HAWN’S MILL
PRESENTATION BY JANELL JENKINS
September 25, 2014 at
Hawn’s Mill
Ryan introduced his wife Janell. She has several family lines that experienced
Hawn’s Mill in one way or another. Her 3rd
great-grandfather is buried here.
She also had an ancestor that was invited to join the mob, but
refused. He later went west with the
Saints, having married into her family line.
Most of her Pierce line stayed here in the area. Janell added that Ryan had family that lived
in Braymer and had ties to Polo. One was
a doctor and one was a dentist – Mount Street in
Polo is named after them.
INTERESTING HISTORICAL FACTS
Janell discovered on a map at the Ft. Leavenworth Frontier Museum that Shoal Creek was originally named Jenkins Creek, and Crooked River was originally named Tyger River. The change in the names may have occurred when Shoal Creek and Crooked River townships were formed and named by Ray County commissioners - when this area was still part of Ray County.
According to Alex Baugh, Beverly Cleary, author of children’s books is the great-granddaughter of Jacob Hawn through her father Chester Lloyd Bunn. Chester is the son of Mary Edith Annie Hawn Bunn who is the daughter of Jacob Hawn.
About 75 Families lived in the Mill area. David Evans of the 1st quorum of the 70 was the presiding authority for the church here. He was also a bishop in Nauvoo, a pioneer company captain, the first Bishop and second mayor in Lehi, Utah. Thomas McBride, Janell’s ancestor, was the justice of the peace of Grand River Township - now Fairview Township.
About 9 wagons from the Kirtland Camp arrived just 2 days (Oct., 28th) before the mob’s attack on Oct. 30, 1838 at about 4:00 in the afternoon. Joseph Young, senior president of the 70’s, was the leader of this small group. This group had divided off from the main body at the Missouri/Illinois state line. The main Kirtland Camp body had arrived earlier at Far West on Oct. 2nd.
Lilburn W. Boggs, Governor of Missouri, issued the extermination order on Oct. 27, 1838 stating that all Mormons must remove from the state or be exterminated. According to Alex Baugh, apparently the militia got word of the extermination order on Oct. 31st – the day after the attack.
Jacob Hawn had been sent to Far West to get Joseph’s counsel after threats were made by the mob to burn down the mills. According to the David Lewis’ diary, at the council meeting Jacob Hawn reported back and represented that they would be cowards to leave and not try to maintain the mill. The council did not know it was Joseph’s decided counsel for them to leave. So, guard duty assignments were made, and an area of defense was established—the blacksmith shop—in case of trouble. According to James McBride’s autobiography, the attack began shortly after his father Thomas arrived at the mill for his guard duty assignment. James was home with the ague [ill every other day], so Thomas was on duty that day in James’ place. Between the two of them, they hoped to fill one man’s assignment. Harrison Severe, a non-Mormon resident, had been invited to join the mob – but refused, (he later married Dorcas McBride in Adams County, Illinois. James McBride and Harrison Severe were co-founders of Grantsville, Utah.
There were 240 members of the mob who attacked Hawn’s Mill. About 35 men and boys from the community took cover in the blacksmith shop. Of that number 17 were killed, 14 of whom were buried in the partially dug well. (In those days the wells were not dug straight down in a cylinder shape, but were dug in a larger circle. When water was found, they built up the stone walls of the well and back filled around it as they went up.) Benjamin Lewis died a few hours later and was buried in his own grave by his family. The other two died later of wounds and were buried individually.
TRAGEDY YEILDS GREAT FAITH AND STRENGTH
D&C 124:54, “For I am the Lord your God, and will save all those of your brethren who have been pure in heart, and have been slain in the land of Missouri, saith the Lord.” This revelation was given to the prophet Joseph Smith Jan. 19, 1841 in Nauvoo, Illinois.
There are many stories of faith connected with the tragedy at Hawn’s Mill. Perhaps the best known is that of Amanda Barnes Smith and her son Alma. The Smith family had come with the Kirtland Camp. Amanda lost her husband and one son in the blacksmith shop. Her 11-year old son, Willard Gilbert Smith had tried to enter the shop three times, but was prevented by his own arms flinging up and blocking his entrance. He then hid in a pile of lumber. From there he ran to a house where he discovered Thomas McBride badly wounded and ran to fetch him water, the mob shooting at him the whole way. He then helped six little girls who were hiding in another house escape into the woods. He was the first to enter the blacksmith shop after the mob had left. Finding Alma with his hip blown away, but still alive, he carried him to his mother.
Amanda’s plea for help from God in knowing what to do for her wounded boy was answered very specifically. She cleaned the wound with a lye made from shagbark hickory ashes and when that process was completed, she was directed to apply a poultice of slippery elm root. She had complete faith that God who had made her son’s hip, could make him a new one. She was directed to have Alma lay on his face for 5 weeks, at which time he got up on his own and jumped and danced to the delight of his younger siblings.
When they moved to Illinois, the fame of Alma and his recovered hip drew a group of five physicians sent by a board of doctors from St. Louis, to examine him. They could not understand scientifically how his hip could have healed as it did to allow him full activity. They asked Amanda the name of the surgeon who had performed the wonderful piece of surgery. “Jesus Christ,” was her response. They said, “Not the Savior of the world.” She replied, “Yes, the same, Sirs; He was the Physician and I was the nurse.”
The mob occupied the town after the attack and confiscated property from the citizens. Those who were able evacuated, but others who were nursing the wounded had to stay. They were forbidden to pray, and so, as the people of Alma did, they prayed in their hearts. Amanda Barnes Smith was compelled one day to pray vocally and hid herself in a cornfield where she poured out her heart and her voice to God. When her prayer was finished, she distinctly heard the words to the 7th verse of the hymn “How Firm a Foundation.” The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
When it was time for them to leave Missouri, Amanda went to the mob and demanded the return of her horse. They told her she could have it for $5.00 which would cover the cost of feed. This she could not do because she was one of those from whom the mob had confiscated money and property. So, she walked out into the field and tying her apron around the horse’s neck, led it home with no further objections.
There were many others besides Sister Smith who experienced God’s protecting hand in the midst of tragedy. David Norton had the impression that he needed to return to his home which was in the country. He was able to provide refuge for victims of the mob.
Isaac Leany had a dream on the night of the 29th of October in which he was walking amidst multitudes of serpents who repeatedly pierced his body. As he walked along, he met a man he knew who commented, "Brother Leany," he said, "You are terribly bitten so with snakes and lived." "Well, then, I'll be the first for I'm not going to die," was Isaac’s answer. The day of the attack, Isaac was pierced by 6 bullets that went in, through, and out his body, and one bullet that lodged in his body. "This one came nearer to knocking me off my feet than any, the rest just plunked through me as if I were a squash." As he was struggling along he was met by the same man he had seen in his dream, whose comments were the same. A little farther on was the home of some friends who took him in. He was hidden under the floor boards for fear of the mob. He could not remain there for long because of the terrible pain he was in. He was later anointed and recovered rapidly.
Nathan Knight was shot numerous times. “The last shot brought me to my knees.” He motioned to Polly Wood to help him, but she was unable to bring him to his feet. “She came and tried to lead me back, but I was too weak. She then kneeled down and placed her hands on my wounds and prayed the Lord to strengthen and heal me. I never heard a more powerful prayer. The Lord answered her prayer, and I received strength and walked back to Hawn's house by resting three or four times…..”
David Lewis remained calm during the attack. He felt certain that he would be spared for some purpose. He left the blacksmith shop and went across the creek to the front of Hawn’s house. Crossing the fence, he was continually fired upon. He was unable to run having only recently recovered from an illness. He felt he was miraculously spared to fulfill God’s purpose. He said, "Lord thou hast delivered me for some purpose and I am willing to fulfill that purpose whenever thou makes it known to me, and to do all duties that thou enjoins upon me from this time henceforth and forever."
Jacob Foutz’s wife was blessed to feel “at times like these when human nature would quail, I have felt the power of God upon me to that degree that I have stood before them [the mob] fearless….”
John Hammer (9-year old boy), wrote of his mother Nancy Elston Hammer, “[Mother] could administer comforts to her suffering children and keep them in good spirits, …she felt indeed that God was her greatest and best friend.” “The Lord had been merciful in giving her the light of His Holy Spirit, which had been a lamp to her feet to direct her course safely through the darkest perils of life”.
Philinda Merrick lost her husband and son. In Nauvoo her father-in-law offered to care for her and her children if she would renounce Mormonism. She refused. She became the seamstress to those living in the Prophet Joseph’s home - to provide for her family.
Phineas Richards had the task of writing to his wife to tell her that their son George had been killed. He said, “George is gone an early martyr to the cause of Zion. Lay not this thing too much at heart, but trust in Christ alone, and realize that God is right.”
GOD WANTS FAMILIES TO BE TOGETHER
Janell concluded by telling how she had discovered her cousins through Thomas McBride. She comes through his son James and daughter Dorcas. These cousins come through Thomas’ son Thomas. As the McBrides were making their way out of Nauvoo, Thomas and his family stopped near Farmington, Iowa. Thomas had gone into town. Apparently some men in the store strung him up from a beam thinking he was a Mormon. They put a rope around his neck and pulled him up until only his toes touched the ground. Someone eventually put a stop to it, but not until he had gone black in the face. He recovered temporarily, but died two weeks later. Apparently that was too much for his wife and family, and they did not continue with the saints. That branch of the family is Methodist, but now that Janell has found them and they have shared family histories and stories, she has the opportunity to share the gospel and unite this part of the family as well.
There was some discussion of archeological searches that had been done in the area. The missionaries have done a wonderful job of beautifying and grooming the property. Their efforts are much appreciated. There is a wonderful, peaceful spirit in this sacred place.
CLOSING SONG—7TH VERSE TO HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION
CLOSING PRAYER—ELDER EVANS
Sources
Alexander L. Baugh, A Call to Arms: The 1838 Mormon Defense of Northern Missouri, produced by the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History and BYU Studies, 2000, 239 pages.
Clark V. Johnson, Editor, Mormon Redress Petitions, Documents of the 1833-1838 Missouri Conflict, Religious Studies Center Brigham Young University, 1992, 830 pages.
John Hamer, Northeast of Eden, A Historical Atlas of Missouri’s Mormon County, 2004, 49+ pages.
LaMar C. Berrett, General Editor and Max H. Parkin, Sacred Places Missouri, A Comprehensive Guide to Early LDS Historical Sites, Volume Four, Deseret Book Company, 2004, 652 pages.
Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation, MMFF Newsletters: Number 18/19; Number 25; and Number 27.
LINKS:
Alexander L. Baugh, Jacob Hawn and the Hawn’s Mill, Massacre: Missouri Millwright, and Oregon Pioneer, Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, 26 PDF pages
http://mormonhistoricsites.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Jacob-Hawn-and-the-Hawn%E2%80%99s-Mill-Massacre-Missouri-Millwright-and-Oregon-Pioneer.pdf
Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx
Family Trees, FamilySearch.org
Findagrave.com
Haun's Mill - Episode 33 (Mormon Channel), Past Impressions, 29:21
http://www.mormonchannel.org/past-impressions/33
Historical Topographic Maps, U.S. Geological Survey, Flat Creek Quadrangle, http://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/usgs/maplocator/(xcm=r3standardpitrex_prd&layout=6_1_61_48&uiarea=2&ctype=areaDetails&carea=%24ROOT)/.do
Journals, Diaries, Biographies, Autobiographies and Letters of Some Early Mormons and Others Who Knew Joseph Smith, Jr. and/or His Contemporaries.
http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/WFoote.html
Public Member Trees, Ancestry.com
The Missouri Mormon War, Missouri State Archives
http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/mormon.asp
INTERESTING HISTORICAL FACTS
Janell discovered on a map at the Ft. Leavenworth Frontier Museum that Shoal Creek was originally named Jenkins Creek, and Crooked River was originally named Tyger River. The change in the names may have occurred when Shoal Creek and Crooked River townships were formed and named by Ray County commissioners - when this area was still part of Ray County.
According to Alex Baugh, Beverly Cleary, author of children’s books is the great-granddaughter of Jacob Hawn through her father Chester Lloyd Bunn. Chester is the son of Mary Edith Annie Hawn Bunn who is the daughter of Jacob Hawn.
About 75 Families lived in the Mill area. David Evans of the 1st quorum of the 70 was the presiding authority for the church here. He was also a bishop in Nauvoo, a pioneer company captain, the first Bishop and second mayor in Lehi, Utah. Thomas McBride, Janell’s ancestor, was the justice of the peace of Grand River Township - now Fairview Township.
About 9 wagons from the Kirtland Camp arrived just 2 days (Oct., 28th) before the mob’s attack on Oct. 30, 1838 at about 4:00 in the afternoon. Joseph Young, senior president of the 70’s, was the leader of this small group. This group had divided off from the main body at the Missouri/Illinois state line. The main Kirtland Camp body had arrived earlier at Far West on Oct. 2nd.
Lilburn W. Boggs, Governor of Missouri, issued the extermination order on Oct. 27, 1838 stating that all Mormons must remove from the state or be exterminated. According to Alex Baugh, apparently the militia got word of the extermination order on Oct. 31st – the day after the attack.
Jacob Hawn had been sent to Far West to get Joseph’s counsel after threats were made by the mob to burn down the mills. According to the David Lewis’ diary, at the council meeting Jacob Hawn reported back and represented that they would be cowards to leave and not try to maintain the mill. The council did not know it was Joseph’s decided counsel for them to leave. So, guard duty assignments were made, and an area of defense was established—the blacksmith shop—in case of trouble. According to James McBride’s autobiography, the attack began shortly after his father Thomas arrived at the mill for his guard duty assignment. James was home with the ague [ill every other day], so Thomas was on duty that day in James’ place. Between the two of them, they hoped to fill one man’s assignment. Harrison Severe, a non-Mormon resident, had been invited to join the mob – but refused, (he later married Dorcas McBride in Adams County, Illinois. James McBride and Harrison Severe were co-founders of Grantsville, Utah.
There were 240 members of the mob who attacked Hawn’s Mill. About 35 men and boys from the community took cover in the blacksmith shop. Of that number 17 were killed, 14 of whom were buried in the partially dug well. (In those days the wells were not dug straight down in a cylinder shape, but were dug in a larger circle. When water was found, they built up the stone walls of the well and back filled around it as they went up.) Benjamin Lewis died a few hours later and was buried in his own grave by his family. The other two died later of wounds and were buried individually.
TRAGEDY YEILDS GREAT FAITH AND STRENGTH
D&C 124:54, “For I am the Lord your God, and will save all those of your brethren who have been pure in heart, and have been slain in the land of Missouri, saith the Lord.” This revelation was given to the prophet Joseph Smith Jan. 19, 1841 in Nauvoo, Illinois.
There are many stories of faith connected with the tragedy at Hawn’s Mill. Perhaps the best known is that of Amanda Barnes Smith and her son Alma. The Smith family had come with the Kirtland Camp. Amanda lost her husband and one son in the blacksmith shop. Her 11-year old son, Willard Gilbert Smith had tried to enter the shop three times, but was prevented by his own arms flinging up and blocking his entrance. He then hid in a pile of lumber. From there he ran to a house where he discovered Thomas McBride badly wounded and ran to fetch him water, the mob shooting at him the whole way. He then helped six little girls who were hiding in another house escape into the woods. He was the first to enter the blacksmith shop after the mob had left. Finding Alma with his hip blown away, but still alive, he carried him to his mother.
Amanda’s plea for help from God in knowing what to do for her wounded boy was answered very specifically. She cleaned the wound with a lye made from shagbark hickory ashes and when that process was completed, she was directed to apply a poultice of slippery elm root. She had complete faith that God who had made her son’s hip, could make him a new one. She was directed to have Alma lay on his face for 5 weeks, at which time he got up on his own and jumped and danced to the delight of his younger siblings.
When they moved to Illinois, the fame of Alma and his recovered hip drew a group of five physicians sent by a board of doctors from St. Louis, to examine him. They could not understand scientifically how his hip could have healed as it did to allow him full activity. They asked Amanda the name of the surgeon who had performed the wonderful piece of surgery. “Jesus Christ,” was her response. They said, “Not the Savior of the world.” She replied, “Yes, the same, Sirs; He was the Physician and I was the nurse.”
The mob occupied the town after the attack and confiscated property from the citizens. Those who were able evacuated, but others who were nursing the wounded had to stay. They were forbidden to pray, and so, as the people of Alma did, they prayed in their hearts. Amanda Barnes Smith was compelled one day to pray vocally and hid herself in a cornfield where she poured out her heart and her voice to God. When her prayer was finished, she distinctly heard the words to the 7th verse of the hymn “How Firm a Foundation.” The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
When it was time for them to leave Missouri, Amanda went to the mob and demanded the return of her horse. They told her she could have it for $5.00 which would cover the cost of feed. This she could not do because she was one of those from whom the mob had confiscated money and property. So, she walked out into the field and tying her apron around the horse’s neck, led it home with no further objections.
There were many others besides Sister Smith who experienced God’s protecting hand in the midst of tragedy. David Norton had the impression that he needed to return to his home which was in the country. He was able to provide refuge for victims of the mob.
Isaac Leany had a dream on the night of the 29th of October in which he was walking amidst multitudes of serpents who repeatedly pierced his body. As he walked along, he met a man he knew who commented, "Brother Leany," he said, "You are terribly bitten so with snakes and lived." "Well, then, I'll be the first for I'm not going to die," was Isaac’s answer. The day of the attack, Isaac was pierced by 6 bullets that went in, through, and out his body, and one bullet that lodged in his body. "This one came nearer to knocking me off my feet than any, the rest just plunked through me as if I were a squash." As he was struggling along he was met by the same man he had seen in his dream, whose comments were the same. A little farther on was the home of some friends who took him in. He was hidden under the floor boards for fear of the mob. He could not remain there for long because of the terrible pain he was in. He was later anointed and recovered rapidly.
Nathan Knight was shot numerous times. “The last shot brought me to my knees.” He motioned to Polly Wood to help him, but she was unable to bring him to his feet. “She came and tried to lead me back, but I was too weak. She then kneeled down and placed her hands on my wounds and prayed the Lord to strengthen and heal me. I never heard a more powerful prayer. The Lord answered her prayer, and I received strength and walked back to Hawn's house by resting three or four times…..”
David Lewis remained calm during the attack. He felt certain that he would be spared for some purpose. He left the blacksmith shop and went across the creek to the front of Hawn’s house. Crossing the fence, he was continually fired upon. He was unable to run having only recently recovered from an illness. He felt he was miraculously spared to fulfill God’s purpose. He said, "Lord thou hast delivered me for some purpose and I am willing to fulfill that purpose whenever thou makes it known to me, and to do all duties that thou enjoins upon me from this time henceforth and forever."
Jacob Foutz’s wife was blessed to feel “at times like these when human nature would quail, I have felt the power of God upon me to that degree that I have stood before them [the mob] fearless….”
John Hammer (9-year old boy), wrote of his mother Nancy Elston Hammer, “[Mother] could administer comforts to her suffering children and keep them in good spirits, …she felt indeed that God was her greatest and best friend.” “The Lord had been merciful in giving her the light of His Holy Spirit, which had been a lamp to her feet to direct her course safely through the darkest perils of life”.
Philinda Merrick lost her husband and son. In Nauvoo her father-in-law offered to care for her and her children if she would renounce Mormonism. She refused. She became the seamstress to those living in the Prophet Joseph’s home - to provide for her family.
Phineas Richards had the task of writing to his wife to tell her that their son George had been killed. He said, “George is gone an early martyr to the cause of Zion. Lay not this thing too much at heart, but trust in Christ alone, and realize that God is right.”
GOD WANTS FAMILIES TO BE TOGETHER
Janell concluded by telling how she had discovered her cousins through Thomas McBride. She comes through his son James and daughter Dorcas. These cousins come through Thomas’ son Thomas. As the McBrides were making their way out of Nauvoo, Thomas and his family stopped near Farmington, Iowa. Thomas had gone into town. Apparently some men in the store strung him up from a beam thinking he was a Mormon. They put a rope around his neck and pulled him up until only his toes touched the ground. Someone eventually put a stop to it, but not until he had gone black in the face. He recovered temporarily, but died two weeks later. Apparently that was too much for his wife and family, and they did not continue with the saints. That branch of the family is Methodist, but now that Janell has found them and they have shared family histories and stories, she has the opportunity to share the gospel and unite this part of the family as well.
There was some discussion of archeological searches that had been done in the area. The missionaries have done a wonderful job of beautifying and grooming the property. Their efforts are much appreciated. There is a wonderful, peaceful spirit in this sacred place.
CLOSING SONG—7TH VERSE TO HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION
CLOSING PRAYER—ELDER EVANS
Sources
Alexander L. Baugh, A Call to Arms: The 1838 Mormon Defense of Northern Missouri, produced by the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History and BYU Studies, 2000, 239 pages.
Clark V. Johnson, Editor, Mormon Redress Petitions, Documents of the 1833-1838 Missouri Conflict, Religious Studies Center Brigham Young University, 1992, 830 pages.
John Hamer, Northeast of Eden, A Historical Atlas of Missouri’s Mormon County, 2004, 49+ pages.
LaMar C. Berrett, General Editor and Max H. Parkin, Sacred Places Missouri, A Comprehensive Guide to Early LDS Historical Sites, Volume Four, Deseret Book Company, 2004, 652 pages.
Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation, MMFF Newsletters: Number 18/19; Number 25; and Number 27.
LINKS:
Alexander L. Baugh, Jacob Hawn and the Hawn’s Mill, Massacre: Missouri Millwright, and Oregon Pioneer, Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, 26 PDF pages
http://mormonhistoricsites.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Jacob-Hawn-and-the-Hawn%E2%80%99s-Mill-Massacre-Missouri-Millwright-and-Oregon-Pioneer.pdf
Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx
Family Trees, FamilySearch.org
Findagrave.com
Haun's Mill - Episode 33 (Mormon Channel), Past Impressions, 29:21
http://www.mormonchannel.org/past-impressions/33
Historical Topographic Maps, U.S. Geological Survey, Flat Creek Quadrangle, http://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/usgs/maplocator/(xcm=r3standardpitrex_prd&layout=6_1_61_48&uiarea=2&ctype=areaDetails&carea=%24ROOT)/.do
Journals, Diaries, Biographies, Autobiographies and Letters of Some Early Mormons and Others Who Knew Joseph Smith, Jr. and/or His Contemporaries.
http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/WFoote.html
Public Member Trees, Ancestry.com
The Missouri Mormon War, Missouri State Archives
http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/mormon.asp
