My first ancestor in Utah

Who: Our first ancestor to come to Utah was Joseph Corrodon Kingsbury. He was born 15 May 1812 in northern Connecticut. (near Enfield) Through the course of events in his life, he moved around much to sustain himself. In December 1831 he traveled to Kirtland, Ohio looking for employment. He found work with a Mr. Knight, a merchant, he worked as a clerk, and book keeper) He left after 3 weeks to work for Newel K. Whitney, also a merchant. Joseph had known the Whitney’s since he was a lad. Newel had been a friend of Joseph’s father and uncle, and had boarded at the Kingbury home in Paineville, Ohio. Whitney a new convert to “Mormonism” was instrumental in converting Joseph C. Kingsbury. He was baptized 15th January 1832.

Why: Joseph C. Kingsbury was an active member of the church. He and his 2 wives came with Bishop Newel K. Whitney and the Saints as they exited from Nauvoo, Illinois. They were being persecuted and killed for their religious beliefs if they stayed in Illinois. None of the United States would offer them protection so they headed west.

How: They traded their horses for oxen and a wagon. Joseph walked along side his oxen to guide them. They were in Brother Smoot’s 100 and Captain Wallace’s 50 in the 2nd company (the “Big Company”). Joseph C. Kingsbury was appointed clerk, to keep track of their trek. They traveled along the “Mormon trail” building houses in Missouri at “Winter Quarters”. At the Platte River they left the “Mormon trail” and crossed over to the “Oregon trail”. At Ham’s Fork they once again rejoined the “Mormon trail”. They called their destination Upper California. From Ham’s Fork they walked on toward and through the Wasatch Mountains.

When: They left Nauvoo, Illinois, and crossed the Mississippi River to begin their journey the middle of June, 1846. On September 25th 1847, after 19 months of travel, they came through Emmigration Canyon.

Where: Initially they settled in the Salt lake Valley, near the “Old Fort.” They built an adobe house there. 11/19/47 His daughter Bashua was the fist female child born in the “New Zion”. When the city was officially organized, Joseph was able to secure a building lot on Block 19 – 10 acres of land (5 for each wife.) and then purchased 15 acres of land nearby in Mill Creek.

He had to either butcher or barter his oxen to survive the first winter. He planted crops, and orchards. His crops were severely attacked in may of 1848 by the black crickets. Due to the seagulls he was able to save some of his corn and wheat. He farmed and did odd jobs in the beginning. He ran a ferry crossing for the Weber River and then later the Green River.
My Great Grandmother, Mary Ophelia Kings bury was born January 7th 1852. At which point Joseph C. had 5 little girls under age 5.

I had just gathered basic information to this point for my nephews report. The information I have listed was taken from a biography on Joseph C. Kingsbury written by Lyndon W. Cook published 1985. 4/2/2008