Josiah Stowell Home

Josiah Stowell was an early employer and eventual supporter of Joseph Smith. Beginning in 1825, Joseph Smith Jr. was occasionally employed as a hand here at the home of Josiah and Miriam Stowell. In January 1827, on the evening after Joseph and Emma Smith were married in South Bainbridge, New York, they may have stayed here with the family of Josiah and Miriam Stowell. Josiah also helped Joseph and Emma moved to Manchester, New York, to live with Joseph’s parents in their home there.

Born in 1770, Josiah Stowell was a farmer and sawmill owner in Chenango County, New York. He briefly hired Joseph Smith to assist him in looking for Spanish treasure, rumored to be in the Harmony, Pennsylvania area. While the time Joseph spent as an employee to Josiah was short, it was during this time that Joseph boarded with the Hale family and met Emma Hale. Josiah Stowell was among the early supporters and believers in Joseph Smith’s revelations and often assisted Joseph and Emma after they were married in January 1827.

Read more about Josiah Stowell in Saints Volume 1, Chapter 4.

What to Expect

Docents will give you a guided tour of the home.