Enos Curtis

• Son of Edmond Curtis and Mary Polly Avery
• Billion Graves Memorial

Married

• Married: Ruth Franklin Curtis, (1790 - 1848)

Children

• David Avery Curtis (1820 - 1885)*
• Ezra Houghton Curtis (1823 - 1915)*
• Ursula Curtis Gifford (1826 - 1902)*
• Sabrina Curtis Harward (1829 - 1890)*
• Clarissa Curtis Cook (1851 - 1915)*

History

Enos Curtis, born 9 Oct 1783, died 1 Jun 1856, son of Edmond Curtis and Polly Avery. He was born in Kinderhook, Columbia, New York. He married 1 Dec 1805 or 1806 to Ruth Franklin, b. 14 Nov 1790 at Sterling, Windham, Conn. She died 6 May 1848 in Iowaville on the plains.

Most of their children were born in Rutland and Sullivan townships in Tiago Co., Pennsylvania. Enos was baptized in The Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 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 hardships of the early church pioneers. He was a farmer and carpenter by trade.

Hattie Esplin Durfee notes that Enos Curtis, the eldest son of Edmond Curtis and Polly Avery Curtis, spent his boyhood days in the little town of Kinderhook, a few miles east of the Hudson River, in Columbia County, New York. A few miles farther east is the large town of Latham.

Enos' father, was born in Sharon, Litchfield, Connecticut. He had two brothers — Samuel Wadsworth and Henry — and a sister, Clarissa. Edmond was killed in the War of 1812, at Fort Erie.

Not much is known of his early life. The story is told by one of his descendants in Utah that Enos, at the age of 14, was apprenticed to learn a trade. His master was so cruel and unkind that he begged his father to let him return home. His father refused saying that the agreement was made, papers signed and that he must finish the contract. Young Enos had courage and an adventurous spirit. He planned to escape from this man and did make his escape by stowing away on a ship sailing down the Hudson River to New York City. He was discovered enroute but the crew learned to like him and asked him to stay with them.

Arriving in New York City, Enos met Ruth Franklin. They were married in that city on the 15th of December, 1805. Ruth was born on 14th November 1870 in Sterling, Windham, Connecticut.

After their marriage they went to Pennsylvania to seek a new home and settled in Tioga County. The northern boundary of the county is the state line between the Pennsylvania and New York state. It was a new county. The county having been formed in 1804. The Curtis' lived in Susquehanna County, Sullivan County, Rutland and Tiago, where their fourteen children were born and raised. Five died small while nine grew to marry and have families of their own.

According to Louise Durfee Rooney, shortly before the birth of their last child, Celestia Curtis Durfee, the family became converted to the restored church — the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Enos was baptized in the LDS Church in 1831 by Lyman Wight and at age 48 became an ardent missionary for the Church.

Enos Curtis

Contributor: Charles Created: 2 years ago Updated: 2 years ago

CURTIS, ENOS NOTES Pioneer 1st company with Brigham Young, Taught Brigham Young gospel, Patriarch, Tamed Mississippi River Stories of Mobs, Indians and a Settler Received his Pat. Blessing 29 Sept. 1841 by Hiram Smith. P. Bling’s v. 4 p. 43. Crossed the plains in 1st Division of Brigham Young Co. J.H. 31 Dec. 1848. ENOS CURTIS Compiled by Ella Curtis Great Grandfather Enos Curtis had a patriarchal blessing given 29 September 1841 by Patriarch Hyrum Smith in Nauvoo, Illinois, It gives the name of his parents as Edmond and Polly Curtis. Enos Curtis was born 9 October 1783 in Kinderhook, Columbia Country, New York. He married Ruth Franklin when he was about twenty-five years old or about 1806. He had a family of fourteen children, all born in Rutland and Sullivan Townships, Tiago County, Pennsylvania. Six of these children died before 1848. Ref. ABrigham Young, >The Man and His Works@ by Preston Nibly, pages 5, 6, and 428. Brigham Young says in the fall of 1831, five Mormon Elders (Alpheus Gifford and Elial Strong and others) from an isolated branch of the L.D.S. Church in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, came to Mendon to preach Mormonism, which he heard and believed. These Elders were making a missionary tour of the state of New York. They met Brigham Young in Mendon, who had already had a copy of the Book of Mormon in his possession. The actual contact with these elders, their testimonies and personalities, so impressed him that he began an extensive study of Mormonism. Page 6 from AAutobiography of Heber C. Kimball@, Heber C. Kimball says. AAbout three weeks after I joined the Baptist Church in the fall of 1831, five elders, from the Church of Jesus Christ came from Pennsylvania to the home of Phineas Young in Victor. Their names were Eleazer Miller, Elial Strong, Alpheus Gifford, Enos Curtis and Daniel Bowen. Hearing of these men prompted curiosity in me to and see them, when for the first time I heard the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel. Note: Elial Strong is a son-in-law of Enos Curtis. He married Martha Curtis, born 1812, died 1834. These five elders must have been very outstanding missionaries and spiritually minded men when they so thoroughly impressed both Brigham Young, and Heber C. Kimball with the truth of their testimonies. Both these men decided to pay them a visit which they did in January 1832 at the branch in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. This was the beginning of many joining the L.D.S. Church. From the AJournal History@ (in Church Historian=s Office), we find Enos Curtis and family went with the Church in their various moves, suffering all the persecutions of the Saints and burying his wife on the journey in Missouri in 1848. We find him in Caldwell, Clay County, Missouri on 29 November 1839 through a petition to Congress signed by Saints presenting claims against the State of Missouri. Their names were arranged alphabetically. Enos Curtis= claim was for $1,856. (See 29 November 1839, page 9). Enos Curtis presided over a conference at Quincy, Illinois on 1 September 1844. (See p.5 of church history Sept. 1848.) 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 On 25 October 1845 Enos Curtis made and signed an affidavit stating 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, and that he saw the house of the Widow Boss, had been willfully destroyed by fire on 21 Oct., in the same area as the former fires, in Quincy, Illinois. Both he and his wife Ruth Franklin did their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple in 1846, After burying the most beloved of their group, their mother, this bereaved family come on to Utah in 1848. They gave up all, endured all the hardships-cold, hunger, disease, famine, and torture from angry war-like mobs for the call of their religion. CURTIS, ENOS Emigration Record See Supplement to Journal History, Church Historians Office, 31 December 1848, 1st DivisionBEmigration. The company emigrated across the plains and mountains from Missouri River to Salt Lake City. This company was divided into three divisions. The first division was in charge of Brigham Young, Enos Curtis, Theodore Curtis, and Joseph Curtis was numbered in this group. They left the Elkhorn River 1 June 1848 and arrived in Salt Lake City, Sept. 1848. The first division had 1229 souls, 397 wagons, 74 horses, 19 mules, 1297 oxen, 699 cows, 184 loose cattle and sheep, some pigs, chickens, dogs, cats, doves, geese, and two hives of bees. See Journal History, 16 June 1848. In 1850 Enos Curtis met and married Tamma Durfee Miner. They moved on a farm owned by Lorenzo Snow in Willard, Box Elder County, Utah. Tamma Durfee Miner had a large family, having buried her husband on the trip across the plains. The two families lived together and got along very well. Moroni Miner (now 100 years old), a step-son of Enos Curtis, speaks very highly of him. He said, AEnos always treated us as a kind, loveable and patient father.@ John White Curtis, David Avery Curtis, Osias 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. Moroni Miner, when telling this incident, was greatly moved by the memories of this early period. His mind was clear and keen. He said he could recall how hard the two families struggled to build a home, but as they were anxious for a home of their own, they were willing to endure all the hardships they went through. They built two large rooms, with a carpenter shop between them. Enos was an excellent carpenter and expert chair maker. Moroni said he and his brother Mormon became very efficient in making the chair bottoms of reed and leather, while Enos did the rest of the other work. Moroni Miner was 100 years old in 1935, but had a splendid memory and told us how much Enos was like his own father. He said Enos was always ready to help. And regardless of weather conditions, went any hour of night to administer to and help the sick. Enos Curtis had his share of troubles and grief. He lost six of his fourteen children before he lost his wife Ruth. She was possibly buried in Iowaville on plains in 1848. He came on to Utah with the rest of his family and their children. Enos Curtis was ordained a Patriarch in 1852 by Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, George A. Smith and John Taylor. (See journal History 9 April 1845, page 1.) 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. A company organized on 10 May 1854 by Brigham Young consisted of 82 men, 14 women and 5 children who traveled in 34 wagons. They left Salt Lake City and traveled south. They took 95 animals-oxen, horses and cows. The company was very well organized. They had chaplains, captains, historians, interpreters, doctors and bishops. Enos Curtis was the Patriarch of this company. He was faithfully anxious to go and was very active, although 71 years of age. Enos Curtis traveled with his son David Avery Curtis and Aaron Johnson in wagon number 29. David was teamster, and as he liked animals, I suppose this team of oxen was kindly treated. His love of animals grew as he grew older. He was often cited for his kindness. They traveled as far as Nephi the second night. Little is recorded of the trip, except to say that it was very successful. Their aim was to clear new land and plan new settlement. (See Journal History 10, May 1854.) Notes from Lucinda Payne Merrill (daughter of Ruth Curtis Payne, daughter of Ezra Houghton Curtis, son of Enos Curtis.) Just before the Church was organized, Enos Curtis made the statement that some day the true church would be upon the earth, so when in 1830 after the Church was organized, Enos readily accepted it and was among the first souls baptized. This story was told by Ezra Houghton Curtis, after the meeting where Brigham Young first heard the testimonies of the gospel of the five missionaries, he hurried home to his wife, who was sick in bed. He went to his room, 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 to give her some ideas of the gospel. The next day as the elders were passing his house, they were impressed with the tidiness of his yard and said, AAny man who has so much pride in his yard is worth visiting,@ so they entered the yard. Brigham was watching from a window to see if his prayer would be answered. He hurriedly opened the door and welcomed them in. They administered to his wife, and Brigham told them he had prayed for them to come. A Nauvoo incident at the time of the persecution and martyrdom. The sons of Enos were out on the prairie putting up wild hay, and mobs were so bad, Enos, being worried about his sons, rode out in the night to get them. They were awakened by the noise of a horseman coming toward their camp. They were anxious and afraid, as they knew how vicious the mobs were, everybody living in tenseness and fear. Enos had a peculiar cough, and as he rode toward them he coughed. They gave a sigh of relief and said ADo not fear, it is Father.@ They had a real race with a nearby mob who were in ambush, chasing them all the way home. Story from Chloe Durfee Spencer, daughter of Celestia Curtis Durfee, granddaughter of Enos Curtis. When the mobs were in some of the vicious raids, two or more families would bunk together in one home for protection. On one such occasion, the mob came to the home of Enos Curtis. The men were all away from home. The mob ordered all out of the house. They told the mob that Grandmother (Ruth Franklin) was very ill and could not be moved. The mob left, but came back a second and third time, each time more vicious and finally set fire to the house. The women carried Grandmother out on a blanket. The shouts of the mob were soon heard, and the men rushed back and we carried Grandmother away in a wagon. The mob even chased the wagon, but more help came and they finally gave up. Ruth Franklin died 6 May 1848. 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 into the rapids below the ferry crossing there was much anxiety and excitement. People on shore were shouting and screaming for help. It was so strong it looked as if it would break the cable that controlled the ferry when Enos Curtis raised his arm to the square and commanded the wind to take them to shore and both families were saved. As soon as they were on shore, the gale began as fierce as before. As a tribute to our beloved great-grandfather, Enos Curtis, whom we so little knew and yet to whom we feel so near and owe so much, I, as one of his humble great granddaughters, am most thankful to our Heavenly Father for the life on this noble man. He received the gospel and embraced it in its fullness, giving us the privilege of being born of heirs to its glories. We are grateful for his strength of character to accept this glorious principle, for his desire to come to Zion, for his willingness to suffer with the Saints, for accepting and honoring the Priesthood. So his journey through this life had a real goal. May we as his descendants, travel on this great journey doing acts of kindness, in building beautiful paths, building character for a place near him when our earth-life journey ends. Enos Curtis=s journey in life ended in his 73rd year. It came as a great shock. During the day, although feeling a little faint, he went about his daily tasks. In the evening the family had assembled together in a reunion. He joined in the various activities then sat up to the table, ate with the family, then sat back in his chair as if resting, but became so still and rigid that they cautiously tried to make him more comfortable, but discovered his rest was more than a little nap he so often enjoyed in his chair. He died so easily, no struggle or pain, but such a peaceful death was well earned by our beloved progenitor who brought the gospel to his band of descendants. Members of one of Brigham Young=s Company, showing how organized. 10 May 1854 Daniel H. Wells Commander Robert T. Burton Captain Wilford Woodruff Historian Thomas Bullock Historian Parley P. Pratt Chaplain John Taylor Chaplain Thomas Bullock Clerk Dimick B. Hunington Interpreter George Bean Interpreter Edward Hunter Bishop Aaron Johnson Bishop Lorenzo D. Young Bishop Silas Richards Bishop Henson Walker Bishop Enos Curtis Patriarch Samuel L. Sprague Doctor The aim of this company was to find favorable settlement locations, then people were called by Brigham Young to go to appointed locations. They did not go to Sevier until 1875, when Ezra Houghton Curtis, George and Alma Holdaway were the first to clear land and settle. Enos died in Springville in 1856. John White and family went to Sevier in 1877 or 1878. CURTIS, ENOS 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 his room and in praying to the Lord, he asked: AIf 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 next night as they 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 went in. Brigham was watching from the window to see if his prayers would be answered. He hurriedly opened the door and welcomed them in. They administered to his wife and she seemed more at ease. Brigham then told them he had prayed for them to come and that he had faith she would be healed through administration.

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868 Brigham Young Company (1848)

Find a Grave

Birth: Oct. 9, 1783
Death: Jun. 1, 1856

Enos Curtis, born 9 Oct 1783, died 1 Jun 1856, son of Edmond Curtis and Polly Avery. He was born in Kinderhook, Columbia, New York. He married 1 Dec 1805 or 1806 to Ruth Franklin, b. 14 Nov 1790 at Sterling, Windham, Conn. She died 6 May 1848 in Iowaville on the plains.

Most of their children were born in Rutland and Sullivan townships in Tiago Co., Pennsylvania. Enos was baptized in The Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 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 hardships of the early church pioneers. He was a farmer and carpenter by trade.

Hattie Esplin Durfee notes that Enos Curtis, the eldest son of Edmond Curtis and Polly Avery Curtis, spent his boyhood days in the little town of Kinderhook, a few miles east of the Hudson River, in Columbia County, New York. A few miles farther east is the large town of Latham.

Enos' father, was born in Sharon, Litchfield, Connecticut. He had two brothers — Samuel Wadsworth and Henry — and a sister, Clarissa. Edmond was killed in the War of 1812, at Fort Erie.

Not much is known of his early life. The story is told by one of his descendants in Utah that Enos, at the age of 14, was apprenticed to learn a trade. His master was so cruel and unkind that he begged his father to let him return home. His father refused saying that the agreement was made, papers signed and that he must finish the contract. Young Enos had courage and an adventurous spirit. He planned to escape from this man and did make his escape by stowing away on a ship sailing down the Hudson River to New York City. He was discovered enroute but the crew learned to like him and asked him to stay with them.

Arriving in New York City, Enos met Ruth Franklin. They were married in that city on the 15th of December, 1805. Ruth was born on 14th November 1870 in Sterling, Windham, Connecticut.

After their marriage they went to Pennsylvania to seek a new home and settled in Tioga County. The northern boundary of the county is the state line between the Pennsylvania and New York state. It was a new county. The county having been formed in 1804. The Curtis' lived in Susquehanna County, Sullivan County, Rutland and Tiago, where their fourteen children were born and raised. Five died small while nine grew to marry and have families of their own.

According to Louise Durfee Rooney, shortly before the birth of their last child, Celestia Curtis Durfee, the family became converted to the restored church — the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Enos was baptized in the LDS Church in 1831 by Lyman Wight and at age 48 became an ardent missionary for the Church.

The Pioneer Heritage of the Miller/Lewis Family, page 153

Enos Curtis was born on October 9, 1783 at Kinderhook, Columbia, New York, the oldest child of Edmond and Polly (Avery) Curtis. The family Enos came from were apparently farmers and settlers; people who had to have strength and endurance, as this profession demands hard work and a variety of useful skills. His ancestors on both sides were of English or Welch decent, most of whom had left their homelands coming to the New World in the early 1630's. They were either looking for religious freedom or wanted a new life and the ability to possess their own land. These forward looking souls, most likely, had strong religious feelings for they chose to settle in New England, an area known for its fervent religious interest. On the Curtis side of the family Enos was the seventh generation to live in the United States. Most of his American ancestors lived in the area of New Haven County, Connecticut, a state known for its independent thinking people who gave freely of their creative energy and skills to build up the nation.

Enos' father, Edmond Curtis (1763-1814), had been raised in Sharon, Litchfield, Connecticut. He was one of seven children. Apparently after the death of Enos' grandmother Lydia (Grannis) Curtis (1730-before 1806) his grandfather Jeremiah Curtis (1728-1807) relocated in upstate New York in Herkimer County, an area which was beginning to be settled. It is from a Will left by Enos' grandfather in 1807 that Enos' parentage was established.

Enos' mother, who was called Polly (1763-about 1789), was christened Mary as Polly was often a popular nickname for Mary at the time. She was apparently the only child of Solomon (1719-1791) and Hannah (Petteneil) Avery of Preston, New Haven, Connecticut. Enos' parents were married on January 2, 1879 and lived on the eastern edge of New York at Kinderhook when Enos was born four years later. It is possible that other children were born prior to his birth who did not survive but such records are unavailable. There is also some confusion whether Polly had other children besides Enos and his sister Clarissa who was born in 1788. It is thought that their mother died not long after this little daughter was born.

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Enos Curtis Family History 

(Notes compiled by Ella Curtis record)
Re-typed by Kierston Scott 2012

Enos Curtis had a Partriarchal blessing given 29 Sept. 1841, by Patriarch Hyrum Smith in Nauvoo, Illinois. It gives the name of his parents as Edmond and Polly Curtis. Enos Curtis was born 9 Oct.  1783 in Kinderhook, Columbia, New York. He married Ruth Franklin when he as about 25 years old or about 1806. He had a family of fourteen children, all born in Ruthland and Sulivan townships, Tiago, Pa. Six of these died beofre 1848. (Ref: “Brigham Young, the man and His Works.” by Preston Nibley, pp. 5, 6 and 428.)

Brigham Young says in teh fall of 1831, five Mormon elders 9Alpheus Gifford, Eliah Srtrong and others) from an isolated branch of the L.D.S. Church in Columbian Co., Pa., came to Mendon to preach Mormonism, which I heard and believed. These Elders were making a missionary tour of the stare of New York. They met Brigham Young in Mendon, who already had a copy of the Book of Mormon in his possession. The actual contact with these elders, their testimonies and personalities so impressed him that he began an extensive stud of the Book of Mormon or Mormonism.
Page 6 from “Autobiography of Heber C. Kimball.” Heber C. Kimball says, “About three weeks after I joined the Baptist Church, in the fall of 1831, five elders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, came from Pennsylvania to the home of Phineas Young in Victor. Their names were Eleazer Miller, Eliah Strong, Alpheus 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.”
These five Elders must have been very outstanding missionaries and spiritually minded men when they so throughly impressed Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball with the truth of their testimonies. Both these men decided to pay them a visit, which they did in January 1832 at the branch in Columbia, Penn. They remained there one week. ( See “Millenial Star.’ Vol 25, p. 424). After they returned to their home in Mendon, a family council was held at the home of father John Young, where the father, John, and sons Joseph and Phineas planned a trip to the branch in Penn. This was the beginning of many joining the L.D.S. Church. (Note: Elieah Strong is a son-in-law to Enos Curtis. He married Martha Curtis, born 1812, died 1834). From the “Journal History” (In Church historians office) I find Enos Curtis went with the Church in their various moves, suffering from all the persecutions of the Saints, and burying his wife on the journey in Missouri in 1848.
We locate him in Caldewell, Clay COunty, Mo., on the 29 November 1839 through a petition to Congress signed by Saints presenting claims against the state of Missouri. Their names were arranged alphabetically. Enos Curtis’ claim was for $1.00. (856 sec. Nov. 29, 1839 p. 9)
Enos Curtis presided over a conference at Quincy, Ill. on Sept. 1, 1844. (See p. 5 of 1 Sep. 1848). On 25 Oct. 1845 Enos Curtis made and signed an affadavit stating that a mob had willfully destroyed the home of Widow Boss by fire, in Quincy Illinois. Both Enos and his wife Ruth Franklin did their endowments in Nauvoo in 1846. After burying the most beloved of mothers, this bereaved family came to Utah in 1848. They gave up all, endured all the hardships-- cold, hunger, disease, famine, and torture from angry war-like mobs- for the call of their religion.

Emigration Record:

(See supplement to “Journal History” CHurch Historians office 31 Dec. 1848, 1st Division --- Emigration.) Emigration across the plains in mountains from Missouri River to Salt Lake City. This company was divided into three divisions. The first division was in the charge of Brigham Young. Enos Curtis, Theodore Curtis and Joseph CUrtis were numbered in this group. The 1st division had 1229 soul, 397 wagons, 74 horses, 19 mules, 1297 oxen, 699 cows, 184 loose cattle and sheep, some pigs, chickens, dogs, cats, doves, geese and 2 hives of bees. (See Journal History 16 June 1848). THis division left the Elkhorn River 1June 1848 and arrived in Salt Lake City 1848. In 1850 Enos Curtis met and married Tamm Durfee Miner. They moved on a farm owned by Lorenzo Snow, in Willard, Box Elder County, Utah. Tamm Dureffe Miner had a large family, having buried her husband on the trip across the plains. The two families lived together and got along very well. Moroni Miner (now 100 yrs old) a step son of Enos Curtis speaks very highly of him. He said Enos always treated us as kind, lovable, and patient father.

John White Curtis, David Avery Curtis, 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. Moroni Miner, when telling this incident was greatly moved by the memories of this early period. His mind was clear and keen. He said he could recall how hard the two families struggled to build a home, but as they were anxious for a home of their own, they were willing to endure all the hardships they went thought. THey built two large rooms with a carpenter shop between them. Enos was an excellent carpenter and expert chair maker. Moroni said he and his brother Mormon became very efficient in making the chair bottoms of reed and leather, while Enos did the rest of the other work. Moroni Miner was 100 years old in 1935, but had a splendid memory and told us how much Enos was like his own father. He said Enos was always ready to help, and regardless of weather conditions. Was ordained a Patriarch in 1852 by Heber C. Kimball, and Parley P. Pratt, George A. Smith, and John Taylor. (See Journal History, 9 April, 1845, p. 1) 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. A company organized on 10 May 1854 by Brigham Young consisted of 82 men, 14 women and 5 children, who traveled in 34 wagons. They left Salt Lake City and traveled south. They took 95 animals, captains, historians, interpreters, doctors, and bishops. Enos Curtis was the Patriarch of the company although 71 years of age. Enos traveled with his son David Avery and Aaron Johnson in a wagon numbered 29. David Avery was a teamster, and as he liked animals I suppose this team of oxen was treated kindly. His love of animals grew as he grew older. He is often cited for his kindness. They traveled as far as Nephi the second night. Little is recorded of the trip except to say that it was very successful. Their aim was to clear new land and plan new settlements. (See Journal History 10 May 1845.) Note from Lucinda Payne Merrill. (daughter of Ruth Curtis Payne, daughter of Ezra Houghton Curtis, son of ENos Curtis.): Just before the church was organized, Enos Curtis made the statement that some day the true church would be upon the earth, so when in 1830 after the church was organized, Enos readily accepted it and was among the first souls baptized.
This story was told by Ezra Houghton Curtis:After meeting where Brigham Young first heard the testimonies of the gospel from the five missionaries, he hurried home to his wife who was sick in bed. He went to his room, and in praying to the Lord, he asked if this religion was true, to send missionaries to his home, that they might pray for his sick wife and to give her some ideas of the gospel. The next day the missionaries were passing his house, they were impressed with the tidiness of the yard and said: “Any man who has so much pride in his yard, is worth visiting,” so they entered the yard. Brigham was watching from a window to see if his prayer would be answered. He hurriedly opened the door and welcomed them in. THey administered to his wife, and Brigham told them he had prayed for them to come.
A Nauvoo incident at the time of the persecution and martyrdom: The sons of Enos were out on the prairie putting up wile hay, and the mobs were so bad, Enos being worried about his sons, rode out in the night to get them. THey were awakened by the noise of a horseman coming toward their camp. They were anxious and afraid as they knew how vicious the mobs were, everybody living in tensness and fear. 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 a nearby mob who was in ambush chasing them all the way home.
Story from Chaoe Durfee Spence, daughter of Celestia Curtis Durfee, grandaughter of Enos Curtis: When the mob were in some of the vicious raids, two or more families would bunk together in one home for protection. On one such occasion, the mob came to the home of Enos Curtis. The men were all away from home. The mob ordered all out of the house. They told the mob that grandmother (Ruth Franklin) was very ill and could not be moved. The mob left, but came back a second and third time more vicious and finally set fire to the house. The women carried Grandmother out on a blanket. THe shouts of the mob were soon heard and the men rushed back and carried Grandmother away in a wagon. The mob even chased the wagon, but more help came and they finally gave up. Ruth Franklin died 6 May 1848.
As a tribute to our beloved Great, Grandfather, Enos Curtis, who we so little knew and yet whom we feel so near and owe so much, I as one of his humble great-grand daughters am most thankful to our Heavenly Father for the life of this nobel man. He received the gospel and embraced it in its fullness, giving us the privilege of being born heirs to its glories. We are grateful for his strength of character to accept this glorious principle, for his desire to come to Zion, for his willingness to suffer with the Saints, and honoring the Priesthood so his journey through life had a real goal. May we as his descendants travel on through this life doing acts of kindness, building beautiful paths, building character for a place near him when our earthly journey ends.
Enos Curtis’ journey in life ended in his 73rd year. It came as a shock. During the day, although feeling a little faint, he went about his daily tasks. In the evening the family had assembled together in a reunion. He joined in the various activities, then set back in his chair as if resting, but became so still and rigid, they cautiously tried to make him more comfortable, but discovered his rest was more than a little nap he so often enjoyed in his chair. He died so easily, no struggle nor pain, but such a peaceful death was well earned by our beloved progenitor who brought the gospel to his vast bond of descendants.
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