Robert Dockery Covington was the son of Thomas and Jane Thomas Covington. I was born Aug. 20, 1815 in the state of North Carolina, Richmond Co. City of Rockingham. Baptized Feb. 3, 1843 by Benjamin Clapp in the state of Mississippi Noxube Co. Ordained a bishop Aug. 1, 1858 by Arnasa Lyman and George A. Smith. Received my endowments in Nauvoo in the fall of 1845, came to Salt Lake in 1847, spent 1846 at Winter Quarters. I went on a mission to the Southern States in the fall of 1849. Returned in the spring of 1856. I was sealed to my wife Elizabeth Thomas 1856, Nancy Roberts taking her part. We had four children John, Emily, Sarah, and Robert. I was sealed to my wife Malinda Allison on Dec. 28, 1856 by whom I had one child Mary Ellen. Was sealed to Nancy Roberts Dec. 28, 1856 by whom I had four children Pheobe, Thomas, Malinda and James. My grandfather was John Covington and my grandmother was Nancy Wall. Her forefathers immigrated to America at an early date. My grandfather on Mothers side was William Thomas and my grandmother was Rachel Roe.

Robert Dockery Covington was appointed May 6, 1857 Bishop of Washington Ward Washington Co. Utah. Set apart Aug. 1, 1857 with Brother Harrison Pierce 1st counselor, Brother John R. Ragean 2nd Counselor.

1877

Aug. 7, Orderville, Utah-The members living in Orderville were organized into a ward with Thomas Chamberlain as bishop.

Early in 1874, President Brigham Young introduced the United Order in St. George and sent John R. Young and others to Long Valley to organize branches of the order there. Nearly all of the members joined, but in the spring of 1875 a division took place and some withdrew. Those following the United Order erected a number of wooden homes and a large dining hall.

The people started out with full support of the program. They succeeded, and Orderville has the reputation of continuing in the order longer and more effectively than any other settlement in the west.

Under the laws and agreements entered into by all concerned the order continued for 12 years, until 1886, when President John Taylor advised them to separate and live as other communities.