ERASTUS BINGHAM was born 12 March 1798, in Concord, Essex, Vermont, a son of ELISHA WARNER BINGHAM and SALLY or SARAH PERRY.
His line of descent from the first settler is ELISHA WARNER, JONATHAN, JONATHAN, ABLE, THOMAS, and THOMAS of Sheffield England.
ERASTUS BINGHAM's father died when ERASTUS was four years old; and as soon as he was old enough, he worked on the farm to help the family income. He continued in the farming occupation throughout his life. On the 20th of March 1820, he married LUCINDA GATES at St. Johnsbury, Vermont. LUCINDA GATES was the daughter of THOMAS GATES and PATTY PLUMLY. She was born the 19th of September 1797 at Acworth, New Hampshire, and died 3 January 1874 at Ogden, Utah.
ERASTUS BINGHAM owned a farm at Concord, Vermont, at the same time as his marriage to LUCINDA GATES. Four of his children were born there: MARY born 1 April 1820; SANFORD, 3 May 1821; ERASTUS, 30 September 1822; and THOMAS, 19 July 1824. About 1825 they moved to Littleton, Grafton, County, New Hampshire, where two of his daughters were born; LUCINDA, born 15 April 1826; and MARIA LOUISA, born 23 June 1828. He moved back to his old farm in Concord, Vermont, where two of his sons were born; WILLARD, born 19 February 1830 and EDWIN, born 5 May 1832.
ERASTUS had now reached the age of 34 years and had never affiliated with any religious denomination. He had never indulged in intoxicating liquor, was industrious and cautious in his financial affairs, and was honest and exemplary. He first heard the gospel preached in the spring of 1833, when Elder JOHN E. BOYINGTON came to that vicinity expounding the newly revealed principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was very much impressed, read the Book of Mormon soon after, and received a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the record. He and his wife and daughter MARY, and two sons, ERASTUS and THOMAS were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on 11 November 1833 at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, by Elder EVANS. He was the only one of his father’s family to join the church, but his wife’s father and brother Jacob also joined.
His son, SANFORD, was baptized and confirmed at the same place by Elder EVANS on 18 November 1833.
In the fall of 1835, the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were traveling as missionaries through the New England states and holding conferences. They all stayed one night at the ERASTUS BINGHAM home and held a council meeting in the evening. BRIGHAM YOUNG, one of the Twelve, told ERASTUS BINGHAM while he was living in Nauvoo, Illinois, that the council meeting at his home in Vermont was the only one held at which they (the Twelve) were all together after the organization of the Quorum.
In the spring of 1836, ERASTUS sold his farm at Concord, Vermont, and prepared to go west to Kirtland, Ohio, the then gathering place of the Saints. They started 8 June accompanied by WILLARD SNOW, JOEL HARVEY, and families and others.
They arrived in Kirtland, Ohio, about the 6th of July 1836. While at Kirtland, they had the privilege of hearing the Prophet JOSEPH SMITH preach in the Kirtland Temple and enjoyed that heavenly and ennobling influence which was constantly with the Prophet while speaking.
The reason for stopping at Kirtland as long as they did was that the flies on the Illinois prairie were so bad it was almost impossible to drive the horses across at that time of year.
They started west again 1 September 1836; but now they had other trouble. It rained so much that it was almost impossible to travel through the sticky, deep mud while crossing the state of Indiana; and they didn't arrive at Farr West, Missouri, until the 4 November 1836.
ERASTUS BINGHAM and family stopped with his brother-in-law, JACOB GATES, who had been in Farr West since Zion's camp went there. After looking around awhile, he rented a farm about two and one-half miles from Farr West across Shoal Creek. He built a log house large enough to comfortably house himself and family. He fenced the farm or portion of it, and cultivated it until the fall of 1838, when the extermination order of Governor L. W. BOGGS was given for the Saints to leave the state of Missouri. By permission of the governor, however, the larger portion remained until the spring of 1839. ERASTUS BINGHAM being one of those who remained was chosen as one of a committee at Farr West to dispose of what furniture and other belongings of the saints that could not be taken with them in their expulsion from the state. Other members of this committee were JOHN TAYLOR, ALANSON RIPLEY, BRIGHAM YOUNG, THEODORE TURLEY, HEBER C. KIMBALL, JOHN SMITH, DON CARLOS SMITH, ELIAS SMITH, STEPHEN MARKHAM, and JAMES NEWBERRY. "On motion of President BRIGHAM YOUNG," says the record, "it was resolved that we this day enter into a covenant to stand by and assist each other to the utmost of our abilities in removing from this State, and that we will never desert the poor, who are worthy, till they shall be out of the reach of the exterminating order of General Clark, acting for and in the name of the State."
He left Missouri in the latter part of March 1839, arriving in Hancock County, Illinois, the forepart of April 1839. He rented a farm between Carthage and LaHarpe, but nearer to LaHarpe, and while here his youngest son, BRIGHAM HEBER BINGHAM was born 15 December 1841.
27 June 1844, the prophet JOSEPH SMITH and his brother HYRUM were martyred by mob violence in Carthage jail, Illinois, which caused the BINGHAM’s great sorrow and gave rise to a desire to be close to Nauvoo. It is evident from circumstances and conditions at this time that a Mormon family was in grave danger of being mobbed. With this and the fact that the brethren were pressing a speedy completion of the temple, it gave motive enough for ERASTUS to move his family to a spot nearer Nauvoo.
In the spring of 1845 ERASTUS bought a farm of 160 acres about 20 miles west of Nauvoo, Illinois, which was extensively cultivated during the spring and summer. After the crops were all harvested, he labored night and day with others to complete the Nauvoo temple.
The following members of the BINGHAM family, along with other saints received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple during December 1845, and January 1846: ERASTUS BINGHAM and ERASTUS Jr. on 3 January 1846; SANFORD on 20 January 1846; MARIA LOUISA on 24 January 1846; and MARY BINGHAM FREEMAN on 25 January 1846.
In the fall of 1845 mobs arose against the saints. To save bloodshed, the authorities of the Church agreed that the saints would leave the state of Illinois, with the understanding and privilege of remaining until spring. Under these conditions, ERASTUS BINGHAM compelled to sacrifice his farm for a meager sum to buy a team of horses; and with this team and other livestock and wagons, he and his family escaped from the violence of the infuriated mob by leaving Nauvoo on the 6th of May 1846.
From the family historical records we find that ERASTUS BINGHAM Jr. was called in January 1846 to go ahead with some of the leaders of the church to make roads, build bridges, and plant crops at various points. Traveling westward, averaging about eight miles a day, ERASTUS BINGHAM and company reached Mount Pisgah, Iowa, about mid-summer and found fine growing crops which had been planted by the select group which were chosen according to the instructions of the Twelve Apostles through BRIGHAM YOUNG, their president.
The BINGHAM family left Mt. Pisgah in a company of about two hundred wagons in command of Bishop MILLER. ERASTUS BINGHAM was made captain of one hundred. They traveled westward until they reached Council Bluffs, Iowa. Prior to their arrival at Council Bluffs, the United States Government asked for 500 volunteers to fight in the war with Mexico. Two sons and a son-in-law of ERASTUS BINGHAM volunteered; ERASTUS Jr., THOMAS, and ELIJAH NORMAN FREEMAN, husband of his daughter MARY; and they were recruited in the Mormon Battalion in Council Bluffs, Iowa. ERASTUS BINGHAM had the care of the families of these volunteers. After resting a few days until two companies were organized, one called BRIGHAM's Co., and the other HEBER's Company, they started traveling westerly according to the directions of the Twelve Apostles to find a place for the saints to dwell in peace. They traveled up the Platt River until they came to Loop Fork, Nebraska, where they overtook Bishop GEORGE MILLER and his company. When they arrived at Loop Fork, a messenger on horseback brought word from the President of the Twelve, BRIGHAM YOUNG, that they should not venture farther for fear of deep snow or hostile Indians, but should locate a good camping ground for the winter.
The captain, Bishop MILLER, was not in favor of obeying this order. He was anxious to push on, as the prospect of several months delay in the journey was not a pleasing one.
They remained three days considering and discussing the problem. At this juncture a number of Indian chiefs of the Ponca Tribe passed by on their way home from an Indian council. They were very friendly and invited the travelers to go with them to their camping ground to a place called Swift Water near the Missouri River about 150 miles above or north of winter quarters, now known as Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Indians said the camping ground was good, with plenty of water and wood and feed for the animals which the white men were welcome to share.
ERASTUS BINGHAM stood up on his wagon wheel and talked to the saints, telling them that he proposed to obey the council of President BRIGHAM YOUNG, that he and his family would remain until spring and invited all to join with them in accepting the invitation of the Indians to share their camping ground. About one-half the company remained with ERASTUS BINGHAM; the others decided to attempt the journey westward with their commander, Bishop MILLER. They pushed westward but met with a great many losses. The Indians stole some of their animals; and they suffered considerably from the cold and lack of food and were finally compelled to return, some of them camping near ERASTUS BINGHAM's camp. The Ponca Indians were very kind to the families who were sharing with them their camping ground, even bringing meat for the most destitute families.
In the spring of 1847 ERASTUS BINGHAM and his family returned to Council Bluffs where he was chosen a member of a committee to go to Missouri and secure wagons and supplies for the journey west across the plains. He bought provisions to last his family eighteen months. On the 11th of June 1847, they left Council Bluffs; and after getting across the Elkhorn River, they started on their journey westward. They traveled up the north side of the Platt River in a company of 666 wagons consisting of DANIEL SPENCER's group of 100, IRA ELDRIDGE's 50, JEDEDIAH M. GRANT's 50, and ERASTUS BINGHAM's 10, together with other groups. The company was so large that it was organized with captains of tens, fifties, and hundreds to maintain and guarantee the best of order. Yet it was unpleasant because it would be so late before the last wagon could start from the camp in the morning and so late at night before it could get into camp. Two wagons traveled abreast, making two roads.
The company divided near Laramie, Wyoming, and ERASTUS BINGHAM and family were with those in the lead. They arrived in Salt Lake Valley on 19 September 1847, much sooner than some of the others. ERASTUS built a log house and made preparations for the winter. In the spring of 1848 he was allotted a farm in the Holiday district; and in addition to the farm, he acquired a grazing permit in what is now known as Bingham Canyon, Utah.
He erected a cabin for a herd house at the mouth of the canyon, which is located about twenty miles southwest of Salt Lake City. In August 1848, together with his brother THOMAS, SANFORD BINGHAM took charge of a public cattle herd in Bingham Canyon. 1 September 1848, SANFORD's first child was born in Salt Lake City and from 1 October 1848 to July 1849 his wife and baby resided with him at the herd house. One day while he and his brother THOMAS were out with the cattle, there being no one in the house with his wife and baby except one of his younger brothers, a couple young Indians carrying guns came into the house and sat down on a bench by the side of the bed, on the side of which she had spread some clean clothes to air, that she was ironing. The Indians laid back on her clean clothes. She tried by signs and motions to tell them to get off the clothes, but they would not move; so she caught them by the hair of their heads and yanked them off and then went about her ironing. The Indians cocked their guns and made some threats in their own language which she didn't understand, but when they found they could not scare her they went away and never came back into the house again. These sons discovered ore while watching over the cattle, but were advised by President BRIGHAM YOUNG not to attempt to pursue mining, as the lives of the people depended on farming and stock raising.
This canyon has been known as Bingham Canyon since that time; and today it has the largest open pit copper mine in the world. In 1949 a monument was erected in Bingham Canyon to the memory of ERASTUS BINGHAM and his two sons; SANFORD and THOMAS. 1 August 1949 the dedicatory service was held at the monument with members of the BINGHAM Family Organization, officers of the Kennicott Copper Company, the Mayor of Bingham, HOWARD M. DRIGGS of New York City, formerly of Utah, and NORMAN F. BINGHAM, son of SANFORD BINGHAM, participating in the program. The monument was dedicated by RAYMOND BINGHAM, a great grandson of ERASTUS BINGHAM and President of the Bingham Family Organization. The unveiling of the monument was by two great grand-daughters of ERASTUS BINGHAM, GENET BINGHAM DEE, secretary of the Bingham Family Organization, and LUCINDA FIFE THOMPSON SLATER, member of the Bingham Family Organization Temple Committee.
In April 1850, ERASTUS BINGHAM and his family moved to Ogden and located on the property where the City and County building now stands, farming the property as far south as 28th Street and north to 22nd Street. They grew a crop of grain and potatoes, the first potatoes they had grown since they left Illinois. During the same year President BRIGHAM YOUNG came to Ogden and laid out the city. As the Bingham property was in the area desired for the central portion of the city, BRIGHAM YOUNG bought their claims and paid them for the buildings and improvements which must be torn down. In the fall of the same year, after they had sold their property, they moved to Farr's Fort, north of Ogden River where the Farr Woolen Mill building now stands, and erected a log cabin.
Sunday 26 January 1851, President BRIGHAM YOUNG and party held meetings in the South Fort of Ogden, Utah, and on this date the Weber Stake of Zion was organized. On this occasion Ogden was divided into two wards, north ward and south ward. ERASTUS BINGHAM was made Bishop of the North Ward with CHARLES HUBBARD and CHARLES PERRY as counselors.
In the spring of 1851 a farm was laid out in what is known as the Lynn District and Bingham's Fort was established. It was here a log house was erected and the entire family of ERASTUS BINGHAM moved to this location. This log house was substantially built and is still standing and being occupied.
Bingham's Fort was situated about three miles north of what was then, in 1851, Ogden City. It was located north of 2nd Street and west of Wall Avenue. The east line of Bingham's Fort was about 130 rods west of the present Washington Blvd. The fort enclosed an area 120 rods long and 60 rods wide. Its walls were built of rocks and mud, principally mud. Each family who lived in the fort was assigned a portion to build.
The Fort walls were erected about four rods from the houses, with corrals taking up the space between. THOMAS RICHARDSON, a pioneer boy who lived in Bingham's Fort, tells how the walls were constructed. "We did not have lumber to put up to hold the mud, so we placed upright poles tapering from about eight feet at the bottom and three feet at the top. We set stakes between the poles and wove willows in like a willow fence, then filled the spaces with mud. We made a ditch nearby to run water down to make the mud, while wet, we threw it in with shovels, spades or anything we had. We wove the willow forms as the walls went up. The wall was about 12 feet high. The fort had an entrance on the west side large enough to drive a team through, with a gate constructed of heavy timber which stood as high as the wall. Had it been completed, there would have been a similar gate on the east."
Bingham's Fort and Lynn Canal which serve the fort with water and for irrigation of the farm lands nearby, was surveyed by ISAAC NEWTON GOODALE a son-in-law of ERASTUS BINGHAM, but due to GOODALE's being assigned by President YOUNG to similar duties in southern Utah, the actual supervision of both the Lynn Canal and the Bingham Fort walls fell to ERASTUS BINGHAM. The water the Lynn Canal carried was diverted from Ogden River near Farr's Mill.
Here at the fort, as in other undertakings directed by the church authorities, there was a working plan. The farms were adjacent to the fort; and as men worked on them, they were continually alert for Indians. The cattle were herded in the meadows but were brought into the fort for protection at night.
A school was established, and as the spirit of education counted for more than the equipment, slab benches served as seats. There were no tables or desks and very few books. An alphabet was secured from scraps of newspaper and old books; and letters were posted on wooden paddles. One of the first teachers was AMANDA SNOW BINGHAM, wife of WILLARD BINGHAM. The women of the Fort kept up the industry of the home, spinning, weaving, rearing children, doing all the things for the building of good citizenship.
"On 3 March 1852, Weber County was organized with Ogden as the county seat. In October of that same year, the first municipal election was held in Ogden, resulting in the election of Lorin Farr as mayor, and Charles R. Danna, Erastus Bingham and ten other individuals as city councilmen."
"In 1853 settlers began to gather at Bingham's Fort, located north of Ogden. At the close of 1854 Bingham's Fort had a population of 732."
ERASTUS BINGHAM and family lived in Bingham's Fort until 1854, when they were counseled by BRIGHAM YOUNG to move back to Ogden City. ERASTUS still retained and operated his farm in Lynn, but also acquired property located at 23rd and Madison, where he built a home. He served as a member of the first Territorial Legislature which convened December 1854.
In 1856 the Ogden Tabernacle was erected, and ERASTUS and sons helped in its construction. In 1856 Ogden was divided into four wards with ERASTUS BINGHAM as Bishop of the First Ward. He continued his activities in these localities until the approach of JOHNSTON's Army in 1858, when the order came for a general move south; and Ogden was almost deserted. ERASTUS and his family went as far south as Payson, camping on the Payson bottoms west of town.
His son, THOMAS, and son-in-law. ISAAC NEWTON GOODALE, were chosen to stay with the group left at home with orders from President YOUNG that if the soldiers of JOHNSTON's Army did not pass through the city and leave the dwellings unmolested they should burn everything, rather, than leave their homes for the enemy. The trouble with JOHNSTON's Army was settled, and the BINGHAM family returned to Ogden and resumed their activities in Ogden and the Lynn District.
ERASTUS BINGHAM served as Bishop of the First Ward until 1868, when he was released as Bishop and from other religious and civic activities on account of ill health. As a polygamist, he was the husband of five wives: LUCINDA GATES, to whom he was married 21 March 1820, and who was the mother of six sons and three daughters; PATIENCE PERKINS, to whom he was married in Salt Lake, 4 April 1851, SALLY BARBER, to whom he was married in Salt Lake, 7 April 1853, MEHITABLE SAWYER, to whom he was married in Salt Lake, 11 September 1857; and EMMA NYE, to whom he was married in Salt Lake, 13 December 1862 and who was the mother of one son, WARNER BINGHAM.
ERASTUS BINGHAM lived a noble and exemplary life and passed away 2 May 1882 at the age of 84 years, one month, 21 days in Ogden and was buried in Ogden City Cemetery.
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