William Plummer Tippets
William Plummer Tippets was born 26 June 1812. His parents were John Tippets III and Abigail Pearce (Pierce) who were living at Groton, Hillsboro County, New Hampshire at that time. The family sold their farm in 1813 and moved to Essex, New York. Here the family was living close to other Tippets families. The cousins became very close.
In the year 1832, his brother John Harvey heard about a new book that was causing much discussion. He walked 15 miles to obtain one, As he read it he was convinced it was true. He shared the book with his family and cousins. They were all greatly impressed with the book and felt it to be true. When missionaries came in the area many of the Tippets cousins were taught and baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The next year, 1833, was an important year for the Tippets family. William's sister, Abigail was married to her cousin Alvah Lewis Tippets in Kirtland, Ohio. His father sold his farm in New York and moved the family to Cleveland, Ohio. His older brother John Harvey remained in New York to settle matters, but went to Kirtland later that year.
Records tell of Brothers Joseph, William, and John (really cousins), brothers in the gospel, were to start for Missouri to purchase land. This was September 1835. Missouri had been designated as Zion, the gathering place for the saints. A special blessing was given them by Brother David Whitmer.(History of the Church Vol. 2 page 281)
William was called to be in Zion's Camp in 1834. He was 22 years of age. These men were going to help the saints in Missouri. They left Kirtland then first of May 1834. They went through Dayton, Indianapolis, Springfield, and Jackson, Illinois, then crossed the Mississippi River into Missouri. The men had great spiritual experiences and training from the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was not an easy journey. Many times they were without food. In June of 1834 Zion's Camp was disbanded.
On July 30, 1835 he was married to Caroline Tippets, a cousin, by the Prophet Joseph. She died in childbirth in June of 1836. She was buried in Liberty, Missouri. He married Jeanetta Stebbons who also died there.
William and his brother John Harvey, bought 80 acres of land in Clay County Missouri. John's history says he built a house on the land. We assume William stayed in the area also. He married Sophia Mead Weymouth 1 January 1842 in Liberty Missouri. Their first child was born there 15 March 1844. She was named Alice Jeanette. This was three months before the Prophet was martyred. Also born to them there at Liberty, Clay County, Missouri was Emma Ann 13 November 1845, Mary Ellen 22 December 1848 and Abigail Eliza 18 January 1850.
We have no proof they ever lived in or around Nauvoo, although some of the other family cousins did.
The young family gathered with the saints at Kanesville (Council Bluff) Iowa. Here they prepared to travel to the Rocky Mountains. They secured two wagons in which they crowded all their possessions. A team of horses pulled one wagon. Two oxen drew the other wagon. A milk cow was tied on one of the wagons. What a hard journey they had ahead of them. Alice Jeanette was only six years old. She wore a dress made of material from a umbrella. She was a big help with the two younger children. The family joined the Edward Hunt wagon train leaving 4 July 1850. Along the way one ox died. Now the milk cow took its place pulling the wagon. Each day the cows milk was placed in a jar, which was tied to the side of the wagon. The rich milk was churned into butter and buttermilk which was enjoyed for the evening meal. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley 13 October 1850.
They first settled in the Nineteenth ward in the Salt Lake Valley. A daughter Rebecca Moon was born there 28 March 1852.
In the spring of 1853 they moved to Box Elder County to settle a place called Three Mile Creek. This was about three miles south of Brigham City, Utah. At first their home was a wagon box with a bowery of brush and poles for a roof. Their daughter Fedelia was the first child born at Three Mile (now known as Perry) 28 March 1854. William was the first to irrigate the land. It was hard work to bring logs and materials from the mountains to build a home and corrals. He built a five room house. He was known as a carpenter and cabinet maker. He made all the door frames, doors, window sashes and much of their furniture. He made the bedsteads, tables, chairs and cupboards.
In 1858 when Johnston's army was threatening to destroy the Mormons, William drove a number of cattle as far south as Draper, Utah. There he learned that the army had marched through Salt Lake City and peace had been restored. He had to drive the stock back to Three Mile.
More children were born to them at Three Mile Creek. Caroline Matilda 28 December 1855 and William Plummer born 23 April 1857.
The year that the grasshoppers came his crops were lost. One year when his crops were poor, he filled his empty grain bins with salt. Everyone laughed at him. The next winter gold was discovered. He was able to sell the salt at 10 cents a pound.
He was a generous man. All were welcomed to his home. He was known as a peacemaker with the Indians.
He died of typhoid fever 29 March 1877 At Three Mile Creek. He was buried in the cemetery there, now Perry, Utah.