Robert Dockery Covington - Washington City, Utah
Posted by: BruceS
N 37° 07.828 W 113° 30.577
12S E 277066 N 4112293
Early settler in the Washington City, Utah.
Waymark Code: WM52R0
Location: Utah, United States
Date Posted: 11/01/2008
Views: 28
Robert Dockery Covington, the leader of the second group of twenty-eight
southern families, came on May 5, 1857. A native of Rockingham, North Carolina,
he had experience with directing slaves on cotton plantations, so he was well
familiar with the raising of cotton. These two groups laid out the town and
called it Washington after the first President of the United States, George
Washington. Robert D. Covington was the first bishop of Washington ward
established August 1, 1858, and was bishop from 1858 to 1869. Bishop Covington
built a large two-story rock home just east of John D. Lee's home, completed in
1859 and is still standing. It is the oldest building in all of Washington
County. The home was used as a recreation center for the community dances,
parties and other functions were held. Church meetings were held there also.
Brigham Young stayed here many times while visiting the area. To get to the
upstairs, one had to go outside and climb wooden stairs to the second story.
There was no other way to get to the upstairs from the main floor. This was
done so that people coming for a get together could not disturb the main floor
family living quarters. - text of nearby
plaque