Jeremiah Leavitt (1796-1846) - The Death of Jeremiah

The small stones at the feet of the Sarah statue represent the burial place of her husband, Jeremiah Leavitt II, who died at Bonaparte Iowa, August 4, 1846. After the forced exodus from Nauvoo, Jeremiah settled Sarah and their children at Mount Pisgah. Jeremiah and young Dudley then made their way back to Bonaparte, Iowa to obtain provision for the winter, and to help Jeremiah III and Eliza Harrover Leavitt with their onward journey. Malaria was rampant at Mt. Pisgah, and as Jeremiah reached Bonaparte he was stricken with the disease. With Jeremiah III, Eliza, and Dudley, helpless by his side, Jeremiah Leavitt II died. As he lay dying he sang the hymn, Come, Let Us Anew. The hymn thus became the traditional hymn sung at Leavitt funerals.