On Saturday 27 July I celebrated Jacob Bushman’s birthday (my 2nd Great-grandpa) by attending a family reunion of his brother Elias’s descendants in Lehi, Utah.  I was thrilled to learn about this gathering and happy to go meet some of my Bushman relations.

We had a great day.  Mark Bushman, grandson of Elias and Margaret Bushman, organized this event with help from his family.  He and his brother, Don are the oldest surviving descendants of Elias Bushman.We had a fun Bushman Bingo game to get acquainted as family members arrived.  Everyone who had a Bingo stood to introduce themselves and share a family memory.

By lunchtime, the cultural hall was full of family!  Mark’s sons Jon and Ron prepared a dutch oven Feast!  It was incredibly delicious! 

After lunch we had a wonderful program with different presenters sharing family memories and information about our ancestors.

We all came away feeling full of family love! It was a wonderful event which gave us a chance to renew friendships and meet new family members. Thanks to Mark and Marilyn and their family for bringing us all together.

After the reunion, Rich Kirkham, Becky Shields and I went to the Lehi Cemetery to visit our Bushman family there.

Here are the graves of Martin and Elizabeth Bushman, our 3rd Great-grandparents.

We also visited the graves of the Elisha Hildebrand Davis family.   Elisha was the missionary who taught the Bushman family in Lancaster, PA.

Elisha’s wife Mary Ann Mitchell Davis was Elizabeth Degen Bushman’s dearest friend.  She’s the one who interpreted the prayer Elizabeth offered in tongues on her deathbed.Any day with family is a pretty perfect day!  This one was exceptional!  Thanks to all who brought us together to remember our pioneer heritage.