Isaac Cynosure Abel

Isaac Cynosure Abel is the sixth of eight children born to Isaac Abel and Ann Methley, both born in England. The parents and four children immigrated to America on the ship “Cynosure” to immigrate to America. While on board, Ann gave birth to a son whom they named Isaac with the middle name of Cynosure, in honor of the ship he was born on.

Upon arriving in America, the family of seven traveled to Nebraska and joined the Horten D. Height Company to journey to the Great Salt Lake Valley with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The company began the trek on August 7, 1863.

Exhaustive travel conditions, disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and extreme weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. Just a few days away from entering the Valley, 4-month-old Isaac passed away from undocumented causes. He is buried in Green River, Wyoming along the Mormon Trail.