John and Polly Shaw

               John is the "son of Job and Lucy Sherman Shaw, (Grandfather of Theresa Shaw McCarthy.) Born June 30, 1790 at Bridgewater, Windsor County, Vermont. Died July 5, 1880 at Ogden, Utah. Married January 1, 1812 at Victor, Ontario Caounty, New York to Polly Marie Fox, born January 1, 1790 at Sheffield, Berkshire County, massachusetts. Died January 21, 1873
                John Shaw resided at Victor until 1825 when he moved to Bennington, New York. In 1842 he became a member of the Latter Day Saints Church. He was baptized by Elder Sweet. In 1843-1844, he moved with most of his family to Laharp, Hancock County, Illinois. In 1845 John and Maria were endowed in the New Latter day saints Temple at Nauvoo, Illinois. In 1846 they moved with the exodus of saints to Council Bluffs, Iowa, then known as Kanesville. In 1848, they moved to the Valleys of the Mountains in Lorenzo Snow's Company."[3]
              Brother Woolley, a fellow pioneer, wrote, "All nature looked pleasant, in the green dress of spring, when we commenced our journey, and in unison with this our hearts were light, our hopes buoyant, with the prospects before us that we should now gain a resting place free from the molestations of our enemies, and where we could serve God in peace.... The usual incidents of a journey of that length, under such circumstances, attended us, but upon all, the Lord blessed us abundantly and led us by his power."[4]
                "When nearing the end of their journey at Weber River, his Company received orders to await the arrival of President Brigham Young's company. On their arrival, both companies continued on to the Great Salt Lake Valley, arriving at Great Salt Lake City which it was then called; September 20, 1848.
                In 1850, they moved to Ogden, Utah, locating first at Farr's fort, his house being the third from the southeast corner of the Fort in the south row of houses. It is interesting to note how this fort was built for protection from Indians. The Fort was built in 1850 with log cabins erected on each of the four sides of a square, placed close together with the doors of each house opening on the inside of the enclosure. There was a road through the center of the Fort from west to east. Near the center of this Fort, on the north side of the road was built the first school house in Ogden city. About 1852 or 1853, John Shaw located a farm. The tract of land was situated on the east side of Washington Avenue, the canyon road being the south lines; center of Mill Creek the north line; and then 80 rods east. Later of this land was deeded to William Montgomery Shaw, his youngest son.
             The first six [children] were born at Victor, New York and others at Bennington, New York."[3]
             John and his family came across the plains with the Brigham Young Company of 1848.[1] He was in a smaller company lead by Lorenzo Snow.[2]

References

1. John Shaw. Retrieved from LDS.org.
2. Esshom, F. E. (1913). Pioneers and prominent men of Utah. Salt Lake City, UT:  Utah Pioneers Book Publishing Company.
3. Jayih.com. Retrieved from http://www.jayih.com/ancestry/shaw/pages/john_shaw.aspx.
4. Woolley, F. B. (ca. 1856). Autobiography. Retrieved from LDS.org.