Joseph Hyrum Barrett

Joseph's Story

Stories > Joseph Hyrum Barrett
The Story

Joseph's Story

researched by Penny Magnusson Hannum

Birth:  September 27th, 1866   |   male   |   in Deptford, Kent, England

Death:  August 9th, 1868   |   1 year old   |   by Deep Creek in Wyoming

Memorial:   Stone 15   |   right column

Joseph Hyrum Barrett is the son of Henry Barrett and Nancy Mary Winter, both of England. The family immigrated to America on the ship “John Bright.” After arriving, they journeyed to Nebraska by train. There they joined the Horton D. Haight Company with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Jul6 28, 1868, the company left Florence, Nebraska to travel to the Utah Territory.

Just two weeks into the journey, Joseph passed away and was buried near a place called Deep Creek on the west slope of the Sierra Madre Mountains, south central Wyoming.

From his mother’s history, it is recorded: “Joseph became ill and in spite of all their efforts to save him, he passed away and they had the heartbreaking experience that so many of the pioneers had of burying their little darling in a makeshift grave. They had no lumber to make a casket, so they wrapped the baby in a blanket and put him in a small barrel and buried him along the trail.”

submitted by The Daughters of Utah Pioneers and Days of ‘47