Leavitt Pioneer Memorial Sites

HINGHAM, Massachusetts
Hingham is a southeast suburb of Boston. It was the second home of John Leavitt. At nineteen, he was a runaway english Tailor's Apprentice who arrived in the New World in 1628. He became patriarch to one of the oldest and largest Leavitt families in the United States. His name was originally spelled John Levett, but he later changed it to Leavitt.

His grave was relocated to the Hingham Center Cemetery from the Old Ship Church's cemetery (now Hingham Cemetery) when the road was widened. A memorial to he and his family has been placed on each side of a stone monolith in the Hingham Cemetery.

EXETER, New Hampshire
Deacon John Leavitt's son, Moses, married Dorothy Dudley and lived in Exeter. Moses had moved there from Hingham, Massachusetts by the time he was fourteen. It is likely he worked for/with his mother's brothers in their successful lumber business. Moses became one of the most prominent men in New Hampshire. He and Dorothy raised their 12 children together in Exeter.

DEERFIELD, New Hampshire
Deacon John Leavitt's grandson (via Moses), Joseph, married Mary Wadleigh. Initially, they resided in Exeter, but Joseph's continual military service brought land grants from other developing areas. Deerfield is where he and his wife decided to reside.


GRANTHAM, New Hampshire
Deacon John Leavitt's great-grandson (via Moses' son Joseph), Nathaniel, married Lydia Sanborn and lived in Grantham. He was buried in a family graveyard on Leavitt Hill just north of Grantham.


E) HATLEY, Quebec, Canada
Nathaniel Leavitt's son, Jeremiah, married Sarah Shannon and lived in Hatley, Lower Canada (Quebec). Due to his having three direct Jeremiah descendants, he is known as "Jeremiah I". During their stay, several of Jeremiah's children married Hatley residents. When several family members left for Kirtland, Illinois in 1837, some family members remained. After Jeremiah's son, Nathaniel died in Sturgis, Michigan, his young wife, Betsy Bean Leavitt, returned to this area with their youngest children. They were all buried in various cemeteries in the area: Reedsville Cemetery, North Hatley (Betsy Bean Leavitt), United Church Cemetery, East Hatley (Mary Jane Leavitt Hodges), and Old North Cemetery, Hatley (Jeremiah Leavitt, Nathan Rowell & Anna Leavitt Rowell, and Nathan's parents, Thomas & Lydia Hawes Rowell).


TWELVE MILE GROVE, Illinois
Most of the Leavitt Company who originally left Hatley in 1837 arrived at the Grove that fall and remained as late as 1845. Today, we find this grove on the immediate north edge and partially encompassing the small town of Wilton Center. Most of the Leavitt families lived near the northeastern end of this grove (near the northeast corner of Elevator Rd and Daum Rd). Many family members died there. Their memorial was placed in the Wilton Center Cemetery.


OTHER LOCAL LEAVITT HISTORIC SITES Nauvoo, Illinois
Most of the surviving Leavitt families at Twelve Mile Grove moved to the Mormon city of Nauvoo in the early 1840's. They made homes for themselves and planned to stay for the rest of their lives, but mobs killed their prophet then threatened their lives if they did not immediately vacate. In an emergency effort to flea to safety, most departed west across the river to Iowa in February, 1846. One of the casualties of the weather and poor conditions was Levi Snow. His infant body was layed to rest in the west bank of the Mississippi (Memorialized in Bonaparte, Iowa).


WHITE PIGEON, Michigan
Two of Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's sons left the Leavitt company during their journey west to Kirtland, Ohio. At Buffalo, New York, Josiah Leavitt, as well as his brother, Nathaniel Leavitt and his family boarded a ferry to Michigan. Upon reaching Sturgis Prairie, Michigan (located between today's towns of Sturgis and White Pigeon), they rented some land and started farming. The following year, 1838, both brothers died. Nathaniel's young bride, Betsey Bean was desperate and returned home to Canada. However, the three children of Nathaniel and Deborah Delano Leavitt (Nathaniel Jr., Flavilla and John) remained behind at White Pigeon. After a short time, Nathaniel's brother, Jeremiah, picked them up and they all continued west together, joining the main family group at Twelve Mile Grove, Illinois.


CAMBRIA, Michigan
In 1837, most of Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's children traveled west toward Kirtland, Ohio. Their son, John, and his wife Lucy Rowell were included. After their arrival, John did not continue west with the rest of the family. He remained until 1845, when he and his family moved north to Cambria, Michigan. They farmed that area together for about seven years. During that time, John and others of his family died and were buried there. Eventually, all who remained made their way west to join with others in Utah. John's wife, Lucy, died on her way there. Their daughter, Sarah, married a cousin, James Adams Chamberlain, and remained in the Chicago area for most of her life.


BONAPARTE, Illinois
As the "Mormons" fled the mobs who had invaded Nauvoo, the Leavitt families were among them as they fled across the Mississippi River and headed west toward Council Bluffs. They stopped briefly at Reed's Creek, just east of Bonaparte. During their stay, many worked for local businesses to buy supplies. While many gained from their brief respite at Reed's Creek, many succamb and were buried in various makeshift cemeteries (currently unmarked and unlocated). Those who moved on stopped next at Mt. Pisgah. Jeremiah Leavitt II's family stayed there while he returned to Bonaparte for supplies. He died shortly after arrival. A Leavitt Memorial has been placed at Bonaparte's Cemetery (west of town) for he and his grandson Levi Snow, who had died on the west bank of the Mississippi River during their emergency exodus from Nauvoo. John Huntsman, second husband to Roxanna Leavitt (Nathaniel and Deborah's daughter), died near Mt. Pisgah (memorialized at Council Bluffs).


LAWRENCEVILLE, New York 
Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's daughter, Lydia Rowell, lived with her husband, Thomas, and died in this area. Their son, Horace, also lived and died in this area. Two cemeteries are involved: Pleasant View (for Lydia) and Hale (for Horace).


VERMONT NORTH ALBANY, Vermont
Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's son, Nathaniel, married Deborah Delano. For a short while they lived near Irasburg, Vermont. Then, they moved across the border to Hatley, Lower Canada (Quebec) with the rest of Jeremiah's family. Deborah is buried in Albany's Delano Cemetery.
Nathaniel's sister, Sarah, married William Rowell. They settled in the Albany area and are buried in the Enoch C. Rowell Cemetery.


BARTON, Vermont
 One of Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's sons, Jeremiah II, married Sarah Sturtevant. She was from a very religious family who lived in Barton. Her parents were Lemuel and Priscilla Thomson Sturtevant.


IRASBURG, Vermont
 Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's son, Wiear, married Abigail Cowles. She was from an established Irasburg family, Phineas and Catherine Stone Cowles. Upon Abigail's death, Wiear married her sister Phoebe.


OAK LAWN, Illinois
About 1845, Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's daughter, Rebecca Chamberlain, moved with her husband Franklin north from Twelve Mile Grove, Illinois to the Black Oak (now Oak Lawn), Illinois area. Although most of the Chamberlain children eventually moved west, Franklin stayed until his death. Afterward, his wife Rebecca also moved west.
Franklin and Rebecca's home was located where the Oak Lawn Public Library now stands. Their memorial plaque is located atop a bronzed-metal stand outside the southeast corner of the City Office building.


COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa 
As the Leavitt families made their way west, their next big stop was Kanesville, now Council Bluffs. The area of the "Mormon" encampment spread some 21 miles along the east side of the river. Some crossed the Missouri River and camped at the church's Winter Quarters, now Omaha. From extreme fatigue, lack of proper diet, and poor living conditions, many died during their stay. Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's daughter, Betsey Adams, granddaughter (via Jeremiah), Lydia Snow, and their great-granddaughter (via Nathaniel's daughter Flavilla), Orliva Farlin, all died at Council Point; and their grandson (via Jeremiah), Weare, and their great-granddaughter (via Jeremiah's daughter Louisa), Isora Louisa Jones, both died at Trader's Point. Their granddaughter (via Jeremiah), Louisa Jones, died while with her husband in St. Joseph, Missouri.

OTHER LOCAL LEAVITT HISTORIC SITES Trader's Point
The Jeremiah Leavitt II family housed themselves near the river at Trader's Point.

Council Point
The James Adams family and part of the William Snow family housed themselves at Council Point.

PAROWAN, Utah
In 1853, Jeremiah Leavitt I's daughter, Hannah Fish, and her husband, Horace, made their way past the Little Salt Lake to a place the Indians called Parowan. Horace died here in 1870. A memorial plaque to Horace and Hannah was placed at the Parowan Heritage Park in 2001.

SANTA CLARA, Utah
Several members of Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's family settled this area during the 1850's. As a memorial to their endeavors and lifesblood, a statue of Jeremiah's widow, Sarah Sturtevant, has been placed (1998) in a quaint corner side park.


BUNKERVILLE, Nevada
Several of Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's family settled this high desert town in the late 1870's. A memorial to their grandson, Dudley Leavitt, and his wives was placed in the Bunkerville Cemetery in 2002.


AYER'S CLIFF, Quebec, Canada
Upon Deborah Delano's death, Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's son, Nathaniel, married his second wife, Betsy Bean. Their son, Wire, lived and died in this area.


MASSAWIPPI, Quebec, Canada
Nathaniel and Deborah Delano Leavitt's daughter, Salena Kezar, lived and died in this area.


LYNDONVILLE, Vermont
 Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's son, Jeremiah, married Sarah Sturtevant. Their first daughter, Clarissa, married her first cousin, Horace Sturtevant. When he died, she married Simon Colton. They lived and died in Lydonville.

Leavitts In Great Salt Lake Valley 1848

As the Pioneers started their settlement in the valley they built forts to house and protect the people. The first fort known as the Old Fort was constructed mostly of adobe brick. The area where this fort was located is now Salt Lake City's Pioneer Park. Later forts were constructed of wood poles. A Pioneer Park brochure records that each small house in the fort had windows and doors facing inward and a loop hole in the rear to accommodate a rifle barrel looking out. Each house had a roof made of willow brush and dirt which sloped inward toward the center of the fort. This dirt and willow roof added to the misery of the inhabitants allowing water from the heavy winter snow to seep in, as well as attracting insects and mice. In the center of the fort was a Bowery, built of tall vertical poles and cross poles with a topping of brush, which served as the public gathering place. About 1,500 people spent that first year in the valley.

Phoebe's son, George, initially built a shelter in the Old Fort and lived there with his mother and sisters. That first winter in the valley was very difficult. A great deal of sickness and disease was prevalent. Phoebe went out nursing to help relieve the sickness and suffering of those in need. The next spring, Brigham Young encouraged young men in the community to return to Winter Quarters to help other pioneer companies make their trek to the Salt Lake valley. During the summers of 1848 and 1849, George went back to provide this help. During 1848, more than 2,200 new pioneer emigrants came into the city. As the forts became full, Brigham Young established a land office and people took lots out in the city.


George secured a lot in the Third Ward. George's lot is shown as block 10 lot 6, on a Pioneer Map of Great Salt Lake City, prepared by Orson Pratt. George's lot is one of the eight lots in this block between Sixth and Seventh South between State and Second East. Utah Power & Light's 6th South Substation is now located on this lot. By the fall of 1849, he had built a house on this lot for his mother and sisters. Unfortunately, Phoebe was not able to enjoy this home very long. Her health finally failed from years of hardship and deprivation and she passed away. George indicates that her death occurred in the fall. Other histories indicate that she died in the spring. Church and cemetery records indicate that her death occurred on Apr 6, 1850. She would have been only 53 years old at the time of her death. Bishop Wiler and Owen Dewel preached at her funeral. Salt Lake City Cemetery records indicate that she was the 34th person to be buried in this cemetery.


Phoebe's life, struggles, and pioneering spirit are a tremendous heritage to her posterity. Her posterity call her blessed. They will always be proud of the courage, service, and dedication she gave to her family, to her church, and to her God. She truly is a pioneer mother of faith and fortitude. Weare, Abigail and Phoebe Cowles Leavitt, were wonderful parents. Their children and grand children's lives are a monument to their success as parents against the overwhelming challenges they had to endure.


By 1910, Weare's four generations of descendants numbered more than seven hundred. As we approach the year 2000, their 8th and 9th and perhaps 10th generations are being born. Conservative estimates of their descendants now number more than ten thousand. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in 1830 with six members. At the time of the Leavitt families initial conversion in the mid-1830s, the church's membership had grown to about thirteen thousand. When the pioneers entered the valley in 1847, the church's membership had increased to thirty-five thousand. Today the church has grown to international proportions with organized branches in more than one hundred and sixty countries; with growth in Church membership expected to exceed eleven million by the year 2000.


The descendants of Weare Leavitt can be justly proud of their heritage and the legacy of faith and courage displayed by their ancestors. President Ezra Taft Benson has said: "If we truly cherish the heritage we have received, we must maintain the same virtues and...character of our stalwart forebears -- faith in God, courage, industry, frugality, self reliance, and integrity! We have the obligation to maintain what those who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor gave to future generations." As recipients of this legacy and heritage it is our challenge and privilege to extend the faith of their legacy to the footsteps of our posterity!

Leavitts Begin Their Migration To The Rocky Mountains 1846

In 1846 Phoebe and her son and daughters started west. By mid-May more that 12, 000 members had crossed the Mississippi River. Phoebe and her family stopped for a while at Mt. Pisgah (George's history indicates this as Piegue which is probably a misspelling of Pisgah). Mt. Pisgah was located near the center of the state of Iowa. They then continued their westward trek and crossed the Missouri River into Winter Quarters at Florence, Nebraska. This was a trip of about 250 miles, which under normal conditions could have been traversed in less than a month. Unfortunately, challenging conditions of weather, wilderness, limited preparation time, and the massive number of wagons on the trail increased this trip to two and sometimes three months. They traveled with the Jedediah M. Grant - Joseph B. Noble Company (1847)

Temporary camps were set up across Iowa to increase the chances of survival for these homeless thousands. Camps of Israel, such as Garden Grove, Mt. Pisgah and Winter Quarters, were established along the trail where crops were planted and temporary shelters were built to give more time to prepare for the arduous journey into the wilderness. Everyone in these temporary camps were destitute and their living conditions were extremely desperate as the winter of 1846/47 set in. Weare's brother, Jeremiah II, died on the trail in Iowa in 1846. It is reported that 346 deaths occurred in Winter Quarters alone between September 1846 and May 1847.Weare's sister, Betsey Leavitt Adams, is reported to have died at Winter Quarters the following year in 1848.

Phoebe's situation, a widow with three children and few resources, was especially desperate. It was finally determined that George, now a teenager, should leave the family and try and find work in Missouri to pay for the supplies they would need to continue their journey to the Rocky Mountains. It was very challenging for George to leave his mother and two little sisters to the care of others during these desperate times in Winter Quarters. George had no choice and valiantly went, along with a few companions, to St. Joseph, Missouri, to earn what money he could for their trip west. George returned to Winter Quarters in the spring of 1847 with the meager resources he had managed to obtain.


COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa 
As the Leavitt families made their way west, their next big stop was Kanesville, now Council Bluffs. The area of the "Mormon" encampment spread some 21 miles along the east side of the river. Some crossed the Missouri River and camped at the church's Winter Quarters, now Omaha. From extreme fatigue, lack of proper diet, and poor living conditions, many died during their stay. Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt's daughter, Betsey Adams, granddaughter (via Jeremiah), Lydia Snow, and their great-grand daughter, Orliva Farlin, all died at Council Point; and their grandson, Weare, and their great-grand daughter, Isora Louisa Jones, both died at Trader's Point. Their granddaughter, Louisa Jones, died while with her husband in St. Joseph, Missouri.


It is interesting that the Prophet Joseph Smith, as early as 1842, had envisioned the church's migration to the Rocky Mountains. This would mean moving beyond the western boundary of the United States into the Great Basin area which was then claimed by Mexico. The martyrdom of Joseph Smith left the organization and leadership of this migration in the capable hands of his successor, Brigham Young. Brigham Young was shown, in a dream, the mountain valley where the saints would eventually dwell.


Brigham Young was determined to leave Winter Quarters early in the spring of 1847 in order to reach that valley as early in the year as possible. He organized a strong vanguard company of men, equipment, and animals to blaze the trail to this mountain valley knowing other companies must soon follow. They left Winter Quarters on April 16,1847. They followed the Platte River traveling on the north side to give them better access to feed and fuel and to keep them separated from other travelers who generally traveled on the south side of the river. They traveled to Fort Kearny, then followed the North Platt River past Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff to Fort Laramie. From there they crossed the Continental Divide through Emigrant Gap past independence Rock and followed the Sweet Water River on to Fort Bridger.


While at Fort Bridger Brigham, Young questioned Jim Bridger who had already explored the Great Salt Lake valley. From his description, Brigham felt that this was the valley that he had seen in his own vision. They left Fort Bridger and continued on through Emigration Canyon towards the valley of the Great Salt Lake. As part of an advanced party, two members of this vanguard company, Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow, saw the valley for the first time on July 21, 1847 and shouted for joy at the extensive valley and grand view that was displayed before them. The next two days were spent in exploring this valley and making preparations for the arrival of the main company. Brigham Young had been ill with Mountain Fever and was being cared for in the back of a wagon. As his wagon reached the mouth of Emigration Canyon he looked out over the valley for the first time and confirmed for the company, "This is the right place, drive on!"


They entered the valley on July 24, 1847. This first company consisted of 143 men, 3 women, and 2 children. They set about immediately to plant and prepare for the hundreds and thousands who would soon follow. On August 14, 1847 the new city to be built was named, "The City of the Great Salt Lake, Great Basin, North America." The city was officially incorporated on March 6, 1851 as "Great Salt Lake City." By 1850, more than 11,000 people lived in the valley. Prior to construction of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, more than 80,000 Mormon Pioneers in wagon trains and handcarts had made this same momentous trek.


In 1847, however, more than 7,000 saints lived in destitute conditions in temporary camps across Iowa and into Nebraska. Phoebe, now fifty years old, along with her children, George, now eighteen, Emeline, now fourteen, and Louisa, now eleven years old, started across the plains from Winter Quarters, Nebraska in the first year of the great Mormon migration to the Rocky Mountains. They traveled in company with Simon Baker and his wife, Charlotte Leavitt, and their nine children. Simon Baker's history records that Phoebe and her children were very destitute of clothing, having neither hats nor shoes for the journey. I am sure that Simon and Charlotte stretched their Meager supplies to help Phoebe's family as well. Their company left Florence, Nebraska, on May 1, 1847. They went out to the Elk Horn River, where the Saints met in camp to organize into companies to cross the plains.

Their company was the third hundred wagons of emigrating saints. Their organization consisted of Amos Neff, Captain of ten; Joseph B. Noble, Captain of fifty, and Jedediah M. Grant, Captain of hundred, who was over the other Captains. When their organization was completed, the company started on their march through the wilderness to the Rocky Mountains. As they journeyed on they found that their wagon teams were too heavily loaded, so they yoked up their cows, their steers and anything that could pull. A review of the Journal History of this company, with particular comments by Eliza R. Snow, a member of Capt. Noble's company, provides interesting insights into the Leavitt family's experiences during this pioneer trek:

Thursday, June 17, 1847: At a meeting held at the encampment on the Elkhorn River it was moved by Apostle Parley P. Pratt that the camps move to the banks of the Platte River, and that they move in hundreds (100 wagons) and camp about half a mile apart. It was moved that Jedediah M. Grant's company be called the Third Hundred. Thursday, June 24: Apostle John Taylor complained the Bros. Jedediah M. Grant and John Young had refused to obey orders and were out of their place in the line of travel and that the 3rd hundred had got before his, which was the 2nd hundred. Later in the day the officers and men of the whole camp were called together. Bro. Taylor entered his complaint against Bros. Grant and Young and after a great deal said by the brethren, Apostle Parley P. Pratt spoke and reproved Bros. Young and Grant and said they should ask forgiveness, which they did and all was made right Wednesday, July 15: "This morning a fearful circumstance occurred. Someone was shaking a buffalo robe at the back of a wagon from which some of the cattle in the corral took fright and started on the run; this frightened others; they commenced bellowing, and all in a huddle, ran for the gateway of the enclosure, which being altogether too narrow for the egress of the rushing multitude that thronged into the passage, they piled one on the top of another until the top ones were above the tops of the adjacent wagons, moving them from their stations while the inmates at this early hour, being so suddenly and unceremoniously aroused from their morning sleep, and not knowing the cause of the terrible uproar and confusion, were some of them almost paralyzed with fear. At length those that could broke from the enclosure, the bellowing subsided and quiet was restored, but the sad effect of the fright caused much suffering to some who's nerves were not sufficient for the trying scene. In the encounter two wagon wheels were crushed, only one cow was killed and several oxen had horns knocked off." Eliza R. Snow Wednesday, August 4: "Death made occasional inroads among us. Nursing the sick in tents and wagons was a laborious task, but the patient faithfulness with which it was performed was no doubt registered in the achieves above, and an unfailing monument of brotherly and sisterly love. The burial of the dead by the wayside was a sad office. For husbands, wives and children to consign the cherished remains of loved ones to a lone grave was enough to try the firmest heart stings." Eliza R. Snow Thursday, August 19: Sister Love was killed by a wagon loaded with 1600 lbs. One wheel ran over her breast. Wednesday, September 8: "The road went over a slough, the bridge over which was so much out of repair that it was thought impossible for wagons to cross, and a halt was called to repair the crossing. The slough was at the foot of a long, gentle slope and the teams two and three abreast, were standing from the top nearly down to the place where the men were commencing to fix the bridge. At this time many of the teamsters were lounging at ease. Two of our young men, riding at full speed with blankets flying and whips in hand, rode up, and in passing the teams in the rear, so frightened them that they started down the hill, and as they went they started others, until almost in a moment nearly all were in motion, increasing their rapidity until the scene was fearfully alarming. Many of them crossed the slough in different directions and where the best of teamsters would not dare to drive, not one team crossing on the bridge. Many lives were exposed, but through great blessing of our Heavenly Father, no one was much hurt." Eliza R. Snow Thursday, September 9: In the morning it was discovered that between forty and fifty horses and mules had been stolen by Indians during the night. At 10 a.m. Colonel Markham and about 20 other brothern started out in pursuit. In the afternoon two of the men returned with two of the horses which had been found about thirty miles distant. In the evening two or three men came in with three other horses which had been found near the same place as the other two; they were probably left by the Indians in the hurry of the flight. Friday, October 1: "Today we traveled through brush and timber, but what was still worse, through black dust, with which we were all so densely covered that our identities might be questioned. When up the mountain we met Bro. John Taylor, who having reached the Valley was returning to meet that portion of his company now in the rear. Riding on horseback, through the interminable dust his f ace was covered with a black mask, and in his happy, jocular way, lest I should compliment him he hastened to ask me if I had lately seen my own face! Our appearances was truly ludicrous. It mattered little to us as we went slash, mash, down the mount, over stumps, trees, ruts, etc., where no one dared to ride who could walk." Eliza R. Snow Saturday, October 2, 1847: Part of this company arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley. Among the members being Sister Eliza R. Snow, Charles Decker, Edmund Ellsworth, John R. and Franklin w. Young, Levi Riter, the Dilworth family, and of course the Leavitt family.

The Leavitt family arrived safely in the Great Salt Lake Valley on October 2, 1847. They had traveled more than 1,000 miles from Winter Quarters, arriving in the valley about two months after Brigham Young and his vanguard company of Mormon Pioneers. It had been little more than ten years since the Leavitt families had left Hatley, Canada, on July 20, 1837. During their migration across the American continent they had traveled more than 2,500 miles by wagon train. Most of the Leavitts had established homes and farms three or more times during these 10 years. Following the strength of their testimonies of the restored gospel they continued to migrate with Mormon communities and shared the trials and tribulations of those communities. Many members of the Leavitt family were overcome by these trials and had passed away. Weare, his mother, Sarah Shannon Leavitt, and his first son, Jeremiah, his brothers Nathaniel, Jeremiah II, and John, as well as his sister, Betsey Leavitt Adams, all died along the way. In addition to Weare's immediate family, many Leavitt spouses and children had passed away as well. Their graves and sacrifices to find a place of refuge give testimony to this family's faith in the restored gospel. Charlotte's autobiography provides this poignant comment on their arrival in the valley, " ...we arrived in the valley...not to a place of comfort and plenty but to a howling wilderness, but the Lord never forsook us, but gave us his Holy Spirit that we had joy in affliction."




Weare's family was the first of the Leavitt families to arrive in the Great Salt Lake Valley. Other Leavitt family members arrived in the valley in later years as their individual circumstances permitted. The Horace Fish family and most members of Jeremiah II's family, as well as Nathaniel's older children arrived in the valley in 1850. James and Betsey Leavitt Adams, family arrived in 1852. After the death of their parents many of the children of John and Lucy Rowell Leavitt's family completed their preparations and finally arrived in 1860. Others would follow and they all helped pioneer this western frontier.

Leavitts In Nauvoo 1840-1846

With the expulsion of members of the church from Missouri, they had to reestablish themselves in another location. They were initially received kindly in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois. Members of the church were intent on making a new start and valiantly purchased property a short distance north of Quincy in Hancock County in an area called Commerce. The property they initially purchased in Commerce consisted mostly of marsh and swampland on a bend of the Mississippi River. Through sacrifice and industry they turned this undesirable area into a beautiful city which they named Nauvoo, which was derived from a Hebrew word meaning beautiful situation or place. Headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was also established at Nauvoo.

Many members of the church from all over the world were flocking to Nauvoo, with church membership in the area increasing by thousands every year. The Leavitts in Twelve-Mile Grove prepared to make their next move to join with other members in Nauvoo, which was about 235 miles away. Members of the Leavitt family left Twelve-Mile Grove as their own circumstances permitted. Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt records that her family started for Nauvoo in 1840. Phoebe and her children probably arrived in Nauvoo in 1842. A few Leavitt family members moved to other communities. Lyman D. Platt identified an 1842 church census taken in Nauvoo in the spring of that year that records the names of many Leavitt family members living in Nauvoo at this time, including Weare's family. This census used a different form for spelling their names, but includes: Phebe Levit, Charles Levit, George Levit and Loisa Levit. Emeline's name was not included, but she was undoubtedly with the family as well.


There is a record in the property office in Nauvoo of a home site belonging to Weare and Phoebe on the north edge of the city identified as block 35 lot 2. This is a beautiful home site with a commanding view of the Mississippi River and the city of Nauvoo. Weare had passed away before Nauvoo was established, however, Phoebe put his name on the property title as was the custom at this time. Many eventful things happened to Phoebe and her children during this Nauvoo period. A few that have been recorded are as follows. Phoebe's youngest daughter's baptism was recorded as taking place during their stay in Nauvoo on August 1, 1844. Phoebe's step-daughter Charlotte was married on April 8, 1845.


As reported in Simon Baker's history, he was a convert to the church. He was a recent widower with eight small children. He needed to find a new wife or someone who could help care for his children. With this thought in mind, he asked a friend if he could refer him to someone who would make a good mother. The friend recommended Charlotte Leavitt, the daughter of a Widow Leavitt, living at Nauvoo. Simon traveled from his home on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River to a church conference in Nauvoo. While there he visited with Phoebe and Charlotte and made his circumstances and desires known. Charlotte consented to go home with him and care for his children for a while and if she liked him she would marry him. Simon stayed at their home for a few days while the conference was in progress. After the conference, they left for his home. Before arriving at Simon's home in Iowa, Charlotte had made up her mind and they were married on the ferry as it crossed the Mississippi River.

Phoebe's oldest son, Charles, also decided at this time to return to Twelve-Mile Grove to seek his own fortune. Young George now assumed the responsibility for the care of his mother and two younger sisters. George helped support the family by working in a stone quarry for the benefit of a beautiful temple that was being constructed by the church in the center of the city. Even during Nauvoo's most trying times members of the church gave this most important building project their highest priority. The men in the community were asked to donate as much of their time as possible, usually one day in ten. Relief Society sisters recommitted themselves to contribute a penny a week per member for glass and nails. Louisa's history records that Phoebe gave her last corn to complete the Nauvoo Temple. It was completed in April, 1846, ready for dedication. Sorrowfully, it had to be abandoned at almost the same time because of overwhelming persecution. Prior to its being abandoned, Phoebe, along with 5,615 other worthy members of the church, were able to receive their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple. For Phoebe this sacred ordinance was performed on January 3, 1846.


Phoebe was also vicariously sealed to her husband Weare. Church records provide several dates for this sealing ordinance: June 13,1934, Apr 14, 1941, Aug 21, 1992, January 12, 1994. I am sure that this confusion occurred because of the various spelling forms used for their names. The ancestral file also records a Phebe Cole and a Diana Cole that were sealed to a Benjamin Covey as his fourth and fifth wives. A connection has been made by some family historians between this Phebe Cole and Phoebe Cowles Leavitt. Nauvoo records indicate that there was at least one other Phebe Cole living in Nauvoo at the time and there may have been more. I have been unable to verify the accuracy of this sealing. No other known record within family histories or other official records are available to indicate that Phoebe Cowles Leavitt married or lived with Benjamin Covey as his wife.


The Mormon church grew and flourished during its early Nauvoo period. As members and new converts to the church poured into Nauvoo and the surrounding region the Mormon population expanded to about 20,000. In the six years the Mormons stayed in Nauvoo, it became the largest city in Illinois and the tenth largest city in the United States at the time. Businesses flourished, beautiful brick homes and businesses were being built all over the city, and a most impressive white limestone temple was being constructed at the most prominent location within the city. Visitors to Nauvoo marveled at the industry and development of this beautiful community in such a short period of time.


Sadly, as the church grew, so also did envy, hatred, mistrust, and persecution. On July 27, 1844, the Mormon's beloved Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, the church's patriarch, were brutally martyred in a neighboring town of Carthage, Illinois. The martyrdom happened while Joseph and Hyrum were under the protective care of Illinois' Governor and State Militia. Despite all of the church's valiant efforts to resolve their differences with their enemies from Missouri and Illinois, violent mobs eventually succeeded again in driving the Mormons out of their established communities, businesses, homes and farms., These were challenging times for the Leavitt families who lived in and around Nauvoo. Mobs continually harassed outlying communities with threats. Crops and homes along with other property was stolen or destroyed, members of the church were beaten and even killed.


Even in Nauvoo, mobsters and other despicable characters would roam the city looking for opportunities to do mischief. George participated in one of the community's efforts to control this mischief. Young boys in the community were organized into what George referred to as the Whistling Company or as it was officially known, the "Whistling and Whittling Brigade." As these trouble makers came into Nauvoo, looking for opportunities to cause mischief, these young boys would quickly find them. Then they would gather around the stranger in groups of fifteen to twenty and whistle and whittle on sticks of wood giving these questionable strangers little peace. It was said that they would hang around them like fleas on a dog. The Whistling and Whittling Brigade would never say anything to them, just follow them around until they got the message. It didn't take long for these despicable characters to realize that they were not going to be left alone long enough for their dark deeds to be accomplished. In exasperation they simply left town with a brigade of boys following them out of the city.


George was also called to go up the Mississippi River to get timber to repair and make wagons for the hastily planned evacuation of Nauvoo. This massive evacuation was to occur during the spring of 1846 as soon as the weather became warm so that roads would be passable and there would be enough feed for their livestock. Unfortunately, many were forced to begin their westward migration in early February during the coldest part of the winter. George was called in the early spring of 1846 to help other families begin their evacuation from Nauvoo. He helped several families move across the Mississippi River, across the plains of Iowa, until they were settled near the Missouri River where the Saints planned to winter. After completing this challenging assignment he returned to Nauvoo to help his mother and sisters begin their westward trek.

Leavitts Arrive In Twelve-Mile Grove, Illinois 1837

Weare and the other Leavitt families are reported to have arrived at Twelve-Mile Grove on September 19, 1837. They obviously decided or were counseled to stay in Illinois until the Missouri conflicts were resolved. The Leavitt families bought farms in the area and also worked at any job that was available to meet their families' needs. The rich soil brought forth abundant crops. They were also building a canal in nearby Joliet. Lyman D. Platt reports that Wilton Township was first settled by white men about 1832. The area was previously an Indian reservation. The grove was said to have been one of the finest tracts of timber in Northern Illinois and was full of deer, wild turkeys and other game. Unfortunately, the area was also a sickly place to live with the potential for fever and ague.

Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt reports that they were not able to join the family at Twelve-Mile Grove until the next year in November, 1838. As Jeremiah II's family traveled to Illinois, they found Nathaniel's three older children abandoned in St. Joseph County, Indiana, and brought them with their own family to Twelve-Mile Grove. When they arrived at Twelve-Mile Grove, they found the rest of the family very discouraged because of death and sickness. Mother Sarah Shannon Leavitt had passed away. Genealogy records indicate that her death occurred in 1839/40; however, Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt's record is probably more reliable and reports her death as occurring before November, 1838. She also reports that Weare's oldest son had passed away and that Weare was very sick with a cancer. Weare's oldest son was Jeremiah who was about 22 years of age. It is undoubtedly this son that Sarah was referring to in her autobiography. Some family historians have thought this might have been Weare's son, Charles, but he stayed with the family for many years after this date.

Unfortunately, Weare passed away on March 3, 1839, and was buried along with his son, Jeremiah, at Twelve-Mile Grove. Weare Leavitt was a noble father and son. He had given a lifetime of service to his parent's family as well as his own. His courage, industry, and integrity, and above all, his faith in God, provided his family with a heritage and legacy that would bless their lives throughout eternity. With Weare's passing, this left Phoebe to care for her young family which now included Weare's older daughter, Charlotte, as well as her own children, Charles, George, Emeline, and four-year old Louisa.

Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt records that the family had not had any contact from the Mormon Church since they left Kirkland. Their discouragement because of death and sickness had taken its toll on the family. With the coming of Sarah and Jeremiah II the whole family renewed their commitment to the gospel and were rejuvenated by their testimonies. She records that they got together every week and had prayer meeting in which all of the family participated. As soon as the Mormons got settled in Nauvoo they sent Mormon Elders to many Midwestern towns to visit, hold meetings with members, and perform missionary work among non-members. Two of Phoebe's children are reported to have been baptized while the family was at Twelve-Mile Grove. Emeline's baptism is recorded as occurring in 1842 at the age of 9 or 10. Family histories indicate that George's baptism was performed while the family was in Wilton by an Elder George G. Jones (or Jenson or Johnson) on March 16, 1844. However, a church census indicates that Phoebe and her children were in Nauvoo by 1842, so the baptismal year for George probably occurred in 1842 as well. As the Missionaries visited these outlying areas they encouraged all members to come to the new gathering place being established in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Leavitts Migrate To The United States

Finally, with their preparations complete, the Leavitt family left Hatley on July 20, 1837. Juanita Brooks reports that the train of seven wagons pulled out in good order; all agreed that they might not stay together long. This was really a tremendously difficult undertaking. The trip would take them from Quebec, Canada, through the states of Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and then to Twelve Mile Grove, Illinois. A distance of about 650 miles to Kirtland, Ohio, and an additional 350 miles to Twelve-Mile Grove. They determined that each would manage as best they could and strive to gather as a family at their final destination.

The first wagon included Rebecca Leavitt and her husband, Frank Chamberlain, and their family. Mother Sarah Shannon Leavitt rode in this wagon because it was the best outfit on the road. The second held Betsey Leavitt and her husband, James Adams, and their children. The third wagon contained Hannah Leavitt and her husband, Horace Fish, and their family. The fourth belonged to John Leavitt and his wife, Lucy Rowell, and their family. The fifth wagon included Nathaniel Leavitt and his wife, Deborah Delano, and their family. The sixth wagon had Jeremiah II and his wife, Sarah Sturtevant, and their family. The seventh wagon belonged to Weare Leavitt and his family. Weare was the eldest son in the Sarah Shannon Leavitt family. He was now fifty-two years old. Weare's family consisted of his three older children from his first marriage, Jeremiah now twenty one, Charlotte now nineteen, and Anna almost seventeen. (Anna's situation at this time is not clearly known. She was reported to have married Nathan Rowell. She was not identified as accompanying her parents.) Weare's second wife, Phoebe Cowles, now forty one, and their four living children, Charles, now eleven, George, now eight, Emeline, now five, and two-year old Louisa were included in Weare's wagon. In all the wagon train included about fifty Leavitt family members.


The Leavitt Family traveled together during this first leg of their journey and arrived in Kirtland, Ohio, probably in August or early September, 1837. Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt reports that she had had no opportunity to be baptized as yet. She and her husband, Jeremiah II, and their family were baptized while the family was at Kirtland. One of their children's baptismal date was reported to have occurred on August 22, 1837. There may have been others in the Leavitt family who were also baptized at this time.


Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt reports that they stayed in Kirtland only about a week and heard the Prophet Joseph Smith speak in the Kirtland Temple. This unique temple is still standing and was constructed in response to a command f rom God. It was constructed by members of the church at great sacrifice and represents their overwhelming testimonies and faith in the Prophet Joseph Smith and the restored gospel. This temple was the scene of an overwhelming outpouring of spiritual events during its construction and particularly during its dedication on March 27, 1836. Hundreds reported that they heard the voices of heavenly hosts, and angels appeared to many. The temple seemed to shine throughout the night in a marvelous manifestation of Heavenly Father's spirit. The Prophet Joseph Smith received a number of key revelations in this temple including heavenly visits f rom Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias and Elijah. The family's visit to this temple eighteen months after its dedication must have been very impressive.
 
Sarah also reports that the family was allowed to visit the upper rooms in the temple and saw the Egyptian mummies and the scrolls that were translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith into the Book of Abraham. Weare's oldest daughter, Charlotte, also reports that her family gathered with the saints at Kirtland, Ohio. Betsey Leavitt Adams' daughter, Sallie, reports that during their stay in Kirtland they visited with the mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith. She indicates that it was then perilous times for Joseph and his people and that he was in hiding. However, while they were there, he appeared and preached to the assembled saints on Sunday.


At this time in Kirtland, members of the church were under tremendous persecution and much of it was directed at the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was being hounded by mobs and finally had to leave Kirtland for his own safety. He left in January 1838 for Mormon communities in western Missouri. Charlotte also reports that the persecutions of the saints in Kirtland had become unbearable so the Leavitt family left and went into the eastern part of Illinois. This would seem to indicate that their desire was to remain in Kirtland but persecutions against members of the church changed their minds. By 1840, in response to this persecution most faithful members of the church left Kirtland to join other Mormon communities in the west.


As the Leavitt family left Kirtland, circumstances demanded that they separate in order to care for their individual needs. Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt reports that her family's resources were all spent and they had to settle about ten miles from Kirtland for about a year while most of the family continued on to Twelve-Mile Grove. Nathaniel Leavitt and his family stopped near Lake Michigan in St. Joseph County, Indiana. Unfortunately, Nathaniel grew ill and died while there, and his wife and younger children returned to Canada. Nathaniel's three older children from his first marriage had also become ill and were left in the care of neighbors. These older children were eventually reunited with the family when Jeremiah II and his family continued their westward trek in 1838. Weare and Phoebeand their children, along with the rest of the Leavitt families continued their westward trek and arrived at Twelve-Mile Grove in the fall of 1837. This stop was evidently intended be temporary on their journey to join with the community of other members of the church.


Since 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith had designated Independence, Missouri, as a gathering place for members of the church. Missouri and the border town of Independence was on the edge of the western frontier of the United States. As Mormon communities in Missouri began to grow and flourish, troubles erupted between old settlers and the emigrating Mormons. There were many reasons for this conflict, but they centered around economic, political, and religious differences. By 1834, Mormon families living near Independence were driven from their homes by mobs. They eventually settled in the sparsely inhabited neighboring countiesof Caldwell and Daviess. Their main headquarters was established in Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri. Far West and the surrounding area became a major gathering place for Mormons during the mid-1830s. As many as 10,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints eventually settled in this and surrounding areas. The Leavitt families were probably heading for this gathering place as well.
Unfortunately, by 1837/38, the Mormons in and around Far West were under tremendous persecution by mobs intent on driving them out of the state. In October, 1838, false accusation by members of the mob to Missouri's Governor Boggs instigated his infamous order that the Mormons "Be driven from the state or face extermination." By the fall of 1839, members of the church in these Mormon communities were driven from Missouri. Most fled to Illinois where they valiantly established their next gathering place at Nauvoo, Illinois.

Leavitt Families Introduction To The Church of Jesus Christ

Juanita Brooks, in her history of Dudley Leavitt, notes that after the death of Jeremiah I, Sarah Shannon Leavitt continued to be a strong influence in her family. Sarah was very much concerned that her descendants live Christian lives by observing the Sabbath, attending to morning and evening prayers in their homes, reading and discussing the scriptures, doing good, helping those in distress, and walking up-rightly before their God. The whole Leavitt family wished to be part of a good Christian congregation, but they were never really satisfied with local congregations in Hatley.


During the early-1830s much was being said about a new church that was organized by a young man named Joseph Smith who professed to be a modern day prophet. The Prophet Joseph Smith testified that he had received revelations from God and had been given divine authority to perform saving ordinances. Joseph Smith also professed that he had been given ancient scriptures recorded on gold plates which he translated into English by the gift and power of God. This translation, known as the "Book of Mormon," is a record of prophets who lived in ancient America and has the divine purpose of being another witness of Christ. The Prophet Joseph Smith, under direction and authority from God, organized on April 6, 1830 at Fayette, NY, The Church of Christ subsequently called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also nicknamed the Mormons). Thus, the ancient church that Jesus Christ had established in the meridian of time with divine authority, essential priesthood offices such as apostles and prophets, and doctrine received through divine revelation from God was once again restored to the earth.


In spite of intense persecution, this unique church grew very rapidly. By 1831 the Prophet Joseph Smith was sending missionaries to surrounding communities to preach this restored gospel. By 1835, there were branches of the church established in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and west into Missouri. In 1836, one of the Church's early apostles, Parley P. Pratt, went on a mission to Canada where he preached and distributed copies of the newly published Book of Mormon along with a pamphlet that he wrote called "A Voice of Warning." While on this mission to Canada, Apostle Pratt concentrated his personal missionary labors in the Toronto area. He organized a large branch of the church in Toronto. From there missionary labors extended to other areas of eastern Canada.


The town of Hatley, Sherbrooke, Quebec, is about 300 miles east of Toronto. They had received word-of-mouth accounts of this new church and the reaction to these reports by the local people was mostly negative. Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt reports that one of her husband's sisters  came to her and revealed that she had heard the gospel preached by a Mormon and believed it and had been baptized. Hannah's baptism is reported to have occurred in 1836. Hannah related to Sarah what she had been taught by the Mormon missionary. Sarah readily accepted these accounts as an answer to her own personal prayers. There is some question as to when these events occurred and specifically when the first Leavitts were baptized or officially joined the church. Charlotte Leavitt, Weare's second oldest child, in her autobiography, reports that she joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the spring of 1834. This would make Charlotte fifteen years old at her baptism. In other family histories, it is reported that Weare's family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1837, having been converted by Elder Hazen Eldredge. Charlotte may have joined the church before the rest of the family so both records may be correct.


Juanita Brooks in her history of Dudley Leavitt, reports that, eventually, a man came into Hatley who had attended Mormon gatherings and brought copies of the two books distributed by Apostle Pratt: "A Voice of Warning" and "The Book of Mormon." After some persuasion, he loaned these books to the Leavitt Family. Night after night the Leavitt family gathered to read these books aloud and discuss their contents. Jeremiah II reports that, " ... when we saw the Book of Mormon & Covenants we believed them without preaching."

So intense was the Leavitt family's belief that they were determined to leave their established homes and community to gather with others who also believed in this message of the restoration. The Leavitt families studied and gathered information and prepared for their journey to join with other believers. In 1837 there were two major gathering places for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first was in Kirtland , Ohio, and the second was in western Missouri on the very edge of the United States' western frontier. The Leavitt family determined that they would all leave together. From the records that are available it appears as though the Leavitt family's primary goal was to reach Mormon communities in either Kirtland , Ohio or western Missouri. They may have also planned a stop at Twelve-Mile Grove, Illinois, where they stayed for several years. Twelve-mile Grove is located in Wilton Township, Will County, Illinois, about 40 miles south of Chicago and about 14 miles from Joliet. Many family histories have incorrectly referred to Twelve-Mile Grove as located in Wilson or Wilson County.