Service Record (select pages from the National Archives): x
Service Ledger (Town of Acton): page  26-27, 32-33, 68-69 (PDF)

Pension File (select pages from the National Archives):  7 pages  (PDF*)

Luke Smith served as orderly for Captain Daniel Tuttle’s Company E of the 6th Massachusetts and passed through Baltimore on April 19, 1861.  After his first three-month enlistment, he signed on with the 26th Massachusetts, along with his son-in-law James W. Fiske. While at Ship Island, he suffered a severe attack of rheumatism and was subsequently discharged. In 1864, he re-enlisted in the 6th Massachusetts, along with his son, George D. Smith. This final enlistment was for 100 days, at which point he had passed the age of 50. He is recognized as Acton’s oldest Civil War soldier at his time of service. As a civilian, Smith earned his living at various times as a stonecutter and wheelwright. Before he died in 1899 at the age of 87, he lived on Main Street in Acton Center. Sergeant Smith’s father Solomon had served in Captain Isaac Davis’ minuteman company at Concord’s North Bridge on April 19, 1775.  (Text from "Not Afraid to Go", exhibit at the Acton Memorial Library)

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Luke Smith, a 37 year old stone mason, is recorded as an inhabitant of Acton in the 1850 federal census, in household (dwelling no. 86/102) with Mary Smith, age 31; Nancy M. Smith, age 11; Mary A. Smith, age 10, and George D. Smith, age 5 ("1850 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com).

Luke Smith, age 43, a stonecutter, is recorded in the 1855 Massachusetts State Census for Acton, in household (dwelling no. 125) with Mary Smith, age 36; Nancy Maria Smith, age 19; and George Delando Smith, age 9  (Lainhart, 1855 and 1865 Massachusetts State Censuses for Acton: 18.)

Luke Smith, age 47, a stone mason, is recorded as an inhabitant of Acton (dwelling no. 114) in the 1860 federal census, in household with Mary Smith, age 41; George D. Smith, age 15; and Lucilla, age 8 and 1/2 ("1860 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com).

Luke Smith, age 52, a wheelwright, is recorded in the 1865 Massachusetts State Census for Acton, in household (dwelling no. 7) with Mary Smith, age 46; George Delando Smith, age 19; and Luella Smith, age 5 (Lainhart, 1855 and 1865 Massachusetts State Censuses for Acton: 43.)

Luke Smith, age 57, a wheelwright, is recorded as an inhabitant of Acton (dwelling no. 29/37) in the 1870 federal census, in household with Mary Smith, age 51, and Luella Smith, age 9 ("1870 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com).

Luke Smith, age 67, a stone cutter, is recorded as an inhabitant of Acton (dwelling no. 84/95) in the 1880 federal census, in household with Mary Smith, age 61, and Lulaa Smith, age 20 ("1880 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com).

Luke Smith is recorded in the 1890 special veterans census as a resident of Acton ("1890 Veterans Schedules," Ancestry.com).

Name included on the Acton Memorial Library Soldiers' Tablet, "The Men of Acton Who Fought For The Union."

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Capt. Daniel Tuttle and Luke Smith in front of the Isaac Davis Monument, Acton Mass. (photograph, AML archives 73.6.1)

 

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News Items for Luke Smith:

Letter to the editor signed "F.W.R.," Concord Enterprise, March 8, 1894.

"Arranged by Acton Women: Double Celebration in the Old Town on Feb. 22." Boston Globe, February 13, 1895.

"Patriotic Acton. Old Town Has a Celebration of Unique Character. Birthday of G. Washington and That of Luke Smith Observed. Veterans Presented with Badges and a Stirring Show Given." The Boston Globe, February 23, 1895.

"Only Living Son of a Revolutionary Soldier: Luke Smith of Acton, Mass., Has This Honor and Tells and Interesting Story." Philadelphia Inquirer, July 11, 1897.

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See also:

Hosmer, The Town of Acton in the Civil War: 2.

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Portrait above from: Abram English Brown. Beneath Old Roof Trees. Boston: Lee & Shepard, 1896: 144. Digital edition at: http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924025963970