citron (thinly sliced)

¼ lb candied lemon peel (chopped)

½  teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon mace

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon allspice

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 lb suet

1 ½ cup brandy

1 lb bread crumbs

1 cup scalded milk

6 eggs
1 lb flour

1 cup molasses

1 teaspoon salt

Blend raisins, currants, citron, lemon peel, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, ground cloves, allspice, black pepper, and suet in a bowl.  Add ¼ cup brandy.  Cover tightly and refrigerate for 4 days, add ¼ cup brandy each day.

Soak bread crumbs in milk and brandy.  Combine with well-beaten eggs, flour and molasses.  Blend with the fruit mixture.  Add flour, salt and mix thoroughly.  Put the pudding in  buttered bowls or tins, filling them about ⅔ full.  Cover with foil and tie it firmly.  Steam for 6-7 hours.  Uncover and place in a 250 degree F oven for 30 minutes.  Add a dash of brandy to each pudding, cover with foil and keep in a cool place.

To use, steam again for 2-3 hours and unmold. Sprinkle with sugar; add heated french brandy. Ignite and bring to the table.  Server with Merrick’s Plum Pudding Sauce.

Some vignettes about Merrick and Catherine

I ended up talking to my mother after posting the biographies about Merrick and Catherine and found out a few more tidbits of information that I want to get out.

• Merrick was a fiddle player who love to play and performed at weddings and other event.  Catherine was not fond of this and limited his playing at the house.  Even though, he would take the grandchildren into back rooms and preform for them.  
• Catherine worked as a cook's assistant in a lumber camp before she started working at the paper mill. 

Merrick's Letter to Catherine

I've come across a letter that my Great Grandfather, Merrick Luther Smith wrote to his wife.  He appears to be living in Mitteneague, West Springfield, MA.  This letter gives us a glimpse into his personality as he wrote it as a poem. There are a few places toward the end that I had a difficult time transcribing the words.  I put down what I think it says, but don't know the meaning.

Mitteneague July 21, /97

My Dear Wife

1

I now set down with pen in hand

To write you a letter as long as I can

Which wont be very long you can bet your old hat

But you probably already know about that

2

A I am writing this letter I've not much to tell

Only that I am getting along nicely + feeling quite well

I do my own house work + feed my self

and I am living up on the top shelf

3

For my supper tonight I has a squash frye

With a pan of Bonnams sitting close by

And the Biscuit was fine that I got at the start

and this isn't all but I wont tell any moor

4

For you might think I am living quite a fast life

Down here all alone with out any wife

But you know I am alone + can do as I please

And I don't I live on crackers and cheese

5

Now I will try to show you the house as it looks

With my cloths on the floor instead of the hooks

The coal hod is full + the lamps are all black

and I am going to leave it like that until you get back

6

The flys + cob webs are on windows + wall

The car dust is all over the floor in the hall

The stove is heaped up till it wont hold any moor

And now it falling all over the floor

7

And as I was looking at the floor tonight

I had to acknowledge it was quite a sight

With the greese spots all over + the dirt an inch thick

And I though if you could see it it would make you sick

8

But don't get scart beforr you hirt

For I am going to dig out all the dirt

And I will clean it all + make it all write

But it does look like the very deveal tonight

9

Now this letter I close for I can't write any morr

So I put out the Fuiter + lock up the door

And to bed I will go as soon as I can

And I think of you sleeping without any man

10

But never mind dear I make it all wright

For we sleep together the very first night

And bring that along you said you keep

For without that I know I could not sleep

11

So I bid you goodnight + go off to bed

And wad up my pillow + lay down my head

And sleep the sleep of the happy + free

And dream all the night that you are with me

Give my love to all + kiss the little Dincks for me

Your mhast

M. L. Smith

The Old Man