Ira Oviatt and Ruth Fellows BennettIra Oviatt (9), son of Reverend Benjamin F. Oviatt, Circuit Preacher of New York, was born December 8, 1804 at Berlin, Rensselaer County, New York. Ira had been raised in a strict Baptist home and it must have been a great sorrow to his parents when he wanted to become a blacksmith. For some time they refused to let him do it, as blacksmiths were considered undesirable men. Ira was taught the carpenters trade and worked with his father to let him learn the blacksmith trade, never realizing how important it would be in helping the Mormon pioneers. Finally his father gave his consent on condition he would train under one who did not indulge in the "hilarious" cup. At length one was found living in Smethport, Pennsylvania and his father consented to Ira learning the blacksmith and wheelwright trades.
While working there he met and married 29 September 1829 Ruth Fellows Bennett, at Burtonville, Montgomery County, New York, a school teacher who was also living and working away from home. She was the daughter of John "T." and Mary Slafter Bennett, and was born 28 September 1808, at Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York. Three children were born to them while they lived there: John Franklin, Henry Herman, and Sarah Jane. They heard the Gospel preached in the year 1839 by Heber C. Kimball, George A. Smith, and A. R. Kelsey, and joined the church at that time. They entertained the Elders in their home many times and were taught the Gospel truths. They desired to go to Missouri to be with the saints, but on the way heard of the expulsion of the Mormons from the state and therefore stopped in Kirtland, Ohio for about four years. They bought two city lots, one near the river and the other near the Temple, and here they made their home. Sometime in 1842 they moved to Nauvoo, living across the street from the home of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Ruth Bennett Oviatt told her grandchildren many times of sitting on her doorstep or in her rocking chair and listening to the Prophet preach to the people in his front yard. When the wooded country was cleared to build houses, a large stump was left in the Prophets front yard and when people came to him to talk with him or for advice he would mount this stump as a group would always gather when he began to talk and sometimes he would speak for hours at a time. His voice was clear and distinct and he could be heard across the street with ease. No matter what their task, they would be ready to stop and listen and would feel his influence as soon as they heard his voice. When Joseph and Hyrum were tarred and feathered by the mob they came to the Oviatt home and obtained clothing to put on before going home. The staunch testimony Ruth and Ira had of the Prophet Joseph Smith from living near him greatly influenced their grandchildren to remain steadfast in their testimony of the Gospel. Ira was baptized while at Nauvoo by Silas S. Davies in 1840. While at Nauvoo he was also ordained to the office of an Elder, April 1844 by Elder Williams, President of the Elders Quorum. When the saints started from there for the West in 1846, Ira and his family went with them as far as Winter Quarters in Council Bluffs. He was so proficient at his three trades and such an expert wheelwright that her was called by Brigham Young to remain at Council Bluffs, Iowa, to outfit the wagons of the pioneers for crossing the plains. Otherwise he and his family would have been in the first company to enter Salt Lake Valley in 1847. (for those of you who don't know-this couple is on Nana Welch - Johnson line)
I don't know about you but I have found this to be a very fun history to read. Growing up in the Church I have had a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith but my testimony was not made real until I started to get to know my ancestors and the struggles and blessings they had living in the time of Restoration of the Church. I have had a love for finding these rare treasures. I love reading the histories and seeing the pictures of our ancestors. I am grateful that I didn't have to walk the many miles that they did just to have the freedom of religion. I know that they were blessed with the ability to be a strong and immovable people for our benefit. It makes me wonder what kind of things we get to see come forth in the next several years. Do you think they sit in heaven and thank their lucky stars they didn't have to live through what we do or do you think they wonder why they weren't chosen for these last days?
Anna got front row seats for the Parade and didn't have to fight for Candy!
Here comes my little buddy. The first day that he got to ride his new bike & he did a great job!
Here is Brooke and her Best Friend Morlie Hayes. These two are inseperable at times!!
Cora still had to ride her little bike but she didn't let the size slow her down any. She was nearly in the front of the Parade and the kids were usually in the middle of the Parade. When the vehicles stopped she would go right on by. Good thing that the rule out here is that you watch for the kids not the kids watch for cars because then I would really have a reason to be scared.
