Jacob Gates (1811 - 1892) Profile

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Jacob Gates

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:196

Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:196.

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971.

European Missionaries from Zion

European Missionaries from Zion.

Arrived in Liverpool Sep 1846.Departed from Liverpool 5 Jul 1847.Presided over the Preston and Clithero Conferences, England.  (Mill Star 8:121)

Transcript for European Missionaries from Zion, MS 17956, Box 37, Fd. 11

Historical Department journal history of the Church

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, October 31, 1843.

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

Jacob Gates journals, 1836

Jacob Gates journals, 1836, January 1861.

Jacob Gates journals, 1836, March 1861.

Jacob Gates journals, 1836, July 1861.

Jacob Gates journals, 1836.

Jacob Gates journals, 1836-1861

Jacob Gates journals, 1836-1861, February 1861.

Jacob Gates journals, 1836-1861.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 15, Line 641.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, Page 17, Line 641.

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list, Vol. 2.

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list.

Organization of the Seventies

Organization of the Seventies, Page 8.

Organization of the Seventies.

The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 12:84, 139, 140

The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 12:84, 139, 140.

The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 21:767, 22:218

The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 21:767, 22:218.

Blodgett, Sarah Susannah Garrard, Autobiographical sketch, in Sarah Lucy Bronson Boden and Nina Beth Goe Cunningham, Reid Family History [1972], 55

Blodgett, Sarah Susannah Garrard, Autobiographical sketch, in Sarah Lucy Bronson Boden and Nina Beth Goe Cunningham, Reid Family History [1972], 55.

Our team was two yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows a wagon and a tent to ten Persons[.] then We started a cross the plains and some days We could not get eny watter for our selvs or teams and one time I stood on the tung of our wagon and I saw two squaws a leading a little girl of ours a way with them and I told on them and they laughed over it and one time six big Indens [Indian's] come and set across the road and We had to give them some flour to let us pass. We had to pick up buffalow [buffalo] chips to burn for We could not get eny wood. I walked most of the way a cross the plains and two girls and my self started a head one day and We got most out of site of the teams and when the Capton over took us he talked prety plain to us girls for it and when our teams got thin and poore We had to sell our bedden and brake up some of our boxes to liten our loads. 
We got to Salt Lake City September the 30th 1853 and after our teams were sold at auction We got three dollars a peace

Transcript for Blodgett, Sarah Susannah Garrard, Autobiographical sketch, in Sarah Lucy Bronson Boden and Nina Beth Goe Cunningham, Reid Family History [1972], 55

Christopher Arthur Emigrating Company journal

Christopher Arthur Emigrating Company journal, February 1853.

Transcript for Christopher Arthur Emigrating Company journal, 1853 February-October

Christopher Arthur Emigrating Company journal.

DUP Pioneer History Collection

Eli Wiggill, reminiscences

"Eli Wiggill, reminiscences", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 39-41.

We were glad to reach Florence. It had been raining heavily. There was not a dry spot on which to place our boxes. The girls went on board again and were nearly taken off. The signal was given for the boat to start, and they had to run to reach shore again.


Wagons were at the Landing to take us to the settlement. We found it almost a deserted town. Nearly all the houses had been moved away to Omaha, as that City had just been laid out. We were taken to an old barn, where we stayed two days. I then looked about the settlement and found a small cottage, into which I moved by family, and we were more comfortable. We stayed here three weeks waiting for our wagons to be fitted up. There were stores there at which we bought goods and provisions for the journey.


Florence is a very pretty place. The country around is undulating and park-like. Good water and grass. While here, two of my children were married. My son Jeremiah to one of Mr. Talbot's daughters Pricilla, and my daughter Margaret to Thomas Talbot.


When I got my new wagon into my hands I made it very comfortable, putting in side boxes, covered its tent with two covers and a carpet. I paid eighty dollars for the wagon. I had six oxen, two cows and one calf.


We were then organized into a company. Homer Duncan was our Captain. He and several other Elders were returning from a mission to England. In our company also traveled Elder Charles Penrose, Jacob Gates, a family named Rossell, Mr. James Dyer, the Luffs and the Stratfords, and very happy times we had together.


After we were organized, we started off, and camped about a mile from Florence, near a small forest. Into the forest I went, as it reminded me of a South African Bush. I cut a stout hickory stick to take on our journey in case we needed a pole. While camping here, Mr. Talbot, Sr. was chosen Chaplain for the company.


I must record a sad occurrence which took place while in Florence. A lady and two sons were in our company. Just before starting, those two boys went to the river to bathe, and both were drowned. The grief of that poor mother was terrible to behold. They were buried in one grave, where so many faithful Saints have found a last resting place, as this place was the home of the Saints on their way to Utah, for years. Many companies having to winter there.


We left this camp on the last day of June, 1861, and now commenced our long journey of a thousand miles. We traveled many days over a beautiful rolling country, good grass and water, but very little wood. Miles and miles we traveled, until we reached "Wood River", where there were many trees. Between the streams of water grass covered the plains, two feet high, waving, full of seed.


A man with a hand cart started with us, but he soon tired of his job, sold his cart, and traveled with one of the wagons. As we traveled along, I thought of the brave handcart companies that had walked all those weary miles. Many meeting death on the way. Faithful and true, they sang as they traveled on, that cheering hymn, written by William Clayton, called "All is Well."


"Come, come ye Saints, No toil nor labor fear, But with joy wend you way. 
Though hard to you this journey may appear Grace shall be as your day."


They were on their way to a place of rest, far away from mobs and enemies, who had so cruelly murdered their beloved prophet Joseph Smith; where they could worship God according to the dictates of their conscience.


At Wood River a wagon broke down, belonging to a man named Charles Dean. It was an old wagon and one wheel gave out. I helped Captain Duncan repair the wheel and set the tire, and we journeyed on. I had sometimes to be out all night guarding cattle, which was very unpleasant when grass was up to our knees, and wet with dew. We passed many trading stations, at one of which I bought a Buffalo Robe.


At Loop Fork Ferry there was a village called Columbia. Here large boats took our wagons, fifty in number, over, one at a time, which took us all day. Charles Dean's wagon had to undergo more repair. We camped under cottonwood trees. Somewhere in this vicinity we met a train of wagons going to Florence to fetch emigrants. The Church sent wagons regularly to meet them. I have forgotten to mention that we were an independent company, that is, we all owned our own wagons. With these wagons were some missionaries on their way to Africa, among them Mr. Henry Talbot's son, John, who had come to Utah a year before. They camped with us one night. John telling his parents a great deal about Utah's manners and customs.


Next we separated, their train going east, and ours west. On and on we traveled until we reached Platte River, Nebraska. For two weeks or more, we traveled along its banks. The road was level and smooth and not much wood for fuel. We used "Buffalo chips" or dry cattle dung. An antelope was killed and its flesh much appreciated. Wild grapes and currants grew along the banks of the river. At a place called Ash Hollow, we were visited by a number of Indians; who came begging. The Captain collected a number of articles from the company. With these they went away satisfied.


We next came to some heavy sandridges. The oxen could not pull the wagons through the sand without doubling the teams. The ridges extended for ten miles. It took up all one day to travel that distance. All along this sandy road lay broken wagons, loose tires, and one stove. Wagon loads of good useful material could have been gathered on the plains in those days.


We were all anxious to see "Chimney Rock", a tall, sandstone formation, which could be seen for miles around. This was a romantic part of our journey. Low cliffs or buttes along the road, and these curious shaped masses rising from them, formed of loose gravel and hard grains of earth. I think this land must have been at one time covered with water, which as it dried away, after earthquakes and convulsions of nature, corroded parts of the earth's surface, and left the harder parts standing, also washing the sands down in those heavy ridges. We could see great mountains in the distance, which appeared to have plenty of pine-trees on their sides.


Still ascending, we finally reached the foot hills of the Rocky Mountains. Here we passed "Independence Rock", a huge perpendicular boulder of iron stone granite. On its sides many travelers had carved their names. We now came to a pass called Devil's Gate, through which flows a beautiful stream known as the Sweetwater River. Here we camped, and I had to mend a broken axle. The Devil's Gate is a very narrow glen. Its sides rise up perpendicularly for hundreds of feet. On the margin of the stream grow trees and shrubs. Some of our party walked through this glen, meeting the wagons on the other side. We camped here on[e] night, then journeyed on 'til we reached Green River. It is a very wide stream, its banks wooded with cotton-wood and birch.


A mile from here we camped in a grove of cotton-wood trees. As we had plenty of fuel. We built tremendous camp fires. The next place that comes to my mind in the Military Post of Fort Bridger, named after the famous old Trapper, Jim Bridger. This place is well wooded and watered. We were now one hundred and fifty miles from Salt Lake Valley. As we ascended the Rocky Mountains, good water became scarce, and we would have to travel long distances between camping places.


In some places our road lay on a ridge with the valleys on each side. Sometimes we were on a level plain covered with sagebrush. I now recall Bear River, a beautiful stream, its water clear as crystal, so one could see the pebbles and rocks in the bottom. Cotton-woods grew on its banks.


Our road now lay between red sand hills, descending until, we reached Echo Canyon and here I saw the most romantic and rugged scenery I ever saw in my life. On either side rise steep cliffs in most fantastic shapes imaginable, composed of rocks and pebbles, cemented together. Three of these columns close together are called "The Witches". It takes its name from sounds echoing and re-echoing among the rocks. It is twenty miles in length. Through it runs a creek of clear water, its banks lined with willow and other trees. Wild hop vines climb over the trees, as they were ready for picking. Great bunches were gathered.


This canyon joins another called Weber Canyon, through which runs a rapid stream called Weber River. On the river we struck the first Mormon settlement, called Hennifer [Henefer]. In Weber Canyon is the curious formation of rock called "The Devil's Slide". After leaving the settlement we turned off and traveled for six miles up the mountains of the Wasatch Range. Here we camped. Mr. Talbot and I thought we would go ahead of our wagons and so we started on horseback. We camped with another company that night between Little and Big Mountain. Next day we rode down Emigration Canyon, where thoughts of the Pioneers filled our minds. On emerging from this canyon, the valley came into view.


Our hearts were full of joy to see before us the City of the Saints, and know our toilsome journey was over.

Transcript for "Eli Wiggill, reminiscences," 39-41.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, June 21, 1847, Page 15.

Jacob Gates Company report

Jacob Gates Company report, September 1853.

Jacob Gates Company report.

Jacob Gates journals, 1836-1861, January 1843, Vol. 2].

Transcript for Jacob Gates journals, 1836-1861, [Volume 2] 1843 January-1847 October

James Farmer journal

James Farmer journal, April 1851.

Transcript for James Farmer journal, 1851 April-1856 November

James Farmer journal.

John Vance journal

John Vance journal, June 1847.

Transcript for John Vance journal, 1847 June-October; 1849

John Vance journal.

Martin, Robert. Personal History, 1890, 8-12

Martin, Robert. Personal History, 1890, 8-12.

When we landed thare was lots of mormons thare wating to get wagons &amp; teems to Start out. one compney was nerley reddey to Start[.] the captens name was Jacob Gates. I spok to him to goo with him &amp; I went as teemster



we made a start but we was to hevy loded and Brether [Jacob] Gates called a meting next morning and told us we would have to liting up or we never could get thru[.] he told us to thro away all but 25 lbs a head and we had to do it[.] I left a trunk full of close [clothes] on the camp ground and put 25 lbs of the best I had into a sak and we started overland to Councel [Council] bluffs[.] wee was 3 weeks on the road and got thare in time to selebrate the 4th of July 1853[.] we staide thare one week[.] I hired to a old gentelman to drive his teem[,] 3 yok of cattel[.] he had his o[w]n outfite[.] we started from councel bluffs wich was the frontier or last town and over 1000 miles to Salt Lake acros the grate plains at that time[,] uninhabeted[,] onley wilde indines [Indians] romed thare how [who] would kill us if tha had a good chance[.] but we was well armed &amp; our company consisted of 75 waggons with from 4 to 10 in a wagon, tha wagon I was with had 4 of us[,] tha old Gentelman[,] his Wife &amp; Nees [niece,] a young gurill [girl], how served his aunt as hired help. and my Self, that was all in our wagon



My business was to drive teem and Stand gard at night when called on. 20 miles a day was our averag travel &amp; we cept [kept] Sabeth, layed over to wash clothes at difrent times and to repare wagons[.] all to gether we was on the planes 11 weeks Eleven weeks. it would take to much room in this litel book to tell all pirtqulers [particulars] but Sufise to say I stud [stood] tha trip well &amp; arived in Salt lake City tha last day of Sipt 1853. being 9 months on tha jurney



I would just say that game was plentifull on the planes espushley Bufflo. we seen sum indins tha came into camp &amp; we fead them &amp; tha went thure way &amp; we went on, when I arived in Salt Lak city I was obliged to hunt for work the next day. having no place to goo having no relashons in tha countrey I was no bodeys darling no bodey cared for me--.

Transcript for Martin, Robert. Personal History, 1890, 8-12

Smith, Elizabeth Fovargue, Journal 1884-1891, fd. 1

Smith, Elizabeth Fovargue, Journal 1884-1891, fd. 1.

The night before we started from Keokuck we had a heavy thunder and rain storm[.] the wind blew down our tent and gave us such a washout as we had never witnessed[.] our beding and our clothing were soaking wet so Mother Smith said they must all be washed[.] so on monday morning as soon as the storm stoped at it we went[.] we had just got through washing and hung the things on the bushes to dry when presedent Jacob Gates came round to our tents he told us to be ready to start on our journey in half an hour of course the things were not half dry we traveled until dark then camped in high grass which was very wet but we had to lay our beding down in the grass[.] we did not take cold for the Lord can take care of his Saints[.] we had quite a tedeious journey but I enjoyed it[.] we used to rest on Sundays when there was plenty of feed and warter for the animals[.] we woman folks used to look out for wood and pack it in our Dress skirts[.] Some time we was told to do our washing and cooking on Sunday as we would start monday morning at sunrise[.] one Saterday we camped at a place w[h]ere there was large beds of strawberrys[.] I got up on sunday morning as soon as it was light and gathered a large pan full and made some pies[.] we walked most of the way[.] there was several sick persons in our waggon[.] we reached Council bluffs on the 3 of July[.] the people selebrated the fourth of July so allso our people with fireing of guns[.] there was several dances for both old and young[.] I suppose they had good times. we staid at the bluffs several days then commenced our journey over the Deserts and plains[.] when the wether was faire we enjoyed our selves with telling storys or reading or gathuring flours to throw away allso gathering bufelow chips to burn[.] some times the Sun was so warm we would take of[f] shoes and stockings and bonnets and have Umberrellers[.] at another time we would have to put on all the wraps we could command[.] the last 7 weeks we was traveling James had the chills and fever so bad his life was despared off[.] he was not able to walk so he had to go into the waggon and so Mother Smith and I had to walk and then do all the chores when in camp[.] we got very short of food the last few weeks we where traveling[.] when we was about two 
<weeks xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> journey from the Valley Brother Gates sent Richard Waddington on to the Valley to see if there was any provisions could be sent out to the people[.] he came back to the camp[.] he had seen several people that had friends in the company and they came out with what provisions they could spare[.] Thomas Cottam came out to meet us and brought his ox team with some flour and potatoes and mellons[.] he met us on the Big mountain where we camped at night[.] we was very hungry and tired[.] I had had nothing to eat all day and for several days but a little half-cooked Buffa<lo> meat. had some ruff mountains to climb and Thomas darenot let us have half enough to eat for fear we should be sick[.] we had some potatoes and hard or heavy dumplings and he gave us a little warter mellen[.] mother smith got very sick with the change off feed[.] we left Elder Gates company and traveled alone over the little mountain and through Emegration Cannion[.] arived at Salt Lake City on the 29th of October 1853 about six oclock in the evening[.]</lo></weeks>

Transcript for Smith, Elizabeth Fovargue, Journal 1884-1891, fd. 1

Squires, John Paternoster, Reminiscences and journals, 1848-1900, Book B, 28-29

Squires, John Paternoster, Reminiscences and journals, 1848-1900, Book B, 28-29.

Some time in June we left Keokuk and Started for the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, and arrived There on Friday The 30 of Septr., Elder Jacob Gates was our Captain and Leader and a good one he was too, I Think I Shall never forgit, the industry, energy, and untiring he exersised for The good of The Company and upon The whole we had a prosperous and quick Journey, but I am grieved to Say That we had The unspeakable grief of Loosing our Little Boy Richard who fell A Sleep on Monday The 12
th
 of Sepr. 1853, about four miles This Side The dividing ridge at a place Called The Pacific Springs. His Spirit left his Body about 10 Minutes before three Oclock[.] we Burried him The next day at the place called little Sandy 27 Miles This side of dividing ridge on The South Side of The main road 8 miles from big Sandy—There is A Road on The left leading to The river, we Buried him between The forks of the two roads.

Transcript for Squires, John Paternoster, Reminiscences and journals, 1848-1900, Book B, 28-29

Stephen Forsdick autobiography, circa 1927, 15-26

Stephen Forsdick autobiography, circa 1927, 15-26.

Transcript for Stephen Forsdick autobiography, circa 1927, 15-26

Utah State History Cemeteries and Burials Database

Utah State History Cemeteries and Burials Database.

Wride, Barry, Small Journal, June 23

Wride, Barry, Small Journal, June 23, July 25, 1861.

Sunday 23rd We moved out from Florence about one mile[.] we were organized into a company to cross the plains[.] Bros/ Andrus & McAlister preached[.] Bro/ [Jacob] Gates made the appointments[.] Bro/ Homer Dunkun [Duncan] Capt[.] Capt of tens were also appointed
Monday 24th I went to Florence
Sunday 7th We passed several small settlements travelled about 18 miles
Monday 8th We arrived at Wood river center Johnson’s store 175 miles from Omaha[.] we met Bro E Oliver late Pastor of Manchester at this place
Tewsday 9th We stop’d at this place until the afternoon to repair some of the waggons[.] travelled 5 miles
Wed 10th 15 miles
Thurs 11th We crossed Wood river in the mourning
Fryday 12th We camped on the Platt[e] r[iver]
Sat 13th We travelled along Buffalo creek crossed it in the evening
Sunday 14th travelled about 20 miles camped near the river
Monday 15th We made a long trip this day camped on the Platt
Tewsday 16th We came to the Ponies spring [Pawnee Spring] in the afternoon it is a fine spring[,] the best we had yet on the journey[.] We camped near a fine creek
Wed 17th Some of the Cattle &amp; much w[illegible] ing consequently we were obliged to stay until the afternoon[.] some of the boys caught a number of fishes in the creek[.] we camped on the Platt
Thurs 18th We crossed three mud holes in the afternoon camped on the Platt
Fry 19th We crossed some mud holes and a creek called the sandy bluffs creek[.] we travelled 4 miles of sands[.] it was heavy draging for the cattle[.] camped on the Platt
Sat 20th We travelled some heavy sand Bluffs in the mourning &amp; crossed a small creek[.] camped on the Platt
Sunday 21st Crossed a very heavy sand Bar[.] We had as much as we could do to get up without doubling teams[.] campd on the Platt[.] heavy rain &amp; thunder
Monday 22nd Camped near a creek[.] crossed a heavy sand Bluff travelled til near sunset
Tews 23rd Camped near a creek[.] crossed a very long sand Bluff the heavest we met yet[.] we were obliged to double teams[.] cloudy in the evening
Wed 24th Camped at Ash Hallow [Hollow] remained there all day[.] very hot day[.] concert in the evening singing[,] reciting &amp; dancing in the evening in commemoration of the day that the pioneers entered the Valley G[reat] S[alt] Lake 
[Thur] 25th Camped near the Platt fine breeze in the mourning[,] very hot at noon[,] good road[.] thunder in the evening

Transcript for Wride, Barry, Small Journal, June 23-July 25, 1861, in W. Thomas Wride, ed., Barry Wride, 1833-1913, His Family and His Journals (1999), 51-52

Wride, Barry, Small Journal, June 23.

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/chd/landing

motherReferenceId

fatherReferenceId

St. Johnsbury, Caledonia, Vermont, United States

birthPlace

associatedPeople

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missionQualifier

maritalStatusWhenCalled

priesthoodOfficeWhenCalled

missionOrganizationReferenceIdValue

Laporte, Porter, Marshall, and La Harpe, Indiana

locationServed

Accompanied Lewis Robbins (Journal History Apr. 10 [1], 1843)

Jacob Gates

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