Vermont Bigelow & Utah's Brigham Young line

This month, our Church Organization celebrates Pioneer Day. Tomorrow, I will play pioneer songs that were sung as the Latter Day Saints walked with their only belongings in their handcarts. We will all dress in Pioneer clothing and pull our own handcart across the property. We will educate the children by talking about our ancestors which also were apart of the journey to Utah. I have distant relatives that were original Pioneers that walked from Illinois to Utah to escape persecution. Many lives were lost, but to them it was walking through the dessert just as the Jews did along with Moses to find a place to worship and be safe.

.....This is not my direct line, but my 2nd Bigelow cousin 5 generations ago. Muriel Bigelow's Mother was Madeline Young. Her father was born in Gorham, Maine and her mother was from East Livermore, ME. The Bigelow's came from England, but settled in Massachusetts.

It all began with Nahum Bigelow, born in Brandon, VT on February 19, 1785. As a common New Englander, his family were farmers and stock raisers. With true Yankee restlessness, he decided to try something with greater promise and speedy wealth. With a peddler's pack, he travelled from place to place until he came to Lawrenceville, Illinois. Nahum was middle-age at 36 when he met, Mary Gibbs who was just 12 years old. They married on December 2, 1826.

Their first child, Mary Jane (October 15, 1827), the second was a son named Hirum (May 20, 1829). Then came Lucy (October 3, 1830) the best looking of the family. Then Asa Elijah (Feb, 2, 1832) and in a short time Lovina (March 24, 1834).

When Lovina was a baby, rumours of a new religion of Joseph Smith and followers came to the farmhouse in Lawrenceville. The mysterious golden Bible and revelations from God were often spoken about by friends and neighbors.

Another son, Liola (October 4, 1835) was born. Shortly afterward two elders from the church came with the Book of Mormon preaching the new gospel to the Bigelow family. On Jan. 19, 1838, Sariah was named by her mother, Mary Gibbs, after the mother of the Lamanite and Nephite nation. Mary receive the gospel in her heart long before her and her family's baptism.

After many years of thoughtful prayer and bible study did Nahum, wife, and older children get baptized on April 29, 1839. After this another son, whom they named Moroni (September 1, 1840). They next moved to Mercer County, Illinois where Daniel was born on March 18, 1842. The family moved Lawrence to Coles County 10 years previously. They lived in North Illinois for another 4 years which was still quite a distance from the body of the Church in Navoo. Nahum decided to move once more and in the year 1843 bout 160 acres of prairie land. He was was only 18 miles from Navoo in Hancock County.

At this time there was religious persecution from those that hated and took abuse to Church members. Encouraged by the Governor (Ford) mobs would gather and set fire to hay stacks and barns of unsuspecting Mormons. Hiding behind the trees, as the husband would rush out to save his property, the men would shoot the Mormon leaving him to die in the arms of his wife and children. All this while Nahum would quietly go about his work, another child was born named after the Prophet, Joseph Smith (July 4, 1844). The Church's leader died June 1844.

In early fall of 1845, the members of the church were advised to move into the city of Navoo for protection. The Governor and new President Brigham Young made an agreement that he would gather the saints and move them beyond the borders of Illinois if they would go unmolested. Thousands of people moved far west. However, there were still people with homes outside the city, that were given permission to return and gather their crops if they felt brave enough to do so. The Governor promised protection, but suggested that when the state militia was not present, President Young should have a militia organized to help themselves. It was so done.

Nahum, quietly returned with his family to his farm, not ever having fear of man, was protected by the Mormon militia. It was not long that the plague had settled some of the children and at length attacked the father as well. The faithful mother went from bed to bed attending the wants of her sick children.

Surviving threatening mobs, standing trial at Carthage, near death pranks of poison to his family, he himself finally died after 5 years of living and suffering with pain. It was due to a neighbor poisoning him with arsenic-tainted coffee. He died in 1851. Loving hands and aching hearts did the rest—all that was left to do. As he waited to see the Prophet one more time just before his passing, his spirit left his body just as Brigham's carriage arrived at his home. And thus in the cemetery at Salt Lake City lies one of the sturdy Bigelow family who died for his family, his religion and his God! Mary Gibbs Bigelow died 19 April 1888.

Brigham Young married Mary Jane, his first daughter, in 1847 with little courting at the unknown country called "the West" Winter Quarters. It is where the Saints crossed snowy mountains and icy rivers in February to nest during the Winter before making the last part of the trip to Salt Lake. She stayed, and married to Brigham in Salt Lake City and bore three daughters.

Eudora Lovina "Dora" Young born on May 12, 1852. She died on November 21, 1922. She had two marriages and lived in Spokane, Washington.

Susa Amelia Young was born on March 18, 1856. She died on May 27, 1933. She was also twice married and remained in Provo, Utah.

Rhoda Mabel was born Februray 22, 1863 and died on September 20, 1950.

Lucy moved into the Lion House in 1855, until it was finished and remained there until President Young moved her and her family to St. George in November 1870, where she remained until 1892. Lucy did considerable missionary work in the Sandwich Islands and other places. She died in 1905.

As for the future of Nahum and Mary's other children:

Nahum, the first son, married Mary Mecham in Provo. He was asked to move to Dixie and grew a huge family in Arizona.

In the next Summer or Spring of 1948, President Young came back for more Saints, he asked to take Lucy (2nd daughter) with him. Lucy, however, divorced him and remarried four other times. She had one daughter at age 40 and died 6 months later.

Asa, with his family, is living in Provo. He is the same brave, fearless soul, and like all those with Bigelow blood in their veins, is conscientious and cautious to a marked degree. A loving father and kind husband, he is known as a good neighbor and honest friend. His numerous children have grown up under his wise watch and care.

Lovina married John Witt and settled in Heber City, Utah. Her large family are mostly married and settled down.

Liola, who was singularly intelligent and a spiritual child, died in his youth in Illinois on August 15, 1845. He had the black canker, which took his under jaw bone cut and five teeth. When Mary Gibbs (the mother) went to visit the same summer to see her parents, Liola died while she was gone. He was so bad that the neighbors came in and sat up with him. They were also there after he died. He had spasms. The family had blessings by President Young.

Sariah married a Mr. Daniel Cook and had several children. They had several misfortunes. Finally losing her reason, she died in this condition in Fairfield, Utah, in 1877.

Moroni—a loving, jovial, bright soul—was married to Elvira Mecham and had four children, one dying in its infancy. He was called on a mission to the Eastern States in 1868. On his return home he was murdered while crossing the Missouri River. He was thrown overboard by some dangerous desperadoes, presumably for the money which he carried.

Daniel married Miss Permelia Mecham. Together they have reared a fine little family. His family is a large one, but his affection and watch care reach out over every part and individual thereof. Whoever knows, honors and respects Daniel Bigelow.

Joseph Smith was the last child and lived only a few short months, dying during the violent persecutions which raged in Illinois.