Hark Lay

"...Lay, Hark – (13th Ten) Born in 1825 in Monroe Co., Miss., the son of African slaves of the William Lay household. He was baptized in Mormon Springs near his home, and was given as a marriage gift to Mormon converts William and Sytha Crosby when he was 22. He was sent on a difficult trip from Mississippi to Winter Quarters where two others died of pneumonia. Musically inclined, he danced and enjoyed the violin music of Hans Christian Hansen. He was also well-known for his singing voice. After entering the valley with the advance company on July 22, 1847, he and Oscar Crosby, another slave, built cabins and planted potatoes, beans, buckwheat and turnips. He traveled to help settle San Bernardino, Calif., where he gained his freedom. He returned to Utah and died in Union, Salt Lake Co., Utah, in about 1890 at age 65..."

SOURCE: http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58061/Biographies-of-the-orig...