Christmas Purchases for the Little Folks

Here is another Christmas related event from Tennessee Mormons. This one is a from a missionary journal and tells of children from three families for whom the missionaries brought some treats.

Gabbatha December 27, 1884 Saturday 8 A.M. [at] J[ames] Carters. 
Stopped Wednesday night [Dec 24] at Rutledge's. We had made some Christmas purchases for the little folks Monday [Dec 22], a supply of candy and some toys. At Rutledge's we had a book for Joseph, a knife for John and a doll for Verdi. We brought a doll here for Molly. We took dinner at Rutledge's and stopped over night at John Samples. We gave Lura a doll for Christmas present.

-An excerpt from the missionary journal of Jacob Franklin Miller.

James Veteto Carter (1846-1922)

Born in Tennessee. Married Nancy C Samples (1846-1919) in about 1867. The two had seven children. Miller's journal says that Nancy and their daughter Sarah Ann were baptized in November 1884, though LDS.org does not show that. By 1910 the family is living in Oklahoma

Bryant Henry Rutledge (1847-1889)

Born in Georgia but moved around quite a bit including homes in Alabama and multiple places in Tennessee. Married Judy Senobia Samples (1853-1934) in about 1868. Miller says he baptized Senobia on 7 Oct 1883. The family moved to La Jara, Colorado before 1887, probable to join the LDS settlement there. Henry died there in 1889. 

John Franklin Samples II (1840-1907)

Born in South Carolina. Married Emily Smith (1846-1917). Nancy's brother, but not Judy's. I've not been able to determine how the Judy and Nancy were related, though I'm sure they were probably cousins. Nancy and John also had a brother named Joseph, who figured prominently among the local converts. After Joseph emigrated to Colorado in June 1884, John became a frequent host to the missionaries along with the Rutledge and Carter families. John does not appear to have ever joined the LDS Church, and in later life was a dedicated member of the Church of Christ. By 1900 they had moved to Marion county, Tennessee.

Jacob Franklin Miller (1856-1906)

Born in Farmington Utah, Jacob was only a little older than his fellow missionaries, but did not marry until several years after he returned home. He worked at Brigham Young College in Logan Utah both before and after his mission. He taught math, history and political science. In 1905 he became ill with stomach problems which proved fatal by March 1906.

Jacob F Miller - Flynn's Lick in June 1883

[A continuation of my GGGrandfather's missionary journal in Tennessee. For all his entries posted so far look here -BAllen]

Other than a few houses and farm buildings, this sign was the only indication that I had reached Flynn's Lick

Flynns Lick June 12, 1883 Left word to have appointment for meeting made for Sunday July 1st at 10 A.M. in the grove, near the mouth of Wolf Creek. Mr. Peyton Gill, a young man who spoke warmly in our favor at the time we were excluded from using the Baptist Church, spoke to me about using the grove as a place of meeting. I believe the grove alluded to is owned by one M. Axham an uncle of Mr. Gill. Stopped last night at John Jones. We visited Mrs. Welch last evening and this morning.  Reached Samples today and found mail awaiting us. Pres. Jackson writes in approval of the course taken here. Elder Hunter reached his field of labor May 24th and Elder Joseph next day. Hammond Hendricks and Crandoll have taken a railroad contract together.

Flynns Lick, June 14, 1883 Still stopping at Sample's. Went to the office yesterday and found papers awaiting me, among them five copies of the Denver Republican of April 5th giving an account of the Utah and Colorado countries. Receive letter from my father. All well.

Flynns Lick, Friday June 15, 1883 Spent last evening with Mr. Carter, a Brother-in-law of Mr. Samples. He and his family seem much interested in Utah affairs.

Flynns Lick, Monday June 18, 1883 Held meeting here Saturday evening and again at Chestnut Grove Sunday. About fifty or sixty in attendance at each place. I spoke a little over an hour at the first place and about 45 minutes at the second. We went home for dinner with John Brown and were invited to call whenever convenient.

Granville has all the appearance of being a seasonal resort town complete with shops selling frozen custard, taffy and fudge; all closed for the season during my visit.

Flynns Lick, June 19, 1883 Took dinner at Joseph Perseleys yesterday. Went to Granville and by invitation held meeting in the Presbyterian Church there last night. Stopped overnight with Mr. Cross. There was an attendance of about forty. The people are, I think very much prejudiced at Granville and I understand that Elders Adams and Jackson were unable to obtain a Church there to hold meetings in. We visited the Cumberland River this morning. Today I saw a reaping machine at work, the only one I have seen this year or in Tennessee.

Flynns Lick, Wednesday June 20, 1883 Went to Wm. Lambert Jr. for dinner yesterday. Stopped over night there were treated very courteously and invited to call again. Also received invitation to visit Mr. Lambert's father and a neighbor named Harris. Came back to Joseph Sampler today.

Flynns Lick, June 22, 1883 Went to the post office yesterday. Received photographs of my Uncle Nathan Cheney and his wife. There was a severe storm last night.

Flynns Lick, Saturday June 23, 1883 Went to Chestnut Grove last evening expecting to attend a Methodist meeting but the preacher was not present.

Chestnut Mound sits on a ridge south of the Cumberland River. Today about 600 people live there.

Flynns Lick, Monday June 25, 1883 Held meeting at Chestnut Grove yesterday. An attendance of from forty to fifty. Several other meetings close by at the same hour. Took dinner with James Union. It rained yesterday and is raining today.

Flynns Lick, Tuesday June 26, 1883 Stopped last night here with Joseph Perseley. Had conversation on religious subjects with Mr. Perseley and with Mr. John Samples. Mr. Samples again bantering me to baptize him as a believer in Christ.

Flynns Lick, June 27, 1883 Went to John Samples' yesterday for dinner and stopped over night at his place. Mr. Samples was telling us of one James Carter who had been talking of mobbing us out of the country and wished us to pay him a visit. Had some talk today with Mrs. Sarah Carter who had declared that she never wished to see my face again but talked very sociably today.

Jacob F. Miller at Flynn's Lick - May 1883

Flynns Lick, Saturday May 19, 1883 Held meeting at New Hope near Alexandria on Sunday April 29th. Had an attendance of about 120 and were urged to call again. Monday [Apr 30] went to Bairds Mills stopped at Bright's Monday, and Tuesday night with Pres. Jackson at J. D. Sanders, Wednesday [May 2] night with Pres Louis Kelsch of the Kentucky Conference, at Robert Gwynn's Thursday night with Pres. Roberts. During the time we were away, Wetmore schoolhouse was burned down by an incendiary. While we were at Gwynns he told us that he hoped that the Wetmore Schoolhouse was not burned because the Mormons preached in it, but if it was, there is another here that can be burned for the same reason and it is at your service at any time and for any purpose.

Libelous notices respecting the Saints in Wilson Co. had been posted in different parts by some unknown party and though the outrage was nowhere approved openly and was severely condemned by the County paper, it was followed by warnings to the Elders to leave and by calls to the citizens to drive them out. I kept one of the notices of which the following is a copy:

Citizens. The time has come for us to act; The Mormon question demands our serious consideration! If we intend to become Mormons then we may be excused for tolerating a people who have not a single female member who is not a prostitute. Their doctrines and presence are dangerous to our best moral political and financial interests! We urge you act! Act together and with determination! A mightier corporation than the Mormon Church will sustain you! Strike them and strike deep as the curse that they would rivet on us! Our sons, our  daughters, our wives are in the balance. 

By order of Lodge No 13. U. O. M. Ks

Friday [May 4] morning the following notice was found at our place of meeting.

May 3, 1883

Specially to the Latter Day Saints of this community:
We as a people do this day swear that from this date on we will not allow the Mormons to hold meetings in this community. Now we beg of you as we do not want to hurt any of you, but so sure as you hold meeting in this community some or all of you will be beaten with many strikes and probably several killed. Study this well before you proceed. We remain now and forever the gentile dead click.

I was appointed Clerk of the Conference. We held Priesthood meeting each morning of the Conference. Presidents Jackson and Roberts and Elder Joseph spoke Friday forenoon, Elders Griffin, Holbrook and myself in the afternoon. Presidents Roberts and Kelsch, Elder Godfrey and myself passed the evening at Simmins. I stopped over night at Rappael Neil's with Elder Godfrey. Next morning we were given our fields of labor, Elder Wm. H. Joseph, Joseph S. Hunter, Thomas Godfrey and Thomas Griffin were to return to their field in the east. Elder Holbrook and myself were to labor in Jackson Co. and Elder Elderedge was to accompany Louis Kelsch, President of the Kentucky Conference back to that state. Pres. Roberts spoke
each day of the Conference and with great power. The authorities of the Church were presented Saturday. Saturday evening I went to Mr. Schneiders with Pres Kelsch and spent the night there. We had a pleasant evening, some very good singing and some German talk.

Sunday [May 6] evening we spent together, the ten of us at Huddleston's. I stopped overnight at Brights. Thomas Lane was baptized Sunday afternoon.

Monday [May 7] night stopped at Huddleston's.

Tuesday May 8] Raphael Neil and wife and Mrs. Schneider and her daughter Maggie were baptized. I was mouth in confirming Raphael Neil and Maggie Schneider. I stopped over night at Bottom's.

Wednesday [May 9] I went to Huddleston's and from there to Irving Sanders where Elder Hunter and myself passed the night. Irving Sanders was the first person to receive the Elders at Bairds Mills.

Friday [May 11] night I stopped at Bright's. Elder Joseph had been sick for about a week and breaking out with a kind of rash, fears were entertained by some on Saturday that he had the Small pox. I sat up with him all night Saturday night. He was much better in the morning. He was administered to twice Saturday. [the previous] Thursday night I had stopped at Wm. Burke's who in connection with his wife had been baptized on the previous evening.

Sunday [May 13] night I again stopped at Brights and Monday night at Huddleston's. Monday a daughter of Brother Smith was baptized.

Tuesday [May 15] I started for this place in company with Elder Hunter and Holbrook. We found a large number of wild Strawberries during the day the only ones I have seen yet. Tuesday night we stopped just beyond Alexandria.

Wednesday [May 16] we took dinner with Jackson Malone. He told us that a relative of his living at Bethel was wishing to hear us preach there. We stopped that night with one John Elbert Robinson near Temperance Hall. He is one of the Trustees of a Church there and volunteered to use his influence to get us the house to preach in, but told us there was a Church there open to all denominations, which he was sure, we could obtain. He invited us to call on him whenever we were passing that way and said he would like to hear us preach.

Thursday [May 17] night we stopped at Dr. Cypers at Laurel Hill.

Friday [May 18] we came here, stopping at Mr. Chaffin's on the way.

We held a meeting here this evening [May 19] and had a very good spirit. I spoke near an hour and a half.

Flynns Lick, Thursday May 24, 1883 Held meeting at Chestnut Grove last Sunday [May 20]. Had a heavy rain here Sunday, Monday and part of Tuesday. Monday, Joseph Perseley visited us here and passed nearly the day in conversation. Tuesday [May 22] forenoon John Samples spent talking with us. We went to Gainesborough yesterday I bought a pair of breeches, eight dollars, a pair of boots $3.78 and a pair of cuff buttons forty cents. Visited Joseph Perseley today. His youngest child is named Erastus Snow. I presented him a photograph of that Apostle for a keepsake.

Jacob F. Miller - April 1883

[This is a continuation of the journal of Jacob Franklin Miller, as he serves a mission in middle Tennessee. - BAllen]

Bairds Mills, Monday April 2, 1883 Held meeting March 25th at F. P. Simmons, Elder Adams preaching, myself and Elder Jackson bearing testimony. F. P. Simmons was ordained Teacher to succeed Elder Dennison in the Presidency of the Branch. Monday evening we held a meeting at George Burke's. Elder Adams speaking; Elder Jackson and Brother Dennison following with brief remarks. Tuesday evening we held a meeting at the same place. I spoke about an hour, was followed by brief remarks from Elder Jackson and Brother Dennison. Wednesday we went to Murfreesboro to see Elder Adams and Brother Dennison and family start. Came to Smyrna to spend the evening at Wm. Gwynn's. Stopped at Gwynn's Wednesday and Thursday nights. Stopped Friday night at James Summor's, Saturday night at Robert Gwynns, a brother of Wm. Gwynn's. Gwynns mother and sister and four gentlemen were in to see us during the evening. We remained in conversation until after 11 o'clock. Sunday morning we went to Brights, stopping there last night and coming on to the Huddleston place this morning. Received letter from my Father today and wrote in reply.

Bairds Mills, Friday April 6th 1883 According to agreement stopped at Mrs. McHenrys Monday evening and at George Burkes Tuesday. Miss Emma Cummings from Nashville arrived here Tuesday and her sister left her home Wednesday. Wrote to Joseph L. Clark at Quincy Monroe Co., Miss. on Tuesday, also to my Uncle Wm. Rawson. Stopped here at Sister Huddleston Wednesday. Fasted Thursday and spent the night at Charles Bottom's.

Bairds Mills, Friday April 13th 1883 Rec'd letter from home last Friday. My little Cousin Amy Foss is dead. Stopped Friday night at Wm. Barretes. Saturday we went to Suddes Creek and held meeting there stopping over night at Wm. Daniels. Sunday we held meeting again and stopped over night at James Robertson's. Monday we came back to the Huddleston place to post letters. Elder Jackson having received a letter of instruction to which he wished to reply. He is instructed in connection with other Pres. of Conferences to travel alone and Presidents who have traveling companions are requested to report at once so that Elders may be sent out to take their places. Presidents are also requested to report the post office addresses of all Elders laboring in their Conferences. My address is reported at Flynn's Lick, Jackson Co. Stopped Monday and Tuesday night at Huddleston's. Went to John Daniel's Wednesday. Stopped with him that night and the next night at Thomas Smith's. Came to Brights today. Received letters from my Father, from Wm. V. Carbine and from E. O. Wilcox. Geo. Steed is under arrest for shooting a man who had seduced his wife. Dr. Carrington is reported to have eloped with a daughter of W. O. Mayfield.

Bairds Mills, Sunday April 15, 1883 Stopped Friday night at Brights. Came to Huddleston's Saturday but spent the night at Geo. Burke's. It is storming hard and there seem to be little chance of holding a meeting today.

Laurel Hill, Saturday April 21st 1883 No meeting last Sunday stopped over night at F. P. Simmons. Stopped Monday night at B. P. Bright. Tuesday met Elder James A. Eldredge and Brigham A. Holbrook at G. P. Huddleston's. They had reached there from Chattanooga the day before. Were sent for by George Burke to administer to a sick child and stopped over night there. The child, as soon as we had administered, threw up a worm six inches long and rested easier during the night. Were sent for again by Burke Tuesday afternoon and all four went and administered to the child who seemed better. Leaving the others at Burke, Elders Eldredge and myself went to F. P. Simmons to pass the night. We met next day at Brights. Elders Holbrook and myself stopped overnight at Huddleston's. Received letters from my Father, E. B. Clark and J. H. Gibbs. Walter Walker of Farmington has been sold out. Wrote to my Father and to Emily Foss Tuesday. Thursday morning Elder Jackson and myself started for this place. It rained very hard during the day. Selecting a house at which we had concluded to stop we were met by a boy who told us that if we were wanting to stop over night we might as well pass on for they did not keep any one there. We sent him for his Father who, starting to make an excuse for turning us off, changed and invited us in. We were charged 25 cts each for supper, breakfast, and a night of lodging. After this, learning that we were Mormon Preachers, regret was expressed that they had not known that in time to have held an evening meeting. We were invited to stop a day or two and hold meeting. We made an appointment there for a meeting on the 29th. Last night we stopped with one Prettyman James. This morning we visited Jefferson Lee and took dinner today at Andrew Carr's, each friends made by the other Elders in their last labors. At the latter place we were handed a letter directed to the Mormon Teachers, which read as follows:

Dear Sirs
Word having reached me that you deny the body which I stand identified being the Church of God, that we have wandered off, that we have a form of Godliness but deny the power there of. Now sirs if either of you will meet me and affirm that the Church of the Ladder Day Saints is the Church of God I will deny or I will affirm that the Church that I stand identified with is the Church of God if you will deny. Or I will affirm that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance toward God and Baptism into the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit will secure the forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit if you will deny. Or if you will affirm that miraculous gifts are necessary today and those belonging to the true Church can perform them and confer the Holy Ghost by the Laying of hands, I will deny. Now sirs let us have a friendly discussion of these and others points if you choose, or else it will be taken for granted that you cannot sustain what you teach. This is all through friendship seeking truth and dispelling error. You can give me an answer by some friend or through the mail direct to Buffalo Valley Tenn. And I will answer you as you may direct.
Yours Truly W. R. Chaffin

Flynns Lick, Monday April 23, 1883 Saturday night we stopped with two brothers named Clemmens. Sunday held meeting. A stormy day and but light attendance. Took dinner with a Doctor near by. Visited Mr. Smith. Stopped over night with Mr. Chaffin spending the whole night in conversation in the Scripture. Came on to Samples today.

Flynns Lick, Wednesday April 25, 1883 Stopped at Samples Monday and Tuesday night. Had a "log rolling" here yesterday and a dance last evening. A meeting is announced here for tomorrow evening.

Flynns Lick, Friday April 27, 1883 Stopped Wednesday night with Mr. Hoover at Whites Bend. Visited Mrs. Angus yesterday, and took dinner with Mr. Sherlock. Held meeting here last night.

Captain Jesse D. Hunter

In the early LDS publication Times and Seasons is the following letter written by Elder Hunter while on his mission in Tennessee.

Jackson County, Ill. Dec. 26th 1839
Dear brethren in the Lord, having a few leisure moments I have taken my pen in hand to write a few lines to let you know what I have been doing since I saw you. I left Far West, last January the 14th and after a few days travel fell in company with Elder Jeremiah Mackley; we held three meetings in the State of Missouri, in the neighborhood of St. Charles; from thence we steered our course for this State [Tennessee], and after a few days travel we found ourselves in Jackson County where we commenced publishing the gospel, and very soon the honest in heart began to embrace the truth, after we had introduced eight souls into the kingdom and a number more believing. Br. Mackley was warned to leave and return to his family; then the whole burden rested on me; but the Lord was with me and confirmed my words with signs following; the sick were healed, and that not a few, and devils cast out also. I kept up a regular march until I had baptized 28, when Elder Benjamin Clapp arrived; we then with united force, pushed forth the conquest until we baptized 10 more;l we then organized them into branches and departed to travel to the south. I have just returned from the south and have found the brethren still firm in the faith, except a few who have tumbled over to try the faith of others as is usual. we had very good success for the time I stayed in the south, we held 25 meetings in McNary[sic] County Tennessee, and baptized 14 persons; we held 5 meetings in Tishamingo county, State of Mississippi and baptized 6 persons, and left a number who were believing. Br. B. Clapp is still preaching in the State of Mississippi and desires other Elders to come to his assistance.
I have understood that you are publishing the papers again, and I have taken some names, and have recieved[sic] the pay for the same, and if you will send the papers you shall have the pay for them when I come; I will come by April conference if the Lord will; I desire an interest in the prayers of the saints. I feel to exhort the young Elders, who am young also, to gird on their armour[sic], walk out into the field and commence reaping, for the harvest is truly plentious[sic] and the laborers few.-The sooner we preach the gospel, the sooner we will have rest, for God cannot, in rightousness[sic], bring about the Millemium[sic] until all are warned. No more at present, only yours &c. J. D. HUNTER.

[Unrelated side note.How does someone spell so many words wrong and yet correctly spell "Tishamingo"?]

Jesse Divine Hunter (1806-1877) was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky in 1806. He married Keziah Brown in 1825 in Kentucky. I have not located a baptism date, but it must have been before 1838. He served a mission in 1838 and 1839 which included Jackson County, about half way between Nashville and Knoxville. After several months he  relocated to McNairy County on the Tennessee/Mississippi border. He and his companion crossed over into Mississippi becoming the first missionaries in that state, before returning to Nauvoo in the fall of 1839. He returned to Tennessee in the first four months of 1844 to collect tithing and donations for the completion of the temple in Nauvoo. After bringing the donations back to Nauvoo,  he was one of the men charged with the defense of the city following the death of Joseph Smith. When the temple was finished he married his second wife Lydia Edmonds in 1846.

He stayed with the saints and was among the first to journey across Iowa to Council Bluffs. There he joined the Mormon Battalion in 1847 as captain of Company B. His second wife, Lydia, accompanied the Battalion. In San Diego his wife Lydia died shortly after the birth of their only son Diego.

Captain Hunter stayed in southern California when he was discharged, and took a job as an Indian Agent for the US Government. His first wife Keziah joined him and they lived in the Mormon settlement of San Bernadino until it was abandoned, at which time they moved to Los Angeles where he opened a successful brick business. In 1855 he traded his brick home in Los Angeles for 1,200 acres called Rancho Cañada de los Nogales. He died in Los Angeles County on 27 August 1877.

Visions and Baptisms: One Elder's Story

[My opinions of Elder Lee aside, his story nonetheless is interesting from a Tennessee Mormon History standpoint. Please limit your comments to his experiences in Tennessee.]

In April 1839, Elder J. D. Lee and Elder Levi Stewart began the Tennessee portion of their mission by visiting Elder Stewart’s family in Overton County. Elder Stewart was not having much success baptizing his family. But it was there that Elder Lee had a vision of his working alone and being well received.

I was in a trance and saw future events. What I then saw was to me a reality, and I will describe it as such. I traveled, valise in hand, in a strange land, and among a people that I had never seen. I was kindly received by the people, and all my wants were supplied without my having to ask for charity. I traveled on, going over a mountainous country. I crossed a clear, handsome river, and was kindly received by the family of the owner of the ferry at the river. I stayed with this family for some days. I then re-crossed the river and called at a house, where I asked for a drink of water, which was given to me. I held quite a conversation with two young women. They informed me that there was no minister in the neighborhood; also that their father had gone in pursuit of a Mormon preacher that had passed that way a few days before. A few days passed, and I saw myself in the midst of a large congregation, to whom I was preaching. 1 also baptized a large number and organized quite a flourishing branch of the Church there, and was in charge of that people. I was very popular with, and almost worshiped by, my congregation. I saw all this, and much more, when my vision closed.

He had the vision more than once and felt impressed that he should search out what he had seen. Following his impression, he struck out on his own heading west from Overton County in to what was probably Jackson County, owing to his later identifying Gainsboro, Tennessee as the nearest town. Near the Cumberland river he met two sisters who offered him a drink, just as in his vision. He stayed at the home of a ferry man, worked for him a short while, and was ultimately sought out by one of his passengers, who just happened to be the father of the two girls who had given him water, again all as was in his vision. He was asked to preach and he soon became very popular. During his stay there he baptized twenty-eight people. Among them he named Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Sanders and their daughter Miss Caroline C. Sanders. He stayed there about 5 months during which time he was joined by Elder Stewart and Elder Julian Moses.