The early evolvement of the Mormon faith in Bradford County was not identified with a developing hamlet or even the county seat of Towanda, but in rural Columbia Township, not far from Troy. One person in particular, Alpheus Gifford, embraced the Latter Day Saint faith and had much influence in developing the church and induced several other families in Columbia Township and neighboring Rutland Township in Tioga County to convert, including the family of future leader Brigham Young, who after the death of Joseph Smith, would lead the great journey in history across the plains to Utah.
Alpheus Gifford was born August 28, 1793 in Berkshire County, Massachusetts and is related to have begun preaching at a very early age, perhaps as young as eighteen. In 1818 he was in Tioga County, New York and a year later in Covington, Pennsylvania and by 1820 in Columbia Township. He and his young family removed to Milo, New York but soon returned to Columbia Township but in 1823 they had removed to neighboring Wells Township. The family removed to New York State again, but returned to Pennsylvania and was in nearby Rutland Township in 1830.
At this same time, Joseph Smith had published the Book of Mormon in 1830. At some point in his travels, Alpheus Gifford either met Joseph Smith or an acquaintance of Smith’s and was baptized. In 1831, led by Alpheus Gifford, his brother Levi Gifford, and friends Elial Strong, Eleazer Miller, Enos Curtis and Abraham Brown traveled from Columbia Township to Kirtland, Ohio. Some of these men were not yet members of the church, but evidently strongly interested in learning more. Alpheus Gifford was ordained an elder and Curtis and Strong were baptized there in June of that year. Other than Curtis the others were men with young children and growing families. Ruth Franklin, wife of Enos Curtis, had become the mother of thirteen children by this time, eight of whom were living, and her fourteenth child would be born in 1832 in Rutland Township, Tioga County. Rebecca VanZandt and Eleazer Miller was a young couple with six children born to them, with more to follow. Levi Gifford and Deborah Wing were the parents of seven young children. Alpheus Gifford and Anna Nash had seven young children and the family would continue to grow. Elial Strong and his wife Martha Curtis had two young children. Abraham Brown was recently married.
The group left Ohio and returned east to New York State to the area of Mendon, near Rochester. While in Mendon the Columbia Township party met the Kimball and Young families who were already familiar with the Book of Mormon, but not members of the church. The group returned to Bradford and Tioga Counties, Pennsylvania. Eleazer Miller who lived in western Columbia was baptized in December 1831 and Daniel Bowen in Columbia and Ezra Landon in Troy Township. These families became the nucleus of the small church known as the Columbia Branch.
Meanwhile, the Kimball and Young families of Mendon, New York desiring to learn more regarding the Mormon faith, made preparation to travel 130 miles to the nearest branch of the church, in Columbia Township. They left about January 20, 1832 and are related to have traveled by horse and sleigh, the party consisting of Brigham Young and wife Miriam, his brother Phineas and wife Clarissa, and friend Heber Chase Kimball. Brigham Young later wrote - “We travelled through snow and ice, crossing rivers until we were almost discouraged; still our faith was to learn more of the principles of Mormonism.” “We arrived at the place where there was a small Branch of the Church; we conversed with them, attended their meetings and heard them preach, and after staying about one week we returned home, being still more convinced of the truth of the work, and anxious to learn its principles and to learn more of Joseph Smith's mission. The members of the Branch in Pennsylvania were the first in the Church who received the gift of tongues.”
Shortly thereafter, in the spring of 1832, Phineas Young again traveled from Mendon, New York to Columbia Township and with him were his brother Joseph Young, and their father, John Young. On April 5th Phineas Young was baptized by Ezra Landon and John Young was baptized by Daniel Bowen. On the following day, April 6th, Joseph Young was baptized by Daniel Bowen. These baptisms are related to have occurred on Sugar Creek on Porter Road in Columbia Township not far from Troy. This was the beginning of the Young family’s advent into the church, all of whom joined and would remain members throughout their lives, shaped by early pioneer families of Columbia Township.
The Youngs and Kimball departed on April 7th and returned to Mendon with Alpheus Gifford and Eleazer Miller and on April 15th, 1832 Brigham Young, who would become one of the most famous members of the church, was baptized by Eleazer Miller of Columbia Township. Heber Chase Kimball, also to play an important role in church history, was baptized on either April 15th or 16th by Alpheus Gifford. More than thirty persons were baptized in the Mendon and Victor area in the next few weeks.
The small church known as the Columbia Branch grew and missionaries went out to spread the gospel of the Latter-day Saints, playing a significant role in the early history of the church. However, the Columbia Branch was short lived.
Elial Strong wrote a letter that was published in the Evening and Morning Star newspaper, Independence, Missouri, May 1833, which only a portion of is here given.
Rutland, Pa. March 19, 1833.
Dear Brethren in Zion, peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all. About forty five have been baptized into the church where I live. Some have set out for the land of Zion, and nearly all the rest are ready to go up this spring. I was baptized one year ago from last June, and after a close trial of about three weeks respecting the revelations and the gathering to Zion, my mind became clear, and I was ordained an elder in the church of Christ. In the fall following, I went with brothers Potter and Bowen to Shaftsbury Vermont where a few received the work. In the winter several of us went to Mendon, New York, and the work of the Lord commenced here. From thence we went to Warsaw, then to Lake Erie, and home by the way of Angelica, preaching the word, and blessed be the name of the Lord, signs followed them that believed, insomuch that some who were sick was healed, and some spoke with tongues and glorified God. Last summer four of us from Rutland, and two from Mendon, went to the province of Upper Canada. We landed at Kingston, and labored at Ernest town and its vicinity. Here thousands flocked to hear the strange news; even so that the houses could not contain the multitude, and we had to repair to the groves. Hundreds were searching the scriptures to see if these things were so. Many were partly convinced, and some were wholly, so, when we left, and a small church was founded there. We have heard since we came away, that the cause of the Lord was prospering in that region. Brother Miller, an elder that has travelled with me in the two last routes, has baptized about twenty. I have baptized, in all, thirty-five; nine in Rutland and Sullivan; four in Columbia; seven in Troy and three in Canton, Pennsylvania; five in Shaftsbury, Vermont; one in Chenango, and one in Mendon, New York, and five in Ernest town, Upper Canada. We have labored under some disadvantage, not having instructions till within a few months past, respecting this great work, other than the Articles book of Mormon, and the Comforter. But we remember, that where much is given, much is required, and where little is given, little is required: Therefore by the grace of God, we mean to improve the talent, or talents that we have received, that we may gain other talents: Hence we would call upon our brethren in Zion, from whence the light is to flow, and the law is to proceed, to remember us in Babylon, and let the strong bare the infirmities of the weak. Pray the heavenly Father to open an effectual door for us, to make our escape from the midst of spiritual wickedness, to the place of the name of the Lord of Hosts, the mount Zion. We rejoice that the time has come, that the Lord has set his hand again the second time to gather his elect. That he has already set up the ensign and lifted the standard for the gathering of the nations; that the covenants and promises made to the fathers, concerning the remnants of his people, might be fulfilled. And above all, we have great reason to rejoice, that we, as Gentiles, have the privilege of receiving the light manifested for their restoration; and by entering into the covenant, we may become the spiritual children of Abraham, and with Israel partake of the fatness and the fulness [fullness] of the olive tree. We long to see the time when we can see the tribes of Israel's remnants, coming up to Zion with songs of everlasting joy; we long to see the time when Jacob's face will no longer wax pale; when the bride shall be adorned and ready for the Bridegroom; and finally, we long to see the time, when Jesus shall come in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, and be admired by all his saints.
Your brethren in the Lord,
ELIEL STRONG,
ELEAZER MILLER
At this time most members of the church made preparations to leave Pennsylvania for Missouri. Of interest is an 1833 assessment list for Abraham Brown which notes – “Became Mormon - Sold and going to New Zion”
What further significant role some of the Columbia Township church members may have contributed was cut short for some. Cholera took the life of young Elial Strong at Zion’s Camp, near Rush Creek, Clay County, Missouri on June 26, 1834. Abraham Brown died soon after on May 12, 1838 at age 27 leaving a young widow and children. Soon after the Mormons fled mobs and the threat of extermination by the Missouri Governor and crossed the Mississippi to Illinois and developed the city of Nauvoo. Abraham’s wife Maria Curtis married soon after but would follow Abraham to the grave on May 5, 1841 in Nauvoo at 31 years of age leaving young children by both husbands. Alpheus Gifford died December 25, 1841 at Morley, Illinois near Nauvoo. After the assassination of church leader Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum and continuing tensions, many Mormons began the exodus with Brigham Young for Utah. Ruth Franklin wife of Enos Curtis died on the trek at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Anna Nash, Enos Curtis, Eleazer Miller and Rebecca VanZandt, reached Utah. Ezra Landon had been previously cut off from the church in December 1833 in a dispute over church doctrine.
J. Kelsey Jones is a graduate of Troy High School and Elmira College and is a member of the Bradford County Historical Society Board of Trustees having served in various capacities including President and is currently serving another term as Vice-President.