Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Mary Elizabeth Hill Greer
Mary Elizabeth Hill Greer
Autobiography found in Aunt Julie's Geneology box
I was born in a little farming
community south of Malad, Idaho, called Cherry Creek, December 31, 1904. I was the oldest child of Annie Evans and
Edward N. Hill. When I was nine months
old, I moved with my parents to Elkhorn, a small farming community thirteen
miles north of Malad. This was my home
until my marriage except when I was away attending school. Here my three sisters and four brothers were
born. My sisters were Thelma Mae, Edith
Margaret, and Katherine (Katie). My
brothers were Edward, Matthew, Ben and Bruce.
I was raised in a three-room log cabin.
I, being the oldest, had many responsibilities and did a lot of farm
work. I start school when I was
seven. As there was no school district
in our area, I stayed with my mother’s sister, Aunt
Maggie, during the week. My father took
me by horseback or sleigh and I would stay Monday through Friday. I would come home and spend all week-end
teaching Thelma. It was a small one-room
house having grades 1-8 in the same class.
This I did for the first two years.
I then attended the first school in the Elkhorn Valley. It was a small one-room log house. The school teacher would often board at our
house.
I remember milking three cows every morning before beginning
the one-mile walk to school. Before that
Mama and Dad milked the cows and I would have to stay with the three younger
children. I remember chasing cows around
the haystack and in the big storms. The
only thing that really made me mad was to turn the wringer on the washer. I remember thinking, “I’m going to run
away. I won’t be here next wash-day.”
In my spare time I would follow birds around, watching them
make nests, etc. Some nights we would
sit around the fire and Mama would recite poems, sad and funny, and Papa would
sing Scotch songs.
I remember my Grandpa Hill, who owned the first gristmill in
Malad, telling me about his journey across the plains in his Scotch
accent. He worked six months for a pair
of shoes. He was converted to the church
when he was 17 years old.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
The "Greats" Memories of My Grandma and Grandpa Greer
The "Greats" Memories of My Grandma and Grandpa Greer
I
had the privilege of living in their front yard growing up. My Grandpa sold the
front of his property to my parents for a dollar so they could build a home. It
was such a blessing be so close to them. The relationships that were developed
between them and my Siblings and I are my most cherished memories. We saw them
every day. And we knew that we were Grandma's Sunshine and she would give us
anything she could. And Grandpa had better listen when it comes to the
grandkids. I can still her saying "Oh, Gene let them be" When we went to
Disneyland and the ocean for the first time they had decided they didn't want to
come. Grandma quickly changed her mind, she didn't want to miss us seeing the
ocean for the first time so she had Grandpa drive her all night to meet us
there. He loved her so and would do anything for her. I don't think they missed
a vacation after that.
Grandpa would drive us everywhere and tell us stories of growing up, the war if we were lucky, and of places he helped build. At the time I would think to myself I have heard these stories hundreds of times. Now I wish I could here them just once more. Towards the end of his life he suffered from Alzheimer's and didn't always know who we were. But he always knew Lydia, she was his Pumpkin Roller. She was the last person he spoke to. She had told him that she loved him and his response was "I love you too pumpkin roller." I remember his hands so well, he caught me climbing up the ladder to hand Alex Christmas lights when I was 8 months pregnant with the twins. I don't think I ever seen him so upset (at me anyway) and the lecture from him as he helped me down from the ladder was one I wont soon forget. He loved/loves me so much. He could fix anything. He would help with anything.
Grandma taught me that the Meadow lark song says "Tracie Fern's a pretty little girl" it wasn't till I was a teenager that I learned she sung this to all of my cousins. It still made me feel special though. She would sing songs of "Mares eat Oats", "Donut Shop", but most of all "You are My Sunshine.
I was named after her, Fern. It is so beautiful. I have to admit though it was so much fun when I was younger trying to get classmates to guess my middle name and telling them it was a 4 letter F word. We had a special bond, she was their for all most all of my "Firsts" and I had the privilege of being their for all of her "lasts". The last time she went to the Temple was when I took out my endowments, My children were some of the last babies she got to hold. Children always brightened her day.
I was there for her last Christmas, I call it our Christmas Miracle. She too had Alzheimer's and dementia and the last few years she wouldn't know who were were. Lydia would cry almost every time we left because she didn't know her. It broke my heart. But on Christmas she was herself, she knew us, played with the children, hugged and kissed them. It was such a blessing as that was the last time they saw her. I started visiting her every Thursday before I would head into work, she never spoke or knew who I was. She would look at you with a blank stare. I was able to occasionally get her to sing with me some of the songs she would sing to me growing up. I could see the little flicker of who she once was. I was the last person she spoke to. As I was leaving I repeatedly told her "I love you Grandma, I have to go now" trying to initiate some response. After several tries I turned to leave and she looked at me, really looked at me, she knew me and said "I love you too, sweetheart" and then I could see the fog settle in again. She passed away a week later.
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| Grandma and some of my cousins. She is holding me. |
I
stayed with my mom, dad, and two of my aunts at the nursing home while we waited
for her to go home. My wonderful husband kept the house and the kids together.
It was a long 3 days, the hardest in my life. Trying to contact cousins,
and Aunts so my mom wouldn't have to. Staying up late till the time came. I had
left the nursing home to clean up my parents home so they wouldn't have to worry
about it when they got back. While there I stopped in the room she used to stay
in and was looking at some of her trinkets. I found a Hummingbird
music box that played her favorite song "In the Garden" I felt very impressed
that I should bring it back with me. I did and when I went to show my parents
and aunts I found them working on a hummingbird puzzle. Ironic I thought.
She passed just minutes after we finished it, it was one of the most sacred experiences I have ever had the privilege of being apart of. The next few days I went with my mom to help with the arrangements (I am an only daughter with 4 brothers and felt she needed me there and that I needed to be there so she let me come). Everywhere I looked in the Funeral home were little figurines or pictures of Hummingbirds. Hummingbirds. When I got home I decided to Google the meaning of them. Hummingbirds represent the transition from life to death, joy, hope, and infinity. Wow. I still think of her every time I see a Hummingbird, which has been quite a lot. I also was able to help dress her in the temple clothes her mother made for her. Inside her temple bag was the Grandmother ID card they gave her when she came to the temple with me. I put it in my pocket and took it home. It now rests in my temple bag. She looked so beautiful, she looked like My Grandma. I know that she lives, I feel her with me when I miss her the most. I sure do miss her. I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father and my Brother Jesus Christ for making it possible for us to be and Eternal family. It gets me through each day.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
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Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Gene Austin Greer: Military Service
Gene Austin Greer
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| translation below |
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| translation below |
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| translation below |
Here is a translation of the above letter:
Hi Riley! South Weber
22 January 2002
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| found on Google |
We went from San Francisco to Hollania, New Guinea. That is between 6 and 7 thousand miles.
While in the harbor an enemy Torpedo glanced off the anchor chain and exploded on the beach. (Very Close Call)
After I was wounded I was in a field hospital for about a week. I was them sent by airplane (C-47-2 engines) to the Island of Guam. Then in another plane ( C-54-engines). These planes were before jets were invented. I was taken to the Hawaiian Islands. Where I was in another hospital.
I love You!
Grandpa Greer.
*from the information below I think the year was 1945
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| Postcard Fern received |
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| List of medals he received |
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| Honorable Discharge |
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| Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge |
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| Gene and Fern |
My only memory of him talking about the war is when we would go to the Air Force Museum and he would show us the planes he rode on. But my most favorite memory is him telling me that before the war he worked at the flour meal in Malad bagging flour to be shipped all over the United States. Not long after he was on the Liberty and worked as a chef. He was having a very hard time, missing Grandma very much, and wanted to be home with her. The main chef sent him to unload some pallets and there on the ship where the bags of flour, the ones he bagged in Malad. He said that it made him realize that no matter how far away he was, the world wasn't as big as it seemed.
My mom remembers him telling her at one of the hospitals (she isn't sure if it was in Guam or Hawaii) he came in very dirty and unshaven. The nurses got him clean and let him shave. The next morning he was stopped in the hall by a nurse asking him who he was and what he was doing in that area of the hospital. He said to her: Don't you remember, I came in yesterday and you helped clean me up and change my bandages. She responded: I remember, but I thought you were a forty year old man under all that beard. He was only 19.
For more information on the Battle at Okinawa please visit here.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Joseph William Holbrook
Joseph Holbrook
found on Ancestry.com
submitted by
cchristman30
pictures found on Ancestry.com
added by Tracie Tolman Turner
4th Great Granddaughter
Joseph Holbrook, 1806-1885
Autobiography (1806-1846)
Typescript, HBLL
THE LIFE OF JOSEPH HOLBROOK
I, Joseph Holbrook, being desirous of leaving on record a few of the incidents of my past life and also a genealogy of my forefathers 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 in it my experience 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 desire to do good. That God may be honored, his kingdom built up, and his name glorified in the midst of the Saints, I therefore dedicate these lines hereafter to be written unto the Lord, God of Hosts, even forever and ever, Amen.
CHAPTER l
I, Joseph Holbrook, was born in the township of Florence, county of Oneida and state of New York, January 17, 1806. My father was a farmer by occupation. He held the deed of a piece of land known as being a part and parcel of "Scriba's Patent," containing one hundred and fifty-five acres and three quarters (155 3/4) acres bearing date of September 30, 1807, and executed by George Seriba [Scriba ?], merchant of New York. It was thirty-three (33) miles from Utica and 16 miles northwest of Rome towards Sackets Harbor. The country was new and very heavy timbered with beuek maple, birch, hemlock, spruce, and some bap-woods and the winters were long and tedious, the snow often averaging from five to seven feet on the level so that the fences were not seen, and would lay from the first of November to the middle of April.
My father, Moses Holbrook, was born in the township of Sturbridge, county of Worcester, state of Massachusetts, May 15, 1779. He was of small stature, weighing about 135 to 145 pounds. He labored hard in endeavoring to clear the timber off of his land. He never made a profession of religion but was strictly a very moral man and treated his family kindly. He emigrated from Massachusetts about the year 1804, being 25 years old and was married to Hannah Morton in 1805. My mother Hannah Holbrook was born March 15, 1788. She was an active, lively, spirited woman. My father had four brothers and five sisters as follows....[This record included his family's genealogy.]
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 a credit. But my father lived agreeable with his wife. Joseph was their first born, my mother not being quite 18 years of age at my birth. I was naturally a robust boy as was my brother Chandler and Phebe and things moved on in a harmonious and agreeable manner.
As my father had built the first frame barn 30 by 40 feet in the country, he had been away from home most of the winter in getting in logs for lumber some eight or ten miles off, on account of the scarcity of sawmills to finish his barn in hope of future happiness and long life, amid prosperity which enshrouds the mind with the hopes of future greatness. But in the month of February he came home at about evening and went away a mile or so for a crosscut saw. He returned about 9:00 o'clock, being very cold, which lasted about three hours when a raging fever set it. He continued to grow worse for three days when he died February 28, 1813, age 30 years, nine months [33 years, nine 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 and lost my hearing for some three weeks in which they looked upon me as 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 afterward and was buried beside my father at Mr. Hammon's request (the name of the preacher.) I visited the graveyard in 1827 and found the two graves grown over with blackberry brush. Peace to their ashes until the resurrection morn.
My mother rented the farm the next season on shares to Alva and lived in the house on the farm. There was about 35 or 40 acres under cultivation. In June after my father died, my grandfather, John Holbrook, from Massachusetts came to see my mother and assist her in settling the estate. My father not being in debt, it 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 good 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 horseback, I being only seven years old the last January. It made it quite hard for me. It was my father's dying request that Chandler and I should live with his father's folks so that we could be accommodated with schooling, as the country was new and established schools were not kept.
We arrived in Massachusetts at grandfather's and found the family all well, which consisted of my grandfather and mother, Uncle John Holbrook, Aunt Lucretia Holbrook; and Charlotte Holbrook and a cousin Harriet Hibbard. One year from the next fall, 1814, my Uncle John Holbrook, Jr., took a journey to the state of New York and visited the home of my mother and brought Chandler, my brother, and Phebe, my sister, home with him and we all lived at my grandfather's. 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 a school as those of my present mates. They would laugh at me, 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, Uncle and Aunt Sarah Clark, who lived on my father's farm, to say my prayers and trust in God and I should always prosper) I would someday know as much as any of them, although I was a whole head and shoulders above those of my companions. (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, but I still watched every word and movement in the school and found I still gained on my classmates which much encouraged me that some day I would be their equal if not their superior. 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 a prominent part in school and their plays 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 scholar's name on it and the one who 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 classmates. 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 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 afterward either for my studies or my class. I studied to read and write, arithmetic, geography, a little history and grammar.
My brother Chandler studied much the same way and became as much of a scholar as myself. My sister Phebe 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 part of the country, it being about 700 acres that he carried on while I lived at home with him, which was from four years to 21 years of age. Besides some out farms, he had five barns 30 by 40 feet besides sheds that we filled each year with hay and grain and often stacked out some pens of hay.
My grandfather treated me well and so did my grandmother as also my Uncle John, but Uncle Erasmus was very oppressive in his requirement which caused us to mourn but made liberty more sweet when it came.
When I was 19 years of age, my grandfather gave me $7.50 and told me 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 then took the canal to Rome, a distance of about 100 miles to Annsville, the residence of my mother and the place of my birth, the name of the town having been changed during my absence of 12 years.
I arrived at my mother's and found her at home, she having married Alvin Owens. They were still living in the same house of my father's. I knew her as soon as I saw her. I made some remark about the road, etc., but found no one knew me. I then said I suppose no one knew me here. They said they did not. I then asked them if they remembered having a son by the name of Joseph, she said she did, and 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 and 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 and kept in debt which caused them to have nothing more than the law exempted from an execution, which kept them poor and penniless. I felt much for the fate of my mother. The farm had gotten off repair, the fences poor, everything showed neglect from a poor farmer. But what could I do as I had to return to my grandfather in Massachusetts. I went by the way of Madison County to the town of Lebanon to my Uncle Walter Allen's 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 [1825] on foot. It was muddy, snowy and frozen which made it bad walking but I performed it, averaging about 35 miles a day. I found my grandfather's family all well. My brother, Chandler, had gotten uneasy after my leaving and had managed to get a little and had left to go and see his mother. He stayed with her about one year when he left and went to Uncle Allen's in Madison County and stayed about a year more and then he returned to Massachusetts to my grandfather's. He found Alvin Owens so abusive to my mother, he could not well stand and see it. He had not seen his mother for 11 years, but she knew him. He was not so large as I was and he was naturally religious in his views.
From the time I was 19 to 21, I was a man to labor and could do any work that had 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 and lived in the same house as my grandfather. He married a woman by the name of Betsy Smith of Palmer, Hampden County, Massachusetts. She had about one thousand dollars for her setting out to keep house. My Uncle Erasmus kept schools winters in Brimfield but boarded at home and worked on the farm summers. He was engaged in some kind of office most of the time. He was chosen first a corporal in the militia and through most of the grades of office to a Brigadier General which brigade consisted of 13 regiments with from 10 to 12 companies in each regiment. He also was much in town business. Also he was forwarding the temperance cause as it denominated itself and afterward he united with the Congregational Church which made him above the common ranks of the 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. Afterward I became a teacher. I received many good ideas which has proven a blessing to me. I can well remember it was a thought of mine in the 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 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 the blessing at the meals of the family and did not allow any profanity on his farm or in his house, being much more particular than most of persons and thus it was until I was 21 years old
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CHAPTER 2
When I was 21 years old, my grandfather gave me a note for one hundred dollars, drawing six percent interest, due when called for.
As this place had been my home for fourteen years at the beginning of my growing into manhood, it brings many fond recollections into 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 drunk from, the books and the pond and the rivers I had frequented were all fresh to mind. The fishing grounds are all in my mind, for there was not a nook or corner of this large farm (700 acres) but I knew. Nine large orchards, everyone I knew its fruit: The apple, peach, pear, plum, quince, currant, etc. As were the fish, the pickarck, perch, dau, sunfish, bull heads, ells speckled trout, the large black turtle, speckled turtle, with the game of woodchuck, rabbit, fox, gray squirrels, red and striped with partridges, quail, robins, larks and the most of any kind of fowls found in the most of countries. With my school mates who had been with me in my studies, in my play, in my joys and in my grief, I was about to leave and go abroad among strangers to find new acquaintances when I knew not, but I started from Sturbridge County of Worcester about 60 miles southwest from Boston, to the west with all I possessed upon my back which consisted of a few school books, with a change of clothes, in all forty pounds about in weight. I trudged 60 miles in the forepart of the month of March in mud and snow on foot until I came to the top of the mountain west of Connecticut River, when I took the stage for Nassau village 40 miles. I now was 100 miles from home and being nearly out of money, I concluded to get work and I found one man that would pay seven per month for seven months. I found another man by the name of Michael Smith. He said he liked my work as well as he expected. He was a Dutchman and a good farmer. He had a farm of 220 acres lease land in this county and Albany County and to pay Stephen Van Rensselaer 20 bushel of wheat per pair for each 100 acres, the lease was a durable as water run or ....grow.
In August 24 [1827] I went to Albany to see a Mr. Strany executed for the murder of a Mr. Whipple of Albany. There was supposed to be 100,000 people who witnessed the execution. The day of pleasant and no accident occurred worthy of notice. I bought some lottery tickets in the amount of about 20 dollars, but only drew six which paid me but poorly for my speculation.
The first of November [1827] 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 was one of the most exemplary families I ever met with. Honest and industrious, they consisted of a son and two daughters. A girl and a boy they had taken as Mr. and Mrs. Smith were members of the Dutch Reformed Church and attended meetings at Nassau, 12 miles east of Albany. This summer I read the history of Jesus Christ and the apostles 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 much peace in so doing and it seemed to me that something would be brought about that would do me good but how or what way I could not tell.
I left Mr. Smith 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 in Annsville, Oneida County by the way of the canal from Schenectady to Rome, thence on foot to the place my mother lived.
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 died and married a single man who had not been married, 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 solicited 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 my qualification and I entered upon my professional business of school for three months at $9.00 per month and board; I had a good school of 40 scholars. They were mostly large and many of them backward and some of them 25 years of age. They made good progress for the time and I gained great credit as a school teacher. I had some half a dozen applications for the next winter to teach school but it did not agree with my former occupation of being so confined as 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. Mother asked me why I never went into the company of young people, and I told her it was more agreeable to go into older company where I could learn to improve myself rather than spend time otherwise. She said I was a singular boy in that respect, but it was of lasting benefit to me. I started on foot to Utica, 33 miles, February 11, 1828, and took my all with me on my back. In Utica I purchased a good suit of clothes for $25.00 and then took the stage for Albany and from thence to Weston [?], Worcester County, Massachusetts, 200 miles. I arrived at my grandfather's in Sturbridge and found them all well and saw my brother, Chandler, whom I had not seen for more than three years and found everything about as usual, as nothing changes much those old farms.
In a few weeks I hired to Mr. Cyrus Merrick for six months to work on his farm, in his garden, etc. Mr. Merrick had been a peddlar, merchant, innkeeper, and many kinds of business wherein he accumulated a good fortune, he being a widower and had no children but one adopted child and a maid to keep house, it being a large dwelling in the village of Sturbridge. He was a gentleman living on his money and I was enabled to give him so much satisfaction that he told my grandfather I was the best and most trustworthy hands he ever hired. When the time was up and he paid me the money, I got the highest wages there was going in those parts at that time.
I then, in the company with my brother, Chandler, visited my mother again with the intention of selling our father's farm in Annsville, but when we arrived at our mother's we found her alone with the little children and she wished to remove to Genesee County, about 200 miles farther west where her husband's folks lived and where father Owens had also gone because he was so much in debt, the spring before. My brother and myself packed up the goods in the best 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 the care of Mr. Ebenezer Mackey to be sold to the best advantage. We went with them 70 miles to Westport, when I left them and returned to Massachusetts, and made it my home at my grandfather's and worked out a few weeks at my grandfather's.
In December 1828, I went to work in the black lead mines in Sturbridge about five miles from my grandfather's for 62 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 for the company for 40 cents per month. In June 1 [1829] 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 the job until the next spring when I hired to Mr. Hezekiah 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 housework in the month of June, by the name of Nancy Lampson. In the course of the summer my acquaintance with her begot in me a notion of getting up my means which I had earned and laid up to the amount of about $600.00 and go into the western world and buy me a farm and settle down.
In November 1830 I took a journey again, my brother going with me to New York State. We went to Florence to 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 giving a full power of attorney to do with as seemed him good by his giving us a bond to pay over to us or either of us the amount realized for said farm.
We now started for Genesee County where our mother went two years before. This was the last time I was in 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, then up the Tonawanda Creek to China, a distance from Batavia 24 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 Weathersfield about six miles from where my mother lived. The farm contained 100 acres, about 50 under fence and 35 tillage and meadow pasture, etc., with a frame barn 30 by 40 feet, a frame house 20 by 28 feet, some 60 apple trees, peach, plum, currants, etc. for which I was to give $812.50 in cash, with the Holland purchase money, having four years to pay $400.00 of it. I purchased it from a man by the name of Seth Lewis, Esq. My brother, Chandler, bought 50 acres of one John Goodspard [?], with about ten acres of improvements on it and about one mile from mine. As I had to return to Massachusetts, he gave me orders to collect his money on my return and bring it to him when I moved onto my farm. He took a school that winter and stayed in the country. I traveled all the way back on foot, averaging about 35 or 40 miles per day, 400 miles in mud and snow to the place of my grandfather's. 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 do and be ready as soon as I should require her. I then took a journey to Providence, Rhode Island, to visit my Aunt Phebe Angel, the eldest sister of my mother. She had married James Angel in Florence before my mother was married and moved to this from York State where she had been for many years and brought up her family. I found them all well. My cousins whom I had never seen before were glad to see me. Some of them were married. Mary Ann, the oldest, belonged to the Freewill 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 move west the next season as they could do much better in a new country. I had a good visit and stayed about three days and returned home on foot as I came a distance of 45 miles.
As I am about to change my circumstances of life, my grandfather who has had the care of me for most of the time since I was seven years old, 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 $20,000.00. He had served as deputy sheriff for 12 years and was a justice of the peace for many years. He said if he could 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 you."
On 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 and Sarah Lampson, the minister of the Congregational Church, county of Worcester, Massachusetts.
David Lampson was born July 26, 1765 and died December 5, 1837, age 72 years, four months and nine days. Sarah Lampson was born January 17, 1761 and died November 29, 1832, age 71 years, ten months and 12 days. He maiden name was Sarah Bliss and they had the following children: James Lampson was born November 20, 1790; Mary Lampson was born January 22, 1792; David Lampson was born October 6, 1792; Mathias Lampson was born January 6, 1797; Emeline was born August 12, 1799; and Nancy Lampson was born August 4, 1804.
The three brothers I never saw. They were all married and left the country. Mary married Chene Lolander. Emeline had also married and was living in Palmer, Hampden County, Massachusetts.
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. I loaded all our effects in our wagon the 10th day of January 1831, with my wife Nancy and sister Phebe. We traveled about 100 miles to within seven miles of Albany. We had good weather and roads thus far. We now 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. We went seven miles on the Cherry Valley Greenpike and stayed for the night, and the next day and night and purchased a new sled. I let my wagon bed down on the sled, bound on my wheels and took it along with me. The weather was very cold, the snow filling the road almost every day and night by the winds and storms until it was four feet deep. We passed through Smith's Valley and stopped at my Uncle Walter Allen's for two days and arrived in Weathersfield in Genesee County [this portion of that county became Wyoming County in 1841], state of New York, February 6, 1831, a distance of 400 miles with no bad luck or accident happening worthy of notice, all in good health.
My sister Phebe now saw her mother for the first time since she was five years old, now being over 16 years. They both seemed strangers to each other. I also 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, plow, etc. I raised a good crop of corn, potatoes, oats, etc., and cut 30 tons of good English hay fine white clover pasture for my team, etc. In the fall I put up a frame shed to my barn, 16 feet by 40 feet, and a good corn house at one end. The next summer I weather-boarded by house and made other improvements. I dug a well 22 feet deep, fenced in a garden with a board fence of about an acre, built a log shed adjoining my frame one 24 by 16 feet and such other conveniences necessary. I labored hard, got in logs to the sawmill during the winter, although the snow became very deep, it having snowed in the course of 24 hours for 48 days.
January 21, 1832, my wife had her first-born child, a daughter. I named her 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 in circulation about a certain sect of people who were called Mormonites. In the course of the season my Aunt Phebe Angel and her family moved from Rhode Island to Genesee County about the 1st 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 P. Greene sent word by his son Even W. Green and Lorenzo D. Young that he would 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, Missouri, containing the articles of the church and also the prophecy of Enoch which they requested a Mr. Carline, 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 man in the floor of 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 50 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 and if they could direct any elder there in the future, they would be welcome as I wished to learn more about this new revelation to man.
About this moment my cousin, Mary Ann Angel heard my anxiety to get a Book of Mormon, and whispered to me and said she had one she would lend me in about two weeks as she had it promised for that time. I said I would go home with her and see it. She said I could do so. I saw the Book of Mormon and read the testimony of the witnesses and looked at some of the gospel. I felt much rejoiced - to think that 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 having the privilege of reading it in two weeks. The weeks passed away and I thought much of Mormonism, I believed all I heard and saw. I felt much to rejoice for the words came often to my mind. "Blessed are ye for ye believe and have not seen." The two weeks brought my cousin Mary Ann Angel with the Book of Mormon to my house with her father James Angel and the Mormon Elder John P. Greene. I spent two or three hours with them while my wife was getting dinner. This was on Friday and I commenced reading that evening, but being brought up not to spend any time on a weekday to read, I thought I must work and as my cart was in the field where I left it the day before where 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 for a few hours but as this was so unusual a thing for me to stop work in the daytime, my wife became alarmed and thought I had better be at work than spending the 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 large place nearby where the thistles were very large and thick. 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 thistles, 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 rose, I said I would go to the house and read the Book of Mormon, work or no work. This was the after-part of Saturday. I read that day and night late. On Sunday, I read again. My wife took the child in the morning and went about 3/4 mile to my brother's, saying she would not be in the house and hear such nonsense. I read and prayed a number of times that day, being all alone and marvelled much that the thistle should be so troubled at my prayers and my wife should be so disturbed she could not stay at home for she was always fond of sitting down and reading 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, Mary Ann Angel. 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 like to see some of the Mormon elders. She said she would send them along to my house, if she had an opportunity. I thanked her and told her I was ready to fulfill my promise to her some few years before that I would have religion when the right kind came along and I believed this was the right kind.
About this time, one of my neighbors brought me a subscription paper to sign to pay a minister missionary from Massachusetts to the heathen in Weathersfield. He said he would preach one year for $300.00 so I signed for $1.00 which he said was liberal seeing I did not belong to any church. I told him that I did not know that I should ever hear him preach but someone else would and that would keep them out of greater mischief.
These things passed along for some time when Elder John P. Greene called and stayed all night with me much satisfaction concerning the coming forth of the Book of Mormon 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 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 which were, they said, there was not another young man in the country for the time had minded the public feelings that I had and they said that if I wanted to be religious they thought I could be as well suited in the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist or some other as to be led away after vain delusion.
I told them that 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 heard derision made of Mormonism my conscience would smite me and say, "You know that it is true," but I kept my word until the three weeks were 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 the neighbors said I understand you have given up Mormonism. I told them I had been under promise of friends for a few weeks and that I was free to speak my mind again and that Mormonism was true. My grandfather Morton and uncle were in hearing [distance], and their hopes were blasted. I further said that from that time forth, I would speak of the truths of Mormonism. I felt much relieved from that time forth.
Mr. Blanchard, 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 meeting 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 and life and salvation on its pages.
In December [1832] one night, I dreamed I was in a certain city where people were engaged in their various business matters when all of a sudden a voice was heard from the heavens saying, "Up, get ye out of this city for behold I will destroy this people, and flee ye into the west." The people all heard the voice and knew it was from heaven. They halted, looked amazed for a moment and then pursued their course as before. Shortly the voice was heard the second time. The people were seemingly less alarmed than before and again the third time. [The voice] spoke the third time the same words with the same warning, but the people paid no attention to it, so I stopped and marvelled 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 we 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 running in the midst of the valley running north. It was both wide and deep and there appeared no way to cross the river. Some said let's go up the river and others said let's go down the river, but I said we were commanded to go to the west. I am going right straight into the river. I no sooner got into the river than I found myself on the other bank on the west side and it was said unto me, you are now baptized. I thought that those who were with me on the other side were with me now, 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 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 road 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 several roads were sandy or loamy, I could see the footsteps of men and women and children who had traveled up those roads before me. And as I began to travel up the straight forward road up the hill, it did seem as though the hill became more level, but after traveling on for awhile there was a very bad place in the hill. There were roads that turned 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 used by those that were with me as before that it would be much easier for [us] to take these winding roads that lead 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 would 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 road. And I did not see them at the top of the hill. Thus I continued my journey finding often a bad hill in the straight forward road while the byroads at the foot of each hill took away much of the travelers and as I came near the end of my journey the obstacles in the road were much more hideous to look at while the byroads look much more pleasant. At last I came to the top of the last 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 road when it was said to me, "Few there are that will ever come to the top of the hill, 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 that had set out on the same journey had turned away at the bottom of the hill in those byroads and are lost, while the roads became as on a level with my brethren while thousands that had set out were lost, while the roads became plain before me that I saw every road that turned away was wrong. They would fork and those forks would fork again until they ended in total dimness where there is no road. And those travelers often 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 these that turned away near the top of the hill or near the end of the journey, it took much the longest. I looked to see if my wife was coming, saying, I think she will be along soon as she at this time didn't fully believe Mormonism, and I saw the city I had left given over to destruction of every kind by the judgments of God and the wickedness of the people and lo and behold I awoke. It was a dream.
About the last of December 1832, when going to a mill, I met two elders, Aaron C. Lyons and Leonard Rich, from Warsaw, about 12 miles distant. They informed [me] there would be a meeting on the 6th of January 1833, at Elder Lyons' house and invited me to come down and bring my wife and those who would like to come.
CHAPTER 3
On Saturday, January 5, 1833, I took my ox team and cart with my wife Nancy, my Aunt Phebe Angel and cousin Mary Ann Angel and went to Warsaw to Elder Aaron C. Lyons to be there on Sunday. Brother Lyons gave us a cheerful welcome on our arrival that night. In the morning I told Brother Lyons 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 Phebe Angel by Leonard Rich, Mary Ann having been baptized about one week before. We were confirmed by Aaron C. Lyons about 11:00 o'clock A.M. They had a meeting, the first I had ever been to. Different elders occupied the time during the day and evening. Windsor C. Lyons then spoke in tongues which was the first I had ever heard. My wife became convinced that Mormonism was true. On Monday, the 7th day of January [1833] she was baptized also by Leonard Rich and confirmed by Aaron C. Lyons. I was also ordained a teacher in the Church of Christ under the hands of Aaron C. Lyons, a high priest, and was directed to teach the principles to all who might wish 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 found that I got myself into business for I met with opposition on all hands and from every quarter, but this kept me the more faithful. I visited my brother Chandler and his wife and told them there would be a meeting the next week at my house and invited them to attend with sister, and also a meeting at my Aunt Phebe Angel'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. The result was that my brother, Chandler, and his wife, Eunice, my sister, Phebe, and Dwight Hardin, who was boarding at my house, father Owens and mother and many others in the vicinity were added to the church in the course of a few months. Brother Lyons and Rich and some other elders met with us often until the church in this place numbered about 85 members. Many had the gift of tongues and interpretation with prophesying by the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the church did meet together often to preach, exhort and speak to another of the things of the kingdom which gave them much love for one another, strengthening their faith, etc.
On 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 other of the elders and gained much strength and faith and hope to the comfort of myself and which I hope 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 home, age about 15 years, which caused much gloominess at the prophet's house. Yet, I fully believe 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 would help me." I then took my leave of the brethren for home and found all well. [I] traveled 400 miles.
On April 12, 1833, I was ordained an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ under the hands 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 and in a while we had good meetings.
On April 29 [1833], I took leave of my family for a mission to the world with brother Truman O. Angel to the east. [We] traveled 14 miles to Warsaw. On the 30th [we] traveled 26 miles. We met with the brethren of the church of Genesee, held a prayer 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 E. Johnson and Orson Pratt, who would stay and correct the errors. We left the next day, May 1 [1833] and traveled 15 miles and held a meeting in the evening. May 2 [1833] we held a meeting in the same place by the request of the people.
May 3rd [1833] we traveled 30 miles and called a number of times, but the people were unwilling to hear of Mormonism. We 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 4th [1833] we traveled 11 miles and found where we could have a meeting. On Sunday, May 5th [1833] we held a meeting. The people came out of curiosity more than to know about the requirements of heaven.
May 6th [1833] we traveled 31 miles and found much trouble to get a place for the night as we were without purse or scrip. We were refused six times and at last were kept at a widow's house.
May 7th [1833] we traveled two miles and spoke from house to house.
May 8th [1833] we traveled 26 miles and spoke from house to house and left a warning voice. We came to my Uncle Walter Allen's and found him near his end. We stayed at the request of the friends
May 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 [1833]. We 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 and council and opened his body after he was dead and said his death was brought on by the fever and ague in the first instances. 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 $10,000.00.
May 15 [1833] I took my leave of my aunt and family in their deep mourning for the loss of their dear husband and father, it being the last time I ever saw her, and traveled 41 miles to Joel Holbrook, my great uncle. I stayed all night and sold them a Book of Mormon. This is the last account I have of them. May 16 [1833] we traveled 16 miles and spoke much to the people of the work in the last days.
May 17 [1833] we traveled 25 miles. May 18 [1833] we traveled 20 miles. May 19 [1833] we stayed at Mr. Woods' and had much opportunity bearing testimony to the truth of Mormonism but they were afraid it might be true, but cared little about it.
May 20 [1833] we traveled 25 miles and passed through the city of Albany to Mr. Isaac Smith and stayed with him May 21 [1833] and bore testimony to the truth of Mormonism. This [was the] place I had worked at seven and one-half months, six years before, Mr. Michael Smith being dead since I had been absent.
May 22 [1833] we traveled 38 miles, May 23 [1833] 45 miles, and May 24 [1833] traveled eight miles to Mr. Chency Olander, my brother-in- law's and reasoned with them on Mormonism of the last days, but without any hope for them being any better for our teachings. May 25 [1833] we traveled five miles and came to my grandfather Holbrook's and stayed May 26, 27 and 28 [1833] 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 was the place that I lived and sprung into manhood and my word would have been good for anything but Mormonism.
May 29 [1833] we traveled 42 miles in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and came to North Providence, May 30 [1833] we conversed with the people, it being the first place we had met with where there was any attention paid to our words. On May 31 [1833] we held a meeting in the evening and visited from house to house and did what we could in this way.
June 1, 1833, we went into the city of Providence and proclaimed the word to those who felt disposed to hear. June 2, 1833, we baptized Franklin W. R. Monroe and Mary Ann Monroe, his wife, they being about 25 to 30 years old. We held a meeting at 5:00 o'clock in a factory village and had a good attention paid by the large assembly. June 3, 4, and 5 [1833] we held a meeting 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 rotten but that the heart was good and if I could score said stick and get rid of the rotten sap, it would make a sound stick; if not, the rot would spoil it and I awoke. I thought it was James Patten I was at work with.
June 6, 7, 8 and 9 [1833] we held meetings and ordained James Patten an elder and Franklin W. H. Monroe a teacher. Brother Wilbore came and another who had been baptized a year before by Samuel Smith and Orson Hyde and they formed a branch of the Church of Latter-day Saints.
June 10 [1833] we took leave of our brethren in Providence and took the steamboat for New York City, arriving there the next morning. We took a steamboat for Albany, went on foot to Schenectady. Then we took the canal for Rochester, from whence we took it on foot to Weathersfield. We arrived June 17 [1833], being about seven weeks. We traveled about 1200 miles, held 14 meetings, baptized three, besides bearing testimony to hundreds of families, etc.
June [1833] [we met] with the brethren in the branch where I lived and found all brethren 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 numbering about 80 members in good standing as Brothers Lyons and Rich had emigrated to Kirtland, Ohio.
I continued to meet with the branch twice a week, administering the sacrament every two weeks. On November 26, 1833, we had another daughter born in Weathersfield. We named her Charlotte Holbrook after my Aunt Charlotte Holbrook, my father's youngest sister.
In March Orson Hyde and Orson Pratt from Kirtland visited the branch and informed us that there was revelation for the brethren to take a journey to the land of Zion. I put down my name, Chandler Holbrook and Otis Shumway, making three in all and to be in Kirtland the first day of May [1834] 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 up to now, but I soon found a purchaser for which I received a span of mares, a good two-horse wagon ($150.00), it being about one-third of its value. I left about 25 ton of good English hay, a new farming mill, all kinds of farming tools which I could not sell because I was a Mormon, but to obey the revelations, I was full resolved.
April 6 [1834] I baptized Margaret Francher, her husband did not belong to the church. April 14 [1834] I started with my family from Weathersfield in company with my brother, Chandler Holbrook and his family and Solomon Angel and his family which composed our little band for the land of Zion. We arrived in Kirtland in two weeks with our brethren, Brother Shumway did not go to the land of Zion as he agreed to but Solomon Angel did which made the three from the branch and may the blessing of the Lord be fulfilled upon his head forever and ever.
After our arrival in Kirtland, we put up our teams at father Joseph Smith's and went to Newberg about 15 miles to our Uncle Noah and Joseph Morton's, my mother's brother's, who I had not seen for years, some 20 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 and paid $5.00 cash to Reynolds Cahoon, one of the building committee for the Lord's house in Kirtland. I gave Solomon Angel $750.00 in cash to help his family so that he could go to the land of Zion.
The first of May [1834] we left Kirtland for New Portage, about 50 miles, where the brethren were to meet with us for Missouri. At this place on May 6, 1834, the [Zion's] camp of the Saints was organized for our journey by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Every man gave into the treasury, the amount of means he had for the journey except those that had families who were directed to provide for themselves inasmuch as they had means to do so. The company was divided into messes of ten persons each with a captain to each ten, and over each five, ten or fifty persons there was a captain of fifty and over each hundred, a captain, according to the ancient order of Israel.
We were led by the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. and pitched our tents by the way as we traveled having the most perfect order in our camp, having at the sound of the bugle in the morning and evening prayers in each tent of ten men. While everyone was to be engaged in preparing food, looking after teams, etc., as they were organized and appointed their several duties by the Prophet of the Lord, who was our leader.
We had many good instructions given us while on this journey which if I could have been prepared to have kept a proper record, I should have been much benefitted thereby and as I have not the list of the names before me, I will give only some of those I best remember who formed a part of our company, viz:Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Joseph Young, Lyman Wight, Hyrum Smith, William Smith, Israel Barlow, Amasa Lyman, George A. Smith, Wilford Woodruff, John M. Chidester and wife, Alanson Ripley and wife, Chandler Holbrook, John Tanner, Nathan Tanner, William Smith, Heman T. Hyde, Milton Holmes, Levi Hancock, Martin Harris, Leonard Rich, Jess Harmon, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Johnson,Luke Johnson, Zerubbabel Snow, Jacob Gates and wife, David Patten, Warren Parrish, Jackson Smith, John Fossett, Almon W. Babbit, Eleazer Miller, George Crooks [?], Zebedee Coltrin, Harvey Brown, Alden Childs, Mr. [Joseph] Nichols, Joseph Hancock, Solomon Humphrey, Martin Allred, Solon Foster, John D. Parker, Jedediah M. Grant, Frederick G. Williams, Charles C. Rich, Solomon Angel, John Carter, Ezra Thayer, Samuel Brown, Orson Hyatt, Roger Orton, Sylvester Smith, Elias F. Wells, Joseph B. Noble, James Ive, James Foster, Joseph Holbrook and family.
We having teams, we progressed on our journey at a rapid state considering the bad roads in a new country, often 40 miles per day. We generally lay by ... on the Sabbath and held meetings on the campgrounds, 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 one for $55.00 in cash, so I proceeded on my journey with the [Zion's] camp. When we came to the Salt River Creek in Missouri, about 50 miles west of Louisiana, we tarried for some three or four days to wash, etc. Then Brother Joseph Smith counselled those that had families to get houses for them, and for the man to go forward with the camp. So I provided a house for my family as decided and was about to leave my family as was the rest of the brethren who had wives with them. Then Brother Joseph Smith said, if the sisters were willing to undergo a siege with the camp they could all go along with it, whereupon they said they could and said they liked Brother Joseph much better than before for the privilege he gave them of continuing with the camp. At this place as at many others on the road, we had many of the brethren who united with the camp. We were often met by strangers who would interrogate 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 and "blood" on the other until we were forced to raise a standard with "peace" on both sides which they could not hardly believe when they saw it for they were so prejudiced in their feelings they could not hardly believe their better senses. And thus we continued our journey.
On the 23 mile prairie below Richmond we camped between the forks of Fishing River. One fork which we crossed this evening was about up to our axletrees of our wagons. We camped about one mile west of said fork near a meetinghouse 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 thundering 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, a mile to the north of our camping, limbs were broken off the trees, the ground covered with leaves and the herbage destroyed which made the country desolated and prevented any harm from befalling our camp that night. To our surprise we found that the two forks of Fishing River were swollen so as to be utterly impossible to pass, being it was said 40 feet deep on each side of us about one and one-half miles. We were forced to continue on those grounds the next day, there being a home mill about one mile up of us which afforded us flour for our comfort. The next day we moved north about four miles to Brethren Coopers 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 [John F.] Ryland [and] Colonel Sconce of Clay County and Neil Gilliam the sheriff of Clay County in which they wished interview with our Prophet Joseph Smith which resulted in their promising protection to us in this state of Missouri, as well as our brethren whom we had come to redeem and who were driven from Jackson County the season before.
Thereupon the revelation [was] 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 [Zion's] 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 Brigham Young and others for her recovery.
We removed from here to Clay County to Brother [George] Burketts below Liberty when a number of our brethren were taken with cholera which so frightened our enemies that they did not dare come to us or have us come near them which relieved us from further danger from our enemies. 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 Colonel Lyman Wight. We left the camp around June 26, 1834, and traveled about six miles and west of Liberty five miles and stopped near Mr. Michael Arthur was building a grist mill and had a number of the brethren employed in and about said mill. The next day my brother Chandler and myself went out to cut some house logs but we found ourselves too weak to chop and had to return to our wagons entirely tired out. A brother Lynes Nantels [?] being present, said he lived about a mile from that place and he had rented a stable and corn crib and that we were welcome to use them if we liked. In the morning my brother's wife, Eunice Holbrook, was very sick with the 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 a perfect shower. By the middle of the forenoon, my brother's wife was cramping with most violent spasms for life, but Cyrus Zaddacks [?] and Carkis Branger [?] 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 17 of our [Zion's] camp fell victims in a few days to the cholera. I moved into the 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 county, it being new but few to be had.
In ten weeks I had built more houses on a piece of Congress land on Schoal Creek of 80 acres, and my brother and I moved into it. After a few weeks, I rented a farm nearby of 20 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 my leave of my family and started in company with Amasa Lyman, Heman T. Hyde and Milton Holmes. We preached on our way whenever we could get a privilege, sometimes going a day and night without food in the winter season across the prairies with the houses 25 miles apart which made it very severe upon me until we came to the Salt River church where there was a conference held. On account of being lame, it was counseled that Milton Holmes, my former partner, should take William Ive and go to Tennessee and that I remain a few days with the church and Martin Allred and go on a heart mission in the part of Missouri and Illinois. We preached as we traveled and in [February 1835] we settled some difficulty in that branch and left Brother Esquin Dazartha [?] and crossed the river at Quincy, Illinois. We preached a few times in the vicinity of the Mississippi River and returned by the way of Louisiana to the Salt River church and from thence to Clay County. [We found] all well but living on bread and water as there was not much chance for anything better to be had but bacon which took the money to purchase it. I was absent about eight weeks and I continued to have meetings at my house about once or twice 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 [1835] I baptized Darias Gibbs.
In July [1835] 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 Chariton and were all sick and not able to take care of themselves. My brother and myself started immediately and found them all sick. We made every exertion in our power to remove them and found the consolation to bring them to Clay County, a distance of 100 miles where we could make them comfortable.
On August 31, 1836 [1835], I took another mission to the east in company with Ellis Eames and Lyman Webbs. After traveling about 100 miles I became very sick so that I could not sit up much of my time and stopped with a brother Michaels for about four weeks, who paid every attention to me that they could. I had an opportunity to send for my family. My wife and Elder Evans came with a one-horse wagon with a bed in it and [I was] very glad to se her after undergoing so much sickness. I was about six days going home 100 miles. The evening before my return, my mother died of the quick consumption. My neighbors brought her to my home for burial so that I could see her remains and she was buried on one corner of a ten-acre lot on the same 80 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 80, it going the only way I have of describing the spot one mile north of Shoal Creek. I was very weak and often fainted when I moved from my bed. In the course of the fall and winter, I so far gained my health as to be able to work again, which my family much needed. June 26, 1836, I married Darias S. Gibbs to Miss Lydia Evans at her father's house, Elder Evans in Clay County, Missouri.
After the first of July of this same year [1836], there began to be a great excitement between the citizens of Clay County 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 our leaders of our church. It was agreed that one-half of the Latter-day Saints would leave the county in six months and the remainder as soon after as possible and not think of putting 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 counties of Caldwell with our leaders to induce the few settlers in said counties to sell out their possessions to the Latter-day Saints so that the Church would have the soil of the county to themselves. When a meeting was called of the citizens of Caldwell, they agreed to sell out some of the Church property, when my brother and myself proposed to take our team and go out Shoal Creek near where Far West was afterward laid out by the Church.
We camped on the creek for about one week, exploring the county with Bishop [Edward] Partridge and John Corrill, the surveyor, for the purpose of making locations for the church. Bishop Partridge counseled me with my brother, Chandler Holbrook, and Benjamin Covey and Jacob Yates. Mr. Cusie [?] [offered to sell his] place of 40 acres with ten acres of corn upon it for $300.00. We all four went and bought it. I turned out my wagon for $55.00 and gave my note for the other $20.00 in six months, which gave me the right of ten acres undivided in the 4th acres.
The place I had rented was yet one year and one-half before the time expired; I had paid my rent for the whole time and I could do nothing more than give it up without receiving anything for it. We had to sell our corn in Clay County for 12 1/2 cents per bushel or haul it 60 miles and all our things in proportion which made a great sacrifice. The brethren continued moving night and day all the fall and winter until they were about all out of Clay County by spring. I was greatly blessed for in six months I had 100 acres entered and my same old wagon back again and out of debt. This was on Plum Creek, three miles west of Far West.
The whole country was soon settled by the Saints from Clay County and other emigrants 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, at about 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon and I named him Joseph Lamont Holbrook at my house on Plum Creek. I have built a house and 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. I also built a dwelling house for him. I built two other dwelling houses, for Morgan Gardner and George Slade; I also built a school house in the district where I lived, 22 feet square, besides farming considerable each year.
I married Brother John Newberry to Miss Lucinda Williams of Clinton County, December 24, 1837. I often helped 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 hands 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 W. Boggs and I gave to the church ten acres of land being in Clinton County for paying church debts, being July 23, 1838.
On the 1st day of July, 1838, the cornerstones of the temple were laid, they having been hauled to the spot before hand. My team helped to haul them. They were quarried from the ledge down west and were about seven feet long, four feet wide and two feet thick by the First Presidency, Joseph Smith, Jr., and counselors and others. An address of oration was delivered by Sidney Rigdon with cheering from the audience. There was a liberty pole on the public square of white oak some 60 feet in length but the lightning struck it in about three weeks and that caused it to lean about one-third way from the top and thus ended our liberties in Missouri.
At the August election of Daviess County, the old citizens assembled and swore that no Latter-day Saint should be allowed to vote at that election, whereupon they fell upon John Butler who was unable to defend himself but others were bruised, etc. and some reported that they had killed two or three of the Mormons and would not give up their bodies to be buried, etc. I saddled my horse in Caldwell and went to Daviess 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 might have a home in that county as soon as I could build upon my claims. Upon arriving I found that no one had as yet been killed, but much threatening on the part of the old timers [had occurred]. We visited Mr. Adam Black, a justice of the peace, nearby and obtained from him a written certificate that he would administer the law in justice to Mormons or other citizens and we returned to Caldwell County with Joseph Smith and the rest of the brethren hoping that peace would again be restored. But things took a different course, for the old citizens continued their threats of driving the Mormons from Daviess County and from others out of the state as the most of the old citizens had sold their improvements to our brethren and then they could again get back their improvements they had sold free, without any to hinder them as they had gotten their pay.
About the first of October 1838, the western firm having heard that the government was about to let out a job for making roads from Fort Leavenworth south through the Indian country. They sent Esquire Bozarth [?] and myself to look out for such road and put in such bids as we might think proper. We proceeded to Fort Leavenworth on horse back from there south through the Delaware nations of Indians and stayed with them all night, and found them well to live, having good log cabins with fields of corn, etc. As we proceeded south across the Karo [?] River we came to the Shawnee Indians, the river being the line between the two tribes. We found them very much like their neighbors, enjoying civilization with fields of corn, their horses, meat stock, etc, until we came to the end of the second section on the south line of Jackson County and say the surveyors for said government road. We returned through Jackson County to Independence where said road was to be let out to the lowest bidders. We put in a sealed bid of $14,000.00 for the two north sections of over 40 miles to grade and bridges to build. Then there were about 100 such bids put in for said road, many for double that of ours while there was some for less which relieved us from further duties.
We thought of having traveled through the entire county of Jackson from the south to Independence, a distance of 25 miles on a divided ridge of prairies between the two rivers about six miles apart on a rolling divide 20 miles of which there was not an obstruction to prevent a plow, and timber on each side from two to three miles distant. This was the land once of our brethren, the first inheritance of the Saints and this was now in the hands of the 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 their houses had been burned and he seemed to be greatly pleased that the people of Daviess County would drive the Saints [out] 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 Joseph Smith, Jr. as the capital of Zion in the last days and now the Saints are driven from Jackson County and their inheritance laid waste and no Mormon is safe in this county, if known. I being an eastern made, I said very little, but 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 Daviess Counties and from the state. When shall we build the temple unto the most high God. I said that the Lord must truly work a 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 out from some of our enemies. We stayed all night in Clay and 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 some other articles (I here enclose a bill of the goods) 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, [October] the 16th [1838]. The 17th of October [1838] in the morning we met General [Alexander W.] Doniphan troops of 100 men on their return home from Daviess 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 had disappeared and we had good weather. I volunteered to go to the south line of the county of Caldwell next to Ray County to see what the mob in that quarter were about, with Brother Amasa Lyman. After staying about five days, we returned home without seeing anything of a mob. About this time word came that the mob had seized the public arms deposited in Richmond, Ray County, and were taking them to Daviess County to the mob. Ten of us volunteered to go in search of them. After riding about 16 miles we struck Richmond road and found they had not passed. We continued on said road about three miles on the open prairie and found a broken wagon and down in a ravine of high grass, we found hidden two large boxes containing United States rifles with their accoutrements.
In the course of another hour we found three men with another wagon on their way for the guns. We took the men and stolen guns to Far West where they were found guilty of siding and assisting the mob, contrary to law. After this I again went into the south part of the country with Brother Cudith [?]. Before we got far on our journey we heard that the mob, calling themselves militia were in that part of the country, but did not know their whereabouts. We continued on to near the county line and eight of the mob was nearby in hostile array. They stopped at a Brother [Nathan] Pinkham's, took his son [Nathan Pinkham, Jr.] and two other young men [William Seeley and Addison Green] as their 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 brethren in that section and threatened them with instant death if they did not leave that night for Far West as they would not come the next day, therefore, I in company with Brother [David] Juda started for Far West where we arrived about midnight. We informed our brethren of the danger there was in that quarter and about 60 men volunteered to go down and see what the mob was about. As we got near Shoal Creek one of our men by the name of [Patrick O'Banion] was fired at in the main road, and died in a few hours afterward, the 25th of October, 1838.
As we still wished if possible to learn their object in 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 [Battle of Crooked River], shooting down many of our best brethren all around us and hollering so that we had no other course to take but to defend ourselves the best way we could, which soon gave us the grounds with the spoils of the camp. Among the dead and wounded was David W. Patten, one of the Twelve, shot through the chest. He died about 4:00 o'clock that day. [Patrick] O. Bennion was shot through the chest and died about the same time and Gideon Carter was left dead on the ground through a mistake, and [Drusilla] Hendricks who was shot through the cords of the neck and was entirely helpless. [William] Seeley, one of the young men they took prisoner at Brother Pinkham's the evening before, was shot through the shoulder and one Lilburn Hodges was shot in the hip and one Eli Chase was shot in the knee with a number more slightly wounded. I was wounded in my left elbow with a sword after cutting through five thicknesses of cloth. [It] so fractured the bone that after the doctor had placed back the bones, it was very lame for some four months and so stiff that I could not feed myself with that hand. The battle of Crooked River began October 25, about daybreak, 1838. The whole country was in motion against the Saints and all were equally threatened with death without regard to age, sex or any other relief except such as would abandon their religious faith and unite with the mob in pursuing the Saints.
The brethren had gathered into Far West as much as they could for safety as the whole country was filled with the mob. There arrived in sight of Far West, October 29, 1838, 5,000 Missouri militia, ordered out by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs. The next day they sent in a flag of truce south of the town. Colonel G. [George] M. Hinkle went out to meet them and a conference ensued when Hinkle agreed to deliver Joseph Smith, Jr. with the heads of the Church into their hands by strategy. That evening Joseph Smith, Jr., the Mormon prophet, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Hyrum Smith and others went out with a flag of truce to meet another from our enemies, when Colonel Hinkle, then commanding the militia of Caldwell County said to our enemies 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 to you Joseph Smith, Jr., the Mormon prophet. He is now in your hands as your prisoner." At this moment the lines of our enemies began to ring with the most hideous yells that the Saints ever heard and 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 camp. There was a court martial held in which they condemned the prisoners to be shot on the public square in Far West. They still continued to take prisoners and threatened all that came into their war that they might torture them and force them to leave their religion.
November 1, 1838, the brethren laid down their arms when they wore and all the town of Far West was put under guard. That day the troops, some 5,000, all mounted on horseback, marched through the town in the principle streets, abusing the Saints when they could meet with them.
About the second day our enemies carried away our Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., his brother Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wright and others for Jackson County under guard of their numerous arms which was one of the greatest trials I had witnessed, to see them pulled away with main strength, when their wives and children, fathers and friends clinging to them and crying and taking, as many supposed, their last look of farewell upon their Prophet, fathers upon their children, their wives and husbands all calculated to draw tears from the stoutest hardened hearts. But our enemies only continued to swear that we need not ever suppose we would see them alive again or hear their voices in our midst for they should die.
All the brethren were there drawn up in a hollow square on the public square in Far West. About this time General Clark arrived with about 6,000 more militia and still threatened the brethren with further violence, making them sign away a deed of trust to defray the expenses of the mob or army, of all they possessed either personal or real estate and leave the state the coming winter or spring and no further liberty would be granted them. At the same time they called out some 75 of our best men and took them to Richmond jail and put the rest under guard so that no one was at liberty to go for work or other things without a strong guard. They continued to make all kinds of property a common plunder, taking as prisoners wherever they could find any that they had any grudge against because they believed in the revelations of God.
The mob or militia burned my house, stole a valuable horse from me, killed my fat hogs and drove off my stock. I had some 300 bushels of corn taken from the crib; they fed or rats in the stack destroyed my hay and left everything in a state of desolation from one side of the country to the other. [They] abused our sisters whenever they thought it best to suit their brutal and hellish desires.
November 4, 1838, [we had] a severe snowstorm and some very cold weather for some three weeks, which drove the troops out of the 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 my life for three months were in constant danger as one old resident 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 the battle against my foes.
My wife had very poor health during the fall and winter 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 wherever our friends could accommodate us and for my safety but as I cannot write one hundredth part of the suffering and destruction of this people who were in a flourishing condition a few months before but were now destitute. I could have commanded some $2,000.00 but now I had only one yoke of 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 that if the Church would make haste and move as fast as possible it would do much to relieve 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 the winter to remove as fast as possible and for those whom they, our enemies, held the greatest spite, to leave their families, go without them, as I left my family with only 50 cents in cash for their comfort with three small children, viz, Sarah Lucretia Holbrook, Charlotte Holbrook, and Joseph Lamoni Holbrook. My wife was confined just one week from my departure from home and 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 Barrus [?]. We traveled that night so that the next day we were away from those that would seek to do us harm. We traveled 23 miles each day on foot alone by ourselves and on the 28th day of January, we crossed the Mississippi River at Hannibal and the next day, January 29 [1839], we came to Quincy, Illinois 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 from Quincy from Missouri as I had done, which made it a great burden on those few families of the Saints in this vicinity. [There was] but little employment at this season 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, I employed my time in the daytime 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 incur more expense than necessary.
I stayed about a week when Jacob Gates came and asked if I would go into the country with him and be in his company so we would fare alike. So we each put all our money into one purse which made about one delaware. We then bought a yard of cotton cloth and made a bag of it, got some bread and raw pork and filled our bag and started on Saturday to seek our fortune in the county seat of Quincy on foot. When we were about six miles out, we met Nathan Barrows [Barrus ?] who left me at Quincy about one week before. He said he could not get any work and that he was hungry as he had not had half enough to eat since he left. We told him to come down to the creek nearby as we had bread and pork. After eating he said he felt much better. We then told him he had better go along with us and do the best we could. From this place we went toward Fairfield, as I had heard of a Methodist priest by the name of Thompson, that wanted some rails made. We arrived there a little after dark.
The old priest was on his circuit preaching but his son who had charge of the business with the family was there, but they said it was Saturday night, that tomorrow was Sunday and that they did not know so well about the rails, etc. I saw very soon the trouble was we were Mormons and they did not like to employ us. I told them I had come out on purpose to make the rails and [asked if] we could sleep by the fire and that we had bread with us to last until Monday and that we would go to work. It seemed rather hard for them to consent but at last they said we could stop. They kept a good lookout to see that we did not steal anything. That night we ate our bread and pork.
They seemed a little better satisfied with us the course of the day so that on Monday Brother Burrows [Barrus ?] got some shoe making to do and Brother Gates and myself went into the timber to make rails. They said we might make 2,000 for $15.00. 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. My arm gained strength by use so that I could do my portion pretty well in nine days. We had our 2,000 done. They paid us 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 1,000 more if we wanted, but we wished to go on to Quincy to hear from our families. We went to Quincy but could not hear anything from them. Brother Gates concluded to go to Missouri and find his [family] but I did not deem it safe for me so I returned to Mr. Thompson's and continued to make rails until I had made 7,000. They disappointed me in my pay. Instead of money, I had to take two silver watches, one for $10.00 and one for $22.00. 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 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 with John P. Greene. About bedtime my brother Chandler Holbrook came in and said my family was about six miles on the 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 Angel's family was there and that his wife was very sick in her wagon. Knowing where Brother Truman Angel was at work, I started that night and traveled about six miles on foot, wading creeks, etc. and found him after midnight.
Early in the morning we started for Quincy and from there to our families across the Mississippi bottoms, wading almost through the whole district and found some 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 health though in the mud and snow half a leg deep in the camp. I now saw my little daughter, Nancy Jane, for the first time about two months old. She was truly carried and borne in the midst of tribulation by her mother. My family had been greatly blessed in my absence as they were able to gather up some of the fragments of my destroyed property so that my wife Nancy had about $50.00 in cash to bear her expense out of the state of Missouri. They had not heard anything from me during this time, neither dare 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.
On the 27th day of March, 1839, my family crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois and in crossing the slough I lost my silver watch that I had allowed $10.00 and never found it. From Quincy we traveled about 50 miles north to Fountain Green, hired a log house for $2.00 a month. In the month of May we 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 Smith said that if the mob had gotten me they would have killed me instead of taking me to prison. He also wished to know where I lived. I told him back in the country about 25 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 of me as there was no one bringing any in for sale. I told him I could if I could get the money to begin with. He told me to look around and borrow the money if I could.
I borrowed $7.00 from Brother Covey for a few days and bought corn for 25 cents per bushel, shelled it, took it to the mill and from thence to Nauvoo and let the brethren have it for 50 cents per bushel. After taking two loads of meal, I bought wheat at $1.00 per hundred. This was in Hancock and McDonough counties. I was the only one engaged in the business which followed about six weeks and which kept up nearly night and day, as I got the most of going nights besides camping out on the prairie. And I over-heated myself in the latter part of July which brought on a burning fever which brought me low upon my bed of sickness in a few days so that I could not help myself anymore than a child. I had to be lifted on sheets 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 means were expended. The next summer, I so far gained my health so as to be able to work. My wife became very sick and was confined February 1840 with a son. He was stillborn. We named him, as we did not know what was for the best, David Holbrook.
I was able to pay up all demands against me. There was a small branch of the church organized nearby containing some 200 members appointing Jack H. Johnson president and 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 Ramus of some 250 lots containing one acre each. The brethren gathered into the branch very fast. This was the summer of 1840. In February [1841], I received orders from Nauvoo to raise a company of mounted lancers for the Nauvoo Legion. I went immediately to work. I raised said company and I was nominated at Nauvoo for the office of captain but someone wished to make a division in said company. I declined accepting the office and another was elected in my place, but in a short time I received orders from Nauvoo to raise a company of mounted riflemen and again [I was] 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 this journal with many other licenses and commissions. This was the year 1841, August 31. We had a son stillborn and 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 the summer the times became very hard so that many of the brethren were much put to it for clothing, etc., and as there were among us some that were not exactly honest, who brought in damnable doctrine so that with others I was brought into bondage to my enemies. But Charles Shumway, an old school mate, came forward together with Anson Call, William Wighman and others and nobly released me from my difficulties to my great joy. I thought it best to go to Galena for a short season so I paid all my debts at much sacrifice. Then I took my leave of the branch with two brethren, John Wightman and Ebenezer Page, who went with me and my wife and four small children in the month of December [1841]. We traveled through the snow and mud some 200 miles. I found a Brother Wright who exchanged a yoke of oxen with me for my horse team and gave me $25.00 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 the Illinois line in Wisconsin territory to build me a cabin where I found employ in hauling wood to a smelting furnace for $1.12 1/2 per cord. After laboring for the winter and spring, I received my pay in money on the State Bank of Illinois, which broke in a very few days after and I could not get over 50 cents on the dollar in goods. I still continued to labor and was forced to take my pay in bank bills on the Showius [?] Town Bank which soon failed. The Dubuque Bank had also failed in Iowa, so there was no currency to be depended upon so that business became very dull. I was forced again to take a lot of work by the cord at 62 1/2 [cents] per cord in the timber. I hauled about 80 cords to the river and could only get 50 cents a cord for it when placed upon the bank of the river. It was a continual series of losses.
In June [1842] I received a letter from Anson Call to come to Nauvoo so I purchased a small flat boat about six feet wide and 22 feet long. I left my oxen with Brother Wight and 50 cords of wood on the bank of the Mississippi River and took my family on board with all my effects with Brother John Telford who had lived with us all the time since I left Ramus.
We let the boat go with the current which took about ten days to go 250 miles, laying by night and cooking victuals on the bank of the river, catching catfish, etc. We arrived in Nauvoo, July 6, 1842, and were glad to meet once more with the Saints whom I loved, for this was the first time I had undertaken to make a living away from the Saints and it did not prove very prosperous to me; besides I did not feel myself at home or contented away from church. I immediately moved with my family to Dwight Hardin's about two miles from the river. My wife was taken very sick on the 7th of July [1842] and grew worse until she died, being taken sick nine days (July 16, 1842), aged 37 years, 11 months and two days. The disease was cholera merbus [?] and inflammation on the lungs. She had left four children, Sarah Lucretia, Charlotte, Joseph Lamoni, and Nancy Jane. Thus I had in an unexpected moment been deprived of one of the best wives and the best of mothers. She had stood with me in six troubles and in the seventh she did not forsake me. She had passed through the Missouri troubles with all the attendant evils with fortitude and forbearance. Her faith had always been firm and unshaken in the cause of God in those last days without a murmur or a reflection. She had firm hopes in a glorious resurrection for which she had obeyed the gospel and lived and spent her life for, in the most perfect understanding, for almost twelve years. My wife was buried in the east part of the city of Nauvoo in the public burying grounds on block 5, lot 5, grave 2; Nancy Jane on the same block and lot, grave 1. I put up good grave stones at their graves. She had hoped to live and enjoy the society of the Saints and hear the words of our beloved Prophet Joseph Smith, in whom she had full faith. But I am glad that she lived so that she had a good burial in the burying grounds with the Saints, where she may rest until the morn of the first resurrection, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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| Nauvoo, Illinois |
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, August 13, 1804.
Sister Holbrook, I lay my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus, thy Redeemer, and seal upon thy head a father's blessing because thou had 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 has 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 stored with flocks and with herds. And if thou art called to see thy brethren scatter, thou shalt yet be made to rejoice in thy own inheritance in Zion and 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 thee, the spirit of discernment shall enlighten thy mind.
If thou art faithful in prayer, no foul spirit shall decoy you 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.
Given at Far West, Missouri, January 19, 1839, E. Robinson, scribe.
After my wife's death, I was rebaptized in the Mississippi River by Brigham Young. I continued in the house with my brother-in-law, Dwight Harding, when I purchased a small fraction of a lot near Sunholand Street, 3 1/2 rods in front, 4 1/2 rods back for $50.00, off my brother, Chandler Holbrook. When my wife's funeral expenses were paid, I had $15.00 in cash left besides my small flat boat, which I sold for an old wagon worth $30.00, which constituted my worldly possessions at this time, except my oxen and wood I had left in Mississippi.
I gave Brother Harding a part of the money to go out in the country to buy corn, which I gave him one-half for his trouble. I and my family lived on corn bread without but little else. I got my sister Phebe Harding to look after my children and do my cooking. I went out ten miles east of Nauvoo on the prairie, cut grass and had it hauled on the halves, while I camped on the ground. I dug a well ten feet deep for water. My living consisted of one pint and a half 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 and 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 $5.00 per ton. I continued in this way for seven weeks. When I had paid for bricks for a house 30 by 15 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, a sister to brother Anson Call's wife, about my age, which I afterward married. In October [1842] I took the steamboat and went up the Mississippi River to Wisconsin and found the man had sold my 50 cords of wood for $25.00 in goods. I found my oxen at Brother Wright's in good condition. I then started for Nauvoo on foot, it being over 225 miles, driving my oxen with me, tying them up at nights after stopping to feed them and sleeping out of doors. I drove my cattle some days 35 to 40 miles. When about 16 miles within 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 shingles for my house. I did so and on my return, I found my children well.
I then commenced on my house in good earnest. I went to the river and helped take out a raft of lumber which was frozen in and took lumber for my pay. I soon had my house covered in and 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 school teaching. We now moved into my house and in about one month my wife commenced a school in one of the rooms.
Hannah Flint was born July 18, 1806, in Frantner [?], Orange County, state of Vermont. She had three brothers and two sisters. Her father's name was Rufus Flint, born April 3, 1768. Hannah Flint, her mother, was born July 10, 1777, her maiden name was Hannah Haws, daughter of Eleazer and Ruth Haws. Rufus Flint died May 13, 1837, age 69 years, one month, ten days. Hannah Flint died July 12, 1832, age 65 years and two days.
Electa Flint was born July 29, 1798, and was married to Daniel D. Robinson on December 7, 1815. Daniel D. Robinson was born April 20, 1789; Rufus Flint, Jr. was born March 4, 1800; Ebenezer H. Flint was born August 21, 1803; Hannah Flint was born July 18, 1806; Frederick Flint was born December 9, 1809; Mary Flint was born March 27, 1812, and was married to Anson Call October 3, 1833.
Rufus Flint was a native of Connecticut, Windham County and Windham township. His wife Hannah Haws was a native of Massachusetts, Worcester County, Worcester township, from where they emigrated to the state of Vermont, afterward to the state of Ohio in the year 1831, and settled in Geauga County, township of Madison, where Anson Call and his wife and Mary and Hannah Flint, his sister, became acquainted with the Latter-day Saints, who were then living in Kirtland, Geauga County. They united with said church and emigrated to Missouri in the summer of 1838, with the family of Anson Call. They purchased 80 acres of land in Ray County which I afterward exchanged for 40 acres on the Wigans Farm above Nauvoo. I went with Brother Call's family to the three forks of Grand River in Daviess County and had to leave there by the expulsion of the mob and come to Far West and then by the order of Governor Boggs, left the state for Illinois, then employed myself for most of the time in school keeping about Warsaw when we were married. The winter was very hard, the Mississippi being frozen over on the tenth day of November and continued frozen so that the brethren from Montrose, 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 facsimiles I herewith enclose. On May 25, 1843, I left Nauvoo for the Black River pinery with Bishop George Miller for the purpose of helping bring down lumber, etc. for the temple and Nauvoo house. We went as far as Prairie La. Cross on the Mississippi by the steamboat, then took it on foot for 100 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 40 miles of the mills on the Black River Falls.
Immediately, the next day, we started down the Black River with a raft with Henry W. Miller, when at the lake at the mouth of the river we met Brother Cummingham 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 to take back provisions which were much needed at the mills. So we took a part of Brother Cummingham'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 bushwhack our way by taking hold bush at the bow of each boat and running back to the stern and so continuing through the day. We were 25 miles per day. After arriving at the mills, all hands were employed in rafting logs to the saw mills and rafting lumber, shingle square timber, 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 that might be fertile in the valleys. The streams abound in fish. Brother Cummingham was drowned this summer above the mills. In rafting logs, he got in a whirl in the river and was seen no more. I returned with Bishop Miller to Nauvoo on the raft and arrived at Nauvoo July 8, 1843. In August [1843] my family became sick with the measles and Nancy Jane Holbrook died on the 7th day of September, 1843. She died of the measles and canker, aged four years, seven months and ten days. She was an uncommon good child, pleasant in her temper. She was buried in the public burying grounds beside her who had not been buried 14 months yet. This life is uncertain at any age, and all being subject to death is our common lot.
I cut hay out on the prairie about ten miles. I bought a small farm with Brother Anson Call about four miles up the river from Nauvoo with a log house containing 18 acres and paid $100.00.
By the request of Brother Joseph Young, the president of the Seventies, all the Seventies in the kingdom of God used to meet once in two weeks at my school room. I furnish wood, etc. We had a common school with prayer meetings in the evening and with other meetings for the brethren to speak on principles, etc. On the 7th day of January, 1844, I was received in the quorum of high priests and ordained under the hands 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 grafting of the following choice fruit, viz:
Roxbury Russett, Rhodiland Grunin, Big Romanite, Pair Main, Seeknofurther, Upide Apples, New Town Pippin, Early June, Fall Beds Winter, Winter Brown, Cheese Apples, Pandiver, Schoonamocker, Extra Fall Pippin, Bellflower, Red Sweet, Black Annie, Golden Pippin, Yellow Milam, Rumbow Green Apple, Limber Twigg, Gentten, Big Red Fall.
My health being still poor, Brother Anson Call took with him Truman Barlow but found him a plow hand. At the business about the last of April [1844] Brother Charles Shumway came and said if I would go on a mission, I should have my health. I said if I was wanted, I would try and go. 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 Emmett then arose and said he knew that some of the brethren would be disappointed for he was going on a mission west and didn't know how long he would be gone but he was going to the counsel of Brother Joseph and Hyrum Smith. 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 council and this was the beginning of Emmett's leading off a company in the wilderness.
The council of Nauvoo nominated Joseph Smith, our prophet for a candidate for the President of the United States of America and wishing to support him in that office, I was appointed to go to Kentucky and hold forth Brother Joseph Smith's views and policy of government. I started on the 28th day of May, 1844, in company with Brother John Couthouse, my partner on that mission, with about 50 other elders to various other states of the union on board the steamboat Caprgy [?].
I left St. Louis the 30th [May 1844] on the Goddess of Liberty for the mouth of the Cumberland River on the Ohio at a town by the name of Smith and traveled through Livingstone, Caldwell, and Frigg counties and continued to preach and put forth Joseph Smith's views which the people generally liked well but didn't know so much about "your Mormon prophet for president of the United States, etc." We continued to preach almost daily. On Friday, July 12 [1844] at a little town on the Cumberland River, we saw the paper called the Nashville Banner that gave an account of the murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. I filled a few appointments and on the 22nd day of July [1844] started for Nauvoo, and all the papers confirmed the murder of our Prophet and Patriarch. We took the steamboat Smithland on the Ohio River and arrived in Nauvoo on Saturday, July 27 [1844] just one month from the time of the murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, and found the people in deep mourning for our Prophet and Seer, and Patriarch and found my family well.
I was present at the October conference when I was called to go where the Twelve sent me. Monday, October 21 [1844] I went to Carthage in company with about 150 of the brethren to attend court in case we should be needed. We stayed there three days and nothing occurred so we returned home.
In Nauvoo, November 22, 1844, the high priests of 9th Ward met at the home of Joseph L. Robinson according to previous notices. The meeting was opened by the singing and prayer by Bishop Johnathan H. Hale. It was 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 the propriety of having the names of the high priests in good standing recorded, which were as follows, viz: Johnathan H. Hale, Thomas Karns, Joseph L. Robinson, Archibald Patten, Jeremiah Hatch, Sr., Gardner Clark, Martin H. Peck, Joseph Holbrook, William Thayer, Henry H. Wilson, Anthony Blackburn, George Pitkin, John Kempton, Ormus E. Bates, Samuel Heath, Sampson Thayer, Benjamin Aber, Lewis D. Wilson, Ezra T. Benson, Thomas Grover, Joseph A. Kelting, Levi Stewart, John Walker, Gideon Allen, John Stiles, William Hill, John E. Royce, Joseph Mecham, Alva West.
The Quorum continued to met 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 ward forward them to the clerk of the general quorum of high priests to be recorded by the general recorder of the high priest's quorum.
A report of the high priest's quorum in the 9th ward of the city of Nauvoo, December 21, 1844.
I, Johnathan H. Hale, son of Solomon Hale which was the son of Eliphalet Hale which was the son of Ammuel Hale. My mother's name was Martha Heriman who was the daughter of Johnathan Heriman who was the son of Leonard Heriman. He was born in Bradford, Essex County, Massachusetts, February 1, 1800. I was baptized in Dover, New Hampshire, June 13, 1834; ordained the next August by P.G. Bishop. I presided over the branch of the church at Dover until September 1835 and removed to Kirtland July 10, 1836. I was ordained into the third quorum of Seventies in January 1837 by Hazen Aldrich and in the temple in Kirtland received my washing by Heber C. Kimball and my anointing by Joseph Young. I left Kirtland May 31, 1837 by the counsel of President Joseph Smith in company with Wilford Woodruff. I went to the upper Canada and attended a conference at Portland, Leads County, thence to Fox Islands, which belong to the state of Maine. The first elders that ever visited those islands built up a small branch of the church and returned to Kirtland October 29, 1837.
I left Kirtland January 2, 1838 in company with Amos B. Fuller and went on a mission to the south part of Ohio, returning in the spring. I left Kirtland July 6, 1838 in the big [Zion's] camp which contained 525 souls, men, women and children and arrived in Daviess County, Missouri October 4, 1838. I left Far West February 5, 1839 in company of Emma Smith and family and arrived in Quincy, Illinois [ 6,] 1839. I went on a mission 1839 to 1840 to Indiana and Kentucky. I was ordained a high priest and counselor to Bishop N. K. Whitney under his hand April 6, 1841 and ordained bishop of the 9th Ward. I was appointed recorder for baptisms for the dead, August 1842.
J.H.H.
I, Joseph Holbrook, son of Moses Holbrook who was the son of John Holbrook, Jr., who was the son of John Holbrook, Sr. My mother's name was Hannah Morton who was the daughter of Abraham Morton who was the son of Benjamin Morton. I was born in the township of Florence, Oneida County, New York, January 16, 1806 and baptized in Warsaw, Genesee County, New York by Leonard G. Rich, January 7, 1833. On March 12 I took a mission to Kirtland 200 miles to see the Prophet Joseph Smith. On April 12, 1833 I was ordained an elder in Warsaw under the hands of Reynolds Cahoon. I started on a mission east in company of Elder Truman O. Angell, April 29, 1833 and preached by the way in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island to Providence and there baptized some and returned home. In September 1833 I was appointed to preside over the branch of the church in Weathersfield and China, numbering 80 members in good standing.
On April 14, 1834 I started for the land of Zion and joined our brethren in Kirtland. On May 1st [1834] I journeyed thence to Missouri in Zion's Camp, Joseph Smith, the prophet, being our leader. I arrived in Clay County, Missouri, June 26, 1834 and took a mission in company of Amasa Lyman, Milton Holmes and Heman Hyde, December 23, 1834, to Illinois, returning home in the spring. On August 31, 1838 I took a mission east with Elder Ellis Rames [?], and was in Clay County. During our stay in that county in 1836, I was one of the first to go to Caldwell County with Bishop Edward Partridge.
On May 19, 1838 in Far West, I was ordained into the First Quorum of Seventies under the hands of Levi Hancock. I was in the general persecution in Missouri and on the 25th of October 1838 in the crooked battle [Battle of Crooked River], I received a wound in my arm in my left elbow with a sword by a man by the name of Farwater, a well-known mobocrat of Clay County. I was in Far West at the sacking of the town and the taking of the Prophet and his brother prisoners. On the 20th day of January 1839, I left my family in the state of Illinois. In August or September 1840 I was chosen counselor of Jack H. Johnson, the president of the stake of Ramus and was set apart to that office under the hand of President Hyrum Smith. On July 6, 1842 I moved to Nauvoo. On May 24, 1843, I went to the Black River pinery in Wisconsin territory with President George Miller and others. On January 7, 1844 I was ordained a high priest under the hands of Samuel Bent of the high council. At the April conference 1844 I was appointed to go to Kentucky on a mission to hold forth the views and policy of government of President Joseph Smith and started May 28, 1844.
Joseph Holbrook
I, Benjamin Aber, son of Israel Aber, Jr. who was the son of Israel Aber, Sr., my mother's name was Phebe Truman who was the daughter of Gilmar Freeman, who was born in Mendham, Morris County, New Jersey on Saturday, April 25, 1790, baptized in Misisink, Orange County, New York by Elder Joseph Ball, 1838, ordained a priest by Elder Selah Lane December 20, 1841, moved to Nauvoo July 2, 1843, and ordained a high priest in Nauvoo under the hands of President Hyrum Smith in my patriarchal blessing.
Benjamin Aber
I, Anthony Blackburn, son of Thomas Blackburn, which was the son of John Blackburn; my mother's name was Elizabeth Blackburn. I was born January 3, 1803, baptized in Kirtland County, Ohio by Harvey Green May 1836, started to Missouri April 19, 1837, ordained a deacon by Elder David Evans, April 18, 1838, left Missouri for Illinois February 2, 1839. Moved into Nauvoo April 12, 1844, and ordained a high priest under the hands of President George Miller, November 1844.
Anthony Blackburn
I, John E. Royu, son of Thomas and Hannah Royu and grandson of Thomas and Elizabeth Royu, was born in New York May 22, 1794, baptized by Orson Pratt in Sing-Sing on the North River, April 18, 1838. I gathered with the Saints in Nauvoo July 5, 1840, ordained an elder under the hands of Heber C. Kimball in Nauvoo April 1844, and ordained a high priest in the quorum December 29, 1844.
John E. Royu
I, Gidson Allen, son of Cornelius and Mary Allen was born in the town and county of Litchfield, Connecticut, November 2, 1774, baptized by Moses Marin Hardwick, Otsego County, New York, July 1835. I gathered with the Saints in Missouri, Caldwell County, May 16, 1837 and left Missouri in March 1839 by the order of Governor Boggs. I came to Nauvoo April 1842, ordained a high priest under the hands of President Hyrum Smith in my patriarchal blessing April 3, 1844.
I, Henry W. Wilson, son of Bradley and Polly Wilson was born in Milton, Chittenden County, Vermont May 16, 1803, baptized in Green township, Kirtland County, Ohio by Oliver Granger, May 23, 1836, ordained an elder in Kirtland by President Don Carlos Smith, August 15, 1836, received my washing and anointing in Kirtland April 1837, went to the Missouri August 1837, ordained into the seventies in Quincy, Illinois under the hand of Joseph Young May 23, 1839; was called upon to go to the Wisconsin pinery with Captain Alpheus Cutler, September 29, 1841, absent about 11 months. In April 1844 I was called to go forth with the views and policies of Joseph Smith on government, ordained a high priest under the hand of George Miller, December 1, 1844.
Henry W. Wilson
I, Samuel Heath, son of John and Mary Heath, was born in Cossel Street, Shrewsbury, England, May 3, 1793, baptized in Manchester by William Clayton March 3, 1859, England. I was ordained an elder under the hands of Brigham Young and Willard Richards, August 3, 1840, England, and performed an important mission for three years preaching the gospel in Stockport, Middlewick, Nacklesford [?], Norwich, Preston, Worrington, Wigen, Leigh and St. Helens. Afterward I came in the ship Hope of Zion, February 3, 1842. I also went on a mission to Tennessee May 21, 1844, ordained into the seventies in October conference 1844 under the hands of Benjamin Clapp, and ordained into the high priest's quorum in Nauvoo, December 8, 1844.
Samuel Heath
I, Martin H. Peck, son of Ebenezer Peck and Nancy (Horton) who was the son of Phillip Peck and Ruth Williams, who was the son of Ebenezer Peck and Sarah ( ) was born in Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, May 27, 1806, baptized in Danville, Vermont by Lyman S. Johnson, 1833. I was ordained a teacher by Elder John Badger 1834, removed to Kirtland, Ohio October 1836, and received my washing and anointing by Reynolds Cahoon, April 6, 1836. In the winter of 1837-38 I was ordained a counselor to President R. Redlock under his hand July 6, 1837. I started for the big camp for Missouri, arrived at Dayton, Ohio July 27 and was taken sick and had to tarry and soon was appointed over Dayton Branch. I removed to West Milton, Ohio, December 28, 1838, and in July 1840 I was appointed by Elder John E. Page to preside over West Milton where I arrived December 6, 1843. I was ordained a high priest February 18, 1844 under the hands of William Snow and William Felshaw.
Martin H. Peck
I, Joseph L. Robinson, son of Nathan and Mary Robinson, was born in Shaftsbury, Bennington County, Vermont, February 18, 1811, baptized by Ebenezer Robinson in Boonville, Oneida County, New York, September 6, 1836, ordained an elder November 1839 under the hands of James Blakesley. I was called to preside over the West Boonville Branch July 1840, in June 1841 I started for Nauvoo, arrived August 19, 1831. I was chosen counselor to Bishop Johnathan H. Hale of Ninth Ward, and ordained a high priest under his hand November 1842.
Joseph L. Robinson
I, John Stiles, son of Daniel O. Stiles, who was the son of John Stiles, who was the son of David Stiles. My mother's name was Abiginal Farrington who was the daughter of Edward Farrington, was born in Brandon, Rutland County, Vermont, November 16, 1791, baptized by Reynolds Cahoon, June 1, 1837, received my washings and anointing in the Kirtland Temple April 6, 1847 by the hand of father Beman. I moved in the spring of 1842, after which being counseled by President Joseph Smith to go on a mission to the state of New York. I started on June 12, 1843 and returned May, 1844. I was ordained a high priest in Nauvoo at the October conference under the hand of George Miller 34.
John Stiles
I, John Colomere, son of John and Margaret Colomere, and grandson of John and Sarah Colomere, was born in Ellsmere, Shropshire County, England, November 14, 1765. I was baptized by Henry Royle in England, 1841, and ordained a high priest in my patriarchal blessing under the hands of Hyrum Smith in Nauvoo, January 10, 1844.
John Colomere
I, George W. Pitkin, son of Paul Pitkin, son of Thomas Pitkin, my mother's name was Abigail Lathrop, daughter of Elijah Lathrop, was born in Hartford, Windsor County, Vermont, May 17, 1801, and baptized by President Joseph Smith in Hyrum, Portage County, Ohio, May 1841 [1831]. In 1832, in company with about 100 Saints, I moved with my family to Jackson County, Missouri, at which place I was ordained a deacon under the hands of David Whitmer in September 1832. In 1833, I was driven with the Saints to Clay County and ordained a teacher under the hands of Zebedee Coltrin, August 1834. I was driven from Clay County and settled in Caldwell County, Missouri. I was ordained a seventy in January 1841; I removed to Nauvoo and ordained a high priest under the hands of Phineas Richards December 1844.
George Pitkin
I, Gardner Clark, the son of Rodman Clerk, the son of William Clark, my mother's name was Huldah Leaming, daughter of Aaron Leaming, was born January 15, 1791, Lee County of Borkshaw, Massachusetts. I was baptized by Orson Hyde May 14, 1840, in Geneva, Scott County, Illinois, and ordained a high priest and bishop to the stake at Geneva, November 10, 1840, under the hands of Hyrum Smith. I removed to Nauvoo on April 28, 1842.
Gardner Clark
I, William Milam, son of George Milam, son of William Milam, my mother's name was Jane Crafton, daughter of Anthony Crafton, was born in Spencer County, Kentucky, March 18, 1789. I was baptized by Calvin Beebe, March 1832. I gathered with the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri and was driven to Clay County and from there to Caldwell County and from there out of the state of Illinois. I was ordained an elder in Nauvoo by John A. Hicks, 1842 and ordained a seventy under the hands of Levi Nickerson on October 8, 1844. I was ordained a high priest under the hands of George Miller, December 1844.
William Milam
I, Simeon Thayer, son of Simeon and Zuriah Thayer, son of Uriah Thayer, was born in Richmond, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, October 13, 1773. I was baptized by James Blakesley in Layden, Lewis County, New York, on May 10, 1840. I was ordained an elder by George A. Smith, April 1842 and ordained a high priest in January 1845.
Simeon Thayer
I, Thomas Grover, son of Thomas Grover, was born in Whitehall, Washington County, New York, July 22, 1807. I was baptized by Warren A. Cowdery, in Freedom, Cattaraugus County, New York, September 1834.
Thomas Grover
I, John Rempton, son of William Rempton, Sr. was born in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts and baptized by Sylvester B. Staddard in Farmington, Kennebec, Maine, June 25, 1834. I was ordained an elder on June 26, under the hands of Goriah Butterfield, and gathered with the Saints in Nauvoo June 23, 1843. I was ordained in the seventies in 1844 and ordained a high priest January 1845.
John Rempton
I, Thomas Cornice, son of Alexander Cornice; my mother's name was Deborath Wallis, daughter of Joshua Wallis. I was born in Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts, on September 20, 1802 and baptized in New Rowley, March 24, 1834 by John F. Boynton. I gathered with the Saints in Kirtland, August 17, 1835 and ordained a teacher in the house of the Lord February 1836 by Elder Whitney and Cahoon. I was ordained a counselor to the president of teachers and received my washing in the house of the Lord by John Corrill. I was anointed by Whitney. I started for Missouri in the big [Kirtland] camp of 525 souls. I arrived in Adam-ondi-Ahman October 4, 1838. We were on our journey nearly three months. We left the state of Missouri April 1, 1839 and gathered with the Saints in Nauvoo, April 1, 1842. I was ordained a high priest and counselor to Johnathan H. Hale, bishop of the 9th Ward, September 1842.
Thomas Cornice
I, Archibald Patten, son of Benoni and Edith Patten who was the daughter of Johnathan and Edith Cob, was born in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, April 9, 1791. I was baptized by Brigham Young, May 1833 and ordained a teacher the following 11th of June, under the hand of David W. Patten on the 29th of June 1835. I was ordained to the gift of healing by D. W. Patten and received my patriarchal blessing and ordination to the office of priest under the hands of John P. Greene. I was ordained a high priest in Nauvoo, September 15, 1844, under the hand of George Miller.
Archibald Patten
I, Jeremiah Hatch, son of Nathack and Azey Hatch, was born in Oblonys, New York, April 25, 1766 and baptized by Pelitiah Brown, in Lincoln, Addison County, Vermont, November 1840. I was ordained a high priest under the hand of President Hyrum Smith in my patriarchal blessing to Nauvoo, April 9, 1844.
Jeremiah Hatch
The above ordinations and labors were in the state of New York.
We hereby certify that the foregoing report of the names, ages, times of birth, ordinations of the high priests of the 9th Ward of the city of Nauvoo as received by us.
Johnathan H. Hale, President
Joseph Holbrook, Clerk
The foregoing being reported to the general clerk of the 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 in Nauvoo 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; and Sarah Lampson, my mother-in-law.
Hannah Holbrook, my wife, was baptized for the following relatives at the same time and place: Rufus Flint, her father; Hannah Flint, her mother; Silas Flint, her grandfather; Abigail Dewey, her grandmother; Elizer Haws, her grandfather; and Ruth Haws, her grandmother.
Bishop Johnathan E. Hale, acting as clerk for the baptisms for the dead.
Johnathan H. Hale, Colonel of the Third Regiment, Second Cohort, Nauvoo Legion, about the summer of 1844 appointed me as paymaster of said regiment, to hold the offices and rank as captain, but I did not receive my commission from the governor as my troubles increased on every hand, but some fines were collected by the collector of the third regiment as assessed by the court marshall as delinquent in duty, while others were discharged upon reasonable excuse, which herewith insert, also some of the Nauvoo legion script has paid for fines to me which was in my hands upon leaving Nauvoo and the colonel said [I] 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 $50.00 which I also enclose for the purpose of showing that although poor, I did what I could to help build up the kingdom out of my little mite that I possessed. I paid $20.00 to build a hall for the high priests which afterward was applied on the Nauvoo Temple by the vote of said quorum.
In February, about the last week, I went to Missouri traveling in company with Anson Call, Charles Shumway and others. We were absent about five weeks and made $75.00 a piece. I bought of Ramson Shepherd his lot adjoining me, some 2 1/2 rods in front by 4 1/2 rods in back at $2.00 a 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. and had a good well of water on said lot. I was at the conference held on the 5th day of April, 1845.
My wife Hannah continued keeping school most of the time, summer and winter, which became much assistance to me. We found our own school room firewood, etc. for $1.50 per scholar per quarter. The brethren, the 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 sowing one afternoon in the month of August, alone, I had been much of the time meditating upon the principle of doctrine of having more wives than one, which I could not so well understand, but still I believed 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 earth forms a part seemed to pass before me in quick succession. And I marveled at the power of which all these systems moved in so much harmony for there 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 system and as space was endless so were the creations of God endless in point of time or duration. And all this is brought about by the revelation I have revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, and there is an endless exaltation to man if he will so receive it. Amen and Amen.
When I came to myself, I was standing in my [field] with the hull of my scythe on the ground which I had been mowing, as though nothing had happened. From that time to the present time, there had been no doubt in my mind that with regard to those who embrace the fullness of the new and everlasting covenant, which I pray that I may enjoy with all my children from generation to generation.
I was appointed one of the standing police to help keep the 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 hands 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, in Florence, Oneida County, New York.
Brother Joseph, I lay my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ and seal upon thy father's blessing. Thou art of the house of Jacob and 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 destruction is determined upon Babylon. It is left to thy choice in what part of the vineyard thou shalt labor. Then [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 has 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 and bring many to the knowledge of thy 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 blessings of the Redeemer's kingdom on the earth and [live] with the sanctified forever.
I seal all these blessings upon thy faithfulness and I seal thee up unto eternal life. Amen.
(Recorded in Book B on page 371 and 372, Number 409, Albert Carrington, recorder.) George A. Smith, Scribe.
A blessing by John Smith, patriarch, upon the head of Hannah Holbrook, daughter of Rufus and Hannah Flint, born July 18, 1806, township of Braintree, Orange County, Vermont.
Sister Holbrook, 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 were sealed upon the former day Saints, and the priesthood that was sealed upon thy companion.
The destroyer shall have no power in thine house. Thy children shall be healthy and thy house shall be a peaceful 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 and 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 shall not fail, not one word of it shall fail. Amen.
Joseph Holbrook, Scribe
(Hannah Holbrook, recorded in Book B, page 372, Number 410. Albert Carrington, recorder.)
In September 1845 the mob commenced burning our brethren's homes in the south part of the county, forcing them to leave their homes and hasten to Nauvoo with their families for protection. The county was in array against the Mormons generally until the Church agreed to leave for their western world in the spring. Some of the brethren were killed with mob violence and the whole state was determined that we should enjoy no more peace. Sometime in October 1845, I settled my tithing in full to June 15, 1846 [1845?].
On the 5th day of November, 1845, I left Nauvoo in company with Alexander Standley on board the steamboat "Western Bell," for St. Louis. I there took passage on board the boat "Diligence" for Wellsville on the Ohio River in the southeastern part of the state. From thence on foot about 100 miles to Clariden to Esquire Rolinson, my brother-in-law, who married Electa Flint, it being the first time they ever saw me. I left the next day for Madison Lake County to the house of my brother-in-law Frederick Flint. As I had a power of attorney from my wife and Anson Call and his wife to settle the estate of their father and secure their proportion which was due about $240.00. I received $200.00 in cash the rest in good which forced me to be obliged to take the stage at Warren Grunaball County for Wellsville and there took the steamboat for Cincinnati and there took passage for St. Louis. The upper Mississippi was close with ice so I was 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 200 pounds, besides that hold of the trunk handle at the other end with my saddle bags on my other arm with a scythe on snath in my hand, when the plank leading to the shore slipped off the boat and let us both into the river where the water was much over my head. I immediately walked to the shore bringing my trunk with all the rest of my luggage with me. Then there was a general shout on the levee at so singular an accident.
Being all wet and this was the last of January, I put baggage on a wood wagon and crossed the Mississippi River for the Illinois side. I 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 200 miles by land. I traveled 25 and 30 miles per day 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, [and went] to a little town by the name of Kinderhook. There I put my mare into a wagon with another man and continued my journey home. I 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 us no peace night or 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. On February 6 [1846] I went into the temple at Nauvoo and received my washing and anointing in the house of the Lord. There was a crowd. It being at the closing of giving endowments, so that nearly 500 passed through their ordinance in the last 24 hours, but I felt knowledge for me to improve upon until I could get more.
A wagon train [for] 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 $500.00 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 $100.00 for stock to a man near Oquawka, Henderson County, April 15, 1846. Brother Call and myself sold our little farm of 18 acres with a good log house under a good rail fence for 25 bushel of corn. It took one day with two yoke to haul the corn home and another half day to haul it to the store where we got ten cents per hundred, making $2.50 the grand amount. For us both the same farm was worth some $300.00 a few months before and a like sacrifice of every other 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 Chandler, 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 a scene of desolation: broken down fences, with covered wagons, every man making every effort 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 lay buried many of our friends: our Prophet Joseph Smith who was killed in Carthage Jail, June 27, 1844, and also his brother Hyrum Smith, our patriarch, with their father Joseph Smith, Sr. and his sons, Don and Carlos [Don Carlos?] and 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 not but dedicate the place of their sepulcher to the God of heaven, hoping that their remains might rest in peace, unmolested until the morning 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.
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