Compiled by Len Evans

Reprinted with permission of Len Evans

(revised 7/02)

“My father was a Mormon and did not stay in one place very long at one time, and while in Missouri we lived mostly in a tent. I was raised that way.”

James Alexander Ivie

 Florida, Missouri

"Florida, Missouri, was a small village in the early thirties smaller than it is now, perhaps, though in that day it had more promise, even if less celebrity. The West was unassembled then, undigested, comparatively unknown. Two States, Louisiana and Missouri, with less than half a million white persons, were all that lay beyond the great river. St. Louis, with its boasted ten thousand inhabitants and its river trade with the South, was the single metropolis in all that vast uncharted region. There was no telegraph; there were no railroads, no stage lines of any consequence - scarcely any maps. For all that one could see or guess, one place was as promising as another, especially a settlement like Florida, located at the forks of a pretty stream. Salt River, which those early settlers believed might one day become navigable and carry the merchandise of that region down to the mighty Mississippi, thence to the world outside."

"Florida is situated upon a high point of land between the Middle and North Forks of Salt River, near their junction in the eastern part of Monroe county. This seems to have been selected as a suitable place for a settlement even by the aborigines and the mound builders, as numerous piles, in a perfect state of preservation to this day, fully attest. The hills, covered with a heavy growth of timber, protected them from the bleak winds of winter and furnished, also, a hiding-place for deer and turkeys, upon which, to a great extent, they must have subsisted. The shoals, too, upon which the mills are built, supplied them an excellent place for spearing fish; for the water in those days, before the ground was broken by the plow, was clear. The two mills, which formed the first starting points of the town, were built about the same time, in 1827. The mill on the South fork was erected by Peter Stice, a jolly Dutchman; that on the North fork by Richard Cave. Stice's mill was purchased by Hugh A. Hickman during the fall of 1830 and operated by him for nearly 40 consecutive years. Perhaps no mill in the State was ever run so long by the same individual, nor was ever a business more faithfully managed than was this loved calling by the old Captain, as he was familiarly called...Large quantities of flour were hauled regularly to Hannibal and Mexico (Missouri), and shipped from thence to St. Louis, until the Hickman flour was well known at one time in the city. Hugh A. Hickman ran out several boats loaded with flour to Louisiana, on the Mississippi, at the mouth of Salt river, and brought back one boat lightly loaded with sugar, coffee and other articles of merchandise. Florida was declared the head of navigation on Salt river, and was thought by those brave and ambitious pioneers to be a favorable point for the founding of a great commercial town. The town was accordingly laid off by Maj. Wm. N. Penn, Hugh A. Hickman and others, and although the bright dreams which swelled the hearts of these noble pioneers were not realized, Florida has always held the rank of a respectable and enterprising village.

The first store in the vicinity was kept by Maj. Penn for a man named Roundtree, at Stice's mill, and was in operation there in 1831.”

"During the years 1829-30 emigration came in rapidly. The inconvenience of being so remote from the county seat. New London, and the hope of more rapid settlement, induced the pioneers during the latter part of the year 1830 to take steps to secure the organization of a new county. The subject was laid before the General Assembly of the State, was favorably considered" On 6 January 1831, Monroe County was formed.

---------

The various Ivie, Allred and Billington families migrated from Tennessee to Monroe county, MO during the Fall and Winter of 1829-30, likely attracted by ads similar to one appearing in the Columbia Missouri Intelligencer.

---------

James Russell Ivie purchased 80 acres of land as early as January 9, 1830. Various Anderson and James R. Ivie land holdings are located in Township 54 North 8 West, along the South Fork of Salt River, a few miles southwest of the village of Florida, near present day State Highway 154 and the junction of County Road E. James A Ivie, was born to James Russell Ivie and Eliza Fausett Ivie, on 17 March.

Cousin William Moore Allred leaves the following account of the first year in Missouri: "I was born on the 24th of December 1819 in Bedford County, Tennessee, fifty miles south of the city of Nashville. My parents were very religious. I believe they belonged to the Presbyterian Church. I never had much chance for an education, and it was very old fashioned at that. I remember of going to Sabbath School a few times where I was born, and went a few times to the Camp Meetings, but yet I was too young to understand much about Doctrine. When I was about ten or eleven years old my Parents moved to Missouri, about five hundred miles North, and settled in Monroe County on the State Road within 3 miles of one of the three forks of Salt River. We found this to be quite different Country (from) where I was born. I do not remember ever seeing the snow over six inches deep and perhaps it would go off next day and then it would be mud but the first winter we lived in Missouri I think the snow fell in November, about five feet deep, and that stayed on the ground all winter and towards spring there came a thaw and then froze a crust on the snow so we could walk on it, and as there were plenty of Deer in that Country (it being a new country) we could go out and find the Deer and when they would jump they would break through and the dogs could run on top the snow so we could catch them. While living at this place, I killed the first Deer I ever killed.

I remember the first winter I frosted my feet some and could not be out much for a long while and my two younger Brothers, Reddin A. and Reddick N. (twins) had no shoes, and my oldest Brother, John Calvert, would bring in wood for us and we would spell and read, and that was the way the twins commenced to learn to read. If I remember right I was the first school teacher they ever had and that was the first school I ever taught and the only one.”

Ezekial Billington

James R. Ivie

John R (A) Ivy

Anderson Ivy

----------

Joseph Smith identified Jackson County, Missouri as the Mormon Zion, and settlement soon began. Much proselytizing took place in Missouri by church missionaries passing back and forth from Kirtland, Ohio and Jackson County, Missouri. The Ivie-Allred settlement was on the major east-west road through northern Missouri. It is not surprising that Mormon missionaries soon found them. "The first public road established in the county was what is now known as the 'Old London Trace.' It began at Fox's settlement, followed along down the dividing ridge between the Elk Fork and the South Fork, crossing the latter near where the Louisiana road now crosses the same stream. ..The first road overseers were appointed at the August term of the court. Stephen Scobee was made overseer of road district number I, of the old London road in Jefferson township, which laid between the Monroe county line east and John A. lves (Ivie's) Charles Eales was appointed overseer of district number 2, of the London road, which laid between John A. lves (Ivie's), and township line dividing Jefferson and Jackson townships. Roads were then ordered to be laid off from the town of Paris to Columbia, Boone county; from Paris to the London road at the west end of John McLamey's lane; from Paris to intersect the Fayette and Franklin road; from Paris to the town of Florida.

Reddick N Allred, relates, "My parents were members of a school of Presbyterians and brought up their children to reverence a God and were very exemplary in their lives, so that when a new religion was introduced they naturally looked at it with suspicion, having been taught that Prophets and Apostles were no longer needed, so cried false Prophet.

In 1831 two men preached in our settlement saying a new Prophet had organized a new church and introduced a new gospel or rather the old one come again. His name was Joseph Smith. Their names were Hyrum Smith, brother of the Prophet and John Murdock. Other Elders were passing every few months from Kirtland to Jackson County, Missouri - the gathering place for the Saints, and father opened his house for meetings."

Hyrum Smith and John Murdock, two elders traveling to a church conference in Missouri, stayed at the Ivie's the week between 4-11 August. From John Murdocks journal we learn, "August 1st traveled 28 miles and crossed the Illinois River, 2nd, 30 miles to Mississippi River Louise-Ana [Louisiana] Ferry and got my feet wet by which I took a violent cold by which I suffered near unto death, 3rd, crossed the river into Missouri, traveled 25 miles to New London, found it a very wicked place.

As we slept in a tavern, in the night Brother Hyrum lay on the far side of the bed with his hand out on our clothes, which hung on a chair by the bedside, and a person seized his wrist. Brother H cried out, "Who is there," and at the same time broke his hold, which awoke me. We heard the bedstead in the other room creak which notified us that he had gone to bed. Thursday 4th, arrived at Salt River where we preached next day, but I was sick and went to bed, and we continued there near one week and then I gave my watch in pay to Wm. Ivy to carry me in a wagon to Charidon 70 miles, we stayed there 2 days. "

The future Apostle William E. McLellin, meets with missionaries Harvy Whitlock and David Whitmer, at Paris, Illinois where he taught school, on July 18th. They are on their way to Independence, Missouri for a Church Conference, proselytizing as they go. The recently widowed, and still grieving McLellin is so taken with their message that he closes his school and heads off with them for Independence. They separate in Shelby County, Illinois, the missionaries taking the more southerly route through St. Louis, while McLellin heads north through Springfield, Illinois and northern Missouri

The contemplative McLellin obviously wanted the time alone with his recently purchased Book of Mormon, and his pocket bible to figure out his own take on what those "quear beings" Whitlock and Whitmer had been preaching. On the way he stops with his uncle and brother to get their take on it as well. He also wanted to get to Independence before Whitlock and Whitmer to see how their testimony jived with the other missionaries gathering there.

In Monroe County, Missouri he meets up with the Ivie family. Hyrum Smith and John Murdock had passed through just days before. For McLellin the stop at the Ivies got him breakfast, apparently without charge, but he is badgered by Mrs Ivie to sell her his own treasured copy of the Book of Mormon. Without this distraction, he increases his pace to Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, and the promise of Zion.

The Ivie-Allred settlement soon became a hospitable though, not entirely salubrious stop-off on the Mormon missionary circuit. A number of Mormon missionaries stop to recuperate from gastro-intestinal complaints before moving on. John Murdock spent a sick week at the Ivie's just before McLellin first encounters them. McLellin, himself, later takes to bed for a week at the home of Isaac Allred, complaining that he was as sick as he had ever been in his life. "My bowels also were much affected, which caused severe vomiting and purging," he writes. It is likely that these missionary visits were not unadulterated bliss for the women, who had to care for and clean up after these itinerate invalids, and endure two and three hour long sermons as well. The fact that so many convalescents ended up at the Ivie-Allred settlement likely attests more to their hospitality, than a lack of hygiene.

The first few pages of this journal are included to give a sense of the fervor with which the Mormon message was received, and the milieu in which that message took seed. Though never demonstrably emotional, and rarely revealing of the personal and inter-personal, McLellin's journals nonetheless chronicle a passionate quest, and certainly a turning point in his life, and in the lives of those who embraced the Mormon faith.

Wm. E McLellin's Journal.

Commenced the 18th of July 1831.

"At this time I was living in Paris, Illinois. Teaching school — This morning I heard very early that two men (who said they were traveling to Zion which they said was in upper Missouri. They had also a book with them which they sd was Revelation from God. calling it the book of Mormon) were to preach 2'/2 miles below Paris at N. W. Nunally's. I taught school until 12 o'clock. I saddles Tom and rode there with speed. Anxious to see and hear those quear beings. Their names were Harvy Whitlock & David Whitmer - The people were assembled in a beautiful sugartree grove. Mr Whitlock arose and gave some particulars respecting the book and some reasons why he believed it to be a devine revelation. Spoke some of the Signs of the times then he expounded the Gospel the plainest I thot that I ever heard in my life, which astonished me. D Whitmer then arose and bore testimony to have seen an Holy Angel who had made known the truth of this record to him. All these strange things I pondered in my heart.

I invited them to go and preach in Paris, which they did next day. Though it had but little effect. I then went with them about 5 ms to T. Hicklin's and staid with them all night. I made many enquiries and had much conversation with them thence I went with them to their appointment it being (Sunday). A large congregation attended. And from the solemnity which attended those men in giving their testimony and the plainness of the truths which they declared I was induced to believe something in their mission. People seemed to be anxious for them to stay longer and they told me that Joseph, the man who translated the book and a number of others had gone to Jackson Co. Mo. and if I would go there I could see them. They said also that Smith was a Prophet. Finally I told them if they would stay one week longer that I would go with them. They agreed to stay.

Then H W arose and spoke about three hours. I never heard such preaching in all my life. The glory of God seemed to encircle the man and the wisdom of god to be displayed. The meeting was closed by a few observations of D W a solemn testimony also of the truths which they had just heard. They made some other appointments and filled them that week. I returned home and taught school and settled some business during the week.

On Friday I closed my school and on Saturday the 30th after being much hurried during the day, I left Paris Eg Co. II. about 6 o'clock P.M. & started for Jackson Co. Mo. I rode 14ms. to a Mr Wilhites. I reached there about 10, at night. I had my supper, bed and horse fed.

I rose early paid 37 cts. and pursued my course 23 ms. to Wm Whites Coles co. by 11 in the morning. Here I met again with my friends the strange preachers. They had an appointment here for the day, a number of people collected and H.W. preached about 2 horn's. This evening I had the sick head ache very badly.

Monday the 1st day of August I rose early felt well, took breakfast and went to Col. Fleener's to an Election. I settled some business, returned and took dinner with Uncle Nathan Wood who was much taken with those young men. I then took them with me about 5 ms to my good old friend Jesse Fuller's, we staid all night with them. had a pleasant visit - I also took them with me to the grave of my departed and dear companion Cinthia Ann and there they seemed to mourn with me for the loss of my dearest friend and her blessed little infant.

August 2nd We took breakfast and pursued our course about 3 ms to Esqr G. M. Hansons (a Methodist Preacher) and took dinner thence 9 ms and called on John Price, the neighbours collected and H W spoke to them about an hour.

A. 3rd we arose early and took breakfast, thence 10 ms to Esqr Wm T. Bennetts in Shiby Co. and took dinner. Here I bought from them the last book of Mormon which they had. Here we parted. They intended to go throu Vandalia, St Louis &c. and I intended to go through Springfield &c. My object was to get to Independence before them and see if the testimony of the other witnesses would agree with theirs. Thence I rode on 3 ms to Shelbyville. Thence 5 ms to the widow South's and staid all night. I read some in the book of Mormon to them and told them what I knew about it. They seemed to be some what interested about it.

Aug 4th I rode on 26 ms to a Mr Dolson's and took breakfast and fed Tom and paid 25 cts. Thence 30 ms to Uncle Wm Moore's and staid all night In Sangamo Co.

August 5 I went to Springfield and gave 2 dollars for a pocket Bible and 75 cts for the repairing of my watch. I returned and talked considerable with my Uncle and my brother Isreal concerning the book, the people and what they believed. My uncle gave me some very good advice and seemed to be anxious to know the truth of what I had told him.

Augst 6th I rose early, took breakfast, though I felt some unwell yet I pursued my course. My brother rode with me about 10 or 12 ms. Thence I rode Westerly about 30 ms to Mr Reeves in Morgan Co. I was so unwell it seemed to me I could not get any further. I took but little supper and went to bed. I was very sick had high fevers and I also had some very singular dreams about my journey (which afterwards proved true). I lay here until the 11th. I called on two Doctors, took considerable medicine. The fever abated some and I was so anxious to go forward that I [paid] Mrs Reeves $2 for their trouble and paid the physicians $2.50.

August 11th I rode on 4 ms to Jacksonville Morgan Co. thence 12ms I stopped to take a little refreshment and feed my horse. I paid 25 cts thence 10 ms to the Illinois River. I crossed paid 12 cts and staid the night on the west bank.

A. 12 I rose early and took breakfast and paid 25 cts and rode on 23 ms and fed Tom (I did not feel to eat myself) and paid 12 cts. and rode on 3 ms to Atlas, Pike Co. Thence 6 ms to the Mississippi River. I crossed in a horse boat and it dark, to Esqr McCune's & staid all night and until breakfast, pd 50cts and rode on (though yet weak) 31 ms to Mr Rogerses, staid all night.

Augst 14 I rose early paid 50 cts and rode on 3 ms to a Mr Ivey's

and fed my horse and took breakfast. Here two Elders had staid about a week (viz) Hiram Smith and John Moredock though they were gone. They had no book with them and when Mrs Ivey found out that I had a book she said she must see it and when she saw it she said I must sell it to her which I did and then pursued my course towards the western horizon 32 ms to Mr Milligin's and took dinner in Monroe Co. paid 12 cts. thence 13 ms to S. Brockmans in Randolph Co. Staid all night."

Who this Mr and Mrs Ivie were, is not clear. It could have been the Anderson Ivie, James R Ivie or John A Ivie and wife, each of whom was married at this time.

Although there is no record that Anderson Ivie and wife became Mormons, they may have been, or could have been initially interested, so all three remain candidates.

After his conversion to Mormonism and appointment as an Elder at Independence, McLellin returns, a few weeks later, backtracking over the same route with Hyrum Smith, learning the ropes as a missionary.

“Saturday eve we called at Esqr Davis' on the head waters of Salt River, he wished us to hold a meeting and we agreed to next day. He went and sent out and informed the people.

Sunday (September) 4th Bro. H (Hyrum Smith) had obtained relief of his Diorhoea. The people collected, and he arose and addressed them a few minutes - I then got up and warned them of the judgments of God which would fall on them unless they would repent. But there seemed to be an impenetrable gloom hanging over their minds. They seemed to be willingly and willfully wicked. Therefore we dismissed them and got our horses and traveled on about 8 ms and staid all night.

Monday 5. In the afternoon we reached Mr lvey's. Their friends gathered in, in the eve and we had much social conversation with them. They seemed to be believing. I arose to adress them and was filled with the spirit to that degree that I spoke with much warmth. After I ceased, one of the females present did shout with a most tremendious acclamation, but none seemed willing to go forward in obediance -

Tues 6th We bid our friends Fare-well and pursued our course Eastward; and staid all night with a man who believed that all the various races of beings in the world sprung from different Adams.

Wednesday 7 we traveled on across the Mississippi river at Louisiana. Thence to Atlas and staid all night."

When Joseph Smith returned to Ohio in May 1832 there were some 300 converts in Missouri. The Ivies and Allreds would soon be added to this number.

According to Reddick N Allred, "George Hinkle and others stopped a few months and baptized the Allred families. Ivies and others and a large branch was organized in 1832 called the Salt River Branch." Reddick's brother William M Allred elaborates, "In 1832 George Hinkle, Daniel Cathcart and James Johnson came along and raised up a branch of the Church called the Salt River Branch. I was Baptized in Salt River on the 10th of September 1832. There were 19 Baptized that day including my Parents and one or two of my Sisters.” James and Isaac Allred their wives, William M. Allred, and others were baptized on 10 September, and the next day James Russell Ivie and wife Eliza were also baptized in the Salt River.

Isaac Allred (younger), son of James Allred was married to Julie Ann Taylor by Elder David Baker at Florida, Missouri on 11 October, and on 15 November, John Burton is married to Sally Allred by Elder John A Ivie, who was the Presiding Elder of the Salt River Branch.

Beginning 19 February 1833, missionaries William McLellin and Parley Pratt spent almost a week at the Salt River settlement. Parley Pratt was noted as one of early Mormonism’s most dynamic speakers. As the entry of Sunday, February 24 relates, the members of the Salt River Branch were treated to Pratt at the top of his form. An Ivie family tradition has it that the Ivie's were converted by Parley and his brother Orson Pratt. This is unlikely, as the Ivie's had been baptized a few months before this first known meeting with Pratt. No doubt Pratt's impact was recalled years later, while the actual chronology of events became less certain.

"Wednesday 20th (February) we spent in conversation and in visiting the brethren - at eve we attended a meet at Br Isaac Allred's. Br. Parley opened the meet and spoke about 1 1/2 hours & I spoke about one [hour] with Zeal and warmth, the brethren seemed couraged and rejoiced and I ceased preaching praying and blessing the name of the Lord for his goodness. Br. A Dods who had been in this place for some weeks so blinded that he could not see his way because of the sore eyes, came forward and requested the prayers of the elders for the restoration of his eyes - which was attended to with a great degree of feeling among the brethren and sisters. After meeting was dismissed I felt somewhat unwell. Pains Acheing and cold chills attacked my system - We retired to rest and I felt so bad that I asked Br Parley to lay his hands upon me which he did and I dropped to sleep, but in the night when I awaked I was shaking most tremendiously hard with the ague and I shook I suppose as much as 2 hours - then a very violent fever ensued, my stomach became very sour, my bowels also were much affected, which caused severe vomiting & purging -

Thursday I was confined to my bed and I think I never was much sicker in my life, in the evening I called for the Elders -

Friday I was some better, &c.

Saturday I am still some better - Br Parley on Friday night attended another meeting among the brethren where he had great Liberty and 'unfolded to them the dealings of the Lord from the creation down until John said "It is done."

Sunday 24 The brethren and sisters collected at Br. I Allred's and I took the lead of the meeting. I spoke on the Covenants & Articles on the officer's duty and the beauty of such regulations &c. I spoke about I hour and 20 mts. Br Parley spoke a few minutes - then the meeting was conducted by various ones speaking. I gave a lecture on the operation of the Spirit - Br Parley gave a testimony of the Lord Jesus that he is, that he lives and will come &c. In which he says, he does not recollect to have ever had more of the Spirit and Power of God upon him - In truth we had a great meeting. It was dismissed about sun set.

Monday Feb 25 The Elders, Priests, Teachers &c met with us (by the request of Br G Hinkle) at Br Hinkle's to hear our instructions - We found by examination that the Elders were young and inexperienced, yet sound in faith and good works. There were three, two had faith one had not. We unitedly advised them that the time of their mission in the world had not come - They seemed willing to take our advise. We also unitedly advised Br Dodds to remain here until his eyes were made whole and he concluded so to do- We also advised Brother George (Hinkle) and Daniel to visit their churches in Illinois and Indiana and agreed so to do shortly Dismissed thence to Br James Allred's and staid all night. But have received no news from Zion.-"

Isaac Allred (Younger) states that "In 1833, I was ordained a teacher under the hand of John Ivie, President of the Branch at Salt River.”

----------

In July 1833, strife between Mormons and non-Mormons in Jackson County, Missouri reaches the flash point when the office of the churches newspaper is burned by a mob. By November Mormons are forced to flee Jackson County, with most settling in Clay and Ray counties across the Missouri River.

The question of the members of the Salt River Branch moving to Jackson County, Missouri was raised at a church conference held 26 September, but no decision was made.

(Jackson County, Missouri)

September 26,1833

Met according to adjournment.

Opened in prayer by Edward Partridge the Bishop Proceeded to business Agreed that Jesse Hitchock Elias & Isaac Higbee be ordained to the High Priesthood Adjourned 3/4 of an hour

Sung a hymn

Opened in prayer by Edward Partridge (the Bishop) for the evening Proceeded to business.

Br. Tanner desired to be ordained. But the Conference declined at present to give him their voices.

Br. Hinkle presented the situation of the Salt River Church desiring to know whether they had better move to this place this fall or not no definite answer given by this Conference at present. This day four weeks the Conference meets again. Prayer by Levi Jackman.

Calvin Bebee Clerk of Conference John Whitmer Recorder."

---------

Caught in the uncertainty, Isaac Allred pre-maturely sold his farm to move to Jackson County. "In 1833 the Church was driven from Jackson County. My Father had sold his farm to move up there, but when he heard they were driven out, he rented the farm that the man had that bought his. He changed houses and stayed there one year, and while living here I first saw Joseph Smith, the Prophet, as he was going up in what was called Zion's Camp. While living here my Brother Harvey when he would laugh his mouth would draw around to one side. Father sent for the Elders and he was healed immediately"

John M. Fausett is baptized in Montgomery County, Illinois in March, and on 29 May, John A. Ivie, Elder of the Christian (Mormon) Church presides at the marriage of Robert Macord and Mary Ann Tailor. There were twenty-one houses in Florida, in 1834, most of log construction.

Reddick N. Allred relates that, "In 1834, early spring, the Prophet Joseph Smith came along with a small company of armed men, called Zion's Camp, to reinstate the Saints upon their own lands from whence they had been driven by mob violence. Uncle James Allred raised ten men and joined them. They lay by a week completing the organization, reinforcing it.

On his return he stopped and preached in our settlement and told the Saints that they could not get possession of their lands but to gather up to Clay County."

Zion 's Camp, a quasi-military expedition recruited and led by Joseph Smith marches from Ohio to relieve the beleaguered Mormon colony in Missouri. The expedition ends in a fiasco, with its presence serving only to exacerbate the situation in central Missouri. The men are dismissed after their numbers are decimated by cholera. Joseph Smith calls for the faithful to "gather to up to Clay County", while he returns to Kirtland, Ohio. Much of the church hierarchy will be recruited from the ranks of Zion's Camp.

James R, John A and William Shelton Ivie; James, Isaac (the younger), and Martin C. Allred and Robert McCord are among the ten recruits who joined Zion's Camp at Salt River. Brother-in-law John Fausett of Montgomery County, Illinois also marched with Zion's Camp.

“The main part of Zion's Camp crossed the Mississippi River on June 5 and 6, 1834, after walking over six hundred miles in thirty days. This party had left Kirtland with fewer than 125 persons, including three women, but during the march had benefited from recruiting activities (especially by Parley P. Pratt) and gained over fifty more volunteers. By the time the Saints reached the Mississippi on June 4, the company numbered about two hundred. It is difficult to be sure of the size of the camp at any given moment due to the dispatching of men on special missions, new arrivals, and desertions, but the best estimate of the expedition's size when it reached the Mississippi varies between 197 and 204 men, women, and children.

A second group under the command of Hyrum Smith and Lyman Wight marched from the East and joined Zion's Camp soon after it crossed the Mississippi. The twenty-one members of this contingent arrived at the Salt River rendezvous point in Missouri on Sunday, June 8...

On Friday, June 6, the (main) camp resumed its short march from the west bank of the Mississippi to Salt River. It made slow progress and had to encamp a few miles short of the rendezvous point the first night. The next day it arrived at the Allred settlement of the church on Salt River and camped 'in a piece of woods by a spring of water and prepared for the Sabbath...' The expedition also received publicity in the local press. Shortly after it crossed the Mississippi, a Salt River Journal reporter wrote about the event, mentioning the large number of supply wagons and the almost total absence of women and children. In the Journal it was noted that Zion's Camp was no ordinary group of settlers: "They were with few exceptions, well provided with fire arms and accouterments of war,' As to their mission, it was observed that 'they have their rights and privileges, and whilst they desire to exercise these, we cannot desire to see them disturbed; on the contrary, we wish them success in resisting every lawless [invasion] of their rights." The article closed with a statement that the Saints should be admired for their courage. The government machinery which would ordinarily work was at a halt, so they had no alternative but to move to the use offered. Regarding the 'non-Mormon' citizens of Jackson County, the Journal writer declared that it was "doubtful whether in this contest they have the sympathies or even the respect of a large portion of the state." The camp at the Allred settlement on Salt River settled down to the routine of waiting for the Smith/Wight party and preparing for the final march to Jackson County. On Sunday, June 8, Joseph held the usual church services. That afternoon the men were ordered to wash their clothes, bake bread, and write letters to their families, for this would be the last opportunity. Heber C Kimball described in his journal some of these activities, especially the comic manner in which he did his own laundry. He put his filthy clothes into a kettle of hot water and boiled them for about two hours. After cooking them until they were well done, he wrote, "I rubbed the clothes with my knuckles instead of the palm of my hand, and rubbed the skin off so that my hands were very sore for several days." Despite his valiant efforts, young Kimball never got the dirt out of his clothes. In frustration he finally gave up, took them as they were, and hung them out to dry. After they had dried, he took "them to Sisters Holbrook and Ripley to get them ironed. When they saw them they said I had not washed my clothes." Kimball swore that he had done his best, recounting his afternoon of agony. The ladies thought the whole affair quite funny and informed Kimball that by boiling his clothes as he had the dirt had become even more ingrained in the fabric.

Later that afternoon, the Smith-Wight expedition arrived at the rendezvous point. These reinforcements were received with enthusiasm by the main party and helped to boost sagging morale. Joseph and Hyrum Smith had a particularly happy reunion. One commentator wrote that Hyrum 'was in after years a reliable staff upon which Joseph could lean with confidence. The ties of brotherhood that existed between them were strong and enduring and they mutually relied upon each other for aid when emergencies required it.

With the addition of the Smith/Wight party, the total number in the expedition stood at 223 persons. The effective fighting force, however, was about 205 because the remainder were women and children. All of the men were armed in some fashion and in relatively good condition after their long march. They ranged in age from a lad of only twelve years to a man over eighty. This lone octogenarian had been a veteran of the Revolutionary War and was one of the expedition's ablest frontiersmen. The company's equipage included, with the addition of that of the Smith/Wight party, twenty-five baggage wagons with two or three horses for each. For the first time since almost the beginning of the expedition the company had adequate ammunition and provisions, largely due to the supplies brought in by the second contingent.

Two camps were maintained on the banks of the Salt River until June 9 when the Smith/Wight party "moved over to the Camp with the rest of the Brethren." During the next several days members of the expedition relaxed and "reorganized." The men repaired their weapons in a shop in the Allred settlement; Hyrum Stratton and Nelson Tubbs who were skilled in gunsmithing, did much of the work. On June 10 Joseph completely reorganized the expedition into companies often men each. The camp elected the prophet, once more, as the commander-in-chief, but Lyman Wight was elected as the general of the camp on the basis of his War of 1812 experience. Joseph also chose two companies often men each to serve as his "life-guard." His brother, Hyrum, became the captain of this personal bodyguard, and until the conclusion of the expedition, members of this guard were always at Joseph's side to protect him. Young George A. Smith was named the prophet's armor-bearer. As such he had exclusive control over Joseph's weapons, taking care that they were always loaded and in order.' During the five-day encampment at Salt River Levi Hancock, having already demonstrated his skill by making a fife, fashioned an elegantly decorated flagstaff. He also procured a square piece of white clothe and tipped it with red paint and hung it as a flag After the march had resumed, Hancock further decorated ins flag by painting on it an eagle and printing the words "Peace" in big letters. Hancock wrote in his diary that the flag aroused great interest among the settlers who saw it. "When we passed settlements many would come and exclaim 'peace' and walk off," he noted, "until we came to the Western part of the state where they were bitter enough." The job of standard-bearer belonged officially to Hyrum Smith as captain of the life guard, but he often delegated the honor of carrying it to others who had performed their duties exceptionally well. The standard-bearer's job thus became a way of encouraging superior work from the men and of trying to maintain order

While bivouacked at the Allred settlement, the leaders ordered the expedition's first real military exercise. Although there had already been a sham battle in Indiana, that operation had been loosely organized and poorly executed. This time Smith enlisted as drillmaster the services of William Cherry, an Irishman who had spent twenty years in the British dragoons before immigrating to Michigan. Heber Kimball recorded how the stolid old veteran marched the companies out on a flat prairie and "then proceeded to inspect us, examine our firelocks, etc... We were drilled about half a day." Later Cherry divided the expedition into four units and had them take positions for another sham battle. After the men demonstrated their ability to march in proper attack fashion, the discipline which Cherry had worked so hard to instill in the men broke down and each man began fighting as he saw best:

"Some preferred the real British push with the bayonet, some the old Kentucky dodging from tree to tree, while others preferred the Lamanite mode of tomahawking, scalping and ripping open the bowels. The final result was, that several guns and swords were broken, some of the combatants wounded, and each well pleased with his own exploits."

In spite of Cherry's understandable frustration, Joseph Smith praised his efforts and said that much credit should be given to him "for his unwearied exertions in imparting all he knew to the brethren." Following this strange training exercise , on June 12 the camp finally moved out on the last part of the trek across the state of Missouri. With the flag-bearer proudly leading, the men marched in an orderly fashion to the sound of Hancock's fife.”

June 6.--We resumed our journey, and on the evening of the 7th encamped in a piece of woods, near a spring of water, at Salt River. Here was a branch of the Church. Sunday, June 8.--We had been preaching, and in the course of the day were joined by Brothers Hyrum Smith and Lyman Wight, with a company of volunteers which they had gathered in Michigan. The whole company now consisted of two hundred and five men, and twenty-five baggage wagons with two or three horses each. We remained at Salt River until the 12th, refreshing and reorganizing the camp, which reorganizing was done by electing Lyman Wight general of the camp. I chose twenty men for my life guards, of whom my Brother Hyrum was chosen captain, and George A. Smith was my armor bearer. The remainder of the company was organized according to the pattern at New Portage. While at Salt River, General Wight marched the camp on the prairie, inspected our firelocks, ordered a discharge of the same at targets by platoons, drilled us half a day, and returned to camp. About this time I dispatched Elders Orson Hyde and Parley P. Pratt to Jefferson City with a message to Governor Dunklin, to ascertain if he was ready to fulfill the proposition which he had previously made to the brethren to reinstate them on their lands in Jackson county, and leave them there to defend themselves.

June 12.--We left Salt River and traveled about fourteen miles. The inhabitants of Salt River manifested a great respect for us, and many of them accompanied us some distance on our journey. I instructed the camp in the morning that if a gun was fired it would be considered an alarm; but in the course of the day, while I was a little ahead, I shot a squirrel for Brother Foster, when several of the brethren came running up to see what was the matter. I told them Brother Foster was sick; "I want you to pray for him."

Heber C. Kimball gives us these further details, “On Friday the 6th, we resumed our journey. On Saturday the 7th, at night, we camped among our brethren at Salt River, in the Allred settlement, in a piece of woods by a beautiful spring of water and prepared for the Sabbath. On the Sabbath we had preaching. Here we remained several days, washing our clothes, and preparing to pursue our journey. Here we were joined by Hyrum Smith and Lyman Wight with another company, the camp now numbered two hundred and five men, all armed and equipped as the law directs. It was delightful to see the company for they were all young men with one or two exceptions, and in good spirits.

We were now reorganized, according to the following order: Lyman Wight was chosen general of the camp; then Brother Joseph chose twenty men out of the camp for his life guard, I being one of the number. Brother George A Smith was Brother Joseph's armor bearer Hyrum Smith was chosen captain of the life guard. The remainder of the camp was organized into companies as before stated. We had twenty-five wagons, two horses in each and some three. One day while we remained here, our general marched us out on a large meadow or prairie. -He then proceeded to inspect us and examine our firelock, &c.; afterwards we marched in platoons and an object being placed, we discharged our pieces in order to try them. We were drilled about half a day and then returned to camp.

On the 12th, we again resumed our march: many of the inhabitants went with us several miles; they seemed to have much respect of us. We traveled about fourteen miles and camped on a large prairie.”

John M. Chidester remembers, however, that the reception at Salt River was not all cordiality, "When we reached Salt Creek, Missouri, Allred settlement had prepared a place to hold meeting in. Joseph & Hyrum Smith and others were on the stand at the meeting when some strangers came in and were very anxious to find out which of them were Joseph & Hyrum, as they had pledged to shoot them on sight. But the Prophet and his brother slipped away unobserved, being impressed that there was danger of their lives being taken."

Joseph Holbrook adds, "I had the bad fortune for one of my horses to die near Jacksonville in Illinois, but bought another one for $55.00 in cash, so I proceeded on my journey with the camp. When we came to the Salt River Creek in Missouri, about 50 miles west of Louisiana, we tarried for some three or four days to wash, etc. Then Brother Joseph Smith counseled those that had families to get houses for them, and for the men to go forward with the camp. So I provided a house for my family as decided and was about to leave my family as was the rest of the brethren who had wives with them. Then Brother Joseph Smith said, if the sisters were willing to undergo a siege with the camp they could all go along with it, whereupon they said they could and said they liked Brother Joseph much better than before for the privilege he gave them of continuing with the camp. At this place as at many others on the road, we had many of the brethren who united with the camp... "

With the failure of Zion's Camp to resolve the conflict in upper Missouri, and the devastating effects of cholera, Joseph Smith receives a revelation that seems to lay the blame on the heads of the faithful who had been driven from Jackson County, while promising a great celestial reward for the men of Zion's Camp.

The Fishing River Revelation declared that Zion might have been redeemed had it not been for the transgressions of the Saints. They had lacked obedience and withheld their means from the Church. The faithful were commanded to wait a little season for the redemption of Zion, until they could obtain experience and learn obedience.

The members of Zion's Camp, whose hardships were certainly far less than those suffered by the Jackson County exiles, were treated in a far more generous manner. The march of Zion's Camp was portrayed as a trial, one which earned them a great endowment, that would be given them when the temple was completed in Kirtland.

The failure of Zion's Camp to restore the expelled Mormon colony to Jackson County marked a crucial turning point in Mormon history, where the New Testament virtue of “Turning of the other cheek " is supplanted by the Old Testament Eye for and Eye. The notion of being a chosen people is re-enforced through adversity, and an incipient self-righteousness turned militant, justifying, eventually, acts of aggression and violence against outsiders, even those who had not themselves engaged in aggression against the Mormons. Typical of small and vulnerable groups under strong external pressure the Church became distrustful and increasingly intolerant of internal dissent, not surprisingly, leadership in the Church gravitated to the more militant and militarily minded members, especially those who were participants of Zion 's Camp.

Those without families in the east are advised to settle in Clay County, while the remainder of Zion's Camp is advised to get back to their homes as best they can.

Isaac Allred (Younger) relates that, "After our return from Clay County in the year 1834...From the exposure of the journey when I got home I was sick on my family with the ague and fever near unto death."

----------

Joseph Holbrook who had marched to Missouri with his wife in Zion's Camp, had barely settled into Clay County when he embarked on a mission a few days before Christmas 1834, leaving his family in rather dire striates:

"In ten weeks I had built more houses on a piece of Congress land on Shoal Creek of 80 acres, and my brother and I moved into it. After a few weeks, I rented a farm nearby of 20 acres, improved for three years, after which I rented my house on the 22nd of December, 1834. On the 23rd of December, 1834, I took my leave of my family and started in company with Amasa Lyman, Heman T Hyde and Milton Holmes. We preached on our way whenever we could get a privilege, sometimes going a day and night without food in the winter season across the praires with the houses 25 miles apart which made it very severe upon me until we came to the Salt River church where there was a conference held. On account of being lame, it was counseled that Milton Holmes, my former partner, should take William Ive and go to Tennessee and that I remain a few days with the church and Martin Allred and go a heart mission in the part of Missouri and Illinois, we preached as we traveled and in (February 1835) we settled some difficulty in that branch and left Brother Esquin Dazartha (Squire Bozarth) and crossed the river at Quincy, Illinois. We preached a few times in the vicinity of the Mississippi River and returned by way of Louisiana to the Salt River church and from thence to Clay County. (We found) all well but living on bread and water as there was not much chance for anything better to be had but bacon which took the money to purchase it. I was absent about eight weeks and I continued to have meetings at my house about once or twice a week, trying to settle difficulties in the church, preaching, etc."

Elder Milton Holmes reported on his missionary labors, writing from Hamilton county, Illinois on 2 November 1835, "I left Clay co. Mo. on the 23rd of December, 1834 in company with Elder J Holbrook; we traveled and preached until we arrived at Salt River church. From this place I journeyed with Elder W. Ivy, we journeyed as far as Montgomery co. III., preached by the way and baptized two. From thence we journeyed to Bedford co. Tennessee; we tarried in this State about two months. The people flocked from every quarter, to hear preaching, many were convinced of the truth, but few obeyed the gospel. We baptized five in this State; we left Bedford co. Term. the first day of June; arrived at Hamilton co. III. the 8th day of same month, here we tarried, and labored in company with Elder Elisha H. Groves and Isaac Higbee about three weeks, and baptized 33. After this Groves and Higbee left for Kirtland, Elder Ivy and myself baptized seven, after the afore mentioned brethren left us. Elder Ivy left here the 29 of September. Since he left, I baptized two more. I expect to baptize a number more in this place, who believe the work of the Lord. The Lord is blessing his children here with some of the gifts of the gospel."

Moses Martin Sanders and wife Amanda Armstrong Fausett Sanders were baptized in Montgomery County, Illinois, on 28 January 1835 by their nephew William S. Ivie.

----------

The missionary Edward Partridge while traveling through western Illinois with fellow missionary Thomas B March reported that on 7 February they were told that in the early morning “the thermometer stood 22 deg. Below zero - at 9 o clock it stood at 18...which was about as cold as we could bear & travel through the prairies - we feel very thankful that now while it is so extreme cold we have a comfortable & welcome home at br Shermans.” On the 11 they left brother Sherman’s and “passed over the Missouri on the ice”. On the 13^th they travel 25 miles and “lodged with a Campbellite, “started early on the 14th and traveled about 35 miles and reached the salt river church at night very tired. This church contains 40 members. Sunday the 15th br. Marsh preached and I followed in a short address. 16th visited among the brn. 17th I preached and br. Marsh followed - The church appeared to be doing very well, we found no difficulties among the brn. of any account. 18th visited and still taught the brn. from house to house. The 19th left the brn. at saltriver and started for the Fabii church, we missed our way traveled 8 miles, and found an opening to preach at a Mr Thomas Brashere's a man who had belonged to the regular Baptists.”

I have been quite liberal in my membership requirements of the Salt River Branch, and have included (perhaps wrongly) those marrying into the Ivie and Allred families, as well as witnesses to those marriages. The names of those who are specifically mentioned as members in some source will be followed by an *

Ezekiel Billington* jr. - Poly Ann Ivie*

Squire Bozarth* Wrote a Missouri Redress petition

John N Burton - Sally Allred

David Baker*

Robert Macord* - member of Zion's Camp - Mary Ann Tailor

George Hinkle*

Richard Stice - Elizabeth J. Allred

Asa Stice - Rody C. Allred

William Long - Sarah Ivie (no indication they were Mormons)

Melissa Long - Isaac L Ivie (no indication they were Mormons.)

Nancy Pierce

William Dayton* - Sally Ivie*

Allred,

James*

Isaac (elder)*

William Hackley*

Isaac (younger)* - July Ann Taylor

Thomas - Nancy Pierce

Martin C.*

William M*

Ivie,

William Shelton* - Went on a mission to Tenn.

elder John Anderson* - President of the Branch

James R*

Thomas C* -

Richard A* - Jane M. Allread

----------

Isaac Allred and family settled in Clay County, Missouri, on Fishing River. Soon other members of the Allred, Ivie, and Fausett families and in-laws responded to the call of the Church and moved to Clay, Ray and Caldwell Counties.

"In the year 1835, in the fall, I (Isaac Allred younger) in company with my father and brothers with our families moved from Monroe to Clay County and stayed one year, bought land, made one crop. And in this year the people were as reckless as ever as some members of the church living with them. After a while it was thought best for our people to live more to themselves.

In the fall of the year 1836, there was a location sought out by some delegates from both sides for the church to settle. In the year 1836 on the 2nd of October, Eliza Maria was born in Ray County, and in the year 1836 we moved to a new location which afterwards was organized into a county & called Caldwell. I bought of the Government and made a farm."

Fearing the potential power and influence of the rapidly increasing influx of Mormon settlers, Mormons are expelled from Clay, Ray, Carrol and other counties, while Caldwell county is created for Mormon settlement. Most Mormons settled in Caldwell and Davies counties. Far West in Caldwell County became the center Mormon settlement. James R. Ivie received a land patent in Far West, Caldwell County, MO in 1836.

Members of the Allred family are in Ray County, Missouri as evidenced by the following marriages, Wiley Allred married Sally Zabriskie, in Ray County, 25 July 1836, and Reuben W. Allred married Lucy A Butler in Ray County, .4 December 1836. By 25 December, Moses M. and Amanda A Fausett Sanders are in Far West where son Joseph Moroni is born. There are records of James R Ivie, Isaac, James, William, William Hackly Allred, Ezekiel Billington, and Moses Martin Sanders families in Caldwell County, by 1837

Through-out the summer of 1838 tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons intensified. Both sides engaged in violence against the other. In the wake of a financial fiasco and the resulting internal dissension, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are forced to flee Kirtland, Ohio for Far West. The presence of the acerbic and uncompromising Rigdon further inflamed the situation. Full scale war broke out by autumn.

Reddick N Allred records these unsettled times in his diary. "April 12, 1838 Oliver Cowdery was cut off from the Church and on the 13th David Whitmer was cut off for not keeping the word of wisdom and soon after the Johnsons, Boyingtons, and McLellans were cut off. The foundation of a temple was started in Far West and the fame of the Church began to be heard. The few ranchers in Caldwell and Davies counties raised false reports about the lawlessness of the Mormons and at an election in Gallatin, Davis County they forbade any Mormon to vote and surrounded the polls to prevent it, but a fight ensued and the Mormons cleared the way and voted. This was enough to wake up the whole of Jackson, Clay, Ray and Cariton counties into a howling mob, and they began to make raids upon outside settlements. We had meantime organized a regiment for self defense and the Prophet called all the outside settlements into Far West. "

The most militant Mormons were organized as Danites, or "Avenging Angels" as they would be dubbed in the popular press. During this period of external danger, and internal dissension the Danites were formed in Far West, as a kind of guerrilla force to counter gentile violence, as well as enforce loyalty and orthodoxy among the Mormons.

On 17 June 1838, First Counselor Sidney Rigdon preached his "Salt Sermon" as a warning that Mormon dissenters would "be cast out & trodden under foot of men." ...The next day Second Counselor Hyrum Smith & his uncle John Smith joined with Danite leader Sampson Avard (as first signer) and eighty other Danites in a threatening letter to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, John Whitmer, Lyman E Johnson & William Phelphs, warning these dissenters to "depart, or a more fatal calamity shall befall you."

Known as the "Warning Against Dissenters," James R Ivie is likely a signer, although there is some question about the signature. Brothers-in-law John M Fausett and Ezekiel Billington Jr are signers.On July 4, Sidney Rigdon delivers an inflammatory speech at Far West increasing the tension between Mormons and non-Mormons. A few days later James R Ivie and John M. Faussett are made Seventies at Far West.

Far West, Mo Saturday July 7th 1838.

The Conference convened agreeable to adjournment. Opened by Prayer by President Sidney Rigdon.

When the following brethern, who came up in the Camp in 1834 received their blessing, also ordained as Seventies: Horace Evans, James Dumi, Alanson Riply, Chandler Holbrook , Justus Morse, John Fawsett, Jackson Smith, Thomas Turner, Ebenezer Miller, Joseph Holbrook, Lewis Sabriskie, Horace Cowan, James R Ivie, John C Annis

After which several recommends passed the Conference

After some remarks by President Rigdon, & On Motion, the Conference adjourned until the first Friday in October next.

Benediction by President Rigdon.

Ebenezer Robinson. Clerk.

Reddick N Allred leaves the following description of events, "Oct. 30th - Gov Boggs' army of 4000 made their appearance against Far West 3000 more to follow. We had two companies out leaving only about 150 men and boys in town, being in line the Prophet stepped to the right of the line and said, "Come on boys." We halted at the edge of the town and formed a line. The mob militia commenced to form a line of battle, but when about one regiment was formed, seeing our two companies charging into town on the east and west, they broke ranks and fled in confusion.

They camped that night in the timber and rallied several times in the night fearing an attack by us and next day had an interview with our Col. George Hinkle, who agreed to deliver up the Prophet and other leading men and lay down our arms.

Oct. 31st- The Prophet, his brother, Hyrum, and others were delivered up as prisoners of war and about 800 pieces of arms including guns, pistols, swords, spears, etc., at the word 'ground arms' was laid down while there 4000 men had us cooped up in a hallow square and them outside about 4 deep. That night they held a court martial and passed sentence of death upon the Prophet and those with him to be shot next morning at 8 o'clock. General Doniphan protested and lead his Brigade out of the camp which changed the program, so they sent them under strong guard to Jackson and after to Liberty Jail.

Gen'1 Lucas then marched our men onto the Public Square and compelled them at the point of the bayonet to sign what he called a Deed of Trust to hold all their property real and personal to pay the expenses of the war...we were permitted to fit up teams as best we could and leave the State in the dead of winter.”

In November, Joseph Smith and other church leaders are arrested, the Mormons disarmed, and Far West plundered by the Missouri militia, During the winter and spring the Mormon population was forced east across the state and Mississippi River into Illinois.

At Richmond we -were taken into the courthouse, which was an unfinished brick building with no inside work done except a floor laid across one end, some sixteen or twenty feet wide. There were two large fireplaces built in the wall where the floor was laid. A railing was built across the room at the edge of the floor, and we were quartered inside there as our prison, with a strong guard inside and outside the building.

Ebenezar Robinson

We were confined in a large open space, where the cold northern blast penetrated freely. Our fires were small, and our allowance for wood & food scanty, ..the vilest of the vile did guard us and treat us like dogs.

Edward Partridge

William Allred, and Ezekiel Billington are named by George M Hinkle and Sampson Avard as being Danites, and are imprisoned at Richmond Courthouse.

From the memoirs of J. Henry Rollins we are told that James and Isaac Allred were also among those detained at Richmond Courthouse. (Although I have found no other source to confirm this). After escaping from Far West, Rollins is arrested and taken to Richmond:

"I then mounted as before, behind one of the soldiers and arrived at Richmond Court House, when General dark appeared at the door, the men saying, "Here is the man you sent us for," He said, "you get down off of the horse and go in to the bullpen with the rest of them. Which was the first intimation I had that there were any others in there. When I had entered I was forced into the bull pen; sure enough there I found some 40 or 50 of our brethren, such as Bishop Partridge, Isaac Morley, James and Isaac Allred, and many others that I will not here mention, who were old men and many of my former 10...We were kept prisoners for several weeks. At last was agreed that we could bail each other out. One of the brethren bailing another. Sometimes one would go bail for 3 or 4 of the brethren until they were all bailed out but myself. Isaac Allred having agreed to bail me previous to this, but did not. I got one of the guards to go with me and find him. I asked him about it; he said he couldn't do it as he had bailed out four or five. I was taken back and kept under guard until evening, when I learned my young wife had come to see me..."

The trials under Judge Austin A King began on 13 November. "The aim of the prosecution was to implicate as many as possible with the Battle of Crooked River and to prove that Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight took an active part. This would provide grounds for the charge of treason, since Bogart's men were state militia. The majority of the brethren who had participated in that battle had left the state, and only a few prisoners remained who had taken part in the unfortunate fight.

William Allred, gives this account of his imprisonment at Richmond: "[T]he Commanding officer Gen. dark then Cald us together & Selected forty Seven of which I was one they Shut us up in a Storehouse until] the next morning the took us to Richmond in Ray County & Shut us up in an open Corthouse where we Suffered much in hunger & cold we ware then put on trial haveing ben Charged with every high Crime the trial Continued about fifteen days then they Exhonerated about 23 of which I was one.”

The trial ended on 24 November, when all prisoners but twelve were released. Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Sidney Ridgeon and others were taken to Liberty jail in Clay County, while Parley Pratt and others continued to be held in the Richmond jail to stand trial for murder and treason.

Joseph Smith and other church leaders escape imprisonment in 1839, and began the settlement of Nauvoo, Illinois.

With the expulsion of Mormons from Missouri during the winter and spring of 1839-40, most of the Allreds move to Adams and Pike Counties, Illinois. It is not known when the Ivies left Far West or under what circumstances, but James R Ivie, brothers-in-law William Hackley Allred and Eszekiel Billington jr were able to return to Monroe county when most Mormons were either forced to leave Missouri, or were called by the church to settle in and around Nauvoo, Illinois.

What the relationship of various members of the family to the church was at this time is uncertain. Certainly Parley P. Pratt believed that at least some Ivie family members had apostatized from the Church. John Anderson Ivie, who had been the presiding Elder of the Salt River Branch, and had marched in Zion's Camp may have left the church at this time, or possibly earlier, as there is no record of him at Far West. Though only James R. Ivie and Thomas C Ivie initially migrated to Utah in 1848, other Ivie siblings, apparently maintained some Mormon convictions. William Shelton Ivie began the migration to Utah in 1846, but dropped out in Adair County. William Hackley Allred and his wife continued to give their children Mormon inspired names until 1844, but Isaac Allred writes in 1839 that his older brother William Hackley Allred had left the Church. After the death of his wife, William Hackley Allred eventually migrated to Utah c1875. Sister Polly Ann Ivie Billington also eventually migrated to Utah, after the death of her husband and the settlement of her fathers estate about 1864. Two of her three living children also migrated about this time.

In these difficult times many families were bitterly torn apart by some family members leaving the church, while others remained faithful. Hopefully more research will throw some light on the effects the Mormon experience had on extended Ivie family relations at this time.

Separated from the main body of Mormons who soon settled in the vicinity of Nauvoo, Illinois, the Ivies settled back into the relatively uneventful rural life of Monroe county. What contact the Ivies maintained with their Allred and Fausett relations in Nauvoo is not known. The only record of any Ivie presence in Nauvoo, IL is the signing of the Scroll Petition by Thomas C Ivie c1843-4, his marriage to Amanda Jane Moore, and birth of their daughter Sarah Jane Ivie there on 1 August 1845.

Parley P. Pratt and Moris Phelps escaped from the Columbia, Missouri jail in July 1839. King Follett escaped with Pratt and Phelps, but was apprehended. Luman Gibbs, who had turned against the others remained in jail. Parley P Pratt leaves this account of his flight across Missouri:

"...I now pursued my way until I entered upon a public road called the Louisiana road, as it was connected with a ferry on the Mississippi at a place called by that name. I had traveled that road before, and I was not a little rejoiced to find myself on ground I was so well acquainted with that I could travel by night without any danger of missing my way. I was now in a part of the State which was comparatively thickly inhabited, and therefore, considered it unsafe to proceed in the daytime, as the news of our escape must by this time have spread far and wide. I, therefore, spent the day either in concealment among the thickets, or in slowly progressing on my journey with much caution and many deviations from the road, in order to shun plantations and houses; but at night I pursued my way with all the strength I had.

On the third or fourth day after my escape from prison I found myself in the neighborhood of a settlement where I had formed some acquaintances years before, and where once lived a small branch of the Church, but they had all moved West, and, as I supposed, were driven out of the State with the others. But I recollected a family by the name of Ivy, who would still be living on the road, and who had been members, but were now dissenters. I was now very hungry and wanted a friend, but was in doubt whether they would befriend or betray me, as they had once been my friends, and not only so, but their near kindred had suffered in the general persecution, and had shared the common banishment. I hesitated, prayed, and at length came to the conclusion that I would venture past their door in open day, and if no one discovered or recognized me I would take it as a Providence, and conclude it was wisdom in God, as I would not be safe with them; but if, on the other hand, I was saluted by them, then I would think it a sign which Providence had given me as a witness that I could trust to them. I accordingly walked past their dwelling on Sunday evening, about two hours before sundown. As I got nearly past, the tittle children who were playing in the front door yard discovered me and cried out with surprise and joy, "there is brother Pratt! " At this a young man came running out to me, who proved to be one of my acquaintances, who was still a member of the Church, and who had been driven from the upper country; but instead of going to Illinois with the rest, he had come back and settled in his old neighborhood. I asked him where Mr. Ivy, the man of the house , was. He replied that he and his wife had gone to a neighbor's, two or three miles distant, on a visit; "and," continued he, "I also am here on a visit at the same time, and by this means I have very unexpectedly met with you; and I am very glad, for the news has just reached here that the prisoners had escaped, and that they burst a cap at one, and took another, and carried him back to prison. The other two have not been found." This was the first news I had heard either of myself or the others. I then requested him to go and charge the children strictly not to mention that they had seen me, and then come with me into the woods.

He did so. I then told him I was very hungry, faint and weary; and not only so, but so lame I could hardly move; besides, my feet were blistered, skinned and bloody. He said that his brother, who was also a member, and had been driven with him from the upper country, lived in an obscure place in the woods, some two miles distant, and that his brother's wife and children were as true and genuine Mormons as ever lived. He then took me on his horse and conducted me through a pathless wild for two miles, and, coming in sight of his brother's house, I dismounted and hid myself in a deep valley, whose sides were nearly perpendicular and formed of craggy rock, while he went to reconnoiter the house, and to get something ready for me to eat. He soon returned, informing me that his brother was out, and would not be in till dark; but the family wished very much that I would come in, as the children would hold their tongues, and it was thought to be perfectly safe. I declined, however, for the present, and he brought me out some bread, milk and cream, on which I refreshed myself till they prepared a more substantial supper.

As evening came on, being pressed to come in, I finally consented. On entering, I was received with joy by the family, and sat down to supper. One of their neighbors, a young man soon determined to tarry till the arrival of the man of the house, as he had some errand with him. This embarrassed me very much, for I was fearful that he would arrive and salute me as an old acquaintance, and call my name in the presence of the young man. But the children (bless their souls) took good care for that matter, and when they saw him they whispered to him that brother P. was there, and being just out of prison, he must not know him till Mr.— had gone.

The man came in, and I look up, with a vacant stare, or rather with a strange and distant air, and inquired if he was the man of the house? I then went on to describe my horse which had strayed from me, and observed that I was out in search of him, and, being weary and hungry, I had stopped to get some refreshment with him. He said I was welcome to his house, and to such fare as he had; but he did not seen any nags, except what was owned in the neighborhood.

The young man soon did his errand and withdrew. We then shook each other by the hand most heartily, and, with a burst of joy and smiles, inquired after each other's welfare. I told him I was well nigh exhausted and worn out, and, withal, very lame, but still I had some hopes of making my escape out of the State, and of living to see my friends once more in a land of liberty. I then begged of him to exchange with me, and take my cap and give me a hat in its stead, which he did and then saddled his horse with a side saddle, and placing me on horseback, he ran before and by my side on foot, to take me on my journey. In this way we traveled till twelve o'clock at night, when I dismounted, and he bid me farewell, in order to reach his home again before the neighbors would arise and find him missing.

He had given me directions which would lead to the Mississippi River much nearer than the Louisiana ferry, and also more in the direct course towards my family who resided at Quincy, and, besides all these advantages, the route was more obscure, and, therefore, safer for me. I now pursued my course the remainder of the night with renewed courage and strength, although so very lame, foot sore, and so much exhausted that, in lying down to refresh myself, I could not again rise and put myself in motion short of extraordinary and repeated exertion., sometimes having to crawl on my hands and knees till I could get sufficiently limbered to arise and walk, and frequently staggering and falling in the attempt."

Hettie M Robins remembers, "this man and wife were James Russell Ivie and his wife, Eliza. I heard this story many time from Great Grandma and her son. Grandpa Ivie (Benjamin Martin Ivie). Only, as I remember it, the side saddle and his horse got him well on his way, but the horse never found his way back."

----------

After helping Parley P Pratt escape from Missouri, life likely returned to normal for James R Ivie and the other Ivie families and in-laws in Monroe county. On 8 October 1840 James R Ivie purchased 80 acres of land and no doubt intended to settle back into the community where he was born and raised, and where most of his closest relatives lived. Years later Mark Twain described what that life would have been like.

“I was born the 30th of November, 1835, in the almost invisible village of Florida, Monroe County, Missouri. I suppose Florida had less than three hundred inhabitants. It had two streets, each a couple of hundred yards long; the rest of the avenues mere lanes, with rail fences and cornfields on either side. Both streets and the lanes were paved with the same material - tough black mud in wet times, deep dust in dry.

Most of the houses were of logs - all of them, indeed, except three or four; these latter were frame ones. There were none of brick, and none of stone. There was a log church, with a puncheon floor and slab benches. A puncheon floor is made of logs whose upper surfaces have been chipped flat with the adz. The cracks between the logs were not filled; there was no carpet; consequently, if you dropped anything smaller than a peach, it was likely to go through. The church was perched upon short sections of logs, which elevated it two or three feet from the ground. Hogs slept under there, and whenever the dogs got after them during services, the minister had to wait till the disturbance was over. In winter there was always a refreshing breeze up through the puncheon floor; in summer there were fleas enough for all.

A slab bench is made of the outside cut of a saw log, bark side down; it is supported on four sticks driven into auger holes at the ends; it has no back or cushions. The church was twilighted with yellow tallow candles in tin sconces hung against the walls. Week days, the church was a schoolhouse.

There were two stores in the village. My uncle, John A Quarles, was proprietor of one of them. It was a very small establishment, with a few rolls of "bit" calicos on half a dozen shelves; a few barrels of salt mackerel, coffee, and New Orleans sugar behind the counter; stacks of brooms, shovels, axes, hoes, rakes and such things here and there; a lot of cheap hats, bonnets, and tinware strung on strings and suspended from the walls; and at the other end of the room was another counter with bags of shot on it, a cheese or two, and a few pigs of lead, and behind it a barrel or two of New Orleans molasses and native corn whiskey on tap. If a boy bought five or ten cents' worth of anything, he was entitled to half a handful of sugar from the barrel; if a woman bought a few yards of calico she was entitled to a spool of thread in addition to the usual gratis "trimmin's"; if a man bought a trifle he was at liberty to draw and swallow as beg a drink of whiskey as he wanted.

Everything was cheap: apples, peaches, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, and corn, ten cents a bushel; chickens, ten cents apiece; butter, six cents a pound; eggs, three cents a dozen; coffee and sugar, five cents a pound; whiskey, ten cents a gallon...

At first my father owned slaves, but by and by he sold them and hired others by the year from the farmers. For a girl of fifteen he paid twelve dollars a year and gave her two linsey-wolsey frocks and a pair of "stogy" shoes - cost, a modification of nothing; for a negro woman of twenty-five, as general house servant, he paid twenty-five dollars a year and gave her shoes and the aforementioned linsey-wolsey frocks; for a strong negro woman of forty, as cook, washer, etc., he paid forty dollars a year and the customary two suits of clothes; and for an able-bodied man he paid from seventy-five to a hundred dollars a year and gave him two suits of jeans and two pairs of "stogy" shoes - an outfit that cost about three dollars.”

1840 Census Monroe County, Missouri

Allred, John

W.H.

Billington, Ezk.

Ivi,

J.A.

James

W.S.

Ivy, Anderson

----------

The Election of 1840

Monroe Co, MO

"Although the county of Monroe was not so densely populated as a few others in 1840, yet that election was one of remarkable political excitement between the Whigs, with Gen. W.H. Harrison as their presidential candidate, and the democrats who were wildly excited in behalf of Van Buren, who had beaten Harrison in 1836. At no time in the history of the United States were the people generally roused to such a pitch of political excitement as during this memorable campaign...Men, women and children for some months before the election, which occurred in November, seemed to have little else to engage their attention, /every village had its log-cabin and tall Whig pole, representative of the Whig party, whilst the hickory poles also loomed up emblematic of Gen. Jackson and the Democratic party. Mighty crowds were assembled in the log-cabins to hear inflammatory speeches and indulge in potations of hard cider, while the Democrats met in council at their headquarters, heard and made speeches, etc.

All parties sang and drank during the campaign quite as much as was necessary and considerably more. It was the commonest event to meet hundreds of farmers' wagons loaded from 15 to 20 of both sexes, singing and roaring as they wended their way to some point agreed upon, where they were to listen to the eloquence of some great party leader and exhibit their patriotism:

Tippecanoe and Tyler too,' was the Whig watchword, accompanied by promises of $2 per day and roast beef to every workingman under Harrison's administration.

William Long, the husband of Sarah Ivie and son-in-law of James R Ivie, was a Whig speaker during the 1844 elections in Monroe county.

----------

Isaac L Ivie, brother of James R. was married to Melissa Long by Justice of the Peace, Theodore G Price, on 4 March 1842, and on 26 October 1843, William Long was married to Sarah Ivie, a sister of James R., by Justice of the Peace, W. N. Penn. What the relationship between these two Longs was isn’t known. A daughter, Eliza Marie Ivie, was born to James R Ivie on 29 March 1843, a twin Marie Betsy died during childbirth. A son Isaac Thomas was born the next year on 24 May 1844.

---------

In late June 1844, Joseph and his brother Hyrum Smith were murdered by a mob at the Carthage Jail. The church was left leaderless, prompting an internal struggle for control, while increasing antagonism made it clear that the Mormons would be forced to leave Illinois. By 1845 Bringham Young emerged as the leader of the dominant grouping of the church. Plans to migrate west were announced in September 1845, while the Temple is rushed to completion.

----------

William Datien (Dayton) was married (parents consenting) to Sally Ivie, daughter of J R Ivie, on 9 October by Justice of the Peace John Quarles, the uncle of Mark Twain. The first record of William Hackley Allred in Adair County is the birth of his daughter Sarah Elizabeth there on 16 November 1845. Most of the Ivie siblings seemed to have moved to Adair county, north of Monroe county about this time.

Sometime after October James R. Ivie and family joined the Mormon migration to the Rocky Mountains. They likely traveled through Adair County, as a family tradition in the William Shelton Ivie family is that he started out to join the Mormon exodus, but changed his mind in Kirkville, where he decided to settle. Another account adds "...William Shelton, and families, got as far as Nerrion, Missouri, on their way to join the wagon train which would have soon headed for the west (Utah) There was something about one of William's girls marrying as a plural wife to a man by the name of Long. Both parents strongly opposed the marriage. So they dropped out of the company. "

William S Ivie who had been a stalwart Mormon in the Salt River Branch was one of the first organizers of the Christian or Campbellite Church in Kirkville, Adair county in the winter of 1845-6. John A Ivie also became a Campbellite minister.

Elizabeth Thrasher, mother of Sarah Allred, dies c1847, at the age of 87. She is believed to have moved with the Ivies from Tennessee, and to have lived with her daughter Sarah and son-in-law Anderson Ivie since their arrival in Monroe county in 1830.

----------

Anderson Ivie dies in Monroe County, MO. Leaving a will dated 17 April, proved 12 June 1852.

Know all men by these presents that I Anderson Ivie of Monroe County and State of Missouri being of an advanced age and of feeble health and knowing the uncertainty of life, do this day and by these presents make this my last will and testament viz. I will to my daughter Sally M Long a negro named Ben independent and above her share of my estate as will be ( ) in this instrument (said Boy is now with her) and is a slave and this will show belongs to her. I then give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah Ivie my entire estate both real, personal and ( ) to have and to hold said by this instrument as soon as I die or at my death the right and tittle of the above estate is to be vested in her to do with as may seem to her best and use her discretion without any hindrance or Protest from any or every person or persons and after her death the property and effects that may be on hand I wish and will shall be equally devided between my children (share and share alike) Polly Ann Billington, John A Ivie, Elizabeth Allred, William S Ivie, Isaac L Ivie, Sally M Long, and Martin J Ivie. I give and bequeath to James R Ivie and Thomas C Ivie the sum of one dollar each to be paid out of my Estate. It is my further will that my Estate shall not go into the County Court and at the death of my wife Sarah if my children to whom I have given my estate cannot agree they may select any number of persons that they may see fit to divide my Estate as requested by this instrument Given under my hand and seal this Seventeenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two.

Witnesses: T. G. Price, John Vandeventer

Anderson Ivie

Anderson Ivie’s will might be interpreted in two ways. One is that he settled a portion of his estate on James R and Thomas C Ivie to aid them in their migration to Utah, and for this reason excluded them from an equal share in his will. More realistically, he probably opposed their migration to Utah and cut them out of his will for this reason. The latter interpretation is reinforced by the fact that both brothers made the long journey back to Missouri two years later to contest their exclusion from their fathers estate. After losing a law suit in Adair county with their siblings, James Russell Ivie and Thomas C Ivie sign a quite claim on 24 April 1854 renouncing any further claim to their father's estate in return for a settlement of $228. Relations within the family seem not to have been totally amiable at this time..

Sarah Ivie died sometime late in 1860 or early 1861, setting in motion the terms of Anderson Ivie’s will. On 12 February, the Anderson Ivie estate [excluding 160 acres in section 21 (54-8)], was appraised at $3,591.35, of which $144.90 was derived from the proceeds of Sarah Ivie's Estate, an outstanding note $420 , and slaves valued at $2,850.

The heirs of Anderson Ivie Petitioned the Monroe County Probate Court on 8 May 1861, requesting that the eight slaves left to them jointly be put up for sale and the proceeds divided among them. The auction took place at the County Court House, on the first Monday in June.

Critty," an old negro woman" , aged 50 and appraised at $50. In the bill of sale for the auction she was listed as 60 years old, and was purchased by Julia L Ivie, the widow if William S Ivie for $67.

Nancy, age 21, appraised at $800, with children Mary age 4, appraised at$300, Sarah age 2, appraised at $150 and Jesse at 3 months appraised for $100. Thomas Barker was the high bidder for Nancy and Jesse for $720, Mary for $230, and Sarah for $191, for a total of $1144. Christopher C Fields provided Security.

Martha, age 16, appraised at $800. She was purchased by William P Linden for $690. George Rice provided Security.

Blind Jim, age 14, appraised at $50. Jim was purchased by Julia L Ivie for $2. The fact that she brought both Critty and Blind Jim, shows, I believe, some compassion for these two people whose age and disability diminished their desirability as slave. William P Linden provided security.

Peter, age 12, appraised at $700, was purchased by John A Ivie for $600, with William P Linden providing security.

----------

Information on the slave ownership by the various Ivie families in Monroe county is sketchy at best, and this is an area that needs a lot of research.

A family anecdote relates that Anderson Ivie gave a young slave to his son James R. Ivie, who realized, rather late in the game it would seem, that he could not take a slave to Utah, he was freed at Omaha, and told he could live with another family or make his way back to Missouri as best he could. Another family anecdote relates that Anderson Ivie owned 75 slaves, an unrealistic number which points up the reliability of family anecdotes. The first documented mention of slavery among the Monroe county Ivies is in the Will of Anderson Ivie, in which he gives the boy Ben (a slave) to his daughter Sarah Long, over and above her share in his estate. The only other record, known at this time, is the above sale of slaves, and it raises more questions than it answers.

What became of Ben, Critty, Nancy, and her children Mary, Sarah and Jesse, or of Martha , Peter and Blind Jim. John A Ivie bought Peter, and Sarah Long was given Ben, and Julia L Ivie bought Critty and Blind Jim, so we can't assume slave ownership was altogether uncommon among the Ivie siblings. Perhaps it was a factor in some of the family leaving the Mormon church. While the church was careful not to take a position on Slavery during the Missouri period, slave ownership was neither encouraged, nor common among the Mormons. It is perhaps a factor why James Russell Ivie did not migrate to Illinois with the main body of the Mormon Church in 1839.

Hopefully, the fact that Julia L Ivie purchased Critty and Blind Jim is demonstrative of a certain level of humaneness among the Ivies that Mark Twain described as the norm in Monroe County:

“As I have said, we lived in a slaveholding community; indeed, when slavery perished my mother had been in daily touch with it for sixty years. Yet, kind-hearted and compassionate as she was, I think she was not conscious that slavery was a bald, grotesque, and unwarrantable usurpation. She had never heard it assailed in any pulpit, but had heard it defended and sanctified in a thousand; her ears were familiar with Bible texts that approved it, but if there were any that disapproved it they had not been quoted by her pastors; as far as her experience went, the wise and the good and the holy were unanimous in the conviction that slavery was right, righteous, sacred, the peculiar pet of the Deity, and a condition which the slave himself ought to be daily and nightly thankful for. Manifestly, training and association can accomplish strange miracles. As a rule our slaves were convinced and content. So, doubtless, are the far more intelligent slaves of a monarchy; they revere and approve their masters, the monarch and the noble, and recognize no degradation in the fact that they are slaves - slaves with the name blinked, and less respectworthy than were our black ones, if to be a slave by meek consent is baser than to be a slave by compulsion - and doubtless it is.

However, there was nothing about the slavery of the Hannibal region to rouse one's dozing humane instincts to activity. It was the mild domestic slavery, not the brutal plantation article. Cruelties were very rare, and exceedingly and wholesomely unpopular. To separate and sell the members of a slave family to different masters was a thing not well liked by the people, and so it was not often done, except in the settling of estates. I have no recollection of ever seeing a slave auction in that town; but I am suspicious that that is because the thing was a common and commonplace spectacle, not an uncommon and impressive one. I vividly remember seeing a dozen black men and women chained to one another awaiting shipment to the Southern slave market. Those were the saddest faces I have ever seen. Chained slaves could not have been a common sight, or this picture would not have made so strong and lasting impression upon me.

The "nigger trader" was loathed by everybody. He was regarded as a sort of human devil who bought and conveyed poor helpless creatures to hell - for to our whites and blacks alike the Southern plantation was simply hell; no milder name could describe it. If the threat to sell an incorrigible slave "down the river" would not reform him, nothing would - his case was past cure.

It is commonly believed that an infallible effect of slavery was to make such as

lived in its midst hard hearted. I think it had no such effect - speaking in general terms. I think it stupefied everybody's humanity, as regarded the slave, but stopped there. - I mean there were no more than would be found in any other town of the same size in any othercountry; and in my experience hard-hearted people are very rare everywhere.”