David Barclay Adams (1814-1881)

Adams, David Barclay, 1814–1891 Journal (1867–1880) Journal (1867–1880) Holograph. 99 pp. 30.5 cm. HDC [LDS Church Archives] (Ms d 1763)

Main scenes of activity: Adamsville (or Fort Adams) near Beaver, Utah, and iron works in Iron County. Account opens in 1867. Previous journal told of establishing settlement at Fort Adams. Gathered adobes to build school house. Teacher of high priests quorum. Captain in militia. Gathered donations for Perpetual Emigration Fund. Collected poll tax. Solicited subscriptions for Deseret News and Juvenile Instructor. Dedication of new meeting house. Trips to Beaver. Much routine farm work. Many church meetings.

Named bishop of ward, 1869. Militia muster of several communities. Good description. (“At day light again the Revele Played for to get up and have Prayers and to prepair the days work and Drill and to have a Sham fight at three it came off delightfull the Infantry held their own and a little more.”) Jury duty at Beaver. Dances in ward. Brigham Young visited community, 1870. Author elected justice of the peace. Disciplinary actions by bishop’s courts.

First visit to Iron County, 1870. Author‘s experience in iron works in England important. Unpacking engine, setting up furnace, and details on mixture of fuel. Success in casting iron. Repeated breakdowns. Resigned as bishop in Adamsville to superintend iron works, 1872. President of Mormon branch at iron works. Secretary of Iron Company. Appointed postmaster for Iron City. Elected justice of the peace. Personal dispute with clerk of company led author to resign, 1873. Return to Adamsville. Good picture of reluctance of people to establish United Order.

Agreement to return to iron works, 1875. Leased whole establishment for one dollar. Traveled to Pioche to raise money. Produced some good iron, but needed another year, which board would not grant. Move to East Fork of the Sevier, 1875. Milked cows, made butter and cheese.

Living in Escalante, 1879. Organization of irrigation district. In bishopric. Appointed postmaster. May Day celebration. Rebaptisms. Traded with Indians. Built post office. Saw comet, 1880. Very cold winter.