A 14- by 14-foot log house that belonged to Patty Sessions, an experienced midwife whose assistance was in demand among the early pioneer Church members for many decades, is being replicated here.
It is the first of a number of wooden structures that are planned for construction under the auspices of Nauvoo Restoration Inc. Existing historic buildings in Nauvoo are largely made of brick. Additional wooden buildings will help the historic district better reflect Nauvoo of the 1840s, when it served as the headquarters of the Church.Patty Bartlett (her maiden name) was born Feb. 4, 1795, in Maine and married David Sessions at age 17. They were both baptized into the Church in 1834 in Missouri. Because of persecutions against Church members, they lost their property and moved to Nauvoo.
Here, she became known as "Mother Sessions" because of her experience and skill as a midwife. She played a major role in the founding of the Relief Society.
In connection with her midwifery, she was skilled in the medicinal use of herbs and served in that sense as one of the few medical practitioners accompanying the Saints westward. In her memory, the replica of her log house is being constructed on its original site in Nauvoo.
Her diaries are a rich resource and a virtual treasure trove for family history enthusiasts. Her financial "payments received" records read like a "Who's Who?" list. They also recount her important role in women's social networks and her contributions to community health, pioneer education and horticulture.
