A BIOGRAPHY OF LEVI ROBERTS

A BIOGRAPHY OF LEVI ROBERTS
10 May 1810 - 22 January 1891
Written by Arvilla Roberts Ford - Great great granddaughter
16 April 1964
Levi Roberts was born of noble English parents May 10, 1810; and christened Feb. 26, 1815 in Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England. His mother Mary Margrate was born April 17, 1784 at Apperly, Gloucestershire, England. His father Samuel Roberts was christened September 3, 1776 at Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England.
Levi was a farmer and basket weaver by trade.

DEERHURST CHURCH
Deerhurst is a parish two miles southwest from Tewkesbury. The hamlets of Apperly, Whitehead and Deerhurst, were 742 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy within the juris-diction of the peculiar CT. of Deerhurst, endowed with 600 royal bounty and 1400 parliamentary grant and in the patronage of the bishop of Gloucestershire. The church was dedicated to the Holy Trinity and exhibiting portions in Norman. The early English decorated style of architecture formerly belonged to a priory established about 715 by the Mercian Duke Dodde one of the Tewkesbury Abbey. This Priory having been destroyed by the Danes, was refounded in 980 and given Edward the Confessor to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Dennis in France to which it became a cell upon the seizure of alien priories it was granted to Etan College -- but Edward IV revoked that grant and made it a cell to the Abbey of Tewkesbury and so it remained until dissolution. The remains of the structure, which has been converted into a farm house, are in the late style of English architecture much enriched with decorated tracery. The Navigable river Severn flows along the western boundary of the parish of Deerhurst. (Taken from Crockfords Clerical Dictionary, P.745, 1468)

Wilford Woodruff Preaches in England
One of the most remarkable missionary experiences in the history of the Church is the events that surrounded Wilford Woodruff’s service in England in 1840. He began his work by visiting a number of areas where there were some members already, meeting with the Saints and preaching to gatherings of many interested citizens. He then felt inspired to depart that area and move on.
"In the morning I went in secret before the Lord, and asked Him what was His will concerning me. The answer I received was that I should go to the south; for the Lord had a great work for me to perform there, as many souls were waiting for His word." So Elder Woodruff made his way south by coach and by foot, eventually arriving at "a region where no elder of the Latter-day Saints had visited," finding lodging in Herefordshire with a wealthy farmer named John Benbow.
The first evening of his visit with the Benbows, Elder Woodruff conversed with the couple until 2:00 in the morning. He was thrilled to find that there was a group of over 600 men and women who had broken off from the Methodists, taking the name of United Brethren. This group was "searching for light and truth, but had gone as far as they could, and were calling upon the Lord continually to open the way before them and send them light and knowledge, that they might know the true way to be saved."
Within a few days, the baptisms began with John and Jane Benbow and several of the preachers of the United Brethren. Elder Woodruff cleared a pool of water on the property to facilitate the baptisms; he would eventually baptize over 600 people in that pool.
When Sunday came, Elder Woodruff preached at three separate locations, drawing over a thousand listeners. The parish church near the Benbow farm had only 15 persons in attendance. In the evening, a large group met at the Benbow home for a meeting. Elder Woodruff records:
"When I arose to speak at Brother Benbow’s house, a man entered the door and informed me that he was a constable, and had been sent by the rector of the parish with a warrant to arrest me".
"I asked him, ‘For what crime?’
"He said, ‘For preaching to the people.’
"I told him that I, as well as the rector, had a license for preaching the gospel to the people, and that if he would take a chair I would wait upon him after meeting.
"He took my chair and sat beside me. For an hour and a quarter I preached the first principles of the everlasting gospel. The power of God rested upon me, the spirit filled the house, and the people were convinced.
"At the close of the meeting I opened the door for baptism, and seven offered themselves. Among the number were four preachers and the constable.
"The latter arose and said, ‘Mr. Woodruff, I would like to be baptized.’
I told him I would like to baptize him. I went down into the pool and baptized the seven. We then came together. I confirmed thirteen, administered the Sacrament, and we all rejoiced together.
"The constable went to the rector and told him that if he wanted Mr. Woodruff taken for preaching the gospel, he must go himself and serve the writ; for he had heard him preach the only true gospel sermon he had ever listened to in his life.
"The rector did not know what to make of it, so he sent two clerks of the Church of England as spies, to attend our meeting, and find out what we did preach.
"But they both were pricked in their hearts and received the word of the Lord gladly, and were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"The rector became alarmed, and did not venture to send anybody else."
In spite of the protests of the local churches, Elder Woodruff continued to serve and continued to have phenomenal success. He reported on his efforts:
"The first thirty days after my arrival in Herefordshire, I had baptized forty-five preachers and one hundred and sixty members of the United Brethren, who put into my hands one chapel and forty-five houses, which were licensed according to law to preach in.
"This opened a wide field for labor, and enabled me to bring into the Church, through the blessings of God, over eighteen hundred souls during the eight months, including all of the six hundred United Brethren except one person. In this number there were also some two hundred preachers of various denominations. . . .
"The power of God rested upon us and upon the mission. . . . The Lord had a people there prepared for the gospel. They were praying for light and truth, and the Lord sent me to them, and I declared the gospel of life and salvation unto them, and some eight hundred souls received it, and many of them have been gathered to Zion in these mountains. Many of them have also been called to officiate in the bishopric, and have done much good in Zion. But in all these things we should ever acknowledge the hand of God, and give Him the honor, praise and glory, forever and ever. Amen."
(Wilford Woodruff,-- Leaves From My Journal--, Chapter 24; Matthias F. Cowley, --Wilford Woodruff -- His life and Labors--, pp. 116-120)

One United Brethren member, Levi Roberts and his wife, Harriet Ann Efford, from Gloucestershire, England, were converted and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Wilford Woodruff in 1840.
When the glad tidings of the restored Gospel came to them, their hearts responded to the Truth. The spirit of gathering moved upon them and found them headed westward with the body of the young church, seeking a haven of rest in the valley of the mountains, where they could worship God as they wished and rear their children as God would have them do.
Levi and Harriet set sail on the ship "Echo" , the 2nd ship to leave from England in 1840, with their 2 children, Henry Roberts born 16 June 1836, in England, 4 years old at this time and 2 year old Caroline , born 13 October 1838, in England. They traveled with many new converts to the church. They left many loved ones behind.
After 6 weeks on the ocean, they landed in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. safely in 1840. They traveled by boat up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo, Illinois, their destination. They remained here until the Mormons began their exodus westward.
While living in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, 2 daughters were born to this family - Phebe Ann Roberts, 22 January 1843 and Marinda Roberts, 10 April 1845.
While living in Nauvoo, Levi acted as one of the body guards of the prophet, Joseph Smith and with his family shared in the suffering and sorrow of the memorable exodus of the saints from Nauvoo, and they finally reached Mt. Pisgah (Winter Quarters). It was here that the call came for volunteers for the Mexican War. Levi Roberts joined the Mormon Battalion 1 July 1846, at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa in Company "E" and crossed the plains and mountains to California, a trek of 2000 miles in all. The longest, hardest march in recorded history.
Henry was now 10 years old and the oldest of 4 children left to help care for the Roberts family.
When the war was over, one year later, Levi was discharged honorable, in Fort Moore or Los Angeles, California and returned to Mt. Pisgah, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 1 July 1847 to join his dear family, who had lived without him for one year. Harriet had been very ill with rheumatism when Levi had left with the Mormon Battalion but regained her health and they and their family was happily reunited.
Harriet Ann Roberts was born 8 September 1848 at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa.
Levi and family remained in Council Bluffs, Iowa until they could make preparations to travel to the Salt Lake valley, which was two years later. They arrived in the valley in the year 1850, with the Captain Pearson independent company. They lived there a short time and then settled on Kays Creek, Kaysville, Davis, Utah.
Henry was now 14 years old and a great help to his family. Here Levi homesteaded on a section of land, under government privileges to veterans. Levi was a basket weaver by trade so the willows found along the creek provided good raw material to work with. He made baskets of the willows that grew on Kays Creek, and took them to Salt Lake City and sold them. He learned this trade in the old country. He also knew how to graft trees and grafted pears into haw trees. He also had a greater variety of apples than anyone in the country. Whenever there was a new variety come into the valley he would get a slip and graft it into one of his seedling trees. He named the fruit after the person who gave the slip. He also raised some of the first English walnuts and was well known for his lucious watermelons that he sold for from five to twenty-five cents.
Their first home was a dugout which served temporarily until a 4 room log cabin could be built. Levi and his son Henry went into nearby canyons to get logs which they trimmed and fitted together with rawhide where needed. Nails could not be bought at that time. Shoes were impossible to get, so old sacks were wrapped about their feet. Many times when returning with the logs their feet would be bleeding in the snow. Many hardships confronted them but they were prayerful, and trusted in their heavenly father for the help they needed to guide them.
Levi and Harriet had three more daughters born to them after settling in Kaysville. Mary Jane born the 13 December 1851, Matilda born 2 January 1854, and Lucy Ellen born 1 November 1855.
On 7 March 1857 he took a second wife Sarah Davis . She was born 16 September 1837, at Stokes Lacy, Herefordshire, England. To this marriage one child was born Sarah Elizabeth born 1 April 1858. This marriage soon ended in divorce.
Later he built another home (about 1865) of logs, which still stands, a little north off Phillips Street, between Angel and Flint Streets. This home has since been moved to the "Pioneers Trails Village", near "This is the Place Monument" in Salt Lake City.
Levi Roberts died in Kaysville, Utah on 22 January 1894. He is buried along with Harriet in the Kaysville Cemetery.

THE MORMON BATTALION
from ‘Ancestry’s Redbook
On 19 July 1846, 500 volunteers of the Mormon Battalion left Council Bluffs, Iowa, heading southwestward at the request of President James K. Polk. They joined other federal troops at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; proceeded west to Santa Fe and then to San Diego, California, arriving on 29 January 1847. After a year of duty, the battalion left 81 officers and enlisted men in San Diego, while the main group walked north to Sutter’s Fort where half of the contingent remained for a while. Eventually, the entire group was reunited with their fellow Mormons at Salt Lake City.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MORMON BATTALION
Jan 30th Lt. Col. Cooke issued the following:
"The Lt. Col. commanding congratulates the Battalion on their safe arrival on the shore of the Pacific Ocean and the conclusion of their march of over 2000 miles. History may be searched in vain for an equal march of Infantry. Half of it had been through a wilderness where nothing but savages and wild beasts are found. There with almost hopeless labor we have dug wells, which the future traveler may enjoy. Without a guide who had transversed them we have worked our way, ventured into trackless tableland, where water was not found for several marches. With crowbar and pick and ax in hand, we have worked our way over mountains, which seemed to defy aught save the wild goat, and hewn a passage through a chasm of living rock more narrow than our wagons to the pacific, we have preserved the strength of our mules by herding them over large tracts of land, and were guarded without loss. Men marching half naked, half fed, and living upon wild animals, we have discovered and made a road of great value to our country. They merit our gratitude for their achievement. They opened highways over deserts and mountains; laid the basis for the Southern Pacific railroad, and the Salt Lake and Los Angeles rails. They helped conquer New Mexico, Western Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California. Members of the Battalion helped in discovery of Gold at Sutters Fort, and were the first to carry the news from the Salt Lake Valley to the Missouri River.
On July 1847 the members of the Mormon Battalion helped to raise the Liberty Pole and participated in raising the colors during the celebration at Fort Moore, Los Angeles, July 4, 1847.
The Mormon Battalion proved to be a blessing in disguise to the Saints in Illinois and Iowa. Privates received $3.50 per month, many of the soldiers went without new clothes and sent their pay home to help keep their families. The California pea, and club head wheat seed brought back proved very valuable to the territory.
By their exemplary conduct both in the march to California and in occupation of that state, they won a fine reputation for courage, industry and sobriety, and did much to alleviate prejudice against their fellow Mormons.
This appeared in the book "The Mormon Battalion" by Norma Baldwin Rickets, page 193:
So the company divided right where we met each other. Some went on to Winter Quarters, some to the Valley and some turned back. I being one of that number. Daniel Browett, (Richard) Slater,
(John) Cox, Levi Roberts and myself turned back to Sacramento and went to work for Mr. Sutter who treated us very kindly. The rest of our mess, Robert Harris, Hyrum Judd, Jedit (Jeduthan Averett) and Bro. (Edward) Bunker went on to Winter Quarters with Lieutenant Little (Andrew Lytle) and company. I sent a mule to my wife with Bro. Harris, which she got. (Robert Pixton, Family History, 7.)

OBITUARY NOTICE OF LEVI ROBERTS
Deseret Weekly
(Call number) 650IF Utah S 18 E
Pt 25 News January 3, 1945 - maybe section or page
Levi Roberts, on the 22 day of January 1894 there passed from this sphere of action at the ripe age of 79. Levi Roberts whose name has gone into history as one of the noble band of heroes, the Mormon Battalion.
He was christened at Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England February 26, 1815, where he was brought up in the trade of basket maker. He was one of these who President Woodruff carried the gospel to and in 1840 yielded obedience and was baptized. In 1841 he and his family emigrated to America being one of the second company that gathered to Zion. In his trade he had accumulated some means which he freely spent in assisting poorer families to come out. When he reached Nauvoo he found himself but poorly provided to meet the great change in his life circumstances.
Not having been accustomed to rough manual labor the hardships incidental to frontier life told heavy upon him. But he persevered with an energy and faith that won for him the confidence and respect of all who knew him.
He worked most of the time in Nauvoo for the prophet Joseph Smith and was entrusted the responsibility of being one of his body guards during the troublesome times immediately preceding his death.
With his family he shared in the suffering and sorrows of the memorable exodus and he finally reached Mt. Pisgah, where he commenced cleaning land for the purpose of farming. It was here while working for the necessities of life for his little ones and invalid wife, that the call came for volunteers for the Mexican war.
He was a loving husband, deeply devoted to his family, and the riches of the world would not have tempted him to leave them in distress. But with his characteristics, faith and willingness, he intrusted in the hands of God and gave his services to his country.
The history of the Mormon Battalion is now his history, as he marched, suffered, struggled and endured with the bravest and best, until his final discharge in July 1847 of his service in the Battalion. Blighted by no tidings from his family during his long absence, and with mingled fear and hope was reunited with his loved ones. His wife had been miraculously restored to health. He remained there until the spring of 1850, when he came through and settled in Kaysville, where he has since resided.
He has been a sufferer for many years and his going was a happy release. His life has been an example of faith, humility, and energy in the cause of God. Honor to his name.
H. H. Blood

WIVES SEALING DATED
1.- Harriet Higgles 1 Apr 1854 Born 20 Jun 1818 - no more information
2.- Harriet Ann Hefford 31 Mar 1854 Born 16 May 1818 Died 16 Dec 1895
1-Henry Roberts B-16 Jun 1836 Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England
2-Caroline Roberts B-22 Nov 1837 Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England
3-Phebe Ann Roberts B-22 Jan 1843 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois
4-Marinda Roberts B-10 Apr 1845 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois
5-Harriet Ann Roberts B-8 Sep 1848 Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa
6-Mary Jane Roberts B-13 Dec 1851 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
7-Matilda Roberts B-2 Jan 1854 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
8-Lucy Ellen Roberts B-1 Nov 1855 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
3- Sarah Davis 7 Mar 1857 Born 16 Sep 1837
1-Sarah Elizabeth Roberts B- 1 Apr 1858 Kaysville, Davis, Utah

Original Poem - used as words of a song
OUR FATHERS
1 - From England’s shores our father came
In days of long ago.
But not for wreaths of earthly fame,
or sordid fortunes - no.
2 - For brighter visions lured them on,
To brave the ocean’s roar,
And seek a resting place upon
New England’s shore.
3 - A land of liberty they sought,
where persecutions cease,
To break the chain of tyrants wrought,
And serve their God in peace.
4 - From seed our fathers planted here
A mighty tree has grown,
The fruit it bears from year to year,
O’er all the land is strewn.
5 - Their memory, we their children bless,
And Heaven with all their powers,
Who sent our sires to plant for us
This goodly land of ours.
6 - We’ll talk and sing their virtues o’er,
Their honored graves among,
While ocean’s "bounding billows" roar,
Our ‘Auld Lang Syne" is sung.