Moroni Lee

Moroni Lee was the ninth child to George Lee and Sarah Peaker, both from England. George, Sarah and their children emigrated from England to America. With other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they joined with the Edward Stevenson Company to trek to the Great Salt Lake Valley. The company left Nebraska on June 26.

While traveling through Iowa, Sarah gave birth to Moroni Lee. Four days later while in Massena, Cass, Iowa, baby Moroni died and was buried in a shallow grave along the trail.

According to family history: “They had only been on the trail a few days when a son, was born to them on 11 Jul 1859 on the plains. Captain Stevenson had asked permission to name this little one and he wanted them to name him Moroni. It was sad as Moroni only lived for four days and was buried in a shallow grave along the trail on the plains at a place called Elk Creek. His father, George covered the grave with large rocks for protections from the elements and the wolves.”

According to the journal of Thomas Wasden on the journey, it reads: “15th of July camped at Elm Creek. Very pleasant day. Death of a child of Brother Lee, four days old.”