1

John Bills19 Sep 1819 - 19 Feb 1850

John Bills was about the 14 child born to Alanson Bills andth

Electa Hill. John had ten older brothers, two older sisters andprobably a brother John who had died young. His parents werearound 45 years old at the time of his birth. His mother died ofcomplications of child birth and is buried in the Clarksburgcemetery. It was also at Clarksburg that Robert, nearly 2 andbaby John were placed to be cared for.

The Bills family consisted of:

Hiram b. 1796; Cyrus b. 1799; Franklin b. 1800; Elijah b. 1802; Sarah b. 1803; Ensign b. 1804; Sires b. 1806; Baxter b. 1807; Charles b. 1812; Electa b.abt 1814. Warren b. 1815; Robert b. 1818; John b. 1819. [There may have been a Johnborn abt 1810 who died young].

The following is the Story of John Bills as written by Derrill Smith Bills, great grandsonof John Bills. Derrill Smith, known as “Bus” throughout his life, was the son of DavidBills who was the son of William Andrew Bills. William Andrew was the oldest son ofthis John Bills. I now quote Derrill’s record:

John Bill’s Story(From the records of William Andrew Bills, son of John Bills,

who accompanied him to California, November 1849. Copy from my father’s record that he left in a small

record book. Record of William Andrew Bills, Sr.)

I hereby record all the information I have of my grandfather, Allisson Bills, also of mygrandfather and grandmother on my mother’s side.

My grandfather, Allisson Bills was born in the United States of America the latter part of1700 but what part I do not know. In regard to my grandmother, his wife, I knownothing.

My grandfather on mother’s side, whose name was Scott, was born in England the latterpart of 1700. Also my grandmother Scott, whose name was Bedford, was born inEngland the latter part of 1700. None of the above ever heard of the gospel that I amaware of.

Horbury1

2

This beautiful temple picture shows it as it appeared the summer of 1846

after its dedication to the Lord, and as it appeared to John Bills. Here, the

preceding & Jan 1846, before dedication, John Bills and his wife,

Elizabeth Scott Bills were endowed in an early morning session with six

other couples by a calling from the church presidency.

My father, John Bills, was born September 19, 1819 in Blairsville, Indiana County, Stateof Pennsylvania. My mother, Elizabeth Scott, was born in Arbury , near Halifax,1

Yorkshire, England, January 1, 1817. She and my Aunt Ann, mother’s sister, and theirbrother came to America in 1822 or 1823. My father and mother were married whenquite young in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My Aunt Ann married HyrumMikesell. They reared a large family, joined the Church and moved to Utah and settledin Salt Lake City in an early day.

My father was baptized a member of The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints July10, 1836. My mother, Elizabeth Scott Bills, was baptized a short time previous to father,

but the same year.

My father was a tailor bytrade and kept a clothingstore. When he joinedthe Church, he lost prettymuch all he had insettling up and in thedrivings he underwentwith the Saints. Afterbeing driven from FarWest, [Missouri] we wentto Rushville [Missouri]where I remember beingquite well, although itwas the first place of myrecollection. And fromRushville, we moved toCommerce (laterNauvoo), HancockCounty, Illinois in thespring of 1839, andassisted in building upthat beautiful city ofabout twenty thousandinhabitants and a finetemple to the Lord, whereon January 7, 1846, myfather and mother

received their endowments and were sealed over the holy alter in the bonds of the newand everlasting covenant. Father was a president in the 19 Quorum of Seventies,th

organized July 27, 1845 in Nauvoo. He was also a general in the Nauvoo Legion. Being

3

Historical Comment from a Brochure (copied by Derrill Smith Bills:

When the Saints were driven from their homes in Nauvoo, Illinois in February of 1846, they were forced to

establish temporary camps in southwestern Iowa and eastern Nebraska. The highest concentration of

homeless Saints settled on both sides of the Missouri River near the future site of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The headquarters settlement on the western side of the river in Nebraska was called Winter Quarters. Here

about 5,000 members of the church lived from September 1845 to June 1848. This community served as a

departure point for companies making the trek westward to the Great Salt Lake Valley.

Through cooperative action, they plowed fields and planted crops and built over 1,000 dwellings–either

cabins of hewn logs or dugouts hollowed out of the hillsides. In the winter of 1846-47, Brigham Young

wrote the following description of the settlement:

“Our great city sprang up in a night, as it were, like Jonah’s gourd. It is divided into 22 wards over which

22 bishops and their counselors preside. No one suffers from want of food or raiment, unless it is through

his own fault, that is, in not asking for it or being too lazy to work. But the fact of so many houses being

built in so short a time is proof of the general industry of the people which will bear comparison with the

history of all nations of the earth and in all the periods of time.”

Some historians have estimated that as many as 600 of the Saints died as a result of hardship or disease

while at Winter Quarters. Many of the dead, most of whom were either infants or the elderly, were buried

in the Winter Quarters cemetery, now located in Omaha as a point of historical interest. Located on the site

is a beautiful statue and an impressive monument bearing the names of those known to have died and been

buried in the area.

a tailor, he made the clothes for Joseph and Hyrum, and cut out and supervised themaking of the uniforms for the first company of the Nauvoo Legion.

In the spring of 1846, father with most of the Saints moved west to Winter Quarters, andstayed there until he raised a crop in 1847. He then gathered up an outfit and in theSpring of 1848 we moved west to the Salt Lake Valley, Utah and lived in the fort built bythe pioneers the year previous. In the spring 1849, we moved out and settled in LittleCottonwood, a half mile below where Union Ward meetinghouse now is in Salt LakeCounty (700 East 7200 South). We raised a crop and after father made his family ascomfortable as possible, he started on November 9, 1849 on a business trip to Lord,California. Before he reached his journey’s end, he was taken sick and grew worse untilwe reached San Jouqin Valley, at the Pechecho Pass, where he died and was buriedFebruary 19, 1850. Father took me with him and after his death I worked and earned alittle money. In the fore part of August I started home taking the north route, travelingwith Apostle Amasa Lyman. I arrived at our little home in cottonwood, Salt LakeCounty, Utah, the latter part of September 1850.

The following year my mother remarried again (1851) to a man by the name of Lazenby,and in 1854 they moved to Lore, California, taking my four younger brothers with them;namely, Robert, Charles, Franklin, and Samuel.

Also my mother had one son by Lazenby by the name of Joseph. Their aim was to jointhe Mormon settlement at San Bernardino, Lore, California. But on the way, mother metwith an accident, by a gun shot wound, which caused her arm to be taken off, from whichshe never recovered. She grew worse until she died at what is called the Mountain

This daughter-in-law was Frances Tennant Bills, wife of Derrill Smith Bills. 2

Derrill wrote the following on Dec. 27, 1984. Mom and I are both house-bound by the weather. Mom and I have been busy the past two weeks, Mother for the past few years, assembling a Bills familygenealogy book. She has done an excellent job of it. You all will learn more of it a little later on.

We are happy to have Shauna with us for the Christmas holidays. She, too, has had a big hand in helpingwith the book. We love her and enjoy her, too. We both think our children are the greatest. It is wonderful tofeel this way. I'll bet you all feel the same for your own families, too.

Again. let me say thanks again to you all. We love you, miss you, and think of you all real often, if only just inour prayers. This "family letter" is great and truly most appreciated. We enjoy hearing from each of you. Weare the world's worst letter writers, but we do love and think of you real often. With love, Dad.

Frances added: My dear kids, We love you and appreciate the gifts, phone calls and caring. Thanks forthe visits and help. More in next letter. I may keep a diary---after we completely complete the Bills book.

The following was given at Derrill Bill’s funeral by his oldest daughter, Jeanette Kay: Grandpa and Grandma Bills instilled the love of genealogy in their children. This may have been whatprompted Dad to undertake a project to publish a complete history of the Bills family back to his greatgrandfather, John Bills, who was a friend and servant of the prophet, Joseph Smith. During the past twoyears Mother and Dad have spent many hundreds of hours in researching, writing life stories, editing andcompiling a book dedicated to the children and grandchildren of David Bills for them to know who they are, toknow the meaning of sacrifice, and to learn love and respect for our wonderful forefathers and mothers. Thelast pages of this book were completed Tuesday evening, January 8, 1985. Dad left this life a few hours laterto meet those about whom he had been writing. This is a lasting gift of love he gave to his family, and theyare completed and here for you today.

4

Meadows in Iron County, Utah (Ihelenae). The rest of the family went on through, andtwo of the boys, Robert and Charles married and died in California. I just learned theothers are living in Fairview, Sanpete county, Utah–Franklin and Samuel. Both havefamilies. I also have a brother by my father’s second wife by the name of Wesley Billsliving in Milford, Sanpete county, Utah. He also had a large family. Charles returnedfrom San Bernardino to Beaver, where he married Lidia Jane Taylor about November1860. Later they went to San Bernardino, had no children, and were divorced. Hemarried again and had some children.

–end of William Andrew Bills record–

*****************

The John Bills Story –continued4 generation dau-in-law th 2

written 1985

“Biography is interesting to write, for our heritage plays an important part. From Bills#1, a year 1500 to today, there are characteristics that this family retains–physically,

mentally, and morally. They are dedicated and strive to serve humanity.

The Norman conquest of England brought the Bill-axe Soldier in year 1300 AD. Whensurnames became necessary, the name “Bill” was given to these strong, large warriors.

Actually, John Bill’s wife, Elizabeth Scott Bills was the first family member in3

the church. Elizabeth was probably influenced by her sister, Ann, who joined the churchin June 1834–or even possibly in 1833. Elizabeth’s baptism in June 1836 was followedshortly thereafter by her husband, John Bills, on 10 Jul 1836.

5

There have been many learned and brilliant-minded Bill ancestors who have becomedistinguished, such as the first and second of our 15 generation Bills. [Note excerpts from

the Ledyard Bill genealogy book giving accomplishments of various Bills, includinghimself]–also similarity in pictures in the book and today.

We wish to include John Bills, First family member in the Church of Jesus Christ, as ourprogenitor and patriarch in the gospel, and a real and faithful Latter-day Saint.”3

Chapter 1From the Atlantic Seaboard to Pennsylvania

Elisha Bill1749-1844

To know John, we will start with Grandfather Elisha (father of Allanson), born 1749 inLebanon, New London, Connecticut, into a family of at least eight children. His fatherwas also named Elisha; his mother, Lydia Woodward. They, too, were born in Lebanon,as were all their relatives for at least two generations before them.

According to the “Bill Book,” original settlers took up or were given, or purchased largepieces of territory within short distances of where they landed in this country. At thedeath of each generation, the land was divided between the heirs, and eventually therewas very little to divide, and neither manufacturing nor farming were possible on a largescale to make jobs. Elisha II lived in the place of his birth until he was 24, (1773) andthen married Christina Baxter, age 20, a lady in his home town. Contention with Britishrule and with no job prompted Elisha to start a Western movement even before their firstchild, Allanson, was born.

Unless Christina went home to Connecticut to have Allanson, he and one sister and twobrothers were born in Wilmington, the very south-west corner of Vermont, 150 milesfrom Hebron, Connecticut. From there, the family moved over the state line toTrowbridge, New York.

Elisha was seldom in one place for more than six years and often less. He served threeenlistments in the Revolutionary War by volunteer and was engaged about three monthseach time fighting Tories, Indians, deep snow, and winter weather in the mountains. TheNew York upstate mountains are beautiful, and today the place where Elisha lived isprize Eastern ski territory.

6

In 1782, Elisha and family are found in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and here his sonAllanson finds himself a profession, that of blacksmith. He remained in this town, buthis father moved farther west to Charlestown, living near the river, then to Milsfor,Otsego county, New York in 1801 and even farther into the southwest part of New Yorkto Hartwick where he and his wife spent the rest of their lives.

At the age of 83, year 1832, he applied for a pension for military service and a pensionwas granted. He lived another 12 years, died 1844, age 95, and buried in Hartwickbeside Christiana who died at age 89. They were true frontier people and their hard lifedid not seem to effect their longevity.

Their children were:1, Allanson b. 13 Apr 1774 md. Electa Hill2. Reuben b. 4 Oct 17753. Persis (f) b. 18 Aug 1777 md. (1) Solomon Curtis; 2.

Isac Edson 5 Feb 18064. Elisha b. 30 Mar 17805. Zelotes b. 5 Oct 17826. Polly b. 13 Apr 1786 md. Daniel Allen7. Harvey b. 16 May 1789 md. Lucy French8. Electa b. 14 May 1792 md Moses Luther

Reuben died in infancy. No record of Elisha or Zelotes.

A few facts about Elisha and Christina: Elisha, in all his travels, probably never got muchmore than 300 miles from his place of birth. The rural places and mountainous areaswhere he settled must have been isolated until the influx of people began in about 1810. With the many lakes and rivers as are found in New York, he must have been a laborer;hauling, logging, trapper–plain big strong, tall mountain man with a heavy beard. Christiana, as sturdy as her husband, having raised at least 8 children. Do you imaginethat they ate much deer, rabbit, and fish, squash, potatoes, and corn. They were frontierpeople who also knew great hardships, as did their children. Elisha was the first to add“s” to the name Bill [making it Bills.]

General Services AdministrationNational archives and Records Service

File #12607File Designation # 312217

Case of Elisha BillsCounty of Otsego, in the State of New York

Act 7 June, 1832.th

7

Date Served Duration of Service Rank and Company

Age 84Volunteered 1779, April 3 months

Private, Capt. Gilmore’sco. and Col. Vanworts

Volunteered 1779, October Discharged last ofDecember or 1 of Januaryst

Same Company

Volunteered 1780, March about 3 months Captain King

Other times Duration of service notstated

no battles engaged in

Resided in Washington County, New York when entered service. Before examiningclerk 22 Feb 1833. Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress 7Jun 1832:

“On this 16 day of October 1832 Elisha Bills, a resident of the town of Hartwick,county and state aforesaid, age 84 years, next April, who being first duly swornaccording to law doth in his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain thebenefit of the Act of congress 7 Jun 1832.

“That he entered the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War underthe following named officers:

“In the year 1779, or he believes, he was a resident of the town of Cambridge inthe County of Washington, State aforesaid, and in the month of April of that year thisdeponent volunteered in the militia in the state of New York for the term of three monthsat Fort Edward in the company commanded by a Capt. George Gilmore in ColonelVanwort’s Regiment and who also commanded the fort. He does not recollect his officerexcept those mentioned. But he recollects one, Capt. Sherwood, who commanded acompany in the fort. He was stationed at the fort during the whole term aforesaid doinggarrison duty, hunting foxes, scouting, etc. and at the end of this term was discharged andreturned home, but he never at any time had any written discharge.

“In October following he volunteered again for the term of three months underthe same officers and at the same place. After remaining in the fort for the termaforesaid, about the last of December or first of January, he was again discharged andreturned home. His duty was nearly the same as before.

“In March following he again volunteered on an excursion to go toSkeensborough on an alarm that the Indians and Tories were in the vicinity. Capt.Gilmore being at this time unwell and unable to do military duty, the company to whichhe was attached elected one Solomon King, a captain over the company per thisexpedition. He proceeded to Skeensborough and remained there about three monthsdoing garrison duty and watching the Indians and then returned home.

8

“He never received a cent of pay for any of the proceeding services. He wasfrequently called out upon alarms against Indians and Tories for a few days at a time,sometimes a week, sometimes more, and sometimes less. He marched to Skeensboroughfrom Cambridge on foot when the snow was deep and hard traveling.

“He knows of no person whose testimony he can procure to his service, not hasany documentary evidence of the sources,

“He was born at Lebanon, Connecticut, New London county on 18 April 1749. He has a record of his age at home in his Bible copied from his Father’s Bible manyyears since. There is also a record of his age in the town where he was born. He livedthere until he was about twenty-five years of age, when he was married and removed toWilmington, about twenty miles east of Bennington, where he resided about six years,from thence to Cambridge, New York about two years; from thence to Pittsfield,Massachusetts about seven years; thence to Honesborough, about seven years more;thence to Charleston, New York on the Mohawk River, about five years; thence toMilsford, Otsego, New York, about six years thence to Hartwick adjoining about thirteenyears since where he has ever since resided.

“He would refer the department to Deacon Hirsch... to David Rendall, Esq. AndCaptain Samuel Hallory of Hartwick and to William Bennow, Esq. And Alan Baker ofMilford as to his character for truth.....

“He does not recollect the names of other officers other than heretoforementioned and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever except the present to apension of annuity and declares that his name is not on the pension role of any otherstate. Signed by name.

Elisha BillSworn and subscribed in open court the 16 day of October, 1832. Horace Lathrop,th

Clerk.

***************

Allanson Bills1774-1850

son of Elisha; father of John

Alanson, Allanson, Allison, Lansing, or Lancin, however spelled, was born inWilmington, Windham, Vermont in 1774. Here two brothers and a sister were born intothe family. When this lad was about ten, his parents moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts. During their seven year stay in this town, Allanson became an apprentice to a blacksmithand when the family left the area, he remained behind because he was an independentperson and also had a job.

Later he met a special young lady in Pittsfield, born in the nearby farming area. Hername was Electa, daughter of Asa and Lucy Ensign Hill. Allanson and Electa filed forintent and permission to marry at Pittsfield. The marriage must have occurred about1795, and the young couple, with a few necessities, included in the wedding gifts, load

9

their own flat boat or wagon, and set off down the Allegheny Trail for a piece of “ThatWestern land.” They perhaps visited Alanson’s family in New York on the East centralborder. His father and mother named their youngest daughter after Allanson’s fiancee.

I would think that they followed a river southward across New York and down throughPennsylvania. Three rivers converge at Pittsburgh: The Allegheny, Ohio, andMonongahela.

Fifty miles to the East, the Conenaugh, Plum Creek and many other small riversmake this mountainous country very beautiful. Pennsylvania as a whole is one of ournation’s most lovely places and good farm country. Here in West County, Fairfieldtownship, Allison appears in the 1800 census, perhaps having been here only a short timewith his wife, two children, Hiram and Cyrus, and his blacksmith tools. He is twentyyears ahead of the great land surge. He must have been a good worker, a might smithy,and also a good business man with a motto – “to keep a family one must go where themoney is.” Therefore, he and Electa took up housekeeping at the last outpost on the trail.

It is possible that Hiram died in infancy and Cyrus did not go to Pennsylvania state withhis parents since he was but one year old and he did [later] marry and settle in Woodbury,Vermont.

If there was a John born to Electa and Allanson in 1810, he must have surely died. John,being an important name in the Bill ancestry and the name meaning, “God is gracious,”there was yet another John W Bills born to this couple in 1819 at Blairsville which wasthen an important intersection for a new road.

This story may not duplicate the family group sheet for Alanson and Electa as far as thechildren are concerned, but does give two versions out of the many. All the childrencould have been born in Fairfield Township. Electa [the daughter] has two birth dates,one in 1824 after her mother’s death, or about 1814 or 1816.

So on with the story. Alanson’s wife was 46 or more when John was born. She haddelivered a total of 13 children [or more] and suffered the hardships of a mother inprimitive country. She passed away before the new year from child-birth complications. I feel she had a daughter living in Clarksburg or perhaps she and Alanson were movingfrom there to Blairsville at the time. However it was, Robert, who was nearly 2 and babyJohn were placed there at Clarksburg to be cared for. Electa, too, was placed there in theold cemetery.

Alanson was faced with keeping his young family together.Children:

1. Hiram b. 9 Aug 1796 no further record2. Cyrus b. Jul 1799 moved to VT and married3. Franklin b. 19 Aug 1800 no further record4. Elijah b. 1802 md. Elizabeth ______

Frances found a Mariah Bills who was born between 1814-1818 living at4

Blairsville, Pennsylvania. This child could have been the daughter, Electa, or anotherchild whose records haven’t been established. Mariah married as the second wife ofJames Donahey. A biography of Indiana County, PA states that she had 10 children withJames. Her second daughter’s name according to the 1860 census is Electra, who was16. [Could easily be Electa]. The thing that ties Mariah to Alanson is that a contract wasmade between James Donahey, who was born abt 1802 and Mariah Bills, his secondwife, to aalow Alanson to live on their land rent-free and have all the wood to burn thathe should need for as long as he should live. Frances felt that Mariah could have beenhis daughter. I [Cheryl Bills] feel that this assumption is correct.

This statement sounds exactly like a statement Frances would have made!5

See footnote #4.6

10

5. Sarah b. 1 Jan 1803 no further record6. Ensign b. 1804 md. Martha Snyder7. Sires b. 8 Aug 1806 no further record8. Baxter b. Sep 1807 no further record9. [maybe] John b. Dec 1810 must have died young; no record10. Charles b. 6 Apr 1812 no further record11. Electa [maybe Mariah] b. abt 1814/1816 no record of Electa 4

12. Warren b. 19 Sep 1815 no further record13. Robert b. 15 Feb 1818 md. Elizabeth Elder14. John b. 18 Sep 1819 md Elizabeth Scott

Alanson remarried a lady about twenty years his junior and by 1830, he had only one sonat home, possibly Warren or Robert and perhaps Electa (maybe Mariah) plus a boy under5 and a girl under 10–who would probably be Alanson’s second family. Another boyjoined the family about five years later.

Grandma Somebody moved into the home before 1840; her age 90+.5

In his later years, Alanson moved to Blacklick and married a Mary Daugherty, 17 yearshis junior. Whether she was his second wife or third wife is not clear. In the ten yearsbetween 1840 to 1850 census, the wife aged twenty years.

Alanson [Allison] is elderly and his wife, Mary deceased when Alanson entered into acontract with James Donahey. 6

Since his son Robert had become an undertaker, he probably helped to care for his fatherin his last years and as a last service cared for his burial, sometime after 1850 in theClarksburg Cemetery.

Elijah was also a weaver by trade and this may have influenced John when he7

went to Pittsburgh toward the tailoring profession.

11

John Bills Story–HimselfChapter 2

by Bus and Fran Bills

Sometimes I liken the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. To our John Bills. Probably because theywere both in their very early thirties when called home by Heavenly Father and becausethey were friends and neighbors. Because both served in the gospel to the best of theirability and pre-ordination. John would have laid down his life if called to do so.

I cannot say that John had religious, supportive parents, for although Electa wasPresbyterian, her son never knew her for she died shortly after he was born. Many of hisbrothers and a sister Sarah were at home at this time, but Electa’s death made a changeand the older ones left for employment or marriage. I believe Brother Elijah married andtook the five or six younger children for a period of time until Alanson found anotherwife, and even then only one of two of the children ever stayed any period of time. Onewas not John.

No one knows what school John went to, but it was no doubt one with some facilities asthe school mentioned in Indiana County History. He could not have attended past the 6th

grade or age 12.

John was unhappy with his home life and being a big lad for his age and also skilled inthe three “R’s”, [Reading, Riting & Rithmatic] he came to the conclusion that he couldmake his way alone. Farming such as his brother Elijah lived upon, was not for John for7

he was not the rigorous person that it took to be a farmer, nor did he wish to follow theprofession of his father, that of blacksmith.

In the city of Pittsburgh, there was work a-plenty and one day John was of a mind to gothere and be free of family obligations. He had much friction over his attitude and lackof understanding. John had very little love from his family. He was a very sensitive boyand a hot temper when finally aroused, and so it was that he ran away to Pittsburgh, withthe intent to work in a factory.

In the 1800s there were tailoring schools run by unscrupulous teachers who offered adiploma to young men and boys who were runaways or needed a job very badly. Tuitionwasn’t much momentarily but the boys worked long, hard hours with no pay, meagerboard–such as a cot to sleep on and starvation rations. The boys were held as long aspossible in the school for the teachers became well-to-do from the sale of the clothing. Perhaps John ended up in a school like this. For running from the school, the boys wereflogged and worked extra hours.

12

John was a very good student and obedient, and although only 14 years old, he was big-framed and around 6 feet tall. He had dark curly hair and beautiful soulful eyes. Whenhe met Elizabeth Scott in 1833, she was just 16. She, too, was alone, worked to live. Both of them were motherless and lonely.

Elizabeth had a birthday on New Year’s day in 1834, and although she claimed to be 17,she was really twenty. John Bills, her fiancé, claimed to be 14 ½ and could have been 24as some researchers claim. Whichever be true, the young couple were married six dayslater on January 7, 1834 in the city of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

As head of a household, John was certainly through with school. Elizabeth worked andso did John, and when their first child, a son, was born on August 5, 1835, they hadrented a home and a small building which John proudly claimed as his tailoring store. They seemed to prosper.

It could have been missionary contact or through Elizabeth’s sister, Ann Augusta, whohad been working for families of Latter-day Saints, that the testimony of the truthfulnessof this gospel touched Elizabeth. She was baptized in the early spring of 1836. On 10Jul 1836, a few months later, John was baptized.

As members of the Mormon church, the couple were not too popular, so John closed hisshop and crossed three states: Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, to go to Far West, Missouri nearthe Kansas border so that they might be with the Saints. As they traveled west, theyprobably traveled to Indiana County, Pennsylvania, to show their son to John’s father andrelatives. If John hoped for a father’s blessing, he must have received it, for he did hisfather’s temple work as soon as it was possible.

It was while they were at Far West that the Haun’s Mill massacre occurred. Their nextmove was to Rushville, Buchanan County, Missouri. Then they moved to Commerce,Illinois, which the Mormons re-named Nauvoo.

John and Elizabeth were in Nauvoo by the close of 1839. The following year Robert wasborn; then Charles in 1842 and Franklin in 1845. These were such busy years in buildingNauvoo and the Temple, in the affairs of state, with the Nauvoo Legion, mobbings, inraising a family and in the service of the Church, in making a living.

There is a land abutment in to the Mississippi River and is often the focal point ofpictures of the fair city of Nauvoo. On the southern side, two roads intersect at thewater’s edge: Water Street and Main Street. On the south side of Water Street stands theProphet Joseph Smith’s home and the Nauvoo House. On the north side stands the homeof Joseph Smith Senior. Next to the north property was John and Elizabeth Bills propertyand home.

The location of his home was ideal for business because the river was very shallowaround this jutting piece of land, so many freighters unloaded their cargo at the dock by

Does this indicate that John Bills may have married Elizabeth Hall while still in8

Nauvoo?

13

the Mansion House, carried it across Lower Nauvoo and reloaded the cargo on the shipafter it had drifted around. Also, John Bills sewed for Joseph and Hyrum Smith and itwas convenient for try-on and delivery of clothing.

To those of you who have visited the Nauvoo of today, a mid-summer scene is one ofwell-kept, restored homes of the more well-to-do surrounded by acres of beautiful greengrass. Beyond this are the commercial buildings and civic buildings of the times. Thewater’s edge is again a deep sandbar, a half mile out of the river, and covered withswamp grass and water lilies. Imagine the work to dredge the river for a harbor anddeposit the sand over the adjoiningarea to fill in the bogs and addingtop soil to plant. As the land risesto a hill to the north and east ofNauvoo House, and the homes ofJoseph Smith Jr., Joseph Smith Sr.,and John Bills, once were manyhomes of the Saints, and at the peakstood the Temple, built bycourageous people. It is perhapstwo miles away from water’s edge.

John Bills family came toCommerce in 1839–renamed Nauvoo by the Saints. I do not know where they livedwhen they first arrived–in their wagon or in a dugout, but in deeds of Hancock County,Illinois, John and his wife received on 4 March 1842, the deed to Pt Lot 4; block 139,Nauvoo.

In 1846, on 14 April, four years later, when they left Nauvoo for Winter Quarters, theproperty was deeded to David Vrooman, no mention is made of price. John also ownedanother piece of land N ½, W ½, NE 1/4 , Sec 3 Twp 6-8, which he deeded to ElizabethHall on 10 Mar 1846, and she to John. Three weeks later, they both deeded the land to8

William McCord. This was legal preparation for leaving the city. As his son, WilliamAndrew Bills stated: “He lost nearly all he had.”

John progressed in the Priesthood, receiving his license as an Elder on 11 October 1841,issued by James Sloan, clerk. On 27 Jul 1845, John was ordained 6 President of the 19th th

Quorum of Seventies and received his license to teach. Had time permitted, he would nodoubt have been a missionary, but this was crisis time for our church. The ProphetJoseph Smith had been martyred the year before (June 27, 1844). Temple work was doneat night or early morning by special calling (to avoid mobs) even before the temple was

The picture of the sword was believed to have been of the sword that John Bills9

carried in the Nauvoo Legion. However, this sword has been proven (2008) to bemanufactured by the Ames Manufacturing Co. in Chicopee, MA in 1865; therefore madeat the close of the Civil War and not in the Nauvoo Era as per information from ArmsSpecialist, David Packard. (davidverapackard@aol.com)

The Nauvoo Legion was divided into Brigades, they in turn were each divided10

into cohorts –10 groups of men.

14

completed. Early morning, 7 January 1846, John andElizabeth Scott Bills were endowed and sealed in theNauvoo Temple. It was their 12 wedding anniversary.th

Nauvoo needed its own army for security. The NauvooLegion was formed as early as 1839. John joined in 1841and served gladly and valiantly. He designed the uniformof the First Company and sewed them. He made theuniform of the Major General who was the Prophet JosephSmith. He also made him a beautiful cape which is in theChurch Museum and can be produced to be seen uponrequest. Commission records of John Bills’ service in the NauvooLegion:9

3 Jul 1841 Began as active member of NauvooLegion

16 Oct 1841 John Bills, Sgt. Major Company 2,R 1 1 Cohort10

23 Jul 1842 E. R. 1 Cohort27 Apr 1843 Commissioned Brigade Major17 Jun 1844 John Bills away on important

business for the Prophet.27 Jun 1844 The Prophet Joseph Smith and his

brother Hyrum Smith martyred.

To say John was entirely dedicated to the service of God and His prophet, Joseph Smith,Jr. Is entirely true. Mobbings, murders, massacres, and false witnesses were everywherethat there were “Mormons.” Just as Governor Boggs of Missouri and his militia haddriven the Saints from his state, so Governor Ford of Illinois, in 1844, talked unfavorablyto the Saints, and supported the Carthage Greys who murdered the Prophet.

26 July 1844, Thursday. General Charles C. Rich wrote the following letter:“To His Excellency, Thomas Ford, Governor of the State of Illinois, and Commander-in-Chief of the Militia....

History of the Church Vol 7; page 27511

Elizabeth Hall is called Eliza to distinguish her from Elizabeth Scott. Both were12

wives of John Bills.

15

“Sir: I received your letter by the hand of Major Bills last evening after dark andhastened to lay before you such information as is [in] my possession in regard to themovements at Warsaw and Carthage.....”

The following day, Charles C. Rich received his commission as Major-General of theNauvoo Legion.11

At one time, the Saints were to get compensation for their expense of uniforms and payfor serving as law enforcement and protection for the state. John Bills drew up the listsand expenses with amounts due from the state. It was commendably done, but Illinoisdid not pay.

I feel, [wrote Derrill or Frances Bills], the best years of John’s life were those spent inNauvoo, serving his God, his family, members of the faith and with his friend, JosephSmith. His efforts are none-the-less after the martyrdom, but I feel a decline in spirit. The light that guided him dimmed and he felt despondency more often– not a loss oftestimony. However, he felt he must get on with his life, and I, too, must get on with thetelling.

Wife # 2, Elizabeth Hall, was born inSaro, Surrey, North Carolina,daughter of Harrison Hall andRebecca East on 20 Nov 1820. Shewas a maid in the Prophet’s home andhelped John with his sewing when the uniforms for the Nauvoo Legion were being made. She was younger than John, a pretty brown-haired miss with a winsome personality. Thepolygamy mandate had been received in 1831, but Joseph Smith Jr. Reluctant to observeit himself, did not make it known right away. Before he died, on an occasion, Josephtalked with John Bills stating that Elizabeth Hall needed a husband to care for her andthat she preferred him.

John wished to obey the Prophet and I feel that he loved the girl. There were stormysessions with Elizabeth Scott, his first wife, about the matter and she felt she was withinher rights to reject the plural marriage, as did many of the first wives. John intended totake care of the matter in due time, for he gave Eliza a piece of ground in Nauvoo. 12

When they needed to go to Winter Quarters in the Spring of 1846, it was sold.

The place of safety and organization for the pioneers was the spot called Winter Quarters,

4 Oct 1846: John Bills cn. 84; x 1.00 paid 2.00

From Patty Sessions account book in 1846 on the

Iowa prairie and at Winter Quarters for her services

as a doctor.

I, Cheryl Bills, think the marriage more likely took place in Nauvoo prior to13

John buying property in Elizabeth Hall’s name. Many of the early polygamous marriageswere performed secretly. That all fits perfectly with the story of going to the temple earlyin the morning for a special endowment/sealing session as mentioned in the part aboutElizabeth Scott.

16

northwest of Omaha, Nebraska, and across the Missouri River from Council Bluffs,Iowa. John Bills and Eliza were married in January 1847 at Council Bluffs and thenreturned to their home or hut or wagon, whatever John had been able to provide, and itwas a cold winter. Elizabeth and her family fared a little better, for the boys were a littlehelp to her.

Try to understand John and his great decisions. To obey the request of Joseph Smith,take another wife, and attempt to care for two families now–crossing the plains and[settling] in the unknown Salt Lake Valley, making a home for an unhappy Elizabeth–ORnot to marry and desert the other young woman, Eliza, whom he also loved. 13

It was a busy summer of 1847 preparing to leave Winter Quarters in 1848. John sewedfor the poor, for his family and made wagon covers when the church was able to make agood buy on canvas. He was able to have three wagons ready and animals to pull themin time to leave for the Rocky Mountains. Both of John’s wives were expecting babiesduring this busy time. Martha was born to Eliza on 18 Feb 1848 and Samuel was born 22Mar 1848 to Elizabeth. The babies suffered from the cold and heat.

Before leaving Winter Quarters on March 17, the Church Presidency met in councilMeeting to settle all disputes. One of the disputes mentioned was of John Bills accusedof battery on Isaac Hill, listed as difficulty between Hosea Stout, W.J. Earl and JohnBills.

Church Emigration Book Vol I 1830-1849. Heber C. Kimball’s Company left14

three days after Pres. Young and Willard Richards left on June 30 . This company didth

not arrive until October 10 and suffered great hardship and near starvation. Bullock’sth

record of the trip is very interesting to read.

Mosiah Hancock’s Journal trip excerpt: 15

“We went over to Elk Horn and were organized in Zera Pulsipher's company of 50. Hewas captain. There was John B. Butcher, John Bills, Wm. Burges[s], John Alger, SamuelAlger, Lewis the tinner, Brother Bunday, Brother Neff, and Charles Pulsipher. We killedour first antelope at Loup Fork; and I also caught a catfish there that weighed 36pounds. John Pulsipher helped me pull it out! We got our first buffalo about 100 milesout of Loup Fork. There were four of we boys, and we went to camp and brought outseven yoke of oxen to get the buffalo! Then we boys thought we would stroll along up thePlatt[e] in quest of other game; but we went too far and got surrounded by wolves beforewe got back. We got a severe scolding when we got home, but the howling and themassing of the wolves was a great deal worse in my estimation!”

17

Exodus – Winter Quarters to Salt Lake ValleyFour months 1 June 1848 to 20 September 1848

Chapter Three

Emigration to Salt Lake Valley was divided into three divisions in charge of the FirstPresidency. Brigham Young, 1 Division, leaving Elkhorn River on 16 Jun 1848.st

Thomas Bullock, scribe to Brigham tells there were over 1200 souls in this division andfour companies. The 1 Company under Isaac Morley; 2 Company under Zeruahst nd

Pulsipher; 3 Company Heber C. Kimball; 4 Company under Willard Richards.rd th

John served as a Captain of Ten in the Second Company of Zeruah Pulsipher. John14 15

Bills Ten had 10 wagons, 38 souls, 0 horses, 26 oxen, 0 mules, 19 cows, 5 loose cattleand 0 sheep. The total number of persons in Pulsipher’s group with 4 captains was 156souls; 51 wagons.

Zera Pulsipher’s people began leaving Winter Quarters on June 1, but bad storms made itdifficult to meet on the appointed day, June 16 . th

Being the first company made it easier to find water and fresh grass and feed for theanimals, dry sage brush and buffalo chips for firewood, and to be ahead of the fall chilland early snow in the Rockies.

The Saints were not the only west-bound people and the trip was not an easy one. Manyantagonistic Missourians and other Easterners were traveling, a great many to the Oregon

Second Company of Saints to come west. Heart Throbs of the West, Kate B.16

Carter, Vol.9, p.467 Captain of Hundred: Zera Pulsipher Captains of Fifty: JohnBenbow, Daniel Wood; Captains of Ten: John Bills, William Burgess, Sylvester Earl,Daniel Hendrix.

18

Territory. Each band kept to their own side of the rivers, which were dangerous anddifficult since early spring companies encountered high water due to spring run-off.

The Company of Zeruah Pulsipher arrived in the Valley intact. When darkness settled16

on September 20 1848, and John’s group were settled in or around the fort near 4th th

South and Main Street [in Salt Lake City], a hot supper served by kind Saints, a song anda prayer for their safe arrival was given by the Prophet Brigham Young, who welcomedevery caravan. John, Elizabeth and Eliza gave a sigh of relief and looked forward to thenew day with hope for peace and prosperity.

The Pioneers had the time as they wound down Emigration Canyon, to oversee the wholeof the Great Salt Lake Valley, the big body of water that was reported to be so salty andnot usable for irrigation. The Valley floor appeared to be a desert. I know John thoughtof the beautiful hills of his Pennsylvania home, of Nauvoo, so green and beautiful on theriver. Here the green areas were few except along the Jordan River and in the ravines ofthe steep awesome mountains that had been so difficult to cross. For the first time inmonths, they had time for homesickness.

Winter set in fairly quickly, and the family set to and quickly built a shelter, a place tocontain their animals and to gather firewood for the long winter ahead.

John and Eliza’s baby, Martha, was a continual care with croup all winter and on 19 Mar1849, in spite of prayers and tears, she slipped away to heaven at age 13 months. Thereis something special about a daughter when one has five sons.

When Spring came and things began to green, Elizabeth was moved onto her own spot ofground near Union Fort on Cottonwood. Eliza was moved to Pleasant Grove, where theytook up a piece of ground and planned that it would be home for she and John. Friendswould assist Eliza when John was with his family in Little Cottonwood.

John’s trip to California also changed Eliza’s plans and she moved back to Salt Lake towork for her living until her husband returned.

19

Salt Lake Valley to Pacific OceanLast Days of John Bills

October 1, 1849 - February 19, 1850Chapter Four

October 1, 1849 With thanks to God, this has been a good summer to raise enoughfood for Elizabeth and the children and food for the animals foranother year, and though the cabin sets outside the Fort Union, it isnot too far away for help. We have discussed my trip to the goldfields of California where I can set up a business of tailoring andmake a living for my two families. We should be leaving about amonth from today if I can be ready.

November 9 This morning I am leaving for Lore’ California and plan to take theth

larger of my two wagons, my horse, the ox and two steers. I leavewith my tailoring tools, sewing machine, and a promise toElizabeth that I shall return for her or send William A. And themoney for the family to join me next summer. She feels that withthe boys help in the Spring and Summer she can manage the farmthrough winter until then. It is best to go where I can make aliving. Its been very hard for both families and Elizabeth and Elizadeserve better. After a sad goodby, which has happened so manytimes in our marriage, William A. And I are heading south and thecabin is soon lost to view. Will is only 14, but he is pretty reliableand a big help, and the company we travel with is not large. He isexcited about no school.

November 11 Arrived in Pleasant Grove late this afternoon. Eliza was expectingth

me before this. She soon had a hot meal ready and it was a joy tosee her. She is a beautiful woman – expecting our child inFebruary or the first week in March. We both pray it will be aboy, though we miss little Martha, my only girl. I will have 4 dayshere if the weather permits.

November 13 It has been unsettled weather the past 2 days and looks like snowth

tonight. We leave in the morning for Fort Utah [Provo] where wemeet Brother Egan and company. Eliza thinks I should not go, butplans are made.

November 14 We got a good early start this morning. It rained last night, and isth

cold but Eliza is still standing in front of the cabin and we aredown the hill and out nearly a mile. We discussed her going to

20

Salt Lake until I return. I wish Elizabeth would be more kind toEliza, at least help her find a job.

November 17 The roads are bad, storms the past three days. Arrived at the Fortth

last night but needed this day to finish preparation.

November 18 Left Fort Utah this morning in company. We are three wagons, 15th

animals and 40 souls. Traveled 7 ½ miles and camped at HobbleCreek. [Springville]

November 19 –Monday– Brother Hovey and 4 men joined today at Spanish Fork. th

Thanks to the Lord for a good day.

November 29 The past ten days weather was good one day, severe rain or snowth

the next. Today my wagon tire broke on the rocky mountain road. It is splinted and I can go a distance yet.

December 1 –Saturday– We are camped at Creek #29, good camp with plentyst

of wood and feed. Another company is here and laying up to doblacksmithing. The good brother has kindly offered to weld mywagon tire tonight. God has answered my prayers.

December 2 –Sunday– This evening we met 4 men belonging to Capt. Smith’snd

company. They had lost their road and been living on mule fleshfor the past 16 days.

December 4 – Tues– cold and stormyth

December 12 The past week has been very cold and snowy. We are nowth

traveling down the Virgin River. It is about 59 feet wide.

December 14 –Friday– Raining, road is very sandy and crooked, making us crossth

the River five times. Poor feed the past ten days, and my animalsare in bad condition and too tired to eat in the rain.

December 15 –Saturday– Noon and my team is give out. My wagon is theth

heaviest of the company. Brother Egan says leave it. Everyonehas been kind to share part of my load in their wagon. The horseand ox may trail.

December 20 – Thursday– Rain the past 5 days– roads sand and gravel. Weth

didn’t arrive in camp until 2 AM but have come 35 miles. BrotherFoot and Parks left their wagons and several animals.

21

December 21 – Friday– Another 2 wagons left on the trail. We are passingst

deserted wagons and animals of other companies.

December 25 –Tuesday– Christmas Day. Started at daylight with a cheery wordth

and very little water. Last night camp water was bad. Planned toreach a spring in 5 miles and missed it. Some of the companystarted off with morning with no breakfast. Went 25 miles. Indians bad here.

December 27 –Thursday– Spent yesterday in camp. Had to leave Mr. Carr’sth

horse, shot by Indians. Today’s camp we found a man with anarrow stuck in his side – one guard shot at an Indian– camped at7:30 where wood, feed, water were good.

January 1, 1850 It has rained every day and several nights incessantly. Usuallythere is not food for animals. At Cahoon Pass the water was 3 feetdeep and would roll the horses – the men all assisted with rope.

January 6 , 1850 –Sunday– We camped at Williams Ranch, 769 miles from Utahth

Lake, after traveling all day yesterday in the rain. Brother Rich isprocuring wheat and having it ground for us. We are laying overuntil Friday. It is beautiful and grass here.

January 14 –Monday– Reached St. Gubrith Mission. It is deserted–fenced byth

cactus and we ate oranges from the many trees – most beautiful. We are about 5 miles from Pueblo de Los Angeles, where some ofthe Brothers have gone for supplies. From here we go north.

January 22 We camped at Mission Buenentrance one fourth mile from sea.nd

January 27 –Sunday– We have crossed 7 creeks with fine weather and badth

roads this past week. We lay over for the Sabbath in a beautifulgrove on the seashore, best we have had since we started.

February 1 – Friday– We traveled 18 miles today and I’m very tired, also havest

a severe cough. I am thankful Will is a hardy lad.

February 4 –Monday– We have 18 miles today. I fear for my health for I amth

sick.

February 12 –Tuesday– Brother Rich has gone to San Jose Mission forth

provisions. I pray he can bring medicine to relieve my condition. The company has traveled 14 to 35 miles daily since I have beenill. Sometimes I can hardly hold to the saddle.

22

February 17 –Sunday– Father requests that I write for him tonight. He has hadth

to ride in a wagon belonging to Brother Egan today. We campedin a beautiful valley 10 miles past Patgher’s Pass. We are within aweek’s travel of our destination, but Father feels he cannot makeit. We are both discouraged and homesick. –William AndrewBills

February 18 –Monday– Father has traveled this 10 miles today in a wagon, theth

roads being very bad. It is also raining this evening. His conditionis bad in spite of the prayers of the men.

February 19 –Tuesday– Father is worse this morning. Brother Egan hasth

decided to remain here for the day. Father is burning with thefever and can hardly breathe. I am sitting with him through theday but he does not know me and cannot eat or drink.

February 20 –Wednesday– By campfire, I sit to write. We have come 20 milesth

today, came to the San Joaquin River, took our wagons apart andcrossed them in a whale boat. The company is very kind to me,but in work I am accepted as a man and it has been best to keepmoving, but tonight I feel like a little boy. To report on yesterday–In spite of prayers and tears, Father died last night about 10o’clock. Some of the Brothers dug a grave, wrapped Father inblankets and carried him there. Many helped to make a rockmound to mark it for me if I ever can come back. Brother OrlandoHovey gave a prayer and they told how kind and brave a man hewas. Everyone was especially kind to me. No one knew howmuch I cried later. It was good that the company agreed to movecamp. We went five miles in the dark. My thoughts then andtoday have been what a good man Father was–how much thegospel meant to him–all the principles of the gospel he schooledme in; That God is good, that no matter what our trials in life, wemust endure to the end, Serve God to the best of our ability, andpreserve the glorious gospel restored to us by our friend andprophet, Joseph Smith.

Father said “to remember that we work for peace and a right toworship–Even his Nauvoo Legion Sword, at the home inCottonwood would be mine as a symbol of right andremembrance. To take care of his little black book that he alwayscarried on his person in which he kept important dates, names,places, that I, William Andrew, should record and keep forposterity.”

The previous drawing of the sword out of the scabbard, has the name Joyanne17

Bills on it in the handwriting of Frances Bills. Joyanne is the first wife of John DerrillBills, son of Derrill and Frances Bills and named for the Bills family Pioneer ancestor.

23

John Bills’ story is not over–it lives with the livesof his children and their posterity. This story iswritten with prayer, love, and understanding, andthe help of a great many family members andresearches and the desire to show love for thisgreat grandfather of the Bills family–our John. –Derrill and Frances Bills

This sketch of the Nauvoo Legion sword has beendrawn by a 13-year old descendant of John Bills. He is Derrill Heinecke from the actual sword, inthe scabbard, stilled forever.17

End

24

William Andrew BillsSon of John Bills and Elizabeth Scott

I hereby record my own history in part. I, William Andrew Bills, Sr. record a part of myown history. I am the oldest son of John and Elizabeth Scott Bills.

I was born in the city of Pittsburg, Aleganey county, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1835. Iwas not quite one year old when my parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I had my share of the troubles the Saints passed through [when] I was young. I heard mymother say that while we were at Far West, when the mobs were there about the timethey took Joseph and Hyrum Smith and others to Jackson county, Missouri, and at thetime of the Hauns Mill massacre that she stood with me in her arms ready to hand meover to be killed first, then she was willing to die. But we got clear to encounter stillmore hardships.

Well, from place to place we were driven until we reached Commerce in 1839, latercalled Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois. As I grew older, I assisted in building up that beautifulcity.

I was well-acquainted with the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum and their father and mother asalso William and Don Carlos Smith. We were close neighbors. Father, being a tailor,made their clothes. I used to take Joseph and Hyrum's clothes to Joseph's house. Hismother once showed me the mummies. They, in form, appeared as natural as any otherperson would after being dried up as they were. They were the color of dark sole leather,common size, five in number, if I recollect right. Father Smith once gave me a greatblessing.

I recollect many things that transpired in Nauvoo. I was baptized and confirmed byFather John Burges in the spring of 1844 previous to the martyrdom of Joseph andHyrum Smith, I think.

As stated in the former chapter of this record, in the Spring of 1846, we moved with therest of the Saints to Winter Quarters. We made our quarters as comfortable as possiblefor the winter. The next year, 1847, we raised a crop while President Young with acompany went west to Salt Lake Valley and found a location for the Saints. Theyreturned late in the same year, and in 1848, we most all started west for our new home inthe far west, in the Rocky Mountains.

The team I drove was three yoke of cattle, five cows, and one ox. We arrived inSeptember in the Salt Lake Valley and wintered in what is now Salt Lake City, Utah.

25

I kept school for two or three years and was also ward teacher, and on February 28, 1857,I was ordained a Seventy in Salt Lake City by one of the first seven Presidents ofSeventies, Benjamin L. Clapp, and placed in the Ninth Quorum and received my lessonssigned by Joseph Young, Sr., President of the first seven presidents, that I was at libertywhen called to preach the gospel in all the world.

In the summer of 1857, we found that our enemies had succeeded in raising hell to thatextent back east that President Buchanan saw fit to send an army out here to Utah tosettle our cases. So we concluded to keep them out of here until they were betterinformed and we kept them out that summer and the ensuing winter. When they sued forpeace, we allowed them to come in the following spring, 1858. But not until the familiesof the Saints were taken care of by moving south for a short time until the army passedpeaceable through Salt Lake City and out southwest some forty miles to what was calledCamp Triad, in Cedar Valley, west of Utah Lake.

I was once called to assist in this work in keeping the army out in 1857. And I have mypass yet or permits to return home when things were settled. It reads: "Echo Canyon,November 5, 1857, this is to certify that the bearer, William A. Bills, is honorablyreleased to return home, Captain John Brown, in charge of Echo Canyon ExpressStation."

So in the spring of 1858, I moved my family south with the rest of the saints and in thesummer when all this was peace, we returned with the rest in peace. I moved my familyup north that fall; namely, 1858, to Mountain Green, Morgan county, Utah, in what iscalled Weber Valley, where I was appointed president over that settlement of thePeterson Ward.

In the fall of 1861, I was called by President Heber C. Kimball to take my wife, Emeline,and get our endowments in the old Endowment House in Salt Lake City. We, of course,obeyed his wish and were united in the holy bonds of marriage in the new and everlastingcovenant over the alter of the Lord.

After filling my appointment as president of the Mountain Green Branch of the PetersonWard to the best of my ability until April 1863, a period of four years and six months, Imoved my family back to the south Jordan Branch of the West Jordan Ward. I arrivedthe first Saturday in April 1863. The next day while in meeting as it was Sunday, I wasappointed as counselor to James Wood, who was president of the branch. I filled thisposition until July 15, 1866, when on that day I was chosen and set apart by Bishop A.Gardner to preside over the branch with Henry Beckstead as counselor. I filled thisposition for eleven years, that is from July 15, 1866 to June 17, 1877 when on that day Iwas ordained a high priest and set apart as a Bishop by President Daniel H. Wells andinstructed to organize my branch into a ward, which I did, assisted by my counselors,Ensign Stocking as my first and Henry Beckstead as my second counselor. This positionI tried to fill to the best of my ability until July 8, 1900, when a reorganization took place

26

placing Thomas Blake in as Bishop with Martin A. Beckstead as first and Robert M. Holtas second counselors.

The reason for the above organization was that for about three years my health was sopoor that part of the time my life was despaired of, and at my own request PresidentSnow said if I felt that I was unable to fill the position longer he was willing to give mean honorable release.

During my sickness, President Snow gave me and my three living wives, and the one thathad died, a recommend to the House of the Lord for our further blessings, which weattended to as also for my father John and Elizabeth Bills.

My wives mentioned namely are Emeline Beckstead Bills, Matilda and PatreniaAdmundson Bills and Annie Eastwood Bills.

After the new organization of the Bishopric, my health improved and I was called uponby the bishop to act as a teacher in one of the districts of the ward which as usual Iresponded to and so I am still in the gospel to rust out up to date August 5, 1902.

I will be sixty-seven years old and will have served in the gospel harness over forty-fiveyears and am still a worker in the noblest cause on earth. On this page below I place theminutes of the ward organization as it took place. Respectfully, William A. Bills, [in hisown book he had a newspaper clipping pasted in, copied by his son, Orson Bills, July 30,1920.]____________

William Andrew BillsMore information!

Things he did not tell in his journal and things that were important (Excerpts from earlyhistory of the West and South Jordan Ward)

When Wm. A. moved from Mountain Green, Uinta county, to South Jordan, he boughtproperty from his brother-in-law, Gordon Silas Beckstead, in his move to Brigham City. His neighbor on the North was James Wood family, a quarter mile to the South livedEmeline's brother, Henry Beckstead, next farm--brother Samuel A. Beckstead.

The original settlers lived in caves the first year, but by this time there were rough loghomes. When and where possible, adobe brick from the local kiln of John W. Winward,were beginning to add to the comfort of these pioneers. Father Beckstead started with apiece of ground from a section south of 7200 South, river bottom to the lower road 1300W. to Sandy Road. A few years later, he obtained the property from Sandy Road toDraper Road along the Jordan River and to the West.

David was Emeline’s sixteenth child and father of Derrill Smith Bills who is18

John Derrill Bill’s father. Therefore, little David is John’s Grandpa!

Note: The above land improvement was given to Matilda A. and Annie E. Bills19

in May 1882, by consent of Emeline B. Bills for forty acres going on the North, where Icommenced building for Emeline B. Bills in June 1882.

27

We place Wm. A. as living on an 80 acre strip about 500 feet south of South Jordancemetery, just off present 10600 S. and 10th West.

An old tumbling log house, being used as a cattle shelter (1925), about 300 feet off theSouth West corner of the cemetery held great memories for Wm. A's son, David.

We now look at home problems by 1880: The children and four wives of plural marriagebecame too much to handle in one household. Marthine Matilda had three children under8 years plus Petrenia's (her sister, deceased in 1879) three boys under ten; Emeline hadthree children under ten years and six teenagers.

From the diary of this historian, Bishop Bills, alias William A., his autobiography seemsto close August 5, 1902 but there is yet another note at the end that tells history:

"An account of what it cost to improve and make a home on my farm under the big canaland on the Redwood Road.

April 27, 1881 My wife, Emeline and my little son David went up on my 40 acres lot18

and the northwest corner, laid out the ground for houses, barn, corals,orchards, lawns and all that was necessary for a comfortable home for myfamily. The following week I commenced hauling rock.19

July 1882 William A’s diary gives a list of expenses of the lumber and adobe homeon Emeline's forty acre lot.

The usual old age story: By 1890, Wm. A. and Emeline had two marriageable girls athome and all other children had left the coup. Even baby David had married at age 15and now had a young son. However, in the homes of Matilda and Annie Eastwood, therewere still a total of ten children who were 10 years and under, and still three children inthe future.

The children all grew into wonderful, dependable, hard-working and active churchmembers because of wonderful mothers and also because of, or in spite of, William A.who served as counselor or president of a branch for 11 years and Bishop for 31 years(1858-1900).

Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p. 57420

28

William A.'s personal record stopped in 1902, but his life did not. As he grew morefeeble, he and Emeline moved to Riverton.

For a time he lived near his son, Gordon Silas, and at the time of his death, he was livingwith his son, Parley and family. Several other children lived in Riverton, some withinwalking distance with whom he visited.

Though somewhat feeble and forgetful, he was still very active for his 80 years,evidenced by the distance walked the evening he died.

Sixteen days after his disappearance he had still not been found. The wife of his son,David, who also lived in Riverton, had a dream about her father-in-law. She awakenedher husband and described the place in the Jordan River where she had seen his body.

Early the next morning, David gathered a group of relatives and neighbors and went tothe area and discovered his father’s body and his coat held fast by a wire under the fast-moving deep water.

Drowned April 4, found April 20, service April 22, 1915, buried in the South JordanCemetery near Emeline, Patrenia, and Matilda on the Admundson lots.

The wives were also cared for in the homes of their children. Emeline B. died atRiverton, age 79 years, 8 months– one year and nine months after her husband on thefirst of January 1917. Marthine Matilda A. lived one year, April 19, 1916 and died inSalt Lake City. This good woman had nine children of which six lived to maturity. Shealso raised Patrinia's three children, ages 7, 4, and 2 when her sister died after ninemonths illness in 1879. William A.'s wife, Annie E. Bills lived 22 years longer than herhusband and died at her daughter's home in Paul, Idaho on November 2, 1937--age 81. She is buried in the South Jordan Cemetery also.20

A Tribute: As a baby, born to the persecution the saints suffered. As a boy, traveled from Pittsburg to the West coast in a wagon or on foot by thetime he was fifteen. Supported four wives and fathered thirty-three children. Served his Heavenly Father from the day he joined the Church. I believe he was a very kind and understanding person, yet high spirited andproud of his heritage.

He should be. He was a BILLS!

29

Obituary &

Funeralof William Andrew Bills

The Herald Republican Salt Lake City Utah:

BISHOP WILLIAM A. BILLS MAY BE IN JORDAN RIVER; HAT AND GLOVE FOUND ON BANK

William A. Bills, for twenty-two years bishop of West Jordan Ward, who is missing fromhis home. [has a photo] Aged man left his home in Riverton Monday and has not

returned. Discovery of the hat and a glove worn by William A. Bills, aged pioneer andfor twenty-two years bishop of West Jordan Ward, when he disappeared from his homein Riverton Monday evening led to an energetic search of the Jordan River yesterday. The hat and glove were found entangled in brush on the West bank of the Jordan near

Riverton. These were found by John Hansen, a farmer of Riverton, shortly after SheriffJohn S. Coreless and Parley Bills 1332 South 11th East, son of Bishop Bills, resumed the

search for him yesterday. Immediately Sheriff Coreless and those assisting in thesearch, extended a wire net over the Jordan River opposite Samuel Howard's Ranch, a

mile below the point where the hat and glove were found.

Owing to the lack of serviceable boats, it was found impossible to drag the river bed withgrappling hooks yesterday, but this will be done today when boats from the surplus canal

will be dragged up the river.______________________

William A. Bills was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1835. He joined thechurch in 1844, and came to Utah in 1848 with his parents and four brothers and one

sister. He was personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph. From his early boyhood,he was zealous in the defense of the truth and took an active part in building up the

communities in which he lived. Among the experiences of his early life were the cricket"war" in 1849, the Echo Canyon War, and a member of the home guard against Indian

depredations. In 1849, in company with Amasa Lyman, Charles C. Rich, and his father,he went to California to purchase horses. While on this trip, his father sickened and died.

he returned to Utah in 1850 and in 1851, his mother died. For a short time after the death of his mother, he lived with Apostle Amasa Lyman. In1852, he married Emeline Beckstead, living at Parawan until 1858 when he moved toMountain Green, Weber County. While at the latter place he presided over a branch of

the Church.

30

In 1862, he came to South Jordan, then a branch of the West Jordan Ward. He acted inthe capacity of president of this branch for seven years and in 1877, when the South

Jordan Ward was organized, he became the first bishop, holding this position until July 8,1900, a period of 23 years, when he was honorably released on account of ill health.

During the latter part of his life, he lived in Riverton, near his son, Gordon S. Bills,Bishop of Riverton ward.

Bishop Bills was the father of 31 children, 18 surviving him, 167 grandchildren, 132surviving, 144 great-grandchildren, 118 surviving, and 67 marriages into his family.

His immediate family surviving are Emeline B. Bills, Matilda A. Bills, Ann G. Bills, andthe following sons: Gordon S., William A., Alexander, George W., David, Parley, Ole,William R., Norman, Orson, Samuel, Lafayette, Roy, Reynolds, and Lester Bills. His

surviving daughters are Catherine Orgill, Mary E. Seal, and Mattie Bills.

___________________________________

Riverton, April 22--Services for Bishop W.A. Bills, who was drowned in the JordanRiver, April 4, the body having been recovered on the 20th inst., were held in theRiverton Ward chapel commencing at 2'o'clock p.m. April 22, 1915.

First counselor Charles E. Miller of the Riverton Ward bishopric, presided.

The ward choir sang "When the First Glorious Light of Truth"

Invocation by Elder Reuben S. Hamilton.

James Moncur of Salt Lake City sang the solos: "Sometime We'll Understand"and "O My Father"

The principal speaker was Henry B. Beckstead, a nephew, who narrated in brief thehistory of the deceased and bore a fervent testimony to the faith and works of this goodman.

Joseph Orgill of Draper, W.D. Kuhre, President of Jordan Stake, and Samuel E. Holt,Bishop of South Jordan Ward, each eulogized the life and works of the departed.

Former Bishop John A. Egbert of West Jordan pronounced the benediction.

The grave, which was literally covered with flowers, was dedicated by Elder Thomas M.Hamilton. Bishop Bills was held in high esteem in this section, as evidenced by the largeattendance at the obsequies, over 500 being present.

31

Times and Seasons, Vol.2, p.42121

32

More Tidbits about John Billsfound by John D. and Cheryl Bills

Tidbit #1: An advertisement regarding John Bill’s Tailoring business. Perhaps he mademilitary coats for those who are listed as Reference.

A CARD.21

THE subscriber, in returning his acknowledgments to his friends in this city and thepublic generally, would also inform them that he has just received the latest fashionsdirect from Philadelphia, (through the politeness of President Hyrum Smith,) and isprepared to turn off work with despatch and in the best and most fashionable style.

JOHN BILLS, TAILOR.P. S. All kinds of military coats made according to the latest pattern.

Reference.Lieut. Gen. Jos Smith,Maj. Gen. J. C. Bennett,Brig. Gen. Wilson Law,Brig. Gen. D. C. Smith,Col. Wm. Law,Col. John S. Fulmer.

Nauvoo, April 30th, 1841.The above is an advertisement in the Times and Seasons.

Tidbit #2 Nauvoo Legion References regarding John Bills:

History of the Church, Vol.6, Ch.4, p.96Mr. Ewing reported to Major Bills that the returns made out [for Mr. Bills], andsent to the State Department, were the best reports by any brigade-major in theState, and did him great credit: the refusal to pay him for his services is a merepretext, as the Nauvoo Charter requires that the Nauvoo Legion shall perform thesame amount of duty as is now or may hereafter be required of the regular militia ofthe State, and shall be at the disposal of the Governor for the public defense and theexecution of the laws of the State, and be entitled to their proportion of the Statearms; and were it not for the prejudice against us on account of our religion, hisclaim would have been paid without a word of complaint.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, Nov. 30, 1843, General W. L. D. Ewing, Auditor

33

History of the Church, Vol.6, Ch.4, p.96

I have examined the claim of John Bills, brigade-major of the Nauvoo Legion, forservices under the 53rd section of the militia law, and have arrived at the conclusion thatthe Nauvoo Legion are not to be considered as a part of the regular militia of this State,and that the general law has no further application to them than is expressly provided forin the law authorizing their organization. The law providing for the organization of theLegion making no provision for the payment of its officers by the State, it is my opinionthat the above claim ought not to be audited.

The Legion was organized by the City Council, is subject to their control for the purposeof enforcing their ordinances. It is entirely independent of the general military law, mayhave a different organization, make laws for its own government, and seems evidentlydesigned to sustain the municipal authorities of Nauvoo. If there are expenses to be paid,the municipality of which they form a very important element, must meet them. I am,with great respect,

Your obedient servant, J. N. MCDOUGALL.

Hosea Stout Diary (1845), vol. 1, typescript, BYU-S, p.51May 7, Wednesday. At home until noon. Brother Kay came to my house we went downon the flat together, I gave him a double-barreled pistol. I went to the Lodge at one, andat five o'clock met with a general convention of the officers of the Nauvoo Legion toregulate matters in case we should be attacked by our enemies. I was appointed to act asBrigadier General, 2nd Cohort then met police and came home before dark.

May 8, Thursday. In the morning I went with J. [Joseph] B. [Bates] Nobles [Noble] to seeJohn Bills to regulate matters pertaining to the 2nd Cohort. We came home and Iwent down on the flat and then went to General Rich's to meet the committee to write thehistory of the legion; from thence I met with the police and then came home before dark.

_______________

Hosea Stout Diary (1845), vol. 2, typescript, BYU-S, p.32[September] 9, Friday. Went early this morning to see Brigham Young, he (also met theLodge at nine o'clock) was very unwell, gave him some presents, in stockings and gloves.Then went to the temple with Jos. Warthan and got his horse and buggy and went withBrother Harmon to Major Bills about four miles east of the temple to give him someorders respecting regulating a picket guard in that quarter, as there is some signs ofmobocracy rising up. We took dinner there and came home by way of Brother C.Allen and then I took the horse and buggy home and came home and met the policeand then went with Brother Harmon and Horr to see a boy look in a "peep stone,"for some money which he said he could see hid up in the ground. He would look andwe would dig but he found no money; he said it would move as we approached it. Icame home about ten o'clock at night.

34

Norton Jacob Autobiography, BYU, p.37 - p.38Thursday 24th [September 1846]. This morning a very singular incident occurred in ourcamp. Before the organization above related, Colonel Scott had received an order fromGeneral [Brigham] Young to send one of the four pieces of ordinance in his possession toBishop Miller's camp, two hundred miles above here at the mouth of the Punkaw river. Incompliance with that order we had prepared the four pounder, and drew up writteninstructions for the manual of the piece. This morning the bishop's agent, Jacob Houtzcame to receive the gun. Just as he was hitching on his team, colonel Stephen Markhamcame up. His adjutant Major Bills was also present. The team being hitched on the guncarriage, says Brother Scott, "Who is to receipt for this gun?" Colonel Markham replied,"Brigham has ordered me to take charge of the guns and have them put in order." SaysBrother Scott, "This property has long since been put in my possession with orders fromBrother Brigham, not to let any of it go without orders from him and taking a receipt;moreover I have just receipted for these oxen and no man shall take them away withoutgiving a receipt. Says Markham, "How did you come to receipt for them?" As though hehad been doing that which he should not have done. Scott replied, "General Young toldme to do so and accordingly I have given one like this.""Received of Zerah Pulsipher one yoke of oxen to be used in hauling a cannon up toBishop Miller's camp."

Says Markham, "Whose here to take them?" Brother Houtz, here is Miller's agent."I will receipt for them, none but a damn fool would object to what Colonel Scottrequires." Says Colonel Markham, "Let's go and fix it," and they all started towards Colonel Scott'stent. Brother Houtz remarking to his teamster, "You may turn the team around. I supposeColonel Scott will not let the gun go out of the yard until it is receipted for." Norton

"Yes," says Markham, "Drive it out of the yard I'll bear you out in it." Brother Scottturned round saying, "Colonel Markham, that gun shall not go out of this yard until Ihave a receipt for it."

Says Markham, "I swear it shall," and immediately caught the whip out of the drivershand exclaiming, "John Scott I'll straighten you." Scott unhooked the lead cattle's chain,when Markham collared him, Scott also seized him and held him off at arms end. Sayingsternly, "Markham you shall not come into this yard and interfere with mybusiness." Markham called out to his adjutant Bill, "Go and bring a force [to takethe gun, etc]" And away scampered Aft. Bills telling every man he met to gather upforthwith to the public square armed and equipped, for terrible things wereexpected. Some said afterwards they did not know where the public square was. Butsome ten or a dozen particular friends happened to think that the little triangularspot occupied by the artillery must be the public square so on they came with rifleand musket, swords and spear and passed round outside of the yard where theyformed a line with their backs towards the mouths of those terrible guns, that theagent sending by one of the general's aids the night after the alarm, commanded

35

Colonel Scott to have the ______ drawn out of lest it get wet; when there had beenneither shot nor priming in them for the last six months at least. It reminds one ofDon Quixote's attack upon the windmill; for it those great guns had bellowed, therewould have been a deal of wind.

But to return to the parties at the gun. They both soon relinquished their hold, BrotherScott remarking calmly, "Markham the thing I require of you is reasonable. BrotherYoung has given me charge of this property. I don't care a damn for Joseph Young, andnobody else. I'll have a force here to take it," says Markham.

"I can raise a force too," says Scott, "but look here Colonel Markham: you show noauthority from General Brigham Young for the course you are pursuing. Here Markhamhesitated a little and Brother Houtz again offered to do as he had done before. When allthree proceeded directly to the tent, and a receipt for the gun and oxen was made out andsigned by Brother Jacob Houtz some time before the force under command of CaptainCharles Bride arrived, who came without any orders from his superior officer Major JohnGleason.

Consequently, like fools, they came as a mob and Colonel Markham suffered them tostay as long as they pleased without dispersing or dismissing them until they went awayas they came, like fools with their fingers in their mouths. While Brother Jacob Houtzhitched onto his cannon again and drove off in triumph. All this happened about teno'clock a.m. Some time in the afternoon Colonel Markham came into the yard inquiringfor Brother Scott. He soon found him when lo and behold, he wanted to see if the receipttaken by Brother Scott held Brother Houtz responsible for the delivery of that cannon toBishop Miller for if it did not he would send on a man to take possession of it and seethat it was so delivered.

Tidbit #3

Philo Dibble autobiography, in Faith Prom Classics (1968), p.94 - p.95

One of my neighbors, a Brother James Moses, who lived across the street from me, wastaken sick, and for six weeks was not able to speak above his breath. I went occasionallyto see him, and one day while there Brother Bills and I were asked by Sister Moses toadminister to him, which we did. She then asked us what we thought of him, and Ireplied that I had no testimony that he would live or that he would die; but she might aswell pour water upon fire to make it burn as to give him medicine. This offended her, asshe had a doctor by the name of Green attending him and we left.

Soon after this Brother [Heber C.] Kimball (one of the Apostles) was called on toadminister to him, when Sister Moses asked him what he thought of her husband'scondition. He replied in the very words that I had used, but advised them to hold on tohim. Brother Bills and I happening to call in again to see him, we were asked if we

36

would anoint him. I consented and stepped up to the bed to put some oil on hisforehead, but felt impressed to stop and say that he was possessed of evil spirits, andthat they would kill him if they were not cast out before morning. He thencommenced raving, and might have been heard across the street.

The Twelve Apostles were sent for and three of them came, Brother W. [Willard]Richards being one of them, who was mouth in prayer, as we all knelt in the room. Afterprayer, Brother Richards went to the bed, and, in the name of Jesus Christ, commandedthe evil spirits to leave him and leave the house, which they did instantly, and BrotherMoses became rational. He afterwards told us all about his feelings while the evil spiritshad afflicted him, and that he was as sore as a boil all over from the effects of what hehad passed through.

Tidbit #4 is what John Bills was doing to protect the Prophet just prior to his martyrdom.

Bishop Edward HunterOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 6, p.317

My attention was taken up in farming. One year I raised or had raised on myfarms about seven thousand bushels of grain east of Nauvoo. The two years I wasin Nauvoo with Joseph, it was one stream of revelations. He often said, "I willrest. I will put the duty on the Twelve."

He was hunted and pursued by his enemies. I was one of the City Council whenthe Nauvoo Expositor was stopped. That stirred up our enemies. Mass meetingswere got up answering them. Brother A. Butterfield got from one of a party heldeast of Carthage, a determination to oppose us, and do Joseph all the injury theycould.

I said to him, "Let Brother Joseph see it." He said, "I promised to return itimmediately." I said, "Never let it out of your hands until he sees it." He showedit to Brother Joseph, and when he saw it he knew their intention. Sent brethren todifferent places to lay the desperate [p.324] spirit. He sent P. Rockwell to me.Said to me, "You have always wished to have been with the Church from thebeginning, if you go to Springfield to the Governor, it shall be with you as if youhad been with the Church from the beginning." I got ready to go. He said to me:"You have known me for several years, say to Governor (Ford), under oath,everything good and bad you know Of me."

Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 6, p.324I went, John Bills and P. Lewis were sent with me. We were followed (for) miles by officers (hoping) to take us. They could not. Wehad the promise of Brother Joseph, "You shall return safe." We went toSpringfield. The Governor had gone to Carthage. We met with the Governor'slady. When she looked at the letter she knew me and said, "This is Mr. Hunter. I

Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 6, p.231 22

Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 6, p.32423

37

saw you at Mr. Smith's trial." I said, "I recollect you with Judge Pope's daughter."She said that the Governor would not act until he saw Mr. Smith.

On their return, the whole country was in an uproar and they learned that Joseph andHyrum had given themselves up and gone to Carthage. Threats were made on all sidesthat the "Mormon" leaders would never get away alive, and the bloody sequel showedthat such was indeed the purpose of those who had induced them to surrender their

persons, though they had done so on the pledged word of the governor of the State that22

they should be protected.

On our return, [from Springfield] when we crossed Thomas River, all wascommotion. J. Bills thought it best to avoid suspicion. We met hundreds drunk. "Wehave Joe and Hyrum in jail!"

I met one crowd and spoke to them, asking why this great rejoicing. They said, "Joe andHyrum Smith are safe." "What are you going to do with them?" "Kill them, I expect." Wegot along without being known as Mormons.

We [Brother Hunter, John Bills and P. Lewis] traveled without food for ourselves oranimals and arrived in Nauvoo the 27th of June, about the time Joseph and Hyrum weremartyred in the Carthage jail. 23

I had a blacksmith shop and all night we were at work fastening scythes on poles,preparing for an attack. The counsel of Willard Richards (who presided) was "leave theevents to the Lord," which we submitted to, but great sorrow prevailed with the people,many in despair. Brigham Young and many of the Twelve were away.

"Next day," says his narrative, "their bodies were brought from Carthage to Nauvoo. Weformed two lines to receive them; I was placed at the extreme right, to wheel in after thebodies, and march to the Mansion. As we passed the Temple, there were crowds ofmourners there, lamenting the great loss of our Prophet and Patriarch. The scene wasenough to almost melt the soul of man. Mr. Brewer, myself and others took BrotherJoseph's body into the Mansion House. When we went to the wagon to get the corpse,Colonel Brewer, a U. S. officer, taking up the Prophet's coat and hat, which were coveredwith blood and dirt, said, 'Mr. Hunter, look here; vengeance and death await theperpetrators of this deed.'

At midnight, Brothers Dimick B. Huntington, G. Goldsmith, William Huntington andmyself carried the body of Joseph from the Mansion House to the Nauvoo House, and put

38

him and Hyrum in one grave. Their death was hard to bear. Our hope was almost gone,not knowing then that Joseph had prepared for the Kingdom to go on, by delivering thekeys to the Twelve and rolling off the burden from his shoulders on to theirs.

Great sorrow prevailed in the hearts of the people.______________

Tidbits about the Death of John Bills:

Slapjack Bar, Middle fork of the American River, CaliforniaSeptember, 1850

Mon. Sept. 23rd. I have not journalized for several months. A few days ago weburied Brother Edgar Gipson and we had the painful duty to inter Brother Flake who wasthrown from his mule last May and killed, and about the 17th of last Feb. we buriedBrother Bills._______________

This tells about John Bills last trip. Also keep in mind that William Andrew was still inCalifornia after his father died. He returned to Utah with Amasa Lyman:

Extracts from the Journal of Henry W. Bigler, pp. 134-160

Mon. 3rd. I went to look after the horses, came across a patch of grapes, they were assweet as raisins. I ate so many until I found myself sick. At 1 p. m. brokecamp, went up the river for 12 miles and camped for the night.

Tue. 4th. Cloudy with some rain, traveled up the river 20 miles. Brother Keeler and Ihave but one animal to carry us through. Our provisions are nearlyexhausted and that of the company's.

Wed. 5th Laid by, as it is snowing. Brother Cannon is sick. One of the men shot anowl, it was picked, dressed and cooked, broth was made, some of whichBrother Cannon drank and the rest of us ate the owl, it was a little tough,otherwise it went very well.

As game seems to be plentiful here it is thought best to lay by to-morrowand hunt. The mess of Brother Cain's and the mess I was in all united atevening prayers in asking the Lord to bless the hunters on the morrow inhunting game or the black tailed deer.

Thur. 6th. It has quit snowing. Brother Rich and several hunters went out to hunt deerand they killed and brought to camp three fine deer, which greatlyincreased our stock of provisions. The Lord has answered our prayers and I

39

felt to rejoice and thank the Lord when I saw the hunters coming in withtheir game.

Fri. 7th. Continued our journey. One of our men killed a deer. We left Captain Huntand wagons several days ago. Made about ten miles and camped.This evening Brother Rich called the camp together and laid before themthe propriety of dividing the camp, as there seems to be no sign of Indiansbeing around, and he thought the settlements could be reached in 2 daystravel by the stronger animals, that those who went ahead could leave moreprovisions for the hinder company and in so doing we might get all ouranimals through by giving the weaker animals more time; whereon it wasvoted that Brother Rich and a few with the stronger animals go ahead.

Sat. 8th. Early this morning Brother Rich and company left. Last night was severelycold. The hinder company and myself followed, we went about six milesand camped for the night.

Sun. 9th. Made an early start to reach a spring across the mountain about 18 miles.We reached the summit about noon, this is called the Cajon Pass. Here wehalted a few minutes where the snow was all off the ground and the sunshone nice and warm, and while sitting on the ground I fell into a doze ofsleep and thought I was eating brown bread.

At this place the only and last animal that Brother Keeler and I have, gaveout, we unpacked and put the pack on a loose mule belonging to thecompany.

On reaching the spring we found a man with a wagon load of provisionsand a fat beef sent out by a Mr. Williams to sell to hungry emigrants. Thesight of fresh beef just butchered, the fat quarters hanging up seemed toinvite all to take a slice. Then the abundance of flour, California style,unbolted, all no doubt for the best for hungry men who had it beenotherwise, may [p.136] have eaten so much as to hurt them. Some of theboys who had first reached the spring, were baking bread just as I had seenit in my dream, no sooner than we saw it, we helped ourselves to it withoutmuch coaxing and our cooks were not long preparing a good supper. Welearn that it is 25 miles to the first ranch or settlement.

Mon. 10th. Clear and nice. Made about 12 miles to the mouth of the canyon on theedge of a valley. Here the feed is green.

Tues. 11th. Clear. Went 15 miles to the Cocomongo ranch. I reckon there was a gladset of men when we found we were through.

40

Wed. 12th. Laid by, hunting for Brother Fife's horse. The company bought a bushel ofwheat, gave $3, and ground it on a hand mill. Gave 50 cents for a littlewine.

Thurs. 13th. Found all the horses and moved to Williams Ranch where we foundBrother Rich and company quartered and room for us to go into, and plentyof provisions provided, when we will now begin to live like white folks.

Fri. 14th. Commenced raining last night and all day, and rains hard. We get flour ofMr. Williams, at the rate of twelve dollars per hundred, which he calls"Fanager," beef cattle from five to fifteen dollars per head, coffee and sugar37 ½ cents per pound.

Sat. 15th. Clear and nice. Colonel Williams gave us the liberty to take 2 yoke of hisoxen to haul us some wood and let our animals rest, which we take as beingvery kind of Mr. Williams. Myself and three others got up the team andbrought in a load of wood, while others got up a beef, killed and dressed itand at night we had a fine supper.

Sun. 16th. Some men just from the mines say that flour is one dollar and 25 cents perpound, beef 75 cents per pound and lumber five hundred dollars perthousand feet, and a passage on a vessel from Pueblo up the coast to SanFrancisco is two hundred and fifty dollars.

Mr. Williams proffers to sell his ranch for two hundred thousand dollars,stock and all. He says there are cattle enough belonging to it to pay for theranch in nine months at present prices in the mines, that he has fortythousand head of cattle and one thousand horses and mules. He wanted togo to the States to live and was bound to sell or lease his property in someshape, and told General Rich that he and his men could pay for the ranchand all that was on it in less than a year. We are at work for Mr. Williamswho will pay us in provisions, he owns a mill, we get wheat of him and hewill grind it.

[p.137]The ground is green with wild oats and grass as the month of Mayat home.

Sat. 22nd. Captain Hunt arrived with his train and the rodeo-meter wagon and thedistance from Salt Lake City to the Cajon Pass is 701 miles and from thePass to Williams ranch is 21 miles, total, 722 miles.

Mon. 24th. Still at work for Mr. Williams. Elder Pratt went hunting, brought in someducks. The men killed a beef and dressed it, and cooks are appointed to getup a Christmas dinner.

41

Tues. 25th. Christmas. Clear and warm. The cooks got us up a splendid dinnerconsidering the materials they had, plenty of roast beef and potatoes, bakedducks and plum pudding. I have a severe pain in my left eye. I went to thedoctor, he examined it and said nothing was in it. It seems that there issomething sticking in it near the sight and pains me so much that I can'tbear the light to my well eye and I have to be blindfolded.

This evening after prayers, I got Brother Rich and some of the brethren tolay hands on me, and when they placed their hands on my head they felthot to my head, after which I felt easy and rested well all night.

Wed. 26th. Very foggy from the ocean. My eye does not pain me for which I feelthankful to the Lord. To-night Brother Pratt amused the company bysinging several comic songs.

Thurs. 27th. I find the light is not good for my eye, yet it does not pain me, but weakensit.

Mon. 31 Nothing of importance since the 27th. Captain Hunt and Pomeroy havest

gone to buy some oxen for our company to go from here to the mines inwagons.

To-day Brother Pratt asked me if I would go with him to the Islands shouldBrother Rich and Amasa Lyman call on me to go. I told him if that wastheir counsel, I would.

January, 1850Sun. Jan. 6th. Still at Williams. This evening Captain Howard Egan arrived from Salt

Lake City. Brother Rich has a letter from George A. Smith and E. T.Benson, saying that the cholera is killing some of Uncle Sam's fat ones andthat the President of the United States has made a proclamation and setapart a day of fasting to Almighty God to take away the scourge, but if heis like themselves he can do nothing for them. [p.138]Brother Smith andBenson want the brethren now on their way to the gold mines to raise themfive thousand dollars in gold.

Thurs. 10th. This afternoon all hands made a move with our wagons and oxen for themines.

Sat. 12th. We hear that San Francisco is burnt down and in consequence groceriesand provisions are high at Los Angeles, where we want to lay in oursupplies of sugar and coffee, etc. To-day one of the brethren shot a seal.We fried cakes in the oil and ate some of the meat, but we did not like it. Itsmells bad and unpleasant.

42

Slapjack Bar, Middle fork of the American River, CaliforniaSeptember, 1850

Mon. Sept. 23rd. I have not journalized for several months. A few days ago weburied Brother Edgar Gipson and we had the painful duty to inter BrotherFlake who was thrown from his mule last May and killed, and about the17th of last Feb. we buried Brother Bills.

Tues. 24th. Brother Rich came to our camp on the middle fork of the American Riverto make his last visit as he expects to leave for home in a few days, wewere glad to see him for he seems to us like a father among his sons,advising us what to do for the best.

Wed. 25th. This morning Brother Rich called all the brethren together at our tent andstated that he wanted some of us to go on a mission to the SandwichIslands, to preach the gospel, that it was his opinion it would cost us nomore to spend the winter there than it would here, that we could makenothing here in the winter. In consequence of so much water in the streams,and another thing, provisions would be higher in the mines and it wouldcost us more to stay here and make nothing, than it would if we went to theIslands and preach, in his opinion it would be the best thing we could doand the best counsel he could give, that it would be like killing two birdswith one stone for we would live there as cheap and perform a mission atthe same time. He then called on the following brethren, namely, ThomasWhittle, Thomas Morris, John Dixon, myself, George Cannon, WilliamFarrer, James Keeler, James Hawkins and laid his hands on our heads andset us apart for the above mission and blessed us in the name of the Lord,and told us to act as the Spirit directed after we got there, and in a fewminutes he left. Hyrum Clark is to go and preside over the mission, he isnot here, but he knows of his appointment, also Hyrum Blackwell.

[p.139]We continued mining until the 17th. of October, then washed upour clothes and prepared to leave.

(Aug. 1854). In San Francisco we met with Amasa Lyman, just up from San Bernardino,who told us that horses and mules were very high there and that there wasno prospect of a company going up to Salt Lake this fall, and he andBrother Pratt advised us not to attempt going home this fall.

Meeting with Moses A. Meder and a brother in the Church and who livesin Santa Cruz. Brother Meder came to California in the Ship Brooklyn withthe Sam Brannan company, he gave me encouragement to go to Santa Cruzto get work and to make his house my house while I remained there. I didso and worked for a man in the lime burning business and shipping it toSan Francisco. He hired me to cut hoop-poles and paid me fifty dollars amonth and board. The man that hired me was a Mr. Jordan near BrotherMeder's, at whose house was my home when not at work.

43

After working a few months Mr. Jordan quit the lime burning business anda son-in-law of Brother Meders by the name of Thomas Heart hired me towork for him, he was a farmer, my work was plowing and putting in grain,he paid me at the rate of $35 per month and board.

I got 2 horses and Brother Meder gave a set of harness for which he has mymany thanks and a few days after this he took me to a store and bought thefollowing articles and gave them to me, namely, 1 pair of pantaloons, 2white shirts, 1 pair blankets and two handkerchiefs, amounting to fourteendollars.

Monday, April 2nd. (1855). 1 gave Brother and Sister Meder the parting hand and aswe shook hands Sister Meder gave me five dollars in gold coin, saying itwas for me to buy a new hat for myself.

Fri, April 6 . I reached San Francisco in time to meet in conference presided over byth

Elder Pratt and adjourned on the 7th. inst. At this conference it was decidedthat a company of Saints leave for Great Salt Lake City on or about the20th. instant by way of San Bernardino.

Brother Ruben Gates and I were to join teams, he having a wagon and aspan of mules, which I was to take charge of and drive while he drives hisown carriage, and Elder McBride to be the Captain of the company.

On Monday the 23rd. the company was partly organized by Brother Pratt inSanta Clara, in front of Brother Whipple's house, when at 10 a. m. the wordwas given, forward march. We had not proceeded far when one of BrotherGate's mules [p.140] fell dead in the harness; it was believed by some ofour company that it had been poisoned on the sly.

Tues. 24th. We reached San Juan Mission where there is a small branch of the Church.Here we expect to stop for a few days to await the arrival of some brethrenwith families, and to have our company fully organized as Brother Parley isstill with us and while waiting I paid Brother and Sister Meder a visit whoseemed pleased to see me.

Thurs. 26th. Leaving Brother Meder's to return to camp, he came with me a few miles tothe village of Santa Cruz. Here he said let us go into the store where hebought 2 woolen shirts, a hat and a pair of shoes and gave me, and besidesthis he gave me ten dollars in gold and ten to give to Brother Pratt.

Sunday, 29th. Preaching by Brother Pratt and administered the sacrament.

Mon. 30th. To-day the company was fully organized, making a total of 37 souls.

44

Brother Duston is to be the Chaplain, myself to be the Clerk and keep ahistory of the Camp and its travels, etc. At ten o'clock a. m. CaptainMcBride lead out in front, in his wagon sat Sister Jane Whipple holding a Banner, on it these words, "Latter-day Saints."

Here Brother Pratt left us to return to San Francisco while we proceeded onour way to San Bernardino, where we arrived on Monday 21st. of Maywhere we halted a few days to let our animals rest, etc.

Monday, June 1st. At 12 o'clock m. we left San Bernardino for Utah.

Tues. June 2nd. While traveling up the Cajon Pass Brother Wilkin's goat fell out ofthe wagon and killed itself. All felt sorry for Brother and SisterWilkin's poor sick babe whose only food was the goats milk forwhich it was brought along. On the 16th, of June it died and wasburied at Resting Spring.

Tues. 23rd. of June. We reached Las Vegas, here we find 30 brethren from Salt Lakemaking a settlement and have in a number of acres of grain of onekind and another. Here. we halted a few days to rest teams andrepair some wagons.

Sat. July 20th. We arrived in Salt Lake City. Here I met my Father, he had come tomeet me. He looked very natural, did not look so old as I expected,but his voice had changed. He said the folks were all well and veryanxious to see me, said they lived in Farmington, 16 miles north ofthe City. We stayed all night in the City with Brother George A.Smith, whose wife is my cousin, and the next day attended meetingheld under a large Bowery where President Young called on theElders to speak, all done so and he seemed to be pleased [p.141]with our report and labors on the Sandwich Islands.

When the afternoon meeting closed I went home with Father wherewe arrived about sundown and made welcome by all wh appeared,glad to see me as I was pleased to see them, not having seen myFather and family for over nine years, and from Utah, I have been,absent, five years, nine months and eleven days. Farmington is thecounty seat of Davis County, Utah Territory and lies north of GreatSalt Lake City about 15 miles.