Pioneer History of Mary Jane Champlin and Stewart Dickson

Cheri Battrick, who will be serving as the 2023-24 Historian for the Port St. Louis Camp of Daughters of Utah Pioneers, is presenting the pioneer history of her 3rd great-grandparents at the May 2023 camp meeting.

Mary Jane Champlin lived at Hawn’s Mill and survived the massacre there on October 30, 1838 along with the rest of her family. She was eight years old at the time. The Champlin’s story of survival is equaled by the survival story of Mary Jane’s future husband, Stewart Dickson.

Stewart, though living at Far West as a young boy with his family in 1838, was innocently sent to Hawn’s Mill on the fateful day of the massacre by his parents in the company of an elderly neighbor to have some grain ground at the mill.

The stories of these two youth show the hand of the Lord in preserving some of those who were doing their best to follow the counsel of their prophet, Joseph Smith Jr., in gathering to Missouri for the purpose of establishing Zion. The trials which prevented them from reaching that goal served to test them and try them. Mary Jane learned the importance of obedience which unfortunately was not the case with her future husband who later abandoned her, their family, and the Church.

This incredible story will cause you to look at the experiences of your own life differently, and hopefully inspire you to always remain faithful.