Generation
VII.1366. George Clayton Smith, b. May 31, 1827 (Alma 6, Grove 5, Jos. 4, Jos.3, Dan.2, Wm.1). Mar. Apr. 5, 1854, Mary Ann Dietrich, b. Dec. 13, 1834; d. July 15, 1892. Did reside Grand Rapids, Mich. (Records by Geo. C. Smith).
Copy of letter "7-1-1905. 77 Henry Street, Grand Rapids. Mr. W. W. Gray, West Bay City. Dear Brother--
Yours of June 19, reached me here yesterday, and in answer please find the following:----
Maynard Maltby settled a half mile down the creek from the Brighton Flouring Mills, in the month of May, 1834.
Our nearest neighbor was John Henry, living on the west side of Funday Lake. Settlers came in on the old Grand River State road. The first oak plank my uncle made in his saw mill (some of the mill dam is there yet) was put into a school house on the north side of the pike about 80 or 100 rods east of the road that forks off south on the plains. There, to the best of my memory, the first Christian services were held.
I was a district and Sunday School scholar there until the fall of '38. A Miss Bush was my first Sunday School teacher. Can't recoll- ect the preachers so well as I can my School masters. Uncle and Aunt were members of the M.E. Church but don't know whether or both were members of any church where they lived, one in Henrietta, the other in Brighton, south of Rochester, New York.
In the fall of '38 Uncle moved back to York State, and I was sent to live with Maynard's younger brother, Almon Maltby, two miles south of Brighton. In the fall of '43, I returned to York State and only made visits back here until I settled in the State the fall of '60.
I was born in Henrietta, Wayne Co., N.Y., May 31, 1827. Am living with my oldest widowed daughter.
In the pioneer days the woods were full of wolves, bears, deer and snakes. I have seen as many as 300 Chippewa Indians in camp near Uncle's house a week or more at a time, when going or coming from Detroit in the spring. The little chaps were my playmates. I can remember some of the Indian words yet. When something comes up to attract my thoughts to those days, I have to ask myself, "Isn't some of the past a dream and not a reality?" (Following was not clearly decipherable). "For see an old appearing state of several ties of counties in my short life. Yours in Christian bonds.
Geo. Clayton Smith."
Children of George Clayton Smith and Mary Ann Dietrich:
VIII.2650. Edwin Eugene Smith, b. May 20, 1855.
VIII.2651. David Dietrich " b. Dec. 25, 1856.
VIII.2652. Ida Elizabeth " b. May 20, 1858;
mar. Mr. Fish at Ann Arbor, Mich.
VIII.2653. Carrie Alma " b. Sept. 27, 1859.
VIII.2654. Lidia Viola " b. Aug. 14, 1861; d. aged 1 year.
VIII.2655. Baby " b. Aug. 30, 1863; d. 9 hours old.
VIII.2656. Willis Luther " b. Aug. 22, 1864; d. one year old.
VIII.2657. Fannie Emma " b. July 13, 1867.
VII.1367. Cynthia Smith, b. May 12, 1830 (Alma 6, Grove 5, Jos.4, Jos. 3, Dan.2, Wm.1). Mar. Mch. 29, 1854, Homer Gorton; she d. in 1874.
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