Descendants of John Curtis (Curtice) Sr.
Notes
1399. Phebe Ann Curtis (Curtice)
Phebe Ann Curtis died at 5 years, 3 months, 6 days
1318. Enos Curtis (Curtice)
Sources of information; Curtis Fam rec in poss of Eunice C. Record, 2152 S. 8 E. Salt La k e Springville & Aruora Ward Rec & Springville & Aurora
Cem rec....... 24380 F Ut S 14C, S t .G eorge bapt & slg rec 9 Nov 1881 P 239.
Journal Hist. Historian's Off. L.D.S. Herkmer Co. N.Y. Court Rec Bk A p 269 "Will of Jeremiah Curtis 21 Mar 1800 to grand son Enos. Record
submitted by Jeannett C. Harward 890 W. 1s t S t. Provo Utah. Shows marriage date to Ruth Franklin as 5 Dec 1805 Brigham Young "The Man &
His Works" p 5, 6, 428. EH #6490 p 1, GS ser #6297 SL tmpl. All previous blessings reconfirmed and ratified for Enos Curtis on 3 Oct 1967.
Sealed date wife to husband 6 Feb 1846 is after Nauvoo Temple closed. Enos Curtis bapt 1831 by Lyman Wright, Patr. Blsng 29 Sep 1841 by Hyrum
Smith P. Blsngs v. 4 p 43 E 1 K37 39 38,335 F 979.2 W. 2 M P, ordained a High Priest 12 Aug 1849 by Noah Packard, crossed plains 1st Div of
Brigham Young Co. J.H. 31 Dec 1848, Supplement p 4 Rebapt 27 Apr 1851 Springville Ward rec A 3445 p 63 ordained Patriarch 9 Apr 1 852 by
Heber C. Kimball, Sealed to Ruth Franklin EH 2 Aug 1852 Book A slg p 217 #733 Index C . 2078. Family group sheet for Edmond Curtis and
 Polly Avery shows bapt. 3 Jan 1882 endowed 4 Jan 1882 and sealed to husband 6 Jan 1882
SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LIFE OF ENOS CURTIS 1783 - 1856
Enos Curtis, born 9 Oct 1783, died 1 Jun 1856, son of Edmond Curtis and Polly Avery. He was born in Kinderhook, Clmb., New York. He md. 1
Dec 1805-6 to Ruth Franklin, b. 14 No v 17 90 at Sterling, Windham, Conn. She died 6 May 1848 in Iowaville on the plains. Most of their children
were born in Ruthland and Sullivan townships in Tioga Co., Penns. Enos was baptized in the LDS Church in 1831 by Lyman Wight. Both Enos and
his wife were endowed in Nauvoo Temple in 1846. They were devout in their religious convictions and went through the hards hips of the early
church pioneers. He was a farmer and carpenter by trade. (Historical References) Millennial Star, Vol. 25 p. 428 & Brigham Young, The Man & His
Works , by Preston Nibley, pp 5 & 11.
Brigham Young says in the fall of 1831 Alpheus Gifford, Elial Strong and others came to Mendon to preach Mormonism, which I heard and
believed. (pp 5 & 6 quote: "Five Mormon Elders, from an isolated branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Columbia Co .,
Penns. were making a tour through the state of New York. They visited the town of Mendon where Brigham Young met them. He had a copy of the
Book of Mormon in his possession over a year. The actual contact with these Elders, their testimonies and personalities so impressed him, he began
an extensive study of Mormonism." From autobiography of Heber C. Kimball, p 6 - quote: "Heber C. Kimball says, about three weeks after I joined
the Baptist Church in the fall of 1831, five Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints came from Pa. to the house of Phineas H. Young
in Victor , N.Y. Their names were Eleazer Miller, Elial Strong, Enos Curtis, Alpheus Gifford and Daniel Bowen. Hearing of these men, curiosity
prompted me to go and hear them, when for the first time I heard the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel." These five Elders must have been very devout
spiritual minded men. They so thoroughly impressed Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball wit h the truth of their teaching, they decided to pay
them a visit which they did in Jan 1832 at the branch in Columbia, Pa. They remained there one week. See Millennial Star, Vol . 25, p 42 4. After
they returned to their homes in Mendon and a family council was held. The father John Young and sons Joseph and Phineas planned a trip to the
branch. This was the beginning of the family joining the Church. Elial Strong was a son-in-law of Enos Curtis! Journal History Notes...29 Jan 1839.
Because of persecution the Saints removed from Jack son to Clay Co., then Caldwell. 1836-1838. Here Enos filed a claim against the state of Missouri
for 1856. 1 Sep 1844 at a Conference held in Quincy, Ill. at the home of Joseph Pine, it was voted that the Presidency of the Branch remain as it had
for the last three months, that is Enos Curtis as President with Moses Jones and John Riley as Counselors.
25 Oct 1845, Enos Curtis appeared before the Justice of the Peace in Hancock Co. He swore that on or about 18 Oct 1845, in the settlement of
Morley in said county, he saw two houses and three stables burning, and that he saw two mobbers armed with guns, running away from the fires.
He also swore that he saw the house belonging to the Widow Boss, burning on Monday 21 Oct in same area as the former fire.
6 Feb 1846 Enos Curtis had his Endowments in Nauvoo.
26 Apr 1848 emigration records say Brigham Young left Winter Quarters and assembled a group on the west side of Elkhorn River and organized a
company in three divisions for emigration across plains and mountains from Missouri River to Salt Lake City. Enos Curtis, Theodore Curtis and
Joseph Curtis were numbered in one of these groups. They left the Elkhorn River 1 Jun 1848 and arrived in Salt Lake City, Sep 1848.
Enos Curtis had his share of troubles and grief. He lost six of his fourteen children before he lost his wife Ruth. She was probably burried in Iowaville
on the plains in 1848. He came on to Utah with the rest of his family and their children.
In 1850 Enos Curtis met and married Tamma Durfee Miner. They moved on a farm owned by Lorenzo Snow in Willard, Utah. Tamma had a large
family, having buried her husband Albert Miner 3 Jan 1848 on the trip across the plains. The two families lived together and got along very well.
Moroni Miner (now 100 yrs. old in 1935) a step-son of Enos, speaks very highly of him . He said Enos always treated us as a kind, loveable
and patient father. John White Curtis, David Avery Curtis, Ozias Strong, Albert Starr with others were sent out by Brigham Young as surveyors for
new settlements. They reported the conditions in a n d around Springville. Moroni Miner, when telling this incident, was greatly moved by memories
of this period. His mind was clear and keen. He said he well recalled how hard the two families struggled to build a home, they were so anxious
for a home of their own, they were willing to go through any hardships. They built two large rooms with a shop and patio between them . Enos was an
excellent carpenter and an expert chair maker, also made all kinds of furniture. Moroni said he and his brother Mormon became very efficient and helpful
in carpentry and building business. They all said Enos was like their own father. He was ready to help any one, regardless of weather conditions, went
any hour of night to administer to and help the sick.
Enos Curtis was ordained a Patriarch in 1852 by Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, George A. Smith and John Taylor. He died 1 Jun 1856 and was buried
in Springville beside his wife Tamma, who died 30 Jan 1885.
Notes from Lue Payne Merrill and Notes from Ruth Curtis Payne daughter of Ezra Houghthen Curtis, as she remembered them from her father who
is a son of Enos Curtis.
This story was told by Ezra H. Curtis:
After the meeting where Brigham Young heard the five missionaries including Enos, bear testimony of the Gospel, he hurried home to his wife who was
sick in bed. He went to hi s roo m and in praying to the Lord, he asked: "If this religion is true, to send the missionaries to his home, that they might pray
for his sick wife and also explain the Gospel to her. " The n ext night as the Elders were passing his home, they were impressed with the tidiness of his
yards and said any man that has that much pride in his home must be worth visiting , so they we nt in. Brigham was watching from the window to see if
his prayer would be answer ed. He hurriedly opened the door and welcomed them in. They administered to his wife and sh e seemed more at ease. Brigham
then told them he had prayed for them to come and that he ha d faith she could be healed through their administration.
A Nauvoo Incident At The Time Of The Persecution And Martyrdom: The sons of Enos were out on the prairies putting up wild hay and things were bad,
En o s being worried about his sons, rode out in the night to get them. They were asleep, but we r e awakened by the noise of a horseman coming toward
their camp. They were much afraid as they knew the anxiety and nervousness to all the Saints who constantly feared the mob. Enos had a peculiar cough
and as he rode toward them he coughed, they gave a sigh of relief and said do not fear, it is father. They had a real race with the nearby mob, who were in
ambush a n d chased them all the way home.
A Story From Chloe Spencer, Daughter Of Celestia Curtis Durfee And Grand Daughter Of Enos Curtis: When the mobs were in some of the vicious raids
two or three families would gather together in one home for protection. On one such occasion the mob came to the home of Enos Curtis , the men were away.
The mob ordered the occupants out of the house. The family told them that Grandmother Ruth Franklin Curtis was ill and could not leave the house.
The mob left, but came back the second and third time and finally set fire to the house. The women carried Grandmother away out on a sheet.
As the men folks heard about the raid, they rushed back an d carried Grandmother away in a wagon as she could not walk. The mob even chased
the wagon, but they finally got away. Enos Curtis and family and a family by the name of Stowell were on the ferry crossing the river from Montrose,
Iowa to Nauvoo. A terrific wind came up and as some people had previously gone down the rapids below the ferry crossing there was much anxiety and
excitement. People on shore shouting and screaming for help. It was so strong it looked as if it would br ea k the cable that controlled the ferry when
Enos Curtis raised his arm to the square and commanded the wind to take them to shore. It ceased its velocity and changed so the ferry drifted to shore
and both families were saved. As soon as they were on shore, the gale began as fierce as before.
THE FAMILY OF ENOS CURTIS AND RUTH FRANKLIN
Enos Curtis, b. 9 Oct 1783 in Kinderhook, Clmb., New York, son of Edmund and Martha or Polly Avery, he md. 1st Ruth Franklin 15 Dec 1805, she
was b. 14 Nov 1790 in Starling, Windham , Conn., dau. of (Col.) John Franklin & Abigail Fuller, she died 6 May 1848 in Council Bluff s, Iowa.
To this union the following children were born:
1. Lydia, b. 5 Feb 1808 in Southerland, Penn., d. 5 Jul 1809.
2. Maria, b. 22 Mar 1810 in Southerland, Penn., she md. 1st Abram Brown 13 Sep 1844; md. 2 n d Milo Everett, she died 5 May 1841.
3. Martha, b. 12 Aug 1812 in Southerland, Penn., she md. 1st Elial or Ozias Strong; 2nd n.g . , she died 22 Dec 1834.
4. Edmund, b. 5 Nov 1814 in Southerland, Penn., d. 6 Jun 1815.
5. Jeremiah, b. 12 Nov 1815 in Southerland, Penn., he died 22 Feb 1816.
6. Seth, b. 8 Mar 1817 in Southerland, Penn., d. 8 Mar 1817.
7. Simmons Philander, b. 28 Mar 1818 in Rutland, Penn., md. 1st Emaline Buchanan 4 Jul 184 0; 2nd Asenath Lawrence, he died 10 Apr 1880.
8. David Avery (twin), b. 10 Aug 1820 in Rutland, Penn., md. 1st Amanda Starr 10 Oct 1841; m d . 2nd Lettia Shearer 28 Aug 1852; md. 3rd Sarah
Harriet Howard 2 Oct 1857; md. 4th Harrie t Ho ward 2 Mar 1869, he died 5 Oct 1885.
9. John White (twin), b. 10 Aug 1820 in Rutland, Penn., md. 1st Almira Starr 13 May 1841; he md. 2nd Matilda Miner 21 Oct 1855; md. 3rd Tamma
Durfee 3 Apr 1857, he died 7 Aug 1902.
10. Ezra Houghton, b. 19 Feb 1823 in Rutland, Penn., he md. 1st Lucinda McKenney Carter 18 Dec 1846; md. 2nd Juliaette Everett in 1855, sld.
21 May 1856 EH, he d. 28 Aug 1915.
11. Ruth, b. 4 Jan 1825 in Rutland, Penn., she d. 4 Oct 1825.
12- URSULA CURTIS (x), b. 14 Dec 1826-7 in Rutland, Penn., md. 1st Abaham Durfee in 1846; she md. 2nd Samuel Kendall Gifford, she died 20 Jan
1902.
1. Sabrina, b. 3 Apr 1829 in Rutland, Penn., she md. 1st David Abram King; md. 2nd Thomas Harwood 6 Apr 1851, she died 27 Jun 1890.
2. Celestia, b. 21 Apr 1832 in Ruthland, Penn., she md. Jabez Durfee 25 Dec 1850, she died 1 7 Jun 1883.
THE FAMILY OF ENOS CURTIS AND TAMMA DURFEE
Enos Curtis, md. 2nd Tamma Durfee 20 Oct 1850, she was born 6 Mar 1813 in Lennox, Mdsn, New York, dau. of Edmund and Delaney or Maydalena
Pickle, she md. 1st Albert Miner Aug 1831 ; md . 2nd Enos Curtis 20 Oct 1850; she md. 3rd John White Curtis 3 Apr 1857, she d. 30 Jan 1 885 p
rob. In Springville, Utah.
To this union the following children were born:
1- Clarissa, b. 13 Oct 1851, she md. Chauncey Harvey Cook.
2- Belinda, b. 23 Feb 1853, she died 15 Nov 1873.
3- Adelia (twin), b. 12 Jun 1855, she died 2 Feb 1856.
4- Amelia (twin), b. 12 Jun 1855, md. Samuel James Bartlett.
Enos Curtis, died 1 Jun 1856 in Springville, Utah, Utah, he was buried in Provo, Utah, Utah.
Tamma Durfee's 1st husband, Albert Miner died in Iowaville in 1848 while crossing the plains. She was left with seven small children. She saw her own
father shot down by the mob. She suffered severe hardships, but came on to Utah with her small family in Captain Snow's company in 1850. Shortly
after arriving in Utah, she married Enos Curtis.
LIFE STORY OF ENOS CURTIS  By Lucinda Payne Merrell, Mesa, Arizona
NOTE: The following account are direct quotations from a history written by Lucinda Payne Merrell of Mesa, Arizona. The original is found in the Special
Collections Department at the Brigham Young University and filed under the name of Enos Curtis, Words in parenthesis were added by the proofreader in
order to make the history read more clearly. Ella Curtis Record has been gathering genealogical data and history on the descendants of Enos Curtis. They
had expected to have it published by now...it hasn't come out. I decided to write what I could of the life of this noble ancestor for my own book and for my
descendants. I haven't had an opportunity to do much research on his life. Ella's story will probably be more complete...I want my children to know something
of Enos Curtis so (the following) is what I have collected.  From family and church records, we find that Enos was born 9 Oct 1783 in Kinderhook, Columbia
Co., New York. From the record of the ancestors, it seems the family for several generations had lived in Connecticut. Much of the land there had been taken
up and many of the young men were reaching out to new frontiers and no doubt that is what brought Enos's father to New York. Enos Curtis had a patriarchal
blessing 29 Sep 1841 by Patriarch Hyrum Smith in Nauvoo. It gives his parents as Edmund and Polly Curtis. We know nothing of his (Enos's) childhood or
young manhood. Some genealogist in California said he was married to Ruth Franklin 15 Dec 1805. He (the genealogist) didn't give the place of marriage or
source of information, but that is the first record we have of him except his birth record. We do find a little record of his father and grandfather in Columbia
Co., New York land records. Book A, p. 369 says 21 Mar 1800 Edmund Curtis buys land of Jeremiah Curtis and wife Lydia. Deeds say that the parties
concerned are of Cheery Valley, Atsego, New York. Another Deed Book A, p. 376 says Edmund Curtis and wife Martha soled this land to Samuel Niles.
It appears from genealogical records that Edmond Curtis (the father) was not true to his first wife (Polly). We find he had children by another woman while
still having children by Polly, mother of Enos. His first wife bore him six children; then she drops out of the picture and he had eight children by Martha Willson.
Now these land deals were probably by his 2nd wife as her name is Martha, and it was 1800. The last child born by the first wife was 1793. Genealogists have
never found a death date or any record more of this wife. They probably separated, so we don't know where or under what conditions Enos grew up. Jeremiah
Curtis, grandfather of Enos, died in the town of Russia , Herkimer Co., New York in 1807. Two years after the marriage of Enos, county records state that
Jeremiah had no real estate but his personal property he willed to his grandson , Enos , son of Edmund. So he (Enos) probably grew up, or at least at this time,
must have be en living near his grandfather, or was that just an act of providence to give to descendant s of Enos --a connection into the Curtis family for
genealogical and Temple work. Jeremiah must have had lots of other grandsons. Where he spent the next few years we don't know. In the family record there is
no place of birth for his first three Children. He may have been in New York, but in 1814, he had a son born in Southerland, Tioga Co., Pennsylvania. He must
have had some respect for his fatherfor (he named his first son) Edmond for his father; the next son was named Jeremiah for his grandfather. So now we have
him located in Tioga County, Pennsylvania and there we find him on the tax roll for several years and he had children born in the county for the next eighteen
years or until 1832 and there he was when that part of the country was being stirred up by the story of Joseph Smith. Tioga is right on the line between
Pennsylvania and New York. It is about fifty miles from Harmony, Pennsylvania where Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and is probably less
then a hundred miles from where the Church was organized so he had a good chance, no doubt, to hear Joseph Smith. Family tradition says he had remarked
that some day the true church would be restored to the earth so he was in a receptive mood. Tradition says that he (Enos) accepted Joseph Smith before the
Church was organized and that there were not more than forty persons baptized in to the Church before Enos Curtis. He was baptized into the Church by
Lyman Wright in 1831. In the fall of 1831, five missionaries went from the little branch of the Church in Columbia, Pennsylvania to New York on a short
Missionary trip and they stopped at Mendon, New York. Here they met Heber C. Kimball, he says: "About three weeks after I joined the Baptist Church
(fall of 1831) five Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ came from Pennsylvania to the house of Victor Young in Victor. Their names were: Eleazer Miller,
Elial Strong, Alphe us Gifford, Enos Curtis and Daniel Bowen. Hearing of these men, curiosity prompted me to go and see them, when for the first time, I
heard the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel.  I also heard the gifts of the spirit manifested among the Elders for they spoke in tongues and interpreted which
tended to strengthen my faith. Brigham Young and myself were constrained by the Spirit to bear testimony of the truth, and when we did thus, the power of
God rested upon us."
Preston Nibley in his book "Brigham Young, the Man and His Works", says that while Brigham Young had had access to the Book of Mormon for more than
a year prior to his coming in contact with the Elders, he had not been led to make any thorough or extensive investigation of "Mormonism", but it seemed
what profoundly influenced Brigham more than reading the book was his actual contact with the Missionaries. Brigham said, "When I saw a man without
eloquence or talents for public speaking who could only say, I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith is a
Prophet of the Lord, the Holy Ghost proceeded from that individual illuminating my understanding and light, glory and immorality were before me. I was
encircled by them, filled with them, and I knew for myself that the testimony was true." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, page 90) Family tradition has the story
that Brigham's wife was sick and while he was at a meeting of the Missionaries he had to hurry home to her and could not stay and talk to the Elders. He was
very impressed and he prayed to the Lord and asked that if it was the truth to send the Missionaries to him, that he might learn more of the Gospel. The next
morning, Enos and one of the other Missionaries were passing his (Brigham Young's) home and the yards and the premises were so neat and orderly and well
kept that it impressed the Elders, who said , "Well, anybody with that much pride to keep his home so well, must be a fine person and on e worth contacting,"
so they went in and met Brigham and discussed the Gospel with him. He saw them coming and was watching to see if this prayer was going to be answered.
In January 1832, Brigham Young, his brother Phineas and Heber C. Kimball paid a visit to Columbia, Pennsylvania and spent about a week with the Saints at
this Branch. Quoting from the book, "Brigham Young the Man and His Works", we read, "The five Elders from Pennsylvania must have been most excellent
and spiritual minded men. It was in their little Branch at Columbia that the gift of tongues was for the first time exercised in the Church." So we see that Enos
Curtis was very early a member of the Church and working for the building of the Kingdom.
From "The Journal History of the Church" in the Church Historians office, I have found that Enos and family went with (the) Church in various moves,
suffering all the persecutions and trials of the Saints. We locate him in Caldwell, Clay County, Missouri, 29 November 1839 through a petition to Congress
signed by the Saints presenting claims against the State of Missouri. Their names were alphabetically arranged. Enos Curtis' claim was for $1,856. See 22 Nov.,
page 9 in Journal History. Enos Curtis presided over a conference at Quincy, Illinois, on 1 September 1844 (See page 5 of 1 September 1844.) Minutes of Quincy
Branch of (the) L.D.S. Church held in Quincy, Illinois, 9 March 184 5 at the home of Joseph Pine: "Item 1—Resolved that the Presidency of the Branch stand as
it did for the last three months--that is, with Enos Curtis, president, and Moses Jones 1st and John Riley 2nd Councilor's. The same to hold office for the next
three months."
On 25 October 1845 Enos Curtis made and signed an affidavit stating that a mob had will fully destroyed the home of widow Boss by fire in Quincy. Enos
probably had accumulated land and property in Pennsylvania which he, no doubt, disposed of when he began to follow the Church. And in Missouri he lost
nearly two thousand dollars and that was quite a bit of money for those days. I don't suppose he ever owned that much again as for years he was on the move
with the Church, but he, no doubt, earned a home in the Celestial Kingdom of our Father in Heaven—which is worth much more than earthly property.
One little story my mother remembered her father telling that happened about this time while they were in Illinois, was that the grown sons of Enos were out
on the prairie putting up wild hay. The mobs were very active about that time and they had gotten the report that (the mob) were going to attack the Mormons
the next day. Enos was afraid his sons would be sighted and attacked out there alone on the prairie. So, he rode out in the night to bring them ho me. In the night
the boys heard a horse coming across the prairie toward their camp and (they ) were a little excited wondering who it was and why coming in the night and made
ready to defend themselves when the rider of the horse gave a little cough, then the boy s said, "We know that cough, that is father." After (Enos) and his horse
had rested a while , they started for home. After daylight, they could see they were being followed by a mob. The father, Enos , said, "Don't get panicky. Speed
up your horses—just a little and we will watch the mob." They could soon see that the mob were traveling faster than they were an d gaining on them. Enos said,
"We will go a little faster, but not run yet and our horses will hold out better." They watched the mob carefully and found they had to go a little faster and a
little faster. A s they neared town and were on the last stretch, Enos told his sons that they would now have to run their horses as hard as they could. The mob
was now not to o far behind, but (Enos and his sons) beat (the mob) into town. Another story from Chloe Durfee Spencer, granddaughter of Enos Curtis and
Ruth Franklin Curtis: "When the mob were in some of the various raids, two or more families would sleep together in one home of Enos Curtis. The men were
all away from home. The mob ordered all out of the house. The (Mormon women) told the mob (that) Grandmother, Ruth Franklin, was v ery i ll and could not
be moved. The mob left, but came back a second and a third time and each time were more vicious and finally set fire to the house. The women carried Ruth
out on a blanket. The shouts of the mob were soon heard and some Mormon men rushed over and carried Grandmother away in a wagon. The mob even
chased the wagon, but more help came and the mob turned back. (Grandmother) died 6 May, 1848, after they started the trip across the plains." I don't know
whether Enos and his family were at Nauvoo or still at Quincy, Illinois during the last days before the exodus, but they were near enough that in January and
February of 1846. Enos, his wife Ruth Franklin Curtis and the older boys, even though the boys were not married, all received their endowments in the
Nauvoo Temple. Soon after this they began their trek across the plains with the rest of the Saints. It seems that the mother, Ruth , was having poor health and
traveling as they did and in the cold and unfavorable living conditions she grew worse and passed away 6 May 1848 at Council Bluffs, at the age of fifty-eight.
We have searched long and hard for the ancestry of Ruth Franklin without results, but she must have been a faithful wife and mother as she was right at her
husband's side through his experiences and persecutions of the Church. We might well say she gave her life for the gospel. She was mother of fourteen children.
At least two teen age girls were left to continue the journey across the plains with their father. We have another faith promoting story by Chloe Spencer, a
granddaughter of Enos Curtis . She said that her mother told this story often, saying she remembered it well as it happened on her 15th birthday. (If this is
the case, it must have been before they got to the Bluffs as they were not traveling on her birthday after they left Council Bluffs.) They came to a large river
and had to be ferried across. They put two families on the ferry and the Stowell family and Enos Curtis family were crossing when the cable broke letting
them down stream. There were some dangerous rapids not far below and of course there was fear and excitement among the families of the other travelers
on the shore. Enos Curtis raised his right hand to the square and by the power of the priesthood in the name of the Lord commanded the ferry to drift to the
shore--which it did. The ferry and the families and outfits were saved. Sister Spencer said one time old Brother Stowell was at her house and she talked to
him about the incident and he said he had heard his father tell the story. From the Journal of History of the Church we learn something of the company of
the Saints in which Enos traveled. (See Supplement to Journal of History of the Church, Church Historian's Office 31 December 1848, 1st division
emigration. Emigration across the plains and mountains from Missouri River to Salt Lake City.) This company was divided into three divisions. Brigham
Young was in charge of the first division. Enos Curtis, Theodore Curtis and Joseph Curtis were in this group. This division left the Elkhorn River
1 June 1848 and arrived in Salt Lake City, Sept. of 1848. In this first division there were 1229 souls, 387 wagons, 74 horses, 19 mules, 1297 oxen , 699
cows, 184 loose cattle and sheep, some pigs, dogs, cats, doves, geese and two hives of bees. (See Journal History 16 Jun 1848.)
In 1850, Enos Curtis met and married widow Tammie Durfee Miner. She had a family, having buried her husband on the plains. They moved on a
farm owned by Lorenzo Snow, in Willard , Box Elder County, Utah. About that time John White and David Avery Curtis, sons of Enos, a long with
Ozias Strong and Albert Starr were sent out by Brigham Young as surveyors for new homes. They reported the conditions in and around Springville
and a settlement was started there in 1850. Later Enos moved to Springville and spent the remainder of his days there. Enos was ordained a patriarch
 in 1852 by Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, George A . S mith and John Taylor. (See Journal History, 9 April 1852, page 9) (Enos had previously
converted Heber C. Kimball). Brigham Young made very few trips south of Salt Lake for colonization purposes without sending a forerunner or a
messenger to Enos announcing his plans and inviting him to join the company (as Company Patriarch.) A company organized 10 May 1854 by B
NOTE: 1. Pedigree Resource File CD 1,; ; (Salt Lake City, UT: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 1999).; ; ; ABBR 1. Pedigree Resource File CD 1,
Tamma Durfee
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 2, p.320 The following is taken from the autobiography of Tamma Durfee: "My father's name was Edmond Durfee.
He was born in Rhode Island October 3, 1788. My mother was born June 6, 1788. Her name was Lanna Pickle. I was born in the State of New York,
Madison county, town of Lenos, March 6, 1813 and lived there until I was nine years old and th n we moved to Oswego county. Father bought some
land, built a house, made a small farm and worked at his trade that was mostly carpenter and millwright. We lived there until the 1st of June, 1820 and
bought more land. There were many maple trees on it and we made lots of maple sugar. Then father wanted to go west so he sold out and started for
Ohio ... We went to Huron county and went to work to make a home and the next winter, 1831 we heard about the Mormons and the gold Bible.
The next spring Solomon Hancock came in and joined with us, the Methodists and Campbellites and he would preach in our meeting. This was some time
in April, 1831, and my father Edmond Durfee was baptized about the middle of May. My mother and sister Martha and brother Edmond were baptized
about the first of June by Solomon Hancock. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 2,p.320 "I was a Mormon in belief but was not baptized until December, 1831,
and will tell you the reason I was not baptized. I was keeping company with a good young man, as I thought, and I was told he said he would not have a
Mormon wife; so I waited until after I was married. I went to Mormon meetings and sometimes to the Methodist 'till the ninth of August 1831, when I
was married to Albert Miner. Afterwards we got along first rate and we went to meetings sometimes to one place and sometimes to the Mormons, 'till
December, 1831, when my father was going on a mission to the State of New York and he baptized me before going. Albert was baptized the first of
February, 1832. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 2, p.320 "My oldest daughter Polly was born May 1, 1832. Father sold his farm and all his possessions and
started for Kirtland, Ohio on the first of May, 1833. We bought a farm and built us some houses and prepared to live there. My husband helped to haul
stone every Saturday for a long time to build the temple. My oldest boy was born October 22, 1833. We named him Orson. On the 4th day o f June 1835,
I had a son born. We called him Moroni and Joseph [p.321] Smith blessed him. They were still building the temple. I had a girl born June 18, 1836. We
called her Silva. I ha d a boy born September 26, 1837 whom we called Mormon ... That fall (1837) Albert had a sick spell. The last of January he got some
better so he could ride in a sleigh on a bed and I held the umbrella over him and, with two children on my lap, we went 80 miles from Kirtland to Huron
county , New London, where Albert's folks lived. Albert got better and we stayed there until May. Albert went back to Kirtland and sold his farm.
We started for Far West about the middle of June 1838. Silva died about the first of October, 1838.... " Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 2, p.32 1 Albert Miner,
wife and five children got to Missouri the first of September 1838 and lived on Log Creek, six miles from Far West, but due to further persecutions they
crossed over to Quincy and went up the river to a place called Lima. The story continues:" While at Lima I had a girl born January 12, 1840 and we called
her Matilda. We stayed there one year from the next September and got along the best we could. I had a boy born September 7, 1841 and called him Alva L.
The next spring we sold out and my husband bought a place four miles east of the temple in Nauvoo ... we lived there where we could go to meeting and
back at night. I had a boy born June 12, 1843. We called him Don C. We were there in 1844 when Joseph and Hyrum were martyred. The Nauvoo Temple
was completed, then the mobs became violent again. They did kill several and drive them from Lima. They shot my father Edmond Durfee and killed him
instantly on the night of November 19, 1845 ... The men from Nauvoo got their teams and started for Lima. They traveled all night and day to get the
families that had been turned out-of-doors. My husband was one that traveled all night and day to g et the families that had bee n turned out of doors. He
took a chill and was sick a long time . Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 2 ,p.321 "On March 5, 1846 I had a girl born and called her Melissa. The mob gathered
every little while and threatened all the time how they would drive out the Mormons. At last a great many left, not knowing where they were going to hunt
a place in the wilderness beyond the Rocky mountains. The first of May we moved to town, sold our place for a yoke of cattle and a wagon thinking to
start on in two or three weeks, but the mob gathered every week right on the public Square close by our house...." Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 2, p.321
During the time of the exodus from Nauvoo, Melissa Miner died at the age of seven months. The Miners then went on to Iowaville where they stayed through
the winter and where Albert found work hauling and running a ferry boat. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 2 , p.321 "When my baby died I took sick and never sat
up only to have my bed made for nine months. My husband thought of moving to the Bluffs but a good many came back to get work so he cut and put up
some hay for his stock and then said he would go back to Ohio to see all hi s folks. He started afoot to the Mississippi River [p.322] alone, short of means ...
He was gone ten weeks ... He came home very unwell and being gone so long he was homesick and tired and had walked in the rain all day. Our Pioneer
Heritage, Vol. 2, p.322 "Polly was now fourteen years old and took care of the family of nine and waited on me while I was sick and while her father was
gone. Not feeling very well when he came home he thought he would feel better after he got rested but he grew worse. He would try to work a half a day
and go to bed the other half. He came home about May 17, 1847. He would be first better then worse till at last he dropped off very suddenly. That was a
hard blow for we thought he was getting better. I, and the children, thought a better man never lived, a kind good-natured, free hearted, industrious man.
He won friends and was a genius at doing anything he saw anyone else do. Alma, and the little boys said, "which way shall we go? We will not know the
way." Albert was born in New York March 31, 1809 in Jefferson county. His father's name was Azel Miner. His mother's name, Sylvia Monson. Our
Pioneer Heritage , Vol. 2, p.322 "As Polly and Orson were the oldest, they had to take the lead and go ahead a nd plan. Albert, my husband, die d January
3, 1848.He had been so anxious to go to the Bluff s and keep up with the Church, so my children and myself went to work and got things together and the
next July, 1848, came to Council Bluffs. We stayed there two years and got things together to come to the valley. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 2, p.322"I,
and my five boys and two girls, started with one hundred wagons June 10, 1850. We traveled across the plains with ox teams. We had many a hard struggle
although we got along much better than we had anticipated. The first of September we landed in Salt Lake without any home or any one to hunt us one.
We were very lonesome indeed. We stayed with Father and Mother Wilcox two weeks, when Enos Curtis came along and said he would furnish me and the
children a home. That was what we needed for it was coming winter. We were married October 20, 1850. We lived on the Jordan the first winter and I, and
my children, all had the erysipelas in the throat and my oldest boy, Orson, died with it on March 5, 1851. He had driven the team across the plains for me
and he was as kind and good natured a boy as ever lived. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 2, p.322 "The next April we moved to Springville, got a farm and a place
to build. We got along first rate. We had gone into the wilderness trying to build up the Kingdom. On October 18, 1851, I had a girl born and called her
Clarissa Curtis. We lived there and the boys grew up and Enos Curtis, my husband, his boys and mine all worked together raising wheat and grain and the
stock paid their tithing. I had a girl born February23, 1853. We called her Belinda Curtis. The next spring Enos went to Iron county with Brigham Young and
company...In 1855 I had a pair of twin girls naming one Adelia and one Amelia. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 2, p.322 "The next spring my husband
complained of not feeling well but kept on working for awhile till at last he gave up. After a [p.323] time he began to take something and thought he was
better, then he got worse. He lived until the first day of June, 1856, when he passed away just like going to sleep. Myself, and four boys and three
little girls, were left to keep house. We still lived in Springville City, farmed and raised our wheat and stock and paid our tithing. I raised the little girls all but
one. She took sick and died before her father died. She was Adelia, one of the twins. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 2, p.323 "In 1857 I married John Curtis at
April conference and I had a girl born January16, 1858, calling her Marriette, I had five boys and four girls by Albert Miner, four girls by Enos Curtis and one
Girl by John Curtis. Belinda Curtis died November 17, 1873. We still lived in Springville. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol.2, p.3 2 3 "I have passed through all the
hardships and drivings and burnings and mobbings and threatenings and have been with the Saints in all their persecutions from Huron county to Kirtland
and from Kirtland to Missouri back to Illinois and then across the desert. I write this that my children may have a little idea of what their parents passed
through. I hope my children will appreciate these lines for I do feel highly honored to be numbered with the Latter- day Saints...." Our Pioneer Heritage,
Vol. 2, p.323 On January 30, 1885, Tamma Durfee Miner pass ed away at the age of nearly seventy-two years leaving a large posterity. By a life of virtue
And unflinching integrity she had endeared herself to all. -Jos. W. Nobel integrity she had endeared herself to all. -Jos. W. Nobel
Ruth Franklin
All previous blessings reconfirmed and ratified for above wife on 12 Sep 1967. Source Re f . Pt 1 & No. 6490
1321. Clarissa Curtis (Curtice)
NOTE: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (R); ;Copyright (c) 1987, June 1998, data as of 5 January 1998; ; , ABBR Ancestral
File (R)
Peleg Ewell
NOTE: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (R); ;Copyright (c) 1987, June 1998, data as of 5 January 1998; ; , ABBR Ancestral
File (R)
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