The topic for Week 6 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “Surprise.” When I think of adjectives for surprise, the word shock comes to mind, and when I think of the word shock, I think of lightning, and when I think of lightning, I think of Susanna Smith.
No one in my family tree died a more unusual death than my 10th great-grandmother Susanna Smith, wife of Robert. The English couple settled first in Exeter, New Hampshire and later in Hampton, and had at least five children. Robert was a tailor by trade and held several appointed and elected positions throughout the years. He served on the grand jury and held roles as a magistrate and a constable.
As is typical of the time, we know a bit about Robert, but we can’t even be sure of Susanna’s maiden name. The only thing we know for certain is how the 71-year-old woman met her end: she was struck by lightning! The Hampton town records state, “Susanna Smith the wife of Robert Smith slaine with thunder: 12: June 1680.” According to the National Weather Service, there is a 1 in 15,300 chance that a person will be struck by lightning during an 80-year lifespan. About 90% of lightning strike victims survive – though that’s with today’s modern medical interventions. The odds of surviving a lightning strike were probably far less in 1680. Most lightning strikes actually occur indoors, so it’s quite possible the townsfolk attributed her death to thunder rather than a bolt of lightning from the sky.
Susanna was buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Hampton, New Hampshire, where her grave still stands today. If anyone would like to pay tribute to Susanna, my husband pointed out that “Slaine With Thunder” would make a killer name for a heavy metal band. If you adopt the name, please write a song for Susanna while you’re at it.
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