Jerusha
Barden Smith, first wife of Patriarch Hyrum Smith was born
on February 15th 1805 she passed into almost total anonymity
when she died in Kirtland, Ohio on Oct. 13 1837, following
the birth of her sixth child, Sarah. She was buried by the
side of her little daughter, Mary who died at age 4 on May
29, 1832. Also, her mother-in-law, Lucy Mack Smith, who died
at age 92 on May 27, 1836, is buried nearby.
Their gravesites have remained unidentified and unmarked for
more than a century and a half. About six months ago through
the efforts of the family, a small memorial stone bearing
all there names plus a notation about the twins born to
Joseph and Emma Smith was placed in the Kirtland Ohio
Cemetery somewhere near the place where the graves are
located. Small as it is, this was an accomplishment
after sixty-four years of negotiating to get a
memorial. A picture of the proposed bust is shown
below.
Many of
the grandchildren of Jerusha have expressed an intense
desire to put in place a more fitting memorial for this
devoted and valiant woman who was the first love of Hyrum
Smith. There, in Kirtland, she loved and supported him
during the very crucial years of the unfolding of the
church. This is were she gave birth to all here
children, our ancestors, and then died so prematurely.
For all this time she has been almost unknown and
unheralded.
The
famous sculptor, Dee Jay Bawden has been commissioned to
sculpt a likeness of her to be placed alongside the bust of
Hyrum that is already in the home were she and Hyrum lived
in Kirtland. It is anticipated that an appropriate
tribute to her will be inscribed and placed with the statue.
If you
are a descendant of Jerusha and Hyrum Smith, you will undoubtedly
want to make a donation toward this memorial for her. A
donation of $10, $25, $50 or whatever you want to make will
certainly help pay for the sculpture bust. A purchase of one
of the smaller busts will be counted toward the donation to
the fund for the large bust.
Place your order on
line for the bust (s)
or you can mail your donation to:
Eldred G. Smith,
Hyrum Smith Family Association
2942 Devonshire Circle
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
Please note on your check
"Jerusha Bust"
PLEASE
NOTE! SHIPPING
charge is based on a percentage of the total order amount and may be
more than actual costs. If shipping charge at checkout is more than
actual shipping, handling and insurance charge, we will credit you back
the difference to your credit card. You will only be charged actual
costs for each item.
