Memories of Brigham Young from 1830 - 1903

Fairplay Flume – September 11, 1903

Brigham  Young  in  1830.

About the year 1830, Brigham Young and family settled in Port Byron, says the Rochester Post-Express. It was then known as Bucksville and boasted of 100 inhabitants. There was no canal or railroad in those days, and the settlers had to hew down trees in order to make a clearing in which to build a house. During the first few years of Young's stay he made his home with 'Squire Pine, who lived in the corner of Pine and South streets. The Pine house is now about 100 years old. It os now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. James D. Dixon.

Brigham Young was a carpenter, and old residents of Port Byron say that he was an expert at his trade, but his work was scarce and he was always hard up. It was a long time before he saved up money enough to buy lumber to build his own house. It was his intention to build himself a fine house, but it turnd out to be a very ordinary frame structure. It was built soon after the Erie canal was put through, and was located near the heel path side of the canal. The Young house has long since been moved. A part of the original structure now stands back of the Newkirk livery stables and is unoccupied.

Brigham Young's family comprised his wife and one son, Brigham, Jr., who died recently at Salt Lake City. Young at that time was a firm believer in Mormonism. He left Port Byron, or Buckville, in 1830, and went to Seneca Falls. From there he went to Utah and subsequently became famous as the leader of the Mormons. In after years, when he was famous, one of his old acquaintances wrote to him and asked him if he was the Brigham Young of Port Byron, and if he were, could he pay 'Squire Pine for a large board bill. 'Squire Pine was then an old man and in poor circumstances. In a short time 'Squire Pine received a letter from Young, and inclosed was the money in full for his board, with interest. Young was then a rich man and said he was very glad to pay up his old debts.