I [Lucy Mack Smith] have a sketch of my father’s life, written by himself, . . .

“In the spring of 1759 the army marched to Crownpoint, where I received my discharge. In the same year I became acquainted with an accomplished young woman, a school teacher, by the name of Lydia Gates. She was the daughter of one Nathan Gates, who was a man of wealth living in the Town of East Haddam <​Con.​>. To this young woman I was married, shortly after becoming acquainted with her

. . .

“Here I was thrown into a situation to appreciate more fully the talents and virtues of my excellent wife; for, as our children were deprived of schools, she assumed the charge of their education, and performed the duties of an instuctress as none save a mother is capable of:— Precepts, accompanied with examples such as hers, are calculated to make an impression on the minds of the young, never to be forgotton. She, besides instructing them in the various branches of an ordinary education, was in the habit of calling them together both morning and evening, and teaching them to pray; meanwhile urging upon them the necessity of love towards each other, as well as devotional feelings <​towards​> Him who made them.

“In this manner my first children became confirmed in habits of piety, gentleness, and reflection; which afforded great assistance in guiding those who came after them into the same happy channel.

“The education of my children would have been a more difficult task, if they had not inherited much of their mothers excellent disposition.