Phoebe Cowles

   Ancestral File Number: 2NRT-Q2.

   General Notes:

Weare And Phoebe Cowles Leavitt:

Weare Leavitt was born 1785/6 in Grantham, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, the first
child of Jeremiah Leavitt and Sarah Shannon. Weare eventually married sisters Abigail
and Phoebe Cowles, the daughters of Phineas Cowles (1762-1839) and Catharine Stone
(1766- 1839). All of Weare�s children were born in Hatley, Sherbrooke County, Quebec,
Canada. Abigail Cowles was born in New Hampshire in 1794 and also died there in 1824.
Weare married Abigail about 1815 and from genealogy records they had three children
before her death. Their first child, Jeremiah, was born about 1816 and died as a young
man in 1837/38. Their second child, Charlotte, was born December 5, 1818. Their third
child, Anna, was born October 7, 1820. An Anna Leavitt is reported to have married
Nathan Rowell. This may be Weare�s daughter, however, there is a twenty year difference
in their ages. Unfortunately, there is no other information available about Anna.

Weare�s second wife was Abigail�s sister, Phoebe Cowles. Phoebe was born on July 26,
1796 in Claremont, Sullivan, New Hampshire. Phoebe married Weare November 11,
1825 after her sister's death. Phoebe eventually bore him six children: Charles, born about
1826, George, born August 29, 1828, Emeline, born July 26, 1832, Abigail, born about
1833, Louisa, born December 10, 1835, and Levi, born about 1836. Abigail and Levi
died as children prior to 1837.

There are few details known about Weare and his own family during their years in Canada.
Charlotte�s history records that the family lived on a small clearing in the forest. They had
little educational facilities and were obliged to produce their own food and clothing. All
of the sugar they used was made from the sap of maple trees. They raised, spun, dyed and
wove the flax and wool from which their clothes were made and spun the thread with
which it was sewed. Louisa�s history records that her father worked for a while as a
trapper for the Hudson Bay Company. While acting as a trapper during one challenging
winter, Weare was unable to supply his family with the necessities of life. Several days
had passed and the young family was near starvation. Mother Phoebe prayed for food for
her little family. That afternoon a large flock of geese passed over the house. Weare,
being a good shot with a rifle, took aim and shot at one of the larger birds and it fell down
to their doorway. Louisa accepted this as a complete answer to her mother�s prayer.

Weare�s other brothers and sisters also married during their time in Canada. Much of
what we know about the family comes from the autobiography of Sarah Sturtevant who
married Weare�s brother, Jeremiah II. According to her autobiography, she grew up in a
very strict environment and was taught the principles of truth and honor by her parents,
who were descendants of the old Pilgrims. Jeremiah II and Sarah Sturtevant were married
in 1817 in New Hampshire and returned to Canada to be with the rest of the Leavitt
family. From her history it is apparent that she was very spiritually motivated. She had a
firm belief in the power of prayer and records some remarkable answers to her prayers.
From her descriptions, she fit right into the home environment of the Leavitt family�s
religious motivations.

Introduction To The Church of Jesus Christ:

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

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

In spite of intense persecution, this unique church grew very rapidly. By 1831 the Prophet
Joseph Smith was sending missionaries to surrounding communities to preach this restored
gospel. By 1835, there were branches of the church established in New York,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and west into Missouri. In 1836, one of the Church's early apostles,
Parley P. Pratt, went on a mission to Canada where he preached and distributed copies of
the newly published Book of Mormon along with a pamphlet that he wrote called "A
Voice of Warning." While on this mission to Canada, Apostle Pratt concentrated his
personal missionary labors in the Toronto area. He organized a large branch of the
church in Toronto. From there missionary labors extended to other areas of eastern
Canada. The town of Hatley, Sherbrooke, Quebec, is about 300 miles east of Toronto.
They had received word-of-mouth accounts of this new church and the reaction to these
reports by the local people was mostly negative. Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt reports that one
of her husband�s sisters (probably Hannah) came to her and revealed that she had heard
the gospel preached by a Mormon and believed it and had been baptized. Hannah�s
baptism is reported to have occurred in 1836. Hannah related to Sarah what she had been
taught by the Mormon missionary. Sarah readily accepted these accounts as an answer to
her own personal prayers. There is some question as to when these events occurred and
specifically when the first Leavitts were baptized or officially joined the church. Charlotte
Leavitt, Weare�s second oldest child, in her autobiography, reports that she joined The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the spring of 1834. This would make
Charlotte fifteen years old at her baptism. In other family histories, it is reported that
Weare�s family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1837, having been
converted by Elder Hazen Eldredgs. Charlotte may have joined the church before the rest
of the family so both records may be correct.

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

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

The Leavitts Migrate To The United States:

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

The first wagon included Rebecca Leavitt and her husband, Frank Chamberlain, and their
family. Mother Sarah Shannon Leavitt rode in this wagon because it was the best outfit
on the road. The second held Betsey Leavitt and her husband, James Adams, and their
children. The third wagon contained Hannah Leavitt and her husband, Horace Fish, and
their family. The fourth belonged to John Leavitt and his wife, Lucy Rowell, and their
family. The fifth wagon included Nathaniel Leavitt and his second wife, Betty Baer, and
their family. The sixth wagon had Jeremiah II and his wife, Sarah Sturtevant, and their
family. The seventh wagon belonged to Weare Leavitt and his family. Weare was the
eldest son in the Sarah Shannon Leavitt family. He was now fifty-two years old. Weare's
family consisted of his three older children from his first marriage, Jeremiah now twenty
one, Charlotte now nineteen, and Anna almost 17. (Anna�s situation at this time is not
clearly known. She was reported to have married Nathan Rowell. She was not identified
as accompanying her parents.) Weare�s second wife, Phoebe Cowles, now forty one, and
their four living children, Charles, now eleven, George, now eight, Emeline, now five, and
two- year old Louisa were included in Weare�s wagon. In all the wagon train included
about fifty Leavitt family members.

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

Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt reports that they stayed in Kirtland only about a week and heard
the Prophet Joseph Smith speak in the Kirtland Temple. This unique temple is still
standing and was constructed in response to a command from God. It was constructed by
members of the church at great sacrifice and represents their overwhelming testimonies
and faith in the Prophet Joseph Smith and the restored gospel. This temple was the scene
of an overwhelming outpouring of spiritual events during its construction and particularly
during its dedication on March 27, 1836. Hundreds reported that they heard the voices
of heavenly hosts and angels appeared to many. The temple seemed to shine throughout
the night in a marvelous manifestation of Heavenly Father�s spirit. The Prophet Joseph
Smith received a number of key revelations in this temple including heavenly visits from
Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias and Elijah. The family�s visit to this temple eighteen months
after its dedication must have been very impressive.

Sarah also reports that the family was allowed to visit the upper rooms in the temple and
saw the Egyptian mummies and the scrolls that were translated by the Prophet Joseph
Smith into the Book of Abraham. Weare�s oldest daughter, Charlotte, also reports that her
family gathered with the saints at Kirtland, Ohio. Betsey Leavitt Adams� daughter, Sallie,
reports that during their stay in Kirtland that they visited with the mother of the Prophet
Joseph Smith. She indicates that it was then perilous times for Joseph and his people and
that he was in hiding. However, while they were there that he appeared and preached to
the assembled saints on Sunday.

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

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

Since 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith had designated Independence, Missouri, as a
gathering place for members of the church. Missouri and the border town of
Independence was on the edge of the western frontier of the United States. As Mormon
communities in Missouri began to grow and flourish, troubles erupted between the old
settlers and the emigrating Mormons. There were many reasons for this conflict but they
centered around economic, political, and religious differences. By 1834 Mormon families
living near Independence were driven from their homes by mobs. They eventually settled
in sparsely inhabited neighboring counties of Caldwell and Daviess. Their main
headquarters was established in Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri. Far West and the
surrounding area became a major gathering place for Mormons during the mid-1830s. As
many as 10,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints eventually
settled in this and surrounding areas. The Leavitt families were probably heading for this
gathering place as well.

Unfortunately, by 1837/38 the Mormons in and around Far West were under tremendous
persecution by mobs intent on driving them out of the state. In October 1838 false
accusation by members of the mob to Missouri�s Governor Boggs instigated his infamous
order that the Mormons "Be driven from the state or face extermination." By the fall of
1839 member of the church in these Mormon communities were driven from Missouri.
Most fled to Illinois where they valiantly established their next gathering place at Nauvoo,
Illinois.

The Leavitts Arrive In Twelve-Mile Grove, Illinois:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Even in Nauvoo, mobsters and other despicable characters would roam the city looking
for opportunities to do mischief. George participated in one of the community�s efforts to
control this mischief. Young boys in the community were organized into what George
referred to as the Whistling Company or as it was officially known, the "Whistling and
Whittling Brigade." As these trouble makers came into Nauvoo, looking for opportunities
to cause mischief, these young boys would quickly find them. Then they would gather
around the stranger in groups of fifteen to twenty and whistle and whittle on sticks of
wood giving these questionable strangers little peace. It was said that they would hang
around them like fleas on a dog. The Whistling and Whittling Brigade would never say

anything to them just follow them around until they got the message. It didn�t take long
for these despicable characters to realize that they were not going to be left alone long
enough for their dark deeds to be accomplished. In exasperation they simply left town
with a brigade of boys following them out of the city.

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

Leavitts Begin Their Migration To The Rocky Mountains:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, June 17, 1847: At a meeting held at the encampment on the Elkhorn River it
was moved by Apostle Parley P. Pratt that the camps move to the banks of the Platte
River, and that they move in hundreds (100 wagons) and camp about half a mile apart. It
was moved that Jedediah M. Grant�s company be called the Third Hundred.

Thursday, June 24: Apostle John Taylor complained the Bros. Jedediah M. Grant and
John Young had refused to obey orders and were out of their place in the line of travel and
that the 3rd hundred had got before his, which was the 2nd hundred. Later in the day the
officers and men of the whole camp were called together. Bro. Taylor entered his
complaint against Bros. Grant and Young and after a great deal said by the brethren,
Apostle Parley P. Pratt spoke and reproved Bros. Young and Grant and said they should
ask forgiveness, which they did and all was made right.

Wednesday, July 15: "This morning a fearful circumstance occurred. Someone was
shaking a buffalo robe at the back of a wagon from which some of the cattle in the corral
took fright and started on the run; this frightened others; they commenced bellowing, and
all in a huddle, ran for the gateway of the enclosure, which being altogether too narrow
for the egress of the rushing multitude that thronged into the passage, they piled one on
the top of another until the top ones were above the tops of the adjacent wagons, moving
them from their stations while the inmates at this early hour, being so suddenly and
unceremoniously aroused from their morning sleep, and not knowing the caused of the
terrible uproar and confusion, were some of them almost paralyzed with fear. At length
those that could broke from the enclosure, the bellowing subsided and quiet was restored,
but the sad effect of the fright cause much suffering to some who�s nerves were not
sufficient for the trying scene. In the encounter two wagon wheels were crushed, only one
cow was killed and several oxen had horns knocked off." Eliza R. Snow

Wednesday, August 4: "Death made occasional inroads among us. Nursing the sick in
tents and wagons was a laborious task, but the patient faithfulness with which it was
performed was no doubt registered in the achieves above, and an unfailing monument of
brotherly and sisterly love. The burial of the dead by the wayside was a sad office. For
husbands, wives and children to consign the cherished remains of loved ones to a lone
grave was enough to try the firmest heart stings." Eliza R. Snow

Thursday, August 19: Sister Love was killed by a wagon loaded with 1600 lbs. One
wheel ran over her breast.

Wednesday, September 8: "The road went over a slough, the bridge over which was so
much out of repair that it was thought impossible for wagons to cross, and a halt was
called to repair the crossing. The slough was at the foot of a long, gentle slope and the
teams two and three abreast, were standing from the top nearly down to the place where
the men were commencing to fix the bridge. At this time many of the teamsters were
lounging at ease. Two of our young men, riding at full speed with blankets flying and
whips in hand, rode up, and in passing the teams in the rear, so frightened them that they
started down the hill, and as they went they started others, until almost in a moment nearly
all were in motion, increasing their rapidity until the scene was fearfully alarming. Many
of them crossed the slough in different directions and where the best of teamsters would
not dare to drive, not one team crossing on the bridge. Many lives were exposed, but
through great blessing of our Heavenly Father, no one was much hurt." Eliza R. Snow

Thursday, September 9: In the morning it was discovered that between forty and fifty
horses and mules had been stolen by Indians during the night. At 10 a.m. Colonel
Markham and about 20 other brothern started out in pursuit. In the afternoon two of the
men returned with two of the horses which had been found about thirty miles distant. In
the evening two or three men came in with three other horses which had been found near
the same place as the other two; they were probably left by the Indians in the hurry of the
flight.

Friday, October 1: "Today we traveled through brush and timber, but what was still
worse, through black dust, with which we were all so densely covered that our identities
might be questioned. When up the mountain we met Bro. John Taylor, who having
reached the Valley was returning to meet that portion of his company now in the rear.
Riding on horseback, through the interminable dust his face was covered with a black
mask, and in his happy, jocular way, lest I should compliment him he hastened to ask me if
I had lately seen my own face! Our appearances was truly ludicrous. It mattered little to
us as we went slash, mash, down the mount, over stumps, trees, ruts, etc., where no one
dared to ride who could walk." Eliza R. Snow

Saturday, October 2, 1847: Part of this company arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley.
Among the members being Sister Eliza R. Snow, Charles Decker, Edmund Ellsworth,
John R. and Franklin w. Young, Levi Riter, the Dilworth family, ... and of course the
Leavitt family.

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

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

Phoebe married Weir (Weare) Leavitt, son of Jeremiah Leavitt and Sarah Shannon, on 11 Nov 1825 in Of, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. (Weir (Weare) Leavitt was born in 1785-1786 in Grantham, Cheshire, New Hampshire, died on 3 Mar 1839 in Wilson, Lake, Illinois and was buried in 1839 in Will, IL.)

Phoebe also married Benjamin Covey on 21 Jan 1846. (Benjamin Covey was born in 1792 in <Claremont, Sullivan, New Hampshire>.)