Question: How did Oscar (Crosby) Smith, an African American slave, end up in Brigham Young’s Vanguard Company in 1847?
Oscar: 1815 – 1872
Hark: 1825 – 1880s
Oscar Crosby was born into slavery around 1815 in Virginia to Vilate Crosby, who was enslaved in the household of John Jeter Crosby. The Crosby family was part of the wealthy Southern class, operating large plantations that depended on enslaved labor. Like many enslaved individuals, Oscar grew up in a system where his life and labor were controlled by others.
When John Crosby died in August 1840, his property, including enslaved people, was divided among his heirs. Oscar was inherited by John’s son, William Crosby, who became his legal enslaver. During this time, Oscar continued to live and work with the Crosby family in Monroe County, Mississippi, where the family had a large plantation. It was common for enslaved people to carry the surname of their enslavers, and Oscar retained the Crosby name until he became a free man years later.
When the Saints prepared to migrate west, William Crosby and other members of the Mississippi branch planned to join them. In 1847, Brigham Young called for a select group of men to join the Vanguard Pioneer Company and open the trail into the Salt Lake Valley. William Crosby sent Oscar as part of this group.
Oscar first traveled with John Brown’s Mississippi Company to Winter Quarters and then joined Brigham Young’s Vanguard Company in April 1847. He was placed in the 13th Ten of the advance group tasked with opening the trail to the Salt Lake Valley. During the trek, he served as a teamster and laborer, helping move wagons and prepare the way for the Saints who would follow.
July 1847
The Vanguard Company entered the Salt Lake Valley in July 1847, and Oscar played an important role in preparing for the settlers who would come later. Before leaving for the West, William Crosby had instructed him to build a home and plant crops so the family would have a place to live when they arrived the following year.
It is said that Oscar carried out these instructions faithfully. After his company reached the Valley, he worked hard to prepare the Crosby family settlement. When the family finally arrived, they were welcomed by Oscar, a sturdy cabin, and patches of potatoes, buckwheat, and turnips.
After arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Oscar’s life followed the movements of the Crosby family. In the early 1850s, they relocated to San Bernardino, California, as part of a Church-led colonization effort. With California being a free state, Oscar likely claimed his freedom at this time. He later adopted the surname Smith, leaving behind the name associated with slavery.
Oscar spent his later years in California, working as a laborer in Los Angeles. He died of heart disease on March 13, 1872, in Los Angeles, California, at approximately age 57. He was buried in a public cemetery in Los Angeles, but unfortunately, the gravesite was later paved over, and the exact location of his remains is now unknown
Oscar Crosby had a legacy as one of the few documented African Americans who crossed the plains with Brigham Young’s first company. His life reflects both the harsh realities of slavery and the enduring contributions of Black pioneers in Latter-day Saint history.
References
Boone, David F. “Mississippi Saints: A Unique Odyssey of Southern Pioneers.” In Far Away in the West: Reflections on the Mormon Pioneer Trail. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2015. https://rsc.byu.edu/far-away-west/mississippi-saints-unique-odyssey-southern-pioneers.
Church News. “Biographies of the Original 1847 Pioneer Company.” Church News, October 14, 2009. https://www.thechurchnews.com/2009/10/14/23269058/biographies-of-the-original-1847-pioneer-company.
FamilySearch. “Mississippi Saints (LDS).” FamilySearch Wiki. https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Mississippi_Saints_(LDS).
History to Go. “Pioneering African Americans in Early Utah.” Utah Division of State History. https://historytogo.utah.gov/pioneering-african/.
MormonWiki. “Oscar Smith.” MormonWiki. https://www.mormonwiki.com/Oscar_Smith.
National Park Service. “Hark Lay and the Mormon Pioneer Trail.” African American History Series. 2020. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/hark-lay-the-mormon-pioneer-trail.htm.
Reeve, W. Paul. “Green Flake.” Century of Black Mormons, University of Utah. https://exhibits.lib.utah.edu/s/century-of-black-mormons/page/flake-green.
Reeve, W. Paul. “Oscar Smith.” Century of Black Mormons, University of Utah. https://exhibits.lib.utah.edu/s/century-of-black-mormons/page/smith-oscar.
This is not the story known to our family. My great grandfather, John Brown, was not Jr. His father was Alexander. John Brown never emancipated Oliver. I’d be happy to know the truth
You are absolutely correct. I didn’t write the original article, but it seems a section was missing, which made it appear as though John Brown was Oscar Colby’s enslaver. Based on my research, John Brown baptized the Colby family, and Oscar traveled with him to Winter Quarters. Beyond those interactions, I couldn’t find any additional connections. I have corrected these errors and revised the article to ensure the information is accurate.
Oscar Crosby or Oscar Colby? Thank you!
Lorraine,
I did not find any mention of an Oscar Colby as a possible alternate name for Oscar Crosby. Will you elaborate more on your question?