Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

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PIONEER HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY

lumber had to be hewn by hand. All the interior finish was hand
made, even to the nails. When the building was completed he
established a boot and shoe store in one part. He was an expert
shoemaker, and was seven years learning the trade before he left
England. All boots and shoes were at that time made by hand.
Mr. and Mrs. Whiteley occupied the upper floor of the building
for their residence, and their son John was born there on January
21, 1828. While living in Palmyra, Mr. Whiteley's mother in
England was ill and he went to pay her a visit, spending six months
on the ocean, three going over and three coming back, in a small
sailing vessel. He was well repaid, however, as his mother improved after his arrival and lived to be one hundred years old.
She came to America at the age of ninety-five, and resided with
her son Joseph Whiteley in Lowell, Massachusetts, until her
death.
One Sunday morning during their residence in Palmyra there
was great excitement in the town. Joseph Smith came rushing
into the village calling out that he had gone out back of his barn
early that morning and had dug up a wonderful gold plate and a
pair of gold spectacles. He said that he had put on the spectacles
and had been able to read the remarkable message engraved on
the gold plate, which no one could read without the spectacles.
Mr. and Mrs. Whireley with a crowd from the town went out to
the Smith farm. They put on the spectacles and could read the
words engraved on the metal.
(Another version of the Joseph Smith miracles.)
After leaving Palmyra Mr. and Mrs. Whiteley resided for a time
in Philadelphia. Mrs. Whiteley often related how the watchmen would walk the streets at night, wearing continental hats and
long black coats. They carried candles in tin lanterns, the sides
of which were perforated with many holes, through which a dim
light was shed. These men would call the hour of the night,
adding "and all is well."
In every front hall people were compelled to keep a leather fire
bucket filled with water and when these night officers were heard
to give a fire cry every man hurriedly dressed, took his bucket
and ran to assist the firemen.
While on a visit to New York city with her husband, Mrs.
Whitely saw the Clermont, the first American steamboat, on her