S4: Edward B. Smith(1815-1863)

Edward B. Smith was born on October 2nd, 1815 in Middletown, CT to John Smith and Sarah Howdle. I don't have any information on other children or a lot about John and Sarah other then that John was a paper maker. The family had moved to Lee, MA by 1830, probably because of John's profession. Edward's mother died on December 12th, 1836.

Edward B. Smith and Lydia Edna Kilborne of Tyringham, MA announced their intentions to marry on August 17th, 1839 and were married on September 11th, 1839 in Tyringham, MA. Their first son, Homer Smith, was born on October 15th, 1840 in Lee, MA. He died on April 17th, 1841. Thier second son, Franklin Adelbert Smith, was born on April 17th, 1842 in Lee. Charles F. Smith, their third son, was born on September 29th, 1843. Followed by Ezekiel G. Smith on February 20, 1846.

Their first daughter, Martha A. Smith, was born on January 25th, 1848 in either Lee or Tyringham. There is a possibility of a son named Edward being born in 1849 but the only reference I've found to him was the 1850 U.S. Census. Another son, Riley C. Smith was born on May 25th 1850 in Tyringham. It is possible that Riley is the Edward referenced in the 1850 census.

The 1850 Census shows the family living in Tyringham, MA with a George and Hannah Kilborne. George, a laborer, was 73 and Hannah was 67. I do not think these are Lydia's parents but I am sure they are related to her. Edward is listed as being a laborer. They had another son, Henry, on June 4th, 1852 who died of consumption on April 10th, 1853. Another son, Grove C. Smith was born on April 3rd, 1854.

The 1855 State Census shows the family living in Tyringham, MA and Edward working as a Paper Maker. Soon after, the family moved back to Lee where their last son, Merrick Luther Smith, was born on June 6th, 1856. They had one more daughter, Lura M. Smith, on April 27th, 1859 in Lee. The 1860 census has the entire family living in Lee and Edward working as a Paper Maker. He makes about $150 a year.

On October 10th, 1861, Edward enlisted in Company E of the 27th Massachusetts Infantry as a Private. Certain documents have him listed as being an Operative, AKA a spy, for the union. The regiment was directed south to Annapolis, MD for 2 months and then transferred to North Carolina. Edward likely participated in the Battle of Roanoke Island on February 7th and 8th, 1862 and the Battle of New Bern on March 14th, 1862. Edward was discharged on September 11th, 1862. The regiment had signed up for three years of service and, given the short time period of Edward's service, I suspect Edward was discharged for medical reasons. Edward died on September 7th, 1863 of Consumption in Lee, MA. I have not been able to find his grave site, but suspect it might be in the Fairmount Cemetery in Lee, MA along side his wife.

Obituary

September 17th, 1863

SMITH; -At Lee, Sept. 7, Edward Smith, aged 47, formerly a member of the 27th Mass. Regiment.

Branch

• Generation 3 (2nd Great Grandparents): Edward B Smith and Lydia Edna Kilborne

  • Generation 2 (Great Grandparents): Merrick Luther Smith and Catherine Ellen McCann

    • Generation 1 (Grandparents): David Sanders Wright and Florence Edna Smith

      • Generation 0: Robert Ervin Putnam and (Florence) Caroline Wright