Today we come to the conclusion of Zerah's story in his own words.
"In the meantime, we were rather destitute of clothing, but speculators followed the army and brought more goods to the valley than was ever brought before so that the people were decently clothed. All this we considereed direct from the hand of God to supply our wants. But evils have followed the army. Such a herd of abomibable characers have come in their wake, that lying, gambling, robbing, stealing, and murdering till it seemed as though they were determined to break up all law and order in the territory. They brought with them much liquor which still furthered them in their abomination, and many of our people who were weak joined with them in their wickedness, especially the rising generation who imitated their habits. This gave us some trouble to keept the church in order. Brother Brigham preached continually to bring the church to obedience, but they were now careless.
We had some trouble with the Indians, but nothing in consequence of our being driven out from the United States. I think all the wars we have had with the Indians have not as yet made us so much trouble as the armys sent from the United States.
I still continued my labors in town and on my farm---what time I could get. I had much labor too among the seventies, remaining a counselor. I was frequently out four or five evenings a week besides day meetings.
In March of 1857 I married Martha Hughes, daughter of James and Ann Picton Hughes. She bore me five children.
I discovered that with the age that I had approached that it began to wear upon my constitution. I was advised by some to give up my presiding and let a younger man take it that invoked upon it. I therefore gave it up, with the privilege of remaining in the body of the seventies or join the high priest quorum. I, therefore, have yet remained in the body of the seventies. Considering they were both embraced in the Melchizedek Priesthood it was a matter of indifference to me.
However, the southern mission that had been in action for some time had some influence with me, partly on account of its necessity and partly on account of some of my boys that were called there. Therefore, I said I did not know but that I would go there if the presidency thought it best. No sooner than they heard of it they sent me an order to go with my family. I, therefore, put myself in the way of selling my property. My boys heard of it and came to help me move to Dixie. Accordingly, in the fall of 1862 I removed to Shoal Creek (later called Hebron,) where my boys were keeping a herd for the southern people. (the members of the church residing in St. George) I found it to be a very healthy section, and I enjoyed myself very well, considering the obscurity of the place. We were a great distance from the abode of the white men in the very midst of the roving red men."
Susie's notes:
The town of Hebron was eventually destroyed by floods and an earthquake. Gary and I found where Zerah's body is buried in an extremely small cemetary just west of the town of Enterprise. You have to cross a creek to get to the cemetary so you can only find it at certain times of the year as the creek runs pretty high in the spring. Zerah's sons found the Shoal Creek area while exploring west of Enterprise and found it to be a great place to raise cattle. They then settled the town and ran cattle for the church, feeding the people of St. George. When the town was destroyed by flood, most of the people living there went to Enterprise, just a few miles east, and helped then to establish that community. Zerah had two daughters who married a Terry. He was the founder of Enterprise. There is a monument there to recognize these families.
"I will now reflect back to the time our family meetings convened. The first was in February, 1855. I called my children together at my home in Salt Lake at this meeting and said, "I want to instruct you a little and give such advice which I hope you will remember. First get the spirit of the Lord and keep it. The most of you have the priesthood and you will be likely to use it to govern your families and bring up your children . When a man has a number of good children he loves all of them. If the destroyer comes to take one of them, which will he give? Most likely the one he cannot keep, of course. Which child can't you keep by the prayer of faith and the authority of the priesthood? Pray mighty to God, let your thoughts be raised in prayer day and night, that you may have the spirit of the Lord to be with you. Never speak till you know what you are going to say. Never whip a child in anger. Be sure that the spirit of the Lord dictates to you when you groom your children. Never let your girls go with men that you do not know for some men have the fever of seducing, therefore, beware who they go with. Some women think if their husbands get another wife they cannot love them anymore, but they are under a great mistake, for he can love one hundred as well as the sun can shine upon each of them in a clear day---if God requires you get them. Such idle thoughts should be banished from their minds forever. Why is it so? Becasue it is God's order. A man may love his wives just in proportion to their acts of kindness to him. I beg of you mothers to take care of your children while they are with you. I now will give way for you to speak.
Then each child would bear their testimonies. These meetings were held regularly once a year and recorded."
I have a copy of John Pulsipher's journal, he was Zerah's son, and he recorded all of these family meetings. They always had a lot of food, including lots of cheeses, which I thought was interesting.
Zerah Pulsipher was instrumental in building the towns of Pine Valley and Hebron. He died in Hebron January 1, 1872 at the age of eighty-four. This day closed another chapter in the book of life for one of God's chosen and noble sons. He was remembered at his funeral with the following poem:
ZIONS NOBLE SON
Zkon's noble son is sleeping
Neath the sod of Zion's land.
Chosen by the great Creator,
And by the strength of nature's hand.
To the just his spirit has wafted,
Not to rest, but plod along;
In the quest of the resurrection,
Which God says is in the morn.
Among the rocks, amid the desert,
He has striven to maintain
Zion's standart in the mountains,
And to honor his Maker's name.
Scores of branches from the honored
Taught by him to reverance God,
Have sprung up and dwelt in Zion
And sing their praise with one accord.
Through a useful life he's passed,
Bearing Temples unto God,
Have sprung up and dwelt in Zion
And sing their praise with one accord.
Through a useful life he's passed,
Bearing Temples unto God,
Choosing right; maintaining justice;
Taking this path for his abode.
Like the rock of Gibralter
He has stood from first to last,
Through the blast of persecutiion
And to God his anchor cast.
Companies of the dear departed,
One with tottering steps and hoary hair;
Sons and daugters of the shepherd,
Weep not for thy father dear.
Author Unknown
A few notes: Zerah married Martha Hughes in 1857. She was fourteen and he was in his sixties. I have read that she was a well developed young woman, recently arrived from Wales and appeared older than she was. When the brethren found out about the marriage, he was called before them and chastised to the point that he was released as a president of the seventies, excommunicated but re-baptized immediately after and called as a Patriarch. He was punished because he did not get permission from the church leaders at the time to marry Martha. There were some strict guidelines to the practice of polygamy and in this instance Zerah had not complied. It is recorded that he died in good standing as a member of the church.
Also, a troop of Boy Scouts moved Zerah's and Mary Ann Brown Pulsipher's graves from Hebron to the present location a few miles west of Enterprise because of the flood waters. We have them to thank for such an undertaking.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Arrival in the Salt Lake Valley, at long last.
Again, this is all in Zerah's own words:
"We arrived in the valley about the twenty-third of September, 1847, with all our stock except the sheep. Those we lost at Winter Quarters. We immediately prepared to build. I found grain scarce and hard to get. John Kneff was building a mill, the only one in the valley. I sold three cows to pay his workmen that I might get grain for twenty dollars in grain, but he said he could not let anyone have more than half that sum, and that was not half what I had paid for. This made me feel very disagreeable because I had a large family and three other families of my friends that had no way of helping themselves and money would not buy it.
I thought on it one night and then came to the conclusion that I would build a mill and take a part of the toll of the grain that was in the valley. Accordingly I rallied my help, went onto the mill site, dug a hole in the bank to live in through the winter about the first of December, and we commenced getting timber, without feed for our cattle and but little for ourselves. We continued our labor with about half rations upon all the different branches of the work till the first of March. By that time we got the first grist mill started and timber out for a sawmill. When done I ground for one-sixteenth, while others ground for one-twelveth. From that time we had bread to eat with all our families. I have seen the hand of God in preserving ourselves and cattle while the snow was three feet deep in the canyon where we got the timber and some of the time more than one foot in the valley, and we had not as much fodder as could be carried in one load. When I looked upon the circumstance I could not comprehend it in any other way but the marvelous power of God in sustaining them.
1850 was a hard season for many. After we got our mill running we had enough, but lived prudent on account of so many that had none. Indian meal would command five dollars a bushel, but so many poor had none that I sold all that I had to spare one dollar a bushel, though I was offered five dollars by those that were going to California. But their gold would not buy it of me when so many poor were starving. There were some informed me that they had not any bread in their houses for six weeks and came to me to buy bran, but I sold none---I gave them that. This scarce time caused people to scratch for life to raise grain, but the crickets were very troublesome and destroyed many crops in 1851. But in 1852 the gulls came and destroyed them according to the word of the prophet.
We built a house thirty-four by thirty feet on the corner of block eighty-two on Jordan Street. The next season we built a large barn and made a farm over Jordan about two miles off which gave us a good chance to keep cattle. There was nothing then of a very extraordinary nature with exception of Brother Brigham preaching continually to bring the church into obedience, but they were growing rich and careless till about the time of the October conference in 1856 when I understood Brother Brigham to say that the Lord would wait no longer. I think he did not define what chastisement testimony that some uncommon event was near at hand, but I was not aware that I had become so dull and careless relative to my duty till Brother Kimball called on me in public to awake to my duty. I began to call more fervently on the Lord. I soon saw that Brother Kimball was right and that I was holding a high and responsible station in the church as asleep with many others. (At this time, Zerah was one of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy.)
Brother Grant, who was one of Brigham's counselors, was authorized to preach repentance to the people and to a good effect. I with the associates of my council went before Brother Brigham and informed him that if he knew of any others that would take our places better, magnify it for the interest of the kingdom than we could, he was perfectly at liberty to do so, but he told us to go and magnify our calling ourselves. There was much confessing among the people of their faults.
Brother Brigham gave some strong prophetic language relative to the United States of America. I think not far from this the president and congress became very hostile to us and seemed to have designs to brand us like themselves or destroy us. Therefore, they sent an army to bring us to or destroy us, but we thought it not best to bring them in among us because we did not like their hostile spirit nor their habits. Therefore, we sent a few of our young men to meet them, which brought them to a stand for further consideration.
In the spring following, all the north part of the territory moved south till the army passed through to their quarters at Camp Floyd. But previous to this the president and congress saw their mistake in sending the army here. Notwithstanding, they had charged us with treason and many other offenses. They sent commissioners here, forgave all our sins against them and wished peace and tranquility. Accordingly we all moved back to our possessions peaceably."
Some records indicate they arrived in the valley in September of 1848, not 1847.
Brother Brigham is, of course, Brigham Young.
Johnston's army came to Utah in May of 1857 under orders from President James Buchanan. They were blocked from entering the valley, as Zerah refers to. They left in July of 1858. There were no battles fought in this "war" and things ended peacefully after Brigham Young gave up his governorship. How interesting to hear from someone who actually lived through this historical event. Zerah doesn't say much about it but he wrote this history years after the occurrence. This is the time when Brigham had the foundations of the temple covered in sand to prevent the army from seeing it. When they later returned to resume work on the temple they found the foundation had cracked and it is then that they chose to use the granite stone that the Salt Lake Temple is so famous for.
Also, how great to hear from Zerah about the historical event we all have heard so much about growing up in the church, the crickets and the gulls. Our ancestors were a part of that and lived through that miraculous event.
"We arrived in the valley about the twenty-third of September, 1847, with all our stock except the sheep. Those we lost at Winter Quarters. We immediately prepared to build. I found grain scarce and hard to get. John Kneff was building a mill, the only one in the valley. I sold three cows to pay his workmen that I might get grain for twenty dollars in grain, but he said he could not let anyone have more than half that sum, and that was not half what I had paid for. This made me feel very disagreeable because I had a large family and three other families of my friends that had no way of helping themselves and money would not buy it.
I thought on it one night and then came to the conclusion that I would build a mill and take a part of the toll of the grain that was in the valley. Accordingly I rallied my help, went onto the mill site, dug a hole in the bank to live in through the winter about the first of December, and we commenced getting timber, without feed for our cattle and but little for ourselves. We continued our labor with about half rations upon all the different branches of the work till the first of March. By that time we got the first grist mill started and timber out for a sawmill. When done I ground for one-sixteenth, while others ground for one-twelveth. From that time we had bread to eat with all our families. I have seen the hand of God in preserving ourselves and cattle while the snow was three feet deep in the canyon where we got the timber and some of the time more than one foot in the valley, and we had not as much fodder as could be carried in one load. When I looked upon the circumstance I could not comprehend it in any other way but the marvelous power of God in sustaining them.
1850 was a hard season for many. After we got our mill running we had enough, but lived prudent on account of so many that had none. Indian meal would command five dollars a bushel, but so many poor had none that I sold all that I had to spare one dollar a bushel, though I was offered five dollars by those that were going to California. But their gold would not buy it of me when so many poor were starving. There were some informed me that they had not any bread in their houses for six weeks and came to me to buy bran, but I sold none---I gave them that. This scarce time caused people to scratch for life to raise grain, but the crickets were very troublesome and destroyed many crops in 1851. But in 1852 the gulls came and destroyed them according to the word of the prophet.
We built a house thirty-four by thirty feet on the corner of block eighty-two on Jordan Street. The next season we built a large barn and made a farm over Jordan about two miles off which gave us a good chance to keep cattle. There was nothing then of a very extraordinary nature with exception of Brother Brigham preaching continually to bring the church into obedience, but they were growing rich and careless till about the time of the October conference in 1856 when I understood Brother Brigham to say that the Lord would wait no longer. I think he did not define what chastisement testimony that some uncommon event was near at hand, but I was not aware that I had become so dull and careless relative to my duty till Brother Kimball called on me in public to awake to my duty. I began to call more fervently on the Lord. I soon saw that Brother Kimball was right and that I was holding a high and responsible station in the church as asleep with many others. (At this time, Zerah was one of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy.)
Brother Grant, who was one of Brigham's counselors, was authorized to preach repentance to the people and to a good effect. I with the associates of my council went before Brother Brigham and informed him that if he knew of any others that would take our places better, magnify it for the interest of the kingdom than we could, he was perfectly at liberty to do so, but he told us to go and magnify our calling ourselves. There was much confessing among the people of their faults.
Brother Brigham gave some strong prophetic language relative to the United States of America. I think not far from this the president and congress became very hostile to us and seemed to have designs to brand us like themselves or destroy us. Therefore, they sent an army to bring us to or destroy us, but we thought it not best to bring them in among us because we did not like their hostile spirit nor their habits. Therefore, we sent a few of our young men to meet them, which brought them to a stand for further consideration.
In the spring following, all the north part of the territory moved south till the army passed through to their quarters at Camp Floyd. But previous to this the president and congress saw their mistake in sending the army here. Notwithstanding, they had charged us with treason and many other offenses. They sent commissioners here, forgave all our sins against them and wished peace and tranquility. Accordingly we all moved back to our possessions peaceably."
Some records indicate they arrived in the valley in September of 1848, not 1847.
Brother Brigham is, of course, Brigham Young.
Johnston's army came to Utah in May of 1857 under orders from President James Buchanan. They were blocked from entering the valley, as Zerah refers to. They left in July of 1858. There were no battles fought in this "war" and things ended peacefully after Brigham Young gave up his governorship. How interesting to hear from someone who actually lived through this historical event. Zerah doesn't say much about it but he wrote this history years after the occurrence. This is the time when Brigham had the foundations of the temple covered in sand to prevent the army from seeing it. When they later returned to resume work on the temple they found the foundation had cracked and it is then that they chose to use the granite stone that the Salt Lake Temple is so famous for.
Also, how great to hear from Zerah about the historical event we all have heard so much about growing up in the church, the crickets and the gulls. Our ancestors were a part of that and lived through that miraculous event.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Trek to Salt Lake Begins
"That winter ws a sorrowful time for the church. 500 of our young men were demanded by the general goverment through the influence of old Tom Benton, who was a noted mobber in the first Missouri persecutions, and was then in the senate. This left the church with old men, children and many poor women, while their husbands were fighting the battles of the United States."
(Fortunatley, none of the Mormon Battalion were required to fight in any battles. They did contribute greatly to helping establish parts of San Diego.) Zerah's young daughter, Sarah, traveled with the Battalion as did Zerah's nephew, David Pulsipher. If you ever go to the Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center in San Diego you can look up David and find a little bit more about him. Why Sarah went when none of her brothers or her father were there is a mystery. I believe she was only about ten years old at the time.
"There were not well people enough to take care of the sick and dying. My boys continued to team through the winter till they both got sick. John was laid on the bed and was near the gate of death for a long time, when I was called in to see him breathe his last. He was taken with pneumonia which many people think to be a certain sign of death. He looked very much like it to be sure. When I came in the doctor and my family stood around the bed. I called to him and he opened his eyes. I said, "John, you are not going to die now. I cannot spare you now. You must get well to help us move through the mountains." He immediately began to vomit a large quantity of the most filthy matter I ever saw come from any person's stomach, as black as ink. From that hour he began to recover and soon was able to drive a team.
In the spring the church leaders organized a company of about fifty wagons and we started for Salt Lake. I was advised to take ten wagons and go ahead and assist in making roads, but such storms followed us as I never saw. The highest and driest land in the country was soaked with water so that it was difficult to get along with a wagon. One morning I got on my horse and rode back a few miles to see how the company was getting along. I saw a man walking with a rubber coat on. I asked him how they got along and he said, "'First rate." He put his hands in his pockets and they were full of water.
Parley P. and Orson Pratt and myself went forward to look for a location for the poor, and such as could not go on. We found a grove of timber and called it Garden Grove, a convenient place for a settlement. I then unloaded my wagon and delivered my load of flour and bacon and went back to look after my family. I met them not far from the Mississippi River in the year 1847. One boy got his leg broken and one man broke his arm in my company, but I set them and they soon got well."
Zerah does not share any details of the trek to the western mountains, but we know he was a captain of 100 and the Burgess family was a part of his group. Again, this family traveled together from the time they left Kirtland, Ohio until they eventually settled in Southern Utah.
The next post will begin with their arrival in the Great Salt Lake Valley.
(Fortunatley, none of the Mormon Battalion were required to fight in any battles. They did contribute greatly to helping establish parts of San Diego.) Zerah's young daughter, Sarah, traveled with the Battalion as did Zerah's nephew, David Pulsipher. If you ever go to the Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center in San Diego you can look up David and find a little bit more about him. Why Sarah went when none of her brothers or her father were there is a mystery. I believe she was only about ten years old at the time.
"There were not well people enough to take care of the sick and dying. My boys continued to team through the winter till they both got sick. John was laid on the bed and was near the gate of death for a long time, when I was called in to see him breathe his last. He was taken with pneumonia which many people think to be a certain sign of death. He looked very much like it to be sure. When I came in the doctor and my family stood around the bed. I called to him and he opened his eyes. I said, "John, you are not going to die now. I cannot spare you now. You must get well to help us move through the mountains." He immediately began to vomit a large quantity of the most filthy matter I ever saw come from any person's stomach, as black as ink. From that hour he began to recover and soon was able to drive a team.
In the spring the church leaders organized a company of about fifty wagons and we started for Salt Lake. I was advised to take ten wagons and go ahead and assist in making roads, but such storms followed us as I never saw. The highest and driest land in the country was soaked with water so that it was difficult to get along with a wagon. One morning I got on my horse and rode back a few miles to see how the company was getting along. I saw a man walking with a rubber coat on. I asked him how they got along and he said, "'First rate." He put his hands in his pockets and they were full of water.
Parley P. and Orson Pratt and myself went forward to look for a location for the poor, and such as could not go on. We found a grove of timber and called it Garden Grove, a convenient place for a settlement. I then unloaded my wagon and delivered my load of flour and bacon and went back to look after my family. I met them not far from the Mississippi River in the year 1847. One boy got his leg broken and one man broke his arm in my company, but I set them and they soon got well."
Zerah does not share any details of the trek to the western mountains, but we know he was a captain of 100 and the Burgess family was a part of his group. Again, this family traveled together from the time they left Kirtland, Ohio until they eventually settled in Southern Utah.
The next post will begin with their arrival in the Great Salt Lake Valley.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
The Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum
"I labored to support my family (in Kirtland, Ohio) and in the fall of 1837 I went to Canada on a mission, raised a branch of twenty-nine members, and returned January 29, 1838 to Kirtland. I was ordained to the council of the first president of seventies." See Doctrine and Covenants 122:138
"And again, I give unto you Joseph Young, Josiah Butterfield, Daniel Miles, Henry Herriman, Zera Pulsipher, Levi Hancock, James Foster, to preside over the quorum of seventies."
The Missouri Years:
"The Missouri mobs were continually seeking the life of Brother Joseph. I think there had been some raisings against him without success. These mobbers finally came to the conclusion that the law could not reach him, but powder and ball could. Therefore, they organized a mob of about 200 men, and put him in Carthage jail with Dr. Richards, Hyrum Smith and John Taylor. The mobs came and broke into the jail, shot Joseph and Hyrum and wounded John Taylor by shooting four balls into him. The fourth saved his life, striking his watch which was in his vest pocket. After Joseph had fell dead one of the ruffians made a move to take off his head, but a singular light shown around him that struck the man with fear. They therefore flew in every direction and disappeared. This being done it gave us a hard shock and caused much mourning. Our brethren went and brought them home and buried the dead and restored the wounded.
At this time the mob expected we would rise and give them battle. We thought best not to do it. We just kept still, continued our work on the temple, finished it and got our endowments. At that time most of the twelve were absent on missions. Sidney Rigdon, who aspired for the presidency, came and called the church together and presented his claim for the presidency. But the twleve soon came home and appeared on the stand at the day appointed for choosing. Sidney made his plea. Brigham Young began to speak and at that time I sat with my back towards the stand as did many others. When Brigham spoke he spoke with the voice of Joseph and we turned around to see Brigham speaking in Joseph's voice and beheld Jospeh's mantle had fallen on him. The people understood it in the same way. Brigham stood at the head of the twleve, therefore the church turned to him.
Persecution continually waxed against the church. They thought it best to go to a more secluded land. Accordingly in January of 1846, I had notice to be ready at three days notice to leave on account of so many attempts to destroy the church.
At length I had the notice and started with a good team the second day of February, crossed the Mississippi River and went as far as Sugar Creek, until the cold weather broke. There were about 500 of the heads of the church here. I went back once, gave my son orders to sell what property he could and take the family and follow as soon as the spring opened. We went on from Sugar Creek in the spring, but streams and tempests opposed our march till late in the season.
I frequently went forward to pioneer the way and organize places for the poor to stop that were not able to go any further. In May I took my team and went back to meet my family and found them in Lee County (Iowa) with two teams, a few cows and a few sheep. My sacrifices there was about two thousand dollars. We went on and crossed the Missouri River that season and established a place called Winter Quarters.
That fall and winter, which was 1846 and 1847, the church suffered exceedingly. When we got there we found so many sick and dying from exposure that I took my team and what help I could raise and drew timber four miles and built six houses. Then I was obliged to go down to Missouri for provisions, was gone about six weeks in winter, camping out, and exposed to all the storms that are common in that season of the year.
I brought home what I could. When I got home I was so far exhausted from exposure that I could not walk one step without two crutches. I then sent my boys again, while I took care of the cattle wich amounted to eighteen head. Many times I went on my crutches to get my horse, then rode all day to save my cattle from the Indians, who were continuously killing them."
"And again, I give unto you Joseph Young, Josiah Butterfield, Daniel Miles, Henry Herriman, Zera Pulsipher, Levi Hancock, James Foster, to preside over the quorum of seventies."
The Missouri Years:
"The Missouri mobs were continually seeking the life of Brother Joseph. I think there had been some raisings against him without success. These mobbers finally came to the conclusion that the law could not reach him, but powder and ball could. Therefore, they organized a mob of about 200 men, and put him in Carthage jail with Dr. Richards, Hyrum Smith and John Taylor. The mobs came and broke into the jail, shot Joseph and Hyrum and wounded John Taylor by shooting four balls into him. The fourth saved his life, striking his watch which was in his vest pocket. After Joseph had fell dead one of the ruffians made a move to take off his head, but a singular light shown around him that struck the man with fear. They therefore flew in every direction and disappeared. This being done it gave us a hard shock and caused much mourning. Our brethren went and brought them home and buried the dead and restored the wounded.
At this time the mob expected we would rise and give them battle. We thought best not to do it. We just kept still, continued our work on the temple, finished it and got our endowments. At that time most of the twelve were absent on missions. Sidney Rigdon, who aspired for the presidency, came and called the church together and presented his claim for the presidency. But the twleve soon came home and appeared on the stand at the day appointed for choosing. Sidney made his plea. Brigham Young began to speak and at that time I sat with my back towards the stand as did many others. When Brigham spoke he spoke with the voice of Joseph and we turned around to see Brigham speaking in Joseph's voice and beheld Jospeh's mantle had fallen on him. The people understood it in the same way. Brigham stood at the head of the twleve, therefore the church turned to him.
Persecution continually waxed against the church. They thought it best to go to a more secluded land. Accordingly in January of 1846, I had notice to be ready at three days notice to leave on account of so many attempts to destroy the church.
At length I had the notice and started with a good team the second day of February, crossed the Mississippi River and went as far as Sugar Creek, until the cold weather broke. There were about 500 of the heads of the church here. I went back once, gave my son orders to sell what property he could and take the family and follow as soon as the spring opened. We went on from Sugar Creek in the spring, but streams and tempests opposed our march till late in the season.
I frequently went forward to pioneer the way and organize places for the poor to stop that were not able to go any further. In May I took my team and went back to meet my family and found them in Lee County (Iowa) with two teams, a few cows and a few sheep. My sacrifices there was about two thousand dollars. We went on and crossed the Missouri River that season and established a place called Winter Quarters.
That fall and winter, which was 1846 and 1847, the church suffered exceedingly. When we got there we found so many sick and dying from exposure that I took my team and what help I could raise and drew timber four miles and built six houses. Then I was obliged to go down to Missouri for provisions, was gone about six weeks in winter, camping out, and exposed to all the storms that are common in that season of the year.
I brought home what I could. When I got home I was so far exhausted from exposure that I could not walk one step without two crutches. I then sent my boys again, while I took care of the cattle wich amounted to eighteen head. Many times I went on my crutches to get my horse, then rode all day to save my cattle from the Indians, who were continuously killing them."
Sunday, September 29, 2013
The Story Continues
"This season one of our neighbors from Nauvoo came for help in sickness, and informed us that there were not well ones enough to take care of the sick. I sent my daughter and sister there to help take care of the sick. I promised them that I would come to conference and see them. Accordingly, when the time came, I took my carriage and went up. I went first to the place where my daughter was, and found the house shut up with window curtains drawn. I knocked at the door and a faint voice answered. I went in and found a large family and every person laying prostrate. My daughter was the last one that came down. She had been down about one week. Having the whole family to nurse night and day, she could not endure it. When I entered the house she heard my voice, sprang up from the bed and said, "Father, you have come. I want to go home." I told her to get ready and I would go and look for my sister. I went where she was and found her and the family in the same situation. I put a bed into the carriage and went home the same day and nursed them three months before I could heal them.
It was thought that my daughter would die, but I did not give her up. I called to the bed one day to see her close her eyes in death. I was seeing her apparently breathing her last. At that instant the Spirit of God came upon me. I said, "Mariah, do you want to live to raise a family, keep the commanments of God and do all you can to build up Zion?" She opened her eyes and said she did. I said to her, "Then you will live." That hour she sat up in bed and immediately got well, as did also my sister.
(Mariah Pulsipher married William Burgess, Jr. and that is how we tie into the Burgess family. Mariah and William are our direct line ancestors. Their grandson is James William Burgess who was married to Dina Elizabeth Crow.)
I would like to tell another little incident that happened. There was a man with a family come into the church, who lived about fifteen miles from me, who had a brother-in-law that was possessed with the devil, and was chained in a tight room. Numbers had been there to administer to him, but to no effect. I went there to preach in the after part of the day. The man got loose and was breaking down the ceiling. They had been in the habit of getting a very strong man to help on such occasions, and were about to send for him in a hurry. I desired them to let me see him before they did. They were afraid he would come out and kill some of them. With much persuasion I got them to unlock the door of his room. All the rough language and profane swearing, and threatening anyone who came in sight I had never heard before. They said he was dangerous to encounter with, but I entreated him to let me open the door. I had full confidence that I could handle him, with the help that God would give me. I was satisfied that they did not understand my intention. I looked through the crack of the door. When he caught my eye he bawled out, "Old Pulsipher, I know you of old." At that instant I burst the door open. He stood with a sharp stick in his hand drawn back ready to stab me. Although he was a stout man and full of violent passion, I closed in with him so quick that he did not know what was up till he lay on his back, and I holding him while they bound him again. The family seemed a little surprised.
Before I left the next morning, the man, whose name was Samuel Newcomb, wished me to come and stay with him one year. He would give me large wages for he said that I could handle the sick man with ease, and he could leave his family and home with more safety. He was a man of considerable business to gather up to Kirtland with the church. He said he would if he could sell his farm. He wanted $1,6ll for all. We arranged for him to go the next spring, and I took the whole care of the wild man.
I recollect at one time upon the matter of his feeding, he flew into a rage all at once and broke loose. I was at work in the barn and a messenger came running for me, and said the man was killing his mother. I rushed into the room, took him by the shoulders, shook him and said, "Sam, what are you about?" He in a moment left his raging, dropped his head and became docile till he was bound again.
Later on we counselled with old Father Smith (Joseph Smith, Sr.) and he advised us to get seven elders of good report and fast and pray till he was delivered. We consulted the family, who had not kept the word of wisdom, but they agreed to do it. We therefore took the man, loosened his hands, administered to him in a room by ourselves, and I do not remember of him having a raving spell after that for six months. Then the devil entered him again. We were called for the second time. The family had promised to keep the covenants, but we found they had returned to the old practice of breaking the word of wisdom. We therefore sent a message to Father Smith, and he said if whey would not keep the covenants we might go about our business and let them all go to hell together."
It was thought that my daughter would die, but I did not give her up. I called to the bed one day to see her close her eyes in death. I was seeing her apparently breathing her last. At that instant the Spirit of God came upon me. I said, "Mariah, do you want to live to raise a family, keep the commanments of God and do all you can to build up Zion?" She opened her eyes and said she did. I said to her, "Then you will live." That hour she sat up in bed and immediately got well, as did also my sister.
(Mariah Pulsipher married William Burgess, Jr. and that is how we tie into the Burgess family. Mariah and William are our direct line ancestors. Their grandson is James William Burgess who was married to Dina Elizabeth Crow.)
I would like to tell another little incident that happened. There was a man with a family come into the church, who lived about fifteen miles from me, who had a brother-in-law that was possessed with the devil, and was chained in a tight room. Numbers had been there to administer to him, but to no effect. I went there to preach in the after part of the day. The man got loose and was breaking down the ceiling. They had been in the habit of getting a very strong man to help on such occasions, and were about to send for him in a hurry. I desired them to let me see him before they did. They were afraid he would come out and kill some of them. With much persuasion I got them to unlock the door of his room. All the rough language and profane swearing, and threatening anyone who came in sight I had never heard before. They said he was dangerous to encounter with, but I entreated him to let me open the door. I had full confidence that I could handle him, with the help that God would give me. I was satisfied that they did not understand my intention. I looked through the crack of the door. When he caught my eye he bawled out, "Old Pulsipher, I know you of old." At that instant I burst the door open. He stood with a sharp stick in his hand drawn back ready to stab me. Although he was a stout man and full of violent passion, I closed in with him so quick that he did not know what was up till he lay on his back, and I holding him while they bound him again. The family seemed a little surprised.
Before I left the next morning, the man, whose name was Samuel Newcomb, wished me to come and stay with him one year. He would give me large wages for he said that I could handle the sick man with ease, and he could leave his family and home with more safety. He was a man of considerable business to gather up to Kirtland with the church. He said he would if he could sell his farm. He wanted $1,6ll for all. We arranged for him to go the next spring, and I took the whole care of the wild man.
I recollect at one time upon the matter of his feeding, he flew into a rage all at once and broke loose. I was at work in the barn and a messenger came running for me, and said the man was killing his mother. I rushed into the room, took him by the shoulders, shook him and said, "Sam, what are you about?" He in a moment left his raging, dropped his head and became docile till he was bound again.
Later on we counselled with old Father Smith (Joseph Smith, Sr.) and he advised us to get seven elders of good report and fast and pray till he was delivered. We consulted the family, who had not kept the word of wisdom, but they agreed to do it. We therefore took the man, loosened his hands, administered to him in a room by ourselves, and I do not remember of him having a raving spell after that for six months. Then the devil entered him again. We were called for the second time. The family had promised to keep the covenants, but we found they had returned to the old practice of breaking the word of wisdom. We therefore sent a message to Father Smith, and he said if whey would not keep the covenants we might go about our business and let them all go to hell together."
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Heavenly Direction
Continuing Zerah's story in his own words:
"I borrowed another horse and went to Illinois with my family and then returned for the remainder. We went into Bear Creek timber, and with one horse and our hands, built three homes, cleared thirteen acres of land and put it into crops, but we had nothing to live on until the crops were ripe. Brother Burgess (William Burgess, Sr.) and boys (William's sons) were strong to work out, but I was not able to do so on account of the exposure that I had past. Therefore, I could not do a days work in a day. I knew not how to obtain food for my family.
While hesitating upon these things, I dreamed that I was going to make boxes and measures, and also dreamed that my women and children were making baskets, and that I went to sell them. In the morning I went and found some excellent timber for that purpose and made the frame according to the pattern that I had seen and also found some suitable timber for baskets. The women went to work according to their direction from me. We soon obtained a small load and went out into the settlement and sold them directly for every kind of provisions that we wantd to live upon and some money. In this way we got along until harvest."
Isn't that awesome? He was able to get answers to his dilemma through this dreams. What I love about this account is that he exercised his faith by going out and getting that timber and then proceeding in the manner he had been shown in his dream. Through that faith, he was able to provide for his family until their crops were able to be harvested. I know that prayers are answered in many different ways and that we too can find answers and receive blessings as we exercise our faith today.
I am off to a genealogical conference up in Odgen so will write more later.
"I borrowed another horse and went to Illinois with my family and then returned for the remainder. We went into Bear Creek timber, and with one horse and our hands, built three homes, cleared thirteen acres of land and put it into crops, but we had nothing to live on until the crops were ripe. Brother Burgess (William Burgess, Sr.) and boys (William's sons) were strong to work out, but I was not able to do so on account of the exposure that I had past. Therefore, I could not do a days work in a day. I knew not how to obtain food for my family.
While hesitating upon these things, I dreamed that I was going to make boxes and measures, and also dreamed that my women and children were making baskets, and that I went to sell them. In the morning I went and found some excellent timber for that purpose and made the frame according to the pattern that I had seen and also found some suitable timber for baskets. The women went to work according to their direction from me. We soon obtained a small load and went out into the settlement and sold them directly for every kind of provisions that we wantd to live upon and some money. In this way we got along until harvest."
Isn't that awesome? He was able to get answers to his dilemma through this dreams. What I love about this account is that he exercised his faith by going out and getting that timber and then proceeding in the manner he had been shown in his dream. Through that faith, he was able to provide for his family until their crops were able to be harvested. I know that prayers are answered in many different ways and that we too can find answers and receive blessings as we exercise our faith today.
I am off to a genealogical conference up in Odgen so will write more later.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Exodus to Illinois
Zerah's story continues:
"We went to our labors. Soon after this, I, with other people, went across the river three miles to gather corn, when 800 of the mob were seen coming upon us. As they came up to the gate where we were at work, they halted and sent a messenger to inform us that we were their prisoners. I happened to be on a load the nearest to them. They directed their attention to me and said we must go wtih them. I observed to them that we were there gathering for our families and cattle which they were in view of. They then said we might fill our wagons, get some boys to drive them home, and go with them.
Accordingly we did. They went about a mile and halted. We were surrounded by a strong guard for some time and then discharged and sent home to await their trip into town. We had not gone more than fifty or one hundred rods before we heard a volley of guns fired. I would think from fifty to one hundred. The balls came there among us. We looked around and saw a company supposed to be one hundred men paraded a little to the south of the main camp. They also gave a second shot. We kept a sturdy walk as though nothing had happened, for they hurt none of us. We went home the same day into Diahman, took all arms from the people and then put a strong guard around us.
In that time we were often insulted by scoundrels. One of them in the shape of me (in my image) which brought us near a fight, but the commander stopped it. However, he prowled around there for a number of days and then gave us ten days to get out of that place or the mob would be set loose upon us. This had been the case all the time, but now we had nothing to defend ourselves with. Besides, there were many poor people that had no teams and many widows that had nothing but small children.
I immediately got my horses shod and took my family, a widow and family, and another family all to one lead, moved to Far West, then returned back after another family. These were among the last that went out while the mobs were prowling about stealing all they could find, but although I was alone, the last night I lay down by the side of my horses and saved them and went the next day and got the other family and carried them to Far West. This was the last of November. We were all destitute for grain or feed for our teams. Our fields of corn were twenty miles off among the mobs as was also what few cattle we had. But the most of our corn was destroyed before we could get it. We therefore had hard living through the winter. After I had obtained a little meal for my family I went away up to the Platt country with my team to get work for money to move out of the state in the spring as the edict of the governor was that we should never raise any more crops in that state.
I obtained some money and returned to my family, but while I was gone I was obliged to stay at a mob tavern one night, alone,where they were very hostile. I did not like their appearances, but I was obliged to stay there or run the risk of freezing on the great cold prairie. Therefore, I had to watch as well as pray. But in the later part of the night I heard people in the lower part of the house in much commotion. I heard them saying they never saw such things before. They seemed to be much astonished at what they saw in the heavens. I raised myself up in bed and looked out and saw a very bright circle around the moon with a very bright half circle at the outside of that with a very bright spot at the side of that nearly as big as the sun. Then another apparent sun was in the northwest with another in the southwest, which gave a very extraordinary appearance. This gave them such a fright that they could pay no more attention to me, so I went on in peace.
I prepared to move to Illinois. I took my horses and rode to Richmond to get my gun that they took from me at Diahman in the war. I obtained it and prepared to move in March. I buried my mother (Elizabeth Dutton Pulsipher, 1752-1838) there on a divide near Plum Creek. We succeeded in moving to Gurney where I found rents on houses so high that it would be hard for a poor man with a large family as I had to obtain a living and get anything ahead. Therefore, I took my horse up the river to Lyma and found a forest of about eleven miles square and considerable game in it. I went into the timber with Brother Burgess (William Burgess, Sr.) I lost one horse moving from Missouri. My son-in-law lost one too, and had to stop among strangers with my daughter who had given birth to a child on the prairie.
I love his advice that we must "watch as well as pray." Being aware of our surroundings both spiritually and physically can be very beneficial to us all. Add that awareness to prayer and there is nothing we cannot accomplish.
Are any of you familiar with the celestial happenings he describes above? If so, share with us what it might possibly have been.
Happy Labor Day to you all. Our ancestors "labored" greatly to make the lives we enjoy today possible. I hope you will remember them in your prayers of thanksgiving today.
"We went to our labors. Soon after this, I, with other people, went across the river three miles to gather corn, when 800 of the mob were seen coming upon us. As they came up to the gate where we were at work, they halted and sent a messenger to inform us that we were their prisoners. I happened to be on a load the nearest to them. They directed their attention to me and said we must go wtih them. I observed to them that we were there gathering for our families and cattle which they were in view of. They then said we might fill our wagons, get some boys to drive them home, and go with them.
Accordingly we did. They went about a mile and halted. We were surrounded by a strong guard for some time and then discharged and sent home to await their trip into town. We had not gone more than fifty or one hundred rods before we heard a volley of guns fired. I would think from fifty to one hundred. The balls came there among us. We looked around and saw a company supposed to be one hundred men paraded a little to the south of the main camp. They also gave a second shot. We kept a sturdy walk as though nothing had happened, for they hurt none of us. We went home the same day into Diahman, took all arms from the people and then put a strong guard around us.
In that time we were often insulted by scoundrels. One of them in the shape of me (in my image) which brought us near a fight, but the commander stopped it. However, he prowled around there for a number of days and then gave us ten days to get out of that place or the mob would be set loose upon us. This had been the case all the time, but now we had nothing to defend ourselves with. Besides, there were many poor people that had no teams and many widows that had nothing but small children.
I immediately got my horses shod and took my family, a widow and family, and another family all to one lead, moved to Far West, then returned back after another family. These were among the last that went out while the mobs were prowling about stealing all they could find, but although I was alone, the last night I lay down by the side of my horses and saved them and went the next day and got the other family and carried them to Far West. This was the last of November. We were all destitute for grain or feed for our teams. Our fields of corn were twenty miles off among the mobs as was also what few cattle we had. But the most of our corn was destroyed before we could get it. We therefore had hard living through the winter. After I had obtained a little meal for my family I went away up to the Platt country with my team to get work for money to move out of the state in the spring as the edict of the governor was that we should never raise any more crops in that state.
I obtained some money and returned to my family, but while I was gone I was obliged to stay at a mob tavern one night, alone,where they were very hostile. I did not like their appearances, but I was obliged to stay there or run the risk of freezing on the great cold prairie. Therefore, I had to watch as well as pray. But in the later part of the night I heard people in the lower part of the house in much commotion. I heard them saying they never saw such things before. They seemed to be much astonished at what they saw in the heavens. I raised myself up in bed and looked out and saw a very bright circle around the moon with a very bright half circle at the outside of that with a very bright spot at the side of that nearly as big as the sun. Then another apparent sun was in the northwest with another in the southwest, which gave a very extraordinary appearance. This gave them such a fright that they could pay no more attention to me, so I went on in peace.
I prepared to move to Illinois. I took my horses and rode to Richmond to get my gun that they took from me at Diahman in the war. I obtained it and prepared to move in March. I buried my mother (Elizabeth Dutton Pulsipher, 1752-1838) there on a divide near Plum Creek. We succeeded in moving to Gurney where I found rents on houses so high that it would be hard for a poor man with a large family as I had to obtain a living and get anything ahead. Therefore, I took my horse up the river to Lyma and found a forest of about eleven miles square and considerable game in it. I went into the timber with Brother Burgess (William Burgess, Sr.) I lost one horse moving from Missouri. My son-in-law lost one too, and had to stop among strangers with my daughter who had given birth to a child on the prairie.
I love his advice that we must "watch as well as pray." Being aware of our surroundings both spiritually and physically can be very beneficial to us all. Add that awareness to prayer and there is nothing we cannot accomplish.
Are any of you familiar with the celestial happenings he describes above? If so, share with us what it might possibly have been.
Happy Labor Day to you all. Our ancestors "labored" greatly to make the lives we enjoy today possible. I hope you will remember them in your prayers of thanksgiving today.
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