Soon after Sophronia, the first girl in the Smith family, was born May 18, 1803, in Tunbridge, Vt., the family moved to Royalton, a small community nearby. During the next eight years, the Smiths moved to Sharon, back to Tunbridge, to Royalton again, and then to Lebanon, N.H.
While the family was in Lebanon they prospered for a short time, but then adversity struck. All the Smith children were stricken with typhus fever in an epidemic that swept the area, and Sophronia was particularly hard-hit by the disease. After suffering with her illness for three grueling months, she was so weak her attending physician refused to further minister to her, as her case appeared hopeless.
But Sophronia's mother, Lucy Mack Smith, was undaunted. She later wrote that although Sophronia "lay altogether motionless, with her eyes wide open, and with that peculiar aspect which bespeaks the near approach of death," Lucy and her faithful husband refused to accept what appeared to be Sophronia's death.
They knelt by her bedside and humbly pleaded with God to spare their child. Even before they rose to their feet they both knew that their prayers had been answered and the child would live. After rising, Mother Smith wrapped Sophronia in a blanket and took her into her arms, walking back and forth across the room.
Those around her protested, saying, "Mrs. Smith, it is all of no use; you are certainly crazy, your child is dead." But Lucy continued to pace the floor with Sophronia. At length the child sobbed, then sobbed again. Finally, her air passageway clearing, she began to breathe quite freely.
"My soul was satisfied," declared the relieved mother, "but my strength was gone. I laid my daughter on the bed and sunk by her side, completely overpowered by the intensity of my feelings." Sophronia continued improving until she was completely well.
Some time later the family returned to Vermont, settling in the small community of Norwich. After three successive crop failures, the family decided to move to New York.
The Palmyra area, where they settled, was embroiled in a religious revival. Sophronia, her mother, and her brothers, Hyrum and Samuel, joined the Presbyterian Church.
However, after her younger brother, Joseph, received his visitation from the Father and the Son - a visit that ushered in the gospel's restoration - evidence indicates that Sophronia, as well as the rest of the family, soon accepted Joseph's message.
In November 1823, Alvin, the eldest son, was taken sick with bilious colic. His condition became fatal when he was given a large dose of calomel which lodged in his stomach. Knowing he was about to die, the 25-year-old Alvin called Sophronia to him and said, "Sophronia, you must be a good girl, and do all you can for Father and Mother - never forsake them; they have worked hard, and they are now getting old. Be kind to them, and remember what they have done for us." The next day, Alvin died.
The 20-year-old Sophronia did not forget her older brother's counsel. She was tenderly solicitous to her parents throughout the remainder of their lives.
On Jan. 18, 1827, Sophronia married Calvin Stoddard. They moved several miles from the Smith home, but maintained a common concern for her parents.
Sophronia and Calvin had two daughters. The first, Eunice, was born March 22, 1830, but died in infancy. Another daughter, Maria, was born April 12, 1832, and was a comfort and support to Sophronia for the rest of her life.
Serious illness continued to plague Sophronia at various times in her life. In 1833, Sophronia again became so ill that once again she was given up for lost by her attending physician. But again her strong-willed mother intervened. She prevailed upon her husband and sons (along with Jared Carter) to administer to her stricken daughter. In half an hour, Sophronia was able to tell her mother, "I shall get well - not suddenly, but the Lord will heal me gradually." It was true. That same day she gained enough strength to sit up for half an hour. In a few weeks she was completely restored to health.
Sophronia's husband, Calvin, was an early convert to the restored Church. At times his faith seemed very strong. He filled at least one mission and worked with diligence on the Kirtland temple. There were other times, though, that his faith was weak and wavering. And there were, unfortunately, times when he was not just weak, but actively opposed to his brother-in-law Joseph and the cause he led.
By 1834 Calvin had been twice excommunicated from the Church. Calvin, apparently, lacked the sense of loyalty needed to carry him to greatness in the service of the Church.
On Sept. 7, 1836, he died, leaving his widow and 4-year-old daughter, Maria.
Widowed at 33, Sophronia did not stay single long. Before she left Kirtland, she married William McCleary, a Church member. They moved to Missouri in 1838, but arrived there only to soon be chased from the state by mobs.
After a trying trip from Missouri, they joined the saints in Illinois. The Smith family (at least those not illegally jailed) clung to each other during that terrible time.
On Sept. 14, 1840, Joseph Smith Sr. died as a result of the rigors of the family's difficult trek from Missouri, combined with the trials he experienced earlier there.
Before his death, he gave each of his children a blessing. To Sophronia he said: "Sophronia, my oldest daughter, thou hadst sickness when thou wast young, and thy parents did cry over thee, to have the Lord spare they life. Thou didst see trouble and sorrow, but thy troubles shall be lessened, for thou has been faithful in helping thy father and thy mother in the work of the Lord. And thou shalt be blessed, and the blessing of heaven shall rest down upon thee. Thy last days shall be thy best. Although thou shalt see trouble, sorrow and mourning, thou shalt be comforted, and the Lord will lift thee up, and bless thee and thy family and thou shalt live as long as thou desirest life. . . ."
After living in the Nauvoo area for some time, the McClearys moved to Ramus, Ill., (now named Webster), a predominantly LDS community located some 20 miles southeast of Nauvoo. There, on at least two occasions, they were visited by her brother, Joseph, who, while in her home, gave several "Important Items of Instruction" now contained in Section 130 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
After Joseph and Hyrum were martyred in Carthage June 27, 1844, the McClearys chose not to follow Brigham Young to the West. No doubt a great influencing factor was the fact that Sophronia's mother was too frail to make the trip and that her other sisters and her brother, William, also opted to stay in Illinois.
After the death of her second husband, Sophronia made her home with her daughter, Maria, and son-in-law, Barnett Wolley, in Colchester, Ill. While she was living there she was visited by her nephew, Joseph F. Smith, in 1860.
There is conflicting data concerning Sophronia's death date. One report is that she died in 1876. Her tombstone in the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Colchester, however, indicates the date of death was five years earlier.
A search of the records in the courthouses of McDonough and Hancock counties produced no legal documents verifying the date of her death.
It is unfortunate that the fires of religious fervor that Sophronia earlier experienced, were, in the waning years of her life, almost completely banked. But her contributions to the Church while her brother, Joseph, lived, were considerable, and a review of her life underscores not only a need for valiancy, but endurance as well.
