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Smith Family FarmSteve Mortensen, 2003
Wheat, corn, beans, and
flax were the primary crops on the Smith farm. They also had
a garden plot and plans for 200 apple trees in addition to
tapping 1,200-1,500 sugar maple trees (Ensign, Aug.
1985, 24-26).
Smith Family FarmChurch History in the Fulness of Times, page 38.
By 1818-1819 the Smith
family negotiated to purchase about one hundred acres in
Farmington (now Manchester) township. This layout of the
Smith farm is an approximation based on careful research.
Kitchen in the Smith Frame HomeVirtual Historian, 2004
Oliver Cowdery boarded
at the Smith family home during the winter of
1828–29. He learned about the sacred record and
later became a special witness of its truth.
Palmyra/Manchester Area, 1820–1831Church History Maps.
1. Joseph Smith
Sr. Log Home: The angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith
in an upper room of this home on 21-22 September 1823 (see
JS-H 1:29-47).
2. Joseph Smith
Sr. Farm: This 100-acre farm was developed by the Smith
family from 1820 to 1829.
3. Sacred Grove:
Joseph Smith Jr.'s First Vision occurred in this
woodland in the early spring of 1820 (see JS-H 1:11-20).
4. Joseph Smith
Sr. Frame Home: This home was begun in 1822 by Alvin
Smith and occupied by the Smith family from 1825 to 1829.
5. Hill Cumorah:
Here the angel Moroni gave the Prophet Joseph Smith the
gold plates on 22 September 1827 (see JS-H 1:50-54, 59).
6. Martin Harris
Farm: This farm was mortgaged and part of its acreage
sold to pay for the printing of the Book of Mormon.
7. E. B. Grandin
Print Shop: 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon were
printed here 1829-30.
8. Hathaway
Brook: In this brook some early Church baptisms were
performed
Smith Family FarmVirtual Historian, 2004
The Smith farm had
several structures. Those on the site today include the
restored frame home and reconstructed barn and cooper's shop
(for barrel-making). It propbably also had a smokehouse and
granary (see Ensign, Aug. 1985).
Smith Family Frame HomeJohn Telford, 2004
Alvin Smith began
building a larger home for his parents on the farm but
died before its completion. The Smiths lived here until they
were unable to make the final payment of $100 on time.
The foreclosure was as much an act of not being
charitable as it was of prejudice against the family. In
1829 they moved back into their original log home to live
with Hyrum and his family, who had taken up residence
there.
Smith Frame HomeGeorge Edward Anderson, circa 1911
The Smith frame home
experienced many changes both in ownership and physical
appearance until George Albert Smith purchased the home and
100-acre farm in 1907 under the direction of President
Joseph F. Smith. It was restored to its original condition
in 2000.
Family Room in the Smith Frame HomeJohn Telford, 2004While living in this home Lucy Mack Smith would paint "oil-cloth coverings for tables, stands, etc.," and sell them in town to help earn money for the family (History of Joseph Smith, 64).Smith FarmSteve Mortensen, 2003
On his deathbed,
Joseph's older brother Alvin expressed his desire to provide
his parents a comfortable life. He counseled: "I have done
all I could to make our dear parents comfortable. I want you
to go on and finish the house, and take care of them in
their old age, and do not any more let them work hard, as
they are now in old age" (Biography of Joseph Smith,
352).
A Creek by the Smith Family FarmGeorge Edward Anderson, circa 1907After the Smiths left the area, other owners continued to work the farm.
