Dolly Durfee Garner
- born March 8, 1816 at Lennox, Madison County, New York
- died June 14, 1885 in Ogden, Utah
- was a part of the exodous of Nauvoo in February 1846
- she was sealed to David while at Winter Quarters by Brigham Young
- was a good seamstress
Dolly Durfee, the fourth child of Edmund and Lana Pickle Durfee,
was born March 8, 1816 at Lennox, Madison County, New York.
Her ancestors on her father's side had long been residents of
Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island. Her
ancestor, Thomas Durfee (born in 1643), immigrated to America from England. There is some question about her mother's descent.
Some records state that she likewise was from Rhode Island, but one record gives
Holland as her birthplace. {1}
When Dolly was six years old the family moved to Amboy, Oswego
County, New York, where her father bought some land, built a house and cultivated
a small farm. Her father was also a carpenter
by trade. For eight years the family was
happy at Amboy. By 1830 there were twelve children in the Durfee home and never
a dull moment. The last child (Nephi) was
born five years later at Kirtland, when Mother Durfee was 47 years old. Of course there was always plenty of work to occupy
their lime. But good times were also enjoyed.
More land had been acquired where maple trees abounded, so the family made lots
of maple sugar.
But Father Durfee wanted to go west. Consequently he sold his farm and "maple bush";
and the family moved to Ohio, settling in the township of Ruggles. During
the winter of 1831 stories were circulating about the Mormons and the gold Bible.
In April of 1831 Solomon Hancock proselyted in Ruggles. The Durfees were Methodist. Elder Hancock
preached often in the Methodist chapel. The
Durfees were surprised to learn the truth about the Mormons - it was so different
from the stories being circulated. Father Durfee was baptized the middle of May
by Elder Simeon Carter. {2} The first part of June Mother Durfee and most of the
other members of the family were baptized by Solomon Hancock. {3} There is some question as to the exact date of
Dolly's baptism but it was either in May or June of 1831. Eventually
all members of the family were baptized.
In December, 1831, Father Durfee was sent on a short mission
for the church. The Temple site at Jackson County was dedicated August 3, 1831,
and some of the saints began settlements in that area. In February, 1831 Father Durfee went to Jackson
County (Far West) to build a place for his family in "Zion", returning
home May 20. The family did not move at that
time because another mission took their father back to the states until the fall
of that year.
In May 1833, the family moved to Kirtland where most of the saints
were gathering. Father Durfee was one of
the 24 elders who laid the cornerstones of
the Kirtland Temple. Of course Dolly was
present on this important occasion. Upon
completion she attended school in the Temple.
The tempest of persecution finally drove the saints from Kirtland
and the Durfees moved to Caldwell County, Missouri, in 1837 and settled in Log Creek.
{4}
Mobocracy in Missouri reached
its height in 1838 and the saints were driven out in a body, having to leave their
property without hope of obtaining renumeration. These were indeed heartbreaking days for the saints.
No Matter where they went bitterness, hatred,
lying and most unspeakable persecution followed them. It was indeed a test of their faith. Denial of the church brought relief from the persecution
to the many individuals who fell away and apostatized. Many of the high officials of the church turned
traitors.
After the expulsion from Missouri in 1838 the Durfees
settled in Yelrome.
In Lima, Illinois, (close to Yelrome) Dolly became acquainted
with David Garner who was a faithful member of the Lima Branch. They were married October 18, 1842. Their home
must have been near Lima rather than in the town itself because the family group
sheet gives the birthplace of the first two children "near Lima". Louisa Ann was born July 12, 1843.
On June 27, 1844 Dolly experienced a paralyzing shock, along
with the rest of the saints, when word came that the Prophet had been killed at
Carthage. They had known of his deliverance
so many times that no one believed he would be taken from them. A week later while the saints were so confused
and bewildered, Dolly's second baby was born - Fannie Marilla, on July 2, 1845.
Persecutions increased in intensity. Nothing seemed to satiate the thirst for blood
and havoc which possessed the mobbers. The
town of Yelrome, where Dolly's parents and family lived, was literally burned down
by the mobs, destroying about 200 homes. Words can't possibly describe the reign
of terror which scourged the saints. At the
time of this burning and destruction, Dolly's father, as he endeavored to quench a fire, was brutally shot by a mobber
on November 15, 1845.
Following this horrifying experience David and Dolly moved to
Nauvoo which was only 25 miles from Lima. At Nauvoo their first son was born January 10,
1846. It was only logical to name him David
for his father and Edmund for his late grandfather.
Refuge was not to last long at Nauvoo and finally the mobs were
successful in driving the saints from their beautiful city which they built from
a swamp. The forced exodus began in February
of 1846 when young David was only a month old and in the extreme cold of winter
before the people had the opportunity to adequately prepare themselves for their
long journey ahead. The Prophet had told
them they would eventually settle in the tops of the mountains.
A temporary haven was sought in the "Pottawattamie lands"
(Indian territory) in Iowa. It was hoped
that they could plant crops and better prepare themselves for the rigors of the
journey to the mountains.
Their preparations were interrupted, however by tile call of
Cpt. James Allen of the U.S. Army for 500 volunteers to fight in the Mexican War.
The people were already wasted, destitute,
and ill from the constant driving of their persecutors. But David
joined the volunteers in June, leaving Dolly with her three babies in a covered
wagon on the banks of Mosquito Creek where Council Bluffs now stands.
Dolly bore courageously the long months of loneliness and uncertainty,
not knowing anything of the welfare of her husband. On October 21, 1847, the little
family gratefully greeted David, who had been to the Valley and had now returned
to take them to Zion.
On May 13, 1848 David and Dolly were sealed by Brigham Young
at Winter Quarters.
It seemed advisable to wait before undertaking their westward
journey to the Valley. During this time of
preparation at Council Bluffs two more children were born: William Franklin, born
December 12, 1848 and Mary Marinda, Born February 20 1850.
In the spring the long-awaited trek became a reality, traveling
with one wagon and one bed. Although they
were quite well prepared (comparatively speaking) still the children walked much
of the way barefooted. They bound their bleeding
feet with rags to avoid leaving blood-stained tracks for the Indians to follow.
Upon arrival in the Valley the family went almost directly to
Ogden Fort where they stayed with many others of the saints that first winter. This afforded protection from Indians as well as
companionship.
In the spring David and Dolly established a home in North Ogden.
It was one room built of rock and brick containing
a fireplace, two beds, two trundle beds and meager household furniture. Additions were built to the house as needed. Cloth was impossible to obtain at first; but Dolly
was a resourceful woman. So she took the
canvas wagon cover which had protected them on their journey and made it into necessary
articles. Marilla was the proud possessor of a new dress made from that canvas cover.
Of course, they made their own tallow candles for light. As soon as possible crops were planted. Flax was
included in the crops, from which Dolly and her girls laboriously made material
for clothing and household uses. From the
sheep's wool they spun skeins of yarn which was knitted into warm articles of clothing
such as stockings, mittens, and so forth. They also made woolen cloth. Of course, this material was sewed by hand. A weed was boiled, and the color was used to stain
the cloth.
Matches were very scarce, and it was the custom to "borrow"
fire from the neighbors. It was not unusual to see a neighbor hurrying with a pan
of red-hot coals to replenish or build his own fire.
There was plenty of work for all, and Dolly taught her children
that work was a blessing. She, herself, was a tireless worker and an immaculate
housekeeper. Having known privation so long
Dolly was extremely frugal. David was a very
good provider, but the lean years and constant driving had taught their lesson.
When butter and eggs were high she reminded
the children to be careful and not use too much. When they were cheap she would tell the children
they must go sparingly because it took a lot to get a little money.
Dolly was an excellent cook. Her son-in-law, Abraham Chadwick, often said that
Dolly made the lightest most delicious biscuits he ever lasted. But she cut them small and dainty so that each
biscuit was not much more than a mouthful for a hungry man. He hated to keep asking for more, but they were so
good that he always succumbed to the temptation.
Dolly and her girls dried a tremendous amount of fruit each year
from their bountiful orchard. Four more children
were born in North Ogden: Nancy Jane, born
September 7. 1851; Amelia Jane, born May 10, 1853; Charles Henry born April 16,
1856; Lydia born March 2, 1858.
She is remembered as being about 5'5" tall, of a rather
heavy set build. She was somewhat dark in coloring.
In the Endowment House on October 10, 1855, Dolly received her
endowments.
In 1863, David returned to Winter Quarters to bring his sister's
family to Utah. On October 10, 1871, he accepted
a call for a mission to the east and was gone until February 22, 1872. These long absences naturally increased the burden
on Dolly's shoulders but she accepted it uncomplainingly.
On June 14, 1885, after a long illness, Dolly died at North
Ogden, leaving David and eight devoted children (3 sons and 5 daughters). Nancy Jane died as a child.
Her funeral services were held at her home on Tuesday, the 16th
of June. Services were conducted by Bishop Thomas Wallace. The hymn, "Creation Speaks with Awful Voice,"
was sung, followed by Elder Robert E. Berrett who offered the invocation. Speakers included Bishop Critchlow, Elders W. H.
Wright, L. J. Herrick, Robert E Berrett, and Bishop Wallace. The closing hymn was "Farewell, All Earthly
Honors, I Bid You All Adieu". The benediction was pronounced by James Barker Interment took place
in the Ogden City Cemetery.
{1} "Memorial" written by Tamma Durfee Miner, March
13, 1881
{2} Documentary History, p. 523; Tamma states S. Hancock baptized.
{3} "Memorial by Tamma Durfee Miner.
{4} Documentary History p. 524.
{5} Yelrome, Morley's Settlement, Green Plains are all names
for same village close to Lima, Jenson's Church Encyclopedia, Book 1, p. 977.
{6} Short Sketch of Fannie Marilla Garner Tracy.
{7} Biography of Amelia Jane Garner Dixon.
{7} Biography of Amelia Jane Garner Dixon.
Other sources of information: "What The People Say," Ogden Herald, June 19, 1885, signed R.G. B. Also personal
recollections of the following grandchildren: William Abraham Chadwick, William Garner, Emily Chadwick Zaugg, and Hazel Garner.
Written and compiled by Dora D. Flack, a great-great-granddaughter. Copies of history may be obtained from her, 1089 So. 8th West, S.L.C. UT
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