Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 1289.
 
ALVIN THOMPSON SMITH

     A pioneer of 1840, and a very worthy citizen of Forest Grove, now deceased,
was one of New England ancestry, having been born in Branford, Connecticut, on
November 17, 1802.  His parents were residents of East Haven, that State.
     He was reared to manhood in his native town, and learned the carpenters'
trade.  In 1827 he removed to the new State of Illinois, where he became the
owner of a farm, and was married to Miss Abigal Raymond, a native of that State.
In 1840 they crossed the plains to Oregon, where they located on a donation
claim of 640 acres of land, situated south of Forest Grove, where the railroad
depot now is.  Here he lived and labored, taking a personal interest in the
moral, religious and political welfare of the county.  In 1858 he was bereft of
his faithful companion of so many years.  His wife was a most estimable lady,
and much lamented by all who knew her.  In 1869 he was remarried, his second
wife being Miss Jane M. Averill, a native of Branford, Connecticut.  Her parents
were Captain Samuel and Betsey (Blackstone) Averill, both natives of Branford,
and of English descent.  Her father was a seafaring man and in the latter part
of his life was a captain.  They had two daughters, and Mrs. Smith's sister now
reside on the old homestead in Branford.  When Mrs. Smith was married she came
West, and resided on a fine farm in Oregon until 1875, when she and husband
removed to Forest Grove, where they purchased property, and built a new
residence, in which Mrs. Smith now resides.  Here, retired from active life, Mr.
smith lived until January 22, 1888, when his death occurred of old age, in his
eighty-fifth year.  He had been a man of strong constitution and great physical
endurance.  In religion he was of the Congregational faith, a strict observer of
the Sabbath, and of all the commandments, and a thorough Christian in practice
as well as in precept.  He was a Republican, and had lived through all the
exciting times of slavery, espousing the cause of the oppressed slave, and,
after the emancipation, was deeply interested in their education.  It was his
desire to be useful to the Indians of Oregon that first brought him to the
coast, as he came as an aid to the missions.  Mr. Smith died without issue, and
bequeathed the home to his widow, together with the whole of the proceeds of the
large ranch, for her use during her life.  After this one-half of the proceeds
is to be given for 999 years to the Home Missionary Society office, on Reed
street, New York, the other half to be used to keep up the expenses of the
property and its administration.  Should the Home Missionary Society cease to
exist, the half of the proceeds are to be paid to some other organization for a
similar purpose, until the expressed term of years expires, when the property is
to go to his heirs.  A large amount of the work of the Home Missionary Society
is among the colored people in the South, where they are establishing schools
and churches.  Mr. Smith's will also provides that should the land be needed for
town purposes, the executor may subdivide it, and lease the lots for a term not
to exceed fifty years.  His will is a remarkable one, and caused much comment
throughout the county, but there is not the slightest doubt but that the good
man was actuated by truly benevolent and worthy motives.  His widow is now his
sole executor, and keeps the farm rented.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.