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- David Smith, Blue Rock Quaker Burial Ground, Zanesville, Ohio
(Parts of the article were eliminated either as they were unreadable or as they did not add much about David Smith.)
Visiting the graveyard, formerly the burying ground at the 1st Quaker meeting house in Blue Rock Twp., now called Debrow, I noticed marble slabs at the graves of David Smith and____ his wife. David Smith died the first month 1864, aged 80 years, 2 months and 18 days. Mary_____ died August 16, 1854 aged 58 years., 8 months and 9 days.
David Smith was one of the first settlers in the vicinity of Rural Dale. His farm was in Morgan county near the county line. He was one of the first families from Chester County , Pennsylvania who came to Ohio at an early day. By association and business he was closely connected with, indeed one of that band of pioneers who did so much for the improvement of the settlement in the southern part of our county. I will give a short sketch of him. He came from Chester County in the year 1818. He remained on the river farm for a short time, then settled on land which he improved and which was his home until he died.
He was a very robust healthy man, industrious and one of the best farmers in his vicinity. He was a lover of good horses and had the best team in his neighborhood. His team of four bay horses, when hauling his crop or wheat to Duncan Falls was admired by all who saw them.
When living on the river farm he caught __________ ________(ed: this part can not be made out as there is a bad spot in the paper after 100 years, it continues with) rocking the children was made of them, which was used for rocking his children, then his grandchildren, and now is in use for the fourth generation. When the walnut boards were taken from the river Mr. Smith hardly dreamed that his children and then his grandchildren would use them. Small things are often of great value when properly used.
In 1820 Absolem Roberts and James Hammit were the Justices of the Peace in Blue Rock and David Smith Justice in Bloom Township.
Wild animals in the area where David Smith's farm is now located were numerous when he came. Panthers, bears, wolves, deer and wild turkeys were found and much annoyance at times to the farmers by their attacks on the farm animals. Venomous snakes were common and care had to be taken to prevent harm from them. David Smith killed a rattlesnake near his dwelling which measured near seven feet long. It was first seen by his son Richard, who called his father's attention to it. Mr. Smith placed a forked stick across the neck of the snake, thus securing it and preventing it from harming him, when he struck it a blow with a stick to cause it to rattle. The blow was too heavy and killed it. He cut off its head and buried it to prevent danger from its fangs, then skinned it. In 1829 Joseph Frame from Chester County visited and he took the skin of this snake to present it to the West Chester Museum. The skin was stuffed a head and tail added and for years it was seen at that place.
Large black snakes were plentiful on the creek bottom and many of them of large size. A neighbor of Mr. Smith was very much afraid of snakes and as innocent fun was in order at the expense of the more timid ones. One day there was a log rolling near Mr. Smith's and he had to pass the dwelling of his timid neighbor who was also going to assist that afternoon. Mr. Smith went a short distance when he killed a black snake and then two more. He placed them across the path his friend would travel and then hid himself to wait. In a short time his friend came by in a cheerful manner when he nearly stepped on snake #1. He gave a loud "OH" and jumped nearly landing on snake #2, his alarm increased when he soon came on snake #3. He gave a scream and ran for his life. The snake killer leisurely strolled after him to where the other men were collected for work. When the story was told much innocent amusement was had at the expense of the timid man.
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Source: This article came from a series on the Pioneers of Muskingum County and printed in the Zanesville Courier, 1885.
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