Davenport, James (May 1, 1802 – Jul 23, 1883) by Robert Raymond
History of
James Davenport
Copyright 2000-2004, Robert Raymond. Copying for private,
non-commercial use is allowed. All other rights reserved.
Courtesy of:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~raymondfamily
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~raymondfamily/JamesDavenport.html
Used by Permission.
By Robert RAYMOND
Updated: 08-Jun-2003
This is not really a history, but a timeline. But I thought
it would be a good place to capture events in anticipation of writing a
history, if I don't find one first.
Date Event
1800 The
Squire DAVENPORT family is living in Danville, Caledonia, Vermont.
1 May 1802 James DAVENPORT, son of Squire DAVENPORT and Susannah
KITTRIDGE, is born in Danville, Caledonia, Vermont.
23 Jan 1805 Almira PHELPS, daughter of John PHELPS and Mary RIDER, is
born in Canajoharie, Mongtgomery,
New York.
1813 It seems James' family probably
lived in Danville
while he grew up. James' brother marries in Danville,
Caledonia, Vermont. A sister marries there about 1814.
Another about 1816. Other brothers married there about 1822, 1825 and 1829.
4 Sep 1823 James DAVENPORT marries "Almira Phelps September 4,
1823 at Ocean Point, New York where he set up a blacksmith shop
and also farmed." (DUP) Family records also specify the marriage took
place 4 Sep. 1822 in Olean Point, Catgus,
New York.
27 Feb 1824 Mary Marion DAVENPORT, daughter of James and Almira, born in Covington, Genese, New
York.
25 Feb 1826 John Squire DAVENPORT, son of James and Almira, born in
Granger, Harding, Kentucky. (John will get his endowments in
Nauvoo.)
14 Dec 1828 Almen DAVENPORT, son of James and Almira, born in Indiana. He dies in
1830.
1830 A
Squire DAVENPORT family is living in Greene Co., Illinois. (Roll
M19-24, p. 14.???)
A Squire DAVENPORT family is living in
Morgan Co., Illinois.
(Roll M19-24, p. 95.)
5 Nov 1832 Alfred Phelps DAVENPORT, son of James and Almira, is born
in Granger, Medina, Ohio.
14 Oct 1834 Martha Ann DAVENPORT, daughter of James and Almira, is born
in Granger, Medina, Ohio.
Jul 1835 James is baptized a member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Shortly after the Mormon Church
was organized, James and his family joined." (DUP)
22 Nov 1836 Sarah Mariah DAVENPORT, daughter of James and Almira, is born
in Fentonville, Genesse, Michigan. (She will come west.)
1 Jul 1838 Lucinda Melissa DAVENPORT, daughter of James and Almira,
is born in Farmington, Wayne, Michigan.
14 Aug 1841 James Nephi DAVENPORT, son of James and Almira, is born in
Walnut Grove, Knox, Illinois. (He will come west.)
2 Sep 1843 Anteneete DAVENPORT, daughter of James and Almira, is born
in Nauvoo, McDonnough, Illinois. (He will come west.)
1845 "Records
show he was located in Nauvoo,
Illinois where he was ordained an
Elder in the Church." (DUP)
14 Dec 1845 Heber DAVENPORT, son of James and Almira, is born in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois.
He only lives six days.
31 Dec 1845 James and Almira receive their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple.
This is barely more than two weeks after the death of their child.
3 Feb 1846 James and Almira are sealed together in the Nauvoo Temple.
Spring 1846 "In the spring of 1846, James DAVENPORT, his wife and
children left Nauvoo, Ill., with the members of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They came with a company to Council
Bluffs, Iowa, and a little later
crossed the big muddy to what is now Florence,
Nebraska. Just north of the place
now immediately adjoining the city of Omaha."
(Thompson)
11 March 1847 "While Brigham Young and many of the other Mormons left in
the spring of 1847, for Salt Lake City, Almira
PHELPS DAVENPORT, and her children remained in Florence, and it was here that her daughter,
Almira DAVENPORT was born on March 11, 1847. James DAVENPORT, was on the road
to Utah with
the Brigham YOUNG company." (Thompson)
16 April 1847 "Friday. Brigham Young today organized the Camp of Israel
into traveling companies, groups of ten pioneers, each with a captain, and a
specific marching order. The plan accommodated the 143 men and boys, three
women and two children comprising this Mormon vanguard. They assembled at the
rear of Young's wagon this morning and counted off. He appointed Stephen
Markham and Albert Perry Rockwood as captains of hundreds; Tarlton Lewis, James
Page, John Pack and Shadrach Roundy as captains of fifties." James Davenport
is assigned to the 11th Ten, with John S. Higbee, captain along with John
Wheeler, Solomon Chamberlain, Conrad Kleinman, Joseph Rooker, Perry Fitzgerald,
John H. Tippetts, Henson Walker, and Benjamin W. Rolfe. (Schindler, 16 April 1997)
"He was called to go with the
first company, rendering service as a blacksmith along the way." (DUP)
3 May 1847 "As expected, the Camp of Israel will remain here at
the head of Grand Island one more day to concentrate on replenishing the
company's meat supply, completing blacksmith repairs on damaged wagon wheels,
and shoeing some of the horses, mules and oxen. It was cold and again there was
ice in the water pails. … Two blacksmiths, Thomas Tanner and James Davenport,
have been all day at the forges, anvils and bellows repairing wagons, setting
tires and shoeing animals. One topic of conversation concerned the prairie
dogs. There are thousands upon thousands of acres of land honeycombed with
prairie dog burrows. A number of the rodents have been killed by the pioneers
and are esteemed to be good meat, similar to squirrel. Some other returning
hunters have brought in three calves. The day passed without accident or
further incident. Wind was from the south. The cannon was fired at 9:00 p.m.,
more to let the Indians know the camp is alert, than anything else." (Schindler, 3 May 1997)
22 May 1847 "One of the incidents related concerning the journey
across the plains occurred on the evening of May 22, 1847. There was a full
moon which made the campsite nearly as bright as day, some said that the white
tops of their wagons looked almost like the billowing sails of a ship at sea.
The members of the camp were gathered around listening to the strains of the
violin. 'Then we had a mock trial at 9 p.m. in the case of the camp vs. James
Davenport. He was charged with blockading the highway and turning ladies out of
their course. We laughed until our sides split at R. Jackson Redden acting as
presiding judge. Edson Whipple was the attorney for the defense and Luke S.
Johnson as attorney for the people. This wonderful evening is the climax of a
day filled with work, vigilance and weary travel but also filled with a sense
of accomplishment.' " (DUP)
"There is some levity in camp
this evening. A mock trial was conducted in the case of the Camp of Israel vs.
James Davenport for blockading the highway and turning women from the road.
(Precisely what Davenport
did to 'blockade the highway' and turn the women away was not mentioned in
Clayton's journal.) Return Jackson Redden was appointed presiding judge; Edson
Whipple was named defense attorney, and Luke S. Johnson prosecuted.
"Clayton said, 'We have many such
mock trials which are amusing enough and help pass away the time during leisure
moments.' He did not report the outcome. … Distance for the day: 15 � miles,
440 miles from Winter Quarters in five weeks and 3 � days." (Schindler, 22 May 1997)
18 June 1847 This afternoon, the pioneers finish constructing a new ferryboat
for use at the upper crossing of the North Platte River.
"In council, Brigham Young suggested that nine men remain at the crossing
with the new boat and ferry over any emigrant wagons they could at $1.50 each.
Named to stay behind with the ferry were Thomas Grover, John S. Higbee, Luke S.
Johnson, Appleton M. Harmon, Edmund Ellsworth, Francis M. Pomeroy, William
Empey, James Davenport, and Benjamin F. Stewart." (Schindler, 18 June 1997)
19 June 1847 The pioneer party finishes crossing the river about noon.
"James Davenport was blacksmithing for the Missourians when word came that
a young man, Wesley Tustin, eighteen, had drowned five miles below the upper
crossing while trying to swim a horse across the river." (Schindler, 19 June 1997)
20 June 1847 "At the Mormon ferry at the upper crossing of the North Platte River, B.F. Stewart and William Empey took
four horses and a wagon back to Deer Creek for a load of coal, primarily for
James Davenport's forge. While there, they posted this sign:
"To the ferry 28 miles. Ferry
good and safe. Manned by experienced men, blacksmithing, horse and ox shoeing
done. Also a wheelwright. [Signed] Thomas Grover" (Schindler, 20 June 1997)
31 July 1847 James Davenport, one of the ferrymen [from the Last Crossing
of the Platte?], heading East back to the Missouri with several traders, met [Jedediah
Grant's] the Big Company. (Stegner, p. 178.)
1847-1850? "He returned to Nebraska
and remained there until his daughter was three years old. Then they came
across the plains, with a company of saints and settled in Grantsville, Tooele County."
(Thompson)
"After a short stay in the
Valley, Mr. Davenport returned to Winter Quarters for his family. Another child
had been born shortly after his departure for the west. It was almost three
years before he was financially able to bring his wife and children to Utah. After a short stay
in Salt Lake, he settled his family in
Grantsville." (DUP)
1850?-? "James Davenport worked for Heber C. Kimball,
for several years." (Thompson)
1857 "The
family returned to Florence
again." (Thompson)
Fall 1860
"They again crossed the plains
and this time moved to Wellsville." (Thompson)
"James made two more trips across
the plains to assist in bringing converts to Utah. A daughter, Sarah Mariah, married John
Maughan, son of Peter Maughan, Cache
Valley colonizer, so Mr.
Davenport moved his family to Wellsville." (DUP)
Fall 1861 In "Wellsville … they stayed for a short time,
and in the fall of 1861, moved to Richmond.
Here they lived in the old fort with many other saints. This shelter protected
them from the Indians. James Davenport, was very poor at that time and the
children had to do all they could to help get the necessities of life." (Thompson)
10 Oct 1865 James and Almira's daughter, Almira, becomes a plural wife
of William Dorris HENDRICKS. (Thompson)
Jan 1868 After her marriage to William Dorris HENDRICKS, their
daughter, Almira, lives with James and Almira until the birth of her triplets.
(Thompson)
Winter 1868 The winter of 1868 was very cold, and James and Almira again
went back east, as some of their children were there. They remained in the east
one year. (Thompson)
1869? James
and Almira return to Utah
"and stayed two years, with their daughter." (Thompson)
28 Dec 1881 Almira PHELPS DAVENPORT dies in Richmond,
Cache, Utah
where she was buried 31 Dec 1881.
"Later he moved to Richmond, Utah
where he died July 23, 1883, and was buried there by the side of his wife who
had passed away in 1881." (DUP)
23 Jul 1883 James followed his wife in death, also dying in Richmond and being buried
there 26 Jul 1883.
"They died in the house now
occupied by Martha Alysworth." (Thompson)
When did James marry his other wife,
Mrs. Catherine Tuttle?
Sources
* DUP – Our Pioneer Heritage, International Society, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Salt
Lake City: Infobases, Inc., 1996. As republished on Ancestry.com
* Schindler – The Salt Lake
Tribune, "Mormon
Trail"?, Harold Schindler, April 5, 1997-July 24, 1997. Harold Schindler
daily column commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Mormon Pioneers'
original trek from Winter Quarters to the Great Salt Lake.
As republished on http://historytogo.utah.gov.
* Stegner – The Gathering of Zion,
The Story of the Mormon Trail, Wallace Stegner, 1964.
* Thompson – "History
of Almira Davenport Hendricks, A Utah Pioneer of 1846, a history of unknown
authorship found in the Book of Remembrance of Wanda THOMPSON WISER,
granddaughter of Almira DAVENPORT."
Read More
Wilson, Agnes (Jan 15, 1838 – Jan 30, 1919) by Thomas Wheatley
According to the Ancestral File Record, Agnes Wilson was born January
15, 1838 to John Wilson and Elizabeth Mellis (Malace) in Newarthill,
Lanark, Scotland.
It appears that Agnes came across the plains to Utah in the Richard
Ballantyne Company in 1855. Agnes would have been 17 years old at the
time the party left.
According to her marriage date (January 16, 1855), Agnes was married
one day after her 17th birthday to Robert Nish (Neish) on the Ship
Charlesbuck, Liverpool, Liverpool, England. Robert and Agnes then made
the trek to Utah only a few months later. Agnes' first child Elizabeth
Nish was born July 2, 1855 in a place called Mormon Grove, Atchison,
Kansas. With this newborn baby, Agnes and her husband crossed the
plains for Utah. Their baby survived the trek and lived to be 82 years
old. Agnes and Robert had a total of 15 children.
Agnes passed away January 30, 1919 at the age of 81.
Reference: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneerdetails/0,15791,4018-1-17550,00.html
Referencing the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, General Files:
Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Richard Ballantyne Company left the first and second of July 1855. The company arrived the 25th of September 1855.
Reference: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompany/0,15797,4017-1-59,00.html
Referencing the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, General Files:
Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
Read MoreNish (Neish), Robert (Jul 2, 1835 – Oct 1, 1919) by Thomas Wheatley
From Robert's Ancestral File, we know that he was born in Scotland July
2, 1835. He was the son of Thomas Nish (Nish) and Elizabeth Penman.
It appears that Robert came across the plains to Utah in the Richard
Ballantyne Company in 1855. Robert would have been 20 years old just as
the company was starting out.
According to their marriage date (January 16, 1855), Robert and Agnes
had only been married a few months when they began the trek west to the
Rocky Mountains. Agnes would have been 17 years old according to the
marriage date which was one day after her 17th birthday. Robert and
Agnes were married on the Ship Charlesbuck, Liverpool, Liverpool,
England. Robert was 19 when they were married.
Robert and Agnes had fifteen children. Most of the children lived on
into their eighties. Some even lived into their nineties. Some of their
children did not live very long. Euphamie Nish died at age nine in
1883, Mary Ellen Nish lived only a few months from April 30 to October
20, 1867, David Nish was born the November 26 1868 and died almost a
year later on September 14, 1869, Ida Martha Nish was born January 28,
1875 and only lived to age 8, and Joseph Smith Nish lived only a few
months from Jan 11 to September 6 1881. Malcolm William, Agnes,
Isabelle, Elizabeth, Robert, Margaret, Nephi, Alma Wilson, Anna Maud,
and Thomas John all lived to adulthood.
Robert died October 1, 1919 at age 84 in Franklin, Idaho.
Reference: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneerdetails/0,15791,4018-1-17550,00.html
Referencing the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, General Files:
Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Richard Ballantyne Company left the first and second of July 1855. The company arrived the 25th of September 1855.
References: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompany/0,15797,4017-1-59,00.html
Referencing the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, General Files:
Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
Ancestral File Number: 1DFT-MW
Read MorePenman, Elizabeth (May 7, 1801 – after 1855) by Thomas Wheatley
From Elizabeth Penman's Ancestral File Record, we know that
she was born in Fordel, Dalgety, Fife,
Scotland on May
7, 1801. She was about 20 years old when she married Thomas Nish (Neish). She
married Thomas in Liverpool,
England.
Although the couple was married in England,
they had most, if not all of their children that we have records of birthplace
were born in Scotland, so
they must have traveled to England
or lived there for a short time and then returned back to their native land.
The couple had nine children.
It appears that Elizabeth Penman came across the plains in the Richard
Ballantyne Company which left in 1855 for the Rocky
Mountains.
Elizabeth's children who were in the same
company would have been the following ages:
Mary: 11 years old
Ellen: 14 Years old
Robert: 20 years old and newly wed to Agnes Wilson: 17 years old
Agnes Nish Hutchinson: 32
Elizabeth would
have been 54 years old during the trek.
From the record, it is unsure if children William, Isabell, and Margaret came
along.
Elizabeth's husband died in Scotland in
1847.
Elizabeth died in Salt Lake City, Utah
at approximately 54 years of age. She died in or shortly after 1855, the same year the family
began the trek to Utah.
References: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompanysearchresults/1,15792,4017-1-59,00.html
Referencing the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, General Files:
Church Archives, Salt Lake City,
Utah
Ancestral File Number: 2SXV-R5
http://familysearch.org
Wheatley, Heber Kimball (Dec 25, 1856 – Apr 3, 1920)
Heber Kimball
Wheatley
Heber Kimball Wheatley was born 25 December, 1856, in
Grasmore, Derbyshire, England. He was
the son of Michael Wheatley and Martha Ann Varley. His parents had been converted to a new
religious group in England, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, by
a missionary named Elder Heber C. Kimball.
In honor and love for this man who brought this precious message to
them, the parents named their son, and only child, in his honor. For their new beliefs, this family left their
old ties of homeland and families in England and came to America to enjoy the
fruits of pioneering with their religious freedom with the Saints in Utah.
Heber was a
school teacher at the time he met the little lady who he selected for his
bride, Isabella Nish. He married her on
March 27, 1878 (9) for time and eternity.
Their marriage was blessed with nine children two died while quite
young. The other 7 each married and had
children of their own.
Unfortunately
for the little family, complete harmony and unity did not prevail. At length Heber turned his back upon his
family conflicts and left them behind on December 17, 1896. His oldest child, Agnes, was 16 years old and
his youngest child, Zina, was just a baby 16 months old at that time. The rupture in the family was of such a
serious nature that a cancellation of the eternal sealing of the parents was
granted in a temple divorce. As a
result[,] much sadness came to all concerned.
Heber
subsequently married another lady named Sarah Nye and by her had two
daughters–Vera and Athelia.
Heber died
in the L.D.S. Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 3, 1920, from cancer of
the stomach. He is burried [sic] in the Honeyville,
[Calls Fort] Utah cemetery.
Wheatley, Heber Kimball (Dec 25, 1856 – Apr 3, 1920)
Life Sketch of Heber
Kimball Wheatley
Heber Kimball was born in Grassmore [sic] Devonshire
England. He came to America when a young
man. He was an only child to his
parents, Michael Wheatley and Martha Ann Varley. They were converted to the church by Heber C.
Kimball and came to Utah.
Heber was
very well educated. He taught
school. In [sic] was in West Portage,
Utah that he became acquainted with Isabella Nish when she was a pupil in his
schoolroom there.
He was a
very ambitious young man. Besides
teaching he played the violin and accordion for dances all over the valley.
He and
Isabella were married in the En[d]owment House 27 March 1879 in Salt Lake City,
Utah by Daniel H. Wells. They made
Honeyville, Box Elder County, Utah, their home for several years. Heber was section boss on the Narrow Gage railroad
that was built thru [sic] Utah to Eagle Rock Idaho (now Idaho Falls). Isabella cooked for the section gang. They were settled in Blackfoot, Idaho for
several months. There was only one well
in Blackfoot owned by the railroad.
People bought water at 25� a barrel.
To this
couple nine children were born. They
were Martha Ann, Agnes, William Heber, Mi[c]hael, Elizabeth Ida, Emily,
Rober[t], Thomas Orien, and Zina Marie.
Martha Ann and William Heber died while young. The rest were raised to men andwomen [sic]
and all were married in the Temple and are active in the church. Heber died in Honeyville, Box Elder County,
Utah April 3, 1920, burried [sic] April 6, 1920, Honeyville, [Calls Fort
Cemetary] Utah [sic]