Josiah Stowell
Josiah Stowell Sr. (or 'Stoal') was an associate of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormonism movement. Stowell hired Smith to act as a seer in 1825, gave testimony on his behalf at two different two criminal proceedings, and joined Smith's new church in 1830.[1]
Early life
[edit]Josiah was born on Mar 22, 1770 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire to Israel Stowell (1732 - 1801) and Mary Butler (1736-1777).[1] In 1791, he moved to Jericho (later called Bainbridge), New York and married Miriam Bridgeman.[1] The pair had eight children, the youngest named Josiah Jr.[2]
Relationship with Joseph Smith
[edit]In October 1825, Stowell travelled to visit his eldest son in Palmyra.[1] He hired Joseph Smith Jr, to act as a seer to locate a lost Spanish silver mine alleged to exist in Harmony, Pennsylvania.[1] Joseph Sr. and his son traveled to Harmony. In 1826, after Josiah's nephew Peter Bridgeman brought a complain against Smith, Stowell testified on Joseph Smith's behalf at his trial for being a disorderly person.[1][3]
Smith later recalled that he was still in Stowell's employ on January 18, 1827, when he married Emma.[4] Stowell was visiting the Smiths in September 1827 when Joseph first returned with the Golden Plates.[1] In 1830, Stowell was again a witness on Smith's behalf at a criminal proceeding.[1] In 1830, Stowell was baptized into Smith's church.[1] Smith dictated a revelation that Stowel, Oliver Cowdery, Hiram Page, and Joseph Knight, Sr. would sell the copyright of the Book of Mormon in Canada, but they failed to do so, prompting Smith to argue "some revelations are of the devil".[5]
Later life
[edit]In 1833, Stowell moved to Smithboro, New York.[1] In 1843 Stowell and his son authored a letter vouching for Smith's character.[2] He died there in 1844.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/josiah-stowell-sr
- ^ a b https://mormonpolygamydocuments.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/JS0139.pdf
- ^ Bushman, Richard Lyman (March 13, 2007). "Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling". Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group – via Google Books.
- ^ "During the time that I was thus employed, I was put to board with a Mr. Isaac Hale, of that place; it was there I first saw my wife (his daughter), Emma Hale. On the 18th of January, 1827, we were married, while I was yet employed in the service of Mr. Stoal."
- ^ Whitmer, David (September 12, 1887). "An address to all believers in Christ". Richmond, Missouri David Whitmer – via Internet Archive.
External links
[edit]- Josiah Stowell home in Chenango County, New York