History of Joseph Holbrook - Written by his own Hand

    Joseph Holbrook wrote his life history and kept a journal until about 1871.  With various attached documents, this history is well over 100 pages.  Copies are at the BYU Harold B. Lee Library (Special Collections Department) and at the LDS Church Historical Department. 
    A few of Joseph's descendants have typed up this history -- some with more or less editing.  Several Holbrook family members have copies of the transcribed versions.  A word-for-word transcription of this journal has been done by a cousin, Jaelyn Harding Hathaway.  Another version was done by Mable & Ward Holbrook.  Both editions are available for purchase on the Publications site.

Short Sketch from Joseph's Journal

"A short condensed sketch of my life in vol. 1 & 2

I Joseph Holbrook was born in the Township of Florence, Oneida County, State of New York, Jan. 16, 1806. Baptized in Warsaw, Genesee County, State of New York by Leonard C. Rich Jan. 6, 1833. Ordained a Teacher Jan. 7, 1833 under the hand of Aaron C. Lyon. Mar. 1833 took a journey to Kirtland, Ohio 200 miles to see the prophet Joseph Smith. Ordained an Elder in Warsaw, Genesee County, New York April 12, 1833 under the hand of Reynolds Cahoon.

        April 29, 1833 started on a mission in company with Truman O. Angell through York State, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, 1200 miles. Sept. 1833 was appointed to preside over the branch of church in Weathersfield and China numbering 80 members. April 14, 1834 started for the Land of Zion, united with my brethren at Kirtland in Zion's Camp, Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Lord being our leader, arrived in Clay County, Missouri June 26, 1834.

        Dec. 23, 1834 started on a mission in company with Amasa Lyman, Milton Holmes & Heman S, Hyde to Illinois. Aug. 31, 1835 started on another mission East in company [of] Ellis Eames, was in Clay County during the persecution of 1836, took the first load for Bishop Edward Patridge to Caldwell County & moved there among the first. Ordained into the Quorum of Seventies under the hand of Levi W. Hancock, May 19, 1838 in Far West.

        It was through the general persecution in Caldwell and Davis County Oct. 25 I was wounded at Crooked River battle by the mob, in my left arm which laid me up some months.

        Jan. 20, 1839, I left Far West for Illinois leaving my family sick to follow me afterwards. Aug. 1840 I was chosen councilor to President Joel N. Johnson and ordained under the hand of Hyrum Smith. I removed to Nauvoo July 6, 1842. My wife, Nancy Holbrook, died July 16, 1842 leaving our four little children.

May 24, 1843 went to the finery with Bishop George Miller to get lumber for the Temple and Nauvoo House. At April Conference 1844 was appointed on a mission to the State of Kentucky, to hold forth the views and policy of government by President Joseph Smith            

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

Handwritten Page from Joseph's Journal

Joseph's Family Record

Joseph Holbrook, Born Jany. 16, 1806

Nancy Lampson Born Aug. 14, 1804

Joseph Holbrook married to Nancy Lampson in the Township of Western , County of Worcester, Massachusetts Dec.30, 1860, and by this the following children were born:

	Sarah Lucretia Holbrook, born in Weathersfield, Genesee County, State of New York Jan. 21, 1832 Charlotte Holbrook, born in Weathersfield, Genesee County, State of New York Nov. 26, 1833
	Joseph Lamoni Holbrook, born near Plumb Creek 2-1/2 miles west of Far West, Callwell County, State of Missouri Jany. 31, 1837
	Nancy Jane Holbrook, born near Plumb Creek 2-1/2 miles west of Far West, Callwell County, State of Missouri Jany. 27, 1839
	David Holbrook, stillborn at Ramus, Hancock County, State of Illinois Feb. 11, 1840
	Moroni Holbrook, stillborn at the same place Aug. 31, 1841.

Nancy Holbrook died at Nauvoo, Hancock County, State of Illinois July 16, 1842. Age 37 years 11 months and 2 days. Sickness, cholera, morbus and inflammation on the lungs. Sick nine days from the time she was taken.

 

Nancy Jane Holbrook died at Nauvoo, Hancock County, State of Illinois Sept.7, 1843. Age 4 years, 7 months, 10 days.  Disease, measles & canker. The place of their burial, in the Public burying ground at Nauvoo on block 5, lot 5, Nancy Holbrook grave 2. Nancy Jane grave 1.  I put at the head of Nancy Holbrook a good cut grave stone with her age, death and also at the grave of Nancy Jane.

 

Joseph Holbrook married Hannah Flint at Nauvoo Jany.1, 1843.  Married by Heber C. Kimball.  Hannah Flint born July 18, 1806

 

Joseph Holbrook sealed to Nancy Lampson, my first wife, deceased. Hannah Holbrook my second wife acting as proxy, at the house of Brigham Young, Great Salt Lake City, Dec.31, 1850, and also to Hannah Holbrook my second wife & to Caroline Frances Angell at the same time and place.

 

Caroline Frances Angell born in North Providence, Road island [sic] Oct.3, 1825

She had two children living and one dead when I married her.  

	Mary Ann Angell Born in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois Jany.11, 1844.
	Sarah Abigail Angell Born Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois Aug. 28, 1845
	Sarah Abigail Angell died at Nauvoo Dec.2, 1845, age 3 months & five days.
	George David Angell born at Winter Quarters, Indian Territory, near Mipouni River Nov. 5,1846.

After being sealed to Caroline Frances Angell the following children [were born].

	Caroline Frances Angell Holbrook, born at Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory Oct. 21,1851.
	Joseph Hyrum Holbrook, born at Great Salt Lake City Feb. 8, 1854
	Brigham Angell Holbrook, born at the City Bountiful, Davis County, Feb.10, 1856
	Moses Angell Holbrook , born at Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Territory Jany.16, 1858.
	James Angell Holbrook, born at Bountiful April 3, 1860.
	James Angell Holbrook died at the City Bountiful Oct.17, 1860, age 6 months 14 days.
	John Angell Holbrook Born at Bountiful Dec.9, 1862[1861?], Died age six hours.

Joseph Holbrook Sealed to Lucy Jones By Brigham Young at his Office, Great Salt Lake Nov.10. 1855.

Lucy Jones born Glen, Morgan shire, North Wales June 11, 1834. She had buried a daughter, Delphina Graso, Born at Great Salt Lake City July 10, 1854, died Aug.10, 1855   age 13 months.

 After we were sealed we had the following children,

	Lucy Ann Jones Holbrook, born at the City Bountiful, Oct.7, 1856.  Died Nov.20, 1856 of the small pox.  Age 6 weeks 1 day.
	Joseph Jones Holbrook, born City Bountiful, Jany.23, 1858
	William Jones Holbrook, born City Bountiful, Feb.4, 1860

Lucy Jones Holbrook my wife died, City Bountiful August 22, 1860. Age 26 years 2 months & 11 days. Short illness of about 35 hours of the liver complaint.  She with her child Lucy Ann were buried in the public burying grounds south of the city Bountiful 2 miles, James Angell & John, my children, are buried beside them.

Caroline Frances Angell Holbrook had a son born April 18, 1863, Saturday 1 O’clock A.M. and [I] blessed him on the 8th day with [a] fathers blessing in the name of the Lord and named him Ephraim Angell Holbrook. Ephraim Angell Holbrook died Feb.25,1864. Age 10 months & 10 days.

Caroline Frances Angell Holbrook had a son born July 12, on Wednesday at 15 minutes past 12 O’clock in the morning 1865 and [I] blessed him on the 19th with a Fathers blessing that he may live to help to build up Zion and see the Zion of Enoch gain, an inheritance with the Saints, and receive a fullness of the Holy Priesthood in the name of the Lord and [I] named him Enoch Angell Holbrook.

Caroline Frances Holbrook had a son born June 5,1867, Wednesday at seven O’clock in the morning and [I] blessed him [on the] 13th with a fathers blessing, with long life to the fullness of the Blessings of the Holy Priesthood and the blessing of the sulumess[?] Kingdom in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and [I] named him Heber Angell Holbrook.  

Additional biographies of Joseph Holbrook can be found at

	http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Woods/2074/jholbrook.html .  This site belongs to Deanne Driscoll, one of Joseph's descendants.
	http://www.math.byu.edu/~smithw/Lds/LDS/Early-Saints/JHolbrook.html .  Typescript of Joseph's  Autobiography at the Harold B. Lee Library, Special Collections, Brigham Young University.