The Greer Way West, the web page of the Nathaniel Hunt Greer Family Organization — This page was last updated on March 15, 2008.

Letter from Marion (Lane) Greer to Baptist Church — 26 FEB 1855

Before it was discarded and lost, this document was procured in 2007 by Mr Ron Carlisle from a Matthew Simeon Greer descendant who cared little for genealogy or family history. This is a rare document — not only precious to her descendants but of historic importance to Milam Co, TX, and to the LDS. We are deeply indebted to Ron Carlisle for saving this document and sharing it with us.

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To view an image of page two of this letter, click here.

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[Transcription by William N Greer who added the footnotes that follow]

[page 1]

Port Sullivan¹
February the 26 1855
Dear bretheren & sisters having learned through my farther² that you was appointed by the Church to assertain my reasons for leaving your communion and joining myself to another denomination I take this opportunity to answer your enquires before they arrive as I may then be on my way to the mountains³ 1^st I found the doctrines and principals preached by the Elders⁴ of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints to corroborate in all and every particular with the teachings as laid down by the savior and his apostles 2^nd I found that the church was organized after the apostolic order with all its officer, helps and goverment 3^rd I found that the same blessings followed the members of this church that was promised by the savior as recorded in the 16^th ch of Mark & other places 4^th I found that they held to and practiced the ancient order of the kingdom of God as was set up by our saviour 5^th and that the spirit spoken of by Joel 3^rd ch was with them to the understanding of the spirit of prophesy in relation to the gathering of Israel and the preperation of the ushering in of the milenial reign of peace and richeousness on the Earth and 6^th that with out the recognisd authority of God give man by direct revelation none

[page 2]

had the authority to Build up or organise a Church of Christ on the Earth in testimony of which the blessings above refered to do not follow the Baptist church and knowing these facts I embraced the doctrines and and yealded obedience to the ordinances of this church and I now give you my reasons of a truth I have come to a knowledge of the same through the spirit of Christ I remain your well wisher
Marion B Greer⁵

¹ Port Sullivan was founded in Milam Co, TX, in May 1851 on the west side of the Brazos River just above the mouth of the Little River. It flourished for several years, but had become a ghost town by the turn of the 20^th century. It was the last Texas residence of Nathaniel Hunt Greer and some of his kith and kin. Here they converted to Mormonism (1853–1854) and began their migration to Utah (early March 1855).
² James Addison Lane (4 OCT 1814 – 14 MAR 1883)
³ The migration to Utah began under the direction of Seth Millington Blair on either March 5^th (D H Greer's account) or March 9^th (S M Blair's account). On the way, Marion gave birth on 10 AUG 1855 (in what would become Converse Co, WY) to her first child, Margaret, who died less than three months later in Salt Lake City on 28 OCT 1855.
⁴ John Ostler, LDS priest, was active at Port Sullivan in the summer of 1853.
Seth Millington Blair, LDS priest, was active at Port Sullivan in the summer of 1854.
⁵ Marion Bonita (Lane) Greer (6 SEP 1838 – 15 APR 1916)

¹	Port Sullivan was founded in Milam Co, TX, in May 1851 on the west side of the Brazos River just above the mouth of the Little River. It flourished for several years, but had become a ghost town by the turn of the 20^th century. It was the last Texas residence of Nathaniel Hunt Greer and some of his kith and kin. Here they converted to Mormonism (1853–1854) and began their migration to Utah (early March 1855).
²	James Addison Lane (4 OCT 1814 – 14 MAR 1883)
³	The migration to Utah began under the direction of Seth Millington Blair on either March 5^th (D H Greer's account) or March 9^th (S M Blair's account). On the way, Marion gave birth on 10 AUG 1855 (in what would become Converse Co, WY) to her first child, Margaret, who died less than three months later in Salt Lake City on 28 OCT 1855.
⁴	John Ostler, LDS priest, was active at Port Sullivan in the summer of 1853. Seth Millington Blair, LDS priest, was active at Port Sullivan in the summer of 1854.
⁵	Marion Bonita (Lane) Greer (6 SEP 1838 – 15 APR 1916)