The Hudson Historical Society presented Hudson’s eldest citizen with the Boston Post Cane during a ceremony held at the Hills House on Sunday, July 7.
Martha Smith, a Hudson resident since her birth on Nov. 30, 1924, was the eleventh recipient of the cane in town. The previous holder of the prestigious award was Doris Widebeck, who passed in April of 2024 at 105 years of age.
Martha Smith has four children, three of which still reside in Hudson, 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, many of which were at the ceremony on Sunday afternoon.
Dave Alukonis, the Hudson Historical Society President, was the presenter of the cane and gave a brief history of the Boston Post Cane. The cane was first conceptualized back in 1909, by the publisher and owner of the Boston Post, Edwin Grozier, who produced about 700 canes and presented them to a number of towns in New England and asked that they be given to the town’s eldest citizens.
According to Ruth Parker, from her research for the Town Crier, the first cane was presented to Benjamin Merrill in 1909.
After Merrill’s passing, it was then presented to Hiram Cummings. The remainder of the recipients she was able to find are listed online in the July 2024 edition of the Hudson Town Crier.
In 1999, the Historical Society took on the responsibility of presenting the cane to the town’s oldest member and since then 11 residents have held the cane.
James Glispin was the first and he held it until he passed in 2005 at the age of 101.
Along with the cane, Smith was also presented with a pin and a plaque for a lifetime membership to the Historical Society.
Hudson Board of Selectman member, Dave Morin, also presented Smith with a proclamation from the town.
After the presentation, her son, Jonathan Smith, shared a few stories about her early life in Hudson, living on Central Street, saying that Martha was in charge of all the pasteurization of the milk being produced on the family farm.
He also told those attending that Martha is a great mom, grandmother, and great grandmother, always having time to devote to her family.
Alukonis added that the Smith’s original house was taken down sometime ago, the frame was dismantled and reassembled somewhere in Connecticut.
After the ceremony, the society invited attendees to refreshments and photos with the latest Boston Post Cane recipient.