Rev Eliphalet Smith

Rev. Eliphalet Smith was born 1742 in Grafton, MA. He came to live in Readfield well before 1800 and served the area as a Baptist preacher. About 1790 (1) he purchased land in the 30 Mile River Gore, which is now part of Readfield. Two local histories reveal that Rev. Smith performed weddings in Winthrop in 1795 and preached in Jay in 1799 (2).  No doubt, there are  more of his activities recorded in other local histories.


Little more is known about Rev. Smith at this time. We do know he died before April 17, 1807 because on this date Eliphalet's "farm with buildings thereon" were sold by his sons Eliphalet and Charles for $1,200 to Josiah Gordon of Mt. Vernon. Their father had willed them his property (both of them were residents of Readfield). The deed placed it in 30 Mile River Gore and size 75 acres. It also provides another important piece of information "the homestead where he (Eliphalet) formerly lived". Josiah Gordon sold this property to Luther Sampson later on, who was the founder of Kents Hill School (Maine Wesleyan Seminary) in 1821. I find it ironic that Maine Wesleyan Seminary was built on the home site of an early Baptist missionary. An institution where many Methodist and Universalist ministers hence received their religious training. This is hallowed ground indeed.


(1) Kennebec County Registry of Deeds book 11 page 222
(2) Stackpole's History of Winthrop; pub 1925 and History of Jay by Benj. Lawrence; pub.1912