Grandpa Hudson

--- Benjamin F. Homer, Sr.
--- Edmund E. Homer --- Juliaette McMurray Homer --- Mary Ann Hudson
McMurray --- Wilford Heath Hudson. Wilford was born 19 Sept. 1818 at
Corydove, Harrison County, Indiana. He was the oldest of five
children, two boys and three girls. Wilford married Juliana Graybill
in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois on 29 Nov. 1842. He was 24 years
old, she was 16. Wilford was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter day Saints a month after his marriage, on 10 Dec.
1842. Two daughters were born to Wilford and Julianna in Nauvoo.
Eliza Jane born 9 Jan. 1844, and Mary Ann born 17 Apr. 1845. Wilford
was a large man, six foot two inches tall, and weighed 205 lbs. He
had blue eyes and curly auburn hair. He liked to wrestle for
relaxation and often wrestled with the prophet, Joseph Smith. We
don't know the date they left Nauvoo, but while they were camped at
Mt Pisgah Wilford was invited to volunteer for the Mormon Batallion.
As a private in the army, he received $7.00 a month which he turned
over to the church. At the end of their 2000 mile march the Batallion
men were discharged from the army at Ft. Moore in Los Angeles on 16
July 1847. Sept. 7, 1847 as they were crossing the Sierra Nevada
mountains they met a messenger from Brigham Young. President Young's
message was to stay in California until they had one years provisions.
So, they returned to work at Sutter's Mill to buy provisions. Wilford
and several others discovered gold in the sawmill tailrace. Wilford
found a 6 dollar nugget, one of the largest they discovered. Wilford
and Sidney Willis found a sand bar they named Mormon Island. They
charged gold seekers 30% of their daily find for the privilege of
prospecting there. Wilford found $20,000.00 in gold in six weeks. In
the Spring of 1848 they bought wagons and supplies for the trip to the
Salt Lake Valley. Their company included 45 men, one woman, 17 wagons
and 400 head of stock. On Aug. 1 they encountered 6 foot deep snow.
On the 28 of Sept. they reached the Salt Lake Valley. Juliana and the
girls had gone to live with her parents East of Council Bluffs, so
Wilford gave his gold to President Young and went to work to buy a
wagon and team to go get his family. By the time he returned with his
family he had traveled over 5000 miles. Wilford's home in Salt Lake
City was built on the corner of First South and Main St. In 1852
Wilford was sent to Grantsville, Ut. to help colonize. Wilford was a
fiddler for the community dances. In July 1857 Wilford was mobilized
to the "Nauvoo Legion" to combat the Johnston Army troops which had
been sent to "subdue the Mormons." Thirty-five men left Grantsville
with Captain Wilford Hudson. They only had 20 horses, They didn't
have enough blankets to go around, and some of the shoes were so worn
that the men had bleeding feet when they reached Salt Lake City. They
were ordered to harass and delay the army every way they could, short
of bloodshed. They were determined to not repeat the experiences they
had endured in Missouri and Illinois. On june 30, 1858 the
Grantsville people received word to go home. The Mormon War was over.
Wilford died 6 Sept. 1905, at Grantsville, Tooele County, Utah. His
family included three plural wives and 18 children. Hope you enjoy
this, I'll get another one together in a few days. Love, grandpa H.