Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Wilford Heath Hudson

Male 1818 - 1905  (86 years)


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  • Name Wilford Heath Hudson 
    Born 19 Sep 1818  Corydon, Harrison, Indiana, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 6 Sep 1905  Grantsville, Tooele, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 8 Sep 1905  Granstville City Cemetery, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I276  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Family 1 Juliana Graybill,   b. 19 Feb 1826, Bloomfield Township, Jackson, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 8 May 1851, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 25 years) 
    Married 29 Nov 1842  Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F248  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Mary Ann Graybill,   b. 26 Feb 1832, Bloomfield Township, Jackson, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Nov 1917, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 85 years) 
    Married Bef Oct 1850  , Salt Lake, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F249  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 3 Elizabeth Jane Brandon,   b. 10 Mar 1837, , Henry, Tennessee, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Jun 1897, Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 60 years) 
    Married 18 Nov 1856  Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F250  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. 19 May 2002 Rootsweb.com Worldconnect various databases report 4 children born with wife Julianna Graybill from 1844 to 1850 in Nauvoo, Illinois, Fort Bridger, Wyoming, and Salt Lake City, Utah; 12 children born from 1850 to 1875 in Salt Lake City and Grantsville, Utah; and 2 children born with wife Elizabeth Jane Brandon in 1858 and 1860 in Grantsville, Utah.

      2. Censuses:
      1850 US: Salt Lake, Utah, p. 130, family 6:
      Wilford Hudson, 32, farmer, $150, IN.
      Juliana, 25, OH.
      Mary A., 20, OH.
      Eliza, 7, IL
      Mary A., 5, IL.
      Amanda, 3, Des(eret).
      Emily, 5/12, Des(eret).

      1860 US: Grantsville, Tooele, Utah, 27 Aug 1860, p. 301, family 13:
      Wilford Hudson, 41, carpenter, $500, $500, IN.
      Mary Ann, 29, OH.
      Elizabeth, 22, OH.
      Eliza J., 16, IL
      Mary Ann, 15, IL.
      Amanda, 11, Nebraska.
      Wilford, 8, UT.
      William, 6, UT.
      Emily, 4, UT.
      Simeon A., 3, UT.
      Orson, 3, UT.
      Rosetta, 6, UT.
      Mary, 1, UT.
      David, 3/12, UT.

      1870 US: Grantsville, Tooele, Utah, p. 2 of 8, 13 Jun 1870, 21/21:
      Wilford Hudson, 51, carpenter, IN.
      Mary A., 38, OH.
      Wilford, 18, UT.
      William C., 16, UT.
      Emma E., 14, UT.
      Alman, 12, UT.
      David J., 10, UT.
      Andrew J., 8, UT.
      Elsa A., 2, UT.

      1880 US: Grantsville, Tooele, Utah; FHL film 1255338 or NA film T9-1338, p. 70B:
      Wilford Hudson, Carpenter, 62, IN, VA, KY.
      Mary Hudson, wife, 48, OH, SC, NC.
      Wilford, 28, UT, IN, OH.
      William, 26, same.
      Simeon, 22, same.
      David, 20, same.
      Andrew, 18, same.
      Elsie, 12, same.
      Samuel, 8, same.

      1900 US: Grantsville, Tooele, Utah, p. 199A:
      Wilford Hudson, Sep 1818, 81, m. 50 years, IN VT NH, farmer.
      Mary Ann, wife, Feb 1832, 68, m. 50 years, 12 total children with 8 living, OH NC NC.
      Wilford L., son, Jan 1852, 48, S, UT IN OH, farmer.
      William, son, Jan 1854, 46, S, UT IN OH, farmer.
      David J., son, Feb 1860, 40, S, UT IN OH, farmer.
      Ray Bryan?, g.son, May 1882, 18, S, UT UT UT, laborer farm.

      BIOGRAPHY:
      1. Wilford was a private in Company A of the Mormon Battalion and was first to strike gold at Sutter's mill in California starting the Gold Rush of 1849. Picture of this individual is at the gallery portion of the website .

      2. Parents per Ordinance Index are Robert Hudson and Damaris Lemmon.

      3. Prepared by Helen G. Howard, 801-277-3233 and accessible at :
      "Wilford Heath Hudson, Mormon Battalion Veteran. Wilford Heath Hudson was born 19 September 1818, at Corydove [Corydon], Harrison County, Indiana. He died 6 September 1905, at Grantsville, Tooele County, Utah. Wilford married Juliana Graybill in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, on 29 November 1842. Wilford and Juliana had four daughters, two of whom were born in Nauvoo. He married Mary Ann Graybill, Juliana's sister, as a plural wife, sometime after September, 1849. Wilford and Mary Ann had 12 children, four daughters and eight sons. He married a third plural wife, Elizabeth Jane Brandon. Wilford and Jane had two children, a daughter and a son. Wilford was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Adams County, Illinois, 10 December 1842 (or 1840) by David Evans. Wilford was in the 29th Quorum of 70s, ordained by Henry Newman in October 1845. Wilford was a man of great strength and large stature. He was six feet two inches tall, weighed 205 pounds, with blue eyes and curly auburn hair. Although we do not know when Wilford and Juliana left Nauvoo we know they assisted in locating at Mt. Pisgah. While they were camped at Mt. Pisgah, Wilford was called to volunteer for the Mormon Battalion. As a soldier in the Mormon Battalion, Wilford would participate in the longest infantry march in history, over 2000 miles. Wilford was Private #47, Company A, wainwright. As wainwright, Wilford was responsible for repairing and rebuilding wagons. While stationed at Fort Moore in Los Angeles, he participated in constructing the flagpole and raising the American flag for the first time ever in Los Angeles. He severely injured his right knee while in Los Angeles. Wilford was working at Sutter's flour mill, in January 1848, when gold was was discovered at Sutter's sawmill. Wilford traveled to the sawmill, with Sidney S. Willis and Ephraim Green. They received permission to prospect in the tail race where Wilford dug out a gold nugget with his pocket knife. Returning to work at the flour mill, Wilford and Sidney followed the American river. Stopping at a sand bar subsequently known as Mormon Island, they found a few particles of gold. Since they found such a small amount of gold, they didn't intend to return there. However, some of their Battalion buddies at the flour mill were intrigued by the story of the gold "strike" and convinced Wilford and Sidney to take them there. They did; Mormon Island proved to be one of the richest gold fields in California. If Wilford had been an opportunist, he would have stayed in California. Instead, faithful to his religion and his family, he made preparations to start for the Salt Lake Valley when the church called. Wilford and some of the other Battalion Boys went to Pleasant Valley and waited for the snow to melt enough that they could travel over the Sierra Mountains. On 25 June, 1848, three men, Browett, Cox and Allen, left to scout a route from Pleasant Valley. They did not return. On 3 July, a general move was made to start. On 5 July, a party of ten men searched unsuccessfully for ten days to find the missing men.
      About 18 July, the Battalion Boys met Indians dressed in some of the clothing belonging to the lost men. On 19 July, the decomposed bodies of the three missing brethren were found. The company named the spot Tragedy Springs. Wilford cut a blaze on a nearby fir tree and carved the inscription, "To the Memory of Daniel Browett, Ezrah H. Allen and Henderson Cox, who are supposed to have Been Murdered and Buried by Indians On the Night of the 27th of June 1848. When the tree fell, the blaze was cut out and saved; it is now preserved at the Marshall Gold Discovery Historic Park at Coloma. Wilford also found a pouch of gold dust that belonged to Ezrah Allen, his close friend. Wilford returned the pouch to Ezrah's widow at Council Bluffs. Wilford came to the Salt Lake Valley in Ephraim Green's Company of Ten, which was part of the Captain of Fifty commanded by Samuel Thompson. This group was later known as the Holmes-Thompson Company and were the first to open the wagon trail known as the Salt Lake Cutoff. Wilford entered Great Salt Lake City on 28 September 1848. He went to Council Bluffs to get his family and they came to the Salt Lake Valley in 1849. Juliana died in May 1851. In 1852, Wilford, Mary Ann and their children were called by the Church to help build up Grantsville, Utah. Wilford held many positions there, both in the town and church. He was Captain in charge of the Grantsville Nauvoo Legion. This troop of 35 men were called to help defend Echo Canyon during the Utah War of 1858. Wilford was called, with two other men to settle Ibapah, on the Utah-Nevada border. In 1859, they started a farm and settlement there to help the Indians to learn to farm independently. Wilford also helped build the Overland Mail and Stage station there. In June of 1850 [1860?], he was forced to abandon the settlement at Ibapah because of Indian hostilities.
      Wilford died at Grantsville in 1905 at age 87. As one of the early settlers in Tooele County, he helped develop both the land and the community. He remained true and active to his church. His aid and influence were always on the side of progress and improvement. His death was an occasion of widespread regret."

      4. LDS Journal of History, 1 May 1848: "May 1848, A number of Battalion brethren and others in Sacramento Valley, California, subscribed $512.00 and bought two brass cannons of Captain John A. Sutter, to be taken to the Great Salt Lake for the benefit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following are the names of the donors: [46 names listed including the following]
      Wilford Hudson $20.00
      Wesley Adair 10.00
      Jacob M. Truman 15.40

      5. FHL book 929.273 P684pn: "Graybill/Stoker/Eller/Smith/Koons/Pitt Connections," by Norman E. 'Gene' Pitt, 1996, pp. 16-24: "Juliana (or Julia Ann?) Graybill, b. 19 Feb 1825/6, Bloomfield Twp., Jackson Co., OH; d. 8 May 1851, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., UT; md. 29 Nov 1842, Wythe Twp., Hancock Co. IL to Wilford Heath Hudson. Wilford was b. 19 Sep 1818, Corydon, Harrison Co., IN. He also was married to Juliana's sister, Mary Ann. Juliana's and Wilford's children were Eliza Jane, Mary Ann, Amanda Elizabeth and Julietta." Some downline is in the book.

      6. FHL film (number not given) from the National Archives concerning various pension application of Wilford Hudson and family concerning the Mexico War:
      p. 1: Invalid Claim for Pension. Cover sheet. Applicant Wilford Hudson, Co. A, "Ill's Vols., enlisted 16 Jul 1846, discharged Aug 1847. Filed 24 Feb 1883.
      p. 2: Continuation of previous page. Declaration for Original Invalid Pension. Tooele Co., Utah, Feb 1883, "Wilfred Hudson," aged 64, resident of Grantsville, Tooele, Utah, attests that he was enrolled in Co. A, Regiment of Illinois [s/b Iowa] on 16 Jul 1846 under the command of Jefferson Hunt and was honorably discharged in "De Los Angeles" in Aug 1847. He is 5 foot 10 inches, light complexion, sandy hair, blue eyes. He states that on 16 Apr 1847 in Los Angeles, Cal., he sprained his right knee caused by slipping and from which he is now very much disabled being hardly able to move about. He claimed his pension for a crippled right knee. Since his discharge he has lived in Grantsville working as a carpenter. He appoints A.B. Webb of Washington D.C. as his attorney. Signed by Wilford Hudson. Attested to by David H. Caldwell and George N. Boyan[?].
      p. 3: Continuation of page 1 with signature witness statement and signatures of Samuel W. Woolley of Grantsville and Lysander Gee of Tooele City.

      7. Nauvoo LDS Land and Records Office research file (copy in my possession as of 2 Jun 2007 and also partially viewable at www.earlylds.com). Includes family group sheet from Ancestral File and Susan Black's entry in her book "Early LDS Members." Also included:
      A. Parents are Robert Hudson and Damaris Lemmon.
      B. 70s Record: Member of Quorum 29. Source: 70s BK B Sel, pg. 114; 70s Rec, Qrm 29.
      C. Various biographical sketches:
      a. "Our Pioneer Heritage," Volume 5, Marker Number 234 To 270; Mormon Island No. 240, A Tribute: "Early in 1848 W. Sidney S. Willis and Wilford Hudson, members of the Mormon Battalion, set out from Sutter's Fort to hunt deer. Stopping on the south fork of the American River, they found gold. They told their story on returning to the fort and soon about 150 Mormons and other miners flocked to the site, which was named "Mormon Island." This was the first major gold strike in California after James W. Marshall's discovery at Coloma. The population of the town in 1853 was more than 2,500. It had four hotels, three dry goods stores, five general merchandise stores, an express office and many shops. The first ball in Sacramento County was held here December 25, 1849. A fire destroyed the town in 1856 and it was never rebuilt. Its site, one half mile east of here was inundated by Folsom Lake in 1955. Plaque placed by Sacramento County Daughters of Utah Pioneers, in cooperation with California State Park Commission, September 14, 1957. On September 14, 1957 the daughters of Utah Pioneers of Sacramento County, California dedicated a monument honoring the discovery of gold on Mormon Island. It is improbable that members of the famous Mormon Battalion ever thought they would be present when gold was discovered in California, causing thousands of people to hurriedly cross the continent to participate in the search for wealth. In January, 1848 Henry Bigler, a private in the Mormon Battalion wrote these famous words in his journal: "This day some kind of metal that looks like gold was found in the tail race"; and three days later his journal carried the entry that "Sidney Willis (es) and Wilford Hudson found gold at a place called Mormon Island," which eventually proved to be one of the richest finds in California. The monument overlooks beautiful Folsom Dam the waters of which now cover the old Mormon Island."

      b. S. Black and L. Porter, BYU, Biographies, Mormon Battalion:
      Wilford (Wilfred) Heath Hudson (1818-1905)
      MILITARY SERVICE: Private, Company A
      Enlisted: 16 July 1846, Council Bluffs, Iowa Territory (age 27)
      Discharged: 16 July 1847, Ciudad de Los Augeles
      Bounty Land Claim: 62837-160-47
      Survivor's Pension: 19 March 1887, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      Widow's Pension: Mary Ann Graybill Hudson, 2 October 1905, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      BIRTH: 19 September 1818, Corydon, Harrison, Indiana
      Son of Robert Hudson and Damaris Lemmon
      FIRST MARRIAGE: Juliana (Julia Ann) Graybill
      Daughter of Michael Graybill and Mary (Polly) Stoker
      Birth: 19 February 1826, Jackson County, Ohio
      Children:
      Eliza Jane Hudson, 9 January 1844, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois
      Mary Ann Hudson, 17 April 1845, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois
      Amanda Elizabeth Hudson, 7 September 1849, Fort Bridger, Uinta, Wyoming
      Julietta Hudson, I May 1850, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
      Death: 8 May 1851, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
      SECOND MARRIAGE: Mary Ann Graybill, 15 February 1852, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah (plural wife)
      Daughter of Michael Graybill and Mary (Polly) Stoker
      Birth: 26 February 1832, Jackson County, Ohio
      Children:
      Emily Cordelia Hudson, 29 October 1850, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake. Utah
      Wilford Farrington Hudson, 12 January 1852, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
      William Calvin Hudson, 24 January 1854, Gratltsville, Tooele, Utah
      Emma Ameria Hudson, 19 October 1856, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      Simeon Almon Hudson, 10 December 1858, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      David Jasper I-Iudson, 28 February 1860, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      Andrew Jackson Hudson, 14 May 1862, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      John Hudson, 27 February 1864, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      Don Carlos Hudson, 20 April 1866, Gralltsville, Tooele, Utah
      Elsie Ann Hudson, 21 April 1868, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      Samuel Elliott Hudson, 20 November 1871, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      Death: 15 November 1917, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      Burial: 18 November 1917, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      THIRD MARRIAGE: Elizabeth Jane Brandon (plural wife)
      Daughter of George Washington Brandon and Keziah Fowler
      Birth: 10 March 1836 (1837), near Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee
      Children: Orsen Wilford Hudson, 24 January 1858, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      Eva Hudson, 1860, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah
      Death: 9 June 1897, Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah
      DEATH: 12 September 1905, Grantsville, Tooele, Utah (age 86)
      BURIAL: 15 September 1905, Grantsville Cemetery, GrantsviIle, Tooele, Utah
      Wilford Heath Hudson, son of Robert Hudson and Damaris Lemmon, was born on 19 September 1818 in Corydon, Harrison, Indiana. By 1836 Wilford was residing in Adams County, Illinois. On 10 December 1840 he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by David Evans.
      After his baptism he removed to Hancock County, Illinois, to be with coreligionists. He worked as a carpenter until religious persecution forced him to flee from Illinois to safety in Iowa Territory. He assisted in locating the temporary encampment of Mount Pisgah (Life Sketch, Wilford Hudson).
      In Council Bluffs, Iowa Territory, he enlisted in the Mormon Battalion. At the time of his enlistment he was 5' 10," having a light complexion, sandy hair, and blue eyes (Pension File). He marched with the battalion from Council Bluffs to Ciudad de los Angeles. During the march he sprained his right knee by "slipping while driving mules to Ciudad de los Angeles" (Pension File). Despite this injury Wilford was on duty at the fortification in April 1847. He was discharged on 16 July 1847.
      After his discharge Wilford migrated to the Sacramento Valley and then to Sutter's Fort on the Truckee River. He contracted to dig a mill-race on a tributary of the Sacramento River. While exploring the area, Wilford found a small gold nugget worth about five dollars. He began to pan for gold and within three weeks acquired $1,700 in gold nuggets (Life Sketch, Wilford Hudson).
      He left the gold fields of California in June 1843 to trek to the Salt Lake Valley. He arrived in the valley on 23 September 1848, but soon migrated to Council Bluffs. After uniting with extended family members he returned to the Salt Lake Val1ey. He married Juliana Graybill, and soon entered the law of plural marriage with her sister, Mary Ann Graybill, on 15 February 1852. Sometime before 1858, Wilford married Elizabeth Jane Brandon.
      Wilford settled Grantsville, Tooele County (Jenson, LDS Bio, 4:747). He removed to Ibepah Valley, Tooele County, to fulfill a settling mission. Wilford established an Overland Mail Station in Ibepah (Carter, Our). By working in the station and farming he acquired a real wealth of $500 and a personal wealth of $500 by 1860. However, in 1870 he reported no assets (Utah Federal Census: 1860, 1870).
      In 1882 Wilford claimed he was "a cripple due to rheumatism" (Pension File). He viewed himself as a pauper by 1887. He possessed only a small home and a two and a half acre lot valued at $300. He received $8 a month from his pension fund and $25 a year from produce on his acreage. Wilford Hudson died on 12 September 1905 in Grantsville, Tooele, Utah, at age 86.

      c. WILFORD HEATH Hudson -Pioneer by Wm. Melvin Brim (Grandson)
      The bronze marker, in honor of Wilford H. Hudson, and W. Sidney Willis, was presented to the State of California by the daughters of the Utah Pioneer, commenorating the second most important gold discovery in the history of California. These two men were members of the Mormon Battalion.
      Ceremonies were held on a spot near the Folsom Dam where this marker was placed on the Sacramento River about 20 miles south of the city of Sacramento. A dedication program was held September 14, 1957, the descendants of these two men were the honored guests at the unveiling program. Samuel Elliot Hudson, son of Wilford Hudson gave a talk. Sam is the only child now living of the Hudson Family of seventeen children and he is in his 88th year at this date May 23, 1959.
      Wilford H. Hudson was born September 19, 1818 in Harrison County Indiana, son of Robert Hudson and Damarus Lemmon. He became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, December 10, 1840. Mr. Hudson knew the Prophet Joseph Smith personally, and at their first meeting the Prophet said, "Hudson I know you better than you know your self." Mr. Hudson was with President Young at Nauvoo and Winter Quarters where Mr. Hudson was mustered in the Mormon Battalion, where he left a family of five, his wife Julia Ann, and her sister, Mary Ann Graybill, 17 years old, and three small daughters, ones a new born infant, with only a covered wagon as shelter and Mrs. Hudson confined to her bed with an ailment known as Child-bed fever in those days. An ailment with a very high fatality rate. But with an abiding faith in the promise of President Young that his wife would live for his return and that she and her family would be cared for, and take west as soon as time would permit, Mrs. Hudson did recover sufficiently to make the trip. Mr. Hudson set out with the Battalion.
      When the Battalion arrived in Los Angeles, CA. There was word from Pres., Young, that after their discharge if they could get work, to stay and work as times were hard in Utah. They learned that John Sutler wanted men to work at his mill, so Wilford Hudson chose six men and they went to see Mr. Sutler, and they took a contract to dig and build a new tail-race for the mill. They had traveled forty six miles to get there, and they became known as the first forty-eighters.
      As they worked on the tail-race, Mr. Hudson and Willis working together found some gold nuggets, they immediately informed Mr. Sutter of their discovery and he urged them to
      keep the matter a secret until the tail-race was completed, which they did. They were only getting an amount equal to a dollar a day and board. And they could have panned gold for more than twenty times that amount each day, yet not one man run out on Mr. Sutter, but all stayed and completed the tail-race. It is said they would go out hunting in their spare time and go some prospecting for gold and after the tail-race, was completed, they turned water from the old one into the new one. They saw gold lodged in the cracks of the flume structure of the old tail-race, Mr. Hudson found one nugget that weighed $6.00 in gold.
      After that Mr. Sutter told them to go ahead and pan the river which they did, and Hudson and Willis Panned until they each had betler than $1700.00 in gold. They were anxious to get home since they had been gone two years, so they broke camp, as they came down the river they stopped to prospect on an Island in the Sacrament River which became known as Mormon Island. It is now under water in the reservoir behind the new Folsom Dam.
      As they began to pan, they got 50 cents a panning off the top sand. They panned considerable gold themselves, which they used to outfit them with mules, wagon and harnesses and provisions for the trip to Utah and $1700.00 each to take with them. They broke camp and were off to head~quarters they told others of the Island, and that started the gold rush in California in 1848. In one week there were more than 500 men on that Island, and they build a Town near-by and christened the Mormon Istand.
      Mr. Hudson could have made himself a rich man, had his desires for wealth been greater. but his greatest wish was to return to his wife and family he had left two years previous. He worked long hours in order to acquire the amount needed to outfit the trip to Utah. With this accomplished, he with others, were off for Utah and Salt Lake where Mr. Hudson expected to find his wife and family. But because of the ill health of Mrs. Hudson, President Young was unable to have the Hudson family brought to Utah as was expected.
      After a short stay in Salt Lake to rest the mules, Mr. Hudson was off across the plains to Winter Quarters and to his wife and family, and after a rest at Winter Quarters, he returned to Utah and Salt Lake with his wife and family, where Mrs. Hudson died three months later.
      After her death, Mr. Hudson married his first wives sister, Mary Ann Graybill, and she bore him twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. He later married Jane Brandon, a third wife, she bore him a son and daughter, a family of seventeen children in all.
      Wilford Hudson was one of the early Pioneers of Utah, being one of the first seven families to settle in Grantsville, Utah where he was living when President Young called for volunteers to go to Echo Canyon to impede the progress of a United States Army to Utah. He went to Echo Canyon and the result of that campaign is a matter of history. He served in a number of Indian Wars and uprisings in various parts of this intermountain country .
      Mr. Hudson was a family man and an unassuming man. A man of integrity and a staunch and stead-fast friend, and just in all his dealings with his fellow man. He had an abiding faith in his God and Church, and his patriotism was unsurpassed. He died in Grantsvi/le, Utah September 6, 1905 at the age of 87.
      Wilford is featured in the book "Man to Match Mountains" page 109 picked up a nugget, "Its Gold."

      d. "DUP DEDICATES MarKER at Mormon ISLAND SERVICES:
      Sacramento, Calif. - A large crowd attended the impressive service Sep. 14 at Folsom dam on the American River dedicating a marker for Mormon Island.
      The island was the scene of the second most important gold strike in California in 1849. It is now inundated by the new Folson Dam Lake.
      The marker commemorating the spot was furnished by the daughters of Utah Pioneers.
      Mrs. Kate Carter, national President of the DUP presented the marker and gave a short history of the Mormon Battalion. Two members of the battalion, Wilford Hudson and William Sidney Smith Willis made the gold strike on the island, later named for the Mormon Battalion men.
      Members of both families a son of Hudson and a great great granddaughter of Willis, were present and took part on the program. A color guard, furnished by the Sons of Utah Pioneers posted the colors of the Battalion along with the California and Utah flags.
      The dedicatory prayer was offered by Pres. Hunt of the Sacrament Stake."

      e. "After a few days rest, Hudson went to Council Bluffs and the following spring (1849) he brought his family to Salt Lake City­
      Julia Ann, his wife, was not well and her mother, Catherine Stoker Greybill, (this is an error; the mother of Julia Ann was Polly Stoker, her grandmother was named Catherine) requested that a younger sister, Mary Ann Greybill, accompany Wilford's family to help care for the children. The Greybill family had not followed Brigham Young and had gone with another sect who believed that Joseph Smith's son should be the next Prophet of the Church.
      Wilford built a house on the grounds where the Deseret National Bank now stands. There another child was born to Julia Ann. Both the baby Juliette, born on May I, 1851 and the mother died, Julia Ann died seven days later.
      Wilford married Mary Ann Greybill, the sister in 1850. Their first child Emily Cordelia, born in 1850 in Salt Lake died May 3, 1851. What a sorrow to lose her loved ones and her first child so soon after reaching what should have been a happy land for her. They had three more daughters and eight sons. Two of the boys died in infancy and only two of the other boys married.
      In 1852 he moved his family to Grantsville. where he was mayor for a time. He was appointed mayor with the authority to call men to arms to protect home from hostile Indians. They lived in Coalville for a few years where they lost the two boys in infancy. There are many and varied tales about him during these years, with many experiences exemplary to us all.
      When he returned to Grantville, they built a home and spent the rest of his life there.
      Wilford Heath Hudson also had a third wife, Jane (or June) Brandon and they had two children, Orson and Emily (or Emmaline). (The boy was Orson Wilford Hudson and the girls name was Eva).
      In all we find Wilford Heath Hudson lived a full and good life which ended in September 1905 at the age of 87. He had many faith promoting experiences during he building of the Salt Lake Temple. He told about the holes left in the walls in preparation for the latter day inventions such as central heating not in general use at that time, and air conditioning also unknown at that time. His son Samuel Elliot Hudson still has a saw that was used in the building work at the Temple in Salt Lake.
      Note: The information in this history was obtained from records on file in the Genealogical Society in Salt Lake. Also a major portion from a letter sent to Calra Hudson with part of a diary copied for her."

      f. "Family History WILFORD HEATH Hudson (Corrections in parenthesis made by Claudia King, researcher):
      "Wilford Heath Hudson was born September 19,1818, in Harrison Co., Indiana to Robert Hudson and Dameras Lemon Hudson- At the age of 24, Wilford baptized by David Evans in Adams County, Illinois, joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - In 1844 he located in Hancock County and suffered with the saints at the time of the exodus from Illinois in 1846.
      Wilford Heath Hudson was a man of great strength and was large in stature. He was six foot two inches tall and weighed 205 pounds. His eyes were blue and his hair auburn. Wilford like to wrestle and often wrestled with the Prophet Joseph Smith for relaxation.
      Hudson assisted in locating Mt. Pisgah in Iowa, and enlisted in the Mormon Battalion in July 1846 at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Brigham Young called for men for the Battalion and said that if enough men wouldn't go he would have to take women. Wilford Hudson left his wife Julia Ann (Greybill) on the banks of the Missouri River with Eliza Jane, age two, Mary Ann age 1, and a tiny baby Amanda Elizabeth. (This is an error in the history as Amanda was not born until after Wilford returned from serving in the Battalion). The story of the brave men who marched with the Mormon Battalion and the hardships they endured can be found in many books. This is a history of Wilford Heath Hudson and we shall touch on the highlights of his actions in this army.
      When the Battalion reached San Diego, California, they were stationed at Fort Stockton where the first American flag was raised - Wilford Hudson whittled the first ball that was put on the original flag pole top. On the grounds of the fort can be seen the old cannon that was taken from the Mexican Army. When the cannon was first put into place, several men tried to lift it; Wilford Hudson lifted it waist high and held it as one holds a rifle in the crook of his elbow. His strength was truly amazing.
      The Mormon Battalion under the command of Colonel St. George Cooke was disbanded at Fort Moore in Los Angeles, California in July 1847. Hudson marched with others northward on their way home via the Sacramento Valley and Sutler's Fort to the Truckee River. At this point an express met them from Brigham Young - This addressed all who could not bring one years provisions with them to Salt Lake to remain in California and work until they had these provisions. Many turned back and hired out to Captain John Sutter. Among six men, Wilford Hudson and Sidney S. Willis took a contract to build a mill and race some distance up the American Fork River, a tributary of the Sacramento River. When water was changed from the old mill race to the new one, they saw color in the boards. Peter Wimmer. a cook at Sutter's Fort was the first man to pick up the gold, but he thought it was some other metal. It was Wilford Hudson who declared the metal gold. It can be truly said that he had much to do with the start of the California Gold Rush. The first gold Hudson picked out was a nugget valued at five dollars. He picked it out with his pen knife. This particular instance has been dramatized on television.
      The men asked Sutter if they might go on placering and were given permission. Wilford Hudson worked three weeks and dug out seventeen hundred dollars worth of gold. At one time he panned $84,00 in one pan. The Following June he left for Salt Lake City and arrived there in September 1848.
      Along with needed essentials and their pay, the men accepted two brass cannon mounted on wheels. These they dragged over the northern route to Salt Lake. In 1851, one was brought to Parawan and then to St. Geoge, Utah in 1861."

      g. History of WILFORD Hudson - Biographical Encyclopedia
      "Wilford Hudson, a member of the Mormon Battalion, Company A, was born September 19,1818, in Harrison Co., Indiana and joined the Church in December 1842, being baptized by David Evans. In 1844 he located with the Saints in Hancock Co., and went west in the exodus of the Saints in 1846, assisting in locating in Mt. Pisgah in Iowa. He enlisted in the Mormon Battalion in July, 1846, at Council Bluffs. where he left a sick family, and with the others made that celebrated march to California. After the Battalion was discharged in July, 1847, Brother Hudson and others marched by way of the Sacramento Valley and Sutlers Fort to the Truckee River, where they were met by an express by Brigham Young, advising all who could not bring one years provisions with them to Great Salt Lake Valley to remain in California and work until the following Spring.
      Most of the company went back and hired out to Capt. John A. Sutter, Elder Hudson and Sidney S. Willis taking a contract. for the company to dig a mill-race some distance up the American River, a tributary of the Sacramento. Gold was discovered and Brother Hudson and others immediately started up the canyon and found considerable of it. one piece, worth about five dollars, was dug out with a pen knife by Bro. Hudson. Elder Hudson worked about three weeks in the mine and got out seventeen hundred dollars worth of gold. The following June he left. for the Valley and arrived Sep. 23, 1B48.
      After a few days rest he started for Council Bluffs, and brought his family to Utah in the Spring of 1849. He became one of the early settlers at Grantsville, Utah.
      Wilford Hudson was the son of Robert Hudson and Dameras Lemons of Kentucky. Robert Hudson was the son of David Hudson of Virginia, who was of Irish descent and enlisted in the Revolutionary war from Virginia, and settled in Elizabeth, Indiana in 1809. He, Robert, had two sons, Wilford and William and three daughters, Sally, married to Joel Claton, Dameras, and Betsey.
      Wilford Hudson married Julina Graybill, who was born February 19, 1826, at West Bloomfield, Jackson Co., Ohio and died May 8, 1851 in Salt lake City, Utah. The husband passed away September 6,1905 at Grantsville, Utah. They were the parents of Eliza Jane, Mary Ann, Amanda Elizabeth, and Julietta Hudson. After the death of Julina he married Mary Ann Graybill who was born 26, February 1832 in Jackson Co., Ohio the daughter of Michael and Polly Stoker Graybill, and sister to the first wife Julina. They had eight children. Wilford Ferrington, Jasper, William Simeon, Alma, Emma, Andrew, Samuel and Elsie Hudson. Mary Ann died 16 November 1917. He was also married to a Jane Brandon. This marriage ended in divorce. They are the parents of Orson Hudson, and Evelyn Hudson Strang. All the children of the last two families being born in Grantsville, Utah. Wilford Hudson held the rank of Colonel under General George Grant."

      8. The following is an extract of Wilford Hudson's pension file for his service in the Iowa Mormon Volunteers, Company A commanded by Jefferson Hund, during the Mexican War (Mormon Battalion). The file was copied from films on file with the FHL and consists of well over a hundred pages and is in the same ordered as copied:
      -5 Oct 1905. Mary A. Hudson, Declaration of Widow. Mary A. Graybill, b. 26 Feb 1832 at Bloomfield Twp., Ohio, was md. to Wilford 15 Feb 1851 by Brigham Young in Salt Lake City (SLC), Utah, and she had never before been married. Wilford died. 6 Sep 1905 in Grantsville, Utah. His former wife died 8 May 1850 at SLC. Sent from Grantsville and signed with the mark of an X. [Note other affidavits within the package indicate a marriage date of 15 Feb 1852.]
      -Undated: Certificate 7248 for Wilford Hudson with quarterly payments being made from the US pension agent at San Francisco.
      -Pension as of 18 Jul 1904 was $12/mo. Retroactively commenced 5 Jan 1893.
      -6 Nov 1894, enrolled and mustered in service 16 Jul 1846 at Council Bluff and mustered out with unit 16 Jul 1847 at Los Angeles, CA. Stations served include 31 Aug 1846 near Council Grove, 31 Dec 1846 at Camp on Rio Gila, 28 Feb 1847 at St. Luis Rey, U. Cal., 30 Apr 1847 Pueblo de los Angeles, and 30 Jun 1847 at Pueblo, U. Cal.
      -6 Mar 1900, statement from Wilford that he never served in the Army or Navy except for the Mexican War. That he is 81 and too old for manual labor. He raises lucerne upon his land with a value of about $25/yr. He owns town lots 3 and 4 on block 16 of Grantsville city plat containing 2-1/2 acres. He acknowledges a current pension of $8/mo.
      -20 Oct 1905, Wilford dropped from pension roll due to death dated 6 Sep 1905.
      -6 Sep 1904, Wilford F. Hudson appointed guardian of Wilford Hudson who has been adjudged incompetent.
      -9 Mar 1887, application for pension. Wilford Hudson, age 68 at Grantsville, Utah. Resided since service discharge for 2 years in SLC and then at Grantsville ever since. Married Mary Ann Graybill 4 Feb 1850 at SLC. Notes that he previously applied and recived a land warrant in 1849. Born in Harrison county, Indiana. He is 5'-10" with sandy complexion, blue eyes, and sand hair. He was a farmer before and after his enlistment. Signed his name.
      -8 Jan 1918, certificate 14503, Mary A. Hudson dropped as pensioner due to death dated 15 Nov 1917. Pension was at $20/mo.
      -26 May 1900, pension rate increased to $12/mo.
      -2 Oct 1905, pension established for Mary A. Hudson, widow, age 73.
      -23 Feb 1883, "Old War Invalid" certificate 25379 issued. Wilfred Hudson alleges injury to knee.
      -20 Dec 1917, Form to Chief of Finance Dept. from Disbursing Clerk noting that the postmaster of Grantsville returned a check for $60 dated 4 Dec 1917 for Mar A. Hudson with a note that the pensioner died 15 Nov. 1917.
      -Apr 1906, claim 18172, cert. no. 7248. Gov't noting problem with marriage of 15 Feb 1852 since there is no record of said marriage and all the witnesses are dead.
      -16 Aug 1883, disability affidavit, age 64, born in Harrison Co., Indiana, at 18? moved to Adams Co., IL, at 26 years of age moved to Hancock Co. where he lived for 2 years and worked as a carpenter. Currently a carpenter and farmer. Injured himself from a sprain April 1847 near Los Angeles driving loose mules in the Gov't service. Received medical attention from Dr. Chambers in SLC for three months in 1854 and also Dr. C. H. Davidsen of Grantsville for six months in 1880. Has never suffered any other disability except the sprain. Physical condition has been very poor and has only been able to do a little carpentry since his discharge. Has not been able to walk any.
      -23 Apr 1900, affidavit from Stephen S. Worthington of Grantsville attesting to Hudson's ownership of lots 2 and 3, block 16, of Grantsville, which are worth $300. He also produces six tons of lucerne valued at not to exceed $30 per annu.
      -7 Jun 1904, affidavit from Mary Ann Hudson. Declares that between 5 Jan 1892 and 26 May 1900 that Wilford was totally disabled for any manual labor due to debility. Notes: "My husband is now past 85 years of age and by reason of age and senile debility is utterly incapable of doing anything for himself. Requires a constant attendant and his mind is so far gone that does not see or comprehend anything that goes on about him."
      -18 Oct 1906, widow's brief, Mary Ann b. 26 Feb 1832.
      9 Feb 1906, affidavit of Mary Ann Hudson indicating that Julianna Hudson, wife of Wilford Hudson, died 8 May 1851 and that she was married to him 15 Feb 1852.
      -10 Feb 1906, affidavit of Stephen Staley Worthington indicating that he was acquainted with Mary Ann Graybill in 1849 when she was a young Mormon living in Iowa with her brother Levi Graybill.
      -20 Apr 1906, affidavit of Ruel Barr?? indicating that he was acquainted with Wilford and his wife Julianna in SLC and also in Nauvoo from 1845 until Julianna's death in 1852 or 1853.
      -2 Nov 1905, Affidavit as to Family Record Entries, shows Julianna Graybill Hudson, b. 19 Feb 1826 and d. 8 May 1851; shows Mary Ann Graybill Hudson, b. 26 Feb 1832. Signed by Mary Ann with the mark of an X.
      -3 Oct 1906, Deposition of Mary Ann Hudson, states she was married about he middle of Feb. 1852, but she is not sure of the date but believed it to be about 15 Feb 1852; states she is quite sure it was in Feb. 1852; states she can't write and has a poor memory; states first wife was Juliana Graybill, her sister, and they married about 10 years before her marriage; sister died about 8 May 1850 or 1851 and she was married about a year and three months later; the marriage was performed in the office of Brigham Young and not the Endowment House; there were two witnesses to the marriage but she can't recall their names.
      -5 Oct 1906, a special inspector states he can find no documentation of the first wife's death nor Mary Ann's marriage including looking at the Deseret News newspaper.
      -2 Oct 1906, affidavit from Ruel Barnes, who also was in the Mormon Battalion. He knew Wilford and Juliana in Council Bluffs in 1846 or 1847 and attests that Wilford and Mary Ann have lived as man and wife since he met Mary Ann in 1856.
      -28 Jan 1893, declaration of pensioner for an increase in pension. Wilford states he has "rhumatics through exposure in the wor and entirely dependant on my family for support."
      -14 Oct 1916, letter from Mary Ann to Commissioner stating she was born in Jackson Co., Ohio, 26 Feb 1832 and that her present address in Grantsville is P.O. Box 34.
      -22 Nov 1899, affidavit of Wilford Hudon. States he was married in SLC Jan 1849 to Mary Ann Graybill by Brigham Young and that there is no record of the marriage existing. Former wife was Julia Ann Graybill who d. in SLC in the year 1849. He has the following children:
      -Eliza Jane Hudson, b. 9 Jan 1844
      -Mary Ann, b. 17 Apr 1845
      -Amanda E., b. 7 Sep 1849
      -Wilford F., b. 12 Jan 1852
      -William C., b. 24 Jan 1854
      -Emma A., b. 19 Oct 1856
      -Simeon A., b. 10 Dec 1858
      -David Jasper, b. 28 Feb 1860.
      -Andrew Jackson, b. 14 May 1862
      -Elsie Hudson, b. 21 Apr 1868
      -Samuel E., b. 20 Nov 1871
      -Feb 1883, Declaration of Original Invalid Pension, indicates injury due to "sprained his right knee caused by slipping and from which he is now very much disabled being hardly able to move about."

      BIRTH:
      1. Biography above.

      2. Per obituary.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Biography above.

      2. According to the Hancock County Marriage Records, Michael Stoker (1805-1858) officiated at the marriage of his niece, Juliane Graybill, and Wilford Hudson on November 29. This marriage was performed in the Wythe township of Hancock County. FHL book 977.343-V2m "Marriage Index of Hancock County, IL, 1829-1849," by Tri-county Genealogical Society, 1983, vol. 1, p. 24, marriage license no. 153: "Wilford Hudson and Juliane Graybill, 29 Nov 1842, by Michael Stoker, MG."

      3. Marriage to Mary Ann had to occur before Oct 1850 since a daughter Emily Cordelia Hudson Hudson was born to them 29 Oct 1850. The 1900 census states they had been married 50 years.

      4. Nauvoo LDS Land and Records Office research file (copy in my possession as of 2 Jun 2007 and also partially viewable at www.earlylds.com). Includes copy of actual marriage certificate: "State of Illinois, Hancock County, ss. Office of the Clerk of the County, Commissioners' Court. The people of the State of Illinois, To any regular Minister of the Gospel, authorized to marry by the society to which he belongs; any Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge, or Justice of the Peace, Greeting:
      These are to license and Authoise you to celebrate and certify the marriage of Mr. Wilford Hudson and Miss Juliane Graybiol and for so doing, this shall by your sufficient warrant.
      Given under my hand, and the seal of the County Commisioners' Court, at Carthage, this 28th daty of Novemenber A.D. 1842, Sam'l Marshall, Clerk.
      State of Illinois, Hancock County, ss.
      I hereby certify, that I joined in the holy state of matrimony, Mr. Wilford Hudson and Miss Julian Graybill on the 29th day of November A.D. 1842. Given under my hand and seal, this 29th day of Nov., A.D. 1842, Michale Stoker, Preacher of the Gospel. Marriage was in Nauvoo."

      DEATH:
      1. Biography above with date of 6 Sep 1905 varies from Ancestral File v4.19 with 9 Sep 1905. Other family histories say 12 Sep 1905.

      2. Per obituary.

      OBITUARY:
      1. "Died. - September, In Grantsville, Wed., 6th, Wilford Hudson, a veteran of the Mormon Battalion, born in Harrison county, Ind., Sept. 19, 1818." Improvement Era, p. 78, Nov. 1905.

      SOURCES_MISC:
      1. Per Ancestral File 4.19 (28 May 2001).