Martha Griffiths was the daughter of Rev. Joseph Griffiths and his wife, Elizabeth (Lozier). She was born October 27, 1817 in New York. Joseph and Elizabeth had twelve children; Joseph (1806-1822), John (1807), Charles (1810-1822), Mary (1813), Elizabeth (1815) , Martha (1817), William (1819), Rachel (1822), Joseph ( 1824-1830), Julie Ann (1826-1829) , Margaret (1830), Alfred (1831).

Martha married John Dewitt Smith after the death of his first wife Eleanor Blauvelt Smith in 1850. John and Martha had a daughter, Elizabeth, in 1854.  In the 1860 Federal Census, John and Martha are found in Orangetown, Rochland County, New York.  John is 53 years old and Martha is ten years younger. John’s occupation is listed a “Gentleman”. His real estate is valued at $30,000 which is a lot of money for 1860. Their daughter Elizabeth is six years old. In the 1865 New York State Census, they remain in Orangetown, New York.  In the 1870 Federal Census, John Dewitt Smith lists his occupation as farmer. He has $20,000 in real estate value, Elizabeth is now 16 and Martha is 63. They have a servant working for them, Minnie Fields, and a laborer whose name is Jesse Blauvelt. Jesse was likely related to John Dewitt Smith’s first wife, Eleanor Blauvelt.

One hundred and twenty six years ago, Martha died in Orangetown, New York. The follow is a transcript of her obit found on Findagrave.com posted by Jenny.

“The Funeral of the Late Mrs. Martha G Smith”

The funeral services for Mrs. Martha G. Smith widow of the late John D. Witt Smith, who died Saturday last, was held on Tuesday last at her late residence on Broadway, north of First Avenue. The house was filled with friends of the deceased and the services were solemn and impressive. The Rev. J.L. Campbell, of New York, who a few years ago was Mrs. Smith’s pastor in the Nyach Baptist Church, was present and conducted the service and spoke feelingly of the deceased and her good work in her Master’s cause. The interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Smith is the daughter of the late Rev. Joseph N. Griffiths, who in 1817 held the first religious services under the auspice of the Baptist Church in Rochland County.  Rev. Griffiths, who may have said to have been the father of the Baptist Church in Rochland County died in 1860 at the age of three score and eight years. Mrs. Smith became connected with the Nyach Baptist Church in her early years and her labors for that organization and the cause it represents were faithful to the last. Side by side with other devoted members, she worked for the upbuilding of the church and was identified with all its interests, her labors never ceasing until her final illness brought her to her bed and broke the cord which bound her to the earth.

Mrs. Smith leaves one daughter, Lizzie Hopper, wife of G.H. Hopper, one of the dry goods merchants of this place. One sister also survives her, Mrs Margaret Gurnee, widow of the late Alfred Gurnee.”

As the Obit states she is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Oak Hill Cemetery

Rest in peace, Martha

Love, Jan

Martha is my seventh cousin two times removed.