Prentice P. Smith

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. p. 701

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Prentice P., son of Thomas and Thankful (Bennett) Smith, was born in Ledyard, Connecticut, September 11, 1795. He attended the district school, was reared to farm work, and his business career was devoted to farming and coopering, having a farm in the north part of Ledyard and a shop on the farm, making many barrels for use in the West Indies molasses trade. He removed to Franklin, 1844, where two sons had preceded him, and he purchased the farm of Andrew Hull. A few years later he disposed of the farm in Ledyard, and remained on the farm in Franklin until 1868, when he and his wife went to live with their son, William C., remaining until their deaths, his occurring January 3, 1881, and that of his wife December 17, 1885. In early life Mr. Smith united with the Ledyard Methodist Episcopal Church, but later transferred to the Bean Hill Methodist Church. His wife also held membership in the same churches. During his residence in Ledyard he took an active part in church matters. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican, representing Ledyard one term in the legislature, serving on the board of selectmen, and holding other minor offices. He married, December 1, 1814, Maria Avery, born August 13, 1797.

Children:

1. Sarah Maria, born September 30, 1815; married Rev.

Silas Leonard, a Methodist minister, and died in Franklin, November 29, 1884.

2. Prentice O., August 3, 1817; married Eliza King, who died June 17, 1904; he was a member of the

firm of Smith Brothers for many years, and later was general agent of a publishing house;

he died in Franklin, February 14, 1898.

3. John Owen, see forward.

4. Mary Louisa, January 25, 1822; married John Shapley, a machinist by

trade, and they resided in Cazenovia, New York, for a number of years,

but later removed to Gananoque, Canada.

5. Austin A., May 21, 1824; married Frances Mather; he was a machinist by trade, but was

engaged in several business enterprises; he died in Franklin, April 22, 1883.

6. Henry N., April 18, 1827; married Lydia Lathrop, andresided in Franklin, where he was engaged at

farming until his death, June 15, 1883; in early life he was connected with the firm of

Smith Brothers; he was a deacon in the Franklin Congregational Church.

7. Lucian H., July 1, 1829; married Jane Lathrop; was a blacksmith, later a farmer, and was killed

by a fall in his barn in Bozrah, October 5, 1879.

8. Frances H., April 24, 1832; married Hekekiah Huntington, and resided in New York.

9. William Curtis, July 1, 1835; married Elizabeth H. Mumford; a farmer, and resides

in Franklin; served as deacon in the Franklin church.

10. Ezra Leonard, August 11, 1837; a farmer, and resides in Minneapolis,Minnesota; married Lucy

Hastings, of Franklin.