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THE FIRST CONVERTS

A History of James, Isaac and William Allred

by

Karla Monson

(Missouri Era)

And also my servant John Murdock, and my servant Hyrum Smith, take their journey unto the same place by the way of Detroit.  (D & C 52:8) Obeying this commandment, the missionary team of John Murdock and Hyrum Smith introduced the Allred Brothers, James, Isaac and William to the Gospel in the fall of 1831.¹

Previous to his conversion in Missouri, Isaac had homesteaded with his parents in the Southern States.  His birth on January 27, 1788 in Pendleton, South Carolina, occurred during the month when Georgia and Connecticut were convening to ratify the Constitution.  When the family of William and Elizabeth Thresher Allred moved to Franklin Co., Georgia in 1790, Congress held its second session in Philadelphia.  As friction with France and England culminated in the War of 1812, they migrated westward to Bedford Co., Tennessee.²

In Tennessee Isaac married Mary Calvert Feb. 14, 1811, two weeks after his 22nd birth-day and four weeks before her 16th birthday.  They remained in Bedford Co., until Paulinus Harvey was a few months old, then joined their relatives in the Allred Settlement of Monroe Co., Missouri by the Salt River.  Recalling the years in Tennessee, William Moore, the second son, wrote:

“My parents were very religious.  I believe they belonged to the Presbyterian Church.  I never had much chance for an Education and it was very old fashioned at that.  I remember of going to Sabbath School a few times where I was born and went a few times to the Camp meetings but yet I was too young to understand much about doctrine.”³

This same son describes the novelty of the first winter in Missouri.  The snow fell two feet deep and froze so that he could walk on the crust.  The deer were plentiful and with his dogs to chase them, William killed his first deer when he was 10 or 12 years old.  He frosted his feet that winter and was obliged to stay inside while his brother John Calvert supplied wood to the house.  His twin brothers, Reddin and Redick, having no shoes, were also confined to the house and William taught them to spell and read.  Missouri was a new adventure for the family and Isaac purchased land close to the state road, “...the great highway from east to the west,” three miles from one of the forks of the Salt River.⁴

Two years following their arrival in Monroe Co. Hyrum Smith and John Murdock preached to the Allreds, testifying that a new prophet, Joseph Smith, had organized a new church or rather the old one restored.  They arrived on August 4, 1831 and taught the next day.  John Murdock became ill and they spent a week at Salt River.  According to Redick, his parents were exemplary Presbyterians and were taught that prophets and apostles were no longer needed.  They thus regarded Elder Smith and Murdock suspiciously.  The two Elders passed on to found the center stake of Zion, New Jerusalem in Jackson Co., Mo.  Later Isaac opened his home for meetings as other Elders, bound for Jackson Co., stopped to teach.  A year passed and the faith sown in 1831 took root as George Hinkle, Daniel Cathcart and James Johnson organized the Allreds, Ivies and others into the Salt River Branch.  Nineteen converts, including Isaac and Mary, one or two daughters and William Moore were baptized September 10, 1832.⁵

As the Saints were amassing in Jackson Co., the Salt River increased in self-sufficiency.  John Ivie baptized Reddin and Redick in March 1833.  That year Isaac, intent on founding Zion with the Saints, sold his farm to relocate westward.  However, in the fall the Saints were expelled from Jackson Co.  Their departure was marked by the falling of stars, which Redick affirms, “...was witnessed in our locality in all its splendor, and many believed the end of the world had come.”  Awaiting the next gathering, Isaac rented the home of the buyer of his former property and stayed with the members of the Salt River Branch.  At this time Isaac observed that Paulinus Harvey’s mouth would draw down to one side when he laughed.  Isaac called on the healing power of the Elders and Paulinus’ mouth was normalized.⁶

Isaac’s family met the prophet as he recruited men for the army to reclaim the lost property of the Saints in the spring of 1834.  William defined his first impressions of the Prophet of Zion’s Camp as follows:

“I thought he had a very noble appearance, very kind and affectionate.  I visited the camp several times while they were stopping at my Uncle James Allred’s farm.  I know he was a true prophet of God, for I have lived to see many of his prophecies fulfilled and am willing for this testimony to go to all the world.”

Joseph Smith specifies in the Journal History that the company arrived June 7, 1834 and camped in a grove by the spring waters of the Salt River, by a branch of the Church called the Allred Settlement.  They rested, washed clothes and prepared for their journey until June 12.  James Allred (Isaac’s brother), Isaac and Martin Allred (James’ sons) and Andrew Whitlock (James’ son-in-law) joined the company formed to redeem Zion.⁷

Returning from his mission, Joseph stopped again in the Allred Settlement to urge the Saints to abandon their irretrievable farms in Jackson Co. and establish themselves in Clay Co.  Isaac hastened to Fishing River in Clay Co. in 1835 and harvested one crop before mob spirit re-surged.  Treated with more equanimity this time, the old settlers bought out the Saints farms and they moved to Caldwell Co.  This county was sparsely populated and in 1836 was a refuge for outlaws.  Nonetheless, Isaac prospered and in 1837, the year ground was broken for a temple in Far West, purchased land on Long Creek, 8 miles from Far West.  On March 18, 1838 the Prophet and other Church leaders moved into Far West and the population swelled enough to cause the counties to split into Davis and Caldwell.  As the Church expanded the natives panicked and violence was triggered on election day at Gallatin, Davis Co.  Isaac had by that time three living daughters and nine sons.  William declares that, “...we suffered considerable from persecution and exposure.”⁸

Both William and Redick have vivid accounts of the turbulent months in 1838 when the prophet urged all outlying settlements to Far West for their protection.  Preparing to withstand a siege, a company of men supervised by Captain Buchannan dragged a horse mill from Davis Co. into Far West.  Redick, 16 years old at the time, took his father’s ox team and assisted the company. 

This is his recollection of the events on Oct. 24 and 25, 1838 as he returned to the city:

“I put up at Father Morley’s not having time to go home, eight miles out, before night.  I had just fed my team and was eating supper when father came to town with a report that the mob was making a raid upon the scattered settlements on the head of Log Creek.  He told me to hitch up and go home as soon as possible to guard his family.  It was pitch dark when I started and as I crossed the square Apostle David Patten was in his saddle raising his men to go out to protect our people.  Having had scarcely any sleep for two nights, I could not keep awake in the wagon, so I walked by the side of my oxen, and there I even slept as I walked, at the same time not knowing at what moment I might be in the hands of the mob.  I got home at 1 o’clock and found all safe.  Father kept on the alert, and at the break of day he heard the guns at the “Crooked River Battle”, it being only five miles from our home.  That morning we moved into Far West, and witnessed the approach of the army, the capture of the Prophet and others, the surrender of arms, etc., etc.”⁹

William was listed in George Hinkle’s company (the man who baptized him) during the violence in Carroll and Davis Co.  The company marched to the town of DeWitt to aid a settlement besieged by the mob.  Their opponents repulsed their aggression and William mentions, “...they commenced shooting toward us but the bullets went over our heads (it being a lumbered Country) but there were of us hit.”  They struck a truce with the mob and moved on to the support of the Saints of Davis Co.  William saw the altar where Joseph revealed that Adam had offered sacrifice and built a breastwork with a detachment of fifty to defend the Saints from the Missouri militia of Generals Clark and Lucas.  Capitulating to superior numbers, Colonel Hinkle agreed to surrender Joseph and Hyrum and his men’s personal arms and property.  As Joseph left for trial in Davis Co., mob threats increased and William joined a self-appointed group to protect him.¹⁰

Acquiescing to the defeat of the Saints, Joseph and Hyrum entered the camp of the Missourians and William recalls “....such a yelling and screaming and swearing I never heard, we could hear them up to Town.”  They held a court martial and condemned Joseph and Hyrum to death.  William marched into the square in Far West with other Mormon defenders to sign away his property as compensation for damages to the Missourians and to relinquish his arms.  General Lucas or Clark (William was not certain which one) advised them to leave the state in spring and not to hope for mercy for their leaders, for “Their die is cast, their Doom is Sealed.”¹¹

William Allred, Isaac’s younger brother, also took an active stand against the enemies of the Church.  As a Captain over ten mounted men he went to intercept a wagon of guns and ammunition, destined for use against the Mormon forces, in September , 1838.  The wagon was hijacked and the guns scattered.  Three men, issuing from the Missouri camp, were seized by Captain Allred who had authority from a writ to arrest any man abetting the mob.  The culprits and the munitions were taken to Far West.  The inhabitants exulted in having frustrated the machinations of the mob.¹²

In November, 1838, after the surrender of the Saints, General Clark brought William Allred, Martin C. Allred (James’ son), and Andrew Whitlock (James’ son-in-law) before Judge King and charged them with high treason against the state, murder, burglary, arson, robbery and larceny.  They were incarcerated with Joseph, Hyrum, Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt and forty-eight other alleged war criminals at Richmond, Mo.  Having found no evidence to accuse Andrew, Martin C., or William of a crime, Judge King discharged them on November 18th.¹³

Two months after his release from prison, a public meeting was held in Far West.  In attendance were the Saints from devastated Caldwell Co.  On a motion made by President Brigham Young, it was resolved to enter into a covenant to assist themselves and the worthy destitute Saints in leaving Missouri until all were out of danger of General Clark’s extermination order.  William, Martin C. and two hundred and twelve other members signed the covenant.  William was compelled to move to Pike Co., Ill. where Hyrum ordained him a bishop.  He had left over 600 acres of land in Missouri.¹⁴

As William (Isaac’s son) returned home, destroyed crops and property littered his path.  His father had only one or two teams remaining.  The family left Far West by foot in the snow.  One of Isaac’s daughter’s skits were frozen up to her knees.  In a petition to reimburse the Saints, sent in 1839 to Congress by Joseph Smith, Isaac is named with James (his brother), Martin C. and Reuben W. (his nephews) as plaintiffs for financial loss.  Isaac estimates his property damage at $3,300.00 and sues the government for redress.¹⁵

While his older brother was protecting the Saints in outlying districts, Redick was organized by Joseph into a regiment of the fifty men and boys remaining in Far West.  They attempted to shield the city from the threat of Governor Boggs army of 4,000.  Their minimal army disconcerted stray Missourians forming battle lines for the oncoming conflict.  Redick writes that “...seeing our two companies charging into town on the east and west, they broke ranks and fled in confusion.”¹⁶

Fearing recognition by the mobocrats, William left the state to spend a few months in hiding with his brother, John Calvert in Quincy, Ill.  He returned to Missouri to help his parents evacuate.  They rented a farm of a Mr. Stone in Adams Co., Ill. twenty miles south of Quincy.¹⁷

Despite the Missouri disasters, proselytizing continued.  At the October Conference of 1839, held in Commerce, Ill., Reddin, Redick, and William (no verification as to whether this is William Moore or Isaac’s brother) were sustained as Elders.  The twins left in November to share the Gospel with John Napoleon Calvert, Mary’s younger brother, in Williamson Co., Ill.  They spent a month preaching and leaving a favorable impression of Mormonism.   Redick states that “”He said it was scriptural and reasonable, but he thought he could get all the salvation he needed where he was by being a strict Presbyterian.”  A year later, after Fall Conference, Redick embarked by steamboat with Elders Daniel Gam and Jacob Foutz to proselyte in Cincinnati.  He preached with Andrew Lamoreaux and eventually gravitated to Trenton, Indiana where he organized the branch.  While he was engaged in missionary endeavors, Isaac, sometime during 1840-41, departed from Adams Co. to Nauvoo, Hancock Co.¹⁸

(Nauvoo Era)

Vis-a-vis fever-ridden Commerce, the Prophet reorganized his people and galvanized their energy for the building of Nauvoo.  Anxious to own property in the city, Isaac placed himself under bond to Hiram Kimball, a local land owner, in order to purchase land in November ,1841.  He signed his name to three petitions regarding his lot.  First, for the Kimball addition to be included in the boundaries of the city; second, for a well to stand at Durfee and Hibbard streets; and third, for Kimball street not to open from Hibbard to Barnett street.¹⁹

An auspicious year for all the citizens of Nauvoo, the temple was begun and the Nauvoo Legion formed in 1841.  William hauled into town the first load of stone quarried for the temple.  Until the completion of the temple, he labored intermittently with joiners and carpenters in the workshops surrounding the temple foundations.  Redick describes working on the temple part-time as a mason.  Many of the workers were poverty-stricken and survived on bread and water.²⁰

Examining the Temple Carpentry Shop Account Books proves that Isaac also worked as a carpenter.  It is probable that he worked part-time in the Temple Stone Cutting Shop.  James Allred also assisted in constructing the Temple and giving endowments.²¹

Accompanying the building of the Temple was the restoration of ordinances for dead ancestors.  William expressed his feelings on baptisms for the dead:

“I was present when he (Joseph Smith) preached the first sermon on baptism for the dead.

I remember my father said it was astonishing to him to think he had read the Bible all his

life and never looked at it in that light before.  I was present at the first baptism for the

dead.”

The records of Nauvoo show James Allred as a witness for John Murdock and Benjamin Andrews when they are baptized on behalf of deceased relatives on August 4, 1844.²²

Endowments for the living and the dead was the next step in the restoration of temple ordinances.  At the time of that restoration, Joseph came to Elizabeth Warren (James’ wife) with a sacred assignment:

“It was while they were living in Nauvoo that the Prophet came to my grandmother, who was a seamstress by trade, and told her he had seen the Angel Moroni with the garments on, and asked her to assist him in cutting out the garments.  They spread unbleached muslin out on the table and he told her how to cut it out.  She had to cut the third pair, however, before he said it was satisfactory.  She told the Prophet that there would be sufficient cloth from the knee to the ankle to make a pair of sleeves, but he told her he wanted as few seams as possible and there would be sufficient whole cloth to cut the sleeve without piecing.  The first pair were made of unbleached muslin and bound with turkey red and without collars.”²³

To guard his city, Joseph created the Nauvoo Legion in 1841.  William was commissioned as Captain of the 2 Company, 2 Battalion, 2 Regiment, and 2 Cohort of the Legion.²⁴

In March, 1841 James Allred was appointed as a supervisor of streets and as a high con-stable.  In actuality, this was also a calling to be one of the Prophet’s body guards.  James was chosen again as a body guard to Joseph in the Nauvoo Legion.  At April Conference he was sustained as a high councilor in the Nauvoo Stake.  In addition to his priesthood duties, he would have shared with the other high councilors the task of guarding Joseph.  25

William Allred, (Isaac’s brother) also had close contact with the Prophet.  As bishop in the stake at Pleasant Vale, he came to Nauvoo in March desiring Joseph to inquire of the Lord concerning His will for William.  The Lord revealed that he should sell stock in the Nauvoo House, assist in building it and own stock in it.  William had only four months to comply with this revelation.  He died in July, 1841.²⁶

William Moore Allred had a warm relationship with Joseph.  He and Emma attended William’s marriage to Orissa Bates in January, 1842.  He elaborated on his friendship with Joseph as follows:

“I was with him in the troubles at DeWitt, Adam-on-di-Ahman and Far West.  I have played ball with him many times in Nauvoo.  He was preaching once, and he said it tried some of the pious folks to see him play ball with the boys. He then related a story of a certain prophet who was sitting under the shade of a tree amusing himself in some way, when a hunter came along with a bow and arrow, and reproved him.   The prophet asked him if he kept his bow strung up all the time.  The hunter answered that he did not.  The prophet said it was just that way with his mind, he did not want it strung up all the time.²⁷

A Hancock Co. tax assessment reveals William’s father, Isaac, as a substantial property holder in 1842.  His cattle are valued at $68.00 (this represents ten or more cattle), his horses at $120.00 (this represents at least two horses), his vehicles at $50.00 (this represents wagons and possibly a carriage) and his clocks and watches at $15.00.  His other personal property is valued at $100.00 (this represents furniture and possibly includes tools).  The assessment discloses that he has a store in his home, or that he sold products from his home.  All totaled, his estate is appraised at $353.00.  Statistical studies of the records rank Isaac Allred, Sr. as one of the nineteen wealthiest men in Nauvoo.  He has more personal property than 98% of the townspeople.²⁸

Officials of Nauvoo evaluated Isaac’s possessions and conducted a Church census in 1842.  The assessors valued Isaac’s property at $273.00 and affirmed that Isaac lived on block 4 and owned the north quarter of lot 50.  The real property, the land was valued at only $70.00.  This indicates that Isaac did not build a house on it or the property would have been worth more.  The Church census, taken in spring 1842, lists Isaac and Mary as members of the Third Ward (there were four wards in Nauvoo at the time), with Nancy, Reddin A., Redick N., James R., Paulinus H., Joseph A., Isaac M. And Sidney R.²⁹

Persecution of Church leaders increased in 1842.  James T.S. Allred remembers the harassment of Joseph and Hyrum:

“The Prophet and his brother were continuously being hunted and persecuted by the mobs.  Grandmother (Elizabeth Warren) often used to put potatoes in the coals in the fireplace at night and leave bread and butter and fresh buttermilk (of which the prophet was very fond) out on the table so that they could come in during the night and eat.”³⁰  

While living in Ill., James Allred (James T.S. father and Isaac’s brother) was also harassed by enemies of the Church.  An affidavit, made by James in July, 1840, testifies of an unlawful kidnaping of himself and Noah Rogers by Missourians without a warrant for arrest or extradition.  James and Noah were forcibly taken to Tully, Mo.  They were bound by cords and left in a room for one night.  The next night James was stripped, tied to a tree and threatened with a whipping.  However, he was not severely abused and was released after several days of detention.³¹

Another city assessment in 1843 shows that Isaac had moved off the north quarter of lot 50 but still owned it.  A legal document manifests that he purchased the north quarter from Allen Taylor (his son-in-law).  This land was located beneath the rolling hills of Nauvoo and may have been difficult to drain for farming.  Other municipal accounts show that Isaac, like most Americans before the introduction of gold specie as the economic basis, operated on a barter system.  His name appears for goods transactions in both Nauvoo House Ledger and the Provision Store Ledger.³²

Nauvoo Ward Records indicate that tithing also operated on a barter system.  An entry from the account of donations received by Bishop Hunter for the poor in the Nauvoo Fifth Ward attests that Reddin A. gave 17 pickles and 7 3/4 cups of flour totaling $.20.³³

Reddin is appointed to a Committee of Vigilance March 28, 1843, the day the Young Ladies and Gentleman’s Relief Society, a prototype of the MIA, was formed.  In July, 1843, a plot to kidnap Joseph to Missouri while he is visiting Emma in Dixon, Ill., is exposed.  Reddin joins Hyrum and other Elders for a rescue expedition on the steamboat, Maid of Iowa.  Joseph is warned of the plot and his seizure is averted.³⁴

Seven months pass and on Feb. 12, 1844, Reddin A. and Redick N. are confirmed as Seventies in the Forth Quorum.  Organized by Brigham Young, this quorum includes three of James’ sons.  In December of 1843, William is called as a Seventy in the Seventh Quorum.³⁵

Emotions were tense as the Prophet and Patriarch left for Carthage in June, 1844.  William recounts the speech Joseph gave to the Nauvoo Legion before leaving:

“I was present in the Nauvoo Legion when it was drawn up in front of the Mansion when             Joseph made his last speech as he stood on the little frame opposite the Mansion on the 18 of June when he called on the Legion to stand by him and drawing his sword and presenting it to Heaven said, “I call God and angels to witness that I have unsheathed my sword.  This people shall be free or my blood shall be spilt on the ground.”

The sword he unsheathed was given to James Allred at the Carthage jail with these words from Joseph, “Take this -- you may need it to defend yourself.”³⁶

After the martyrdom, James arrived with a wagon and team to remove John Taylor from incarceration. 

A sleigh was attached to the wagon and President Taylor was dragged comfortably over the prairie grass while Sister Taylor applied ice water to his wounds.  Returning to Carthage the next day with a small guard, he brought home the bodies of the Martyrs.  At the funeral procession, James Allred and twelve other close friends of Joseph are honored in being his bodyguards.³⁷

Two years following their deaths, the Saints prepare for the exodus to the Rocky Mountains.  There is an increase in temple activity, especially personal endowments, as the members plan for the migration to Iowa.  On January 17, 1846, Isaac and Mary Allred are washed and anointed, endowed and sealed in the Nauvoo Temple.  In the Nauvoo Temple Record, Isaac is listed as a High Priest.  This is the only verification of his Priesthood ordinations.  In April 1846, Isaac crosses the Mississippi River into Iowa.³⁸

(Iowa Era and Crossing the Plains)

Brigham Young evacuated Nauvoo in February 1846 and requested James Riley (Isaac’s fifth son) to serve as a guard in his company.  Redick also rode in the first company leaving Nauvoo.  He traveled as far as Garden Grove, Decataur Co. with Bishop George Miller’s group, and returned two months later to Ill. to transport his family and Father across the river.  William Moore, having no team or wagon, traveled with Isaac’s family.³⁹

Enjoying favorable weather, clear roads and plentiful grass, they passed the settlements in Decataur Co. to put down roots for two years in Pigeon Creek, Pottawatomie Co.  President Young’s organizing acumen caused the itinerant Saints to quickly form into branches.  One of the forty L.D.S. branches in Pottawatomie Co. was the Allred Branch on Pigeon Creek.⁴⁰

Previous to their arrival in Iowa, the U.S. Army captain, James Allred, had solicited for five hundred battalion volunteers to march to the Pacific Coast and seize California in the war against Mexico.  James Riley and Redick enlisted at Council Bluffs.  James was commissioned as a private in Company A and Redick was commissioned as Quartermaster sergeant responsible for portioning rations and conveying baggage.  He left his wife and daughter in Iowa and began the arduous seventeen month trek from Fort Leavenworth to Sutter’s Fort and back to Iowa.  They returned pitiably malnourished, having survived on rawhide, mule meat and mule brains during the trip home.  However, as Brigham Young had promised, their effort was a blessing to the Saints.  The wages they earned outfitted families for the journey west.⁴¹

Redick returned home December 19, 1847 to find his spouse and child cared for by his father, who is presiding over the branch in Little Pigeon, the Allred settlement.  They remained in the settlement during 1848 to harvest crops of wheat, corn, buckwheat and turnips.  By July, 1849, Isaac’s family and Allen Taylor’s family (his son-in-law) were celebrating the Fourth of July and their last week in Iowa.  The Frontier Guardian, a paper published in Kanesville by the Saints, reported on the festivities: 

“The committee which had been previously chosen found a shade under which a long table was soon constructed and our ladies (God bless them), soon had it covered with white linen and then the way the cakes, pies and chicken fixens was displayed along the table was enough to make a man’s mouth water - in fact there was a splendid feast.  Such as would vie with an old settled county, each family bringing with them enough for a half dozen or more.  The cloth being removed, Col. Jesse Haven was called on for a speech, he soon mounted the sand and made a short but very eloquent address, at the close of which the Washington song was sung by Capt. Wm. M. Allred and lady. ⁴²

Eight days later, Isaac, Redick and Allen Taylor departed with their families for the Great Basin.

 Reddin stayed in the Allred Settlement as did William, who bought Isaac’s land in Pottawatomie Co.  Allen Taylor is captain of the company with Absolom Perkins and Isaac Allred as his counselors and captains of fifty.  A letter written September 3, 1849 by Allen Taylor to President Young reveals the perils of the journey:

“...we have got along so far with good success, our teams are in tolerable condition.  We have, however, had two or three heavy stampedes and unfortunately considerable damage was sustained and one life lost, Sister Wm. Hawk, who was run over by cattle and lived only twenty four hours.  The first stampede we had two wagons broken, six sheep killed and twenty horns knocked off cattle.  The same morning, after we got them in the corral and yoked them up, they started again and nearly killed two men, but the brethren are nearly well now.  We feel, however, as though we had got through our stampeding, having had none since we left Chimney Rock and many in our companies feel sanguine that they can go to the Valley without help, should they be so providential as to keep their cattle alive through the alkali regions.”⁴³

Redick, with a yoke of oxen and cows, drove the lead wagon into the valley October 16, 1849.  The Allreds spent that winter in Salt Lake City.  They left in spring to make their first home in Utah at the mouth of big Cottonwood Canyon.  Eventually, Redick and Paulinus settled on one side of the stream with Reddin and Isaac on the opposite side.⁴⁴

(Utah Era)

A census taken in 1851 shows Isaac, Mary, Isaac M. and Sidney as inhabitants of Salt Lake Co. living in the same dwelling.  Isaac is registered as a farmer.  Mary Calvert died later that year on September 16.  William heard of her demise as he passed Fort Bridger on his way to Salt Lake.  He expressed his emotions about the news:

“Soon after we passed Fort Bridger we met Br. Cooley (1851) who informed me of the death of my Mother which was quite a blow to me for I was looking forward to the time and only a few days at that till I would see my Parents and Brothers and Sisters and friends that had gone ahead.”⁴⁵

Isaac was remarried March 1, 1852 to Matilda Stewart Park, the widow of John Miller Park.  With Matilda, his own sons, two stepdaughters and a stepson, he farmed one more year in Cottonwood.  Utah Territory membership Records show Isaac Allred, Sen., Isaac Allred, Jun., P.H. Allred and Redick N. Allred as residing in the South Cottonwood Ward.⁴⁶

Though the Majority of the Saints were in penurious and unstable circumstances, Brigham Young promoted missionary work.  At a conference held in Salt Lake, on August 28, 1852, Redick and Reddin were selected to proselyte in the Hawaiian Islands.  They spent three years preaching and undoubtedly associated with Francis Hammond and Mary Jane Disworth, who were missionaries there at the same time period.⁴⁷

During Reddin and Redick’s absence Isaac and Paulinus abandoned their homesteads in Cottonwood.  The site was not ideal for farming.  There was a sufficient water supply but not sufficient land.  There was also threat of Indian attacks in such an isolated area.  In 1852, Isaac moved to the more populous settlement of Kaysville.  Redick returned in 1855 to discover his wife and children living near his father and destitute as a result of crop failure.⁴⁸

Grasshoppers had devastated the harvest throughout the territory.  Tragedy occurred again in 1856 as the Willie and Martin handcart companies met an early winter on the plains.  The Martin Company, two weeks behind the Willie Company, suffered the worst losses.  They were halted by snow and starvation at a ravine between the Platte and Sweetwater Rivers.  As the supplies of the rescue party ran low, some turned back, thinking the company had perished or wintered elsewhere.  Redick and others, including Ephraim Hanks, a well-reputed Mormon scout, refused to turn back and brought the survivors into Salt Lake Valley at the end of November.  More than one-fifth of the company had died en route.⁴⁹

Two years later, anticipating a conflict with Johnston’s Army, President Young advised the Saints to move south.  In August, 1858, Isaac migrated to Ephraim, Sanpete Co.  He is chosen, as are James and Richard Ivie, Benjamin Clapp, Joseph Clement and Reuben Allred, as a member of an exploring committee to select a location for a settlement on Pleasant Creek (known later as Mount Pleasant).  When they returned to Ephraim with their recommendations, a meeting was called to discuss the requisite procedures for founding a settlement.  Finally, James Allred, who participated in colonizing efforts in Manti, Spring City and Ephraim, and James Ivie were elected to seek President Young’s counsel and present him with the petition for establishing the town.⁵⁰

Isaac did not colonize Mount Pleasant, but he purchased property in Spring City (known later as Springtown) where Redick, Joseph, Sidney, Isaac M. and his brother, James, and his sons were located.  The United States 1860 Census, taken in Springtown, Sanpete Co., lists Isaac, a farmer, and Matilda.  His real estate is valued at $200.00 and personal property at $500.00.  The 1865 tax records show Isaac remitting a total of $2.62 in taxes to the territory and county for his estate.⁵¹

This year, 1865, also marks the beginning of the Black Hawk War.  The Ute Indian chief, Black Hawk, and his marauders plundered and killed homesteaders from 1865-1868.  In retaliation, the pioneers organized a Territorial Militia.  For varying lengths of time, Isaac served as a private, William commanded a company of infantry, Redick served as a colonel, Paulinus as a lieutenant colonel, James as a private, Joseph as a private, Isaac Morley as a second lieutenant and Sidney as a private.  Redick was in command of the battle at Salina where Black Hawk had made a raid on stock and killed two white men. 

Isaac served from April 1 to November 1, 1865 under Captain John E. Chase, Company B, Fourth Platoon.  He was seventy-seven years old at the time and his elder brother James, given a position as an officer when he was eighty-one years old, also served in the militia.⁵²

In his declining years, Isaac was cared for by the sons that surrounded him in Spring City.  Deceased on November 13, 1870 at eighty-two, the newspaper account capsulized his life and honored his personal qualities as follows:

“He was a faithful saint and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.  The people of this city turned out en mass to pay the last tribute of respect to his memory.  President O. (Orson) Hyde officiated at the funeral obsequies and delivered a very comforting discourse to the friends of the deceased.”⁵³

LOCATION OF MAJOR SOURCES

 EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

D of J.T.S. Allred -Diary of James Tilman Sanford Allred, pages unnumbered located in special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library.

D of R.N. Allred -Diary of Redick Newton Allred, excerpt from Treasures of Pioneer History v. 5 pp. 297-372, located in the Church History Library, first floor, Church Office Building.  

D of W.M. Allred -Diary of William Moore Allred, Church History Archives, second floor, Church Office Building 

DHC -Documentary History of the Church, 7 volumes, Church History Library.

H of Chester Ward -History of Chester Ward by J. Emil Jensen, first floor Genealogical Library, Church office building.

H of Sanpete and -History of Sanpete and Emery Counties, compiled by W.H Lever, first Emery Co. floor, Genealogical Library.  

JHC -Journal History of the Church, 246 reels, the unedited material for the DHC microfilms in Church History Library.

LDS Biog. Ency -L.D.S. Biographical Encyclopedia, compiled by Andrew Jensen, 4 volumes, located in Church History Library.

NR Inc. Index-Nauvoo Restoration Incorporated, Index to Historical Collection, Church History Archives.

TIB -Temple Index Bureau, located on the fifth floor of the Church Office Building

T of Pioneer History-Treasures of Pioneer History By Kate B. Carter, 6 volumes Church History Library

1.          Diary of W. M. Allred p. 2 and D of R.N. Allred p. 298.

2.         TIB for Isaac Allred. / The dates for the moves to Franklin Co. and to Bedford Co. were extracted from             The History of Isaac Allred by Rulon C. Allred.  I do not know where he

obtained the facts relative to these moves since there were no U.S. Census taken before 1820.

3.         TIB for Isaac Allred. / D of W.M. Allred p. 1.

4.         D of W.M. Allred pp. 1 and 2. / D of R.N. Allred p. 298

5.         JHC 14 June 1841, excerpt from the John Murdock journal./ JHC 8 May 1894, p. 9 which

includes an article from the Des News.  “Mob War in Missouri” by Redick N. Allred.

Note: John Calvert was not baptized at this time.

6.         D of P.N. Allred p. 299 and Patriarch’s File found in Church History Library, first floor of

the Church Office Building. / D of W.M. Allred p. 2 / Des News article in JHC 8 May 1894 p. 9.

7.         D of R.N. Allred p. 299. / JHC 26 October 1935 which includes an article from the

Des. News, “Impressions of the Prophet Joseph Smith” by William Moore Allred. / DHC v.

 2 p. 183 and D of J.T.S. Allred.

8.         D of R.N. Allred p. 299. and Des News article in JHC 26 October 1935. / D of W.M.Allred

p. 3 and D of R.N. Allred p. 300.

9.         D of W.M. Allred p. 3 / D of R.N. Allred p. 300 and Des News article in JHC 3 May 1894, p. 9.

10.       D of W.M. Allred pp. 3, 4, and 5.

11.       D of W.M. Allred pp. 5. and 6.

12.       DHC v. 3 p. 74

13.       DHC v. 3 pp. 209 and 211

14.       DHC v. 3 pp. 249-253. / H of Sanpete and Emery Co. p. 479.

15.       D of W.M. Allred p. 6 / JHC 29 November 1839.

16.       D of R.N. Allred pp. 300 and 301.

17.       D of W.M Allred p. 7.

18.       DHC v. 4 pp. 12 and 13. / D of R.N. Allred pp. 301 and 302. / D of W.M. Allred p. 7

(Nauvoo Era)

19.       NR Inc., Index under Isaac Allred, subject Taxes and Bond Records.

20.       D of W.M. Allred p. 7 and 8. / D of R.N. Allred p. 301.

21.       NR Inc., Index under Isaac Allred, subject Temple Committee Ledger A p. 108 and B pp.

76, 280, 295, 301 and 305.  Temple Committee Place Book p. 12.

Note: Jim Kimball of the Church Historical Department interpreted these entries for me in August, 1978.  The originals from which the index was made, are found with the unprocessed archives material in the Church Office Building.  No scholar has been able to unequivocally interpret the original records.  Mr. Kimball was only certain that he worked in the carpentry shop and that his name is found in the Temple Committee Ledger./  JHC 31 December 1844, p. 14 and A History of Isaac Allred obtained from a letter written by Mrs. Bessie Allred Layton to Kate Whetten July 6, 1977, no author is given./

D of J.T.S. Allred.

22.       Des News article in JHC 26 October 1935. / Nauvoo Membership Records, Nauvoo Stake

Record of Baptisms for the Dead, 1840-1844, microfilm WRf pt. 2., Church History             Library.

23.       D of J.T.S. Allred.

24.       D. Of W.M. Allred pp. 7, 8, and 9.

25.       DHC v. 4 pp. 308 and 340. / D of J.T.S. Allred

26.       DHC v. 4 p. 311.

27.       D of W.M. Allred p. 8 / Des News article from JHC 26 October 1935.

28.       NR Inc., Hancock Co. Tax Records of 1842.  Note: An interview with Jim Kimball, who has done statistical studies of the wealth in Nauvoo for his doctoral dissertation, yielded these facts.

29.       NR Inc., Nauvoo City Tax Records of 1842./ NR Inc., Index under Isaac Allred, subject

Taxes. / Information from Jim Kimball.

30.       D of J.T.S. Allred.

31.       DHC v. 4 p. 157.

32.       NR Inc. Nauvoo City Tax Records of 1843 and Index under Isaac Allred, Subject: Nauvoo House Ledger and Provision Store. / Information from Jim Kimball

33.            Nauvoo 5 Ward Records, Nauvoo Stake, WRf pt. 1 in Membership Services in the Church History Library.

34.       DHC v. 5 pp. 322 and 482.

35.       JHC, the Seventies Quorum Listings.

36.       D of W.M. Allred p. 10 / D of J.T.S. Allred.  Note.  According to this diary, James Allred

carried the sword to Utah where it is now displayed at the State Capitol building.

37.       DHC v. 7 pp. 117 and 118 / D of J.T.S. Allred / H of Chester Ward p. 23 / DHC v. 7. p.135.

38.             Nauvoo Temple Record, no. 1328, Book B, p. 244 and microfilm 581.219, both located in

Member Archives on the fourth floor of the Genealogical Library. / Note: A discussion

with Jim Kimball on the subject proved that no stake or ward records exist to indicate his

quorum, his assignment or the date of his ordination.  The original minutes of the Nauvoo

High council do not include his name.  Though not an official member of the Nauvoo High             Council, as was his brother, James Allred, he may have attended quorum meetings as a

surrogate for his brother. / H of Chester Ward p. 27. / D of R.N. Allred p. 303.

(Iowa Era and Crossing the Plains)

39.       T of Pioneer History v. 4 pp. 430 and 431. / LDS Biog. Ency. under James Riley Allred. /

D of R. N. Allred p. 303. / D of W.M. Allred p. 10.

40.       D of R.N. Allred p. 303. / Encyclopedia History of the Church by Andrew Jensen p. 11,

located in Church History Library.

41.       H of Chester Ward p. 24. / T of Pioneer History v. 4 pp. 430 and 431 and LDS Biog.

Ency. under James Riley Allred. / The Mormon Battalion: Its History and Achievements

by B.H. Roberts p. 281.

42.       D of R.N. Allred p. 310. / Encyclopedia History of the Church p. 11. / Frontier Guardian

4 July. 1849, microfilmed and located in Church History Library

43.       D of R.N. Allred pp. 310 and 311. / JHC 14 July, 1849, p. 2 and 31 December 1849, p. 3.

Note: The partial roster of Dec. 31, 1849 lists only Isaac, Redick and Mary Calvert in AllenTaylor’s Company.  Only the names of heads of families were written.  The younger children probably accompanied them.  Rulon C. Allred has written that Isaac came in Brigham Young’s Company.  This claim cannot be substantiated.  No Allreds are on the roster of pioneers entering Salt Lake July 22-24, 1847.  (Information taken from the roster printer in the Church News, July 29, 1978.) / D of W.M. Allred p. 11. / JHC 3 September 1849, pp. 5 and 6.  

Note:  The 31 December 1849 p. 3 Supplement to JHC lists Redick as captain of fifty and counselor to Andrew Perkins.  Yet the letter written by Allen Taylor to Brigham Young September 3, 1849 lists Isaac as captain of fifty and a counselor to Andrew Perkins.  Perhaps Isaac shared the responsibility with Redick or he was released and Redick replaced him before they reached Salt Lake Valley.

44.       JHC 3 September 1849 p. 5. / D of R.N. Allred po. 310, 311, and 312.

(Utah Era)

45.       1850 Census of Utah p. 5, located on the first floor of the Genealogical Library. / D of             R.N. Allred

p. 312 and TIB card for Mary Calvert. / D of W.M. Allred pp. 13 and 14.

46.       D of R.N. Allred p. 312 and TIB card for Isaac Allred (this does not list the marriage date, but the sealing date is November 5, 1852). / Membership Records of Utah Territory.  1852-1853 in Member Archives, Genealogical Library.

47.       D of R.N. Allred p. 312 and LDS Biog. Ency. v. 2 p. 167.

48.       History of Isaac Allred sent by Bessie Allred Layton. / Des News, obituary of Isaac Allred,

30 November 1870, microfilmed in Church History Library. / H of Sanpete and Emery Co.

p. 484. / D of R.N. Allred p. 343.

49.            Handcarts to Zion by Leroy Reuben Hafen, pp. 134 and 135, located on the fourth floor

of the Harold B. Lee Library in Provo.

50.       Mount Pleasant History compiled by Hilda Longsdorf Madsen, pp. 29 and 30, located on             the fourth floor of the Harold B. Lee Library in Provo. / H of Sanpete and Emery Co. pp 481 and 483.

51.       U.S. Census of 1860, microfilm 805.314. / D of R.N. Allred p. 348. / Sanpete County Tax                  Records, microfilm 497.803.

52.       Title Cards-Military Records-Utah Indian Wars, microfilm 536.221. / D of R.N. Allred

p. 349. / H of Sanpete and Emery Co. pp. 483 and 484. / Note: A telephone conversation             with Leonard Arrington verified the unusual fact of Isaac’s military service at seventy-seven.  Most of the men in the southern counties were mustered into service and Isaac may have had as minor a part as a member of a posse or he may have taken a more active role, depending on his capabilities.

53.       D of R.N. Allred p.362. / Des News, obituary of Isaac Allred, 30 November 1870.