It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from this/these transcript(s) must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collection Coordinating Committee. [Notes added by transcribers are in square brackets. Dashes in square brackets indicate unclear words or letters. indicate words the author inserted to a previously written line.] MSS 7599 – Biography of Samuel Miles Number of Pages: 32 ----- new page (MSS7599_p001.jpg) Biography of Samuel Miles the son of Samuel and Prudence Marks I was born Apr. 8th 1826 in Attica Genesee County state of New York U.S.A. My father was born in the town of Branford New Haven County Comm. Sept. 3rd 1779 being of the fourth generation from Richard the immigrant who came from England in the company which landed in Boston July 26th 1637 and was one of the first settlers in Milford Comm. 1639 and three years later moved to New Haven. My father settled in the state of Vermont where in Ruttany County Aug 25th, 1807 he married Sarah Simonds. They had children_ Ira Simonds born Dec 25 1808 Eliza Osborn June 11th 1811. Alphouss Edwin B. Apr 5 1813 James Rowe Feb 5th 1815 Joel Simonds Oct. 25 1816. She was born Oct. 5th 1790. She died Sept. 23rd 1824 My mother was married to my father May 19th 1825 She had by her first husband (from whom she was divorced) one son, Gustavus Adolphres Prescott She was born May 1st 1795 Died Feb 9th 1852 at Salt Lake City Utah My father Died Dec 22 18[-]7 at St Louis Mo. My Mother was born at (Pawlet Rutland County Vermont) her father was Cornwell & her Mother Sarah Goodman Marks She had by my father Samuel born as above Wm Marks born May 22nd 1828 Attica Genesee County NY. Died July 7 1897 Sarah Simonds Born Dec 27th 1831. Freedom Cattaragus Co N.Y. Died Jan. 15th 1904 Heber Utah Orson Pratt Born March 23rd 1834 Freedom Cattaragus C. N.Y. Died Sept. 7th 1896 Salt Lake City Utah When I was betwen two and three years of age I was taken by my Mother on a visit to her parents in Vermont Our passage on the Erie canal and visit with my grand-father grand mother are among my earliest though somewhat indistinct recollections In the year 1830 when I was 4 years of age we moved into the town of Freedom Cattaragus County N.Y. where my father bought land and opened up a farm in the heavy timber land of that section Our farm joined that of Dr Warren A. Cowdery he and my father being brothers-in-law he having ----- new page (MSS7599_p002.jpg) 2 Patience Simonds a sister to my fathers first first wife Sarah. and being a brother to Oliver Cowdery. We early became acquainted with the rise of the Church known as Mormons It was not until the winter of 1833 - 4 that the Elders visited our town. When my father learned of a meeting to be held in an adjoining town Farmersville by an Elder Mathews he took me with him to the meeting which was held in the house of Ira S. Hatch. After the close of the meeting a few proceeded to a near by stream where the ice was cut it being mid-winter where baptisms were attended to. I was then 7 years of age and became thus early impressed with the principles of the gospel which my father was anxious to hear & ready to receive In a few weeks our town was visited by Elders John Murdock and Orson Pratt and others a large branch was raised up. My father and Mother were early baptized, Warren A Cowdery was appointed President of the branch. with such members as Hymen Hyde & family. Thoma Graver Ira S. Hatch the Cheeny's the Mc.Pherson family the Calkin brothers Luman & Israel Benjamin F Wheeler who married my sister Eliza with his wife Isaac Becker & family they being baptized after moving to Ohio. also my brother Joel I was bessed under the hands of John Murdock My mother's brother Wm Marks visited us at this time and attended our meetings & became conver- ted to the truth of the Gospel and was shortly after ward baptized he lived in the town of Nunda Alleghana Co. N.Y. He being a wealthy man in those days sold his possessions & moved to Kirtland Ohio and materially assisted the Prophet Joseph & the Church in their financial straits My early remembrances consist in attending our meetings & prayer meetings where the gifs of tonges was made manifest & notably the interpre- tation of tongues by Eunice Sawyer a young women who had received the gospel the only one of her family She made strong impressions on my early boy hood being one of my first school-teachers. She married Tilton Hyde of our branch who was one of those who ----- new page (MSS7599_p003.jpg) volunteered and went up to redeem Zion and reinstate the saints in Jackson Co Mo. from whence they had been expelled Having sold our property in Freedom we started in the fall of 1835 to gather with the saints in Mo. We traveled by team passed through Kirtland & then the head-quarters of the saints & when the Temple was nearing completion reached New Portge 50 miles west where we remained for the winter there being a large branch of the church here. Father worked at his trade (a tailor) & we children attended school. We were pleasant ly situated on the Ohio Canal a short distance from Akron where my brother-in-law B.F. Wheeler settled Here my Bro. Ira was living he took our team & worked it through the winter My father attended the Dedication of the Kirtland Temple in March 1836 I was baptized by Salmon Warner Apr 1836, Being much of a reader for a boy of my age My Father wished me to read the Book of Mormon through which I did at the age of 10 years & much interested in the history part My father & mother received there Patriarchal blessings under the hand of Joseph Smith Sen. who visited this branch. We resumed our journey to Ms. Cale in the spring traveling in the company of many of the sants camping by the way, Elder John Murdock being our principle directing man Our journey was very pleasant. We arrived in due time in Ray Co Mo. where a large Comp was formed on Crooked river near Richmond awaiting. arrangements being made for the saints who had been expelled from Jackson County & had found Temporary homes in Clay County an vicinity to occupy the New County of Caldwell. This being now the gathering place for the saints all the immigrating saints from the east joined those expelled from Jackson Co. bought the land from the government, bought out most of the first settlers founded Far West as the principle town & County Seat We remained a short time near Richmond all the family except Mother an myself being stricken down with the Chills & fever but they recovered so that we were enabled to continue our journey into the New County being occupied by the saints. ----- new page (MSS7599_p004.jpg) Father entered 80 acres of land at the land office being mostly prarie land with several acres of good timber and pleasantly situated 2 1/2 miles south of Far West. Father erected a comfortable log house so that we were prepared for winter My brothers Ira Joel this year 1837 to make it their home and assisted father in opening up the firm Ira joined the church. The Prophet Joseph visited the saints here organized them David Whitmer beng in charge go President in Far West. The following year 1838 The Prophet returned to Far West shortly followed by most of the Saints from Kirtland. Davis County adjoining Caldwell to the north now commenced to be occupied by the saints Adam-On-Di-Ahman being the principle town which the Prophet Joseph Smith said was the place where Adam built the alter upon which he offered sacrifice when driven out from the garden of Eden which was situated in Jackson Co, Mo. The old settlers of Davis Co now began to be jealous of our people then increasing numbers in the County & first showed itself openly at an election at Officers where Mob violence was exercised to present voting A place for the erection of a Temple had been selecten at Far West, an excavation for the foundation made and the 4th of July appointed as the time for the saints to meet and hold services on the site of the foundation. I attended the exercises with my Parents while on the way I stepped on a scyth taken along to cut prarie grass for the team and being bare-foot was partly severed in two Father took me to the house of David Whitmer where my foot was attended to a crutch improvised so that went out and heard the Martial band attended the service, at the Temple foundation heard the notable Oration delivered by Sidney Rigdon the words of the Prophet I now had the privilege of going to school not [-] being in condition to help much on the farm Father rented his farm moved to a place where he rented a house one mile from Far West. We commenced to build a house in the City where he intended working at his trade. The conflict at the election in Davis County between the saints & old settlers aroused ----- new page (MSS7599_p005.jpg) a mobocratic spirit in the hearts of the old settlers which resulted in serious conflicts with the saints in Davis County. My brothers Ira and Joel took part with others sent from Far West to assist the brethren in Davis Co to resist the mob who were arrayed against them The County was aroused against the Saints and they were compelled to leave the County by the mob in the early winter of 1838. Previous to this a mob had massed a number of the saints at Hann's Mill not far from Far West. The expelling of the saints from Davis County tended to encourag the moboeratic spirit hostile bands gathered in the vicinity of Far West. To disperse one on Crooked river threatening our settlement a small company under the command of David Patten was sent out they fired upon by the mob the leader mortally wounded Patrick O'Canyon Killed. These scenes made lasting impressions on my minde witnessing as I did as a boy going to mill on horse back the returning Company with the dead dying & wounded Our exertions to defend ourselves against the attacks of our enemies, our prosperity, and unity & religious convictions now united to stir up in the surrounding countries of the state a mobocratic spirit prevailed to such an extent Boggs the govenor was appealed to call out the militia to expel us from the state, he being a one of the mobocratic spirits formerly arrayed against one people in Jackson County was a witting leader to launch forth the entire force of the state against us. The large army which had been collected to come up against us soon mde their appearance. We were living a miles south of Far West on their direct line of march the men were all collected in the city living next so that at our home where a few families who lived near by were collected and as I was the oldest boy among them the invading army appeared in the distance. the women sent me out to see & report what they were doing be entering houses &c the women having such courage to send me increased my courage I found they were searching houses for arms &c I remained at the house were I was sent until the army had all passed when I returned & reported they camped in the immediate vicinity of our place. They had as a prisoner Bro Tanner who had been struck on the head by a gun inflicting a severe wound which I found Mother doing up ----- new page (MSS7599_p006.jpg) 6 This large force of state militia demended the surrender of our leaders Col. George M. Hinkle in command of our forces under arms to defend our rights betrayed the Prophet & other leading men into the hands of their hostile persecutors when accompanying him for a conference with some of the Officers of the Militia. The surrender & final arragements made with Gen. Clark in command for our expulsion from the state are vividly impressed upon the minds of the saints engaged & suffering through the persecutions of our enemies The Prophet Joseph with others was taken to their camp near our home where they whooped and exalted over his capture. & condemned him by a court masted to be shot this summary proceeding so enraged Gen Sonaphan Stephenson that they threatened to with- [---] their commands from the invading army thus the execution of the sentence was frustrated and the Prophet with many others cast into jail at Richmond Ray County. Many of our leading new were taken and cast into prison while we were forced to yield our possession and promise to leave the state by the coming spring. I attended school in the Far West during the winter Taught by Erastus Snow & Thus had the privilege of associating with the young of many of our prominent leaders As the state of Illinois offered us a refuge from our cruel persecutors the saints robed of their property had to make their way in and inclement season to make homes as they best could. Father proceeded us to the state where he hired one of the brethren living there to come for us with a team & after much hard- ship endured by my mother and children we ar[---] at Quincy & found a temporary at Lima in Adams Co. here father worked at his trade, we obtained no compensation for our possessions in Mo. and with the body of the saints found a hospitable reception in the state of Ho. The Prophet Joseph and many who wer incarcerated with him were removed from Richmond to Liberty ----- new page (MSS7599_p007.jpg) 7 jail in Clay County. The courts were appealed to convict them of treason & crimes but they were found innocent after being held in prison for many months some were discharged until the Prophet & effected then escape their enemies failing to convict them of crime The saints hailed the Prophet with great joy in Quincey Ill where many of the expelled saints were and in that vicinity. The latter end of 1839 found the Prophet & his brethren seeking a place of gathering for the exiles who were scattered in the state. Commerce on the Mississipi river in Hancock Co, where an opening was offered was secured by the Prophet and the brethren as a gathering place for the saints The name changed soon to Nauvoo, The exiled saints & others who were scattered or were enroute to mo gathered into the place appointed and began to build up a city. I wish my younger brothers & sister attended school in Lima where many of our people found temporary homes & in in the vicenity We moved to Nauvoo in the fall of 1839. Tha[--] bought a lot on the hill or upper part of the city and a short distance to the south of the Temple site. We built a small log house on our lot & were prepared for winter My Brother Iva who was married to Mary K Bent before we moved from Mo. & My Bro. Joel made the[-] homes in Nauvoo. Father by working at his trade was able to build a comfortable house the following year after we settled in the City I attended school and became well advanced in my studies. Facilities for acqureing education were quite limited the saints were struggling to make homes & raise something to live on. many were prostrated with sickness the fever & agree so prevalent in this section. Then we had moved into our new house I taught a primary school in our log cabin at the age of 15 and the following summer went into the eastern part of the county between La Harpe & Ramus where some of our people had settled & followed my now occupation as Teacher after obtaining from a board of examiners a certificat to teach the common branches of [--] then common school education I taught 3 months, Attended school in Nauvoo in the winter months I had the privelege of attending schools taught by such men as Orson Pratt Jesse W Fox Wm H Wood- bury Torin Garr Howard Corey Mr Wilber &c ----- new page (MSS7599_p008.jpg) The University of the City of Nauvoo was Chartered by the Legislature as also a liberal City Charter for Nauvoo. I received recognition from Prof. Orson Pratt as a student in the University through Cards which I still retain and appreciate as a reli[-] of its Officers & the exertions put forth by its learned professor to train the youth of the saints though not permitted to remain in Nauvoo long enough to build a home for this institution of learning I taught at La Harpe & vicinity during the year 1843 and continued my studies in Nauvoo during the winter, and in the summer of 1844 took a school at Blandenburgh in McDonough County joining Hancock Co. on the east h[-] I taught six months. While here the Prophet Joseph & his brother Hyram were martyred at Carthage many of the mob who committed this act lived in the County where I was teaching I thus learned very soon of the foul act and rode to Nauvoo. to be present on the day of the funeral, As I rode hom I passed through Carthage and viewed the jail & scene of the Murder. I stayed in the City a few days witnessing the gloom that has come over the saints by the death of the Prophet After the close of my school I returned to Nauvoo shourdered my gun & took part in repelling the the mobocratic outbreaks against our defenseless settlements. The gathering in of the Apostles & other elders soon followed. Father had taken a mission in the eastern states visiting many of his relatives & friends the Temple now nearing completion was pushed ahead with much energy by the saints I took advantage of an opportunity to visit my Uncle Wm Marks and family who lived at Shabeny's grove De Kalb Co Ill. where he obtained a farm in exchange for his Nauvoo property My Uncle was very much unsettled in his mind as to who should lead the Church after the death of the Prophet. When he removed from Kirtland at the time of the exodus from Mo. he settled in Nauvoo he was put in as President of the stake. After favoring the pretensions of different would be leaders of the Church he at last assisted to the youthful son of the Prophet as ----- new page (MSS7599_p009.jpg) 9 as leader. I remained through the winter of 1844 - 5 I returned to Nauvoo in the latter part of the. The Temple had been completed the saints receiving their endowments therein. Father & Mother having this privilege. Our — enemies would give us no peace until we agreed to leave the state. Preperations had been going on through the winter by making wagons &c to commence our journey to the Mountains early in the season. The first Company crossing the river on the ice. The twelve taking the lead of the Church with Prest. Brigham Young as the head of the Apostles Many were unable to sell their property or get means to make a fit out. We sold our place in June for a light team of mules & all started for the head quarters of the emmigrating camps in Iowa. We arrived at Council bluffs in July as the Mormon Battalion was being raised to fill a requisition of the government for a Bat. of 500 men to march to California to take part in the Mexican war then being waged against — Mexico, While this seemed a great hardship for the saints Prest Young was inspired to comply with requisition Many volunteering that we might make up the number who had families left to the case of the exiled saints. I enlisted freely. The Bat. was composed of five Companies I being in Co B. Ira & wife were among the first to leave Nauvoo My brother Joel & wife left Nauvoo with the Lyman Wight company My Brother Alphonso Edwin married Louisa Shoemaker she died before we left Nauvoo he went off to work & we have not heard of him (Our date of enlistment was July 16th 1846.) Capt. Allen of the U. S dragoos was our commander We had our own brethren as Company Officers We were marched to Fort Leaveworth where we received our arms & pay to buy our clothing for the year our time of enlistment Our family Father Mother brothers Wm Orson & sister Sarah. Traveled some of the way with us down into Mo - to find employment and prepare for the winter The saints were thus gathered on the frontier making preperations to go to the Mountains the following season Those who were left in Nauvoo for want of means to leave with the first companies were forced by their enemies to leave the City & cross the river and make their way west as best they could ----- new page (MSS7599_p010.jpg) 10 The time to the 13th of Aug. was spent at the Fost. breaking Miles for our teams and making preper- ations for our long march to Santa Fe. New Mexico Bro Wm Hyde and I had bought an Indian pony which we rode alternately making our journey much less wearisome. After some delay waiting for the companies in the rear also the sick left in the Hospital the Bat. were all together & resumed our March Aug 22 I kept a brief daily journal Col. Allen our leader who had remained behind at the Fort from sickness died Aug 23rd 1846 We realized that we had lost a kind sympathetic friend. While Capt Jefferson Kent our senior. Capt was the choice of all to take charge of the Bat. Lieut. Smith a regular army office left by Gen. Kearny to bring up the rear of the army marching west to Cal. now arrived at our Camp and it was thought best by our officers to give him the command of the Bat. This putting of Lieut- Smith in command when it was the right of Capt. Hurst to succeed proved a hardship to the Bat. Much sickness was experienced while Dr Sandersn our physician forced his medicines down the men against their will so that our situation through these cruel officers was very hard on us. I was blessed with good health I assisted the - Orderly or just Sergeant of our Company in making out his reports of the Company &c A small detachment was sent under Capt Higgins of the sick & some of the families to winter up on the Arkansas. [--] they parted with us on the 16th Sept. We continued our march & arri- ved Santa Fe on the 9th Oct. The Bat. was here put under the command of Lt. Col Philip St George Cooke. Another detachm ent under Capt Brown was sent from here to winter at Pueblo mostly of the sick & those not able to make the long march to California & most of the women. On the 19th Oct the Bat. resumed its march, our draft animals were mostly worn down by the long journey from Ft. Leavenworth. We were now reduced to 3[--] nations. Our route lay down the Rio Del Norte Bro Wm Hyde & I sold our mule to Lt. P.C. M[--] on 2nd of Nov on his appoitment as Adjt. of the Bat. ----- new page (MSS7599_p011.jpg) On the 10th a detachment of 55 men under Lt Willis mostly sick were sent back to Pueblo After traveling on the over 300 miles we left it turning to the west. Our route lay over an unknown country to our guides. We crossed the backbone of Rocky Mts taking our wagons down with great difficulty by unloading them & packing our supplies on mules We shortly reached an old Mexican deserted ranch where where found wild cattle we killed & dried some of the meat which our hunger after being so long on 1/2 nations & some of the