Richardson’s Point Deaths

TANNER, LITTLE, SPENCER

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/26/2003 at 14:09:27

This past week, I visited the Richardson's Point burial grounds in Chequest Twp, Sec. 32, Van Buren Co. This was an area where a group of Mormons spent quite some time waiting out day after day of torrential rain on their journey to Utah.

I found and photographed for the Gravestone Photo Project two gravestones . . . those of James M. Tanner and that of Edwin S. Little.

http://iowagravestones.org/gs_view.php/id_48494

http://iowagravestones.org/gs_view.php/id_48491

http://iowagravestones.org/gs_view.php/id_48488

Some research on the Internet turns up the following:

"Harriet Amelia Decker married Edwin S. Little, son of Brigham Young's sister. Edwin ended up in the frozen Mississippi River while helping move some of his uncle Brigham's wagons across. He became sick as a result and died at Richardson's Point, Iowa."

" . . and the death of Sidney Tanners little boy who fell from the wagon tongue and was instantly killed by the wagon running over his neck. He was buried near the road the same day." - From the diary of James Henry Rollins

Journal of William Huntington (1784-1846) "I will mention that on Tuesday morning, the 17th of March, a son of Sidney Tanner of about 18 months of age expired. This is the first death in A. Lyman's company. There has been two other deaths. Brother Edwin Little, a nephew of Brother Brigham Young's and Sister Spencer, the wife of Orson Spencer all have died while the camp has been here at Richardson's Point."

"Orson Spencer - He married Catharine Curtis 13 April 1830, and eight children were born to them. When the Mormons were driven from Nauvoo, Spencer and his family moved with the main body of the Saints to the Iowa plains. Because of the physical trials of that experience, his wife became ill and died, leaving Orson with six children under the age of thirteen."

Mrs. Spencer was buried 22 Apr 1846 at Old Cemetery, Nauvoo, Hancock, Co., Illinois.

Brigham Young, Jr. - Nov. 15, 1855, he married Catherine Curtis Spencer, a daughter of Orson Spencer.

Also:

"Pitt's Brass Band, that traveled with the Brigham Young group, played for local merchants in Farmington and Keosauqua. Being requested to do so, the band played several concerts in the court room at the Van Buren County Courthouse in Keosauqua, while they were camped at Richardson's Point. In return the band received supplies and money which helped with their expenses. - - On March 7th the camp reached a place they called Richardson's Point which became the second rest stop in Iowa. The pioneers stayed here until March 18th. At Richardson's Point they lightened the loads of some of the wagons by burying some cannon balls and shot in the ground, intending to get them at some other time." - - - -

If you have not already done so, please visit the Iowa Gravestone Photo project. If you have gravestone photos of your ancestors to contribute for any county in Iowa, I would encourage you to do so.

http://iowagravestones.org

Rich Lowe
Van Buren Co. IA GenWeb Coordinator http://www.rootsweb.com/~iavanbur/
State Coordinator
Iowa Gravestone Photo Project http://iowagravestones.org