William Smith

1811–1893 (82 years)

Hometown: Royalton, Vermont

Apostle

Biography

William Smith was the younger brother of Joseph Smith and an original apostle. His relationship with church leadership was tumultuous, marked by conflicts, suspensions, and eventual excommunication.

William practiced polygamy, reportedly marrying up to 22 women. After Joseph’s death, he briefly served as Church Patriarch but was excommunicated in 1845 for misconduct and apostasy.

He later affiliated with the Reorganized Church (now Community of Christ) and spent years competing with the Utah church. His contentious personality and conflicts with multiple factions make him one of the most controversial figures in early Mormon history.

Parents

Joseph Smith Sr. Father

Lucy Mack Smith Mother

Served Under

Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:

Wives (6)

William Smith was a polygamist with 6 wives. Note these are simultaneous marriages — married to multiple living spouses at the same time. 1 of these wives were a teenager (18 or less) at the time of marriage.

6 wives · Lifespan: 1811–1893

Caroline Amanda Grant

1833–1845 (12 yrs)

Mary Ann Covington Sheffield

1844–1865 (21 yrs)

1845–1879 (34 yrs)

1847–1893 (46 yrs)

1857–1889 (32 yrs)

1889–1893 (4 yrs)

1811 (born) 1832 1853 1874 1893 (died)

Wife

7 children from 3 wives · Lifespan: 1811–1893

Caroline Amanda Grant

2 children

Roxie Ann Grant

2 children

Eliza Elise Sanborn

3 children

1811 (born) 1832 1853 1874 1893 (died)

Wife Child born

6 wives · Ages at marriage

Her age His age Teenage bride (<18)

#	Name	Born	Died	Married	Her Age	His Age	Age Diff	Children
1	Caroline Amanda Grant	Jan 22, 1814	May 22, 1845	Feb 14, 1833	19	21	2	2
2	Mary Ann Covington Sheffield	Mar 10, 1801	Aug 15, 1865	c. Apr 1, 1844	c. 43	33	10	0
3	Mary Jane Rollins ⚠	Dec 25, 1829	Mar 18, 1879	Jun 22, 1845	15	34	19	0
4	Roxie Ann Grant	Mar 16, 1825	Mar 30, 1900	May 19, 1847	22	36	14	3
5	Eliza Elise Sanborn	Apr 6, 1827	Mar 7, 1889	Nov 12, 1857	30	46	16	4
6	Rosella Goyette	May 16, 1830	Apr 6, 1923	Dec 21, 1889	59	78	19	0

Children (9)

With Caroline Amanda Grant (2 children)

Mary Jane Smith (b. Jan 1, 1834)
Caroline L. Smith (b. Jan 1, 1836)

With Roxie Ann Grant (3 children)

Thalia Grant Smith (b. Jan 1, 1848)
Hyrum Wallace Smith (b. Jan 1, 1850)

With Eliza Elise Sanborn (4 children)

William Enoch Smith (b. Jan 1, 1858)
Edson Don Carlos Smith (b. Jan 1, 1862)
Loie May Smith (b. Jan 1, 1866)