Justus Azel Seeley

Justus Azel Seeley was born on 17 November 1779, in Litchfield, Connecticut, according to his Patriarchal blessing. His father joined the British Army the year he was born. His parents, Justus and Sarah Seeley later moved to New Brunswick after the Revolutionary War to avoid persecution. Many loyalists moved to Canada after the war. His father was a carpenter, so he probably had learned carpentry skills. It is speculated that he also worked as a fisherman.

He married Mahittabil Bennet on 9 April 1800 in Luzerne County, at age 21. Around 1811, Justus moved his new little family to Upper Canada. Elizabeth Seeley was born on their trek northward, which was gradual. Here, Justus learned the cooper's trade—making barrels and buckets out of slats of wood. He and his family later joined the Church and traveled with the Saints, arriving in Utah 29 September 1847, John Taylor company.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Justus served as an LDS High Priest. He built the first cooper shop in Salt Lake, and also worked as a sailor and lumberman. Died 1 April 1859, Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Marriage and Children

Mehitable Bennett She was born 17 November 1779, married 1800, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. Their children:

1. Rachel born September 1801, married Parlin Webb;
2. John, died;
3. Elizabeth, married James Young;
4. Mary born January 24, 1810, married John Hemmenway;
5. William Stewart born May 18, 1812, married Elizabeth DeHart;
6. Justus Wellington born January 30, 1815, married Clarissa Jane Wilcox, married Sarah Jane McKinney;
7. Sarah born August 27, 1817, married Asa McGann;
8. David born October 12, 1819, married Mary Pettit.

Sources

• Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah photographs, page 109
• Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, page 1152
• For more on the Seeley Family and their role in Church History see Seeley History Volume II.

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• Justus' birth and death information is available at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86701/justus-azel-seeley
• Justus' illustration at the above-mentioned URL is courtesy of Gone Too Soon, Find A Grave member 47644196