Elisha Pace cemetery

Pac

Elisha Pace d. 1 Oct 1845

buried at Nauvoo

Lydia Lathrop biography

Lydia Lathrop Draper

Birth: Nov. 5, 1775 Norwich New London County Connecticut, USA

Death: Feb. 18, 1846, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

She died; West Bank of the Mississippi River.

West bank of the Mississippi River was in Montrose, Lee, Iowa. Below is an interesting account of Lydia's death and burial:

"Zemira Terry's grandmother, Lydia Lathrop Draper, died on the banks of the Mississippi River after the Mormons were driven from the city of Nauvoo in February 1846. Her age and the conditions contributed to her death. The group could not hold a regular funeral for her, so she was buried in a brown dress and a calico apron in the wet bank of the river at Montrose, Iowa. Her husband William Draper was the first patriarch of the Church other than the Smiths. He was told to stay in the Pottawattamie lands to give blessings to the weary travelers as they passed by on their way to Utah. He remained there until 1852, when Brigham Young gave him permission to join his family in Utah. His son Zemira Sr. had settled in Salt Lake first and then had been sent to Willow Creek in the southern part of Salt Lake County. The Drapers became very prominent in this settlement and before long the name was changed to Draperville, later shortened to Draper."

"An Enduring Legacy", Vol 8, pg. 346

Enos Curtis

Albey Lyman Sherman

 

William and Lydia Lathrop Draper

William Draper Sr. and Lydia Lathrop

Pioneers from Canada

William Draper Sr. was born Sept. 6, 1774, the son of Thomas and Lydia Rogers Draper in Wyoming, Susquannah Co., Pennsylvania. He was fond of reading the scriptures and was early convinced of the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins. He desired to join a church that believed in such baptism, so he was baptized into the Baptist Church, which he considered as the best one according to his convictions at the time.
In 1796, he married Lydia Lathrop, daughter of Isaac and Lucy Pike Lathrop. She was the third great-granddaughter of Reverend John Lathrop, who was exiled from England and came to America because of his break from the Church of England, for religious freedom, in 1923. (He was the common ancestor of such prominent men as Prophet Joseph Smith, Wilford Woodruff, Orson and Parley P. Pratt, Oliver Cowdery, Peter Newton, William Draper, Stillan Pond, and many others, even Franklin D. Roosevelt traces his ancestry back to this Lathrop.) She (Lydia) was born Nov. 5, 1775 in Norwich, New Haven, Conn.
A poem was written by a daughter of their his son, Artemesia Anderson, about the trip when William and Lydia moved to Canada.
There was a child born. His name was William Draper Jr. He was the 5th fifth child (although the poem mentions three earlier children.) My grandfather, Zemira, was born Feb. 27, 1812.
After being in full membership for 15 years, he began to be criticized for believing and teaching that the scriptures were to be understood in accordance to their previous purport, that the prophesies were going to be fulfilled, and that the Israelites would be gathered. He continued to believe as his conscience dictated, however.
Then in 1833 he heard Brigham Young preach Mormonism when he was on his Canadian mission. As soon as he heard it he recognized the truths that he had been searching for all his life, and asked for baptism. He was baptized and confirmed on the 25th of March, 1833

By Brigham Young (and Joseph Young assisted in the confirmation.) This was in the Township of Laborough, Canada. He was ordained to the Priesthood in June 1833, and later in the same month he was ordained an Elder by the same Brigham Young.

In 1835 he immigrated to Kirtland, Ohio, and in 1836 he went back to Canada on a mission in company with John E. Page where they baptized many persons and organized a large branch of the church. and in 1837 was ordained a High Priest under the hands of Don Carlos Smith and his councilors.
On January 2nd 1837 he joined with the other two thirds of the Saints forming the Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company.
On March 13, 1838 because according to the Church Journal History he was one of the Seventies that met to form the governing resolutions to rule them on the proposed move to Missouri. Each seventy listed the members of his respective family that would be going on the move. William Sr. listed two members, which would have been himself and his wife. (His son Thomas listed one and Zemira listed six.
This exodus was called the Kirtland Camp, and left Kirtland for Missouri, but the Drapers did not go all the way to Missouri at this time. They stopped in Sangamon Co., Ill. Until the fall of 1839 when he moved to Pleasant Vale, Pikes Co., Ill. where he helped build up a large branch of the church.
In 1841 he moved to Green Plaines, Hancock Co. Ill. He was from there in 1845 and he then sought safety in Nauvoo. All this time his wife Lydia had traveled along accepting his hardships but not accepting his church, but after moving to Nauvoo she asked for baptism. She was baptized and confirmed the same day, Dec 25, 1845. She was also endowed in the temple on this date.
In 1846 the persecutions became so severe that most of the Latter-Day-Saints left their homes in the winter or early spring, but William had hopes of being able to stay until later. Again we find in the records; “In the summer of 1846 hostilities were renewed against the members of the Church who still remained in Nauvoo. The great body of the Saints had left and only a remnant had remained, composed of the poor, the weak, the aged and afflicted who had been unable to get away. They were all anxious to depart, and were exerting all their energies to obtain means for that purpose. Pres. Young and the Apostles were doing all in their power to aid them to depart.
The Draper’s left Nauvoo on Sept. 17, 1846 and crossed the Mississippi River when the mob forced them to leave. They were forced to stop as soon as they had crossed to the safety of the river, because of the frailties of his wife who was nearly 71. The exposure and difficulty were more than she could endure and she died. She was buried on the bank of the Mississippi River in a brown dress and a calico apron.
In 1847 William continued his westward journey and went as far a Council Bluffs, where he married his brother’s widow, Mary Mosier,  in 1847.
In 1848 he was ordained as the Patriarch of the Branches of the church in Pottawatattamie Lands in Iowa, under the hands of Elder George A. Smith by orders of the First Presidency.
From then until 1852 at each conference of the Church in Iowa when they were sustaining the General Authorities, William Draper was sustained as Patriarch of the Church of the Pottawattamie Lands in Iowa. At this time there were only two Patriarchs mentioned in conference; John Smith as Patriarch of the entire Church and William Draper in Iowa.
As he got older he desired to come to Utah to be with his sons and their families so in April 1851 he wrote a letter to the authorities that was read in Conference; “Elder William Draper Sr., Patriarch of the Pottawattamie Branch desires to go to the Valley, and he wishes those who are indebted to him to pay him, with as little delay as possible. He is ever ready to attend to his duties of his calling, and those who may wish his services had better secure them while he is still in their midst, and by so doing may secure virtues and benefits of his office, while he may gain favor from you to an extent that he will be able to provide himself with means and comforts necessary for his long journey.”
He left Iowa in July 1852 in the Robert Weimer Co. Arrived in Salt Lake Sept. 15, 1852. He moved to Draper, where his sons were established and made his home there. He united with the High Priests in Great Salt Lake City. After arriving in Utah he continued his calling as Patriarch and gave about 250 blessings in the valley.
Not withstanding his age and the many severe scenes he had been called to pass through, he continued his to work with his hands, to within a short time of his death. He died December 24th, 1854, at the advanced age of 80 years, 3 months, and 18 days. He left an enormous posterity as his children, grand children, and great grand children numbered about 150 at the time of his death. His obituary closed with these words: “He went calmly to his rest as only the faithful can, and his words will follow him, and his spirit is rejoicing and operating in a wider sphere of intelligence preparatory to receiving a glorious body in the morning of the resurrection.”

Written by Estella Draper Magnus…. ninth child of Zemira Terry Draper who was the 7th child of Zemira Draper, who was the eighth child of William Draper, who was the 3rd child of Thomas Draper.

Ruth Franklin

Diary of Mary Smith

Diary of Mary Smith

12/97 - The original of the diary is in the possesion of Lois Evans in Lehi Utah.  Her family also has the watch.  Edward settled in American Fork.  After his death the property was given to American Fork and is now the city park.

May 1 (May Day) 1828: Mum gave me a diary because I am 18 and I promised to write in it faithfully. It was a beautiful spring day. Elizabeth, Maria and I went to the Fair to buy new ribbons for our bonnets. My silly6 little sisters were giggling and I looked up and saw the handsomest stranger staring at me. He was even bold enough to wink at me.

May 7, 1828: Today I saw him again. How did he know where I lived? He stopped at our gate and petted Rex. His name is Edward Robinson.

Life of Jehu Cox - taken from "Ancestors and Descendants of Jehu Cox"

LIFE OF JEHU COX

Taken from Ancestors and Descendants of Jehu Cox by Wayne D. Stout

Published in 1957

The St. George Temple was dedicated in 1877. This event had a profound effect on Jehu. He experienced a spiritual revolution in his life. The Spirit of Elijah took possession of him. This endowment broadened Jehu's concept of his life's mission. Its first affect was to impel him to write his life story. The journal he wrote is disappointingly brief but extremely valuable for what it is. It is a thousand times better than no journal. In writing up his life's experiences he depended wholly on his memory. A man 74 years old cannot be expected to remember dates and events accurately — but in general he was accurate. A few inconsistencies are allowable. From these precious writings enough facts are discovered to make a biography possible.
September 5, 1803 is a historical date in Cox history. Cox history begins in Knox County, Kentucky. if we tie the date to the place the sum adds up to Jehu Cox. The area in Knox County was all rural in 1803. The county had been organized 4 years earlier. Located in the southeast part of the state, Knox was still an Indian hunting ground where white men feared to travel alone. In this wilderness Jehu first saw the light of day. On arrival Jehu did not know that Thomas Jefferson was President of the United States. Neither did Jefferson know the purchase of Louisiana would benefit Jehu. That same year John Marshall handed down his famous decision in the Marbury case. In Europe the mad Napoleon was attempting to invade England which ended like another Waterloo.  George III was the King of England (1760-1820). His autocratic rule ended the very year that superstition was replaced by a true concept of God. Truly Jehu was born during an age of revolution — mechanical as well as spiritual.

Let us now return to the infant – Jehu Cox – in the wilderness country — Knox County Kentucky. He had no memories of that beautiful country since his family moved away when he was three weeks old. The journey carried them about 190 miles northwest to the banks of the Green River which is probably in McLean County. This river empties into the Ohio above Henderson. The location of their new home can only be approximated. Here the family lived till Jehu was six years old. . In 1809 the family journeyed 265 miles to Salt Creek, Vinton County, Ohio. Jehu says the new home was 24 miles east of Chillicothe. The map shows a town named Cox on the banks of Salt Creek which may have been named for Thomas Cox. The family lived in that community 9 years or until Jehu was 15 years old.

During the period of Salt Creek, Jehu says he went to live with his grandfather, Solomon Cox. The years in question were 1814-1817 or when Jehu was 11 to 14. This is very interesting to us for it proves that Solomon was still alive in 1817. It also indicates that Solomon lived somewhere near Salt Creek. The famil moved again in 1818 “ , 205 miles to Monroe County, Indiana. (Is it possible to believe the 73 year old Solomon accompanied the family?) The family first lived in Bloomington, the County seat for about two years then moved out into the country, 12 miles from town. It seems the home was located near the banks of another Salt Creek.  If he had any educational opportunities they are not mentioned. Since his father was a farmer we can easily believe Jehu was, too.

It seems providence was shaping the destiny of Jehu. The Cox family were Quakers as we have seen. One of the Cox neighbors belonged to the Episcopal Church. The two churches have little in common. In spite of this social barrier the families became friends. This fact leads to the belief that the two families lived very close together. Some of the members from each group became more than friendly. Jehu was not romantic when he related his courtship. He simply says: “I got acquainted with Sarah Pyle and we was married January 13, 1824”.

Before we continue with Jehu's story we might take a look at Thomas Cox. We have no record of Thomas following his son Jehu to Warren County. Instead, Thomas and wife Rachel seem to have remained in Salt Creek, Indiana. We have a record of Thomas' death in 1845 but we do not know where he died. We assume he died in Salt Creek, but this is only speculation. We do have a record of Rachel's death on October 5, 1857 at Salt Creek. We might conclude from this fact that Thomas died there too.

Jehu and Sarah made their first home at Salt Creek. Four seasons were spent in that community – occupation, farming. During that period 3 children came to bless their home, unfortunately, two of them died in infancy. The health of the family at Salt Creek was not satisfactory so they decided to find a more healthy country. From Salt Creek their destination was Warren County, 110 miles northwest of Salt Creek. They rented a farm near the Wabash River (December 1827) where they remained two seasons. While there Henderson Cox joined the clan, November 6, 1829.

After the second season near the Wabash, Jehu mentions his father-in-law for the first time. He writes that he accompanied Edward G. Pyle and family across the state line into Illinois. The two families settled at Vermillion River, in Vermillion County, We might be safe in speculating that the Pyle family had been living in Salt Creek too. It may be unwise to suggest the presence of Solomon Cox in this group. In 1829 he was 84 years old — not impossible.

Enos Curtis biography by Lucinda Payne Merrell

LIFE STORY OF ENOS CURTIS


By Lucinda Payne Merrell, Mesa, Arizona
I decided to write what I could of the life of this noble ancestor for my own book and for my descendants. I want my children to know something of Enos Curtis so (the following) is what I have collected.

From family and church records, we find that Enos was born 9 Oct 1783 in Kinderhook, Columbia Co., New York. From the record of the ancestors, it seems the family for several generations had lived in Connecticut. Much of the land there had been taken up and many of the young men were reaching out to new frontiers and no doubt that is what brought Enos's father to New York.

Enos Curtis had a patriarchal blessing 29 Sep 1841 by Patriarch Hyrum Smith in Nauvoo. It gives his parents as Edmund and Polly Curtis.

We know nothing of his (Enos's) childhood or young manhood. Some genealogist in California said he was married to Ruth Franklin 15 Dec 1805. that is the first record we have of him except his birth record.

We do find a little record of his father and grandfather in Columbia Co., New York land records. Book A, p. 369 says 21 Mar 1800 Edmund Curtis buys land of Jeremiah Curtis and wife Lydia.

Deeds say that the parties concerned are of Cheery Valley, Atsego, New York. Another Deed Book A, p. 376 says Edmund Curtis and wife Martha sold this land to Samuel Niles.

It appears from genealogical records that Edmond Curtis (the father) was not true to his first wife (Polly). We find he had children by another woman while still having children by Polly, mother of Enos. His first wife bore him six children; then she drops out of the picture and he had eight children by Martha Willson.

Now these land deals were probably by his 2nd wife as her name is Martha, and it was 1800. The last child born by the first wife was 1793. Genealogists have never found a death date or any record more of this wife. They probably separated, so we don't know where or under what conditions Enos grew up. Jeremiah Curtis, grandfather of Enos, died in the town of Russia, Herkimer Co., New York in 1807. Two years after the marriage of Enos, county records state that Jeremiah had no real estate but his personal property he willed to his grandson, Enos, son of Edmund. So he (Enos) probably grew up, or at least at this time, must have been living near his grandfather, or was that just an act of providence to give to descendants of Enos--a connection into the Curtis family for genealogical and Temple work. Jeremiah must have had lots of other grand sons.

Where he spent the next few years we don't know. In the family record there is no place of birth for his first three children. He may have been in New York, but in 1814, he had a son born inSoutherland, Tioga Co., Pennsylvania. He must have had some respect for his father for (he named his first son) Edmond for his father; the next son was named Jeremiah for his grandfather.

So now we have him located in Tioga County, Pennsylvania and there we find him on the tax roll for several years and he had children born in the county for the next eighteen years or until 1832 and there he was when that part of the country was being stirred up by the story of Joseph Smith.

Tioga is right on the line between Pennsylvania and New York. It is about fifty miles from Harmony, Pennsylvania where Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and is probably less then a hundred miles from where the Church was organized so he had a good chance, no doubt, to hear Joseph Smith.

Family tradition says he had remarked that some day the true church would be restored to the earth so he was in a receptive mood. Tradition says that he (Enos) accepted Joseph Smith before the Church was organized and that there were not more than forty persons baptised into the Church before Enos Curtis. He was baptised into the Church by Lyman W(r)ight in 1831.

In the fall of 1831, five missionaries went from the little branch of the Church in Columbia, Pennsylvania to New York on a short missionary trip and they stopped at Mendon, New York. Here they met Heber C. Kimball, he says: "About three weeks after I joined the Baptist Church (fall of 1831) five Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ came from Pennsylvania to the house of Victor Young in Victor. Their names were: Eleazer Miller, Elial Strong, Alpheus Gifford, Enos Curtis and Daniel Bowen. Hearing of these men, curiosity prompted me to go and see them, when for the first time, I heard the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel.

I also heard the gifts of the spirit manifested among the Elders for they spoke in tongues and interpreted which tended to strengthen my faith. Brigham Young and myself were constrained by

the Spirit to bear testimony of the truth, and when we did thus, the power of God rested upon us."

Preston Nibley in his book "Brigham Young, the Man and His Works", says that while Brigham Young had had access to the Book of Mormon for more than a year prior to his coming in contact with the Elders, he had not been led to make any thorough or extensive investigation of "Mormonism", but it seemed what profundly influenced Brigham more than reading the book was his actual contact with the Missionaries. Brigham said, "When I saw a man without eloquence or talents for public speaking who could only say, I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the Lord, the Holy Ghost proceeded from that individual illuminating my understanding and light, glory and immorality were before me. I was encircled by them, filled with them, and I knew for myself that the testimony was true." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, page 90)

Family tradition has the story that Brigham's wife was sick and while he was at a meeting of the Missionaries he had to hurry home to her and could not stay and talk to the Elders. He was very impressed and he prayed to the Lord and asked that if it was the truth to send the Missionaries to him, that he might learn more of the Gospel. The next morning, Enos and one of the other Missionaries were passing his (Brigham Young's) home and the yards and the premises were so neat and orderly and well kept that it impressed the Elders, who said, "Well, anybody with that much pride to keep his home so well, must be a fine person and one worth contacting," so they went in and met Brigham and discussed the Gospel with him. He saw them coming and was watching to see if this prayer was going to be answered.

In January 1832, Brigham Young, his brother Phineas and Heber C. Kimball paid a visit to Columbia, Pennsylvania and spent about a week with the Saints at this Branch. Quoting from the book, "Brigham Young the Man and His Works", we read, "The five Elders from Pennsylvania must have been most excellent and spiritual minded men. It was in their little Branch at Columbia that the gift of tongues was for the first time exercised in the Church." So we see that Enos Curtis was very early a member of the Church and working for the building of the Kingdom.

From "The Journal History of the Church" in the Church Historians office, I have found that Enos and family went with (the) Church in various moves, suffering all the persecutions and trials of the Saints.

We locate him in Caldwell, Clay County, Missouri, 29 November 1839 through a petition to Congress signed by the Saints presenting claims against the State of Missouri. Their names were alphabetically arranged. Enos Curtis' claim was for $1,856. Enos Curtis presided over a conference at Quincy, Illinois, on 1 September 1844 (See page 5 of 1 September 1844.)

Minutes of Quincy Branch of (the) L.D.S. Church held in Quincy, Illinois, 9 March 1845 at the home of Joseph Pine: "Item 1- -Resolved that the Presidency of the Branch stand as it did for the last three months--that is, with Enos Curtis, president, and Moses Jones 1st and John Riley 2nd Councillors. The same to hold office for the next three months."

On 25 October 1845 Enos Curtis made and signed an affadavit stating that a mob had wilfully destroyed the home of widow Boss by fire in Quincy.

Enos probably had accumulated land and property in Pennsylvania which he, no doubt, disposed of when he began to follow the Church. And in Missouri he lost nearly two thousand dollars and that was quite a bit of money for those days.

One little story my mother remembered her father telling that happened about this time while they were in Illinois, was that the grown sons of Enos were out on the prairie putting up wild hay. The mobs were very active about that time and they had gotten the report that (the mob) were going to attack the Mormons the next day. Enos was afraid his sons would be sighted and attacked out there alone on the prairie. So, he rode out in the night to bring them home. In the night the boys heard a horse coming across the prairie toward their camp and (they) were a little excited wondering who it was and why coming in the night and made ready to defend themselves when the rider of the horse gave a little cough, then the boys said, "We know that cough, that is father." After (Enos) and his horse had rested a while, they started for home. After day light, they could see they were being followed by a mob. The father, Enos, said, "Don't get panicky. Speed up your horses-- just a little and we will watch the mob." They could soon see that the mob were traveling faster than they were and gaining on them. Enos said, "We will go a little faster, but not run yet and our horses will hold out better." They watched the mob carefully and found they had to go a little faster and a little faster. As they neared town and were on the last stretch, Enos told his sons that they would now have to run their horses as hard as they could. The mob was now not too far behind, but (Enos and his sons) beat (the mob) into town.

Another story from Chloe Durfee Spencer, granddaughter of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin Curtis: "When the mob were in some of the various raids, two or more families would sleep together in one home of Enos Curtis. The men were all away from home. The mob ordered all out of the house. The (Mormon women) told the mob (that) Grandmother, Ruth Franklin, was very ill and could not be moved. The mob left, but came back a second and a third time and each time were more vicious and finally set fire to the house. The women carried Ruth out on a blanket. The shouts of the mob were soon heard and some Mormon men rushed over and carried Grandmother away in a wagon. The mob even chased the wagon, but more help came and the mob turned back. (Grandmother) died 6 May, 1848, after they started the trip across the plains."

I don't know whether Enos and his family were at Nauvoo or still at Quincy, Illinois during the last days before the exodus, but they were near enough that in January and February of 1846. Enos, his wife Ruth Franklin Curtis and the older boys, even though the boys were not married, all received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple. Soon after this they began their trek across the plains with the rest of the Saints. It seems that the mother, Ruth, was having poor health and traveling as they did and in the cold and unfavorable living conditions she grew worse and passed away 6 May 1848 at Council Bluffs, at the age of fifty-eight.

We have searched long and hard for the ancestry of Ruth Franklin without results, but she must have been a faithful wife and mother as she was right at her husband's side through his experiences and persecutions of the Church. We might well say she gave her life for the gospel. She was mother of fourteen children. At least two teen age girls were left to continue the journey across the plains with their father.

We have another faith promoting story by Chloe Spencer, a granddaughter of Enos Curtis. She said that her mother told this story often, saying she remembered it well as it happened on her 15th birthday. (If this is the case, it must have been before they got to the Bluffs as they were not traveling on her birthday after they left Council Bluffs.) They came to a large river and had to be ferried across. They put two families on the ferry and the Stowell family and Enos Curtis family were crossing when the cable broke letting them downstream. There were some dangerous rapids not far below and of course there was fear and excitement among the families of the other travelers on the shore. Enos Curtis raised his right hand to the square and by the power of the priesthood in the name of the Lord commanded the ferry to drift to the shore-- which it did. The ferry and the families and outfits were saved. Sister Spencer said one time old Brother Stowell was at her house and she talked to him about the incident and he said he had heard his father tell the story.

From the Journal of History of the Church we learn something of the company of the Saints in which Enos traveled. (See Supplement to Journal of History of the Church, Church Historian's

Office 31 December 1848, 1st division emigration. Emigration across the plains and mountains from Missouri River to Salt Lake City.)

This company was divided into three divisions. Brigham Young was in charge of the first division. Enos Curtis, Theodore Curtis and Joseph Curtis were in this group.

This division left the Elkhorn River 1 June 1848 and arrived in Salt Lake City, Sept. of 1848.

In this first division there were 1229 souls, 387 wagons, 74 horses, 19 mules, 1297 oxen, 699 cows, 184 loose cattle and sheep, some pigs, dogs, cats, doves, geese and two hives of bees. (See

Journal History 16 Jun 1848.)

In 1850, Enos Curtis met and married widow Tammie Durfee Miner. She had a family, having buried her husband on the plains. They moved on a farm owned by Lorenzo Snow, in Willard, Box Elder County, Utah. About that time John White and David Avery Curtis, sons of Enos, along with Ozias Strong and Albert Starr were sent out by Brigham Young as surveyors for new homes. They reported the conditions in and around Springville and a settlement was started there in 1850. Later Enos moved to Springville and spent the remainder of his days there.

Enos was ordained a patriarch in 1852 by Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, George A. Smith and John Taylor. (Enos had previously converted Heber C. Kimball). Brigham Young made very few trips south of Salt Lake for colonization purposes without sending a forerunner or a messenger to Enos announcing his plans and inviting him to join the company (as Company Patriarch.) A company organized 10 May 1854 by Brigham Young consisted of 82 men, 14 women and 5 children who traveled in 34 wagons. They left Salt Lake City and traveled south. They took 95 animals consisting of horses, oxen and cows. The company was well organized. They had a captain, chaplain, historians, interpreters, doctors and bishops and Enos Curtis was the Patriarch of the company. He (Enos) was faithfully anxious to go and was very active--although 71 years of age. He traveled with his son, David Avery Curtis, and Aaron Johnson in wagon number 29. David was the teamster and as he liked animals, I suppose his team of oxen was kindly treated. His love of animals grew as he grew older. He was often cited for his kindness. (The company) traveled as far as Nephi the second night. Little is recorded of the trip except to say it was successful. Their aim was to clear new land and plan new settlements.

In 1935, John Curtis visited Moroni Miner, step-son of Enos, to learn what he could about our ancestor. Moroni was then 100 years old, but had an excellent memory and his mind was clear. He

told how the two families lived together and got along very well. He spoke very highly of Enos and said he always treated them as a very kind, loving and patient father and told how much Enos was

like his own father. He appeared very touched in relating these experiences. (Moroni) said after being driven and wandering for so many years, they wanted so much to settle down and have a home of their own, so in Springville they were all willing to work hard and endure any sacrifices and hardships to build a home. By this time Enos was sixty-seven years old. His wife must have been quite a bit younger for she had three little girls by Enos; (and more children by another husband after Enos' death).

The home they built had two large rooms with a carpenter shop in between. Enos was an excellent carpenter and an expert chair maker. All furniture in Utah at that date was home manufactured and Enos made chairs for a living. Moroni said he and his brother became very efficient in making the chair bottoms of reed, leather or rawhide while Enos did the rest of the chair.

He said, Enos was always ready to help the sick in the neighborhood. Enos Curtis's journey in life ended in his 73rd year. It came as a great shock. During the day, although feeling a little faint, he went about his daily tasks. In the evening, the family had gathered together in a reunion. He joined in various activities, then sat up to the table and ate with the family. Then he sat back in his chair as if resting, but became so still and rigid (the family) cautiously tried to make him more comfortable, but discovered his rest was more then the little nap he so often enjoyed in his chair. He died so easily--no struggle nor pain, but such a peaceful death was well earned by our beloved progenitor who brought the gospel to his vast band of descendants.

It is said he kept a diary, but after his death, his step-sons used it for smoking paper. Paper was so very scarce in those days in Utah. Little did they realize what it would have meant to us to have had those "day-to-day" experiences as he recorded them.

May we carry on emulating his strength of character and faithfulness and bring honor to his name and give thanks and honor and glory to our Father in Heaven who gave us the privilege of coming to the earth through such a choice lineage.

Lucinda Payne Merrell - Great Granddaughter of Enos Curtis

________________________________________

Enos Curtis biography

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LIFE OF ENOS CURTIS 1783 - 1856


Enos Curtis, born 9 Oct 1783, died 1 Jun 1856, son of Edmond Curtis and Polly Avery. He was born in Kinderhook, Clmb., New York. Hattie Esplin Durfee notes that Enos Curtis, the eldest son of Edmond Curtis and Polly Avery Curtis, spent his boyhood days in the little town of Kinderhook, a few miles east of the Hudson River, in Columbia County, New York. A few miles farther east is the large town of Latham. Not much is known of his early life. The story is told by one of his descendants in Utah that Enos, at the age of 14, was apprenticed to learn a trade. His master was so cruel and unkind that he begged his father to let him return home. His father refused saying that the agreement was made, papers signed and that he must finish the contract. Young Enos had courage and an adventurous spirit. He planned to escape from this man and did make his escape by stowing away on a ship sailing down the Hudson River to New York City. He was discovered enroute but the crew learned to like him and asked him to stay with them.

Enos Curtis files his losses

State of Missouri Dr


to Moveing from Pennsylvania Tioga County Rutland

Township to Missouri time and expence $300.00

To being Driven from Clay County to Coldwell having my

Crop to move the loss of time and Expence 150.00

to the Loss of propperty having my house plundered of

Clothing and furnature 200.00

to the loss of Corn potatoes and other Loss 100.00

to the loss of Cattle and hogs 50.00

to the Loss of Land 408.00

to the loss of four Musketts 40.00

to the loss of time of four hands by the mob 100.00

to two bee Stands 8.00

to the Loss of time and Expence of Moveing being Driven

out of Missouri 500.00



I Do Certify the above a count to Be Just and true a cording to the Best of my Knowledg

Enos Curtis

[Sworn to before C.M. Woods, C.C.C., Adams Co., Il, 8 May 1839.]
Original spelling and capitalization have been maintained.
C.C.C. abbreviation - Clerk Circuit Court

Enos Curtis escapes the mob

One little story my mother remembered her father telling that happened about this time while they were in Illinois, was that the grown sons of Enos were out on the prairie putting up wild hay. The mobs were very active about that time and they had gotten the report that (the mob) were going to attack the Mormons the next day. Enos was afraid his sons would be sighted and attacked out there alone on the prairie. So, he rode out in the night to bring them home. In the night the boys heard a horse coming across the prairie toward their camp and (they) were a little excited wondering who it was and why coming in the night and made ready to defend themselves when the rider of the horse gave a little cough, then the boys said, "We know that cough, that is father." After (Enos) and his horse had rested a while, they started for home. After day light, they could see they were being followed by a mob. The father, Enos, said, "Don't get panicky. Speed up your horses-- just a little and we will watch the mob." They could soon see that the mob were traveling faster than they were and gaining on them. Enos said, "We will go a little faster, but not run yet and our horses will hold out better." They watched the mob carefully and found they had to go a little faster and a little faster. As they neared town and were on the last stretch, Enos told his sons that they would now have to run their horses as hard as they could. The mob was now not too far behind, but (Enos and his sons) beat (the mob) into town.

Calming the storm

A Story From Chloe Spencer,  Daughter Of Celestia Curtis Durfee and Grand Daughter Of Enos Curtis:

When the mobs were in some of the vicious raids two or three families would gather together in one home for protection. On one such occasion the mob came to the home of Enos Curtis, the men were away. The mob ordered the occupants out of the house. The family told them that Grandmother Ruth Franklin Curtis was ill and could not leave the house. The mob left, but came back the second and third time and finally set fire to the house. The women carried Grandmother away out on a sheet. As the men folks heard about the raid, they rushed back and carried Grandmother away in a wagon as she could not walk. The mob even chased the wagon, but they finally got away.

Enos Curtis, family and a family by the name of Stowell were on the ferry crossing the river from Montrose, Iowa to Nauvoo. A terrific wind came up and as some people had previously gone down the rapids below the ferry crossing there was much anxiety and excitement. People on shore shouting and screaming for help. It was so strong it looked as if it would break the cable that controlled the ferry when Enos Curtis raised his arm to the square and commanded the wind to take them to shore. It ceased its velocity and changed so the ferry drifted to shore and both families were saved. As soon as they were on shore, the gale began as fierce as before.

Albey Lyman Sherman biography (by Mary Jones Brown?)

HISTORY OF ALBEY LYMAN SHERMAN

Grandfather lived in Nauvoo at the time when great persecutions were taking place, when the mob was after the Prophet Joseph Smith and other leaders of the Church. He witnessed the sorrow and mourning among the Saints when their beloved Prophet, Joseph Smith and Patriarch, Hyrum Smith were shot and killed by the mob. Grandfather was about fourteen years old at the time.
The persecution became so great that the Saints were threatened with their lives if they did not leave Nauvoo and the state of Illinois. So in the middle of the winter they left their homes, farms and everything they had except what few things they could take with them in their wagons and crossed the Mississippi River on the ice and made camp on the other side which was in the state of Iowa.

Nauvoo Card

Albey Lyman Sherman biography

BORN: 30 October 1832 at Pomfret, Chautaqua, New York
PARENTS: Lyman Royal Sherman & Delcena Didamia Johnson
PIONEER: October 1854 before the 21st unidientified company (21 years old)
SPOUSE: Mary Elvira Swan
MARRIED: 10 June 1854 at the North Platte River
DIED: 18 September 1911 at Huntington, Emery, Utah

ALBEY LYMAN SHERMAN

The story of Albey Lyman Sherman begins in Pomfret, Chautauqua County, New York where he was born, 30 October 1832 and ends with his death at Huntington, Emery County, Utah on the 18 September 1911. His life’s journey of 79 years and 3,000 miles led from New York to Kirtland, Ohio in 1833 from there to Far West, Missouri, 1838 Nauvoo and 1840 Illinois across Iowa to Council Bluffs in 1849, where in June 1854 the long trek to Utah began concluding in pioneering in Payson, Santaquin, Fountain Green and finally Huntington, Utah.

Albey Lyman Sherman biography (by Mary Jones Brown)

ALBEY LYMAN SHERMAN

by Mary Jones Brown

Albey Lyman Sherman was born 30 October 1832 at Pomfret, Chautauqua County, New York, son of Lyman Royal Sherman and Delcena Diadamia Johnson. Pomfret was no far from Palmyra and Hill Cumorah from which Joseph Smith got the gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated.

His parents were converts to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints before he was born, they being baptized in the fall of 1831, thus being among the earliest members.