| Early convert and missionary (1831) to New York.
Reportedly poisoned (first martyr). Resurrection attempt failed. |
| Born |
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Joseph Blanchette Brackenbury, January 18, 1788 in
Riverhead, Suffolk, New York. |
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¶ Ancestry.com (subscription) |
| Died |
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January 7, 1832 in
Pomfret, Chautauqua, New York (or April
7, 1832 in Pomfret, Vermont). |
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¶ Ancestry.com |
| Father |
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Joseph Brackenbury |
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¶ Ancestry.com |
| Mother |
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Elizabeth Leach (or Blanshard)
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¶ Ancestry.com |
| Immigrant |
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[Joseph] emigrated to America when quite young. |
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Biographical Encyclopedia 2:597. |
| Baptized |
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April 10, 1831 baptized by John Corrill and Solomon Hancock. |
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Biographical Encyclopedia 2:597. |
| Ordained |
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April 11, 1831 ordained an elder. |
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Biographical Encyclopedia 2:597. |
| June 1831 conference |
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June [3– 6], 1831 attends first general conference in Kirtland. |
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First Conference in Kirtland |
| Heals infirm lady |
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[August 1831 after Joseph and company
return to Ohio] many mighty
miracles were wrought by the Elders—one in particular which I shall
here notice—which was wrought by Elders Emer Harris Joseph
Brackenbury and Wheeler Baldwin. Is
[about] an infirmity in an old lady who had been helpless for the space
of eight years confined to her bed. she did not belong to this church but
sent her request to the Elders who immediately attended to her call, and
after their arrival praid for her and laids their hands on her, and she
was immediately made whole and magnified and praised God. and is now enjoying
perfect health |
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J. Whitmer, 87.
Healings |
High
Priesthood
Mission volunteer |
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October 25–26, 1831 at Amherst,
Ohio conference, states he "consecrated all
to God before he was baptized, he was also determined to go on to the end
of his life." Oliver Cowdery ordains
him to the High Priesthood, then calls for elders who want to preach the
gospel. Joseph "was appointed to examine these brethren, presenting
themselves for ordination." |
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¶ Minutes of October 25–26,
1831 |
| Mission |
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December 1831 leaves with Edmund Durfee
on mission to the east. (Joel Hills Johnson reports they were from New London, Ohio.) |
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HC 7:524.
Joel Johnson autobiography, 4. |
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Baptizes Julia Hills and her son-in-law, Lyman R. Sherman, in Pomfret, Chautauqua County, New York. |
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Joel Johnson autobiography, 4. |
| Dies Jan. 7, 1832 |
¶ |
Some of the followers of Jo. Smith have recently commenced operations
in this town … They had gained a few proselytes, and had the prospect
of doing a fair business, when one of the principal of them was arrested
in his career by the tyrant Death on Saturday last [January 7]. |
|
"Mormonism in Chautauqe county," Fredonia
Censor, Jan. 11, 1832. Source |
| "Resurrection men" |
¶ |
It seems these miserable fanatics have made a few converts in Pomfret,
Chautauqua county. One of their number died, and the night after his burial,
a party of "resurrection men" were disturbed while disinterring
the deceased, and one of the offenders taken and bound over for trial. |
|
"Mormonism," Buffalo Patriot,
Jan. 17, 1832. Source
Healing the Dead |
| Poisoned |
¶ |
Elder Joseph B. Brackenbury died at Pomfret from the effects of poison
secretly administered to him by opposers, who afterwards boasted that Mormon
elders had not faith enough to stand poison. The night after his burial
there was a heavy snowstorm, about half past eleven o'clock Joel H. Johnson
dreamed that some persons were digging up Brother Brackenbury's body, and
was so exercised about it that he called up some of the brethren and went
to the spot, about one mile distant, and they found a party of doctors
at work, who had nearly cleared the grave of earth; the men fled with utmost
precipitation. David Johnson took after the largest one who was caught
and bound over in one thousand dollar bonds for his appearance at court,
but was never tried. |
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HC 7:524. |
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| Attempted resurrection |
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In compiling the official history of the church, Apostle George A. Smith
wrote to Elizabeth Brackenbury for details regarding the death of her husband,
including the question, "What were the circumstances of his death,
burial, and attempted resurrection?" |
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Power on high, 151n9 citing letter of Aug.
29, 1855, Henry Stebbins Collection, Community of Christ Archives. |
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Families |
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| Wife |
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Mary Harr
md. 1783 |
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¶ Ancestry.com |
| Children |
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Lucy
Eliza
Joseph
Charlotte
Thomas Carr |
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| Wife |
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Eliza Durfee, b. Mar. 11, 1784 in Tiverton, Newport, RI
md. 1803 in New York (2 children) |
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¶ Ancestry.com |
| Children |
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Charles Wesley, b. Nov. 11, 1820 in
Newton, Kingston, NY
md. 1842 (5 children)
d. Pike Co., IL
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¶ Ancestry.com (also
listed as son of Elizabeth Davis) |
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Benjamin Blanchard, b. Apr. 27, 1827 in
New London, Huron, OH
md. Phebe Ann Allen (1830–1897) in 1847 on Mormon Trail, IA (3 children)
d. May 8, 1897 in
Caldwell, Conyon, ID
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¶ Ancestry.com (also
listed as son of Elizabeth Davis) |
| Wife |
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Elizabeth Davis, b. Apr. 11, 1797 in Riverhead, Suffolk,
NY
previous marriage: Gilbert Goldsmith (1784–1811)
(2 children)
md. 1819 in Queens, NY (3 children)
d. Dec. 16, 1876 in White Cloud, Doniphan, KS
subsequent marriages:
Jabez Durfee (1791–1867) Mar. 1834 in Clay Co.,
MO (no
children);
Joseph Smith (1805–1844) 1842 in Nauvoo, Hancock, IL (no
children);
Cornelius
Peter Lott (1798–1850) Jan. 22, 1846 (proxy) in Nauvoo, Hancock,
IL.
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¶ Ancestry.com |
| Children |
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Charles Wesley, b. Nov. 11, 1820 in Newton, Kingston, NY
md. 1842 (5 children)
d. Pike Co., IL
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¶ Ancestry.com (also
listed as son of Eliza Durfee) |
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Joseph Blanchett, b. Oct. 25, 1822 in
New London, Huron, OH |
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¶ Ancestry.com |
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Benjamin Blanchard, b. Apr. 27, 1827 in New London, Huron,
OH
md. Phebe Ann Allen (1830–1897) in 1847 on Mormon Trail, IA (3 children)
d. May 8, 1897 in Caldwell, Conyon, ID
|
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¶ Ancestry.com (also
listed as son of Eliza Durfee) |
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Biographies
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