biography of cornelius p. lott (1798-1850)

The Life of Cornelius P. Lott

By Gary Ford

2005

ii

Contents

Page

Prologue……………………………………………………………………………………. iii

Chapter

1. Birth, Beginnings, and Background………………………………………………… 1

2. Joining with the Latter-day Saints…………………………………………………. 4

3. General Lott and the Missouri Conflict……………………………………………. 8

4. Superintendent of Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo Farm………………………………….. 14

5. Camp Leader on the Iowa Trail……………………………………………………. 28

6. High Councilor at the Missouri River……………………………………………… 30

7. Captain Lott and the Trek West……………………………………………………. 41

8. Senator Lott in the Territory of Deseret…………………………………………… 49

Timeline of the Life of Cornelius P. Lott………………………………………………….. 54

Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………….. 58

iii

Prologue

I wrote a thesis for Brigham Young University on Cornelius P. Lott and his role in caring

for the livestock at Winter Quarters and the importance of that work. Every time a person would

ask me what I was writing on, I had to explain who Cornelius P. Lott was. Unfortunately, the

most well known story of Lott has to do with his conflict with Mary Fielding Smith while

crossing the plains, which does not put him into a very favorable light. The account came from

Joseph F. Smith, remembering back to the trek when he was nine-years-old. When I was telling a

descendant of Joseph F. Smith about Cornelius P. Lott and my thesis, she smiled and said, “Oh

yes, he’s considered a villain in my family!”

In spite of that reputation, here was a man who worked closely with and was loved by

Joseph Smith. He later developed a close relationship with Brigham Young as well. He very

much gave his life for the gospel of Jesus Christ. This work is not to debate Lott’s character, but

rather to tell the story and allow the reader to come to know the man. I am one of Lott’s

descendants and hope that many others of his descendants will be able to read this come to

appreciate the life of our great-great-great grandfather.

Sincerely,

Gary Stan Ford

1

Chapter 1

Birth, Beginnings, and Background

The Lott Family

A native of New York City, Cornelius Peter Lott was born on September 22, 1798, and

baptized five days later in the Reformed Dutch Church as an only child to Pieter Lott and Mary

Jane Smiley Lott.1 Cornelius’s daughter wrote, “His parents taught him to be fair and honest in

his dealings with others, and he in turn taught his own children the same principles when they

came along.” She further explained that he “was taught to work with his hands, and taught also

that hard work helps to build a strong character. He learned at an early age to be obedient.”2

Cornelius P. Lott came from a religious family that actively supported the Reformed

Dutch Church. His grandfather, Cornelius Lott, born in New Jersey in 1738, set an example of

religiosity and patriotism for his posterity. In 1766, grandfather Lott joined part of seventy heads

of families of the Dutch settlers in the Millstone Valley of New Jersey to petition for the building

of a new church. Records indicate that in December of that year, said Lott donated ten pounds

and ten shillings for the building itself and an additional fifteen pounds to the “Consistory of the

Church.” Further, grandfather Lott continued to support the church for the next number of years

and was listed as one of the trustees for the farm where the Millstone Church had been built in

1774 and had also donated fifteen pounds for the last payment on the parsonage on March 6,

1777.3

In addition to his contributions to the Dutch Reformed Church, said Lott supported the

cause of freedom for the American colonies as he served as First Lieutenant during the

Revolutionary War from 1779 to1783. After the war, Lieutenant Lott became part of a

committee to solicit help in order to rebuild the Millstone Church that had been ruined during

battle.4 The man died in Millstone, New Jersey, in 1816, after a life of service toward church,

country, and fellow men. His legacy certainly had an impact on the life of his family, including

his grandson, who received his grandfather’s name.

Cornelius Lott the Farmer

Raised in New York and Pennsylvania, Cornelius P. Lott “learned to love animals and

took great pride in them. He also loved the soil and liked to farm.”5 According to his daughter,

farming was “the kind of work he loved and was best suited for.”6 As far as his physical

1 See A. V. Phillips, The Lott Family in America (Trenton, New Jersey: Traver’s Book Store, 1942), 36.

2 Alzina Lucinda Lott Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” TMs (Lehi, Utah: by Martha Joella Lott

Baum, [before 1910]), 1. 3 See Phillips, The Lott Family in America, 32.

4 See Phillips, The Lott Family in America, 33.

5 Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 1. All citations appear as found in the original text.

6 Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 11.

2

appearance as a young man, “He had black eyes and black hair.”7 Joseph Smith III, the Prophet

Joseph Smith’s son, would later describe Cornelius as “a very strong man of sturdy build and

medium height” and that he had “a fine, very high-pitched voice. . .”8

Figure 1 Sketch of Cornelius P. Lott

Marriage and the Beginning of a Family

On April 27, 1823, Cornelius, age 24, married the seventeen-year-old Permelia Darrow at

Bridgewater, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Their daughter, Alzina, described Permelia as

“quiet, well mannered and well educated, and young. She came from a very prominent family,

being the daughter of Joseph Darrow and Mary Ward Darrow, and the granddaughter of General

Ward, 1728-1800, and Captain Darrow. They were both of Revolutionary War fame.”9 Children

blessed their home: Melissa was born in 1824 at Tuckhannock, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania;

John Smiley in 1826 at Springville in Luzerne County; Mary Elizabeth in 1827 at Susquehanna,

Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; Almira Henrietta in 1829 at Bridgewater in Susquehanna County;

Permelia Jane in 1832 at Bridgewater; Alzina Lucinda in 1834 at Tuckhannock; and Harriet

Amanda in 1836 at Tuckhannock.10

During those years, the Lotts “were desperately poor and

7 “History of Cornelius Peter Lott,” TMs, submitted 26 June 2001, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Salt Lake City.

8 Joseph Smith III, The Memoirs of President Joseph Smith III (1832-1932), ed. Richard P. Howard (Independence,

Missouri: Herald Publishing House, 1979), 22. 9 Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 1-2. George Darrow fought in “the Battle of Bemington Heights,

Stillwater and Saratoga, and in the campaign of Quebec” (Rhea Vance Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott,

1798-1972 (Providence, Utah: by the author, 1972), 72). 10

See Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott, 24, 29, 37, 42, 50, and 60. Also see Willes, “Personal History of

Cornelius P. Lott,” 2. The United States 1830 Census shows that Cornelius and his family lived in Bridgewater,

Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, with a household of six (see United States 1830 Census: Bridgewater Township,

Susquehanna Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, p. 79, available from Ancestry.com; Internet).

3

constantly on the move.”11

This compelled Cornelius to take employment wherever he was

able.12

11

Alzina Lucinda Lott Willes, “Personal History of Alzina Lucinda Lott Willes,” TMs (Lehi, Utah: by Martha Joella

Lott Baum, [before 1910]), 1. 12

See Alzina Lucinda Lott Willes, “Personal History of Permelia Darrow Lott,” TMs (Lehi, Utah: by Martha Joella

Lott Baum, [before 1910]), 1.

4

Chapter 2

Joining with the Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints In 1834 the Lott family was baptized and became members of The Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints.13

Alzina noted that the restored church was what her parents “had been

searching for” and both of them joined at the same time. She wrote, “They gained a strong

testimony that never left them.”14

Cornelius and Permelia were the only two of their respective

families to unite with the Church. After being baptized, Cornelius and his family moved to

Kirtland, Ohio. This they did “to be near the body of the Saints and obey council.”15

Disfellowshipped

In the beginnings of 1836, the Kirtland High Council disfellowshipped Cornelius with

three others for having insulted Cyrus Smalling of the First Quorum of the Seventy and for

speaking wrongfully against the Church. The notice read, “We the high council of Kirtland,

hereby inform Jacob Shibley, Daniel Brownwell, Peter Brownwell and Cornelius P. Lott, that we

have withdrawn our fellowship from them for disobeying the commandments of the Lord, until

they make satisfaction. JOHN SMITH, Ch’n, CYRUS SMALLING, Clerk.”16

A few months later, only

four days before the Kirtland Temple was to be dedicated, Cornelius acknowledged his faults

and petitioned for reinstatement. His statement reads in the following manner:

Agreeable to the decision of the High Council of Kirtland, held March 8th, 1836: wherein Cornelius P. Lott

and others were put on suspense; this is to all whom it may concern, that I confess the decision of the

13

There is a discrepancy regarding when the Lott family joined the Church. One family record asserted, “Cornelius

and Permelia became interested in the Mormon Church in 1836 and they were baptized on December 13, 1836”

(Ferril A. Losee, Jana K. Hardman, and Lyman A. Losee, The Losee Family History: Ancestors and Descendants of

Lyman Peter Losee and Mary Ann Peterson [Provo, Utah: n.p., 2000], 17). Alzina, on the other hand, claimed that

her family had joining the Church in 1837 (See Willes, “Personal History of Alzina Lucinda Lott Willes,” 1).

However, the Messenger and Advocate made mention of Cornelius as a Church member in Kirtland as early as

February 1836 (See Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate, ed. Oliver Cowdery [Kirtland, Ohio: Oliver

Cowdery & Co., 1836], 2:271). Others have asserted that the Lotts joined the Church as early as 1833 (See Lyndon

Cook and Milton Backman, eds., Kirtland Elders’ Quorum Records [Provo, Utah: Grandin Book Co., 1985],

biographical appendix; Dale Hatch, Hatch Family Pioneer Stories & History, 2 vols. [Idaho Falls, Idaho: Snake

River Valley Publisher, 2002], 2:124; Todd Compton, In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith [Salt

Lake City: Signature Books, 1997], 596; and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel and T. Jeffery Cottle, Old Mormon Nauvoo

and Southeastern Iowa: Historic Photographs and Guide [Santa Ana, California: Fieldbrook Productions, 1991],

176). Hosea Stout, who joined the Church in 1838, noted that Cornelius Lott had “been a member of this church

nearly from its rise” (Hosea Stout, On the Mormon Frontier: The Diary of Hosea Stout 1844-1861, ed. Juanita

Brooks [Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1964], 373). Permelia Lott’s obituary in 1882 is the best source

concerning the Lotts’ baptism, stating that she “joined the Church with her husband in 1834” (“Died,” Deseret News

[Salt Lake City], January 18, 1882, p. 816). 14

Willes, “Personal History of Permelia Darrow Lott,” 1. 15


See Messenger and Advocate, 2:271. Also see Messenger and Advocate, 2:336.

5

Council to be just and righteous; and that we were in a wrong spirit and were led to say many things that

were wrong concerning brother Cyrus Smalling and the church, for which I ask the forgiveness of those

who, in so doing, I have injured; and I will endeavor to live hereafter by every word that proceeds from the

mouth of the Lord.

CORNELIUS P. LOTT.

Kirtland, May 23d, 1836.17

His repentance must have been considered sincere, as he received his elder’s

license shortly thereafter on August 6, 1836.18

In addition, the following year, he attended an

Elders Quorum meeting in the Kirtland Temple where Church leaders anointed him and others

with oil on March 31, 1837.19

Patriarchal Blessing

Some time during the Kirtland period of Church history, Lott received a patriarchal

blessing under the hands of Joseph Smith, Sr., who then served as the Church patriarch. The

blessing was as follows:

Brother Lott in the name of Jesus Christ I lay my hands on thy head I ask my heavenly father to shew thee

the corruption of thy heart, of the world, and of the branch of the Church where thou does reside. Thou

shalt have power to defend the cause of truth and nothing shall stay thee. Thou shalt see the Savior if

faithful, and angels shall minister unto thee. And I seal upon thee the fathers blessing even long life, and

eternal life. Thou shalt receive the blessings of the Priesthood in all its fullness, also thou shalt bless thy

family and teach them righteousness. Thou shalt stand when the heavens shall rend and thou shalt have the

riches of the Earth, and of eternity. This for thee and for thy posterity to all generations. Thou art sealed up

unto eternal life even so, Amen.20

The Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company

Towards the end of 1836, the Prophet Joseph Smith began to organize the Kirtland Safety

Society Anti-Banking Company and shortly thereafter invited the Latter-day Saints to invest

stock in the enterprise.21

On January 2, 1837, Cornelius complied with the Prophet’s invitation

17

Messenger and Advocate, 2:336. 18

Cook and Backman, eds., Kirtland Elders’ Quorum Records, biographical appendix. Also see Messenger and

Advocate, 382. In the early days of the Church, leaders gave licenses to all priesthood holders and missionaries so

they could verify their authority among those whom they served in their travels (see Donald Q. Cannon, “Licensing

in the Early Church,” BYU Studies 22 (Fall 1982): 96-106. 19

Cook and Backman, eds., Kirtland Elders’ Quorum Records, 28. Concerning the anointing with oil, two modern

scholars explained, “In January 1836, two months before the dedication ceremonies, Joseph Smith introduced

among the leaders an ordinance of washing and anointing with oil, which symbolized the spirituality and cleanliness

they desired” (James B. Allen and Glen M. Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints, 2d ed. [Salt Lake City:

Deseret Book, 1992], 109). 20

Joseph Smith, Sr., Blessing of Cornelius P. Lott who was born in the city of New York, A.D. 1798, (vol. 2, p.

85), Historical Department Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City. 21

See The History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols., ed. B.H. Roberts (Salt Lake City:

Deseret Book, 1980), 2:473. Joseph Smith and other leaders of the Church organized the Kirtland Safety Society

Anti-Banking Company in Kirtland, Ohio, in a time when the Church faced financial hardship. Unsuccessful in

obtaining a bank charter from the state of Ohio, Church leaders established a joint stock association, appointing the

Prophet as treasurer, to fill the purpose of banking in Kirtland. Through possible acts of embezzlement from one of

the tellers, Warren Parrish, coupled with a nation-wide financial crash that occurred in 1837, hitting Ohio especially

hard, the Kirtland Safety Society failed. The failure caused a great deal of bitter feelings against Joseph Smith, both

6

and became a member of said society.22

Alzina explained her father’s motivation for being

involved in public affairs, saying that he was “always ready and willing to do what he could to

help build a better community and help protect the interests of the Saints.”23

Lott pledged to

invest six shares of stock at fifty dollars each, making a total of three hundred dollars. However,

he only paid a fraction of that amount, with two dollars on January 5, 1837, and fifty cents on

March 10, 1837.24

Cornelius was part of the two-thirds of the members of the Kirtland Safety Society that

were present at the special meeting held on January 2, 1837. On the occasion Sidney Rigdon was

called to the chair and Warren Parrish became the secretary. Rigdon explained that the object of

the meeting “was – 1st, to annul the old constitution’ which was adopted by the society, on the

second day of November, 1836; which was, on motion by the unanimous voice of the meeting,

annulled. 2nd

, to adopt articles of agreement, by which the ‘Kirtland Safety Society’ is to be

governed.”25

The Kirtland Apostasy of 1837

Though 1837 proved to be a year of strife and apostasy in Kirtland, in great part because

of the Panic of 1837 and the demise of the Kirtland Safety Society. Nothing indicates that

Cornelius wavered in his dedication to Joseph Smith during that time. Due to the persecutions,

the Prophet and other Church leaders fled to Missouri by January of 1838. The Lott family also

had to suffer through the difficult times. Alzina Lott Willes commented, “We were actually

driven from our homes by the mobs who were in themselves obsessed by hatred for us. . . . We

only had a few things in our possession when my family loaded our wagons. These possessions

consisted of bedding, clothing and food. The rest of our possessions had to be left as plunder to

the mobs who were to take possession of our homes.”26

Alzina reported that from Kirtland, the Lotts made the journey to Missouri, where they

settled near Haun’s Mill.27

She asserted that her family left Ohio with the Kirtland Camp.28

from in and out of the Church (see Scott H. Partridge, “The Failure of the Kirtland Safety Society,” BYU Studies 12

[Summer 1972]: 437-454). 22

See Messenger and Advocate, 3:475-477. 23

Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 2. 24

See Stock ledger and index [microform], 1837-1838, 213, from the “Mormon Collection” of the Chicago

Historical Society, 1837-1838, available at L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo,

Utah. Also during this time, Lott made some purchases at the Newel K. Whitney Store. On February 17, 1837, he

bought shirt buttons for 21¢, nails for 13¢, and snuff for 6¢. A couple of weeks later, on March 7, he bought15 ¾

yards of calico for $3.30 and paid $3.50 to someone named Cheney. Four days after, on March 11, he paid an order

of $1.25 for Cheney (Newel K. Whitney Store ledger). 25

History of the Church, 2:470. 26

Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 2-3. 27

See Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 4. Also see Compton, In Sacred Loneliness, 596. Note:

Alzina asserted that her family left Ohio with the Kirtland Camp (See “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 4).

The Kirtland Camp consisted of a group of over 500 Saints, many of which were the poor, frail, or elderly, who

departed from Kirtland on July 6, 1838, and arrived at Adam-ondi-Ahman in Missouri on October 4, 1838, under the

direction of the seven presidents of the Seventy. The purpose of the Camp was to aid those who need the assistance

to make the long trek from Ohio to Missouri (See Gordon Orville Hill, “A History of Kirtland Camp: Its Initial

Purpose and Notable Accomplishments” [Masters thesis, Brigham Young University, 1975], 131-132). However,

Alzina, who would have only been four years old at the time, may have been in error since the Lott family does not

appear on the list of those who subscribed to be part of the camp (See History of the Church, 3:91-93). Furthermore,

Cornelius himself could not have been part of the Kirtland Camp since journal entries began to make mention of him

7

in Missouri as early as July 1838, the time that the Kirtland Camp had just begun to set off (See Elders' Journal of

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Vol. 1, Number 4, Far West, Missouri, August 1838, 60. L. Tom

Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Also see Elijah Averett, “The Averett

Narrative,” Transcription of the Averett Family ledger book, TMs, comp. Murray Averett (1972), L. Tom Perry

Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah). 28

See Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 4.

8

Chapter 3

General Lott and the Missouri Conflict

The Far West Temple Shortly after Joseph Smith’s arrival to Far West, Missouri, on April 26, 1838, the Lord

charged the Latter-day Saints, “Therefore I command you to build a house unto me, for the

gathering together of my saints, that they may worship me. And let there be a beginning of this

work, and a foundation, and preparatory work, this following summer; And let the beginning be

made on the fourth day of July next; and from that time forth let my people labor diligently to

build a house unto my name;…” (Doctrine and Covenants 115:8-10). Cornelius Lott responded

to the Lord’s call to build the temple. Elijah Averett noted, “On July 4, 1838 the foundation of

the temple was laid by Brother Joseph Smith and his Council. Elisha Averett, my brother,

Demick Huntington, and Cornelius Lot quarried rock for the temple, Elisha, being chief mason

laying the foundation that day.”1

The Latter-day Saints put on an Independence Day celebration in Far West on July 4,

1838. As part of the festivities, they held a procession, which led to the temple lot where they

performed a ceremony for laying the cornerstones for the Far West Temple. Among the officers

at the celebration were Joseph Smith, President of the day; Hyrum Smith, Vice President; Sidney

Ridgon, Orator; Reynolds Cahoon, Marshal of the day; Colonel George Hinkle and Major

Jefferson Hunt, Assistant Marshals; George W. Robinson, Colonel for the day; Philo Dibble,

Lieutenant Colonel; Seymour Brunson, Major; Reed Peck, as Adjutant; Jared Carter, Sampson

Avard, and Cornelius P. Lott, Generals.2 Of that occasion, Joseph Smith wrote, “The day was

spent in celebrating the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America, and also

by the Saints making a ‘Declaration of Independence’ from all mobs and persecutions which

have been inflicted upon them, time after time, until they could bear it no longer; having been

driven by ruthless mobs and enemies of truth from their homes, and having had their property

confiscated, their lives exposed, and their all jeopardized by such barbarous conduct.”3

The War Against Mobocracy

In spite of Joseph Smith’s “Declaration of Independence” against mobocracy, the events

of August 6, 1838 proved to worsen the Latter-day Saints’ circumstances in the state of Missouri.

That day, being election day in Gallatin, Daviess county, turned sour as “Mormon” settlers were

refused their rights to vote. One Missourian, being drunk, commenced to bully the Latter-day

Saints, resulting in a riot. Rumors of the incident from both the Latter-day Saints and the

1 Averett, “The Averett Narrative,” 1.

2 See Elders' Journal of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Vol. 1, Number 4, Far West, Missouri,

August 1838, 60. L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. 3 History of The Church, 3:41.

9

Missourians caused the rift between the two to escalate dramatically. In honor of the men who

fought for their rights in Gallatin, Joseph Smith exclaimed, “Blessed be the memory of those few

brethren who contended so strenuously for their constitutional rights and religious freedom,

against such an overwhelming force of desperadoes!”4

On August 8, two days after the Gallatin incident, between nine and ten o’clock in the

morning, Adam Black, a justice of the peace in Daviess county, recalled that Cornelius Lott

joined Colonel Lyman Wight with about 17 others, to call on him with the request that he sign an

agreement to protect the Latter-day Saints’ rights. According to Black, he declined to sign the

agreement and tried to persuade Wight to go through the proper court system, but that Wight

refused because the government would not defend the Latter-day Saints, as had been the case

when they were driven from their homes in Jackson County. Black claimed that Wight made a

threat that the “Mormons” would take matters into their own hands. As the men mounted their

horses, he said to them, “Gentlemen, I don't want you to go off and say that I refused to issue you

civil process.” In response to his petition, “Cornelius Lott turned on his horse, and one or two of

the others saying, ‘You black son of a _______, don't you impeach us with lying.’” Black replied

that “he was not impeaching them with lying, but only requesting them not to lie,” to which Lott

responded, “you mob, you black son of a _______, shut your head, or I'll cut it off, or take your

head.” Finally, Black ordered them to leave, telling them he did not feel he should be insulted in

that way on his own property.5

The Latter-day Saints, of course, have their own account of the incident to which Adam

Black referred. They recorded that a committee of five or six men, including Sampson Avard,

Lyman Wight, and Cornelius Lott, were appointed to call upon Black in order to promote peace.

Upon visiting Black, the men found him to be unfriendly towards them and “refused to give

them any satisfaction. This, tended to confirm the report, that he was head of a mob – it created

some uneasiness.”6

The Latter-day Saint account indicates that there was quite a large company of their men

that were near Adam Black’s house throughout that day of August 8 because of a spring where

they could drink and also give water to their horses.7 In this company were about 154 men,

including Cornelius Lott.8 Not long after the first visit, Sampson Avard, “and a number of others,

went into his house and again interrogated him respecting the mob, and some angry words

passed between them.” At this point, Black requested that he speak with Joseph Smith.9

In his own account, Black contended that the men surrounded his house and blocked up

the doors. He reported that Sampson Avard approached him threatening to “cut him down, or

4 History of The Church, 3:59.

5 See Document containing the correspondence, orders, &c. in relation to the disturbances with the Mormons and

the evidence given before the Hon. Austin A. King, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri, at the

courthouse in Richmond, in a criminal court of inquiry, begun November 12, 1838, on the trial of Joseph Smith, Jr.,

and others for high treason and other crimes against the state (Fayette, Missouri: Boon’s Lick Democrat, 1841),

161. L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. 6 An Appeal to the American People: Being an Account of the Persecutions of the Church of Latter Day Saints; and

of the Barbarities Inflicted on them by the Inhabitants of the State of Missouri, 2d ed., (Cincinnati: Shepard &

Stearns, 1840), 19. 7 See An Appeal to the American People, 19.

8 See Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, August 28, 1838, Historical Department

Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City. 9 See An Appeal to the American People, 20.

10

shoot him down” if he did not sign the affidavit. Shortly thereafter, Black met Joseph Smith and

“a considerable argument ensued between them about the propriety of witness signing the

obligation.” Black still refused to sign and called on the “Mormons” to be Christians and after

some discussion, they agreed to allow him to write his own affidavit to support the United States

Constitution, stating that he was not affiliated with a mob. Some of the men insisted that he add

that he would not molest the Latter-day Saints any further inasmuch that they would not molest

him. Once he signed it, they appeared to be satisfied.10

Joseph Smith’s account of the transaction greatly differs. He recorded that they “politely

requested him to sign an agreement, but being jealous, he would not sign it, but said he would

write one himself to our satisfaction and sign it, which he did,…”11

According to the Prophet,

Black then wrote a document stating that he would uphold the Constitution and would not molest

the Latter-day Saints so long as they would not molest him.12

Twenty days later, Adam Black signed another document before William Dryden, also a

justice of the peace in Daviess county, which accused the “Mormons” of carrying weapons and

threatening his life if he didn’t cooperate.13

Concerning Black’s statement of August 28, Joseph

Smith observed that the document showed Black “in his true light – a detestable, unprincipled

mobocrat and perjured man.”14

Throughout the next couple of months, antipathy between the Missourians and the Latter-

day Saints escalated beyond threats and into warfare. The Latter-day Saints maintained that they

were simply protecting their freedoms.15

Benjamin F. Johnson recalled, “Patriotic spirit never

enthused man than that which animated our leaders in this just defense of our rights.”16

Certainly

influenced by the Church leaders and possibly moved to action in remembrance of his

grandfather’s participation in the Revolutionary War, Cornelius P. Lott played an active role in

the Latter-day Saints’ cause of defense against the Missouri mobs. Hosea Stout recalled that Lott

“was commander of the Horse in Far-West at the time of the surrender in which corps I

served.”17

At a quarterly conference on October 6, 1838, Lott volunteered to serve a mission in

Kentucky along with James Carroll, James Galliher, Luman A. Shurtliff, James Dana, Ahaz

Cook, Isaac Decker, and Alpheus Gifford. President Thomas B. Marsh instructed them “to go in

the spirit of meekness, and preach repentance.”18

Yet, due to the conflict with the Missourians,

the men were unable to serve the mission at that time.19

In fact, later that month, Cornelius Lott

and his family were present during the tragic massacre at Haun’s Mill that occurred on October

10

See Document containing the correspondence, orders, &c, 161-162. 11


See History of the Church, 3:59-60. 13


Journal History, August 28, 1838. Also see History of the Church, 3:64-65. 15

See Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, revised and enhanced edition, ed. Scot Facer Proctor and

Maurine Jensen Proctor (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2000), 217-218. 16

Benjamin F. Johnson, My Life’s Review: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Johnson (Provo, Utah: Grandin

Book Company, 1997), 33. 17

Stout, On the Mormon Frontier, 373. 18

History of the Church, 3:153-155. 19

See Luman Andros Shurtliff, Biographical Sketch of the Life of Luman Andros Shurtliff (Provo, Utah: Brigham

Young University, 1956), 38.

11

30, 1838. Alzina Lott, only four years old at the time, later recorded of the event, “Our parents

played down the occurrance when we were young.”20

Benjamin F. Johnson, reported that shortly after the tragedy at Haun’s Mill, Cornelius

Lott led a company of about twenty men on horseback, of which Johnson was part, to the home

of one Taylor on the Grand River, who supposedly held arms and ammunition for anti-Mormon

mobs. The Taylors denied the accusation, but were compelled to allow the men to search their

place. Lott’s company informed them that if they found no weapons, they would leave the place

in peace, but if any were located, they would burn them out. Unable to find the weaponry within

the houses and barns, Lott ordered his men to search the cornfields, wherein they indeed found

the arms and ammunition. The Latter-day Saint band, though allowing the residents to quickly

take from their home what they could carry, then plundered and burned the Taylor’s house.

Benjamin Johnson noted, “And here I might say there was almost a trial of my faith in my pity

for our enemies, even those who were plotting our destruction. . . . My sympathies were drawn

towards the women & children, but I would in no degree let them deter me from my duty.”21

Not long after the incident, Benjamin Johnson was arrested and incarcerated. When taken

before the justice of the peace, who happened to be Adam Black, Johnson was pressed to

disclose the name of the man who had led the company to the Taylor’s. Johnson replied that he

“had heard the man called Capt. Cornelius, it being Cornelius P. Lot.”22

In connection with all the events of the summer and autumn of 1838, Cornelius Lott,

along with Joseph Smith, Lyman Wight, and James Worthington, was indicted for larceny by the

Daviess Circuit Court in 1841.23

The record of March 18, 1841 stated, “And Cornelius P. Lott,

was indicted at the same term of our said court, for horse stealing; and Jos. Smith, jr., was

indicted at the same term of our said court for receiving stolen goods.”24

The Danites

Because of Lott’s participation in these events, questions arise as to his affiliation with

Sampson Avard and the Danite band.25

Reed Peck, once a Danite himself, testified of the

following:

A short time after Cowdrey and the Whitmers left Far West, (some time in June,) George W. Robertson and

Philo Dibble invited me to a Danite meeting. I went; and the only speaker was Dr. Avard. . . . The Danite

oath was administered to about 30 or 40 persons at this meeting. Philo Dibble told me who the head

officers of the Danite band were: that George W. Robertson was colonel, that he (Dibble) was lieutenant

20

Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 4. Haun’s Mill was a small mill on Shoal Creek, owned by a

Latter-day Saint named Jacob Haun. The small settlement consisted of some thirty families. On October 30, 1838,

between 200 and 250 Missouri men, under the command of Colonel Thomas Jennings, brutally bombarded the

settlement and murdered eighteen Latter-day Saints (See Allen and Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints,

137). For a more comprehensive study on the subject, see Alma R. Blair, “The Haun’s Mill Massacre,” BYU Studies

13 (Fall 1972), 62-67. Also see Alexander L. Baugh, A Call to Arms: The 1838 Mormon Defense of Northern

Missouri (Provo, Utah: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History: BYU Studies, 2000), 115-127. 21

Johnson, My Life’s Review, 29-30. 22

Johnson, My Life’s Review, 35. 23

Document containing the correspondence, orders, &c., 155. Note: In the original, Lott’s name was mistakenly

written as “Cornelius D. Lott.” 24

Document containing the correspondence, orders, &c., 157. 25

Todd Compton asserts that Lott “was actively involved in Danite activities during the troubles” (Compton, In

Sacred Loneliness, 597). Also see D. Michael Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power (Salt Lake City:

Signature Books, 1994), 524.

12

colonel, and Seymour Brunson major, and that I was chosen adjutant. After that, I had a talk with George

W. Robertson and Philo Dibble together, in which I was informed who the officers were, as above; and

further, that Jared Carter was captain general of the band, Cornelius P. Lott major general, and Sampson

Avard brigadier general. This is as I recollect it.26

Historians today vary in their views of the Danites. Some wrote, “It is probable, however,

that, except for those who followed Avard, the group was not as secret or insidious as some

critics have argued. Rather, it was formed to protect the Saints and to perform community

service for them.”27

In addition, many members of the Church at the time, including Joseph

Smith, believed that they should fight in defense of their families and religious freedom.28

A

contemporary of Lott named Luman Shurtliff explained how he viewed the Danites, saying,

“About this time I was invited to unite with a society called the Danite society. It was got up for

our personal defense, also for the protection of our families, property and religion. Signs and

pass words were given by which members could know the other wherever they met, night or

day.”29

Many scholars maintain a distinction between the Danites and the Mormon militia

troops.30

The History of the Church states, “And here let it be distinctly understood, that these

companies of tens and fifties got up by Avard, were altogether separate and distinct from those

companies of tens and fifties organized by the brethren for self defense, in case of an attack from

the mob.”31

The History of the Church further attests that Avard had formed “a secret combination by

which he might rise a mighty conqueror, at the expense and the overthrow of the Church.”32

Avard held secret meetings daily and bound his followers by oaths. He deceived many into

believing that leaders of the Church had given him authority as a spokesman to build the

kingdom of Jesus Christ on earth through violent acts of robbery and plunder. However, in one

such secret meeting, where Avard lectured on how to organize their attacks, the Danite officers

revolted against him saying, “such proceedings would be in open violation of the laws of our

country, would be robbing our fellow citizens of their rights, and are not according to the

language and doctrine of Christ, or of the Church of Latter-day Saints.”33

One historian argued

that Joseph Smith knew and at least tacitly approved of the Danite activities during the summer

of 1838, but that he was unaware of Avard’s secret teachings until after the fact.34

26

Document Showing the Testimony Given Before the Judge of the Fifth Judicial District of the State of Missouri, on

the Trial of Joseph Smith, Jr., and others, for High Treason and Other Crimes Against that State. (Washington, D.

C.: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1841), 17. Note: Peck identified one of the participants as George W.

Robertson. This is undoubtedly a mistake, since other testimonials of the same document identified the man as

George W. Robinson. 27

Allen and Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints, 130-131. 28

See Allen and Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints, 132. Also see History of the Church, 3:67-68. 29

Shurtliff, Biographical Sketch of the Life of Luman Andros Shurtliff, 33. 30

See Baugh, A Call to Arms, 41; Stephen C. LeSueur, The 1838 Mormon War In Missouri [Columbia, Missouri:

University of Missouri Press, 1987], 125-125; and Leland H. Gentry, “A History of the Latter-day Saints in

Northern Missouri from 1836-1839” (Ph.D. diss., Brigham Young University, 1964], 326-330). 31




See Baugh, A Call to Arms, 42-43.

13

The Church excommunicated Sampson Avard on March 17, 1839, under the direction of

Brigham Young in Quincy, Illinois, after the Latter-day Saints left Missouri.35

Lott must have

been among those who rejected Avard’s doctrine since he was not excommunicated, but rather

went on to follow the Church leaders to Illinois and serve as a loyal member of the Church.

The Latter-day Saints’ Evacuation from Missouri

Once the Prophet had been imprisoned and the Far West Latter-day Saints had fallen to

the Missourians, it became apparent to Brigham Young and the Quorum of the Twelve that they

would have to evacuate the state. Hence, on January 26, 1839, Young formed the Committee on

Removal in order to expedite the Latter-day Saints’ departure.36

Cornelius Lott had already left

four days earlier for Quincy, Illinois, in the company of Samuel Bent, Alvey Keller, Henry

Jacobs, and Jonathan Dunham.37

In addition to the difficulty of the times, Cornelius’s wife

Permelia delivered another son, Joseph Darrow Lott, on February 18, 1839.38

35

See History of the Church, 3:284. 36


See George Henry Abbott Harris, Autobiography, 1854-1892, AMs, 352-354, L. Tom Perry Special Collections,

Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, available from http:// catalog.lib.byu.edu/

uhtbin/cgisirsi/cj3J8DidBu/103470006/9; Internet. 38

There is a discrepancy concerning the whereabouts of the Lott family in 1839. Most family group sheets record

that Joseph Darrow Lott was born in Kirtland, Ohio. In fact, one historian has asserted that the Lotts returned to

Kirtland, Ohio, after leaving Missouri, and then made their way to Nauvoo by 1842 (See Cook and Backman, eds.,

Kirtland Elders’ Quorum Record 1836-1841, Biographical Index). One family history even claimed, “The Lott

family was still in Kirtland in 1839 when their eighth child, Joseph Darrow Lott was born” (The Losee Family

History: Ancestors and Descendants of Lyman Peter Losee and Mary Ann Peterson, 17). The latter claim is quite

unlikely since plenty of the foregoing evidence supports the fact that Cornelius Lott lived in Missouri at least from

July 1838 to January 1839. In addition, Alzina made no mention of her family returning to Ohio for any period of

time.

14

Chapter 4

Superintendent of Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo Farm

The Lotts in Pike County, Illinois Little is recorded about the next four years of Cornelius’s life, except that after leaving

Missouri, he and his family settled in Pike County, Illinois.1

It is not clear exactly when Lott fulfilled the mission he had volunteered to serve in

October 1838, yet his daughter recorded that he did indeed serve a mission.2 Luman A. Shurtliff,

who was one of the other men that volunteered to serve in Kentucky later wrote, “I felt anxious

to fulfill my covenant with the Lord, that was to preach the Gospel as long as I lived. I had

volunteered in Far West but the war prevented one, so I knew it was my duty to go when I

could.”3 Shurtliff went on to serve a mission first to Ohio and eventually to Kentucky.

4 Since

Lott’s circumstances paralleled those of Shurtliff, it is probable that Cornelius went to preach the

gospel some time during 1839 to 1842.

One record indicates that, as an elder, Lott signed a certificate, along with Elder Eleazer

Miller, for a member of the Church named Richard Woolsey of the Vandalia Branch in Illinois

on October 12, 1840.5

Nauvoo

Upon moving to Nauvoo in 1842, Cornelius built a temporary shelter made of boards for

his family. Alzina later wrote that shortly after their arrival, “a terrible snow storm arose one

night and we awoke to find ourselves in a desperate plight. Our house was full of snow.

Everything was soaking wet, our bedding, our clothing, everything! Someone came and rescued

us, by sheltering us first in a wagon and then taking us to brother Joseph’s house in the city.” She

continued, “We stayed in his home for about two weeks eating at his table and enjoying his

hospitality. Words cannot express our gratitude to him for his kindness to us at such a crucial

time and the kindness shown also, by his wife, Emma and their children.”6 That same year, the

Lotts added yet another son to the family. Peter Lyman Lott was born November 2, 1842,

making a total of nine children for Cornelius and Permelia.

Superintendent of Joseph Smith’s Farm

The relationship between the Smiths and the Lotts continued as Cornelius became

employed as the superintendent of the Prophet’s farm just outside of Nauvoo about three miles.7

1 See Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 6 and Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott, 7. Also see

United States 1840 Census: Pike County, Illinois, p. 46, available from Ancestry.com, Internet. 2 See Willes, “Personal History of Permelia Darrow Lott,” 2. Also see Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott, 19.

3 Shurtliff, Biographical Sketch of the Life of Luman Andros Shurtliff, 38.

4 See Shurtliff, Biographical Sketch of the Life of Luman Andros Shurtliff, 62.

5 Available from http://www.wrightsonline.net/tng/ getperson.php?personID=I4860&tree=WS; Internet.

6 Willes, “Personal History of Alzina Lucinda Lott Willes,” 1.

7 See Willes, “Personal History of Alzina Lucinda Lott Willes,” 1.

http://www.wrightsonline.net/tng/%20getperson.php?personID=I4860&tree=WS

15

The Lotts lived in an eight-room house that had four rooms on the main level and four upstairs.

They also had a “barn suitably equipped with all the essentials.”8 The home still stands today on

the north side of the road across from the old Nauvoo cemetery. Alzina reminisced, “The

homestead was an admiration of the Prophet and a special attraction to the many travelers

passing through. . .”9

Figure 2 Lott's home on Joseph Smith's farm outside of Nauvoo.

The Lotts enjoyed a close relationship with the Prophet Joseph Smith. Alzina related,

“Almost every day the Prophet came to visit the farm, resulting in constant association with our

family. We were always happy to see him and nearly always ran to meet him when we saw him

coming.” She further attested that “there was a warm neighborly feeling” between her family and

the Smiths.10

Of this relationship, John R. Murdock, who lived with the Lotts as a hired hand,

later reminisced that Joseph Smith “often brought his family to the farm, for his family and

Father Lott were on terms of great intimacy. We all passionately loved and revered our Prophet.

He used to relate to us many instances of his life.”11

Joseph Smith’s oldest living son, Joseph III, recollected these visits as well. He noted,

“This Cornelius P. Lott and family occupied the farm east of town until the break-up occurred. I

became well acquainted with them all – his older son John, the daughters Melissa, Mary, Martha,

and Alzina, and the little son Peter. It was always pleasant to visit their place where everything

was interesting to me and everybody busy and kind.”12



10 See Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 6.

11 Tanner, A Biographical Sketch of John Riggs Murdock, (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1909), 54-55.

12 Smith, The Memoirs of President Joseph Smith III, 22.

16

Concerning the effect that the Prophet’s visits had on her family, Alzina related, “The

Prophet visited our home often and our Testimony of the Gospel grew and became stronger after

each visit, and we became more humble.”13

In his own records, Joseph Smith mentioned making trips out to the farm frequently.

There he visited with the family, dined with them, and worked.14

Cornelius’s daughter elaborated

on such events saying, “The farm was a haven of rest and refuge for the Prophet so he spent as

much time there as he possibly could. He enjoyed doing hard, physical labor, working side by

side with my father, Cornelius, hoeing potatoes or any kind of work that needed to be done.” She

continued:

It was in the fields that Cornelius’ testimony was strengthened that Joseph was truly a man of God. The

two of them had many long talks together while they worked. Cornelius said many times that when a

person was with him, he would have to know that brother Joseph was a true Prophet of God because you

could feel his wonderful influence when you were with him, as he was so humble, yet so dynamic.

Cornelius, my father, gained a Testimony, from this association that never left him.15

In addition to the Prophet’s visits to the farm, a couple of the Lott girls found

employment working for Emma Smith. Mary Elizabeth lived with the Smith’s and took care of

their children.16

Lott’s oldest daughter, Melissa, also “chaperoned the smaller and younger

children of the Smiths and at times made her home with the Prophet’s wife, Emma.”17

Alzina also

had a unique relationship with Joseph Smith. She recounted how both she and the Prophet had a

“mutual deep interest in his beautiful horse named Charles, a coal black, magnificent animal that

was an especial favorite of his.” She explained that the Prophet would go out to the farm to ride

the horse. On occasion, when Charlie was out of hearing range as the Prophet called for him,

Alzina “would go to the pasture, catch him, put the bridle on him and mount him with the aid of

a fence. Then I would ride Old Charlie up to the house which seemed to please Brother Joseph

very much. As I was the only one besides himself who could catch the horse, it made him notice

me more that way than he would have done otherwise.”18

On one occasion, Joseph Smith, being pursued by a mob, came to the farm while

Permelia Lott was alone, and asked for her to hide him. She parted the straw in the mattress and

had the Prophet climb in, after which she covered him with straw and proceeded to make the bed

as normal. When the mob arrived and observed that only one bed was made, they inquired

whether that was the first bed she had made that morning. She replied, “Yes, do you want me to

take it apart so you can see it?” Embarrassed, they declined and went on to search the other

13


See Journal History, June 6, 1842, June 16, 1842, January 27, 1843; History of the Church 5:26, 58, 66, 82, 182,

307, 358, 369, 500, 511, 515, 523,525, 527; 6:35, 46, 356, 427; and The Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 2: Journal,

1832-1842, ed. Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1992), 389. 15


See Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott, 38. Also see The Losee Family History: Ancestors and

Descendants of Lyman Peter Losee and Mary Ann Peterson, 3. 17

Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,”6. 18

Willes, “Personal History of Alzina Lucinda Lott Willes,” 1. Also see Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott,

61.

17

rooms. After finding no one in the house, they gave up and left, whereupon the Prophet came

from his hiding place.19

The Nauvoo Legion

Joseph Smith III related that shortly after the organization of the Nauvoo Legion, his

father, the Prophet, declared that the first man to provide a pair of epaulets would be named the

captain of Joseph’s personal bodyguard. Joseph III recalled:

On the morning when the guard of sixty men reported for drill, this old man Lott came in and, in a very

quiet, unostentatious manner called Father to one side and showed him a pair of epaulets, which had been

his to wear in some company elsewhere…. He seemed rather shamefaced about them, declaring he did not

wish to be captain and was not qualified to act in that capacity. Father insisted that he should take the office

and retain it for a time at least. This he did, but did not wear the epaulets very long and kindly gave the

gaudy trifles to me.20

Besides supervising the Smith farm and being involved with the Nauvoo Legion,

Cornelius “showed great interest and helped physically with all the important projects in building

the City of Nauvoo. He labored faithfully in helping to erect their most beloved structure, the

Nauvoo Temple.”21

The Wrestle with the Prophet

Cornelius also had a rather jovial side to his personality that was demonstrated in an

amusing wrestling match with the Prophet. Joseph Smith III recounted how his father was once

in the Red Brick store in Nauvoo, after having beat a number of men in wrestling matches, when

Lott entered carrying a blacksnake whip. He recalled, “Hardly had he entered when Father said

in a jolly tone, ‘Here! I have thrown down pretty nearly everybody about the place except

Brother Lott, and I believe I can throw him down too.’ The old man stopped, swung his whip

under his left arm and said, in his high, piping voice, ‘Well, my boy, if you’ll take it catch-as-

catch-can you can’t throw old man Lott!’” After agreeing upon the match, the men went outside

where Joseph Smith and Cornelius Lott “ran together several times,” yet the Prophet was unable

to beat him. Joseph III noted that after a while, “He gave up his efforts to throw the sturdy old

fellow and much good-natured banter at his expense was indulged in as he gave up the struggle.

In the midst of the jibes I heard the old man pipe out again, ‘I told you, my boy, that you couldn’t

throw old man Lott!’”22

19

See Willes, “Personal History of Permelia Darrow Lott,” 1-2. Also see Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott,

18. This event likely occurred sometime following the false accusation against Orrin Porter Rockwell and Joseph

Smith in attempting to murder Lilburn Boggs in 1842. In the late summer and early autumn of that year, Joseph

Smith went into hiding around the Nauvoo area (see Allen and Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints, 194;

Church History in the Fulness of Times, 267; and History of the Church, 5:157). 20

Smith, The Memoirs of President Joseph Smith III, 22. 21


Smith, The Memoirs of President Joseph Smith III, 22. Lott frequented the Red Brick Store on various occasions.

On Saturday, June 25, 1842, he bought 27 lbs. of bacon for $1.35 and paid an order to William Parker of $3.25. On

Thursday, June 30, he purchased a steel spade for $1.50. On Saturday, July 2, he bought 36 yards of cotton fabric for

$5.76 and a set of knives and forks for $2.00 (Roger D. Launius and F. Mark McKiernan, Joseph Smith, Jr.’s Red

Brick Store [Macomb, Illinois: Western Illinois University, 1985], 53, 57, and 73).

18

Plural Marriage

Plural marriage was one of the doctrines that Joseph Smith carefully guarded.23

Joseph

Smith recorded an explanation of the doctrine on July 12, 1843, now found in Doctrine and

Covenants section 132. A couple of weeks prior to that, on June 29, 1843, Eliza R. Snow, an

alleged plural wife to Joseph Smith, penned, “Thurs. 29th

. Took a ride to br. Lot’s in company

with Mrs. Whitney, Mrs Durfee & Mrs. Holmes. Before we returned, it was announced that a

messenger had arrived bringing the joyful intelligence that the prophet would arrive in a few

hours.”24

Of this journal entry, one scholar asserted, “Most likely their destination was actually

Joseph Smith’s farm, where Cornelius Lott was foreman. That this is Eliza’s wedding

anniversary, and that her companions were all involved in plural marriage by this date, suggests

the chief topic of discussion.”25

Only three months after this meeting at the Lott home, on

September 20, 1843, Cornelius and Permelia Lott gave their nineteen-year-old daughter, Melissa,

to Joseph Smith as a plural wife, Hyrum Smith solemnizing the ceremony.26

Though the

Prophet’s record does not mention the event, it does confirm that both he and his brother Hyrum

visited the farm that day.27

After the marriage ceremony, Melissa “spent most of the following winter with his

family, going to school in the so-called brick store. The Prophet’s children, Joseph, Fredrick, and

Alexander, went to the same school under the immediate watchful care of Melissa.”28

Since the

Prophet was not practicing plural marriage openly, he exhibited some confidence in Cornelius to

23

James B. Allen and Glen M. Leonard noted, “Because of the controversial nature of this doctrine the Prophet

initially taught it to only a few of his closest associates. Historical evidence suggests that he understood the principle

as early as 1831 and may have begun taking plural wives as early as 1835. The first documented plural marriage

came in 1841 when Louisa Beaman was sealed to the Prophet by Joseph Bates Noble. Then, after the Twelve

returned from Great Britain, Joseph took them and other close associates aside individually and taught them the

doctrine.” They further explained, “Though several prominent men were sealed to additional wives, the practice

remained confidential. Nevertheless the widening circle of persons taken into the Prophet’s confidence and the

increasing numbers participating in the practice led to rumors and speculations” (Allen and Leonard, The Story of

the Latter-day Saints, 185-186). 24

Eliza R. Snow, Personal Writings of Eliza Roxcy Snow, ed. Maureen Ursenbach Beecher (Salt Lake City:

University of Utah Press, 1995), 78. 25

Snow, Personal Writings of Eliza Roxcy Snow, 272. Another scholar made a similar assertion saying that the four

women “rode to Cornelius Lott’s farm in the country, perhaps to counsel teenaged Melissa Lott on her upcoming

marriage to Joseph” (Compton, In Sacred Loneliness, 548). 26

See Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 6; Johnson, My Life’s Review, 86; and Smith, The Memoirs of

President Joseph Smith III, 245. Nearly sixteen years later, on 20 May 1869, Melissa Lott Willes signed an affidavit

before notary public James Jade with this statement: “Be it remembered that on this 20th

Day of May AC 1869

personally appeared before me James Jade a Notary Public in and for County of Salt Lake, Territory of Utah,

Melissa Lott Willes, who was by me sworn in due form of law and upon her oath, said that on the 20 day of

September AD 1843 at the City of Nauvoo, County of Hanncock, State of Illinois she was married and sealed to

Joseph Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints by Hyrum Smith, Presiding Patriarch of

said church according to the laws of the same, regulating marriage, in the presence of Cornelius Peter Lott and

Permelia Lott” (As cited in Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott, 27-28. Also see Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr.,

Blood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage: A Discussion [Grantsville, Utah: Archive Publishers, 2000],

72). Furthermore, in the same year that Melissa signed the affidavit, Apostle George A. Smith confirmed that the

Prophet did indeed get married to Melissa Lott (See Journal History, October 9, 1869, 7). 27


Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott, 26-27. Joseph Smith III recounted an interview he had with Melissa

years later, wherein he claimed that Melissa confessed to never having lived with his father as a wife (see Smith,

The Memoirs of President Joseph Smith III, 245).

19

approach him on such a matter. Also, on September 20, 1843, the same day of the marriage

between Joseph Smith and Melissa Lott, Cornelius and Permelia Lott were married for time and

eternity “By Presadent Hyrum Smith with seal of Presadent Joseph Smith.”29

Other Sacred Ordinances

During this time, Lott became a recipient of other ordinances as well. On December 9,

1843, Wilford Woodruff recorded that Cornelius Lott, William W. Phelps, and Levi Richards all

“Received their Anointing” in the Red Brick Store.30

With reference to the occasion, Brigham

Young simply noted that those three brethren “received ordinances.”31

Less than two weeks later,

on December 23, Cornelius’s wife Permelia, along with Phebe Woodruff, Bathsheba Smith,

Catherine Spencer, and Sally Phelps, “received their Anointing” as well.32

It was on these

occasions that both Cornelius and Permelia Lott first received the temple endowment.33

Toward the end of Joseph Smith’s life, he spent a great deal of time teaching the Latter-

day Saints and revealing significant doctrines. The Lotts benefited from the Prophet’s sermons.

In fact, on the afternoon of January 7, 1844, he rode out to the farm, “& Preached at Bro. Lots.

also D Spencer & Reynolds Cahoon preached.”34

Cornelius’s daughter recalled that her parents

“had many visits with Prophet when he taught them the Gospel and their souls were full of peace

toward all men even though their journey with the Saints was filled with sorrow as well as joy.”35

On February 4, 1844, Cornelius and Permelia received an additional ordinance. Of that

event, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote, “Evening at the prayer meeting [at the] Brick Store.

Cornelius P. Lot and wife present [and anointed].”36

Wilford Woodruff noted, “I met with the

29

Lott family Bible (Historical Department Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake

City), microfilm. 30

See Woodruff, Wilford Woodruff’s Journal, 9 vols., ed. Scott G. Kenney (Midvale, Utah: Signature Books, 1981-

1984), 2:331. This anointing differed from that which Lott had received in the Kirtland Temple in March 1837. The

anointing Lott received in the Red Brick Store is the equivalent to the endowment that Latter-day Saints may receive

today in their sacred temples. Joseph Smith administered the first of these endowments to a very select few in May

1842. Such an endowment consists of special washings, anointings, sacred covenant making, and instructions

regarding God’s plan of salvation for mankind (see Allen and Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints, 184). For

further detail of the ceremony, see Leonard, Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, a People of Promise, 258-260. From the

time Joseph Smith first administered the endowment in 1842 to the time of his death in 1844, only a few small

groups received the ordinance (see Allen and Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints, 184). In fact, not until

after Brigham Young dedicated the council chamber in the attic of the Nauvoo Temple toward the end of 1845 did

the endowment ceremony become available to the general adult Church membership (see Leonard, Nauvoo: A Place

of Peace, a People of Promise, 261). 31

Young, Manuscript History of Brigham Young 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith

Secretarial Service, 1968), 156. 32

See Woodruff, Wilford Woodruff’s Journal, 2:332. 33

See Endowments of the living, 1845-1846, AMs (Family History Library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-

day Saints, Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1958, 1974), microfilm.

Also see Holzapfel and Cottle, Old Mormon Nauvoo and Southeastern Iowa: Historic Photographs and Guide, 176. 34

Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith: The Contemporary Accounts of the Nauvoo Discourses of the Prophet

Joseph, Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, eds. (Provo, Utah: BYU Religious Studies Center, 1980), 317. Also

see History of the Church, 6:171 and Journal History, January 7, 1844. 35

See Willes, “Personal History of Permelia Darrow Lott,” 2. 36

Joseph Smith, An American Prophet’s Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith, ed. Scott H. Faulring

(Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1989), 445. Concerning the brackets, Faulring explained, “Inadvertent omissions

of words or letters are enclosed in square brackets (for example, curse [them] and). . . . In some instances,

particularly in the Nauvoo Journals, I have relied on Joseph Smith’s History of The Church to complete sentences in

20

quorum in the evening Br & Sister Lott was present we had a good time in prayer. Br Joseph

gave us good instruction in meekness & humility. The revelator John remarks was quoted to in

the evening Concerning the 144000 of the tribes of Israel. /Cornelius P. Lott & wife Received

their 2d Anointing & sealing.”37

For two or three weeks prior to Cornelius and Permelia

receiving this ordinance, a number of the Quorum of the Twelve and their wives also received

the same from the Prophet. Brigham Young recorded that among those receiving the ordinance

included his wife Mary Ann and himself, Heber C. and Vilate Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Orson

Hyde, Orson Pratt, Willard and Jenetta Richards, and Wilford and Phebe Woodruff.38

The Council of Fifty

Another privilege granted to Lott was his appointment to an organization known as the

Council of Fifty.39

Information on Lott’s involvement in this council is scant, yet being part of

the council certainly afforded him another opportunity to associate with and be recognized by

Church leaders. In fact, in 1845, because of Lott’s participation in the Council of Fifty, Brigham

Young assigned Lott and others to each select and organize a company to lead in the Mormon

exodus from Nauvoo.40

The Road to Carthage

Lott joined with the group that accompanied the Prophet on horseback to Carthage on

May 27, 1844. Joseph Smith noted, “Monday, 27. – About 8 a.m., I started on horseback with a

few friends, went by the Temple, and pursued my course towards Carthage, thinking it best for

which the meaning would have otherwise been completely lost to most readers. These editorial insertions are

enclosed in brackets and are not italicized” (xix). 37

Woodruff, Wilford Woodruff’s Journal, 2:348. Regarding the practice known as “second anointing,” little is

written, presumably due to the sacredness of the ordinance. The ordinance has also been known as “the crowning

ordinance of the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood” (Leonard, Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, a People of Promise,

260). Joseph Smith explained that this ordinance confirmed promises that faithful men and women could become

kings and queens and priests and priestesses (see Leonard, Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, a People of Promise, 261 and

Andrew F. Ehat, “‘It Seems Like Heaven Began on Earth’: Joseph Smith and the Constitution of the Kingdom of

God,” BYU Studies 20 [Spring 1980]: 255-256). 38

See Brigham Young, Journal of Brigham, comp. Leland R. Nelson (Provo, Utah: Council Press, 1980), 67. 39

Though records indicate that Joseph Smith had the idea of organizing the Council of Fifty as early as April 7,

1842, the temporal establishment of the council did not take place for another two years on March 10, 11, and 13,

1844. The council served under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. The main

purpose of the Council of Fifty was to symbolize the political kingdom that would be established during Christ’s

reign on earth during the Millennium. It also served to protect the Church in civil and religious liberties (see

Leonard, Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, a People of Promise, 326). In spite of these purposes, one researcher asserted

that the Council of Fifty seldom functioned and was, for the most part, a symbolic formality when it did function

(see D. Michael Quinn, “The Council of Fifty and Its Members, 1844 to 1945,” BYU Studies 20 [Winter 1980]: 163-

197). However, another historian contested that the council played an active role in seeking redress for the Latter-

day Saints’ losses in Missouri, defusing political tension in Hancock County, and assisting in the Mormon exodus

(see Leonard, Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, a People of Promise, 327).

William Clayton identified Lott as part of the council on April 18, 1844, when the council was declared full (see

Clayton, An Intimate Chronicle, 129-131). 40

See Clayton, An Intimate Chronicle, 184. Others with the same appointment included Samuel Bent, Alpheus

Cutler, Reynolds Cahoon, Shadrach Roundy, Joseph Fielding, Peter Haws, Daniel Spencer, and Isaac Morley. Lott

later filled that assignment and led a company of pioneers across Iowa (See Journal History, July 5, 1846. Also see

Samuel Hollister Rogers, Diaries and Reminiscences of Samuel Hollister Rogers, 1841-1886, AMs [photocopy], box

1, file 4, p. 74, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah).

21

me to meet my enemies before the Circuit Court, and have the indictments against me

investigated. After I had passed my farm on the prairie, most of the following brethren joined my

company, and the remainder soon after my arrival in Carthage – viz: . . .Cornelius P. Lott,

Jonathan Dunham, and other friends.”41

On this trip to Carthage, Joseph Smith learned of a

conspiracy against his life. The Prophet, being charged for perjury, confessed being anxious for

the trial to take place, yet as it turned out, the trial was postponed and the men returned home to

Nauvoo that evening.42

One month later, Joseph Smith prepared to leave Nauvoo for the last time to make his

way to Carthage, Illinois. Upon leaving Nauvoo on June 24, 1844, the Prophet passed his farm

where Cornelius Lott lived and worked. Here the Prophet bade his last farewell to Cornelius and

his family.43

Alzina Lott recalled, “He bade a fond goodbye to the sorrowing employees, whom

he had so often visited and learned to love and gave encouragement to.”44

He then paused and

looked upon the farm for a long time. After having left it, he turned and looked back several

times, which caused some of the company to make comments about his action. The Prophet

wistfully replied, “If some of you had such a farm, and knew you would not see it any more, you

would want to take a good look at it for the last time.”45

Three days later, on June 27, a mob murdered the Prophet and his brother Hyrum in the

Carthage Jail. Of Joseph’s death, Alzina Lott later mourned that her family had “not only lost a

personal friend of long standing but my sister, Melissa had lost a husband of just nine months.”46

Alzina further recalled having seen the Prophet’s body after the martyrdom.47

The day before the church membership was to meet in order to listen to both Sidney

Rigdon and Brigham Young address them on the issue of church leadership, William Clayton

noted, “Wednesday 7th. This morning the Committee and myself went out to Lots to take the

invoice of Joseph property.” After the Prophet’s death, Cornelius Lott continued working the

farm. In regards to the meeting that would take place the following day, William Clayton added,

“Brother [Alpheus] Cutler said that in the council yesterday he drew out from [William] Marks

that Sidney Rigdon was to be president and Marks Patriarch.”48

The Leadership of Brigham Young

Cornelius and his family attended the meeting on August 8, 1844, when President

Brigham Young was transfigured before the members of the Church, thus being established as

41

History of the Church, 6:412. Those listed in the group included Aaron Johnson, John Bernhisel, Joseph W.

Coolidge, John Hatfield, Orrin P. Rockwell, Lorenzo Rockwell, William Walker, Harrison Sagers, Hyrum Smith,

John P. Greene, William Richards, Shadrach Roundy, Theodore Turley, Jedediah M. Grant, John Lytle, Joseph B.

Noble, Edward Bonney, Lucien Woodworth, Cornelius P. Lott, and Jonathan Dunham. 42


See Tanner, A Biographical Sketch of John Riggs Murdock, 65. Also see The Losee Family History: Ancestors

and Descendants of Lyman Peter Losee and Mary Ann Peterson, 19. 44


As cited in B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols.

(Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1965), 2:250. 46


See Willes, “Personal History of Alzina Lucinda Lott Willes,” 3. 48

Clayton, An Intimate Chronicle, 141.

22

the new leader in the minds of many of the Latter-day Saints, including the Lotts.49

Only an eight

year-old at the time, Alzina Lott recalled witnessing the event. She recounted, “Among others,

Brigham Young addressed the great multitude of Saints assembled there. He spoke with great

power. When he first arose to speak, we were greatly astonished. President Young stood

transfigured before us and we beheld the Prophet, Joseph Smith and heard his voice as plainly as

ever we did in attendance. I turned to Mama and said ‘Mama, I thought the Prophet was dead?’

Mama answered and said ‘He is, Alzina, and this is the way our Heavenly Father has told us who

is to be our next leader and Prophet.”50

In another account, Alzina confessed, “I was very much

disappointed the next time I saw him that he bore no resemblance to the Prophet at all. Of course,

I was deeply impressed by this incident.”51

The Lotts remained faithful to President Young and

the Quorum of the Twelve over the course of their lives.

On September 30, 1844, Permelia Lott gave birth to their tenth child, Cornelius Carlos

Lott. Sadly, the boy only survived little over three months and died on January 6, 1845, this

being the first death in the Cornelius Lott family.

After the martyrdom of the Prophet, Cornelius Lott continued a close association with the

leaders of the Church and, on January 22, he received his ordination to the office of High

Priest.52

During this time, the practice of plural marriage continued without general public

knowledge. Lott resumed his support of the doctrine, though by this time he had not as yet taken

to him another wife. On January 9, 1845, William Clayton took Diantha Farr as a plural wife,

though she may have had some reservations about the arrangement. On January 14, Cornelius

accompanied Clayton to the Farr residence where Clayton conversed with his new bride Diantha.

He indicated that he “was with her until 12½ and accomplished the desire of my heart by gaining

victory over her feelings. May the Lord bless her until her cup shall run over and her heart be as

pure as gold.”53

For the first time since the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, the Council of Fifty met

again on February 4, 1845 at the Seventies Hall in Nauvoo. At the meeting, the men reorganized

the council and unanimously sustained Brigham Young as successor to Joseph Smith as the

standing chairman. Cornelius Lott was not present at this meeting, however, along with others

who were absent, he was sustained as a member of the new organization. Other former members,

such as apostates Sidney Rigdon, William Marks, Lyman Wight, and others were dropped from

the council. Because of those that had been removed and those who had died, the council then

consisted of forty individuals. However, they planned to fill the council again to fifty at a future

date.54

Almost a month later, March 1, 1845, the Council of Fifty met again at the Seventies

Hall. Of the meeting, President Young recorded, “We decided to send nine brethren westward, to

49

See Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 8. For further information on the subject of Brigham Young’s

transfiguration, see Lynne Watkins Jorgensen and BYU Studies Staff, “The Mantle of the Prophet Joseph Passes to

Brother Brigham: A Collective Spiritual Witness,” BYU Studies 36 (Winter 1996-1997): 125-204. 50


Willes, “Personal History of Alzina Lucinda Lott Willes,” 3. Also see Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott,

62. 52

See Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 8. Also see High Priests of Nauvoo and Early Salt Lake City,

comp. Nauvoo Restoration from early Salt Lake Records, 78, Church Archives, Historical Department, The Church

of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City. 53

Clayton, An Intimate Chronicle, 155-156. 54

See Clayton, An Intimate Chronicle, 157.

23

search out a location for the saints; many eloquent speeches were made on the present position of

affairs: had a good meeting, which continued all day.”55

On September 9, the Council of Fifty, or

“General Council,” met and resolved to send a company of 1500 men to travel to the Salt Lake

Valley to gather information.56

Second Patriarchal Blessing

On March 20, 1845, Lott received a second patriarchal blessing under the hands of John

Smith, Joseph Smith’s uncle and the Church patriarch after the death of Hyrum Smith. Albert

Carrington recorded the blessing:

Bro Cornelius I lay my hands upon thy head by the authority of the Priesthood, in the name of Jesus Christ,

& seal upon thee a father’s blessing; thou art of the house of Joseph, through the loins of Ephraim, &

lawfully entitled to the Holy Priesthood with all the powers & benefits which shall be revealed unto thee in

the house of the Lord for thou shalt receive thine endowment with thy companion, & all the mysteries of

the kingdom of God shall be manifested unto thee; thou art called to officiate as a counselor in the house of

Israel, & to travel & preach inasmuch as it is thought wisdom according to the counsel of the servants of

the Lord, thou shalt have wisdom to counsel in righteousness & thy voice shall be obeyed; thy name shall

be had in everlasting remembrance among the Saints for good; thy posterity shall continue to increase to all

eternity; thou shalt have an inheritance in Zion with the sons of Joseph, & possess it again in eternity; thou

shalt also have great possessions, flocks & herds of evry kind & all kinds of the fruits of the Earth, which

are desirable, for thou shalt be an husbandman in the house of Israel, have multitudes of Servants to do thy

business, & they will delight to follow thy teaching; they days & years shall be according to thy faith, &

inasmuch as this ungodly generation desire to exterminate the Saints, thou shalt live to see them all swept

off from the face of the Earth, & the Earth inhabited by a righteous people & thou shalt be numbered with

the 144,000, who are spoken of by John the Revelator to stand on Mt Zion in the last days, finaly thou shal

enjoy all the blessings & glories of the Redeemer’s kingdom forever & ever, amen.” 57

The Suitor James Monroe

Cornelius’s oldest daughter, Melissa, now left a widow, became acquainted with the

Smith family tutor, James Monroe. The young man made attempts to courting Melissa, before

her father intervened. On May 29, 1845, Monroe wrote, “I arose at 5 ½, saddled Old Charley and

went to Mr Lotts after Melissia, but her father would not let her come. He talks wonderfully

snappish and crabbed, but I presume it is his way and I had not ought to mind it.”58

Mob Persecution Returned

In the fall of 1845, mob activity against the Latter-day Saints once again increased. The

mobs burned down numerous homes that belonged to the members of the Church. The sheriff of

Hancock County, Jacob Backenstos, a friend to the Latter-day Saints, tried to stop the mobs’

55

History of the Church, 7:379. Also see Young, Journal of Brigham, 87. 56


John Smith, A Blessing by John Smith Patriarch upon the head of Cornelius P son of Peter & Jane Lott, born

Septr 22d 1798 New York City, (vol. 9, p. 52, No. 166), Historical Department Archives, The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City. 58

Diary and Journal of James M. Monroe, AMs (Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City), microfilm, 132.

Also found in the Illinois Historical Society. The original is at the Yale University Library, New Haven,

Connecticut. See also Compton, In Sacred Loneliness, 598-599.

Also during this time, on May 21, 25, 30, June 14, and July 10, 1845, Lott bought several pairs of shoes from

Jonathan H. Holmes (Jonathan Harriman Holmes, Account Book 1837-1863 [L. Tom Perry Special Collections,

Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah]).

24

attacks. On September 16, 1845, the mobs chased the sheriff with intentions of murder. With the

outlaws not far behind him, Backenstos met up with Latter-day Saint men, Orrin Porter Rockwell

and John Redding, who asked the sheriff what the matter was about. Backenstos deputized the

men and commanded the enemies to stop. When they did not, the sheriff ordered Rockwell to

fire, which he did. One of the mob members, Frank Worrel fell off his horse from the gunshot,

which proved to be fatal.59

The day after the incident, Cornelius Lott became involved in these events because of the

strategic location of his homestead, being just three miles out of town on the road to Carthage.

Hence, on September 17, Captain John Kay of the Fifth Regiment received the assignment “to

guard near Lotts Farm – with orders to let no man except he prove himself a friend if a spy bring

him into Town.”60

A few days later, on September 21, General Charles C. Rich recalled the

regiment that was stationed near Lott’s home.61

Only three days later, on September 24, several of the Latter-day Saint men went to

Carthage on arrest, including Daniel Spencer, Orson Spencer, Willard Richards, John Taylor,

William W. Phelps, Charles C. Rich, Alpheus Cutler, Reynolds Cahoon, John Scott, Hosea

Stout, Edward Hunter, and William Clayton. As it turned out, the men were discharged and

began on their return journey to Nauvoo. On the way, they stopped at the home of Albert G.

Fellow, whose house had been burned down to the ground along with some fifteen bushels of

grain. “There was not a stick left of either house or barn; all that was left was the brick chimney

and oven. Soon after leaving this scene of desolation, the brethren met Cornelius P. Lott with a

letter from Newel K. Whitney, stating that a committee of seven men had arrived from Quincy,

and that the governor had ordered five hundred men from Sangamon County to Hancock

County.”62

One of those present, Hosea Stout, recorded, “When we had came about four or five

miles from Carthage we met an express, Br. C. Lott, by which we were informed that a

Committee of the Citizens of Quincy had arrived in Nauvoo ‘requesting us to communicate in

writing our disposition and intention at this time, particularly with regard to moving to some

place where the pecular organization of our church will not be likely to engender so much strife

and contention as so unhapily exhists at this time in Hancock & some of the adjoining

counties.’”63

Plans for the Exodus

On the heels of these foregoing events, the Council of Fifty met again on September 30,

1845, to discuss plans for the Latter-day Saints’ exodus to the west. Samuel Bent, Alpheus

Cutler, and Reynolds Cahoon presented lists of the families they had selected to be in their

company of one hundred families for the trek. In addition, “Pres. Young also appointed S.

Roundy, J. Fielding, C. P. Lott, P.Haws and Daniel Spencer to select and organize each a

company. Isaac Morley has got his company about full.” While the meeting was in session, the

council received a report that an army were just outside of Nauvoo. Brigham Young sent Charles

C. Rich to surmise what it was the army wanted. Not long after, Rich returned and reported that

some troops led by one General Hardin had arrived in Nauvoo, bringing with them a Judge

59


Stout, On The Mormon Frontier, 65-66. 61

See Stout, On The Mormon Frontier, 70. 62

Journal History, September 24, 1845, 2. 63

Stout, On The Mormon Frontier, 72.

25

Douglas, who had gone to John Taylor’s home to meet with the church leaders. President Young

immediately closed the meeting and took the Twelve to Taylor’s house to meet the judge.64

The Nauvoo Temple Earlier, in 1841, the Lord had commanded the Church to build a temple in Nauvoo. He

instructed, “Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be

continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and

your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of hosts”

(Doctrine and Covenants 127:4). In response to the Lord’s command, the Latter-day Saints

continued building the temple in spite of the knowledge they had that they would soon leave the

holy edifice behind. Records indicate that Cornelius Lott took part in building the temple as well,

donating some fifty-seven and one-quarter days.65

By November 30, 1845, the attic story of the Nauvoo Temple was ready for dedication.

Cornelius P. Lott joined with a select group where Brigham Young dedicated that story of the

building.66

Of the special occasion, William Clayton, who also attended the meeting, wrote, “We

then offered up the signs of the Holy Priesthood and repeated them to get them more perfect. I

was requested to keep minutes. President offered up prayers and dedicated the Attic story, the

male room and ourselves to God, and prayed that God would sustain and deliver from the hands

of our enemies, his servants untill they have accomplished his will in this house.” John Taylor

then sang “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief,” after which the company again offered up the signs

and Heber C. Kimball prayed “that the Lord would hear & answer the prayers of his servant

Brigham, break off the yoke of our enemies and inasmuch as they lay traps for the feet of his

servants, that they may fall into them themselves and be destroyed, that God would bless his

servant Joseph Young, heal his wife and bless his family, that God would bless and heal Elder

Kimballs family and put the same blessings on all our families which he had asked for Joseph

Young and himself.”67

Just a few days later, Heber C. Kimball listed Cornelius and Permelia among those who

were “members of the Holy order of the Holy Priesthood having Received it in the Life time of

Joseph and Hirum, the Prophets…” Those of that order attended a meeting in the temple on

December 7, 1845. At that time Brigham Young gave the group a tour of the rooms, after which

the men and women clothed at 1:30 p.m. The meeting began at two o’clock, with a prayer and a

hymn, and the group was favored to hear instruction from Apostles John Taylor, Heber C.

Kimball, and Orson Hyde. The meeting ended as the congregation partook of the sacramental

bread and wine.68

President Kimball recorded, “…then Elder B. Young said, this quorum should

64

See Clayton, An Intimate Chronicle, 184. 65

See Newel Kimball Whitney papers, AMs, comp. Hyrum L. Andrus, Chris Fuller, and Elizabeth E. McKenzie (L.

Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah), box 3, folder 2, microfilm. 66

See History of the Church, 7:534. Also see Journal History, November 30, 1845. Among that group were the likes

of “Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Parley P. Pratt, John Taylor, Orson Hyde, George A. Smith and Amasa

Lyman of the Quorum of the Twelve; also Newel K. Whitney and George Miller, Presiding Bishops; John Smith,

Patriarch and President of the Stake, Joseph Young, President of the Seventies, Alpheus Cutler & R. Cahoon,

Temple committee, Cornelius P. Lott, Levi Richards, Joseph C. Kingsbury, Orson Spencer, Wm. W. Phelps, Isaac

Morley, Lucien Woodworth” (Young, Journal of Brigham, 109). 67

Clayton, An Intimate Chronicle, 192. 68

See Heber C. Kimball, Heber C. Kimball’s Journal, November 21, 1845 to January 7, 1846, 19, Church History

Library, Salt Lake City.

26

meet here every Sabbath and partake of the sacrament.”69

Of that occasion, Brigham Young

simply wrote, “I met with the Twelve and others in the Temple. We partook of the sacrament,

exhorted each other and prayed.”70

Finally, on December 10, 1845, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball commenced

administering the ordinance of endowment at 4:25 p.m.71

Within the hour, at five o’clock, Isaac

and Lucy Morley, Joseph Fielding, Joseph C. Kingsbury, and Cornelius P. Lott entered.72

After

the prayer, Lott left the temple and went home to Permelia in order to go through the endowment

session the next day with her.73

Though he had previously received the endowment on December

9, 1843, he and his wife were again endowed in the Nauvoo Temple on December 11, 1845.74

Though Cornelius and Permelia Lott had been sealed together on September 20, 1843, by

Hyrum Smith, they entered the Nauvoo Temple two and a half years later to be sealed again.

President Brigham Young performed the ceremony at 1:50 p.m. on January 22, 1846, with John

D. Lee and Phineas H. Young as witnesses.75

Lott Entered into Plural Marriage

One hour before the sealing between Cornelius and Permelia took place, Cornelius stood

in as a proxy for the Prophet Joseph Smith in being married to the fifty-four year old Elizabeth

Davis Durfee for eternity, after which Cornelius entered plural marriage and was married to

Elizabeth for time. President Young performed the ceremony and Franklin D. Richards and

Phineas Young acted as witnesses.76

Elizabeth crossed the Iowa trail with Cornelius, but after

arriving at Winter Quarters, she left both him and the Church and returned to Quincy, Illinois.77

That same day, January 22, 1846, Cornelius also entered into plural marriage with some

other women with his wife’s consent.78

Brigham Young also officiated in these marriages. One

of the women was Charity Dickinson, the sixty-nine year old mother of Apostles Parley P. and

69

As cited in Helen Mar Whitney, A Woman’s View: Helen Mar Whitney’s Reminiscences of Early Church History,

ed. Jeni Broberg Holzapfel and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997), 290. This “quorum”

consisted of Brigham and Mary Ann Young, Heber C. and Vilate Kimball, Orson and Marinda Hyde, Parley P. and

Mary Ann Pratt, John and Leonora Taylor, George A. and Bathsheba Smith, Willard Richards, John and Clarissa

Smith, Alpheus and Lois Cutler, Reynolds and Thirza Cahoon, Newel K. and Elizabeth Whitney, Cornelius and

Permelia Lott, Isaac and Lucy Morley, Orson and Catherine Spencer, William and Agnes Clayton, George and Mary

Catherine Miller, Joseph Young, (Sister) Lambson, Levi Richards, Mary Fielding Smith, Joseph Fielding, William

W. and Sally Phelps, Joseph Kingsbury, L. and Phebe Moodworth, and John Bernhisel (See Kimball, Heber C.

Kimball’s Journal, November 21, 1845 to January 7, 1846, 17-18). 70

Young, Journal of Brigham, 110. 71

See Journal History, December 10, 1845. 72

See Young, Journal of Brigham, 112. 73

See Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 7. 74

See Journal History, December 11, 1845. Others that received the endowment with the Lotts on this occasion were

Isaac and Lucy Morley, Orson and Catherine Spencer, Joseph Young, Alpheus and Lois Cutler, Reynolds and

Thirza Cahoon, William and Ruth Clayton, Mercy R. Thompson, and Lucy Mack Smith (See History of the Church,

7:543-544). 75

See Nauvoo Sealings and Adoptions 1846-1857, Book A, 381-382, Special Collections, Family History

Library,The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City. 76

See Nauvoo Sealings and Adoptions 1846-1857, Book A, 505-506. Note: Though the ceremony took place 22

January, it was not recorded for another couple of weeks on 7 February 1846. Also see Compton, In Sacred

Loneliness, 264. 77

See Compton, In Sacred Loneliness, 265. 78

See Willes, “Personal History of Permelia Darrow Lott,” 2.

27

Orson Pratt. Her husband Jared Pratt died in Michigan in 1839. Charity’s marriage to Cornelius

did not last long either, ending in divorce, and she died shortly thereafter in St. Joseph, Missouri,

on May 20, 1849.79

The other was a young sixteen year-old girl named Rebecca Fausett.80

Alzina Lott

explained, “She was a lovely young girl but she was still in-love with the man she had been

engaged to, and wanted to be sealed for eternity to him, so her marriage to Papa did not last long.

She left my father and went back to live with her parents. Their marriage and sealing was later

dissolved. She had one son, who she named Isiah Barkdull Lott, but my father never did see

him.”81

Isaiah was born November 12, 1846 at Winter Quarters in the back of a wagon.82

Another source claims that when Cornelius and Rebecca were married, the girl, who did

not want to enter into plural marriage, understood that Lott was only standing as proxy for her

deceased boyfriend, but as it turned out, Cornelius deceived her and did indeed get married to

her.83

One other record corroborates that claim and indicates that Rebecca did not discover that

she had married Cornelius until after the sealing had been done. However, the same source also

attests that her father had given his consent for the union. Once they had told her what had

transpired and that she had become a wife to Cornelius, she was devastated.84

Two weeks later, on February 7, Cornelius took another sixteen-year-old girl, Jane

Rogers from Scotland, as his third plural wife. Heber C. Kimball officiated the marriage at 8:15

p.m. in the Nauvoo Temple. John D. Lee and J. W. Bell stood as witnesses to the ceremony.85

Records do not indicate that Cornelius had any children with Jane. After Cornelius’s death in

1850, she remarried a man with the last name of Randall in 1851 in Utah.86

79

Available at Familysearch.org, internet. 80

See Nauvoo Sealings and Adoptions 1846-1857, Book A, 381-382. 81

Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 8. Also see Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott, 85. 82

See Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott, 22-23. 83

See Susan Ward Easton-Black, comp. Membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1830-1838,

50 vols. (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1984-1988), 28: 472. 84

See Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott, 22-23. 85

See Nauvoo Sealings and Adoptions 1846-1857, Book A, 385-386. 86

Available at http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp; Internet.

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp

28

Chapter 5

Camp Leader on the Iowa Trail

President Young Announced the Exodus On October 8, 1845, President Brigham Young sent an epistle abroad for all the Latter-

day Saints in the United States with the official announcement that The Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints would be leaving the country to find a new place in the west to escape “bigotry,

intolerance and insatiable oppression.” He admonished the members of the Church the prepare

for the journey: “Therefore dispose of your properties and inheritance, and interests for available

means, such as money, wagons, oxen, cows, mules, and a few good horses adapted to journeying

and scanty feed.”87

On February 4, a man named Samuel Rogers wrote of his preparation for the Exodus,

saying, “I went to C. P. Lott's and got some wheat.”88

On February 11, 1846, the same Samuel

Rogers made a conditional contract to be married to Melissa Lott one week later, though the

contract was annulled the following day.89

Crossing the Mississippi River

With the first group of Latter-day Saints to leave the city of Nauvoo, Cornelius and his

family crossed the Mississippi River in February1846 with a team of two cows and two oxen.

Alzina, who was age twelve at the time of the departure, later remembered, “Our new homes

were to be tents or covered wagons or any make shift covering to keep us out of the storms and

protect us from wild animals.” The Lotts had been staying for a short time at a temporary camp

at Sugar Creek, Iowa, when on February 22, “a raging blizzard struck the Mormon Pioneers

leaving a foot of snow.”90

The temperatures dropped so low that the Mississippi River froze. In

spite of the hardship the storm imposed upon the Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young

acknowledged how it facilitated the pioneers’ crossing of the river, which he felt compensated

for the delay in departure.91

While at Sugar Creek, Cornelius Lott assisted in the Latter-day Saints’ evacuation of

Nauvoo. On February 24, Horace K. Whitney wrote, “Father Lott with his team left Nauvoo with

the women and children, crossed the river on the ice, and took them to the camp. I accompanied

them on horseback.”92

Three days later on February 27, Emmeline B. Wells noted, “Mrs.

Whitney Sarah Ann and myself crossed the river to go to the encampment of the saints. Br. Lot

and his wife took Mrs. W. and myself in their carriage. We crossed the river a part of the way on

87


See Samuel Hollister Rogers, Diaries and Reminiscences of Samuel Hollister Rogers, 1841-1886, AMs

(photocopy), box 1, file 4, p. 67, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. 89

See Rogers, Diaries and Reminiscences of Samuel Hollister Rogers, box 1, file 4, p. 68. 90

Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 8-9. 91


As cited in William G. Hartley, “Winter Exodus from Nauvoo,” in The Iowa Mormon Trail: Legacy of Faith and

Courage, ed. Susan Easton Black and William G. Hartley (Orem, Utah: Helix Publishing, 1997), xvi.

29

foot, and then went on to the encampment about 1 mile beyond; . . .”93

Brigham Young recorded

the temperatures of February 27, to be 5 above zero at 6:00 a.m. and 21 at 6:00 p.m.94

That

same day, Helen Mar Whitney wrote, “Friday, the 27th

of February, I bade my last adieu to our

home and city and re-crossed the Mississippi with Bishop Whitney’s family, whom he sent to

camp in charge of Father C. R. Lott, the bishop remaining behind to see his own and church

teams over, and he came to the camp next day.”95

The Trail across Iowa

Though the departure from Nauvoo caused the Latter-day Saints great difficulty and

heartache, some still found joy as they made their way across Iowa. On April 5, 1846,

Cornelius’s son John Smiley married Mary Ann Faucett.96

The first part of the Latter-day Saints’ journey across Iowa was painfully slow. By

Sunday, June 28, 1846, Cornelius Lott and his company arrived at Mount Pisgah.97

A week later,

on July 5, Lott met up with Brigham Young at Council Bluffs.98

Within a week after that, Lott

had set up camp at Keg Creek. It was there that Brigham Young dined with the Lott family

around one o’clock on Sunday afternoon, July 12.99

93

Emmeline B. Wells, Diaries of Emmeline B. Wells 1844-1920, AMs, 27 February 1846, p. 21 (L. Tom Perry

Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah), microfilm. Also in Carol Cornwall Madsen, comp.,

Journey to Zion: Voices from the Mormon Trail (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997), 113. 94

See Young, Journal of Brigham, 134. 95

Whitney, A Woman’s View, 333. (Note: Though the transcription here referred to him as “C. R. Lott,” this

undoubtedly is an error). 96

See Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott, 31. 97

See Rogers, Diaries and Reminiscences of Samuel Hollister Rogers, box 1, file 4, p. 74. 98

See Journal History, July 5, 1846. 99

See Journal History, July 12, 1846.

30

Chapter 6

High Councilor at the Missouri River

Lott Assigned to Care for the Animals As President Young began to organize the encampment at Council Bluffs, on the

Missouri River, he soon made use of Cornelius Lott’s expertise with the care of animals. On July

17, the president wrote, “I instructed Bishop Whitney to gather up all the Church cattle and let

Father Lott take them up the river to winter.”100

Having received the assignment, Lott joined

with the leaders of the Church that same day, July 17, to scout among the river bottoms and find

a place for the cattle.101

The next day, July 18, Lott went fishing on a stream. Wilford Woodruff noted, “I went

fishing And Br. Lot caught one white shad.”102

A few days later, the church leaders instructed Cornelius Lott, in writing, “to cross the

river and get five or six teams to take loads to Grand Island; and have Andrew H. Perkins go to

Savannah and procure a carding machine and fixtures and furnish funds to pay freight. Bro Lott

was instructed to take his flocks and herds to Grand Island.”103

Lott crossed the Missouri River on July 30, 1846. Horace Whitney wrote, “Father Lott

came up today, bringing considerable church property, with some cattle and sheep, etc.”104

Plans to move the camp to Grand Island for the winter did not last long as scouts found

better pasture up the river.105

In addition, George Miller had learned from the Ponca Indians that

“the Pawnees wintered their horses at Grand Island, and that our [the Mormons] immense herd

would eat up all the feed before winter would be half gone, and when the Pawnees came in from

their summer hunt they would kill all our cattle and drive us away.”106

100

Young, Journal of Brigham, 171. Also see Journal History, July 17, 1846, 1. 101

See Journal History, July 17, 1846, 2. Also see Young, Manuscript History, 263. The entire group included

Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Willard Richards, John Taylor,

George A. Smith, Amasa Lyman, Newel K. Whitney, Jedediah M. Grant, Cornelius P. Lott, Andrew H. Perkins,

John Scott, Jesse C. Little, James M. Flake, and Chauncey W. Webb. 102

Wilford Woodruff’s Journal, 3:61. 103

Journal History, July 22, 1846. Upon the recommendation of Captain James Allen, leader of the Mormon

Battalion, Church leaders began to make plans to move their herds to Grand Island, sixty miles west of the Platte

River. Plans to move the camp to Grand Island for the winter did not last long as scouts found better pasture up the

river (see Richard E. Bennett, We’ll Find the Place: The Mormon Exodus, 1846-1848 [Salt Lake City: Deseret

Book, 1997], 44). 104

As cited in Whitney, A Woman’s View, 392. 105

See Richard E. Bennett, We’ll Find the Place: The Mormon Exodus, 1846-1848 (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book,

1997), 44 106

As cited in David R. Crockett, Saints in the Wilderness: A Day-by-Day PioneerExperience, Winter

Quarters and Mormon Battalion March (Tuscon, Arizona: LDS-Gems Press, 1997), 46.

31

Cutler’s Park and the Municipal High Council

Church leaders searched for another location where the Latter-day Saints could camp for

the winter. Coming to a suitable spot on August 7, Brigham Young proposed that they stop there

and organize a city. He asked those present whether they accepted this proposition or if they

preferred looking further. He also asked them “whether they should settle together, or every man

for himself.”107

The camp historian noted, “Cornelius P. Lott, Reynolds Cahoon and others spoke

in favor of following the counsel of the Twelve.”108

With the common consent of those present,

Church leaders established that location as the winter encampment, known as Cutler’s Park.109

Heber C. Kimball motioned that a municipal high council consisting of twelve men be

appointed to oversee the settling of the town. The Twelve called Lott to be part of that council.110

With Lott’s previous experience, his appointment to the council was a natural fit since caring for

livestock held an important place in establishing the community.

Ten days after being sustained to the Municipal High Council, on August 17, Brigham

Young assigned Cornelius Lott and Lorenzo Young to gather “the old cattle belonging to the

Church and place them in charge of Father Lott.”111

On August 21, Brigham Young rode out to

Lott’s, though the historian did not reveal the nature of the visit.112

Church leaders decided to fatten the old cattle to be slaughtered for beef in order to

preserve the young to work as draft animals for the trek the following year.113

In council on

August 27, Church leaders determined that upon the slaughter of the old cattle, the owner would

receive the hide and tallow and then receive “meat at intervals as he might wish,…”114

Brigham

Young concurred that the men in camp should fatten their old cattle and proposed that a

committee be formed “to buy, butcher and sell them, and find out by Bishop N. K. Whitney

what can be had for hides delivered at this point, . . . ”115

Hence, the Twelve and the Municipal

High Council voted that Lorenzo D. Young, Alpheus Cutler, and Cornelius P. Lott serve as the

beef committee.116

The work of butchering began the next day.117

In a council on September 22, a question arose for as to whether Cornelius Lott should be

permitted to tend his own beef cattle with the Church’s. The council voted and determined that

Lott should be permitted to do so.118

107

Journal History, August 7, 1846, 1. Also see Young, Manuscript History, 297. 108

Journal History, August 7, 1846, 1. Also see Young, Manuscript History, 297. 109

Cutler’s Park was located about five miles south of the Saints’ next settlement, Winter Quarters. 110

See Journal History, August 7, 1846, and Bennett, Mormons at the Missouri, 264. Also see Andrew Jenson,

comp., Church Chronology: A Record of Important Events, (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1914), 30 and Young,

Manuscript History, 297-298. The other high councilors were Alpheus Cutler, Winslow Farr, Ezra Chase, Jedediah

M. Grant, Albert P. Rockwood, Benjamin L. Clapp, Samuel Russell, Reynolds Cahoon, Daniel Russell, Elnathan

Eldredge, and Thomas Grover. 111

Journal History, August 17, 1846, 2. 112

See Journal History, August 21, 1846, 4. 113

Journal History, August 27, 1846. Also see Young, Manuscript History, 351-352. 114

Journal History, August 27, 1846. Also see Young, Manuscript History, 351-352. 115

Journal History, August 27, 1846. Also see Young, Manuscript History, 352. 116

See Woodruff, Wilford Woodruff Journal, 3:72; John Lyman Smith, John L. Smith Papers, AMs (photocopy),

box 1, folder 2, page 21, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah; and Journal

History, August 27, 1846. 117

See Crockett, Saints in the Wilderness,131. 118

Journal History, September 22, 1846, 2.

32

Soon, the difficulties that the Latter-day Saints had experienced in the exodus from

Nauvoo and the trek across Iowa, coupled with their scanty provisions and the new climate on

the Missouri River, began to take toll. Sicknesses from malaria and pneumonia to tuberculosis

and scurvy made their way through the Latter-day Saints’ settlements.119

By the end of the first

winter, over seven hundred people had died.120

In a meeting on September 9, 1846, Heber C.

Kimball reported that the Lucian Woodworth family was suffering from illness. Cornelius Lott

volunteered to care for them.121

Establishing Winter Quarters

Cutler’s Park was on disputed land between two native tribes, the Omaha and the Otoe.

On August 28, Brigham Young met with Big Elk, the chief of the Omaha nation, to discuss the

matter. By allowing the Latter-day Saints to stay on their land, the Omaha expected to receive

protection against the feared Sioux.122

In exchange for permission to stay on Omaha land, Young

offered, “We can do you good. We will repair your guns, make a farm for you, and aid you in

any other way that our talents and circumstances will permit us . . . . ”123

Big Elk answered, “I

am willing you should stay . . . . I hope you will not kill our game. I will notify my young men

not to trouble your cattle. If you cut down all our trees I will be the only tree left . . . . We heard

you were good people; we are glad to have you come and keep a store where we can buy things

cheap. You can stay with us while we hold these lands.”124

Not wanting the Otoe to make claim on any benefits from the treaty, Big Elk

recommended the Latter-day Saints move further north to be on undisputed Omaha territory.

Unwilling to move as far as Big Elk advised, they moved further north to a location still on

disputed land that better served their needs. The Twelve officially selected the site on September

11, 1846, known as Winter Quarters.125

A False Alarm

Though the Latter-day Saints had left their homes behind with the hopes to also leave

their enemies behind, rumors of pursuing mobs continued to keep the refugees on the alert. One

such alarm sounded on September 21, 1846, while the Lott family was enjoying a baked goose

dinner.126

Hosea Stout explained that Albert P. Rockwood of the Municipal High Council went

around the wagons in the camp that night calling the men to arms to prepare to defend

themselves from their oncoming enemies. The alarm caused great excitement as the men began

to gather. It was Brigham Young and Willard Richards that brought the warning to the Lott

camp. In the end, the report had turned out only to be a false alarm.127

119

See Church History in the Fulness of Times, 319-320. 120

See Richard Edmond Bennett, Mormons at the Missouri: A History of the Latter-day Saints at Winter Quarters

and at Kanesville, 1846-52 (Oklahoma City: University of Oklahoma Press, 1987), 140. 121

See Journal History, September 9, 1846. 122

See Bennett, Mormons at the Missouri, 71. 123

Young, Manuscript History, 353. 124

Young, Manuscript History, 354. 125

See Young, Manuscript History, 377. 126

See Eliza Maria Partridge Lyman, Diary of Eliza Maria Partridge Lyman, 1846-1885, TMs, 12 September 1846,

L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Also in Journey to Zion: Voices from

the Mormon Trail, 102. 127


33

The Wayside Stations

With his various responsibilities, Cornelius Lott must have done some traveling among

the various camps along the trail in Iowa. His daughter, Alzina, recalled that her father spent

time “helping at the wayside stations.”128

Most likely the Church made use of Lott’s expertise in

farming to raise crops along the trail for Latter-day Saints who had camped on the way and for

others who were to follow later. Alzina explained, “The skill in farming and handling the prairie

soil that my father possessed detained there our westward travel for the years of 1846-47.”129

Allen J. Stout, who was about 120 miles from the Missouri River, wrote a letter on

October 23, 1846 to his brother Hosea, who was at Council Bluffs. Allen penned, “Lorry Ann is

dead and Milton also there next to the youngest son Martha was so low that they did not think

she would live an hour the old man is going to bring old father Lott on with him so br. Cooly told

me if the old man brings the Lott tribe he may bee too heavy loaded to take me but I am well fixt

for winter.”130

Hosea, who received the letter on November 8, 1846, commented, “Got a letter

from A. J. Stout all well at Garden Grove yet.”131

Perhaps Lott was traveling between the

“wayside stations” as Alzina had mentioned.

High Council Meetings

As part of the Municipal High Council, Lott took part in discussions concerning

misconduct among the Church members. On November 5, one man by the last name of Beers

had been abusing his family and had kicked his wife out of their tent. Upon hearing of the matter

the next day, President Young called for a meeting with the council that evening to discuss the

issue. That same day, the president had been dealing with another man named G. W. Harris who

had also been guilty of similar offenses. President Young had “found him to be a mean,

disagreeable, willfull incoragable man and regardless of peace and good order and the council

and authorities of the church.” The council then met at 5 o’clock “on the Point overlooking the

North End of the City.”132

Of the meeting, Hosea Stout explained, “It was proposed what to do

with those who were in our midst whose bodies were tabernacles for devils that is rebelious

wicked ungovernable men who are breeding a continual disturbance & exciting others to

discontent &c It was unanimously decided to have the Law of God put in force on them &c.

There was much said and but one feeling on the subject.”133

Of the same meeting, Brigham

Young noted, “I related a dream and proposed some question(s) to the brethren…”134

To sit in

these councils with such experienced men must have provided Cornelius with tremendous

opportunities for growth.

At another meeting a couple of weeks later on November 18, the Twelve and the

Municipal High Council met to discuss whether the High Council should be taking care of the

128



Allen J. Stout to Hosea Stout, October 23, 1846, TL, Hosea Stout Papers 1832-1875, Historical Department

Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, microfilm. 131

Stout, On The Mormon Frontier, 209. 132

Stout, On The Mormon Frontier, 208. Those present included Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Amasa

Lyman, Orson Pratt, Willard Richards, Alpheus Cutler, Reynolds Cahoon, Cornelius P. Lott, Albert P. Rockwood,

Thomas Grover, Jedediah M. Grant, Newel K. Whitney, Hosea Stout, and William Clayton. 133

Stout, On The Mormon Frontier, 208-209. 134

Journal History, November 6, 1846.

34

Church’s property. This, of course, affected Cornelius Lott since he had been tending the

Church’s livestock. As a result of the discussion, Lott received the assignment, along with Newel

K. Whitney, Albert P. Rockwood, William Clayton, and John Scott to “ascertain the situation

and condition of the Church property in camp.” 135

Herding Sheep

In the shepherding work, Cornelius Lott and Charles Bird became the key figures136

At

Winter Quarters, the sheep were kept east of the city on the banks of the river.137

In addition to

the regular challenges associated with shepherding, there was a shortage of help, just as there

was with cattle herding. Exasperated, Charles Bird called on the sheep owners to provide help in

tending the flocks. He also declared that if anyone were delinquent in paying the fee for

watching the sheep, he would take the owner’s sheep as payment. The Church historian also

added, “C Bird and C P Lott use their discretion in controlling the bucks.”138

Having observed the situation, on November 21, 1846, John D. Lee commented, “Bro.

Lott has taken quite a No. of sheep to take care of for the brethren. while they could be hearded

on the prairie the sheep done well enough, but now they certainly would do better in smawler

No’s. I would recommend those that have sheep to take them back and pay him for his

trouble.”139

Less than a month later, the council met on December 19, when they decided to

award Cornelius one hundred dollars in goods from the store in consideration of his farming and

herding for the Church.140

One man named Peter Wilson Conover recalled how Cornelius “agreed to take out sheep

and take care of them and bring them to the mountains for one-half of them. Brigham and Heber

had about two hundred head and I had about ninety head. There came a big snow after he took

them, and snow fell about two feet deep. The big white wolves came down and killed one

hundred in one night, and kept on killing until the old man came and begged us to come and get

what was left. Out of ninety, I had seventeen left. I soon got rid of them and have never owned a

sheep since.”141

135

Journal History, November 18, 1846. 136

See Journal History, September 5, 1846. Also see Young, Manuscript History, 367. 137

See Bennett, Mormons at the Missouri, 74. 138

Journal History, September 5, 1846. Also see Crockett, Saints in the Wilderness, 145 and Young, Manuscript

History, 367. 139

John D. Lee, Journals of John D. Lee 1846-47 & 1859, ed. Charles Kelly, (Salt Lake City: Western Printing

Company, 1938), 19. Note: Lott kept a record wherein he logged the names of all those for whom he tended sheep

and how many sheep they had. The list of people include Albert P. Rockwood (1), Henry Brooks (10), Ezra Chase

(36), William Jennings (30), Franklin J. Davis (2), Augustus Stafford (4), William Kimball (1), Samuel Rolf (2),

Mary Jones (3), Jonathan Herrington (number crossed out), Joseph Murdock (6), Charles Avery (5), Peter Conover

(12), Jackson Redden (21), Nancy Buchanan (11), Nathum Bigelow (8), Gustuvus A. Perry (10), Temple (190),

Horace Eldredge (2), Isaac Grundy (10), Alpheus Cutler (21), Eames Hunter (29), John Taylor (8), Thomas

Mendenhall (8), Abraham Hoagland (7), Heber C. Kimball (25), Gardner Clark (13), Samuel Shepherd (21), Richard

Spencer (11), Samuel Snyder (16), Job Barnum (10), Julian Van Orden? (9), Simeon Holmes (3), Caleb Haight (28),

Joshua S. Holman (took home), William Fawcett (9), William Robinson (3), Charles Bird (17), and Elizabeth Vance

(62). (See Cornelius Peter Lott, Daybook 1843-1852, AMs [Historical Department Archives, The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City], microfilm). 140

See Journal History, December 19, 1846. 141

Peter Wilson Conover, Autobiography of Peter Wilson Conover, TMs, p. 3, L. Tom Perry Special Collections,

Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.

35

Lott’s Testimony

Being a member of the Municipal High Council, Lott had greater opportunity to speak to

the Church members. On December 13, 1846, he and President Brigham Young spoke to the

Latter-day Saints in their Sunday meeting.142

Having attended the meeting, John D. Lee wrote:

Elder C.P. Lott addressed the meeting. Spoke with reference to the duty of the Saints in their several

capacities, places and stations. Bore record that we now have a prophet in Iseral who declared while in the

Temple of the Lord last winter that we (the Saints) would escape in the wilderness and that wickedness and

abomination and corruption and blasphemy would be the doings of those who were left behind. The

Temple which we have built unto the Most High God for the endowment of the Saints and the furtherance

of his cawse, shall be turn into a mony changer and the habitation of thieves.143

Another in attendance, Mary Haskin Parker Richards, penned, “went to meetting. heard a raugh

discourse. delivered by Bro [Cornelius Peter] Lot, and afew remarks by Bro Brigham. spent the

rest of the day at home. reading, &C.”144

Following Lott’s discourse, President Young spoke to the wives of those who had been

recruited as part of the Mormon Battalion. He reprimanded them for murmuring against the

Church leaders because they didn’t have enough to live on.145

Fulfilling Duty

At the beginning of the year of 1847, Cornelius left to go to the herds of one named

Lathrop.146

As the weather turned bitterly cold, President Young sent a letter to Lott

recommending that he return.147

Indeed, the temperatures had dropped lower than they had all

winter. On January 9, Hosea Stout noted that the day was a “clear cold windy day” and recorded

the thermometer at “9 degrees below zero.”148

The following day, Brigham Young reported,

“Thermometer 13 degrees below zero.”149

The Word and Will of the Lord

January 14, 1847 marked a significant day for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints, being the date on which Brigham Young received the “Word and the Will of the Lord,” a

revelation that later became the 136th

section of the Doctrine and Covenants. The day after,

President Young met with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the home of Ezra T. Benson to

present the revelation for their approval. Then they decided “that the Word and Will of the Lord

should be laid before the councils of the Church.”150

Hence, on January 16, at about 12:30 p.m.,

142

See Young, Journal of Brigham, 196. Also see Journal History, December 13, 1846. 143

Lee, Journals of John D. Lee, 33. 144

Mary Haskin Parker Richards, Winter Quarters: The 1846-1848 Life Writings of Mary Haskin Parker Richards,

ed. Maurine Carr Ward (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1996), 101. Note: In regards to the brackets, the

editor, Maurine Carr Ward, explained, “Approximately five hundred individuals are mentioned in Mary’s writings.

Where necessary for clarification, the identities of these persons are further specified in the text in brackets” (51). 145

See Thomas Bullock, The Pioneer Camp of the Saints: The 1846 and 1847 Mormon Trail Journals of Thomas

Bullock, ed. Will Bagley (Spokane, Washington: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1997), 106. 146

This herd, under the care of Asahel Lathrop through the winter of 1846-1847, lived in the rush bottoms on the

banks of the Missouri River about seventy miles north of Winter Quarters (See Young, Manuscript History, 524). 147

See Journal History, January 8, 1847. 148


Young, Journal of Brigham, 203. 150

Journal History, January 15, 1847.

36

the Municipal High Council assembled at the home of Horace Eldridge where Apostle Willard

Richards read the revelation.151

The council responded in the following manner:

Reynolds Cahoon moved that the communication be received as the Word and Will of God; Seconded by

Isaac Morley.

Alanson Eldridge approved of the same: it was plain to his understanding.

Isaac Morley approved of it.

Reynolds Cahoon said it was the voice of righteousness.

Winslow Farr said it reminded him of the first reading of the Book of Mormon; he was perfectly satisfied

and knew it was from the Lord.

Cornelius P. Lott was perfectly satisfied.

Daniel Russell said it was true; felt as he did after the first Mormon sermon that he heard.

Ezra Chase was perfectly satisfied.

Geo. W. Harris was so well satisfied that he wanted to say, Amen, at once.

Thomas Grover felt that it was the voice of the Spirit. The vote passed unanimously.

H. T. Eldredge felt to receive it as the Word and Will of the Lord and that its execution would prove our

salvation.

Hosea Stout said if there is anything in Mormonism that is the voice of the Lord to this people, so is the

Word and Will of the Lord. He meant to live up to it. Council adjourned.152

In his own record, Hosea Stout observed, “The council recieved it as a revelation with joy and

gladness.”153

The minutes of the meeting gives further detail of Cornelius Lott’s response, saying

that he was “perfectly satisfied – it give peace.”154

Administering to the Sick

Due to the illnesses that plagued the Latter-day Saints during their time at Winter

Quarters, many were called upon to exercise faith and to give Priesthood blessings to those who

had fallen ill. Cornelius Lott, as a high councilor, was also called upon to administer to the sick.

In February 1847, a man named Job Smith was suffering from what he termed the “black

scurvy.” In his diary he related how the Church patriarch, John Smith, “was very kind to me

during all my sickness, and I felt under a deep obligation to him. after he left me the enemy

seized upon me and it did seem for a time as though I should die for certain. I sent for Father

Smith again in my distress, and he brought with him C. P. Lott, and Abel Butterfield – they

prayed for me – rebuked the destroyer – and said I should live. From that time I began to amend.

I felt the power of God to operate upon me, and I can bear testimony that I was healed by the

power of God.”155

151

See Journal History, January 16, 1847. 152

Young, Journal of Brigham, 204. Also see Journal History, January 16, 1847. 153


“Muncipal High Council Minutes of Winter Quarters,” January 16, 1847, in the Brigham Young Collection,

Historical Department Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, as cited in Lyndon

W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine

and Covenants (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985), 297. Also see Journal History, January 16,1847. 155

Job Smith, Job Smith Diary and Autobiography, 1849-1877, AMs, 66-67, L. Tom Perry Special

Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, available from http:// contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-

bin/docviewer.exe?CISOROOT=/Diaries&CISOPTR=7670. Internet.

37

Additional Plural Wives

During his stay at Winter Quarters, Cornelius Lott took additional plural wives. When he

had left Nauvoo in February of 1846, he had entered into plural marriage with Rebecca Fausett,

Charity Dickinson, Elizabeth Davis, and Jane Rogers. On March 30, 1847, at 7:00 p.m.,

Cornelius was married to the fifty-four year-old Eleanor Wayman of Maryland by Brigham

Young. Willard Richards, Ezra T. Benson, and Thomas Bullock stood as witnesses of the

ceremony. Also that evening, Cornelius was married to Phoebe Knight, the widow of the late

Joseph Knight. Since she had been married for time and eternity to her first husband, Phoebe was

married to Cornelius for time only.156

Departure of the First Pioneers

As the first group of Latter-day Saints prepared to make the trek west, the Church leaders

held a special conference on the clear, cool morning of April 6, 1847.157

The members of the

Church sustained Cornelius P. Lott as part of the high council in Winter Quarters. Since the

previous August, when Lott accepted the call to serve on the high council, a number of changes

had occurred in the make-up of the council. Those sustained in the April conference were

Alpheus Cutler as the president, George W. Harris, Isaac Morley, Reynolds Cahoon, David

Russell, Alanson Eldredge, Thomas Grover, Henry G. Sherwood, Cornelius P. Lott, Winslow

Farr, Ezra Chase, and Phineas Richards.158

Though a few of the vanguard company left for the Salt Lake Valley the day before the

conference, Brigham Young with the main body did not make their start until April 16, leaving

Orson Hyde as the presiding officer at the Missouri River.159

Lott remained at the Missouri River

as well.

Horace Whitney, age 23, and his brother Orson, age 17, joined Brigham Young’s pioneer

company. On April 8, Horace related, “Before starting, Father Lott blessed Orson and myself,

and gave us many good promises of health and safety – that we should return to our friends

again, etc., etc.”160

Trouble with the Omaha

During that previous winter and into the spring, a Native American tribe called the

Omaha had been driving off and killing the Latter-day Saints’ cattle. The dilemma became

increasingly sore. Because of Cornelius Lott’s responsibilities for overseeing the Church’s cattle,

this would have been one of his primary concerns. On April 19, 1847, the leaders of the Church

held a special meeting at the home of Samuel Russell to take immediate action in order to

resolve the problem. Hosea Stout remarked, “Much was said after which a committee was

appointed to go and have an interview with Big Elk on the subject where upon President Alpheus

Cutler Daniel Spencer, C. P. Lott and W. W. Phelps were apointed to go and complain of our

grievences. The Feeling of the Council & also of Elders Taylor and Pratt were indignant at the

conduct of the Omahas and the prevailing sentiment was to stop them if it had to be by harsher

156

Nauvoo Sealings and Adoptions 1846-1857, Book A, 741-742. 157

See Stout, On the Mormon Frontier, 246. 158

See Journal History, April 6, 1847. 159

Church History in the Fulness of Times, 331. 160

As cited in Whitney, A Woman’s View, 441.

38

means.”161

The men met with Big Elk on the April 21, and reported that the Omaha confessed to

putting their young men up to the trespasses. The tribal chiefs “seemed willing to stop them.”162

On April 24, three days after the meeting with Big Elk, John D. Lee wrote in his diary

some extra information regarding the situation, wherein he mentioned more about Lott’s

involvement. He recorded, “About 11 Bro. J. Busby, G. Laub, D. Davis, Dalton and Potter

started for W. Q. and about 5 evening C. P. Lott with 9 men arrived on their way to meet and

protect the heards from this Co. We learned that a proposition had been made by the chiefs of the

Omaha to let us remain this season by hauling them 600 bus. corn purchased by government and

that we should have 30 bus. out of that amount to feed our teams while hauling, and report says

through the press that an engagement took place about 2, 3 and 4 of Feb. between Gen. Taylor

and Santa Ana in which about 1000 of Taylor’s men fell and 2000 of Santa Ana’s men. Evening

pleasant.”163

Unfortunately, on May 7, the “Omahas made another breach on the cattl.”164

This, of

course, caused greater friction between the Latter-day Saints and the Omaha. Eighteen days later,

on May 25, a group of Omaha led by Young Elk, the chief’s son, rode up to the Latter-day

Saints’ camp to return some horses they had stolen previously in exchange for money, though

they had intentions of making peace with the Latter-day Saints. In observance to Parley P. Pratt’s

orders, Hosea Stout and the other watchmen did not allow them entrance since the Latter-day

Saints in general felt quite hostile towards the Omaha for their treachery. Finally, after some

debate the guards consented that Young Elk and two of his men could go in. As it turned out, six

of the chiefs and braves went in, while the others stayed behind. Hosea Stout escorted them to

the camp and while the Omaha waited outside, Stout went in and explained the situation to Elder

Pratt, who refused to see them and ordered Stout to tell Young Elk that the Church leaders were

angry with their tribe and that he didn’t want anything to do with him.

Hosea Stout then went to Apostle John Taylor who supported Elder Pratt’s sentiments.

Elder Taylor referred Stout to Cornelius Lott, who happened to pass by at the moment. Lott,

echoing the feelings of Elders Pratt and Taylor, replied he didn’t wish to get involved, to which

Stout angrily replied that he didn’t either. Elder Taylor overheard this exchange and asked

Cornelius to go with Hosea Stout to hear Young Elk’s report. Cornelius obeyed. While all of this

had transpired, Young Elk and his men had returned the stolen horses and received their pay.

Lott and Stout returned with Young Elk and his small group to the other Omaha who had

not been permitted to enter. They formed a regular council, with the Omaha on one side and the

two men on the other, facing one another. In the council, Young Elk stated he was ready to hear

what the Latter-day Saints had to say. Cornelius “replied very angrily that we had said heretofore

all we had to say & they would not live up to their agreements & if they had nothing to say it was

no use talking &c.” In his diary, Hosea Stout commented that he felt Cornelius’s response was

“very hostile” and “unreasonable.” Young Elk remained calm and explained how he had been

sent by his father to establish peace. He expressed his disappointment in the treatment he and his

men had received from the Latter-day Saints in trying to return the horses. He further explained

how he had to contend with his own people to give up the stolen horses. He then vowed that his

people would no longer steal horses and expressed his desire for peace. Finally, Young Elk

161

Stout, On the Mormon Frontier, 250-251. 162

Stout, On The Mormon Frontier, 251. 163

Lee, Journals of John D. Lee, 156. 164


39

spoke sharply and quipped that if Brigham Young had been there, they would have been treated

more kindly. Stout wrote, “Br Lott’s wrath abated & he talked reasonable in a short time & we

all verily believed they were sincere in their words.” After this, Young Elk insisted that the

Latter-day Saints give a definite answer regarding the situation and asked for presents to take to

his father. The Latter-day Saints were not able to give any gifts at the time, but promised to relay

the words of the council to Alpheus Cutler, the president of the high council.165

On May 20, Cornelius Lott joined with Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, John Taylor, John

Smith, Newel K. Whitney, George W. Harris, Winslow Farr, Isaac Morley, John Young, and

Joseph Young in sending out a notice concerning stray animals. They announced, “All stray

cattle not claimed on that or the following day, shall be used by the authorities on the present

mountain expedition and shall still be held as strays for the owners, as this people are all bound

for the mountains.”166

On June 19, 1847, relations between the Latter-day Saints and the Omaha worsened. On

that day, a tragedy occurred when Jacob Weatherby, Alfred Lambson, Nancy Chamberlain and

Almira Johnson had left the Elkhorn River that morning on their way to Winter Quarters. Three

Omaha men, who had been hiding in the grass, approached the wagon with rifles raised and

stopped the oxen. Jacob Weatherby ordered the men to leave, but received no response. At that

moment, both Weatherby and Lambson, who were unarmed, attacked a couple of the braves with

the intent to disarm them. In the mean time, the remaining Omaha man, about fifteen feet away,

shot Weatherby through the hip and bowels. Once he fell, the Omaha fled. The oxen were

frightened by the gunshot and Nancy Chamberlain whipped them to drive them back to the

Elkhorn River. Since Weatherby was not in a condition to travel, Lambson left him in the care of

the women while he went ahead to get help from Winter Quarters, some five miles away.167

Three or four hours later, Lambson returned with Alpheus Cutler, Cornelius P. Lott, and

Newel K. Whitney in carriages. When the rescue party found them, they put the injured Jacob

Weatherby in Cornelius’s carriage and headed towards the Elkhorn. They soon found the oxen

and wagon that had been driven off, and Alfred Lambson took the two women back to the camp.

Lambson commented, “Father Cutler, Bishop Whitney, and Bro. Lott left me and hurried their

horses to the camp. I thank those High Councillors for their kindness.” The next morning,

Cornelius Lott gave Lambson a ride to where his family was.168

Jacob Weatherby died that same

morning, hence, Cutler, Lott, and Whitney took his body with the intent to have him interred at

Winter Quarters. However, “he mortified and smelt so bad they buried him in a buffaloe robe

near the liberty pole.”169

The next morning around nine o’clock, Cornelius Lott joined company with Newel K.

Whitney, Alpheus Cutler, Charles C. Rich, and William Kimball to travel by raft on the Elkhorn

River to the main camp on the Platte. Here the party met with the leaders of the companies that

were just departing for the Salt Lake Valley.170

Lott then returned to Winter Quarters. On June

165

See Stout, On The Mormon Frontier, 256-257. 166

Journal History, May 20, 1847. 167

See Journal History, June 19, 1847, 3-6. Also see Patty Bartlett Sessions, Mormon Midwife: The 1846-1888

Diaries of Patty Bartlett Sessions, ed. Donna Toland Smart (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1997), 85

and Lee, Journals of John D. Lee, 179. 168

See Journal History, June 19, 1847, 5. 169

Sessions, Mormon Midwife, 86. Also see Journal History, June 20, 1847, 2. 170

See Journal History, June 21, 1847, 2.

40

21, Hosea Stout noted, “The main camp has all started on to the West & all the brethren who had

gone to the Horne has returned.”171

The Church leaders called a meeting for the evening of June 22. Hosea Stout noted that

the purpose for the council “was to consider upon a letter just recieved from Elder Hyde stating

that there was to be a demand made by Mitchel, the Pottewattamie Agent, upon the Omahas for

the man who shot Wetherbee & that 100 men would be raised at the Point to cross over to Bel-

vue on next Thursday morning and desired 50 men to be raised here and put under my command

and met them at 9 o’clock A. M. with the intention of making war on the Omahas in case they

did not give up the murder and also the one who killed the man found dead on the Horn by our

people.”172

A Return Trip to Missouri

On June 30, 1847, one man named Ellis Mendenhall Sanders indicated that Cornelius

Lott made a trip to Missouri with him. He recorded, “Got an order from Wm Kimball for

crossing the River on 30th - started to Missouri in company with Bro. C.P. Lott, Boulton Porter

& Davenport all went with me to Oregon on their way to the East, Davenport & I went three

miles below Oregon & bought a load of corn...”173

Though it is not clear what Lott’s purpose was

in going to Missouri, perhaps his mission was similar to that of Sanders’s, that is, to purchase

supplies for the Latter-day Saints.

Tragedy in the Lott Family

Tragedy struck the Lott family towards the end of that year. Alzina Lott wrote, “Sadness

came to my parents when in October of 1847 they lost two of their children in ten days. Harriet

Amanda died Oct. 5, 1847 at the age of eleven years, and Joseph Darrow died Oct. 15, 1847 at

the age of nine years. Mama and Papa had had two children born to them and now had lost three

children in the time they had been on the plains. They also lost one grand-child, son of John

Smiley Lott and Mary Ann Fausett Lott.”174

Hence, today at the Winter Quarter’s memorial site,

one will find the names of the Lott children listed among those who died in that place.

Little information is found concerning Cornelius through the winter of 1847-1848. On

February 10, 1848, “Pres. Brigham Young and Elder Wilford Woodruff spent part of the day

with Cornelius P. Lott in the Historian’s office, at Winter Quarters.”175

Then, six days later, on

February 16, Hosea Stout noted, “Wed Feb 16th

1848. Occupied in distributing corn to the police.

Procured another cow of Lott on picket guard tax.”176

171



Ellis Mendenall Sander, Ellis Mendenhall Sander's journal, 12 Jul 1844 to 10 Nov 1858, copied by Sarah Ida

Wiltbank Foremaster (1935), available from http://www.softcom.net/users/paulandsteph/ ems/journal.html; internet. 174


Journal History, February 10, 1848. 176

Stout, On the Mormon Frontier, 302.

http://www.softcom.net/users/paulandsteph/%20ems/journal.html

41

Chapter 7

Captain Lott and the Trek West

The Departure for the Salt Lake Valley As part of Heber C. Kimball’s wagon train, Cornelius Lott took his family and started the

trek west for the Salt Lake Valley, leaving in the summer of 1848.177

Before the journey, Mary

Fielding Smith, the widow of Hyrum Smith, approached Cornelius Lott to seek assistance in

preparation for the trek since he had charge over the cattle of the Church. Mary’s son, Joseph F.

Smith, recalled, “When we started out from the Missouri River, we had only about one-half

enough teams to haul our wagons.” Cornelius did not feel her outfit was up to the challenge of

crossing the plains. President Smith explained, “But after diagnosing our case, considering the

number of wagons we had, and the helplessness of the whole company, he very sternly informed

the widow that there was no use for her to attempt to cross the plains that year, and advised her

to go back to the river, to Winter Quarters, and wait another year, when perhaps she could be

helped out.”178

Cornelius then warned Mary, “If you start in this manner, you will be a burden on

the company the whole way, and I will have to carry you along or leave you on the way.” Mary

replied, “I will beat you to the valley and will ask no help from you either,” to which Cornelius

retorted, “You can’t get there without help, and the burden will be on me.”179

Mary Smith

returned to the Missouri River and was able to borrow enough cattle in order to make the trek,

promising to return them once they had arrived to the Salt Lake Valley.180

Mary Smith’s brother, Joseph Fielding, who made the journey with her, admitted that he

also was not fully prepared to make the trek. His account may give greater background into

Mary’s predicament. He wrote, “Bro. Terry, who had (been) 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.”181

He further explained the situation, “At the close of the

last Winter I commenced repairing my Sister’s Waggons, etc. to prepare her for her Journey to

the Valey, but as I saw no possibility of going myself I bought the Improvement of five Acres of

Land and sowed it with S (spring) Wheat, but 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.C. Kimball to try and make a Start. I

sold my Claim, borrowed some Corn, and did my best for Starting, but both my Sister and

myself found it very difficult to get off.”182

On June 6, 1848, Cornelius Lott, Joseph Fielding, Mary Smith and their respective

families had been expected to arrive at the Elkhorn camp shortly after dinnertime. When they

delayed in their arrival, those in the camp began to feel concerned for their welfare. Heber C.

177

See Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 10. 178

Joseph F. Smith, “A Plucky Pioneer Mother,” Improvement Era, June 1918, 756. 179

Joseph Fielding Smith, comp., The Life of Joseph F. Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1938), 148. 180

See Joseph F. Smith, “How One Widow Crossed the Plains,” Young Woman’s Journal, Feb. 1919, 165. 181

Joseph Fielding, Diary of Joseph Fielding, TMs (Salt Lake City: n.p., 1963), 148, L. Tom Perry Special

Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Also in Journey to Zion: Voices from the Mormon Trail, 299. 182

Fielding, Diary of Joseph Fielding, 148. Also in Journey to Zion: Voices from the Mormon Trail, 298-299.

42

Kimball sent ten armed footmen to find the party and give them aid if necessary. Lott’s group

finally arrived safely at five o’clock, although they had a broken axle and were “very short of

team.”183

William Thompson, the camp clerk, wrote on June 6, “About one o'clock Brother C. P.

Lott [Cornelius P. Lott] and family come in sight. He drove up his teams and gave Sister Mary

Smith 2 yoke of cattle that Brother Egan [Howard Egan] had procured for her by the command

of Brother Heber. C. Kimball.” Shortly after this, they met a man named Jesse Brailey, who had

just had an unfriendly encounter with an American Indian. Thompson continued, “We then

hitched up our teams about 1 o'clock and prosecuted our way in company with Brother Lott and

family.”184

Lott as a Captain of Ten

On June 8, John Pack called the camp together to elect officers. William Burton, who

served as Henry Herriman’s clerk, noted, “The officers were all accepted according to their

previous appointment: Henry Herriman, Captain of Hundred; John Pack, Captain of the 2nd

Fifty;

Caleb Baldwin, Captain of the 1st Ten; William Burton Captain of the 2

nd Ten; Cornelius P. Lott

Captain of the 3rd

Ten; Francis McFerson, Captain of the Guard, and William Burton, Clerk.

Various instructions were given to the brethren; one thing was enjoined upon them: ‘To offer

supplication to the Most High, twice a day.’ The hand of God was manifest in our midst, peace

and union prevailed in our company.”185

By June 16, Lott’s company arrived at the fork where the Loup and Platte Rivers join.186

Around this time, Jane Wilson, a woman in Mary Fielding Smith’s group went ahead to catch up

to her mother who was traveling in Newel K. Whitney’s company, so she could get some

“snuff.” Since the companies were traveling so near each other, she intended to return to Lott’s

camp that evening. Joseph F. Smith’s son, Joseph Fielding Smith, wrote that Lott, “knowing that

Jane had gone ahead, concluded to camp in the middle of the day, and the result was that the

advanced company pulled further away as they traveled during the afternoon.” Lott, seeing that

Jane had not returned by the late afternoon, called the camp together and asked “in a very and

excited manner, ‘Is all right in the camp!’” Each group responded to the affirmative. He finally

turned to Mary Smith and asked if she was all right. After she had answered that all was well,

“he exclaimed: ‘All is right, is it, and a poor woman lost!’” According to Joseph F. Smith, his

mother answered, “Father (Lott), Jane is not lost, she has gone to see her mother, and is quite

safe.” Cornelius reportedly countered, “I rebuke you, Widow Smith, in the name of the Lord!

She is lost and must be sent for at once.” Mary consented and sent her fifteen year-old son, John,

“traveling in the night through droves of ravenous wolves, fierce for the flesh of dead cattle

strewed along the road, howling and even snapping at him on every side, their eyes gleaming in

the dark.” After arriving, he found Jane Wilson “all snug and comfortable with her mother.”187

Lott had been in charge of Joseph Smith’s farm in Nauvoo and overseer of the Church’s

livestock for a time at Winter Quarters. As would be expected, he resumed such responsibility

183

Journal History, June 6, 1848, 4. 184

William Thompson, William Thompson Journal, June 6, 1848, available from http://www.lds.org/

churchhistory/library/source/0,18016,4976-5528,00.html; Internet. 185


See Thompson, William Thompson Journal, June 15, 1848. 187

Smith, The Life of Joseph F. Smith, 149-150.

http://www.lds.org/%20churchhistory/library/source/0,18016,4976-5528,00.html


43

while on the trek across the plains. On June 18, 1848, “The vote was unanimous and Cornelius P.

Lot was chosen Captain of the Herd.”188

According to one clerk, the company consisted of “64

wagons, 179 souls, 21 horses, 16 mules, 19 oxen, 93 cows, 27 loose cattle, 74 sheep, 28 hogs, 71

hens, 22 dogs and 5 cats.”189

On the warm and beautiful morning of June 21, Heber C. Kimball called a meeting

together consisting of nine men, including Cornelius Lott. In his journal, William Thompson

wrote, “Brother Kimball said that there must be some arrangements made so that all things may

be done in order. He mentioned the fact of the cattle, that the camp left the day previous and said

that he wanted every 10 to furnish 1 hand to help drive loose stock. To this the brethren agreed.

He then spoke to the brethren about order. He said that this must be observed in order to be able

to get along in harmony. He said that we were as peaceable a company as ever was known to

travel together. There was several remarks mad by Herriman, Pack & Lott about law and order,

&c. The meeting was closed by prayer by Henry Herriman, and the meeting was dismissed.”190

Being a captain over ten, Lott was able to speak to the Latter-day Saints on various

occasions. At twelve o’clock noon on Sunday, June 25, he had one such opportunity. William

Thompson noted that Lott “made several good remarks about order, diligence, reverence, &c.”191

Eleven days after Lott had been appointed Captain of the Herd, he expressed his desire to

be released from the responsibility. On the evening July 29, the company leaders called a

meeting to discuss the matter. After the motion had been made for Lott’s release, the vote was

unanimous. Heber C. Kimball then motioned “that each fifty take turns in driving the herd, every

other day.” His motion was carried and “the meeting was dismissed with Bro Kimball blessing

the people.”192

While camped a mile east of Rattlesnake Creek on the Platte River on the evening of July

6, Cornelius Lott called his company together to Mary Smith’s fire. They opened the meeting by

singing the hymn “How Firm a Foundation,” after which Lott himself offered the invocation.

The clerk recorded that Lott “then adressed the meeting on the importance of the work we are

now engaged in. He spoke of us being the people that Jeremiah spoke of. We were going to

establish the house of the Lord on the top of the mountain &c. He exhorted the brethren to

diligence & faithfulness in garding in herding in keeping all the commandments of God &c.

Brother Bartholomew [Noah Willis Bartholomew] then exprest his satisfaction at our meeting

togather. He said it would give us a chance to know what was in our hearts, &c. The meeting was

then dismist by Brother Joel Terry.”193

On the morning of July 15, not far from Chimney Rock, Noah Bartholomew had the

point box off his hind axle break, which damaged to the point of the axle. Once Cornelius

learned of the mishap, he stopped his company and took William Thompson with him to help

mend Bartholomew’s wagon. Lott and Thompson spent two hours aiding in the repair, after

which they continued on their way.194

188



Thompson, William Thompson Journal, June 21, 1848. 191

Thompson, William Thompson Journal, June 25, 1848. 192

William Burton, William Burton Journal, June 29, 1848, available from http://www.lds.org/

churchhistory/library/source/0,18016,4976-5487,00.html; Internet. 193

Thompson, William Thompson Journal, July 6, 1848. 194

See Thompson, William Thompson Journal, July 15, 1848.

http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/source/0,18016,4976-5487,00.html

http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/source/0,18016,4976-5487,00.html

44

A few days later, on July 21, Heber C. Kimball halted his company for a day in order to

give rest to the cattle and for the women to wash. President Kimball also took the opportunity to

instruct his camp about law and order. He then sent out some scouts, including Cornelius Lott, to

find wood and a place to feed the livestock. That evening, Lott and the others returned with the

report that the feed was poor. Later, Orrin Porter Rockwell came to President Kimball’s camp

from the Salt Lake Valley “bringing despatches of June 21.”195

Weakening Cattle

By the time the Latter-day Saints had passed Fort Laramie near the end of July, the lack

of feed for the cattle became a considerable dilemma due to a drought that year. On July 25, the

company clerk noted, “One of Brother Lotts & one of Brother H. C. Kimball's cattle give out to-

day on account of the long drive without feed. Our cattle looked very weak & empty this

evening, although they pulled well & traveled well through the day.” That same day, Heber C.

Kimball came riding up to Lott’s company in his buggy looking for a place to camp for the night.

Cornelius, along with Titus Billings, requested that President Kimball set up camp next to theirs,

which he did.196

The following day, the leaders of Heber C. Kimball’s company decided to divide into

smaller companies due to the scarcity of feed for the livestock. President Kimball and John Pack

with their respective companies moved ahead for search of better feed, while Billings and Lott

with their companies stopped on Dead Timber Creek. Thompson recorded, “The brethren in C.

P. Lott's 10 counseled togather after the other camps went off & appointed Brothers C. P. Lott &

Noah W. Bartholomew to go a few miles west to see if there was any better feed for cattle; they

returned in 2 hours and reported that there was none except what the brethren had taken up.

Drove up our cattle and chained them up for the night. About 8 p.m. it commenced raining &

rained nearly all the night moderately.”197

The situation grew worse as the Latter-day Saints pressed on, as they were still unable to

find sufficient feed for the cattle. On July 28, several cattle in Lott’s company gave out as well as

those in other camps, afflicted with what the camp historian termed “the blind staggers.” That

night they camped at a dry riverbed.198

The following morning, Lott took his carriage up to Heber C. Kimball’s camp to get

some water. Upon his return, they divided the water among the families. After breakfast, Lott

called his company together for prayer before they resumed the journey.199

A couple of days later, on Sunday, July 30, the camp gathered together at eight o’clock in

the morning to hold the Sabbath day meeting. After praying and singing a hymn, Cornelius

spoke to his company “on the subjects of faithfulness and diligence, &c.”200

On August 2, the camp historian commented, “The brethren was all wornd out with the

cattle.” At nine o’clock that morning, the camp gathered and Joseph Fielding prayed. However,

for an hour they were delayed in setting off because one of Lott’s cows had wandered off.201

195


See Thompson, William Thompson Journal, July 25, 1848. 197





See Thompson, William Thompson Journal, August 2, 1848.

45

Still beleaguered because of the lack of feed for the animals, the camp turned to the Lord

for help. On August 3, the clerk noted, “Our camp met together this evening after sundown for

the purpose of calling upon the Lord to bless & strengthen our cattle; to harden their feet, &c.”

Lott “made a few remarks concerning our position & circumstances, faith, &c.”202

In the evening of August 7, Cornelius Lott called the brethren to gather at his campfire

for a meeting. Lott addressed the men in regards to President Kimball’s counsel on the matter of

faithfulness and diligence. After his remarks, William Thompson spoke on the subject of

forgiveness.203

The following Sunday morning, the camp met for Sabbath day worship at nine

o’clock. Again Lott had the opportunity to give “good instruction,” followed by words from

Titus Billings and Joseph Fielding.204

During the middle of August, while the company traveled between the Platte and

Sweetwater Rivers, one of Mary Fielding Smith’s “best oxen laid down in the yoke as if

poisoned and all supposed he would die.” At this point, according to Joseph F. Smith, Cornelius

Lott “came up and seeing the cause of the disturbance he blustered about. . . as if the world were

about at an end. ‘There,’ said he, ‘I told you you would have to be helped and that you would be

a burden on the company.’” However, at Mary’s request, her brother Joseph and a man named

James Lawson administered to the ox with consecrated oil, after which the animal immediately

rose and continued on as if nothing had happened. This act amazed the others in the company.

After a short time, another of her oxen collapsed, but after receiving the same treatment as the

other, it regained strength and resumed its journey. Finally, this occurred yet a third time with

another ox with the same results. Joseph F. Smith noted that Captain Lott was put out that the

oxen recovered.205

Lott’s Gratitude

Around this time Cornelius Lott became quite demonstrative in his gratitude to the Lord

for preserving his camp. Upon arriving at Devil’s Gate around one o’clock in the afternoon of

August 17, Cornelius and his wife joined with Mary Smith and William Thompson to climb

approximately four hundred feet to see the view from the top of the cliffs. The company then set

up camp about four miles west of Devil’s Gate on the bank of the Sweetwater. Out of

gratefulness, Cornelius raised a small standard with the inscription: “Standard of thanks to the

God of Israel for the preservation of our camp. Titus Billings, Cap. C.P. Lott, Cap. of 10, Joseph

Fielding & family, Mary Smith & family, N. W. Bartholomew & family, Thomas Harrington &

family, J. S. Lott & wife, William Thompson.” That evening, Lott called the camp together.

William Thompson recorded, “After singing a hymn, Brother C. P. Lott said he felt he would

like to have the camp meet togather that we might sing a little & pray or do anything the Spirit

might dictate. Brother Joseph Fielding engaged in prayer. Brother Lott then arose & expressed

202

Thompson, William Thompson Journal, August 3, 1848. 203

See Thompson, William Thompson Journal, August 7, 1848. 204

See Thompson, William Thompson Journal, August 13, 1848. 205

Smith, The Life of Joseph F. Smith, 150. In another account of what may be the same incident, President Smith

wrote, “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” (As cited in “How One Widow Crossed the Plains,” Young Woman’s Journal, Feb. 1919, 165).

46

his feeling that we had been thus far blest. He exhorted the brethren to attend to the sayings of

Brother H.C.K. and pray for their cattle relying on the word of that they would be heeld &c.”206

On the morning of Sunday, August 20, the men in the camp gathered for prayer at ten

o’clock. After Titus Billings had offered the prayer, Cornelius took occasion to speak. William

Thompson wrote, “This morning Brother Lott made few remarks to the brethren concerning the

preservation of our camp. He said he believed if we would call upon the Lord we might have

more milk, for He was as able to bless our cows that they would give us milk although they have

to work, as he was to bless the raw meat that the Nephites eat & give suck to their children,

&c.”207

Later that same day at four o’clock, the camp met together for worship services. Captain

Lott “said the brethren might improve their time as they felt disposed.” Following that, Joseph

Fielding spoke “at some length” on the principles of faith, Noah W. Bartholomew spoke about

union, and William Thompson instructed the camp on the same subjects. After those three gave

their remarks, Cornelius “spoke to the brethren & sisters, expressing his satisfaction of the

meeting. He said that we had been talking on the same principles that President H. C. Kimball

had been talking to the brethren about & he was glad to know that the same spirit was among us,

&c.”208

Within a couple of weeks after, around September 1, the company arrived at the last

crossing of the Sweetwater, when three of Captain Lott’s oxen and his best mule died. Joseph F.

Smith reported that Lott “was obliged to get help for himself before he could proceed.” President

Smith continued:

I heard him say, ‘It looks suspicious that four of my best animals should lie down in this manner

all at once, and die, and everybody’s cattle but mine escape!’ and he then insinuated that

somebody had poisoned them through spite. All of which was said in my presence and for my

special benefit, which I perfectly understood, although he did not address himself directly to me. It

was well for him that I was only a stripling of nine years of age, and not a man, even four years

would have cost the old man dearly regardless of his age, and perhaps a cause of regret to me. My

temper was beyond boiling, it was ‘white hot,’ for I knew his insinuation was directed or aimed at

my mother, as well as I know that such a thing was beyond her power even had she been capable

of such a deed. All of which he knew as well as I, and all the camp. At this moment I resolved on

revenge for this and the many other insults and abuses he had heaped upon my mother, and

perhaps could have carried out my resolutions had not death come timely to my relief and taken

him away, while I was yet a child.209

Joseph F. Smith elaborated that part of the reason that he felt Cornelius Lott held a vendetta

against Mary Smith was because she did not allow her nine year-old son to stand guard at nights.

President Smith shared an incident related to this particular conflict, saying that one night Lott

“terrifically” shook the wagon in which Mary Smith and her family were sleeping and raised a

false alarm with a “loud hoarse whisper shouting ‘Indians! Indians! Get up quick , Widow

Smith! We’re beset by Indians!’ Mother replied, ‘Why don’t you arouse the men, I don’t see

206




Smith, The Life of Joseph F. Smith, 151.

47

what I can do.’ At this he went to the next wagon where some of the family were asleep, shaking

it rather mildly, and then slinked off, not wishing to carry his alarm any further.”210

Cornelius again took the opportunity to speak to those in his company on September 17,

at another camp meeting. William Thompson related, “Brother C. P. Lott spoke for some length

concerning the unity of the Saints, &c. He said that H.C.K. instructed Father Billings & him to

move on and have a meeting of thanksgiving & dedicate and consecrate ourselves to the Lord

afresh. Whereupon C. P. Lott called a vote to see if it was the minds of the meeting to do as

H.C.K. instructed us. Unanimous. Brother Thompson, Ryle, Billings, Lawson & others followed

with remarks concerning the work we are engaged in etc, etc. The meeting was good. The Spirit

of the Lord was with us. All felt well. The unity of the Spirit prevailed.”211

The Final Advance to the Valley

On September 22, 1848, the company camped within a day’s journey from the Salt Lake

Valley. The following morning, Captain Lott gave the word to gear up and head on. According

to Joseph F. Smith, the Widow Smith’s cattle “for some reason had strayed away, and were not

to be found with the herd.” Lott ordered the camp to leave without her. Part way up the hill

leading to the entrance to Parley’s Canyon, a violent storm broke out so that “the captain seemed

forced to direct the company to unhitch the teams, turn them loose, and block the wheels to keep

the wagons from running back down the hill.”212

One described the storm as a “hard rain & wind

which extended over the valley.”213

As the storm raged, the animals scattered. Yet shortly

afterwards, the storm passed and Mary Smith and her group, now ready to travel, were able to

ascend the hill and overtake Lott’s company. Joseph Fielding asked his sister, “Mary, what shall

we do? Go on, or wait for the company to gather up their teams?” She replied, “Joseph, they

have not waited for us, and I see no necessity for us to wait for them.”214

With that, she took her

small group and proceeded to enter the valley on Saturday, September 23, leaving Lott and the

rest of the company behind. The next day, Mary Smith and her clan bathed and attended a

meeting where Presidents Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball addressed the Latter-day

Saints. Joseph F. Smith commented, “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.’”215

These incidents between Mary Fielding Smith and Cornelius Lott made a deep

impression on Joseph F. Smith, who was only nine years old at the time. Sadly, years passed

before he resolved his bitterness against Lott. In a letter to his brother, John, in 1861, he wrote

the following:

I wish you would write to me. You must excuse me for writing so much, and talking as I have done. the

Truth is John if we say what we think, there is nothing hidden, and then if difficulties arrise we have the

satisfaction of knowing that we did our best to prevent it, The surest way to prevent “feelings” is to have a

good understanding about everything, You understand what I mean, and my motto is, have the Spirit, to

resent a wrong, and a heart to forgive it. Not that you have don wrong or that I think so, but that is the

210

Smith, The Life of Joseph F. Smith, 151-152. 211

Thompson, William Thompson Journal, September 17, 1848. 212

Smith, The Life of Joseph F. Smith, 155. 213


Smith, The Life of Joseph F. Smith, 154-155. 215

As cited in Smith, “How One Widow Crossed the Plains,” Young Woman’s Journal, February 1919, 171.

48

principel, that I work on, The hardest thing for me to forgive is wraped in the memory of C. P. Lot! Yet

even that I forgive, tho’ I never will forget it. My memory is keen upon these things, So no doubt is yours,

but I shall try and never mention anything of this kind again. I begg pardon for what I may have done

wrong, and humbly ask forgiveness.216

Regrettably, the only known account of the relationship between Mary Smith and

Cornelius Lott comes from the one-sided perspective of a boy who was no more than nine-years-

old when the incidents occurred.

216

Joseph F. Smith to John Smith, January 20, 1861, ALS, Joseph F. Smith Papers, Historical Department Archives,

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City.

49

Chapter 8

Senator Lott in the Territory of Deseret

Settling in the Salt Lake Valley Upon arrival to the Salt Lake Valley, Cornelius, whose wife was eight months pregnant,

built a “very primitive” two room cabin “on the corner of third south and what is now State

Street.” Alzina Lott recalled, “It was made with rough hewn logs with openings between the

timbers daubed with chinking and mud.”217

Referring to her mother, Alzina also wrote, “The

same hands that tidied the eight room dwelling where the Prophet sat, talked and visited now

swept with a sage brush broom, the dirt floor of our new cabin.”218

In spite of the difficult

circumstances, they “were just happy to be together and have a safe place to call home at last.”219

Shortly after building the little home, Cornelius’s daughter, Mary Elizabeth, married

Abraham Losee on November 12, 1848. Losee had become acquainted with the Lotts in Nauvoo

when he worked on the Smith farm under Cornelius’s direction. Only four days after the

marriage, Permelia delivered Benjamin Smith Lott on November 16.220

The Council of Fifty Reconvened

Early in the month of December 1848, Brigham Young called the Council of Fifty

together to discuss the problem of those who had let their cattle and horses roam free in the

valley, exposing them to the “ravages of the wolves & Indian(s).” They decided to appoint a

committee that would round up the animals for their safety. This committee consisted of Amasa

Lyman, John D. Fuller, Orrin Porter Rockwell, John D. Lee, and George D. Grant. Once they

had done their duty in driving the animals to the fort, a few individuals became angry because

they had to retrieve their livestock that had been driven there. Some used harsh language against

those of the committee. Amasa Lyman requested to be released because of the insults. Brigham

Young opposed the motion that any of the committee be released, since they would only have to

find replacements for them anyhow. Concerning those who let their animals roam freely,

President Young declared “that natural feelings would Say llet them & their catle go to Hell, But

duty Says if they will not take care of there catle, we must do it for them. We are to be saviours

of men in these last days. Then don’t be bluffed off by insults or abuse.” After his statement, the

president moved that the committee remain in place and that they add more men to the

committee. Among those added were Cornelius P. Lott, Newel K. Whitney, Jedediah M. Grant,

Daniel H. Spencer, Charles C. Rich, Erastus Snow, and Shadrach Roundy.221

217




See Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 10-11. 221

See Lee, A Mormon Chronicle, 80-82.

50

The War against Vermin

Near Christmastime that year, the Latter-day Saint settlers launched a war against various

wild animals that plagued them by destroying their grain and livestock. John D. Lee referred to

them as “wasters and destroyers” and listed such animals as “wolves, wildcats, catamounts, Pole

cats, minks, Bear, Panthers, Eagles, Hawks, owls, crow or Ravens & magpies.” He asserted that

thousands of dollars worth of grain and livestock had already been destroyed. To curb the

problem, Brigham Young nominated John D. Lee and John Pack as captains to oversee the

extermination of the animals. The captains decided to turn the hunt into a competition, each

captain choosing one hundred men to hunt the vermin. The wings of the various birds and the

skins of each animal were worth a certain number of points. A raven wing was worth one; the

wing of an owl, hawk, or magpie was worth two; an eagle’s wing, five; the skin of a wolf, fox,

wildcat, or catamount was worth ten; the skin of a Pole cat or mink, five; and of a bear or

panther, fifty. The captains agreed that the company that attained the fewer number of points by

February 1, 1849 at ten o’clock would provide a meal for both parties and their wives at a social

dinner at John Pack’s home after the competition. Cornelius Lott was chosen to be part of John

D. Lee’s company.222

During the month of January 1849, the hunters destroyed such a large number of vermin,

especially the wolves and foxes, that Lee and Pack felt the competition should be extended for an

extra month, to which the council agreed.223

Finally, on March 5, the hunt ended and the men came in with literally thousands of

wings and skins to be counted. John D. Lee recorded, “At 4 P.M. poles closed, giving J. D. Lee a

majority of two thousand five hundred & 43 skelps. The entir No. brought on both sides was

estimated between Fourteen & Fifteen Thousand.” Lee concluded, “The hunt resulted in good.

Many 1000 dollars worth of catle were Saved in this move.”224

A Visit to the Sessions

Shortly after the hunt had begun, on January 7, Patty Sessions recorded in her diary,

“Sunday 7 Br [Cornelius Peter] Lott came here talked with Mr Sessions.”225

That evening at a

high priest quorum meeting, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Newel K. Whitney

disfellowshipped her husband, David Sessions, for a “breach of covenant”.226

A week later,

however, Brother Sessions acknowledged his faults and was received back into fellowship.227

Lott’s involvement in the case remains uncertain.

The Territory of Deseret

As the new territory of Deseret began to develop, Cornelius Lott took part with the

Council of Fifty for its establishment. On February 17, 1849, the council discussed which system

of weights and measures the territory would adopt. At the meeting, Albert Carrington, who

served on the “commity of weights & measures,” reported that after examining the various

systems, he found the French to be the simplest and most correct. To this, John D. Lee, noted,

222

See Lee, A Mormon Chronicle, 82-84. Also see Journal History, December 24, 1848, 1-2. 223

See Lee, A Mormon Chronicle, 87. 224

Lee, A Mormon Chronicle, 100. 225

Sessions, Mormon Midwife, 126. 226

Journal History, January 7, 1849. 227

Sessions, Mormon Midwife, 126.

51

“C. P. Lott said that he was entirely oposed to adopting the System of any Nation, that we should

be a paron [pattern] to the world instead of our folowing their rules, weights & measurs.” To this,

Brigham Young expressed his opinion that the territory of Deseret should take on “the most easy,

simple, plain System that could be had.”228

Continued Association with Brigham Young

Cornelius continued to enjoy a close association with the president of the Church and the

other leading officers. That spring, Brigham Young assigned Cornelius as supervisor over his

own Forest Dale Farm, in keeping with his previous responsibilities with farming and ranching.

Alzina wrote, “He was once again doing the kind of work he loved and was best suited for.”229

Lott hired John Riggs Murdock, who had worked for him as a boy on the Smith farm in Nauvoo.

In reference to Murdock, one historian noted, “…it was therefore quite natural that Father Lott

should want him to assist in the development of this large and important farm.”230

This

arrangement would be of particular interest to Lott’s daughter, Almira, who later that year would

be married to the young man.

On May 10, 1949, President Young visited with Cornelius and gave him instructions.231

Three days later, the president and his wife, along with Thomas Bullock, visited the Lott home

and married Ira J. Willes, a former member of the Mormon Battalion, to Cornelius’s oldest

daughter, Melissa.232

The marriage was for time only since she was sealed to the Prophet Joseph

Smith six years earlier as a plural wife for time and eternity. The young couple lived another year

in the Great Salt Lake Valley before moving to Lehi to farm.233

At ten o’clock in the morning on Sunday, June 3, 1849, Cornelius P. Lott and William W.

Phelps had the opportunity to speak to a congregation of Latter-day Saints at “the stand” in Salt

Lake City.234

Unfortunately, the topic of Lott’s address remains unknown.

On the fifth anniversary since Joseph Smith’s martyrdom, Eliza R. Snow, a widow to the

Prophet, visited with Cornelius and Permelia. She wrote, “Wed. 27th

This day is 5 years since

Joseph’s death! I rode in the forenoon with br. & sis. Lott. in the afternoon read Joseph’s lectures

to a circle of ladies.”235

One historian asserted that “The ‘circle of ladies’ would likely have been

Joseph Smith’s widows now living in the Valley, and the ‘lectures’ were most probably the

published ‘Lectures on Faith.’”236

It may be that Lott had this contact with Sister Snow that day

because his own daughter, Melissa, had been a plural wife to the Prophet.

The Territorial Senate

July 2, 1849 marked a significant day in the history of the Church when its leaders

organized the Deseret Territorial Senate.237

Previously, the general council, or Council of Fifty,

228

Lee, A Mormon Chronicle, 92. 229


Tanner, A Biographical Sketch of John Riggs Murdock, 103. 231

See Journal History, May 10, 1849, 1. 232

See Journal History, May 13, 1849. 233

See Lott, Descendants of Cornelius Peter Lott, 26. 234

See Journal History, June 3, 1849. 235

Snow, The Personal Writings of Eliza Roxcy Snow, 229, as found in the orginal. 236

Snow, The Personal Writings of Eliza Roxcy Snow, 298. 237

See Constitution of the State of Deseret, with the Journal of the Convention which Formed it and the Proceedings

of the Legislature Consequent Thereon (Kanesville, Iowa: Orson Hyde, 1849), 13.

52

had chosen the First Presidency to become the political leaders of the provisional State of

Deseret. Brigham Young was to be governor with Willard Richards as the secretary of state and

Heber C. Kimball as chief of justice.238

The territorial senate consisted of Newel K. Whitney as

president, Thomas Bullock as clerk, John Scott as “Sergeant-at-Arms,” and Isaac Morley,

Reynolds Cahoon, Newel K. Whitney, John Smith, Phinehas Richards, Shadrach Roundy,

William W. Phelps, John Young, Daniel Spencer, Joseph Fielding, Cornelius P. Lott, David

Pettigrew, Abraham O. Smoot, and Charles C. Rich as members. After each had presented his

credentials and were qualified, they took their seats. The following day, July 3, “Senate met

pursuant to adjournment. The journal being read, upon motion of Senator Morley, a committee

of three, namely, Daniel Spencer, Joseph Fielding and Cornelius P. Lott, was appointed to notify

the Lieutenant Governor of their organization, and to wait upon him to the chamber of the

Senate.”239

Hence, Lott continued in active public service and became one of the founding

fathers of what would eventually become the State of Utah.

Later that year, John R. Murdock, son of early Church missionary John Murdock, took

Almira Lott to be his bride. Heber C. Kimball performed the ceremony in the Lott home on

November 12.240

Their marriage would have been solemnized exactly one year after Mary

Elizabeth was wed to Abraham Losee.

Sacred Meetings with the Apostles

Just as Cornelius Lott had opportunity in Nauvoo to take part in sacred meetings with the

leading brethren of the Church, so he did in the Latter-day Saints’ new mountain home. On the

evening of February 26, 1850, in the upper room of President Young’s home, Cornelius had the

privilege to clothe and pray with Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Parley P.

Pratt, George A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, and Samuel W. Richards.241

Again, on the evening of

April 2, in the same place, Lott met with Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards,

George A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, and Thomas Bullock to pray.242

Chase’s Mill

Lott not only took part in the organization of the State of Deseret, but also in the building

of the new city. In May of 1850, Cornelius became involved in supervising the building of

Utah’s first sawmill, Chase’s Mill, which was located in what is now Liberty Park.243

Lott’s Demise

In the summer of 1850, Cornelius contracted a bowel disease that would soon take his

life. A hired-hand on the Forest Dale Farm recalled, “I worked on the farm another summer and

we raised about seven thousand bushels, and after the wheat and hay and other crops were cared

for, our foreman, Cornelius P. Lott, dying, we were called up for a settlement, and adjudged $20

238

See Church History in the Fulness of Times, 342. 239

Constitution of the State of Deseret, 13. 240

See Tanner, A Biographical Sketch of John Riggs Murdock, 102-103. Also see Lott, Descendants of Cornelius

Peter Lott, 43. 241

See Samuel W. Richards, Diary of Samuel Whitney Richards, 1824-1909 (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young

University Library, 1946), 87. 242

See Journal History, April 2, 1850. 243

See Journal History, May 25, 1850.

53

a month for our labor, and take flour at $10 per hundred for pay.”244

Alzina explained that her

father had contracted dysentery “because the food was so course and poor, nothing we could do

seemed to help him.”245

Finally, after a struggle with the illness, Cornelius P. Lott passed away on July 6, 1850, at

the age of fifty-one.246

He was buried in the Salt Lake City cemetery “where a specially prepared

red sandstone marker, the first of its kind was placed in his memory.”247

Since Lott had served as a member of the territorial senate, his passing left a vacancy.

Hence, upon his death and the death of fellow-senator Newel K. Whitney, Governor Brigham

Young appointed Apostles Charles C. Rich and Wilford Woodruff to take their place on

December 4, 1850.248

For the next few months, Permelia continued to live in the Salt Lake Valley with her

children, Permelia Jane, Alzina, Lyman, and Benjamin. Alzina recalled, “By the early spring of

1851 it became very clear that the absence of the father required new arrangements.”249

Since

some of the Permelia’s married daughters had already moved to Lehi with their husbands, she

soon decided to take her four children and move there as well.

In Memory of Cornelius P. Lott

Lott’s daughter, Alzina, recalled, “He was a very big man in the hearts and thoughts of

his family and friends…”250

One of his most admirable attributes his loyalty to the leaders of the

Church. One historian wrote, “‘Father Lott,’ as he was familiarly known in his family, was a man

who evidently enjoyed the confidence of the Church leaders, as he was trusted both by Joseph

Smith and Brigham Young with their leading farming operations.”251

May the words of Lott’s patriarchal blessing be fulfilled, when he received the

pronouncement, “thy name shall be had in everlasting remembrance among the Saints for good;

thy posterity shall continue to increase to all eternity….thou shalt be numbered with the 144,000,

who are spoken of by John the Revelator to stand on Mt Zion in the last days, finaly thou shal

enjoy all the blessings & glories of the Redeemer’s kingdom forever & ever, amen.” 252

244

Charles S. Hancock, Sr., A Short Sketch of the Hancock and Adams Families (n.p., 1890?), 47, Historical

Department Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City. 245


See Journal History, July 6, 1850. In the Lott family bible are penned the words, “Cornelius P Lott died July the

6th

1850 in the Great Salt City Aged 51 years 9 months and 9 days” (Lott Family Bible). The newspaper read,

“Senator Cornelius P. Lott died this morning at 6 1-2 o’clock, aged 52 years” (Deseret Weekly News, 6 July 1850,

31). Hosea Stout noted, “C. P. Lott died last night of a long illness. He has been a member of this church nearly

from its rise. He was commander of the Horse in Far-West at the time of the surrender in which corps I served”

(Stout, On the Mormon Frontier, 373). Apostles George A. Smith and Ezra T. Benson, while speaking of Lott’s

death, referred to him as “Bishop C. P. Lott” (Journal History, September 29, 1850, 2). However, he never actually

served as a bishop (See Ronald G. Watt and Rachel Whitmore, LDS Bishop’s Directory 1848-1890 [n.p., n.d.],

Historical Department Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City). 247

Willes, “Personal History of Cornelius P. Lott,” 11. Also see Tanner, A Biographical Sketch of John Riggs

Murdock, 106. 248

See Stout, On The Mormon Frontier, 384. Also see Journal History, December 5, 1850, 2. 249



Tanner, A Biographical Sketch of John Riggs Murdock, 106-107. 252

John Smith, A Blessing by John Smith Patriarch upon the head of Cornelius P son of Peter & Jane Lott, born

Septr 22d 1798 New York City, (vol. 9, p. 52, No. 166), Historical Department Archives, The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City.

54

Timeline of the Life of Cornelius P. Lott

1798 Sep 22 Born at New York City

Sep 27 Christened in the Reformed Dutch Church

Pennsylvania

1823 April 27 Married at Bridgewater, PA

1824 Jan 9 Daughter Melissa was born at Tuckhannock, Luz, PA

1826 Mar 23 Son John Smiley was born at Springville, Luz, PA

1827 Mar 9 Daughter Mary Elizabeth was born at Susquehanna Co., PA

1829 Dec 15 Daughter Almira Henrietta was born at Bridgewater, PA

1830 Census: household of 6 at Bridgewater, PA

1832 Oct 2 Daughter Permelia Jane was born at Bridgewater, PA

1834 Mar 4 Daughter Alzina Lucinda was born at Tuckhannock, PA

Date unknown Joined the Church in Pennsyvania

Kirtland, Ohio 1836 Mar 8 Disfellowshipped by Church leaders

Mar 23 CPL wrote apology to Kirtland High Council

Mar 30 Daughter Harriet Amanda was born

Aug 6 Received elders licence

1837 Jan 2 Joined Kirtland Safety Society

Jan 5 Paid $2 into Kirtland Safety Society

Feb 17 Made purchases at Whitney Store

Mar 7 Made purchases at Whitney Store

Mar 10 Paid 50¢ into Kirtland Safety Society

Mar 31 Anointed with oil in the Kirtland Temple

Missouri

1838 July 4 Named a general in Independence Day festivities

July Quarried rock for the Far West Temple

Aug 8 Visited Adam Black’s home

Accompanied Joseph Smith to Black’s home

Oct 6 Volunteered to serve a mission in Kentucky (

Oct 30 Present during Haun’s Mill Massacre

Oct-Nov Raided Taylor’s home & found weaponry

1839 Jan 22 Left Far West & went to Quincy, Illinois

Pike County, Illinois

1840 Feb 18 Son Joseph Darrow born

Farming in Pike Co., Illinois

55

Oct. 12 Signed a certificate for Richard Woolsey in the Vandalia Branch

1841 Mar 8 Indicted in MO for horse stealing

Nauvoo, Illinois

1842 June 6 Joseph Smith dined with the Lotts

July 16 Joseph Smith dined with the Lotts

Nov 2 Son Peter Lyman born

1843 Jan 27 Joseph Smith dined with the Lotts

June 29 Eliza R. Snow & others visited Lott’s

Sept 20 Malissa married Joseph Smith

Sept 20 Cornelius & Permelia married for time & eternity

Dec 9 Received his endowment in Red Brick Store

Dec 23 Permelia administered to by Emma Smith

1844 Jan 7 Joseph Smith taught a sermon at Lott home

Feb 4 Receieved 2nd

Anointing

Apr 18 Listed party of Council of Fifty

May 27 Accompanied Joseph Smith to Carthage

June 24 Joseph Smith’s last farewell the Lotts

Aug 7 Clayton & others took invoice of Smith farm

Aug 8 Present when Brigham was transfigured

Sep 3 Lott’s name on list of Anointed Quorum

Sep 30 Son Cornelius Carlos born

Nov 30 Attended dedication of Nauvoo Temple attic

1845 Jan 6 Cornelius Carlos died

Jan 14 Accompanied Clayton to the Farrs

Jan 22 Cornelius ordained High Priest

Mar 1 Met with Council of Fifty

Mar 20 Received 2nd

Patriarchal Blessing

May 29 Rejected daughter’s suitor James Monroe

May 21-July 10 Bought several pairs of shoes from Jonathon Holmes

Sep 17 5th

Regiment set guard near Lotts

Sep 21 Post guard set up near Lotts

Sep 24 Brought letter from NKW for discharged brethren

Sep 30 Appointed to select a company to go west

Nov 30 Present when Brigham dedicated attic of temple

Dec 7 Met in temple with the Anointed Quorum

Dec 11 Cornelius & Permelia received endowment

1846 Jan 22 Sealed in Nauvoo Temple

Jan 22 CPL entered plural marriage w/ Rebecca Faucett

Jan 22 CPL entered plural marriage w/ Charity Dickinson

Jan 22 CPL entered plural marriage w/ Elizabeth Davis

Feb 4 Samuel Rogers got wheat from Lott

Feb 7 CPL entered plural marriage w/ Jane Rogers

Feb 11 S. Rogers & M. Lott: conditional contract marriage

Feb 25 Took women & children across River

Feb 27 Took Emmeline Wells & others in carriage

56

Iowa Trail

Feb 27 Whitney family joined camp in charge of Lott

Apr 22 Whitney traded Lott’s horses for Durphy’s oxen

June 28 CPL on “this side of Pisgah”

July 5 Met with Brigham

July 12 Brigham dined with Lott family at Keg Creek, Iowa

July 17 Brigham instructed CPL to take cattle up the river

July 17 BY & CPL & others went to find a location at Kanesville, Iowa

July 22 CPL instructed to take flocks to Grand Island

July 30 Brought considerable Church property over the Missouri River

Winter Quarters

Aug 7 CPL appointed to the Municipal High Council

Aug 17 CPL appointed to gather & be in charge of cattle

Aug 21 Brigham visited with Cornelius

Aug 27 CPL appointed to buy & sell beef

Sep 1 Agreed to put cattle under care of Lott & others

Sep 5 Bird & Lott to use discretion in controlling bucks

Sep 9 CPL volunteered to care for Woodworth family

Sep 21 Eliza Lyman dined with Lotts (baked goose)

Sep 22 Voted Lott could herd his cattle with the Church’s

Oct 23 Lott family to join with Stouts? (Garden Grove)

Oct 23 Elizabeth P. Lyman & family visited Lotts (Winter Quarters)

Nov 6 Brigham in council related a dream

Nov 18 CPL appointed to ascertain situation of property

Nov 21 CPL had large number of the brethren’s sheep

Dec 13 Lott gave a sermon with Brigham Young

Dec 19 Lott given $100 for compensation for his work

1847 Jan 8 B. Young wrote to CPL to return home for weather

Jan 16 D&C 136 read to High Council – CPL sustained

Feb 2 Eliza R. Snow stayed with the Lotts

Feb 3 Bro. Markham visited with the Lotts

Feb CPL w/ two others gave a blessing to Job Smith

Mar 30 Lott married to Eleanor Wayman & Phoebe Knight

Apr 6 Lott sustained as high councilor

Apr 8 Gave Orson Whitney a blessing

Apr 19 Lott & others appointed to meet with Big Elk

Apr 24 Lott came to protect herds & gave news at Summer Quarters

May 13 Eliza Lyman borrowed a wheel from Lotts to spin

May 20 CPL appointed to committee to handle strays

May 25 CPL & Hosea Stout sat in council with Young Elk

June 20 CPL & others buried Weatherby

June 21 CPL accompanied others on Elkhorn River

June 30 CPL started for Missouri in company with others (Oregon, MO)

Oct 5 Harriet Amanda died

57

Oct 15 Joseph Darrow died

1848 Feb 10 Spent day with BY & WW in Historian’s office

Feb 16 Stout procured another cow from Lott for tax

Crossing the Plains

Summer Left for Salt Lake Valley

June 6 Made it to “the Horn”

Jun 18 Lott chosen Captain of the Herd

Salt Lake Valley

Sep 23 Entered the Salt Lake Valley

Nov 12 Mary Elizabeth married Abraham Losee

Nov 18 (16?) Son Benjamin Smith born

Dec Lott put on committee to herd cattle

Dec 24 Extermination against ravens, hawks, owls, etc.

1849 Jan 7 CPL met with D. Sessions who was disfellowshiped

Feb 17 CPL gave input on weights & measure system

Mar 3 CPL prayed at Council of Fifty meeting

Spring In charge of Forest Dale Farm

May 10 Visited by B. Young & given instructions

May 13 Malissa married Ira Willes

June 3 Lott & WW Phelps addressed congregation

June 27 Eliza R. Snow rode with the Lotts

July 2 Territorial Senate organized – Lott chosen as one

July 3 Appointed to notify Lt. Gov. of organization

Nov 13 (12?) Almira Henrietta married John Riggs Murdock

1850 Feb 26 Prayed in B. Young’s upper room w/ brethren

Apr 2 Prayed in B. Young’s upper room w/ brethren

Apr 26 Due bill on Lott – 5 bushels of wheat: $15.00

May 25 Left Big Canyon Creek & went to Chase’s Mill

Jul 6 Died of a bowel disease

58

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Documents

donna toland smart

maurine jensen proctor

maureen ursenbach beecher

boons lick democrat

legislature consequent thereon

scot facer proctor

maurine carr ward

salt lake city