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Death of an Old Pioneer

Old Grandpa Cummings, more familiarly known as "Pap" Cummings, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Ann Jones, in this city Tuesday evening last at 7:15 o'clock, at the ripe old age of 92 years, 9 months and 8 days.

The deceased had been very feeble for some time and the cause of his death is attributed to old age. He was born in South Carolina on the 2nd day of December, 1802, and came to Utah with his wife and family in the year 1832. His wife preceded him in death about five months, dying on the 29th day of last March. He was the father of 10 children, 7 of whom are living, left 79 grandchildren and 90 great grandchildren. He was among the early settlers in this valley where he has resided ever since, and a man always highly respected by all his acquaintances. He held the distinction of being the oldest man in this county and was presented with a large armchair at an old folk's party last February for that honor.

The last sad rites were performed over the departed yesterday afternoon, when fitting funeral ceremonies were held in the Stake House and a large cortege of relatives and friends followed the remains to the city of the dead. Peace be to his ashes.

Wasatch Wave, September 13, 1895, Page 3

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John and Rachel Ann Canada Cummings

John Cummings was the youngest of nine children born to Harmon and Mary James Cummings on December 2, 1802 in Pendleton, South Carolina. Rachel Ann Canada (Canarda) was the fifth of nine children born to Isaac and Sarah (Sally) Pritchett Canada March 20, 1813 in Maury, Tennessee.

John moved to Gibson County in west Tennessee in 1830 where he became acquainted with and later married Rachel Ann Canada on March 16, 1834.

John and Rachel Ann Canada Cummings were also known as "Pap" and "Mam" Cummings.

They lived in this locality until they had five children. In the spring of 1841 the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints came and preached the Gospel to them. Both embraced what they thought to be the truth and were baptized and joined the local branch of Mormons.

In the spring of 1843 they moved to Nauvoo, Illinois and lived there until the Legion was called out. John states in his journal, "I being one of that number took my gun for the protection of the prophet Joseph and remained with the Legion until discharged. I then went back to Camp Creek and there remained until the burning commenced. Although we escaped ourselves from the burning, we saw the fires and smoke of the burning houses of our brethren around us, from day to day for weeks or months, wagons were sent out from Nauvoo to bring the scattering families in for protection".

In the spring of 1846 they left Nauvoo without knowing where they would locate. That fall they stopped at Council Bluffs where they remained for two years. They left there and went to Gallen's Grove, where they lived three years.

On June 1, 1852 they started their journey to Salt Lake Valley in the John Maxwell Company. Their son, John James, then five years old, remembers gathering buffalo chips and making a fire by working the bellows. At one time a truck tied on with a rope gave way and let John fall off. The wagon wheels passed over his legs. He moved his head in time to let the wagon go on without killing him.

They reached Provo on October 12, 1852. Their journey had taken them four months and 12 days. The family lived in Provo until 1858. Sons William and Isaac came to Wasatch County with people by the name of Parker. The Cummings boys returned to Provo for the winter. In the spring they came back to their land. Pap and his son, John, brought their sheep. They took other people's sheep to herd until the flock numbered 1,800 head. When fall came, young John had to take the sheep back to Provo alone. When he came to the river he met a man who asked him how he was going to get the sheep across. John tied a rope to the leader and let the man take a rope. John made the sheep follow.