Throngs Applaud Mr. and Mrs. Martin Luther Ensign

Brigham City Parade 

[before 1911]

 "The parade was led by the Brigham band, and followed by the only two surviving Brigham Pioneers of 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Luther Ensign. These old people formed the center of attraction as they passed down the laine of parade, and were applauded by the hundreds of people who witnessed the parade." 

Martin Luther ENSIGN 1831-1911 a 16 year old pioneer in September 1947.

Mary DUNN 1833-1920 a 14 year old pioneer in June 1948.

Brigham City Cemetery - SMITH - ENSIGN - DUNN -

This marker lists the families of all five wives of Samuel SMITH plus Samuel's history.

click on photos to read

Samuel SMITH (1818-1896) and Sarah Jane INGRAM (1839-1872)

Samuel SMITH born 22 May 1818 Sherrinton, Buckshire, England, died 2 Oct 1896 Smithfield, Cache, Utah. Son of Daniel William SMITH and Sarah WOODING.

Sarah Jane INGRAM (Ingarham) born 9 Jun 1839 Worcester, worcestershire, England, died 4 Sep 1872 Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah. Daughter of William INGRAM and Susannah GRIFFITHS.

1- Mary Ann LINE
2- Sarah Jane INGRAM was the second wife of Samuel SMITH they were married 19 May 1853 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. Jane was the mother of nine children, Thyrza Ann SMITH TIPPETS, Daniel William SMITH (teen), Isaac SMITH, Sarah Elizabeth (Eliza) SMITH EVENS, John Wooding SMITH, Susannah SMITH EVENS, Frances May SMITH FORSGREN, Franklin Richard SMITH (infant), Alice Rosesella SMITH EMPEY.
3- Frances Ann INGRAM
4- Janett Maria SMITH
5- Caroline SMITH

History - Samuel was an ambitious young man: one who was determined to make his mark in the world. He was not a tall man: early records indicate his full height was a scant five feet. But he was a stoutly built person who was agile on his feet and physically able to take care of himself. Economic conditions were rapidly deteriorating in England. England was in the grip of a severe recession, which, in many places was actually a pinching depression. Though the Smiths were not engaged in mining, the repressive economic downturn affected business everywhere.

Samuel and wife Mary Ann longed to find a new place where they would have freedom to take full advantage of their opportunities. They were even willing to consider leaving England (and its bitter memories of their two lost children) if the right opportunity presented itself.

Samuel removed from Sherington to London in 1835. It was in the year 1841 that the Smiths first heard the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their chief contact with the church was through Elder Lorenzo Snow, who was later to become the fifth President of the Church. Both Samuel and Mary Ann studied the unique new religion very carefully and soon, not only they, but Samuel's parents as well, were listening to the missionaries on a regular basis. They joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dec 1841. They sailed from Liverpool with his parents and family for America 15 Jan 1843. They came to Salt Lake City in 1850 and moved to Big Cottonwood.

Each time Samuel Smith took another wife he had them stay for two weeks at the beginning of their marriage with his first wife, Mary Ann Line Smith. She taught them how to live in polygamy and consequently there was practically no trouble or jealousy between the different families.

Samuel was called to Brigham City in 1855 where he was chosen as counselor to Lorenzo Snow who was presiding in Box Elder Stake. He was appointed postmaster of Brigham City in 1855 and continued in that position about 17 years. Samuel was elected Probate Judge of Box Elder County in 1859 and served the people in that office for 15 years. Samuel was also elected as mayor of Brigham City in 1879 and reelected in 1881.

After the reorganization of the Stake he was chosen President of the High Priest Quorum and was ordained a patriarch to the Stake which the latter position was held at his death. (Family Histories of the Smith Family)

History - Jane, as she was called, was born in Worcestershire, England. Her parents William Ingram and Susanna Griffiths were strong and good honest workers. They joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when it was first brought to England. They emigrated to America in the year 1841 coming over in a sailing vessel [Yorkshire]. They came to St. Louis but was not there but a short time when the black measles broke out and they both (parents) died within a week, leaving three small children, a boy 8 yrs old, Richard by name, Jane 6 yrs. and Frances (Fanny) Ann 2 yrs. Their Uncle Richard Griffiths and his wife Mary took the children and gave them a home, they moved several times. At one time they lived near a forest of trees and the children would get the nuts in the fall for winter. Her uncle used to do a lot of trading horses and cattle, one night he came and told Richard and Jane to put the horses in the stable. When they went to do as they were told they heard a strange noise and ran to the house, the horses ran away in the woods. The children's uncle was angry at them and was going to whip them but their aunt would not let him ¬ so he went to see what it was and found a large wild hog in the stable, it came after him so he did not say anything to them. After that they soon moved from there. They were acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith and saw him and his brother, Hyrum, after they were martyred. One night just after they had gone to bed the mob entered the town and drove the saints out and set fire to their homes. The Saints grabbed what they could and ran to the river and crossed on the ice. Jane crossed the plains with an ox team walking all the way. She never had a chance to go to school and as her Aunt Mary had no children of her own she expected Jane to work like a grown woman. Her childhood was not in flowery paths for she was expected to do the housework at home while her aunt went to work for others to help make a living and if she did not have it done she was punished. This made her a quiet and of a discouraged nature. She never expected to be their equal to those who had an education but longed to learn. While crossing the plains her Aunt Mary took the cholera and died in the year 1849. After they arrived in Utah she went to live with Samuel Smith's mother (Sarah Wooding Smith) as Samuel and family did not arrive until the fall of 1850) who gave her a home. Jane married Samuel Smith in 1852, they moved to Cottonwood, where her first baby was born. Jane came to Brigham City in 1854 (1855), she was industrious and did all she could. When her third child was about three weeks old she was dressing him and accidentally swallowed a pin, (needle) which caused her much trouble later. Speaking of the time when the U.S. Army threatened to invade Utah, Jane, with the rest went south, walking most of the way carrying her baby so that the two little ones could ride, she like all the other in the company never complained but put their trust in the Lord and never asked why. After they returned, she helped her husband and the other families to keep a hotel for years. In the year 1864, Jane with her children, five in number, went to homestead in a place called Blue Springs, there were but a few settlers, about eight in number. They had a hard and a lonely time, it took two days with oxen to go from there to Brigham City. In the year 1867, the Indians threatened to attack the settlement and every one moved, the boys took all the stock and grain and left her with her little family, a girl 15 and her oldest boy 13 years. There were four other families left but they went three days after. The hired hands left her alone and as it was fall, a heavy snowstorm came and it was ten days before they could get to her. But she had no fear, she put her faith in the Lord and her calling that she knew that the Lord would protect her. The storm had caused the Indians to camp about 30 miles from her, so her (Jane's) prayers were answered. About nine years after she had swallowed that pin (needle) an abscess came on her left side just below the last rib. She suffered for years with that. She was bed-fast for eighteen months, then died (36 years old). She had lived a good life, was a good mother, a faithful Latter-day Saint and a good wife. She was the mother of nine children, eight were living at the time of her death. They were all home at the time, and none of them were married. She died the 4th of September 1872 at Brigham City, Utah. Sarah Jane was a very attractive woman; slender, with pretty brown eyes, long eyelashes and beautiful brown hair. She was of a quiet, retiring disposition, not given at all to quarreling. In fact, there were times when she would not defend herself even when such action was justified. Sarah Jane certainly had the sincere love and admiration of her sister Frances Ann Ingram. (Family Histories of the Smith Family)

Simeon Adams DUNN (1803-1883)

Simeon Adams DUNN born 7 Aug 1803 Groveland, Williamstown, Ontario, New York, died 22 Feb 1883 Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah. Simeon was orphaned as a child. He was the son of Simeon A. DUNN and Sarah/Sally BATH.

Simeon married:
1- Adaline RAWSON (1811-1841) married 1826 likely in Rawsonville, Wayne, Michigan, she died 1841 in Nauvoo. Adaline was the mother of seven children, Adaline DUNN HAWS, Francis DUNN (toddler), Mary DUNN ENSIGN, Maria DUNN (infant), Mosiah DUNN (infant twin), Amariah DUNN (infant twin), Betsy DUNN HAWS.

2- 1842 Margaret SNYDER two children. Margaret died 1846 in Nauvoo.
3- 1846 Jane CALDWELL WAITE KELSEY one child divorced.
4- 1847 Harriet Atwood SILVER seven children. Harriet died 1858 Brigham City.
5- 1858 Abagail BRANDON STODDARD divorced.
6- Keziah FOWLER BRANDON.
7- 1865 Elizabeth WICKHAM two children divorced.
8- 1868 Mary MCCREE BLACK BROWN.

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 bady 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 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 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.

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.

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

Martin Luther ENSIGN (1831-1911) and Mary DUNN (1833-1920)

Martin Luther ENSIGN was born 31 Mar 1831 Westfield Hampden Massachusetts, died 11 May 1911 Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah. Son of Horace Datus ENSIGN and Mary BRONSON.

Mary DUNN was born 2 Nov 1833 Belleville, Wayne, Michigan, died 7 Nov 1920. Daughter of Simeon Adams DUNN and Adaline RAWSON.

They were married 8 Jan 1852, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. Martin and Mary were the parents of nine children, Mary Adaline ENSIGN ROBERTS, Georgianna ENSIGN HILL, Emma Lovinia ENSIGN LEE, Harriett Camilla ENSIGN SMITH, Martin Luther ENSIGN Jr., John Henry ENSIGN (infant), Horace ENSIGN (infant), Effie Celestia ENSIGN MERRILL, Adam Wesley ENSIGN.

Martin Luther Ensign--My grandfather, Horace Ensign, and his five sons of Westfield, Massachusetts, were all carpenters. They joined the L.D.S. Church in 1843 and arrived at Winter Quarters in 1846 where they built a fine home, with a living room large enough in which to hold public meetings. Grandfather died of malaria that winter, but the eldest son Datus Ensign came with the first company to Salt Lake City and later moved to Ogden. Grandmother Ensign, with four sons and a daughter, arrived in Salt Lake City with the second company on September 18, 1847.

My father, Martin Luther Ensign, moved to Brigham City in 1852 with the Lorenzo Snow Company. He, with a partner had a carpenter shop on the bank of Boxelder Creek so that they could procure water power for their machines. Father made the furniture for our home and many others. He made dining room chairs, bureaus, wardrobes, bedsteads, shelves for books, etc. I have one of the dining chairs now. It has a carved back and is very sturdy. Besides building furniture they also helped erect buildings. private and public and he also helped build two bridges.
(Effie Ensign Merrill, Heart Throbs of the West, Kate B. Carter, Vol. 12, p. 376)Follow the name labels for more pictures and history.
The SMITH's and ENSIGN's are the grandparents of George Ensign SMITH (1898-1967), DUNN is a great grandfather.

BOX ELDER NEWS, BRIGHAM CITY 9 Nov 1920 Obituary - Mary Dunn Ensign

9 Nov 1920 THE BOX ELDER NEWS, SEMI-WEEKLY PAGE ONE

FAITHFUL MOTHER GOES TO REST

Mary Dunn Ensign [1833-1920], pioneer of Utah and one of the very first settlers of Brigham City, passed in a sweet sleep into the world beyond Sunday morning at 3:30 o’clock. The end symbolized the life of this noble woman for it was peaceful, sweet and without regrets nor complaints and thus one of God’s truly noblewomen completed a career which has been an inspiration to all those who have become acquainted or in any way connected with it.

Mrs. Ensign was born near Ypsilanti, Mich., November 2nd, 1833 and had therefore just recently celebrated her 87th birthday. She had been making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Emma L. Lee for a number of years past and there it was that the angel of death summoned her spirit while she was being tenderly and lovingly ministered unto by members of her family.

The family of Mrs. Ensign became associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and gathered to the city of Nauvoo with the rest of their coreligionists. Mrs. Ensign very vividly recalled to her dying day, the terrible scene enacted at Carthage jail on June 27th 1844 when the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were slain by a mob. She was not there, of course, but she was at Nauvoo when the bodies of the beloved leaders were brought home for burial and she, with the thousands of other mourners, passed before their bier and gazed upon their cold and still features for the last time in life. And following the martyrdom, Mrs. Ensign and her people were driven from the beautiful city which they had assisted to build in the dead of winter and forced to cross the mighty Father of Waters on the ice to find a refuge upon the bleak frontier where the Red man reigned supreme.

The family made arrangements to go “to the vallies” as quickly as possible and succeeded in getting away in 1848, making the trip overland successfully with ox team. The family located at Salt Lake city and there the subject of this sketch met Martin Luther Ensign whom she married in January, 1852. The following spring, the young couple came to Brigham City and joined twelve other families which had gathered together in the old fort in order that they might have some protection against the Indians. Since that time, the early part of 1853, Mrs. Ensign has worked and watched Brigham City develop into its present beautiful proportions and during all that long time of sixty-seven years, she has never been heard to complain at anything that came to her but has preserved a demeanor that was angelic and an inspiration to all who came under its influence.

Mrs. Ensign gave birth to nine children and for many years, during the time when she was rearing her family, she was an invalid and forced to keep her bed for the most part. Her physical strength seemed to return with advancing years and she enjoyed excellent health right up to the very last. She was an earnest worker in the various organizations during her younger days and in her later years she devoted all her energies to promulgating the activities of the Relief Society. She, like the other pioneer women of this community, passed through all the early day hardships brought about through the pranks of the elements and the Redskins but the latter Mrs. Ensign always befriended and thereby won their love and confidence.

Mrs. Ensign’s husband, her eldest daughter and two sons have preceded her to the other life and surviving her are the following children in their order: Mrs. Georgiana E. Hill, Logan; Mrs. Emma L. Lee, Brigham City; Mrs. Harriet Camilla E. Smith, Martin L. Ensign Jr., Mrs. Effie C. Merr[i]ll and Dr. A. W. Ensign of Logan. Mrs. Ensign had 61 grand children, 151 great-grand children and 2 great-great grandchildren. Her posterity numbers 152 living and 39 dead. She is also survived by several brothers and sisters.

Mrs. Ensign’s life stands as a monument of devotion to the principles of righteousness as she believed in them. No person ever heard a word of criticism of those whom she revered as spiritual leaders pass her lips but she gave her undivided support to even the humblest man or woman who had been called to any position of trust and responsibility. She was truly a beautiful and saintly character and the world has been made infinitely better by her having lived in it. She is also the last remaining member of that little band which so courageously set to work at the very beginning, to build here a city, the fruition of that unselfish labor being our own dear mountain home.

Funeral services are being held this afternoon in the Third ward Chapel under the direction of Bishop H. W. Valentine.

12 Nov 1920 THE BOX ELDER NEWS, SEMI-WEEKLY PAGE EIGHT

Local Items
The following people from out of town were in Brigham City Tuesday to attend the funeral services held for Mrs. Mary Dunn Ensign: Dr. and Mrs. Isaac Smith, Mrs. Jorgenson, Dr. a. W. Ensign and sons, Wesley and Coleman, Mrs. Emma Sorenson and daughter Della, Mrs. Georgina Hill, Dr. and Mrs. E. Hawkins, La’preal Hawkins, and M.L. Ensign all from Logan; Mrs. L. Nielson, Miss Maggie Ensign, Martin L. Lee, and Carl Lee fo Salt lake City; Mr. And Mrs. Wardliegh, Mr. And Mrs. Edward Ensign Bishop and Mrs. Mrs. Horace Ensign, Mr. Horace Ensign, Mrs. Lori Herrick, of Ogden; Mrs. Kenneth Webster of Rexburg, Idaho; Mrs. Alfred Rich, Mr. John L. Roberts and Mr. Lloyd Roberts of Sugar city, Idaho.

See: Box Elder News article under Our Pioneers Box Elder New, 1 Sep 1910, page 5.

THE BOX ELDER NEWS, BRIGHAM CITY , 18 MAY 1911 Obituary - Martin Luther ENSIGN

Thursday, May 18, 1911 THE BOX ELDER NEWS, BRIGHAM CITY PAGE ONE

ANOTHER PIONEER GONE TO REST

[Martin Luther ENSIGN (1831-1911)]

At a few minutes past 11 o’clock this morning, the spirit of Father M. L. Ensign passed peacefully from this life. The end was not unexpected for the veteran has been almost helpless for many weeks, though he veteran suffered a monument’s pain. It was as if the machinery had run its course, and the momentum which it had attained through many years of activity kept it going , the velocity gradually decreasing until it stopped altogether, Old age was the cause of death, Mr. Ensign being in his eightieth year.

He and his faithful companion how survives him were among the very first settlers of Brigham City, and have been identified with its growth ever since. They came here in 1853 and passed thru the vicissitudes of those times aided in laying the foundation of the commonwealth and reared a family that has been closely identified together with themselves, with the up building of the community and establishment of her institutions.

Besides his wife, Father Ensign is survived by five children, 36 grand children and 34 great grand children. His posterity spreads all over the northern part of the state, and are among the leading citizens of the communities in which they reside.

On account of lack of space, an extended obituary on the life of Brother Ensign will appear in next week’s issue. It has been decided to hold the funeral services next Saturday at 2 o’clock, place not announced.

The remains of Mr. Ensign can be viewed on Saturday after 10 a.m. at the home of his son, Dr. A.W. Ensign on First North Street.

THE BOX ELDER NEWS THURSDAY MAY 25 1911, page 3


FUNERAL OF M. L. ENSIGN

On Saturday afternoon, at 2 o’clock at the tabernacle, impressive funeral services were held over the remains of the late M. L. Ensign. Bishop Brigham Wright was in charge of the meeting and conducted the exercises. The speakers were Elders Brigham Wright, John D. Peters Denmark Jensen, W. L. Watkins, John W. Woolley of Salt Lake temple, Seymour B. Young, of the First the Counsel of Seventy, and L. A. Snow of the Stake Presidency. Each paid a tribute to the memory of the deceased, and historical events of his life were related by some. Pres. S. B. Young related in a graphic manner, the trip across the plains from Salt Lake City to the Mississippi River by the first company of missionaries who pulled hand carts, of which company the deceased and himself were members. Told how they went forth without a murmur, and depended entirely upon the blessings of heaven for their support, as they had barely enough provisions to last them on their way, and no money practically, to get more after they arrived at the outer edge of civilization, as it was then known. On this mission, Elder Ensign went uncomplainingly, and through his faith, finally arrived in England, where he labored a year and a half.

Elder Woolley first met deceased in Nauvoo, in ‘46, and had been more or less intimately acquainted with him from that time until his death. Bore record of his sterling character and noble spirit. The other speakers spoke in the same terms.

The choir sang the hymns, “Come come ye saints,” “When first the glorious light of truth,” and “Resting.” Between speakers Mrs. Lottie Cozier sang, “My Loved One Rest.” Mrs. Ray Evans read a tribute from Mrs. Lucy Wright Snow, of Salt Lake City. The prayers were offered by Elders A. Madsen and B. H. Tolman.

Martin Luther Ensign was born in Westfield, Hamden County, Mass., March 31, 1831. At the age of 15 years, he joined the Saints in Nauvoo, Ill., having become converted to the faith, and since that time he was prominently identified with the growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He came across the plains in ’47, that memorable year when the first pioneers entered this wondrous valley. Brother Ensign came with the second company of immigrants walking al’ the way and pulling a hand cart. [Hand cart did not happen until his return as a missionary.] He remained in Salt Lake City until 1853, when he, with his bride of a year, came to Brigham City, which has since been their home. They resided first in the Old Fort, later erecting a home which now stands on the corner of second north and third east streets. Nine children were born to Brother and Sister Ensign, six of whom still live. Their children have all married and have in turn been blessed with 58 children, twelve of whom have passed into the other life, and the great-grand children number forty one, seven of whom are dead, so that Father Ensign left a wife and posterity numbering eighty seven souls, and he has gone to mingle with twenty two who preceded him to the other life.

It was stated at the funeral services by one of the speakers, that Brother Ensign built the first three bridges ever constructed across Bear River in this county. Mr. Ensign was a pioneer in road building, and was one of the foremost in laying the foundation of this common wealth. In 1857, he was called to take a mission to England, which included a trip from Salt Lake City to the Mississippi River with hand cart. Although he had no means and nothing for his wife and family to subsist upon while he was gone, he accepted the call and went upon the mission. That little band of missionaries was the first to make the trip by hand cart and their manes will go down in the history of the church, of which they were a part, as heroes of the truest type. After an absence of a year and a half, Elder Ensign was called home on account of the approach of Johnston’s army, and when he arrived here, he found that his wife and children had gone sough with the balance of the saints, but they all returned when peach was restored.

Father Ensign was early identified with the drum corps of this city, and was the bass drummer until he be came too feeble to swing the sticks. He will be remembered because of his ability to handle a drum stick in each hand, by which means he kept his instrument sounding all the time.

He was a High Councilman for many years, and was released but a few years ago on account of failing health. He was an active church worker, ever willing to sacrifice his own personal comfort for the interests of the church. He never aspired to political preferment, being content to let those who liked politics, have all the offices. His only interest was for the upbuilding of the community and to that enterprise he gave his best energy. Honest and faithful, those who have known him for a lifetime, bear witness that he never betrayed a trust nor proved a disappointment to his friends.

He lived to a good old age, which was not made unpleasant by suffering, for he did not experience any pain, but his body became so worn our and tired that he was helpless nearly, had to be waited upon day and night by his faithful wife and children.

In the passing of Martin Luther Ensign, the community looses one fo its staunch pioneers and faithful builders. It also thins the ranks of that noble band, of which they remains but a few. All honor to the memory of such men and women for they removed the stones from the pathway of their posterity, and laid such a deep foundation that the civic as well as moral and spiritual structure, is bound to stand throughout the ages.

Box Elder Box Elder News Newspaper 1911-05-25
Coming and Goings

Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Lee came up from Salt Lake City last Saturday to attend the funeral services over the remains of late M. L. Ensign.

Box Elder News, 1 Sep 1910, page 5

Our Pioneers
Mary D. Ensign

"O! woman-mother; Woman-wife --
The sweetest name that language knows;
They breast, with holy motives rife,
With holiest affection glows,
Thou queen, thou angel of my life."

When one thinks or speaks of Mary Dunn Ensign [1833-1920], it is with the profound admiration and devotion that clings to noblest womanhood. Gentle, patient, humble, affable, loving, faithful, and genuine through the through. The mother of noble women and men, who pay to her today the same homage that her sweet disposition drew from them when they were children upon her knee. Over them she exercises the same solicitude as of old, and with the increase of years her heart has enlarged so that her tender love extends to all mankind.

Mary Dunn was born nera Ypsilanti, Mich., November 2, 1823, and came to Salt lake City with her parents in 1848. In January, 1852, she married Martin L. Ensign, to whom she has borne nine children: Mary Adelaine E. Roberts, deceased; Georgiana E. Hill, Logan, Utah; Emma Lavinia E. Lee, Brigham City; Harriet Camilla E. Smith, Logan, Utah; Martin Luther Ensign, Jr., Brigham City; John Henry Ensign, deceased; Horace Ensign, deceased; Effie Celestia E. Merrill, Salt Lake City; Dr. A. W. Ensign, Brigham.

Mrs. Ensign has borne with heroic fortitude all the hardships and vicissitudes that attend pioneer life, and her sweet, cheerful disposition has maintained throughout, and you will rarely meet one today who will give you more hope and courage and cheer and make you feel that life is indeed a grand and noble thing than this good sister. When we called to see her we found her, despite her 87 years, on a ladder in the top of a cherry tree picking fruit, as happy and gay as a young robin, foreseeing, as we imagine, how her children and grandchildren will, when dreary winter comes again, put their feet under grandma's table,a and will tell her how they enjoy her cherries. May she live at least to round out her full century of years, and as much longer as she may desire.

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 Trail - English/Nauvoo Saints, Samuel SMITH

Judge Samuel SMITH Mormon Pioneer ancestor of Camilla SMITH WOOD JR - Sixth Generation Samuel SMITH (1818-1996) later married 1853 Sarah Jane INGRAM

Sixth Generation Samuel and Sarah Jane SMITH m. 1853 Samuel's Mormon Trail from England to Nauvoo was with his first wife Mary Ann LINE, child and his Parents, then from Nauvoo to Utah with Mary Ann LINE and their children loosing one on the way.

Places lived: England / Nauvoo / Winter Quarters / Salt Lake City - Cottonwood, UT / Brigham City, UT. Samuel SMITH age 25 - 32 / b. 1818 Sherrinton, Buckshire, ENG - m. 1853 Sarah Jane INGRAM Salt Lake City, UT - d. 1896 Smithfield, UT - buried Brigham City, UT / Other spouse 1- Mary Ann Line 3- Francis Ann Ingram sister of Sarah Jane INGRAM 4- Janett Maria Smith 5- Caroline Smith. BAPTIZED: taught by Lorenzo Snow. Samuel, England 1841. Counselor to Lorenzo Snow as Brigham City Stake Pres. First Mayor of Brigham City. BY SEA: ship “Swanton” 1843 Samuel age 25 ‘Swanton’ Information: Sailing vessel with atleast three masts U.S. / 677 tons Master: S.Davenport Departed: Liverpool Jan.16, 1843 Arrived New Orleans: March 16,1843 59 days of passage Company Leader: Lorenzo Snow 212 LDS passengers Swanton Information: (Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 13, p.339) On January 1, 1843, they completed their preparations and embarked on the ship, Swanton, for the new world and their new religion. There were two hundred fifty Saints on board, with Apostle Lorenzo Snow acting as captain of the company. After a tedious trip of six weeks on the high seas they landed at New Orleans; thence to Nauvoo where they arrived April 9, 1843, in good health and with hears full of thanksgiving for their safe arrival. When their ship docked, many Saints were on shore waiting to welcome them,—among whom were the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum, with their wives. BY RIVER: New Orleans to St. Louis on “Amaranth” 1843 on to Nauvoo Amaranth Information: (Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 8, p.232) Wed., May 31, 1843—The steamer Amaranth landed at Nauvoo with the Saints who had left Liverpool in the Yorkshire, under the care of Elders Thomas Bullock and Richard Rushton. "All were well." Also on board were some Saints who had left Liverpool more recently in the Swanton. Emigration Information: 1843 Samuel (25) traveled with and his family, wife Mary Ann (32) and daughter Mary Ann LINE (2) His parents Daniel William SMITH, Sarah WOODING SMITH and Samuel’s sister Jane (16) [and other siblings.] BY LAND: [Winter 1846 - Nauvoo to Iowa. Child Sarah Ann (twin) died Sep 1846, Eliza (twin) died Nov 1846, child Hyrum born in Iowa 1847] BY LAND: [Aaron Johnson Wagon Company Sept 12 1850] Samuel age 32 Pioneer Information: [Samuel must have traveled with his pregnant wife Mary Ann LINE and their children Samuel Lorenzo (7), Hyrum (3).] * Smith, Samuel, 1843, NA, Swanton, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200151 [traveling with his parents, sister and his wife and child] Smith, Mary Ann, 1843, NA, Swanton, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200151 Smith, Mary Ann, 1843, NA, Swanton, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200151 Smith, D., 1843, NA, Swanton, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200151 Smith, Sarah, 1843, NA, Swanton, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200151 Smith, Sarah, 1843, NA, Swanton, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200151 Smith, Jane, 1843, NA, Swanton, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200151 Camilla SMITH - George Ensign SMITH pedigree

Preface Samuel SMITH History

I own this book you can read it in the 10 posts that follow. I have added the photos. 8 Chapters and the appendix follow. Each chapter is a separate post. You can find them under the Labels - SMITH Samuel and SMITH Samuel History.

Judge, Mayor, Post Master, Counselor - Samuel SMITH
The History of Samuel Smith of Sherington, England, His Five Wives and their Posterity
by his great-grandson, Calvin N. Smith

PREFACE

This work has been a labor of love. It has really been more of a job of collating and editing than creative writing, for Amy Smith Hancock was the chief collector and writer of the intriguing story of Judge Samuel Smith, her paternal grandfather.

Amy was a tireless researcher in the genealogical field. She was unstinting in her efforts to amass all the data she could. Unfortunately, she died before she could draw all of her information into permanent form. The series of brief sketches she composed, though, formed the basis for this work and, it is hoped, will serve as a fitting tribute to her memory. She truly had the spirit of Elijah. She dedicated her life, means and talent to extending those golden links between the living and the dead. There are scores of souls on that other shore who praised her name while she yet lived. Now they can personally rejoice with her since she passed away August 26, 1966. No doubt there is great joy in heaven to this day for the tireless efforts she exerted to do her part in the great gathering of records needed to complete the temple work for those who preceded her.

Others who made considerable contributions to this work were Ivy Watson Larsen, Corwin Hancock, Priscilla Hancock Fisher, Beverly Smith Nelson and Hollis Ann Hancock Cabaness. It is hoped that this will be only the first in a series of books highlighting the posterity of Samuel Smith. But whatever the result, be it known that Amy Smith Hancock was the catalyst for the present project. Her influence was felt not only while she was in mortality, but since she passed beyond the veil as well. We can only hope she is pleased with the final product.

Note: Calvin N. Smith, a descendant of Samuel Smith through his third wife Frances Ann, is a Professor of Speech Communication at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois 61920. This work was printed in February of 1988.

LEGEND

(*) Genealogy Records located at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
SSR - Correct according to Samuel Smith Family Record.
NP - Not proven by any legal record.

Mormon Trail - Mormon Pioneer, Simeon Adams DUNN

Mormon Pioneer ancestor of Camilla SMITH WOOD Simeon Adams DUNN Seventh Generation from JR

From JR back seventh generations Simeon Adams Dunn (1803-1883) m. 1828 1- Adaline Rawson (1811-1841 in Nauvoo) / m. 1842 2-Margaret Snyder(1812-1846 Nauvoo) / m.1846 3-Jane Caldwell / m.1847 Harriet Atwood Silver (1818-1858) Harriet traveled west with Simeon and his little girls /m.1865 Elizabeth Wickham / m.181868 Abagail Stoddard. Simeon was not a polygamist.

Lived in New York, Rawsonville, MI / Nauvoo, IL / Great Salt Lake City, Brigham City, UT Simeon Adams Dunn age 43/ b. 18 NY - m. 18 - MI. - d. 18 UT - other spouse- 2, 3, 4, 5, BAPTIZED: 1839, served 3 missions. BY LAND: 1848 Brigham Young Company Departure: 5 June 1848 Arrival in Salt Lake Valley: 20-24 September 1848 Dunn, Simeon Adams (43) Betsy Dunn, Harriet Atwood Silver (29) wife of Simeon and step mother to these girls. Dunn, Mary (14)* Dunn, Betsy (10) Dunn, Susannah (5) [Susannah is half sister to Mary and Betsy.] [Missing from list is Adaline Dunn (18) oldest living daughter of Simeon Dunn. Adaline had been seal at age 15 in the Nauvoo temple to Alpheus Peter HAWS age 20. Alpheus P. Haws became part of the Mormon Battalion. (Mary Dunn had been sealed at age 12 to 11 year old M. L. Hancock and Betsy at age 8 to 20 year old Alpheus Peter HAWS they were not considered married to until they came of age.)] Pioneer Information: first two wives died in Nauvoo, married third wife divorced she took their son, Simeon traveled with third wife Harriet and three daughters ages 14,10, and 5. Company Information: 1220 individuals were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Winter Quarters, Nebraska. Trail Excerpt: Simeon is mentioned in Lorenzo Brown’s diary [Brown, Lorenzo, Reminiscences and diaries, 1856-[1900], vol. 1, 37-53. ] as having lost a cow on August 18th. Betsy Dunn mentions this event in her letter describing the trek. Camilla SMITH - George Ensign SMITH pedigree

Mormon Trail - Sarah Jane INGRAM - English/Nauvoo Saints - Child Pioneer

Mormon Pioneer ancestor of Camilla SMITH WOOD From JR seven generations back to Sarah Jane INGRAM who was orphaned when she got to St. Louis from England. She was taken in by her Uncle Richard Griffiths and Aunt Mary while in Nauvoo. Aunt Mary died while crossing the plains. When arriving in Utah Richard left the children with Sarah WOODING SMITH and went on to California. Sarah Jane INGRAM m. 1853 Samuel SMITH.

Sarah Jane INGRAM SMITH

English Nauvoo Saints Sarah ‘Jane’ INGRAM (SMITH) age 4 By SEA and age 9 By LAND / b. 1839 Worcester, Worcestershire, ENG - d. 1872 Brigham City, UT - buried Brigham City. BAPTIZED: 1852 Utah England to Nauvoo to UT BY SEA:1843 aboard bark ‘Yorkshire’. Sarah age 4. [William and Susannah Griffiths Ingram traveled on this ship with their children (Eliza and James children of first marriage; Richard, Sarah Jane, Fanny Ann) and Richard with his wife Mary Griffiths - (Richard was Susannah’s brother.) ‘Yorkshire’ Information: Sailing vessel with three or more masts British / 658 tons Master: W. Bache Departed Liverpool: March 8, 1843 Arrived New Orleans: May 10,1843 63 days of passage Company Leader: T. Bullock 83 LDS passengers Yorkshire Information: (Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 12, p.433) Tues., May 2, 1843. About one p.m. the mate of the ship Yorkshire opened The Testament at the 27th chapter of Acts and asked the passengers how they would feel to be shipwrecked like Paul. Elder Thomas Bullock replied instantly, "It is very likely we shall be shipwrecked; but the hull of this old vessel has got to carry us safe into New Orleans." The mate was then called away to hoist the fore-top-royal sail. Between one and two the next morning, when off Cape St. Antonio, Cuba, there was much vivid lightning, when a white squall caught the fore-top-royal sail, which careened the vessel. When the foremast, mainmast and mizzenmast snapped asunder with an awful crash, the whole of the mast [p.434] above, with the jib and spanker, and sixteen sails and studding poles were carried overboard with a tremendous splash and surf when the vessel righted. Daybreak found the deck all in confusion and a complete wreck. During the day a sail was hoisted from the stump of the mainmast to the bow of the vessel, thus leaving nothing but the hull of the vessel to carry the Saints into New Orleans. (Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 8, p.232) Wed., May 31, 1843—The steamer Amaranth landed at Nauvoo with the Saints who had left Liverpool in the Yorkshire, under the care of Elders Thomas Bullock and Richard Rushton. "All were well." Also on board were some Saints who had left Liverpool more recently in the Swanton. Emigration Information: Sarah Jane and siblings Francis Ann and Richard were orphaned at St. Louis 1844. They then lived in Nauvoo with their mother’s brother Richard and Mary Griffith. BY LAND: 1848/1849 Unidentified wagon train. Sarah age 9. Pioneer Information: Siblings Richard, Sarah Jane, and Francis Ann traveled with uncle and aunt Richard and Mary Griffiths (Mary died on the plains). Sarah and Fanny lived with Sarah WOODING SMITH TURPIN in Utah before they move to Brigham City to work for Samuel SMITH. Both girls later married Samuel. Ingram, Sarah Jane, 1848, 12, NA, Roster found in Heart Throbs of the West, Volume 9, Pages 469-521 Ingram, Jane, 1843, NA, Yorkshire, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200151 Ingram, Jane, 1849, 13, NA, Roster found in Heart Throbs of the West, Volume 10, Pages 441-472 Ingram, Sarah Jane, 1848, 12, NA, Roster found in Heart Throbs of the West, Volume 9, Pages 469-521 Sister - Frances Ann INGRAHAM (7)Ingram, Fanny, 1843, NA, Yorkshire, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200151 Ingram, Fanny, 1850, 10, Utah 1850 Census, Great Salt Lake County Page 63 Microfilm 25540 Camilla SMITH - George Ensign SMITH pedigree

Mormon Trail - Teenage Pioneer, Mary DUNN (ENSIGN) - Michigan/Nauvoo Saints

From JR sixth generations back to Mary DUNN (1833-1920) who m.1852 Martin Luther ENSIGN (1831-1911) Mary DUNN Daughter of Simeon Adams DUNN, born Bellville, Michigan. died Brigham City, Utah came to Utah at age 14, September 1848 with Brigham Young Company.

[Mary DUNN ENSIGN is linked to her Autobiography more pictures to be added.]

Mary DUNN ENSIGN and Martin Luther ENSIGN

Places Lived: MI / Nauvoo / Salt Lake City, UT / Brigham City, UT Mary Dunn age 14/ b. 1833 Bellville, MI - d. 1920 Brigham City, UT - buried Brigham City, UT . Moved to Nauvoo at age 2 (1835) Mary’s mother Adaline RAWSON died 1841 in Nauvoo. BAPTIZED: 1841 BY LAND: 1848 Brigham Young Company Departure: 5 June 1848 Arrival in Salt Lake Valley: 20-24 September 1848 Mary’s father Dunn, Simeon Adams (43) Dunn, Harriet Atwood Silver (29) fourth wife of Simeon and step mother to his girls. * Dunn, Mary (14) Dunn, Betsy (10) Dunn, Susannah (5) is half sister to Mary and Betsy, [Missing from this list is Adaline Dunn (18) oldest living daughter of Simeon Dunn. She had married Alpheus Peter HAWS in 1845 Nauvoo.] Company Information: 1220 individuals were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Winter Quarters, Nebraska. Journal Excerpt: “When we arrived at the place called Ft. Bridger we camped a short distance from the camp. That night we saw some Indians coming. We wondered what they were coming for when one young Indian left the rest and handed my sister Mary [Mary DUNN ENSIGN] a lovely shawl and told her to go with him and be his wife. My sister Mary was a very pretty girl. We were all so afraid, and when father told him she would have to refuse we were afraid they would get ugly. They tried to get him to take the shawl back, but he just turned and rode away and never bothered us again. Mary wore the shawl out after coming to Utah. Father certainly kept her close to him the rest of the trip." (From the Biography of Betsy DUNN HAWS BROWN) Read Trail Excerpt: In the early spring of 1847, President Young and the pioneers, about 150 in number, left to pioneer the way to a new home. The people who were left in Winter Quarters went on preparing to take this journey. They made up every kind of wagon that you could possibly imagine to go on that long journey. Nothing but their extraordinary faith and hope carried them through. How did they get that faith? They got it from the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Lord; he had told them things that were to come to pass, and they believed him. There was no hesitation in all the three thousand people that left Winter Quarters and went on that journey; at least, I never saw any. They got their wagons loaded, and just as fast as they could, moved onward, following the presidency. They now had as regular an organization as an army. They were divided up into wagons of ten, with a captain, wagons of fifty with a captain, then wagons of a hundred, with a captain; and these all implicitly obeyed the instructions given them. Why did they do it? Because they never had a doubt, never, never! Now starting out as they did, not knowing what was before them, I say the journey of this people in the wilderness was greater than the journey of the children of Israel, when they were forty years in going a much shorter distance; these were just five months in going a thosuand miles. I want to say they had dangers in their path, too. The first danger was the Indians, who began to come to their camps. President Young sent word to all the companies, "Don't mistreat an Indian. If they come to your camp, feed them. Do the best you can for them." The interpreters had told those wild people the story of the Saints that they were driven out from the abodes of the white men and had to take to the wilderness. Thus the savages had more respect and sympathy. While they hated other white men, and were willing to massacre them wherever there was a chance, the Mormon families moved right on, and every night went to sleep and never thought of being disturbed by the Indians; and they never were. Another danger was the buffalo. In one sense the buffalo were there for a purpose. In the wilderness the Lord sent manna down from heaven for the Children of Israel. He did not have to send manna for this people, but He prepared something else that would help them out—the buffalo. They were all over the plains. Every morning when I got up I could see buffalo in every direction, thousands and thousands of them. President Young sent word that not a single buffalo was to be killed except for food. We went around among the buffalo, and they were perfectly fearless. They did not fear the savages nor our people, and never molested us. They would come in large herds, and had they stampeded nothing in the world could have stood in their way. An instance of this kind occurred two or three years afterwards. A company of six wagons camped one evening on the Platte river. The next morning not a vestige of that camp was left except a few wagon tires, broken spokes, some shreds of clothing and a few bones. They had been swept out of existence by a buffalo stampede. Another thing that showed plainly who was directing the affairs of this people was their preservation from prairie fires. They did not have any serious fires. The camps moved in a quiet way. It is true it was hard work on the women. There being so few men, they had to drive stock, and in some instances had to drive oxen attached to the wagons; in fact they had to do all sorts of work. But the courage they had, the determination, the will-power and the faith, aided and helped them, and with the blessing of the Lord they went through all right. It is hardly worth while to describe the daily journey. There were times when it was very hard and very difficult, principally when we crossed rivers, and the few men had to carry the women and the little ones over, wading themselves. In the spring the water was so cold that often the men would be dressed with icicles, as they waded. Still there was no serious sickness; they were not frightened, and did not take cold, and they went along as though nothing had happened. There was very little sickness on the plains, and very little medicine if we were sick. Consequently, when the people were sick they depended upon the elders, and the elders laid hands on them and they were made well. Numerous instances of this kind occurred; I was an eve-witness [eye witness] to a great many of them. Though so very sick in Winter Quarters, when I got onto the plains I was well. I drove my team, and as I trudged along I had less and less shoes on my feet until I was barefooted. When we came to the Black Hills, the weather got clear, and it was much pleasanter, and the people were encouraged. But we were short of provisions, and did not know whether we could really get through or not. One morning when we were camped in the mountains, I started out. I do not know what impelled me to pick up a gun. I had never been a hunter, and never had been out with a gun. But I took this one, and went out to where the hills there were rolling. The wind was blowing from the north, and as I came along, I thought, "Well, I believe I will just climb upon this little knoll and see if I can see anything." I did so and just as I raised my head above the level and looked over, I saw a buffalo standing within the range of my rifle, facing toward me and eating. Now, while I was not a hunter I was not the least bit excited. I raised my rifle, prepared it, took steady, careful aim, and fired. I saw the buffalo raise up and start but pretty soon he began to totter and then spread his legs out and fall over. I waited to see whether he was dead, for if he was but wounded and I ventured too near, I would be the one to be found dead. I went over toward the camp, and said to two of the brethren, "I wish you would come over here and help me bring in this buffalo." "Buffalo!" They just laughed. "Oh, I guess you have lost your mind, haven't you?" "No; better come," I said. With a great deal of persuasion I got them to come over. And when they saw the buffalo they were startled; they were glad. It was meat for them; it was something to live on. It had been sent to us, and there is no question about it. When we came to within about a day's journey of the valley, the people were all excited. They had had such a tedious journey and were so weary they did not know how to express their joy. We hitched up that day to take our journey, and my mother [Catherine Reese Clawson] drove a little pair of young steers. The feed had been so much better since we reached the Black Hills that they really got a little frisky, and they bolted and they ran— the men ran after them. Finally they were caught. Remember, no lines were used in those days. They were driven with a whip, and they would touch one and say "Gee," and the other, and say "Haw." Well, they caught these animals and got them under control, but mother had sprained her ankle. We camped the last night with a little hill just in front of us, between us and our goal. The people were joyous in camp. They slept well, and were happy. In the morning they dressed early and started to move. About 9 o'clock they arrived at the top of the hill. The sun had just cleared the peaks, and it struck over on the western side of the valley. As they arose that panorama burst upon them. Now, how would you feel, if you had spent five months in the mountains, in the midst of trouble and danger and trials? How would you feel when you got first into sight of the promised land? It was the promised land to them, and they saw the peaks and the beautiful valley, the Salt Lake, that looked like a lake of silver, and they said, "What a beautiful scene is this!" They looked around, tears rolled down their cheeks; they clasped their hands and sank down on their knees in prayer. (Clawson, Hiram B., "Crossing the Plains," Young Woman's Journal, May 1907, 217-18.) Camilla SMTIH - George Ensign SMITH pedigree

Mormon Trail - Teenage Pioneers - Martin Luther ENSIGN - Massachusetts Saints

Mormon Pioneer ancestor of Camilla SMITH WOOD

From JR Sixth generation back to Martin Luther ENSIGN (1831-1911) after father Horace Datus ENSIGN died at Winter Quarters, Martin traveled with mother Mary BRONSON ENSIGN and siblings. Marin's brother Horace ENSIGN had gone ahead with Brigham Young and the original Pioneers. Another of our Grandfathers Shadrach ROUNDY an ancestor of Kirt DeMar WOOD was also with Brigham Young and the original Pioneers. Martin later m.1852 Mary DUNN.

[Martin Luther Ensign is linked to his Autobiography]

Sixth Generation Martin Luther Ensign and Mary Dunn.

Places Lived: Massachusetts / Nauvoo / Winter Quarters / Salt Lake City, UT / Ogden, UT / Brigham City, UT. Martin Luther ENSIGN age 16 / b. 1831 Westfield, MA - m. 1852 Salt Lake City, UT - d. 1911 Brigham City, UT - buried Brigham City, UT BAPTIZED: 1852 parents bap. in MA 1844. Family Information: Martin’s Father died at Winter Quarters 1846 BY LAND: 1847 Daniel Spencer/Ira Eldredge Company Departure: 17 June 1847 Arrival in Salt Lake Valley: 19-22 September 1847 brother Ensign, John Calvin (17) / cousin Ensign, Julia Sirls (13) / brother Ensign, Luman Ashley (19) / sister Ensign, Lydia Esther (6) Ensign, Martin Luther (16) mother Ensign, Mary Bronson (41) / aunt Ensign, Mary Everett Gordon (36) / brother Ensign, Rufus Bronson (12), Uncle Ensign, Samuel (42) Captain of ten / cousin Ensign, Samuel Lozene (11) Pioneer Information: [Martin Luther Ensign (16) traveled with mother, siblings, Uncle, Aunt and cousins.] He drove three yoke of oxen for John Eldredge. Pioneer Information: Mary [Ensign] was the widow of Horace. She traveled with her children Luman, Joh, Rufus, Lydia and Martin. Pioneer Information: [John Calvin Ensign] claimed, "I drove the first ox team into the valley...." Pioneer Information: [Uncle Samuel Ensign] Captain of Ten. He traveled with his wife Mary and children Julia and Samuel. [Included in the third ten led by Samuel Ensign were: John Calvin Ensign, Julia Searles Ensign, Lydia Esther Ensign, Lyman D. Ensign, Martin Luther Ensign, Mary Bronson Ensign, Mary Everett Gordon Ensign, Rufus Bronson Ensign, Samuel Ensign, Samuel Lozene Ensign,] Company Information: 174 or 177 individuals and 76 wagons were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post on the Elkhorn River about 27 miles west of Winter Quarters, Nebraska. Source of Trail Excerpt: (Ensign, Martin Luther, Autobiography, in Utah State Historical Society Cache Valley Chapter, Historical resource materials for Cache Valley, Utah-Idaho, 1955-1956, reel 1, item 9, 1-2.) Read Trail Excerpt: I went with Ira Eldridge and drove three yoke of oxen and wagon to the Valley for John Eldridge, brother of Ira, who came with the Pioneers. Datus came with the pioneers, he and Bro. Frost came together. They brought a plow ready stocked and were the first to plow a furrow, going a few rods and broke the beam, (The remains of this after being worn out were put in the museum as a relic.) The Pioneers started from Winter Quarters sometime in April. We started about the 15 15th of May. Luman [Ashley Ensign] drove Bro. Frost's team; [John] Calvin [Ensign] and Rufus [Bronson Ensign] drove Mother's to the Valley. There were six companies of one un hundred wagons each, with six capt's of hundreds, 12 of fifties, 60 of tens, making one thousand wagons in all to the best of my judgment the way we were organized. We drove close together for protection until near Fort Laramie not knowing our destination until we met some of the Pioneers that were sent back to meet us and let us know our destination. Were told it was Great Salt Lake Valley about 550 miles farther on. Were told to break un into fifties and go as fast as our teams could travel. After leaving Fort Laramie, we left the Platt[e] and went over the Black Hills, a very hilly road but plenty of food and water and wood, coming out to the Platt[e] River again. Went up it a few days and then crossed it and went on to Independence Rock on the Sweetwater River, camped here and had a dance on the rock, it being flat on top and large enough for a cotillion. The Pioneers were here on the 4th of July and gave it the name. We went up the Sweetwater to the dividing ridge of the Rocky Mountains. Now we came down the Western Slope. On big Sandy Creek we met the returning Pioneers, Pres. Brigham Young and Company. Datus was with them, he came back with us. Ira Eldridge's Fifty being in the lead of all the companies. Arriving in the Valley on the 18th Sept. 5 or 6 days before any of the other companies, we drove to the Fort that the Pioneers had built around a term or block. Just Added:

Source of Trail Excerpt:

Ensign, Martin Luther, Autobiography, in Utah State Historical Society Cache Valley Chapter, Historical resource materials for Cache Valley, Utah-Idaho, 1955-1956, reel 1, item 9, 1-2.

Read Trail Excerpt:

I went with Ira Eldridge and drove three yoke of oxen and wagon to the Valley for John Eldridge, brother of Ira, who came with the Pioneers. Daut Datus came with the pioneers, he and Bro. Frost came together. They brought a plow ready stocked and were the first to plow a furrow, going a few rods and broke the beam, (The remains of this after being worn out were put in the museum as a relic.) the Pioneers started from Winter Quarters sometime in April. We started about the 15 15th of May. Luman [Ashley Ensign] drove Bro. Frost's team; [John] Calvin [Ensign] and Rufus [Bronson Ensign]drove Mother's to the Valley. There were six companies of one un hundred wagons each, with six capt's of hundreds, 12 of fifties, 60 of tens, making one thousand wagons in all to the best of my judgment the way we were organized. We drove close together for protection until near Fort Laramie not knowing our destination until we met some of the Pioneers that were sent back to meet us and let us know our destination. Were told it was Great Salt Lake Valley about 550 miles farther on. Were told to break un into fifties and go as fast as our teams could travel. After leaving Fort Laramie, we left the Platt[e] and went over the Black Hills, a very hilly road but plenty of food and water and wood, coming out to the Platt[e] River again. Went up it a few days and then crossed it and went on to Independence Rock on the Sweetwater River, camped here and had a dance on the rock, it being flat on top and large enough for a cotillion. The Pioneers were here on the 4th of July and gave it the name. We went up the Sweetwater to the dividing ridge of the Rocky Mountains. Now we came down the Western Slope. On big Sandy Creek we met the returning Pioneers, Pres. Brigham Young and Company. Datus was with them, he came back with us. Ira Eldridge's Fifty being in the lead of all the companies. Arriving in the Valley on the 18th Sept. 5 or 6 days before any of the other companies, we drove to the Fort that the Pioneers had built around a term or block.

Camilla SMTIH - George Ensign SMITH pedigree