History of the Prophet Joseph, by His Mother. Lucy Smith

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 VII.

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      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 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, hoping that, as he has lived peaceably with all men, he may die happily.

      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 individual with whom I was even acquainted in my early years, and I am constrained to exclaim—"The friends of my 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 VIII.

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      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 my brother promised to do; but, as my mother shortly recovered, 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 remained 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 preying 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 melancholy, 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 so much of from the pulpit—a 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 meditations—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 different denominations, all the rest will say I am in error. No church will admit that I 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 subsequently 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.

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

      Here, I would like to give the early history of my husband, for many facts might be mentioned, that doubtless would be highly interesting; but as I am not able to give them in order, I shall decline 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 Toppsfield, Essex county, Massachusetts; and was married to Rebecca Curtis, daughter of John Chrtis, 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 15, 1753.

      Hephzibah, born May 12, 1722; married to Wm. Gallop; died Nov. 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 Rebecca Smith, March 2, 1753.

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

      Priscilla, born Sept. 26, 1735; married to Jacob Kimball, Sept. 15, 1755.

      Third Samuel, born Oct. 28, 1737; married to Rebecca Towne, Jan. 2, 1760.

      Vashti, born Oct. 5, 1739; married to Solomon Curtis, Sept. 15, 1763; married second time to Jacob Hobbs, 1767.

      Susanna, born Jan. 24, 1742; married to Isaac Hobbs, 1767.

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

       Children of first Asael (died Oct. 31, 1830) and Mary Smith (died May 27, 1836); which Asael was the