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Jacob's father was in the Revolutionary War and often told of his experiences at Ft. Mc Henry.
Most of the emigrants from foreign countries sought out plots of land where food could be raised for both family and animals, some timberland for fuel and building materials. Wild fruits and berries were gathered until fruit trees could produce.
Jacob, from his youth, was ambitious and industrious. He learned much from about caring for cows, oxen and horses from close attention to details in feeding and housing them He worked with neighbors in building housing for their families also. His father must have learned expert weaving from a German Artist weaver.
Jacob married Agnes Nancy Harris on the 12th of October in 1826 at Brandywine Manor, Chester County Pennsylvania. Agnes was the daughter of Robert Harris. A proud and wealthy Scotchman, and Mrs. Jane Harris. Nancy was born 24 September 1794 in Locklein, Scotland. She came to America at the age of 10. Alt Birth place Chester, County, Pa.
Jacob and Agnes had three sons and four daughters, all born in Brandwine, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Ellen was born on June the 9th 1829, she died the same day; Jacob Harris was born the 30th. of December 1830, he only lived until August of 1833 a note in Jacob Baum's temple book indicate that he ate some poisonous berries and that they caused his death. Great sorrow filled the household. Jane Harris was born on July the second 1832; Elizabeth was born on January 27th 1834. A second son was born and the parents felt he had come to fill the void. After careful consideration they named him the same name except added Harris, thus, Jacob Harris was born on May the 29th 1836 (It was common to give the same name the next child, after a previous child had died), and last of the children was Janette Rachel born 17 July 1837.
They had a six room house on their large farm on Brandywine Creek, three miles from Downingtown and 31 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their large woodland abounded in many kinds of nuts—hickory, shellbarks, chestnuts, walnuts, pecan (pignuts) and a variety of berries.
Our big house had a long south porch. There was a stone barn, stone weaving shop, corn-crib wagon and machine sheds, spring house for milk products, lime kiln, smoke house for curing meats, vegetable pits, fruit cellars and pantry stored with goodies for family and needy folks and 'two bound boys'. They took John Christman when he was three years old.
Jacob's granary was a 'country fair' to a child, with it's bins of grain, bunches of herbs, dried vegetables, and the saddle, harness, ox yolk and ropes and chains on pegs. Yes, and the work bench with it's box-tills for shoe-pegs, nails of all kinds and bolts, etc., with saws, hammers, in special places, hung over the bench in order. "A place for everything and everything in it's place", was his constant motto, and he followed it to his last breath.
They had four large horses for farm work, twelve cows than knew their stalls when they came in from the pasture, some oxen and dry stock. Jacob raised about 100 hogs per year, hundreds of chickens and eggs for the Philadelphia market. Agnes packed the butter in tubs and jars. Old Watch guarded the buggy while they traded at the stores.
Jacob was a successful farmer.
Young Jacob soon became a romping child with a growing desire to follow in the footsteps of his father, a weaver and farmer. The little rock house still stands where Jacob and little Jacob used to work early and late each day.
Little Jacob like very much to be with his father, but best of all was the day when he could go whistling down the grass-grown path to the pasture and into the locust grove where the little rock school house stood which he attended before starting on their long and perilous journey. Close by this locust grove and their home ran a sparkling stream of water called Brandy-Wine Creek. This is where the little town of Brandy-Wine got its name.
Like all other children he was very proud and happy on the morning of his first school day as he took a shining new slate which his father purchased for him. This was the same slate which, Elizabeth A. used in her school time. He waved a cheerful goodbye and ran across the meadow to the little rock school house surrounded by locust trees which was 'kitty-cornered from their home.
The Baum's had their sheep for mutton and especially for wool that furnished clothing for all and for blankets and spreads of warmth and beauty. Jacob was a fine carder, fuller, spinner and artful weaver. He made beautiful bedspreads in colorful floral designs. His most beautiful colored bedspread was of the rose design. It is gorgeous beyond description, with "Jacob and Agnes, 1841" woven in two of the corners. His weaving room was built of black stone like the home with just a path between them. This was built in Brandywine Township after Jacob and Agnes removed to Chester County, Pennsylvania. (Flora B. Horne visited this home in 1920 while doing genealogical work.)
The Baum's attended the Methodist, and Lutheran Church but were called "Quakers" and were quiet glib with the "thee's and thou's". Jacob was very strict. He read a chapter from the Bible each morning before breakfast, gave thanks and a blessing on the food before eating. Nothing but the Bible was read on the Sabbath Day, a sacred day.
Jacob's father came to live with his son Jacob and wife Agnes during his last days and when on his deathbed, called Jacob to him to give these last words: "Jacob my boy, I have never been satisfied with churches. All have some good in them, but the True Church of God is not yet on the Earth. I will not live to see it but you will. Study the Scriptures with spirit. The Bible will show the Church of Christ. When it comes- Join it."
Jacob and his family did join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Jacob was baptized on August 29 1839 by Elder Barnes, and Agnes was baptized shortly after on the 12th of February 1840. Agnes's father was so opposed to that new religion Called "Mormons", that he disinherited his daughter.
Being a carpenter, Jacob took lumber from his woodland in Pennsylvania and made three chests for his daughters, and in each chest he placed $50.00 in 50 cent pieces that he drew from the Philadelphia bank before leaving for Nauvoo. The family left persecution in that home and found more in Nauvoo, Illinois. He did serve as Bishop for a short time in Brandy-Wine before going to Nauvoo.
They moved to Nauvoo Illinois in 1841. Jacob purchased 6 parcels of land, 5 in the Nauvoo area and one right along the side of the Mississippi River in Nauvoo. They lived on a farm south of Nauvoo. He built a comfortable home but they only got to live in it for about four years before the exterminating order was issued for all Saints to move out of Nauvoo. It seemed impossible for ministers even, to see that revelation was necessary, and that God made man in His own image, so their prejudice followed with more trouble.
The Saints started to build the temple in Nauvoo in 1841, Men gave of their meager means and much time to hasten the work because the mobbings were so severe. Jacob gave $100.00 and labor.
They were regular attendants at the Latter-Day-Saints Church in Nauvoo. They saw and heard the Prophet Joseph Smith speak often.
Church History records that on Wednesday the second of August 1843 that Joseph Smith borrowed money from Jacob BAUM. (I don't know how much or for what).
CHECK FILM 1259733 FROM CHURCH HISTORY AT SALT LAKE FOR THE DATE OF 2 AUG 1843 FOR MORE INFORMATION!!!!
Jacob's brother, John, had some farming land near Carthage. John and his son were working in the fields when they heard the gun shots from the jail where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed. John told the boy to run home and tell his mother to lay out his church clothes, while he put up the horses. The boy ran and told his mother, "They have killed the prophet". The boy then run to the jail house in time to see where they had dragged the body of the prophet and propped him up by the old curb. One of the militia with a double-edged sword lifted the prophet's head up by the hair and was going to cut off his head when "from a clear sky there was a clap of thunder and a bolt of lightening". The man with the sword dropped to the ground and the mob thought he was dead. About that time some one shouted that the MORMONS are coming and they disappeared. John, along with some other saints, took the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum to the undertakers where the bodies stayed and were embalmed. He was one of the men who went with the bodies as they were taken to Nauvoo.
When the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were martyred by a wicked mob at Carthage, Jacob and Agnes joined the long train of mourners to the Mansion House where they wept at the loss of their beloved leaders--Joseph and Hyrum, the Patriarch. Their daughter Elizabeth went with them. She was just 10 years old but could remember it so clearly.
Jacob Baum and Agnes Nancy Harris were endowed 2 February 1846 in the Nauvoo Temple. The records indicate that they were sealed 16 March 1861 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. (This was 20 years after Agnes's death).
Jacob's daughter, Elizabeth relates this incident, "I remember the Prophet Joseph, a tall, handsome man, and heard him speak. I often went to church with my parents. When Joseph and Hyrum were martyred by the mob, I went with father and mother to view their bodies in" the Mansion House home and wept with them and all the Saints while the wicked apostates and mob boasted of their crime. I was at the meeting when Sidney Rigdon came back to lead the church. The Prophet saw the future evidently and gave to the Twelve Apostles the power or keys of leadership. When Sidney Rigdon, a Counselor to the Prophet, rose in that August 8, 1844 meeting and asked the Saints to vote for him as leader, he was disappointed. Brigham Young, President of the Twelve, spoke humbly, and sounded so much like Joseph the Prophet, that many arose and said, 'Joseph has come back again.' Many saw the mantle of the Prophet fall upon Brigham. I was but ten years of age; still I remember the thrill of that wonderful demonstration of God's choice of leadership. There was no doubt in the minds of those hundred of persecuted people as to who should direct the church and lead the Saints to safety.
Houses and fields were burned, persecution continued and so it was with saddened hearts that they loaded all their belongings into the wagons, disposing of many extras, and waved good bye to their new home and with tear stained eyes started on their westward journey, not knowing where they were going but they had faith in Brigham Young, the prophet and in God.
Jacob, Agnes and their four children left Nauvoo in May, 1846, crossing the Mississippi River in Madison. During his latter days, Jacob retold the story of the hardships the pioneers passed through including those in the winter encampment. This included the ravages of hunger and cold was so great that many died while praying for maintenance of life. In answer to their prayers, great flocks of quail came to serve as food in this emergency.
He was chosen to establish the Garden Grove Land Mark and oversee the planting of crops and vegetables, building of temporary homes, barns, making fences, seeing that food was sufficient for the Saints who were still coming from Nauvoo. He was a German who knew how to supply and preserve goods. He left his herd of hogs while he took his wife and family on to Council Bluffs. His wife Agnes had become ill at Garden Grove and did not improve.
They went west to Kanesville, Pattawattemie County, Iowa. This place was later called Council Bluffs. They could see the desert in the distance, heard of wild men, yet they felt it was best to move on where all could be peace and quiet in a land that they felt God had preserved for them. Agnes Nancy Harris Baum died on the 11th of September 1846, at Council Bluff. This left Jacob with 4 children between 9 and 14 years of age.
His daughter, Elizabeth, records, "It was a sad day for all of us when mother died. Although Jane was older than I, being but twelve, she never took hold of responsibility of the house, but cared for Jacob and Janetta. Of course father had to have his breakfast before daylight as usual, then rest an hour before work. We kept busy and often I went with father to the field. He had a very large prairie plow that took eight oxen to pull it. The sod turned was 3 feet wide. Little Jacob drove the 'leaders' and I the 'wheelers' (oxen)."
Jacob may have moved to Eastern Iowa as the 1847 Territorial Census lists Jacob BAUM in Wapello, Co. Iowa.
On May the 6th 1850 Jacob married a widow, Elizabeth Sperry, at Kanesville.Alt date and place 26 May 1850 at Garden Grove, Decatur, Iowa
She was born about 1799 in Woodbridge, New Haven, Connecticut. Elizabeth's first husband was a Levi Sperry, and they had a son William Oscar Sperry who was born 27 November 1831 in Westville, New Haven, Connecticut. Jacob felt his motherless children could get better care, but nevertheless, this was not so. The new stepmother was not kind to the children and naturally the older ones became restless. Jacob and his younger sister, Jannet would sit and plan what they would do when they became old enough. Their promise was when the first one married that the other one would lilve at their home and this became binding.
Jacob was ordained a High Priest on 13, July 1850 by George Colton. The family crossed the plains to Salt Lake City in 1850 (1852) in an independent company. Jacob Jr. was 14 years old when they started on the last leg of their journey to Salt Lake City. It was from that time on that his life was filled with many more hardships. All of the children had to take turns walking and driving the cattle their father brought along. Jacob started out with three loaded wagons, and a buggy. There was a lot of furniture and boxes of cloth he had woven himself and a tall beautiful grandfather's clock. It stands 7 ˝ feet high, tells the day of the month, changes of the moon as well as the time of day. It now stands in the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum.
Jacob, always looking after the needy, brought a newly married couple and an aged Scotch couple, ages 72 and 75 by the name of Gaddis along.
Elizabeth records of the journey, "Jane and I took turns in driving the loose stock, the two yoke of oxen or buggy horse. One day my courage was tested. We had five cows and a gentleman cow (bull). The latter was missing one morning, so Jane and I went back to find him. Two Pawnee Indians chased us. We ran until exhausted, then I grabbed a big stick, turned about to fight. The 'grandstand' worked and they went back laughing.
Another amusing incident I well remember: Aunt Betty was bringing two cats to Utah 'for the good of the country,' she said. Well, they were a nuisance, so Jane and I slipped them out of the wagon and gave them to some Indians. We were not so loyal to the country. Was Aunt Betty angry! She made us eat with rusty forks until we threw them in the Platte River."
One night while camping on the plains the Indians stole his two horses. Leaving him without means of drawing his loaded wagon. Many useful articles and very special loved ones were lost along the way. Many graves were watered with tears along the way. Jacob and his family never gave up or lost courage. They were numbered among the 72 people that entered Salt Lake Valley with the independent company of 1852. Jacob turned his guests over to Bishop Edward Hunter.
Jacob went on and he settled in the Provo, Utah area about 48 miles south. He took possession of a large tract of land. He was a good farmer as well as a good weaver. After all the hardships they endured coming west now the Indians began giving them trouble. They took turns guarding and watching for Indians on the hill where now stands the Maeser Memorial Building. At that time it was the city cemetery; however, some years later the graves were opened and bodies moved to the present cemetery.
Three years later, President Brigham Young called for volunteers to go into Laramie, Wyoming and bring back a load of Saints stranded there on account of poor health and a shortage of food. Jacob responded to this call. President Young furnished him with a wagon and yoke of oxen. Each trip took him three long months to make and he made two of them. Before he could complete his second trip cold weather set in, and Jacob having only one calico quilt, suffered with cold. Some of the Saints seeing this gave and shared some of their bedding. On his return from the second trip, President Young credited Jacob with six months labor tithing for his services. Through the exposure of these trips his health was so impaired and broken down he was never as strong.
Little Jacob Jr.'s stepmother was so cruel to him that he left home and lived for awhile with Brigham Young but remembering his promise to his sister and went to live with her in Heber City, Utah. He married Melinda A. Cummings on July 24, 1864. Six years later, he and his wife and three children moved back to Provo to his father's place to take care of him. His stepmother had passed away. The only road to Provo at that time was to go through Park City, into Salt Lake City and then on into Provo. It was springtime and the water was quite high. They had to forge a river on each side of the bridge as it was narrow and the water high. Jacob Jr. had to sit on one of the oxen, and applying the whip to the other, they managed to reach the bank just as the wagon box was leaving the wagon to float down stream. Only their prayers and fast moving oxen permitted them to reach the opposite bank in safety. The next day the bridge was washed completely away. It took them three weeks to make the trip from Heber to Provo.
Jacob Baum was a faithful Saint. He read a chapter before saying grace over the breakfast each morning. He ate before daylight and rested one hour after eating to give his stomach a chance to digest food in part before hard labor. Jacob Baum died February 5th. 1883 in Provo and was buried there. He was nearly 89 years old, and had never lost a tooth. He had the gift of healing and the gift of interpretation of "Tongues". He was always true to friends and God. He planted his fields and gardens and dedicated them, and always had plenty harvest for widows and the poor.
Information for this story from family records and a story by Flora B. Horne, a Granddaughter of Jacob Baum.
PATRIARCHAL BLESSING OF JACOB BAUM
Wilberg 1029 East 16th Street Loveland, Colorado 80538 (970)667-7856
City of Joseph June 11th. 1845
A blessing by John Smith Patriarch upon the head of Jacob Baum, Son of Jacob and Elizabeth Baum. Born April 5th. 1784, Westmoreland Co. Pennsylvania.(note John Smith was the 6th. Patriarch of the Church, he was the son of Hyrum Smith.)
BRO. JACOB.
By the authority vested in me to bless the faithful in the name of Jesus Of Nazareth,. I seal a blessing upon thee even the Holy Priesthood with all Its powers and benefits the Keys of which shall be committed unto thee in due time for thou shall have an endowment in the House of the Lord. And all the secret mysteries which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world shall be revealed unto thee. Thou art of the house of Joseph and of the blood of Ephraim and this is thine inheritance from Thy fathers and it shall be departed to thy children through all the generations.
Thy fathers were men who sought after truth and were ever willing to do good when it was in there power and they had visions of the work of the Lord in the last days and saw their posterity rise up in the power of the Priesthood for their redemption which gave them joy.
This work is law upon thee to accomplish according to the purposes of the Lord in the redemption of the House of Israel. Thou shalt be a savior in Mount Zion and a counselor in the house of Israel Thou shalt have power to accomplish every purpose of the heart and wisdom to do all things acceptable in the presence of the Lord in the mist of his people. Thy name shall be had in everlasting remembrance through thy posterity which shall be very numerous and a mighty people to all eternity. The number of thy years shall be according to thy faith and if you desire it with a perfect heart you shall live to see the Savior stand on the earth and reign with him a thousand years if thy faith doth not fail these words shall not for I seal them upon thee and thy posterity with every desire of thy heart in common with thy companion. I seal thee up to eternal life. Amen.
LAND PURCHASED FROM BENJAMIN CLARK AUGUST 24, 1841
By Jacob Baum
Know all men by these presents that I, Benjamin Clark of the County of Hancock, State of Illinois, for and in consideration of three thousand dollars paid by ? Bacon the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. Have bargained, remised, released and quit claimed with the said Bawm, his heirs and assign all my rightful interest in and into the following described tracts and parcels of land to wit—the LM gr of Sec 27 TS N R8W. The NE gr Sec 20. T.3 at R7W. The NW gr at Sec 28. T3N R7W. The NW27 T7N6W. The NE36T6N6w. The SE gr of Sec 27T5N7W. The NE gr of Sec 29R8W. The S1/2 of Sec 1 TSNR8W.The E gr of Sec 11 T7NR6W. The NWgr of Sec 7 T3NR8W. TNE gr of Sec 2 T6N R8W. The NW gr of Sec 10 T3N R8W.The SW gr of Sec 9 TNN R7W. The NE gr of Sec 36 T6N R7W. The NW gr of Sec 26 at T5N range 7W.The NE gr of Sec 17 3TN R7W. The NE gr of Sec 23 T6N R8W. The NW gr of Sec 16 T4N7W. The NE gr of Sec 34 T6N R8Wand one hundred and twenty acres part of the SW gr of Sec 2 TSN R8W. together with all and singular the rights and privileges there of. To have and to hold the same to him the said Bacon and his heirs and assigns forever in as full and ample manner as tho same was held by me at the en sealing of these presents.In testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this 24th day of August eighteen hundred and forty one.
Benjamin Clark
THE WILL OF JACOB BAUM SR. father of Jacob Baum
In the name of God Amen I Jacob Baum Senior of Brandywine township Chester County Pennsylvania I' being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory blessed be Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my said will and testament in manner and form as follows that is to say First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Baum all my household and kitchen furniture besides one third part of the remainder of my Estate after a year legacies being taken out of the same Estate I do also give unto bequeath to my oldest son, Fredrick Baum, twenty five dollars… I also give and bequeath to my second son, Jacob Baum, one hundred dollars, I give and bequeath to my third son, John Baum, on fifty dollars, I also give and bequeath to my fourth son, David Baum, the sum of fifty dollars and lastly as to all the rest or remainder of my Estate what so ever after my wife's third is taken out it is my will it shall be divided equally between my four sons, three daughters equally to share alike. More over, I do appoint my son, Jacob Baum Jr., to be sole executor of this my last will and testament thereby revoke all former wills by me made in Witness where of I have here unto let me hand and seal this thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four.
Sign and sealed Published and declared by the above named Jacob Baum Sr. to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have here unto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator Jacob Carnes, James Read.
J.B. the words interline "after my wife's third is taken out " was done signing the same.
West Chester October 9th 1826 then personally appeared Jacob Carnes and James Read who being solemnly of found and in due form of law did several declare and say that they were personally present and did see and hear Jacob Baum the testor in the fore going instrument of writing names sign, seal, publish pronounce and declare the same as and for his last will and testament at the doing there of he was of sound and well disposing mind and memory to the best of their knowledge and belief. Affirmed before Joseph Pearce.
ABSTRACT OF WILL AND ADMINISTRATIONS CHESTER CO. PA
Jacob Baum Sr. Brandywine P 569
September 13, 1821……..October 1824 15-100
Provides for wife, Elizabeth. To eldest son, Frederick, $25. To second son, Jacob $100. To third son, John, $50. To fourth son, David, $50. Rim equally dio between My 4 sons and 3 daughters. Ex. Son Jacob Baum
Witn Jacob Baum, James Read
Frederick Baum Uiochlan – September 5, 1825 P. 715
Ezekiel Evans – Adm.