April 8th-14TH

We are working hard this week, met a lot of missionaries going to Nauvoo and Palmyra to serve either in the temple or at the historic sites. Lots of Senior Couples on the move. A couple going to Nauvoo had come through who were on their second mission there, once as a temple mission and this time a 6 month Historic Site Missionary.

Our President is delivering duties to all the Seniors they are excited to have some responsibility. More and more Senior Couples are taking over assignments.

This week we were responsible for a dinner here at the Trail Center for the Karen Group. Since we had to do the dinner with some of the Senior Couples that serve in the Ward we had a pretty full day. Went to Training on Saturday Morning at 7:30 am, worked a 4 hour shift, cooked the Orange chicken and had to pick up members and take them home, by the time we got home we were tired. About 34 people attended though and we had a fun time with dinner, video and tour!!

Researching ancestors

JOURNAL OF ELIZA MARIA PARTRIDGE LYMAN (This journal of “Grandma Lyman” is an

abridgment made from a more detailed journal kept by herself, and of course abridged by herself, as being too full. This abridgment was copied by her daughter, Lucy Zina Lyman Redd, and is now being copied from there by Albert R. Lyman, son of Platte D. Lyman, son of “Grandma Lyman.”

Eliza Maria Partridge 13th Cousin 2 times removed

July 14th. My first child was born here in a wagon. I have named him Don Carlos. I am very uncomfortably situated for a sick woman, the scorching sun shining upon the wagon through the day, and the cool air at night is almost too much to be healthy.

15th. Brother Lyman went over the river. (It was about this time that the Mormon Battalion was called for)

August 9th, 1846. Since I last wrote I have been very sick with childbed fever. For many days my life seemed near to end, I am now like a skeleton, so much so that those who have not been with me do not know me till I told who I am. It is a fearful place to be sick with fever in a wagon, with no shade over us except the cover, and a July sun shining every day. All the comfort I had was the pure cold water, from the spring nearby. But the Lord preserved my life for some purpose, for which I thank Him. My babe, in consequence of my sickness, is very poor, but as I get better, I hope to see him improve. We left the spring and went up the river about 12 miles.

September 14th. Wrote a letter to mother sent by Father Tubbs.

21st. Visited Father Lotts, had a baked goose for supper. In the evening we were alarmed with the cry that a mob was near us, but it proved to be false.

22nd. Don Carlos ten weeks old today, and as bright a little fellow as ever was.

23rd. In the evening attended the wedding of Wm. Martindale and Rebecca Ann Haynes.

26th. Removed to our winter quarters on the banks of the Missouri River.

27th. Stayed at home.

28th. The wind blows very hard, several tents were blown down. Received a letter from mother. Bro. Sidney Tanner removed from the bluff to the river bank.

29th. Brother S. Tanner’s wife Louisa died, leaving a babe three months old.

30th. Sister Tanner buried. Father and Mother Tanner here, stayed all night.

October 1st. Brother Lyman and other brethren gone up the river to cut house logs.

3rd. Brother Lyman and company came home with a raft of house logs, the first that has been brought here. 4th. Stayed at home and tended baby.

5th. Brother Lyman and others went up the river for more logs.

14th. Don Carlos is three months old today and weighs 11 pounds.

15th. We have taken possession of our log house today, the first house my babe was ever in. I feel very thankful for the privilege of sitting by a fire where the wind cannot blow in in every direction, and where I can warm one side without freezing the other. Our house is minus floor and many other comforts, but the walls protect us from the wind if the sod roof does not from the rain.

25th. Caroline wrote a letter to Mother. My hair has nearly all come out, what little is left, I have had cut off. My head is so bare I am compelled to wear a cap.

29th. Took breakfast within the walls of our house. It is now about seven months since we have eating in a house till now.

November 9th. Daniel Weden Clark died this morning aged 3 weeks, he was the son of D. P. and Sarah M. Clark who were living with me.

Nov 14. Don Carlos weighs 13 pounds, having gained two pounds during the last month. He is a great comfort to me.

December 6th. My baby is sick and getting worse, has cried all day, but I cannot see what ails him.

12th. The baby is dead and I mourn his loss. We have done the best we knew how for him, but nothing has done any good, he continued to fail from the time he took sick.

My sister Caroline and I sat up every night with him and tried to save him from death, for we could not bear to part with him, but we were powerless. The Lord took him, and I will try to be reconciled and think that all is for the best. He was my greatest comfort and nearly always in my arms. But he is gone and I cannot recall him, so I must prepare to meet him in another, and I hope a happier world than this. I still have friends who are near and dear to me, if I had not I should wish to bid this world farewell, for it is full of disappointments and sorrow, but I believe there is a power that watches over us and does all things right. He was buried on the west side of the Missouri, on the second ridgeback, the eleventh grave on the second row, being farthest from the river this will be no guide as the place cannot be found after a few years.

Life was hard here at Winter Quarters, but we are so thankful that we had stalwart ancestors who continued to push on following the prophet and bringing others unto Christ.