Joseph Smith, Sr.

Joseph Smith, Sr. (1771–1840) was the father of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Joseph Sr. was also one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon's Golden Plates and was the first Presiding Patriarch of the early Latter Day Saint church.

Early Life

Joseph Smith, Sr. July 12, 1771 in Topsfield, Massachusetts to Asael Smith and Mary Duty. He married Lucy Mack in Tunbridge, Vermont on January 24, 1795, and had eleven children with her.

Related Topics:
July 12 - 1771 - Topsfield, Massachusetts - Asael Smith - Mary Duty - Lucy Mack - Tunbridge, Vermont

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Smith tried his hands at several professions, including farmer, teacher, shop-keeper, cooper, and "money-digger" — none of which proved very successful. He moved his family to Palmyra, New York in 1816 and began to make payments on a farm located on the edge of neighboring Manchester Township. Work on a frame house at the farm was halted by the unexpected death of Smith's eldest son, Alvin in 1823. Smith subsequently failed to make payments on the farm. Lemuel Durfee purchased it as a favor to the family and allowed the Smiths to continue there as renters through 1830.

Related Topics:
Palmyra, New York - Manchester Township

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In 1824, rumors began circulating that the body of Smith's son Alvin had been exhumed from his grave and dissected. To dispel the rumors, from September to November of 1824, he published a notice in a local newspaper that he and his neighbors had themselves exhumed the grave, and found Alvin's body undisturbed. (Wayne Sentinel, September 25, 1824).

Related Topics:
1824 - September - November - September 25

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