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.