ISRAEL BARLOW, prominent early Utah pioneer, arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley, 23 September 1848, with Brigham Young's Company. With him were his wife, Elizabeth Haven, born 28 December 18 11, at Holliston, Middlesex, Mass., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Betsy) Howe Haven, and four of their children, Israel Jr., Pamela Elizabeth, Ianthus Haven and John Haven. Elizabeth Barton, Israel's second wife, born 19 September 1803, at Shamokin, Northumberland, Pa., daughter of Noah and Mary Cooley Barton, was also in the group. Elizabeth Barton, not having any children of her own, always shared the home of Elizabeth Haven, where she was known and loved as Aunt Betsy. During the first winter they lived in the Old Fort in Salt Lake City. In the spring of 1849, they moved ten miles north to what was then called Sessions' Settlement. They settled in a neighborhood now known as West Bountiful, Davis County, Utah.

Hampden, Massachusetts

Israel was the second of the seven children of Jonathan and Annis Gillett Barlow. He was born 13 September 1806 at Granville, Hampden, Mass., where he also spent his childhood. His father, Jonathan, born 1 June 1770, at Granville, Hampden, Mass., was the son of Margaret Purchase and Nathan Barlow, born 26 March 1726, at Suffield, Hartford, Conn. Nathan was the son of Mary Harmon and James Barlow, born 27 January 1688, at Suffield, Hartford, Conn. James was the son of Sarah Huxley and James Barlow, born about 1660[1668]. Mary Pemberton and Edmund Barlow, born about 1634 [1626],in [Lancashire,]England, were in all likelihood the parents of James, … Edmund is the earliest known ancestor to live in America. The Edmund Barlow family was first located in the records of Charlestown, Middlesex, Mass. James, believed to be the son of Edmund, participated in the Land Division at Suffield, Mass. (now Conn.) in 1680.

Religious Inclination

His son James and his wife, Mary Harmon, with their large family moved before 1746, to Bedford, (now Granville) Mass., where Nathan's son, Jonathan, was born and reared. Little is known of Israel's childhood. A document issued by the Methodist Reformed Church of the State of New York, dated 27 August 1830, giving Israel "license to improve his gift by exhortation" is the first real knowledge of him as a young man. From this document we know of his religious inclination. Just two years later in the spring of 1832, after hearing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he was baptized by Brigham Young and became a member of the Mendon, Monroe County, New York Branch, along with "his mother, brother and sisters." The year 1832 marks the beginning of a long life of service in the Church. Israel was ordained a Seventy by Sidney Rigdon on 11 January 1835, and became an original member of the First Quorum of Seventy and was the senior President of the 6th Quorum of Seventy. He was a member of Zion's Camp and participated in the historic march from Ohio to Jackson County, Missouri. He also went on a mission to New Hampshire in 1844.

Nauvoo. Illinois

It was through Israel's effort in 1839 that the Prophet Joseph Smith first learned of the availability of land near the city of Commerce, Ill., which later became Nauvoo. It was during this period that Israel stayed at the home of William M. Mace in Quincy, Ill., where he met his wife to-be, Elizabeth Haven, a first cousin of Brigham Young. She was a nurse at the home of Brother Mace during the birth of a daughter, Zuriah Mace, on 17 February 1839. Israel and Elizabeth were married 23 February 184o, at Quincy, by Isaac Morley.

While in Nauvoo, Israel helped build the temple, was a bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph and also a member of the Nauvoo Agricultural and Manufacturing Association.

Israel and his family left Nauvoo in the spring of 1845, when the Saints were driven from their homes.  He was one of those who remained to assist at Winter Quarters when the first group left for the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. The following year he and his family also made the long journey.

Israel responded to a missionary call to Great Britain, leaving 19 April 1853. He was president of the Birmingham, England, Conference for over a year. During his return in the spring of 1855, he was the Elder in charge of a company of Saints immigrating on the ship Samuel Curling. Also crossing the ocean in this same company was Lucy Heap, born 24 September 1836, at Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, the daughter of James Heap and Sarah Waters. Lucy was a convert to the Church who later, 2 December 1855, was married to Israel as his third wife by President Brigham Young in his office in Salt Lake City.

It was through Israel's effort in 1839 that the Prophet Joseph Smith first learned of the availability of land near the city of Commerce, Ill., which later became Nauvoo. It was during this period that Israel stayed at the home of William M. Mace in Quincy, Ill., where he met his wife to-be, Elizabeth Haven, a first cousin of Brigham Young. She was a nurse at the home of Brother Mace during the birth of a daughter, Zuriah Mace, on 17 February 1839. Israel and Elizabeth were married 23 February i#4o, at Quinty, by Isaac Morley.

While in Nauvoo, Israel helped build the temple, was a bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph and also a member of the Nauvoo Agricultural and Manufacturing Association.

Israel and his family left Nauvoo in the spring of 1845, when the Saints were driven from their homes. He was one of those who remained to assist at Winter Quarters when the first group left for the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. The following year he and his family also made the long journey.

Missionary to England

Bountiful, Utah

Lucy Heap