John McBride Belnap Memorial Service

All descendants of Utah Pioneer Gilbert Belnap are cordially invited to attend a special Memorial Service at Ashland, Nebraska in the historic St. Stephen's Church on Sunday, April 27, 1997, honoring John McBride Belnap, 13-month-old son of Gilbert Belnap who died of cholera on June 22, 1850, one week after his family set out for the West. He was buried in his father's oak tool chest on the east side of the Saline Ford near Ashland. An LDS Sacrament Meeting will be held in the church in the morning and will be followed by the john McBride Belnap Memorial Service, which will commence at noon. Residents of Ashland and LDS members living nearby are also invited to attend this special Memorial Service, which will honor all others who died and were buried near the Saline Ford. Participants will include local community and religious leaders, Ashland residents, and direct descendants of Gilbert Belnap.

Following the Memorial Service, the John McBride Belnap Pioneer Memorial, including a five-foot gray granite marker honoring John McBride Belnap, will be dedicated on a site in southeastern Ashland near the famous Saline Ford. The John McBride Belnap Pioneer Memorial is located near the only known burial site in the area for early emigrants and settlers. Les Hill, President of the Belnap Family Organization, will dedicate the Pioneer Memorial.

The entire community of Ashland is thrilled to celebrate the Sesquicentennial of the Mormon Trail and the Life of John McBride Belnap. His brief life story has deeply touched many hearts. The Memorial Service and Dedication will cap off Ashland's two-day weekend pioneer celebration, which coincides with the visit to Ashland by the South Mormon Trail Wagon Train as it journeys from Winter quarters to Salt Lake City. This is an event of a lifetime! Come celebrate the Life of John McBride Belnap, the Sesquicentennial of the Mormon Trail, and Our Unique Belnap Pioneer Heritage!

Lincoln is approximately 14 hours from Salt Lake City by car. Direct flights from many parts of the country are available into Omaha. Reasonably priced accommodations with major motel chains are conveniently located within a half-hour driving distance from Ashland in Lincoln or Omaha. Interesting sites near Ashland include the Strategic Air Command Museum, Doorly Zoo, Winter quarters, the reconstructed Kanesville Tabernacle, and, of course, the Mormon Trail. Special programs honoring John McBride Belnap will be available at the Memorial Service. Additional donations for this Belnap Family Organization Special Project are welcome. For further information regarding this historic Memorial Service and Pioneer Memorial Dedication, contact Brent J. Belnap at (212) 289-2289 or Joy M. Belnap at (801) 392-6186.