Editor, The Smithfield Times:

John Edwards’ column last week concerning the preserving of the courthouse on Main Street in Smithfield (“Long-ago Times publisher ran afoul of town matriarchs”) was very enlightening and an enjoyable read. 

I find it very interesting that a small band of visionary citizens turned into somewhat of a groundswell, going against the grain of the then power structure and resulting in the preservation of what is certainly a historic treasure. However, in recent years the local power system has mostly won. 

The lady with the vineyard at Windsor Castle was welcomed, then with some legal wrangling, she got the boot. Some would say that the power structure decided she was in the way of a better idea, so she had to go. 

Preserve Smithfield, a nonprofit, was formed in an attempt to save the Thomas Pierce plantation, which also predated the Revolutionary War and used to be touted as important to the town’s history until the (at that time) town’s power structure, big money and special interests decided otherwise. 

A prominent historian advised that the house, though dilapidated, should be saved/restored due to it being one of the few surviving of its type from the period. At least one historical organization allowed that it would get involved if the town would get involved financially. Zero interest or cooperation from the town’s power structure. Much legal wrangling led to it being razed quickly after the deed transfer.

When the Pierce house was razed, Preserve Smithfield sort of threw in the proverbial towel and shut down. It was decided to donate its remaining funds to the courthouse.

A disappointingly low number of persons donated to the cause. Not to toot my horn, but I personally donated $500. I do somewhat also blame the citizenry for not getting more involved. The courthouse won again and that is fine. Thomas Pierce has disappeared from Smithfield and the courthouse lives on. Future citizens lost. 

So, Thomas Pierce, in a sense, while being banished from his town (which once held him in high esteem), from the grave helped fund the continued preservation of his town’s courthouse. Irony of ironies.

 

Bob Hines

Smithfield