Solomon Mack
Veteran of the American Revolutionary War
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Solomon Mack (15 September 1732 – 23 August 1820) was a resident of eighteenth-century New England and a veteran of the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War.
Solomon Mack | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 September, 1732 |
| Died | 23 August, 1820 |
| Occupations | Farmer, manufacturer, merchant, shipmaster, real estate investor, and freighter |
| Known for | being the maternal grandfather of Joseph Smith Jr. |
| Spouse | Lydia Gates |
| Parent(s) | Ebenezer Mack and Hannah Hanlly |
Early life
Solomon Mack was born on September 15, 1732, to Ebenezer Mack and Hannah Huntley[1] in Lyme, New London County, Connecticut.[2] According to Solomon's memoir, his parents once "had a large property and lived in good style", but by the time Solomon was four, the family had fallen on hard times. Solomon was "bound out" to a nearby farmer, whom he lived with until age 21.[3][unreliable source?]
War and marriage
From 1755 to 1759, he served in the French and Indian War, initially enlisting "under the command of Capt. Henry and was annexed to a regiment commanded by Col. Whiting".[2][3] In 1759, he received "a large separation pay" and purchased the town of Granville, New York, with the money; however, a leg injury prevented him from building up Granville, and soon the land was "completely lost."[4] He married schoolteacher Lydia Gates that same year.[5][6] The couple had around four children. Solomon Mack was the grandfather of Joseph Smith Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement.[4]
From 1771 to 1776, Mack lived in Marlow, New Hampshire.[4] Then, in 1776, he fought in the American Revolutionary War.[2] During the war, he and his sons Jason and Stephen Mack "embarked on a privateering expedition" to obtain cannons for the American army.[4] Throughout his life, Mack worked as a farmer, freighter, merchant, and more.[2] Around 1799, he moved to Tunbridge, Vermont.[7]
Later life
In 1811, he self-published his memoir, "Narrative of the Life of Solomon Mack", which detailed his history and his conversion to Christianity.[3][8][9]
Solomon Mack died on August 23, 1820, in Gilsum, New Hampshire, at the age of 87.[4] He was buried in the Bond Cemetery in Gilsum.[2] Today, there is a historic marker in Vermont at the site of the Solomon Mack home.[10][11]
