Aaron Johnson Sr. (1806 - 1877) Profile

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Aaron Johnson

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Edward Bunker autobiography, 1894, 19-20

Edward Bunker autobiography, 1894, 19-20.

In the spring of 1850, I started for Salt Lake Valley in Capt. Johnson’s hundred and Mat[t]hew Caldwell’s fifty and I was captain of a ten. We followed up the route of the Calif. emigration on the south side of the Platt[e] river. Nothing of importance happened until we came into the cholera district where the emigrants had died in great numbers and were buried by the roadside. We found one man unburied lying in the brush. He was given a burial by the company. Our camp was attacked and eighteen out of our hundred died from the effects of the cholera. My wife and daughter, Emily who had been born to us the 1st of Mar, [1849] on Mesquite Creek Iowa - was taken very sick but through the power of faith and good nursing they recovered.



At the end of three months we reached Salt Lake Valley, our haven of rest, Sept 1st 1850.

Transcript for Edward Bunker autobiography, 1894, 19-20

Elijah Averett autobiography, 15, in Averett family notebook, circa 1916-1965

Elijah Averett autobiography, 15, in Averett family notebook, circa 1916-1965.

In the spring of 1851 [1850], br. Hyde and James Allred[,] Sen[i]or organized a company. Br. Aaron Johnson was Captain of the hundred and I was Captain of the first fifty and Mathew Caldwell of the second fifty. After we were organized Captain Blair and his Company of gentiles joined me and my Company, making (84) eighty four wagons in my Company.



We crossed the Mis[s]ouri River and struck out for the mountains. We traveled on until we crossed a little river by the name of Salt River. Here, if I recollect right, the cholery [cholera] struck our Camp. I lost 17 persons in my company. I had a touch of it myself. We traveled on and kept above Fort Carney (Fort Kernay) [Kearney]



We felt that the cholery had ought to stop and brs. Johnson, Hunt, [Isaac] Hill and myself went out in the prarie and prayed that the Lord would stop the Cholery, and we had a testimony that it would stop. (They heard a stamping in the grass near by, but nothing was to be seen.) We never had another case in our Company. We saw a great many gentile graves on the road. The cholera had Slayed them terribly. There was wagons, tires, clothing, guns, bedding, boots and shoes scattered along the road. We got along very well. There was one buffalo run through our camp and the dogs caught him and the boys shot him[.] It rained pretty hard on us, and in crossing the North Platt[e] some of our wagons swam, but we got across all right



After this we had one young man lost one night and part of two days, but he came to camp all right. Nothing else happened that I recollect of worth mentioning of. I only lost two head of cattle in my company



When we arrived at Salt Lake City my Company was disbanded and went where ever they wanted to. I was Counciled by President Brigham Young to go to San Pete County Utah

Transcript for Elijah Averett autobiography, 15, in Averett family notebook, circa 1916-1965

Harrison Burgess autobiography, 1848-1882

Harrison Burgess autobiography, 1848-1882.

From the time I got to Orleans till the first of June I spent my time between Orleans, and Council Bluffs, fitting me up a team, and preparing for my journey across the Plains. I traveled with the camp in Captain Aaron Johnson's Company. – Acted as Marshall of the hundred. The blessings of the lord seamed to attend <us> from day to day.</us>



We often passed the bones of some of the Wretches, who took a part in the Martyrdom of B[rothers] Joseph &amp; Hyram [Hyrum]. After they had acted in that dreadful Tragedy, the most of them had started to cross the Plains, for California, in search of the gold mines, but they generally had died a most miserable Death on the Plains, as it had been predicted apon their guilty heads, recieved no burial or but a partial one, so that the wolves had dug them up, and there they were to be seen, Some of them could be designated by pencil writing, on their skulls, and some of these skulls had been kicked along by the passersby till they were 2 or 3 miles from where had been buried (as some little stick or board, with their name generally marked the hole into which they had been thrown[.] Thus Vengeance overtook them speedily



There was a few cases of Cholera in the Camp as we journeyed along. I always assisted in nursing, and Administering to the sick. I had along with me a few medicines which I was taking to my family – as soon as they were taken, I used to go and fix a dose of Alcohol, Peppermint, No 6, and Laudanum, which by the blessing of God cured a great many and many were healed by the laying on of hands. One case of miraculous healing, I will mention. A Sister Mc Gaw was taken with Cholera in its most dreadful form. I administered to her in the morning, and she seemed to be healed, but after a while it came on again, worse, if possible, than ever – She said if Br. Burgess could lay hands on her again, she would live, if not she must die, I was a mile back assisting some of the Brethren through some bad places of road; but the woman seemed sure <s>she would</s> that she would live if I could adminster to her again, that they sent a horseman after me, in all haste, who was to take charge of my team, while I was gone. I rode back as fast as possible, found her in extreme agony. cramped so that her head, and heels, nearly touched each other. just as I entered her waggon I felt the power of God resting down upon me in mighty power. I layed my hands upon her head, "In the name of Jesus Christ" and by the Authority of the Holy Priesthood I commanded the Destroyer to leave her instantly, and to leave the waggon and trouble her no more. It did so forthwith, but as it retreated I heard it hiss like an adder. The woman was healed and went on her way rejoicing, – Through the mercy of God I reached the valley in safety and found my family alive and well as Br Kimball when he gave me his parting blessing as we stood on the banks of the Elk horn River the morning I took my leave. I now found myself at home again, after an absence of near 3 years.

Transcript for Harrison Burgess autobiography, 1848-1882

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008. Supplement after 31 December 1850: Page 3.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008.

Jacob Hamblin papers, 1850-1877

Jacob Hamblin papers, 1850-1877.

Joel W. White autobiographical sketch, 1908, 3-5

Joel W. White autobiographical sketch, 1908, 3-5.

In the Spring of 47 started on our journey again and stoped at what was called Keg Creek about ten miles east of Kanesville: went to work with my father farming land putting in crops and building a house[.] remained there about three years[.] during that time I went back to Missouria [Missouri] and worked getting flour and other provisions for the family: By this time our oxen and outfit was getting about worn out[.] we had to get a new out fit to go on with by trading flour and working around. I got a yoak of oxen and got fixed up to start on again[.] Claborn Thomases family was living at Keg Creek and Preston Thomas family at "Coesta holla[.]" there was my first acuaintince with them and also there I first met Frances Thomas (a niece of Claborn Thomas) who after became my wife[.] I was married to Francis Ann Thomas May 8 1850!



And in a few days started on our journey west again not selling any thing leaving all for the Saints that was expected to follow. Going on to the Missouria [Missouri] river where <s>we</s> large companeys of saints were gathered and were organized in Companeys of one hundred wagons with Aaron Johnston [Johnson] Captain of the hundred and traveling in Companeys of fifty wagons with Jishea [Elijah] Everett [Averett] Captain of our fifty. Cap. Johnston traveling in our company



after traveling a short time the Cholary [cholera] broke out in our companey[.] the first dying was Bro. Shipley: Cap. Johnston came to Claburn [Daniel Claiborne] Thomas captain of our ten and said you go on and travel till noon and there wait till the rest comes up[.] we did and when they came up bro Shipley was dead and buried and Cap Johnstons son [William Kelsey] was dead. "He was well when we left and helping to yoak the oxen[.] Cap Johnston lost t[w]o wives[,] a son[,] and to teamsters with Cholary. there were about 10 or 15 died out of our company[.] after that was Checked we had fa[i]rly good health[.] everything working along nicely[.] the road was well marked with graves clothing and bedding left by the emigrants gon[e] ahead of us.



we having arrived in Salt Lake City the 12 of Sep 1850 . . .

Transcript for Joel W. White autobiographical sketch, 1908, 3-5

Millennial Star

Emigration

"Emigration", Millennial Star, August 15, 1850.

We have attended the organization of 350 wagons of Salt Lake Emigrants up to Saturday 8th inst., Capt. Milo Andrews [Andrus] is a-head with fifty wagons. Next follows, Capt. Benjamin Hawkins with one hundred; Thomas S. Johnson, Capt. of 1st Division, and ---- Capt. of Second Division. We left them at Council Grove 12 miles from Bethlehem west of the Missouri river, on the morning of the 7th inst. Next in succession is Bishop Aaron Johnson with a train of one hundred wagons; Elisha [Elijah] Everett [Averett], Capt. of 1st Division, and Matthew Caldwell, Capt. of the 2nd Division. Next in order is Capt. James Pace with one hundred. Richard Session, Capt. of 1st Division, and David Bennett, Capt. of 2nd Division. The Emigrants are generally well fitted out with wagons and teams, provisions, &amp;c.



There are some wagons quite too heavy. Those brought from St. Louis are good, but too heavy. A heavy wagon with a stiff tongue is unsuitable for the journey. Let no person hereafter buy a wagon for this trip unless its tongue has a joint in the hounds forward of the axletree. Light wagons that will bear from sixteen to twenty hundred pounds, are the most suitable for this service. These heavy lumber concerns should be left here, and not used by our people, neither by anybody else, unless they choose.



The number of California wagons that have crossed at this point, is about 4,500 averaging 3 men to the wagon, making 13,500 men, and about 22,000 head of horses, mules, oxen, and cows.



Our own emigration to Salt Lake Valley will amount to about 700 wagons as nearly as we, at present, can determine. They take two new carding machines in addition to one sent last year, besides much other valuable machinery. They also take about 4000 sheep and 5000 head of cattle, horses, and mules.



With the facilities for improvement that are already in the Valley, and those that are now going, we may expect to see that hitherto, desolate region, growing rapidly into importance, and consideration. Success to the West, and to Western enterprize, to Western men and measures! "Let the Wilderness and the solitary place be glad for them, and the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose."

Transcript for "Emigration," Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 15 August 1850, 252-53

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Haddam, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States

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<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/124.132?lang=eng#p131#131">D&amp;C 124: 132</a> At Nauvoo, Illinois

Member of Nauvoo High Council

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Served mission to Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois.

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Served in the New England states, winter 1849-1850.

Aaron Johnson

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