AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF JAMES PACE
James Pace, the son of James Pace, who was born in North Carolina, Jan. 23, 1778, and married Mary Ann Loving, daughter of Thomas and Polly Loving in 1796. He was the third son of William Pace, who had eight sons and two daughters.
In the year my father removed to Double Springs, Rutherford County, Tennessee, where I was born, June the 15th, 1811.
In the War of 1812, he volunteered and was elected Captain of Horse in the service of the United States under command of General Andrew Jackson. After being successful in several engagements with Indians, he lost his life at the memorial battle of Orleans, December 23, 1814, thus leaving my mother a widow with eight children; six girls and two boys, viz: William and James, I being next to the youngest.
In this vicinity I grew to manhood and married Lucinda G. Strickland, March 20, 1831. On the 9th day of Feb., 1832, William Byron, our first son, was born. In Dec. I removed my family to Shelby County, State of Illinois, where 1 took up my residence early in the spring of 1833. I returned to Tennessee and assisted in removing my father-in-law, Warren G. Strickland and family, to my residence in Illinois; and February 25, 1834, James Finiz, our second son was born.
During this season we had a great deal of sickness occasioned by settling a new country. My mother-in-law died, and on the 21st of Sept., 1834, James Finiz, our second son, died. October 20, 1835, Mary Ann, our first daughter was born. This also was a very sickly season. Dec. 28, 1837, Warren Sidney, our third son, was born. In April, 1839, I heard the first discourse on Mormonism from Elder Dominious Carter, and on the 14th inst. myself and wife were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints under his hands.
The ensuing September, Almon Babbit, while passing that way to Kirtland, Ohio, organized a branch of the Church in our neighborhood, when I was ordained a Deacon. April 15, 1840, Martha Elmira, our second daughter, was born.
On the 2nd day of June following, I started for the city of Nauvoo, then known as Commerce, with my family and effects, where we arrived on the 12th. On the 13th I visited and was introduced to the Prophet Joseph Smith; after some conversation, I was counselled to locate in the City, which I did, and soon after commenced work upon the Temple. The following October Conference I was ordained a Seventy under the hands of the Council of Seventies.
January 10, 1842, we received our Patriarchal Blessings under the hands of Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch of the whole Church, which was recorded in Record Book page 179 and 180, the following being a verbatim copy:
(Note: Given the sacred and personal nature of Patriarchal Blessings, Church leaders have counseled us not to post them on genealogical website or other public sites. I have edited this sketch and removed the transcript. Direct descendants can request a copy from the Church History Department.)
Sept. 14, 1842, Margaret Angeline, our third daughter was born. In the year 1845, I was chosen a policeman by Joseph Smith and as such served the remainder of my sojourn in that place. That same season I was elected captain of the First Company of Infantry organized in Nauvoo (succeeding Jesse D. Hunter, who was promoted), designated Nauvoo Sentinels or Red Coats. May 19, 1844, I started on a mission to the State of Arkansas, where I arrived, preached, baptized several, returning home the ensuing July. While absent upon this mission, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Prophet and Patriarch, were murdered in Carthage Jail while imprisoned under the pledged faith of the state of Illinois for their safety, June 27, 1844. From my first introduction to these men until their martyrdom, I was an eye-witness to most of their sufferings and can faithfully testify that they were innocent for the charges brought against them in every respect.
July 12, 1845, John Ezra, our fourth son, was born. At a conference of Seventies held in this year, I was ordained one of the presidents of the 17th Quorum of Seventies. The following December I was permitted to take my wife into the temple of the Lord at Nauvoo, where we received our washings and anointings in fulfillment of the predictions of the Patriarch Hyrum.
January 10, 1846, I had my wife sealed to me in the Temple, and on the 29th we received our second anoints and blessings in the temple. During this month, preparations were being made for the departure of the Saints from Nauvoo, in consequence of the overpowering mobocratic influence that surrounded us on every side. Consequently, about the first of February, the Quorum of the Twelve and others began crossing the Mississippi and made their encampment on Sugar Creek about 8 miles west of the river.
February 8, 1846, I succeeded in removing my family across the river in the night, leaving houses and lands to the mercy of a ruthless mob, not knowing or caring where our journey would terminate. Leaving my family at my brother’s, William Pace, about 5 miles out from the river, I returned back to Nauvoo and stood my guard at President Young’s until he crossed the river. On the 10th, I was at the front of the temple when it took fire, and assisted in extinguishing it.
On the 12th, I joined the camp at Sugar Creek with my family, and traveled with them through mud, rain, and snow as far as Mount Pisgah, situated on the main fork of Grand River, Iowa. Here it was deemed advisable for a number to remain for a season and raise a crop, while the Twelve and others that were will-fitted pushed forward to the mountain. I being among those remaining, commenced plowing, sowing and planting, and making preparations to remain over winter by building; but on the 6th day of July I was called upon by President Young to join the Mormon Battalion, he having returned the day previous to raise men for that service. Consequently, on the 7th I started for Lar Pease Point on the Missouri River, where the Mormon Battalion was mustered into service of the United States on the 16th day of July, 1846, I being elected 1st Lieutenant, Company E under Captain David C. Davis.
After crossing Kaw River on learning of the death of Col. Allen, I was sent back to Council Bluffs with dispatches for the First Presidency. After delivering them, Brother John D. Lee and Howard Egen were called by the President to accompany me back to overtake the Battalion and continue with them as far as Santa Fe. I got permission to return via Pisgah and visit my family, which I did, meeting with Brothers Lee and Egan at Ft. Joseph, Missouri, on the 3rd of September. After setting up our wagon, we proceeded on our journey and overtook the Battalion at the crossing of the Arkansas River about the 20th of Sept.
We found the Battalion in charge of a Lieutenant Smith of the Dragoons (one of the last of God’s creations!). After a tedious forced march from this place, we arrived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, about the first of October. Here we met an order from General Kerney placing us under the command of Captain P. H. George Cook of the First Dragoons. We taking com. as Brevt Lieut. Colonel with orders to march us through to California. Here our sick were sorted out, and such as could not boast of sound limbs under directions of Captain Brown of Co. C were ordered to fall back on Kenta Fort or old Pueblo and take up Winter Quarters, then proceed by the northern route to California. Thus, we were compelled to witness the dividing of our group, so contrary to the general feeling of our people. The remainder, some 350 of us, were fitted out through the kindness of Lieut. Smith and Dr. Landerson, with about one-fourth of the amount necessary to carry us through to the Pacific.
On the 19th day of October, we took up the line of march for California and, as per matter of economy, were out on half rations. That afternoon Brothers Lee and Egan returned to Council Bluffs with money and letters for our families previous to our leaving Santa Fe. Our march from here to the Pacific is almost indescribable with hardships and suffering occasioned from want of sufficient supplies. Previous to our leaving Santa Fe, we had not been provided sufficiently. After a long toilsome march, we arrived at San Diego, California, on the 29th day of January, 1947, and were subsequently quartered in San Luis Rey Mission, where we subsisted over six weeks on beef alone, in consequence of there being no government supplies in that country.
On the 19th of March we took up the line of march for Pueblo De Los Angeles, a distance of one hundred and forty miles, leaving our sick with a small guard in charge of Lieutenant Omer, thus making another division in our camp. We arrived in Pueblo De Los Angeles, making our encampment on the northeast side of town. Here we served out the remainder of our enlistment and were honorably discharged on the 16th day of July, 1847.
After a distance of 2500 miles from our place of enlistment, which I traveled on foot, and under the most heart-rending circumstances that an army was ever called to march, being placed upon short rations and required to make forced marches through deserts and mountain regions, that had never been traveled by white man, we immediately commenced fitting up for home, and on the 23rd we organized our company of 163 men, I being elected captain. On the 24th we set out on our journey through the Great Joaquin Valley to Sutter’s Fort, thence via Fort Hall, homeward bound with pack animals.
On arriving at Sutter’s Fort on the 26th of August, a number of our brethren were compelled to stop through the winter for want of sufficient outfit to get them through to the States. On the 27th, after purchasing a fresh supply of provisions and exchanging some of our poorest animals, we set out again, crossing the great Sierra Nevada Mts. on the Truckey River Route, passing the remains of a camp of Missourians that had perished there during the fall of ‘46. They subsisted on human flesh until their number was reduced to some four or five before assistance came to their relief, which was in accordance with the predictions made by the Prophet Joseph while in Missouri.
On the 7th of September, we met Captain James Brown with an epistle from President Young, also letters from our families and friends; from these epistles we learned of the locations made by them in the Great Salt Lake Valley. Some of the young men in our outfit returned back to California to work over the winter, knowing there would be scarcity of provisions in the Salt Lake Valley with winter coming on.
On the morning of the 8th, we parted with those returning to California and proceeded on our way via Fort Hall, where we arrived on the 16th of October. Here we met with many of our brethren that we had associated with in troublesome times in Nauvoo and other places; also, the portion of the Mormon Battalion that had returned from Santa Fe to Pueblo and wintered. All were busily engaged in building a fort and preparing for winter. We spent one day here to exchange some of our animals and refit, then set out for the Missouri River on the 18th in company with some 30 others.
On arriving at the head of Echo Canyon, a heavy snow fell upon us, and from this time on, it continued to storm most of the time during the entire trip. On arriving at the head of Grand Island on the Platt, our stock of provisions having failed several days previous, and not being successful in killing buffalo, for want of fresh horses, we were compelled to resort to our animals for subsistence. A jackass of D. P. Kainey, having given out during the day, was driven into camp and butchered at night to feed a number of Uncle Sam’s worn out Mormon soldiers, who fared sumptuously by roasting and eating until all were satisfied and retired to their rest.
The remainder of the journey was performed on mule meal without salt or any other ingredients, cooked after the most approved style, and served up to suit the taste of the most refined and delicate. Traveling through snow and storms, we arrived at winter quarters on the Missouri River on the 17th day of December, 1847. Here I found my wife and family in good health, though in rather adverse circumstances. I shortly removed them to Brigham Farm about 20 miles up the river, where I spent the remainder of the winter.
In the spring of 1848, not being able to remove my family to G.S.L. Valley, I re-crossed the Missouri and took me a farm opposite the mouth of the Platt River and raised a crop, working in St. Joseph, Missouri, during the winter for an outfit.
The spring of 1849 still found me unable to move West. Consequently, I removed to St. Joseph where, through labor and economy, I succeeded in securing wagons and teams sufficient to remove my family.
On the 18th day of Feb., 1850, Amanda Lucinda, our 4th daughter was born.
About the first of May, I loaded up and started for the Valley. Upon arriving at the Bluffs, I was organized with a company and elected Captain of a hundred, Brothers Richard Sessions and Bennett captains of fifties.
During our journey westward, nothing out of the ordinary routine of camp life transpired, excepting the first few weeks we were infested with the cholera, which occasioned several deaths.
Arriving in S.L. Valley, September 23rd, I received a hearty welcome by President Young, who requested me to go south and locate on Peteetneet Creek in the south end of the Utah Valley.
I immediately started for this place, stopping a few days at Provo at my brother’s, William Pace’s, and arrived on Peteetneet Creek Oct. 20, 1850, with my family and accompanied by Brother A. I. Steward, and the I. C. Searle family. Early in the year of ‘51 our numbers were considerably increased by immigrants from Salt Lake Valley and other places, and in March we had a visit from President Young and suite, when we were organized into a branch of the Church. I was chosen President, and Benjamin Cross, Bishop, after which President Young named the place PAYSON.
During the remainder of the season, nothing of importance transpired excepting the ordinary routine of trials, confusions, and difficulties attending the building up of a new settlement with all classes of men to do it with, including all their peculiarities and notions of right and wrong.
On the 2nd of January, 1852, I had Margaret Hewit sealed to me by President Young in Salt Lake City. The ensuing season I worked at farming, building fences etc.
At a conference held in S.L.C. on the 28th of August, I was called to take a mission to England, in connection with a number of others; consequently, on the 9th day of Sept., I bade adieu to my family in Payson and started to fulfill this appointment.
Arriving in England, I was appointed in the Bedford Conference.
On the 25th of December, 1852, my first son by Margaret Hewit was born, James Wilkerson.
After spending about three years in the land of England, I was released to go home. In January, 1855, after a tedious trip of several months, I arrived in Payson, Utah, on the 7th of November, finding my family again enjoying good health, which was a source of great consolation to me after an absence of three years and about three months.
On the 4th of December following, I had Ann Webb sealed to me by President Young at Payson while we were enroute to Fillmore City. The ensuing spring, I recommenced farming at Payson, nothing worth of notice transpiring.
On the 13th of August, 1856, Willard, my second son per Margaret was born.
During the following winter, I participated in the reformation then prevalent among our people, though not to the extent of wild enthusiasm that some manifested.
The following summer, I continued to farm until the trouble commenced with the United States, when I was detailed as a captain to explore the country east of Payson for a place of security for a safe retreat, provided it should prove necessary to flee to the mountains. This I continued until late in the winter.
On the 8th of February, 1358, Wilford, my third son by Margaret, was born, and on the 16th of April, same year, Orlando, my first son by Ann Webb, was born.
During the season I continued to farm at Payson. In March ‘59 I was called as a grand juror to Provo in the famous Cradlebaugh Court, and after being harangued there for near a month, was discharged and returned to my own business at home.
On the 27th of February, 1860, Margaret Lenora, my second daughter by Ann Webb, was born. This season I located my family, or part of them, on the head of Spring Creek, located about 2½ miles south of Payson, and commenced opening a new farm.
During this year, 1861, I rented my farm at Payson and continued my operations at Spring Creek.
July 7, 1861, Naomi Eugenia, my first daughter by Margaret, was born at Spring Creek. The ensuing September I sold my Payson farm to William Whiteman, receiving payment in young stock.
In October I was called to remove south to the Cotton Country with my family and commenced the cultivation of cotton, rice, grapes, and other fruit.
On the 20th of November, 1861, I started on this mission with my wife Lucinda, her youngest child Amanda, and James Wilkerson, Margaret’s oldest son, and also was accompanied by my brother William Pace and part of his family. After some two weeks travel, we arrived at Harmony, Washington County, and, per advice of President Erastus Snow, located ourselves upon Ash Creek near Old Harmony. After preparing a shelter for the folks, I returned to Payson for the remainder of my family, arriving December 31, 1861.
(End of autobiography)
Addendum by Mary Adelia Pace Tyler:
My father spent the next 20 years in New Harmony and Washington, farming and homebuilding.
In November, 1882, he moved his wife, Ann Webb, and family to southern Arizona, settling on the Gila River. He had been desirous of returning to this country, having crossed it while in the Mormon Battalion. He engaged in farming and home building in this new country for the next five years. He died April 6, 1888, at his home in Thatcher, Arizona, and was buried in the Thatcher cemetery.
