Timeline of the Life of Enos Curtis

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Enos Curtis

(9 October 1783 - 1 June 1856)

INTRODUCTORY NOTE: Enos Curtis was the father of sixteen children. He was one of the first members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, helping to bring into the LDS Church, with his missionary work, two men who later figured prominently in the LDS Church – Brigham Young (who became the Prophet after Joseph Smith) and Heber C. Kimball (who became an Apostle). Enos assisted with missionary work in Canada, suffered with the Latter-day Saints in Clay County, Missouri, received his endowments and was sealed to his first wife, Ruth Franklin, in the first Historic Nauvoo Temple, and then became a refugee in Council Bluffs, where he buried his first wife in a lonesome grave, and then crossed the Plains as a pioneer. Enos helped to settle Springville, Utah, as one of its’ first citizens, and also served as an LDS Patriarch in his later years. This is his story. (Records last compiled on 13 April 2010).

(Note of explanation: The italicized dates and information are taken from LDS Church History, and, since Enos Curtis was very involved in the early days of the LDS Church, and one of its’ first members, they are included in this biography for their historical interest. This timeline is compiled from sources found listed at the end.)

TIMELINE OF THE LIFE OF ENOS CURTIS

BORN: On 9 Oct 1783, Enos Curtis, the oldest son of Edmond Curtis and Polly Avery, was born in the little town of Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York, USA, a few miles east of the Hudson River, in New York. A few miles farther east is the larger town of Chatham. From the record of the ancestors, it seems the family for several generations had lived in Connecticut. Much of the land there had been taken up and many of the young men were reaching out to new frontiers and no doubt that is what brought Enos's father to New York. The family Enos came from were evidently farmers and settlers. His ancestors on both sides were of English and Welch descent, most having left their homelands to come to the New World in the early 1630’s.

Enos was born two years after the Revolutionary War was over and peace was won. In New York City, then the capitol of the new nation, George Washington became the first President of the United States of America. Enos Curtis would have been six years old when George Washington took the oath of office April 30, 1789, at the Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City, New York state. *1- for more information about Kinderhook, New York, see notes following biography.

1797, AT AGE 14, Enos was apprenticed to learn a trade. His master was so cruel and unkind that he begged his father to let him return home. His father refused, saying that the agreement was made and papers signed and that he must stay. He finally decided that he could stand it no longer. He found passage on a steamer that took him to New York City (he probably traveled on the Hudson River). He found work that satisfied him, and forgot his troubles.

14 November 1805, AT AGE 22, ENOS CURTIS MARRIED RUTH FRANKLIN, the daughter of David Franklin and Hannah Simmons, at Sterling, Windham County, Connecticut. Soon after Enos and Ruth married, they moved to Pennsylvania.*2- See notes on Ruth Franklin family at end of Biography- Ruth’s parents were incorrectly listed as John Franklin and Abigail Fuller, in one record.

MOVED, Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin moved to Tioga County, Pennsylvania. The county had been recently formed in 1804. Pennsylvania is called the Keystone State, because it is the center of the Thirteen original colonies. The state was named after William Penn, and although he was a devout Quaker, his policy of religious freedom encouraged many to settle there. The state is rich in natural resources, forested areas, and many kinds of wild life and game. This country was inviting to Enos and Ruth and this is where they decided to live and raise a family. Enos was a farmer and carpenter by trade. *3- See notes on Tioga County, at end of biography

1807, Enos Curtis’s grandfather, Died. Jeremiah Curtis, grandfather of Enos, died in the town of Russia, Herkimer Co., New York in 1807. Two years after the marriage of Enos, county records state that Jeremiah had no real estate but his personal property he willed to his grandson, Enos, son of Edmund.

5 FEBRUARY, 1808, DAUGHTER BORN, Lydia Curtis, the first child and first daughter of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

5 JULY 1809, DAUGHTER DIED, Lydia Curtis, a toddler of 15 months, the first child and first daughter of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

22 MARCH 1810, DAUGHTER BORN, Maria Curtis, the second child, second daughter of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

12 AUGUST 1812, DAUGHTER BORN, Martha Curtis, the third child, third daughter of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

5 NOVEMBER 1814, SON BORN, Edmond Curtis, the fourth child, first son of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Edmond was named after his grandfather, the father of Enos Curtis.

1814 CENSUS- Enos Curtis appeared on the Tioga County Census. The town was listed as Jackson at that time.

6 JUNE 1815, SON DIED, Edmond Curtis, the little, eight month old first son of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Sullivan, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

12 NOVEMBER 1815, SON BORN, Jeremiah Curtis, the fifth child, second son, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Jeremiah was named after the grandfather of Enos, who had left Enos some personal property in his will.

22 FEBRUARY 1816, SON DIED, Jeremiah Curtis, the little four month old baby, the fifth child, second son, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, was the second son and third child to die in this little family.

[1816, CROP FAILURES: Crops failed throughout New England in this “year without a summer.” Joseph Smith Sr. left Vermont and settled his family in Palmyra, New York.]

8 MARCH 1817, SON BORN, THEN DIED THE SAME DAY, Seth Curtis, the sixth child, third son, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. He was the third son and fourth child to die in this little family.

26 MARCH 1818, SON BORN, Simmons Philander Curtis, the seventh child, fourth son, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Simmons became the first son of this family to live to adulthood and marry.

1820- Enos Curtis appeared on the census of Tioga County in 1820. His town was listed as Jackson, which later became known as Rutland.

[Early spring 1820: Joseph Smith received First Vision, in which he prayed and saw God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, in a grove of trees near his home, which was located at the Palmyra/Manchester border.]

10 AUGUST 1820, TWIN SON BORN, one of a set of twins, David Avery Curtis, the eighth child, fifth son, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. A day later, his twin brother, John White Curtis, was born.

11 AUGUST 1820, TWIN SON BORN, John White Curtis, the ninth child, sixth son, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. His brother, David Avery Curtis, was born the day before.

19 FEBRUARY 1822, SON BORN, Ezra Houghton Curtis, the tenth child, seventh son, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

[21–22 Sept. 1823: Joseph Smith Jr. was visited by angel Moroni and told of the Book of Mormon record. Joseph viewed gold plates hidden in a stone box in the Hill Cumorah. Annual visits to the site for instruction by Moroni followed.]

4 JANUARY 1825, DAUGHTER BORN, Ruth Curtis, the eleventh child, fourth daughter, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

4 OCTOBER 1825, DAUGHTER DIED, Ruth Curtis, only nine months old, the eleventh child, fourth daughter, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Ruth Curtis was the fifth child in this family to die as a baby or toddler.

14 DECEMBER 1826, DAUGHTER BORN, Ursula Curtis, the twelfth child, fifth daughter, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

[18 Jan. 1827: Joseph Smith married Emma Hale in South Bainbridge, New York.

22 Sept. 1827: Joseph Smith obtained gold plates from Moroni at the Hill Cumorah.

Dec. 1827: Joseph and Emma Smith moved to Harmony, Pennsylvania, where the gold plates could be translated safely.]

About 1827, DAUGHTER MARRIED, Martha Curtis, the third child, second daughter, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, married Elial Strong.

[June–July 1828: The first 116 manuscript pages of the translated Book of Mormon were lost.]

3 APRIL 1829, DAUGHTER BORN, Sabrina Curtis, the thirteenth child, sixth daughter, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

[7 Apr. 1829: Joseph Smith resumed translation of the gold plates with Oliver Cowdery as scribe.

15 May 1829: John the Baptist conferred Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery near Harmony, Pennsylvania.

Sometime in late May 1829: Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received Melchizedek Priesthood from Peter, James, and John, near the Susquehanna River between Harmony, Pennsylvania, and Colesville, New York.

June 1829: Translation of Book of Mormon completed and copyright applied for (June 11). The Three Witnesses shown the plates and other Nephite artifacts by Moroni in Fayette, New York. The Eight Witnesses shown the gold plates by Joseph Smith in Manchester, New York.]

1830, CENSUS- Enos Curtis appeared on the Federal Census of the United States:

1830 Census of Rutland, Tioga County, State of Pennsylvania (page 23)

Enos Curtis - Males in family: 1 of 5 years & less than 10; 3 of 10 & less than 15; 1 of 40 & less than 50; Females in family: 2 under 5 years of age; 1 of 30 and under 40.

[26 Mar. 1830: First copies of Book of Mormon available in Palmyra, New York.

6 Apr. 1830: The “Church of Christ” organized, by Joseph Smith, in Fayette, New York, first elders ordained, and “Articles and Covenants of the Church” revealed (D&C 20, 22).

June 1830: “Visions of Moses” received as part of Bible translation (now chapter 1 of the book of Moses, Pearl of Great Price).

9 June 1830: First conference of the LDS Church, Fayette, New York.

Dec. 1830: Sidney Rigdon called to assist Joseph Smith as scribe in Bible translation (D&C 35:20). First revelation on gathering given; command for Church to move to Ohio (D&C 37).

1 Feb. 1831: Joseph Smith arrived in Kirtland, Ohio, and commenced ministry there.

4 Feb. 1831: Edward Partridge ordained as first bishop of Church.

9 Feb. 1831: Revelation on Church government and law of consecration (D&C 42).]

IN 1831, ENOS CURTIS LEARNS OF JOSEPH SMITH, AND HIS “GOLD BIBLE” Enos Curtis was a religious man and, not finding a church that suited him, made the statement, “Someday the true church would be upon the earth.” So, when Enos Curtis heard about Joseph Smith being visited by Heavenly messengers, Enos wanted to know more. Many rumors were circulating in Pennsylvania, about the “gold bible,” since Joseph Smith translated most of the Book of Mormon while living in Pennsylvania. A friend of Enos Curtis, named Alpheus Gifford, heard the doctrines taught by Joseph Smith, and was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (then called, “Church of Christ”). Alpheus Gifford brought home five Books of Mormon, which he distributed among his friends, including one to Enos Curtis.

[3–6 June 1831: First high priests ordained at general conference of Church, Kirtland, Ohio, township.

3 Aug. 1831: Temple site dedicated, Independence, Missouri.]

1831, AFTER RECEIVING A BOOK OF MORMON, at his home, in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Enos Curtis accompanied his friends: Alpheus Gifford, Alpheus’s brother, Levi Gifford, and (Enos’ son-in-law) Elial Strong, Eleazar Miller, and Abraham Brown, to Kirtland, Ohio, to visit the Prophet Joseph Smith and the brethren. Enos Curtis and the other men from Pennsylvania who accompanied him, were baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, exact date unknown. Enos Curtis was baptized by Lyman Wight. *4 - See notes on Lyman Wight at end of biography

31 DECEMBER 1831, TWO BRANCHES [small congregations] OF THE CHURCH WERE RAISED UP IN PENNSYLVANIA, one in Rutland, Tioga County, and another in Columbia, Bradford County. Enos Curtis was one of the first converts in the Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania Branch. Elial Strong (Enos Curtis’s son-in-law married to his third daughter, Martha Curtis), Enos Curtis, Alpheus Gifford, Eleazer Miller, and Daniel Bowen, all became Elders this same year (1831), and took a missionary journey to the state of New York, and among other places, preached in Mendon, Monroe County, New York.

[16 Feb. 1832: Revelation on degrees of glory (D&C 76) received.]

FALL 1832, ENOS CURTIS, and his missionary companions from Pennsylvania, taught in Mendon, Monroe County, New York, where they taught and bore testimony to many, including Brigham Young, and Heber C. Kimball, both of whom later joined the LDS Church.*5 - See notes on Brigham Young at end of biography.

April 1832, by APRIL 1832, HEBER C. KIMBALL WAS BAPTIZED a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Alpheus Gifford, in Mendon, New York. Heber C. Kimball later became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve in 1835, a member of Brigham Young’s First Presidency, and Lieutenant Governor in the territorial legislature of the provisional State of Deseret.

[27 Dec. 1832: “The Olive Leaf” (D&C 88) received calling for construction of temple in Kirtland and establishment of School of the Prophets.]

JANUARY 1832, BRIGHAM YOUNG AND HEBER C. KIMBALL VISITED PENNSYLVANIA, at the Rutland, Tioga County Branch, to see the Elders who had taught them the Gospel, and stayed with them for one week.

21 APRIL 1832, DAUGHTER BORN, Celestia Curtis, the fourteenth child, seventh daughter, of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, probably in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. She was the last child born to this couple.

JUNE 1832, PHINEAS YOUNG, JOSEPH YOUNG, (Brigham Young’s brothers), ENOS CURTIS, ELIAL STRONG, AND ELEAZER MILLER WENT ON A MISSION TO CANADA. During the summer of 1832, these men journeyed to Ernestown, Midland District, Upper Canada (now Ontario Province). They labored for about six weeks and were successful in baptizing many and raising up a branch of the Church.

In summating his and his friend Eleazer Miller's missionary success during this period, Elial Strong recorded, “Brother Miller, an elder that has traveled with me in the last two routes, has baptized about twenty. I have baptized, in all thirty-five; nine in Rutland and Sullivan [township adjacent to Rutland]; four in Columbia; seven in Troy and three in Canton [Bradford County], five in Shaftsbury, Vermont; one in Chenago, NY, and one in Mendon, NY, and five in Ernest Town, Upper Canada.” * 6 – See notes on Missionary trip to Canada, after biography

JUNE 25, 1832, WHILE ENOS CURTIS WAS ON HIS MISSION TO CANADA, his twin sons, John White Curtis and David Avery Curtis, were baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at age 12.

[27 Feb. 1833: The Word of Wisdom (D&C 89) received.

2 July 1833: Joseph Smith concluded first draft of Bible translation (JST).

20 July 1833: Mob at Independence Missouri demanded removal of Latter-day Saints from Jackson County, Missouri. Printing office destroyed, halting printing of Book of Commandments, (the early edition of the Doctrine and Covenants).

23 July 1833: Latter-day Saints at Independence made treaty with mob to leave Jackson County. Kirtland, Ohio Temple cornerstones laid.

7 Nov. 1833: Latter-day Saints fled from Jackson County mobs across Missouri River into Clay County, Missouri.

18 Dec. 1833: Joseph Smith Sr., Joseph Smith’s father, ordained as first Church Patriarch.

17 Feb. 1834: First high council of Church organized, Kirtland, Ohio.

5 May 1834: Joseph Smith left Kirtland for Missouri as leader of Zion’s Camp to bring relief to Saints expelled from Jackson County.]

13 SEPTEMBER 1834, DAUGHTER MARRIED, Maria Curtis, the second child, (first surviving) of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, married Abraham Brown.

[14 Feb. 1835: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles organized, Kirtland, Ohio.

28 Feb. 1835: First Quorum of the Seventy organized, Kirtland, Ohio.

28 Mar. 1835: Revelation on priesthood (D&C 107) given.]

15 APRIL 1835, BRIGHAM YOUNG WAS BAPTIZED a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Eleazer Miller, in Mendon, New York. Brigham Young later became the second President of the LDS Church, in 1847, and later became the first Governor of Utah Territory, in 1850.

[July 1835: Egyptian mummies and papyrus exhibited in Kirtland, Ohio; mummies and papyrus purchased. Joseph Smith began receiving revelation that is known as the book of Abraham.

17 Aug. 1835: Doctrine and Covenants adopted as official canon of Church; issued from press in Kirtland in September.

14 Sept. 1835: Emma Smith appointed to select hymns according to previous revelation (D&C 25).

21 Jan. 1836: Vision of celestial kingdom and revelation concerning salvation of the dead (D&C 137).

27 Mar. 1836: Kirtland Temple dedicated. First temple built in the last days.

3 Apr. 1836: Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland Temple; Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared conveying priesthood keys (D&C 110).

19 July 1837: Heber C. Kimball and others arrived in Liverpool, England, on first overseas mission.

14 Mar. 1838: Headquarters of Church established in Far West, Missouri.

26 Apr. 1838: Revelation specifies name of the Church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (D&C 115).

4 July 1838: Temple cornerstones laid in Far West, Missouri.

8 July 1838: Revelation on tithing received (D&C 119).

25 Oct. 1838: Battle of Crooked River. Mormons expelled from Kirtland, Ohio. Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued Extermination Order against Saints two days later. (Rescinded 25 June 1976.)

30 Oct. 1838: Haun’s Mill Massacre, Caldwell County, Missouri.

1 Dec. 1838: Joseph Smith and others imprisoned, Liberty Jail, Liberty, Missouri.

20–25 Mar. 1839: While still imprisoned in Liberty Jail, Joseph Smith wrote epistle to Saints containing revelations that would become D&C 121, 122, 123.

April 1839: Joseph Smith and others escape from unjust imprisonment in Missouri and take their journey to Illinois, where the Prophet goes first to Quincy, then to the Saints’ new place of settlement in Commerce, later renamed Nauvoo.

Nov. 1839: First issue of Times and Seasons published, Commerce, Illinois.]

SOMETIME PRIOR TO 1839, ENOS CURTIS AND RUTH FRANKLIN, MOVED TO CLAY COUNTY, MISSOURI. The family was driven to seek refuge in Caldwell County.

*7 – See notes on Clay County Missouri, at the end of the biography.

NOVEMBER 1839, ENOS CURTIS signed a petition, with other Latter-day Saints, to Congress, presenting claims against the State of Missouri. Enos Curtis’s claim was for $1,856, in loss of land, home, and worldly goods.

1840, Enos Curtis is listed on the census of Fulton County, Illinois.

[May 1840: First issue of Millennial Star published, Manchester, England.

JULY 1840, THE SITE FOR NAUVOO WAS SELECTED.

1840, THE NAUVOO CHARTER WAS SIGNED INTO LAW. This charter provided for the organization of the city of Nauvoo, the formation of the Nauvoo Legion, and the establishment of the University of Nauvoo.]

4 JULY 1840, SON MARRIED, Simmons Philander Curtis, the seventh child of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, married Emiline Buchanan.

[FALL, 1840, JOSEPH SMITH’S FATHER, JOSEPH SMITH, SEN., DIED.

15 Aug. 1840: Baptism for the dead announced by Joseph Smith.

OCTOBER 1840, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a Conference, during which, the Church voted to begin work on a new temple, in Nauvoo. Joseph Smith taught the Saints about the priesthood, and the doctrine of baptizing for the dead.

19 January 1841, Hyrum Smith was released as a member of the First Presidency, and called to be Church Patriarch.

19 Jan. 1841: Saints commanded to build Nauvoo Temple, Nauvoo House (D&C 124).

February 1841, elections were held in Nauvoo. John C. Bennett was elected Mayor, and Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Sidney Rigdon were elected to positions on the city council.

1841, The doctrine of plural marriage was taught by Joseph Smith. Some leaders were asked to obey it. (See Doctrine and Covenants 132, on Celestial Marriage.)

March 1841, construction began on the Nauvoo Temple.]

13 MAY 1841, SON MARRIED, John White Curtis, the ninth child of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, married Almira Starr, the sister of John’s twin brother’s wife.

[16 August 1841, a special conference was held in Nauvoo, during which, the Prophet Joseph Smith announced that it was time for the Twelve to stand in their place next to the First Presidency.]

29 SEPTEMBER 1841, ENOS CURTIS RECEIVED HIS PATRIARCHAL BLESSING from Patriarch Hyrum Smith, brother to Prophet Joseph Smith.

[At the October 1841 Conference of the Church, Joseph Smith announced that baptism for the dead would now be performed only in the temple, not in the river as had been previously allowed.]

20 OCTOBER 1841, SON MARRIED, David Avery Curtis, the eighth child of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, married Amanda Starr, the sister of David’s twin brother’s wife.

[24 Oct. 1841: Palestine dedicated by Elder Orson Hyde for return of children of Abraham.

8 November 1841, the baptismal font in the Nauvoo Temple was completed and dedicated.

1 Mar. 1842: Publication of book of Abraham commenced in Times and Seasons, Church newspaper, Nauvoo, Illinois. This Book of Abraham is now contained in the Pearl of Great Price.

1 Mar. 1842: Wentworth Letter, containing the Articles of Faith, published in Times and Seasons.

The Wentworth letter, a letter to the editor of the Chicago Democrat newspaper, was printed. This letter was the first published account of Joseph Smith’s early spiritual experiences and concluded with what we know as “The Articles of Faith.”

17 Mar. 1842: Female Relief Society organized, Nauvoo, Illinois; Emma Hale Smith as first Relief Society president.

4 May 1842: First endowment ordinances given, Red Brick Store, Nauvoo.

6 Aug. 1842: Joseph Smith prophesied Saints would be driven to Rocky Mountains.

February 1843, the City of Nauvoo held elections, and Joseph Smith was elected Mayor of Nauvoo.

12 July 1843: Revelation on celestial marriage recorded (D&C 132).

MARCH 1844, IN A MEETING WITH THE TWELVE APOSTLES, JOSEPH SMITH CONFERRED UPON THE TWELVE ALL THE ORDINANCES, AUTHORITY AND PRIESTHOOD KEYS, TO GOVERN THE CHURCH, IF HE SHOULD DIE. ( p. 66, “Our Heritage”)

6 April 1844: Approximately 30 percent of LDS Church membership was found in British Isles. British members contributed to continuous inflow of immigrants to Nauvoo.

May 1844, Joseph Smith was nominated to run for President of the United States, with Sidney Rigdon as his vice-presidential running mate.

7–10 June 1844: Nauvoo Expositor, anti-Mormon newspaper, published. Immediately declared a public nuisance and destroyed.

27 JUNE 1844: JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AND HIS BROTHER, HYRUM SMITH, WERE SHOT BY AN ARMED MOB IN THE CARTHAGE JAIL. Their bodies were brought back to Nauvoo in a wagon, and buried in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois. (pp. 62-66, “Our Heritage”)]

[THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 1844: APOSTLE BRIGHAM YOUNG SPOKE IN A MEETING IN NAUVOO. AS HE SPOKE, BRIGHAM YOUNG SOUNDED AND LOOKED AS THOUGH HE WERE THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH. (See p. 66 “Our Heritage”)]

1 SEPTEMBER 1844, ENOS CURTIS PRESIDED OVER A CONFERENCE AT QUINCY, ILLINOIS. Enos was President of a Branch. He was ordained as a High Priest, prior to this, in Lima, Illinois. Lima was about 25 miles south of Nauvoo, Illinois. At this time, Enos Curtis lived in Morley’s Settlement (also known as Yelrome) * 8 --See notes on Quincy, Illinois at the end of the biography. Also see notes on 9- Lima, Illinois. Also see notes on 10 -- Morley’s Settlement.

[5 OCTOBER 1845: LDS GENERAL CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN THE ASSEMBLY ROOM OF THE NAUVOO TEMPLE.]

25 OCTOBER 1845, ENOS CURTIS APPEARED BEFORE THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE IN HANCOCK COUNTY, and made an affidavit, which stated that, on or about Oct. 18, 1845, in Morley Settlement, (two and a half miles from Lima), Enos saw two houses and three stables burning, and saw two mobbers armed with guns running away from the fires. He also saw the house belonging to the Widow Boss, burning on Monday, October 21, in the same area as the former fires. Mobbers became increasingly more frequent in the Illinois area, around the Latter-day Saint settlements. About this time, one day when Enos Curtis was away from home, some mobbers came to his house. The families gathered there told the mob that their Mother, Ruth Franklin, was very ill and could not be moved. The mob left, but came back a second and third time . . . each time more vicious . . . and finally set fire to the house. The women rolled Ruth up in a blanket, and carried her out of the burning house. The shouts . . . of the mob were soon heard by the absent men, who rushed back and carried Ruth Franklin away in a wagon, as she couldn’t walk. The mob even chased the wagon, but when more help came, they stopped their pursuit.

[10 DECEMBER 1845: ENDOWMENT WORK BEGAN, IN THE ATTIC OF THE NAUVOO TEMPLE, and continued until 7 February 1846. Over 5,500 Saints received their endowments, and many baptisms for the dead were performed, as well as sealings. (from the Church History Chronology, Maps, and Photographs, in the Doctrine and Covenants index)]

1 JANUARY 1846, ENOS CURTIS AND RUTH FRANKLIN RECEIVED THEIR ENDOWMENTS, in the Nauvoo Temple, Hancock County, Illinois.

6 JANUARY 1846, DAUGHTER, URSULA CURTIS RECEIVED HER ENDOWMENTS, (Enos and Ruth’s daughter) in the Nauvoo Temple, Hancock County, Illinois.

22 JANUARY 1846, SON, SIMMONS P. CURTIS RECEIVED HIS ENDOWMENTS, (Enos and Ruth’s son) with his wife, Emmeline Buchanan, at the Nauvoo Temple, Hancock County, Illinois.

27 JANUARY 1846, SON, JOHN WHITE CURTIS RECEIVED HIS ENDOWMENTS, (Enos and Ruth’s son) with his wife, Almira Starr, at the Nauvoo Temple, Hancock County, Illinois.

3 FEBRUARY 1846, ALBERT MINER CURTIS RECIEVED HIS ENDOWMENTS, (Enos and Ruth’s son) with his wife, Tamma Durfee, and then were sealed for eternity by Heber C. Kimball, at the Nauvoo Temple, Hancock County, Illinois.

[4 Feb. 1846: Nauvoo Saints commenced crossing the frozen Mississippi River to move to the Great Basin. THE EVACUATION OF THE SAINTS: had been planned for March through April, but because of mob persecutions, Brigham Young and the Council of the Twelve began sending groups out of Nauvoo on February 4, 1846, and nearly 12,000 Saints departed Nauvoo between February to September 1846.

4 Feb. 1846: Ship Brooklyn sailed from New York for California with 238 Church members, with Samuel Brannan as leader.]

6 FEBRUARY 1846, SON, DAVID AVERY CURTIS RECEIVED HIS ENDOWMENTS, (Enos and Ruth’s son) with his wife, at the Nauvoo Temple. Also that day, Heber C. Kimball sealed Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin Curtis for eternity at 11:25 a.m., and then David Avery Curtis and his wife, Amanda Starr. John White Curtis and his wife Almira Starr were sealed for eternity by Brigham Young.

7 FEBRUARY 1846, SON, EZRA H. CURTIS RECEIVED HIS ENDOWMENTS, (Enos and Ruth’s son) with his wife, at the Nauvoo Temple, Hancock County, Illinois.

1846, ENOS CURTIS AND HIS FAMILY CROSSED THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER at the Montrose crossing, with another family named Stowell, on a ferry. A terrific wind came up, which had previously taken others down the river into the rapids. The families were very anxious about crossing. While they were on the ferry, the wind blew so hard that it looked like the cable controlling the ferry would break. “Enos Curtis raised his arm to the square and commanded the wind to take them to shore. It ceased its velocity and changed direction so the ferry drifted to the shore and both families were saved. As soon as they were on shore, the gale began as fierce as before.”

[9 OCTOBER 1846, After the last of the Saints had been driven out of Nauvoo, many were sick and some had died. Their provisions were meager. On the river bottoms near Montrose, Iowa, many quail miraculously flew into camp. The quail were cooked and fed to some 640 destitute people (see Stanley B. Kimball, “Nauvoo West: The Mormons of the Iowa Shore,” BYU Studies, winter 1978, 142).

30 April 1846: Completed Nauvoo Temple dedicated. Second temple completed in the last days.]

[JULY 16 1846: Mormon Battalion mustered into U.S. Service in Iowa.

31 July 1846: Ship Brooklyn arrived in California at San Francisco.

10–17 Sept. 1846: Battle of Nauvoo fought between remaining members and Illinois mob.]

[SEPTEMBER 1846 THE NAUVOO TEMPLE WAS ABANDONED.]

1846, DAUGHTER MARRIED, Ursula Curtis, the twelfth child of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, married Abraham Durfee.

1846, DAUGHTER MARRIED, Sabrina Curtis, the thirteenth child of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, married George King.

[By the end of 1846, nearly four thousand Saints had gathered at Winter Quarters, and were organized into 22 wards.]

18 DECEMBER 1846, SON MARRIED, Ezra H. Curtis, the tenth child of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, married Lucinda McKinney Carter, at Mt. Pisgah, Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

JUNE 1846, Enos Curtis and his family joined the rest of the Saints at Council Bluffs, on the west side of the Mississippi River. People lived in log houses or dugouts, or other crude shelters.

* 11 --see notes on Council Bluffs, at the end of the biography

[14 Jan. 1847: President Young received revelation concerning organization of Saints for move west (see D&C 136).

5 Apr. 1847: First group of President Young’s pioneer company left Winter Quarters on the journey west.

21 July 1847: Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow made first LDS reconnaissance of Salt Lake Valley.

24 July 1847: President Young entered Salt Lake Valley.

28 July 1847: Salt Lake Temple site selected by President Young.

31 Oct. 1847: President Young and other members of the advance company arrived back at Winter Quarters.

5 Dec. 1847: President Young sustained as second President of the Church by Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Kanesville, Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

27 Dec. 1847: Conference of Church at Kanesville sustained Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards as First Presidency.]

6 MAY 1848, RUTH FRANKLIN DIED, wife of Enos Curtis, of exposure and exhaustion. She had been ill for some time. The family buried her at Council Bluffs in a grave they may never have had the opportunity to visit again. Ruth had 6 children who preceded her in death: Lydia Curtis (b. 1806-d. 1809); Maria Curtis (b.1810- d.1841); Edmund Curtis (b.1814-d.1815); Jeremiah Curtis (b.1815-d.1816); Seth Curtis (b.1817-d.1817); Ruth Curtis (b.1825-d.1825). Ruth was survived by her husband, Enos Curtis, and nine children: Maria Curtis (Brown); Martha Curtis (Strong); Simmons P. Curtis; David Avery Curtis; John White Curtis; Ezra Houghton Curtis; Ursula Curtis (Durfee); Sabrina Curtis (Harward); and Celestia Curtis.

SPRING 1848, ENOS CURTIS TRAVELED WITH BRIGHAM YOUNG’S FIRST DIVISION, as part of the second wagon train to Salt Lake Valley. This first division of three was captained by Brigham Young, and was composed of 1,229 people, 397 wagons, 74 horses, 19 mules, 1,275 oxen, 699 cows, 184 loose cattle, 411 sheep, 141 pigs, 605 chickens, 37 cats, 82 dogs, 3 goats, 10 geese, 2 hives of bees, 8 doves, and one crow. The three divisions totaled 2,408 Saints, who called themselves the camp of Israel. The record of this journey is contained in a Camp Journal.

[MAY-JUNE 1848- “Miracle of the Gulls” In Salt Lake Valley, crickets destroying crops were eaten by seagulls. Five thousand acres had been planted that year, and nine hundred acres of wheat. Five thousand Saints immigrated to the valley that year.]

21 SEPTEMBER 1848, ENOS CURTIS ENTERED THE SALT LAKE VALLEY, a widower, with his two youngest daughters; Ursula Curtis (divorced), and Celestia Curtis (youngest). Enos’s other children and their families would arrive later.

[1848, SALT LAKE VALLEY, The new city of Great Salt Lake (as it was called) consisted of a fort, enclosing a block of ten acres. The walls around this were made of adobe and logs. As additional companies came into the Valley, they added the south divisions (forts) which were connected by gates to the old fort. Tents and wagon boxes were brought into the fort, and served as living quarters, until better accommodations were provided. *12 – See notes on Fort in Salt Lake Valley, at the end of the biography.]

[OCTOBER 1848: THE NAUVOO TEMPLE WAS VANDALIZED AND DESTROYED BY FIRE.

1849, A convention was held in Salt Lake City, where a constitution for the new State of Deseret was drafted. The constitution was similar to that of the United States, except that everyone – man, woman, Indian, black, or white– was allowed to vote. Brigham Young was elected governor, and a year later, the United States admitted part of the State of Deseret into the Union as a territory. It was then called, Utah Territory.

Fall 1849: Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company established. This was a fund to help Saints who did not have the necessary money, to emigrate to the Salt Lake Valley.

9 Dec. 1849: Sunday School organized by Richard Ballantyne.]

SEPTEMBER 1850, TAMMA DURFEE MINER, a widow, arrived in Salt Lake with her seven children: Orson Miner, Polly Miner, Mormon Miner, Moroni Miner, Don C. Miner, Matilda Miner and Alma Lindsay Miner. Her husband, Albert Miner, had become ill and died in Iowa; Tamma had seen her father, Edmond Durfee, shot down in Illinois by a mob. They were without a home or anyone to hunt one for them, and they were very lonesome. They stayed with a Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox for two weeks, when Enos Curtis came along, and offered Tamma and the children a home.

c. 1850, SABRINA CURTIS KING, daughter of Enos and Ruth, traveling in an unidentified, independent wagon train, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. At this time, she was divorced from her first husband, George Elisha King, and had her one living child (the other two having died), David Abraham King, 3, with her. (Following the divorce, George Elisha King moved to Puget Sound, Washington, rather than Utah. He remarried, and was killed in the White River Massacre in King County, Washington, in 1855.)

6 APRIL 1850, DAUGHTER REMARRIED: Sabrina Curtis (King), daughter of Enos and Ruth, married English Latter-day Saint immigrant Thomas Harward. Thomas had emigrated from England a year before, and crossed the plains in the George A. Smith/Dan Jones Company in 1849. Sabrina and Thomas were married in Salt Lake City, Utah. They moved to Springville, Utah.

20 OCTOBER 1850, ENOS CURTIS AND TAMMA DURFEE MINER WERE MARRIED. They lived in a log cabin on the Jordan River the first winter together. While here, Tamma and all her children had “erysipelas” (probably a severe throat infection, such as strep) of the throat, and her oldest son, Orson Miner, 18, died, because of it.

[15 June 1850: Deseret News newspaper began publication in Salt Lake City.

20 Sept. 1850: President Young appointed governor of Utah Territory. Salt Lake City’s population now numbered 5,000 people.]

1 OCTOBER 1850, JOHN WHITE CURTIS, son of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, arrived with his wife, Almira Starr, and son, Elial Strong Curtis, 8, (1842-1924, named for his uncle) (their other son, Orson H. Curtis, (1844-1845) died before crossing the Plains) in the Salt Lake Valley, with Stephen Markham’s wagon train. John and Almira settled at first in Springville, Utah, where they lived for several years, then in 1876, moved to Aurora, Sevier, Utah.

In 1850, CENSUS- a census of Utah Territory was taken. The Curtis family was listed as follows, and Enos’s son David Avery Curtis and daughter, Sabrina Curtis King Harward also appeared on the census, although they are not listed here:

Enos Curtis, age 67, male, occupation, chairmaker, born New York

Tamma, age 38, female, laborer, born Ohio

Moroni, age 16, male, born Illinois

Mormon, age 14, male, born Illinois

Matilda, age 11, female, born Illinois

Alma, age 10, male, born Illinois

Carlos, age 8, male, born Illinois

John [White] Curtis, age 30, male, laborer, Pennsylvania

Almira, age 36, female, Connecticut

Elial, age 9, male, Illinois

25 DECEMBER 1850, DAUGHTER MARRIED, Celestia Curtis, the fourteenth child of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, married Jabez Durfee, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

1851, EZRA HOUGHTON CURTIS, son of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, ARRIVED IN SALT LAKE VALLEY, with his wife, Lucinda McKenney Carter, in the Joseph Horne Company. Ezra and Lucinda settled in 1875 in Aurora, Sevier Valley, Utah.

APRIL 1851, ENOS CURTIS AND TAMMA DURFEE MOVED TO SPRINGVILLE, UTAH, with their unmarried children. They began a house and farm here. Enos’s son, John White Curtis, also moved to Springville. Enos and John each built a spacious one-room log home with a carpenter shop in between, which they both shared. They helped build homes, and built furniture in the shop. Enos and John were both good carpenters, and they also worked together a lot, building, surveying, and farming. Their crops were planted and were first to be harvested that first year. They paid their tithing. Tamma’s sons, Mormon Miner and Moroni Miner, helped Enos and John in the carpenter shop.

13 OCTOBER, 1851, DAUGHTER BORN, Clarissa Curtis, the first child, first daughter of Enos Curtis and Tamma Durfee, in Springville, Utah County, Utah.

1852, SIMMONS P. CURTIS, son of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, ARRIVED IN SALT LAKE VALLEY, with his wife, Emmeline Buchanan, and their children, Martha Jane Curtis, 11; Enos Leroy Curtis, 9; John Bache Curtis, 7; Simmons Franklin Curtis, 4; and Mary Ann Curtis, 1; in the Thomas C.D. Howell Company. The same year, daughter of Enos Curtis and Ruth Franklin, Maria Curtis Brown, arrived in Salt Lake Valley, with the Isaac Bullock company.

23 FEBRUARY 1853, DAUGHTER BORN, Belinda Curtis, the second child, second daughter of Enos Curtis and Tamma Durfee, in Springville, Utah County, Utah.

8 OCTOBER 1853, ENOS CURTIS, 70, WAS SUSTAINED AS A PATRIARCH. He was set apart by Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, George A. Smith, and John Taylor at the 9 April 1854, General Conference.

10 May 1854 MEETING with CHIEF WALKER:

President Brigham Young decided to have a meeting with Chief Walker, the War Chief of the Ute Nation, and his band. Pres. Young organized a party of men to search out Chief Walker. Among others, Enos Curtis was selected as the Patriarch of the company. They traveled south to Chicken Creek, where Chief Walker and his band were camped. Pres. Young, Heber C. Kimball, several of the Twelve, Patriarch Enos Curtis, and others, visited with Chief Walker in his wickiup. They visited for hours, and concluded with a peace treaty. Pres. Young and the company then traveled south to visit Saints in the Iron County Mission, and other areas before returning home. Enos Curtis had four children that were part of the Iron County Mission: Simmons Curtis, Ezra Curtis, Sabrina Curtis, and Celestia Curtis. Now 71 years old, this was a wonderful opportunity for Enos Curtis to visit their families and his grandchildren living there.

12 JUNE 1855, TWIN DAUGHTERS BORN, Adelia Curtis, and Amelia Curtis, the third and fourth children of Enos Curtis and Tamma Durfee, in Springville, Utah County, Utah. These were the last children of Enos.

SUMMER 1855, THE GRASSHOPPER WAR. The pests had come in autumn 1854, and laid eggs. That summer, they hatched, eating everything. One fourth of the crops were saved, after much struggle.

SPRING, 1856, FOOD WAS SCARCE, as most of the previous year’s crops were destroyed by grasshoppers, and a recent Measles outbreak had left one of Enos’s daughters, Adelia Curtis, 8 months old, dead. ENOS’S SON, DAVID AVERY CURTIS, WAS SERVING A MISSION IN ENGLAND.

APRIL 1856, ENOS’S GRANDSON, Ursula Curtis Durfee’s little two year old boy, John Franklin Durfee, died.

AROUND 1856, ENOS CURTIS ’S SONS JOHN WHITE CURTIS, DAVID AVERY CURTIS, SIMMONS P. CURTIS AND EZRA H. CURTIS WERE ALL LISTED AS MEMBERS OF THE 20th QUORUM OF THE SEVENTIES.

1 JUNE 1856, ENOS CURTIS DIED, after attending a family dinner and putting in a full day’s work, falling asleep in his chair, in Springville, Utah County, Utah. He was buried, 6 June 1856, in Springville, Utah County, Utah. Enos Curtis’s then current wife, Tamma, was left with the four older boys from her previous marriage, to care for the farm, (Moroni Miner, 21; Mormon Miner, 19; Alma Lindsey Miner, 15; Don Carlos Smith Miner, 13) and three little girls (Clarissa Curtis, 5; Belinda Curtis, 3; and Amelia Curtis, 1;–Adelia Curtis had died as a baby) for Tamma to care for.

Enos was preceded in death by five children- Lydia Curtis (b. 1806-d. 1809); Maria Curtis (b.1810- d.1841); Edmund Curtis (b.1814-d.1815); Jeremiah Curtis (b.1815-d.1816); Seth Curtis (b.1817-d.1817); Ruth Curtis (b.1825-d.1825). Enos was also preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Franklin Curtis (d.6 May 1848). Enos was the father of fourteen children, by his wife Ruth Franklin Curtis, and survived by eight. Enos was the father of four children, by his second wife, Tamma Durfee Miner Curtis, and survived by three. Enos and Tamma’s daughter, Adelia Curtis (b. 1855-d.1856) also preceded Enos in death.

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SOURCES CITED

1- IN HONOR OF OUR NOBLE PIONEER ANCESTORS, compiled in 1982 by Gloria Galloway and her mother, Duella Stevens Jakeman (daughter of Maud McDonald Stevens, daughter of Rozilla Curtis McDonald, daughter of John and Matilda Curtis)

2- *******************************************************

3- From the website: ***********************************

4- Reference Information: The above presentation of Enos Curtis was taken from a book, "Our Family Chain --Elial "Radmall" Coleman-- Ancestry and Youth" by Larry K. Coleman, 1982.

This book mentioned in the above ref. is in poss. of Ted & Maxine Moody, Rt 2, box 765, Safford, Arizona 85546. (phone #) 1-602-428-1564.

5- TIMES AND SEASONS. Vol. V. No. 22.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. Dec. 1, 1844. [Whole No. 106

HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.

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9- Notes about the Ruth Franklin family: (from an email from Maxine Belnap, mdbelnap@juno.com)

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Source: History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations, Portraits, & Sketches of Prominent Families and Individuals (1883), (New York: W. W. Munsell & Co., Press of George MacNamara), pp. 334-337.

RUTLAND TOWNSHIP AND ROSEVILLE.

By John L. Sexton jr. Retyped for SRGP - JMT by Wilma JOHNS Sakowsky

11- Families of Jackson Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania

By J. Kelsey Jones

2010 Edition

12- Sacred Places of New York and Pennsylvania

Bradford and Tioga Counties [Pennsylvania]

by Larry C. Porter

p. 277

13- Notes on Lyman Wight- In June 1831 D&C 52 was revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet, regarding the rules of Missionary work- At Conference, new missionaries were called, including (D&C 52:7) Lyman Wight and John Corrill, as mission companions (served mission to Jackson County, Missouri, via Detroit and Pontiac, Michigan Territory, June-Aug. 1831)

14- S. Dilworth Young, “Brigham Young—The Early Years,” Tambuli, Jun 1989, 18

15- Marjorie H. Rice, “Living in a Chapter of History,” Ensign, Oct 2007, 56–61

16- --“The Church in Its Canadian Setting,” Ensign, Sep 1988, 44–45

17 --Richard E. Bennett, “Canada: From Struggling Seed, the Church Has Risen to Branching Maple,” Ensign, Sep 1988, 30

18- “Chapter 29: Living with Others in Peace and Harmony,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007),339–48

19- “Chapter Four: Establishing Zion in Missouri,” Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 37

20- Church History in the Fulness of Times Institute Student Manual Chapter Seventeen-Refuge in Illinois)

21- Gracia N. Jones, “My Great-Great-Grandmother, Emma Hale Smith,” Ensign, Aug 1992, 30

22- Donald Q. Cannon, “Spokes on the Wheel: Early Latter-day Saint Settlements in Hancock County, Illinois,” Ensign, Feb 1986, 62

23- “The Way It Looks Today: A Camera Tour of Church History Sites in Illinois,” Ensign, Sep 1979, 34

24- Albert L. Zobell Jr., “The Prophet’s Last Christmas,” New Era, Dec 1976, 13

25- Donald Q. Cannon, “Spokes on the Wheel: Early Latter-day Saint Settlements in Hancock County, Illinois,” Ensign, Feb 1986, 62

26- William G. Hartley, “‘How Shall I Gather?’,” Ensign, Oct 1997, 5–17

27- “Sentinel in the East: A Biography of Thomas L. Kane” by Albert L. Zobell, Jr., M.S., which includes the article:

“The Mormons” A Lecture by Thomas L. Kane, (A Discourse delivered before The Historical Society of Pennsylvania: March 26, 1850.)

(Bolding, italics and subtitles added later)

28- **********************************************

Title: A Young Folks' History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Author: Nephi Anderson

Release Date: August 16, 2005 [EBook #16534]

29- Ronald Esplin, “Utah’s First Thanksgiving,” Ensign, Oct 1982, 49–51

30-****************************************************************************************

31-TIMES AND SEASONS. Vol. V. No. 22.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. Dec. 1, 1844. [Whole No. 106

HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.

[p. 127]

Quincy, Sept. 1, 1844.

At a conference at which Enos Curtis was president, and Henry Pinney clerk, it was resolved that Moses Jones, Silas Maynard and W. B. Corbitt be recommended to the High Priests' Quorum to be ordained as high priests.

Six were received into the church by recommendations from other places.

Brother Thompson was directed to be sent to hire a room to hold meetings in for the next three months.

Elder Corbitt addressed the conference from Romans 2d chapter, and made some remarks on the late epistle of the Twelve. Elder McKenzie also addressed the conference.

Bros. Hollinghead and Corey were ordained priests.

The Lord's supper was administered; the minutes directed to be published in the Times and Seasons, and the conference adjourned three months.

ENOS CURTIS, President.

HENRY PINNEY, Clerk.

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HARDSHIPS HAVE THEIR REWARD

Submitted By: David T. Hinton

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NOTES SECTION

*1- Notes on Kinderhook, New York– (bold type and underlining added later)

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Henry (Hendrick) Hudson sailed as far north as Kinderhook on his exploration of the Hudson River and named the location "Kinderhoek." Kinderhook signifies in the Dutch tongue "the children's corner," and is supposed to have been applied to this locality, in 1609, on account of the many Indian children who had assembled on one of the bluffs along the river to see his strange vessel (the 'Half Moon') sailing up stream. Another version says that a Swede named Scherb, living in the forks of an Indian trail in the present town of Stuyvesant, had such a numerous family of children that the name of Kinderhook was used by the Dutch traders to designate that locality. Hudson had mixed dealing with the local Mohican natives, ranging from peaceful trade to minor skirmishes. As the Dutch attempted to colonize the area, further warfare broke out with the natives.

Kinderhook was settled around 1750. The town of Kinderhook was founded in 1788 from a previously created district (1772), but lost substantial territory to form part of the town of Chatham in 1775. Kinderhook was one of the original towns of Columbia County. More of Kinderhook was lost to form the town of Ghent in 1818 and the town of Stuyvesant in 1823.

Kinderhook is steeped in history. Washington Irving wrote his classic story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" while staying at Lindenwald, the home of Martin Van Buren. The Van Alen House, built in 1737, is just north of Lindenwald on route 9H. The house is now a museum, along with the original Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse adjoining it, quite faithfully described by Irving. A fascinating account of the early history of the Kinderhook area was published by the Village in 1976 for the Bicentennial.

Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) is another notable local person. He was born on December 5th in a house that was located at 36 Hudson Street, where an historical marker now stands. His father, who had fought in the war for Independence, was a tavern keeper and farmer. Martin attended village schools until age 14 when he started to read law with a local attorney, Mr. Sylvester. He then moved to New York City to pursue further legal studies.

Throughout the 1700's, there was prolonged trouble over the Massachusetts boundary line, with New Englanders claiming the Hudson River as their eastern [probably should read western -ed.] boundary and New Yorkers claiming control over land extending into Connecticut. This antagonism was further inflamed by the cultural disparity between the primarily Dutch New Yorkers and the English New Englanders. Many Kinderhook freeholders claimed title to land in the disputed area and vigorously opposed the incursions from the east. During the 1760's and early 1770's Kinderhook inhabitants were also threatened by the claims of powerful landowners in the Livingston and VanRenssalaer families. These controversies slowed this area's agricultural development and by 1763 the Village had fifteen homes and the Dutch Reformed Church.

In 1772, the English King interceded in the border dispute in favor of the New Englanders by creating the Kinderhook District and the King's District. However, final settlement of the boundary line did not occur until after the Revolution when the U.S. Congress established the present border in 1789.

The outbreak of the Revolutionary War found the Village, as well as most of the State, with sharply divided sympathies. In 1775, the division was so great that dual elections, one Tory and one Patriot, were held in the Village to elect representatives to the County Committee of Correspondence. Outside agitators further encouraged enmity between these groups and both sides frequently resorted to acts of violence. The protection of Patriot lives and property was entrusted to Committees of Safety. By the spring of 1777 Tory hostility was so great that General Gates ordered Continental troops here. Despite these instances of Loyalist partiality, many sons of Kinderhook rendered honorable service during our nation's fight for independence.

During the Revolutionary War, the Kinderhook area was the site of several historic events. In the winter of 1775-76 Colonel Henry Knox transported a vital shipment of artillery from the recently captured Fort Ticonderoga to the beleaguered City of Boston. Using ox and horse-drawn sledges, Knox led his hardy band through the frozen countryside, stopping only to rest and replenish their supplies. One of the areas traversed by Knox was the Town of Kinderhook. Our Village was the overnight resting place of Colonel Benedict Arnold in the spring of 1777 while he was convalescing from wounds received during the victory of Bemis Heights. When the redcoat army was captured by the Americans under General Phillips in 1777, the English General Burgoyne was entertained in the Village. Similarly, the American General Montgomery dined here while on his way to the ill-fated attack on Quebec.

After the Revolution was won, the area was slow to adjust to the disruption and dislocation the war had caused. Many prominent estates changed hands, either because the owners had fled to Canada or the land had been confiscated outright. In addition, there was increased settlement in Kinderhook by New Englanders. Most importantly, however, the post-Revolutionary period was one of major civic reorganization.

In 1786 Columbia County was formed in the division of Old Albany County. The County was originally comprised of seven towns whose supervisors established a County government.

Two years later the Town of Kinderhook was organized in the District which had been formed in 1772. The fact that the first town records were kept in Dutch is indicative of the strength of this area's Dutch heritage. Indeed, Dutch was spoken in Kinderhook well into the 19th century.

It was during this period of transition that turnpikes stretching in all directions were built. In 1785 the first stagecoach company between Albany and New York was chartered to run weekly coaches over the post road passing through Kinderhook. The turn of the century brought steamboat travel and helped set the stage for a period of extensive development in the Village.

Being situated on a plain which was "as a garden and abounded in agricultural wealth", Kinderhook derived much of its prosperity from the land. Aside from an extensive wagon-making industry, the lack of water power prevented the Village from sustaining large manufacturing industries. Nevertheless, Kinderhook Creek was noted as one of the best in the country for fine mill sites and generated a great deal of industry in neighboring areas. Due to its location on the old post road and the excellent highways which traversed it in all directions, the Village became a major commercial center. Goods and produce from the surrounding area passed through here on their way to the river where they were easily shipped to New York markets via sloops plying the Hudson.

Throughout its history, the Village of Kinderhook has graced the State and the Nation with many prominent people. One of Kinderhook's leading citizens was Peter VanNess who had commanded a regiment in the defeat of Burgoyne in 1777 and went on to become Kinderhook's first judge. Judge VanNess constructed the house which he called Kleinrood and which Martin VanBuren later occupied and renamed "Lindenwald". At this house, the VanNess children were tutored by a young writer whose name was Washington Irving.

During his stay in Kinderhook, Irving wrote Rip VanWinkle and garnered material for the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Although the latter story was set in Tarrytown (possibly because he was writing for a New York City audience), the principle characters were based on local Kinderhook folk. Letters subsequently written by Washington Irving attest to the fact that Ichabod Crane was patterned after Jesse Merwin who taught at the local schoolhouse.

One of Peter VanNess' sons was William P. VanNess whose main claim to fame is that, as Aaron Burr's personal friend, he communicated Burr's challenge to Alexander Hamilton and acted as his second at the fateful duel. According to local legend, VanNess gave Burr refuge in a secret sealed room at Lindenwald after he killed Hamilton.

Although Lindenwald passed to the VanBuren family after the President died, it was lost by his son John while gambling. The winner was a New York City financier named Lawrence Jerome who brought his family, including his daughter Jenny, to live at Lindenwald. Jenny Jerome, of course, was Winston Churchill's mother.

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*3 – Notes on Tioga County –

*History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania

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RUTLAND TOWNSHIP AND ROSEVILLE.

By John L. Sexton jr. Retyped for SRGP - JMT by Wilma JOHNS Sakowsky

THE township of Rutland was organized from the townships of Sullivan and Jackson, in February 1828. It is bounded on the north by the township of Jackson, on the east by Bradford county, on the south by Sullivan and Richmond, and on the west by Tioga. Its principal stream is Mill Creek, which flows westerly and empties into the Tioga River at Mill Creek station on the Tioga and Elmira State Line Railroad. Elk Run, a considerable creek, flows across its southwestern boundary.

We have alluded to the character of the settlers in the history of Sullivan, and will only say that after the formation of the township of Sullivan, in 1817, the inhabitants of the present township of Rutland began to agitate the formation of a township, whose center should be where the present borough of Roseville is located. It is not necessary to reproduce here the arguments that were advanced pro and con in the controversy. Suffice it to say that even among the early settlers of Sullivan and Rutland the spirit of envy and strife was not unknown. To call it by its mildest term, the spirit of rivalry was extant, and resulted in the formation of the township of Rutland. The heat of that early conflict has died out, but the recollection of it was for many years kept alive.

(The following is probably in 1882)

Rutland township and Roseville now have twelve schools, with 168 male and 154 female scholars, aggregating 322. The first school-house in the township was on the Mill Creek road, and one of the early teachers was Harris Soper.

According to the report of the secretary of internal affairs for the year 1880 the valuation of taxable property in the township and borough was $245.080. This is another of the low estimates. The real amount will approximate $700,000. The number of taxables in the township in 1881 was 353, and in Roseville borough 75, making a total of 428.

There are five churches in the township and borough, and one very flourishing Odd Fellows' lodge, No. 468, which was established over thirty years ago, and has been the parent of lodges at Seeley Creek, Austinville, Aspinwall, Mainesburg, etc. The lodge owns the building where it meets, the lower portion of which is used for a town hall, election purposes, etc. Myron Rose is the present noble grand.

Like the inhabitants of Sullivan the citizens of the township are in a prosperous and independent condition. The farms are under a good state of cultivation, with good dwellings and convenient barns and sheds, and the farmers are well provided with all the latest and most improved implements of husbandry. Corn, wheat, oats, barley and buckwheat are cultivated with success; tobacco also has been raised, paying well for the labor connected therewith. The orchards are thrifty and well cared for, and the herds of neat cattle and sheep to be seen in the fields show that this is one of the finest dairy and agricultural townships of the county.

A large portion of the lands in Rutland township as well as in Sullivan township originally belonged to the Bingham estate and what are known as the Bishop White lands.

Families of Jackson Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania

By J. Kelsey Jones

2010 Edition

8. Ruth Franklin b. 14 Nov 1790 m. 15 Dec 1805 Enos Curtis b. 9 Oct 1783 Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York son of Edmond Curtis and Mary Avery.

Enos appears on a special assessment of Tioga and Delmar Townships, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, dated 7 Oct 1814 when it was submitted to the commissioners of Tioga County. This was a special tax enumeration of the two townships that existed in the entire County at that date.

Enos Curtis is listed as age 30, farmer. Enos appears on the first assessment list in 1816 (compiled fall of 1815) of Jackson Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

On the 1820 assessment list unable to pay for schooling of Mariah and Martha.

Enumerated in Jackson Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania in 1820 with three males under age ten (b. 1811-20), one male of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1776-94), two females under age ten (b. 1811-20), and one female of age twenty six and under age forty five (b. 1776-94). They resided in that portion of Jackson Township that became Rutland Township.

Unable to pay for schooling of children Maria and Martha on the 1822 assessment list of Jackson.

Enumerated in Rutland, Tioga County, Pennsylvania in 1830 with one male of age five and under age ten (b. 1821-25), three males of age ten and under age fifteen (b. 1816-20), one male of age forty and under age fifty (b. 1781-90), two females under age five (b. 1826-30), and one female of age thirty and under age forty (b. 1791-1800). They removed west and embraced the Mormon faith.

Enumerated in Fulton County, Illinois in 1840. Ruth’s own endowment record in the Nauvoo Temple dated 1 Jan 1846 gave her birth as 14 Nov 1790 Sterling, Connecticut. Ruth d. 6 May 1848 Council Bluffs, Pottawatamie County, Iowa.

Enos m. 20 Oct 1850 Tamma Durfee b. 6 Mar 1813 Lenox, Madison County, New York daughter of Edmond Durfee and Magdalena Pickle and widow of Albert Miner b. 31 Mar 1809 Jefferson County, New York. Albert and Tamma m. 9 Aug 1831, were early converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

They assisted in the construction of both the Kirtland and Nauvoo Temples and endured many hardships in their struggles. After being driven from Nauvoo, Illinois, Albert d. 3 Jan 1848 on the plains of Iowa at Iowaville and was buried there. After Albert’s death Tamma and seven of nine children living continued on to arrive in Utah in June 1850.

Tamma and Enos settled in Springville, Utah in April 1851. Enos d. 1 June 1856 Springville. Tamma m. 7 Apr 1857 John White Curtis b. 11 Aug 1820 son of Enos and Ruth. Tamma d. 30 Jan 1885 Provo, Utah.

Lydia Curtis b. 5 Feb 1808 Chatham, New York d. 5 July 1809.

Maria Curtis b. 22 Mar 1810 Rutland m. 13 Sept 1834 Abraham Brown (2)Milo Everett.

Martha Curtis b. 12 Aug 1812 Rutland m. Elial Strong and she d. 22 Dec 1834.

Edmund Curtis b. 5 Nov 1814 Rutland d. 6 Jan 1815 Sullivan.

Jeremiah Curtis b. 12 Nov 1815 Rutland d. 22 Feb 1816 Rutland.

Seth Curtis b. 8 Mar 1817 Rutland d. 8 Mar 1817 Sullivan.

Simmons Philander Curtis b. 26 Mar 1818 Rutland m. 4 July 1840 Emeline Buchanan and 7 Mar 1870 (2)Asenath Annette Lawrence.

John White Curtis (twin) b. 11 Aug 1820 Rutland m. 13 May 1840 Almira Starr and 21 Oct 1855 (2)Matilda Miner and 7 Apr 1857 (3)Tamma Durfee widow of his father.

David Avery Curtis (twin) b. 11 Aug 1820 Rutland m. 20 Oct 1841 Amanda Ann Starr and 28 Aug 1852 (2)Lutitia Shearer and 28 Aug 1852 (3)Harriet Sarah Howard and 25 Mar 1855 Sarah Harward.

Ezra Houghton Curtis b. 19 Feb 1823 Rutland m. 18 Dec 1846 Lucinda McKenney Carter and (2)Juliaette Everett.

Ruth Curtis b. 4 Jan 1825 Rutland d. 4 Oct 1825 Rutland.

Ursula Curtis b. 14 Dec 1826 Sullivan m. Abraham Durfee and 1 Jan 1879 (2)Samuel Kendall Gifford.

Sabrina Curtis b. 3 Apr 1829 Rutland m. 6 Apr 1850 Thomas Harward.

Celestia Curtis b. 21 Apr 1832 Rutland m. 25 Dec 1850 Jabez Durfee.

Children of Enos and Tamma:

Clarissa Curtis b. 13 Oct 1851 Springville, Utah.

Belinda Curtis b. 23 Feb 1853 Springville, Utah d. 17 Nov 1873.

Amelia Curtis (twin) b. 12 June 1855 Springville, Utah.

Adelia Curtis (twin) b. 12 June 1855 Springville, Utah d. 2 Feb 1856.

Child of Tamma and John White Curtis:

Maritta Curtis b. 16 Jan 1858 Springville, Utah.

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Sacred Places of New York and Pennsylvania

Bradford and Tioga Counties [Pennsylvania]

by Larry C. Porter

p. 277

It was in the spring of 1831 that Alpheus Gifford of Rutland Township heard the doctrines of the gospel as taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was baptized and ordained a priest. He brought home five copies of the Book of Mormon and placed them with friends and family members. Soon after, Alpheus went to see the Prophet in Kirtland and took with him friends from Tioga and Bradford Counties. These included his brother, Levi Gifford, Elial Strong, Eleazer Miller, Enos Curtis, and Abraham Brown. Alpheus was ordained an elder while there. We also know that Enos Curtis and Elial Strong were baptized in Kirtland. Lyman Wight performed the ordinance for Enos Curtis. Eleazer Miller wasn't baptized until December 1831 in Pennsylvania. On their return to Pennsylvania these brethren conducted extensive missionary work in Tioga and Bradford Counties. Among those baptized under their ministrations were Daniel Bowen in Columbia Township and Ezra Landon in Troy Township.

During the fall of 1831, Elial Strong, Brother Potter (possibly Richard Potter of Columbia Township) and Brother Bowen (presumably Daniel Bowen), undertook a short-term mission to Shaftsbury, VT, where “a few received the work.”

In the winter of 1831 Alpheus Gifford, Enos Curtis, and Elial Strong from Rutland Township, and Eleazer Miller and Daniel Bowen from Columbia Township undertook a mission to Mendon, NY. Samuel H. Smith, brother of the Prophet Joseph, had previously paved the way for their labors by placing at least two copies of the Book of Mormon with the Phineas H. Young and John P. Greene families in that area. These copies were circulated widely among other family members. The elders first visited Phineas in the town of Victor and then spread to the larger Young and Kimball families in the area before going on to Warsaw, NY, and other locations.

Prompted by a desire to learn more of Mormonism, Brigham and Miriam Young, Phineas and Clarissa Young, and Heber C. Kimball made an exchange visit with the Pennsylvania elders. They left Mendon about Jan, 20, 1832, and traveled by horse and sleigh to Bradford County where they met with the people of the Columbia Branch. Brigham Young reported:

“We travelled through snow and ice, crossing rivers until we were almost discouraged; still our faith was to learn more of the principles of Mormonism.

“We arrived at the place where there was a small Branch of the Church; we conversed with them, attended their meetings and heard them preach, and after staying about one week we returned home, being still more convinced of the truth of the work, and anxious to learn its principles and to learn more of Joseph Smith's mission. The members of the Branch in Pennsylvania were the first in the Church who received the gift of tongues.”

In the spring of 1832, Phineas H. Young, Joseph Young, and their father, John Young again journeyed to the Columbia Branch. On April 5 Phineas and John were baptized by Ezra Landon and Daniel Bowen, respectively. And on the following day, April 6, Joseph Young was baptized by Daniel Bowen. Returning to Mendon with the visitors or shortly thereafter, Alpheus Gifford and Eleazer Miller again began to proselyte. Brigham Young was baptized by Eleazer Miller on April 15, 1832. Heber C. Kimball was baptized by Alpheus Gifford on either April 15 or 16, 1832. More than thirty persons were baptized in the Mendon/Victor area in the next few weeks.

The intensity of missionary work from such small branches of the Church as those in Bradford and Tioga Counties is hard to imagine. During the summer of 1832, Eleazer Miller, Enos Curtis, Elial Strong, and an unnamed missionary from Rutland joined with Elders Phineas and Joseph Young from Mendon and journeyed to Ernestown, Midland District, Upper Canada (now Ontario Province). They labored for about six weeks and were successful in baptizing many and raising up a branch of the Church.

Concerning his early missionary labors, Elial Strong specified: “We have labored under some disadvantage, not having instructions till within a few months past, respecting this great work, other than the Articles [D&C 20 and 22], Book of Mormon, and the Comforter.”

Among those recruited for Zion's Camp in 1834 were Elial Strong and Levi Gifford from Tioga County and Eleazer Miller from Bradford County. Unfortunately, Elial Strong was one of the members of Zion's Camp who died of cholera in Clay County, Missouri at the conclusion of the march.

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