Travel

Topsfield, Massachusetts, with a current population of around 5,800, lies about 20 miles north of Boston between Salem and Ipswich. Not far from the Atlantic Ocean, this New England area is steeped in early American history. Ipswich earned the title “Birthplace of American Independence,” after strongly opposing British tax policies with the cry, “No taxation without representation!” Nearby Salem, once considered an important seaport, was also the birthplace of Nathaniel Hawthorne and the origin of the infamous “witchcraft trials.”

But for those of the LDS faith, the Topsfield area is important because it is the ancestral home of five generations of Smiths, including the Prophet’s father, Joseph Smith Sr.

Significant Events

In 1638, 14-year-old Robert Smith moved from Boston, England, to Boston, Massachusetts. After his marriage to Mary French, Robert bought a farm in the Topsfield Township and had ten children. (The general location of this farm is west of the commons near I-95.) A son, Samuel, married Rebecca Curtis and also bought a farm in Topsfield. They had nine children, their first son being Samuel Smith Jr. He also married, had 5 children, and lived in Topsfield.

While living at what is now referred to as the Smith farm site, Samuel Jr. and his wife Priscilla had a son, whom they named Asael, on March 7, 1744. Asael Smith married Mary Duty and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The couple would eventually have eleven children. Their second son, Joseph (Sr.) was born at the Smith farm on July 12, 1771. In 1791, Asael and his large family moved to Ipswich for about 6 months. They then moved to Tunbridge, Vermont where their son Joseph Sr. later met his future bride, Lucy Mack.

Concerning Asael Smith, the Prophet Joseph Smith recorded, “My grandfather, Asael Smith, long ago predicted that there would be a prophet raised up in his family” (HC 2:443). After Asael had read the Book of Mormon, Joseph further stated that Asael “declared that I was the very Prophet that he had long known would come in his family” (HC 2:443). Asael was first shown the Book of Mormon when his son, Joseph Sr., and grandson, Don Carlos, visited family members who were now living in St. Lawrence County, New York. Asael accepted the gospel but was too weak to be baptized. He died just a few months after his son’s visit on October 30, 1830. His widow, Mary, traveled to Kirtland in 1836 to visit her extended family. She had also accepted the gospel and planned to have the Prophet baptize her. Unfortunately, she passed away just ten days after her arrival, at the age of 93.

SITES TO SEE

• Marker behind the Congregation Church – This marker was erected by the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation and the Topsfield Historical Society in 2005. The marker tells of the significance of this area to the Smith family.

• Marker at Smith Farmhouse Site – This was once the home site of Samuel, Samuel Jr., and the birth site of Asael Smith and Joseph Smith Sr. Though the original home is no longer standing, the Smith well still exists in the backyard of this home. The home is privately owned and not available for tours. The marker was dedicated by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve on October 15, 2005.

• Pine Grove Cemetery – Many members of the Smith family are buried in this cemetery including Robert Smith, Samuel and his wife Rebecca, and Samuel Smith Jr. and his wife, Priscilla. The exact locations of the graves are unknown but a memorial marker to the Smith family was erected under the supervision of George A. Smith in 1873.

Planning Your Time

If you are going to be in the Boston area, consider taking a quick visit to Topsfield. Time spent driving through the commons, visiting the cemetery and seeing the Smith farmhouse site is about 30 minutes. Allow an hour if you are coming from the airport, stopping at the sites, and getting back on the interstate (sometimes longer if Boston traffic is heavy).

Getting There

Coming from the Boston airport, drive north on Route 1A. Merge onto US 1-N for about 8 miles. Take I-95 N. for about 4 miles before taking US-1 N. (Topsfield exit).

Now’s the Time

Now is a wonderful time to visit and fall in love with the beautiful New England states. The scenery is breathtaking, and locally produced products including syrup, cheese, and apples are waiting to be sampled. Before traveling in this region, visit www.VermontVacation.com for more detailed information.

Up next: Sharon, Vermont

For information about our fall Church history tour, visit www.ldsfamilytravel.com.