saxton history ch7-11

Our Ancestor Contributions to the Church – By John Wyatt 2009 - 03

7) Mulliner -- Established In Utah

The Mulliners settled in the Salt Lake Valley. The family consisted of four children and two wives. The family remained in the Salt Lake area for the first few years. They acquire 3 properties in Greater Salt Lake (blackened areas below). The first property was 2 blocks south of the Temple on the north corner or Second South Street and Main. The other 2 properties were further south on Main Street across from each other on Fifth South Street on the east 2 corners. These 2 properties are one block west of the City and County Buildings grounds.

From the Church Encyclopedia Vol 7, also known as The Historical Record by Andrew Jensen – pg. 348-352 –

“Samuel bought a lot in Salt Lake City for $500 – the lot now occupied by Walker Brother’s Store and adjacent bank buildings – started a tannery and shoe shop and built a comfortable dwelling house” located at Second South and Main Streets.

This house was in the 14th ward (see picture on the next page), one of the original 19 wards in Salt Lake City. Many church leaders lived in this ward: Parley and Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, Amasa Lyman, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, John Murdock, Abraham Hoagland, and Richard Ballantyne (from “An Enduring Legacy” and maps in the Lehi Museum).

Our Ancestor Contributions to the Church – By John Wyatt 2009 - Page 104

Samuel stays active in his church duties as one of the Presidents of the Quorums of Seventy. Those living in the valley met at his home every Saturday night. As Samuel established his business, Catherine was busy helping the needy:

From “Chronological History of Life of Samuel Mulliner” by Eyring and “Samuel Mulliner - A Pioneers Life” by David Hammond Allred -

“Catherine was located here in a two story adobe house. She assisted in treating frozen pioneers’ bodies, helping them to heal properly. Instead of bringing them to the fire, they were taken upstairs away from the fire. She nursed them with much care and sympathy. Samuel presents at October 1850 General Conference the first tanned leather made from calf skin and then advertised in “The Deseret News”. The saints were counseled to start home manufacturing enterprises. Samuel seems eager to follow their counsel.” From “History of Salt Lake City” by Edward W. Tullidge pg 675 –

Samuel may have been called to return to Scotland on a mission in 1850 after presenting his leather. If this is true, he is back in Utah by February the next year. From “Heart Throbs of the West”, Kate B. Carter, Vol 3, pg. 217 -

“The Deseret News, February 1851 requests the saints to support Samuel’s business endeavor. ‘We wish to call attention of the Desertians to Samuel Mulliner’s advertisement in today’s newspaper. He is making preparations for tanning; it is therefore the duty of all to assist in this work (by bringing in their bark and sumac)….The tanners are doing their


best, according to counsel, and if others will do their duty, we may soon have some valley-made leather.’”

(A book by Carol Holindrake Nielson entitled “The Salt Lake City 14th Ward Album Quilt, 1857” relates stories by women of this ward and the quilts they made to help needy immigrants. One famous quilt is still in tact and is signed by some of the women of the ward. Pratt, Taylor, Woodruff, Richards, Lyman, and Morley are a few of the names on this quilt. Catherine Mulliner is mentioned as having been a member of this ward’s Relief Society but no mention is made of whether she contributed to the famous quilt of 1857. One of the family’s home was still in this ward I believe at this time but I believe Catherine was now spending most of her time down in Lehi.) The saints in SLC could even exchange their bark for finished leather. Samuel had 220 sides of leather that needed bark for finishing. Cooperation was essential for home manufacturing to succeed. An historic marker in West Jordan notes that in 1851 Samuel tanned the first leather. The marker also mentions Robert Gardner’s milling businesses. The marker monument displays mill stones from this business. These are typical of the types that Samuel would have used.

From “Brigham Young The colonizer” - ch. XV - The Leather Industry –

On June 14, 1851, Mulliner continues his ad campaign. The Deseret News: “Samuel Mulliner hereby notifies the citizens of Deseret that he has entered the tanning business and solicits the cooperation of all who feel interested in home manufacture…” From “Autobiography of Charles Lambert” (1816-1892) Source: LDS Church Archives –

“A lot was reserved for me (Bro. Lambert) on the corner of 2nd South and Main Street where now stands the Walker Bros. Store. The cost of the lot being 75 cents for the surveying to Brother Sherwood but George Q. Cannon, my wife’s brother had bought a lot of John Warner in the 7th ward for $16- this I preferred, it being the more suitable for a garden. It being the council that one family should own but one lot I chose to give up the one on Main Street, though Brother Willard Richards wished me to hold on to it stating that in a few years it would be worth thousands of dollars. Brother Richard Harrison coming, I gave it to him. He soon sold it for $250 (?) to Brother Mulliner…”

During the busy years of setting up the family business, Samuel found time to perform his Priesthood and family duties.

From “Treasures of Pioneer History” by Carter pg. 290 –

“Samuel performed a marriage February 29, 1851 in SLC at a small tent house, Albert King Thurber to his sister-in-law Thirza Malvina Berry, sister to second wife Harriet Amelia

Another Scotsman, Daniel Mackintosh was a merchant and bookkeeper by trade and served as the Treasurer of the "Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company" (PEF) and as private secretary to Brigham Young. Daniel, one of Samuel’s converts, was born in Scotland in 1821. He joined the Church and traveled to Kanesville where he became the Assistant Editor of the Frontier Guardian. He arrived in Salt Lake in 1852. To assist Mormons in the eastern United States and Europe to gather to the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young set up the PEF in 1849. By 1887, this fund had assisted more than 30,000 individuals to travel to Utah.


The Perpetual Emigrating Fund used Church assets and private contributions to set up an account from which individuals could borrow to finance their emigration. Assistance was granted commensurate with the individual’s inability to pay. Efforts were made to be as economical as possible. Some of these efforts included the use of group contracts and the formation of Handcart Companies. As loans were given, the borrowers signed notes that obligated them to repay the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, as they were able.

From a letter addressed to "The Acting Secretary of the P.E. Company." 5 April 1854. From Daniel Mackintosh -

In this three-page letter on May 5, 1854, Mackintosh makes a report in which he summarizes the financial condition of the "Fund." Among other entries are these two, indicating that Bro. Mulliner was one who took advantage of this program and even as late as 1854. The account total was approx. $25,000. One of his 2 recorded transactions are as follows: “- S. Milliner's Receipt of Hides on a/c of William Jennings 50.00, (probable misspelling of Samuel Mulliner)

- S. Milliner's Receipt on a/c of Jennings 50.00” (the later repayment by Wm Jennings for the Hides”

From Tullidge’s “History of Utah” –

“Other work projects in which the leaders of the pioneers took active part and which furnished employment to thousands were the woolen mills, The Salt Lake Shoe Factory, Tanneries, The Deseret Tanning and Mfg Association, and lumber and saw mills. Among the men actively engaged in furthering these early activities might be mentioned John Sharp, John Winder, Samuel Mulliner, Phippip Pugsley, and William Jennings. President Young probably was the greatest employer of all. Mulliner was in partnership with Mr. Howard “but the two soon dissolved partnership but each continued in the business, located side by side on Main Street. They manufactured quite a quantity of boots and shoes and carried on a busy saddler’s shop…On the whole, the leather industries proved very successful during the early period of Utah’s history…The quality of leather was not always the best due to the hurried process of tanning it. In addition it was necessary to make the shoes in the old-fashioned way, on the lap, which resulted in having to charge very high prices…With the advent of the railroad, the industry declined. Home made goods could not compete with machine made eastern goods.”

In 1852 Samuel is found operating a mill at Union City on the Little Cottonwood stream while living in the Union Fort. He probably kept the business in Salt Lake as well, for John Winder partners with him in the leather, saddles, and shoe tannery business there in Salt Lake. (Brother Winder later became 1st Counselor to President Joseph F. Smith.) Future son-in-law Easton Kelsey comes to work for Samuel at the mill. Martha Jane is born to Samuel’s wife Harriet Armelia Feb. 8, 1852.


Above: Samuel and Harriet Armelia Mulliner family.


8) Mulliner -- A Righteous Father in Zion On Aug. 4, 1852, Samuels’ eldest daughter Jeanette Sutherland Mulliner marries Easton Kelsey. Jeannette Sutherland is sealed to Easton Kelsey in 1853. Also, Samuel’s second daughter Elizabeth, marries John Markland Jones in the Endowment House in Salt Lake Jul. 24, 1853. Samuel is active in his church calling as a President of the 12th Quorum of Seventies. He seems to be the leader of the quorum while John L. Smith is secretary. Brother Smith mentioned one meeting in particular in his diary on April 6, 1853:

From Tullidge’s W.P.A. “Diary of John L. Smith” -

“On April 6, 1853 the corner stones of the Salt Lake Temple were laid. The conference was largely attended and much enjoyed by every Latter Day Saint present. I had kept the record of the 12th quorum of Seventies for some years, and made notes of their meetings. All of them that could be found met on the 15th of April at the house of President Samuel Mulliner, at which time some of the presidents of the 1st quorum were present. Hyrum Dayton demanded his position as senior president, to which he was appointed at the first organization in Nauvoo, 1844. President Mulliner said to the brethren, I understand his demand is seconded, I rose to my feet and said, ‘If no one has a word to say, I will for one say I do not wish him to be my president, and will ask a recommend that I may join some other quorum.’ I sat down as the ice was broken, there were plenty who talked. As I sat bowed in spirit, my name was called as one of the presidents of the quorum and I was ordained as such under the hands of Jeter Clinton, Samuel Mulliner and J. G. Hovey, by unanimous vote of the quorum. Hyrum Dayton was disfellowshipped and was afterwards cut off in the church for incest.”

On August 16, 1853, Samuel was sealed (married) to his third wife, 24 year old Mary Ann Richardson, born May 15, 1829 at Plumbley, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom. The Mulliner’s were asked to serve a life mission to American Fork in 1853 by church leaders. He buys a home there and buys a flour mill (1860). They expand the business to include a carding mill and a sugar mill. Samuel keeps his home in Salt Lake City and stays active in the church as a President of the 12th Quorum of Seventies. The meetings are held at his Salt Lake City house every Wednesday night.

From “Journal History of the Church” March 2, 1854 –

“For the Deseret News – Report of the 12th Quorum – Mr. Editor: Sir, - The subjoined report of the 12th quorum of seventies is forwarded to you agreeably to the instructions of the presidency of said quorum, with a request that yu will publish the same in the next number of the News, for the benefit of those members of the quorum whose whereabouts are unknown to the presidency. And all those whose place of residence is marked unknown in the following list are hereby requested to report themselves immediately by letter or otherwise to President Samuel Mulliner, Great Salt Lake City, U.T.; if this request is not responded too in a reasonable length of time, the members referred to will be condisered dead, apostatized, or otherwise removed from the quorum, and other “active” members added to supply the vacancies, for the presidency are


determined that their quorum shall consist of ‘active apostles,’ who will magnify their priesthood, and prove themselves interested in the building up of the kingdom of God. (Listing of names) The quorum meets regularly every Wednesday evening, at the house of President Samuel Mulliner, who has very generously gurnished gratis, room, fire, and lights. Our meetings have been good, although not so well attended as we could wish…” Chas. H. Bassett, Clerk.

Samuel’s extended family is also growing as his eldest daughter gives him his first grandchild:

From “Chronological History of Life of Samuel Mulliner” by Eyring

“July 17, 1854 – Samuel’s daughter Elizabeth gave birth to her first baby. She was named Kate Markland Jones. Kate was a very sickly baby at first and the whole family feared for her life. Observing this Samuel and Catherine persuaded Elizabeth to let them take her to their home. Amelia was nursing a baby and Mary Ann was expecting one in four months. Elizabeth could regain her strength. The baby thrived and Catherine’s life was made full and rich, having the opportunity to cuddle and care for a baby at the time Amelia and Mary Ann were caring for theirs. Kate grew up in the Mulliner home; never left until she married.”

Below: Early Map of Salt Lake City Area


In 1855 Samuel sold his interest in the SLC tannery to John Winder. Also in 1855-56 Samuel is sealed to his wives in the Salt Lake Endowment House. They move to Lehi during this period where he buys a grist mill from Arza Adams and added a tannery and becomes a large land owner. He arranged for Brigham Young to visit the site where the grist mill was, and the Mormon leader advised him to build a dam across the ravine where the stream from the springs exited southward towards Utah Lake. He begins the dam project that took til 1860 to fully complete.

Samuel turns over the control of the Lehi business to his son-in-law Easton. Their agreement was recorded in Samuel’s handwriting. The records indicate that the entire journal is Samuels which is an error. The journal belongs to Enock Hirst, deceased first husband of one of Samuel’s wives (Hannah). Due to the scarsity of paper, Samuel used the back side of the last journal entry of Enock’s missionary journal of 1852 to England to record the contract:

From “Samuel Mulliner Journal” Utah State Historical Society – Last page (should read as Enock Hirst Journal)-

Sep (_)? Spring Creek Ut _? Utah Teretory This article of agreement entered into this day between Samuel Muliner and Easton Kelsey I Samuel Muliner agre to rent my Grist mill on Spring Creek situated betwean Lehi and American Fork, in Utah Co. Utah Teritrory to Easton Kelsey at the following rate, ___ for the time of too years he is to have one third of the proceeds of the Said mill and the said


Easton Kelsey agreas to keep up all repairs of said mill and leave it in good repair at the end of tearm mentioned he also agrees to finish the mill that is not yet finished as soon as lumber and suitable material is got to him and further in case Br. Kelsey should be called away on duty or otherwise I shall have charge of my Mill. The dam (and house) is considered part of the Mill as far as repair is conserned but in case of break unavoidably in the dam each shall bear an equal share in the expense of repair. (signed by) Samuel Mulliner Easton Kelsey

From “Lehi – Portaits of a Utah Town” by Richard S. Van Wagoner pg. 227, 228-

“In 1856 Samuel began the dam work which created Lehi’s mill pond. After this was completed he began constructing a large two-story adobe grist mill on the west bank of Spring Creek.” From “Pioneer Women…”, “History of Lehi”, and “Lehi Centennial History”-

The pond dug to supply power to the mill was used by all the kids in the area for recreation. Samuel’s home was an adobe house built a short distance west of the mill. Samuel’s picture opens chapter 12 of “Lehi Centennial History” 1850-1950 by Desert News praising him for his industry and his accomplishments of value to the people in the area by helping to develop the little Lehi “Dry Creek” settlement into a town. - From “Lehi – Portraits of a Utah Town” by Richard S. Van Wagoner - pg 13, 282, 342 -

“Dancing has always captured the fancy of Lehi folk. In the earliest days, just about any place with ample floor space was used for dance-time frolics. The log school, Tithing Office, Tithing Office barn, Mulliner’s Flour Mill, Meeting House, Lehi Music Hall, etc.” A relatively unknown at that time James T. Harwood made an oil painting of the pond entitled “The Old Mulliner Flour Mill” in 1884-1885. James became head of the University School of Art. He had been sent to Paris by the church to learn the art of painting. The Harwood family married into the Mulliner family. This may be the reason the pond was selected to paint as well as it’s natural beauty. From the diary of Norwegian Inge Gresile Maria Jonassen, also known as Mary Johnson Potts Hutchinson in the States –

(The mill pond was also used to baptized members of a Norwegian immigrant family in 1881.)


Above: The “Mulliner Mill Pond” photo in Lehi Utah dammed by Brigham Young and

Samuel Mulliner in 1856 – Picture taken 2002

Above: Advertisement

Our Ancestor Contributions to the Church – By John Wyatt 2009 - 3

Below: Map of the Mulliner Mill Business

After making many improvements to the Lehi business and its building, he asked Elisha H. Davis to return to Lehi and operate the mill. Elisha had previously been the miller before Easton.

I could find no records for the tannery near the mill. According to George F. Shelley, “The leather manufactured in the tannery was not entirely satisfactory, due mainly to the pine back used in the tanning process. The leather would expand or contract in cold and heat, making a man’s shoes too big in the summer and too small in the winter. The tannery was in operation for only a few years”. On the next page is a display at the Lehi Pioneer Museum:


The Mulliner family lived peacefully during the years prior to trouble again from Indians and the U.S. government. A granddaughter recalls fondly these peaceful years:

From “A statement made by Kate Jones Allred” dictated by granddaughter, Moreho Allred Decker –

“We all lived happily together. We children looked with honor and respect to our parents. Love and respect for God was taught to us by that strong oak, Samuel Mulliner. Singing from the Hymn Book by the family before family prayer came each night as sure as the sun went down. We sometimes wished he would forget when we were playing hide-and-seek, but we always got disappointed. The bell stood on the end of the mantle. I think I hear its chimes now after all the shifting scenes of life. We were taught all kinds of work, helping to make our own clothes from the sheep’s back. Our piano was the spinning wheel. When we all turned out to pick peas, we took two homemade baskets, then for good measure we each filled our aprons. Many was the song we sang while picking pease and gathering vegetables to fill the vacuums that seemed always empty, for we always had hired help and our home had its doors open day and night. Our garden and orchard were fenced with willows, braided around oak stakes to make it cattle proof. A deep ditch was dug all around.

From “A paper written by a granddaughter” at DUP SLC chapter –

“One of my fondest memories of our home life was the large kitchen where we all ate together. Two of the wives took the kitchen work in charge for one week while the other two cared for the milk and butter, and kept up the front room. At the end of the week, they exchanged work, making their lobors less tiresome. I remember the sweet spirit of that home where the spirit of love and harmonty dwelt. Grandmother did the buying and dividing of the bolts of calico and factory to the entire satisfaction of all.”


A Brother Joseph Mulliner appears in “Rescue of the 1856 Handcart Companies” by BYU Historian Leonard J. Arrington, page 36 of Fiche 6031577. Is this Joseph Smith Mulliner? Or another relative? Handcart records as having participated but these sources are not complete. (See the LDS Library Card Catalog in SLC #405 of the Early Church Information File) Samuel continues his church activities and missionary work even in his later years.

From “A Pioneer’s Life” -

On January 7, 1857, Samuel with the other presidents of the 12th Quorum report the need for members of the quorum to report themselves at least once a year, attended with their Bishop’s certificate. From“Heart Throbs of the West” vol 10 pg. 289 -

Samuel in mentioned in the diary of Samuel’s brother-in-law, Robert Gardner. Bro. Gardner recalls, ‘The time had now come for me to begin to make preparations to start on my mission. It was to be a Handcart one. The company had to cross the plains with hand carts. There were no teams, horses, nor mules. I had so far recovered that, with care, I could walk without my crutches. April 22, 1857 – I left my family and home on Mill Creek at 7:00 am. I was accompanied by my brother Archibald who helped to haul my hand cart to the City. I went to the Endowment House and received my blessings and stayed all night with Samuel Mulliner’. When his mission was over, he stayed again at Samuel’s home now in Lehi, before reporting back to President Young in Provo.

As noted before, the Mulliners are recorded as owning homes and property in Salt Lake 14th ward in 1852-58, one of the original 19 wards of Salt Lake. Then in the 7th ward in 1858-59. Both in the heart of Salt Lake near the Temple, bordering Main Temple East and South Temple Streets. These may have been the homes of some of his wives while others lived south in the Lehi and American Fork areas next to the new Milling businesses. Around 1857 John Markham Jones and Elizabeth move to California and then up to the Vancouver area to find employment. Seven children are born over the next several years. Parley P. Pratt, who led the effort to bring the gospel to the Mulliner family in Canada was assassinated while on a mission to Arkansas May 15, 1857. Anti-Mormon feelings again heat up in the U.S. The President, hearing false and exaggerated rumors about the saints in Utah sends an army to march on Utah. Samuel’s milling operations were put on hold due to the outbreak of the Echo Canyon War against the U.S. Utah Expeditionary Force led known as Johnston’s Army. The State of Desert’s Nauvoo Legion prepared for an attack by the U.S. Army enroute to Utah. Salt Lake Sheriff and Nauvoo Legion General James Ferguson led the Mormon defenses along Echo Canyon near Coalville. This war never happened due to intervention by an influential U.S. Colonel. But the upheaval this caused throughout the territory caused great disruption in daily life.

From “Chronological History of Life of Samuel Mulliner” by Eyring – On July 24, 1857 –

“Scouts announced that Johnston’s Army advanced units were near Salt Lake.” U. S. Colonel Thomas L. Kane, a friend to the Mormons, under the name of Dr. Osborne arrived


in Salt Lake Feb. 25, 1858. After the visit ended, the church decided the policy would be “flight not fight”. The church members, once again, packed up all their belongings and began moving to the southern part of the state. Men were left behind ready to torch their homes and trees. By November, The Governor Cummings threatened to try all offenders who had provoked Johnson’s army at Camp Scott. In December, Brigham was indicted for treason along with 60 others and Cummings decreed that the Mexican law allowing polygamy was no longer valid.

From the LDS Library Card Catalog in SLC #405 of the Early Church Information File -

“In 1858, during the time of the move, he bought a mill at American Fork from Arza Adams, (and also built a flour mill on Spring Creek, between that town and Lehi in 1853), where he resided until quite recently.

From “Chronological History of Life of Samuel Mulliner” by Eyring - Mar. 6, 1858 -

“Whenever Brigham Young would come to Lehi he would stay at the Mulliner home. Brigham happened to be there just after the birth of a baby boy by Amelia. Brigham asked her what she was going to name him and she said, ‘I don’t know. Why don’t you give him a name?’ So Brigham gave him the name of Brigham Young Mulliner.’” Samuel built a comfortable dwelling in Salt Lake City in 1858. Amelia established herself there with Samuel. The home was near the Beehive House. Mary Ann and Catherine lived in Lehi/American Fork. Johnston’s Army marched through Salt Lake and established itself in Cedar Valley very near Lehi. Tensions were high between the Mormon militia and Johnston’s Army. Samuel’s home in Salt Lake was prepared for burning as were all the other homes. By 1859, it appears that the whole Mulliner family was located in Lehi.”

Samuel continues his leadership in the church by serving as a leader in the missionary efforts of the church:

From “A Pioneer’s Life” pg. 13 & “History of the Church” -

“Feb. 4, 1860, A Seventies Conference was held at Pleasant Grove…Rockwood was appointed President. The congregation was addressed by 4 members including Samuel Mulliner. Their remarks were generally upon the necessity of the Saints enjoying the Spirit of God to assist them in contending successfully with the powers of darkness and the many evil influences that are operating in our midst.”

In the summer of 1860 tragedy struck the family. John Markland Jones Jr., Elizabeth’s 2 year-old son drowns. Elizabeth and John Sr. had moved to the Seattle area in the city of Victoria a few years prior and John Jr. wondered off and fell into an open well at a neighbor’s home. And after unsuccessful attempts to settle there, the family moved back to Utah in later years. John Jr.’s hair was made into a ring and given to his older sister Kate. This became a powerful tool for change in her life:

From “A statement made by Kate Jones Allred” dictated by granddaughter, Moreho Allred Decker –

“My younger brother, John, was drowned when about two years old. My parents had a very beautiful ring made with some of his hair in the set of the ring. So one day I lost it. It nearly broke my heart, as it would any little girl. I put in days hunting in the hen nests, chip pile, garden and carrot patch. Finally I thought I would ask my Heavenly Father to help me to find my treasure. So I went down in this deep ditch feeling sure that He would


help me. There I told Him if He would help me I would never doubt the truthfulness of the Gospel. Those are the only words that I can remember saying. Shortly after I went in the kitchen, I cannot tell if it was that same day or not, but there sat grandmother with the ring on the end of her little finger. This is the miraculous thing about it. Gram had an old chest that came from Scotland that she kept under lock and key. She had sent me for some article, and the ring dropped off. This day she went to get something. Her finger went inside the ring in answer to prayer. Otherwise that ring might have stayed in that chest for years because the bottom of the chest was never reached year in and year out. What good I received from that great manifestation! I have attended other churches and heard many falsehoods told on our people and the authority of our church during the persecution of our people. Sometimes I would wonder. Then this prayer in the ditch has grown so big, so strong, so powerful that I cannot doubt.”

1860 Census:

Samuel by 1860, after several years of refinement the dam and the mill pond were finally considered complete. The mill was a multipurpose mill capable of milling flour and sugar as well as carding and tanning. The power of one waterwheel could be distributed by drive shaft and gears to several machines.


From “Chronological History of Life of Samuel Mulliner” by Eyring - Feb 21, 1860, An article appears in the Deseret News entitled “Tour through Utah County” and reads: “There is a marked improvement in the spirit of the people in Lehi.” It explained further of the near completion of a new meetinghouse, which when completed will equal if not surpass any in the county…Samuel had been active in building a mill, tannery, and other buildings for business…Arza Adams mill was moved outside the fort on the creek. Brigham Young asked Samuel to take care of a poor widow named Hannah (Hanna) Herst. He was required to go to her home to bring her supplies. In the eyes of gossiping people this did not look good, so he married her. She was very ill and soon died of tuberculosis. Hannah was 34 and was born in England and is listed in Samuel’s household in 1860 Federal Census. On October 4, 1860 Samuel married his 5th wife Ann Capstick Royle Mercer a two-time widow who has three children of her own (sealed 1868 SLC Temple). Ann Capstick’s granddaughter laughingly told the author of “Chronological History…” one day about how Ann and Samuel married, ‘haven’t you heard how that came about?’ She said, ‘No.’ She said Ann would occasionally come to the gristmill; call out Samuel’s full name and say, when Samuel came to the window on the second floor of the building, ‘What can I do for you Ann?’ She would put her hands on her hips and say, ‘when are you going to marry me, Samuel Mulliner?’ He would say, ‘You go in and talk to Catherine and Amelia and Mary Ann.’ She got the impression from the granddaughter that this happened more than once.”

I found this display at the City of Lehi Pioneer Park Museum:


5th wife Ann Capstick was 48 years old, born 26 Jul 1812 in Old Hutton, Bridge End, North Westmorland, England. I could not find much information about her. For a while, there is some peace from outside harm for Utahans. The U.S. still struggles with the slavery issue and this larger issue puts the “Utah War” on the back burner. Americans learning, from the lesson the early Christians a millennium ago, that a kingdom must be unified to endure long. As expressed by President Lincoln:

Speech by Lincoln Springfield, Illinois, June 16, 1858 -

MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION: If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could better judge what to do, and how to do it. We are now far into the fifth year since a policy was initiated with the avowed object, and confident promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation. Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached and passed. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the house to fall -- but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new -- North as well as South.

The early Christian church failed to endure the test of dissention, but the United States did not fail. Lincoln is elected President on Nov. 6, 1860. South Carolina secedes from the union Dec. 20, 1860, followed by 11 other states, challenging Lincoln’s predictions of keeping the house together. Feb 1861, the Confederate States of America is formed. On April 12, 1861 - at 4:30 a.m., Confederates under Gen. Pierre Beauregard open fire with 50 cannons upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The Civil War begins. Could this be the Lords judgment on the gentiles who exiled the saints just 15 years prior? 600,000 Americans die before the war is ended. “We could fight our way clear, but wisdom says let the wicked slay the wicked. The gospel whispers peace.” And concludes by admitting, “We owe the U.S. nothing; we go out by force as exiles from freedom.” Joseph Smith prophesied that South Carolina would be the first to rebel, “which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls…That the cry of the saints, and of the blood of the saints, shall cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, to be avenged of their enemies.” - D&C 88.

From “Reminiscence and Journal” by James Palmer, Church History Dept.Library, pg. 69, 73-76 -

“While at a meeting held in a grove, the Prophet Joseph delivered a discourse on the dreadful war that would be brought about between the North and South states…I was minus a seat, so I moved quietly to the back of the stand…and there discovered Theodore Turley pacing to and fro, and strongly contemplating upon the Prophets discourse…I said to him, ‘what think you of this?’ ‘Oh’, said he, ‘this is dreadful, and it will all come to pass just as sure as we are here this day.’”

The New York Sun editorialized that any misdeeds of the saints “will be lost in the recollection of the great barbarism of their persecutors.” We could not believe that, in a


government of laws, any sect, no matter what their faith might be, would ever have been driven out of the land vi et armis.” While the St. Louis New Era, true to the sentiments those living amoung the Mormons, concluded erroneously that, the church was “an ecclesiastical oligarchy, exercising a despotic control over a large body of fanatics” and that “The principles of the Mormons will always engender hostilities between them and the American people.” John Taylor predicted that “The wilderness shall blossom as the rose, and Babylon fall like a millstone cast into the sea.” While the U.S. wars with itself, the western wilderness of the Rocky Mountains is left in peace and prosperity. Though the journey was hard, there was much joy in leaving the U.S. Samuel’s family continued to prosper in Utah and in 1861 finds time to serve again in the missionary work in a new Seventies quorum. In 1861 communication with Utah prospers with the advent of Western Union’s Pacific Telegraph. In 1861 Samuel communicates spiritually with his family via a blessing:

From "Historical Atlas of Mormonism" p.32, and “Church Chronology” by Andrew Jensen, Nov. 29, 1862, pg. 68 -

The 67th quorum of Seventy was organized at American Fork, Utah Co., with Samuel Mulliner, Stephen Chipman, Thomas Barrett, Washburne Chipman, Lewis Harvey, Calvin Moore and William F. Reynolds as presidents.

From “Chronological History of Life of Samuel Mulliner” by Eyring - On August 1, 1861, Samuel gives blessings to many of his children, grandchildren, and some of Easton Kelsey’s children in American Fork Ward. (A copy of the ward minutes are in “Chr. History…”.)

The peace found by the converts to the church in the Utah territory contrasted with the unrest now back in the United States. In the History of Lehi, recently published, the Mulliner Mill Pond seems to stand as a symbol of this well earned peace: From “History of Lehi” Ch. 33, pg. 227 -

“The historic importance of the Mill Pond between Lehi and American Fork is lost on most travelers driving on I-15 though its pristine beauty has long been a welcome respite for freeway commuters. The pleasant view of rushes, cattails, and flocks of water birds….”

A misunderstanding between Samuel and a business partner is resolved and is asked to conduct business for the church:

From “Chronological History of Life of Samuel Mulliner” by Eyring - In 1863 Samuel is charged in a bishop’s court by Arza Adams for not paying the full $2000 price of the Mill business. Also there were unresolved issues with the dam below the mill. Samuel said the agreement was for $1000. It is presumed resolved in later years as the families intermarry. In 1865 there was a letter written to Samuel from Brigham Young authorizing him to go to England to purchase a grist mill machinery but it is not known if he made the trip.

In his later years Samuel continues to serve in the church and gets his family affairs in order:


From “Chronological History of Life of Samuel Mulliner” by Eyring - On Pioneer Day, July 24, 1866, The Deseret News reports that during the celebrations that Samuel spoke along with two others in public meeting after the parade in American Fork. From “Wilford Woodruff’s Journal”, August 12, 1867, pg 357 –

“I met at the Prayer room at 8:00 and anointed Samuel Molliner (Mulliner) and wife. George A. Smith and myself then visited Orson Pratt who had just returned from his European Mission. Been gone 4 years. His heavy white beard hung to his waist. He was well and healthy.” (The reason the Mulliner’s were in town this day may have been to great Samuel’s old friend and missionary companion.) From “Chr. History” - On February 19, 1869 Samuel writes a letter to Brigham Young. The letter filed is Church Office Building and is in answer to a letter from Brigham Young concerning two aunts of Samuel’s who had died on the planes reads as follows: Dear Brother: In accordance with your request in regard to the names, and of my two aunts who left Nauvoo in Bishop Hunter’s company, as I was informed got as far as Bonypart in Iowa was left there because of sickness and in a few days died. The eldest, Margaret Sutherland was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, October 21, 1789. Agnes Sutherland, born April 8, 1792. Daughters of Alexander Sutherland and his wife Jennet Craig formerly residents of Caithness North of Scotland. As I am the only friend and relative belonging to this connection in the church, I will naturally be inquiring when we meet to know if all is right in this matter—of their future happiness. When I know it is I shall be well satisfied, and if convenient will need some counsel from you regarding my duty with regard to others of the family who have died in the old country not being privileged to gather home. (His mother died in 1842 in Scotland) Not wishing to be tedious I close with my continual prayer for your welfare that you may be assisted to perform the responsible duties which providence has laid upon you, which may rebound to your Eternal Glory.

Samuel Mulliner Lehi Mill

In the letter about one can feel the love Samuel has for “family”. Even his Aunts are a concern to him. In 1869 the Central and Union Pacific railways complete the transcontinental railroad at Promontory Utah. No longer would Utah be sheltered by isolation. People and converts flocked to Utah as a desirable place to live. Women were treated with utmost respect in the LDS culture. The State of Utah grants women the right to vote in 1870, the second state to grant this right. The family experiences changes and major personal trials occur in 1870s. Elizabeth’s daughter Sylvia Ursula married Isaac Harvey Allred June 4, 1871. Then on Dec. 23, 1871 his son-in-law John Markland Jones died, leaving his daughter Elizabeth a widow. The Jones had moved back to Utah and John established a traveling orchestra. While traveling through St. George, he had a serious accident and then caught pneumonia and died. He was only 42 at the time. Elizabeth in poor health and financially unable to care for her children, sends


them to other homes for upbringing. Umelia, Janetta, and Mary Louise were taken to the home of President John Taylor to raise. Here they received a good education and a good life. Theodore Turley, the missionary who introduced the gospel to them, dies August 12, 1871. Samuel now in his mid-sixties decides to sell his American Fork Mill in 1872. June 16, 1873 Elizabeth’s daughter Kate Markland Jones married James Henry Allred.


9) Mulliner – The Ideal Society - Orderville Brigham Young and George A. Smith decide to attempt the United Order March 20, 1874. The United Order is communal living based on the goal of developing a society that would live in complete harmony, having all things in common via free will Christian cooperation and love. People joining would donate all their earthly goods to the cooperative effort. There would be no rich, and no poor. Give according to ability, take according to need. There were about 700 people in the town. On March 8, 1877, Brigham Young replies to correspondence between him and Samuel about joining Orderville: (Source Cowen- “Samuel Mulliner: That Mighty Oak” by permission)


Samuel leaves his comforts of life to go to Orderville and teach the tanning trade. The money from his mill in American Fork was what he put into the Order – his Lehi mill was left under the management of Joseph Mulliner, Mary Ann’s eldest son and some of Harriet’s older boys. Mary Ann Richardson also stayed behind in Lehi unable to make the long trip in her older years and was supported by her 5 children.

Orderville Utah 1880 – Samuel and Catherine Mulliner lived there from 1876 to 1881. This United Order town was established 1875 under the order of Brigham Young. No. 1-Relief Society 2-Dining Hall 3-Big House 4-Blacksmith Shop 5-Carpenter Shop 6-

Commissary 7-Order Office and Shoe Shop 8-Dwellings 9-Stables 10-Fields Dec. 10, 1877 son Joseph Smith Mulliner married Amelia Woodward. Joseph later is elected to the State of Idaho senate. 5th wife Ann Capstick lived in the Mulliner home. However, late when Samuel was asked to enter the United Order settlement of Orderville, she did not want to go so Samuel and her children built her another home where she lived until her death July 7, 1879. The site of this family cooperative Order was at the mouth of the canyon about midway between the settlements of Glendale and Mt. Carmel. In March 1875 it was decided to move the Order up the “Old Muddy” Virgin River about two miles from Mt. Carmel and here the name “Orderville” was established. Approximately 190 are involved and 430 acres of land. Land was divided up into 2, 5, or 10 acre sizes and apportioned out by drawing lots. Lot #1 got the first choice of land. All land was settled under the Homestead Act in the name of two brothers in the Order. All property was in the management of the Order except clothes and house goods. Many families lived in the fort in the center of town for protection and to be close to the community dining hall, work and wash areas. Though all property was entrusted to and controlled by the Order, it remained the lawful property of the original donor.


From “Elijah Billingsley (1806–1888) and Family”- by Benson Y. Parkinson (May 2002) Online www:

“People would deed all their property to the local order and then receive back a stewardship: an assignment and the capital necessary to make it work. Profits went to the order as a whole… Most united orders failed after a short time, and Mt. Carmel’s wasn’t without disunity. About half the order’s members withdrew that fall, but the Muddy Saints (The Muddy Mission members from St. Joseph and Overton Nevada), who had been tempered in the furnace of affliction, wanted to stick with it. Now the order found itself competing directly with individual members of their own congregation. To avoid conflict, they decided to move up the valley two miles and found a new settlement. The next summer and fall, 1875, they built a fort and living quarters and named their town Orderville. (In Long Valley east of Zion National Park). To avoid lawsuits from neighbors and disgruntled members, the United Orders incorporated legally. The Orderville board had authority to act for the order, but their decisions were brought before the members, and all things were done by common consent. The clerks kept track of all work done, crediting each man $1.50 for each day’s work, whether “mechanic” or “laborer,” the most skilled artisan or the simplest hand. Families were debited a certain amount for their food, lodgings, and whatever else they used. At the end of each year, those whose credits were greater than their debits donated the surplus to the order, and those whose debits were greater than their credits had their debt forgiven, so all started out on the same foot again. To join the order members had to agree to avoid selfishness, pray as a family and alone, keep the Sabbath, treat family members with kindness and affection, combine their labor, avoid extravagant fashion, pay tithing, and give all they had to build up the order and the kingdom of God. Some of the questions asked were: “Do you use tobacco, tea, or coffee, or indulge in drinking intoxicating drinks? Are you in the habit of stealing or taking what does not belong to you personally? Are you in the habit of lying or backbiting, or slandering your brethren or sisters? Are you in the habit of using vulgar or obscene jests or conduct? Are you in the habit of quarreling? If so will you cease from this? Are you in the habit of giving way to bad temper and abusing dumb animals? If so, will you cease from such conduct? Will you take a course when you find a brother or sister out of temper to maintain the peace by saying nothing to aggravate, and silently walk a way if he or she shall not cease? Are you willing to work the same as the rest of the company according to your strength and ability and for the same recompense as your peers? Are you willing to be subject to those who are placed over you and do as you are told cheerfully and not sullenly?” Those willing were baptized into the order. Elijah Billingsley was baptized with fifty original members on July 11, 1875 (records are sketchy—other family members may have been as well). In December he confirmed other members of the community into the order. The order owned all the houses and property, and people paid rent for what they used. In the beginning they all ate together at three long tables in the community dining hall. Thomas Robertson, a blacksmith and musician, used his cornet to call the people to meals precisely at 7:00 A.M., noon, and 6:00 in the evening (also for Sunday meetings). Cooks prepared large quantities of bread, potatoes, hominy, squash, and other vegetables, meat, and occasionally cakes, pies, and puddings and passed them through a slat to the servers. Waitresses served the food and kept things moving, then passed the dishes back to the kitchen for the dishwashers. Janitors scoured the place down with sand, since soap was a rarity. All the women in town took turns in one or the other of the departments, serving a week at a time every seven weeks. In the earliest days the town’s grown-ups all ate together, followed by the children, overseen by “Aunty Harmon,” a rather stern woman who made sure the little ones behaved. When some of the mothers objected to her disciplining their children, the order began serving meals by family. In 1880 water


running through a gopher hole damaged the foundation of the dining hall, and a flood that same year washed out the big brick ovens. So the order began to use children to distribute produce and other goods to individual families, and they prepared their own meals. Orderville produced its own clothing, and here too all were alike. Men wore gray trousers and straw hats braided by the women. They had gray or black suits for Sundays. Women wore calico ‘mother hubbard’ dresses and sunbonnets on weekdays, with linsey princess wrapper dresses for Sundays. The people were very poor at first, but a man with stock in a mine joined, and others homesteaded and donated their land, and soon the order began to prosper. For several years they did better than many of the members had done before and better than their neighbors. By combining their resources, the people were able to build a woolen factory, a tannery, blacksmith shops, a grist mill, molasses mills, a bucket factory, a shoe shop, a broom making operation, a post office, a telegraph office, a bakery, a sawmill, a freighting operation, dairies, farms (including a cotton farm in Washington near St. George), and ranches (including the Moccasin Ranch in Mojave County, Arizona). When the outside economy got going, other communities matched their holdings, lifting most people and making a few wealthy, but prosperity came earlier to Orderville, where all were equal and there were no rich or poor. Orderville was a healthy place, with an herb doctor who was a member of the order. The people had frequent dances, a martial band, a choir, and a drama department that put on frequent plays, sometimes for neighboring communities. They had quilting bees, melon feasts, corn roasts, candy pulls, horse races, horseshoe tosses, and an annual fair. The order operated for ten years, which makes it by far the most successful united order in the pioneer period. Citizens always took their share of ribbing from neighbors, who made fun of their pants and hats and told outlandish stories about their eating habits. There was supposedly a gravy trough that ran the length of their common table, which the servers filled from one end, into which the people dipped their bread as it flowed by. Meat was reserved mainly for the leaders, and when one boy reached for a piece during the blessing, a waiter nearly cut his finger off. None of this of course was true.”

From Sketch of the Life of William Morley Black we learn that things were going well for those involved in the United Order. William states, ‘Indeed life in Orderville was a spiritual feast. In 1876 Samuel Mulliner joined us. He owned a grist mill at Lehi, which he consecrated to the order. I was sent to run it [with Joseph Mulliner]…At this period the Orderville people were pulling through a financial strait. So many poor people had joined us that we were overloaded, and it was a difficult matter to provide clothing. To remedy this situation John R. Young and myself were authorized to rent sheep for the order…’ In History of Orderville, pg.77 of the Church Historians Office, is the following entry: Samuel Mulliner - Received stock, Nov. 1, 1876 Harriet Mulliner - Received stock, Nov. 30, 1877 Settlements - Samuel Mulliner, Dec. 6, 1879 - $560.67 Harriet Mulliner, Dec. 6. 1879 - $3.50 In History of Charles Carroll, Samuel appears to be established enough to bring his family to Orderville: ‘In 1877…we went to Lehi where we met Brother Samuel Mulliner and family (and others), all of whom where going down to Orderville. We arrived there the latter part of October.’ Samuel took both Catherine and Harriet and her children to Orderville. Samuel soon earns the reputation of being an “Order” man:


From “Voices From Within – The Story of the United Order” by Emma I. Seegmiller Higbee, copied by Jessie E. Empey of Fed. Writers Project 1936, pg. 55, Memoirs: Extracts copied from “Memoirs of John R. Young” pg. 182 Letter from John’s wife Albina-

“Dear Husband: at 5:00 this morning brother Jehiel McConnell died. He was not rusted out but was true and faithful to the end…This evening the home missionaries were here. John Carpenter preached and did splendid for a beginner. Brother Samuel Mulliner followed with an “Order” sermon. He is an “Order” man in word and deed and enjoys the spirit of God. It does me good to hear him talk and I feel thankful to live where we have good meetings. It keeps me alive.”

Above: The Mulliner Tannery in Orderville Utah. The famous story of a boy’s industry of collecting wool from sheep tails and buying a pair of new pants from a store in St. George happened at this time in Orderville. While no one was looking, he would cut the wool from the tails and sold it, saving enough money to buy the pants. The pants were fashionable and were noticed by the women who insisted he turn it over so they could cut it down and make a pattern for the Orders other young men. This incident teaches us much about the pressures of growing up and the power of worldly society upon us all. In 1877, in the St. George temple, proxy temple ordinances were permitted for the first time in the church. The Mulliner family in accepting their church assignments find themselves again in the right place at the right time to received blessings from the Lord. (By 1880 they are performing proxy ordinances in the temple.) Orderville is near St. George and the beautiful temple there.


From “Chronological History of Life of Samuel Mulliner” by Eyring - Feb 21, 1860, and from “Journal History of the Church”-

In an interview with the Salt Lake Herald on June 13, 1878 quoted by Lavon Brunt Eyring – “Mr. Samuel Mulliner of Orderville is in the city on business. He removed to that place 6 months ago and placed all his means in the co-operative institution there, which includes all the people of the settlement. He says the settlement is well named; everything being done to order and running on no individual interests. They live like one family. He is perfectly satisfied and only wished that he had a great deal more to invest in the enterprise….He is in the city trying to make arrangements for the purchase of a mill for manufacture of woolen and cotton goods….He says the people may pooh-pooh at co-operation but when properly conducted they are bound to be successful…For years, capital and labor have been at war with each other; so far, money has conquered and consequence is wealth on one side and poverty and wretchedness on the other; but both unite and the difficulty is settled…” Samuel is foreman of the tannery but was released on account of his deafness, causing misunderstandings among the workers. From History of Orderville pg. 58 -

Sept. 15, 1878, daughter Catherine Mulliner is baptized in the United Order by Thomas Robertson and confirmed by Thomas Chamberlain. The order became quite prosperous in time. Samuel’s age and deafness caused trouble at the plant and he was released. This may have something to do with Samuels leaving the Order before it was dismantled. November 1879 Samuel is discharged from the Order and He and his family return to Lehi into retirement. The Order soon dismantled. B. H. Roberts stated that there were three things that contributed to the Order’s closing. They were, first, they could not compete with the increasing complexities of the world around them, second, the belief that if only part of the church practiced this, it would divide the members into two classes, and third, the increasing years of Brigham Young and his accompanying lost of strength. William Morley Black said that it was the matured wisdom of Brigham Young that stood as a beacon light and when that light went out, they became divided and were like a ship that had lost its pilot. From “Elijah Billingsley (1806–1888) and Family”- by Benson Y. Parkinson (May 2002) Online www:

As time went on a spirit of jealousy crept into the Order. They had a few loafers, and a few newcomers who tried to foment discontent, especially among the young men, telling them they would have no inheritance when they came of age and that all their work was for nothing. The people of the order thought they could beat these problems. They had had people grow dissatisfied before and pull out. They simply gave them back the value of their capital investment and their wages for that year and sent them on their way. In July 1883, under counsel from Apostle Erastus Snow, Orderville switched to the stewardship plan, in which they no longer paid equal wages for all kinds of work and people kept their earnings at the end of the year. This exacerbated the problem of jealousy. In June 1884 the First Presidency of the Church recommended they go back to the old plan and that they set aside a portion of the order’s increase for the young men’s inheritance. They also counseled the order to budget a little for each family to spend on personal tastes. Maybe if they had continued they wouldn’t have dressed alike anymore. But other pressures were afoot. Many of the men were on the run from the federal marshals because of plural marriage. Stake leaders warned they were likely to be hounded by lawsuits, both from disgruntled members and neighbors jealous of their holdings. So in 1885 they reluctantly agreed to disband.


5th wife Ann Capstick dies July 7, 1879 at Lehi Utah. She had been baptized on July 30, 1843 in Newark, Connecticut after migrating to the U.S. She was endowed June 3, 1856 in the SLC endowment house. She married and moved to St. Louis, then St. Joseph, Missouri and from there they left for Salt Lake City with an ox team, arriving in Utah on September 21, 1848. After living with Samuel Mulliner in 1861 for a year or two, her children built her a home next to the residence of her daughter, Martha Kirkham where she remained until her death (she did not want to Orderville). Her occupation was a “housekeeper”. Her children from a prior marriage were raised my Samuel “as if they were his own” according to descendant John Mercer. Proxy endowments for deceased ancestors began as a church wide practice in 1877, in the St. George Temple! The Mulliners take advantage of this. November 9 – 12, 1880, Samuel and family make a trip to St. George Temple to seal Samuel’s ancestors together as an eternal family. G.S.# 23055 pg. 122-134 and G.S. # 170597 line 6728-6730)

From “Chronological History of Life of Samuel Mulliner” by Eyring –

Mary Ann sent her daughter Fanny down to Orderville to care for Catherine in the last years of her life. From “Pioneer Women…” in retrospect – “We learn that Brigham Young asked them to move once again, this time to Orderville, where the United Order began. In Orderville Katherine was helpful in being a nurse to all those who needed her. By this time, Katherine’s husband had his third (fifth actually) wife in plural marriage. When it was time to leave Orderville, Katharine chose to remain and assist in the work there. During her remaining years, Katharine performed services for others by nursing, doing laundry and ironing for the members of the church and remaining true to the gospel teachings which she had been taught. Her death came while at Orderville April 1, 1881. She is buried there among the pioneers for whom a monument was erected to honor them.” From A Pioneer’s Life & Daughters of Utah Pioneers – Deseret Telegraph Co. April 1881 correspondence concerning Katherine’s death between Orderville and American Fork:

Catherine was admired by all even by little children who affectionately called her “Aunt Katie” – DUP.

Day Who From Fr To Whom To #of words

1 Thomas Chamberlain UO S. Mulliner AF 15 1 S. Mulliner AF Thos. Chamberlain UO 15 1 Jenette Kelsey UO Edward Kelsey S 9 1 Thos. Chamberlain UO S. Mulliner AF 10 2 Jenette Kelsey UO Easton Kelsey S 11 4 S. Mulliner AF Bishop Chamberlain UO 5 5 Thos. Chamberlain UO S. Mulliner AF 5 FYI: 29 B. Young BY H. O. Spencer UO 10 29 H. O. Spencer UO B. Young BY 10


From Journal of Bishop Thomas Chamberlain of Orderville – In the church Historian’s Office –

“Sister Catherine Mulliner died yesterday evening (1 April 1881) 77 years of age. She died conscious and full of faith and love for the principals of the United Order. Her life has been spent in performing good work in the Kingdom of God. She died happy and will be buried tomorrow. April 3, 1881, Sunday, We had good meetings today. SISTER MULLINER was buried this afternoon. There was a large attendance at her funeral. Some home missionaries".)


Samuel and his second wife Harriet move to Kanarraville a few years. On Feb.7, 1884 Harriet passed away. Samuel then returned to the American Fork and Lehi areas. Living in Lehi during these years was dangerous. Men were being imprisoned for living in polygamy. Women were being forced to testify against their husbands. A number of people in the Lehi area were being urged to move to the Eagle Rock and Iona Idaho areas, where a railroad had just been completed. Son John S. Mulliner moved to Idaho and is one of the first settlers of Iona. Early in the spring of 1884, Samuel and son Joseph Smith Mulliner, son of 3rd wife Mary Ann, helped Mary Ann make a move up from Lehi to Idaho, where Joseph was living. (Joseph lived a good life in Idaho. He served a mission in England, served as bishop and stake president counselor, and was elected as an Idaho House of Representative in 1896 and as an Idaho State Senator in 1898. Joseph’s brief history is written in “Prominent Men of Idaho.”) Mary Ann was just 55 years old but it had become too unpleasant living in Utah. The U. S. government worked night and day to enforce the Edmund Tucker Act designed to stop polygamy. In order to keep Samuel out of jail, and for her not to testify against him, she would have to go into hiding. Though Mary Ann loved Samuel very much she felt that it was a wise thing to separate. Samuel gave her $1000 and she left with only good feelings between all the family members. They travel by wagon and the trip was strenuous on the elderly Mary Ann.

At the Tabernacle in SLC, Brigham Young, speaking about Orderville said, “A record will be made in that place that will never be obliterated from the earth.” The mill at Lehi had been dedicated to the Order, but was under pressure due to the polygamy issue as most of the leaders were polygamists. Pressure came from the U.S. government to prosecute them even though at the time they were bound by the marriage contracts it was not against the law. The U.S. was waging an illegal war against the saints. In spite of the harassment from the U.S. government via the ex post facto Edmond Tucker Act of 1882, outside competition for goods, and a few hot heads within the order, the saints were very successful at implementing a communal lifestyle that near a Zion society. Generally speaking, ex post facto penal laws are seen as a violation of the rule of law as it applies in a free and democratic society. As such, The Edmond Tucker Act was a violent attack on the LDS people. Orderville has become a symbol in the church for good communal living. However in 1885 the church, eager to reduce the range of federal complaints against Mormon peculiarities, counseled the members of Orderville to disband. The saints were not yet ready to face the


odds stacked against them at the time, or as Erastus Snow put it, “we are not yet advanced enough”, so…communal living may someday be re-instated in the church? Many lessons have been learned from towns like Orderville, besides economic, we learned much about polygamy:

From “Chronological History of Life of Samuel Mulliner” by Eyring – In the section devoted to Catherine –

“We learn much about the truth of polygamous family life in Utah. Mary Ann, as reported by her descendants, ‘loved Catherine dearly.’ She appreciated the great opportunity afforded her by Catherine giving her consent to Samuel marrying her in plural marriage. In the early 1850’s there were few eligible men for devoted women converts to marry who would be the kind of men they would choose to be the fathers of their children. The most faithful and best men were solicited to marry into polygamy.” Mary Ann’s posterity considered Catherine “an angel on earth.”

In wife Catherine’s patriarchal blessing by John Smith, it states, “It is thy privilege to have the ministering of angels, to converse with them as with thy familiar friends; thou shalt also have power to heal the sick in thine house, to drive the destroyer from thy habitation—Thy name shall be held in honorable remembrance in the church to all generations.” The family has no picture of Catherine, a real loss to us all. Wife Harriet Amelia Berry passes February 7, 1884 and is buried in Lehi. The Utah Census 1860 Harriet is living in American Fork (pp 389-390), by the 1880 US Census she is in Kanara, Kane, Utah (FHL Film #1255336, NA Film Number T9-1336 page # 424 D). Here is a picture of Samuel in his later years with Harriet Armelia’s children:


In 1884 Samuel sold the Lehi mill business to Augustus Powell and Augustus sold it to the Utah Sugar Company and then he passes away just a few years later:

From “Lehi – Portraits of a Utah Town” by Richard S. Van Wagoner - pg 13 -

Augustus Powell sold the old Mulliner Lehi milling business to the church’s Utah Sugar Company in 1889. The church had selected this site for its great location to the pond and new railroad laid near the pond. The cornerstones were laid by George Q. Cannon and Wilford Woodruff. This factory closed in 1924 and the tall smoke stack, warehouse, and coal pits are all that remain in 2002. Sugar beat farming became a boom industry in Lehi and the factory employed hundreds. The sugar money actuated the building of the city of Lehi.

Samuel dies February 25, 1891 and is buried in Lehi, Utah.

Samuel left a legacy of faith for his posterity to follow. All of his sons were named after great church leaders to keep them in remembrance of the Lord and his servants. His passing was noted by the church. The Deseret Weekly newspaper announced his death and printed a 2 column synopsis of his life. Also noting that the “Evening News” announced his death on March 10th, including a recital of some of the prominent incidents of his life. But the Deseret Weekly, “Owing to a number of erroneous dates in the paper and due to the interesting nature of the career of the deceased, reprint from the ‘Historical Record’ of 1887 a more correct story.”

From “Lehi – Portraits of a Utah Town” by Richard S. Van Wagoner, pg. 240 –

In the same year as Samuel’s death, his old mill pond was drained and cleaned by the Utah Sugar Company and the old mill factory demolished to make room for the new factory. “President Woodruff declared that ‘the inspiration of the Lord to me is to build this factory.’ So $50,000 from tithing funds was appropriated to pay the bill.” God’s people needed work and this was a good start for the people of Lehi.

Samuel was hard of hearing and alone by the time he passed away. For the last few years his health was very poor. He died Feb. 23, 1891 and was buried the 27th, next to Harriet Amelia, at Lehi City Cemetery, Utah. There is a beautiful grave marker there and stands as a memorial to our faithful pioneer ancestors. In “Church Chronology”, November 29, 1862 (Saturday), “Elder Samuel Mulliner, an aged Church veteran, died at Lehi, Utah Co., February 25, 1891 (Wednesday) Died in good standing.” The Deseret Evening New on March 10, 1891 paid tribute to Brother Mulliner by printing his life’s story. “Father Samuel Mulliner, a former resident of Salt Lake City and well known as one of the pioneer businessmen of the Territory, died at his home in Lehi…” From Lehi Centennial History –

“He gave employment to many saints and did much for the poor and needy. He never allowed any to suffer for want of food or clothes if he knew it.” From Samuel’s Obituary by David Murdock – “He has left a numerous posterity…several of whom have followed in his footsteps of preaching the gospel in nations of the earth.”



The tombstone reads:

“Samuel Mulliner, Born at Haddington, Scotland 15 Jan 1809, Died 25 Feb 1891 Our guardian Father here lies at rest,

As man God eyes the image best, The friend of man, the friend of truth, The friend of age, the guide of youth!”

Above: John, Jamie, and David Wyatt at Samuel Mulliner’s Grave at Lehi Utah.

“He gave employment to many saints and did much for the poor and needy. He never allowed any to suffer for want of food or clothes if he knew it.” – Gardner, “Lehi Centennial History”, 278. “He has left a numerous posterity…several of whom have followed in his footsteps of preaching the gospel in nations of the earth.” - Murdock, “Obituary of Samuel Mulliner” p. 8 In summary, the Mulliner family contributed much to the building of God’s kingdom on earth and in doing so became a part of the prophecies of Joseph Smith:

From “Praise to the Man” by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, Tambuli, Jan. 1984 - "…consider the equally remarkable prophecy concerning the movement of the Saints to the mountain valleys of the Great Salt Lake. The Saints were then living in Nauvoo and its sister community across the Mississippi and were enjoying a prosperity they had not previously known. They were building a temple and other substantial structures. Their


new homes were of brick, constructed to endure. And yet one day in August of 1842, while visiting in Montrose, Joseph prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer much affliction and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, many would apostatize, others would be put to death by our persecutors or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease, and [speaking to those who were present] ‘some of you will live to go and assist in making settlements and build cities and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains.’ (History of the Church, 5:85.) Viewed in the context of the time and circumstances, this statement is nothing less than remarkable. Only a man speaking with a knowledge beyond his own could have uttered words which would be so literally fulfilled. And what of this prophecy, which so magnificently foresaw the joyous destiny of this church? ‘Our missionaries are going forth to different nations … the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny many defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.’ (History of the Church, 4:540.)”

Mary Ann Richardson Mulliner, Samuel’s 3rd wife, dies July 15, 1902 at Iona, Bonnevlle, Idaho (she had been endowed 27 Jan 1846 in the Nauvoo Temple). Mary Ann & her 2 sons, Joseph & Hyrum, moved to Iona, Lincoln County, Idaho -about 9 miles east of Idaho Falls thinking she could get a better start there. She went with Samuels blessings in 1890. (1880 Federal Census American Fork - Mary is listed as spouse to Samuel Mulliner with sons Hyram and Joseph. A Mary Clegg and Margaret (both in 1878?) and a Janet Henchman, are three other possible wives mentioned in family group sheets and other sources but I did not research any of these wives. Their firstborn child, Jeanette married Easton Kelsey. Their story, as well as the other pioneers mentioned in this book, though not as detailed as the Mulliner history, provide another witness to the truth of the experiences of the saints. I also include herein a few notes on a few of Samuel’s immediate family members.


10) Mulliner – Other Family Members Brother Alexander Mulliner Alexander joined the church in 1830’s through Samuel’s efforts. Alex married Sarah, the widow of James Mulholland who was the Prophet Joseph Smith’s scribe 1838-1839. James suddenly passed away Nov. 3, 1839. James lived in Ontario Canada at the time of his conversion. James is known to have recorded one of the famous versions of the First Vision. James was ordained a Seventy as a “special witness to the nations of the earth” Dec. 28, 1838. He was highly spoken of by the prophet. Joseph named Nauvoo’s main street “Mulholland” after this good friend. Both James and Alexander lived on block 146 lot 3 probably in the extension of the Joseph Smith Mansion where some of Joseph’s scribes lived. Samuel is registered as a tenant in block 140, adjacent and to the north of block 146. The only structure listed in that block is the 1842 Nauvoo Hotel. Alex followed his wife and in-laws (Scott family) when they left the church ca. 1842 and moved north to go after the Strangites in Wisconsin then later they joined the RLDS Church, however, Alex was not active in that church. Elizabeth Jones Elizabeth Jones marries Mr. Mart and moves to California but returns to Utah alone and very unhappy. She dies August 7, 1883 and is buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Granddaughter Kate Jones Allred (Elizabeth’s Daughter_


“From Kate Jones Allred we learn that some church callings were chosen by ballet within the ward and that women gave blessings. She served also on the stake level. She served in many callings and was called in 1892 by President Wilford Woodruff to assist in Karl G. Maeser’s Religion Class in Lehi. One important calling in the early days of the church was the calling of mid-wife. Kate served many years in this calling. In 1941 the General Board of the Relief Society paid tribute to Kate in an article published entitled “A Heroine of Service”, describing her life as a faithful mid-wife. She feed the poor, helped the needy and sick, and turned away no one. Kate Jones saw the Savior and gives this account; “On Feb. 12, 1894 the sisters, Zina Young and I. M. Horn called a meeting at Sister Standring’s home. Sister Standring gave each one individually a (mother’s) blessing in tongues, which was interpreted by Zina Young. The only thing that I can remember was that I should see our Savior in the flesh. I testify to you, my children, that while lying on my bed in the L.D.S. Hospital in November 1924, that promise was fulfilled, for I saw Him and felt His warm and heavenly influence from my head to my toes. I cannot express the sensation of that sight, but I know by the clothes that He and His companion wore that our temple clothes are necessary.”


Son John Heber Mulliner From “Jacob Hamblin, The Peacemaker” – pg. 327-342 - John Heber is called on by church leaders to join the Lorenzo W. Roundy expedition company in January 1873. Along with Brother Powell, Lorenzo’s company was asked to explore and survey the Colorado River region for possible settlement of the area, then cross at Lee’s Ferry for possible settlement of Arizona. Under the leadership of President Erastus Snow of the Southern Indian Mission, the company left their base at Kanab Utah and successfully carried out their mission. The company included Jacob Hamblin, guide and head of Indian affairs, Jehiel McConnell, historian, Andrew S. Gibbons, and Ira Hatch, Interpreters, and others, including Isaac Riddle, W. J. Flake, Mosiah L. Hancock, Gideon A Murdock, Barnoard H. Greenwood, Myron L. Roundy, and James B. Thompson. Son Brigham Young Mulliner Right: “One of the first lamps imported to Utah by President Brigham Young. Property of Samuel Mulliner. Lehi pioneer of 1849. Presented by his son B.Y. Mulliner 1926. This lamp sits in the Lehi History Museum.


Daughter Elizabeth Smith Mulliner (Jones, Mart)

From “Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude” DUP – pg. 1884 – Her parents joined the church in Canada when she was one year old in 1837. She moved with her family to Kirtland Ohio, then to Springfield Illinois, then into Missouri for a brief time, then Nauvoo and to Kanesville, back to Missouri, then finally to Utah. On the trip west she saw much misery and death. Bore 7 children to John Markland Jones, a fine musician. She had a lovely singing voice. Together they performed at State occasions. At least once they performed at the home of Brigham Young. She moved with her family from Salt Lake to Lehi. She becomes very ill after the birth of her first child John. John is adopted by his grandparents to raise. When John is only 2 he drowns in the family Mill Pond near their home. They moved to Vancouver area and then San Francisco, looking for work. There was not enough work in his field and the wages were poor. The family struggled with health and struggled financially. (According to a written story passed on in the family, they also struggled in loosing a child to drowning in an uncovered well at a neighbor’s home. I believe this is not a second child but another account of John’s death but due to inaccurate recording keeping the details have become blurred.) She ironed clothing to supplement their income. Her husband John died of an accident fall in St. George in 1871. Elizabeth remarried a Mr. Mart and moved to California. This marriage failed shortly and she returned to Utah dissatisfied with her life and work. She was never able to get her children back due to health and finances and died in 1883 at only 46 due to ill health. She is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Her trials were great, and more than any other pioneer I know. Her reward may also be great, and more than any other pioneer. She had a deaf sister to care for, her father was always away on a mission for the church, her praise was undoubtedly rare being one of so many children, her life was one of poverty, she rarely had a home for more than a few years before uprooting, she traveled across the U.S. on foot or on a wagon, she received and witnessed the most horrible persecutions in U.S. history, she rarely had a soft bed to sleep in, she went hungry many a night, her health was poor, she lost children to tragedy, she lost all the rest of her children due to financial hardship, and lost her husband to an accident in the prime of his life. If I were her judge, I would say to her, I love you daughter for your endurance. I am sorry life was so hard on you. Come and rejoice with your family in the Kingdom of my Father.


11) Kelsey -- Temple Builder

Easton Kelsey Jeanette S. Mulliner Kelsey

(2nd Wife) Nauvoo & St. George Temples

Samuel Mulliner’s daughter Jeanette married Easton Kelsey. I have no Kelsey family journal so the information here is stetchy at best. Both Easton and Jeanette were early Mormon pioneers, settled in Utah, and stayed active in the church their entire lives. I view Easton as a carpenter and temple builders.


Jeanette, also known as Janet, was born the first year Samuel moved to Canada from Scotland (Feb. 15, 22, or 28 1833). Jeanette learned early to adjust herself to new conditions. The family moved to Kirtland OH in 1838, then later to Springfield IL.

Easton Kelsey the son of Stephen Kelsey of Newport New Hampshire born August 17, 1782 and Charlotte Nichols born December 3, 1789 of Vermont Canada. Easton Kelsey born March 9, 1813 in the town of New Lisbon (Princetown), Otswego New York, moved to Buffalo, Erie Co. NY with his father and mother 1816. Easton had 4 older siblings at the time. The Erie Canal started to be built in 1817 and tradition has it that father Stephen worked there. His trade was that of shipbuilder and as a carpenter. Also, some have thought that perhaps Stephen was in this area because he fought in the War of 1812, along with the Battle of Lake Erie in September 1813. Easton had little formal schooling but learned carpentry and building from his father.


From an interview recorded in “The Historical Records Survey”, by U.S. WPA December 24, 1936, by Juanita Doone -

“When I was about 11 years old we moved to Tonawanda River in the same county. Here my mother died June 10, 1824. (Charlotte’s 7 children survived her.) In about 2 years after that my sister Hannah died, born Sept 15, 1811. I was in Canada in 1824-25. In 1826 I returned and went up to Ohio and found my father and 2 younger brothers in Montville, Geauge Co. near Kirtland. I remained with him until I was some over 20. I first heard Mormonism in 1835. In the Spring of 1836 I went into Kirtland to investigate the Gospel and to work at my trade, and in December 11, following I was baptized by Joel H. Johnson in Willeby River (Willoughby) in Kirtland (two miles west) and was confirmed by Sidney Rigdon and Harrison Saygos, Sidney Rigdon being mouth.”

There is a town of Willoughby near Kirtland, however, most baptisms in Kirtland appear to have occurred in the Chagrin River that runs through town.


A map of Kirtland with its church historic sites noted is included in the addenda. Easton’s father remarried in March of 1828 to Rachel Allen Putman, widow of Albert Putman. Stephan and Rachel had 8 children according to Stephen Kelsey Jr. who came west with the wagon train of Brigham Young. Easton enjoyed being with his half brothers and sisters and felt close to his step-mother. Joseph Smith and Zion’s Camp journeyed to Missouri in 1834 and returned. In 1835 Easton hears of Mormonism. The Kirtland temple is completed March 1836. In the spring of 1836, he goes into Kirtland to investigate the gospel and to work at his trade as a carpenter. Easton is baptized by Joel H. Johnson in the Willowy (Willoughby) River in Kirtland and is confirmed by Sidney Ridgon and Harrison Saygos, Sidney being mouth. He is ordained an Elder within a few weeks. He is listed as a resident of Kirtland in “A Profile of LDS of Kirtland Ohio and Members of Zion’s Camp 1830-1839”.

(Kirkland Elders Quorum Record 1836-1841 pg. 13 –

“The Elder’s quorum met December 21, 1836 and being duly organized, the Pres. Alvah Beman made some remarks, and the clerk Even M. Greene read the names…for ordination Elisha Wright, Hammon H. Hills, Easton Kelsey.” And then on pg. 48 – “Ordained an Elder December 28, 1836.”)

Easton is not listed as a member of the “Kirtland Camp” flight to Missouri in July 1838 as he had moved with his family to the Erie Canal a year earlier.


“From here I went in the fall of ‘37 to the north-west part of the state of Ohio on the Wabash and Erie canal, together means to go on to Missouri. It was here that I became acquainted with Abigail Finch to whom I was married on September 16, 1839 at Toledo, Vanburen Co., Ohio. (note - some records show the 14th as the date and Sandusky County as the place – these are probably inaccurate)


From this place we moved direct to Nauvoo in spring of 1840, the saints having been driven out of Missouri.”

On Oct. 1, 1840, a son Orson was born in Nauvoo. This same month, at the church general conference, Joseph Smith proposed to build a House of the Lord by requesting the labor of all able men every tenth day and through the used of tithing donations. In the temple God could restore to the earth the fullness of the priesthood and its ordinances required for exaltation. Temple doctrines unfolded gradually as the prophet received revelations and gained understanding. As a carpenter, Easton was well qualified to offer his services to the church. Easton began working on the Temple it’s first year and stayed until it’s completion after the initial exodus out of Nauvoo. He is in the book by Don F. Colvin, BYU, “Nauvoo Temple – A Story of Faith” as one of the hired workers. William Clayton gave the names of the hired workers on the temple. Easton is found with others employed to frame the timber and raise it on the building.


“This fall the Nauvoo Temple was commenced and I went to work on it. Was ordained a priest under the hands of Samuel H. Smith 1841, a brother of Joseph Smith the prophet. In 1842 was ordained an Elder under the hands of Joseph Young. (This was done in the fall of 1841 according to other sources.) In 1842 I went to Indiana and Ohio on a mission and returned in July of the following year and resumed work on the Temple.”

Important Church Historical Sites in the Far West Region of U.S. late 1830’s and 1840’s The Kelsey family is in the 1842 Nauvoo Church Census and are listed as members of the Nauvoo 1st Ward. In 1843 Stephen Sr. and wife Rachel left Ohio for the state of Illinois and settled on the level piece of land at that time known as “Illinois Bottoms”, near the town of Lima, Adams County. I do not know if Stephen Sr. becomes a member of the church. He is found in 1860 Census of Woodstock, Campaign Co. Ohio living with Sylanue Smith and Thankful Kelsey.



“In the fall of ’43 went to Galena (Il.) Wisconsin together with Eliza Averett and family.”

(“Nauvoo – A Place of Peace..” pg. 246, by Glen M. Leonard – “The Temple committee needed large quantities of wood and found them at a reasonable cost in pine forests 400 miles away in the Black River region of Wisconsin. Men recruited for timber missions in the north country harvested trees and cut them into logs for rafting down the river to Nauvoo… More than 150 men worked in the pineries…In the uncertainty following Joseph Smith’s death, many LDS workers left the pineries; the following spring….” This may have been the reason Easton moved north and is definitely the reason why he returned.)

When Jeanette was very young in Illinois (still with her parents the Mulliners), the Prophet Joseph Smith visited the Mulliner home. He blessed her and held her on his lap. The year is unknown. It could have happened in Springfield or Nauvoo. However, she was baptized in 1842 or 1846 while living in Nauvoo. In April 1844, due to rumors of threats against the temple project, the temple committee posted policemen as guards for the lumber and the temple.


“Returned in April ’44 amid great excitement. Everybody under arms I joined in with the people to protect the place on the 27, June, the Prophet and Patriarch was killed, and John Taylor wounded. These were times of excitement among the Latter Day Saints. I returned to work on the Temple as soon as the excitement was a little over.”

From “Easton Kelsey” by an Unknown Child of Easton – D.U.P.

“Easton endured lots of hardships that the saints had to endure. He was personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum, and on many occasions was called to help quard the Prophet and to patrol the city when the mob violence was high.“


John Wyatt at the new Visitors Center in Nauvoo next to one of the sun stones of the

original temple. He is wearing his “If they built it they will come” tee-shirt. The Mulliner family was in Nauvoo during these years as were the Kelseys, Deuels and Whitings. There is a map in the Addendum showing where all our ancestors lived within the city of Nauvoo and outlying areas. At the time of this book’s April 2004 edition, which coincides with the 160th anniversary of the death of the prophet, the State of Illinois issued an official apology for how the saints were treated and driven from the state. Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley was brought to tears at this unexpected news as was I. The Utah Governor Olene Walker told President Hinkley the news and the President invited the Illinois state representatives to his office for a meeting. Governor Walker said, “It was amazing to see how personally he took the state’s gesture…He was moved to tears. Three generations have come and gone since the Mormon expulsion, but to them it’s like it happened yesterday. Most have relatives who fled Nauvoo and they heard the story all their lives.” “When Nauvoo was settled it was the 10th largest city in the United States…it was a thriving community that was forced out and left in the dead of night to ensure their safety.” After writing this family history, it now seems more than ever, like it happened yesterday. The apology is very healing and was the trip our family made last year to see the restored Nauvoo Temple.

(“Nauvoo – A Place of Peace..” pg. 246, by Glen M. Leonard – In July lumber arrived from the Wisconsin pineries. On Aug. 9, 1844 a daughter Louisa was born in Nauvoo. By December there were 15 hired steady carpenters to prepare the timber for use when the stonework was finished. A work area for them was set up on the main floor hall inside the temple. (Easton is listed as one of these hired workers.)


After the martyrdom of the prophet, Easton takes a brake from working on the Temple and from the pressure building in Nauvoo by finding employment down the river. Whether his family remained in Nauvoo while he earned income is unknown.


“In 1844 I went to New Orleans shipped aboard a steamboat as fireman, at Memphis. Then went down to New Orleans and shipped aboard the same boat as carpenter, going down the river we ran into a small boat and sunk it with all the deck passengers and firemen on board. In New Orleans I took the second mates berth. Came home to Nauvoo in April of ’45 and went to work on the Temple again.

Easton had quite a story to tell about the tragedy when the boat sunk according to one of his children. He felt blessed because he didn’t come away with any serious injury.

In the spring of 1845 April 9, at a general conference was ordained a member of the 6th Quorum of Seventies under the hands of Levi Hancock.”

By the end of April 1845, carpenters had completed framing the second level and were well underway installing floor joists. In July the steeple of the temple is high above the roof and Irene Pomeroy makes this wonderful remark in a letter to a friend, “We hear the laborers sing and shout as they raise the timbers.” The temple, though not yet completed, is dedicated by Brigham Young in the first level hall October 1845. At this meeting, was conducted the first dedication of the building, “thus far completed, as a monument of the saints’ liberality, fidelity, and faith.”

From “Nauvoo – A Place of Peace…” – by Glen M. Leonard – pg. 565 -

On the evening of December 30, temple work ceased the temple officiators ended their work early. Seeking to express their feelings about immigrating, Peter Hanson and Elisha Averett, Easton’s friend, played “several lively Airs, among the rest some very good lively dancing tunes.” This sparked a celebration and soon the church leaders were playing instruments, dancing, and singing.

Easton owned block 58 lot 4 in Nauvoo. This is now the spot where the Nauvoo Visitors center is located. Easton, Abagail, and Orson their first son, appear on the Nauvoo 1st Ward records as listed in Nauvoo 1839-1846 Early Mormon Records Series Vol. 1 by Lyman De Platt 1980. In the Nauvoo Temple Record, page 103, dated January 5, 1846, Easton and Abigail receive the ordinances of washing & anointing and the endowment. After church leaders were endowed in early December 1845, Joseph Smith promised the temple builders the next priority of receiving their endowments, followed then by the priesthood quorum members in an orderly fashion for those found worthy by their quorum presidencies. They were expected to be bathed and be in a spirit of fasting and prayer when they arrived. (No proxy endowments were authorized until 1877 in the St. George Temple.) In the Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register by William Clayton, Easton sealed to 1st wife Jan. 27, 1846 in Nauvoo Temple. Very few saints had the privilege of being sealed in the Nauvoo Temple. On Apr. 8, 1846 a second son Easton Jr. was born in Nauvoo. Easton Jr. lived only 8 years according to Saints in Exile by David Crockett.


On Apr. 30, 1846, Joseph Young pronounced the first official dedicatory prayer. Later, when the finishing touches were made, Orson Hyde offered a final public dedicatory prayer. Bro. Hyde was put in charge of completing the Temple after Brigham Young left Nauvoo. Hyde told Brigham that an angel had warned him in a dream; “This people cannot stay here.” To do so, Hyde said, would provoke an attack. The remaining 2400 saints who did not migrate with the original companies were attack by mobs led by Levi Williams and forced out at gun point, throwing many into the river while shouting obscenities. Many of these were the poorest of the Saints and suffered great physical hardships. They were called the “Poor Camp”. With the temple completed, Easton was free to go. The Family Group sheet for Easton records him leaving Nauvoo in the spring of 1846 and later living in Kanesville, IA in 1848. Thomas Bullock was born in England, where he was baptized in November 1841. He arrived in Nauvoo in May 1843, and by October was one of Joseph Smith's personal scribes, working closely with Willard Richards and William Clayton. The Nauvoo Journal of Thomas Bullock details the last months of Mormonism in Nauvoo as Bullock remained in Nauvoo after the initial exodus began. Its pages reveal the growing tensions and even violence as increasing pressure is placed on the Latter-day Saints to leave Illinois. This journal covers 31 August 1845 to 5 July 1846, with some gaps. Bullock would keep the records of the Poor Camp, which traveled across Iowa 17 September-17 December 1846, and would serve as the official clerk of the First Pioneer Company under Brigham Young from April-July 1847. On the pages shown here, Bullock records the details of the first fire in the Nauvoo Temple on 9 February 1846. He reveals, in the harried events of the exodus, when all that were worthy sought to obtain their temple blessings, that overheated temple clothing caused the fire. But his account also reveals the pathos of Mormons forming a bucket brigade to fight the fire while simultaneously posting guards to keep non-Mormons out of their sacred structure, a flat boat sinking and causing commotion in the frozen river. Few scenes suggest the travail of the Mormon Nauvoo exodus better than this. (Emmeline Grover Rich, daughter of Caroline Whiting Grover, a sister of Eliza Avery Whiting who married William Henry Deuel, was on this flat boat. Details are in the Whiting family history in this book.) Easton mentioned the Temple fire in his diary:

From “Chr. History…” –

When a fire broke out in the temple, he (Easton) organized the people, handling buckets of water up one side and the empty ones down the other side. There was a well on the place. “I continued to work on the Temple until completed or accepted.” From “Nauvoo – A Place of Peace…” – by Glen M. Leonard – pg. 575 -

Some say that Willard Richards organized the bucket brigade. It may have been a committee effort as so many of these types of projects are. By the time the fire was out, Brigham Young arrived and men on the deck roof shouted a triumphant “Hosannah!” to him.


Wyatt family on vacation trip to Nauvoo during the open house. Easton Kelsey helped

to build the original temple and many ancestors did temple work inside. At one of the Nauvoo old pioneer cemeteries there is a Mary M. Kelsey listed as one who died in Nauvoo but I am not sure if she is related. At another site Melissa and Minerva U. Kelsey are listed (relation if any is also unknown). They are also listed at Kanesville cemetery so they could have died as the family left Nauvoo and is counted in both places:

After the temple is completed Easton begins his journey west. Easton and family move west with the great exodus out of Nauvoo. In preparing for the trip to the Rocky Mountains, he moves the family to Des Moines Iowa and then to Savannah Missouri. Easton’s half brother Stephen Kelsey Jr., leaves Nauvoo with his Uncle Joseph Allan and go as far as Mr. Pasgah, Iowa then on to Winter Quarters that same year and lives with Jonathan Wight and John D. Lee. Amazing enough, Stephen volunteered to join the pioneers on their march west but he does not join the church until he arrives in Salt Lake City in the Brigham Young wagon train.



In 1846 I moved to Des Moines about 40 miles west of Nauvoo, remaining there about 1 ½ years, then went with my family down to Missouri to labor for an outfit to come to the mountains. I labored at Savannah at house carpentering.

Living in Des Moines saved the family from the hardships suffered by the majority of those moving west. Many of their friends were not as fortunate as newspapers of the day indicate:

From "The Starving Mormons," [Article in the] Harrisburg Argus, September 30, 1846, p. 3. -

"We have a most dismal account of the condition of the Mormons who undertook to migrate to California, but stopped at a place agreed on between them and Col. Allen, where the latter was desirous of raising a battalion of infantry among them. They were to locate on the Platte River.... They attempted to raise a crop for their subsistence, but failed to do so, and have abandoned the Platte, and are now at Bellevue, on the Missouri River, near the Council Bluffs. They are said to be in a starving condition."

From "The Mormons in the Wilderness," Article in the New York Daily Tribune, February 17, 1848, p. 1. Editorial. -

"The Country looked on and saw the Mormons driven from their hard-won homes, while their property was stolen or destroyed... and now the poor victims are wandering over the bleak prairies of the savage North-West, in bewildering terror and sullen despair, of lying down to die by hundreds of famine and nakedness. Our Government, which ought to have protected them, and might have done it, let them be plundered of their all; and now they are starving by hundreds..."

They arrive at the Mormon settlement of Kanesville and there, on July 20, 1848 their 4th child Abigail was born. They must have been in Kanesville only a very short while because Kelsey notes that they moved from Des Moines IA to Savannah Mo. He doesn’t mention Kanesville as a stopping place, however, Abigail was born in Kanesville at a time between Des Moines and Savannah. However, by June 1850 the Kelseys were living to Savannah based on records from the Frontier Guardian newspaper. The only thing I know that transpired while in Savannah Mo. is that Easton subscribed to The Frontier Guardian for $2.00 on June 12, 1850 and became an agent for the paper from June 26, 1850 to July 10, 1851 while working at “house carpentering”. He migrated to Salt Lake just prior to July 10th, so his name must have been submitted to the paper before he left. (As the largest Mormon primary source from 1849 to 1851, the Frontier Guardian is crucial to understanding the Latter-day Saint experience in the region around Kanesville, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. The four volumes of the newspaper contain eighty-one issues. As the Guardian's editor in chief, Elder Orson Hyde believed the newspaper was an essential tool to help the region's Saints remain focused on their westward trek.- Susan E. Black). Easton was asked to help build wagons and prairie schooners then Easton is appointed captain of his own pioneer company of 100 wagons in 1851: In Easton’s wagon is Abigail, son Orson and Easton Jr, and daughter Louisa.


“In the spring of 1851 I left for the mountains (from Kanesville).”

From “Pioneer Companies 1847-1868”, The Historical Resource Study: Mormon Pioneer National Historical Trail, pg. 136-150 by Stanley B. Kimball 1991 - Roster was found in J.H. Supp. After Dec. 31, 1851, pg. 4-5 though incomplete. Orange H. Warner was a member of this company and kept a journal -


The table of companies listed Departure Post as Kanesville, Iowa, on Jun 29, 1851 but tried to leave earlier on June 10th, but ran into Indian trouble and turned back, Easton Kelsey and Luman A. Shurtliff were both captains of the first fifty in the “3rd company” that year.

According to Luman Shurtliff, Easton was appointed captian of 100 and Luman and Isaac Allred captains of 50 within the company of 100 with Amos Musser secretary. Easton exhibits great leadership skills in the account that follows of Luman Shurtliff. We also learn the company had begun the trip but ran into delays even before the official start date.

From Shurtliff, Luman Andros, Autobiography [ca. 1852-1876], fd. 2, 7-29. -

The Brethren continued to gether [gather] on the East Bank of the [Missouri] River and waiting until one hundred wagons arrived. we ware [were] here in camp three weeks when Br. Isaac Allred came to our camp and informed us that the Company would be organized the next day at one o clock. Accordingly the next day was a verry rainy day. we went to the place appointed and the Brethren gathered in a log house. it was raining hard at the time and we rushed in without ceremony. the first I he[a]rd was from the chairman Father James Allred who said if you leave me to nominate our Officers I shall nominate Br Easton Kelsey Captain of the hundred. the motion was Seconded and Carried. then he said he would nominate Br. Luman A. Shirtliff [Shurtliff] Capt. of the first fifty. Motioned and Carried. I then step[p]ed across the Room to Br Kelsey and said let us have Br Isaac Allread [Allred] for the next Capt. thats right he said. at this the chairman said I hear the name of my Son Isaac mentioned for the Capt. of the Second fifty. all in favor of that show it by raising the right hand. a clear vote was the result. We then Chose Brother [Amos Milton] Musser Secretary of the Co. Then organized into Companies of tens with a Capt. to each ten wagons and made preperations to start accross the River. My being Chosen Capt. of a Company was quite unexpected to me, and how it happened unless Br Hyde (Who I supposed dictate'd the affair) felt better toward me then [than] I thought he did when I left the Bluffs which I hoped was the case. We soon began to move accross the River.

A “start” date could vary from person to person depending on the circumstances for preparation for the long journey:

From “Pioneer Pathways”, p. 202, Wiley Payne Allred section (see also Journal of Ira Ames trip log)–

“Wiley Payne Allred and his family left for Utah on May 22, 1851, in Captian Kelsey’s Company. Sarah was ill at the time but anxious to go to Utah. She was sure she could make the trip, but it was too much for her, and she died the first night they made camp. They had stopped by the ranch of a Mr. DePue. When they started to make camp, he walked up and down the fence line cursing the Mormons and telling them to drive on. But when he saw what had happened, he was touched by the family’s grief and told them they could stay. Wiley wanted to give up the trip and take his family back to Council Bluffs (Kanesville), but the company persuaded him to go back and bury his wife while they waited for him. He did this and upon his return they continued the journey…Before they reached Utah, some of the leaders advised him to marry Elizabeth Ann Davis, an English woman, which he did.”

Luman Shurtliff gives the following account of the trek to Utah:


From “Luman Shurtliff Journal” BX8670.1.sh93-BYU Special Collections Library –

“As fast as the teams and wagons crossed the river we went out to the Six Mile Grove where we stayed until the whole company got across the river. When the hundred were all together we moved on the river called Horn. This was very high and was rising hard. After staying over night at the Ferry we traveled North up the river. We got along very slow. The rain fell in torrents and the thunder shook the earth and two of our brethren were knocked down by lightening. About 10 A.M. one morning a company of armed men came to our camp and delivered a letter from Brother Hyde telling us of trouble with Indians and advised us to return to Six Mile Grove. After some dissention we obeyed the orders and returned the next morning. We arrived on the 27th of June, and had been gone from home thirty-seven days, and had gained twenty miles to the West from where we started.

Note: The account of the Indian trouble is also found in Lumans’ other journal - as follows: Shurtliff, Luman Andros, Autobiography [ca. 1852-1876], fd. 2, 7-29. - “About the twentieth of June we camped on a large stream which we thought was a branch of the Horn. we examined the River but found no chance of fording. near four miles above we could see a grove of timber which we thought we could chop and float down and build a bridge near our camps. Early the next morning we called our companys got our breakfast and started for the Grove. about half way to the Grove a few of the Brethren before I came up had swam accross and was on the opposite bank waiting for me. I swam over with a long rope in one hand and an ax in the other. when on shore I looked back and saw our Clerk of the hundred standing on the bank. at the same time some one called for him to come on. he replied he could not swim. a proposition was soon made by two of the Brethren that if he wished to come over they would go and fetch him across. to this he consented. two good swimmers started back. I felt to do so too thinking I might Be needed. the Clerk had on heavy clothing and Over Coat and india rubber boots &c. when they went into the water one on each side of the Clerk each took his coat sleeve in their teeth. I stood watching untill they had got near the middle of the River and in the strongest current when one of the swimmers threw a wave of the water into the Clerks face which strangled him and he yerked [jerked] his right hand from the Br [brother] on the upper side and as he put his hand to his face the current rolled him under the Br on the lower side of him and Broke loose from them Both. when I saw this I sprang in and swam to them as fast as I could the current haveing carried them down some distance. Just as I came to them they caught him and we took him to the shore whare he lay some time before he could help himself as usual[. we walked to the grove. a part cut and others flo[a]ted down timber. others placed it and built a bridge by taking those trees that would reach from one shore to the other. the water filled the banks of the stream and our stringers lay on the water. we then laid timber and brush accross the stringers and covered it with tough soils or turf cut square and fitted together on the brush and timber. we nearly finished our bridge and intended to finish and cross it earley in the Morning[. I and many others had swam nearly all day and not being use[d] to swimming for some years it made me sore and stiff for several days. Our Camp was on the Side Hill and about dark their came a verry hard shower and rained several hours and the water ran down the hill under our wagons so strong that it washed down the hill frying pans plates and even chains lying leng[t]h wise of the hill ware washed down the hill some rods. It rained all night and in the morning our bridge was gone and but one stick in Sight about ten A.M. a company of armed men came to our camp haveing a letter from


Elder Hyde in which we were informed a difficulty had arisen between the Indians [and] the Mormons for which the Emigration was threatened and his council was for us to return to or near the River under the care of this Escort. Capt Kelsey called the companies together at Capt. Allread [Allred's] Camp to ascertain the feelings of the company on hearing the letter read. after the reading of the letter Capt Kelsey. wished to know the minds of the Brethren relative to returning to the six mile grove. I spoke first and spoke as I felt to showing that we knew nothing of the Indians. we had seen none. Elder Hyde did and evidently thought we ware in danger or would not have sent this guard to guard us back. And to hearken to Elder Hyde's council was better than to sacrifise this whole people and we was making but very little headway in traveling and I felt like obeying Elder Hyde’s council. Br Capt A. [Allred] said he was opposed to going back and spoke accordingly but if we must go Back he thought that the guard had better not wait for us but go a head and not wait for the Company but the guard wished to finish the order given them to Escort back the Companies. After several had spoken called a vote Capt Kelsey called a vote to ascertain the mind of the Co. it was decided that we would carry out Elder Hydes Council and let the Escort carry out their orders also. After our meeting closed and most of my Co had returned Capt A. said considerable against going back and said it was cowardise [cowardice] for their was no need of it. This was the first I had seen <of> opposition in Capt A. The next morning we hitched up our teams and started not back on our back track but to the East and on the 27 of June Stoped at the six mile Grove. I had now bin [been] 37 days from home or on my journey and had gained but twenty miles to the west from whare I started on the 20 of May. I camped at the lower side of the Grove and Capt A camped at the upper side nearly a half mile from me. near night Capt Kelsey came and said Capt Shirtliff they have raised the flag at Allreads Camp and are haveing a dance which is Contrary to Elder Hydes and my Orders and I wish you to go their with me. We soon collected the men of my Co and went to the Camp and <found> them enjoying themselves well. Capt Kelsey called them to order and talked to them good and show[e]d the impropriety of stepping over Elder Hydes councill also (His Capt Kelsey's) orders which was to have no dancing in camp. And told the people that they did not appear to be satisfied with him and he wished to resighn [resign] and they could choose another man that would please them better. But the Brethren would not concent to let him go. I spoke at some length showing the necessity of each carrying out the council given and being unified &c and if Capt Kelsey resighned I should. several others spoke in favor of our present organization. At the close of our meeting by the sudgestion [suggestion] of Elder Stodard I was appointed Bishop in my Company and use any property in the Co--my wisdom dictated was for the benefit of the Comp [Camp.] We seperated with much better feeling then [than] we had when we came together. This evening we got a letter from Elder Hyde stateing that the Indian difficulty was settled and we could now go a head in safety.”) From “Luman Shurtliff Journal” BX8670.1.sh93-BYU Special Collections Library – continued….

Here I was appointed Bishop of the company and to use any property in the company my wisdom dictated was the best for my company. We got a letter that night from Brother Hyde stating that the Indian difficulty was settled and we could now go ahead in safety. On June 29, 1851, we once more rolled out of camp, took a northwesterly course. The feed was excellent, the weather fine, our teams good, and we got along well and soon comae to the forks of the Horn. We readily crossed and nothing worthy of note occurred and we soon came to the west fork of the Horn a little before sundown. There were now three companies of us which we called the Grove Company.


Some of our hourses were stolen by the Indians and the hills above us were like swarms with Indian watching our every move. About sunset some of them made their appearance and came up within one-half mile and seemed to be holding a counsil, sat down and sat until it began to grow dark. I did not feel satisfied to let them stay there for I thought they mediated evil. I called on two of the bretheren to go to them and invite them to come to camp and stay with us all night and if they would and let them keep all of their weapons until morning, I would give them a supper and a breakfast and let them have a tent to sleep in. When I saw them coming we bought up our stock and put them in our corral pitched our tent in the opening of the fort for the cattle, so if any of the Indians stampeded the stock by scarring them at the back of the corral the cattle would tramp down the tent and the Indians together. I thought the Indians would understand this and to save their chiefs would let our cattle alone. They came up looking very friendly and handed me avery weapon I could see about them and we introduced them into the tent and fave them a good supper and placed a double guard on the outside of the tent and fave orders to let no one pass in or out without orders from me. I then put a faithful guard around the camp and felt somewat safe. We had no trouble that night and in the morning when the Indians in the tent had their breakfast they soon left and went towards the timber. As they reached the timber their camp seemed to break up and move off toward the north and I never saw half so many Indians in my life before… We crossed rivers on timber bridges and forded rivers, passed hills and then came to a rolling prairie, with good feed and water, then we came to sand hills. We then changed our course and bore more west and southwest and kept nearer the Platt River. We traveled for days and the feed became more scarce. We made a corral of our wagons at night and turned out stock loose but had them stampede and had much trouble. The next day we traveld southwest all day and in five more days we came onto the Bluffs of the Platt Bottom which as a beautiful sight. Here there were herds of buffalo on either hand and in front from ten to five hundred in droves… I promised my men one day they could stop and kill and smoke some buffalo and put up the meat so it would not be wasted. This night we camped on the old raod running from Winter Quarters to the valley and thanked God that we had got where white men and women had been before and we spent the evening very pleasantly. We made arrangements to hunt buffalo early the next morning. Tow young ones were brought to the famp and we found the meat delicious. We put up some crotches and layed sticks across, cut the meat in slices and then built a smke fire under it. It dried sweet and good. We remained here two days. The hunters killed all the meat and we enjoyed our rest. It was pleasant weather and with a constant cool breeze blowing from the west. The grass for our cattle was sweet and rich though short, beign constantly fed by the thousands of buffalos which grazed on there bottom lands. On July 30, we raised our camp and started up the Platt River. Here now were seven companies of emigrating saints with their neatly covered wagons, their handsome spread tents, their hundred of grazing cattle and hourses and here and there a mule an further back, grazing on the plains thousand of buffalos with occasionally an Indian or a brother stealthily moving amont the herds to select a beef to his liking. Near by and among the tents and wagons, they busy and engaged in something. Hundred of men and women and children, like ants on their pile. All this scene was beautiful and inspiring to the beholders. Our team were now in good order for traveling and we went on our way rejoicing.


We followed the road of the earlier pioneers on and on through Echo Canyon over Big Mountain and Little Mountain and down through Emigration Canyon and here beheld the valley of Great Salt Lake. And what feelings of joy and gratitude swelled within us as we stood and viewed the promised land where we would soon be located in peacul homes to be driven and molested no more. On our journey the Sabbath Day was observed. We rested and worshipped surrounded by the grandeur of nature, and with voices lifted to Heaven we felt as if we whre in the Temples of the Gods. We got into the Salt Lake Valley, September 23, 1851…”

Another member of Easton’s camp wrote the following concerning the trek west: From the book “Journey to Zion” by Dr. Carol Cornwall, pg. 439, a section from Elias Smith’s Journal –

In leaving Kanesville they “saw thousands of buffalo…met many other company of pioneers on the way…those who went around the Elk Horn before had been robbed by the Pawnees…then on Wed. July 30th, 1851 - Sometime in the night after all were in bed but the watchman, there was a tremendous shower of rain and hail, and the wind blew a hurricane. This morning the air is some cooler. Traveled 18 miles. The road was excellent. Turned off the road and camped 1 ¼ miles west of Deep Dry Creek. This evening from our encampment we saw a company ahead of us encamped on the prairie which proved to be Captain Luman A. Shurtliff’s, in the first fifty of Captain Easton Kelsey’s company, which went the new route around the Elk Horn River”…

“After a tedious journey of five months we arrived at Salt Lake City on the 7th day of October. (In Historical Resource Study it puts the arrival date as Sept. 23, 1851. probably was the first wagons to arrive as the group was split up along the trail.

Easton settles in Salt Lake City a while then moves to a small settlement just south called Union inside the fort, at Little Cottonwood Canyon region. He is shown as the original owner of Lots 1 & 24 in block 10 of the original 12 blocks that formed this settlement. (Some family members are buried in the Union Pioneer Cemetery.) It isn’t long before they are once again harassed, this time by the native Americans:


I moved ten miles south and bought a place at Union, Little Cottonwood Canyon. My principle occupation was building houses and mills. In ’52 I was organized in the military as Major to defend ourselves against Indian depredations.

Jeanette Mulliner (Eastons future bride in 1852), having lived in a home that was used both for business and living, she learned to meet people as she helped her father with customers. Jeanette also loved to go to the mill in Cottonwood canyon with her father and sister Elizabeth. She would watch the big water-wheel turn. Jeanette learned needle work and sewing (all by hand) from both her parents. She made many hats for ladies braided with straw and grass. At one time she worked as a milliner. Samuel hired many men to help in his shop and mills. One that he hired was a young man by the name of Easton Kelsey. Easton was a cultured, good Latter-day Saint man who had filled a mission and worked on the Nauvoo Temple. He was much older than Jeanette. While engaged in defending the saints against Indians Easton manages to find a second wife. He finds Samuel Mulliner’s daughter a worthy companion and takes her to Salt Lake. He marries a third time soon thereafter and it is thought that all 3 wives lived together for a time.



I was married ‘for time’ to Jeanette Sutherland Mulliner August 4, 1852 in Salt Lake City, Utah (by Heber C. Kimball - Jeanette is the Wyatt ancestor and was pregnant at this time with Catherine our ancestor, who was later born Feb. 20, 1853 and who married Lewis Deuel. Catherine was baptized by Walter Dodge and confirmed by Orson Pratt.) I was married to Mary Jane Cox my third wife, on the 20th of July 1853, at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah. (In his family group sheet Easton records being sealed to both 2nd Jeanette and 3rd Mary Jane on Jul. 20, 1853.

The situation with the local Indians gets worse and is resolved by a need to combine forces against a greater threat, never-ending harassment from the U.S. Army. In Easton’s interviews he summarized this period of trouble as the price of peace was high for the pioneers who fought against all odds nearly their whole lives. He simply states:


In 1855 the Walker War broke out, Walker being an Indian Chief, and created a good deal of trouble for the settlers. In 1857 went to Echo Canyon as a guard to keep back Johnston’s Army. Started to the mountains the 18th of November. It was very cold and stormy. Remained out in Echo Canyon nearly all winter. We were camped out as soldiers. I returned home in the spring of 1858.

In between his military assignments, in 1856, Easton was called by Brigham Young to help get rock for the building of the Salt Lake Temple. This would not be unusual for a builder such as Easton who was near the quarries serving the militia. Eventually, peace is made with the saints and Easton is able to concentrate on his family, home, business, and even church work. On May 6, 1856 son Samuel Kelsey son of Jeannette is born at Union Utah (at this time he has fathered 9 children from his 3 wives. In all, 23 children will be fathered by Easton; 10 from Abigail, 4 from Jeannett, and 9 from Mary Jane Cox. Right: Quarrying granite blocks for the SLC Temple


I went to Lehi and went to work on a flour mill for Samuel Mulliner, his daughter Jeanette became my second wife, we were married by Heber C. Kimball. This was about 25 miles south of Union.


The Kelsey family are asked by the church to move south on a Dixie life mission (as were the Mulliners and Deuels).


In ’61 was called by Brigham Young to go south on a mission to Dixie, together with my family, and settled in St. George, Washington Co., Utah, and followed the occupation of building houses and mills.”

Easton took his families, by this time he had three wives. They first settle at North Bend Fairview but soon left there to the camp at St. George arriving in December of 1861. Easton was a carpenter and built mills and homes for a living. Jeanette shared in the work required for the many moves necessary for the family to survive. She gave birth to four children, Katherine, Samuel, Zephyr, and Edwin. As soon as the children were old enough they worked in Leeds, Kanarrah, and St. George. Many times food was scarce and they hunted for greens and game out on the prairies and mountains. They learned to ride horses and milk cows are care for the animals. The girls helped make cheese and butter and learned the arts of homemaking. The girls made their own dyes and spun and wove their own cotton cloth. On Christmas Day 1861, the camp at St. George celebrated the holiday with dances for both children and grownups. The floor was the wire grass greensward between the rows of tents and covered wagons. That evening a storm raged and the partygoers fled back to their wagons and tents. The storm lasted 40 days and became of great catastrophe with many loosing their property and homes due to the Rio Virgin River flooding over. A similar flood a few years later would take Easton’s home and a family prized possession, Easton’s journal.

From “Chr. History” –

“He also ran a flour mill at Washington six miles from St. George for Erastus Snow.” A town at St. George was not yet established (The saints requested and received a city charter and began to establish a government in 1862.) Easton’s skills in leading and building were put to work in the new town. On Jan. 6th, the Saints pause to proclaim their loyalty to the Union locked in the great Civil War. They hold a meeting with prayer, song, and oratory. In this meeting Joseph Orton spoke and Erastus Snow commented later on this talk as follows:

From the “History of Erastus Snow” by Larson, the following account was recorded – “…in spirit-stirring appeals to the patriotism of the assemblage. He was repeatedly interrupted by the most hearty applause of his hearers. His sentiments and the plaudits of the people were well calculated to strike terror to the hearts of the promoters of disunion and fratricidal war.”

Erastus is the Mission Leader of the area and leads out to organize the government.

From the “History of Erastus Snow” by Larson, the following account was recorded – “Erastus Snow called a town mass meeting and on January 9th, 1862 proposed that the people assembled in St. George Valley erect a stone building…for social and educational purposes…the enthusiastic citizens elected Easton Kelsey, Joseph Birch, and Jacob Gates as a building committee and work on the first public edifice in the valley, the St. George Hall, was commenced forthwith.”


St. George was granted its city charter on March 10th by the Territorial Legislature and a “general spirit of rejoicing prevailed, in Deseret we’re free!” wrote Erastus to Brigham Young. The first private ballot for the election of the new of St. George city government was held on April 7th, 1862. “Angus M. Cannon emerged as mayor, while assisting him as aldermen were Easton Kelsey and Benjamin F. Pendleton...” From “Erastus Snow – The Life of a Missionary and Pioneer” by Andrew Larson, pg. 337 –

It is very interesting to note that while the saints were meeting to vote for the first public building, no one at this meeting “had a roof over his head as yet”. On Jan. 12, 1862 the people voted that Pres. Snow give out lots in the new city to the actual settlers. Surveying of the new town was complete and people began moving into their assigned lots by the 23rd. “It appears to have been Pres. Snow’s policy to hold a meeting at least once every 3 days.” His policy was that “every man’s voice be heard.”

When the town was laid out and lots drawn to divide the property, Easton drew a lot just west of the Woodward School house.

From “Easton Kelsey” by Nola Kelsey Neson granddaughter –

Easton built the 1st floor mill in the county. “When the town was surveyed, I drew the lot west of the Woodward school house…here I helped to build many houses…”

The St. George Hall began construction March 22, 1862 and took 3 years to complete but is not now part of the current 2002 historic sites, as unbelievable as it sounds, this historic was demolished to make room for a gas station. It was on the west side corner of Main Street and 1st. The saints are indeed a social group as the vote on the St. George Hall and frequent public meetings prove. The saints were indeed showing the world how to run a government and how to respect human rights. Any crime or violence was quickly addressed by the law and thus society for the Utah citizens was a safe and free society. A far cry from what they experienced in the United States. It is also noteworthy to see how the saints resolved their right to exist by fleeing and not through violence. This is a vital lesson for ethic or religious groups in the modern world. God and His saints have set the standard.


Easton was in the same business as his father-in-law Samuel Mulliner, of building and operating mills. He had worked for Samuel in Lehi and acquired the skills he needed.

From “Heartthrobs of the West” by The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers – Other Blacksmiths pg. 209 -

“Samuel L. Adams…Early in 1865, with the help of Easton Kelsey, he built and operated a gristmill in St. George.” And on pg. 230 – “Fine beds of gypsum were early brought into use by grinding in a machine made by S. L. Adams. This grinder was run by water power at the northwest of town at a mill operated by Easton Kelsey. The ground gypsum was baked or burned in a boiler like those used to make molasses. William Burt, a master mechanic, used this material known as Plaster Paris for molding ornaments. They were used in the Temple, Tabernacle, and Courthouse, also in many of the early fine homes.”

Soon after arriving the family acquired a ranch in Ash Creek, North Bend (Fairview) in the city of New Harmony, Iron County. This is possibley a second home. Abigail and the boys took care of an inn with boarders and cared for a dairy. She kept busy while Easton spent most of his time away, building mills and running them. Easton nearly looses his family but does loose his home (and his diary according to family oral tradition) in a flood of the Rio Virgin River at Washington Co. July 4, 1868.

From “Chr. History…” –

“While at a celebration being held at St. George there was a cloud burst and a terrible flood. Mary Jane Cox was living in a house on the banks of the creek close by the mill. They had to get out rapidly and Mary grabbed Rosannah and 4 year old Myra clung to her dress and they barely got out when the house was washed away in the flood. Word reached Easton at St. George and he walked all the way to Washington. It was night and he walked on the banks of the creek all night as there was no way to get on the other side for the creek was swollen so bad. You can imagine his anguish all those hours. In the morning news was shouted over to him that his family was safe but all his home was gone.”


Easton’s carpentering and building skills come in handy once again as he not only rebuilds his home but also contributes to the building of the Tabernacle and the St. George Temple. This time, neither enemies of the church not natural disaster are unable to hinder the work. With the completion of the temple came a great outpouring of joy from the Saints. They are free at last to worship God. He was a very independent, stern man, but had a good sense of humor. Near the completion of the Temple Easton expresses his individuality and his lighter-side:

From “Chr. History…” -

A great granddaughter tells this story: “when the upper catwalk around the temple spire was completed, Easton did the work as he was an excellent carpenter, Easton then in his thirties, called down to the men on the ground – ‘Watch me moys!’ and turned a summersault on the catwalk, much to the gasps of surprise and astonishment. He was a tall well built big man, very athletic and quick.”

After 5 years the St. George Temple is completed in the later part of 1876. At the next general conference of the church on April 6, 1877, the Temple is dedicated by Daniel Wells of the First Presidency. Easton takes part in the ceremonies as a newly ordained High Priest and Bishop:


“At the April conference in St. George Temple I was ordained a High Priest and a Bishop, and set apart as president over the priest quorum of the St. George Stake of Zion, under the hands or Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow.”

From the book “The St. George Temple First 100 Years”, by DeMills - Deseret News reported – “Friday April 6th 1877 -

“Before general conference began the following ordinations and settings apart were attended to…Elder Easton Kelsey was ordained a High Priest and set apart as a bishop and to preside over the Priest’s Quorum, Apostle Erastus Snow being mouth.” Brigham Young, the Twelve, and other church leaders sat in the Temple in the Melchezedic Preisthood stand. “The three lower rows of Aaronic stand were occupied by the presiding officers of the Priests, Teachers, and Deacons Quorums respectively.” (As Bishop, Easton would have been seated there.) “Brigham Young spoke briefly at five of the conference sessions. In spite of his poor health, his talks were strong and inspirational. One of his great desires had come to pass; he had lived to see the completion of the Temple to the Lord in the west…To the hundreds of saints who had toiled and sacrificed, who had worked on the Temple as a labor of love, and who could now perform the important ordinances for their dead, it was the culmination of a project of faith, determination and cooperation. Although the Endowment House in Salt Lake had been in use for many years, there were additional ordinances which could now be performed… The completion of the St. George Temple was a true victory for the saints…”

Jeanette had a hard life. She was deaf but had a great deal of responsibility. When she was 48 she received word that her mother in Orderville was very ill. She went to her immediately. With the help of Brother Chamberlain they kept Samuel posted via telegraph.

From A Pioneer’s Life & Daughters of Utah Pioneers – Deseret Telegraph Co. April 1881 correspondence concerning Katherine’s death between Orderville and American Fork:


Easton and the church continued to prosper and expand during the Muddy Mission years. Easton acquired a ranch just a few miles north of St. George.

From “Easton Kelsey” by Nola Kelsey Neson granddaughter –

“I got a ranch in New Harmony…” Just as life was getting good for the Kelsey family, Easton was called on to uproot once again, builds a wagon, and moves to Nevada. Brigham Young sent several families into Nevada to colonize it. The conditions were harsh and amid great struggle to conquer the harsh environment, the U.S. gave the land to Nevada instead of Utah. True to form, the U.S. continued its assault on the saints by taking their hard fought possessions away, chiping away at the size of Utah:

From an interview recorded in “The Historical Records Survey”, by U.S. WPA December 24, 1936, by Juanita Doone & Nola Kelsey Nelson-

“In 1885 I went down in Nevada with some of my boys to a place called Overton, Lincoln Co., and there built a mill and run it for about 5 years. When I couldn’t work anymore, I returned to St. George in the spring of ’91. I am still in St. George in 1893.”

Easton builds a boat at one time when asked by Brother Harrison Peirce who had lost his 2 Ferry boats on the Colorado River. His daughter remembering this experience wrote that she would give them a cool drink of water and buttermilk. Brother Peirce was so pleased with her he named the boat after her.

The most important desire Easton expressed was to always be available and worthy to act for his Heavenly Father, using his hands and heart for the Lords purposes. His favorite scripture was Moses 1:39. Easton and his family deserve praise for their contributions and sacrafice made in behalf of their faith. As the century closes, so does the chapter on

Day Who From Fr To Whom To #of words

1 Thomas Chamberlain UO S. Mulliner AF 15 1 S. Mulliner AF Thos. Chamberlain UO 15 1 Jenette Kelsey UO Edward Kelsey S 9 1 Thos. Chamberlain UO S. Mulliner AF 10 2 Jenette Kelsey UO Easton Kelsey S 11 4 S. Mulliner AF Bishop Chamberlain UO 5 5 Thos. Chamberlain UO S. Mulliner AF 5 FYI: 29 B. Young BY H. O. Spencer UO 10 29 H. O. Spencer UO B. Young BY 10


the lives of our Kelsey ancestors. His first wife Abigail Finch died Dec. 4, 1892.

In 1893 Easton lives with his 3rd wife Mary Jane Cox (Jeanette alive and living in Kanarrah). Easton died May 13, or March 10, 1899 at St. George and is buried at the cemetery there. At the time of his death Easton had fathered 23 children, 144 grand children, 573 great grandchildren and 127 great great grand children.

Note: An account book survived the floods and was last known to be in the possession of Elmira Kelsey Hunt, one of Jane Cox Kelseys daughters of St. George – by Abigail Cox Heaton.

Jeanette died April 13, 1904 at 71 at Kanarrah leaving 15 grand children and 100 great grand children. Many of her posterity fulfilled missions. She and Abigail Finch Kelsey were buried in New Harmony, Washington County.)

Right - Jeanette Mulliner Kelsey’s Grave at Kannarah Utah with David John Wyatt–

His third wife Mary Jane Cox died May 18, 1911 at St. George and is buried at the cemetery there. A picture of Easton is in Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah Vol. 1 by Frank Esshom 1913.


Easton’s fourth Daughter by second wife Jeanette Mulliner - Catherine Kelsey Deuel Born Feb. 20, 1853 in Union Fort, Little Cottonwood, Salt Lake Valley. She had 2 brothers, 1 sister, and many half-brothers and half-sisters. Catherine’s father Easton moved to Lehi where he starts his family then later received a life mission call in 1861 to settle in the Muddy Dixie Mission. The family moved to St. George, then later settled in New Harmony, Leeds, Kannara, and acquired the famed Black Ridge Ranch. Catherine Kelsey Deuel- spent her time growing up in these areas. She had 2 brothers and a sister. She helped tend sheep with her brothers on the hillsides. Catherine had many stories and hair-raising tales of the Mountain Meadows Massacre and Indian atrocities which happened while she was living on the ranch. She remembered a time when John D. Lee tried to make the pass at Black Ridge on a Friday, but he could not make it and would have to stay at their farm all night. The Mountain Meadows Massacre is a tale from the life of John D. Lee, and is not a reflection on the church as anti-Mormons preach. Brigham Young’s advice was to let the traveling camp from Arkansas leave in peace, which unfortunately, arrived in southern Utah by horse carrier too late. Catherine lived in a polygamous family. Father had three wives. Their family was not unlike many other pioneer families, a colony to themselves. They raised sheep, sheared them, washed and carded, and spun the wool, colored with home-made dyes, took it to Washington and had it woven into cloth. Sister Zephyr recalls the dangers of the polygamous lifestyle, “Women of the under-ground would hide in her home. If any stranger asked us questions, we would say ‘no’ or I don’t know anything about that person.’ Whole families would be taken care of at the family home. She married Lewis Deuel, William Henry Deuel’s son, who was born in Centerville. Lewis Deuel moved to Kannara with his family, his Dad having received a life mission call to settle in the Muddy Dixie Mission. While father William Henry Deuel worked as a Blacksmith, Lewis went to work for Catherine’s Aunt Martha Ford on the Kanarra Mountain. She was also working for her Aunt, they met and fell in love. They were married by uncle and Bishop Lorenzo Roundy and later sealed in the Endowment House in Salt Lake. Their first home was in Panquitch. Zepher Nixon, her sister said of Catherine, “She was a hard worker, often going beyond her strength.” After their first child was born there, they moved back to Kanarra where their second child was born. Then returned to Panquitch, but it was too cold, and crops were not safe, so they went on the Escalante known then also as “Potatoville” in the fall after the first settlers had arrived in the spring. Lewis and brother William Henry Jr, tended the Parowan herd of sheep and cattle. They kept them in the valley where the city of Escalante now stands. Her sister Zephyr recalled, “We were always full of fun and we had good times together, playing pranks on someone. Hers was a fun-loving diposition, congenial, kind, and generous with those who had less. She was a friend to the Indian and knew their language well, having learned it from an Indian boy whom they raised. They always respected her and called her ‘Brave Squaw’.” (in those days this was a complement, however, in today’s world the term is considered derogatory)


In those days, they had to take their wagons apart and let them down over the ledges with ropes. So provisions were hard to get. One time all they had to eat were pig weed greens. When the town was moved on the South side of the creek, Lewis got the lot where Parley Porter lived. Three children were born in this home. They bought another home in town and two more children were born. Twice a week the men folks would make a trek to Salt Lake for provisions. Ranching seemed to prove very successful in summer, would milk 40 or 50 cows and make butter and cheese then haul it to Salt Lake and exchange it for necessities needed for the winter. Lewis worked at farming, herding sheep, freighting anything to make a living. Catherine was skillful in the arts of her time, sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidering with crewels on velvet and straw hats, braiding, pressing and trimming. She was the village milliner. The family would go I the field and gather the straws for hats. Make flowers out of horsehair and beads. The Deuels were hard workers but never too tired to entertain their friends, dance, etc. People who lived in the canyons made the Deuel home their center when they would come to town. Children in the kitchen and grown ups in the front room. The children would join in the games, spelling contests, molasses candy pulling and other games. The Deuels were religious and taught the children to go to church and if they didn’t go they didn’t get to go to the next dance. Catherine held many church callings and worked tirelessly for the church and the poor. The Deuels had little schooling but Lewis read to the children in the evening. The Deuels kept the first hotel. Lewis was asked by the Bishop to fix up his house and barn and take the travelers in. No one was turned away because they couldn’t afford to pay. The Kelsey and Deuel children were obliged many times to roam the prairies to find greens and different game to eat, as food was scarce. (See appendix for lists of native wild food sources.) Easton built and ran mills in the area. He also owned the historic Black Ridge Ranch below Harmony and Kanarrah. Catherine could ride a horse and helped her brothers herd sheep on the hillsides. She remembered hearing the tales of John B. Lee and his Mountain Meadow Massacre and Indian atrocities which happened when she was a young girl living there. She had seen John Lee try to make the pass at Black Ridge but could never make it and would have to stay at their farm all night. It was at one of these ranches she met here future husband, Lewis Deuel. He was riding cattle for his father, stopped in at this ranch for a drink of water. They were married June 10, 1871 in Kanarrah, by Lorenzo Roundy. They were endowed in Salt Lake Endowment House, October 1871. They moved to Panquitch where their first child was born. After their second child they were asked by church leaders to go to Escalante, Garfield “Potatoville”, to help settle that part of Utah where 5 other children were born.


Catherine always had good times together with her siblings, full of fun and always playing pranks on someone. She was congenial, kind, and generous with those who had less. She was a friend to the Indian and knew their language well, having learned it from an Indian boy they had raised. Indians respected her and called her “Brave Squaw”. She like most pioneers had little chance for education but in the evenings they would read together as a family, this was their only time for family recreation. The door was always open to the stranger, homeless, widow, and orphan. Her home was opened to the women of the underground (plural wives) when they were being searched for by the officers. They would sleep or even live for a time, at the Deuel home. People said of this family, “Never in all the years of my life, was I made to feel apart of a family, like this family. They were hospitable, and had a place where young people loved to go.” Katie, as she was called, was a good nurse and on a summer’s morning one could see her with her wagon taking the Relief Society president and bundles of food and clothing to the poor. Katie held many responsible church positions, in all the various organizations. Katie was fearless yet charitable, industrious and fun-loving. She could weave, card and spin yarn, tat, knit, crochet, embroider, make hats, and was the village milliner. Her hats were made from materials she could find in the fields. She would take her children along at pick straw for soaking in barrels. They were poor but the children’s clothes were made neat and attractive by her talent for sewing. Lewis and Katie kept the first hotel in Escalante as Bishop Andrew P. Schow asked them to fix up their home and barn for travelers. No one was turned away if they could not pay. It was said that the Deuel home was a haven and a place for young people loved to go. She loved good clean amusement and especially dancing. She and Lewis would teach the younger groups to dance. Lewis played the flute. They had what they called “Wood Dances”. The men would haul wood out and pile it for the widow and the poor. At night the ladies would cook a hot meal for all and they danced Apron dances and ate basket suppers. Their son Easton filled a mission in Maine. When Katie’s health declined in 1901 the family moved to Oregon. They drove the entire distance by team and wagon, arriving August 1902. They were not happy there so far from church and their children. All their property was taken from them in a scam land deal. The land was a leased plot they purchased, and it was returned to the rightful owners. She died April 28, 1906 in LaGrand Oregon at 52 years. Lewis returned to Utah and remarried but was never the same. He and the new wife did not get along so he spent the remained of his days with his married children in Utah and Idaho. (Much of this story was taken from Catherine’s daughter Avery J. Campbell’s recollections. As recorded by the D.U.P.)

saxton history ch7-11

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Transcript of saxton history ch7-11