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DRAPER William[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
1807 - 1886 (79 years)-
Name DRAPER William Born 24 Apr 1807 Richmond Twp, Lennox & Addingt, Ontario, Canada 
Gender Male Died 28 May 1886 Freedom, Sanpete, Utah, USA Buried 30 May 1886 Freedom, Sanpete, Utah, USA Person ID I615 Main Tree Last Modified 30 Jul 2019
Father DRAPER William, b. 6 Sep 1774, Wyoming, Luzerne, Pennsylvania , d. 24 Dec 1854, Draper, Salt Lake, Utah, USA (Age 80 years) Mother LATHROP Lydia, b. 5 Nov 1775, Norwich, New London, Connecticut, USA , d. 18 Feb 1846, Sugar Creek Camp, Lee, Iowa, USA (Age 70 years) Married 24 Dec 1794 Rome, Oneida, New York, USA Family ID F252 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 1 MANHARDT Mary Ann, b. 15 Aug 1827, Johnstown, Ontario, Canada , d. 30 Jul 1909, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 81 years) Married 27 Apr 1848 Winter Quarters, Douglas, Nebraska Children 1. DRAPER Mary Ann, b. 21 Feb 1849, Kanesville, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA , d. Aug 1921 (Age 72 years)2. DRAPER Caroline, b. 2 Oct 1850, Millcreek, Salt Lake, Utah, USA , d. 17 Apr 1926 (Age 75 years)3. DRAPER David P., b. 6 May 1852, Draper, Salt Lake, Utah, USA , d. 1854 (Age 1 years)4. DRAPER Eliza Jane, b. 13 Jan 1854, Draper, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA , d. 20 Nov 1946, Price, Carbon, Utah, USA (Age 92 years)5. DRAPER Brigham Manhardt, b. 11 Oct 1855, Draper, Salt Lake, Utah, USA , d. 19 Jan 1926, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA (Age 70 years)6. DRAPER Artemesia, b. 20 Aug 1857, Draper, Salt Lake, Utah, USA , d. 1 Sep 1940, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 83 years)7. DRAPER Franklin, b. 19 Apr 1859, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, USA , d. 18598. DRAPER Malona, b. 13 Dec 1860, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah Territory, USA , d. 25 Dec 1941, Cedarville, Modoc, California, USA (Age 81 years)9. DRAPER Alzina, b. 3 Feb 1862, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah , d. Aug 1862 (Age 0 years)10. DRAPER Oren, b. 26 May 1864, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah Territory, USA , d. 8 Jul 1943, Caldwell, Canyon, Idaho, USA (Age 79 years)11. DRAPER Mary Taylor, b. 10 Feb 1865, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, USA , d. 1868 (Age 2 years)12. DRAPER Sarah Mellessia, b. 21 Oct 1866, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA , d. Jun 1867 (Age 0 years)13. DRAPER Aury, b. 7 Oct 1869, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA , d. 12 Jul 1961, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA (Age 91 years)14. DRAPER Ordenesey, b. 9 Aug 1871, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA , d. Sep 1871 (Age 0 years)Last Modified 22 Apr 2020 Family ID F38 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 2 STAKER Elizabeth, b. 25 Feb 1806, Kingston, Frantense, Ontario, Canada , d. 9 Apr 1888, Freedom, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 82 years) Married 11 Jun 1827 St. George Angli, Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario Children 1. DRAPER Henry Hagerty, b. 16 Feb 1826, Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario, Canada , d. 19 Jun 1904, Goshen, Utah, Utah, USA (Age 78 years)2. DRAPER Juliana or Julie Ann, b. 1 Jul 1828, Kingston, Ontario, Canada , d. 27 Mar 1884, Huntington, Baker, Oregon, USA (Age 55 years)3. DRAPER Roxana, b. 30 Sep 1830, Kingston, Ontario, Canada , d. , , Canada 4. DRAPER Moses, b. 9 Jul 1832, Loughborough, Frontenac, Ontario, Canada , d. 4 Dec 1915, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 83 years)5. DRAPER Harriet, b. 1 Dec 1834, Kirtland, Lake, Ohio, USA , d. 1851, Kirtland, Lake, Ohio, USA (Age 16 years)6. DRAPER Miles, b. 2 Feb 1837, Kirtland, Lake, Ohio, USA , d. 1838 (Age 0 years)7. DRAPER William Lathrop, b. 5 Mar 1838, Kirtland, Lake, Ohio, USA , d. 3 May 1887, Freedom, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA (Age 49 years)8. DRAPER Albert Edward, b. 13 Dec 1840, Pleasantville, Pike, Illinois, USA , d. 23 Jun 1913, Pocatello, Bannock, Idaho, USA (Age 72 years)9. DRAPER Parley Pine, b. 30 Mar 1843, Pleasantvale, Pike, Illinois, USA , d. 28 Feb 1924, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 80 years)10. DRAPER Isaac Grant, b. 6 Oct 1845, Pleasantvale, Pike, Illinois, USA , d. 24 Mar 1922, American Fork, Utah, Utah, USA (Age 76 years)11. DRAPER Elizabeth Amanda Melvina, b. 3 Jul 1848, Kanesville , Potawattame, Iowa, USA , d. 30 Sep 1906, Lewiston, Cache, Utah, USA (Age 58 years)Last Modified 22 Apr 2020 Family ID F71 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 3 NEWTON Fanny, b. 1 Mar 1834, Hunslet, England , d. 17 Mar 1907, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 73 years) Married 18 Dec 1853 Salt Lake City Children 1. DRAPER Emmaline, b. 8 Jun 1855, Draper, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, USA , d. 7 Oct 1926, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 71 years)2. DRAPER Riley Newton, b. 7 May 1857, Draper, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, USA , d. 14 Mar 1927, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 69 years)3. DRAPER Martha Jane, b. 6 Feb 1859, Draperville, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, USA , d. 3 Jan 1933, Preston, White Pine, Nevada, USA (Age 73 years)4. DRAPER Lois, b. 8 May 1862, Spanish Fork, Utah Territory, USA , d. 30 Oct 1934, Boise, Ada, Idaho, USA (Age 72 years)5. DRAPER Althera, b. 29 Jul 1864, Spanish Fork, Utah Territory, USA , d. 1 Aug 1934, Burbank, Los Angeles, California, USA (Age 70 years)6. DRAPER Marvin Carson, b. 5 Feb 1868, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA , d. 11 Aug 1934, Ruth, White Pine, Nevada, USA (Age 66 years)7. DRAPER Fannie Louisa, b. 14 Jul 1870, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA , d. 30 May 1951, Boise, Ada, Idaho, USA (Age 80 years)Last Modified 22 Apr 2020 Family ID F294 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 4 RAYMER Martha, b. 8 Jul 1808, Pittstown, Renssaeler, New York, USA , d. 28 Oct 1848, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA (Age 40 years) Married 28 Jan 1846 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, USA Children 1. DRAPER Almon, b. 28 Oct 1846, Kanesville, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA , d. 31 Dec 1919, Hinkley, Millard, Utah, USA (Age 73 years)Last Modified 22 Apr 2020 Family ID F299 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 5 NEWTON Ruth Hannah, b. 1 Apr 1837, Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire, England , d. 4 Apr 1896, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 59 years) Married 17 Apr 1854 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Children 1. DRAPER Almira, b. 22 Sep 1855, Draperville, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, USA , d. 24 Jun 1875 (Age 19 years)2. DRAPER Kimball Newton, b. 21 Jul 1857, Draper, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, USA , d. 11 May 1923, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 65 years)3. DRAPER Barnibus, b. 4 Sep 1859, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, USA , d. 15 Sep 1859, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah (Age 0 years)4. DRAPER Joseph Oscar, b. 17 Mar 1861, Willow Creek, Salt Lake, Utah Territories, USA , d. 30 May 1926, Sacramento, Sacramento, Caifornia, USA (Age 65 years)5. DRAPER Amos, b. 4 Mar 1863, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah Territory, USA , d. 30 Mar 1944, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 81 years)6. DRAPER Tranquilla, b. 18 May 1863, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA , d. 10 Dec 1947, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 84 years)7. DRAPER Ruth Hannah, b. 22 Nov 1867, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah , d. 23 May 1950, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 82 years)8. DRAPER Launy Olive, b. 29 Nov 1869, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA , d. 12 Apr 1967, Nephi, Juab, Utah, USA (Age 97 years)9. DRAPER Eleanor M., b. 22 Sep 1873, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA , d. Aft 14 Jan 1952 (Age > 79 years)10. DRAPER Chester, b. 22 Sep 1873, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA , d. 15 Apr 1888 (Age 14 years)11. DRAPER Miriam Elliner, b. 22 Sep 1875, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA , d. 1 May 1965, Provo, Utah, Utah, USA (Age 89 years)Last Modified 22 Apr 2020 Family ID F554 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 6 THOMPSON Marial, b. 7 May 1808, Of, Wendell, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA , d. 19 May 1893, St. Johns, Tooele, Utah, USA (Age 85 years) Married 6 May 1848 Winter Quarters, Douglas, Nebraska, USA Children 1. DRAPER Nephi, b. 23 Mar 1849, Little Pigeon Creek, Iowa, USA , d. 10 Feb 1921, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA (Age 71 years)Last Modified 22 Apr 2020 Family ID F555 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 7 HOWARTH Mary, b. 14 Feb 1831, Mottram, Lancashire, England , d. 9 Mar 1902, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 71 years) Married 18 Dec 1853 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, USA Children 1. DRAPER George Howarth, b. 4 Jun 1855, Draper, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, USA , d. 26 Apr 1933, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 77 years)2. DRAPER Launa Adelaide, b. 8 Apr 1857, Draperville, Salt Lake, Utah Terrtory, USA , d. 15 Jun 1912, Lds Hospital, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA (Age 55 years)3. DRAPER James, b. 19 Mar 1859, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah Terrtory, USA , d. 21 Jan 1927, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA (Age 67 years)4. DRAPER Irene, b. 8 Mar 1861, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, USA , d. 6 Oct 1951, Nephi, Juab, Utah, USA (Age 90 years)5. DRAPER John, b. 9 Jul 1863, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah Territory, USA , d. 27 Apr 1865, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, Utah Territory, USA (Age 1 years)6. DRAPER Orvilla, b. 10 Apr 1865, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA , d. 17 Dec 1943, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA (Age 78 years)7. DRAPER Mary Ellen, b. 25 Dec 1866, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA , d. 26 May 1915, Mt Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA (Age 48 years)8. DRAPER Alfred, b. 2 Feb 1869, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, USA , d. 4 May 1959, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA (Age 90 years)9. DRAPER Charles Thomas, b. 3 Sep 1871, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA , d. 8 Oct 1872, Moroni, Sanpete, Utah Territory, USA (Age 1 years)Last Modified 22 Apr 2020 Family ID F556 Group Sheet | Family Chart
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Photos 
Amy Zoe Draper Sorensen Hoyt
Wife of Erastus Sorensen and Stanley Hoyt. Daughter of William Lathrop "Doc" and Fanny Eckersley Draper
Documents 
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Notes - 1 NAME William /Draper/
2 GIVN William
2 SURN Draper
1 _FSFTID KWNK-QZY
William Draper, 1807-1886
Autobiography (1807-1881)
Typescript, BYU-S
Draper, William, 1807-1886 Autobiography (1807-1881)
Source: Autobiography of William Draper, typescript, BYU-S.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM DRAPER
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND TRAVELS AND BIRTH AND
PARENTAGE OF WILLIAM DRAPER WHO WAS THE SON OF WILLIAM DRAPER AND
LYDIA LUTHDROP DRAPER.
My grandfather's name was Thomas Draper and my
grandmother's maiden name was Lydia Rogers; my father and
grandfather was born in Pennsylvania state and I was born in the
Provice of upper Canada, Township of Richmond, County of
Frontanact, Midland District, April the 24th 1807, and in June
1832 for the first time heard the gospel preached by Elder
Miller and others in company with him, and in January 1832 I
heard Brigham Young preach the same gospel and I believed it.
And was all in the Township of Longbarough upper Canada,
and I was baptized March the 20th 1833 and in June the same year
was ordained a priest under the hands of Brigham Young, and I
bear testimony and traveled and preached as circumstances
permitted until September the 11, 1834, I then in company with
Daniel Wood and family; with my family that consisted of wife
and two children. I there and then bid adieu to Canada, to my
birth place, and to my father and mother, brothers and sisters,
for the sake of the gospel and together with the Saints to
Kirtland, Ohio, which we reached the 24th of the same month and
I was satisfied and rejoiced at meeting some of my old friends,
brethren from Canada, and more satisfied to see the face and
hear the voice of the Prophet Joseph and from him and his
brethren received much valuable instruction.
I then went to work and found a location, built me a house
and by hard labor provided a comfortable living for my family
which consisted of a wife and three children, but I was quite
poor as to this world's goods, but I labored faithfully and
prospered exceedingly.
And next spring 1835 at the April conference by a unanimous
vote of the conference, the walls of the basement of the temple
which had been covered the fall previous were uncovered, and the
work of building the [Kirtland] temple resumed with a covenant
to finish the walls that season. I threw in my might of labor
with the rest of my brethren which was but few to do so great a
work, but it was done. I also went to Canada that summer on a
short mission and was abundantly blessed, and returned again in
September to my family and to the society of the church in
Kirtland.
And the following winter had the privilege of attending the
theological school which was superintended by the Prophet Joseph
and his councilors from which I received much good instructions
preparatory to the endowment when the [Kirtland] temple was
finished, during which time I was put into the presidency of the
priests quorum which the bishops presided over. During the
meetings and endowment which gave me another opportunity of
farming more new valuable acquaintances to-wit; Bishop Edward
Partridge of Zion or Missouri, and the Bishop N. K. Whitney of
Kirtland with their respective councilors, under whose hands I
received the ordinances and blessings which were many and great,
they being the only bishops in the church at that time. The
Twelve Apostles and the First Quorum of Seventies were chosen
about that time.
And there in the [Kirtland] temple on the Day of Pentecost
of the 6th day of April 1836 there was such a time of the
outpouring of the spirit of the Lord that my pen is inadequate
to write it in full or my tongue to express it. But I will here
say that the spirit was poured out and came like a mighty
rushing wind and filled the house, that many that were present
spoke in tongues and had visions and saw angels and prophesied,
and had a general time of rejoicing such as had not been known
in this generation.
Then all things remained quiet until about the first of
June. The Quorum of the Twelve was sent to the eastern states
and Canada to hold conferences and regulate affairs in the
church abroad in that direction and I was counseled by the
Prophet to go on a mission which I did and traveled in company
with them to Laborough in Canada, where I had formerly lived and
joined the church. We there and in the vicinity around, held
several meetings and conferences and set the branches in order
and baptized quite a number and had a time of rejoicing together
to think and to see that the Lord was blessing our labor with
success. But in this place we separated and the Twelve
continued their mission further east down the river St. Lawrence
and crossed into the states and by that route home. But I took
up on the north side of Lake Ontario by way of Toronto and there
crossed Lake Ontario to Lewiston and by that route home, found
all well and rejoicing in the blessing of the gospel.
Things went on comfortable and pleasantly during the
ensuing fall and winter, and by the assistance and council of
the Prophet I prospered exceedingly well so that I got me a nice
little farm of twenty acres on which I built a good comfortable
house and made other suitable improvements suitable for the
comforts of life. All went well until some time in the summer
of 1837 when travelers begin to creep in which changed the state
of affairs financially throughout Kirtland, which damaged me to
the amount of over one thousand dollars, which took my team and
other good property but during the ensuing winter we had a good
time in the temple and I was called upon to be ordained a high
priest and was ordained under the hands of Don Carlos Smith and
counsel who was president of the high priests quorum and brother
to the Prophet Joseph.
And I was set apart to go to Illinois the coming spring
[1838] to take charge and preside in a branch of the church that
had been previously raised up. I then went to work with mane
and might to make up an outfit and I succeeded in procuring a
team and wagon as I intended to take my family with me, for many
of the Saints were making preparation to leave Kirtland in the
spring and I never expected to return there any more. I expected
the avails of my little farm and home to supply me with means to
get me another home if I should ever be so happy as to reach Far
West where we were all aiming to go and make a permanent home as
we thought then. But let me here say that I was sadly mistaken
and seriously disappointed, for instead of having means to buy
me another home in Far West, lo and behold a Christian gentile
had me in his clutches and swindled me out of my little home so
I never got one dime for the whole. But he made me a very
believable affair that was if I would stay and live on the farm
I should have it all my life to support my family on and if not
he would keep it, for he said he might as well have it as for
old Joseph Smith to have it and so he kept it although he had
every dollar of his pay for it. This was the fruit of Mr.
Branche's religion although a stray Presbyterian, but as I do
not intend this to expose other peoples faults I will let the
above suffice, and resume my own travels and say that the above
affair afforded another opportunity for me to leave father and
mother, brothers and sisters, house and land for the gospel
sake.
And I hastened to start on my mission to Morgan County,
Illinois, which I accomplished and started April the 16th 1838
only having my family that consisted of a wife and five
children; that was all the company that I had to travel with for
the first hundred and twenty miles. I there lay weather bound
for a week on account of storm which made the roads too bad that
I could not travel and while laying by a number of brethren came
up, some from Canada and some from Kirtland, Ohio. Among that
company was George A. Smith and his father and mother and
brother John. I fell in with them and we traveled on through
mud and more for two or three weeks and finally reached the
place of destination for me, some time in May, namely Morgan
County, Illinois.
There I stayed finding the place of my appointment filled
by previous action of the branch; I was satisfied and concluded
to make my way on to Far West so I took leave of the brethren
and traveled on in that direction until some time in the far
part of June when I was brought down with a severe attack of
sickness so that I was obliged to camp by the wayside. There
stood a big oak tree and under it a nice plat [plot?] of grass.
There I took up my abode for a little season, this was at
Huntsville, Randolph County, state of Missouri, about one
hundred and twenty five miles from Far West.
After laying there several days I was taken up by a good
samaritan and lodged in the house of a brother by the name of
Edward Weaver where my wants were simply provided for and I soon
began to revive and get better. After laying there a few days,
there came along another company from Kirtland bound for Far
West, and in that company was the Prophet's father and mother
and two brothers, namely Hyrum and William Smith and their
families. The old gentleman, the only [?] living patriarch then
known in the Church was invited and entreated upon to stop and
hold a blessing [meeting?] which he did, and it was a glorious
meeting too, for the spirit of the Lord was poured out upon the
incapious Efrisian [?] and I there had an open vision or
presentment of much of the surprising of the Saints and
especially that of the Smith family. And I proclaimed it to the
congregation and it affected the old patriarch so that he wept
like a child and said the vision was true and from the Lord,
which in a few weeks or months proved to be true, which will be
seen by what followed in the coming fall.
But father Smith and two sons tarried five days with us
after the meeting and organized the place or branch into a
temporary stake of Zion for a resting place for the Saints that
was worn out in traveling from the east. In which organization
I was set apart by them, the Smiths to take charge and preside
over the same which I did to the best of my ability until some
time in August when a message came to us to break up our
organization and come to Caldwell County as there was strong
indications of hostilities by the mob.
We hastened to comply with the instructions received from
the Prophet and in a few days was on our way for Far West but
the mob was getting so hostile that after traveling a day or two
we began to feel as though it was not safe to keep on the main
traveled road through the settlements as the spirit of mobocracy
was opposed to any more Saints gathering to Far West. So we
concluded to leave the main road and took a by road that led
through a thin settled country for about 15 or 20 miles where
the settlement and road ended and we took across an uninhabited
country without any road about 40 miles which brought us out at
the Rinowaned Hauns Mill; [?] and from there through Caldwell
County to within about 4 or 5 miles of Far West, where we
concluded to stop and make our home in that place.
There was a large branch of the Church here known as the
Lay Creek Branch. So I bought me a snug little home consisting
of a log house and blacksmith shop and seven acres of good land
under cultivation with a good rail fence around it, but that
took all of my means to pay for it, but one yoke of oxen, one
house and two cows, but corn and pork was plenty, corn being the
main bread stuff then, so I set to work at shoemaking and made
my family comfortable again.
And in a short time I was called upon to take the
presidency of this branch being the only high priest in the
branch. I accepted the appointment and all things went on
comfortable notwithstanding excitement reigned in the country
around and hostilities increased daily by the mobs on the out
side; still many by the adjoining counties and finally by the
middle of October hostilities ran so high that we received
another message from the Prophet requesting us all in the out
settlement to come in to Far West City. We readily complied with
the counsel given and many of the brethren tore down their log
houses and moved to the city; but I did not tear my house down,
but went into the city with the rest of my brethren from that
branch, and took shelter in an old log cabin with three other
families which required some little patience, for one family by
the name of Fowles did apostatize and went off with the mob and
I have not heard from them since.
I will here say that after we arrived in the city there was
quite a stir among the people for reports were daily and almost
hourly that the mob was gathering on every side, so it kept us
on the look out all the time, day and night until on or about
the 22nd day of October there came a report that the mob was
ruining houses, destroying property and killing our brethren
that had not gathered into Far West, but lived about in or 14
miles out from Far West. On hearing the report there was a
company of about seventy five men raised and dispatched to see
what the trouble might be, they traveled on until they came to
the place of trouble near Crooked River as it was called.
There they came in contact, [Battle of Crooked River] with
the mob which opened fire on our brethren and quite a skirmish
issued which resulted in the death of David W. Patten one of the
twelve apostles, also Simeon Carter and a young man by the name
of [Patrick] O'Banion and some more of the brethren badly
wounded.
On their arrival to the city it threw a gloom over the
whole place but the most of the brethren maintained their
integrity but some faltered; yet there was faithful ones enough
left to keep on the lookout and stand guard and do what was
required of them, until about three or four days after or on the
27th or 28th of October 1838. While on duty or watching for the
mob, lo and behold we spied their glittering armor some two
miles in the distance.
They came on the direction of our city; which produced some
little stir in the place, and in a few minutes there was about
two hundred men both old and young, mustered to the public
square in the city; the rest of the men living absent. We were
immediately marched to the south boundary line of the city in
the direction of the mob to defend our wives and children and
property from destruction. When we arrived to our post the mob
was coming down on to a low piece of ground on the boarders of
Goose Creek where there was some scattering timber that took
them out of our sight but some of them climbed up in to the
trees and looked over into the city and swore that they saw an
army of men that would number thousands. This we learned from
our brethren that was prisoner then in their camp; the sight of
this great army brought terror to their camp which caused them
to halt for a little time.
But we soon saw a flag raised by a few men coming towards
us, a detachment or committee consisting of four men namely
George M. Hinkle, Colonel Judge Philips, John Corrill and Reed
Peck, Mayor [?]. They were chosen and soon sent with a white
flag to meet the flag that was coming. They met in our sight
but we could not hear what passed between the parties; but they
all went to the enemies camp together and in a short time the
committee returned to our ranks and said that it was a
government army sent out by Governor Boggs to investigate the
difficulty if possible, and they wanted Joseph and his
councilors, and the Twelve to come immediately to their camp and
hold council with them considering the matter.
On hearing this Joseph said he could go as he did not wish
to contend or resist the government, so he with all of the
required brethren that was present started with the committee
immediately for the army camp. They soon met the flag borne by
a number officers and to the great surprise was delivered over
by the committee to the officers as prisoners of war.
They then turned and went to the enemies camp when they
commenced yelling and howling as if some ugly demons had come
from the lower regions; but we did not know what all this noise
meant.
Soon then our committee returned to us saying that Joseph
and the brethren would stay all night in counsel with the
officers and would be sent home at eight o'clock in the morning,
and said there was some rough and ungovernable characters in the
crowd and we had better stand to our arms and be prepared to
defend ourselves and wives and children; it being near sunset,
but we set to work with all our might and threw up a breast work
of such material as we could get, house logs, plies, wagons,
boards slabs, and wagon boxes and other materials such as we
could gather through the night, and when morning came we had
about a half or three quarters of a mile of beautiful breast
work, considering our circumstances as we had neither eat or
drank since the morning before as our wives or children dare not
come to us.
But after waiting some time in the morning our committee
went again to the camp to learn the result of the council, after
a short absence returned to us saying that a treaty had been
affected in which we were to lay down our arms in evidence of
our living as peaceful citizens, and sign over our property to
the state to pay the expenses of the war. And Joseph had agreed
to all of this and that the army would be up soon to carry the
treaty into effect, and that we must act accordingly; that was a
tough pill to swallow, however if Joseph says so, all right.
[Surrender at Far West] Sure enough in a short time we saw the
army approaching and they marched up to our ranks, and formed a
hollow square in which we were all marched by our Commander
Colonel Hinkle. We were then ordered to lay down our arms which
we did, so that we was divested of every weapon for defense even
our large pocket knives were taken. While this was going on
another hollow square was formed and we were marched into that
away from our arms in a helpless condition. And we stood there
waiting for their orders, and every now and then a women would
come in crying and saying that we would all be shot down in a
few minutes, the soldiers at the same time was busy picking
their flints and priming their guns and making ready for to fire
when their noble general said I suppose you are tired you can
sit down on the grass and rest a little, which was quite a favor
and we sat down. And the side of the square where my lot was
cast was made up with painted demons which proved to be the old
Jackson County Militia. After sitting a little I became drowsy
from fatigue and hunger and I lay myself down on the grass, with
my feet towards the painted demons and soon fell into snooze,
but on hearing some sudden move I raised up and thinking they
might shoot me in the legs I changed my position and lay down
again with my head towards them and soon fell into a pleasant
sleep. But was soon awoke by the word of command; men arise to
your feet, and we were soon marched away into the city by the
side of the army and after getting some instructions from the
general were allowed to go to our families within the city; but
not to attempt to go out of the city at our peril, yet this was
quite a privilege as many of us had not eaten anything for
nearly two days.
So after supper we retired to our beds, for we were glad to
get a little rest and we had been advised to keep our house dark
or we would be liable to get shot. We could often hear guns
firing, dogs yelping, hogs squalling and demons howling and
yelling, cursing and swearing. After spending the night this
amused, we arose in the morning and could see hogs, dogs and
sheep laying dead in the street and gate ways that led out of
the city. They had been shot by the ruffians that seemed to
think they was many running away on all fours, they also
committed many other depredations, such as raping and stealing,
and the worst of all did outrage and shamefully abuse to some of
our most worthy and virtuous females. I will here relate a
short conversation that took place between a little boy about
twelve years old by the name of Buduas Dustin and a Methodist
preacher; and captain of a company and chaplain for the army by
the name of [Samuel] Bogard, which took place as follows:
One evening when the little boy was present the army was
called to order to attend evening services and a solemn prayer
and thanks to their unknown God for the glorious works that he
was permitting and assisting them to perform, and when the
prayer was finished the boy stood as if in deep meditation and
said, "Mr. Bogard can I ask you one question" Yes boy", was the
answer, and the boy proceeded by saying, "Mr. Bogard, sir, which
way do you think is right for a person to have their eyes closed
or open when they pray?" Well my boy I suppose either would be
acceptable if done in humility but it looks more humiliating to
have our eyes closed against the transitory objects around us
and from the world." "Well," said the boy, "I think if I was
engaged in such a work as you are I should want my eyes open."
"Why my boy," was the inquiry. "Because I should fear the devil
would carry me off if they were shut."
They then threatened his life for a young Mormon; but he
said, "I am no Mormon," and he was not and so he escaped but
subsequently joined the church.
I will now return to the doings of some of the doings of
the day after breakfast. We were all called to the public
square in the city [Far West] and there required to sign a deed
to our property, to pay the expenses of the war; yet Joseph did
come nor we did not know but little what was going on, but I
will here mention one thing that occurred the first night in
camp. There were four of our brethren that was prisoners in the
camp allowed to come to the city with a brother by the name of
William Carey that lived in the house with me, an old
acquaintance that I had baptized in Canada some three years
previous. They brought home on a board with his skull broke in
with his own gun, by they hands of a mobber by the name of
William Dunnihoo [?]. Brother Carey died the next day an
innocent harmless man and giving no offense but for his religion
must and did by a master.
I will now say that after we had got mostly through the
business of signing the deeds, we were called to witness one of
the most heart rending scenes. Joseph and his brethren were
brought up from the camp and driven up [at Far West] to their
own dear ones, where they were permitted to see their wives and
children a few moments to bid them an everlasting farewell;
being told that they would never see them again. They were then
driven off, leaving wives and children overwhelmed in a flood of
tears, when one of the wives was in a condition not to be left
one day without the assistance of her husband, let alone having
him dragged off by a ruthless mob never to return. But such was
their condition; both husbands and wives in the hands and to the
mercy of an unmerciful set of beings. But the Lord overruled
all and delivered them out of their hands in his own due time.
We then learned when Joseph and his brethren was in camp
instead of being in an honorable council with the officers, for
which they were competent and abundantly qualified; there were
suffering abuse and undergoing a mock trial by court martial for
crimes alleged which they were never guilty of. But the court
decided guilty, and sentenced Joseph and his brethren in company
to be shot the next morning at eight o'clock. General
[Alexander] Doniphan with his command was appointed by the court
to execute the sentence, but he swore that he would not do it
for he said it would be nothing but cold blooded murder.
Consequently early the next morning Doniphan commanded was
placed under marching orders and marched away about three miles
from the main army so that he might not witness the scene, or be
implicated with the same, he Doniphan being a noted lawyer, it
began to create some uneasiness with the rest of the officers of
the court martial, and they concluded to change their former
decision and make a new one that would give Joseph a fair chance
for his life. So they decided on sending them to Liberty Jail
among the old Jackson County mobbers and so they did and sent
some of them to guard them safely through. Now after the
prisoners were gone and the business of the day through we were
called upon to listen to a piece of valuable counsel and advice
from over noble General Clark and then be dismissed which was
the best of all the doings, and that speech was nearly as
follows:
"Now men I will say that you have thus far complied the
treaty as make with you leaders by giving up arms and deeding
over your property to pay the expenses of this war which you
have here the instigators of, and I think you must feel as
though you have been dealt very leniently with, as our orders
were to exterminate you all without discrimination but as you
have thus far complied with the treaty made, you will now be let
to go to carry out the rest of its stipulations which is to
leave the state of Missouri by planting time in the spring or be
exterminated or driven out at the point of the bayonet or rifle
and one of the two things must and will be done, now on your
dismissal.
I will now give you a piece of good advice; when you are
discharged go to and provide for the wants of your families and
make speedy preparations to leave this state and hunt a place
wherever you can and scatter about like other people and never
gather together again in companies not even of ten under
presidents, prophets of bishops and apostles, to govern you, if
you do you will bring down the wrath of a just people upon you
as you have heretofore done. Now men if you will heed this
command and advice it will be well with you, and I will here
invite the blessings of the great unknown God upon you to help
you so to do; men you are now dismissed to carry out these
measures."
Now after prowling about the city for a day or two more and
gathering what they could best manage of our most valuables,
they concluded to leave which they did, taking with them a few
apostates which we could very well spare, and now was the time
for us to [go] back to our homes that we had been obliged to
leave which the most of us did. I seen sat [soon set] about
hunting my team which I had turned on the prairie when I came to
the city, I went in the direction of the soldiers camping place
and soon found the heads of my oxen laying in the road near the
camp, and stopped me from hunting anymore, and I returned to the
city and got the widow Carey's team to move us back home, on
condition that I would take her with us and keep her and team
until she could leave the state; the mob having just killed her
husband a few days previous, I agreed to do so which I did.
On arriving home I could find but one cow, I had left two
but on looking a short time I found the head and hide of the
other where she had been destroyed; that left me with one horse
and one cow to make up my team with which to leave the state in
the spring.
I will here say that the most of the brethren from this
branch came back to their old homes, and soon forgot or
neglected to observe or keep the counsel that was given to our
dismissal from the army for we did soon assemble ourselves
together and rejoice to think we were worthy of suffering for
gospel sake, but we did not have the Prophet or bishops to
govern us but would have rejoiced to have had them. But suffice
to say that I went to work at shoemaking and pork and corn was
plenty and cheap and we had plenty to eat and through the course
of the winter traded my horse and cow and some spare clothing
for a good yoke of oxen. And through the generosity of a
brethren by the name of [Eleazer] Brown I obtained money and
bought me another yoke of oxen which made me a good outfit for
team and on the 12th day of March 1839, I with my family in
company with Mr. Brown and others bid farewell to our Missouri
home and started to seek a new home in a more congenial clime.
We traveled on without anything of note taking place until
the latter part of March, we then landed all safe in a little
town by the name of Atlas on the border of the great Mississippi
bottom in the state of Illinois. There we met a brother-in-law
of mine who beset me to stop with him a few days to which I
consented, that separated me and Mr. Brown, we taking the road
leading north up the river in the direction of what subsequently
became Nauvoo. I stayed a few days in Atlas and in the time met
with a chance to sell my team which I did and being indebted to
Mr. Brown for the money that bought a part of it, I immediately
set out to find him and pay what I owed him, which I did by
traveling about 12 miles up the river to a little town called
Pleasantvale. I there met Mr. Brown and family, we were glad to
meet again, not knowing when we parted that we should ever meet
again in this world. But I paid him what I owed and he insisted
on my coming and settle in this place as the people were
friendly and every thing plenty to live on, so I looked around
and soon found an old log cabin and three acres of ground which
I rented for the season. I soon moved my family onto it and
went to work and put the ground to corn and garden truck which
done well and I had plenty the coming year.
I will here say that about this time Joseph and Hyrum make
their escape from Missouri and came to Quincy, Illinois about 30
miles up the river from where I had stopped. They soon called a
meeting and gave some general instructions to the Saints that
was at the meeting and to be sent abroad to all the Saints
scattered about through all the country, and then went
immediately looking for a location to gather the Saints so that
they might again be in one place as a body.
They soon succeeded in obtaining a place by purchasing a
little place called Commerce that had been mostly vacated on
account of its being so very sickly; but the Saints commenced
gathering into Commerce like doves coming to their windows.
This was about 50 miles up the Mississippi River from Quincy.
I will now return to my own doings for a while. I went to
work on my little rented place making garden and also to
shoemaking and enjoyed my new home very well until some time in
the month of June I was visited by one of the original high
council. After he found there was several of the Saints in that
part of the country he called them together and organized us
into a branch of the church, and I was set apart and chosen to
take charge of the same, and to hold meetings among ourselves,
and if invited by good responsible citizens to preach, go and do
so; which I did, and the Lord blessed my labors and many
believed and were baptized and the word prospered until October.
Then there was to be a conference held in Commerce October
6, 1839. I went and another such sight my eyes never beheld;
that portion of the assembly that had lived in Commerce during
the summer looked more like ghosts that had neither flesh nor
blood or but very little, yet they seemed to be satisfied and
glad to think they were able to attend conference. They
organized the place into a stake of Zion and changed the name of
the place from Commerce to that of Nauvoo, a resting place and
in the organization I was chosen as one of the high counsels,
but was subsequently released by telling Joseph what I was doing
and what the prospect was in Pike County where I had been
laboring during the summer about 80 miles from Nauvoo. He told
me to return and continue preaching and when the branch reached
the number of hundred he would then come and organize the branch
of stake of Zion. I went home to my field of labor, doors were
open on every hand, I preached and baptized and in about two
weeks the branch numbered 112. I let Joseph know according to
his instructions and he being over taxed with business sent his
brother Hyrum who was his first councilor and Bishop George
Miller. They came and organized the branch into a stake of Zion
for a resting place for the Saints that were gathering from the
east and from the south in the organization.
I was ordained and set apart to preside, and William Allred
Bishop; we were then instructed to obtain a piece of land and
lay it off into town lots and build a meeting house and provide
for the comfort and convenience of the Saints as they gathered
in, which we succeeded in doing. We built a frame meeting
house, if I remember right 36 by 40 feet and completed it. We
held our meetings in it. Many of the old citizens joined the
Church and all went on comfortably until some time in the summer
or fall of 1842, when mobocracy and persecution began to show
their hidry [?] head. By the time I had got me a nice little
home and was comfortably situated by, a message came from the
Prophet to discontinue our organization and immigrate to Hancock
County, and most all the branch submitted to the call, and in
the spring of 1843 I moved with my family and located in a place
called Green Plain in the vicinity of Warsaw in Hancock County,
with the notorious Levi Williams for one of my neighbors.
I there bought a farm on good terms and went to improving,
built me a good house and a small grist mill and put about 20
acres of land in a good state of cultivation with a good fence
around it, and was on good terms with my neighbors although the
most of them were gentiles. But they professed to be much
pleased with my enterprise in the place, and all went on well
with me, until some time in June 1844. Then there was frequent
reports about Joseph from Nauvoo, that produced some little
excitement, for priests and lawyers and apostates had combined
together to again make trouble, the men in the neighborhood
where I organized, lived to go to Nauvoo and assist Joseph.
They came and invited me to go with them to take Joseph, but I
refused, they wanted to know if I would go if the Governor order
me to go, I said no I would not go if the devil himself ordered
me to go against Joseph for his people were my people and where
he goes I will go also.
This appeared to vex them a little although we had always
been on good terms as neighbors and they then said then you will
have to leave, for you can't live here although we like you as a
neighbor. So they left me and soon started for Nauvoo, with old
Colonel [Levi] Williams as there leader, which resulted in the
martyrdom of Joseph the Prophet and Hyrum the Patriarch, Owen
Brchers Brasher and [Willard Richards] and John Taylor, the
present President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints; this was done in Carthage Jail, June the 27th, 1844.
Then the desperadoes came back to Green Plain without having the
black thoroughly washed from their necks and faces and they
never could get it from their character or consciences, but they
did not interfere with me any more until about the 20th of
October 1845, although they engaged in a little town called Lima
that was settled mostly with Saints, in burning houses and
plundering and sometimes killed our brethren. And one day there
came an armed force of about 60 men, they set fire to my hay and
grain that was in stack and then to the house.
I will just say here that at that time I had two little
boys laying at the point of death, one 4 1/2 years and the other
2 1/2 years old; Albert, oldest Edward and Parley Pine by name.
They were carried out into the woods and a bed made by their
mother on the ground with bed and bedding under them and a large
bedstead set over them with plenty of bedding and close over to
keep them from getting wet with the heavy rain that was rapidly
approaching.
I will here say that while the women and some of the
gheerous(?) that had volunteered to help her were carrying out
some of the things. The rest of the crowd divided the straw out
of a bed into the four corners of the room and set fire to it,
the women tried to put it out, but some of the ruffians took her
by the shoulders and put her out of doors and she was not in a
condition to be handled rough with safety, the house burnt down
with the rest of its contents.
I was obliged to flee to save my life. I remained out
until there came on a very heavy thunderstorm, I then ventured
out to see what become of my family. I found them all alive and
no personal injury done, but my house and grain and hay and
considerable fence was burnt to the ground which threw my field
open to the commons, where I had about a thousand bushels of
corn mostly in the shock [shuck], but all exposed to the ravages
of hogs, sheep and cattle which were roaming at large in
abundance. But my wife begged of me to leave as the mob was
hunting me the last she could see of them.
So I was obliged to take shelter in a large shock? of corn
as it was raining very hard. I lay there until it began to leak
through on to me, so I was obliged to crawl out and I then went
to see how my family was getting along, and found them more
comfortably situated, for a brother came along and carried the
sick children and their bed and bedding into the mill which they
had not burned, supposing it to belong to another man, although
they had got some wet in changing locations, I remained with
them until near daylight. Then I ventured to go to my nearest
neighbors, a Baptist preacher by the name of George Walker.
When I arrived and began to tell what the mob had done, he said,
"Mr. Draper I know it, I saw it all but I could do you no good
for I feared they would destroy me next; Is there anything I can
do for you?"
I said, "I wished to get his wagon to move my family from
among this mob and then I will return it."
He said, "there is my wagon take it and if you return it,
all well and if not, all is well."
I then went back to help my wife gather up the little
fragments left, by this time daylight appeared and while we were
busy preparing to leave, lo and behold we saw ten armed men.
They were in pursuit of me again and I was obliged to flee and I
make my escape but it was upon my hands and knees through the
brush. I succeeded in reaching another neighborhood, there I
got a young man to go and let my folks know where I was, and
help them pack up their things and bring them to me, which he
did. I then took them to Pike County where a distance of 50
miles where I got them into a house with my wife's brother.
After that I had them comfortably situated the next day being
the 6th of October 1845, my wife was confined and brought me
another son, and the other two little boys that was sick soon
began to get better.
After all was apparently safe and provided for, I then took
my leave and started to Nauvoo a distance of about 80 miles.
Some part of this I had to pass through a section of country
where the mob was daily proceeding about and doing damage and
seeking the lives of men that would claim to be Latter-day
Saints or Mormons.
But I passed through and unharmed and arrived safe in
Nauvoo, where Brigham and Heber who was then the president of
the church, I told them what I had done, how and where I had
left my home, which they highly approved. I then asked their
council for my further movements, which they gave as follows:
"Brother William, if you wish to remain with the Saints, go back
and take care of your family where they are the best you can
through the winter and make every effort you can to get ready
and go with us next spring to the Rocky Mountains, but come
again to Nauvoo in about two months and get your endowment,"
which I did on the 28th of 1846.
While I was there several of the brethren crossed the
Mississippi River over into Iowa then on their way for the
mountains, but I returned back to Pike County and there made
speedy preparation to follow on in the spring which I did, and
left Pike County about the 20th of April 1846 and went to Nauvoo
and added some to the family and to the outfit.
And on the first day of May crossed the Mississippi River
and took the trail to follow those that had started before for
the mountains through a wilderness country where no white lived.
We made quite a company and I was chosen their captain.
We traveled on some 200 miles and nothing worthy of note
took place but one night where we had camped to our great
surprise up came Brigham and Heber returning from the Missouri
River, the place which they had reached, they brought us the
information that the United States officers met them there and
called for 500 able bodied men from our traveling company to go
to Mexico to fight their battles. This was quite a damper to us
not withstanding we traveled on, but Brigham and Heber went on
east to meet other companies. When we got within about six
miles of the Missouri River we came to a halt and struck camp to
wait for Brigham to return which he did in two or three days.
Then a place was prepared and the men was called together,
met with Brigham and the army officers and Colonel Thomas L.
Kane who had heard of the call made on us, and came to witness
the result, but after a short consultation in council with
Brigham and the officers it was decided to respond to the call
made. And a call for volunteers then issued which was readily
responded to and within twenty four hours the required number
500 was more than made up. And there was immediately a large
bowery was erected at a little known as Trading Point settled
only be Indians and their traders on the Bank of the Missouri,
there we had jolly parting dance.
And the next morning being the 16th day of July 1846, which
was the parting time between husband and wife, father and
children, brother and sister, and so 500 of our most able bodied
men were marched away across a 2,000 mile desert to fight the
battles of the United States from which we had just been driven.
Now I will leave those that have gone and turn to those
that are left on the prairies. We could look in every direction
and see the prairies dotted with wagons and tents and speckled
with cattle, who's owners had gone. Now it was that something
must be done for the women and children that was left unprovided
for and without protection and in an Indian Country, so a
meeting was immediately called and the country divided up into
districts or wards, and bishops appointed and a bishop to each
ward. It fell to my lot to be one of them and when I went to
look up those that were in my district there was 33 families and
each bishop was to take charge and provide for all that was left
in the ward that fell to him. So we immediately set about the
work that fell to him.
So we immediately set about the work of gathering up the
cattle and getting herdsmen to take care of them, and the next
move was to provide shelter for the folks and provide for the
stock as we were left with so few men that we could not move on
any further until the brethren returned from the army, or some
other way was provided for our deliverance. So we set to with
all our mind and might and strength. We built log cabins and
brought some from the Indians that was about to be drove from
their homes by the government as we had already been.
But I will here mention that Brigham and a large number of
the Saints crossed the river to the west side onto the Omaha
lands not owned yet by the United States. They built up quite a
little town with over 500 houses, but the rest of the Saints
remained on the east side of the river on the Pottawattomie
land, that the government was about to take possession of, but
they were soon gathered into more compact bodies were they could
be better provided for, and more easily protected.
And I located at a little place called Council Point where
there was quite a settlement of half breeds and Indians. I
bought one of their farms with quite a comfortable house on it.
I had built two cabins before as my family was large, but I was
soon comfortably situated, and the Saints keep flocking in so
that in a short time we had a fine little town, and it soon
become necessary to have a better organization. And it was
desired to organize Council Point into a branch of the Church
and have ordained a bishop to do business in a church capacity.
So I was chosen and ordained bishop and done whatever business
that became necessary in the branch by the church law.
But by this time there was circumstances and characters in
our midst that the church law did not fully provide for and they
were not willing to be governed by what laws we had and Iowa was
not organized with a territorial government, consequently was
without any civil code to govern with, so in the absence of
other laws we went to work and organized a provincial government
with a law making department. And appointed or elected officers
to administer the laws as they were made or as occasion
required, in which department I held a position and we went on
administering the laws as they were made by issuing writs,
punishing crime, assessing fines and collecting them, and
sitting in judgment in cases of debt and using the means for
enforcing the Missourians and all other business necessary to
preserve peace and safety in the country.
Every thing moved on quietly, some went to farming and some
to peddling off their surplus clothing and such articles as they
could best spare to the merchant to obtain bread for the
destitute. And so we were all provided for, and the next year
we raised plenty for our own consumption and the country soon
bare testimony in favor of its new settlers fortheir
perseverance, industry and tact and thrift. All things moved on
well under our mode of government until the United States
organized Iowa with a territorial government. Then we ceased
further operation under our provincial government, and sent our
court records to Washington which there met with the highest
approval.
I will now say a few words about the company that crossed
the river and built up Winter Quarters of which a large number
sickened and died from privation and hardships they had to
undergo. However those that were sick and did survive began to
revive when winter set in and by spring had so far recovered
that a company was raised and some, them in April with Brigham
at their head, started as a company of pioneers consisting of
about hundred men to cross the trackless plains where nothing
but the savages and the wild beast roamed. This was to seed a
home for the Saints in the valleys of the mountains where they
could serve the Lord and keep his commandments. But the various
incidences of their travel I shall not attempt to write but
leave it for better writers and those that have the sad
experience and let it suffice by saying that they arrived in
safety to the valley of the Great Salt Lake July 24th, 1847, and
there located the present Salt Lake City sight with its temple
block and other public grounds, which stands forth in evidence
of the greatness and wisdom and perseverance of its founders.
I will here say in the spring of 1848 all that was able
left Winter Quarters as it was called with it 500 houses and
started to join the Saints in Salt Lake Valley and those that
were not able to go were taken back across the river into Iowa.
And there provided for by the brethren was doing well,
flourishing little towns and making and cultivating large farms
which produced abundance for the inhabitants. The chief place
or head quarter for public business was Kanesville [Iowa] so
called because of the kindness and gentlemanly conduct of one
Colonel Thomas L. Kane who came to visit and witness our
affliction. Soon the gentiles began to come in to Kanesville
with stores of goods, which afford abundance of necessaries and
luxuries and convenience to fit out for the mountains and plenty
for them that stayed longer.
About this time and previous, the brethren had returned
from the Mexican War and resumed the cares of their own families
that liberated those that had the responsibility before they
came. Now it was in the Spring of 1849, I was counseled to
immigrate to Salt Lake that season, I responded to the call and
made speedy preparation to go with a company that was to
immigrate that season. And on the 5th of July I bid farewell to
my home and friends at Council Point, and started to join the
company to old Winter Quarters, where they were waiting to
organize for the travel.
And when I arrived we were organized, and I was appointed
by George A. Smith to take part in the oversight of the
traveling company in connection with Judge Apelley [Appleby?]
and Judge Clark.
We then started out to cross the plains for Great Salt
Lake, we travelled on slowly and nothing special occurred worthy
of note, there was but little incident that occurred. On the
2nd of October near the south pass we were caught in a great
storm that lasted 36 hours which killed over 70 head of our
cattle and horses; that weakened our team some. But after the
storm ceased we shoveled our way out and traveled on again. We
did not travel many miles until we came to where there was no
snow and all was fair weather, which continued until the 26th of
October when we arrived safe in Salt Lake City, and broke up
camp entirely; having been four months and a half on the plains,
but was happy now to meet with our brethren that had also come
up through great tribulation and make them a home in the
mountains.
I then stopped a few days with my brother Zenird in which
time I met with a chance to rent a house and lot for one year,
my family being large it required some little exertion to
provide for their wants for flour raised before harvest to the
enormous price of from 75 cents to one dollar per pound, and it
was hard to get seed grain, but I succeeded in getting both, so
my family did not suffer or do without bread.
During the winter I bought me a little farm and rented
another about 6 miles south of the city; it being too far to go
back and forth to farm it and tend the crop. I bought a small
log cabin and some time in February moved a part of my family to
Mill Creek where my far? was. I put the city lot in with
potatoes and the farm with wheat and corn and raised a good crop
of each so I had plenty for the ensuing year and some to spare.
In the summer of 1850 there was a new settlement started on
what was then called South Willow Creek, about twenty miles
south of Salt Lake City. I was invited to come and settle there
which I did, and in November 1850 moved my whole family there.
I took up land and made me a good farm and raised plenty of
grain and cattle and horses, and the settlement increased so it
became necessary to have the place organized into a branch of
the church.
I was called to preside and serve them as bishop, having
been ordained to that office before. I served in that capacity
until the close of 1857 and in the spring of 1858, I was obliged
to leave a good home again, and go south in the general move. I
went as far south as Spanish Fork about 42 miles in distance. I
there stopped and located. I never expected to go back to my old
home again, I there purchased four houses and lots and about 80
acres of land of which over 50 was good farming land and the
rest grass land. I used to raise plenty of grain for my own use
and had lots to spare, and I done well until 1862. Then the
grasshoppers and crickets destroyed my crops so they proved
almost an entire failure. The year 1863 was also followed with
another failure and grain of all kinds raised to an enormous
price, (wheat to five dollars a bushel) and wood was hard to
get, being a long way off, and I had four fires to keep up, and
my oldest boys had all married and left me with a large family
of little helpless children with only their mothers to help me.
Putting all these disadvantages together I found it taking
off my best property faster than I could well stand; one bushel
of wheat per day for bread or $5.00, and two loads of wood per
week and it took from two to three days to get one load, and I
found I could not stand that way of living much longer, so I
concluded to sell out and immigrate to Sanpete where ceder wood
was plenty and where we got the most of our bread stuff from.
So in the fall of 1864, I sold out my property in Spanish
Fork for less than half what it cost me, and early in 1865
immigrated to Moroni, Sanpete County, where I bought a house and
lot and about 15 acres of land for which I paid 900 dollars in
property. I also bought a share; one third of an old grist
mill, worth about $400- $500? for which I agreed to pay $1,500
for one third of the mill. My property was going very fast for
bread at $5.00 a bushel and I could make my bread with the mill,
although I had to pay $500 five hundred dollars down in
property, I thought I would have my share in the mill left and
if I paid it out for bread I should have nothing, and I got
about as near that as I wanted; for I only realized for the
whole after spending about two or three hundred dollars in
repairs, I got about one hundred.
But I made my bread with it by working hard and raising
some on the land I bought. Since mill and land are all gone I
have had some anxieties, but I have got nearly through with all,
for my young and helpless children that I have spoke of before
are now grown to be men and women and are able to take care of
themselves, and lend a helping hand to their mothers, and as for
myself; I think I shall not need any help, for I do not wish to
be burdensome to my children or any one else.
I will here say that I have lived in Moroni hardly
seventeen years, but am sorry to say that in this short period I
have suffered more in body and mind than I have all the rest of
my life. Although I have spent nearly fifty five years of that
time in this church, but when I was about to sink under the
weight and influence of temptation, the Lord verified his
promise; wherein he said you shalt not be tempted more than you
are able to bare, but in every hour of temptation I will make
way for your escape; and he did by sending his servant President
John Taylor on or about the 18th day of August 1880. He invited
me into the house of Bishop J.W. Irons and after being seated he
asked me a few question which I answered briefly.
He then called upon one of his counsel George Q. Cannon and
one of the apostles, Erastus Snow and they laid their hands on
my head and reordained me to all the offices and all the various
grades of priesthood that I ever had been previously ordained to
and confirmed and in addition ordained me to the office of
patriarch after the ancient order, and reconfirmed all the
blessings that had ever been pronounced upon my head by those
that had administered to me before by ordination or otherwise,
and that seemed to impart new life and vigor to both body and
mind and spirit.
But I find that I am on the decline so far as my bodily
strength is concerned and must ere long lay off this mortal
tabernacle and my spirit go to rest or to join those that have
gone before who have passed through great tribulations and have
conquered the last enemy. And for this reason I have written
this imperfect narrative that my children and grandchildren and
finally all my posterity to the latest generation may see what
their progenitor, and those that he associated with in this
Church, had to pass through for sake of the gospel.
And I now feel thankful that I have the privilege of
bearing my testimony to the trust of what I have written,
although there may be some little errors in dates, but nothing
designly or that would destroy the truthfulness of this
narrative.
And I also feel to bare testimony to the truth of the
everlasting gospel as introduced to this generation by Joseph
Smith the Prophet, and is now being preached by his successors
and the Elders of Israel that are going forth to carry glad
tidings of salvation to the nations of the earth.
And I also feel to join the labor by calling upon all men,
Jew and Gentile, bond or free, priest and people, to home or
abroad; all who have not obeyed the gospel to listen and hear
and believe and be baptized for the remission of your sins, and
have hands laid on you by one who has authority for the gift of
the Holy Ghost and you shall receive it, for the promise is to
you and to your children and to all that are afar off as many as
the Lord our God shall call.
Now in conclusion I will say that I have been some two
weeks writing this imperfect narrative, and will now come to a
close on this eleventh day of December in the year one thousand
eight hundred and eighty one; (December 11, 1881) which makes me
seventy four years and seven months and seventeen days old, and
the husband of five living wives and father of fifty one
children and grandfather to about one hundred; and
great-grand-father to about twenty more, and I now leave my
blessing upon them all, and ask my Heavenly Father to seal the
blessing of Abraham and Isaac.
-- MERGED NOTE ------------
1 _FSFTID KWNK-QZY
William Draper, 1807-1886
Autobiography (1807-1881)
Typescript, BYU-S
Draper, William, 1807-1886 Autobiography (1807-1881)
Source: Autobiography of William Draper, typescript, BYU-S.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM DRAPER
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND TRAVELS AND BIRTH AND
PARENTAGE OF WILLIAM DRAPER WHO WAS THE SON OF WILLIAM DRAPER AND
LYDIA LUTHDROP DRAPER.
My grandfather's name was Thomas Draper and my
grandmother's maiden name was Lydia Rogers; my father and
grandfather was born in Pennsylvania state and I was born in the
Provice of upper Canada, Township of Richmond, County of
Frontanact, Midland District, April the 24th 1807, and in June
1832 for the first time heard the gospel preached by Elder
Miller and others in company with him, and in January 1832 I
heard Brigham Young preach the same gospel and I believed it.
And was all in the Township of Longbarough upper Canada,
and I was baptized March the 20th 1833 and in June the same year
was ordained a priest under the hands of Brigham Young, and I
bear testimony and traveled and preached as circumstances
permitted until September the 11, 1834, I then in company with
Daniel Wood and family; with my family that consisted of wife
and two children. I there and then bid adieu to Canada, to my
birth place, and to my father and mother, brothers and sisters,
for the sake of the gospel and together with the Saints to
Kirtland, Ohio, which we reached the 24th of the same month and
I was satisfied and rejoiced at meeting some of my old friends,
brethren from Canada, and more satisfied to see the face and
hear the voice of the Prophet Joseph and from him and his
brethren received much valuable instruction.
I then went to work and found a location, built me a house
and by hard labor provided a comfortable living for my family
which consisted of a wife and three children, but I was quite
poor as to this world's goods, but I labored faithfully and
prospered exceedingly.
And next spring 1835 at the April conference by a unanimous
vote of the conference, the walls of the basement of the temple
which had been covered the fall previous were uncovered, and the
work of building the [Kirtland] temple resumed with a covenant
to finish the walls that season. I threw in my might of labor
with the rest of my brethren which was but few to do so great a
work, but it was done. I also went to Canada that summer on a
short mission and was abundantly blessed, and returned again in
September to my family and to the society of the church in
Kirtland.
And the following winter had the privilege of attending the
theological school which was superintended by the Prophet Joseph
and his councilors from which I received much good instructions
preparatory to the endowment when the [Kirtland] temple was
finished, during which time I was put into the presidency of the
priests quorum which the bishops presided over. During the
meetings and endowment which gave me another opportunity of
farming more new valuable acquaintances to-wit; Bishop Edward
Partridge of Zion or Missouri, and the Bishop N. K. Whitney of
Kirtland with their respective councilors, under whose hands I
received the ordinances and blessings which were many and great,
they being the only bishops in the church at that time. The
Twelve Apostles and the First Quorum of Seventies were chosen
about that time.
And there in the [Kirtland] temple on the Day of Pentecost
of the 6th day of April 1836 there was such a time of the
outpouring of the spirit of the Lord that my pen is inadequate
to write it in full or my tongue to express it. But I will here
say that the spirit was poured out and came like a mighty
rushing wind and filled the house, that many that were present
spoke in tongues and had visions and saw angels and prophesied,
and had a general time of rejoicing such as had not been known
in this generation.
Then all things remained quiet until about the first of
June. The Quorum of the Twelve was sent to the eastern states
and Canada to hold conferences and regulate affairs in the
church abroad in that direction and I was counseled by the
Prophet to go on a mission which I did and traveled in company
with them to Laborough in Canada, where I had formerly lived and
joined the church. We there and in the vicinity around, held
several meetings and conferences and set the branches in order
and baptized quite a number and had a time of rejoicing together
to think and to see that the Lord was blessing our labor with
success. But in this place we separated and the Twelve
continued their mission further east down the river St. Lawrence
and crossed into the states and by that route home. But I took
up on the north side of Lake Ontario by way of Toronto and there
crossed Lake Ontario to Lewiston and by that route home, found
all well and rejoicing in the blessing of the gospel.
Things went on comfortable and pleasantly during the
ensuing fall and winter, and by the assistance and council of
the Prophet I prospered exceedingly well so that I got me a nice
little farm of twenty acres on which I built a good comfortable
house and made other suitable improvements suitable for the
comforts of life. All went well until some time in the summer
of 1837 when travelers begin to creep in which changed the state
of affairs financially throughout Kirtland, which damaged me to
the amount of over one thousand dollars, which took my team and
other good property but during the ensuing winter we had a good
time in the temple and I was called upon to be ordained a high
priest and was ordained under the hands of Don Carlos Smith and
counsel who was president of the high priests quorum and brother
to the Prophet Joseph.
And I was set apart to go to Illinois the coming spring
[1838] to take charge and preside in a branch of the church that
had been previously raised up. I then went to work with mane
and might to make up an outfit and I succeeded in procuring a
team and wagon as I intended to take my family with me, for many
of the Saints were making preparation to leave Kirtland in the
spring and I never expected to return there any more. I expected
the avails of my little farm and home to supply me with means to
get me another home if I should ever be so happy as to reach Far
West where we were all aiming to go and make a permanent home as
we thought then. But let me here say that I was sadly mistaken
and seriously disappointed, for instead of having means to buy
me another home in Far West, lo and behold a Christian gentile
had me in his clutches and swindled me out of my little home so
I never got one dime for the whole. But he made me a very
believable affair that was if I would stay and live on the farm
I should have it all my life to support my family on and if not
he would keep it, for he said he might as well have it as for
old Joseph Smith to have it and so he kept it although he had
every dollar of his pay for it. This was the fruit of Mr.
Branche's religion although a stray Presbyterian, but as I do
not intend this to expose other peoples faults I will let the
above suffice, and resume my own travels and say that the above
affair afforded another opportunity for me to leave father and
mother, brothers and sisters, house and land for the gospel
sake.
And I hastened to start on my mission to Morgan County,
Illinois, which I accomplished and started April the 16th 1838
only having my family that consisted of a wife and five
children; that was all the company that I had to travel with for
the first h
- 1 NAME William /Draper/
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Sources - [S1] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (R) Copyright (c) 1987, June.
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4 NAME Page - [S127] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index (R) Copyrig.
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4 NAME Page - [S128] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index (R) Copyrig.
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4 NAME Page - [S2] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (R) Copyright (c) 1987, June.
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4 NAME Page - [S129] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index (R) Copyrig.
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4 NAME Page - [S130] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index (R) Copyrig.
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- [S1] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (R) Copyright (c) 1987, June.
