I am the great-great-granddaughter of Jesse N. Smith and I have read every book I can find on the subject of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. I know that Jesse N. Smith was involved in some of the planning of the massacre and also in the cover-up, but I do not know whether he was there that day. After exhaustive research, I feel that he most likely wasn't a participant in the actual massacre although he knew what was transpiring.

Jesse N. Smith was the 2nd counselor in the Parowan Stake Presidency (William H. Dame was the Stake President in Parowan at the time of the massacre) and attended many of the "counsel" meetings in the days leading up to the massacre. Smith was a Captain in the Militia (Company A) and was made Captain on June 2, 1857. Prior to this, he states that he was "promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in Company A" on July 14, 1856. Jesse N. Smith was a first cousin of George A. Smith and he and his brother (Silas) traveled around Southern Utah with George A. in the weeks before the massacre. Jesse was in the party that camped next to the emigrants at Corn Creek and many believe that it was his brother, Silas, who started the "poison" rumor. I have a lot of information regarding Jesse N. Smith if anyone is interested. I would also love to know if anyone has come across any information about Jesse and the massacre. Thanks!!