A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF ISRAEL BARLOW, SR.

Compiled by Lucy L Osmond, a granddaughter

Much of the information herein written is what my mother, Sarah Isabel Barlow Call, wrote, such as the names and dates and fragments of experiences she remembered from the lips of her father and mother.

From this information I have matched it with Church history and have tried, in my simple knowledge, to write the facts in story form, with the hope that my own family and other interested relatives may better know and appreciate the lives & sacrifices of our ancestors. As I have read and studied of them I have learned to love and appreciate them as I never did before.

Israel Barlow was born 13th of September, 1806, in the little town of Granville, Hampden County, Massachusetts. He was left fatherless when he was 14. His father, Jonathan Barlow, passed away the 18th of December, 1820. This left the mother, Annis Gillette Barlow to care for, and to rear their six small children, the youngest less than one month of age. Her main help was her young son Israel.

Annis Gillette was born in 1781, in Grandville, Mass. She died in Shelby County, Iowa, in 1853. While her children were quite young she married George Lockwood. By him she had two other children, increasing her burden as he left her with them to support. In later life she married Edward Thompson. Israel, his mother, brothers and sisters were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the 16th of May, 1832, and shortly afterward, at Mendon, Monroe County, N.Y.

Israel assumed much responsibility for the care and support of his mother and younger brothers and sisters, so he did not marry until later in life, at the age of 33.

They joined their lot with that of the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio, and on the morning of the 5th of May, 1834, he with many other of the younger brethren bid their loved one s a farewell, and started on the memorable and perilous march of "Zion's Camp."

About one hundred well armed and equipped men were led by the Prophet Joseph Smith in person. Others joined later, and they traveled on foot 35 to 40 miles a day. In preparation they had gathered from the Saints in Ohio all they could spare of money, clothing and other necessities, to carry to the afflicted Saints in Missouri who had been robbed and plundered by mobs of their homes and earthly goods.

The company had wagons to carry the baggage while the men traveled on foot. They were all young, strong men, God-fearing and dependable.

The company was divided into tens; and each man had a responsibility; some to cook, some to build and maintain fires, some to pack and unpack, etc. Each night and morning they united in prayer. At the sound of the bugle they were on their knees. Then one man was called upon to lead.

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