Jonathan Blackmore Pratt

Deseret - Died April 16, 1890, Jonathan Blackmore Pratt, of la grippe and old age. Deceased was born January 18th at Hardin County, Tennessee, and was the son of William Pratt and Isabella Hall. He was baptized into the Church October 7, 1855, immigrated to Utah in 1857, and settled in Grantsville, Tooele County. He resided there until the fall of 1862 when he was called to southern Utah and settled at Duncan's Retreat, then Kane County. At this place he remained until 1883 when he removed to Deseret. He held the office of High Priest. Brother Pratt died as he had lived, faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and upon his death bed bore a strong testimony of the truth thereof. The deceased was the father of seven children, two sons and five daughters. He had also many grand and great grandchildren. The funeral services were held in the Deseret schoolhouse, on Sunday last. Addresses were delivered by Bishop Joseph S. Black and Elder Leigh R. Cropper. The dedicatory prayer was offered by Elder John L. Allred. SOURCE: Family Search.org

The following History of Jonathan Blackmore Pratt and Susannah Halbert was also found on Family Search.org. It was written by one of his grandchildren: Jonathan Blackmore Pratt was born in Greeneville, Tennessee, January 18, 1807. He was probably named for his grandfather, Jonathan Pratt and his great grandfather, Blackmore Hughes. He was the son of William Pratt and Isabel Hall. His mother died when he was around six years old. This left his father with four children to raise on his own. Jonathan was the oldest of the four. His father later married Rebecca Worth Taylor. On January 6, 1833, he married Susannah Halbert. She was actually the niece of his step-mother. Susannah was born in Williamson, Tennessee. Her parents were Susannah Taylor and William Halbert.

Their first child, a daughter was born in Hollands Creek, Hardin, Tennessee on October 23, 1833. They named her Rebecca Ann Pratt. A second daughter was born to them on June 23, 1836, also in Hardin, Tennessee. Her name was Martha Jane Pratt. Their third daughter, Mary Caroline, was born February 26, 1838, in Hardin, Tennessee. Grandfather and grandmother moved with his brothers as well as many Halberts to Tishamingo County, Mississippi, which is about 700 miles from Greeneville, sometime between 1838 and 1840. There they bought 2,000 acres of land from the Indians. This was located in a little valley called Pleasant Grove. Here they were able to raise cotton, sugar cane and tobacco. the only means of irrigating their crops was by the rainfall.

Later on July 13, 1840, their fourth daughter in a row was born in Monroe, Mississippi. Her name was Ufrasia Isabell. Sometime later the place was called Pratt's Community. There they had a large family. They were very prosperous and happy. While living there they had a Pratt's church, Pratt's school, and Pratt's cemetery. Grandfather's brother, William Buchanon Pratt, was kind and willing to help at all times. He gave material and land for the churches and schools.

On May 8, 8144, a son was born in Tishomingo, Mississippi, who they named William Halbert Pratt. While living there a hurricane came. Grandfather's house it seemed would be right in its path. When within a short distance of his house, the wind separated, part going on either side of the house. A mile beyond his house the wind came together again and as it went along it did much damage. His brother's house and property was damaged badly. Buck was not a member of the church. When he found out how his brother's house had been protected, he said, "Well, the faith of Jonathan was so strong that it split the wind."

On October 6, 1846, a 5th daughter was born in Tishomingo, Mississippi. She was named Elizabeth Frances. Their last child, their 7th, a son John Wesley, was born in 1848 but died before the 1850 census.

On October 7, 1855, Grandfather joined the church and came to Utah about 1857. He brought his family with him except for his eldest daughter, Rebecca Ann, who married and stayed in Mississippi. They traveled by ox team from Mississippi. It was a long difficult journey. A man passing by read the sign Grandfather had put on the wagon, "Utah or bust." He said, "You had better take that sign off or you will never get through Missouri alive." Grandfather said, "What I have written, i have written." He didn't take the sign down and he went through the state in safety.

While the family was on their way to Utah with a company of Saints, Grandfather was hurt badly. He was driving the ox team and standing on the tongue of the wagon. The oxen became frightened and ran away with the wagon. Grandfather fell to the ground and the wagon passed over him. Everyone thought he had been killed, but through the power of the Priesthood his life was spared and he lived many years after that. He carried the print of the oxen's hoof until the time of his death.

Grandfather, arriving in Utah, settled in Grantsville and stayed there about two years. On May 29-30, 1860, Jonathan and Susannah received their endowments in the Endowment House and were sealed to each other by Daniel H. Wells. Witnesses were W. W. Phelps and W.C. Staines.

In 1861 Brigham Young called several men to go to Dixie. Grandfather was one of them. He was no doubt called because he knew how to raise cotton and cane. Jonathan Burgess Pratt wrote, "I have heard my grandmother Susannah Pratt say she was the first one to raise cotton in this district."

This move was a distance of 300 miles. It was a long tiring trip and was made by ox team. This time they settled in Toquerville on the banks of the Virgin River. Later they moved three miles further east. This place was called Duncan's Retreat, in memory of a man named Captain Duncan who lived there. He tried to make water run up hill. He son gave up and left for a better place.

They found this place to be most unpromising, but with courage they set out to build homes and get water out of the treacherous river. They dug ditches for miles along the rocky mountain side and built dams in the river. Much of their work was done in vain because heavy rains came and washed away their ditches and dams. Several times during a season this happened. They found it impossible to put dams in strong enough because all they had were picks and shovels to work with. This added many hardships for the settlers and at times they became very discouraged.

Grandfather engaged in farming, but in order to get water onto the land, it was necessary to dig long ditches along the foot of the mountain through rocks and gravel beds which required much hard labor and expense. After long and tedious labor, water was brought on to the land and then wheat, alfalfa, cane, fruit trees and vineyards were planted. I distinctly remember after nearly 60 years the first beautiful red apple that I had ever seen and how I did long for a taste of it.

Life in Dixie was a hard one, but it still had its good points too. The climate was warm. They could raise sugar cane and most all kinds of fruits. There were also good ranges in the mountains for their stock. The mountains were rugged and steep.

They were faithful in church activities. Grandfather was called Pappy Pratt and Grandmother Mammy Pratt by all the young people in the community.

In 1885-1886 floods came and did much damage to farms and homes. Grandfather's son William made many trips into the surrounding countryside. It was not long until a new project was underway. William moved his family and also his father's family to Deseret. There grandfather died April 11, 1890.

They were faithful workers in the church. They did much work in the St. George and Manti Temples. It was soon after a trip to the Manti Temple that grandmother took ill on her way home and died in Holden, Utah, on October 27, 1891. They were both buried in Deseret.