Esther's Story
Birth: January 1st, 1861 | female | in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
Death: September 11th, 1862 | 1 year old | East of Laramie, Wyoming
Memorial: Stone 11 | left column | 1st name
Esther was a daughter of Sophia Esther Packer and Ezra Francis Martin. The family sailed from England and landed in New York. It was in New York that Sophia gave birth to a daughter, Esther Jane. Esther was the fourth and last child of Sophia and Ezra.
The went to Nebraska and joined the other Saints to go West with in the Henry W. Miller Company. The company left August 5.
Ezra recorded in a journal how sick their family was while traveling:
In part:
“(August) 22nd 24th Little girl very ill.
September 2 campt opisite Ash Hollow. Roads good, weather hot[.] My wife & child very sick[.]
September 4th Blowing & Stormy cold no fire no Supper.
5th Sophia very ill full of pain.
8th Esther Jane near Death no food suted for her. Starveing Dying.
11th—about nine o clock in the morning Esther Jane returned home after much Suffering[.] She Left quiet with Slight convultions about 20 miles East of Larimie. [When] this occurred the Waggons Stop. The Teamster allowing us time to Lay her out, Traveled out to Raw Hide Creek. Here we burred her the best we could under the circumstances[.] She was aged one yeer nine month and 11 Days[.] this is about 20 miles East of Fort Laramie.
Little 19 month old Esther is buried on the Mormon Trail about 20 miles East of Fort Laramie.