George Spencer - Revision history

1857admin: /* External Links */

2014-03-25T18:57:50Z

External Links

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	= External Links =		= External Links =

	For additional information on ~~Harrison Pearce~~ and family see:		For additional information on George Spencer and family see:

	* http://mountainmeadowsmassacre.org/appendices/appendix-c-the-militiamen		* http://mountainmeadowsmassacre.org/appendices/appendix-c-the-militiamen

	Further information and confirmation needed. Please contact editor@1857ironcountymilitia.com.		Further information and confirmation needed. Please contact editor@1857ironcountymilitia.com.

1857admin: /* To Washington and the Cotton Mission */

2014-01-27T21:38:01Z

To Washington and the Cotton Mission

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	[[Image:Cotton Mill 02.jpg\|thumb\|right\|400px\|<center>'''The Cotton Mill in Washington County'''</center>]]		[[Image:Cotton Mill 02.jpg\|thumb\|right\|400px\|<center>'''The Cotton Mill in Washington County'''</center>]]

	In spring 1857, George Spencer and his wives, Emily and Mary Ann and at least one child ~~join~~ a migration of southerners to southern Utah. ~~This~~ reason for Spencer joining with the ~~southerns~~ is unclear since he was a New Englander while neither of his wives was a southerner. Nevertheless, they made the difficult wagon journey to Washington County.		In spring 1857, George Spencer and his wives, Emily and Mary Ann and at least one child joined a migration of southerners to southern Utah. The reason for Spencer joining with the southerners is unclear since he was a New Englander while neither of his wives was a southerner. Nevertheless, they made the difficult wagon journey to Washington County.
	They encamped at Adair Springs near what would become Washington in Washington County. These southerners founded the Cotton Mission in what came to be known as Utah's Dixie.		They encamped at Adair Springs near what would become Washington in Washington County. These southerners founded the Cotton Mission in what came to be known as Utah's Dixie.

1857admin at 10:17, 27 January 2014

2014-01-27T10:17:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:17, 27 January 2014
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	=== Migration to Illinois and Iowa ===		=== Migration to Illinois and Iowa ===

	By the late 1840s, Spencer was in the ~~Mormon~~ settlements in western Iowa. In ~~1852~~, 23-~~year old Spencer immigrated to Utah. The name of the company is unknown~~.		By the late 1840s, Spencer was in the Mormons' temporary settlements in western Iowa and he passed several years there. In 1851, he married Emily Brown Bush (1834-1906) in Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa.

	=== Journey to Utah ===		=== Journey to Utah ===

	By the late 1840s, Spencer had joined the Mormons in their temporary settlements in western Iowa and passed several years there. In 1851, he married Emily Brown Bush (1834-1906) in Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa. By 1852, they had gathered sufficient means to equip and provision an outfit for the trek west. George made the trek with his new bride, Emily Spencer.		By 1852, they had gathered sufficient means to equip and provision an outfit for the trek west. George made the trek with his new bride, Emily Spencer.
	[[Image:Mormon Trail.jpg\|thumb\|center\|700px\|<center>'''The Mormon Trail'''</center>]]		[[Image:Mormon Trail.jpg\|thumb\|center\|700px\|<center>'''The Mormon Trail'''</center>]]

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	Soon they had moved south and settled in Nephi, Juab County, south of Utah County.		Soon they had moved south and settled in Nephi, Juab County, south of Utah County.
	~~A child~~, Emily, was born in 1854 in Nephi. In 1855, he married into polygamy by taking a second wife, Mary Ann Payne (1841-1934), in Nephi. Mary Ann Payne was born in Nauvoo, Illinois.		Their firstborn, Emily, was born in 1854 in Nephi. In 1855, he married into polygamy by taking a second wife, Mary Ann Payne (1841-1934), in Nephi. Mary Ann Payne was born in Nauvoo, Illinois.

	=== To Washington and the Cotton Mission ===		=== To Washington and the Cotton Mission ===
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	As we have seen, Spencer's first marriage was to Emily Brown Bush in 1851 on the plains of western Iowa.They had nine children, five of whom survived to adulthood. His second marriage was to Mary Ann Payne in Nephi, Utah. She bore him eight children, all of whom survived into the twentieth century,		As we have seen, Spencer's first marriage was to Emily Brown Bush in 1851 on the plains of western Iowa.They had nine children, five of whom survived to adulthood. His second marriage was to Mary Ann Payne in Nephi, Utah. She bore him eight children, all of whom survived into the twentieth century,

	His last marriage was in 1858 to Sarah Marinda Thompson (1841-1914) in ~~St. George~~, Washington County, Utah. They had six children, four of whom survived into the twentieth century.		His last marriage was in 1858 to Sarah Marinda Thompson (1841-1914) in Washington, Washington County, Utah. They had six children, four of whom survived into the twentieth century.

	Among other things, he worked as a school teacher during his life.		Among other things, he worked as a school teacher during his life.

	He died in 1872 in Glendale, Kane County, Utah, at the age of 43. He was survived by his three wives and many children. Emily Bush Spencer lived to 1906; Sarah Marinda Thompson Spencer, to 1914; and Mary Ann Payne Spencer, to 1934.		He died in 1872 in Glendale, Kane County, Utah, at the age of 43. He was survived by his three wives and many children. Emily Bush Spencer lived to 1906; Sarah Marinda Thompson Spencer, to 1914; and Mary Ann Payne Spencer, who died in 1934, outlived him by more than sixty years.

	~~Sources are sketchy~~ on George Spencer (1828-1872) ~~and further information on him~~ would be greatly appreciated.		Further information on George Spencer (1828-1872) would be greatly appreciated.

	<br>		<br>

1857admin: /* Settling in Nephi, Juab County */

2014-01-27T10:11:24Z

Settling in Nephi, Juab County

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	=== Settling in Nephi, Juab County ===		=== Settling in Nephi, Juab County ===

	Soon they had moved south and settled in Nephi in Juab County, south of Utah County.		Soon they had moved south and settled in Nephi, Juab County, south of Utah County.
	A child, Emily, was born in 1854 in Nephi. In 1855, he married into polygamy by taking a second wife, Mary Ann Payne (1841-1934), in Nephi~~, Utah~~. Mary Ann Payne was born in Nauvoo, Illinois.		A child, Emily, was born in 1854 in Nephi. In 1855, he married into polygamy by taking a second wife, Mary Ann Payne (1841-1934), in Nephi. Mary Ann Payne was born in Nauvoo, Illinois.

	=== To Washington and the Cotton Mission ===		=== To Washington and the Cotton Mission ===

1857admin: /* Spencer Confesses Involvement in the Massacre */

2014-01-27T10:09:20Z

Spencer Confesses Involvement in the Massacre

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	On March 26, 1867, Spencer wrote a letter to Erastus Snow, Mormon apostle in charge of southern Utah. Spencer recited a tale of woe. Initially, he felt confidence when he had joined the church nearly fifteen years earlier; however, a string of misfortunes and tragedies had befallen him. In summer 1867, his son had died prematurely, and Spencer was still in deep mourning. Further, he blamed himself for his “lack of watchfulness!”		On March 26, 1867, Spencer wrote a letter to Erastus Snow, Mormon apostle in charge of southern Utah. Spencer recited a tale of woe. Initially, he felt confidence when he had joined the church nearly fifteen years earlier; however, a string of misfortunes and tragedies had befallen him. In summer 1867, his son had died prematurely, and Spencer was still in deep mourning. Further, he blamed himself for his “lack of watchfulness!”

	But something else disturbed him deeply. “Oh! what a life I have led. I was in that horrid “Mountain Meadow affair” (which was the grand cause of my moving back north). “I feel that I shall break down if I should not undertake to talk. I feel like I was slowly waking from a hideous lethargic dream.” He berated himself for his lack of faithfulness and his constant preoccupation with making a living. He requested that his leaders direct his life for a good purpose, but, invoking blood atonement imagery, he queried: “If it is necessary that my blood must be shed, and that will secure to me life eternal, let it run freely every drop of it. Without the hope of immortality and eternal lives: existenace itself would be a burthen. I feel like a little child lost in the woods that needs a father to show me the path that leads to open ground.”		But something else disturbed him deeply. “Oh! what a life I have led. I was in that horrid “Mountain Meadow affair” (which was the grand cause of my moving back north)." “I feel that I shall break down if I should not undertake to talk. I feel like I was slowly waking from a hideous lethargic dream.” He berated himself for his lack of faithfulness and his constant preoccupation with making a living. He requested that his leaders direct his life for a good purpose, but, invoking blood atonement imagery, he queried: “If it is necessary that my blood must be shed, and that will secure to me life eternal, let it run freely every drop of it. Without the hope of immortality and eternal lives: existenace itself would be a burthen. I feel like a little child lost in the woods that needs a father to show me the path that leads to open ground.”

	Whether Spencer got any relief from his torment is not known.		Whether Spencer got any relief from his torment is not known.

	=== Married and Family Life ===		=== Married and Family Life ===

1857admin: /* The Iron Military District: Adjutant George Spencer, Company I, John D. Lee's 4th Battalion, Washington, Washington County */

2014-01-27T10:06:52Z

The Iron Military District: Adjutant George Spencer, Company I, John D. Lee's 4th Battalion, Washington, Washington County

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	In 1857, the Iron Military District consisted of four battalions led by regimental commander [[William H. Dame\|Col. William H. Dame.]] The platoons and companies in the first battalion drew on men in and around Parowan. (It had no involvement at Mountain Meadows.) [[Isaac C. Haight\|Major Isaac Haight]] commanded the 2nd Battalion whose personnel in its many platoons and two companies came from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the north such as Fort Johnson. [[John M. Higbee\|Major John Higbee]] headed the 3rd Battalion whose many platoons and two companies were drawn from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the southwest such as Fort Hamilton. [[John D. Lee\|Major John D. Lee]] of Fort Harmony headed the 4th Battalion whose platoons and companies drew on its militia personnel from Fort Harmony, the Southerners at the newly-founded settlement in Washington, the Indian interpreters at Fort Clara, and the new settlers at Pinto.		In 1857, the Iron Military District consisted of four battalions led by regimental commander [[William H. Dame\|Col. William H. Dame.]] The platoons and companies in the first battalion drew on men in and around Parowan. (It had no involvement at Mountain Meadows.) [[Isaac C. Haight\|Major Isaac Haight]] commanded the 2nd Battalion whose personnel in its many platoons and two companies came from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the north such as Fort Johnson. [[John M. Higbee\|Major John Higbee]] headed the 3rd Battalion whose many platoons and two companies were drawn from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the southwest such as Fort Hamilton. [[John D. Lee\|Major John D. Lee]] of Fort Harmony headed the 4th Battalion whose platoons and companies drew on its militia personnel from Fort Harmony, the Southerners at the newly-founded settlement in Washington, the Indian interpreters at Fort Clara, and the new settlers at Pinto.

	In the summer of 1857, 28-year-old George Spencer was appointed adjutant to Captain Harrison Pearce of Company I attached to [[John D. Lee\|Major John D. Lee's]] 4th Battalion of the Iron County militia.		In the summer of 1857, 28-year-old George Spencer was appointed adjutant to Captain Harrison Pearce of Company I, attached to [[John D. Lee\|Major John D. Lee's]] 4th Battalion of the Iron County militia.

	On Monday, September 7, 1857, after the Arkansas emigrant company was attacked at Mountain Meadows, [[John D. Lee\|John D. Lee]] left the Meadows to find the militiamen he was expecting to join him. He met those from Washington and Fort Clara, some miles to the south that evening. Although George Spencer was no specifically named in this party, he may have been there as the adjutant to Captain Pearce. They arrived at the Meadows around midday on Tuesday, the 8th. During the week while the wagon train was ~~beseiged~~, ~~What~~ Spencer did from Tuesday through Thursday is not known, nor is his role during the massacre known with any certainty. However, as one of the Washington militiamen he may have been in the militia guard alongside emigrant men with ~~others~~ from Cedar City and Washington.		On Monday, September 7, 1857, after the Arkansas emigrant company was attacked at Mountain Meadows, [[John D. Lee\|John D. Lee]] left the Meadows to find the militiamen he was expecting to join him. He met those from Washington and Fort Clara, some miles to the south that evening. Although George Spencer was not specifically named in this party, he may have been there as the adjutant to Captain Harrison Pearce. They arrived at the Meadows around midday on Tuesday, the 8th. During the week while the wagon train was besieged, what Spencer did from Tuesday through Thursday is not known, nor is his role during the massacre known with any certainty. However, as one of the Washington militiamen he may have been in the militia guard alongside emigrant men with other militiamen from Cedar City and Washington.

	=== Spencer Confesses Involvement in the Massacre ===		=== Spencer Confesses Involvement in the Massacre ===

1857admin: /* Married and Family Life */

2014-01-27T10:03:53Z

Married and Family Life

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	=== Married and Family Life ===		=== Married and Family Life ===

	As we have seen, Spencer's first marriage was to Emily Brown Bush in 1851 on the Iowa ~~plains~~. His second marriage was to Mary Ann Payne in Nephi, Utah.		As we have seen, Spencer's first marriage was to Emily Brown Bush in 1851 on the plains of western Iowa.They had nine children, five of whom survived to adulthood. His second marriage was to Mary Ann Payne in Nephi, Utah. She bore him eight children, all of whom survived into the twentieth century,

	His last marriage was in 1858 to Sarah Marinda Thompson (1841-1914) in St. George, Washington County, Utah.		His last marriage was in 1858 to Sarah Marinda Thompson (1841-1914) in St. George, Washington County, Utah. They had six children, four of whom survived into the twentieth century.

	Among other things, he worked as a school teacher during his life.		Among other things, he worked as a school teacher during his life.

	He died in 1872 in Glendale, Kane County, Utah, at the age of 43.		He died in 1872 in Glendale, Kane County, Utah, at the age of 43. He was survived by his three wives and many children. Emily Bush Spencer lived to 1906; Sarah Marinda Thompson Spencer, to 1914; and Mary Ann Payne Spencer, to 1934.

	Sources are sketchy on George Spencer (1828-1872) and further information on him would be greatly appreciated.		Sources are sketchy on George Spencer (1828-1872) and further information on him would be greatly appreciated.

1857admin at 09:31, 27 January 2014

2014-01-27T09:31:27Z

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	<br>		<br>

	"'George Spencer'"		'''George Spencer'''

	1828-1872		'''1828-1872'''

	<br>		<br>
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	<br>		<br>

	~~'''''[There is uncertainty whether Alexander Ingram participated in the Mountain Meadows Massacre or was on the ground when the Arkansas company was attacked or besieged.]'''''~~		<br>

	= Biographical Sketch =		= Biographical Sketch =
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	George Spencer was born in Hartford County, Connecticut, to Moses Roswell Spencer (1789-1860) and Alma Flagg (1789-1854).		George Spencer was born in Hartford County, Connecticut, to Moses Roswell Spencer (1789-1860) and Alma Flagg (1789-1854).

			=== Migration to Illinois and Iowa ===

	By the late 1840s, Spencer was in the Mormon settlements in western Iowa. In 1852, 23-year old Spencer immigrated to Utah. The name of the company is unknown.		By the late 1840s, Spencer was in the Mormon settlements in western Iowa. In 1852, 23-year old Spencer immigrated to Utah. The name of the company is unknown.

1857admin at 09:27, 27 January 2014

2014-01-27T09:27:41Z

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	<br>		<br>

	'''George Spencer'''		"'George Spencer'"

	1828-1872		1828-1872

1857admin at 09:26, 27 January 2014

2014-01-27T09:26:41Z

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	<br>		<br>

	'''George Spencer'''		'''George Spencer'''

	1828-1872		1828-1872