Thomas Grover III (1807 - 1886)

Born 22 Jul 1807 in Whitehall, Washington County, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Caroline (Whiting) Grover — married 1828 in Windham County, Vermont, United States

Husband of Caroline Eliza (Nickerson) Hubbard — married 20 Feb 1841 (to before 21 Feb 1851) in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, United States

Husband of Hannah (Tupper) Grover — married 17 Dec 1844 in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, United States

Husband of Lodoiska Salome (Tupper) Grover — married 20 Jan 1846 in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, United States

Husband of Mary Ann (Potts) Pearson — married about 1853 (to before 1 Apr 1856) in Utah, United States

Husband of Emma Walker — married 24 Mar 1855 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States

Husband of Elizabeth (Walker) Grover — married Mar 1857 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States

Husband of Betsey Blackstone (Foote) Palmer — married 1865 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States

Descendants

Died 20 Feb 1886 at age 78 in Farmington, Davis County, Utah, United States

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Thomas Grover III was a Latter Day Saint pioneer.

Biography

Thomas^[1] was born in 1807. He is the son of Thomas Grover and Polly Spaulding. Thomas III was born five months after his father died. He passed away in 1886.

An Interesting biographical information (including Thomas' early relationship with Joseph Smith, the Seer, Revelator, Translator, and Prophet), from family correspondence and Andrew Jensen's LDS Biographical Encyclopedia Italic text, was created by the Utah State Historical Society.^[2]

There are also several overviews:

• Thomas Grover 22 July 1807 - 19 September 1886
• Thomas Grover — The Westward Movement of the Mormons and the Settlement of Utah

At the age of twelve, Thomas began working as a cabin boy on the freight boats that moved between ports in Canada and New York City.

In 1834, Grover joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland Ohio with his first wife Caroline.

By Dec 1836, had moved to Far West, Missouri.

In 1839, expelled from Missouri and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois.

In early 1841, member of the Nauvoo Legion with Joseph Smith as lieutenant general.

From 1840 to 1844, he served three missions for the church in New York, Michigan, and Upper Canada.

1843, assisted in rescuing the Prophet [Joseph Smith]during the Dixon arrest.

Feb 1846. Left Nauvoo. This family along with many others left their homes and started the long trek across Iowa. When they were crossing the Mississippi river on a flatboat, the boat was sunk by a plank being stamped off by the oxen that they were leading behind the wagons. In trying to loosen the oxen grandfather [Thomas] had got off the boat and was down the stream some little distance when he saw only the covers loose and told the folks not to move an inch and not a hair of their heads would be harmed. There were twenty-two souls on the boat and they clung to the bows and not one soul was lost. His wife Hannah held her ten week old baby on her shoulder to keep him above the water; and little three year old Percia cried, "Lord, save my little heart". For four months they traveled in the snow and cold until they reached Mt. Pisgah. They arrived at Winter Quarters July 23,1846.^[3]

23 July 1846., arrived in Council Bluffs 23 July 1846.

3 Oct 1847, arrived in Salt Lake Valley 3 October 1847.

Spring 1848, moved to Centerville, Utah.

Fall 1848, moved to Farmington, Utah.

1850, traveled to Missouri to purchase cattle. Returned to Salt Lake area in spring of 1853 with 150 head.

1861, assisted emigrating Saints from Missouri River.

1874-75, Mission to eastern states.

He served three-terms in the Utah Legislature and was Probate Judge of Davis Co., Utah.

Joseph Smith gave Thomas a sword is now in the hall of relics on the State Capitol of Utah.

On Monday evening Feb 17, 1886 he presided at the High Council meeting and on Thursday February 20 he passed away leaving four wives and twenty-six children.

Wives with Children

1. Caroline Whiting md 1828. Seven children: Mary Jane, Emeline, Mary Elizabeth, Adeline, Caroline, Eliza Ann, and Emma. Caroline, died October 1840.
2. Carolina Eliza Nickerson md 20 February 1841. Four children: Percia Cornelia, Leonard Nickerson, Data Nickerson, and Marshall Hubbard. Later divorced.
3. Hannah Tupper md 17 December 1844. Fifteen children: Thomas, Hannah, Joel, James, Evelyn, Hyrum Smith, Josophine, Jerome, Pauline, Maria Louisa, Jedediah Morgan Grant, Silas, Ezra, John Ladd, and Charles Coulson Rich.
4. Lodoiska Tupper md 20 January 1846. Seven children: Lucy, Moroni, Jacob, Napoleon, Edward Partridge, Inez, and Don Carlos.
5. Emma Walker md 24 March 1855. Ten children: Keturah, Rosella, Henry Alfred, David, Amy Blanche, Emma Veronica, William Frank, Abner, and Albert Isaiah.
6. Elizabeth Walker md Mar 1857. Nine children: Clara, Walter L., Elizabeth, Zeluah, Enoch, Polly, Alma Fredrick, Samuel, Lafayette.

Regarding Polygamy

Glen Leonard, in his book Nauvoo, A Place of Peace, A People of Promise, uses a letter written by Thomas Grover as one of his sources concerning this time period. On pages 353-54 he wrote:

“. . .Many in Nauvoo sought clarification about the supposed practice [of polygamy] that rumor would not let die. At a high council meeting on August 12, 1843, Dunbar Wilson wanted to know what was behind talk of a plurality of wives. Members of the Twelve were already party to the confidential knowledge. The high council was next in ecclesiastical priority in Nauvoo. Hyrum Smith responded with candor. He retrieved his copy of the July revelation from his home across the street and read it to the assemblage. Joseph was home ill. After learning that an authentic revelation on plural marriage existed, the high council became divided in its loyalty. Thomas Grover and some councilors accepted it at face value. Others did not.”

Thomas sent a letter to Brigham Young regarding polygamy:

“Prest. Brigham Young,

Dear Brother: There was something took place when I was commanded by Bro. Joseph to take more wives which I thought it was wisdom to communicate to you. At the time I was in the deepest trouble that I had ever been in in my life. I went before the Lord in prayer and prayed that I might die as I did not wish to disobey his order to me. On a sudden there stood before me my oldest wife that I have now and the voice of the Lord said that ‘This is your companion for time and all Eternity.’ At this time I never had seen her and did not know that there was such a person on this Earth. Days & weeks passed away & I had not seen her. About the time that you came from your mission to the East, she came to my house for an item of counsel, the first time that I ever saw her with my natural eyes. When you read this you will see why I have been so tenacious over that woman. About the time we were leaving Nauvoo and about one year after I married her, I thought it wisdom to communicate the above to her mother, her sister and herself, which was the first time I had mentioned it to anybody.

Yours Respectfully in the Gospel, Thomas Grover.”

Event

Type: Military

Date: 4 FEB 1841

Place: Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, USA

Census

1800 Census^[4]

1850 Census^[5]

• Thomas Grover M 43 New York
• Hannah Grover F 32 New York
• Caroline Grover F 14 Missouri
• Eliza Grover F 12 Missouri
• Thomas Grover M 5 Illinois
• Hannah Grover F 4 North Parnting
• Lucy Grover F 2 Deseret
• Joel Grover M 2 Utah
• Rodusca Grover F 22 New York

1860 Census^[6]

• Thos Grover M 53 New York
• Hannah Grover F 37 New York
• Loduska Grover F 32 New York
• Emma Grover F 25 England
• Elizabeth Grover F 20 England
• Thos Grover M 14 Illinois
• Hannah Grover F 13 New York
• Lucy Grover F 11 Utah
• Joel Grover M 11 Utah
• Jacob Grover M 7 Iowa
• Napoleon Grover M 5 Utah
• Paulina Grover F 3 Utah
• Clara Grover F 2 Utah
• Catura Grover F 2 Utah
• Ed P Grover M 1 Utah
• Mariah L Grover F 0 Utah
• Rosila Grover F 0 Utah

1870 Census^[7]

• Thomas Grover M 62 New York
• Hannah Grover F 47 New York
• Pauline Grover F 14 Utah
• Jedediah Grover M 8 Utah

1880 Census^[8]

• Thomas Grover Self M 72 New York
• Lodoiska T Grover Wife F 52 New York
• Emma Grover Wife F 44 England
• Elizabeth Grover Wife F 40 England
• Walter Grover Son M 19 Utah
• Edward P Grover Son M 21 Utah
• Henry Grover Son M 18 Utah
• Vernisha Grover Daughter F 15 Utah
• Zernah M Grover Daughter F 15 Utah
• William F Grover Son M 11 Utah
• Enoch Grover Son M 10 Utah
• Polly Grover Daughter F 8 Utah
• Albert I Grover Son M 6 Utah
• Lula E Sanders Granddaughter F 11 Utah
• Clara L Sanders Granddaughter F 9 Utah
• Mary A Sanders Granddaughter F 6 Utah
• Eveline F Sanders Granddaughter F 3 Utah

Burial

Date: 23 FEB 1886

Place: Farmington, DAVIS, Utah

Thomas was born in 1807. He passed away in 1886.

Research Notes

DNA Corroboration

Descent From Thomas Grover III

The relationships between Linda (Palmer) Mortensen; her aunt, Grace (Palmer) Rasmussen; her first cousin, once removed, James Mark Rasmussen II; Tess Oakley; and Seth Grover, up to and including Thomas Grover III, are corroborated by Family Tree DNA Family Finder Test matches between Linda, Grace, James, Tess Oakley, and Seth Grover.

Tess Oakley is an autosomal DNA match to Linda (Palmer) Mortensen on Family Tree DNA. They share 50 cM across two segments; the longest segment is 35 cM. Their predicted relationship is 2nd to 4th cousins.

Seth Grover is an autosomal DNA match to Linda (Palmer) Mortensen on Family Tree DNA. They share 47 cM across two segments; the longest segment is 31 cM. Their predicted relationship is 2nd to 4th cousins.

These matches corroborate Tess Oakley's descent from Thomas Grover III, Enoch Grover, Nancy Olean Grover, Lewis Dale Casper, and Elva Kay Casper.

These matches corroborate Seth Grover's patrilineal descent from Thomas Grover III, Marshall Hubbard Grover, Raymond Grover, Leslie B. Grover, and Dennis Grover.

These matches also corroborate Linda (Palmer) Mortensen's descent from Thomas Grover III, Jedediah Morgan Grant Grover, Ethel Mae (Grover) Palmer, and Joseph Oleen Palmer. Tavern-2 19:27, 14 March 2024 (UTC)

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia: Thomas Grover
2. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 108398
3. ↑ History of Thomas Grover, by Margaret Hess Camp and Helen Mar Miller
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1800,"database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5B-8GP : accessed 3 December 2016), Thomas Grovier Jr, Whitehall, Washington, New York, United States; citing p. 281, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 26; FHL microfilm 193,714.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (Index Link : accessed 1 January 2016), household of Thomas Grover, Pottawattamie county, Pottawattamie, Iowa, United States; citing family 565, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (Index Link : accessed 28 Mar 2014), household of Thos Grover, Farmington, Davis, Utah Territory, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 43, household ID 269, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 805313
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (Index Link : accessed 1 January 2016), household of Thomas Grover, Utah, United States; citing p. 9, family 74, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,109.
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (Index Link : accessed 1 January 2016), household of Thomas Grover, Farmington, Davis, Utah, United States; citing enumeration district ED 15, sheet 289C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1336; FHL microfilm 1,255,336.

• The ancestry and genealogy of Thomas Grover : born July 1807, Whitehall, N.Y., died Feb. 1886, Farmington, Utah by Joel P Grover, Los Angeles, California, 1959

• "LDS Biographical Encyclopedia" vol. 4 p.137-138 By Andrew Jensen

• History of Thomas Grover

• "Utah, Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, 1847-1868," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KL71-ZPN : 12 December 2014), Thomas Grover, ; excerpted from Frank Esshom, Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah: Comprising Photographs, Genealogies, Biographies (Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah Pioneers Books, 1913).

• "Utah, Early Mormon Missionary Database," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKDW-RTWW : 26 February 2016), Thomas Grover, New York; records extracted by FamilySearch and images digitized by Church History library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; citing Missionary Register v. 1, Missionary department missionary registers 1860-1959, CR 301 22, Church History Library, Salt lake City, Utah.

• "Utah, Early Mormon Missionary Database," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKDW-TG68 : 26 February 2016), Thomas Grover, New York; records extracted by FamilySearch and images digitized by Church History library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; citing Missionary Register v. 2, Missionary department missionary registers 1860-1959, CR 301 22, Church History Library, Salt lake City, Utah.

• Thomas Grover Overland Travels Pioneers

• Cemetery marker [1]

See also:

• Thomas Grover- The Westward Movement of the Mormons and the Settlement of Utah by Julie Cannon Markham, 2 great-granddaughter

Notes

This profile is a collaborative work-in-progress. Can you contribute information or sources?

• Family records, bibles, family search, photos.