Following the birth of Joseph Smith Jr. the family only lived on the farm they rented from Lucy's father for about two years. They moved back to Tunbridge where Samuel Harrison was born March 13, 1808 and then moved on to Royalton where William was born. In 1811 they moved their family of six children to Lebanon, New Hampshire. They rented the house pictured at the right. It was here that life for the Smiths began to improve. Lucy relates there was nothing of which we have not a sufficiency to make us and our children comfortable
Their success and new found prosperity does not last long. In 1813 the typhus fever came to Lebanon and claimed 6000 lives in the Connecticut River Valley. Joseph and Lucy did not contract the illness but all of the children were seized with the disease and Sophronia was sick for ninety days. The doctors said there was nothing more they could do and ultimately it was the mighty faith and fervent prayers of Joseph and Lucy that brought back the life of their daughter. All of the children recovered but young Joseph who while still recovering developed a severe pain in his shoulder. The doctor misdiagnosed his condition as a sprained shoulder. Two weeks later Dr. Parker returned and found a large sore under his armpit which he immediately lanced and drew out over a quart of matter. The pain went to Joseph's leg and it began to swell. Despite the families best efforts Joseph's condition steadily worsened. The doctor is summoned two more times and he cuts open the leg in an effort to drain the infection so the leg could heal. However, the leg would not heal and a team of surgeons determined that amputation was necessary to save the boy's life. Lucy refused to let them do so without trying something else first. Among the surgeons was one Doctor Nathan Smith who was not a relative of Joseph's family. He told Lucy he was willing to perform a surgery he had previously done successfully that might save Joseph's leg but it would be extremely painful. They had brought cords to bind Joseph to the table if that was the course chosen. The family was desirious that the effort be made but little Joseph refused to be bound and ask only for his father to hold him. He didn't want any alcohol to ease the pain yet he did ask his mother to leave because the surgery would be too hard on her since she was worn down from caring for her sick family. An amazing request from a seven year old. It is difficult to really understand all that Joseph went through during the surgery and long healing process. However, the leg was saved and Joseph endured an ordeal that certainly toughened him and helped prepare him to overcome the many trials and afflictions he would face in his life. It is significant to mention here that the Dr. Nathan Smith who performed the surgery founded Dartmouth Medical School and went on to found the medical school at Yale University.
