THE MORMON DAMRONS

The first positive proof that a member of the Damron Family was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that William Wallace Damron wrote into his own record that he was baptized Jan. 15, 1856, by Elder Benjamin Clapp. William W. was nearly 24 years old, an excellent scholar,” an independent thinker and well educated for his time and place. Others in his family were baptized at the same time or shortly afterward. L.D.S. missionary, Morris Snedeker, wrote in his journal that the Ellis County, Texas, Branch of the church was organized May 11, 1856. He listed about twenty who were members at that time. Among them:

  MUTHUR DAMRON GEORGE DAMRON AND WIFE BETSY DAMRON MATILDA DAMRON WILLIAM DAMRON WILLIAM COLDIRON AND WIFE

  The “Muthur” Damron spoken of here was Sarah Shultz Damron, widow of John Damron, Jr. (1791-1856), a son of Capt. John Damron and Anna Ladd. John Jr. and Sarah Shultz Damron had arrived in Texas twelve years earlier with a company of friends, neighbors, and relatives from Missouri, traveling overland with wagons and teams of oxen or horses, John, Jr.’s family records show that he died in 1856, early in the year as Sarah appears to be head of the family in all records at this time. It is certain that he heard the new, yet old, Gospel preached by missionaries in that part of Texas. If so, he must have approved, or Sarah and her five youngest children would not have joined so readily.
  Others on the list of converts at the Hay, 1856 meeting were:
(1) George Washington Damron (1830-1872) 6th child of John and Sarah had married in Ellis County, Mar 21, 1855, Susannah Stewart.
One baby, Catherine, was born in Texas.
(2) Betsy, full name Cynthia Elizabeth, 9th child of John and Sarah, b. 1837
(3) Matilda, 8th child, christened Sarah Matilda
(4) William Wallace, 7th child of John and Sarah
(5) William COLDIRON and wife ; his wife was the daughter of Constantine Ladd Damron and Sarah McCormick. (Constantine was brother to John Jr.) Sarah and John’s youngest child, Joseph Warren Damron, was not baptized at this time, but as he said, “In the Indian Nation (Oklahoma) when I was about fifteen. In his journal, Morris Snedeker mentions several visits to the home of “Muthur” Damron (his spelling was original). He mentioned one prayer meeting of which he states, “Never have I heard such testamony, such expressions of faith in the Lord and in the principles of the restored Gospel.” This was in Ellis County, Texas, by the Trinity River in an area called “Stringheel,” and in one place “Heelstring” by the missionary. I believe it to be near the Henderson County line, since the family was in the 1850 Henderson County census.
Soon it was decided that Church Members from Ellis and Washington Counties should unite and prepare to migrate to Utah to join the body of the church, meeting at Tyler, Texas to make final preparations. Sarah must have had many serious thoughts about this. She had pioneered from Adair County, Ky. to Southern Illinois, married John when she was 14 or 15, and had trekked with him to Weakley County, Tennessee, then to Barry County, Missouri, and finally the long, hard trip to Texas. Now she was 58 years of age, a widow, with five older married children who were not favorable to the new church, and five younger ones whom she felt responsible for. George and William were eager to go West.
The happy young teenagers, all keen for adventure, were most willing. John, Jr. had been active and successful in Texas and respected among his neighbors. Now these same neighbors, blinded by prejudice, were not so friendly to the family anymore. Sarah felt in her heart that it was right to join the Utah-bound group, so said her prayers, gathered her strength, and made the necessary preparations for her family. As expected, the trip was long and hard. Heat across the dusty plains; Indians, buffaloes, often short of water and careful planning with food. Tall mountains to climb, cold nights, great rivers to cross-—yet it was not all hard ship and drudgery. Betsy and Tilly, lovely teenagers, are said to have been beautiful girls with creamy white complexions and flashing black eyes. This two rode horseback all the way, singing hymns and songs, making up games to pass the time. Their cheerfulness lifted the spirits of all. William Wallace was a tower of spiritual strength. George and his 69 wife and “baby were a delight. And Joseph, her youngest was wherever he was needed, helping as best he could anytime. Sarah seemed to lean on young Jody and found him a dependable assistant. Each day began and ended in prayer. Heartbreak came to their cousin, Susan Emmiline, when her husband, William Coldiron, was bitten by an adder while the family was on the plains crossing Iowa. Within two days he was dead, leaving her with small babies. The family and others rallied around to offer solace and practical help. Later she married Isreal Dodge Allphin, settled in Pine Valley, Utah, near St. George, and had ten more children by him. It was her lot to know much personal tragedy. In 1862 a flash flood at Pine Valley, caused the loss of two of her children. Sarah Shultz Damron, according to family records, died sometime in 1859, just two years after arriving in Utah. It is said that she is buried on a hillside near Heber City. Her grave has been sought, but never found. It probably never had a marker.
Of the children who came to Utah with Sarah, George and William are listed with those living in a fort near Heber City during 1860. George appears in the Provo Valley census in 1860, along with his wife, three children, probably his mother-in law, and his younger brother, Joseph. I have found little about George in written records. Two of the children were born in “Utah Territory.” I have heard that he and Susan were divorced and that she later married Joseph Riddle and moved to California with the children. In 1870 George W. is living alone in Kanosh, Utah. He died there suddenly in 1872. The two daughters married two Moody brothers, who had been missionaries to Texas. Cynthia Elizabeth md William C. Moody and settled in St. George, Utah, later moving to Lincoln Co., Nev. where she died in Eagle Valley in 1872. They had five children. Sarah Matilda md John M. Moody.
They resided in Salt Lake City, Pine Valley, Nov. and in St. George, Utah where she died in 1877. They had 4 children. There are many descendants of these Moody families, most of them still strong members of the L.D.S. Church. Among them have been bishops, stake presidents, and mission presidents. In their number are doctors, educators, and other prominent people. William Wallace md (1) Martha Jane Allphin. She lived a very short time and was one of the earliest buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery. William was heartbroken at her death and could not seem to go on living. Then, one night, his lovely bride came to him in a dream. She told him that she was very happy, and that all was well with her, but that he must go forward and make a life for himself. He was overjoyed at seeing her and asked her to promise to return to see him again when he was an old man. She agreed, then disappeared. He lay awake happily thinking of this visit, when Martha appeared again and said that she would be unable to keep her promise and would be allowed to come again. Later William W. md (2) Hester Elizabeth Ray. They had 11 children and resided in Millard County, Utah, and Graham County, Arizona, where he died in 1898. There is a beautiful little valley in southern Utah that William discovered. It is called “Dameron” Valley in his honor. William was a brilliant man and well educated. He was a school teacher, superintendent of schools, probate judge and was active in Arizona politics. He claimed to be a “Jeffersonian Democrat”. It was said that when he ran for office, opponents quit because they knew that he would win. Joseph Warren Damron, youngest of Sarah’s family (1841-1922). Ah—-this one I knew!! He was my beloved grandpa, the kindest, sweetest, most patient person in the world. The pal of my childhood, tho he was nearly 70 when I was born. He was an excellent farmer and gardener, one who always looked and planned ahead to provide for his family in those harsh pioneer times. He married Margaret P. Freeman. She had one son by a previous marriage. Counting him, they raised a family of nine children, six boys and three girls. Grampa was a very mild tempered person. It was ever a joy to go to their home. He was an Indian war veteran, active in church and civic affairs.
There was always a spirit of love and togetherness in their home, and always plenty of food. Those nine children are all gone now, but many grandchildren survive who remember him and his “Margot” with great affection. And that spirit of love and togetherness is still alive and evident among the many cousins today. 70 Of the five older children of John Damron, Jr. and Sarah Shultz Damron: The eldest, Susannah, had married Joshua Brock in Missouri, and had small children. They stayed in Ellis County, Texas. John Shultz Damron md Sally Dorrity. He moved to Orange Co. California. Anna Ladd Damron md (1) Benjamin LaRue, and (2) Elzy Stockton. They also went to Orange Co., Ca. Milton Wesley Damron md Sarah Pennington and lived in Bell Co., Texas. He was a Mason and one of the original famous Texas Rangers. Laura Louisa Damron md Zacharia Walker Moore. Descendents settled in Washington state. All of these brothers and sisters kept in touch. I remember Grandpa exchanging letters with some. My father and Grampa attended family reunions in Orange Co., Ca. Great affection existed between them all, always.
Just a word about Damrons I have known and studied about all over the U.S. and even in England. They are mostly a church-going, land-owning people. Mild mannered; honorable; hard-working. Indeed, I am very proud to be numbered among the descendants of this family and cherish the memories I have of so many of them. Mariam Damron Cropper Feb 8, 1983
  YES, I AM A MORMON!!! SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84115 328 E 33rd So. (Note: Mariam Damron Cropper is one of the best known Damron Family researchers; she was one of the researchers for the Dameron/Damron genealogy book edited by Helen Foster Snow