Parthenia Holt

FATHER: Dandridge Overton 1789-1874, MOTHER: Dorcus Wayman 1795-1856, SPOUSE: James Holt, 1804-1894, MARRIED: 11 Feb 1845, PLACE: On Iowa River, In Indian Territory. In her husband James's own history, it is unclear if this mission was called by Joseph Smith before he was martyred. In Indian country with his own and a couple other families, they looked to befriend the natives and search for land for new settlement for the exhiled Saints that would soon be fleeing west, from Nauvoo. There were disagreements among this group and they stalled along the Iowa River, while word was sent back for further instruction, from the new leader of their faith. Word arrived to return to the main group. It seems that this camp, became one of the many that scattered the area for the Mormon refugees on their way to the Salt Lake Valley. The place is called Kitchens Settlement.

It was on this Mission on 14 Oct. 1844 that James lost his wife Mary, to one of many illnesses that swept through these desperate settlements. In Dec. of 1844 he lost his son Leander. In Feb. of 1845 the baby died. You can read the sadness in his writing, when he states, if We stay here any longer, we will all die. A young lady, from a new arriving family, that had a hand for healing, was recommended to care for this Widow and four sick children. Three recovered under her ministrations, but the baby died, the day before she married his father.

James was not a patient man. He did not wait for instruction to head for the new Zion, the Saints had found in the Salt Lake Valley. In 1852 He gathered his family and supplies and Captained his own train of maybe twenty people. His son 9 year old William had just days days before, received a bad break in his arm. It had been set wrong the day of the accident. A couple days later an elderly lady helped rebreak and set the bone.

One doctor that wanted to go to California, but did not want to travel with a large train, because of illness was along. Maybe this is why James had chosen the vulnerability of a small wagon train, alone on the plains to a large, well protected one. He had had enough of illness.

Once in the Salt Lake Valley, James and Parthenia made made their home in Ogden, Weber County.Parthenia nursed a surviving member of the devastated Martin Handcart Company. He had frost bite on his feet. She saved his feet and he was able to walk again.

About 1862, Brigham Young called this family to go to the Cotton Mission. in the southern regions of the territory. The Authorities wanted to know if the territory could sustain itself in cotton. James had worked on his Uncle's plantation in Tennesee as overseer, before joining the LDS faith. At least one son's history, was not eager to sell out everything they had established, to move south and start over. He states that his parents never asked questions, they went where they were called.

Eventually they settled the Holt Ranch and decided here, they were going to stay. James and Parthenia gave their lives to establishing homes, where ever they were. Shelter, food, clothing, crops to survive winters and neighbors. Parthenia had a long lonely widowhood. When she made James burial clothing in 1894, she made hers. About 12 years later, she was ready to join her husband.

SOURCE: Familysearch.org-Census-Death Certificate- and Journals from James Holt, William Alma Holt, and Histories of the other children.

Parents:

Dandridge Overton (1789 - 1874)

Dorcas Wayman Overton (1795 - 1856)

Spouse:

James Holt (1804 - 1894)

Children:

Dandridge Overton Holt (1846 - 1847)

Joseph James Overton Holt (1848 - 1853)

Nancy Cathrine Holt Slade (1850 - 1931)

Franklin Overton Holt (1852 - 1929)

Clarissa Jane Overton Holt (1853 - 1854)

Calista Overton Holt (1855 - 1855)

Rachel Overton Holt Cottam (1856 - 1942)

George Albert Holt (1858 - 1935)

Parthenia Overton Holt (1861 - 1863)

Henry Davis Holt (1864 - 1959)

Siblings:

Ellen Corinia Overton Loughmiller (1816 - 1851)

Aurelia Overton Loughmiller (1818 - 1892)

Irene Overton (1819 - 1865)

Parthenia Overton Holt (1821 - 1906)

Catherine Dorcas Overton Emmett (1823 - 1905)

Benjamin Franklin Overton (1828 - 1900)

Nancy Elizabeth Overton Hancock (1830 - 1880)

Lavena S. Overton (1834 - 1872)

Cornelia H. Wilcoxson (1837 - 1918)

Joseph Wayman Overton (1838 - 1881)

Burial: Holt Cemetery, Enterprise (Washington County), Washington County, Utah, USA

Maintained by: Chesnut/Behunin Descendants

Originally Created by: Karen Todora

Record added: Mar 05, 2008

Find A Grave Memorial# 25076690