REBECCA HARRIS

Rebecca was born in Nauvoo, Illinois to Emer Harris and Polly Chamberlain. Rebecca was just 3 years old when her mother Polly died and she came across the plains with her father and grandfather, Soloman Chamberlain. Rebecca had to walk part of the way and helped the Saints gather 'buffalo chips' to build the fires when they stopped to set up camp. The family moved to Provo, Utah living in very primitive conditions. They pretty much lived in a dugout with a fireplace but no windows. They slept in the wagons. When someone got a fire started, others would come and get some of the coals to start their fires, as starting fires was not always easy.
One of the hardships Rebecca endured was having to go barefoot a lot as she didn't have shoes. She left a bloody trail, especially in the snow from her battered feet. One day a neighbor boy was playing with and old discarded shotgun and told Rebecca he was going to shoot a cat. Rebecca grabbed the gun and it went off setting the wagon on fire. The neighbors all chipped in to help them build a cabin. One day Rebecca was alone in the cabin, she was about eight years old, when an Indian came into the cabin looking for food. She chased him out with a broom. He left as he was a friendly Indian.
The indians began to war among themselves and the Saints were ordered to move. They crossed the Provo River on a wooden plank bridge. Rebecca slipped off the bridge and fell into the water. A man holding a baby reached down and caught her hair then lifted her back upon the bridge. She held onto his coattail the rest of the way. The family then settled in Springville, Utah. Rebecca worked for a lady when she was quite young and the lady lived in the canyon. One day while walking there she heard a noise in the bushes, she turned and ran home. Later some of the men killed a black bear in that area.
Rebecca died at Lakepoint, Tooele, Utah at the age of 84.