Rufus Smith is buried in the Bell Farm Cemetery in Middlefield, Massachusetts.

Biography by Albert L Williams

Grandpa Smith, Increase, was a great friend of mine, and used to tell me many tales of his youth, but so far as memory recalls they had to do with the stony land, the picking of stone and building of stone fences. They had to make their fields small in order to build their fences long enough to take up the stone. Strangely, they made few buildings of stone. The only stories I can remember which brought in his father, had to do with severe discipline and his collecting the wages which he, grandpa Increase, earned as an apprentice. I gained the impression of a comfortable old fashioned home, with the big fireplaces, the outside Dutch oven where their bread was baked. I learned that the shakes turned rain perfectly, but let the snow blow through, and that woe betide the sleepy youngster who disturbed the coverings, letting a deluge of snow in onto his neck.

I learned to admire and love Grandma Sally, a woman cultured beyond her station, a most capable household executive and admirable housekeeper. She was intimately associated with Grandpa’s stories of home life, while his stories of farm life did not involve so much the chief actor. The old flip glass and blue sugar-bowl, the latter destroyed in brother Ed’s fire, are treasures which came down to my day.

Grandpa had rheumatism as a youth, and Rufus used to be assigned the Job of rubbing his back with alcohol. Once, after he had, soaked the back well, he touched the flame of the candle to it. The rheumatism was cured, but the skin came off’ the entire back. Strangely, to me, that was only a prank, a thing to laugh at.

Will

In the name of God Amen I Rufus Smith of Middlefield, county of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound & perfect mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows, viz I give and bequeath unto my three oldest sons viz Rufus, Increase and Alpheus, the sum of Five Hundred Dollars each to be paid after my decease. I also give and bequeath unto my youngest son Sylvester all the remainder of my estate both real and personal household furniture excepted. Provided the said Sylvester is to take care of me and my wife to provide forever comfortable support with all such things as suitable food and clothing, and all other necessary things suitable to our comfort and convience in sickness and health during each of our natural lives, and the said Sylvester is to provide and furnish me and my wife with a suitable horse and waggon, or sleigh to carry us to meetings on the Sabbath and at other times as we shall want and to furnish me and my wife with a suitable horse wagon, sleigh or some other suitable mode of conveyance to any other place whenever I or my wife shall want the privilege. The said Sylvester is [to] pay all debts against the estate. I hereby appoint the said Sylvester sole executor of this my last will and testament.