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Testimonies (Why I Believe)

Emma Lee — Survival and Care During the Willie and Martin Handcart Trek

Published October 29, 2026 at 9:04 PM

1850s · 1856
Plains and mountains of the American West
Emma Lee

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During the 1856 migration to Utah, Emma Lee traveled with the Willie and Martin handcart companies. The journey was marked by severe winter storms that resulted in the deaths of approximately 150 members of her group. Amidst the extreme cold, sickness, and frostbite, Emma Lee provided nursing care to the suffering pioneers. Her efforts were credited with helping many of them recover. Additionally, she assisted a pregnant woman during the trek, carrying her in a handcart as she went into labor.

Sources & References

Emma Lee French Facts for Kids (https://kids.kiddle.co/Emma_Lee_French) (research confidence: high)

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Filed under

Testimonies (Why I Believe)1850sUSA

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Questions about this account

Who was involved in this account?
The account involves Emma Lee. Each person named here also has a witness page collecting the other accounts involving them.
When did this account take place?
The account is set in 1856, in the 1850s.
Where did this account take place?
It took place in Plains and mountains of the American West.
What kind of miracle is this?
It is filed as a Testimonies (Why I Believe) account reported in USA.
Where does this account come from?
Emma Lee French Facts for Kids ( (research confidence: high). The full source citation appears in the Sources section below, with links to the original where available.

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