Familypedia
Advertisement

Thomas Baldwin Marsh was born 1 November 1800 in Acton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States to James Marsh (1750-1822) and Molly Law (1759-1808) and died January 1866 Ogden, Weber County, Utah, United States of unspecified causes. He married Elizabeth Godkin (1799-1878) 1 November 1820 in Long Island, New York, United States.

Biography

Thomas was an early leader in the Latter-day Saint movement and an original member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who served as the quorum's first president in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1835 to 1838. He withdrew from the church in 1838, was excommunicated from it in 1839, and remained disaffected for almost 19 years. Marsh was rebaptized into the LDS Church in July 1857, but never again served in church leadership positions. He followed the membership west and eventually settled in Ogden, Utah.

Early life

Marsh was born in the town of Acton, Massachusetts, to James Marsh and Molly Law.[1] He spent his early life farming in Westmoreland, New Hampshire.

As a young man, Marsh developed a pattern of traveling and working for various employers. Marsh ran away at age 14 to Chester, Vermont, and worked as a farmer for three months. Then he left for Albany, New York, working as a waiter for 18 months. He spent two years working at the New York City Hotel, then returned to Albany for a year, and then back at the New York hotel for two more years. He also spent 18 months working as a groom for Edward Griswold on Long Island, New York.

During the time Marsh was employed by Griswold, he married Elizabeth Godkin in New York City[2] on his 20th birthday in 1820.[1] After his marriage, he attempted unsuccessfully to run a grocery business for 18 months. He subsequently spent seven years working at a type foundry in Boston, Massachusetts.

During his time in Boston, Marsh became a member of the Methodist Church.[2] However, Marsh became dissatisfied because he came to believe that Methodism did not correspond to the Bible. Marsh left the Methodist Church and joined a group of friends in what others called a Quietist sect.

Conversion and baptism

In 1829, Marsh unexpectedly left his home in Boston and journeyed west, traveling with Benjamin Hall, one of his friends from the Quietist sect. In his words, "I believed the Spirit of God dictated me to make a journey west." He stayed at Lima, New York in Livingston County for three months before returning home. On the way home, he stopped at Lyonstown, where a woman informed him of the golden plates that Joseph Smith (1805-1844) was said to have obtained. She directed him to Palmyra, New York, and told him to seek out Martin Harris (1783-1875) for more information.



Children


Offspring of Thomas Baldwin Marsh and Elizabeth Godkin (1799-1878)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Edward Barton Marsh (1821-1868)
James Marsh (1823-1838)
Thomas Emerson Marsh (1825-1827)
Thomas Emerson Marsh (1827-1904)
Nephi Marsh (1831-1834)
Jacob Marsh (1833-1833)
Joseph Marsh (1833-)
Mary Elizabeth Marsh (1837-)



Siblings


Offspring of James Marsh (1750-1822) and Molly Law (1759-1808)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Elisabeth Marsh (1776-1810)
Molly Marsh (1778-)
Eleanor Marsh (1780-1807)
Nathan Marsh (1781-)
Keziah Marsh (1783-1860)
James Marsh (1787-1872)
Titus Vestprasean Marsh (1790-)
Oliver Emerson Marsh (1795-1884)
Ann Marsh (1798-1849)
Thomas Baldwin Marsh (1800-1866) 1 November 1800 Acton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States January 1866 Ogden, Weber County, Utah, United States Elizabeth Godkin (1799-1878)
Josiah Marsh (1802-1802)

Residences

See Also


References

External links

Leadership Charts

Religious titles
(Renamed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1838)
First  President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles 
April 26, 1835 – March 17, 1839
Succeeded by
Brigham Young
New creation Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
April 26, 1835 – March 17, 1839
Succeeded by
David W. Patten



Footnotes (including sources)

MainTour

Advertisement