The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-13

OF the death Of Ma Lucy Smith, mother Of Joseph
Smith, the Prophet, and who has been for the last
s.eeiysk years iissmiarly known to all the saints
She was born in Gilsum, Cheshire county, New
Hampshire, July 8, l776. She was the daughter Of
na' who was born u Iy% as Msx Lon
served In the war against France and took part In
many severe contests, and retired from them suffer
ing great personal injuries, andwas discharged in
OF Nathan Gates, OF East Haddam, Connecticut.
He commenced new settlement in the wilder
ness, forty miles from inhabitants, his wife ad-
ding to the duties OF mother those OF instructress
there were no schools in the wilderness. On the
commencement of the War Of Independence he en-
listed into the service of his country; was for con-
siderable length OF timeI in the land forces, and
afterwards accompanied by two of his sons, Jason
and Supplemented the naval service OF the colo
MES, and continued 70 encounter many OF the STIR
ring and thrilling incidents to which our young
marine was constantly exposed until the close Of
the war. Mother Smith was therefore born In
troublesome times, the first seven years OF her life
being SPENT in the OF her pious and intelligent
ymoher while her father and brothers were battling
for the Independence of their country They were
exposed to every vicissitude which was incident to
the distracted state OF the colonies and the absence
of the protectors of the family.
In youth Lucy was some what remarkable for
pensive character; her mind being awakened by the
death OF her sister Lovna, she determined TO obtain
pit-"a change Of heart" OF this circumstance she
says in the history Of her ITO accomplish this
spent much time in reading the Bible and praying,
in my great anxiety to experience change OF
heart" She went TO live with her brother Stephen,
in Tunbridge, Vermont and on the oath Of January,
l776, was married to Joseph Smith, by whom she
hads ten children-Alvin, born Feb IL, l779, who
died Nov. 49, 1874; ayrum, born Feb. 8. 1900; So
phronia, born May Is, 1903 at Tunbridge yerm, nt;
Joseph, Jr born Dec. %, 1905, at Shannon, windsor
county, Vermont; Samuel Harrison, born March Is,
1903, and died July To- ls+4 E; Epnram, March Is,
1871, at Royalton, VT; Catharine, born July .,
1872, at Lebanon, New York; Don Carlos, born
March 20, 1916, at Palmyra, Wayne county, New
York; Lucy, born July Is, 1921, az Palmyra, Wayne
county, New York. The care OF rearing such q
family, the labor of opening new farms in wilder
ness country, Gas Western New York then was),
which must have necessarily surrounded mother,
where a family enduring much sickness and distress
from accident were her lot. She became member
of the Presbyterian church, and three OF her chl-
dren, Hyrum, Samuel Harrison and Sophronia fol-
lowed her example; and while Joseph was seeking
the Lord with all his heart 10 know what church he
should jon the visions Of heaven were opened unto
him. and he was entrusted with the plates of the
Book of Mormon, inspired by Revelation to translate
them. received the authority Of the priesthood, and
laid the foundation of the Church OF Jesus Christ Of
Latter Day Saints, which is now 80 widely spread
throughout the world
During the infancy of the church and while the
work preparatory to its organization was going on,
Mother Smith and her family had severe struggles
to encounter by the opposition OF the world around
persecution, poverty and sickness; her faith and
works were sufficient to bear her up against every
oppression which men heaped upon her devoted
family. Immediately upon the organization OF the
church, on April 8, 1880, she received baptism for
the remission OF sins and the gift Of the Holy Ghost
which buoyed her up against all opposition and pre-
pared her to r. joce amid the most dreadful perse
cutons and sacrifices that mortal was ever called up
on to endure. IN 1881 her husband and family moved
to Kirkland Ohio, where they resided until lsS1 but
the band Ut persecution was not arrested by this
movement Her son, Joseph, was followed ~
multiplied succession of yexatious law suits, which
were Invariably unsuccessful, but being attended
with heavy expense, served 70 lmpoverish the
family. On toe 25th OF March, 1882, Joseph. Jr.,
was dragged from his Ted At midnight, daubed with
tar ard feathers, and otherwise severely injured.
Aquafortis was poured into his mouth, he was
choked by the throat and LETT for dead. His infant
child sick with the measles ia bed with him at the
time OF the outrage, was thereby exposed 70 night
air, and died Immediately (she may be called the
first martyr of this dispensation).
In 1887 the persecution in that county became SO
dreadful that her husband was made a prisoner, and
the family under the necessity OF reelng from
Kirkland and Afterwards located in the Far West
hssion-but It appears only to encounter more
terrible storm. The fatigues OF this journey OF
thousand miles land travel and performed under
INDECENT circumstances, were enough 10 wear out
persons of their age yet they were endured much
better than could have pen expected oaa .n
persecution bars around the Saints with undated
fury.
The cruelty of this mob exceeding all possibility
OF description. was legalizei by the extermnating
and rigidly enforced by Major General Clark, who
marched thirteen thousand men to Far West, and
executed the cruel decree. Joseph aud Hyrum, her
beloved eops were betrayed INTO their hands under
positive pledges OF protection.
They were then permitted TO bid aiieu to their
mother and families, and were told that tomorrow
they die at o'clock, from whi,h late they were
providentaly saved through the interference OF the
gallant General Doniphan, who declared to Major
General Lucas, 4" Ii is cool blooded murder; and II
you execute them viii bold you responsible before an
kol.x 4.nlfff INN
oil six months followed, during which time they were
asked how they liked Mormon beef, having refe.
renee TO human flesh on which they had been fed all
the members Of the Church of the Latter Day Saints
were expelled from the State during the winter and
spring, or persisted by the violence Of their enc
miles, An aged father and mother arrived In Quincy,
ILL.,, peDniess and friendlesss, surrounded by the
wives and children Of those imprisoned. and who had
persisted from murder, exposure or otherwise. soon
after the family arrived At Nauvoo, H. The toll and
suffering Of this persecution was too much TO be
Ssed Al Nauyoo, Sept Ia, 1910. he had faith.
fully performed the duties OF Patriarch over the
whole church, and blessed the fatheriess for six
years. He was the first TO receive the testimony Of
Joacph and had borne the heat and burden OF sus-
tanning the word OF the Lord all day long, and at
last laid down 10 rest, full OF faith, integrity,
charity and good works aged 10 years ] month and
2 days.
Mother Smith was thus left widow, worn out
with toll and sorrew-ber house having been hlled
With sick, like hospital, from the time Of Their
expulsion from Missouri, many OF whom owed the
preservation Of their lives 10 her motherly care at
tention and skill In nursing them, which she did
without any pecunary consideration, and the extent
OF which cannot be appreciated but by those only
who are personally acquainted with the dreadful
scenes OF sickness and distress which followed in
consequence Of the mission expulsion. Prom tins
time until the day OF his death she lived with her
son Joseph. She was visited, congratulated and
comforted by thousands who had partaken. OF their
bounty, or listened 10 her testimony, and those who
we're DESTROYS Of making her Acquaintance. Her
spirit was like fountain OF light, that dispelsd
error and disseminated truth wherever its influence
was felt. From the time Of the commencement OF
the work until the death OF her husband their
house was open 70 all and tens OF thousands Of per
sons listened with delight 70 her teachings.
ON the 7th day OF August, ls44, she was called
upon TO part with her Youngest son, Don Carlos,
who was suddenly snatched away from this vale Of
a.. e. If aaat he