Evaline DUNN HUNSAKER

20 

RELIEF SOCIETY MAGAZINE. [January 1918]

EVALINE DUNN HUNSAKER. MOTHER OF SEVENTEEN CHILDREN.

 The subject of this brief sketch is certainly an unusual mother. Great has been her mission here on earth and well and faithfully has she performed the same. 

Evaline Dunn was born September 12, 1853, in Brigham City, Utah, her father Simeon A. Dunn being- one of the first settlers of Brigham City, and who lived in the Old Fort together with President Lorenzo Snow and others. Her mother was HarrietAtwood Silver who joined the Church in Lowell, Mass., and leaving all her family and friends for the gospel's sake she went to Winter Quarters where she met and married Simeon A. Dunn. [Simeon Adams DUNN was a widower caring for 3 of his 5 young children.] They emigrated to Utah in 1848. Seven children were born to them—three sons and four daughters, viz., Sarah S., Simeon A., Emaline and Evaline (twins), Charles Q., Harriet and Henry who were also twins. 

Harriet Atwood Silver Dunn died Jan. 1, 1858, leaving her seven children without a mother's care. 

Evaline was only four years old at the time of her mother's death. She with the other children were left to the care of their father and [her] older sister (Susannah Dunn), whose mother was 

UNUSUAL MOTHERS

21

also dead, and who was only fourteen years of age when these little brothers and sisters were left to her care.

In the midst of poverty, the hard times and privations incident to the early pioneer life in Utah, the children all young—-were subjected to a life of hardship that may be imagined only by persons acquainted with such .scenes.

On Oct. 5, 1868, in the Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Evaline was united for time and for eternity to Allen Collins Hunsaker. Soon after her marriage, she moved with her husband to Honeyville, where they lived for about eleven years, when they settled in Elwood, Utah, being among the first settlers and again pioneering a new country. Her husband was a farmer and sheep man. He was presiding elder of the branch for over ten years and always received encouragement and help from his wife.

Seventeen children were born to them, namely, Simeon A., Lewis, Eva L., Lily M., Emaline M., Harriet V., Ethel, Adeline (who died in infancy). La Titia, Margaret, Susie, Aleen, Nephi (died at two years), Oscar (died at three weeks), Lorenzo S., Amy, and Harold (died in infancy). Thirteen of the seventeen children born to them are now grown to maturity and all except one (Lorenzo S.) are married and have all had that ordinance performed in the temple.

Surely the teachings, the example, the loving counsel of our parents have not been in vain.

The writer has this to say: If I ever do anything wrong in this life, if I do not keep the commandments given to us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it will not be because my mother or father have failed to teach me, both by example and precept, every principle of the gospel. Oh, I am so grateful for my parents. If I can only be half as good as my mother, how happy I will be!

Sister Evaline is a faithful member of the Church, bemg a worker in the ward Relief Society and helping in every way she can. She is the grandmother of 74 children and has four greatgrandchildren.

Besides rearing her own family she now has three of her grandchildren whose father (Simeon A.) died in 1902 and their mother in 1904. She has taken these children, the oldest being seven years old, and cared for them until they are now grown to young manhood and womanhood. The eldest, Simeon V. Hunsaker, has enlisted at our country's call and is training in the navy Two of her sons, Simeon A., and Lewis have filled honorable missions, the first to Germany and the latter to England.

For almost forty-nine years she has been a constant companion, a true and devoted wife and a loving mother. Long may she yet remain to be a source of inspiration to her posterity.

Aleen Hunsaker Thomas.

The Eight Wives of Simeon Adams DUNN

There is a virility of child information much is incomplete, incorrect, and disputed on new.familysearch, ancestor.com as well as other family sites. Corrections to the family of your grandmother is welcomed. Children colored blue lived to adult life.

The eight wives of Simeon Adams DUNN and their children.
(Simeon had one wife at a time.)

1. Adaline RAWSON daughter of Amariah RAWSON and Betsey CARPENTER. Adaline was born 27 Nov 1811 in Ontarion county, New York. Simeon and Adaline married 11 July 1827 of Rawsonville, Wayne, Michigan. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 22 Apr 1839. Simeon had walked from Michigan to Nauvoo to meet the Prophet Joseph Smith he returned and joined the church 15 Apr 1839, together he and Adaline move their young family to Nauvoo.

Children of Adaline and Simeon were:
1-Adaline DUNN Haws (b.19 Jun 1830 ,Wayne, Michigan - d.11 Jan 1852) At age 15 Adaline was Sealed to 20 year old Alpheus Peter HAWS 3 Jan 1846 Nauvoo Temple. [Alpheus P. HAWS 4th Sergt. of the Mormon Battalion.] They had two sons both died in early childhood.
2-Francis DUNN child (b.5 Dec 1832,Wayne, Michigan - d.22 Feb 1835.)
3-Mary DUNN ENSIGN (b.2 Nov 1833 Bellville, Wayne, Michigan - d.7 Nov 1920) married Martin Luther ENSIGN 8 Jan 1852 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah sealed 17 Jan 1853 Endowment House. They had nine children. Martin was the son of Horace Datus ENSIGN and Mary BRONSON.
4-Maria DUNN infant (b.3 Mar 1836,Wayne, Michigan - d.1 Apr 1836.)
5-Mosiah DUNN (twin) infant (b.19 Feb 1837 - d.7 Jun 1837.)
6- Amariah DUNN (twin) infant (b.19 Feb 1837 - d.19 Feb 1837.)
7 -Betsy DUNN Haws Brown (b.22 Mar 1838,Wayne, Michigan - d.17 Apr 1937 Oakland, California) Sealed Nauvoo temple at age 8 to Alpheus P. Haws Jul 1846. After the death of her sister Adaline wife of Alpheus P. Haws, Betsy then married Alpheus in 1853 they had 9 children all died young. Betsey Dunn divorced Alpheus in 1877. Married second James Alfred Brown 13 May 1893.

Simeon was left a widower with three young daughters when Adaline died 22 Oct 1941 in Nauvoo, Illinois. They was sealed 22 Jan 1846 in the Nauvoo temple after her death the same day Simeon was sealed to his second wife in life.

[Child 1-Adaline DUNN named for her mother and 3-Mary DUNN did not have middle names. They are often both listed as "Mary Adaline DUNN" a child by that name does not exist in this family. Mary DUNN did name her oldest daughter Mary Adaline ENSIGN, Mary also had a granddaughter named Mary Adaline ROBERTS.]

--------------------------------------------------------------

2. Margaret Snyder b.12 Mar 1812 she was the daughter of Jacob Snyder and Hannah Anderson. She married widower Simeon Adams DUNN 19 Jun 1842 in Nauvoo. They were sealed to each other 22 Jan 1846 in the Nauvoo temple. Margaret died before May 1946 in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Children of Margaret and Simeon:
1-Susanna DUNN b.6 May 1842 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, married Allen Collins Hunsacker 24 April 1859 Brigham City, Box Elder, UT, died 19/26 May 1921 Elwood, Box Elder, Utah. They had five children.
2-Simeon DUNN infant b.9 Feb 1846 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois - d. abt 6 May 1846 Nauvoo.

--------------------------------------------------------------

3. Jane Caldwell Waite (b.Mar. 27, 1808 Steubenville, Jefferson Ohio - d.Sep. 27, 1891 Bountiful, Davis, UT.) Daughter of Joseph Caldwell and Mary Bennett. Married first John Waite, about 1831. He died about 1851 in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri. [ It is not known if he was ever been in Nauvoo. ]

Children with John Waite: Jane Waite, Mary Waite, Lucena Waite, Anderson Waite, Mary Jane Waite, John Anson Waite, Martha Waite, Margaret Waite, Rebecca Waite.

Jane married second Eli Brazee Kelsey, 7 Feb 1846, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois. (b.Oct. 27, 1819
Portsmouth, Scioto, Ohio - d.Mar. 27, 1885 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT.) Other wives of Eli Brazee Kelsey were Letitia Sheets, Mary Forsythe, Mary Ann McIntyre, Emma Boys, Jane Sarah Morris. [Eli left on a mission from Nauvoo Jane believed him to be died when she married the third time.]

Third Jane married Simeon Adams Dunn, May 1846, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois - not sealed in life, and no record of marriage.

Children of Jane and Simeon DUNN:
1.Joseph Moroni DUNN b.12 Feb 1847 Winter Quarters, Douglas, Nebraska or Council Bluffs, Iowa - d.3 Aug 1912 Tooele, Tooele, Utah. Not knowing his father Joseph was raised by his mother and Eli B. Kelsey. He married Susanna Elizabeth White 27 Dec 1866 sealed in the endowment house. They had nine children.

--------------------------------------------------------------

4. Harriet Atwood Silver (b.22 Jul 1818 Bloomfield, Essex Vermont - d.2 Jan 1858 Brigham City, Box Elder, UT.) She married Simeon Adams DUNN 3 Jun 1847 Winter Quarters, , Iowa they were sealed 7 Dec 1857 St. George Temple.

Harriet crossed the plains with and cared for Simeon's motherless daughters. The first of her seven children was born after reaching Salt Lake City. Harriet cared for the family during Simeon's mission to the Society Islands 1848-50. During this mission Harriet's first child Sarah Sophia DUNN was born in Salt Lake City (1849) a second child was born in Salt Lake City 13 Jan 1851, Simeon's oldest child Adaline DUNN HAWS died (1852.) The next five children were born in Brigham City, Utah.

Children:
1-Sarah Sophia DUNN m. John Johnson DUNN. She was b.8 Jul 1849 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT - d.19 Mar 1923 Perry, Box Elder, Utah.
2-Simeon Adams DUNN Jr. m. Eunice Emily HARMON. He was b.8 Jul 1849 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT - d.13 Feb 1935 Alamosa, Alamose, Colorado.
3-Emeline Silver DUNN (twin) m.Francis R. Cantwell. She was b.12 Sep 1853 Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah d. 9 Oct 1914 or 21 Feb 1936 Ely, White Pine, Nevada.
4-Eveline Silver DUNN (twin) M. Allen Collins HUNSACKER. She was b.12 Sep 1853 Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah d.8 Oct 1914 Logan, Cache, Utah.
5-Charles Oscar DUNN first married 18 Oct 1876 Brigham City, Box Elder, UT Letitia SMITH daughter of Samuel SMITH and Janett Maria SMITH. Second married 24 Oct 1883 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT. Third married 27 Sep 1933 Logan, Cache, UT Ellen Augusta Mitchell Mortenson. Oscar was b.13 Oct 1855 Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah d.8 Oct 1914 Nibley, Cache, Utah.
6-Harriet Silver DUNN (twin) infant b.31 Dec 1857 Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah d.31 Dec 1857 Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah.
7-Henry Silver DUNN (twin) infant b.31 Dec 1857 Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah d.12 Apr 1858 Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah.

"Simeon Adams Dunn and Harriett Atwood Silver were married at Winter Quarters, January 3, 1847, by President Brigham Young. They arrived in Utah September 28, 1848, and established their home in Brigham City. On December 31, 1857, to their family were added twin babies, Harriett and Henry Silver. The tiny girl died shortly after birth, and two days later, on January 2, 1858, the mother, Harriett, closed her eyes in death, having given her life for her family and the religion she had espoused. Twice before, this good husband and father had been called upon to lay away a devoted wife and .companion. This time his heart was almost broken as he placed the form of his lovely young wife in the crude, home-made casket and laid her lifeless baby daughter in her arms." "Three months later, in April 1858, the call came for all Saints to leave their homes in northern Utah, and journey southward. Simeon Adams Dunn loaded a few provisions and household effects into his covered wagon, assisted his motherless children to their place in the wagon box, and cracking his long whip over the backs of his oxen, commenced his journey. He had also provided a wagon for his eldest daughter [Mary DUNN ENSIGN] and her three little girls, and they traveled together. The husband and father of this little family, Martin Luther Ensign, at that time was serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." "As they proceeded on their way, baby Henry became very ill... they saw the life depart from their lovely three-months-old baby son and brother. The [Simeon] made his little family as safe and comfortable as possible in this temporary camp, and with a sad and heavy heart slowly wended his way back to the lonely grave in the Brigham City Cemetery. Very near to it he dug a very small, new grave, and in it tenderly laid the remains of his baby boy." (from the Journal of Charles Oscar DUNN)

--------------------------------------------------------------

5. Abigail Brandon (b.21 Apr 1802 Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee - d.unknown) married first Lyman Stoddard 11 July 1842. They had no children. She married second Simeon Adams DUNN for time only 31 July 1858. She and Simeon were divorced 4 Apr 1864. Abigail is listed in the household of Simeon Adams Dunn in the 1860 Census.

--------------------------------------------------------------

6. Keziah Fowler daughter of George H. Fowler and Rebecca Stilwell (b.19 Jun 1815 - d.3 Feb 1899 Centerville, Davis, UT) married first: George Washington Brandon (Brother of Abigail Brandon Stoddard) 6 Oct 1831. They several children. Keziah married Second Simeon Adams Dunn for time only 14 Jan 1860 in the Endowment House. "I wonder how much time she and Simeon actually lived together. In the 1860 Census she is listed in Brigham City with three of her children. I have not found her in the 1870 Census. In the 1880 Census she is living in Ophir, Tooele County. She died in Centerville." (Paula Paradis)

--------------------------------------------------------------

7. Elizabeth Wickham (b.Feb. 14, 1836 East Wickham, Greater London, England - d.Oct. 21, 1881 North Ogden,Weber, UT) Married first Alfred Cottenden 17 aug 1863. Married second Simeon Adams DUNN "sealed 15 Apr 1865. Probably divorced. Although the temple record does not show a cancellation of sealing, the temple department indicates we should assume the sealing was cancelled." (Paula Paradis)

Elizabeth and Simeon had two children:
1-Ephraim Wickham DUNN b.27 Mar 1866 Brigham City, Box Elder, UT - d. 17 Mar 1927 Brigham City, Box Elder, UT. Ephraim married Marian Whitney 12 Jun 1889, they had 4 children. (Ephraim was raised in Brigham City by his father.)
2-Lorenzo Wickham DUNN. (baby) b.Mar. 11, 1868 Brigham City, Box Elder, UT - d.Aug. 3, 1869 Brigham City, Box Elder, UT.

Elizabeth Wickham third married and was sealed to Richard Jones 8 Feb 1870. They had 7 children.

--------------------------------------------------------------

8. Mary McRee daughter of Charles William McRee and Mary Corkins (b.17 Oct 1819 Copiah, Mississippi - d.1 Nov 1907 at 3:40 pm of pneumonia at 501 13th Street, Ogden, Weber, Utah at the age of 88.) She married first: December 19, 1827 George David Black who died in 1845 of Malaria in Nauvoo. She married second James Brown July 16, 1846 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. James Brown was the Captain of Company C. of the Mormon Batallion, Mary crossed the plains with the Mormon Batallion. They had 5 children. Third she married Simeon Adams Dunn for time only 22 Feb 1868 in the endowment house. "She is listed with Simeon and his family in the 1870 census. She is not listed with Simeon in the 1880 Census, so she probably returned to living with one of her children." (Paula Paradis)

Much of this information on the later wives is from Paula Paradis' research.

Heart Throbs of the West, Box Elder County

Box Elder County

Heart Throbs of the West, Kate B. Carter, Vol.10, p.259

The Dunn Family--My grandparents, Simeon Adams Dunn and Harriett Atwood Silver were married at Winter Quarters, January 3, 1847, by President Brigham Young. They arrived in Utah September 28, 1848, and established their home in Brigham City. On December 31, 1857, to their family were added twin babies, Harriett and Henry Silver. The tiny girl died shortly after birth, and two days later, on January 2, 1858, the mother, Harriett, closed her eyes in death, having given her life for her family and the religion she had espoused. Twice before, this good husband and father had been called upon to lay away a devoted wife and .companion. This time his heart was almost broken as he placed the form of his lovely young wife in the crude, home-made casket and laid her lifeless baby daughter in her arms.

Heart Throbs of the West, Kate B. Carter, Vol.10, p.259
Three months later, in April 1858, the call came for all Saints to leave their homes in northern Utah, and journey southward. Simeon Adams Dunn loaded a few provisions and household effects into his covered wagon, assisted his motherless children to their place in the wagon box, and cracking his long whip over the backs of his oxen, commenced his journey. He had also provided a wagon for his eldest daughter [Mary DUNN ENSIGN] and her three little girls [Mary Adaline, Georgianna, Emma Lovinia], and they traveled together. The husband and father of this little family, Martin Luther Ensign, at that time was serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [in England].

Heart Throbs of the West, Kate B. Carter, Vol.10, p.260
As they proceeded on their way, baby Henry became very ill. They camped on Kay's Creek, (now Kaysville) and there they saw the life depart from their lovely three-months-old baby son and brother. The father made his little family as safe and comfortable as possible in this temporary camp, and with a sad and heavy heart slowly wended his way back to the lonely grave in the Brigham City Cemetery. Very near to it he dug a very small, new grave, and in it tenderly laid the remains of his baby boy.

Heart Throbs of the West, Kate B. Carter, Vol.10, p.260
He found the town empty, except for a few men who had remained behind, ready at a moment's notice to touch a match to the homes and buildings if the enemy should enter the city. He went into his house, expecting to spend the night there, but it was so quiet and lonely it was more than he could endure, so he went to the stable, laid down by his faithful oxen, and spent the night near them. Early the next morning he was on his way to rejoin his family. He found them safe and well and they continued their journey as far south as Payson, where they made their camp and remained until the Saints were counseled by the Church leader, to return to their homes.

Heart Throbs of the West, Kate B. Carter, Vol.10, p.260
From the diary of my father, Charles Oscar Dunn, who was four years old at the time of the move, I quote: "On our return home we passed the soldiers at the point of the mountain. It was a great sight to see them march by us. As we watched them pass, the wind blew my hat off and it rolled down a steep dugway and into the Jordan River, so I had to go on home without a hat, which made me very sad. We reached home alright but found all of our possessions gone, and our house empty."--Eva Dunn Snow.

Letter to Sophia E. Silver from son in-law Simeon Adams Dunn

above pages 1 and 4 / below pages 2 and 3

Courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Archives

Letter from Simeon A. Dunn
To Sophia E. Silver (Harriet Atwood Silver Dunn's Mother)

[Written about 1859 a year after Harriet's death]

Dear Mother – Agreeable to Harriett’s request I would fain lay before you the plan of our holy religion that Harriet Esteemed so highly if I could see in your writing a spirit of inquiry I would direct you to that peaceful home that Harriet is now in possession of, through her obedience and careful adherence to the principals of the gospel of Salvation without which no one can enter that rest; this is my testimony which is faithful and true. My little Henry is also gone with his mate Little Harriet A to rest in the bosom of his Mother to wate the resurrection of the just, which if I am faithful I shall receive with all those little ones that I have parted with in this life, with their mothers at their sides to dwell with me on this Earth when wickedness and death shall be known no more on this earth; David says the righteous shall inherit Earth; This is a blessing that will attend the Righteous when the wicked shall not be.

N.B. Serve the Cause of godliness;

S. A. Dunn

I in my last conversation with Harriet I asked her if she would name the Babys. She said you better name them. I called them Harriet Atwood and Henry Silver. She said she would like to have that their names; She also wished me to get what was owing to her from her Father’s estate and use it in raising and schooling her children this is the reason that I have written in relation to it; you say that it is not agreeable to the Law of that State unless I would give bale that the money should be kept for the children when they become of age; it is but a small sum but if I had it now it somewhat to the comfort of the Children in their present condition; if it is that necessary to give bonds for the faithful payment of that amount to be divided to each of them as they become of age I am willing to do so. It will place the money in my hands; I can use it for their comfort; also be bound to them for principal and interest.

As it regards what you have paid or what we have rec, I am ignorant but I presume you are correct; I presume we have rec all that you have sent as far as you have given an account of therefore I am willing to sign the receipt; if you will procure it there among your friends for me I will sign a bond and you can have it made out and send it to me; I will sign it and return it to you. A check can be forwarded to me payable in N.Y. or St. Lewis. I can draw the money here on the for the check; all this is in your own hands as I shall take no steps to collect it myself against your will; Enough of that.

As it regards the difficulty between us and the US it is all settled; yet whereas we had all good order and good will towards all men we now have in our midst disorder of all kinds; drinking, gambling, ling, hordom, rapepine and murder… This is the way US introduces sivilization in the lands of the heathen as they term it.

As we were obliged to leave our homes last spring and flee before our enemies in order to evade collision with the US and for the safety of our wives and children we have been deprived of raising any crops this year; Altho we are all back in our homes yet we are destitute of many of the comforts of life that we might have had if we could have stayed at home in peace. Yet we trust in our God for deliverance. He has delivered us so far; and he has said that it is his business to provide for his Saints; & WE KNOW THAT WE ARE HIS SAINTS

My family is now enjoying good health at present. The children are all going to school that is old enough. Simeon A is learning very fast. He is a bright boy. They all send their love to their grandmother, uncles, ants, & cousins. I have got me another woman. She is an elderly woman; has but one child and she is married. My woman proves to be a good and a feeling mother to my children and a comfort to me.

Write often.

[to] Sophia E. Silver Simeon A Dunn

Letters Home from Harriet Atwood SILVER DUNN

From Lee Library Home Page, Brigham
Young University:

Harriet Silver Dunn, 1818-1857 and Simeon Adams Dunn, 1803-1883

Letters of Harriet and Simeon Dunn, 20 April 1844, Nauvoo; 21 June 1846, Camp of Israel; 8 October 1848, Salt Lake Valley.

In the absence of diaries, these letters provide snapshots of the three phases of the Mormon movement west. The first is from Nauvoo, the second from Winter Quarters, and the third written after the arrival in the Salt Lake Valley.

Simeon Adams Dunn [1803-1883] was born in Groveland, New York on August 7, 1803. He eventually moved to Michigan, marrying his first wife Adaline Rawson in 1828. His brother James came as a Mormon missionary to his home in 1838; Simeon was baptized in April 1839. He moved to Nauvoo in 1840 with his wife and three children. He served several missions for the Church during the Nauvoo period. While in Nauvoo Simeon served as a policeman, helped in the construction of the Nauvoo Temple, and received his endowments in December 1845. His first wife died during this period. In 1845 he married Margaret Snyder, with whom he had two additional children. She died shortly after the birth of their second child. He married again, to Jane Caldwell, but the marriage was of a short duration.

When he left Nauvoo on 18 May 1846, he traveled with his four young daughters. He also served as a policeman in Winter Quarters. It was there that he met and married Harriet Atwood Silver on 3 January 1847. This new family left Winter Quarters on 16 May 1848 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on 28 September 1848. He served another mission, this time to the South Sea Isles, from 1850 to 1852. Following his return home, they made their home in Brigham City, Utah, and they were the parents of six additional children, including two sets of twins. Harriet died in childbirth in December 1857. Unfortunately, we lack the detail for Harriet's life that we have for Simeon.

The first item displayed is Harriet's 20 April 1844 letter to her parents in Bloomfield, Vermont. It conveys her deep faith in the religion she has accepted, and asks that her parents understand her choice.

The second item is her letter to her parents, dated Camp of Israel, 21 June 1846. It reaffirms her faith and choices.

The third item, also to her parents, but signed by both Harriet and Simeon, is dated the Salt Lake Valley, 8 October 1848. It contains a summary of their pioneering trek to the Great Basin.

http://net.lib.byu.edu/imaging/into/lvnauvoo/29adlfs.html

Letters of Harriet and Simeon Dunn, 20 April 1844, Nauvoo; 21 June 1846, Camp of Israel; 8 October 1848, Salt Lake Valley.

Transcription:

Nauvoo April 20 1844

Dear Farthr &;Mother

Your kind letter of March 27 was recd April 18 and it rejoiced me verry mutch in receiving the same in hearing from you &;that you wher [all well?] and as well situated as you stated you where as to reguards matters of local interest and at the same time in view of the feeling that you express about my leaving I have reasons to regrett on your Accounts and it is in view of the sorrow you seem to have in my leaving my ones happy home my kindred &;friends know more to see them again for ever it was a great trial for me sure to do but the matter I well considered before I left Cabbotvill but in view of the knowledge that I have concerning my [ ? ] will I was fore his sake constrained to sackrafice all Earthly things to do as he has Commanded and that is in the language of John to come out of [her?] my peopell that you be not partakers of [her?] sins &;ye receive not of her plauges. and oh Dear Farther &;Mother if you could but realise for a moment the destruction that the mighty God of Jacob is to pore out upon this nation and that [?] with in the course of a few more setting suns your [trouble?] would not be a bought your absent daughter but it would be in making all hastey preperation to come &;meet her [weither?]-- it should be in the peakes of the woods or on the shores of the Pacifict and in as mutch as this is probiley the last communication that you will receive from me fore the present and prehaps the last for ever And I want that you should remember what I say, and that is that this religion that I heave embraced is the religion of Heaven and that God is with this peopel [p. 2] and I know that sutch is the case and their is not enney thing under the Heavens but what I would be willing to pass through to [be] with this peopel. You seems to think that it is verry straing that Mrs Brook should of left her Husband in the way that she did and that and that sister King you mention but did you ever think what the savior said concerning sutch matters he said he that would not leave Farther &;Mother &;Sisters &;Brothers Wifes &;Husbands &c.;For my Name sake was not fit for the kingdom of Heaven and the same causes will produce the same affect in theis dayes as they did in thoes days in regeard to the case of Sister King it was not as you stated for she &;my self in connection with Sister Brook may come in company togeather and there was know Mormon Elder that run a way with enny of but with our own accord we left the land &;home that gave us birth for the purpos of being numbered among his peopel and to heave our naimes rote in the Lambs book of life and I as yet have now reason to be sorrey neither am I I would not your lack a gain to him for a world but the desir of my heart is to be on the march for my new home in the far distant West and if you was only a long with me and my Brothers &;Sisters I should feel happey and may God grant that you should be wise for yourselves that you may choose that better part that never can be taken from you and that is his spirit that will guid you into all truth &;show you things to come but that [dost ver?] you do not believe and that is what produces the difference between us but you shall ever heare my prayer &;best wishes and if we should not heare the privalidge of meeting again in this World may I conduct myself in sutch a wa that I shall be able to come up in the morn of the first resurrection and heave the power to make yours graves yeald its keeping and to heave [p 3 of letter] you come up in newness if life where we shall be parted know more for ever but to walk the golden streets of the new Jerusalem and while the iternal ages shall role away themselves a way to walk in the presents of God &;the Lamb and sing our loud hallayahs for Ever &;Ever Amen Amen ..................... in regeard to my journey to this place I can say it was truely a good one the tim pasd plesently a way we meet with know accidents what ever we was 15 dayes from the time we left home till we arrived hear I shall start in Company of abought 5000 the first of May a part of the Saints started in March and are on their journey, with spirits as boyant as air, you can rite to me as often as you choose their will be a line of Communication keep opend from this place to our Br in the west for a year or more to come and theier will be thoes [who?] will be emigrating from Nauvoo to the West constantley all the time and if ennay of you want to come &;be with us you can come this way if you choose when you wright you will want to direct it to me as follows Harriet A Silver Isreal Camp Camp of Isreal and a sheet of paper around it and the outside one directed to Mr Almond W Babbitt Esp. [P M?] Nauvoo requesting him to forward the one to me the first opportunity and please pay the postage to this [place?] so he shall heave know troubl a bought it

I remain as Ever your Affectionat

Daughter Harriet A Silver

I received a letter from Adeline at the same time the onely time I have herd from her, but you must all [written on p 3] write often

Courtesy of the Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University

Mormon Pioneer step grandmother Harriet Atwood Silver

Third wife of Simeon Adams DUNN. My great grandmother Harriet Camilla ENSIGN was named for her mother Mary DUNN's step mother Harriet.

History of Harriet Atwood Silver

Harriet Atwood Silver, the daughter of Arad Silver and Emely Sophia Nichols, was born July 22, 1818 in Bloomfield, Vermont. The family consisted of ten children, six boys and four girls: Samuel Newel, Harriett Atwood, William Riley, Charles Bingham, Norris Wesley, Mary Adeline, Oscar Hayes, Albert Allen, Samantha Johnson, and Louisa Augusta.

When Harriet was a young girl she left her home and found work in the weaving mills of Lowell, Massachusetts. She became very efficient in this trade. It was in Lowell, in the year 1842, Harriet heard the gospel and became interested in it. In a short time, she, along with her three girl friends, were converted to its truthfulness and were baptized. They immediately made preparations to go west, to the gathering place of the saints. Her three friends sailed from New York on the ship "Brooklyn," with Samuel Brannon, landed in San Francisco, and later came to Utah. Harriet left her home alone, and joined the saints in Nauvoo. She shared in the persecutions of the saints, and was driven with the body of the Church, from their homes. In February she crossed the Mississippi River on the ice, and traveled with the Saints to Winter Quarters.

NOTE: In many of the histories written about Harriet it says that her mother, Emely Sophia, worked in the mills in Lowell, Massachusetts. In one such history, "The Charles Oscar Dunn, "Clan," it states, "The mother, besides caring for her home and family, worked in a factory at Lowell, Massachusetts and learned the weaver's trade." It would have been impossible for Sophia to do this. First of all, the distance. Bloomfield is in the northern part of Vermont, almost to the Canadian border. Massachusetts is below Vermont. Lowell is about three hundred miles from Bloomfield. Even in today's standards that would have been a very long commute. Sophia would have had to move to Lowell to work there. Her husband, Arad, took care of his family. At one time he was the largest taxpayer in Bloomfield. So it doesn't seem that she would have to work outside of her home. In the letter from Albert A. Silver, Jr., (included in this history) he says that it was Harriet that worked in the mill and learned the weaver's trade. I know this the way it was.
--Ann Ashbaker

Simeon Adams Dunn, a convert to the Church, from the State of New York, was also on his way west at this time, having left Nauvoo in May, 1846, with four little motherless children, the mother having died in Nauvoo. He met Harriet at Winter Quarters, and they were married by President Brigham Young in the fall of 1847. They left Winter Quarters in the spring of 1848, and shared in all the trials and hardships of the westward journey. Their team consisted of one yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows. The cows supplied the family with milk as they traveled.

In the sketch of the life of Aunt Betsy, one of Simeon Adams Dunn daughters left motherless in Nauvoo, written by her at the age of 87 years, she refers to her step mother Harriet, as follows:

"At Winter Quarters, my father met a young lady who had left her home in Vermont to cast her lot with the Mormons, and they were married by Brigham Young. She certainly proved to be a good mother to us, and helped us in the hardships we had to bear.

I remember one night, when we made camp for the night, one of the cows in some way got hold of a poisoned weed, and in the morning we found her dead. Oh, how bad we felt. Dear old Beauty, how we missed her. She was such a pretty cow. I remember her yet. How Father missed her with our load, but she was dead and we had to make the best of it, but we thought and talked of nothing else, for many a day.

After mother came into our family she would take pieces of buffalo hide, put the wooly side in and sew them together and make shoes to protect our feet in walking across the rough plains. She was very handy with a needle. When we would come to a place where buffalos came to drink, we girls would pick the wool that had caught on the willows. Mother would wash and dry it. She had a pair of cards and would make it into yarn and knit stockings for us.

Father and mother made cheese, and brooms and sold them, and they began to prosper. When father was called on a mission to the South Sea Islands, it very hard on mother and the rest of us. I remember I herded cows for 2 years, where Fort Douglas now stands, and received as pay for my work, a calico dress. I thought it was the prettiest dress I had ever seen. Mother made it all by hand, so pretty with little ruffles on it. When the other girls saw me wearing it, they said I was very pretty."

Harriet Atwood Silver was a very industrious woman, and worked hard in connection with her husband. They soon enjoyed a comfortable little home. They remained in Salt Lake until 1850. This is where they lived when Simeon Adams was called on a mission to the South Sea Islands. His health had been poor for almost a year, and the family had no means either for their sustenance or for missionary expenses; but, President Brigham Young promised Simeon A. Dunn that if he would fulfill this call, he would be blessed with health and strength and that his family would not suffer during his absence. He went and performed a splendid mission.

While he was away a second child was born, a little later Harriet took a little orphan boy to raise; so besides herself she had seven children to care for and support during the absence of her husband. This she did by gathering frozen rushes and making bottoms for chairs. She also made brooms from split birch, and sold them, so that she did not have to call on the Church for help.

Her husband came home in 1852. The next year they moved to Brigham City, being pioneers of that city and enduring the hardships of pioneer life. On Sept 12, 1853, her first twins, Evaline Silver and Emmeline Silver were born; on October 13, 1855, her son Charles Oscar was born. On December 31, 1857, she gave birth to another pair of twins, and two days later, January 2, 1858, gave her life.

One of the babies also died, and was buried with her in Brigham City Cemetery. Three months later the saints from northern Utah had to leave their homes and go south to escape Johnston's Army. Simeon Adams Dunn, with his young, and again motherless family, joined the march. They camped at Payson, and while there, the other baby took sick and died. Simeon Adams retraced his steps with this little one and buried it beside it's mother and her other child.

Harriet Atwood Silver Dunn was an ambitious woman, an efficient woman, a loving and kind mother and a real pioneer. According to her daughter Aleen Hunsaker Hansen, her life's motto was, "If you do it unto one of the least of these my children, you do it unto me."

This pioneer mother, brave and true,
Has gone to a far happier home.
Her service, faith and charity,
A rich reward for her will gain.

Her life's work here was well performed,
Now she is busy on that shore,
Among those dear ones who have gone,
Where pain and sorrow are no more.

She's watching for us over there,
Yes, her reward will be complete.
When in one happy family,
Her numerous descendants meet.

by Eva Dunn Snow, 1947

Berlington, Vermont
August 19, 1942

To our Cousins, one and all, assembled August 23rd, in parting reception to Harriet C. Silver and Mrs. Albert A. Silver, Jr.

Words utterly fail to express my appreciation of your uniform love and kindness to my daughter Harriet and her mother during these precious days of their visit in Utah.

Please let me thank you one and all for these happy experiences and assure you that they have meant a lot by way of cementing the ties "that bind our hearts in Christian love."

Out of the joys and pleasures of these days there looms up before us the incarnate form of my father's oldest sister, and your grandmother, Harriet Silver Dunn. She had left her home in Bloomfield, Vermont, and found work in the Weaving mills of Lowell, Massachusetts.

From there she crossed the Eastern portion of our country to Nauvoo, Illinois where she married Simeon Adams Dunn, January 3, 1847. (They actually met and married in Winter Quarters.) They immediately started westward in a covered wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, with **a pair of cows bringing up the rear. The hardships are privations of this pioneer band, made up of adults and five step children, included the crossing of treacherous rivers, the negotiations with Indians and buffalo and many other things calling for stout hearts, clear heads and a kind of determination that knows no defeat.

The story of how this brave, stout hearted woman supported her family without aid from the Church, by making use of her trade as a weaver, while her husband was on a mission to the South Sea Islands, simply magnifies her character.

Though dead, she yet lives and Harriet Silver Dunn will continue to live in the hearts and lives of unborn generations.

I must not weary you. Good bye and God bless you.

From your loving cousin
Albert A. Silver, Jr.

**NOTE: Statements made by others who contributed to this history indicated that Simeon Adams Dunn had a "yoke" of cows as well as a yoke of oxen. When one cow died they experienced a great loss because their wagon was heavy. Apparently, until one died, the cows were also yoked and assisted in pulling the wagon.