Microfilm containing five diary volumes kept by John Bennion between 1855 and 1877. The diaries include entries on Bennion's daily activities in Utah, including shearing sheep, agriculture, attending meetings, and visiting acquaintances. The first diary volume covers 1855-1857 the second 1858-1862 the third 1862-1873 the fourth 1870-1873 (kept beginning when Bennion was at Panaca, Utah, which is now in Nevada) and the fifth 1873-1877. All inquiries about this item should be directed to the H. Russell Smith Foundation Curator of Western Historical Manuscripts at the Huntington Library, San Marino, CA. Microfilm. San Marino, Calif. : Huntington Library Photographic Dept., 1948. 1 microfilm reel : negative 35 mm. Forms part of the Manuscripts Department's Mormon file, c.1805-1995. John Bennion was born in Flint, North Wales, on July 9, 1820. His education was cut short after the death of his mother, and he went to Liverpool to work as a boilermaker. Bennion was raised a devout Methodist, but during an 1841 meeting of Mr. Aiken's Christian Society he was introduced to two Mormon missionaries and was eventually convinced to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bennion was ordained as a priest, but returned home to work on his father's farm for a time. In 1842 he married Elizabeth Wainwright, and in the same year departed for Nauvoo, Illinois. In 1847 Bennion traveled to Salt Lake City with Bishop Hunter's company, and later settled in Taylorsville. The nearby town of Bennion, Utah, was named in his honor. Bennion married two plural wives - Esther Ann Birch and Mary Turpin - and had a total of 23 children. He made a living as a farmer and also served in the Nauvoo Legion. Bennion died in a horse mounting accident on September 1, 1877.
Bennion, John E., 1820-1877 Frontier and pioneer life--Utah Mormon pioneers Mormons--Nevada--History--19th century Mormons--Utah--History--19th century Utah--History--19th century 1855-1877 Diaries Utah 19th century. (aat)
Source
Mormon Manuscripts at the Huntington Library Mormonism and the West, Huntington Digital Library
Provenance
Microfilm of originals loaned by Mary B. Powell through Juanita Brooks, September 28, 1948.
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