The evening of 24 October 1838, residents of Far West received word that an unknown body of men was holding members of the church at Crooked River, in Ray County. About forty men prepared to attempt to rescue the hostages. Charles C. Rich "proposed to go and raise some more men and meet Captain Patten about six miles from Far West." Rich traveled south along the Far West-Richmond Road and recruited about twenty more men from families living in the Goose Creek and Log Creek vicinity. They reconnoitered near the home of Benjamin Bragg, bringing the total in the company to around sixty. They divided into companies of ten and continued traveling south on the main road. They stopped four miles further south, at the Ray County border, near the home of Randolph McDonald, a non-Mormon. From there they proceeded on foot to Crooked River. They encountered Ray County Militia men under the command of Captain Bogart. This page identifies eleven of the approximately twenty Goose and Log Creek Mormon property owners who participated in the battle.
". . . we had had just three years of peace but the first of August our trouble began over the election. My husband had to stand guard for three months as the mob would gather on the outside settlements. The brethren had to be ready and on hand at the sounding of a bass drum. At three taps on the drum my husband would be on his horse in a moment, be it night or day. . ."
Log/Goose Creek Residents in Crooked River Battle
Beebe, George, born. 6 Aug 1811, Oswego, Oreida, NY to Isaac Beebe & Olive Soule; bapt. Sept. 1830; marr. Mahala Stevens, lived in the Whitmer Settlement in Jackson County, Missouri; desired to peach the gospel in 1832 while in Zion. [Far West Record, 248]; "Whipped with an ox goad with Hirum Page, 31 Oct 1833." [JS&R, 258]; purchased part of se 1/4 st t51 r31 20a in Clay County, Missouri [CCLR, D:246; E:54]; part of Liberty Branch; acquired 80 acres of government land in Cladwell County, 8 August 1836; Isaac and Mahala living in IA in 1864.
Durfee, James, born 16 Sep 1796, Fulton Co., NY to Perry Durfee & Anna Salsbury; marr. Cynthia Elizabeth Soule; bapt. at Palmyra, NY. James was one of 4 brothers to join the church in Palmyra; ordained priest 1831; in Independence Branch while in Jackson County, Missouri; ordained elder 1833; returned to Kirtland, Ohio and was called to serve a mission to the Eastern States, 7 Mar 1835; on that day he also received a blessing for his work on the Kirtland Temple. Moved to Caldwell County, Missouri and purchased government land in the Log Creek area on 21 September 1836. He was reported to have been a leader of the Mormon forces at the battle of Crooked River [Members]; died 16 Jul 1844, Lunia, Adams, IL. [Members]
Emmett, James (1803-1852/3), born in Boone County, Kentucky. James his wife Phebe (Simpson), were converted in Tazewell County, Illinois as a result of the preaching of Lyman Wight and John Corrill on their way to Missouri as part of the Western Mission, the summer of 1831. Along with three children, all under the age of eight, they set out for Jackson, County Missouri, in December 1831, along with a group of other converts from their area. This party included the Porter, Morris Phelps, and the Aldridge families. They arrived in Independence 1 March 1832. The Emmetts located in the Prairie Branch, along the western border of the State of Missouri, with the settlement forming near the location of Lyman Wight's house. Within a short time, Moses Simpson, their oldest child, was old enough to be baptized. In the fall the Emmetts were forced to flee with the other church members of the Prairie Branch out onto the prairie to the south, during which they suffered many "privations." [Stevenson, The Porter Family History, 78-80; Phebe Emmett, 13 May 1839, Missouri Land Claims, Ms 2703, f10, LDS Archives] The family moved to Clay County, Missouri, 1836. Proselyting in states between Ohio and Missouri, 1835-1837. Disfellowshipped and reinstated, 1837. Appointed to Iowa high council, 1841. Policeman at Nauvoo, 1843. Named to western exploring expedition by Joseph Smith in February 1844. After the death of the Prophet, Emmett led a company west that eventually stopped in what became South Dakota. Most of the company later reunited with the Church. In 1849 Emmett went to California, where he died. [PJSv1]
Hendricks, James, was born 23 June 1808 to Abraham Hendricks about 8 or 10 miles east of Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky. Married Drusilla Dorris Both were baptized in March, 1835 and confirmed by James Emmitt and Peter Dustin. A branch of the church was organized with 22 members. The family started for Missouri, 1 May 1836 “in company with Mother Buttler, J. L. Buttler and families, Thompson Kimball and families. . . .we reached Clay County, Mo. We soon bought fifty acres of land there and there were six families living on it. We went in the house with a man by the name of Jerome Benson. I put my beds upstairs. . . . We all gave up our land and agreed to go to Caldwell County. We were to be let alone there so we were glad to do so and not be mixed up with. Our leading brethren worked day after day to accomplish this move. We were among the first to go and Bro. Emit and family, (the Elder who baptized us) went with us. We soon selected a place, built a cabin and cut hay for we had but little time to prepare for winter. We got about 12 tons of hay stacked very nice. On looking out one evening we saw the prairie on fire and knew it was three miles away but the wind was driving it direct to us. He said he would go and fight against it. I went with him two or three hundred yards but he had not time to light his fire until the fire was upon us. We were forced to run for life. The grass was tall and the flames were high and when we reached the house the flames reached the stacks and burned them up. The house was filled with cinders but we saved it. We now did not know what to do but we found a man who had raised some corn a mile from us who wanted to sell it. My husband gave him $60.00 for six acres in the field. We gathered and cribbed it, then we were provided for the winter again. I never lived happier in my life. I was always very sickly until now. I had quit taking snuff, tea and coffee and I became healthy and strong. Where before I could not walk half a mile, now I could walk three miles and not tire for we kept the Word of Wisdom. I can bear my testimony to the world. I could run and not be weary, walk and not faint, I received health in my naval and marrow to my bones and hidden treasures of knowledge. I often made myself feel like the old Nephite women while they were traveling in the wilderness for they became strong like unto the men. We never missed a meeting for we loved the Saints and had confidence in them. We read considerable, mainly the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants; had our children baptized when eight years old and in fact could hardly keep them waiting until they were old enough. We entered land at the land office, paid our money and began to live as we supposed the Saints would live, to make their own clothing, etc. We bought some sheep and prepared to sustain ourselves but when we were driven we had to do the best we could to keep soul and body together. In the years of 1836 and 1837 we did pretty well and on March 23, 1838 my fifth child was born and we called his name Joseph Smith Hendricks.” Hendricks joined the Crooked River Expedition and was shot in the neck.
Drusilla Dorris Hendricks was born February 8, 1810, Sumner County, Tennessee. By coincidence, James Hendricks and Drusilla Dorris were both the tenth child and the youngest of their fathers' family.
Holbrook, Joseph (1806-1885), farmer, carpenter, judge; born at Florence, Oneida County, New York. Converted to Mormonism in Genessee County, New York, 1833. A member of Zion's Camp, 1834. Wounded at the battle at Crooked River in 1838. Commissioned a captain in the Illinois state militia in 1841. Appointed to the Nauvoo, Hancock County, police, 1845. Left Nauvoo with the Latter-day Saints in 1846 and arrived in Salt Lake Valley in 1848. In 1850 moved to Bountiful, Davis County, where he lived until his death. He served as Davis County Judge, was elected to the Utah territorial legislature, and was a bishop's counselor. He built the first schoolhouse in Bountiful. [PJSv2]
Jones, Benjamin, birth: February 24, 1797, Delaware, NY, Alternate Date: February 24, 1796, Alternate Place: Cattaraugus County, NY, USA; Parents: father: Jones, Benjamin, mother: Buss, Miriam, Alternate Mother: Russ, Miriam; marriage Hadlock, Lydia; Death: April 4, 1875, Fairview, Sanpete, UT, April 10, 1875, Fairview, Sanpete, UT; may have become RLDS: Early Reorganization Minutes, 1852-1871, Book A, 496; Early Reorganization Minutes, 1872-1905, Book D, 56; Early Reorganization Minutes, 1872-1905, Book B, 45.
Morris Phelps, embraced Gospel in 1831, Taswell County, Illinois, as a result of the preaching of Lyman Wight and John Corrill. After joining the church 18 August 1831, he and his wife Laura (Clark) removed to Jackson County, Missouri the winter of 1831-32. According to his daughter, Mary, "they bought them an inheritance in Jackson County and worked in unison with the rest of the LDS until they were driven from their houses in 1833." Following the expulsion the family moved to Clay County, Missouri. While Morris completed a mission, Laura supported the family by teaching school and practicing obstretrics. Morris went on to Kirtland where that winter he worked on the Temple and participated in washings & anointings in the Temple. [Life of Mary A. (Phelps) Rich, 1829-1912, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/MRich.html]
Rich, Charles Coulson. Son of Joseph Rich and Nancy O'Neal. Born 21 August 1809 in Campbell County, Kentucky. Moved with parents into Indiana shortly after birth. Moved with family to Tazewell County, Illinois, 1829. Baptized 1 April 1832 by George M. Hinkle. Traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, to see Joseph Smith in summer of 1832. Left Pleasant Grove, Tazewell County, Illinois, 7 May 1832. En route to Kirtland ordained elder by Zebedee Coltrin and Solomon Wixom 16 May 1832. Arrived in Kirtland mid-June 1832. Preached by way and arrived home in Pleasant Grove, Illinois, 24 October 1832. Assisted in organizing branches of Church in Tazewell County area. Recognized as presiding leader of Church in Tazewell County 1832-36. Joined Zion's Camp 29 May 1834. Traveled to Clay County, Missouri, May-June 1834. Left Clay County, Missouri, for Illinois 2 July 1834. Arrived in Pleasant Grove 16 July 1834. Short mission to Eugene, Indiana, October-November 1834. Mission to DuPage County, Illinois, April-June 1835. Mission with Solomon Wixom to western Illinois September-November 1835. Left for Kirtland 26 January 1836. Arrived 12 April 1836. Ordained high priest 12 April 1836. Received washings and anointings in Kirtland Temple and attended solemn assembly April 1836. Received blessing from Joseph Smith, Sr., 24 April 1836. Left for mission through Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois with William O. Clark in summer and fall of 1836. Arrived in Pleasant Grove 6 October 1836. Traveled to Caldwell County, Missouri, in fall of 1836 to purchase property. Left Pleasant Grove 20 October 1836. Arrived in Far West 1 November 1836. Laid claim to eighty acres of land in Caldwell County, Missouri, 12 November 1836. Returned to Pleasant Grove 7 December 1836. Moved to Caldwell County, Missouri, in spring of 1837. Appointed president of high priests quorum in Missouri 20 August 1837. Married Sarah DeArmon Pea 11 February 1838. Nine children: Sara Jane, Joseph Coulson, Artimesia, Charles Coulson, John Thomas, Elabeth, David Patten, Benjamin Erastus, and Fred Carmel. Located in Far West shortly after marriage. Participated in Battle of Crooked River 25 October 1839. Fled Missouri November 1838. Located temporarily in Quincy, Illinois, 1839. [Cook]
Shearer, Norman, son of Daniel Shearer, participant in Crooked River Expedition, 24-25 October 1838, arrested at Far West and jail in Richmond, Ray Co., MO; Norman was released and they went to Caldwell Co. (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pp. 226, 234) 24 Apr 1839, assembled with others on the Far West Temple Lot on 26 April 1839 to dedicate the Temple cornerstones. Norman Shearer was ordained to the office of Seventy at this meeting. [See more about Daniel Shearer below]
Stout, Hosea, was born 18 September 1810 at Pleasant Hill, Mercer County, Kentucky, to Joseph and Anna Smith Stout, who had been married in 1797 and subsequently had a very large family. When they experienced financial setbacks, the children were temporarily put in Shaker schools. Hosea remained in such a school from 1814 to 1818, at which time his father came to reclaim him. In the years following, the family moved to Ohio, and from this time on Hosea was let out to other families to work. In September 1828 some of Hosea's family moved to Stout's Grove, Indiana, which was named after an uncle. In 1830 Hosea began to feel a need for religion, and became interested in the Methodists, as well as becoming involved in the temperance movement for a short time. In 1832, moving to Pekin, Illinois, Hosea enlisted as a ranger in the Black Hawk War, fulfilling a military inclination which lasted most of his life. It was at this time that Hosea was exposed to Mormonism at Farm Creek, Illinois, and was proselyted by C.C. Rich, who later became an apostle. Hosea wrote, "I could not forego the idea of joining the church for aside from the disgrace which would follow I was fearful least I should not live up to its precepts. . . . I wanted confidence in myself." Hosea retained an association with Mormonism until August 1837, when he sold his business interest to move to Caldwell County, Missouri, "for the purpose of being gathered with and associating with the Latter-day Saints." There he became acquainted with Samantha Pack, and married her on 7 January 1838. On 26 August of that year Stout was baptized by Charles C. Rich. This was during the height of the Mormon persecutions, and on 26 October Hosea was asked to go with the company of David Patten to engage a mob under Samuel Bogart. The engagement was known as the Battle of Crooked River, and on 31 October twenty-seven Mormon militiamen made their escape to Iowa, where Hosea's wife joined him ten months later. Samantha Stout died from exposure there on 29 November 1839. And a year later, on 29 November 1840, Hosea remarried, this time to Louisa Taylor, who was to die in childbirth in 1852. In 1841 Louisa gave birth to a daughter, Lydia Sarah, who was first of Hosea's nineteen children. [http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/s/STOUT,HOSEA.html]
Solomon Wixom, birth: March 26, 1809, Hector, Schuyler, NY; Alternate Place: Franklin County, OH; parents: father: Wixom, Reuben Hiram, mother: Walker, Clarissa; marriage: Johnson, Matilda, January 24, 1833, Vermillion county, IN; children: Wixom, Reuben Wesley, February 11, 1834, Vermillion County, IN; Marriage Number 2: Avery, Sarah, February 15, 1836; death: March 1, 1879, Paris, Bear Lake, ID, Burial March 1879, Bear Lake, ID, USA
Avery, Sarah, birth, 12 December 1817, Marlesville, Venongo, PA, parents: father: Avery, Daniel, mother: Sargent, Sarah Alice Dean; marriage Wixom, Solomon, February 15, 1836; Endowment: January 12, 1846, Temple: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois; Sealed to Spouse: January 16, 1846, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois; Death: January 3, 1849
Gad Yale, birth: August 21, 1790, Bristol, Hartford, CT, Alternate Date: August 21, 1786, Alternate Place: Burlington, Hartford, CT, USA; parents: father: Yale, Thomas, mother: ________, Polly; marriage Sanburn, Sophia (Aphia) Woodman; Patriarchal Blessing, Kirtland, Geauga, OH, by Joseph Smith, Sr.; ordained Seventy; convert in the New Portage, Ohio, area, gathered to Missouri ca. 1836, purchased land on Log Creek in Caldwell County, Missouri, 24 October 1836; Temple Ordinances: Endowment December 19, 1845, Temple: Nauvoo, Hancock, IL, Sealed to Spouse Number 1 Date: January 27, 1846, Temple: Nauvoo, Hancock, IL, residence, Gunnison, Sanpete, UT, USA; 1870.
Sanburn, Sophia Woodman, birth: August 28, 1795, Sandburn, NH; Parents: father: Sanburn, Jonathan, mother: Miles, Sarah; marriage Yale, Gad.
Others with Area Surnames:
Higbee, Isaac, married Sophia Higbee; embraced, "the gospel at Cincinnati about the first of June 1832 I removed with my family to Jackson County Missouri in April 1833 I entered 80 acres of land in Missouri which I since gave to the church laid out money to improve the land by making a farm and building a good house raised a crop and got things around more comfortable. In October 1833 we were driven out of the county by mob violence and our house burned and property destroyed on the 9th of November we crossed the Missouri River into Clay County and that night in a tent in the woods my wife was delivered of a son Several families of us had to live in camps all winter not being able to find houses." [Isaac Higbee, Missouri Land Claims, Ms 2703, f14, LDS Archives]
Higbee, Francis Marion (1820-?), merchant; born at Tate, Clermont County, Ohio. With the Latter-day Saints in Missouri in 1838 and was among those arraigned at the hearing in Richmond, Ray County. Migrated to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he was elected a colonel in the Nauvoo Legion, 1841. Allied with dissenters against Joseph Smith and was excommunicated, 1844. Residing in Hancock County, Illinois in 1850. Died in New York. [PJSv2]
Higbee (John) [son of Isaac] the Higbee clan may have lived on John's land on Log Creek.
Shearer (Daniel), land on Goose Creek; Father was William Shier, Stillwater, Albany Co. (for Saratoga), 1790 Census, NY, p. 50, col. 3. 30 Aug 1791 Daniel and twin brother, Joel, born in Stillwater to William Shearer and Laetitia Landgon (DAR appl. of Agnes Phillips Reed, no. 308623, and Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, p. 285, item 15) in NY state, married Jane McCutcheon Latimer (Latimore), about 1817; dau. Jane Maria born in Luzerne, Warren Co., NY, 12 Feb 1819; son Norman Barber born in Luzerne, Warren Co., NY, 10 Apr 1821; wife Jane died; married Lucy Noble(s) (perhaps related to Joseph Bates Noble, prominent LDS contemporary of Daniel), 1823; wife Lucy died, 1826; Daniel and his twin brother, Joel, joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about the same time, per note in JMSWS' Record Book (perhaps implies same place); Joel was in Canton township, Bradford Co., PA, in 1830 Census; nearby Columbia Twp. had a community of Latter-day Saints, 1832; Daniel, of Ray Co., took up Federal land, Kingston township, Caldwell Co., MO, 13 Feb 1837; Daniel "received into the church" at Far West, Caldwell Co., MO (the local church, per his Elder's License), 7 Dec 1837; married Vienna Jaques, inferred (see 15/16 Jan 1839 entry) about 1838; following the Battle of Crooked River, jailed at Richmond, Ray Co., MO, discharged end of month (various LDS histories), 11 Nov 1838; received Patriarchial Blessing from Joseph Smith, Sr. at Far West (P.B. vol. 11, p. 117, no. 257); about this same time Vienna Jaques receives her Patriarchial Blessing as Shearer 15/16 Jan., 1839; Daniel placed on committee at Far West to supervise evacuation of Saints from Missouri, and the signed the covenant of removal. (History of the Church, 3:251-2) 29 Jan 1839; removal committee met at Daniel's house in Far West. (History of the Church, 3:284); 17 Mar., 1839; en route from Quincy, IL to Far West, MO (History of the Church, 335; saw son Norman in jail in Richmond, Ray Co., MO; Norman was released and they went to Caldwell Co. (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pp. 226, 234), 24 Apr 1839; present at the farewell Conference in Far West, which included ordination of Norman to the Quorum of the Seventy. (History of the Church 3:339) 26 Apr 1839; traveled with Norman, from Nauvoo on mission, reported in letter written by them on 7 Nov 1839 about working Tazewell Co., IL (Times and Seasons, 1:61, Feb., 1840), 14 Sep., 1839 [http://www.softcom.net/users/paulandsteph/dshearer/homepage.html]
McCutcheon Latimer (Latimore), Jane, b. 1784 to George McCutcheon and Nancy Robertson; Jane was of Cognewaga (now Fonda, Mohawk Twp, Montgomery Co.) NY; had at least 2 girls: Ann Eliza and Fanny; her first husband's name may have been Samuel.
Shearer (Joel), Joel's son, Thomas Jefferson Shearer, b. 23 Apr 1834, Vigo Co.; Joel Shearer, of Ray Co., took up Federal land, Kingston township., Caldwell Co., MO, 13 Feb 1837; purchased land on Goose Creek, 11 August and 25 November 1836.
Higbee, Elias, son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers, born 23 October 1795, at Galloway, Gloucester County, New Jersey, moved with parents to Clermont County, Ohio, in 1803; married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 September 1818 in Clermont County; eight children: Francis Marion, Chauncy Lawson, Andrew Jackson, William, DeWitt Clinton, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Elias Keryle; residing in Tate Township, Clermont County, Ohio, 1820; Fulton, Hamilton County, Ohio, 1830; baptized in spring of 1832; traveled to Jackson County, Missouri, in summer of 1832; returned to Cincinnati area by 20 February 1833; there ordained elder by brother, Isaac Highee; moved to Jackson County March 1833; expelled from Jackson County in fall of 1833; located in Clay County, Missouri, in fall of 1833; appointed to be ordained high priest 26 September 1833; ordained high priest 7 August 1834; mission to Ohio 1835; left Clay County 26 March 1835; worked on Kirtland Temple 1835; set apart as member of Clay County high council in Kirtland 6 January 1836; participated in washings and anointings in Kirtland Temple 1836; attended the dedication of Kirtland Temple March 1836; settled in Caldwell County, Missouri, 1836; purchased property in Caldwell County January 1837; elected senior county judge of Caldwell County, Missouri; appointed member of Far West high council 7 November 1837; expelled from Missouri 1838; left Far West for Illinois before 13 December 1838; located in Quincy, Illinois, area before February 1839; on 9 March 1839, appointed member of committee to view Isaac Galland properties in Lee County, Iowa, and Commerce, Illinois; subsequently settled in Nauvoo; appointed 6 October 1839 to travel to Washington, D.C., with Joseph Smith and others to seek redress for wrongs committed against Saints in Missouri; left Nauvoo 29 October 1839; arrived in Washington, D.C., 28 November 1839; met with President Martin Van Buren 29 November 1839; remained in Washington after Prophet's departure for Nauvoo to lobby for redress; left Washington for Nauvoo 23 March 1840; arrived in Nauvoo by May 1840; on 3 October 1840 appointed one of committee to build Nauvoo Temple and appointed to continue seeking redress for Missouri injustices; wrote petition to Congress 28 November 1840 for redress of grievances with Robert B. Thompson; served as temporary member of Nauvoo high council 1840-42; reproved by Joseph Smith for lack of diligence in raising children and building Nauvoo Temple, 28 January 1842; died of cholera 8 June 1843 in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois; following written in Book of the Law of the Lord (p.315): "His loss will be universally lamented, not only by his family, but by a large circle of brethren who have long witnessed his integrity and uprightness, as well as a life of devotedness to the cause of truth;" Joseph Smith preached funeral sermon 13 August 1843 at Nauvoo. [Cook]