OBITUARY.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13934, 17 July 1917, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MRS JESSIE T. SMITH,

(Contributed.)

The passing a'way of Mrs Jessie T. Smith severs one of the few remaining links that connect the present generation with that of the early pioneers of Otago. Born in Glasgow seventy-five years ago, she remained there till in ISC2 she became enamoured by the (ir stories of wealth and faille that came from the wilds of Otago. In ISG2 she tailed for Dunedin in the good ship I'laddo (Captain Boyd), and upon landing rapidly found Iter way to the El 'Dorado,'settling at Waitahuna, and there was married in 1801 to the late IJobcrt V 7, Smith, who died in Oamaru sixteen years ago, lie was it sailor and a very handy nian. lie came to Otago as boatswain in the ship Wave Queen in ISM, and made his way to the 'digging?, working in turns as carpenter and digger. When the rail way began he became a bridge carpenter, and was shifted to Oamaru in 1874, and worked upon the Waitaki bridge from its start to its completion, and then upon the Oamaru Lagoon bridge and other railway works, till ill-health retired him, and after a painful illness passed to his rest. They had a family of six sons, all now alive. James and John in Christchurch, Robert in Waimate, William and Alexander in Waiaroa, These arc married, and have large families, llrs Smith till about two months ago kept house in Oamaru for hor youngest son, Albert, of the firm of Hodgn and Jones, saddlers, who has been called to the colours, and isSiow in training at Trenchant. She went to reside with Robert in Waimate, but although she had every attention gradually sunk, passing away on Thursday morning. The sympathy of the older residents is offered to the family. Jt is noteworthy that there are besides the six sons, eighteen grandchildren, one in the Navy and one in the Army, upholding the honour of the Dominion.