Written by Laura Wood McCarty, Grand-daughter Oct. 1960
Retyped and additions made by Belva Rawson Moyle July 25, 2003
Additional information added from "Don't Be A Scrub" by Shirley H. Horton written about 1950. Typed in by Belva 27 Jul 2004.

Sarah Steadwell Wood was born Mar. 1814 at Chester or Genoa, Cayuga County, New York. Her father, Abraham Steadwell or Studwell or Studwell, was a native of Fairfield, Conn., but moved to New York with his father, Gabriel Studwell, and his two brothers, William and Peter Studwell in 1798 and later took up land in Rye, New York. Emigrant Thomas Studwell of Mass. came from Kent, England to Conn.,and New York. Her mother, Rebecca Sheffield, was a native of New York. Abraham and Rebecca had 10 children, as follows:

Harvey Studwell or Steadwell, bn. Abt. 1810 in Genoa or Chester, New York.

Selah or Seeley Studwell, born about 1812 Genoa, Cayuga Co., New York Sarah and Olive Studwell, twins, born 31 Mar. 1814, Genoa, Cayuga, New York

Mary Studwell, born 1816, in Genoa, Cayuga Co., New York Ann Studwell, bn. 1818, in Genoa, Cayuga Co., New York Rebecca Studwell, bn. 1822 in Genoa, Cayuga Co., New York John Studwell, bn. 1820 in Genoa, Cayuga Co., New York Jonathon Studwell, bn. 1822 in Genoa, Cayuga Co., New York. Abram Studwell, bn. 1826 in Genoa, Cayuga Co., New York

They moved to Berlin, Huron County (now Erie County) Ohio, about 1829 and later moved to La Harpe, Hancock County, Illinois.

Samuel Wood, born 1807 in Auburn, New York, married Sarah Steadwell 15 July 1832 in Berlin, Huron County, Ohio. They had six children, three died in infancy:

Warren Wood, bn 1833 in Berlin, Huron Co., Ohio

Sylvester & Emma Wood (twins) bn. 1835 in Berlin, Huron Co., Ohio --died young

Charles Wood, bn. 9 Jun 1837 in Berlin, Huron Co., Ohio

George Wood, bn. 1839 in Berlin, Huron Co., Ohio --died young

Joseph Wood, bn. 19 Apr 1841 in La Harpe, Hancock Co., Illinois

Samuel and Sarah joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and started towards Nauvoo, but Samuel became discouraged and taking their oldest son, Warren, said he was going back home. They separated at Sandusky, Ohio.

INSERT- Shirley Horton, Jan. 1962 gave the following: " Samuel Wood was a periodical drinker, when drunk he was cruel. During one drinking spell Sarah left him and went to Nauvoo to join the saints. Warren remained with his father. Warren died in the Civil War.

Sarah and her two sons, Charles and Joseph, continued on their way to Nauvoo, III., determined to be with the saints. They endured all the hardships of pioneer life besides the opposition of those who did not believe in this new religion. It took faith and courage to go on, but Sarah had both and did her part to help the cause along.

On Jan. 10, 1846, Sarah married Captain James Brown in Nauvoo, III. He was born Sept. 30, 1801 in Rowan Co., No. Carolina, and died Sept. 30, 1863 in Ogden, Utah, by accident. He joined the Mormon Battalion and left in July, 1846 for the long trek to help win California from Mexico. He took Mary Black Brown, one of his four wives, with him and Sarah was left to shift for herself.

These were troublesome times, persecution was so great the Mormons were forced to abandon their homes and were driven out of their beautiful city of Nauvoo, which was built on the banks of the Mississippi River. Their temple was burned and they had to flee for their lives across the river. They traveled on to Winter Quarters, Neb. On the west bank of the Missouri and suffered from cold and privations. Many lost their lives. Six hundred were buried in the little cemetery there. Sarah's son, James Harvey Brown, was born at Winter Quarters on Oct. 8,1846 - her bedroom was a wagon box set on the ground, but being of sturdy stock and having faith in the Gospel, Sarah survived the ordeal. History tells us that the early pioneers suffered more hardships and sickness and death while traveling from Nauvoo, III., to Winter Quarters, Neb. than during any other part of the journey.

INSERT - In the biography of Capt. James Brown written by Gladys Brown White in 1947 she writes. " On July 16, 1846, James Brown married Mary McRee Black, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This was the day he was inducted into the Army. Capt. Brown made arrangements for his three wives, Esther, Sarah and Abigail and their families to stay at Council Bluffs until he could bring them to the Rocky Mountains. His fourth wife, Mary, and her small son, David Black, marched with him in the Battalion."

INSERT - on Jul 20, 2001 Richard & Belva Moyle visited the Mormon Trail Visitors Center in Winter Quarters, Nebraska and there located the ward records of the church. In Ward No. 21 with Bishop Addison Everett was listed the family of Sarah Brown with nine family members.
Sarah is listed as age 32 and a soldier's wife. Nancy Brown 16, Daniel Brown 15, James Brown 13 William Brown 11 Franklin Brown 9. These are all children of Capt. Brown and his first wife - Martha Stephens Charles Brown 10 Joseph Brown 5, Sarah's sons with Samuel Wood James Harvey Brown age 5 months child of Sarah and Capt. Brown.

Also, in Ward No. 1 with Bishop Edward Hunter was listed the family of Esther Brown with two family members. (Esther was Capt. Brown's third wife.) Esther is listed as age 32 and husband in army.

Ann E. Brown age 10. Esther's dau. Ann Elizabeth Roper.

INSERT -quoting again from the biography of Capt. James Brown written by Gladys Brown White, "Capt. Brown had planned to return to Winter Quarters to bring his family West, but there were other things to be done.(He was sent to Calif. to receive the pay for Company C of the Mormon Battalion). So when Brigham Young and other church authorities returned East in the autumn of 1847, Capt. Brown sent wagons and provisions for his family and the family of Stephen Abbott, whom he had promised to care for, so that they might come to Utah. They joined him in Ogden, or as it was then called, Brownsville, in 1848."

INSERT - James Brown wrote to Abigail, one of his wives, dating the letter Aug. 6, 1847 Salt Lake Valley. A copy of this letter was given to BRM Sep 25, 2001 by Shirley Farley of Willard, Utah. The original copy is reported to be in the possession of Abigail's grandson, Myron Alma Abbott who died 29 Aug. 1932. In this letter, James mentions that he had heard from both his daughter Nancy and from his wife, Sarah. Both of them wrote saying "they planned on coming to the Salt Lake Valley as soon as James could provide them with wagons and teams." The letter mentions that Heber C. Kimball had been in contact with the Brown families and he reported that Sarah's health was poor and he hoped she would recover enough to come this season. James was also concerned about his other wife, Esther. In Abigails's history it states that James sent the necessary wagons. Sarah and children came in the Brigham Young Company leaving June 1, 1848 and arriving in the Valley on Sep 20-24, 1848.

Brigham Young was very concerned about his people, especially the widows and families of the men who went with the Mormon Battalion. It is said that "he slept with one eye open and one foot out of bed". Everyone helped each other when they were in need and their rations were low. He was a fine carpenter as well as a capable leader and whenever they stopped along the way, he had the men build cabins and bridges, as well as plant crops and gardens, which were often left for those who followed. They set up blacksmith shops and made wagons and other things necessary for their trip westward.

Although men, women and children were dying off by the hundreds, due to swampy lands and unhealthy conditions, as well as malnutrition and hardships­the saints kept up their spirits by singing gospel hymns and dancing around the campfires when the day's work was done. It was at this time, April 15, 1846, when the people were so discouraged that William Clayton wrote the song, "Come, Come, Ye Saints", which has been sung by hundreds of weary pioneers and is still the favorite Mormon hymn.

It was during these strenuous times that my grandmother, Sarah Steadwell Wood Brown lived, with her three sons, Charles Wood about 10 years, Joseph Wood about 8 and baby Harvey Brown. We have no history of her life, but older members of the family say she was a very intelligent woman, who did her own thinking and was a good manager. Her husband, Capt. James Brown, sent her money to buy the wagon and two span of oxen for the journey to Utah. They came in 1848 with the Brigham Young Co. with Heber C. Kimball in charge of ten wagons. My father, Charles, only 11 years of age, helped to drive the oxen. There were no lines, but they were guided by "Gees" and "Haws". After a long hard journey, they arrived in Ogden, Utah. They lived in Brownsville on the Goodyear property, which Capt. Brown had purchased with money earned by the Battalion. Several other families lived there too. The Fort consisted of some log cabins and corrals, a small garden and a large tract of fertile land, lying between the Weber and Ogden rivers. There were 75 cattle, 75 goats, 12 sheep, 6 horses and a cat. During the spring of 1848 they plowed a large tract, planting it to wheat and other things. They also made large amounts of cheese and butter­plenty of work for all. In Salt Lake Valley the frost, drought and crickets ravaged the crops so they were glad to get food from Capt. Brown.

Sarah was not too happy living in polygamy. Quoting Shirley H. Horton, "Father (Ithamer Thomas Sprague) set up his blacksmith shop in Salt Lake City. His wife [Betsey Goodner] and children had died crossing the plains. One day Captain James Brown, who was the founder of Brown's Fort (they call it Ogden now) came to see father. He was in sore need of a blacksmith and asked Father to join the new community in that capacity. Father decided he might as well, so he moved up to Brown's Fort. Capt. Brown as a widower had married Sarah Steadwell Woods in the Nauvoo Temple. She went by the name of Sally Woods." It was decided that Sarah would be happier married to Mr. Sprague."

INSERT- Sarah and Ithamar were married in 1849. The U.S. Census 1850 of Weber County Film 025540 lists:
Ithamer Sprague age 42
Sarah 35
Charles Wood 12
Joseph 8
James H. Brown 4
Margaret Sprague 1

The Indians were very troublesome and it was necessary to give them food to keep them from stealing and to maintain peace. One day the Indians came begging for food - they had stolen an Indian girl from another tribe, but they pushed her back and would not let her get anything to eat. Grandmother saw that her hair was all matted and she was thin and undernourished so she persuaded them to leave the girl with her. She cut off her hair, being unable to comb it, fed her and made her a bed on a straw tick, and finally brought her back to health. They called her Fanny, but she had another Indian name. Everytime the Indians came grandmother had to hide Fanny so they wouldn't kill her. She taught the family many words, which helped them to speak and understand the Indian language. Later my father, Charles Wood, went on a mission to the Indians and taught them the Book of Mormon. He also served as an interpreter for the Immigrants. The Indians taught grandmother how to make gloves and moccasins from deer skins. These she sold to the travelers who were passing through Utah. It became necessary to send Fanny away to live with other relatives to protect her from the Indians.

Ithamar Sprague was a blacksmith and there was plenty of work in his line in those days. Sarah, being a good manager, and thrifty, was able to help make a home in this new country and raise her large family in the land of the free. Their children were:

Margaret Sprague, b.Nov 28, 1849, Ogden, Utah; md. Norton W. Curtis.
Ithamer Smith Sprague, b. Dec 10, 1851 Ogden, Utah; md. Anna Maria Leavitt.
Sarah Sprague, b. Dec 15, 1853 Ogden, Utah; md. Nephi James Bates.
Rebecca "Betsey" Sprague, b. Nov 28, 1855 Ogden, Utah; md. Lemuel S. Leavitt.
Solomon Abraham Sprague, b. Aug 10, 1860 Ogden, Utah; md. Sarah Jane Giles.

INSERT - In the Pioneer History of Mrs. Sarah Bates received by Belva R. Moyle 9 Jun 2000 during a visit to the Salt Lake Daughters of Utah Pioneers she records. "My father, Ithamer Sprague, was also born in New York, and came to Utah in 1847, after joining the L.D.S. Church about 1840. He lost a wife and five children while crossing the plains, all dying from exposure, so that he was alone when he arrived at Salt Lake. Soon after his arrival there, Capt James Brown of Ogden, came to Salt Lake and hired father, who was a blacksmith by trade, to work for him in Ogden. He went and there met my mother who was then one of the wives of Capt. Brown. Capt. Brown in a conversation with father offered him one of his wives, as he was alone and lonely. The bargain was made, and mother and father were married by Capt. Brown. Five children were born to them, I being the third. When Sol, my youngest brother, was a baby, the family moved to Echo Canyon, where Father was blacksmith for the emigrants. They also lived near Fort Douglas.

INSERT - In the Dau. Of the Utah Pioneers book "Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude" there is a short article about Sarah. Possibly authored by Mrs. Theo Henderson of Heyburn, Idaho. It states "Sarah was described as a thrifty business woman and a dynamic mother. She and Ithamer Sprague had a stop for travelers at the mouth of Echo Canyon, which had been a Pony Express stop. She had a dining hall and did laundry and cooking at Fort Douglas. She made gloves and moccasins from deer skins and had a shop at Soda Springs, Idaho.

Differences had arisen by this time through father wanting another wife and eventually they separated. She made every effort to keep her children, but father took them and moved to Dixie, settling at first at Harrisburg. Five years later he moved to Washington. Forty years passed before I saw mother again, and she was then eighty years old."

INSERT - On the U.S. Census 1860 Weber County film 805313 we find listed:
Sarah Wood 46
Margaret Wood 10
Ithamer Wood 8
Sarah Wood 6
Rebecca Wood 4

Ithamer Thomas Sprague is not listed on the census. But he and Sarah had one more child Solomon Abraham Sprague born 10 Aug 1860 in Ogden. James Harvey Brown is listed in the family of James Brown in this census. He would have been 14 years old.

INSERT - In 1860 Sarah Steadwell Wood Brown Sprague is found living or visiting in Huntsville, Utah. Beth Brown Johnson from her research of Sarah shared the following info. Information given at the D.U.P. Huntsville Settlement Marker dedication Oct. 19, 1985. ...Word went out that Ogden Valley could be used as a permanent settlement. Before this, the Valley had been used as a summer herding ground. Cattle were brought into the area through the North Ogden Pass but the weather was too cold for them to winter over. If cattle could not be kept in the Valley over winter, could humans survive? There were some hearty souls who thought they would try and from 1858 to 1860 the road through Ogden Canyon was being developed. It was not finished until November 15, 1860, too late for settlers. Every spring much of what had been built was washed away by floods from melting snow. Unfortunately there is little in the way of "I was there...." To tell what they did or what they suffered. But in the summer of 1860 a group of settlers entered the Valley with plans to try and outwit nature.

INSERT - Joseph Wood, one of the settlers, spoke at the 1917 Homecoming on the building of the first house in the Valley. Unfortunately the story has not been located; however, in his life story he states, "In July 1860, when I was only eighteen, Mother (Sarah Steadwell Sprague), Maggie, Sarah and Becky Sprague and also baby Solomon Sprague, who was but 20 days old, drove up through North Ogden Canyon and settled at Huntsville. I got some material out and built a log house and some sheds for the cattle. I put up hay for the cattle Mother had gotten from step-dad Sprague.

[The much married Mrs. Sarah Lewis provided a jarring note. In the mid-1860's she became acquainted with the Reorganized Latter-day-Saint missionaries who opened the Utah mission and after several polygmous marriages, became an avid reader of Josephite tracts. Wood was also suspect to local authorities. He came to the rescue of a man who was being severely beaten, allegedly on orders from local authories and then protested the fact in the community. When he refused the bishop's request to destroy the RLDS tracts a church court was convened to consider his rebellion. That night he was warned by a close friend who had the reputation as the local Danite, that the outcome would likely involve blood atonement. Wood did some quick repenting, confessed his sins, settled outstanding tithing, burned the tracts, and (while still on a sort of probation) laid plans for leaving Utah.]

Our marker says:

"Huntsville's first known settlers arrived in the fall of 1860. They were Jefferson Hunt, for whom the town was names; his sons Joseph and Hyrum and their families; Charles and Alice [Horrocks] Wood; Joseph Wood and his mother Sarah; Nathan Coffin and his mother Abigail; the Edward Rishton family, and the James Earl family. Owned by Ute Indians, the land was purchased for two ponies, with additional payments made during the succeeding seven years. Arriving in 1864 Scandinavian settlers helped build the community through their thrift and industry. By 1880 Huntsville had grown to a population of over 800." Charles Wood and his family lived the balance of their lives in Huntsville. Joseph Wood spent nine years at Austin, Nevada and then located in Cache County in 1877.

INSERT - Beth Brown Johnson met a Sprague descendent in the Salt Lake Family History Library and she said "Sarah Steadwell after leaving Sprague married Alonzo LeBaron and lived on a ranch near Soda Springs, Idaho". Research so far is very vague about any connection with Alonzo LeBaron.

INSERT - Beth Brown Johnson in correspondence with Shirley Horton, Jan. 1962 said in correspondence with Sarah Sprague Bates that Sarah described her mother as being a woman of great business understanding. She tried to convince her husband of business matters, he resented it. One time while he was away on business she bundled up the children and departed for the East. This was about 1862. Sprague heard of her departure and followed, he caught her in Wyoming and took the children away from her. Shirley Horton received a letter from her uncle... "Sarah married Henry Lewis and lived near Blackfoot and had a sheep ranch. They later separated and she moved to Soda Springs." This has yet to be verified; however, Sarah is buried under the name of Sarah Wood Lewis in Cornish, Utah by the grave of her son Joseph Wood.

In the concluding paragraph of the history by Laura Wood McCarty, grand­daughter, she reports. Years later, after the death of her husband, Sarah married Mr. Lewis and lived in Soda Springs, Idaho. Here she had a small shop where she sold candy, books, pencils trinkets, etc., and had a good business. After her husband's death, she kept her business and made good money but finally sold out and spent her last days with her son, Joseph Wood and family in Trenton, Cache Co., Utah. where she passed away 31 Mar 1894, and was buried at Cornish, Cache, Co., Utah. Many fine descendants honor her name.

INSERT - Shirley Horton, Jan 1962 gave info to Beth Brown Johnson that Sarah Sprague Bates reported that in 1892 or 93 Sarah returned to Monroe, Utah where she set up a store in a small adobe building across the street from the home of her daughter Sarah. She had become very bitter towards the church, feeling it was the fault of the church that her children were taken away from her.

INSERT - Researching in the Ogden Family History Library B.R. Moyle on film 026,189 of Monroe, Sevier, Utah located - entry 428 Sarah Woods Re-baptized Sept 18, 1884 by Thomas Cooper. Re-Confirmed Sept 18, 1884 by Andrew

entry 499 Solomon Sprague, Parents: lthamer Sprague and Sarah Stedwell

Born Aug 10, 1860 - Ogden Re-baptized Aug 16, 1888 Re-confirmed Aug 16, 1888

7 Aug. 2003 Beth Brown Johnson located the death info of Shirley Hooton Horton. She was then able to contact Shirley's son, Ralph Horton, in Salt Lake. 15 Sep 2003 Ralph gave Beth copies of this following info recorded by Shirley. The manuscript is entitled, "Don't Be a Scrub" by Shirley H. Horton and gives a sketch of the life of Sarah Sprague Bates, daughter of Sarah Steadwell Wood Brown Sprague.

From the manuscript, "Then Sarah told of the heartache of her childhood - how her mother and father had separated and the children had been awarded to their father after the divorce. She hadn't seen her mother since they had come to Washington. She recalled that when she was eight her father and brother Ithamer had left their home in Echo Canyon and had come down to Dixie to see what they could arrange for the family. The trip was made after her father received a 'call' to help settle Dixie's wilderness. Her mother objected to the move. After he had gone, her mother had gathered up her other four children and had started back east in the wagon train of a Mr. Lefavor. In Dixie her father had received information of their going. With greatest speed he returned. He followed her and overtook her at Fort Bridger, Wyoming. What a tearful and bitter episode that must have been. Back in Ogden the two had been divorced and the custom of the time had been followed and the children were taken from their mother and given to their father. He returned with them to Dixie. Sarah wondered about a society that would permit children to be taken from their mother who was a hard-working honorable woman. She had heard that her mother was living in northern Utah or southern Idaho. She hoped to see her again."

Looking back again, "Mother's entire adult life had been one of hardship. She had left Mr. Wood and had given up Warren that she might be with the Saints. She had left her home in Nauvoo. The cold and sickness that went with Winter Quarters were part of the lot she had shared with others, as was the trip across the plains - so rigorous and hard with no man to help. She had made a home in Brownsville and had eventually lost Harvey when she and Capt. Brown had divorced. They had come to Echo and had again made a home. Their lives were finally beginning to be a little more as she had hoped for her family. The older children were getting a little schooling and were a real help. . . . Really in no way were they suffering. Surely a testimony could be maintained and life could be lived and even enjoyed in surroundings less demanding than Dixie. Physically and emotionally mother just didn't feel up to such a test. The more she thought about it the more she felt that she just couldn't start over again. She had run out of strength. "

It was at this time Sarah took the children and started East and Ithamer caught up with them. From Fort Bridger they returned to Brown's Fort. Ithamer and Sarah were divorced and the children were given to Ithamer. "I guess that mother was pretty broken up. She went to Huntsville, and didn't go back East after all. I haven't seen her since then and I'd sure like to... She was a good mother, regardless of the court decision. I understand that after a time she married a man named Alonza H. Lebaron and they lived on a ranch near Soda Springs in Idaho. Father used to say, 'if I'd have kept your mother and her advice I would have been a rich man today, but I wouldn't be run by a petticoat." Ithamer Sprague died 13 Apr 1879 in Clark Co., Nevada.

"It had been forty years since Sarah had seen her mother - since that anguished parting so long ago. One day the white topped mail buggy brought a letter from her mother informing Sarah that her mother would soon be coming to visit. She would be at Sol's in Richfield where he had moved to be editor of the Richfield Reaper - the weekly paper. She would let Sarah know when she would come to Monroe. At last her dream would come true, she would see her mother. Finally the message arrived amid their excited preparations. Sarah told the children they could walk toward Richfield to meet their grandmother. When the awaited day arrived Sarah inspected them and decided that even though they wore assorted patches on their clothes that they were neat and clean. They were admonished to keep clean as they left to meet their grandmother."

"Sarah waited eagerly for her mother to come. Finally, between trips to the front gate, she went to the kitchen to start dinner. She had just put the skillet on the back of the stove when she heard a buggy pull to a halt in front of the house. Sarah flew out the door. Yes, it was her mother. The face was familiar as one

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seen in an almost forgotten dream. She appeared to be almost eighty years old, a stern appearing woman with abundant auburn hair that looked like and was, a wig."

"When Sol came over to visit his mother she told him of her dream of having a store, he said that if she wanted she could use his house. She would have the shop in front and live in the back. Grandma Sprague, as she was known, even after she had married Mr. Lebaron and Mr. Lewis, settled into the small community and its activities. She was very ingenious and had a good head for money making. When the wagons would come from Salt Lake with supplies the women would flock to the store and the supplies would be depleted within twenty-four hours."

"The children loved to hear stories from their grandmother for her stories were so varied. One was of her experience teaching Primary in Huntsville. She was amused and pleased when one of the pupils named David O. McKay (Born 8 Sep 1873) told her that the class pictured her to be the most courageous lady they had ever known. When asked why, he told her that they had watched her as she rode her horse to Primary each week. He and the others would stare at the watermarks on the horse, indicating the depth of the river water where she forded the stream to get to Primary. The boys would watch the roaring flood waters in the spring and think that this time she wouldn't make it, but she never failed them. Pres. David O. McKay years later said she had taught him an important Gospel lesson - that of dependability - and classed her as one of the great teachers of his life."

In 1884 Sarah was living in Monroe. She was 78 years old and still had great physical and mental strength. After a while she decided to go back to Cache Valley. She lived in Trenton with her son, Joseph Wood. She died in Trenton and is buried in the Cornish Cemetery under the name of Sarah Wood Lewis. Sarah died 31 March 1893.

On May 20, 2000 A small group of members of the Mormon Battalion, Randy Thompson, Capt. Of Company C and great-grandson of James Harvey Brown with other members of this Brown family placed a Mormon Battalion marker on Sarah Wood Lewis' grave in Cornish, Utah. The marker says, Wives of the Mormon Battalion. Those in attendance besides the Battalion members were Viola Kirby Thompson and Beth Brown Johnson great-granddaughters of Sarah, great-great-granddaughters and sons: Belva Rawson Moyle, Arlene Miller, Jean McBride Sorenson, Roger & Sheryl Rawson, John Johnson, Richard Moyle and Bob Colvin.

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10 Mar. 2005 Additional research on Sarah's fourth husband Alonzo H. LeBaron.

On 9 Sep 2005 Belva was at the Ogden Fam. History Center and happened on the book "Nauvoo Deaths and Marriages 1839-1845." There was recorded the death of a child: LeBaron, Harvey B. son of Alonzo and Clarissa LeBaron. Died 15 Aug 1843 at Nauvoo; 10 months old; diarrhia. There was also an entry of Alonzo Harrington LeBaron and Clarissa Bostwich married 16 Oct 1841 in Newstead, Eric, New York. I started wondering if this is the Alonzo married to our Sarah. Sarah was born in Chester, Cayuga, New York and would have been 4 years older than this Alonzo. Alonzo Harrington LeBaron is listed in the Ancestral File born 18 May 1818 in LeRoy, Germesse, NY. Father: David LeBaron [Jr. 1775-1829] - Mother: Lydia Ann Batchelder [1793-1830].

Alonzo has Clarissa Bostwich as his first wife. Married as given above. It has her dying 12 May 1899 near Stockton, Illinois. They had 4 children listed, the eldest is the Harvey listed in the death records of Nauvoo. Then Alonzo born 7 Dec1842 in Missouri, Maria born Feb 1845 in Illinois and Edward born Feb 1, 1849 in Missouri. It lists Clarissa as having a second husband, Solmon Lawrence and dying May 12, 1899 in Stockton, Illinois. Maybe she and Alonzo H. LeBaron separated.

Alonzo H. LeBaron married a second wife, Sarah Jeffs in about 1850. They had seven children according to the Ancestral File.

Sarah LeBaron 1851 in New Orleans, Louisiana
David Alonzo LeBaron 1854 in Salt Lake City
William Jeffs LeBaron 1856 in Salt Lake City
Daniel Moroni LeBaron 1858 in Salt Lake City
Mary Elizabeth LeBaron 1859 in Salt Lake City
Lydia Maria LeBaron 1861 in Weber City, Weber, Utah
Eliza Jane LeBaron 12 Jul 1864 and died 26 Jul 1864 Beaver, Utah

Sarah Jeffs LeBaron died 19 Jul 1864 in Beaver, Utah (I would think something to do with the birth of the baby) She is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery in Beaver, Utah.

Our Sarah Steadwell was in Nauvoo when this Alonzo was there. She was in Weber County in 1861. Her youngest son, Solomon Sprague was born in Aug 1860. I don't know the exact date of her divorce from Ithamer, but could have been in 1863 - 1865.

According to the Ancestral File Alonzo H. LeBaron did his own baptism 30 June 1836, Endow. 1 Jan 1846. He was sealed to Clarissa 5 Feb 1988 in Provo Temple. He was also sealed to Sarah Jeffs 9 Jan 1856 (Probaby in the Endowment House.)

[Some records show Alonzo married a Sarah Tew (b. 1837 in Warwickshire, England; died July 1864 in Beaver, Utah) sometime between 1858 and 1860, and possibly, an Anna Tew. Sarah Tew had been married to Mosiah Lyman Hancock and possibly a James Garfield.]

On 11 Sep 2004 I contacted my cousin Beth Brown Johnson, who has helped a lot with the above research on Sarah Steadwell, and asked her to visit the Salt Lake City Cemetery and look for Alonza H. LeBaron. On 19 Oct. 2004 Beth sent me a photo of the headstone of "Alonzo Harrington LeBaron 1818 -1891" She sent me the plot number in the SLC Cem. There are no other family members near him.

Knowing Alonzo's death year I searched film 0026554 of the "Deaths in Salt Lake between 1890 -1908". On the index Alonzo was on page 16, death number 615. The very last entry on page 16 was:
No. of death 615 a Mother: Lydia Ann Batchelor LeBaron
No. of Certificate 1365 Nativity of Father: American
Name. Alonzo H. LeBaron Nativity of Mother: American
Age 75 Place of Internment: S.L.C. Cem.
Place of Death: East Bench - City Date of Interment: 1891 Feb 2
Sex: Male Duration of Illness: blank
Color: White Cause of death: Natural causes
Social State. Blank Physician: E.E. Harris - coroner
Birth Place: LeRoy, Genesse, NY Undertakers' Name: Wm. Skewes &
Father: David LeBaron Son
Resident or non-resident: Resident

After this I pulled film 026928 of the Desert News Daily. It didn't have any obituaries on Sat. 31 of Jan, but the following article caught my eye.

DIED IN HIS TENT

About noon today, word was received at police headquarters that an old man name Havington, who for some time past had lived in a tent in the foothills above the city, had been "found dead" in his bed. In company with a police officer, Undertaker Skewes went to the place where the body lay. It was yet warm, and was brought to the city and taken to the undertaking establishment of Skewes and Son. An inquest was to be held this afternoon. Havington was about seventy-five years of age. It is supposed he died of natural death.

There also was an article in the Ogden Standard Newspaper 1891-02-1. Since Alonzo's middle name was Harrington, Havington [Warrington] could be a typing error. I'm wondering where they obtained the info about Alonzo's father and mother. Someone from the family must have been involved. Also, who paid for the plot and headstone.

I have written a letter to Blake Reneau in Pocatello, Idaho asking for info on Alonzo. I sent it on Sep 30th. No response. He had sent in info on Alonzo Harrington LeBaron to the Family Search Pedigree Resource File. Also, in this same file someone had Sarah Steadwell and Alonzo LeBaron sealed in the Ogden Temple 5 Jan. 2000. No submitter listed.

Belva Rawson Moyle thinks we may have found our Alonzo LeBaron. Now just need to find, Henry Lewis, husband No. 5.

There is a Henry A. Lewis set apart as bishop of Georgetown Ward, Bear Lake Stake, on August 25, 1877, and died on October 30, 1904 in Salt Lake City.  He may be the same Henry Lewis who was set apart as bishop of the Alpine Stake, Lehi, Utah County, Utah on December 20, 1903 for the Third Ward.

Sources:

PAF - Archer files = Captain James Brown + (4) Sarah Sally Steadwell

"Sarah Steadwell Wood" was written by Laura Wood McCarty, Granddaughter Oct. 1960 Retyped and additions made by Belva Rawson Moyle July 25, 2003 Additional information added from "Don't Be A Scrub" by Shirley H. Horton written about 1950. Typed in by Belva 27 Jul 2004.

Some additions, photos, [brackeded], and links added by Lucy Brown Archer

A.J. Simmonds in "The Gentile Comes to Cache Valley", 1976

Job Smith Diary and Autobiography 1849-1877 Pioneer Trails: Overland to Utah and Pacific, 1847-1869. http://www.memory.loc.gov/award/upbover/dia5577/dia5577.sgm.

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