All alone

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.

Silas, Sanford Smith (journal entires 1854)

(Family Search sent me an email with information about my pioneer ancestors.  Opening some of them I got lost for the afternoon.  So fun to read and learn more.  Also learned of ancestors on my mothers side that I never knew were on the pioneer trails as well.  I may be checking out for awhile just to read these.)

Smith, Silas Sanford, Journal 1854-1906.

Trail Excerpt

      Related Companies

      John C. Naegle Company (1856)

      Related Persons

      S. Dolten

      [Brother] Waters

      Levi Evans Riter

      John Conrad Naegle

      [Brother] McCartha

      [Brother] Call

      Silas Sanford Smith

      Source Locations

      Church History Library, Salt Lake City

Aug 25th I made a start for home, am going to drive a 4 mule team for bro Naile [Naegle] who is also driving cattle to carson valley[.] the teams are wild had two run away scrapes[,] done but little damage[.] drove 10 miles[,] found no feed[,] stood guard[,] with difficulty restrained the animals from running back

Aug 26th Started early drove through a pleasant valley for about 10 miles when the road led into the mountains through a rugged defile[.] bailed [baited]one hour at noon—afternoon quickened our pace made 15 miles camped on a slough near the San Joaquin River

Aug 27th the horses wer gone this morning[.] found them and started at 10 A.M. drove 5 miles to the ferry crossed without accident—came on to within 4 miles of Stockton[.] Naile [Naegle] and I went into the town[.] returned again

Aug 28th resumed our journey passed thro' Stockton. The teams are perfectly crazy to day[.] drove 20 miles and camped on the Mc Casma

Aug 29th got a late start in consequence of lame cattle[,] 4 head gave out[.] took aim at dry creek passed thro' a pleasant tho dry country[,] drove 20 miles and camped on Jackson Creek

Aug 30th one of the cows ran back and I rode to last camping place for her[.] returned at one P.M. without the cow[.] started at 2 drove 8 miles camped in a small deserted village[.] this is a mining country the inhabitants will doubtless return at the approach of winter or of the rainy season[.] found water only in a very deep well

Sunday Aug 31st commenced ascending the mountain[.] passed lone valley[.] this is the first place where vegetation looks green and fresh that we have seen. got some beautiful melons. found no water for stock—nooned at mountain Springs—passed thro' a mining country to day[.] the beds of all the streams have all been turned up by the adventures in search of the shining ore. camped near a Quartz mill driven by steam power; made 18 miles. I went into the mill[.] the Quartz Rock with Earth is pounded then passes thro' a washer where the "Dust" is collected on cleates arranged for the purpose. The ground in this vicinity is so full of holes as to render it difficult to walk about at night

Sept 1st 1856 started early. heavy up hill road passed through Grass valley, also aqueduct city which derives its name from an aqueduct about one mile in length built across a Kanyon [canyon] for the purpose of bringing water to a mining district[.] drove 18 miles the most of the way through densely timbered country

Sept 2d continued to ascend the mountain[.] very steep hills to day[,] doubled teams several times drove 12 miles camped at antelope springs no feed[.] wood and water plenty

Sept 3d 1856 drove hard all day made 6 miles[.] ascended some very steep hills[.] stoped and watered at some springs then drove on one mile and camped on a little spot of grass

Sept 4th the road continues to get worse[,] hiched 8 mules to a waggon in some places; nothing can equal the dust on this side of the mountain[.] drove 12 miles to coral flats[.] feed and water[.] rather cool this evening

Sept 5th resumed our journey at 8 AM[.] the ascent becomes more difficult as we near the summit[.] passed a very steep hill one mile long at the junction of Hangtown and Volcano roads[.] passed Tragedy Springs about sundown took in some water drove on one mile to feed[.] camped in the timber[,] weather cool[,] campfire comfortable

Sept 6th passed two small lakes this morning also an ox train bound for Carson valley. road very rough full of bolders[.] saw a bank of old snow passed Rock valley[.] feed and wattr good[.] drove on ‘till dark camped within two miles of the Summit after a drive of 12 miles no water but good grass

Sunday Sept 7th Started early continued to ascend untill we arrived at the top of the first summit[.] found the atmosphere very light felt a dizziness accompanied with bleeding at the nose[.] Lakes of fresh water abound near the summit. we found the descent rough and difficult[.] drove 4 miles to day and camped[.] good feed, water and wood

Monday Sept 8th Found the road very bad[,] doubled teams unloaded one waggon camped part way up the mountain—

Sept 9th drove over the second summit[.] abrupt descent met Bro S. Dolten who returned with us[.] encamped at Silver Lake

Sept 10th crossed hope valley and down this Rocky Kanyon [canyon,] rightly named, broke a waggon tongue drove 15 miles camped

Sept 11 Started at 10 AM road soon led us into the open country[.] passed farms with flocks of cattle [and] horses[.] We drove 20 miles to Mormon Station Carson Valley—Carson is a good grazing country but too cold to farm to advantage

Sept 12th drove 14 miles to Eagle valley a very pleasant location

Saturday Sept 13th I went back 8 miles to get some mules shod[.] Took dinner with Simon Baker[.] evening returned to camp

Sunday Sept 14th making whips preparing for the plains[.] did not attend meeting

Monday Sept 15 went to Washo[e] valley met Bro Orson Hyde and several Brethren from Salt Lake[.] Washo is a pleasant valley[,] has a lake of fresh water[.] Bro Hyde is building a saw mill. The pine trunks covers the Benches low down to the valley[.] the country has the appearance of early and late frost[.] returned to camp[.] Broke down a wagon wheel

Tuesday 16 Started on our journey drove to Washo having decided to take the Truckey [Truckee] route[.] got some tire set. lost a band of the carriage which I went back for and did not reach camp till late at night

Wednesday 17 waiting for Blacksmith work till 12 drove 12 miles over some rough hills passed some hot Springs encamped at 5 P.m. Bros Call & Waters joined us here[.] resumed guard service

Thursday 18 started early 6 miles to Truckey River thence down the stream[.] roads sandy and rough have to double teams occasionally[.] met several immigrants trains all report Indians hostile on the Humbol[d]t[.] camp on the river good feed pleasant & warm

Friday 19 Started at Sunrise continued down the river crossing frequently[.] very rough fording rocky bottom[.] encamped at Sundown having traveled 20 miles. met Bro Brown of Carson with a load of Iron from the desert who reported a band of Hang town Robbers near the upper crossing of the river. he had a negro with him who as believed once belonged to the band[.] guarded the animals across the river[.] feed good[.] I got very wet while on guard

Saturday 20 lay in camp till 1P.m. in order to start on the Desert near night crossed the river for the 20th time[.] saw a few white men. they came near but did not speak. we made the best display in carrying what arms we had that was possible expecting to be attacked while crossing the Desert. it being known that Naile had money. the road was heavy sand for ten miles. we had a terific thunder shower. commencing about dark and lasting three hours. an old lake bed some two miles wide in the desert became a sea of water, the night was so dark we could not keep the course and had to stop. at 1 A.m. the moon rose and we resumed the journey through the water. the mud had not had time to soak soft or the old lake bed could not have been crossed. near day light we stoped at a boiling spring of fresh water. the water is very hot. though fresh enough to make tolerable coffee[.] got some breakfast and resumed our march[.] reached the Sink of the Humboldt at noon having driven 45 miles. We saw nothing more of the Robber Band, they had no shelter and the tremendious shower doubtless left them too wet to make an attack on the train. At this point the water is so strongly impregnated with alkali that we dare not let the mules drink[.] drove 5 miles camped found feed but no water

Monday Sept 22 started at 2 A.M. drove 20 miles found a spring watered the mules for the first time since leaving the Truckey. water not good[.] Some Indians in camp. for better protection we organized the company by appointing J. C. Naile Captain and Levi E. Ritter [Riter] Sirgt [Sergeant] of the guard. Mc Cartha was appointed Chaplain and for the first time we had camp prayers since starting

Tuesday 23 Started early drove 28 miles camped on the river bluff near the river

Wednesday Started 7 A.M. good road made 30 miles camped at the foot of the Lawson meadows.

Thursday Sept 25 drove 25 miles sandy road crossed to the north side and camped

Friday 26 made an early start and drove pretty fast[.] at 10 A.m. met two men who had been robbed by Indians[.] they lost one man killed[,] a wagon load of Indian goods[,] 9 horses and their whole outfit[.] one of them is wounded with a ball through the shoulder. they were very hungry. we gave them provisions and they went on down the river. we drove 35 miles[.] in crossing the river to camp Bro Call broke an axletree. several Indians came in to camp.

Saturday 27 mended Call's wagon[.] Indians in camp—10 A.M. an ox train with a drove of sheep passed[.] we were off the road[.] two men came to camp[.] they had been robbed by Indians[.] had several wounded men along[.] were living on mutton[.] we fed those who came in but had no flour to spare. the Indians had taken a large number of sheep from them. as soon as they came to camp the Indians left and we saw nothing more of them. Started at 1 P.m. road rough drove 10 miles[.] camped away from the river found feed went for water with a light wagon

Sunday 28 made an early start drove 30 miles[.] Indians are burning the grass as signal fires ahead[.] we crossed the river to avoid a narrow dugway where we were afraid of being attacked[.] took possession of a clump of willows for camping[.] the guard heard Indians approaching in the night[.] the camp was called up and all the animals tied[.] we slept on our arms. I was awakened several times in the night and was I believe the only one in camp who slept

Monday 29 hooked up the teams without turning out[.] when we were 100 rods from the camp ground about 70 Indians came out of the brush and occupied the spot where we camped. they were only [waiting] for us to turn the mules loose to feed in the morning as was the usual custom. found the road good to day[.] crossed the river to avoid stony point, saw several places where emigrants and Indians have had engagements. the Indians fired the grass by the road as we passed near the willows but it was not dry enough to detain us. drove 30 miles camped 4 miles below gravelly ford

Tuesday Sept 30 Some Indians attempted to come to camp this morning but were not permitted to come in being constantly warned by travelers we have not let them come to camp to ascertain our strength. heard the bleating of sheep last night as before the Indians occupied the camp ground soon after we left it. the road today leaves the river and crosses the hills.—rough—passed mountain Springs at noon[.] reached the river again at Sundown[.] Camped at the forks. saw Indians on the other side

Wednesday Oct 1, 1856 found a wagon tire which was set on a wheel in place of a broken one. left camp at 10 A.M. drove 18 miles[.] river bottom narrow[.] cross the river frequently found good feed

Thursday 2[.] the mules feel the effects of the rapid travel[.] road good[.] followed up the river most of way the ascent steeper. drove 20 miles camped near the willows. poor feed

Friday Oct 3[.] 15 miles brought us to the head of the river, watered—filled the kegs &c and drove on[.] the Indians are burning before us. saw several as we passed along[.] made a dry camp[,] feed good

Saturday 4 Started early followed up a dry kanyon found plenty of water and timber near its head, a good place for a Small Settlements[.] the frost has not killed the leaves on the willows, passed several warm Springs drove 12 miles camped in the kanyon

Sunday Oct 5[,] 1856[.] made an early start, met travelers to day[.] passed through thousand spring valley reached some springs at a late hour[.] made 42 miles went to bed with the sick head ache, could not sleep

Monday Oct 6. left camp at 8 A.m. commenced the ascent of Goose Creek Mountains found the road good though hilly[.] crossed the summit broke down a wagon and camped[.] made 18 miles[.] repaired the wagon and got it to camp after dark

Tuesday 7 made an early start followed down Goose Creek some distance crossed some dry hills and camped near the Summit. night very dark and windy

Wednesday 8. commenced snowing at sunrise lasted till 11 A.m. at which time it was 10 inches deep, an axletree which had been spliced failed but was soon repaired—very cold—passed the junction of the emigrant route, reached the De Casme creek and camped[.] made 20 miles[.] there has not been much snow in this valley

Thursday 9 resumed the journey at 8 A.m. down the stream. weather cold—mountains covered with snow[.] Came in Sight of Great Salt Lake[.] reached deep creek and camped making 45 miles[.] bridged the creek with a wagon tongue for the guard to cross

Friday 10th Started at 9 A.m. drove 25 miles and camped at warm springs Bro[.] Call and 4 others went on—water poor

Saturday 11th Started early halted at Sidehill Springs 4 miles from camp. Saw that Call had gone by the Bear River ferry—followed his trail but on reaching the boat could not cross and had to follow up the river 12 miles[.] crossed the ford and camped[.] drove hard all day. making only 21 miles

Sunday 12[.] ten miles brought us to Calls Fort passed Boulder stoped at Willow creek[.] 30 miles[.] some of the party slept in the house

Monday Oct 13 resumed our journey at 8 A.m. passed through Ogden[,] Weber[,] Kays Creek and other Small Settlements[.] reached Farmington near night met Father Ricks thence 4 miles to his farm near Centerville where I met Sarah Ann in good health[.] also my Son John A now 2½ years of age having left him when two months old[.] We drove 40 miles, all shared the Hospitable board of Bro Ricks

Oct 15th[.] I drove the team to the City for Naile that I had driven from California and assisted in unloading. I expected something for the active part I had taken in taking of Nailes property[,] guarding every other night for the protection of his family and animals[,] ever ready to stand in the breach to repel hostile savages besides driving and taking care of a team the whole way, besides merlly [merely] the passage with him having worked at repairs before and after starting and been constantly on hand to do what was necessary to be done. But instead of giving me anything he was disposed to keep my coat which was packed in one of his boxes[.] he however gave it to me. I did certainly do more labor and take more interest in taking care of every thing on the plains than those men who get 40 dollars per month—however I was glad of any chance to get home. I met several relatives and friends. Staid with Cousin Elias Smith, Called to see President Young but he was abscent

 

Paragonah Home of Silas Sanford

On our last trip to Zion's we stopped in Parowan and Paragonah to do some research on my family line.  I

can tell you that I only found a little info. since Silas Sanford Smith wasn't there for a long time before he was called onto to settle other areas.  But I have been bitten by the bug once again.  I will do another post about it but we did come across this picture.  It was the first real home he built for his family after living in a small damp fort in Paragonah. 

We had driven through the small town prior to going to the city information center for possible leads.  When I saw this picture and we looked at an old town map I knew that the home was still standing.

This is how it looks in 2012.  I am amazed but it gave me the chills to know this is still standing because it was built by his hands back in the day.  I have seen another of his homes in Manassa but this one is even older...   Doing this bit of fact finding has given me the bug to learn more about my ancestors. 

More on Silas Sanford Smith

From the Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah:

Smith, Silas Sanford (son of Silas Smith, born Oct. 1, 1779, Derryfield, Hillsboro county, N.H. and Mary Aikens, born Aug 14, 1797, Barnard , VT—married March 4, 1828.) Born Oct 26,1830, Stockholm, St Lawrence county, N.Y. Came to Utah 1847, Perrigrine Sessions Company.
Married Clarinda Ricks July 9, 1851 (daughter of Joel Ricks and Eleanor Martin-married May 1, 1827, in Trigg county Ky., pioneers September, 1848, Heber C. Kimball company.) She was born on July 10, 1835, and came to Utah with parents. Their children: Silas Sanford, Jr. b. July 10, 1853, m. Betsy Williamson Nov 3, 1873; Jesse Joel b, Nov 4, 1857, m. Margaret A. Haskell April 6, 1884; Leonora A. b Oct. 22, 1859; Stephen Augustus b. Nov. 1, 1861, m. Elizabeth J Elledge Dec. 20, 1882; Ella C. b. March 9, 1864, m. Benjamin F. Boice Dec. 20, 1882.
Married Sarah Ann Ricks March 17, 1853 (daughter of Joel Ricks and Eleanor Martin), who was born Dec. 28, 1832, in Madison county Ill. Their children: John Aikens b. March 19, 1854, m. Emily J. Bennett June 1, 1877; Mary E. b. Sept 26, 1857, m. Edward M. Owens; Hortense, b .Oct 14, 1859, m. Aaron S. Hawkins March 28, 1885; Hyrum b. June 16, 1864.
Married Martha Eliza Bennett July 19, 1865 (daughter of Hirum B. Bennett and Martha Smith, pioneers 1851. She was born Jan 24, 1850, Kanesville, Iowa. Their children: Sarah Ann b. July 11, 1868; Martha E. b. March 17, 1870, m. Thales H. Haskell Oct 8, 1897; Curtis B. b .Oct 23, 1871 m. Ursula P. Harrison June 1, 1898.; Emma Jane b. April 4, 1876, m. Edwin C. Dibble June 15, 1900; GEORGE ESSEX SMITH, b. Sept. 24, 1878, m. MAY ROGERS Aug 1, 1901; Erastus Snow b. Aug. 18, 1881; Hirum A. b. Sept;. 15, 1883, m. Rebecca Hodson; Lucy Edith, b. Aug 12, 1886; Joseph F. b. April 7, 1889; C. Estella b. Aug 4, 1891; VerlieD. B. Oct 14, 1894. Families resided in Parowan and Paragonah, Utah.
Settled at Salt Lake City 1847; moved to gorver Creek 1849; to Parowan 1851; and to Paragonah 1857. Major in the Indian war 1853. Missionary to Sandwich islands 1854-1856. Bishop of Paragonah several years; ordained patriarch Aug 26, 1899. Member Utah legislature 20 years; US deputy Iron county. Led exploring expedition to southeastern Utah for the purpose of locations for settlements locating the site of Bluff City: and later lead a company of settlers into the San Juan Valley. President San Luis stake 1883-1892. Settled at Layton 1901. Died Oct 11, 1910 at Layton.

Silas Sanford Smith

I have recently been reading a book by Gerald N. Lund called "The Undaunted" after reading his series "The Work and the Glory" and loving them I was anxious to read this one. As I read the first series I tried to imagine my own ancestors and what they might have experienced during the same time period. This book, however, has one of our ancestors in the book Silas Sanford Smith. After hearing a negative story from a former ward member about Silas Sanford and his relationship to Brigham Young I found this to be much different than the man I was told about. I really enjoyed the book and getting a feel about what the "San Jaun Mission" really went through beyond the Hole in the Rock. Thanks to my Great Granfather Silas Sanford Smith and his faithfulness and strength of character. (I found this article today as I searched for more information about him, he is the father of George Essex Smith.)


Silas Sanford Smith


Born: October 26, 1830, in Stockhom, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: October 11, 1910, in Layton, Utah
Married: Clarinda Ricks, (July 9, 1851)
Married: Sarah Ann Ricks, (March 17, 1853)
Married: Martha Eliza Bennett, (July 19, 1865)
Father: Silas Smith
Mother: Mary Aikens


Childhood
Silas Sanford Smith was born October 26, 1830 in St. Lawrence County, New York. His father, Silas Smith, was an uncle to the Prophet Joseph Smith (being a younger brother to Joseph Smith, Sr.). He was baptized into the LDS Church in 1835 by his nephew, Hyrum, and remained faithful to it until his death. For the next twelve years, the Silas Smith family moved many times as a result of the persecutions suffered by the early Church. First was a move to Kirtland, Ohio, and two years later, a move to Missouri, from which they were driven by mobs in 1839. Silas Smith (Sr.) died at this time due to illness incurred during the family’s flight from Missouri. i Silas Sanford was nine-years-old at the time. He, his mother, and younger brother Jesse Nathaniel, eventually settled in Nauvoo, and were there at the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s martyrdom. In 1847 they crossed the plains in the Perregrine Sessions’ company and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in late September, 1847, a month before Silas Sanfords’ seventeenth birthday.

Marriage, Military, and Missionary Work
In 1848, Silas Sanford built a home on North Temple, but did not stay there long. The next year he built another home near Farmington, in Davis County, where he raised crops during the years of 1850-51. In July 1851, he married Clarinda Ricks, and a few months later was called by the Church to settled in Parowan, to which the young couple embarked willingly that fall. Together, Silas and Clarinda became the parents of five children.ii

In 1853, Silas Sanford Smith married a second wife, Sarah Ann Ricks, sister to Clarinda, with whom he had four children. At the time of this second marriage, Silas Sanford was serving in the military fighting in the Indian War of 1853. The next year, however, he was called on a mission to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii). In order to afford the passage fare to the Islands, Silas worked for three months in San Francisco before departing. As a missionary he likewise worked hard and dedicated himself to learning the native language and preaching the gospel. He even served as a counselor in the mission presidency for a time before he returned home in 1856.

A Military and Civic Leader
Upon his return, Silas Sanford moved his family to Paragoonah, in Iron County, and became active again in military service. He gained the rank of major and was in charge of organizing and training local residents to defend their settlements. He learned to speak several Indian languages, and gained a reputation for being a fair-minded diplomat. Silas Sanford participated in the Black Hawk Indian War of 1860-1865, and was considered a wise military leader. In 1866, he led a group of seventy-six to establish a defensive fort – named Fort Sanford – in the area of Panguitch.iii

In 1859, at age twenty-eight, Silas Sanford Smith was elected to the Utah Territorial Legislature as a representative. He served in this capacity for almost twenty consecutive years, during which time he also held the offices of U.S. Deputy Marshal, selectman, and probate judge.iv In addition to these civic responsibilities, Silas Sanford served as a bishop in Paragoonah for several years.

Both of his wives – Clarinda and Sarah Ann – passed away within three months of each other, leaving Silas Sanford a widower with nine children. So in 1864 he married Martha Eliza Bennet – known as Eliza – who proved herself a capable step-mother to nine, and eventual mother of twelve children of her own.

President of the San Juan Mission
In 1879, Silas Sanford Smith was called to preside over the San Juan Mission in San Juan County, Utah. He had been praised by Elder Erastus Snow, one of the Twelve Apostles of the L.D.S. Church, in a letter to Church President John Taylor, as someone who would “make a discreet presiding officer to lead settlements on the San Juan.”v Likewise, Kumen Jones, a member of the Hole-in-the-Rock Expedition, wrote in later years of Silas S. Smith as a “prudent, wise, resourceful man, particularly well equipped by nature and experience for a leader in that undertaking.” Jones noted that Smith’s familiarity with Indian languages and peoples, experience in civic legislation, and understanding of L.D.S. Church organization and history made him “the right man for that difficult work.” vi

Under Smith’s leadership, an exploring party set out on April 14, 1879 to select a site suitable for settlement along the San Juan River. The group consisted of twenty-six men, two women, and eight children. They traveled almost 300 miles southward on rough but existing roads until reaching the settlement of Moenkopi, in present-day Arizona, where they rested for a week and prepared to travel in a north-easterly direction toward the San Juan River. This leg of their journey was much more difficult and dangerous due to rugged terrain, which lacked a good road, the deficiency of water in the region, and the presence of hostile and troublesome Indian tribes. Yet in spite of these trials, on June 2, 1879, the exploring party set up camp at Montezuma, and spent the next few months preparing the area for settlement. In August, most of the exploring party departed, under Smith’s leadership, and returned to Paragonah via the Old Spanish Trail, completing what had become near to a thousand-mile journey. However, they did not waste time getting organized for a return trip to the San Juan, as it was hoped the area could be reached again before winter set in.

The responsibility of how best to move the main body of settlers to Montezuma fell upon President Smith. His experience with the exploring party had created doubt as to the best route to take. The southern route through Moenkopi was dangerously dry, difficult, and filled with Indian unrest. Yet the northern trail was considered too long, as it almost doubled the mileage required to get there. In the end, Silas Sanford made the decision to attempt a “short-cut” across the virtually unexplored region southeast of Escalante, based on reports he had received from several men who had traversed part of the territory in question. It was this decision that eventually led the expedition to Hole-in-the-Rock, and the arduous journey that followed it.

President Smith arrived at Forty-mile Spring, south of Escalante, on November 24, 1879, and a few days later sent a group of twelve men to discover a way to cross the Colorado River. Winter snows deterred them from considering turning back to Escalante and abandoning the promise of a “short-cut.” The scouts reported back to President Smith of the possibility of descending through the Hole-in-the-Rock to the riverbed, and then ferrying the wagons across the Colorado. David E. Miller, noted historian of the Hole-in-the-Rock expedition, writes that Smith probably did not make the decision to press on through the Hole-in-the-Rock completely on his own. Rather, given his character and the sizable consequences such a decision would have upon the whole company, President Smith likely involved the “leading men of the company” in counseling him and praying with him in order to make the best decision for the group.vii

Ironically, however, Silas Sanford Smith was absent from the expedition for most of actual trek through Hole-in-the-Rock and the unknown wilderness beyond. Shortly after the task of blasting through the stone cliffs had begun, Smith departed for Salt Lake City to procure funds and supplies. His ties the Territorial Legislature helped him secure nearly 1,000 pounds of blasting powder needed to widen and shape the Hole-in-the-Rock, along with other supplies and funds. Platte D. Lyman, who had been formerly called as his assistant in August of that year, assumed leadership of the expedition in Smith’s absence, which was prolonged due to a case of pneumonia brought on by “fatigue and exposure.”viii On April 28, 1880, however, Silas Sanford Smith began his journey back to the San Juan. He did not settle in Bluff, but continued on to Montezuma in the hopes of finding good enough land to plant corn.ix He remained president of the San Juan Mission until he was released in 1882.

President of the San Luis Stake
A year after he was released from the San Juan Mission, Silas Sanford Smith was called to preside over the San Luis Stake in Conejos, Colorado. He served in this calling until 1892. During these years, his past experience in civic affairs served him well, as he spent much time and effort aiding the saints of Conejos County to receive legal titles to their lands. The county land surveyor had removed their lands from the private settlement sphere, and returned them to the public domain as mineral lands. The ensuing land dispute between the Mormon settlers and the land office, in combination with widespread prejudice against the Saints for their practice of polygamy, created an atmosphere of tension and frustration that Silas Sanford Smith sought to dispel. x

A Life Well-Lived
In 1900, Silas Sanford Smith moved his family to Layton, Utah, where he farmed and raised livestock until his passing, on October 11, 1910. Since then, he has been lauded by many for his exemplary life. He built thirty-five homes during his eighty-year life span, fathered twenty-one children, served faithfully in civic and religious offices, and exemplified the qualities of a true leader.

Researched and written for the Hole-in-the-Rock Foundation by:
C.S. M. Jones LLC, Family Heritage Consulting.


i George A. Smith, “A Discourse by Elder George A. Smith, Joseph Smith’s Family – Details of George A. Smith’s Own Experience, Etc., Delivered in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, August 2, 1857.” Journal of Discourses, Vol. 5 available full-text at http://relarchive.byu.edu/MPNC/

ii “Silas Sanford Smith,” Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah(Salt Lake City, Utah: Western Epics, 1966)Vol. 2, 1170.

iii Lamont Crabtree, “Silas S. Smith – Mission President and Expedition Leader,” The Incredible Mission, Crabtree, c. 1980, 157.

iv Andrew Jenson, ed., “Silas Sanford Smith,” Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia (Salt Lake City, Utah: Western Epics, 1971),vol. 1: 802.

v Erastus Snow to John Taylor, letter dated December 29, 1878, quoted in David E. Miller, Hole in the Rock: An Epic in the Colonization of the Great American West (Salt Lake City, Utah: University of Utah Press), 13-14.

vi Kumen Jones, The Writings of Kumen Jones, (n.d.),2, 26.

vii David E. Miller,66.

viii Silas Sanford Smith, Diary, 1879-1880, 5.

ix Ibid., 5, 8.

x Jenson, 802.

George Essex Smith with Father and Brothers.
Row 1: Curtis, Francis, Silas S., Asael, Austin

Row 2: Stephen, Albert R., George, Jesse J., Silas S. Jr, John A.