The Life of Moses Curtis:

A Spiritual Giant and Pioneer of Mormon Settlements

in Utah and Arizona

Written by Elizabeth Anne Cook Snow

(2nd great-granddaughter)

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ii

Forward iii

Preface iv

Introduction 1

Ancestry of Moses Curtis 2

Children of Nahum and Millicent Curtis 3

Pennsylvania 4

Michigan 6

Missouri 13

Illinois 17

Children of Moses and Aurelia Curtis 17

Iowa and Nebraska 25

Trek to the Rocky Mountains 28

Utah 29

Children of Moses and Elizabeth Curtis 35

Arizona 37

Appendix 47

Recipe- Rusk 48

List of Illustrations 49

Pictures 51

Patriarchal Blessings 54

Bibliography 62

ii

Foreward

This book about Moses Curtis was written for a required Family History class at Brigham Young

University under the direction of Dr. William G. Hartley. He has been working as a historian for almost

thirty years. He has authored countless books as a Professor and employee for the LDS Church Historical

Department. His latest project was co-authoring the Joseph Smith Papers Vol II. I feel that it was divine

providence to be in his class with his guidance and knowledge of Church History. I say that it was divine

providence because Dr. Hartley is retiring in April 2009 and I had originally planned to take this class in

September 2009, but ended up changing my plans. Being able to write under Dr. Harley’s direction was a

tremendous blessing I experienced in the process of writing Moses’s story. It was through his direction

that I sifted through some of the family legends and found evidence to prove or disprove them. These

legends include the family stories of the early missionaries in Pontiac, Michigan and Moses’s experiences

being imprisoned with the Prophet Joseph Smith.

This paper was completed in a short 4 month semester along with several other classes that all

demanded my time. Therefore, there is still research to be done that will have to be completed at a later

date. The teacher imposed several restrictions on the paper, one of which was the 40 page length. It was

not adequate to tell Moses’s story and include short bios of his wives and children. At a later date I fully

intend to expand this history and include his wives and children.

Also included in the sources of this book is a Church record for Moses’s parents in New Salem,

Massachusetts. While trying to verify birth and marriage dates for the family during this time period, I

discovered that the church records were not filmed by the LDS church. I searched the internet and found a

typescript of the church records I needed. I printed them all off without keeping a good source citation of

the location in which I found them. One week later, when I tried to return to the records on the internet,

they were not posted nor could I find any reference to them ever being posted. This was another “gift from

the other side of the veil” for this project.

The professor also discussed the usage of possessive “s” with his knowledgeable and well-

trained editors. He advised me that the new trend is to use ‘s after a word ending in s. Thus you will see

Moses name in the possessive form as Moses’s. While this may seem incorrect by most of us, I have

been assured, it is now the correct form of grammar to use.

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I have enjoyed researching it.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth A. Snow

Mapleton, UT.

iii

iv

Preface

This is the history of Moses Curtis, a great pioneer who helped to settle many places as

his family migrated westward across the frontier of the United States in the 19th century,

ultimately settling in Eden, Arizona. He never complained but quietly did whatever he was asked

to do by the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moses made many great

sacrifices but his story and legacy are not being passed on to his large posterity. My purpose in

writing his life story is to create a history that will inspire his descendants. I hope that from the

example of his life experiences many will be able to feel strength in their trials as they try to

forge ahead in their own lives amidst their personal adversities.

I have attempted to tell the complete story of his life. However, it has been hard to gather

information from such a large extended family. As a descendant of Moses’ second wife,

Elizabeth, I have been very successful in gathering family information from their descendants. I

have not had the same success with the descendants through his wife Aurelia. I will attempt to

complete the story with the limited amount of resources that I have obtained. I realize that there

may be gaps that still need to be filled in to complete the history of Moses. I have tried to

document what family stories we have by word of mouth that do not have a source citation. This

is an ongoing project, though, and there are still some details that need to be verified. Time and

space constraints have limited this history to mainly focus on Moses’ life while mentioning

briefly other family members.

I hope that while reading about Moses’s life, you will come to know, love and appreciate

him as I have. His deeds in life helped develop the prosperity we now live in. I hope that his

strong spiritual character, faith and testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ will shine forth

through the events as told in this history.

Page

1 -

‐ 

Introduction

In the 1830s in the United States of America there was much religious excitement.

People were trying to discover for themselves which religion was suitable for their beliefs and

moral values. The Nahum Curtis family was no different in this respect. In the early 1830s this

family of eleven, Nahum, his wife Millicent, and their nine children, Sophronia, Lyman, Moses,

Joseph, Mary, George, Foster, Leon, and Hyrum, lived in Michigan in a small settlement named

Sylvan Lake. It was near the town of Pontiac in the County of Oakland and in the state of

Michigan. An account by their son George age nine, tells about the family then:

In December of 1832 the prophet Joseph Smith and Jared Carter came to our place preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The meeting was held in my father’s house. That night after hearing the gospel preached my parents retired to their bedroom where they were conversing about the principles they had listened to for the first time earlier in the day. Suddenly they noticed the room started to become light. It grew lighter and lighter until it was as bright as noon day. Then they heard a voice say, “Nahum, the Book of Mormon is a true record of the people that lived on this continent.” They were converted and soon every member of the family joined the church.1

According to son Joseph, his father Nahum, promptly purchased a Book of Mormon for

the sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents for the family to read and study.

This was the family that Moses Curtis grew up in. His parents lived a quiet, moral,

religious life. They had enormous faith and strived to teach their children these principles by

their example and deeds. These attributes would appear again and again in the life of Moses and

his family.

1 Cherrel B. Weech & Nayda Luster, The Nahum Curtis Family History. p5. This story is also related in the Dora M. Curtis Taylor, “History of Nahum Curtis”. She records that George dictated the story to his granddaughter Irene Colvin. Even though George tells that Joseph Smith and Jared Carter taught the family as missionaries, evidence shows that it was Jared Carter and Joseph Wood who actually came to Michigan as missionaries. (See footnote # 28 for further information.)

Ancestryy of Moses CCurtis

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3_102 pg 27.

machine for reducing corn to meal. Maple sugar could be had in abundance by making it, but tea and coffee were almost unobtainable luxuries.11 In the late 18th and early 19th century, roads in the United States were not always

adequate for travel therefore; the canal system

became an alternate means of transportation. In

Pennsylvania, because of their close proximity to the

Erie Canal and Lake Erie, a canal system was built in

Pennsylvania to connect with the system already in

place with the Erie Canal. This canal system would

eventually lead to a feeder canal being built that

joined with the Conneaut River, but construction was not completed until about 1844 which

would have been after the Curtis family left Pennsylvania.12

Fig 6 - Pennsylvania- Ohio Canal

Moses was born on May 8, 1816 in Conneaut Township, Erie, Pennsylvania to Nahum

and Millicent Waite Curtis. He was the fourth of ten children in this family.13 We don’t have a

lot of information about Moses’s life as a youth, but his younger brother George gives an

account about his own childhood. He explains that their mother Millicent was a very religious

women and she insisted that George read a chapter each Sunday from the Testament when he

Page

5 - 

11 Andy Pochatko, “Erie County (PA) Genealogy, Lexington and Brief History of Conneaut Township,”Lexington and brief history of Conneaut Township, http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/...paerie/townships Conneaut/LexingtonHist.htm (accessed November 28, 2008)

‐

12 "Beaver and Erie Canal." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 26 Nov 2008, 02:56 UTC. 28 Nov 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Beaver_and_Erie_Canal&oldid=254151104. "Pennsylvania Canal." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 25 Nov 2008, 18:57 UTC. 28 Nov 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pennsylvania_Canal&oldid=254062638. 13 Burrell, p 42

was quite

concern f

e small. He a

for each fam

also relates t

mily member

that his moth

.14

her was a good cook andd she showedd love and

MMichigan

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lakes clu

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mother o

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metime betwe

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ustered in thi

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n a city that w

of the prophe

nt. This wou

een the birth

orge in Octo

County of Oa

s area which

Detroit, Mich

was first set

et Joseph Sm

uld become a

h of their dau

ober 1823, th

akland in the

h is located i

higan and les

tled in 1818

mith.15 The C

a pattern in t

ughter Mary,

he Curtis fam

e state of Mic

n the eastern

ss than three

by Stephen

Curtis family

the life of M

, in Pennsylv

mily moved t

chigan. Sylv

n portion of

miles from

Mack, the b

y once again

Moses.

vania in May

to the small c

van Lake is o

the state. It i

the city of P

brother of Lu

found thems

y 1821 and t

community

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is about thirt

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ucy Mack Sm

selves in a n

the

of

al

ty

mith,

new

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Census o

County, M

is living

his famil

and obtai

s not known

of 1820 there

Michigan, bu

in Oakland C

y.16 They m

in more land

why Nahum

e are no Curt

ut in the 183

County alon

may have sim

d in a new te

m moved his

tis families l

30 U.S. Fede

ng with his br

mply wanted

rritory that w

family to M

living in Oak

eral Census,

rother Jerem

to move we

was less pop

Michigan. In

kland

Nahum

miah and

estward

pulated.

the United SStates Federal

S

living in

map and

14 Tayloto the Nethe word15 CummStephen 16 1830.Uwww.an

ome family

Silver Lake

tried to dete

r, Millicent Waew Testament d Testament. ming, John and

B. McCrackenUS Federal cen

ncestry.com.

members ha

near Pontia

ermine exact

aite Curtis Hisor not. Therefo

Audrey, “The n, Fifty Years Ansus of US, Mi

ave identified

c, Michigan

tly where Sil

tory,p1. This sore I have left t

Saints Come tAgo and Now, iichigan Territo

d the family

. As I studie

lver Lake wa

source doesn’t the description

to Michigan,” Min the Michiga

ory, Oakland. N

y as

ed a

as, I

clarify whethen as it appears i

Michigan histoan Historical CoNARA Series M

er the word Tesin this cited his

ory 49, no. 1 (Mollections, 14:6M19,Roll 69, p

Fig 7 - Map of state of Michigaan

stament is referstory as simply

rring y just

Page

6 - 

March 1965): p616 (Lansing 1

p12. 1890).

‐

pg 99.

realized that there is a Silver Lake, Michigan, but it is located two hundreds miles away on the

west side of the state. However, I did discover that there was a Sylvan Lake less than three miles

away from the town of Pontiac, Michigan. I surmised that it was either a simple mistake made in

identifying the residence of the Nahum Curtis family and the birth place of their younger

children or, in the early days of settling Michigan there could have been two cities called Silver

Lake and one city later changed its name to Sylvan Lake. It seems most likely that they lived in

the settlement of Sylvan Lake, not Silver Lake.17

It is not clear the location or year of this next story about a hunting excursion by Moses and

his younger brother Joseph. The most likely place would have been in Michigan because Moses

was too young at the age of five or six when the family left Pennsylvania to carry a gun and

Joseph would have only been three or four. The boys, Joseph

and Moses, wanted to go hunting. They had been begging for

permission from their father to be allowed to go hunting for a

while. Nahum was apprehensive and was not sure it was the

best idea to let the boys go hunting without him. Nahum finally

relented, though, and let the boys go. Moses carried the gun

which was an old flint lock musket. Joseph carried the lighted torch to ignite the gun.

Fig 8 - Flint Lock Musket

Page

7 -

‐ 

The family stories relate that it was a flint lock musket without any flint. This type of

musket was the most widely used gun in this time period. It was the main weapon used by

military forces, but it also worked well for hunting. In order to operate the gun you would need a

cock or hammer that would tightly hold a piece of flint. The person shooting the gun loads the

muzzle end in this order: first you pushed in the black powder, after which you put in a round

lead ball that had been wrapped in paper or a cloth scrap. You would then push it down the

17 Further research will need to be done to thoroughly verify the name of the lake as Sylvan Lake or Silver Lake.

Page‐ 8

- 

barrel of the gun with a ramrod. The ramrod was usually stored under the barrel. Next you prime

the flash pan with a small amount of finely ground gun powder, and then you close this small lid

called a frizzen. You now have a gun that is primed and ready to shoot. Most men would carry

their guns loaded in this manner. In order to ignite the gun, you must move the cock or hammer

to cock position, release the safety lock, aim the gun and pull the trigger. This action releases the

hammer that is holding the flint. The flint then strikes the frizzen which causes it to open

exposing the powder. A spark is caused by the contact between the flint and the frizzen. It goes

into the flash pan where the powder ignites and causes a flame in the barrel that ignites the main

powder and the gun discharges its contents of powder and balls.18 Using the musket in this

manner would not require a torch, but the family said they did not have any flint on the gun,

therefore the gun would not cause a spark to ignite and they must use the torch to light the

gunpowder instead of the spark.

When the boys came to a place where they saw a deer, they laid the barrel of the gun over a

log to steady it. Moses tried to position the gun right at the targeted deer and Joseph lit the fuse

with the red hot flaming torch. The gun fired with a blast and surprisingly, the deer fell dead on

the ground where it stood. The boys were so excited they left the gun and the deer to run home

and tell their parents the good news. When Moses and Joseph finally convinced their Father and

Mother to come look at the site with them, they found everything exactly as the boys had left it.

The gun was lying over the log and the dead deer was still lying on the ground. It turned out to

be a successful hunting experience for Moses and Joseph. They shot and killed a deer with only

one shot. This was very fortunate considering how long it would take the boys to reload the

gun.19

18 Flintlock Musket. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flintlock_musket 19 Weech, p21.

Whi

Septemb

purchase

in the sta

land.20 T

ile living in M

er 10, 1834 h

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That was qui

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home as

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20 Land Rehttp://www21 Weech, p

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n May 2, 18

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r and farm, a

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him work the

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assuming tha

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of 80 acres.

e made one f

unty of Oakl

e 241.54 acr

at Nahum cle

family and

On

final

land,

res of

eared

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better pla

to investi

“corn belt” c

wa and Illino

s, Missouri, a

ed, which ma

hat were yield

as significan

ng this time

ace to farm b

gate rumors

covers the M

is, but it also

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ding crops o

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the family m

because they

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Midwestern U

o includes pa

n these state

more desirabl

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han the crop

must have be

sent their ol

us harvesting

United States

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le. When Ly

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p of Michiga

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ldest son Ly

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for a

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time period i

pril 6, 1830 b

e Curtis fam

story. Throug

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included the

by Joseph Sm

mily was taug

gh a miracul

of the truthfu

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mith. The m

ght about this

lous experie

ulness of the

of The Chur

message bega

s new religio

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e Book of M

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and

wn

y

Page‐ 9

- 

au of Land Maanagement Genneral Land Reccord Office.

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including hi

s later it is re

February 9th

he Mormon

ny years later

ughter Irene

ionaries that

p21. Faulkner Brow85. p1-3. The fHistory of the

Lucy Mack Smith

n about the e

Mother of the

visit h

introdu

no use

was a

Morm

a moth

three ye

s deacon Sam

ecorded in th

h that Deacon

Church.23

early church

e Prophet Jos

her nieces Al

uced to the l

e for the Mor

poor foolish

mon. As you

her bear prot

ars a third o

muel Bent. T

he Congrega

n Bent was e

h organizatio

seph Smith.

lmira and Te

local ministe

rmons and to

h boy who pr

can imagine

tecting her c

f his congreg

True to her p

ational Churc

excommunic

n in Michiga

Lucy had g

emperance M

er Reverend

old her so. H

retended to t

e, this statem

cubs. She tol

gation will h

prediction,

ch minute

cated for

an relates th

gone to Ponti

Mack. While

Isaac W. Ru

He also told L

translate the

ment made L

d the Revere

have joined t

is story abou

iac, Michiga

there, Lucy

uggles. He h

Lucy that he

Book of

ucy madder

end that with

the Mormon

ut the

an to

was

had

er son

than

hin

n h

r Moses’s yo

Colvin that

taught their

wn, The Michigfirst branch of tChurch, Decem

ounger broth

Joseph Smit

family the g

gan Mormons-the church in Pmber 31, 1833

her George t

th and Jared

gospel. Geo

Their history fPontiac, Michig, p5-6.

old his

Carter were

orge, born in

from 1831 to 1gan was organi

e

1952 and a littlized on Februa

Fig 11- Joseph Smith, Jrr.

le beyond. Provary 16, 1833.

vo,

Page‐ 1

0 - 

1823 wou

Pontiac, M

his young

Ther

official c

also cites

Mother S

History o

Pontiac, M

along wit

Oliver Co

and preac

In th

24 Weech25 Mark Bookcra26 McCo27Josephvol 2 p16

Fig

uld have bee

Michigan in

g life.

re has been s

church histor

s Stevenson,

Smith, with H

of the Church

Michigan on

th Hyrum Sm

owdery and

ching” in Mi

he early histo

h, p 40. L. McConkie,

aft Inc.: Salt Laonkie, p19 & 40h Smith. History68-169.

g 12 - Pontiac Sc

en a boy of n

n October 18

some dispute

ry about the

who resided

Hyrum and J

h that Joseph

n October 20

mith, David

Roger Orton

ichigan and

ory of the LD

The Father of ake City, Utah,0. ry of the Churc

chool house/Chu

nine years of

34 and youn

e about the m

Prophet Jose

d in Pontiac,

Joseph, visit

h Smith wen

0, 1834. He

Whitmer, Fr

n. They spe

then they re

DS Church i

f the Prophet- S1993. p.40.

ch of Jesus Chr

urch house

f age when th

ng George m

his occurred

must have con

d.24 Joseph S

nfused these

Smith did vi

e two events

sit

in

missionaries

eph Smith, a

in 1833.

Prophet-

Joseph S

the autho

which sa

and Hyr

Stevenso

, Michigan a

ted Pontiac, M

nt to visit the

made the jo

rederick G. W

nt some time

eturned to Ki

in this story

a missionary

However, i

- Stories and

Smith, Sr. wr

or cites a his

ays that Fath

rum went to

on does not

at that time, a

Michigan in

e Saints in

ourney

Williams,

e “teaching

irtland.27

y as it is not

y, being in Po

n the book T

d Insights fro

ritten by Mar

tory of Edw

er Smith and

Michigan.25

include the y

as saying tha

n 1834.26 It is

recorded in

ontiac, Mich

The Father of

om the Life of

rk L. McCon

ard Stevenso

d his sons Jo

Unfortunate

year. McCon

at Father and

s recorded in

any

higan

of the

of

nkie,

on

oseph

ely,

nkie

d

n the

in Michigan

Stories and Ins

rist of Latter-da

as recorded

sights from the

ay Saints. Dese

Life of Joseph

eret Book: Salt

Fig 1Cur

13 - Mary rtis Reed

h Smith, Sr.

t Lake City, 19978, Page‐ 1

1 - 

Page‐ 1

2 - 

by Hilda Faulkner Browne, she lists Jared Carter and Joseph Wood as the missionaries laboring

in Pontiac, Michigan in January 1833, not Jared Carter and Joseph Smith.28 She also relates that

meetings for the Mormons in Pontiac were held in a local schoolhouse. During one of these

meetings a Mary Curtis, [daughter of Nahum and Millicent] suddenly began speaking in

tongues.29 It was recorded by Edward Stevenson who was in attendance at this meeting when

Mary was speaking in tongues. He described Mary as- “her face fairly shone, her countenance

changed, and often tears ran down her cheeks.”30 Stevenson also related that the Prophet Joseph

Smith gave a great promise to the small congregation in Pontiac. “Joseph said, if you will obey

the gospel with honest hearts, I promise you in the name of the Lord, that the gifts as promised

by our Savior will follow you, and by this you may prove me to be a true servant of God.”31 This

promise was fulfilled through Mary Curtis speaking in the gift of tongues.

Whatever the real details are, the fact still remains that the family of Nahum and Millicent

Curtis were taught by missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in

1832 and 1833. Lyman records in his life history that he was baptized on 14 March 1833 in

Milford, which is near Pontiac, by Samuel Bent along with some of his siblings.32 Moses was

baptized by William Bathbridge on this same day and confirmed by Samuel Bent.33

In June 1834 Moses siblings Lyman Curtis and Sophronia went on the Zion’s Camp march

to the Salt River in Missouri. They left from Pontiac Michigan and were led by Hyrum Smith.34

Later a non-Mormon resident recalled the many converts to this new religion in the Pontiac

area. He gave a list of people that he remembered joined this church. Included in the list were

28 Also in the private journal of Edward Stevenson, he says that the gospel first came to Michigan through the missionaries Jared Carter and Joseph Woods. Stevenson, Edward. Private Journal. Dec 23, 1867. 29 Browne, p5 & 11. 30 J. Stevenson, p18 & 19. 31 Joseph Grant Stevenson. The Life of Edward Stevenson. BYU Press: Provo.1955, p 20. 32 Life history of Lyman Curtis, www.themorrisclan.com. p1. 33 S.C. Richardson, Sketches of the Curtis family, p29 34Lyman Curtis history, p2

Nahum C

Kellogg,

Tempera

Curtis and hi

Seville Harr

ance Mack an

is brother Jer

ris, Jeremiah

nd Almira M

remiah. They

h Curtis, Nah

Mack.35

y were as fo

hum Curtis,

ollows- Thad

Joseph Bent

ddeus Alvord

t, Edward St

d, Ezekiel

tevenson,

MMissouri

Pers

around 1

Michigan

Missouri

funds, bu

suaded by th

835-1836, h

n for the sum

i for other ch

ut Nahum gla

eir faith and

his parents m

m of $800.00

hurch membe

adly donated

d new found

moved their f

0. Then he ga

ers. The mon

d it to the cau

devotion, wh

family to Mis

ave $325.00

ney represen

use.37

hen Moses w

ssouri.36 Na

to Joseph S

nted the total

was a teenag

ahum sold hi

Smith to help

l amount of

ger, sometim

is homestead

p buy propert

the Curtis fa

me

d in

ty in

amily

Mos

Missouri

Counties

35 Cumm14:616 (36 It wastime tabl37 Taylo38 Taylor

Fig

ses brother, G

i from a Mr.

.39 The legis

ming, p15. Step(Lansing 1890) after Zion’s Cle- Lyman Curr, Nahum Histor, p2

14 -Shoal Creek

George tells

Fletcher.38 L

Cre

Mil

and

sent

exp

legi

Mis

Coun

slature agree

that his fath

Log Creek is

ek joins the

l and Far W

d Independen

timent in Mi

ulsion from

islature inter

ssouri, but on

nty. A few sa

ed that the co

her bought th

s located six

Grand River

est, which ar

nce, Missour

issouri. Afte

many of the

rvened and a

nly in the no

aints settled

ounty seat w

heir farm in L

x miles east o

r. It is about

re northeast

ri. In 1833 th

er much pers

eir homes by

agreed that th

orthern part o

in neighbori

would be in F

Log Creek, C

of Far West w

t halfway bet

of present d

here began an

ecution of th

y an angry m

he Mormons

of the state in

ing Daviess

Far West, tha

Caldwell,

where Shoal

tween Haun

day Kansas C

n anti- Morm

he Mormons

mob, the state

s could settle

n Caldwell

and Carroll

at Mormons

l

’s

City

mon

s and

e

e in

k

phen B. McCra).

Camp March inrtis History. wwory, p2

acken, Fifty Ye

n 1834 and befww.themorrisc

ears Ago and N

fore the troublelan.com, p3.

Now, in the Mic

e in Far West in

chigan Historiccal Collectionss,  Page‐ 1

3 -

n 1838. Sourcee for this

could hol

accepting

lived pea

which led

ld county of

g these privi

acefully in M

d to a time o

ffices, have r

leges, the M

Missouri for a

of more perse

representatio

Mormons agre

a short time.

ecution. 40

on in the Leg

eed not to se

Then they

gislature, and

ettle in any o

began to dis

d create a co

other countie

sagree amon

ounty Militia

es. The Morm

ng themselve

a. By

mons

es

The

The Curt

became g

days late

Mormon’s r

tis family wa

gravely ill. S

r. Her young

received mu

as no excepti

She died on

gest child wa

uch persecuti

ion. While li

September 3

as eight year

ion in Misso

iving at Log

3, 1838 at th

rs old.41

uri and man

g Creek, Mos

he age of fifty

ny families su

ses’ mother,

y- one and w

uffered great

Millicent

was buried tw

tly.

wo

O

Joseph w

destroy th

staying th

records th

be harme

39 Thom1996. p840 Histor119. 41 Burrel42 Weech

Fig

On the same d

were called b

heir settleme

here so the m

hat the Prop

ed. 42

as G. Alexand

82 ry of Caldwell

ll, p42 h, p42.

15 - Lyman Curt

day as the bu

y the Prophe

sett

hom

from

and

Hau

late

ent, but they

mob went on

het Joseph S

urial, Moses

et Joseph Sm

tlement for th

mes. They w

m mob viole

d went to the

un’s Mill on

er told the Cu

y were advise

n their way le

Smith assure

s, his father N

mith to make

hose persecu

were also to s

ence. The pe

e Curtis settle

n October 30

urtis family

ed there wer

eaving the se

ed him the pe

Nahum and h

e a gathering

uted Saints b

stand as gua

ople who he

ement were

, 1838. It w

that a mob h

re only a few

ettlement un

eople in the

his brothers

g place at the

being driven

ards over them

eeded the Pro

not harmed

was reported t

had come int

w women and

nharmed. Lev

Curtis settle

Lyman and

e Curtis

n out of their

m as protect

ophet’s coun

in the raid o

that a neighb

tending to

d children

vi Jackman

ment would

tion

nsel

on

bor

not

tis

er. Utah, the ri

and Livingston

ight place: the

n counties, Mis

official centen

ssouri. The Prin

nnial history. G

ntery, Clinton,

Gibbs Smith. Sa

alt Lake City, UUtah

 Page‐ 1

4 -

Misssouri,19772. p117

Duri

were bick

February

the Chur

1838.43

ing this time

kering and q

y of 1838 wh

rch it says th

e of great per

quarreling lik

here some ch

at a court pr

rsecution fro

ke cats and d

hurch membe

roceeding too

om belligeren

dogs. There

ers were actu

ok place at t

nt citizens o

were church

ually excom

he Curtis set

of Missouri, t

h court proce

mmunicated.

ttlement on F

the members

eedings in

In the Histo

February 8,

s

ory of

at the cos

$12.00, t

the loss o

the price

May 13,

Ther

43 Smith44 Richar

st of $5.00, a

three weeks t

of time in co

of $156.00.

1839.

re is also an

, Vol. 3 p3-6. rdson, p29.

Fig 16- Typical

a gun at the c

time lost fro

onsequence o

All of thes

excerpt in th

In t

the fami

prisoner

historica

that clar

Missour

prisoner

released

were all

before t

the Mis

cost of 62.5

om moving th

of the mobbe

e expenses a

the short his

ily, it is reco

r with the Pr

al evidence i

rified this sta

ri Redress Pe

r to Richmon

d. In 1839 af

lowed to ma

the Justice of

souri persec

cents, two w

he poor from

ers of Missou

added up to t

tory of Mos

orded that he

rophet Josep

in the lists o

atement. I di

etitions whe

nd, made to

fter the saints

ake petitions

f the Peace a

utions. Mose

weeks lost tim

m Missouri f

uri for six m

the total of $

es Curtis han

e was severa

h Smith.44 I

f prisoners w

id find an ins

re Moses wa

wait there a

s had left M

that include

about their lo

es’s list cons

me in workin

for the cost o

months at $1.

$192.615. Th

nded down b

l times taken

I could find

with the prop

stance with t

as taken as a

few days, an

issouri, they

ed a statemen

osses involv

sisted of a sw

ng at the cos

of $18.00, an

00 per day f

his list was d

by

n

no

phet

the

a

nd

y

nt

ed in

word

st of

nd

for

dated

l Jail Cell

Page‐ 1

5 - hese petitionns that says tthe followingg-

Han T

SurrendeMissourimy arms Lakey whdays I waagainst msupport.

SignHancock

As th

with his y

soldiers t

Richmon

On J

a covena

st an o

In th

may have

single at

In D

Caldwell

that many

in the pra

45 Clark spelling 46 Smith47 Smith48 Smith

ndcock Co. SThis may certer at Farwesti and under aI was afterwho marched as discharge

me and no m

ned Moses Ck Co., Ill, on

his excerpt s

younger bro

to Richmond

nd took place

January 29,

ant under the

tand by and nd that we wf the exterm

his long list o

e only been t

the age of 2

December 18

l County sum

y men, wom

airies and for

V. Johnson, Mwas preserved, Vol. 3 p200-2, Vol. 3 p250-2, Vol. 3 p253.

State of Illinotify that I Mt in the Couna Strong guawards taken pus to Richmd without aneans of Sust

Curtis. (swornJanuary 6, 1

states, Mose

ther Joseph.

d under guar

e in Novemb

1839, a grou

direction of

assist each owill never de

minating orde

of devoted s

the head of h

3.

38 and Janu

mmarizes the

men, children

rests. They h

Mormon Redresd in the docume233. 251.

ois- oses Curtis w

nty of Calweard I was comprisoner by L

mond thirty mny charge betanance bein

n before A. M1840.)45

s was taken

They were

rd, but were

ber 1838.46

up of saints m

f Brigham Y

other to the usert the poor

er of General

aints are the

households a

uary 1839, th

e exodus as b

n, the sick an

had very littl

ss Petitions. Reent.

was at the ell State of mpell to giveLieutenant

miles after tweing found ng found for

Monroe. J.P

prisoner, alo

made to ma

both release

met in Far W

Young that th

utmost of our who are wol Clark, actin

e names of N

and therefor

he saints wer

being in the

nd the old we

le food and e

eligious Studie

e up

wo

my

P.

ong

arch like a tr

ed after two d

West where th

hey would:

ur abilities inorthy, till theng for and in

Nahum and Jo

e would exc

re forced to l

middle of w

ere all driven

even less she

s BYU: Provo

oop of bedra

days. This m

hey held a m

n removing frey shall be on the name o

oseph Curtis

clude Moses

leave Missou

winter. The h

n out of their

elter to prote

, Utah, 1992, p

Fig 17- Pionneer Company

aggled untra

march to

ained

meeting and mmade

from this statout of the reaof the state.47

te, ach 7

s.48 The nam

who remain

mes

ned

uri. A history

historian state

r homes to li

ect them from

y of

es

ive

m

p178. Originall

Page‐ 1

6 - 

Page

17

- 

‐

the icy, cold winter elements. Many people were left with no other alternative but to walk the

entire journey to Illinois on foot at this time.49

Illinois

During the mob violence in Missouri, the Curtis family moved with the body of the Saints to

the area of Quincy, Illinois. Mary describes their journey out of Missouri as being the first of

February when it was cold and muddy. She tells that they walked most of the way even though it

was hard to travel because of the mud. They camped outside of Quincy, Illinois for about two

weeks while the wagons and teams went to bring more Saints out of Missouri. There were about

three to four thousand people there.50 A short time later they relocated to Commerce, which

then became known as the City of Nauvoo. While living there Moses married Aurelia Peckham

Jackman on May 28, 1839, the daughter of Levi and Angeline Myers Jackman long time friends

of the Curtis family.51 Together they had the following seven children. Their names and

birthplaces are:

Moses Monroe 28 Oct 1840 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois Angeline 1843 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois Francis Argyle 5 Oct 1845 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois Evaline Madora 22 April 1850 Winter Quarters,Nebraska Delia Elizabeth 30 Oct 1852 Provo, Utah, Utah Levi Nahum 18 Sept 1855 Provo, Utah, Utah Mary Melvina 30 Oct 1857 Provo, Utah, Utah52 Moses’s father, a lonely widower, married Delia Byam Reed on October 29, 1839.53 This

was thirty years to the day after he had married his first love, Millicent. Delia was a widow also

living in Nauvoo, with children of her own. The Curtis children were happy to have a new

49 History of Caldwell County, p142. 50 Weech, p43. 51 Moses Curtis, groom and Aurelia Jackman bride, Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763-1900. Date 5/30/1839. License no. 280 in Hancock Illinois. http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/marrsrch.html 52 Beecher, p47. 53 www.earlylds.org, family group sheet Tillison Reed and Delia Byam Curtis.

mother to

of Nahum

and Sally

Nahum, M

In N

militia.56

made to s

the guns

while non

Valley. I

54 Weech55 www.56 Verna57 Lymanwith the must be 58 NauvoBlock 3359 Black,OrganizeInfobase

Fig 1Logging

o help with t

m’s load.54 T

y Ann Reed,

Mary and Jo

Nauvoo, Mos

6 At one poin

surrender the

were laid in

ne of the gua

It is now in t

h, p8. earlylds.org. fa

a Colvin, The Gn Curtis Histormuseum curatin the LDS Ch

oo, Illinois Lan3 Lot 1, Block , Harvey B. Seed in the First

es, 1996. 70s B

9-Wisconsin- g on Mississippi

River

their care an

Two of her c

later marrie

oseph Curtis

ses served in

nt, the men i

eir weapons

n a pile as if t

ards were lo

the LDS Chu

prop

Nauv

Seve

1844

was

time

General

amily group shGarden and Hory, p6. Lyman’tor who could nhurch History Mnd Records Dat45 Lot 2 and Bventy Quorum Thirty-Five Qu

Bk B Sel, p25; 7

i

d ease the bu

children, Ca

ed children o

respectively

n the Nauvoo

n the militia

to the local

to make a bo

ooking. He l

urch History

After his ma

erty. Appar

voo.58 Mose

enty and belo

4.59 A sevent

revealed to J

was called t

Authority in

heet. ow it Grew, Edes history indicnot find any reMuseum whosetabase. NauvoBlock 130 Lot Membership,

uorums of the S70s rec, Qum 9

urden

lvin

of

y.55

o

a were

authorities t

onfire, Mose

ater used thi

y Museum in

arriage in Na

rently he mo

es remained

onged to the

ty was a prie

Joseph Smith

to do missio

n the early ye

en 1881-1981.ates the gun is

ecord of it in the curator has no, Illinois. File3. 1835–1846: AnSeventy in Kirt9.

trying to opp

es’ brother L

is gun on the

n Salt Lake C

auvoo, Mose

ved three tim

active in the

Ninth Quor

esthood offic

h in Februar

nary work a

ears of the ch

p199 & 200. in the DUP m

heir collection. not responded te of Moses Cu

n Annotated Intland, Ohio, an

Fig

press the Mo

Lyman retriev

e trek west to

City.57

es purchased

mes in their

e church and

rum of the Se

ce in the LD

ry 1835. A se

and were con

hurch. In Oc

museum, but con Therefore, weo our request y

urtis RIN # 851

ndex of Over 3,nd Nauvoo, Illi

g 18 - Nauvoo MMilitia

ormons. Afte

ved his gun

o the Salt La

er all

ake

d his own

short stay in

d was ordain

eventies in

DS church wh

eventy at thi

nsidered as a

ctober 1844

n

ned a

hich

is

a

ntact was madee e think it yet. 3. He lived onn

,500 Seventies inois. Provo, UUtah: Pa

ge‐ 1

8 - 

Page

19

- 

‐

conference, after the death of the prophet Joseph Smith, President Brigham called many

additional Seventies.60 It was at this time that Moses was ordained to the priesthood office of

Seventy.

Moses and his brothers were sent to find lumber from the Mississippi River in Wisconsin,

northwest of Nauvoo, to help build the fast-growing city. There was not a readily available

lumber supply in the early 1840s when the Saints in Nauvoo were trying to build many houses,

the temple and the Nauvoo House. During the years 1841-1845, a church guided lumber

operation was underway in the Wisconsin Pineries. It is reported that during these years the

Latter-day Saints harvested “an estimated one-and-a-half million board feet of milled lumber,

over two hundred thousand shingles, and an undeterminable number of loose logs, hewed

timbers and barn boards. This was enough lumber to build about 215 three-bedroom houses of

our [modern] day”.61

The Curtis brothers had many adventures trying to guide the lumber down the river. One

such experience happened to Lyman and Moses. They were gathering lumber for the Nauvoo

Temple on this particular trip. They had tied the logs together with wooden pins and hickory

withes to make a type of crude wooden raft to carry themselves and their supplies. (A hickory

withe is a green tree branch that has all the twigs trimmed off. Then you carefully bend the

branch until it is very pliable so you can use it as a type of fastener much like a rope.) At one

point while stopping to gather supplies, Moses guided the raft close to the river bank. Lyman

took the rope and jumped ashore to wrap it around a young tree close to the shore. The tree was

weak and bent by the strong current of the water. This bending action took Lyman under the

60 William G. Hartley. “Nauvoo Stake, Priesthood Quorums, and the Church’s First Wards”. BYU Studies. Provo Utah 32, 1992, p71. 61 Dennis Rowley. “The Mormon Experience in the Wisconsin Pineries, 1841-1845” BYU Studies. Provo Utah 32, 1992, p121.

water. Lym

the tree spru

like a boom

event didn’t

little bit of e

man hung on

ung back up,

merang and w

t hinder their

excitement th

to the rope t

, he sprang o

was able to ge

r travel plans

hey continue

tightly and w

out of the wa

et free. This

s and after th

ed down the

when

ater

he

river

river nea

received

Mos

who had

preparing

Parley St

densely w

tired and

turned th

him and

spoken to

voice aga

walk thro

He heade

been wai

62 Ida Bl63 Weech

ar La Crosse,

its name bec

ses had many

a dislike for

g to return to

treet, he had

wooded area

d in his haste

he direction t

said, “Don’t

o him and no

ain saying, “

ough the tree

ed for the roa

iting in the tr

lum, Nauvoo- Gh, p19-20.

Fig 20 - Bla with their l

, Wisconsin

cause they c

y run-ins wit

r the Mormo

o his home fr

a choice to

a or to go aro

he decided

to head throu

t go that way

o one was th

“Don’t go tha

e. This time

ad and took

rees to ambu

Gateway to the

acksmith shop

called Morm

amped in th

th the peopl

o

mon Coulee

e area often

ogs. There is

after Moses

on their lum

s said to be a

and his brot

mbering trips

a place on the

ther Lyman.

s.62

e

e

ons. One eve

from the lum

take a shortc

ound on the r

to take the s

ugh the trees

y.” He turned

here. So he st

at way.” Ag

he couldn’t

it safely hom

ush him.63 M

e West. Journal

e around Na

ening as he w

mber business

cut through

road. He wa

short cut. As

s a voice cam

d to see who

tarted to hea

ain he thoug

t ignore the v

me. Later he

Moses was yo

l Printing Co.:

uvoo

was

s on

a

as

s he

me to

o had

ad through th

ght it was sill

voice when i

heard that a

oung in his e

Carthage Ill. 1

F

he trees again

ly so he star

it said, “Don

a group of un

experience in

974. p27-28.

Fig 21 - Logging

n. He heard

rted once mo

n’t go that w

nruly men ha

n listening to

e

It

g in the 19th cenntury

th

ore to

ay.”

ad

o the

Page‐ 2

0 - 

Page‐ 2

1 - 

guided by its promptings.

gentle whisperings of the Holy Ghost. But he became well known as a man who lived close to

the spirit and was

Another time he was in the blacksmith shop where some men were fixing a muzzle loading

rifle. A voice told him to move, he listened and quickly backed away right before the gun went

off and shot right through the place he had been standing. Moses was prompted many times in

his life, so that he learned to be more aware of these warnings.64

The Curtis family was greatly saddened when the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother

Hyrum were killed by a mob in Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844. Moses describes the Prophet

Joseph as “having a halo of light around him and Moses always felt joy in his association with

the Prophet.”65 Moses’s brothers Lyman and George, members of the Nauvoo Militia, were once

again given an important responsibility to stand guard over the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum after

their death because there was a reward offered for the head of Joseph Smith.66

Moses’s oldest sister Sophronia taught school while they lived in Nauvoo. Her husband

Patrick Norris drowned when returning from a mission in 1844, leaving her a young widow at

age thirty four.67

Life in Nauvoo was hard. They were plagued by sickness because of the swamp and

mosquitoes. The life expectancy at this time was thirty-eight years for men and forty years for

women.68 Most people upon arriving in Nauvoo had to live in their wagon box, a tent or a

dugout while they built a more permanent shelter.69 Their food source was largely what they

grew themselves or found while hunting. Farming was not easy in Nauvoo, but they tried a

64 Weech, p21. 65 Richardson, Sketches of the Curtis Family, p29. 66 Lyman Curtis History, p4. 67 Weech, p43. 68 George W. Givens. In old Nauvoo: everyday life in the city of Joseph. Deseret Book: Salt Lake City, Utah,1990, p112. 69 Givens, p1.

different

them live

the rural

farming h

these har

could hav

of crops

could als

chickens

peach or

the harsh

assumed

of people

meet in.7

bowery c

only sligh

approach. I

ed in the city

area to their

helped with

rd times. A ty

ve had any c

such as corn

so have had p

, a vegetable

other fruit o

h winters.70

to be near th

e for a Sunda

72 A bowery

could provid

htly better th

Instead of pe

y and then tr

r farm land.

the social as

ypical farm

combination

n, wheat, bar

pig pens, cat

e garden and

orchard. A pr

On Sunday,

he Temple s

ay church m

is an open a

de shelter for

han being dir

eople in Nau

aveled each

This approa

spect of livin

in Nauvoo in

of the follow

rley, and oats

ttle, sheep, h

d possibly an

roblem invo

the saints co

ite. There w

meeting.71 In

air structure w

r up to a thou

rectly out in

uvoo living o

day out to

ach to

ng during

n the 1840s

wing: fields

s. They

horses,

n apple,

lving livesto

ongregated i

was no place i

n the later ye

with posts fo

usand people

n the element

on vast amou

ock though w

in the grove,

in Nauvoo th

ars of Nauvo

or supports a

e depending

ts.73

E

beloved t

stone on

moving t

70 Given71 Given72 Richar73 http://explanat74 Given

Everyone in N

temple. Mos

the ground,

the stones ar

ns, p1. ns, p146-147 rdson, Sketcheswww.thisisthetion of a bower

ns. p44.

Nauvoo, incl

ses’s father a

pour sand o

round they w

s of the Curtis place.org/. Wery. (accessed o

luding Mose

and brothers

ver the top o

were able to p

Family, p13. ebsite of a replion November 2

es and his fam

worked poli

of it and then

polish the bo

ica of early Sal9, 2008)

mily worked

ishing stone

n place anoth

ottom stone.7

lt Lake City. T

Fig

unts of land t

was how to h

, an unknow

hat could ho

oo, they buil

and a thatche

on its dimen

d tirelessly to

s. They wou

her stone on

74

They have a rep

22 - Building th

to farm, mos

help them su

wn location, b

ouse the num

lt a bowery t

ed roof. A

nsions. It wa

he Nauvoo Temp

st of

urvive

but

mber

to

as

ple

o finish their

uld put one l

n top of that.

r

large

By Page‐ 2

2 - 

plica and

O

the hand

was give

On June 26, 1

of Patriarch

n the follow

1845, Moses

h John Smith

wing promise

s and his wif

h, uncle of th

es:

fe Aurelia bo

he Prophet Jo

oth received

oseph Smith

their Patriar

.75 In Moses

rchal Blessin

s’s blessing h

ng by

he

Tthe citiesparticulartruth; thomiracle t

Thou shalt has of the saintrly among th

ou shalt be abthat wisdom

ave power tos; as thy privhe Lamaniteble to speak will direct f

o gather the rvilege to go s, thou shaltthe languag

for the prosp

remnants of whithersoev

t bring thousge of any peoerity of the g

Jacob by thover thou wiltsands of themople wherevegreat work o

ousands & et, thy callingm to a knowler thy lot is cof the Lord…

stablish themg is more ledge of the cast, or to do

…76

m in

o any

N

endowme

Reed, an

February

endowme

Lyman w

Nahum and h

ent in Nauvo

d his other s

y 2, Moses, h

ent.78 On Fe

with his wife

his wife Deli

oo on Decem

sister Sophro

his wife Aure

ebruary 7, th

Charlotte re

a were the fi

mber 18, 184

onia all recei

elia, his brot

e remaining

eceived their

first family m

45.77 Moses’

ived their en

ther Joseph w

family mem

r endowmen

members to r

s sister Mary

ndowment on

with his wife

mbers, Moses

nt.79

receive their

y and her hu

n January 30

e Sally Ann

s’ brothers F

temple

usband Calvi

0, 1846. On

all received

Foster, and

in

their

TThe Nauvoo TTemple mus

75 Churc& Aurel76 Patria77 Churc1846, 1978 Given79 Nauvo

ch of Jesus Chria # 453.

archal Blessingch of Jesus Chr974,.p27 # 16 #ns, p259. oo Temple End

Fig 23 - Nauvoo

rist of Latter-da

g, Moses Curtisrist of Latter-da#17.

dowment Regist

st have been

comple

and the

they w

sadnes

very special

etion. They j

en turned the

ere driven fr

s in their hea

l to all those

joyfully rece

eir backs on

rom Nauvoo

arts during th

e who worke

eived their te

the sacred b

o. We can on

his difficult

ed hard to see

emple ordina

building whe

nly imagine t

time.

e its

ances

en

the

o Temple

ay Saints. Earlyly Church Inforrmation File, FFHL film # 17550670. Moses #500

s, June 26, 184ay Saints. Nauv

ter, p335 #12#

45, copy in posvoo Temple En

#13.

session of authndowment Regi

hor. ister10 Decembber to 8 Februuary ‐

Page

23

- 

In

gentlema

her husba

wagon on

it was sti

their bab

miraculo

the wago

keep the

episode t

O

left a foo

to help so

March 9,

died on th

Nahum w

80 Lyman81 Richar82 Weech

Fig 24

n February 1

an gave him

and Calvin R

n a ferry. W

ill hitched to

y, and sitting

usly they ma

on before eve

baby out of

two of their o

On February

ot of snow in

ome of the p

, 1846. The

he other side

was a stalwar

n Curtis Historrdson. Sketchesh, p52.

- Tombstone of

1846, the Sai

money to bu

Reed and the

While crossin

o the wagon.

g on the wag

anaged to un

eryone drow

the water. S

oxen drowne

22, there wa

n Nauvoo and

poorer famili

family is no

e of the river

rt member o

ry. p3. s of the Curtis

f Nahum Curtis (

ints began le

uy a new hor

eir three you

ng the river, s

Mary was h

gon seat. Som

nhitch the ox

wned. Mary w

Sometime du

ed.81

as a raging b

d its surroun

ies in the frig

ot entirely su

r. There is a

of the church

Family, p14-1

eaving their b

many belo

worked ha

hardships

River. In

history th

his horses

rse.80 Mary

ung daughter

someone spa

holding

meho

beautiful city

ongings alon

ard to build.

as they tried

February, L

at his wagon

s drowned, b

Curtis Reed,

rs, tried to cr

at tobacco in

y Nauvoo, fo

ng with the h

The Curtis

d to cross the

Lyman Curtis

n was swept

but a kindly u

, Moses’s sis

ross the river

n the eye of t

forced to leav

homes they h

family had a

e Mississipp

s recorded in

downstream

unknown

ster, along w

r with their

their oxen w

ve

had

a few

pi

n his

m and

with

while

Nauvoo)

w

xen from

was able to

uring the

blizzard that

nding areas. M

gid, wintery

ure where he

a grave mark

h. He gave s

5.

Moses’s fath

weather. Du

is buried bu

ker in Nauvo

ervice willin

F

her Nahum r

ue to exposu

ut it is probab

oo with his n

ngly and qui

Fig 25 -The Nauvvoo Exodus

remained beh

ure, he died o

bly whereve

name on it.82

etly. His

hind

on

er he

Page‐ 2

4 - 

Page‐ 2

5 - 

patriarchal blessing says that “he will be held in honorable remembrance by his descendants and

perpetuated by them for his sacrifices; spiritual blessings shall be multiplied upon his head and

for the integrity of his heart in which there is no guile. This is a blessing of promise upon you

and your children after you.”83

Moses and his brothers, Joseph and Lyman worked together to build wagons big enough

to carry each family’s belongings on the journey west to the Rocky Mountains. Due to the

persecution and being forced to leave their homes, the Curtis family lost their mother, and father.

But they must have been comforted by the new found knowledge of temple ordinances that

sealed families together for eternity. At the time of the exodus of the saints from Nauvoo in

1846, the cities population was roughly about 17,000. This was in comparison to Chicago,

Illinois in that same year whose city population was about 10,000.84

Iowa and Nebraska

The Saints did not make the long trek to the Rocky Mountains in the year of 1846 when

they were driven out of Nauvoo, because many were not prepared for the long journey. Some

had been forced to leave with very few provisions. Instead, under the direction of Brigham

Young they formed settlements along the trail from Nauvoo to provide shelter and food for the

travelers. They also helped those who were not prepared to make the trek yet. The first camp was

at Sugar Creek, Iowa Territory nine miles west of Nauvoo across the Mississippi. It was at Sugar

Creek that the leaders of the church formed a plan and made a decision which trail to follow to

their ultimate destination in the Rocky Mountains. They remained in this camp for the entire

month of February 1846. 85 It took a little more than three more months for this large body of

83 Weech, p54. 84 Richard E. Bennett. Mormons at the Missouri, 1846-1852 “And Should We Die”. University of Oklahoma Press, 1987. p15. 85 Bennett. p25-26.

Saints to

and snow

anticipate

cross the Io

w which caus

ed. On June

owa Territory

sed them to m

14th, they re

y. They trek

move slower

eached the M

kked through

r than origin

Missouri Rive

h mud, rain

nally

er.86

A

Mormon

Missouri

to enlist r

younger

for. Foste

Mormon

Although

left witho

source of

In

86 Benne87 MormNovemb88 Alexan89 Benne

Along the tra

Battalion. O

i River, the S

recruits for t

unmarried b

er is listed as

soldiers enl

h at first this

out their men

f money with

n September

ett. p45.

mon Battalion Tber 29, 2008). nder. p92-93. B

ett. p58.

Fig 27 -

il some of th

On June 26,

Saints were m

the Battalion

brother who

s a Private in

listed by the

endeavor se

n, it turned o

h which they

r 1846, Brigh

Trek. http://ww

Bennett. p51.

Winter Quarters

he men were

1846 while

met by Unite

n. This group

volunteered

n Company D

United State

eemed to be

out to be a bl

y could buy

ham Young

w.mormonbatt

s

e called to jo

camped by t

ed States Arm

p included M

d to go in pla

D.87 The M

es governme

a huge sacri

lessing. The

supplies for

and the othe

camp for

Missouri

By Septem

begin a jo

would giv

more supp

talion.com/hist

in the

the

my officers

Moses’s

ace of Lyman

Mormon Batta

ent to help in

ifice for the

pioneers we

their journe

er church lea

the winter o

river at a pla

mber it was

ourney to the

ve the people

plies for the

tory/roster.htm

n who had a

alion was a g

n the Mexica

families of t

ere left with

ey ahead.88

aders decided

on the west s

ace called W

too late in th

e Rocky Mou

e a chance to

further jour

ml. (accessed

Fig 266 - Foster Curtiss

a family to ca

group of 500

an War in 18

those that we

an immedia

are

0

846.

ere

ate

d to make a

side of the

Winter Quarte

he season to

untains. Thi

o rest, and g

rney west.89

ers.

is

ather

Page‐ 2

6 - 

M

They had

M

dimensio

timbers 6

prairie so

their wag

to have ti

T

Rocky M

vanguard

unknown

to come.

pregnant

return as

90 Winte91 S.C. R92 Benne

Fig 28 -

Moses with h

dn’t had time

Most of the h

ons of 12 x 1

6 inches wid

od or brick. T

gons for as m

ime to build

The next year

Mountains, M

d trip westwa

n aspects of t

Together th

wife Sally A

soon as pos

er Quarters ProjRichardson,“Mett. p78.

- Joseph Curtis

his wife Aure

Fran

settl

Rite

Amo

Jere

fam

wen

e to grow the

elia and their

ncis Argyle,

lement of the

er. In Decem

ong the mem

emiah Curtis

ilies.90 Mose

nt back to Mi

eir own crop

r young chil

settled in W

e Winter Qu

mber 1846 th

mbers of this

, and Moses

es built a log

issouri to bu

p. 91

dren Moses

Winter Quarte

uarters Ward

here were 18

s ward were

’s brothers J

g house, and

uy enough co

Monroe, An

ers. They be

d 3, under Bi

5 members o

listed Moses

Joseph and L

d banked it w

orn to last thr

ngeline, and

elonged to th

shop Levi E

of this ward

s’s uncle,

Lyman and th

with dirt. The

rough the w

he

.

.

heir

en he

inter.

houses in Wi

8 feet or 12

de by 3 feet lo

The families

many as four

a shelter ma

nter Quarter

x 12 feet. T

ong and one

s were glad t

r months for

ay have been

rs were smal

They had dirt

e half inch th

to have a mo

some. The f

n asked to sh

ll single room

t floors and

hick. Chimne

ore permanen

families luck

hare with tho

m structures

shake roofs

eys were ma

nt structure a

ky enough to

ose less fortu

having

made from o

ade of either

after living o

o have been a

unate.92

oak

out of

able

r April 14, 1

Moses and his

ard would be

their trek. O

he brothers d

Ann remaine

ssible after h

847, when th

s brother Jos

e physically

nly those wh

decided that J

ed at Winter

e was able to

he first grou

seph discuss

rigorous for

ho could end

Joseph woul

Quarters un

o procure a h

up of pioneer

ed the welfa

r the compan

dure this typ

ld go with th

nder the care

home for the

rs left on the

are of their fa

ny and there

e of experien

he first group

of Moses. H

em at the end

eir journey to

families. This

were still so

nce were inv

p while his

He promised

d of their jou

o the

s

ome

vited

d to

urney

 Page‐ 2

7 -

ject. www.winoses Monroe C

nterquarters.byuCurtis, Pioneer”

u.edu/pages/W”, Improvemen

Ward3.htm (accessed October 24, 2008). nt Era, 1923.

Page‐ 2

8 - 

in the Rocky Mountains. Moses’s brother Lyman also remained in Winter Quarters with his

family.93

Life was full of ups and downs, happiness and trials, and births and deaths. Sadly,

Moses’s young daughter Angeline died January 1848 at age five and was buried in the Winter

Quarters Cemetery.94 Then on April 22, 1850, Moses and Aurelia welcomed a new little

daughter into their home by the name of Evaline Madora.95

Before returning to get his family in Winter Quarters, Joseph Curtis built two houses, one

for his family and one for the family of his brother Moses.96 In the spring of 1850 while

preparing for their trip to the west, Moses and Lyman went into Missouri to obtain supplies for

their trip. They wanted to purchase a barrel and the store clerk gave them a heavy one without

checking the contents. When they returned home and opened the barrel, they found it had brown

sugar filling about one-third of the barrel. The children were elated for this was a very rare

treat.97

Trek to the Rocky Mountains

Sometime between the twentieth and twenty seventh of June 1850, Moses left Winter

Quarters and began the trek west along with his family, and his brothers Lyman and Joseph and

their families. They were part of the Stephen Markham Company of fifty wagons.98 In Pioneers

and Prominent Men, it says that Moses drove two yoke of oxen and two yoke of cows across the

plains.99 In Lyman’s history it tells about the journey. It says they ate buffalo meat along the

way. Wood was scare and so they used buffalo chips for fuel. There were a few Indian scares,

93 Weech. p57. 94 www.winterquarters.byu.edu/pages/Ward3.htm (accessed October 24, 2008), cemetery record. 95 Burrell, p47. 96 Weech, p57. 97 Lyman Curtis history, p7. 98 Mormon Pioneer Overland Trail. http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompany/0,15797,4017-1-191,00.html (accessed Oct 2008). 99 Frank Esshom. Pioneers and Prominent Men. Utah Pioneer Book: Salt Lake City, Utah,1913. p833.

but no on

the first t

had lefto

In

setting up

worked h

Moses ag

Moses ag

that was

100 Lyma101 EsshoLake Citto Utah uhttp://hishtml . ThMoses mtime per102 US Fwww.an103 Alexawould no

Fig 29

ne was hurt.

thru the third

ver buffalo j

A few peop

d of October

jerky.100 Thi

le died from

r 1850. Josep

is journey to

m cholera. Th

ph says that w

ook a little m

he company

when they c

more than thr

arrived in Sa

came in to th

ree months to

alt Lake City

he valley they

o complete.

y on

y still

Utah

n the short ti

p of the first

hard to build

ge 35, lived i

ge 11, Franc

very bothers

an Curtis Histoom, p 833. Evety, Moses liveduntil the 1860sstorytogo.utah.his web page r

may have helpeiod. ederal Census

ncestry.com) Seander, p118. Uot have been o

ime that Mos

t telegraph li

d a nice home

in a househo

is age 5 and

dolla

becau

thoug

that M

Salt L

ses and his f

ine between

e for his fam

old of five, in

Emeline ag

ars.102 The 18

use Utah wa

gh it is still c

Moses could

Lake City in

family lived

Provo and S

mily. In the 1

ncluding his

e 1. It also s

850 census i

asn’t made a

called the 18

d be in the 18

n October 18

in Salt Lake

Salt Lake Cit

850 Federal

s wife Aureli

tates he had

in Utah was

territory unt

850 census103

850 census e

50.

e City, Mose

ty. 101 Throu

l Census of U

ia age 30, an

real propert

actually take

til Septembe

3. Therefore

even though

es helped wit

ugh the years

Utah it says

nd his childre

ty worth fifty

en in 1851,

er of 1850,

it is possibl

they arrived

th the

s he

en,

y

le

d in

9 - George Curtis

Utah

Canyon

some and ke

Moses’s b

, bears and w

n (Utah Cou

ept getting in

brother Lym

wolves were

unty near Pay

nto their food

man records th

plentiful. O

yson) the bro

d. Emma Cu

hat when the

On one trip in

others encou

urtis, the wife

ey first move

nto Loafer

untered a bea

e of their bro

ed to

ar

other

s

ory, p7 en though this hd in Salt Lake Cs. This informa.gov/utah_chapreferences Mired with the tele

history says thCity until 1853

ation was acces

Office. 1850 Feries M432, rol

Utah was considobligated to car

pters/pioneers_riam B. Murphyegraph after he

at Moses helpe3 at which timessed on

ed set up the fie he moved to P

rst telegraph frProvo. The tel

rom Provo to Slegraph didn’t

Salt come

_and_cowboysy, “The Telegrmoved to Utah

/thetelegraphwraph Comes to h County, whic

wasinformationUtah,” Beehivch would have

nhighwayofthe1ve History8 (19

been the corre

1860s.982). ect

Federal Censusll 919, p133. dered part of thrry out the cens

s for Salt Lake

he United Statesus in that regio

City, Utah Ter

es before it wason.

rritory. (access

s recognized as

sed at

s a territory, soo they Page‐ 2

9 - 

Page‐ 3

0 - 

George, had made some cheese with liquor in it to act as a preservative. They used this cheese in

a trap to catch the bear. The bear was scrambling in the trap, but before he could break loose,

Moses caught him by the foot while Lyman knocked him out and then killed him with an axe.

The bear meat was shared with many of their neighbors.104

The decade of 1850 began ten years of one trial after another for the settlers in Provo. A

few years earlier, Indian troubles were so bad in Provo that they had to build a fort to protect the

houses and the settlers. During this time Moses worked on the Provo River, cutting down timbers

and floating them back down the river for the first big adobe meeting house in Provo.105

In the LDS Bishop’s report of 1852-1853, Moses and his family lived in the Provo First

Ward. His brother Lyman lived in Salt Lake City Ninth Ward. His brother’s George and Joseph

both lived in Utah County in the Payson Ward at this time.106

Moses Monroe, the oldest son of Moses and Aurelia relates a surprising happening in

Provo in the year 1852. The settlers had very little sugar and the people were becoming crazy to

have something sweet. One morning they woke up and the trees were all covered in something

sparkling white. It looked as if a snow storm had come, but after careful examination the

pioneers discovered it was actually sugar. They gathered limbs from the trees, some of which

had broken from the weight of the sugar on them. Then they rinsed the white residue off and

boiled it down so they could carefully store it for use in the future.107

In Provo during the year 1853, one evening just after dark, two small children were found

to be missing. Many times they would ride out alone to find their father working in the field and

104 Lyman Curtis History. p9. 105 Weech, p81. 106LDS Bishops Report Index 1852-1853. Blue binder # 4 in Family History Center, HBLL, BYU. This was a census taken by the LDS Church. 107S. C. Richardson, “A Tale Characteristic of That of Hundreds of other Western Settlers”, Improvement Era, Vol XXVI no. 10 (Aug 1923).

then ride

have the

worried w

They sea

to gather

amidst th

return the

ability to

O

southern

continued

In

continued

for food

himself a

108 S.C. R109 Churc110 JH, 3

F

back to the

children. Th

when they co

arched for a l

r at one of th

he cornstalks

e children to

o be guided b

On October 5

settlement o

d to be in the

n 1853, skirm

d. There was

from the sett

and then blam

Richardson,“Ach of Jesus Ch

31 Mar 1858 an

Fig 30 – Typical

house with h

here had bee

ouldn’t find

long while w

he homes to h

s. He fired a

o their distrau

by the whisp

5, 1853, Mos

of Provo.109

e Ninth Quo

mishes with

s one inciden

tlers at Fort

med it on the

A Pioneer Incidhrist of Latter-dnd 29 May 185

l cornfield

him. This p

n a few bear

their childre

with pine-pit

have a praye

by a vo

the nigh

heard a

little gi

brother

but a fe

signal shot t

ught parents

perings of the

ses along wit

After comin

orum of the S

the Indians

nt in Provo w

Utah (Provo

e white folk.

dent in the life oday Saints Histo52.

articular day

r incidences

en. The tow

ch torches, b

er. After they

oice to quick

ht he searche

a moan. He w

irl they were

r and she rep

ew rows ove

to alert the to

s. Moses was

e spirit.108

th his wife a

ng to Utah, M

Seventies.110

in the Provo

where an Ind

o), accidenta

. Shortly afte

of Moses Curtiorical Departm

y, when the f

in the area s

wn people we

but had no su

y were finish

kly go straigh

ed. He came

went towards

e searching fo

plied that she

r, Moses fou

own membe

s well respec

and children

Moses

0

o area

dian begging

ally shot

er this

is”, Improvemement. Journal H

father came

so the parent

ere called to

uccess. The

hed praying,

ht north. In th

e upon a cor

s the sound a

for. He asked

e thought he

und her broth

ers who quic

cted and adm

home, he di

ts were very

look for them

people decid

Moses was

he blackness

rnfield where

and found th

d her about h

had gone ho

her lying asl

kly came to

mired for his

dn’t

m.

ded

told

s of

e he

he

her

ome,

leep

help

were called to go to the

g

ent Era, 1923. History of the C

Fig 31 -bonn

- Indian Chief in net

war  

1853. Pa

ge‐ 3

1 -

Church, 5 Oct

incident,

squaw sta

When Ivi

bow and

these inc

subseque

men then

started th

constant

Walker.

another Ind

arted beating

ie tried to in

arrow and Iv

idences wer

ent killing of

n went to Pay

he Walker W

Indian Raid

His brother

dian group w

g and kickin

ntervene to p

vie then hit h

e misunders

f a guard at F

yson to assis

War with the

s. These figh

then declare

was exchangin

ng her in ang

revent more

him over the

tandings abo

Fort Payson,

st with prote

local Indian

hts with the

ed they shou

ng flour for

ger while they

injuries to t

e head with h

out culture a

, a few miles

ction agains

tribe under

Indian didn’

uld have peac

fish when th

y were at the

the squaw, a

his gun. Thi

and how to g

s away from

st Indian atta

Chief Walke

’t stop until a

ce with the M

he husband o

e house of Ja

nother India

is Indian late

give punishm

Fort Provo.

acks. These s

er and contin

after the dea

Mormon sett

of an Indian

ames Ivie.

an pulled out

er died. Both

ment. There w

A militia of

skirmishes

nued with

ath of Chief

tlers.111

t his

h of

was a

f 150

Inn 1854 and 1

the peopl

weed gre

B

111 Maril112 Mille113 Paul H

Fig 32- G

le were reco

een, because

Brigham You

lyn McMeen Mer, p17. H. Peterson. Th

1855 there w

pioneers w

1856 were

discourag

valley did

Woodruff

were grasshop

were left wit

e very harsh

ged.112 Many

d not survive

f said that on

pper plagues

thout food fo

h with extrem

y of the cattle

e the winter.

nly 500 head

s which dest

or the winter

me cold and l

e from the h

Wilford

d of the

troyed their c

r. The winte

left the Sain

herds up nort

crops. The

ers of 1855 a

nts hungry an

th in Cache

and

nd

Grasshopper original 2

winter. In

rded to be ea

they were s

ung and the o

Miller. Provo, A

The Mormon Re

2600 head of

Springville,

ating sego b

o low on foo

other church

A Story of Peop

eformation. PhD

f cattle surviv

directly sou

ulbs, thistle

od supplies.

h leaders cou

ple in Motion.

D Diss. Brigha

ved the

uth of Provo,

roots, and p

113

unseled the

BYU Press. Pr

am Young Uni

,

ig

rovo. 1974. p15

versity,1981) p

Fig 223 - The Sego Lily

Page‐ 3

2 - 

5-16.

p42.

members

stronger

these thin

trials. To

Brigham

at this tim

to living

trials to o

Moses an

these tria

S

communi

of the Sa

from the

His inten

Utah, he

governm

people w

B

househol

hundred

114 Mille115 Mille116 US F

s that they ne

conviction t

ngs, they wo

o show their

Young aske

me, which be

a higher stan

overcome, it

nd his family

als.

ometime aro

ity named P

aints in Salt L

incoming U

ntion was to r

realized that

ment and its c

who came by

By the 1860 F

ld of eight w

dollars.116 B

er, p18. er, p19. Federal Census

eeded to be m

o live the co

ould be bless

r renewed co

ed that all th

egan a time o

ndard of reli

is no wonde

y at this time

ound 1857- 1

ondtown, wh

Lake City to

United States

replace Brig

t the Mormo

citizens. Non

wagon and

Federal Cens

with real prop

By 1870 he h

1860, Utah. P

more righteo

ommandmen

sed with mor

ommitment to

e church me

of rededicati

igious devot

er that we ha

e, although it

1858, Moses

hich today is

Provo whic

Army troop

gham Young

ons of Utah o

netheless, thi

formed a lar

sus, Moses a

perty worth t

had a househ

Pondtown, Utah

ous and have

nts. If they w

re crops and

o righteous l

embers be re

ion and com

ion.114 With

ave no record

t is fairly pro

s moved his

s called Sale

ch happened

ps sent by mi

g as Governo

only wanted

is migration

rge camp in

and his fami

three hundre

hold of five,

h, Utah Territo

e a

would do

less

living,

-baptized

mmitment

h all these

d of

obable that h

family furth

em. This was

in the spring

isinformed P

or. When the

d peace with

to Provo inv

the city of P

ly lived in P

ed dollars an

his real wea

ory. Series M65

he was invol

her south to a

s just before

g of 1858. T

President Jam

e new govern

the United S

volved thirty

Provo.115

Pondtown. Th

nd personal p

alth was nine

53, roll 1314, p

Fig 34 - BBrigham Youngg

lved in manyy of

a small

the great ex

They were fle

mes Buchana

nor came to

States

y thousand

xodus

eeing

an.

hey were a

property four

e hundred fif

r

fty

Page‐ 3

3 - 

p961.

dollars an

building

grown an

P

the settle

1855. Po

In 1862,

nearby P

Branch in

gave to h

used for

In

for Mose

came to U

117 US Fsecond w29, six m118 Holza119 Weec

Fig 35 -

nd his person

up his prope

nd moved aw

ondtown is l

ers moved to

ndtown was

the ward wa

ayson Ward

n Pondtown

his father to l

its construct

n Pondtown,

es until he co

Utah. She h

Federal Census wife Elizabeth months after thapfel, Richard.ch, p81.

- The Endowmen

nal wealth w

erty to make

way.

located fifte

Payson a ne

s then made a

as changed b

d. It was at th

.118 Moses M

live in. It wa

tion cost sixt

, Moses met

ould procure

had been bap

1870, Utah. Pwas in the houeir marriage. A History of U

nt House in Salt

was three hun

a nice home

ndred fifty d

e for his wif

dollars.117 M

fe and childre

Moses had slo

en, many of

owly been

f which had nnow

en miles sou

earby town b

a permanent

back to a Bra

his time that

Monroe, his o

as thought to

ty cents per p

uthwest of Pr

because of In

t settlement i

anch under th

Moses was

oldest son bu

o be one of th

pound. 119

rovo. It was

ndian raids t

in 1856 just

he direction

called to be

uilt a house

he nicest hou

s settled in 1

that lasted be

before Mos

of the leade

the Presidin

in Pondtown

uses in the to

851 but man

etween 1852

es moved th

ership in the

ng Elder over

n, which he t

own. The na

ny of

2-

here.

r the

then

ails

an immigra

a home for

ptized on Ma

Pondtown, Utahusehold and list

Utah County. U

ant from Eng

himself. In

arch, 20, 186

Hanks. She

that taught

Christ. She

with a fam

planned to

America be

gland named

1869, Georg

68 in England

e had been th

the true doc

e came to Ut

ily from her

meet her fia

efore her. A

George Han

ge’s younger

d by her unc

hrilled upon

ctrine of love

tah by train i

r hometown i

ancé who ha

Although she

nks. He work

r sister Elizab

cle William

finding a ch

e shown by J

in May 1869

in England.

d come to

e waited in S

ked

beth

hurch

Jesus

9

She

Salt Lake City

h, Utah Territoted as keeping

Utah Historical

ory. Series M59house. The cen

l Society. p65.

93, roll 1612, pnsus was taken

pg259. Moses’n that year on J

s July

Page

34

- ‐

Page‐ 3

5 - 

Lake City he never contacted her. Not knowing what else to do, Elizabeth moved to Salem with

her brother George and met her brother’s employer Moses Curtis. By 1869 George had started a

family of his own which included a wife and small baby. He convinced Elizabeth to marry

Moses as a plural wife, which was legal in Utah at that time. On January 11, 1870, Moses and

Elizabeth traveled to Salt Lake City, where they were sealed in the Endowment House. Moses

was thirty six years older than Elizabeth who was eighteen. At times it was difficult because

Moses had three children older than Elizabeth. He was very good to Elizabeth and tried hard to

make her happy.120 Together they had eight children. Their names and birthplaces are:

George Hyrum 29 December 1870 Salem, Utah, Utah James Alfred 7 July 1872 Salem, Utah, Utah Frances Elizabeth 11 April 1874 Salem, Utah, Utah Eliza Jane 17 November 1876 Salem, Utah, Utah Mary Sophronia 14 September 1878 Brigham City, Yavapai, Arizona Joanna Beatrice 22 September 1881 Pima, Graham, Arizona Joseph Lyman 8 August 1883 Eden, Graham, Arizona Della 10 June 1895 Eden, Graham, Arizona121

Sometime later when Elizabeth’s fiancé came to Salem to find her, she was already

married. She told him that she had made eternal marriage covenants that she was not willing to

break and he would have to find another woman to love and marry. Elizabeth was a great

example of taking marriage covenants seriously and of how to honor those covenants her entire

life. 122

120 History of Elizabeth Hanks Curtis. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hanks/histories/elizabethhankscurtis.html) 121 Personal family group sheet, possession of author. 122 History of Elizabeth Hanks Curtis. p3.

M

just one m

Utah. It i

Moses and El

month to the

is not known

lizabeth’s ol

e day before

n what the ca

ldest son Geo

their next ch

ause of death

orge died at

hild James w

h was.123

the age of e

was born. Ge

ighteen mon

eorge is buri

nths. This w

ied in Salem

was

m,

M

Moses or

called ho

traveling

drive the

would gi

full of en

oxen to s

appreciat

traveling

traded pl

Moses’s neph

r “Grandpa M

ooked up his

g to Payson to

cart for a w

ve Samuel a

nergy and he

see how fast

te Samuel w

g which beca

aces with Sa

hew Samuel,

Moses” as he

oxen to a ca

o visit cousi

while, and the

a turn. Samu

e liked to use

he could pro

whipping his

ame faster an

amuel and he

, son of his b

e was comm

art and was

ns. Moses w

en when he t

uel was youn

e the whip on

od them to g

oxen so muc

nd faster to g

e held the w

brother Lym

monly

would

tired he

ng and

n the

go. Moses b

ch. Nor did

get out of the

hip and used

alone on

123 Perso124 Richa

the project f

onal family groardson, Sketch

Fig 37- T

for the first y

oup sheet, in poes of the Curti

The Salem Canal

year. Slowly

ossession of aus Family, p8.

M

Lyman sa

Salem, Pa

could be e

Spanish F

communit

seemed in

y as the citiz

uthor.

man Curtis, te

eing a kind a

Moses like t

e reach of the

d it only as h

oses along w

aw the need f

ayson area. T

easily fed fro

Fork Canyon

ty involved i

nterested. Th

zens of the to

Fi

ells that one

and gentle m

the pace that

e whip. Pret

he felt he nee

with his broth

for an irrigat

They realized

om the river

. They tried

in the work,

he Curtis bro

own began to

igure 36- Oxcart

day Uncle

man didn’t

t the oxen w

tty soon, Mo

eded to.124

t

were

oses

hers George

tion canal in

d that the can

coming dow

d to get the

but no one

others worke

o realize tha

e and

n the

nal

wn

ed

at the

Page‐ 3

6 - 

Curtis br

It ended u

was seve

rothers were

up to be two

en miles long

serious, they

o feet deep, e

g and had the

y began to re

eight feet wi

e capacity to

eceive more

ide on the bo

o irrigate two

help. The c

ottom and tw

o thousand a

canal took th

welve feet wi

acres.125

hree years to

ide at the top

dig.

p. It

Ariizona

In

and his s

with man

was later

was an ex

family m

born on N

Arizona i

T

time mak

soil that h

difficult t

Colorado

crops. Th

word tha

build a ro

City fort

125 Richa126 Journ127 Jamereprint 1128 family

n the LDS G

ons were cal

ny other fam

r changed to

xperiment in

made the trek

November 1

in Septembe

The pioneers

king a perma

had a high s

to grow crop

o River whic

he church lea

at the people

ock fort from

had a wall t

ardson, Sketchenal History of ts H. McClintoc997, p145.

ly group record

General Conf

lled to move

milies from U

Brigham Ci

n living the U

k, but it was s

876 in Salem

er 1878.128

in the Brigh

anent settlem

alt content.

ps well. The

ch at times fl

aders from S

in this Arizo

m the red san

that was seve

es of the Curtisthe Church, 7 Ack. Mormon Se

d Moses Curtis

ference meet

e to Arizona

Utah.126 The t

ity in honor o

United Order

sometime be

m, Utah and

ham City are

ment because

These condi

ey camped o

looded and r

Salt Lake Cit

ona settleme

nd stone.129 T

en feet high.

s Family, p22-2April 1877. ettlement in Ar

s and Elizabeth

ting on April

to be part of

town was fir

of President

r. It is not

etween the b

daughter M

l 7, 1877 in

f the settlem

rst known as

Brigham Yo

known exac

birth of daugh

ary Sophron

Salt Lake Ci

ment in Brigh

s Ballenger,

oung.127 Thi

ctly when M

hter Eliza Ja

nia born in B

ity, Utah, M

ham City alo

but the nam

is new settle

oses and his

ane who was

Brigham City

Moses

ng

e

ement

s

s

y,

ea had a hard

e of the deser

itions made

n the Little

ruined their

ty, Utah sent

ent should

The Deseret

There wer

23.

rizona. LDS Ar

h Hanks, in pos

d

rt

it

t

News repor

re 36 houses

rchive Publishe

ssession of the

Fig 3

rted in 1878

13 by 15 fe

ers: Grantsville

author

38-Map of Statee of Arizona

that the Brig

eet each and

gham

a

Page‐ 3

7 - 

e, Utah,

dining ha

had two h

the house

directly o

Erastus H

and the c

pleasurab

butter. Th

one barre

all 20 by 25

houses, one

e of his son M

outside the fo

Hancock, a fu

churning in B

ble. He rem

he fields had

el and then e

feet. In the

for each wif

Moses Monr

fort wall, wit

future son-in

Brigham City

embers that

d green lusci

each family r

fami

dining hall t

fe. They we

roe who was

th the two M

n-law to Mos

y.131 He also

they had ple

ious grass up

received a ce

ly.132

the whole ca

re located ju

s already ma

Moses Curtis

ses, said that

o describes l

enty of milk

p to the belli

ertain amoun

amp ate toge

ust outside th

arried. There

houses bein

t Moses was

ife in the Un

for drinking

ies of the cow

nt of milk ba

ether at a lon

he fort wall,

e were five h

g closest to t

responsible

nited Order a

g and to mak

ws. They kep

ased on the s

ng table. Mo

directly beh

houses in a li

the fort.130

for the gard

as being

ke cheese and

pt the milk i

size of their

oses

hind

ine

dens

d

in

could ma

white col

129 Charl1870-19130 Colvi131 SpencCaliforn132 Palmreport thErastus Shimself wPeterson

FiJa

ake about fou

lored yarn. I

her t

Eliza

the p

first

abou

spinning w

ur yards of t

If she wanted

Aurelia ,

o Arizona. S

a Jane, daugh

process of m

you had to w

ut 15 inches l

wheel, and th

hread. She c

d the yarn to

first wife of

She used it to

hter of Mose

making yarn w

wash the wo

long. After t

hen turn the

continued the

o be colored

f Moses, bro

o spin wool

es and Elizab

with the spin

ol, then card

that Aurelia

wheel as fas

e process un

she would h

ought a spinn

from sheep a

beth rememb

nning wheel.

d it and make

would fasten

st as she cou

ntil she had a

have to dye th

ning wheel w

and make ya

bers watchin

She said th

e it into rolls

n the roll to

uld. One roll

a large ball o

he wool by u

with

arn.

ng

hat

s

the

l

of

using

ig 39- Aurelia ackman Curtis

les S. Peterson

900. Universityin, p9. cer Palmer. Th

nia,1958, p7. er p8. This acc

he ground of alkSnow. Howevewho lived ther

n, Take Up You

n, Take Up Youy of Arizona Pr

he Life and Anc

count of the abukali and being er, this is a reme. The success

ur Mission. p11

r Mission: Moress: Tucson, A

cestry of Erastu

undance of graso hard to grow

membrance told of the dairy he

11.

rmon ColoniziArizona, 1973, p

us Elijah Hanc

ass for the coww crops the und to Spencer J. erd is also conf

ing Along the L

Little Coloradoo River p20.

cock. Wuerth LLetter Shop:Berrkeley,

ws doesn’t reallynited order was

Palmer by his firmed in the h

y coincide withs disbanded by grandfather Er

history of the ar

h the histories LDS Apostle rastus E. Hancrea written by

that

ock C. Pa

ge‐ 3

8 - 

Page‐ 3

9 - 

tree bark or leaves. The dying process would be a combined family effort. Sometimes they

traded the yarn for dairy goods. 133

While living in Brigham City, the Moses Curtis family had a tragic event. On July 3,

1879, their six year old son Joseph Alfred drowned in the Little Colorado River just three days

before his seventh birthday. He was buried in a little cemetery by the settlement located in what

is now called the Sunset Pioneer Cemetery, in Yavapai County. 134

On October 27, 1880, Apostles Erastus Snow and Brigham Young, Jr., came to observe

how the settlement was working. They found the people in a meager situation. They had not

had one year of good yielding crops because of flooding and bad soil. The Apostles released the

members of the United Order and advised them to move to greener pastures where they could

more easily make a living and feed their families.135 A poem was written about early pioneer life

in Arizona, describing the type of country that the deserts of Arizona were:

Saints should not murmur nor this land despise Those who do so, Certainly are not wise Did God not create it? Does he not understand? What best will suit his purpose? A barren or fruitful land.136

133 Eliza Jane Curtis Palmer. The First Families to settle in Curtis in 1880. copy in possession of author.

134 Cemeteries Navajo [Arizona] County, Sunset Cemetery. http://www.azhistcemeteries.org/NavajoCems.htm The grave of James A. Curtis is listed along with all the 23 others buried in this history pioneer cemetery. 135 Colvin, p9. This date is given in this history of Eden. However, an official LDS church history source could not be found to confirm this date. 136 C. Peterson, p13. This is a poem written by John Henry Standiford that was quoted.

M

state of A

Side of th

Monroe w

they lived

covered w

out of bru

used the

of their c

for the co

known as

of Curtis

changed

Moses moved

Arizona. The

he Gila Rive

who was alr

d in tents ma

wagon. This

ush to keep t

wagon box f

camp on the

oming winte

s the Curtis s

, they discov

the name of

d with his fa

ey set up a ca

er along with

eady in the a

ade out of th

s was topped

the hot Ariz

for a bed, bu

ground. Eve

er. There we

settlement.

vered that an

f Curtis to Ed

137 Colvi

Fig 31

in, p24.

- Needle and Thquilting

m

mily to the G

amp on the N

h his son Mo

area. In the b

he box of the

d with a bow

ona sun out.

ut then set up

eryone worke

ere several C

Many years

nother town

den. The me

because the

mosquitoes

soon as the

Curtis Stoc

Gila Valley w

North

oses

beginning

eir

ery made

They

p the rest

ed hard on th

Curtis familie

later when t

in Arizona a

mbers of the

ey lived by t

s carried mal

ey were able

ckade to prot

which was f

he task to cl

es in this littl

they applied

already had t

e Curtis settl

the river. Th

laria; they si

they built a

tect them fro

hread for

Bot

Elizabeth m

for the men

many quilts t

th Elizabeth

made a lot of

n in Curtis an

to keep out th

and Aurelia

f suits by han

nd the surrou

he cold wint

F

farther south

ear land and

le camp so th

d for a post o

that name. T

lement began

hey didn’t re

imply called

fort which w

om the India

a were frugal

nd with a ne

unding town

ter air with t

Fig 40- Pioneer

, but still in

d build shelte

hat it becam

office as the t

Then they

n to be sick

ealize that th

d it the ague.

was called th

ans. 137

the

ers

me

town

e

As

he

Wagon

l and thrifty.

eedle and thr

ns. She also m

heir batting

read

made

Page‐ 4

0 - 

made froom wool.138

In

vacate th

of the Gi

was durin

family w

cleaned i

bothering

had been

was so sh

Elizabeth

Joanna tr

n 1881 there

heir house an

ila River. In

ng one of the

was staying in

it up and they

g their settlem

n lying on a r

he could rest

h had been ly

ruthfully told

e were many

nd go to the n

order to cros

ese Indian sc

n a cottonwo

y were temp

ments. Durin

rock or some

t. When he c

ying on a rat

d everyone t

Indian prob

nearby settle

ss the river w

cares that El

ood shed that

porarily “cam

ng the labor

ething very u

checked the g

ttlesnake wh

hat she was

blems in Curt

ement of Sm

with all the p

lizabeth gave

t was usually

mping” there

and birth of

uncomfortab

ground unde

hich Moses p

born in a pig

tis. This ca

mithville whic

people, they

e birth to the

y used as an

e while waiti

f the baby Jo

ble. She aske

er the makes

promptly dis

g pen.139

aused the Cu

ch was on th

first had to b

eir daughter

n animal shel

ing for the In

oanna, Elizab

ed Moses to

shift bed it w

carded. In l

urtis family to

he opposite s

build a raft.

Joanna. The

lter. Moses

ndians to sto

beth felt that

find out wh

was discovere

ater years,

o

side

It

e

op

t she

hat it

ed

A

chickens

their bee

after all t

digging a

After ten day

, set the live

hives. It mu

their hard wo

an irrigation

s, the men re

estock free to

ust have been

ork, but they

canal

eturned to th

o roam and d

n a discourag

y continued w

heir homes to

destroyed

ging site

work

o find that thhe Indians haad killed all their

and build

close tog

raiding In

O

and took

138 Colvi139 Colvi140Colvin

ding five hou

gether this tim

ndians.140

One day, Mo

whatever th

in, p24. in, p24. n, p24-25.

uses. They m

me for better

ses saw the I

hey found be

made the hou

r protection

Indians com

e it livestock

uses very

from the

ming to his ho

or food stuf

ouse. He kn

ffs. He quick

new they usu

kly hid the p

Fig 42- Pig

ually wanted

pig he was sa

food

aving

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1 - 

to butche

families o

where the

left a sma

included

gate whic

impendin

to preven

er for his ow

of the Curtis

ey placed co

all opening i

a well, five

ch they lock

ng danger. A

nt the Indian

wn family.141

s settlement

ottonwood po

in the corner

houses mad

ked at night.

At night, the m

ns from steali

The year of

were forced

oles which t

r where they

de of cottonw

During the

men would t

ing their live

f 1881 was th

d to build a ty

they pinned t

y could shoot

wood and the

day they had

take turns st

estock and h

he worst for

ype of stocka

together and

t from. The i

ey had dirt ro

d a bell to rin

anding guar

horses during

Indian troub

ade. They d

d then for the

inside of the

oofs. The sto

ng as a warn

d in case of

g the darknes

bles. The

dug a trench

e corners the

e stockade

ockade had a

ning for

Indian attack

ss of night.14

ey

a

ks or

42

In

on the no

Graham,

people of

n 1881, Mos

orth side of t

Hubbard, B

f the Gila Va

ses was calle

the Gila Rive

Bryce and Ed

alley had to

ed to be the p

er. His area o

den. It was a

work hard c

cottonwo

141Colvin142Colvin143Colvin

Fig

ood trees wh

n, p 25. n, p25-26. n, p200.

43- Typical Pio

hich grew in

oneer Log Cabin

abundance o

presiding eld

of stewardsh

a big job to c

learing the l

their

in.

They

Pima

Pres

was

calle

der of the LD

hip covered w

care for the n

land to grow

r families wh

There was

y held their c

a in the early

siding Elder

released and

ed as the spir

DS church in

what are now

needs of all t

w enough cro

hile building

very little fo

church meet

y years. Mos

until May 13

d his son Mo

ritual leader

n Graham Co

w the towns

the settlers. T

ps to suppor

g houses to li

food at this ti

tings in nearb

ses served as

3, 1883 whe

oses Monroe

.143

ounty

of

The

rt

ive

ime.

rby

s

en he

e was

in Arizona

that tim

on the river b

A typical h

me using the

bank of the G

ome in Curt

timber from

Gila River. A

is was built

m the local

After erectin

at

ng the

 Page‐ 4

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3 - 

walls with logs, they would then put mud between the cracks of the logs to keep out the

elements. This process was called “chucking”. Most of the logs were not straight and therefore

the homes were not very straight, neither did they have glass for the windows. They used cloth to

hang over the opening. The roofs were made of reeds from the river and mud, and then they

would put hard dirt. This crude construction gave an easy access to rodents, insects and

snakes.144

Frances Elizabeth, oldest daughter of Moses and Elizabeth, remembers watching the

Indians take a bag of flour from their home that was full of weevils and bugs. The Indians didn’t

even grimace as they ate the flour by handfuls bugs and all. They had discovered that they could

steal food from the settlement instead of having to grow their own. Elizabeth and Moses always

tried to share their food with the Indians and befriend them.145

In December 31, 1882, the LDS Relief Society was organized in Eden under the direction

of Moses. He called his wife Elizabeth H. Curtis to be the first president with Martha Curtis and

Adeliah Coons as counselors, Josephine Curtis secretary and Octavia G. Sabin treasurer.146

On August 12, 1883, Moses and Elizabeth had a son whom they named Joseph Lyman.

Sadly, he died four days later. Two weeks after that, Moses’s first wife Aurelia died on August

30, 1883 at the age of sixty two. After Aurelia’s death, Moses built a new two story brick home

outside the stockade. He lived there with Elizabeth for the remainder of his life.147

144Colvin, p27. 145Colvin, p25. 146Colvin, p75. 147 Weech, p23.

T

inside the

1883, he

The first chur

e Curtis Stoc

gave the pro

rch meetings

ckade and w

operty to the

s held in Cur

was 18 feet by

e church and

rtis were in t

y 16 feet. W

d they still us

the home of

When Moses m

sed the cabin

Moses Curti

moved from

n to hold mee

is which wa

m this home in

etings.148

s

n

B

areas. Sh

dollars a

with hou

river to g

and hous

M

called to

148 Colvi149 Histo150 FentoArizona:

Figure 44-physic

Before comin

he was set ap

delivery. T

usecleaning a

go to a delive

se.149

Moses contin

serve on the

in, p196.

ory of Elizabethon W.Taylor. T:Thatcher Ariz

- Elizabeth H. Ccian instruction b

ng to the Uni

part by Apos

his cost incl

and cooking

ery. On these

nued in his pa

e High Coun

h Hanks CurtisThe 25th Stake zona Stake Pres

urtis with her book

ited States, E

physicia

their you

Elizabeth

an organ

singing v

Slowly t

let her as

came to

they mov

She delive

stle John Sm

uded the del

duties for tw

e occasions

attern of dev

ncil in the St.

s.p5. of Zion, 1883-sidency, 1983.

Elizabeth had

an. At first, t

ung children

h’s interest i

n which they

voice, a talen

the doctor tau

ssist him wit

Utah she us

ved to Arizo

ered many ba

mith to be a d

livery and th

wo weeks. M

Moses woul

voted service

. Joseph Stak

1983. St. Josepp365.

d been empl

they employ

n. As time we

in music and

y let her play

nt which she

ught Elizabe

th his care fo

ed this skill

ona, she was

abies in the G

doctor and m

hen care of th

Many times sh

ld stay at hom

loyed in the

yed her as a n

ent by the do

d medicine.

y. Elizabeth

e shared her

eth medical t

or his patien

many times

a well respe

Gila Valley

midwife. She

he mother an

he would ha

me and care

home of a

nanny to car

octor learned

The family

had a beauti

entire life.

techniques a

nts. When sh

. By the tim

ected midwif

and surroun

charged fiv

nd baby alon

ave to cross t

for their fam

e for

d of

had

iful

and

he

me

fe.

ding

e

ng

the

mily

e to the chur

ke on March

rch for his en

h 28, 1885.15

ntire life. He

50 Then on

e was

Page‐ 4

4 - 

ph Stake, Thatccher, Arizona. Phoenix,

February 7, 1898, he was ordained to be the Patriarch of Eden by John Henry Smith, a member

of the Quorum of Apostles at that time.151 In December 1900 in the Eden ward minutes, they

recorded that the ward was comprised of two hundred fifty six members, which included forty

five families, twenty four Elders, twenty Deacons, one hundred twelve lay members and eighty

nine children under eight years of age. As you can see it was a fairly small ward with many

young children.152

In the Eden Ward minutes, there are two excerpts about Moses. The first on Sunday

December 5, 1897 at two o’clock PM is a summary of another

member using Moses’s conversion story as an example by saying

“Brother Moses Curtis said when he first heard the gospel he felt

that it was true.” The second excerpt is a summary of his testimony

on Ward Fast day, Sunday January 3, 1898, at two o’clock PM,

during a testimony meeting. “Brother Moses Curtis bore his

testimony, saying- It has been my rule for the last sixty years to

attend all kinds of meetings and respect the Sabbath Day.”153 Fig 45 - Man tanning leather

Moses had many talents, one of which was tanning leather for the local shoemaker Soren

Nelson Ensthrum. Moses was known for tanning hides in every community that he lived in

throughout both Utah and Arizona.154

On May 10, 1907 at the age of ninety one, Moses Curtis passed away.155 He left behind

his wife Elizabeth and a large posterity. Even though his physical body was gone he left to all

Page

45

-  151 F. Taylor, p372. 152 Colvin, p197. ‐153 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Eden Ward, Arizona. Record of Ordinances, 1883-1899, Minutes of Meetings, 1897-1899”. Genealogical Society of Utah: Salt Lake City, 1966. (FHL film # 450471). p6 & 9. 154 Colvin, p29. 155 Colvin, p200.

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who knew him a legacy of true unwavering devotion to the religion that he found in his teenage

years. This devotion led him on a pathway that had taken him from Missouri to Illinois, then

Iowa, Utah and finally Arizona; a place where he spent his final years enjoying his family and

supporting his church.

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APPENDIX

Recipee from the

Rusk Make corseveral dGrate it oor with hNahum C

e Nahum Curtis Fa

rnmeal breaddays then bakon a coarse ghot milk and Curtis family

Fig 46- R

amily-

d according ke slowly in grater or crumhoney poure

y at Nauvoo.

to your favoa warmed o

mble it with ed over it. T.) New Era »

orite recipe. Aoven until it i

a rolling pinhis makes a

» 1973 » Dec

After it has cis thoroughlyn. It can be etasty, quick

cember

cooled, allowy dry and slieaten with cr

k mush. (Rec

w to dry for ightly brownream and sugcipe used by

ned. gar, the

Rusk

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List of Illustrations- 1- C. Fern Burrell. Curtis Family Book 2- C. Fern Burrell. Curtis Family Book 3-http://www.northquabbinwoods.org/images/. Image listed as -Photo: New Salem Town Common, photo by David Brothers. 4- http://www.wikipedia.org 5- http://www.wikipedia.org 6- http://www.burghamfamilytree.com/Places%20pages/youngstown.htm 7- drawn by Robert C. Snow, Mapleton, Utah. 8- http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/flintlock2.jpg 9- http://images.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/m/ma/map_of_usa_highlighting_corn_belt.png 10- http://www.ldsces.org/inst_manuals/chft/images/08-04.gif lucy mack smith 11-http://photobucket.com/images/joseph%20smith/ 12- Used with permission from Stevenson family. Joseph Grant Stevenson. The Life of Edward Stevenson. BYU Press: Provo.1955. 13- S.C. Richardson, Sketches of the Curtis family, unpublished. 14- http://www.farwesthistory.com/hmdamc.gif shaol creek pic 15- Courtesy, L.Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602. 16- http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/8359132.jpg- jail 17- http://www.propagandesign.com/octcweb/images/Pioneer-Etching.jpg 18- http://www.legendsofamerica.com/photos-utah/Nauvoo%20Legion.jpg 19- http://www.ldsces.org/inst_manuals/chft/images/19-02.gif - mississippi river 20- http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WzLD4MEErUw/SA57LMQ9kOI/AAAAAAAAA7E/L57AARIzlr0/s400/nauvoo-blacksmith-shop-1024.JPG 21- http://www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/lgmnpi01.jpg - pine forest 22- http://www.ldsces.org/inst_manuals/pres-sm/images/01-14-3.gif building Nauvoo temple 23- http://www.ldsces.org/inst_manuals/chft/images/19-01.gif. - nauvoo temple 24- http://earlylds.com/nauvoo%20cemetery%20photos%20for%20website/X%20Curtis,%20Nahum.JPG 25- http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BD7ps97zTCU/SKjHHLgKXoI/AAAAAAAAADM/UR7MqsJ58ao/s400/Leaving%2520Nauvoo-South%2520on%2520Partridge.jpg - leaving Nauvoo 26- http://www.mormonbattalion.com/gallery/pics/curtis_foster.jpg 27- http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~raymondfamily/WintQ.jpg 28- S.C. Richardson, Sketches of the Curtis family, unpublished. 29- S.C. Richardson, Sketches of the Curtis family, unpublished 30- http://www.norcalblogs.com/bumpkins/CornField.jpg 31- http://comps.fotosearch.com/comp/LIQ/LIQ113/native-american-indian_~vl0009b008.jpg 32- unknown location 33- http://www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/unit/eco/SegoLily.gif 34- http://www.bethelhistorical.org/Brigham%20Young.jpg

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35- http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/endowment/ 36- http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/oxen.html 37- http://www.salemcity.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=2&MMN_position=2:2 38- drawn by Robert C. Snow, Mapleton, Utah. 39- unsure of source 40- http://www.sbwagonco.com/wagon_main.html 41- http://labelmeclothing.com/Pictures/1repair1.jpg - sewing 42- http://www.ace-clipart.com/clipart/animal_clipart/pig4.gif - pig 43- http://image63.webshots.com/63/3/86/59/2291386590083931530wtJGat_ph.jpg - log cabin 44- http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hanks/people.html 45- http://serc.carleton.edu/images/woburn/issues/historical_leather_tanning.png 46- http://greekproducts.com/images/icons/rusk.jpg

 

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                            A young Moses Curtis                                                  Middle‐aged Moses Curtis 

 

51 

51          Moses, 2nd wife Elizabeth and a daughter.              Moses Curtis with son Moses Monroe, grandson                                            Francis Osro and his baby Floyd (Nov. 1903) 

 

 

Back: Frances, Eliza Jane and Sophronia ; Front: Della, Parents, Moses and Elizabeth Curtis and Joanna 

 

Page52 

      

      Grave markers of Moses and 1st wife Aurelia (Erelia) Jackman located in the Eden, AZ cemetery. 

 

Page53 

 

 

Eden,  Arizona home of Moses and Elizabeth Curtis.  Elizabeth is on the porch with daughter Della. 

 

           

Elizabeth Curtis – 2nd wife of Moses Curtis              Grave marker for Elizabeth Curtis (Eden, AZ)    

Patriarchal Blessing- Nauvoo, Illinois 1845

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June 26, 1845 given by Patriarch John Smith (uncle to Joseph Smith, Jr.) June 26th A Blessing by John Smith Patriarch upon the head of Moses Curtis son of Nahum &

Milicent, born, May 8th 1816, Erie Co. Pennsylvannia. Br. Moses, I lay my hands upon thy

head for & in behalf of thy father, & seal upon thee a patriarchal or father's blessing in the

name of Jesus Christ; thou art a lawful heir to the priesthood which is after the order of the

only Begotten, the keys of the mysteries of which shall be committed unto thee in the house of

the Lord, when you receive your anointing & endowment with your companion, for all

mysteries shall be revealed which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world;

thou shalt have power to gather the remnants of Jacob by thousands & establish them in the

cities of the saint; as thy privilege to go whithersoever thou wilt, thy calling is more

particularly among the Lamanites, thou shalt bring thousands of them to a knowledge of the

truth; thou shalt be able to speak the language of any people wherever thy lot is cast, or to do

any miracle that wisdom will direct for the prosperity of the great work of the Lord; thou shalt

also be a counseler in the house of Israel forever & shall be able to do the business acceptably

in the sight of the Lord & of all the saints; thy mind shall expand as wide as eternity & this

blessing & priesthood shall be perpetuated to thy progeny through all the generations of

Joseph; thy days & years shall be according to thy faith & thy possessions shall be exceeding

great, & thy desires shall all be realized, & thy name shall be written with the names of the

sanctified never to be blotted out; & inasmuch as you abide in faith to the end thou shalt

receive a crown of eternal life which I seal upon you in common with you companion &

children & no power shall take it from you, even so. Amen

Albert Carrington Rcdr

Patriarchal Blessing- 1979- Eden, Graham, Arizona pg. 1

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Brigham City Arizona Territory

March 5, 1879

A Patriarchal Blessing by S. H. Hatch upon the head of Moses Curtis son of Nahum Curtis and

Milicent Wait – Born Connaught town Erie Co. Pennsylvania, U.S.A. May 8th 1816

Brother Moses in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I place my hands upon thy head and seal upon

thee an patriarchal and father's blessing. Thou art through the loins of Ephraim; therefore thy life

hath been spared to rear up thy sons and daughters in the fear of the Lord. Your admonitions have

been timely, and thy faith and prayers come up in an acceptable manner into the ears of the Lord of

Sabaoth. Thou hast been permitted with many of thy house to come forth as pioneers of the gospel

unto the remnats of Lehi. This is the day in which the work of the Father shall commence among all

the nations of the earth. It is also a day of judgement and wrath upon the wicked. Thy course hath

been pleasing unto thy heavenly Father; behold how often thy life hath been preserved by thy

guardian angel who has had charge of thee from thine infancy. It is in fulfillment of prophecy that

thou art here in this land. Through your prosperity shall the work of redemption continue to go forth

until all shall be redeemed of thy kindred except those who have forfeited their rights. Lift up thy

heart Bro. Moses and praise the Lord. Bear testimony often unto thy brethren and sisters and your

name shall be had in honorable remembrance among your posterity and the saints throughout all

generations through time and all eternity. Thou shalt have dreams that shall comfort thee. I seal all

thy former blessings upon thee and thou shalt live as long as thou desirest it. I seal thee up to come

forth in the morning of the glorious reserection, to have part in the Celestial Kingdom, with thy

wives and posterity in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

(Original spelling was preserved)

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Curtis Graham Co. A. T. (Arizona Territory)

A Blessing by Wm McBride Patriarch upon the head of Moses Son of Nahum & Millisant

Waite Curtis Born May 8th 1816 in coniatt Erie Co. Pennsylvannia State.

Bro. Moses in the name of the Lord Jesus I place my hands upon your head and by the athority

of the holy priesthood I seal upon thee a patriarchal blessing and I comfirm upon thee all the

former blessings and ordinations & I bless thee with life with health & wilh strength that

thy life maybe perlonged for the Lord is well pleased with thee because of they faithfullness

for thou was called chosen & set apart before the foundation of the Kingdom of God upon

the earth and to bring in the reighn of peace and turn the government into the hands of the

just onto this end thou wast born for thou art of the house of Israel by lineage & promise and

if thy faith fail thee not thou shalt live to see the day when thou shalt have the privelage of

worshiping god according to the dictates of thy consience and none will dare to molest thee

or make thee affraid thou shalt receive an everlasting inheritance for thy self thy children &

Friends and a crown of eternal lives and thy part in the morning of the first resurection with

all that are near & dear unto thee and thy children shall build upon the foundation that thou

hast laid for the redemption of thy fathers house for many generations back that thy work

may be complete for I seal these words upon thee in the name of Jesus Amen

recorded Nov 26th 1884 by S. J. Sims

(Original spelling was preserved)

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Bibliography

Alexander, Thomas G. Utah, The Right Place: the Official Centennial History. Gibbs Smith: Salt Lake City, Utah, 1996. Arrington, Leonard. Great Basin Kingdom: An Economic History of the Latter-day Saints, 1830-1900. University of Illinois Press: Urbana, 2005. “Beaver and Erie Canal.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Beaver_and_Erie_Canal&oldid=254151104.

Bennett, Richard Edmond. Mormons at the Missouri, 1846-1852: “and should we die....”. University of Oklahoma Press: Norman, 1987. Black, Harvey B. Seventy Quorum Membership, 1835–1846: An Annotated Index of Over 3,500 Seventies Organized in the First Thirty-Five Quorums of the Seventy in Kirtland, Ohio, and Nauvoo, Illinois. Provo, Utah: Infobases, 1996. Blum, Ida. Nauvoo, Gateway to the West. Journal Printing Co.: Carthage, Illinois, 1974.

Browne, Hilda Faulkner. The Michigan Mormons: their history from 1831 to 1952 and a little beyond. H.F. Browne, 1985. Burrell, C. Fern. Curtis Family Book. Caldwell County, Missouri History. Caldwell County Historical Society, 1985. Cemeteries Navajo [Arizona] County, Sunset Cemetery. http://www.azhistcemeteries.org/NavajoCems.htm Church of Christ-New Salem, Franklin, Massachusetts. A Book of Records 1779-. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mafrankl/znew.html. Accessed online January 2008. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Ancestral File,” database. FamilySearch. http://www.familysearch.org: 2007. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Early Church Information File”. Genealogical Society of Utah: Salt Lake City, 1972.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Eden Ward, Arizona. Record of Ordinances, 1883-1899, Minutes of Meetings, 1897-1899”. Genealogical Society of Utah: Salt Lake City, 1966. (FHL film # 450471). Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register: 10 December to 8 February 1846”. 1974.

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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Historical Department. Journal History. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Historical Dept. 1973. Colvin, Verna. The Garden and how it grew, Eden 1881-1981. Cumming, John, and Audrey Cumming. “The Saints Come To Michigan.” Michigan History 49 (March 1965). Early Latter-day Saints, A Mormon Trail Online Database. http://www.earlylds.org Erie County (PA) Genealogy, Lexington and Brief History of Conneaut Township. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/...paerie/townships Conneaut/LexingtonHist.htm Esshom, Frank. Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah: comprising photographs, genealogies, biographies. Utah Pioneers Book: Salt Lake City, Utah, 1913. Flintlock Musket. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flintlock_musket

Givens, George W. In old Nauvoo: Everyday Life in the City of Joseph. Deseret Book: Salt Lake City, Utah, 1990. Hartley, William G. “Nauvoo Stake, Priesthood Quorums, and the Church's First Wards.” BYU Studies 32 (Winter/Spring 1992). History of Caldwell & Livingston Counties Missouri. National Historical Company: St. Louis, 1972. History of Elizabeth Hanks Curtis. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hanks/histories/elizabethhankscurtis.html Holzapfel, Richard Neitzel. A History of Utah County. Utah State Historical Society, 1999. Huff, Emma N. Memories That Live: A Centennial History of Utah County. Art City Publishing: Springville, Utah, 1947. Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763-1900. http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/marrsrch.html Johnson, Clark V. The Mormon Redress Petitions: Documents of the 1833-1838 Missouri Conflict. Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University: Provo, Utah, 1992. Lauritzen, Elizabeth M. The Merlin Plumb Family (1794-1974.) Brigham City, Utah, 1975. Life History of Lyman Curtis. http://www.themorrisclan.com.

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