// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho led the captain's parade? Samuel Smith Jr.
Samuel Smith Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Samuel Smith's house built in 1638 and rebuilt in 1875 | |
| Born | January 26, 1714 Topsfield, Massachusetts Bay Colony |
| Died | November 14, 1785 (aged 71) Topsfield, Massachusetts, United States |
| Occupations | Politician and militiaman |
| Years active | 1758–1780 |
| Title | Captain |
| Children | 6, including Asael Smith |
Samuel Smith Jr. (January 26, 1714 – November 14, 1785) was a Christian anti-British politician from Topsfield, Massachusetts and the paternal great-grandfather of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Early life
[edit]Samuel Smith was the third child of Samuel Smith Sr. and Rebecca Curtis.[2] He was described in the town being a "gentleman" in the Topsfield census, On May 27, 1734, Samuel married Priscilla Gould. The couple had six children together: Priscilla Smith (1735–1792), Samuel Smith III (1737–1792), Vashti Smith (1739–1807), Susanna Smith (1741-1741), Susanna Smith (1742–1811), and Asael Smith (1743–1830). On September 25, 1744, Priscilla died of unknown reasons and Samuel married her first cousin also named Priscilla Gould; Priscilla had no children with Samuel but helped raise his children.[4][5]
Military and politics
[edit]Roles
[edit]- During his visit to Ipswich in 1744, he became a congressman for the Massachusetts Provincial Congress.
- Samuel enlisted in a Massachusetts militia and achieved the rank of Lieutenant from 1758 to 1766.
- Served as a moderator from 1758 to 1783.
- From 1760 to 1785: he became a grand juryman.
- Served as a representative to the General Court from 1763 to 1781.
- In 1766 he achieved the rank of Captain and led an entire military company.
- Left the military in the 1770s.
- Supervisor of roads in 1770.
- Served as an Assessor and selectman from 1771 to 1777.
- Became Chairman of the Tea Committee in 1773 which would eventually led to the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773.
- In October 1774, Samuel Smith was chosen to represent the town of Topsfield for a meeting in Ipswich over the Intolerable Acts imposed by the British Empire following the Boston Tea Party.
- "Recog. of Debts from 1777 to 1783.[4][7][8][9]
- Served on the Committee of Public Safety from 1779 to 1785.
- From 1781 to 1782, served as a town clerk.
Later years and death
[edit]Samuel's physical and mental health declined rapidly once he left politics which only became worse because of his debts. Due to his heavy involvement in public affairs, he accumulated a large amount debt which he lived with until his death. On November 14, 1785, Samuel died due to a stroke.[4][7][8][9][10]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Smith Homestead – Ensign Peak Foundation". Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- 1 2 "Joseph Smith's Family Tree". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ↑ Kim R. Wilson: Joseph Smith’s Topsfield Ancestors Commemorated, (2005)
- 1 2 3 4 Samuel and Priscilla (Gould) Smith, Luella Jones Downard
- 1 2 Joseph Smith An American Prophet, John Henry Evans
- ↑ "DNA shows Joseph Smith was Irish – Joseph Smith Jr and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society". josephsmithjr.org. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- 1 2 Colonial Families of America, Ruth Lawrence Q973 D2L
- 1 2 Topsfield Historical Collections 974.45 B5t- 1902
- 1 2 History of Topsfield, 974.45/Tl H2d
- ↑ Samuel Smith in Topsfield Deaths, Topsfield Congregational Church Record Book, 1785