JACOB CHRISTENSEN and wife INGER KRISTENA JENSEN (Thomsen)~~~ Pioneers of the Month ~~~ November 2025

Jacob and Inger Christensen

 

Inger was born Feb. 6, 1833 in Napstyert, Jutland, Denmark. Her parents were Thomas Christian Jensen and Else Margrethe Olsen. Inger grew up on a farm. No doubt she learned many valuable lessons on the farm, which helped her throughout her life.  She met and fell in love with Jacob Christensen. He had joined the LDS church in his native land of Denmark on Feb. 20, 1853. His mother Maren Pedersen Peterson was also a member of the church. His father Christen Peterson had passed away a few years earlier. Inger joined the church in June of the same year. Two years later, Inger and Jacob were married on Jan.17, 1855. Jacob was 28 years old and Inger was 22 years old. One year later Jan. 16, 1856 a little son Thomas was born to their family. They were a happy family and they were dedicated to their new faith, but troubles soon began. Because they had joined the church, family, neighbors, and friends ostracized them. They found it hard to live in Denmark where there were so many negative feelings about the church. So within two years of their marriage they decided to immigrate to the United States and join the saints in Utah. 

There are conflicting stories that have been handed down. One is that they received the money they needed for travel from the Perpetual Emigration Fund of the church and the other is that Inger’s parents gave them the needed money. With the financial help they left their beloved home on Friday April 18, 1857. Jacob, Inger, baby Thomas and Jacob’s mother, Maren joined 536 Scandinavian Saints who sailed from Copenhagen on the steamer L. N. Hvidt. The ship arrived at Grimsby, England on April 21 in the afternoon. The following day they rode a train to Liverpool. On April 25, 1857 these and other saints, 544 total, sailed from Liverpool on the ship Westmoreland. At this time Inger was just 23 years old with a baby of 15 months. Her husband was 29 and his mother was 68 years old. The voyage across the Atlantic Ocean lasted 36 days. There were good feelings of harmony among these saints. On May 31 they arrived in Philadelphia. Elder Angus M. Cannon who was the emigration agent at that port received the emigrants. They made arrangements to continue their journey to Utah. On June 2 they left Philadelphia on a train. They arrived in Iowa City on June 9, 1857. Most emigrants crossed the plains immediately afterwards but some saints did not have the means to continue. This was the case for Jacob and Inger and their family. Sadness came to them with the passing of Jacob’s mother soon after they arrived in Omaha, Nebraska. They remained there for two years. Although Jacob worked at whatever employment he could find, they lived under the most trying circumstances. One time Jacob was obliged to trade one shirt, of his supply of two, for a bushel of frozen turnips. 

Inger was very happy to finally have her parents join them in Omaha in 1859. They had sailed from England on the William Tapscott ship on April 11, 1859. It appears that they had also joined the church in Denmark and gathered with other emigrating saints. They had a pleasant journey of 31 days on the ship. Although there were nine different languages spoken and many different customs they enjoyed meeting together for morning and evening prayers and Sunday meetings and also gathering for singing, music, dancing and games. They arrived in New York Harbor May 14, 1859. They traveled by train and steamboat and finally arrived in Florence, Nebraska on May 25, 1859.

With their supplies ready and the arrival of Inger’s parents, the Christensen family was ready to make the trek to Utah. Jacob, Inger, and son Tommy and Inger’s parents Thomas and Else Jensen joined the Robert F. Neslen Handcart Company. This was the only handcart company to cross the plains in 1859. According to a pioneer diary they left June 6, 1859. Along with a handcart, they received utensils, a water-can, bedding and food rations.. A tent was provided for each ten persons. The company comprised 235 persons, with 60 handcarts, and six ox-drawn wagons to haul provisions and the sick. The company was very organized with sub-captains for each 10 carts. There were many hardships along the way. They would travel from 16 to 22 miles a day. There were blisters and mosquitoes and occasional trouble with the Indians. There often was not enough food to satisfy their appetites. On Aug. 22 the provisions were scarce and people were starving. It wasn’t until Aug 25 that wagons from SLC rescued the handcart company. They found out that the supply wagons had traveled day and night to bring food and assistance. 

While crossing the plains, Jacob and Inger had a great misfortune. Their only child died. The company halted and buried little Tommy. Jacob, overcome with grief, threw himself across the newly made grave declaring he could not go on and leave his little boy. According to his great granddaughter, Elizabeth Averett Vance he asked, “ Inger, is it worth it? We have lost our families, our friends, our home and our country. My mother died. And now this. Is it worth it?” Inger, grasping hold of him said, “Jacob Christensen, you know it is worth it. It is worth it and more. Now you get up off that grave. We must go on.” 

Home of Lyman Wing Aldrich and his wife Carrie Ingeborg Beck (updated by Tudy)

 

Charles Washington Averett Sr., and his wife Elizabeth Coates ~~~ Pioneers of the Month January 2022

 

Charles Washington Averett and Elizabeth Coates Averett 

 The above photo and history is the Averett Home in Mt. Pleasant.

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The information below is taken from Family Search:

Charles Washington Averett was born 13 July 1836 in Marion, Perry, Alabama to Jeduthun Hardy and Holly Jane tingle Averett. His parents were married in Marion County, Alabama in 1836. They had five children, but the two girls died. His father was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1833. They family left Alabama and arrived in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois in 1845 just shortly after the Prophet and his brother were martyred in Carthage,Illinois. They bought property but were never able to build one it. They received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple in January 1846 just days before the main body of Saints were expelled from Nauvoo. While they were camped on the banks of the Missouri River, the government approached Brigham Young to provide some 500 soldiers to help in the war with Mexico. Brigham felt that the money they would receive would help the Saints get to where they wanted to go. Jeduthun was 28 years old and an experienced traveler and frontiersman. He joined the Mormon Battalion assigned to Company D under the command of Captain Nelson Higgens. He left his family there with the promise that the Church would take care of them.

He went with the company as far as Santa Fe, New Mexico, enduring many hardships as they were all marching on foot. He became very sick and had to sent with others to Pueblo, Colorado, where he spent the winter. He heard that his wife and family by now were in Salt Lake,so he traveled there and found that they were still back in Iowa. He went back there and found them. They stayed in Kanesville, Iowa for five years. They left with an Unknown Company in 1852.

Charles was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 1 July 1846 at the age of nine, after they had been driven from Nauvoo. He was 16 years old when they came to the Utah Territory. He received his endowments in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City,Salt Lake, Utah Territory at the age of 21 on 9 February 1858. He married Elizabeth Coates on 28 February 1860 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory at the age of 23. Elizabeth was 17 years old when they married.

Elizabeth was born 10 December 1842 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England to Joseph and Ann Dutton Coates Jr. She was seven years old when they emigrated to America coming through New Orleans, Louisiana. They traveled to the Utah Territory with the James Jeppson Company in 1852. Her father Joseph was 38; her mother Ann was 35; Susannah was 15; George was 12;Elizabeth was 9; and twins Thomas and William were 2.

They departed on 29 May 1852 with 173 individuals and 32 wagons in the company which began its journey from the outfitting post at Kanesville, Iowa (present day Council Bluffs). Buffalo were plentiful on the plains, however they only killed two for meat. Buffalo chips (dung) made great fuel to cook with. They often would encounter people going east of business or missionaries going out. They had no deaths from Cholera, although it was prevalent on the trail. It took them three months to cross the plains, they lost only three people to death. As they arrived in Salt Lake City. Citizens would pass out musk mellon for them to eat. They arrived in the Salt Lake valley on 10 September 1852. Elizabeth was baptized on 18 December 1853 into the Church at the age of eleven. After they got to the Salt Lake valley they had two more children born there. By 1857 they had moved to Mount Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah Territory where theirlast child was born. Elizabeth was the second of 15 children born to them. Her father died in 1865 in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah Territory.

They were the first to homestead in the Mount Pleasant area. They built home shortly after they got there. He help to construct a threshing machine in 1861 and brought it to Mt. Pleasant. He served in the Black Hawk War. Charles and Elizabeth had 14 children born to them, eight of them living to adulthood. Charles Washington Jr. was born 26 February 1862;William Alma was born 2 June 1863; Thomas J. was born 20 September 1864 and died 17 September 1865; and Ann Elizabeth was born 13 April 1865. They moved to Santaquin, Utah, Utah Territory for a short time where the next two children were born. Twins Joseph and Hyrum were born on 26 December 1867. Joseph died on 17 February 1868 and Hyrum died 27 August 1869.

They moved back to Mount Pleasant where the rest of the children were born. Mary Ellen was born 14 January 1871; John Albert was born 26 June 1871 and died the same day. Caroline Adelia was born 16 January 1877; Clarence Franklin was born 7 January 1879; Alice Adlate was born 29 July 1882 and died 16 September 1882; and James was born 6 February 1884. Elizabeth died on 25 April 1891 in Mount Pleasant at the age of 48. Her youngest child was seven. She was buried in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete,Utah Territory. Charles married Emily Seely on 1 October 1891 in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete,Utah Territory. They did not have any children. He was 55 and she was 45. She died on 30 November 1924 in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete,Utah. Charles died on 12 February 1926 in Emmett, Gem, Idaho at the age of 89. He was buried on 17 February 1926 in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah. His son John Albert was living in Emmett so he was probably living with him at the time of his death.

 Elizabeth Coates Averett 

Elizabeth Coates was born on 10 December 1842 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England to Joseph and Ann Dutton Coates Jr. She was six years old when they emigrated to America coming through New Orleans, Louisiana.

Her family traveled to the Utah Territory with the James Jeppson Company in 1852. Her father Joseph was 38; her mother Ann was 35; Susannah was 15; George was 12; Elizabeth was 9; and twins Thomas and William were 2.

They departed on 29 May 1852 with 173 individuals and 32 wagons in the company which began its journey from the outfitting post at Kanesville, Iowa (present day Council Bluffs). Buffalo were plentiful on the plains, however they only killed two for meat. Buffalo chips(dung) made great fuel to cook with. They often would encounter people going east on business or missionaries going out. They had no deaths from Cholera, although it was prevalent on the trail.

It took them three months to cross the plains, they lost only three people to death. As they arrived in Salt Lake City citizens would pass out musk melon for them to eat. They arrived in the Salt Lake valley on 10 September 1852. Elizabeth was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 18 December 1853 at the age of eleven. By 1857 her family had moved to Mount Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah Territory where their last child was born. Elizabeth was the second of 15 children born to them.Her father died in 1865 in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah Territory.

She married Charles Washington Averett on 28 February 1860 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory at the age of 17. He was 23 years old when they married. Charles Washington Averett was born 13 July 1836 in Marion, Perry,Alabama to Jeduthun Hardy and Holly Jane tingle Averett.

His parents were married in Marion County, Alabama in 1836. They had five children, but the two girls died. His father was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1833. They family left Alabama and arrived in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois in 1845 just shortly after the Prophet and his brother were martyred in Carthage,Illinois. They bought property but were never able to build on it.They received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple in January 1846 just days before the main body of Saints were expelled from Nauvoo. While they were camped on the banks of the Missouri River, the government approached Brigham Young to provide some 500 soldiers to help in the war with Mexico. Brigham felt that the money they would receive would help the Saints get to where they wanted to go. Jeduthun was 28 years old and an experienced traveler and frontiersman. He joined the Mormon Battalion assigned to Company D under the command of Captain Nelson Higgens. He left his family there with the promise that the Church would take care of them. He went with the company as far as Santa Fe, New Mexico, enduring many hardships as they were all marching on foot. He became very sick and had to sent with others to Pueblo, Colorado, where he spent the winter. He heard that his wife and family by now were in Salt Lake,so he traveled there and found that they were still back in Iowa. He went back there and found them. They stayed in Kanesville, Iowa for five years. They left with an Unknown Company in 1852. Charles was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 1 July 1846 at the age of nine, after they had been driven from Nauvoo. He was 16 years old when they came to the Utah Territory. He received his endowments in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City,Salt Lake, Utah Territory at the age of 21 on 9 February 1858.

Charles and Elizabeth were the first to homestead in the Mount Pleasant area. They built home shortly after they got there. He help to construct a threshing machine in 1861 and brought it to Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete,Utah Territory. He served in the Black Hawk War. Charles and Elizabeth had 14 children born to them, eight of them living to adulthood. Charles Washington Jr. was born 26 February 1862;William Alma was born 2 June 1863; Thomas J. was born 20 September 1864 and died 17 September 1865; and Ann Elizabeth was born 13 April 1865.They moved to Santaquin, Utah, Utah Territory for a short time where the next two children were born. Twins Joseph and Hyrum were born on 26 December 1867. Joseph died on 17 February 1868 and Hyrum died 27 August 1869. They moved back to Mount Pleasant where the rest of the children were born. Mary Ellen was born 14 January 1871; John Albert was born 26 June 1871 and died the same day. Caroline Adelia was born 16 January 1877; Clarence Franklin was born 7 January 1879; Alice Adlate was born 29 July 1882 and died 16 September 1882; and James was born 6 February 1884.

Elizabeth died on 25 April 1891 in Mount Pleasant at the age of 48. Her youngest child was seven. She was buried in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete,Utah Territory. Charles married Emily Seely on 1 October 1891 in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete,Utah Territory. They did not have any children. He was 55 and she was 45. She died on 30 November 1924 in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah. Charles died on 12 February 1926 in Emmett, Gem, Idaho at the age of 89. He was buried on 17 February 1926 in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah. His son John Albert was living in Emmett so he was probably living with him at the time of his death.

 

 

 

Charles Washington Averett and Elizabeth Coates

MOUNTAINVILLE The Round Hills or Round Knolls as they have been known since the first settlers homesteaded in the vicinity of the five small round hills, are situated just to the southeast of thc, center of the valley between Mt. Pleasant and Fairview. The hills are chiefly gravel formation covered with brush and cedars. The little farming community to the east and north of these very distinctive hills took its name from them. Later the name of Mountainville was given to the small community. As far as has been determined, Washington Averett and his wife Elizabeth Coates were the first to homestead in this community. Their homestead lay directly east of the Round Hills. It is not known the exact year he took up the land, but it has been ascertained that it was before 1877. He built a home that was located, close to where Doug and Julie Shelley now live. Charles Washington Averett was a farmer and lumberman, son of Juththan and Polly, was born in Perry County, Alabama, July 13, 1836. In 1852 the family came to Utah and located in Salt Lake City. In 1860 they removed to Springville, where Charles assisted in constructing a threshing machine, which he ran there; and in the fall of 1861 he brought it to Mt. Pleasant. He served in the Black Hawk war and was in many skirmishes. His first wife was Elizabeth Coates, daughter of Joseph and Ann Dutton Coates and niece to John and Sarah Higginbotham Coates. They were married February 24, 1862 and had nine children: Charles W., William, John, Frank, James, Annie, Mary, Emma and Delia. His wife died April 25 o 1891 and he was married again October 1, 1891 to Emily Seeley Coates, a widow of George Coates who was his first wife's brother. Emily was a daughter of William and Elizabeth Seeley, born in Nashville, Iowa. (History of Sanpete and Emery Counties) Jacob Christensen bought Washington Averett's land and built an adobe house down at the northeast corner of the hills for his first wife, Inger Kristine Thomsen. His second wife, Ingerborg Anderson, lived in the house built by Mr. Averett up by the choke cherries.

Also See: Juduthan Averett — FamilySearch.org.html

Home of William Fletcher Reynolds and his 3rd wife Nielsine Kirstine Thomsen ~~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

Home of Peter Almertz & wife Maren Anderson ~ Researched by Tudy Standlee

Helena Christensen Shelley ~ From Mountainville History compiled by Melba Shelley Hill

Biographical Sketch of the Life of Jacob Christensen ~ from History of Mountainville ~ Compiled by Melba Hill

photos courtesy of Mt. Pleasant Relic Home

House Research  and photos by Tudy Standlee

Jens Jorgensen ~ Pioneer of the Month ~ October 2011