Jones, Martha Paine
1808 - 1895 (87 years)The Autobiography of Martha Paine Jones Thomas Utah Pioneer of 1849
The Autobiography of Martha Paine Jones Thomas
Utah Pioneer of 1849
The following is a compilation of excerpts from two letters, the first, written February 20, 1881, was placed in the cornerstone box in a old Relief Society Building in Provo, Utah in 1931, after it was opened and read, it was kept on display in the Relief Society in Salt Lake City, Utah. The other letter was written January 12, 1885, as a “sketch of my life, so they can trace our family after I am gone.”
“I, Martha P. Thomas to my children or descendants to whom this may come in the year 1931….I write the following items hoping they may be of some use or interest to my descendants, fifty years from this date.
I was born February 20, 1808, in Sumner County, Tennessee. I am seventy three years of age this day, in good health and spirits and looking for and hoping for the coming of our Lord and the redemption and establishment of Zion upon the earth.
My father, Isaac Jones, enlisted to fight for our county in 1812, and died in General [Andrew] Jackson’s army at New Orleans. My mother’s maiden name was Polly Oglesby. [She was] the daughter of Daniel Oglesby and Eliza Hollis. Isaac Pierce married my mother three years after the death of my father. She died the next year leaving me and my three little brothers alone. I was partially raised by my uncle William Jones and his wife Polly Haw.
My husband, Daniel Stillwell Thomas was born March 15, 1803, in Sumner County, Tennessee, Grandfather [Henry Thomas] was a Revolutionary War soldier [enlisting in 1777 and serving for three years]. His mother’s name was Rachel Stillwell. I was married to my husband February 3, 1826 near Galatin, Sumner County, Tennessee, in my eighteenth year. I lived with my husband fifty-two years and have been a widow three years. [Of] my eleven children, four are dead; one lost to our knowledge at present and six alive, married and at present reside in Lehi. I now have seventy grandchildren and thirty-one great grandchildren.
In 1827 [my husband and I] moved to Callaway County, Kentucky. We joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there in 1835. We were part of the labors of Wilford Woodruff when he was on his first mission. We gathered with the body of the Church in Missouri in 1837. We bade farewell to all kindred, which was a sad affair, especially to father and mother Thomas. They belonged the Church, but were too old to stand the journey. Brother Woodruff blessed them and said that they would yet stand in Zion. So they did, for we sent for them and in the fall they came by water. They soon died and were buried side by side on Long Creek, Missouri. He was 84 years old and mother 78.
Our leader up to Missouri was Henry G. Sherwood. The Saints then resided in Far West, Caldwell County. We stayed there about two years, being all the time persecuted by the mobs on account of our religion. We had entered and paid for a large farm, had built a house on it, surrounded ourselves with all necessary improvements to a home and were getting well fixed in life when in 1839, the mobs came upon us in force and drove us away from our home. Our house was the last on the Richmond road, leading from Far West to Richmond. About two miles from our house there was a little place called Buncom, where the mob gathered to counsel which way to go. At first they did not seem to notice those living close by, but would go to David and other far away places. Therefore, my husband and others were called to go and guard those settlements, which left me alone with my little ones.
I cannot tell how long I stayed alone; I was busy gathering our crops….but when they (the mob) passed by, if they wanted anything they would help themselves. Later I made up my mind, if Mr. Thomas got home alive, I would never stay another night alone.
He came home Monday, about nine o’clock, [and] Tuesday, about six in the afternoon, word was sent [that] the mob was gathering for a battle [between our] house and Crooked River. He commenced buckling his sword. I [told] Morgan to yoke up the oxen. He [Daniel] looked with surprise, “What are you going to do with the oxen?”
“I’m going to town.”
“What! Tonight?”
“Yes, I will not stay another night, alone!”
He saw I was in earnest –laid down his sword and began to throw things I the wagon, pell-mell. I had a big iron kettle of beef bones boiling. He drained the water off and hoisted it in the front of the wagon, then picking up the children, tossed them in. I called to him, saying,” Don’t set them in the kettle of bones!” We had to stop and laugh, even though all our enemies were upon us. He then gathered up his gun and sword and started on the run as his men had gone on ahead. The children and I started for Far West just as the sun was setting.
What took place in the next few days many have told; the Battle of Crooked River…. In a few days the militia; 4,000 in number, marched in and camped on the east bank of Goose Creek. How horrifying it was to us to hear the yells, shouts and screams; the damned in hell could not be any worse than that was. That evening Brother Joseph and his brethren walked into camp ‘like lambs to the slaughter’. I will never forget those days in time and eternity. I wish I could speak so it would be stamped on the mainds of my posterity as with the [in]delible ink, never to be ruled out.
The leaders of the Church were imprisoned, my husband with them. [At their release], we were told to go home and get ready to leave the state in so many days or we would be shot – unless we denounced our Prophet and leader. This we could not do. We had to leave in a great hurry, on account of the mob and to save our lives. Many of our friends, the saints, being killed.
With the loss of all we had, save five children, a small yoke of cattle, one old wagon, the clothes we wore and one pair of shoes, all we had for our four children. These were worn by our eldest, Morgan. The snow was about six inches deep. We went by way of Quincy into Illinois. (Note: The Saints crossed the Mississippi River at Quincy.)
[With] the ice leaving the river now….the boats will make one trip today. It falls to our lot to cross. Having no wagon (the Thomas’ sent their wagon and team back to Far West for those left behind) we could not put our goods all in the same boat. The boatmen said they would make another trip that evening. We made our landing good at Quincy. Just imagine, I was left on the shore, with no living one with me, but four small children. The sun was down. I could not see across the river. I wrapped the children in bed clothes…and sat down on the bed to watch for the boat. I began to look at my situation, not knowing what moment I might be taken sick (give birth). For the first time the tears stole down my face on my own account. One of the little ones said, “Mother, are you sick?” “No,” said I, “the wind is so cold.” Just then, Brother Wiswanger rode up and saw I was feeling bad and stayed with me until he heard the boat come. He had twelve miles to ride after dark. They soon landed and we were all together again. [Mr. Thomas] got a man with a cart and mule to haul the children and bedding to camp Milwaukee. In a few days I was put to bed quite comfortable, a fine son in my arms. Joseph Alma, named…for our Prophet Joseph, then in chains in prison, was born in the wood on March 17, [1839].
Brother Joseph escaped from prison, went up the river, [and] bought a town site called commerce, afterward, Nauvoo. Here he called the Saints together. In the spring of 1840, we moved to Nauvoo, found our dear friend and leader, Henry G. Sherwood was the surveyor. He had a good lot in reserve for us. There was very near enough timber on it to build a house and fence it. [We remained] there with the Church until the final expulsion of the Saints in 1846.
During our [six year] stay in Nauvoo, we built us another home which we could not sell on leaving. The Saints, during their stay there, built up a large and fine city and a beautiful and valuable temple, my husband and oldest son working on them and the other public buildings most the time.
To my posterity I will say, we esteemed it a privilege to work on the House of God and te Nauvoo House. We were then called to the house to receive the blessings the Lord has in store for the faithful, which amply paid them for all their labors.
After our expulsion from Nauvoo [in 1846], we started for the mountains without purse or script, wagon or team. We had our two selves, eight children, one cow, nine sheep and two pigs. We stayed in Bounapart, Iowa, and Winter Quarters over two years. In 1847, we buried Morgan Melican, or oldest son, in Florence. (Note: Morgan M. Thomas acquired stone cutter’s comsumption while working on the Temple at Nauvoo.)
My readers, the clouds of sorrow never gather so black but what there is a bright star to be seen by those that trust in the Lord. Joseph Young came to Morgan the evening before he died. He laid his hands on his head and said, “Morgan, be calm as a summer morn, be quiet, all is well with you. It matter not whether you live or die, for there is no power in heaven, earth or hell that will cheat you out of a martyr’s crown.” At nine the next morning he breathed his last, without a struggle, or moan, as though he was going to sleep.
In the spring of 1847, the pioneers started to find the vallies [valleys] of the mountains. Soon after the first company of Saints started with Brothers John Taylor and Parley P. Pratt, their leaders. Teamsters were very scarce; you will remember 500 of our best men were called to go and fight for the government (The Mormon Battalion). Brother Van Cott…spoke to me…about Isaac, our [thirteen year old] son, going with him to drive the team. He said the teams would be coming back and he would send a wagon and team for us to come to the vallies [valleys] the next season. By this time, Abigail Abbot had made it up for Matilda, our oldest daughter to go with them. Brother and Sister Abbot were going with Brother Van Cott as chief cook and manager. I was satisfied that if she (Matilda) stayed on the Missouri bottoms that summer she would be buried with her brother. She was in the last stage of chills and fever. My heart almost sunk in despair, whether I could let her go and live, or keep her and let her die. [Brother Van Cott] said, “I will take both of them as my own children, also I will live up to my word concerning the wagon and team.” [This] opened up the way for us to go to the vallies [valleys] of the mountains. One night after going to bed with my little ones, I was tracing our travels up the present, then stretching out as far west as I could, I saw a vision of my mind, that if Mr. Thomas did not go with President Young as teamster, we would not get the wagon and team that Isaac was bring, as it would be turned back to help the company into the vallies [valleys]. (Note: At Martha’s urging, Daniel offered his services as teamster to President Brigham Young. He left his wife and family to drive the wagon which held the records of the church. Martha stayed at Winter Quarters, borrowed a loom and began weaving as a means to support her family, until her husband and son returned)
[When] Mr. Thomas and Isaac [returned they] went to the Mission House, where the Governor kept a large school for the benefit of the Omaha Indian tribe, and worked about six weeks, for the provisions we were obliged to have before they would allow us to start across the plains. We the 15th of June, 1849, left our log cabin to cross the [Missouri] river, the water was so high it was almost impossible to get to the ferry. On the 5th of July, we started for the vallies [valleys] of the mountains, where the Prophet said we should go. We had a prosperous journey, no accident, except several stampedes in Brother Perkin’s company of fifty…arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, October 14, 1849.
My dear readers, do not think we landed in Salt Lake Valley on ‘flowery beds of ease.’ We did not, neither did we expect to. The Lord never promised salvation on any such plane. It is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of God, therefore we were not disappointed. [When we] landed in the vallies [valleys], who could not acknowledge the hand of God in our deliverance?
We had come to a new country, far removed from all sources of supplies and containing nothing deemed necessary to sustain civilized life.
My husband labored mostly on the public works in Salt Lake City. I was there set apart by Bishop Petegrew to take change of the fast meetings in the 10th Ward during the summer season. We remained in Salt Lake City about four years, until our son-in-law, Israel Evans [married to Matilda Ann] was called on a mission to England, when we moved to Lehi, Utah County, and took charge of his farm and family during his mission.
We lived in Lehi until the present time, taking our part in all the labors incident to settling a new country, and have lived to see the land to which we came and that contained nothing sustain civilized life, become famous for its fruits, grain and vegetables. Also it’s minerals and as well supplied with all deemed necessary as most other lands are.
In Lehi, the Relief Society was reorganized with Sister Coleman Evans as President, and myself as first counselor. The Society was again in 1879 when T. R. Cutler was appointed succeeded Bishop David Evans. Sister Rebecca Standing was appointed President of the Society and myself continued as counselor.
June 27, 1879, D. S. Thomas, your father was buried. This leaved me standing in the midst of the Saints surrounded with a numerous posterity, which is a great comfort to me. At times the clouds of sorrow will hover over me. Then I call on my Father for help and He is sure to comfort me.
Our family names are as follows:
Morgan, born Dec. 7, 1826, Sumner Co., Tennessee – died at Winter Quarters.
Matilda Ann, born Feb 5, 1830, Callaway Co., Kentucky – married Israel Evans.
Malinda S., born Feb 9, 1832, Callaway Co., Kentucky – married Alex H. Loveridge – died in Lehi, 1871.
Isaac, born May 30, 1833, Callaway Co., Kentucky – we do not know his whereabouts at present.
Emma Smith, born Oct. 21, 1836, Callaway Co., Kentucky – married John Woodhouse.
Joseph Alma, born Mar. 17, 1839, in the woods in Adams, Co., Illinois – married Mary Ellen Lawrence.
Daniel Wright, born Dec 11, 1842 Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois – married Mary Ann Ashton.
Mary Ann, born Jan. 1, 1845, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois – died at birth.
Martha Jane, born Jan. 1, 1845, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois – married Newel A. Brown.
Sarah Phlinda, born Feb. 3, 1849, Honey Creek, Iowa on our journey westward from Nauvoo – married Arthur Stewart.
John Jones – born Jan. 10, 1852, Salt Lake City, Utah – married Myra Clark.
I leave this short account, together with my blessing and my testimony to the truth of the work of God, in the which I have passed most of my life, and on account of which I have had to sacrifice the homes I have named and to pass through the trials consequent on such drivings and journeyings. To my descendants, together with my prayers that all of my descendants may prove faithful to the cause for which we have contended, [that they] may realize all the blessings contemplated by the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. I am thankful to the God of Heaven and the Heavenly Host that has ever guarded us through life. May the same blessings ever be upon our posterity is the wish of your mother. Amen.”
Martha P. Thomas
Utah Pioneer of 1849
The following is a compilation of excerpts from two letters, the first, written February 20, 1881, was placed in the cornerstone box in a old Relief Society Building in Provo, Utah in 1931, after it was opened and read, it was kept on display in the Relief Society in Salt Lake City, Utah. The other letter was written January 12, 1885, as a “sketch of my life, so they can trace our family after I am gone.”
“I, Martha P. Thomas to my children or descendants to whom this may come in the year 1931….I write the following items hoping they may be of some use or interest to my descendants, fifty years from this date.
I was born February 20, 1808, in Sumner County, Tennessee. I am seventy three years of age this day, in good health and spirits and looking for and hoping for the coming of our Lord and the redemption and establishment of Zion upon the earth.
My father, Isaac Jones, enlisted to fight for our county in 1812, and died in General [Andrew] Jackson’s army at New Orleans. My mother’s maiden name was Polly Oglesby. [She was] the daughter of Daniel Oglesby and Eliza Hollis. Isaac Pierce married my mother three years after the death of my father. She died the next year leaving me and my three little brothers alone. I was partially raised by my uncle William Jones and his wife Polly Haw.
My husband, Daniel Stillwell Thomas was born March 15, 1803, in Sumner County, Tennessee, Grandfather [Henry Thomas] was a Revolutionary War soldier [enlisting in 1777 and serving for three years]. His mother’s name was Rachel Stillwell. I was married to my husband February 3, 1826 near Galatin, Sumner County, Tennessee, in my eighteenth year. I lived with my husband fifty-two years and have been a widow three years. [Of] my eleven children, four are dead; one lost to our knowledge at present and six alive, married and at present reside in Lehi. I now have seventy grandchildren and thirty-one great grandchildren.
In 1827 [my husband and I] moved to Callaway County, Kentucky. We joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there in 1835. We were part of the labors of Wilford Woodruff when he was on his first mission. We gathered with the body of the Church in Missouri in 1837. We bade farewell to all kindred, which was a sad affair, especially to father and mother Thomas. They belonged the Church, but were too old to stand the journey. Brother Woodruff blessed them and said that they would yet stand in Zion. So they did, for we sent for them and in the fall they came by water. They soon died and were buried side by side on Long Creek, Missouri. He was 84 years old and mother 78.
Our leader up to Missouri was Henry G. Sherwood. The Saints then resided in Far West, Caldwell County. We stayed there about two years, being all the time persecuted by the mobs on account of our religion. We had entered and paid for a large farm, had built a house on it, surrounded ourselves with all necessary improvements to a home and were getting well fixed in life when in 1839, the mobs came upon us in force and drove us away from our home. Our house was the last on the Richmond road, leading from Far West to Richmond. About two miles from our house there was a little place called Buncom, where the mob gathered to counsel which way to go. At first they did not seem to notice those living close by, but would go to David and other far away places. Therefore, my husband and others were called to go and guard those settlements, which left me alone with my little ones.
I cannot tell how long I stayed alone; I was busy gathering our crops….but when they (the mob) passed by, if they wanted anything they would help themselves. Later I made up my mind, if Mr. Thomas got home alive, I would never stay another night alone.
He came home Monday, about nine o’clock, [and] Tuesday, about six in the afternoon, word was sent [that] the mob was gathering for a battle [between our] house and Crooked River. He commenced buckling his sword. I [told] Morgan to yoke up the oxen. He [Daniel] looked with surprise, “What are you going to do with the oxen?”
“I’m going to town.”
“What! Tonight?”
“Yes, I will not stay another night, alone!”
He saw I was in earnest –laid down his sword and began to throw things I the wagon, pell-mell. I had a big iron kettle of beef bones boiling. He drained the water off and hoisted it in the front of the wagon, then picking up the children, tossed them in. I called to him, saying,” Don’t set them in the kettle of bones!” We had to stop and laugh, even though all our enemies were upon us. He then gathered up his gun and sword and started on the run as his men had gone on ahead. The children and I started for Far West just as the sun was setting.
What took place in the next few days many have told; the Battle of Crooked River…. In a few days the militia; 4,000 in number, marched in and camped on the east bank of Goose Creek. How horrifying it was to us to hear the yells, shouts and screams; the damned in hell could not be any worse than that was. That evening Brother Joseph and his brethren walked into camp ‘like lambs to the slaughter’. I will never forget those days in time and eternity. I wish I could speak so it would be stamped on the mainds of my posterity as with the [in]delible ink, never to be ruled out.
The leaders of the Church were imprisoned, my husband with them. [At their release], we were told to go home and get ready to leave the state in so many days or we would be shot – unless we denounced our Prophet and leader. This we could not do. We had to leave in a great hurry, on account of the mob and to save our lives. Many of our friends, the saints, being killed.
With the loss of all we had, save five children, a small yoke of cattle, one old wagon, the clothes we wore and one pair of shoes, all we had for our four children. These were worn by our eldest, Morgan. The snow was about six inches deep. We went by way of Quincy into Illinois. (Note: The Saints crossed the Mississippi River at Quincy.)
[With] the ice leaving the river now….the boats will make one trip today. It falls to our lot to cross. Having no wagon (the Thomas’ sent their wagon and team back to Far West for those left behind) we could not put our goods all in the same boat. The boatmen said they would make another trip that evening. We made our landing good at Quincy. Just imagine, I was left on the shore, with no living one with me, but four small children. The sun was down. I could not see across the river. I wrapped the children in bed clothes…and sat down on the bed to watch for the boat. I began to look at my situation, not knowing what moment I might be taken sick (give birth). For the first time the tears stole down my face on my own account. One of the little ones said, “Mother, are you sick?” “No,” said I, “the wind is so cold.” Just then, Brother Wiswanger rode up and saw I was feeling bad and stayed with me until he heard the boat come. He had twelve miles to ride after dark. They soon landed and we were all together again. [Mr. Thomas] got a man with a cart and mule to haul the children and bedding to camp Milwaukee. In a few days I was put to bed quite comfortable, a fine son in my arms. Joseph Alma, named…for our Prophet Joseph, then in chains in prison, was born in the wood on March 17, [1839].
Brother Joseph escaped from prison, went up the river, [and] bought a town site called commerce, afterward, Nauvoo. Here he called the Saints together. In the spring of 1840, we moved to Nauvoo, found our dear friend and leader, Henry G. Sherwood was the surveyor. He had a good lot in reserve for us. There was very near enough timber on it to build a house and fence it. [We remained] there with the Church until the final expulsion of the Saints in 1846.
During our [six year] stay in Nauvoo, we built us another home which we could not sell on leaving. The Saints, during their stay there, built up a large and fine city and a beautiful and valuable temple, my husband and oldest son working on them and the other public buildings most the time.
To my posterity I will say, we esteemed it a privilege to work on the House of God and te Nauvoo House. We were then called to the house to receive the blessings the Lord has in store for the faithful, which amply paid them for all their labors.
After our expulsion from Nauvoo [in 1846], we started for the mountains without purse or script, wagon or team. We had our two selves, eight children, one cow, nine sheep and two pigs. We stayed in Bounapart, Iowa, and Winter Quarters over two years. In 1847, we buried Morgan Melican, or oldest son, in Florence. (Note: Morgan M. Thomas acquired stone cutter’s comsumption while working on the Temple at Nauvoo.)
My readers, the clouds of sorrow never gather so black but what there is a bright star to be seen by those that trust in the Lord. Joseph Young came to Morgan the evening before he died. He laid his hands on his head and said, “Morgan, be calm as a summer morn, be quiet, all is well with you. It matter not whether you live or die, for there is no power in heaven, earth or hell that will cheat you out of a martyr’s crown.” At nine the next morning he breathed his last, without a struggle, or moan, as though he was going to sleep.
In the spring of 1847, the pioneers started to find the vallies [valleys] of the mountains. Soon after the first company of Saints started with Brothers John Taylor and Parley P. Pratt, their leaders. Teamsters were very scarce; you will remember 500 of our best men were called to go and fight for the government (The Mormon Battalion). Brother Van Cott…spoke to me…about Isaac, our [thirteen year old] son, going with him to drive the team. He said the teams would be coming back and he would send a wagon and team for us to come to the vallies [valleys] the next season. By this time, Abigail Abbot had made it up for Matilda, our oldest daughter to go with them. Brother and Sister Abbot were going with Brother Van Cott as chief cook and manager. I was satisfied that if she (Matilda) stayed on the Missouri bottoms that summer she would be buried with her brother. She was in the last stage of chills and fever. My heart almost sunk in despair, whether I could let her go and live, or keep her and let her die. [Brother Van Cott] said, “I will take both of them as my own children, also I will live up to my word concerning the wagon and team.” [This] opened up the way for us to go to the vallies [valleys] of the mountains. One night after going to bed with my little ones, I was tracing our travels up the present, then stretching out as far west as I could, I saw a vision of my mind, that if Mr. Thomas did not go with President Young as teamster, we would not get the wagon and team that Isaac was bring, as it would be turned back to help the company into the vallies [valleys]. (Note: At Martha’s urging, Daniel offered his services as teamster to President Brigham Young. He left his wife and family to drive the wagon which held the records of the church. Martha stayed at Winter Quarters, borrowed a loom and began weaving as a means to support her family, until her husband and son returned)
[When] Mr. Thomas and Isaac [returned they] went to the Mission House, where the Governor kept a large school for the benefit of the Omaha Indian tribe, and worked about six weeks, for the provisions we were obliged to have before they would allow us to start across the plains. We the 15th of June, 1849, left our log cabin to cross the [Missouri] river, the water was so high it was almost impossible to get to the ferry. On the 5th of July, we started for the vallies [valleys] of the mountains, where the Prophet said we should go. We had a prosperous journey, no accident, except several stampedes in Brother Perkin’s company of fifty…arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, October 14, 1849.
My dear readers, do not think we landed in Salt Lake Valley on ‘flowery beds of ease.’ We did not, neither did we expect to. The Lord never promised salvation on any such plane. It is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of God, therefore we were not disappointed. [When we] landed in the vallies [valleys], who could not acknowledge the hand of God in our deliverance?
We had come to a new country, far removed from all sources of supplies and containing nothing deemed necessary to sustain civilized life.
My husband labored mostly on the public works in Salt Lake City. I was there set apart by Bishop Petegrew to take change of the fast meetings in the 10th Ward during the summer season. We remained in Salt Lake City about four years, until our son-in-law, Israel Evans [married to Matilda Ann] was called on a mission to England, when we moved to Lehi, Utah County, and took charge of his farm and family during his mission.
We lived in Lehi until the present time, taking our part in all the labors incident to settling a new country, and have lived to see the land to which we came and that contained nothing sustain civilized life, become famous for its fruits, grain and vegetables. Also it’s minerals and as well supplied with all deemed necessary as most other lands are.
In Lehi, the Relief Society was reorganized with Sister Coleman Evans as President, and myself as first counselor. The Society was again in 1879 when T. R. Cutler was appointed succeeded Bishop David Evans. Sister Rebecca Standing was appointed President of the Society and myself continued as counselor.
June 27, 1879, D. S. Thomas, your father was buried. This leaved me standing in the midst of the Saints surrounded with a numerous posterity, which is a great comfort to me. At times the clouds of sorrow will hover over me. Then I call on my Father for help and He is sure to comfort me.
Our family names are as follows:
Morgan, born Dec. 7, 1826, Sumner Co., Tennessee – died at Winter Quarters.
Matilda Ann, born Feb 5, 1830, Callaway Co., Kentucky – married Israel Evans.
Malinda S., born Feb 9, 1832, Callaway Co., Kentucky – married Alex H. Loveridge – died in Lehi, 1871.
Isaac, born May 30, 1833, Callaway Co., Kentucky – we do not know his whereabouts at present.
Emma Smith, born Oct. 21, 1836, Callaway Co., Kentucky – married John Woodhouse.
Joseph Alma, born Mar. 17, 1839, in the woods in Adams, Co., Illinois – married Mary Ellen Lawrence.
Daniel Wright, born Dec 11, 1842 Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois – married Mary Ann Ashton.
Mary Ann, born Jan. 1, 1845, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois – died at birth.
Martha Jane, born Jan. 1, 1845, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois – married Newel A. Brown.
Sarah Phlinda, born Feb. 3, 1849, Honey Creek, Iowa on our journey westward from Nauvoo – married Arthur Stewart.
John Jones – born Jan. 10, 1852, Salt Lake City, Utah – married Myra Clark.
I leave this short account, together with my blessing and my testimony to the truth of the work of God, in the which I have passed most of my life, and on account of which I have had to sacrifice the homes I have named and to pass through the trials consequent on such drivings and journeyings. To my descendants, together with my prayers that all of my descendants may prove faithful to the cause for which we have contended, [that they] may realize all the blessings contemplated by the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. I am thankful to the God of Heaven and the Heavenly Host that has ever guarded us through life. May the same blessings ever be upon our posterity is the wish of your mother. Amen.”
Martha P. Thomas
| Owner of original | Pioneer Research Library at the Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters |
| Linked to | Jones, Martha Paine; Thomas, Daniel Stillwell |