Benjamin Platt

submitted by: Brylee Platt


I chose Benjamin Platt as my ancestor. Benjamin was born on April 12, 1833 in Lancashire, England. He had 12 brothers and sisters. He worked in the cotton factory as a child. Children in those days worked a lot and attended very little school. He joined the Mormon church as a teenager in England. He met Mary Greaves at Sunday school who later became his wife.

Benjamin wanted to come to America to live with the Mormon saints. Benjamin saved his money. Benjamin and Mary left on May 23rd, 1856 on a ship to the Boston harbor. This trip took about 6 weeks. From here, they traveled by train to the end of tracks at Iowa City, Iowa. They built hand carts and prepared for the rest of their journey. They then traveled to Florence, Nebraska. In Nebraska there were people who disliked the Mormon saints and harassed them. Because of this, the Mormon saints did not want to stay. Although it was late in the year and church leaders advised them to stay, this group was determined to continue.

The Martin handcart company left Nebraska on August 25th, 1856 for Salt Lake City, Utah. The pioneers faced many challenges and hardships on their journey. They traveled in cold weather, lived out of handcarts and had many problems with the handcarts. They arrived in Salt Lake City on November 30th 1856. It took these saints about 4 months to travel from Iowa City, Iowa to Salt Lake City, Utah. Today in a car, it would take less than a day to travel this far.

I visited a place with my family called Martin’s Cove in Wyoming. This place was where these saints got caught in a terrible snow storm along their journey. I remember we pulled a handcart along a trail, and walked a lot. My brothers rode in the handcart and my sisters and I pulled them for part of our trek. When I was pulling the cart. I wanted to give up but I didn’t. I am glad that my ancestors didn't give up.

Benjamin Platt and his wife eventually settled in Newcastle, Utah. I think this is pretty cool because this is where I live today. Another fun fact is that Benjamin had a son named Robert Platt. Robert Platt had a son named Robert Warren Platt. Robert Warren Platt had a son named Robert Wayne Platt, who is my grandpa. My grandpa had a son named Robert Wade Platt, who is my dad. My dad and mom continued the tradition and named my little brother Robert Waylon Platt. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn about one of my ancestors.