Blog #18 (Part 2)
By Kevin V. Hunt
Markers, Monuments, and the dash … Well, here is more of the dash! We will take up where we left off. Hopefully, you have already read Part 1 of this 2-Part blog article. There were just too many photos for one blog article.
THE NAUVOO PIONEER CEMETERY
After Jackie and family headed back to Arizona, I made my own visit to the Nauvoo Pioneer Cemetery. And Lou didn’t want to chance it with the chiggers and decided to let me have my own cemetery experience.
I went to the cemetery – located only about two miles east on Parley Street – just up the hill from my own Simeon Dunn historical home – also on Parley Street. I parked and did the overland trek up a hill and into the woods. I scoured the cemetery and tried to see all the gravestones that were somehow still standing and legible. Many, or most of the gravestones were too badly aged to be readable. There were really only a very few stones that I could read.
One of the first headstones I saw was that of Edward Partridge, the first Bishop in the Restored Church
I was pleased to find the graves of Lury Scovill and three of her children. We have taught about her as we have served in her own Scovil Bakery home.
I also found the graves of James and Hannah Webb – the parents of five brothers who were the Webb Blacksmiths here in old Nauvoo.
THE NAUVOO CEMETERY
I have thought for years that only the Pioneer Cemetery held graves of early Mormon settlers. I knew that there was a Nauvoo Cemetery but didn’t think that it contained graves of the Mormon settlers. Then on one of my tours, I was talking with a brother who said that he descended from Seymour Brunson. Together, we found a photo of his grave on Findagrave.com. I analyzed the photo of the grave and knew (from my recent visit to the Pioneer Cemetery) that it was not there. I told him that it had to be in the Nauvoo Cemetery.
I later did some more research and learned that early Mormons were buried in this cemetery – beginning in 1841. I again made my own trip (with cootie precautions) to the Nauvoo Cemetery – located a mile or two from downtown Nauvoo – on the road to Ft. Madison.
Upon arrival, I first found myself in the Catholic section of the cemetery. I didn’t see the sign until after I had explored most of the gravestones.
I continued to seek the Seymour Brunson grave site. I knew that the stone was quite large and could not be hidden. I continued my search and found a section – located at the south and then west of the cemetery – where early Saints were buried.
I did find the Seymour grave – and later did more research on him. It was at his funeral that his friend, the Prophet Joseph, preached. And it was in this sermon that Joseph first preached about the new principle of Baptism for the Dead.
I was surprised and pleased to find the grave of James White. He was the river trapper man lived in the village of Commerce before the Mormons came to the area – and who owned the home (built in 1823) that he sold to Joseph Smith – and which we know today as the Joseph Smith Homestead. (So, the building that was the first Nauvoo home to Joseph and Emma is fully 200 years old – and is still in great shape! Wow!)
I found the grave of a Laura Clark. I found this interesting because it showed that she was the daughter of Timothy Baldwin Clark. I recognized that name – as that of my 4th great grandfather. (I later checked my Ancestral Quest family database, and this confirmed my thought that she was a sister to my 3rd great grandfather, Ezra Thompson Clark. My program also told me that “ Laura CLARK-3303 is the 3rd great-grand aunt of Kevin Von HUNT-1. Their common ancestors are Timothy BALDWIN CLARK-3292 and Mary Polly KEELER-3293.” I also noted in my file that her husband was Morris Phelps. It was great to find one of my own people in the Nauvoo Cemetery. So great!
A few days after finding the Laura Clark gravestone, I found myself serving at the Seventies Hall. Upstairs in this Hall, there is an index of all of the members of the 15 or so Seventies Quorums of Nauvoo. I was helping a brother in the index. He found a couple of his men listed there. Then he said that he wanted to find a guy named Phelps. Then he was quick to add, “but not the famous W.W. Phelps”. I recalled my Nauvoo Cemetery visit and the Laura stone. I said, “By any chance was this, Morris Phelps?” He was surprised that I knew his guy. I then showed him my photo of the Laura Clark Phelps gravestone. This guy was excited – and so was I. Another one of those Nauvoo Miracles (of which I recently posted). (As a side note, Morris Charles Phelps lived 30 beyond Laura and was buried in Montpelier, Idaho.)
THE GRAVES OF JOSEPH, HYRUM, EMMA AND THE SMITH FAMILY
The graves of the Prophet Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma are all located in the Smith Family Cemetery located behind and just west of Joseph Smith’s Homestead. This is a beautiful, sacred spot. The Smith Family Cemetery is open to the public at all times.
In addition of Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma, about 20 Smith family members are buried in the cemetery. A sign in the cemetery denotes the many Smith members who are buried there – including Joseph Smith, Sr., Lucy Mack Smith, Samuel Smith, Don Carlos Smith – and many more..
The gravestones of Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma have changed many times – and somewhat dramatically over many years. The current stones might be the ones that will remain there until the resurrection.
Graves of Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma as seen in 1975
When I was here in Nauvoo 50 years ago, I took photos of the Smith gravestones.
This photo marks the spots of others of the Smith family. Those markers do not exist today – but they are noted on the sign.
JULIA MURDOCK SMITH
A Sister Missionary in the visitors’ center, knowing of my visits to local cemeteries, asked me what I knew about the burial place of Julia Murdock Smith – the adopted twin daughter of Joseph Smith. Together we found the grave site of Julia. I learned that after the death of Joseph, she later married a man named Elisha Dixon and for a time they helped to manage the Mansion House. They then moved to Galveston, Texas. After a short time, this husband died in a bizarre steamboat fire. She later married John J. Middleton. Tradition is that this man abandoned Julia.
Julia returned to Nauvoo and lived with and took care of Emma Smith until Emma’s death in 1879. Julia did not go west with the Saints, and it is not known if she joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ with her other Smith family members. Later in Nauvoo, with few church alternatives, she joined the local Catholic Church. She died a year after Emma in Nauvoo. She is buried in the Catholic section of the Nauvoo Cemetery. We found her headstone and it gave an interesting history – a bit more “dash” than most gravestones.
I learned that later, her Murdock brothers had done her LDS Temple work on behalf of Julia.
JENETTA RICHARDS GRAVE
Jenetta Richards became the first person in England to be confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A year after her baptism she married Willard Richards who was ordained an Apostle while on his mission.
When you are a property owner already, why get a cemetery plot? That may have been the thinking of Sister Jenetta Richards, wife of the Apostle Willard Richards.
When Jenetta died on July 9, 1845, she was only 27 years old when she passed away. Jenetta was buried about 20 feet SW of the Richards home on White Street. Gray stones with inscriptions were placed both above and below the casket.
In 1868, an excavation was being made near the home of the Richards and they found Janetta’s tombstone and coffin. It was moved to the SW corner of the lot. In the early 1900’s the coffin was moved again to it’s present location which is part of an old burying ground. Years later, the family returned and placed a nice headstone there where it is easily accessible. business).
Today, Jenetta’s grave is located just a few feet west of the current Highway 96 (on Durphy Street) that passes through Nauvoo. The Williard Richards home has since been turned in to a bed and breakfast place and the grave is about 50 yards east of the B&B.
MONUMENTS TO THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH, HYRUM AND BRIGHAM
One of the great monuments at the river’s edge on Parley Street (the point of departure for the Saints) is a statue of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. This beautiful statue depicts Joseph pointing the way West to Brigham. The statues speak to me (and probably other viewers) of the bond between the two prophets as well as the ongoing leadership of Brigham and his role to lead the Saints to the West and the Rocky Mountains.
In this statue set, Joseph and Brigham are standing, looking west, with Joseph Smith raising his left hand westward, while Brigham holds the map of the Great Basin and the route to the Rockies. As already noted in this blog article, Joseph had prophesied earlier that the Saints would go to the Rocky Mountains.
With this statue is a plaque that reads:
EYES WESTWARD
“To Your Tents O Israel”
“On the anniversary of the 200th year celebration of the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, this monument of His prophets Joseph Smith and Brigham Young has been erected.
“In Nauvoo the saints heard the rallying ancient cry, “To your tents, O Israel”, in sublime faith and trust, such as history scarcely records, they obeyed, ready to follow their leader where ever he might direct their pilgrim feet. The scenes of wagons, impossible to fully comprehend the hardships those sweet early saints endured.
“The first wagons left Nauvoo on February 4, 1846. This early departure, brought on by increased mobocracy subjected them to gale-force winds, torrential rain, snow, subfreezing temperatures, and axle-deep mud. Most of the Saints were poorly prepared for this epic journey. Many were city dwellers from the eastern United States and England, skilled in many crafts, but unaccustomed to the feeding and harnessing of horses, oxen and mules, driving wagons and herding livestock. Through much work, sacrifice and prayer and under the inspiration of Heaven and their inspired leaders, these faithful Saints completed their journey west and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847.”
“To those early pioneers whom we love, honor and cherish; may your names be forever remembered.”
I love all of the monuments to Joseph Smith, the Lord’s Prophet, but the one of Joseph and Hyrum on their horses – located in front of the Temple – is truly wonderful and inspiring. Entitled, “The Last Ride”, this scene depicts the departure of Joseph and Hyrum as they were leaving the Temple Site and going willingly toward their martyrdom fate.
Joseph and Hyrum in Sunset – Copyright by Kevin and Lou Hunt 2024
“The Brothers” statue of the Smith brothers – Joseph and Hyrum – in front of the Carthage Jail is also magnificent and inspiring. (I should have included this in my blog article, “Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph” but didn’t. I have since updated that blog to include this photo.
Joseph and Hyrum Statues at Carthage – 2002
The artist, Dee Jay Bawden sculpted the statue of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum that graces the plaza leading to the jail and the visitors center. Also, with “The Brothers” statue, six large historical monuments or tablets carved by artist, Jeff L. Anderson – five of which are on the plaza.
Statements on Plaques by Jackie Hunt – 2002
1935 Plaque – State of Illinois
OTHER HISTORICAL MARKERS ALONG THE WAY
By now, I was really into my ongoing discovery of interesting plaques and markers of various kinds. This “dash hunting” was really growing on me. (just like a tree … it keeps growing!) I searched all over Nauvoo and the surrounding area for more markers and monuments.
PARLEY STREET PLAQUES BY THE RIVER
I went to the end of Parley Street – to the place where the Saints headed out across the ice or the river toward Salt Lake City and other western opportunities. At this location, I found a number of different markers (besides the statues of Joseph and Brigham.)
A Plaque on the “Trail of Hope”
MEMORIAL TO ALL WHO “DIED BEFORE THEIR JOURNEY’S END”
There is a beautiful memorial pavilion dedicated to the many pioneers who died en route from Nauvoo to the Salt Lake Valley. This is a circular “monument” that lists the names of hundreds of known people who “died before their journey’s end”. I found the names of Thomas Hancock and others of my ancestor families.
A SURPRISE MONUMENT DEDICATED TO ONE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE PIONEER NAUVOO ERA
All around Nauvoo, there are monuments to many of the pioneers of the “modern” pioneer era of 1839 to 1946 and any monument is appropriate and wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised to find a monument to another great American leader. This was in honor of Moroni – General of the Nephite nation Army. (And was his Zarahemla any relation to the modern-day Zarahemla across the Mississippi? I don’t know … but that is an interesting study for another day.)
Moroni is one of my all-time greatest heroes, so I was pleased to see him remembered appropriately in a plaque under the giant flagpole at the site.
THE NAUVOO MONUMENT TO WOMEN MEMORIAL GARDEN
Truly one of the greatest monuments (or a collection of monuments) in Nauvoo is the Nauvoo Monument to Women Memorial Garden.
I have always loved this collection of many monuments to women – all displayed together in the Memorial Garden. They are all beautiful individually, and together, they show the life cycles or stages in the lives of women.
When on duty serving recently at the Visitors’ Center, I took a stroll out through the Memorial Garden. It was a beautiful morning, and I felt the Spirit as I walked and reflected upon the statues. The surrounding greenery and flowers were most wonderful. It was a quiet, peaceful, and beautiful spot. And the weather of the day made it even stunning. (Sister Hunt and I have lamented that the surrounding greenery is so lush and big that it actually hides the garden – and sadly, few people realize that it is even there.)
I really like the statue of the mother and child – since my wife and daughters depicted this scene in the “City of Joseph” pageant years ago.
I have also loved the statue of the grandma making a quilt. This reminds me of my own grandma, Augusta Wilcox Hunt, my own mother Alura, and Aunt Winona – all of whom were dedicated and generous quilt makers.
And my Aunt Leonie and Uncle Allen have memorialized Grandma Augusta and her quilts in one of their best songs (and though written to Grandma Augusta, all of the words apply also to my mom, Alura.) I have included just a bit of the song. (And Allen sent me his lyrics to this and other of their songs just a couple of days before his recent death.)
Written by Allen Hunt
Nov. 1991
Grandmothers Quilts
What could she do to give them her love
Her children who’ve gone from the farm
Make each a quilt to comfort and warm
And be there instead of her arms
Long after she’s gone to Grampa
And the fingers that sew have grown still
Children of children will rest through the night
Warm under Grandmothers quilts.
While out in the garden, I noticed another plaque that I had not previously seen or acknowledged. I was surprised to learn that this monument had been in Nauvoo since 1933. I thought at first that the current plaque might just be a “memorial” to the original plaque. 1933 … Wow! That was before any Restoration occurred in Nauvoo. Seeing the plaque got me interested in searching deeper. The history was surprising and interesting.
I learned that the original 1933 monument was erected on the banks of the Mississippi River – adjacent to Joseph’s Red brick Store. I also read one article which stated that the statue had been moved to the Nauvoo Temple site in 1953. I saw no evidence of this statue at the Temple site when I was here as a missionary in 1975. I was really baffled by all of this.
This is what I found:
The First Relief Society Monument
“In the midst of the Great Depression, Apostle George Albert Smith suggested that a monument be placed in Nauvoo in memory of the Relief Society. He and General Relief Society President Louise Robison asked Frederick Smith, president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (RLDS) and grandson of Joseph and Emma, for permission to place the monument on RLDS property where Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store once stood. Frederick Smith approved, and the dedication took place on July 26, 1933.” (https://latterdaysaintmag.com/article-1-15001/)
I also wanted to see what the statue looked like back in 1933. At first, I could find no image of the original 1933 statue. It took some research effort, but I finally found a photo of the original statue. It was interesting that I found the photo on an E-Bay postcard (and of course, I bought the beautiful card)
Seeing the monument photo drove me back to the Visitors’ Center. Sister Hunt and I returned to the Center – and there it was … The whole monument was still there – and still in its original form.
I read the plaque on the monument and that brought up another question. It mentioned that the name of the Relief Society in 1933 was the “National Women’s Relief Society”. I had never heard of this title. More research … I found that the organization was incorporated under this name in 1892, and the name stuck until it was changed in 1945 to the current “Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”. All very interesting!
I learned that the plaque was moved once again to the site of the Monument to Women Memorial Garden in 1988.” The current Monument to Women Memorial Garden was dedicated in 1978. President Spencer W. Kimball offered the dedicatory prayer. At the dedication of the Women’s Garden, the General Relief Society Presidency spoke on the beauty of the sculptures saying: “The deeply significant figures are not only a pleasure to the eye, they are an enduring statement about women, a vision of the divine potential of the daughters of God, which we want to share with the world.”
The Monument to Women has additional history and background information that is interesting. Here is the link for a more detailed look:
https://rsc.byu.edu/eye-faith/monument-women-memorial-garden
MUSEUMS ARE BIG PLAQUES
Though not traditional markers or monuments, museums are just that … rather large plaques. I have recently discovered four local museums. I was surprised and pleased with what I found in each one.
One is a small little place in Nauvoo – in the former historic “Weld Home”. This is operated by the local historical society. This place had many displays about people and places of old Nauvoo. My focus was old homes and structures of Nauvoo, and I found much good information – and many good photos of the pioneer homes of the Saints.
Another local museum features “The Tomb of Joseph”. This place has a very interesting history – both pioneer and modern. The “Tomb” was discovered by a new owner of what would become the local Zion’s Mercantile store. (Such a great place!). After he purchased the property, the new owner, Brian Christiansen, found a “gold mine” buried under his building. This museum documents the many burials of the Prophet, Joseph and has much good information – including some to feed my historic structure interests.
See tombofjoseph.com for more interesting details.
And there is a new museum that is building down on Mulholland street (the main drag in Nauvoo). This “Martyrdom Museum” is just beginning its adventure, but it is a growing thing and there is promise of great things to come (summer of 2025) per owner, Brian Stuztman (whom I met on one of my site tours). I will look forward to watching the growth and progress of this new museum.
The fourth museum was also a surprise. Upon arrival at the Carthage Jail, we were informed that we would have nearly an hour before we could get a tour for our group. With time on our hands, I noticed the KibbE Hancock Heritage Museum (for Hancock County – not for my ancestors). I went in and saw how great it was – and went and dragged Lou, Jackie, and family in to check out the place. Talk about fabulous! This place had displays on many subjects – including Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and more. And they had a few panels (with old building photos) of Nauvoo.
Sister Hunt and I were astounded by this wonderful museum and thoroughly enjoyed our visit there. (see kibbe.wordpress.com) Our host was amiable and wonderful. I do not remember his name, but he is the president of the local historical society. I highly recommend this great place to all – and especially those delayed and waiting for the Carthage tour.
Each one of these museums is unique and are a collection of fine “markers” and a lot of “dash”.
MANY OTHER NAUVOO PLAQUES TO FORMER CITIZENS
As you all know, Sister Hunt and I serve “Nauvoo Historic Site Guide” missionaries. In this role, we present daily “tours” of the thirty or so restored homes. These homes all represent and tell the “story” (a detailed and spirited “dash”) of the man and his family who built (or had built) and lived in the various homes. Each one is a special monument to be recognized and celebrated.
In addition to these restored homes, there is other evidence of other great Saints who lived in old Nauvoo. It has been fun to seek and find these hidden plaques and monuments. I have found them all over.
I share these hidden treasures with you without explanation or editorializing – since each one kind of tells its own story (as designed to do so …
There are also some foundations of other homes that once were. It may seem strange, but I see these foundations also as monuments to the people – even in their current devastated state. They are evidence that a family did actually live there, had a house, and lived and were a part of the Nauvoo covenant community.
THE ELDER E.H. BELCHER BRICK KILN AT THE BRICKYARD
Foundation of former Levi Ward Hancock Home in Nauvoo
In a previous blog, I showed the sign that introduces the Martyrdom Trail – the trail of doom taken by Joseph and Hyrum to their death in Carthage. This trail sign is a monument itself, but certainly the trail, with its emotional traditions, is even more so. The sign is on Nauvoo’s Main Street and is an invitation to all to see and experience the trail – the bigger picture.
OTHER HISTORIC PLAQUES FOUND EVERYWHERE ON THE TRAIL
As if the above is not enough, there are a plethora of other plaques out there. They appear randomly all over – on the highway, in Nauvoo, and all around. They are all interesting … and they help to paint more of the picture – “the dash” – enlarging the story of old Nauvoo.
MARKERS, MONUMENTS AND THE DASH … ALL VERY INTERESTING AND FUN
Well, it has been quite the ride! I hope that you have all enjoyed it as I have. We do truly have a great heritage, and it is so great that many folks and organizations have been willing to create markers and monuments to help us remember special people and times from Old Nauvoo. We can all be grateful for the efforts of many who have helped to capture life as it was, and the people who made us what we are. It is all very interesting … and fun to and experience … if we just take the time to stop and “smell the roses” – or in this case, stop, read and learn from the signs, the plaques and the monuments out on the trail and to learn more of our history. It’s all out there on the trail! Stop and more fully enjoy the ride … and “the dash” in between.
Enjoying the history and reflective moments on the trail … Elder Kevin Hunt
On the Nauvoo Trail 