Elisha Hildebrand Davis - Autobiography

Elisha Hildebrand Davis - Autobiography

Autobiography of Elisha Hildebrand Davis My great, great grandfather's name was John Davis, who came from Wales. Four brothers came together, tow of whom settled in Salem County, New Jersey, one of them in Pennsylvania and one went south. John Davis was one of the two that settled in New Jersey. His wife's name was Elenor and was my great, great grandmother. My great grandfather's name was Thomas Davis. He was born and died in Salem Co., New Jersey. His wife's name was Elizabeth Bassett. They were first cousins. My grandfather's name was Isaac Davis, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Davis. He was born in Salem Co., New Jersey and died at a good old age in Columbiana, Co., Ohio. He was a Quaker by profession. His wife's name was Hannah Hildebrand.

My father's name was Isaac Davis who was born in Salem Co., New Jersey. When seven years old, he emigrated with his father to Frederick, Co., Virginia, lived there until he was about 22 years old, then emigrated to West Township, Columbiana, Co., Ohio where he lived until about 1839. he having been baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with most of his family. A few months or perhaps a year or two after, they all moved 6 or 7 hundred miles to Quincy, Illinois, thence to Pike Co., Illinois and thence to Lee County, Iowa. During these movings, I was on a mission to the Eastern States. Then lived in that place about four miles from Nauvoo, Illinois several years and bought over 900 acres of land from the Prophet Joseph there; paying him the money for it. He and his family in 1846 moved with the body of the church to Winter Quarter, not far from Council Bluffs on the Missouri river, 800 miles above St. Louis and died there. He had been a farmer through life. My father died and was buried there in the Spring of 1844. My Sister Sabina Ann Harrison died about the same time.

My wife and I arrived at Winter Quarter from England, a few days after my father's death. My father died of black canker in the faith of the everlasting gospel.

My mother's name is Edith Richards Davis. She was born in Bedford Co., Virginia and was married to my father in Columbiana Co., Ohio about the year 1814. Her father's name was Abijah Richards, I believe of English descent. he died an old man in Columbiana Co., Ohio. His wife's maiden name was Esther Daniels of German descent. They professed the Quaker faith. My mother died near Onawa, Monona Co., Iowa, August 8, 1866 aged 72 years 3 months and 22 days.

I was baptized by Edwin D. Worley august 19 1828, in Sandy Creek on my father's farm, confirmed the same day by Elders Worley and Lossin in my father's house. I was ordained an Elder January 8, 1839 by Elders Lorenzo D Barnes, H. Sagers and E. D. Worley in my father's house, West Township Columbiana Co., Ohio, it being the house I was born and raised in. Next day started on a mission east of the mountains with the three who ordained me. Assisted in raising up branches of the Church in Chester, Co., Lancaster Counties, Pennsylvania, also in New Jersey and Delaware. In the fall of 1840 I travelled to Nauvoo with a family I baptized, spending the winter there with my family. Was present April 6, 1841, when the corner stone of the temple was laid.

I left Nauvoo on a second mission April 24, 1841, arriving at Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Book of Mormon preached in that region until 1843 when I left for New Haven, Connecticut. Labored there one year and built up several churches. From thence was called by President Brigham Young on a mission to England, arriving in Liverpool, August 19, 1844 and was sent to preside of the London Conference and presided there until December 1846.

On April 9, was ordained a seventy by Apostle Wilford Woodruff.

I presided over the London Conference until December 1846 and married Mary Ann Mitchell in London, December 25, 1846. We started for the United States same day, setting sail from Liverpool, January 19, 1847 in company with John Taylor, P. P. Pratt and Josefah Caine and others in the ship America. landing at New Orleans on the 7th of March. After a perilous voyage of 9 days and nights in the Irish Channel alone, proceeding up the river to St. Louis and on to Winter Quarters after a visit to Nauvoo and the Temple. At Winter Quarters in 1847 joined the 2nd quorum of seventies, remained in it until 1854 when I was made president of the 36th Quorum of seventies. My father and sister Sevina died at Winter Quarters a few days before I arrived. I remained there about a year and attended grist mill re-crossed the river to Iowa, built a house on the ground where the liberty pole stood and where the battalion was rallied. Lived there two years. My daughter Mary Ann and Elisha were born there. Removed 10 miles east to Keg Creek where Sarah Agnes was born, remained a year and emigrated to Utah in the summer of 1852.

Attended Gardner's mill on the Jordan River the first winter and in the spring of 1853 moved to Lehi. Farmed that summer and removed to Davis County in the spring of 1854. Attended Bro. Heber C. Kimball's mill over a year. Was ordained a president over the 36th Quorum of Seventies by President Joseph Young in the summer of that year in Salt Lake City.

My success in life I attribute to her devotion as a wife and help mate. Not an unpleasant word every escaped her lips to her husband. Devoted in life, true unto death, she has gone to the rest of the just, lamented by all who knew her.

My wife and I were endowed in 1854 March 245h and sealed March 31st 1854 as husband and wife in the Endowment House in salt Lake City. In the fall of 1855 moved to Weber Co. and settled at Bingham Fort, near Ogden City. Bought a place and farmed there that summer. The same fall, went out to Echo Canyon and Fort Bridger with the volunteers to prevent the United States Army from coming into the valley. At the time of the general move in 1858, we returned to Lehi, Utah Co. Attended Mill until 1869 when we moved into the city of Lehi and bought a house and two lots and other property. Afterwards purchased land and have continued farming and stock raising there since.

May 1, 1891, was ordained a High Priest by Bishop T. R. Cutler and was set apart by Albert Jones to preside over the High Priests Quorum of Lehi, June 27, 1896 over which quorum I still continue to preside and will be 82 years old on the 22nd day of next October, 1897.