David D Smith

Private, Company C

"David D Smith was born in Lodi, Seneca County N.Y. In 1842 he moved with his family, a brother, and two sisters to the Greenwood area. The 1860 census shows that the family had grown to nine children...

"David enlisted May 13, 1861 for a 3 year term at Scio NY. He was mustered into Company C of the 67th New York, 1st Long Island Volunteers. He was wounded at Seven Pines-Fair Oaks on May 31, 1862 and was hospitalized at Douglas USA General Hospital, Washington DC...

"Smith's right hand was shattered and the doctors at Douglas Hospital were preparing to amputate...however, President Lincoln was going through the ward that day, came upon the injured soldier and asked what he could do for him...

"Smith said 'don't let them take off my arm. I'm a farmer and I won't be able to farm'. And he also asked for a glass of buttermilk. Lincoln left to talk to the doctors and Smith got both his requests...

"David Smith was discharged on October 25, 1862. For a period of time between his discharge and marriage he worked in Titusville PA area in the oil fields...

"On January 21, 1868 he married Amelia Barber Saxton, a Civil War widow. She had one son, John Saxton. Together they had 5 children: Ada, Jay, Bertha, Mae, and Sarah. Sarah is buried in the same plot as her parents. Amelia passed away on October 10, 1912. David remarried to Josephine Wheeler Saxton on September 29, 1917. David died in Whitesville NY on September 23, 1920 and was buried in Hobers Corners Cemetery on September 26, 1920."


All information above was kindly provided by David Bates, great-great-grandson of David Smith.

Excerpt from Smith's Obituary:
David Dilts Smith--Civil War Veteran Passed away at his daughter's home in Whitesville after a short illness with which he was stricken while visiting relatives. From the home of his daughter, Mrs Ross Cornell of Whitesville, NY on the morning of Sept 23, David D. Smith, formerly of West Union, passed out of this world of sorrow and suffering to the immortal life. He had been in failing health for some time. On July 19 he left his home in Ashville for a visit with his children in this vicinity and was soon taken critically ill with heart trouble and complications of diseases. During the seven weeks of his suffering he bore it so patiently and was ever thoughtful of those around him, which speaks of a kind and loving father. David D. Smith was born in the town of Lodi, Seneca, NY, August 23, 1842, the oldest of 11 children born to Elijah B. and Elsie Dilts Smith. His grandparents, Elijah B. and Abigail Wilson Smith came from the town of Greenwood to West Union in 1840. He was a sculptor and mason by trade and a soldier in the war of 1812. David D. was reared on a farm and settled in the town of West Union in 1868 where he has since lived with the exception of the last 2 years of his life spent near Jamestown, NY. At the beginning of the Civil War when the call came for volunteers, he was one of the first to enlist from the town of Greenwood, in Co. C, 67th NY Vol, April 1861. He was wounded by gunshot at the battle of Fair Oaks, May 30, 1862 and was honorably discharged Oct 1862. Mr. Smith was married Jan 27, 1868 to Mrs Amelia N. Saxton who died March 10, 1912. To them were born 5 children, 3 of whom are left to mourn the loss of a kind and loving father: Mrs Ross Cornell of Whitesville, Jay Smith, Mrs Slocum and one stepson, John Saxton of West Union. Mrs Bertha Brownell died May 1908 and Edith, April 1890, in infancy. He also leaves 14 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren, besides one brother, Wm. Smith of Costello, PA and 5 sisters: Mrs Matilda Corwin of Eau Claire, Wis; Mrs Chas. Reed of Union City, PA; Mrs Eber Fanton of Costello, PA; Mrs Abson of Rochester, NY; and Mrs Isaac Baker of Coudersport, PA. Sept. 29, 1917 he was married to Mrs Josephine Cook of Ashville, NY who survives him. Burial at Rexville Cemetery.