This wonderful history is provided by Kara Seager-Segalla. You may contact her at the following email address. It is not a link, you will need to type the address into your email. She also has a photo of Hannah Elizabeth Johnson Huffman Wheaton Staley that she is willing to share, however, requested that it not be posted here on this document.
Newly updated information July 2008 from Kara Seager-Segalla
Descendants of William Johnson
Generation No. 1
1. WILLIAM1 JOHNSON was born Abt. 1709.
Child of WILLIAM JOHNSON is:
2. i. POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2 JOHNSON, b. 1739, of Dumfries, England; d. 1815, of Cornish, Portsmouth and Greenland, New Hampshire, USA
Generation No. 2
2. POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2 JOHNSON (WILLIAM1) was born 1739 in of Dumfries, England, and died 1815 in of Cornish, Portsmouth and Greenland, New Hampshire, USA. He married POSSIBLY MERCY HUGGINS Abt. 1777 in of New Hampshire, USA. She was born Abt. 1760 in New Hampshire, England, and died in of Cornish, Portsmouth and Greenland, New Hampshire, USA.
More About POSSIBLY ABRAHAM JOHNSON:
Immigration: Bef. 1760
Children of POSSIBLY JOHNSON and POSSIBLY HUGGINS are:
3. i. ABRAHAM3 JOHNSON, b. 1778, Albany, Albany, New York, USA; d. Bef. 03 Jul 1833, London District, Malahide Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada.
ii. SARAH JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1779.
iii.JOSHUA JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1780.
iv.HANNAH JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1781.
v. JOHN JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1782.
vi.MARGARET JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1783.
vii.REBECCA JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1784.
viii.ELIZABETH JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1785.
ix. MERCY JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1786.
x. MARY JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1787.
Generation No. 3
3. ABRAHAM3 JOHNSON (POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2, WILLIAM1) (Source: 1828 Bertie Twp. Census records; FGR of 2nd great granddaughter, Mary Robinson.) was born 1778 in Albany, Albany, New York, USA, and died Bef. 03 Jul 1833 in London District, Malahide Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada (Source: 1861 Malahide census, living with son, William P..). He married HANNAH VANHUSEN WHEELER Bef. 1804 in New York, New York, USA, daughter of SAMUEL WHEELER and HANNAH VANHUSEN. She was born 1787 in New York, New York, USA, and died 29 Oct 1870 in London District, Malahide Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada.
Notes for ABRAHAM JOHNSON:
Johnson means, "son of John". The Johnson / Johnston name has been traced back before the 11th century to Boernician origin from Dumfries, England, located in Boarder Country of Scotland and England. The Johnson Coat of Arms is silver with a black saltire (an X) and a red strip on the top on which there are three gold cushions. The saltire is the symbol of resolution and the chief (a band across the top of the shield) with the cushions is the mark of dominion and authority. The motto is "Nunguam Non Paratus". The color silver is for peace and sincerity; black is constancy; blue is loyality and truth; and red is military fortitude and magnanimity.
The parents of Abraham Johnson may have been Abraham Johnson and Mercy Huggins of New Hampshire. Abraham Johnson and his wife, Hannah Wheeler, and their younger children, immigrated to the Bertie Township area of Canada in about 1812. Abraham Johnson had two sons, Richard & William, whom he mentioned in several deeds (Index #332403, pg. 169). His Probated Will, dated 24 Jan. 1818 and registered 30 July 1833, stated, "Richard Johnson and William Johnson, grantees, their heirs and assigns, he bequeathed to them all his freehold estate whatsoever in Bertie, also his personal estate to be equally divided between them after the death of their father, Abraham Johnson, who he desired to accept his property during his life and he desired that Abraham should accopy the property unto his death."
More About ABRAHAM JOHNSON:
Nationality: English
Occupation: Farmer
Religion: Church of England
Notes for HANNAH VANHUSEN WHEELER:
It is believed that the Wheeler line is from Anglo Sexon origin from Worcestershire, England. Hannah Wheeler was born in 1787 in New York, New York, and died Oct 29, 1870 in London District, Malahide Twp., Elgin, Ontaria, Canada at the age of 83. It is believed, but not proven, that her father was Samuel Wheeler.
The Wheeler coat of arms has a chief or band across the top of the shield which signifies dominion and authority. The color blue signifies loyalty and truth and the color white signifies peace and sincerity.
Children of ABRAHAM JOHNSON and HANNAH WHEELER are:
i. JOHN4 JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1804, New York, New York, USA; d. Aft. 1840, of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., District of Niagara, Province of Canada; m. CATHERINE HUFFMAN, Abt. 1834, of Ontario, Canada; b. Abt. 1805.
More About JOHN JOHNSON:
Occupation: Mill owner
4. ii. HANNAH ELIZABETH JOHNSON, b. 31 Jul 1806, Albany, Albany, New York, USA; d. 27 Oct 1891, Coalville, Summitt, Utah, USA.
iii.PETER JOHNSON (Source: 1840 census for Brne, Albany, NY.), b. Abt. 1808, Albany, Albany, New York, USA; d. Aft. 1840, of Albany Co., New York, USA; m. MARGARET CRAGE, Abt. 1828, of Ontario, Canada; b. Abt. 1809.
iv.JACOB JOHNSON (Source: 1828 Bertie Township, Canada census.), b. Abt. 1810, Albany, Albany, New York, USA; d. Aft. 1828, of Waterloo, BertieTwp., Ontario, Canada; m. HANNAH PLATE, Abt. 1830, of Ontario, Canada; b. Abt. 1811; d. of Bertie, Ontario, Canada.
5. v. JOSEPH JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1811, Albany, Albany, New York, USA; d. Aft. 1837, of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada.
6. vi.RICHARD VANHUSEN JOHNSON, b. 28 Jul 1812, of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada; d. 10 Jul 1885, Middleton Township, Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada.
7. vii.WILLIAM POWELL JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1813, of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada; d. Bef. 1881, of Orwell, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada.
8. viii.CYRENIUS JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1816, of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada; d. Aft. 1881, Burford Twp., Brant, Ontario, Canada.
ix. MARIA JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1818, of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Onatario, Canada.
Generation No. 4
4. HANNAH ELIZABETH4 JOHNSON (ABRAHAM3, POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2, WILLIAM1) (Source: 1850 Iowa census; 1860 census Summitt Co., Utah; 1880 census Upton, Utah; FGR of Mary Robinson; Original photo in possession of Kara S. Segalla.) was born 31 Jul 1806 in Albany, Albany, New York, USA, and died 27 Oct 1891 in Coalville, Summitt, Utah, USA. She married (1) GEORGE RANSIER HUFFMAN (Source: FGR of great granddaughter, Mary Robinson.) Abt. 1822 in of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, son of JACOB HUFFMAN and NANCY RANSIER. He was born 22 Nov 1798 in Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada, and died 25 Jan 1830 in of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada. She married (2) JOHN WESLEY WHEATON Abt. 1834 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was born 1796 in New York, USA (Source: Ontario Historical Society, Papers & Records, Vol. 27, published in Toronto 1931, pgs 77-192. The Register of Baptisms, marriages and burials of St. Paul's Church at Fort Erie, Twp. of Bertie, Province of Canada for John W. Wheaton), and died 13 Feb 1838 in Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada (Source: Ontario Historical Society, Papers & Records, Vol. 27, published in Toronto 1931, pgs 77-192. The Register of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials of Saint Paul's Church at Fort Erie (Waterloo), Twp. of Bertie, District of Niagara, Province of Canada for John W. Wheaton.). She married (3) CONRAD STALEY (Source: Papers & records Vol. XXVII, pg. 146, 97 Church History Office; 1830 census Chautauqua, NY.) 15 Dec 1840 in Saint Paul's Church, Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada (Source: Waterloo (Fort Erie), Twp. of Bertie, District of Niagara, Province of Canada, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials 1836-1844 for Hannah Johnson & Conrad Staley.), son of JOHANN STALEY and MARIE HOUSE. He was born 01 Jan 1802 in Oppingham, Montgomery, New York, USA, and died 08 Oct 1846 in Stringtown, Davis, Iowa, USA.
Notes for HANNAH ELIZABETH JOHNSON:
Hannah Elizabeth Johnson Huffman Wheaton Staley, Original Pioneer of 1852, by Kara Seager-Segalla, updated March 2008, a descendent of Sarah Ann Huffman
Hannah Elizabeth Johnson was born on July 31, 1806, near Albany, New York, which is now Buffalo. She was the daughter of Abraham Johnson and Hannah Vanhusen Wheeler. It is believed that both of her parents were born in the state of New York in the early 1780's. Abraham Johnson and Hannah Wheeler had eight children, John, Hannah, Peter, Jacob, Joseph, William, Serenen or Cyrenius, and Richard. All of these children were born in the state of New York. It is known that Hannah's brothers, John, William, Cyrenius, and Richard, all settled in Canada and that many of their descendants still live their today.
Little is written about Hannah's early life. Family history states however, that the Johnson family's household water came from a canal and the children were obliged to do the carrying. One day little Hannah put her pail into the swift stream and the current pulled her in. Her cries brought two workmen from a nearby field, so she was rescued.
One history states that the Johnson family with three children, including Hannah, moved to Canada, because of their Tory thinking, settling near Bertie Township in Ontario. Hannah grew up to be young dark-haired women. She met a man by the name of George Ransier Huffman, whose family was living nearby. Mr. Huffman was about 8 years older then Hannah Johnson. She would have been about 16 years of age.
George Huffman was born in Bertie Twp.,Ontario, Canada on Nov. 22, 1798, to Jacob Huffman and Nancy Ransier. The earliest history of a Huffman is of Jacob, born of German stock in Pennsylvania about 1765. The name was originally spelled Hoffman. The family had royalist sympathies, and so migrated to Canada at the time of the Revolutionary War, settling at Bertie in the province of Ontario. Jacob grew up to marry Nancy Ransier, who was born in Pennsylvania about 1770. Ten children were born to the marriage: Jacob, Rebecca, Catherine, William, George Ransier, Abigail, Nancy Ann, Betsie, Mary, and Margaret. All of these children were born in Canada.
After their marriage, Hannah and George Huffman lived in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It was in West Waterloo, on August 28, 1823, that their first child, Jacob Huffman, was born. Some records show a child, Hannah, who was born about 1825, but died as an infant. Sarah Ann Huffman was born July 5, 1827, in Bertie, Ontario, Canada. George Ransier Huffman died Jan. 25, 1830, of mountain fever in Canada. George was 31 years old and left a family of two, the youngest, Sarah Ann, just 2 ½ years old. Eliza Jane Huffman was born August 28, 1830, seven months after her father's death. Life was difficult without a father, so of necessity, Hannah's children were trained early to be resourceful and industrious. It was quite a task to care for three small children alone, so about four years later, Hannah Johnson married her second husband, a man named John Wesley Wheaton. They were married about 1834 in Ontario, Canada. Two children were born of this marriage, Hannah Elizabeth Wheaton and Henry Wesley Wheaton. Later John Wheaton died in 1838 and Hannah was then left with five children to raise.
Hannah had to struggle to feed and care for her children, so as soon as they were old enough, they had to go to work to help support the family. In the history of Sarah Ann Huffman, Hannah's daughter, it states that when Sarah Ann was very young, she went to work in the home of a well-to-do family in Toronto. She was required to help with the cooking and housework. This meant there was little time for schooling. She learned to read from an old speller a friend had given her, and she became a good reader and could spell well.
After Hannah's second husband's death, she married Conrad Staley in 1840 in St. Paul's Church at Fort Erie, in Waterloo, Bertie Township, Canada. Witnesses at their marriage were Hannah's father, Abraham Johnson, and her brother, John Johnson. The marriage entry states, "Coonrod Staley of Grand Island in the State of New York, Widower, and Hannah Wheaton, of the Township of Bertie District of Niagra, Widow, were married, the banns being duly published on the fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred, and forty by me John Anderson. In the presence of Abrahham Johnson, John Johnson."
Conrad Staley was born Jan. 1st, 1801 in Oppingham, N.Y. to Johann Jacob Staley and Marie Elizabeth House. Mr. Staley was a widower with four young children, Margaret, Harriett, Chester, and Merritt. Conrad was baptized in July 1837 by Samuel Phelps. Hannah and Conrad Staley had two sons while living in New York, John and Sidney (died in infancy). Hannah and her family learned of the gospel and read the Book of Mormon, which brought about their conversion and subsequent baptism by Jonathon Coats, a missionary to Canada for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1843 Hannah's oldest son, Jacob, married Margaret Staley, a daughter of Conrad, in the state of New York. Laura Blackman, a granddaughter of Conrad, stated in a deposition that the children of Conrad, who were Harriett, Chester, and Merritt, didn't initially get along well with their stepmother, Hannah, so they moved in with their older sister, Margaret, and her new husband at this time. Hannah with her third husband eventually joined the main body of the Church in Illinois, as did her son, Jacob, and family. Hannah's daughter, Eliza Jane Huffman, married out side of the church which was a disappointment to the family.
Hannah with her third husband and family eventually settled in Nauvoo, Illinois, which was built in a bend of the Mississippi River. Their property was actually out side of the city of Nauvoo in Hancock County, Illinois. The property was listed as being in section T6-R7 in the square mile of #5. Since the Saints had settled the city in 1839, Nauvoo had become the largest city in Illinois where church members lived in relative peace and happiness. Hannah and Conrad Staley had a third son, Conrad Hammel Staley or "Yod", while living in Nauvoo. Hannah and Conrad received their patriarchal blessings from John Smith on Aug. 18, 1845 in Nauvoo, Illinois. At the time the following information was recorded in the early church index, " Conrad Staely, born 1 Jan. 1802, Oppingham, Oneida, New York; father: John Staley; mother: Mary. Hannah Staley, born, 31 July 1806 near Albany, New York; father: Abraham Johnson; mother: Hannah Wheeler." Conrad Staley was ordained a Seventy sometime before 1850.
While the years in Nauvoo provided many happy times for the Saints, persecution soon began again, culminating in the murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in 1844. Even after the murder of the Prophet, when the Saints realized they must shortly leave Nauvoo; they increased their commitment to completing the temple. The attic of the unfinished temple was dedicated as that part of the structure where the endowment ordinance would be administered. The Saints were anxious to receive this sacred ordinance. Almost 6,000 Saints received their endowment before leaving Nauvoo, including Hannah Johnson and Conrad Staley on Feb. 6, 1846, which was recorded in the Nauvoo Temple records.
As persecutions in Nauvoo intensified, it became apparent that the Saints would have to leave. By Nov. 1845, Nauvoo was bustling with the activities of preparation. Captains of hundreds, fifties, and tens were called to lead the Saints on their exodus, which began on Feb. 4, 1846. It took the Saints 131 days to travel the 310 miles from Nauvoo to the settlements in western Iowa, where they would pass the winter of 1846-47 and prepare for their trek to the Rocky Mountains. This experience taught them many things about travel that would help them more quickly cross the 1,000 miles of the great American plains. A number of settlements of Saints stretched along both sides of the Missouri River. The largest settlement, Winter Quarters, was on the west side, in Nebraska. Hannah and her third husband, Conrad Staley lived in Davis County, Iowa, along with her son, Jacob. Mr. Staley carried mail from Nauvoo to the exiles who had started westward. He was also a member of the Seventies. The Saints lived in houses of logs and in dugouts of willows and dirt. Life was almost as challenging as it had been on the trail. In the summer they suffered from malarial fever. When winter came and fresh food was no longer available, they suffered from cholera epidemics, scurvy, toothaches, and severe diarrhea. Hundreds of people died. Hannah's husband, Conrad Staley, died Oct. 8, 1846 in Davis County, Iowa at the age of 45 of something like yellow fever. His death date is noted in a letter Hannah wrote to Brigham Young telling of her husband's death. Hannah was left a widow with several of her children. Most of the family were in poor health with diarrhea and fevers. She was also left with doctor bills and funeral expenses, which she could not pay.
Conrad Staley's last request to his wife was that she and the family should continue west with the church. They had grain and some fall wheat to last the coming winter, but a weak team of horses. After the death of her husband, Hannah Staley wrote several letters to Brigham Young, asking for advice and assistance on how to proceed. They are in the Brigham Young Collection of the LDS church archives. The dates of the letters are Hannah Staley to Brigham Young, dated 12 Oct. 1846 from Stringtown, Davis, Iowa; Hannah Staley to Brigham Young, 17 Dec. 1846 from Fox River, Davis, Iowa; Brigham Young to Hannah Staley, Jan. 8, 1846 from Winter Quarters; Hannah Staley to Brigham Young, Feb. 14, 1847 from Stringtown; and a final letter from Hannah Staley, dated June 30, 1850 from Pottawattamie Co., Iowa.
Hannah was advised to remain where she was until a later date. She continued to stay in Davis County, Iowa, for about four years, where she rented a house and eleven acres, planted in wheat. She apparently had the misfortune of loosing some of her cattle. She was always eager to continue with the main body of the church and eventually moved to Pottawattamie County, Iowa in the spring of 1850, where she is noted in the 1850 census with her children, Elizabeth and Henry Wheaton, and John and Conrad Staley. Even though her health was poor at this time, she gathered provisions and clothing and prepared her team and wagon in hopes of crossing the plains soon.
Companies were organized and charged to care for the widows and fatherless in their midst. On April 15, 1847, the first company, led by Brigham Young, moved out for the long journey westward. Over the next two decades, approximately 62,000 Saints would follow them across the prairies in wagons and handcarts to gather in "Zion". They followed the Mormon trail from Iowa through Nebraska and Wyoming before descending into the Great Salt Lake Valley.
Hannah's daughter, Sarah Ann Huffman, met and married George White Pitkin on Feb. 14, 1847. In the late spring of 1848, Winter Quarters, Nebraska, was abandoned and some twenty-four hundred exiled Saints piled their belongings into covered wagons and started the westward trek toward the Rocky Mountains. Sarah Ann and her husband, George Pitkin, departed Winter Quarters on May 29th, 1848 and crossed the plains in the Heber C. Kimball Company, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley on Sept. 23rd, 1848.
Hannah's son, Jacob Huffman, and his wife, Margaret Staley settled for a time in Davis and then Harrison Co. Iowa and came later to Utah in Sept. 1861 in the Milo Andrus Company.
Hannah's daughter, Hannah E. Wheaton, met and married William Henderson Smith on Sept. 1, 1851 at Pottowatome Commonwealth, Iowa. Mr. Smith was born in 1914 in Oldbrighton, Pennsylvania. They came to S.L.C., Utah about 1852. From the LDS church historian's office it is recorded that from Kanesville (Council Bluffs), Pottawattamie, Iowa, Hannah finally crossed the plains to Utah as a member the 6th company of Captain David Woods oxen train. They departed Kanesville, Iowa in June of 1852 with 260 people in the company. Hannah had her own wagon, four oxen and two cows. In her canvas-covered wagon she piled all of her household goods, including a plow and other implements. She brought three children with her, Henry Wesley Wheaton, John Staley, and Conrad Hammel Staley, who would have been six years old at the time. It is also believed that her daughter, Hannah E. Wheaton, and her new husband, William H. Smith came across the plains at about the same time. The trail west was dusty in dry weather, muddy in rainy weather, and full of deep ruts most of the way. Life in the great frontier days of America, when thousands of pioneers pushed westward was quite different from our life today. There were few comforts of any kind. Life was full of dangers from hostile Indians, from wild animals, and from the waterless plains where many died of thirst. There was no shelter, except for their wagons, from the heat of the summer, and the dashing rain.
The company arrived in Salt Lake City on Oct. 1, 1852. Hannah would have been forty-four years old at this time. She must have been a very strong, dedicated and courageous lady to travel across the plains with her young children and without a husband. It is believed that she settled in "Sugar House", south of S.L.C. with her daughter and son-in-law, William H. Smith. In the early 1850's a sugar factory was established in "Sugar House", but the factory never quite managed to solve the chemical problems of converting beets, grown in alkali soil, into granulated sugar.
As stated in the Journal History of LDS Church, " In the fall of 1858, William H. Smith, a freighter, hauling goods between Ft. Bridger, Wyoming and Salt Lake City drove into a campground on Chalk Creek. He turned his oxen loose to graze and noticed some ripened wheat, which had probably been spilled the previous spring by other freighters. He concluded that if wheat would ripen, the Chalk Creek valley might be a good location for a farming community. This valley is at an elevation of 5,300 feet and surrounded by mountains of the Wasatch Range. Mr. Smith took some of the wheat back to Salt Lake City to show others that it could be cultivated."
He persuaded families to come to Chalk Creek, and throughout the summer of 1859, several settlers arrived. It is believed that Hannah Johnson and her children came to Summit County shortly after this time, since she was in the 1860 census for Summitt Co., Utah.
In every community settled in early days, the first signs of industry were noted in and around the pioneer homes. Land was cleared, houses were built for shelter of family and animals, trees were cut for logs and fuel, and stones were used for walks, fireplaces and even floors. Food was planted and prepared and other necessities provided.
After Hannah Johnson arrived with her family, it is assumed that her older boy, Henry Wesley Wheaton, helped build a place for her and her youngest children to live, using the cottonwood trees along the stream bottoms. All members of the family had to do their share and worked from early to late in the day. Descendants, still living in Coalville, have stated that Hannah's home was located at the current Moore Auto Store on Main St. in Coalville. The land was handed on down to her son, Henry.
It has been said that Hannah took great pride in saying that the sun never found her in bed. She was always a very kind and loving mother. She knew that good health was the one thing that would help her raise her family. She sensed how deeply she was needed all though her life, and took every possible precaution to maintain health and avoid disaster. She took excellent care of her children and her own health, and there was little illness. She apparently did smoke a corncob pipe, however. She had something wrong with her lungs and the doctor instructed her to smoke.
When Hannah's daughter, Sarah Ann Pitkin, was feeling badly about her mother not getting to Utah, she had a dream of her coming in an old covered wagon, driving herself and wearing a green sun bonnet, with slats. Apparently Hannah eventually made a visit to Cache County and drove up in her old, green sun bonnet. Sarah Ann dropped every thing and went running down the street to meet her. That night, when Hannah was visiting her daughter and getting ready for bed, Hannah said, "You sure have the Huffman feet." "By the way", said Sarah, "If your three husbands were lined up here for you to choose, which one would you want to be sealed?" Hannah said, "My first love, of course."
Hannah wore long skirts, usually wool, and wore a wool shawl over her shoulders. She never let her bare feet touch the cold floor, but wore her stockings until she got into bed and put them on the next morning before getting up.
Hannah's days would have been long and busy. The course of her time would have been typical of the pioneers of that era. There was little that could be bought from stores, so they made nearly everything. She wove sheets, made quilts, and cleaned feathers for pillows; made candles from mutton fat, made her own soap and most other utility items. She washed and carded wool, spun it into yarn, and then wove it into cloth. From this lovely woolen material, she tailored her children's clothes. The boys were very proud of their suits, for they were tailored perfectly. Besides this, she knit their stockings and was very skillful in the art of hat making. She prepared hot meals three times a day. Potatoes were always cooked in some fashion for breakfast. Hannah was always a spotless housekeeper, excellent cook, and such a good organizer, that with all she had to do, she managed to have time to train and supervise her children. All of her children became self reliant and obedient.
While Hannah was living in Chalk Creek, outcroppings of coal were discovered, and a mine was opened about 1859. This seems to have been the first coal discovered in Northern Utah, which resulted in practical value to the region. This discovery led to the development of coal mines, the working of which built up the area.
The 1860 census for Summit Co., Utah Territory lists Hannah as head of the household with her children, Henry Wheaton, and John and Conrad Staley.
On Sept. 12, 1861, Hannah's son, Jacob Huffman, with his family crossed the plains from Iowa and settled in Coalville, bringing with him the first threshing machine to Summit County, together with other farm implements and seed. Hannah is noted as living with her son, Jacob, in the 1880 census for Upton, Utah.
As stated in the Journal History of LDS Church, " In May 1866 the resident landowners of Chalk Creek decided they should lay out a city and live closer together, as they would have more strength if any Indian trouble arose." They surveyed the land and laid it out into blocks, lots and streets. They made a plot of the place and called it Coalville City because of the coal mines. The main street was the original trail of early freighters, hunters, trappers and pioneers.
The first schools were held in private homes. In 1860 a log schoolhouse was built. Hannah's youngest children went to school there, and her son-in-law, William H. Smith taught there without pay. The Rock Schoolhouse was begun in 1865 and dedicated in 1869 by President Brigham Young.
From The Deseret News, under the date of January 27, 1868, comes the following statement, "Coalville, the largest and most flourishing town in Summit County, has over 600 inhabitants, many of whom, judging by improvements recently made, are enterprising citizens. They have the most substantial and comfortable meeting house of any settlement I have seen in the Territory."
In the minutes of the Coalville City Council it was stated, " After these glowing reports of years of growth and prosperity, adverse conditions visited this little community. Reports are found over a period of several years, 1865-1876, that drought, frost, and infestation of grasshoppers had done much damage to crops and livestock, but the people carried on hoping for better returns."
On May 22, 1887 in the Deseret News it was estimated that 100,000 head of sheep were grazing in the mountains in the vicinity of Coalville. The industry had shown substantial growth in this area. By 1899 the Coalville farmers were prospering again.
Hannah Elizabeth Johnson Huffman Wheaton Staley was a very independent woman and lived to be the rip old age of 85. This is actually a very old age for a pioneer born in 1806. The average life expectancy then was only into the early forties. It shows that this ancestor was definitely a hardy survivor. There is a start black-and-white photo of Hannah with obvious cataracts. A withered, old woman, she wears her Sunday best, but the toils and troubles of the frontier are etched on her face, and all traces of the gentle beauty of her youth are dissipated. She has no smile and her eyes are clouded over. Her thin lips curl down at the corners, framing a resolute chin. Her dark, short hair, carefully parted in the middle above a prominent forehead, is brushed back tightly. Her aged photo tells a lot about her history as a pioneer woman. She braved multiple childbirth, disease, and death, clawing a new life from the desert while summer's merciless sun burned her once-fair face to be chapped and wrinkled. We need to respect her as being one of our most heroic ancestors. Like other Mormon women, she pushed her way westward in the name of spiritual freedom. She was tough and determined to do what was necessary to find a new home. She outlived three husbands, raised ten children of her own, took care of several stepchildren, and accomplished what she had to exist in an untamed environment. Her grandchildren remember her as the sort of person who had enormous integrity and the ability to face adversity and to dedicate herself, as she did, to family, belief, and church.
According to the Coalville city cemetery, Hannah died in Coalville, Utah following a hip fracture on Oct. 27, 1891 at the age of 85. She was living with her son, Jacob Huffman in 1880, according to the US census, but died at her son's home, Henry Wheaton. No obituary notice has been found. She is buried in section B, block 18, lot 2, grave 8 in the Henry Wheaton burial plot at the Coalville City Cemetery. Her headstone is combined with that of her son, Henry Wheaton. Her name is listed as "Hannah Staley" and doesn't have any birth or death dates inscribed. In honor of Hannah, her numerous descendants from her daughter, Sarah Ann, made an updated headstone with Hannah's full name, birth and death dates, and year she came to Utah.
For an earlier history on Hannah Johnson and her first husband, George R. Huffman, see the history on her son, Jacob Huffman by Ellen Evelyn Huffman Johnson, his granddaughter.
Hannah had ten children and at least 59 grandchildren. About her children through her first husband, George Huffman, it is known that Jacob Huffman married first, Margaret Staley. After his first wife's death, he married second, Elizabeth Rebecca Frisby. Jacob Huffman was a dentist, blacksmith, farmer and owner of a sawmill. He died Aug. 22, 1899, age of 76 and is buried in the Coalville cemetery, section B, block 20, lot 2, grave 1.
Eliza Jane Huffman married out side of the LDS Church and probably stayed in New York or Canada.
Sarah Ann Huffman, as mentioned previously, married George Pitkin and they settled in Millville, Utah. Sarah Ann Huffman ran the kitchen in the Logan Temple and also served as midwife for all of her adult life. She died Jan. 30, 1904 in Millville and is buried there, next to her husband.
Concerning Hannah Johnson's children through her second husband, John Westley Wheaton: Hannah Elizabeth Wheaton married William Henderson Smith. William H. Smith is considered "The Father of Coalville", because it was he who attracted interest to the area as a good place to settle. Hannah and William settled in Coalville, Utah. Together, they operated the first hotel in Coalville. Hannah's husband, William H. Smith, was also the first teacher for the children. He engaged in farming, freighting and acted as justice of the peace. Hannah E. Wheaton died at the age of 91; she is buried in the Coalville Cemetery in section C, block 6, lot 2, grave 4, next to her husband, who died at the age of 88 - section C, block 6, lot 2, grave 3.
Henry Wesley Wheaton married Sophia Jane Randall, who was born in Illinois. They settled and farmed in Coalville, Utah. Sophia died in 1885 at the age of 37 and is buried in section B, bock 18, lot 2, section 2. Henry died at the age of 79 in Coalville and is buried in the Coalville Cemetery - in section B, block 18, lot 2, grave 1, next to his wife, Sophia.
Concerning Hannah Johnson's children through her third husband, Conrad Staley:
John Staley was raised in Coalville and married Sarah Wild. He died at the age of 28 in 1869 and is buried in section E, block 32, lot 2, grave 1 in the Coaville City Cemetery.
Conrad Hammel Staley married Agnes Georgina Porter. Conrad died in Salt Lake City and was buried in Upton, Utah, where he settled and farmed, east of Coalville.
Sidney Staley probably died in infancy.
Concerning research on the ancestors of Hannah Johnson, a letter from the Genealogical Association of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS was sent on January 29, 1963 to C. Austin Seager, a 2nd great grandson, stating, "A search was made in the christening records of the Lutheran, Dutch Reformed, Presbyterian, and Methodist Churches of Albany City for a possible entry for Hannah Johnson, who is stated to have been born there. No such entry was found. The marriage records were searched for her parents, Abraham Johnson and Hannah Wheeler in the above mentioned churches but without results. A search of the 1810 census of Albany City made no mention of Abraham Johnson. From the 1790 census of New York we note that there were two Abraham Johnsons, one of Bullstown, now Ballston, Saratoga Co., and the other of Inderhook, Columbia Co. A search made in the records of the Presbyterian and Episcopalian Churches of Ballston, was without results. Some Wheeler's were noted but no relation to his wife could be proven. In the Kinderhook, Dutch Reformed Church Records, we noted many entries naming Johnsons, however no Abraham Johnson was mentioned. Since there are indications that he may have moved to Bertie, Ontario, Canada where he had grandchildren. The Ontario Index to Deed records were checked where several references to Johnson's were noted, among them some to Abraham. This name is also mentioned in the records of the Yorktown City Council concerning Yongestown which was being settled. Joseph Johnson and Abraham Johnson cleared 15 acres, house built No. 20, and in a state of cultivation, dated 19 June 1797. Another entry states, Abraham Johnson, Lot 19 Westside, to be confirmed if actually resident, dated 3 July 1798. In the deed records of Bertie, Welland County, Ontario, South of Yongetown, we found several entries concerning Abraham Johnson. In the probate of the Will of Richard Van Huson, dated 24 January 1818, the following is recorded, "I give to Richard Johnson and William Johnson, their heirs and assigns all estates etc., to be divided between them after the death of their father, Abraham Johnson."
Also see history on the web site, http://www.auntroma.com/hannah_elizabeth_johnson_huffman_wheaton_staley.htm
Reference sources:
1. History of Hannah Johnson Staley by Gertrude S. Payne, great granddaughter.
2. History of Hannah Johnson Staley by Inez Rhead Allen, great granddaughter.
3. Story of Sarah Ann Huffman Pitkin compiled by Susan LaNez Pitkin Cragun, granddaughter, on May 1960.
4. Family group & pedigree sheets of Sarah Ann Huffman and George White Pitkin by C. Austin Seager, descendent of Sarah Ann Huffman.
5. Coalville and Upton cemetery records.
6. Photo in possession of Kara Seager-Segalla.
7. Brief Life Story of an Early Pioneer, Jacob Huffman by his granddaughter, Ellen Evelyn Huffman Johnson.
8. The Father of Coalville, William Henderson Smith by Mrs. Walter Lee.
9. Family group & pedigree sheets on Henry Wheaton and Sophia Jane Randall by Grant Piercy.
10. Pedigree sheet on Jacob Huffman and Elizabeth Rebecca Frisby by Howard Blonquist.
11. Our Heritage, by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pages 71-72
12. Family group records on Hannah E. Wheaton & William Henderson Smith from Darrell Ball Smith
13. Church emmigrants F1A 44.12 38335 12; J.H. 31 Dec 1852 Supplement pg. 40
More About HANNAH ELIZABETH JOHNSON:
Burial: 30 Oct 1891, Coalville City Cemetery, Coalville, Utah
Cause of Death: Complications from a fractured hip
Namesake: Mother, Hannah
Religion: Probably Lutheran, then LDS; original Utah pioneer of 1852
Notes for GEORGE RANSIER HUFFMAN:
Family history has written, "The same ideals and principles that motivated the Pilgrims to leave their ancestral homes and to establish a new commonwealth in a new country motivated the ancestors of George Huffman to leave their home in Germany and come to Pennsylvania.
William Penn had been granted forty thousand square miles of land in America in 1680. He called it Pennsylvania, meaning "Penn's Forest Land." He was a Quaker and had frequently suffered persecution and imprisonment for his religion in England. Neither he nor his fellow sufferers were able to find a place of refuge in any of the established colonies of America, for the Quakers were regarded as undesirable citizens. It was therefore to find a haven for peoples of all creeds, or of no creed, that Penn in 1690 sent out the first settlers to his new colony in Pennsylvania.
Surely the news of William Penn's kindness and generosity toward all people, spread far and wide, for twenty years later more than twenty thousand people inhabited the province. Amongst those who sought refuge and peace and liberty were a group from Germany, mistakenly known as the "Pennsylvania Dutch." This group came from the province of Palatinate, which for years had been the most fertile and prosperous state in Germany. It is located West of the Rhine River. This country was known as the garden of Germany. Heidelberg was the capital, and the University of Heidelberg was one of the oldest and most influential seats of learning. The people were distinguished for their industry, keen wit, independence, and a high degree of intelligence. In 1685, intolerant Catholics seized Palatinate. Those who belonged to the reformed churches suffered as Catholicism was forced on them.
Encouraged by their religious beliefs and high ideals, many of these people immigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where they were made welcome. This group was distinguished for industry, earnestness, frugality and skills. It was here that Jacob Huffman, father of George Huffman, was born. George's mother, Nancy Ransier, was born in New York. Some have spelled Nancy Ransier, as "Ransere".
When the Revolutionary War began, Jacob Huffman, however, joined the Loyal Rangers and is mentioned in the United Empire Loyalist records of New York as, "Huffman, Jacob of Bertie, Loyal Rangers, died 22 Mar 1837, age 78." Later descendants had possession of his shoulder epaulets that came from his uniform.
At the close of the war, the King of England gave huge grants of land in what was then known as Upper Canada, now known as the province of Ontario, a wild and unsettled region. The King gave this land to those who had remained faithful to him during the Revolutionary War. Until 1783, the Indians and fur traders had practically the entire possession of this region. The United Royalists were the real founders and pioneers of this region. They began their exodus from Pennsylvania in 1784. The Pennsylvania Dutch planted three main colonies in Upper Canada - Niagara, Markham and Waterloo.
Jacob Huffman and Nancy Ransier, parents of George Huffman, were among those who helped pioneer this Upper Canada region. The Huffman family traveled from Pennsylvania to Bertie Twp. Ontario, Canada with the Troup family, who were also German. The same progressive spirit and the same ideals that caused their progenitors to leave Germany gave them the courage to go into this new region to make a home. The "Pennsylvania Dutch" were among the best pioneers to go into the wilderness of Upper Canada. Their districts were among the most prosperous and orderly of the country.
Jacob Huffman and Nancy Ransier had ten children: Jacob, Rebecca, Catherine, William, George Ransier, Abigail, Nancy Ann, Betsie, Mary, and Margaret. All of these children were born in Canada. George Ransier Huffman, father of Jacob Huffman, was born in Bertie Township, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 22, 1798.
The "Pennsylvania Dutch" would travel back and forth to visit old friends in Pennsylvania, passing through the state of New York, and their friends in Pennsylvania often returned these visits. Perhaps it was on one of these trips that George Huffman met Hannah E. Johnson, who was born in Albany, New York. (Another history states that the Johnson family with their children, including Hannah, moved to Canada, because of their Tory thinking, settling near Bertie Township in Ontario.) Hannah E. Johnson was a daughter of Abraham Johnson and Hannah Wheeler, also born in Albany, New York.
George R. Huffman and Hannah Johnson were married and lived in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The family moved to and remained very near Niagara Falls. Jacob Huffman, first child of George and Hannah Johnson, was born in Waterloo on the 28th day of August 1823. Later two daughters were born. Sarah Ann was born July 5, 1827 in Bertie Twp. Ontario, Canada, and Eliza Jane was born August 28, 1830.
George Huffman died on the 25th day of January 1830, of what was called Mountain Fever. He was 32 years old and left a family of two children with one unborn, daughter."
More About GEORGE RANSIER HUFFMAN:
Burial: Ontario, Canada
Religion: Probably Lutheran
Notes for JOHN WESLEY WHEATON:
The Wheaton name is English in origin and is first found in Nottinghamshire where they were seated from ancient times, some say before the Norman Conquest in 1066, and acquired the lands of Whatton from Robert of Wheaton from Gilbert de Gent, a Norman Baron.
A record from the Ontario Historical Society for St. Paul's Church in Waterloo, Township of Bertie, states, "Feb. 14th, John Westley Wheaton, aged forty two years, of the Township of Bertie, died on the thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and was buried on the following day by me, John Anderson, Rectory of Waterloo."
More About JOHN WESLEY WHEATON:
Burial: 14 Feb 1838, St. Paul's Church, Waterloo (Fort Erie), Bertie Twp., District of Niagara, Province of Canada
Notes for CONRAD STALEY:
History of Conrad Staley by Kara Seager-Segalla - Conrad Staley was a son of Johann Jacob Staley and Marie House. The House family lived in German Flatts in New York during the French and Indian Wars. It was Marie House who was captured by the Indians but later rescued by Private Johann Staley. Marie's parents were killed.
Conrad Staley married first Hannah Trip and they had four children, unknown son, Margaret, Harriett, and Chester. He is in the 1830 census in Chautauqua, N.Y. with his family. Hannah Trip died in 1835. After his first wife's death, he married again in 1837 and had two children, Merritt and Emma, who died in infancy. This information was given in a deposition by his granddaughter, Laura Blackman. His second wife probably died in childbirth with their daughter, Emma. Conrad married for a third time, Hannah Elizabeth Johnson, a recent widow of Henry Wesley Wheaton. They were married in 1840 in St. Paul's Church at Fort Erie, in Bertie Township, Canada. The marriage entry states, "Coonrod Staley of Grand Island in the State of New York, Widower, and Hannah Wheaton, of the Township of Bertie, District of Niagara, Widow, were married, the fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred, and forty."
Conrad Staley had been previously baptized in July 1837 by Samuel Phelps. At this time, it is believed that Conrad was living in Scarbough, Canada. In 1843, Conrad was at a conference in Buffalo, New York, representing eight LDS members of Grand Island. Hannah and Conrad had two children, John and Sidney (died in infancy) while living in New York. Conrad and Hannah eventually joined the main body of the Church in Illinois and settled in Nauvoo, Illinois. Their property was actually out side of the city of Nauvoo in Hancock County, Illinois. The property was listed as being in section T6-R7 in the square mile of #5. Hannah and Conrad Staley received their patriarchal blessings from John Smith on Aug. 18, 1845 in Nauvoo, Illinois, and Conrad was ordained a Seventy sometime before 1850. Hannah and Conrad had a third child, Conrad Hammell, while living in Nauvoo.
While the years in Nauvoo provided many happy times for the Saints, persecution soon began again, culminating in the murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in 1844. Even after the murder of the Prophet, when the Saints realized they must shortly leave Nauvoo; they increased their commitment to completing the temple. The attic of the unfinished temple was dedicated as that part of the structure where the endowment ordinance would be administered. The Saints were anxious to receive this sacred ordinance. Almost 6,000 Saints received their endowment before leaving Nauvoo, including Hannah Johnson and Conrad Staley on Feb. 6, 1846. Conrad Staley was a Seventy at the time.
As persecutions in Nauvoo intensified, it became apparent that the Saints would have to leave. By Nov. 1845, Nauvoo was bustling with the activities of preparation. Captains of hundreds, fifties, and tens were called to lead the Saints on their exodus, which began on Feb. 4, 1846. It took the Saints 131 days to travel the 310 miles from Nauvoo to the settlements in western Iowa, where they would pass the winter of 1846-47. A number of settlements of Saints stretched along both sides of the Missouri River. The largest settlement, Winter Quarters, was on the west side, in Nebraska. The Staley family lived in Davis County, Iowa, along with Jacob Huffman, Conrad's son-in-law. Mr. Staley carried mail from Nauvoo to the exiles who had started westward. The Saints lived in houses of logs and in dugouts of willows and dirt. In the summer they suffered from malarial fever. When winter came and fresh food was no longer available, they suffered from cholera epidemics, scurvy, toothaches, and severe diarrhea. Hundreds of people died. Conrad Staley, died in Davis Co., Iowa on Oct. 8, 1846 at the age of 45 of something like yellow fever. His death date is noted in a letter, written by his wife to Brigham Young. His last council to his wife was that she remain with the church and continue to the Salt Lake valley.
More About CONRAD STALEY:
Baptism (LDS): 1837
Burial: Davis County, Iowa
Cause of Death: "Something like yellow fever"
Endowment (LDS): 06 Feb 1846
Religion: L.D.S.
Children of HANNAH JOHNSON and GEORGE HUFFMAN are:
9. i. JACOB5 HUFFMAN, b. 28 Aug 1823, Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada; d. 22 Aug 1899, Upton, Summit, Utah, USA.
ii. HANNAH HUFFMAN, b. Abt. 1825, Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada; d. Abt. 1825, Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada.
Notes for HANNAH HUFFMAN:
Probably died as an infant.
More About HANNAH HUFFMAN:
Namesake: Mother, Hannah
10. iii.SARAH ANN HUFFMAN, b. 05 Jul 1827, Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada; d. 30 Jan 1904, Millville, Cache, Utah, USA.
iv.ELIZA JANE HUFFMAN, b. 28 Aug 1830, Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada; d. Bef. 1904, of Ontario, Canada; m. ALEX MILLER, Abt. 1849, of Canada; b. Abt. 1820, of Canada; d. of Canada.
Notes for ELIZA JANE HUFFMAN:
It has been said the Eliza Jane married outside the Mormon church.
Children of HANNAH JOHNSON and JOHN WHEATON are:
11. v. HANNAH ELIZABETH5 WHEATON, b. 11 Feb 1835, Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada; d. 13 Feb 1926, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA.
12. vi.HENRY WESLEY WHEATON, b. 02 Apr 1837, Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada; d. 27 Nov 1916, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA.
Children of HANNAH JOHNSON and CONRAD STALEY are:
13. vii.JOHN5 STALEY, b. 16 Aug 1841, Grand Island, Erie, New York, USA; d. 12 Aug 1869, Coaville, Summit, Utah, USA.
viii.SIDNEY STALEY, b. Abt. 1843, Grand Island, Erie, New York, USA; d. 1843, Grand Island, Erie, New York, USA.
Notes for SIDNEY STALEY:
Probably died in infancy.
14. ix. CONRAD HAMMEL STALEY, b. 17 Sep 1845, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, USA; d. 22 Oct 1926, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; Adopted child.
5. JOSEPH4 JOHNSON (ABRAHAM3, POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2, WILLIAM1) was born Abt. 1811 in Albany, Albany, New York, USA, and died Aft. 1837 in of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada. He married ANN CRAGE Abt. 1832 in of Ontario, Canada. She was born Abt. 1813, and died Aft. 1837 in of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada.
Children of JOSEPH JOHNSON and ANN CRAGE are:
i. GILBERT5 JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1835, Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada; d. 28 Jun 1838, Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada.
Notes for GILBERT JOHNSON:
In the Register of St. Paul's Church, Waterloo, Township of Bertie, "Gilbert, son of Joseph Johnson aged nearly three years died on the twenty eighth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and was buried on the thirtieth following by me John Anderson."
ii. SARAH CATHERINE JOHNSON, b. 03 Jun 1837, Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada.
Notes for SARAH CATHERINE JOHNSON:
In the Regster of St. Paul's Church in Waterloo, "On this first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, I baptized Sarah Catherine, daughter of Joseph Johnson and of Ann his wife, born on the third day of June preceding - John Anderson Rector of Waterloo."
6. RICHARD VANHUSEN4 JOHNSON (ABRAHAM3, POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2, WILLIAM1) (Source: 1842 & 1861 & 1871 census, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Canada for Richard V. Johnson.) was born 28 Jul 1812 in of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada (Source: Bethel cemetery records for Richard V. Johnson.), and died 10 Jul 1885 in Middleton Township, Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Bethel cemetery records for Richard V. Johnson.). He married (1) MARY NIGHTON Bef. 1834 in of Ontario, Canada, daughter of DAVID NIGHTON and ELIZABETH EMMETT. She was born Abt. 1814, and died Bet. 1836 - 1842 in Upper Canada. He married (2) SARAH NIGHTON Bef. 1840 in of Ontario, Canada, daughter of DAVID NIGHTON and ELIZABETH EMMETT. She was born 05 Apr 1820 in Upper Canada (Source: Luton Cemetery records for Sarah Nighton.), and died 24 Nov 1867 in Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Luton Cemetery records for Sarah Nighton.). He married (3) HARRIET VALENTINE FAURE (Source: Ontario archives, schedule c. - deaths for Harriett V. Johnson.) 22 Feb 1868 in Lincoln, Ontario, Canada, daughter of ISRAEL FAURE and ELIZABETH MARY. She was born Abt. 1826 in Woodhouse Township, Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada, and died 14 Jan 1891 in Aylmer, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Ontario Archives Schedule C. - Deaths for Harriett V. Faure.).
Notes for RICHARD VANHUSEN JOHNSON:
Richard Johnson was a farmer and his religion was a New Connection Methodist. He married Mary Nighton, daughter of David Nighton and Elizabeth Emmett. They were married in Canada, sometime before 1834 and had three children, George Hamilton Johnson, David Johnson, and Mary E. Johnson (Benner). After his first wife's death, he married his wife's sister, Sarah Nighton, in about 1840 and had three children, Arthur Merritt Johnson, Sidney Casper Johnson, and Rebecca Jane Johnson (Hill). After his second wife's death, Richard married Harriet Valentine Faure, daughter of Israel and Mary Elizabeth Faure. Richard and Harriet had one son, Richard Clark Johnson.
More About RICHARD VANHUSEN JOHNSON:
Burial: Bethel Cemetery, county road 38, Middleton Township, Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Farmer
Religion: New Connection Methodist
Notes for SARAH NIGHTON:
Died 47 yrs, 7 month, and 19 days.
More About SARAH NIGHTON:
Burial: Luton Cemetery, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada
More About HARRIET VALENTINE FAURE:
Burial: Bethel cemtery, coutny road 38, Middleton Twp., Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada
Cause of Death: Dropsy
Religion: Methodist
Children of RICHARD JOHNSON and MARY NIGHTON are:
15. i. GEORGE HAMILTON5 JOHNSON, b. 02 Feb 1834, Ontario, Canada; d. 29 Dec 1914, of Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada.
16. ii. DAVID JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1836, Bertie Township, Welland, Niagara, Canada; d. 07 Nov 1897, Fairview, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada.
17. iii.MARY ELIZABETH JOHNSON, b. 11 May 1838, Upper Canada; d. 09 Jul 1869, of Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada.
Children of RICHARD JOHNSON and SARAH NIGHTON are:
iv.ARTHUR MERRIT5 JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1843, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; m. (1) REBECCA HILL, 15 Nov 1864, Elgin Co, Ontario, Canada (Source: Elgin Co. Marriage register for Arthur M. Johnson & Rebecca Hill.); b. Abt. 1847, Walpole Township, Haldimand Co., Ontario, Canada; d. Bef. 1868; m. (2) MARY J. HARRIS, 16 Jul 1868, Bayham Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Elgin Co. Marriage register for Arthur Johnson & Mary J. Harris.); b. Abt. 1851, Bayham Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; d. Bef. 1877; m. (3) ELIZABETH MUSGROVE, 16 Oct 1877, Ekfrid Township, Middlesex Co., Ontario, Canada; b. Abt. 1856, Whitby, Ontario, Canada.
More About ARTHUR MERRIT JOHNSON:
Burial: Luton Cemetery, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada
Religion: Methodist
More About MARY J. HARRIS:
Religion: Methodist
18. v. SIDNEY CASPER JOHNSON, b. 24 Jan 1843, Upper Canada; d. 1932, Ontario, Canada.
vi.REBECCA JANE JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1845, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; m. JAMES CARLTON HILL, 15 Nov 1864, Elgin Co, Ontario, Canada (Source: Elgin Co. marriage register for James C. Hill & Rebecca Johnson.); b. Abt. 1844, Walpole Township, Haldimand Co., Ontario, Canada.
More About JAMES CARLTON HILL:
Occupation: Farmer
Child of RICHARD JOHNSON and HARRIET FAURE is:
vii.RICHARD CLARK5 JOHNSON, b. 14 Aug 1869, Aylmer, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; d. Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.; m. MATILDA MCNABB, 21 Jan 1891, Aylmer, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Ontario archives, schedule B. - marriages for Richard C. Johnson & Matilda McNabb.); b. Abt. 1873, Bayham Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada.
7. WILLIAM POWELL4 JOHNSON (ABRAHAM3, POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2, WILLIAM1) (Source: 1851 census for Bertie, Ontario Canada; 1861 census, Malahide Twp., Ontario, Canada for William Johnson.) was born Abt. 1813 in of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada, and died Bef. 1881 in of Orwell, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada. He married SARAH DENNIS (Source: 1851 census for Bertie, Ontario, Canada; Elgin Co., Surrogate Court Probate Records for Sarah Dennis.) Abt. 1833 in Elgin, Ontario, Canada. She was born 23 Feb 1818 in Upper Canada (Source: Tombstone of Sarah Dennis.), and died 09 Jan 1889 in Orwell, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada (Source: Tombstone of Sarah Dennis.).
Notes for WILLIAM POWELL JOHNSON:
William Johnson was born in Bertie, Ontario, Canada to Abraham Johnson and Hannah Wheeler. He came from a family of seven brothers and one sister, Hannah. More than 30,000 persons of English descent came to Canada from the United States at the close of the Revolutionary War. These people were called the United Empire Loyalists, because they were people who preferred to live under British rule. Some of the Loyalists settled on the fertile farm lands of southern Ontario. They were followed by other persons from the United States who were attracted by the cheap land. The Johnson family migrated sometime after 1812 to Elgin, Ontario, Canada. One of their first tasks was to pick out a spot where they wanted to settle and then build a log cabin, since wood and trees were plentiful. Regardless of location, life remained rough, simple, and difficult for many years. It is believed that all of William's siblings, except for his sister, Hannah, remained in Canada.
William Johnson married at about the age of 20 to Sarah Dennis. He settled in Elgin County, Ontario, Canada where he was a farmer and lived in a one story log house. He probably did mixed farming, in which the he grew many kinds of crops, since this type of farming flourished in the eastern Canadian provinces of Ontario.
After the British conquered Canada, the Church of England became important. Early colonial governors favored the denomination, but other Protestant denominations objected to this favoritism, including the Methodists, most of whom lived in Upper Canada. William and his wife, Sarah, were listed as Methodists.
William Johnson and his wife, Sarah Dennis, had five boys and two girls, Mary Johnson (Gates), Abraham Johnson, Emaline Johnson (Noyes), William Powell, Johnson, Alfred Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Susan Emmaretta Johnson (Rice), Albert Johnson, and James Johnson. All of these children were born in Elgin, Ontario, Canada. William lived out his life in Elgin, Ontario, Canada and died at about the age of 68. After William Johnson's death, his wife, Sarah, remarried James Appleton. She died later at the age of 70.
More About WILLIAM POWELL JOHNSON:
Occupation: Farmer, labourer
Religion: Methodist
Notes for SARAH DENNIS:
Died at age 70 yrs., 10 months and 22 days. Headstone is white marble.
More About SARAH DENNIS:
Burial: Plot #357, Orwell Cemetery, Orwell, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Weaver
Religion: Methodist
Children of WILLIAM JOHNSON and SARAH DENNIS are:
i. MARY5 JOHNSON (Source: 1851 census for Bertie, Ontario, Canada.), b. Abt. 1834, Ontario, Canada; d. Aft. 1889, Mapleton, South Dorchester Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada; m. JAMES WILLIAM GATES (Source: 1871 census, Ontario for James Gates.), Abt. 1855, of Ontario, Canada; b. Abt. 1819, Ireland; d. Aft. 1871, Mapleton, So. Dorchester Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada.
More About MARY JOHNSON:
Burial: Mapleton Cemetery, So. Dorchester Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada
More About JAMES WILLIAM GATES:
Burial: Mapleton Cemetery, So. Dorchester Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Labourer
Religion: Church of England
19. ii. ABRAHAM JOHNSON, b. 16 Aug 1835, Upper Canada; d. Aft. 1901, of Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada.
iii.EMALINE JOHNSON (Source: 1851 census for Bertie, Ontario, Canada.), b. 05 May 1837, Ontario, Canada (Source: Tombstone for Emaline Johnson.); d. 11 Aug 1896, Stevensville, Bertie Twp., Welland, Ontario, Canada (Source: Tombstone for Emaline Johnson.); m. THOMAS NOYES (Source: 1881 Bertie, Welland, Ontario, Canada census.), Abt. 1858, of Stevensville, Bertie Twp., Welland, Ontario, Canada; b. 15 Jun 1826 (Source: Tombstone for Thomas Noyes.); d. 26 Dec 1901, Stevensville, Bertie Twp., Welland, Ontario, Canada (Source: Tombstone for Thomas Noyes.).
Notes for EMALINE JOHNSON:
1881 census shows five children, Wilson, Andreas (aka Andrew), Martin, Mary Della and, William.
More About EMALINE JOHNSON:
Burial: Reformed Mennonite Cemetery, Stevensville, Bertie Twp., Welland, Ontario, Canada
Nationality: German
More About THOMAS NOYES:
Burial: Reformed Mennonite Cemetery, Stevensville, Bertie Twp., Welland, Ontario, Canada
Nationality: German
Occupation: Farmer
iv.WILLIAM POWELL JOHNSON (Source: 1871 & 1891 Ontario Census for William P. Johnson.), b. 1839, London District, Malahide Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada; d. Aft. 1891, of Bayham Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada; m. NANCY M. HEULBERT, 24 Jun 1878, Aylmer, Malahide Twp., Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Ontario Archives, schedule B. - marriages for William P. Johnson & Nancy Heulbert.); b. Abt. 1842, London District, Malahide Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada; d. Aft. 1891, of Bayham Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada.
Notes for WILLIAM POWELL JOHNSON:
William Johnson and Nancy Heulbert had three children: Mary E., Sarah M., and Asa Andrew Johnson.
More About WILLIAM POWELL JOHNSON:
Namesake: Father, William Powell
Occupation: Servant, farmer
Religion: Wesleyan Methodist
More About NANCY M. HEULBERT:
Religion: Wesleyan Methodist
v. ALFRED JOHNSON (Source: 1851 census for Bertie, Ontario, Canada.), b. Abt. 1843, Ontario, Canada; d. Aft. 1889, Aylmer, Malahide Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada.
More About ALFRED JOHNSON:
Burial: Aylmer Cemetery (section B), Aylmer, Malahide Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada
vi.JACOB JOHNSON (Source: 1851 census for Bertie, Ontario, Canada; 1871 census, Ontario, Canada.), b. 1845, Ontario, Canada; d. Aft. 1871.
More About JACOB JOHNSON:
Occupation: Farmer
Religion: Wesleyan Methodist
vii.ALBERT JOHNSON (Source: 1851 census for Bertie, Ontario; 1891 census, Aylmer, Ontario for Albert Johnson.), b. 1848, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; d. 25 Jun 1895, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Ontario Archives, schedule C. - deaths for Albert Johnson.); m. ELIZABETH JANE HEULBERT, 27 May 1868, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Elgin Co. Marriage register for Albert Johnson & Elizabeth Heulbert.); b. Abt. 1850, Upper Canada; d. 07 Feb 1916, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada.
Notes for ALBERT JOHNSON:
Children of Albert Johnson and Elizabeth Heulbert are: Emma J., Alfred, Alma, Ida May, Lewis Cecil, Pleazzie, Albert Medford Logan, and William Edward Johnson.
More About ALBERT JOHNSON:
Burial: Owell Cemetery, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada
Cause of Death: Pleura Pneumonia
Occupation: Farmer
Religion: Methodist
More About ELIZABETH JANE HEULBERT:
Burial: Owell Cemetery, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada
Religion: Methodist
viii.JAMES JOHNSON (Source: 1851 census for Bertie, Ontario, Canada.), b. 1849, Ontario, Canada; d. Bef. 1861.
ix. ROBERT JOHNSON, b. 1853, Ontario, Canada.
x. SUSAN EMMARETTA JOHNSON (Source: 1881 & 1901 census of Yarmouth Twp. for Susan E. Johnson.), b. 05 Apr 1858, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; d. 1936, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada; m. JACOB SAMUEL RICE, Abt. 1878, of Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada; b. 02 Sep 1858, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Tombstone of Jacob S. Rice.); d. 1939, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada.
Notes for SUSAN EMMARETTA JOHNSON:
Children of Susan Johnson and Jacob Rice are William, Sarah Jane, Ernest, Ethel, Alta May, George, Olive, Ida, and Clara.
More About SUSAN EMMARETTA JOHNSON:
Burial: Orwell Cemetery, Orwell, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada
Religion: Methodist
More About JACOB SAMUEL RICE:
Burial: Orwell Cemetery, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Butcher, labourer
Religion: Methodist
8. CYRENIUS4 JOHNSON (ABRAHAM3, POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2, WILLIAM1) was born Abt. 1816 in of Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada, and died Aft. 1881 in Burford Twp., Brant, Ontario, Canada. He married (1) MARY ESTHER BIRD Abt. 1834 in of Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada. She was born Abt. 1818, and died Aft. 1835 in of Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada. He married (2) MARGARET Abt. 1836 in Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada. She was born Abt. 1818 in Ontario, Canada, and died Bef. 1839 in of Ontario, Canada. He married (3) JANE FERGUSON 18 Sep 1839 in London, Canada (Source: Marriage registers of Upper Canada, Canada West, Vol. 4, Part 1, London Dist., 1795-1841 for Cyrenius Johnson & Janet Ferguson; Census of 1871, Ontario Index), daughter of JOHN FERGUSON and ELIZABETH ABOTT. She was born 29 Aug 1811 in Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada, and died 13 Feb 1881 in Aylmer, Malahide Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada (Source: Ontario Archives Schedule C. - Deaths for Jane Ferguson; Elgin Co. surrogate court probate records.).
Notes for CYRENIUS JOHNSON:
Cyrenius is also listed with the names: "Serenen, Sirenes, or Syrenus" and are probably one in the same person. Cyrenius married Mary Esther Bird in about 1834 and had one daughter, Catherine Johnson (Webb, Barrett). After his first wife's death, Cyrenius married Margaret in about 1836 and had two children, Diannah and Cyrenius. After his second wife's death, Cyrenius married Jane Ferguson, daughter of John and Elizabeth Ferguson, and they had two children, Mary Jane Johnson (Dennis) and John Ralph Johnson. Cyrenius was a labourer and was of the Church of England.
More About CYRENIUS JOHNSON:
Nationality: English
Occupation: Labourer
Religion: Church of England, Anglican
More About JANE FERGUSON:
Religion: Methodist
Child of CYRENIUS JOHNSON and MARY BIRD is:
i. CATHERINE5 JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1835, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; m. (1) SAMUEL WEBB, 22 Jan 1860, Aylmer, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; b. 16 Oct 1825, Dowton, Wiltshire, England; m. (2) JOHN P. BARRETT, 14 Jul 1875, Aylmer, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; d. 15 Apr 1881, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada.
More About CATHERINE JOHNSON:
Burial: Elmdale Memorial Park, St. Thomas, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada
More About SAMUEL WEBB:
Burial: Elmdale Memorial Park, St. Thomas, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Shoemaker
More About JOHN P. BARRETT:
Burial: Aylmer Cemetery (section J), Aylmer, Malahide Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada
Children of CYRENIUS JOHNSON and MARGARET are:
ii. DIANNAH5 JOHNSON (Source: 1861 census, Twp. of Bayham, Elgin, Ontario, Canada.), b. Abt. 1837, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada.
More About DIANNAH JOHNSON:
Occupation: Service
Religion: Church of England
iii.CYRENIUS MANLEY JOHNSON (Source: 1871 Census of Ontario, Canada, pg 55, District No. 6, East Elgin, E-4, Bayham; 1881, 1891, 1901 Census for Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.), b. 08 May 1838, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; d. 21 Mar 1909, of Monteith Twp., Muskoka & Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada; m. MARGARET MELISSA HOWELL (Source: 1881, 1891, 1901 census for Muskoka, Ontario, Canada; obituary.), 08 May 1871, Bayham Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Elgin Co. Marriage Register 1869-1873, pg. 420 & 425.); b. 03 Oct 1851, Bayham Twp., Elgin, Ontario, Canada; d. 20 Jun 1933, Monteith Twp., Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada.
Notes for CYRENIUS MANLEY JOHNSON:
Cyrenius and Margaret had eleven children, including Arden Manley Johnson, Clarance Wilburn Johnson, John Merritt Johnson, Alice May Johnson (Scott), Oscar Almon Johnson, Edward Norman Johnson, Mary Isabel Johnson (McCrae), Sidney C. Johnson, Clinton Johnson, Alma Johnson, and Amy Johnson (Edwards).
More About CYRENIUS MANLEY JOHNSON:
Burial: Townline Cemetery, Conc. 1, Lot 25, McMurrich/Monteith Twp., Muskoka & Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Laborer, joiner, carpenter, farmer
Religion: Methodist
Notes for MARGARET MELISSA HOWELL:
The Huntsville Forester, Thursday, June 29th, 1933 - Death of Mrs. Margart Johnson, pioneer of Monteith Township, passes away - Died on Tuesday morning, June 20th, 1933, at her home at Axe Lake, in Monteith Twp., Parry Sound District, Ont., Mrs. Margaret Johnson, aged 81 years and 8 months. Deceased had enjoyed fairly good health and was around at her usual household tasks until Monday about noon when she suddenly became ill, and at night Dr. A. N. Kitt of Sprucedale was called and assisted as he could, but as a result of a stroke, the useful life had reached its end, and she died on Tuesday morning, June 20th, very peacefully, with the family members at her bedside. She leaves to mourn her loss a complete family of eleven children, all of whom were present at the funeral, an unbroke family circle. Two home boys (now young men) whom she raised, always pround to call her mother, were also present, and a grandson, Jackie Johnson, who has lived with her for several years. Her immediate family is as follows: The eldest, Arden, of Detroit, Mich.; Will of South River, Ont.; John and Alice M. Scott, Detroit, Mich.; Oscar of Toronto, Ont.; Norman of Ottawa, Ont.; Mary (Mrs. J. McCrae), of St. Catharines, Ont.; Sydney, of South River, Ont.; Clinton, at home; Miss Alma Johnson, of Detroit, Mich.; and Amy (Mrs. E. Edwards), of Florence, Ont., her youngest child. Two home boys, Mr. Wm. Culmore of Niagara Falls and his wife; Mr. Horace Renn of Burks Falls, Ont., and Mrs. Clinton Johnson, a bride of nearly one year ago, formed an unbroken family of children, each member holding a warm place in the heart of a loving pioneer mother. One brother survives, Mr. John Howell of Boharm, Sask., 80 years of age on Sunday, June 18th, 1933, the last remaining member of a family of twelve children, who was unable to attend the funeral except in spirt. Deceased was one of our most worthy pioneers. She was born on October 3rd, 1851 near the village of Corinth, Township of Bayham, Elgin County, Ont., visiting several times during recent years the home of her girlhood. Her husband, Mr. Manly Johnson, predeceased her 24 years ago in March of 1909. Mrs. Johnson, with her husband, located land in Parry Sound District, Monteith Twp., in 1878, under authority of the Free Grant and Homesteader's Act, and in September of that year moved to their new home with their four eldest children. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson knew many of the hardships that befell the early pioneer of these districts which were then a mass of bush and green pine; roads almost unknown. They were people of sterling character and simple habits, God fearing, and belonged to the honest, hard-working pioneer, their equal of which there are too few in the world today. Truly it may be said as a passing tribute to the departed: "She was a most worthy citizen, a faithful mother and a kind wife; a homemaker, whose bread was earned by honest toil." Her memory will ever remain green in the hearts of her children and her thirty-two grandchildren, and with many others who have proved her a friend to the sick, and a real helper in times of need. The funeral service on June 22nd was conducted by Rev. R. Duncan of United Church, Sprucedale. After a brief service at the home, the procession headed by Mr. A.A. Ball, under taker from Huntsville, winded its way (via Yearley) to Chalmers Church, on the town line, Stisted and McMurrich, where comforting thoughts were gleaned from he text found in St. John, chapter 2, verse 19. The service included the singing of three choice hymns, favorites of a departed mother. Interment was made in Chalmer's cemetery, by the side of her husband. The remains were borne thence by six of her seven sons. Other relatives present at the funeral were: a son-in-law, Mr. E. Evans of Florence, Ont.; Mrs. Howell, Mrs. Adair, Miss Nora and Wm. L. Howell, Mr. and Mrs. A. Hickling and family, all of Yearley, Ont.; Mrs. E. Elanson of Bracebridge; Wm. and John Howell, Miss Edna and Henry Howel, all of North Orillia. Old times friends of the family present at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. H. Brown of Burks Falls, Ont., the former teaching at Axe Lake school, a pioneer log building, which still stands, where most of the Johnson children were then pupils attending public school; Mr. John Rome and members of the Daley families, the only pioneer settlers yet living in Axe Lake vicinity. These and a host of other friends assembled at Chalmers Church until the seats inside were all filled, and many were left standing out of doors. The family remaining which to sincerely thank the many neighbors and friends who unsparingly gave of their help and assistance in his time of bereavement, and have, by so many kind words and deeds, given cheer and comfort to members in this bereaved home and family circle.
"Her race is run, her warfare's o'er. A crown that cannot fade, is her reward for four score years. The righteous judge hath said, as Jesus died and rose again. Triumphant over the grave, so his disciples rise and reign, their triumphant head, a few short years of evil past, we'll reach that happy shore, where death divided friends at last, shall meet to part no more."
More About MARGARET MELISSA HOWELL:
Burial: Townline Cemetery, Conc. 1, Lot 25, McMurrich/Monteith Twp., Muskoka & Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Pioneer homemaker
Religion: Methodist
Children of CYRENIUS JOHNSON and JANE FERGUSON are:
iv.MARY JANE5 JOHNSON, b. Abt. 1840, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; d. 09 Oct 1878, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Ontario Archives, Schedule C. - deaths for Mary Johnson.); m. FRANCIS DENNIS (Source: 1861 Cenus for Malahide Twp. Ontario, Canada & 1900 Michigan Census for Francis Dennis.), 06 Aug 1856, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada (Source: Elgin Co. Marriage register for Mary Johnson & Dennis Francis.); b. 13 Mar 1838, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; d. 02 Apr 1901, Gibson Twp., Bay, Michigan, USA (Source: Death certificat of state of Michigan for Francis Dennis.).
Notes for MARY JANE JOHNSON:
The 1861 census for Malahide Twp. shows the famly living in a log, 1 story dwelling.
More About MARY JANE JOHNSON:
Religion: Methodist
More About FRANCIS DENNIS:
Date born 2: 13 Mar 1838
Cause of Death: Apoplexy
Occupation: Farmer, carpenter, joiner
Religion: E. Methodist
20. v. JOHN RALPH JOHNSON, b. 15 Oct 1842, Malahide Township, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada; d. 24 Apr 1915, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA.
Generation No. 5
9. JACOB5 HUFFMAN (HANNAH ELIZABETH4 JOHNSON, ABRAHAM3, POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2, WILLIAM1) (Source: Original photo; 1850 Pattawattamine, IA census; 1880 census for Upton, Ut.; Pioneers & Prominet Men of Utah; Deed #2295 on film #170891; obituary) was born 28 Aug 1823 in Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada, and died 22 Aug 1899 in Upton, Summit, Utah, USA (Source: Obituary of Jacob Huffman.). He married (1) MARGARET STALEY (Source: 1830 census Chautauqua, NY; 1850 Pottawattamine, IA census.) 1843 in of Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, USA, daughter of CONRAD STALEY and HANNAH TRIPP. She was born 04 Jun 1826 in of Erie Co., New York, USA, and died 19 Nov 1862 in Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA. He married (2) ELIZABETH REBECCA FRISBY (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah.) 13 Dec 1864 in Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA, daughter of WILLIAM FRISBY and ELIZABETH RUFF. She was born 17 Jul 1838 in St. Martin, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, and died 24 Sep 1901 in Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA.
Notes for JACOB HUFFMAN:
Jacob Huffman, son of Hannah E. Johnson, Original Pioneer of 1861
By Kara Seager-Segalla, 1999, updated Sept. 2007 & March 2008
Jacob Huffman's parents, George R. Huffman and Hannah Johnson, were married and lived in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Jacob was the first child of George and Hannah Huffman and was born in Waterloo on the 28th day of August 1823. Later two other children were born, Sarah Ann Huffman, born July 5, 1827, and Eliza Jane Huffman, born August 28, 1830.
When Jacob Huffman was only six years old, his father died on the 25th day of January 1830, of what was called Mountain Fever. It was quite a task to care for three small children alone, so about four years later his mother, Hannah Johnson, married her second husband, a man named John Wesley Wheaton, born in 1807. They were married about 1834 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Two children were born of this marriage, Hannah Elizabeth Wheaton and Henry Wesley Wheaton. Later John Wheaton died in 1838.
After Hannah Johnson's second husband's death, she married Conrad Staley, son of Johann Jacob Staley and Marie Elizabeth House, in 1838 in Canada. Mr. Staley was a widower with five children, ages 5 through 12: Margaret, Sarah Ann, Merritt, Eliza and Chester. Hannah and Conrad Staley had three children, John and Sidney, both born in Grand Island, Canada. Later Conrad Hammel Staley was born in Nauvoo, Illinois. The family learned of the gospel and read the Book of Mormon, which brought about their conversion. W.W. Phelps baptized Jacob Huffman a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was about 19 years of age.
In 1843, Jacob Huffman married Margaret Staley, a daughter of Conrad, in the state of New York. Jacob Huffman and Margaret Staley joined the main body of the church in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, as did his mother, Hannah, and family. On the 6th day of December 1845, their first child, Hannah, was born in Nauvoo. Deed #2295 on film #170891 shows a deed that Jacob Huffman sold his land in 1845 in Bertie, Welland, Canada when he was in Chippawa, Welland, Canada. He sold his land to John and Benjamin Troup.
Joseph Smith had led his followers to a settlement on the Mississippi River in Illinois in 1839. Smith named this town Nauvoo, or "the city beautiful." He received from the Illinois state legislature a charter which gave the city almost unlimited powers. The city grew rapidly and schools were soon set up. The Mormons planned to build a university and they also laid the foundation for a new temple. As Smith became more powerful, his church became more unpopular. The nonmembers, or "gentiles," as they were called, were jealous of the political power of the Mormons and eventually drove them out of the city.
When the Nauvoo Temple was burned, Jacob Huffman succeeded in being the first person to get a bucket of water, which he carried to the second landing of the building. There he met Heber C. Kimball and handed him the water, which was thrown on the fire. Jacob then ran back for more water.
After the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo, Jacob Huffman with his wife moved to Stringtown, Davis, Iowa. His mother, Hannah, and family stayed in the same county until they eventually crossed. For a time, Jacob was sick with sometime similar to yellow fever and his liver was very much affected. After moving to Davis Co., Iowa, Jacob and Margaret had their first son, George, on the 1st of February 1848. A daughter, Harriet Mariah, was born in Magnolia, Harrison Co., Iowa on Oct. 6, 1851. Susan Alvira was also born in Magnolia, Iowa on Sept. 13, 1854.
In Harrison County, Iowa, Jacob Huffman became a very prosperous farmer. He owned a grist mill and farm buildings that were considered a model. When the Mormons began their trek Westward, Jacob was very loath to leave his many fine possessions and a fine farm in Iowa to go West on a hard and weary journey to an unknown desert. His wife, however, strong in the faith, although poor in health, finally persuaded him to go to Utah. She felt that she could not be happy unless she died in "Zion". Jacob, therefore, disposed of his property at a great loss. He took ample time, however, to prepare his outfit and provisions for the journey.
Jacob Huffman and his family came with the Milo Andrus Company. This company left Florence, Nebraska (formerly Winter Quarters) early in July of 1861. The company consisted of 38 wagons and 620 people. Jacob was said to have the best outfit in the company. He arranged to bring as many of his possessions as he could that would help to make a home in the new country. Among the things that were packed in his baggage wagon were a black walnut four poster bed, another bed, a chest, a lounge, rocking chair, a cook stove, together with bedding, cooking utensils, and other household articles. Some of these articles were almost considered luxuries in those days of pioneering. For years after his arrival, there was never a day when bread wasn't found baking in the oven constantly. Even the neighbors preferred to take their bread to the Huffman stove, instead of using their own fireplaces. He prepared to farm in this new land, bringing farm implements and seed. He built cages on the back of his wagons to bring chickens. His animals consisted of oxen and mule teams; he also brought several milk cows, which were milked morning and night. The cream was taken off and placed in a churn and put on the back of the threshing machine. Every night a nice lump of butter was taken out, which was eaten and also used for cooking. The buttermilk was used for making biscuits. Milo Adrus, captain of the company, used to make it a point to be around in time for some of those biscuits, and incidentally some of the other parts of the meal which was far more sumptuous than most of the other emigrants could provide.
In addition to his baggage outfit, Jacob had a carriage or rig in which his wife and family rode. His wife was in poor health, but Jacob arranged a feather bed in the carriage for her to lie upon. She stood the journey remarkably well.
Jacob Huffman acted as chief doctor and surgeon in route, attending to and treating those who were ill in the company. One lady had the misfortune to break her leg. Jacob set the bone and the lady was forced to spend the remainder of the trip lying in a wagon. He never knew how successful his treatment had been on her leg, as it was not entirely healed when the company was disbanded in Salt Lake City. Years after, he was surprised when a woman in a crowd of people came up to him and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. It was the woman whose leg he had set while crossing the plains. She was so glad to show her appreciation for his kindness, patience and tenderness towards her in her affliction.
The Indians caused quite some concern to this company while in route. Jacob Huffman was noted for his tact and diplomacy in dealing with the Indians, thus maintaining peace. On one occasion a small group of Indians came into their camp, while the company stopped for the evening. One young fellow in the company had a shotgun. Apparently desiring a target, he shot a squaw who was sitting on a log, to the horror and sorrow of his elders and those in charge of the company. The next day the entire tribe swept down upon the company seeking revenge and threatening to wipe out the company, unless the murderer was turned over to them. To save the company, the boy was surrendered. The Indians took him some distance away and literally skinned him alive, forcing his father to watch the terrible execution. A creek there became known as Raw Hide Creek, named from this incident.
The company arrived in Salt Lake City on the 12th of July 1861. Jacob Huffman proceeded to Coalville, Summit County, Utah, where his mother, Hannah Johnson and some of her other children had settled. After his arrival, he would send his mule teams with food and provisions back to Ft. Bridger and sometimes as far as Fort Laramie to assist oncoming emigrant trains.
Jacob Huffman's wife, Margaret Staley, died the following year on the 19th of November 1862 at the age of 36 in Coalville. She is buried in the Coalville Cemetery, Section B, block 20, lot 2, grave 2. Two years later, Jacob married Elizabeth Rebecca Frisby on Dec. 13, 1864 and ten children were born to them. Margaret Elizabeth was born 19 Oct. 1865. Sarah Ann, named after Jacob's sister, was born 20 Nov. 1867. May was born 13 Dec. 1868. Jacob William was born 6 April 1871. Joseph Henry was born 28 May 1873. Eliza Jane, named after Jacob's sister, was born 12 July 1875. All of these children were born in Coalville, Utah. Emily Percilla was born 4 Jan. 1878. Gertrude Vilate was born 2 Jan. 1880. John Franklin was born 24 Sept. 1882. Loulia Bernetta was born 14 Nov. 1884 and died as an infant on 23 Nov. 1884. All of these children were born in Upton, Summit Co., Utah.
Jacob Huffman served in the Summit County militia during the Ute Black Hawk War of 1865 and 1868. He held public office, being chosen as selectman on Sept. 18, 1864 and again on July 24, 1865. He also was Justice of the Peace for some time. He was active in religious circles, being a member of the High Council of Summit Stake. He was skilled in the trades, owning the first blacksmith shop in town. He was also a carpenter, helping to build the first meeting house in Coalville. He established a sawmill in Echo Canyon about 20 miles North of Coalville, which he operated for many years. Then he moved it to the East fork of Chalk Creek. It is said that he gave far more lumber away than he sold. He also had the distinction of being the first dentist in Coalville. His equipment consisted of a set of dental forceps and lances. It was always "good-bye tooth" once Jacob or "Jake" got hold of it. He was the official tooth extractor of the countryside for some time.
He lived in Coalville for about eleven years, owning considerable property, but the lure of a large farm caused him to move up to what is known as the South fork of Chalk Creek. He had always taken pride in owning and keeping a large farm, and his trades as blacksmith and carpenter helped him in building and running his farm. He raised all of the farm products and was an exceptionally good gardener. He raised strawberries, red and black currants, goose berries, apples and plums.
He was school trustee for the town of Upton, Utah for many years. While he had never had any educational opportunities, he was a great reader, reading every possible book and paper he could find. He enjoyed reading and was well versed on many subjects.
Jacob Huffman was known far and wide for his generosity and hospitality. A stranger was always welcome within his home, and there was always room for an extra plate at the table and a night's lodging for those who desired it. He was always charitable, giving always with a free heart in a quiet way to those in need. The receiver, in many cases, never knew who the giver was.
Jacob Huffman died August 22, 1899 in Upton, Utah at the age of 76. He is buried in the Coalville City Cemetery, section B, block 20, lot 2, grave 1. In the Deseret News printed August 23, 1899, the following was printed: "Jacob Huffman, an old resident of the County, and a man universally known and respected throughout the State, died at Upton, Utah last night. He was born at Waterloo, Canada, August 28, 1823. He embraced the faith in Nauvoo in 1845. Jacob Huffman was the man who loaded the wagon with flour for President Young at the time of the departure from Nauvoo, which was made a present to him. History speaks of this event, but does not give the name of the man who made the present. He came to Coalville in 1861 and was a member of the High Council; he was very prominent in religious circles. He leaves 12 children, 45 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. His posterity today numbers in the hundreds, and he will always be remembered as a man of courage and skill, charitable and progressive; a real pioneer, Jacob Huffman."
In the Deseret News, printed Aug. 23, 1899, the following article was written, "Coalville, Utah, Jacob Huffman, an old resident of this county and a man universally known and respected throughout the state, died at Upton last night. He was born in Waterloo, Canada, Aug. 28, 1823. He embraced the faith in Nauvoo in 1845. Jacob Huffman was the man who loaded the wagon load of flour for President Young at the time of departure from Nauvoo, which was made a present to him. History speaks of this event but does not give the name of the man who made the present, but Mr. Huffman was the party. He came to Coalville in 1861 and was a member of the High Council; he has been very prominent in religious circles; he leaves 12 children, 45 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren."
In the Salt Lake Tribune, dated Aug. 24, 1899, an obituary and drawing of Huffman was printed, saying, "Jacob Huffman Dead - One of the Oldest Residents of Coalville - The Funeral Arrangements. Coalville, Aug. 23 - Uncle Jacob Huffman was born in West Waterloo, Canada, August 28, 1823 and died at Coalville August 22, 1899. He removed to Nauvoo, Ill. in 1845, to Iowa in 1848, and to Coalville in 1861 and has continuously resided here since. He was married first to Margaret Staley in 1943, who died at Coalville in 1862. He next married Elizabeth Frisby in 1864, who still survives him. He brought across the plains the first threshing machine in Summit County, and built, and for several years, ran the first grist mill in Harrison County, Ia., and when President Young started across the plains for Utah in 1847, Uncle Jake gave him a wagon load of flour as supplies with which to live on the long and tiresome journey. Uncle Jake while at Nauvoo worked on the Temple at that place, and built the first meeting house in Coalville. In addition to his wife the following children survive him: Hannah, Harriet M., Susan A., by his first wife, and Margaret, Sarah A., May, William, Joseph H., Eliza, Emma, Gertrude, and Frank by his second wife, besides thirty-five grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren, besides three children who are dead, making him the father of fifteen children. He was a member of the high council of Summit stake of Zion, and a member of the Latter-day Saints church for over sixty years and died in full faith and membership. At the Presidential election in 18__ and fifteen descendants, voted for President and all in Utah. The funeral will be held at the stake house Friday at 1 o'clock and the remains interred in the City cemetery."
For the complete history on Jacob's mother, Hannah Johnson, and her children see her history by Kara Seager-Segalla.
There is a very large framed photo of Jacob Huffman hanging on the wall at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum in Coalville, Utah. Some of his tools are on display there also.
Reference sources:
1. History of Hannah Johnson Staley by Gertrude S. Payne.
2. History of Hannah Johnson Staley by Inez Rhead Allen.
3. The Story of Sarah Ann Huffman Pitkin compiled by Susan LaNez Pitkin Cragun, her granddaughter, on May 1960.
4. Coalville cemetery records.
5. Pedigree sheet on Jacob Huffman and Elizabeth Rebecca Frisby by Howard Blonquist.
6. Photo in possession of Kara Seager-Segalla
7. History of Jacob Huffman by Ellen Evelyn Huffman Johnson
More About JACOB HUFFMAN:
Burial: 25 Aug 1899, B 20 2 1, Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
Endowment (LDS): 08 Jul 1865
Namesake: Grandfather, Jacob
Occupation: Dentist, blacksmith, farmer, owner of sawmill
Religion: LDS; original Utah pioneer before Sept. 15, 1861
Notes for MARGARET STALEY:
Margaret Staley and Jacob Huffman had four children, three girls and one boy: Hannah (Eldredge), George, Harriet Mariah (Wiseman), Susan Alvira (Rhead).
More About MARGARET STALEY:
Burial: 20 Nov 1862, Grave B-20-2-2, Coalville City Cemetery, Coalville, Utah
Religion: LDS; original Utah pioneer before Sept. 15, 1861
Notes for ELIZABETH REBECCA FRISBY:
Elizabeth Frisby and Jacob Huffman had ten children, seven girls and three boys. A headstone was placed by her descendants in Sept. 2004 at the Coalville Cemetery.
More About ELIZABETH REBECCA FRISBY:
Burial: 27 Sep 1901, Grave B-20-2-3,Coalville City Cemetery, Coalville, Utah
Namesake: Mother, Elizabeth
Religion: LDS
Children of JACOB HUFFMAN and MARGARET STALEY are:
i. HANNAH6 HUFFMAN (Source: 1850 Pattawattamine, IA census; 1880 census Coalville, Ut; Coalville Cemetery records; death certif..), b. 06 Dec 1845, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, USA; d. 17 Jul 1907, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA (Source: Gravestone photo.); m. EDMOND ELDREDGE (Source: 1880, 1920 census Coalville, Utah; Heart Throbs of the West; Pioneer & Prominent Men of Ut; Coalville Cemetery records; death certif..), 24 Jan 1863, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah, USA; b. 01 May 1835, Warren, Indianapolis, Marion Indiana, USA; d. 22 Feb 1924, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA (Source: Gravestone photo.).
Notes for HANNAH HUFFMAN:
Hannah Huffman was a half aunt to Emma Staley, Edmund Eldredge's first wife.
More About HANNAH HUFFMAN:
Burial: B-22-1-2, Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Intestinal obstruction due to tumor
Namesake: Grandmother, Hannah
Notes for EDMOND ELDREDGE:
Edmund Eldredge was the son of Ira Eldredge and Nancy Black. He moved to Coalville, Utah in 1860. He took part in the early Indian troubles and was a Coalville city coucilman several times. He was the director and president of the Coalville Co-op for 25 years. He was a missionary to England from 1868-69; missionary to Hawaii; and councilor in Summit Stake from 1877-1901.
More About EDMOND ELDREDGE:
Burial: Coalville City Cemetery, grave B-22-1-1, Coalville, Utah
Cause of Death: Myocardio degeneration
Occupation: Farmer
Religion: LDS; original Utah pioneer before 1847
ii. GEORGE HUFFMAN (Source: 1850 Pattawattamine, IA census; 1870 census for Brigham City, Utah.), b. 01 Feb 1848, Stringtown, Davis, Iowa, USA; d. 16 May 1887, Evanston City, Uinta, Wyoming, USA; m. ELLEN MARIE MARTHA WILDE, 03 Nov 1867, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA (Source: Coalville Ward records, LDS Film 0025864 for George Huffman & Ellen Wild.); b. 28 Mar 1851, Ship Ellen Maria, Atlantic Ocean, near Cuba (Source: Coalville cemetery records of Ellen M. Wild.); d. 27 Oct 1884, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA.
Notes for GEORGE HUFFMAN:
George Huffman and Ellen Wilde had eight children: George Henry Huffman, Sarah Margaret Huffman, Ada Jane Huffman (Don), Louisa Almina Huffman, Jacob Joseph Huffman, Cora Inez Huffman (Pitkin, Hoodless), Ellen Evelyn Huffman (Johnson), and William Thomas Huffman.
More About GEORGE HUFFMAN:
Burial: B 9 3 1, Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
Namesake: Grandfather, George
Occupation: Farmer
Notes for ELLEN MARIE MARTHA WILDE:
Ellen Wilde was and daughter of Henry Brown Wilde and Sarah Hewlett, who joined the LDS while living in England. After about a year after their baptism, the Wilde family decided to accept the call to gather with other Saints in Salt Lake City. The Wilde family sailed on January 6, 1851 for America on the ship, "Ellen Marie". It took about 9 weeks for the family to sail across the Atlantic Ocean and when they were near the end of their journey, while the ship was passing through the Caribbean, Ellen Wilde, was born. Her nurse in attendance was Martha. Therefore her name became Ellen Marie Martha Wilde. After the Wilde family landed in New Orleans, Ellen's father, Henry Wilde, spent the year working to gather supplies for the journey to Salt Lake City. In the summer of 1852, the family started their journey for Utah. They took a steamship ride up the Missouri River and traveled north to Council Bluffs. From there they crossed the plains with a wagon and team of oxen and one cow. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in September 1852. They stayed in Salt Lake City for awhile before moving to Provo where they spent the winter of 1852-53. They spent the winter in a tent and covered wagon. Early that spring, Ellen's father returned to Salt Lake City, leaving his family in Provo. He worked for a short time with the crew, who cut granite for the Salt Lake Temple. Later in the spring the rest of the family came to Salt Lake City and settled in Sugarhouse. The family moved to Spanish Fork for a while, but soon returned to Sugarhouse and this is where they remained until 1859. In the summer of 1859, Ellen's father, went to Coalville to establish a colony. He built a cabin on the site where the Coalville Co-op now stands and later brought his family to Coalville in the spring of 1860. Ellen Wilde would have been eleven years of age at this time. By 1867 Ellen met and married George Huffman and had eight children.
More About ELLEN MARIE MARTHA WILDE:
Burial: B 9 3 2, Coalville cemetery, Coalville, Summit Co., Utah, USA
Religion: Sep 1852, LDS; original Utah pioneer
iii.HARRIET MARIAH HUFFMAN (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah; death certificate.), b. 06 Oct 1852, Magnolia, Harrison, Iowa, USA; d. 27 Nov 1920, Provo, Utah, Utah, USA; m. JOSHUA WISEMAN (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah; death certificate.), 31 Oct 1868, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah, USA; b. 08 Apr 1834, Chetonhanna, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, USA; d. 17 Feb 1910, Helper, Carbon, Utah, USA.
Notes for HARRIET MARIAH HUFFMAN:
Harriet Huffman and Joshua Wiseman had seven children: Augusta Hannah Wiseman (Rees), Elnora Margaret Wiseman (Miller) ( Davis), Jacob LaMont Wiseman, Franklin Joshua Wiseman, Sarah Susan Wiseman (Hansen), Florence Harriet Wiseman (Dilley), and Lida Erlean Wiseman (Dennis).
More About HARRIET MARIAH HUFFMAN:
Burial: C 11 3 2, Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Carcinoma of the pancreas & portion of the stomach
More About JOSHUA WISEMAN:
Burial: C 11 3 1, Coalville cemetery, Coalville, Summit Co., Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Heart failure
Medical Information: Cirrhosis of liver
Occupation: Farmer
iv.SUSAN ALVIRA HUFFMAN (Source: 1880, 1920 census for Coalville, Utah, 1930 census for SLC, Utah; death certif..), b. 13 Sep 1854, Magnolia, Harrison, Iowa, USA; d. 20 May 1936, Price, Carbon, Utah, USA; m. EDWARD HENRY RHEAD (Source: 1880, 1920 census for Coalville, Utah, 1930 census for SLC, Utah; obituary; death certif..), 27 Jan 1873, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah, USA; b. 09 Jan 1851, Burslem, Staffordshire, England; d. 12 Oct 1930, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA (Source: Utah Death Index.).
Notes for SUSAN ALVIRA HUFFMAN:
Susan Huffman and Edward Rhead had twelve children: Vivian Alvira Rhead, Margaret Eliza Rhead, Olive Erlene Rhead (Pendleton), Edward Huffman Rhead, Hannah Elizabeth Rhead, Harriet Elsie Rhead, Sarah Inez Rhead, Mary Lewis Rhead (Goetzman), Parley Huffman Rhead, James Huffman Rhead, William Huffman Rhead, and May Rhead.
More About SUSAN ALVIRA HUFFMAN:
Burial: B 4 1 2, Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Pneumonia
Medical Information: Fractured hip
Occupation: Keeps house
Religion: LDS
Notes for EDWARD HENRY RHEAD:
Obituary printed in the Park Record on Oct. 17, 1930, states, "E.H. Rhead Dies - assembled in the Stake House at Coalville, last Tuesday afternoon, a large concourse of friends paid their last respects to a former neighbor, Edward H. Rhead, who, out from a lifetime numbering close to 80 years spent nearly half a century among the people of that district where he was well and favorably known as school teacher, county surveyor and cabinetmaker. An ardent worker in the LDS church where he gave much time, it was an easy task for his old time friends, George Beard, Frank Evans and Charles R. Jones to extoll truthfully, his many virtues throughout the years in which they labored together, either as his pupils, or later, in co-operative civic and religious endeavor. Musical numbers were by a company of seven ladies; a solo by Mrs. Judith Anderson Beard and selection played by three granddaughters on violins and piano was by special request of deceased, all of which was feelingly rendered and appropriate to the solemn occasion. Flowers in abundance added a silent message of love and esteem, and from the bishop of the Third Ward in Salt Lake, we learned that his church and temple work had been continued up to the time of an accident about two weeks ago, when he was knocked down by an auto truck, and which was entirely responsible for his demise last Sunday morning. Pallbearers were six grandsons, and interment was in Coalville cemetery. Survivors are, his widow, Mrs. Susan Huffman Rhead, four sons, five daughters, two brothers and two sisters, thirty six grand children and ten great grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Johnson, Mrs. Mary Orr, Mrs. Wm. E. Wilson, and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Don, of this city, were in attendance at the funeral services last Tuesday."
More About EDWARD HENRY RHEAD:
Burial: B 4 1 1, Coalville cemetery, Coalville, Summit Co., Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Auto pedestrian accident
Occupation: School teacher, County civil engineer, cabinet maker
Religion: LDS
Children of JACOB HUFFMAN and ELIZABETH FRISBY are:
v. MARGARET ELIZABETH6 HUFFMAN (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah; 1930 census for Jensen, Utah; death certif..), b. 19 Oct 1865, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; d. 03 Nov 1955, Vernal, Uintah, Utah, USA; m. SAMUEL HASLEM, 20 Jul 1887, Utah, USA; b. 02 Mar 1851, Coalville, Summit Co., Utah, USA; d. 02 Jul 1924, of Vernal, Uintah, Utah, USA.
Notes for MARGARET ELIZABETH HUFFMAN:
Margaret Huffman and Samuel Haslem had nine children, William Haslem, Elizabeth Haslem (Brown), Melvin Haslem, Joseph Haslem, Elsie Haslem, John Haslem, Clyde Haslem, Blanche Haslem (Wilkins), and Venice Haslem (Pearce).
More About MARGARET ELIZABETH HUFFMAN:
Burial: B A, L3, S 41-A, Jensen Cemetery, Uintah, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Heart failure
More About SAMUEL HASLEM:
Burial: B A, L3, S 42-A, Jensen Cemetery
Occupation: Farmer
vi.SARAH ANN HUFFMAN (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah.), b. 20 Nov 1867, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; d. 23 Sep 1944, of Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA.
Notes for SARAH ANN HUFFMAN:
Unmarried.
More About SARAH ANN HUFFMAN:
Burial: B 20 2 7, Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
Namesake: Aunt, Sarah Ann Huffman
vii.MAY HUFFMAN (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah; 1920 census for Coalville, Utah; death certif..), b. 13 Dec 1868, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; d. 16 Mar 1948, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; m. ALFRED LAWRENCE BLONQUIST (Source: 1920 census for Coalville, Utah; death certif..), 17 Jul 1884, Upton, Summit, Utah, USA; b. 22 Sep 1861, Lundeby, V-Manlands, Sweden; d. 29 Nov 1929, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA.
Notes for MAY HUFFMAN:
May Huffman and Alfred Blonquist had fifteen children, Alfred Lawrence Blonquist, Jacob Clifford Blonquist, Joseph Elmer Blonquist, Elizabeth Bernett Blonquist, William Earl Blonquist, George Gustave Blonquist, Franklin Letroy Blonquist, Annie Elda Blonquist, Gertrude Blonquist, Moral Seth Blonquist, Elise May Blonquist, Howard Blonquist, Stella Blonquist (Vernon), Erma Blonquist, and Katherine Valier Blonquist. All these childred were bon in Coalville, Utah.
More About MAY HUFFMAN:
Burial: C 14 1 3, Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Pneumonia
More About ALFRED LAWRENCE BLONQUIST:
Burial: C 14 1 2, Coalville cemetery, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Pneumonia
Occupation: Banker
viii.JACOB WILLIAM HUFFMAN (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah; 1920 cencus for Magna, Utah; Pioneers & Prominent Men of Utah.), b. 06 Apr 1871, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; d. 22 Jun 1943, of Magna, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; m. ELIZABETH SWAINSON (Source: 1930 census for Magna, Utah.), 15 Jun 1897, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; b. Abt. 1877, Utah, USA; d. Aft. 1930, of Magna, Salt Lake, Utah, USA.
Notes for JACOB WILLIAM HUFFMAN:
Jacob and his wife, Elizabeth had four children, Vera E. Huffman, Mildred M.A. Huffman, Wyona H. Huffman, and Orville Huffman. The family is listed in the 1930 census for Magna, Utah as Jacob W. "Hoffman" with his wife, Elizabeth (age 52), and two children, Wyona (age 22) and Orville (age 17).
More About JACOB WILLIAM HUFFMAN:
Namesake: Father, Jacob
Occupation: Copper mill foreman
ix. JOSEPH HENRY HUFFMAN (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah; death certificate.), b. 28 May 1873, Upton, Summitt, Utah, USA; d. 26 Feb 1909, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; m. ELISABETH ANNIE UNDERWOOD (Source: 1920 census for Salt Lake City, Utah.), 01 Jun 1900, Coalville, Summitt, Utah, USA (Source: Marriage record.); b. 16 May 1883, Coalville, Summitt, Utah, USA; d. 11 Jan 1966, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA.
More About JOSEPH HENRY HUFFMAN:
Burial: B 20 1 1 , Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Cancer of stomach
Occupation: Farmer
Religion: LDS
Notes for ELISABETH ANNIE UNDERWOOD:
Elisabeth Ann was born May 16, 1883 in Coalville, Summit County, Utah. Her mother was Elizabeth Allgood Williamson and her father was a Mr. Underwood. Her mother divorced Mr. Underwood and married George Addy in the Logan Temple March 18, 1885. George Addy had several children from a previous marriage living with him at the time.
Elisabeth liked her named spelled with a "s". It is not sure if that was the spelling given to her at birth, since her mother's name was spelled with a "z". She liked the name Annie and used both the name Underwood and Addy as her maiden name. She signed her application for her marriage license as well as her marriage license as Annie Underwood. I have also seen other places where Addy was used as her maiden name. It is uncertain whether George Addy adopted her or not, however she is sealed to him in the LDS church. It appears she was raised in Coalville, since her mother and grandparents both lived in the area.
Elisabeth married Joseph Henry Huffman on June 1, 1900, in Upton, Summit County, Utah at the age of 18. Joseph and Elisabeth had five boys, Joseph William (Bill), Jacob Truman (Jake), Frank Seth (Skinny), Lovell, and Claude Addy. Tragedy hit the family when Claude Addy died February 15, 1909. He was only a month old. Twelve days later on February 26, 1909, Joseph Henry died of carcinoma of the stomach. He had been ill for about two years.
Elisabeth moved to Salt Lake City after Joseph died and married Edward Helpin. She and Ed had a beautiful daughter named, Thelma, who was born June 2, 1911, but died at age seven years in 1918. Elisabeth remained with Edward Helpin until he died.
After her sons were raised, Elisabeth moved to California and lived with a relative. She then married Jippe Christ Rhode and lived in Palo Alto, California. She lived with him until he died May 7, 1946 in Santa Clara County, California.
Elisabeth then moved back to Salt Lake City where her son, Lovell Huffman, built her a small white cottage behind his own home on 4699 South Highland Drive. Elisabeth was always known as Grandma Annie. Se had many challenges in her life and didn't have a lot of possessions, but what she did have was good quality. In her later years she had white hair and a small slender frame. She would move slowly, bowed over her walker. Her small home was very warm and she would often have dandelion greens in a vase on her counter. Annie Underwood passed away on January 11, 1966 at the age of 82 in her home, where she had lived in for the last 14 years of her life. The day of her funeral was on January 15, 1966. It was a very cold, snowy, wintry day. She was buried in the Coalville Cemetery next to Joseph Henry.
More About ELISABETH ANNIE UNDERWOOD:
Burial: Plot B, block 20, lot 1, grave 1, Coalville cemetery, Coalville, Summitt, Utah, USA
Religion: LDS
x. ELIZA JANE HUFFMAN (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah; 1930 census for Riverton, Utah; death certif..), b. 12 Jul 1875, Upton, Summit, Utah, USA; d. 20 Oct 1946, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; m. AARON DENSLEY (Source: 1920 census for Salt Lake Co., Utah; 1930 census for Riverton, Utah; death certif..), 26 Jul 1900, Bluffdale, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; b. 21 Mar 1873, Herriman, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; d. 27 Apr 1948, Riverton, Salt Lake, Utah, USA.
Notes for ELIZA JANE HUFFMAN:
Eliza Huffman and Aaron Densley had seven children: Aaron Lynn, Eliza Elna, Willard Leroy, Joseph, La Earl J., Hilton, Milton. and one unknown son.
More About ELIZA JANE HUFFMAN:
Burial: Riverton, Salt Lake, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Pneumonia
Namesake: Aunt, Eliza Jane
More About AARON DENSLEY:
Burial: Riverton, Salt Lake, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Cancer of stomach
Occupation: Sheep stockman
xi. EMMA PRISCILLA HUFFMAN (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah; 1920 census for Salt Lake Co., Utah; 1930 census for Riverton, Ut..), b. 04 Jan 1878, Upton, Summitt, Utah, USA; d. 24 Jul 1957, Riverton, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; m. MOSES DENSLEY (Source: 1880 census Fort Harriman, Ut; 1910, 1930 census Riverton, Ut.; 1920 census Salt Lake Co., Ut.; death certif..), 21 Sep 1898, Upton, Summit, Utah, USA; b. 21 Mar 1873, Herriman, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; d. 10 May 1952, Riverton, Salt Lake, Utah, USA.
Notes for EMMA PRISCILLA HUFFMAN:
Emily Huffman and Moses Densley had at least six children, including, Mildred, Clifton Moses, Lovell Huffman, Duane Huffman, Elmo Huffman, and Leon Huffman.
More About EMMA PRISCILLA HUFFMAN:
Burial: Riverton, Salt Lake, Utah, USA
More About MOSES DENSLEY:
Burial: Riverton, Salt Lake, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Hypertension, senility
Occupation: Sheep stockman
xii.GERTRUDE VILATE HUFFMAN (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah; 1920, 1930 cencus for Coalville, Utah.), b. 02 Jan 1880, Upton, Summitt, Utah, USA; d. 26 Aug 1968, Bountiful, Davis, Utah, USA; m. WILLIAM BAGNELL (Source: 1920, 1930 census for Coalville, Utah; death certif..), 21 Sep 1898, Upton, Summit, Utah, USA; b. 04 Oct 1870, Whetty Hill, England; d. 29 Nov 1945, Coalville, Summit Co., Utah, USA.
Notes for GERTRUDE VILATE HUFFMAN:
Gertrude Huffman and William Bagnell had ten children: Lavon, Ethel, William Elmen, Almeda, Kenneth Huffman, Gertrude W., Grant, Lee H., Earl H., and Jake.
More About GERTRUDE VILATE HUFFMAN:
Burial: D 5 1 7, Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
More About WILLIAM BAGNELL:
Burial: D 5 1 8, Coalville cemetery, Coalville, Summit Co., Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Myocardial degeneration, emphysema
Occupation: Coal miner, farmer, rancher, butcher
xiii.JOHN FRANKLIN HUFFMAN (Source: FGR from granddaughter, Ruth Ann Miller; 1910 census for Upton, Ut. ;1920 census for Sulphine Springs, Wyoming; 1930 census for Ogden, Weber, Utah.), b. 24 Sep 1882, Upton, Summitt, Utah, USA; d. 06 Dec 1964, Boise, Ada, Idaho, USA; m. (1) MARY ELIZABETH WILSON (Source: FGR from granddaughter, Ruth Ann Miller; 1920 census for Wulphine Springs, Uinta, Wyoming; 1930 census for Ogden, Weber, Utah.), 12 May 1908, of Coalville, Summitt, Utah, USA; b. 11 Jan 1884, Kirkhamgate, Yorkshire, England; d. 12 Oct 1949, Ogden, Weber, Utah, USA; m. (2) MATILDA ANN (Source: 1930 census for Ogden, Weber, Utah.), 09 Mar 1951, of Ogden, Weber, Utah, USA; b. Abt. 1884, Utah, USA.
Notes for JOHN FRANKLIN HUFFMAN:
John Franklin Hoffman, aka Frank, and Elizabeth Wilson had three children, Marie Hoffman (Morse), Jacob Franklin Hoffman, and John Russell Hoffman - all born in Coalville, Utah. Frank "Huffman" is listed in the 1910 census for Upton, Utah. Frank "Huffman" and his wife, Mary W., along with their two children, Marie and John, are listed in the 1920 census as living in Sulphine Springs, Wyoming, where Frank was working as a cattle ranching foreman. Frank "Hoffman" and wife, Mary and their son, John, are listed in the 1930 census as living in Ogden, Utah, where Frank was working as a welder in a railroad shop.
More About JOHN FRANKLIN HUFFMAN:
Occupation: Cattle ranching foreman, railroad welder
Notes for MATILDA ANN:
Matilda Ann was previously married to a Mr. Hart and had at least one son, William M.
More About MATILDA ANN:
Occupation: Public school teacher
xiv.LOULIA BERNETTA HUFFMAN, b. 13 Nov 1884, Upton, Summitt, Utah, USA; d. 23 Nov 1884, Upton, Summit, Utah, USA.
More About LOLA BERNETTA HUFFMAN:
Burial: Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
10. SARAH ANN5 HUFFMAN (HANNAH ELIZABETH4 JOHNSON, ABRAHAM3, POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2, WILLIAM1) (Source: The Pitkin History by M.R. Hovey, combined in 1934; Milleville Cemetery Records; original photo in possession of Kara S. Segalla; 1850 census for Weber Co., Ut; 1860, 1870, 1880 US census for Millville, Ut.; Utah - Our Pioneer Heritage) was born 05 Jul 1827 in Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada, and died 30 Jan 1904 in Millville, Cache, Utah, USA. She married GEORGE WHITE PITKIN (Source: The Pitkin Bk by A.P. Pitkin; The Pitkin History by M.R. Hovey, combined in 1934; Letters from son, Jay Pitkin; Milleville Cemetery Records; original photo in possession of Kara S. Segalla; Nauvoo, Ill, Tax Index, 1842; 1850 census Weber Co., Ut; 1860, 1870 census for Cache, Ut. Territory; Book of Patriarchal Blessings Index, Vol 4, Pg. 331; Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register) 14 Feb 1847 in Winter Quarters, Douglas, Nebraska, USA, son of PAUL PITKIN and ABIGAIL LATHROP.. He was born 17 May 1801 in Hartford, Windsor, Vermont, USA (Source: Millville cemetery records for George W. Pitkin.), and died 26 Nov 1873 in Millville, Cache, Utah, USA (Source: Millville cemetery records for George W. Pitkin.).
Notes for SARAH ANN HUFFMAN:
Sarah Ann Huffman by granddaughter, Susan Lanez Pitkin Cragun May 1960 (printed in the DUP lesson for Dec. 1963), edited with additions by Kara Seager-Segalla, 2000, updated 2007
Sarah Ann Huffman was born July 5, 1827 to Hannah Johnson and George Ransier Huffman in Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada. The Huffmans, originally spelled Hoffman, were of German descent. Sarah Ann was the second child and was preceded by her brother, Jacob Huffman, who was born in West Waterloo, on August 28, 1823 shortly after his parent's marriage.
Sarah's father, George Ransier Huffman, died Jan. 25, 1830 of mountain fever in Canada. George was 31 years old and left a family of two, the youngest, Sarah Ann, just 2 ½ years old. Eliza Jane Huffman was born August 28, 1830, seven months after her father's death. Life was difficult without a father, so of necessity, the Huffman children were trained early to be resourceful and industrious. It was quite a task to care for three small children alone, so about four years later, Sarah's mother, Hannah, married a man named John Wesley Wheaton, born in 1807. They were married in about 1834 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Two children were born of this marriage: Hannah Elizabeth Wheaton and Henry Wesley Wheaton. Later Sarah's stepfather, John Wheaton, died in 1838 and Sarah's mother was then left with five children to raise.
Sarah's mother had to struggle to feed and care for her children, so gave them early training in homemaking, industry, and self discipline. As soon as the children were old enough, they had to go to work to help support the family. When Sarah Ann was very young she went to work in the home of a well-to-do family in Toronto. She was required to help with the cooking and housework - wash, iron, card, weave, and sew. This meant there was little time for schooling. She learned to read from an old speller a friend had given her, and she became a good reader and could spell well.
In 1838 when Sarah was eleven years old, her mother again married a widower, Conrad Staley, with five children, ages 5 through 12: Margaret, Sarah Ann, Merritt, Eliza, and Chester. Conrad Staley was a son of Johann Jacob Staley and Marie Elizabeth House. Three children were eventually born of this marriage: Emma Staley was born Feb. 10th about 1839 in Canada; John Staley was born August 16, 1841 in Grand Island, Canada; and Conrad Hammel Staley was born Sept. 17, 1845 in Nauvoo, Illinois.
While in Canada the new family learned of the gospel and read the Book of Mormon, which brought about their conversion and subsequent baptism by Johnathon Coats, a missionary to Canada for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The family eventually joined the main body of the Church in Illinois and settled in Nauvoo, Illinois. The Mormon saints thought that Nauvoo was their Zion, or Promised Land. But Nauvoo became a hotbed of anti-Mormon feelings. Many of the saints were killed and their homes and fields were burned. After the Prophet Joseph Smith was murdered, Brigham Young led the exodus. It took the Saints 131 days to travel the 310 miles from Nauvoo to the settlements in western Iowa, where they would pass the winter of 1846-47 and prepare for their trek to the Rocky Mountains. A number of settlements of Saints stretched along both sides of the Missouri River. The largest settlement, Winter Quarters, was on the west side, in Nebraska. It quickly became home to approximately 3,500 Church members, including Sarah's family. While living in Winter Quarters, Sarah Ann Huffman, met and married, George White Pitkin, on Feb. 14, 1847. George W. Pitkin was twenty-six years older then Sarah Ann and was a widower with four children under the age of fourteen, the youngest just five years old. Sarah would have been nineteen years of age. This was quite an undertaking for Sarah to take on a new family, but the training she had been given as a child with an education in the "school of hard knocks", prepared her for the challenge of hardships and privations ahead of her. George White Pitkin was a close friend of the prophet and had many responsibilities, so his children had been neglected and were in need of a good mother.
George W. Pitkin had come from a wealthy family and had been well educated and accustomed to every luxury known in that day. When he joined the Mormon Church, he had to give up almost everything, including the family he loved. He and two of his sisters were the only members to embrace the faith. It is doubtful if he ever saw the rest of his family in Ohio again. In the late spring of 1848, Winter Quarters, Nebraska, was abandoned and some twenty-four hundred exiled Saints piled their belongings into covered wagons and started the westward trek toward the Rocky Mountains. When Sarah Ann and George had been married about a year, preparations were completed and they started on the journey west with all their earthly possessions, consisting of a span of oxen, one wagon, two cows, their food and seed. By this time, Sarah Ann was twenty years of age and seven months pregnant with her first child. Sarah Ann and her husband and children departed Winter Quarters on May 29, 1848 and crossed the plains in the Heber C. Kimball Company. Their first child was born in the "Black Hills" of Nebraska on July 30, 1848, two months after they set out on their journey west. The tiny infant weighed only four pounds and was named Harriet Vilate for a wife of Heber C. Kimball, in whose company they traveled. The birth took place without a doctor in attendance in hostile Indian country on sacks of wheat laid crosswise for a mattress. They had to hide out and rest for three days, while the pioneer train moved on. When they started out again, they hid by day and traveled as fast as they could by night until they rejoined the column. The trails were so rough the young mother had to hold her infant's head to prevent it from being dashed against the wagon sides.
The Pitkin family arrived in Utah on Sept. 26, 1848 and located for a time in Cottonwood. Sarah Ann had brought a small sack of potatoes with her to Utah for seed, and she slept with these in her bed to keep them from freezing. Later the family lived in Salt Lake City, and then in Ogden where they stayed for two years. Sarah Ann and George Pitkin's first son, Jay Leonard, was born in Ogden, October 11, 1850. In 1852 the Pitkin family went to Oregon so that George Pitkin could leave his family on the coast and go on to serve a mission on Society Island in the Pacific. A year after his return a second son, Jacob, was born in Oregon. He died soon thereafter. The damp Oregon climate served Sarah Ann badly. She suffered with catarrh, chills and fever; thus they were obliged to leave the area. The family went briefly to Sacramento, California, where they panned for gold for a period of time, but once again packed their belongings and returned to Ogden, Utah for two years.
Later, the Pitkin family was called to settle in Cache Valley, Utah, to help manage the grazing lands for the Church herds. They stopped at Elkhorn Ranch, later called the Church Farm, late in the spring of 1859. Here they planted grain and vegetables. In the fall the crops were harvested. That first winter was severe and many cattle died from being frozen.
The Pitkin family was advised to move closer to Edward's sawmill, built by Esiash Edwards in 1859. This area was a little south and east of Elkhorn Ranch and gave better protection from the Indians. The family built a log house east of the Edward's mill on Mill Street. This site became the Pitkin homestead. The one-room house was built of cottonwood logs about fourteen by fourteen feet, and was the place where the first church services were held. This was the first log house built in Millville, before the settlement was organized or named. Sarah was so proud of her new home that she would scrub the logs that supported the dirt roof. Many times during their moves, the family only lived in a "dugout" or a place dug out in the side of a hill and covered with poles, branches, and prairie sod. They occupied the new home in the early spring of 1860. Other families built homes in two rows, close together, for protection. The nucleus of cabins became known as the town of Millville. It was the last move for the Pitkin family. It was several years before the family could move out of the log house and move into a substantially built two-story, rock home. The old homestead was located at the present site of 136 West 1st South in Millville.
The Millville Female Relief Society, as it was called in the early days, was organized May 25, 1868, during the time that George O. Pitkin was serving as ward Bishop. Sarah Ann Pitkin was named President; Jane Cummings, first counselor; Christianna Rachel Weaver, second counselor; with Eliza H. King, secretary, and Esther Wood, Treasure. The first meeting was held five days later, with Sister Sarah Ann opening with prayer.
George Pitkin taught school, did his church duties and farmed on a small scale. It is doubtful that he ever experienced a single luxury or felt much security after he left home, yet he did not complain. He was a patient and dedicated man with a strong testimony of the gospel. He was highly regarded in the community as a man of high caliber and a credit to an illustrious family. He died thirteen years later in 1873, but Sarah Ann lived for another thirty years. After her husband's death Sarah Ann lived in a little frame house in Millville, until the last year of her life. Though her son, Jay, helped her, she still had to supplement her income, so boarded unmarried schoolteachers.
There were four women in the small community named Sarah, so each was tagged according to her looks or personality traits. There was a blond, a brunette, a sedate one, and a talkative one. They were designated "Black Sarah", "White Sarah", "Sarah Gibb", and Sarah Gab". Sarah Ann was "Sarah Gab". This known trait has been passed on down through the generations.
Sarah Ann Pitkin might well be termed the mother of Millville. The first Relief Society of Millville was organized May 25, 1868, during the time George O. Pitkin was serving as ward Bishop. Sarah Ann was named as president. During the first year, a strong organization was built up. In the first month, through the united efforts of its members, sufficient money was raised to purchase some stock in the town's cooperative store. In September, three quilts were made and given to the poor. Sarah Ann was also set apart by the Church to lay out the dead and prepare them for burial. Since mortuaries were unknown in the rural areas, bottles of ice were placed around the bodies to preserve them. All clothing including underwear had to be made. Sarah Ann supervised the making of all burial clothes, always making the moccasins, caps and aprons herself, since others were not as skilled as Sarah was in the making of those items. Very often she made the complete outfit.
Along with her work with the dead, Sarah Ann served as midwife all of her adult life. It has been said that she was seldom rewarded for her work materially. A husband would go to get Sarah in an emergency, but once the birthing was over he was all tuckered out, so Sarah would get home as best she could, regardless of blizzard, snowdrifts, or mud. The night was never too cold or stormy to keep her home, if someone was sick or in need. No doctors or hospital services were available in the immediate community, so Sarah acted as doctor or nurse as required and assisted with all surgery performed in the home. She helped amputate the leg of Samuel Whitney, an early pioneer.
Sarah Ann had a fabulous memory. Once she knew a thing she never forgot it. She knew the date of every birth and death in the community. In a day when public records were not kept, it wasn't uncommon to have someone come to her to verify a date. If Sarah Ann said so, it was true.
After George W. Pitkins's death, Sarah Ann kept up her faithful work in the Church and her many services to humanity. She organized and ran the kitchen in the Logan Temple, which post she held for seven years. She usually walked the more than four miles in all kinds of weather to attend to her work at the Temple. She would go almost barefoot to pay her full tithe of ten percent. She counted every apple or egg and weighed her dried beans and fruit, setting aside every tenth for tithing. The Sunday gathering of eggs always went to the Relief Society.
Thrift was a natural trait of Sarah Ann. She had always known poverty and had learned from childhood how to make the best of things. She was a very proud woman, yet due to lack of funds and dental facilities she went partially toothless for many years. She was the first person in Millville to avail herself of dental services. She walked four miles to Logan, had her teeth extracted, and walked home again.
Sarah Ann's exterior was stern and almost forbidding, yet she was reasonable and expected others to be the same. She was generous in spirit, dedicated in her life, and a person of absolute integrity. One of her faults was that she was unforgiving if the slight was against the Church. One of her sisters, Eliza Jane, married outside the church, and Sarah would not do her endowment work or allow anyone else to do it.
Also the good lady was a mite soft inside and was said to indulge her children. Sarah liked having children to visit, but they were required to be so circumspect and quiet that it became more duty than pleasure. They couldn't rock in her rocking chair or touch anything without permission. They thought her strict and uncompromising and were quite in awe of her. Children, who knew her better, since they stayed there a lot, learned how to get around her and knew her bark was worse than her bite.
An incident that occurred in Sarah Ann's home is told by some of her relatives who were visiting her. She had prayers before breakfast as regularly as the sunrise. She turned the backs of the chairs to the table and everyone knelt in prayer, then arose, rearranged the chairs and sat down. The silverware was then rescued from underneath the overturned plates and breakfast began. Invariably some form of hot bread was served every morning. It would bake while prayers were being said. In this instance, it was biscuits. Right in the middle of the prayers, Sarah Ann excused herself, got up and took the bread out of the oven, then went back to her prayers. When she had finished, she said, "I thought I had better stop and rescue the biscuits. I don't think the Lord would want me to burn them."
A fine relationship existed between Sarah Ann and her daughter-in-law, Mary Matilda. They really understood, loved and respected each other. Mary's children often thought that their grandmother was too exacting and quite stern, but through Mary's eyes and persuasion, they could see the generous heart underneath. Mary explained their grandmother so well that they began to appreciate her for what she was, a very remarkable lady, indeed. Later Sarah Ann gave her daughter-in-law the ¾ acre lot, where her small house was built.
This good lady was a mite soft inside and was said to indulge her children. She had a habit of giving them a concoction of honey, whisky and hot water for colic or colds. She seemed always to be surrounded by children: stepchildren, her own, orphans or motherless girls whom she befriended and helped. Ann Pitkin Wilson, a step granddaughter, lived a lot with her and was there continuously from her twelfth to her sixteenth year. Cora Huffman, her niece, lived with her from the time her parents died. Sarah Ann had a theory that today's work must be done today, because each day brings it's own work. Cora Huffman had certain chores of which washing the supper dishes was one. If they had only bread and milk or mush, it didn't matter; the dishes must be washed and put anyway. Sometimes when Cora was going out on a date, she would prevail upon her Aunt Sarah Ann, to let her leave the dishes until she got home. Cora would invariably be later than she meant to be and would sneak in quietly hoping "Auntie" wouldn't hear, but "Auntie" always heard. Sarah would wait until Cora's tired young body was deep in her feather bed, then tap her on the shoulder and order her to get up and wash the dishes. In 1891, two of her grandchildren, Mary Vilate and Jay Henrie, died within two days of each other when a diphtheria epidemic swept through the community. Her grand daughter, Sarah Elise, then ten years of age, and two grandsons stayed with her for three weeks during this trying time. When the chores were done the girls weren't permitted to play as they wished, but instead they had to spend the evening constructively, under their grandmother's watchful eye. In three weeks each girl had completed a crib quilt, 3 ½ by 4 ½ feet. They cut and pieced the blocks to make the quilt pattern and quilted and bound them.
Like her mother before her, Sarah Ann was a meticulous housekeeper and an expert seamstress. She could card wool, weave, and dye material expertly and do professional tailoring. She wove and dyed the material for her son's wedding suit, and a linen shirt to wear with it. The linen wedding shirt had an exquisitely hand-tucked bosom. She had counted threads so each tuck would be uniformly perfect. Her stitches were so dainty and minute; you could barely see them. When granddaughter, Susan, was quite small, not more than 6 years old, Sarah Ann began urging her daughter-in-law, Mary, to get Susan started with needlework. Mary thought her daughter a mite young and sought to protect her for a few years, but gave in under continuous pressure. Susan eventually learned embroidery, cross-stitch, knitting, and how to cut and piece quilt blocks, all without any enthusiasm. That is when Susan, learned self-control, perseverance and fortitude. Susan had the habit of vanishing, much to her grandmother's annoyance, and was then hauled back, given a lecture on industry and put back to work, making millions of diamonds, which were put together to form a memory quilt. The quilt had small diamonds cut from scraps of cotton fabric left over from house "wrappers" or old dresses and boy's shirts. When the quilt was about one quarter completed with neither rate of progress nor size of stitches satisfactory to Sarah Ann, it was laid away, then resumed, then laid away again. When the quilt was no more than half-done, Sarah was stricken with her fatal illness. Years later Susan's mother completed it, with her sister's, Elise's, help. The quilt became faded and thin, but it became one of Susan's real treasures, since it had stitches by her grandmother, mother, sister, and her own when she was a child.
Sarah kept an orchard, a small vegetable garden, a cow, a hog, and chickens. Save for her orchard or other outdoor work, or mending, Sarah Ann was never actually seen engaged in housework. Her granddaughter, Susan, has told that she didn't know when her grandmother did it, but it was always done. Susan never saw her grandmother do the weekly wash, but had seen her take it into her home in the morning. Sarah Ann preferred the night air and dew, rather than the sun for her drying time. Her clothes were dazzling white, not doubt, from having never gotten soiled, as well as, from being washed often and thoroughly.
Her grandchildren could remember the goodies that came off the shelves in her old upright flour box: honey, bread, jam or cookies. Sarah always fed them, and they loved the cleanliness and order of her small house. No matter how poor she was, she always managed to have something of beauty about, handmade doilies, mats, pillows, etc, and pretty plants on the windowsill. She would come up the path with her famous tote basket over her arm. It always contained something for her grandchildren, golden sweet apples or something fresh from the oven. The children were reminded that their grandmother had trod through heat, dust or storm to see them and to do something nice for them. Sarah usually wore somber clothes, but a spotless white collar and broach would brighten her appearance. Unless her destination was Church, she wore a white apron. Her black droopy straw sailors were of leghorn with a plain ribbon band. Sometimes in warm weather she wore all white, except for the ever-present black sailor.
It is noted in the 1880 census for Millville, Utah that Sarah had an adopted daughter, Edith Pitkin, age 5, living with her. Edith was Ammon Pitkin's daughter, or her step-grand daughter. She also had a 12 year old girl, Harriet M. Whitney, living with her - relationship unknown.
Another story told by her granddaughter, Mary Robinson, states, "We were at the Logan temple and over heard two men talking. One was speaking unkindly of grandmother, Sarah, calling her an old busy body, bladder mouth, etc. I spoke up, saying, "That lady was my grandmother and one of the best women who ever lived. She probably brought you into the world, nursed the sick in your family, and laid out your dead, all out of kindness and with no renumeration." I told him more and left the man breathless!"
In 1903 when Sarah Ann got a rose thorn in her right pointer finger, she thought little of it. However, before long her finger was obviously badly infected, but she refused to leave her home until she knew she could no longer take care of herself. Finally her son, Jay, and his wife prevailed upon her to come to their house. She was put in their parlor, which was turned into a hospital room. The infection increased until the finger was amputated to the first joint, but it was too late. The infection spread, and finally the finger bone was removed further. Her grandchildren, Pearl and Susan, were morbidly curious to see the offending finger, but Sarah was adamant. Through her grandchildren's coaxing and connivance of Lizzie Painter, the hired widow, they were allowed to go in, but they didn't like what they saw. After the amputation, Sarah fretted about and speculated on what she could do to help "Tildy, as she affectionately called her daughter-in-law. Her hand had become extremely painful and the disease spread all through her blood stream. Sarah Ann died soon afterward at her son's house on January 30, 1904 at the age of 77.
Ann Wilson, Sarah's step granddaughter and namesake, said it all before she died, "Grandma was a kind, generous person and there never lived a nobler nor truer soul. I think she was the most efficient person I ever knew."
For details on Sarah Ann Huffman Pitkin's earlier life see the history of her mother, Hannah Johnson Huffman Wheaton Staley, by Kara Seager-Segalla and the history on her daughter, Harriet Vilate Pitkin, by Clara Seager McRae.
Obituary reads, "It becomes my painful duty to send you an account of the death of one of our oldest and must esteemed citizens and one of the pioneers of Utah, Sister Sarah Ann Pitkin, wife of George W. Pitkin, deceased, who with their family, crossed the plains with ox teams in the summer, i thinks of 1848, in the company of Heber C. Kimball, and hence were among those who passed through the hardships and trials with many of the Saints in those days to seek a home in the West where they could have peace from their persecutes. They, putting their trust in God and in the promises made unto the Latter-day Saints through his servants, with a full belief that the Lord in whom they trusted would protect them and give them strength to pass through the trials that were before them with her husband and family, they shared the hardships that the first settlers passed through in Utah. Living a portion of the time on sego and thistles as flour and vegetables at that time could not be bought for money. The Pitkin family were amongst the first Setters of Cache, and especially of Millville. Sister Pitkin was the first President of the Relief Society when organized in this place; was a faithful worker in said society as long as her health would permit. She was one that nearly every family in the ward would call for in cases of sickness and death. She was a woman of great faith in God and the ordinances of the Gospel; and took special pleasure in seeing that our dead were properly cared for and laid away in their proper order. She passed away early in the morning of January 30th, after a sickness of between three and four months duration. Said sickness was caused by a gathering on her left hand fore-finger through which she suffered much about three weeks previous to her death. She consented to have it amputated as a decay of the bone had set in. Said amputation was performed by Drs. Budge and Calderwood of Logan. The wound appeared to get along nicely with every indication of healing, but the nervous system seemed to be affected and that with her age and general debility seemed to hasten her death. She was near 78 years old at the time of her death. Funeral services were held over her remains in our meeting house on Monday, February 1st. Said house being filled with relatives and friends from Millville and adjoining settlements. Amongst those present were Apostle Mathias Cowley, President Joseph Morrell of the Cache Stake and President Parkinson of the Hyrum Stake and Orson Smith, Elder Melvin Ballard and Willard Cranney of Logan. Elder Ballard favored us with one of his beautiful selections, "O grave where is they victory, O Death where is they sting." The speakers on the occasion were as follows: John King, John Riggs, Henry Chandler, and Ole Olsen, each of them being personally acquainted with her for the past 38 years, each testifying in turn to her faithfulness and integrity. Apostle Cowley concluding with a beautiful and instructing discourse of an hour's duration. Bishop John E. Roueche concluding with a few appropriate remarks. Your Respectfully, John King. Millville, Feb. 34d, 1904."
Concerning the children of Sarah Ann Huffman:
Harriet Vilate Pitkin married William Kennedy Robinson on Aug. 9, 1869. They had three children: Maria Vilate, Sarah May (died in infancy), and Mary. After Harriet's first husband's death she married second, Charles Burtis Robbins on Jan. 24, 1878. They had three children: Harriet Vilate (died in infancy), William Kennedy, and Emma Louise. Harriet lived with both husbands in Logan, Utah. She died March 11, 1914 at her daughter's home in Tremonton, Utah. Harriet is buried in the Logan cemetery next to her two husbands.
Jay Leonard Pitkin married Mary Matilda Henrie on August 11, 1877. They lived in Millville, Utah where Jay was a rancher and had ten children: Mary Vilate, Rhonda, Raymond B., Sarah Elise, Jay Henrie, George Ozro, William Kennedy, Susan Lanez, Leo Earl, and Pearl. Jay died Feb. 5, 1909 and is buried in the Millville cemetery alongside his wife and parents.
Jacob White Pitkin as mentioned previously died in infancy.
The Millville Cemetery is located at 200 E. 100 N. The George & Sarah Pitkin are buried on the 1st road inside the cemetery, 3/4ths down on the right side of the road.
References:
1. Photo in possession of Kara Seager-Segalla
2. History of Harriet Vilate Pitkin by Clara Seager McRae
3. Logan and Millville cemetery records
More About SARAH ANN HUFFMAN:
Burial: Millville Cemetery, Millville, Cache, Utah
Cause of Death: Sepsis from a thorn lodged in her finger
Occupation: Housewife
Religion: LDS; original Utah pioneer of 1848 in Heber C. Kimball Co.
Notes for GEORGE WHITE PITKIN:
History of George White Pitkin by Kara Seager-Segalla, updated May 2007
George White Pitkin was born in Hartford, Windsor Co., Vermont, May 17, 1801. He was the youngest child of a family of ten children. His father and mother were Paul and Abigail Lathrop Pitkin, descendant of the Reverand John Lathrop. George Pitkin was a descendant of a long line of ancestors who helped settle Connecticut and were active in its government. His grandfather, Thomas Pitkin, was Justice of the Peace in Bolton, Connecticut and commanded a company from Bolton at the Lexington Alarm in the Revolutionary War; his great granduncle, John Pitkin, was one of the signers of the Stamp Act; his great grandfather, William Pitkin was a lawyer and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; his 3rd great grandfather, William IV, was Attorney General; and his great grand uncle, William Pitkin, was Governor of Connecticut.
George White Pitkin grew up in the same county and about the same time as that of the Prophet Joseph Smith. As George Pitkin grew into manhood, he was called one of the "Green Mountain boys", because the Green Mountains are not far from Hartford. It is quite certain that George Pitkin did not hear of Mormonism while living in Vermont. Joseph Smith and his family left Vermont for Palmyra, New York when Joseph was about ten years of age in 1815. This was four years before Joseph had received any heavenly manifestations.
From the very beginning of the settlement of America, the urge was always to go westward to take up new lands and build homes. This must have been the case with the Pitkin family, as it was large and needed more and better opportunities. They obeyed the urge and went to the west and located at Hiram, Portage County, Ohio in 1819. While in Hiram, George Pitkin met and married Amanda Egglestone, Feb. 8, 1829.
Hiram is approximately 35 miles southeast of where Kirtland, Ohio was. Kirtland is not shown on present day maps. It was situated about 5 miles from Chardon, which is north of Hiram. Kirtland and this vicinity became on of the early Mormon headquarters in the west. Hence it was quite a fruitful field for the preaching for the Church. While living in Hiram, the Pitkin family heard the gospel, and George had the honor of being baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of L.D.S. by the Prophet Joseph Smith, May 17, 1831, on his birthday. His wife, Amanda, and his sisters, Laura and Abigail, also became members. George became a devoted follower of the Prophet Joseph and of the cause of Mormonism the remainder of his life.
George Pitkin's baptism preceded the important conference of the church held at Kirtland, June 3rd through 6th, when the "Man of Sin" was revealed and the powers of the Melchisedek Priesthood were emphasized. There is no question but that George Pitkin attended this important conference.
George Pitkin was a sheriff of Portage Co., and was always on hand to help the Prophet Joseph as will be seen from the following taken from "Church History" by Roberts: "September 12, 1831, the Prophet Joseph moved his family to Hiram and commenced living with John Johnson. They brought with them two children, twins, of John Murdock to rear. They were now several months old. Emma Smith, the Prophet's wife, gave birth to twins on the same day the Murdock's twins were born. Emma and Joseph's twins died three hours after birth. Emma took the Murdock twins nine days later in the fond hope they would fill the void in her life, occasioned by the loss of her own. March 21, 1832, the twins had been sick with the measles. The Prophet Joseph and his wife, Emma, had been broken of their rest considerably, and this night the Prophet lay on the trundle bed to watch over one of the twins. His wife went into another room with the other. Emma, screaming murder, soon awakened Joseph. In the next few moments he found himself surrounded by a dozen men and going out of the door with them holding his shirt, drawers, limbs, and hair. He struggled furiously and knocked one man down. They said that if he did not be quite, they would kill him. They seized his throat and nearly choked him to death and dragged him about sixty rods from the house. Joseph thought he was going to be killed. A group of the mob went to one side to consult and finally one shouted, "Where's the tar bucket? Let's tar up his mouth!" They brought the tar bucket and tried to tar up Joseph's mouth with the tar paddle. They tore off all his clothes, except his collar. One man fell on Joseph and scratched and tore his body like a mad cat. They covered him with tar and then left him. Joseph attempted to rise but fell. He tore the tar away from his mouth so he could breath more freely. He soon recovered so he could get up. He saw two lights and started for them. It was father Johnson's place, where Joseph was living. When he arrived at the door, he was naked. Being covered with tar, it appeared to Emma that he was crushed and covered with blood, so she fainted. During the affray, a number of the sisters and others gathered at the home. Joseph called for a blanket, wrapped it around him and went in. Joseph's friends spent the remainder of the night scraping and removing the tar from his body and washing and dressing his wounds. By morning he was ready to be clothed again. It was the Sabbath morning and at the usual hour for worship. Joseph attended the meeting and preached. Several of the mob who had mobbed him were present. In the afternoon three individuals were baptized."
George Pitkin was one of those who helped to clean the tar from his body and to dress his wounds. A few days later the Prophet Joseph left for Missouri. George Pitkin helped him by taking him in his wagon a distance of 75 miles. It was always a great comfort to George Pitkin, years after, to think of the contacts he had made with the Prophet. In his own words the Prophet says, "April 1st, I started for Missouri in the company with Newel K. Whitney, Peter Whitmer, and Jesse Gause, to fulfill the revelation. Not wishing to go by Kirtland, as another mob existed in that neighborhood, and indeed the spirit of mobocracy was very prevalent through that whole region of country at that time. Brother George White Pitkin took us in his wagon by the most expeditious route to Warren, where we arrived the same day, and were there joined by Elder Rigdon, who left Chardon in the morning. Proceeding on ward, we arrived at Wellsville the next day, and the following day at Steubenville where we left the wagon and George White Pitkin."
In 1832, the Pitkin family joined other church members in a move to Jackson County, Missouri, a designated gathering place. Having lost their first child, the family at that time consisted of George and Amanda, the two Pitkin sisters and Amanda's sister, Esther Eggleston. In Jackson County, George built a log house next to Peter Whitmer, Sr. in the Whitmer Settlement. David Whitmer was the presiding officer of the settlement and ordained George as a deacon in September. Violence against the Mormons in Jackson County began with an attack on the Whitmer Settlement on 31 October 1833. A mob of fifty men tore off roofs and partially demolished ten houses. Researchers believe the Pitkin house was one of them. The mob beat some of the men and threw stones at women and children. The men fled for their lives and the women and children escaped into the woods. By mid-November, the Pitkins and many others had been driven from the county.
The Mormons crossed the river and spread out in a dozen different settlements in Clay County. It is not clear exactly where the Pitkins stayed that winter, but it was in the western part of the county. In the summer of 1834, a number of leaders were assigned to visit the scattered settlements to buoy up the members. One of them, Zebedee Coltrin, ordained George to the office of teacher in August. The citizens of Clay County had been friendly and helpful, but eventually they asked the Mormons to leave so the area could avoid conflict. The Church had been able to purchase government land in the new county of Caldwell. The Pitkins traveled there and took up residence in the developing city of Far West for a three-year stay. A surviving record of the Later-day Saints living in the southwest quarter of Far West on 25 March 1838 includes George W. Pitkin (teacher), Amanda and their children, Martha, Ammon, and George. Also listed are sisters, Laura and Abigail Pitkin and Ester U. Eggleston. In the summer of 1838, George Pitkin was elected sheriff of Caldwell County which had a population of 10,000. That position placed him in the middle of conflicts between the local mobs and the county militia, such as the Battle of Crooked River. Not long after, the extermination order of Governor Boggs forced the Mormons to abandon their settlements and move to Illinois.
On Jan. 5, 1839, George W. Pitkin was ordained a Seventy. On May 6, 1839, he accompanied some of the Quorum of the Twelve to Europe. In the spring of 1839, the Pitkins resided about 80 miles south of Nauvoo, but relocated shortly after. Records show that George had land holdings in Nauvoo, Illinois and in Lee County, Iowa, across the river. George W. Pitkin and his family shared their new religion with new acquaintances, the Joseph Grafton Hovey family, who were soon converted. In Joseph Hovey's own words in states, "One, George White Pitkin, an elder of said Church, came and took up his residence near my home. This afternoon he came to our house for some medicine. My wife knowing that he was one of the new comers, Mormons from Missouri, questioned him. By the by, he gave us a short account of his persecutions and the Church at large. He instructed us on the subject of the gospel in plain terms." Later the Hovey family was baptized in July of 1839.
In the summer of 1839, the Pitkin family with thousands of other Latter-day Saints gathered at Commerce (Nauvoo) and helped build the Nauvoo House, the Seventies' Hall and the Nauvoo Temple. The 1840 census places the Pitkin family in Lee County, where they were listed as members of the Zarahemia Branch of the Church. On March 9, 1842, he received his Patriarchal blessing from Hyrum Smith.
It has been noted that George White Pitkin was a among important witnesses in behalf of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Municipal Court of Nauvoo on July 1, 1843. He was witness number three in presenting his testimony on behalf of the Prophet along with Hyrum Smith, Parley P. Pratt, Brigham Young, Lyman Wight, and Sidney Rigdon. The following is his testimony, "George White Pitkin sworn, says that he concurs with the preceding witnesses, Hyrum Smith and Parley P. Pratt, in all the facts with which he is acquainted; that in the summer of 1838, he was elected as sheriff of Caldwell County In the state of Missouri; that in the fall of the same year, while the county was threatened and infested with mobs, he received an order from Judge Highbee, the presiding Judge of said county, to call out the Malita, and he executed the same. Then said order was presented by Joseph Smith Sen., who showed the witness a letter from General Atchinson, giving such advice as was necessary for the protection of the citizens of said county. Reports of the mobs destroying property were daily received. He had no knowledge that Joseph Smith was concerned in organizing or commanding said militia in any capacity whatever. About this time, he received information that about forty of fifty "Yauger" rifles and a quantity of ammunition were being conveyed through Caldwell to Davies County for the use of the mob, upon which he deputized William Allred to go with a company of men and intercept them if possible. He did so, and brought the said arms and ammunition into Far West, which were after wards delivered up to the order of Austin A. King, Judge of the Fifth Circuit in Missouri. It was generally understood at that time that said arms had been stolen by Neil Gillum and his company of volunteers, who had been upon a six month tour of service in the war between the United States and the Florida Indians. They were supposed to have been taken from the Fort at Tampa Bay and brought to Richmond, Clay County, and that Captain Pollard or some other person loaned them to the mob. He further says that whilst in office as sheriff, he was forcibly and illegally compelled by Lieutenant Cook, the son-in-law or brother-in-law of Bogart, the Methodist Priest, to start for Richmond. When he demanded of Lieutenant Cook by what authority he acted, he was shown a bowie knife and a brace of pistols; and when he asked what they wanted of him, he was told they would let him know when he got to Richmond. Many of the citizens of Caldwell County were taken in the same manner, without any legal process whatever and thrust into prison."
In 1844, the Pitkin family were part of the Nauvoo 9th Ward, where George was ordained a high priest by Phineas Richards in December. A report of the Nauvoo 9th Ward High Priests Quorum as recorded by clerk, Joseph Holbrook, has this statement, "I, George W. Pitkin, son of Paul Pitkin, son of Thomas Pitkin, my mother's name was Abigail Lathrop, daughter of Elijah Lathrop, was born in Hartford, Windsor County, Vermont, May 17, 1801, and baptized by President Joseph Smith in Hyrum, Portage County, Ohio, May 1831. In 1832, in company with about 100 Saints, I moved with my family to Jackson County, Missouri, at which place I was ordained a deacon under the hands of David Whitmer in September 1832. In 1833, I was driven with the Saints to Clay County and ordained a teacher under the hands of Zebedee Coltrin, August 1834. I was driven from Clay County and settled in Caldwell County, Missouri. I was ordained a seventy in January 1841; I removed to Nauvoo and ordained a high priest under the hands of Phineas Richards, December 1844."
On Dec. 16, 1845, George Pitkin, his wife, and his two sisters, had the honor of going through the Nauvoo Temple and receiving their endowments. George's sisters, Laura and Abigail, received their endowments at the same time. The Pitkin family witnessed all the important events in Nauvoo and passed through with other saints much of the persecution. After the martyrdom they left Nauvoo. George took his young family across the frozen Mississippi River on Jan. 16, 1846, where they managed to survive the winter. The second winter (1846-47) was spent along the Fox River in present day Davis County, Iowa. It was there that Amanda and their youngest child died just days apart, leaving George with four children: Martha, Ammon, George O., and Mariah. George took his children and moved on across Iowa where they spent the winter of 1847-48 near Kanesville. While there, George met Sarah Ann Huffman.
Sarah Ann Huffman was born July 5, 1827 to Hannah Johnson and George Huffman at Bertie, Ontario, Canada. The Huffmans, originally spelled Hoffman, were of German descent. Sarah's mother and siblings learned of the Gospel and were later baptized. Geroge Huffman had died before this happened. Later Sarah's family decided to join the main body of the church. While in Winter Quarters, Nebraska, Sarah Ann Huffman and George Pitkin married on Feb. 14, 1847. Sarah Ann, at the age of nineteen, married a man twenty-six years her senior, and became a good mother to her husband's children.
When Sarah Ann and George had been married about a year, preparations were made for the long and arduous trip across the plains to the valley of the Great Salt Lake Valley. The saints had been through all the mobbing in Missouri and Illinois and had been driven from their homes many times in the bitter cold of winter, when they lost everything they owned. They started out on the journey West with all their earthly possessions on May 31, 1848 in the Heber C. Kimball Company. The Pitkin family had a span of oxen, one wagon, two cows, their food and seed, and the four children. Sarah Ann was twenty years old and seven months pregnant with her first child. Her baby was born in the on July 30, 1848, two months after they set out on their journey. The tiny infant weighed but 4 pounds and was named Harriet Vilate for a wife of Heber C. Kimball, in whose company they traveled. (Heber C. Kimball was also a brother in-law to George, having married his sisters, Laura and Abigail.) Harriet Vilate was born in hostile Indian country on sacks of wheat laid crosswise for a mattress. The Pitkin family had to hide out and rest for three days, while the pioneer train moved on. When they started out again, they hid by day and traveled as fast as they could by night, until they rejoined the wagon train.
The travel-weary Pitkin family arrived in Utah in the fall on Sept. 26, 1848. They located on Cottonwood creek, south of the fort. During that winter many of the families were without food, shelter or fuel. For most, a wagon served as a dwelling during the coldest months and later an adobe hut, roofed with unseasoned lumber and thatched with hay or frozen mud. Food was scarce among the settlers. Sarah Ann used to take the children into the fields to gather Sego bulbs, roots, or anything edible to balance out their slim diet. The pioneers had to share scanty rations, so that no one would starve. Before the next summer, all were housed in log or adobe dwellings. The fort was broken up and the people moved onto their city lots.
Sarah Ann's mother, Hannah Johnson, eventually trekked across the plains with her children and other pioneers and arrived in Utah in 1852. She lived out the remainder of her days in Coalville and died at the age of 82.
Sometime before 1850, the Pitkin family moved to Ogden, Utah. Brigham Young urged people to move and settle different areas of the state. The Pitkin family lived there for two years, and their first son, Jay Leonard, was born in Ogden in Oct. 1850. Previously on April 7, 1850, George was called on a mission to Society Island in the Pacific. In 1852 George and his family apparently went to Salt Lake City and took the trail west through Nevada, then up the California coast to Fort Hall in Oregon. George was advised to leave his family on the coast while serving his mission. George returned to Oregon from his mission in about 1854. A second son, Jacob, was born a year later in Oregon, but died soon thereafter. The family then went into Sacramento, California for a time, but eventually returned to live in Ogden for another two years. While in Sacramento, George Pitkin's daughter, Martha, remained and married Harvey Taylor. Martha did not return to Ogden with the Pitkin family. There is a family story that pertains to some gold nuggets that George Pitkin acquired while in California. One story says that he hid them under stone slabs leading to a storage cellar and they were stolen by Indians. Another story says that he was outwitted by thatchers of Logan and that became the nucleus of their banking interests.
On July 24, 1857, a great celebration was held in the Big Cottonwood Canyon, southeast of Salt Lake City. The celebration was for all the settlers of Utah in honor of the Tenth Anniversary of founding the territory. President Brigham Young and other church and territorial dignitaries were present. Nearly 3,000 people made the excursion to participate in the celebration. The celebration was marred by the news that the United States Army was on its way to Utah to exterminate the Mormons. In the spring of 1858, all the people of the northern settlements were ordered by Brigham Young to move south, pending the conference for a peaceful settlement. The Pitkin was in the move south from Weber County. They located at Payson, south of Provo. George White Pitkin had planted potatoes before he went south, so when he returned, he got a good crop that fall.
Later in the spring of 1859, the Pitkin family was called to settle in Cache Valley, Utah, to help manage the grazing lands for the church herds. They stopped at the Elkhorn Ranch until the next spring. That first winter was very severe and many of the cattle froze to death. The cabins were poor protection again the cold winter, and they had to keep the seed potatoes in bed with them in order to keep them from freezing. In the spring of 1860, they and two other families were called to move to the Edwards Saw Mill and to start the settlement of Millville, which was chosen since it provided better protection from marauding Indians. George W. Pitkin and his sons, George Orrin and Ammon, built a log house, east of the Edwards Mill and this area became the Pitkin Homestead. Their log house was the first log home built in Millville, before the settlement was organized or named. Years later a substantial rock house was built. The Pitkins lived in Millville for the rest of their lives. George was well educated and taught school for one winter in Millville, basically the three R's - "readin', 'ritin', and 'rithmetic". He also did his church duties and farmed on a small scale. George White Pitkin died thirteen years later on Nov. 26, 1873 at age 72.
Eliza R. Snow could pay no finer tribute on Dec. 7, 1858 in honor of George White Pitkin:
"These lines, dear Brother George, I write to you,
Seasoned with kindness, fresh with friendship's dew.
Prompted by motives based on true respect,
I beg you'll pardon what has seemed neglect.
The self-same motives prompt me now to write,
What friendship's impulse freely may indite.
Your parentage, your kindred I have known,
And your acquaintance I am proud to own.
My earliest recollection wreaths entwine,
When youth's associations I review,
In retrospective I remember you.
But change has wrought, since then, with mighty hand,
And we are here far from our native land.
We heard the gospel of eternal truth,
And left the homes most dearly prized in youth.
We've suffered toils and hardships to secure,
A rich inheritance that will endure,
Pure light and glory shining on our way,
Which upward points to everlasting day.
What is this life? It is a transient thing,
A bird of passage over on the wing,
A running stream, a moment flitting by,
A conduit opening to the worlds on high.
What is this state compared with that to come?
Here is our pilgrimage, and they're our homes,
This is our school wherein the lessons given,
If well applied will qualify for Heaven.
The pruning time has come and we are here,
On Zion's ship with God at helm to steer.
How blessed are those who are privileged to dwell,
Here with the chosen ones of Israel,
To know the times and seasons as they fly,
And understand events while passing by.
Fear not the future or regret the past,
Maintain the faith, which holds your courage fast.
It matters not while here, if rich or poor,
If we at last eternal life secure.
A king in cog, a God in embryo,
Must feel what suffering is, must taste the woe,
Must treasure knowledge through experience here,
For usefulness in an exalted sphere,
For even Gods through suffering learn to feel
To sympathize in fallen mortal's weal,
Thus oft through human erring good proceeds,
'Tis wisdom's earnings, gained for future needs.
Thus God to you the past will sanctify,
And in your storehouse, wisdom multiply,
That from your lips its volumes yet may flow,
And to your kindred words of life bestow.
And your experience will prove richer far,
Than golden mines and ocean's pearl beds are.
God deals our various lessons, which are given
To qualify on earth, for courts in Heaven."
George Pitkin's wife, Sarah Ann, lived on for another thirty years. After her husband's death, Sarah Ann boarded unmarried schoolteachers to help with her income. She worked in the first Relief Society and was set apart by her church to lay out the dead and prepare them for burial. She organized and ran the kitchen in the Logan Temple, which she did for seven years. She served as a midwife all of her adult life, and was nurse or doctor whenever her services were needed. Sarah Ann knew every birth and death in the community, and in a day when public records were not kept, people would verify dates from her memory. Sarah Ann eventually died at the age of 77, on Jan. 30, 1904 of sepsis from a rose thorn that had accidentally lodged in her finger. She was buried next to her husband in the Millville cemetery.
George White Pitkin was described by his older sister, Rebecca, as having a fine physique, that he was 6 feet or more tall, and weighed 200 pounds with broad shoulders and very large and straight; also a very fine cooking man, and he knew it.
Following is the blessing given to George W. Pitkin by Hyrum Smith,
"The Patriarchal blessing of George W. Pitkin, son of Paul and Abigail Pitkin, born in the township of Hartford, Windsor County, State of Vermont, May 17th 1807. Brother George, I lay my hands upon your head, in the name and by the authority given me of Jesus Christ. I bless you according as the blessings cometh down in the lineage of your fathers. You being a descendant from the loins of Joseph. It is your right to have the Priesthood and to attend to its blessings and all the spiritual gifts which are annexed to it and to the Gospel and an inheritance upon the land, which is called the land of Joseph in the midst of your brethren and be established upon those promises to inherit them, even the new Jerusalem, a portion of these blessings you shall attain to in time, but the feelings you shall not attain to until the coming of the Lord of Man but you shall be blest, you and your house and your father's house and shall have them and blessings in future spiritually and temporally and you shall be blest and anointed, called and chosen and sealed in the forehead with the Holy Seal of Promise even sealed up unto eternal life as a steward for your integrity and for your sacrifices for the glory of you and for your own glory and in answer to the prayer of faith and the promises obtained by your fathers and for a blessing to posterity until the last generations and for a memorial unto your name for ever these blessings, I seal upon your head, even so, Amen. Given by Hyrum Smith at Nauvoo, Illinois. March 9th 1842. J.W. Sloan, Clerk"
George Pitkin's granddaughter, Susan La Nez Pitkin, wrote of her grandfather, "George White Pitkin seems to have kept in touch with members of his family from whom he was estranged. The names Leonard and Raymond came from families to whom his sisters entered in marriage. One of these was Silas Raymond, who married Rebecca. Of all the family, only George Pitkin and two of his sisters joined the church at that time. The rest of the Pitkins remained in an anti-Mormon frame of mind and participated in hostile acts against the church, one of which was the tarring and feathering of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Silas Raymond, according to his son took active part in the atrocity. These people were in the business of making fine pianos. They were people of education and perception and seemed disturbed and unhappy to be so cut off from loved ones. A letter would arrive from the far west, and the family would be all agog, thinking this time it would contain something besides proselytism. Like their neighbors, they owned chattel, but had no money on hand. Barter was the method of the day, but the post office department didn't engage in barter. Since the very poor relations had sent the letter COD, the postman demanded 25 cents before delivering the letter. In each instance, the family had to scurry around the countryside to round up the coins. It always came out the same, no news to warm their hearts, but instead the old, trite routine about the "only true church", and the usually testimony to the truthfulness of the gospel. the family grieved over this and at the same time resented it, so that in the end, sister Laura, only drove them farther away from her and the church, for which she had given up so much.
Resources:
* The Pitkin History by Merlin R. Hovey, combined in 1934.
* Millville, Utah Cemetery records.
* Copy of Patriarchal blessing
* Original photo in possession of Kara Seager-Segalla
* Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records: Vol. 47, Torrington 1740-1850
* Deseret News Weekly, 17 December 1873
* History of the Church 1:266; 3:347; 3:403; 3: 432-433; 5:485
* History of a Valley by Cache Valley Centennial Commission, 1956
* History of Torrington, Connecticut by Rev. Samuel Orcutt
* Illinois Statewide Marriage Database
* Joseph Holbrook Autobiography, typescript pp. 67-68
* Millville Memories: a History of Millville, Utah, from 1860-1990
* Mormon Overland Travel rosters
* Mormon Redress Petitions: Documents of the 1833-1838 Missouri Conflict, edited by Clark V. Johnson, pp. 647-648
* Nauvoo Land and Records Office, File #26777
Ohio Repository Newspaper, Canton, Ohio, 6 November 1823
* Sacred Places: Missouri, edited by LaMar C. Berrett
* Times and Seasons Vol. 4 p. 260
* 1830 census: Hiram, Portage, Ohio
* 1840 census: Township 66, Lee County, Iowa Territory
* 1850 census: Weber County, Utah Territory
* 1860 census: Brigham P.O., Cache, Utah
* 1870 census: Millville, Cache, Ut
More About GEORGE WHITE PITKIN:
Baptism (LDS): 17 May 1831, By the Prophet Joseph Smith
Burial: Millville Cemetery, Millville, Cache, Utah, USA
Descendant: William Pitkin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Thomas Wells, Governor of Connecticut; John Weber, Governor of Massachusetts; James Leonard, pioneer to American iron industory with royal ancestoral roots to King Edward III
Endowment (LDS): 16 Dec 1845
High Council: 26 Jan 1851, Set apart on High Council for the Weber Branch in Ogden, Utah
Mission (LDS) 1: 03 Jul 1843, Called on a shoft, special mission with John Wakefield to Peoria, Ill.
Mission (LDS) 2: Apr 1850, Called & set apart as a missionery to Society Island in the Pacific Islands
Namesake: Martha White, grandmother
Occupation: Body guard to the Prophet Joseph Smith, farmer, school teacher
Ordained a 70: 05 Jan 1839
Religion: LDS; original Utah pioneer of 1848 in Heber C. Kimball Co.
To Europe: 06 May 1839, Accompanied some of the Quorum of the 12 to Europe
Children of SARAH HUFFMAN and GEORGE PITKIN are:
i. HARRIET VILATE6 PITKIN (Source: Obituary, FGR of Mary Robinson; photos in possession of Kara S. Segalla; 1860, 1880, 1900 census for Logan, Ut.), b. 30 Jul 1848, Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, USA (Source: Logan cemetery records for Harriet V. Pitkin.); d. 11 Mar 1914, Tremonton, Box Elder, Utah (Source: Logan cemetery records for Harriet V. Pitkin.); m. (1) WILLIAM KENNEDY ROBINSON (Source: FGR of Mary Robinson; photos in possess of Kara S. Segalla; autobiography of brother, Hugh J. Robinson; autobiography of daughter, Mary Robinson; "To Utah with the Dragoons"; Letters of William K. Robinson; Logan cemetery records; obituary; 1860 census for Cache, Ut.), 09 Aug 1869, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake,Utah, USA; b. 31 Oct 1837, Ardee, Louth, Ireland; d. 16 Feb 1875, Logan, Cache, Utah, USA; m. (2) CHARLES BURTIS ROBBINS (Source: Original photo in possession of Kara S. Segalla; 1870, 1900 US census for Logan, Ut..), 24 Jan 1878, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake,Utah, USA; b. 21 Sep 1834, Reckleston, Burlington, New Jersey, USA (Source: Obituary of Charles B. Robbins.); d. 10 Nov 1905, Logan, Cache, Utah, USA (Source: Obituary of Charles B. Robbins.).
Notes for HARRIET VILATE PITKIN:
Harriet Vilate Pitkin, original pioneer of Utah in 1848, compiled by Clara Seager McRae, 1988, edited with additions by Kara Seager-Segalla, 2007
Before we can begin with the life of Harriet Vilate Pitkin, we need first to see what was happening in the lives of her parents. This will help us understand the circumstances of her birth.
Her father, George White Pitkin, was born 17 May 1801, in Hartford, Windsor County, Vermont. He was the youngest in a family of ten children. His father, Paul Pitkin, came from a family whose ancestors settled in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1659, while it was a new colony. His mother, Abigail Lathrop, was a descendant of the Reverend John Lathrop, who was persecuted and jailed in England for his religious beliefs, and who brought a group of believers to America with him in 1639, to settle in Massachusetts.
The Pitkin family left the east and traveled to Hiram, Portage County, Ohio to establish a new home. It was here that George White Pitkin met and married his first wife, Amanda Eggleston. Hiram, Ohio was located not far from Kirtland, Ohio. It was in this vicinity that George White heard the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had the honor of being baptized on his birthday, May 17, 1831, by the Prophet Joseph Smith. (Joseph Smith was also a descendant of John Lathrop.) The Church was not yet a year old. George Pitkin became a devoted and faithful member for the remainder of his life. He was ordained a Seventy on 5 Jan. 1839; accompanied some of the Quorum of the Twelve to Europe on 6 May 1839; removed from High Council in Iowa when he moved to Nauvoo on 24 Apr 1841; called on a special mission with John Wakefield to Peoria, Ill. on 3 July 1843; with Hyrum Smith, P.P. Pratt, Brigham Young, Lyman Wight & Sidney Rigdon, took affidavits to Govenor during the persecution of the Saints; on 26 Nov 1843, with the preceding Elders, took & read affidavits to Col, Frierson; and on 27 May 1848 & and on 7 & 13 April 1850, he was called & set apart as a missionary to Society Island & Pacific Island.
Joseph Smith had led his followers to Kirtland, Ohio in 1831. The Mormon Church was a co-operative society, and much of its organization was taken from the experimental co-operative societies of the time. The Mormons planned to build a great city at Kirtland. They first built a sawmill, a tannery, and a general store. They also built a great stone temple which cost about $50,000. The membership of the church continued to grow, but from the beginning, there was trouble at Kirtland. The Mormons were unpopular with the townspeople and were often treated badly. As mentioned previously George White Pitkin became a member of the Mormon Church. His sisters, Abigail and Laura, also joined the Church and later became the wives of Heber C. Kimball. The rest of the Pitkin family was anti-Mormon, especially his brother-in-law, Silas Raymond, who had married his sister, Rebecca. Silas was a very strong man, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, who had broad shoulders, tapered to his feet. He never boasted about his strength, but it has been said that he could take a 40-gallon barrel of cider on his knees and drink from the bunghole. According to Church history some of the townspeople dragged Joseph Smith out in the night and tarred his month and body. Silas Raymond was among these townspeople and it was his tar bucket and paddle that was used.
George White Pitkin was Sheriff of Portage County and was one of those who helped to clean the tar from the Prophet's body and to clean and dress his wounds. A few days later, George Pitkin hauled the Prophet and his party in his wagon a distance of seventy-five miles. George Pitkin was with the Prophet Joseph Smith during many of his trials. It was always a great comfort to him, years after, to think of the contacts he had made with Joseph Smith.
The Pitkin family endured the persecutions and tribulations, the continual move from town to town, and state to state, along with the other Saints, who suffered for their religious convictions. They settled for a time in Nauvoo, Illinois with other Mormons. It is recorded that while the Pitkin family was living in Nauvoo, they attended the 3rd ward and lived on lot 29 of the Kimball I plat, (see Nauvoo map). Laura Pitkin also lived on lot 29 with the Pitkin family. George W. Pitkin was active in the construction of the Nauvoo House, Nauvoo Temple, and the Seventies Hall. The Pitkin family eventually was driven from their home in Nauvoo and crossed the Mississippi River, January 16, 1846. They finally settled on the Fox River in Davis County, Iowa. It was here that Amanda passed away, leaving George Pitkin with four motherless children.
Harriet's mother, Sarah Ann Huffman, was born July 5, 1827, in Bertie Township, Ontario, Canada. Her parents, George Ransier Huffman and Hannah Johnson, were both descendants of Tory families who fled America to Canada because of their Royalist political views.
Sarah Ann's life was one of selfless service to those she loved. Life was difficult for her family. Her mother was widowed three times, and was responsible for a total of eight children of her own. Sarah was trained early to be resourceful and hard working. Sarah Ann's family was converted and baptized into the L.D.S. Church and made preparations to join the main body of the Church in Illinois. It was while the Saints were living in Winter Quarters, that Sarah Ann Huffman, a girl of nineteen, married a widower, George White Pitkin, on Feb. 14, 1847. George Pitkin was forty-five years old and twenty six years Sarah Ann's senior. With this marriage, Sarah Ann immediately became the mother of four children under the age of fourteen - Martha Abigail Pitkin, Ammon Paul Pitkin, George Orrin Pitkin, and Mariah Laura Pitkin.
The family remained behind when the first group of Saints left the area to travel to the Rocky Mountains. They prepared themselves for departure the following year in 1848. The family spent the winter on Mosquito Creek, near Kanesville, Iowa, and traveled to the Elkhorn River in Nebraska, just west of the present town of Omaha, to join the exodus of Saints. On Jan. 20, 1848, George's name was on the petition for post office in Pottawatamine, Iowa.
The wagons were organized into three divisions, under the charge of the First Presidency of the Church. The second division had as its leader, Heber C. Kimball. In Kate B. Carter's, Heart Throbs of the West, it is recorded that this company was comprised of "662 souls, 226 wagons, 96 pigs, 299 chickens, 17 cats, 52 dogs, 3 hives of bees, 3 doves, 5 ducks and 1 squirrel." The date for its departure is listed as May 19, 1848. According to notes left by Joseph Grafton Hovey, however, whose family traveled with the Pitkin family, they left Wednesday Morning, May 31, 1848 at 10 A.M. The Pitkins left with a span of oxen, one wagon, two cows, their food, and seed for the next planting. Sarah Ann was seven months pregnant with her first child.
The wagons continued on to their destination, traveling through regions of buffalo herds and roving Indian bands. Subject to the fluctuating conditions of the elements, plus the dust, mud and general uncleanness of outdoor life, it would have been difficult for anyone to cross the plains, especially a young woman, large with child and in the beginning throes of labor.
It was under these conditions that Harriet Vilate Pitkin was born, Sunday morning, July 30, 1848 at 10 o'clock, the first child of George White Pitkin and Sarah Ann Huffman. The tiny baby, whose birth weight was only four pounds, was named for Vilate Murray Kimball, a wife of Heber C. Kimball. The birth took place in hostile Indian country, near the present town of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, close to the border of Nebraska and Wyoming, in an area the family identified as the "Black Hills" of Nebraska. Scottsbluff, Nebraska is south of the Black Hills of South Dakota, but since Harriet's birth was near this area, her birthplace was probably identified this way. The birthing bed was made of sacks of wheat laid crosswise for a mattress. No doctor or nurse was in attendance. Other Mormon sisters in the group gave aid to the new mother.
The wagon train moved on, leaving behind the Pitkin family. They rested for three days before continuing their journey. When they moved to rejoin the rest of the company, they hid by day and traveled by night, so they would be less obvious to wandering Indians. The trails were rough and rutted, causing the wagon to roll and bounce. The young mother had to hold the infant's head to prevent it from being dashed against the sides of the wagon. Harriet survived, surrounded by the love of her parents and her half-bothers and sisters.
At the time of Harriet's delivery, the family had been two months into their journey. It was almost another two months before they entered Salt Lake Valley. On Sunday morning, Sept. 26, 1848, at 11 A.M., they arrived at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. Most of the company stayed at the fort until Tuesday morning. Harriet's family eventually located at Cottonwood, on the Cottonwood Creek, south of the fort.
The following winter was severe and food was scarce. The settlers were plagued by cricket and grasshopper scourges, which ate the crops and made the pioneers live on near starvation diets. Many settlers had to survive on eating roots that were found, such as Sego Lilly bulbs, and green weeds, such as thistles, and even on rawhides. Milk, meat, and a small quantity of breadstuffs were distributed among the poor in such quantities as to prevent starvation. At one point Harriet's family had only one pint of corn meal, which was made into porridge to feed the family of seven for a week. At times the family was so weak they could hardly stand. Until the next summer's harvest was reaped, the famine continued, but the harvest of 1849 was a bountiful one. During that same winter many families were without shelter and fuel. Each family was given a city lot until the sites were exhausted. For most, wagons served for a dwelling during the coldest months and later an adobe hut roofed with unseasoned lumber and thatched with hay or frozen mud. Before summer all were housed in log or adobe dwellings. The fort was broken up and the people moved on to their city lots.
Brigham Young was instrumental in selecting the present site of Ogden, Utah and in encouraging families to settle there. As the first settlers arrived, they immediately sought places where water could be easily diverted from the Weber River and where land could be quickly cleared for gardens. Ogden City was laid out in a grid patter. By 1850, the population of Ogden and surrounding settlements was 1,141. Sometime around the year 1850, the Pitkin family moved north to Ogden. The toddler, Harriet, now became the bigger sister to a new brother, Jay Leonard, born Oct. 11, 1850. The family remained there for two years.
George Pitkin was called to go on a two year mission to Society Island in the Pacific. The Pitkin family ended up in Waldo Hills, Oregon, near Salem, in the northwest part of the state. George was advised to leave his family on the coast at this time. George returned to Oregon from his mission in about 1854. Another brother, Jacob White, arrived a year later in Oregon, living only a short time. He died May 13, 1855. Because of the dampness and rain, which affected Sarah Ann's health, Harriet's family again moved. They left for California and settled briefly in Sacramento, which was first known as Sutter's Fort. The discovery of gold first began in 1849, so the "gold rush" was pretty much over by then, but many newcomers still arrived in their covered wagons called "prairie schooners". They drove their wagons over dangerous mountain passes and through deep canyons to get there. Here, Harriet's oldest half sister, Martha Abigail Pitkin, remained, after marrying Harvey Taylor, who was not a member of the Church. This marriage, of course, was very hard for her parents to bear.
According to oral history, Harriet was sent to the stream to wash some dishes. While she was near the water, she saw something shiny. Picking it up, she took it with her when she returned home. The shiny object, of course, was gold. The family panned for gold for a period of time. Their church meant more to the Pitkin family than wealth, however, and they once again packed their belongings and returned to Utah. Before leaving the fort, they told someone else of Harriet's find. It was reported to have been one of the larger strikes.
Harriet's family settled again in Ogden, but in the spring of 1858, they were instructed by Brigham Young, along with all other Weber County residents, to prepare to leave their home and move south, where a campsite had been selected, west of Provo, Utah. Harriet's family camped in Payson, Utah, just south of Provo. We do not know what type of quarters Harriet lived in, but most people were living in wagons, tents, or dugouts. The drinking water was bad; flies and insects made life generally unpleasant.
Johnston's Army was marching into Utah to put the wrongly reported Mormon rebels under government surveillance. The settlers filled their homes and all public buildings with straw, ready to burn them at a given signal. Grain and other food supplies were taken southward, nothing was to be left for the army to use against the Church members. Martial law was declared. The Nauvoo Legion was to fortify Echo Canyon. People were prepared for war. At the time of this unrest and turmoil, Harriet was ten years old. After living two months under tension and adverse conditions, word was received that peace had been established. The family returned to their home in Ogden. George White Pitkin had planted potatoes before he went south. When he returned, he had a good crop of potatoes that fall.
Soon however, Harriet's family once again moved. This time further north to the beautiful Cache Valley. They stopped at Elkhorn Ranch, later called the Church Farm, late in the spring of 1859. Here they planted grain and vegetables. In the fall the crops were harvested. The winter was severe and many cattle died from being frozen. The cabins offered little protection from the winter elements. To keep the seed potatoes from freezing family members kept them in their beds. One time, during a crop failure, the Pitkin family was hard pressed to save enough for seed for the following year. They had just nineteen potatoes left. Finally in desperation, they ate the insides and cut the peelings into tiny piece for planting. From the parings they harvested nineteen bushels.
The Pitkin family was advised to move closer to Edwards Mill, a little south and east of Elkhorn ranch, for better protection from the Indians. There were also better opportunities to secure irrigation water from the streams than at the Elkhorn Ranch. Wood and timber was available from the river bottoms and the canyon. During the summer and fall, George White Pitkin and his older sons, George Orrin and Ammon built a log house east of the Edward's mill. This site became the Pitkin homestead. The Pitkin family did not occupy their log house until the early spring of 1860. This was the first log house built in Millville, before the settlement was organized or named. The home was a one-room house, where the family ate, worked, played, and slept together. Her mother, Sarah, was so proud of her new home that she would scrub the logs that supported the dirt roof. Many times during their moves, the family only lived in a "dugout" or a place dug out in the side of a hill and covered with poles, branches, and prairie sod. It has been told that rattle snakes were often found curled up in their house for warmth. One day a rattler fell through the roof on to their table. It was said that all of their possession had to be protected against mice and other "critters". The dugout was dark and smelled dank and musty, the way a dirt-floored home often smelled. Other families built homes in two rows, close together, for protection. The nucleus of cabins became known as the town of Millville. It was the last move for Harriet's parents. It was several years before Harriet's family could move out of the log house and move into a substantially built two-story, rock home. The walls of this home were at least two feet thick, which provided good insulation for the spacious living room and kitchen downstairs and two large bedrooms upstairs. Their kitchen had a wood burning cook stove, cupboards, and large dining table, where they spent most of their time, cooking, eating, and studying. The living room had comfortable chairs and a homemade lounge, used for entertaining. There was a porch along the east side and also a separate room at the end. The house was never locked. The old homestead was located at the present site of 136 West 1st South in Millville.
Harriet's father, George, taught school there, since he came from an educated family. He also did his church duties and farmed on a small scale. In the Utah Federal census for 1860, George W. Pitkin's vocation was listed as "dairy". Harriet and her full brother, Jay, spent their childhood in Millville and were raised in the Mormon Church. Harriet was baptized by Thomas Green and confirmed by Peter Maughan Sr. Feb. 1l, 1860 at the age of 12. Their older half siblings had married and settled nearby. George White Pitkin become a Bishop and spoke in the Logan Conference on Nov. 4 & 5, 1865, with Elder E.T. Benson presiding. There is a news article in the Desert News, which states that George W. Pitkin talked to the SLC Bowery on June 30, 1867.
The story of Harriet's courtship is unknown, but at the age of twenty-one, on Aug. 9, 1869, she was sealed in marriage to William Kennedy Robinson in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. Harriet's husband was an Irish immigrant, ten years her senior. He had arrived in Utah with the Johnston's Army as a twenty-year-old teamster. Later he was converted to the Church, stayed in Utah, and settled in Logan, Cache County.
The young couple made Logan their home. In the course of time, they became the parents of three daughters. All of their children were born in Logan. There was Maria Vilate, born Aug. 23, 1870; Sarah May, born May 28, 1872, who lived for only two years; and Mary, born April 27, 1874. It is from Mary that our family is descended.
William Kennedy Robinson's main occupation was farming. He was an active church worker and held many positions. He served on the Logan City Counsel and was city marshal. In 1870, he was called on a six-month church mission to visit his own people back east. He visited his brother, John, in Des Moines, Iowa, and another brother, Hugh Jackson in Champaign, Illinois, but was unsuccessful in converting any of his family.
As a wife and mother, Harriet's days would have been long and busy. The course of her time would have been typical of the housewives of pioneer living. Supermarkets were many years away. Each housewife made her own bread, churned her own butter, made her own soap, had her own cows for milk and its by-products, and had her own chickens for meat, eggs and feathers. Everything had to be made from "scratch".
Bedding was made from homespun linen. Pillows and mattresses were made from the feathers of chickens and ducks. Bedding quilts were pieced and stitched by hand. Even the batting, the center layer of the quilt, was often made from their sheep's wool and was carded and made by hand. Crocheted lace, which they made in the odd moments of "rest", produced beautiful edgings for sheets, pillowcases, table decorations, underwear, and dresses.
Harriet was a large woman of medium height, stately and well built. She had dark eyes, dark wavy hair, brunette complexion, high cheekbones and beautiful coloring. She was always well groomed, and wore a watch on a chain about her neck, which she tucked into her belt. She had a lively sense of humor and loved to poke fun. She was intelligent, very exacting and liked to tell stories. She was a good cook and was loved by her grandchildren. She was heard to say facetiously that the reason she was so dark was because of her birth in the "Black Hills."
After being married for only five and one-half years Harriet became a widow. Her husband had gone to the mountains with a group of men to take logs out of Logan Canyon for use in building the Logan Tabernacle. As the men were climbing, a log rolled down "Dry Pine Slide", crushing her husband and causing his death. The accident occurred about 11 A.M., and his body was taken home to Harriet at 2 P.M. An inquest was held, and the conclusion was that no one could be blamed for his death. William Kennedy Robinson died, Feb. 16, 1875. He was 37 years old and left a family of two, his youngest child, Mary, just 9 months old.
Three years after being widowed, Harriet Vilate Pitkin Robinson was advised to marry again, by one of the apostles of the Church. She became the plural wife to Charles Burtis Robbins on Jan. 24, 1878, in the Endowment House. They apparently repeated their marriage vows on Oct. 14, 1887.
Charles Burtis Robbins or "Charlie", at age 11, sailed with his parents and other Saints on the ship "Brooklyn" from New York City, around Cape Horn, to California in 1846. His father found a profitable gold mine and became wealthy. At age 15, Charles, along with his family, left San Francisco and returned to New Jersey by way of the Isthmus of Panama. His father still owned a farm and wanted to return and settle his business there. They stayed in New Jersey until the spring of 1853, when they crossed the plains to the Salt Lake Valley. In Sept. of that year, Orson Hyde baptized him. Charles served as a calvary man, obtaining the rank of major in the Utah militia. After serving in the Echo Canyon War, he settled in Logan, Utah, where he opened a mercantile establishment called the "Robbins Commission Merchant Store, Dealers in General Merchandise". Later he served as a city councilman, with Harriet's first husband, and served for many years as the city's first fire chief.
At the time of their marriage Harriet was twenty-nine years of age and Charles was forty-three and a polygamist. Harriet became his third wife. The other wives were first, Jane Adeline Young, niece to Brigham Young; and second, Martha Allen. The three wives had some difficulty in adjusting to each other. A grandson, William Kennedy Seager, remembers his grandmother telling him how one of the other wives chased Harriet with a butcher knife. In 1880, Jane Adeline Young sold her Logan home and moved with her youngest children to Salt Lake, mainly because of her anti-polygamy sentiments.
The home where Harriet and Charles lived was located on Main Street, north of the business district of that day. A United States Post Office was built on the same property many years later. The fire station was next door to their home. It was a two-story building, with the men sleeping on the top floor and the engine and horses on the ground level. The fire engine, at that time, was wood burning with a steam pump to pump water from the irrigation ditches.
Three children were born to Harriet and Charles: a daughter, Harriet Vilate, named for her mother, was born April 13, 1879 and died one year later; an only son, William Kennedy Robbins, named after Harriet's first husband, was born Sept. 7, 1881. Another daughter, Emma Louise, born July 10, 1883. All of the births took place in Logan.
Nine years after the wedding ceremony in the Endowment House, Harriet and her second husband were married again. This time their marriage was a civil ceremony, performed by a justice of the peace on Oct. 15, 1887, in Logan. Harriet became a widow for the second time, when Charles passed away on Nov. 10, 1905. They had been married for twenty-seven years. She lived nine years longer. In Dec. 1909 she went to live with her daughter, Mary, in Tremonton, Utah until she died there in 1914.
Harriet raised her children with a respect and love for the gospel. They went to the fourth ward, where Harriet filled many positions. She was first counselor in the Relief Society (Feb. 2, 1896 to Apr. 6, 1905), and was a Primary President (March 19, 1881- Dec 1890) for several years. Mary, Harriet's daughter, described her home life as being very pleasant. She said that their home wasn't grand, but that her mother was a good housekeeper and mother. Harriet and her family would frequently stay at a two-room cabin, owned by her brother, Jay Leonard Pitkin and his wife, Mary Matilda Henrie. Jay Leonard and family lived in Millville, but had a 320-acre cattle ranch, 22 miles southeast of his valley property. The ranch and cabin could be reached by a steep, winding, wagon trail, following the Blacksmith Fork River, and took a full day to reach. The cabin lay in a narrow valley, called Mill Hollow. It was a lovely, primitive, secluded spot, surrounded on all sides by giant peaks of the Wasatch Range of the Rockies. The sun rose late and set early even in the summers. The long twilight made for delightful, cool playtime and sociable family get-togethers. Harriet Vilate Pitkin Robinson Robbins was an independent woman, but when she became too ill to care for herself, she was taken to the home of her daughter, Mary Robinson Seager, in Tremonton, Utah. She moved there in Dec. of 1909 before she died on March 11, 1914, of cerebral hemorrhage. She was sixty-six years old. She was buried next to her two husbands in Logan, Utah. Their graves can be found approximately 140 feet north of the "3A" painted in yellow on the Logan cemetery road. Robinson, Brown, and Robbins graves are located in Lot 59, spaces 2,4, 6,7,8. Tombstones are a bit north of a big vaulted tombstone that looks like 2 doors laying down on the ground.
Her obituary from the Deseret News, dated 13 Mar, 1914, reads, "Logan, March 12 - Mrs. Harriet Robbins, for many years a resident of this city, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. O.A. Seager at Tremonton, yesterday afternoon, and the body was brought to this city at noon today. The funeral will likely be held in the fourth ward meeting house at noon on Sunday. that was the ward that the deceased woman was identified with for so many years. Mrs. Robbins came of pioneer stock, having been born in 1848 while her parents were crossing the plains to Utah. She was married twice, to William Robinson by whom she had three daughters, one of whom is dead; and to Charles B. Robbins by whom she had two daughters and a son, one daughter being dead. The living children are Mrs. Vilate Woolsey of Salt Lake City, Mrs. O. A. Seager of Tremonton, Mrs. Fred L. Peterson and William K. Robbins of this city. The deceased was the daughter of Sarah Ann and George W. Pitkin. She had a host of friends."
A poem written to Harriet V. Pitkin Robinson Robbins by Susan H. Jackman, "a heartfelt tribute of a friend", is as follows:
The casket was beautiful, lovely and fair,
While the jewel within it shone.
The spirit has gone where the holy ones are,
But the earth must return to its own.
She has gone where the portals of Heaven are open,
Where the soul finds its rest and repose.
Here she was faithful, kept sacred each token,
From childhood till life's journey closed.
This life is a school where in we merit,
And earn our eternal reward.
To dwell in the home for the good to inherit,
She has labored both faithful and hard.
She has left on the pages of history a record,
Her children may look to with pride.
She labored for others and put forth her effort,
To be both a counselor and guide.
She was one of the early pioneers of Cache Valley,
Was a staunch and steadfast true friend.
Once stood guard when Indians did sally,
And was able their home to defend.
Now she is gone, for life's work is finished;
Gone to a holier sphere.
She worked for God's Kingdom, for there was joy in it,
Though sometimes she shed better tears.
She no doubt met with a welcome in Heaven,
Though here she was not understood.
We feel that her failings well there be forgiven,
For she truly has tried to be good.
Reference sources:
1. Family group sheets of William Kennedy Robinson & Harriet Vilate Pitkin, and Charles Burtis Robbins researched by C. Austin Seager.
2. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 3, pp. 373-374 - History of Charles B. Robbins.
3. Heber C. Kimball - His Wives and Family, pp. 8, 23, 24 compiled by Kate B. Carter.
5. The History of a Valley by Joel E. Ricks, Ed. Pg. 43-45.
6. Pioneer Women of Arizona, forward page 2, compiled by Roberta Flake Clayton.
7. Utah - The Story of Her People by Milton R. Hunter, pp. 301-302.
8. Treasures of Pioneer History, Vol. 3, p. 338, compiled by Kate B. Cater.
9. 1880 Census of Utah Territory.
10. Later-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia by Andrew Jensen, Vol. 1, p. 433; History of George Orrin Pitkin, half-brother to Harriet Vilate Pitkin.
11. Heart Throbs of the West, Vol. 9, p. 467, compiled by Kate B. Carter.
12. Personal knowledge of grandsons, William Kennedy Seager and C. Austin Seager.
13. Family group sheet of George White Pitkin and Sarah Ann Huffman by Mary E. Pitkin.
14. History of Jay Leonard Pitkin by Susan La Nez Pitkin Cragon, his daughter.
15. Logan and Mendon cemetery records.
16. Autobiography of daughter, Mary Robinson
More About HARRIET VILATE PITKIN:
Baptism (LDS): 11 Feb 1860, by Thomas Green & contirmed by Peter Maughn Sr.
Burial: 13 Mar 1914, A30 59 6A, Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Cache, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Apaplexy - cerebral hemorrage
Endowment (LDS): 09 Aug 1869
Occupation: Housewife
Religion: LDS; original Utah pioneer of 28 Sept. 1848 in Heber C. Kimball Co.
Notes for WILLIAM KENNEDY ROBINSON:
William Kennedy Robinson, Original Pioneer of 1858, Compiled by Clara Seager McRae 1988, Edited with additions by Kara Seager-Segalla 1999
The arrival of this pioneer in the state of Utah did not happen in the usual way. His history and the group with whom he traveled to Utah had a different twist of circumstance, as you will discover. William Kennedy Robinson, aka Bill, was born on the 31st of October 1837, in Louth Co., Ireland or "Eire". He was the son of Robert Robinson and Mariah Margaret Jackson. His middle name was a family name, for his paternal grandmother was named Ann Kennedy. Hereafter, the initials W.K will be used in reference to William Kennedy. He was described as dark haired and blue eyed. W.K. was the eighth child and last son in a family of nine children. The first five children were Mary Ann, Jane, Margaret, John Adam, named after his paternal grandfather, and an unnamed child, who died in infancy. These children were all born in Slane, County Meath, Ireland. Robert and Mariah Margaret had moved to Slane sometime between their marriage and the birth of their first child. Their last four children were Eleanor, Hugh Jackson, William Kennedy and Sarah, who were all born in County Louth, Ireland, the smallest county on the island.
The name of Robinson is listed among the one hundred most numerous surnames of Ireland. About half of the Robinson people in Ireland are located in Ulster in Northern Ireland. They arrived there from Scotland and England with the settlement of the province in the 17th century. Robinsons from England also settled other areas of Ireland in a lesser number, where the name is one of the twenty most common surnames.
The country of Ireland is also known as the Emerald Isle; it received this name because of its beautiful green countryside, rolling farmlands and pasture lands, which covered much of the central part of the country. The people of the country are considered warm-hearted, friendly and artistic. They are famous for their hospitality, have close family ties, and have skills as writers and storytellers. The flag of Ireland is composed of three equal vertical stripes, and dates from the 1800's. The green in the flag represents the country's Roman Catholics; orange represents the Protestants of Ulster; and the white is for unity. W.K.'s parents were Episcopalian. Ninety-five percent of the Irish people are Roman Catholics.
W.K. was three years old when his mother, Mariah Margaret Jackson Robinson, passed away in October of 1840 in Ardee. His oldest sister, Mary Ann, was seventeen years old at that time and had to act as a substitute mother for the young boy. The next few years became a time of great tragedy for the Irish people. The population grew rapidly, but it's economy declined. About half of the people lived on small farms that produced little income. Others leased land on estates and had to pay landlords high rent. Because of their poverty, most of the people of Ireland depended on potatoes as their main staple of food. From 1845 to 1847 the potato crops failed because of a plant disease known as potato blight. About 750,000 people died of starvation or disease. This period of famine is a turning point in modern Irish history. It shattered the traditional cultural patterns and became the beginning of a new story in the immigration of Irish people to America. Between 1840 and 1860, approximately 1.7 million men, women and children entered the United States, and among them was the Robinson family. Most of these new immigrants arrived in America sick, exhausted and penniless, after crossing the Atlantic Ocean in "coffin ships." Most were unskilled and took whatever employment they could find. Many remained where they landed, banding together for companionship, and lived in cheap housing that soon deteriorated into slums. One historian called the Irish immigrants, "pioneers of the American ghetto". They were looked down upon and considered inferior. This discrimination would have effected W.K. as he grew to manhood.
Sometime after 1840, Robert Robinson's family left Ireland after the death of Mariah Margaret Jackson Robinson and came to Dutchess County, New York. From family records and letters, it is known that all of the living children came to the U.S. We also know that the Robinson children attended the public schools in Dutchess County and received a good common school education, with the boys being trained in practical farming. In the spring of 1847, the Robinson family moved to the territory or state of Wisconsin, where Robert Robinson purchased wild land and built for himself a home and practiced farming. W. K. continued his schooling in Waconsta, about a mile from their farm.
Robert Robinson died June 1, 1851 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, when W.K. was only fourteen years old. His older sister, Jane, had previously married and moved to Canada. His brothers, John and Hugh went to Illinois to find work, so W.K. remained with his sisters, Mary Ann and Eleanor, on his father's farm. It is believed that W.K. remained on his father's farm for awhile and then joined his brothers in Illinois to work as a teamster in the construction of the Illinois Central Railraod until he reached the age of twenty. He apparently lived near his brother-in-law, J.C. Johnson's, homestead where he made many friends, including a young women, Margarett, who had a love interest in him.
To understand the circumstances that drew William Kennedy to Utah, we need to review the history of the Utah territory and its Mormon people. After being driven West to escape religious persecution, the Saints established new communities and homes in the Great Basin of Utah. In 1857, a serious misunderstanding developed between the people of the territory of Utah and the government of the United States. The so-called "Mormon Question" was a serious American political issue, as reformers periodically attacked the church on two issues: polygamy and the influence of the church on politics and government in the Territory of Utah. Erroneous reports sent to Washington from the territory led President James Buchanan to order the removal of Brigham Young as governor. An armed force was sent to Utah to provide escort service for the newly appointed non-Mormon governor, Alfred Cumming of Georgia, and to sustain order and uphold the laws of the United States.
Brigham Young declared martial law. The militia, still called the Nauvoo Legion, was called out and homes were prepared to be burned at a moment's notice. The Saints moved south into Utah County to wait until peace and order could be reestablished. Brigham Young issued a proclamation on Sept. 15, 1857 forbidding the army of the United States from entering the territory. It was natural for the Mormon people, who had bitter memories of being expelled from the east, to look upon the advance of Johnston's army as a threat to their security, and perhaps their destruction. It was a fearful time for the L.D.S. people.
On May 28, 1857 a troop of twenty-five hundred men assembled at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to begin their westward march to Utah under the command of General William S. Harney. Later in November of that year the command was changed to Col. Albert Sidney Johnston. The American military was notified that the Mormons were going to harass the moving army continuously, by stampeding their animals, burning their supply trains, and setting fire to every blade of forage grass ahead and behind them.
On October 3, 1857 the Mormons torched Fort Bridger and Fort Supply, both of which were used by wagon trains of Saints for supplies. Nothing was left but a heap of ashes. Next came the burning of the army supply wagons that would have provided provisions for the army. A total of forty-seven military wagons with supplies were burned. They also drove off the oxen and cattle of the military. From the successful raids, nearly 1,000 head of livestock were sent on to Salt Lake City. Hundreds of additional animals died from the cold winter and the lack of feed. Despite heavy losses of supplies, the army pushed on to Fort Bridger. They camped nearby and called their winter quarters Camp Scott. New supplies were ordered from the War Department for the spring, when the army could again advance on into Utah. These supplies reached them on June 10, 1858.
W.K. was a young man of twenty and always looking for better paying jobs. He signed up to work for the army as a teamster, or bull whacker, as they were sometimes called. Apparently, a man could make pretty good money being a teamster, about 15 dollars a mouth. One researcher reported that W.K. was also a cook for his group of men. Further research into army records reveals that he was not a member of the army; therefore he was probably a volunteer, paid for his ability to handle oxen and wagons. He probably became affiliated with Johnston's army when he drove new supplies to Camp Scott. The freight wagons, used for heavy transport on the plains, were very large and strongly built, capable of carrying up to 7,000 pounds each. They were covered with heavy canvas sheets that protected the supplies from rain or snow. Several yokes of oxen drew each wagon with one driver to a wagon. Each man was armed, usually with a rifle, which he kept close by for emergencies.
The Mountain Meadow massacre of a wagon train en route to California through southern Utah produced popular support for President Buchanan's plan to crush the Mormon uprising with a strong military force. Brigham Young's defiance of the federal government and his hit-and-run tactics led to an outburst of anti-Mormon feelings, especially in the east. Citizens cried out that the Mormons should be taught a lesson in obedience. Col. Johnston's troops, with W.K. as a teamster, arrived in Salt Lake City on June 26, 1858. After first planning to establish a camp outside the city, Col. Johnston marched his men through the town and camped on the west side of the Jordan River, then traveled on to Cedar Valley, about forty miles from Salt Lake, to Fairfield, Utah County, where the army established Camp Floyd.
From the book, To Utah with the Dragoons, which is comprised of articles sent to an eastern newspaper, written by "Utah", the pen name selected, we are introduced to the "Gentiles", which at that time included W.K. In the words of "Utah" we see how the area appeared to the new arrivals: "Camp Floyd is one of the most miserable, disagreeable and uninteresting places that ever disgraced the earth. It is built upon a dry plain, entirely destitute of grass, or indeed, any vegetation, except the sage, that flourishes where nothing else will grow. The clay, pulverized by the numerous wagons passing in and about the camp, forms a fine dust, that drifts with blinding fury for miles around. When the wind blows, the dust drives through the camp so fierce and thick, that you can scarce see three yards ahead. Everywhere you met eyes, which are red and inflamed. There is no water near here, except a little dirty stream that runs near the west-end of the camp, that is scarcely large enough to drowned a mouse."
Richard F. Burton described Camp Floyd as follows, "It lies in a circular basin, surrounded by irregular hills of various height, still wooded with black cedar, clustering upon the banks of Cedar Creek. This riverlet presently sinks into a black puddle of mud." Vegetation consisted of grasses and shrubs such as greasewood, cactus, rabbit brush, sagebrush, snake wee, Brigham tea (used for medicinal purposes), Indian rice grass, globe mallow, and cattails near water. Camp Floyd flourished for three years from 1858 to 1861. It was the largest military installation in the U.S. at that time. W.K. didn't stay there, however. When the Civil War broke out, the camp was disbanded, and the army moved on to fight new battles. General Johnston lost his life, April 1862, at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, on the side of the South. Today you can see what remains of Camp Floyd at the Stagecoach Inn State Park. Two buildings remain, the stagecoach inn and the army commissary, which were built along the Pony Express Trail. It is located at Fairfield, Utah on highway 73. To get there you need to take the I-15 exit at Lehi. Pioneer Village in Lagoon, Farmington, Utah has many pioneer buildings that have been gathered for preservation. One of these building is a Blacksmith shop built in 1858 to meet the needs of the Johnston's army, stationed at Camp Floyd. Original tools are still in the building.
Since W.K. was not a member of the military, he was presumably free to pursue his own interests. Something must have appealed to him about the west, Utah in particular, and the Mormon people. The first winter the army laid over, in 1859, he became acquainted with Apostle Ezra Taft Benson, great grandfather of Ezra Taft Benson, former President of the LDS Church. W.K. started doing farm work for him. Later Ezra Taft Benson baptized and confirmed W.K. on April 12, 1859. Some Church records give a conflicting year of his baptism as 1860.
On June 6, 1859 a small group of Mormon settlers sent to Cache Valley by Brigham Young surveyed a fort site near the banks of the Logan River and began harvesting logs for houses from Green Canyon. By the middle of the month, the first drawing for parcels of land took place. Brigham Young appointed Ezra T. Benson to preside over the newly organized Cache Valley Stake, so March 25, 1860, W.K. moved to Logan, Utah with Apostle Benson's family, lived in their home for awhile and was in charge of their farm. The Bensons were like parents to him. "W. Robinson" can be found in the 1860 census for Cache, Utah Territory as a servant for Ezra T. Benson & his wife, Adaline. From The History of a Valley, it states, "The cabins were built in two rows facing each other along the present day Center Street, extending westward for two blocks. Most of the houses were made of logs and had dirt roofs and floors." They constructed their settlement after the plan of Salt Lake City, including streets wide enough for several vehicles to pass each other. A second group plowed land and planted three acres of wheat on June 10th on an area called "the island." By March 1860 there were 100 houses in the settlement, which was named Logan after an early trapper, Ephraim Logan. Though not the first white settlement in Cache Valley, Logan became the principal city because of its central location and its abundant water supply for mills and irrigation. Farmers and their families gathered there to buy and sell, and industries grew to service the community. Eventually, Logan became the county seat for Cache County.
Between the years of 1860 to 1870, the settlers of Logan, among them W.K., began to improve their property. Logan was growing rapidly. Because of the strategic position of the city, it became the center of the church stake, and the county seat. Log churches gave way too larger and more imposing stone structures. Logan became an incorporated community in 1865. Following incorporation, Logan citizens formed their own government. On March 5, 1866, Logan held its first election, selecting Alvin Crockett as mayor, three aldermen, and five councilmen. W.K. was elected councilman and his friend, Charles Burtis Robbins, was an alderman. (C. B. Robbins later became the second husband to W.K.'s wife, Harriet). Logan City record states: On Wednesday evening March 14, 1866 the city council met at the house of E.T. Benson and proceeded to effect an organization under the charter. At the request of Mayor Crockett, President E.T. Benson opened the meeting with prayer after which he made a few remarks upon the duties of the city council. This presence of religious officials at meetings of the city council was characteristic of the harmonious and close relations between the church and state in early Cache Valley history.
While life was simple in the late 1860's when the Cache valley cities were organized under territorial acts of incorporation, the Cache valley leaders were determined to pass legislation to maintain the spiritual ideas which they felt were so necessary for the salvation of their fellow church members. Thus, in the early days of city government in the valley, the city councils passed ordinances that were reminiscent of early Puritan New England. Virtually all the cities of this period enacted ordinances punishing profanity, playing on Sunday, being cruel to animals, or being rowdy.
Of course, agriculture formed the basis of the local economy. Thus W.K's principle occupation was farming. He also hauled ties for the railroad at Promontory Point. The transcontinental railroad, which linked Utah to both East & West were completed in 1869. Today cattle graze where once thousands labored to open the West to industry and commerce.
While W.K. was living at the Benson home, he had to do farm work with their son, Charlie A. Benson, who was his same age and with whom he didn't get along too well. One time they were hauling wheat to a mill between Logan and Brigham City. They had two wagon loads and W.K. was put in charge, since he was older than Charlie was. Charlie was driving his horses too fast, so W.K. called out to him, "Charlie, stop and let your horses have a puff." Charlie ripped out an oath and told W.K., "Go to Hell!" W.K. got out and fastened a rock behind one of Charlie's wheels, so that Charlie had to give his horses a rest. Another time Charlie was whipping a horse in the barn. W.K. rebuked him for being so cruel to the animal. Charlie pulled out a gun, but W.K. told Charlie that this was not the proper occasion and to just put his gun back. Charlie eventually did something bad enough that some people were after him. W.K. didn't want to have anything to do with his capture, so he left town. W.K. had known the Benson family too well to get involved. When Charlie was found, W.K. came back. Sister Benson went to W.K.'s home, threw her arms around his neck, and said, "Well, I knew you'd have nothing to do with this." W.K. said, "Mother, I said I wouldn't." The next day, a man threw a rope over a signboard that was in front of the courthouse. They came after Charlie like wild beasts. They kicked him in the head, stomped him in the stomach, and spit at him. Then they strung Charlie up and lynched him. W.K. never forgot that incident as long as he lived.
Nothing is known of the courtship that W.K. pursued to win the hand of his wife. He apparently met a girl from Millville, a town south of Logan. She was a dark haired beauty, who had been born in a wagon box when her parents crossed the plains in 1848. Harriet Vilate Pitkin, a daughter of George White Pitkin and Sarah Ann Huffman, became the bride of William Kennedy Robinson on Aug. 9, 1869 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah by J.F. Smith. J.T. Smith & J.T. Caine were witnesses. She was twenty-one years old; W.K. was thirty-one. They began their years together in Logan, probably on land he acquired with the first settlers. Their home was on the corner, across the street from the courthouse. From this union came three daughters. Maria Vilate was born the August 23, 1870. Sarah May was born May 28, 1872, but only lived two years and died July 22, 1874. Their last daughter was Mary, born April 27, 1874, arriving only three months before the death of her sister. All three daughters were born in their home, in Logan, Cache Co., Utah.
W.K. was a member of the Logan First ward and remained an active member for the remainder of his life. It has been recorded that he belonged to the 64th Quorum of the Seventies. He accepted a six-month missionary calling to the "United States" mission, mainly to visit his own people back east. He was set apart by A. Carrington, Dec. 11, 1870. He, at least, visited his brother, John Adam in Mondamin, Iowa; his sister Mary Ann Robinson Johnson in Harrison Co., Iowa; and his brother, Hugh Jackson in Sadorus, Illinois, but was unsuccessful in converting any of them.
The decision for the construction of a tabernacle and the collection of funds began in 1864. W.K. was listed as being one of the first to subscribe to the donation for the building of the Tabernacle. Excavation for the building began in 1874. Progress on the tabernacle's erection was slow, since most of the work came from volunteer labor. Drawings of the proposed building, prior to 1875, showed a combination of styles: Gothic, Greek, Roman and Byzantine. It was finally dedicated Nov. 1, 1891 by President Wilford Woodruff. The tabernacle is rectangular and measures 65 x 150 feet and is made from a dark stone. The interior is beautifully finished with woodwork and seats in grained wood. A round window with a Star of David motif is located in the tower. The walls and ceilings are frescoed with original designs. The building cost has been estimated at $100,000. The tabernacle was completed in 1878. The construction of the tabernacle is of significance, because it played a part in the life and death of W.K. The morning of Feb. 16, 1875 started out to be just another day: a husband and wife awakening early, doing their chores, taking care of the children, and starting on the assigned plans for the day. This day, however, turned into one of great tragedy for Harriet Vilate and her two daughters, Maria Vilate or "Vi" age four, and Mary age nine and a half months. The following is an obituary taken from the Deseret Evening News, dated Feb. 17, 1875: "The Accident in Logan Canyon - A sad and lamentable accident took place in "Dry Pine Slide", in Logan Canyon, about 11 a.m., Feb. 16, resulting in the death of William K. Robinson of this place, and injuring severely George T. Benson, who at the present time is in a very critical condition. About two o'clock the brethren were brought home. Dr. Ormsby, Jr., was immediately called in, who forthwith applied stimulants, with a view of restoring the deceased to a condition for further treatment, but without any effect. The particulars of the accident, given at the inquest, are as follows: It appears that the deceased and George T. Benson and five other brethren started up the canyon in the morning. When arriving at the foot of the slide, they unhitched their teams. In the meantime some of the brethren heard someone chopping up the mountain, but no one seemed to take any notice of this. Having taken care of their teams, the brethren started up the slide. After traveling some distance, one of the brethren observed a log coming down the mountain, and called to those in the lead. The log came so rapidly that before the deceased and Bro. Benson could entirely get out of the way; they were both struck down. Bro. Benson was knocked senseless, and picked up for dead, but was subsequently restored. Bro. Robinson was struck on the thigh, the blow breaking the same. From this concussion he was thrown down the slide, head downwards, receiving severe cuts and bruises upon the head, which caused concussion of the brain, as pronounced by Dr. O.C. Ormsby, Jr., producing immediate death. Bro. George T. Benson received a severe bruise upon the left side and other bruises upon the head, rendering his condition somewhat critical and dangerous. The log in question was cut by a young man named James Anderson, who did not intend sliding it until the evening, but upon his cutting it off, it started downwards and caused the aforesaid accident. Bro. Anderson, however, called below when the log started, but none of the brethren heard him. It is but justice to say that the evidence given at the inquest showed no blame can be attached to Bro. Anderson or any one else. Bro. Robinson was about 37 years of age, and a native of Ireland. He emigrated to America with his father when quite young, came into this Territory in the year 1858, and was baptized shortly afterwards, was a man in every respect a gentleman, highly respected by all, a good, kind, and faithful husband and father, a Latter-day Saint indeed. He has left a wife and two children. This tragic accident happened while W.K. and the other brethren had gone to the mountain to obtain logs, which were to be used in the construction work for building the Logan Tabernacle."
The following is the report of the verdict, "Inquest on the Body of W.K. Robinson - Territory of Utah, Logan Precinct, Cache County. An inquisition held at Logan City, in Logan precinct, Cache County, on the 16th day of February, AD, 1875, before Charles O. Card, Coroner of said county, upon the body of William K. Robinson, there lying dead, by the jurors whose names are hereto subscribed. The said jurors upon their oaths do say, from the evidence given, that the deceased came to his death by a log in motion striking him upon the left hip, breaking the same in two separate places and passing over his abdomen, and causing deceased to slide down the slide known as "Dry Pine Slide", in Logan Canyon, receiving two severe cuts upon the forehead and other bruises upon the head. In testimony whereof the said jurors have hereunto set their hands the day and year aforesaid, Jurors, D.B. Lamoreaux, Eli Bell, James A. Leishman. Attest, Charles O. Card, Coroner of Cache Co. Respectfully yours, James A. Leishman."
A dialogue with his daughter, Mary Robinson, gives a little more insight into what happened at the death of W.K., "Father was getting timber for the Logan Tabernacle building. There was Father, and Brother George T. Benson that's the grandfather to the present Apostle (1962), Brother Morgan, Brother Cranny, Brother Eli Bell, and Brother Charles Harris. I believe that was the men that went up to get their logs. They'd been up and got their timber out already and was going to bring it down, but nightfall came too soon, so they came on down home on Saturday night. They attended their church duties, and then went up the canyon Monday morning. One of our ward boys, one of our neighbor boys too, went up there and was stealing the use of the slide and also stole the log. That was the log that came down and killed Father. Brother Benson was in lead and then Father was next. It struck Brother Benson, struck him in the abdomen, and then the log glanced and hit Father, knocked Father down and hit him in the head; so that killed Father." Mary goes on to say, "Joe Fredrickson, a fellow that used to work in a pool hall, who I used to know real well there in Logan, he must have been on the sleight with Father, when they were bringing him down. Father kept trying to wet his lips, you know, kept moving his lips. This fellow said, "He wants some water." The men said, "Don't give him any water it'll chill him." Joe Fredrickson said, "Well the man's dying anyway, so why let him choke to death." Fredrickson got some snow and wet it in the river and just touched it to Dad's lips. Dad was dead before he got home. Mother had gone out to the Church ranch, that's out near College Ward. The Church had a big ranch out there, and Mother had gone out there, was going to visit for a while, while Dad was up the canyon. Mother said that she saw our team a comin' toward the place and she says, "I wonder what Will's doing here at this time of the day? Didn't expect him." Mother says the nearer he got to the place, why the closer she could see that it wasn't Dad. It was some other man, who brought the news of her husband's death. When she got to our home, she found Dad. Mary continues to say, " Later, Mother found a roll of paper from Dad's work at the railroad. Father had always said he'd never let his children go barefooted. He'd work his finger ends off before he'd let his children go barefooted. After Father was killed Mother had a dream one night that there was a roll of papers tied with a red ribbon in our old chest. The next morning she went to this old chest to see if those papers were there. Sure enough there was a roll tied with that red ribbon. She opened it and found it was script; and they had just become due. She cashed the script and then got Vi and I some shoes."
Lines respectfully subscribed to W.K. Robinson on his being called, with others, on a mission to the states by W. Palmer:
Ye Elders of Logan, go forth on your mission
And preach to the people of this wicked nation.
Preach faith and repentance without any fear,
Knowing God whom you serve will always be near.
Be valiant and brave, and generous also,
Then you will find friends, wherever you go.
Let all other sects, and all parties alone,
And explain to the people, the truths of your own.
With opposite spirits you will have to contend,
Then patience and love, with firmness must blend,
And prove by your ways, as well as address,
The desire of your heart, is the people to bless.
When far from your home, you'll need not despair,
For your brethren at home, will offer up prayer,
That the Lord he may bless you, wherever you roam,
And screen you from harm, and guide you safe home.
More About WILLIAM KENNEDY ROBINSON:
Baptism (LDS): 12 Apr 1859, Elza R. Snow was Eve & W.W. Phelpes was Lucifer
Burial: A 30 59 6B, Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Cache, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: multiple injurys from a logging accident
Endowment (LDS): 21 Nov 1862, Endownment house
Immigration: Aft. 1840
Mission (LDS): 1871, United States Mission for 6 months
Occupation: Teamster for the Johnston's Army, farmer; Logan city councilman & sheriff
Religion: Episcopalian / LDS; original pioneer to Utah in 1858
Sealed to spouse: 09 Aug 1869
Notes for CHARLES BURTIS ROBBINS:
Charles Burtis Robbins, Original Pioneer to California in 1846, Original Pioneer to Utah in 1853, Compiled by Maude Bliss Allen, Edited with additions by Kara Seager-Segalla, 1999; updated 2008
Charles Burtis Robbins, son of John Rodgers Robbins and Mary Shinn Harper Burtis was born the 21st of September in the year 1834 at Reckles, Burlington County, New Jersey. This town was later renamed Chesterfield. He descended from early pioneers of New Jersey and New York, some of whom were Quakers, settling in the New World as early as 1639. Among the noted ancestry of early American history, are the Antrim, Rodgers, Herrall, Burtis, Longstrett, Shinn, Venicomb and many other lines. To ponder over this list of families, it is with pride one may recall the stability and purpose of these families and their great contribution in settling this country. Stalwart, untiring leaders of a new nation, they left through their descendants a priceless heritage to America, which today, shows out in the successes, deeds, and accomplishments of many leading citizens, who claim these people as their progenitors.
The earliest rendering of the family name has changed several times since 1452 and was originally from Northern Italy from the "Tribe of Robins". An early name was "Ro-bynes" and dates from the battle of Hastings. "Bynes" appears as a Norman word meaning "town", "village" or "hamlet", and "Ro" as a prefix similar to the Scotch "Fitz" or "Mac", meaning "of" or "up". Thus "Ro-bynes", meaning "of town" or "up town". The first person so named was of French extraction and came to England in 1066 with William the Conqueror in the capacity of gamekeeper. The name "Ro-bynes", "Ro-byns", "Ro-bins" appears until about 1700 when nearly all simultaneously adopted the form "Robbins" or "Robins".
Charles Burtis Robbins is also a descendant of Pietro Caesaro Alberti, who was the first Italian-American. Pietro Alberti was from San Luca, Italy and settled in New Amsterdam in May of 1635.
The first child born of the marriage of John Robbins and Mary Burtis was Zilpah, who died in her infancy and was named for her maternal grandmother, Zilpah Shinn. In 1834 Charles Burtis Robbins was born. He was just a little over two years old when his mother passed away on the 17th of October 1836 in Burlington, New Jersey. Fourteen months later, the 26th of December 1837, his father married Phebe Ann Wright, daughter of Mahlin Wright and Ann Wilgus, born the 27th of Feb. 1812 in New Jersey. By this marriage there were born six children, four of who died in their infancy.
In the fall of 1839, John Robbins was converted into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his brother, Isaac, also became a member. Because of the persecutions in New Jersey, John Robbins and his family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois. John Robbins's property in Nauvoo was on lot 25 of the Kimball I plat. Charles grew up in Nauvoo and saw his father leave home to attend the "School of the Prophets" and was present in Nauvoo, when the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred. He was also present during the troubled times that followed.
While most Saints moved to the Rocky Mountains by traveling overland from Nauvoo, a group of Saints traveled a sea route. The Church authorities contemplated an experiment in transportation of the Saints to the western part of the continent by water. They decided to send a sailing vessel by way of Cape Horn to the West Coast and chartered a ship, called the "Brooklyn", to make the voyage. They persuaded Captain Richardson, a very capable and temperate man, to remain as her Captain on this trip, knowing him to be a very capable and reliable man. Samuel Brennan was to be in charge of the Saints. The ship was a sailing vessel of four hundred and fifty tons. The Church secured her for the sum of $1200 per month. The number of ship's passengers was numbered seventy men, sixty-eight women and one hundred children. The fare was fixed at $500 for each adult, one half fare for children under fourteen, and $25 was paid for provisions for each child under five years of age.
On the 4th day of February 1846, John and his brother, Isaac Rodgers Robbins, with their families set sail out of New York Harbor with the company of Saints on a 24,000-mile journey to the coast of California. Charles would have been eleven years old at the time. They headed south on a voyage, that was sad, perilous and of long duration. Less than three weeks after their departure, black small pox broke out among the passengers. They were closely crowded in the heat of the tropics, and had only bad food and water. People kept to their staterooms as much as possible, but the disease spread rapidly. First one and then another of the saints was taken by this plague. Charles would watch the men as they tenderly placed the heavily wrapped bodies over the side of the ship. With a prayer upon their lips, they would lower the bodies to their last resting-place. The Robbins family wondered how the loved ones could stand it, and then death suddenly struck their own little family. On the 28th day of February, Charles's half brother, George Edward Robbins, died of scarlet fever after an illness of three days. He was aged 5 years and 18 days, and was buried at 316 N. long. 25 W. They traveled on and again the death struck. Another half brother, John Franklyn Robbins, died of consumption, March 14th at age 1 year, 5 months and 16 days. He was buried at lat. 15 30 S. Long. 32 W. In all, 11 people died.
The trip was long and difficult. After leaving New York harbor they followed the trade winds and made their first stop at Cape Verde Islands to get supplies, then headed for Cape Horn. Terrible storms overtook them as they neared the Cape. The waves were so fierce, and the ship was tossed so terribly, that the women and children had to be lashed to the poles to keep them from being washed overboard. After rounding Cape Horn, they stopped at the island of Juan Fernandez to rest for five days. They bathed and washed their clothing in the fresh water, gathered fruit and potatoes, caught fish and eels, and rambled about the island exploring a "Robinson Caruso" cave. From the Jaun Fernandez Islands, their journey took them to the "Sandwich Islands, later known as the Hawaiian Islands, to discharge a load of cargo.
On the 17th day of June, that same year, far out on the blue Pacific, a little daughter was born to Charles's stepmother. They named her Georgianna Pacific Robbins. She was nearly two months old when they reached land.
It was an eventful day, the 31st of July 1846, when the ship, "Brooklyn", sailed into San Francisco Bay, ending the historic voyage which had lasted over six months. The bay and small assortment of cabins or shanties, known as "Wind Breakers", was called "Buena Yerba" at this time. What a sight it must have been to Charles, who was less than twelve years old, as the ship sailed into the bay. The good people of the settlement flocked to the shore to meet the ship and welcomed the weary travelers. They saluted them by firing the cannon at the Fort, and an officer proclaimed in loud tones, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor to inform you that you are in the United States of America." Wild cheers arose from every throat, and the Saints gave thanks for their safe landing and for the finish of their long, perilous trip.
In the book, California Saints: A 150-Year Legacy in the Golden State by Cowan and Homer, "As far as we have ascertained, the Brooklyn Saints were the first colony of home-seekers with women and children to sail around Cape Horn, the first group of Anglo settlers to come to California by water, and the first group of colonists to arrive after United States forces took California." Yerba Buena also became the first city in what would become the western United States to be colonized by Mormons.
Many Saints stayed and established a colony, while others traveled east over the mountains to join the Saints in the Great Basin. John Robbins decided to stay and acquired between five and ten acres of land in what they called "Pleasant Valley", now the corner of 4th and Mission Street. He also owned a half-acre lot on the corner of California and Montgomery. The Palace Hotel now stands where they built their home.
On the 24th day of January, gold was first discovered in California. It seems that everyone rushed there with the fever of gold in his blood. The town soon became a thriving, busy place. A Spaniard came and brought a donkey and cart from the Sandwich Islands. John Robbins bought Charles the outfit. It was the first vehicle used in San Francisco as an express or transfer wagon drawn by a horse. With this horse and cart Charles hauled the grips and valises of the incoming gold seekers. He often went home as many as three or four times a day to empty his pockets of his silver. He made as much as $25 to $30 per day. His father, seeing his success, bought a horse, cart and harness from a ship from Sydney at a cost of $1,000. Charles then earned as high as $50 per day. This outfit was the second express wagon in San Francisco.
Charles sold eggs to the people of the community, and delicious pies and pastries, made by his mother at one dollar each. He used to take a common tin pan and sit by the creek and pan for gold. He worked in the gold fields on what was known as "Mormon Island."
Samuel Brennan had brought the first printing press to California on the ship "Brooklyn", and set up the first printing establishment in the West. Charles was apprenticed to learn the printing trade and assisted in getting out the first edition of the "California Star", the first paper ever to be published in California. Charles sold copies of the first issue at 10 cents each.
Charles also belonged to the volunteer "bucket brigade" and was a member of the crew that fought the first three fires in San Francisco. A bucket brigade was a line of men from a source of water to the fire. His life in California was very adventurous. His father had found one gold mine, and his mother had picked up large nuggets of gold near their home. The family became wealthy and decided to return to New Jersey the early part of 1850, when Charles was age 15. John Robbins still owned a farm in New Jersey in and wanted to return to settle his business there.
The Robbins family traveled down to the Isthmus of Panama and hired natives to take them across the Continental Divide to the eastern coast. From Georgina Robbins's journal, it is certain that this is the way they traveled. People were traveling directly across the United States, but it was a dangerous journey because of the desert and Indians. The family also chose to go this way instead of going by ship around Cape Horn again. Georgina states in her journal, "We went south to the narrowest strip of land, crossed over the mountains with the help of hired men and animals, and reached the other side or eastern coast." Georgianna often told her children of this terrible, hazardous, tedious journey. Mules carried provisions, while Charles and the men rode on horses. Hammocks were made out of heavy ducking and canvas, which they stretched on long poles. The natives would carry the women and children in these hammocks, carrying the poles on their shoulders. They traveled over the mountains and through passes so narrow that at times it seemed their bodies would be dashed to pieces on the rocks, as their hammocks swayed from side to side. The natives stopped about half way over the divide and demanded more money than they had been promised for the trip. They threatened to leave the party there if they did not get what they wanted. John Robbins knew that if he granted their demands that perhaps they would resort to the same tactics again, so he refused. Luckily there was an old prospector who had joined them. He threatened the natives with their lives if they didn't take the Robbins family across as promised. The band of pilgrims finally arrived on the eastern coast. John Robbins paid the natives handsomely for their services and they left in good spirits, thanking him again and again. Further facts on the family's journey to New Jersey are unknown. They probably sailed from a port on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus to a New Jersey port.
The Robbins family left New Jersey, crossing the plains by mule team in the spring of 1852. A daughter, Mary Frances Robbins, born March 6, 1848 in San Francisco, died June 11, 1852 and is buried somewhere on the plains. They arrived in Salt Lake in 1853 and in Sept. of that same year Orson Hyde baptized Charles Robbins. His ordinations to the priesthood took place as follows: Elder in 1855, Seventy in Salt Lake, and a High Priest in Logan.
In 1854, John Robbins returned to the eastern United States and brought back wagon loads of materials to sell. Charles was 19 at this time, and the family resided in the 17th Ward, having an adobe home at 58 North 2nd West (now 3rd West).
On March 12th, 1855, Charles B. Robbins was elected to the office of First Lieutenant of Company "Y" of Regiment Invincible, 3rd Reg. Infantry, Great Salt Lake Military District, of the Nauvoo Legion, and of the Militia of the Territory of Utah. Brigham Young, the governor of Utah, signed the document.
On the 22nd of Nov. 1855, Charles married Jane Adeline Young or "Addy" in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. Brigham Young performed the marriage. Jane A. Young was born Dec. 17, 1834 in Hopkinton, Mass. to Jane Adeline Bicknell and Joseph Young, first President of the Seventies, and brother of Brigham Young. As a young women Jane Adeline Young endured the persecutions and tribulations of the Mormon pioneers along with her family. At the age of sixteen, she crossed the plains to Utah in the company of Wilford Woodruff and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Charles and Jane Adeline lived in the family home while Charles's parents went on a mission to New Jersey and the Eastern States. Over time, Charles and Jane became the parents of nine children. Charlotte Adeline was born Dec. 22, 1856; Henry was born Jan. 18, 1859 but died in infancy; John Young was born March 16, 1860; and Alice Edna was born Nov. 25, 1862. All of these children were born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Charles Robert was born March 3, 1865; Joseph Burtis was born June 28, 1867; Seymour Bicknell was born Dec. 20, 1869, LeGrande was born Feb. 24, 1872; and George Young Robbins was born Feb. 2, 1875. All of these children were born after they moved to Logan, Utah.
In the early 1860's, Cache Valley was beginning to be settled. John Robbins arrived in SLC with a load of goods that he had procured in the East. It is probable that William Godbe, a prominent Salt Lake storekeeper, was involved in the purchase and transportation of these goods. Mr. Godbe then opened a branch store in Logan, sending Charles to be manager. Charles moved his family to Logan in the spring of 1863.
A young lady, Martha Allen, after her conversion to the LDS faith, emigrated from England to Utah in 1861. She was born Sept. 28, 1845 in Thatcham, Cold Ash, Berkshire, England to John Allen and Hannah Willis. In 1864 she went to Logan and joined the employ of Charles Robbins. A year later, Martha became the second wife of Charles. Martha would have been age 20. They were married on July 7, 1865 and had three children. Frank Allen was born Sept. 27, 1867 and died before he reached two years of age, on July 11, 1869. Florette was born July 12, 1869. Martha was born March 27, 1871, but died two days later. These children were all born in Logan, Utah.
Even after Charles moved to Logan, he was active in the militia and was commissioned Major of the 1st Battalion Infantry, 1st Regiment, 1st Brigade of the Nauvoo Legion, the Militia of said Territory in Cache Military District by the Governor. Previously he had participated in the Echo Canyon campaign of 1857. He was one of the men who herded a number of horses down the Echo Canyon, to make the soldiers think they were facing a big army of Mormons. He was recognized as a "crack shot", the best in the division.
In 1867 the Church saw fit to establish a large wholesale cooperative in SLC, to be called ZCMI, with retail cooperatives in outlying settlements. The Logan Cooperative Mercantile and Manufacturing Institution, LCMI, was established to wholesale goods in the Cache Valley area. Charles and his partner, William Goodwin, joined the cooperative with William as treasurer and Ezra T. Benson as President. To this dry-goods store they added a shoe shop, tannery, and butcher shop. This store also housed the first telegraph office in Logan in 1867.
In 1871, Charles Robbins accepted a call to fulfill a mission to New Jersey and the Eastern States, as his father had done. He left Logan in Nov. of 1871 and returned in March 1872.
In 1874, Charles attended the meeting to organize the Order of Enoch, or the United Order in Cache Valley. This order replaced the Cache Valley Board of Trade, until the United Order ceased in 1876. On Dec. 18, 1875 he qualified as postmaster of Logan, which office he held for seven years. He then qualified as the Chief of the Fire Dept. in Logan, which position he held for thirty-six years. He was generally known throughout the state as the oldest fire chief, since the organization of the fire department in 1874. At different times, he was a city councilman and also served as school trustee.
While acting as Chief of the Fire Dept., the fire station had a large bell tower, which was also used to hang up the fire hoses to dry. A large picture of the fire station and tower can be seen in the outer halls of the present (1999) Logan City library. Charles Robbins is shown with a beard in the first row of firemen on the far right. The fire department had three big horses to pull a great big "kettle on wheels". The kettle heated water that turned it into steam. The steam worked a pump that pumped water for putting out fires. As the horse gallop out of the firehouse, a large bell would sound, "clang, clang, clang".
In Feb. of 1875, a tragic accident claimed the life of William Kennedy Robinson, a dear friend of Charles. They had worked together on the city commission. Mr. Robinson left a widow, Harriet Vilate Pitkin or "Hattie", and two young daughters, Maria Vilate and Mary. Harriet Vilate Pitkin was born while crossing the plains in Nebraska on July 30, 1848. Her parents were Sarah Ann Huffman and George White Pitkin. Three years later Charles married Harriet on the 24th of Jan. 1878. Three children were born of this marriage. Harriet Vilate was born April 13, 1879 but died in infancy; William Kennedy was born Sept 7, 1881; and Emma Louise was born on July 10, 1883. All of these children were born in their home in Logan, Utah, which was located across the street from the courthouse.
In the estate of Charles Burtis Robbins the property description, which was left to his wife, Harriet Vilate, is as follows: Commencing at a point ninety-five (95) feet west from the north-east corner of lot twelve (12), block one (1), plat "B" of Logan Island survey; and running thence west to the north-west corner of said lot; thence south on the west boundary of said lot to the intersection of said line with the south branch of Logan River; thence in a north-easterly direction along the north bank of said river following the meandering thereof to the intersection of said river with the east line of said lot; thence north to a point three hundred and fifty (350) feet south of the north-east corner of said lot; thence west ninety-five (95) feet; thence north three hundred and fifty (350) feet to the place of beginning; said lot is further described as bounded by a field street on the north; on the south by the south branch of Logan River; and on the east and west by lines of said lot, and situated in the west half of the south-east quarter of section four (4), township eleven (11) north of range one (1) east of the Salt Lake meridian, of the value of $500.
In 1880, Charles was dropped as an employee of the Logan branch of ZCMI. At that time his first wife, Jane Adeline Young or "Addy", sold her Logan home and moved to SLC. She took her entire family with her except for her married daughter, Charlotte, and lived out the remainder of her life in S.L.C., where she could be near her mother and three or four sisters, who were either single or widowed. In the 1890's she and all of her sisters and one brother, B.B. Young, embraced the Christian Science faith. This must have been a great disappointment to Charles Robbins. In old age, Addy's mother, Jane Adeline Bicknell, also joined the Christian Science Church. When Addy's mother was asked about polygamy, she said the hardest part was the poverty. She had such a scanty living and such trouble to provide for her own family and then she had to share with the other families. Some of Addy sisters were resentful over their poverty and felt looked down upon by their cousins, Brigham Young's daughters. Addy's sisters felt that Brigham Young should have helped their father, Joseph, more. He helped others but never helped Joseph much. Some descendants feel that this led them to leave the LDS Church.
Cooperative merchandising declined after 1882 with the passage of the Edmonds Act, which called for the fining and imprisonment of polygamists. This caused the leaders of these cooperatives to go into hiding or serve prison sentences. The cooperatives began to change into small industries. Charles organized the Logan Fourth Ward Cooperative, which was mainly a tannery.
Mary Robinson described her home life as being very pleasant and that her stepfather, Mr. Robbins, was always even-tempered, honest and kind. It was said that he loved children, and they adored him. He had a delicious sense of humor and liked fun and jokes. He was a loving father and husband to his families. Mary often said that her stepfather couldn't have been better than her own father. She named her first son, Burtis, after him. She fondly remembers the family attending horse races, canyon trips, balloon ascensions, theaters, circuses, and parades. They would have sleigh rides and go to the ice rinks to skate. She also enjoyed ballroom dancing and told about many dancing parties that were held above her stepfather's general merchandise store. She said that their home wasn't grand, but that her mother was a good housekeeper and mother. Mary said that she was close to all her brothers and sisters, whether they were full, half, or step siblings.
Charles Burtis Robbins was an even-tempered, quiet, unassuming man, honest and just in his dealings with others. He was kind and devoted to his families, and was a faithful Latter-day Saint. For many years a faithful servant to the city of Logan, he was honored, loved and respected by its citizens. He was dedicated to his church, serving as a Seventy in Salt Lake City, a High Priest in Logan, and also serving as a High Councilor in the Cache Stake in Logan. Charles Robbins was an outdoors man and his favorite hobby was fishing.
Charles Burtis Robbins was an original pioneer, coming to Utah in 1853. All three of his wives were also original pioneers. He passed away the 10th of November 1905 at the age of 71 of typhoid pneumonia, leaving a host of relatives and friends to mourn his demise. Apostle Moses Thatcher said at his funeral, "Conscientious, honest and charitable, he was a splendid man. He was generous indeed. He never saw the time when he would not divide his last crust with either friend or stranger."
All three of Charles B. Robbins's wives lived beyond his death. Jane Adeline Young Robbins, as mentioned previously, left him in 1880 to live near relatives in Salt Lake City. She died there on April 11, 1907 and is buried in the S.L.C. cemetery. Martha Allen Robbins went to live with relatives in Kaysville after her husband's death. She died in Kaysville, Utah on September 21, 1939 and is buried in the Logan City cemetery. Harriet Vilate Pitkin Robinson Robbins lived nine years longer and died at her daughter's home in Tremonton, Utah on March 11, 1914.
Charles Robbins is buried in the Logan cemetery next to his wife, Harriet Vilate Pitkin, and her first husband, William Kennedy Robinson. His grave can be found approximately 140 feet north of the "3A" painted in yellow on the Logan cemetery road.
An obituary was printed in the Journal in Logan City, Utah, Nov. 11, 1905, "C.B. Robbins Is Dead, A Remarkable Man And Good Citizen Passes to The Great Beyon, "Charlie" Robbins is dead - That is the rather startling news that came to Loganites yesterday morning, and that caused nearly every citizen who heard it to voice expressions of regret and respect; for no man in Logan was more generally esteemed than good, honest, faithful "Charlie" Robbins. He passed away at 3 o'clock yesterday morning, typhoid pneumonia being the cause of death. Funeral services will be held in the tabernacle at noon tomorrow. The many men in Logan who have acted as firmen under mr. Robbins' leadership, it is said, will attend the services in a body." The newsarticle went on to talk about his life. Another obituary was printed in the Journal, Nov. 13, 1905 and another was printed in the Journal, Nov. 14, 1905.
Sources:
1 Extracts from a sketch in the LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 2, (1914), pp. 75-75.
2. History of Charles Burtis Robbins by Fern Rawle Robbins McKendrick, granddaughter of Charles Burtis Robbins and Jane Adeline Young, 1984.
3. Family group sheets of Charles Burtis Robbins and Harriet Vilate Pitkin by C. Austin Seager, grandson to Harriet Vilate Pitkin & William Kennedy Robinson.
4. Photos in possession of Kara Seager-Segalla, descendent of Harriet Vilate Pitkin & William Kennedy Robinson.
5. Charles Burtis Robbins by Carolyn T. Jensen, descendant of Martha Allen and Charles Burtis Robbins, 1996.
6. Our Heritage, by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pages 74-75.
7. Family group sheets of Charles Burtis Robbins and Jane Adeline Young by Dr. Joseph Evans, grandson.
8. Obituaries of Charles Burtis Robbins x 3 from "The Journal", Logan City, Ut., Nov. 11, 1905, Nov. 3, 1905, & Nov. 14, 1905
9. Obituaries of Joseph Burtis Robbins, & Charles Robert Robbins.
.
More About CHARLES BURTIS ROBBINS:
Burial: A30, 59, 5, Logan City Cemetery, Logan Cemetery, Logan, Utah
Cause of Death: Typhoid pneumonia
Namesake: Pietro Caesaro Alberti (Burtis), first Italian settler, who landed in N.Y. June 2, 1635
Occupation: Postmaster, store keeper, fire chief
Religion: L.D.S., original pioneer to Calif. in 1846 & to Utah in 1853
ii. JAY LEONARD PITKIN (Source: The Pitkin History by M.R. Hovey, combined in 1934; Milleville Cemetery Records; photo in possession of Kara S. Segalla; 1850 census Weber Co., Ut; 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900 census for MIllville, UT.; death certif.; Utah death Index), b. 11 Oct 1850, Ogden, Weber, Utah, USA; d. 05 Feb 1909, Hyrum, Cache, Utah, USA; m. MARY MATILDA HENRIE (Source: 1880 census for Millville, Ut.; death certif..), 11 Aug 1877, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; b. 08 Mar 1855, West Bountiful, Utah; d. 19 Mar 1922, Millville, Cache, Utah, USA.
Notes for JAY LEONARD PITKIN:
Jay Leonard Pitkin, brother of Harriet Vilate Pitkin, native of Utah, 1850 by his daughter, Susan La Nez Pitkin Cragun, 1963, edited with additions by Kara Seager-Segalla, 1999 & 2007
Jay Leonard Pitkin's parents were George White Pitkin and Sarah Ann Huffman. His parents, five half sisters and half brothers, and a two-month-old sister, Harriet Vilate, entered the Salt Lake Valley on Sept. 26, 1848, traveling in the company of Heber C. Kimball. They were among the Mormons who had been driven from one place to another because of their religious beliefs and were looking for a place to settle.
Sometime around the year 1850, the Pitkin family moved to Ogden, Weber Co., Utah, where Jay Leonard Pitkin was born on October 11, 1850. Ogden became the second largest city in the territory and was named for Peter Skene Ogden, an early fur trader in the region. Ogden lies about thirty-eight miles north of Salt Lake City. They remained in Ogden for the next two years.
In 1852, when Jay was two years old, the Pitkin family moved to Oregon. Another brother, Jacob White, arrived while they were there. He lived only a short time and died May 13, 1855. Because of the dampness and rain, which affected his mother's health, Jay's family again moved. People then were constantly beginning their lives all over again, seeking new opportunities. They left for California and settled briefly in Sacramento, which was first known as Sutter's Fort. The discovery of gold first began in 1849, so the "gold rush" was pretty much over by then, but many newcomers still arrived in their covered wagons called "prairie schooners". The family panned for gold for a period of time, but once again packed their belongings and returned to Ogden for two years. Because the Pitkin family started their lives over and over again, Jay's character grew to be self-reliant, courageous, inventive, persevering, and industrious.
Later, Jay's family was called to settle in Cache Valley, Utah, to help manage the grazing lands for the church herds. Jay was about nine years old when they stopped at Elkhorn Ranch, later called the Church Farm, late in the spring of 1859. Here they planted grain and vegetables. In the fall the crops were harvested. That first winter was severe and many cattle died from being frozen.
The Pitkin family was advised to move closer to Edward's sawmill, built by Esiash Edwards in 1859. This area was a little south and east of Elkhorn Ranch and gave better protection from the Indians. Jay's father built a log house, the first log home built in this new, unnamed location. The family occupied the new home in the early spring of 1860. Other families built homes in two rows, close together, for protection. The nucleus of cabins became known as the town of Millville. It was the last move for Jay's parents. It was several years before the family could move out of the log house and move into a substantially built two-story, rock home. The old homestead was located at the present site of 136 West 1st South in Millville. Jay's father, George, taught school there, since he came from an educated family. He also did his church duties and farmed on a small scale. Jay and his only full sister, Harriet, spent their childhood in Millville and were raised in the L.D.S. Church.
At the age of 26 years, Jay Leonard Pitkin met and married Mary Matilda Henrie, daughter of Joseph Henrie and Susan Duncan, in the Salt Lake Temple on August 11, 1877. Jay's mother, Sarah Ann Huffman Pitkin, and his sister, Harriet Vilate Pitkin Robinson, witnessed the ceremony. They had ten children: Mary Vilate, Rhonda, Raymond B., Sarah Elise, Jay Henrie, George Ozro, William Kennedy, Susan Lanez, Leo Earl and Pearl. All of these children were born in Millville, Utah. The marriage was a love match and a happy one for many years.
Jay L. Pitkin was a big, powerful, active man, more than six feet tall. He was strikingly handsome in his youth with beautiful light bronze coloring and dramatic bone structure of the face. His eyes were hazel, his hair light brown and wavy, and his manner was slightly arrogant and sure. He had more than one man's share of charm and personality. He was quick witted, able, resourceful, and had an excellent mind with a great flare for telling a story. He loved a good time and liked practical jokes, as long as they didn't hurt anyone or fall into the category of vulgarity or stupidity. Jay L. Pitkin was a first class sportsman and a superb horseman. He loved the outdoors, and loved and understood animals. He could make friends without effort and had many intensely loyal ones. Because he was so independent, not wholly self-disciplined, and also somewhat contemptuous of the self-righteous, he also made many enemies, some of which were dillies. His judgement wasn't always wise.
He was the ninth child out of a family of ten, but grew up with only two older half brothers - Ammon Paul Pitkin and George Orrin Pitkin; two older half sisters - Mariah Laura Pitkin and Pamelia Pitkin; and a full sister - Harriet Vilate Pitkin. All of his other siblings had died before he was born, except for a sister, Martha Abigail Pitkin, who married while the Pitkin family was in California, and remained there. Jay's sister, Harriet, adored her brother, but had little influence in his life. It would seem that she began too late, after thoroughly spoiling him in his early years. Harriet often said that Jay was his own worst enemy.
Jay L. Pitkin was an extraordinary man, until he drank. He was not a drunkard. He would go for months without a drink, but occasionally he went on a drinking bout, when he would lose his dignity and natural, graceful ways. Some men would buy their liquor via the back door, but not Jay. He would tether his horse right in front of the saloon for the whole world to see and would get himself gloriously drunk.
Jay and his wife, Mary, didn't get along too well in their later years, and seemed to loose the art of communication. They had experienced a series of heart-breaking incidents, beginning with the loss of their eldest girl, Mary Vilate, and their boy, Jay Henrie, to an epidemic of diphtheria, which had swept through the community. Neither of them ever got over this blow, and his wife grieved until it must have been very hard on Jay. The contagious diseases were not a major problem, because the pioneers led such isolated lives. Waves of epidemics started to occur, however, due to the growth of cities. The pioneers knew little about the spread of disease and innocent victims were claimed in every home.
Also, Mary M. Henrie had been married briefly to a handsome ne'er-do-well and had the marriage dissolved after a few weeks. She had never shared her confidences with her husband, Jay L. Pitkin, or any other member of the family. It is suspected that Jay suffered jealousy, along with their mutual sorrows. His children always wondered if he drank because of his troubles, or whether drinking came first and started misunderstandings in his marriage.
Family rumor had it that his wonderful, but too indulgent and doting mother, Sarah Ann Huffman Pitkin, unwittingly developed his taste for spirits. It was common practice to use brandy or whiskey for medicinal purposes. Pioneer history has given us the knowledge that the brandy bottle was an important item in the medicine kit while crossing the plains. At any rate, his mother had the habit of treating everything from the grippe to the colic or stomachache with the same method - a concoction of whiskey or brandy, mixed with honey and hot water.
Jay L. Pitkin was close to a one-man welfare organization. There wasn't a widow, an orphan, or an older person in the community, who did not at some time benefit from his quiet generosity. Perhaps a load of wood, a piece of meat, or a bag of flour was delivered by him. There was a widow, Sister Scott, with six daughters next door. She was a practical nurse and had, of necessity, to be away from home much of the time. Between Jay and his sons, she was pretty well looked after properly, when a man's services were needed. Sister Scott would find, upon returning home from her work, a winter's supply of wood, cut and neatly stored; or a great chunk of beef or pork ham on her kitchen table. She always knew where it came from, but knew that thanks embarrassed Jay.
Both Jay L. Pitkin and his wife, Mary, had been brought up with the spirit of hospitality. Their home in Millville consisted of five huge rooms, front and back stairs, and a summer kitchen. The kitchen greatly resembled the present day family room. One area was given over to cooking, a work area, and cupboard space. Another area held a great, round oak table with the only lazy Susan in the town. In the same room was a homemade lounge with a straw filled tick on wood slats. It was piled with comfortable pillows and warm blankets. This room was where they cooked, ate, studied, lived and entertained. There was a rocking chair, where sick children were swathed in blankets. Their feet were put in a hot mustard bath, and medicine was administered which was supposed to cure all ailments short of smallpox or appendicitis.
The house was never locked, and no one was ever turned away who needed a meal or a bed. Any one who knew Jay or the existence of the lounge simply came in and went to bed. They never knew who might be sleeping there when they came down stairs in the morning. It could have been a perfect stranger, but not one unhappy incident ever befell them in spite of their most informal arrangement.
Since Jay L. Pitkin's ranch was so much a part of his life and reflected his character and personality, this history wouldn't be complete without something about the ranch and his life there. It was a working ranch, where he raised stock and grazed cattle for others. The homestead law in the U.S. granted public land to settlers free or at a low price on condition that they lived on it and made it productive. Jay owned 20 sections of rangeland, having homesteaded 320 acres, taking two years to prove title. He bought the rest from the U.S. government, paying $1.25 to $1.75 an acre. The ranch was situated about twenty-two miles south and east of his valley property, now called Nibley, and was reached by a steep, winding trail, following the Blacksmith Fork River. It was a dangerous, tortuous trail, which could be very scary traveling. His family traveled to and from the ranch by team, using a white-top Ludlow, a light wagon or a sturdy buggy. Some of the dug ways were so narrow that Jay's wife would walk the small children ahead of the vehicle. If supplies were taken, a heavy wagon was used. A light rig or a man on horseback could make the trip in day, a wagon load or a herd of animals took longer. Automobiles had appeared in the valley, but the rocks and deeply rutted wagon trail kept them out of his mountain wonderland. The pristine spot knew no hordes of tourists, as it would today. Once you arrived at the ranch, it was such a joy. He had a cabin, which lay in a narrow valley called Mill Hollow. The valley was not more than half a mile wide and about eight miles long. It was a lovely, primitive, secluded spot, surrounded on all sides by giant peaks of the Wasatch Range of the Rockies. The sun rose late and set early. The long twilight made for delightful, cool playtime and sociable family get-togethers.
The Mill Hollow cabin was of log and frame and consisted of two large rooms with an enclosed port in between, in which there was a great stone fireplace. One room had the necessary cupboards, wood stove, general housekeeping facilities and two beds. The other room was for sleeping and storage. In the summer, the boys slept outside in the brush covered by lean-twos. There was a great grub box in the main room, which Jay kept locked when no one was at the ranch, because he had to make sure there would always be food on hand. The cabin was left unlocked, however, with a sign that read, "You are welcome to use the cabin and a bed, but please fill the wood box as you found it."
The ranch was the forerunner of the present day dude ranch in that it was a favored vacation spot and a hunter and fisherman's paradise. Many friends and relatives came year after year and loved it. Jay's brother-in-law, Charles Burtis Robbins, husband to his sister, Harriet, came from Logan, Utah each year. The Pickard family from Salt Lake City also stayed several weeks, and sometimes all summer long. One could virtually live off the land, since there was that much game, and so many wild berries. There was an area to the south of the cabin, which he called the lamb pasture. It was partially covered with wild currents and berries. The area was full of cold mountain springs and streams, all loaded with trout. They could be caught by hand or with a bent pin on a string. There was game of all sizes - sage hen, jackrabbit, and venison found their way to his table. Venison was used to make jerky. There were millions of gophers that poked their heads up out of the ground, impudently, and ate the green shoots in the vegetable garden nearby. For fun the children would take pot shots at them. They would ride their ponies and explore every spot in the little valley, with no thought of fear. If they got lost, the ponies knew their way and always got them back home safely.
There were willows and other shrubs to provide privacy for visiting campers. They would set up their tents and cooking gear but when a storm struck, everyone would scamper for the cabin and fill it to overflowing. One time when there were several families encamped in Mill Hollow, including the Lassleys and Bybees from Box Elder County, a severe storm blew up, with thunder, lightning, a strong wind and a cloudburst. Their tents and bedding became soaked, so they all filed into the cabin for the rest of the night. There were sleeping children on the beds and adults leaning against the furniture or lying on the floor, so that the place was packed. One of the visiting men sat cleaning a rifle, which he discharged by accident. Miraculously, no one was hit, but there was a look of shock and disgust on Jay's face at such stupidity.
Charles Robbins was a favorite visitor. He loved children and they adored him. He had a delicious sense of humor and liked fun and jokes, as much as Jay did. When the men were at the cabin by themselves, they enjoyed community cooking. Jay, being the host, always became the first cook. It was the rule that anyone who criticized the food would automatically become the chef. Jay soon got rid of the job by tricking most of the men, but not Charles Robbins. Hot biscuits were Charles weakness, and Jay made the best biscuits ever. Jay began to deliberately over cook the biscuits, but not a complaint came from his brother-in-law, Charles. Jay eventually burned them, and Charles would say, "Jay, these are the blackest biscuits I've ever seen in all my life, but it's just the way I like them!"
In 1890, Jay sold part of his land at the ranch, and after his death, his wife sold it to the Peterson's in Hyrum.
Another facet of Jay's generous nature was his habit of lending money to any one who was in need. Their needs might have been because of sickness, a late mortgage payment, or unpaid taxes. He would just write out a check and marked the stub, "on loan to…." If and when the loan was paid, he made a notation. Jay did keep a ledger of sorts, but his handy checkbook was about all the bookkeeping he ever did. It was surprising to find how many debtors never bothered to repay him. After his death, his wife and daughter went over the stubs and ledger to see how much was owed and pondered on how much could be salvaged. They found that he had died intestate, and his fortunes were at low ebb. Money was desperately needed for Jay's own family to meet their debts and to pay doctor bills, since his daughter, Pearl, was acutely afflicted at the time. It is a sad commentary that almost none of his loans were ever collected for his family.
Jay was an insatiable news collector and wrote many letters in an effort to keep in touch with family back east and to exchange information, sort of a mission job. You wouldn't have expected it from him, but he mostly tried to get information from the anti-element and to recover, if possible, the tar bucket that was used to tar the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Jay lead of fairly hard life. Of interest, a news article, printed in the Logan Journal in March 1891 stated, "Yesterday, the 12th, another serious accident occurred in which Jay L. Pitkin had his right leg broken in two places, below the knee. The cirumstance through which the sad accident occurred was as follows: He was riding fast on the sidewalk to head a cow. The horse, being had to manage, crowded too close to the fence and by so doing the toe of his foot was caught between the pickets. As good luck happened in connection with the bad, Dr. Snow happened to come along just about the time and Mr. Pitkin was taken into the Bishop's. The doctor called in, set his leg, and left him as comfortable as could be expected."
Another news article printed in the Logan Journal in June 1904 stated, "Bears are becoming entirely too numerous and aggressive this year in the adjacent mountains. Jay Pitkin of Millville reports that he has had seven head of cattle killed by them recently in Blacksmith Fork Canyon, and several others so badly bitten and clawed that they may died. Other cattle owners are also suffering from the same cause."
In the winter of 1909, Jay Leonard Pitkin was alone at the ranch and the snow was heavy. The weather was subzero when he went to dig cattle out of the snowdrifts and get them to the feed sheds. He got wet and half-frozen and eventually came down with pneumonia. He saddled his Arabian gelding and set out for the nearest doctor, eighteen miles away in Hyrum, Utah. He made it to the home of old and dear friends, the McBrides, with whom he had been associated in business. He died soon after, and his body was brought home, when readied for burial.
Though it was not entirely voluntary, Jay L. Pitkin hadn't been active in the church for a number of years. He was a rugged outdoors man, who could use salty language. He showed his contempt for hypocrites, all of whom made him more or less unwelcome in the Lord's house. He helped support the Mormon Church, usually paid a tithe, and was invariably kind to those in need. On his death, however, there was strong opposition to holding his funeral in the church chapel, which also served as town meeting hall and a place of recreation. Friends interceded, so that it was held there, but he was denied the privilege of burial in his temple clothes.
Only his and his wife's friends came by the home to see his remains, but the meeting hall was filled to capacity. It was as though many had come out of curiosity to see what if any good could be said of this man. Two very good men spoke briefly, comforting the family, speaking honestly of his good qualities and ignoring his faults. The principle speakers were, however, not admirers of his, and the funeral service turned into an incredible sideshow. They dwelt vehemently on his drinking, his cuss words, and his inactivity in the church, without a remark of kindness. His daughter, Susan, was thirteen at the time, and she sat stunned and unbelieving. Her heart was breaking for her poor mother, sitting by her side, in deep humiliation.
There was in the congregation, an elderly pioneer gentleman, one Samuel Whitney. Years before, he had met with a serious accident, which crushed his leg badly. Jay Pitkin, with others, rescued him and got him help. Sarah Ann Pitkin, Jay's mother, was the town midwife and a good practical nurse; she helped to amputate his leg. This respected old man strode to the podium on his wooden leg, interrupted one particularly obnoxious speaker, and took over the services long enough to tell the people what he thought of their ill behavior. He recounted Jay's generosity and his aid to the poor what he had done for the community, and how he had loaned money to help someone hold a farm or pay their taxes; money which his own family could well have needed. Samuel Whitney ended by calling them all dirty hypocrites then returned sobbing to his seat. The service came to an abrupt halt and the congregation passed by the casket, on which rested one lonely wreath - the one provided by his own family.
Jay Leonard Pitkin died on February 5, 1909 at age 58. He is buried in the Millville cemetery alongside his wife and parents, marked with a simple headstone.
For material pertaining to the history and lineage of the early Pitkin family in America, see The Pitkin Book, published in 1887 by A.P. Pitkin. For additional history on Jay L. Pitkin's childhood see the History of Harriet Vilate Pitkin Robinson Robbins, compiled by Clara Seager McRae. For information on Jay's mother see The Story of Sarah Ann Huffman Pitkin, compiled by Susan La Nez Pitkin Cragun.
Concerning the children of Jay Leonard Pitkin:
Mary Vilate Pitkin died Dec. 29, 1891.
Rhoda Pitkin died Feb. 7, 1880.
Raymond B. Pitkin married Edna Maushley April 21, 1915 in Logan, Utah. Raymond died Nov. 29, 1960.
Sarah Elise Pitkin married Joseph Asa Young Sept. 11, 1918. They had at least five daughters, one born in Cardston, Canada was named Connet Elise Young. Sarah died Feb. 6, 1962.
Jay Henrie Pitkin died Dec. 31, 1891.
George Ozro Pitkin married Bessie Smith. George died Jan. 8, 1963.
William Kennedy Pitkin married Rachel Burns. William died April 20, 1952.
Susan Lanez Pitkin married Dresden James Cragun on Oct. 10, 1922 in Bountiful, Utah. They had at least three children, including Mary V. and James Jay Cragun.
Leo Earl Pitkin married Ella Branvold. Leo died Oct. 5, 1954.
Pearl Pitkin married Peter Washington Rogers on Feb. 2, 1931. Pearl died March 15, 1964.
Reference sources:
1. History of Harriet Vilate Pitkin, compiled by Clara Seager McRae, 1988.
2. Milleville cemetery records.
End note: I, Kara Seager-Segalla, have always wanted to see Mill Hollow. I went out to look for the Pitkin Ranch in July of 2001 with my cousin, Gayle Peters. I did find the area to be peaceful and serene. The hollow is narrow, surrounded by low hills and beautiful, pine covered, mountains in the distance. The surrounding hills are sparsely covered with cider trees, sage brush, range grasses and wild flowers. California yellow poppies cover the hills in the spring time. The Mill Hollow runs north and south and is about two and a half miles south of the Hardware Ranch. It is obviously named after the slow, meandering Mill Creek, which flows through it and provides water for willows, wild choke cherries, and lush, green pasture land. I definitely enjoyed visiting the area and found myself thinking of the Pitkin family spending their summers together with their many friends.
More About JAY LEONARD PITKIN:
Burial: Millville, Cache, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Pneumonia
Namesake: Uncle, Leonard Pitkin
Occupation: Rancher
More About MARY MATILDA HENRIE:
Burial: Millville Cemetery, Millville, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Multiple carcinoma, primary seat left breast
Religion: LDS
iii.JACOB WHITE PITKIN (Source: The Pitkin History by M.R. Hovey, combined in 1934.), b. 22 Apr 1855, Waldo Hills, Marion, Oregon, USA; d. 13 May 1855, Waldo Hills, Marion, Oregon, USA.
Notes for JACOB WHITE PITKIN:
Died in infancy.
More About JACOB WHITE PITKIN:
Namesake: Great grandmother, Martha White
11. HANNAH ELIZABETH5 WHEATON (HANNAH ELIZABETH4 JOHNSON, ABRAHAM3, POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2, WILLIAM1) (Source: 1850 Iowa census; 1860, 1880, 1920 census for Coalville, Utah; photo in possession of Kara Seager-Segalla.) was born 11 Feb 1835 in Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada, and died 13 Feb 1926 in Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA. She married WILLIAM HENDERSON SMITH (Source: 1850 census Sugar House, Utah; 1860, 1880 census for Coalville, Utah; photo in possession of Kara Seager-Segalla.) 01 Sep 1851 in Pottowatome Commonwealth, Iowa (Source: Pottowatome Commonwealth, Iowa records.), son of WILLIAM SMITH and HANNAH MCLEAN. He was born 13 Oct 1827 in Elderstown, Beaver, Pennsylvania, USA, and died 25 Dec 1914 in Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA.
More About HANNAH ELIZABETH WHEATON:
Burial: Coalville, Utah cemetery, section C, block 6, lot 2, grave 4
Namesake: Mother, Hannah
Religion: LDS; Original Utah Pioneer of 1852
Notes for WILLIAM HENDERSON SMITH:
A history, written by Mr. and Mrs. Walter Lee, was printed in The Park Record for Summitt County, sometime before 1948, as follows, "The Father of Coalville, William Henderson Smith - We find in the records that a Wm. H. Smith was born in Toronto, Canada, in the year 1774. Also, the woman he afterwards married, Hannah McLean, was born in the same town in the year 1789. In the records of Washington Co., Pennsylvania, this entry: William H. Smith and Hannah McLean were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony on the second day of May in the year of our Lord 1815. To this union there were born one girl and five boys, the last one to be born, being the one we are writing about, one, William Henderson Smith, Jr., who was born on October 13, 1827.
Of his youth we find very little, that some of it, however, was spent at Carthage and Nauvoo, Illinois, where he acted as a guard in those troublesome times. We find this record in Pottowatome Commonwealth, Iowa: Wm. H. Smith and Hannah E. Wheaton married September 1, 1851. To this union were born 10 children, 6 girls, and 4 boys. It is about this time for shortly after the marriage they came to Sale Lake City and settled in Sugar House where he became engaged in freighting with ox teams, and making many trips to Council Bluff to help emigrant trains.
In the fall of 1857, while returning from one of his freighting trips, he made a night camp at the ford of Chalk Creek, somewhere about where the Samuel Clark farm is now. On starting out in the morning to hunt his oxen which had been turned loose to feed for the night the night before, he noticed some wheat had grown and ripened during the summer, the supposition being that some freighter, the spring before, had fed his animals some wheat, and some of it had spilled on the ground where it had taken root and gown. Standing there for a moment before going on his errand, he thought that if wheat would grow and ripen without cultivation, surely it would grow , if cultivated and that this place would be an ideal one in which to make his future home. Upon his arrival in Salt Lake City, he tried to get others interested in the place, but at this time, he could not get anyone to listen to him.
In the summer of 1858, he came to Chalk Creek as it was then known, located some ground, cut some cottonwood logs on the Weber River bottoms, and built himself a small house about where the Summit Merc. and Furn. office now stands. On finishing the house, he returned to Salt Lake City for the winter, also to get ready to move his wife and family to their new home.
In the middle of the winter of 1858, he started out with his ox team. Although his friends tried to persuade him not to, on account of the perils of the journey, he still persisted, and we find him on his way. His good wife, having baked lots of bread and having other supplies and having freighted over this trail many times, he had no fears when he should have had, for it took two weeks to make this trip. In the blinding snow storm, his teams got stuck in the snow on Atkinson Flat and gave up. Knowing from past experience, that he must have help or perish, he fed his oxen and started on foot for Samuel Snyder Sawmill, located at where Snyderville is now, close to Park City, for help. In these stormy days, you women and mothers , who sit in your comfortable homes and watch the snow swirl around outside, think of that mother and wife in that wagon trying to keep herself and babies from freezing to death on that lonely vigil, during the whole night with only the coyotes howl for company, of the hopes that her husband would get help, of her fears that the storm would get him down and freeze him to death, leaving her and babes to perish, not to be found until the roads were opened in the spring. Is there any wonder that with such women as this one, that the west has been conquered and made to blossom like a rose? They were not to die there, however, held up by that indomitable spirit and the thought of his wife and babes, he struggled through snow sometimes up to his waist, and finally won through to Snyders Sawmill, where he secured other ox teams and other help and went back. When he got within a mile, he started to shout his wife's name and kept shouting until she finally heard him and standing on the wagon tongue, she waived her apron to him. How his heart must have jumped to his throat to find his wife and children yet alive after that awful night. With the help of Snyder's teams and men, he got across the flat and over the ridge into what is known as Three Mile Canyon where the help left and he came on alone eventually arriving t his newly built home where Coalville now stands and started at once to get out logs and poles for a stable and corral.
In the spring, leaving his wife and children here, he went back to Salt Lake City to try again to get others to come to settle and succeeded in getting two others, Alanson Norton, Andrew Williams. On the 22nd day of April, 1859, they started for what was then known as Chalk Creek, arriving here on the 26 of April, 1859. They were soon joined by others, Joel Lewis Andrew Johnson, and H.B. Wilde. These people began at once to clear the ground for agriculture. Mr. Smith taking a piece of ground of what is now from Main Street to the Weber River. Other hardy men and women came in from time to time that summer, and it was not long before a firm foundation was laid for what is now the City of Coalville.
From here on, we find the name of Wm. Smith in every move made for the benefit and betterment of the people of Coalville, giving generously of his money and time to help build the town. We find that he was the first teacher who taught the children in a school house standing in the middle of the street at the back of where G.Y. Bullock Service Station now stands, teaching there for three full winters without pay of any kind, being glad to give his time for the advancement of the children of the community. There are persons here alive today who received some of their schooling in that old log school house with Wm. H. Smith as teacher. Then, when the rock school and meeting house was built, he furnished two teams of oxen, wagons and drivers to haul stone and lumber, free of charge, then gave one hundred dollars gold to help buy other necessities for its construction.
In the year of 1867, a meeting was held in the rock school house to organize the city of Coalville. The following officers being chosen to represent the people: for Mayor, W.W. Cluff; councilmen, H.B. Wilde, W.H. Smith, H.B. Clemons, Ira Hinckley, and John Staley. A short time later, he and his good wife operated the first hotel in Coalville. He was a prominent figure in every effort to build up Coalville, engaging in farming, hotel, freighting, etc; furnishing ox teams to help build the U.P.R.R. grade through Echo Canyon, also the John W. Young, narrow gauge railroad to Park City, and many other enterprises in the upbuilding of the west.
In the spring of 1903, when the citizens of Summit County decided to build a new Court House, they wanted a nice building and someone, some say it was Alma Eldridge, suggested that they build one like Tooele County. William H. Smith was appointed to go there and see it. Going all the ay there and back with a horse and buggy, the popular mode of traveling in those days, he brought the building plans with him.
He acted as justice of the peace for many years, also as a guard during all of the outlaw and Indian troubles here. And here it may be said that he had done more for the upbuilding of this small town than any other man in the community. Here we must pause to pay tribute to that grand women, his wife, who was ever by his side helping, guiding, and counseling him in his many activities, and who unsparingly gave of her time to help other settlers who were in trouble and sickness. William Henderson Smith and his wife resided here continuously from the time they arrived to their deaths. He died on the 25th day of December 1914, at the age of 87 years, 2 months, 12 days. In concluding the history of this worthy couple, we will say that it has been gathered from many sources and that we are indebted to Mrs. Ethel Wilson, granddaughter of Wm. Smith for many facts and dates, also to another old resident of Coalville, Mr. Jospeh Warburton, son-in-law of Wm. H. Smith. Many thanks to them."
A new combined headstone for William Henderson Smith and his wife, Hannah Elizabeth Wheaton was placed in the Coalville Cemetery on Memorial Day 2004, stating that William was the founder of Coalville and listing their children.
More About WILLIAM HENDERSON SMITH:
Burial: Coalville City Cemetery, Coalville, Utah
Military service: Guard during the outlaw and Indian troubles in Utah
Occupation: Freightor, school teacher, hotel keeper, justice of the peace, Railroad contractor, postmaster
Children of HANNAH WHEATON and WILLIAM SMITH are:
i. HANNAH ELIZABETH6 SMITH (Source: 1860 census Coalville, UT.), b. 29 May 1852, Pottowatome, Common Wealth, Iowa, USA; d. Aft. 1860, of Coalville, Summitt, Utah, USA.
ii. MARGARET ANN SMITH (Source: 1860 Coalville, Utah census; 1880 census for Park City, Utah; death certif..), b. 29 Aug 1854, Sugar House, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; d. 07 Jul 1913, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah; m. AMOS MOSHER (Source: 1880 census for Park City, Utah; death certif..), 1876, Park City, Summit, Utah, USA; b. 26 Jul 1847, Clifton Park, Saratoga, New York, USA; d. 26 Aug 1918, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA.
Notes for MARGARET ANN SMITH:
Margaret Smith, aka Maggie, and Amos Mosher had six children: Melvin A., Edna, Florence, Glenna, Fred Amos, and Laura Mosher (Hutchings).
More About MARGARET ANN SMITH:
Burial: Mt. Olivet Cemetery, grave O-122-5, Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Cause of Death: Apaplexy - cerebral hemorrage
More About AMOS MOSHER:
Burial: Mt. Olivet Cemetery, grave O-122-6, Salt Lake City, Utah
Cause of Death: Nephritis
Occupation: Saloon keeper, stockman
iii.WILLIAM HENDERSON SMITH (Source: 1860, 1880 census for Coalville, Utah; 1920, 1930 census for Upton, Utah.), b. 03 Mar 1857, Sugar House, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; d. 01 Feb 1936, Upton, Summit, Utah, USA; m. SARAH JANE COONS (Source: 1920 census for Upton, Utah.), 16 Jul 1881, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; b. 30 Apr 1863, Pleasant Green, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; d. 08 Sep 1895, Upton, Summit Co., Utah, USA.
Notes for WILLIAM HENDERSON SMITH:
William Smith and Sara Coons had six children: William Ruben, Florence, Ethel, Claude John Claude, Vernon James, and Samuel Raymond Smith.
More About WILLIAM HENDERSON SMITH:
Burial: Coalville City Cemetery, Coalville, Utah
Namesake: Father
Occupation: Sheep herder, farmer
More About SARAH JANE COONS:
Burial: Coalville cemetery, Coalville, Summit Co., Utah, USA
iv.CYRENA J. SMITH (Source: 1860, 1880 census for Coalville, Utah.), b. 16 Nov 1859, Sugar House, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; d. 05 Dec 1924, Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho, USA; m. GEORGE WASHINGTON EDINGTON (Source: 1850 census for Marion Co., Ohio; 1856, 1860 census for Center, Iowa.), 12 Jan 1881, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; b. 14 Feb 1849, Marion Co., Ohio, USA; d. 25 Jan 1903, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA.
Notes for CYRENA J. SMITH:
Cyrena, aka Serena, and her husband had four children, George Washington, Frederick R.C., Elizabeth, and William McKinley Edgington.
More About CYRENA J. SMITH:
Burial: H-36-4-1-, Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
More About GEORGE WASHINGTON EDINGTON:
Burial: H-36-4-1, Coalville Cemetery, Coalville, Summitt, Utah
Military: Soldier in the Civil War
Occupation: Farmer, railroad engineer
v. JOHN PERRY SMITH (Source: 1880 census for Coalville, Utah.), b. 06 May 1862, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; d. 04 May 1901, Eureka, Juab, Utah, USA; m. LOULIA BRENNETTA ALLEN, 08 Aug 1882, Lander, Fremont, Wyoming, USA; b. 06 May 1866, West Jordan, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; d. 28 Apr 1935, Emmett, Idaho, USA.
Notes for JOHN PERRY SMITH:
John Smith and Loulia Allen had twelve children: infant son Smith, Winnifred Smith, Leafy Lineria Smith, infant female Smith, Marguerite Brennetta Smith, Marion Nevada Smith (Pateiziel), Ruby Hannah Smith, Frank Allen Smith, Dea Marie Smith, John Wheaton Smith, Loulia Katherine Smith, and Mamie Callimore Smith (adopted).
More About JOHN PERRY SMITH:
Burial: C 6 2 1, Coalville City Cemetery, Coalville, Utah
Occupation: Sheep herder
More About LOULIA BRENNETTA ALLEN:
Burial: C 14 4 2, Coalville cemetery, Coalville, Summit Co., Utah, USA
vi.BEATRICE HENDERSON SMITH (Source: 1880 census for Coalville, Utah.), b. 02 Dec 1864, Coaville, Summit, Utah, USA; d. 02 Jun 1899, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; m. JOSEPH WARBURTON (Source: 1880 census for Upton, Utah; 1920 cencus for Magna, Utah; death certif..), 02 Jan 1884, Park City, Summit, Utah, USA; b. 10 Apr 1860, Barney's Canyon, Salt Lake, Utah, USA; d. 11 Jul 1948, Coalville, Summit Co., Utah, USA.
More About BEATRICE HENDERSON SMITH:
Burial: C-9-2-2, Coalville cemetery, Coalville, Summit Co., Utah, USA
Notes for JOSEPH WARBURTON:
Joseph Warburton's parents were born in England.
More About JOSEPH WARBURTON:
Burial: C-9-2-1, Coalville cemetery, Coalville, Summit Co., Utah, USA
Occupation: Servan, laborer, miner, railroad man
vii.FLORENCE I. SMITH (Source: 1880 census for Coalville, Utah.), b. 07 Jul 1869, Coaville, Summit, Utah, USA; d. Aft. 1889, of Kamas, Summit, Utah, USA; m. (1) MELVON BARNEY OLDFIELD; b. Abt. 1868; m. (2) FRANK M. PINNEO (Source: Utah Cemetery Inventory; obituary.), 1886, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; b. 11 Dec 1861, Leoti, Wichita, Kansas, USA; d. 30 May 1903, Park City, Summit, Utah, USA.
Notes for FRANK M. PINNEO:
Obituary in the Park Record, printed in Mary 1903, stated, "Frank M. Pinneo Dead. Passed away early this morning after less than a weeks illness with pneumonia. This announce will cause deep sorrow in many heart, not only in Park City, where he was known by everybody, but through out the county and in other parts of the state where he had lived and worked for many years. Genial, affable, generous, big hearted Pinneo. It is indeed hard to realize that he is gone, that his friendly greetings are forever stilled that his willing hands are helpless, and his life's work is done. But such is the case. Sadly will he be missed in this office where for nearly four years he has edited the record and assisted in the mechanical branch of the business. An able writer, a thorough printer, a trusted friend, and companion. He will be both missed and mourned by The Record force in particular and the community in general. Last Saturday he was at his post apparently in his usual good health but on Sunday morning he was taken sick. He thought nothing of it at first, but as he gradually got worse, he sent for a doctor, who pronounced the complaint pneumonia. Friends soon heard of his sickness and everything possible was done to relieve his sufferings. He kept getting worse and on Thursday morning he was so low that no hope of his recovery was entertained. He rallied however and seemed to gain so rapidly that his family and friends were jubilant with the thought that he would pull through, the doctor encouraging them in this belief, but his strength and vitality were gone and yesterday noon a change of the worse came, and despite the attention of a trained nurse and devoted friends, he gradually sank and at 2:20 this morning breathed his last. Frank M. Pinneo was born in Leoti, Kansas on Dec. 11th 1861 making him 42 years old last December. During his early youth he lived in Kentucky where he received his education. When a young man he went into the Black Hills and engaged in the newspaper business, which profession he had followed ever since. In 1886 he was married to Miss Florence Smith in Coalville, this county, shortly after going to Florida where he remained two years. In 1888 he and wife went to Salt Lake, where he worked a number of years during which time he was foreman of the Tribune. He was an active and popular member of Salt Lake Typographical Union, No. 115, which he served as secretary for a number of years, and went as a delegate to the international convention at Phila Delphia in 1891. He was always a consistent union man, always ready to help the members of the craft as well as all others needing assistance. In 1893 he removed to Coalville and assumed the management of the Coalville Times, accomplishing much toward the up building of Coalville while editing that paper. In 1899 he accepted a position as edition of The Record, which position he held at the time of his death. He leaves a wife and four children to mourn his loss to whom the sympathy of the community will go out. He has a sister in Stockton, Kansas, a brother in Chicago, and one in Iowa. They have been telegraphed to, but as yet no reply has been received except from the sister, who stated that owing to the several washouts on the railroads, it would be impossible for her to attend the funeral. Mr. Pinneo was secretary of Park City Lodge No. 734, B 1?0 Elks, being one of its charter members and also a member in good standing of Park Lodge No.4?, Park City Camp No. 376, Woodmen of the World Park Camp No. 10637 Modern Woodmen of America. He is insured for $5000-$8000 in the Woodmen of the World, and $2000 in the Modern Woodmen of America. He was also a charter member of Park City Typographical Union No. 5?0, and an enthusiastic member of the Trades Assembly of this city. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock from Masonic ? under the auspices of the four orders named, the funeral services being conducted by the Elks."
More About FRANK M. PINNEO:
Burial: Glenwood Cemetery, Utah
Cause of Death: Pneumonia
Occupation: News paper editor and writer
viii.EVALYN SMITH, b. 11 Jul 1871, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; d. 1879, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA.
More About EVALYN SMITH:
Burial: Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
ix. JAMES MCLEAN SMITH, b. 12 Jul 1873, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; d. 1879, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA.
More About JAMES MCLEAN SMITH:
Burial: Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
x. SAMUEL HENDERSON SMITH, b. 18 Oct 1875, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; d. 1879, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA.
More About SAMUEL HENDERSON SMITH:
Burial: D 3-2-1, Coalville Cemetery, Coalville, Summitt, Utah
12. HENRY WESLEY5 WHEATON (HANNAH ELIZABETH4 JOHNSON, ABRAHAM3, POSSIBLY ABRAHAM2, WILLIAM1) (Source: 1850 Iowa census; 1860, 1880, 1910 census for Coalville, Utah.) was born 02 Apr 1837 in Waterloo, Bertie Twp., Ontario, Canada, and died 27 Nov 1916 in Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA. He married SOPHIA JANE WILLIAMS (Source: 1880 census for Coalville, Utah.) Abt. 1859 in of Coalville, Summitt, Utah, USA, daughter of WILLLIAMS and MARY BROOKS. She was born Abt. 1841 in Keokuk, Des Moines, Iowa, USA, and died 21 Apr 1885 in Coalville, Summitt, Utah, USA.
Notes for HENRY WESLEY WHEATON:
In the Register of St. Paul's Church, Waterloo, Township of Bertie, "On the eighteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, I baptized Hentry, son of John Westley Wheaton (lately deceased), and of Hannah his wife, born on the second day of April in the preceding year John Anderson Rector of Waterloo."
Henry Wesley Wheaton came to Utah from Iowa in 1852 as a member of the Captain David Wood's Ox Train, with his mother, Hannah Johnson, Huffman, Wheaton, Staley and two half brothers, John and Conrad Staley. They arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah on Oct. 1, 1852. The 1880 census states that Henry was born in Canada and ran a saw mill. He is also listed as being born in Canada in the 1860 census.
More About HENRY WESLEY WHEATON:
Burial: Coalville Cemetery, Section B, block 18, lot 2, grave 1
Cause of Death: Arterio sclerosis
Namesake: Father, John Wesley
Occupation: Farmer. ran a saw mill
Religion: LDS; original Utah pioneer before 1852
Notes for SOPHIA JANE WILLIAMS:
Sophia Randall and Henry Wheaton had eight children, four boys and four girls: John Wesley, Henry, William Jacob, Mary Elizabeth, Laura O'Retta, George, Mae, and Sophia Jammie.
More About SOPHIA JANE WILLIAMS:
Burial: B-18-2-2, Coalville City Cemetery, Summit, Utah, USA
Children of HENRY WHEATON and SOPHIA WILLIAMS are:
i. LORETTA6 WHEATON (Source: 1880, 1910 census for Coalville, Utah; death certif..), b. 18 Aug 1860, Coalville, Summit, Utah, USA; d. 30 Nov 1953, Ogden,