Josiah Stowell Sr. (also spelled 'Stoal') was an associate of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon movement. Stowell hired Smith as a seer in 1825, testified on his behalf in two separate criminal proceedings, and joined Smith's newly established church in 1830.[1]
Early life
editJosiah was born on March 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 renamed Bainbridge), New York, and married Miriam Bridgeman.[1] The couple had eight children, with their youngest named Josiah Jr.[2]
Association with Joseph Smith and early Mormonism
editIn October 1825, Stowell traveled 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 that was believed to exist in Harmony, Pennsylvania.[1] Joseph Sr. and his son traveled to Harmony. In 1826, after Stowell's nephew Peter Bridgeman filed a complaint against Smith, Stowell testified on 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 once again testified on Smith's behalf during another criminal proceeding.[1] That same year, Stowell was baptized into Smith's church.[1] Smith later dictated a revelation that Stowell, 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, leading Smith to suggest that "some revelations are of the devil."[5]
Later life
editIn 1833, Stowell moved to Smithboro, New York.[1] In 1843, Stowell and his son wrote a letter vouching for Smith's character.[2] He died in Smithboro in 1844.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Josiah Stowell Biography". www.josephsmithpapers.org. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
- ^ a b "The Josiah Stowell Jr.-John S. Fullmer Correspondence" (PDF). mormonpolygamydocuments.org.
- ^ Bushman, Richard Lyman (March 13, 2007). Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-4000-7753-3 – 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