Palmyra in Wayne County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Martin Harris Farm

Photographed by Yugoboy, October 13, 2012

1. Martin Harris Farm Marker

Inscription. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was founded in this area, and Martin Harris was a leading figure in its early history. He helped publish the Book of Mormon. Martin Harris was born 18 May 1783 in Easttown, Saratoga County New York. ln 1792 his father Nathan Harris, brought the family here and became one of the first settlers of the Palmyra area. ln 1813, at the age of 30, Martin was given 320 acres of his father’s farm. He prospered and was active in community affairs.

ln 1827 he hired Joseph Smith Sr. and his sons to work on the farm. The elder Smith and his son Hyrum dug the well at the front of the house. Another son, Joseph Jr. worked with Martin Harris in the fields for $.50 a day. During this time Martin heard the story of Joseph's visions and believed them to be of divine origin.

When Joseph Smith Jr. translated the record that became the Book of Mormon, Martin Harris was one of his first scribes and helped pay expenses. Harris mortgaged part of his farm to pay for the book's publication in 1829. After the translation was finished, he was one of three witnesses who were visited by an angel and who

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

testified of the divinity of the book and its message. He bore a strong testimony of that visitation to his dying day 10 July 1875.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1783.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 43° 5.015′ N, 77° 14.378′ W. Marker was in Palmyra, New York, in Wayne County. It was on Maple Avenue 0.2 miles south of Division Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2095 Maple Avenue, Palmyra NY 14522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

in the Finger Lakes,

and in the Rochester Metropolitan Area.

It was also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the

Martin Harris Farm House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, October 13, 2012

2. Martin Harris Farm House

See "Lake Stone House" marker for details on the construction of this (and similar) homes.

original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Lake Stone House (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Martin Harris Farm (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Martin Harris Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Palmer Homestead (approx. 0.8 miles away); First Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); First School House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Palmyra - Macedon Lions Club War Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Palmyra - Macedon Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palmyra.

Martin Harris Farm Marker approach from north image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, October 13, 2012

3. Martin Harris Farm Marker approach from north

Martin Harris Farm Marker approach from south image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Yugoboy, October 13, 2012

4. Martin Harris Farm Marker approach from south

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2013, by Yugoboy of Rochester, New York. This page has been viewed 1,552 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on September 14, 2025, by Susan A. Dalaba of Cortland, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 17, 2013, by Yugoboy of Rochester, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.