ABOUT THIS BLOG

Zemira Palmer is my third-great grandfather. In 2010 I was given tons of information about him by two angel cousins. With their permission I share it all!! - Deniane Kartchner

Contact: denianek@gmail.com

Sally Knight Palmer

Sally Knight Palmer

Zemira's Wives

The photos of Zemira's two wives were contributed by Lucile Brubaker

and her mother, Lenna Cox Wilcock. Thanks!

Caroline Jacques Palmer

Caroline Jacques Palmer

BLOG SOURCES


Unless otherwise noted, the main source for this blog (including the introduction) is a history titled “ZEMIRA PALMER, 1831 – 1880, His Life and Family in Early L.D.S. Church History.” This history was prepared by Lenna Cox Wilcock and sent to Deniane Kartchner via email by Lenna's daughter, Lucile Brubaker, with Lenna and Lucile's permission to post on this blog with the stipulation it be used for family history purposes only and not for financial gain. Lenna and Lucile are descendants of Zemira Palmer through his wife Caroline Jacques.


I have posted the history in segments exactly as Lenna wrote them (with the exception of adding details needed to help the sections stand alone).


Introduction

Zemira Palmer was born the year after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints was organized in Fayette, New York. Living amongst the earliest “Mormon” converts, his entire life and that of his family was inextricably inter-woven with that of the early Saints.


The faith of the Palmer and Draper families, as with all the Saints, was severely tried and tested as they were swept along in the turbulent stream of Mormonism in its desperate struggle for survival while defending their freedom to worship their God as they chose. As Utah Pioneers they contributed greatly in making the desert blossom as a rose in the rugged western American frontier.


One month before his death, in a letter to his sister Zemira made the following statement, and by living according to what it expresses, he was worthy to gain the great reward of which it speaks:


“. . . There is one thing which seems to be true, the Lord is fulfilling His promises. He has said by the mouths of His prophets that He would send judgments on the wicked & trials on the faithful, so that everyone that can be shaken, will be, and those who cannot be shaken, shall gain the great reward of eternal life & supreme happiness.”1


1- Excerpt from letter written by Zemira Palmer to his sister Lovina Palmer Munroe Sept. 18, 1880.


* * * * *

Zemira Palmer History on this blog

2.04.2010

(68) Zemira moves to Leeds, interim bishop of Leeds Ward

Here, again, a definite change came into Zemira’s life.  On June 24, 1877, in his capacity as property appraiser, he was appointed to go with Henry Esplin to Leeds to appraise the property of three brethren from there who had joined the Order at Orderville, as it was considered wise not to sell their property in Leeds at that time. Leeds was a small town 15 miles northeast of St. George. While there, they decided to make it a permanent headquarters of the O.U.O. (Orderville United Order) which would be a Branch of the Order at Leeds, and Zemira moved into the community.

He went right to work there at Leeds, helping to fix up a house for his family to move into, although they didn’t arrive until August.  He kept busy with work that needed to be done, watering the vineyard and hauling hay, etc. and he still appraised property.

It is evident from his diary that he faithfully fulfilled his various callings and duties, whether temporal, civic, or Church, and thus he was given more responsibilities.

He hadn’t been in Leeds quite a month when he was appointed by Stake President J. D. T. McAllister to take charge of the Leeds Ward during the temporary absence of the Bishop, Hogan. He was sustained by a unanimous vote of the people during their meeting held at Harrisburg, which was part of the Leeds Ward. That was July 15, 1877.  He mentions attending Priesthood meetings and M.I.A.  And now he would have Ward reports to make out.

One interesting diary entry was: “I spent the forenoon in conversation with the old settlers here to devise some way to prevent encroachments on our fruit and gardens by thieves and rowdys.”

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Contributors


Lucile Brubaker (and her mother Lenna Cox Wilcock) are also contributing to this blog.

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