I enjoyed reading this article and was surprised to learn that one of the people buried there had the same name, birth and death dates of my great-great-grandfather Ebenezer Crouch's sister, Elizabeth; I have verified that she is the same one. These ancestors were my pioneer children who "walked and walked and walked" to the valley in 1856. Nine of the twelve children born into this family died as infants or toddlers. Eb lived to be 91 years old, and I met him not long before he died when I was four years old.
Tracy TippettsJune 24, 2025
I grew up in a part member family. My mother was a devout and dedicated member of the Church with ancestry and genealogy going back to the 1500's. Her ancestors came from England as Pioneers, and settled in Utah and Idaho.
My father, grandfather, and great grandfather were all never baptized or apostate inactive members, although they had come from early Pioneer heritage and history.
My father and grandfather were very antagonistic, bitter, and critical of the Church, its leaders and members, and did not believe it was true.
Because of that negative influence and attitude, I grew up feeling like a half-breed, and unworthy member myself.
Ten years ago a High Council speaker came to my ward and gave a talk about a man with my same last name, that was an early convert to the Church near Palmyra, New York in 1832...just two years after it was organized!
He was the Branch President, when John Tanner was baptized, and organized the relocation of members to Kirtland, Ohio. He donated money for the construction of the Temple there, and helped build it.
Joseph and Emma Smith hosted the wedding dinner in their home when he and his wife were married. He lived next to Wilford Woodruff in Nauvoo, and they were good friends!
He died in Winter Quarters in December, 1846 when he was only 38 years old. His son was born three months after he died. That was my great grandfather.
His widow and newborn baby went to Utah in 1847 in the wagon with Willard Richards, who was with Joseph and Hyrum in Carthage Jail when they were murdered by the angry mob.
I didn't know or learn any of this amazing story and information until I was 65 years old! So much for being a half-breed!
Comments | Return to Story
Peggy ClarkJune 24, 2025
I enjoyed reading this article and was surprised to learn that one of the people buried there had the same name, birth and death dates of my great-great-grandfather Ebenezer Crouch's sister, Elizabeth; I have verified that she is the same one. These ancestors were my pioneer children who "walked and walked and walked" to the valley in 1856. Nine of the twelve children born into this family died as infants or toddlers. Eb lived to be 91 years old, and I met him not long before he died when I was four years old.
Tracy TippettsJune 24, 2025
I grew up in a part member family. My mother was a devout and dedicated member of the Church with ancestry and genealogy going back to the 1500's. Her ancestors came from England as Pioneers, and settled in Utah and Idaho. My father, grandfather, and great grandfather were all never baptized or apostate inactive members, although they had come from early Pioneer heritage and history. My father and grandfather were very antagonistic, bitter, and critical of the Church, its leaders and members, and did not believe it was true. Because of that negative influence and attitude, I grew up feeling like a half-breed, and unworthy member myself. Ten years ago a High Council speaker came to my ward and gave a talk about a man with my same last name, that was an early convert to the Church near Palmyra, New York in 1832...just two years after it was organized! He was the Branch President, when John Tanner was baptized, and organized the relocation of members to Kirtland, Ohio. He donated money for the construction of the Temple there, and helped build it. Joseph and Emma Smith hosted the wedding dinner in their home when he and his wife were married. He lived next to Wilford Woodruff in Nauvoo, and they were good friends! He died in Winter Quarters in December, 1846 when he was only 38 years old. His son was born three months after he died. That was my great grandfather. His widow and newborn baby went to Utah in 1847 in the wagon with Willard Richards, who was with Joseph and Hyrum in Carthage Jail when they were murdered by the angry mob. I didn't know or learn any of this amazing story and information until I was 65 years old! So much for being a half-breed!
ADD A COMMENT