STAR VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORICAL BOOKS INVENTORY DETAILS 1. Overview Title: Autobiographical Sketch ofJacob Peart Author: Jacob Peart Subject: Personal History Publisher: Publishing Date: October 8,1872 Number of Pages: 2 ID#: 619 Location: Website 2. Evaluation Evaluator's Name(s): Kent and Polly Erickson Date ofEvaluation: February 2015 Key Words: England, Methodist Sect, Mormon Church, Los Vegas Lead Mines Included Names: George Peart, Ann or Nancy Pert, Elizabeth Haldon, Phoebe Thompson, Phlinda A. Loss 3. Svnopsis He was born in England in 1801. He was a member ofthe Methodist Church before he joined the Church ofJesus Christ ofLatter-Day Saints. He emigrated to America. His first wife died in Nauvoo as did several of his children. He later married Phoebe Thompson. He made the westward trek stopping in Winter Quarters before arriving in Utah 1848. By 1872, his health is poor but his testimony is still strong. 4. Other '^submitted by Laraine Robinson AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JACOB PEART Salt Lake City, October 8,1872 (Original copy at church Historian's Office) I was bom on the 3*^^ day ofJune 1801 atNoonston near the headwaters ofthe river Tyne, Cumberland County, England. My father, George Peart, was by trade a farmer. He also worked at the Lead Mines in vicinity ofmy birthplace. My mother's name was Ann or Nancy Pert. I was one ofseven children, namely: Thomas, John, George, Nancy, Cuthbert, myselfand William. We all grew up and had families. When I was 14 years old I joined the Methodist Sect, and in youthful simplicity being truly honest hearted, I enjoyed myselfmuch in prayer, reading the Bible etc. When I was about 18 my father moved to Alston - While here I was chosen Supt. Ofthe Sunday School, which numbered about 3 or 400 scholars - At the age of23 I married Elizabeth Haldon (aged 20) the daughter ofJohn and Francis Haldon ofAlston. I purchased some land and built a small house upon it -1 also got a few cows and a horse. While living here a man from America made me a visit. He said he was a preacher of the gospel and wished to get a place to preach in. I exerted my influence and got him our Methodist Chapel ~ a very nice and commodious hall. I carefully examined the doctrine taught by him and in Aug., 18371 was baptized in the church ofJesus Christ ofLatter Day Saints or Mormons. From this time persecutions were commenced upon us. The Methodist Parson wrote and published a tract in which he abused the Elder and myselfvery much. Bros. John sanders, Ralph Thompson and Peter Maughan also joined the church here. I was soon ordained an Elder - Bro. Russell, the Elder who baptized us and organized the branch, left for America and I was left in charge ofthe saints -1 preached the Gospel to the people as best I had opportunity and a baptized a few, until the spring of1841 when I immigrated to America. While at Liverpool I was introduced to Pres. Brigham Young -1 arrived at New Orleans in nine weeks from time ofstarting. Then took passage in a steam boat up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo. While at New Orleans my wife was taken with a violent fever. On arriving at Nauvoo I called on the Prophet Joseph Smith to come and administer to my wife which he did and advised me to procure the assistance ofElder J. C. Bennett, M. D. which I did. He gave her medicine, but in about 5 days she died - In a few more months my oldest daughter Ann aged 11 years was taken sick and died; next my youngest daughter was taken sick and died, then my second daughter aged 9 years was taken sick and lingered until fall when she died. These bereavements were great trials to me but I knew the work ofGod was true and I was at all times ready to say thy will be done. After a time spent in digging wells etc. I married Phoebe Thompson - In the winter of42 and 3 she was sealed to me by Hyrum Smith. My first wife was also sealed to me, the second standing proxy. I purchased me a city lot and built me a good brick house and work shop with a horse power for turning -1 then started a general cabinet shop - In the winter I did all sorts of work on the Temple. After the martyrdom ofJoseph and Hyrum, Bros. Peter Maughan, John Sanders and myself, by counsel ofPres. B. Young and the twelve went up to Rock Island m search ofcoal for to supply Nauvoo. We opened a bed ofcoal and commenced to bring out the same, when I was taken down with sickness. Soon after I got well my son John Pert went up to Galena where he took sick and died - In the spring of 1845 they sent for us to come back to Nauvoo - After arriving at home I was ordained into the Quorum of70's by Jos. Young -1joined the 6^ Quorum - i passed through the Temple ofthe Lord with my wife Phoebe and her daughter Mary who was at this time sealed to Willard Richards - During the winter I worked in a wagon shop. On the 15^ ofFebruary 1846 I started for Winter Quarters from whence I returned for a fresh outfit to Missouri. In the spring of 1848 I started for Salt Lake City, soon after my arrival, I got a lot inthe 14^ Ward and built me a house upon it, where I now reside - On July 10^ 1856 I started ona mission tothe Los Vegas Lead Mines with Capt, N. V. Jones and returned in 1857 with about 600 lbs. [Maybe this should be tons - very hard to read the symbol] ofLead. March 23^'' 18571 was rebaptized for the remission ofmy sins, renewing my covenants etc. In the fall went to meet the Buchanan Army under Johnston -1 was Capt. Of 10 in Capt. Killon's Company - Returned in Oct 1857. In the spring of 1858 moved to American Fork with the saints and when peace was established returned home. I have been acting as ateacher in the 14^ ward from its fu^st organization until my health failed me last year (1871). May 23,1860 Phlinda Angela Loss was sealed to me by Prest. Yoimg - Dec 1,1868 Ann Wilkinson was sealed to me in the Endowment House by Prest. D. H. Wells. It is now 1872, my health is very poor - My testimony is that the Gospel ofJesus Christ as taught by the Latter Day Saints is true and all they who obey its laws and ordinances with honest hearts and continue faithfiil in keeping the commandments ofgod shall have Eternal Life -1 also know that Prest. Young has a commission from God to lead the people and is the mouthpiece ofGod unto us and I believe it is for him to carry out the work that Joseph Smith commenced and build up the Zion ofour Lord upon the Earth..