SELECTIONS FROM EARLY LATTER-DAY SAINT RECORDS

Ezekiel Johnson (1773)

SELECTIONS FROM EARLY LATTER-DAY SAINT RECORDS


Mormon Manuscripts to 1846: Guide to Lee Library, BYU
JOHNSON, EZEKIEL (1773-1848) and JULIA HILLS (1783-1853).
Biographical sketch. Microfilm of typescript, positive, partial reel. 3 pp.
Born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, son of Ezekiel Johnson and Bethiah Garnzey. His wife, Julia Hills, daughter of Joseph Hills and Esther Ellis, was born at Upton, Massachusetts. Marriage; family data and activities; conversion of Julia Johnson and her children in 1832; associations with Joseph Smith.

Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 11, p.560About this time Ezekiel Johnson sold the family home in Pomfret and moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he bought a tract of land and wrote a letter to his family, but through the uncertainty of the mails the letter was lost. Mother Julia, not hearing from her husband, joined the Saints in Kirtland where she met the Prophet Joseph Smith for the first time. Here the members of the family who had been baptized received their patriarchal blessings under the hands of Joseph Smith, Sr. In Kirtland, Julia Ann met Almon again, and their mutual admiration ripened into love and they were married in 1833. Almon W. Babbitt, with his wife Julia Ann, was called on a mission to Pleasant Garden, Indiana, where they organized a branch of the Church. Later they labored with great success in Pennsylvania, and Canada, making many converts. Soon they returned to Kirtland. Julia's brother Benjamin, upon his return from a mission made his home with the Babbitts. While there, he met his future wife, Melissa B. LeBaron, an heiress, who was a close friend of Julia Ann. After a short courtship they were married by Elder Almon W. Babbitt, and both the Babbitts accompanied the bride and groom to Rochester, New York, where the legacy left by her mother was claimed by Melissa.
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 15, p.223My father, Ezekiel Johnson, was born at Oxbridge, Massachusetts, January 12, 1776. My mother's name was Julia Hills, born at Upton, Massachusetts, September 26, 1773. They were married at Grafton, Massachusetts January 12, 1801, and I was born at Grafton, Massachusetts March 23rd, 1802. When I was a small child my parents emigrated to the state of Vermont where they lived about nine years and in the year of 1813 my parents let me go with my Uncle Joel Hills, for whom I was named, to Newport in the state of Kentucky, on the opposite side of the Ohio River from Cincinnati. In the spring of 1815, my father came and took me to Pomphret, Chautauqua County, New York, where I lived with him until I was 21 years of age, March 23rd, 1823. I had little or no opportunity for education but was very religious from a small child, not daring to transgress the will of my parents or do the least thing I thought was wrong. I always attended religious meetings and studied my books by firelight after I had done my work.
PWJS Dean Jessee Notes p. 664
203. Ezekiel Johnson (1776-1848) was born at Uxbridge, Massachusetts. His twenty-one year-old daughter, Susan Ellen, died at Kirtland on March 16, 1836. (Family Group Records Collection.)


The Papers of Joseph Smith Vol. 2 By Dean C. Jessee p. 559
Johnson, Ezekiel (1776-1848), farmer, carpenter; born at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Father of Joseph E. Johnson and Benjamin F. Married Julia Hills, 1801. Living at Pomfret, Chautauqua County, New York, by 1814. Opposed the conversion of his family to Mormonism but moved to Kirtland, Ohio, with them in 1833. Embittered over his family's conversion, he separated from his wife. Died at Nauvoo, Illinois. (Family Group Records Collection; Milas E. Johnson and Rolla V. Johnson, "The Johnson Pioneers of the West," 2:87-94, Typescript, BYU Library.)

EZEKIEL JOHNSONand JULIA HILLS

EZEKIEL JOHNSONand JULIA HILLS
(my Great Great Grandfather and Mother)
Much of this document fragment was difficult to read. Areas that could be "guessed" are shown in red. Areas that could not be read at all are left as "???". While much is missing, there is still much to be gained by what is here.
Ezekiel Johnson was not very communitive, neither did he leave any written account of his life and labors. All that can be gleaned from statements handed from his children is that his father died in the Revolutionary war before he was born, and the name of the father is not given. It seems that his mother Sethia or Bethia Gernzey (?) married again to James King.
Family records tell us that Ezekiel was born in Uxtridge Mass. 12, January 1776. At an early age he ran away from home or away from his step-father, and never returned as far as we know. Where he went is a mystery, until 1797 we have a record of a note found in an old purse, dated at Albany New York, March 1st of that year. I n the Grafton Mass. Church files, recorded the intentions of marriage, dated December 18, 1800 of Ezekiel Johnson and Julia Hills, also that they were married there January 12, 1801 on his twenty-fifth birthday, Julia almost eighteen, the daughter of Joseph and Esther (Ellis) Hills, was born in Upton Mass. 26 January 1783.
The sojourn of Ezekiel and wife at Grafton did not continue long after the birth of their first child 23 March, 1802. He was called Joel Hills, after Julia’s favorite brother. The little family then began a series of long tracks and short stops. The record of the births of their children furnish a good part of the information by which their trail is marked. Their second child, Nancy Maria was born 2 August, 1803 at Northborough Mass. They named her Nancy for Julia’s sister. They could not have stayed long at Northborough, for their third child was born 14 February, 1805, Ko?alton Mass. He was named Seth Gernzey, in honor of Ezekiel’s Maternal grandfather…
-- find that Diadamia Forbush was Julia’s half sister who she was very fond of.
They remained in Westover about seven years. Ezekiel worked as a carpenter. Two more daughters and a son were born while at Westford, Julia Ann 9th November, 1808, David who was named for Julia’s cousin David Partridge, born 10 September, 1810, and Almera Woodward, named for Julia’s cousin, daughter of Lois Woodward, born October 12, 1812.
On the 27th of June 1813, they left Westford, Vermont and later we find them in Pomphret Chatagua County, New York. This we learn from a letter from Julia to her mother, Esther Hills Forsbush, dated October 13, 1814. In this she gives some information of their travels. Julia’s brother Joel Hills, who married his cousin Rhoda Partridge, came to visit Ezekiel and Julia at Westford Vermont. He told them he was traveling to Cincinnati, where Julia’s sister Nancy Taft was living with her family, so the son Joel H. was allowed to go with his uncle, who decided to settle across the river from Taft’s at Newport Kentucky. Later Ezekiel left his family at Pomphret and went to Newport to look over the county, he was not satisfied, so took Joel, then a lad of 13 years and made the journey of 500 miles on foot to join the family at Pomphret, where Joel first saw his baby sister who was born December 16, 1814. Her name was Susan Ellen.
Ezekiel was a typical ‘Pioneer’ wandering off into the wilderness, break some ground, plant a crop, build a rude cabin and return fro his family and their few goods. During those years, eight more children were born to them, Joseph Ellis, April 28, 1817. Benjimen Franklin, July 28, 1818. Mary Marie, February 7, 1820. Elmer Wood, May 26, 1822. George Washington, February 19, 1823. William Derby, October 27, 1824. Esther Melita, January 27, 1827. Amoz Partridge, January 15, 1829.
After all these trials and hardships, no wonder Julia was thrilled and glad to accept the message of the humble Elders and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She and the children were baptized into the church without the father’s knowledge and soon went to Kirtland Hoio, where they assisted with the temple and all the accomplishments of those early days, as well as suffered along with the saints. Ezekiel finally came to the family, and while loyal to the Prophet, could not accept the Word of Wisdom, so never joined the church. He died at Nauvoo Illinois, January 13, 1848. Julia died May 30, 1856 at Council Bluffs Iowa, still valiant to the cause of truth.
(Extracts from “Ezekiel Johnson” by Rolla V. Johnson, ‘Bulletin’nine)
Uncle Ben. F. Johnson relates: “The cruel death of the Prophet, brought a new feeling and spirit over my father (Ezekiel who had never joined the church) he deplored his death and cursed bitterly his murderers, and would gladly have assisted in bringing thim to justice, and this feeling never left him again, but on the contrary he defended the saints whenever an opportunity came to him.”
Uncle David LeBaron relates that at one time ‘Ezekiel’ met a mob that was entering Nauvoo, and alone, singlehanded, with his old shotgun, defied them and would have shot the captain if they had advanced. They retreated and tried to enter by a side street, where Ezekiel from behind a tree, again turned them away, which gave the saints time to prepare for the attack. But after that he was a ‘marked man’. Joel knew this and when he was driven from Hancock Co. by the mob, to Knox Co. in 1846, he sent his boys back to get their grandfather. That winter was spent in poverty and discomfort as there were eight persons living in a floorless cabin 12x16 feet square. When Joel left Knox Co. for the west, Ezekiel decided to return to Nauvoo and live with his daughter Esther LeBaron. They were the custodians of the Nauvoo Temple, showing it to the tourists, until it was burned down, 19 November, 1848. The keys are still kept by the family.
It is doubtful that Ezekiel realized the danger that awaited his return.
The following is an excerpt from a letter written by David Ellis Johnson ---
“I have heard my father, (Sixtus Ellis Johnson son of Joel) tell of his grandfather, Ezekiel, (he was there) when he was whipped by a mob, which caused his death. I also heard father and President Wilford Woodruff talk about it when I was 10 years old. It made an impression on me and I asked father about it when I was grown. Bro. Woodruff said, “I know your grandfather was one of the first martyrs to the cause of Christ in this dispensation and is worthy of the kingdom.”
The following is taken from “Johnson Pioneers of the West” by Rolla V. Johnson.
Ezekiel and Julia Hills Johnson were the parents of sixteen children. The record of births of the children shows the places where the family lived as it pioneered the western wilderness. Ezekiel’s youth had been spent roving from place to place as he made his way in the world. This roving did not cease with his marriage, for he took his family with him into the wilds of the new territory recently added to the United States as a result of the second war with England. When it was necessary for his wife and family to rest for a short time to catch up on sewing, mending or other necessary tasks, Ezekiel would wonder off along into the wilderness and find a new home. After breaking ground, planting crops and erecting a rude cabin on the frontier, he would return and load his family with their few household goods into his wagon and move them to the new prospect. As soon as a neighbor or two settled along side, the place would be too crowded for Ezekiel. He would seized with an itching desire to see the country further west and the exploring and moving continued. He was a pioneer clearing the timber and brush from the land was a strenuous job which taxed Ezekiel’s strength to the upmost, as he was not a large man physically. A page from the life review of his son, Benjamin F. Johnson, gives us a rather vivid picture of the situation at that time.“At this early period so soon after the war of 1812, and in what was then a wild and almost frontier region with heavy primeval forests to be cleared away before a crop of any kind could be planted or taken from the virgin soil for food, it seemed to require a giant fortitude, and great patience on the part of all to wait for results. My father, Ezekiel Johnson, for a series of years, wrestled with the Herculean task of clearing off the forests, but worn with the incessant labor, and the care of the numerous a family, he sought for a stimulant and in my earliest childhood, became addicted to the use of ardent spirits. Neither his labors nor the love for his family seemed to diminish, yet the fiend of intemperance had entered our home to break the bonds of union between our parents and to destroy their happiness.My father, Ezekiel Johnson, was a man of full middle stature, about five feet and ten inches in height, and of solid build, fine light brown hair, a mild but piercing blue eye, with light, smooth skin, and a natural personal attractions. He was beloved and sought after by his friends, and for his words only was he feared and avoided, for with no other blow than words, was he ever known to strike any living thing”
Their food, clothing and what few comforts of home they possessed were produced with the labor of their own hands. Flax was grown and prepared for clothing, table linens, towels, sheets, etc. Butter and bread making were tasks for the mother and older children. Cheese was made and stored for winter. Lye was processed from ashes to be used later in the manufacture of soap, and candles furnished their only means of lighting the house in the evening. It was necessary that the children be trained tin the art of candle making. The hot tallow had to be poured into the molds and wicks trimmed. No doubt the small children took trips into the woods where they helped the father pile and burn the brush to make the clearing and they must have aided in the dropping of the seeds and the cultivation of the small field. Nuts and wild fruits were gathered and prepared for winter. It would be very interesting indeed to peek into their small cabin and watch them spend the evening hours round the winter fire after the toil of a busy day.
It might seem easy to criticize as we look back more than 100 years into the lives of these early settlers, but when we think that little was known of the evils of intemperance in that day; in fact the use of strong drink was rather common, it is doubtful if Ezekiel had the slightest idea that he was injuring himself or his family. There is so much fine timber in his character that we would like to justify his notion and his belief that the use of ardent spirits gave him more strength and made more courage to meet the tasks before him. It is indeed sad to note what developed from the habits which he established, but we must not blame nor condemn him because he did not have the foresight to see what the result would be. The day came when he had to pay for the mistake which he had made. His son, Benjamin, does not reprove him; w, his descendents, should not.
The courage and stamina of the man is shown.
…the undertaking of a journey of one thousand miles from Pomphert to Cincinnati and back. Such a trip may be considered as somewhat as an achievement in this generation, and although Ezekiel took it as a matter of course, the boy Joel remembered this experience and wrote of it in his journal. The description while vague due to the fact that he did not write it earlier, gives us a -- complete picture of the trip to Cincinnati with his Uncle and back to Pomphert with his -- . We copy as follows:
In the Fall of 1813 my parents, concluding to go to the west, let me go with my uncle, Joel Hills (for whom I was named) who was then on his way from Canada to the western country. I cannot recall many of the incidents of the journey, being small, but recollect passing the Aleghany mountains in Pennsylvania and going to Pittsburg, Pa. where my uncle bought a boat or what was then called an “ark” on which he took his family with several other families, who had sent their teams by --. We descended the Ohio River to Cincinnati, -- which was then a small town. My uncle settled himself in the town of Newport in the state of Kentucky on the opposite side of the river from Cincinnati, whiere I lived with him until the spring of 1815, when my father, Ezekiel Johnson, came to Newport to look at the country, having moved his family from Vermont to Lomphret, -- a county, New York, and not liking the -- at Newport, concluded to return to New York. Accordingly about the first of May my father and myself (about 12 years old) went on foot to accomplish a journey of about -- miles to the state of New York, through -- a new and heavily timbered country. We saw several houses where the inhabitants had been butchered the year before by the Indians. We arrived at Pomphret, New York about the first of -- , 1815.
-- t a rare opportunity young Joel had in making this journey with his father as a companion. What Boy Scout of the present age would not like such an adventure? What pals they must have been, thrown as they were upon their own resourcefulness, depending only upon themselves and each other for companionship and help. Imagine their thoughts and feelings; their conversation, when they came upon the charred homes of the massacred settlers. Certain it was that the boy Joel drew closer to his father on these occasions an the friendship thus established held through the years.
Following is the letter mentioned that was written by Julia Hills Johnson to her mother Esther (Ellis) Hills Forbush, who still lived at the old Home town, Grafton, Mass.
October 13, 1814My dear Mother: After my love to you, I would inform you of our welfare, and hope these few lines will find you in good health and prosperity. Through our journey we have been blest with health and we are now all well and hearty. We started from Westford, Vermont on the 27th of June and came on over some one hundred miles and one of our horses became lame and we laid by for a week. We then came awhile but was obliged to stop again for three or four days, and then came on as far as Hamburg, this side of Buffalo where we stopped about seven weeks. I was very discontented there, yet the people urged us to stay. They gave Mr. Johnson one dollar a day with house rent, garden vegetanles, milk, etc. He thought it was best to stay until our horses got recruited up and we got rested, as he had the money for his work. But I could not be contented to stay any longer for there was no neighbors short of about two miles, and all Sabbath breakers and could not feel at home there. We started from there on the 24 of September and was four day coming to this place on account of bad roads. This is a beautiful country and we have concluded to stay here until spring if not longer. (They built a house on block 21) Mr. Johnson intends to go on himself and see the country before he moves his family any further for fear he would not like it so well as he does here. There is many moving to the west, some days ten or twelve wagons in a company and some have come back to this place. This country is very healthy indeed and good for grain which is plenty and cheap. Markets at present are distant. Such corn I never saw before as I have seen here. It is only seven years the first settlements were made here. There begins to be fruit of almost every kind; I never saw such sight of peaches before, thousands of bushels rot on the ground, they make sauce of them and brandy. The trees bear in three years from the stone and apples in six. We have hired a little house about two miles and a half from the village of Canadaway (now Fredonie) which contains three societies, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Methodists. There is also mills and schools near at hand with neighbors who appear very friendly and kind. If Mr. Johnson does not like it better at Cincinnetti, he intends to settle here before any other country he ever saw. It is a good place for his trade which demands one dollar and fifty cents per day, but the Lord knows what is best and I hope that I shall be reconciled to his will. The Lord only knows whether we shall ever see each other again on this earth. I hope he shall put our trust in Him and be reconciled to His will for he knows what is best for us. All things shall work together for the good of those who love Him. If we are afflicted it is for our good, for he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Therefore let us put our trust in him, for he hath said, “They that put their trust in Him shall be as Mount Zion which shall not be removed.”My children sent their love to you all. Remember my love to all inquiring friends. Tell Almera I wish they would write to me. Do write as soon as possible. I shall write as soon as Mr. Johnson gets back, if not before.This from your affectionate children, E and J. Johnson

EZEKIEL JOHNSON

EZEKIEL JOHNSON Born January 12, 1776 at Uxbridge Massachusetts Died January 13, 1845 in Nauvoo Illinois Married Julia Hills January 12, 1801 He was by nature a most tender and affectionate husband and parent. He was obliging and true - a man of truth and honor among men. He had a problem with intemperance which at times, changed his whole nature. He was 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a solid build. He had fine light brown hair and mild, but piercing blue eyes. He had tight smooth skin. He had the habit early on of the use of "ardent spirits". He never met his father, who went to fight in the Revolutionary war before Ezekiel was born. Some say he was killed in battle, others say he just never came back. His mother was fined for being pregnant out of wedlock. She eventually married John King. Ezekiel didn't get along with him because he was abusive. When the opportunity came at about 14 years old, he ran away, never to see his mother again. It is believed that she eventually went to Canada. This is all the information of his early life, there isn't any record of him until he is in his twenties. Some notes were found giving the impression that he was in the cow bell business. He was a thrifty man. After he was married, he worked as a carpenter building cabins for the new settlers and clearing the timber for farm land. I guess you could say he was an early realtor. He was a wanderer. He would build a cabin in a secluded area, when a few neighbors moved in, he would move on . He was considering baptism into the Mormon Church, when he found out his wife had secretly been baptized in the night. He was very distressed and said he would never have anything to do with the Church. In 1835, he left the family home for good. He lived with his daughter Esther and her family in Nauvoo. He eventually gave up drinking and had a change of heart about the church. He was very upset when Joseph Smith was killed. He became a one man army of defense. He carried his double-barreled shot gun "Old Bess" and held off a company of soldiers by hiding behind a tree and stepping out pointing the gun at the captain when they got right on him. He told them to leave or he would shoot. They left and tried to sneak in on another street, but he was waiting for them and did the same thing, this time he told them if they did it again, he would just shoot. This gave the saints enough time to escape. This incident led to his death. He became a marked man. On a trip into Nauvoo, a mob captured him and tied him to a wagon wheel were he was whipped to near death. He never recovered and died shortly after. He had asked for baptism but because of his sudden death, never received it. President Wilford Woodruff gave permission for his descendants to do his temple work and seal him to his family. President Woodruff said that Ezekiel "was one of the first Martyrs to the cause of the Church in this dispensation."

JULIA HILLS JOHNSON

JULIA HILLS JOHNSON Born September 28, 1763 in Upton Massachusetts Died May 30, 1853 in Council Bluffs Iowa Married Ezekiel Johnson January 12, 1801 in Grafton Mass. Her father died when she was young from tuberculosis. Her mother married Enoch Forbush. She was from a substantial New England family, being a descendent of the early Massachusetts settlers, intelligent, and reasonably well educated. She was a staunch Presbyterian and taught her children to read the bible and pray. Her oldest son, Joel H. went to Anerherst where he was baptized, She sent him a letter warning them of the "Mormons". He wrote back and said he'd already been baptized and sent a copy of the Book Of Mormon. She read it with family members and close friends, and when Joel and the missionaries came, she was secretly baptized in the middle of the night. When Ezekiel found out, he was very upset, he had been considering baptism also, but because she did it without discussing it first, he was turned away from the Church. She was the first mother-in-law of plural marriage. Her daughter Almera became the Prophet's 1st plural wife and also the first plural wife in the church. Julia made hats, neckties, and did needle work to help make ends meet and later to help with building the Kirkland Temple. She wrote the hymn THE JOY AND THE SONG which Emma Smith requested be put in THE FIRST BOOK OF HYMNS FOR THE RESTORED CHURCH. Because Ezekiel wouldn't join the church and had left the home for good, Julia was advised to be sealed to John Smith. She was a member of the first Woman's Relief Society of the Church. She trusted fully in the Lord. When writing to her half sister of the death of her four children, she said "What can I say, but the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." In all she did she was faithful. She traveled with "Kirkland Camp" to Missouri. During the trip, near Springfield, Illinois, Samuel Hale and his wife died leaving a ten year old daughter. Julia adopted her and raised her as one of her own. While they were in Springfield, Julia and her son George Washington contracted typhoid fever and nearly died. She was a very strong member and loved the church very much. When the great migration west started, she stayed in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she died. She was a very loved and highly thought of person.

JULIA HILLS JOHNSON

Julia Hills Johnson, was born September 26, 1783, at Upton, Mass., was the daughter of Joseph and Esther Ellis who was a descendant of early Massachusetts settlers. This Joseph died at the age of 29, of tuberculosis. H1S family suffered from the disease later on at Kirtland. The Hills and the Ellis families were neighbors at Wrentham. After the death of Joseph, Esther became the wife of Enoch Forbush.
In 1801 Julia Hills of Upton, who was then living with her mother, Esther Ellis Hills, in Grafton. Upton is-a village lying a few miles southeast of Grafton.
Julia Hills was an attractive girl of eighteen years old of a substantial New England family, intelligent and reasonably well educated, became acquainted and was courted by Ezekiel Johnson, who was a "realtor," wherein he acquired tracts of land, cleared them and built cabins which he sold to the new settlers who were beginning to swarm into the new western lands. His interest in Julia had probably caused him to cease roving and settle down in Grafton. The notice of their intention to marry was recorded in Grafton December 18.1800, also at Upton, and the wedding took place on January 12, 1801. It is not likely that she would have taken up with Ezekiel had he been a "roughneck" such as his years of roaming could have made him. He must have had a certain refinement and sufficient charm to cause her to accept a man ten years her senior.
The newly married couple remained in Grafton for a year or more. Their first child was born, a son Joel Hills, named in honor of Julia's much loved brother. He was born March 23, 1802. Julia was a very devout Presbyterian, and raised her family in strict observance to the principles laid down in the bible. Nancy Maria was born August 7,1803. Seth Guernsey was born February 14.1805 at Royalston, Mass. Delcena Diadamia was born November 19,1806 at Westford, Vermont, also, Julia Ann November 9.1808. David was born September 10.1810. Almera Woodward was born October 12,1812. Susan Ellen was born December 16, 1814 at Pomphret, New York. Joseph Ellis was born April 20, 1817, at Pomphret, New York. Benjamin Franklin was born July 28, 1818. Mary Ellen was born February 7, 1820. Elmer Wood was born May 26.1821. George Washington was born February 19, 1823. William Derby was born October 27, 1824. Esther Ma1etia was born January 12, l827. Amos Patridge was born January 15, 1829 at Pomphret, New York.
A picture of this home has been painted in the poetry composed by this family as they grew up. This town lies on the east bank of Canadaway Creek, which rises in Cassadaga Lake. This country has a lush beauty of any woodland region where rainfall is sufficient to keep grass green, also the growth of shrubs and flowers.
At an early age the children were taught to be helpful and while their father cleared the land, the children could pile and burn brush, gathered nuts and berries. The dear old brown cottage, with the kitchen fireplace, the square room. the bedroom and hall. The orchard nearby, the garden, barn and the dinner horn that called them in at mealtime, the well, spring and brick yard nearby, the cellar and old Katy who plowed out the corn.
This family of Ezekiel and Julia seems to have been an exceptionally well knit one as far as family affection was concerned. Love for one another is expressed in all their journals. The mother was particularly venerated and the father was well spoken of. While gathering forest nuts, wild flowers, fruits, with the tender care of a beloved and beautiful mother, loving elder sisters and companionship of older brothers made happy childhood and early youth.
During the winter of 1831 her oldest son Joel and a young man by the name of Almon W. Babbit came from Ohio and brought with them the Book of Mormon. Other Elders soon followed and the result was that Mother and Father and some of the children were converted. However, these facts were not discussed in the family circle on account of self-consciousness and the unpopularity of the doctrine.
But father took it under advisement and while thinking and pondering over the matter a few days later, as to whether he was converted sufficiently for baptism, and if he should advise with his wife and family on the subject or not. He was quietly informed that his wife had been baptized in the middle of the night. This information staggered her husband who was not prepared to believe that his wife, the idol of his heart, the light of his life, and mother of his sixteen children, would at this remote time of thirty two years of happy wedded life, act so deceptive and subtle. He would not believe it, he would go to her, which he did and she explained that her son Joel and the other Elders had advised it to avoid publicity. He was not in the humor to accept it charitably. He told her that as she had been so hasty and secret about her baptism, apparently not wanting him to know about it, or take part in the blessings of the Gospel, she could have it to herself that he would never be baptized as long as he lived, and from that time on he took no part in religion.
Mother grieved very much because her husband would not join the church and feared lest her family would drift away. The Prophet gave her a blessing in which he promised her that none of her posterity would apostatize. This was a great comfort to her and it seemed to fill her soul with such joy that she was inspired to write the words of the song found on page 116 of the Sunday School Songs, entitled "The Joy and the Song."
On one occasion Prophet Joseph Smith blessed mother as she had been designated by the Lord to the Prophet, as one who would accept of the principles of doctrine of Celestial marriage at the time the revelation was given to the Prophet who had at once converted her and received her consent for her daughter Almera Woodward Johnson to become his plural wife and made her this promise. For your faithfulness, and acceptance of so unpopular doctrine, and bringing of such a numerous family into the church, "That when the crown should be made for your brow in the eternal world, everyone of her jewels (children) would be there, and which up to this year of 1894 has not been the case, and not that as a family we number not less than one thousand one, of the kindred by blood has ever yet apostatized. The descendents of this wonderful family of pioneers now number over three thousand (3,000) in 1929.
Julia and her daughters were faithful workers making hats, neckties and much needle work to help in the building of the Kirtland Temple. Julia with her family started for Utah. Mother Julia lived much of the time with Joseph, but she had a home" of her own. At times she stayed for intervals with her daughter Esther LeBaron. Also living in the vicinity lived other family members, Almon and Julia Babbitt, Oelcena Sherman (Lymon R. was buried in Kirtland), William O. and wife Jane and Ruben and Almera Barton.
The death of Mother Julia, occurred May 30th, 1853. Few details of her passing are in the letters to her son Benjamin F. where he was serving a Church mission to the Sandwich Islands. She was scarcely seventy years old. She was truly a matriarch, a benevolent one and the entire family was under her sway. She has gone to receive the crown that was prepared for her. Her severe sufferings for a few of the last weeks of her life, she seemed perfectly willing to go.

Biography of Ezekiel and Julia Hills Johnson

Ezekiel Johnson’s Early Years

Ezekiel Johnson was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts.1 The precise date is not known, but it is
practically certain that his birth occurred in January or February, 1773.2 His infancy and
childhood were spent largely in the home of his grandmother, Bethiah Guernsey Smith, with
whom his mother lived, probably until her marriage to Jonathan King early in 1776. His mother
was Sethiah (sometimes written as Bethiah) Guernsey. Little is known about Ezekiel’s father.
Family tradition is that he was also named Ezekiel and that he marched away with the
Continental troops and was killed in the Revolutionary War. The date of Bethiah’s marriage to
Ezekiel’s father also is not known.
By 1779, Sethiah, young Ezekiel, and Jonathan King were living in Ashford, Connecticut.
Family tradition has it that Ezekiel ran away from the home of his stepfather when he was about
14 years old because of unkind treatment by the latter. “The tale is that Jonathan King sent him
to collect some money that was due from a neighbor and gave him an old rawhide wallet in
which he was to bring back the cash. The amount was not large, but Ezekiel probably figured
that it was large enough to finance him until he got on his own. So he vanished from the family
scene with the wallet, and as far as is known, he never saw either Sethiah or Jonathan again.”3 It
appears that little more is known of his early life although there is evidence that for a time he
acquired tracts of land, cleared them and built cabins which he sold to the new settlers who were
beginning to come into the new western lands.
One of Ezekiel’s Sons, Benjamin, later described him. “As a husband and parent he was by
nature tender and affectionate. As a neighbor and friend he was most obliging and true and was a
man of truth and honor among men. Never was a question known to be raised as to his integrity,
for his word was his bond; in all things he was a gentleman in the fullest sense, except only in
the habit of intemperance, which at times seemed to change his whole nature. He was a man of
full middle stature, about 5 feet 10 Inches in height, of solid build, fine light brown hair, mild but
piercing blue eyes, with light, smooth skin and of natural personal attractions. He was beloved
and sought after by his friends, and for his words only he was feared, for with no other blow than
words was he ever known to strike anything living.”4
1 The basic information in this sketch on Ezekiel and Julia is taken from the book, J.E.J Trail to Sundown:
Life Story of Joseph Ellis Johnson, by Rufus David Johnson, copyright 1961, Joseph Ellis Johnson Family
Committee, printed by Deseret News Press. For a much more extensive history of Ezekiel, Julia, and their children
the readers are referred to this book. As other information is added to this sketch from other sources, these sources
are noted by the compiler, Larry D. Washburn. This information was compiled in March 2000.
2 When Ezekiel married Julia Hills on January 12, 1801, he gave his date of birth as January 12, 1776. The
Johnson family still believes based on the extensive research that they have done that he was born in 1773 not 1776.
3 J.EJ Trail to Sundown, p. 17.
4 Apparently taken from Benjamin ’s “My Life’s Review,” quoted in J.E.J Trail to Sundown, page 19.
2


Julia Hills’ Early Years

Julia Ellis Hills Johnson was born 26 September 1783 in Upton, Worchester County,
Massachusetts, the first daughter and second child of Joseph and Esther Ellis Hills.5 The family
belonged to the Presbyterian Church. Letters and other expressions suggest that the Hills were a
religious family, and that they held a strong belief that what they did in this life would affect
them in the hereafter. It appears that she and her siblings were given a good education for the
time. One of her father’s prize possessions was his small, welt-used dictionary, which infers that
he was an educated man. Letters between family members also indicate education and an ability
to express themselves well in writing.
Her father, Joseph died6 at age 29 of tuberculosis when Julia was four. Just over five years later,
her mother, Esther, married Enoch Forbush.7 At least one writer suggests that there were children
born to this marriage.8 Little is written about Julia and her early years except for the following.
“Julia was an attractive girl of eighteen years old of a substantial New England family, intelligent
and reasonably well educated…”9
It was a historic time. George Washington was elected President of the United States when Julia
was age 6. One writer observes that it was also a time of cultural and religious advancement.
People could worship as they pleased. Public education was becoming more available and was
ncouraged to a greater extent.

Ezekiel and Julia Marry

By 1801, Ezekiel had met and courted seventeen-year-old Julia, who was then living with her
mother and stepfather in Grafton, Worchester County, Massachusetts. The notice of their
intention to marry was recorded in Grafton December 18, 800 and also in Upton, a village a few
miles southeast of Grafton. Ezekiel and Julia were married January 12, 1801. It is believed that
he was 28 years of age.
The newly married couple remained in Grafton for something over a year, during which time
their first child, Joel Hills, was born March 23, 1802. Joel was named for Julia’s brother of the
same name. They were to move often over the next several years. Their next place of residence
5 Joseph and Esther were married 17 December 1780 in Wrentham, Norfolk, Massachusetts. It appears that
their first child was a son, Joel, born 1 September 1781 in Upton. Julia was the second child. A sister, Nancy, was
born 16 July 1785, also at Upton.
6 The death date is reported to be 21 October 1787 in Union.
7 Enoch Forbush was born about 1756 in Upton. He serviced as a private in the 3rd Worcester Regiment and
was discharged 21 January 1977 (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, VoL 5, p. 852).
The marriage date of Esther to Enoch is reportedly 28 May 1793 in Upton (another source reports 27 January 1793).
This was his second marriage, having married Mary Batchelor (or Molly Batchelder), 18 August or September 14,
1780 (Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Worcester County, Grafton, p. 77).
8 Apparently the children born to Esther and Enoch include, Enoch, Joseph F., Seneca, Diadamia, and
Stephen. This writer has seen a letter written from Julie to Diadarnia Forbush following the death of their mother,
Esther.
9 Rolla V. Johnson, Ezekiel Johnson,” p. 37.
3
was Northboro, a village northeast of Grafton. Here a daughter, Nancy Maria, was born August
1, 1803. The name of Nancy was to honor Julia’s sister, Nancy Hills Taft. Apparently their stay
in Northboro was not long as their third child, a son, was born in Royalston, still in Worchester, a
small town close to the border of New Hampshire. His birth was February 14, 1805, and he was
named Seth Guernsey, after Ezekiel’s maternal grandfather. They stayed in Royalston long
enough to permit Ezekiel to purchase and clear a piece of land and build a house. This was soon
sold.
They next moved to Westford, Chittenden County, Vermont. It was situated on a branch of the
Lamoille, not far from the east shore of Lake Champlain. Little is known of their stay here
except that Ezekiel continued to pursue his trade as carpenter, first clearing land, then building
cabins to shelter the incoming settlers. A daughter, Delcena Diadamia was born here November
19, 1806. They remained in Westford for seven years during which time three more children
were added to the growing family. Julia Ann, named for her mother, was born November 9,
1808; David, so called for Julia’s cousin, David Partridge, arrived September 10, 1810; Almera
Woodward came as a seventh child October 12, 1812. She was also named after one of Julia’s
cousins.
In June 1813, Ezekiel and his family continued the move west, traveling across New York by
wagon. Sometime toward the end of September 1813, they stopped at the small settlement of
Canadaway, Chautauqua County, some twelve miles from Lake Erie. The family has a copy of a
letter written by Julia to her mother describing the trip. Her letter suggests strong spiritual
leanings and a foundation in the scriptures as she talks about not wanting to settle among
“sabbath breakers” and concluding that, “. . . the Lord knows what is best and I hope I shall be
reconciled to His will. All things shall work together for the good of those who love Him.”10
While it appears that Ezekiel was not particularly interested in religion, Julia was devout and
well versed in the scriptures. The Johnson family professed to be Presbyterian and attended
services each Sunday. They eventually settled in Pomfret, Vermont,
Joel Hills, Julia’s older brother, visited Ezekiel and Julia when passing through Vermont from
Canada, He was expecting to settle with his wife in Cincinnati, Ohio. On the trip through
Vermont, he took his namesake, young Joel Johnson with him and his family to Cincinnati.
Ezekiel was to later visited Cincinnati to look at moving there and to retrieve Joel. Years later
Joel wrote, “I cannot recall many incidents of the journey, being small, but recollect passing the
Al1eghany mountains in Pennsylvania and coming to Pittsburgh, where my uncle bought a
flatboat. We descended the Ohio to Cincinnati which was than a small town. My uncle located
at Newport on the Kentucky side, where I lived with him until the spring of 1815, when my
father came to look a the country. . . and not liking it concluded to return to New York.”11 Upon
the return home to Pomfret, they were welcomed by family and a new sister, Susan Ellen, born
December 16, 1814. Their next child, Joseph Ellis, was born April 28, 1817.
The writings of several of the Johnson children suggest that the family was exceptionally close
and loving in spite of Ezekiel’s occasional intemperance. “While gathering forest twig, wild
fruits and flowers with the tender care of, to me, a beloved and beautiful mother, loving elder
10 The letter is included in J.E.J. Trail to Sundown, pp. 21-22.
11 J.E.J Trail to Sundown, pp. 23-24.
4
sisters and companionship of my almost twin brother [Joseph Ellis], these were to me the happy
features of my childhood and early youth.”12
Sometime in 1829, the local paper told of a young man named Joseph Smith from Palmyra, New
York who claimed that under the direction of an angel he had obtained a set of golden plates
upon which were engraved strange characters which had now been translated into a book. This
story naturally aroused great interest in the surrounding areas and the Johnsons, living about 100
miles from the events, were as curious as others. Within a year, the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints was established.

Mormon Missionaries

The older children were beginning to move away from home. In 1830, twenty-eight year old Joel
sold his farm and moved to Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio where he established a sawmill and
cut shingles. While here he invented and patented a machine for cutting shingles. His brother,
David, went to Amherst to visit him. A new religious sect, Cambellism, was beginning to be
established in that region, and Julia wrote to caution her sons about this new religion and
warning them of false prophets that were to arise in the last days. Amherst was on the route from
Kirtland to Missouri, and the Mormon elders who frequently passed through were successful in
converting some and establishing a branch there. Both Joel and David were among those who
were baptized. This was a shock to the Johnson family and the news was not well received.
There are two versions of the coming of the Book of Mormon to the home of Ezekiel. One
reports that Joel walked from Amherst, carrying a copy in his pack. The other merely states that
the book “soon followed” the news of the boys’ conversion to the Church. Probably the book
was received dubiously. However, soon a little group of family members and some of their
religious neighbors were meeting in secret to study and discuss the book. There is some
indication that many of the group were favorably impressed. In the autumn of 1831, Joel, David
and a young man named Almon W. Babbitt came from Amherst to visit the family and to bear
testimony that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God (Almon later married Julia, daughter
of Ezekiel arid Julia). Later that fall, two Mormon elders visited the family. One, James
Brackenbury, was a “forceful preacher and logical reasoner who seemed to possess the spirit of
truth that swept away their lingering qualms.”13 Mother Julia was the first to ask for baptism,
followed by daughter Delcena’s husband, Lyman K. Sherman. Shortly thereafter, all the children
who had reached majority were baptized. Ezekiel had not accepted the new religion and he
firmly refused permission for the younger children to join the Church. He apparently also felt
that Julia had been baptized without consulting him and asking his permission.
Almost immediately as the news that the Johnsons had joined the Mormons was learned in the
community, the family became the recipients of ridicule and strong opposition from neighbors
and the local ministers. During the ensuing summer, Ezekiel, though apparently dubious, was
persuaded to take a look at Mormonism as it was at Kirtland, Ohio. With Seth, Susan and
perhaps other family members, he visited Kirtland and became acquainted with Joseph Smith. At
first he seemed impressed and the family had hopes of his joining the Church. He then visited
12 Writings from Benjamin’s autobiography quoted in JE.J Trail to Sundown, p.35.
13 J.E.J Trail to Sundown, p.40.
5
Joel at Amherst, where Joel was president of a Mormon branch of nearly 100 members. But upon
his return to Pomfret, he reverted back to his opposition. While other family members were
rejoicing in what to them was a new life of truth and religious understanding, he was stewing in
angry resentment at his almost complete dethronement as head of the family.”14

Julia Moves to Kirtland

At age 62, Ezekiel determined to sell his holdings in New York and move, probably in hopes of
removing his family from the influence of the Church. In the autumn of 1832, Ezekiel sailed
across Lake Erie, through the Detroit River into Lake Huron, through the strait of Mackinac into
Lake Michigan, going to Chicago, then called Fort Dearborn. Before leaving, he told the family
that he would secure land, build a structure in which the family could live, and send a letter for
them to join him. They were to come as soon as possible. Apparently Julia had no intention of
following Ezekiel, According to two of her sons15 before the letter arrived, she took most of the
family and moved to Kirtland.
Arriving in Kirtland, Julia traded some of their teams and wagons for a house. When there was
no response to his letter, Ezekiel returned to Pomfret to find the family gone. He followed them
to Kirtland, giving up his plan to locate in Chicago.
Ezekiel’s son, Joseph, later wrote of his father’s decision to remain in Kirtland, which was
reportedly made under protest, [he] “bought some property which he improved, besides doing
considerable at his trade, carpentering.” His drinking increased, and he became an “embittered,
unhappy man.”16 Later he and Julia separated, and he bought property at Mentor, a small town
close to Lake Erie and not far from Kirtland. His daughters took turns staying with him to care
for him, and other family members visited him often.
After settling in Kirtland, Joel built a sawmill. Joseph and Benjamin assisting him by helping to
clear the land, tap the maple trees, make sugar from the sap, haul logs and run the mill. Back in
Pomfret, Nancy, oldest of the Johnson girls, had fallen off a horse and broken her hip in such a
manner that doctors told her she would never walk again. Thereafter she used crutches. In the
summer of 1834, Jared Carter, an elder of great faith, visited the Johnsons in Kirtland. After
talking with Nancy, he asked her if she believed that he was a man of God. When she replied in
the affirmative, he commanded her in the name of Jesus Christ to drop her crutches and walk,
which she did. She never again used crutches.
Joseph Smith had announced the revelation commanding the saints to erect a temple in Kirtland,
Joel was appointed to oversee the making of bricks for the temple. He was offered the use of the
brickyard belonging to Joseph Smith and Thomas Hancock. Seth and David worked with him,
and later Joseph and Benjamin joined them. David was assigned to procure the wood for baking
the brick. Being energetic and enthusiastic, he worked long and hard, finally failing ill,
apparently to tuberculosis. During his illness, his intimate Mend, Don Carlos Smith, brother of
14 J.E.J Trail to Sundown, p 41.
15 J.E.J Trail to Sundown, p. 42. Which two Sons is not stated.
16 JE.J Trail to Sundown, p. 44-45.
6
the prophet, sat at his bedside. He died 30 October 1833. Sometime later, the use of brick was
abandoned in favor of using stone. The cornerstone if the temple was laid in the spring of 1834.
All of the family witnessed the event and Joel, Seth and brother-in-law Lyman Sherman took
part in the ceremonies.
As persecution against the saints in Missouri increased, Joseph Smith announced the
organization of an armed force called Zion’s Camp to go to the aid of the embattled members.
Each man who joined Zion’s Camp was required to furnish his own arms and to have at least five
dollars cash. Although a force of 500 was requested, only 200 appeared at the rendezvous in
New Portage, fifty miles west of Kirtland. When Zion’s Camp left Kirtland, Seth, Lyman
Sherman and Almon Babbitt marched with it. Under the hardships of the march, many of the
group became emaciated from fevers and cholera, and some questioned what was accomplished
through the experience.17 Seth was among those sick. Returning to Kirtland, he as still ill and in
need of rest. Despite this, he accepted a position as schoolteacher at Willoughby, Ohio, a few
miles from Kirtland. His declining health eventually compelled him to resign from teaching and
return home. On 19 February 1835, he died of tuberculosis, the second family member to
succumb to this illness. Joseph Smith noted his passing in this statement, “The council adjourned
to the day following, March 1, after attending the funeral of Seth Johnson.”18 On 16 March 1836,
Susan Ellen also died of tuberculosis.19 On 30 October, Nancy, who had been miraculously
healed two years earlier, died of tuberculosis (which they called “quick consumption”), causing
the family much concern. All four were buried in Kirtland “in the little orchard on the bill above
the house we then owned.”20
Earlier, separated from Ezekiel, Julia found herself needing income to support the younger
members of the family. With Nancy and Susan to assist, she manufactured men’s neckwear and
palm leaf fans. The neckwear produced called “stock” was a wrap around necktie. Julia made a
comfortable living from these efforts as long as she had the two girls to help. With their deaths,
she discontinued the business.
The Kirtland Temple was dedicated 27 March 1836. At the dedication, “Sidney Rigdon read
from the scriptures, offered the invocation, and delivered the principal address on the text from
the words of the Savior, ‘The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of
Man hath not where to lay His head.” Referring the many places of worship throughout the
Christian world, he continued, ‘but not one except this, on the face of the whole earth, that was
built by divine revelation; and were it not for this the dear Redeemer might...say to those who
17 “Regarding the experiences of Zion’s Camp, Wilford Woodruff recorded, “We gained an experience that
we never could have gained in any other way. We had the privilege of traveling one thousand miles with him [the
prophet Joseph], and seeing the workings of the Spirit of God with him, and the revelations. . . Had loot gone up
with Zion’s Camp I should not have been here today [president of the Cburch]” Taken from Journal of Discourses,
13: 158.
18 History of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 204.
19 The Prophet Joseph Smith recorded in his diary on 18 March 1836, “At ten o’clock went to schoolhouse
to attend the funeral of Susan Johnson, daughter of Ezekiel Johnson. She was a member of the Church of Latter-day
Saints and remained strong in the faith until her spirit took its departure from time into eternity. May God bless and
contort her afflicted parents, family connections and friends, President Rigdon delivered a fine discourse on the
occasion and much solemnity prevailed.” As recorded in J.E.J. Trail to Sundown, p. 49-50.
20 Autobiography of Joseph Ellis Johnson.
7
would follow Him’ that He had no place ‘to lay His head.’”21
Miracles attended the dedication of the temple. During a priesthood meeting in the temple later
that evening, George A. Smith was addressing the meeting when, “Immediately the room was
filled with the sound of a violent motion of wind, and the vibration seemed to lift the men
simultaneously to their feet…The Prophet beheld the temple filled with angels and informed the
brethren of what he saw.”22 ‘The people living near the temple, hearing an unusual sound and
seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the steeple, ran in fearful astonishment and
gathered around the building.”23
All members of the Johnson family (with the possible exception of Ezekiel) had contributed in
some way to the temple’s completion. Joel in particular had practically provided the roof. He cut
all the shingles with his ingenious patented shingle cutting machine that he had invented years
earlier, and it is probably that he laid a fair share of them.
Concerned about the financial circumstances of the Church, in November 1836, Joseph Smith
announced the establishment of the Kirtland Safety Society organized to make capital out of idle
land through the process of housing subdivision. It had its beginning in January 1837. It was not
a good year to begin a bank. The entire country was far extended on credit. The saints joined in
the spirit of speculation and greed which was prevalent throughout the nation. Almost everyone
seemed determine to get rich including members of the priesthood. Joseph expressed serious
concern, but finding his counsel generally ignored, he resigned as treasurer and withdrew from
the organization. Disaster struck the nation in May, and within a single month, 800 banks
collapsed, The depression of 1837 is considered one of the worst the country has ever known.24
Many held the Prophet Joseph responsible, and many members of the Church apostatized.
The Johnsons were hard hit by the panic and struggled financially as did others. Joel’s valuable
saw mill became worthless. It was well understood that Kirtland would be abandoned. The
exodus to Missouri began in the spring of 1838. The challenge was to obtain transportation for
the family. Benjamin had returned from Missouri a sick man a few months earlier. Julia had
nursed him back to reasonable health, and he was able to provide some help. Through planning
and trading, they managed to obtain teams and wagons enough to transport the two families. The more valuable items of furniture and fixtures were sent to St. Louis to be shipped up the Missouri River to Richmond, Missouri where they would be picked up later. In fact, the Johnsons were never to reach that destination and these shipments were a total loss.

Moving West

Early in July, 1838, the Kirtland Camp (sometimes known as the Kirtland Poor Camp because of
their circumstances and the group the Johnsons were in) were ready to head west. There were
nearly 60 vehicles and over 500 Saints. All money was pooled so that food and supplies could be
21 Joseph Smith and the Restoration, A History of the LDS Church to 1846, Ivan S. Banett, Brigham Young
University Press, 1977, p. 323.
22 Joseph Smith and the Restoration, p. 325.
23 Joseph Smith and the Restoration, p. 325. See also, History of the Church. 2:428.
24 Joseph Smith and the Restoration, p. 340-342, See also, Comprehensive History of the Church, 1:400;
and Latter-day Saints Messenger and Advocate, July 1837.
8
purchased in bulk and shared equally. There were food scarcities, malaria, and typhoid fever. In
some towns they passed through there was much hostility and the inhabitants attempted to
compel them to pay for the losses sustained in the Kirtland Bank failure.
For example, ‘Threats were made that we should not pass through Mansfield [Ohio] alive. We
started along, however, in close procession; the women driving the teams arid the men walking
alongside. On nearing the town we were met by two horsemen who rode down each side of our
column, seeming to count the number of wagons. They soon returned to town. Ere this our ears
had detected the beating of drums and firing of cannon, but we pushed on and were not molested.
We afterward learned that the horsemen had given the crowd which had assembled in front of the Court House, and who were firing the cannon, an exaggerated report of our numbers and
armament.”25
When they reached Dayton, Ohio, their funds were exhausted. Many of the men obtained work
on the construction of the Ohio section of the national turnpike. The group remained in Dayton
for four weeks to allow time to replenish money and supplies. During this time, Joel, Julia and
Benjamin traveled to Cincinnati, about 50 miles distant, to visit Julia’s sister Nancy Hills Taft
and her brother, Joel Hills. This is reported by family to have been Julia’s attempt to preach the gospel face to face to her family, but there is nothing to suggest that they were responsive.
The group crossed Indiana and when near Springfield, Illinois, two members of the company
died, Samuel Hale and his wife, leaving a ten-year-old-daughter, Mary Ann. Mary Ann was
subsequently adopted by Julia. In Springfield, they were informed of the Saints expulsion from
Missouri, leaving their destination uncertain. They decided to remain in Springfield until the
gathering place of the Saints could be determined. Joseph recorded, “Mother and other members of the family were taken sick, and with little means to help us we had a very hard time. I was forced to resort to any light employment I could obtain, and among other things chopped wood, sawed stovewood, made axe handles and washboards, and was finally induced to act as ‘yankee schoolmaster,’ which I did through the winter with much satisfaction and success, having 60 scholars, mostly small.”26

Settling in Ramus or Macedonia

In the summer of 1840, Julia and her family prepared to leave Springfield to travel to Nauvoo,
Illinois which had now been designated as the next gathering place for the Saints. It was a trek of about 100 miles. As they traveled, Julia was impressed by the large areas of vacant land which were available, and it occurred to her that her family might acquire land and establish a
settlement of their own. It appears probable that through Joel they learned of a hamlet called
Perkin’s Settlement twenty miles from Nauvoo, and they determined to settle there. Land was
purchased and the town named Ramus. In 1943, the name was changed from Ramus to
Macedonia. Ezekiel had remained separated from Julia and not baptized. In about 1843, Joseph
25 George Washington Johnson, no source cited, quoted in J.E.J Trail to Sundown, p. 62.
26 Joseph Ellis Johnson, no source cited, quoted in J.E.J. Trail to Sundown, p. 64. Joseph was about age 22 at the time and had no training in teaching school. It may be of interest to know that during this time Abraham Lincoln was a struggling young lawyer practicing in Springfield and it is possible that the Johnson family knew him since the town was relatively small.
9
Smith advised Julia to become sealed to Josephs’ uncle, John Smith, which she did.27
Almon and Julia Babbitt had remained behind in Kirtland. In June 1842, the Babbitts left
Kirtland accompanied by Ezekiel, his daughter Esther (now LaBaron), and Benjamin and his
new wife, Melissa LeBaron. They reached Ramus about 1 July 1842. Ezekiel remathed in Ramus for a time, later moving to Nauvoo.
It is assumed that once in Nauvoo, Ezekiel worked as a carpenter. He did not join the Church,
but worked alongside Church members and assisted them on occasion. He was well known by
the presiding brethren and many stories are told about him.28
Apparently, wielding his shotgun “Old Bess,” Ezekiel single handedly resisted the advance of a mob attempting to sneak into Nauvoo. Later, the mob obtained his identity and “gave him a terrific beating” that apparently ‘hastened his death.”29
One descendent reports, “I have heard my father [Sixtus Ellis Johnson son of Joel] tell of his
grandfather Ezekiel. He was there when he was whipped by a mob, which later caused his death. I heard father and President Wilford Woodruff talk about it when I was only ten years old, but it made such an impression on me that I asked father about it when I was grown. I have often
wondered who did his temple work. Pres. Woodruff was very anxious about it and he told father to be sure and attend to it if it had not been done. Pres. Woodruff said to father, ‘I know your
father was one of the first martyrs of the cause of Christ in this dispensation.’”30

On June 24, 1844, Joseph Smith and Hyrum with a few Mends left Nauvoo for Carthage and
incarceration. Joseph Johnson accompanied them part way. A half-day distant from Carthage, the
Prophet proclaimed, “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am as calm as a summer’s
morning.”
Joseph Johnson wrote of the time preceding the Prophets martyrdom, “. . I was informed that
Joseph Smith and his brother would go to Carthage and deliver themselves on the charge of
treason under promise of protection from the governor, and that all troops should be disbanded
and sent home and that he wished us to wait until next morning to bear him company. I was so
ill from exhaustion that I scarcely left the house during my stay there and was barely able to sit
in the buggy. When Gen. Smith was ready, we accompanied him until arriving near Carthage,
when an officer sent by Gov. Ford met us with a demand for the state arms. After a short
consultation Gen. Smith thought it best himself to go back and in person attend to the delivery so all of the party except Bro. Babbitt and myself returned. Adieus were hastily said and we parted there—the last parting with these good and great hearted men who gave their lives to save their friends.”31
On the morning of 27 June 1844, Joseph and Hyrum were murdered. The next day, June 28, the
27 Eventually, this sealing was annulled and Julia was sealed vicariously to Ezekiel.
28 For a much more complete history of the Johnsons during this time period, the reader is referred to J.E.J.
Trail to Sundown, pp. 91-94.
29 J.E.J. Trail to Sundown, p. 93.
30 As told by David F. Johnson, son of Sixtus and related in J.E.J Trail to Sundown, pp. 93-94.
31 These incidents were described in a letter written to the Deseret News, and published on December 5,
1875.
10
bodies of the martyred prophets were taken to Nauvoo by Dr. Willard Richards, Samuel H.
Smith and a guard of eight soldiers. On the 29th, they were interred “amidst the deep mourning
of a stricken people.”32 The Johnson family suffered the grief, fear, and uncertainty experienced by all the Saints following the deaths of their beloved leaders. The Johnsons were present when Sidney Rigdon voiced his plea to be named “Guardian of the Church,” and when Brigham Young spoke, sounding and appearing to many to be the Prophet Joseph. Benjamin F. Johnson, then age 26, reported of this experience that he personally “jumped to his feet in amazement and awe.”33
On February 4, 1846, the first group of Saints left Nauvoo and crossed the Mississippi River.
Within a few days the work of ferrying the Saints to the Iowa side was continuing day and night.
The temperature dropped dramatically, and on the 15th day of February, President Brigham
Young, Willard Richards and George A. Smith with a large company of Saints crossed the river
on the ice.34 In the summer of 1846, hostilities were renewed against the members of the Church who still remained in Nauvoo. Most had left and only a remnant remained, composed mostly of the “poor, sick and afflicted, who where unable to get away.”35 Most of the Johnson family remained behind. In September, the mobs took possession of the city.

Ezekiel’s Death

Ezekiel remained in Illinois and died 13 January 1848 in Nauvoo at age 72. He died at the home
of his daughter, Esther LeBaron and was buried in the old Mormon cemetery. Benjamin F.
recorded in his history, “It was the first of January, 1848 and Brother Babbitt, with some others, was going to visit Winter Quarters, and I arranged to go with them. On his arrival, which was about the 20th of January, he brought the sad news of the death of my father, but with this great grief, there was such consolation, for during the last year of his life, he had ceased the use of ardent spirits, and realized the great wrong he had done to himself and his family by his
opposition. He knew the gospel was true and had asked for baptism, of which his sudden death
deprived him, leaving all his [temple] work for his children.”36
On 14 June 1846, President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt and others
arrived on the banks of the Missouri, not far from Council Bluffs. The next day a council
meeting was held and it was decided to move back onto the bluffs where spring water could be
obtained, and they would be protected from the Indians. The season was late for planting, but
preparations for fencing, plowing and planting were begun. A ferry boat was built and on the
29th the companies of Saints began crossing the river.37
In July, a site across the river into Nebraska and a short distance above Council Bluffs was
selected as an additional permanent camp and designated “Winter Quarters.” Even though free
32 For the full account of Joseph Smiths martyrdom, see Joseph Fielding Smith, Essentials of Church
History, pp. 327-384.
33 J.E.J Trail to Sundown. p. 90.
34 Essentials of Church History, p.401.
35 Essentials of Church History, p.413.
36 Written by Benjamin Franklin Johnson, ‘Life Review,” p. 15 and quoted in “Ezekiel Johnson” by Rolla
V. Johnson, p. 35.
37 Essentials of Church History, p. 409-410.
11
from persecution, these were still difficult times. “Weakened by the long trek from Nauvoo and
the lack of sufficient vegetables in their diet, people became easy victims of malaria, scurvy, and
other little known rnaladies.”38

Julia’s Death

Julia in company with her daughter Delcina “and other relatives and friends” arrived in Council
Bluffs 11 July l849.39 There has been some question as to where Julia lived from the time most
Saints left Nauvoo until her arrival in Council Bluffs. Benjamin Franklin remained in Nauvoo
until the spring of 1847, when he received a letter from “the Presidency, requesting me to be at
Winter Quarters...” He continued, “Brother Babbitt [Julia Ann] and family still remained in
Nauvoo as agent for the Church, and my mother and sisters were there…”40 Almon Babbit and
Julia Ann built a home near Nauvoo where she assumed the care of her mother, Julia, and may
have maintained that home there as late as 1849.41 George Washington recorded, “During the
year 1848, David T. LeBaron and myself were engaged in exhibiting the Nauvoo Temple to
visitors.”42 It is reasonable to assume that Julia remained with family in Nauvoo until Delcena
and other family members left that city.
Julia died 30 May 1853 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. “[A] Few details of her passing are in the letters
to her son Benjamin F. where he was serving a Church mission to the Sandwich Islands. She was scarcely seventy years old. She was truly a matriarch, a benevolent one and the entire family was under her sway.”43 On October 28, 1853, Julia’s daughter, Julia Ann, apparently residing in Kanesville, wrote to Benjamin. “Oh Benjamin, I cannot describe my anxiety to see you or my
joy to hear of your prosperity. We are still here in comfortable health, though we have been sick
much of the time. . . .1 suppose you have heard of our dear mother’s death before this. She is
gone and we are left to mourn her loss, no not her loss but ours. We know she cannot meet with
loss; she has gone to receive the crown that was prepared for her, which must be glorious. Oh if I had but one short hour to see you, how much more could I say than with this slow pen of
mine.”44
38 William F. Berrett, The Restored Church, p. 245.
39 A statement attributed to her daughter, Delcina, Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. IS, p. 251.
40 Pioneer Heritage, Vol 15, p. 211.
41 Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. II, p. 560.
42 George Washington Johnson Autobiography, typescript, Brigham Young University, p. 5.
43 Recorded in “Ezekiel Johnson” by Rolla V. Johnson.

6 Letters written by Julia Hills Johnson

6 Letters
(#1 Written by JULIA HILLS JOHNSON, Mother of Patriarch, Benjamin Franklin Johnson)



October 13, 1814
My Dear Mother:

After my love to you, I would inform you of our welfare, and hope these few lines will find you in health and prosperity. Through our journey we have been blessed with health and we are now all well and hearty. We started from Westford , Vermont on the 27th of June and came on over some one hundred miles and one of our horses became lame and we laid by for a week. We then came awhile but was obliged to stop again for three or four days, and then came on as far as Hamburg, this side of Buffalo where we stopped about seven weeks. I was very discontented there, yet the people urged us to stay. They gave Mr. Johnson one dollar a day with house rent, garden vegetables, milk etc. He thought it was best to stay until our horses got recruited up and we got rested, as he had the money for his work. But I could not be contented to stay any longer for there was no neighbors short of about two miles, and all Sabbath breakers and I could not feel at home there.

We started from there on the 24th of September, and was four days coming to this place on account of bad roads. This is a beautiful country and we have concluded to stay here until spring if not longer. "(They built a house on block 21.) Mr. Johnson intends to go on himself and see the country before he moves his family any further for fear he would not like it so well as he does here. There is many moving to the west, some days ten or twelve wagons in company and some have come back to this place. This country is very healthy indeed and good for grain which is plenty and cheap, markets at present are distant. Such corn I never saw before as I have seen here. It is only seven years since the first settlements were made here. There begins to be fruit of almost every kind; I never saw such sights of peaches before. Thousands of bushels rot on the ground. They make sauce of them, and brandy. The trees bear in three years from the stone, and apples in six.

We have hired a little house about two miles and a half from the village of Canadaway (now Fredonia) which contains three societies, Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists. There is also mills and school near at hand with neighbors who appear very friendly and kind. If Mr. Johnson does not like it better at Cincinnati he intends to settle here before any other country he ever saw. It is a good place for his trade which demands one dollar and fifty cents per day, but the Lord knows what is best and I hope that I shall be reconciled to His will.

The Lord only knows whether we shall ever see each other again on this earth. I hope we shall put our trust in Him and be reconciled to His will for He knows what is best for us. All things shall work together for the good of those who love Him. If we are afflicted it is for our good, for He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Therefore, let us put our trust in Him, for He hath said, "They that put their trust in Him shall be as Mount Zion which shall not be removed."

My children send their love to you all. Remember my love to all inquiring friends. Tell Almera I wish they would write to me. Do write as soon as possible. I shall write as soon as Mr. Johnson gets back, if not before.

This from your affectionate children,
E. and J. Johnson






(#2 Written to Esther Ellis Hills Forbush)

Pomphret, Chataqua County, New York
February 27, 1815

My Dear Parents:

After my love to you I will inform you that through the blessing of God, we are all in good health and hope this will find you so. I have not heard a word from you for more than a year. I have written to you four letters since I have received any. Mr. Johnson has gone to Cincinnati, Ohio. He started on the last day of January. I have not heard a word from Joel for a year or more. I am very anxious to hear from my friends. I wrote the particulars of our journey thus far in my last letter. If Mr. Johnson likes that country we calculate to move on in the spring, if we live and are well. Many families are passing here almost every day for that place. We like this country first rate upon many accounts. It is not as cold as Vermont and is excellent for grain, grass, and all kinds of produce. With good inhabitants and good schools. My children go to school and learn very fast. Seth and Nancy want to write to their grandmother, but it will cost too much to pay for their letters. I had a daughter born on the 16th of December, who is smart and well.

I want you to write how you enjoy religion. Whether you are cold and stupid like myself, or are you engaged in the good cause of Christ. I hope you are like Mary and have chosen the better part, which shall not be taken away. I hope we shall live as we shall wish we had lived when we are called from time to Eternity. I hope we shall be prepared to meet in Heaven to dwell with the righteous forever. I hope we shall see each other again in a few years, but life is uncertain. I want you to give my love to Aunt Woodward's family, tell the girls to write to me.

I remain your affectionate child,
Julia Johnson.



(#3 Letter to sister)

Pomphret, Chataqua County, New York
November 11, 1818

Dear Sister:

I have another chance of writing to you, which I improve. I have written several times but received no answer. I have heard of the death of our mother which was very heavy news to me. We have lost a very kind, affectionate parent of which no doubt you are sensible, but we have no right to murmur, God will do all things right. We must be submissive and prepare to follow our dear deceased mother. I wish you would write the particulars concerning her death and write me a long letter. I have been anxious to hear from you for a long time. Almera Woodward (Julia's cousin) wrote to me that you was keeping house for your father and made out very well, which I was glad to hear. I send this letter by Mr. Johnson; he will tell you the particulars of our affairs. I want your father to send me that Great Dictionary; that was my father's, and if Joel (Hills) has a chance to get it from here he shall have it, for that was my mother's desire as she expressed it when she was up in Vermont. And I wish you would send me some straw braid for a bonnet and Mr. Johnson will pay you for it. Such things are very scarce here. Remember my love to your father and family and take a good share yourself.

Julia Johnson


(#4 Letter to Diadamie Forbush my half sister)


Pomphret, Chataqua County, New York
July 21, 1831

My Dear Sister:

How long a time it is since I received a line from you, and how much longer since I saw you? I have waited long for a letter, but getting none, I improve this opportunity of informing you that myself and family (those about home) are as well as has been usual for us to be for some time and I do really hope that this may find you enjoying the best of earthly blessings, health ... Mr. Johnson is now gone to Ohio. Joel and family have removed to that state, Loraine County, Amhurst Township. David is with them. It's about two months since I heard from them. Mr. Johnson and Seth went last fall to Cincinnati and Newport and spent the winter at or near those places. Seth taught school. They found sisters Nancy and Rhoda with their families well and left them so.

I think I wrote to you that my family consists of fifteen children, two married, Joel and Delcena, both have two children and each have lost one, the rest as I said, generally live at home. Nancy had the misfortune last August to be thrown from a horse which dislocated or broke her hip. She will probably have to use crutches as long as she lives. For the most of the time she is able to sew, paint, etc. We are in rather low circumstances as it respects the good things of this world, but through the good providence of God we have a comfortable living, and knowing that we need but little here below nor want that little long as we endeavor to be content with such things as we have and give thanks to the giver and seek that durable riches and righteousness which shall never fail.

Dear sister, how oft have I wished that you and I were so situated that we might often see each other and speak to each other of the things most interesting and dear to us, and of our trials and cares and mutually share in each other's joys and sorrows, etc. But since we are separated let us be thankful for the mercies that we do enjoy and ever bear in mind that this earth is not our abiding place, and let us seek earnestly for one to come, one whose builder and maker is God. That we may soon meet again where parting and separation shall be known no more forever -- this is my prayer.

Oh, my sister, do not put off writing as you have done, but write soon and inform me of your present circumstances and situation, and of your future prospects and hopes. I very much want to know how you get along with your family and whatever else would be interesting to us respecting your situation and prospects, etc. And also what are your views of futurity and how you get along in your mind, etc. I want you should write what information you have respecting Aunt Woodward and the family; where is Almera and family? and tell me about Mrs. Roberts, and my cousins and friends in that country. Give my love and best wishes to them all and accept the same yourself as well as the love and respect of all my children who are at home. Remember Enoch, Polly and Chloe (Diadamia's brother and sisters) and inform me of them and their families. Now, my dear sister, I must draw to a close by requesting an interest in your prayers and by subscribing myself as ever your affectionate sister-in-haste.

Julia Johnson








(#5 Letter to Diadamia Wheeler)

Springfield, Illinois
March 13, 1839

Dear Sister:

Having an opportunity of sending a few lines to you or rather to send them where we last heard of you we improve it. It is now six years since we heard from you in any way. We have written several times, but have been moving about so much that we could not have received one even though you had written. You must know we have been very anxious to hear from you as the last news we heard was that you have lost your husband. Oh! My dear sister, how shall I use words to express my feelings when I look back to the time when we saw each other, the last change in our situation and circumstances in life, the change of seasons, places and nations, the commotion of the earth and the disposition of men, deceiving and being deceived -- The signs of the last days, the fulfillment of Scriptures, etc. –

I will say we are all well who are with us as usual. And though strange it may appear, I am happy to inform you that we have the misfortune (if it may be called one) to belong to that poor deluded (as the world say) despised sect of being called Mormons or Latter Day Saints, who are verily persecuted for righteousness sake. We left the state of New York about six years ago and went to Kirtland, Ohio where the Lord saw fit to afflict us by taking from us four of the elderly members of my family, Nancy, Seth, David and Susan. They were all taken from us within four years. How shall, how can, I express my feelings, "But the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away and blessed by the name of the Lord."

We have suffered a great deal of sickness, I was very extremely sick last fall in this place with the fevers almost unto death, but the Lord saw fit to spare my life and measurably restore me to health. Joel is about one hundred miles west of here with his family, Julia and Almera are married, they both did very well, married respected men. Delcina has lost her husband. He died last winter -- 27th of January. She is in Missouri, we expect her here soon. I have three sons, unmarried, men grown up, Joseph, Benjamin and George. Two of them are with me, the other with Delcina. I have two daughters with me, Mary and Esther.

I went to Cincinnati last summer and there found Nancy and Rhoda. Rhoda is in Newport across the river from Cincinnati, they are all well.

I have not time to write much more, the gentleman who is expected to bear this is one of those Mormons and as yet has never preached a sermon, but probably will before you receive this. I beg, I pray and entreat you as one who loves you, to search into these things, "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good." Study the scriptures the prophecies and then you will learn that the Lord in the last days will bring forth His work, His strange work, His act, His strange act, that truth shall spring out of the earth and righteousness shall look down from Heaven. That Zion will be builded, the Saints gathered and possess the land promised to their fathers and build Jerusalem again, etc. Recollect that the Lord's work was always a strange work in the eyes of the people, that he chooses the poor, the weak, the illiterate of this world, to confound the wisdom of the wise and bring to naught the wisdom of the world. Therefore, I will close by begging you to inquire into the truth of these things. Ask the Lord in sincerity to show you the right way. As for persecution, the Lord has said he that liveth Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution also whom the Lord loveth him He chastiseth, etc. Never-the-less these seem not for the present. Joyous but grievious -- Look unto the Lord and not to man "Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his aim" -- Write immediately on the reception of this. Direct your letter to this place, give all our respects to our friends of your acquaintance. I remain in affliction, your sister.

Julia Johnson.


(#6 A letter from Joel Hills, to his mother, Esther Ellis Hills Forbush)


Newport, Kentucky
February 14, 1815

Dear and Affectionate Mother: Do not suppose that I have forgotten you in consequence of my having remained so long silent, for although I have been rather undutiful through a multiplicity of business, yet give me leave to assure you that your welfare and happiness will ever occupy the first place in my heart.

I arrived with my family in good health at Cincinnati, Ohio, on the opposite side of the Ohio River on the 7th day of January, 1815, and in a few months after, moved to this place where I have established a brick yard and have found my most sanguine expectation answered in regards to the country. My prospects are still brightening and I have only to regret not coming to this country a few years sooner, as in that case a small sum of money well laid out according to the course of events which have since transpired, would have placed me at this time in a state of independence. The only regret that I feel in my present situation is the being so far removed from so many friends, and particularly from you, my dear mother, as it would afford the greatest happiness to contribute to yours, and in some measure to discharge the natural and affectionate debt due to the care of the dearest and best of mothers, by dispensing her cares and fulfilling her wishes in the evening of her days, when nature appears to claim a return of that care and tenderness, which is generally lavished on us in our infancy.

Give my best respects to my sister and the rest of our kindred at Grafton, and be sure you write me soon after receiving this, and make me acquainted with your health and circumstances. My family are all in good health and join with me in their concern and good wishes for your happiness.

With a heart glowing with the warmest gratitude for the maternal care and affection which you have ever evinced toward me, and in earnest prayer to Almighty God that a triple portion of His choicest mercies may attend you, I subscribe myself, your ever dutiful son,

Joel Hills



Typed by Judy Cluff from collection of Beulah Gibson.