Shadrach Roundy, Bodyguard to the Prophet

Shadrach Roundy (1788-1872)

While searching through my various family lines today, I found a story about Shadrach Roundy, my fourth great grandfather, that I've never heard before. Thank you, new FamilySearch.org!

Shadrach was born January 1, 1789, in Rockingham, Windham county, Vermont. He married Betsy Quimby when he was 25; they had 10 children (four sons, six daughters). He moved with his family to Onondaga county, New York, (the FamilySearch records don't indicate when) and there heard of Joseph Smith. Shadrach left his home in the winter of 1830-31and traveled on horseback to see Joseph Smith, who then lived in Fayette, Seneca county, New York. After having an interview with the Prophet, he was baptized. His wife and those of his children who were old enough also embraced the gospel about the same time.

Shadrach was with the Saints during the well-known stops in  Kirtland (where he received a license to preach the gospel), Missouri (where he endured persecutions with other Saints), and Nauvoo (where he served as captain of police). In Nauvoo, he acted he acted as special guard around the person of the Prophet Joseph in times of imminent danger and persecutions. On several occasions he was on duty without intermission, for many days and nights, without sleep or rest. In the same way that many Mormons honor the office of the current prophet, the record says Shadrach's devotion to the head of the Church, Joseph Smith, was "so great that he would have given his own life freely in his defense." 

I already knew many of these details, but had never heard of the following stories:

On one occasion, when the Prophet had been forewarned that he was in danger, he sent for Bro. Roundy and told him to pick a trusty man to be on guard with him at his house, as a party was coming that night by water to kidnap him. Bro. Roundy selected Josiah Arnold and placed him on guard at the gate, with orders to admit no one, while he himself took his beat by the river, but on hearing a noise he hastily repaired to the gate and found William Law inside the gate and others in the act of entering. Bro. Roundy, who had a hickory walking cane in his hand, quickly took hold of it at each end, and pressing it against the men forced them back outside, and then fastened the gate. William Law endeavored to explain that the men who were with him were gentlemen merchants, who wanted to see the mummies. Bro. Roundy replied that if they were gentlemen they should come at gentlemen's hours. William Law insisted that Brother Joseph would admit them, as they would pay $10 in pocket money, there being about forty of them; the admission fee was 25 cents for each. On their agreeing not to try to enter while he was gone, Bro. Roundy went to Joseph's room. The Prophet, who had overheard the conversation, told Elder Roundy to go back and tell the strangers as a message from him that what he (Roundy) had already told them himself. Thus was the Prophet's life and property preserved by the courage and fidelity of Elder Roundy and his associate. 

Elder Roundy came to Great Salt Lake valley as one of the pioneers of 1847, and was one of the three men who plowed the first furrow in Great Salt Lake valley. He was a member of the first High Council in the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, and also a member of the first Territorial legislature. He crossed the plains five times to bring poor emigrants to the Valley, was a captain of the "Silver Greys," and one of the first settlers in the Sixteenth Ward, where he presided as Bishop from April 14, 1849, until 1856. Bishop Roundy died in Salt Lake City, July 4, 1872, as a true and faithful member of the church.

If that isn't a daunting legacy to live up to, I don't know what is.

And a side note: Shadrach Roundy is mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 124:41.

 Source: Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. I Compiled by Andrew Jenson Printed by The Deseret News, 1901