Excerpt from The Walkers of Peterborough in New Hampshire: Concord, October, 1899

William Smith, of Moneymar, in northern Ireland, on his father's side Scotch, and English by his mother, emigrated to New Hampshire with the Scotch-Irish who settled Derry and Londonderry, Nut-field (now Manchester), and the Monaduoc townships, round the mountain of that name. He was in Peterborough (named for the gallant earl of that century) before 1750, and there married, December 31, 1751. Elizabeth Morison, granddaughter of Samuel Morison and Margaret Wallace (of Sir William Wallace's race), who had suffered ill the famous siege of Derry. Elizabeth herself was born in Loudonderry, N. H. She inherited and transmitted from her mother, according to family tradition, "all the wit and smartness of the Morisons and Smiths." Her most illustrious sou, Jeremiah Smith, son of William, was born in a log house, near the present Smith homestead (which was built in 1770), Nov. 29, 1759; lie was one of a large family, very few of whose descendants now remain in Peterborough, which they almost founded, and long controlled, or shared its control. His cider brother, James Smith, of Cavendish, Vt., was the father of Sarah, who married James Walker, Esq., of Rindge, and was the favorite niece of Judge Smith; a younger brother, Samuel Smith, built the first factory in Peterborough, and drew down the scattered village from the hilltops to the lovely valley where it now nestles, around the windings of its two rivers.

Jeremiah, who lived to be called "the handsomest old man and the wittiest wise man" in New Hampshire. was early designated for a studious and distinguished career. Without neglecting the rude labors of his father's great farm, he read and remembered everything that came in his way. At twelve, when lie "could reap as much rye in a day as a man," he began to study Latin with an Irish hedge-school-master; at seventeen he entered Harvard college, but was drawn away for two mouths to fight under Stark at Bennington. His captain, Stephen Parker of New Ipswich, the next hilltown, on the morning of the fight ordered the lad upon some duty that appeared to be safe, not wishing to have his neighbor's boy killed in his first campaign. But when the battle was hot, and Stark was charging the Hessian intrenchments, Captain Parker saw Jerry Smith by his side. "What are you here for?" "Oh, sir, I thought I ought to follow my captain."

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