THE LIFE HISTORY OF JOSEPH HOLBROOK
Written by his own hand.
I, being desirous of leaving on record a few of the incidents of my life and also a genealogy of my forefathers according to the record that has fallen into my hands from their hands that my children may be somewhat acquainted of the origin of their forefathers and I have written it in the English language hoping it will prove a blessing to them and be held sacred in my family from generation to generation as I shall embrace it in my expression and the knowledge I may have gained in the course of my days and I pray the Lord to direct my pen, assist my memory, correct my judgment and inspire my heart to do the will of God and preserve this history according to my desires to do good. That God may be honored. His kingdom built up and His home glorified in the hereafter in the midst of the saints I therefore dedicate these lines to be written unto the Lord God of Hosts even forever and ever, Amen
CHAPTER I
I was born in the Township of Florence, County of Oneida, State of New York, January 16, 1806. My father was a farmer by occupation. He held the deed of a piece of land known as being a part and of Scibias Patent, containing one hundred fifty acres, three quarters, more or less, bearing date of September 30, 1807. It was thirty-three miles from Utica and sixteen miles north west of Rome towards Sackets Harbor. The county was new, very heavy timbered with beach, maple, birch, hemlock, spruce, some basswood. The winters were long and tedious. The snow often averaging from five to seven feet on the level so that few fences were to be seen and laying from the first of November to the middle of April.
The name of Holbrook in the U.S.A. first originated in three brothers who came over to the Plymouth Colony as pilgrims and settled in the Old Medway County of Norfolk, Mass. They were mostly farmers by occupation, hardy, robust and industrious in their habits, moral but not attached to any particular sect of religion. They spread out from their first place of destination in different parts of Mass. My great grandfather settled in Sturbridge, Worchester County. John Holbrook, Senior, and his wife Patience. He had a brother, Josiah Holbrook, who served in the French and Indian Wars, being out on a scouting party, he was separated from his companions, he came upon thirteen Hessians in the French service, commanded them to stack their arms immediately and surrender themselves prisoners as he had surrounded them. He then shouldered their arms which consisted of thirteen French Muskets and took them into camp. The English government offered him a Colonel Commission for his act of generalship, which he refused to accept. He afterwards removed to Manels, New York.
My grandfather, John Holbrook, bought out his Uncle Josiah Holbrook's farm on Quinaburg River and lived there the rest of his days, over sixty years.
My father in settling in Florence now called Annsville was much deprived of many of the so called comforts of life, it being entirely new, the people mostly poor, having obtained their land on credit; but my father lived agreeable with his wife. I, Joseph, being their first born, my mother not being quite eighteen years of age at the time.
I was naturally a robust boy as was my brother Chandlier and Phoebe and things moved on in a harmonious and agreeable manner as my father had built the first frame barn 30 by 40 feet in that Country. He had been away from home the most of the winter getting out logs for lumber some eight or ten miles off on account of scarcity of saw mills to finish his barn in hopes of future happenings, long life and prosperity which enshrouds the mind with the hopes of future greatness. But in the month of February he came home in the evening, went away a mile or so for a cross cut saw, returned about nine o'clock being very cold which lasted about three hours when a raging fever set in. He continued to grow worse for three days when he died February 28, 1813, age 33 years 9 months. Thus in my youth I was left without a father who was always mild and generous with my little brother and sister. This unexpected death left my mother in a low state of feelings; but few know how to participate in except it be those who are called to the like circumstances. I had the fever after my father died. I lost my hearing for some three weeks in which they looked upon me dangerous.
My father was buried in the common burying ground about a mile from home. The Methodist Priest who preached my father's sermon died three weeks afterwards and was buried by his side at Mr. Hammonds request, the name of the preacher. I visited the grave yard in 1827 and found the two graves grown over with black berry bush. Peace to their ashes until resurrection morn.
My mother rented the farm the next season on shares to Alvin Smith Miller and lived in the house on the farm. There were about thirty-five or forty acres under cultivation.
In June after my father died my grandfather, John Holbrook, came to see my mother and assist her in settling the estate, my father not being in debt, left her with a span of horses, a dozen sheep, a few cows, a yoke of oxen, and some young stock, enough to make her comfortable so long as she took care of it.
My grandfather took me home with him to Massachusetts, when he returned a distance of 250 miles. I rode behind him on horse back. I being only seven years old the last of January, it made it quite hard for me. It was my father's dying request that I and Chandlier should live with his father's folks so that we could be accommodated with schooling as the country was new and no established schools were kept.
Arrived in Massachusetts at grandfathers and found the family all well which consisted of my grandfather and mothers Uncle John Jr., Erasmus and Henry Babbitt Holbrook with Aunt Lucretia Holbrook and Charlotte, and a cousin Harriet Hibbard which was about 13 years of age with hired men and women, the most of the time. One year from the next fall, 1814, my uncle John Holbrook, Senior took a journey to the State of New York and visited the home of my mother and brought Chandlier, my brother, Phoebe, my sister, home with him and we all lived at my grandfathers.
I with my brother and sister went to school from three to four months each year. I found myself far more backward in my studies as I had not enjoyed the advantages of school as those of my present mates. They would laugh at me and call me names and abuse me in various ways because I had to be in a class far smaller than myself saying I was not fit to play with them as I had been brought up in the woods, etc., which caused me much grief.
But I made up my mind if the Lord would spare my life as I had been taught by my father and mother and Uncle and Aunt to say my prayers and trust in God and I should always prosper, I would some day know as much as any of them although I was a whole head and shoulder above those of my class. I carried out my resolution so well that in a few weeks I was taken to a higher class nearer my size which caused me much anxiety as they were far in advance of me. I still watched every word and movement in the school and found I still gained on my class mates which much encouraged me that some day I would be their equals, if not their superiors. I had also learned their plays so that they would suffer me to play with them and it was not long before I would be sought to as prominent a part in school and their play as any of them. At a certain time in school the teacher proposed to the scholars to give the one at the head each night a small certificate with the school's name on it and the one that got the most in two weeks should be entitled to a larger certificate and one cent. There was a tie between me and one of my class mates. I thought the teacher rather favored my opponent. I said in my heart there would be no more ties between me and any of the class that winter and so it came to pass that I kept to the head and obtained all the large certificates and cents in the class the rest of the school and I had no trouble afterwards either for my studies or any of my plays. I studied to read and write, arithmetics geography a little history, and grammar.
My brother, Chandlier, studied the same and became as much of a scholar as myself. My sister, Phoebe, was not so apt to learn. We had much hard labor to perform as we had to do the chores and go about two miles to school in the winter. As my grandfather's farm was large for that country, it being about 700 acres that he carried on while we lived at home with him which was from seven years to twenty-one years of age, besides some out farms. He had five barns 30 to 40 feet, besides sheds that we filled each year with hay and grain and often stacked out some tons of hay. My grandfather treated me well and so did my grandmother as also my Uncle John, but Uncle Erasmus was very tyrannical and oppressive in his requirements which caused us to mourn, but made liberty more sweet when it came.
When I was nineteen years of age my grandfather gave me $7.50 and told me that I could go and see my mother, the place of my birth, a distance of 250 miles. I went on foot from home and traveled 125 miles to Schenectady and there took the canal to Rome, a distance of about 100 miles and from thence to Annsville, the residence of my mother, the place of my birth, the name of the town having been changed during my absence of twelve years.
I arrived at my mothers and found her at home, she having married a man by the name of Alvin Owens. They were still living in the same house of my fathers. I knew her as soon as I saw her. I made some errand about the road but found no one knew me. I then said, "I suppose no one knows me here." They said they did not. I then told them if they remembered having a son by the name of Joseph. She said she did. I told her I suppose I was that son. She said it did not seem possible. I stayed with her about two weeks when she said she could remember some of my boyish ways. My mother had grown old very much in the time of my absence. Her lot had been a hard one as her present husband was not my father. He was rough in his manners, had spent what my father had left except the farm which he could not spend. He was inclined to trade a good deal and spend much of his time away from home, kept in debt, which kept them poor and penniless. I felt much for the fate of my mother. The farm had got out of repair, the fences poor, everything showed neglect from a poor farmer but what could I do as I had to return to my grandfathers in Massachusetts.
I went by the way of Madison County to the town of Lebonan to my Uncle Walter Allens, who married my Aunt Harriet Holbrook, who had emigrated some years before from Massachusetts. I made them a short visit of a few days when I left for home in the last of November on foot, it being muddy, snowy, frozen, etc., which made it bad walking but I performed it averaging about thirty-five miles a day.
My brother, Chandlier, had got uneasy after my leaving, had managed to get a little money and had left to go and see his mother. He stayed with her one year. When he left and went to Uncle Allens and stayed about a year more and then returned to Massachusetts to my grandfather. He found Alvin Owens so abusive to my mother he could not well stand and see it. He had not seen his mother for eleven years, but she knew him. He was not so large as I was. He was naturally religious in his views.
From the time I was nineteen to twenty-one years, I was a man to labor and could do any work that was to be done on a farm. I kept close to my business and spent no time, was faithful and trusty in doing what was required of me. My Uncle Erasmus was married, lived in the same house with my grandfather. He married a woman by the name of Betsy Smith. She had about $1,000.00 for her setting out to keep house. My Uncle Erasmus kept schools winters in Brimfield, but boarded home and worked on the farm summers. He was engaged in some kind of office the most of the time. He was chosen first a corporal in the militia and through most of the grade of offices to a Brigadier-General, which Brigade consisted of thirteen regiments. He also was much in town business. He was also forward in the Temperance Cause as it denominated itself and afterwards he united with the Congregational Church, which made him the common ranks of people.
My grandfather was a moral man. He never indulged in any kind of vice, but brought me up to go to meeting every Sabbath. When I attended Sabbath School at first. Afterwards I became a teacher. I received many ideas about that which has proved a blessing to me. I can well remember it was a thought of mine in days of my childhood to think much of what I read of Angels visiting the earth and wishing I might live to see that day of which was told me I could not, but my grandfather was a believer in the fulfillment of prophecy in which he believed that the Jews would be restored to Jerusalem, but by what means he did not know. He was not a professor of religion of any kind but often prayed in his family, asked blessings at the meals of the family and did not allow of any profanity on his farm or in his house, being much more particular than most of persons and thus was until I was twenty-one years old.
CHAPTER II
When I was twenty-one years old my grandfather gave me a note for $100.00, drawing interest at 6% due when called for. As this place had been my home for fourteen years of the beginning of my growing into manhood, it brings many fond recollections to my mind to remember the different fields in which I had dug over and over again, the meadows I had mowed over, the pastures I had roamed over after the herds and flocks, the fences I had built, the stone walls I helped repair and the woods I had helped to clear of its down timber, the springs I had drank from, the brooks, the ponds and the rivers I had frequented were all fresh to my mind. The fishing grounds are all in mind for there was not a nook or corner of this large farm, seven hundred acres, but I knew - its fruit, apple, peach, pears, plump quince, currents, etc., as were the fish, with the game of the woods and the most of fowls found in the most of countries.
With my school mates who had been with me in my studies in my plays, in joys and griefs, I was almost to leave and go abroad among strangers to find new acquaintances. Where I knew not but I started from Sturbridge about sixty miles southwest to Boston to the west with all I possessed upon my back, which consisted of my few school books with a change of clothes, about forty pounds in weight. I traveled sixty miles in the forepart of March in mud and snow on foot until I came to the top of the mountains of Connecticut River, when I took the stage for Nassau Village, forty miles from home and being nearly out of money, I concluded to get work. I found another man by the name of Micheal Smith. He would hire me for half a month for $3.50. As it was the best I could do I concluded to work. This was in March, 1827. It was in New York State, twelve miles east of Albany. After I had worked up my half month, Mr. Smith offered me $10 per month for seven months as he said he liked my work as well as he expected. He was a Dutch man and a good farmer. He had a farm of 220 acres. To lease land in this County and Albany County and to pay twenty bushels of wheat per year for each hundred acres, the lease was as durable as water runs, or I was grown.
In August 24, I went to Albany to see a Mr. Strancy executed for the murder of a Mr. Whipple of Albany. There was supposed to be one hundred thousand people who witnessed the execution. The day was pleasant and no accident occurred of notice. I bought some three lottery tickets to the amount of about $20, but only drew six, which paid for my speculation.
The first of November, my time was out again. Mr. Smith paid me the money and said I could make his house my home as long as I pleased. The family were one of the most exemplary families I ever met with - honest and industrious. They consisted of two daughters and a son, a girl, and a boy, they had taken. As they were members of the Dutch Reformed Church and attended meetings at Nassau. This summer I read the history of Jesus Christ and the apostles through which was about as large as the Bible. I was much attached to the idea of being religious of some kind or other when I could find any that would be likely to make me understand that God was the same yesterday, today, and forever for I often went into the woods by myself and prayed and I found peace in so doing and it seemed to me that something would be brought about that would do me good how or what way I could not tell.
I left Mr. Smiths with the best of feelings, hoping I should be able to improve my life for the better and I set out on a journey to see my mother again by the way of the canal, Schenectady to Rome, thence on foot to the place of my mother. I found her well and also the children for my mother had many more children by her second husband. She lived a widow about two years after my father's death, when she married a single man about her age. He did not treat her as he should but left his home to satisfy a lustful desire.
After spending a few weeks with my mother I was selected to engage in a common school for the winter where my mother lived. I was examined by the committee of the township and obtained a certificate of qualifications and I entered upon my professional business of school keeping for three months at $9.00 per month and board. I had a good school of forty students. They were mostly large and many of them backward - some of them, twenty-five years of age. They made good progress for the time. I gained great credit as a school teacher. I had some six applications for the next winter but it did not agree with me so I resolved to return to Massachusetts.
I was very steady in my habits which gave me a good influence with the sober part of the community. My mother often asked me if I never went in company with young people. I told her it was much more agreeable to go into older company where I could learn to improve myself rather than spend time other ways. She said I was a singular boy in that respect, but it was of lasting benefit to me
I started on foot to Utica thirty-three miles, February 11, 1828, purchased me a good suit of clothes for $25, and then took the stage for Albany and from thence to Western 200 miles and arrived at my grandfathers in Sturbridge and found them all well and saw my brother Chandlier whom I had not seen for more than three years and found everything about as usual as nothing changed much on those old farms.
In a few weeks I hired to Mr. Cyrus Mirrick for $12.00 per month for six months to work on a farm in his garden, etc. Mr. Mirrick had been a merchant peddler, Inn Keeper and many kinds of business wherein he had accumulated a good fortune. He being a widower and had no children but one adopted child and a maid to keep house was all there were in a large dwelling in the village of Sturbridge. He was a gentleman living on his money. I was enabled to give him so much satisfaction that he told my grandfather I was the best and trustiest hand he ever hired. When the time was up he paid me the money. I got the highest wages there was going at that time.
I then in company with my brother visited our mother again with the intention of settling our father's farm in Annsville, but when we arrived to our mothers we found her alone with her little children and she wished to move to Gennesee County about 200 miles west where her father's folks lived and where father Owens had also gone because he was in debt the spring before. My brother and myself packed up the goods the best way we could and hired a team to take them to the canal about 14 miles at a place called New London, leaving the farm in care of Mr. Mackey to be sold to the best advantage.
After staying all night at the canal, I got the family aboard for Worchester and went with them seventy miles to Weedsfort when I left them and returned to Massachusetts and made my home with my grandfather and worked out in the neighborhood a few weeks.
In December 1828, I went to work in the Black Lead Mines about five miles from my grandfathers for 62 1/2 (evidently 16 1/2 cents) per day and board through the winter. In the spring I hired to the company for $16.00 per month and kept the books of the company for 40 cents a month. In June I was blown up while charging a rock which so injured me that I was unable to return again. I then worked by the month and by the job until next spring when I hired to Mr. Hezehiah Allen for seven months for $10.00 per month. Mr. Allen hired a girl to help his wife to spin, to make cheese and do house work in the month of June by the name of Nancy Lampson. In the course of the summer my acquaintance with her begat in me a notion of gathering my means which I had earned and laid up to the amount of about $600 and go into the western world and buy me a farm and settle down.
In November, 1830, I took a journey again with my brother going with me to New York State, went to Florence, the place of our birth but found that Mr. Mackey had not sold the farm as yet so we left the farm as before with him given full power of an attorney to do with as seemed good by his giving us a bond to pay over to us or either of us the amount so realized for said farm.
We now started for Genessee County where our mother went two years before. This was the last time I saw the place of my birth. My brother and myself took the canal at New London for Rochester where we left and went on foot to Batavia thence up the Gonawana, a creek to China, a distance from Batavia twenty-five miles south to where our mother lived. We found them all well but yet poor. After spending two weeks in looking for a farm, I bought in Weathsfield about six miles of where my mother lived. The farm contained one hundred acres, about fifty under fence and thirty of meadow and pasturage and etc, with a frame barn thirty by forty feet, a frame house 20 by 28 feet, some 50 apples trees, peach, plum, currents, etc., for which I was to give $812.50 in cash with the Holland Purchase money, having four years to pay $400 of it. I purchased of a man by the name of Seth Louis Esey.
My brother Chandlier bought fifty acres of one John Goodsperd, about ten acres of improvements on it about one mile from mine as I had got to return to Massachusetts, he gave me orders to collect his money on my return and bring to him when I moved on to my farm. He took a school that winter and stayed in the country. I traveled all the way back on foot, averaging about thirty-five or forty miles a day, 400 miles in mud and snow to the place of my grandfather. I soon went to Western to visit Nancy Lampson and inform her of my intentions of going west as soon as I could get ready and to know whether she would accompany me thither which she cheerfully agreed to be ready as soon as I should require her.
I then took a journey to Providence, Rhode Island to visit my Aunt Phoebe Angell, the eldest of my mother's sisters. She had married James Angell in Florence before my father was married and moved to this place from York State where she had been for many years, brought up her family. I found them all well. My cousins whom I never had seen before were glad to see me. Some of them were married. Mary Ann, the eldest belonged to the free will Baptist Church. She took much pains to influence me to get religion. I told her when the right kind came along I should embrace it for I did not care for any other. I tried equally hard to have the whole family to move west the next season as they could do much better in a new country. I had a good visit, stayed about three days and returned home on foot as I came, a distance of forty-five miles.
As I am about to change my circumstances of life. My grandfather who has had the care of me for the most of the time since the age of seven was willing that I should go west and as he was getting old and infirm, he had for many years had to walk with a cane. He had served his country in the Revolutionary War for our independence and had gained a good reputation of character as well as that of property being worth about $20,000. He had served as deputy sheriff twelve years, was a justice of the peace for many years. He said if he should send for me at any future time to come home again, he hoped I would not refuse as he might want to make me his heir of his home estate but that would depend upon circumstances as he had yet two sons living with him. He said I had been faithful and to go in peace saying, "May the Lord bless me."
In December 30, 1830, I was married at her father's house in the town of Western to Nancy Lampson, she being the youngest daughter of David Lampson and Sarah Bliss Lampson by the minister of the Congregational Church. She had three brothers that I never saw as they had all married and left the country.
I now prepared to move to the place I had purchased. I purchased a two horse wagon, a good yoke of oxen and one horse, loaded all our little effects in our wagon and started the 10th day of January 1831 with my wife Nancy and my sister, Phoebe, traveled about one hundred miles to within seven miles of Albany. We had good weather and thus far we now had to lay by two days on account of a tremendous snow storm which was Saturday and Sunday. On Monday I started and came to Albany, crossed on the ice, the river being ferried on Saturday; considered rather dangerous, went seven miles on the cherry valley turnpike and stayed for the night, the next day and night and purchased a new sled. I let my wagon bed down on the sled, bound on my wagon wheels and took it all along with me. The weather was very cold, the snow filling the road almost every day and night by the wind or storms until it was near four feet deep, passed through Smith's valley and stopped at my Uncle Walt Allens for two days and arrived in Weathersfield, February 6, 1831, a distance of 400 miles with no bad luck or accidents happening worthy of notice, all in good health. My sister, Phoebe, now saw her mother for the first time since she was five years old, being over sixteen years. They both seemed strangers to each other. I found my brother well and paid him over his money I had collected. I moved into my house on my farm I had purchased in November last and began to prepare for my spring work, buying a good cow, a barrel of pork, plough, etc. I raised a good crop of corn, potatoes, oats, etc., and cut thirty acres of good English hay, fine white clover pasture for my teams, etc. In the fall I put up a frame shed to my barn sixteen feet by forty feet, a good corn house at one end. The next summer I weather-boarded my house and made other improvements, dug a well twenty-two feet deep, fenced in a garden with a board fence of about an acre of fruit, a log shed adjoining my other one and such other conveniences necessary. I labored hard, got in logs to the saw mill during the winter although the snow became very deep, it having snowed in the course of 24 to 48 days.
January 21, 1832, my wife had her first born child, a daughter I named Sarah Lucretia Holbrook after her two grandmothers.
The next season I continued to labor on my farm. In the course of the summer, many vague reports were circulated about a certain set of people who were called Mormonites. In the course of the season my Aunt Phoebe Angell and her family moved from Rhode Island to Genessee County about the first day of September, 1832. I heard there was to be a Mormon meeting in China, four miles distant. I said I would go and hear this strange sect but upon arriving and waiting some time at the place of the meeting the elder John B. Green sent word by his son Evan M. Green and Lorenzo D. Young that he should not be able to attend. Mr. Green had sent by the bearers two of the papers, the Evening and Morning Star, printed in Jackson County, containing the articles of the Church and also the prophecy of Enoch which they requested a Mr. Catline, a universal preacher to read to the congregation. They made a few remarks after they were read which gave me some little light as to Mormonism. I met the young men on the floor in the school house and asked them where I could get a Book of Mormon. They said they did not know. I then told them I would go fifty miles the next day to get one if they could direct me where. They said they could not tell me. I told them where I lived if they could direct any elders there at any future time they would be welcome as I wished to learn more about this new revelation to man.
About this moment my cousin Mary Ann Angell heard my anxiety to get a Book of Mormon, whispered to me and said she had one she would lend me in about two weeks as she had it promised for that times I said I would go home with her and see it. She said I could do so. I saw the Book of Mormon. I read the testimony of the witnesses. I looked at some of the gospel. I felt much rejoiced to think an angel had come from God and brought such good news. I thanked my cousin for the favor of seeing the Book, hoping she would not disappoint me in my having the privilege of reading it in two weeks. The two weeks passed away. I thought much of Mormonism. I believed all I had heard or seen. I felt much to rejoice for these words came often to my mind, "Blessed are ye for ye believe and have not seen."
The two weeks brought my cousin Mary Ann Angell with the Book of Mormon to my house with her father James Angell, and the Mormon Elder John Green. I spent two or three hours with them while my wife was getting dinner. This was on Friday. I commenced reading that evening but being brought up not to spend any time a week day to read, I thought I must work and as my cart was in the field where I left it the day before when I was digging potatoes I went to digging potatoes but soon found I could not content my mind at work. I returned to the house, took the Book of Mormon and read a few hours, but as this was an unusual thing for me to stop work to read in the day time, my wife became alarmed and thought I had better be at work than spending my time reading such deception which called my attention again to my potato digging. I had not dug long before I wished with all my heart I knew all there was in that Book. I went out into a by place near by where I knelt down to pray. I no sooner closed my eyes than it seemed as though the whole thistle plantation was in motion. I opened my eyes. I could see nothing the matter. I closed my eyes. The second time when it seemed as if there was a whistle wind among the thistle yet I felt no wind. I continued my prayer for the forgiveness of my sins and for the Lord to lead me right and show me the truth of Mormonism. When I arose I said I would go to the house and read the Book of Mormon, work or no work. This was on the after part of the day on Saturday. I read that day and night late and on Sunday I read again, my wife taking the child in the morning and going about three fourth of a mile to my brothers, saying she would not stay in the house and listen to such nonsense. I read and prayed a number of times that day, being all alone that day and marvelled much that the thistle should be so much troubled at my prayers and that my wife should be so disturbed she could not stay at home for she was always fond of having me to sit down and read of evenings and Sundays. I read the Book of Mormon through in two days and three nights and carried it home on a Monday morning to my cousin. She asked me what I thought of it. I told her I believed it was true and that God was at the bottom of the work. She said she felt glad for she believed also but had not said much about it. I told her I would now like to see some of the Mormon elders. She said she would send them along to my house if she had the opportunity. I thanked her and told her I was now ready to fulfill my promise to her of some few years before that I would have religion when the right kind came along and I believed the right kind had come.
About this time one of my neighbors brought me a subscription paper to sign for to pay a minister (a missionary from Massachusetts to Weathersfield) he said he would preach one year for $300, so I signed $1.00, which he said was liberal seeing I did not belong to any church. I told him I did not know I should ever hear him preach but some one else would and that would keep them out of greater mischief.
These things passed along for some days when Elder Green called and stayed all night with me and gave me much satisfaction concerning the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and of the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. I became more and more established as to the truth every day of my life as things came to my mind. My connections became much alarmed about my being a Mormon and my grandfather, Abraham Morton on my mother's side and my Uncle Benjamin Morton called at my house one day and inquired as to my faith in Mormonism. I told them I believed it was true so far as anything I could see and I was glad of it. They then raised their objections which were I was bringing disgrace upon myself and family and upon my connections. They said there was not another young man in the country for the time had merited the public feeling that I had and they said if I wanted to be religious they thought I could be as well suited in the Baptist or some other as to be led away after some vain delusion. I told them so far as disgracing myself was concerned I cared but little about it but for their sakes I might feel somewhat different. I told them I would say nothing about Mormonism for two or three weeks and try my feelings but if it was true I should know it and embrace it. They went away quite satisfied for they knew my promise was good to be carried out and lived to.
But to me it was a long three weeks for when I was in company and hearing delusions made of Mormonism, my conscience would smite me and say, you know that it is true, but I kept my word good for the three weeks until many said I had given it up and they thought I would never say any more about it, but at the expiration of the three weeks I was invited to the raising of a frame barn when one of my neighbors said,"I understand you have given up Mormonism." I told them I was under promise for a few weeks and that day I was free to speak my mind again and that Mormonism was true. My grandfather Morton and Uncle were in hearing. Their hopes were blasted. I further said that from that time forth I would speak the truth of Mormonism. I felt much relieved and blessed from that time forth.
Mr. Blarnhard, the missionary, I had signed the dollar for his preaching, was very concerned about me and my family. He told my wife in my absence, falsehoods about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, of the Prophet, Joseph Smith Jr., etc., which kept her in much fear, also as she thought I was about to deceive her as well as myself, but still I believed Mormonism.
As there had been no meetings in this vicinity I had to catch what I could from the Bible as the Book of Mormon had been a key to the Bible to me and it was now a new book having the seals broken light, life and salvation on its pages.
In December one night, I dreamed I was in a certain city where the people were all engaged in their various business matters, when all of a sudden a voice was heard from the heavens saying, "Get you out of this city for behold I will destroy this people and flee ye unto the West." The people all heard the voice and knew it was from heaven. They halted and looked amazed for a moment and then pursued their course as before. Shortly the voice was heard the second time. The people were alarmed less than before and again the voice was heard speaking the same words with the same warning but the people paid no attention to it; so I stopped and marveled and said I am not going to stay here; so I started out of the city to the west.
I found about a dozen more had taken the same warning as myself and all met at the outside of the city. We went down a long hill when we came into a large valley running north and south and also a large river in the midst of the valley, running north. It was both wide and deep and there appeared no way to across the river. Some said, Let's go up the river, others said, Let's go down but I said we were commanded to go to the west. I am going right straight into the river. I had no sooner gone into the water than I found myself on the other side and it was said unto me, "You are now baptized." I thought those that were with me on the other side were with me but I did not see how they came.
Now there were three large roads presented before me. One led partly up the river bearing around a hill. One partly down the river, bearing around the same hill, while the other went straight forward up the hill but the hill looked hard to ascend while those that wound around to the right and left appeared easy and would finally come to the same spot at the top of the hill. The travel in each one was about equal. Those that were with me said, "Let's take the right or left hand road, it will take us much easier to the top of the hill," but I said, "We are to go straight to the west. I am going to take the middle road up the hill." As the other roads were sandy or loamy I could see the foot steps of men and women and children who had traveled up these roads before me and as I began to travel on the straight forward road up the hill it did seem as though the hill became more level but after traveling on for a time there was a very bad place in the hill. There were roads that ran off at the foot of this bad hill to right and left and appeared to wind around the hill and come to the top. The same arguments were so made that were with me as before that it would be much easier for us to take these winding roads that led around the hill for what is the use of being so particular which road we travel if we only get to the top of the hill. I told them I should not turn away from the straight forward road although it did appear that nearly one half of the people did turn away from the straight forward and I did not see them at the top of the hill.
Thus I continued my journey for a long time finding often a bad hill in the straight forward road while the by roads at the foot of each hill took away much of the travel and as I came near the end of my journey, the obstacles to the road were much hideous to look at while the by roads looked much more pleasant, but I at length came to the top of the hill on a level plain. The road had become a small path. I turned around to see what had become of those who had left the straight forward roads when it was said to me, "Few there are that will be saved." I marvelled greatly and thanked the Lord that he preserved me to come to the top of the hill on a level with my brethren, while thousands who had set out on the same journey had turned away at the bottom of the hill in those by roads and are lost while the roads became as plain before me so that I saw that every road that turned away was wrong. They would fork and those forks would fork again until they in total darkness when there is no road and those travelers after wandering for thousands of years before they could again reach the bottom of the hill and have the privilege of coming up as before and those that turned away near the top of the hill or end of the journey it took much the longest.
I looked again to see if my wife was coming saying, "I think she will be along soon." (as she at this time did not fully believe Mormonism.) And I saw the city I had left given to the destruction of every kind by the judgements of God and the wickedness of the people and lo! when I awoke it was a dream.
About the last of December 1832, when going to milk I met two elders, Aaron C. Lyon and Leonard Rich from Warsaw about twelve miles distant. They informed me there would be a meeting on the 6th of January, 1833 at Elder Lyon's house and invited me to come down and bring my wife and those who would like to come with me.
CHAPTER III
On Saturdays January 5, 1833, I took my ox team and cart with my wife, Nancy, my Aunt Phoebe Angell, Cousin Mary Ann Angell, and went to Warsaw to Elder Aaron C. Lyon to be there on Sunday. Brother Lyon gave us a cheerful welcome on our arrival that night. In the morning I told Brother Lyon and Rich I would like to be baptized if they thought I was worthy as I had brought my clothes for that purpose. So after breakfast I was baptized with my Aunt Phoebe Angell, by Leonard Rich. Mary Ann Angell having been baptized about a week before.
We were confirmed by Aaron C. Lyon. About 11 o'clock am. they had a meeting about the first I had ever been to. Different elders occupied the time during the day and evening. Windson C. Lyon then spoke in tongues which was the first I had ever heard. My wife became convinced that Mormonism was true. On Monday, January 7, she was also baptized by Leonard Rich, was confirmed by Aaron C. Lyon. I was also ordained a teacher in the Church of Christ under the hand of Aaron C. Lyon, high priest and was directed to teach the principles to all who wished to hear and received my license which I shall enclose in this journal.
I returned home on the same day, much rejoiced to think that my wife was with me in the faith of the gospel but I found that I got myself into business for I met with opposition on all hands and from every side and every quarter; but this kept me the more faithful. So I visited my brother, Chandlier and his wife and told them there would be a meeting the next week at my house and invited them to go home with me to attend with my sister, also a meeting at my Aunt Phoebe Angell's in China. I continued to go from house to house and carry the Book of Mormon to them and try to get them to read it, etc. The result was that my brother, Chandlier, and his wife, Eunice, my sister, Phoebe and Dwight Harding who was boarding with me, Father Owens and mothers, and many others in the vicinity were added to the church, in the course of a few months; Brothers Lyon and Rich and some other elders meeting with us often until the Church in this place numbered about 85 members. Many had the gift of tongues, interpreting with prophesyings by the gift of the Holy Ghost and the Church did meet together often to preach, exhort and speak to one another of the things of the kingdom which gave them much love for one another, strengthening of their faith, etc.
In March 18, 1833, I took a journey on foot to Kirtland, Ohio to see the Prophet Joseph Smith. I visited the Prophet's house and found him away from home. I also visited Sidney Rigdon and father Joseph Smith and some others of the elders and gained much strength, faith and hope, which I hoped hereafter might be to others in the course of a few days. Joseph the Prophet came home so that I got a chance to see him, when he told me much of the work of the last days in which I hope to ever prove of great value to me.
Mary Johnson, a sister of Luke and Lyman Johnson died at the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr.'s house, age about fifteen years, which caused much gloominess at the Prophet's house, yet I fully believed in the gospel of the Kingdom, which was being set up in the last days.
The Prophet said, "Go and prosper and be faithful and the Lord will bless you." I then took my leave of the brethren for home and found all well, traveled 400 miles.
April 12, 1833, I was ordained an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ under the hand of Reynolds Cahoon, a high priest from Kirtland in the town of Warsaw, State of New York. Continued to meet with the branch twice a week in which we had good meetings.
April 29, took my leave of my family for a mission in the world with Brother Truman O. Angell to the East, traveled 14 miles to Warsaw on the 30th. Traveled 26 miles, met with the brethren in the Church of Genessee, held a meeting and found there was a wrong spirit with some of the brethren. The presiding elder even forbidding us to believe in the vision of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon; but as there was present in the branch, Lyman Johnson and Orson Pratt who would stay and correct the errors we left the next day, May 1 and traveled 15 miles, held a meeting in the evening. May 2 held a meeting in the same place by the request of the people. May 3, we traveled 30 miles, called a number of meetings but the people were unwilling to hear of Mormonism. Took dinner in the town of Manchester where the Book of Mormon was found. The gentlemen did not believe that Joseph Smith was the author of said book as he was well acquainted with him and did not know any harm of him until the Book of Mormon came forth but he believed the Smith Family were honest, industrious farmers.
May 4, traveled 11 miles and found where we could have a meeting on Sunday. May 5, held a meetings the people came more out of curiosity than to know about the requirements of heaven. May 6, traveled 31 miles, found much trouble to get to a place to stop for the night as we were without purse or scrip, were refused six times and at last were kept at a widow's house. May 7, traveled 20 miles, in the evening, held a meeting. May 8, traveled 16 miles and spoke from house to house and left the warning voice. May 9, came to my Uncle Walter Allen's and found him near his end and we stayed by the request of the friends the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th. Held a meeting and spoke much to the people on various things of the Kingdom as Uncle died in two or three days. I stayed until he was buried. The doctor held a counsel and opened his body after he was dead and said his death was brought on by the fever and ague in the first instance. His funeral sermon was preached by a Baptist minister. My Aunt Harriet Allen was my father's sister. He left a good estate worth about ten thousand dollars.
May 15, I took leave of my Aunt and family in their deep mourning, for the loss of a dear husband and father, it being the last time I ever saw her and traveled 41 miles to Joel Holbrook, my great uncle, stayed all night and sold them a Book of Mormon. This is the last account I have of them. May 16, traveled 16 miles, spoke much to the people of the work of the last days. May 17, traveled 26 miles. May 18, traveled 20 miles. May 19, stayed at Mr. Wood's and had much opportunity bearing testimony to the truth of Mormonism, but they were afraid it might be true but cared but little about it. May 20, traveled 23 miles, passed through the city of Albany to Mr. Isaac Smith and stayed with him on the 21st and bore testimony to the truth of Mormonism. This place I had worked at 7 1/2 months six years before, the Mr. Michael Smith being dead since I had been absent. May 22, I traveled 38 miles. May 23, traveled 45 miles. May 24, traveled 8 miles to Mr. Chaney Solanders, my brothers-in-law and reasoned with them on Mormonism, of the last days; but without any hopes for their being any better for our teaching. May 25, traveled 5 miles and came to my Grandfather Holbrook's and stayed 26th, 27th, 28th and visited some of my old acquaintances. My Uncle Erasmus Holbrook made derision and mocked at the idea of Mormonism being true. The rest of the family gave no particular heed to anything I could offer them so I left them in the hands of a merciful God who shall judge the quick and the dead. This is the last time I ever saw any of them although this is the place I lived and sprung into manhood and my word would have been good for anything but Mormonism. May 29, traveled 42 miles in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and came to North Providence. May 30, conversed with the people, it being the first place we had met with where there was any attention paid to our words. May 31, held a meeting in the evening and visited from house to house and did what we could in this way.
June 1, 1833, went into the city of Providence and proclaimed the word to those who felt disposed to hear. June 2, baptized Franklin N. Munroe and Mary Ann Munroe, his wife, they being about twenty-five years old, held a meeting about five o'clock in the factory village. Had good attention paid by the large assemblage. June 3, 4, 5, held meetings and baptized James Patten who had been a Methodist preacher from England.
I had a dream that I was at work scoring a stick of timber that it was all sap rotten but the heart was good and if I could score and hew said stick and get rid of the rotten sap it would make a sound stick of timber; if not the rot would spoil it and I awoke and thought the stick was James Patten I was at work with.
June 6, 7, 8, 9, held meeting and ordained James Patten an elder. Franklin N. Munroe, a teacher and Brother Silbon came and another who had been baptized the year before by Samuel Smith and Orson Hyde and formed a branch of the Church of Latter-Day Saints.
June 10, took leave of our brethren in Providence. Took steam boat for New York City. Arrived the next morning. June 11, took steam boat for Albany, went a foot to Schenectady there we took the canal for Rochester from whence we took it on foot to Weathersfield. Arrived 17th day of June, being absent about seven weeks, traveled about 1200 miles, held fourteen meetings baptized three besides bearing testimony to hundreds in family, etc.
June 20, met with the brethren in the branch where I lived. Found all well but some had begun to relax their duties in which they began to be somewhat cold and indifferent. I was appointed to take the presidency of the branch. It now numbered about eighty members in good standing as Brothers Lyon and Rich had emigrated to Kirtland, Ohio. I continued to meet with the branch twice a week administering the sacrament every two weeks.
November 26, 1833, we had another daughter born in Weathersfield. Her name was Charlotte Holbrook after my aunt, my father's youngest sister.
In March, Orson Hyde and Orson Pratt from Kirtland visited the Branch and informed us that there was a revelation for the brethren to take a journey to the land of Zion. I put down my name. Chandlier Holbrook and Otis Shumway making three in all and to be in Kirtland the first day of May for to go to the land of Zion with our brethren who should assemble there. I had not sold my farm although I had offered it for sale from the time I came into the church unto this time but I soon found a purchaser for which I received a span of mares, a good two horse wagon, a hundred fifty dollars in cash, harness, etc. It being about one third of its real value. I left about twenty-five tons of good English hay, a new fanning mill, all kinds of farming tools, which I could not sell because I was a Mormon, but to obey the revelation I was fully resolved. April 6, I baptized Margaret Tanche, her husband did not belong to the Church.
April 14, 1834, I started with my family from Weathersfield in company with my brother, Chandlier and his family and Solomon Angell and his family, which composed our little company for the land of Zion. We arrived in Kirtland in two weeks with our brethren. Brother Otis Shumway did not go with us to the land of Zion as he agreed to but Solomon Angell did, which made the three from the Branch and may the blessings of the Lord be fulfilled upon his head forever. After our arrival in Kirtland we put up our teams at father Joseph Smith's and went to Newberry about fifteen miles to our Uncle Noah and Joseph Morton's, my mother's brothers whom I had not seen for twenty years, although I was named for my Uncle Joseph. We had a good visit but they could not believe in Mormonism. We returned to Kirtland. I paid $5 in cash to Reynolds Cahoon, one of the Building Committee for the Lord's House in Kirtland. I gave Solomon Angell $7.50 in cash to help his family so that he could go to the land of Zion.
The 1st of May we left Kirtland for New Portage a distance of about fifty miles where the brethren were to meet with us for Missouri. At this place, May 6, 1834, the camp of Saints was organized for our journey by the Prophet, when every man gave unto the treasurer the amount of means he had for the journey except those who had families who were directed to provide for themselves in as much as they had means to do so. The Company was divided into companies of ten persons with a captain to each ten or fifty and hundred persons, according to the ancient order of Israel.
We were led by the Prophet and pitched our tents by the way as we traveled having the most perfect order in our camp. At the sound of the bugle, prayers were held morning and evening in every tent, while every one was to be engaged in preparing foods looking after the teams, etc. as they were organized and appointed their several duties by the prophet of the Lord who was our leader.
We had much good instructions given us on this journey which if I could have been prepared to keep a proper record I should have been much benefited thereby and as I have not a list of all the names before me I will only give some of those I best remember who formed a part of our company:
Brigham Young
Parley P. Pratt
Jedidiah M. Grant
Luke Johnson
William Smith
Jacob Gates & wife
Amasa Lyman
Sylvester Smith
Wilford Woodruff
John M. Chester & wife
Nathan Tanner
George Brooks
Zebedee Caltrine
Harry Brown
Herman T. Hide
James Ive
Levi Hancock
Martin Alred
Samuel Brown
John D. Parker
Orson Hyde
Joseph Young
Lyman Johnson
Hyrum Smith
Roger Orton
Isreal Barlow
Warren Parish & wife
Charles C. Rich
John Fosset
Almon M. Babbit
Elizer Miller
Chandlier Holbrook & wife
Joseph B. Nobles
William Smith
Nickels
Ezra Thayne
Solomon Humphrey
Leonard Rich
Solon Foster
Joseph Holbrook & Family
Heber C. Kimball
Orson Pratt
Lyman Wight
Zerubbel Snow
Frederic G. Williams
David Patten
George A. Smith
Jackson Smith
John Tanner
Alanson Ripley & wife
Solomon Angell
Elias F. Wells
John Carter
Alden Childs
Milton Holmes
Joseph Hancock
Martin Harris
James Foster
Jesse Harmon
We having horse teams we progressed on our journey at a rapid rate considering the bad roads in a new country, often forty miles a day. We generally lay by on the Sabbath and had meetings on the camp grounds which was very interesting and instructive to us.
I had the bad fortune for one of my horses to die near Jacksonville in Illinois but I bought another for $55 so I proceeded on my journey with the camp when we came to the Salt River Church in Missouri about fifty miles west of Louisiana. We tarried some three or four days to rest and wash etc., when Brother Joseph counseled those who had families to get houses for them and for the men to go forward with the camp so I provided a house for my family as directed and was about to leave my family as was the rest of the brethren who had wives with them when Brother Joseph said if the sisters were willing to under go a siege with the camp they could go along with it; where upon they said they could and they liked Brother Joseph better than before for the privilege he gave them of continuing in the camp.
At this place, as at many others on the road, we had many of the brethren who united and went with us. We were often met by strangers who would question us as to where we were going and what our business was, etc. Then they would often threaten us if we went further etc., and said that we had a standard raised with death on one side or blood on the other until we were forced to raise a standard with peace on both sides which they could hardly believe, when they saw it for they were so prejudiced in their feeling they could not believe their better senses.
We continued our journey and the twenty three mile prairie. Below Richmond my other horse gave out and was unable to go further. Brother Nichols put his horse into my team and thus I was enabled to continue my journey.
The day we passed Richmond we camped between the forks of Fishing River, one fork which we crossed this evening about up to our axletrees of the wagons. We camped about a mile west of said fork near a meeting house where we were met by many of our enemies as we had been for some days past, who swore they would send us all to hell before morning and if any were left we should not be spared in the event to tell the story alive, and thus we were threatened on every side with mobs enough to make any man quail who had not the spirit of God upon him; but Brother Joseph the Prophet said stand still and see the salvation of God.
About sundown it began to rain like torrents with thunderings and lightning and dark enough to prevent anyone from being able to find their way while the hail flew in some degree upon the camp but about a mile to the north of our camping ground limbs were broken off of the trees. The ground was all covered with leaves and the herbage destroyed which made the country desolate and prevented any harm from befalling our camp that night. To our great surprise we found that the two forks of Fishing River had swollen so as to be utterly impossible to pass, being it was forty feet deep on each side of us, about one and a half miles. We were forced to continue on this ground the next day, there being a horse mill in about a mile of us which afforded us flour for comfort. The next day we moved north about four miles to Bro. Cooper's near a prairie. At this place we tarried some three or four days and were visited by a delegation from our enemies consisting of Judge Ryland Cole Veonse of Ray County and Niel Gallin, the sheriff of Clay Co. in which they wished an interview with our Prophet Joseph Smith at which resulted in their promising us protection in this State of Missouri as well as our brethren whom we had come to redeem who were driven from Jackson Co., the former season, whereupon the revelation given on Fishing River, Missouri June 22, 1834, showing the mind of God concerning the redemption of Zion etc.
About this time the cholera began to make its appearance in our camp and my wife was one of the first that was taken down with it but she recovered from it in a few days, being administered to by Brother Bugetts below Liberty when a number of our brethren were taken down with the cholera, which so frightened our enemies that they did not dare to come near us or have us come near them which relieved us from further danger from them. The next day the camp was broken up by the order of Joseph Smith Jr. the prophet of God, to meet again in one week at the house of Col. Lyman Wight.
We left the camp grounds June 26, 1834, and traveled about six miles west of Liberty, five miles and stopped near where Mr. Micheal Asher was building a grist mill and had a number of the brethren employed.
The next day my brother, Chandlier, and myself went out to cut some house logs but we found ourselves to weak to chop and had to return to our wagon entirely tired out. A brother Cyrus Daniels being present said he lived about a mile from that place and he had rented a stable and a corn crib and we were welcome to use them if we liked.
In the morning my brother's wife, Eunice, was very sick with cholera. We therefore thought it best to get some place as soon as possible so we removed to the stable and corn crib although it was raining. By the middle of the forenoon, my brother's wife was cramping with most violent spasms for life but Brother Cyrus Daniels and Carlos Granger took her into the house and nursed her with the greatest attention so that in a few days she had escaped the hands of the destroyer, but some seventeen of our camp, I believe fell victims to the cholera.
I moved into a corn crib and my brother into the stable as the brethren who had been driven from Jackson County last fall had occupied all the houses in the country, it being new and few to be had. In ten weeks I had built me a house on a piece of congress land on Shoul Creek of eighty acres. My brother and I moved into it after a few weeks. I rented a farm near by of twenty acres improved for three years after which I rented my house on the 22nd of December 1834.
On the 23rd of December 1834, I took leave of my family and started in company with Amasa Lyman, Heman Hyde and Milton Holmes. We preached on our way where ever we could get a privilege, sometimes going for a day and night without food in the winter season across the prairie with the houses twenty-five miles apart which made it very severe upon me until we came to the Salt River Church where there was a conference held and on account of being lame it was counseled that Milton Holmes, my partner, should take William Ives and go to Tennessee and that I remain a few days with the Church and Martin Allred and go a short mission in part of Missouri and Illinois. We preached as we traveled and settled some difficulties in some branches and left brother Esquire Bozarths and crossed the river at Quincy, Ill. Preached a few times in the vicinity of the Mississippi River and returned by way of Louisiana to Salt River Church and from thence to Clay County and found my family all well but living on bread and water as there was not much chance for anything better to be had but bacon which took money to purchase it.
I was absent eight weeks, I continued to have meetings at my house from one to three a week, trying to settle difficulties in the Church, preaching etc.
April 28, 1835, I baptized John Evans, Emily Evans and Rhoda Gifford. In June 21st baptized Davies Gibbs.
In July, I received a letter from my brother-in-law, Dwight Harding, stating that he and Alvin Owen's family were on the way from Ohio and stopped on Charidon and were all sick and not able to take care of themselves. My brother, Chandlier and I started immediately and found them all sick. We made every exertion in our power to remove them and had the consolation to find them in Clay County, a distance of one hundred miles where we could make them comfortable.
On the 1st of August 1835, I took another mission to the east in company with Ellis Barnes and Lyman Gibbs. After traveling about a hundred miles I became very sick so that I could not sit up much of the time. I stopped with a brother Nichol's for about four weeks who paid every attention to me that they could. I had an opportunity to send to my family. My wife and Elder Evans came with horse and wagon with a bed in it and took me home. I was very glad to see her after undergoing so much sickness. I was about six days going home, about one hundred miles. The evening before I arrived home my mother died of the quick consumption. My neighbors brought her to my house before her burial so that I could see her remains. She was buried in one corner of a ten acre lot on the same eighty that I first built my house upon two years before in Clay County on a rise of ground west of a small creek on the north end of said eighty, it being the only way I have of describing the spot, one mile north of Shoal Creek.
I was very weak and fainted often when removed from my bed. In the following winter I gained my health to be able to work again which my family much needed.
June 26, 1836, I married Darias Gibbs to Miss Lydia Evans at her father's house, Elder Evans, in Clay Co., Missouri.
About July 1st of this year there began to be a great excitement between citizens of Clay Co. and the Latter-Day Saints and it appeared that war was even at our doors, when some of the citizens of Clay County came forward as mediators and called a meeting of the citizens and some of the leaders of our Church when it was agreed that the Latter-Day Saints, one half to leave the county in six months and the remainder as soon after as possible and not think of putting in another crop in that county or the people would not suffer them to remain longer and they, the citizens of Clay County would send a delegation into the north county of Caldwell with our leaders to induce the few settlers in said county to sell out their possessions to the Latter-Day Saints so that the Church should have the soil of that county to themselves. When a meeting of the citizens of Caldwell was called they agreed to sell out all they had to the Church whereupon Bishop Edward Partridge called for volunteers to haul out some of the Church property. When my brother and myself proposed to take our team and to go out to Shoul Creek near where Far West was afterwards laid out by the Church.
We camped on the creek for about one week exploring the county with Bishop Partridge and John Carrol surveyor for the purpose of making locations for the Church. Bishop Partridge counseled me and brother Chandlier Holbrook, Benjamin Covey and Jacob Gates to buy Mr. Cusie's place of forty acres with ten acres of corn up on it for $300. We all four went in and bought it. I turned out my wagon for $50 and gave my note for the other $25 in six months, which gave me the right of ten acres undivided, in the forty acres. The place I had rented was yet one year and a half before the time expired and as I had paid my rent for the whole time I could do nothing more than give up without receiving anything for it. We had to sell corn in Clay County for 12 1/2 cents per bushel or haul it sixty miles and all things in proportion which made a great sacrifice.
The brethren continued moving night and day all the fall and winter until they were almost all out of Clay County by spring. I was greatly blessed for in six months I had one hundred acres entered and my same old wagon back again and out of debt. This was on Plumb Creek, three miles west of Far West.
The whole country was soon settled by the Saints from Clay Co. and other emigrants from the east. By spring others emigranted from the east and everything seemed to flourish with the people that could make them happy.
My wife, Nancy, had a son born January 31, 1837 by about four o'clock in the afternoon and I named him Joseph Lamoni Holbrook at my house on Plumb Creek.
I had built a house, assisted others in building so that I had plenty to do and the brethren paid me well for it. I built an office for Bishop Edward Partridge in Far West and finished it for him. I also built a dwelling house for him. I built two dwelling houses for Morgan Gardener and George Slade. I also built a school house in the district where I lived twenty two feet square besides farming considerably each year.
I married Brother John Newberry to Lucinda Williams of Clinton County, December 24, 1837.
I acted in the quorum of elders in their meetings with all other Church business that I was called to act in.
May 19, 1838, I was ordained into the first Quorum of Seventies under the hand of Levi Hancock at a General Conference of Seventies held at Far West.
About this time there was a military company formed in our neighborhood by electing Amasa Lyman captain and myself First Lieutenant of said company and was commissioned by the Governor Lilburn M. Boggs, etc.
I gave to the Church ten acres of land being in Clinton County for paying the Church debts, etc., being the 23rd day of July 1838.
On July 4, 1838, the cornerstone of the temple was laid, they having been hauled to the spot before hand and my team did help haul them. They were quarried from the ledge down west, were about seven feet long, four feet wide and two feet thick. The cornerstone was laid by the first presidency Joseph Smith Jr. and council and others. An address or oration was delivered by Sydney Rigdon with cheering from the audience. There was a liberty pole raised on the public square of white oak, some sixty feet in length, but the lightning struck it in almost three weeks so that it caused it to lean about one third way from the top and thus ended our liberties in Missouri.
At the August election in Davis County, the old citizens assembled and swore that no Latter-Day Saints should be allowed to vote at that election, whereupon they fell upon John Butler who was enabled to defend himself but others were bruised, stabbed, etc. and some reported that they had killed some two or three of the Mormons and would not give up their bodies to be buried etc., where upon I saddled my horse in Caldwell and went to Davis County to learn how things were going as I had lately taken up some claims in that county and bought some city lots that I have a home in that county as soon as I could build upon my claims, but upon arriving I found no one had been killed but much threatening on the part of the old citizens.
We visited Mr. Adam Black, a justice of the peace near by and obtained from him a written certificate that he would administer the law and justice to Mormons and other citizens and we returned to Caldwell County with Joseph Smith and the rest of the brethren, hoping that peace would be again restored but things took a different course for the old citizens continued their threats of driving the Mormons from the county of Davis and there from out of the State as the most of the old citizens had sold their improvements to our brethren and they could again get back their improvements they had sold free without any to hinder them as they had got their pay.
About October 1, 1838, the Western firm having heard that government was about to let out a job of work for making a road from Fort Leavenworth south through the Indian County they sent Esquire Bozarth and myself to look out said road and put in such bids as we might think proper. We proceeded to Fort Leavenworth on horseback and from there south through the Delaware Nation of Indians and stayed with them all night and found them well to live, having good log cabins with fields of corns etc. As we proceeded south across the Karo River we came to the Shawnee Indians and the river being the line between the said tribes; we found them much like their neighbors, enjoying civilization with their fields of grain, their horses, meat, stock, etc. Until we came to the end of the section on the south line of Jackson County and saw the surveyors for said government roads. We returned through Jackson County to Independence where said road was to be let out to the highest bidder. We found the map and charts in good order and ready for our inspection. we put in a sealed bid of $14,000 for the two north sections of over forty miles to grade, bridge, etc, There were about one hundred such sealed bids put in said road, many for double that of ours, while there were some for less which relieved us from further duties.
The thoughts of having traveled through the entire county of Jackson from the south to Independence, a distance of about twenty five miles on the dividing ridge of prairie between the two Blue rivers about six miles apart on a rolling divide twenty miles of which there was not an obstruction to prevent a blow. And timber on each side from two to three miles distance and that this was the land once of our brethren, the first inheritance of the Saints and that this was not in the hands of our enemies. We stopped and stayed all night with a Baptist who said he would not keep a Mormon in his house or on his plantation. He said many of the old chimneys were still standing where his house had been built and he seemed to be greatly pleased to think that the people of Davis County would drive the Saints as the people of Jackson had.
At Independence I saw the temple lot that had been dedicated and consecrated to the Lord of Hosts, by the prophet as the capitol of Zion in the last days and now the Saints are driven from Jackson County and the inheritance laid waste and no Mormons safe in this County. They knowing I, being an eastern man, they said little. Esquire Bozarth being a southern man passed very well. I said now the brethren are driven from Clay County and about to be driven from Caldwell and Davis and from the State. When shall we build this temple unto the most High God. I said that the Lord must truly work upon this land before this can be fulfilled, so Lord let it be.
As we tarried only about two hours in Independence, we crossed the Missouri River at the ferry for Clay County and felt that we were cut from some of our enemies. We stayed all night in Clay County. The next day went to Liberty where we heard that the mob was still raging against the Latter-Day Saints with double vigor. We hastened home as fast as we could. I got some cotton cloth and other articles to take home with me. I stayed all night in the woods by some logs that were on fire. In the night it commenced snowing, the 16th and 17th of October.
In the morning we met General Doniphan's troops of a one hundred men on their return home from Davis County where they had been from Clay County two weeks before saying they could do nothing with the mob.
The trees were all loaded down with snow. In the course of two or three days the snow all disappeared and we had good weather. I volunteered to go to the south line of the County of Caldwell next to Clay County to see what the mob in that quarter were about with Brother Amasa Lyman.
After staying about five days returned home without seeing anything of the mob. About this time word came that the mob had seized the public arms deposited in Richmond, Ray County and were taking them to Davis County to the mob. Ten men of us volunteered to go in search of them. After riding about sixteen miles we struck the Richmond road and found that they had passed. We continued on said road some three miles on the open prairie and found a broken wagon and down a ravine of high grass we found two large boxes containing United States rifles with their other accouterments. In the course of an hour we found three men with their wagon on their way for these guns. We took the men and the stolen guns to Far West where they were found guilty of aiding and assisting the mob contrary to all law, after this I again went into the south part of the county with Brother Judith. Before we got far on our journey we heard the mob calling themselves militia were in that part of the county, but did not know their whereabouts. We continued on to near the county line and eight of the mob near by in hostile array. They stopped at a Brother Pinkham's took his son and two other young men as they said, prisoners, shot at and hit one of his cows, took his arms and told the old man he must leave before morning or they would kill him and his family. Upon hearing this and that they had disarmed all the other brethren in that section threatened with instant death if they did not leave that night for Farr West as they should come again the next day. Therefore I in company with Judith started for Farr West where we arrived about midnight.
We informed our brethren of the danger there was in that quarter. About sixty men volunteered to go down and see what the mob was about. As we got near Shoal Creek, one of our men was fired at in the. main road, before day, by the name of O. Bennion and died in a few hours afterwards, the 25th of October 1838, in Missouri.
As we still wished it possible to learn their object of coming into Caldwell County in the form of a mob to disturb the quiet citizens and disarming them etc. The first we knew they commenced a brisk fire upon our whole body, shooting down many of our best brothers all around us and howling so that we had no other course to take but defend ourselves the best way we could which soon gave us the ground with the spoils of the camp. Among the dead and wounded was David W. Patten, one of the Twelve, shot through the chest and died about the same time, Gideon Carter left on the ground through mistake, Hendrix shot through the cord of the neck and was entirely helpless, Sealey, one of the young men they took prisoner at Brother Pinkham's the evening before, shot through the shoulder. One Hodges shot through the hip and one Elija Chase shot in the knee, with a number wounded. I was wounded in my left elbow with a sword after cutting through five thicknesses of cloth so fractured the bone that after the doctor had placed back the bone that it was very lame for some four months and so stiff that I couldn't feed myself with that hand.
The battle of Crooked River, Oct. 25, 1838. About day break the whole county was now in motion against the Saints and all were equally threatened with death without regard to sex, age, or any other belief except those that would abandon their religious faith and unite with the mob in persecuting the Saints.
The brethren had gathered into Farr West as much as they could for safety as the whole county was filled with the mob when they arrived in the sight of Far West, Oct. 29, 1838, 5000 Missouri militia ordered out by the governor Boggs. The next day they sent in a flag of truce south of the town when Col. Hinkle went out to meet them and a conference ensued, when Col. Hinkle agreed to deliver Joseph Smith Jr, with the heads of the Church into their hands by strategy. So that evening Joseph Smith Jr., the prophet, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Hyrum Smith and others went out with a flag of truce to meet another from our enemies when Col. Hinkle commanding the militia of Caldwell County said to our enemy who were approaching in lines all around our flag of truce and Joseph Smith Jr. and those that were with him: "Gentlemen, I now deliver you, Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet. He in now in your hands as your prisoner." At this moment all the line of our enemies began to ring with most hideous yells that the Saints ever heard. They could be heard for some miles around of their achieved and treacherous victory. It was with the greatest trouble that they could keep their enemies from shooting them down as wild beasts.
In their camps there was a court marshall held in which they condemned the prisoners to be shot on the public square in Farr West. They still continued to take prisoners and threatened all who came in their way that they might torture them and force them to leave their religion.
November 1, 1838, the brethren laid down their arms where they were and all the town of Farr West put under guard. The troops some 5,000, all mounted on horseback, marched through the town in principal streets abusing the Saints when they could meet with them. About the 2nd day our enemies carried away Joseph Smith, his brother Hyrum, Sydney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, and others from Jackson County, under the guard of their numerous army which was one of the greatest trails. I had expected to see them pull away by main strength when their wives and children, fathers and friends clinging to them crying and taking, as many supposed, their last farewell look upon their prophet, fathers, their children, their wives, their husbands, all calculated to draw tears from the stoutest hearts but our enemies only continued to swear that we need not even suppose we ever should see them alive again or hear their voices in our midst for they should die.
All the brethren were then drawn up in the hollow square on the public square in Farr West for about this time General Clark arrived with some 6,000 Militia and still threatened the brethren with further violence making them sign away their rights in a deed of trust for the defraying of the expenses of the mob or army, of all they possessed in real or personal estate and leave the State the coming winter or spring and no further limit would be granted them. At the same time they called out some seventy five of our best men and took them to Richmond jail and putting them under guard so that no one was at liberty to go for wood or other things without a strong guard. They continued to take all kinds of property a common plunder -- taking prisoners whenever they could find any that they had any grudge against because they believed in the revelations of God.
The mob or militia burnt my house, stole a valuable horse from me, killed my fat hogs, drove off my stock. I had some 300 bushels of the best of corn in the crib taken out of the crib. They fed our oats in the sack, destroyed my hay, and left everything in a state of desolation from one end of the county to the other, abusing the sisters whenever they thought it best to suit their brutal and hellish desires.
November 4, 1838, a severe snow storm and very cold weather for some three weeks, which drove the troops from out of our county except some few companies who said they were left to see that the Mormons left the State and also to continue to take the brethren prisoners. Thus my freedom and life for three months was in constant danger as one old deserter by the name of Snodgrass came with eight soldiers at one time to the house where I had been stopping a few days and made diligent search for me in every house in the neighborhood from top to bottom and swore they would take me to the battleground on Crooked River and there shoot me because I was unable to defend myself at that battle against my foes.
My wife had very poor health during the winter and fall by being exposed much to the inclement weather by having to remove from place to place as our house had been burned and we were yet left to seek a home whenever our friends could accommodate us and for my safety but as I cannot write a hundredth part of the suffering and destruction of this people who were in a flourishing condition but a few months before are now destitute. I could have commanded some $2000 but now I had only one yoke of old oxen and two cows left.
As we found that there was no more peace or safety for the Saints in the State of Missouri and if the Church would make haste and move as fast as possible it would add much to the relief of our brethren who were now in jail as our enemies were determined to hold them as hostages until the Church left the State so that every exertion was made in the dead of winter to remove as fast as possible and for those whom they our enemies held the greatest spite to let their families go without them, so I left my family with only $0.50 in cash for her comfort with three small children, Sarah Lucretia, Charlotte and Joseph Lamoni Holbrook.
My wife was confined just one week from my departure from home, had a daughter and she was named Nancy Jane Holbrook, born January 27, 1839.
On the 20th day of January, 1839, (I left home in the evening with Brother Nathan Tanner and Ethan Barrows.) We traveled that night so that the next day we were away from those that would seek to do us harm. Twenty three miles we traveled each day on foot alone by ourselves and on the twenty eighth day of January we crossed the Mississippi River at Hannibal and the next day came to Quincy, Ill. and found ourselves in a land of freedom once more by the help of God and his blessings. I stopped with Brother Heman Hyde who had come on that far and stopped because of the difficulties of the Saints in Missouri the fall before. The brethren were continually coming to Quincy from Missouri as I had come which made it a great burden on those few families of the saints in this vicinity and but little employment at this time of the year and as I was not able to work on account of my lame arm which was entirely stiff at the elbow joint so that I employed my time in the day time by being about the city to find work for the brethren who were continually coming from Missouri.
I lived on two meals a day so as not to increase more expense than possible. I stayed about a week when Jacob Gates came and said if I would go into the country with him and be his companion we would fare alike so we each put all the money into one purse which made about $1.00. We then bought a yard of cotton cloth and made a bag of its got some bread and pork and filled our bag and started on Saturday to seek our fortune in the country east of Quincy on foot. When about six miles out we met Ethan Burrows, who left me at Quincy about one week before. He said he could not get work and that he was hungry as he had not half enough to eat since he left. We told him to come down to the creek near by as we had bread and pork. After eating he said he felt better. We then told him he had better go along with us and do the best we could; so from this place we went towards Fairfield as I had heard of a Methodist priest that wanted some rails made by the name of Thompson. We arrived there a little after dark. The old priest was on his circuit preaching but his son that had charge of his business with the family were there but they said, it was Saturday night, that tomorrow was Sunday and they did know so well about the rails, etc. I saw very soon that the trouble was that we were Mormons and they did not like to employ us. I told them that I came out on purpose to make the rails and we could sleep by the fire and that we had bread with us to last til Monday and then we would go to work but it seemed rather hard for them to consent but at last they said we could stop. They kept a good look out to see that we did not steal anything that night. We ate our bread and pork. They seemed a little better satisfied with us, in the course of the day so that on Monday, Brother Barrows got some shoe making to do and Brother Gates and myself went into the timber to make rails. They said we might make 2000 for $15. As my arm was still stiff and sore Brother Gates did the chopping and I went to splitting with one hand for a few days as my arm gained strength by use so that I could do my proportion pretty well. In nine days we had our 2000 done. They paid in money, $7.50 each, which was enough to help us in this trying time and said we could have the privilege of a number of thousand more if we wanted but we wished to go to Quincy to hear from our families.
We went to Quincy but could not hear anything from them. Brother Gates continued to go to Missouri and find his but I did not see it safe for me so I returned to Mr. Thompson's and continued to make rails until I had made 7000. They disappointed me in my pay. Instead of money I had to take two silver watches, one for $10 and one for $22. About this time an old man, a Virginian came to me and said he had been noticing me for a number of days at work and he would let me have his farm to work for any number of years I would like with teams, tools, etc. I told him that my family was still in Missouri and I did not know when they would be liberated from their bondage. I further told him wherever the Church settled I expected to go. This was about the 23rd of March 1839.
I went to Quincy and stopped for the night at John P. Green's. About bed time my brother Chandlier came in and said my family were with his family about six miles on the other side of the Mississippi River on the Fabius River. As the ferry boat was lost, the brethren were making a new one and as they would have to stay there for a number of days he thought he would come over and see if he could find me. He said that Brother Truman Angell's family was there and his wife was very sick in her wagon and knowing where Brother Truman Angell was at work I started that night and traveled about six miles wading creeks, etc. and found him after midnight.
Early in the morning we started for Quincy and from thence to our families across the Mississippi bottoms wading sloughs and through the whole distance and found some one hundred of the brethren waiting for the new ferry boat to be completed, which was done the next day.
I found my family in good condition. Their health although in the snow and mud, half a leg deep in the camp. I saw my little daughter Nancy Jane for the first time about two months old. She was carried by her mother and born in the midst of tribulation. Truly, my family had been greatly blessed in my absence an they were enabled to gather up some of the fragments of my destroyed property so that my wife, Nancy had got about $50 in cash to bare her expenses out of the State of Missouri. They were in good spirits at seeing me in so good health from what I was when I left Far West. They had not heard anything from me during this time, neither dared I write to let them know as the brethren were in constant danger of being pursued if they knew where they could be found so that I had to keep silent, but on the 21st day of March 1839, my family crossed the Mississippi River into Ill., and crossing the slough I lost my silver watch that I allowed $10 for and never found it.
From Quincy we traveled north about fifty miles to Fountain Green, hired a house for $2 per month with room. In the month of May went to Nauvoo, then called Commerce and saw Brother Joseph Smith, the Prophet of God, and his brother, Hyrum, the first time since they were taken from Far West to jail by the mob. Brother Joseph told me that if the mob had got me instead of taking me to prison they would kill me. He also wished to know where I lived. I told him about twenty five miles from this place. He asked me if I could get corn meal and flour and bring into this place so that the brethren could buy it from me as there was no one bringing in any for sale. I told him I could if I could get the money to begin with. He told me to look around, borrow the money if I could. I borrowed $7.00 of Brother Covey for a few days and bought corn for $0.25 per bushel shelled it, took it to the mill, and from thence to Nauvoo and let the brethren have it for $0.50 per bushel. After taking two loads of meal I bought wheat at $1.00 per bushel and had it floured and then took it some forty miles to Nauvoo and sold it for $4.00 per hundred. This was in Hancock and I was the only one engaged in this business, which I followed about six weeks which kept up nearly night and day, as I got the most of going nights besides camping out on prairie I overheated myself in the latter part of July which brought on a burning fever which brought me low upon a bed of sickness a few days so I could not help myself any more than a child having to be lifted on a sheet from one bed to another. My family's health was also poor having the fever and ague much of the time. I built a small log house on a piece of vacant land in the fall and moved into it for the winter. I had to run in debt for all my living as my means were expended.
The next summer I so gained my health an to be able to work. My wife became very sick and was confined February 11, 1840 with a son. He was still born. We named him as we did not know what was for the best--David Holbrook. I was enabled to pay up all demands against me.
There was a small branch of the Church organized near by containing some two hundred members by appointing Joel H. Johnson President. I was selected as his first counselor and set apart by Brother Hyrum Smith to that office.
There was a small town laid off by the name of Kamus of some 250 lots containing one acre each where the brethren gathered into the branch very fast. This was in the summer of 1840.
In February I received orders from Nauvoo to raise a company of Mounted Lancers for the Nauvoo Legion. I went immediately at work, raised the said company. I was nominated at Nauvoo for the office of captain but some one wished to make a division in said company. I declined accepting of the office when another was elected in place; but in a short time I received orders from Nauvoo to raise a company of Mounted Rifle men and again nominated for a captain to which I was elected by unanimous vote. I received a commission from the Governor of the State which I enclose in my journal with many other licenses and commissions. This was in the year 1841.
August 31, 1841, we had a son, still born, named him Moroni.
The company met in Nauvoo a number of times for inspection and drills, all of which were performed with credit to said company.
In the course of said summer the times became very hard so that many of the brethren were much put to it for clothing etc., and there was among us some that were not exactly honest who brought in damnable doctrine so that with others I was brought in bondage to my enemies; but Charles Shumway, a schoolmate came forward together with Anson Call, Willard Wigham, and others and nobly released me from my difficulty to my great joy; when I thought it best to go to Galena for a short season so paid all my debts at much sacrifice, when I took my leave of the branch with two teams that I had hired and two brethren, John Telford and Ebenezer Page in the month of December with my wife and four small children. We traveled through the snow and mud some two hundred miles. I found a brother Wright, who exchanged a yoke of oxen with me for my horse team and gave me $25 in the trade which helped me for the present.
I soon found a place on the Mississippi River in the timber about one mile north of Illinois line in Wisconsin territory to build me a cabin where I found employment in hauling wood to a smelting furnace for $1.25 1/2 per cord. After laboring for the winter and spring I secured my pay in money on the State Bank of Illinois, which bank went broke in a few days after, and I could not get over $.50 on a dollar in goods. I still continued to labor and was forced to take my pay in bank bills, Showny town Bank which soon failed. The Debuge Bank had also failed in Iowa so there was no currency to be depended upon so that business became dull. I was forced again to take a lot of wood by the cord at $.62 1/2 per cord on the timber. I hauled about eighty cords to the river and could only get $.50 a cord for it when placed upon the bank of the river. Thus it was a continued series of losses. In June I received a letter from Anson Call to come to Nauvoo so I purchased a small flat boat about six feet wide and twenty-two feet long. I left my oxen with Brother Wright and fifty cord of wood on the bank of the Mississippi River and took my family on board with all my effects with Brother Telford who had lived with me all the time since I left Kamus. We let the boat go with the current which took about 10 days to go 250 miles, laying by nights and cooking victuals on the bank of the river, catching cat fish etc. I arrived in Nauvoo July 6, 1842 and was glad to meet once more with the saints whom I loved for this was the only time I ever had undertaken to make a living away from the saints, which did not prove very prosperous to me; besides I did not feel myself at home or contented away from the church.
I immediately moved to Dwight Harding's house about two miles from the river with my family. My wife, Nancy, was taken sick on the 7th of July and grew worse until she died, being sick nine days, July 16, 1842, age 37 years 11 months and two days, disease, cholera morbus and inflammation on the lungs. She left four children, viz., Sarah Lucretia, Charlotte, Joseph Lamoni and Nancy Jane. Thus I had in an unexpected moment been deprived of one of the best of wives and the best of mothers. She had stood with me in six troubles through the Missouri troubles with death with fortitude, all the attendant evils with sickness and her faith had always been firm and unshaken in the cause of the Lord in these last days without a murmur or a reflection. She had firm hope in a glorious resurrection for which she had obeyed the gospel and lived and spent her life, for we had lived together in the most perfect understanding for almost twelve years. My wife was buried in the east part of the city of Nauvoo on the public burying ground on Block 5, Lot 5, grave 2. Nancy Jane on the same Block and lot grave. I put up two good stones at these graves. She had hoped to have lived to enjoy the society of the saints and hear the words of our beloved Prophet in whom she had full faith but I am glad she lived so that she had a good burial with the thirteen saints where she may rest till the morn of the first resurrection is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
CHAPTER IV
I gave Brother Harding a part of the money to go out into the country to buy corn, which I gave him one half for his trouble. I and my family lived on corn bread with but little else. I got my sister, Phoebe Harding, to look after the children and do my cooking. I went out ten miles east of Nauvoo on the prairie cut grass and had it hauled for halves while I camped on the ground, dug me a well ten feet deep for water. My living consisted of 1 1/2 pints of molasses per week and cold corn bread brought to me twice a week. My health was good. I worked all day and much of the night when the moon shone so that I could cut grass.
I now began to gather materials to build on my little lot by selling my part of the hay delivered in Nauvoo at $5 per ton. I continued in this way for seven weeks when I had paid for bricks for a house thirty feet by fifteen feet and also a mason to lay them up with lime, etc. I went to work and laid the foundation myself and soon had the body of the house up. About this time I became acquainted with Hannah Flint, sister to Brother Anson Call's wife about my age whom I afterwards married.
In October I took the steam boat and went up the Mississippi River to Wis. and found the man I sold fifty cords of wood for $25 in goods. I found my oxen at Brother Wright's in good order. I then started for Nauvoo on foot, being over 225 miles, driving my oxen with me, tying them up nights after stopping to feed them and sleeping out of doors. I drove in about sixteen miles of Nauvoo. I came to E. Page's and as he was making shingles he said if I would stop and help him a few days he would let me have some shingles for my house. I did so.
On my return I found my children well. I then commenced my house in good earnest. I went to the river and helped take out a raft of lumber which was froze in and took lumber for my pay. I soon had my house covered in, floors laid, etc..
On the first day of January, 1843, I was married to Hannah Flint by Heber C. Kimball at the house of Anson Call in Nauvoo. She had spent most of the time in schoolmaking. We now moved into my new house and in about a month my wife commenced a school in one of the rooms.
Hannah Flint was born July 18, 1806 in Stanton, Orange County, State of Vermont. She had three brothers and two sisters. Anson Call married her sister, Mary Flint October 3, 1833. Rufus Flint, her father was a native of the State of Connecticut, Windham township and his wife Hannah Hawes was a native of Massachusetts, Worcester county from whence they emigrated to the State of Vermont, afterwards to the State of Ohio in the year 1831 and settled in Geauga County, township of Madison, where Anson and his wife, Mary and Hannah Flint became acquainted with the Latter-Day Saints which were then living in Kirtland and united with said Church. Emigrated to the Missouri in the summer of 1838 with the family of Anson Call, purchased eighty acres of land in Ray County which I afterwards exchanged for forty acres on the Wigan's farm above Nauvoo; went with Brother Call's family to the three forks of Grand River in Davis County; had to leave there by the expulsion of the mob and came to Far West and from thence by the order of Governor Boggs left the State for Illinois; then employed myself for the most of the time in school, keeping about Warsaw when we were married.
The winter was very hard. The Mississippi River being frozen over on the 10th day of November and continued frozen so the brethren from Iowa came to the conference on the 6th day of April on the ice.
In the spring I went grafting fruit trees with Anson Call down in Pike County and saw the mound on the bluffs of the Mississippi near a little town by the name of Kinderhook where Mr. Wiley with others took some plates a week or so before. The facsimile I herewith enclose.
May 24, 1843, I left Nauvoo for the Black River pinery with Bishop George Miller for the purpose of helping to bring down lumber, etc. for the temple and Nauvoo house. We went as far as Praise La Cross on the Mississippi River by the steam boats then took it on foot for one hundred miles up the Black River, there being no regular trail. We could find we were lost some two days but at length found ourselves within forty miles of the mills at the Black River Falls. I immediately the next day started from the Black River with a raft with Henry W. Miller when at the Lake near the mouth of the river we met Brother Cunningham with his boat load of provisions which started from Nauvoo some six weeks before. We had a small keel boat with us that we had brought down for the purpose of taking back with us provisions which were much needed at the Mills so we took a part of Brother Cunningham's provisions from his boat and then both boats started up the river manned with about ten men to each boat. The river being high and the current strong we were forced to make our way by taking hold of the brush at the bow of each boat and running back to the stern and so continuing through the day. We went twenty five miles per day.
After arriving at the mills all hands were employed in rafting logs to the saw mills and rafting lumber, shingles, square timbers etc. for about six weeks, when we had a raft of 150,000 feet. The water privilege at the falls is as good as can be found in the western world. The country is much broken being somewhat mountainous with long tedious winters. There is some land what might be fertile in the valleys. The streams abound in fish.
Brother Cunningham was drowned this summer above the mills in rafting logs. He got into a whirl in the river and was seen no more.
I returned to Nauvoo with Bishop Miller on the raft and arrived at Nauvoo July 8, 1843. In August my family became sick with the measles. Nancy Jane died on the 7th day of September, 1843. She died of the measles and canker, age four years, seven months and ten days. She was an uncommon good child, pleasant in her temper. She was buried in the public burial beside her mother who had been buried fourteen months. Yet thus life is uncertain at any age and all subject to death is our common lot.
Cut hay out on the prairie about ten miles, bought a small farm with Brother Anson Call about four miles up the river from Nauvoo with a log house, containing eighteen acres, paid one hundred dollars. By the request of Brother Joseph Young, the president of the seventies, the seventies in the Kingdom of God used to meet once in two weeks at my school room. I furnished them wood etc. We had a common school with prayer meetings for the brethren to speak on principal, etc.
On the 7th of January 1844, I was received in the Quorum of High Priests and ordained under the hand of Elder Bent and Fulmer and on the 9th day of January, 1844, I united with the lodge of ancient York Masons in Nauvoo.
My health was rather poor so that I was not able to do but little work but I went and prepared grafts for the grafting for choice kinds of fruit. My health being still poor, Brother Anson Call took Truman Barlow but found him a slow hand at the business.
About the last of April, Brother Charles Shumway came to me and said if I would go on a mission I should have my health. I said if I was wanted I would try to go; so he told me to meet that night at Brother John L. Butter's in the north part of Nauvoo and I would learn more about it. I went and found many of the brethren present whom I knew. Brother James Enett then arose and said he did know but some of the brethren might be disappointed for he was going on a mission west, did not know how long he should be gone but he was going by the counsel of Brother Joseph and Hyrum Smith and he wanted to know if all present would be willing to go on his return if they were needed as he wished to take their names as it was to be kept a secret outside of this meeting as this was counsel and this was the beginning of Enetts leading off a company in the wilderness.
The council of Nauvoo having nominated Joseph Smith our prophet, for a candidate for president of the United States of America, and wishing to support in that office and being appointed to go to Kentucky and hold forth Brother Joseph Smith's views and policy of government I started on the 28th day of March, 1844 in company with John Couthouse, my partner, on this mission with about 50 other elders to various other states in the Union on board the steam boat, Ospring. I left St. Louis on the 30th on the Goddess of Liberty for the mouth of Cumberland River on the Ohio at a town by the name of Smithland, traveled through Livingstone, Caldwell and Frigg County and continued to preach Joseph Smith's views which the people generally liked well but did not know so well about "your" Mormon Prophet for president etc.. We continued to preach almost daily. On Friday July 12, at a little town on Cumberland River saw the paper called the Nashville Banner that gave an account of the murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. Filled a few appointments and on the 22nd day of July started for Nauvoo as all the papers confirmed the murder of our Prophet and Patriarch. We took a steam boat on the Ohio River, arrived on Saturday in Nauvoo, the 27th of July in just one month's time of the murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and found the people in deep mourning for our Prophet and our Patriarch but found my family all well.
Present at our October conference when I was called to go where the Twelve sent me. Monday, October 21, went to Carthage in company with about one hundred fifty of the brethren to attend court, if in case we should be needed, stayed three days and nothing occurred. We returned home to Nauvoo, November 22, 1844.
The High Priests of the 9th Ward met at the house of Joseph L. Robinson pursuant to previous notice. The meeting was opened by singing and prayer by Bishop Jonathan H. Hale. Motioned that Johnathan H. Hale be the president of the High Priests of the 9th Ward and that Joseph Holbrook act as clerk. The meeting then took into consideration propriety of having the names of the High Priests in good standing recorded which were as follows, viz.
Johnathan H. Hale
Joseph L. Robinson
Jeremiah Hatch, sen.
Gardner Clark
Joseph Holbrook
Henry H. Wilson
George Pitkin
Ormus E. Bates
Simon Thayer
Lewis D. Wilson
Thomas Grover
Levi Stewart
Gideon Allen
William Milam
Joseph Meakem
Thomas Carnico
Archibald Patten
John Colemere, sen.
Martin H. Peck
William Player
Anthony Blackburn
John Kempton
Samuel Heath
Benjamin Aber
Ezra G. Benson
Joseph A. Kelting
John Walker
John Stiles
John E. Royce
Alva West
The Quorum continued to meet once in two weeks during the winter at the house of Joseph L. Robinson January 17, 1845. The High Priests voted that they forward to the clerk of the Ward our names our several ordinations and missions etc. and that the clerk of the general Quorum of High Priests to be recorded by the general recorder of the High Priests Quorum.
(There is included a report containing a brief history and genealogy of the above named men in the journal which is not included in this typed record.)
The foregoing being reported to the general clerk of High Priests in Nauvoo. Brother Foster apostatized taking the general record with him, therefore I have thought it best to insert it in my journal.
I was baptized in the Mississippi River for my dead friends August 8, 1844, as follows: Moses Holbrook my father, John Holbrook my grandfather, Lucretia Holbrook my grandmother, David Lampson my father-in-law, Sarah Lampson my mother-in-law.
Hannah Holbrook, my wife, was baptized for the following relatives at the same time and place, for: Rufus Flint her father, Hannah Flint her mothers, Silas Flint her grandfather, Ruth Hawes her grandmother. Bishop Johnathan H. Hale acting as clerk for the baptism for the dead.
Johnathan H. Hale, Colonel of the 3rd regiment, 2nd cohert Nauvoo Legion about the summer of 1844, appointed me as paymaster of said regiment to hold the office and rank as Captain but I did not receive my commission from the Governor as our troubles increased on every hand but some fines were collected by the collector of the 3rd regiment as assessed by the county martial as delinquents in duty while others were discharged upon reasonable excuse which I herewith insert also some of the Nauvoo Legion Scrip as paid for fines to me which was in my hands upon leaving Nauvoo and the Colonel said could keep it until he should call for it in a future day.
I also paid into the Nauvoo House about one share the amount of $50, which I also enclosed for the purpose of showing that although poor I did what I could to help to build up the Kingdom out of my little mite I possessed. I paid $20 on subscription to build a hall for the High Priests which afterwards was applied on the Nauvoo Temple by the vote of said quorum.
In February about the last week went to Missouri grafting in company with Anson Call, Charles Shumway, and others. Absent about five weeks and made $75 each. I bought of Ramson Shepard his lot adjoining me, some 2 1/2 rods in front by 4 1/2 rods back at $2 per rod which made me much more comfortable for a home. I had fenced my lot with picket fence all around, set out peach, apple and plum trees, etc., had a good well of water on said lot.
Was at the conference held on the 6th day of April, 1845. My wife, Hannah, continue keeping school the most of the time summer and winter which became much assistance to me. We found our own school room fire wood, etc. for $1.50 per scholar per quarter. The brethren though poor generally paid well in something that they could get.
I continued to make hay on the prairie during the hay season which was ten miles from Nauvoo. While I was moving one afternoon in the month of August alone I had been much of the time meditating upon the principles of the doctrine of having more than one wife which I could not so well understand but still I believed that it was true because the revelation of God had so declared it by our Prophet Joseph Smith when all at once a sensation came over me that I could see worlds upon worlds and systems upon systems and endless eternity of them that no man could number for thousands of solar systems like unto the one that our world forms a part seemed to pass before me in quick succession. I marveled at the power by which all those systems moved in so much harmony for these were systems upon systems moving in their orbit as harmonious as our earth with other planets move in their orbits around the grand center of our systems and as space was endless so were the creations of God endless in point of time or duration and all this brought about by the revelation I have awarded to my servants Joseph Smith and there is an endless exaltation to men if he will so receive it. Amen and Amen.
When I came to myself I was standing in my swathe with the hull of my scythe on the ground which I had been moving as though nothing had happened. From this time to the present time there has been no doubts with regard to those who embrace the fulness of the New and Everlasting Covenant which I pray I may enjoy with all my children from generation to generation.
I was appointed one of the standing police to help to keep peace in Nauvoo January 19, 1845, and continued to act in that office during our stay in that city free of charge.
About August 1845, I received a Patriarchal blessing under the hand of John Smith in Nauvoo. (Patriarchal blessing recorded in back of journal.)
In September, 1845, the mob commenced burning our brethren's houses in the south part of the county, forcing them to leave their homes and hasten to Nauvoo with their families for protection and the country was in array against the Mormons generally, until the Church agreed to leave for the Western World in the spring. Some of the brethren were killed by the mob violence and the whole State were determined we should enjoy no more peace. Some time in October 1845, settled my tithing in full to June 15, 1846.(Should this be 1845)
On the 5th day of November 1845, left Nauvoo in company with Alexander Stanley on board the steamboat, Western Bell, for St. Louis. There took passage on board the boat, Deligence, for Wellsville on the Ohio River, in the southeastern part of the state. From thence on foot about one hundred miles to Claridon to Esq. Robinson, my brother-in-law, who married Electa Flint. It being the first time they ever saw me. I left the next day Madison Lake County to the house of my brother-in-law, Fredrick Flint. As I had a power of attorney from my wife and Anson Call, his wife, to settle the estate of their father and receive their portion which was due about $270. I received $200 in cash, the remainder in goods, which forced me to be obliged to take the stage at Warsaw in Trumball County for Wellsville and there took the steamboat for Cincinnati and there took passage for St. Louis. The upper Mississippi closed with ice I was again compelled to find some other passage. While leaving the steamboat at the wharf I had a man to take hold of my large trunk which weighed about two hundred pounds, besides I had hold of the trunk handle at the other end with my saddle bags on my other arm with a scythe and a snath in my hand when the plank leading to the shore slipped off of the boat and let us both into the river where the water was much over my head. I immediately walked for the shore bringing my trunk with all the rest of my baggage with me, when there was a general shout on the Levee at so singular an accident, being all wet and this in the first of January. I put my baggage on a wood wagon and crossed the Mississippi River for the Illinois side, went out two miles from the river and stopped at a tavern to dry myself and things. Then I bought a yoke of oxen, made a light sled and commenced my journey for Nauvoo, a distance of over two hundred miles by land. I traveled twenty-five and thirty miles for days until the snow began to fall. About the third day and the streams were so swollen by the melting snow that it became extremely difficult to ford as some of them were swimming. At a place called Pleasant Valley I traded off my oxen for a six year old mare, even handed, put my trunk etc. on a wagon, then traveled to a little town by the name of Kinderhook. Then I put my mare on a wagon with another man and continued my journey forward for home. Arrived at Nauvoo on Friday, February 6, 1846, and found my family all well and that the brethren were already beginning to leave Nauvoo for the western world as our enemies gave then no peace night nor day and thus they were compelled to leave their comfortable homes for the wilderness in the dead of winter.
During my absence my oldest daughter Sarah Lucretia was married to Judson Tolman in January, 1846. He had gone west in a pioneer company to assist the brethren.
February 6, went in the temple at Nauvoo and received my washings and annointing in the house of the Lord, it being at the closing of giving endowments; there was a great crowd so that near five hundred passed through their ordinances in the last twenty-four hours, but I felt greatly blessed for the opportunity of receiving the little I did for it gave me keys of knowledge for me to improve upon until I could get more.
A wagon company which Brother Charles Shumway had been captain he having gone west with his family and I was appointed by the company to act as their agent and Brother Anson Call as my counselor. Went to work and paid some $500 of the indebtedness of the company the best we could. In the meantime the brethren were continually crossing the river as fast as they could get ready in small companies.
I sold my house and lot for $ 100 worth of stock to a man near Oquawk, Henderson County. April 13, 1846, Brother Call and myself sold our little farm of eighteen acres with a good log house under a good rail fence for twenty-five bushels of corn. It took one day with two yoke of oxen to haul the corn home and another half day to haul it to the store where we got ten cents per bushel, making $2.50 the grand total amount for us both. The same farm was worth some $300 a few months before and a little sacrifice of every kind of property so we had but little to move with. I also assisted Brother Shepherd and Brother Harding in selling their houses and lots and also my brother, Chandlier, as he had gone west with the pioneers with the first company to assist in making roads, bridges, etc. for the brethren that should follow.
The city of Nauvoo now presented one scene of desolation broken down fences with covered wagons, every man making all the efforts in his power to leave his home and a great many of the saints were obliged to go without realizing one cent for their dwellings. Thus the hand of persecution had prevailed over the honest industry of our beloved and prosperous city. Here in Nauvoo laid buried many of our friends. Our Prophet Joseph Smith who was martyred in Carthage jail June 27, 1844, and also his brother Hyrum Smith our patriarch with their father, Joseph Smith Sen. and his sons, Don Carlos Smith, his brother Samuel H. Smith and scores of others with my wife Nancy Holbrook and our daughter Nancy Jane Holbrook with their memories sacred upon our minds we could but dedicate the place of their sepulchers to the God of Heaven, hoping that their remains might rest in peace unmolested until the morn of the first resurrection where all the saints can rest and come forth to meet a full and complete redemption under the counsel of their prophet, priest and King.
CHAPTER V
Having prepared everything according to the best possible chance we bid farewell to the once beautiful but now desolate and forsaken city, Nauvoo, Saturday May 16, 1846, in company with Anson Call, Ranson Shepherd, Dwight Harding, and my brother's wife, Eunice Holbrook and Sister Davies, and their families, and traveled four miles and camped on the Mississippi River above the city. My family now consisted of my wife, Hannah, my oldest daughter Sarah Lucretia, who is married to Judson Tolman, Charlotte Holbrook, my second daughter, Joseph Lamoni Holbrook and Catherine Barton, who was living with us at this time. I had two wagons with three yoke of oxen, some steers, a few cows and a small buggy. It was taken along for the purpose of trading for oxen.
Monday, 18, crossed the Mississippi River at Madison Ferry. We continued our journey on the trail of the saints. Tuesday, 29, camped on the Des Moines River at a little town by the name of Ediville. Sunday traded my buggy for a good yoke of cattle which much relieved my team, as we had to stay at this place awaiting for the chance of ferrying until June 2. This day Chandlier, my brother came back from the pioneers and met his family, Eunice and also Judson Tolman, met his wife Sarah Lucretia that was with us. The road had been very muddy from Nauvoo to this place.
June 4, traveled to Cedar Creek to a sawmill. Friday the 5th, Brother Call's child, a son some six months old was found dead in the morning. His name was Hyrum. Stayed through the day, dug a grave and made a coffin and buried him on the bluff above the mill.
On the 6th day of June continued our journey. Had much bad road. The country new and but few or no inhabitants. Saturday, June 13, came to where the brethren had commenced to make a farm. Father Huntington presided at this called Pisdah. Catherine Barton that was journeying with us found her sister Mary Ann Candland at this place.
Friday June 19, passed an Indian village of the Pottawattimic Tribe, were continually passing the camps of the saints who were resting their teams or repairing their wagons etc., that had not time to do before they started from Nauvoo. We were often met by some of the pioneers who were on the return to meet their families which they often found in the most trying circumstances out of doors without food or shelter.
June 22, came to the camp on the Missouri Bluffs. Hunted out a good camping ground for our stock. It rained much of the time which made it muddy and bad traveling. June 26, started to the Missouri, stayed on the bottoms, met with Brother Brigham. He told us to come and join his company on our return from Missouri and also to help prepare a ferry boat for crossing the river etc. June 28, came to the settlement. I bought a load of corn of 35 bushels at $0.25 per bushel. Bought three small pigs for one dollar. Returned home, prepared our corn for the mill etc. Saturday July 4, Judson Tolman went to work on the boat. That evening Brother Call, Harding and myself went to the river to work when there came up a shower and the wind blew hard with the rain. I went home that night nine miles on foot through the wet.
Monday July 5, prepared to move to the river. Thursday July 7, early in the morning started for the Missouri River and crossed the most of our cattle by swimming the river and ferrying the wagons. Wednesday July 8, got our wagons out on the prairie four miles and joined Brother Brigham Young's company near the springs. Thursday, July 9, worked on the ferry. Moroni Call died with the inflammation of the bowels. Friday continued work on the ferry and buried Moroni Call on the prairie near the camp on a hill. Friday, July 10, 11, 12, continued working on the ferry. When our company were all over Colonel Cane made a speech from Washington. July 13, the United States required for 500 of our men to march into the Mexican War. The number was soon filled when they marched under the service of the United States leaving their families in the open prairie, some in tents, others in wagons, some were left beside a log in the woods without any covering or anything to subsist upon in an Indian country left to the mercies of the savage and the cravings of hungers after having been driven but a few months before from Nauvoo. Thus did the vengeance of our enemies follow us with this uncalled for service by our enemies for our destruction, continued in the camp. Brigham Young called for volunteers from his company who could leave for the west to start the next morning and Brother Heber C. Kimball called for volunteers from his company to follow us.
Tuesday, July 21, started for the west with our ten brethren. Brother Ranson Shepherd took sick about this time. July 22, traveled to Elk Horn River and found the river high. We found a raft three quarters miles down the river which had been made for the purpose of taking over wagons. We went to work and towed said raft up against the current that night - a hard job. Crossed fourteen wagons that night. Brother Brigham, Heber C. Kimball, and Willard Richards came to us this evening.
Thursday July 23, the company were organized by appointing John Mixwell, Newel Knight, and Joseph Holbrook as captains of fifties of the first company on their way over the mountains. I went back four miles on the prairie and built a bridge across a ravine. Brother Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards left for the Main Camp. They told us to go ahead and they thought they should be on our heels in a few days. If not they would send us word in due season.
Friday July 24, organized the company into tens, Anson Call captain 1st ten, Jerome Kempton 2nd ten, David Lewis 3rd ten, Solomon Hancock 4th ten, William Mathews 5th ten, Erastus Bingham 6th ten, and Dana 7th ten. Also made a return to the General recorder, Willard Richards of the following, consisting of 71 wagons, 230 persons, 268 oxen, 142 cows, 35 calves, 132 sheep, 34 young cattle, 22 horses, 2 mules, 3 pigs. Traveled ten miles and camped on the banks of the Platte River. Saturday July 25, traveled fifteen miles, camped on a slough water pool. Called the brethren together at noon. There was an uneasy spirit in the camp which was settled. Met with some teams from Brother George Miller's camp at Pawnee about three o'clock p.m.
Sunday July 26, traveled ten miles, and camped on a branch of the Platte River at about one o'clock and formed a circle. One of my oxen was taken sick. July 27, traveled twelve miles. The weather was very warm. My ox continued sick. A number of showers during the day and night. Tuesday July 28, traveled fifteen miles through a dry prairie, camped on the main Platte River cooler through the day. July 29, traveled twelve miles, camped on the Platte River. Thursday July 30, traveled eighteen miles. Had a meeting at noon. There was much difference manifested about the way we should travel, if the captains did not find good water, wood and grass that to at a proper distance each day they were much to blame, although we had no guide for us to look at. It was late at night before we could find water etc.. Brother Solomon Hancock had one of his children's arm broken above the elbow. A part of the camp did not come up to the camping ground until morning.
Friday July 31, held a meeting in the forenoon at the camp. There was much dissatisfaction. After much explanation the company became satisfied and agreed to be subject to those that were appointed to lead. Crossed a small branch called the Beaver. Brother George Miller came into camp this evening. He said he wished our camp to immediately move forwards join his camp at the Pawnee village. Saturday August 1, traveled three miles to the Loup Fork of the Platte River. I went to look out a ford to cross. Our camp met at Brother Miller's camp. In council resolved that Brother Miller visit Brother Brigham Young at his camp as soon as possible. Sunday August 2, David Lewis chosen sargeant of the guard. Newell Knight in company of John Kay with a letter to Brother Brigham Young. Monday August 3, I went in company of Brother George Miller and Mixwell to find a ford across the Loup Fork and a road for our journey. The brethren were engaged in setting tires during our travels. Today we visited the remains of the Pawnee village and found the most of it had been burned about two months before by a war party of the Sioux Indians.
Tuesday August 4, took up our march to cross the river, dug and prepared the banks at three streams, crossed late in the evening. Brother Heber C. Kimball's company came up with us late in the evening. August 5, were called in council at Brother Miller's camp. Resolved that the three companies form an encampment on the south side of the Loup Fork. In the evening some Indians were said to be seen. Therefore a double guard was ordered to be set out that night. Thursday August 6th, stayed in camp. The Indians made their appearance to some of the camp, In the evening they attacked two boys on mules, took their mules and guns from them. We sent out a posse after them but could not find them.
Friday August 7th, stayed in camp. Brother Newell Knight and John Kay returned from the main camp and brought a letter from the twelve containing a message that we should not go further went this season, also containing an organization proposal for the winter. August 8th, the whole camp came together agreeable to notice from the twelve and adopted the following an recommended in the letter by Brother Knight to the camp: George Miller to be president. Newell Knight, Joseph Holbrook, Anson Call, Erastus Bingham, John Mixwell, Thomas Gates, Charles Christman, Titus Billings, David Lewis, Hyrum Clark, Bartholomew, High Councilors. Brother Jacob Houtz act as clerk. In the evening at four o'clock the president and council met and organized took into consideration of the camp setting on the Missouri River for the winter.
Sunday August 9th, held a meeting in the camp, in the forenoon. There seemed to be a good spirit with the brethren as to their duty that lay before them. In the evening, held a council with the Indian Chief of the Puncas Tribe and smoked the pipe of peace. He gave us some history of his country. He said it was a good place to winter our stock and he invited us home with him. He said he knew that the Mormons had been driven by the people of the States, etc.
Monday August 10th, it was counseled that about twenty families remain at the Pawnee Mission and that Jacob Gates preside. August 11th, Brother Gates took his leave of the camp with those families that were to tarry with him. The council met for the purpose of inquiring into the circumstances of some property in the hands of Charles Shumway. He showed contempt to the council and a charge was preferred against him to be tried on the 13th inst. Wednesday 12th, crossed the Loup Fork for our journey to the Puncas Indian's country, the chief going with us. August 13th, camped on the Willow Fork. Held a council on the charge of Charles Shumway. The charges sustained after a sharp rebuke from the president, he made a confession and was restored to fellowship. Traveled four miles and camped for the night. August 14, traveled fourteen miles. The prairie became dry and somewhat sandy.
August 15th, traveled twelve miles. The day was hot and many of our cattle gave out and one died, camped on a small stream by the name of Beaver Creek. Sunday August 16th, traveled three miles and camped for the day. Held a meeting in the afternoon. Was quite unwell for a number of days from a bad cold. News came in the evening that the Indians were near which proved to be a false report. August 17th, traveled six miles, crossed the Beaver Creek, found a buffalo calf, which some of the brethren caught and took along with us. Came to a borrough of prairie dogs. August 18, traveled thirteen miles. Camped on the waters of Elk Horn River. On the 19th of August traveled nine miles. Crossed the Elk River in the evening and camped at old Indian encampment on the bank of the river. Today left my sick oxen on the prairie, he being so weak he could not walk. Josiah Call with another brother for lost cattle. This morning prairie was sandy. Thursday, the 20th, traveled fifteen miles. In the evening the brethren brought in an antelope which looked like a deer. We also saw a number of buffalos and the brethren shot at them and wounded some, one or two. On the 21st, traveled six miles, started late. Two o'clock the meat of two buffalo was brought into camp.
On the 22nd the buffalo were plenty like a herd of cattle; killed three buffalo cows. Traveled sixteen miles. August 23rd, traveled five miles to the running water river in sight of the Missouri River. Puncas Indians came into camp, manifested friendship. August 24th, remained in camp. The Indians met in council with us today. We gave some presents, corn, about eight bushels, some powder and lead, tobacco. We also made them a feast. They kept perfect order in their camp. The chiefs came forward at a respectful distance of some five rods and seated themselves, behind them afterwards the squaws and children. They remained in perfect silence during the afternoon. The chief and the braves came into our camp. We had some talk with them upon the privilege of wintering on their land. They said they wanted us to talk good to them and they would give us an answer and they wanted us to talk straight and not crooked. After many had spoken they gave us leave to look out a location, such a one as we should think best and we promised to put them some corn in the spring if they wanted, and do some blacksmithing for them as they should need, etc.
Tuesday August 25th, went in company with the council down the river twelve miles to look out a location on the Missouri. One of the Indians shot one of our oxen with an arrow so that he died. Wednesday August 26th, sat in council in the forenoon. The Indians gave us the privilege of all the land below the running water on the Missouri River. Resolved: that we go down the river five miles on a small creek cut out a road, etc. August 27th, went to our new camping place and commenced mowing grass for our hay. The Sioux Indians shot one of the Puncas Indians called the Black Chief. August 28, moved our camp to the north of White Creek on the Missouri River ten miles. August 29th, sat in council this day for the benefit of camp while the brethren were preparing for their labor. August 30th, held a meeting through the day. Much was said about obeying counsel, etc. August 31st, commenced haying. One of the old oxen died with the murrain. The Indian interpreter said they were sorry we did not stay up the river and the Sioux Indians would not have killed them. Tuesday, September 1, 1846, continued mowing. The weather being hot and dry, some of the brethren were cutting logs. On the 2nd, in the evening the Indians requested we should move our encampment to some other place and the council visited the chief for a talk.
September 3, went in company with the rest of the council to seek out a location. Traveled some twenty miles up the Running Water river and Missouri. September 4, this morning the brethren agreed to cross the Running Water for Winter Quarters. The day was cool for what it had been for some time. Many of the brethren were unwilling to help cut hay for the winter. September 5, went for the herd up the creek. A part could not be found, Brother Miller took a part of his company and left the rest in camp and sent out a few hands to hunt lost stock. On the 6th, remained in camp. Continued looking for the lost stock. In the evening some of the brethren became somewhat divided in relation to their new location. Monday September 7, the rest of the camp that could have teams and joined with Brother Miller's camp. There is still a division. Some are desirous of going down the Missouri River by themselves.
On the 8th, began to cut house logs and laid out a place for building on the Running Water River. About two miles from the mouth on the Missouri. The fort was formed by being laid off in two lines 106 feet apart with the gate at each end, the lots fronting the center sixteen feet each. our fort contained 110 lots which were all taken. On the 9th, some of the brethren who were not willing to follow council and were left at our old camping place came into camp but are still determined to go down the Missouri River.
September 10, Brother Houtz and Brother Shirtliff with two others started down the river to Council Bluffs to see the Twelve and obtain some goods from Mr. Sarrcu for to trade with the Puncas Indians. Friday September 11, continued to build our cabins. On the 12th, the brethren were busily engaged in building. The Chief of the Puncas died. In the evening went to the Missouri River fishing but caught few. Sunday September 13, the Indians buried their chief on the bluff just above the mouth of the Running Water River. A meeting was held in camp. Some of the Sioux Indians came into camp and smoked the pipe of peace. Monday September 14, continued to work at the house and put some hay on the roof. On the 15th moved into the house in the evening. 16th, it rained in the morning and the herd became scattered and six of our cattle were shot by some Indians. 17th, the council met and agreed that we divide our stock into three herds for their better being guarded etc. and settled some difficulties. On the 18th the first and second companies built a yard on the Running Water River back of our fort. Saturday September 19th, the camp were busily engaged at building. In the evening went three miles to the Missouri to catch fish. Caught one only. The wind blew hard from the north. 20th, held a meeting and administered the sacrament. In the afternoon a good spirit prevailed. Many of the brethren confessed their wrongs. 21st, 22nd, stacked our hay on the Missouri bottoms, about five miles from camp, some fifty tons. Twenty-three quarried rock and hauled for our chimneys.
Thursday and Friday, 24th & 25th, built our chimneys and put dirt on our house. 26th, got up wood and helped butcher an ox for Brother Newell Knight. Drove our herd up the Missouri River. The Indians killed one cow and wounded another. The council met tonight. Agreed that they meet twice a week. September 27, held a meeting in company with Brother Newell Knight. On the 28th, stacked hay. Judson Tolman caught 200 pounds of cat fish, twelve in number, one weighing forty lbs. six miles from camp in the Missouri River with a hook. Tuesday September 29th, cleaned fish etc. Continued cutting grass, Brother Houtz and Shirtliff returned from the bluffs. The camp of the saints with some goods in safety and brought a cannon and some letters from the Twelve of instruction. On the 4th, held a meeting. Brother Call and Bartholomew occupied the time. Read some letters from the Twelve. October 5, hauled poles for the stock yard. On the 6th, went to the Missouri River bottoms, seven miles. Stayed in camp all night. On the 7th, gathered up the herd in the bottoms and drove to the fort. Oct. 8, it rained during the day and night. On the 9th, it continued to rain. On the 10th, herded cattle and it rained during the day. The council met in the evening. Sunday 11, Brother George Miller preached, some business transacted with relation to sending teams to the State of Missouri for grain and a few men to the west as far as Fort Laramie to look out a road for our spring emigration etc. Brother James Emitt and myself to be two of them. October 12 & 13, prepared for our mission to the west. October 14, started on our journey for the west in company of James Emitt and William Mathews with two mules and one horse with provisions for near five days, although we expected to be absent as many weeks but as bread stuff was scarce in camp we must hunt our living as we traveled along. Killed two coons on the prairie today, traveled twenty miles and camped on the Running Water River. I was thrown from mule twice today without any material injury, he being a wild Spanish mule. Thursday October 15, traveled twenty miles. The country very uneven, rushes in the bottom a plenty for stock. The wind in the north with some snow near night. In crossing a ravine Brother Mathews fell into a hole which wet him all over.
October 16, traveled fifteen miles mostly in the bottoms. Passed a number of prairie dogs. Towns which sometimes extended for a mile, saw eight deer and a herd of elk about thirty, too far away to be shot at. In the evening shot two ducks. Got thrown from the mule again without injury. Saturday October 17, traveled fifteen miles, passed a stream that emptied into the Running Water River on the south side and two large mounds on the north side on the bluffs. Saw a number of deer, about forty elk, and ten buffalo, but they were very shy.
Sunday October 18, traveled fifteen miles, fell in with an Indian trail which seemed to be fresh, signs of their lately having passed up the river. We kept our course and found but little timber. Saw a few deer. In the evening we came up with the Indians who were a war party of ten. Had been to the Pawnee tribe to steal horses and were on their return having been too sharply pursued by the Pawnees and proved unsuccessful. They took us some three miles to where two lodges of the Sioux Indians were camped. They told us they were from the Yonton band near the mountain. The Indians gave us some meat for our bread had run low. We camped with them for the night, one of us standing guard by turns all night that they did not steal our horses. We found by directions of the Indians that were on the north fork of the Running Water River.
Monday October 19, traveled seven miles across the divide south. Killed a buffalo bull. Shot twelve balls into him before he was killed, then he fell into a small stream with his head down stream that he so dammed up the water as to cause the water to flow over his back the whole length. We were forced to skin our meat under water. We stayed the remainder of the day and night and dried all the beef we could get for our journey. October 20, traveled fourteen miles. Met with five Indians in the morning. They seemed quite cross. We pointed to our camp fires and told them they could get plenty of meat at that place. Saw a plenty elk and buffalo during the day. Came to the main branch of Running Water. Killed two turkeys at our camping place and continued to dry our meat during the night over the fire. Saw pine timber on the bluffs. On the 21st, traveled twenty miles up the river. Saw elk and buffalo and deer a plenty during the day. Cashed a sack of meat that was dried in the sand in case we should be robbed of our firearms we find it on our return home. Thursday October 22, traveled fifteen miles in the morning. Passed a large stream on the south side of the Running Water River. Found the bottoms much less during the day. The Islands were scarce in the river. October 23, traveled thirteen miles to the cottonwood road. Came to the river Birch on the south side of the bluffs. On the 24th, traveled eight miles. Found an elk we had shot at the evening before. The wolves had destroyed his carcass so we could not get any meat. Brother Mathews mare gave out which hindered us much. The country has become so desolate there is no grass to be found, the buffalo and elk having grazed upon in summer so that there were large roads across the river and up the bluffs like turnpike roads.
On the 25th, traveled twelve miles and left Brother Matthew's mare and put his baggage on our mules so that we had to take it a foot all the time. The country sandy, we had some grapes on the bottom today which answered for bread well as we were only allowing ourselves one spoonful of flour a piece a day. Put into our soup of dried buffalo meat. Saw on the opposite side of the river a mile off, a large herd of elk from 75 to 100. The river became much wider and more shallow at this place.
Monday October 26, traveled thirteen miles. Passed the forks of the river. We took up the north fork. The country had been so completely eat out that we were forced to cut down cottonwood trees where they can be found from one to two feet through and cut off limbs for our mules to subsist upon the bark. This evening shot a buffalo cow. She was fat which gave us a feast, the best we had had on our journey. October 27, traveled twelve miles. In the morning cached our beef except that we could take along with us. Saw thousands of buffaloes in every direction, cows, calves, bulls, and young stock of every description to many a man an ample fortune, but they were all wild as the deer upon your approach. For miles around you the timber is pine on the bluffs, ash and elm in the hollow and willow on the river.
Thursday October 29, traveled fifteen miles. Passed two small creeks at their mouth on the north side of the river which ran back into the prairie for some miles. The country became more broken. We found some rose buds which were a great advantage in our bread line. Found on the prairie petrified egg hard as stone. Upon breaking I found that the white of it was about one fourth of inch clave from the yolk which was lightish yellow color hard in perfect shape, a little larger than a common hen's egg, a little more round in shape. Oct. 30th, we now come to the conclusion that prudence called for our return home as there was no feed to be found for our mules, traveled twenty miles. Saturday October 31, traveled sixteen miles. In the afternoon killed two black tailed deer and one wolf. Dried our venison in the evening over a fire.
Sunday November 1, started late this morning and came to where we caught our buffalo and found our beef in good order. Prepared our scaffold for drying meat when we saw five buffalo bulls in sight. Brother Emitt shot two bulls and I went and built fires close by them after ripping them open and taking out their innards. The wolves came within eight feet of me, carried off their large paunch in a body for rods without breaking. The whole country seemed to be full of wolves and buffaloes. We stayed in camp, butchered our bulls and prepared our meat for drying. November 3, we took into council to have Brother James Emitt and William Mathews to take the two mules and start for Fort Laramie and leave me to keep camp while they were gone. They started on their journey in two miles from camp they shot a three year old heifer and they returned in the evening with their beef to camp. November 4th, 5th, 6th, stayed in camp as one of our mules took violently sick and we had to abandon our journey to Fort Laramie and prepare for our homes.
November 7, we had prepared two drays made of ash poles and tied together with buffalo hide on which we put on 500 lbs. of dried meat and then made a harness of buffalo hide for our mules. We commenced on our journey home. Traveled five miles. Sunday November 8, traveled five miles. Came to where the Puncas Indians were in camp with some seventy or eighty lodges. They had a plenty of meat on hand here. Here we found Brother Stains who had been with the Indians on their hunts in good spirits. He was learning their language. It rained during the night. 9th, stayed in camp with the Indians during the day Brother Emitt obtained his horse which had been stolen some two months before. Brother Mathews obtained his saddle he left when we left the mare. The Indians have taken her to another part of camp some miles off. The Indians wished for Brother Miller to meet them at the mouth of Beaver Creek on the south side of Running Water.
Tuesday November 10, left the camp of the Indians. They had been very friendly to us and sent one of their young Indians with us to go to our camp. Traveled twelve miles. 11th, traveled twelve miles. The prairie handsome kept back from the breaks of the river. November 12, traveled twelve miles. Camped near the river on a small spring branch. The wind blew hard from the northwest during the day. In the evening it snowed a little, the second snow this season. Saw two buffalo bulls. Friday November 13, traveled ten miles, saw buffalo bulls. Today we have done without bread for three weeks and find that we can live on meat but our limbs are weak to what they would be with some bread. Nov. 14, traveled five miles. We tried to kill a buffalo today but failed. Sunday November 15, at day break I left the camp alone. Traveled ten miles to the river. After we returned we started on our journey. Saw a herd of buffalo close at hand when Brother Emitt and the Indians went to get a shot at them without success. It commenced snowing. We traveled ten miles. We were forced to stop on the open prairie for the night without wood or water. We pulled off our boots and wrung our sock and put on our wet socks again and put our boots under our heads to keep them from freezing so that we could get them on in the morning. It stormed hard during the night and it was hard for man and beast. 16th, traveled four miles to timber. Camped the remainder of the day. It is still snowing. 17th, the day blustering. Concluded to let our mules rest as our meat was burdensome yet we well knew it would prove a blessing to our families if we got home with some meat.
November 18, the morning pleasant. Traveled eight miles. Our mule fell down in the creek and wet our meat. Stopped for the day and killed a pole cat or skunk. Cooked it for supper. 19th, traveled seven miles and killed a buffalo bull and brought the meat into camp and dried it in the evening. 20th, traveled seven miles. Camped to the north branch of the Running Water River. 21st, crossed the north branch about fifteen miles above its mouth. Traveled eight miles. The day rather squally with some snow. Came to the burnt prairie which made it hard hauling our drays.
Sunday November 22, traveled six miles. In the evening Brother Emitt feasted us on Indian potatoes. They were of the size of a hickory nut. We partook of the sacrament and offered up praise and thanksgiving for our preservation thus far on our journey. 23rd, traveled ten miles. Camped on the spring branch and found rushes for our mules. 24th traveled twelve miles. Killed four skunks. We dressed them, the Indian taking them and throwing them on a brisk fire and singing off the hair or fur and the skin and meat looks somewhat like a young pig, but when it is cooked it tastes like a skunk but it is meat. We have had to do without salt. In the evening it snowed and the wind blew hard. 25th, traveled ten miles. The day cold. Passed Mr. Tryons, the Indian trader among the Puncas Indians. These traders commonly come among the Indians with their goods in the fall season so as to secure a winter location of a small log cabin with a store room for their goods. There is plenty of wood for fires and feed for their pack animals with two or three Frenchmen to keep camp with as many Indian squaws for the winter as wives. November 26th, traveled ten miles. 27th, traveled eight miles and came to the herd ground of our brethren and stayed all night. 28th, traveled eight miles and arrived at home and found the family all well, being absent about six weeks and four days without being in any house during that time. Traveled some over 400 miles in a country without a road or even a trail, with plenty of buffalo, elk, deer, and wolves with timber on the streams with sandy bars, etc.
Sunday, November 29th, attended meeting with the saints. Brother Miller and David Lewis just returned from the Bluffs. 30th attended council in the evening. Tuesday December 1, attended to work on dividing out meat that we brought home into divisions, each had 175 lbs., which will be great help in our poverty. Butchered the pack cow. In the evening met in council. Sunday, December 6, some more of the brethren returned from the Bluffs or Missouri where they had been for grain. 7th, the brethren agreed to divide the herd that they might more easily be kept from straying. December 8, the weather is cold. December 15, my team returned from the State of Missouri where it had been for grain. It has been absent two months and traveled 700 miles, there and back again. Left one of my oxen 150 miles back on the road and another ten miles. Wednesday, December 16, went in search of the last ox. Drove him five miles on his way home. 17th, we packed over our loading on the ice three quarters of a mile and in undertaking to cross our wagons with one yoke of oxen the oxen broke through the ice. We were forced to take them back. We then undertook to cross the wagons by hand. They broke in when the water was seven feet deep and running swift at that. We succeeded in getting out the box and hind wheels. We were forced to run a pole through the fore wheel and leave for the night, having been in the water some time up to our knees and chilled nearly through and some three miles to travel on foot to get to the fire.
Friday, December 18, succeeded in getting our wagons over on the ice and got my brother fore wheels out without any loss but one draught chain. Packed our grain up the Missouri River bluffs on our back three fourths of a mile. Dec. 19th, Brother Houtz, Mathews, and Dame crossed their teams over on the ice. My poor oxen gave out on its way to the herd although they were young oxen. Got home with another load of grain.
Sunday, December 20th, we divided our grain into three equal parts with my brother Chandlier and Dwight Harding. I had 16 1/2 bushels of corn and meal with the loss of a yoke of oxen, $14.00 in property which made my corn cost me $5.00 per bushel besides my own team to haul it. We are now living on bread and water and that on short allowance one half or two thirds of the camp are not better. December 21st, butchered an ox for Brother Mathews for the head and liver. Four Sioux Indians came into camp. Council met this evening. A good spirit prevailed. Brother George Miller seemed to express some dissatisfaction with regard to the power and authority of the Quorum of the Twelve at Bluffs. Tuesday December 22, hauled wood for Brother Dalton. 23rd, and 24th, hauled a little wood. Was quite unwell with a bad cold and pain in my left breast.
Friday, December 25, Christmas. The weather pleasant, the ground bare. The wolves are a preying upon some of our best cattle killing them at night. The young people are enjoying their Christmas. December 26, the day pleasant. In the evening the wind shifted into the northwest and blew a perfect gale. The prairie being on fire some ten or twelve miles up the Missouri, it soon appeared in sight. It spread over the prairie as fast as a horse could run. The brethren undertook to back fire around the camp when the whole prairie in sight presented one sheet of blaze. It soon reached our camp. The stacks of hay took fire. Five were burned, one good wagon for Brother Bartholomew. The fire at the back of our houses towards the fire there were some 200 men and women engaged in bringing water from the river and a number more wagons injured. About 11 o'clock this evening succeeded in stopping the fire -- the loss some $200 or $300 besides burning up much valuable feed for thirty miles to the west and south and greatly endangering the whole camp and was the cause of a number of deaths afterwards from exposure. In our camp if it had not been for the cabins being built of green logs our fort must have been burnt and we some two hundred miles to the nearest settlement in the midst of winter without provisions or other necessary comforts of life. We cannot but think it was a narrow escape from almost utter destruction. Before I went west it was decided in council to have the prairie burnt off for half a mile around the fort in a still time which ever be done to prevent fires on these dry prairies coming upon you unawares. It was a providential escape.
Sunday, December 27, morning pleasant. The whole country looks black from last night's burning. One keg of powder and other articles missing. 28th, hauled wood for Brother Lewis. The council met in the evening at my house as usual and organized for the purpose of searching the camp for the powder and other articles supposed to be stolen at different times. 29th, the council commenced searching the camp at both ends at the same time and found the powder in Brother John Kat's house in Brother Smith's room. Brother Smith confessed he took the powder and asked to be forgiven. The council agreed to lay it before the people. 30th, the foregoing case came up today before the people and they voted to forgive Brother Smith for his theft. 31st, the weather very cold blustering. Our cattle suffering at the herd.
JANUARY 1847
Friday, January 1st, the beginning of a new year. Sister Knowles buried on the bluffs about two miles from our fort west. The past year has been a year of suffering to our church. Driven from our city of Nauvoo, traveling without friends across the wilderness of the country of Iowa to the Indian country of the Pottawatimus. There five hundred of our best men taken from us to go into the army of the United States against Mexico, leaving their families on the open prairie to suffer in a sickly country to think of our beloved brethren the Twelve laboring with all their might to keep the people from despondency and starvation, that their faith fail not. President Young and Heber C. Kimball across the Missouri river with their company to the Indian country south of that river to Omaha, their sending their companies forward into the great wilderness west, not knowing where we were to stop for winter quarter, to the Pawnee country our singular move from Pawnee to the Puncas country where we now are situated on the Running Water River, three miles above its mouth on the Missouri River. Together with all our brethren scattered over a country of five hundred miles in poverty with our friends, with many of the families of those men that had gone in the Battalion to Mexico on our hands to be looked after and provided for and still see the faith, patience and long suffering of the Church as peoples who cannot but marvel and say it is marvelous on our eyes and the doings of the Lord are past finding out. He proves people in the wilderness and provides for them in his mercies. Oh, God be praised forever. Amen.
Saturday, January 2nd, the mill for grinding corn by ox power commenced today, built by Brother Newel Knight. Went to herd about fifteen miles up the Running Water River. Jan. 3rd to 9th, cold and very freezing. The river at camp froze over the first time this season. 10th, the weather more mild. The wind in the south. Brother Newel Knight sick for six days. Jan. 11th, Brother Newel Knight dies this morning, half past six o'clock. His complaint cold and inflammation on the lungs, his age 46. He was one of the first that embraced the work of the last days and the last that remained of the branch of those that he led to Zion. He was a high priest and a high councilor in Clay county, Missouri, Caldwell and in Nauvoo and a faithful man. Was one of the captains of fifties over the first company over the mountains and a councilor in his camp. Buried this evening at our burying grounds on the bluffs. January 12, 13, 14, the people hauling wood across the river on the ice. 15th, more pleasant weather. 16th, the weather cold and blustering. This is my birthday. Twenty years since I was twenty-one years of age. I passed through a scene of trouble and gloom being driven many times with the saints passing through sickness and death. I am now forty-one years of age and if I should live twenty more years I shall be sixty-one years old which will enable me to do more for the Kingdom of God on the earth, which may God grant in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sunday, January 17, the day very cold the coldest this season. It may well be called the cold Sunday, The red cow died. Jan. 18th, 19th, the weather mild but cold. 20th, Judson Tolman drove two yoke of oxen from the herd. Jan. 21st, hauled wood from the Island. Jan. 22, hauled a load of hay from the Missouri bottoms. Brother Mace made a pair of shoes for Judson. Council met in the evening. 23rd, hauled wood. 24th, Sister Drake died this morning about two o'clock.
February 1st, the wind blew hard, snowed some during day. 2nd, buried Mrs. Dame. February 3, and 4, some of the brethren went up the river hunting. Many of us killing wolves and eating them. Brother Miller returned from Winter Quarters and informed us that there was revelation for us to journey west. Feb. 5th, cut wood for Brother Houtz. 6th, this morning Brother Erastus Snow came into camp from Winter Quarters. 7th, today we had a meeting and valuable instruction was given with regard to our future movements. 8th, today we had meeting, teachings on various duties as saints when it was proposed to reorganize the camp. It was proposed that Brother Benson make the nomination of its officers. He nominated Titus Billings, president and Erastus Bingham and Joseph Holbrook councilors. Brother Hyrum Clark, captain of hundreds and David Lewis and Vincent Shurtliff, captain of fifties, John Butler, Chandlier Holbrook, Anson Call, V. Myers, Bartholomew, Tuttle, Stanley, Boyce, Dalton, Goodell, captain of tens. Brother Goodell resigned and Brother Houtz was appointed in his stead. 9th, Brother Miller and Brother Benson and Snow and others started for the bluffs. Josiah Call came down from hunting and informed us that the Indians were now ready for our traders with their goods. We are making every exertion for our future movements.
Wednesday, February 10th, the day was spent mostly in counciling the best way in regard to our future movements and safety with the Indians etc.. 11th, the day was cold. 12th, Brother Shurtliff, Boyce Butler and some others went up to trade with the Indians about thirty miles. 13th, the weather pleasant. Some of our brethren came in from hunting but got no meat. They informed us that nine hundred of the Sioux Indians of the Yanrom and Yantomions bands were about sixty miles up the river. They had a fight with the Puncas Indians. Two of the Puncas and four of the Sioux fell in the fight. 14th, held meeting at Brother Billings. 15th, helped raise the mill stone and repair it etc. 16th, commenced setting tire on my wagons. 17th, Brother Stains came in with some of the brethren that went up to trade for the Indians were not prepared yet to trade. Brother Stains has stayed with the Indians five months. He says the Indians are friendly in their feelings. 18th, met in the evening for the purpose of arranging for sending to Missouri for grain. 19th to 26th, cold and snowy, Commenced grinding some corn but slow as our teams are weak. 27th, and 28th, the weather still mild.
Monday, March 1st, some of our wagons went up with teams to take goods to trade with the Indians. 2nd, having been appointed with Brother Shurtliff to trade with Indians, started for their camp. 3rd, came up with the Indians at the mouth of Little Platte thirty miles from our camp. 4th and 5th, stayed in camp with Indians. Made a feast for the chief and commenced trading with them. 6th, it being very cold business dull. 7th, 8th, the weather cold. Started down to our fort in the afternoon. Met Judson Tolman, Anson Call, and Chandlier Holbrook a few miles below trading post. 9th, very cold. 10th, returned to the trading post. March 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15th, continued in camp with the Indians a trading with them. March 16th and 17th, started for home with some 350 buffalo robes, 30 beaver skins with deer skins, wolf, wild cat, etc. The French trader, Mr. Lyons had 900 robes with a like proportion of other peltry as he was an old trader, had much more goods and speak Indian fluently. 18th, arrived home in safety. 19th, repacked our robes and prepared for our journey. March 20th, loaded our wagons. Took on Mr. Lyons peltry which for $1.50 hundred, supposed to be over seventy hundred. 21 st, left our camp in company with rising of twenty wagons for the Missouri after grain. Traveled seven miles. Camped on a little creek. March 23rd, traveled eight miles. Camped on a small creek. 24th, traveled 10 miles. Our teams poor, but little feed which made it slow traveling. 25th, traveled twelve miles. Camped on a branch of the horn river. 26th, traveled fifteen miles. 27th, the morning pleasant. Stayed in camp in the morning. Traveled five miles and camped at old Omaha Village on the horn river. This village is now vacated. 28th, the day pleasant. Traveled eight miles. Camped on the Horn. Passed the Lathrop trail. Left camp in the fall. 29th, this afternoon met with David Lewis and other of the brethren from Winter Quarters with an epistle from the Twelve counseling our brethren at Puncas to remove to the Bluffs. Camped on the Horn. Traveled twelve miles. 30th, took on to my wagon of Mr. Lyons peltry. Ten or twelve wagons returned back to Puncas. Judson Tolman left me for home. Traveled twelve miles. 31st, traveled ten miles, came up with Brother Davis camp on the Horn. Brother Putman's family at this place for a few days.
Wednesday, April 1, 1847, traveled twelve miles, camped at Stormy Creek. Prairies on fire. Had to go back fire to preserve our teams and wagons. Met with Joseph Davis with two yoke of oxen going to help his father. My brother, Chandlier's team gave out. April 2nd, came to Coon Branch about ten o'clock A.M. Traveled twelve miles and camped on bluffs. April 3, met with Brother Knowlen and Mixwell on their way to Puncas for their families. Traveled twelve miles. April 4th, traveled ten miles and it rained during the night. Brother Christman and Lasley came to our camp this evening from the Missouri River camp. 5th, traveled two miles in the morning came to the bottoms of an old stack. Sent Brother Lastley his mule which I had to go west last fall by Brother Bartholomew. We are now five miles from the camp of the brethren at Winter Quarters. Tuesday, April 6th, this morning Brother David Davis and his father came up with us. Chandlier went into camp with his team. This morning Brother Bartholomew came back from winter Quarters about 9 o'clock A.M. He brought a very little provisions with him. It is scarce in camp. Traveled ten miles. Apr. 7th, Mr. Lyons left this morning for Belview to make arrangements for his peltry. Arrived in Belview in the afternoon. Discharged our peltry. It weighed 6000 pounds. Freight at $1.50 per hundred weight $90.00. Sold twenty-four of my own robes for $2.50 each, $60.00 amounting in cash.
April 8th, went in company with a couple of Frenchmen across the Missouri River to Mr. Sarpus. Received $90.00 for hauling Mr. Lyons' peltry. On my return I found that the Indian agent Mr. Miller had seized and by force had taken all the robes and peltry, 250 robes, 30 beaver skins, deer skins, wolf and wild cat worth $500 from our wagons belonging to different individuals which we had hauled down for to sell and take back to their families saying that we had no right to trade with the Indians besides he threatened taking all our teams from us that we had just hauled their peltry with and stripping us naked, besides making us prisoners and leaving our families in the wilderness to perish for bread, being backed up by some of the Frenchmen half breeds and Indians in an Indian territory. We gathered our teams and traveled five miles that evening and camped on the prairie that night, kept up a strong guard as they threatened to follow us and take our teams etc.
Friday April 9th, traveled ten miles to Winter Quarters. Saw many of the brethren with whom I had been formerly acquainted with. Met my cousin, Solomom Angell and family whom I had not seen for thirteen years and stayed over night at his house. 10th, Stayed with Brother Angell at night. Got some corn ground I had bought at the mill. 11th, traveled ten miles. Visited the old fort at Council Bluffs. It had been destroyed by fire some years before. Found Brother Davis family at this place. 12th, traveled fifteen miles. Camped on the prairie at night. 13th, traveled fifteen miles to Coon hollow. Continued unwell. The weather cold, feed short and scarce. 15th, traveled fifteen miles, camped a little below the fort on Elk Horn. April 16th, traveled twelve miles, was able to drive my teams, for the first time, for a number of days. 17th, traveled twelve miles and camped at the Omaha Village on the Horn. Met with a number of brethren with their families from Puncas. The weather very cold. We heard that all the brethren had left Puncas and their houses burnt by the Indians. 18th, traveled thirteen miles. The morning cold with some snow. Camped on Cotton Wood Branch. 19th, traveled twenty miles, camped at the bad encampment. 20th, traveled six miles and met my family, all well, almost out of bread stuff of every description and so was the camp in general and we were hailed with joy because we had some corn meal for them. Judson Tolman, my son-in-law, that left me to return to family had helped move my family with his own. He buried his only child a daughter about two weeks old two or three days before at the burying ground on the Bluffs near Puncas where about twenty three of our brethren and sisters had been buried during our short stay in that place, yet in all our tribulation we felt joyful.
April 21, this morning the main camp from Puncas came up with us. We also met the remainder of the teams from the Bluffs. Traveled six miles and camped at the bad encampment. 22nd, traveled twelve miles and camped at the big cotton wood tree on the little Horn. 23rd, morning pleasant, weather mild. Camped at Cotton Wood Branch. 24th, traveled six miles, camped at Oak Springs. 25th, traveled ten miles, camped on the Horn. Passed the old Omaha Village. 26th, stayed in camp for washing to be done. Caught some fish with our net, dug some clams out of the sand in the river which helped to give a feast. Our cattle found some green grass. 27th, the day warm. In the evening threatened rain with wind, traveled ten miles. 28th, traveled eleven miles crossed the creek at its mouth at the Horn River. This day cool and windy. 29th, traveled fourteen miles in the afternoon. The wind blew hard and it rained. Crossed a muddy ford at night. The evening cold. 30th, the morning cool and wintry. Crossed rocky creek. Traveled six miles, camped on the Bluffs. Brother Shurtliff found his wagon where he left it when he went from hauling the peltry.
Saturday, May 1st, traveled ten miles, camped on Coon Hollow. Brother Jude Allen lost his last cow. 2nd, traveled twelve miles. May 3, traveled fifteen miles. About seven miles from main camp at winter Quarters. 4th, visited the old fort at Council Bluffs. Brother Isaac Morley visited us at our camp and some council. My team went into camp. 5th, stayed at the ferry on the Missouri river during the day. 6th, stayed at the ferry during the day. It rained some, the wind blew hard so that there was but little ferrying done. 7th, worked for Brother Higbee making fence for our ferrying. 8th, crossed the river about noon. Traveled six miles and camped among the Bluffs. 9th, traveled six miles and to camp near Brother Chester Loveland's, borrowed some meal for supper and breakfast as we were all out of eatables. 10th, moved about one mile north to a good spring on the Mosquite Creek where contemplate putting in a crop this season. Made a yard for our cattle and commenced clearing our ground. I had lost four cows at Puncas, all I had. Judson Tolman one, all he had so that I hired one of Brother Anson Call for the summer. 11th, received a letter from Brother Billings saying the Puncas High Council had to pay a debt contracted with Daniel Spencer and Edward Hunter. Went to mill five miles, obtaining four bushels of meal. 12th, this morning frosty. Ice one half inch thick. Continued clearing our land, cutting house logs etc. 13th, went to mill and obtained some more meal for myself and others. May 14th, commenced ploughing the first this season. 15th, it rained, done some ploughing. 16th, today Brother Anson Call and myself went for Winter Quarters to answer Brother Billings requirements. Took two yoke of oxen, one cow, wagon to help settle the debt that had been contracted by George Miller and made the council obligated to pay it. The day cold and rainy. Brother Call crossed the river tonight. 17th, returned home a little after noon. Brother Call left his gold watch in pledge for security to the council debt. 18th, ploughed and harrowed our ground for planting. 19th, today we commenced planting our corn. 20th, this morning it rained, ploughed in the afternoon. 21st, ploughed through the day. 22nd, harrowed some of our ground. Planted corn, potatoes, beans, watermelons muskmelon etc. May 23rd, stocked a plough. 24th, in the morning it rained. In the afternoon it cleared away and we ploughed. 25th, made a fence with poles for our garden etc. Dragged some ground. Planted some more corn. 26th, commenced ploughing over the Mosquite Creek in a bend of the creek. We are camping in our wagons. May 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, continued ploughing, cutting brush and preparing the ground for planting.
Tuesday June 1st, planted corn and cut brush etc. 2nd, ploughed in the evening. 3rd, it rained hard in the morning. Commenced ploughing, broke the coulter to the plough. Judson went to the point for iron. 4th, Judson came back in the afternoon. Brought back a coulter and seed corn. 5th, ploughed prairie and found that our coulter worked well. 6th, Brother Shurtliff came from Winter Quarters and wanted Brother Call and myself to pay thirty dollars towards the debt to Edward Hunter and Daniel Spencer. 7th, Judson took a cow for $10 and $5 of Brother Call and $15 of myself in cash which makes $30, sum required by Brother Shurtliff to the main Camp. I ploughed. 8th, planted corn. Vasco Call worked for me. Judson Tolman came home from the Main Camp and paid Houtz and Shurtliff the cow and money and took up the bond (this money was paid by us but was not our debt).
June 9th, it rained hard this morning and the evening before which made the ground too wet to work. We laid up our log house, 28 feet by 14 feet. 10th, ploughed and planted corn one month to day since we arrived at this place. We have got ten acres into corn and some three acres more prepared. 11th, planted corn and ploughed my corn over the creek. Mrs. Holbrook went to the point with brother and sister Call. 13th, Mrs. Holbrook got home from the point. Sold a part of her hats, etc.. 14th, ploughed and hoed out one small piece of corn. 15th, planted beans, ploughed corn. 16th, planted beans for Samuel Marchem. Judson peeled bark for the roof of our house. 17th, in the morning hauled poles for our house. In the evening a very hard rain. 18th, put on our roof to the house with bark. 19th, split rails etc. 20th, moved into our house having lived in a wagon up to this time. 21st, commenced ploughing for buckwheat. 22nd, continued ploughing, hoed out my potatoes etc. 23rd, planted some white beans on the prairie sod. 24th, planted six quarts of squaw corn and finished up planting for the season and have put in fourteen acres into corn, beans and potatoes etc. 25th, ploughed and dragged.
June 26th, harrowed buckwheat ground. Judson Tolman ploughed corn for Harding. In the evening showers. 27th, went to meeting but there was none. 28th, sowed one bushel of buckwheat on three and one half acres. Judson stuck a harrow tooth in his foot. 29th, ploughed for Harding a half day, hoed beans in the afternoon. 30th, ploughed corn and hoed.
Thursday, July 1st, ploughed corn and hoed. 2nd and 3rd, ploughed corn and potatoes and laid by about four acres. 4th, somewhat showery. Brother Hyde held a conference near Indian Mill. 5th, prepared timber for chimney. 6th, built chimney. 7th, laid floor out of split punchon. 8th, commenced over creek in the afternoon, heavy showers with wind. 9th, made fence to our corn field over creek and set up our corn that the wind blew over. 10th, built a back to our chimney. Sunday 11th, went to meeting and preached in the branch at Brother Warthoms. 12th and 13th, ploughed and hoed corn. 14 and 15th, cut brush and cleaned our turnip patch. 16th, hauled fence poles and house logs etc. 17th, made our fence and laid up our logs. 18th, wrote a letter to my friends in Mass.
July 19th, started for Missouri. My son, Joseph Lamoni, Judson Tolman, Anson Call, Samuel Meachem, in company with me took two wagons and oxen. Traveled twenty miles and stayed on the prairie. 20th, traveled twenty-five miles and stayed on the prairie, one mile over the State line. 21st, traveled twenty miles, crossed the Nishabotana River at Olive's Ferry and passed through Linden the county seat at Atkinson County. Thursday July 22, traveled twenty miles, crossed Rock Creek in the morning, the Big Tarquin in the afternoon continued to meet many of the brethren with corn. 23rd, traveled twenty miles and camped on the prairie. 24th, traveled seventeen miles crossed the Notaway at Lackey's ferry, saw brother Harding at work heard of brother Loveland and others. Sunday, July 25 passed through Savanah and found the prairies eat out with but little food for our teams, traveled seventeen miles, came to St. Joseph and found brother Justin Morse about one mile out of town making shingles.
Monday July 26th, bought a grindstone, scythe and snathe, some corn meal a jug of molasses and went five miles east of St. Joseph on the prairie near one Judge Leonard. July 27th, commenced cutting grass on prairie and Brother Call went to the timber to cut some poles for a hay rack etc.. July 28th, in the afternoon bound oats for Judge Leonard. 29th, bound oats for Judge Leonard. He paid me 60 cents per day in pork, took two loads of hay to town. July 30th, continued cutting grass myself, Brother Call and Judson took two loads to town. Saturday July 31, took 1 1/2 tons of hay to Judge Leonard for three dollars in pork. We camped on the prairie did our own cooking which consisted in a little fried pork, potatoes, corn cake mush and molasses.
Sunday August 1, staid in camp on the prairie. August 2nd took two loads of hay to town. It rained some during the much of the night. Aug. 3rd, the day poor for hay weather. Aug. 4, went to town with 2 loads of hay etc. Aug. 5th, mowed for Mr. Maxwell and hauled two loads of hay to town. Aug. 6th, stacked 6 tons of hay on the prairie for the Edgar Houre in town. 7th, hauled hay for Mr. Maxwell. 8th, went to see Mr. Burnett twelve miles, he was gone from home. Aug. 9, took 2 loads of hay to town. 19th, took 2 loads of hay to town. I done the cutting of the grass brother Call and Judson done the hauling. 11th, took two more loads to town. Joseph Lamoni cut his foot with a scythe. 12th, took 2 more loads to town. 13th and 14th, took two loads to town. 15th, Staid in camp. 16th and 17th hauled two loads to town, bought one bush scythe for one dollar twelve cents. 18th, hauled 2 loads to town. Lamoni commenced work today, made fence around two stacks of hay on the prairie.
Thursday Aug. 19, Hauled 2 loads to town. Aug. 20, Took two loads to town. Received by the hand of Brother Tanner one horse, cow & calf for a note on John Bozarth at Far-West in Caldwell County which a part belongs to my brother Chandlier Holbrook for some of our property that was left in Missouri in 1839. Paid said Tanner $2.00 in cash for his trouble. Aug. 21, hauled two loads to town. Sunday Aug. 22, staid in camp. Aug. 23rd, Hauled 3 loads to town, brother James Sloan hauling one. 24th & 25th, took three loads each day. Aug. 26th, in the morning it rained. Mowed some this day. Aug. 27 & 28 Hauled 3 loads each day. Sunday Aug. 29th, staid in camp most of day. Aug. 30th, traded the mare for one yoke of steers and yearling heifer and two dollars in cash. Took 3 loads to town. Aug. 31st, took 3 loads to town.
Wednesday September 1, hauled 3 loads. The heifer is so lame she cannot stand upon her feet. She seems to be foundered. Bought a tub of Judge Leonard with some pork paid $6.00. Sept. 2, took 3 loads, let Mr. Yates have the heifer he to give what he can afford. Sept. 3, took three loads. Sept. 4th, it rained in the morning. We got potatoes and corn etc. Sunday Sept. 5th, made camp. Sept. 6th, took 3 loads to town. Sept. 7th, a very heavy rain in the morning so that we could not get our breakfast. Joseph Lamoni took the ague this morning. Sept. 8th, took 3 loads to town. Jackson Smith, who married Mary Owens, my half sister informed me that he had found Alvira Owens a sister to his wife and wished me to go and see her. Sept. 9th, took 3 loads and made preparation to start home. Went with Jackson Smith and saw Alvira Owens but she was unwilling to go home. I had not seen nor heard from her in nine years. She was my mother's youngest child.
Sept. 10th, loaded up my wagon with six sacks of salt and 25 bushel of wheat with other loading for home, upon settlement we found we had earned about $200.00 in cash and store pay. Sept. 11th, commenced our journey home from St. Joseph in company of Anson Call, Ellis Eames, & Jackson Smith. Joseph Lamoni still continues to have the ague, traveled 16 miles and camped on the prairie. Sunday Sept, 12, traveled 13 miles and crossed the Notaway River in the evening. Sept. 13th, traveled 15 miles and camped at Squaw Creek.
Tuesday Sept. 14, in the morning bought a cow and calf and paid 11 1/2 dollars. Sept. 15th, in the morning bought a cow and paid $9.50. Traveled fifteen miles and camped at high creek bridge. 16th, traveled 14 miles and camped at Nishnabottany. 17th, traveled 25 miles and camped at point of timber. 18th, traveled 25 miles and arrived home in the evening and found the family all well, being absent just two months. Sunday Sept 19 unloaded our wagon etc. Found our crops rather backward but good growth. Sept. 20, cut grass over the creek. Sept. 21 & 22 cut grass. Sept. 23, in the morning it rained. Saved our seed corn and cut some of our corn. Sept. 24th, continued cutting corn. 25th, Wrote a letter to my brother Chandlier in the Puncas camp. Sept. 26, staid at home. 27th, mowed grass and cut up corn. 28th, this morning a light frost in places, cut my last planting of corn three months from the time of planting, pulled beans. 29th, cut up corn and pulled beans. 30th, commenced cradleing our Buckwheat.
Friday October 1st, cradled Buckwheat. Some time before day took a violent cold. Oct. 2, hauled some hay. Passed a very sick night. Oct. 3rd, continued very sick. The weather very warm. 4th, Chandlier, my brother, came over from the Puncas camp, hunted for the steers through the day and did not find them until evening. Oct. 5th, settled with brother Chandlier for our Missouri debt against John Bozarth. He took the cow and calf and I kept the steers which I received of Brother Tanner from John Bozarth. I continued sick through this day. Oct. 6, Judson and Lamoni finished cutting up corn for this season. Oct. 7th & 8th & 9th finished thrashing Buckwheat. Oct. 10th, the weather pleasant, my health still poor. Oct. 11th, Judson worked on the grist mill dam and I tried to winnow Buckwheat. 12th, I tried to assist in loading corn. Took to my bed before night. Passed a very sick night. 13th, took physic and found some relief. Helped raise a bridge across the Mosquito Creek to haul my hay and corn. 14th, more comfortable in the morning. Was worse before night, continued worse in the afternoon and night. 15th, Taken a puking and purging in which my life was almost despaired of. Judson went for Doctor Browning. The doctor came in the afternoon and told me he did not think I could live till night were it not for the power of the Priesthood. He nursed and anointed me with oil. In the evening the brethren administered to me after the order of the Temple of God,(in holy garments)in the last days. Oct. 16th, in the morning somewhat easier. The Doctor still staying with me through the day. He gave me a light vomit. He said he hoped by good care and nursing I might get well. My pulse stopped and I fainted a number of times, passed a distressful night. Sunday Oct. 17th, a little better and Doctor Browning came to see me again and said by the prayers of the brethren and good nursing I could yet live. Jackson Smith and Mary his wife, my half sister, came to see me and many of the brethren.
Oct. 18th, still grew better. Judson hauled hay. Oct. 19th, Judson hauled hay in the forenoon. The fire broke out on the west prairie and burnt up about 3 tons of hay, my being sick prevented it being hauled before. 20th, set up a little today. My health improving. Judson dug potatoes. 21st, Judson hauled corn. 22nd, Judson made rails. In the evening I had another poor spell. Judson finished digging potatoes and found that we had raised fifty bushels from one bushel of seed, a good supply of garden vegetables etc. 23rd, Judson hauled corn. 24th, had a chill and fever which lasted most of the day. 25th, some better. Judson made rails. 26th, rather worse today. Judson made fence. 27th, Judson cleaned buckwheat. 28th, I remained about the same. Judson continued to clean buckwheat. 29th, Judson finished cleaning buckwheat. We raised sixty bushels from one bushel of seed, also finished cleaning beans. We raised eight bushels. 30th, Judson pulled turnips, in the evening the fire came in from the east prairie. We succeeded in back firing against it but it came to our yard fence. 31st, still poor health. Kept poor not able to sit up but very little of my time. The wind continued very high from the south for a number of days which burnt the prairies and timber over and left no feed for our stock but forced us to feed them.
Monday November 1, 1847. Judson took ten bushels of turnips to Doctor Browning and invited him to visit me. Brother Candland came in the evening and informed me that the Twelve had arrived from Great Salt Lake to Winter Quarters at 4 o'clock P.M. Nov. 2nd, Brother Candland and Catherine went to Winter Quarters. Doctor Browning said I must be very careful in order to get better. Nov. 3rd, & 4th, was not able to sit up but little. Nov. 5th, I am troubled much with nervous headache every other day with some fever. Nov. 6, commenced raining in the morning and it rained through the day, Sunday Nov. 7th, the weather pleasant. Nov. 8th, it snowed a little. Judson hauled corn. Nov. 9th, hauled corn, my health improving slowly. Nov. 10th, Judson hauled hay though weather cold for the season. Nov. 11th, my health still improving put on my clothes for the first time for a number of weeks. Judson hauled corn. Nov. 12th, Judson hauled corn. Nov. 13th, Judson went to mill. Brother Anson call went to the main camp. Nov. 14th, went out of doors today. Judson came home from the mill in the evening, paid the money for grinding. Nov. 15th, Brother Anson Call started for Missouri to work. Judson hauled hay and corn. Nov. 16th, Walked to Brother Dwight Harding's house about forty rods. Judson hauled hay. 17th, it rained. My health much poorer. 18th, continued poorly. Judson hauled corn. 19th, & 20th, took physic. Judson hauled corn. 21st, Judson finished hauling corn for the season. 22nd, Judson made a bedstead. My health still poor. 23rd, Judson hauled fencing timber. 24th, Judson worked on the hovel for our cattle. 25th, Judson made fence. 26th, put on my clothes and went out of doors. 27th, Judson made fence. 28th, still grew better. 29th, Judson worked on the yard fence. Catherine Barton came back from Winter Quarters. 30th, Judson hauled rails. I rode to Samuel Meachem's.
December 1, 1947. Judson made yard fence. Dec. 2nd, Judson finished the yard fence. 3rd, Judson made rails for Samuel Meachem. 4th, Judson worked for Meachem. Dec. 5th, Judson went to see Jackson Smith. I gain my health slow. 6th, Judson got his shoes, made rails for a corn crib. 7th, made a corn crib. It rained and froze. Dec. 8th, got up wood. 9th, in the morning it snowed about four inches deep. Dec. 10 & 11 Judson cut wood at the door. Dec. 12th, staid home. 13th, started to Missouri to get work for the winter, the weather cold. 16th, 17th & 18th the children husked 60 bushels of corn. This evening received a letter from Anson Call in Missouri. Father Loveland came home from the valley of the mountains. 19th, Staid at home. 20 & 21st, husked corn. 22nd, Catherine Barton left home and went to her brothers, John Barton. 23rd, husked corn. 24th some cold. Catherine returned back with brother John Barton, took some of her clothes and went back again. Dec. 25th, Christmas conference on this side of the river, one inch of snow. Dec. 26th, very cold. 27th, pleasant for the time of year. 28th, the day somewhat foggy. The snow mostly gone. 29th, still warm, braided whip lashes. Dec. 30 & 31, The last of the year 1847. Thus another year has passed with all its attending circumstances the year of the pioneers of Israel coming to and returning from the Great Salt Lake Basin, the future destination of the Latter-day Saints. I have prosperity and disappointments, health and sickness but life is still spared me.
January 1, 1848, the beginning of a new year, the weather pleasant. Jan. 2nd, I staid at home. 3rd, went to Winter Quarters. Jan. 4, 5, & 6th & 7th, staid in camp. My health still poor and visited my friends and started home. Jan. 8th, got home and caught some cold. 9th, staid at my house. 10th, loaded my wagon to go to Winter Quarters. 11th, the weather being cold staid at home. 12th, went to the camp at Winter Quarters, took wheat and salt and got my wagon tires set at brother Attles shop. 13th, staid in camp, sold my wheat and salt to brother Brigham Young. 14th, came home from camp and Josephus Hatch came with me for the purpose of seeing my place. 15th, staid at home. 16th, my birthday, 42 years old. 17th, and 18th, prepared to go to camp. 19th, started for camp at Winter Quarters with corn, buckwheat and paid brother Benjamin Covey for shoe making and brother Little for black-smithing. 20th, sold my place to Josephus Hatch for about twenty dollars in trade for a log cabin with two rooms yard fences 14 acres of broke land etc.. 21st, prepared my wagon. 22nd, finished my wagon for the journey west. 23rd, went to meeting at Mr. Brights. 24th, unloaded my small wagon and put a cover on it. 25th, made some ox bows. 26th, Judson Tolman started back again to his work in Missouri making rails, made some brooms etc.. 27th, Catherine Barton came home from the main camp with Mr. Snider and took her chest and other things that she had left to Winter Quarters. She had lived with us about one year and nine months from Nauvoo to this place. I got up wood. 28th, Dressed some deer skins. 29th, continued to dress deer skins. Sunday Jan. 30th, stormy night with rain and snow the day blustering. Jan. 31st, went to the camp at winter Quarters.
Tuesday February 1st, came home from camp. Feb. 2nd, shelled seed corn. 3rd, shelled seed corn, paid five and one half bushels of buckwheat to Doctor Browning. 4th, Sarah Tolman, my daughter had a daughter born at half past nine o'clock in the evening. Present Mrs. Cyril Call, Mary Call, Mrs. Dustin and Phoebe Harding. Went for Doctor Browning at half past ten o'clock of the same evening. They named her daughter Nancy Jane Tolman, after her grandmother and aunt who died in Nauvoo. 5th, Sarah more comfortable. Settled with Doctor Browning for his several visits, paid one days work, ten bushels turnips, five and one half bushels buckwheat, one bushel of beans, one quart of whiskey. 6th, staid at home. 7th, shelled corn for the mill. 8th, went to mill. 9th, went to Winter Quarters and took 37 bushels of corn and three fourths bushels of beans for tithing. Feb. 10th, came home from camp. Received one letter from Ohio and one from York State. Feb. 11th, went twelve miles for the purpose of purchasing a plough. 12th, and 13th, Staid at home, cut wood etc.. 14th, Staid home, it rained in the morning. 15th, Butchered my fat ox, the hide 120 lbs., the rough tallow 100 lbs., the four quarters 950 lbs, making in all 1160 lbs, the largest ox I ever killed. 16th, cut up beef, tried up tallow etc. 17th, finished cutting up beef, salting it etc.. 18th, finished trying up our tallow. We had 170 lbs. after it was tried. 19th, we made soap for our journey. Sunday 20th, staid at home. 21st, brother Anson Call got home from St. Joseph where he went and made coal in Missouri. 22nd, went to mill with buckwheat. 23rd, cold for the season. 24th, Hung up my beef to dry. 25th, went to get my buckwheat ground. 26th, hewed timber for ox yokes. 27th, stayed at home. 28th, went to the camp at winter Quarters with tallow beef etc, 29th, peddled about the camp.
Wednesday March 1, It changed about, very cold and blustering the river blocked up with ice this night. Mar. 2nd, 3rd and 4th still cold. Sunday 5th crossed the river on the ice with my team and came home. Mar. 6th the weather more mild. 7th, Got up wood. 8th, Prepared for a trip to St. Joseph in Missouri. 9th, Started for Missouri with Joseph Lamoni to drive my team and Anson Call and his team traveled 25 miles. 10th, traveled 25 miles to where Judson Tolman was a making rails, found him well and a getting his job along well. Mar. 11, traveled 15 miles. Staid one mile of Linden. 12th, traveled 19 miles. 13th, traveled 20 miles. 14th, traveled 20 miles through round prairie. 15th, came to Savanah and sold my ox hide for six cents per lb. Came to where Chandlier my brother was a making coal. 16th went into St. Joseph and sold one yoke of good oxen for $35.00 with their yokes and chain, $10.00 out of the store, $25.00 in cash, took a job getting out staves. 17th, Got out staves for barrels. 18th, Got out staves, took one load to St. Joseph. 19th, Staid on the Missouri River bottoms. 20th, Got out staves etc. 21st, Went into St. Joseph with staves. 22nd, Went into St. Joseph, done a little trading bought a prairie plough. 23rd, Started home, came to Savanah 12 miles bought 20 bushels of wheat at 50 cents per bushel. Mar. 24th, traveled 15 miles and came to Alvin Owens, my step father, found them all well. Mar. 25th, staid at father Owens through the day and bought one heifer of brother Geremiah Willey for $6.00 and her calf I also bought two other heifers with one calf for $13.00. 26th, staid at father Owens. 27th, started for home, got my three heifers, traveled 10 miles through the town of Oregon. 28th, traveled 17 miles to where my brother Chandlier had bought some heifers. 29th, came to Meek's Mill where brother Porter is grinding. 30th, Staid at the mill. 31st, Staid at the mill, got our grinding, got one bushel of rye.
Saturday April 1, 1848. Started for home. Apr. 2, came to where Judson Tolman was making rails. Apr. 3rd, helped Judson to work on his rails. 4th, helped Judson to finish his job of 10,000 rails. 5th, Judson Tolman settled with Mr. McKisick. Received payment three cows and $29.60 in cash. Bought six sheep, two pigs and started for home. 6th, traveled 25 miles and got home. All well with our stock and found the family well and in good condition, about ready to start for the valley of the Great Salt Lake. 7th, shelled corn etc. 8th, went to mill etc. 9th, stayed at home. 10th, made a coop for our pigs and hens, etc. 11th, bought a cow for $13.00 that would do to work on the road. Brother Josephus Hatch and family had moved and were a waiting for us to start on our journey so that they could move into our house. Apr. 12th, started on our journey with two wagons with four yoke of oxen and four yoke of cows, with provisions for 18 months, seed grain of various kinds. Brother Anson Call and his family with one heavy wagon and one light wagon in consequence of over exertion in getting ready on the first night I had a severe chill and fever. We had to wait at the ferry two or three days for our turn in crossing the Missouri River. Brother Brigham Young had previously told me that if I did not get out of the country this season it was quite doubtful whether I ever lived to go to the valley of the mountains. I still continued to have a chill every twenty four hours with a violent fever.
CHAPTER VI
After we had crossed the river there being no empty houses to be obtained, brother Anson Call and I concluded to go out about two miles to the Puncas camp where my brother Chandlier Holbrook lived as there were a plenty of empty houses at that place with a number of other families that had lived there for the past year. We found comfortable cabins for our families as we did not expect to move forward on our journey west for a number of weeks. I still continued to be afflicted every day with my chills and fever which kept me very low. On the second night as our cattle were on the public yard the Indians took down the fence and drove off seven head of cattle belonging to me. Judson Tolman went in pursuit and soon found that it was Indians by their moccasin tracks. He returned when my brother Chandlier Holbrook and John Dalton armed themselves with Judson; they pursued them about ten miles when they came upon some of the Indians who had drove two of my best oxen into the mire, had butchered one and killed another. They also found where they had divided the cattle and took them in different directions so that they could not be so easily overtaken but they killed three of my best oxen and two cows. Two of the oxen having got away and came home the next day. We were counciled as a camp to remove to Winter Quarters to the main camp. I had not half team enough to draw one wagon as the largest yoke of oxen were killed and the near ox out of the next best yoke. We now remained in Winter Quarters having our cattle well guarded by night and day. About one week after this three Indians came into the herd in the day time and took one of brother Anson Call's oxen in sight of the guard and the guard of ten men on horseback pursued them for ten miles. The Indians had butchered the ox, crossed a small mysa stream called the Passoo where the guard could not follow them any farther, so they were forced to return without the ox. My five head were taken at the Puncas camp was the only one that had ever been taken for one year and brother Call's the only one that had been taken at Winter Quarters this spring among the thousands of head of cattle that was continually being herded every day.
I bought another yoke of oxen, turned out one cow, took some few hundred flour from my provisions, a little money but they were not near as large as those the Indians had killed. Along about June we made a move west over the Horn River where when the company of Brigham Young came up, were organized into his company. Daniel Carns captain of fifty, Anson Call captain of the ten I belonged to. I continued to be afflicted with chills and fever and being unable to sit up much of my time. I employed Benjamin Tolman to drive one of my teams, a brother of Judson Tolman while Judson drove the other. Our team which now consisted of some unbroken steers and cows made it very difficult for eight or ten days to get along but as our load had been growing lighter by our living and trading our flour to for our oxen we managed to keep up with the camp.
One day on the Platte River Sister Elisha Groves broke her leg. The camp stopped a few minutes when Brother Brigham Young came up, he took and set her leg. In a short time we were again on the march. There were about 200 wagons in this company until we passed Fort Laramie when the company separated into fifties for the better convenience of traveling among the Black Hills on the Boise River. One of my twin cows died which I had worked on the lead from Winter Quarters. I was now forced to hire another cow from Benjamin Tolman to which she soon broke in it being our off cow that died. My health had so improved that I could walk a part of the time. At Independence Rock, Brother Hyrum Clawson lost some of his team so that I took on three hundred of his flour, some of the rest of the brethren took some more so they could continue on their way to the valley. On the Sweet Water River we killed some buffalo and dried the meat and carried with us. We also gathered some three bushels of Saleratus from the Saleratus Lakes which was about six inches thick. It answers well for making bread. We had a plenty of feed for our stock and our sheep was much trouble to us as they would not stay with other sheep in the night but would ramble off. One night they rambled off and we hunted all the next day and we could not find them so we had to start without them, but in a few days after brother George D. Grant found two of them. One of ours and one of brother Call's. The rest were never found. We took every caution to save our bread stuff as we were very short from being forced to sell it off to lighten our load and to buy oxen etc. In the forepart of our journey we had a plenty of milk and butter but the last of our journey we had to feed our pigs as they had grown so that it took more for them than it did when we started. Towards the last of the journey Sister Daniel Carns cut her knee with a common pen knife blade so that in a few days it so inflamed that she died in about two days travel of the valley. She was brought to the valley to be buried.
At the head of Echo Canyon we stopped for a few days and went about six miles to the south and picked service berries. I got about six bushels which we dried for our fruit. As we were in advance of the main company we staid on the Weber River until Brother Brigham's company came up. We came into the valley about the 20th day of September, 1848 and camped northwest of the old fort where we staid camp for a few days. I then obtained permission to go north about ten miles on the River Jordan to cut hay. I commenced cutting hay about the 1st day of October. Judson staid at the adobe yard to make adobes for a house, 18 inches long, 9 inches wide and four inches thick, west of the old fort.
I was unable to cut hay all the time as my health was not yet very good but I continued to cut and put in the cock about forty tons before snow came when we hauled it. We built a wickout, an Indian name for shantie, where we wintered our stock. Our cows gave more milk so that we made some butter which we could exchange for grain which helped us much. We also built a shantie in Salt Lake City upon our town lot in the ninth ward where Judson & wife lived. Hannah, my wife, kept school for my children and brother Call's on the River Jordan. We were about four miles from the nearest house. At brother Session's settlement the Indians were somewhat troublesome a begging for bread and sometimes would threaten my family when I was not present so that I was forced to abandon our camp in the latter part of winter.
January 18, 1849, I commenced cutting wood in the Mill Creek Canyon for coal. The snow about six feet deep in the canyon. Judson and his brothers Cyrus & Benjamin and Jefferson Wright a helping us. We were glad to get some shorts for bread or even wheat bran and that not half enough to keep off hunger. We also cut some 250 saw logs and about 1000 poles, 100 cords of wood coal the first thousand from which we made 3000 bushels of coal, the first thousand bushels we hauled to Salt Lake City for 12 1/2 cents and 15 cents per bushel. The second thousand for 20 cent per bushel, the third for 25 cents. We had some thirty or forty acres of land in the big field south of the city which we fenced for we broke up and put in 6 acres of winter rye and wheat which proved a failure. We also put in 8 acres of spring wheat but the grasshoppers made great inroads upon it, at one time nearly destroying it but by continually watching it by day and watering by night we harvested 100 bushels which was about half a crop. We also broke and put in some ten acres of corn but it also was a poor crop. We also put in 7 acres of buckwheat then came a whirl wind after it was cut and set up which destroyed more than one half of the crop. We threshed about 35 bushels. We had some 70 bushels of turnips which were very good. We planted one peck of potatoes which I paid $3.75 per peck or at the rate of $15.00 per bushel. I planted them on my city lot in the 9th ward and raised 25 bushels which was the best crop I raised this season. I paid my tithing in the fall but I do not know how much.
The emigrants came in this summer from the states a going to California to get gold and it literally seemed that the Lord inspired them to load down their wagons with everything that the saints needed for tools, to wear as clothes, for food which they were ready to trade for something to assist them on their journey. The brethren were very patient through the spring awaiting for their harvest time for many subsisted on half and quarter rations but lived on roots and greens with a little salt. There were some old men that could hardly keep themselves from perishing while they went to water their grain as they had nothing to take to their fields to strengthen them. I broke up land in the spring of 1849 which took 6 and 7 yoke of oxen to pull the plough, it being the low willow land for one and one-fourth (one bushel and one peck) bushels of corn 15 per acre and I could not plough over three fourths of an acre per day. Still the brethren rejoiced in their hearts and praised the Lord God of Israel that they had been delivered from the hands of their enemies, who had sought their lives by night an by day until we were led by the hand of God to these mountain valleys with a good prospect of our being made comfortable under our own vine and fig tree.
In the fall month of October, I settled with Judson Tolman my son-in-law who had been with me from Nauvoo until now, his wife living in the family and we doing our work together as one man. He had a good new two horse wagon and harness, two good yoke of oxen, two cows and bread stuff enough for one year together with about two hundred dollars in cash which gave him a good start in the valley for a young man to begin with. As brother Brigham gave council for the brethren to look out good farms I went to Tooele valley before there was any settlement there but not suiting myself I went north into Davis County Session's Settlement where much of the land had been surveyed out and taken up by the brethren but I found a piece of 60 acres of second rate land and 66 acres of dry land which I took for a farm but there was a prospect for a short allowance of water but still I thought I would try it as there was a good settlement begun sufficient to protect ourselves from the Indians in the winter. I got the logs into the saw mill in south Mill Creek canyon that I had cut the winter before which gave me employment for the most of the winter until the first of March 1850 when I moved my family from Great Salt Lake City ten miles north to Session's settlement where I had taken up my land the fall before.
In the spring, April 12, 1849 I was chosen first councilor to Bishop Seth Taft in the Ninth Ward of Great Salt Lake City and ordained under his hand to that office and continued to act in that office until I removed to my new farm, when I resigned my office. I also in the summer of 1849 was elected to the office of first Lieutenant in a company of mounted rifle men of the Nauvoo Legion, Captain Samuel Thompson commanding where I also served until I removed north to my farm. I had hired one, John Morris Jones, a Welch boy about 20 years of age for $130.00 for a year. He could not talk English when he began to work. I also hired one, Joseph Perry, for $100.00 for one year about 17 years of age. I put up some logs that brother Call had hauled for a cabin where I could stay for a few months. I broke 23 acres of land on brother Call's farm, he finding the seed I gave him one half for two years for rent. I also broke 20 acres on my own and sowed it to wheat. The crickets eat off ten acres of it twice but keeping well watered I got a middling crop. The emigrants came in this year very numerous insomuch that flour sold before harvest for fifty dollars per hundred pounds and a great demand at that price. At harvest time I became quite feeble and was unable to work. Brother John McIntosh came into my field and said that he was a cradler and would cut my wheat for one half bushel per acre if I would board him and find him a cradle which I gave him. He cut 40 acres for me. I had five acres of wheat in the big field south of Great Salt Lake City which yielded me 100 bushels, although I had not a rod fence made the first day of March nor a cabin for my family yet I raised eleven hundred bushels of wheat the first year.
I bought two or three wagons and harness and one two horse carriage with harness. I also bought 40 acres of meadow land of Anson Call. I also bought ten acres of good land of Seth Dustin, covered with rose bush and willows with wheat grass. I paid $20.00 per acre and broke up the land and fenced it myself. There were a number of springs upon it which made it so damp as to need no irrigation. I traded a number of oxen for horses. I bought one large cooking stove and paid a yoke of oxen. There were good crops of grain raised this season.
December 31,1850, I was sealed to Nancy Lampson, my first wife, who died in Nauvoo, by Brigham Young, my wife Hannah Flint acting as proxy. Also to Hannah Flint, my second wife and to Caroline Frances Angell, my cousin, at President Young's house in Great Salt Lake City. Caroline Frances Angell was born in the state of Rhode Island, Providence County, North Providence City, October 3, 1825. She was the daughter of James and Phoebe Angell.
David Varner Davis was married in Nauvoo, Illinois to Caroline Frances Angell, March 23, 1843. He left in Winter Quarters May 25, 1847. He left the church and has not provided for his family in any way since. They had three children.
January 16, 1851, Horace S. Eldridge served a notice on me of my being appointed the Judge of Davis County, and State of Deseret. President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and others from Salt Lake City came and held a meeting in our Ward and appointed John Stoker Bishop and ordained him to that office. Bishop Stoker made choice of Perigrine Sessions as his first councilor and Moses Daily as his second councilor and they were ordained to their office.
In February I went before the clerk of the Supreme Court for the State of Deseret and filed my bond agreeable to notice and secured my certificate under his hand and at the March term with my associate Daniel Caster and Druman Leonard, we organized the county into School Districts, precincts for holding elections, highway districts for roads, appointing water masters for irrigating purposes, etc., agreeable to the requirement of said court.
This season I put in wheat and other crops which did well. I raised 1300 bushels of wheat together with some potatoes. I had John McIntosh as one of my hired hands. Porter Squires, who worked some on my farm and some at the carpenter business. He helped to finish off my log house I had built the summer of 1850. I had also John Morris James, who had hired to me the year before. I took the school house in my district to build of adobes, 20 feet by 30 feet in June and to have it completed by the first day of January, 1852, finished for keeping school - for $800.00 to be paid, one half in cash the other half in stock and grain which gave me a plenty business for the season. I had to haul my shingles from Provo south 60 miles, my lumber from Tooele valley. John Squires also worked some for me. He lived with brother Lorenzo Snow and took care of his family while he was gone on a mission to Europe. The brethren were greatly blessed in their labors for there were everything to make business lively and prosperous. Many emigrants came through here on their way to the gold mines which traded off their teams and many of their wagons at a low rate which enabled the brethren to furnish themselves with clothing at reduced prices with almost every variety of necessary needful thing for the saints to make use of. It also made money plenty as our grain was a ready market to which brought many merchants with their goods into this territory and thus in a few years in this desolated part of the mountains were we beginning to enjoy to some degree that which might have taken years had not the Lord provided for the poor saints by his providences in opening the gold mines in California and in inspiring the Gentile world with a lust for gold.
Many of our brethren left the valley to dig gold contrary to the councils of the servants of God for they were told if they would stay here and open farms they would be far more blest of God and prospered as what the Lord wanted to gather here for to build up his kingdom and not to go and hunt for gold and those that obeyed the councils of his servants and were diligent in keeping the commandments of God did prosper exceedingly. I paid my tithing for the year 1849 and 1850 and 1851, supposed to amount to $950.00. I also paid into the perpetual emigration fund $75.00. I also sent my team back each year to help in the emigration from off of the plains. Our settlements were increased at a rapid rate as our brethren were continually being gathered each year.
On the 6th day of July 1851 I went to North Willow Creek about 45 miles. John McIntosh drove my carriage. Hannah and Caroline went with me. There was but one cabin at that place viz, Samuel Meachem. We staid all night. The next morning I staked out 100 acres of land and returned that day home. John McIntosh also staked out 50 acres. I afterwards bought 75 acres of a brother Johnson for $25.00. I afterwards bought the chane of Samuel Meachem of 100 acres more for $ 100.00 so that when it was surveyed I had 225 acres of good land which lay in one body east of Salt Lake. I also received my commission from Governor Brigham Young as Chief Justice of the Court of Davis County which I herewith file with my Journal. In the spring of 1852, after putting in my crop of 65 acres I took my teams and hired men, Porter Squires, John McIntosh, and John Morris Jones together with brother John Telford, Robert Telford, Charles H. Stodard, Peter Corney, and others who had taken jobs ditching. I built me a log cabin near one of the springs. I broke and put in about 20 acres of wheat. I also fenced over 220 acres which made a good farm. I furnished the flour and wheat to Samuel Meachem and brother Wells to make the first beginning at this settlement. I raised about 400 bushels of wheat at this place this year. I had to build yards to stack my wheat etc. I also raised at home this season about 1200 bushels of wheat besides potatoes, common garden vegetables, some oats, corn, barley - making 1600 bushels of wheat. There was a vote at conference to have all the property of assets in the Territory called the Extra Property. Tithing which amounted to ten percent of $3467.50 making the tithing $346.75 which I paid in full. My tithing produce for 1852 was $300.00.
In the fall of 1852 the books for tithing was transferred into the hands of several Bishops throughout the valley. Bishop John Stoker wished me to act as his clerk in the settling of the tithing and keeping of the books which I did. It was attended with considerable trouble as many of the brethren were careless and not settled tithing for years in which they were far in the rear on settlement and some became somewhat troubled in their feelings, but the man that was punctual in settling and paying felt it a privilege to be on hand to meet all demands with joy as it helped to build up the Kingdom of God on the earth. I continued to carry on my farm as usual for 1853. I paid tithing to the amount of $302.14. I hired John Ousterhout, a boy, Feb. 20, 1853 for one year for $75.00 per year.
October 21, 1851, my wife Caroline Frances had a daughter born on Tuesday at 2 o'clock in the morning in Great Salt Lake City. November 2, I named my daughter Caroline Frances Angell Holbrook and blessed her with a father's blessing. I married my daughter, Charlotte to Anson V. Call at my house near the city Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Territory.
I had bought 20 acres of land of Lorenzo Snow for two hundred dollars, which I fenced and broke and put into wheat. I also hired Luther C. Burnham for one year at 12 1/2 dollars per month, commenced March 29, 1853. Jackson Smith emigrated to the valley in the fall of 1852. He came to see me in April 1853. I also hired James May for one year at $12.00 per month. He commenced to work July 11, 1853. I also hired James Davis for ten months at $15.00 per month. He commenced work Nov. 10, 1853. Luther C. Burnham Woskee, four months at $14.00 per month. He then left for California with one of his Aunts who was from the states.
I sold 60 acres of my land at Willow Creek to Anson V. Call for $200 00. I also sold 75 acres to John Welker and brothers for $200.00. I also sold to Richard Davis about 30 acres for $100.00. I had left about 34 acres of the choicest part of my farm which I gave to my son Joseph Lamoni Holbrook, worth $1400.00. About the first of December 1853 I bought of Charles Habbard the Bishop of Willow Creek 100 sheep for $500.00 in cash and to take them as they come out of the flock. They had the itch or scab at the time. There was about 70 ewes among the number. January 2, 1854, I hired Thomas Harper for one year at $13.50 per month. It is the case that the most of the hands coming from the country need to work one or more years to enable them to be a good hand as everything is more or less new to them.
Feb. 8, Wednesday morning at one o'clock 1854 my wife Caroline Frances had a son born in Great Salt Lake City and on the eighth day of his age I named him Joseph Hyrum Angell Holbrook and blessed him with a father's blessing according to the order of the Holy Priesthood that his life might be spared to help build up the Kingdom of God on the earth and also to help to avenge the blood of those worthy prophets and patriarchs whose name he bears and that the spirit of those prophets might rest upon him and continue with him from henceforth forever. Amen. I continued to carry on my farm as usual this year. I raised 1700 bushels of wheat with some other grain but as I had to depend principally on hired help it took much of my income to settle with them at the end of each year. James May continued to work for me. He had two younger brothers, their names were Thomas and Richard May.
Hannah Holbrook, my wife, commenced keeping school in the district school house Sept. 4, 1854. About the first of May, President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Jedediah M. Grant called a meeting at the school house in our district and decided that there be a city laid off in this place making the school house the northwest corner running east about three fourths of a mile, thence south about three fourths of a mile, thence west about three fourths of a mile, thence north about three fourths of a mile to the place of beginning that the street running north and south be six rods wide, east and west three rods wide and that there be four acres in each block and that there be a center block for public buildings and for the brethren to build their good houses in the city and for the families of the brethren to move into the city but let their poor cabins remain on their farms. They said if the brethren would do this they would be richer in five years than if they remained on their farms. I was acting as Bishop John Stoker's first councilor at this time and had been for a year or so in the place of Perigrine Sessions who had been sent on a mission to England. I was now appointed as City Recorder of the city lots to individuals for the time being. Many of the brethren took lots in the city and were preparing to build upon them. I also took two lots in Block 38, Lot 2 & 3, also Lot 4 in Block 33.
Sept. 20, 1854 I sold Jude Allen the 20 acres I had bought of Lorenzo Snow which I had fenced and broke for $400.00 and took one city lot for Thomas Harper for $50.00, one city lot for James Davis for $50.00, one for James May for $50.00, one for Henry D. Parrish for $50.00, one for A.P. Stone for $50.00 and two fractions of lots for $45.00. I commenced digging a cellar stoning it, Hauled clay for some 20,000 adobes some over two miles and dug and stoned a well 55 feet deep - this season. My tithing for 1854 which I paid in full being principally in grain $368.45.
My wife, Hannah Holbrook, commenced her second quarter of school Dec. 18, 1854 at $30.00 per month and boarded herself at home. She had from 70 to 80 scholars, many of them were large scholars which made it pretty hard to get through with them as many of the scholars were backward. She is one of the most capable teachers and the most experienced in the country and keeps a good school.
October 1854 having previously obtained of the County Court a grant for the canyon on Barton Creek I commenced making a road in said canyon and also to build a saw mill in said canyon, I taking one half, Judson Tolman and Joseph Lamoni Holbrook the other half. Oct. 28, I went to the camp of emigration and took George Painter, who worked for me one year for $13.50 per month and Jane Freeman and her little girl 5 or 6 years old. She also worked for me. Thomas Harper being married to Hannah Jones who had been to work for me for one year. Brother Solomon Angell commenced in November to frame my saw mill and to do the work of building the mill at $2.00 per day.
November 21, I hired John Flower for one year for $15.00 per month. I found him a house to live in for his wife was some 30 years older than him. I also hired George Aflette to work for one year for $15.00 per month. He commenced Dec. 25, 1854 to do his own washing and mending. I also bought two city lots of Brother Buys for $100.00 and a good mare. I let Judson Tolman have one of the city lots and Joseph Lamoni Holbrook the other. I had a good supply of sheep which had cured of the scab, although the most of the sheep in the country was infested with it.
Nov. 1854 I agreed with David Sabins to make me a shingle machine to saw shingles and lath for $225.00 without the saws. I also sent to the States by Mr. Bell & Co. for 2 circular saws 28 inches each, one mandrel and in the spring of 1855 the saw mill was completed ready to run by the first of April. The summer of 1855 was the year of the grasshoppers. Everything was literally covered with them by night and until ten o'clock in the forenoon. From that time on the air appeared like a snow storm even to somewhat obscuring the rays of the sun at times. They destroyed the most of the crops taking in one night the heads of oats, the blades of corn, beans and almost every green thing eating up the grass etc.
In 1854, we were directed to wall in the city Bountiful with a wall 12 feet high, six feet wide at the bottom and two feet at the top with a gradual slop on each side with suitable port holes and bastions for to be used against an enemy who might attack us and to defend us from the Indians. My tax for 1854 on city wall $651.45. Tax for 1855 on city wall $509.46. My full tax on city wall was $1160.91. I was appointed one of the superintendents on the city wall with Bishop John Stoker and Chester Loveland, by the County Court for Davis County. The people generally paid up their first assessment in building their proportion of wall in 1854 and the balance in the summer of 1855. There was over three miles of this wall to be built around the city to make a good fort at an average of over $30.00 per rod. This to be done in all the settlements throughout the Territory of Utah. Ours was built of powdered clay laid up in plank and then wet sufficiently to make a hard cement sufficient to dry and become hard to stand the weather with a ditch on the outside to prevent horse-men from approaching the wall.
April 27, 1855, I received notice of being one of the company to accompany the presidency on a tour through the territory south in the month of May. I therefore started and took my wife, Caroline F. Angell with me. We traveled south as far as Cedar City in Iron County, holding meetings at the most of the cities and settlements on our journey. Absent from home three weeks, a quick trip to hold meetings 2 and 3 times in a day of about 300 miles.
Hannah Holbrook continued keeping school for one year when she concluded it was best for her to remain at home as it was too hard for her to walk a mile every night and morning.
Phoebe Angell Young died at Great Salt Lake City, Nov. 15, 1854, age 68 years, 7 months, 17 days. Mother to my wife, Caroline Frances and my mother's sister. My stock with that of the ward was driven north to Bear River about 80 miles. I had this season about 45 head of meat cattle, some 8 horses which had to be taken to the range on account of the scarcity of feed in the summer, it being eat out by the grasshoppers. The winter being cold and the snow being deep nearly one half of the stock perished on the range during the winter. I raised about 400 bushels of wheat for the summer of 1855 or the grasshopper year as it is often called. My tithing for this year $145.00. The crop could not be considered over one fourth of a good crop. I cut about one and one half tons of hay which in feeding to my sheep it poisoned them so that one half were on the lift in three days, it being the infection left on the grass by the grasshoppers and some 35 of them died. I then took to feeding them on wheat straw again and they got better; but breadstuff was very scarce and but little in the country but just enough to feed the people and keep them from being in want with good care but some did not get as much as would make them comfortable.
President Brigham Young gave the brethren the privilege of consecrating all their property to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April Conference which I deeded over to the Church at Farmington, Davis County, Utah Territory viz.
Lot two Block 9, containing 60 acres | $1800.00 |
| Block 10, containing 66 2/3 acres | 2000.00 |
| Lot one, Block 13, west end, containing 7 acres | 350.00 |
| Lot 2 Block H, containing 40 acres east end | 800.00 |
| 3 city lots in city Bountiful, Lot 1 & 4 Block 38. Lot 3, Bk 32 | 250.00 |
| Total amount of land and improvements thereon | $5200.00 |
| One half of a saw mill in Barton Creek Canyon | $600.00 |
| Six horses ($100.00 each) | 600.00 |
| Ten oxen ( $40.00 each) | 400.00 |
| Ten Cows ($30.00 each) | 300.00 |
| Six two year olds ($25.00 each) | 150.00 |
| Twelve yearlings and calves | 125.00 |
| 190 sheep ($5.00 each) | 950.00 |
| Ten hogs & pigs, poultry | 75.00 |
| Three wagons, one carriage and harness | 250.00 |
| Furniture, Farming Tools etc. | 500.00 |
| Amounts due on credit | 500.00 |
| Total Amount | $9650.00 |
In the month of October 1856, Jedediah M. Grant held a two day meeting at our ward and required that every brother and sister go home, wash themselves all over and for them to continue to do it at least once a week whenever circumstances would possibly allow it and that each family have prayers at least twice a day, morning and evening and that there be a thorough reformation throughout the church and after truly repenting and confessing their sins they should all be rebaptized for their remission and that every brother and sister be careful that they sin no more for fear a more terrible scourge should await them as they could not commit iniquity with the same degree of allowance as they could before they renewed their covenants in the waters of baptism after we had all been baptized. We were chastised as to what we had been guilty of in our avert acts so that we might now begin anew to possess Eternal Life.
November 10, 1855, I, Joseph Holbrook had Lucy Jones sealed to me at Brigham Young's office in Great Salt Lake City. Lucy Jones was born June 11, 1834, daughter of William and Lucy Jones in Glenmorganshire, South Wales. She had been sealed to David Candland some two years before but had obtained a divorce and she had a daughter named Delphinia. She was born in Great Salt Lake City, July 10, 1854, and died August 10, 1855, age 13 months. She was buried in the grave yard at Great Salt Lake City.
I also married Joseph Lamoni Holbrook, my son, to Catherine Watterson at her father's house in North Canyon Ward July 24, 1855. He was eighteen years of age, Jan. 31, 1855. I gave him 34 acres of land at North Willow Creek in Weber County valued at $400.00, one hundred bushels of wheat valued at $200.00, two colts valued at $200.00, one cow valued at $40.00, one wagon valued at $45.00, some farming tools etc., total $885.00. I also gave my daughter Sarah one yoke of 3 year old steers worth $40.00, one cow $25.00 when she was married in Nauvoo. I also gave my daughter Charlotte one mare valued $100.00 and one cow $40.00. She having lived with me much longer than Sarah I gave her beds and bedding etc. for keeping house.
The Bishops of the several Wards in Great Salt Lake County and Davis County were called to help dig and prepare the cotton wood canal to Great Salt Lake City on their labor tithing. The brethren took tents and camped at their work and performed it with a good deal of zeal.
The year 1855 was a year of much discouragement to the saints by reason of the drought and grasshoppers but the faithfulness of the faithful never falters but grows stronger to the perfect day.
January 1, 1856, A new year at the Territorial Legislation held at Filmore City they appointed an especial election to be held in each county to choose delegates to meet in convention for the purpose of forming a State Constitution and praying Congress for a admission into the Union, as a Sovereign State.
Caroline Frances Holbrook had another son born Sunday evening at 10 o'clock, February 10, 1856 near the city Bountiful, Davis County and on the 18th blessed my son and named him with a father's blessing and named him Brigham Angell Holbrook that he may live to help build up the Kingdom of God.
Having received a notice of my appointment to the convention on the third Monday in March, I met with the members elect from the different counties in the Territory and were sworn into office and organized preparatory to business by choosing Jedediah M. Grant President of said convention after its organization. The convention formed after setting for near two weeks a State Constitution which was signed by each member and sent to the people for their acceptance and approval so that it might be presented to the present Congress for their consideration. George A. Smith, John Taylor were appointed to present it to both houses of Congress. But Congress could find much fault with the people of "Deseret" why they should not be admitted into the Union as we believed in polygamy and that we were out laws and that the Mormons were not entitled to the same privileges of other people and that we aught to be exterminated from the face of the earth. Such like feelings was to a great extent felt and expressed by the most so-called loyal citizens of our country, both North and South.
In the winter of 1855 there was near me a lodge of Indians. In the night there came a very hard wind from the mountains, swept away their lodge and they had to flee to save their lives. I took them into my back room where they tarried for two weeks, furnished them fire and food. There were seven of them in number. One squaw died and was buried on my farm. The remainder left shortly after but the Indians continued to bring their dead to this place to be buried, five having already been buried there. They made a great mourning over their dead. Often they cut their ears and caused their blood to run all over their persons making them a frightful spectacle to look upon, also they will sit upon the graves and cry for hours and make the air rend with their howls and lamentation. They will take bread and place upon the graves for the benefit of the dead (as they suppose). They bury with their dead, if squaw, all her cooking utensils; if a man, his gun or bow and arrows with his powder horn and his hunting apparatus, is placed around his body and then the powder poured from his horn upon his body for his benefits in the world whither he has gone. Thus you can see that nothing is left to their relatives as often they kill their ponies or horses and bury with them.
The season of 1856 was a very dry season and bread stuff still continued scarce, somewhat like unto the last season, there not being one half of a good crop. My tithing this season has been considerable small viz for 1856 - $170.00.
I continued to act as Probate Judge of Davis County having been again elected by the Legislative Assembly for the year 1856. In September 1856, there was stock called for opening a canal from Weber River to this place for irrigation when much stock was taken by the brethren. I put in $750.00 towards giving it a start in digging the tunnel through the sand ridge.
Lucy Holbrook, my wife, had a daughter born Oct. 7, 1856 at 9 o'clock 35 minutes in the evening, and on the 15th I blessed my daughter with the blessing of the Priesthood and named her Lucy Ann Holbrook. She died of the smallpox November 20, 1856 at half past 2 o'clock in the morning, age six weeks and one day. The smallpox came into my family by its being inoculated for the kind of pox as the smallpox was in the neighborhood but the inoculation turned out to be the smallpox in an adulterated state which some took the natural way and it proved fatal. This was the case with Lucy Ann, my daughter. They made a hospital of my house and there were 24 cases of it at my house but my child the only death. There was one more death of a child about a mile from my house of the same disease but such was the caution used that it did not spread and become contagious.
In December 1856 I offered my resignation as Probate Judge of Davis County to John Stoker and John D. Parker, two members of the Legislature of the County Davis as my health was poor and had been for a considerable time. I had become a great deal fleshy and was unable to keep about and attend to business. I have served as Judge of the County for six years. I have never taken anything from the public treasure for services but have done all I could to promote the public good. The Court House at Farmington was built from the taxes of the county as the most of the officials served without pay. It is the first Court House built in this Territory. It cost $6,000.00. Brother Henry Miller taking the job of building. It was nearly paid for in my time of service. The county was well agreed and there was no strife in the county during my term of office. The county received its first organization into School Districts, Precincts, Road Districts and at the commencement of my official concern and the county have been prospered and blessed and I hope that I have done justice to all parties where-in I have been engaged. I was one of the first that engaged in home manufacture for my own family and for my hired help. I have tried to produce from my farm that that would be needed and consumed in and about home. I have drew a number of premiums from the State Fair which I took an early opportunity to support as being a society that would bring into requisition all the available talents of our state as well as much from abroad which would enable the society to circulate useful information to our growing country for her welfare and her independence as a people. I think I can foresee enough already to encourage the present and hope of the future.
In a few days Joseph Lamoni Holbrook started on his mission. I put in one yoke of oxen, a saddle and bridle and some hundred weight of flour with meat etc. He went on the mail route for the States as far as Deer Creek on the Platte River, some 500 or 600 miles. He there with many others labored through the summer to build a fort at that place and to open farms to raise grain to keep up the mail stations which President Young had commenced to carry from Great Salt Lake City to the States but when the army that James Buchannan sent to destroy the Mormons they had to hasten home and abandon their fort with all their summer's work. On his return to the valley he immediately went out again to help guard the army from the states until the army went into Winter Quarters near Bridge Fort in the mountains, when he again returned home.
There was a company of Silver Grays formed in the south portion of Davis County, Utah Territory and mustered into service on the 8th day of August, 1857 of the Nauvoo Legion called the Mountain Sharps, Joseph Holbrook Captain and Anson Call Adj. This company of Mountain Sharps consisted of men over 45 years of age, stationed of company City of Bountiful, Davis County, for home guards.
December 23, 1834 started on a mission in company with Amasa Lyman, Milton Holmes and Heman S. Hyde to Illinois. August 31, 1835 started on another mission East in company with Ellis Eames, was in Clay County during the persecution of 1836, took the first load for Bishop Edward Partridge to Caldwell County and moved there among the first. Ordained into the Quorum of Seventies under the hand of Levi W. Hancock, May 19, 1838 in Far West. I was through the general persecution in Caldwell and Davis County; October 25th I was wounded at Crooked River battle by the mob, in my left arm which laid me up for some months.
January 20, 1839, I left Far West for Illinois leaving my family sick to follow me afterwards. August 1840 I was chosen councilor to President Joel N. Johnson and ordained under the hand of Hyrum Smith. I removed to Nauvoo July 6, 1842. My wife, Nancy Holbrook, died July 16, 1842 leaving our four little children.
May 24, 1843 went to the pinery with Bishop George Miller to get lumber for the Temple and Nauvoo House. At April Conference 1844 was appointed on a mission to the State of Kentucky to hold forth the views and policy of government by President Joseph Smith.
Was through the persecutions of the saints in Illinois. May 16, 1846, left Nauvoo to follow the saints into the wilderness, arrived in the valley of Great Salt Lake about 20 Sept. 1848 in the company of President Brigham Young. April 12, 1849 chosen a councilor to Bishop Seth Taft of the ninth ward, G.S.L. City. January 15, 1851 was appointed judge of Davis County in the State of Deseret. October 15, 1857 was appointed Probate Judge in which I served for six years. 1853 was appointed councilor to Bishop John Stoker, acted in that place four years. Feb. 16, 1856 was elected a member of the convention to form a State Constitution. August 1857 was chosen a member of the legislative council for two years. August 1859 was elected representative in the Legislative Assembly for one term. August 5, 1861 was again elected representative by the Legislative Assembly of Utah for one term. January 20, 1864 was elected Probate Judge of Davis County.
Volume 2
Chapter I
Having given as correct account of some of the passing events of my past life in Volume 1. I now proceed to continue the narrative hoping it will prove a blessing to my children's children for many generations to come. This may God grant for his Son's, Jesus sake. Amen.In 1857 in February by the request of Bishop John Stoker I resigned my office as his councilor which I had acted in for four years and had done the best I could in assisting him in the duties of that office which with other duties had occupied much of my time for the last four years.
This season I had much hired help as usual in carrying on my farm etc. We had a good crop of grain this year, my tithing amounting to $338.16 which paid in full. At the August election of Davis County I was chosen a councilor for the Legislative Council for two years of the Territory of Utah. I herewith enclose my certificate. I attended the council agreeable to my appointment at the Social Hall in Great Salt Lake City, February 11, 1857.
The ground for the meeting house in the city Bountiful was dedicated by Lorenzo Snow, one of the Twelve. The size to be 86 feet long, 45 feet wide with a stoop in front with pillars, also a steeple and a vestry on the end, etc.
January 16, 1858 Caroline Frances Holbrook had a son born fifteen minutes before ten in the evening and blessed on the 25th with a father's blessing in the Holy Priesthood which may be sealed upon him forever in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and named him Moses Angell Holbrook, after my father Moses Holbrook.
January 23, 1858, Lucy Holbrook had a son born thirty minutes after four in the morning and blessed him on the 30th with a father's blessing in the Holy Priesthood which may be sealed upon him forever and named him Joseph Jones Holbrook, after my own name.
During the fall of 1857 we were compelled to send out men to the mountains to keep the soldiers from approaching our settlements this winter as there would be no safety for our citizens under the present orders to the command as they were determined to destroy our leaders and put every person that believed in Mormonism to the sword; but after the winter set in the brethren mostly were exempt from guarding the passes in the mountains, except a few. The Legislative Council were alive to petition the President and Congress to effect a peace but they turned a deaf ear to our entreaties. I herewith copy the resolutions of a meeting at the City Bountiful and similar meetings and like resolves were passed in almost every portion of our Territory.
Bountiful City Hall, Davis County
Utah Territory, January 27, 1858
Mass Meeting of the citizens of Bountiful was called to order by appointing John Telford, Esq. chairman and Thomas F. Fisher, secretary when the following committee were appointed to present resolutions expressive of their views relative to the official course of His Excellency Governor Young and his message to the Legislative Assembly of Dec. 15, 1857 and further to approve or disapprove of the acts of the late Legislative body as shall best suit the views of this meeting. P.G. Sessions, Jeremiah Willey, Israel Barlow, E.H. Davis, William Atkinson, your committee would humbly submit the following resolutions as follows: Resolve that we view the administration of His Excellency Governor Young as humane, great and noble and that from a long experience in his official acts as well as his private life we do assuredly know him to be a friend of freedom and a firm supporter of constitution and liberties of the people. Resolved: that we view and highly approve of the message of His Excellency Governor Young as being fully reliable in every particular setting forth in truth our present position and recommend it worthy the consideration of every lover of freedom and friend of mankind throughout the world. Resolved: That we most cordially endorse all and every act of the late Legislative Assembly in expressing our most sanguine wishes to our Federal Government and to the world at large wherein we feel ourselves properly represented. Resolved: That we hold our lives, our faculties, our means and family ready for every emergency in carrying out our constitutional rights as freemen so nobly gained by our forefathers and bequeathed to us their children as being worthy of maintaining those liberties forever against every invading foe. Resolved: That we sustain and uphold His Excellency Governor Young as our united choice for which we now pledge ourselves in faithfulness to perform every duty he in his official carrier may demand. Resolved: That the spirit and independent course of the late Legislative Assembly in its wisdom is most congenial to our views and settled convictions as being strictly constitutional in all its expressions and movements and we thank our God that it is our lot to speak and act as freemen and pray that God and his Kingdom may prevail forever and ever. Resolved: That these resolutions be signed by the chairman and secretary in behalf of the citizens and forwarded for publication in the Deseret News. Unanimously adopted and signed.
John Telford - chairman
2 good horses, valued at $125.00 each | $250.00 |
| 1 good pack animal $100.00 | 100.00 |
| 2 good rifles | 50.00 |
| 2 good revolvers and scabbards | 75.00 |
| 2 bridles and saddles | 90.00 |
| 2 canteens and cups | 2.50 |
| 1 camp kettle | 3.00 |
| 4 good blankets $20.00 each | 80.00 |
| 2 pair pants $10.00 each | 20.00 |
| 1 pack saddle and rope | 15.00 |
| 2 over shirts | 10.00 |
| 4 other shirts | 10.00 |
| Together with all other needful clothing | 50.00 |
755.50 | |
| For groceries, flour, meat, beans for one year, etc. | 244.50 |
| Total Amount | $1000.00 |
Total one thousand dollars to every 2 men or five hundred dollars to each man so fitted after much of the above outfit was ready from circumstances it was thought best for the people to move away to the southern settlements for the present and if the army were determined to continue their threatened vengeance upon the Latter-day Saints we would burn up our cities and lay our farms desolate as we found them upon our approaching the valley rather than that our enemies should again share our property as they had done in our former drivings in the states. How long we had got to flee before our enemies we did not know. Much of our crops for the spring were in and what was not in was left without being put in to a crop. The brethren commenced moving from the northern settlements and our roads were continually filled with wagons, teams, stock, sheep, horses, hogs, etc. by night and day so as to get moved away before the snow would get out of the mountains so that the army could come in. The army consisted of about ten thousand regular soldiers besides teams, army followers some three or four thousand more with orders for as many to follow as would be needed to wipe out Mormons from among the mountains. I had hauled some twenty loads of my own and left it out of doors as the most of our loading had to be left as there could be no storage found. We moved about from 70 to 150 miles when the brethren had got the country cleaned of everything that could be taken away and every man was ready with his torch to set fire to his hard earned labor at a moments notice. President Buchannan and his cabinet finding his expedition against the Mormons rather unpopular and expensive business to be carried on to gain any credit to himself or the nation as the country was prepared ready for the burning. He thought best to send three commissioners to enquire into the circumstances of his sending an army to drive and kill the Saints offering at the same time to grant a full and complete pardon for all and every evil that might have transpired previous to the gracious pardon if the people would let the army into the valley and the citizens would again return to their homes they should not be molested in their persons or in their property. Governor Cummings having come into the valley and General Johnson having marched his army through Great Salt Lake City, June 26, 1858 and camped at camp Floyd, about 45 miles from the city of Salt Lake and by the proclamation of Gov. Cummings for the people to return home peaceable. The brethren began to move to their homes about the first of July 1858 when we found that our grain was ready for harvesting and by the blessings of God it was a good crop. I had some 1300 bushels of wheat besides barley, oats and without any irrigation except the rains that fell which was enough to make a good crop. I got back the 4th day of July and found my grain ready for the harvest. Thus God had over ruled everything for the best as wagons, mules, goods etc., were plenty and our grain brought a fair price with a ready market for the army which they were now ready to pay for instead of their plundering it from the Mormons as they having done it in the states in our former persecution. Great Salt Lake City, Jan. 22, 1858, a list of the names to form a prayer circle in North Canyon Ward, selected by Heber C. Kimball. Names: John Stoker, Bishop, Daniel Carter - 2nd councilor, Anson Call, Chester Loveland, Jeremiah Willey, Israel Barlow, P.G. Sessions, James Duncan, Thomas F. Fisher, Martin Wood, William Atkinson, John Ellis, E.G.M. Hogan, Joseph Holbrook, John W. Lasley. The prayer circle of North Canyon Ward was organized by choosing John Stoker President, Joseph Holbrook clerk. The prayer circle was held at P. G. Sessions upper room which dedicated for that purpose and kept up until April 4, 1858 when it adjourned till further instructions which did not continue after the move south.
After our return from the south on the night of the 24 July, 1858, North Canyon Ward, during the day I had meditated somewhat on the difference that now existed and that which had been our lot in years gone by. The night of the 24th of July I dreamed the following: I thought I saw the people in great commotion and they did not know what to do. While many were a saying let us do this others let us do that, etc. I said unto them, "Have you faith in the hymn you sometimes sing, "On the Rock of Enoch Founded. What can shake your sure repose, etc." Some said they used to believe in it but they did not know so well about it now. I told them if they had faith as they once did that they were founded on the rock of Enoch. That God could open these mountains and hide up this people from all their enemies and none could harm them. I thought I was near a grist mill in the valley and there appeared to be a large ledge of rocks near by. I said let us go up and see that ledge. When we came to where it was it was rough and craggy. I said to my brethren, "Will you help me to make an opening in this ledge?" They seemed unwilling and began to laugh at me. I then began to beat away at the ledge myself and soon I found a small opening which gave my brethren some hopes. I continued to beat away until I had made a large opening so that teams, wagons, herds, etc. could easily pass in to this cave but I soon found the passage obstructed by large stones having fallen from the sides and over head and there began to be a murmuring again and to know what they should do. I told them we would remove them. They began to be angry at me and wanted to know if I thought we were going to stay here and blast those large rocks out of the way. I said no, I would remove them for them so I laid hold of them and threw them out of the way into the sides of the cave so we had a free passage. We passed along quite well a little distance and it began to be dark. Bishop Stoker said we should have to have candles before we could go further. I said, "No, it was the poorest light that ever a man had. It was nothing but borrowed light at best." He looked quite angry at me and said what would you do. I said, "I would have the light of God to fill the cave the same as God had before he made the sun and moon in the beginning. He said he would rather see me do it than hear me tell of doing it. I then said, "In the name of God, let this cave be filled with light." I thought the light came forth from the sides out of the ground and overhead out of the rocks so that every crevice and corner was filled with a bright light and it filled the cave above the brightness of the sun and we began to travel on in the cave and there began to be murmurings again with the people saying that if all our flour and provisions should give out we should starve to death, and our clothes would wear out and we would be naked. I said unto them, "Have you not seen that God opened this cave, that he gave me power to remove those rocks at the mouth of the cave. That he had filled the cave with light and now why do you murmur?" Said I, "If you had faith in God your flour would never fail, your clothes would never wear out but you are a going into a good country and the Lord can send you goods until you would not know what to do with them." Says I, "Brother Telford you will have your peach orchard or one like unto it. I shall have my farm or one like unto it except it will be a wet farm for you have not murmured because it was a dry farm nor because you did not get in half of your proportion of water but have been patient, wherefore your farm shall become wet." I said further, "We are a going where gold will be so plenty that it will be like cobble stones in the road." You would not stoop to pick it up and the cave had become very wide with a plenty of timber, grass for our cattle, etc. And I began to be sorrowful, for I did not know whether I had done all things right as I thought no one had told me to do as I had done. About this time I thought Brother Brigham Young came along with his family, teams, wagons, herds, etc. and brother Heber Kimball's family, teams, etc. Brother Brigham says, "Brother Joseph go ahead you have found the right road and have done right." I felt glad that Brother Brigham knew what I had done and that it was in the right place so we continued our journey in the cave and it still continued to grow larger. Finally Brother Brigham said he wanted me to go on a mission to the mouth of the cave. I said I would go and started forthwith and when I came to the mouth of the cave I looked and marveled at what I saw; for I saw that our enemies were camped about four miles from the mouth of the cave in a circle with many of the Mormons with them and that the light that was in the cave formed that circle. It was light to the faithful but darkness to our enemies. When the faithful came to the light they came forward to the mouth of the cave but many of our enemies endeavoring to follow them being encouraged by the Mormons among them to do so. But as they came forth into the light Egyptian darkness to them the most of them perished by their own hand and few escaped, swearing they would never be caught in that darkness again. And I began to think of my mission and I began to speak and say, "Come here by your tens, your fifties, your hundreds, your thousands and your tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands and your millions," and I stopped talking and I heard my voice go from mountain to mountain and from hill to hill and says I, "It has gone I think to the end of the earth. I wonder if this is what he wanted of me. I cannot think of nothing more. I will go back." Brother Brigham asked me if I had been to the mouth of the cave. I told him I had. He asked me what I had done. I told him what I had said. He said it was right. It was what he wanted. I thought what had been shown me was the deliverance of the Saints and I should help do it and what had been shown Charles W Stodard was the power by which they, the Saints should fight our enemies and while I contemplated those things I became as clear as transparent glass. I could see myself and all within me and also in others for nothing was hid from my sight. (I saw Bishop Stoker. He was walking by candle light borrowed from others.) I saw many in the ward who made a great profession but were hypocrites. I could see them in all grades from the highest to the lowest, and I wished I might always see them as well as myself but was told I could not now but I should have the privilege of this great gift hereafter, and I awoke from sleep and behold it was a dream. But I felt comforted to think that the Lord by his spirit should visit me in my night's repose to enlighten my mind, so may I always be faithful even unto the end.
My tithing for 1858 amounting to $260.24. Attended the legislature. We had to go to Filmore City to organize as Governor Cummings would not approve of the acts of 1857 and 1858 as being legal. We met at the State House at Filmore, organized, received the Governor's Message and adjourned to Great Salt Lake City to hold the remainder of the session which was held at the Social Hall in December and January, Secretary Hastnett refusing to pay the members at the expiration of the session for their attendance.
Taken from the History of Joseph Smith:-- There are two kinds of beings in heaven- viz, angels who are resurrected personages having bodies of flesh and bones. For instance Jesus said, "Handle me and see for a spirit hath flesh and bones as ye see me have." 2nd, the spirits of just men made perfect they who are not resurrected but inherit the same glory. When a messenger comes saying he had a message from God offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you. If he be an angel he will do so and you will feel his hand. If he be the spirit of a just man made perfect he will come in his glory for that is the only way he can appear. Ask him to shake hands with you but he will not move because it is contrary to the order of heaven for a just man to deceive but he will still deliver his message. If it be the devil as an angel of light when you ask him to shake hands, he will offer you his hand and you will not feel anything. You may therefore detect him. These are three grand keys whereby you may know whether any administration is from God.
Millennial Star Vol. 19. No. 14.
Children saved and exalted to Thrones.
The Lord takes many away even in infancy that they may escape the envy of man and the sorrows and evils of the present world. They were too pure, too lovely to live on earth. It mattereth not whether we live long or short on the earth after we come to a knowledge of these principals and obey them unto the end - which is the ordinances of the house of God. As concerning the resurrection I will merely say that all men will come from the grave as they lie down whether old or young there will not be "added unto their stature one cubit" neither taken from it, all will be raised by the power of God, having spirits in their bodies and not blood. Children will be enthroned in the presence of God and the Lamb with bodies of the same stature that they had on earth having been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. They will there enjoy the fulness of that bright glory and intelligence which is prepared in the celestial kingdom.
Millennial Star Vol. 20, No. 46.
When the Savior shall appear we shall see him as he is. We shall see that he is a man like ourselves and that the same sociability which exists among us here will exist among us then, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not enjoy. The appearing of the Father and Son is a personal appearance and the idea that that the Father and the Son dwell in a man's heart is an old Sectarian notion and is false. In answer to the question, "Is not the reckoning of God's time, angel's time, prophet's and man's time according to the planet on which they reside?" I answer, "Yes, but there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it. The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth but they reside in the presence of God on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest past, present and future and are continually before the Lord. The place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim. This earth in its sanctified and immortal state will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon where-by all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom or all kingdoms of a lower order will be manifest to those who dwell on it and this earth will be Christ's. Then the white stone mentioned in Revelations Chapter 2, 17 will become a Urim and Thummim to each individual who receives one whereby things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms, even all kingdoms will be made known and a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom whereon is a new name written which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it. The new name is the key word. I prophesy in the name of the Lord God that the commencement of the difficulties which cause much bloodshed previous to the coming of the Son of man will be in South Carolina.
I was once praying very earnestly to know the time of the coming of the Son of man when I heard a voice repeat the following, "Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man. I was left thus without being able to decide whether this coming referred to the beginning of the millennium or to some previous appearing or whether I should die and thus see his face. I believe the Son of Man will not be any sooner than that time. Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life it will rise with us in the resurrection, if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world upon which all blessings are predicated and when we obtain any blessing from God it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's, the Son also but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. A man may receive the Holy Ghost and it may descend upon him and not tarry with him.
Millennial Star Vol. 21. No. 5.
The principle of salvation is given us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Salvation is nothing more nor less than to triumph over all our enemies and put under our feet, and when we have power to put all enemies under our feet in this world and a knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come then we are saved as in the case of Jesus who was to reign until he put all enemies under his feet and the last enemy was death. Perhaps there are principles here that few men have thought of. No person can have his salvation except through a tabernacle. Now in this world mankind are naturally selfish, ambitious and striving to excel one above another; yet some are willing to build up others as well as themselves. So in the spirit world there are a variety of spirits. Some seek to excel.
Now for the grand key. Though they might hear the voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God this would be no evidence that their election and calling was made sure, that they had part with Christ and were joint heirs with him. They thus would want that more sure world of prophecy that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God then having this promise sealed upon them it was an anchor to the soul sure and steadfast. While at Lima at brother Morley's, brother Joseph made the following remarks, "The way to get along in any important matter is to gather unto ourselves wise men experienced and aged men to assist in council in all times of trouble. Handsome men are not apt to be wise and strong minded men but the strength of a strong minded man will generally create coarse features like the rough strong bough of the oak. You will always discover in the first glance of a man in the outlines of his features something of his mind.."
Millennial Star Vol. 21. No. 7.
Except a man and his wife enter into an everlasting covenant and be married for eternity while in this probation by the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood they will cease to increase when they die that in they will not have any children after the resurrection. But those who are married by the power and authority of the Priesthood in this life and continue without committing the sin against the Holy Ghost will continue to increase and have children in the celestial glory. The unpardonable sin is to shed innocent blood or be accessory thereto. All other sins will be visited with judgement in the flesh and the spirit being delivered to the buffetings of Satan until the day of the Lord Jesus. The way I know in whom to confide God tells me in whom I may place confidence. In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of Priesthood and if he does not he cannot obtain it. We may enter into the other but that is the end of his kingdom. We cannot have an increase. Salvation means a man's being placed beyond the power of all his enemies. The more sure word of prophecy means a man's knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life by revelation and the spirit of prophecy through the power of the Holy Priesthood. It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance. Paul has seen the third heavens and I more. Peter penned the most sublime language of any of the Apostles.
Millennial Star, vol. 21, No. 10
Paul ascended into the third heavens and he could understand the three principal rounds of Jacob's ladder - the telestial, the terrestrial and the celestial glories or kingdoms. Salvation is for a man to be saved from all his enemies for until a man can triumph over death he is not saved. A knowledge of the priesthood alone will do this.
1st key - Knowledge is the power of salvation.
2nd key - Make your calling and election sure.
3rd key - It is one thing to be on the mount and hear the excellent voice etc., etc. and another to hear the voice declare to you, you have a part and lot in that kingdom.
Millennial Star vol. 21, No. 1.
Joseph Smith's History, Preached on the death of Lorenzo, Dow, Barnes, who died in England Dec. 20, 1842, (Reported by W. Richards and W. Woodruff) Almost all who have fallen in these last days in the church have fallen in a strange land. This is a strange land to those who come from a distance. We should cultivate sympathy for the afflicted among us. If there is a place on earth where men should cultivate this spirit and pour in the oil and wine in the bosoms of the afflicted it is this place and this spirit is manifest here although a stranger and afflicted when he arrives he finds a brother and a friend ready to administer to his necessities I would esteem it one of the greatest blessings if I am to be afflicted in this world to have my lot cast where I can find brothers and friends all around me. But this is not the thing I referred to. It is to have the privilege of having our dead buried on the land where God has appointed to gather his Saints together and where there will be none but Saints where they may have the privilege of laying their bodies when the Son of Man will make his appearance and where they may hear the sound of the trumpet that shall call them forth to behold him that in the morn of the resurrection they may come forth in a body and come up out of their graves and strike hands immediately in eternal glory and felicity, rather than be scattered thousands of miles apart. There is something good and scared to me in this thing. The place where a man is buried is scared to me. This subject is made mention of in the Book of Mormon and the scriptures. Even to the aborigines of this land the burying places of their fathers are more scared than anything else.
When I heard of the death of our beloved brother Barnes it would not have affected me so much if I had the opportunity of burying him in the land of Zion. I believe those who have buried their friends here their condition is enviable. Look at Jacob and Joseph in Egypt. How they required their friends to bury them in the tomb of their fathers. See the expense which attended the embalming and the going up of the great company to the burial. It has always been considered a great calamity not to obtain an honorable burial and one of the greatest curses the ancient Prophets could put on any man was that he should go without a burial.
I have said, Father I desire to die here among the Saints. But if this is not thy will and I go hence and die wilt thou find some kind friend and bring my body back and gather my friends who have fallen in foreign lands and bring them up hither that we may all be together. I will tell you what I want. If tomorrow I shall be called to lie in yonder tomb in the morning of the resurrection let me strike hands with my Father and cry, "My Father," and he will say, "My son, My son, as soon as the rocks rends and before we come out of our graves."
Lord may we contemplate these things so. Yes if we learn how to live and how to die when we lie down we contemplate how we may rise up in the morning and it is pleasing for friends to lie down together locked in the arms of love to sleep and awake in each others embrace and renew their conversation.
Would you think it strange if I relate what I have seen in vision in relation to this interesting theme. Those who have died in Jesus Christ may expect to enter into all that position of joy when they come forth which they possessed or anticipated here. As plain was the vision that I actually saw men before they had ascended from the tombs as though they were getting up slowly. They took each other by the hand and said to each other, my father, my son, my mother, my daughter, my brother, my sister. And when the voice calls from the dead to arise suppose I am laid by the side of my father what would be the first joy of my heart? To meet my father, my mother, my brother, my sister and when they are by my side I embrace them and they me. It is my meditation all the day and more than my meat and drink to know that I shall make the Saints of God comprehend the visions that roll like an overflowing surge before my mind.
Oh how I delight to bring before you things which you never thought of. But poverty and the cares of the world prevent. But I am glad I have the privilege of communicating to you some things which if grasped closely will be a help to you when earthquakes below the clouds gather the lightnings flash and the storms are ready to burst upon you like peals of thunder. Lay hold of these things and let not your knees or joints tremble nor you faint and then what can earthquakes, wars and tornadoes do? Nothing. All your hopes will be made up to you in the resurrection provided you continue faithful. By the vision of the Almighty I have seen it.
More painful to me are the thoughts of annihilation than death. If I had no expectation of seeing my father, mother, brothers, sisters and friends again my heart would burst in a moment and I should go down to my grave. The expectation of seeing my friends in the morning of the resurrection cheers my soul and makes me bear up against the evils of life. It is like their taking a long journey and on their return we meet them with increased joy. God has revealed his Son from the heavens and the doctrine of the resurrection also and we have a knowledge that those we bring here God will bring up again clothed upon and quickened by the Spirit of the great God, and what mattereth it whether we lay them down or we lay down with them, when we can help them no longer. Then let them sink down like a ship in a storm the mighty anchor holds her safe, so let these truths sink down in our hearts that we may even here begin to enjoy that which shall be in
full hereafter.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, to almighty God, that rays of light begin to burst forth upon us even now. I cannot find words to express myself I am not learned but I have as good feelings as any man. O that I had the language of the archangel to express my feelings, once to my friends; but I never expect to in this life. When others rejoice I rejoice, when they mourn, I mourn.
To Marcellus Bates let me administer comfort. You shall soon have the company of your companion in a world of glory and the friends of brother Barnes and all the Saints who are mourning. This has been a warning voice to us all to be sober and diligent and lay aside mirth, vanity and folly and be prepared to die tomorrow.
I attended to the Legislature in the winter of 1859 and 1860, and done the best I could in that capacity and it was a good school to me to learn the manner of getting up laws for the Territory of Utah. In the spring of 1860 I commenced to dig out a cellar in the City Bountiful 96 feet long, the main building 48 feet by 33 feet, the south wing 22 feet by 21 feet with a stoop on each side, the north wing 27 feet long and 20 feet wide with a stoop on each side. I commenced the walls of the cellar 2 1/2 feet thick with stone laid in good lime mortar commencing each room at the foundation. I laid up the basement story the first season and somewhat on the second.
Feb 4, 1860 Lucy Holbrook had a son born thirty past eleven o'clock in the evening and blessed him on the 12th day with a father's blessing in the new and everlasting covenant to be sealed upon him forever and named him William Jones Holbrook after his grandfather William Jones.
April 3, 1860 Caroline Frances Holbrook had a son born fifteen minutes past twelve o'clock in the morning and blessed him on the 10th day with a Father's blessing in the new and everlasting covenant to be sealed upon him forever and named him James Angell Holbrook after his grandfather James Angell.
Lucy Holbrook complained somewhat during the season of weakness and some pain in her back. She died Aug. 22, 1860, at 6 o'clock 10 minutes in the evening. She was taken worse on the 21st about ten o'clock and died the next day, confined about 30 hours of a liver complaint, age 26 years 2 months and 11 days.
James Angell Holbrook died Oct, 17, 1860 at 11 o'clock in the evening, age 6 months and 14 days. William Jones Holbrook after his mother's death became much afflicted for 4 or 5 months and his life was despaired of, after which he began to recover.
My tithing for 1860, $212.50. Thus ended 1860 having buried one wife and one son with much other sickness in my family during this year at the close of this year a rebellion broke out in the United States between the North and the South commencing at Charleston, South Carolina agreeable to the fulfillment of Joseph Smith's prophecy given at Kirtland December 25, 1832, which I often heard him speak afterwards should take place which I bear record was literally fulfilled, every whit according to his word.
City Bountiful January 18, 1861 - - While I had been a meditating of the exact fulfillment of Joseph Smith's prophecy, twenty eight years before it transpired and how God does fulfil all his words by his prophets I had the following dream: I thought that I was suddenly taken to the City of Washington (the Capitol of the United States) by the power of God into the Representatives Hall, there being a joint session at the time. I took the Speaker's stand, there was a death like silence in the house, every member seemed chained to his seat. I said that all in the house were strangers to me save one and that one would come to my side if I should call him and that one was William H. Hooper. I told them that I stood there by the power of God and that I asked no odds of any of them that I could go out of this Hall as I came in without your doors or any other passage and that they were the Representatives of the people of the greatest nation on the earth and that they were a pack of fools that I was not in favor of slavery or yet apposed to it that it was in the hands of God. That they were blind in the North as well as the South and did know what to do to save the Nation's ruin or the causes of the clouds of darkness that overwhelms your heads and that they were under the curse of God's wrath for their wickedness for he was a coming out of his hiding place to vex the nation for slaying the prophets Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum which was sent to this generation and would have saved this nation if they would have received him and carried out his policy of government, but you gave assent to his death and cast his followers out from among you and caused many of them to suffer death and sought their destruction by your means and your armies. Here sits Judge Douglas who knew the prophet Joseph Smith in his life-time who has aspired to the chair of the chief Magistracy of our nation who recommended to cut out the loathsome ulcer of the people of Utah. But God has put an ulcer in your breast that you cannot cut out and you are curst with a sore cursing. I told them there was but one way for their redemption and to save the nation from their utter destruction and if congress would proclaim a fast through out the land from the least to the greatest and repent before the God of Joseph Smith and seek with all might, mind and strength to restore back to the Latter-Day saints that you have robbed them of as a nation and bring those to judgement that have killed our prophets and punish them for their crimes then will I tell you of a man if you will follow his council that will save the constitution of our once beloved but now down trodden country and that man is Brigham Young. I visited the president, "Buchannan" and his cabinet and told him he could find a plenty of means and an army to destroy the saints but he could have no power or spirit in him to deal with those under his own nose and that God had put hooks in his jaws to weaken and disgrace him. Therefore let the president and his cabinet and the governors and their councilors with all their people proclaim a fast and repent as did the people of Ninevah in sackcloth and ashes if they would be saved and restore to the saints their constitutional rights and I awoke and found it a dream.
My tithing for 1861 - - $361.40. At the Aug. election I was again elected to the Legislative of Utah Territory. Hannah Holbrook moved to the Gorriange house in Bountiful Dec. 7, 1861 and took Joseph Jones and William Jones, Lucy Holbrook's children, with her for the purpose of keeping school.
December 9, 1861 Caroline Frances Holbrook had a son born Monday morning at 1 o'clock. I named him John Angell Holbrook. He lived six hours and died. I blessed him in the name of the Lord.
Attended the Legislative Assembly during the session of 1861 and 1862 held at the Court House in Great Salt Lake City. Continued on my farm as usual during the season.
Amanda Buys was born March 15, 1844. George Hyrum Buys born Sept. 10, 1860.
Louisa Hortt, born June 4. 1822, January 2, 1864, Louisa Hortt was sealed to Joseph Holbrook at the Endowment House, Great Salt Lake City, Wilford Woodruff officiating in the sealing room.
Ephraim Angell Holbrook, son of Joseph and Caroline Frances Holbrook died Feb 28, 1864, age 10 months and 10 days.
1863 & 1864 have been very dry much of crops perished for the want of water in the two seasons. I lost as much as two thousand bushels of wheat, 500 bushels of corn, 500 bushels of oats, all my sugar cane, over 20 acres besides barley, rye and all vegetables. Tithing for 1863,
$106.64.
Joseph Lamoni Holbrook went to drive team to the States for the church across the plains. Anson Call went on a mission to Europe at the same time. I sent one yoke of oxen as usual for the church. At the fall conference many of the brethren were called to go on missions to the Southern part of Utah and Arizona or our Dixie. Anson Call was sent to the Colorado River for purpose of finding a landing for steam boats and to build a store house, etc. January 20, 1864 I was again appointed Probate Judge of Davis County.
Festival of the Camp of Zion
The members of Zion's Camp met in the Social Hall at 1 P.M. on Monday at the instance of President Brigham Young. This was the first meeting of this body of veterans for thirty years and it was truly an interesting occasion. Each man as he entered came to the clerk, brother Thomas Bullock, and reported his residence. The company were called to order by President Brigham Young who delivered an introductory address tracing the history and origin of the camp and stated the various localities from which the brethren were collected who formed that company. He also observed that most of the brethren who performed the return journey traveled 2,000 miles on foot within a period of three months. The audience sang a hymn which was a great favorite with the camp during their toilsome journeyings for the redemption of Zion in the year 1834 which commenced, Hark! Listen to the Trumpeters. The President offered prayer.
President Joseph Young narrated many incidents that occurred in the travels of the camp and also remarked upon the sayings and doings of the Prophet Joseph. Elder Orson Hyde made some remarks at the conclusion of which the band played the Marsellaise while company went down to dinner. Then the company returned to the hall. Elder George A. Smith told a number of anecdotes concerning their journey from Ohio to Missouri. President Young then gathered the members of the camp on the north west and south west sides of the room called out the captains of companies when ten came forward each of whom called their respective companies to the floor for inspection. At this interesting moment Elders George Q. Cannon and John W. Young entered the hall having just returned from Europe. The President went round and shook hands with each of these honored and brave men and was followed in this interesting ceremony by President Heber C. Kimball, Elders Amasa M. Lyman, Charles C. Rich, Wilford Woodruff, Orson Hyde, George A. Smith, John Smith, David Evans and Joseph Young. President Young and Kimball and Elder Hyde each in his order lifted up their hands toward heaven and blessed the members of Zion's Camp and the other invited quests in the name of the Lord. These ceremonies over dancing commenced and was continued with spirit and good feeling till eleven o'clock at which hour the company went to the basement to supper. After dancing was resumed and together with speeches from several members of the company kept up the interest of the entertainment till after one o'clock on Tuesday morning.
We give below the names and residences of those present. Roll of Zion's Camp.
Who went up with the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1834, present in the Social Hall Great Salt Lake City, Oct. 10, 1864:
Allen Joseph Stewart -------- Fairview, Sanpete County
Alred James -------------------Springtown, Sanpete County
Alvord Charlotte ------------- 19 Ward, Great Salt Lake City
Andrus Milo ------------------ Willow Creek, Great Salt Lake City
Angell Solomon -------------- 8 Wards Great Salt Lake City
Baldwin Nathan B. ----------- Fillmore, Milliard County
Barlow Israel-------------------Stoker's Ward, Davis County
Barney Royal-------------------8 Ward, G.S.L. City
Brown Albert-------------------5 Ward, G.S.L. City
Buchannan Peter-------------- Spanish Fork, Utah County
Burgess Harrison---------------Pine Valley, Washington County
Cahoon William F.-------------12 Ward, G.S.L. City
Chidester John Madison and Mary Washington -- Washington County
Colborn Thomas ---------------Weber City, Morgan County
Colby Allanson -----------------Fillmore, Milliard County
Cole Zerah L.--------------------19 Ward, G.S.L. City
Coltrin Zebedee ---------------Spanish Fork, Utah County Territory
Curtis Lyman ----------------- Pondtown, Utah County
Doff Peter----------------------Farmington, Davis County
Evans David -------------------Lehi, Utah County
Fordham Elijah---------------- 17 Ward, G.S.L. City
Fossett John--------------------Mound City, Provo Valley
Foster Solon--------------------St. George, Washington County
Gates Jacob and Mary --------13 Ward, G.S.L. City
Groves Elisha H.---------------Kanarra, Iron County
Hancock Levi W. --------------10 Ward, G.S.L. City
Harriman Henry----------------Washington, Washington County
Holbrook Chandler and Eunice -- Milliard County
Holbrook Joseph --------------- Bountiful, Davis County
Hyde Orson --------------------Springtown, Sanpete County
Ivie James Russell -------------Round Valley, Milliard County
Kimball Heber C. ------------- 18 Ward, G.S.L. City
Littlefield Lyman O. ---------- 7 Ward G.S.L. City
Littlefield Waldo -- ------------Kanarra, Iron County
Lyman Amasa M. ------------- Fillmore, Milliard County
Marvin Edmond Walden ----- St. George, Washington County
Mc Bride Ruben -------------- Fillmore, Milliard County
Miller Eleazer ----------------12 Ward, G.S.L. City
Noble Joseph B.---------------- Sessions, Davis County
Pratt William Dickerson ------ 9 Wards G.S.L. City
Rich Charles C.----------------- Paris, Richland County
Riggs Nathaniel -----------------Payson, Utah County
Sagers William Henry---------- Fountain Green, Sanpete County
Smith George A. ---------------13 Wards G.S.L. City
Snow Zerubbabel ---------------13 Wards G.S.L. City
Tanner John ---------------------South Cotton Wood, Salt Lake County
Tanner Nathan ------------------14 Ward, G.S.L. City
Thompson James L. ------------Kanarra, Iron County
Warner Salmon -----------------Williard, Box Elder County
Winchester Stephen ----------- 17 Ward, G.S.L. City
Winegar Alvin -----------------16 Ward, G.S.L.City
Winter Hyrum -----------------Pleasant Grove, Utah County
Woodruff Wilford-------------14 Ward, G.S.L. City
Young Brigham---------------18 Ward, G.S.L. City
Young Joseph -----------------13 Ward, G.S.L. City
Hubbard Elisha F. ------------- Provo City, represented his father Marshall M.
Smith John ----------------------14 Ward, G.S.L. City, represented his father, Hyrum
Kingsbury Joseph C. -----------12 Ward, G.S.L. City and
Riggs John ----------------------Provo City, Utah County volunteered but were canceled
by Joseph Smith to remain.
Taken from Deseret News, Wednesday Oct. 19, 1864, Vol. 14, No. 3.
Incidents of the History of Zion's Camp. We published in our last issue a brief account of the first general festivities of some of the choice men of Israel known as Zion's Camp. These long tried members of our Church were called together by President Brigham Young that they might have an opportunity of enjoying themselves and of talking over the history of their labors for the kingdom of God when it was in its infancy we give in this number of the most important and to us interesting incidents connected with the calling by revelation through the great Seer of the 19th century the organization and travels of the 205 men who went to fulfil the commandments of heaven and feeling assured that many of our readers would like to see the names of the whole company in print there also. In December 1833 soon after news of the expulsion of the Saints from Jackson County, Missouri reached the brethren in the east a revelation was given which is recorded in Section 98 of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants and the February following another revelation was given, see Section 101, paragraph 5, with a full determination to render implicit obedience to these revelations President Joseph Smith, Elders Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, Fredrick G. Williams, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt and other Elders visited the branches of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New York, Pennsylvania and the New England States collecting together as many as could be obtained to go in fulfillment of the afore revelations. Many who had money were unwilling to invest their means until they should hear of the certainty of peace. The poor among the Saints were awake to their duties and determined to do all they could for the accomplishment of the purposes of the Almighty.
About fifty volunteers were obtained in the vicinity of Kirtland and nearly one hundred from the eastern branches of the Church. The main body consisting of about one hundred left Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, on the fifth of May 1834 and by the next Sabbath the camp had received considerable accessions to its members, say in the neighborhood of sixty. Part of these were from eastern states and the remainder from Ohio. They organized into companies called tens, each company being provided with the necessary tents and other camp equipage for cooking purposes were also formed. They made an orderly encampment and kept guard every night in order to protect their animals and other property.
The journey from Kirtland to Clay County, Missouri was performed in 46 days, traveling days being 37, most of the company traveled on foot. Much of the country through which they traveled was new in consequence of which they were frequently obliged to take a circuitous route. Elders David W. Patten and William D. Pratt were sent forward from Kirtland in advance of the camp to carry the revelations to the brethren in Missouri and apprise them of what was in progress for the redemption of Zion.
Daniel Dunklin then Governor of Missouri had previously promised to reinstate the Saints upon their lands specifying however this very singular condition that they must defend themselves afterwards. Elders Orson Hyde and Parley P. Pratt visited the Governor and informed him that the Saints were waiting for and anxiously expecting him to fulfill his promise which he positively refused to do.
The people in Jackson County through some gentlemen of Clay County proffered to sell their possessions in the former county to the Saints or to buy of the Saints at an appraised value. They were answered that to sell our possessions would amount to a denial of our faith but the offer was made to accept the proposal to purchase theirs upon which they declined to sell.
Section 102 in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants is revelation given on the banks of Fishing River, Missouri and explains the reason why the camp broke up without going into Jackson County. "Verily I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people. And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the Celestial Kingdom otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself and my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience if must needs be by the things which they suffer. For behold I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion for as I said in a former commandment even so will I fulfill, I will fight your battles. Behold the destroyer I have sent forth to destroy and lay waste mine enemies and not many years since they shall not be left to pollute mine heritage and to blaspheme my name upon the lands which I have consecrated for the gathering of my Saints."
Out of the whole number that went as far as Fishing River two went off because they had not a chance to fight the mob. One left without his discharge and all the rest carried out the requirements of the Prophet in good faith. The same revelation required the Saints to send up wise men with money to purchase all the land in Jackson and the counties round about. In obedience to which they subsequently purchased and acquired the immense tracts of land owned by them in Jackson, Clay, Ray, Caldwell, Clinton, Davis, Livingstone and Carroll counties from which they were driven out of the state under the exterminating order of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs in the fall of 1838.
Prayers were had in each tent of the camp every morning and evening during the entire journey the camp rested on Sabbath days and held meetings at which the sacrament was administered. President Smith was constantly teaching the brethren both in public and private the principles of the Kingdom. All the brethren traveled on foot, except the invalids packing their knapsacks and much of their time carrying their fire arms. The wagons were each drawn by one or two horses and were so heavy laden that the brethren had frequently to draw them through the mud and other bad places by hand this was an almost every day occurrence while passing through the swamp lands of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.
Aldrich Hazen
Allen Joseph
Allred Isaac
Allred Martin C.
Allred James
Alvord Charlotte
Andrus Milo
Angell Solomon
Avery Allen A.
Babbit Almon W.
Bablam Alexander
Baker Samuel
Baldwin Nathan B.
Barber Elam
Barlow Israel
Barnes Lorenzo D.
Barney Royal
Barney Edson
Benner Henry
Bent Samuel
Blackman Hiram
Booth Lorenzo
Brooks George W.
Brown Samuel
Brown Harrey
Brown Albert
Brownell John
Buchanan Peter
Burgess Harrison
Byur David
Cahoon William F.
Carpenter John
Carter John
Cathcart Daniel
Champlin Alonzo
Chapman Jacob
Cherry William
Chidester John & wife
Childs Stephen
Childs Nathan
Childs Alden
Clark Jane
Colborn Thomas
Colby Alanson
Cole Zera S.
Coltrin Zebedee
Coon Libeus T
Cowan Horace
Curtis Sophronia
Curtis Mecham
Curtis Lyman
Doff Peter
Dort David D
Duncan John
Dunn James
Duzette Philemon
Eliot David
Elliot Bradford W.
Ettleman Phillip
Evans David
Evans Horace
Field Asa
Fisher Edmond
Fisk Alfred
Fisk Hezekiah
Fordham George
Fordham Elijah
Forney Fredrick
Fossett John
Foster James
Foster Solon
Gates Jacob & Mary
Gifford Benjamin
Gifford Levi
Gilbert Sherman
Glidden True
Gould Dean C.
Grant Jedediah M.
Green Addison
Griffith Micheal
Griswold Everett
Groves Elisha
Hancock Joseph
Hancock Levi W
Harmon Joseph
Harris Martin
Hartshorn Joseph
Hayes Thomas
Herriman Henry
Higgins Nelson
Hitchcock Seth
Hoger Amos
Holbrook Joseph & wife
Holbrook Chandler & wife
Holmes Milton
Houghton Osmon & wife
Hubbard Marshall M
Humphrey Solomon
Huntsman Joseph
Hustin John
Hutchins Elias
Hyde Heman T
Hyde Orson
Ingalls Warren S
Ivie William S
Ivie Edward
Ivie James R
Ivie John A
Jessop William
Joel Vaughn
Johnson Luke
Johnson Lyman E
Johnson Noah
Johnson Seth
Jones Isaac
Jones Levi
Kelley Charles
Kimball Heber C
Kingsley Samuel
Lake Dennis
Lawson Jesse B
Lewis L. S.
Littlefield Josiah
Littlefield Lyman O
Littlefield Waldo
Lyman Amasa M
Martin Moses
Marvin Edward W
McBride Reuben
McCord Robert
Miller Eleazer
Miller John
Morse Justin
Murdock John
Nicholas Joseph
Nickerson Uriah C
Nickerson Levi S
Nickerson Freeman
Nobles Joseph B
North Ur.
Orton Roger
Parker John D
Parrish Warren & Betsy
Pratt Orson
Pratt Parley P
Pratt William D
Rich Charles C
Rich Leonard
Richardson Darwin
Riggs Buff
Riggs Nathaniel
Riggs Harpin
Riley Milcher
Ripley Alanson & wife
Robbins Lewis
Rudd Erastus
Sagers William Henry
Salisbury Jenkins
Sherman Henry
Sherman Lyman
Shibley Henry
Smalling Cyrus
Smith William
Smith Joseph
Smith Joseph
Smith Zechariah B
Smith Jackson
Smith George A
Smith Avery
Smith Hyrum
Smith Lyman
Smith Sylvester
Snow Willard
Snow Zerubbabel
Stanley Harvey
Stephens Daniel
Stratton Hyrum
Strong Elias
Tanner John Joshua
Tanner Nathan
Thayer Ezra
Thomas Tinney
Thompson Samuel
Tippetts William P
Tribbs Nelson
Warner Salmon
Weden William
Wells Elias
Whitesides Alexander
Whitlock Andrew W
Wight Lyman
Wilcox Eber
Wilkenson Sylvester
Williams Fredrick G
Winchester Alonzo
Winchester Benjamin
Winchester Stephen
Winegar Alvin
Winegar Samuel
Winter Hyrum
Wissmiller Henry
Woodruff Wilford
Yale Gad
Young Brigham
Young Joseph
Zebriskie Lewis
July 8, 1864 went to Provo, by the invitation of President Brigham Young, for a two days meeting in company of John Stoker Bishop and Anson Call with a number from Davis County and brother Kimball and many others from Great Salt Lake City. There was much valuable instruction given to benefit the Saints. President Young told the people to take care of their grain and not sell it to our enemies to rob ourselves as it was our duty to lay away and store up our wheat, a surplus for each year, enough for our families and our dependents for seven years to come so that at the expiration of seven years we would have bread for that length of time in our store houses as it was the council of God to his people for their salvation. We have had a number of severe hurricanes from the mountains this fall during Nov. and Dec. destroying much feed for our cattle, tearing down fences, tearing off the roof of houses and carrying a much of the soil that is dry. My tithing for 1864, $187.48.
Chapter 2
January 1, 1865, commencing a new year. The spring cold and backward, very dry in the season of putting in seed so that much of it did not come forth.
Caroline Frances Angell Holbrook had a son born July 12, 1865 and blessed him on the 19th with a Father's blessing that he may live to help to build up Zion an see the Zion of Enoch gain an inheritance with the saints, receive a fulness of the Holy Priesthood in the name of the Lord and named him Enoch Angell Holbrook.
Amanda, my wife, left my house and went to live with her mother and then she obtained a bill of divorce.
We had good crops this season. I attended the party of Zion's Camp at the Social Hall on the 10th of Oct. 1865 in Great Salt Lake City. There was not as many as the year before.
Nov. 25. At a meeting of the citizens of North Canyon Ward they appointed Joseph Holbrook President of the Mercantile Association Society and Anson Call and Sidney B. Kent as directors and they were to form a firm to do business for the purpose of freighting, purchasing goods, etc. Tithing for 1865- $266.98.
In March 1866 the directors of the Mercantile Company bought the goods of George Stibbens to the amount of ten thousand dollars and commenced business at brother Call's store house which we paid rent at $300.00 per year in consequence of the fall of goods, the losses on flour and cattle we bought we lost money by the trade. We also commenced a stone grist mill at Centerville. I paid in over 3 thousand dollars. Tithing for 1866 - $134.67.
Continued farming and trade in the store and with other business as usual. In May Charlotte Call took violently ill and continued until she died July 9, 1866 - age 32 years, 7 months and 3 days. She was a daughter of Joseph Holbrook and Nancy Holbrook and wife of Elder Anson V. Call. She was born in Weathersfield, Genesee County State of New York Nov. 26, 1833, went to Missouri with her father's family in Zion's Camp 1834, passed through the persecutions in Missouri and Illinois, came to Utah 1848, has ever remained a dutiful daughter, a faithful wife, a worthy Saint and left four sons and three daughters with a large number of relatives and acquaintances to mourn her departure. (Come from Deseret News, Millennial Star please copy) Thus I am left to mourn for children taken from here to the paradise of God.
Mar. 6, 1867 - Received my second anointing with my family at the Endowment House, Elder John Taylor officiating. Hannah Holbrook acting as proxy for Nancy Holbrook, my first wife, then acting for herself. Caroline Frances Holbrook received hers. Hannah Holbrook acting as proxy for Lucy Holbrook, who also was dead. Louisa Holbrook received hers, acting for herself. Tithing for 1867 - $108.71.
1868 - Continued in business on the farm as usual. The body of Anson V. Call was brought in from the road by Wallace Willey in the emigration company. He died the fall before on his way home from his mission from England the season of 1866. He and Charlotte were both in one grave in the burial ground south of the City Bountiful. Became a member of the school of the Prophets in Salt Lake City. Tithing for 1868 - $200.69
In March 1869 there was a new organization in our Mercantile Institution which resulted in Bishop Stoker being appointed President which relieved me from further duties at this. I have paid and placed to my credit $500 in the City Bountiful "Zions" Mercantile Institution as stock. I have also $100 paid in the wholesale store in Salt Lake City as stock. I copy this communication from the Deseret Evening News as follows: At Bountiful, Davis County, Utah, Feb. 4, 1869 died of Jaundice and protracted labor, Sarah Lucretia, wife of Judson Tolman and daughter of Joseph and Nancy Holbrook the deceased was born at North Weathersfield, Genesee County, New York, January 21, 1832 being 37 years two weeks old at her death. She shared in the sufferings of the saints both in Missouri and Illinois and through them at the age of nine years she was left motherless. In the year 1846 at Nauvoo she was married to Judson Tolman unto whom she has born six sons and eight daughters, ten of whom surrounded her dying couch and now survive the last living but three hours now sleeps by her side. Her death spreads a gloom over the Ward as she was much esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who knew her as a loving wife and affectionate mother and faithful saint. Her funeral was attended by a large concourse of sorrowing friends who were addressed by Elders Joseph Holbrook, John Telford and Anson Call who had known the deceased from her infancy. Their united testimony was that she was full of integrity and had never been known to swerve from the truth. She died as she had lived in a sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection. This spring continued to clear off land in North Canyon and find the land to be very fertile.
May 28, Caroline went to Cache Valley with Gordon Anderson. June the 4, 1869 at a meeting of the stock holders of the schools of science I was elected President when a board of Directors was elected. Turned over my stone house to the City Bountiful to said Directors with about 7 rods square of the lot on which it stands, which I am to have credit to me as stock at $4500. I also have subscribed $300.00 in shares to be applied as stock. In the fall I resigned my office as president and Brother John Crosby was elected in my stead. Attended Zion's Party Oct. 9, 1869. The stone house was so far finished as to have a school in the winter. Tithing for 1869 $203.05.
June 30, 1869 attended to the baptism for the dead of my progenitors.(His record gives the names of 59 persons) They are all properly recorded in our genealogical records.
1870 - Continued on my farm, the grasshoppers destroying all my wheat about 40 bushels together with oats, barley, corn and all kinds of vegetables in the garden, etc. But we continued to plant over our corn and had a pretty good crop though some what late. I let out my sheep, 73 head, to herd one year June 1, 1870. Oct. 10 attended the Zion's Party at the Social Hall, with my brethren something like 30 of Zion's Camp present, a good number of the Battalion Boys being present. All enjoyed themselves well.
My wife, Hannah Holbrook, started on a visit to Vermont with Brother Anson Call and his wife, Mary Call, her sisters about the 25th of Oct. Traveled on the railroad. Her fare - both ways $250.00. Absent ten weeks, had a good visit with her friends and returned all well. Joseph Hyrum, Brigham and Moses went to Cache valley in the first of November and took 70 gallons of molasses and exchanged it for wheat, gallon per bushels and brought it home with them, with two teams. Absent ten days. Took 8 head of horses, 1 yoke of oxen and 4 calves to Chicken Creek to George D. Davis to be wintered about the 25th of Nov. Joseph Hyrum and Brigham went with me and their mother, absent one week. We have a school commenced in the stone house at $6.00 per quarter, her scholars Joseph Hyrum, Brigham, Moses, Joseph Jones and William Jones Holbrook are attending. Tithing for 1870 - $143.75.
January 11, 1871. Started on a visit to Willow Creek with my wife Caroline and Joseph Lamoni Holbrook and his wife went to Brother Dwight Hardings, had not seen him for eleven years and found them comfortably well. My sister Phebe Harding being very fleshy, weighing 225 lbs. Went to Cache Valley to George Anderson's. Found his family well. They lived in Richmond. Preached on the 15th in the evening, had good liberty. On the 16th my birthday being 65 years old. On the 22 preached at Willow Creek, returned home being about two weeks.
Feb. 15 Joseph Hyrum went to see about my sheep as the man that took them to feed has run away. After what sheep could be found I had 50 sheep left which I got home. The rest being sold by the herder.
1871 - Caroline Frances Holbrook was sealed to John Corbridge Mar. 13, 1871 at the Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Joseph F. Smith officiating at the alter. They had a supper at his father's in the evening. Continued a farming as usual my health being poor so I couldn't labor. I kept about some as I cannot go abroad much.
Obituary.
Died at Willard City, Box Elder County, May 21, 1871, Dwight Harding aged 64 years and 24 days. He was the son of Ralph and Azubal Harding, born in Southbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts April 27, 1807. He was baptized in North Weathersfield, Genesee County, State of New York Feb 1833 by Elder Leonard Rich, was married to Phoebe Holbrook in the same month and emigrated to Clay County, Missouri in July 1835 and removed to Caldwell County 1836. Was driven with the Saints from Missouri 1839 to Quincy, Illinois. Stayed at Quincy one year and removed to Nauvoo in 1840. Left with the Saints in the spring of 1846, wintered at the camp with the Saints at Puncas in 1846 and 1847 and removed to Winter Quarters in the spring of 1847. He emigrated to the valley in Sept. 1850 and settled at Willow Creek. He ever maintained a fervent desire and was faithful to his profession for the Kingdom of God. He filled many important offices in the Church and was President of the High Priests in Willard at his decease.
(A CLIPPING FROM THE DESERET NEWS)
(Found in the Journal)
"Fifty Years Ago"
The Deseret News of fifty years ago, dated March 18, 1863, referred to the dedication of the building on Saturday the 14th says: "A large concourse of people as per report, were in attendance. Pres. Young, Kimball and Wells, and several others who went from the city, started early in the morning in order to be in session as the services were to commence at 10 a.m." After stating that Pres. Young and those accompanying him returned on Sunday evening, March 15. The News offers the following naive apology for failing to give a more extensive report of the services, the issue for the following week being also silent on the subject: "Having been favored with a special invitation to be present on the occasion, we should have been pleased if circumstances had permitted; but as they did not, and having no reporter there, we can neither give the particulars of the dedicatory ceremonies, nor allude to the preaching and teaching which followed." Previous mention, however, had been made of the active generosity of Anson Call, Judge Holbrook, Bishop Stoker and others in pushing forward the work of completion after all other apparent sources of revenue had been exhausted. While the estimated cost had been $60,000, the actual outlay on construction, thought The News on the 4th of Mar. "has been the work of the people unitedly, and if any have done more than others it has been because they have had the ability to do so, and they do not, as we have been informed, wish to be lauded for having done that which according to Scripture, was their duty to do."
A Patriarchal Blessing as given under the hand of Isaac Morley, Far West, January 10, 1839.
A Patriarchal Blessing pronounced by Isaac Morley upon the head of Joseph Holbrook, a son of Moses Holbrook, who was born in Florence, Oneida County, State of New York, January 16, 1806.
Brother Holbrook I lay my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and I seal upon thy head a Father's blessing. Thy name is registered in heaven and the angels rejoice at thy birth and notwithstanding thy trials, thy blessings shall be great to thee. Thy name shall be sounded to the remotest parts of the earth and thy name shall become honorable among Kings and Princes; and if thou art faithful thou shalt travel from the East to the West, and thy labors shall be crowned with success, and thou shalt become an instrument in the hands of the Lord in restoring his ancient covenant people to the knowledge of the New and Everlasting Covenant and if thou wilt store thy mind with knowledge and with intelligence the power together with the blessings of the everlasting Priesthood shall be sealed upon thy head, thy tongue shall be unloosed, thy mind shall expand and oppression shalt prove a blessing unto thee and thou shalt yet have the privilege to sit with the Ancient of Days and no powers of darkness shall be a hinderment to thee and the wound which you have received in the defense of thy brethren shall prove to them thy sincerity and thy love towards them for thou shalt yet have the power and rejoice in the spirit when one shall chase a thousand and two shall put ten thousand to fight and a contrast shall be shown unto thee of the weakness of man and of the power of the creator for his blessing shall be given to thee and fear shall be cast far from thee and the love of thy creator shall be shed abroad in thy heart and thine inheritance shall be in Zion and many sheaves shall be given to thee and thou shalt rejoice in their society. Sitting under thine own vine and fruit tree when there shall be none to molest or to make afraid, and then shalt thou rejoice with the sons of Joseph for this is thy descent and thy blessings shall be extended to thy children and to thy children's children; and thy barn shall yet be stored with plenty and thy fields shall be strewed with flocks and with herds and if thou wilt ever support the principles of uprightness and virtue thou shalt yet sit in council with the sons of the west and thou shalt become a Father to them and thou shalt aid to feed them and to clothe them and to fill the store house of the Lord for them and thy days shall be extended to see Babylon fall and thou shalt reign with the Savior, and I seal this Father's blessing upon thee in the name of the Lamb, forever and ever. Amen.
E. Robinson, Scribe. Given at Far West, January 10, 1839.
A Patriarchal Blessing pronounced by Isaac Morley upon the head of Nancy Holbrook, daughter of David Lampson, and wife of Joseph Holbrook, who was born in Western, Worcester County, State of Massachusetts, Aug. 14, 1804.
Sister Holbrook, I lay my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus thy redeemer, and I seal upon thy head a father's blessing because thou hast no father in the New and Everlasting Covenant to bless thee notwithstanding thou hast been called to participate in the sorrows of an orphan the angels have been made to rejoice over thee and sing praises around the throne of thy Heavenly Father because thou hast put on Christ in the waters of baptism, thou hast become a legitimate heir to all the blessings and glories of Christ's Kingdom, and if thou wilt ever support the principles of uprightness, integrity and virtue thou shalt yet be made to rejoice with the daughters of Abraham because thou hast embraced the same covenant which is everlasting for thou art a descendant of Jacob and it is the delight of thy heart to see fields stocked with flocks and with herds and if thou art called to see thy brethren scattered thou shalt see them return with songs of everlasting joy and many of thy friends and acquaintance shall yet come and enquire for thee and thou shalt be made to rejoice in thine own inheritance in Zion in their society and thou shalt freely give thy companion to labor in the field of the gospel for the blessing of fortitude and forbearance shall be given to thee; the spirit of discernment shall enlighten thy mind if thou art faithful in prayer, no foul spirit shall decry thee and thou shall be a blessing to thy companion to console and to comfort him and thy life shall be extended to see the gathering accomplished and I seal this father's blessing upon thee and the honor and the glory must be ascribed by thee to God and the Lamb, forever and ever. Amen.
About August 1845 I received a Patriarchal Blessing under the hand of John Smith in Nauvoo.
A Blessing by John Smith, Patriarch, upon the head of Joseph Holbrook, son of Moses and Hannah Holbrook, born January 16, 1806, Florence, Oneida County, State of New York. Brother Joseph I lay my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ and seal upon thee a father's blessing. Thou art of the house of Jacob and an heir to the blessings and Priesthood which was sealed upon the fathers with all the benefits and privileges accompanying the same. The Lord hath called thee to preach the gospel to this generation to warn them that destructions are determined upon Babylon. It is left to thy choice in what part of the vineyard thou labor. Thou shalt go forth as a mighty man. Thou shalt stir up the hearts of the honest in heart to repentance but the wicked and rebellious shall be angry and seek to destroy thy life but the Lord hath given his angels charge to preserve thee from all thine enemies and thou shalt have power over them. Thou shalt be blessed with wisdom and intelligence to confound the wise of this generation, bring many to the knowledge of the faith and gather them with the saints with much riches. Thou shalt have a numerous posterity and thou shalt rejoice exceedingly because of their righteousness. Thou shalt live till thou shalt know that the prophets have spoken right concerning Zion, be satisfied with life and every favor which is calculated for the happiness of man and thou shalt enjoy all the blessing of the Redeemer's Kingdom on the earth and a name with the sanctified forever. I seal all these blessings upon thee in faithfulness and I seal thee up unto eternal life, Amen.
George A. Smith - Scribe
Albert Carrington - Recorder.
Sister Hannah in the name of Jesus Christ I seal a father's blessing upon thee. Thou hast obeyed the gospel and the Lord is well pleased with thee. Thou art a daughter of Abraham and an heir to all the blessings that was sealed upon the former day Saints and Priesthood which was sealed upon the fathers in former days with all the blessings and powers sealed upon thy companion. The destroyer shall have no power in thine house. Thy children shall be healthy and thou house shall be a peaceable habitation. Angels shall administer unto thee. Thou shalt be blessed in thy basket and in thy store with every desire of thine heart. Thou shalt live to be a comfort to thy companion and assist him in all his labors, even be satisfied with life according to the blessing sealed upon thy companion come up in the first resurrection with him to inherit thrones and dominions in the house of Israel forever. I seal all these blessings upon thee and thy posterity in common with thy companion if thy faith does not fail, not one word of it shall fail, Amen.
Albert Carrington, Recorder
A Patriarchal Blessing
Beloved Sister I place my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ and seal upon you all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in as much as thou art a mother in Israel and hast obeyed the gospel in thine old age and hast suffered much for the gospel's sake and hast not fainted neither murmured against the Lord he is well pleased with the integrity of thine heart and thy name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and he will bless thee with a multiplicity of blessings, he will multiply thy seed like Jacob. They shall inherit all the blessings that were sealed upon the head of Ephraim in the land of Egypt which were to continue through all generations of his posterity forever. In as much as thou hast experienced sickness and death in your family thou shalt be blest with health, peace and plenty. Thy store house shall be well supplied with the richest fruits of the earth. Thou shalt see thy children grown up about thee healthy and fair unto the fourth generation. Thou shalt have faith to deliver them from the power of the destroyer and the sick shall be healed under thy hands thou shalt have the ministering of Angels to comfort their heart in thine old age. It shall be with thee as it is written after much tribulation cometh the blessing. Thou shalt understand mysteries that have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, no good thing shall be with-held from you. Thou shalt live until thou art fully satisfied with life and finally inherit all the blessings and glories of the Redeemer's Kingdom in a world without end, even so, Amen.
John L. Smith clerk and recorder
A blessing by John Smith, Patriarch, upon the head of Caroline Frances, daughter of James and Phebe Angell, born in North Providence, State of Rhode Island.
Sister Caroline I place my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and seal upon thee a father's blessing. Thou art a daughter of Abraham through the loins of Joseph. Thou hast a right to the Priesthood by an inheritance by thy fathers although the gentiles rage and seek to destroy thy peace. They shall not prevail against thee in as-much as thou hast seen trouble, thy heart hath been weighed down with sorrow thou shalt hold the keys of all the mysteries in company with a man whom the Lord hath or will appoint to guide thee in the ways of salvation and in as much as thy present companion hath left the church if he does not repent his blessings shall be given to another who will enjoy the fruits thereof in peace. Thy name shall be had in honorable remembrance in the house of Israel, thy posterity shall be numerous and none shall excel them. Thou shalt have power to heal the sick, the destroyer shall not trouble thy habitation, thy heart shall be made glad after much trouble cometh the blessing; endure thy trials Sister patiently and thou shalt enjoy every blessing you can desire for no good thing shall be withheld from you. Thy day and years shall be multiplied as your heart desires, thou shalt live to see the church gathered in Zion and the prophesies fulfilled concerning the remnants of Jacob. This is the blessing which I seal upon thee, not a word of this shall fail if faithful, even so, Amen.
City Bountiful, March 20, 1855
A Patriarchal Blessing by Isaac Morley on the head of Joseph Holbrook, son of Moses and Hannah Holbrook, born January 16, 1806 in Florence, Oneida County, State of New York. Brother Joseph I place my hands upon thy head in the name of the Lord Jesus and I ratify a Patriarchal seal and blessing upon thy head which is a principle of promise of fathers upon their children. This shall be a principle to comfort thy heart and to enlighten thy mind for the seals of the priesthood are eternal and in thine heirship thou hast a right to enjoy them. Thou art numbered with the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Thou art in the same everlasting covenants and have become a rightful heir to the priesthood which Priesthood shall rest upon thee and thy posterity after thee from generation to generation.
Thou hast been taught for years in the school of experience whereby thou hast been taught the principles of salvation of wisdom and of prudence. Thou hast the gift given thee by the God of Nature to understand the principle whereby thou art to be exercised whereby thou art to govern thy family and to place all things in order before the Lord. Thou hast the blood of Ephraim and hast become a legal heir to the keys of the everlasting Priesthood. Thou hast learned many principles by the experience of an opposite. No man can be made perfect without this experience. Be comforted for the Lord will bless thee. He has and will cause the earth to bring forth for thy good. He has filled thy bosom with the spirit of forbearance and forgiveness. Therefore thou art made free through the merits of Christ's blood. The principles of truth and the love of virtue are implanted in thy bosom and by promise I seal upon thee the fulness of thy endowment whereby thou wilt be led to know that thy redeemer lives. Therefore receive this seal as a gift from on high and I seal thee up to enjoy the blessings of eternal and everlasting lives in the Kingdom of our God, even so, Amen & Amen.
Leonard A. Morley - Scribe
Joseph Holbrook Blessing recorded in I. Morley's Patriarchal Book B. Page 482. No. 603.
City of Bountiful, March 20, 1855
A Patriarchal Blessing by Isaac Morley on the head of Hannah Holbrook, daughter of Rufus and Hannah Flint, born July 18, 1806 in Braintree, Orange County, State of Vermont.
Sister Holbrook by the virtue of the Priesthood in the name of Jesus we lay our hands upon thy head and we ratify the seal and blessing of a father upon thee which principle should rest upon thy mind and it should comfort thy heart for the Lord is faithful to perform his covenants with his children. Thou art numbered with the daughters of Abraham and become a rightful heir to equal blessings with them.
Thou shalt enjoy all thy former seals and blessings that have been ratified upon thy head. The Lord has blessed thee with pure and correct principles. He has blessed thee with the love of virtue and fidelity whereby thou art a confident in the bosom of thy partner and thy associates. He has given thee intellectual faculties to be improved which will cause thy heart to swell with gratitude to the Author of thy blessings. He has given thee birth in the dispensation that holly men of old desired to see. Thou favored among women to enjoy the blessings of seeing the morning of the fulness of times when all things will be gathered in one.
It shall be thy blessing to do a work for thy fathers household that they with thee may be redeemed from the fall. Thou shalt be blessed in thy household in regulating thine affairs in the domestic circle. Thy habitation shall be peace and thy table crowned with the fruit of the earth.
Ask of the Lord and he will give thee life even until thou art satisfied and I say unto thee it is thy privilege to obtain that faith that will give thee power over disease even in thine own system and I say unto thee when thou hast received the fulness of thy endowment thou shalt enjoy this blessing. Let humility and prayer be the monitor of thy mind and thou wilt know that the Lord is with thee. He will reveal his mind unto thee by dreams and visions upon thy bed, as to thy blood thou art a descendant from Joseph through the loins of Ephraim. Therefore my daughter be comforted under the seals of the Priesthood for they are thine to enjoy, by them thou wilt be crowned with glory, immortality and Eternal lives and I seal it by virtue of the Priesthood in the name of Jesus, even so, Amen & Amen.
Leonard Morley - Scribe
Hannah Holbrook Blessing recorded in Isaac Morley's Patriarchal Book B. Page 483 No. 604.
A Patriarchal Blessing by Isaac Morley on the head of Caroline Frances Holbrook, daughter of James and Phebe Angell, born Oct. 3, 1825 in North Providence, Providence County, State of Rhode Island.
Sister Caroline F. we place our hands upon thy head to bless thee in the name of Jesus and I seal the blessing of a father and Patriarch upon thee and I say unto thee thou shalt enjoy all thy former seals and blessings for they are sealed upon thee as everlasting principles. Thou shalt be blessed under this seal for it shall be a principle to enlighten thy mind and to comfort thy heart. The Lord has blessed thee with honesty of heart, with purity of motive, the love of virtue is as dear to thee as thy life. Thou hast had trials and learned many things by experience. This experience will cause thy crown to be brighter. Whatever trials we pass through if we endure them with patience the greater will be the glory. Thou shalt be blessed in the domestic circle for it is the desire of thy heart to be a peacemaker and to make all happy around you.
Thy children and thy children's children will bless thee. They will revere thy name and hand it down in honor from generation to generation. Be comforted for thou shalt receive the seals and blessings of thy washings and thy anointing in the house of the Lord that shall be built in the midst of mountains. It will be thy privilege to live and see the sons of Ephraim crowned and see the house of the Lord covered with a pillow of cloud by day and a fire by night. Harken to the words of wisdom and thy mind will be filled with light and with those principles that exalt the mind of man.
Thou shalt be blessed in decorating thy garments with the work of thy own hands. These are the seals and blessings of the Priesthood that will rest upon you and I seal thee up to be crowned with glory, immortality and eternal lives in the Kingdom of thy God, even so, Amen & Amen.
Abigail L. Morley - Scribe
Caroline F. Holbrook Blessing recorded in I. Morley's Patriarchal Book B. Page 484. No. 605.
City Bountiful, Feb. 4, 1856
A Patriarchal Blessing by Isaac Morley on the head of Lucy Holbrook, daughter of William And Lucy Jones, born June 11, 1834 in Glen, Morganshire, South Wales.
Sister Lucy by the authority of the holy Priesthood I place my hands upon thy head to bless thee and I seal the blessing of thy father upon thee. This is a seal of promise to continue with thee. Thou art numbered with the daughters of Abraham in the covenants of Promise whereby thou hast placed thyself under great responsibility with thy creator for thou hast obtained thy heirship through the merits of Christ's blood, thou hast become an heiress to a celestial crown. Thou art connected in the family of the Lord's anointed, with them thou shalt rejoice upon thrones and dominions. Therefore seek for prudence and wisdom and thou shalt enjoy every principle of Priesthood pertaining to thy welfare and exaltation. Thou art of Ephraim whereby thou hast claim upon the fathers and patriarchs. Cultivate in thy bosom the spirit of peace and of mildness, in so doing this influence will be realized upon thy posterity from generation to generation. The Lord will bless thee with the fruits of the earth and thou shalt enjoy the blessings of the holy ordinances in the house of thy God. It will be thy gift to enjoy the blessing of acting by proxy for thy progenitors that they with thee might be brought into the covenants that are everlasting. Preserve thy vow and covenants by prayer and thou shalt enjoy equal blessings with thy associates and form a union then never to be severed with them. Thou shalt be blessed in the holy ordinances and in thy exaltation. These are the whisperings of the spirit to continue with thee and by virtue of the priesthood I seal thee up to be crowned in glory, immortality and eternal lives in the Kingdom of thy God, even so, Amen & Amen.
Leonard A. Morley - Scribe
Lucy Holbrook Blessing recorded in Book D, Page 79, No. 69.
City Bountiful, Mar. 20, 1855
Leonard A. Morley - Scribe.
City Bountiful, May 23, 1857
Joseph Lamoni Holbrook, son of Joseph Holbrook and Nancy Lampson Holbrook was born in Far West, Caldwell County, State of Missouri January 31, 1837.
Joseph Holbrook
Judson Tolman - Scribes
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