posted by Sandy on Keepsake Photographs

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James Washington Newberry was born in New York to James Newberry and Mary Smith.  He was the fourth of ten children born to his parents.  He moved with his family to Ohio and later to Nauvoo, Illinois.  All were converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.  James’ parents became antagonistic towards their new religion upon the death of Joseph Smith when Brigham Young was chosen as the new President of the Church.  James and some of his siblings, along with his parents crossed the river into Lee County, Iowa where they bought land in the Half-Breed Tract.  They affiliated with many who felt as they did; that the leadership of  the Church should be handed down from father to son.  This small group became known as The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.  The name was changed in recent years to The Community of Christ. Some of James’ siblings, including his youngest sister, continued to Utah and remained faithful and supported their leader Brigham Young and all who worked with him.   That sister, Hannah Maria Newberry had married George Morris in Nauvoo, Illinois before the move west.

In 1849, James married Edith A. Benedict.  They became the parents of five children.  In the 1880 census, the family is counted in Des Moines, Lee County, Iowa.

The migration of James Washington Newberry

New York to Ohio to Illinois to Iowa

Tags: Benedict, illinois, iowa, Morris, new york, Newberry, smith, the mormon church, utah