Nathaniel Smith (1813-1897) of Smith and Grace
1813 July 27th. Possibly the son of William Smith (b.1785)
1861 Living at Bridge Street, Thrapston: Nathaniel Smith (age 47 born Kettering), Engine Manufacturer. With his wife Ann Smith (age 45 born Thrapston) and their nine children; George Smith (age 19 born Stamford), Engine Smith; Mary Smith (age 16 born Stamford); Edwin Smith (age 14 born Stamford); Harriett Smith (age 11 born Stamford); Emma Smith (age 9 born Stamford); Alfred Smith (age 7 born Kettering); Nathaniel Smith (age 4 born Thrapston); Fanny Smith (age 2 born Thrapston); and William Smith (age 7 months born Thrapston). Note: Three adjoining houses in Bridge Street with Robert Smith, Nathaniel Smith and Henry Smith[1]
1897 March 26th. Died. Retired engineer. Probate to Alfred Smith and William Smith, engineer.
1897 Obituary[2]
Funeral of Mr. Nathaniel Smith.— Mr. Nathaniel Smith, who died at his residence, Rosebery Villa, Friday last, was buried the Baptist Chapel graveyard Wednesday.
Mr. Smith was well-known figure in the town, he having lived there over 40 years. He was the founder of the firm now known as Smith and Grace, which is being carried on by his sons.
The funeral cortege left the house of Mr. George Smith at three o'clock. The coffin, which was covered with wreaths, was preceded about 100 men from the foundry, and was followed by several members of the family, viz., Mr. and Mrs. G. Smith, Mrs. Dyson (daughter), Mr. E. Smith and Miss Smith, Mr. and Mrs. A. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. N. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. W Smith (sons and their wives), Mr. Loake (brother-in-law), Mr. Theodore Smith and Miss Millie Smith (grandchildren), Mr. Cottingham Fisher and Hutchinson (friends of the family). The chapel was crowded with sympathetic congregation, the late Mr. Smith having been for many years connected with the town, and had made many friends. He was always generous the poor; especially fond of children; a leading man in the Good Templars; strong supporter of the Band of Hope.
Mr. Smith retired from the firm some years since, and since that time has devoted his whole time to improve the condition of his poorer brethren. The coffin, which was plain oak with a solid brass breastplate bore the inscription: "Nathaniel Smith, born July 27th, 1813, died March 1897." The coffin was covered with handsome wreaths the following: family, Florrie and Jack, Maud and Hilda, Evelyn and Frank, Eleans and Ailcoyne, grandchildren; Rev. and Mrs. Kingsford and children, W. and A. M. Essex, H. E. and W. Lack (Wellingborough), Alice and Minnie Ward.
1897 Obituary [3]
The death of Mr. Nathaniel Smith, Thrapston, has removed from that town a venerable and revered inhabitant, and the district is the poorer for the loss of esteemed worker in religious and temperance circles.
Mr. Smith was the founder of Thrapston's leading industry, but was known in wider circle for his temperance work. There is hardly a village in the neighbourhood where he was not known in this capacity, his work chiefly amongst the children, who used love the old man. I can well remember him more than 20 years ago going about the villages round about Thrapston, taking the lead in the Band of Hope meetings, and how the children used to throng round him to receive his cheerful smile and kindly word. His beaming face used to tell how happy he was amongst the young, and how he enjoyed his labours in trying to inculcate in them the lessons of temperance.
Of late years he became very feeble, and had to stop active work for the cause he loved, but his interest in it kept up to the last. The whole district genuinely mourns now that is gone.