Tunbridge, Vermont
by Becky
Cardon Smith
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For almost 25 years, the charming, forested village of Tunbridge, Vermont was home to both sides of Joseph Smiths lineage: the Smiths and the Macks. Joseph’s paternal grandfather, Asael Smith, moved to Tunbridge in 1791 and his maternal grandfather, Solomon Mack, arrived just a few years later in 1799. Lucy first met her future husband here while working in her brother’s store. She and Joseph Smith Sr. were married on January 24, 1796 and lived here on three different occasions. You can still see Joseph and Lucy’s hand-written marriage date in the town records.
In Tunbridge, Lucy gave birth to her first child, a son who died at birth, as well as four of her nine children who lived to adulthood: Alvin, Hyrum, Sophronia, and Samuel.
The Township of Tunbridge is located about 8 miles northwest of Sharon and has a current population of about 1,300. Within the township are three small villages: Tunbridge, South Tunbridge and North Tunbridge. First chartered in 1761, Tunbridge was officially organized in 1786 (after the Revolutionary War) and was probably named after Viscount Tunbridge, a prominent British friend of Benning Wentworth, the royal governor of New Hampshire. Tunbridge became somewhat of a resort in the 1800s due to the locally discovered mineral springs. Many visitors now come to enjoy the beautiful countryside and to attend the annual Tunbridge Fair, usually held during the second week in September.
PLANNING YOUR TIME
If time is short, spend a few minutes and stop at the village store where Lucy first met Joseph Sr. If time allows: stop at the local town clerk’s office to see their marriage entry, visit the Hutchinson Cemetery to see John Mudget’s grave, or drive through the general area of “ Tunbridge Gore” where Joseph Sr. and Lucy lived.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
Asael Smith moved his wife, Mary Duty, and their eleven children from Massachusetts to Tunbridge in the spring of 1791. Asael’s two oldest boys, Jesse and Joseph Sr., were sent ahead to clear the land and build a small cabin. Asael initially purchased about 83 acres but he later bought additional land and eventually owned over 350 acres. Asael lived here for over 20 years before moving to Stockholm, New York. Both Jesse and Joseph Sr. had property near their father’s land.
Lucy Mack was born and raised in Gilsum, New Hampshire. Her older brother Stephen had once promised his mother that he would always look after his younger sister, Lucy, who was then just 8 years old. (Their mother was very ill at the time the promise was made and she thought she might not live.) Less than 10 years later, Stephen, who was now living in Tunbridge, visited his family home and convinced his parents to let him take Lucy back to live with him. She was ill in health and spirits, grieving over the death of her sister Lovina.
During this difficult period, Lucy spent much of her time reading the Bible, praying, and pondering. While working at Stephen’s store, she met a young man by the name of Joseph Smith (HJS p. 31). Lucy lived with her brother for a year, went back to her family home for a few months, and then returned to live with Stephen. “And this time I remained with him until I was married, which took place the next January” (HJS p. 31). Lucy was nineteen when she and twenty-five year old Joseph Smith Sr. were married on January 24, 1796.
Joseph Sr. and Lucy lived in Tunbridge for the first 6 years of their marriage. During this time they had two sons: Alvin and Hyrum. Joseph owned “a handsome farm” and supported his young family by “tilling the earth.” But after six years, they rented out the farm in 1802 and relocated to the nearby town of Randolph.
Later that same year, after Joseph’s new business venture failed, the family returned to their Tunbridge farm. Their daughter Sophronia was born here before they moved once again – first to Royalton and then to Sharon where another son was born, Joseph Smith Jr. The Smith family would return one last time to Tunbridge where another son, Samuel Harrison, was born on March 13, 1811. Their stay in Tunbridge was short before moving to Royalton.
Though Lucy faced several challenges in her early years of marriage including frequent moving, illness, and a failed business venture, she also had many special experiences. One such experience occurred here. “While, we were living in the town of Tunbridge, my mind became deeply impressed with the subject of religion” (HJS p. 43). Concerned that her husband did not share this same interest, she retired to a nearby grove and prayed that her husband might also become more “religiously inclined”. Upon returning home, Lucy had a powerful dream after which she felt certain that her husband would hear and eventually accept the “undefiled gospel of the Son of God” (HJS p. 45). Lucy would live to see her dream come to fruition.
SITES TO SEE
- Tunbridge Village Store – Originally called the “Mack and Mudget Store;” Lucy once worked at this store then owned by her brother, Stephen Mack, and his partner, John Mudget. Stepping into this small country store, you can almost imagine Lucy meeting Joseph Smith Sr. for the first time. The store is located at 302 Route 110, about 5.7 miles from the junction of Routes 14/110.
- Tunbridge Town Clerk’s Office – For those interested in viewing historical records, the marriage entry of Joseph Sr. and Lucy on January 24, 1797 (performed by Seth Austin, Justice of the Peace) can be found in Volume A (1782 – 1809 Proprietors’ Record) on page 129. The birth entry of Alvin is on page 130. The clerk’s office is located on your left about 5.2 miles from the Route 14/110 junction (and just south of the Tunbridge Village Store) at 1904 Route 110.
- Hutchinson Cemetery – The grave of John Mudget, business partner of Stephen Mack, is located in this small cemetery. During a discussion concerning a wedding present for Lucy, John Mudget commented to Stephen “Lucy ought to have something worth naming, and I will give her just as much as you will.” To this, Stephen replied “I will give her five hundred dollars in cash.” In response, John replied, “Good, and I will give her five hundred dollars more” (HJS p. 32). Lucy would later have to use this money to help pay debts created by the failure of their business venture. To locate this small cemetery after visiting the store, go 1 mile west on Route 110 (heading towards the junction) and turn right on Howe Lane. You will see the cemetery almost immediately on your right. To find John Mudget’s grave, pass through the gate and then to the right just behind the cemetery sign. Walk straight east behind the sign to the middle of the cemetery, turn to your right and walk about 25 feet straight south. The dark charcoal slate headstone will be facing you.
- Birth Site of Alvin, Hyrum, and Sophronia Smith – Visit the site of the Smith home in “Tunbridge Gore” after stopping at the Hutchinson Cemetery. (This is a dirt road, I would not recommend going if the road is muddy. Also not suggested for any vehicle larger than a van). From the Hutchinson Cemetery, continue on Howe Lane and drive through the covered bridge. At .2 of a mile, bear right at the fork in the road onto Falls Hill Road. At the next fork in the road, bear left at the red Tunbridge schoolhouse. After going 3.5 miles from the cemetery, you will come to a sign on your right that says Johnson Circle. Do not take this road but continue .1 mile further. Stop here to see the small depression immediately next to the road on your right. (A large rectangular fenced garden plot w/scarecrow is directly behind the site). Watch for poison ivy located near the site. Tradition and local historian Lester Corwin agree that this was the location of the Smith family home. The small sunken area is the site of the foundation. Continue on another 3.2 miles to return to Route 110 (bearing left at the fork in the road).Turning right onto 110 will take you to the Route 14/110 junction at South Royalton. Turning left onto Route 110 takes you to Tunbridge.
Next week: Royalton, Vermont
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