Dale and Mary, children of Basil and Jennie Layton
Resting place for Dale, son of Basil Layton
Resting place for Mary, daughter of Basil and Jennie Layton
Headstone for Basil Orson Layton and Jennie La Verne Weaver
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
More Family Headstones
Close-up of birthdate for Mary Jane Roberts Layton
Headstone for Mary Jane Roberts Layton
Lucy Ellen Roberts Headstone
Monument for Mary Jane Roberts Layton and Rosa A. Layton
Henry Roberts Headstone
Headstone for Marinda Roberts Doney and her husband, John Doney, and his other wife, Ann G. Doney.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Letter Written By Job Smith. Levi Roberts Family Mentioned
Taken from a letter written by Job Smith. Talks a little about the Mormon Battalion and mentions him helping to take care of Levi Robert's family while Levi is with the Mormon Battalion.
http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/docviewer.exe?CISOROOT=
/Diaries&CISOPTR=7670&CISOSHOW=3685
"…town on the Des Moines river. Near that town we stopped a week or two to work to earn some necessaries flour &c. We were in company with several English breth- ren -- namely Robert Harris, Thomas Bloxam, and some others. At Mount Pisgah -- a place where the pioneers had made a farm to raise sustenance for those who should follow -- we fell in with a consider-- able number of English brethren, with whom we travelled to Council Bluffs. Distance from Nauvoo about 330 miles. Here we received a requisition from the United States for five hundred men to volunteer to go to California to fight in the Mexican War. This was one of the most barbarous and cruel {mean} requi- sitions that could have been made upon any people under the circumstances. The notion had gone out amongst them that the Mormons had gone out to join the Indians against the {U} Government. This requisition was got up as it was said to test our loyalty -- and with a scheme laid, that if this call was not attended to an army should come and re-enact the Missouri scenes; only to destroy entirely the Mormons as a people.
"However, the men were forthcoming, which took the flower of the camp. The young, stout and robust men thus left their families shel- terless and many of them without food to travel on foot a journey of several thousand miles {on foot} across deserts and plains almost impracti- cable to cross. Why I mention this is because some were obliged to be responsible for those {whose} families who were thus bereaved in such an ^ unfavorable time. There were no houses for shelter, no neighbours but Ind- ians, and nothing save the open uncultivated prairie to live upon, the summer was now nearly spent (we arrived at the Bluffs July 15th) and every thing to be done, inasmuch as {it} circumstances rendered it impracticable to travel further that season. My Uncle and myself took charge of the cattle, and agreed to exercise a general providing watch-care over 6 families. Namely D. Browett's, John Cox, Levi Roberts, Robert Harris, Richard Slater and Robt. Pixton's I cannot now understand what ideas could have been entertained by us to think we could perform such a task or by them to have thought that we could do it.
To provide shelter, wood, (and until pay could be sent back by the men) provisions and other necessaries, for 6 families consisting of some 40 persons -- more or less, -- when houses are already built, and most of the ne- cessaries of life prepared is no small matter, but under those circumstances was a task incompre- hensible to be done by us! Yet in our willing zeal we undertook it. I was very small of my age -- quite unhealthy and somewhat young, or unques- tionably I should have been one of the volunteers. Thus started the celebrated "Mormon Battalion". My uncle and myself being now so constantly and arduously engaged with the cattle &c of the families left in our care, we soon fell sick. We crossed the Missouri River about the Last of August, and from the day we crossed that river we were both taken sick, and here commences one of the..."
http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/docviewer.exe?CISOROOT=
/Diaries&CISOPTR=7670&CISOSHOW=3685
"…town on the Des Moines river. Near that town we stopped a week or two to work to earn some necessaries flour &c. We were in company with several English breth- ren -- namely Robert Harris, Thomas Bloxam, and some others. At Mount Pisgah -- a place where the pioneers had made a farm to raise sustenance for those who should follow -- we fell in with a consider-- able number of English brethren, with whom we travelled to Council Bluffs. Distance from Nauvoo about 330 miles. Here we received a requisition from the United States for five hundred men to volunteer to go to California to fight in the Mexican War. This was one of the most barbarous and cruel {mean} requi- sitions that could have been made upon any people under the circumstances. The notion had gone out amongst them that the Mormons had gone out to join the Indians against the {U} Government. This requisition was got up as it was said to test our loyalty -- and with a scheme laid, that if this call was not attended to an army should come and re-enact the Missouri scenes; only to destroy entirely the Mormons as a people.
"However, the men were forthcoming, which took the flower of the camp. The young, stout and robust men thus left their families shel- terless and many of them without food to travel on foot a journey of several thousand miles {on foot} across deserts and plains almost impracti- cable to cross. Why I mention this is because some were obliged to be responsible for those {whose} families who were thus bereaved in such an ^ unfavorable time. There were no houses for shelter, no neighbours but Ind- ians, and nothing save the open uncultivated prairie to live upon, the summer was now nearly spent (we arrived at the Bluffs July 15th) and every thing to be done, inasmuch as {it} circumstances rendered it impracticable to travel further that season. My Uncle and myself took charge of the cattle, and agreed to exercise a general providing watch-care over 6 families. Namely D. Browett's, John Cox, Levi Roberts, Robert Harris, Richard Slater and Robt. Pixton's I cannot now understand what ideas could have been entertained by us to think we could perform such a task or by them to have thought that we could do it.
To provide shelter, wood, (and until pay could be sent back by the men) provisions and other necessaries, for 6 families consisting of some 40 persons -- more or less, -- when houses are already built, and most of the ne- cessaries of life prepared is no small matter, but under those circumstances was a task incompre- hensible to be done by us! Yet in our willing zeal we undertook it. I was very small of my age -- quite unhealthy and somewhat young, or unques- tionably I should have been one of the volunteers. Thus started the celebrated "Mormon Battalion". My uncle and myself being now so constantly and arduously engaged with the cattle &c of the families left in our care, we soon fell sick. We crossed the Missouri River about the Last of August, and from the day we crossed that river we were both taken sick, and here commences one of the..."
History of James Oliverson
HISTORY OF JAMES OLIVERSON
(Information from Ray Oliverson)
Levi Earl Oliverson and James Oliverson’s Personal Journals
James Oliverson was born 3 March 1823, at Belmount Sharples, Lancashire, England. He was the 5th child out of a family of eight, six boys and 2 girls. His parents were John Oliverson and Esther Baron. The other members of the family were Christopher, born 17 December 1813; Baron, christened 7 January, 1815; Isabella, born 22 August, 1819; Nancy, born 21 August 1820; Robert, born 12 May 1825; John Beadsley, born 25 July 1827; and Richard Thomas, born about 1830. Christopher, Baron, Isabella and Nancy were born in Great Harwood, Lancashire, England. Robert and John were born at Pendleton, Lancashire, England. and Richard Thomas awas born at Great Harwood, Lancashire, England.
It was here in England where James spent his childhood, his father was a shoemaker. It seemed to be customary in those days for the father to teach their children, especially their sons, a trade similar to the one they pursued. James was also taught the trade of harness and tent making, which helped him after coming to America.
When James was 15 years old (1838) he joined the English Navy. He served with the Navy until their was a death in the family. He applied for a leave and his application was rejected. James was a person who knew his own mind and what he wanted to do. Upon finding that his application was not granted, he went AWOL to attend the funeral and eventually deserted the Navy.
During the remainder of his life in England he remained under cover, until he could find transportation out of the country. Eventually he obtained passage on a cargo ship, which was going to America. I (Mona Rogers) have a dinner plate that has been handed down to us, and we have been told that James brought this plate with him from England, and that he came to America when he was 17 years old. Earl Oliverson says he arrived in New York City, in 1848 or 49, but if he came over when he was 17, as his daughter Jennet has told us, it would be 1840. (Ray says he has heard that he came to New Orleans, then up the Mississippi).
During his stay in New York City he received a letter from his father, John Oliverson, telling him that he could obtain money that he would need, by going to a certain bank. Whether he ever drew any money from the bank is not known.
Apparently the family in England, were the owners of property, this is shown by the return of Richard Thomas Oliverson, James’ younger brother, to England in the late nineteenth century to obtain his share of the estate.
The California gold rush was a very tempting enticement for the young men of those days, especially those who weren’t married or had home ties. James having no reason to stay in New York City, decided that he would go to California and run his chances on stricking a rich claim.
It seems to have been the nature of James Oliverson to keep diaries and journals of his experiences most of his life and we have a few of these journals. Ray Oliverson has taken these journals and as I say translated them from James’ own hand writing and typed them, also had them micro-filmed at the Utah Historical Society Library.
I have gone thru these journals and picked out the most interesting parts, and hope everyone will enjoy them.
One of these journals was kept during the time he crossed the plains. It starts June 14 and ends July 18, but no year is given, and no mention of where they were started from, but he tells of a murder that happened in his July 4th entry, and he says; "this is the second case of this kind we have seen since we left Independence, so they must of started in Missouri. They traveled along the Platte River, with Ox teams, and make about 20 miles a day. June 17; "Iched up at 1/2 past 6 A.M. traveled the bottoms of the North Branch of the Platte River and camped 2 hours before sun-down at about 2 P.M. We had a heavy hail storm attended with heavy thunder and lightening, we had to hold our oxen, the hail stones was so large and heavy and the dogs around us were howling pittyfully. A company a little below let all their oxen break from them, they run and jumped in the river and stood in the middle for two hours, before they came back. The storm lasted about two hours, and 2 of our lose cattle served us the same, and we thought we would lose them."
June 25; "Our company was amusing themselves with violin and dancing. We are about 15 miles from Fort Laramie, we expect to make it today. Three of our company left us yesterday by horseback and went before us to the fort to make oxen shoes for the company, as our ox’s feet are getting lame, on account of there feet wearing through, traveled 24 miles today."
June 27; "After reaching the fort, we laid up here all day making ox shoe nails. We cannot hire a forge for love nor money to make them ourselves, blacksmiths here are charging $18.00 to shoe one oxen, and to avoid the imposition we have bilt a forge and cut old horse shoes in too and made ox shoes. Everything here is very dear and everyone trys to impose upon the Emigrants".
The next day one of their oxen was killed by lightening during a storm.
July 3; "Iched up this morning at 1/4 to 7 A.M. roads good with exception of them being rather hilly, water good and plenty of it. This morning we was in chase of Buffalo and fortunately we killed one and tomorrow the 4th July we expect to feast upon Buffalo Beef and celebrate the 4th of July, in luxery."
"Monday morning we cross the Platte River for the last time, we have traveled along the river now about 400 miles." As they traveled on they had some good days and some bad days, they passed over some alkili land, and many dead oxen along the way, they supposed to be poisoned by alkili water. One day their Oxen were without water for 18 hours, sometimes very poor feed for the stock." One place he mentioned it was eaten off by the earlier Emmigrants.
His last entry of this Journal was July 18; "Today we left the little Sandy and proceeded to the Big Sandy." By the abrupt ending of the Journal it would indicate that it was continued under another cover. It does not contain the complete trek from the east to Salt Lake City, where he seperated from the wagon train. It is believed that this was in the summer of 1849.
As the wagon train arrived in Salt Lake City on its journey to California they usually stopped to repair their wagons and replenish their supply’s. Shortly after James arrived in Salt Lake City, he had an interesting conversation concerning mormonism with a person who was doing some black-smithing work for him. Eventually he was converted and baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was baptized on 16 April 1951.
After a short stay in Salt Lake City he moved north to a settlement known as Kaysville, Utah. Here he continued the occupation of tent making, which he must have done in Salt Lake City. It was in Kaysville, he met a young lady by the name of Caroline Roberts, a daughter of Levi Roberts and Harriet Ann Hefford. After a short courtship James and Caroline were married on 30 September 1856 in Kaysville. She was 18 years old and he was 32. Caroline was born on 22 November 1837 in Chicksboro, Gloucester, England. Probably came across the plains with the Mormon Pioneers.
From this union came the birth of 12 children, 6 girls and 6 boys. Their first 5 were girls, they were; Esther Ellen born 25 September 1857 in Kaysville. Theodosia Ann 16 March 1859 also in Kaysville. Harriet Ann born in Franklin, Oneida Co., Idaho, as the rest of the family. Lucy Mary, 1 July 1862, she died as a child. Jennette, 24 Aug 1864. The the boys started coming; James Henry, born 11 May 1866. Levi Roberts, born 3 March 1868, on his fathers 43 birthday. Then the 6th girl; Matilda, born 31 March 1870. The last 4 were boys; John Besley, born 22 February 1872. Richard Thomas, 31 Mar. 1876. Christopher, 29 Dec 1877. William 2 August 1879. James was 56 years old when the last son was born. James and Caroline had their endowments in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, November 22, 1862, and Caroline was sealed to her husband James the same day. It was her 25th birthday.
After a few years in Kaysville the family decided to move to Franklin, Idaho, where they homesteaded some land and made it their home for the rest of their lives. Franklin was a small settlement north of Logan, Cache, Utah, just across the line in Idaho, it was the first settlement that was organized in the state of Idaho in 1860.
The desire of the Mormon people was to settle as much of the Territory of Utah as possible. It was under the direction of the Mormon leaders that in the early spring of 1860, five companies from Provo, Payson, Slaterville, Kaysville and Bountiful, left Utah and came to Franklin in search of a new home. The first company came in April. James Oliverson was head of the first families who came to this area. (This information is located at the Utah State University Library, Logan, Utah. Microfilm No. 979:2 Reel; 1 Item 2).
The next few years was spent helping build up Franklin and getting a home, etc. for the family, and doing any kind of work he could find to make a living for his family. Many times he had to be away from home for months at a time working and sending money home to his wife. Thanks again to Ray Oliverson, we have some of these journals typed from Jame’s own hand writing. Now some of the more interesting parts of a journal kept while he was working on the Railroad in Utah and Idaho. The first one starts May 8 187-3 to August 1872-3. James should have been a weatherman, everyday he tells about the weather and about friends coming to see him at his camp and many times they spend the night with him, and many times they bring news from his home in Franklin. He always tells when he gets a letter from home and answers it that night or the next day. This shows his love and concern for his family, and how lonesome he was to be away from them. Many times he mentions the circus coming to town, even when he is at home in Franklin. On Sundays he spent his time reading and playing cards while he was in camps. On Sunday July 27 "In camp all day reading and washing clothes, I went to the creek and had a good wash all over". Again on Sunday August 14; "In camp all day sent 2 letters home today, one to my wife and other to my daughter Ann. We itched up a team and went down to the Grate Salt and had a bath, twelve in one wagon".
July 5 Saturday; I went to Salt Lake City today, I recieved $10.00 from J. Packer, he was indepted to me, we went to the Theater tonite, J. Packer bought 30 lbs of beef and veal, he left it in camp, some dogs eat it nearly all, he is about the most careless man I ever knew." Another day he says; "My shoe is lameing my left foot". He ends this Journal August 30, and then starts again 17 September 1883, so he must have been home for a couple of weeks, before going to work at Bair River Canyon, north of Franklin, to work building the railroad. The weekend of 26 September he came home with James Packer as he came to Franklin for supplies. September 27 Sat. "At home, things about home going to ruin for the want of care. I think that I will never go away again to work, but stop at home if I can." Sunday Sept 28; "At home all day reading, the girls of Franklin gone to Logan to a Jubelee for the young choirs of Cache Valley had a very fine time of it." As he got back to camp he had to commence on a company tent, many times in all his journals he is making tents and wagon covers for the people in the camps.
Oct 1; "Worked on the tent all day, finished a little after six o’clock." Oct 2; "Commenced working on the road this morning on Jas. Packer contract, made me very sore and tired by quiting time at night."
Oct 10 Friday; " Our work as we get along it becomes harder, and worth more per rod then we get. Jas Packer Jun. came out this afternoon and brought a letter to Robert Stalker that all work was to stop." Oct 11 Sat. "Worked 1/2 day, we worked till noon, then broke up camp and came home, got home after sun-down.
Now as far as we know he spent the next few years at home in Franklin. This Journal continues until Nov. 1, 1873. As he got home in Oct. it was harvest time, he helped James Haworth several days with his thrashing his crops. On Sundays he reads the New York Times, he subscribes for it by the year (the Sunday edition). He also says; "Commenced getting my potatoes up, they are very good and a good crop."
Oct 27; Monday "A licquer Saloon started in Franklin, not a very good instatation for the young men of this place and others indulge in such habits as drinking." On Nov 1, 1973 he says; "We expect a daily mail to Franklin from the 1st of the present month, it will be commeansante to the settlement north.
The next entry in this Journal is Jan 1, 1879 to May 23, 1879. Every year on the 3 Mar, he mentions that it’s his birthday and how old he is, also that it is Levi’s birthday too, sometimes he tells how old Levi is. Two of his girls were married in 1879. Ellen was married to Phineus Daily and lives at Bear Lake on the border of Idaho and Utah, but in 1883 she had moved to Arizona, because on December 12, 1883 he gets a letter from Ellen in Arizona. Ann married Darius Fellows and athey live in Rush Lake, Toole Co.
With no way to make a living in Franklin and raising a large family, for many years he worked in a lumber yard in Dillon, Montana. The first Journal we have from Dillon starts November 4, 1880 to September 25, 1882, so I will make a few notes from this Journal. Of course he always mentions the weather, most of the time its very cold and stormy. He works very hard here, like November 8 "Unloaded three cars (freight cars) of lumber today." He makes $45.00 a month and has to pay room and board and a lady to wash his clothes. He works for a man named Trask. November 25 Thursday; "This is a National Holiday for the people to worship and give thanks for the prosperity of the country. We had quit an extra dinner at the hotel.
He got to go home for Christmas this year but some years he spent Christmas in Dillon. On December 21, he says; "My Boss trying to get me a pass to go home." December 23; "Started home, things was all right. Had 3 engines on the train." December 24; "Arrived home at 3 o’clock this morning the children all right. James is doing well." James must have had a broken leg. "I settled with Webster, but have no money to go on, but out of dept with exception of the Dr. bill." December 25; "Christmas Day, very wet and sloppy walking out." December 28 Sunday; "Christmas went off very quite, went to the school in the evening they had a very nice tree loaded with presents for the children who attended their school, the occasion went off very nice."
James is able to stay home now until April 1881. January 9, Sunday; "At home, Very cold morning, snowing all day, some of the children went to Sunday School. A deal of sleigh riding by the people of Franklin." Very cold weather, the trains very unregular, and many train accidents. January 12, Wednesday; "Had a note from Miss Nobles, the school teacher, about James staying out of school, she wished me to see James about it, she seems anxious about her scholars and I believe she has a great interest in learning them." "I corrected James about his conduct and wished him to apoligized to Miss Nobles, and ask her forgiviness and that he wouldn’t do it anymore." James is 15 years old, natural for a 15 years old. James at this time bought an accordian payed $3.00 for it. January 19; "Had a note from the school teacher about the boys bad conduct at school, it greaves me very much if they do not do better. I hope they will observe the rules of the school. We had a Richmond band here to day, they played at the dance at night."
February 19; "The Franklin Dramatic Co. gave a free enternment tonight." March 14; "Had a run-away marriage last night, Lucy Woodward and Inkley, the operator at the depot. I am sorry to say that our Harriet let herself to carry the things out in going with them down to Richmond and being present. Mrs. Woodward feels very bad."
The first part of April 1881 he spent in James Chadwicks Camp working on tents and covers for horse blankets. Then moved to James Packers camp to fix tents and wagon covers. He went to several other camps, fixing tents. May 1, Sunday; "Got to Dillon about 9 o’clock, I went to see Mr Trask, I go to work in the lumberyard. I bought a trunk today, and wrote a letter home and put $2.00 in the letter." On Monday, he set out 14 current trees for Mr. Trask. The weather so bad that the passenger train had not left for three days.
June 24; "Mr Trask came and ask me to send for Harriet, he pays her passage up and down and gives her $3.00 a week." Harriet comes up and works for the Trask family from June 1881 until March 1882. November 9, Wednesda; "Harriet sent her sister Jennet a dress piece, by express this morning and veil in it." November 14, Monday; "I got a letter from home today, stating that Jennet had gone from home and was married to one by the name of Cutler, someone I know nothing about. I am grieved to think the girls respect their parents so little as to take such a step without seeing their parents about it. This is the second affair of this ind which has taken place in our family."
Many times he says, he posted a letter in the postal car, I suppose no post office in Dillon yet. He buys clothes for the children and sends home for them. He bought a coat for Matilda and paid $8.00 for it. He bought 3 overcoats for James, Levi and John paid $15.00 for them. Another time he bought 23 lbs of feathers and sent home, probably to make a feather bed.
December 25, 1881, Sunday; "Christmas Day, had some snow last night but all mixed up with dry dust. There was a heavy wind last night. Sun shining brightly but cold. I had a present of a nice pipe this morning but do not know who is the doner, as yet. Had a letter from home last night. Went to see the Christmas tree, looks very well and pretty. A good many presents on it for the children." The next day he found out the pipe was from his daughter Harriet.
January 1, 1882; "Had a fine day. I had Mr. Trask horse and buggy this afternoon, I took Harriet out to Peter Willson, we took dinner and had a nice time."
April 28, Friday; "Two barbers in this place have trouble and they have been fighting 2 days, one after the other. They feel bitter to one another one of them wants all the trade, the other wants his share of it, this is the dissagrement." Several times he says he went and got his hair clipt, another time he says; "I went and had my likeness taken today."
June 23, James has about 2 weeks off so he goes home to Franklin, this is the first time he has been home since March of 1881, 14 mounts away. His wife and 5 of the children met him at the depot in Franklin. "My wife went with me to Ogden. Arrived at my wifes folks about noon." June 24, Saturday; "I went down to Salt Lake City, with Henry Roberts (his brother-in-law) The improvements around this city is splended. I visited Brigham Young’s grave it is fixed up very nice." I believe his wife stayed at his parents while he went to Salt Lake City. They went home the next Wednesday. While he was home he went to Logan and bought a wagon, cost $130.00. July 6, 1882, Thursday; "Ileft home this evening for Dillon, Montana, very warm. Arrived in Dillon about 1/2 past 4 o’clock in the afternoon." July 25, Tuesday; "I wrote a letter home this morning and posted it. Fine weather. I feel very sick this morning and work is very hard on me but dept and misfortune compells me to hang on. I hope the sickness will soon wear off. I eat vaery little, not enough to keep my strength up, still hope for the best." August 1, Tuesday; "Very warm day. P. O. Neil give me a good sailors coat this morning. He gives up his hotel today. As I came out from dinner a fire started in the corner by Hack Nelson Sallon, a strong wind blowing from the south east. The fire has taken the whole of the block. All in ashes in one hour. Caused by boys playing with fire crackers. Burnt 12 places down. 3 Salloons, Butcher shop, Baker and others."
Christmas day 1882 was spent alone in Dillon. He wrote a letter home. January 1, 1883, Monday; Weather moderating a little, the theometer 10 degrees below zero, this is 11 degrees higher than yesterday. Very little business doing in Dillon at present time, still very cold."
March 3, Saturday; "I am 60 years old this morning, I have had a very hard days work, packing away dress lumber, had a letter from home this morning, all well, answered it tonight." March 18; "My boss tells me I can make a trip home." March 20; "I left Dillon for home, I bought my wife a gold ring I paid $4.00 for it." March 22; "There was a telegram from Jennet in Box Elder, that her baby was dead that morning." James and several family member went down to Box Elder. Caroline had 3 children home with the mumps. April 5; "my wife packed my trunk, as I purpose taking the train at 12 o’clock tonight James and Levi accoumpaned me to see me off, by the passenger train."
This next 16 months at Dillon, he is taking orders and selling butter to the hotel and boarding houses, besides his work at the lumberyard. His friends in Franklin supply the butter and is shipped up to Dillon on the train. It is over a hundred pounds a week, and most of the time it sells for 30 cents a pound.
August 17, Friday;" I went to the Dentist and had 5 teeth pulled out all I had, he is to make me a new set for $30.00."
August 31, Friday; "Had a fine day. I had the impression of my gums taken for a full set of teet this morning."
December 25; Christmas Day spent alone in Dillon. "The School House is decorated very nice for the Odd Fellows Ball. I have been told that 190 tickets sold for the ball and supper at $4.00 per ticket. There is a great many people in Dillon to spend Christmas."
In July 1884 he spent 2 weeks at home, he had some land business to attend to. July 3, 1884, Thursday; "I arrived home at 12/30 o’clock and find the family all well. I find a geat many strangers in Franklin." July 7; Jennet came up to see me from Mink Creek, she looks well." July 17, Thursday; " I left Franklin for Dillon on the passenger train, at 1 O’clock A good many passangers on the train. We arrived in Dillon at 5 o’clock this afternoon. August 15; "I paid Mrs Byther $16.00 bring my board-bill for the last month, commencing July 17.
The rest of the Journals are from Franklin, Idaho. They start July 9, 1888 to April 1893, so it is not known just when he came home from Dillon, Montana to stay. As he starts this Journal in July 1888 he is Postmaster in Franklin, he has to send a quarterly report to Washington D.C. every 3 months, he was postmaster until September 1889.
September 2, 1888, Sunday; "Caroline went over to Bodily’s (Her sister Ann’s place) ready to start south, down to Kaysville to her parents to dry some fruit." All of the boys help with the farm work, and go to the canyon to get wood for the winters, also helping to keep the fences mended. They must have a dry farm of wheat, he mentions several times about going out to see the wheat. He mentions getting a letter from his brother in Jacksonville, Illinois. (Lorenzo Cutler went on a mission to Illinois in 1897 until 1899, while he sill had a family at home, and he mentions in his Journal several times about visiting his wife’s Uncle John Oliverson in Illinois).
September 21, Friday; "Levi very weak and sore with the cramps." James started down for his mother this morning, he was in Logan about 9 o’clock, Our Richard went with him." There seems to be a lot of sickness in Franklin, Levi mending slowly.
October 1, James taken down sick. These 2 boys are very sick for several months especially James. On November 4, "We telegraphed to Logan for Doc. W. L. Snow to come by afternoon train, the boys met him at the depot, he tells me James is in a bad condition. He left some medicine and a perscription, he left with the understanding that he sends the medicine up and one bottle of brandy, he hired Edward Buckley to take him to Logan. James had a hard spell of coughing tonight between 7 and 9 o’clock.
November 7; "James had a bad night, I think the absess is broke inside, he spits up a great amound of offenceive stuff." November 26; James had a bad night, sent for the Doc. this morning, he arrived 1/2 pasat one o’clock, and operated on him, he took a lot of matter out of the lump. He has very little hopes of his recovery. I think he charges $15.00 for operating on him; $18.00 for coming up." The Doc. came back on December 4th and took out the tube and cleaned it and put it back, he has great hopes for him. Again on December 17 the Doc. took out the tube and left some pills.
December 25, 1888, Tuesday; "All hail Christmas day and a pleasent one." December 31, 1888, Monday; "The last day of 1888, the people dancing and feasting and seem to be happy." January 25, Friday; "My wife inclined to be sick with sitting up so much with James." The next day their daughter Jennet was taken sick, and she was sick for several days, her mother went over and stayed a day with her. James is doing better, James was married at this time of his sickness, but his wife was never mentioned. He lived in Franklin, because on the February 3rd entry, he says; "James walked over to our place today," and a few days later he says James walked to the office (post) today stayed down until about 4 o’clock then went home.
Levi starts a homestead of his own about this time, Harriet and Till attended the post office for their father one day while he helped Levi with legal matters.
April 5; "Levi and his Mother gone to Kaysville to see her parents. Levi goes on to Salt Lake City." April 6, Saturday; Very quite in Franklin, a good many people left for Salt Lake City, going to Conference which starts this morning."
April 30, 1889, Tuesday; "A National Holladay Celebrating the first Inaugural of the First President of the United States of America, 100 years ago which was George Washington."
September 14, Saturday; "Gorge give notice of taking the Post Office, Munday next."
September 16, Monday; "Fine day, turning over government property to Gorge Fordham today."
September 17, Tuesday; "At home all day fixing up things. Levi going to the canyon after fire wood."
October 2, Wednesday; "I bought 27 yards of flenell from Edward Buckley at 40 cents per yard." Harriet seems to be the seamstress in the family, several times he mentions Hariett making him garments and shirts.
October 8, Tuesday; "Took the train for Layton this morning, my wife’s folks are well, considering their age and dissapointed not to see Caroline. Till went with me to see her grand-parents." They went on to Salt Lake City and took 2 of Till’s cousins with them, they went on the Temple Block and in the Tabernacle.
October 11; "People all home again, it is claimed there was as much as 20,000 people at conference."
Octoaber 26, Saturday; "We had a beef killed today, I bought a 40 gallon barrall to salt it down in." There is a skip in his journal from October until February 1890, and this is the first time he mentions his wife’s illness, he says she’s been down about 4 weeks and Margaret Whitehead (James wife) is attending her, she is better and worse nearly every other day. All the rest of his Journals mentions about her illness, so I guess she was sick the last 10 or 11 years of her life. She died 29 July 1901, at the age of 65. Also in this February 18th and other times too, he says; "I had an attack of Chalria arbans and the La Grip. Had the Doc 3 times once for me and twice for my wife." On April 1st; "Caroline was able to go to Kaysville to see her parents, she had to walk to May Janes (her sisters) about one and a half miles. Caroline walked over to see her parents. While she was here in Kaysville she became very ill, the Doc examined her and finds that the womb is closed up, he made an inceshtion to clean it out. Her husband James went to get some cod liver oil, but couldn’t get the kind he wanted, so he took the train for home and bought a bottle of cod liver oil and came back to Kaysville. They were not able to come home until April 27, almost a month at her parents, Levi was as the depot with a team.
Several times he mentions that the girls come over and helping clean things up for him and helping with their Mother, but by August 1892 he writes; "It looks as though I am distined ato do house work for the rest of my days."
November 8, 1892, Tuesday; "The great day of election, for President of the United States. I voted for Cleveland and Steveson, I think they will be elected, I hope so."
December 30, 1892; "Harriet was confined to bed this morning, she had a girl baby born."
January 3, 1893; "Our Till was confined to bed this morning with a fine baby boy, 11 pounder."
January 8, Sunday; "My wife gone to see Till and her baby this afternoon. I stayed to keep house."
March 3, 1893; "I am 70 years old today, and Levi is 25. Today we had James and his wife, Harriet and her husband and children, Till and her husband, had a fine time, they presented me with a very nice rocking chair, and Levi a pair of cuff bottoms and a nice cashmear shirt."
April 10, 1893; "Levi left by the 6 o’clock train for Salt Lake Caity to go through the Temple, which is finished, been 40 years since it was commenced to be built. He went with Ren Cutler and others."
April 13; "People returning home from Salt Lake City, that went down earlier, we expect Levi home on Saturday. Our Nett went down on Wednesday. We hear of many people being rob in Salt Lake Caity, having their pockets picked. We have a report that Sunday School children will have rates going down to Salt Lake Caity to go through the temple this Friday and Saturday. Heavy trains of passangers coming to and from Salt Lake City."
This ends the Journals we have of James’ life. His last years were spent in Franklin, Idaho. He died a natural death at Franklin on February 25, 1911, at the age of 87, almost 10 years after his wife’s death. They are both buried in the Franklin Cemetery. All of his journals tell of his kindness to his family and neighbors.
(Typed and edited by Mona M. Rogers wife of Denvon Rogers. Denvon is a grandson of Lorenzo and Jennet Oliverson Cutler). The mis-spelled words are the way he spelled them.
(Information from Ray Oliverson)
Levi Earl Oliverson and James Oliverson’s Personal Journals
James Oliverson was born 3 March 1823, at Belmount Sharples, Lancashire, England. He was the 5th child out of a family of eight, six boys and 2 girls. His parents were John Oliverson and Esther Baron. The other members of the family were Christopher, born 17 December 1813; Baron, christened 7 January, 1815; Isabella, born 22 August, 1819; Nancy, born 21 August 1820; Robert, born 12 May 1825; John Beadsley, born 25 July 1827; and Richard Thomas, born about 1830. Christopher, Baron, Isabella and Nancy were born in Great Harwood, Lancashire, England. Robert and John were born at Pendleton, Lancashire, England. and Richard Thomas awas born at Great Harwood, Lancashire, England.
It was here in England where James spent his childhood, his father was a shoemaker. It seemed to be customary in those days for the father to teach their children, especially their sons, a trade similar to the one they pursued. James was also taught the trade of harness and tent making, which helped him after coming to America.
When James was 15 years old (1838) he joined the English Navy. He served with the Navy until their was a death in the family. He applied for a leave and his application was rejected. James was a person who knew his own mind and what he wanted to do. Upon finding that his application was not granted, he went AWOL to attend the funeral and eventually deserted the Navy.
During the remainder of his life in England he remained under cover, until he could find transportation out of the country. Eventually he obtained passage on a cargo ship, which was going to America. I (Mona Rogers) have a dinner plate that has been handed down to us, and we have been told that James brought this plate with him from England, and that he came to America when he was 17 years old. Earl Oliverson says he arrived in New York City, in 1848 or 49, but if he came over when he was 17, as his daughter Jennet has told us, it would be 1840. (Ray says he has heard that he came to New Orleans, then up the Mississippi).
During his stay in New York City he received a letter from his father, John Oliverson, telling him that he could obtain money that he would need, by going to a certain bank. Whether he ever drew any money from the bank is not known.
Apparently the family in England, were the owners of property, this is shown by the return of Richard Thomas Oliverson, James’ younger brother, to England in the late nineteenth century to obtain his share of the estate.
The California gold rush was a very tempting enticement for the young men of those days, especially those who weren’t married or had home ties. James having no reason to stay in New York City, decided that he would go to California and run his chances on stricking a rich claim.
It seems to have been the nature of James Oliverson to keep diaries and journals of his experiences most of his life and we have a few of these journals. Ray Oliverson has taken these journals and as I say translated them from James’ own hand writing and typed them, also had them micro-filmed at the Utah Historical Society Library.
I have gone thru these journals and picked out the most interesting parts, and hope everyone will enjoy them.
One of these journals was kept during the time he crossed the plains. It starts June 14 and ends July 18, but no year is given, and no mention of where they were started from, but he tells of a murder that happened in his July 4th entry, and he says; "this is the second case of this kind we have seen since we left Independence, so they must of started in Missouri. They traveled along the Platte River, with Ox teams, and make about 20 miles a day. June 17; "Iched up at 1/2 past 6 A.M. traveled the bottoms of the North Branch of the Platte River and camped 2 hours before sun-down at about 2 P.M. We had a heavy hail storm attended with heavy thunder and lightening, we had to hold our oxen, the hail stones was so large and heavy and the dogs around us were howling pittyfully. A company a little below let all their oxen break from them, they run and jumped in the river and stood in the middle for two hours, before they came back. The storm lasted about two hours, and 2 of our lose cattle served us the same, and we thought we would lose them."
June 25; "Our company was amusing themselves with violin and dancing. We are about 15 miles from Fort Laramie, we expect to make it today. Three of our company left us yesterday by horseback and went before us to the fort to make oxen shoes for the company, as our ox’s feet are getting lame, on account of there feet wearing through, traveled 24 miles today."
June 27; "After reaching the fort, we laid up here all day making ox shoe nails. We cannot hire a forge for love nor money to make them ourselves, blacksmiths here are charging $18.00 to shoe one oxen, and to avoid the imposition we have bilt a forge and cut old horse shoes in too and made ox shoes. Everything here is very dear and everyone trys to impose upon the Emigrants".
The next day one of their oxen was killed by lightening during a storm.
July 3; "Iched up this morning at 1/4 to 7 A.M. roads good with exception of them being rather hilly, water good and plenty of it. This morning we was in chase of Buffalo and fortunately we killed one and tomorrow the 4th July we expect to feast upon Buffalo Beef and celebrate the 4th of July, in luxery."
"Monday morning we cross the Platte River for the last time, we have traveled along the river now about 400 miles." As they traveled on they had some good days and some bad days, they passed over some alkili land, and many dead oxen along the way, they supposed to be poisoned by alkili water. One day their Oxen were without water for 18 hours, sometimes very poor feed for the stock." One place he mentioned it was eaten off by the earlier Emmigrants.
His last entry of this Journal was July 18; "Today we left the little Sandy and proceeded to the Big Sandy." By the abrupt ending of the Journal it would indicate that it was continued under another cover. It does not contain the complete trek from the east to Salt Lake City, where he seperated from the wagon train. It is believed that this was in the summer of 1849.
As the wagon train arrived in Salt Lake City on its journey to California they usually stopped to repair their wagons and replenish their supply’s. Shortly after James arrived in Salt Lake City, he had an interesting conversation concerning mormonism with a person who was doing some black-smithing work for him. Eventually he was converted and baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was baptized on 16 April 1951.
After a short stay in Salt Lake City he moved north to a settlement known as Kaysville, Utah. Here he continued the occupation of tent making, which he must have done in Salt Lake City. It was in Kaysville, he met a young lady by the name of Caroline Roberts, a daughter of Levi Roberts and Harriet Ann Hefford. After a short courtship James and Caroline were married on 30 September 1856 in Kaysville. She was 18 years old and he was 32. Caroline was born on 22 November 1837 in Chicksboro, Gloucester, England. Probably came across the plains with the Mormon Pioneers.
From this union came the birth of 12 children, 6 girls and 6 boys. Their first 5 were girls, they were; Esther Ellen born 25 September 1857 in Kaysville. Theodosia Ann 16 March 1859 also in Kaysville. Harriet Ann born in Franklin, Oneida Co., Idaho, as the rest of the family. Lucy Mary, 1 July 1862, she died as a child. Jennette, 24 Aug 1864. The the boys started coming; James Henry, born 11 May 1866. Levi Roberts, born 3 March 1868, on his fathers 43 birthday. Then the 6th girl; Matilda, born 31 March 1870. The last 4 were boys; John Besley, born 22 February 1872. Richard Thomas, 31 Mar. 1876. Christopher, 29 Dec 1877. William 2 August 1879. James was 56 years old when the last son was born. James and Caroline had their endowments in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, November 22, 1862, and Caroline was sealed to her husband James the same day. It was her 25th birthday.
After a few years in Kaysville the family decided to move to Franklin, Idaho, where they homesteaded some land and made it their home for the rest of their lives. Franklin was a small settlement north of Logan, Cache, Utah, just across the line in Idaho, it was the first settlement that was organized in the state of Idaho in 1860.
The desire of the Mormon people was to settle as much of the Territory of Utah as possible. It was under the direction of the Mormon leaders that in the early spring of 1860, five companies from Provo, Payson, Slaterville, Kaysville and Bountiful, left Utah and came to Franklin in search of a new home. The first company came in April. James Oliverson was head of the first families who came to this area. (This information is located at the Utah State University Library, Logan, Utah. Microfilm No. 979:2 Reel; 1 Item 2).
The next few years was spent helping build up Franklin and getting a home, etc. for the family, and doing any kind of work he could find to make a living for his family. Many times he had to be away from home for months at a time working and sending money home to his wife. Thanks again to Ray Oliverson, we have some of these journals typed from Jame’s own hand writing. Now some of the more interesting parts of a journal kept while he was working on the Railroad in Utah and Idaho. The first one starts May 8 187-3 to August 1872-3. James should have been a weatherman, everyday he tells about the weather and about friends coming to see him at his camp and many times they spend the night with him, and many times they bring news from his home in Franklin. He always tells when he gets a letter from home and answers it that night or the next day. This shows his love and concern for his family, and how lonesome he was to be away from them. Many times he mentions the circus coming to town, even when he is at home in Franklin. On Sundays he spent his time reading and playing cards while he was in camps. On Sunday July 27 "In camp all day reading and washing clothes, I went to the creek and had a good wash all over". Again on Sunday August 14; "In camp all day sent 2 letters home today, one to my wife and other to my daughter Ann. We itched up a team and went down to the Grate Salt and had a bath, twelve in one wagon".
July 5 Saturday; I went to Salt Lake City today, I recieved $10.00 from J. Packer, he was indepted to me, we went to the Theater tonite, J. Packer bought 30 lbs of beef and veal, he left it in camp, some dogs eat it nearly all, he is about the most careless man I ever knew." Another day he says; "My shoe is lameing my left foot". He ends this Journal August 30, and then starts again 17 September 1883, so he must have been home for a couple of weeks, before going to work at Bair River Canyon, north of Franklin, to work building the railroad. The weekend of 26 September he came home with James Packer as he came to Franklin for supplies. September 27 Sat. "At home, things about home going to ruin for the want of care. I think that I will never go away again to work, but stop at home if I can." Sunday Sept 28; "At home all day reading, the girls of Franklin gone to Logan to a Jubelee for the young choirs of Cache Valley had a very fine time of it." As he got back to camp he had to commence on a company tent, many times in all his journals he is making tents and wagon covers for the people in the camps.
Oct 1; "Worked on the tent all day, finished a little after six o’clock." Oct 2; "Commenced working on the road this morning on Jas. Packer contract, made me very sore and tired by quiting time at night."
Oct 10 Friday; " Our work as we get along it becomes harder, and worth more per rod then we get. Jas Packer Jun. came out this afternoon and brought a letter to Robert Stalker that all work was to stop." Oct 11 Sat. "Worked 1/2 day, we worked till noon, then broke up camp and came home, got home after sun-down.
Now as far as we know he spent the next few years at home in Franklin. This Journal continues until Nov. 1, 1873. As he got home in Oct. it was harvest time, he helped James Haworth several days with his thrashing his crops. On Sundays he reads the New York Times, he subscribes for it by the year (the Sunday edition). He also says; "Commenced getting my potatoes up, they are very good and a good crop."
Oct 27; Monday "A licquer Saloon started in Franklin, not a very good instatation for the young men of this place and others indulge in such habits as drinking." On Nov 1, 1973 he says; "We expect a daily mail to Franklin from the 1st of the present month, it will be commeansante to the settlement north.
The next entry in this Journal is Jan 1, 1879 to May 23, 1879. Every year on the 3 Mar, he mentions that it’s his birthday and how old he is, also that it is Levi’s birthday too, sometimes he tells how old Levi is. Two of his girls were married in 1879. Ellen was married to Phineus Daily and lives at Bear Lake on the border of Idaho and Utah, but in 1883 she had moved to Arizona, because on December 12, 1883 he gets a letter from Ellen in Arizona. Ann married Darius Fellows and athey live in Rush Lake, Toole Co.
With no way to make a living in Franklin and raising a large family, for many years he worked in a lumber yard in Dillon, Montana. The first Journal we have from Dillon starts November 4, 1880 to September 25, 1882, so I will make a few notes from this Journal. Of course he always mentions the weather, most of the time its very cold and stormy. He works very hard here, like November 8 "Unloaded three cars (freight cars) of lumber today." He makes $45.00 a month and has to pay room and board and a lady to wash his clothes. He works for a man named Trask. November 25 Thursday; "This is a National Holiday for the people to worship and give thanks for the prosperity of the country. We had quit an extra dinner at the hotel.
He got to go home for Christmas this year but some years he spent Christmas in Dillon. On December 21, he says; "My Boss trying to get me a pass to go home." December 23; "Started home, things was all right. Had 3 engines on the train." December 24; "Arrived home at 3 o’clock this morning the children all right. James is doing well." James must have had a broken leg. "I settled with Webster, but have no money to go on, but out of dept with exception of the Dr. bill." December 25; "Christmas Day, very wet and sloppy walking out." December 28 Sunday; "Christmas went off very quite, went to the school in the evening they had a very nice tree loaded with presents for the children who attended their school, the occasion went off very nice."
James is able to stay home now until April 1881. January 9, Sunday; "At home, Very cold morning, snowing all day, some of the children went to Sunday School. A deal of sleigh riding by the people of Franklin." Very cold weather, the trains very unregular, and many train accidents. January 12, Wednesday; "Had a note from Miss Nobles, the school teacher, about James staying out of school, she wished me to see James about it, she seems anxious about her scholars and I believe she has a great interest in learning them." "I corrected James about his conduct and wished him to apoligized to Miss Nobles, and ask her forgiviness and that he wouldn’t do it anymore." James is 15 years old, natural for a 15 years old. James at this time bought an accordian payed $3.00 for it. January 19; "Had a note from the school teacher about the boys bad conduct at school, it greaves me very much if they do not do better. I hope they will observe the rules of the school. We had a Richmond band here to day, they played at the dance at night."
February 19; "The Franklin Dramatic Co. gave a free enternment tonight." March 14; "Had a run-away marriage last night, Lucy Woodward and Inkley, the operator at the depot. I am sorry to say that our Harriet let herself to carry the things out in going with them down to Richmond and being present. Mrs. Woodward feels very bad."
The first part of April 1881 he spent in James Chadwicks Camp working on tents and covers for horse blankets. Then moved to James Packers camp to fix tents and wagon covers. He went to several other camps, fixing tents. May 1, Sunday; "Got to Dillon about 9 o’clock, I went to see Mr Trask, I go to work in the lumberyard. I bought a trunk today, and wrote a letter home and put $2.00 in the letter." On Monday, he set out 14 current trees for Mr. Trask. The weather so bad that the passenger train had not left for three days.
June 24; "Mr Trask came and ask me to send for Harriet, he pays her passage up and down and gives her $3.00 a week." Harriet comes up and works for the Trask family from June 1881 until March 1882. November 9, Wednesda; "Harriet sent her sister Jennet a dress piece, by express this morning and veil in it." November 14, Monday; "I got a letter from home today, stating that Jennet had gone from home and was married to one by the name of Cutler, someone I know nothing about. I am grieved to think the girls respect their parents so little as to take such a step without seeing their parents about it. This is the second affair of this ind which has taken place in our family."
Many times he says, he posted a letter in the postal car, I suppose no post office in Dillon yet. He buys clothes for the children and sends home for them. He bought a coat for Matilda and paid $8.00 for it. He bought 3 overcoats for James, Levi and John paid $15.00 for them. Another time he bought 23 lbs of feathers and sent home, probably to make a feather bed.
December 25, 1881, Sunday; "Christmas Day, had some snow last night but all mixed up with dry dust. There was a heavy wind last night. Sun shining brightly but cold. I had a present of a nice pipe this morning but do not know who is the doner, as yet. Had a letter from home last night. Went to see the Christmas tree, looks very well and pretty. A good many presents on it for the children." The next day he found out the pipe was from his daughter Harriet.
January 1, 1882; "Had a fine day. I had Mr. Trask horse and buggy this afternoon, I took Harriet out to Peter Willson, we took dinner and had a nice time."
April 28, Friday; "Two barbers in this place have trouble and they have been fighting 2 days, one after the other. They feel bitter to one another one of them wants all the trade, the other wants his share of it, this is the dissagrement." Several times he says he went and got his hair clipt, another time he says; "I went and had my likeness taken today."
June 23, James has about 2 weeks off so he goes home to Franklin, this is the first time he has been home since March of 1881, 14 mounts away. His wife and 5 of the children met him at the depot in Franklin. "My wife went with me to Ogden. Arrived at my wifes folks about noon." June 24, Saturday; "I went down to Salt Lake City, with Henry Roberts (his brother-in-law) The improvements around this city is splended. I visited Brigham Young’s grave it is fixed up very nice." I believe his wife stayed at his parents while he went to Salt Lake City. They went home the next Wednesday. While he was home he went to Logan and bought a wagon, cost $130.00. July 6, 1882, Thursday; "Ileft home this evening for Dillon, Montana, very warm. Arrived in Dillon about 1/2 past 4 o’clock in the afternoon." July 25, Tuesday; "I wrote a letter home this morning and posted it. Fine weather. I feel very sick this morning and work is very hard on me but dept and misfortune compells me to hang on. I hope the sickness will soon wear off. I eat vaery little, not enough to keep my strength up, still hope for the best." August 1, Tuesday; "Very warm day. P. O. Neil give me a good sailors coat this morning. He gives up his hotel today. As I came out from dinner a fire started in the corner by Hack Nelson Sallon, a strong wind blowing from the south east. The fire has taken the whole of the block. All in ashes in one hour. Caused by boys playing with fire crackers. Burnt 12 places down. 3 Salloons, Butcher shop, Baker and others."
Christmas day 1882 was spent alone in Dillon. He wrote a letter home. January 1, 1883, Monday; Weather moderating a little, the theometer 10 degrees below zero, this is 11 degrees higher than yesterday. Very little business doing in Dillon at present time, still very cold."
March 3, Saturday; "I am 60 years old this morning, I have had a very hard days work, packing away dress lumber, had a letter from home this morning, all well, answered it tonight." March 18; "My boss tells me I can make a trip home." March 20; "I left Dillon for home, I bought my wife a gold ring I paid $4.00 for it." March 22; "There was a telegram from Jennet in Box Elder, that her baby was dead that morning." James and several family member went down to Box Elder. Caroline had 3 children home with the mumps. April 5; "my wife packed my trunk, as I purpose taking the train at 12 o’clock tonight James and Levi accoumpaned me to see me off, by the passenger train."
This next 16 months at Dillon, he is taking orders and selling butter to the hotel and boarding houses, besides his work at the lumberyard. His friends in Franklin supply the butter and is shipped up to Dillon on the train. It is over a hundred pounds a week, and most of the time it sells for 30 cents a pound.
August 17, Friday;" I went to the Dentist and had 5 teeth pulled out all I had, he is to make me a new set for $30.00."
August 31, Friday; "Had a fine day. I had the impression of my gums taken for a full set of teet this morning."
December 25; Christmas Day spent alone in Dillon. "The School House is decorated very nice for the Odd Fellows Ball. I have been told that 190 tickets sold for the ball and supper at $4.00 per ticket. There is a great many people in Dillon to spend Christmas."
In July 1884 he spent 2 weeks at home, he had some land business to attend to. July 3, 1884, Thursday; "I arrived home at 12/30 o’clock and find the family all well. I find a geat many strangers in Franklin." July 7; Jennet came up to see me from Mink Creek, she looks well." July 17, Thursday; " I left Franklin for Dillon on the passenger train, at 1 O’clock A good many passangers on the train. We arrived in Dillon at 5 o’clock this afternoon. August 15; "I paid Mrs Byther $16.00 bring my board-bill for the last month, commencing July 17.
The rest of the Journals are from Franklin, Idaho. They start July 9, 1888 to April 1893, so it is not known just when he came home from Dillon, Montana to stay. As he starts this Journal in July 1888 he is Postmaster in Franklin, he has to send a quarterly report to Washington D.C. every 3 months, he was postmaster until September 1889.
September 2, 1888, Sunday; "Caroline went over to Bodily’s (Her sister Ann’s place) ready to start south, down to Kaysville to her parents to dry some fruit." All of the boys help with the farm work, and go to the canyon to get wood for the winters, also helping to keep the fences mended. They must have a dry farm of wheat, he mentions several times about going out to see the wheat. He mentions getting a letter from his brother in Jacksonville, Illinois. (Lorenzo Cutler went on a mission to Illinois in 1897 until 1899, while he sill had a family at home, and he mentions in his Journal several times about visiting his wife’s Uncle John Oliverson in Illinois).
September 21, Friday; "Levi very weak and sore with the cramps." James started down for his mother this morning, he was in Logan about 9 o’clock, Our Richard went with him." There seems to be a lot of sickness in Franklin, Levi mending slowly.
October 1, James taken down sick. These 2 boys are very sick for several months especially James. On November 4, "We telegraphed to Logan for Doc. W. L. Snow to come by afternoon train, the boys met him at the depot, he tells me James is in a bad condition. He left some medicine and a perscription, he left with the understanding that he sends the medicine up and one bottle of brandy, he hired Edward Buckley to take him to Logan. James had a hard spell of coughing tonight between 7 and 9 o’clock.
November 7; "James had a bad night, I think the absess is broke inside, he spits up a great amound of offenceive stuff." November 26; James had a bad night, sent for the Doc. this morning, he arrived 1/2 pasat one o’clock, and operated on him, he took a lot of matter out of the lump. He has very little hopes of his recovery. I think he charges $15.00 for operating on him; $18.00 for coming up." The Doc. came back on December 4th and took out the tube and cleaned it and put it back, he has great hopes for him. Again on December 17 the Doc. took out the tube and left some pills.
December 25, 1888, Tuesday; "All hail Christmas day and a pleasent one." December 31, 1888, Monday; "The last day of 1888, the people dancing and feasting and seem to be happy." January 25, Friday; "My wife inclined to be sick with sitting up so much with James." The next day their daughter Jennet was taken sick, and she was sick for several days, her mother went over and stayed a day with her. James is doing better, James was married at this time of his sickness, but his wife was never mentioned. He lived in Franklin, because on the February 3rd entry, he says; "James walked over to our place today," and a few days later he says James walked to the office (post) today stayed down until about 4 o’clock then went home.
Levi starts a homestead of his own about this time, Harriet and Till attended the post office for their father one day while he helped Levi with legal matters.
April 5; "Levi and his Mother gone to Kaysville to see her parents. Levi goes on to Salt Lake City." April 6, Saturday; Very quite in Franklin, a good many people left for Salt Lake City, going to Conference which starts this morning."
April 30, 1889, Tuesday; "A National Holladay Celebrating the first Inaugural of the First President of the United States of America, 100 years ago which was George Washington."
September 14, Saturday; "Gorge give notice of taking the Post Office, Munday next."
September 16, Monday; "Fine day, turning over government property to Gorge Fordham today."
September 17, Tuesday; "At home all day fixing up things. Levi going to the canyon after fire wood."
October 2, Wednesday; "I bought 27 yards of flenell from Edward Buckley at 40 cents per yard." Harriet seems to be the seamstress in the family, several times he mentions Hariett making him garments and shirts.
October 8, Tuesday; "Took the train for Layton this morning, my wife’s folks are well, considering their age and dissapointed not to see Caroline. Till went with me to see her grand-parents." They went on to Salt Lake City and took 2 of Till’s cousins with them, they went on the Temple Block and in the Tabernacle.
October 11; "People all home again, it is claimed there was as much as 20,000 people at conference."
Octoaber 26, Saturday; "We had a beef killed today, I bought a 40 gallon barrall to salt it down in." There is a skip in his journal from October until February 1890, and this is the first time he mentions his wife’s illness, he says she’s been down about 4 weeks and Margaret Whitehead (James wife) is attending her, she is better and worse nearly every other day. All the rest of his Journals mentions about her illness, so I guess she was sick the last 10 or 11 years of her life. She died 29 July 1901, at the age of 65. Also in this February 18th and other times too, he says; "I had an attack of Chalria arbans and the La Grip. Had the Doc 3 times once for me and twice for my wife." On April 1st; "Caroline was able to go to Kaysville to see her parents, she had to walk to May Janes (her sisters) about one and a half miles. Caroline walked over to see her parents. While she was here in Kaysville she became very ill, the Doc examined her and finds that the womb is closed up, he made an inceshtion to clean it out. Her husband James went to get some cod liver oil, but couldn’t get the kind he wanted, so he took the train for home and bought a bottle of cod liver oil and came back to Kaysville. They were not able to come home until April 27, almost a month at her parents, Levi was as the depot with a team.
Several times he mentions that the girls come over and helping clean things up for him and helping with their Mother, but by August 1892 he writes; "It looks as though I am distined ato do house work for the rest of my days."
November 8, 1892, Tuesday; "The great day of election, for President of the United States. I voted for Cleveland and Steveson, I think they will be elected, I hope so."
December 30, 1892; "Harriet was confined to bed this morning, she had a girl baby born."
January 3, 1893; "Our Till was confined to bed this morning with a fine baby boy, 11 pounder."
January 8, Sunday; "My wife gone to see Till and her baby this afternoon. I stayed to keep house."
March 3, 1893; "I am 70 years old today, and Levi is 25. Today we had James and his wife, Harriet and her husband and children, Till and her husband, had a fine time, they presented me with a very nice rocking chair, and Levi a pair of cuff bottoms and a nice cashmear shirt."
April 10, 1893; "Levi left by the 6 o’clock train for Salt Lake Caity to go through the Temple, which is finished, been 40 years since it was commenced to be built. He went with Ren Cutler and others."
April 13; "People returning home from Salt Lake City, that went down earlier, we expect Levi home on Saturday. Our Nett went down on Wednesday. We hear of many people being rob in Salt Lake Caity, having their pockets picked. We have a report that Sunday School children will have rates going down to Salt Lake Caity to go through the temple this Friday and Saturday. Heavy trains of passangers coming to and from Salt Lake City."
This ends the Journals we have of James’ life. His last years were spent in Franklin, Idaho. He died a natural death at Franklin on February 25, 1911, at the age of 87, almost 10 years after his wife’s death. They are both buried in the Franklin Cemetery. All of his journals tell of his kindness to his family and neighbors.
(Typed and edited by Mona M. Rogers wife of Denvon Rogers. Denvon is a grandson of Lorenzo and Jennet Oliverson Cutler). The mis-spelled words are the way he spelled them.
History of Henry Roberts
HISTORY OF HENRY ROBERTS
Son of Levi and Harriet (Efford) Roberts
by Arvilla Roberts Ford - Granddaughter
Henry Roberts was born 16 June 1836, Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England, to Levi Roberts, born 10 May 1810, Apperly, Gloucestershire, England, and Harriet Ann Efford born 16 May 1819, Deerhurst, Gloucestershire England.
Levi Roberts, Henry's father was one of the United Brethren who President Wilford Woodruff converted along with 1800 souls during his 8 month preaching in the field of labor which embraced Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire, and formed the conferences of Garway, Godfield, Elm and From's Hill.
Harriet Ann Efford was converted at the same time 1839 - 1840.
When the glad tidings of the restored gospel came to them, their hearts responded to the truth, the spirit of gathering moved upon them and found them headed westward with the body of the young church seeking a haven of rest in the valley of the mountains where they could worship God as they wished and rear their children as God would have them do.
Levi and Harriet Ann Roberts sailed on the ship "Echo", from England in 1840, with their two children, Henry, age four years, and Caroline, two years. They landed at New Orleans in 1840. They traveled by boat up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo, Illinois, remaining there until the "Mormons" began their exodus westward.
Two sisters were born in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, Phoebe Ann Roberts was born 22 January 1843, and Marinda Roberts was born 10 April 1845.
While living in Nauvoo, Levi acted as one of the body guards of the prophet, and with his family shared in the suffering and sorrow of that memorable "Mormon exodus" and finally reached Mt. Pisgah. It was here the call came for volunteers for the Mexican War 1 July 1846. Levi joined the Mormon Battalion at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa in Company "E" and crossed the plains and mountains to California, a trek of 2000 miles in all. The longest hardest march in recorded history.
Henry was now ten years old, the oldest of the four children left to help care for the Roberts family, his mother, who was very ill with rheumatism at the time and three younger sisters, still living at Mt. Pisgah.
After Levi's discharge in Fort Moore or Los Angeles, California, he returned to his family at Mt. Pisgah, 1 July 1847. Harriet Ann had regained her health and their family was happily reunited.
One more sister was born, Harriet Ann Roberts, 8 September 1848 at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa.
Levi and family remained in Council Bluffs, Iowa until they could make preparations to travel to the Salt Lake valley, which was two years later. They arrived in the valley in the year 1850. Henry was now fourteen years old and a great help to his family.
Levi and family settled on Kays Creek, Kaysville, Davis County, Utah. Here he homesteaded on a section of land, under Government privileges to veterans. Levi was a basket weaver by trade so the willows found along the creek provided good raw material to work with.
The first home was a dug out which served temporarily until a four room log cabin could be built. Henry and his father went into nearby canyons to get logs which they trimmed and fitted together with rawhide where needed. Nails could not be bought at that time. Shoes were impossible to get, so old sacks were wrapped about their feet. Many times when returning with the logs their feet would be bleeding in the snow. Many hard-ships confronted them but they were prayerful, and trusted in their Heavenly Father for the help they needed to guide them.
Henry helped his father clear the land from sagebrush. Willows woven into fences and surrounding their property, lasted long after Levi's death. They surrounded themselves with animals, such as cattle, horses to work with on the farm. Henry loved animals and farming and was very ambitious in doing work that needed to be done.
Henry would take his wagon and team to Nevada to do freighting of what ever goods was needed to be transported. He would bring back seeds and available foods. This he continued for several years.
Henry was an ambitious, gentle, kind and helpful man. The oldest of a family of eight children, the seven younger ones being girls.
Three girls were born in Kaysville, Davis, Utah, Mary Ann Roberts, 13 December 1851, Matilda Roberts, 2 January 1854 and Lucy Ellen Roberts, 1 November 1855.
In 1860 when Henry was twenty-four he was called, with others of his age, to settle a territory dispute for the government between Mexico and California. While in California he panned for gold, and remained in California job working for ten years. In 1870 Henry returned to his father's home in Kaysville. Farmers around traded help with each other. Henry soon met a beautiful young lady, Mary Ellen Wardrop, eighteen years old from Wellsville, Cache County, Utah but who was working for the Bevans family in Layton. A six month courtship was pursued, and finally Mary Ellen and Henry were married 29 September 1870. Mary Ellen cooked for three days to prepare for this event at the Roberts home.
Henry and Mary Ellen's first home was a house built by Mr. Bevans on his farm. They continued to work for Mr. Bevans for a while. He soon decided to sell his property and move away, so Henry and Mary Ellen bought the farm. They proved to be a very successful farmer and homemaker. They endured the inconveniences and hardships of their time.
A large family of nine children came to bless their home, first three boys, then four girls, one boy, and one girl. Walton, Anthony, Mark Owen, Vida Margaret, Harriet Ann, Mary Ellen, Phoebe, William Robert and Jane Caroline.
Henry really liked California and was often heard to say he wished he had taken Mary Ellen there to live.
Henry learned the art of grafting apple, plum and peach trees, thus creating new varieties. Each new variety he produced, he named the tree for the person he acquired the twig he grafted with. The Snow apple was one of the early eating apples, white meat with bright red skin, and very delicious. The Carlos apple was a large red and yellow striped cooking apple and very delicious. He had an outdoor peeler for apples, also a cider mill, which he used during the apple season.
Henry was a very good builder of sheds and corals when they were needed for the beef cattle, milk cows, horses, pigs, sheep also chickens. They always made butter to sell.
Henry was a good provider for his family of the necessities and believed in keeping his family busy. He acquired more land in Clearfield and the Sand Ridge, also in Clearfield, when the opportunity presented itself. The girls in the family learned and did outside chores, such as milking cows, feeding the animals and chickens, also gathering fruit that had been planted along the fence line, red and black currants, and pottawatamy plums, used to preserve for winter use. Drying of other fruits was one of the first methods of preservation used.
School to be attended in the winter, fall and spring was located at 5 points in Kaysville. It was too far to walk so the children went by horse and buggy or rode horses, which was their only transportation. Thomas Phillips was the teacher at the time.
Henry was kind and helpful to his aged parents, who suffered greatly from rheumatism, but still lived in the four room log cabin they had built in 1850, their first home. Later a shanty of lumber was added at the north entrance with a roofed walkway to connect both. All the girls had married and moved away. Levi died in 1894 and Harriet died in 1895 thus leaving their home and farm to their son Henry.
After buying land on the Sand Ridge, Henry needed to improve upon it, so he took Mark O. and Walton A. with him to help build it up and establish themselves. Mark later made his home on this property after he was married to Eva Jones from Kaysville, 16 November 1898.
Levi, the oldest son remained with his mother to help her and the other children run the farm. As the older girls reached maturity they were married and began making homes of their own. As the younger children grew older, Mary Ellen, Mother, rented the farm and went to Logan to keep house for Robert and Jane attending the U.A.C. Jane became a school teacher.
Levi and family returned from Canada to live at the old Roberts farm, so Mary Ellen, his mother, came to live with them until her death 8 October 1934.
Henry later made his home on the property his father left him. The children were always welcome to come and go as they would want to. Phoebe never married until later in life so she kept house for him in his later years.
Walton A. left 14 January 1897, along with thirteen other missionaries from the area to serve a mission in the Southern States for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was assigned to labor in West Virginia for a two year period. Henry faithfully supported his son and was very pleased when he returned after fulfilling a successful two years for his church. On 3 March 1899 Walton A. Roberts returned home.
Walton A. was now twenty six years old. He had been writing to a lovely young girl in Layton, Olive Elizabeth Corbridge who was nineteen years old. After one year of courtship they were married in the Salt Lake Temple, 14 March 1900. Phebe, Olive's younger sister had married one year before. Phebe and Horace Layton was planning to go to Canada to make their home if they liked it. Walton and Olive decided to go with them. Henry, father of Walton, helped him make preparations. He gave him a covered wagon, horses, cattle, a dog, provisions, and $1000 to buy land with when he reached Canada.
Henry went to Canada by train to visit with Walton and Olive and help them build a two room home before winter set in. He was there from September to January. The house was ready to move into two weeks before Arvilla was born, 4 December 1900. Grandfather Henry Roberts was a most welcome guest at all times.
Walton and Olive lived ten years farming in Canada, then returned to Kaysville and built a home on some land his father gave him. Walton relieved his father of the farming cares and bought the property from the other heirs.
It was here that I, Arvilla, spent the rest of my growing up years, until I was married in 1925.
Henry's family visited with him often. He loved his grandchildren very much, and always seemed to find a treat for them when they came to see him. All children lived to maturity and raised families of their own. Temple work has been completed for this family.
Henry suffered greatly from rheumatism in his later life and was always well taken care of. He donated generously to the church building fund when needed. He died 20 March 1914 and was buried in the Kaysville - Layton cemetery beside his wife.
Son of Levi and Harriet (Efford) Roberts
by Arvilla Roberts Ford - Granddaughter
Henry Roberts was born 16 June 1836, Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England, to Levi Roberts, born 10 May 1810, Apperly, Gloucestershire, England, and Harriet Ann Efford born 16 May 1819, Deerhurst, Gloucestershire England.
Levi Roberts, Henry's father was one of the United Brethren who President Wilford Woodruff converted along with 1800 souls during his 8 month preaching in the field of labor which embraced Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire, and formed the conferences of Garway, Godfield, Elm and From's Hill.
Harriet Ann Efford was converted at the same time 1839 - 1840.
When the glad tidings of the restored gospel came to them, their hearts responded to the truth, the spirit of gathering moved upon them and found them headed westward with the body of the young church seeking a haven of rest in the valley of the mountains where they could worship God as they wished and rear their children as God would have them do.
Levi and Harriet Ann Roberts sailed on the ship "Echo", from England in 1840, with their two children, Henry, age four years, and Caroline, two years. They landed at New Orleans in 1840. They traveled by boat up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo, Illinois, remaining there until the "Mormons" began their exodus westward.
Two sisters were born in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, Phoebe Ann Roberts was born 22 January 1843, and Marinda Roberts was born 10 April 1845.
While living in Nauvoo, Levi acted as one of the body guards of the prophet, and with his family shared in the suffering and sorrow of that memorable "Mormon exodus" and finally reached Mt. Pisgah. It was here the call came for volunteers for the Mexican War 1 July 1846. Levi joined the Mormon Battalion at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa in Company "E" and crossed the plains and mountains to California, a trek of 2000 miles in all. The longest hardest march in recorded history.
Henry was now ten years old, the oldest of the four children left to help care for the Roberts family, his mother, who was very ill with rheumatism at the time and three younger sisters, still living at Mt. Pisgah.
After Levi's discharge in Fort Moore or Los Angeles, California, he returned to his family at Mt. Pisgah, 1 July 1847. Harriet Ann had regained her health and their family was happily reunited.
One more sister was born, Harriet Ann Roberts, 8 September 1848 at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa.
Levi and family remained in Council Bluffs, Iowa until they could make preparations to travel to the Salt Lake valley, which was two years later. They arrived in the valley in the year 1850. Henry was now fourteen years old and a great help to his family.
Levi and family settled on Kays Creek, Kaysville, Davis County, Utah. Here he homesteaded on a section of land, under Government privileges to veterans. Levi was a basket weaver by trade so the willows found along the creek provided good raw material to work with.
The first home was a dug out which served temporarily until a four room log cabin could be built. Henry and his father went into nearby canyons to get logs which they trimmed and fitted together with rawhide where needed. Nails could not be bought at that time. Shoes were impossible to get, so old sacks were wrapped about their feet. Many times when returning with the logs their feet would be bleeding in the snow. Many hard-ships confronted them but they were prayerful, and trusted in their Heavenly Father for the help they needed to guide them.
Henry helped his father clear the land from sagebrush. Willows woven into fences and surrounding their property, lasted long after Levi's death. They surrounded themselves with animals, such as cattle, horses to work with on the farm. Henry loved animals and farming and was very ambitious in doing work that needed to be done.
Henry would take his wagon and team to Nevada to do freighting of what ever goods was needed to be transported. He would bring back seeds and available foods. This he continued for several years.
Henry was an ambitious, gentle, kind and helpful man. The oldest of a family of eight children, the seven younger ones being girls.
Three girls were born in Kaysville, Davis, Utah, Mary Ann Roberts, 13 December 1851, Matilda Roberts, 2 January 1854 and Lucy Ellen Roberts, 1 November 1855.
In 1860 when Henry was twenty-four he was called, with others of his age, to settle a territory dispute for the government between Mexico and California. While in California he panned for gold, and remained in California job working for ten years. In 1870 Henry returned to his father's home in Kaysville. Farmers around traded help with each other. Henry soon met a beautiful young lady, Mary Ellen Wardrop, eighteen years old from Wellsville, Cache County, Utah but who was working for the Bevans family in Layton. A six month courtship was pursued, and finally Mary Ellen and Henry were married 29 September 1870. Mary Ellen cooked for three days to prepare for this event at the Roberts home.
Henry and Mary Ellen's first home was a house built by Mr. Bevans on his farm. They continued to work for Mr. Bevans for a while. He soon decided to sell his property and move away, so Henry and Mary Ellen bought the farm. They proved to be a very successful farmer and homemaker. They endured the inconveniences and hardships of their time.
A large family of nine children came to bless their home, first three boys, then four girls, one boy, and one girl. Walton, Anthony, Mark Owen, Vida Margaret, Harriet Ann, Mary Ellen, Phoebe, William Robert and Jane Caroline.
Henry really liked California and was often heard to say he wished he had taken Mary Ellen there to live.
Henry learned the art of grafting apple, plum and peach trees, thus creating new varieties. Each new variety he produced, he named the tree for the person he acquired the twig he grafted with. The Snow apple was one of the early eating apples, white meat with bright red skin, and very delicious. The Carlos apple was a large red and yellow striped cooking apple and very delicious. He had an outdoor peeler for apples, also a cider mill, which he used during the apple season.
Henry was a very good builder of sheds and corals when they were needed for the beef cattle, milk cows, horses, pigs, sheep also chickens. They always made butter to sell.
Henry was a good provider for his family of the necessities and believed in keeping his family busy. He acquired more land in Clearfield and the Sand Ridge, also in Clearfield, when the opportunity presented itself. The girls in the family learned and did outside chores, such as milking cows, feeding the animals and chickens, also gathering fruit that had been planted along the fence line, red and black currants, and pottawatamy plums, used to preserve for winter use. Drying of other fruits was one of the first methods of preservation used.
School to be attended in the winter, fall and spring was located at 5 points in Kaysville. It was too far to walk so the children went by horse and buggy or rode horses, which was their only transportation. Thomas Phillips was the teacher at the time.
Henry was kind and helpful to his aged parents, who suffered greatly from rheumatism, but still lived in the four room log cabin they had built in 1850, their first home. Later a shanty of lumber was added at the north entrance with a roofed walkway to connect both. All the girls had married and moved away. Levi died in 1894 and Harriet died in 1895 thus leaving their home and farm to their son Henry.
After buying land on the Sand Ridge, Henry needed to improve upon it, so he took Mark O. and Walton A. with him to help build it up and establish themselves. Mark later made his home on this property after he was married to Eva Jones from Kaysville, 16 November 1898.
Levi, the oldest son remained with his mother to help her and the other children run the farm. As the older girls reached maturity they were married and began making homes of their own. As the younger children grew older, Mary Ellen, Mother, rented the farm and went to Logan to keep house for Robert and Jane attending the U.A.C. Jane became a school teacher.
Levi and family returned from Canada to live at the old Roberts farm, so Mary Ellen, his mother, came to live with them until her death 8 October 1934.
Henry later made his home on the property his father left him. The children were always welcome to come and go as they would want to. Phoebe never married until later in life so she kept house for him in his later years.
Walton A. left 14 January 1897, along with thirteen other missionaries from the area to serve a mission in the Southern States for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was assigned to labor in West Virginia for a two year period. Henry faithfully supported his son and was very pleased when he returned after fulfilling a successful two years for his church. On 3 March 1899 Walton A. Roberts returned home.
Walton A. was now twenty six years old. He had been writing to a lovely young girl in Layton, Olive Elizabeth Corbridge who was nineteen years old. After one year of courtship they were married in the Salt Lake Temple, 14 March 1900. Phebe, Olive's younger sister had married one year before. Phebe and Horace Layton was planning to go to Canada to make their home if they liked it. Walton and Olive decided to go with them. Henry, father of Walton, helped him make preparations. He gave him a covered wagon, horses, cattle, a dog, provisions, and $1000 to buy land with when he reached Canada.
Henry went to Canada by train to visit with Walton and Olive and help them build a two room home before winter set in. He was there from September to January. The house was ready to move into two weeks before Arvilla was born, 4 December 1900. Grandfather Henry Roberts was a most welcome guest at all times.
Walton and Olive lived ten years farming in Canada, then returned to Kaysville and built a home on some land his father gave him. Walton relieved his father of the farming cares and bought the property from the other heirs.
It was here that I, Arvilla, spent the rest of my growing up years, until I was married in 1925.
Henry's family visited with him often. He loved his grandchildren very much, and always seemed to find a treat for them when they came to see him. All children lived to maturity and raised families of their own. Temple work has been completed for this family.
Henry suffered greatly from rheumatism in his later life and was always well taken care of. He donated generously to the church building fund when needed. He died 20 March 1914 and was buried in the Kaysville - Layton cemetery beside his wife.
History of Matilda Roberts Bodily
The History of
Matilda Roberts Bodily
Compiled by Anjanette Stone Lofgren
Matilda Roberts Bodily was born on January 2nd, 1854, in Kaysville, Davis County, Utah. She was the seventh of eight children born to Levi Roberts and Harriet Ann Efford.
The Roberts and Effords were from Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England. Levi was a farmer and basket weaver by trade. Levi Roberts (who was a member of the United Brethren) and his wife, Harriet Ann Efford, were converted and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Wilford Woodruff in 1840.
The story behind the conversion of Matilda’s parents and the other the United Brethren is so remarkable, it must be told here. The following is Wilford Woodruff’s account of the conversion of the United Brethren:
“One of the most remarkable missionary experiences in the history of the Church is the events that surrounded Wilford Woodruff’s service in England in 1840. He began his work by visiting a number of areas where there were some members already, meeting with the Saints and preaching to gatherings of many interested citizens. He then felt inspired to depart that area and move on.
"In the morning I went in secret before the Lord, and asked Him what was His will concerning me. The answer I received was that I should go to the south; for the Lord had a great work for me to perform there, as many souls were waiting for His word." So Elder Woodruff made his way south by coach and by foot, eventually arriving at "a region where no elder of the Latter-day Saints had visited," finding lodging in Herefordshire with a wealthy farmer named John Benbow.
“The first evening of his visit with the Benbows, Elder Woodruff conversed with the couple until 2:00 in the morning. He was thrilled to find that there was a group of over 600 men and women who had broken off from the Methodists, taking the name of United Brethren. This group was "searching for light and truth, but had gone as far as they could, and were calling upon the Lord continually to open the way before them and send them light and knowledge, that they might know the true way to be saved."
“Within a few days, the baptisms began with John and Jane Benbow and several of the preachers of the United Brethren. Elder Woodruff cleared a pool of water on the property to facilitate the baptisms; he would eventually baptize over 600 people in that pool.
When Sunday came, Elder Woodruff preached at three separate locations, drawing over a thousand listeners. The parish church near the Benbow farm had only 15 persons in attendance. In the evening, a large group met at the Benbow home for a meeting. Elder Woodruff records: “When I arose to speak at Brother Benbow’s house, a man entered the door and informed me that he was a constable, and had been sent by the rector of the parish with a warrant to arrest me". "I asked him, ‘For what crime?’ "He said, ‘For preaching to the people.’ "I told him that I, as well as the rector, had a license for preaching the gospel to the people, and that if he would take a chair I would wait upon him after meeting. "He took my chair and sat beside me. For an hour and a quarter I preached the first principles of the everlasting gospel. The power of God rested upon me, the spirit filled the house, and the people were convinced. "At the close of the meeting I opened the door for baptism, and seven offered themselves. Among the number were four preachers and the constable. "The latter arose and said, ‘Mr. Woodruff, I would like to be baptized.’ I told him I would like to baptize him. I went down into the pool and baptized the seven. We then came together. I confirmed thirteen, administered the Sacrament, and we all rejoiced together.
"The constable went to the rector and told him that if he wanted Mr. Woodruff taken for preaching the gospel, he must go himself and serve the writ; for he had heard him preach the only true gospel sermon he had ever listened to in his life. "The rector did not know what to make of it, so he sent two clerks of the Church of England as spies, to attend our meeting, and find out what we did preach. "But they both were pricked in their hearts and received the word of the Lord gladly, and were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "The rector became alarmed, and did not venture to send anybody else."
“In spite of the protests of the local churches, Elder Woodruff continued to serve and continued to have phenomenal success. He reported on his efforts: "The first thirty days after my arrival in Herefordshire, I had baptized forty-five preachers and one hundred and sixty members of the United Brethren, who put into my hands one chapel and forty-five houses, which were licensed according to law to preach in. "This opened a wide field for labor, and enabled me to bring into the Church, through the blessings of God, over eighteen hundred souls during the eight months, including all of the six hundred United Brethren except one person. In this number there were also some two hundred preachers of various denominations. . . . "The power of God rested upon us and upon the mission. . . . The Lord had a people there prepared for the gospel. They were praying for light and truth, and the Lord sent me to them, and I declared the gospel of life and salvation unto them, and some eight hundred souls received it, and many of them have been gathered to Zion in these mountains. Many of them have also been called to officiate in the bishopric, and have done much good in Zion. But in all these things we should ever acknowledge the hand of God, and give Him the honor, praise and glory, forever and ever. Amen." (Wilford Woodruff,-- Leaves From My Journal--, Chapter 24; Matthias F. Cowley, --Wilford Woodruff -- His life and Labors--, pp. 116-120)
When the glad tidings of the restored Gospel came to them, their hearts responded to the Truth. The spirit of gathering moved upon them and found them headed westward with the body of the young church, seeking a haven of rest in the valley of the mountains, where they could worship God as they wished and rear their children as God would have them do.
Levi and Harriet set sail on the ship "Echo”, the 2nd ship to leave from England in 1840, with their 2 children, Henry Roberts born 16 June 1836, in England, 4 years old at this time and 2 year old Caroline , born 13 October 1838, in England. They traveled with many new converts to the church. They left many loved ones behind.
After 6 weeks on the ocean, they landed in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. safely in 1840. They traveled by boat up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo, Illinois, their destination. They remained here until the Mormons began their exodus westward.
While living in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, 2 daughters were born to this family - Phebe Ann Roberts, 22 January 1843 and Marinda Roberts, 10 April 1845.
While living in Nauvoo, Levi acted as one of the body guards of the prophet, Joseph Smith and with his family shared in the suffering and sorrow of the memorable exodus of the saints from Nauvoo, and they finally reached Mt. Pisgah (Winter Quarters). It was here that Levi Roberts joined the Mormon Battalion. He was in Company "E" and crossed the plains and mountains to California, a trek of 2000 miles in all. The longest, hardest march in recorded history.
The Roberts lived at Council Bluffs, Iowa for two years while preparing to cross the plains.
Harriet Ann Roberts was born 8 September 1848 at Council Bluffs.
They arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah in the fall of 1850 with the Captain Pearson independent company, and lived there a short time, then moved to Kaysville, Davis County, Utah. Levi and Harriet had three more daughters born to them after settling in Kaysville. Mary Jane born the 13 December 1851, Matilda born 2 January 1854, and Lucy Ellen born 1 November 1855.
Matilda grew up and was educated in Kaysville. It was while living here that she met and married Edwin Bodily in the Salt Lake Endowment House on 25 January 1875.
After their marriage they moved to Fairview, Idaho and homesteaded in the north part of the settlement. She helped her husband as best she could to get started. They worked hard in getting the land ready to plant. They worked very hard for several years. They planted and took care of a large vegetable garden. They had been married just over ten years and had five small children when her husband, Edwin was called on a mission for the Church to the then Northwestern States Mission. A daughter Harriett Matilda was born a short time after Edwin left for his mission.
A relative of the family, Edwin's brother William's son, William Edward, helped run the farm while Edwin was gone, but Matilda and small children had to work hard and carry on while he was away. Henry, the eldest, was only about ten years old, so Matilda had many responsibilities with the farm and raising her small family. She would walk to Bear River, five miles away, to take the cows and get them again each evening, leaving the children alone while she made this trip. They separated the milk, so she had to wash the separator each day, and she would churn the cream into butter, and take it to Franklin to the store to sell. She was very diligent in having family prayers when her husband was away, and in the later years of their married life he was away with the sheep much of the time.
Matilda was a good housekeeper. She had a large house and always kept it neat and clean and had plenty of good food to eat, especially home made bread. While Edwin was Bishop for so many years, she always prepared dinner on Sunday when the Stake Presidency came to Fairview for Ward Conference. She always made lemon pie for which she was noted for making so deliciously. She made the crust of butter, as Brother Geddes, the Stake President, preferred it.
Matilda was a counselor in the Relief Society and was a Visiting Teacher for many years. She also worked in other offices in the Church.
The first few years of her marriage, she would make a trip to Kaysville to her parents home each fall by wagon, to get their winter's supply of fruit. They would dry most of it by spreading it out on sheets on the floors of the upstairs of their home. After many years of hard untiring labor, Edwin had a wonderful large orchard and had every kind of apple, plums, pears, and even a few peaches, berries and currants. This fruit was bottled, dried, or given away. Every one of the children after they were married and had homes of their own, got their years supply of fruit from this orchard each year.
Aunt Robenia commented that Grandmother was always home when the children came home from school. She remembers Grandmother driving the horse and buggy and taking the children to Franklin to visit her sister Caroline Oliverson. She also remembers their visits to Uncle William and Aunt Delilah Bodily's and the good pigeon pie they would have while there. They killed pigs each fall for their supply of meat, and Grandmother would render the lard, make sausage, head cheese, and cure the hams and bacon. She made all their laundry soap from the mutton tallow (Grandfather having large flocks of sheep, they always had plenty of mutton.) They had an old buck sheep who walked on a treadmill to turn the washing machine. They also had the first Delco plant in the area to furnish electricity for their home.
Matilda was the mother of thirteen children, and has been known to have said, that she would take all the children the Lord would give her. She did not raise all of her children to maturity as four of them died as small children, and one son, Robert, was killed in a farm accident, when he was fourteen years old, so she did have many sorrows and sadness in her life. It has been said that on the morning of Robert's death, he asked for a piece of pie for breakfast. Grandmother refused, stating that pie was hardly appropriate for breakfast. A few short hours later he was crushed to death under a large land roller of Brother Ether Rawlings. Grandmother chastised herself and felt so terribly bad to think that she had refused him the piece of pie.
Matilda was a small petite woman and did not have the best of health. After the death of her husband on 24 March 1923, she lived with her children until her death on 23 February 1925. She was 71 years old at the time of her death. She was buried in the Fairview, Idaho Cemetery.
The children of Edwin and Matilda are: Henry James, Effie (died as an infant), Edwin, Levi, Robert (died when 14 years of age), Christopher (Chris), Harriett Matilda, Robenia Vida, Wilford, Emma (died as an infant), Lynn Roberts (died as a child), Delbert (died when an infant), and Myrl LeRoy.
Sources: Excerpts taken from the following; Matilda Roberts Bodily History written by Oneta H, Hyde and Dorothy H. Gilbert, Levi Roberts History written by Arvilla Roberts Ford, and Wilford Woodruff,-- Leaves From My Journal--, Chapter 24; Matthias F. Cowley, --Wilford Woodruff -- His life and Labors--, pp. 116-120. Family records.
Photos: Edwin and Matilda photos copied from Lyle Rawlins’ website. Church photos from a website no longer in service ,Levi Roberts Home photo from familypreserves.com
Matilda Roberts Bodily
Compiled by Anjanette Stone Lofgren
Matilda Roberts Bodily was born on January 2nd, 1854, in Kaysville, Davis County, Utah. She was the seventh of eight children born to Levi Roberts and Harriet Ann Efford.
The Roberts and Effords were from Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England. Levi was a farmer and basket weaver by trade. Levi Roberts (who was a member of the United Brethren) and his wife, Harriet Ann Efford, were converted and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Wilford Woodruff in 1840.
The story behind the conversion of Matilda’s parents and the other the United Brethren is so remarkable, it must be told here. The following is Wilford Woodruff’s account of the conversion of the United Brethren:
“One of the most remarkable missionary experiences in the history of the Church is the events that surrounded Wilford Woodruff’s service in England in 1840. He began his work by visiting a number of areas where there were some members already, meeting with the Saints and preaching to gatherings of many interested citizens. He then felt inspired to depart that area and move on.
"In the morning I went in secret before the Lord, and asked Him what was His will concerning me. The answer I received was that I should go to the south; for the Lord had a great work for me to perform there, as many souls were waiting for His word." So Elder Woodruff made his way south by coach and by foot, eventually arriving at "a region where no elder of the Latter-day Saints had visited," finding lodging in Herefordshire with a wealthy farmer named John Benbow.
“The first evening of his visit with the Benbows, Elder Woodruff conversed with the couple until 2:00 in the morning. He was thrilled to find that there was a group of over 600 men and women who had broken off from the Methodists, taking the name of United Brethren. This group was "searching for light and truth, but had gone as far as they could, and were calling upon the Lord continually to open the way before them and send them light and knowledge, that they might know the true way to be saved."
“Within a few days, the baptisms began with John and Jane Benbow and several of the preachers of the United Brethren. Elder Woodruff cleared a pool of water on the property to facilitate the baptisms; he would eventually baptize over 600 people in that pool.
When Sunday came, Elder Woodruff preached at three separate locations, drawing over a thousand listeners. The parish church near the Benbow farm had only 15 persons in attendance. In the evening, a large group met at the Benbow home for a meeting. Elder Woodruff records: “When I arose to speak at Brother Benbow’s house, a man entered the door and informed me that he was a constable, and had been sent by the rector of the parish with a warrant to arrest me". "I asked him, ‘For what crime?’ "He said, ‘For preaching to the people.’ "I told him that I, as well as the rector, had a license for preaching the gospel to the people, and that if he would take a chair I would wait upon him after meeting. "He took my chair and sat beside me. For an hour and a quarter I preached the first principles of the everlasting gospel. The power of God rested upon me, the spirit filled the house, and the people were convinced. "At the close of the meeting I opened the door for baptism, and seven offered themselves. Among the number were four preachers and the constable. "The latter arose and said, ‘Mr. Woodruff, I would like to be baptized.’ I told him I would like to baptize him. I went down into the pool and baptized the seven. We then came together. I confirmed thirteen, administered the Sacrament, and we all rejoiced together.
"The constable went to the rector and told him that if he wanted Mr. Woodruff taken for preaching the gospel, he must go himself and serve the writ; for he had heard him preach the only true gospel sermon he had ever listened to in his life. "The rector did not know what to make of it, so he sent two clerks of the Church of England as spies, to attend our meeting, and find out what we did preach. "But they both were pricked in their hearts and received the word of the Lord gladly, and were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "The rector became alarmed, and did not venture to send anybody else."
“In spite of the protests of the local churches, Elder Woodruff continued to serve and continued to have phenomenal success. He reported on his efforts: "The first thirty days after my arrival in Herefordshire, I had baptized forty-five preachers and one hundred and sixty members of the United Brethren, who put into my hands one chapel and forty-five houses, which were licensed according to law to preach in. "This opened a wide field for labor, and enabled me to bring into the Church, through the blessings of God, over eighteen hundred souls during the eight months, including all of the six hundred United Brethren except one person. In this number there were also some two hundred preachers of various denominations. . . . "The power of God rested upon us and upon the mission. . . . The Lord had a people there prepared for the gospel. They were praying for light and truth, and the Lord sent me to them, and I declared the gospel of life and salvation unto them, and some eight hundred souls received it, and many of them have been gathered to Zion in these mountains. Many of them have also been called to officiate in the bishopric, and have done much good in Zion. But in all these things we should ever acknowledge the hand of God, and give Him the honor, praise and glory, forever and ever. Amen." (Wilford Woodruff,-- Leaves From My Journal--, Chapter 24; Matthias F. Cowley, --Wilford Woodruff -- His life and Labors--, pp. 116-120)
When the glad tidings of the restored Gospel came to them, their hearts responded to the Truth. The spirit of gathering moved upon them and found them headed westward with the body of the young church, seeking a haven of rest in the valley of the mountains, where they could worship God as they wished and rear their children as God would have them do.
Levi and Harriet set sail on the ship "Echo”, the 2nd ship to leave from England in 1840, with their 2 children, Henry Roberts born 16 June 1836, in England, 4 years old at this time and 2 year old Caroline , born 13 October 1838, in England. They traveled with many new converts to the church. They left many loved ones behind.
After 6 weeks on the ocean, they landed in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. safely in 1840. They traveled by boat up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo, Illinois, their destination. They remained here until the Mormons began their exodus westward.
While living in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, 2 daughters were born to this family - Phebe Ann Roberts, 22 January 1843 and Marinda Roberts, 10 April 1845.
While living in Nauvoo, Levi acted as one of the body guards of the prophet, Joseph Smith and with his family shared in the suffering and sorrow of the memorable exodus of the saints from Nauvoo, and they finally reached Mt. Pisgah (Winter Quarters). It was here that Levi Roberts joined the Mormon Battalion. He was in Company "E" and crossed the plains and mountains to California, a trek of 2000 miles in all. The longest, hardest march in recorded history.
The Roberts lived at Council Bluffs, Iowa for two years while preparing to cross the plains.
Harriet Ann Roberts was born 8 September 1848 at Council Bluffs.
They arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah in the fall of 1850 with the Captain Pearson independent company, and lived there a short time, then moved to Kaysville, Davis County, Utah. Levi and Harriet had three more daughters born to them after settling in Kaysville. Mary Jane born the 13 December 1851, Matilda born 2 January 1854, and Lucy Ellen born 1 November 1855.
Matilda grew up and was educated in Kaysville. It was while living here that she met and married Edwin Bodily in the Salt Lake Endowment House on 25 January 1875.
After their marriage they moved to Fairview, Idaho and homesteaded in the north part of the settlement. She helped her husband as best she could to get started. They worked hard in getting the land ready to plant. They worked very hard for several years. They planted and took care of a large vegetable garden. They had been married just over ten years and had five small children when her husband, Edwin was called on a mission for the Church to the then Northwestern States Mission. A daughter Harriett Matilda was born a short time after Edwin left for his mission.
A relative of the family, Edwin's brother William's son, William Edward, helped run the farm while Edwin was gone, but Matilda and small children had to work hard and carry on while he was away. Henry, the eldest, was only about ten years old, so Matilda had many responsibilities with the farm and raising her small family. She would walk to Bear River, five miles away, to take the cows and get them again each evening, leaving the children alone while she made this trip. They separated the milk, so she had to wash the separator each day, and she would churn the cream into butter, and take it to Franklin to the store to sell. She was very diligent in having family prayers when her husband was away, and in the later years of their married life he was away with the sheep much of the time.
Matilda was a good housekeeper. She had a large house and always kept it neat and clean and had plenty of good food to eat, especially home made bread. While Edwin was Bishop for so many years, she always prepared dinner on Sunday when the Stake Presidency came to Fairview for Ward Conference. She always made lemon pie for which she was noted for making so deliciously. She made the crust of butter, as Brother Geddes, the Stake President, preferred it.
Matilda was a counselor in the Relief Society and was a Visiting Teacher for many years. She also worked in other offices in the Church.
The first few years of her marriage, she would make a trip to Kaysville to her parents home each fall by wagon, to get their winter's supply of fruit. They would dry most of it by spreading it out on sheets on the floors of the upstairs of their home. After many years of hard untiring labor, Edwin had a wonderful large orchard and had every kind of apple, plums, pears, and even a few peaches, berries and currants. This fruit was bottled, dried, or given away. Every one of the children after they were married and had homes of their own, got their years supply of fruit from this orchard each year.
Aunt Robenia commented that Grandmother was always home when the children came home from school. She remembers Grandmother driving the horse and buggy and taking the children to Franklin to visit her sister Caroline Oliverson. She also remembers their visits to Uncle William and Aunt Delilah Bodily's and the good pigeon pie they would have while there. They killed pigs each fall for their supply of meat, and Grandmother would render the lard, make sausage, head cheese, and cure the hams and bacon. She made all their laundry soap from the mutton tallow (Grandfather having large flocks of sheep, they always had plenty of mutton.) They had an old buck sheep who walked on a treadmill to turn the washing machine. They also had the first Delco plant in the area to furnish electricity for their home.
Matilda was the mother of thirteen children, and has been known to have said, that she would take all the children the Lord would give her. She did not raise all of her children to maturity as four of them died as small children, and one son, Robert, was killed in a farm accident, when he was fourteen years old, so she did have many sorrows and sadness in her life. It has been said that on the morning of Robert's death, he asked for a piece of pie for breakfast. Grandmother refused, stating that pie was hardly appropriate for breakfast. A few short hours later he was crushed to death under a large land roller of Brother Ether Rawlings. Grandmother chastised herself and felt so terribly bad to think that she had refused him the piece of pie.
Matilda was a small petite woman and did not have the best of health. After the death of her husband on 24 March 1923, she lived with her children until her death on 23 February 1925. She was 71 years old at the time of her death. She was buried in the Fairview, Idaho Cemetery.
The children of Edwin and Matilda are: Henry James, Effie (died as an infant), Edwin, Levi, Robert (died when 14 years of age), Christopher (Chris), Harriett Matilda, Robenia Vida, Wilford, Emma (died as an infant), Lynn Roberts (died as a child), Delbert (died when an infant), and Myrl LeRoy.
Sources: Excerpts taken from the following; Matilda Roberts Bodily History written by Oneta H, Hyde and Dorothy H. Gilbert, Levi Roberts History written by Arvilla Roberts Ford, and Wilford Woodruff,-- Leaves From My Journal--, Chapter 24; Matthias F. Cowley, --Wilford Woodruff -- His life and Labors--, pp. 116-120. Family records.
Photos: Edwin and Matilda photos copied from Lyle Rawlins’ website. Church photos from a website no longer in service ,Levi Roberts Home photo from familypreserves.com
Life Sketch For Harriet Ann Efford Roberts
HARRIET ANN EFFORD ROBERTS
Prepared for the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Book
"Women of Faith & Fortitude"
by Melba Gottfredson Oliverson
BIRTHDATE: 16 May 1818 Apperly, Gloucestershire, England
DEATH: 16 November 1895 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
PARENTS: Thomas Efford Mary Ann Ellis
PIONEER: Fall of 1850 Captain Pearson independent company
SPOUSE: Levi Roberts
MARRIED: 18 August 1835 Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England
HIS DEATH: 22 January 1894 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
CHILDREN:
Henry B. Roberts 16 June 1836
Caroline B. Roberts 30 October 1838
Phoebe Roberts 22 January 1842
Marinda Roberts 10 April 1845
Harriet Ann Roberts 8 September 1848
Mary Jane Roberts 13 December 1851
Matilda Roberts 2 January 1854
Lucy Ann (Ellen) Roberts 2 November 1855
Harriet was born on 16 May 1818, in Apperly, Gloucestershire, England where the days of her early life were spent. Here she met and married Levi Roberts. It was here in her native village that the Gospel's glad message greeted her ears, and in 1840 she embraced its truths and was baptized. In 1841 she emigrated to America along with her husband and two of her children, Henry and Caroline. They traveled with the second ship "North America" to leave England with new converts. They landed at New Orleans, U.S.A. and traveled by boat up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo. While in Nauvoo she had two children, Pheobe Ann and Marinda. When Pheobe Ann was born sickness came upon Harriet, but her faith still bore her up, and she went uncomplainingly.
Harriet Ann was a faithful wife and fond loving mother. During the trying times preceding the death of the Prophet Joseph she encouraged her husband in performing his duties, and the sufferings and privations of that trying period drew no complaint from her.
They remained in Nauvoo until the "Mormons" began their exodus westward. Harriet and Levi shared in the suffering and sorrow of that memorable exodus and finally reached Mt. Pisgah. When the call came for the Mormon Battalion to organize, the invalid wife and mother, Harriet Ann, consented to her husband volunteering for service in defending his country. She urged him to do so, having faith in her Heavenly Father.
There was a joyful reunion when the Mexican War ended and her husband returned to Winter Quarters. While he was away she had been miraculously restored to health.
They moved on to Council Bluffs, Iowa where she gave birth to another daughter. They remained here until they could make preparations to travel to the Salt Lake Valley. They arrived in Salt Lake City in the fall of 1850, in "Captain Pearson" independent company. They lived there a short time and then settled on Kays Creek, Kaysville, Davis, Utah
Levi and his son Henry, 14 years old, built a 4 room log home for Harriet. While here Harriet had four more children, Mary Jane, Matilda and Lucy Ann.
Later he built another home (about 1865), of logs. This home has since been moved to the Pioneer Trails Village, near the This is the Place Monument in Salt Lake City.
Harriet had been patient and uncomplaining through the many years that she has been a hopeless invalid. She died loved and lamented by a circle of old acquaintances who have known her as a faithful, steadfast and consistent Latter-day Saint. She died December 26, 1895, age 87 years and five months.
Prepared for the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Book
"Women of Faith & Fortitude"
by Melba Gottfredson Oliverson
BIRTHDATE: 16 May 1818 Apperly, Gloucestershire, England
DEATH: 16 November 1895 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
PARENTS: Thomas Efford Mary Ann Ellis
PIONEER: Fall of 1850 Captain Pearson independent company
SPOUSE: Levi Roberts
MARRIED: 18 August 1835 Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England
HIS DEATH: 22 January 1894 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
CHILDREN:
Henry B. Roberts 16 June 1836
Caroline B. Roberts 30 October 1838
Phoebe Roberts 22 January 1842
Marinda Roberts 10 April 1845
Harriet Ann Roberts 8 September 1848
Mary Jane Roberts 13 December 1851
Matilda Roberts 2 January 1854
Lucy Ann (Ellen) Roberts 2 November 1855
Harriet was born on 16 May 1818, in Apperly, Gloucestershire, England where the days of her early life were spent. Here she met and married Levi Roberts. It was here in her native village that the Gospel's glad message greeted her ears, and in 1840 she embraced its truths and was baptized. In 1841 she emigrated to America along with her husband and two of her children, Henry and Caroline. They traveled with the second ship "North America" to leave England with new converts. They landed at New Orleans, U.S.A. and traveled by boat up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo. While in Nauvoo she had two children, Pheobe Ann and Marinda. When Pheobe Ann was born sickness came upon Harriet, but her faith still bore her up, and she went uncomplainingly.
Harriet Ann was a faithful wife and fond loving mother. During the trying times preceding the death of the Prophet Joseph she encouraged her husband in performing his duties, and the sufferings and privations of that trying period drew no complaint from her.
They remained in Nauvoo until the "Mormons" began their exodus westward. Harriet and Levi shared in the suffering and sorrow of that memorable exodus and finally reached Mt. Pisgah. When the call came for the Mormon Battalion to organize, the invalid wife and mother, Harriet Ann, consented to her husband volunteering for service in defending his country. She urged him to do so, having faith in her Heavenly Father.
There was a joyful reunion when the Mexican War ended and her husband returned to Winter Quarters. While he was away she had been miraculously restored to health.
They moved on to Council Bluffs, Iowa where she gave birth to another daughter. They remained here until they could make preparations to travel to the Salt Lake Valley. They arrived in Salt Lake City in the fall of 1850, in "Captain Pearson" independent company. They lived there a short time and then settled on Kays Creek, Kaysville, Davis, Utah
Levi and his son Henry, 14 years old, built a 4 room log home for Harriet. While here Harriet had four more children, Mary Jane, Matilda and Lucy Ann.
Later he built another home (about 1865), of logs. This home has since been moved to the Pioneer Trails Village, near the This is the Place Monument in Salt Lake City.
Harriet had been patient and uncomplaining through the many years that she has been a hopeless invalid. She died loved and lamented by a circle of old acquaintances who have known her as a faithful, steadfast and consistent Latter-day Saint. She died December 26, 1895, age 87 years and five months.
A BIOGRAPHY OF LEVI ROBERTS
A BIOGRAPHY OF LEVI ROBERTS
10 May 1810 - 22 January 1891
Written by Arvilla Roberts Ford - Great great granddaughter
16 April 1964
Levi Roberts was born of noble English parents May 10, 1810; and christened Feb. 26, 1815 in Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England. His mother Mary Margrate was born April 17, 1784 at Apperly, Gloucestershire, England. His father Samuel Roberts was christened September 3, 1776 at Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England.
Levi was a farmer and basket weaver by trade.
DEERHURST CHURCH
Deerhurst is a parish two miles southwest from Tewkesbury. The hamlets of Apperly, Whitehead and Deerhurst, were 742 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy within the juris-diction of the peculiar CT. of Deerhurst, endowed with 600 royal bounty and 1400 parliamentary grant and in the patronage of the bishop of Gloucestershire. The church was dedicated to the Holy Trinity and exhibiting portions in Norman. The early English decorated style of architecture formerly belonged to a priory established about 715 by the Mercian Duke Dodde one of the Tewkesbury Abbey. This Priory having been destroyed by the Danes, was refounded in 980 and given Edward the Confessor to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Dennis in France to which it became a cell upon the seizure of alien priories it was granted to Etan College -- but Edward IV revoked that grant and made it a cell to the Abbey of Tewkesbury and so it remained until dissolution. The remains of the structure, which has been converted into a farm house, are in the late style of English architecture much enriched with decorated tracery. The Navigable river Severn flows along the western boundary of the parish of Deerhurst. (Taken from Crockfords Clerical Dictionary, P.745, 1468)
Wilford Woodruff Preaches in England
One of the most remarkable missionary experiences in the history of the Church is the events that surrounded Wilford Woodruff’s service in England in 1840. He began his work by visiting a number of areas where there were some members already, meeting with the Saints and preaching to gatherings of many interested citizens. He then felt inspired to depart that area and move on.
"In the morning I went in secret before the Lord, and asked Him what was His will concerning me. The answer I received was that I should go to the south; for the Lord had a great work for me to perform there, as many souls were waiting for His word." So Elder Woodruff made his way south by coach and by foot, eventually arriving at "a region where no elder of the Latter-day Saints had visited," finding lodging in Herefordshire with a wealthy farmer named John Benbow.
The first evening of his visit with the Benbows, Elder Woodruff conversed with the couple until 2:00 in the morning. He was thrilled to find that there was a group of over 600 men and women who had broken off from the Methodists, taking the name of United Brethren. This group was "searching for light and truth, but had gone as far as they could, and were calling upon the Lord continually to open the way before them and send them light and knowledge, that they might know the true way to be saved."
Within a few days, the baptisms began with John and Jane Benbow and several of the preachers of the United Brethren. Elder Woodruff cleared a pool of water on the property to facilitate the baptisms; he would eventually baptize over 600 people in that pool.
When Sunday came, Elder Woodruff preached at three separate locations, drawing over a thousand listeners. The parish church near the Benbow farm had only 15 persons in attendance. In the evening, a large group met at the Benbow home for a meeting. Elder Woodruff records:
"When I arose to speak at Brother Benbow’s house, a man entered the door and informed me that he was a constable, and had been sent by the rector of the parish with a warrant to arrest me".
"I asked him, ‘For what crime?’
"He said, ‘For preaching to the people.’
"I told him that I, as well as the rector, had a license for preaching the gospel to the people, and that if he would take a chair I would wait upon him after meeting.
"He took my chair and sat beside me. For an hour and a quarter I preached the first principles of the everlasting gospel. The power of God rested upon me, the spirit filled the house, and the people were convinced.
"At the close of the meeting I opened the door for baptism, and seven offered themselves. Among the number were four preachers and the constable.
"The latter arose and said, ‘Mr. Woodruff, I would like to be baptized.’
I told him I would like to baptize him. I went down into the pool and baptized the seven. We then came together. I confirmed thirteen, administered the Sacrament, and we all rejoiced together.
"The constable went to the rector and told him that if he wanted Mr. Woodruff taken for preaching the gospel, he must go himself and serve the writ; for he had heard him preach the only true gospel sermon he had ever listened to in his life.
"The rector did not know what to make of it, so he sent two clerks of the Church of England as spies, to attend our meeting, and find out what we did preach.
"But they both were pricked in their hearts and received the word of the Lord gladly, and were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"The rector became alarmed, and did not venture to send anybody else."
In spite of the protests of the local churches, Elder Woodruff continued to serve and continued to have phenomenal success. He reported on his efforts:
"The first thirty days after my arrival in Herefordshire, I had baptized forty-five preachers and one hundred and sixty members of the United Brethren, who put into my hands one chapel and forty-five houses, which were licensed according to law to preach in.
"This opened a wide field for labor, and enabled me to bring into the Church, through the blessings of God, over eighteen hundred souls during the eight months, including all of the six hundred United Brethren except one person. In this number there were also some two hundred preachers of various denominations. . . .
"The power of God rested upon us and upon the mission. . . . The Lord had a people there prepared for the gospel. They were praying for light and truth, and the Lord sent me to them, and I declared the gospel of life and salvation unto them, and some eight hundred souls received it, and many of them have been gathered to Zion in these mountains. Many of them have also been called to officiate in the bishopric, and have done much good in Zion. But in all these things we should ever acknowledge the hand of God, and give Him the honor, praise and glory, forever and ever. Amen."
(Wilford Woodruff,-- Leaves From My Journal--, Chapter 24; Matthias F. Cowley, --Wilford Woodruff -- His life and Labors--, pp. 116-120)
One United Brethren member, Levi Roberts and his wife, Harriet Ann Efford, from Gloucestershire, England, were converted and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Wilford Woodruff in 1840.
When the glad tidings of the restored Gospel came to them, their hearts responded to the Truth. The spirit of gathering moved upon them and found them headed westward with the body of the young church, seeking a haven of rest in the valley of the mountains, where they could worship God as they wished and rear their children as God would have them do.
Levi and Harriet set sail on the ship "Echo" , the 2nd ship to leave from England in 1840, with their 2 children, Henry Roberts born 16 June 1836, in England, 4 years old at this time and 2 year old Caroline , born 13 October 1838, in England. They traveled with many new converts to the church. They left many loved ones behind.
After 6 weeks on the ocean, they landed in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. safely in 1840. They traveled by boat up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo, Illinois, their destination. They remained here until the Mormons began their exodus westward.
While living in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, 2 daughters were born to this family - Phebe Ann Roberts, 22 January 1843 and Marinda Roberts, 10 April 1845.
While living in Nauvoo, Levi acted as one of the body guards of the prophet, Joseph Smith and with his family shared in the suffering and sorrow of the memorable exodus of the saints from Nauvoo, and they finally reached Mt. Pisgah (Winter Quarters). It was here that the call came for volunteers for the Mexican War. Levi Roberts joined the Mormon Battalion 1 July 1846, at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa in Company "E" and crossed the plains and mountains to California, a trek of 2000 miles in all. The longest, hardest march in recorded history.
Henry was now 10 years old and the oldest of 4 children left to help care for the Roberts family.
When the war was over, one year later, Levi was discharged honorable, in Fort Moore or Los Angeles, California and returned to Mt. Pisgah, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 1 July 1847 to join his dear family, who had lived without him for one year. Harriet had been very ill with rheumatism when Levi had left with the Mormon Battalion but regained her health and they and their family was happily reunited.
Harriet Ann Roberts was born 8 September 1848 at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa.
Levi and family remained in Council Bluffs, Iowa until they could make preparations to travel to the Salt Lake valley, which was two years later. They arrived in the valley in the year 1850, with the Captain Pearson independent company. They lived there a short time and then settled on Kays Creek, Kaysville, Davis, Utah.
Henry was now 14 years old and a great help to his family. Here Levi homesteaded on a section of land, under government privileges to veterans. Levi was a basket weaver by trade so the willows found along the creek provided good raw material to work with. He made baskets of the willows that grew on Kays Creek, and took them to Salt Lake City and sold them. He learned this trade in the old country. He also knew how to graft trees and grafted pears into haw trees. He also had a greater variety of apples than anyone in the country. Whenever there was a new variety come into the valley he would get a slip and graft it into one of his seedling trees. He named the fruit after the person who gave the slip. He also raised some of the first English walnuts and was well known for his lucious watermelons that he sold for from five to twenty-five cents.
Their first home was a dugout which served temporarily until a 4 room log cabin could be built. Levi and his son Henry went into nearby canyons to get logs which they trimmed and fitted together with rawhide where needed. Nails could not be bought at that time. Shoes were impossible to get, so old sacks were wrapped about their feet. Many times when returning with the logs their feet would be bleeding in the snow. Many hardships confronted them but they were prayerful, and trusted in their heavenly father for the help they needed to guide them.
Levi and Harriet had three more daughters born to them after settling in Kaysville. Mary Jane born the 13 December 1851, Matilda born 2 January 1854, and Lucy Ellen born 1 November 1855.
On 7 March 1857 he took a second wife Sarah Davis . She was born 16 September 1837, at Stokes Lacy, Herefordshire, England. To this marriage one child was born Sarah Elizabeth born 1 April 1858. This marriage soon ended in divorce.
Later he built another home (about 1865) of logs, which still stands, a little north off Phillips Street, between Angel and Flint Streets. This home has since been moved to the "Pioneers Trails Village", near "This is the Place Monument" in Salt Lake City.
Levi Roberts died in Kaysville, Utah on 22 January 1894. He is buried along with Harriet in the Kaysville Cemetery.
THE MORMON BATTALION
from ‘Ancestry’s Redbook
On 19 July 1846, 500 volunteers of the Mormon Battalion left Council Bluffs, Iowa, heading southwestward at the request of President James K. Polk. They joined other federal troops at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; proceeded west to Santa Fe and then to San Diego, California, arriving on 29 January 1847. After a year of duty, the battalion left 81 officers and enlisted men in San Diego, while the main group walked north to Sutter’s Fort where half of the contingent remained for a while. Eventually, the entire group was reunited with their fellow Mormons at Salt Lake City.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MORMON BATTALION
Jan 30th Lt. Col. Cooke issued the following:
"The Lt. Col. commanding congratulates the Battalion on their safe arrival on the shore of the Pacific Ocean and the conclusion of their march of over 2000 miles. History may be searched in vain for an equal march of Infantry. Half of it had been through a wilderness where nothing but savages and wild beasts are found. There with almost hopeless labor we have dug wells, which the future traveler may enjoy. Without a guide who had transversed them we have worked our way, ventured into trackless tableland, where water was not found for several marches. With crowbar and pick and ax in hand, we have worked our way over mountains, which seemed to defy aught save the wild goat, and hewn a passage through a chasm of living rock more narrow than our wagons to the pacific, we have preserved the strength of our mules by herding them over large tracts of land, and were guarded without loss. Men marching half naked, half fed, and living upon wild animals, we have discovered and made a road of great value to our country. They merit our gratitude for their achievement. They opened highways over deserts and mountains; laid the basis for the Southern Pacific railroad, and the Salt Lake and Los Angeles rails. They helped conquer New Mexico, Western Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California. Members of the Battalion helped in discovery of Gold at Sutters Fort, and were the first to carry the news from the Salt Lake Valley to the Missouri River.
On July 1847 the members of the Mormon Battalion helped to raise the Liberty Pole and participated in raising the colors during the celebration at Fort Moore, Los Angeles, July 4, 1847.
The Mormon Battalion proved to be a blessing in disguise to the Saints in Illinois and Iowa. Privates received $3.50 per month, many of the soldiers went without new clothes and sent their pay home to help keep their families. The California pea, and club head wheat seed brought back proved very valuable to the territory.
By their exemplary conduct both in the march to California and in occupation of that state, they won a fine reputation for courage, industry and sobriety, and did much to alleviate prejudice against their fellow Mormons.
This appeared in the book "The Mormon Battalion" by Norma Baldwin Rickets, page 193:
So the company divided right where we met each other. Some went on to Winter Quarters, some to the Valley and some turned back. I being one of that number. Daniel Browett, (Richard) Slater,
(John) Cox, Levi Roberts and myself turned back to Sacramento and went to work for Mr. Sutter who treated us very kindly. The rest of our mess, Robert Harris, Hyrum Judd, Jedit (Jeduthan Averett) and Bro. (Edward) Bunker went on to Winter Quarters with Lieutenant Little (Andrew Lytle) and company. I sent a mule to my wife with Bro. Harris, which she got. (Robert Pixton, Family History, 7.)
OBITUARY NOTICE OF LEVI ROBERTS
Deseret Weekly
(Call number) 650IF Utah S 18 E
Pt 25 News January 3, 1945 - maybe section or page
Levi Roberts, on the 22 day of January 1894 there passed from this sphere of action at the ripe age of 79. Levi Roberts whose name has gone into history as one of the noble band of heroes, the Mormon Battalion.
He was christened at Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England February 26, 1815, where he was brought up in the trade of basket maker. He was one of these who President Woodruff carried the gospel to and in 1840 yielded obedience and was baptized. In 1841 he and his family emigrated to America being one of the second company that gathered to Zion. In his trade he had accumulated some means which he freely spent in assisting poorer families to come out. When he reached Nauvoo he found himself but poorly provided to meet the great change in his life circumstances.
Not having been accustomed to rough manual labor the hardships incidental to frontier life told heavy upon him. But he persevered with an energy and faith that won for him the confidence and respect of all who knew him.
He worked most of the time in Nauvoo for the prophet Joseph Smith and was entrusted the responsibility of being one of his body guards during the troublesome times immediately preceding his death.
With his family he shared in the suffering and sorrows of the memorable exodus and he finally reached Mt. Pisgah, where he commenced cleaning land for the purpose of farming. It was here while working for the necessities of life for his little ones and invalid wife, that the call came for volunteers for the Mexican war.
He was a loving husband, deeply devoted to his family, and the riches of the world would not have tempted him to leave them in distress. But with his characteristics, faith and willingness, he intrusted in the hands of God and gave his services to his country.
The history of the Mormon Battalion is now his history, as he marched, suffered, struggled and endured with the bravest and best, until his final discharge in July 1847 of his service in the Battalion. Blighted by no tidings from his family during his long absence, and with mingled fear and hope was reunited with his loved ones. His wife had been miraculously restored to health. He remained there until the spring of 1850, when he came through and settled in Kaysville, where he has since resided.
He has been a sufferer for many years and his going was a happy release. His life has been an example of faith, humility, and energy in the cause of God. Honor to his name.
H. H. Blood
WIVES SEALING DATED
1.- Harriet Higgles 1 Apr 1854 Born 20 Jun 1818 - no more information
2.- Harriet Ann Hefford 31 Mar 1854 Born 16 May 1818 Died 16 Dec 1895
1-Henry Roberts B-16 Jun 1836 Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England
2-Caroline Roberts B-22 Nov 1837 Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England
3-Phebe Ann Roberts B-22 Jan 1843 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois
4-Marinda Roberts B-10 Apr 1845 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois
5-Harriet Ann Roberts B-8 Sep 1848 Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa
6-Mary Jane Roberts B-13 Dec 1851 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
7-Matilda Roberts B-2 Jan 1854 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
8-Lucy Ellen Roberts B-1 Nov 1855 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
3- Sarah Davis 7 Mar 1857 Born 16 Sep 1837
1-Sarah Elizabeth Roberts B- 1 Apr 1858 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
Original Poem - used as words of a song
OUR FATHERS
1 - From England’s shores our father came
In days of long ago.
But not for wreaths of earthly fame,
or sordid fortunes - no.
2 - For brighter visions lured them on,
To brave the ocean’s roar,
And seek a resting place upon
New England’s shore.
3 - A land of liberty they sought,
where persecutions cease,
To break the chain of tyrants wrought,
And serve their God in peace.
4 - From seed our fathers planted here
A mighty tree has grown,
The fruit it bears from year to year,
O’er all the land is strewn.
5 - Their memory, we their children bless,
And Heaven with all their powers,
Who sent our sires to plant for us
This goodly land of ours.
6 - We’ll talk and sing their virtues o’er,
Their honored graves among,
While ocean’s "bounding billows" roar,
Our ‘Auld Lang Syne" is sung.
10 May 1810 - 22 January 1891
Written by Arvilla Roberts Ford - Great great granddaughter
16 April 1964
Levi Roberts was born of noble English parents May 10, 1810; and christened Feb. 26, 1815 in Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England. His mother Mary Margrate was born April 17, 1784 at Apperly, Gloucestershire, England. His father Samuel Roberts was christened September 3, 1776 at Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England.
Levi was a farmer and basket weaver by trade.
DEERHURST CHURCH
Deerhurst is a parish two miles southwest from Tewkesbury. The hamlets of Apperly, Whitehead and Deerhurst, were 742 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy within the juris-diction of the peculiar CT. of Deerhurst, endowed with 600 royal bounty and 1400 parliamentary grant and in the patronage of the bishop of Gloucestershire. The church was dedicated to the Holy Trinity and exhibiting portions in Norman. The early English decorated style of architecture formerly belonged to a priory established about 715 by the Mercian Duke Dodde one of the Tewkesbury Abbey. This Priory having been destroyed by the Danes, was refounded in 980 and given Edward the Confessor to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Dennis in France to which it became a cell upon the seizure of alien priories it was granted to Etan College -- but Edward IV revoked that grant and made it a cell to the Abbey of Tewkesbury and so it remained until dissolution. The remains of the structure, which has been converted into a farm house, are in the late style of English architecture much enriched with decorated tracery. The Navigable river Severn flows along the western boundary of the parish of Deerhurst. (Taken from Crockfords Clerical Dictionary, P.745, 1468)
Wilford Woodruff Preaches in England
One of the most remarkable missionary experiences in the history of the Church is the events that surrounded Wilford Woodruff’s service in England in 1840. He began his work by visiting a number of areas where there were some members already, meeting with the Saints and preaching to gatherings of many interested citizens. He then felt inspired to depart that area and move on.
"In the morning I went in secret before the Lord, and asked Him what was His will concerning me. The answer I received was that I should go to the south; for the Lord had a great work for me to perform there, as many souls were waiting for His word." So Elder Woodruff made his way south by coach and by foot, eventually arriving at "a region where no elder of the Latter-day Saints had visited," finding lodging in Herefordshire with a wealthy farmer named John Benbow.
The first evening of his visit with the Benbows, Elder Woodruff conversed with the couple until 2:00 in the morning. He was thrilled to find that there was a group of over 600 men and women who had broken off from the Methodists, taking the name of United Brethren. This group was "searching for light and truth, but had gone as far as they could, and were calling upon the Lord continually to open the way before them and send them light and knowledge, that they might know the true way to be saved."
Within a few days, the baptisms began with John and Jane Benbow and several of the preachers of the United Brethren. Elder Woodruff cleared a pool of water on the property to facilitate the baptisms; he would eventually baptize over 600 people in that pool.
When Sunday came, Elder Woodruff preached at three separate locations, drawing over a thousand listeners. The parish church near the Benbow farm had only 15 persons in attendance. In the evening, a large group met at the Benbow home for a meeting. Elder Woodruff records:
"When I arose to speak at Brother Benbow’s house, a man entered the door and informed me that he was a constable, and had been sent by the rector of the parish with a warrant to arrest me".
"I asked him, ‘For what crime?’
"He said, ‘For preaching to the people.’
"I told him that I, as well as the rector, had a license for preaching the gospel to the people, and that if he would take a chair I would wait upon him after meeting.
"He took my chair and sat beside me. For an hour and a quarter I preached the first principles of the everlasting gospel. The power of God rested upon me, the spirit filled the house, and the people were convinced.
"At the close of the meeting I opened the door for baptism, and seven offered themselves. Among the number were four preachers and the constable.
"The latter arose and said, ‘Mr. Woodruff, I would like to be baptized.’
I told him I would like to baptize him. I went down into the pool and baptized the seven. We then came together. I confirmed thirteen, administered the Sacrament, and we all rejoiced together.
"The constable went to the rector and told him that if he wanted Mr. Woodruff taken for preaching the gospel, he must go himself and serve the writ; for he had heard him preach the only true gospel sermon he had ever listened to in his life.
"The rector did not know what to make of it, so he sent two clerks of the Church of England as spies, to attend our meeting, and find out what we did preach.
"But they both were pricked in their hearts and received the word of the Lord gladly, and were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"The rector became alarmed, and did not venture to send anybody else."
In spite of the protests of the local churches, Elder Woodruff continued to serve and continued to have phenomenal success. He reported on his efforts:
"The first thirty days after my arrival in Herefordshire, I had baptized forty-five preachers and one hundred and sixty members of the United Brethren, who put into my hands one chapel and forty-five houses, which were licensed according to law to preach in.
"This opened a wide field for labor, and enabled me to bring into the Church, through the blessings of God, over eighteen hundred souls during the eight months, including all of the six hundred United Brethren except one person. In this number there were also some two hundred preachers of various denominations. . . .
"The power of God rested upon us and upon the mission. . . . The Lord had a people there prepared for the gospel. They were praying for light and truth, and the Lord sent me to them, and I declared the gospel of life and salvation unto them, and some eight hundred souls received it, and many of them have been gathered to Zion in these mountains. Many of them have also been called to officiate in the bishopric, and have done much good in Zion. But in all these things we should ever acknowledge the hand of God, and give Him the honor, praise and glory, forever and ever. Amen."
(Wilford Woodruff,-- Leaves From My Journal--, Chapter 24; Matthias F. Cowley, --Wilford Woodruff -- His life and Labors--, pp. 116-120)
One United Brethren member, Levi Roberts and his wife, Harriet Ann Efford, from Gloucestershire, England, were converted and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Wilford Woodruff in 1840.
When the glad tidings of the restored Gospel came to them, their hearts responded to the Truth. The spirit of gathering moved upon them and found them headed westward with the body of the young church, seeking a haven of rest in the valley of the mountains, where they could worship God as they wished and rear their children as God would have them do.
Levi and Harriet set sail on the ship "Echo" , the 2nd ship to leave from England in 1840, with their 2 children, Henry Roberts born 16 June 1836, in England, 4 years old at this time and 2 year old Caroline , born 13 October 1838, in England. They traveled with many new converts to the church. They left many loved ones behind.
After 6 weeks on the ocean, they landed in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. safely in 1840. They traveled by boat up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo, Illinois, their destination. They remained here until the Mormons began their exodus westward.
While living in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, 2 daughters were born to this family - Phebe Ann Roberts, 22 January 1843 and Marinda Roberts, 10 April 1845.
While living in Nauvoo, Levi acted as one of the body guards of the prophet, Joseph Smith and with his family shared in the suffering and sorrow of the memorable exodus of the saints from Nauvoo, and they finally reached Mt. Pisgah (Winter Quarters). It was here that the call came for volunteers for the Mexican War. Levi Roberts joined the Mormon Battalion 1 July 1846, at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa in Company "E" and crossed the plains and mountains to California, a trek of 2000 miles in all. The longest, hardest march in recorded history.
Henry was now 10 years old and the oldest of 4 children left to help care for the Roberts family.
When the war was over, one year later, Levi was discharged honorable, in Fort Moore or Los Angeles, California and returned to Mt. Pisgah, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 1 July 1847 to join his dear family, who had lived without him for one year. Harriet had been very ill with rheumatism when Levi had left with the Mormon Battalion but regained her health and they and their family was happily reunited.
Harriet Ann Roberts was born 8 September 1848 at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa.
Levi and family remained in Council Bluffs, Iowa until they could make preparations to travel to the Salt Lake valley, which was two years later. They arrived in the valley in the year 1850, with the Captain Pearson independent company. They lived there a short time and then settled on Kays Creek, Kaysville, Davis, Utah.
Henry was now 14 years old and a great help to his family. Here Levi homesteaded on a section of land, under government privileges to veterans. Levi was a basket weaver by trade so the willows found along the creek provided good raw material to work with. He made baskets of the willows that grew on Kays Creek, and took them to Salt Lake City and sold them. He learned this trade in the old country. He also knew how to graft trees and grafted pears into haw trees. He also had a greater variety of apples than anyone in the country. Whenever there was a new variety come into the valley he would get a slip and graft it into one of his seedling trees. He named the fruit after the person who gave the slip. He also raised some of the first English walnuts and was well known for his lucious watermelons that he sold for from five to twenty-five cents.
Their first home was a dugout which served temporarily until a 4 room log cabin could be built. Levi and his son Henry went into nearby canyons to get logs which they trimmed and fitted together with rawhide where needed. Nails could not be bought at that time. Shoes were impossible to get, so old sacks were wrapped about their feet. Many times when returning with the logs their feet would be bleeding in the snow. Many hardships confronted them but they were prayerful, and trusted in their heavenly father for the help they needed to guide them.
Levi and Harriet had three more daughters born to them after settling in Kaysville. Mary Jane born the 13 December 1851, Matilda born 2 January 1854, and Lucy Ellen born 1 November 1855.
On 7 March 1857 he took a second wife Sarah Davis . She was born 16 September 1837, at Stokes Lacy, Herefordshire, England. To this marriage one child was born Sarah Elizabeth born 1 April 1858. This marriage soon ended in divorce.
Later he built another home (about 1865) of logs, which still stands, a little north off Phillips Street, between Angel and Flint Streets. This home has since been moved to the "Pioneers Trails Village", near "This is the Place Monument" in Salt Lake City.
Levi Roberts died in Kaysville, Utah on 22 January 1894. He is buried along with Harriet in the Kaysville Cemetery.
THE MORMON BATTALION
from ‘Ancestry’s Redbook
On 19 July 1846, 500 volunteers of the Mormon Battalion left Council Bluffs, Iowa, heading southwestward at the request of President James K. Polk. They joined other federal troops at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; proceeded west to Santa Fe and then to San Diego, California, arriving on 29 January 1847. After a year of duty, the battalion left 81 officers and enlisted men in San Diego, while the main group walked north to Sutter’s Fort where half of the contingent remained for a while. Eventually, the entire group was reunited with their fellow Mormons at Salt Lake City.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MORMON BATTALION
Jan 30th Lt. Col. Cooke issued the following:
"The Lt. Col. commanding congratulates the Battalion on their safe arrival on the shore of the Pacific Ocean and the conclusion of their march of over 2000 miles. History may be searched in vain for an equal march of Infantry. Half of it had been through a wilderness where nothing but savages and wild beasts are found. There with almost hopeless labor we have dug wells, which the future traveler may enjoy. Without a guide who had transversed them we have worked our way, ventured into trackless tableland, where water was not found for several marches. With crowbar and pick and ax in hand, we have worked our way over mountains, which seemed to defy aught save the wild goat, and hewn a passage through a chasm of living rock more narrow than our wagons to the pacific, we have preserved the strength of our mules by herding them over large tracts of land, and were guarded without loss. Men marching half naked, half fed, and living upon wild animals, we have discovered and made a road of great value to our country. They merit our gratitude for their achievement. They opened highways over deserts and mountains; laid the basis for the Southern Pacific railroad, and the Salt Lake and Los Angeles rails. They helped conquer New Mexico, Western Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California. Members of the Battalion helped in discovery of Gold at Sutters Fort, and were the first to carry the news from the Salt Lake Valley to the Missouri River.
On July 1847 the members of the Mormon Battalion helped to raise the Liberty Pole and participated in raising the colors during the celebration at Fort Moore, Los Angeles, July 4, 1847.
The Mormon Battalion proved to be a blessing in disguise to the Saints in Illinois and Iowa. Privates received $3.50 per month, many of the soldiers went without new clothes and sent their pay home to help keep their families. The California pea, and club head wheat seed brought back proved very valuable to the territory.
By their exemplary conduct both in the march to California and in occupation of that state, they won a fine reputation for courage, industry and sobriety, and did much to alleviate prejudice against their fellow Mormons.
This appeared in the book "The Mormon Battalion" by Norma Baldwin Rickets, page 193:
So the company divided right where we met each other. Some went on to Winter Quarters, some to the Valley and some turned back. I being one of that number. Daniel Browett, (Richard) Slater,
(John) Cox, Levi Roberts and myself turned back to Sacramento and went to work for Mr. Sutter who treated us very kindly. The rest of our mess, Robert Harris, Hyrum Judd, Jedit (Jeduthan Averett) and Bro. (Edward) Bunker went on to Winter Quarters with Lieutenant Little (Andrew Lytle) and company. I sent a mule to my wife with Bro. Harris, which she got. (Robert Pixton, Family History, 7.)
OBITUARY NOTICE OF LEVI ROBERTS
Deseret Weekly
(Call number) 650IF Utah S 18 E
Pt 25 News January 3, 1945 - maybe section or page
Levi Roberts, on the 22 day of January 1894 there passed from this sphere of action at the ripe age of 79. Levi Roberts whose name has gone into history as one of the noble band of heroes, the Mormon Battalion.
He was christened at Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England February 26, 1815, where he was brought up in the trade of basket maker. He was one of these who President Woodruff carried the gospel to and in 1840 yielded obedience and was baptized. In 1841 he and his family emigrated to America being one of the second company that gathered to Zion. In his trade he had accumulated some means which he freely spent in assisting poorer families to come out. When he reached Nauvoo he found himself but poorly provided to meet the great change in his life circumstances.
Not having been accustomed to rough manual labor the hardships incidental to frontier life told heavy upon him. But he persevered with an energy and faith that won for him the confidence and respect of all who knew him.
He worked most of the time in Nauvoo for the prophet Joseph Smith and was entrusted the responsibility of being one of his body guards during the troublesome times immediately preceding his death.
With his family he shared in the suffering and sorrows of the memorable exodus and he finally reached Mt. Pisgah, where he commenced cleaning land for the purpose of farming. It was here while working for the necessities of life for his little ones and invalid wife, that the call came for volunteers for the Mexican war.
He was a loving husband, deeply devoted to his family, and the riches of the world would not have tempted him to leave them in distress. But with his characteristics, faith and willingness, he intrusted in the hands of God and gave his services to his country.
The history of the Mormon Battalion is now his history, as he marched, suffered, struggled and endured with the bravest and best, until his final discharge in July 1847 of his service in the Battalion. Blighted by no tidings from his family during his long absence, and with mingled fear and hope was reunited with his loved ones. His wife had been miraculously restored to health. He remained there until the spring of 1850, when he came through and settled in Kaysville, where he has since resided.
He has been a sufferer for many years and his going was a happy release. His life has been an example of faith, humility, and energy in the cause of God. Honor to his name.
H. H. Blood
WIVES SEALING DATED
1.- Harriet Higgles 1 Apr 1854 Born 20 Jun 1818 - no more information
2.- Harriet Ann Hefford 31 Mar 1854 Born 16 May 1818 Died 16 Dec 1895
1-Henry Roberts B-16 Jun 1836 Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England
2-Caroline Roberts B-22 Nov 1837 Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, England
3-Phebe Ann Roberts B-22 Jan 1843 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois
4-Marinda Roberts B-10 Apr 1845 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois
5-Harriet Ann Roberts B-8 Sep 1848 Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa
6-Mary Jane Roberts B-13 Dec 1851 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
7-Matilda Roberts B-2 Jan 1854 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
8-Lucy Ellen Roberts B-1 Nov 1855 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
3- Sarah Davis 7 Mar 1857 Born 16 Sep 1837
1-Sarah Elizabeth Roberts B- 1 Apr 1858 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
Original Poem - used as words of a song
OUR FATHERS
1 - From England’s shores our father came
In days of long ago.
But not for wreaths of earthly fame,
or sordid fortunes - no.
2 - For brighter visions lured them on,
To brave the ocean’s roar,
And seek a resting place upon
New England’s shore.
3 - A land of liberty they sought,
where persecutions cease,
To break the chain of tyrants wrought,
And serve their God in peace.
4 - From seed our fathers planted here
A mighty tree has grown,
The fruit it bears from year to year,
O’er all the land is strewn.
5 - Their memory, we their children bless,
And Heaven with all their powers,
Who sent our sires to plant for us
This goodly land of ours.
6 - We’ll talk and sing their virtues o’er,
Their honored graves among,
While ocean’s "bounding billows" roar,
Our ‘Auld Lang Syne" is sung.
Levi Roberts History
LEVI ROBERTS - CONVERTED BY WILFORD WOODRUFF
Submitted By: LaRon Taylor
Levi Roberts, b 26 February, 1815, in Deerhurst, Glouchester, England, md Harriett Ann Efford abt 18 Aug, 1835, d January 22, 1894 in Kaysville, UT
On the day that Napoleon and 1200 men left Elba to start the 100 day re-conquest of France, Levi Roberts was born in Deerhurst, Glauchestershire, England. We find nothing of his childhood until his marriage to Harriett Ann Efford on August 18, 1835 in Deerhurst (1), so we know he lived there until he was at least 20 years old. The actual record of their marriage is as follows: "Levi Roberts of this parish, bachelor & Harriet Efford of this Parish, a minor were married in this Church by Banns with consent of Parents this Eighteenth Day of August in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Five. By me R: Hepworth, Curate. This marriage was solemnized between Levi Roberts X his mark Harriet Efford X her mark". In the presence of Thomas Roberts, William Cox, Eliza Roberts (2).”
Levi & Harriett soon learned of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while members of the United Brethren Church. Wilford Woodruff was the missionary that was told by the Spirit to go south to the location of this group and all were converted. Only Levi & Harriett were converted from their immediate families, however (3). A record of this mass conversion is contained in the writings of Wilford Woodruff (grammatical errors are contained in the writings): “The rector sent a constable, and 2 clerks as spies to attend the Mormon meetings and find out what they did preach. They were all pricked in their hearts and received the word of the Lord gladly, and were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The rector became alarmed and did not dare send anybody else. The ministers and Rectors of south England called a convention and sent a petition to the archbishop of Canterbury, to request Parliament to pass a law prohibiting the ‘Mormons’ from preaching in the British Dominion. In this petition the rector stated that one ‘Mormon Missionary’ had baptized 1500 persons mostly members of the English Church, during the past seven months. But the Archbishop and Council, knowing well that the laws of England gave free toleration to all religions under the British Flag, sent word to the petitioners, if they had the worth of souls at heart as much as they had the ground where hares, foxes and hounds ran, they would not lose so many of their flock. I continued to preach and baptize daily. On 21 Mar 1840 I baptized Elder Thomas Kingston he was the superintendent of both preachers and members of the United Brethren [Levi & Harriett would have been baptized on about this same day].
The first thirty days after my arrival in Herefordshire, I had baptized 45 preachers and 160 members of the United Brethren, who put into my hands 1 chapel and 45 houses, which were licensed according to law to preach in. This opened a wide field for labor, and enabled me to bring into the church through the blessings of God, over 1800 souls during 8 mo. including all 600 United Brethren except one person; also including some 250 preachers of various denominations. The field of labor embraced Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire, and formed the conferences of Garway, Godfield, Elm and Frome’s Hill (4).”
After their conversion, Levi and Harriett came to America on the ship “North America” in 1841, then by boat from New Orleans up the Mississippi river to Nauvoo (5). Another source documents their journey from England on the ship Echo, and it arrived in New Orleans on the 16th of April, 1841 (6). When they arrived in Nauvoo, Levi became a body guard for the prophet Joseph Smith but little is known of the events he was involved in during those troubled times. We know his body guards were under constant threat from the mobs, but Levi’s experiences elude us (7). Nauvoo was a prosperous town and the Saints enjoyed peace for a short time, but again that was eliminated by the mobs and they were driven from Nauvoo in the dead of winter in February, 1846. The journey to Council Bluffs and Winter Quarters was a trial that cost many saints their very lives, but Levi and Harriett and their 3 children made the journey with their lives intact.
“In July 1846, under the authority of U.S. Army Captain James Allen and with the encouragement of Mormon leader Brigham Young, the Mormon Battalion was mustered in at Council Bluffs, Iowa Territory. The battalion was the direct result of Brigham Young's correspondence on 26 January 1846 to Jesse C. Little, presiding elder over the New England and Middle States Mission. Young instructed Little to meet with national leaders in Washington, D.C., and to seek aid for the migrating Latter-day Saints, the majority of whom were then in the Iowa Territory. In response to Young's letter, Little journeyed to Washington, arriving on 21 May 1846, just eight days after Congress had declared war on Mexico. Little met with President James K. Polk on 5 June 1846 and urged him to aid migrating Mormon pioneers by employing them to fortify and defend the West. The president offered to aid the pioneers by permitting them to raise a battalion of five hundred men, who were to join Colonel Stephen W. Kearny, Commander of the Army of the West, and fight for the United States in the Mexican War. Little accepted this offer.
Colonel Kearny designated Captain James Allen, later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, to raise five companies of volunteer soldiers from the able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five in the Mormon encampments in Iowa. On 26 June 1846 Allen arrived at the encampment of Mt. Pisgah. He was treated with suspicion as many believed that the raising of a battalion was a plot to bring trouble to the migrating Saints.
Allen journeyed from Mt. Pisgah to Council Bluffs, where on 1 July 1846 he allayed Mormon fears by giving permission for the Saints to encamp on United States lands if the Mormons would raise the desired battalion. Brigham Young accepted this, recognizing that the enlistment of the battalion was the first time the government had stretched forth its arm to aid the Mormons (8).” The Mormon Battalion was formed and became the “ram in the thicket” (coined by B.H. Roberts) for the destitute saints.
Levi joined the Mormon Battalion at Council Bluffs as a private in Company "E" and crossed the plains and mountains to California. At the time of departure, his wife was an invalid, so it required great faith for him to leave her behind. On July 21st they started on the march to the tune, "The Girl I Left Behind Me." The following is a quote from the journal of (unknown) regarding their journey to California: “Upon arriving at the Missouri River late in June, Robert learned that the U.S. Government had asked for 500 men to go to Mexico or California to participate in the war with Mexico. [p.56] Quoting: "Brother Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards came to us to preach and to call for volunteers to form a battalion. I was one to go. I was a private in Company E. This was quite an undertaking. Six men out of a company of seven were on the march, leaving our families and stock in the care of an old man and a boy. If it had not been for the cause of God, we never could have left our families in the wild prairies with a murderous mob in the rear and an Indian-ridden country before. We had a promise that they should be taken care of, and that if we would be true to God and our Country that we would not have to fight." B. H. Roberts says in one of his histories that the Battalion was the ram in the thicket for the Church as it was only by their entrance into civil service that the homeless Saints were granted the right to graze their stock and plant crops on government lands. Else they must have moved into the desert wholly unprepared for its hardships. Quoting: "We mustered at sunrise July 18, 1846, and received our equipment at Fort Leavenworth. We arrived at Sante Fe in September, a distance in all of nearly 2000 miles. When we saw the sun go down in the Pacific it was an agreeable sight after passing thru so many deserts. We learned that peace had been declared. We did guard duty for six months, when we were discharged July 16, 1847. We bought animals to ride and pack home again. We traveled about 800 miles to Sacramento. Daniel Browett, Robert Harris, John Cox, Levi Roberts, Richard Slater and myself messed together all the way from Council Bluffs to Sacramento, I being the cook (9)."
Another quote from the same book addressed the suffering during their journey with the Battalion: “Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 20, p.56
Their spiritual stamina found food each morning and evening in prayer. They tried constantly to keep before them the promise made to them by Brigham Young. At one time when human endurance was almost spent, one of their comrades arose and drew from his pocket a small American flag, saying: "This flag, brethren, was made for me by my wife before we left the States. It is for this, comrades, that we toil, and for a home for the Church." Next morning they were up at sunrise and in the harness toiling courageously toward the Pacific (10).”
In addition to the journey to California, the following is quoted from the journal of Robert Mason (uncertain) regarding their journey home: “One company was reenlisted for six months; the rest of the Battalion bought animals to pack and ride home again. We travelled down the Tulare to Sacramento, about 800 miles away. I got a fine mare and a Spanish pet. We travelled on to Mr. Sutter's Fort at Sacramento where we got a fresh supply of provisions. Daniel Browett, Robert Harris, Henderson Cox, Len Roberts, Richard Slater and Robert Pixton messed together all the way from Council Bluffs, I being the cook for the mess. We travelled by the way of the Truckee River, after crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and had passed the place where the Donner Party was overtaken in the snow.... The brethren found one body that had been buried in the snow.
After travelling over the mountains one day we met with some of our brethren from the Valley. This was a time of rejoicing. Captain Brown who left us at Santa Fe with the sick which went by the way of Fort Kearney and a few brethren with him from the Valley, brought news that we were not to go to the Valley, and told us we had better stay another year in California. So the company divided right where we met each other; some went on to Winter Quarters; some to the Valley, and some turned back. Daniel Browett, Slater, Cox, Levi Roberts and myself turned back to Sacramento and went to work for Mr. Sutter who treated us very kindly. I sent a mule to my wife with Brother Harris, which she got....
We all went to work at the same place for Captain Sutter. We took the work of cutting a millrace. Brother Browett went [p.379] to work with the millwright, this was in September and later on in the fall, I and two others took sick with the bilious fever. We were so sick we couldn't help each other to a drink of water. We lay under some ties and had to crawl around with the sun to keep from making us chill.... Our appetites were very poor, and our food was flour, water and squash. Had it not been for the thoughts of my wife and family I could have died, but we all three recovered after awhile and went to work on the millrace again and worked all winter. Sometime in the winter two of the brethren who were working for Mr. Sutter in the mountains found gold in a tailrace they were making. Mr. Sutter let me see the first gold they found before sending it to San Francisco to get it tested. In May 1848 some of the brethren and myself made a trip in the mountains to try and find a road over (instead of going down Truckee River, as we had to cross it about 20 times) but when we got in the mountains we found so much snow we had to return, and on our way back I stopped at what we called the Mormon Island, where there was some of the brethren at work getting gold, Brother Sidney Willis and his brother; also Brother Hudson. I stayed here for a short time and got some gold.
In June we called a council of brethren together and concluded to start on our journey home. We gathered to a place in the mountains called Pleasant Valley. We stayed here until all had gathered, and we chose Brother Daniel Browett as president of the company. Brother Browett thought it best that someone should go ahead and look out a road; himself, Brother Allen and Henderson Cox started, each riding a horse and leading a pack mule. I asked Brother Browett if he had his garments on; he said, "No." I advised him to put them on, but he took no notice of it. We waited for them to come back and began to feel uneasy as some of the brethren said they had seen an Indian pass through the timber with a red shirt on. After waiting until we thought they had time to come back, we started with our wagons and stock and on the 27th of June we stopped and camped on the divide to see if we could find the brethren. We had two small cannons that we had bought from Mr. Sutter. Two of the brethren and myself loaded them and fired them off but to no use as they did not come. We sent some more of the brethren on ahead to look out a road and a little way ahead of us they found some new made graves. Several of us uncovered them and found our brethren side by side with their clothes taken off them. They were badly mutilated and had been shot full of arms. We called the place ‘Tragedy Spring.’
We continued on our journey looking out our road one day and traveling it the next until we arrived at Carson Valley. We now crossed the 40-mile desert to the sink of Mary's River [p.380]. We got there at night. Here were some hot springs which one of our dogs drank at and got his tongue scalded.
We traveled up Mary's River. The Indians attacked us and killed one of our horses. Nothing more of note transpired until we met some packers who told us they had come by the way of Salt Lake City, around the north end of the Lake, struck the Fort Hall road at Goose Creek Mountains. We traveled on their track or trail and one night we traveled around the point of a mountain and camped at a spring and as the sun went down we saw the Salt Lake for the first time which made our hearts glad, and we felt to rejoice that we were so near home. The next day we traveled over a sage plain past a large spring on the Malad River, traveled on and crossed Bear River and on the 26th of September, 1848, we arrived at Haights Creek. This was 18 miles from Salt Lake City. Next day we arrived in the city where I met my wife about a mile from the Fort, after an absence of two years two months and eleven days, this being September 27, 1848. My wife had arrived on the 20th with the President. She had yoked her cattle and drove them across the plains, 1000 miles (11).”
After Levi’s discharge at Los Angeles on July 16, 1847, and after enduring the events noted above, he returned to Council Bluffs where the family made preparations over the next two years to come west. He was thrilled to find that his invalid wife had been miraculously healed and was whole again. They traveled with the independent company of Captain Pearson and they arrived in Salt Lake City in the fall of 1850 and settled on a farm in Kaysville (12). Levi built his family a 4 room log cabin on their farm. In 1865, he built another home of logs which has been moved to the Pioneers Trails Village by “This is the Place Monument (13).”
Levi entered the law of plural marriage when he married Sarah Davis in 1857 but Sarah stated that they were divorced because of neglect and abuse after the birth of their only child (14). This is the only record found that refers to any problems Levi may have had as a father and husband, but it is felt that it should be included with this record.
Levi made baskets of willows that grew on Kaysville creek and took them to Salt Lake City to sell. He was also proficient in the art of grafting. Whenever a new variety of fruit tree was brought into Utah he procured a slip and grafted it into one of his seedling trees. He named the fruit after the person who gave him the slip (15). In fact, he had the greatest variety of apple trees in the state. He raised the first English walnuts in Kaysville, and also grew some watermelons.
Levi Roberts passed away at his home in Kaysville, Utah, from a kidney disease on January 22, 1894.
By LaRon Taylor, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources:
1)AOL contact Marcy kent@getonthe.net (Kent Petersen)
2)Deerhurst Parish Records Mg. No 105
3)Stories of Levi Roberts by Marcy, Wm Taylor Organization; obtained from Kent Peterson
4)"Leaves of My Journal", by Wilford Woodruff, chap.24.
5)Harriett Ann Hefford/Efford Roberts, Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, p.2605.
6)New Orleans Passenger Lists,
7)Treasures of Pioneer History, Vol.4, p.529.
8)Mormon Battalion by Susan Easton Black, obtained from www.onlineutah.com/historybattalion.shtml
9)Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol 20, p.55.
10)Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol.20, p.56.
11)Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 11, pp. 378-380.
12)Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p.1136 13)Harriett Ann Hefford/Efford Roberts, Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, p.2605.
14)Carter, Our Town, 12:229
15)Treasures of Pioneer History, Vol.4, p.529.
Submitted By: LaRon Taylor
Levi Roberts, b 26 February, 1815, in Deerhurst, Glouchester, England, md Harriett Ann Efford abt 18 Aug, 1835, d January 22, 1894 in Kaysville, UT
On the day that Napoleon and 1200 men left Elba to start the 100 day re-conquest of France, Levi Roberts was born in Deerhurst, Glauchestershire, England. We find nothing of his childhood until his marriage to Harriett Ann Efford on August 18, 1835 in Deerhurst (1), so we know he lived there until he was at least 20 years old. The actual record of their marriage is as follows: "Levi Roberts of this parish, bachelor & Harriet Efford of this Parish, a minor were married in this Church by Banns with consent of Parents this Eighteenth Day of August in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Five. By me R: Hepworth, Curate. This marriage was solemnized between Levi Roberts X his mark Harriet Efford X her mark". In the presence of Thomas Roberts, William Cox, Eliza Roberts (2).”
Levi & Harriett soon learned of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while members of the United Brethren Church. Wilford Woodruff was the missionary that was told by the Spirit to go south to the location of this group and all were converted. Only Levi & Harriett were converted from their immediate families, however (3). A record of this mass conversion is contained in the writings of Wilford Woodruff (grammatical errors are contained in the writings): “The rector sent a constable, and 2 clerks as spies to attend the Mormon meetings and find out what they did preach. They were all pricked in their hearts and received the word of the Lord gladly, and were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The rector became alarmed and did not dare send anybody else. The ministers and Rectors of south England called a convention and sent a petition to the archbishop of Canterbury, to request Parliament to pass a law prohibiting the ‘Mormons’ from preaching in the British Dominion. In this petition the rector stated that one ‘Mormon Missionary’ had baptized 1500 persons mostly members of the English Church, during the past seven months. But the Archbishop and Council, knowing well that the laws of England gave free toleration to all religions under the British Flag, sent word to the petitioners, if they had the worth of souls at heart as much as they had the ground where hares, foxes and hounds ran, they would not lose so many of their flock. I continued to preach and baptize daily. On 21 Mar 1840 I baptized Elder Thomas Kingston he was the superintendent of both preachers and members of the United Brethren [Levi & Harriett would have been baptized on about this same day].
The first thirty days after my arrival in Herefordshire, I had baptized 45 preachers and 160 members of the United Brethren, who put into my hands 1 chapel and 45 houses, which were licensed according to law to preach in. This opened a wide field for labor, and enabled me to bring into the church through the blessings of God, over 1800 souls during 8 mo. including all 600 United Brethren except one person; also including some 250 preachers of various denominations. The field of labor embraced Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire, and formed the conferences of Garway, Godfield, Elm and Frome’s Hill (4).”
After their conversion, Levi and Harriett came to America on the ship “North America” in 1841, then by boat from New Orleans up the Mississippi river to Nauvoo (5). Another source documents their journey from England on the ship Echo, and it arrived in New Orleans on the 16th of April, 1841 (6). When they arrived in Nauvoo, Levi became a body guard for the prophet Joseph Smith but little is known of the events he was involved in during those troubled times. We know his body guards were under constant threat from the mobs, but Levi’s experiences elude us (7). Nauvoo was a prosperous town and the Saints enjoyed peace for a short time, but again that was eliminated by the mobs and they were driven from Nauvoo in the dead of winter in February, 1846. The journey to Council Bluffs and Winter Quarters was a trial that cost many saints their very lives, but Levi and Harriett and their 3 children made the journey with their lives intact.
“In July 1846, under the authority of U.S. Army Captain James Allen and with the encouragement of Mormon leader Brigham Young, the Mormon Battalion was mustered in at Council Bluffs, Iowa Territory. The battalion was the direct result of Brigham Young's correspondence on 26 January 1846 to Jesse C. Little, presiding elder over the New England and Middle States Mission. Young instructed Little to meet with national leaders in Washington, D.C., and to seek aid for the migrating Latter-day Saints, the majority of whom were then in the Iowa Territory. In response to Young's letter, Little journeyed to Washington, arriving on 21 May 1846, just eight days after Congress had declared war on Mexico. Little met with President James K. Polk on 5 June 1846 and urged him to aid migrating Mormon pioneers by employing them to fortify and defend the West. The president offered to aid the pioneers by permitting them to raise a battalion of five hundred men, who were to join Colonel Stephen W. Kearny, Commander of the Army of the West, and fight for the United States in the Mexican War. Little accepted this offer.
Colonel Kearny designated Captain James Allen, later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, to raise five companies of volunteer soldiers from the able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five in the Mormon encampments in Iowa. On 26 June 1846 Allen arrived at the encampment of Mt. Pisgah. He was treated with suspicion as many believed that the raising of a battalion was a plot to bring trouble to the migrating Saints.
Allen journeyed from Mt. Pisgah to Council Bluffs, where on 1 July 1846 he allayed Mormon fears by giving permission for the Saints to encamp on United States lands if the Mormons would raise the desired battalion. Brigham Young accepted this, recognizing that the enlistment of the battalion was the first time the government had stretched forth its arm to aid the Mormons (8).” The Mormon Battalion was formed and became the “ram in the thicket” (coined by B.H. Roberts) for the destitute saints.
Levi joined the Mormon Battalion at Council Bluffs as a private in Company "E" and crossed the plains and mountains to California. At the time of departure, his wife was an invalid, so it required great faith for him to leave her behind. On July 21st they started on the march to the tune, "The Girl I Left Behind Me." The following is a quote from the journal of (unknown) regarding their journey to California: “Upon arriving at the Missouri River late in June, Robert learned that the U.S. Government had asked for 500 men to go to Mexico or California to participate in the war with Mexico. [p.56] Quoting: "Brother Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards came to us to preach and to call for volunteers to form a battalion. I was one to go. I was a private in Company E. This was quite an undertaking. Six men out of a company of seven were on the march, leaving our families and stock in the care of an old man and a boy. If it had not been for the cause of God, we never could have left our families in the wild prairies with a murderous mob in the rear and an Indian-ridden country before. We had a promise that they should be taken care of, and that if we would be true to God and our Country that we would not have to fight." B. H. Roberts says in one of his histories that the Battalion was the ram in the thicket for the Church as it was only by their entrance into civil service that the homeless Saints were granted the right to graze their stock and plant crops on government lands. Else they must have moved into the desert wholly unprepared for its hardships. Quoting: "We mustered at sunrise July 18, 1846, and received our equipment at Fort Leavenworth. We arrived at Sante Fe in September, a distance in all of nearly 2000 miles. When we saw the sun go down in the Pacific it was an agreeable sight after passing thru so many deserts. We learned that peace had been declared. We did guard duty for six months, when we were discharged July 16, 1847. We bought animals to ride and pack home again. We traveled about 800 miles to Sacramento. Daniel Browett, Robert Harris, John Cox, Levi Roberts, Richard Slater and myself messed together all the way from Council Bluffs to Sacramento, I being the cook (9)."
Another quote from the same book addressed the suffering during their journey with the Battalion: “Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 20, p.56
Their spiritual stamina found food each morning and evening in prayer. They tried constantly to keep before them the promise made to them by Brigham Young. At one time when human endurance was almost spent, one of their comrades arose and drew from his pocket a small American flag, saying: "This flag, brethren, was made for me by my wife before we left the States. It is for this, comrades, that we toil, and for a home for the Church." Next morning they were up at sunrise and in the harness toiling courageously toward the Pacific (10).”
In addition to the journey to California, the following is quoted from the journal of Robert Mason (uncertain) regarding their journey home: “One company was reenlisted for six months; the rest of the Battalion bought animals to pack and ride home again. We travelled down the Tulare to Sacramento, about 800 miles away. I got a fine mare and a Spanish pet. We travelled on to Mr. Sutter's Fort at Sacramento where we got a fresh supply of provisions. Daniel Browett, Robert Harris, Henderson Cox, Len Roberts, Richard Slater and Robert Pixton messed together all the way from Council Bluffs, I being the cook for the mess. We travelled by the way of the Truckee River, after crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and had passed the place where the Donner Party was overtaken in the snow.... The brethren found one body that had been buried in the snow.
After travelling over the mountains one day we met with some of our brethren from the Valley. This was a time of rejoicing. Captain Brown who left us at Santa Fe with the sick which went by the way of Fort Kearney and a few brethren with him from the Valley, brought news that we were not to go to the Valley, and told us we had better stay another year in California. So the company divided right where we met each other; some went on to Winter Quarters; some to the Valley, and some turned back. Daniel Browett, Slater, Cox, Levi Roberts and myself turned back to Sacramento and went to work for Mr. Sutter who treated us very kindly. I sent a mule to my wife with Brother Harris, which she got....
We all went to work at the same place for Captain Sutter. We took the work of cutting a millrace. Brother Browett went [p.379] to work with the millwright, this was in September and later on in the fall, I and two others took sick with the bilious fever. We were so sick we couldn't help each other to a drink of water. We lay under some ties and had to crawl around with the sun to keep from making us chill.... Our appetites were very poor, and our food was flour, water and squash. Had it not been for the thoughts of my wife and family I could have died, but we all three recovered after awhile and went to work on the millrace again and worked all winter. Sometime in the winter two of the brethren who were working for Mr. Sutter in the mountains found gold in a tailrace they were making. Mr. Sutter let me see the first gold they found before sending it to San Francisco to get it tested. In May 1848 some of the brethren and myself made a trip in the mountains to try and find a road over (instead of going down Truckee River, as we had to cross it about 20 times) but when we got in the mountains we found so much snow we had to return, and on our way back I stopped at what we called the Mormon Island, where there was some of the brethren at work getting gold, Brother Sidney Willis and his brother; also Brother Hudson. I stayed here for a short time and got some gold.
In June we called a council of brethren together and concluded to start on our journey home. We gathered to a place in the mountains called Pleasant Valley. We stayed here until all had gathered, and we chose Brother Daniel Browett as president of the company. Brother Browett thought it best that someone should go ahead and look out a road; himself, Brother Allen and Henderson Cox started, each riding a horse and leading a pack mule. I asked Brother Browett if he had his garments on; he said, "No." I advised him to put them on, but he took no notice of it. We waited for them to come back and began to feel uneasy as some of the brethren said they had seen an Indian pass through the timber with a red shirt on. After waiting until we thought they had time to come back, we started with our wagons and stock and on the 27th of June we stopped and camped on the divide to see if we could find the brethren. We had two small cannons that we had bought from Mr. Sutter. Two of the brethren and myself loaded them and fired them off but to no use as they did not come. We sent some more of the brethren on ahead to look out a road and a little way ahead of us they found some new made graves. Several of us uncovered them and found our brethren side by side with their clothes taken off them. They were badly mutilated and had been shot full of arms. We called the place ‘Tragedy Spring.’
We continued on our journey looking out our road one day and traveling it the next until we arrived at Carson Valley. We now crossed the 40-mile desert to the sink of Mary's River [p.380]. We got there at night. Here were some hot springs which one of our dogs drank at and got his tongue scalded.
We traveled up Mary's River. The Indians attacked us and killed one of our horses. Nothing more of note transpired until we met some packers who told us they had come by the way of Salt Lake City, around the north end of the Lake, struck the Fort Hall road at Goose Creek Mountains. We traveled on their track or trail and one night we traveled around the point of a mountain and camped at a spring and as the sun went down we saw the Salt Lake for the first time which made our hearts glad, and we felt to rejoice that we were so near home. The next day we traveled over a sage plain past a large spring on the Malad River, traveled on and crossed Bear River and on the 26th of September, 1848, we arrived at Haights Creek. This was 18 miles from Salt Lake City. Next day we arrived in the city where I met my wife about a mile from the Fort, after an absence of two years two months and eleven days, this being September 27, 1848. My wife had arrived on the 20th with the President. She had yoked her cattle and drove them across the plains, 1000 miles (11).”
After Levi’s discharge at Los Angeles on July 16, 1847, and after enduring the events noted above, he returned to Council Bluffs where the family made preparations over the next two years to come west. He was thrilled to find that his invalid wife had been miraculously healed and was whole again. They traveled with the independent company of Captain Pearson and they arrived in Salt Lake City in the fall of 1850 and settled on a farm in Kaysville (12). Levi built his family a 4 room log cabin on their farm. In 1865, he built another home of logs which has been moved to the Pioneers Trails Village by “This is the Place Monument (13).”
Levi entered the law of plural marriage when he married Sarah Davis in 1857 but Sarah stated that they were divorced because of neglect and abuse after the birth of their only child (14). This is the only record found that refers to any problems Levi may have had as a father and husband, but it is felt that it should be included with this record.
Levi made baskets of willows that grew on Kaysville creek and took them to Salt Lake City to sell. He was also proficient in the art of grafting. Whenever a new variety of fruit tree was brought into Utah he procured a slip and grafted it into one of his seedling trees. He named the fruit after the person who gave him the slip (15). In fact, he had the greatest variety of apple trees in the state. He raised the first English walnuts in Kaysville, and also grew some watermelons.
Levi Roberts passed away at his home in Kaysville, Utah, from a kidney disease on January 22, 1894.
By LaRon Taylor, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources:
1)AOL contact Marcy kent@getonthe.net (Kent Petersen)
2)Deerhurst Parish Records Mg. No 105
3)Stories of Levi Roberts by Marcy, Wm Taylor Organization; obtained from Kent Peterson
4)"Leaves of My Journal", by Wilford Woodruff, chap.24.
5)Harriett Ann Hefford/Efford Roberts, Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, p.2605.
6)New Orleans Passenger Lists,
7)Treasures of Pioneer History, Vol.4, p.529.
8)Mormon Battalion by Susan Easton Black, obtained from www.onlineutah.com/historybattalion.shtml
9)Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol 20, p.55.
10)Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol.20, p.56.
11)Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 11, pp. 378-380.
12)Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p.1136 13)Harriett Ann Hefford/Efford Roberts, Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, p.2605.
14)Carter, Our Town, 12:229
15)Treasures of Pioneer History, Vol.4, p.529.
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