---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Smith, Lucy
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 5
number: 2
published: 1901-12
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Lucy Smith, "History of the Prophet Joseph," *Improvement Era* 5, no. 2 (December 1901): 81–101.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0502unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera0502unse
start_page: 81
end_page: 101
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1901-12)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0502unse
  publication_year: 1901
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1901, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# History of the Prophet Joseph

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IMPROVEMENT ERA.
Vol. V. DECEMBER, 1901. No. 2.

HISTORY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH.
BY HIS MOTHER, LUCY SMITH.

CHAPTER IV.
LIFE OF STEPHEN MACK.

My brother Stephen, who was next in age to Jason, was born
in the town of Marlow, lune 15, 1766.
I shall pass his childhood in silence, and say nothing about
him until he attained the age of fourteen, at which time he enlisted
in the army, the circumstances of which were as follows:
A recruiting officer came into the neighborhood to draft sol-
diers for the Revolutionary war, and he called out a company of
militia to which my brother belonged, in order to take therefrom
such as were best qualified to do military duty. My brother, being
very anxious to go into the army at this time, was so fearful that
he would be passed by on account of his age, that the sweat
stood in large drops on his face, and he shook like an aspen leaf.
Fortunately, the officer made choice of him among others, and he
entered the army, and continued in the service of his country until
he was seventeen. During this time he was in many battles, both
on land and sea, and several times narrowly escaped death by fam-

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82 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

ine; but, according to his own account, whenever he was brought
into a situation to fully realize his entire dependence upon God,
the hand of Providence was always manifested in his deliver-
ance.
Not long since, I met with an intimate acquaintance of my
brother Stephen, and requested him to furnish me such facts as
were in his possession in relation to him; and he wrote the follow-
ing brief, yet comprehensive account, for the gratification of my
readers:

I, Horace Stanly, was born in Tunbridge, Orange county, Vermont,
August 21, 1798. I have been personally acquainted with Major Mack
and his family ever since I can remember, as I lived in the same town-
ship, within one mile and a half of the Major's farm, and two miles from

his store, and eight miles from Chelsea, the G/3unty seat of Orange
county, where he conducted the mercantile and tinning business.
My eldest brother went to learn the tinning business of the Major's
workmen. The Major being a man of great enterprise, energetic in

business, and possessed of a high degree of patriotism, launched forth on
the frontiers at Detroit, in the year 1800 (if I recollect rightly), where
he immediately commenceed trading with the Indians.
He left his family in Tunbridge, on his farm, and while he was en-
gaged in business at Detroit he visited them —sometimes once in a year,
in eighteen months, or in two years, just as it happened.
I visited Detroit, November 1, 1820, where I found the Major mer-
chandising upon quite an extensive scale, having six clerks in one store;
besides this, he had many other stores in the territory of Michigan, as
well as in various parts of Ohio.
His business at Pontiac was principally farming and building, but
in order to facilitate these two branches of business, he set in operation
a saw and flour mill, and afterwards added different branches of mechan-
ism. He made the turnpike road from Detriot to Pontiac at his own
expense. He also did considerable other public work, for the purpose of
giving employment to the poor.
He never encouraged idleness, or the man above his business. In
1828, having been absent from Detroit a short time, I returned. The
Major was then a member of the Council of the territory, and had acted
a very conspicuous part in enhancing its prosperity and enlarging its set-
tlement; and it was a common saying, that he had done much more for
the territory than any other individual.
In short, the Major was a man of talents of the first order. He was

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HISTORY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH. 83

-energetic and untiring. He always encouraged industry, and was very
cautious how he applied his acts of charity.
Respectfully by
Horace Stanly.
My brother was in the city of Detroit in 1812, the year in
which Hull surrendered the territory to the British crown. My
brother being somewhat celebrated for his prowess, was selected
by General Hull to take the command of a company, as captain.
After a short service in this office, he was ordered to surrender.
At this his indignation was roused to the highest pitch. He broke
his sword across his knee; and, throwing it into the lake, exclaimed
that he would never submit to such a disgraceful compromise while
the blood of an American continued to run through his veins.
This drew the especial vengeance of the army upon his head;
and his property, doubtless, would have been sacrificed to their
resentment, had they known the situation of his afl^airs. But this
they did not know, as his housekeeper deceived them by a strata-
gem, related by Mr. Stanly, as follows:
At the surrender of Detroit, not having as yet moved his family
hither, Major Mack had an elderly lady, by the name of Trotwine, keep-
ing house for him. The old lady took in some of the most distinguished
British officers as boarders. She justified them in their course of con-
duct towards the Yankees, and, by her shrewdness and tact, she gained
the esteem of the officers, and thus secured through them the good will
of the soldiery, so far as to prevent their burning (what they supposed
to be) her store and dwelling, both of which were splendid buildings.
The Major never forgot this service done him by the old lady, for
he ever afterwards supported her handsomely.

Thus was a great amount of goods and money saved from the
hands of his enemies. But this is not all the news came to her
:

ears that they were about to burn another trading establishment
belonging to the Major, and, without waiting to consult him, she
went immediately to the store, and took from the counting-room
several thousand dollars, which she secreted until the British left
the city. The building and goods were burned.
As soon as the English left the territory, he recommenced
business, and removed his family from Tunbridge to Detroit. Here
they remained but a short time, when he took them to Pontiac;

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84 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

and, as soon as they were well established or settled in this place,
he himself went to the city of Rochester, where he built a saw-
mill.

But, in the midst of his prosperity, he was called away to
experience another state of existence, with barely a moment's warn-
ing, for he was sick only four days from the time he was first taken
ill until he died; and even on the fourth day, and in the last hour
of his illness, it was not supposed to be at all dangerous, until his
son, who sat by his bed side, discovered that he was dying.
He left his family with an estate of fifty thousand dollars,

clear of encumbrance.

CHAPTER V.
LYDIA MACK, THIRD DAUGHTER OF SOLOMON MACK.

Of my sister Lydia I shall say but little; not that I loved her
less,or that she was less deserving of honorable mention; but she
seemed to float more with the stream of common events than those
who have occupied the foregoing pages: hence fewer incidents of
a striking character are furnished for the mind to dwell upon.
She sought riches and obtained them; yet in the day of pros-
perity she remembered the poor, for she dealt out her substance
to the needy, with a liberal hand, to the end of her days, and died
the object of their affection. As she was beloved in life, so she was
bewailed in death.

CHAPTER VI.
DANIEL MACK —HE RESCUES THREE MEN FROM A WATERY GRAVE.
Daniel comes next in order. He was rather worldly-minded,
yet he was not vicious; and if he had any peculiar trait of char-
acter, it was this — he possessed a very daring and philanthropic
which led him to reach forth his hand to the assistance of
spirit,

those whose lives were exposed to danger, even to the hazard of
his own life. For instance: he, in company with several others,
was once standing on the bank of Miller's river, in the town of
Montague, when one of the number proposed taking a swim. Daniel
objected, saying it was a dangerous place to swim in, yet they were

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HISTORY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH. 85

determined, and three went in; but, going out into the stream
rather too far they were overpowered by the current, and a kind
of eddy which they fell into, and they sank immediately.
At this, Daniel said, "Now, gentlemen, these men are drown-
ing: who will assist them at the risk of his life?" No one answered.
At this, he sprang into the water, and, diving to the bottom,found
one of them fastened to some small roots. Daniel took hold
of him, and tore up the roots to which he was clinging, and brought
him out, and then told the by-standers to get a barrel, for the pur-
pose of rolling him on it, in order to make him disgorge the water
which he had taken. He then went in again, and found the other
two in the same situation as the first, and saved them in like
manner.
After rolling them a short time on the barrel, he took them to a
house, and gave them every possible attention, until they had so
far recovered as to be able to speak. As soon as they could talk,
one of them, fixing his eyes upon Daniel, said, ''Mr. Mack, we have
reason to look upon you as our savior, for you have delivered us
from a watery tomb; and I would that I could always live near you.
We are now assured that you have not only wisdom to counsel, but
when men have spurned your advice, you still have that greatness
of soul which leads you to risk your own life to save your fellow
man. No, I will never leave you as long as I live, for I wish to
convince you that I ever remember you, and that I will never slight
your counsel again."
In this they were all agreed, and they carried out the same in
their future lives.

CHAPTER VH.

SOLOMON MACK.

My youngest brother, Solomon, was born and married in the
town of Gilsum, state of New Hampshire, where he is still living;
and although he is now very aged, he has never traveled farther
than Boston, to which place his business leads him twice a year.
He has gathered to himself in this rocky region, fields, flocks,
and herds, which multiply and increase upon the mountains. He

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—
86 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

has been known at least twenty years, as Captain Solomon Mack,
of Gilsum; but, as he lives to speak for himself, and as I have to
do chiefly with the dead, and not the living, I shall leave him, hop-
ing that, as he has lived peaceably with all men, he may die hap-
pily-

I have now given a brief account of all my father's family,
save myself; and what I have written has been done with the view
of discharging an obligation which I considered resting upon me,
inasmuch as they have all passed off this stage of action, except
myself and youngest brother. And seldom do I meet with an in-
dividual with whom I was even acquainted in
I am constrained to exclaim — "The friends ofmymyearly years, and
youth! where
are they!" The tomb replies, "Here are they!" But, through my
instrumentality,

Safely truth to urge her claims, presumes
On names now found alone on books and tombs.

CHAPTER Vni.
EARLY LIFE OF LUCY MACK —HER MARRIAGE WITH JOSEPH SMITH.
I shall now introduce the history of my own life. I was born
in the town of Gilsum, Cheshire county, state of New Hampshire,
on the eighth of July, 1776.
When I arrived at the age of eight years, my mother had a
severe fit of sickness. She was so low that she, as well as her
friends, entirely despaired of her recovery. During this sickness
she called her children around her bed, and, after exhorting them
always to remember the instructions which she had given them
to fear God and walk uprightly before him, she gave me to my
brother Stephen, requesting him to take care of me, and bring me
up as his own child, then bade each of us farewell.
This by brother promised to do; but, as my mother shortly re-
covered, it was not necessary, and I consequently remained at my
father's house until my sister Lovisa was married. Some time
after this event I went to South Hadley, to pay Lovisa, who was
living there, a visit.
I returned home to my parents in about six months, and re-

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a

HISTORY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH. 87

mained with them in Gilsum until the death of Lovina. Soon after
which, my brother Stephen, who was living at Tunbridge, Vermont,
came to my father's on a visit; and he insisted so earnestly on my
accompanying him home, that my parents consented. The grief
occasioned by the death of Lovina was praying upon my health,
and threatened my constitution with serious injury, and they hoped
that to accompany my brother home might serve to divert my mind
and thus prove a benefit to me. For I was pensive and melan-
choly, and often in my reflections I thought that life was not worth
possessing.

In the midst of this anxiety of mind, I determined to obtain
that which I had heard spoken of so much from the pulpit —
change of heart.
To accomplish this, I spent much of my time reading the Bible,
and praying; but notwithstanding my great anxiety to experience
a change of heart, another matter would always interpose in all
my mediatations — if I remain a member of no church, all religious
people will say I am of the world; and if I join some one of the
diflFerent denominations, all the rest will say I am in error. No
church will admit that [ am right, except the one with which I am
associated. This makes them witnesses against each other; and
how can I decide in such a case as this, seeing they are all unlike
the Church of Christ, as it existed in former days!
While I remained at Tunbridge, I became acquainted with a
young man by the name of Joseph Smith, to whom I was subse-
quently married.
I continued with my brother one year, then went home. I was
at home but a short time, when my brother came after me again,
and insisted so hard upon my returning with him, that I concluded
to do so. And this time I remained with him until I was married,
which took place the next January.

CHAPTER IX.
—
SEVEN GENERATIONS OF THE SMITH FAMILY FOUR GENERATIONS OF
THE MACK FAMILY.

Here, I would like to give the early history of my husband,f or

<!-- page:88 -->

88 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

many facts might be mentioned, that doubtless would be highly
interesting; but, as I am not able to give them in order, I shall de-
cline making the attempt, and in the place thereof shall insert a
transcript from the record of his family, beginning with Samuel
Smith, who was the son of Robert and Mary Smith, who came from
England.
The above Samuel Smith, was born January 26, 1666, in Topps-
field,Essex county, Massachusetts; and was married to Rebecca
Curtis, daughter of John Curtis, January 25, 1707.

Children of Samuel and Rebecca Smith.

Phebe, born Jan. 8, 1708; married to Stephen Averel.
First Mary, born Aug. 14, 1711; married to Amos Towne.
Second Samuel, born Jan. 26, 1714; married to Priscilla Gould;
died Nov. 14, 1785.
Rebecca, born Oct. 1, 1715; married to John Balch.
Elizabeth, born July 8, 1718; married to Eliezer Gould; died
March, 1753.
Hephzibah, born May 12, 1722; married to Wm. Gallop; died
November 15, 1774.
Robert, born April 25, 1724.
^ Susanna, born May 2, 1726; died May 5, 1741.
Hannah, born April 5, 1729; married to John Peabody; died
Aug. 17, 1764.
First Samuel Smith died July 12, 1748.
His wife Rebbecca Smith, March 2, 1753.

Children of second Samuel, and first Priscilla Smith, which Samuel
was the son ojfirst Samuel and Rebecca Smith.

Priscilla, born Sept. 26, 1735; married to Jacob Kimball, Sept.
15, 1755.
Third Samuel, born October 28, 1737; married to Rebecca
Towne, Jan. 2, 1760.
Vashti, born Oct. 5, 1739; married to Solorhon Curtis, Sept.
15, 1763; married second time to Jacob Hobbs, 1767.
Susanna, born Jan. 24, 1742; married to Isaac Hobbs,
1767.

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HISTORY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH. 89

First Asael, born March 8, 1744; married to Mary Duty, Feb.
12, 1767.

Children offirst Asael and Mary Smith; which Asael was the son
oj second Samuel and Priscilla Smith.

First Jesse, born April 20, 1768; married to Hannah Peabody
Jan, 20, 1792.
Priscilla, born Oct. 21, 1769; married to John C. Waller, Aug.
24, 1796.
First Joseph, born July 12, 1771 ; married to Lucy Mack, Jan.
24, 1796; died Sep. 14, 1840.
Second Asael, born May 21, 1773; married to Betsy Schell-
enger, March 21, 1802.
Mary, born June 4, 1775; married to Isaac Pierce, Dec. 22,
1796.
Fourth Samuel, born Sept. 15, 1777.
First Silas, born Oct. 1, 1779; married to Ruth Stevens, Jan.
29, 1806; married second time Frances Wilcox, February, 1816;
third time to Mary Aikens, March 4, 1828.
First John, born July 16,1781; married to Clarissa Lyman,
Sept. 11, 1815.
Third Susanna, born May 18, 1783.
Stephen, born April 23, 1785; died July 25, 1802.
Sarah, born May 16, 1789; married to Joseph Sanford, Oct. 15,
1809; died May 27, 1824.
Children of First Jesse and Hannah Smith; which Jesse was the son
offirst Asael and Mary Smith.

'
Benjamin G. was born May 2, 1793.
< a
Eliza, Mar. 9, 1795.
U i(
Ira, Jan. 30, 1797
(( ii
Harvey, Apr. 1, 1799.
( ti
Harriet, Apr. 8, 1801.
<( <<
Stephen, May 2, 1803.
< i(
Mary, May 4, 1805.
< a
Catherine, July 13, 1807
C ((
Royal July 2, 1809.
< (<
Sarah, Dec. 16, 1810

<!-- page:90 -->

90 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

Children oj John C. and Prisdlla Waller; which Priscilla was the
daughter offirst Asael Smith.

Calvin C. was born June 6, 1797.
" "
Dolly Oct. 16, 1799; died July 20, 1800.
" "
Marshall March 18, 1801.
" "
Royal H. Nov. 29, 1802.
" "
Dudley C. Sept. 29, 1804.
Bushrod W. " " Oct. 18, 1806.
" "
Silas B. Jan. 1, 1809.
" "
Sally P. Oct. 31, 1810.
" "
John H. Sept. 9, 1812; died Nov. 5, 1812.

Children offirst Joseph and Lucy Smith; which Joseph was the son
of the first Asael and Mary Smith.

Alvin, born Feb. 11, 1798; died Nov. 19, 1824.
Hyrum, born Feb. 9, 1800, Tunbridge, Vermont; married to
Jerusha Barden, Nov. 2, 1826, Manchester, N. Y.; to Mary Field-
ing,1837; murdered by a mob, June 27, 1844, in Carthage jail,
Hancock county, Illinois, while under the protection of Governor
Thos. Ford.
Sophronia, born May 16, 1803, Tunbridge, Vermont; married
to Calvin Stoddard, Dec. 2, 1827. Palmyra, N. Y.,
Second Joseph, Dec. 23, 1805, Sharon, Windsor county, Ver-
mont; married to Emma Hale, daughter of Isaac Hale, in South Bain-
bridge, Chenango county, 1827; murdered by a
N. Y., Jan. 18,
mob, June 27, 1844, in Carthage Hancock county, Illinois,
jail

while under the protection of Governor Thomas Ford.
Fifth Samuel Harrison, born March 13, 1808, Tunbridge, Ver-
mont; married to Mary Bailey, Aug. 13, 1834; to Levira Clark,
29, 1842; died July 30, 1844, of a fever, occasioned by over exer-
tion in getting away from a mob, when his brothers were killed.
Ephraim, born March 13, 1810; died March 24, 1810.
William, born March 13, 1811, Royalton, Vermont; mar-
ried to Caroline Grant, daughter of Joshua Grant, Feb. 14, 1833.
Catherine, born July 28, 1812, Lebanon, New Hampshire; mar-
ried to Wilkins J. Salisbury, Jan. 8, 1831.
Don Carlos, born March 25, 1816; married to Agnes Coolbrith,
July 30, 1835, Kirtland Ohio; died Aug. 7, 1841.

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HISTORY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH. 91

Lucy, born July 18, 1821; married to Arthur Miliken, June 4,
1840, Nauvoo.

Children oj second Asael and Betsy Smith; which Asael was the son
offirst Asael and Mary Smith.

Elias was born Sept. 6, 1804.
Emily " " Sept. 1, 1806.
Jesse J. " " Oct. 6, 1808; died July 1, 1834.
Esther " " Sept. 20, 1810.
Mary J. " " April 29, 1813.
Julia P. " " March 6, 1815.
Martha " " June 9, 1817.
Second Silas " " June 6, 1822.

Children of Isaac and Mary Pierce; which Mary was the daughter
offirst Asael and Mary Smith.

Eunice was born April 29, 1799.
Miranda " " June 17, 1803.
Horace " " June 8, 1805.
John S. " " March 6, 1807.
Susan " " June 20, 1809.
Mary " " April 25, 1811.
Laura " " Feb. 8, 1814.
Eliza A " " Sept. 2, 1817.

Children offirst Silas and Ruth Smith; which Silas was the son of
first Asael and Mary Smith.
Charles was born Nov. 11, 1806; died May 7, 1809.
Charity " " April 1, 1808.
Curtis S. " Oct. 29, 1809.
''
Sixth Samuel ''
Oct. 3, 1811; died March 7, 1826.
Stephen " " June 8, 1815.
" "
Susan Oct. 19, 1817.
Third Asael " " Oct. 12, 1819.

Children by his second wife Mary Smith.
Silas S. was born Oct. 26, 1830.
John A. " " July 6, 1832.
Jesse Nathaniel " " Dec. 2, 1834.

<!-- page:92 -->

92 •
IMPROVEMENT ERA.

Children offirst John and Clarissa Smith; which John was the son
offirst Asael and Mary Smith.

George A. was born June 26, 1817.
Caroline " " June 6, 1820.
Second John L. " " Nov. 17, 1828.

Children ofHyrum and Jerusha Smith; which Hyrum was the son
offirst Joseph and Lucy Smith.
Lovina was born Sept. 16, 1827; died Oct. 8, 1876.
Mary " " June 27, 1829; died May, 29, 1832.
John " " Sept. 22, 1832.
Secohd Hyrum " " April 27, 1834; died Sept. 21, 1841.
Jerusha " " Jan. 13, 1836.
Sarah " " Oct. 2, 1837; died Nov. 6, 1876.

Children of Hyrum ISmith and Mary, his second wife.

Fourth Joseph F. was born Nov. 13, 1838.
Martha Ann " " May 14, 1841.
Children of second Joseph, the Prophet, and Emma Smith; which
Joseph was the son of first Joseph and Lucy Smith.

Julia Murdock Smith, adopted daughter, was born April 30,1831.
Third Joseph was born Nov. 6, 1832.
Frederick G. W. " " June 20, 1836; died 1862.
Alexander H. " " June 2, 1838.
Don Carlos " " June 13, 1840; died Aug. 1841.
David H. " " Nov. 18, 1844.

Children of fifth Samuel Smith and Mary, his first wife; which SajO'
uel was the son oj first Joseph and Lucy Smith.
Susanna B. was born Oct. 27, 1835.
Mary B " " March 27, 1837.
Samuel H. B. " " Aug. 1, 1838.
Lucy B. " " Jan., 1841.
Mary Smith died Jan. 25, 1841.
Children of Samuel Smith and Levira, his second wife.
Levira A, C. was born April 29, 1842.
Lovisa C. " " Aug. 28, 1843.
Lucy J. C " " Aug. 20, 1844.

<!-- page:93 -->

HISTORY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH. 93

Children of William and Caroline Smith; which William was the son
offirst Joseph and Lucy Smith.

Mary Jane, was born Jan. 1835.
Caroline L. " " Aug. 1836.

Children of Don Carlos and Agnes Smith; which Don Carlos was
the son offirst Joseph and Lucy Smith.

Agnes C. was born Aug. 1, 1836.
SophroniaC. " " 1838.
Josephine D. '' " March 10, 1841.
Children of Calvin and Sophronia Stodard.

Eunice was born March 22, 1830.
Maria " " April 12, 1832.

Children of Wilkins J. and Catharine Salisbury; which Catharine
was the daughter offirst Joseph Smith.
Elizabeth, was born April 12, 1832.
Lucy " Oct. 3, 1834.
Solomon J. " Sept. 18, 1835.
Alvin " " June 7, 1838.
Don C. " Oct. 25, 1841.
Emma C. " " March 25, 1844.
Arthur and Lucy Miliken have one son, named Don Carlos
Miliken.
George A. Smith, son of first John Smith, was married to
Bathsheba W. Bigler, July 25, 1841.

Children of George A. and Bathsheba W. Smith.
George Albert, was born July 7, 1842.
Bathsheba, " " Aug. 14, 1844.

Having now given all the names belonging to the family of
Smith, I shall take up another lineage, namely, that of the Mack
family, commencing with my grandfather Ebenezer Mack. Eben-
ezer Mack had three sons, Elisha, Samuel and Solomon, and one
daughter named Hypsebeth. His son Solomon was born in the town
of Lyme, state of Connecticut, Sept. 26, 1735; was married to a
young woman by the name of Lydia Gates, in the year 1759. This

<!-- page:94 -->

94 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

Lydia Gates was born in East Haddam, state of Connecticut, Sept.
3, 1735.

The following are the names of the children offirst Solomon and
Lydia Mack; which Solomon was the son of Ehenezer and Han-
. nah Mack.

Jason, Stephen, Daniel, second Solomon, Lovisa, Lovina, Lydia,
Lucy.

Children of second Solomon Mack; which Solomon was the son of

first Solomon Mack.

Calvin was born Nov. 28, 1797.
<<
Orlando " Sept. 23, 1799
« "
Chilon July, 26, 1802.
(<
Third Solomon " May 23, 1805.
<<
Amos " May 1, 1807.
<<
Dennis " Oct. 18, 1809.
(<
Merrill " Sept. 14, 1812.
(t
Esther " April 2, 1815.
<<
Rizpah " June 5, 1818.

CHAPTER X.

A PRESENT OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, FROM JOHN MUDGET AND
STEPHEN MACK,TO THE AUTHOR.

Soon after I was married, I went with my husband to see my
parents, and as we were about setting out on this visit, my brother
Stephen, and his partner in business, John Mudget, were making
some remarks in regard to my leaving them, and the conversation
presently turned upon the subject of giving me a marriage pres-
ent. "Well," said Mr. Mudget, "Lucy ought to have something
worth naming, and I will give her just as much as you will."
"Done," said my brother, "I will give her five hundred dollars

in cash."
"Good," said the other, "and I will give her five hundred dol-
lars more."
So they wrote a check on their bankers for one thousand

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HISTORY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH. 95

dollars, and presented me with the same. This check I laid aside,
as I had other means by me sufficient to purchase my housekeeping
furniture.
Having visited my father and mother, we returned again to
Tunbridge, where my companion owned a handsome farm, upon
which we settled ourselves, and began to cultivate the soil. We
lived on this place about six years, tilling the earth for a liveli-

hood.
In 1802, we rented our farm in Tunbridge, and moved to the
town of Randolph, where we opened a mercantile establishment.
When we came to this place we had two children, Alvin and
Hyrum.

CHAPTER XI.

SICKNESS IN RANDOLPH.

We had lived in Randolph but six months when I took a heavy
cold, which caused a severe cough. To relieve this, every possible
exertion was made, but it was all in vain. A hectic fever set in,
which threatened to prove fatal, and the physician pronounced my
case to be confirmed consumption. During this sickness, my
mother watched over me with much anxiety, sparing herself no
pains in administering to my comfort, yet I continued to grow
weaker and weaker, until I could scarcely endure even a foot-fall
upon the floor, except in stocking-foot, and no one was allowed to
speak in the room above a whisper.
While I was in this situation, a Methodist exhorter came to
see me. On coming to the door, he Tinocked in his usual manner,
and his knocking so agitated me that it was a considerable length
of time before my nerves became altogether quieted again. My
mother motioned him to a chair, and in a whisper informed him of
my situation, which prevented his asking me any questions. He
tarried some time, and while he sat he seemed deeply to meditate
upon the uncertainty of my recovering; in the mean time, he
showed a great desire to have conversation with me respecting my
dying.
As he thus sat pondering, I fancied to myself that he was

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96 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

going to ask me if I was prepared to die, and I dreaded to have
him speak to me, for then I did not consider myself ready for such
an awful event, inasmuch as I knew not the ways of Christ; besides,
there appeared to be a dark and lonesome chasm, between myself
and the Savior, which I dared not attempt to pass.
I thought I strained my eyes, and by doing so I could discern

a faint glimmer of the light that was beyond the gloom which lay
immediately before me.
When I was meditating upon death, in this manner, my visitor
left; soon after which my husband came to my bed, and took me
by the hand, and said, "Oh, Lucy! my wife! my wife! you must die!
The doctors have given you up; and all say you cannot live."
I then looked to the Lord, and begged and pleaded with him

to spare my life, in order that I might bring up my children, and
be a comfort to my husband. My mind was much agitated during
the whole night. Sometimes I contemplated heaven and heavenly
things; then my thoughts would turn upon those of earth my —
babes and my companion.
During this night I made a solemn covenant with God, that, if
he would let me live, I would endeavor to serve him according to

the best of my abilities. Shortly after this, I heard a voice say to
me, "Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you. Let your heart be comforted; ye believe in God, believe also
in me."
In a few moments my mother came in, and, looking upon me
she said, "Lucy, you are better."
I replied, as my speech returned just at that instant, "Yes,
mother, the Lord will me live, if I am faithful to the promise
let

which I made to him, to be a comfort to my mother, my husband,
and my children." I continued to gain strength, until I became
quite well as to my bodily health; but my mind was considerably
disquieted. It was wholly occupied upon the subject of religion.
As soon as I was able, I made all diligence in endeavoring to find
some one who was capable of instructing me more perfectly in the
way of life and salvation.
As soon as I had strength sufficient, I visited one Deacon
Davies, a man whom I regarded as exceedingly pious; and, as he
was apprised of my sudden and miraculous recovery, I expected to

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HISTORY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH. 97

hear about the same which I had heard from my mother
— "The
Lord has done a marvelous work; let his name have the praise
thereof." But, no: from the time I arrived at his house until I left,
I heard nothing, except, "Oh, Mrs. Smith has come help her in —
run, build a fire, make the room warm — fill the tea-kettle —get the
great arm-chair," etc., etc. Their excessive anxiety concerning
my physical convenience and comfort, without being seasoned
with one word in relation to Christ or godliness, sickened and
disgusted me, and I returned home very sorrowful and much disap-
pointed.
From my anxiety of mind to abide the covenant which I had
made with the Lord, I went from place to place, for the purpose
of getting information, and finding, if it were possible, some
congenial spirit who could enter into my feelings, and thus
be able to strengthen and assist me in carrying out my resolu-
tions.

I heard that a very devout man was to preach the next Sab-
bath in the Presbyterian church; I therefore went to meeting, .in
the full expectation of hearing that which my soul desired —the
Word of Life.
When the minister commenced speaking, I fixed my mind
with deep upon the spirit and matter of his dis-
attention
discourse; but after hearing him through, I returned home, con-
vinced that he neither understood nor appreciated the subject upon
which he spoke, and I said in my heart that there was not then
upon earth the religion which I sought. I therefore determined
to examine my Bible, and, taking Jesus and his disciples for my
guide, to endeavor to obtain from God that which man could
neither give nor take away. Notwithstanding this, 1 would hear
all that could be said, as well as read much that was written, on

the subject of religion; but the Bible I intended should be my
guide to life and salvation. This course I pursued a number of
years.
At length, I considered it my duty to be baptized, and, finding a
minister who was willing to baptize me, and leave me free in re-
gard to joining any religious denomination, I stepped forward and
jielded obedience to this ordinance; after which I continued to

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98 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

read the Bible as formerly, until my eldest son had attained his
twenty-second year.

CHAPTER XII.

JOSEPH SMITH, SENIOR, LOSES HIS PROPERTY AND BECOMES POOR
—RECEIVES A VISIT FROM JASON MACK THE HISTORY OF—
THE LATTER CONCLUDED.

My husband, as before stated, followed merchandising for a
short period in the town of Randolph. Soon after he commenced
business in this place, he ascertained that crystalized ginseng root
sold very high in China, being used as a remedy for the plague,
which was then raging there.
He therefore concluded to embark in a traffic of this article,
and consequently made an investment of all the means which he
commanded, in that way and manner which was necessary to carry
on a business of this kind, viz., crystalizing and exporting the root.
When he had obtained a quantity of the same, a merchant by the
name of Stevens, of Royalton, offered him three thousand dollars
for what he had; but my husband refused his offer, as it was only
about two-thirds of its real value, and told the gentleman that he
would rather venture shipping it himself.
My husband, in a short time, went to the city of New York,
with the view of shipping his ginseng, and finding a vessel in port
which was soon to set sail, he made arrangements with the cap-
tain to this effect —that he was to sell the ginseng in China, and
return the avails thereof to my husband; and this the captain
bound himself to do, in a written obhgation.
Mr. Stevens, hearing that Mr. Smith was making arrange-
ments to ship his ginseng, repaired immediately to New York, and,
by taking some pains, he ascertained the vessel on board of which
Mr. Smith had shipped his ginseng; and having some of the same
article on hand himself, he made arrangements with the captain to
take his also, and he was to send his son on board the vessel to
take charge of it.
It appears, from circumstances that afterwards transpired,
that the ginseng was taken to China, and sold there to good ad-

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HISTORY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH. 99

much advantage to us, for
vantage, or at a high price, but not to
we never received any thing, except a small chest of tea, of the
avails arising from this adventure.
When the vessel returned, Stevens, the younger, also returned
with it, and when my husband became apprized of his arrival, he

went immediately to him and made inquiry respecting the success
of the captain in selling his ginseng. Mr. Stevens told him quite
a plausible tale, the particulars of which I have forgotten; but the
amount of it was, that the sale had been a perfect failure, and the
only thing which had been brought for Mr. Smith from China was
a small chest of tea, which chest had been delivered into his care,
for my husband.
In a short time after this, young Stevens hired a house of
Major Mack, and employed eight or ten hands and commenced the
business of crystalizing ginseng. Soon after engaging in this
business, when he had got fairly at work, my brother. Major Mack,
went to see him, and, as it happened, l^g found him considerably
intoxicated. When my brother came into his presence, he spoke
to him thus, "Well, Mr. Stevens, you are doing a fine business; you
will soon be ready for another trip to China." Then observed
again, in a quite indifferent manner, "Oh, Mr. Stevens, how much
did Brother Smith's adventure bring?" Being under the influence
of liquor, he was not on his guard, and took my brother by the
hand and led him to a trunk; then opening it, he observed, "There,
sir, are the proceeds of Mr. Smith's ginseng!" exhibiting a large
amount of silver and gold.
My brother was much astounded at this; however, he dis-
guised his feelings, and conversed with him a short time upon dif-
ferent subjects, then returned home, and about ten o'clock the
same night he started for Randolph, to see my husband.
When Mr. Stevens had overcome his intoxication, he began to
reflect upon what he had done, and making some inquiry concern-
ing my brother, he ascertained that he had gone to Randolph. Mr.
Stevens, conjecturing his business —
that he had gone to see my
husband respecting the ginseng adventure, went immediately to
his establishment, dismissed his hands, called his carriage, and fled
with his cash for Canada, and I have never heard anything concern-
ing him since.

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100 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

My husband pursued him a while, but finding pursuit vain,
returned home much dispirited at the state of his affairs. He then
went to work to overhaul his accounts, in order to see how he
stood with the world; upon which he discovered that, in addition
to the loss sustained by the China adventure, he had lost about
two thousand dollars in bad debts. At the time he sent his ven-
ture to China he was owing eighteen hundred dollars in the city of
Boston, for store goods, and he expected to discharge the debt at
the return of the China expedition; but, having invested almost all
his means in ginseng, the loss which he suffered in this article
rendered it impossible for him to pay his debt with the property
which remained in his hands. The principal dependence left him,
in the shape of property, was the farm at Tunbridge, upon which
we were then living, having moved back to this place immediately
after his venture was sent to China. This farm, which was worth
about fifteen hundred dollars, my husband sold for eight hundred
dollars, in order to make a speedy payment on the Boston debt;
and, as I had not used the check of one thousand dollars, which
my brother and Mr. Mudget gave me, I added it to the eight hun-
dred dollars obtained for the farm, and by this means the whole
debt was liquidated.
While we were living on the Tunbridge farm, my brother
Jason made us a visit. He brought with him a young man by the name
of William Smith, a friendless orphan, whom he had adopted as his
own son, and, previous to this time, had kept constantly with him;
but he now thought best to leave him with us, for the purpose of
having him go to school. He remained with us, however, only six
months before my brother came again and took him to New Bruns-
wick, which they afterwards made their home, and where my
brother had gathered together some thirty families, on a tract of
land which he had purchased for the purpose of assisting poor
persons to the means of sustaining themselves. He planned their
work for them, and when they raised anything which they wished
to sell, he took it to market for them. Owning a schooner himself,
he took their produce to Liverpool, as it was then the best
market.
When Jason set out on the above-mentioned visit to Tun-
bridg, he purchased a quantity of goods, which he intended as

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HISTORY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH. 101

presents for his friends, especially his mother and sisters; but, on
his way thither, he found so many objects of charity, that he gave
away not only the goods, but most of his money. On one occasion,
he saw a woman who had just lost her husband, and who was very
destitute; he gave her fifteen dollars in money, and a full suit of
clothes for herself and each of her children, which were six in
number.
This was the last interview I ever had with my brother Jason,
but, twenty years later, he wrote the following letter to my
brother Solomon, and that is about all the intelligence I have ever
received from him since I saw him:

South Branch of Ormucto, Province of New Brunswick,
June 30, 1835.
My Dear Brother Solomon:
You will, no doubt, be surprised to hear that I am still alive,
although in an absence of twenty years I have never written to you
before. But I trust you will forgive me when I tell you that, for most
of the twenty years, I have been so situated that I have had little or no
communication with the lines, and have been holding meetings, day and
night, from place to place; besides, my mind has been so taken up with
the deplorable situation of the earth, the darkness in which it lies, that,
when my labors did call me near the lines, I did not realize the oppor-
tunity which presented itself of letting you know where I was. And>
again, I have designed visiting you long since, and annually have prom-
ised myself that the succeeding year I would certainly seek out my
relatives, and enjoy the privilege of one pleasing interview with them
before I passed into the valley and shadow of death. But last, though
not least, let me not startle you when I say, that, according to my early
adopted principles of the power of faith, the Lord has, in his exceeding
kindness, bestowed upon me the gift of healing by the prayer of faith,
and the use of such simple means as seem congenial to the human system;
but my chief reliance is upon him who organized us at the first, and can
restore at pleasure that which is disorganized.
The first of my peculiar successes in this way was twelve years
since, and from nearly that date I have had little rest. In addition to
the incessant calls which I, in a short time had, there was the most
.

overwhelming torrent of opposition poured down upon me that I ever
witnessed. But it pleased God to take the weak to confound the wisdom
of the wise. I have in the last twelve years seen the greatest manifesta-