Andre Begivenheder og Egenskaber:

• Bopæl: ml. 1839 og 1846, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, USA
• Dåb: 12 jan. 1846

Notater:

This life sketch has been compiled from the sketches on file at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. They are by Orpha H. Stohl, Meltrude H. Stohl, Lynne Hunsaker Welch, Afton J. Russell, Mary Petersen Reeder

Eliza Doty Cravath was born in Fairfield, Herkimer, New York, 29 April 1808. Her husband Austin Cravath was born at Norfolk, Litchfield, Connecticut, 19 Oct 1805. He died at Nauvoo, Illinois, 2 October 1844.

Austin Cravath was a properous farmer whose wealth was rapidly increasing. He and Eliza Doty married in 1828. They had four children, all born at Wethersfield, Wyoming, New York.

Rudolphus 1 January 1833
Helen 7 October 1835
Mary 8 September 1838
Laura 21 January 1840

Helen told how, as a little child, she trotted along with her father, clinging to one of the two large kettles he carried to gather the maple syrup he had tapped. She also told about the big built-in brick oven, where, on baking day, pies, meats, bread and pans of beans would be baked all at the same time.

Their fortunes changed in 1843 when the father and mother embraced the gospel and were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1844, Austin sold his farm and moved his family to Nauvoo, Illinois. He died in November of that year of a fever peculiar to that locality. At some point, Eliza's relatives had offered her every comfort that wealth could give if she would return to the east where she still had three brother's living, sons of her mother's second marriage to Asahel Trowbridge.

After Austin's death, Eliza was sealed to him with Heber C. Kimball as proxy. Later, Heber C. Kimball sent word to Eliza that it was her right and duty to choose another husband, and he intimated that it would be acceptable if she should choose him. Her natural modesty and humility, however, forbade such a thing, and some time in 1846 she married William Murray, who had a wife and children. He died not long after, while they were on their way through Iowa. In a letter to Joseph Heywook dated May 22, 1846, Heber C. Kimball wrote instructing Brother Heywood to provide Sister Cravath with one yoke of the Kimball oxen.

In 1848, Eliza married Alfred Brown while they were still on their way west. He had two children, a girl and a boy, from a previous marriage. In the fall of 1849 they arrived at Plumb Hollow, about ten miles southeast of Council Bluffs, where they remained until the next June. On 30 April 1850, she gave birth to a son whom she named Austin Cravath Brown. On 16 June 1850, the Browns and Cravaths headed to Utah with the Jonathan Foote company with Gilbert Belnap as their captain of ten. About two weeks later, cholera broke out in the camp. Alfred was the first fatality, and two days later, Eliza's son Rudolphus died of the same disease. Eliza continued west with her three girls, infant son and two step-children. She graciously accepted whatever assistance other members of the company were able to offer. She was an incessant toiler for the benefit of her family and friends. She was self-sacrificing, without an enemy, faithful and true in all things, and full of faith in God. Her team consisted of a yoke of large oxen for the wheels; a yoke of cows next and a single ox in harness for the lead. Her three daughters, Helen, age 14, Mary, age 12, and Laura, age 10, yoked and hitched up the team and drove it nearly all the way over the plains. A Brother Robinson helped a little part of the way. The cows not only helped pull the load, but also gave milk morning and night.

When word came to Brother Heber C. Kimball that Alfred Brown was dead, Brother Kimball sent word back that Eliza should drive into his yard when she arrived in Salt Lake. She did on 11 September 1850. Brother Kimball said to her, "Now Sister Cravath, it is my turn to choose." She was married to him for time only and lived in his family until his death in 1868. The last years of her life she lived with her children. She was living with Laura when she died.

A friend of Eliza Doty Cravath Kimball described her as a saintly woman with character, faith and gentleness. She radiated grace, elegance, refinement and culture. She had beautiful auburn hair.

Following is her obituary taken from the Salt Lake Herald, 23 January 1889:
“In Kamas, Summit County, Monday, January 21st, 1889, of old age, Eliza Cravath. “Mother” Cravath was born in Herkimer County, New York, April 29, 1808. She shared many of the early trials and deprivations of the Saints and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. She was thrice married, her husband Mr. Brown, being one of those who fell a prey to the cholera while on the plains. She lost a son of sixteen from the same disease and was left almost helpless with a family of girls to take charge of her husband’s team and make her way to Utah with the general company. This her unflagging industry, faith and patience - traits for which she was always distinguished - enabled her to do. She was well known from her long association with the family of the late President Heber C. Kimball, with whom she was connected. She was the mother of Mrs. Ward E. Pack, Mrs. Helen Neeby [sic], Mrs. Mary Whitney and of Mr. A. C. Brown. Her remains will be brought to this city to interment, and the funeral will be held from the residence of Mrs. Mary Whitney, Friday at 12 noon. Friends of the family are invited.”

Eliza blev gift med Alfred Brown den 30 apr. 1848. Alfred blev født den 17 jan. 1806 i Hartland, Niagara, New York, USA; døde den 28 jun. 1850 i Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, USA. [Gruppeskema] [Familietavle]

1. Esther Brown blev født i 1846 i New York, USA.
2. Austin Cravath Brown blev født den 30 apr. 1850 i Kane, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA; døde den 29 mar. 1937 i Payson, Utah, Utah, USA.

Eliza blev gift med William Ellis Murray den 3 feb. 1846 i Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, USA. William blev født den 4 okt. 1802 i Florida, Montgomery, New York, USA; døde i maj 1847 i Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, USA. [Gruppeskema] [Familietavle]

1. Helen Jeanette Murray blev født den 18 feb. 1826 i Victor, Ontario, New York, USA; døde den 1 mar. 1901 i Payson, Utah, Utah, USA.

Eliza blev gift med Austin Cravath den 17 okt. 1828 i Gainesville, Wyoming, New York, USA. Austin blev født den 19 okt. 1805 i Norfolk, Litchfield, Connecticut, USA; døde den 2 okt. 1844 i Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, USA. [Gruppeskema] [Familietavle]

1. Rhodolphus Cravath blev født den 1 jan. 1833 i Weathersfield, New York, USA; døde den 25 jul. 1850 i En-route to SLC.
2. Mary Cravath blev født den 8 sep. 1838 i Weathersfield, Wyoming, New York, USA; døde den 30 apr. 1895 i Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA.
3. Laura Cravath blev født den 21 jan. 1840 i Weathersfield, Wyoming, New York, USA; døde den 28 jul. 1917 i Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA.
4. Helen Cravath blev født den 7 okt. 1835 i Wethersfield, Wyoming, New York, USA; døde den 7 sep. 1889 i Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah, USA.

Eliza blev gift med Heber Chase Kimball den 11 apr. 1856. Heber (søn af Solomon Farnham Kimball og Anna W. Spaulding) blev født den 14 jun. 1801 i Sheldon, Franklin, Vermont, USA; døde den 22 jun. 1868 i Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; blev begravet den 24 jun. 1868 i Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA. [Gruppeskema] [Familietavle]

Ira blev gift med Betsey Murray den 5 feb. 1807 i Pike, Wyoming, New York, USA. Betsey blev født den 27 aug. 1790 i Fairfield, Herkimer, New York, USA; døde den 14 sep. 1867 i Napoleon, Henry, Ohio, USA. [Gruppeskema] [Familietavle]