The first account was written by Ruey Pond Bernhisel, granddaughter of Thomas Levi Whittle. I have added additional information and sources in square brackets in Sister Bernhisel’s account. Other histories and accounts of family members follow later in this post. Thomas Levi Whittle also appears in Wikipedia! Click here to read the article and access related links.
Life Sketch by a Granddaughter
Thomas Whittle, born in Montreal, Canada, 21 May 1812, and Mary [Amelia] Fulmer, also of Montreal, born 18 June 1817, were married in the year 1833. He, a youth of twenty-one years, and she a mere girl of sixteen.
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| THOMAS LEVI WHITTLE (1812-1868) |
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| MARY AMELIA FULMER WHITTLE (1817-1893 |
[An online history of Leamington, Ontario, Canada indicates that Thomas Levi’s father, Thomas Whittle, and Mary Ann Fulmer’s grandfather, Phillip Fox, were among the first to settle in Mersea on the northwestern shore of Lake Erie, just south of Lake St. Clair, in1835. At the time, the land was covered in dense forest. Like most settlers, they had acquired their land from Col. Thomas Talbot, the eccentric Irishman who laid out Talbot Road along an old Indian trail.]
Thomas and Mary were both religiously inclined and first heard the principles of the Gospel from the Elders of the Mormon Church who were sent into Canada shortly after its organization. They received the glad tidings and were soon baptized and confirmed members of the newly found faith.
[According to LDS Church records, Thomas, age 25, and Mary, age 18, were baptized by Zera Pulsipher on 22 Nov. 1837. It must have been hard for their families, newly settled on the Canadian frontier, when Thomas and Mary immigrated to join the Saints, since there was no doubt much left to do to clear the land, plant crops, etc. The records also show that they already had two children by this time, John, age 2 ½ , and Mary, age 4 months.]
They witnessed many things which strengthened the testimony they had obtained, one of which is an incident that occurred shortly after their conversion. Returning from church one day, they saw a light resting on a bridge that lay directly in their path.
Upon arrival at the place where the light shone forth it moved forward and continued as though lighting their way until it reached their house, and then it disappeared. "Mary," said her husband, "this will ever be a light to our feet and a guide to us through life."
They undoubtedly felt the spirit of gathering, which was so much in evidence at that time, for at an early date they moved from Canada into Michigan, thence to Quincy, Illinois, where their son George [our ancestor] was born [in 1840], and later they moved to Nauvoo, the birthplace of Zera [in 1843] and Emaline [in 1845]. [Some records indicate that our ancestor, George Page Whittle, Mary's grandfather, was actually born in Nauvoo.]
They heard the Gospel from the lips of the Prophet himself, and later carried to Utah the photo of both Joseph and his wife Emma, which had probably been given to them by members of the Smith family and was treasured by them as long as they lived. [I wonder where that photo is now!]
They suffered the hardships incident to the time when the Saints were driven from comfortable homes and their property either burned or given into the hands of howling mobs. They witnessed the ill-treatment of their friends and experienced trials themselves. They knew pain and anguish arising from the loss of their Prophet and probably saw the bodies of their beloved leaders as they lay in state prior to their secret burial.
Mary Fulmer Whittle was present on the occasion when the Saints had met to hear Sidney Rigdon, then purporting to be their rightful leader. She saw Brigham Young when he arose to speak and she witnessed the mantle of Joseph resting upon his form and features. This occurrence left no doubt in her mind as to the rightful leadership of Brigham Young. Preparatory to leaving Nauvoo they had parched a quantity of corn which they had expected to take along as food, but which for some reason was left and later served as a bed for Thomas when he was forced to return for a cow that had broken loose and gone back home. At that particular time he laid in the attic of his abandoned home until time when he could escape without being seen.
Their next abode was at Winter Quarters and one has only to read the history of those days to know the bitter experience of want, sickness and in many cases death. Fortunately the Whittles came through without losing any members of their family.
A few faith promoting incidents in the life of Thomas Whittle have been handed down to members of his posterity, as a testimony of God's protection and mercy which He extends to His faithful children.
While in Winter Quarters, a young man, Thomas Ricks, was shot and wounded by the Indians as he watched and herded cattle. Searching parties were sent out to bring him into camp. His father, Brother Ricks and Thomas Whittle were some distance away from the group. Suddenly, they found themselves surrounded by Indians and a gun pointed in their faces. "Well," said Brother Ricks, "I suppose our time has come." "No so," said Whittle, "for we are in the hands of the Lord." Finally the chief rode up in an excited state, the others mounted their horses and rode away leaving the two men much frightened, but unharmed.
[You can read contemporary accounts of this event which took place on June 6th, 1848. There are three accounts, one by Peter Wilson Conover, another by Norton Jacob and a third by Heber C. Kimball.]
Another time they were without water while they were traveling. The horses tongues were hanging from their mouths, and people were suffering from thirst. The day was warm, [the] sky was clear, with no sign of relief. After supplicating to the Lord, a cloud appeared, and in a short time rain fell in such quantities as to fill both buckets and barrels with the much needed water. Again the lives of these two faithful men were spared.
Thomas Whittle and family crossed the plains in the [Heber C. Kimball] company of Saints. They reached Salt Lake City in 1848. They settled in the 17th ward, and must have had ample rooms as Mrs. Whittle later told of renting a part of the dwelling to a widow woman and her family.
In 1849 Brother Whittle went to California and joined others in their search for gold. It was while there that he received a call to go and help open up a mission on the Sandwich Islands. In 1850 he with nine others Elders, one of whom was George Q. Cannon, went in response to a call and after two years of service he returned to Salt Lake City, Utah. [More to follow about his journey to California and mission call.]
In 1853 the Whittle family moved to Fort Herriman where they lived for one year. It was while residing at this place that he had occasion to thank his Heavenly Father for another miraculous escape from death.
Riding down the canyon on a load of logs, he was thrown under the load as his wagon tipped over. He looked up to see two men coming toward him from the side of a mountain and then he was rendered unconscious. Upon regaining his senses he found he was standing by his wagon which had been lifted into place. His first thought was to get on his load and continue his course, but a voice nearby told him to mount one of his horses as he was badly hurt. This he succeeded in doing but was forced to give the horses free reign, and he was carried to the gate of a man named Butterfield, at one time owner of the horses. With difficulty he was removed from his mount, and taken into the house. There he was nursed back to health by a young woman, Mary Jane Butterfield, whom he later married as a plural wife in 1863. Four children were born to them, namely: Minerva, Edwin, Almond and Mary.
In the fall of 1853 a daughter, Josephine, was born to Mary Fulmer, but she died when she was two years of age. Their next move was to Grantsville, Tooele County, Utah, where two more children were born, William and Aroetta, making a family of nine children. Here they lived in a cabin erected as a temporary shelter until they could become permanently located.
They moved to Richmond in 1860 and in time were residents of the fort erected as a temporary protection against the Indians. They later acquired an adobe house of three rooms, built on the corner east and opposite the Park School house of today. Here it was that Mrs. Whittle, then a widow, took in boarders and strove in different ways to care for her two children.
Thomas Whittle was an energetic church worker and at one time served as a counselor to Bishop Marriner W. Merrill. He was also interested in civic affairs, and because of his agreeable and pleasing manner made friends with young and old. On many occasions, he succeeded in getting in with groups of rowdy youngsters bent on nights of true adventure and mischief and in a short time he had them all home in bed. He was a peacemaker and was many times called to settle disputes and bring harmony where people were laboring under wrong impressions and misunderstandings.
His untimely and accidental death at the age of 56 was caused by the falling of a log while he was engaged in the erection of a house, and occurred 3 July, 1868. On the following day 4 July the flags at Richmond were hung at half mast, attesting the love and esteem of his neighbors and fellow townsmen. His wife lived to the age of 76 and after a life of usefulness, died of pneumonia, 6 Jan 1893 at Lewiston, Utah.
They were both buried in Richmond and their numerous descendants constitute one of the foundation families of Utah and Idaho.
Temple Ordinances and Church Service
Thomas Levi Whittle, age 33, and Mary Ann Fulmer Whittle, age 28, received their endowments in the Nauvoo temple on 1 Jan 1846.
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| The original Nauvoo temple. Source: www.classic.lds.org |
Thomas was set apart by Levi W. Hancock on 8 Oct. 1844. Thomas was a member of the 9th and 24th Quorums of the Seventy in Nauvoo. His name can be seen in the copy of the register at the Seventy’s Hall in Nauvoo.
[Sources: Nauvoo House Ledger, Book C, p. 177; Rowena Miller Files, Nauvoo Lands and Records Office, Nauvoo Restoration, Inc.; Black, Susan Easton, Membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-1848, 46:40-42; Black, Susan Easton, Nauvoo Seventy Membership: Annotated Index.]
Thomas was sealed to his two wives, Mary Ann Fulmer and Mary Jane Butterfield, on the same day, 7 Aug. 1953. The sealing must have taken place in the Endowment House, since the earliest temple in Utah (Logan) was not dedicated until 1863.
The date for his sealing to his parents, Thomas Whittle and Elizabeth Levi , is give as 15 Nov. 1929. [Source: www.new.familysearch.org]
Whittle Property in Nauvoo
Thomas bought and sold several land parcels in Hancock County, Illinois. He purchased the first parcel on 1 Aug. 1841 and sold the last on 21 May 1846. (Detailed records from the Hancock County Deeds records are available through the Nauvoo Land and Records Office.)
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| Location of some land parcels owned by Thomas and Mary Whittle, circled in black in the northwest section. Map provided by Nauvoo Land and Records Office. |
The information below by Reva Whittle Wilson was obtained from the Nauvoo Land and Records Office:
The following notice was copied from The Nauvoo Neighbor, Vol. 2, No. 2, page 4, 28 Feb. 1844. The notice appeared in several issues before and after that date.
"Land for sale:
The subscriber has a beautiful lot of land amounting to upwards of eighty acres, within two miles of the city, which may be had on reasonable terms. An undisputable title can be given, and if required a short credit will be given for part of the purchase money. The land lies on the old LaHorn Road, near Mr. Suffocals. The subscriber will sell smaller parcels to suit purchasers.
Ths. Whittle"
From this it appears that Thomas had sold property in Canada, which enabled him to buy so much land in Nauvoo. In his father’s will, Thomas and his older brother, John, were each to receive one shilling in currency, which indicates that they had already received their inheritance from their father. The younger brothers were each to receive 10 acres of land in the 5th concession and 12 acres in the 6th concession. This was probably the amount that Thomas and John had received
Memories of a Daughter
This account is taken from "Life of Aroetta Whittle Pond," by Bernhisel, Ruey P.[the same granddaughter who wrote the account above], The Thomas Levi Whittle Family Bulletin, 1964.
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| Aroetta Whittle Pond (1857-1934) and Brigham Pond (1853-1933) |
Aroetta Whittle Pond, daughter of Thomas Levi Whittle and Mary Fulmer Whittle, was born in Grantsville, Tooele County, Utah, October 29, 1857 in a humble cabin with small windows and a dirt roof, through which the water filtered and dripped into vessels which were placed around on her mother's bed and at various places throughout the room.
At this time her father was serving in the Militia which had been sent to stay the advance of Johnson's Army, then entering the Territory for purposes unknown to the saints.
In 1860 her parents moved to Richmond, Utah and her first memories date to the days when she lived in the fort, erected there as a protection against Indian attacks; she later recalled and described many thrilling experiences and incidents associated with those times. On one occasion a poor frightened squaw rushed into the fort and begged to be sheltered from her people, whom she said were seeking her to take her life. She remembered the first death that occurred in Richmond—that of a young man, and told of the stir and sensation it created.
Aroetta's childhood days were wholly devoid of luxuries and boasted of very few comforts. Many are the times she ate and relished the syrup that her mother made by boiling beet juice to a consistency that it would spread. She recalled the day when a piece of bread and cane molasses was a treat, and the occasion when a fried cake served as a Christmas gift.
Being poor, however, didn't entirely exclude the longing for pretty things. She described the dresses she wore as a child, one of which attracted the admiration of a boy friend, for, after seeing her wear it, he asked if he might take her to a party. To his great disappointment she failed to wear the new dress and when asked the reason, she told him her mother wouldn't let her. "Well," said he, "if I had known that I wouldn't have taken you."
Later when the town boasted of a store, she saw and ardently craved a pair of shoes, the tops of which were prettily decorated, but the purchase her mother found impossible to make. Aroetta, however, succeeded in earning the price of the shoes by nursing the small children of her sister Emaline, and she brought criticism on her mother for the extravagance she exhibited in making so costly a purchase.
Aroetta was a great admirer of her father, and like most daughters, loved to talk of his virtues and kindness. His death, when she was eleven years, was a tragedy in her young life and sorrow she felt for a long time.
Her first real home was an adobe house of three rooms, the walls of which were whitewashed and the floors bare, but kept spotlessly clean by frequent scourings and scrubbing. Here Aroetta received training in cleanliness, the fruits of which was ever prevalent in her own home and passed on as a heritage to her daughters. Here she, with her mother and brother Will, spent her girlhood days and from various narratives depicting her life at that time, one would judge them to be happy ones. On many occasions she, with other young men and women, participated in dancing parties and suppers, sleigh rides, canyon excursions and many other forms of entertainment characteristic of normal youth.
Aroetta's Own Words
"My Father Thomas Levi Whittle was a peace maker, an arbitrator, one who could effectively pour oil over troubled waters in the settlement of differences, difficulties and misunderstandings among friends and neighbors. He was quiet, calm, collected, persuasive and unoffending. I know of times when he would join young people gathered in groups about the community or in bob sleds, with mischief making pranks in mind, and in a short while have them quieted, happy and going in the direction of their respective homes.
Father was in charge of the local Militia, ever concerned about the peace and protection of the people in the community. He and Christian Hyer served as counselors to Bishop Marriner W. Merrill. He came across the plains numbered in the Zera Pulsipher Company in the summer of 1848. [Church records indicate Thomas and Mary crossed in the Heber C. Kimball company; Zera Pulsipher was leader of their group of one hundred.]
My mother's name was Mary, but Father called her "Mollie." He dearly loved fresh milk. It was a major part of his diet. I admired the way he quit the tobacco habit. When he made up his mind to do, or not to do, he stayed with his decision.
While assisting his son Zera in the erection of a home he became a victim of a falling log. I learned of the tragedy from Mary Ann Harris Whittle. The two of us ran to tell my sister Emeline. He did not live long, passing away on the third of July. I was but eleven years old at the time and so fearful in the presence of a corpse. Father did not look restful in his casket, which had been painted white. In his honor the flag was flown at half mast. The funeral service was held on the fourth, resulting in a postponement of Independence Day observances.
With Father gone, Mother, Will and I kept house by ourselves. Our family was in two groups, nine years apart. Emeline and I were the youngest in each division."
[Source: The Thomas Levi Whittle Family Bulletin, 1964]
Account of Aroet Hale, Husband of Olive Whittle (Thomas Whittle’s Daughter)
This first-hand account from the journal of Aroet Hales gives a vivid–and charming–description of the experiences of young people crossing the plains.
I was Orgonized into Heber C. Kimble Company first Fifty. Henry Harrison [Harriman] Capt. of first Fifty. My Outfit consisted of two Yoak [yoke] of Oxen, and One Yoak of Cows. One Yoak of Oxen on one light wagon and one yoak of oxen and One Yoak of Cows on the hevy Wagon.
The Famley as follows, I[,] Aroet[,] was the Oldest. had Charg of the famley I was in my 20 Year. My Sister Rachel in her 16 year. My Brother Alma in his 12 Year. My Brother Solomon in his 9 Year. I was apointed One of the Hunters for the first 50[.] Oure [Ozro] Eastman was My Hunting Companion[.] Buffilo and Antleop was verry plenty full common up the Plat[te] River. We had good Luck and Surplide our Division with what Buffilo Meat they Needed while we wair in the Buffilo Country. Our travels acrest the Planes was a Long tiersom trip over One thousand miles with Ox teames. Was hard on Old People and Woman with Chraldren[.] The Young folks had injoyment. Presedent Young and Kimble was Verry kind and indulgent to the Young. They frequently Stop within a Mile or So apart. The Young yould [would] Viset from One Camp to the Other, and frequently would get musick and have a good Dance on the Ground. Some times the Older Folks would Join with us[.] On One Occation President Young took part in the Injoyment. I formed an acuantance with a Yound [young] Lady Crosing the Plains that I after wards Marr[i]ed. her Name was Olive Whittle, a Daughter of Thomas Whittle, formerly from Canada. So I done My Sparking along the road. So I did not have So much to Do after I got into the Valley.
Thomas Whittle Military Service
1861 Cache Valley Regiment. Thomas Levi Whittle was the commander of the 6th infantry battalion, with the rank of Major. (Source: The Herald Journal (Logan), 9 Aug. 1987 and 13, Sep. 1987, A.J. Simmonds, Historian at Utah State University. Obtained from Nauvoo Land and Records office, Apr. 2011).
Account Hand-copied by Mary E. Whittle Scott with Her CommentsTranscribed 21, 22 June 1995 by Gerald L. Scott, great-great grandson, Atlanta, Georgia. See additional documentation at the end of this section.
Thomas Levi Whittle, son of Thomas Whittle and Elizabeth Levi was born 21 May 1812 at Meresea Township, Essex County, Ontario, Canada. Little is known of his early youth. He had a cheerful disposition, good character and learned easily. He was considered a peacemaker, was well liked by his friends, neighbors and his associates all through life. His education was limited, but at that early date this was not unusual.
He was married in 1833 at age 21 to Mary Amelia Fulmer born 18 June 1817, known as Polly. She was only 16 years old. They both lived in the same area of Canada. Being of the same temperament and disposition they found it easy to "live their lives together" . Soon after marriage, the young couple left Canada and went to Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.
Thomas Levi Whittle and his wife Mary were both religiously inclined and therefore found it easy to listen to the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They accepted the truthfulness of the Gospel, much to the disappointment of their parents. Thomas Levi Whittle was baptized a member 22 November 1837 by Zera Pulsipher and rebaptized in Salt Lake City 3 June 1849 by William Clayton.
They moved from Detroit to Quincy, Illinois. They left Quincy for Nauvoo, Illinois where they with others endured the hardships. We have only to read the Church history to become acquainted with the sufferings of this period of time. It was on 16 September 1845 that the Saints notified the "mob" of their intention to leave Nauvoo.
Mary Fulmer Whittle was present on the occasion when the Saints had met to hear the speech of Sidney Rigdon, then purporting to be the rightful leader of the Saints. She saw Brigham Young when he arose to speak and witnessed the "mantle of Joseph" resting upon his form and features. This occurrence left no doubt in her mind as to the rightful leadership of Brigham Young. [Addition by GLS: Thomas Levi Whittle and his wife Mary Fulmer Whittle each received their Patriarchal Blessings on 19 April 1845 in Nauvoo under the hands of John Smith, an uncle to the Prophet Joseph Smith, who had ordained him a Patriarch.]
"The great Nauvoo exodus" officially began 4 February 1846 under the leadership of Brigham Young. From this location, the Whittles (for they had children now), [my grandfather George having been born at Quincy - MES], in company with other pioneers started the trek across the plains. For this historical trek, the Thomas Levi Whittle family was listed with the members of the Second Company, Second Division of the exodus to the Great Salt Lake Valley. In this organization, Heber C. Kimball was commander and Zera Pulsipher was Captain of one hundred. [Great grandfather Whittle traveled with the Zera Pulsipher unit of the Second Division - MES].
The Heber C. Kimball Company left the Elkhorn River crossing 1 June 1848 and arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley 20 September 1848. Thomas Levi Whittle and his family took up residence in the Northwest Central part of Salt Lake City later known as the 17th Ward.
In preparation for leaving Nauvoo, a large quantity of corn was dried for the journey West. But for some reason this was left behind. Grandfather had to return to Nauvoo for a cow that got away. He ate the corn that was left in the attic of his home, where he hid himself, until he could escape without being seen.
In 1849, gold was discovered in California by discharged soldiers of the Mormon Battalion. This event led to an Expedition to California by a company of Mormon Elders, who started from Salt Lake City on Thursday 11 October 1849. They were to work for awhile in the gold mines after which some were to proceed on missions for the Church to preach the Gospel. The company consisted of Charles C. Rich, the General [great grandfather of Jeneane Scott], Major Hunt of the Mormon Battalion, Captain James M. Flake, Captain of the Company. George Q. Cannon, Joseph Cain, Thomas Levi Whittle, Henry E. Gibson and his brother Edgar, also other reliable men.
They were the first Company who ever undertook to go to California by the Southern route. They started out with only about thirty days provisions, yet they were sixty days on their journey. They went with pack animals, and in crossing the desert, had to turn back often to begin their march anew in some other direction. This made the journey very long and severe. Killing all their animals, so that the last 350 miles were mostly made on foot. It was a splendid company of Brethren, so they were enabled to survive one of the hardest journeys ever made to the State of California.
Before they were away from home by three hundred miles, General Charles C. Rich's mule gave out. A mule that won for itself quite a historical reputation. General Rich, whose humane nature every Mormon knows, left his worn out mule along the way, to recover, while the Company went on. But every night the mule came into camp, having followed as fast as it could. Thus it recovered, and went through to California and became humorously famous for its utility–while others died and left their bones along the trail. The mule's name was Sim. The brethren with General Rich, whose mules were mostly worn out, were in the habit of hurrying off before the General's [mule - GLS], loaded down with their blankets and utensils. The kind, eccentric General would take his time and follow along leisurely with Sim. In an hour or two, Brother Rich and the mule would catch up with the rest, carrying their loads [they had intentionally left behind - GLS]. Charles C. Rich would hail them by, "Oh take that off and put it on Sim." Thus Sim was a ludicrous pack animal to the Company and survived this most difficult journey--illustrating what the innate human kindness of General Rich effected even on perverse mule flesh.
This journey was full of incidents of historical interest. When the Company was about four hundred miles on the way, being a little Southwest of where Pioche (Nevada) is now located, they had traveled thirty six hours without water or grass. Nor had they seen signs of any. On the second day, after traveling all night, at about four o'clock in the afternoon, a tremendous rain storm came on, causing streams of water to run down the ravines. They unloaded their animals and filled every vessel they had with water. The thirsty souls thus refreshed in the desert by this providential rain, saw the Divine watchcare over them. They went on their way, thankful to Him who had sent the refreshing rains in the dessert.
After wandering in the dessert around this area they found they could not possibly get through to California by the westerly course. They turned about and followed the bed of a dry creek in a Southeasterly direction until they found an old Spanish trail from Sante Fe to Los Angeles, which they followed into California. They came through near the famous ranch of San Bernardino where they arrived barefooted and almost naked. Here may be told of their privations just before they reached the first settlement in California. They arrived late one night on the Mojave (Desert) without food. The next day they divided. One half keeping the trail with the animals while the other half scattered for the hunt. That day they managed to kill only one rabbit and one owl. Edgar Gibson killed the owl which was eaten as well as the rabbit, by the hungry men. The next day they concluded they were in the neighborhood of deer, and as it had snowed during the night making the ground too soft for travel they decided to layover for a general hunt for food. George Q. Cannon was sick that morning and Mr. Gibson was left to take care of him. All the rest went out to hunt food.
On the first day on the Mojave, Captain Flake had shot at and wounded a deer, which had escaped. About noon of the second day, the two brethren in camp heard someone calling and Gibson, looking up, saw General Rich beckoning. Going to help him, Gibson found that the General had dragged a dead deer on the snow as far as he could, which was supposed to be the deer wounded by Captain Flake. Gibson relieved the General and dragged the deer into camp, and before sundown there were seven deer laying around camp. That night the hungry brethren made a feast of venison, but it was so poor that under other circumstances they would not have eaten it. They had no salt to season it, yet the famished men looked upon this as another Godsend, and this food lasted them until they got into the first settlement.
The brethren went directly to Colonel Williams' ranch, about twenty five miles from the San Bernardino ranch. Peter Fife and Henry Bigler of the Mormon Battalion had barracked at Los Angeles and they knew Colonel Williams. The Company went to work for the Colonel, repairing his grist mill. They stayed with him a month. The Company had no animals, provisions or clothing to pursue their journey, but Colonel Williams fitted them out with groceries, one three yoke and the other two, furnishing them with groceries, 100 bushels of wheat, and $1000 in cash as a loan to take them to the gold mines. General Rich was responsible for that debt. After they got to work at the mines, in three days they had enough money to pay the debt. General Rich forwarded it to Colonel Williams, who, afterward told the brethren on their return that he had helped to fit out many of the gold finders' companies but that the Mormon Company was the only one which had faithfully discharged their debt.
Before they left Williams' Ranch, Howard Eagan had joined them with a company and during the summer, Eagan followed up these gold finders, from one claim to the other, establishing stores for their supplies.
Gibson and George Q. Cannon worked together on the same claim, thirteen of the brethren having remained together as a mining company under Captain Thomas Levi Whittle.
Of General Rich, Mr. Gibson says:
General Rich was held in reverence by us all. He was a father to us throughout the journey. After we had reached Williams' Ranch, he was offered means by several who possessed money among the brethren to proceed with them direct to the gold mines; but he answered, “No, I shall stay with the boys." This fatherly care was returned by us with gratitude, for when the debt was discharged to Colonel Williams we gave the team to General Rich.
After working in the mines three months, George Q. Cannon went and clerked for Howard Eagan, but held his claim and furnished a man, until he was called with others to go on a mission to the Sandwich (Hawaiian) Islands. These Elders, called at that time by Amasa Lyman and Charles C. Rich, were: Thomas Levi Whittle, George Q. Cannon, John Dixon, Henry Bigler, William Farrar. Elder Hyrum Clark was called to preside over this mission in the Sandwich Islands. Now known as the Hawaiian Islands. [Addition by GLS: Amasa M. Lyman ordained an apostle 20 August 1842 by Brigham Young, later excommunicated in 1870. Charles C. Rich ordained an apostle 12 February 1849 by Brigham Young.]
It was 18 October 1850 before they could start for San Francisco. Some left for Sacramento on the SS West Point, some on the SS Senator. All arrived at San Francisco 26 October 1850 and on 8 November 1850 passage was booked on the "Imaum of Muscat" for $40 in gold less 5% if the brethren would furnish their own bedding. Captain Rich was in charge and the eating and living conditions were considered very poor. For one week the sailing was delayed due to high wind, but on 22 November 1850 they started on their way. The voyage from San Francisco to the Islands lasted twenty days. Their arrival at Honolulu on 12 December 1850 was heralded by natives attempting to sell fruits and other foodstuffs.
On 14 December 1850 Thomas Levi Whittle was selected as a companion to Hyrum W. Clark, (the Mission President) and they were assigned the Island of Oahu (with headquarters in Honolulu).
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| Thomas Whittle and his companions sailed to Hawaii on this schooner, the Imaun of Muscat, in 1850. Photo from Bybee Family Tree at www.ancestry.com |
An unsuccessful effort was made to open a mission in Honolulu, difficulty in learning the Hawaiian language was believed responsible for this failure. Plans were made for an early return to America in February 1851. Five of the original members of the mission including Thomas Levi Whittle left Honolulu in March 1851. After 43 days on the water, with much sea sickness they finally arrived in America and soon returned to their respective homes, presumably by the same route used in going to California. [Addition by GLS - this very sketchy account of this remarkable effort does not do it justice. A far better perspective of this first missionary effort among these native island people can be found in George Q. Cannon - Mv First Mission - Bookcraft, 1988, Collectors Edition Series, published as: Three Mormon Classics. It is well worth reading.]
During his absence on his mission to California and to the Sandwich Islands, his wife, Mary Amelia Whittle, rented part of the family home in Salt Lake City to assist in supporting the family. In 1853 Thomas L. Whittle moved his family to the Fort Herriman territory of Utah, where they lived for about one year. During this time, while he was alone getting logs from a nearby canyon, his wagon tipped over and he was thrown under the logs. Before losing consciousness he had seen two men coming towards him. On regaining consciousness, he was standing by his wagon, which had been righted. He was badly injured, and with extreme difficulty he succeeded in mounting one of the horses which took him to the farm of Thomas Butterfield, who owned the horse. Thomas Butterfield's daughter, Mary Jane nursed him back to health and the friendship that was established later developed into romance which ended in marriage. Thomas Levi Whittle married Mary Jane Butterfield as a second and plural wife 7 August 1853 at the Council House in Salt Lake City being used temporarily for ordinance work until the Endowment House could be completed. At this time plural marriage was permitted certain eligible persons under the polygamy laws of the Church, but were abolished later. Soon after this second marriage, the Whittle families moved to Grantsville, Tooele, Utah where other children were born. In the spring of 1860 Thomas Levi Whittle with his families moved to Cache Valley in Northern Utah, settling at Richmond, Utah. Here he remained for the rest of his life, except for brief periods of outside employment which most of the Saints were forced to seek.
President Brigham Young, in the fall of 1859, had called for a settlement mission to the Cache Valley area, to which many of the Saints responded. The route to Cache Valley was filled with several adventures and thrills as they traveled through Wellsville Canyon, now known as U.S. Highway #91, between Brigham City and WeIlsville Utah. Utah, at this time was a Territory of the United States and was not granted statehood until several years later. While in Richmond, they lived for a time in the "Old Fort" erected for protection against the Indians, but later acquired an adobe house of three rooms. [Thomas Whittle is listed among the settlers in the Richmond fort in 1859. there is a "G. Whittle" listed as well, probably George Page Whittle, Mary's grandfather. He would have been 19 years old. See the "Old Fort" link for details.]
Thomas Levi Whittle was a very energetic Church and civic worker, and because of his agreeable and pleasing personality, he easily made friends with both young and old. He was also known as a peacemaker and was often called upon to assist in settling disputes. He was a member of the 24th Quorum of the Seventy having been ordained 8 October 1844 by Levi W. Hancock. He received his patriarchal blessing from Patriarch John Smith at Nauvoo, Illinois. He served as first counselor to Bishop Merriner W. Merrill of the Richmond Ward between 30 June 1961, when the Ward was organized, to his death in July 1868.
In addition to numerous faith promoting experiences, Thomas Levi Whittle and his first wife Mary Fulmer Whittle cherished the memory of having heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached in purity direct from the lips of Joseph Smith the Prophet.
In the fall of 1867, he was told by Heber C. Kimball that he had better get his temple ordinances done as this would be his last chance. He never lived to complete all of his ordinances. [As noted above, Thomas had received his endowment in Nauvoo in 1846 and was sealed to his two wives in 1853 in the Endowment House, so it’s not clear what “temple ordinances” Br. Kimball was referring to, unless it was his sealing to his parents.]
While assisting his son Zera in building a one room log house, he was struck by a falling log he had been lifting and was fatally injured--living only about one week. Thomas Levi Whittle died 3 July 1868 at the age of 56 in Richmond, Cache County, Utah.
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| Letters to and from George Q. Cannon about the death and funeral of Thomas Levi Whittle, July 5, 1868. (Double click to enlarge.) Source: The Bybee Family Tree, www.ancestry.com |
At the time of death he was the father of thirteen children, nine by Mary Fulmer, his first wife, and four by Mary Jane Butterfield, his second wife. On the Fourth of July 1868, the next day following his death, the Territorial Flag of Utah was flown at half mast as a tribute to the honor and esteem felt by his fellow associates and neighbors. Funeral services and burial were held at Richmond, Utah on 5 July 1868 where he was laid to rest in the family plot in the Richmond cemetery. [The newspaper account above indicates the funeral procession was the largest known in Richmond to that time.] His first wife, Mary Fulmer, was buried in the family plot when she passed away 6 January 1893. His second wife, Mary Jane Butterfield, buried in the family plot of her second husband, Benjamin Landon Doty.
Comments by Gerald Scott
The above is a transcription of a copy in my Mother’s own handwriting given to me [Gerald L. Scott] as a Christmas gift in December 1967. I was told by Mother on that occasion that she was going to present each of my Brothers with the same information, in her own handwriting. I have carefully transcribed this to share this valuable record with my Brothers and their families in the event they did not receive it from Mother.
This record, as transcribed below, was apparently submitted to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers "Files" by Mary E. Scott as evidenced by a handwritten notation on the original copy of this record. No date of such forwarding is recorded. I do not believe Mother is the author of these writings but no mention is made of who the author might be other than from the documentation. Perhaps it is H. Ray Pond. While it is not very well written (it is transcribed exactly as Mother recorded it in her own hand), it affords a magnificent perspective of our remarkable ancestor-- Thomas Levi Whittle. Gerald L. Scott
Documentation: The sources of the information contained in this biography are as follows and were identified by Mother on the last page of this Family Historical Record.
1. Family traditions and relatives
2. Patriarchal Blessings 9: pp.105 #328 (copied exactly)
3. Prominent Men and Pioneers of Utah
4. Journal of History - Supplement 9 & 16
5. Journal of Hawaiian Mission
6. C.R. Seventies Record: Book "B" 9th Quorum ic 24 Quorum R177 (copied exactly)
7. Essentials of Church History - Smith
8. Encyclopedia Britannia - Historical
9. History of aValley
10. Stalwarts of Mormonism - Preston Nibley
11. LDS Ward Records for Salt Lake City 17th Herrman Grantsville Richmond (copied exactly)
12. Biography of Minerva Whittle Allen
13. Biography compiled by H. Ray Pond (copied exactly)
14. Tullidge Historical Magazine
15. Ogden and It's Representative Men
Note 1: Thomas Levi Whittle Family Records in possession of Mrs. Audrey Peterson 1616 Maple Avenue Salt Lake City, Utah [a 1967 entry]
Note 2: Thomas Levi Whittle is the great grandfather of Mary Eliza Whittle Scott.
(Post by Mary Lee Scott Call)
