PITTSFIELD, ILL. — An early Mormon community in Pike County, Ill., was recognized Saturday, Nov. 5, by the dedication of a historical marker. The ceremony, attended by about 60 observers, was held in Pittsfield, Ill., Historic Society headquarters.
The dedicatory prayer was offered by Menlo Smith, former president of the St. Louis Missouri Temple and former regional representative for the Church. He is a direct descendant of "Mormontown" founder Silas Smith.
Following the dedication ceremony, the cast aluminum marker was erected near the townsite roughly three miles east of Pittsfield on Highway 106.
"Mormontown" existed only from 1839 to 1845. The text on the marker reads:
"On Feb. 22, 1839, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, refugees driven from Missouri under the 'Extermination Order' of Gov. Lilburn Boggs, settled on this site. The property was owned by Thomas Edwards, who later joined the Church. Silas Smith, high priest in the Church and uncle of Joseph Smith, was the leader of these Mormon refugees. The community grew to more than 300 members. Silas Smith died on Sept. 13, 1839, at the age of 58 and was buried near his home. Smith was succeeded by John Lawton and later by Harlow Redfield, who presided over the congregation until it disbanded in 1845.
"In October 1842, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball preached at a Church conference held (in Mormontown) (formerly known as Pike City). The settlement ... (included) ... cabins, wells ... a schoolhouse and a church. ... The cemetery, which measured 60 by 80 feet, fell into disrepair in later years. Gravestones were bulldozed into a ditch and the graveyard plowed over. ...
"The marker is sponsored by the Pike County Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society with the cooperation of Zion's Camp Illinois Trail Committee."
To submit historical data, or for more information on Mormontown, contact Dr. Mel Martin, 217-285-6426, e-mail melmar81@msn.com.