Sally Chase, daughter of Clark Chase and Phebe Mason, was born on October 26, 1800 in Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts.
In 1827, Sally had a greenish stone through which she claimed to see things. She claimed to know the precise place where Joseph Smith Jr. hid the “Gold Bible.” She would place the stone in a hat and hold it to her face, and claim that she could look through the stone and see money. It was said that she could help people locate lost objects by using the stone. Her brother Willard Chase would dig where Sally said there was money. Following Sally’s directions, a mob tore up the floor of Joseph Smith Sr.’s cooper’s shop thinking they would find the plates.[1]
In 1850, Sally was listed in the US Federal Census as being age forty-eight and living in Palmyra with Phebe Chase age 78, Emma Jacks age 17, and Laura Dunn age 22. In 1860, Sally was listed in the US Federal Census as a sewing machine operator. She had a personal wealth of $450. Living in her household was Amelia Stafford. In 1870, Sally was listed in the US Federal Census as being age sixty-nine. Living in her household was her brother Willard Chase. Sally died on April 7, 1880 in Palmyra. She was buried in the Palmyra City Cemetery.
[1] Smith, History of Joseph Smith by his Mother, p. 108; Quinn, Early Mormonism and the Magic Worldview, p. 41; Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845, in Joseph Smith Papers.