Building History Together: New Information on Zoeth Smith

Antique Cemetery Engraving

While researching and documenting Revolutionary War veterans for our monument, members compiled extensive information on dozens of local patriots. Thanks to a recent tip from fellow member Diane Coose Littlefield, we may now have another clue to add to the story of Zoeth Smith.

Hampdenite of the Revolution Zoeth Smith was born 1762 and died 1848. While researching veterans for the monument, some details of Zoeth Smith's burial remained elusive; this week Diane Coose Littlefield, a helpful member, contacted us after doing some grave digging (online, thankfully).

Ms. Littlefield, of Hampden, is a member of four historical societies and is accomplished in genealogy. She says, she just couldn't let the mystery sit:

I am a current member of this (plus 4 other) Historical Societies. I've also worked on more than 20 Genealogies so when I see a post that says ''CEMETERY UNK(nown)'' I just have to see if I can help.

In her email she shared,

On FINDAGRAVE it shows that Zoeth SMITH 1762-1848 born in Maine, was/is buried in the ''Old Methodist Church Cemetery in Bucksport, Hancock County, Maine, USA (quote..... Zoeth Smith was a Revolutionary War Land Tract 100 Acre Veteran and was a member of the Old Methodist Church* and is proven to have been buried in this Cemetery, by the 1930 listing taken when the stones were still intact. He was buried next to his wife Hepzibah). [below it showed her as Hepzibah Smith, unknown birth but death date 1837] Memorial ID 84725018.

I found the above, this morning. It MAY be the same Zoeth SMITH that is shown on the nice sign.

One of the wonderful things about community oriented history is that the community gets to help. We all have a part to play in gathering, sharing, remembering and recording, and it's wonderful to watch it come together.

She also had this fun footnote to add about the gentlemen who helped build our memorial (and trolley hut), member Will Nickerson:

I've known Will NICKERSON since he was in school here in Hampden. In fact, he did some yard work for me way back when he was at HA [hampden academy].

As a Teacher Aide for 10 years, I also worked for his Mother, one of the nicest Teacher's at Weatherbee School.

And imagining Will Nickerson raking up leaves in high school is my favorite historical moment of the day. Thank you to Ms. Littlefield for her scholarship and stories.

We invite you to reach out to hampdenhistoryinfo@gmail.com with any interesting connections to the revolution, additional information, or heck even more stories of members in their younger days. If you appreciate the sense of community and connection that history brings, please consider donating today.

*Editor's note: Neither the old methodist church nor cemetery are present today. But the town installed a marker at the site. Find A Grave hosts a photo and mentions that while stones were removed, none were disinterred.

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