Duritha Trail Lewis

          Duritha was born in 1813 in Kentucky. Her father was a wealthy land owner. The family had a beautiful plantation. When Duritha was 21, she married David Lewis.[2] They accepted the restored gospel and became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 21, 1835. In 1837, the Lewis' moved to Missouri to gather with other member of the Church. They built a home next to Hawn's Mill.
         Duritha and her husband David survived the Hawn's Mill Massacre.[2] During the massacre, Duritha was praying for David, who was closer to the mob action at the time.[1] David escaped unharmed. He had five bullet holes in his clothing.[1][2] The young couple  "hid in a thicket with their two year old. David was held prisoner three weeks and finally released."[2]
         Duritha moved in with her father in Kentucky while David served a mission in Tennessee. Preston was born during this time. When Duritha's father died, he left her an inheritance of three slaves, two women and a man, clothes, money and food supplies. The Lewis family moved to Nauvoo.[2]
          They "were stationed for a short time in Iowa." While in Iowa, Duritha gave birth to twins. At this time, David's "work was so much in demand that he hired a young fellow named [George] Baker to help him." Arminta was 14 and very pretty. Her and David's new assistant fell in love. One night, Arminta snuck out and left with George on horseback. The Lewis's never heard from her again. Duritha "never really got over losing her and was always hoping to hear of her or that she would return." The Lewis's "heard rumors she was married and had children."[3] In 1850, the Lewis's started their trek west.[2]
           The Lewis family was in the John Smith Company. David was made captain over a smaller part of the company. The company made good time and "reached Salt Lake Valley in advance of all the 1851 organized companies."[4] In the valley, Duritha bought land and a small house with her inheritance. The winter was difficult. Duritha had her last child, William, in the valley.[2]
           David died while serving as an Indian Agent in 1855. Duritha's reaction to David's death gives an idea of how much she loved him. Her son Siney wrote, "My sorrow was for mother because she was crying so bitterly."[3] David and Duritha had six children: Arminta, Preston, David, Siney, Olive, and William.[5]

Duritha later moved to Holladay.[2] She died there in 1879.[5]

References

1. David Lewis's Journal (1854). LDS Church Historical Department. Transcribed by Carol Harless, Los Altos CA. Grammar editing and editing by Devin McFarlane.

2. Duritha Trail Lewis Obituary. Retrieved from http://haroldandjenniehullinger.blogspot.com/2009/11/durith a-trail-lewis.html.

3. Lewis, C. P. Siney Lewis. Retrieved from CS.Utah.edu.
4. David Lewis Company. Retrieved from LDS.org.

5. B., D. David and Duritha (Trail) Lewis. Retrieved from Our Family Heritage