Jesse Pierce HARMON

                   Historical information included in notes.



Jesse is the son of Martin Harmon and Tryphena, yet he spent twelve years of his young life living with John Gibbs. When Jesse left the army in 1815, he made the following stops:Sangersfield, Oneida, NY (--arrived 30 May 1815; stayed about one year)Georgetown, Casinova (Now Madison) county, New York (remained there several months)Wolcott, Seneca, New York (stayed about one year)Springfield, Erie, PA (met and married in April 1819 Anna Barnes)JESSE PEARCE HARMONson of Martin and TryphenaThis is the history of Jesse Pearce Harmon, the son of Martin Harmon and Tryphene _________ who was the son of Nehemiah and Abigail. This history was written by Jesse, himself and a copy is found in the Early Church 70's Quorum Records, 11th Quorum of Seventies film 006164 pt.1. Original spelling retained."My father was married on 22 Nov 1785 to Triphene ____________. My father and grandfather emigrated soon after my father was married to Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont from Suffield, Connecticut where my father remained until the year 1799; when I remained with my father until I was about six years of age. I then left my father and went to the town of Lewis, about 6 miles from my father and lived with John Gibbs. In 1811, my mother died and in the year 1811 my father moved to Castleton, Rutland, Vermont and left me still living with John Gibbs and in June 1812 I left John Gibbs and went to my father and there remained until the 7th day of October following and then enlisted with the service of the United States with my brother, Martin N. Harmon with our father's consent and shortly after joined the Army stationed at Burlington, Vermont. We remained there a few months. We then crossed Lake Champlain with the Army under the command of Col. Clark to Plattsburgh and joined Gene Hampton's army and remained there a few months. Sometime in the month of March 1814, my father came and visited us at Plattsburgh.On the 30th day of March was fought the battle of LaColle Mill, a large fortified stone house at which Major Hancock commanded, who was the British officer.On the day which our father left us, we took up the line of march from Plattsburgh to LaCalle [spelling unsure] Mill and our father went to the town of Jay [Essex County, NY] to get married to a Mrs. Dunbar. The marriage took place on the 30th at the time we were engaged in this battle in hearing of the cannon.We had several skirmishes with the British and Indians before we reached LaColle Mill in one of which I received a slight wound from an Indian tomahawk. At LaCalle, both my brother and myself was on the right wing of the Army under the command of Col. Clark in General Smith's brigade. We were exposed to a gallery fire from the enemy and my brother received a mortal wound in his breast while fighting by my side and died on the 17th day of April following at Little Sharzee, NY and was buried there in the horrors of war.I then returned with part of the army by way of Plattsburgh to Burlington, Vermont, and there reenlisted on the 5th day of June during the war and left for Rutland County, Vermont where I remained in the recruiting service a few months and was appointed a Corporal and we then marched for Buffalo, New York From thence we crossed Lake Erie to FortErie, Upper Canada. While there we received a continued cannonading and combatting from the enemy for several weeks and on the 17th of September we fought a general battle and spiked several pieces of cannon. Took 800 prisoners and left upwards of 1100 of the enemy dead upon the field of battle. We lost 511 men. When General Brown, observing that the enemy had just completed a battery, which could open a most destructive fire, and the next day planned a sortie, which has been considered a military chef d'oeuvre.The British force consisted of 3 brigades of 1500 men each; one of which was stationed at the works in front of Fort Erie, the other two occupied a camp 2 miles in the rear. The design of General Brown was to storm the batteries, destroy the cannon, and roughly handle the brigade on duty before those in reserve could b
e brought up. A road had previously been opened by Lieutenant Riddle of Frazier, in a circuitous route through the woods within pistol shot of the flagpole [?] of the line of batteries and with such secrecy as to have escaped the notice of the enemy. At 2 o'clock the troops were drawn up in readiness to make the sortie. The division commanded by General Porter was composed of riflemen and Indians under Colonel Gibson and 2 columns; one on the right commanded by Colonel Wood. The left commanded by General Davis of the New York Militia; this was to proceed through the woods by the road which had been opened; while the right division of the troops in the service already mentioned was stationed between the fort and the enemy works under General Miller with orders not to advance until General porter should have engaged their fire.The command of General Porter advanced with so much secrecy and caution, that when they rushed upon by this time, received considerable reinforcements. General Miller continued to advance, although suffering severe loss is some of his valuable officers. The 21st under Lt. Colonel Upham, forming a part of the reserves and a part of the 17th, uniting with the corps of General Miller, charged rapidly upon a remaining battery which was instantly abandoned by the British Infantry and Artillery.General Ripley now ordered a line to be formed for the protection of the detachments engaged in destroying the batteries and was engaged in making arrangements for following up against the rear of General Drum the enemy's flank they gave the first intimation of their approach. A severe conflict for a moment ensued in which those gallant officers, Colonel Gibson and Colonel Wood fell at the head of their columns and the command devolved on Lieutenant Colonel McDonald and Major Brooks. In 30 minutes, possession was taken of both batteries in the quarter together with a block house in the rear and the garrison made prisoners. Thru 24 founders were considered useless and their magazine blown up by Lt. Riddle who narrowly escaped the effects of the explosion. At this moment, the division of General Miller and of General Brown having heard the firing, had ordered to advance. In conjunction with Colonel Gibson's column, he forced between the 2nd and 3rd line of batteries and after a severe contest carried the first of these. In this assault, Gene Davis fell at the head of his volunteers. The whole of these batteries and the two blockhouses being in possession of the Americans. General Miller's division inclined to the more formidable batteries toward the lake shore. At this moment they were joined by the reserve under General Ripley. Here the resistance was more obstinate, the work being exceedingly intricate, from the evasive lines of entrenchment contrived with complexity; a constant use of the bayonet was the only mode of assailing them; the enemy had also, moved, the success which had so far transcended expectation, when he received a wound in the neck and fell by the side of Major Brooks. He was immediately transported to the fort. The object of the sortie having been completely affected, General Miller called in his detachments and retired in good order with the prisoners and the trophies of this signal effort.During the engagement General Parker, who commanded the riflemen and Indians, on the right of the left wing was taken prisoner by the army, whom I, then acting as orderly surgeon, within a small force retook, together with several British Officers and soldiers before they had time to retreat to their camp. We then took upon our line of march to Chepemia{?} and had a small skirmish with the enemy and lost a few of our men.From thence, we crossed the Niagara River and marched to Locknetts Harbor by way of Black Rock, where I remained till the 20th of May 1815, when I was discharged from the Army and on the 24th started for Sangerfield, Oneida County, New York and arrived there about the 30th day of May and there remained about one year and then removed to Georgetown, Chenango [now Madison] County, New York. Rema
ined there several months, then to Walcott, New York, Seneca County, and remained there about one year. [See military record of his Uncle, Alpheus Harmon--Alpheus was in Walcott, Seneca, NY in January 1820] From there to Springfield, Erie County, Pennsylvania, where I became acquainted with Anna Barnes, a daughter of Abijah and Aby Barnes and on the 29th day of April 1819 was married to her on December following removed to Conneaut, Erie Co., Pennsylvania.On the 2nd day of August 1828, I was elected 2nd Lieutenant and on the 7th day of April 1832 was elected 1st Lieutenant and on the 2nd day of March 1834 was elected Captain of the "Lexington Light Infantry", attached to the First Battalion of Erie County Volunteers of Pennsylvania.In the year 1837, I removed to Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio in the month of April and removed from thence to Kirtland, Ohio on August following, and was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the 28th day of April 1838 by Elder Elijah Cheney and on the 4th of November following I left there for Caldwell County, Missouri with the expectation of permanently settling myself there with the Saints and came as far as Springfield, Illinois, December 12 and there settled; the brethren being driven out of the state of Missouri under the exterminating order of Governor Boggs, from thence I removed to Nauvoo, where I arrived about the 4th day of October 1840 and was then ordained Priest by Elder William Marks and received a license as such December 20, 1841. On the 2nd day of April 1842 was elected Major of the Second Battalion, Fourth Regiment, Second Cohort, Nauvoo Legion. On the 6th day of the same month was ordained an Elder by Elder Lyman Wight. On the 15th day of September 1844 was elected Colonel of the aforesaid Regiment to fill the vacancy of Colonel J. Dunham who had been promoted.On the 8th day of Oct. following was ordained under the hands of presidents Brigham Young and Lyman Aman into the Eleventh Quorum of Seventies as one of the Seven Presidents. Presided as Senior President of the said Quorum at the organization of the same. In the fall of 1842 my brother, Alpheus, .... called on a mission to Wisconsin. During the winter, my brother started for home and perished in a severe storm between Carthage and Nauvoo. Hearing the news of his death, I returned to Nauvoo.Took ______ Sergent of the police from 1843 until the exodus of the Saints from Nauvoo. I had command of the police while destroying the printing press that published the paper called the Nauvoo Expositer, which was declared a nuisance by the city council. I was taken with a writ the same time that the Prophet Joseph was taken to Carthage. We were gave bail to the next term of court. The Prophet was taken with another writ and placed in jail where he was martyred.Had charge of finishing work on the temple at Nauvoo. Left Nauvoo in June 1846. Arrived on Missouri River opposite Winter Quarters in Nov. In Jan 1847, my wife and daughter died from exposure. In 1848 I came to Salt Lake valley with the rest of my family.Arrived in Salt Lake in the fall of 1848. Was the first Alderman elected in Salt Lake City and held said office till 1861. Was called on a mission to Southern Utah in 1861. Resided there until 1866. I then removed to Holden, Willard County, Utah.I commenced to receive a pension in 1873 for my services in the War of 1812. My son, Appleton died Feb 26, 1877."Jesse Pearce Harmon died Dec. 24, 1877, aged 82 yrs, 4 months 13 days. He lived and died a faithful Latter-day Saint. Was only sick 24 hours.LAND: H-4 Erie Co, PAJesse P. Harmon422.93 acreswarrant date: 10 DEC 1836return date: 12 DEC 1836returned to: Jesse P. Harmonpatent: H-36-616survey: C-83-204, C-83-224Conneaut Twp.__________________Film 0,866,331 Will Book C p. 272-279Will of John Gibbs, whom Jesse Perce Harmon stayed with for 12 years:Will was dated 13 Feb 1847 and proved 13 Apr 1847.Excerpt:It is not through want of affection that I have not particularly named all of my children but that I have heretofore done for them and given them
all I am able to do consistent with a suitable provision for the maintenance and support of my said beloved wife, Euphemia and for my unfortunate son, John. Witnesses: Sullivan Burpee and Philander Gibbs of LewisNamed in the will is: Wife, Euphemia, children: Lucinda A. Bradley, Louisa P. Gibbs, Asahel Gibbs, John Gibbs (infirmity of mind), Russel Gibbs, executor, "other" daughters.The index to the wills and Letters has:John Gibbs--testate May 22, 1847Letters Book B pg. 49 (Could not find these.)Will Bk C pg. 272.Newspaper notice of Euphemia Gibbs death:GIBBS, EuphemiaDied in Lewis, on the 17th instant, Mrs. EUPHEMIA GIBBS, consort of the late John Gibbs, Esquire, aged about 65 years.The Elizabethtown Post 23 June 1854---------MILITARY: From his son, Ancil Perce's history:I have heard my father tell of hearing his father relate the following incident which happened while he was in the War of 1812. He, with a few other soldiers had sought shelter in an old cabin and were surrounding the table eating when a cannon ball was shot into the room and burst--killing everyone but Jesse. The bodies were dismembered and arms. legs, heads were scattered all over the room. Why was Jesse not killed. We will let some of his descendants say why.BIOGRAPHY: From a letter written to George Albert Smith by his wife, Bathsheba Bigler Smith:October 12, 1842 [speaking of missionaries leaving] Brother Alpheas and Jesse Harmon have gone. Appleton [Harmon] intends to go tomorrow.BIOGRAPHY: From Appleton Milo Harmon Goes West by Maybelle Harmon Anderson quoting Elmeda, Jesse's daughter-in-law, widow of Appleton Milo Harmon: "After Appleton died I tried to be kind and help his aged father, who lived near by. I often cooked small puddings and other dainty dishes and sent them by Jutie and Jesse, my two small children, and always told them to be sure and stay and see that Grandfather eats what I send him."CHURCH: Member Nauvoo 4th ward. Tues. 8.A reorganization of the Seventies took place in the general conference at Nauvoo. At the close eleven quorums Were filled and properly organized, and about forty Elders organized as a part of the 12th quorum. The senior presidents of these twelve quorums of Seventy were Joseph Young (1st), Edson Barney (2nd), Elias Hutchins (3rd), Jacob Gates (4th), Henry Jacobs (5th), Israel Barlow (5th), Randolph Alexander (7th), John Pack (8th), Philip Ettle_man (9th), Albert P. Rockwood (10th), Jesse P. Harmon (11th) and Hyrum Dayton (12th).Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p.1307 (Oct 8, 1844)______History of the Church, Vol.5, Ch.25, p.486The detachment left the main body of the camp and started from McQueen's Mills about one a. m., on Monday, the 26th of June, under the command of General Rich, as follows:--C. C. Rich, Hosea Stout, John Pack, Truman R. Barlow, James W. Cummings, Daniel Carnes, Jesse P. Harmon, Alanson Ripley, Stephen Abbott, Charles W. Hubbard, A. L. Fullmer, Joel E. Terry, Alfred Brown, Dr. Josiah Ells, William Edwards, Thomas Woolsey, Osmon M. Duel, Dr. Samuel Bennett,--Babcock, Isaiah Whitesides, Jesse B. Nichols, Stephen Wilkinson, Samuel Gulley, and four or five others, on horses, with one baggage wagon drawn by two horses, with instructions to proceed to Peoria, there cross the Illinois river, and then proceed up the east side of the river on the main stage road leading from Springfield to Ottawa. We traveled till about three o'clock in the morning, when we halted for about an hour and put out a guard. At daybreak we again took up the line of march, and traveled through the day, mostly without a road, and the following night till near daybreak of the 27th, and again made a halt for an hour and passed through Ellesville before sunrise. When going through that village, the people were opening their shops, and many persons came in their shirts to the windows.Dr. Ells and J. W. Cummings were behind the company about six rods, when one man came running, full of anxiety, and inquired, "Where in the world are you all g