SUNSET CEMETARY 1876-1888



Sunset Cemetary stands as a mute testimony to the undaunted spirit of the brave pioneers who forged a living from this once desolate and forbidding land. On January 24, 1876, over two hundred (200) men, women and children were called as missionaries to settle in the Little Colorado River Valley. James Brown and Lot Smith were appointed to lead the expedition by Brigham Young of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons). The families had ten days to prepare for the journey south.On the 24th of March, 1876, Lot Smith and 115 families arrived at Sunset Crossing. here, the families divided into companies. Lot Smith's company (Sunset) settled north of the crossing, and on the east side, Jesse O. Ballenger's company (Brigham City) . William Allen's company (St. Joseph) was located 23 miles upstream on the north side from the George Lake company (Obed). The first post office was established at Sunset on July 5, 1876. The post master was Alfred M Derrick. It closed on November 23rd, 1887. A local newspaper "The Enterprise" contained short stories, poems, and news of visiting missionaries. After many hardships, floods and droughts, they were relieved of their calling in 1881. The last person to leave was Lot Smith who left in 1888. Three of Lot Smith's children are buried at Sunset Cemetary.

Source: Homolovi Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society: HCR 63, Box 6 (SR87N) Winslow, AZ 86047-9402 Telephone: (928) 289-4106.

SUNSET CEMETARY, SUNSET ARIZONA
NAME BIRTH DEATH NOTES
M. A. Burk September 30, 1880 February 6, 1881 4 months, 6 days
Mrs. Walter Hill   1883  
Maggie James December 19, 1882 February 20, 1883 2 months, 1 day
Joseph Knight October 18, 1840 June 27, 1878 37 years, 8 months, 9 days.
Deseret McNeill      
Gad Morris 1830 March 21, 1878 47 years old
Freihoff Brigham Neilson January 10, 1878 Auguat 22, 1879 1 year, 13 days
Maurice Earl Porter July 8, 1881 August 10, 1881 1 year, 1 month, 1 day
Smith Doolittle Rogers January 10, 1878 August 31, 1878 7 months, 21 days
George Albert Smith September 9, 1874 June 19, 1883 8 years, 9 months, 10 days
Rhoda Minerva Smith June 8, 1885 July 12, 1886 4 months, 6 days
Wilford Woodruff Smith December 28, 1879 March 14, 1883 3 years, 2 months, 16 days
Baby Boy Wright (no Name) January 21, 1877 January 21, 1877 Son of Joseph and Betsy Wright
Marion Benjamin Black July 4, 1881 July 4, 1881 Baby
Morias Porter     Baby


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