Catherine Curtis Spencer - "An Amazing Woman"
submitted by: Camryn Garfield
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Because they had joined the church, Orson had to stop his ministering. That was their only source of income, so many hardships followed as they had to tell Catherine’s family, where upon hearing the news, her parents immediately disowned her and asked her not to write to them or have anything to do with them. This was heartbreaking, but with Orson by her side, her faith in her new gospel never failed.
Soon, they would join the other Saints in Missouri, then later in Nauvoo, Illinois, where she and Orson became greatly involved in the organization of the church. Orson held many high positions in the new church, and her education and faith made her a big support to the women and children in town. But times in Nauvoo became increasingly difficult as they, and many other families fell victim to endless mob attacks, and unbelievable stresses. As the tensions rose, Catherine’s health began to fail. Throughout their time in Massachusetts, Missouri, and in Nauvoo, they became the parents of eight children. In Nauvoo, two of their children died and that only added to Catherine’s grief and ill health.
Finally, the mobs and those fighting against the Mormons got their way. Joseph Smith had been murdered, and their new prophet, Brigham Young began asking members to gather in companies, load wagons, and head to Utah, where there was a hope for peace and the ability to practice their religion without threat.
The Spencer’s received their orders to go, and though Catherine’s health was getting worse, she dreamed of making it to “Zion” with her husband and children. Orson however, worried that with Catherine’s failing health, that she shouldn’t attempt the journey. After talking with her, they agreed that perhaps he and the children could start on the trek, but that it would be best if she was able to go to her parent’s home back in Massachusetts to heal, and then once better, rejoin her family either on the trail or later in Utah. A message was sent from Orson, pleading with her family to allow for her return. Weeks went by and no message came from her family. Orson continued to ready the family for the journey, but Catherine continued to weaken.
The time arrived for the family to head out across the country toward Utah. Though Catherine was weak, her spirit was strong. Often the children would huddle around her makeshift bed in the covered wagon and plead with her to read to them or to tell them stories. It was difficult for her, but she continued to share with them.
The weather continued to worsen as winter was coming. The trail got more and more muddy. Finally, a rider arrived with a message from Catherine’s family stating that she was welcome to return to her family. However, in order for her to return, she was to leave the Mormon church. It was heartbreaking for Orson and even more for Catherine. Through tear filled eyes, she told Orson, that she would rather “die in the faith” and be with he and her children with whatever life she had left.
In the day’s that followed, the other women in their company stayed with her around the clock, Holding pots and pans over her, keeping the freezing cold rain from soaking her blankets as it dripped steadily through the wagon tarp. Finally, Catherine called for Orson, asking him to try to find someone along the trail who might have a warm cabin with a dry bed that she could lie in to be more comfortable. Orson set out, and was surprisingly able to find a family, that happily offered her a warm, dry, bed even though she was a Mormon. She then called her children to her bedside and asked them to quit praying for her to get better. She believed that it was because of their faith that she was still alive and she didn’t want to suffer any longer. In her heart she knew that she was going to die. That must have been a very sad experience for all of them.
Within a few days, she passed away. It was 1846, and Catherine was just thirty-five years old. Orson set out looking for a suitable place to bury his sweet Catherine. He was grieving and sad, when he was approached by several men from the company. They insisted that though it would be risky, that they would take her body back to Nauvoo and dig a proper grave and bury her in the cemetery there. He agreed. So in the dark of night, they returned to Nauvoo with her in the wagon, frantically digging, then placing her body here and covering it, before they were found or before the sun came up.
The family, though extremely sad, continued on to Utah. Midway through the trip, Orson was called to serve a mission to England. Because of his great faith, he accepted the call. The children were placed with other families, and then were reunited with their father in Salt Lake City after his mission was over. Two of the children were Aurelia Spencer Rogers who later was credited for starting the church’s primary program, and my fourth great grandfather Howard Orson Spencer who served as the bishop during years of the United Order in Orderville, Utah.
I am thankful for my ancestors and am so happy that they were strong and amazing people.