The 1850 U.S. Census provides us with the following information: “Zemira, age 19, born Canada . . . At Willow Creek, (known later as Draper) a counselor to Bishop Uncle Wm Draper.” The Bishop’s other counselor was his brother, Zemira Draper whose wife was Amy Terry. These were the beloved uncle and aunt of our Zemira Palmer.
Just one year before that, the town of Draper didn’t even exist. This is how it came to be: In 1849, Zemira’s mother and stepfather, Ebenezer Brown, came to Utah from California. Willow Creek was a pleasant cove located at the south end of the Salt Lake Valley. It was found and settled by Ebenezer Brown. Then his two sons by his first wife joined him there and they built cabins and tilled the soil. Soon, Ebenezer’s wife Phebe, and his sons’ wives and children joined them. Others located there, and it became a thriving community which they later called Draperville in honor of the first Bishop, William Draper Jr.59
In 1852 Zemira’s grandfather, William Draper Sr. also came to live at Draper. With the close family ties that existed in the Draper family, it was undoubtedly a joy in their lives to be re-united with their loved ones in this one little town of Draperville. Their individual histories reveal that they were still staunch and faithful in their Church and active in the community.
59- Ebenezer Brown & Descendants, p. 7 - Ebenezer Brown settles Draper
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