The
Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Plaque commemorating the Founding of Payson,
Utah [1]
The Settlement at Peteetneet Creek, Utah (1850)
“In the Autumn of 1850 President Brigham Young
advised a settlement be made on the banks of Peteetneet Creek. [2]
Andrew Jackson
Stewart, Sr. writes, “In
1850 we came to Utah.” [3]
He arrived with his family “in
Salt Lake City September 16, 1850. Here he was asked [by Brigham Young] to join
the party headed for Peteetneet in central Utah.” [4]
Enroute, he made a survey for other possible
settlements, as requested by Brigham Young. [5]
On the evening of October 20, 1850, three
families, James Pace, John Courtland Searles and Andrew Jackson Stewart, and
two boys, Allison Hill and Nathanial Haws, 17 souls in all, drew up in their
wagons and made camp. As winter would soon arrive they immediately began to
harvest the wild hay found growing there, made corrals and erected log cabins.
The cabins were built from rough hewed cotton-wood logs, chopped along the
banks of Peteetneet Creek. Not having a broad-axe they hewed the logs with an
ordinary axe. [6]
Andrew
Jackson Stewart was accompanied by his wife, Eunice Pease Haws Stewart, and
their children: Sarah Catherine Stewart and Andrew Jackson Stewart Jr. Eunice’s
brother, Nathaniel Haws, 18, was also with them. [7]
On
arriving, the 16 pioneers said they found sagebrush and sunflowers as far as
the eye could see. A few cottonwood trees grew on the banks of Peteetneet
Creek. [8]
The first
work involved cutting poles and building corrals to hold the stock. Andrew
Jackson Stewart also made plans to draw a survey of the area, as directed by
Brigham Young. [9]
Andrew “then made a survey of the area at Peteetneet,” and he states, “We
settled in Payson that year [1850]…” [10]
[11]
Another source states:
The
first house was built by James Pace, after whom Payson (first spelled Pacen),
was named. John Courtland Searle was the possessor of the next building and
Andrew J. Stewart the third one. All were built from rough hewed cottonwood
logs, chopped along the banks of Peteetneet creek.
The
first farm was the forty acres on which Ammon Nebeker’s home now stands near
the southeast corner, by Andrew J. Stewart. John Courtland Searle occupied the
adjoining forty acres on the north, extending to the “Half Mile Road.” James
Pace chose forty acres just east of Stewart’s farm, the land on which stands
the clump of trees known as Dixon’s grove. [12]
The men
went up the nearby canyon, to fell some trees, which could be used for building
fences to hold the livestock. Andrew Jackson
Stewart surveyed Payson, as
directed by Brigham Young. John
Courtland Searle dug the first irrigation ditch in the colony. The ditch was
later known for over a hundred years as Ditch #4 in Payson City’s irrigation
plan. Wild hay was harvested for winter, to feed the livestock. Log cabins were
quickly constructed, on what later became Third North, from Second West to
Second East streets. Said the son of James Pace, William Byram Pace, in his
journal, ‘We built a double log house with a sod chimney in the middle and were
very comfortable. Stewart and Searl turned an Ell to the north. Then we all set
up pickets of cottonwood and made a nice little fort so that we wintered
nicely.’ Peteetneet Creek, their source of water, ran through the center of the
fort. [13]
After traveling through Payson two months later, the Apostle George A. Smith wrote to President Brigham Young:
While we were here waiting for the rear
wagons, the people of this place came together and were organized into a
branch. (Dec 20, 1850) Brother James Pace was appointed to preside; Brother
Andrew J. Stewart was appointed clerk. The branch will be known by the name of
the Peteetneet Branch with thirty-five members, old and young. We then gave the
saints there such instructions as the spirit directed. We had a first-rate
visit and were warmly entertained by Brother Pace and the brethren at this
place. [14]
The names of
those present at the organization of the Peteetneet Branch [15]
On August 25, 1947, a marker was erected in Payson to commemorate the arrival of the settlers:
Payson was settled Oct. 20, 1850, when a group of Mormons
consisting of James Pace, John C. Searle, Andrew J. Stewart with their
families, and two boys, Allison Hill and Nathaniel Haws, arrived at the
north-western extremity of the city. The creek on which Payson is located,
derives its name from the Indian Chief Peteetneet, for whom the town was first
named, later changed to "Pacen" in honor of James Pace, hence
"Payson".
In mid-March of 1851:
[In 1851] the fort (at Payson) was
considered too small and plans were made for enlargement. About the middle of
March, Andrew J. Stewart made a new survey.” [16]
“[T]he settlers of Payson decided to enlarge the fort, to accommodate the
new arrivals. Andrew Jackson Stewart again surveyed the land.” [17]
Land certificate issued to John
B. Fairbanks by Andrew J. Stewart, Utah County surveyor, for land in the
Peteetneet survey, April 23, 1853 [18]
Early Days in Payson
On July 4, 1852:
[T]he settlers of Payson celebrated
Independence Day with horse races on the flat land above the hill to the south
of the fort. Horse races at Payson became a popular annual event from that
time, until, eventually, a horse track and grandstand were built. [19]
Originally named after the nearby creek, Peteetneet
Creek, the community was incorporated on 21 January 1853. [20]
Andrew’s daughter Eunice Lestra Stewart Morrison (1853-1941) described the early days in Payson and Provo: [21]
In
Provo blue clay was used to make sun dried bricks. Lime mortar was used even
from the first. My father, Andrew Jackson Stewart, built the first adobe house
in both Payson and in Provo.
The
first home I lived in was of sawed logs dovetailed together on the corners and
spiked into place. The doors were very thick and were reinforced with iron
bands.
Tallow
candles made from beef tallow and molded in tin molds [were used to light our
first home in Utah]. Wood [was used as fuel in our first home].
Clothing
was all home made. We used wool mostly, and it was carded, woven and sewed by
hand. Cochineal was used for red dye, peach leaves for yellow, indigo for blue,
and peach leaves and indigo were combined for green.
Wheat
was five dollars a bushel in 1855. Other food was also expensive but I do not
remember the prices.
Bears
came down Provo River, but deer were not plentiful in the valleys. There were
lots of deer in the mountains however. The Indians had kept them pretty well
cleaned out of the lower country. We dipped venison and beef in brine and dried
it in the sun. We called it jerky. There was a great abundance of trout and
other kinds of fish in all the streams. Lots of times the farmers would bring
home trout which came down with their irrigation streams.
There
was lots of wild hay in the sloughs and swamp land. The cattle could stay out
all winter in the foot hills. They ate the long grass which grew in the
greasewoods.
Wheat
was the first to be planted in this section.
We
paid [our teacher] in goods from my father’s store. Eggs, molasses, etc.
My
most vivid impression was the lack of food among the early settlers. My own
family was more fortunate than many others.
Describing the native Utes she said:
[I] lived
around the Indians since infancy in Payson and Provo. [They] lived in teepees
made from bear skins, [and] later used cloth. There were a large number of
[Indian burial] mounds north of Payson. [22]
Building Fortifications
(1853)
A journal entry by Albert King Thurber on July 20,
1853 states:
This morning we learned that A. J. Stewart’s horses
were stolen by the Indians during the night from this place
(Peteetneet). [23]
In the summer of 1853
Brigham Young instructed the people to build forts for protection from the
Indians. [24]
In later years Andrew filled in an “affidavit concerning service in Indian Wars within the State of Utah and of service relating thereto: [25]
On the 22nd day of July 1853, I was
enrolled in Company C AO, commanded by Col. George A. Smith; that at said time
I was a resident of Payson, Utah County, Utah, and of the age of 34 years; that
I was a member of said organization for 35 days…and was honorably released from
service with said command on the 25th day of August, 1853.
That during said service in Company C AO under
Col. George A. Smith I participated in the following engagements and duties:
served as teamster 35 days. [26]
Of the rest of this year Andrew also writes:
In 1853 I was Colonel of [the]
Militia and spent five months planning and building forts at the various
settlements. [27]
On the mechanics table, the horse shoes,
nails, wood turning, etc., contributed by Messrs. Sabin, Beebe, Stewart &
Co., were all of superior workmanship, and in the opinion of competent judges
can not be excelled in the Territory.”
The stock on exhibition was of a superior
order, and creditable to the stock breeders in this vicinity. [29]
Nails from the First Nail Factory in Utah
Owned by Benjamin Franklin Stewart and Andrew Jackson Stewart [30]
Legacy
Pioneer Day, July 24, 1882, was
celebrated in the following manner as reported to the ‘Deseret News’:
‘The people assembled at 10 a.m. at
the grove.
After singing and prayer by the
Chaplain Thomas Mills, a speech was given by Benjamin F. Stewart, one of the Pioneers;
a salute was fired by the Infantry; a speech by A.J. (Andrew Jackson) Stewart,
on behalf of the Sunday School; a speech on behalf of the Relief Society, by
Mr. Sarah Koontz; a song by Mrs. Keturah Richardson, entitled, “Beatuful Star,”
…a speech on behalf of the Y. M. MI association, oration, original poetery,
YLMI speech, another speech, singing and prayer by the chaplain. Dancing in the
grove for the juveniles. [31]
The historic Payson Opera House. [32]
On October 20, 1891, Andrew was honored as a distinguished guest, along with the three other surviving original settlers of Payson, at a celebration banquet, concert and dancing for Payson’s Pioneer Day at the Opera House. As one of the four surviving original settlers, he gave also gave a “reminiscent speech” on the occasion:
Payson
was settled in 1850, just forty-one years ago the 20th of this
month, when a little band of Mormon colonists made their way here and squatted
down on the banks of Peteete creek, the beautiful little mountain stream flowing
out of the cañon near by. Among that little band of pioneers were W. S. Pace,
after whom Payson was named, Alison Hill, Courtland Searle and Andrew Jackson
Stewart, who are the only survivors of the settling company. They were all very
young men then.
Next
Tuesday being the 20th and the forty-first return of Payson’s
pioneer day, a move has been set on foot to celebrate the event in great style.
There is to be a banquet, concert and dancing, the arrangement of which is now
being made by a committee of 100 citizens, made up without regard to class
distinction. The various sub-committees are hard at work and report everything
progressing satisfactorily. Among the distinguished guests of the day will be
his Excellency, Governor Arthur L. Thomas; W. S. Pace, Alison Hill, Courtland
Searle, Andrew Jackson Stewart, four of the original pioneers; Mayor and City
Council, Revs. A. C. Todd and T. R. Smith, and others. An elaborate programme
is being prepared about as follows:
At
daylight, salute of fifteen guns in honor of first settlers.
At
surise a salute of four guns in honor of the four survivors.
At
intervals till sundown, salutes to number in all forty-one guns, one each for
every year since the settling of the town.[33]
At an event in remembrance of the Indian Wars, the following was published on July 3, 1909:
One of the
Veterans. We were pleased to notice, the other day, our old friend Andrew
Jackson Stewart, of Benjamin, Utah Co., among the Old Folks who honored the
city as its guests. Mr. Stewart is now somewhat over 89 years of age, but he
looks young and he intends living, he says, until he becomes as old as Moses
was when he was called -- that is 120 years. Bro. Stewart joined the Church in
Iowa in 1844, before the Prophet’s martyrdom. He says he was the first to have
an outfit ready for the Exodus, and that President Brigham Young was very much
pleased with the arrangements he had made. He sent his brother with his outfit
but remained behind himself until 1850, when he came to Utah. Here he spent
many years surveying and helping to locate the Saints. he held the position of
United States deputy surveyor for 35 years. We hope Bro. Stewart will have as
many years of life as he wants, and that he may enjoy them to the last.” [34]
At the 1910 60-year anniversary celebration of the founding of Payson, Andrew was honored as one of three surviving founders. A thousand children paraded through the main streets to site where the first camp was pitched on Peteetneet Creek on October 20, 1850.
After
the rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by the band an address of welcome
was made by Mayor Joseph Reese, in which he presented the keys of the city to
the Peteetneet Sons and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. President G. Frank
Pickering of the Society followed with an address of welcome and formally
presented the city’s keys to the survivors of the days of settlement.
Each
of the three veterans then made a short address, after which they were
decorated with garlands of roses… [35]
On the stage of the Opera House that evening:
Andrew
Jackson Stewart, 91 years of age, danced an old-fashioned step dance. [36]
Andrew was honored at the Payson Homecoming Jubilee on October 19-22, 1910 as one of the last two surviving founders of Payson.
Since 1984, Payson is the site of the annual Payson Scottish Festival to celebrate the heritage of those of Scottish descent, including the Stewart founders of Payson.
Logo of the Payson Scottish Festival [37]
In 2015, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated its 146th operating Temple in Payson.
The Payson, Utah Temple. [38]
[1] Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum, Payson 10 North 600 East Payson, UT 84651.
[2] The Payson Story, Payson Centennial publication, 1950, p. 1.
[3] Andrew Jackson Stewart, Dictation.
[4] (The Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia , page 308).). Another source indicates they arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on September 15th. [5] (The Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia , page 308).
[6] The Payson Story, Payson Centennial publication, 1950, p. 1.
[7] Utah History.
[8] Utah History.
[9] Peteetneet Town: A History of Payson Utah, p. 2.
[10] The Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia , page 308.
[11] Andrew Jackson Stewart, Dictation.
[12] https://catalog.lds.org/assets?id=621848f3-e07d-49aa-be00-754659aa248e&crate=0&index=112
[13] Utah History.
[14] The Payson Story, Payson Centennial publication, 1950, p. 2.
[15] https://catalog.lds.org/assets?id=621848f3-e07d-49aa-be00-754659aa248e&crate=0&index=10
[16] Peteetneet II by Madoline Cloward Dixon.
[17] Utah History.
[18] Church History Library, MS 8795. https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/record?id=6f2ffb8f-8838-4850-a323-012230d9325f&view=browse&subView=arrangement
[19] Utah History.
[20] https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=420115
[21] Interview dated November 1, 1936.
[22] Eunice Lestra Stewart Morrison (1853-1941) interview.
[23] Treasures of Pioneer History, p. 294.
[24] Memories that live: Utah County Centennial History p. 184
[25] In 1909.
[26] http://images.archives.utah.gov/cdm/ref/collection/2217/id/12668
[27] Andrew Jackson Stewart, Dictation.
[28] Located at the southeast corner of Utah Avenue and 2nd East in Payson.
[31] Benjamin Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports, LR 662 2 Microfilm, Church History Library. (Des. News 31:463)
[32] https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/historic-buildings-still-standing-in-payson/collection_6cf0e745-4a80-59bc-a404-a1589aca6965.html#6
[33] The Daily Tribune, Monday, October 19, 1891. [34] News Editorial (Unknown paper). 3 July 1909.
[35] https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=10488270&q=%22andrew+jackson+stewart%22
[36] https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=10488270&q=%22andrew+jackson+stewart%22
[37] http://www.paysonscottishfestival.org/
[38] https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Payson_Utah_Temple_2014-11-28.jpg
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