NORWICH, VERMONT
by Becky Cardon Smith

Originally spelled Norwhich, the Village of Norwich is located about 25 miles southeast of Sharon, close to the Vermont/New Hampshire border. In 1813, Joseph Smith Sr. and his family moved from West Lebanon, New Hampshire to a rented farm in Norwich, Vermont. Young Joseph Jr. was on crutches, still recovering from his leg surgery of 1812. During their three-year stay, the family was blessed by the birth of Don Carlos on March 25, 1816. But unfortunately, during those same three years the family financial situation continued to get worse. After experiencing a third consecutive year of crop failure, Joseph Smith Sr. decided to move his family and start over. Hearing about fertile and well-timbered land available in the state of New York, Joseph Sr. left to see for himself in 1816. He soon sent word for his wife and children to join him. Their destination for a new beginning was Palmyra, New York.

PLANNING YOUR TIME

This is a brief stop before/after visiting Dartmouth College or West Lebanon. We suggest you take a few minutes and drive by the home once rented by the Smith family.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Lucy recorded, “Shortly after sickness left our family, we moved to Norwich in the state of Vermont. In this place we established ourselves on a farm belonging to one Esquire Moredock. The first year our crops failed; yet, by selling fruit which grew on the place, we succeeded in obtaining bread for the family, and, by making considerable exertion, we were enabled to sustain ourselves” (HJS p. 59). Unfortunately, this crop failure was not their last. A second year in Norwich brought a second failed crop. Determined to try once more, Joseph Sr. planted again, hopeful that this year would be successful, unlike the previous two.

In Vermont history, the year of 1816 was sometimes referred to as “eighteen hundred and froze to death.” Volcanic ash released from one of the world’s largest volcanic eruptions at Mount Tambora in far away Indonesia resulted in weather-altering patterns throughout the world, including the New England states. The Smith family’s crops froze, as did many others during the “year without a summer.” As Lucy wrote: “This was enough; my husband was now altogether decided upon going to New York” (HJS p. 59).

Deeply in debt, Joseph Sr. attempted to settle with all his creditors before moving his family. Believing all was in order, he left to investigate the state of New York, where “wheat was raised in abundance.”  Lucy soon received word from her husband to pack their belongings into the wagon and prepare to move. Joseph Sr. made arrangements for a team and driver to bring his family to their new home in Palmyra.  But as Lucy and her eight children were about to leave, a group of creditors presented additional claims. Ready to depart Lucy concluded “it would be more to our advantage to pay their unjust claims than to hazard a lawsuit” (HJS p.61). Not having the time to dispute the claims and refusing offers to raise money for her assistance, Lucy sold many of her possessions and was able to settle the debt of one hundred and fifty dollars by “considerable exertion.”

SITES TO SEE

• Smith Family Home – The two-story home of Squire Murdock, which was rented by the Smith family, is privately owned and not available for tours. To find this home, drive north through the village of Norwich on Main Street for about 1 mile and turn left onto Turnpike Road. Continue north on Turnpike Road for 2.7 miles. Turn right at Upper Turnpike Road (where the pavement ends). After the turn, the former Smith family home will be the first home on your left.  

Next Week: Whitingham, Vermont

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