02/22/2020
Elizabeth (Stillman) Sperry (1840 – 1867/68)
Elizabeth Stillman was born near Kirtland, Ohio in 1840 the 2nd daughter and 4th child of Dexter Alpheus and Barbara (Redfield) Stillman, early converts of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). Shortly after Elizabeth's birth the family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois where father Dexter worked on the interior of the Nauvoo Temple. Anti-Mormon mob violence resulting in the death of leader Joseph Smith caused most Mormons to leave Illinois in 1846.The Stillman's were part of this migration that made its way across Iowa. After a time at Winter Quarters (the Mormons ill-fated camp in Indian Territory of the west side of the Missouri River) the family moved back into Iowa, separated from the LDS Church and joined the followers of Alpheus Cutler (Cutlerites).
About 1857 Elizabeth, 18, married Bainbridge Sperry, about 30. Daughter Annie Laurie was born in 1860. By the time 2nd daughter Alice, was born in 1863 the family was living in California. Less than a year later Bainbridge was killed in a sawmill accident and Elizabeth and her daughters moved back to Manti, Iowa where members of her family and church were living. Census records indicate that Annie Laurie died in Iowa in 1866 as the result of a fall. Sometime after Annie Laurie's death Elizabeth and Alice moved to the Cutlerite settlement in Clitherall. In late 1867 or early 1868 Elizabeth (Stillman) Sperry died. She was in late 20's..
Four year old daughter Alice was raised by Bainbridge's younger brother Loring and wife Mary. The Loring Sperry family was part of a group that broke from the Clitherall Cutlerites and moved to Becker County in 1869.
