Samuel Alger Sr (1786 - 1874)

Born 14 Feb 1786 in Uxbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Clarissa (Hancock) Alger — married 25 Feb 1808 in Uxbridge, Worchester County, Massachusetts USA

Descendants

Died 24 Sep 1874 at age 88 in St. George, Washington, Utah, United States

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Biography

"Samuel, s. of John and Elisabeth, Feb. 14, 1786" at Uxbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts.^[1]

Samuel Alger died on 24 Sept 1874 and is buried at the Saint George City Cemetery, Saint George, Washington, Utah: Plot: A_J_183_1_NH ^[2] You can see a picture of Samuel at FIndAGrave.

Excerpt from FindAGrave:

Samuel Alger was the son of John & Elizabeth Humes Alger. He married Clarissa Hancock, daughter of Thomas & Amy Ward Hancock, on 25 Feb 1808 in Uxbridge, MA. They were the parents of ten children: Eli Ward, Samuel, Saphony, Fanny, Amy Saphony, John, Alva, Samuel H., Thomas & Clarissa Alger. Samuel & Clarissa were among the earliest converts to the Mormon Church, being baptized 16 Nov 1830. They endured all the hardships and persecutions of the early church members in Ohio, Illinois,Missouri, Iowa and the trek across the plains to Salt Lake, arriving in the valley 22 Sep 1848 (in Brigham Young's second wagon train). He was a member of the 34th Quorum of Seventies (Book B.P. 259) and was ordained a High Priest 10 April 1853 by G.Y. Wallace and S. S. Sprague. Samuel was an expert cabinetmaker and joiner by trade. He built a house for the father of Heber C. Kimball in New York when Heber was just 9 years old. Samuel was a Lieutenant in the Ohio Militia in Chagrin, Ohio. "It was said in feats of strength he was a log-roller. He could lay out his strength on an elm log without apparent effort and could throw a strong man as easily as a child". Samuel & Clarissa, along with their daughter Clarissa & her husband Francis Tuft Whitney and 28 other families were called by the Church to settle what is now Parowan, Utah. They arrived there, at Center Creek, 13 Jan 1851. They then returned to Salt Lake a few years later, where they resided for many years. They returned to Parowan in the mid 1860's to be near their daughter. Clarissa died in Parowan in July 1870, and is buried there. In the summer of 1873 Samuel went to St. George to live with his son John. Samuel died in St. George 24 Sep 1874 at the age of 88. In addition to being an expert cabinetmaker, Sameul made hundreds of coffins for his deceased friends. He made his own coffin and kept it under his bed for years. He made several of these, but always gave them away in an emergency. When he died he was buried in a coffin not of his own making. Upon his death it was said, "There passed away one of the stalwart sons of God."

(excerpts taken from biography by Ilene Hanks Kingsbury)

Samuel was born in 1786. He passed away in 1874.

Sources

1. ↑ Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2010). Uxbridge - V1, Page: 23
2. ↑ www.FindAGrave.com; Maintained by: L. Finley; Originally Created by: Utah State Historical So...; Record added: Feb 02, 2000; Find A Grave Memorial# 107789

Brigham Young Company

1848

http://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/companyDetail?lang=eng&companyId=4

1220 individuals were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Winter Quarters, Nebraska.

Company Information

DEPARTURE: 5 June 1848

ARRIVAL: 20-24 September 1848

NUMBER IN COMPANY: 1051

CAPTAIN: Brigham Young

· Hancock, Mosiah, The Mosiah Hancock Journal, 25-26.

· We went over to Elk Horn and were organized in Zera Pulsipher's company of 50. He was captain. There was John B. Butcher, John Bills, Wm. Burges[s], John Alger, Samuel Alger, Lewis the tinner, Brother Bunday, Brother Neff, and Charles Pulsipher. I took my duty thru the day with the men, and had my turn standing guard at nights. My first turn standing guard was with John Alger. He said I could have the first turn if I would stand till one o'clock; which I did.

We killed our first antelope at Soapfork [Loup Fork]; and I also caught a catfish there that weighed 36 pounds. John Pulsipher helped me pull it out! We got our first buffalo about 100 miles out of Soapfork. There were four of we boys, and we went to camp and brought out seven yoke of oxen to get the buffalo! John Benton mourned because of the parts of the buffalo we threw away. Then we boys thought we would stroll along up the Platt[e] in quest of other game; but we went too far and got surrounded by wolves before we got back. We got a severe scolding when we got home, but the howling and the massing of the wolves was a great deal worse in my estimation!

When we got to within two days travel of Laramie, we just about got into some trouble with a large company of Sioux Indians. John Alger started in fun to trade a 16-year-old girl to a young Chief for a horse. But the Chief was in earnest! We got the thing settled, however, and were permitted to go without the loss of Lovina. We went thru Laramie and on to Platte Ferry. Father, in returning from the Battalion trip, had stopped there, but had gone on to Salt Lake Valley because he had heard we were not coming until next year. We found Lewis Robinson at Platt[e] Ferry, and he was going on to the valley. Mother wished to go also, for I was so free to do everybody's bidding that I was nothing but skin and bones, and mother was afraid that I wouldn't live thru it. She talked to the captain of the company, but he gave her the most insulting language, so we pulled out and went on. I did not have to stand guard for that company any more, and I began to mend from that time forth.

Pulsipher, John, Journal and autobiography, in Joel Edward Ricks, Cache Valley Historical Material, reel 4, item 88, 33-46.

· …

John Alger and Charles Pulsipher went out a hunting Sunday Aug. 13—found some scattering Buffalo and killed 3 large ones and John came for help to bring the meat in John Heward unloaded and furnished a wagon and we hitched up 3 yoke of our best cattle and James P. Terry and myself started a little befo[r]e sundown and spent nearly all night traveling over hills and hollows and mountains covered wtih rocks and sage and not a track to follow[.] Charles stayed to grard [guard] the meat from the wolves and keep a fire so we could find the place. But as it was about half a dozen miles from camp and among such rugged hills we had a long and tedious hunt to find it in a dark night—but we accomplis[h]ed the job. We were glad to find Chars. and he was equally as glad to see us and he had gave up all hopes of our coming tonight and the wolves were determined to have some of the meat. The buffalo’s lay a quarter or half a mile apart—so you can judge he had to be busy to keep up his fires—and had very small sage for fuel. He did not need to go hungry for he could roast beef but was suffereng for water but we had some in the wagon and we were happy mortals sure—

...

The next water was Green River a beautiful River, clear water stony bottom, swift current, about 16 rids [rods], wide 2 ½ ft. deep at the ford at low water. Earlier in the season it has to be ferried. We hauled [halted] our march a few times and got a few very nice fish along this River is a streak of cottonwood timber.

We stayed 2 nights at this place. Oh it was such a treat to camp in a cottonwood forest. A few of the Company thought best to stay longer S.[Sylvester]H.[Henry] Earl, J. Bills, John And Uncle Same[Sam] Alger and a few others said they would stay longer. Father Pulsipher the Captain and the majority of the Company thought the best way was to start in the morning and be moving along—and did so—.

We crossed the River and went 5 miles and camped in the woods again near where the road leaves the River. Tonight was rainy—River rose and muddy. The Boys were sorry they stopped, they had some difficulty in crossing and were behind upwards of 100 miles.

…

I took a tramp one day with J. Alger and W. Burgess hunting, had a long walk saw some wild antelope and one deer but killed none ascended a high mountain had a gra[n]d view of the country for hundreds of miles, away to where the Mountains were lost in the clouds.

Bullock, Thomas, Journals 1843-1849, fd. 1-4.

at 7.40 Camp starts in 3 lines, passing thro’ Heber’s camp, ascended the hill by a new route, on arriving at the top, very heavy hawling [hauling] until we turned out to feed at 12¼ Noon[.] in about an hour hitched up & took strait across the valley for the Bluffs. we then had a very heavy drag over the Sand hills, up hill and down dale, which to us appeared as if there was no end to it—bro’ Allen’s ox gave out. our Ten waited for him— we renewed our journey until we came to where an ox belonging to John Alger lay down and died from over driving—Many of the teams lolling. halted at 6 P.M. for cattle to rest—staid till Sundown—then renewed our journey until the Moon rose, when we came to an halt for the night. turned the cattle into the grass, wet with dew which they devoured voraciously. Capn. Goddard’s 10. by themselves—at [ illegible ] 11 tied up Cattle for night after they had satisfied their hunger—

Hancock, Mosiah Lyman, Autobiography of Levi Ward Hancock, fd. 3, 98-100. . . . in the Spring I went over to winter quarters and saw Brother Brigham and he said we should have another team. We had got two pigs one cat one dog, two yoke of cattle all of Father’s tools four cows 27 bushel of corn meal and 25 lbs of flower to be used in case of sickness[.] I had got for our nuts some shoes for us boys but mine were well worn[.] we took along Levi and Ira Reed when we got to winter quarters sure enough the President had a team for us which Levi and Ira drove we started from winter quarters the 18 th of May 1847[.] Mother was in the team I drove but She walked all the way untill we got to Cache Cave—We started from the mills the 15 of May and from Winter quarters the 18 th Where we went to the Elkhorn and was organized in Captain Zera Pulsipher’s Company[.] I[t] fell to my lot to stand guard with John Alger[.] the first night out I took my turn with the men day and night besides it was Mosiah this and Mosiah that untill I was well nigh worn out[.] when I was on duty in the day Mother drove the team[.] Levi stood guard also

Pulsipher, Charles, Reminiscences [ca. 1915], 22-27

We traveld on very pleasantly haveing fine wether[.] Met some large bands of Indians[.] We made them some presents that kept peace with them[.] we all ways thought it better to give them presents than to fight them and when we got up into the Buffalo country we wa[s] glad to get some fresh meete to go with corn bread[.] I was appointed one of the hunters for the co and Br Alger for the other one[.] we started one after noon and Shot one down. I stade to guard it while John went to get a team [to] haul it in[.] their had a large company of the wild fellows, been in to the river for a drink and when they saw the white coverd wagons come along and severel men run out to get a shot at them they took scare and run with great fury rushing over every thing that was in their way and they [run] strait towards where I was guarding my beef and the farther they run the larger the herd got and all joind in the race and by the time they got near me they had increast to about 2000 head comeing with great fury[.] I thought they would slacken down before they got to me but the nearer they come the harder the[y] seamed to run and mad[e] the whole earth tremble with their heavy bodies jumping[.] when I found they was comeing direct to me it looked like I would [be] tramped under their feet but my onley chance was to stand my ground so I pulld off my hat swong it and hollard as loud as I could and when they come within a few feet of me they crowded a little one side so as to pass me and then crowded in again and filld up the space and when I see that they try to pass me without jumping upon me and I took courage and kept up my nois[e] untill the[y] had got past and I will assure you I was very glad when they had past and left me safe[.] their was one man told me that he heard me 3 miles away[.] by this time it was getting dark <*>

then the other 6 run directly towards John but he was quick in getting another load into his gun so that when they past him he took another just back of the front legs and centered him through the heart and fell in his tracks[.] So we had 2 near together but about 15 miles from camp[.] I went to dressing the beef while John struck for a team to haul it in[.]...

Smith, Job, Autobiography [ca. 1902], 15-16. Again the wagon question came up, and seeing that the vehicle had carried us so far a distance of 330 miles from Nauvoo with safety, and further that no opportunity had been found to obtain a better one, it was decided to try it again. Brother John Alger volunteered to repair it with new bolster and sanboards and it was then loaded up for the 1000 mile journey.

Stout, Hosea, Reminiscences and journals 1845-1869, vol. 3, 376-79 and vol. 4, 1-41. Monday June 19 th 1848. We moved on to day[.] The ground soft & unpleasant travelling. The day was very hot. one ox of John Alger melted and died.

Lee, John D., A Mormon Chronicle: The Diaries of John D. Lee, 1848-1876 , ed. Robert Glass Cleland and Juanita Brooks, 2 vols. [1955], 1:30-79

Sand Bluff Encampment, Camp of Iseral No. 3. Mond., June 19th, '48. Clear & warm. About 7 Capts. Snow, Perkins & Pulcipher's cos. took up their line of March, traveled over rough, sandy ridges, heavy drawing, Teams Faged very much & one ox melted down with the heat, belonging to John Algur [Alger] in Capt. Pulchipher's co. Capt. Perkin's co. all reached Prairie creek about Sun Set, with the exception of 7 waggons belonging to J. D. Lee who encamped within 2 ms. of P. creek, not being able to come up on acount of one of his oxen that was overcome by the Heat. Pres. Y. passed by J. D. Lee in his stage about 3 P.M. A part of his co. reached P. creek at dark, & in fact teams were roling in at all hours of the Night. Distance 23 ms.

Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, vol. 1, p. 33

Biography

• Fact: Christening (14 Feb 1786) Uxbridge, Worchester, Massachuttes, United States
• Fact: Residence (1786) Uxbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
• Fact: Residence (1810) Bloomfield, Ontario, New York, United States
• Fact: Residence (1810) Bloomfield, Ontario, New York, United States
• Fact: Military Service (30 June 1812) War of 1812 New York, United States
• Fact: Residence (1820) Lebanon, Ashtabula, Ohio, United States
• Fact: Residence (1820) Lebanon, Ashtabula, Ohio, United States
• Fact: Residence (1830) Chagrin, Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States
• Fact: Residence (1840) Quincy Township, Adams, Illinois, United States
• Fact: Immigration (20-24 September 1848) Utah, United States
• Fact: Pioneer in Brigham Young's second wagon train (22 September 1848) Arrived in Salt Lake City
• Fact: Immigration (24 Sep 1848)
• Fact: Occupation (1850) Age 65 joiner, wife Clarissa 60, son John 30, DIL Sarah 26, grandchildren Sarah 6, Oliver 3, Adeliza 1. Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
• Fact: Residence (1850) Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
• Fact: Residence (1860) 19th Ward Great Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
• Fact: Occupation (17 July 1860) Age 74, wheel wright, wife Clarissa 69. Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
• Fact: Occupation (2 June 1870) Age 84 a carpenter, wife Clarissa 79. Living with SIL Francis Whitney 65, daughter Clarissa 40, grandchildren New Sam 19, Eli 17, Job 15, Ira 13. Parowan, Iron, Utah Territory, United States
• Fact: Residence (1870) Parowan, Iron, Utah, United States
• Fact: Burial (September 1874) Saint George, Washington, Utah Territory, United States
• Fact: Other
• Fact: AFN 1HSZ-GMV
• Fact: Pioneer - Brigham Young Company
• Fact: Paternal Haplogroup R1b1b2a1a1d
• Fact: AFN 3W0X-LW
• Fact: Member of the 34th Quorum of the Seventies
• Fact: Trade Expert Cabinet maker and joiner
• Fact: Physical Description "It was said in feats of strength he was a log-roller. He could lay out his strength on an elm log without apparent effort and could throw a strong man as easily as a child
• Fact: Called by the church to settle Parowan, Utah along with 28 other families

• "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 29 June 2017, 17:00), entry for Samuel Alger(PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:KWVQ-F4S); contributed by various users.
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/107789/samuel-alger