Henry Rampton - Family Patriarch

The Old Testament is replete with stories about the ancient Patriarchs, Adam, Noah, Abraham and others.  These were all great  priesthood leaders during their individual dispensations of the gospel.  They set the stage so their posterity could receive all the blessings our Heavenly Father intended for them to have.  They made it possible for their children to hear the gospel, accept the teachings Jesus Christ and do all things necessary to inherit Eternal Life.  So, too, in this, The Dispensation of  the Fullness of Times, there are patriarchs who have made it possible for us to have the Gospel in our lives.  Henry Rampton was one of those men.  In fact, I consider him the great patriarch of the Rampton Family who are faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Choices he made over 150 years ago make it possible for us to enjoy gospel blessings today. 

Henry was born in England in 1829, a few months after the Priesthood had been restored to the earth on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean .  His father was a blacksmith and that is the trade he learned.  During his lifetime, he was a prolific journal keeper.  He wrote an autobiography.  He was thrown in the Sugar House Penitentiary for polygamy.  He served a mission to England in his later life, and journaled the whole experience.

Here are some excerpts from his autobiography.  I found the parts about what church life was like for early converts in England to be very interesting.

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Henry Rampton was born in the Parish of Old Alresford, a small village in the county of Southampton, seven miles from Winchester, on the 8th of September, 1829. Son of William and Elizabeth Rampton, blacksmiths in the said Parish, having five children, Sara, William, Elizabeth, Henry, and Charles. But Elizabeth, wife of William Rampton, departed this probation of life July 28, 1833, (aged 42 years) and left a young family to lament her loss. But the Lord in his infinite goodness found a mother for us, a woman that did a mother’s duty by us. My father married my stepmother in the year 1834.

I, Henry Rampton, married Caroline Harfield, then living at Col. Onslow at Upton House, Old Alresford.  Married on the 9th of March, 1850.  Was working at Old Alresford for my father at the time. My parents did not seem to sanction it for some time. After about six months, could not agree at home. I then left and went to work at Preston Candover, from thence to Brown Candover, and there to Northington. There I worked until my father placed me at Botley, seven miles from Southampton. I had been there about 18 months when I obeyed the Gospel. The first time I heard them or heard of them I thought it ridiculous and the scriptures would condemn them. Therefore, taking the scriptures for my guide, I thought, and 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th chapters of Romans. The Latter Day Saints could not touch or would not meddle with these ideas. I went to hear them as there was an Elder came weekly to Long Common about a mile from Botley in a private house. Elder W. Budge took his text from the 12th Chapter of Corinthians and explained the things very clearly, that therein is which opened my eyes, but I still held the ideas that Romans they would not handle. I liked the young man very much and wished to have a private chat with him. I asked him to my house. He explained everything I asked, cheerfully to my notion, and I thought there was that power with them that was possessed anciently by the Apostles. I investigated from the time I heard them until I was baptized, I think about three months. I began to get very fidgety toward the last. Light began to shine on my mind, which impressed on my mind so deeply that these things were from God and I had not obeyed them. On a Sunday, February 6, I went to Southampton and heard Elder Willie from the Valleys, but I went with the intention to be baptized and accordingly was, that evening after meeting, by Elder Budge. My mind was dark before baptism in a degree that I could not talk or converse on scripture as many can do, but I could just see there were things that I must do in order to gain Salvation. I was afraid that when I was baptized that these fine, fluent speakers would come to me with their fine speeches and I should not be able to resist them, but the spirit was with me and the more I could talk to them, the more knowledge I gained, and I lost all fear. The more I talked with them, the more I could defeat them and make plain their errors which soon became, in my views, absurd to a monstrous degree. I continued on by the blessings of God, my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, to gain light and intelligence. My mind became expanded so that I could gaze and see how far, very far, the inhabitants of the earth was fallen short of the Glory of God and the blessed hope and assurance that the aid of the Holy spirit and the counsel of those placed over me, to gain the same assurance.

Amen.

Henry Rampton was baptized February 6, 1853, being 23 years 5 months of age and Caroline, my wife, was baptized the same day or evening, being in her 29th year, by Elder Budge in Southampton. Nothing in particular transpired up to the time of being ordained to the office of Priest. Ordained by Elder President Bramwell, President of the Southampton conference, on the Lord’s day being the 31st of July 1853. Having not, from the time of baptism to the time of ordination, had the opportunity of attending any meetings as the meeting was broken up in our place in about a month after. I went to Southampton three or four times before ordination, but had the brethren call on me nearly every week, Brother Budge first, then Brother Park from Zion, then Brother Armstrong. Brothers Bramwell and Willie calling occasionally, but I thank God I had great cause to rejoice. The Lord blessed me wonderfully with light and intelligence. After being ordained a few weeks, we had a little meeting over which I was called to preside. First meeting which we held was at Brother Tibble’s, about two miles from my own house at Botley, on the Lord’s Day 18th of September 1853, consisting of four members, Priest (myself), and Teacher. Brother Rogers from Southampton came to assist me as I had not before had a chance of observing order. We had a comfortable meeting and partook of the ordinance. Nothing transpired of notice during the week. Elder Budge did not attend on us during the week. We met together again on the Lord’s Day being the 25th of September, only myself and teacher Brother Tribble as officers. I felt my weakness very much, but had a comfortable meeting. Enjoyed the Spirit of God’s attendance. In missionary tract distributing, not much opposition as yet. People did not come out to oppose the work, but were careless, afraid, or both. The place seems generally of Presbyterians and the Church of England. Nothing occurred during the week worth recording. Met together again on the next Sabbath, Oct 2, and partook of the ordinance. Had Brother Budge speak to us and he spoke on the subject of pre-existence. We enjoyed a good portion of the Spirit of the Lord. In the week following, received a letter from Mr. Levi, a man that I had written to respecting my business. He wished the particulars more fully. I accordingly answered it. Nothing in particular occurred besides during the week.

On Sunday 9th, I went to a meeting at Brother Tribble’s, but he had company, some of his relations out of the church, so that we could not have a meeting. Returned home, spent the evening in reading with my wife and explaining the scriptures to her. In so doing, we both rejoiced, but it seemed very dull during the afternoon not having a meeting to gain strength; but trust the Lord will soon enable us to go where we can mingle with the saints of God and bed in our spirits. Nothing of importance occurred up ‘til Friday morning when I had a letter from the man respecting my business, but he declined it. On Saturday morning, James Butcher told me he did not know but he should take it himself. The same day went to Southampton for a few things for emigration. Met Brother Parks at Brother Philips’. Took tea there with them and then went back in the town and then back again, called at Brother King’s and then on home. On Sunday 16th, no meeting, as Brother Tribble has left his home and has gone to Bursledon to live. Very wet today, cannot go out to distribute tracts. Nothing in particular occurred until Tuesday evening, October 25, 1853, when we had a meeting at Brother Wyelds, at Fair Oak. It was a tea meeting for a testimonial for Brother Bramwell. We had a good meeting and enjoyed the Spirit of the Lord, when on the outside the house, the neighbor, filled with the spirit of darkness, collected her band to disturb, but for all exertions we had a good meeting and the Brethren spoke freely. Returned home, I think, about half past ten o’clock. Reached home about 12 very tired, accompanied by Elder Budge and Elder Silver. They left next morning for Southampton. Nothing occurred worthy to remark ‘til the Lord’s Day; no meeting. Nothing afterward until November 9th, when I had an application for my business which was on Wednesday, and on the following Saturday I gave it up. I sold my stock to Adams and Knight, two men in the Parish of Botley. Then commenced on the following Monday. I stayed in Botley about a week and two days to gather in my accounts and settle my affairs in Botley. I sold my tools for 33 pounds – 1 shilling – 10 pence. My father came after hearing of my selling the stock, claimed the whole of the money and after doing so, as I gave it up without a scruple, he made me a present of a five pound note, as he termed it.

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I'll end here for today.  Next week I will include parts about his preparation to go to America, how he sailed to New Orleans, worked there for a while and then went to St. Louis.  I wondered, many times as I walked the streets of New Orleans, if some of the iron work I was looking at was made by Henry Rampton.






Henry Rampton





Headstone of Henry Rampton's Father, William and Stepmother, Sarah in Old Arlesford, England



Headstone inscription

Madison Daniel Hambleton, part 3 - The Pioneer

This is the last part of the life of Madison Daniel Hambleton, a life that is a mirror reflection of the early history of the Church.  He seems to have been very well known by Brigham Young who called upon him to carry out tasks that would bless the lives of the pioneer Saints, but also require him to leave his family behind.  I wish we knew more about his wife, Chelnecha.
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February 11th, 1846:  I started with the pioneer Camp for Sugar Creek in Iowa. I left my family in Nauvoo, which was very painful to my feelings as I had left but a short allowance of provisions. I stayed with the camp on Sugar Creek until it started West. I then went back to Nauvoo to prepare to leave with the Saints. Made two wagons, one for myself, and left the City for the Pioneer Camp.

May 12th, 1846:  we started out with 100 lbs. of flour, 1-1/2 bu. of parched corn meal.  We sold all of our feather beds except two pillows, left all our furniture standing in the house.  Made our load as light as possible so that one yoke of two year old steers could draw it, trusting in the Lord and His providential hand for our support.  We traveled west some 75 miles when we overtook Major Jefferson Hunt with 15 teems, traveled with him two miles north of the town of Bloomfield.  Here I was arrested by a court from the Missouri River on a charge of larceny. I went back and was lodged in Fort Madison Prison, they refusing to take any ‘Mormon bail’.  I stayed in 13 days and was discharged without a trial. I had left my family standing on the prairie all alone, except for one young man by the name of John O. Angus, who traveled with me.  Before I arrived to where I had left my family, my wife gave two three year old steers and my rifle for a large yoke of oxen, and had gone on with another company under Captain Andrew Perkins.  I overtook them at the head of the Charedon River and on the 25, June we arrived at Mt. Pisgah.  Stayed until the 1st of July when we started for Council Bluffs where we arrived on the 10 of July.

August 8th, 1846:  moved to Cutler Park for winter quarters.  Here we met the head chief of the Amshaw Indians, whose name was Elk, with about all of his warriors.  All manifested friendship and were willing for us to stay.

Sept. 10th, 1846:  President Brigham Young chose myself and nine others to take the herd of cattle for the whole camp. Oct. 26th, we gave up a part of the herd and went to work to hunt for the stray cattle and take them to the creek beds up the river and herd them all winter.  We made up a herd of some 800 head.  We were troubled a great deal with the Indian’s killing them.  When we delivered the stock to their owners we got partly paid for our services so we gathered a few dollars in money.  Went down the river about 176 miles bought 1200 lbs. of flour and returned to Winter Quarters.

June 10th, 1847:  left Winter Quarters for the Plaines. At Elkhorne River we organized in the first hundred, second fifty and second ten. Stayed here five days. 17th— moved some 12 miles to the Platte River on our way to the Great Salt Lake basin where we landed the 22nd day of September.  I never enjoyed myself better in my life than I did on the Journey.  We met President Brigham Young and the Pioneer camp, on the Big Sandy, returning to Winter Quarters to get their families after locating Great Salt Lake City. We felt to rejoice in the Lord on learning of their success. We were very short of provisions and other necessities of life. We brought all that we had on earth in one wagon with one yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows. Our bread gave out on the 4th day of April and we were obliged to dig roots for our bread until harvest which was in August. I raised 3 bushels of very poor corn and l3-1/2 bushels of wheat which was my bread for another year. In the fall (1848) President Brigham Young and his family with most of the Twelve and some five or six hundred wagons with the Saints arrived. This added to our strength making some 2,000 souls. On our first arrival we built houses in solid compact, forming a fort 116 rods by 40 rods, which we lived in.

May 4, 1849:  myself with nine others, was selected by Pres. Young to go to the North Platte Ferry and attend to it and cross the emigrations. This we did, realizing $625 each in money, merchandise and stock. Got home August 14th.

Soon after the October conference I was called upon to pull up stakes, take my family, and move 132 miles south to Sanpete County, some 90 miles from any settlement and amongst the Indians, where we arrived November 25th. Being late in the fall the grass lands had been burnt by the Indians before we got there and there was no hay to get. The canyons being filled with snow, we could not get into them to get building timber. Consequently we were under the necessity of living in our wagons, those who had not tents, which were very few. Thirty men constituted our force, most of which had families, with a short allowance of provisions. The snow fell to a depth of 2-1/2 feet from mountain to mountain with a heavy crust on the top. This made it impossible to go out of the valley for any more supplies and our stock could get no food to subsist on. We shoveled snow from off the little grass that we could find in order to save some of our few cattle. In consequence of this we lost two thirds of our entire stock which perished in the snow. This undoubtedly was a blessing to us and probably saved many of our lives as it provided plenty of food for the Indians who were very numerous and somewhat hostile.

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The rest of the entries tell of dealing with the Indians and their numerous raids.  Madison Daniel Hambleton died May 29, 1870 at Manti, Sanpete County, Utah and is buried there.  He was 58 years old when he died.  His life seemed to be a mirror of the early history of the church.  He lived through trials, tribulations and heartbreak.  And yet, not once in his writings is there a trace of murmur, regret or denouncing the Brethren.  His faith sustained him through.  He is, indeed, a good example for us in this time.



Headstone at the Manti City Cemetery



Madison Daniel Hambleton, part 2 - The Mobs

Madison Daniel Hambleton probably wrote the excerpts from his personal history that I shared with you last week right around the time of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Prior to that time everything is written in a narrative form.  After that, the rest seem to be journal entries.  From these entries we get a unique perspective of the Saints and their afflictions by the mobs that ultimately forced them to leave Nauvoo.  I will include a few journal entries below.  You will get a charge out of some of his comments about the Nauvoo Temple and the dances they had in the endowment room. 

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May 6th, 1845 the Twelve Apostles met with the city police to contemplate the policy of having the Nauvoo Legion in good order in case of trouble. Adjourned until tomorrow at 5 A. M. I stood guard at H. C. Kimball’s. (7th), the police met with the officers of the Legion according to appointment and were addressed by General Brigham Young and others who made such remarks as were necessary and they adjourned. 8th, the police assembled and took an account of our arms to know that all was in order. Afterward I was on guard at H. C. Kimball’s part of the night

May 9th, 1845 Brigham Heber Hambleton was born at 25 minutes after 8 o’clock P. M. Witnesses: Roxane Repsher, Emily Haws, Harriet Parker and Mrs. Winslow Farr.

May 12th, 1845I was appointed constable and was qualified. 15th, searched the house of Amos Hodges and Mr. Bruffet for stolen property and assisted in the arrest of William Badges and his brother for murder. Attended court in the examination and they were found guilty and delivered to the sheriff of Lowey Territory and afterward suffered the extreme penalty of the law. Charles Sherwood got home from New Orleans and brought with him three pieces of the iron cannon for the Legion, not mentioned. Hasa Stout sent spies to the surrounding parts of the country to learn the movements of our enemies as they began to make threats again and to trouble us. 18th, the cannon was moved to the basement of the Temple for the purpose of boarding and mounting on carriages ready for use. May 24th, 6 A. M. the capstone of the Temple was laid by Brigham Young.

June 25, 1845 there seemed to be some jealousy arising on the part of Wm. Smith (the brother of Joseph) against the police and some words passed between him and policeman Tuffts and some blows issued. 10 P. M. Irvine Hadger was knocked down and stabbed with his own knife 5 or 4 times and died in a few minutes.  24th, Gen. Deming of Carthage in dispute shot one Doctor Marshall in the Court House who died in a few minutes. Said Marshall is one of the persons concerned in the murder of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The disputes took place about Deming not serving a writ on Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball when they were not to be found in the city of Nauvoo.  25th, the Twelve met with the police and also bishops and some others to hear from William Smith concerning his disapprobation of the police saying his life had been falsely and without provocation taken. After getting a sharp rebuke from Pres. Brigham Young he stated he had no feelings against the police and claiming their protection. We agreed to accept his acknowledgement on our part so long as Bro. William does the work of righteousness.

 

27th— Mother Smith told of a vision reporting to be the police with the twelve assembled in a room with weapons of death, with the intention of taking the life of William Smith, and there was among the number, some more wicked than the rest and they were Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball.  I was one of the number and know that there was no such thing contemplated, and if she had such a vision it was from the devil.

 

August 16, l845 Brigham Heber Hambleton died, son of Madison Daniel and Chelnecha Smith Hambleton, age three months and seven days. We buried him in the garden west of the house.

 

Sept. 10th, 1845 we are informed that a meeting of the mob was held on the 9th at the school house in Green Plains Precinct, Hancock Co.  We have not been apprised of the nature of the meeting but can judge from their former conduct a preconcerted plan had been entered into.  Several shots were fired by their own party through the windows and doors of the school house where they assembled.  Nothing was known of the pretended pretext until the next day when the mob commenced firing on the houses in the Morley settlement.  Eleven dwelling houses and three outhouses have been burned.  Sept. 11, a messenger has just arrived bringing word that the most of the settlers of the East part of the settlement have moved to the West part in order to protect themselves from the mob.

Sunday Sept. 28th, 1845 the Governors troops under command of General Hardin, 320 in number, arrived at Carthage and took possession of the Court House, which was under the command of Captain Egan, who returned to Nauvoo on Sunday night.  Monday morning the Nauvoo Legion was disbanded and each went to their usual occupations.  Tuesday 29^th, General Hardin arrived in Nauvoo with his troops at 11:30.  They searched the Temple for the dead body of a Mr. Willcon but did not find it. From there they went to the Masonic Hall and searched there with the same result; from there to a camp ground down the river some three miles. Wednesday they marched into the city again and searched some houses for State arms but found none.

Oct. 5th, 1845 a meeting was called in the Temple on the first floor (a temporary one). Some four thousand persons were present. In the afternoon the male members only were requested to meet to organize some companies for our removal from the city to some place unknown by us.  Oct. 11th the Nauvoo Legion was called together, each regiment by itself, to hold a prayer meeting and to see that each one had his arms in good order. This, in order that in case of an attack we might be ready for the worst. We were instructed to continue in prayer to almighty God by day and night, that he would deliver us from this place and from our

December 21st, 1845— the Temple was dedicated by the twelve Apostles.  That is, the upper part of it.  Dec. 22nd my wife and myself were called upon to go to the Temple and receive our washings and annointings and our endowment, which we cheerfully obeyed. After we had received our blessings we were requested to stay there and assist in the labor of the endowment, which we also cheerfully obeyed, and continued to do for the best part of the time until the endowment was closed.

 

February 6, 1846, my wife Chelnecha was sealed to me at the altar in the Temple under the hands of President Brigham Young.  Then was sealed to us an adopted child, for all eternity under the hands of Pres. Heber C. Kimball.  Feb. 8th the endowment was ended in the Temple at Nauvoo and we danced before the Lord.  Feb. 9th, the Temple took fire from the stove pipe through the roof. Although extinguished in a very few minutes the fire did considerable damage. In the evening we enjoyed a dance in the endowment room after the canvass was taken out.  Pres. Brigham Young, Pres. Heber C. Kimball and Pres. Orson Hyde of the Twelve with the other brethren. We had a good time of social recreation and partook of a glass of pure wine of our own making.

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A week later, Madison Daniel Hambleton and his family left Nauvoo.  They were not quite sure where they were going.  But one thing they did know, they were going to follow the Prophet Brigham Young.  Next week I will conclude with his crossing the Plaines and life in Utah.

Madison Daniel Hambleton was sometimes called Crook-neck Hambleton because of an abscess he had had on his neck and which had shrunk the cords of his neck until it pulled his head to one side.

Madison Daniel Hambleton, part 1 - Conversion to the Gospel

One more item on Grandpa Joe Bush before I move away from the Linnebachs.  Besides teaching us the song "The Dog Named Jack,"  he also taught us "How to Catch a Polar Bear."  Here's how:  If you want to catch a polar bear the first thing you do is cut a hole in the ice.  Then you sprinkle some green peas around the hole.  Then, when the polar bear comes to "take a pea" you kick him in the "ice hole."  Grandma (Lois Fae Linnebach) just rolled over in her grave.

There is a very interesting individual on our Family Tree whose name I had seen for decades.  But it was not until recently that I learned anything about him.  His name is Madison Daniel Hambelton.  He was Grandma's great, great-grandfather.  I found his autobiography on Ancestry.com.  Here is a person who not only lived through some of the early days of Church history, but also was a key player in one of the events that led to the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith.   Here are some excerpts from his autobiography/journal:

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I, Madison Danie1 Hambleton, was born in the year 1811, November 2nd, in the town of Hamburgh, Erie County, State of New York, No. America.

 

My progenitors on my father’s side were Friend Quakers and I was taught that persuasion in my younger days, but in my riper years I abandoned all religions and was unconcerned about any.

 

I attended different orders of worship and the more I saw of them the more I was disgusted with their hypocrisy, and I quit going to any religious meetings although I observed morality and stayed by my parents.

 

In the Fall of 1834 I had a very severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism which confined me to the house for six weeks. After I was able to get about I got acquainted with Chelnecha Smith who I married on the seventh day of January A.D.

 l835 and took her to my father's house, where we remained until April. There I left my wife and went to the city of Rochester to obtain a berth on a canal boat but did not succeed so I returned to my father's home. I stayed at home for a few days and then went to the city of Buffalo and was engaged to build a house which I completed the coming Fall. I moved my wife there and rented a house of Mr. Heacock to live in. I bought a city lot at the Hydraulicks, built a house on it during the course of the winter and moved into it.

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About the first of Jan. (1839) my brother and myself went out into the country some eight miles to find a piece of land to enter but being unable to find any that suited me.  I bought a piece of 80 acres second-handed and moved onto it. The people here were very benevolent and moved of different denomination religiously; Methodists, Newtites, Baptists, Ceceded Campbellites and Bernets Creed.

 

July 16th 1840 my wife gave birth to a little daughter, named Lucy Ann. I lived here on my farm making some little improvements. The most of my time I spent at the carpenters and grainers trade for others, barely making a living in consequence of ill health.

 

In the fall of 1841 I traded my 80 acres for 160 acres unimproved in White County and moved onto it, built me a house, improved 20 acres and put it under good fence. While living in Cass County I was very frequently solicited to unite with the different denominations of religion and finally did join the Methodists on trial for six months.

 

After this I began to read the old scriptures which I had never done before and I soon became convinced in my mind their doctrine was not in accordance with the doctrine of the old and new testaments. I had not been with them very long before I commenced to teach the scriptures as I understood them. This made me rather unpopular amongst them and they sought to approach me in my belief and finally they prepared a charge against me before a council of Elders and leading men of the days to which I belonged. Not being able to maintain anything of an unchristian-like conduct hoped that I would see the error of my belief and reform and they would exercise their faith and prayers in my behalf. When they got through with me I got up and told them they could blot my name from the book of their remembrance. My wife followed my example and also one Jeremiah Dunham who had been a member of the Methodist church for 15 years. I afterwards ascertained that he had hold of the Book of Mormon from one of the Mormon Elders some years before and had never showed it to anyone but had studied it and had believed it.

 

About this time I heard of a man by the name of Gehial Savage who they said was a Mormon Elder and was teaching at Door Prairie, Laporte Co. I immediately wrote him a letter stating that I wanted him to come to my house or send me one of his Profession.  I waited nine months, heard nothing from him but heard that there was a branch of the Mormon Church there.  I wrote another letter to the branch which later got into the hands of one of the sisters and in about nine months from the date of my last letter it was taken to Nauvoo and was read from the stand at a General Conference when the Prophet Joseph sent two Elders (James Carroll and Ezra Strong) to the neighborhood.  The first sermon they preached I believed and offered myself for baptism, also my wife and Jeremiah Dunham. The date of baptism I do not know but I think it was in the month of October 1842.  Soon after I had written to Elder Savage there was a man by the name of William Williams who was a Mormon in Kirtland and had moved into the neighborhood near me who was an honest old man and still firm in the faith.  His son Charles who also was a Mormon in Kirtland had denied the faith and joined the Methodists and done all he could to persuade me against them.  I got possession of a Book of Mormon which soon converted me to the gospel of the Son of God, and glory and honor be to the Lord and his servant Joseph and all the faithful who caused it to come forth and be preached to nations.  My brother Andrew Jackson Hambleton also read the Book of Mormon and believed it but died before he had the opportunity of embracing the gospel.  I also got hold of the book of Doctrine and Covenants which continued to strengthen me.  The finger of scorn was pointed toward me because of my belief.  The neighborhood in which I lived they called Nauvoo which made me feel proud.  After the Elders came there they continued to preach but none but my wife, Jeremiah Dunham and myself obeyed for some two months when there were some ten or fifteen more came forward and were baptized.

 

The people got so incensed at us they would disturb our meetings and even throw stones at the elders.  March 24th 1842 my wife gave birth to our second son, named James Finley.

 

The following summer I worked on my new farm, built myself a frame house.  In the Spring of l843 my wife went to the State of New York on a visit to my father and her friends but they spurned her because of her religion.  She returned home the same season without making one convert.  In the fall I offered my home for sale for the purpose of moving to Nauvoo and soon sold it and trusted the man for every dollar of the price which was $400.00, less than half what it was worth at the time of sale.  The man failed and left the country and I finally got $80.00 in property.

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Soon after my wife returned from her visit my younger child died, 1843., and a short time after the death of our child I was ordained an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints under the hands of Alva L. Tippit and James McGaw, October 16.  I started to move to Nauvoo and a young woman by the name of Mary Ann Greathouse went with us.  We landed in Nauvoo November 2nd, 1843; my birthday.  Soon after I took one yoke of my oxen to the Temple Committee and paid them on my tithing.  I had one yoke left and one wagon which I traded for a little log house 10 by 12 ft. on the ground and a City lot.  I had two cows, one of them I sold for provisions and the man failed to pay me and so she done me but a little good.  I had one cow left and one 3 years mare.  Them I wintered and in the spring, my mare was stolen.  I worked at my trade making cabinet wear and window sash but could not sell much to get provisions to live upon.  Plenty in the country for money and cheap corn 25 cents per bushel, but we made out to live on very short allowance, mostly corn bread. I was poor as to the necessities of life but I rejoiced in the principles of the Gospel and the spirit of the Lord. In the Spring of 1844 I was chosen one of the city Police of the City of Nauvoo.

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Nauvoo, 26th, 1844 my wife gave birth to a son. He was still born, we called his name Parley Pratt Hambleton. At this time the mob began to gather and threaten the city with destruction and extermination, which caused great excitement in the midst of the Saints. The Nauvoo Legion was called to arms as a home guard to protect the city in case the mob should attempt to come against us. A request was made to the Governor of the State of Illinois, Thomas Ford, then occupying the chair of the State, to disperse and disband the mob and restore peace. He pretended to give us assistance and came to Nauvoo with several companies of Militia and made a great display in and about the city.  They accidentally shot one of their own men while on guard in a false alarm in the night.  They marched from Nauvoo about the country pretending to disperse the mob but giving them encouragement and help.  About this time there were a few dissenters from the Church among who was Wm. Law, who was President Joseph Smith’s first counselor, and his brother, Wilson Law and several others who were in high standing.

 

The apostates bought a printing press and set it up in the heart of the city and commenced a newspaper called the Nauvoo Expositor, a most disgraceful and lying sheet.  Made one issue when the city council met and held a session of court and declared it a nuisance and ordered it removed.  In the evening I was called upon by the city Marshall (John P. Green) to go and help to abut. About sunset we met at the Temple.  The city police and many others under the charge of the city Marshall who selected fourteen of the police, myself one of the number, who with sledges or other necessary tools went into the printing office, pied the type, threw the fixtures into the street and burned them, broke the press and threw it into the street, set afire to them and burned all that would.  We obeyed the order of the city council with delight.  When done we marched to the Prophet’s house, under the command of the city Marshall, and reported to him our doings.  The Prophet said he was glad of it and he said he never felt better in his life and blessed us in the name of Jesus Christ.  The destruction of the press had a tendency to increase the rage of the mob against the Prophet and all who upheld him.  Many went out from amongst us with the huge cry of false prophet, polygamy, thieves and robbers, and sent out a writ for the Prophet.  An officer came to Nauvoo to arrest him and brought a process of soldiers with him.  The Prophet not being in the city they were about to leave for home and had mounted their horses when Reynolds Cahoon and Hyrum Kimball took the officer to one side and prevailed on him to stay and they would go and find the prophet and prevail on him to come home and give himself up to the officers and go to Carthage with them.  This they effected and the next morning the prophet, his brother Hyrum, Willard Richards, and John Taylor were all lodged in the jail.  A company of Carthage Grays (who were no more or less than a portion of the mob) were placed as guards there to keep the mob from disturbing them.

 

The Governor then pledged the faith of the State of Illinois together with his honor and the honor of the State that they should not be molested.  He then disbanded all the troops except the guard.  The Governor then went immediately to the city of Nauvoo and in a speech there he branded the Saints as being a set of military Saints and abused them shamefully.  He then gave orders to Captain Singleton who was stationed there with his company to assist the police in protecting the City against the mob, to remain there until further ordered.  He then started for Carthage about five P. M.  About thirty minutes after the Governor left, Singleton, with his company, left for Carthage also.  On their way there they met the express bearing the news of the murder of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.  They took them prisoners back to Carthage for fear the Saints would rise in mobs and pursue them before they could get out of the country: June 27th 1844.

 

The next morning the “Express” arrived in Nauvoo bringing us the terrible news of the murder.  This raised a great excitement and great sorrow and mourning.  Teams were sent for the bodies and they were brought home, together with Brother John Taylor and one of the thieves who was wounded with five balls in the affray.  The bodies of the Prophet and Patriarch were taken to the Nauvoo Mansion and all who had a desire to take a last view of their corpse had the opportunity.  The mob dispersed and all was peace for a while they thinking that they had destroyed the Priesthood from the earth, not believing that the gospel had been restored to the earth in these days.

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That's all for now.  His early life and conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ is remarkable.  It is hard for us of this generation to comprehend to trials and difficulties our progenitors went through.  Just the time and effort it would take to clear 20 acres of land is mind boggling.  That's chopping down all the trees (without chain saws), removing the brush, and digging out all the boulders.  Wow.  And then to leave it all behind to move to Nauvoo and trade what you had left for an 8x10 cabin.  What intrigued me most was the fact that he got a job as a Nauvoo policeman and actually participated in the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor.  More to come next week.  Below is the only known photo of him.  Next week I'll let you know why his neck is crooked.




Madison Daniel Hambleton

 


Chelnecha Smith Hambleton