Jerusha Lois Billings

Birth: Apr. 19, 1840, Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, USA

Death: Dec. 20, 1915, Heyburn, Minidoka County, Idaho, USA

Burial: Manti Cemetery, Manti, Sanpete County, Utah, USA, Plot: Lot 6 Blk 3 Plat A Grv

Jerusha Lois Shoemaker was born 19 August 1840 in Quincy, Illinois to her parents, Jezreel Shomaker and Nancy Golden. Jerusha's parents were living in Busbone, Kentucky, when they joined the LDS church. They were wealthy and abandoned their vast plantation and estate to gather with the Saints.

Jerusha crossed the plains to SLC with the Charles C. Rich Wagon Company when she was 7 years old. As they crossed the plains, they had spelling matches and Jerusha was a wizard at spelling; winning all the matches. After their arrival, their family was called to settle Manti, UT. In 1849, they lived their first winter in a wagon box. She started spinning, carding and weaving at a very early age; learning to make her own clothes.

She endured the loss of her brother, Theopolas, who was the first man to die in Manti. Her father died while cutting stone to build the Manti temple. Jerusha worked as a hired girl earning from 50 cents to $1 a week. She also worked for George Pierce Billings home where she fell in love with him.

George and his 1st wife were called to Carson, NV, to help settle the area, Jerusha went with them to Provo and was married to him as his 2nd wife at the age of sixteen on April 27, 1856. Upon their arrival in Carson Valley, they built a lovely 2 story home for his wives and children. George also served in the bishopric. This bliss was soon over in the Spring of 1857, they were called back to help defend SLC from Johnston's army. They soon spent all they had saved for ammunition to defend themselves. George had the strength to lift the old pioneer gun, called "Betsy" from off it's wheels and carry it to Ensign Peak. When it was first fired, it broke all the windows in SLC, but after it was placed on Ensign Peak and chained to a tree where it could do no more damage.

Jerusha's first baby, Marian was born Sept 23, 1857, at Caron, NV, and died and was buried on the banks of Truckee River. This was a very trying happening to a young girl of seventeen. It almost broke her heart. She said she would know the spot again if she every came that way. The child's grave was covered with stones and a fire built over to keep wild beasts away.

After the threat of war was over, Brigham sent them to Manti where Jerusha's parents were still living. This is where the remainder of her children were born and raised. Jerusha became blind for seven years due to cataract in both eyes. She was prayed for that her sight to be returned at the opening of the Manti Temple. According to her faith in the ordinance, her sight was restored to her.

After Jerusha's husband died 1896, she sold her home and again embarked on pioneering with her three daughters on the Minadoka Project in Heyburn, Idaho. She lived to help them make homes and rear their families until she passed away on Dec. 20, 1915. She is buried by her husband in Manti City Cemetery under the shadows of the Manti Temple. Strong in the faith to which she dedicated her life. Jerusha and George had 8 children.

Source: Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Edited by Jocelyn Jones

Parents:

Jezreel Shomaker 1796 - 1879

Nancy Golden Shomaker 1808 - 1879

Spouse:

George Pierce Billings 1827 - 1896

Children:

Marian Billings 1857 - 1857

Nancy Billings Reid 1859 - 1928

Clara Isabella Billings Patten 1861 - 1944

Luella Billings Shomaker 1864 - 1957

Ezra Golden Billings 1868 - 1957

Diantha Billings Nelson 1870 - 1953

Eunice Billings Nelson 1873 - 1934

LaPriel Billings Sorensen 1878 - 1958

Maintained by: William Blain

Originally Created by: Dawnetta

Record added: Sep 22, 2009

Find A Grave Memorial# 42272791