April 6, 1841, Elizabeth Thompson Groesbecks' baptism in Nauvoo.

Earlier Elizabeth Groesbeck posts are here and here.

Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck’s 1883 obituary (bottom of this post) states she was baptized by William Smith in Nauvoo, Illinois on April 6, 1841, two weeks following her marriage to Nicholas Groesbeck in Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois on March 24, 1841.

April 6, 1841. --"The first day of the twelfth year of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! At an early hour the several companies comprising the 'Nauvoo Legion,' with two volunteer companies from Iowa Territory, making sixteen companies in all, assembled at their several places of rendezvous, and were conducted in due order to the ground assigned for general review. The appearance, order and movements of the Legion, were chaste, grand and imposing, and reflected great credit upon the taste, skill and tact of the men comprising said legion." [1]

Joseph Smith later led the legion, accompanied by “ladies” and “gentlemen” walking eight abreast, to the temple block, for impressive ceremonies; four cornerstones were laid for the Nauvoo Temple, hymns were sung, Joseph Smith and others addressed the group. Approximately 10,000 persons attended the services. “The assembly then separated with cheerful hearts.” [2] It is presumed that Nicholas and Elizabeth Groesbeck were among the people in Nauvoo that day, because that is the day and place it is reported Elizabeth was baptized.

Fast forward a lifetime to son-in-law John Hamilton Morgan's journal for December 28, 1883. [John Morgan and family had been keeping vigil at Nicholas and Elizabeth Groesbeck's home for weeks.] Came down home early and had breakfast, afterwards laid down and had a sleep. About 10:30 went to sister Groesbecks and found her dying, lying in an unconscious state. She lived only 20 to 25 minutes after I arrived, passing away quietly and peacefully as a tired child going to sleep. Thus died one of my best friends and one of God’s noblest women. After her death I wrote an obituary and had it inserted in the “Des. News.” … [3]

Born August 16, 1820-[written in ink on top of obituary]

Death of Sister Groesbeck--Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck , the beloved wife of Nicholas Groesbeck, departed this life December 28^th, 1883, aged 63 years, 4 months and 12 days. She was baptized in to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the 6^th day of April, 1841, by Elder William Smith, at Nauvoo; emigrated to the gathering place of the Saints in the year 1856. She leaves a husband and eight children—six sons and two daughters—to mourn her loss, all of whom were present at her death, except one daughter, Sister Josephine Smith, who is with her husband on a mission to Europe.

She died in full faith of the Gospel, and in anticipation of coming forth in the morning of the first resurrection, and with her latest breath urging upon her children to keep the faith, and live lives worthy of Latter-day Saints.

She has passed away a mother in Israel, whose hand was ever open to bless and succor the needy, whose heart was singularly free from guile, and whose memory will ever be held in sacred remembrance by her devoted husband and loving children.

Funeral services at the Seventeenth Ward Meeting house at 11 a.m., Sunday, December 30^th. Friends of the family are invited to attend.

Dec. 28, 1883 [written in ink on bottom)

1. History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Period I. History of Joseph Smith, the prophet by himself, Volume IV, published for the Church, 1978, The Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, pg. 326.

2. http://users.marshall.edu/~brown/nauvoo/chrono.html

3. John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Curriculum, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Nauvoo picture from Wikipedia, obituary from cousin Karen M.