Charles Henry Wilkins

Charles Henry Wilkins is the fifth of nine children born to George Washington Wilkins of New Hampshire, and Catherine Augusta Lovett of Massachusetts. After traveling to Utah with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Catherine and George were called to go to the San Bernadino Valley in California to help settle the area. It was there that Charles Henry was born.

The family traveled back to Utah with the William McBride Company. Exhaustive travel conditions, disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and extreme weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers.

This was recorded in his father history: “Their 6-month-old baby, Charles Henry, died at Salt Springs on June 16 and was buried at Resting Springs on June 18, 1855, in the eastern Mohave Dessert. Two weeks earlier, the Wilkins goat fell out of the wagon and died. Perhaps it had been a source of milk for the baby.”

From the journal of William McBride: “Friday 15th, Morning prayers by Bro. Bigler. Got off at 10 A. M. Carrying water for our animals 60 miles to first fresh water. Traveled until near Sundown when part of the camp stopped and watered, took supper and fed the animals barley mixed with flower. We rolled on all night and overtook the balance of the Company at Salt Springs. Here Brother Wilkins Child died!”

Six-month-old Charles is buried by the Salt Springs in California.