Amasa Smith
Rank: Pvt Co: K Age: 18 Residence: Waterboro Birthplace: Waterboro Occupation: farmer
Married/Single: S Height: 5' 6 Eyes: Bl Hair: Lt Complexion: Lt
AMASA SMITH was born in Waterboro, Maine [Descriptive Roll; death rec], the son of Benjamin and Susan Smith. He died in Waterboro, Maine on 6 Aug 1917 from suicide [ME death rec], and was buried in the Horace Thing cemetery in Waterboro.
He was married first, in Effingham, NH in 1872 [NH vr - only yr given] to MARY A (EMERY) PRAY, the daughter of John and Rosanna Emery. She was born in Waterboro ca Nov 1826 [1900 census], and died there on 5 Feb 1901 [ME vr]. She was buried in the West Road Community Cemetery in Waterboro [Waterboro Cem Recs].
He secondly married, on 20 Oct 1903 in Waterboro [ME vr], to LAURA JANE (THING) GUPTILL. She was born in Waterboro ca 1855, the daughter of Horace and Julia Thing, and died there on 27 Aug 1911, aged 56 [ME vr]. She was buried in her family's cemetery plot in Waterboro, at the Thyng (Thing) Mill.
Amasa was a farmer at the time of his enlistment in 1862, and worked as such for most of his life. He also did day laborer work in Waterboro and Shapleigh. Besides his service with the 27th Maine, he had also reenlisted near the end of the war, and served in an unassigned company (from 4 Apr to 10 May 1865) with the 30th Maine Infantry. His military veteran gravestone shows only his service with the 30th Maine.
He didn't have any children from either wife.
He was married first, in Effingham, NH in 1872 [NH vr - only yr given] to MARY A (EMERY) PRAY, the daughter of John and Rosanna Emery. She was born in Waterboro ca Nov 1826 [1900 census], and died there on 5 Feb 1901 [ME vr]. She was buried in the West Road Community Cemetery in Waterboro [Waterboro Cem Recs].
He secondly married, on 20 Oct 1903 in Waterboro [ME vr], to LAURA JANE (THING) GUPTILL. She was born in Waterboro ca 1855, the daughter of Horace and Julia Thing, and died there on 27 Aug 1911, aged 56 [ME vr]. She was buried in her family's cemetery plot in Waterboro, at the Thyng (Thing) Mill.
Amasa was a farmer at the time of his enlistment in 1862, and worked as such for most of his life. He also did day laborer work in Waterboro and Shapleigh. Besides his service with the 27th Maine, he had also reenlisted near the end of the war, and served in an unassigned company (from 4 Apr to 10 May 1865) with the 30th Maine Infantry. His military veteran gravestone shows only his service with the 30th Maine.
He didn't have any children from either wife.
Additional Source Data:
1850 Waterboro, ME census: hh 281/295 called "Amsey"
1860 Waterboro census (pg 40): hh 316/329 "Amsa", age 17, w/ Simon and Dorcas Carpenter
1870
1880 Waterboro (pg 13): hh 89/100
1900 Waterboro (pg 3B): hh 78/77
1900 Shapleigh, ME census ( ): hh 48/50: Amasa also listed in this town, renting a place and working as a day laborer
Below are two newspaper articles about Amasa's suicide. Note the differing accounts on who found the body and when. "Buff Plains" is the area now within the Waterboro Pine Barrens conservation land, which also extends into Shapleigh. Had he gone fishing in Pine Springs Lake, he may have still been on Shapleigh land, or if he went to the Buff Brook, he was in Waterboro. The Thing/Thyng Mill was located on the Buff Brook, and his father-in-law lived near there. This is where he was buried, in the family graveyard near the former mill.
1850 Waterboro, ME census: hh 281/295 called "Amsey"
1860 Waterboro census (pg 40): hh 316/329 "Amsa", age 17, w/ Simon and Dorcas Carpenter
1870
1880 Waterboro (pg 13): hh 89/100
1900 Waterboro (pg 3B): hh 78/77
1900 Shapleigh, ME census ( ): hh 48/50: Amasa also listed in this town, renting a place and working as a day laborer
Below are two newspaper articles about Amasa's suicide. Note the differing accounts on who found the body and when. "Buff Plains" is the area now within the Waterboro Pine Barrens conservation land, which also extends into Shapleigh. Had he gone fishing in Pine Springs Lake, he may have still been on Shapleigh land, or if he went to the Buff Brook, he was in Waterboro. The Thing/Thyng Mill was located on the Buff Brook, and his father-in-law lived near there. This is where he was buried, in the family graveyard near the former mill.
From the Biddeford Weekly Journal, 8/10/1917
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From the Springvale Advocate, 8/10/1917
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