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JosephSmithSr.
So shall it be with my father: he shall be called a prince over his posterity, holding the keys of the patriarchal priesthood over the kingdom of God on earth, even the Church of the Latter Day Saints, and he shall sit in the general assembly of patriarchs, even in council with the Ancient of Days when he shall sit and all the patriarchs with him and shall enjoy his right and authority under the direction of the Ancient of Days. |
DODGE, Erastus
1793 - 1843 (50 years) 
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Name DODGE, Erastus Birth 10 May 1793 Jefferson, Greene, New York, United States 
Gender Male Burial Aug 1843 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States Death 8 Aug 1843 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States WAC 21 Mar 1877 SGEOR _TAG Reviewed on FS Headstones 
Submit Headstone Photo Person ID I20038 Joseph Smith Sr and Lucy Mack Smith Last Modified 19 Aug 2021
Father DODGE, George II , b. 20 Jun 1776, Colchester, New London, Connecticut, United States Colchester, New London, Connecticut, United Statesd. 20 Apr 1813, Cortland, Cortland, New York, United States (Age 36 years) Mother DODGE, Sarah Ann , b. 15 May 1778, Colchester, New London, Connecticut, United States Colchester, New London, Connecticut, United Statesd. 1845, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States (Age 66 years) Marriage 1792 Jefferson, Greene, New York, United States Family ID F10581 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family MORGAN, Melissa , b. 28 Oct 1798, Jefferson, Greene, New York, United States Jefferson, Greene, New York, United Statesd. 10 Dec 1845, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States (Age 47 years) Marriage 16 Aug 1818 Jefferson, Greene, New York, United States 
Children10 sons and 3 daughters Family ID F10576 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 24 Jan 2022
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Notes - Erastus was a brick maker at Nauvoo, where he died in 1843 of the measles. Their minor children went to Utah in the Edward Hunter-Jacob Foutz Company of 1847.
Erastus Dodge, had not joined the church, although most of his family had, and his faithful wife were laboring to help him see the truth. At the time this miracle was performed there were some Elders in their neighborhood holding meetings and healing the sick and infirm. So Seth said to his wife, "Molissa, send Augustus up to your Elders and if they can straighten out that stiff arm, I will believe there is something to your religion." Molissa called to the older son, seth, and sent Augustus with him to the Elders. They soon returned and the boy was swinging his arm, it had been healed. The arm was always strong and well afterwards and the same boy, in later years, served his church and country as a member of the Mormon Battalion. It is very evident that Erastus by now was convinced of the divinity of Joseph Smith's teachings for he became a member of the church and his family was among the body of the Saints in all it's travels and persecutions from New York to Ohio, thence to Missouri and back to Nauvoo, Illinois, where Erastus Dodge died on August 8, 1843, and his good wife Molissa Morgan followed him in death in two short years, she passed away December 10, 1845. Their deaths are both recorded as taking place in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, as is also that of their two youngest children.
Erastus Dodge (1798-1843) and His Family
By Merrill Vance Willis
Birth
In the year 1796 George Washington delivered his Presidential Farewell Address and two years later, on the 10th of May 1798, a new babe ERASTUS DODGE was born into this world. He was the son of a New England farmer named George Dodge and his wife, a cousin named Salley DODGE. George's family was of New London Connecticut and Salley's family was of Jefferson County, New York. Evidently Erastus lived all or part of his early life in Jefferson County, New York, which lies between the Aderondak Mountains of New York and Lake Ontario.
Marriage
In 1818, at the age of 20 years, he married MELISSA MORGAN (born 27 October, 1797 of Genesee County, NY). She was the daughter of Nathaniel Morgan and Mary Wheeler, a distant cousin of both the Prophet Joseph Smith and Brigham Young through the Wheeler side of her family.
The Dodge Family Learns of the Restoration of the True Church
Between the years 1819 and 1843, Erastus and Melissa had a total of 15 children but 8 of them died before reaching the age of 3 years. By the year 1832 there were 5 children in the family and they were living at Six Point, Jefferson County, New York. The History of their 2nd-son Capt. Augustus Dodge, states that he was born there. The 5 children at this time were SETH George, age about 11 years, AUGUSTUS Erastus about 10 years, SARAH Melissa about 5, MARY Margaret about 3,and a surviving twin NATHANIEL Morgan age about 1 year. The history of Captain Augustus Erastus Dodge says the following about how the family learned of the Church and were baptized 15 March 1832: "While he (Augustus) was a smallboy of 7 years, he was accidentally cut on the elbow with an ax. The arm was seriously injured and to hasten the healing he carried it in a sling, which caused it to grow solid or stiff in the bent position, making it impossible for him to use it himself.
When Augustus was about 10 years old the family first heard of Mormonism as some Elders were staying with some neighbors and his Mother had inquired as to their beliefs. She felt it was what she had been searching for and tried to impress upon her husband the truth of the gospel. One day his father called his family to him and said, "Malissa, take Augustus down to your Elders, and if they can straighten out that still arm I will believe there is something to your religion." The following quotation is from the diary of Augustus: "Mother told me she wanted me to go with her to one ofthe neighbors where some of the Elders were stopping. We went and she told them what she had come for. They administered to me, Brother Warren Parrish being Mouth. When they had taken their hands off my head, they told me to straighten my arm, which I did very pleasantly without pain, feeling every position of the joint come to its place and it never has bothered me since. That satisfied me regarding Mormonism as being true and I never doubted it since. (A sad comment I will add here, Warren Parish who became Joseph Smith's secretary was later found embezzling money from the Kirtland Safety Society, left the Church and founded an alternative organization that sought to overthrow Joseph Smith'sleadership in the final days of the Mormon Kirtland period. In 1844 Heber C. Kimball found him as a Baptist preacher who wanted his identity as a former Mormon kept a secret. I am sure it disappointed the Dodges to see their dear friend loose the Spirit and turn against the Prophet).
"My family all joined the Church and were baptized on 15 March 1832. At the time the Mother heard the gospel she had been blind for over 13 years. Through faith her sight was restored to her when she was administered to by the Prophet's father, Joseph Smith Sr., and another Elder.
Another interesting narrative about these events was written by Elaine Olds Hagelberg in 1964 and since it will help add perspective to thee events, I will insert it here
Miracles Do Happen
"Augustus, its time to bring in the kindling for the night!" "All right, Mama," cried the youngster and he immediately stopped his play to take care of his nightly chores. Hurrying to the huge woodpile he found his older brother Seth, taking care of the wood chopping. Boys will be boys, and mixed in with their work was a certain amount of foolishness. Suddenly, as Augustus reached for a piece of wood, Seth brought the ax down to make astroke, but, instead of the log, it came in contact with Augustus -- causing a very deep and horrible gash in his small arm. Seth stood horrified as he saw the blood spurting out and his little brotner fall limp on the ground.What had he done? Panic caused his heart to pound and his mind raced wildly over the events that had takenplace. Had he killed his little brother? Oh, please God, don't let him die! This was the supplication of the small child. That first frightening moment subsided, and Seth realized that he must get help quickly. Calling loudly, he raced toward the house for his mother, then becoming more rational he recalled that his mother had been blind for sometime. He must get help elsewhere. Whirling in the opposite direction, and with a speed that his little legs had never known before, he bounded rapidly toward the field calling his father as loudly as his lungs would permit --running so fast had left little air in them. Erastus Dodge, laboring in the fields raised his head and listened carefully. Yes, someone was calling him, and with such excitement. Tossing aside the reins, dropping the plow to the ground, and without hesitating to stay the team of horses, he ran toward home.
His wife had been blind for over 10 years. and with a large family of youngsters to care for -- it was such a worry. She managed them exceptionally well, but he had often wondered what would happen if some serious emergency should occur. Meeting Seth on the way, Erastus listened to him sob out his account of the accident, then hurried as rapidly as possible to the woodpile. Tenderly picking up his beloved son in his arms, he carried him into the house. On the way he called to one of the children to get their neighbor, who also served as a nurse for this little community of Six Point, Jefferson County, New York.
It was in that year of 1829, when physicians were not available. Augustus was laid on the kitchen table and the wound sewed up with a household needle and thread. Fortunately he was unconscious and thus spared the pain which accompanied the actual sewing. Pain killing drugs of any kindwere unheard of at that time. The operation completed, Augustus was put in his own little bed, and his parents faced the reality that his tiny seven year old body couldn't possibly stand this ordeal. For nearly a week they cared for his lifeless body, praying constantly that he might be spared. Seth knelt by his bedside hour after hour, crying out to Gof to forgive him and expressing his sorrow for having hurt him. Through the tears he begged Augustus to talk to him and prayed that he might get well.
One day, as though in answer to their prayers. Augustus opened his eyes and smiled at them. Taking Seth's hand he said "It wasn't your fault Seth, so please don't cry. I should have been more careful. I'm going to get well, so don't be so worried. I just heard a voice tell me I would get well and I know that I will." Gradually, the fever left and day by day Augustus grew stronger until he was soon able to get out of bed. His arm still hurt terribly, so it was put into a sling to make him more comfortable. The arm eventually healed, but it had been inactive for so long, that it was now impossible to straighten it out. His arm was bent across his chest and was completely useless.
This was heartbreaking for his parents, but little boys are able to adjust easily and he was soon doing all the things that other little boys were doing, and he didn't give any indication that he was concerned about this handicap. Day and night this condition haunted his father, who kept saying over and over again. "If only there was something we could do to help his arm, so that he could live as a normal boy once more!" The chilfd's body grew,but his arm did not, and in a matter of three years his arm was quite an unpleasant sight to see.
When Augustus was about 10 years old he became aware that his parents had had numerous and very serious discussions, and when he paid closer attention he learned that his mother had been visiting his neighbors who were hosts to two strange men, who called themselves "Mormon Elders" and they were teaching people about a new religion that was quite different from their own. Each day as her work was completed. Mother Dodge would have one of the children lead her to the neighbor's home so that she could listen to what they were teaching, and in the evening she would repeat the message to Father Dodge, but he was not very interested and on one occasion told hernot to waste her time on all that "hog wash".
One day during their usual discussion over these "Mormons", Father Dodge said. Allright Melissa. I'll make a deal with you. You take Augustus down to your "Elders", and if they can straighten out that stiff arm of his, then I will believe there is something to their religion and I promise to listen to them.
"What a tremendous thing to ask, yet, Mother Dodge knew it could be done if their faith was strong enough. Shenever hesitated. Calling Augustus to her she asked him to take her to the "Elders". On the way she explained to him why they were going and that if their faith was strong enough, these servants of God would be able to place their hands on his head and by a very special power which they had, they would ask God to heal his arm. Augustus looked at his mother and replied, "Mama. I know that they can make my arm well again. Do you remember when I was sick and told you that a voice told me that my arm would be made all well again. I know that it will be and I guess that this is the way that God will make it whole again."
What a comfort this youngster was to Mother Dodge, and she quickened her steps that they might get there faster. Telling the Elders what they had come for, she asked them to administer to Augustus, which they did. Elder Warren Parrish gave a beautiful blessing and when they had taken their hands from his head they told him to straighten his arm. Slowly Augustus moved his arm that had been completely inactive for over three years. There was no pain and he could feel each position of the joint come to its rightful place. Again he moved his arm, and then again and again and again. He could move it as well as he could his right one.
Overjoyed, he cried, "Oh Mama, I knew that God would make my arm well again --just look at it!" And he movedcloser so that his mother could see — through the touch of her hands. Slowly the delicate fingers moved up and down the arm, gently caressing the soft, moist flesh, and suddenly with tears streaming down from her sightless eyes she fell to her knees thanking God for this miracle. For indeed, it was a miracle. Gone was the shrunken, dried, useless arm, and in its place was an exact mate for his right arm. Only a slight scar remained to always bear testimony of the power of God.
Augustus was so excited he would have liked to race home to show everyone what had happened but he was a very considerate youngster, and he had been taught while still very young to be thoughtful of his mother's handicap, nevertheless he lead her as rapidly as she could go, calling out to the people in their yards and on the street telling them the wonderful news.
Father Dodge remained at home, pacing to and fro in the spacious living room. Dozens of times he walked to the window and looked anxiously down the street. Had he been wrong to insist upon such a drastic thing in order to close this issue with Melissa? He loved her dearly and did not want to cause her embarrassment. But Melissa is not a frivolous woman who changes religion as lightly as a bird flies. She seems so sincere about this new Mormon religion.
Wildly his mind traveled and he felt that perhaps he had been too hard on his dear wife. He should humor her more. To make it up to her I'll even go with her the next time after today. That's what I'll do. Yes. I'll take her to see them myself. I'll go with her. I'm not one bit interested in any new fangled religion, but it will make her feel better, and heaven knows she has had a very difficult time these past 13 years since losing her sight. It won't hurt me one bit to go with her. Maybe I should go down now and apologize for being so hard on her. Yes, that's what I should do! I'll go right now. One hand reached up to the hat rack for his hat as the other opened the door.
But he stopped and stood absolutely motionless. It couldn't be! It's impossible! Things like that just don't happen in this modern age, and yet, he could see it with his own eyes. Falling on his knees, completely unashamed, the tears made rivers down his weathered cheeks as he watched his young son whom he loved very dearly, swinging his arm, waving at the neighbors and throwing an occasional rock with his brand new arm, as he led his mother hurriedly toward home. What a joyous occasion as this family embraced each other again and again crying with joy. Words were useless toe xpress the happiness of these fine people. Father Dodge immediately asked his lovely wife to forgive him for being so doubtful and insisted that they return so that he might thank these Elders himself and he wanted to listen to their message.
All doubts had been erased from his mind, and in just a few days, on 15 March 1832, with great joy in their hearts, the whole family received baptism.
Sister Hagleberg later adds. "I am grateful to several people for the events told in this story. Especially Augustus Erastus Dodge, Samuel Clark Dodge, Nancy Dean and Katie Dodge Olds. Without their taking the time to help me compile the facts this great testimony would be covered with the sands of time - lost until the books of heaven are opened again.
Mother Melissa Has Her Sight Restored
From CAPTAIN AGUSTUS DODGE we read the following:
"The family all joined the Church and Augustus was baptized on March 15, 1832. At the time his mother heard the Gospel she had been blind for over 13 years. Through her great faith her sight was restored to her when she was administered to by the Prophet's father, Joseph Smith Sr and another Elder. After this miracle she was given a Bible of fine print and she was able to read it with ease. She then asked for a hymn book which was given her, and in her very lovely voice she sang in tongues and talked in tongues, in which she told of the things her family would do and of their journey to the West."
Kirtland, Ohio
Two years later, in the Spring of 1834, the family moved to Kirtland, Ohio. An early revelation given to Joseph Smith in December 1830, D&C 37 had encouraged the Saints in New York and elsewhere to gather to the Ohio. Here Erastus along with his two sons, 13 year old Seth and 12 year old Augustus labored in the construction of the Kirtland Temple for several months and then journeyed to Missouri.
The Family Moves to Missouri
As mentioned before, after laboring on the Kirtland Temple, Erastus and his family did "seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion" by moving to Missouri as we are told in D&C 58:1-7, where they would have "much tribulation", "...that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come. And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation and in bearing record of the land on which the Zion of God shall stand."
During the summer and fall of 1833 approximately 1,200 of the Saints had been driven from Jackson County and from 1833-1836 the Church was headquartered in Clay and Ray Counties but in 1836 the Missouri State Legislature had formed 2 new counties especially as "Mormon Counties" and as a place for the Mormons to settle.
They were Caldwell and Davies Counties where they were able to live only until about 1838, for on 27 Oct. 1838, Missouri's governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued a Governor's Executive Order that the Mormons in Missouri "must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminatedor driven from the State...".
The Augustus Dodge history tells us that in Caldwell County Missouri they "obtained a fine farm which supplied plenty of food for the family and to help those Saints who were in need. Here (they) lived until the Saints were driven out by the bitter mobs and they had to leave in the dead of winter leaving all their possessions behind and journeyed to Illinois. Augustus and his father were in Far West when Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith were taken prisoners. He was at the fight between Captain Brunson and John Butler* with his rifle ready to fight the vast mob that was marching up against the Saints.
He and his father were both taken prisoners for about 10 days and were treated very cruelly before being released to go home.."
*(The details of this encounter can be found in DHC 3:56-59, but a brief account may be in order at this time: This event occurred at the polling place on election day Monday, 6 August 1838 at Gallatin. Mo. which then was merely a "straggling row of 10 houses, 3 of which were saloons". Gallatin is located just few miles south of Adam-ondi-Ahman. To quote Essentials in Church History, Joseph Fielding Smith pg. 216-217. "....The Saints had been warned two weeks before by Judge Morin. candidate for the state senate, that an attempt would be made to prevent them from voting, however they paid little attention to the warning, hoping for better things. On that day as a number of the brethren approached the polls, Col. William P. Peniston, who had led a mob against the Saints in Clay County, mounted a barrel and harangued the crowd, which had gathered for the purpose against the "Mormons". He accused their leaders of various vicious crimes and called the members "dupes, and not too good to take a false oath * * * they would steal, and he did not consider property safe where they were: that he opposed their settling in Daviess County, and if they suffered the 'Mormons' to vote, the people would soon lose their suffrage". Peniston was a candidate for the legislature, and knowing the brethren would not vote for him, he was determined to prevent them forcibly from casting their ballots. The result was that a premeditated attack was made upon the little band of voters. These 'Mormons' about twelve in number, held their ground against a force of over one hundred. Many heads were broken in the conflict. Elder John L.Butler filled with righteous rage, seized a club and knocked men down right and left. The mobbers dispersed swearing vengeance and threatening to get firearms and return. The brethren were persuaded by election officials to depart to save further conflict, since this was a pre-arranged attack, and their enemies came fully intending to create trouble. The brethren returned to their homes, collected their families and concealed them in the thickets, while they stood guard over their homes during the night. The prophet Joseph Smith investigated this incident and made the following comment in D&C 3:59 "From the best information, about one hundred and fifty Missourians warred against from six to twelve of our brethren, who fought like lions. Several Missourians had their skulls cracked. Blessed be the memory of those few brethren who contended so strenuously for their constitutional rights and religious freedom, against such an overwhelming force of desperadoes!")
Nauvoo, Illinois (The City of Joseph)
Erastus and Melissa Dodge must have arrived in Nauvoo around 1839 for the 1840 Federal Census lists them on p. 5 in Nauvoo, Hancock County. In 1940 their children would have been about the following ages: Seth 19, Augustus 18, Sarah Melissa 13, Mary Margaret 11, Nathaniel 9. Zenos (if living) 6, and Enoch 3. They no doubt had babies who had died and been buried in Jefferson Co., N.Y., in Caldwell Co., Mo. and 2 would be buried in Nauvoo. Ill.
Erastus and Melissa left no history that I am aware of but they did leave in their own handwriting, a list of their children with their birth dates and a list of their deceased ancestors and family members for whom they had performed baptisms forthe dead while in Nauvoo.
The revelation concerning baptisms for the dead was given in January 1841 so these baptisms would have been performed after that time. Evidently their daughter Sarah Melissa brought this valued record across the plains and it is now in my possession. The following history is what I have been able to put together from background histories and from visits to Nauvoo:
On October 25, 1841 Erastus was consigned a one acre lot for $150 from the Prophet's brother Hyrum Smith and his wife Mary. (Lot 2 in block 6 of the Hyrum Smith Subdivision near the North edge of Nauvoo...he also bought lot 3). In the 1842, Hancock County tax rolls we find him with the aforementioned 2 lots plus all of Block 5.
The 1842 LDS Church Census lists Erastus and Melissa living in (voting) ward 2 Block 5, this census also showed a small building on lot 2 and one on lot 3 on those lots first purchased of block 6. It might be mentioned here that in Oct. 1839 the Nauvoo High Council voted to set prices on town lots ranging from $200 to $800.
Since the Dodge property was near the edge of town it no doubt sold for less. Living on the outskirts of town would also offer other advantages for there was no gravel to be found around Nauvoo, and the streets in town were dusty when dry and in wet weather the "mud would stick like paste." It might also be noted that this property, even though somewhat near the Mississippi River was quite elevated so it would be drier and no chance of flooding.
Also there were probably fewer mosquitoes than found in the flatlands of town. These mosquitoes were the causeof what was commonly called the "Shakes" or ague and fever (Malaria) and nearly everyone who lived along the Mississippi River was afflicted by this sickness which was especially bad during the months of August and September.
We do not know what kind of house Erastus and Melissa had, but most newcomers to Nauvoo were at first forced to live in wagon boxes or tents while they built their homes. These first homes were log houses often built cob fashion with clay and mortar chinks between the logs. Usually the walls were whitewashed inside with burnt lime from the limestone quarry where blocks were cut for the Nauvoo Temple. These homes were small and hard to heat and usually very crowded, but with 4 to 6 weeks of work and with little expense other than physical labor, one could erect a small, temporary cottage.
As an example we might look a the record of one brother who erected an 18' X 20' log home mostly from materials at hand:
* 6 days cutting and logging trees.
* 6 days hauling logs (1 man and 2 yoke of oxen)
* 14 days hewing logs
* securing boards and putting on roofing, fitting doors, bricking chimney, chinking spaces with bits of wood.
* 4 days daubing
* floor may be left dirt or with planking
* digging well etc.
We can see that the main investment was labor which most people did not consider very valuable. "but they were able to make something out of nothing but hard work".
Later these log houses might be replaced by Block Houses made of squared logs. As time passed, nice wood framed or permanent brick houses were constructed. It is doubtful that the Dodges had much income and no doubt were left with few possessions because Augustus says they had to leave Missouri in dead winter, leaving all their possessions behind.
In reality "Illinois was not considered a permanent home for the Saints for in July 1843 Joseph Smith publicly prophesied that the Saints would yet settle in the Rocky Mountains.
"Dodge Genealogy" by Woodward states that Erastus "saw military service on the frontiers". This no doubt referred to protecting the Saints in Missouri and he no doubt was a member of the Nauvoo Legion because the Illinois State law required all males ages 18-45, unless exempt, to serve in the Illinois State Militia for 6 months. Because of this the Church leaders reasoned, why not make it a Mormon Militia, at least in Nauvoo. This the State accepted and so within 15 days after becoming a resident of Nauvoo, eligible males were required to join the Nauvoo Legion and fines were assessed for failure to attend all military activities. Also, each male was expected to fill a yearly street work assessment of about 3 days labor and no doubt Erastus figured hemay as well work on roads by his property and to his advantage in hauling logs to the Mississippi River.
He probably had a team of oxen because it cost 3 times more to raise a horse as an ox and he could use an ox team to work with these logs andto perform other heavy labor.
On 5 March 1842 Erastus petitioned the Nauvoo City Council to open Wells Street from the temple to the Mississippi River. (This would run Wells St. out to the north past his lots 2 and 3 of the Hyrum Smith Subdivision block 6.) This petition was adopted the same day by the City Council. Then again on 18 July 1842 he again petitioned about river logs. He also petitioned to have Harris St. opened from the East Hyrum Smith tract to the Prairie and this was approved 30 Jan. 1843. Since Harris St. would run on the north edge of his 4 lot block down to the Mississippi River, it appears that his intention was to cut logs from the area North of him which is too rugged for farming or buildings but has a woodland of hardwood trees growing along large gullies.
I might add here that a large amount of lumber was being cut and floated down from the Pinery in Wisconsin about 500-600 miles north on the Mississippi River. But even with these huge raft floats of up to one acre in size of one tier of lumber above another, fastened together with wooden pins, they still could not fill all the demands for lumber. More wood was needed for fuel for steamboats that often landed at Nauvoo, to run steam mills, also for fences and for heating and cooking.
Evidently Erastus was very enterprising and could see a need that he could possibly fulfill, enabling him to better support his family. Even though men had other professions, farming was the main occupation of most residents of Nauvoo with the 4 main agricultural interests being - livestock, grain, vegetables and fruits.
No doubt Erastus pursued these farming interests, but he was also a stone mason and worked on the Nauvoo Temple. Whether this labor was tithing or consecration work, one out of every ten days -- usually donated on Saturdays, or one of the regular hired workers who were usually paid in provisions in exchange for labor, we do not know. We do know that Nauvoo had a barter economy and there was very little money to circulate. When the frosts arrived, work on the temple ceased except for those who worked in the stone quarry. Their economic activities took up 12-16 hours per day in the summer and 10-12 hours per day in the winter.
Every Sunday, weather permitting, the Saints from throughout the city and nearby communities would gather in the"Grove" to hear preaching, often from the Prophet himself or one of the Apostles...the seats were trees squared and just their breadth above the ground. Others sat on the grass or brought their own chairs. The larger meetings were also held out in the "Grove" in the winter. "By 1842 meetings were occasionally held on the first floor of the unfinished temple itself". it could hold 4-5000 people, but still larger meetings had to be in the "Grove".
It was the custom for females to sit on the left and males on the right. There w.:re no single ward meeting houses. Actually, ecclesiastical wards as w; know them today were not organized until the Saints were at Winter Quarters.
Erastus and Melissa had 2 children born at Nauvoo. On 3 December 1842, the newspaper "The Wasp", edited by the Prophet's brother William. notes that their baby son James (John P.) Dodge, died the week ending 2 December 1842. age 5 months. Again we note in the other local newspaper "The Nauvoo Neighbor", edited by John Taylor and dated 16 August 1843, that their baby daughter Irena R. Dodge, died the week ending 14 August 1843, age 5 months and 2 days. These newspaper dates do not entirely coincide with the record written by the family so the family record is most likely the accurate one.
A note of interest is that the U.S. national mortality rate during this period of time states "One third of all children died before the age of 5 years... and the life expectancy for American men in 1840 was 38 years and 40 years for women". It is also noted that in the year 1843 there were very many deaths in Nauvoo from the ague and measles.
The burials were probably in unmarked graves as most often occurred at that time. There were 3 different cemeteries in Nauvoo:
1. The Old Burial Grounds (probably on the flats near the edge of the river...could this be the Smith family plot?)
2. Before 1842 the cemetery on Durfee St.
3. After 1841 - Pioneer Cemetery on the Parley St. extension (most are buried here).
On 8 August 1843 Erastus Dodge departed from his labors and hardships of this life. He died at the age of 43 years and 3 months, having fathered 15 children. 7 of whom were still living. He died of measles, his body weakened by the drivings and hardships in Missouri. but even then he lived 5 years past the average life span of men in those days. We do not know where he is buried but it is probably in the Pioneer Cemetery of Nauvoo. His death notice appeared in the "Nauvoo Neighbor" on 16 August 1843. It may be noted here that 1843 was a year of poor harvests with little rain for gardens as mentioned by Joseph Smith in DHC 6:31. It was also called a "very sickly year with fevers. ague, measles and malaria".
We do not know how many of the children were living at home at the time Erastus passed away nor how the family got by, but a little over one and a half years later, 3 April 1845, the Hancock County Marriage Index shows the widow Melissa being married to Joseph Cole by the magistrate George C. Wilson. Joseph Cole, born in 1784 was well educated and served as the Nauvoo school inspector. He had opened a school on the 2nd floor of the Joseph Smith Store and we find the following ad in the 9 July 1843 issue of the Nauvoo Neighbor:
NAUVO0 SEMINARY
Mr. Joseph N. and Miss Adelia Cole, would respectfully inform the citizens of Nauvoo, that they have opened a school in the large and convenient room, in the second story of President Joseph Smith's store, on the corner of Water and Granger streets, on Tuesday the 11th inst., (July) for the instruction of male and female....
TERMS OF TUITION
Reading, writing and spelling $2.00
English Grammar & Geography 2.50
Chemistry and Natural Philosophy 3.00
Astronomy 4.00
A quarter will consist of twelve weeks or 65 days and no allowance will be made for absenters unless prevented from attendance by sickness or by special agreement.
Melissa was able to perform work for the dead as shown by the Nauvoo Temple Index, perhaps Erastus did also before his death. At any rate. Melissa kept a record of the ancestors of both families for whom temple work was done. A person could be baptized for either male or female in those days. We are indebted to her for this record of deceased ancestors, for this record has enabled us to carry our pedigree back on a great many lines. No doubt their daughter Sarah Melissa brought this record across the plains and it is now in my possession, a copy of which I will put with this history. Mother Melissa died in Nauvoo 10 Dec. 1845 at age 48 years and was buried there. At this time I have scant information on what happened to the family members after their parents' deaths. No doubt further contact with other family lines will be able to augment this. Their son, Augustus was "a very close friend to President Brigham Young and was personally invited by Pres. Young to servo as his guard. Ho was always proud of thic privilege and worked very hard to prove worthy of the trust". He was among 10 men assigned to help William Clayton convey Church property from Nauvoo to Mt. Pisgah. Later in Council Bluffs. Iowa he was called to serve in the Mormon Battalion. He helped settle such places as Manti and Toquenille, Utah. Daughter Sarah Melissa would have been about 18 years old when her mother passed away. She was living in Nauvoo with the Hyrum Smith family when the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were martyred and she was there when Hyrum's body was brought home. Sarah says she later went to Winter Quarters with her brothers.
In the Exodus of the Saints to the Valleys, she drove an ox team for Bishop Edward Hunter, walking all the way A few., years later he was sustained as the Presiding Bishop of the Church. On 2 July 1848 she married Joshua Thomas Willis. They helped settle Provo, Utah where he was sheriff and counselor in the Stake Presidency. They also settled in Cedar City and Toquerville, Utah where he was their first bishop and she was the first Relief Society president. Finally they settled . Taylor, Arizona where she pMed away 1 April 1R90 (the headetnne cave 1591) She had 16 children Surely brastus and Sarah must be extrorneiy proud of their many de am:1ms who are strong and KIM in tne pursuit of what was most important in their lives, the building up of the Latter-day Kingdom of the Lord here upon the earth.. As their Children were forded to leave NSUVOO and as they took their laSt look across the Mississippi, certainly they were thinking of these dear, faithful parents and loved ones left behind in the silent burial grounds of Nauvoo. But their burials were not the-end for they were not idle spectators and DHC 4:609-610 reveals their future along with the Prophet Joseph Smith and other early founders of the Church who can say, "The Spirit of God will be showered down from above, and it will dwell in our midst. The blessings of the Most High will rest upon our tabernacles. and our name shall be handed down to future ages; our children will rise up and call us blessed: and generations yet unborn will dwell with peculiar delight upon the scenes .• that we have passed through. the privations that we have endured; the untiring zeal that we have manifested: the all but insurmountable difficulties that we have overcome in laying the foundation of a work that brought about the glory and blessing which they will realize; a work that God and angels have contemplated with delight for generations past; that fired the souls of ancient patriarchs and prophets: a work that is destined to bring about the destruction of the powers of darkness, the renovation of the earth, the glory of God, and the salvation of the human family."
Sources:
CAPTAIN AUGUSTUS EPASTUS DODGE, Elaine Olds Hagleberg
A COMPREHENSBE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, B.H. Roberts
DOCLAIENTARY HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, Period One, Joseph Smith
ESSENTIALS IN CHURCH HISTORY, Joseph Fielding Smith
DODGE GENEALOGY, Theron Royal Woodward
FAMILY RECORDS
IN OLD 'MISSOURI, Givens MIRACLES DO HAPPEN, 1964. Elaine Olds Hagleberg
NAUVO0 FAMILY HISTORY AND PROPERTY IDEATIFICATION CENTER
OLD MORMON KIRTLAND AND MISSOURI. Holzopfel and Cottle
- Erastus was a brick maker at Nauvoo, where he died in 1843 of the measles. Their minor children went to Utah in the Edward Hunter-Jacob Foutz Company of 1847.
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