VB-321 Reel 47 CHURCH FAMILY page 4
Author definitely David Austin Buckingham

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1842
4 May A number of brethren went out with chain & compass to find the corners and boundary
1 ines. Found the NW corner or Watching Angel's Tower where Father Wil I iam is
supposed to have stood, and set out another butternut tree. Then went for SW corner.
NW being 457 rods from the center, they went 457 rods to the SW and were told to place a stone
here (by the Holy Angel of Discernment).
6 May "Today I found the other two corners by the same manner of measurement. At these
corners we only marked by driving down a small stake exactly on the corner; the land
being owned by the world at these points, no permanent mark could be placed there.
The SW corner was also off from the Society possessions, on the commons or vacant land
belonging to Stephen Van Rensselaer. But it being uncultivated land, a stone could
be placed, low in theground, and not so soon disturbed by the wicked. "
17 May "The Smith woman, the mother of Philip & Lucretia Smith, came here today to see her
children. "
Two brothers went for bloodroot; found it at Fonda's Ferry.
24 May "The elders and the instruments in the 1st and 2nd Orders assembled at the Meeting House
this afternoon at2 pm. The meeting lasted 3 hours."
31 May "Most part of the family went to the Center Tree, the Tree of Mercy & Forbearance
in the center of the Holy City, Wisdom's Valley. We received many blessings under
this tree atthis meeting which lasted 2 hours (from 9-11 am). "
1 June "This being the day our Heavenly Parents are to ascend to heaven, we keep itsacred
as a day of solemn devotion, praise and thanksgiving to the giver of al I good, our
Heavenly Parents and holy Angels. We held two meetings, one in the forenoon and
the other in the afternoon. The whole church convened in the last me eting."
5 June "The 1st and 2d Orders attend meeting at the Meeting House (61) at1 pm in company
with our Ministry and the Ministry from Union Village, Ohio. After exercising there
for about 1 1/2 hours, the whole assembly march out to the Center of the Valley and,
after passing away an hour or more in variousexercises, receiving from the spiritual world
many precious gifts and blessings, we marched four abreast, 2 brethren and 2 sisters, to
the Fountain of Living Waters. Here again we sing a number of songs, partook of the
water of the fountain etc* and then returned to our apartments or dwellings, having been
in meeting from 1 to 4 pm."
9 June A Mr. Rose brought his two sons, Samuel about 9, and John about 6 years.
10.June One Dr. Brown stayed here lastnight. 'He was brought up among the Indians; he makes
great profession, can cure any disease whatever."
12 June "The 2d Family attend meeting in the Meeting House, also the South Family. This is the
firsttime they attended in the sanctuary since the closing of the gates in December 1841 ."
13 June Leading members and "those most concerned," meet again to consider whether to repair.
the old mill or build a new one. The general opinion of all present (ministry not present)
is tobuild a new one,
14 June GD to Cregier's for black cherry bark; to Widow Hills' farm forcrosswort for tea.
(Webster's Dictionary: crosswort - could be one of several plants, boneset, loosestrife.)
16 June "Today is set apart from temporal labor, as much as possible, to be kept as a day of
humiliation and repentance and not one loud word to be spoken in the family during the
day; nor was anyone to step with a flat foot in the dwelling house. This also done in
obedience to the mind and w i l lof our Heavenly Father. The brethren went about the
farm, particularly thepastures, sowing or scattering the blessing.; ofGod which was
given to-us by the Holy Angel for thatpurpose."