I had known from family records that Lurania Powers Burgess Eggleston, the wife of Samuel Eggleston and my great great grandmother, had died July 6, 1870. This date is on her headstone in the Ogden City Cemetery. The circumstances of her death took some time for me to unravel and understand.
A notice in The Ogden Semi-Weekly Junction of Wednesday Morning July 6, 1870, stated:
“Died. In this city, of scarlet fever, at 3 o’clock this morning, LURANIA P., wife of Mr. SAMUEL EGGLESTON, aged 61 years and 11 months. The funeral will take place a 5 o’clock this evening, when the friends of the deceased are invited to attend. Mrs. Eggleston was born in Cayuga County, New York. She was baptized in June 1841, moved to Nauvoo in 1842. In 1847, she went with her family to Winter Quarters and in 1862 she came to Utah.”
The Ogden Semi-Weekly Junction 6 July 1870
This seemed pretty straight forward, that Lurania had gotten sick and passed away. It was not unusual at the time to bury someone quickly after their death. This newspaper was a semi-weekly paper, being published on Wednesdays and Saturdays. At that time, Lurania’s sons Reuben and Orson would have been working for the paper. I assume they rushed word soon after her death and had the notice written shortly before the paper was printed that day. Perhaps they actually went in and typeset it themselves.
At some point, I visited the Ogden City Cemetery and stopped in the office to see the Sexton Records. The sexton record indicated the cause of Lurania’s death as smallpox. This was different from the “scarlet fever” stated in the paper. Of course, the family may have been unsure of exactly what disease she had and reported what they thought. The other option might have been that they and/or doctors realized it was smallpox but intentionally did not want to alarm the public.
More Deaths in the Family
I remember learning that Orson had purchased cemetery plots at that time. Also listed in the sexton records were the death of two of Reuben’s children during that same summer. Four year old Cora Gladys died July 26 and seven year old May Julia on August 6, 1870. The cause of death was given as smallpox for one and the other was blank on the record.
I found a biography of Emeline Eggleston, wife of Reuben, written by Disey Eggleston Richardson in the DUP files. This mentioned that two of Reuben and Emeline’s children, Cora Gladys and May Julia were stricken with black small pox in 1870. It added that they were quarantined at Farr’s grove, as were others who were exposed. These two girls could have been easily infected by their grandmother.
In a Biography of William Nicol Fife, I found information about the Smallpox epidemic in 1870. According to his account the disease was brought into Ogden by an Indian Squaw in May 1870. He indicated that “the first person taken down with it, a Mrs. Eggleston died.” Later a few others became sick and were sent to Brick Creek [Burch Creek].
Mr. Fife indicated that he personally built a lumber room for the afflicted and furnished them with food and necessities. He also “followed up the disease with disinfectants” and personally placed yellow flags in front of every affected house. By July, forty cases were quarantined at Farr’s Grove. He indicated that the Mayor assisted him with this and later became sick himself. His case was mild, yet he was also moved to the grove. By the end of July there were 89 cases.
Quarantine Sites
There were two quarantine sites set up during 1870, both of which have connections to the Eggleston Family. Farr’s Grove was land owned by the Farr family near the mouth of Ogden Canyon and not far from where I grew up. Samuel and Lurania’s daughter, Mary Elizabeth, had married Enoch Farr, a son of Lorin Farr. This was his family’s land. I remember the orchards that were still there during my childhood. Created on this land was Lorin Farr Park, which is very familiar to me and everyone around. The swimming pool there was even made famous through the movie “The Sandlot.”
The other quarantine site was Burch Creek, which is actually the neighborhood where I have lived for the past 40 years. Before our marriage, my husband lived in the basement of his Aunt and Uncle’s home which has Burch Creek running through their back yard. Our home is a couple of blocks away. This area was originally settled by John Stephens, the father of Constance Stephens who was Orson Eggleston’s first wife.
Care of the Sick
Though Mr. Fife mentioned building a lumber room at Farr’s Grove, this quarantine may have consisted mostly of tents being set up with some medical people there to care for the sick. The locations suggest that the main idea was to get these people away from the general population and public places where people might gather. At that time, these places were outside of “town.” Mr. Fife stated:
“[I] got good kind nurses for the sick, and by strict regulations in the camp and the city the contagion was prevented from spreading any further. About half the people in camp I furnished with supplies from Z.C.M.I. at the expense of the city. A great portion of the time I was on the move day and night, and though handling most of the sick people in taking them to the grove, I was not attacked by the disease.”
Autobiography of Wiliam Nicole Fife cited in Orson F. Whitney, History of Utah, Vol 4, p. 163, Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah 1998 (Geo. Q. Cannon & Sons, 1904)
I learned by scanning through microfilm of the 1870 Ogden Junction, that this epidemic afflicted Ogden and the surrounding area for much of the year. Having the quarantine site on their land was not good for the Stephen’s family, having afflicted sixteen of them, according to Mr. Fife. John Stephens died Dec 3, 1870 at his residence near Burch Creek of smallpox.
The Ogden Semi-Weekly Junction, 3 December 1870
End of the Smallpox Epidemic?
An article in The Ogden Semi-Weekly Junction of December 14, 1870 stated:
Burch Creek–
The small pox at Burch Creek has, up to date, attacked sixteen persons, all members of the Stephens family. “Doctor” Ryle who has them in charge, pronounces them all, with the exception of Father Stephens whose death was announced last wee, in a state of convalescence, and expects that in a few days they will have entirely recovered.
The Ogden Semi-Weekly Junction, 14 December 1870
These accounts have some conflicts about the timing of this epidemic. Mr. Fife indicated the beginning of this epidemic as May, suggesting that Mrs. Eggleston would have died earlier than her July 6 death date. People would have been people quarantined by the time of her death, according to Fife’s account, so it would seem they would have known what Lurania died of, and she should have been quarantined as well.
Mr. Fife indicated that “ Only seven of the 89 cases were fatal and the epidemic was over by the end of October,” which doesn’t fit with the newspaper accounts that John Stephens died in December and his family members were still recovering. Of course, these accounts are based on the recollections of individuals.
If the numbers reported are correct – 89 people became sick, 16 of those were members of the Stephens family; and 7 died, including Lurania, Cora Gladys, May Julia and John Stephens. With four of the seven deaths being connected to the family, I wonder how many other family members got sick but recovered.
I have always thought this a great photo. It is only after doing some research into the military service of Howard Cheney, that I can appreciate the proud, though somewhat terrified look as he stands at attention in his uniform.
Joseph Howard Cheney
Joseph Howard Cheney, was my grandmother’s brother, making him my Great Uncle. I have come to see him as Great in another way. He was born in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on June 20, 1891, the fifth child and fourth son of Selar Cheney and Mary Alice Wilson. His childhood in Jackson Hole was probably adventurous, but could it possibly have prepared him for what was to come?
Howard, as he was called, was a young man as World War I raged across the ocean. The United States was slow to join her allies in this War, waiting and watching until officially declaring War on April 6, 1917. Howard likely read available newspapers accounts and maybe thought about this War as he worked on his ranch.
The first U.S. Draft began in June 1917 and Howard was one of the first to register on June 5, 1917. He was 25 years old. On his registration card he indicated that he had no disability or exception to service.
Private Joseph Howard Cheney
Howard enlisted on May 24, 1918. He was sent to Camp Lewis in American Lake, Washington for training. Having been to this very place earlier this year, I can picture that. Camp Lewis has now morphed into Joint Base Lewis McChord, where my son-in-law was stationed.
Howard served as a Private in Battery A 145th Field Artillery 40 Division. On August 5, 1918, he sailed on the ship Scotian from New York City to France. Unfortunately, there are few available details about his service other than that he served in France until the end of the War. Just knowing about the horrors of this war and the devastation caused to France, we can assume that it was a frightening and horrible experience. Howard was not wounded, though one must wonder if he carried home unseen wounds.
The Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, ending this Great War. Howard left Bordeaux, France on December 23rd and arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey on January 5, 1919. He was discharged January 24, 1919 at Logan, Utah.
Article in Jackson’s Hole Courier 30 January 1919
Return to the Ranch in Jackson Hole
Howard returned to Jackson Hole January 26, 1919 and resumed ranching. He married Pearl Estella Mangum November 7, 1923. They had five children and raised four to adulthood. Howard farmed and fed his family through the Great Depression.
Howard with his children
With the entry of the United States into another World War, Howard again dutifully registered for the Draft. He was then 50 years old.
Howard died on the eve of Independence Day, July 3, 1949 in Brigham City, Utah at the relatively young age of 58.
Howard and Pearl in Brigham City
After his death, Howard’s wife Pearl applied for a Military Headstone for his grave. She was living in Brigham City, Utah at the time of the application, July 3, 1951. She had the stone marker shipped to her son-in-law Keith Shinkle of Victor, Idaho to the Wilson, Wyoming Post Office, which was on the other side of Teton Pass. This granite marker was placed on Howard’s grave in the South Park Cemetery, in Jackson, Wyoming.
Joseph H Cheney Headstone South Park Cemetery, Jackson, Wyoming
Nathan Eggleston began to have difficulties with the church in 1825.
Aug 13 1825 Voted that Dea Nathan Thompson and Br. Ebenezer Edwards be a committee to visit Brother Nathan Eagleston learn the state of his mind and report his case at our next church meeting. .
Nathan Eggleston’s case was resolved rather quickly, or at least the church did not spend much time in labor with him. Fellowship was withdrawn by vote on September 10, 1825.
Monthly Church meeting Sept 10th 1825 Dea N. Thompson and Br. E. Edwards reported that they had visited Br. Nathan Eagleston and that they found him in a very cold (dead) state of mind and that he had no desire to travail with the church and that he refused to attend this church meeting when requested so to do and further that he believed it the duty of the Church to exclude him from the fellowship. After sundry inquries made by the Brethren Voted that we are at the end of labor with Br. Nathan Eagleston
Feb 1826 Br. Abraham Eggleston came forward and manifested that his mind had been laboring under difficulties for a long time and thought that he could not walk with the church any longer and thought it the duty of the Church to exclude him from the Church It was suggested by some of the Brethren that we appoint a committee to visit Br. Eagleston a try to help his mind. Voted that Brethren Amasa Sessions John B. Hoxey and Lemuel Smith be a committee to visit Br. Eagleston and report his case at our next monthly Church meeting.The committee appointed to visit Br. Abraham Eagleston not all being present . Br. Sesions however made a favorable statement on the subject and requested another committee to visit Br. Eagleston and report his case at our next Ch mtg.
By August 1826, the church had come to the end of laboring with Abraham and fellowship was withdrawn from him.
24 (12) Aug 1826 After considerable time spent in conversation on Br. Eggleston’s case it was Voted that we are at the end of labor with Br. Abraham Eggleston. Voted to withdraw the hand of fellowship from Abraham Eggleston
1828
Benjamin Eggleston, son of Samuel and Rebecca Eggleston, along with his wife Elizabeth were baptized in May 1828. Unlike his brothers Samuel and Nathan, Benjamin was a faithful member and later served as a Deacon.
May 21, 1828 Came for the following persons: Benjamin Eggleston Elizabeth Eggleston
1832
By 1832, Benjamin Eggleston was a Deacon. There were many mentions of him through these later Church books, though we did not copy all of them.
1837
In 1837, Benjamin Eggleston was chosen Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the First Baptist Religious Society of Marcellus.
May 1837 At a meeting of the board of trustees of the first Baptist religious society of Marcellus held at the house of I. Mills Benjamin Eggleston was chosen chairman Charl. A. Calkins secretary & treasurer, Aaron Allen collector & S. C. Baker Sexton Voted that 8 cords of wood be bought at 7/per cord of Charl A. Calkins & a collection taken on the 4th Sunday in May to pay Eld. B. W. Capron $3.00 for his service the past year in cleaning the house & building fires. E. Sesions B. Eggleston & A. Kneeland be requested to keep order below & J. Smith R. Hoxie & C. Calkins in the gallery. Eld B. W. Capron be requested to keep the key build fires, & sweep the house.
1841
In 1841 Benjamin Eggleston was chosen Trustee, along with his son-in-law Stepehn Vandenburgh. Stephen was also chosen as Clerk.
Theodore Eggleston, son of Benjamin, was Trustee years later, probably 1861 or 1867.
This concludes the transcriptions of pages that my father and I photocopied in 2001. We only copied pages that we noticed information about Eggleston family members, though we made some notes from other pages that were not copied. There likely were other mentions that we missed.
By the time of these later records, Benjamin and his family were the only Egglestons remaining in Marcellus and being associated with this church.
Note:
In my book, The Joseph Eggleston Family: Seven Generations from Joseph (d.1767) of Stonington, Connecticut to Joseph (1885-1965) of Utah and Wyoming (Including Maternal Lines: Hill, Burgess, Titus, Sammis & Johnson) church record entries for specific people are discussed there under the heading CHURCH RECORDS. Background information about this church is included in Appendix B THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.
The old church records that my father and I found at the Rose Hill/Thorn Hill Baptist Church on our visit in 2001, proved to be a wealth of information about our Eggleston family. The Articles of Faith and Covenant, along with church membership lists are in a previous post. The first excerpts of entries pertaining to Eggleston family members from the beginnings of the church in 1807 until 1811 are in Part 1. Part 2 covers the years 1812- 1816. This Post, Part 3 continues from 1816 to 1819.
1816 Continued
Electa Eggleston, daughter of Samuel Jr., was baptized into the church in 1816. Some early databases placed Electa as the youngest in the family with an estimated birth date of 1812, which would have made her very young at this time. The Baptists did not baptize small children. The birth date for Electa in family letters is May 20, 1799, which would place her baptism the day before her 17th birthday.
May 19 1816 Joseph Enos and Electa Eggleston were Baptized and received into the church
Samuel Eggleston Jr. began to have issues with the church in 1816. This may have been a precipitating factor for his move from the area in 1817. The first mention was in September of 1816, when Brothers Amasa Chapman and Salman Hunt were sent to visit him. It is interesting that at the same meeting, Samuel’s brother Nathan was sent to visit Wyllis Manley.
Samuel’s case was brought up again at the September 21st meeting, however Brothers Chapman and Hunt had not visited him. They were encouraged to do so. Nathan Eggleston and Brother Chandler had also neglected to visit Brother Manley.
Sept 3rd 1816 Voted the Br. Amasa Chapman & Salman Hunt visit Br. Samuel Eagleston and report to the Church meeting. Voted that Br. G. Chandler & N. Eagleston visit Br. Wyllis Manley & report next church meeting.Sept 21 1816 Church met for business at Br. A. Hunt, according to previous appointment. Prayer by Eld Morton. Voted Eld Morton Moderator. The case of Br. Samuel Eggleston was then called up and it appeared that Br. Chapman & S. Hunt had neglected to visit Br. Eggleston consequently Voted they should still visit him. Br. Chandler states that he and Br. N. Eggleston have not visited Brother Wyllis Manley. But as he spoke his mind at last covenant meeting it was thought best for the brethren to visit him individually.
1817
In 1817, other members of the Eggleston family joined this church. Laura Eggleston joined along with Samuel Hovey, Polly Hovey and Jedediah Brown. The record indicates that they joined “by letter”, meaning that they had come from another church with a letter recommending them.
This Laura Eggleston was a mystery to me at the time I first saw these records. I had no idea how she fit into the family. It was some time later that I learned, through other Eggleston descendants, that the other Nathan Eggleston’s wife was Laura. This Nathan is probably the Nathaniel, mentioned as brother of Oliver in the church records. Nathan and Laura were the parents of Leonard Eggleston, who was on Marcellus Baptist Church membership lists.
Oliver Eggleston also joined the church that year. The record specifies that he had a letter from the church in Salem dated 4th March 1809. Salem is in Washington County, New York, where most of the Eggleston lived prior to coming to Marcellus. It is interesting that Oliver had this letter for several years before coming to Marcellus.
Oliver was most likely a son of Joseph Eggleston, who had migrated to Marcellus with Samuel.
1817 21 Covenant Meeting the Church appearing to be in great union. The following persons were united to the church viz. Samuel Hovey, Polly Hovey, Laura Eggleston Jedediah Brown (by letter) and Alpheus Winchester was restored to the fellowship of the Church 1817 Oliver Eggleston was received into our Fellowship by letter from the church in Salem dated 4th March 1809
The case of Samuel Eggleston was brought up again, after his being labored with. He apparently was reluctant to continue with the church, but the church postponed his matter until the next meeting.
Br. Samuel Eggleston being present was labored with faithfully but could not be prevailed upon to take up his travail with the Church. Voted to postpone his matter until next church meeting.
At the next meeting March 11, Samuel seemed to have a change of heart, so his matter was suspended.
1817 March 11 Met for business at Br. Salmon Hunt. Prayer by Br. A. Kneeland. Voted Br. A. Kneeland Moderator. Deacon Thompson reported that he had visited Br. Samuel Eggleston he say Br. Manifested a desire to travail with the church and he hoped that he should be able to make satisfaction to the brethren. Voted to suspend the matter with Br. Eggleston for the present.
April 4, 1817, Elizabeth Eggleston was given a letter of recommendation. This was close to the time that Samuel and Elizabeth sold their land in Marcellus and moved to Springwater, New York. Elizabeth apparently was a member in good standing and given the letter to join another church.
Oliver Eggleston had problems with the church in April 1817. It is interesting that Laura Eggleston, who joined at the same time he did, supported the charges against him. His brothers Nathaniel and Edward and Edward’s wife also refused to defend him. Oliver’s time in the church was short and what happened to him after that is not known.
A complaint was brought against Br. Oliver Eggleston for using profane language at Different times previous to his joining the church (he joined this church by a letter which he had for some years signed by Elder Warren) This charge was supported in evidence by Br. Wm Hunt & Sister Phebe Hunt & Laura Eggleston. Also by his Brother Nathaniel. His Brother Edward and his wife refuse to clear him. Br. Oliver has been labored with at different times and invariably denies the charge or says he has no recollection of ever swearing or taking the name of God in vain… Voted to Withdraw fellowship from Oliver Eggleston.
September 7, 1817 the church voted to withdraw fellowship from Samuel Eggleston. Samuel had sold his land in April 1817, so he may have already moved away. Possibly, he did not request a letter of recommendation at the time Elizabeth did, or he moved before the church had voted on his status. It is also possibly that they had not yet moved, or he had come back briefly.
Voted to withdraw fellowship from Samuel Eggleston Samuel Eggleston is excluded
1818
Years after his difficulties with the church, Truman Skeels was finally excluded in 1818.
The whole transaction appears to be the fruit of a dishonest principle. Viz. to say it is right to run in debt and give a man worthless security without telling his creditor of the fallacy. After laboring with him some time nothing could be gained accept he said he had done wrong by assuming debt after that he had determination taking the benefit of the act. Voted unanimously that we are at the end of labor with him. Truman Skeels is Excluded Voted the clerk shall write Truman Skeels a letter of Exclusion
In April 1818 Elizabeth Eggleston was Dismissed. Since Samuel and Elizabeth had already moved away and Elizabeth had been given a letter or recommendation, there is some question about whether this is a different Elizabeth. I didn’t see any mention in the records of an issue with an Elizabeth Eggleston prior to this and the term dismissed would not seem to indicate that she was excluded because of problems, but just that she had moved or left in good standing.
1818 April 26 Elizabeth Eggleston Dismissed
Abraham Eggleston, apparently the son of Joseph Eggleston, was baptized in December 1818. It is interesting that the record mentions that the others baptized with him related their experiences, however it does not say that Abraham did.
1818 Dec 26 Covenant Meeting A much larger number of the church were present than common there also appeared to be more union in church than has been for some time past. Tryphene Allen related her experience and was fellowship as a Christian. . .Fanny Sessions related her experience of mind and received fellowship from the church. . . 27 Elder Alphred Bennet Preached and administered the Lords Supper Abraham Eggleston Tryphene Allen & Fanny Sessions were baptised and united to the church.
1819
In July 1819, the church received word that Samuel Eggleston had joined another Baptist Church. The record did not mention which church, as it did with the mention of Daniel Moore and Susanna Tanner joining the church in Harmony. Susanna Tanner was the wife of Amos Tanner, son of Thomas Tanner and Phoebe Eggleston. Phoebe was a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Eggleston. Many of the Tanner children had moved to Harmony in Chautauqua County, New York along with Nathan Eggleston and some of Benjamin Eggleston‘s children.
July 1825 New information that Br. Samuel Eagleston has united with another Church of our faith and order. Also that Brother Daniel Moore and Susanna Tanner have united with the Baptist Church in Harmony
Note:
The Marcellus Baptist Church Records continue in another blog post: Part 4 1825 and later.
In my book, The Joseph Eggleston Family: Seven Generations from Joseph (d.1767) of Stonington, Connecticut to Joseph (1885-1965) of Utah and Wyoming (Including Maternal Lines: Hill, Burgess, Titus, Sammis & Johnson) church record entries for specific people are discussed there under the heading CHURCH RECORDS. Background information about this church is included in Appendix B THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.
The old church records that my father and I found at the Rose Hill/Thorn Hill Baptist Church on our visit in 2001, proved to be a wealth of information about our Eggleston family. The Articles of Faith and Covenant, along with church membership lists are in a previous post. The first excerpts of entries pertaining to Eggleston family members from the beginnings of the church in 1807 until 1811 are in Part 1. This post, Part 2 covers the years 1812- 1816.
Jun 7 John Alport, Truman Skeels & Isaac Skeels was this day Baptized and received into our fellowship
1813
The Skeels began to have difficulties with the Church shortly after joining. Nathan Eggleston and Luther Manley were sent to visit Simeon Skeels, Isaac’s father, and request he attend a meeting. Deacon Thompson had received a letter from another church mentioning a difficulty with Simeon Skeels and the wife of Jedidiah Hurd. Unfortunately, I did not copy the next page, so this issue is left hanging.
May 15 1813 At Covenant meeting upon a request from Brethren in Camillus. Voted to send Eld. Harman, Joshua Chandler, Amasa Kneeland & Truman Skeels to set in council on the 20th inst. Voted at church meeting on Saturday next at 1 o’clock at Deacon Thompsons. Voted Deacon Thompson, Amasa Sessions, Amasa Chapman, Nathan Eagleston & Luther Manley a committee to visit Mr. Simeon Skeels and request him to attend said meeting. May 22 Brethren of the church met for Church meeting at Deacon Thompsons according to a previous appointment. After prayer Deacon Nathan Thompson moderator. Then received a letter from the Church in Gorham stating a difficulty against Brother Simeon Skeels for harboring the wife of Jedediah Hurd. After hearing the above letter and also from the above committee who have visited Brother Skeels. Proceeded to enquire into the merits of the case. 1st Did the wife of Jedediah Hurd have liberty from him to come to Marcellus. Ans. it appeared she had $9 an order from J. D. Hurd and other circumstances. 2nd Has Brother Skeels refused to . . .
Later in the summer of 1813, probably August, Betsey Eggleston was baptized along with Sally Berry. There were a number of Betsey Egglestons. One, Samuel Jr.’s wife had been baptized in the early days of the church, her name being given as Elizabeth in that record. John B. Eggleston married Betsey Hoxie about 1810, so this could be her. Benjamin Eggleston married Elizabeth Wiltse and they were active members later.
15 Received Sisters Sally Berry & Betsey Eggleston into our Fellowship by baptism
1814
Simeon Skeels difficulties had not just been with his previous church. Another issue was brought before the church in 1814. This was about dificulties he had with individual of the church and refusing or neglecting to attend to the difficulties. Nathan Eggleston was again one sent to work with him.
I am including this letter of exclusion for Betsy Johnson because it is probably typical of those letter than some of our family members received.
March 11 1814 Church met agreeable to appointment at Deacon Thompsons after prayer & singing. Voted Deacon Hiscock moderator. Brethren Nathan Eagleston and Wyllis Manly inform the Church that they have cited Br. Simeon Skeels to attend here today. Br. Skeels being present says he has neglected his duty as stated above—and Further says he will attend to the difficulty with those individuals in two weeks. Voted to postpone the above matter with Br. Skeels until next Church Meeting. Betsy Johnson letter of exclusion “To our once covenanted Sister Betsy Johnson you are hereby informed that in consequence of your unchristian conduct your neglect of travail with the chutch and your refusing to head the church when called upon, we have put you away from amongst us. Yet our desire and prayer to God is that you may find repentance twards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and yet be. . ..
This matter between Simeon Skeel and Brother and Sister Hurd was apparently resolved in April.
April 2 1814 Church met agreeable to appointment. After singing and prayer Br. Skeels being present says he has attended to the difficulty which he has had with individuals of the Church which was proved by Brethren Nathan Eagleston and Amasa Sessions. Voted Satisfied with Br. Simeon Skeels on their labour with him. Br. Simeon Skeels then brought difficulties as follows against Br. Thadeous L. Hurd Viz. 1st Br. Thadeus L. Hurd has once settled all matters of difficulty with him and afterwords denied it or said he had a difficulty with him 2nd For not attending to the above difficulty in a Gospel manner…3rd He says Br. Hurd has reported that he (Br. Skeels) has said one thing at one time and denied it at another time. Voted to receive the above difficulties to labour after learning that Br. Skeels has taken Br. N. Eaglestone and Br. Sessions to labor with him. After considerable conversation Br. Skeels and Br. Hurd & wife said to be satisfied with each other. Voted we are satisfied with them.
Later in 1814, Simeon and Isaac Skeels apparently were becoming involved with Universalism. Nathan Eggleston was sent with Deacon Thompson to visit them.
Sept 26 1814 Brethren appointed to visit Brethren Simeon and Isaac Skeels made reutrns. Voted we are not satisfied with those brethrem. Voted Deacon Thompson & Bro. Nathan Eggleston shall be appointed to visit Brethren Simeon and Isaac Skeels to learn their sentiment concerning Universalism and cite them to our next church meeting. Nov 12 1814 Church met at Brother John Hunt to set in order things wanting in Gods house. . .After singing and prayer Bro. Harmon was chosen moderator. Deacon Thompson made returns that he with Bro. N. Eagleston had visited Br. Simeon Skeels (Br. Isaac being in the army) and cited him to attend here to day he was not present. Deacon Thompson also stated that in conversation with Br. Simeon Skeels upon the subject of Universalism he stated that he hoped there was no future punishment but did not answer definitely that he believed all men would go to heaven at death or not. Voted that we still are dissatisfied with Br. Skeels. Voted Brethren John Hunt & Ebenezer Lewis shall cite Br. Simeon Skeels to attend next church meeting and answer the Church 1st then reason of his hope why there will be no future punishment and why he has not maintained a gospel travail with the church.
1815
In 1815, apparently after church leaders and members working with the Skeels, Isaac excluded from the church.
Oct 19 1815 Br. Isaac Skeels being present says his mind is much the same it was at the last church meeting after much conversation and labor with him.Eld. Harman then arose and give him the second admonition. We then voted to withdraw our Fellowship from Br. Isaac Skeels. Voted that the Clerk write and read a letter of exclusion next sabbath.
1816
Though Isaac Skeels had been excluded, the church was still working with Truman Skeels in 1816. Nathan Eggleston was sent with John Hunt to visit him.
Feb 29th 1816 Voted Br. John Hunt & Bro. Nathan Eagleston to visit Brother T. Skeels, W. Manley, L. Manley & Calvin Manley and request them to help eld. Harman and make [ ]. . .
Bro. J. Hunt & Br. N. Eggleston say that they have visited the Brethren to which they were appointed and they informed them that they would visit Eld. Harman and settle with him.
Note:
The Marcellus Baptist Church Records continue in another blog post: Part 3 1816-1819.
In my book, The Joseph Eggleston Family: Seven Generations from Joseph (d.1767) of Stonington, Connecticut to Joseph (1885-1965) of Utah and Wyoming (Including Maternal Lines: Hill, Burgess, Titus, Sammis & Johnson) church record entries for specific people are discussed there under the heading CHURCH RECORDS. Background information about this church is included in Appendix B THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.
The Records of the First Baptist Church of Marcellus
The old church records that my father and I found at the Rose Hill/Thorn Hill Baptist Church on our visit in 2001, proved to be a wealth of information about our Eggleston family. The Articles of Faith and Covenant, along with church membership lists are in a previous post.
This post begins a discussion of specific entries in the record that pertain to members of our extended family. Because there are so many, I have divided them into four blog posts, in chronological order. This Part 1 covers entries from the beginning of the church in 1807 until 1811.
1807
The Church Record book began in 1807 and Eggleston family members were some of the first to be baptized into this church. Thomas Tanner was the husband of Phebe Eggleston, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca. After Phebe’s death, he married her sister Karen. Joshua Covey was the husband of Rebecca’s sister Karen/Coran Eggleston. Charles Richards was married to Betsey, probably daughter of Joseph Eggleston, Rebecca’s brother. They were all baptized the same day, March 7 (possibly 27th) 1807.
On the same page and also baptized in March 1807 was John Eggleston. John and his wife Rachel lived near the other Egglestons in Marcellus. He is somewhat of a mystery, but likely was another son of Samuel and Rebecca.
March (7th?) 1807 Thomas Tanner & Joshua Covey & Charles Richards & Cyril Johnson Was baptized and joined this church. March (?th) 1807 David Robbins, Joseph Humphrey, John Egleston, Sally Winchester was Baptised & joined this church April 19th 1807 Samuel Eagleton Jr. and Nathan Eagleston Was baptised and joined this church. Sunday May 24th 1807 Elizabeth Eagleston & Hannah Humphrey & Betsy Johnson was Baptised and joined this Church.
1808
In 1808, some family members began to have issues with the church. Joshua Covey was the first. In September 1807 brethren were sent to visit Brother Covey. Apparently after months of work with him, he was restored to fellowship April 22, 1808.
Saturday April 22, 1808 Joshua Covey was restored to fellowship
1809
1809 brought difficulties for Thomas Tanner. This appears to be the beginning of a time of reform because several church members were identified as having difficulties needing to be addressed.
Saturday Jan 7th 1809 At our church meeting Made choice of Deacon Jesse Manley Moderator. Voted that Deacon Thompson, Joseph Humphrey, Jesse Manley, Joshua B. Bearss, Elder Harman, Deacon Kneeland & Amasa Kneeland to visit the following brethren to wit, Thomas Tanner, Daniel Mingus, Wm Collins and go with Brother Eldridge to look into matter between him & Adams. Saturday Feb 4th 1809 At our stated Church meeting made choice of Deacon Thompson moderator. On hearing the returns from Brother Tanner Voted to suspend labour until our next Church meeting in course. Returns were then made from brother Mingus. The church voted to have an extra church meeting to labour with brother Mingus. The church voted satisfied with brother Collins. Brother Eldredge being present spoke for himself. A majority of the brethren voted satisfied.
In spite of efforts by the brethren and being given an opportunity to “confess his wrongs,” Thomas did not comply and the church voted to exclude him from membership. This was announced through a letter read in public the next Sunday at the school house.
There are no details in the record to indicate what “wrongs” Thomas needed to confess. It is interesting that his problems were originally called to the attention of the church along with several other men, which may indicate that it was a time the church felt a need to reform members. Thomas did not return to the church.
March 11th 1809 At our Stated Church meeting Deacon Jesse Manley was chosen moderator. Brother Tho Tanner being present was called upon by the Church to confess his wrongs; but not complying the church voted to exclude him. A letter of exclusion to be read in public on Sunday 19th inst, at framed School house. Brother King being present was called upon to confess to the satisfaction of the church.
Later in 1809, Brother J. Eggleston, probably John, was cited. At the same November meeting, Charles Richards was excluded.
Nov 1809 Voted Br. Hunt cite Br. Winchester. Elder Harmon to cite Br. Bears and Sister Wentworth Br. Chandler & Br. Thompson to cite Brother Mills J. Eaglestone & Johnson. Br. John Kneeland to cite Wm. Collins and wife. Voted Br. A. Kneeland write a letter of exclusion for Taylor and read tomorrow. Also voted a letter of exclusion for Charles Richards.
John Eggleston’s difficulties were mentioned further in November 1809. Apparently the church member’s efforts with him were successful. On the 6th (probably December) he confessed to their satisfaction.
Thursday Nov 10th 1809 The Church met agreeable to appointment (Extra Meeting) After singing and prayer made choice of Elder Harmon moderator. Brethren J. Hunt, Eld. Harmon J. Chandler Dea Thompson and Dea. Kneeland made returns that they had cited the following brethren to attend this meeting agreeable to their appointment to wit. Br. E. Winchester Br. Bears Sister Wentworth, Bro Mills Br. J. Eggleston Br. Johnson Br. Collins and Sister Collins. 6th Took up labor with Br. John Eggleston for his neglect of duty in not fulfilling his covenant obligations with his brethren. On his confessing his faults Voted satisfied with him.
1811
Thomas Marsh, who later married Samuel Eggleston Jr.’s daughter Lucy, apparently moved back and forth across Skaneateles Lake, or at least transferred membership from the Marcellus Church to the Sempronius Baptist Church. He was given a letter to take to the Sempronius Church.
May 1811 “The Baptist church of Christ in Sempronius to whom it may concern This certify that Brother Thomas Marsh is a member of good standing in this Church with us and as such we recommend him to any Church of our faith and order and when joined as such dismised from us. By order and in behalf of the Church. Ezekiel Sayles Ch Cl Sempronius May 11th 1811 A true copy attest A. Sessions
Note:
The Marcellus Baptist Church Records continue in another blog post: Part 2 1812-1816.
In my book, The Joseph Eggleston Family: Seven Generations from Joseph (d.1767) of Stonington, Connecticut to Joseph (1885-1965) of Utah and Wyoming (Including Maternal Lines: Hill, Burgess, Titus, Sammis & Johnson) church record entries for specific people are discussed there under the heading CHURCH RECORDS. Background information about this church is included in Appendix B THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.
I would really like to have known Aunt Eliza Eggleston Barron. The glimpses we have of her, especially from her letters, give me the impression she was quite spunky and would have been an entertaining storyteller. Her life was not necessarily easy and was not very long.
Eliza’s Early Life
Eliza Eggleston Barron was born March 25, 1810 in Marcellus, Onondaga, New York. Family records had estimated her birth as 1802, but there appeared to be confusion with her sister Electa. Eliza was the youngest daughter in the family. In genealogical information sent by Orson to his father in 1876, he gave this birth date for Eliza. Eliza died November 4, 1869.
Eliza married Carr D. Barron May 9, 1840 in Owasco, Cayuga, New York. He was born February 15, 1809 in Owasco, Cayuga, New York. Eliza and Carr Barron moved from Springwater, Livingston, New York to Michigan, apparently before her sister Electa and family came.
Glimpses of Eliza’s Life through Letters
Much of the sense I get of Eliza’s personality, I gain from a letter she wrote to her brother Samuel June 8, 1862 from Groveland, Michigan. She wrote:
Groveland, June 8, 1862
“It is a long time since I have written to you. You must excuse my neglect for it is quite a task for me to write a letter. My health is not very good but I work some and attend to my business. Carr’s health is poor but he works as hard as ever. Two years ago last fall he had a fit of the palsy, the second one. It was a long time before he could work much. It hurt his speech and memory but we are mortals subject to decay. I suppose you will want to know about the children. Almon will be 21 in August next. Mary was 19 in April and Sarah 17 in May. Barton is 10. They are healthy children and a great help to us.”
After this general family news and health report, she told her brother Samuel about other family members. This is what she had to say about their younger brother Ansel:
“Five years ago this summer Ansel come her head up and pockets full of gold. He said he was on his way to Pennsylvania to get some money that was a comeing to him. He staid here a week and then left and in January after he came here again poorer than Job turkeys. He said he had come from Des Moines and he had left Mary there. She had a boy and he dident know whether it was his or not. He had started for California. He staid here four weeks and then wrote to Mary to come here in about two weeks she came and such a bundle of rags you never saw. She had on an old black calico dress narrow and nasty. It was all she had. Ne bed nor bedding. We found them house, stove, chairs, bed bedding, dishes, and a cow. Through that summer and the next winter he tot into a shop to shoemake and made a living. After that he took a notion to go on his own hooks and wanted Carr to sign with him but he refused and he has been mad at me ever since. I think he is kind of ticklish property. He is now at Holley a shoemaking. They now get a good living.”
Later in the later she mentions, as if she forgot and then just remembered, “”Ansel has 3 boys.” Eliza also shared with Samuel some information about a contact with another Eggleston regarding genealogy. She seemed to want direction from Samuel about how to respond to this person.
“I had a letter the other day from Rev. A. Eggleston, Broome Co., N.Y. He wants me to give him the births, marriages and deaths of my father, mother, brothers and sisters, all except you and their children and grandchildren, if they have any, and all their names and ages, who they married and their occupation. I think he must be crazy. He give his address Broome Co., N.Y. but not the Post Office where it was mailed was rubbed off. . . Write as soon as you get this and tell me if you know what postoffice to direct my letter to him. Your affectionate sister
Eliza Barron
Write soon and direct your letter to Goodrichville, Genesee Co., Mich.”
If this Rev. A. Eggleston was crazy, as Eliza says, then I must be too. I understand the mindset of a genealogist trying to gather family information. In fact Eliza’s nephew Orson asked for the same kind of information when he visited her family while on his mission.
Eliza’s Passing
In a letter to Samuel dated March 5, 1873, their brother Ambrose wrote that he did not know where Eliza was. “I have had no correspondence with her since I moved into Allegany.” Apparently they had not kept in touch, and he was not aware of her death. At the time Orson was on his mission in Michigan in 1876, Eliza was dead. He did spend some time there with his Uncle Carr and cousins.
Eliza Eggleston Barron died of cancer November 4, 1869 in Groveland, Oakland, Michigan. Unfortunately her death record does not give her parents names and has her birthplace as New Jersey, not New York.
Death Record for Eliza Barron, the last entry showing on this image.
The following are membership lists in the records of the Stillwater Baptist Church in Stillwater, New York.
Signers of the Original Covenant
Those signing the original Covenant:
Lemuel Tayler John Carpenter Ephraim Woodworth Ezekiel Sayles Benjamin Collins Beriah Keele Gabriel Strang Gideon Freeman Stephen Freeman Peter Clements William Robbins George Edmonds
Sarah Sayles Caty Strang Mary Green Kaziah Keele (dead) Rodah Titus Hannah Bryan Lois Richman Mary Freeman Elizabeth Collins Caty Cool Anne Clements Freelove Chatfield
A LIST OF THE NAMES OF THE MEMBERS OF STILLWATER CHURCH (United)
Elder Lemuel Powers Elder David Irish (Dismn) Deacon John Andrews (Dis) Deacon Lemuel Taylor (Dis) Jonathan Lawrence (Dis-by letter) Ezekiel Sayles (Dis-by letter) Gabrial Strang (Ded) Gideon Freeman (Dism by letter) Augustus Green Thaddeus Histed (letter) Mordecai Sayles (Exc) James Cool (Exc) Peter Valentine ( ) Ebenezer Smith Matthew Vananburgh (Exc) Silvanus Sayles Bill Smith
Thomas Holmes (Exc) Andrew Sprague (dis by letter) James Green James Ackerman Eleazer Millard (D d) Philip Munger (died) Edy Millard (Exc)
Benjamin Irish Benjamin Munger (Decd) Joseph Munger (Dsimis by letter) Enoch Higgons (Dismis by letter) Naoh Mead (Dismis by letter) Seth Burgess (dismis by letter) Jotham Bassett (Dismis by letter) Thomas Higgons (Dismis by letter)
William Roberts (died) David Fisk (Exc)
Sarah Sayles (Dismis by letter) Caty Strang (dead) Mary Green Rhoda Titus (Dismis by letter)
Mary Freeman (Dis) Caty Cool (Dis) Anne Clements (died) Jerusha Thompkins (Dismis) Phebe Freeman (Dismis by letter)
Esther Histed (letter) Sarah Wright (Ex) Elisabeth Saxton (Dismis by letter) Olive Taylor [ ] Mary Smith Rebeckah Mott Mary Vananburgh Phebe Sayles Mary Newland (dead) Deliverance Sotherland Adosha Williams (Dis) Huldah Green Jane Holmes (Dismised) Hannah Dunham Burgess (Dismised) Anne Rogers
Martha Burlingame (Dismis by letter) Huldah Millard (Dismis by letter) Anna Andrus Abigail Baker (Dismis by letter) Sarah Olney (Dis) Phebe Roberts (Dis) Dorcas Fuller (Dis) Sarah Munger (Died) Hannah Munger (Dismis by letter)
Joseph Chamberlain (DecD) Daniel Guy (Dismist) Benjamin Culver Jonathan Jenkins (E) Charles Deming (ex ) Josiah St. John (Dis) Stephen Massly Daniel Rogers Robert Leonard (Exc) Daniel McBride (Dism by letter) Gilbert Warren (Dis) John Rowley (Decd) Seth Burgess Jun (Disms by letter) David Evits Rial Newland (Dis) John Waters (Dis) Stephen Sayles
Reuben Moore [ ] St. John(Dism by letter) John St. John (Died) Alexander Weed (Dism by letter) Michael Rogers (ex) Roger Wilcox (Dism by letter)
John Summerton (Dismis ) Daniel Campbell (Dism by letter) Joel Burgess (Dismis by leter) Abraham Sayles Jacob Wiltse (Dismis by letter) Proctor Denton (Dis) Briggs Sherman(Dism by letter) Jacob Miller John Thurber (Dismis by letter) William How (Dismis by letter)
Abigail Munger(Ds) Elisabeth Irish (Dism) Freelove Potter Sarah Mosher Abigail Lee (Dis) Abigail Olney (Dis) Mercy Irish (Dismis by letter) Sarah Rogers (Dis) Susannah Newell (Dis) Mary Stephens (Dis) Elisabeth Seely Elisabeth White Keziah Millard (Ex) Delight Woodworth Sarah Palmer Lucinday Marshal Lydia Head Dorcas Rathburn (Dis) Phebe Rathburn (Monger) Jerusha Histed (Dism by letter)
Rodah Carpenter ( ) Jane Lawrence (D ) Patience Jenkins (Died) Lydia Wright Mary Histed (Deceas) Eunice Rathburn (Dis by letter) Elenor Crawsby (Dis)
Martha Ostrander (Dis by letter) Mercy Waters (Dis) Persilla Waters (Dis) Elizabeth Moore Catherine Sayles Deborah Strang Jane Warren Anne Seely Sayles
Samuel Munger Abjah Smith James Seely Jun James Seely Luke St. John (died) David Woodworth Daniel How (Dism by letter) John Baker Francis West Lemuel Taylor Jun (Dismis by letter) Joseph Wilber (Dimis by letter) [ ]mitering Irish (Dism by letter) Isaac Fuller (Dism by letter) Edward Thurber (dismis by letter) Like Hill (Ex) Abnor Thurber George Richardson (letter) Van Ness Benjamin Wing (Dis)
Sarah Deming (Dismis by letter) Elisabeth Cropsey (Dis) Achsa Rogers (died) Mary Rogers (Excon) Esther Denton (Dis Ava Myres Mary Willcox (Dis) Rebeckah Summerton (Dismis by letter) Mary Cole Brown (Dis) Nancy Carpenter (Dismis by letter) Tabitha Olney Phebe Sayles (Dismis by letter) Sarah Miller (dis) Olive Crawford ( ) Ester Miller Abigail Holsted Elisabeth Irish (Dism by letter)
Anna Munger Elizabeth St. John (died)
Sarah Ayers (Dis) Rodah Steward Elisabeth Campbell Prudence Hayes Achsa How Marcy (Dis) Eunice Irish (Dismis by leter) Hannah Andrus Munger Sarah Walters (Died) Chloe Scibley Brown Abigail McBride (Dismis by letter) Rebeckah Southward Dorcas St. John (Dis) Nancy Ford Lucy Pettit (Dis)
[Chapman crossed out]
Eunice West (Ded) Sarah Taylor (Dis) Abigail Thruber (Decd) Rebecka Beets (Dism by letter) Abner Thurber (crossed out) Mary Sayles (Decd) Amy Bostwich
Ephraim Knowlton Peter Grooms William Grooms Daniel Derbeshaw James Essine Mathew Neally Joshua Miller Ephraim Dunham William Goslin (Died) Prichard Clute Timothy Wooden (dead) George Alford Joseph Peck Nathaniel Upham Arnold Waide John Baker John Bell Lent Andrew Evens Abraham Walton Thomas Hosier George Elsworth William king Philip King
Elizabeth Knowlton Anna Wooden Margara Welden Mathiah Tockrider Jane Dunham Marget Gossen Elisabeth Dunham Martha Gossen Mary Jeosten Levina Derbeshan Ane Thaber Rachel Baker
Abigail Goden Molley Alford Phebe Peek Lucy Evans Sarah Lodue Patience Briggs Phebe Daly Jane Chase Catherine Daly Hannah Hensley Mary Knowlton Jane Hosier Elisabeth Bell Patience Wooden Rebekah Sayles
Mary Wiley Anna Grooms Rebeckah Upum Elsay Elsworth
On the side of page Jerusha Flint Martha Walds Ruth Arnold
Millton Brethren and sisters over the cape
John Holmes Thomas Merick Joseph Wood Benjamin Bennet Othniel Palmer Williams Norton Robert Acherman Randel Hasel Elijah Price
Grant Price Silas Brown (Ex) Andrew Alger (deceased) Gideon Hoyel Daniel Couch Charles Dale
Joshua Mann Joel Corkens Rufus Price Salmon Child George Loveless Samuel Reid Nathaniel Corkins
Hannah Bryam Anne Wood Hannah Holmes (Dismed) Bethiah Corkens Eunice Woodworth Rookslany Ackerman Experience Hewet Sarah Starr Hannah Price Silance Palmer Mary Washburn Beilah Price Olive Bacon Eunice Reid Mary Rose Ruth Olney Olive Child
Martha Isam Abigail White
41 Milton Brethren & sisters Dismised
Hemlockbrook Brethren & Sisters (Greenfield)
Gershom Saxton (Dis) Warren Carpenter (ex) Nathaniel Saxton (dis) Samuel Conklin (Dismis by letter) Seth Corkens (Ex) Rowland Potter Ambrose Newland (Dis) John McCarty Jonathan Fish Jun (Dis) Elihu Ward Moses Leonard (Dis) John Griffin (Dis letter) Pardon Fish Josiah Wilber (Deced) Thomas Windover Jonathan Fisk Jun Joseph Dooler (Dead)
Jacob Finehout (Dis)
Hannah Fisk (Dead) Hannah Hill Mercy Irish Elisabeth Saxton (Dis) Susanna Saxton (dis Ruth Fuller Elisabeth Cady (dis) Esther Knapp Rodah Fish Deisre Windover Elisabeth Griffen (dis letter) Elisabeth Conklin (Dis by letter) 30
Ballstown Brethren and Sisters
Lazarus Hollister Clement Youngs Joneth Holister William Betteys Nehemiah Seely (Dis by letter) Daniel Thomas Thomas Proctor John Cloinwiser Benjamin Ide John Cutler Gideon Luther
Sarah Hollister Anna Youngs Mary Betteys Jane Burns Deborah Seely Susannah Miller (Ballstown cont) Rachel Cloidenwiser Abagail Seely Huldah Lasay Hannah Wakeman Mary Cutler Lydia Smith Mary Luther 24
Fishcreek Brethren and sisters:
Jonathan Dendal Seth Crosel Henry Knapp Alpheus Lewis Hezekiah Dunham Joseph Coon Timothy Carrier Jonathan Psat Jonathan Pettet Rufus Ballard Zacheus Tayler
Niles Tayler Solomon Carier Benjamin Rayler Thomas Jordan Daniel Miller George Coon David Cross Hezekiel Betts Tamsom Davis
Mary Pendal Mary Crosbie Jasmine Knapp Thankful Lewis Mary Dunham Martha Coon Mehitabel Carier Anna Sweet
Agnes Pettit Nancy McCutchen Hannah Miller Levina Webster Nanny Clements Freelove Chatfield Rebeckah Blanchard Rebeckah Perkins Alva Morgan Sarah Potter
The above Brethren and sisters were set off a church by themselves in February 1791 and Elder Samuel Rogers joined with them.
Keyondeross Creek over the lake Brethren and Sisters (Saratoga)
John Keader William Barlow Ephraim Bennet Timothy Wood Henry Person Benjamin Richman Stephen Richman Wiliston West
Samantha Keader Betty Barlow
Abigail Derbeshear Hannah Huntley Lois Richmon Elisabeth Person Hannah West Esther Cross Hannas Corins Lorania Chapman Dorcas Chapman
Names of the Brethren & Sisters at Nipmos (Half Moon)
Names of the Brethren & Sisters at Nipmos (Half Moon)
Ephraim Martin John Gifford Jeremiah Carpenter Ebenezer Gifford Timothy Fuller Jun Millard Boyce Nehemiah Wallace Aaron Case Jn. James Fuller Barnaby B. Maxwell Abner Darling Benjamin Gifford Timothy Gifford Joseph Benedict Josiah Carpenter Thurston Jonklin
Amy Fuller Elizabeth Miles Margaret Jackson Sarah Wright Sarah Allen Thankful Wilcox Elenor Boyce Jane Carpenter Jane Porter Hannah Gifford Fanny Fraser Alice Akins Diana Richardson Mercy Case Huldah Fuller Anna Lee Charlotte Sprague Hannah Darling Sarah Fuller Phebe Purdy Patience Maxwell Anne Nettleton Elisabeth Preston Bythiah Fuller Hannah Martin Ruth Gifford
The following is sending to the association? 1822
The following is sending to the association? 1822
Dismissed: Abner Thurber (by letter) James Sayles (by letter) Eld S. Rogers (Deceased) Mary Enos (by letter)
The number of Members returned in 1823 was 158 but had aught to been but 157 as North Munger was forgotten
Since sending to the Association in 1823 dismissed by letter & Deceased: Wealthy Rowley (Dec) Hannah Hill (Dec) Deborah Ferres (Dec) Margaret Johnson (by letter) Stanard (Do) Daniel Salsbury (Do) Phebe Wandle (Do) Lott Burge (Do) Hannah Burge (Do) Polly Burge (Do) Lymus Wilcox (Do)
1824 December Elizabeth White Ruth Shawbolt
Returned in 1823 157 Added in Do 2 159 Excluded 3 Deceased 3 Dis by letter 8 14
159 14 145 present number in June 1824 145
Added Polly Dunham Miller (by bap)
(Excluded) Polly Child (27 Jul)
Ruth Sayles (by letter) (Excluded) John Shepworth (Do) Abraham Rund (Do) Hannah Wilde (Do) Bron (black boy)
Excluded From Church Betsy Ford Martha Monger (in Oct 1822)
4 crossed out names
Excluded in 1824: Ruth Rowley Hasma Munger Esther Dickerson Wm. Foote Gideon S Moor
The following are such as have been dismissed in the 24 July 1818
An Undated List:
John Holmes Augustus Green Gershom Saxton Samuel Tayler Daniel Fenton Warren Carpenter Jun Thaddues Histed Mordecai Sayles James Cool Lazarus Hollister Clement Youngs Smith Holister William Betteys Thomas Merrick Peter Valentine Nehemiah Seely Daniel Thomas Thomas Procter John Cloidenwiser Ebenezer Smith Mathew Vananburgh Seth Crowell Jonathan Lawrence (Deacon) Silvanus Sayles Benjamin Ide John Caton Orias Scribner Joseph Wood Benj. Bennett Elnathan Finch Alpheus Moer Bill Smith
Jonathan Newman Thomas Holmes Andrew Griggs
Jerusha Tompson Phebe Freeman Esther Sayles Sarah Histed
Sarah Holister Anne Youngs Mary Betteys Jerusha Histed Jane Burns Deborah Seely Susannah Vanvlack Rachel Cloidenwiser Elizabeth Saxton Lydia Tayler Abigail Seely Huldah Layra Sarah Wood Hannah Wakeman Olive Tayler Mary Smith Rebeckah Mott Mary Vanamburgh Hannah Baker Phebe Tayler Mary Crowell Rachel Sumner Deborah Caton Mary Swetland Hannah Lamphere Deliverance Tinney Anna Wood Hannah Holmes Hannah Fish Hannah Hill Dosha Fish
[ ]than Bendal [ ] Green James Ackerman Daniel Ashley
Huldah Green Mabel Moor Bethiah Calkin Jane Holmes Mary Bendal Jemima Knapp Hannah Dunham Anna Grinnold Esther Weeks Olive Ashley Martha Burlinggame
A list of the members of this church that we considered in standing and returns to the association made accordingly this 24th June 1818
A list of the members of this church that we considered in standing and returns to the association made accordingly this 24th June 1818
Augustus Green (crossed out) Ebenezer Smith Sylvanus Sayles James Green James Sherman Benjamin Colver Daniel Rogers Stephen Sayles Samuel Mungers Abjah Smith James Sealy (Dec feb 10) David Woodworth Abner Thurber Van Ness Rowland Potter Elihu Ward Pardon Fish Thomas Wendover Daniel Campbell George Loveless Stephen Richman John Thurber Isaac Fuller Elijah Dickerson Daniel Monger
Females:
M. Smith Huldy Green Anna Rogers Ester (Crossed out Dismissed) Anna Andrews Freelove Potter Sarah Mosier Elizabeth Sealy Elizabeth White Delight Woodworth Sarah Palmer Lydia Head Deborah Strang Jane Warren Miers Amy Sayles Tabatha Olney Abigail Holsted Elizabeth Campbell Hannah Monger Cloe Brown Rebecah Southword Mary Rose Nancy Ford Amy Bostwich (Deceased 1818) Hannah Hill Mary Irish
List of Names Continued:
List of names continued Males:
Samuel Tompkins (Ex Jun 25 1821) Benjamin West Pardon Ealms (dismised) Cornelus Rowley Samuel Lawrence (Dis by letter Nov 1817) Jeremiah Bishop Timothy Monger Elijah Sayles
Stephen Mix Rial Newland (Deceasd) Josiah Woodworth Elder Saml Rogers Conrad Lermahorn Real Woodworth Anson Palmer Samuel Monson (Excluded) John Lawrence (Dis by letter)
List of names continued Females:
Ruth Fuller Esther Knapp Rodia Irish Desire Wendover Eunice Rathburn Anna Dickerson Sintha Downing Lucy Pooler Susannah Thompkins Betsy West Loise Monger Anna Rowley
Usley Ealms (Disniss) Elizabeth Ford Elizabeth Comstock Ruth Steward Mary Jones Mary Moore Elizabeth Ketcham Margaret Johnson Abigail Lawrence Deborah Olney Anna Patrick Luritia Chandler Jerusha Hunt Betsy Monger
The forgoing are the number given to the association an the 24th June 1818
Added since 24th June 1818 James Miller (by letter) John Ford (by baptism) Edward Ford (by baptism) David Rowley (by baptism) Benjamin Leggett (by letter) Jacob Legit (restored dismisd) Lott Burge (by baptism) Edward Ford (crossed out) Sidney Hurst (by baptism) Cyrus Wilcox (by baptism) Abraham a Couland (by Do) Henry A. Ferris (by bap) Ephraim Newland (by bap) Gideon Moore (by bap) William Foot (by bap)
Polly Lullard Esther Ford Sally Rogers Phebe Smith Mary Van Amber Lydia Pooler Olive Woodworth (Dismised) Loice Whitney Esther Smith Polly Hosford Hannah Burge
The foregoing are the number given to the association in the year 1818 June 24th females 67
Added since 24th June 1818 Abigal Shadbolt (P 169 by bap) Sally Lee Histed (Dismiss) Polly Newland (Do) Rachel Miller (by letter) Sophia Ealms (by Baptism) Betsey Finch (by letter) Polly Robbins (Do) Martha Monger (by letter June 1819) Julian Able (by Baptism) Lavina Ford Phebe Sayles (by letter) Lydia Leggett Sarah Hewet (by Baptism) Betsey Ford
List of such as have been added Continued
List of such as have been added Continued Males Samuel Hewet (by baptism) Joshua Finch (by baptism) Jonathan Smith (by baptism) William Van Schauch (by baptism) David Newland (by baptism) John Linsey (by baptism) James Sayles (by baptism) Elisha B. Sparks (by letter) Samuel Moore (by baptism) Sampson – a black boy (by baptism) Abraham Rundle (by baptism) Ezra Hill (by baptism) James Riley (by baptism) Charles Patrick (by baptism) Simon Rowley (by baptism) Samuel Denton (by baptism) Thom Church (by baptism Daniel Salisbury (by letter)
Females Deborah Ferris Phebe Hartwell Betsy Van Schauch Elizabeth White Elizabeth Sayles Eliza Rowley Ruth Rogers Anna Clemons Eliza Foot Esther Dickerson Charity Monger Sally Dickerson Minerva Pooler Patience Wilcox Prudence Daines Hannah Owins Sarah Rogers Polly Burge Sally Bull Almira Newland Hariet Newland Hannah Wi8lde Lette Rundle Betsy Woodworth Jane Sheffinorth Betsey Ford Emile Foot Dorcas Wilcox Polly Place Barbary Wilcox
Jonathan Finch Daniel Munger Saml Tompkins David Woodworth Daniel Rogers P[ ] E[ ] (crossed out) Saml Moore A[ ] (crossed out) David Newland Isaac Patrick (letter) James Miller Ephraim Newland David Rowley Henry Ferres Gideon Moore (crossed out) Wm E[ ] (crossed out) Saml Hewet Joshua Finch Samsom black boy (crosse out) Ezra Hill James Riley (crossed out) Charles Patrick Peter E[ ] (crossed out) Daniel Salisbury (crossed out) Elijah P. Olmsted (letter)
Member though of since the list went out of my hands (viz) Charity Pravis Sine Dunham (by letter) Polly Dunham
Rebecca [ ] (crossed out) Anna Rogers Elizabeth White (crossed out) Delight Woodworth (deceased) Deborah Strang Esther Denton Nancy Ford D[ ] (crossed out) Anna Dickerson Baker Sarah Monger Haton (cross out) [ ](crossed out) Anna Rowley (crossed out) Lucy Pooler Susanah Tompkins Cintha Hewet – Doway [ ] (crossed out) Elizabeth Ford Elizabeth Comstock (cross out) Mary Moor Sally Pettis Margaret Johnson [ ] (cross out) Abigail Lawrence Susanah Tompkins Debrorah Olney Jerusha Hunt Luritia Chandler Betsey Munger Esther Ford Sally Rogers Sally [ ] (Crossed out) Esther Smith Polly [ ] (crossed out) Adey Munger (crossed out) Judith Wilcox Polly Sayles Christion Wright (letter) Nancy Scott B.[ ] Clarisa Adams Polly Newland R[ ] (crossed out) Saphura Ealms Polly Robins Betsy Finch Julyan Able Polly Chase Betsy E[ ] (crossed out) Eliza Rowley
Anna Clinton Eliza Foor – Laurence Esther Dickerson (crossed out) Charity Munger (crossed out) Sally Dickerson -Wing Minerva Pooler Robins Patience Wilcox Lagget (Deceased Sep 5) Prudence Adams Sally Bull Newland Almira Newland Bull Harriet Newland Lecta Rundle Betsy Woodworth Mort J[ ] Sheff[ ] (crossed out) Betsy Ford Stratten Emily Foot Colins Dorcas Wilcox Polly P[ ] Munger (crossed out) B[ ] Wilcox Dunke (cross out) Phebe M[ ] (crossed out) Susanah Foot (crossed out) May Denton Anna Patrick (letter) Elizabeth Finch Abigail Rogers Lidia Olmsted Marah Miller (crossed out) Rachel Miller (letter) Betsy Ford D. B. Sally Steder Ford Rebeckah Hill Abigal Ealms Lidia Pooler McK[ ] Charity Munger Leavit
A List of Names being. . . Stillwater Now in Standin at this Date June 15, 1816
A List of Names being. . . Stillwater Now in Standin at this Date June 15, 1816
(This appears to be very similar to one dated 1818, which was in the record prior to this. That list had different notations and names crossed out. This one has some additional names)
Augustus Green Ebenezer Smith Sylvanus Sayles James Green James Aeraman Benj’n Colver Daniel Rogers David Crofts (EX P157) Stephen Sayles Jacob Miller (letter Dismiss) Saml Mongar Abjah Smith James Sealy David Woodworth Abner Thurber Van Ness (Dis) Ephraim Dunham (Ex 160) Rowland Potter John M Carter (exed out) Elihu Ward Pardon Fish Thomas Wendover Jonathan Fish (Dismsd) Reuben Moore (Ex 168) Daniel Campbell George Loveless Stephen Richman John Thurber Isaac Fuller Elijah Dickerson Daniel Monger Saml Tompkins Benjm West
Females:
Mary Smith Hulda Green Anna Rogers Ester Weeks (Dis) Anna Andrews Freelove Potter Sarah Mosier Elizabeth Seely Elizabeth White Delight Woodworth Sarah Palmer Lydia Head Elizabeth Moore (Dismissed) Catherine Sayles (Dismissed) Deborah Strang Jane Warren Alaia Miers Ame Sayles Tabatha Olney Abigail Holsted Roda Steward (Dis) Elizabeth Campbell Hannah Monger Chloe Brown Rebekah Southword Mary Rose Nancy Ford Ana Bostwich Hannah Hill Mary Fisk Ruth Fuller Esther Nap Rodia Fish Deisre Wanover
Cornelius Rowley [ ]m Lawrence Jeremiah Bishop Isaac Patrick Jesie Day (Excluded) Timothy Mongar Elijah Sayles Stephen Mix Royal Newland Josiah Woodworth Edler Saml Rogers Jesse Andrews (Dismissed) Conrow Scheremahorn Saml Savory (Dismissed Rial Woodworth (June 15 1816) Anson Palmer (P158) Samuel Morison (162) John Lawrence (165)
Ennas West (Deceased) Anna Dickinson Sintha Downing Lylia Polar Susanah Tompkins Daniel Mongar (xed out) Sarah Newton (Dismissed) Betsey West Jane Barber (P120 Ex) Lois Mongars (Dis) Anna Rowley Usley Elms Elizabeth Forad Elizabeth Comstock Ruth Steward Mary Jones Mary More Ellizabeth Ketcham Margarate Johnson Abigail Lawrence Deborah Olney Rial Wood worth (crossed out) Martha Risden (Dismissed) Josiah Woodworth (crossed out) Timothy Mongar (crossed out) Isaac Patrick (crossed out) Anna Patrick Luritia Chandler Jerutia Hunt Betsey Mongar Polly Child Esther Sayles (PP157) Nayoma Mongar Levina Sayles (letter) Abigal Elms Abigal Rogers
Polly Sallars Esther Fear Sally Rogers Phebe Smith Elizabeth Andrews (Dis) Mary Van Namburgh Azuba Woodworth (Dismis) Sally Savery (Dismised) Lydia Polar Olive Woodworth Lowis Whitney Esther Smith Polly Horsford Hannah Burgh Mary Mongars (Dism June 15 1816) Judath Wilcox (P157) Mercy Aspinwall (158 Dis) Polly Sayles (158) Sady Pette (159) Christian Wright (160) Nancy Seath – a black woman (161)
I have been intrigued by the story of Uncle David Johnson since my father told it to me years ago. I always found it rather sad. I have done some digging in an attempt to get a better understanding of what really happened. Some families may be embarrassed by this kind of story and even refuse to discuss it. I find these kinds of things fascinating. They kind of bring out an inner detective in me.
With many such stories, there is the family version and a somewhat different version given through records. Some of the family version is what my father has remembered, being just a child when all these things happened.
I have poured though David’s numerous petitions, trying to make sense of them. They have the outward appearance of formal legal documents, but they are rambling, disjointed, repetitive, and confusing. The ones I have copies of are dated 1958-1960, so were written long after the incidents.
I searched legal records at the Utah State History office and found even more petitions among the court documents. Some of the newspaper articles I have read have obvious errors.
I of course, have my own biases and perspective based on my experiences. I will try to present what I have learned and what conclusions I have made, as well as what questions I still have.
The Family Story
The story my father told starts with David being a very successful farmer. The land west of Ogden was alkaline. David developed a drainage system which leeched the alkali from the soil. He raised very good crops there, much better than his neighbors, which raised suspicion and allegations that he was taking more than his share of water.
The picture in my mind as I heard Dad’s story was of a wild west shootout with David in a ditch shooting to defend himself. David was shot in the head. The other guy was shot too – but he died. David was convicted of murder and served a life sentence in the Utah State Penitentiary.
Through research I realized that this was just the final chapter of David’s story, which had many more interesting details.
Water Wars Part One
David Johnson homesteaded some land in Ogden Valley as a young man. He was married at age 25 in 1900, so may have already owned this land for a while before his marriage. He had a dispute there with some of the neighbors over water rights. He outlined this dispute in a document titled “Attachment to Brief on Appeal” apparently drafted as part of an appeal to this first conviction.
David owned 160 acres located at the mouth of Wolf Creek Canyon in Eden. The officers of the Eden Irrigation Canal Company at that time were George Fuller, Ben Colvin and Virgil Stallings. David apparently had two shares and an allotted time to water his land, but one week when there had been rain, he diverted “surplus” water to a narrow strip of land, where it would run into the canal.
David was accused of stealing the canal water, was found guilty by a Justice of the Peace and fined $1200.00. David appealed this decision to the District Court.
The details in David’s petition are rather confusing, but the sense I get is that he felt that the Canal trustees had resources and power and pressured him to abandon his land. He was rather young at this time, and according to my father, he agreed to sell rather than face legal consequences. David sold this land in February 1904 to Anthon F. Anderson.
Water Wars Part Two
After selling his land and leaving Eden in 1905, David lived in Ogden City for several years. He first lived on Jefferson Avenue and then later in West Ogden on E. Ave. He bought a farm in Kanesville, in Weber County in 1914.
On June 2, 1929 David had another dispute over a bill for pasturage. This one was with a neighbor named Carl D. Johnson (no relation). David fired three shots at this other Johnson, one going through his hat. Carl Johnson hit David and knocked him down with a shovel. David was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and intent to commit murder.
Complaint of assault with intent to commit murder 1929
The case was transferred to the Court of Justice of the Peace Gladwell in Burch Creek (now South Ogden).
Salt Lake Tribune 6-13-1929
Salt Lake Tribune 10-16-1929
Water Wars Part Three
Adjacent to David’s land in Kanesville was land owned by John Kap. David claimed he had been threatened by Kap and Kap’s brother-in-law Chris Bowhuis, “If you don’t leave this country at once and give us your land ditch and water in this street, we are going to kill you and bury you like a rat.” Apparently they had dug a “grave” already for him.
David asserted that the State of Utah had denied all right held by David H. Johnson of land ditch and water as stood in this street. This had been acquired by Weber County on the construction of Utah Central Railroad in 1876, and when the road grade was built, it dug up the Salt Lake Valley hard pan rock, and stopped the flow of such under ground water coursing west to the lake. The State of Utah engineer, George M. Bason accorded this to David H. Johnson by State filing No. 9727 April 1925. This was proved up on and recorded January 1928. David Johnson used this for 11 years to May 19, 1936.
Map drawn by David
The Shootout
May 19, 1936, John Kap went to this ditch which was adjacent to Johnson’s land, armed with a 22 rifle and shovel. David was working on his land as Kap passed. David described the incident:
“As I Johnson took up a 22 rifle loaded with a long bullet and walked to my ditch in this street a legal appurtenance to my land, and saw Kap and Bowhuis dug grave and threw all into the gutter east of the pile of dirt, crawled to the pile of dirt to see where old Kap was; he was standing with his 22 rifle resting, pointed at me and fired a 22 bullet into my head, and then Kap walked to me living to stiff to raise up, when I shot old Kap in the center breast bone in self defense.”
Apparently Chris Bowhuis called the Sheriff’s office and Deputy Gaylord Taylor arrested David and took him to the Dee Hospital. According to his own account, David had a
“small wound in the frontal hair line about two and one half inches above the superorbital notch; the bullet of a short 22 calibre bullet was found two and half inches back of entrance. The X-ray picture is on file at the hospital. J. Howard Jenkins (Hospital Principle). The morning of May 20, 1836 the hospital informed the county Physican, doctor Feller, who examined this head and reported death is imminent unless the foreign body is removed at once from this man head. The hospital X-rayed his head and Doctor Feller parted to scalp to show the bullet, then shaved the bullet down to the part he removed it.”
John Kap was apparently also taken to the hospital. His wounds were described in court transcripts:
“The X-ray picture reveals he was shot from the front of his body with a long 22 bullet that struck his center breast bone; and entivraly turned to the right, and lodged in his left lung. Juryman you see the metal specks shattered all over his cut open breast, from the bullet striking his breast bone.”
John Kap died May 27, 1936. Apparently he was recovering from his wound, but later died of a lung hemorrhage. David was then charged with murder.
The Trial
The main witnesses at the trial were the family members of the victim and the police officer. I question whether David had very good legal counsel. David fell asleep at his preliminary hearing, and reportedly got angry at the Judge at times during the trial. The Judge also indicated that David had given varying details at times and he did not believe some of his claims.
Ogden Standard 6-2-1936
The Story From the Judge
The letter that Judge Leslie Wade wrote to the Parole Board gives his summary of the charges and the trial with additional details. He explained the dispute about the water and a statement David made to the Watermaster that he would kill Kap if he attempted to take water from the ditch. At 6 pm on May 19, Kap went to the ditch armed with a shotgun and a shovel, and with his brother-in-law Chris Bowhuis on lookout for any trouble.
David was there with a 22 rifle and a .38 caliber revolver. The judge described the incident as David firing first at Kap and then Kap rose up after falling to the ground and fired a shot at David which hit him in the head. Apparently there were more shots fired as Kap walked away.
The Judge also gave some additional background on David, which shows his opinion of him. He stated:
“Mr. Johnson has a rather notorious past history. He lives by himself in a very poorly furnished and very poorly built house. He has several chicken-coops and stables, and a person traveling by his place on the road wouldn’t know which was the house and which was the stable and which was a chicken-coop. I am informed that he has been married, but that his wife died many years ago, and that since about 1915 he has lived alone out in the neighborhood of where he lived at the time of the shooting.”
The Judge did give some indication that all sides were partly at fault in the ongoing water dispute. County Water Commissioners attempted to arbitrate the matter and there was previous court action. Interestingly the Judge stated that he had been involved as David’s attorney in a previous case and later withdrew, which raises some questions about his impartiality in this case.
The Judge also reviewed the earlier 1929 case, disputes in 1931 and 1932 with Kap and Bowhuis, and other petty court actions.
The Judge’s Assessment of David
“He seems to be a man that has brooded over his troubles so long that he is absolutely unable to see anything from the standpoint of the other person. He seems to be of a very sutbborn disposition, and has worked himself up to a stage where he feels that he is going to have his way or he is going to kill some one. As long as he is in this frame of mind, I felt that he is a very dangerous man to the public, or the community in which he lives.”
The Verdict
The jury was given options of finding David guilty of First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder or involuntary manslaughter. David was convicted of Second Degree Murder. He was sentenced to the Utah State Penitentiary for life, a sentence which the judge described as “the extreme penalty which the law allowed me to give him, to wit, imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life.”
Petitions
David filed numerous and very detailed petitions. Petitions were directed to the District Court, the Utah State Supreme Court, The United States Supreme Court, Congress, and leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He even has some addressed “To Whom it may Concern” and “If you have a conscience, read this”. Some list David as petitioner vs. the State of Utah, but one has David H. Johnson, plaintiff vs. Warden Turner, the Prison Warden. (The one who said at the time of his death, that Dave was a model prisoner.)
David must have gained some knowledge of the judicial system, some through experience, and likely through study in prison. He knew enough to create petitions, which contain some legal terminology, but are rather confusing and difficult to follow. He didn’t seem to understand appropriate procedures well.
One petition with handwritten cover page over mimeograph copy. In the top right hand corner the pages are fastened together with thread sewn though.
In his petitions, David cited the Constitution and other laws to try to establish that he had acted in self defense. Part of defense in these petitions involved the allegation that his property had been illegally taken from him. Apparently Chris Bowhuis was allowed to possess David’s “land ditch and water, 6 cows two horses 500 chickens and 5000 value of chattel property and imprison Johnson for life.”
Some of the petitions included hand drawn maps.
Appeals and Parole Hearings
David’s case went before the Parole board a number of times and was denied each time. He was denied Parole in February 1940.
Ogden Standard-Examiner 3-17-1946
A self-prepared clemency appeal was denied by the Pardon board March 17, 1946. Mrs. Kap, the widow of John Kap appeared before the board and said that she would fear for her safety if David was released.
Dec 23, 1951, David made another appeal to the parole board, still saying he was innocent.
It is interesting that the Prison Warden, John Turner, is quoted in this article after David’s death, saying that he was a model prisoner and caused no trouble there, yet the Judge had indicated in his letter to the Parole Board that if David’s attitude changed, parole might be appropriate.
Warden Turner also said that to his knowledge David had never been up for parole or termination. “He may have had desires to get out but apparently didn’t push the matter”. I wonder how well this Warden actually knew David. It does appear that David spent the remainder of his life rather obsessed with trying to get out of prison.
The End of David’s Life and Struggle
David did spend the remainder of his life in prison. He actually was taken to Salt Lake General Hospital and died there, rather than in the prison itself.
Ogden Standard-Examiner Jan 25, 1961
My Impressions
Are we seeing a pattern here? A single incident might lead one to believe that David had indeed been ganged up on, provoked and taken advantage of. But there seem to be repeated conflicts with neighbors which escalated to the point of violence. David clearly had trouble getting along with neighbors and had a hot temper.
I do believe that David felt that he was being threatened and needed to defend himself and his property. I think he truly felt he was the one being attacked and acted in self-defense.
In the first incident in Eden, David was very young and up against the established leaders of the community. In the last incident, the “victim” Kap and neighbor Bouwhuis were relatives and had other family members taking their side. David’s property was very literally surrounded by the land of these two.
But I have to wonder if some of this feeling like a victim of conspiracies was a bit of paranoia. The mention from the Prison Warden about David being sent to the State Mental Hospital and the institution in American Fork, may suggest that some thought that he suffered from some impairment or mental illness. Also there was mention of a potential insanity defense to the murder charge.
Having some experience with traumatic brain injuries, it would make some sense to me that after the last incident where David was shot in the head, he may have had some impairment because of that. That might account for some things, like not being able to communicate coherently his account and falling asleep in court during his preliminary hearing. Though feelings of persecution and violent responses were evident much earlier.
I still feel that Uncle David’s life was rather sad.
Years ago I was given a CD with photographs from someone else’s visit to the Cemetery. I started creating this post – realizing that there were many photographs on this disc – then almost stopped because I realized that Find a Grave and Billion Graves also have photographs of these same headstones. Theirs are indexed by person with other information. I almost deleted the post, but I didn’t. In scrolling through these photos I gained a sense of what it would be like actually “touring” the cemetery. Someday I hope to visit in person, but for now this is my – and yours as well – Cemetery Tour of the Eggleston Cemetery.
Many family members use the Eccleston spelling in reference to this Cemetery, probably because they belong to the families which used that spelling and that is what is on many of the stones. I am using my default – Eggleston – but it is also used by Find a Grave and Billion Graves.
Beginning the Tour
These shots show the entrance to the Cemetery and broad shots which show some of the surrounding area.
Eggleston Family Member Gravestones
Charles H. Main
Stiles Eggleston
Almira R. Main
Charles H. Main Jr.
Jesse Main
Abbie, Wife of Jesse Main
Benjamin Eccleston (died 1815)
Calista Eccleston, wife of Benjamin
Ida, daughter of Jesse Main
Mamie, daughter of Benjamin Eccleston
Lydia M. Main, wife of Elias R. Pierce
Elias Pierce
Irtis Eccleston, son of Benjamin and Calista
Jennie Eccleston, daughter of Irtis
Emily F. Eccleston, wife of Willard R. Blanchard and daughter of William and Fannie. Also Daughter Mabel A. Blanchard
Otis Blanchard, infant son of Emily and William
Noyes A. Eccleston
Ella Eccleston & Dora N. Eccleston
William N. Eccleston and his wife Fannie M. Miller
Henry Palmer Ecclestone
Lucinda, wife of William Eccleston
William Eccleston
Happy A. Eccleston, wife of Edwin F. Yerrington, and daughter of William and Lucinda
Thankful, wife of Ichabod Eccleston
Isabel, daughter of Edwin F. & Happy A. Yerrington
Latham M. Eccleston
Ichabod P. Eggleston & Claracy, his wife
Claracy, wife of Ichabofd Eccleston
Claracy, wife of Ichabod Eccleston
Thankful, widow of Ichabod Eccleston
Maryann Eccleston, daughter of Tracy
Tracy Eccleston
Hannah Main
Hannah, wife of Lewis Main
Lewis Main
Cynthia Eccleston, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth
One petition with handwritten cover page over mimeograph copy. In the top right hand corner the pages are fastened together with thread sewn though.
Ogden Standard-Examiner Jan 25, 1961
