the processes of the manufacture, from picking
the cotton to linishing the cloth — a practice than
unknown in this country. Mr. Moody, eager to obtain
the information the young workman was able to im-
part, took him through his factory, showing him all
his machinery and its working, at the same time re-
vealing his hindrances and desires. The result was
that Mr. Smith entered at once into the service of the
company, a very auspicious beginning for a stranger
in a strange land, with no introduction but his
honest face and the knowledge he carried in his
brai n.
Mr. Smith continued in the service of this company
for a little over two years and six months, when he
started on a trip to the South, partly to see the coun-
try, but more especially to find a suitable place to
locate himself in business. He was not satisfied
to be an employe, however advantageous the situa-
tion might be. He was ambitious to start up a business
on his own account, and take the risks and profits.
By easy stages, stopping here and there, for a longer
or shorter time, he reached Augusta, Ga., where
he found a friend and fellow-workman at Waltham
established as a machinist. Here he remained till
July of the next year. After a careful observation of
the condition of things at the South, its climate, its
peculiar institutions, its social relations, its business
methods, he become more and more disinclined to
make his home in that section of the country.
Having satisfied himself, he returned to Waltham.
Here he learned that four of his fellow- workmen in
Waltham had established themselves in Medway as
manufacturers of cotton machinery. He entered
into employment with them, where he continued for
some twenty months, continually on the lookout for
some opening for starting up a business of his own.
At length the time and opportunity came. In the
spring of 1822 he and two of his fellow-workmen,
Joseph Faulkner and Warren Richardson, entered
into a partnership, under the name of "John Smith
and Company," for the manufacture of machinery.
After a careful examination of places for a location,
extending as far asPaterson, N. J., and Philadelphia,
Pa., they finally fixed upon Plymouth, Mass., induced
thereto partly by the promise of a profitable contract
for the building of the machinery of a cotton-mill
situated about three miles from the village of
Plymouth. Their stay here, however, was short, —
some two and a half years.
Messrs. Faulkner and Richardson were natives of
Andover. This, together with the fact that Andover,
Mass., was better located with regard to the factories
from which they might look for work, and the further
fact that they might obtain from the Shawshin River
abundant power for all their need, decided them to
remove their enterprise to Andover. They purchased
the mill privilege in Frye Village, now occupied by
the lower mills of the Smitli & Dove Manufacturing
Company, and at once built a machine-shop, which
is the building now standing on the east side of the
Shawshin. The shop was seventy-two feet long by
thirty-seven feet wide, and three stories above the
basement. Business flowed in to the company from
the start. Profitable contracts came from Newmar-
ket, Lowell and other parts of New Hampshire and
Eastern Massachusetts. The amount of business de-
veloped during the first five years may be estimated
from the fact that, at the end of that period, they em-
ployed thirty men. They started in Andover in
1824. Five years later Mr. Richardson died. Two
years afterthe death of Mr. Richardson, Mr. Faulkner
died, leaving Mr. Smith the sole survivor of the firm.
He purchased the interests of his deceased partners,
and assumed the responsibility of the entire business,
placing his brother Peter, who had been in the em-
ploy of the company for nine years, in charge as su-
perintendent.
Previous to this, in the summer of 1829, Mr. John
Smith had commissioned his brother Peter to go to
Scotland (his expenses being paid, and his family
supported in the mean time) to bring over Miss
Agnes Ferguson, of Glasgow, his betrothed. This
young lady Mr. Smith had known and tenderly re-
garded when, twelve years before, he lived in Glas-
gow, but his circumstances then forbade any mention
of marriage. In 1828, on a visit to Scotland, he had
renewed the acquaintance, which, before many
months, had resulted in a betrothal. Mr. Peter Smith
successfully executed his important commission, and
the young lady was safely landed in Boston on the
1648
HISTOllY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1st day of August, 1829, and soon after thu marriage
took place. This lady died December 30, 1851.
On March 5, ISGO, Mr. Smith married Miss Sarah
Gleason, who survives him.
In 1835 Mr. John Smith joined his brother Peter
and Mr. Dove in the new undertaking of fla.x-spin-
ning, and after that he gradually drew out of the
machine-making business till it was wholly given up.
It had been very lucrative, and Mr. Smith had ac-
<iuired a handsome property, which was used to good
advantage in carrying on the fla.\-spinning enter-
prise.
As to the personal characteristics of Mr. Smith, no
better, more discriminating, more just delineation can
be given than that we have from the pen of Rev.
William B. Brown, D.D., of Orange, N. J., who for
some years was Mr. Smith's pastor and for thirty
years on terms of friendly intimacy with him. Mr.
Brown writes: "Mr. Smith's friends have never
claimed for him that he was, in the ordinary sense,
an educated man ; yet, if education consists in thor-
ough mental discipline, as it does largely, then he
was highly educated. But few men have attained to
his power of concentrating their thoughts upon a
given subject.
" Nor has John Smith been known as a public
speaker ; yet in the many little addresses he has
made, especially on social occasions, he has spoken
with a directness, an earnestness and power that has
thrilled many a heart. He always strikes the central
thought in his first sentence. His remarks are brief,
but pointed and to the purpose. I remember one of
his speeches that was characterized as ' common sense
on fire.'
" Nor has Mr. Smith ever aspired to civil office, yet,
by his life and deeds, he has done more to make
public sentiment and to mould society than have
most men who hold high political stations and live in
the public gaze.
" One of the leading characteristics of Mr. Smith
was his unfaltering integrity. Rectitude was a part of
his nature — duty to God and man his supreme law.
He could not take a mean advantage or do a mean
thing. He could never look upon injustice or any
kind of evil-doing with toleration. His love of recti-
tude made him, in early life and ever after, a
reformer. He denounced slavery and took part with
the fleeing fugitive when it cost something so to do.
From the first he took strong and advanced ground
on the temperance question, and made studied and
effective speeches in favor of total abstinence that
would be profitable reading at this day. But the
point I make is, that Mr. Smith's position as a re-
former followed as naturally from his integrity of
character as does effect from cause. Being what he
was, he could not do otherwise than as he did.
" Considered as a business man, in which capacity
Mr. Smith's success was most remarkable, I should
say that unusual business sagacity and other qualities
to match were at the foundation. He had a genius
for business. He could see openings before others
had dreamed of them. While young, his resources
of brain were equal to any emergency. Whatever he
touched turned to gold. This was not the result of
chance or good fortune, but of quick business sagacity.
He knew how to take the tide at its flood, while others
waited till the tide began to ebb. The co-operating
qualities of his character were courage, energy, perse-
verance and common sense. With sagacity to per-
ceive and common sense to plan, he had courage to
enter the lists, and patience and perseverance, accom-
panied by rich resources, to secure victory.
"Mr. Smith was a conscientious and benevolent
man, as his many and large contributions to educa-
tional and other beneficent objects abundantly wit-
ness. He gave on principle, not from impulse. Con-
stituted as he was by nature and beginning life as he
did, men are not likely to be generous, and Mr. Smith
might not have been, save for his religious principles.
He regarded himself as the Lord's steward, and that,
having received much, of him would much be re-
quired. Thus he brought religion into his business,
and made business a part of his religion. His giving
was under the lead of conscience, not of fancy, nor
the result of importunity, not at all out of regard for
popularity or posthumous fame. He was modest by
nature and shrank from vulgar notoriety. His largest
gifts were resolved upon in the quiet of his own
chamber, alone with his God.
" Socially, Mr. Smith was always open, free and
genial. He was subject to dyspepsia, and at times to
depression from the effects of over-work. But this
was sickness and foreign from his nature. When
well he was uniformly cheerful and companionable.
When engrossed in business he was taciturn, hut
when the hours of business had passed he was ready
for a lively chat and a cordial greeting.
" In religion, Mr. Smith was worthy the imitation of
business Christians. He never let his business, how-
ever pressing, stand in the way of his religious duties.
In his attitude toward God he had the reverence,
trust and affection of a little child. What God would
have him do, he esteemed a privilege more than a
dudy to do. His life was for the most part passed in
the sunshine of the Heavenly Father's countenance-
but when His face was for a time hidden by the dark
clouds of bereavement or despondency, his fiiith did
not fail him — he had songs in the night."
The last ten years of his life were years of declin-
ing strength, and withdrawal from the cares of the
world and the society of his fellow-men. He greatly
missed his old associates in business, but, for the most
part, was cheerful and happy, calmly awaiting the
summons that .should call him to his Father's house.
That summons came February 25, 1886. He was
aged eighty-nine years, nine months and six days.
A most charming, </ie most charming, feature in the
character of Mr. Smith, not referred to by Mr. Brown,
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which ought not to be overlooked, was seen in his
filial, almost religious, devotion to his mother. As
a lad, his slender earnings were sacredly hoarded,
and placed in the hands of his mother for the family
support. When grown to manhood and in a foreign
land, his thoughts continually went back to the hum-
ble home in Brechin, where the loving mother toiled
at spinning, and loving epistles frequently followed
these thoughts to cheer the lonely woman. And
when the fruits of his industry began to come in, a
liberal share of these fruits found their way, month
by month, across the ocean to cheer that mother's
heart in her desolate home. No sooner had he made
for himself a home in the New World than he sent for
the beloved mother, and from the day of her arrival
to the day of her departure hence, gave to her the
best the house afforded, thus making her last days as
peaceful and comfortable as her early days had been
troublesome and pinching. Perchance, however, he
may have been, instinctively, but paying a debt of
nature; since to her mainly, by heredity, he was doubt-
less indebted for the energy, courage and faith which
carried him on to wealth and eminence.'
Mr. Petee Smith was born in Brechin, Forfar-
shire, Scotland, September 21, 1802. He was the
fourth of five children, and. bore the name of his
father, who was a carpenter by trade. When eight
years of age his father died, which left the mother in
charge of the children, and in straitened circum-
stances. The oldest son was her only assistance in
providing for the support of the family. Her means
of earning a livelihood was the spinning-wheel, which
she plied with great diligence. The year after ihe
death of his father the lad went to work for a farmer
during the harvest season, and from this time onward
till' his fifteenth year was engaged for brief periods
in different employments as he could obtain them,
courageously striving to support himself and assist
his mother in her arduous task. He passed through
not a few trying circumstances and scenes which tested
his powers of endurance and perseverance. When
fourteen years of age, he took it into his head to go to
Glasgow, where his brotlier James worked, in pursuit
of employment. This city was more than one hun-
dred miles from Brechin. Over this distance, on foot
and alone, drenched by rain and benumbed by snow,
with money sufficient only for one night's entertain-
ment at a public-house, he boldly plodded his way to his
destination. Too proud to beg for food, and too desti-
tute to purchase it, he depended upon the pity and
kindness of the good people whose doors necessity
compelled him to enter for shelter and nourishment.
In reviewing this episode in his life, he writes : " It
was only by perseverance and the kind providence of
my Heavenly Father that I ever got there."
1 The engraving of Mr. John Smith was made from a photograph
takea when he was eighty-nine years and eight months old, and in com-
paratively good health, and only about four months before he died.
104
He spent a year in work as a weaver in Glasgow,
where he attended an evening school for a time, mide
the acquaintance of a "good Christian man," who,
possessing a fine library, encouraged him in reading
profitable books. This "good Christian" took a very
lively interest in the plucky boy, and suggested to his
brother James that weaving was not the employment'
for which he was best adapted. This suggestion was
heeded and led to his attaining, through the influence
of a maternal uncle, a situation as apprentice to a
wheelwright in Kerrimuir. His return to Brechin
was on foot, as had been his departure, but not with-
out money sufficient for food and lodging. Having
made a short visit to his mother, he proceeded to his
destination, and served an apprenticeship of four
years to the trade of a wheelwright. The first two of
these years were uneventful. During the third his
attention was specially called to the subject of per-
sonal religion. As a boy, he had been trained by his
mother in the Catechism, to forms of worship and to
respect and value religion. But at this time, as never
before, he was brought to see the importance of per-
sonal piety, and to seek acceptance with God through
repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. In this spiritual
awakening his moral and intellectual faculties receiv-
ed a marked development. The realities of the present
life, its responsibilities and possibilities, and the
realities of the life to come, as set forth in the Scrip-
ures, took such hold upon his mind and heart as not
only to create him anew in the purposes and desires
he cherished, but also served to awaken and enlarge
his mental powers. He says of himself at this time,
" The Lord led me in a wonderful way to seek salva-
tion and to make a personal application of the truth
of His Word." The wheelwright's apprentice, with
no schooling, sprang at once into the oflice of teacher.
Overcoming his natural diffidence and the defects of
his education, he took part in the social and prayer-
meetings of the place, was a teacher in the Sabbath-
school, and, on invitation, addressed large audiences
in neighboring places with acceptance and effect.
Having faithfully served his apprenticeship, on
coming to the age of twenty years he began to look
about for the place of his life's work. From early
youth his cherished desire had been to make his
home in America. His brother John had already
established himself here. With him he communi-
cated, making known his wishes. This resulted in
his receiving an invitation from his brother to come
to him. He embarked at Liverpool for this country
August 1, 1822, without a penny in his pocket. He
landed in Boston, where he was to meet his brother,
on September 3d of the same year, with one cent in
his pocket, which he had received as a gift from one
of the passengers. His brother was not in the city
to receive him. The solitary cent was spent for a
drink of ginger beer, and then the penniless young
man went out into the great city to await his fate.
He was directed to a hotel kept by Scotch people,
1650
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MAvSSACHUSETTS.
where he received a cordial welcome. His own words
best describe this reception. It was at the Burns
Tavern, kept by a Mr. Nicholson and wife. " I sup-
pose that all the Scotchmen that were then about
Boston called to see me and get the news from Scot-
land. I was feasted as if I were some great charac-
ter. In the midst of it all I began to think there
was too much whiskey used. I often look back with
tliankfulness to God that I was preserved from the
temptation of drink, which was freely offered to me.
I was then in my twentieth year, and, with the ex-
citement of landing on a foreign shore, I was in a
condition to become an easy prey to the temptation
of strong drink; but, thanks be to God, I was savedl"
In a short time bis brother John came on, and a most
hearty greeting was exchanged between the brothers.
Mr. John Smith was established in business at
Plymouth, and thither they proceeded. Peter en-
tered the employment of the company of which his
brother was the head at eight dollars a month,
" board and washing included." He had not been
here many months before he found himself in the
midst of a religious awakening, similar to that in
which he had received such marked benefit while an
apprentice. His spiritual nature had become some-
what sluggish and cold, but soon felt the old flame
rekindled, and his whole being revived and replen-
ished by the love of God. Again he resumed the
duties of a Sabbath-school instructor and became a
participant in social prayer-meetings. His labors in
these regards were well received and productive of
good. With such felicity, earnestness and success
did he address assemblies of people, that he was
urged by the good Christians of the place to study
for the ministry and devote his life to preaching the
Gospel. His brother John, though not at that time
a professing Christian, offered to furnish him with
the money necessary to obtain a collegiate and min-
isterial education. This was a matter for the most
serious consideration. An entire change in the plan
and labor of life was proposed. After long, painful,
prayerful deliberation he came to the conclusion that
the ministry was not the calling for which he was
best fitted. He never regretted his decision on this
momentous question.
August 24, 1824, at the age of twenty-two, he mar-
ried Miss Rebecca Bartlett, of Plymouth, with whom
he lived for nine years in the enjoyment of the truest
conjugal trust and affection, when she was taken from
him by death, leaving five children, the youngest of
whom was but a day old.
In 1825 the firm of " John Smith & Co., machin-
ists," removed to Andover, where better facilities
were offered for conducting their business. Mr.
Peter Smith, being in the employment of this com-
pany, came with them to Andover. Here he was
noon recognized as an earnest Christian man, active
and zealous in every good word and work. He uni-
ted with the South Church, afterwards with the West
Church. With regard to his Christian work at this
time, he says, '" I was often called upon to take part
in the prayer-meetings. I was very timid at first,
but, as 1 became more acquainted with the brethren
and sisters of the church, I gathered more courage,
and felt that they would overlook any imperfections
in my speech, if my daily life was 'such as becomsth
the Gospel of Christ.' " He was also quite interested
and active in reform measures — temperance and anti-
slavery. His chief pleasure, aside from* that con-
nected with his family, was derived from his religious
privileges and activities, and throughout his life
of constant engagement in business affairs the Sab-
bath and the prayer-meeting were ever the source
to him of the most serene and satisfying enjoyment.
Two years after the death of his first wife he mar-
ried Miss Esther H. Ward, June 5, 1835. She still
survives him, in a good old age, having been the
mother of seven children, four of whom are living.
Dea. Peter Smith had twelve children, four of whom
died before him. The death of these children was a
severe affliction, but his faith in the loving-kindness
of his Heavenly Father and the Christian faith and
character of these departed dear ones served greatly
to assuage his grief.
Soon after the coming of Mr. Dove to Andover, in
the employment of John Smith & Co., Mr. Peter
Smith and Mr. Dove entered into partnership for the
manufacture of chalk lines from cotton. This was to
be done with a machine invented by Mr. Dove. Mr.
Smith proposed to furnish five hundred dollars to pay
for the material, and to support Mr. Dove's family
while he should be engaged in constructing the ma-
chine; Mr. Smith meanwhile retaining charge of his
brother's shop until there should be a good prospect
of success in this new enterprise. The profits of both
the business and the patent for the machine were to
be divided equally. However, before the enterprise
had made much headway, Mr. John Smith, having
satisfied himself that ihe business would be a success,
made an offer to join the two younger men in his em-
ploy, in this new venture. This offer was gladly ac-
cepted, being regarded by the younger brother as
most timely, as the elder had the means for starting a
new enterprise.
When thus constituted, the firm took the name of
" Smith, Dove & Company." The name was after-
wards changed to " The Smith and Dove Manufactur-
ing Company," and it has continued doing business
under this name to the present time, though all the
original proprietors have passed away.
At first this company manufactured machine twine
from cotton yarn. In 1886 they commenced the
manufacture of yarn from flax. It is in this flax
manufacture that they have achieved such signal
success. The patterns for the flax machinery were
brought from the flax-spinning district of Scotland
by Mr. Dove, who visited his native country for the
purpose of obtaining them. The first invoice of shoe
thread made by this company was carried to Boston
by Mr. Peter Smith, in a bundle weighing thirteen
pounds, on a stage-coach. The manufacturer fuund
great difficulty in disposing of his goods, and not
till he became much discouraged by several unsuc-
cessful attempts was he able to effect a sale.
Dea. Smith, or Dea. Peter, as he was familiarly
called, to distinguish him from his brother John, was
not confined in his active labors to the exacting bus-
iness in which he was engaged. He was a director in
several b.anking and railroad corporations; a corpo-
rate member of the American Board of Commission-
ers for Foreign Missions ; trustee of Phillips Academy
and the Theological Seminary ; trustee, and for some
time president of the board of Abbot Academy;
superintendent of the West Parish Sunday-school, and
deacon of the church for a long series of years ; mem-
ber of the State Legislature for two years, and deeply
interested in all public matters affecting the welfare
of the town. When the War of the Rebellion broke
out, he was intensely interested on the side of the
country, promoting enlistment by speech and liberal
contributions, sending his sons into the army, and
giving pecuniary assistance to the government by the
purchase of its securities. He was a Christian patriot
and philanthropist. The unity of the States and the
freedom of the slave moved his soul to its depths.
In this warm devotion to his adopted country he did
not forget the place of his nativity and his fellow-
countrymen. He gave liberally to establish free
schools in Brechin, and was a most generous sup-
porter and member of the Scots Charitable Society, of
Boston.
As a husband and father, son and brother, he was
an example worthy of imitation. His especial delight
was at his own hearth-stone, with his numerous fam-
ily around him. His great anxiety for his children
ever was that they might become the disciples of
Christ, and so spend their lives as to glorify their