<em> CLARIFICATION: The location of Young's boyhood home is on Cole Road in Smyrna, but at that time Smyrna was still a part of the Town of Sherburne. </em>

SHERBURNE – Many may not be aware, but the childhood home of Brigham Young, one of the biggest leaders of Mormonism and a colonizer of the West, was near a quiet stretch of road in the Town of Sherburne.

Originally born in 1801, in Vermont, Young moved with his 10 siblings and parents to Sherburne when he was a young child.

“He helped clean the land for farming, trapped, fished, planted and harvested,” said Kay Baker, Sherburne Town Historian, when asked about his activities while in the area. “He did whatever had to be done and cared for his mother who was ill with Tuberculosis.”

Young lived in the area until his mother’s death, which occurred when he was 16-years-old. He then moved to live with his sister in Auburn and worked as a carpenter, farmer, painter and general handyman.

“He assisted with buildings in Auburn,” Baker said. “He helped build the first market place, the prison, seminary and the home of Squire William Brown.”

According to her records Young lived in Auburn until 1823.

Though Young first practiced as a Methodist, he was baptized as part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1832. He was later ordained President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1835. He succeeded Joseph Smith, President of the Mormons, after Smith's assassination in 1844.