Albert Milton Whiting, Sr. the eldest son of Mary Elizabeth Cox and Edwin Whiting was born December 9, 1847 in Mt. Pisgah, Union, Iowa.
His wife, Harriet Susannah Perry, was born in Springville, Utah, November 19, 1855. Albert was 26 years old and Harriet was 18 when they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 22, 1873. On October 19, 1883, Albert received a portion of the quarter section his father, Edwin Whiting, had filed on through the Homestead Act of February 10, 1882.
Here Albert and Harriet built a home where fifteen of their sixteen children were reared. Esther, the oldest child, died at age 7 of diphtheria, the first death in Mapleton. Their home was located on what is now known in Mapleton, Utah County, Utah, as 940 North on 300 West. It was a one-floor little building, later being added onto so there was a dining room and living room (then known as a parlor) facing south. On the north side were the pantry, kitchen and two bedrooms. The upstairs consisted of three bedrooms. After the addition of a "Parlor", the children and later grandchildren, were forbidden the use of it as it was "off limits" except on very rare occasions.
Albert Milton Whiting and Harriet Susannah Perry
When Harriet and Albert Milton’s youngest child, Lorna, graduated from B.Y.U., and as she was approaching B.Y.U. President Harris to receive her diploma from President Heber J. Grant, President Harris stopped Lorna and said, "This young woman is the daughter of a widow. She is the youngest of sixteen children, a large number of whom at some time or other have attended B.Y.U. In honoring this mother, we pay tribute to all widowed mothers who have striven in the face of adversity to educate their children." (From a talk for Mother’s Day, May 13, 1973, given by Marie Jensen Whiting.) Compiled by Helen Wiscombe Granddaughter and Camp Union DUP
Albert Milton Whiting and Harriet Susannah Perry
Mary Elizabeth COX was born on 15 Dec 1826 in Oswego, Tioga, Ny. She died on 5 Jul 1912 in St. Johns, Apch, AZ. She was buried in Jul 1912 in St. Johns, Apache, AZ.
Mary married Edwin WHITING son of Elisha WHITING Jr. and Sally HULET on 27 Jan 1846 in Nauvoo, , IL. Edwin was born on 9 Sep 1809 in Lee, Berkshire, Ma. He died on 8 Dec 1890 in Mapleton, Utah, UT. He was buried on 11 Dec 1890 in Neola, Duchesne, Utah.
2MAlbert Milton WHITING was born on 9 Dec 1847 in Mt. Pisgah, Union, IA. He died on 25 Mar 1907 in Mapleton, Utah, UT. He was buried on 30 Mar 1907 in Springville Ever, Springville, UT.
Albert married Harriet Susannah PERRY daughter of Stephen Chadwick PERRY and Margaret Eleanor STEWART on 22 Dec 1873 in Salt Lake City, S-Lk, UT. Harriet was born on 29 Nov 1855 in Springville, Utah, Ut At The Old Fo. She died on 17 Nov 1935 in Mapleton, Utah, UT. She was buried on 21 Nov 1935 in Springville Ever, Springville, , UT.
3FHarriet Lucinda WHITING was born on 7 Apr 1850 in MANTI, Sanpete, UT. She died on 20 Feb 1899 in Mapleton, Utah, UT. She was buried on 22 Feb 1899 in Springville, Utah, UT.
Harriet married Joseph Henry CURTIS on 30 Nov 1867 in Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT.
4MCharles WHITING was born on 16 Dec 1852 in MANTI, Sanpete, Utah. He died on 20 Dec 1917 in St. Johns, Apache, Arizona. He was buried on 22 Dec 1917 in St. Johns, Apache, Arizona.
Charles married (1) Mary Verona SNOW on 24 Jan 1876 in Salt Lake City, S-Lk, UT.
Charles married (2) Amy Irene PORTER in Nov 1880 in St. George, Washington, Utah.
Charles married (3) Anna Eliza JACOBSON on 7 Jan 1889 in Diaz, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Charles married (4) Unknown.
5MPhiletus Edgar WHITING was born on 31 Dec 1854 in MANTI, Sanpete, UT. He died on 28 Oct 1943 in Provo, Utah, UT. He was buried on 31 Oct 1943 in Mapleton, Utah, UT.
Philetus married (1) Harriet Elizabeth JOHNSON on 26 Nov 1886 in Logan, Cache, Utah.
Philetus married (2) Lelia TUCKETT on 8 Jan 1910.
Philetus married (3) Lillie TUCKET.
6MEdwin Marion WHITING was born on 8 Aug 1857 in MANTI, Sanpete, UT. He died on 18 Aug 1934 in St. Johns, Apache, AZ. He was buried on 20 Aug 1934 in St. Johns, Apache, AZ.
Edwin married Anna Maria ISAACSON on 28 Sep 1881 in St. George, Washington, UT.
7MArthur COX WHITING was born on 23 Dec 1860 in MANTI, Sanpete, UT. He died on 12 Oct 1932 in Monroe, Sevier, UT. He was buried on 14 Oct 1932 in Monroe, Sevier, UT.
Arthur married Nancy Melissa LEAMASTER (LEEMA on 31 Jan 1883 in St. George, Washington, UT.
8FMay WHITING was born on 5 May 1862 in Springville, Utah, UT. She died on 15 May 1882 in Houserock, Arizona.
May married Sully RICHARDSON.
9MJohn Clarence WHITING was born on 7 Apr 1868 in Springville, Utah, UT. He died on 17 Aug 1953 in Charleston, Wstch, UT. He was buried on 21 Aug 1953 in Provo, Utah, UT.
John married Elizabeth MCCOARD on 12 Jun 1895 in Provo, Utah, UT.
10MFrederick Walter WHITING was born on 23 Dec 1870 in Springville, Utah, UT. He died on 13 Jul 1907 in St. Johns, Apache, Arizona.
Frederick married Pearl SREEVE on 5 Oct 1905.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Obituary of Hattie W Jensen about Harold Johnson Whiting
!SOURCE: Obituary of Hattie W. Jensen (mother-in-law), Daily Herald, Provo, Utah, Date not known, in possession of Beth W. Baker. Family group sheets and records.
!OCCUPATION: News article for 50 years of marriage, paper and date not known, in possession of Beth W. Whiting. He began working with his father in the J. W. Whiting Construction Co. then formed Whiting and Haymond Construction Co.. He was on the city council for 10 years and state representative for 2 terms. He was president and vice-president of State Associated General Contractors, and a a member of the State Licensing board, and County Board of Adjustment. He has been bishop, counselor, high councilman and is a stake physical facilities director. After retiring he was volunteer coordinator, saving thousands of dollars by getting volunteers to do city projects. They are currently living in Springville, Utah.
!OCCUPATION: News article for 50 years of marriage, paper and date not known, in possession of Beth W. Whiting. He began working with his father in the J. W. Whiting Construction Co. then formed Whiting and Haymond Construction Co.. He was on the city council for 10 years and state representative for 2 terms. He was president and vice-president of State Associated General Contractors, and a a member of the State Licensing board, and County Board of Adjustment. He has been bishop, counselor, high councilman and is a stake physical facilities director. After retiring he was volunteer coordinator, saving thousands of dollars by getting volunteers to do city projects. They are currently living in Springville, Utah.
Mary "Polly" Lewis Hulet
In his book "Before and After Mt. Pisgah", Clare B. Christensen, on pages 29 and 30, tells an interesting background of Mary Lewis, as does also Howard R. Driggs in his book "Pitch Pine Tales" (dated 1955).
Quoting from Clare B. Christensen: "Running Deer was a lovely Indian girl living with her tribe in an Indian Village in the western part of Massachusetts or along the Mohawk River in New York, which runs from Lake Oneida on the west to near Schenectady, north of Albany, into the Hudson river. White men came exploring. Some of them married Indian women. So it was, that Running Deer married a white man. They had children. Then, one of Running Deer's daughters married a man by the name of Lewis, who had a daughter, Mary Lewis.
When the dark haired, dark eyed Mary was a girl, her even darker mother took Mary to an Indian village. One of the Indian women gave Mary an Indian dress, another gave her moccasins, others gave gifts. Mary never forgot her visit with her kindred."
On those same pages, Clare B. Christensen claims (from stories told by Emeline Whiting) Mary Lewis died 1835 at Clay County, Missouri, and that Mary Lewis was daughter of Francis Lewis b.abt 1737 and Jane or Tryphena (the darker mother) who was the daughter of Squawman (perhaps Charles) and Running Deer b.abt 1715.
Mary Lewis and Sylvanus Hulet's daughter, Sally Hulet visited with her Mohawk Indian relatives about 1814, while on her way from Massachusetts to Ohio, in New York state.
Mary Lewis SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED with the Mary Lewis who married Elijah Noyes. Both were having children at the same time but lived many miles apart. Following is the WRONG Mary Lewis for us:TIB 1,263,172 SL 8441 6R p 383 gives following: Birth 3 Apr 1761, Parents:Jonathan Lewis (1731)/Persis Crosby /Elijah Noyes (marriage 16 Sep 1785 Sylvanus Hulet); TIB LA507357.Alt Birth: 3 Apr 1761 Alt Birth: 1763 Of, Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts 1765 Of, Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts
Other death: Mary Lewis died Aug 1827 , Nelson, Portage, Ohio
Alt Baptism: 5 Feb 1940 Salt Lake
Alt Baptism: 3 Dec 1965
Alt Endowment: 11 Mar 1940
Alt Endowment: 26 Jan 1966 Los Angeles
Alt Seal to Parents: 22 Aug 1951 IFALL - Idaho Falls Idaho
Alt Seal to Parents: 19 Jan 1953
Alt Seal to Parents: 26 Jan 1968 IFALL - Idaho Falls Idaho
Alt Seal to Parents: 11 Apr 1995 ALBER - Cardston Alberta
Alt Seal to Spouse: 18 Nov 1947
Alt Seal to Spouse: 22 Aug 1951 IFALL - Idaho Falls Idaho
Alt Seal to Spouse: 19 Jan 1953
Alt Seal to Spouse: 26 Jan 1968 IFALL - Idaho Falls Idaho
Arch Rec of Naoma M. Harker; Rec of O.C. DayBIRTH: Utah Gen & Hist Mag v.XXV p.77;1MARRIAGE: Church Records of Thompson, Conn; Vital Records of Lee, Mass.BAPTISM: Baptisms for the dead in Nauvoo 1841;ENDOWED: TIB 1,263,172 SL 8441 6R
Quoting from Clare B. Christensen: "Running Deer was a lovely Indian girl living with her tribe in an Indian Village in the western part of Massachusetts or along the Mohawk River in New York, which runs from Lake Oneida on the west to near Schenectady, north of Albany, into the Hudson river. White men came exploring. Some of them married Indian women. So it was, that Running Deer married a white man. They had children. Then, one of Running Deer's daughters married a man by the name of Lewis, who had a daughter, Mary Lewis.
When the dark haired, dark eyed Mary was a girl, her even darker mother took Mary to an Indian village. One of the Indian women gave Mary an Indian dress, another gave her moccasins, others gave gifts. Mary never forgot her visit with her kindred."
On those same pages, Clare B. Christensen claims (from stories told by Emeline Whiting) Mary Lewis died 1835 at Clay County, Missouri, and that Mary Lewis was daughter of Francis Lewis b.abt 1737 and Jane or Tryphena (the darker mother) who was the daughter of Squawman (perhaps Charles) and Running Deer b.abt 1715.
Mary Lewis and Sylvanus Hulet's daughter, Sally Hulet visited with her Mohawk Indian relatives about 1814, while on her way from Massachusetts to Ohio, in New York state.
Mary Lewis SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED with the Mary Lewis who married Elijah Noyes. Both were having children at the same time but lived many miles apart. Following is the WRONG Mary Lewis for us:TIB 1,263,172 SL 8441 6R p 383 gives following: Birth 3 Apr 1761, Parents:Jonathan Lewis (1731)/Persis Crosby /Elijah Noyes (marriage 16 Sep 1785 Sylvanus Hulet); TIB LA507357.Alt Birth: 3 Apr 1761 Alt Birth: 1763 Of, Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts 1765 Of, Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts
Other death: Mary Lewis died Aug 1827 , Nelson, Portage, Ohio
Alt Baptism: 5 Feb 1940 Salt Lake
Alt Baptism: 3 Dec 1965
Alt Endowment: 11 Mar 1940
Alt Endowment: 26 Jan 1966 Los Angeles
Alt Seal to Parents: 22 Aug 1951 IFALL - Idaho Falls Idaho
Alt Seal to Parents: 19 Jan 1953
Alt Seal to Parents: 26 Jan 1968 IFALL - Idaho Falls Idaho
Alt Seal to Parents: 11 Apr 1995 ALBER - Cardston Alberta
Alt Seal to Spouse: 18 Nov 1947
Alt Seal to Spouse: 22 Aug 1951 IFALL - Idaho Falls Idaho
Alt Seal to Spouse: 19 Jan 1953
Alt Seal to Spouse: 26 Jan 1968 IFALL - Idaho Falls Idaho
Arch Rec of Naoma M. Harker; Rec of O.C. DayBIRTH: Utah Gen & Hist Mag v.XXV p.77;1MARRIAGE: Church Records of Thompson, Conn; Vital Records of Lee, Mass.BAPTISM: Baptisms for the dead in Nauvoo 1841;ENDOWED: TIB 1,263,172 SL 8441 6R
Sylvanus Hulet
This is Edwin Whiting's maternal grandfather:
GIVN: Sylvanus
SURN: Hulet
NSFX: Revolutionary War Soldier
Sex: M
Born: 7 Nov 1758 in Killingly, Windham, Connecticut
Christened: 10 Dec 1758 in Thompson Church, Killingly, Windham, Connecticut
Died: 10 Nov 1824 in Nelson, Portage, Ohio, USA
Buried: Nov 1824 in Nelson, Portage, Ohio, USA
AFN: 8KKQ-7F
Baptised LDS: 28 Jul 1844
TEMP: NAUVO - Nauvoo Illinois (original) 20 Feb 1878
TEMP: SGEOR - St. George Utah 27 Feb 1947
TEMP: IFALL - Idaho Falls Idaho
Record last updated: 8 Nov 2008
TIME: 18:07
Notes:
Sylvanus was a Soldier in 2 campaigns in the Revolutionary War, against Bourgogne in 1777 and against Arnold, who burned his home town in South Connecticut in 1780. Three brothers, John, Sylvanus and Samuel were partners in a blacksmith and wagon-making shop and a mill in the edge of Lee township against Tyringham twp, Berkshire, MA. Samuel died 6 Mar 1813. The farm was valued at $35 per acre. The estate was settled and by 1815 Sylvanus and John had moved to Nelson twp, Portage, OH. When Sylvanus applied for a Revolutionary Pension in 1820, his 160 acres was valued at $3 per acre. Connecticut kept the NE corner of Ohio for Revolutionary Soldiers as the "Western Reserve".Sylvanus was 56 years of age when he moved to Nelson: his wife, Mary, 51. He owned more than $3000 in 1814 before he moved to Ohio. The Hulets were considered well-to-do at that time. Most of their children went to Ohio with their parents. When Sylvanus applied for a Revolutionary pension in 1820 his 160 acres was valued at $3 per acre. Their oldest daughter, Sally, had married Elisha Whiting in 1806. They came to Ohio a few years after Sally's parents came, about 1816. The Hulets were baptised Mormons in Oct 1831. About 1831 they moved to Independence, Jackson, MO. Oct 31, 1833 mobs drove them north across the Missouri River into Clay County. In 1836 they moved north into Far West, Caldwell, MO. In early spring 1839 they moved to Melrose, Lima twp, IL, about 30 miles south of Nauvoo. In the fall of 1845 mobs drove them into Nauvoo. Sylvanus was a member of the Nauvoo, Illinois First Ward. In 1846 they were driven into Iowa, later coming to the Salt Lake Valley.Patricia Skinner (4 - 2000) patty555@webtv.net "Sylvanus bought land in Lee, Massachusetts and Great Barrington in 1800. He stayed in that vicinity until approximately 1812, when he boutht land in the new frontier - Ohio. He moved to Portage, Ohio. He married Mary (Polly) Lewis. Sylvanus' children were among the early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). . . . Sylvanus can be found in the tax list for Hiram, Portage County in 1817 and 1818. In 1819 and 1820 I have found him in the tax list for Nelson, Portage County, Ohio. He applied for a Soldier's Pension on 14 Jun 1819 while living in Nelson. Many in his family moved to Missouri and then later to Utah."Four families descended from Sylvanus (4) Hulet came early to Utah.1. Elvira (6) Mills Cox, daughter of Rhoda (5) Hulet Mills, arrived in Salt Lake October 2, 1847. She lived in Manti and Fairview. Her descendants numbered about 2000.2. Edwin (6) Whiting, son of Sally (5) Hulet Whiting, ar in the fall of 1849. He lived in Manti and Springville. His descendants number about 8000.3. Charles (5) Hulet, son of Sylvanus (4) came in 1850; lived in Springville, with descendants perhaps about 9000.4. Emeline (5) Whiting Cox, daughter of Sally, came in 1852, lived in Manti, with descendants perhaps about 2000.Your cousin, Orville Cox Day !Birth: Birth per Killingly vital recordsAlt Birth: 7 Nov 1758 Killingly, Windham, ConnecticutAlt Birth: 13 Nov 1758 Of, Lee, Berkshire, MassachusettsBaptism given by Thompson, Windham, Connecticut church records.Alt Name: Sylvannus HULETTAlt Death: 10 Mar 1824 Nelson, Portage, OhioAlt Baptism: 1 Nov 1933Alt Endowment: 15 Mar 1937 Alt Seal to Parents: 18 Sep 1944Alt Seal to Parents: 21 Apr 1973 PROVO - Provo UtahAlt 1 marriage: 1 Sep 1944Alt 1 marriage seal: 1 Sep 1944Naoma Manwaring Harker Research: FGS 57 1. O.C. Day Records2. Utah Gen. & Hist. Mag. vol XXV p. 77 Call #979.2/B2ug Film #564,3533. Church Records of Thompson, Connecticut 974.645/T1/K2t4. Vital Records of Lee, Massachusetts Q/974.41/L1/V2h5. Baptisms for the Dead in Nauvoo 1841Rec of Ella Whiting Waite- LaGrande, Oregon; Archive Rec of Charlotte Cox;Ut Gen Mag 1934 p 130; Hartford Times 27 Nov 1937; Boston Transcript 12 Dec 1928 by O.C. Day; IGI 1988 Conn p 7,588 batch 7450336 0;!DOCUMENTATION (by Margaret Neuffer):!BIRTH: Source - Utah Gen & Hist. mag. Vol XXV, p. 77; Church Rec of T Thompson, Conn. Vital Records of Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts.!In 1850, Sylvanus had a household of five, a real wealth of $0, and a personal wealth of $0.!In 1860, Sylvanus had a household of 9, a real wealth of $250.00, and a personal wealth of $1200.00!In 1870, Sylvanus had a household of 8, a real wealth of $0, and a personal wealth of $300.00! He and Polly had 4 children. They were: (1) Sally, born 29 Oct 1787 who married Elisha Whiton (Whiting) on 18 Sep 1806, (2) Charles, born 3 Mar 1790 (3) Charlott, born 7 Nov 1792 (4) Rhoda, born 8 Jun 1795. Those were the children listed as born in Lee Vital Records. Other children I have found born to him and Mary (Polly) are (5) Sylvester, born about 1800 (6) Francis, born about 1803, and (7) Mary, born about 1805.
GIVN: Sylvanus
SURN: Hulet
NSFX: Revolutionary War Soldier
Sex: M
Born: 7 Nov 1758 in Killingly, Windham, Connecticut
Christened: 10 Dec 1758 in Thompson Church, Killingly, Windham, Connecticut
Died: 10 Nov 1824 in Nelson, Portage, Ohio, USA
Buried: Nov 1824 in Nelson, Portage, Ohio, USA
AFN: 8KKQ-7F
Baptised LDS: 28 Jul 1844
TEMP: NAUVO - Nauvoo Illinois (original) 20 Feb 1878
TEMP: SGEOR - St. George Utah 27 Feb 1947
TEMP: IFALL - Idaho Falls Idaho
Record last updated: 8 Nov 2008
TIME: 18:07
Notes:
Sylvanus was a Soldier in 2 campaigns in the Revolutionary War, against Bourgogne in 1777 and against Arnold, who burned his home town in South Connecticut in 1780. Three brothers, John, Sylvanus and Samuel were partners in a blacksmith and wagon-making shop and a mill in the edge of Lee township against Tyringham twp, Berkshire, MA. Samuel died 6 Mar 1813. The farm was valued at $35 per acre. The estate was settled and by 1815 Sylvanus and John had moved to Nelson twp, Portage, OH. When Sylvanus applied for a Revolutionary Pension in 1820, his 160 acres was valued at $3 per acre. Connecticut kept the NE corner of Ohio for Revolutionary Soldiers as the "Western Reserve".Sylvanus was 56 years of age when he moved to Nelson: his wife, Mary, 51. He owned more than $3000 in 1814 before he moved to Ohio. The Hulets were considered well-to-do at that time. Most of their children went to Ohio with their parents. When Sylvanus applied for a Revolutionary pension in 1820 his 160 acres was valued at $3 per acre. Their oldest daughter, Sally, had married Elisha Whiting in 1806. They came to Ohio a few years after Sally's parents came, about 1816. The Hulets were baptised Mormons in Oct 1831. About 1831 they moved to Independence, Jackson, MO. Oct 31, 1833 mobs drove them north across the Missouri River into Clay County. In 1836 they moved north into Far West, Caldwell, MO. In early spring 1839 they moved to Melrose, Lima twp, IL, about 30 miles south of Nauvoo. In the fall of 1845 mobs drove them into Nauvoo. Sylvanus was a member of the Nauvoo, Illinois First Ward. In 1846 they were driven into Iowa, later coming to the Salt Lake Valley.Patricia Skinner (4 - 2000) patty555@webtv.net "Sylvanus bought land in Lee, Massachusetts and Great Barrington in 1800. He stayed in that vicinity until approximately 1812, when he boutht land in the new frontier - Ohio. He moved to Portage, Ohio. He married Mary (Polly) Lewis. Sylvanus' children were among the early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). . . . Sylvanus can be found in the tax list for Hiram, Portage County in 1817 and 1818. In 1819 and 1820 I have found him in the tax list for Nelson, Portage County, Ohio. He applied for a Soldier's Pension on 14 Jun 1819 while living in Nelson. Many in his family moved to Missouri and then later to Utah."Four families descended from Sylvanus (4) Hulet came early to Utah.1. Elvira (6) Mills Cox, daughter of Rhoda (5) Hulet Mills, arrived in Salt Lake October 2, 1847. She lived in Manti and Fairview. Her descendants numbered about 2000.2. Edwin (6) Whiting, son of Sally (5) Hulet Whiting, ar in the fall of 1849. He lived in Manti and Springville. His descendants number about 8000.3. Charles (5) Hulet, son of Sylvanus (4) came in 1850; lived in Springville, with descendants perhaps about 9000.4. Emeline (5) Whiting Cox, daughter of Sally, came in 1852, lived in Manti, with descendants perhaps about 2000.Your cousin, Orville Cox Day !Birth: Birth per Killingly vital recordsAlt Birth: 7 Nov 1758 Killingly, Windham, ConnecticutAlt Birth: 13 Nov 1758 Of, Lee, Berkshire, MassachusettsBaptism given by Thompson, Windham, Connecticut church records.Alt Name: Sylvannus HULETTAlt Death: 10 Mar 1824 Nelson, Portage, OhioAlt Baptism: 1 Nov 1933Alt Endowment: 15 Mar 1937 Alt Seal to Parents: 18 Sep 1944Alt Seal to Parents: 21 Apr 1973 PROVO - Provo UtahAlt 1 marriage: 1 Sep 1944Alt 1 marriage seal: 1 Sep 1944Naoma Manwaring Harker Research: FGS 57 1. O.C. Day Records2. Utah Gen. & Hist. Mag. vol XXV p. 77 Call #979.2/B2ug Film #564,3533. Church Records of Thompson, Connecticut 974.645/T1/K2t4. Vital Records of Lee, Massachusetts Q/974.41/L1/V2h5. Baptisms for the Dead in Nauvoo 1841Rec of Ella Whiting Waite- LaGrande, Oregon; Archive Rec of Charlotte Cox;Ut Gen Mag 1934 p 130; Hartford Times 27 Nov 1937; Boston Transcript 12 Dec 1928 by O.C. Day; IGI 1988 Conn p 7,588 batch 7450336 0;!DOCUMENTATION (by Margaret Neuffer):!BIRTH: Source - Utah Gen & Hist. mag. Vol XXV, p. 77; Church Rec of T Thompson, Conn. Vital Records of Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts.!In 1850, Sylvanus had a household of five, a real wealth of $0, and a personal wealth of $0.!In 1860, Sylvanus had a household of 9, a real wealth of $250.00, and a personal wealth of $1200.00!In 1870, Sylvanus had a household of 8, a real wealth of $0, and a personal wealth of $300.00! He and Polly had 4 children. They were: (1) Sally, born 29 Oct 1787 who married Elisha Whiton (Whiting) on 18 Sep 1806, (2) Charles, born 3 Mar 1790 (3) Charlott, born 7 Nov 1792 (4) Rhoda, born 8 Jun 1795. Those were the children listed as born in Lee Vital Records. Other children I have found born to him and Mary (Polly) are (5) Sylvester, born about 1800 (6) Francis, born about 1803, and (7) Mary, born about 1805.
History of Edwin Whiting (Background)
History of Edwin Whiting(Compiled by Jennie Bird Hill, daughter of Abby Ann Whiting, daughter of Edwin and Hannah Whiting- 1919)
Background
About the year 1800, in the little town of Lee, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, near the border of New York, lived the family of Elisha and Sally Hulett Whiting. Elisha Whiting's father was a sea captain and lived in Connecticut. He died when Elisha was very young. His mother, not knowing what else to do, bound him to an old Quaker, who was very cruel to him, and after a few years, he ran away to Massachusetts and worked on a farm with a wheelwright. Here he was married to Sally Hulett. They were highly respected, honest, generous and firm in their convictions.
Elisha Whiting followed the trade of wagon and chair maker and did his work well. His wife was very gifted in making prose and poetry, a characteristic that has been bequeathed to many of the Whiting descendants. To Elisha and Sally Whiting, twelve children were born, eight sons and four daughters as follows: (1) Charles, (2) William, (3) Edwin, (4) Charles, (5) Katherine Louisa, (6) Harriet, (7) Sally Emeline, (8) Chauncey, (9) Almond, (10) Jane, (11) Sylvester, and (12) Lewis.
Edwin Whiting was born September 9, 1809, the third child of this family. When he was six years old, his parents moved to Nelson, Portage County, Ohio. At that time, it was the western frontier of the U.S.A. but probably the very place his father wished to be to get a suitable timber for his trade and for support of his large family.
Edwin Whiting's chance for education was very limited, but they were all taught the "3 R's", Readin', Ritin', and Rithmetic, and he wrote a legible hand, an extraordinary feat for his time. At an early age, he wrote credible verse.
His early life in the forest, no doubt, accounts for his love of the out-of-doors, the beauties of nature, the trees, the flowers, the mountains and the desire to hunt.
One Sunday morning, when but a small boy, he decided to go hunting. He knew this was contrary to his parent's teachings, so he tried to draw his gun through the cracks between the logs of his bedroom and go unmolested. His gun caught and was discharged, inflicting a serious wound in his left arm. This, he said, was a lesson to observe the Sabbath Day and to obey his parents.
He learned the chair making trade from his father and his workmanship was considered very good.
In 1833, when Edwin was twenty-four years old, he married Elizabeth Partridge Tillotson, an Ohio girl of French descent. She was a highly educated school teacher, quite an accomplishment for those days.
In 1837, the Gospel was brought to the Whiting family. Edwin and his wife, his father and mother and some of his brothers and sisters joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were baptized by Thomas Marsh in 1838. Here, as in the time of Christ and His Apostles, the humble, hard-working class of people were the ones to listen and accept the Gospel of truth.
They were among the early members of our church and soon joined the saints in Kirtland, Ohio. It was here that their trials, hardships and persecutions began and it took true manhood, womanhood, and faith in God to endure.
They were forced to leave their new comfortable home, complete with furniture, orchards and land in Kirtland, Ohio and took only their clothing and a few valued relics and went to Far West, Missouri. By this time, Edwin and Elizabeth had four children: William, Helen Amelia, Sarah Elizabeth and Emily Jane. They were only in Far West a short time and had just built a new home, when the mob, several thousand strong, ordered them out. During the battle of the Crooked River, just before they were ordered to leave Missouri, his brother Charles was killed.
They were compelled to flee again so they joined the saints at Lima in father Isaac Morley's branch, where Edwin Whiting acted as counselor to brother Morley. For Several years, the saints were happily building up the city of Nauvoo and their temple, while living at Morley's branch (Yelrome), near Lima. Here they worshipped God without so much persecution as they had experienced in Missouri. Edwin was appointed Colonel in the Nauvoo Legion and was an active worker at all times for the up-building of His Church.
In 1844 he was called on a mission to Pennsylvania and was there at the time of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith. He soon returned home and took up arms with his bretheren to protect his property and the lives of his family.
Through the advice of those in authority, and for a righteous purpose, he entered the law of plural marriage. On January 3rd 1845, he married Almira Meacham. The following year, January 27, 1846, he married Mary Elizabeth Cox.
In the fall of 1845 the mobs began threatening them, and attacking them. Every house in the village was burned except father Elisha Whiting's, which was spared because he was so sick they could not move him. We remember of hearing aunt Elizabeth tell how she sat on the pile of bedding far into the night with little daughter Jane in her arms. Little Jane died soon after from exposure and lack of proper food. Sarah clapped her hands at the big bonfire the mob had made with their fences and the select wood from her father's chair shop. [Note: When Jennie Hill wrote this sketch, she mixed up some places. The burning was not in Missouri, but in Yelrome, in August 1845, as I have changed it to read. C T Cox]
The families moved into Nauvoo for protection, and to get ready to go west. While there, Edwin and his wives were sealed together in the Nauvoo temple.
Still a greater test awaited him, his brothers, Almond, Sylvester, Chauncey and Lewis and his sister, Louisa did not feel that Brigham Young should be the leader of the Church so they followed a Mr. Cutler and called themselves "Cutlerites" and moved up into Clitheral, Minnesota. To this day they hold tenaciously to the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. They still correspond with the children of Edwin Whiting, and have given us, for temple work, an extensive genealogy of the Whiting family.
Edwin Whiting, his families, his father and mother stayed with the saints, who were compelled to move west as far as Mt. Pisgah, (now known as Talmadge) Iowa. There they stayed to prepare for the journey across the plains.
The dreaded disease, cholera, took the father and mother of Edwin, his little brother and little daughter, Emily Jane. Their names are on the monument lately erected at that place in memory of those who died there. So many of his family were sick at one time, that there was no one well enough to get the sick ones a drink, but even in those trying times, they still had faith and rejoiced in the Gospel, for the Lord was with them. Emeline, a sister of Edwin, married Fredrick Walter Cox and the two families were as one big family for years.
They established a chair factory and hauled the chairs to Quincy, Illinois where they were sold. From this and their crops, they prepared to come west. Aunt Mary taught school two terms and helped the family some. While at Mt. Pisgah, three children were born. Albert Milton was born to Mary. Oscar Newell was born to Elizabeth, and Catherine Emeline was born to Almira.
In April, 1849, Edwin and Emeline, the only children of Elisha and Sally Whiting who stayed true to the Church, started westward in brother Morley's company.
Volumes have been written of the westward journey of the saints, and as Congressman Leatherstood has said, "It is the greatest emigration trail that was ever blazed and our pioneers will some day stand out in history as the greatest pioneers of the world."
They fought Indians, had their cattle stampeded, suffered for lack of proper food, and even though tired from that long and tedious trek, still they went on. After reaching the Black Hills, a heavy snow storm came and for three days they were shut in. Many of their cattle died and perhaps they would have died had not the teams and provisions sent by President Brigham Young come to their aid. On October 28, 1849, they reached Salt Lake City, which looked like a haven of rest to that travel-worn company. Aunt Mary said, "I have never beheld a sight so good and so beautiful as Salt Lake City. We were so thankful our journey was at an end." But their rest was of short duration, for in a few days, Edwin Whiting, the Morley's and the Cox's were called to settle the San Pitch River, now known as Manti. Again they journeyed on. It took three weeks to go from Salt Lake City, because they had to build their own roads.
Provo was then a village of about six homes. As they passed Hobble Creek, afterwards known as Springville, Edwin Whiting remarked, "This is a fertile spot. I would like to stop here."
Background
About the year 1800, in the little town of Lee, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, near the border of New York, lived the family of Elisha and Sally Hulett Whiting. Elisha Whiting's father was a sea captain and lived in Connecticut. He died when Elisha was very young. His mother, not knowing what else to do, bound him to an old Quaker, who was very cruel to him, and after a few years, he ran away to Massachusetts and worked on a farm with a wheelwright. Here he was married to Sally Hulett. They were highly respected, honest, generous and firm in their convictions.
Elisha Whiting followed the trade of wagon and chair maker and did his work well. His wife was very gifted in making prose and poetry, a characteristic that has been bequeathed to many of the Whiting descendants. To Elisha and Sally Whiting, twelve children were born, eight sons and four daughters as follows: (1) Charles, (2) William, (3) Edwin, (4) Charles, (5) Katherine Louisa, (6) Harriet, (7) Sally Emeline, (8) Chauncey, (9) Almond, (10) Jane, (11) Sylvester, and (12) Lewis.
Edwin Whiting was born September 9, 1809, the third child of this family. When he was six years old, his parents moved to Nelson, Portage County, Ohio. At that time, it was the western frontier of the U.S.A. but probably the very place his father wished to be to get a suitable timber for his trade and for support of his large family.
Edwin Whiting's chance for education was very limited, but they were all taught the "3 R's", Readin', Ritin', and Rithmetic, and he wrote a legible hand, an extraordinary feat for his time. At an early age, he wrote credible verse.
His early life in the forest, no doubt, accounts for his love of the out-of-doors, the beauties of nature, the trees, the flowers, the mountains and the desire to hunt.
One Sunday morning, when but a small boy, he decided to go hunting. He knew this was contrary to his parent's teachings, so he tried to draw his gun through the cracks between the logs of his bedroom and go unmolested. His gun caught and was discharged, inflicting a serious wound in his left arm. This, he said, was a lesson to observe the Sabbath Day and to obey his parents.
He learned the chair making trade from his father and his workmanship was considered very good.
In 1833, when Edwin was twenty-four years old, he married Elizabeth Partridge Tillotson, an Ohio girl of French descent. She was a highly educated school teacher, quite an accomplishment for those days.
In 1837, the Gospel was brought to the Whiting family. Edwin and his wife, his father and mother and some of his brothers and sisters joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were baptized by Thomas Marsh in 1838. Here, as in the time of Christ and His Apostles, the humble, hard-working class of people were the ones to listen and accept the Gospel of truth.
They were among the early members of our church and soon joined the saints in Kirtland, Ohio. It was here that their trials, hardships and persecutions began and it took true manhood, womanhood, and faith in God to endure.
They were forced to leave their new comfortable home, complete with furniture, orchards and land in Kirtland, Ohio and took only their clothing and a few valued relics and went to Far West, Missouri. By this time, Edwin and Elizabeth had four children: William, Helen Amelia, Sarah Elizabeth and Emily Jane. They were only in Far West a short time and had just built a new home, when the mob, several thousand strong, ordered them out. During the battle of the Crooked River, just before they were ordered to leave Missouri, his brother Charles was killed.
They were compelled to flee again so they joined the saints at Lima in father Isaac Morley's branch, where Edwin Whiting acted as counselor to brother Morley. For Several years, the saints were happily building up the city of Nauvoo and their temple, while living at Morley's branch (Yelrome), near Lima. Here they worshipped God without so much persecution as they had experienced in Missouri. Edwin was appointed Colonel in the Nauvoo Legion and was an active worker at all times for the up-building of His Church.
In 1844 he was called on a mission to Pennsylvania and was there at the time of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith. He soon returned home and took up arms with his bretheren to protect his property and the lives of his family.
Through the advice of those in authority, and for a righteous purpose, he entered the law of plural marriage. On January 3rd 1845, he married Almira Meacham. The following year, January 27, 1846, he married Mary Elizabeth Cox.
In the fall of 1845 the mobs began threatening them, and attacking them. Every house in the village was burned except father Elisha Whiting's, which was spared because he was so sick they could not move him. We remember of hearing aunt Elizabeth tell how she sat on the pile of bedding far into the night with little daughter Jane in her arms. Little Jane died soon after from exposure and lack of proper food. Sarah clapped her hands at the big bonfire the mob had made with their fences and the select wood from her father's chair shop. [Note: When Jennie Hill wrote this sketch, she mixed up some places. The burning was not in Missouri, but in Yelrome, in August 1845, as I have changed it to read. C T Cox]
The families moved into Nauvoo for protection, and to get ready to go west. While there, Edwin and his wives were sealed together in the Nauvoo temple.
Still a greater test awaited him, his brothers, Almond, Sylvester, Chauncey and Lewis and his sister, Louisa did not feel that Brigham Young should be the leader of the Church so they followed a Mr. Cutler and called themselves "Cutlerites" and moved up into Clitheral, Minnesota. To this day they hold tenaciously to the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. They still correspond with the children of Edwin Whiting, and have given us, for temple work, an extensive genealogy of the Whiting family.
Edwin Whiting, his families, his father and mother stayed with the saints, who were compelled to move west as far as Mt. Pisgah, (now known as Talmadge) Iowa. There they stayed to prepare for the journey across the plains.
The dreaded disease, cholera, took the father and mother of Edwin, his little brother and little daughter, Emily Jane. Their names are on the monument lately erected at that place in memory of those who died there. So many of his family were sick at one time, that there was no one well enough to get the sick ones a drink, but even in those trying times, they still had faith and rejoiced in the Gospel, for the Lord was with them. Emeline, a sister of Edwin, married Fredrick Walter Cox and the two families were as one big family for years.
They established a chair factory and hauled the chairs to Quincy, Illinois where they were sold. From this and their crops, they prepared to come west. Aunt Mary taught school two terms and helped the family some. While at Mt. Pisgah, three children were born. Albert Milton was born to Mary. Oscar Newell was born to Elizabeth, and Catherine Emeline was born to Almira.
In April, 1849, Edwin and Emeline, the only children of Elisha and Sally Whiting who stayed true to the Church, started westward in brother Morley's company.
Volumes have been written of the westward journey of the saints, and as Congressman Leatherstood has said, "It is the greatest emigration trail that was ever blazed and our pioneers will some day stand out in history as the greatest pioneers of the world."
They fought Indians, had their cattle stampeded, suffered for lack of proper food, and even though tired from that long and tedious trek, still they went on. After reaching the Black Hills, a heavy snow storm came and for three days they were shut in. Many of their cattle died and perhaps they would have died had not the teams and provisions sent by President Brigham Young come to their aid. On October 28, 1849, they reached Salt Lake City, which looked like a haven of rest to that travel-worn company. Aunt Mary said, "I have never beheld a sight so good and so beautiful as Salt Lake City. We were so thankful our journey was at an end." But their rest was of short duration, for in a few days, Edwin Whiting, the Morley's and the Cox's were called to settle the San Pitch River, now known as Manti. Again they journeyed on. It took three weeks to go from Salt Lake City, because they had to build their own roads.
Provo was then a village of about six homes. As they passed Hobble Creek, afterwards known as Springville, Edwin Whiting remarked, "This is a fertile spot. I would like to stop here."
History of Edwin Whiting (Manti)
History of Edwin Whiting(Compiled by Jennie Bird Hill, daughter of Abby Ann Whiting, daughter of Edwin and Hannah Whiting- 1919)
Manti
They arrived in Sanpete County on December 1, 1849, with almost nothing to eat, no food for their cattle, no shelter to keep them warm, and cold weather upon them. They made "dug-outs" on the south side of the hill where the Manti Temple now stands. It was a severe winter, with snow so deep the cattle could scarcely get grass and most of them died. Food had to be divided with the Indians to keep peace.
President Young had promised them provisions and help, but none came, so Edwin and Orville Cox put on snow shoes and with a little parched corn in their pockets for food, placed their bedding on a sleigh and started toward Salt Lake City for help. When they reached Nephi Canyon, they met their help, brother Dace Henry, his wife, her brother, Mr. Dodge and an Indian, snow bound. Their cattle had died and their wagons were all but covered with snow. The young wife was very sick, so Edwin gave them the sleigh to pull her to Manti. They put their quilts on their backs and walked on to Salt Lake City and reported conditions to President Young. Aid was immediately sent, but some of that company went back to Salt Lake City.
Edwin's family now numbered fourteen. They lived in a large room in the wall of the hill with their chair factory in one end. The men and boys hauled wood from the hills on the hand sleighs.
The following spring (1850), there were three girls born; Harriet Lucinda was born to Mary Elizabeth in April, Louisa Melitia was born to Elizabeth in May, and Cornelia Dolly was born to Almira in June.
For several seasons, very little was raised. It became necessary to build a fort to protect themselves from the Indians, for they felt that the white man had stolen their land. The gates of the fort were locked while the men went to the fields with their guns. From this developed the Walker War. Edwin was appointed Captain for the Militia. Twice the Indians drove his cattle off and stole whatever they could.
Edwin often told us of one big old ox that he owned. The ox would rebel whenever an Indian tried to drive him. He would turn on his captors and break their defense and come home. He hated Indians and would always lower his head and challenge them if they came near.
Edwin tried planting fruit trees, shrubs and flowers, but they could not survive the very cold winters. Their crops were poor, but they managed to exist and were a happy family in spite of their hardships.
In 1854, he was called to Ohio on a mission and was gone for two years. While he was away, the grasshoppers came and took everything they raised. They faced starvation, but miraculously, where the crops had been, a patch of pigweeds grew and they lived on them until the corn ripened in Utah County. A strange thing it was, for the Indians said those pigweeds had never grown there before, nor have they grown since. Walter Cox divided with his brother's (brother-in-law) family while Edwin was away.
Edwin, upon his return, brought many kinds of fruit trees, (some from his father's farm that he helped to plant when a boy) shrubs and flowers, and again tried to grow them, but the climate was too cold.
On the 8th of October, 1856, Edwin married Hannah Haines Brown. Abby Ann Whiting was born to this couple at Manti in 1858 and Lorenzo Snow Whiting was born at Manti in 1860.
On the 14th day of April, 1857, he married Mary Ann Washburn. Two children were born to the family while they resided at Manti. Daniel Abram was born in May, 1858 and Monroe Finch Whiting was born in November, 1862.
While he lived at Manti, Edwin was among the foremost men in religious and civic affairs of the community. He was counselor to the Stake President. He was mayor of the city from 1857 to 1861. He was a member of the legislature for two terms, and as stated before, he was Captain of the Militia in the Walker War.
Springville
After finding the climate of Manti unfavorable for raising fruit, his special work, he was advised by President Young to try out his nursery at Springville. He moved to Springville in 1861 and was able to plant and grow all kinds and varieties of fruit trees, vegetables and flowers. People used to come from neighboring communities to see his flowers.
He built a home on the lot where the Springville Second Ward Church now stands. That old two story adobe home will stand in the memory of the members of the Whiting Family as a place of many happy evenings and of fun and amusement. Aunt Mary also taught school there.
He transplanted, in different towns, many evergreens from the mountains. To obtain his evergreens, he went up the canyons and got the small trees. He would take some of the soil with each root. He would then wrap them so as to keep some of the native soil in place. These were packed securely in the wagon box. He always marked the trees so that they could be set the same way they stood in the canyon. Many of the evergreens and fruit trees were planted throughout the county. Among these was the large cedar tree that for many years stood in front of the Second Ward church. This tree was brought from the nearby canyon in 1861 and planted by Mr. Whiting, being nurtured and cared for by him. He also transplanted those around the old Court House in Provo, those at the Springville City Park, and one large evergreen that stands southwest of the Manti Temple which can be seen for miles around. He once said "I brought that in my dinner bucket and I think it was the first evergreen transplanted in Utah."
His life was typical of this great tree. A poem written by Emmay Whiting, wife of Daniel Whiting, describes his life and this tree as being similar.
Edwin had one of the largest families in Utah. Many of those stand at the head of Stake and Ward organizations in our Church. Among his descendants, we found seven bishops.
In his later life, he did temple work for his dead relatives in the St. George Temple and in the Logan Temple. He lived the principles of his religion. He was honest, charitable, and never accumulated great riches. He was thrifty and loved his wives and children and gave them the comforts of life.
He died at Mapleton, Utah on the 9th of December, 1890 at the age of eighty-one years. He was firm in his belief and testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel.
His descendants are numerous and are found in Idaho, Arizona, Mexico, California, New York, and in Utah.
Edwin's granddaughter Harriet Jensen described her grandfather this way:
Grandfather Edwin Whiting and his family were typical early residents of the canyon. Some of the first needs of the pioneers were to have land for crops and water to make them grow; also to be near where they could obtain wood for cooking and heat. Hobble Creek Canyon had plenty of trees, not only for fuel, but, also the large pines were used as logs for building houses, or to be sawed into lumber. Edwin Whiting had taken up 160 acres on Union Bench (now Mapleton) and divided it among his older boys; but as the young ones grew up, there was need for more land. By this time Joseph Kelly and others were ranching in Hobble Creek Canyon, so grandfather decided to homestead land in that vicinity. One log cabin was built on the Whiting homestead, and here they took turns staying and working the land. Brush and trees had to be cleared off the land and ditches made. For the Bench land, it meant going up the canyon where the elevation was as high as the land and making a ditch around the hillside. I remember, as a small girl, going with my uncle Fred to the site of the dam to see whether there were any breaks in it.
They had a fine range for cattle and raised hay, grain and vegetables. People were eager to locate where there was a spring. Well do I remember carrying water up the bank of the creek in a little brass kettle which had been brought across the plains. We grandchildren seemed to feel that we had a share in the old home, which was one large room made of logs, with a small window and a large fireplace in one end where grandmother used to do the cooking. She would pull some of the hot coals on the hearth -- a large flat stone in front of the fireplace -- place the bake kettle on them; then, with her tongs, put more red coals on the kettle lid. Almost every afternoon we would carry water to sprinkle in front of the house, which made the ground hard, and also kept what little grass was growing around the house, green and inviting. In the spring she would take newspapers, saved during the winter, to paper the logs. This was the first time I had ever heard of wall paper.
At first this was a summer home, then finally a school house was built and the families stayed the year around. This building had only one room, but, it served as school house, church and amusement hall. Children rode their horses to school. The Whitings had a sawmill up the canyon above the original log home. They did most of their logging in the winter, using half of a bob-sled to put one end of the log on and letting the rest of the log slide on the snow. By spring there was a good pile of logs. Edwin M. Whiting bought a steam engine and for a number of years furnished the lumber for Springville. They moved the sawmill wherever there was suitable timber. It was 16 miles up to the Whiting Ranch from town and took about five hours, with horse and wagon, to get there. There was always plenty of fish in the creek, and wild chicken and deer in the hills.
The following is a list of those who ranched in the canyon during its early settlement; Mr. Cutler followed by a Mr. Kelly, Cyrus Sanford, Myron and Milan Crandall, Al Roylance, Moroni Fuller, William Gallup, James Holley, Orson Mower, Erastus Clark, Royal Clements, Charles Johnson, and Levi Kendall. In those early days Charley Williams operated a sawmill on the creek. They took adverse possession (land not surveyed) but later congress passed a law to legalize the land so that they could get possession of their deeds. Farther up the canyon was the Packard Ranch. Alpheus Curtis, Wallace Johnson and Edward Snow also lived there. The Adams family now live on the original Whiting Ranch.
A marker, up Hobble Creek Canyon reads: "In memory of Edwin Whiting, pioneer, born September 9, 1809. Died December 8, 1890. Home-steaded this ranch in 1871. Erected August 17, 1935 by his family."
Manti
They arrived in Sanpete County on December 1, 1849, with almost nothing to eat, no food for their cattle, no shelter to keep them warm, and cold weather upon them. They made "dug-outs" on the south side of the hill where the Manti Temple now stands. It was a severe winter, with snow so deep the cattle could scarcely get grass and most of them died. Food had to be divided with the Indians to keep peace.
President Young had promised them provisions and help, but none came, so Edwin and Orville Cox put on snow shoes and with a little parched corn in their pockets for food, placed their bedding on a sleigh and started toward Salt Lake City for help. When they reached Nephi Canyon, they met their help, brother Dace Henry, his wife, her brother, Mr. Dodge and an Indian, snow bound. Their cattle had died and their wagons were all but covered with snow. The young wife was very sick, so Edwin gave them the sleigh to pull her to Manti. They put their quilts on their backs and walked on to Salt Lake City and reported conditions to President Young. Aid was immediately sent, but some of that company went back to Salt Lake City.
Edwin's family now numbered fourteen. They lived in a large room in the wall of the hill with their chair factory in one end. The men and boys hauled wood from the hills on the hand sleighs.
The following spring (1850), there were three girls born; Harriet Lucinda was born to Mary Elizabeth in April, Louisa Melitia was born to Elizabeth in May, and Cornelia Dolly was born to Almira in June.
For several seasons, very little was raised. It became necessary to build a fort to protect themselves from the Indians, for they felt that the white man had stolen their land. The gates of the fort were locked while the men went to the fields with their guns. From this developed the Walker War. Edwin was appointed Captain for the Militia. Twice the Indians drove his cattle off and stole whatever they could.
Edwin often told us of one big old ox that he owned. The ox would rebel whenever an Indian tried to drive him. He would turn on his captors and break their defense and come home. He hated Indians and would always lower his head and challenge them if they came near.
Edwin tried planting fruit trees, shrubs and flowers, but they could not survive the very cold winters. Their crops were poor, but they managed to exist and were a happy family in spite of their hardships.
In 1854, he was called to Ohio on a mission and was gone for two years. While he was away, the grasshoppers came and took everything they raised. They faced starvation, but miraculously, where the crops had been, a patch of pigweeds grew and they lived on them until the corn ripened in Utah County. A strange thing it was, for the Indians said those pigweeds had never grown there before, nor have they grown since. Walter Cox divided with his brother's (brother-in-law) family while Edwin was away.
Edwin, upon his return, brought many kinds of fruit trees, (some from his father's farm that he helped to plant when a boy) shrubs and flowers, and again tried to grow them, but the climate was too cold.
On the 8th of October, 1856, Edwin married Hannah Haines Brown. Abby Ann Whiting was born to this couple at Manti in 1858 and Lorenzo Snow Whiting was born at Manti in 1860.
On the 14th day of April, 1857, he married Mary Ann Washburn. Two children were born to the family while they resided at Manti. Daniel Abram was born in May, 1858 and Monroe Finch Whiting was born in November, 1862.
While he lived at Manti, Edwin was among the foremost men in religious and civic affairs of the community. He was counselor to the Stake President. He was mayor of the city from 1857 to 1861. He was a member of the legislature for two terms, and as stated before, he was Captain of the Militia in the Walker War.
Springville
After finding the climate of Manti unfavorable for raising fruit, his special work, he was advised by President Young to try out his nursery at Springville. He moved to Springville in 1861 and was able to plant and grow all kinds and varieties of fruit trees, vegetables and flowers. People used to come from neighboring communities to see his flowers.
He built a home on the lot where the Springville Second Ward Church now stands. That old two story adobe home will stand in the memory of the members of the Whiting Family as a place of many happy evenings and of fun and amusement. Aunt Mary also taught school there.
He transplanted, in different towns, many evergreens from the mountains. To obtain his evergreens, he went up the canyons and got the small trees. He would take some of the soil with each root. He would then wrap them so as to keep some of the native soil in place. These were packed securely in the wagon box. He always marked the trees so that they could be set the same way they stood in the canyon. Many of the evergreens and fruit trees were planted throughout the county. Among these was the large cedar tree that for many years stood in front of the Second Ward church. This tree was brought from the nearby canyon in 1861 and planted by Mr. Whiting, being nurtured and cared for by him. He also transplanted those around the old Court House in Provo, those at the Springville City Park, and one large evergreen that stands southwest of the Manti Temple which can be seen for miles around. He once said "I brought that in my dinner bucket and I think it was the first evergreen transplanted in Utah."
His life was typical of this great tree. A poem written by Emmay Whiting, wife of Daniel Whiting, describes his life and this tree as being similar.
Edwin had one of the largest families in Utah. Many of those stand at the head of Stake and Ward organizations in our Church. Among his descendants, we found seven bishops.
In his later life, he did temple work for his dead relatives in the St. George Temple and in the Logan Temple. He lived the principles of his religion. He was honest, charitable, and never accumulated great riches. He was thrifty and loved his wives and children and gave them the comforts of life.
He died at Mapleton, Utah on the 9th of December, 1890 at the age of eighty-one years. He was firm in his belief and testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel.
His descendants are numerous and are found in Idaho, Arizona, Mexico, California, New York, and in Utah.
Edwin's granddaughter Harriet Jensen described her grandfather this way:
Grandfather Edwin Whiting and his family were typical early residents of the canyon. Some of the first needs of the pioneers were to have land for crops and water to make them grow; also to be near where they could obtain wood for cooking and heat. Hobble Creek Canyon had plenty of trees, not only for fuel, but, also the large pines were used as logs for building houses, or to be sawed into lumber. Edwin Whiting had taken up 160 acres on Union Bench (now Mapleton) and divided it among his older boys; but as the young ones grew up, there was need for more land. By this time Joseph Kelly and others were ranching in Hobble Creek Canyon, so grandfather decided to homestead land in that vicinity. One log cabin was built on the Whiting homestead, and here they took turns staying and working the land. Brush and trees had to be cleared off the land and ditches made. For the Bench land, it meant going up the canyon where the elevation was as high as the land and making a ditch around the hillside. I remember, as a small girl, going with my uncle Fred to the site of the dam to see whether there were any breaks in it.
They had a fine range for cattle and raised hay, grain and vegetables. People were eager to locate where there was a spring. Well do I remember carrying water up the bank of the creek in a little brass kettle which had been brought across the plains. We grandchildren seemed to feel that we had a share in the old home, which was one large room made of logs, with a small window and a large fireplace in one end where grandmother used to do the cooking. She would pull some of the hot coals on the hearth -- a large flat stone in front of the fireplace -- place the bake kettle on them; then, with her tongs, put more red coals on the kettle lid. Almost every afternoon we would carry water to sprinkle in front of the house, which made the ground hard, and also kept what little grass was growing around the house, green and inviting. In the spring she would take newspapers, saved during the winter, to paper the logs. This was the first time I had ever heard of wall paper.
At first this was a summer home, then finally a school house was built and the families stayed the year around. This building had only one room, but, it served as school house, church and amusement hall. Children rode their horses to school. The Whitings had a sawmill up the canyon above the original log home. They did most of their logging in the winter, using half of a bob-sled to put one end of the log on and letting the rest of the log slide on the snow. By spring there was a good pile of logs. Edwin M. Whiting bought a steam engine and for a number of years furnished the lumber for Springville. They moved the sawmill wherever there was suitable timber. It was 16 miles up to the Whiting Ranch from town and took about five hours, with horse and wagon, to get there. There was always plenty of fish in the creek, and wild chicken and deer in the hills.
The following is a list of those who ranched in the canyon during its early settlement; Mr. Cutler followed by a Mr. Kelly, Cyrus Sanford, Myron and Milan Crandall, Al Roylance, Moroni Fuller, William Gallup, James Holley, Orson Mower, Erastus Clark, Royal Clements, Charles Johnson, and Levi Kendall. In those early days Charley Williams operated a sawmill on the creek. They took adverse possession (land not surveyed) but later congress passed a law to legalize the land so that they could get possession of their deeds. Farther up the canyon was the Packard Ranch. Alpheus Curtis, Wallace Johnson and Edward Snow also lived there. The Adams family now live on the original Whiting Ranch.
A marker, up Hobble Creek Canyon reads: "In memory of Edwin Whiting, pioneer, born September 9, 1809. Died December 8, 1890. Home-steaded this ranch in 1871. Erected August 17, 1935 by his family."
Utah's Heritage Trees
Utah's Heritage Trees
Larry S. Sagers, Utah State University Extension Agent
Imagine, if you will, entering the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Looking out over the vast expanse toward the inland "salt sea" the view was not the never-ending hardwood forest that most of the pioneers, who hailed from the eastern United States, were familiar with. With the charge to make "the desert blossom as a rose" planting became a priority for the immigrants from all over the world.
Although some have supposed that there were no trees in Utah, that was not the case. Of course the mountains were covered with trees. These trees provided the timber for homes, schools, and churches. It also provided the timber for the mines, and fueled the smelters for a fledgling mining industry. This pressure made trees endangered species in some locations as hillsides were denuded in the quest to settle the West.
The first trees were planted to produce fruit and to provide protection from the hot desert sun and winter winds. Some were natives transplanted from nearby mountains, while other were imported from more exotic locations. Lombardy poplars originated in Italy and Tree of Heaven came from China and South Sea islands. Mormon pioneers, Chinese laborers and other immigrants brought their favorites to their new home in the mountains.
Many of these trees have very interesting histories. Some were planted under well-documented circumstances while the history of others is less well known. They have survived fires, winds insects and other calamities. Because of the history and heritage of these trees they are protected under a special designation the Utah Heritage Tree Act.
I have often wished these trees could share their history with us. I would love to hear the stories of the Pony Express from the gigantic Black Willow on Dave Bagley's ranch in Callao. As the sentinel of the desert did the tree watch for the cloud of dust that signaled the approaching rider from the east or the west. Did Nick Wilson and other Pony Express riders shade themselves under its branches? What else could this and the many other historical trees tell us about the history of our state?
I must confess a personal interest in one of the trees because it was planted by my Great-great-grandfather. He was probably responsible for some of my horticultural interest. Edwin Whiting made his home in Springville after arriving from Nauvoo in the cross country trek. He established a nursery, a retail store and a sawmill. His contribution to the heritage trees of Utah is summarized as follows in an article from the Deseret News in 1948.
"Another interesting tree that has withstood the rigors of advancing years is an 87-year-old native cedar which still thrives near the Second Ward chapel on South Main Street."
It was brought in a quart cup from a nearby canyon in 1861 by Edwin Whiting and planted in his own front yard."
Mr. Whiting, a nurseryman who joined the church in Ohio in 1849, always marked the evergreens he brought from the canyons so he could set them the same way they stood in the canyon. This tree was marked by the Camp Aaron Johnson of the DUP with a pioneer plaque.
"This cedar stands in perfect symmetry, along with many others, as a living monument to the vision of early pioneers who planted not only for themselves, but for future generations."
I am happy to report that the tree is still doing well after another fifty years and is one of the oldest documented planted trees in Utah. My great great-grandfather may have had a little inkling of how much trees could mean to future generations when he dug this small seedling and transplanted it to his front garden on Main street. His legacy was the planting and preservation of trees to benefit future generations. We can create a similar tradition by preserving this past legacy for those that will follow us.
Preserving Heritage TreesPreserving this legacy of trees is so important, that the Utah Heritage Tree Act protects them from wanton destruction. The Act is administered under the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The law is designed to protect two categories of trees. The first is trees that are botanically significant (the only one of the species n the state or the largest specimen in the state). The second is trees that are related to the state's heritage.These historically significant trees must have been planted by a pioneer or have been present at the site of a historic event or location.
Protecting heritage trees requires they be recognized under the Heritage Tree Act. To do this they must be nominated to the Utah State Heritage Tree Register. To nominate a tree please submit the form included.Identifying and protecting these trees is only possible when you get involved with community forestry and take care of these plants. Many communities have programs to help encourage planting and preserving trees.
for more information contact:Heritage Trees Program, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, 1594 W. North Temple, Suite 3520, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5703.
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