With the front of the venue’s main room set up like an
old-fashioned sitting room, the organization presented author Claire Nicolas
White’s new book The Land of the Smiths:
A Collection of Personal Memoirs. White, who was married to a descendant of
both Smithtown’s town founder and architect Stanford White, was fortunate to
read many of the writings of Smith family members. She also was able to enjoy a
few years with her husband’s grandmother, Bessie White, who was the daughter of
a Smith and married to Stanford. Bessie grew up in Judge Lawrence Smith’s house
that still stands today on the property of the Smithtown Historical Society.
Today’s reception began with the over 100 attendees mingling
while enjoying free refreshments and buying the new history book. WMHO
President Gloria D. Rocchio gave a brief introduction and thanked sponsors Lessing’s,
The Smithtown News and Damianos Realty Group.
The trip back in time began as pianist Richard Foley and
violinist Ryan Foley played a medley of Stephen Foster songs including “Oh! Susanna"
and “Camptown Races”. The brief musical performance was followed by a
vignette called “A Visit with Miss Smith” written by Ms. White and performed by
local actress Jean Linzee. The old-fashioned sitting room was the perfect
backdrop for this peek into the life of one of Judge Lawrence Smith’s daughters
and Bessie White’s sister. Not only did Linzee transport the audience back in
time to the days of Ella’s youth, but also let us in on what life was like for a
young Smith in the late 1800s. Ella
reminded guests that there was a time when Main Street was filled with Smiths
and the town’s train station was a new addition. However, the most touching
part of the monologue is when we find that Ella had fallen in love with her
cousin on her mother’s side, James Clinch. While many Smiths married cousins,
her father didn’t approve. To keep her away from her crush, the judge locked
Ella in a cage in the attic for a month! And while the punishment was uncalled
for, and your heart may break for the young girl, Ella did move on to marry Devereux Emmet, a
wealthy golf course designer and realtor. The Emmet’s became the proud
owners of the house Sherrewogue
on Harbor Road in Head of the Harbor.
When it was Ms. White’s turned to speak, she was very modest
and after a few sentences joked that the audience would probably prefer if she
just signed books. However, she did graciously answer a few questions. With a
half a dozen or so Smiths on hand, including Nissequogue Mayor Richard Smith,
many wanted to know if Ms. White had ever been familiar with this Smith or that
Smith. At one point, the conversation turned to town founder, Richard Smythe,
acquiring the land known as Smithtown from his friend Lion Gardiner and not by
riding a bull. Ms. White reminded us that not many places have such a charming
story attached to it.
Since I just bought the book today, I can’t write a review
of it just yet. However, thumbing through the pages, I can tell you the Holland-born author
came to Long Island looking for “a sense of place to complete my identity”. After
today’s reception, it’s seems as if she not only found that, but with her book
will provide many more Smithtown residents with a sense of place and appreciation
of its town’s wonderful history.
For more information on The
Land of the Smiths: A Collection of Personal Memoirs call the Ward
Melville Heritage Organization at 631-751-2244.
Jean Linzee as Ella Smith.
Ms. White signing books at the end of the presentation.
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