Joseph Fielding (1797 - 1863) Profile

Joseph Fielding (1797 - 1863)

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Joseph Fielding

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, June 13, 1837.

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

Index to the British Mission manuscript history and historical reports

Index to the British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, Page 152.

Index to the British Mission manuscript history and historical reports.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849

Ezra T. Benson's 100, report

"Ezra T. Benson's 100, report", Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849, September 24, 1849, Page 1-8.

Heber C. Kimball's 1848 emigration division, First 100

"Heber C. Kimball's 1848 emigration division, First 100", Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849, July 1848.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849.

Daniel Davis diaries, 1846-1892

Daniel Davis diaries, 1846-1892, June 18, 1848, Page 90-101.

Transcript for Daniel Davis diaries, 1846-1892, Journal, 1846 May-1889 January, 90-101

Daniel Davis diaries, 1846-1892.

Heber C. Kimball papers, 1837-1866

Heber C. Kimball papers, 1837-1866, June 1848.

Transcript for Heber C. Kimball journals, 1848 June-July and 1848 July-September, in Heber C. Kimball papers, 1837-1866

Heber C. Kimball papers, 1837-1866.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008. Supplement after 31 December 1848: Page 12.

I walked to Zion: true stories of young pioneers on the Mormon trail

Joseph F Smith

Susan Arrington Madsen, "Joseph F Smith", I walked to Zion: true stories of young pioneers on the Mormon trail, Page 36-37.

In the spring of 1848, as the Presidency and all who were able were leaving Winter Quarters for the Valley, my mother [Mary Fielding Smith] made an attempt to go along. During the fall and winter she had made two trips down into Missouri to purchase provisions and trade for "necessities" for the family, which numbered in all, about eleven.
Once I accompanied her, along with my uncle Joseph Fielding, at which time we went to St. Joseph, Missouri, and purchased corn and had it ground at Savannah, and on our way home we camped in the edge of a wood, in the neighborhood of a large herd of cattle that were being driven to market. In the morning our best yoke of cattle were gone. My uncle and I hunted far and near but could not find them. We enquired of the herdsmen and followed their directions but could not find our oxen. This broke up our team so that we could not travel and would have been under the necessity of purchasing or trading in some way for another yoke before we could have moved on.
But after some delay, and Mother had cleared up after breakfast, she started out to find the cattle. Uncle thought it was useless for her to go. I confess I thought so too, but I had more faith that she would find them, if findable, than I had in either my or my uncle's finding them. While Mother was walking along through the tall grass, one of the herdsmen rode up to her and said he had seen her cattle over in the opposite direction to what she was going. Strange to say she passed right on, not heeding what had been said at all. He repeated, she paid no attention but passed on as tho' she were in "the strait and narrow path." Suddenly she came upon a slight ravine filled with tall willows, and in a dense cluster of large willows she found the oxen, where they had been fastened up during the night by the herdsmen with the intention of stealing them and driving them to the market, for they were in good condition. After the cattle were found, these worthy herdsmen suddenly rode off, perhaps in search of honesty, which I trust they found.
We moved on smoothly until we reached a point about midway between the Platte and Sweetwater Rivers. One of our best oxen lay down in the yoke as if poisoned, and all supposed he would die. Captain [Cornelius Peter] Lott now blustered about, as if the world was about at an end. "There," he said. "I told you you would have to be helped, and that you would be a burden on the company." But in this he was mistaken, for after praying for the ox and pouring oil upon him, he got up and we drove along, only detaining the company a very short time.
We had not gone far when another fell down like the first. But with the same treatment he got up as the other. I believe this was repeated the third time, to the astonishment of all who saw and the chagrin of Captain Lott.
 My team leaders' names were Thom and Joe—we raised them from calves, and they were both white. Thom was trim built, active, young, and more intelligent than many a man. Many times while traveling sandy or rough roads, on long, thirsty drives, my oxen were lowing with the heat and fatigue. I would put my arms around Thom's neck and cry bitter tears! That was all I could do. Thom was my favorite and best and most willing and obedient servant and friend. He was choice!

Transcript for Smith, Joseph F., [Reminiscences], in Susan Arrington Madsen, I Walked to Zion [1994], 36-37

I walked to Zion: true stories of young pioneers on the Mormon trail.

Joseph Fielding journals, 1837-1859

Joseph Fielding journals, 1837-1859, December 1843, Page 134.

. . . but [I] still felt a desire to go if the way should open, and as I was A Member of the Council I was advised by Bro H[eber] C[hase] Kimbal[l] to try and make a Start, I sold my Claim, borrowed some Corn and did my best for Starting, but both my Sister [Mary Fielding Smith] and myself found it very difficult to get off, A great Part of our Teams was made up cows and young Oxen that had not been broke, and we were obliged to fix two waggons together for lack of Leaders and Drivers, Bro Terry who had engaged to drive A Team to the Valey and to bring one back to take his own Family, was quite discouraged, and said it was great Folly to attempt to go as we were fixt—



we left Winter Quarters on Sunday the 4th of June being about the last, Bro Kimballs Company was waiting for us at the Elk-Horn River some 25 Miles[.] when we had got about half the distance there we received from Bro [Howard] Egan 2 Yoke of Oxen through the Influence of Brother Kimball, and we joined the Company on Tuesday Evening and the next morning the Co started, we seemed to improve in our traveling and our Cattle improved in there Condition untill we crossed the Platte River, we overtook Bro B[righam]. Young Company at the Loup-Fork, and it was an intresting Sight, when to behold in the Morning, A String of Oxen reaching from one Side of the River to the other about A Mile from Brighams Co—coming to assist us in crossing, for the Waggons sunk into the Sand and it was hard draving for the Cattle so we put our Cattle to our waggons <s>a</s> and put an extra Team to each and got through well, it was indeed an intresting Sight, you might have taken us for two Armies encamped on either Side of the River waiting the Signal for Conflict but how different was the Case when we saw almost the whole Strength of the one, wading through the River from one to 3 feet in debth, to help their Friends, here we stayed over Sunday—as I did not keep a Journal, I cannot now give any detail of the long and laborious Journey, Brother Youngs Co went Ahead, so we in all formed two Companies each Co. being organized into 50—and 10—C[ornelius] P[eter]—Lot[t] was our Captain of 10 and John Pack of 50, Henry Herriman [Harriman] of the 100, with Bro Kimball at the Head, but when the Feed began to fail we were separated into Fifties and finally into tens as the feed for our Cattle was very short and each 10 had to do the best they could, and we could travil but short Journeys Per Day and some times it was judged necessary to rest our Cattle for several Days,



we crossed the Platte River about Miles below fort Laramie from which time we had but little good feed and the Road was much worse, it is wonderful to see the Buffalo and the Marks of them, for several hundred Miles the Prairie is covered with their Dung from which one is sure there must be Thousands of them—our Companies shot many of them[.] we ate freely of the Flesh and also dried great Quantities and brought on to the Valey—A great Part of the Road the ground is partly covered with Salaratus, or Salt Petre which is very injurious to the Oxen as they eat it freely, owing to the many fine Oxen died, in fact you cannot go far on the Road but you see the Carcase or the Bones of Cattle, at one Place we came to large Beds of Salaratus where almost every Family gathered as much as they wished to carry[.] I and my Family got from one to two Bushels[.] in some Places the Road is sandy and is hard upon the Cattle especially when the Weather is hot and dry, we sometimes had to as&lt;s&gt;cend Mountains of Sand, several times the Companies received fresh Cattle from the Valey which in our Situation was very acceptable—we saw but few Indians, and they were quite friendly[.] I never heard of them taking <s>our</s> any of our Cattle—



we cross the Loup Fork but first the Elk horn A small Stream, the Platte about a Mile across the Laramie Fork, and then the Platte again at the last Place it quite narrow[.] we also have to ford several small [streams] Viz the Green River, the Bear River and the Weber River besides many Creeks great and Small



we found some frost in the Morning early in September but as we came near the Valley the Weather became warmer altho the Snow lay on the Top of the Mountains, and in the Valley there have been no frost in the middle of October, the last 40 or 50 Miles the Road is shocking bad, in Short I wonder that so little Damage was sustained, it seems A wonder that any Waggon can stand it, one Creek we have to cross 17 times, but after all, we came Saflely into the Valley on the Evening of the [blank space] of October, we found our Friends well, and the whole People here seemed to rejoice, but we had about four Months on the Way[.] this was in some Measure owing to the bad Feed and the sickliness of our Cattle, we did not find as much Grain here as we expected, . . .

Transcript for Joseph Fielding journals, 1837-1859, Journal, 1843 December-1859 March, 134-141

Joseph Fielding journals, 1837-1859.

Rachel F. Burton autobiographical sketch, undated

Rachel F. Burton autobiographical sketch, undated, Page 14-20.

When we started for Salt Lake Valley we were <s>very</s> rather destitute for my parents had spent all they had in bringing us from England to Nauvoo and then to Winter quarters.



We had lost one of our horses but we had three oxen, two cows, and one horse so father [Joseph Fielding] put the oxen <s>were</s> on one. <s>one</s> wagon with the horse in front of them forming a spike team and the two cows on the other wagon with the third ox <s>forming a spike team</s> &lt;and one of Aunt [Mary Fielding] Smith’s oxen making a double yoke of cattle&gt; Mother [Hannah Greenwood Fielding] and Aunty drove the former with us children in it until the lines broke and then I had to lead it and father drove the other wagon with all our earthly possessions in it. I was bare footed and I walked most of the way from Winter quarters to Salt Lake for our harness was an old one to start with and we had not got far on our way when the lines gave out so I led the horse by the bridle. It was rather difficult sometimes on the rough roads for the horse often stepped on my heels and kept them sore.



When we got to Big Mountain mother and Aunty happened to be walking behind with father and I was leading the team quietly on a head with my little brother Joseph [Greenwood Fielding] and my little sister Mary [Ann Fielding] in the wagon. I remember the discent looked long and rather steep but I went on down without waiting for my parents.



When we got started down, however, the hill seemed worse than ever for the wagon pushed the oxen and the oxen hooked the horse and the horse kept stepping on my feet. and I had to run. I called to the children to sit down and we came down big mountain rather fast.



The people at the bottom were very much alarmed and shouted “that child will be killed! that child will be killed!” But we arrived at the bottom in safety. I would not think of leaving go of that bridle because the children were in the wagon.



My feet got dreadfully cut and bruised and my tracks could be traced for some distance by the blood.



We had lots of enjoyable times on the Plains as well as sad ones. Some nights we camped early and in the evenings we had immense bon-fires and the saints would gather round and sing hymns or dance and make-merry. The bigger the fire, the better and the spirit with which the hymns were sung was an inspiration.



When we camped our wagons were placed in a circle thus forming a correll for the cattle for the night.



Some times we had to travel quite late before we found a good camping ground for in many places the grass was scarse or else the water was.



We often saw large herds of buffalo and then the men would kill one so we could all have a little meat. Once we saw a large herd of deer and it pleased me so much to see how nimbly they ran.



I remember one time we came to what seemed a large lake of saleratus and all the women got some. I helped my mother and we filled our aprons. It was in cakes. Mother took care of it and we had saleratus for a long time and used it instead of soda. We were glad of it when ever our bread was sour as it was quite often owing to the way in which we had to neglect it in our travels.



In all our worries and frights I never was badly frightened for I had such confidence in my parents. Little children like little chicks run to mother for protection. Father and mother carry all the cares.



We arrived in Salt Lake City 23 September 1848. I remember feeling so glad that we had got to Zion and relieved that we did not have to travel any more. I ran up on to the temple square and all over, my parents could scarsely keep track of me.



. . . I forgot to tell about an experience we had on the *plains.* Once the ox we had of Aunt Smith’s got sick and it seemed as if it would die but my father poured oil on it and administered to it and it lay perfectly still a few minutes and got up and shook itself and ate a little grass and father hitched it up and it was all right after that.

Transcript for Rachel F. Burton autobiographical sketch, undated, 14-20

Rachel F. Burton autobiographical sketch, undated.

William Burton papers, circa 1837-1851

Journal

"Journal", William Burton papers, circa 1837-1851, Journal, 11, June 1848.

Transcript for William Burton papers, circa 1837-1851, Journal, Volume 11, 1848 June-July

William Burton papers, circa 1837-1851.

Young Woman's Journal

How One Widow [Mary Fielding Smith] Crossed the Plains

"How One Widow [Mary Fielding Smith] Crossed the Plains", Young Woman's Journal, February 1919.

"In the spring of '48 there was a move westward and the widow went to Elkhorn. Up to this time one of the teams had two wagons and when we reached a hill, we uncoupled one wagon, taking one at a time. The widow feared to cross the plains in this way and so applied to the Church agent for help. This was refused and she was advised to turn back. This she declined to do, telling the agent, 'I will beat you to the valley and ask for no help either.' The agent's answer was, 'You will prove a burden to your company.' Accompanied by her brother, she went back and returned fully equipped, having arranged for the loan of teams, promising to send them back on reaching the valley. On being assigned to companies, the widow's lot fell to that of the agent who had refused her assistance.



"We journeyed on, meeting with mishaps, losing our oxen, etc. At one time, I remember, one of our oxen, 'Old Buck' was taken sick and the captain said: 'It will die, unyoke it, and leave it,' closing his remarks with, 'I told you that you would be a burden to your company.' The widow went to her wagon, brought a bottle of consecrated oil and with the assistance of Brothers Fielding and Terry used it. 'Old Buck' jumped to his feet and we went on our way rejoicing. Later the captain met with the same misfortune, the widow offered help but her assistance was declined.



"Just before entering the valley, we were met by Brother James Lawson, who had come to assist and guide us. On the 22nd of September, 1848, we saw the valley and we were among the happiest people on the earth. We saw our Mecca, our resting place.



"At the last camping place the widow again lost her oxen, and the captain not being willing to wait, the company rolled out, leaving the widow behind and here she expected to spend the night, but shortly after the company left a cloud burst, the rain literally poured, driving the cattle into camp. We yoked up, continued our journey and passed the captain on the way. We did not stop and camp at dark, but with Brother Lawson for guide traveled on, reaching the fort at 11 the night of September 23rd.



"The next day, September 24th, was Sunday. After the luxury of a bath, we went to meeting and heard Brother Brigham and others preach. On our way home, we met the captain, tired and dirty, just entering the fort, thus proving the truth of the widow's words: 'I will beat you to the valley and ask for no help either.' "

Transcript for Joseph F. Smith, "How One Widow [Mary Fielding Smith] Crossed the Plains," Young Woman's Journal, February 1919, 165, 171

Young Woman's Journal.

Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days

Prophets of the Restoration

Global Histories

Revelations in Context

Women of Conviction

Joseph Smith Papers

Church Historian’s Press

More

Publications

Church History Museum

Historic Sites

Church History Library

Visit

Church History Catalog

Missionary Database

Pioneer Database

Treasures of the Collection

Pioneer Resources

Research

Church Historic Sites

Quick Links

Church History Biographical Database

/chd/landing

motherReferenceId

fatherReferenceId

Honeydon, Bedfordshire, England, Great Britain

birthPlace

baptizedBy

baptizedByReferenceId

missionQualifier

maritalStatusWhenCalled

residenceWhenCalled

missionOrganizationReferenceIdValue

locationServed

released

arrived-in-field

departed-from-home

Kirtland Township, Geauga, Ohio, United States

with-missionary-activity

called

associatedPeople

departed-from-field

company-arrived

joined-company

with-pioneer-activity

Rachel Fielding

Ellen Fielding

Mary Ann Peak

Heber Fielding

Hannah Greenwood

Mary Ann Fielding

Joseph Greenwood Fielding

pioneerCompanyReferenceIdValue

Great Salt Lake City, Great Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States

deathPlace

Default List Title

The Church History Biographical Database is a powerful research tool that contains biographical entries on over 100,000 early Latter-day Saints, such as pioneers who traveled to Utah and missionaries who served throughout the world from 1830-1940.

Name

Presided Over

Sources

Title

Joseph Fielding

Birth Date

Death Date

Gender

Sources