William Proctor

Brief Life History of William

When William Proctor was born on 2 January 1839, in Preston, Lancashire, England, his father, James Bertwistle Proctor, was 34 and his mother, Lettice Clayton, was 34. He married Mary Elizabeth Barron on 9 April 1864, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 1 daughter. He lived in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States in 1839 and Washington, Utah, United States in 1870. He died on 19 September 1878, in Panguitch, Garfield, Utah, United States, at the age of 39, and was buried in Panguitch City Cemetery, Panguitch, Garfield, Utah, United States.

Photos and Memories (26)

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Family Time Line

William Proctor
1839–1878
Mary Elizabeth Barron
1845–1926
Marriage: 9 April 1864
Mary Elizabeth Proctor
1865–1866
William Franklin Proctor
1867–1878
Myron Joseph Proctor
1869–1956
James Vergil Proctor Sr.
1871–1907
Richard Moses Proctor
1874–1874
David Proctor
1875–1882
George Washington Proctor
1877–1915

Sources (39)

  • William Proctor, "United States Census, 1870"
  • William Proctor, "Find A Grave Index"
  • Wm Proctor, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Record of Members (Worldwide), 1836-1970"

World Events (8)

1841 · The Nauvoo Legion

In 1841, the Nauvoo Legion was organized. It was a group of men formed to protect the people of Nauvoo but also fought in different wars. Joseph Smith was the Lieutenant General of this group. Other leaders included Brigham Young, John C. Bennett, and others. They were part of the Illinois Mormon War (1844-1846), Mexican-American War (March of California, Capture of Tucson), Indian Wars (Battle Creek Massacre, Battle of Fort Utah, Walker War, Ute Black Hawk War, Mountain Meadows Massacre), American Civil War, and Morrisite War. The Legion was disbanded in 1887.

1846

U.S. acquires vast tracts of Mexican territory in wake of Mexican War including California and New Mexico.

1850 · Tornado Finishes off the Temple

On May 27, 1850, a tornado came through Nauvoo and took the remaining outer walls of the temple. It was the most frightful thing the city had witnessed. Not just a tornado but also lightening, thunder, wind, hail and rain assailed the spot. Over time what was not destroyed by the storm crumbled until only a small amount was left.

Name Meaning

English (northern): occupational name from Middle English prok(e)tour ‘steward’ (shortened from Old French procurateour, Latin procurator ‘agent’, from procurare ‘to manage’). The term was used most commonly of an attorney in a spiritual court, but also of other officials such as collectors of taxes and agents licensed to collect alms on behalf of lepers and enclosed orders of monks.

History: John Proctor (died 1757) was a prominent citizen of Boston, MA, and is buried in the King's Chapel Burying Ground there.

Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.

Possible Related Names

Story Highlight

Pioneer Emigration

William Proctor traveled to Utah with the Allen Weeks Company. They departed from Kanesville, Iowa on 13 July 1852. He was 13 years old when he left for Utah. They traveled for 91 days.

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