Microfilm of a typescript of James Pace's autobiography and diary, made from the original by Brigham Young University in 1946.The autobiography covers Pace's early life in Tennessee, his move to Illinois in 1832, his baptism into the Mormon Chuch, the births of his children, serving in the Nauvoo Legion and Nauvoo police department, his mission to Arkansas (1844), fleeing Nauvoo and traveling to Pisgah (1846), joining the Mormon Battalion and marching to California, including references to traveling through Arizona, Nevada, and Idao, passing through Utah on his way back to Winter Quarters (1847), working in Missouri and finally emigrating to Utah in 1850, his mission to England (1852-1855), his being called to Wahsington County (1861), his family's move to Arizona (1882), and added notes on his death in 1888. Also included is Pace's Mormon Battalion diary (1846-1847), which includes references to his enlistment, overland travels, interactions with Mexican villagers, arriving in San Bernardino, rationing and camp life, travel to the "Spanish settlement" in Tucson, trading with Maricopa Indians, difficult travels down the Gila and Colorado Rivers, arrival at Warner's Ranch, travels to San Diego, drunkenness among Mormon soldiers, marching to the Cajon Pass, inspecting the Donner Party valley, traveling through Nevada, and setting course for Salt Lake City. 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., 1947. 1 microfilm reel : negative 35 mm. Forms part of the Manuscripts Department's Mormon file, c.1805-1995. James Pace was born in Double Springs, Tennessee, on June 15, 1811, a son of James Pace, who was killed in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. The younger James married Lucinda Strickland in 1831 and moved to Illinois in 1833. In 1839 James and Lucinda were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and traveled to Nauvoo in 1840. In 1846 James joined the Mormon Battalion while in Iowa and arrived in Los Angeles in 1847. Later that year he was discharged and traveled to Salt Lake City, where his family had already arrived. From 1852 to 1855 he served on a mission to England, and also went on missions throughout Utah, including to Washington County. He married at least two plural wives, Margaret Hewit and Ann Webb. In the 1880s James and Ann moved to Gila, Arizona, and James died at Thatcher, Arizona, on April 6, 1888.
Pace, James, 1811-1888 United States. Army. Mormon Battalion Frontier and pioneer life--West (U.S.) Maricopa Indians Mormon converts Mormon families Mormon missionaries--England Mormon pioneers Mormons--Utah--History--19th century Mormons--West (U.S.)--History Overland journeys to the Pacific Arizona--History--To 1912 California--History--19th century Missouri--History Nauvoo (Ill.)--Expulsion of the Mormons Utah--History West (U.S.)--History West (U.S.)--Description and travel 1832-1888 1888 Autobiographies Arizona 19th century. (aat) Diaries West (U.S.) 19th century. (aat)
Source
Mormon Manuscripts at the Huntington Library Mormonism and the West, Huntington Digital Library
Provenance
Microfilm of original loaned by Augusta Flake, January 7, 1947.
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