Redick Newton ALLRED TWIN

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Redick Newton ALLRED TWIN (01020506)

Allred Progenitors: (Isaac, William, Thomas)
Born: 02/21/1822 Farmington, Bedford Co., TN
Died: 10/10/1905 Chester, Sanpete Co., UT
Submitted by: Ron C. Russell 07/26/1998

Redick Newton Allred,
Written by himself.

Biographical sketch of the life of Redick Newton Allred, son of Isaac and Mary Calvert Allred, born in Bedford County, Tennessee, February 21, 1822.

I was a twin, my brother said to be the first born, but doubted by some. His name was Reddin Alexander. His weight was 9 ½, mine 8 ½ lbs. We resembled each other so much that our mother was under the necessity of making our clothes different, to prevent us from getting mixed up, until we were old enough to know our names. After that we dressed alike as long as we remained at home.

We were always a great puzzle to the people. He appeared to be endowed with all the boldness and I with all the bashfulness. I learned my letters in an old log schoolhouse, and when seven years old moved with my parents to the State of Missouri on Salt River, Rals Co. (afterwards named Monroe).

Father purchased a home on the great highway East and West. My parents were members of the new school of Presbyterians and brought their children to reverence a God, and were very exemplary in their lives. So when a new Religion was introduced, they naturally looked at it with suspicion, having been taught that Apostles and Prophets were no longer needed. So some called them false prophets. But Elders were passing every few months from Kirtland to Jackson County, the gathering place for the Saints, and Father offered his house for a meeting. Geo. H. Hindle and others stopped and baptized the Alreds and Ivies families

A large branch was organized in 1832, called the Salt River Branch. Brother Reddin and I were baptized in the Spring of 1833, by John Ivie, local elder and President of the Branch. In the Fall of 1833 the Saints were driven out of Jackson County into Clay County. The night the Saints were expelled from their homes, the Western World was shocked by the stars falling from Heaven, that lit up the whole atmosphere.

In 1834 early Spring the prophet Joseph Smith came along with a small company of armed men, called Zion’s camp, to reinstate the Saints on their own land, from which they had been driven by the mob. Uncle Jas. Allred raised ten men and joined them. On his return he preached in our settlement and told the Saints they could not get possession of the lands, but to gather up in Clay County. In 1835 father moved into Clay County, and settled on Fishing River, where we raised one crop. The influx was so great that the old settlers became alarmed and the mob spirit began to raise, and was checked only by compromise by which the old settlers were to buy out the Saints and we were to move into a new county adjoining, called Caldwell Co.

In 1837 father rented land on Long Creek, where he hoped to build and live in peace. This was eight miles from the newly laid out city of Far West. On the 14th day of March 1838, the prophet and other leading men, came in from Kirtland and settled in far West and the Saints began to gather and spread out so that two counties had to be organized, Caldwell and Davis, where two Stakes of Zion were organized.

Then on April 12, 1838 Oliver Cowdery was out of the Church and on the 13th David Whitmer was cut off for not keeping the Word of Wisdom, and soon after the Johnson’s, Boyington’s and McClellen’s were cut off. The foundation of the temple started in Far West, or Nauvoo. The power of the Church began to be feared. The few ranchers in Caldwell and Davis Counties, raised false reports about the lawlessness of the Mormon’s and at an election in Galitor, Davis Co., they forbade any of the Mormons to vote and surrounded the poles to prevent it. But a fight ensued and the Mormons cleared the way and voted. This was enough to wake up the whole County of Jackson, Clay, Ray and Carlton into a howling mob and they began to make raids on the outside settlements. We had, in the meantime, organized a regiment for self defense and the Prophet called in al the outside settlers to Far West.

In order to be able to stand a siege a company was sent to Davis County to bring a horse mill to grind our corn. I was 16 years old and was sent with ox team. We were gone two days and three nights and scarcely slept any to prevent a surprise. We had stopped at Father Moreley’s and finished supper and father came in and said that a mob was attacking families on Log Creek within a few miles of our home. He told me to go home, eight miles, that night so we could move next day. I did not know what moment I might meet the mob. I slept while I walked beside my team and got home at 1 o’clock and found all well. As I drove across the Public Square in Far West at dusk, I saw Apostle David Patten on his horse, rallying his men to go up to defend the exposed Saints. He attacked the mob, but was mortally wounded. Father heard the guns five miles distant.

On the 25th, we moved to Far West, as did all the settlement except the Hawn’s Mills. The Prophet sent word to come in, but they thought they could protect themselves. But the mob from Carlton County massacred the most of them.

October 30, 1838, Governor Boggs army of four thousand, made their appearance. Against 3000 to follow. We had two companies leaving about one hundred thirty men and boys in town. Being in line the Prophet stepped to the right and said “Con on boys.” We halted at the edge of town and formed line. The mob malitia commenced to form line of battle. When one regiment was formed, seeing our companies charging into town on the East, West, they broke ranks and fled in confusion. They camped that night in the timber and rallied several times during the night, fearing an attack and next day had an interview with our Col. Geo. M. Hinkle, who agreed to deliver up the Prophet and other leading men and lay down our arms.

October 31, 1838, the Prophet and his brother Hyrum, Parley P. Pratt and others were delivered up as prisoners of war. Eight hundred pieces of arms, including pistols, swords and spears at the word, “ground arms” was laid down, while their four thousand men had us cooped up in a hollow square and them outside about four deep. That night they held a court and they passed sentence of death upon the Prophet and those with him, to be shot next morning at eight o’clock. Gen. Damplin protected and led his brigade out of camp, which changed the program, so they send them under a strong guard to Jackson County and later to Liberty Jail. Gen. Lucus then marched our men onto the public square and compelled them at the point of a bayonet to sign what they called a deed of trust to hold all real estate and personal property to pay the expense of the war. This was never fully enforced but we were permitted to fit up our teams and leave the State in the dead of Winter.

The people of Illinois made the Saints welcome and they scattered out wherever they could rent land or get work to supply their immediate wants. Father rented a farm from Mr. Stone in Adams County, twenty miles south of Quincy. Joseph, Hyrum, Parley P. Pratt and others were held far into the next season, when it pleased the Lord to deliver them. The Prophet lost no time to secure a gathering place for the Saints on the Mississippi at the place called Commerce, but the Prophet named it Nauvoo. A general conference was held here in the open air on the 5th and 6th of October 1839, the Prophet presiding. My brother Reddin, myself and others were ordained elders.

There was great rejoicing over the deliverance of our leaders and a new Stake of Zion was organized for the gathering of Zion. Father and many others families moved up that Fall. He located one-half mile south of where the Temple was afterwards build. The Saints gathered rapidly. A very liberal city charter was granted and the Prophet was elected mayor. The Nauvoo Legion was organized, and the Prophet was commissioned Lieutenant General. It was one of the grandest military organizations outside of the regular army. Many prominent men of the State came to view our parade. They both admired and feared the great leader.

I engaged in the mason trade and while the Temple was being built I worked on it part of the time. Many of us worked part of the time on bread and water because of the extreme poverty after the mobbing and driving from Missouri.

In 1841 Fall conference the Prophet called a large number of Elders and sent them into different parts of the United States. I was sent to Pennsylvania, later to Cincinnati. I returned in 1842 and worked with father on the farm and again helped on the Temple. In November 26, 1843, I married Lucy Hoyt, starting on the sea of life without house, land, money or stock, except one cow. A week later I went to Patriarch Hyrum Smith and got our Patriarchal Blessings, in which he promised us a long life.

Then the enemy began to see the doings of the Prophet Joseph’s achievements and the rapid growth and gathering of the Saints and the union of the people under his leadership. Mobs began to rage and Gen. Boggs sent a demand for him. They sent a posse to kidnap him while he was on a visit to Dickson, but in this they failed as our people were on the lookout. The mob spirit prevailed so much in Illinois and Missouri that the Mayor declared the City under martial law on the 15th of June 1844. He made a last speech to the Legion, leaving them to protect the City, while he crossed the river having in view the intention to go to the Rocky Mountains to find a location for the Saints, where they could dwell in safety. But some half hearted Saints followed him and accused him of cowardice for leaving the Saints to the mercy of the mob. The Prophet said, “If my life is worth nothing to you I will return, but I go as a lamb to the slaughter.” Gov. Thomas Ford having pledged the good faith of the State for his protection, he surrendered to the officers and he and Hyrum, Willard Richard’s and John Taylor were placed in jail, where on June 27, 1844 he and Hyrum were murdered and John Taylor seriously wounded by the mob while Gov. Ford was in Nauvoo accusing the people of disloyalty. I was warned in a dream of their deaths and wanted to avenge the blood of the Prophets. Uncle James Allred hauled in the bodies next day, with a small guard and the Saints viewed the remains of the two greatest men of the 19th Century. Afterwards they were privately buried while boxes representing their were buried in the graveyard. The public never knew where they rested. The Saints felt like sheep without a shepherd.

Sidney Rigdon once a counselor of the Prophet made haste to come from Pittsburgh and called a conference in the absence of the twelve apostles and laid his claims to the presidency. But while this was in progress the apostles returned and Brigham Young, the president of the twelve apostles took the stand and the mantle of Joseph rested upon him with such power that all Israel knew he was the man. I saw and felt and heard that the Prophet stood before us in the person of Brigham young and therefor could not doubt.

The Temple was so far finished that endowments were given in the Fall and Winter of 1845. Feb. 1846 the Church was continually in fear of mobs. We vacated Nauvoo, crossing the Mississippi River on the ice. Father and Allen Taylor fitted a team up and I drove it out in the first company. I went in Bishop Miller’s company as far as Garden Grove, and then returned to help our own folks. I was about two months enduring many hardships in the heavy storms of rain falling like the flood. The storms were so bad we had to lay by for days at a time. Two other men and myself were sent out to trade for the camp with a settler as guide, but they had a jug of whiskey along and drank so freely that I left them the first afternoon and returned to the camp. I found my folks on the Iowa side of the river opposite Nauvoo, being unable to move until I returned. We were soon on our way and as the storms had ceased we had good roads and plenty of grass. Having a pleasant time we soon found Pres. Young and Council Bluff.

At this point we were visited by Capt. James Allen of the regular army with orders to enlist a Battalion of infantry of five hundred men to march to California, as war with Mexico had been declared. President young said, “Go and you shall have no fighting to do, you shall go before and behind the battle.” In two or three days five companies were organized and we were mustered into the service on the 1q6th of July 1846. I left a wife and one child in my father’s care.

We marched to Fort Leavenworth where we were armed and equipped for the war. My brother, Jas. Riley, also enlisted in the same company. I was appointed Quartermaster Sergeant to deal out rations for Company A and have charge of the baggage train. This permitted me to have my luggage hauled. Our first point of destination was Santa Fe, where Gen. Cassey had preceded us, but we had been on the way only a few days when the Col. Died. We regretted the loss of Col. Allen. He had been very kind to us and had refused to admit any in our ranks who were not of our people. Co. Smith was more harsh and put us on a forced march and if any got sick they were not permitted to ride unless they reported to Dr. Sanderson, who was quite cruel in his treatment of the sick.

We went through many hardships and starvation. July 1847 before we broke ranks, a sealed letter opened by Levi Hancock signed by the Apostles saying, “you will meet the Church in the valley of the Great Salt Lake on the east side of the foot of the mountains.” We went to Salt Lake and on to where I had left my family in Council Bluffs. December 19, 1847, crossed the Missouri River and went eight miles to little Pigion Allred’s settlement where I found my wife and little daughter, living with father. All were well and overjoyed at the safe return of their soldier boy and husband.

Father was presiding over the branch of the church in that camp. After we rested a while Pres. Young proclaimed a jubilee in the log Tabernacle in Kainsville and invited the returned soldiers especially. We had a free dance and enjoyed ourselves very much. Nov. 26, 1848, a son was born. We called him Redick Reddin. Up to this time I had not been able to do anything towards an outfit for the valley. But in the Spring1849 drew a land warrant and traded it for two yoke of oxen and wagon and set about getting ready for the journey. The first week in June we started again for the Great Salt Lake valley. Our camp was divided in 10, 50, 100. Allen Taylor captain of 100. Enoch Ruse Capt. Of the first 50, and myself Capt. of the second fifty. I had 73 wagons I my company and Capt. Taylor traveled in my company. My team consisted of a yoke of oxen on the wheel and a yoke of cows on head, and I drove the lead wagon to the valley. Capt. Taylor having crossed the plains the year before as Capt. Of Pres. Young’s company was of great service. He advised us to tie our stock by the head outside of the wagons. As they were corralled at night, which I strictly observed, but Capt. Reece did not with the result that he had not been out a week until his cattle stampeded in the night, smashing down wagons to get out. This so frightened them that they broke up into small companies. Bro. Perkins asked to come into my company with ten and I said yes to fall in the rear, which I learned was bad policy for their fright started to run while moving. As soon as I saw them, I gave the word to halt and stand by their teams. In a short time, teams were running in every direction, excepting a few at the head. I stood by mine talking kindly and they did not move. It was frightful to behold, especially when we gathered up the wounded; three were badly wounded and Sister Hawks died that night. We had no further trouble on the road but the journey was long and tedious. As we entered the mountains we split up into smaller companies for convenience for food and camping.

October 16, 1849, we arrived in Salt Lake City, and where the city was afterwards built. I bought a room in the old fort and lived there that winter. During the winter of 1849-50 the Indians attacked the small city of Provo and almost our entire village was called out to resist them. Andrew Lameraux and I were sent with a small party after the Indians. We went to Petete Creek, Payson, the company was divided into three parts, one on each side of the thick willows and I was ordered with four men to penetrate the bush to drive them out or fight them as they lay in ambush. We found only three warriors hid and they would not drive a bit, so we killed them in there. One man got a slight wound and an Indian concealed about three rods from me sent an arrow against my breast, which however, fell to the ground without effect, it having struck a coat button. (This button is now in the possession of his daughter, Mrs. A. E. Mills). I had dropped to my knees when I saw he had got the start of me, but before he could get ready with another arrow I sent a bullet through his head.

In the Spring I attempted to get some land eight miles north of Salt Lake City in Sessions Settlement, now Bountiful, but although there were only six families there they told me the water was all taken up. Brother Harvey and I then went onto Big Cottonwood and located near the mouth of the canyon, where we had plenty water but little land. Father and brother Reddin settled on the opposite side of the stream where mother died Sept. 16, 1851.

August 28, 1852, a conference was called at which 109 elders were appointed to go on missions to different parts of the world. And the principle of Plural Marriage was introduced as revealed to the Prophet Jos. Smith July 12, 1843. I kept a daily journal from that conference until my return July 16, 1855. Jan. 11, 1856, I married Amelia June McPherson in Pres. Young’s office, himself officiating. We lived as one family for many years until our children multiplied to such numbers that we separated for convenience. 1856 Allen Taylor was set apart as Bishop of Kaysville Ward, and I was chosen 1st Counselor and D. P. Curtis as second. I was appointed superintendent of works on the meeting house. In 1857 Pres. Jeddidiah M. Grant visited Kaysville and held two days meetings and waged a reformation with all the Saints, which was endorsed by Pres. Young, and he introduced what was known as the Universal Reformation throughout the whole Church. July 24, 1857, was celebrated in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The authorities of the Church were present. A. O. Smoot and Porter Rockwell brought the news of the approaching of Johnson’s Army, ordered out by the Pres. Of U.S. to subjugate the rebellious Mormons. Pres. Young said “As Gov. of Utah, I will resist their entrance in the Territory’, and dismissed the camp to return home and prepare for defense. Gen. D. H. Mills proceeded at once to place the Nauvoo Legion up a war footing and took the field in person. Headquarters was in Echo Canyon.

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