A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
John Smith was a blacksmith by trade.
In a Microfiche copy of the Geneva Gazette, Geneva, New York, from 22 December 1876, there were two items of interest: 1) A brief obituary along with others in a segment of the paper labeled "Died;" and 2) The most fascinating piece is the article written about John Smith's 104th birthday, that took place during the year of his death.
1) Smith - In Philadelphia, on the 18th inst., Mr. John Smith, formerly of Geneva, in the 104th year of his age.
2) A Centenarian's Birthday - Mr. John Smith attained on the 24th inst. the remarkable age of 104 years. He was visited during the day by a number of friends, and in the evening gave a little social reunion at his residence, No. 1022 South Fifth Street, at which a number of friends and relatives were present. Mr. Smith was born on the 24th of January, 1772, in the town of Leicester, England, where like his father and grandfather before him, he pursued the business of horse shoeing. In September, 1827, he left England and came to Philadelphia, but after staying here a short time removed to Geneva, New York, at the solicitation of relatives living there, and established a blacksmith shop. He pursued this business until fifteen years ago, and about nine years since came back to Philadelphia, and took up residence with his daughter, Mrs. Lovett, at No. 1023 South Fifth Street. Mr. Smith's family have been, as a general thing, long lived. His father died at the age of 95, and one of his brothers who died youngest was 87 years old. He has four children living, and a number of grand-children and great grand-children. Mr. Smith has not at all the appearance of a very old man, and he moves about without difficulty. In conversation he is remarkably bright and cheerful, displaying at times evidences of wonderful powers of concentration and retentiveness of memory in one so old. He relates anecdotes of events which happened when he was quite young, with great particularity as to detail, and remembers having seen George The Third and all the Royal Family. He also remembers the reception in England of war news during the revolution. He does not observe any special rules with regard to diet, and still keeps up the English custom of taking a glass of ale in the evening. At the last election he went to the polls at Fourth and Redwood streets without difficulty, and voted. Mr. Smith is a member of Saint Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church, at Third and Pine streets, and yesterday was visited by the Rev. Dr. T. F. Davies, Rector of Saint Peter's, and the Rev. Dr. Bronson, who administered to him, as is their wont on every birth day, the highest rites of the church. rAt a meeting of Saint George's society, held on Monday evening, Mr. Smith was on motion of the Rev. Dr. Stoddards, unanimously elected as a member. At the reunion at Mr. Smith's residence, on Monday evening, a number of the members of the Society and their friends were present. On being informed of the action of the Society, Mr. Smith expressed a great deal of pleasure.
Transcribed by: Brian Charles Smith, great-great-great grandson of John Smith
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
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