Lucy Mack Smith recalls her family's history of moving.
Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845, 51, 53, 63–65, 67–68
Meantime we had a son whom we called Joseph, after the name of his father. He was born December 23d, 1805; whom I shall speak more particularly of, by and by.
. . .
In 1811, we moved from Royalton <Vermont> to Lebanon <New Hampshire>.
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Shortly after sickness left us, we moved to Norwich, in the state of Vermont. Here we establised ourselves on a farm, belonging to one Esq Moredock. The first year our crops failed. . . . The second year the crops were as the year previous— a perfect failure. Mr. Smith now determined to plant once more; and, if he should have had no better success, than he had had the two years previous, he would go to the State of New York, where wheat was raised in abundance. The next year an untimely frost destroyed the crops; which, being the third year in succession in which that the crops had failed, almost caused a famine.
This was enough. My husband was now altogether decided upon going to New York. . . . Having thus arranged his buisness, Mr. Smith set out for Palmira, New York, in company with Mr. Howard. After his departure myself and family toiled faithfully to prepare ourselves for the journey; and when we considered ourselves <about> ready to leave, at a moments warning we we received a communication from Mr. Smith, requesting us to <make> ourselves ready to take up a journey for Palmyra; and in a Short time after this a team came for us. We were soon ready for the journey; and, as we were about setting off, several of those gentlemen, who had kept their books back in the time of settlement, now brought them forward and claimed the accounts which had been settled, and which they had, in the presence of witnesses, agreed to cross, or erase.
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I accordingly did so; and proceeding on our journey, we arrived in a short time at Palmyra, with a small portion of our effects, and barely two cents in money.
When I again met my husband at Palmira, we were much reduced; not from indolence, but on account of many reverses of fortune, with which our lives had been rather singularly marked; but, notwithstanding our misfortunes, and the embarrasments with which we were surrounded, I was quite happy in once more having the society of my husband, and in throwing myself and children upon the care and affection of a tender companion and father.