Boston, Massachusetts
Capital city of Massachusetts, located on eastern seaboard at mouth of Charles River. Founded by Puritans, 1630. Received city charter, 1822. Population in 1820 about 43,000; in 1830 about 61,000; and in 1840 about 93,000. Joseph Smith’s ancestor Robert Smith emigrated from Europe through city, 1638. Samuel Smith and Orson Hyde commenced Latter-day Saint missionary work in city, June 1832; Joseph Smith and Newel K. Whitney visited city, Oct. 1832. Brigham and Joseph Young visited city, Aug. 1836, and baptized seventeen people. Eight members of Quorum of the Twelve held conference in city, Sept. 1841. By 1843, fourteen branches of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had been established in area. Brigham Young and others spoke in city about Joseph Smith’s death, 18 July 1844.
Retrieved with permission from The Joseph Smith Papers.