Levi Roberts

Levi Roberts was born on 26 February 1815 in Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England, to Samuel Roberts and Mary Margrate. He married Harriett Ann Efford 18 August 1835 in Deerhurst. Levi & Harriett were members of the United Brethren and soon learned of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were both baptized on 5 April 1840 by Wilford Woodruff.

Levi and Harriet set sail on the ship, “Echo”, from Liverpool in 1840, with their 2 children. After 6 weeks on the ocean, they landed in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. They travelled by boat up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo, Illinois. While living in Nauvoo, 2 daughters were born to his family. Levi acted as one of Joseph Smith’s bodyguards, and with his family, shared in the suffering and sorrow of the memorable exodus of the saints from Nauvoo, finally reaching Winter Quarters. It was here that the call came for volunteers for the Mexican War. Levi Roberts joined the Mormon Battalion in July 1846 at Council Bluffs, Iowa, in Company "E". Henry, their eldest son, was 10 years old and the oldest of 4 children when he was left to help care for the Roberts family.

Levi was honorably discharged in Los Angeles, California, and returned to Mt. Pisgah, Council Bluffs, Iowa, on 1 July 1847, to join his family. One more child was born in 1848 at Council Bluffs. Levi and his family remained in Council Bluffs, Iowa, until they travelled to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. They lived there a short time and then settled on Kays Creek, Kaysville, Davis, Utah. Here Levi homesteaded on a section of land under government privileges for veterans. Levi was a basket weaver by trade (which he learned in England) and made baskets of the willows that grew on Kays Creek, selling them in Salt Lake City.

Their first home was a dugout which served temporarily until a 4-room log cabin could be built. Levi and his son Henry went into nearby canyons to get logs which they trimmed and fitted together with rawhide where needed. Many hardships confronted them, but they were prayerful and trusted in their Heavenly Father for the help they needed to guide them. Levi and Harriet had three more daughters born to them after settling in Kaysville. Later he built another log home (about 1865). This home has since been moved to the "Pioneer Trails Village", near "This is the Place Monument" in Salt Lake City.

Levi died 22 January 1894 in Kaysville, Utah - Age 86.