First cousin once removed of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood.
Nephew of Joseph Leland Heywood, the contributor's great grandfather. The author, Martha Spence Heywood, is the contributor's great grandmother and the third wife of Joseph Leland Heywood. She cared for Frank as they crossed the plains. He died of tuberculosis 9 November 1850 shortly after they arrived in Salt Lake City.
Nephew of Joseph Leland Heywood, the contributor's great grandfather. The author, Martha Spence Heywood, is the contributor's great grandmother and the third wife of Joseph Leland Heywood. She cared for Frank as they crossed the plains. He died of tuberculosis 9 November 1850 shortly after they arrived in Salt Lake City.
On the Death of--
Levi Franklin "Frank" Heywood
Integrity was stamped upon
Thy stern but placid brow
There intellectual's ray has shone
Where death's cold glare is now.
Oh why didst thou not live to grace
The Zion of our God.
Or fond loved parents age solace
Nor leave them here to plod.
Without their prop ---- an only son
The cherished care of years
But ah? the race was swiftly run
Naught now for them but tears.
Consumption's blighting hand did lay
It's iron grasp on thee
Thy mind and will would drive away
And fight thine enemy.
But ah! He gained the vantage ground
Thy spirit quailed beneath
Bright hopes -- fine talents -- all were found
To grace the conqueror's wreath.
Parents, weep not for him who was
Your brightest speck of joy,
Nor mourn his death -- think this loss
Was ought but to employ
To lead your heart to him.
He left his home -- the joys it yields --
Nor did his heart condemn
His leaving you in sorrow's mood
To strive to gain his health
In this he failed but never could
Regret that this he dealt.
O, Sister, mourn him not as dead.
He is gone before
That he a path for you may lead
Oh! Love him all the more.
In Spirit world all are employed
Some onward prize to gain
And Kindred spirits thus are joyed
The he is freed from pain.
In midst of mountains lays his dust
The Salt Lake at his head.
Oh, sweet the place the Saints hath chose
To bury precious dead.
We buried him at close of day
The sun 'twas in the west
And close his rays as we away
Turn'd from Frank's place of rest.
Far in the West, Frank found his grave.
In 'midst kindred that were kind
And newer friends who tried to save
From death a noble mind.
The choicest means that heaven deals
We buried him at close of day
The sun 'twas at the west
And close his rays as we away
Turn'd from Frank's place of rest
Far in the West, Frank found his grave
'midst Kindred that were kind
And newer friends who tried to save
From death a noble mind.
Written the day of funeral, November 1850 by Martha Spence Heywood
Excerpts from Martha Spence Diary which include Frank
Heywood, Crossing the Plains, 1850
August 25th—Sunday—. . .Rocky mountains
for the first time today. They look
stupendous in the dim opaque of the horizon and but a faint line marking their
existence and altitude. The highest one
is called “Laramie
Peak Independence Rock. All hands climbed its summit save myself and
Frank . . . Frank was very weak this morning—had two passages during the night
but otherwise rested well. Acted more
like himself this forenoon, sat up all the time we were riding in preference to
laying down on account of the jolting. . . .
. . .
September 17th—Tuesday—. . . Frank continues to
improve in health and was able to write a letter to his folds yesterday. . .
September 23rd—Monday—. . . Frank’s health is
more consequence to me than the pleasing of our captain and his lady. He does not feel quite so well tonight. I think he sat in the wind too much this
afternoon and ate a piece of pie. His
diarrhea returned while his cough seems gaining ground.
September 25th—Wednesday—. . . Frank’s health
some better today. . . . having much to do about Frank’s wagon I was excited in
my feelings to get everything in order, our teamster behaved uncivil to me and
I allowed my temper to get the upper hand of me. . . .
October 2nd—Wednesday—. . . nine
o’clock at night he showed symptoms of another spell and at once
apprehended it would be his death struggle.
After struggling for half an hour, conscious all the time, his pulse
ceased to beat, his hands relaxed but his breath did not leave him for an
hour. Had no power to speak or notice
anything. He died very quietly at half past ten o’clock . His funeral took place on Wednesday at 3 o’clock , Brother Kimball making
some excellent remarks on the nature of departed spirits and their existence. .
. . We followed him to the burial ground which surprised me much by its
multiplicity of occupants, a great number being California emigrants.
Thy stern but placid brow
There intellectual's ray has shone
Where death's cold glare is now.
Oh why didst thou not live to grace
The Zion of our God.
Or fond loved parents age solace
Nor leave them here to plod.
Without their prop ---- an only son
The cherished care of years
But ah? the race was swiftly run
Naught now for them but tears.
Consumption's blighting hand did lay
It's iron grasp on thee
Thy mind and will would drive away
And fight thine enemy.
But ah! He gained the vantage ground
Thy spirit quailed beneath
Bright hopes -- fine talents -- all were found
To grace the conqueror's wreath.
Parents, weep not for him who was
Your brightest speck of joy,
Nor mourn his death -- think this loss
Was ought but to employ
To lead your heart to him.
He left his home -- the joys it yields --
Nor did his heart condemn
His leaving you in sorrow's mood
To strive to gain his health
In this he failed but never could
Regret that this he dealt.
O, Sister, mourn him not as dead.
He is gone before
That he a path for you may lead
Oh! Love him all the more.
In Spirit world all are employed
Some onward prize to gain
And Kindred spirits thus are joyed
The he is freed from pain.
In midst of mountains lays his dust
The Salt Lake at his head.
Oh, sweet the place the Saints hath chose
To bury precious dead.
We buried him at close of day
The sun 'twas in the west
And close his rays as we away
Turn'd from Frank's place of rest.
Far in the West, Frank found his grave.
In 'midst kindred that were kind
And newer friends who tried to save
From death a noble mind.
The choicest means that heaven deals
Excerpts from Martha Spence Diary which include Frank Heywood, Crossing the Plains, 1850
August 25th—Sunday—. . .
I have seen the Rocky mountains
for the first time today. They look
stupendous in the dim opaque of the horizon and but a faint line marking their
existence and altitude. The highest one
is called “Laramie
Peak
. . .
September 5th—Friday—. . . Our cattle begin to
show the poverty and scarcity of water, the only pay they have for their
hardest labor, roads being pretty rough and long days of travel. This morning we parted with our Valley
friends, they taking with them Brother Heywood and he leaving his nephew very
feeble, still suffering from diarrhea; I think rather worse today than any
other, jolting of the wagon I think is very injurious to him. His uncle had him ride in the buggy for two
days past—this was a relief to him so far and he missed the privilege
today. Brother Richardson has taken upon
himself to sleep with him and have a kindly care over him which is invaluable
to Frank in his weakly state. And as far
as my poor services shall go he shall have them as from an own sister. . . I
felt in particular that it would be a great privilege to take care of Frank and
be a comfort to him in the absence of his Uncle. Oh, may the God of Israel raise him up in
health and strength in body and mind.
Brother Wooley (is) very tender in his feelings regarding Frank’s state
and friendly towards me.
. . .
September 7th—Saturday—. . . We traveled ten
miles today on sandy soil—rather hard for the cattle but very favorable to
Frank who enjoyed the circumstance. . . . He sat in the chair during our
travel, was lively and very communicative, often alluding to his feeling so
much better. Perspiration
continued. We were about six hours
traveling and when camped instead of throwing himself on the bed, his usual
custom he went out and sat with the men and ate a little biscuit crumbed in
milk. In about an hour he returned to
the wagon, lay down and acted quite drowsy during the rest of the day, his eyes
half closed while sleeping. . .
. . .
September 8th—Friday—. . . Independence Rock. All hands climbed its summit save myself and
Frank . . . Frank was very weak this morning—had two passages during the night
but otherwise rested well. Acted more
like himself this forenoon, sat up all the time we were riding in preference to
laying down on account of the jolting. . . .
. . . Everything wears a pleasant aspect around me, with the
exception of Frank’s health but I have hope for him and feeling a sympathy for
him. It take pleasure in ministering to
his wants. . .
. . .
September 9th—Monday—. . . Frank appeared
decidedly better. . . .
. . .
September 13th—Friday noon—. . . Frank gradually
grows better. . . .
. . .
September 15th—Sunday—. . . Frank continues to
gain daily. His spirits are good and
also his appetite and [he] enjoys his food. . . .
September 17th—Tuesday—. . . Frank continues to
improve in health and was able to write a letter to his folds yesterday. . .
. . .
September 22nd—Sunday—. . . (Frank) has been some
troubled with his cough which he thinks proceeds from the bronchitis and causes
him no alarm. . . .
September 23rd—Monday—. . . Frank’s health is
more consequence to me than the pleasing of our captain and his lady. He does not feel quite so well tonight. I think he sat in the wind too much this
afternoon and ate a piece of pie. His
diarrhea returned while his cough seems gaining ground.
. . .
September 24th—Tuesday—. . . Frank suffered some
from hard travel and dust but is better than yesterday. . . .
September 25th—Wednesday—. . . Frank’s health
some better today. . . . having much to do about Frank’s wagon I was excited in
my feelings to get everything in order, our teamster behaved uncivil to me and
I allowed my temper to get the upper hand of me. . . .
. . .
September 26th—Thursday—. . . Frank is about the
same—the riding was hard for him today. . .
. . .
Ocassionally some errand calls me to Mrs. Butterfield but it sis solely on
Frank’s account . . . But Frank is sick and I try to bear with it [insults from
the teamster) as patiently as I can but still it’s hard. . . . Frank has
coughed distressingly last night and today.
I notice when his diarrhea ceases his cough is hard. He is much disappointed in his uncle not
sending for him, or even sending him a line or message of any kind. . . .
October 2nd—Wednesday—. . .
. . . while the wagon was getting to rights Brother Haywood
came to us to take Frank away. How
different I felt to meet him to what I did to see Brother Johnson. My feelings are so chilled when I think of
going to Brother Heywood’s house.
. . .
November 10th—Monday [November 11]—5 o’clock—. .
. Brother and Sister Haywood supposing that Frank was in the act of dying, for
the last 24 hours he has had the appearance of any moment departing and will probably within another 24 hours. He now lays in his usual quiet state and in
this he has been remarkably favored, caused principally by the usual
expectoration in consumption producing the distressing cough, passing off by
diarrhea, sparing him much pain and those around him. . . .
. . .
November 17th—Sunday—Last
Tuesday Frank’s spirit left his state of existence for another clime. He clung to life to the last. About three hours before death he stood up on
the floor for a few minutes after having one of his spells which was not quite
so severe as his former ones. He
remarked himself that he tried to overcome its influence. About nine
o’clock at night he showed symptoms of another spell and at once
apprehended it would be his death struggle.
After struggling for half an hour, conscious all the time, his pulse
ceased to beat, his hands relaxed but his breath did not leave him for an
hour. Had no power to speak or notice
anything. He died very quietly at half past ten o’clock . His funeral took place on Wednesday at 3 o’clock , Brother Kimball making
some excellent remarks on the nature of departed spirits and their existence. .
. . We followed him to the burial ground which surprised me much by its
multiplicity of occupants, a great number being California emigrants.
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