Nauvoo and the Martyrdom

Harrison's journey continues........................

"I removed my family to Daviess County and in a short time my wife was taken sick with the chills and fever which rendered her nearly helpless for about six months, during which also the terrible tragedies of persecution were enacted in Missouri.  Daniel Carter, and some of his family, were sick and on my hands to provide for.  Thus, surrounded by affliction , I, with my brethren, were compelled to remove our sick family to Caldwell County.  We tarried there till the next March and were then obliged to leave the state.  In addition to removing my own family, I made two or three trips with my team to assist in the removing of the destitute.

I removed to Nauvoo in April, 1840.  I remained during the summer and in the fall I took a mission to the east in company with Daniel Carter.  We took our families, and by request of Hyrum Smith moved into his large and commodious house in Kirtland to which was attached a most beautiful orchard.  We then proceeded farther east on our mission as we were authorized to visit the branches of the church and gather means for the Nauvoo Temple.  I was gone two years when I returned to Nauvoo.

In June of 1844 the storm of persecution arose against the leaders of the church, which terminated in the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.  During this scene I had the command of one of the companies of the Nauvoo Legion and I was on duty about three weeks.  I saw Joseph and Hyrum's dead bodies and was called on to act as one of the guards at the burial.

At the organization of the seventies I was appointed one of the Presidents over the Second Quorum and was ordained to that office under the hands of Elder Orson Pratt.  During the spring and summer I assisted in ordaining several hundreds of the seventies and organizing them into quorums.

In the fall of 1845 the mob spirit revived and after due reflection and counsel the church as a body concluded to leave the states and seek a home in the wilderness.

Every possible exertion was then made to hasten the completion of the temple, that the saints might therein receive their anticipated blessings and endowments before their departure.  The temple was dedicated and the giving of endowments commenced."


As you have been reading the blog you may have noticed that the Carter surname has come up on several occasions. Elder Simeon Carter first preached the gospel to Harrison in New York.   John Carter died in Harrison's arms during the march of Zion's Camp.  Jared Carter was present on the occasion of William Harrison's confirmation.  Daniel Carter is assisted in the exodus by Harrison.  The Carter brothers were missionaries as well.  I researched the Carter boys while we were in Kirtland and found some information about them.  Unfortunately, only Simeon remained true to the gospel and came west with the Pioneers.  He did not live long after their arrival in Utah but the Burgess descendants owe a great debt to the Carter family for all they suffered through together.

We know that Harrison served in the Nauvoo Legion (if you would like more info on this group you can Google it or read what's available in numerous church history books.)  Willaim Burgess served with the local military in Utah.  How grateful I am to these good men who were willing to serve and protect, even as today our relative, Nick Kolowich is willing to serve and protect his country while being deployed in Afghanistan.    Grandpa Don Higginson served for more than twenty years in the U.S. Navy as well.  I am sure there are others of you who have willingly given service to protect and defend this great country of ours.  We are all grateful to you for your service.