Loren DeLance Squire Family History Chapter 3

This is a rather lengthy chapter so I am saving part of it for next week.  I hope you take the time to read it as you will see it is full of church history.  It was exciting to read about my 4th great-grandfather, Joseph Knight, and his role in our early church history and to read some of the words that the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote in regards to him.  It also includes Freeborn DeMill's Patriarchal Blessing given to him by the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I am so grateful for my Grandpa Loren Squire and that he took the time to research and write our family history.

CHAPTER THREE

DE MILL AND KNIGHT LINE HISTORY 

Anthony DeMill, Jr. the first DeMill to come to America was a son of Anthony DeMill, Sen., and Maria Cobraysse who were religious refugees from Flanders, France and were living in Haerlem, Holland.

(In Antwerp, Holland in an old church cemetery a tombstone marking a grave has the following inscription: "Here lies hurried Francis DeMill, Lord of Western and Faerden, who died in the year 1544, Feb. 28th". Also on a shield a coat of arms show three eagles and a head and shoulders of a female figure the hair being tied with a ribbon.)

Anthony DeMill Jr. married Elisabeth Van Der Liphorst in the Dutch reformed church of Haerlam Holland on Sept. 19, 1653. They moved to Amsterdam, Holland where he was engaged as a grain merchant and here their first child, a daughter was born in 1654 and named Maria. They moved back to Haerlem, Holland in the spring of 1657 and on Aug. 21, 1657 a second daughter was born and named Anna. When she was about nine months old, the family sailed from Amsterdam, Holland in May, 1658 on the ship De Vergilded (Gilded Beaver) for New Amsterdam (which later became New York.)

On Dec. 7, 1659, their first son was born in America (New York). He was named Isaac and our family line comes through him. One son and two daughters were later born to this couple.

Isaac DeMill lived in New York and worked as a ship builder. He married Sarah Van Joosten about 1664. Their first child was a son born Aug. 23, 1685 and named Anthony. Our line comes down through him. He had eight brothers and two sisters.

Anthony married Maria Provoost April 26, 1706 in New York and they had ten children. We are descendants of their third child, a son whom they named Benjamin. He was born Feb. 5, 1710. He married a woman named Elizabeth about 1740. They were the parents of eight children. Their second child named Garrett born August 12, 1743 is our line of decent. 

In the year 1771, Garrett married Delana Eighmay or as some records list her as Lanah Amey. He was a farmer in Duchess County, New York and was thirty-three years old when the Revolutionary War started in 1776. He was in the Duchess County Militia under command of Colonel Abraham Brinkerhoff and fought in some of the battles against the British. (In one of his son's record, Isaac a brother of Freeborn stated he had the barrel of the rifle his father used in the Revolutionary War and that Freeborn had his sword and had taken it to Utah. Possibly the one which hung in the old school house as it on the same lot where they lived in Manti.) Between the years 1791 and 1794 the family moved to Plattskill, Ulster County, New York. They were the parents of ten children the last two being twins and were named Freeborn and Garrison, born March 3, 1795 in Plattskill. Their father was fifty-two at that time. Some time after this, the family moved to Colesville, Broome County, New York, where Freeborn met and later married his wife Anna Knight. my great-grandmother. She was a daughter of Joseph Knight and Polly Peck.

Early Knight history shows that a John Knight born about 1595 in Romsey, England came to America in 1635 with his family. They had four children, their second, a son named John Jr., born in 1622, Ramsey, England and was about thirteen years old when he came to America and is our line of decent, During his life he married five wives the third named Mary Bridge had six children. The fifth, a son was born July 12, 1675 in Charleston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts and was given the name of Samuel. On July 19, 1700, Samuel married Rachel Chase and to them were born six children. Their fourth, a son born March 4, 1709 was named after his father Samuel Jr. and was born in the same town as his father, He married Annie Eames April 23, 1740 and they had four children. The third child, a son was born Dec. 26, 1744,in Sudbury, Middlesex County Massachusetts and given the name of Benjamin. He married Hannah and they were the parents of five children. Their first a son was born Nov. 26, 1772 in Oakham, Worchester County, Massachusetts and was named Joseph Knight who married Polly Peck, the parents of Anna Knight. 
In the year 1811, Joseph Knight and family moved to Colesville, Broome County, New York from Marlboro, Windham County, Vermont, where the first six of their seven children had been born. He took up a farm along the Susquehanna River and had a grist mill and carding machine. He hired Joseph Smith, when a young man, on various occasions to work for him and so the prophet became well acquainted with the Knight family. The Prophet had told them of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in the near future. Joseph Knight was taken into the confidence of the Prophet to the point that he purposely so arranged his affairs to be at the Smith family residence, near Manchester at the time the plates of the Book of Mormon were given into Joseph's possession. Mr. Knight had driven to the Smith residence with, black horse and carriage and in this conveyance according to the statement of both Lucy Smith, mother of the Prophet and Joseph Knight, Joseph Smith in company with his wife Emma, drove away very early, before daylight, on the morning of September 22. They went to Cumorah and there the Prophet received the plates of the Book of Mormon, the Urim and Thummim and Breastplate which were, for some time, excepting the Urim and thummim, concealed in the woods. 

Mr. Knight remained at the Smith residence several days and was there the day Joseph Smith brought home the plates; and in company with Joseph Smith, Sen. and Mr. Stoal, went in search of those men who had assailed the prophet while on his way home with the plates: but failed to find them. (I remember my grandmother on various occasions relating the above story, adding the fact that the horse used was a beautiful black one.)

In the History of the Church, Vol. I, Period I the Prophet Joseph Smith writes: "About the same time an old gentlemen came to visit us of whose name I wish to make honorable mention, Mr. Joseph Knight. Sen., of Colesville, Broome County, New York, who having heard of the manner in which we were occupying our time, very kindly and considerately brought us a quantity of provisions in order that we might not be interrupted in the work of translation by the want of such necessaries of life; and I would just mention here, as in duty-bound that he several times brought us supplies a distance of at least thirty miles, which enabled us to continue the work when otherwise we must have relinquished it for a season."

Anna Knight was born March 5, 1804,in Marlboro, Windham County Vermont. She was seven years old when the family moved to Colesville, Broome County, New York. Here she met and later married Freeborn DeMill on March 11, 1819 when she wasjust past fifteen years old. Her husband was just past his 24th birthday. They made their home in Colesville. 

Anna Knight & Freeborn DeMill

Anna Knight

Their first child was a daughter that they named Mariah who was born May 12, 1820.On December 24, 1822,a second daughter was born and given the name of Orpha. The third child was also a Freeborn DeMill daughter, that they named Lora Ann, born June 2 1828. Their 4th child, a son was born March 30, 1830 and given the name of Oliver. This was just a month before the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints was organized.

In Freeborn's own record he states that he was baptized in the Susquehanna River at Colesville and a few months later his wife was baptized in Sept, 1830 in New York State, He does not give the date of his baptism but his church record gives it as June 30, 1830. Church history shows a number of the Colesville members were baptized in June 1830. However, all the Knight family had joined the church and became members in 1830. Freeborn and wife were numbered with the total of seventy members, in all of New York State in Dec. 1830.

In Dec. 1830, section thirty-seven of the Doctrine and Covenants was received by the prophet in which the Lord told him to visit and strengthen the church at Colesville and commanded the church members in New York State to assemble in Ohio.

The latter part of January, 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and his wife with Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge left New York for Kirtland, Ohio, with instructions from the prophet that the members of the church in New York should follow in the spring. 

In Freeborn's own written record, he states that on April 21, 1831, he with his wife and family, the oldest being eleven years old and the youngest thirteen months, left Colesville for Ohio. They arrived in Thompson, Ohio on May 16, 1831. The church History relates that the members of the Colesville branch, (which included all the Joseph Knight family) were instructed to settle in Thompson, Ohio, about ten miles east of Kirtland, where arrangements had been made for them to settle.

Leman Copley had a considerable tract of land in Thompson, that he (a member of the church) had offered to let the saints from Colesville occupy. A contract was agreed upon and work commenced in good faith. However, Copley broke the agreement and some trouble over it caused the prophet to receive the 54th section of the D. and C. early in June, 1831.As a result of this revelation, the church, at Thompson composed of the members of the Colesville branch made all possible haste to leave Ohio for Missouri. In John Whitmer's history of the church, chapter 8, it states that Newel Knight was appointed leader of the company which was made up of the Colesville branch and under his leadership they made the entire journey from Thompson, Ohio to Missouri.

In the record of Freebom DeMill, he states that they left Thompson, Ohio, June 28, 1831, and arrived at Independence, Jackson County, Missouri on July 25, 1831. (twenty-seven days) The Colesville branch did not settle in Independence, but in Kaw Township a few miles west of Independence, in the valley of the Blue River. The saints rejoiced in the revelation of section 57 of the Doctrine and Covenants naming the land of the Missouri as a gathering place for the Saints and the place for the City of Zion; here they felt they could make their home in peace and safety. 
History of the Church, chapter 16 starts out, and I quote, ''On the 2nd day of Aug., 1831, I (prophet Joseph Smith) assisted the Colesville branch of the church to lay the first log for a house, as a foundation of Zion in Kaw township, 12 miles west of lndependence. (This was in between Independence and Kansas City, and is now covered by suburbs of Kansas City.) The log was carried and placed by 12 men, in honor of the 12 tribes of Israel. At that time the land of Zion was consecrated and dedicated by Elder Sidney Rigdon for the gathering of the Saints." 
Freeborn DeMill was one of the 12 men and it was from his record I gave the church historian the names of the 12 men. The church did not have the names of all 12 before I gave it to them. 
I quote from the same chapter 16 of the History of the Church as written by the Prophet as follows: "On the 4th of August, I attended the Ist conference in the land of Zion. It was held at the house of Brother Joshua Lewis, in Kaw township in the presence of the Colesville Branch of the church. The spirit of the Lord was there. On August 7, 1831, I attended the funeral of Sister Polly Peck Knight, the wife of Joseph Knight, Sen. This was the first death in the church in this land, and I can say, a worthy member sleeps in Jesus Christ till the resurrection." 

She was my great-great-grandmother. According to her son, Newel, her health had been failing for some time and she was very ill during the journey from Thompson, Ohio to Missouri. Yet she would not consent to stop traveling. Her greatest desire was to set her feet upon the land of Zion and to have her body interred in that land. While traveling on the steamer down the river, Newel went on shore at one of the stops and bought lumber to make a coffin, in case she should die before they arrived in Missouri.

History of the Church, Chap. 20, the Prophet states he visited the Saints in Kaw township a few miles west of Independence. He reported that the Colesville Branch, in particular rejoiced as the ancient Saints did with Paul. The foot note states that as the Colesville Saints were among the 1st to receive the gospel and were mostly converts of the Prophet that his heart was very tender toward them. 

Sept. 29, 1832 Freeborn DeMill and his wife had their fifth child born to them. A daughter given the name of Adelia. She was born in Kaw township, Jackson County, Missouri and is my Grandmother. 
I will not take the time and space to tell of the persecution and hardships of the Saints in Missouri as it is on record in the Church History. It must have tried the faith of the best of them after coming to the land of Zion and rest for them to have mobs and persecution drive them from their new-made homes. 
In Freeborn's own account he relates that on Dec. 1, 1833 as winter was setting in they were driven from their homes by mobs and out of Jackson County. They crossed the Missouri River to the north into Clay County where they took up their new homes. Here a little over two years later, in the spring of 1837, they were driven with the rest of the Saints out of Clay County and went north-east to Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri. Here on January 12, 1838, their sixth child, a son was born and given the name of Ellias DeMill. 

The following is a copy of the Patriarchal blessing of Freeborn DeMill, the original is in the possession of myself and is at this date one hundred twenty one years old: 

"A Patriarchal blessing pronounced by Joseph Smith, Sen. upon the head of Freeborn DeMill, son of Garrett DeMill, who was born in the town of Plattekill, County of Ulster, and state of New York, AD 1795 in the third month, and on the third day of the month:

"Brother, in the name of the Lord, even Jesus Christ, I lay mine hands upon thy head, to bless thee; and I desire that thou mayest be confirmed in the covenant made with Abraham, and that thou mayest become great in the kingdom. And I bless thee with the blessings of a father, and say unto thee, thou art of the household of faith, thou art one of the covenant people, and hast a right to the priesthood, for thou art of the seed of Abraham and hast come down, from Abraham to Joseph, and from Joseph to Ephriam, and thou art of the pure blood of Ephriam, and thou must become rich, by the labor of thy hands, but if thou wilt labor diligently in the vineyard, thou shalt receive thy penny: and blessings shall be multiplied upon thy head, and God will give thee knowledge, and wisdom. You must go forth in the name, and in the strength of Israels God; realizing the worth of souls, and your labors, shall be crowned with success; and many souls shall be made to rejoice, through your instrumentality. I seal the seal of God, upon thy forehead. Thou hast been driven from thy home for the testimony of Jesus, thou was't one of the first to come into the kingdom and thy substance has been wasted; but God will make up thy losses; and thou shalt have the Holy Ghost, and shall behold things that are shortly to come upon the earth; when God shall come forth out of his hiding place, to vex the nations. God shall keep thee and make thee rich in the things of this world. Faint not for thou shalt yet perform great things ...Thou shalt rend the prisons; thou shalt burst the bands of iron and the sick shall be healed the blind shall see the lame shall walk and the dumb shall hear when thou speakest in the name of the Lord. I seal all the blessings upon thee that will be for thy good. I seal thee to long life thou shalt live as long as thou shalt desire even if it is to behold the winding up seen, and I seal thee up to eternal life in the name of the Lord: Amen ..." 

Done at the residence of Joseph Knight, Jr. in the city of Far West County of Caldwell and state of Missouri on the 6th day of the second month A.D. 1839. Sysander M. Davis Scribe 

Freeborn states that in the spring of 1839 they with the rest of the Saints were driven out of the state of Missouri. They crossed the state for about one hundred miles to the east came to the Mississippi River crossed that and settled in Quincy Ill. on the bank of the Mississippi River. While here in Quincy their oldest daughter Marl at the age of 2I on April 22, I84I was married to Daniel Buckley Funk. After coming to Utah this couple made their home in Sterling Utah (six miles south of Manti) and raised a family of nine children.

Freeborn's record states that they left Quincy in I842 and moved to Nauvoo Ill. Here on Jan. 8 I843 their second daughter, Orpha at the age of twenty-one was married to Perry Davis and she died the same day. Here also in Nauvoo on May 13, I843 the seventh child of Freeborn and Anna was born. This was their last child a daughter and was named Lovina Ester. 

On Thursday Dec. 25, I845, (Christmas day) Freeborn and his wife received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple. (There were 107 endowments given that day) on January 27, I846 they were sealed in the Nauvoo Temple. 
Freeborn states in his record that they left Nauvoo for the west on April 22, I846, being again driven out of their homes by mobs they arrived in Mt. Pisgah on May 26, I846. Freeborn DeMill had injured his leg with a saw and was laid up for about five years while in Missouri. Most all the time they were in Mt. Pisgah he was laid up with fever sores. 
Here in Mt. Pisgah on Oct. I, I848 their third daughter Lara Ann married Samuel K. Gifford. After coming to Utah they were called with others to settle in Utah's Dixie and made their home in Shonesburg southeast of Springdale. Later moved to Springdale. They were the parents of ten children. 

In the spring of I850 they left Mt. Pisgah for the valleys of the Great Salt Lake and arrived in Salt Lake City Sept. I7 I850 with the Capt. Warren Foot company. After a short rest in Salt Lake, they left for Manti Utah and arrived there Nov. 5, I850. Freeborn was now past fifty-five years old and his wife past forty-six. Manti was their home for the rest of their lives, never again to be driven by mobs. 
On Dec. 3I, I852, their fifth child Adelia married John P. Squire Sen., Manti's first school teacher. They made their home in Manti and had a family of 8 children. More will be told of them later. 
On May 13, I855 the oldest son Oliver at the age of 25, married Emily Almina Beal. They had eleven children. He married a second wife, Fidelia Winget June 3, 1865, and they had seven children. This family was also called to settle in Utah's Dixie and made their home in Shonesburg later moving to Rockville. 
On December II I859 the youngest child, Lavina Ester not quite 17 married John Alma Beal. They had eleven children and lived in Manti until about I875 and then moved to Shonesburg. 
On June 11, 1863, the youngest son, Ellias, the last to marry, was married to Malvina Winget. He was 25 years old. They made their home in Manti and were the parents of nine children. 
Freeborn was a member of the first High Council organized in Manti and was a member for many years after. 
Anna Knight DeMill died on July 28, 1878 in Manti at the age of seventy-four and is buried in the Manti Cemetery. 
Freeborn DeMill died in Manti, Jan. 23, 1881 at the age of eighty-five and is buried in the Manti cemetary by the side of his wife. 

On May 3, 1856, Freeborn DeMill married a second wife by the name of Lynittee Janett Richards and to them two sons were born: Orrin, born Jan 29, 1858, Manti, Utah, and Benjamin born Jan 23, 1860.In Manti, Utah. In his record he relates that one died and the other was living in Ephraim with his mother, dated April 21, 1864. I have been unable to find any trace of this other son...don't know if he died before age of marriage or not. 

A note from Cyndee:
I looked for Freeborn and Lynittee's sons in New Family Search and it showed that both died as children.  The first son, Orrin, only lived a year and the second son, William Edmund, died at the age of five in 1865.

Loren DeLance Squire Family History Chapter 2

In this chapter my grandfather writes about his grandfather, John Prichard Squire.  John Prichard Squire was baptized by Lorenzo Snow.  John's oldest sister, Harriet Amelia Squire, married Lorenzo Snow, becoming his fourth wife.  When Lorenzo Snow went on his mission to Italy he asked my 2nd great grandfather, John Prichard Squire, to care for his family in his absence.

CHAPTER TWO

SQUIRE LINE HISTORY

In the year 1670 there lived in Newbury Essex County, Massachusetts near the coast of the Atlantic ocean, a man by the name of Phillip Squire who married a woman by the name of Rachel Ruggles. On March 20, 1671, they had a son born to them and named him Phillip Jr., who later married a woman by the name of Mary and to them a son was born on October 31, 1694, and given the name of Thomas. Thomas married Grace Price and to them a son was born on Feb. 21, 1729 who they named Ezekiel. He was forty-seven years old when the Revolutionary War started and was a ship builder for the Colonies during the war. All the above had made their homes in Newbury, with most of them being born there. It would be most interesting to go back there and visit the old cemeteries and read its history.

Ezekiel and his wife, Mary had a son they named Ezekiel Jr., born Oct. 19, 17--in Ludlow, Mass. He died Nov. 3, 1809. He married Margaret Stikes (some records have it Sikes) and to them a son was born September 19, 1795 and given the name of Aaron. Aaron married Elizabeth Prichard in the summer of 1818. She was born April 26 1796. To them were born eleven children, the fourth being a son on March 30, 1824, in Bainbridge, Geauga County, Ohio, and given the name of John Prichard Squire (my grandfather).
I found an old notebook among other papers in a box of old papers that evidently my father had gathered up after his mother's death. In this notebook Grandfather had listed his children with the date, day, and time of their birth and a short history of his life, written in a clear good hand. He tells of living on a farm claimed by his father that he had taken up in Bainbridge, Ohio, which is about 20 miles south of Kirtland. Lorenzo Snow, who later became president of the church was born in Mantua, Ohio, about nine miles southeast of Bainbridge, the birthplace of my Grandfather. Mr. Snow after becoming a convert of the L.D.S. Church, did quite extensive missionary work in Ohio. Grandfather relates of reading a tract on Mormonism written by Lorenzo Snow in the year 1844. He and his sister, five years older than he, were the only ones of the family to join the church. His sister, Harriet Amelia became the fourth wife of Lorenzo Snow sometime in 1846 and their first child a daughter, was born July 16, 1847 before leaving the next April for Utah. After coming to Utah they made their home in Brigham City. In his history Grandfather tells of his being attacked and bitten by a dog at the age of eight. The dog tearing most of his clothing off. Also of falling from a horse, at the age of eleven striking his head on a rock which resulted in cutting a gash in his head leaving his skull bare for two or three inches. The rest of his history I will give as he has written it...

"In the spring of 1844 I read "Mormon Unavail:, published by Lorenzo Snow and in the spring of 1845 I was employed as a clerk in a store belonging to Mortimer Treat, for about two months and then in the fall I worked in a shop making cheese boxes. I had attended school sixteen quarters to my remembrance. Father had said that he intended to give me a good education and I must look out for my own living or, in other words, it would be all he could give me. But he gave me the books "Comb, on the Constitution of Man" and "By Waylands Political Economy".

"I left my fathers residence Oct. 1, 1845, forenoon (age 21), left my relations at Nelson (fifteen miles south-east of Bainbridge) Oct. 2, 1845, shook hands with my eldest brother, Lorenzo, Oct. 2nd at dusk, and parted at Warren, Ohio. (Note: This is the last time he ever saw any of his family except his oldest sister who married Lorenzo Snow.) Took canal boat the same evening for Beaver, Pennsylvania, arrived there the next day about sun down. (Saturday evening unloaded and got a house and stayed until Thursday and started by steamboat for Cincinnati where I changed steamers bound for St. Louis, then on to Nauvoo. Stayed one week and one day, started to hunt up a school to hire out as a teacher. Traveled about for four weeks and found employment in Fairmount, Pike County, Illinois, at twelve dollars a month and board or fifty dollars per quarter and paid fourteen dollars for board to Mr. G. C. Case. a member of the Mormon Church. Worked the next summer at Mr. Daniel Corrie's in Fairmount at ten dollars per month and in the fall taught school for three months and in the winter in Brown County, Illinois near Fairmount (north). The next summer I worked at Fairmount farming on shares with James Wilson for one-fourth and they doing one-half the work. In the winter I taught school in the west of Fairmount for forty dollars per quarter and board around with the scholars. I had been playing ball with the scholars and went to the creek with Joseph Seybold to wash our hands. The scholars shut me out of the schoolhouse and said they would not let me in without a treat. I closed the school on March 16. 1848 and started for Mt. Pisgah. On the 22nd I crossed the Mississippi and on the 23rd I took the fever and ague. Arrived at String Town the 29th. Lay there shaking with the ague on the 30th. Started for Mt. Pisgah the 31st with a Mr. (or Brother) Folks and arrived at Pisgah April 9th. Went to Lorenzo Snow's and was baptized April 13, 1848 about 4 p.m. in the Grand River by Lorenzo Snow and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the evening by Lorenzo Snow. The ague began to wear off. Started April 18, 1848, for the valleys of the Mountains and on west. Had a turn of the dumb ague and stayed on Musquite creek one week and at Winter Quarters one week, also a week on Elk Horn. Left Elk Horn on June 1st. 1848, with a company of about one hundred wagons, crossed Loop Fork and stayed a week or more here, and I had about the last symptoms of the ague. Helped the companies all over except those behind H. C. Kimballs. Went on to a little above Chimney Rock where the companies broke up into smaller ones. Traveled about one hundred miles below Deering, crossed to the south side of the Platt river and stopped on Deer Creek to hunt one week, where Mrs. (Sister) Thompson died of child birth. Saw my first grizzly bear here.

"Arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake Sept. 22, 1848. Worked for Lorenzo Snow. Was ordained an Elder and joined the Elder's Quorum in June, 1849. At the October conference commencing Oct. 6, 1849, Lorenzo Snow was called to go on a mission to Italy and desired me to remain with his families, which I did with the promise of no other reward, only such as he received from his mission. He started October 19, 1849, and I remained with his families doing the best I could for them until Oct. 1, 1852. I worked for and brought some six hundred dollars for the families use besides the labor which I did getting wood, etc. for their use. 
"On Oct. 1, 1852, he discharged me and I left for Manti, Sanpete Valley and started to teach school there commencing Dec. 13, 1852. 

Adelia DeMill

John Prichard Squire

  
"On the 31st of December at about 4 p.m. Adelia DeMill and I were married by John Lowery, Sen., then Bishop of Manti. (age 28, wife age 20).
"February 10, 1851, I was ordained in the Quorum of Seventy. (I have in my possession that certificate.) On Feb. 22, 1852, I received my first washings and anointings in the Council House in Salt Lake City.

"Lorenzo Snow gave me one yoke of steers and one cow, two year old past, and calf and in the spring of 1853 he let me have twelve common plates, three deep plates, one platter and two bowls. Also some knives and forks, spoons and cotton cloth to the amount of fifty dollars worth. He told me that it should be to me as a mission for the time I stayed and cared for his families.

"My wife received her washings and anointings on Sept. 21, 1855, and we were sealed the next day by Pres. Brigham Young, Sept, 22, 1855.

"I was taken sick and my health began to fail me in 1858 and 1859. In 1860 I was down. I have not been able to do any work, except a day or two at a time and that light. I have taught school until now, February 1866. I was called out as a guard after Indians near Glen Cove starting August 12...returned Sept. 12, 1865 and not being able to return I was allowed to stay.

"I was elected to the office of First Lieutenant Company A November 18, 1865." (End of Quote.)

This ends the quotations of my grandfather's history as written by himself. The next few pages have been cut out of the note book. More was written as you can see the starting of each line on the margin left of the cut pages.

I know this, he was the first school teacher in Manti. I remember well the Log cabin school house that served also as their home. For desks logs were cut in half, and were from 15 to 18 inches in diameter with peg legs high enough to put your knees under them or partly so when sitting on the seats composed of sawed in two logs with shorter legs and about a foot in diameter. this was their home; but in the daytime, the school was held there. It was just back of grandmother's later home where she lived during my life time. A partly rusty sword in its scabbard hung next to the door. I used to belt it on and draw the sword which was rather long for me to draw as a kid. I am sure grandmother would have given it to me had I asked. Now I don t know what has become of it I wish I had a picture of the old place. The roof was not very steep and was of rough sawed boards, with boards over the cracks.

Grandfather had a hernia which caused his death. In those days they did not know what to do for them. He died April 25, 1872 at the age of forty eight and is buried in the Manti Cemetery.

John Prichard Squire & Adelia DeMill Squire's Tombstone

Loren DeLance Squire Family History Chapter 1

When I started this blog last June I had no idea how to start a blog, but I knew I needed to do it. My dad has a filing cabinet full of histories and genealogies and I knew I needed a way to share this information with my relatives. By following the prompting to start a genealogy blog I have had some amazing experiences and opportunities. I have felt the spirit working through me and I hope that you can feel the spirit of family history too. My dad recently gave me a digitized copy of my Grandfather Loren DeLance Squire's personal history and genealogy. I will be sharing my grandpa's genealogy and history one chapter at a time. I can just picture him sitting in his chair in the LaVerkin home with his twinkling eyes and smile, talking with his happy, but cracking voice.  I am so excited to hear his words telling us his story!  

          

                                       Loren DeLance Squire

                                                 

A Genealogy

and

Family History

LOREN DeLANCE SQUIRE 

1898-1991 

Dedicated to my sons - daughters and grandchildren 

Second Edition 2004 

Preface to the Second Edition 

Loren D. Squire produced his life story in 1960, and his original volume of 51 pages was cerlox bound and distributed to family members during his lifetime. Since then, xeroxed copies have circulated among family and friends. This second edition preserves the typed text as Loren wrote it, but adds images and information to enhance the historic interest of both the family history and Loren's autobiography. This edition also includes another, shorter life sketch that Loren recorded in 1978.

To provide corrections or other information, or to obtain copies of this book, contact Harold H. Hendricks, 1384 W 1460 N, Provo, UT, 84604; 801 375-7884. 

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 

It's May tenth, 1960...for a number of years I have planned (when I got older) to write or attempt to write and compile a history, as far as I know it of my forefathers and family up to and including my own. But as I read the obituary column in the papers, I have come to the conclusion that it is later than I think. I was sixty-two last birthday and quite often I read of those I knew in my youth who have answered the last call and gone on. I do feel that I am good for a number of years yet. However, my ambition to do hard manual labor for any length of time has left me. I do like to putter around in the shop and the garden and many of the lighter jobs on the farm. In fact, the following bit of verse about fits my description.

How do I know my youth is all spent?
Well, my "get up and go" has got up and went-­But in spite of it all, I am able to grin
When I think where my "get up and go" has been.

Old age is golden, so I've heard said,
But sometimes I wonder as I crawl out of bed; with my ears in the drawer, my teeth in a cup, My eyes on the table until I wake up.

Ere sleep dims my eyes I say to myself,
"Is there anything else I should have laid on the shelf?" 

And I'm happy to say, that it's for damn sure
My friends are the same or just a bit more.

When I was young my slippers were red,
I could kick up my heels right over my head. 

When I grow older my slippers are blue
But still I could dance the whole night through.

Now I am old my slippers are black,
I walk to the store and puff my way back.
But I really don't mind when I think with a grin
of all the grand places my "get up" has been.

Since I retired from life's competition, I busy myself with complete repetition.
I get up each morning, dust off my wits, Pick up the paper and read the "obits."

If my name is still missing, I know I'm not dead; So I get a good breakfast and get back in bed. The reason I know my youth is all spent-

Is--my "get up and go" has got up and went.

 I have always liked to read and I do like to do research on the genealogy of my forefathers. I now regret very much that I did not write down many things of interest of family history told me in my youth by my parents and grandmother Squire, the only grandparent on my father's side I ever saw. I just remember bits and not enough in most instances to make connections. As most of you, my sons and daughters, know very little of the Squire side of the family history. I will start and go as far back as I have record of or in some instances back to where they came to America. 

Notes from Cyndee:

• Loren's Grandmother Squire was Adelia DeMille
• Loren included a 5 generation chart, but I was unable to keep that portion as a PDF so that the ancestries lined up correctly.  Therefore, I am leaving it out of this post.

Minnie Ann Stratton Wilson - Obituary

I found the following obituary, which was written by Pauline Church Wilson, a daughter-in-law of Minnie Ann Stratton Wilson.

May 27, 1954

LaVerkin, Utah: Mrs. Minnie Ann Stratton died Thursday morning at 9:20 am at her home in LaVerkin, Utah after an illness of seven years.  Sister Wilson suffered a stroke in 1947 and later suffered another one on March 8, 1954, she fell and fractured her hip.

Mrs. Wilson was born a daughter of James Albert and Emily Gardner Stratton on 14 July 1876.  She attended school in Virgin, Utah, St. George Academy and Cedar City.  She taught school in Mountain Dell, Utah.

She married Morris Wilson, Jr. on May 2, 1898 in the St. George Temple and they had just recently noted their 56^th wedding anniversary.  Eight children were born to them, six boys and two girls.  Sister Wilson is survived by her husband and the following children: Mrs. Thora Gubler, Wayne Wilson, and Reed Wilson of LaVerkin, Paul Wilson, Carmichael, California, and Delworth Wilson, Whitney, Nevada; 27 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Perous Higbee and Rob Stratton, Cedar City, Will Stratton, Hurricane, Frank Stratton, St. George, Powell Stratton, LaVerkin, and Artie Reeve, Hurricane, Utah.

Sister Wilson was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as the first president of the YWMIA organized in LaVerkin.  She also served in the presidency of the Relief Society and began teaching primary when she was 12 years old.  She taught Sunday School for over 50 years.  She served on the Sunday School, MIA and Relief Society, Stake Boards.

Brother and Sister Wilson moved to LaVerkin in 1904, being one of the first families to move on to the LaVerkin Bench.

Minnie Ann Stratton Wilson

Minnie Ann Stratton Wilson - My Maternal Great Grandmother

In going through my dad’s family history files I came across information on my great-grandmother, Minnie Ann Stratton. I have written about her husband, Morris Wilson, Jr. and decided it was time to find out more about the woman who was at the side of this great man. The first thing I found on her was a short tribute written by her daughter and my grandmother, Thora Wilson Gubler as follows: 

My mother was a very hard worker all her life. She was really fast and could work circles around most people. She always accomplished a lot during one day.
While my father was called on a mission to Idaho, on a special assignment for the church for 6 months, mother had Afton and was expecting her second child. He was born and only lived 1 month and died with pneumonia and my dad never did get to see him. It was very hard on both of them. 

When we lived in the little house back of the big house (Later used as a storage or shed.) It consisted of two rooms and Pres. David O. McKay, then a Sunday School superintendent, came and stayed with us. They were given mother and dad’s bed and mother and dad slept in the kitchen. They were made welcome and came back again when we moved into the big house. 

We always had company, sometimes for a month at a time and they were no relation to us, but they were always welcome. Many times I would wonder whatever will mother have for dinner, but she always could fix a very good meal it seemed out of nothing. Mother was known all over for her cream pies. She was always making pies to take to someone. 

During fruit time, dad’s load of fruit was prepared and readied for him on Saturday so he could leave on Monday at four o’clock in the morning. I have heard my dad say that he never lost a peach or any other fruit by getting it ready on Saturday. Mother worked right along with us all to get it ready. 

I knew all the people that came from St. George Stake always came for two nights and left early Monday morning to go home. 

My mother was Ed’s and Marge’s Sunday School teacher and I still have some of the dishes the different classes gave her for being their teacher. She was a great lady. 

The following are excerpts from a history found in the same file. It was dated 1992, but no author listed. It was put together by a descendant for a Wilson Family Reunion. 

Minnie Ann Stratton was born in Virgin, Utah on 14 July 1876. She was the sixth of twelve children born to James Albert and Emily Amanda Gardner Stratton. She attended the Murdock Academy in Beaver, Utah, probably with the intent of becoming a teacher. At the age of 22 on 2 May 1899 she married Morris Wilson, Jr.

In the early years of Morris and Minnie’s marriage were in Mountain Dell where their first three children were born, Morris Afton (1900), Eldon (1901), and Thora (1903, my grandma). In January 1904 Morris and Minnie moved to LaVerkin. On 23 June 1904 the LaVerkin Ward was organized and Morris Wilson was sustained as Bishop and remained Bishop for the next 24 years. Minnie was the first Young Women’s MIA president with meetings being held in private homes until the school house was built.

Minnie had a still-born daughter in 1904, followed by Wayne (1906). Minnie had a very difficult time with each of her pregnancies. She had to stay in bed the whole time and always got so thin that her bones came through the flesh. She was so ill with her sixth child, Reed (1910), that the doctor said she could not live through the pregnancy and wanted to take the baby. This she would not consent to. They had two more sons, Paul (1915) and Delworth (1917). 

Minnie was a wonderful helpmate, mother and grandmother. She kept a lovely home, was a good seamstress, did beautiful handwork, raised lovely flowers, made her own soap and always helped with the preparation of the farm goods that they sold for a living. She was active in the affairs of the church and town and held responsible positions all through the years, especially in the Ward and Stake Relief Society. She was an actively involved member of the DUP. Her boys were all good athletes and she was an avid sports fan and supported all of them in their activities.

In her later years Minnie’s health failed. She was ill for a long time, unable to read because of failing eye sight or use her hand for close work. She suffered realty from a broken hip and other ailments. She passed away on 27 May 1954.

It was interesting to read and learn more about my great-grandmother as I noticed that my mom and grandma carried on her wonderful attributes of service to others, hard-work, and faith and testimony.  I hope to carry on in their footsteps! 

Lewis (Louis) Curtis Zabriskie

When I went on my little cemetery tour I was struck by the three tombstones of Lewis Curtis Zabriskie.  He has been on my mind so I decided to see if I could find more about him.  In a Google search I found a brief history about Lewis Curtis Zabriskie in an ebook entitled Polish Pioneers in Illinois, 1818-1850 by James D. Lodesky, who gathered his information from George Olin Zabriskie.  Apparently this George Olin Zabriskie, was quite the genealogist, he was a descendant of Lewis Curtis Zabriskie through his second wife and I descend from Lewis’ first wife. 

LEWIS CURTIS ZABRISKIE

My 3rd Great-grandfather

According to George Olin Zabriskie, [George Olin Zabriskie, The Zabriskie Family, Copyright 1963 by George Olin Zabriskie, pp.348-9] Lewis was born in Hamilton County, Ohio on September 17, 1817.  He converted to the Mormon faith April 19, 1836.  Lewis fled Missouri during the Mormon exodus of 1838-1839.  He settled in Adams County, Illinois, first, but later moved to Hancock County.  Lewis was not done moving yet, and at some point moved across the Mississippi River to Lee County, Iowa.  Lewis’ father, uncle, and brother were all living in Lee County at the time.

Lewis was married twice.  His first marriage was to Mary Keziah Higbee on April 5, 1839.  Mary was born in Clermont County, Ohio, September 5, 1821.  The marriage produced six children, William, Isaac, Eleanor, Huldah, John, and Mary. Mary Higbee Zabriskie died March 2, 1847, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Lewis’ second marriage was to Sarah Ann Park.  Their marriage took place in Council Bluffs, Iowa on July 25, 1847.  Nine children were born from this marriage, Hyrum, Joseph, Matilda, George, David, Louisa, Sara, Esther, and Charles.

Lewis and his family participated in the famous Mormon trek to Utah in 1846.  The family took up residence in Provo, Utah, September 23, 1851.  Lewis’ father was also living in Provo.  Lewis moved several times after arriving in Utah.  In 1859, he moved to Salem, Utah County.  In 1860, he moved to Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah.  Lewis made his last move in 1862, his final destination Spring City, Utah, Lewis died in Spring City, November 17, 1872.

Moses Martin Sanders

I was having a hard time coming up with someone or something to blog about this week. Usually I have been gathering data or visiting cemeteries, but this week I have to guiltily admit that I have not had my ancestors on my mind. So when my phone beeped at me like it does every Sunday to remind me that it's time to blog I did not know where to begin. 

Luckily the idea came to me to look through past research projects from Universal Genealogy Center and in one of the documents I came across an advertisement for lodging in an old Nauvoo cabin built by Moses Martin Sanders and his son, John Franklin Sanders. Now I not only have a blog idea, but a trip to plan as well. I have copied and pasted the history here along with the website. 

Moses Martin Sanders

My paternal 3rd Great-Grandfather

Nauvoo Log Cabins @ http://nauvoologcabins.com/cabin_sanders.php
Moses Martin Sanders Cabin 
Built by Moses and John Franklin Sanders

Acquiring an old homestead log cabin inevitably means, digging up the past in search of history. In this case the time spent was well worth the effort. 

The Sanders story is one of adventure, tremendous faith, hardship and perseverance. It is not an isolated case, but rather a similar representation of thousands of pioneers and the trials they faced. Thanks to those who kept journals and records, we have the opportunity to view their lives from a distance. 

Moses Martin Sanders was born August 17, 1803, the son of David Sanders and Mary Allred. Moses was the Grandson of Moses Sanders, founder and first pastor of the Line Grove level and Nail Creek Baptist churches of Franklin County, Georgia. 

At the age of 23 Moses Married Amanda Armstrong Faucett, born May 6, 1810 in Maury, Tennessee. They were married on January 12, 1826 in the same county. They both came from homes that owned slaves. Her first child William Carl was born December 4, 1826, but lived only about 8 months. Amanda's second son, Richard Twiggs, was born May 31, 1828. In 1829 the family moved to Montgomery County, Illinois where her third child, John Franklin, was born on March 20, 1830. Here she had two baby girls named Rebecca Ann born, March 5, 1832 and Martha Brown born May 23, 1833, and another boy named David Walker, born on September 1, 1834. 

Moses and Amanda joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on January 28, 1835 and were baptized by immersion by Elder William Joy. In the summer of 1836 they moved to Missouri where their Seventh child was born and they named him Joseph Moroni Sanders. He was born December 25, 1836, which was during the time Caldwell County was organized. The Sanders purchased property at Far West, Clay County, before the northern part was formed into Caldwell County, Missouri. They went to be with the main body of the Saints. They suffered inhuman treatment at the hands of the mobs and were driven from their land and home. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were in Liberty Jail facing false charges. During this time Amanda delivered her Eighth child and he was named Sidney Rigdon Sanders, born April 10, 1839. 

The Sanders traveled up river and took shelter with the concerned people of Quincy, Adams County, Illinois. It was in Quincy that Moses was ordained an Elder and a Seventy. In May of 1839 the prophet Joseph Smith and a group of Saints settled at Commerce, which was fifty miles up the river from Quincy. Joseph renamed the area Nauvoo the Beautiful. There the Sanders built a small log home on the corner of Water Street and Partridge. they lived next door to Joseph's Uncle John Smith, and very near the Prophet, and they cherished the associations, both in Church activities and in sporting events. Moses owned a beautiful but unruly horse. One day the prophet said to his nearby neighbor, Moses, "Brother Sanders, give the horse to me and I promise that you'll never lose by it" Moses Martin replied, "I would but I'm afraid that he may hurt you." Then the Prophet said, "No, he would never hurt me." Moses tossed him the rope and said, "He is Yours." 

While in Nauvoo, Amanda had three more children. Emma was born on January 23, 1840 and she is said to have been named by the Prophet himself, in honor of his wife, Emma. On June 4, 1843 Eliza Jane was born followed by Hyrum Smith Sanders born on October 10, 1845. Life was difficult for survival on account of malaria, lack of proper food, shelter and persecution of the mobs. It was here in Nauvoo, they had the sorrow of parting with their son Sidney Rigdon, who was six years of age. The Sanders also witnessed the return of the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum. 

That same year, Joseph Moroni Sanders was baptized on the day he turned eight. His Birthday was on December 25th, Christmas Day, 1844. A hole had to be cut in the ice and he was baptized by immersion in the Mississippi River. Joseph Moroni had a vivid recollection of the Prophet, when he gave his farewell message to his people before, Joseph and his Brother Hyrum met their tragic death. It is interesting to note that at this event Joseph Moroni was less than eight years old at the time. The Sander's enjoyed many of the Prophet's Sermons. He also remembered Brigham Young when he was chosen to be the president of the church, when he spoke in the voice and image of the slain Prophet, Joseph Smith.

Joseph Moroni Sanders
My paternal 2ggf

John Franklin Sanders as a teenager helped the builders of the Nauvoo Temple as a water boy. Year after year John saw firsthand the huge, cut, chiseled, and polished stones arrive from the Quarry by wagon. The Sunstones, Moons and Star stones along with the Twelve Oxen we're carved out of stone. Nothing but the finest quality and workmanship was accepted for the House of God. Large amounts of timber from the pineries of Wisconsin were floated down the Mississippi to provide the lumber necessary for such a large edifice. The work was hard and tedious, under adverse conditions, poverty, sickness, weather and opposition, but the work continued. John's father and older brother Richard also worked regularly on the Nauvoo Temple. The Sanders witnessed the completion of the Lord's Temple in Nauvoo and on January 3rd, 1846, Moses and Amanda received their endowments and were sealed for time and all eternity by Heber C. Kimball. Often John was the only one home to help his mother and younger brothers and sisters, as his Father and Richard were gone so much on church duties. Moses served as city policeman, and in the Temple as the voice for Temple Prayers.

Due to mobs and persecutions the Mormons were driven from Nauvoo in the dead of winter in 1846 and crossed the frozen Mississippi. Wagons with belongings and supplies lined up Parley Street as the mass exodus began. The Sanders arrived at Winter Quarters, now Florence, Nebraska, in the summer of 1846, they camped and settled at Pigeon Grove near Kanesville, Iowa. It was here that Amanda lost two more children. Eleven month old Hyrum Smith, was buried at Winter Quarters on September 27, 1846. Not much later on April 4, 1847, Eliza Jane, age three, died and was buried in grave #123. 

Moses worked in a sawpit making lumber by hand, and John worked on the ferry along with Henry Weeks Sanderson. When a call from the United States Government for 500 Mormons to enlist in the war against Mexico. The Oldest living son, Richard Twiggs Sanders, age Eighteen, volunteered. 536 men signed up by July 16, 1846, and they marched from Council Bluffs to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and to San Diego, California. This was the longest march in the history of the United States Infantry--over Two thousand miles.