Kerry and I have been doing a family project like "Find a Grave" for our own families. We both have early pioneers in our family. We have searched in parts of Utah and Colorado and began some in Idaho this summer. It has been such an amazing experience as we have visually seen some of the sacrifices made by these people. We have been brought to tears at times as we have looked at dates and events occurring around them. Clearly some are buried in old west cemeteries with old rotted wood crosses and unknown grave sites. Many did not stay in the Salt Lake area for long because they were called to go to settle other places and help settle land and areas for those still coming to Zion. My grandfather, George Essex, was born in Paragoonah (now Paragonah) but as a baby his father, Silas Sanford, was called to settle the San Juan Area of Utah and Southern Colorado. This led him to be called as the Captain of the Hole in the Rock Expedition. Eventually this lead the family to Manassa Colorado. George later met and married Vista May Rogers and they proceeded to raise a family. The high altitude made raising crops very difficult with new families constantly coming into the area. Why George and May went to Central Idaho I still have not learned. I assume it was the hope of a farm and land and also to be closer to George's parents who had moved back to Utah for health reasons. During the time in Idaho three children were born in various locations. Two passed away shortly after birth, Martha who only lived one day is buried close to her Grandparents in Kaysville Utah. Silas Bennett who only lived nine days was buried in Blaine Idaho. Margaret, Madge, lived a long life and died in Manassa. George was injured in an accident with a horse rearing and striking him in the leg. From what I have learned his leg probably should have been amputated but a plate was put in and he dealt with pain the rest of his life. George and May returned to Colorado after the accident. Enroute my Father was born in Duchesne Utah. George loved and worked well with animals so this had to be heartbreaking. I am told that he was patient and kind to his horses and he loved them very much. But in his sleep he would cuss at them and carry on about how stubborn they were, my Mother loved to tell this story about him.
As we entered the area of Blaine we quickly found the cemetery and began to look for this lone grave. Kerry went to the directory but before he found it I walked right to the grave. I have learned the styles of the headstones for time periods and it was all by itself. I was kind of surprised to see the condition and type of stone because they were far from wealthy to afford the stone. Little Silas, I wanted him to know that he wasn't all alone, we had found him. (I am sure there are other family members who have visited that grave but I have never talked about with anyone else. And so to me it felt as if we were finding a lost and lonely family member.) I never had a baby boy but I would love to have named one Silas for many reasons after learning about my family, One day I will get to meet them all and I have so many questions.
