I am back

I hope I haven't lost too many of you in the long break that I have taken from this blog. The biography "Come After Us" is now being printed. Most of the harvest from my garden has been preserved. So now I can think about family history again.

I hope you enjoy the little bits I find here and there.

Please, please share any stories, pictures, etc that you may have. Please don't assume I already know something or have something...I would rather have multiple copies then none, you may be surprised at what I don't know and how exciting your little pieces of information may be!

Thanks!

WE NEED YOUR ORDERS NOW!

If you want a copy of "Come After Us" the biography Nicholas Thomas and Jane Heath Silcock, you need to contact me ASAP. Click on the link to learn more about the book and the amazing church history/pioneer stories it contains.

The deadline for the money now!

We want to get the order to the printer this week so the books can be published in time for Christmas.

We are still a few orders shy of the 100 we need to have the book printed. Please, take advantage of this opportunity! The book is $35 and that includes shipping. If you would like us to ship to multiple addresses we can.

I have seen the book go for $90-$100 on e-bay and other sites!

Again, any descendants of Nicholas Thomas Silcock and Jane Heath Silcock will love to have this book.

A special call is out to the descendants of their daughter Almira Heath Silcock who married Alexander Shillington Henderson.

Their children who lived were:

Alice Sarah Henderson (Louis Peterson)
Hannah Jane Henderson (Lucius Curtis Peck)
Rose O Henderson (Isaac Edwin Oliver)
George Alexander Henderson (Ethel Garside)
Nicholas Thomas Henderson (Alice Matilda Jensen)
James Mormon Henderson (Malinda Freeman)
Heber Charles Henderson (Rhoda Carlin Smith)
Hyrum Edgar Henderson (Alice Bills)
Ella Almira Henderson (Joseph Brigham Harrison)
Alma John Henderson (Janett Smith)

The book has Almira & Alexander's story as well and pictures of them and their family.

Please contact me right away!

Marie Arnold
funseekerfamilyhistory@gmail.com

Bitter Creek Painting

I just found out that the picture that I thought was so perfect for our family story in the Martin Handcart Company IS our family!! Click on the link or go to the Wylie label post to see the painting and story.

The artist, Clark Kelley Price, is a descendant of Elizabeth Wylie Steele! He painted a scene from his own family history. (Click on his name to read his story about the painting)

I just think it is so amazing that I found the picture months ago and thought it was perfect for our family...and it was because it is our family being depicted!

Pioneer Story of the Day: Nicholas Thomas & Jane Heath Silcock

It is time for 3rd Great Grandparents.

I have shared much about Nicholas Thomas & Jane Heath Silcock already in other posts (see the side bar and click on Silcock to read more). Here is a little summary and a few additions:

Nicholas Thomas went by Thomas. He and Jane had 16 children, one born in England, 2 in Nauvoo, 2 in St. Louis and the rest in Utah. Four of their children died before the age of 10.

Text in Italics from "Come After Us" by Melvin Banner:

When Nicholas Thomas was 10 years old his mother died. Before her death she called him to her bedside. She told him, "Thomas, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is not on the earth, but will be brought back by an angel. If it comes in your day, I want you to join it." He always remembered what his mother said and when he was 13 years old he "knelt down and told the Lord that if the truth every came in my day, I would embrace it."

Nicholas relates that upon hearing Wilford Woodrfuff and Alfred Cordon declare the restoration of Christ's gospel by an angel, the spiritual stirrings in him said, "that is the truth!". Likewise, as Jane listened to the LDS interpretation of the Savior's baptism by immersion she declared, "I was immediately converted." Elder Woodruff later confirmed her a member of the Church. Nicholas and Jane never faltered in their commitment to their testimonies they received.

Nicholas Thomas came across to America alone at age 23 on the ship EMERALD with Parley P. Pratt. He earned money on the ship by remodeling the captain quarters. He worked in St. Louis to save up money and sent for his wife Jane, who was only 16 years old, and their 17 month old son Alma. She crossed on the ship the CHAMPION. They lived in Nauvoo, Illinois on the corner of Wells and Young Streets. Nicholas Thomas was a carpenter who built Parley P. Pratt's home.

He worked full time on the Nauvoo Temple and stayed until its completion. He and Jane received their endowments and were sealed in the Nauvoo Temple in January 1846. When the saints were driven from their homes, the Silcocks did not have means to travel west with the main group and instead they went to St. Louis where Nicholas Thomas searched for work and where they endured many hardships.

Jane's mother Barbara Heath and her brothers traveled west to Winter Quarters with Bishop Edward Hunter. Grandma Barbara Heath passed away not long after arriving at Winter Quarters. Jane's teenage brothers were taken in by the Hunter family.

Cholera hit St. Louis hard at this time. In the LDS community “Nicholas had been appointed to preside…he spent his time among the sick and dying. For a time it looked as if the whole city of St. Louis would be wiped out.” Jane said. “I was called to administer to the afflicted,” Nicholas recorded. Then the dreaded disease struck home for the Silcocks. On April 10, 1849, seven-month old Barbara Ann “was sick at two p.m. and at ten p.m. she was laid out a corpse.” This was another blow to sadden the Silcock family…

“There was sickness and death at every turn,” Jane told her daughter Martha. “Nicholas spent his time helping with the sick and carrying the dead to the sidewalk.” There they would be picked up by wagons to be buried in accordance with the city officials’ specifications…After July, the number afflicted began to diminish...

Nicholas recorded that “In the fall as the cholera abated I received work in a sugar refinery.” He was blessed in several ways. He was alive. His wife and Alma were alive, and he had full-time employment at good wages. “I felt I had much to be thankful for,” Jane told daughter Nina Etta, “as my husband and my son Alma were spared…though the sad blow (of Barbara’s death) was one from which I did not recover.”

After the birth of their son, Thomas, Jane had an attack of ague chills causing milk leg (phlebitis) to set in. “I was sick all winter and well into the spring of 1850,” Jane told daughter Martha. Nicholas recorded additional problems that added to Jane’s misery with milk leg. “My wife being confined caught cold and was very sick and could hardly walk.”

In 1850, Bishop Edward Hunter came to St. Louis with wonderful news. Thanks to the new Perpetual Emigrating Fund established by Brigham Young, the Silcock family could finally make the journey to the Salt Lake Valley. Nicholas Thomas, Jane, their eight year old son, Alma, and their infant son, Thomas, joined the Edward Hunter Company even though Jane could not walk. Jane would have to ride in the wagon and could not do any of the chores so they arranged with a widow to take care of the cooking and washing in exchange for transportation for the widow, her son and their belongings.

Bishop Hunter conveyed on to Jane Silcock and others with illnesses in the company, a promise from President Brigham Young that “if this people will hearken to counsel they will have good health. Women that cannot walk a mile will walk twenty by the time they get to the tops of the mountains.” Jane saw this fulfilled. Daily she gained ability to use her legs. Jane began to help the widow with the cooking until she “took turns of every other time.” She found it increasingly easy to fully care for baby Thomas. Jane told her granddaughter Eva, “by the time we arrived at the end of our journey, I recovered my health.”

They arrived in Salt Lake in October They were the first of many who were blessed by the the Perpetual Emigrating Fund. They settled eventually in Riverton area where they raised their children and welcomed more. They lived faithfully and served honorably in many callings in the church.

Martha their daughter recorded of Jane's passing at age 75, "Her last hours were quiet and full of prayer and concern for the welfare of those around her." Jane had been molded and defined in the furnace of affliction. Thus, by the close of her life those close knew they were in the presence of a pure person with a pure spirit....Mary Green, who was with Jane when she passed away reported "All was peace and quiet when the end came as she was prepared to go."

A grandson, Mahonri M. Dansie later said of his grandfather Nicholas Thomas Silcock, "I have heard him bear his testimony many times in fast and testimony meeting. He was one of the stalwarts of the day. He was true and faithful to the end. He was a honest and hard working man. I am proud to be one of his grandchildren."

Nicholas Thomas Silcock passed away at the age of 86. Both he and Jane are buried in the Riverton Cemetery.

Certainly they both walked with "Faith in Every Footstep" as many others did.

Pioneer Story of the Day: Mathais & Ann Cowley

Ann Quayle Cowley and Mathias Cowley were another set of 4th Great Grandparents of mine.


They were the parents of Ann Cowley, who married Edward Callister. They had a son named Edward Callister who had a daughter named Irene Callister, who married Raymond Verne McCullough. They are the parents of Beth Maurine McCullough Henderson.


Mathias Cowley was born in 1794 on the Isle of Man. His wife, Ann Quayle was born in 1799 also on the Isle of Man. They were married in 1817. They had six children while living on the Isle of Man. This is a picture of Peele, Isle of Man where most of their children were born.



In 1840, John Taylor, then one of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Clark came to the Isle of Man and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Cowleys heard them and were convinced that the principles they taught were true. In November, 1840 they were baptized and immediately made plans to come to Illinois.


Mathias sold his small farm "The Glen Ellen" and herds of sheep to raise money to make the journey. They had been well off and had enjoyed many luxuries, but there was great persecution of those that followed the "dippers" (Mormon Missionaries) and so they left their homeland forever.


They went to Liverpool, England and set sail April 2, 1841 on the ship Rochester. Ann's brother John Quayle, his wife Catherine and their children also came on the ship at this time. Additionally, the ship carried Brigham Young, John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff and other church leaders returning from their first mission to England and about 200 new church members on their way to Illinois.


The Cowley's purchased a farm about four miles from the city of Nauvoo. Unfortunately, their baby, Eleanor, died in August. Another baby girl came in May 1843. They named her Ellen...probably after their homestead on the Isle of Man..."The Glen Ellen".


At one time, Mathias paid a hundred dollar fine so that the Prophet Joseph Smith could be released from jail after false charges had been brought against him.


On another occasion, Mathias Cowley was asked by the prophet to give to the Church six hundred dollars he had in the bank as the Church was in dire need of money. Mathias quickly obliged the Prophet's request and was subsequently given a blessing by Joseph Smith, and a promise was passed down to the Cowley posterity, that "as long as his posterity remained faithful to the Gospel they would never want for bread."


As persecutions grew, men would take turns protecting the Prophet Joseph Smith and his family. Ann Cowley Callister, one of Mathias & Ann Cowley's children, remembers one night, Mathias hid his family in a corn field for the night, while he went out to help protect the Prophet.


During the persecutions that followed the martyrdom of Joseph & Hyrum Smith, a cannon fired on the city tore out one wall of the Cowley home. The Cowley's watched the exodus of friends and family in the years that followed. Not being able to afford to go west they moved to St. Louis where Mathias worked in a packing house. Here their youngest daughter, Ellen, died in 1849. A few years later in 1853, Mathias died at the age of 59 years old (most likely in one of the cholera epidemics).


In April 1854, Ann, at age 58, and her children left St. Louis. They were part of the William Field Company. They had trouble with Indians, bad water, and many died along the way.


You can read more about their journey at: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/source/0,18016,4976-2680,00.html


Many in the company didn't care for the way Captain William Field led the company. Isaac Groo said, "All who will follow me, come now, I will lead you." Nineteen wagons followed his lead including the Cowleys. They arrived in Salt Lake on September 19, 1854, the first company of the season, and two weeks before those arrived who remained with Captain Fields.

Ann lived in the 7th Ward in Salt Lake City the rest of her life and died at the home of her son John, May 9, 1877 at the age of 81 years old. She was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, I_19_10_1W.

I would love to know more about Mathias and Ann personally. From the tiny Isle of Man, to Nauvoo, to St. Louis, they traveled far. And then Ann went on across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains to Salt Lake. I have yet to find any of their own words, but I assume that like many others they went quietly forward in faith through the trials they faced and they were true to their testimony of Jesus Christ.

Mathias and Ann Cowley...pioneers, generous and brave, my grandparents, I am grateful for them.

Sources include: Life History of Beth Maurine McCullough, "Our Pioneer Heritage" Vol. 16, http://isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/mormon/mcowley2.htm Please contact me if you would like more specifics.

Pioneer Story of the Day: Maria Billings Linney Morris

Another 4th Great Grandmother of mine was Maria Billings Linney Morris.

She is the mother of Louisa Morris, who married John McCullough. Louisa & John McCullough are the parents of William Morris McCullough. William married Ruth Susan Independence Keysor and they are the parents of Raymond Verne McCullough. Raymond married Irene Callister and they are the parents of Beth Maurine McCullough Henderson.

Maria Billing Linney was born in South Witham, Lincolnshire, England. The black and white picture to the right is an old photograph of the village.

Maria married John Morris in 1832. They lived in a little village about 20 miles away called Barrowden, Rutland. They had eight children. The picture is of wat Barrowden looks like today...not much different than it did almost 200 years ago when they lived there.

The following is taken from a short history written by Arlene Pulsipher Hemsley:

"About the year 1845 or 1846 an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints whose name was Thomas Smart went to work in Barrowden to take charge of Dyeing wool mats. Soon after he arrived he began to preach the new faith and Maria accepted the gospel with gladness and was baptized on 10 Dec. 1848, with her two sons Charles and John. Emma was baptized in 1849, in 1854 Harriet, Robert and Louisa were baptized. They had to go in the dark to the river that ran by the village so they might not be observed."

Maria's family began saving money and one by one made their way to America. In the spring of 1866 her son Robert sent money to her for her journey. Her husband John, according to family stories, stayed behind with his daughter Sara who had not accepted the gospel. Sara was his daugther from his first wife.

So alone at the age of 59, wanting to be reunited with her children, she sailed on the ship "John Bright" on April 30 from Liverpool, England.

She probably traveled from New York by rail and steam ship to the town of Wyoming, Nebraska Territory. There she joined the John D. Holladay company. They left on July 19th and arrived in Salt Lake City on September 24th. It is likely she walked most of the way (from Nebraska to Salt Lake).

In Salt Lake Maria earned her living going out to nurse sick people and doing the washing for families. She lived in Salt Lake City the rest of her life. On 1870 and 1880 Census records, we find her living with her youngest son Robert in Salt Lake City. She had very good health and it was said she never had a headache. She was about 83 years old when she died. She is buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery P_8_8_5E.

Pioneer Story of the Day: Mary Ann George Wylie

Mary Ann George Wylie was another 4th Great Grandmother of mine.

(She was the mother of Ruth Wylie Keysor, who was the mother of Ruth Susan Independence Keysor McCullough, who was the mother of Raymond Verne McCullough who was the father of Beth Maurine McCullough.)

Mary Ann George was born in Ireland in 1790. Sometime in the 1820s she married Oliver Wylie. In 1847 she was baptized. I assume that Oliver passed away before they came to America. I am not sure. By 1856 she was in America and she joined the Edward Martin Handcart Company at age 66. Her daughter, Elizabeth(28) and her husband James Steele(29) and their two little boys ages 3 and 1 were also a part of the company.

With a late start, and early snows tragedy came along the trail. When hope was almost gone, rescuers came to help. On October 28 the first rescuers arrived with a few supplies and helped the people as best they could to carry on. At the Sweetwater River, we know three eighteen-year old boys belonging to the rescue party carried nearly every member of the handcart company across the ice cold stream. I can imagine them carrying our Grandma Wylie, and then her daughter, son-in-law and their two little boys.

They moved on. Each day they were getting closer to the Salt Lake Valley. However, on November 10, James died. He had literally starved to death giving all his food to his children and wife. I believe when he realized help truly was there for his family, he was able to let go and move on. He held on until he knew for sure they would be cared for. He was buried at Bitter Creek.

The painting known as, Martin Handcart Company in Bitter Creek, Wyoming, 1856 (in the Gospel Art Kit #414) is an illustration of this terrible moment for their family.

The artist, Clark Kelley Price, is a descendant of Elizabeth...and this is his rendition of the scene! It really is our ancestors!!!

Grandma Wylie standing behind her daughter Elizabeth who is holding her one year old son, William. He didn't add little James (age 3) clinging to his mother's skirt, while the men bury his father, James Steele, in a cold shallow grave.

Mary and Elizabeth and her two boys carried on. They made it to the Salt Lake Valley. When the Logan Temple was completed in 1884, James(now in his 30's) went to the temple and did the work for his father.

Francis Webster, a member of the Martin Company, stated, in a Sunday School class:
“I was in that company and my wife … too. We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but … we became acquainted with [God] in our extrem[i]ties.

“I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it. … I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.

“Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company” (as quoted in David O. McKay, “Pioneer Women,” The Relief Society Magazine, Jan. 1948, 8).

President James E. Faust said this in July 2002, Ensign:
"I hope that this priceless legacy of faith left by the pioneers will inspire all of us to more fully participate in the Lord’s work of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children.

You who are among the descendants of these noble pioneers have a priceless heritage of faith and courage. If there are any of you who do not enjoy fellowship with us in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we invite you to seek to know what instilled such great faith in your ancestors and what motivated them to willingly pay such a terrible price for their membership in this Church. To those who have been offended or lost interest or who have turned away for any reason, we invite all of you to join in full fellowship again with us. The faithful members, with all their faults and failings, are humbly striving to do God’s holy work across the world. We need your help in the great struggle against the powers of darkness so prevalent in the world today. In becoming a part of this work, you can all satisfy the deepest yearnings of your souls. You can come to know the personal comfort that can be found in seeking the sacred and holy things of God. You can enjoy the blessings and covenants administered in the holy temples. You can have great meaning and purpose in your lives, even in the profane world in which we live. You can have strength of character so that you can act for yourselves and not be acted upon."

When stories are shared of the Martin Handcart Pioneers, remember our ancestors. It is in our blood to be strong in face of tragedy, to walk on in the cold, to not be turned bitter by the Bitter Creek moments in our lives. Grandma Wylie carried on for us...let us carry on for her!

Pioneer Story of the Day: Barbara Hulme Heath

Barbara Hulme Heath was one of my 4th Great Grandmothers.

(Her daughter was Jane Heath Silcock, who was the mother of Almira Heath Silcock Henderson, who was the mother of Nicholas Thomas Henderson, who was the father of Jay Harold Henderson)

Barbara was born in England to John Hulme and Lady Jane McDonald Hulme.

The vocation Barbara chose to follow was cooking. "Barbara worked for years in that profession, not marrying. She saved her money wisely. When she was twenty-nine years old Barbara met a very pious gentleman six years younger than herself, by the name of John Heath and fell in love. They were married in 1825...Both John and Barbara brought substantial savings accounts to the marriage, an unusual circumstance for the working class of the times. Barbara and John were well suited for each other, and were very happy in their marriage.”

Her husband John passed away in 1841. Barbara joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England in 1845; she was about 49 years old. She and her sons decided to come to America. In October 1845 they arrived aboard the ship “Oregon” in New Orleans and then came up the Mississippi River to the boat dock in Nauvoo. Her daughter Jane met her at the dock. On the ride home Barbara found that her long journey was not yet over. "Nauvoo would be a temporary respite" as the Saints were preparing to go West.

"Barbara, being financially sound, was able to supply capital to purchase the iron and wood for her wagon. Nicholas (her son-in-law) with the help of the teenage Heath boys, provided the labor."

Before leaving she was endowed in the Nauvoo temple on January 8, 1846.

"Barbara Heath and her sons were assigned to Bishop Hunter's company." They had planned to leave February 16th with the main group of Saints. However, Bishop Hunter was counseled to wait and see if he could sell more of his property first.

"In April, discouraged over bleak sales of his property, Edward Hunter's family and Barbara's family prepared their wagons to move across the Mississippi. By now the grass was growing and the trail west was well traveled."

"Barbara’s sons...had not yet joined the Church. Bishop Hunter had a valuable influence on them through their close association during the months of preparation. The Bishop and his wife, Ann only had one daughter...and no sons. Barbara was grateful for the Bishop's mature and fatherly example. As they were saying goodbye, Barbara's last words to Jane were, "If it was not for the salvation of my boys, I would not leave you."

"By the end of August the Hunters and Heaths had reached Council Bluffs on the Missouri River. It was now the 'sickly season.' Bishop Hunter and his family were so sick they could not continue. Bishop Hunter recorded, 'I suffered with sickness, also seven at a time.' Ann Hunter told Jane later in Salt Lake City of this trying time. She explained the Barbara was the Hunter family's life saver. Barbara (who had been sick earlier in their travels) had regained strength but was still sick. Sister Hunter explained that Barbara cooked the meals and nursed those too ill to leave their beds. Ague symptoms include serious thirst. Sister Hunter said there were times when Barbara was too ill to walk but she crawled from bed to bed of those more ill and gave them water. Finally with that devoted care, they regained health enough at the end of September to cross the Missouri River to Winter Quarters."

"Barbara developed other complications in addition to the ague...Sister Hunter told Jane later in Salt Lake City that Barbara became ill with black canker and lay ill for fourteen weeks. Before Barbara died, she told a dear Sister, Elizabeth Melroy, "Write to my daughter in St. Louis and tell her that I am no more, but I have died in hopes of a bright and glorious resurrection." She passed away at Winter Quarters, October 20, 1846 at age 50.

Text in "quotes" is taken from the book "Come After Us" by Melvin Banner (a biography of Nicholas Thomas Silcock and Jane Heath Silcock)

Text not in quotes and italic additions within the quoted text were added by Marie Arnold.

Our Pioneers

I will be posting about each of the pioneer ancestors that I am aware of over the next few days, so check back regularly and enjoy!

What now?

I want to know, what you want to know!

What stories would you like to hear?
What pictures would you like to see?
What information would you like to have?

Comment or e-mail me at funseekerfamilyhistory@gmail.com

Come After Us

"Come After Us" is a wonderful book. It is a biography of Nicholas Thomas Silcock and Jane Heath. The time & research that Mr. Melvin Banner put into this project is praiseworthy. I have enjoyed the portions I have been able to read so far.

When Mr. Banner began this project, he and others searched for the descendants of Nicholas Thomas & Jane Silcock. He would like their story to be in the hands of as many of their descendants as possible. However, they were only able to locate 3 Hendersons. So this book has not been seen by more than 3 of Alexander & Almira Henderson's descendants. (And they had 13 children!) If you are interested in having your own copy or finding out more about the book, please comment or e-mail me at funseekerfamilyhistory@gmail.com.

Memorial Day

Are you headed to the cemetery this weekend?

If so, this list might be of interest to you.

A few months ago I thought it would be interesting to find out where our ancestors are buried. I had some information, but I started seeking out more. Many of our ancestors are buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery, but as that is an enormous cemetery, I found out the grave “addresses” as well.

I aspire to taking my children up there this summer to find and take pictures of all of the grave markers…but if any of you get there first…send me the pictures!

Here I have listed all of the names of our grandparents in each generation, some of which I have yet to find out exactly where they are buried. If you know…PLEASE let me know, so I don’t have to try and research it all.

I have changed the font to Green for Salt Lake City Cemetery Information.

I have much more information about all these people, but here I have only included Burial Information that I have. I have also linked some of the names to other posts I have made about them. So if you click on a name that is underlined, it will take you to more information about that person.


Grandparents

Jay Harold HENDERSON
buried 15 Jan 1977 in Salt Lake City Cemetery West 13_149_1E
Beth Maurine MCCULLOUGH
buried 12 Jan 2002 in Salt Lake City Cemetery West_13_149_2E

Great Grandparents

Nicholas Thomas HENDERSON
buried in Wastch Lawn Memorial Park, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah
Alice Matilda JENSEN
buried 29 Jul 1980 in Wastach Lawn Memorial Park, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah,


Raymond Verne MCCULLOUGH
buried 21 Apr 1970 in Salt Lake City Cemetery, Park_41_25_4W
Irene CALLISTER
buried 20 Jul 1976 in Salt Lake City Cemetery Park_41_25_3W


2nd Great Grandparents

Alexander Shellington HENDERSON
buried in Riverton, Salt Lake County, Utah
Almira Heath SILCOCK
buried 1 Dec 1896 in Riverton, Salt Lake County, Utah


Jens Peder JENSEN
buried in Cresent Cemetery 27_4_4, Sandy, Salt Lake County, Utah
Ane PEDERSON
buried in Cresent Cemetery 27_4_3, Sandy, Salt Lake County, Utah


William Morris MCCULLOUGH
buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery PARK_41_25_4E
Ruth Susan Independence KEYSOR
buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery PARK_41_25_5E


Edward Henry CALLISTER
buried 27 Nov 1917 in Salt Lake City Cemetery C_13_15_1_S 2
Louisa Jane EDDINGTON
buried 16 Sep 1948 in Salt Lake City Cemetery C_13_15_2_S 2


3rd Great Grandparents

James HENDERSON
Ann Jane SHELLINGTON


Nicholas Thomas Cook SILCOCK
buried 12 May 1906 in Riverton, Salt Lake County, Utah
Jane HEATH
buried 30 Apr 1902 in Riverton, Salt Lake County, Utah


Soren Jens Christiansen JENSEN
buried in Cresent Cemetery 27_1_2, Sandy, Salt Lake County, Utah
Neilsine NYKOBING
buried in Cresent Cemetery 27_1_1, Sandy, Salt Lake County, Utah

Jens Peder LARSEN
Ane Marie CHRISTENSEN


John Samuel MCCULLOUGH
buried 29 Apr 1909 in Salt Lake City Cemetery E_6_2_1E_N2
Louisa MORRIS
buried 18 Apr 1915 in Salt Lake City Cemetery E_6_2_2E_N2


Guy Messiah KEYSOR
buried in Richfield City Cemetery A.20.05.08, Sevier County, Utah
Ruth WYLIE
buried 27 Mar 1891 in Salt Lake City Cemetery E_5_4_5E


Edward CALLISTER
buried in Salt Lake City, Cemetery C_3_1_4W
Ann COWLEY
buried 25 Mar 1915 in Salt Lake City Cemetery C_3_1_2E


William EDDINGTON
buried 6 Mar 1913 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Louisa Sarah BARTON
buried 3 Sep 1891 in Morgan City Cemetery UK_1_9_42

4th Great Grandparents

Isaac HENDERSON
Jane ASKIN.


James SHELLINGTON,
Ellen Ann ANDERSON


John SILCOCK
Anne COOK

John HEATH
buried 8 Sep 1841 in Hanley, Staffordshire, England
Barbara HULME
buried in Pioneer Cemetery, Florence, Douglas County, Nebraska
She died at Winter Quarters 20 October 1846


Jens Christian CHRISTENSEN,
Metti Marie JENSEN


Anders PRAESTIGAARD
Kirstine or Kristine Annie LARSEN.


Laurs PEDERSEN LARSEN
Anne JENSEN


Christen Pedersen MUNK
Ane Marie or Maren CHRISTENSEN.



Samuel MCCULLOUGH
Janet HAMILTON


John MORRIS
buried 1 Jun 1882 in Barrowden, Rtlnds, England
Maria Billings LINNEY
buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery P_8_8_5E


Henry Bernard KEYSOR
Elizabeth SCOVILLE


Oliver WYLIE
died in Ireland
Mary Ann GEORGE
buried in Salt Lake City


John CALLISTER
buried 11 May 1827 in Kirk German, Isle of Man, England
Ann SHIMMIN


Matthew COWLEY
buried 1 Sep 1853 in St. Louis, Missouri
Ann QUAYLE
buried 12 May 1877 in Salt Lake City Cemetery I_19_10_1W


James EDDINGTON
buried 10 Jun 1852 in Mile End Cemetery, Protsea, England
Eliza SEATON
buried in Mile End Cemetery, Protsea, England


William BARTON
Charlotte Maria HAYLES

Taking a vaction

I am taking a small vacation from this blog. I recently acquired a large box of family photos from my husband's side of the family. I need to scan them all and get them back to his grandparents as soon as possible.

In the meantime, if you have a photo or story that you would like to share, e-mail me and I will post it. I am especially interested in finding out more about the Keysor, Wylie, Eddington, and Barton & Morris families.

Otherwise check back in June!

Picture & Story of the Week: Maria/Mary Billings Linney Morris

This is a picture of my 4th Great Grandmother Mary or Maria Billings Linney Morris.

She was married to John Morris. They are the parents of Louisa Morris who married John McCullough.
Louisa & John McCullough are the parents of William Morris McCullough.
William married Ruth Susan Independence Keysor and they are the parents of Raymond Verne McCullough.

I found the following story about her:

Maria Billings Linney Morris Story

Written by Arlene Pulsipher Hemsley
Compiled from autobiography of her son Robert Morris, Histories of her daughter Harriet and grandson Fred.
Transcribed by Anjanette Stone Lofgren

Maria Billings Linney was born 12 Nov. 1806/1807 at South Whitham, Lincolnshire, England. She was the only child of John Linney and Sophia Billings...Her parents followed a common tradition of giving a child for their middle name the maiden name of the mother.

Nothing is known of her childhood until her marriage to John Morris in 1832. This was his second marriage and he had a small daughter named Sara. They made their home in Barrowden, Rutlandshire, where their eight children were born: five sons and three daughters. Their second son, John, only lived one year, so the third son was also named John. Their other sons were Charles, Robert, and William. Their daughters were Emma, Harriet, and Louisa.

About the year 1845 or 1846 an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints whose name was Thomas Smart went to work in Barrowden to take charge of Dyeing wool mats. Soon after he arrived he began to preach the new faith and Maria accepted the gospel with gladness and was baptized on 10 Dec. 1848, with her two sons Charles and John. Emma was baptized in 1849, in 1854 Harriet, Robert and Louisa were baptized. They had to go in the dark to the river that ran by the village so they might not be observed. William was baptized in 1857. Nothing further is known of William. John Morris, the father of the family was not baptized while living, although he was a friend to the elders and never objected to their presence in his home until an elder brought small pox into the home and had to stay there until he was well. Every member of the family had small pox at that time.

They lived in a very poor neighborhood in Barrowden and all had to work to make a living. They cleaned and sold many pans of tripe in the more wealthy district. Tripe is made from the cow’s or pig’s stomach lining, cleaned, washed, cooked and seasoned, it was considered a very palatable dish.

There were many factories in the area and all, even the children, were allowed to work in them, Robert went to work in a leather dressing establishment when he was 13 years old. Possibly John and Charles worked there also as that is the work they did after they came to America. The children were also compelled to go to school part time.

Maria and her daughter Harriet were seamstresses. Maria was a good cook and housekeeper and taught her children to do things proper.

It must have been very difficult to save enough money to pay for their emigration to America but they did and John and Charles came to America in 1855 and 1856. They stayed in Cincinnati where they found employment. In the spring of 1860 Charles sent the money to England to pay for passage to America of Robert, Emma, and Harriet. Emma and Harriet had to stay in Brooklyn doing house work to earn enough money to finish their journey to Utah. Harriet worked for two years. Robert had enough money to go onto Cincinnati where his two brothers were working.

Even though the proprietor of the factory favored Robert he still had a difficult time financially to earn enough over his board and room to go on to Utah. At one time the only job available was something that was very difficult to do without practice and Robert had never been able to do it successfully. One morning on his way to work he felt very impressed to get on his knees and pray that the proprietor would offer him a job. He knew if he could get the job he would be able to use the money to go on to Utah. He prayed and was offered the job and did it successfully, and was the first member of the family to make it to Utah.

John married in Cincinnati and nothing more was heard of him. Charles married and had a family before starting for Utah. He with his family made the journey to Utah later. Harriet and Emma arrived in Utah in 1862. Nothing is said of Louisa but she was in Salt Lake City when she married in 1862. (I found records of Louisa coming in the William H. Dame Company in 1862.)

In the spring of 1866 Robert sent the money to England to emigrate Maria to Utah. She arrived on September 24th (in the John D. Holladay Company). Her husband, John chose to stay in England, family tradition has it that he did not want to leave his daughter Sara who never accepted the gospel. She was the daughter of John and his first wife.

Maria was 60 years old when she arrived in Salt Lake City, and she still earned her living going out to nurse sick people and doing the washing for families. She lived in Salt Lake City the rest of her life. She had very good health and never had a headache.

Maria died 17 November 1889 in Salt Lake City. John Morris died in 1882."

Words in Italics were added by Marie Arnold.

Pictures of the Week: Ruth Wylie Keysor

These are pictures of Ruth Wylie Keysor. She is my 3rd Great Grandmother.



















She was born April 30, 1829...it would be her 180th birthday this month! (Another source says her birthday is May 1, 1830, I am not sure which one is correct)





















She was married to Guy Messiah Keysor (See the post from 10-4-2008 for more information about him). They are the parents of Ruth Susan Independence Keysor who married William Morris McCullough.

Soren Jens Christiansen Jensen: Part 2--Marriage, War and Mormon Missionaries

"After being home for a short time he went to work for some very rich people as a coachman. This job he held for a number of years. It was at this place he became acquainted with Neilsine Christine Nykobing who was employed at the same place. Two years later they were married. Three months of each year he returned to Fred-rixian's training camp to be prepared if war should come. It came in 1866.

He was called to leave his wife and four children. His daughter Alice was born during his absence. After some years Soren was on of the fifty men who drew a lucky number and was released from service and allowed to return to his family. Upon arriving home he saw two of his little boys playing outside. he asked them their names and where their father was. They answered his questions but did not know who he was.

After being home for some time he became interested in brick lime making. He made a very good business for himself. In order to make the brick he had to move to St-Olai, Hjorring, Denmark. It was while living at this place the Mormon Elders called. They were made welcome, although his wife did not like it, as it was considered a disgrace to join those people. Therefore she would not even listen to their preaching. Soren was convinced from the first that they had the truth. He did not join at once but waited praying that his wife would join with him.

During this time their daughter Alice was taken sick. The doctors said there was great danger of her losing her right arm. One night about eleven o'clock there came a knock on the door, it was two Mormon Elders--strangers to Soren. They told him they had been directed there by the Lord. They did not know what for. Soren told them he had a very sick child in his home and he wanted them to administer to her. They did and the child was almost instantly healed."

See Post on Marcy 25, 2009 for first half of this story.

Soren Jens Christiansen Jensen

The following is a short biography that my Great Grandmother, Alice "Allie" Matilda Jensen Henderson, wrote about her grandfather. If anyone has pictures of the Jensens I would love to seem them.

Part 1--Early Life and Military Training

"Soren Jens Christiansen Jensen was the son of Jens Christian Christensen and Mette Marie Jens.

Soren was born 4th of Dec. 1835 at Hormested, Hjorring, Denmark. He was one of seven children. Soren had four years of schooling and two years at a minster's school as there were no high schools or colleges at that time except in the larger cities.

He was always somewhat confused in regards to the religious teachings of the day-especially to their conception of God and infant baptism and many other things.

His parents were God fearing people and belonged to the Lutheran Church and were anxious that their son and daughter should join the same church.

His forefathers were contractors and builders of bridges. His father's special work was bridge
building. The father was anxious that his sons would follow the same occupation, but after Soren had been working day after day planing logs and never getting any farther, he became discouraged and told his father he had learned all about logs that he cared to know, so he left his father's employment and went to work for a farmer until he was eighteen years old.

Then in order to comply with the law he was compelled to take military training. Soren was sent with a group of boys to the training camp at Fred-rixian where they were to pass inspection and be vaccinated for yellow fever, smallpox and all insect bites. He was three years in training and was made a cavalry man. After three years he was allowed to go home with the understanding that should Germany try to seize a certain island they were anxious to get, he was be called back to service.

Next week: Marriage, War and Mormon Missionaries

Note: Soren Jensen was the father of James Peter Jensen, who was the father of Alice Matilda Jensen who married Nicholas Thomas Henderson.

Picture of the Week: Henderson Cousins

We thought this would be a fun trip down memory lane...

Never a dull moment with Verne...

Paul Callister's account the "South Seas" is 22 typed pages in length. The following is the last excerpt I am going to include on the blog. Most of his writing describes scenery and things he and his wife did on the trip. If any one is interested in reading the entire "South Seas" trip, e-mail me and we will get you a copy as I haven't transcribed it all.

This excerpt comes from their time in Honolulu where they stayed at the famous Moana Hotel.

"Sunday we attended Sunday school. It was one of the most interesting classes I have ever attended. Although the teacher, who was a medical man, didn't agree with everything Verne said, the class ended in a beautiful spirit. There is never a dull moment with Verne. He can get excited and into an argument quicker than any man I ever knew. The manager of the Moana was told off last night and told how to run a hotel but Verne is Verne and will meet all comers in an argument. Yesterday at breakfast he got the waitress so confused she dropped her tips in his bran flakes; boy did that liven things up.

St. Patrick's Day...do you know your Irish Ancestors?

Have you ever wondered on Saint Patrick's Day...is there any Irish in me?

If you are a Henderson the answer is yes!
Here is our Irish Ancestor:

Alexander Shellington Henderson

Perpetual Emigration Records show that he came to Utah from Ireland about 1863. (The Civil War was going on at this time.)

He was born in Syerla, Tyrone, Ireland on 31 October 1844.

His father and grandfather were also born here.

The pictures are of places in Tyrone County, Ireland.

Note: Alexander Shellington Henderson was the father of Nicholas Thomas Henderson. NT Henderson was the father of Jay Harold Henderson. So Alexander is my Great, Great Grandfather.

The South Seas-Purchases

This is an another excerpt from Paul Callister's writings about their trip to the South Seas. They were on the Fiji Islands at this point:

"Verne and I hired a cab to take us to the L.D.S. meeting house. It is by far the most beautiful church on the island and it only has one hundred and twenty-four members. It is new and the stone work is of coral, modern in every way with a steeple extending into the blue.

On our way back we stopped off in town to do some shopping. Verne is a great help to one trying to make a purchase. He loves an argument and would get into one with every shop keeper over their prices. The stores are mostly run by natives of India. As the Chinese were the shop owners in Tahiti and controlled the wealth, here in Suva the Indians are the wealthy class. You can bargain with the Chinese, but the Indian is different, he has one price an that is it..."

Ancestor of the Week: William Eddington

I "Googled" my 3rd Great Grandfather's name this weekend and found a great picture of him!

This is William Eddington. He was born in 1821 in England.

Thanks to the Perpetual Emigration Fund he was able to come from England to Utah. The very ship he sailed on, the "Ellen Maria", and the departure, (January 1853), was painted by Ken Baxter. I have included the painting here. His future wife Louise Sarah Barton also sailed on this ship thanks to the PEF.

Hannah Cornaby, who also sailed on the Ellen Maria wrote the following poem about the departure day. This poem I am sure describes the feelings of William Eddington & Louise Barton as well:

In January, Fifty-three, we left our English home,
Determined for the Gospel’s sake, to Zion’s land to come.
Our family was very small, its members numbered three,
Yet strong in faith of Israel’s God, and full of hope were we.
’Twas not to us an easy task to bid old friends adieu,
To take a long farewell of those who always had been true,
To leave for aye, the cozy home we made but just before,
And take a last fond look of things we should behold no more;
The wind blew keen, as out we went into the cold gray dawn,
But keener far the chill we felt within our hearts that morn.
The stars were shining over us, but brighter in our breast
Was the star of hope that lured us on to the distant West.

Hannah L. Cornaby, “Crossing the Atlantic Ocean: A Reminiscence,”
Autobiography and Poems (Salt Lake City: J. C. Graham & Co., 1881), 65.

William crossed the plains at age 31 in the company of Joseph W. Young. Lousie Sarah Barton was also in the company. They were married a year later.

He was elected the first mayor of Morgan City in 1868.

That's all I know for now...

How we are related:

William Eddington had a daughter named Lousie Jane Eddington who married Edward Callister. Louise & Edward are the parents of Irene Callister who married Raymond Verne McCullough. They are the parents of Beth McCullough who married Jay Harold Henderson.

The South Seas by Paul Callister Part 1

It is time to tell a story again.

The following was written by Paul Callister, Irene Callister McCullough’s brother, about a trip they went on to the South Seas. As it is quite a long story…here is Part 1….

The South Seas

Getting Ready to Leave and a Funny Moment on the Train

Anticipation often leads one into the far corners of the earth and I had often thought of traveling to the South Seas where I had been told that palms and ferns grew profusely. In the winter time I have longed for the warmth of ocean sands and warm ocean breezes and anticipation has now given birth to reality for here Mary and I are on the S.S. Monterey with Verne and Irene (McCullough) and Walter and Margaret Latshaw.

In August, when the trip was first mentioned, I was confined at home from a condition brought on by not keeping the Word or Wisdom. Mary loves such trips as much as I do and was for it from the start. Preparing for a vacation of this magnitude gave her much joy in things she loves to do, shopping and more shopping. When we made our reservations, January 11^th seemed so far away and I wondered at the time if I would be strong enough by then to make the trip for I could hardly make my way around the house. The body soon mends if given a chance and strength returns where it has been dissipated away. Health is such a precious thing and yet we think little of it until suddenly deprived of the precious gift. Days, weeks, months passed fast. Mary had all of her bags packed before Christmas.

On January 7^th we left Ogden for San Francisco. Paul (my son) and his wife Elenore drove Verne, Irene, Mary and I to Ogden to catch the train. We had decided to leave Salt Lake at 5 o’clock to give us plenty of time to make the thirty-eight miles to Ogden, but when we called to pick up the McCulloughs, Verne was just repacking one of his suit cases, looking for a pair of gloves, here we lost fifteen minutes. I had forgotten my rubbers so another five minutes was squandered going back to our house and then we had to go to the Kearns Building for Verne’s rubbers. We lost more than thirty minutes of precious time but we made it to the Ogden Depot just in time to get aboard the train; thanks to my boy Paul’s good driving.

No trip was ever taken that didn’t have its funny parts. Verne started this one out by leaving his ticket home. He is so meticulous how others do, that he often forgets about himself. On the train he put his watch on backwards and read from the illuminated dial in his upper berth 7:30 AM instead of 1:30 AM. Out of his berth he climbs and shaves, washes, dresses, eats an apple and hurries Irene out of her berth, fearful he would be too late for breakfast.

He walks into the club car, all dark with the brake man dozing in a chair. He wakes the brakeman and asks where all the people are and was told in their berths asleep where they should be, but Verne, in his mild manner, says they should be up as it is after eight o’clock. The brakeman looked at Verne and then his own watch and told Verne that his watch read 2:30 AM. When Verne saw his mistake he went back to his room and told Irene of his mistake. Irene said she thought it was one of the shortest nights she had ever slept through. They both undressed and went back to bed.

To be continued...

Nicholas Thomas Henderson and siblings

This is a picture of Nicholas Thomas Henderson and his 3 younger brothers....James Mormon, Heber Charles, Hyrum Edgar.

Nicholas is top center; I believe Heber is on the left, James is on the right, and Hyrum is bottom center.

Their parents were Alexander Shillington Henderson & Almira Heath Silcock Henderson.

This next picture is also of Nicholas Thomas Henderson with some of his family...though they are only identified as "NT & family". If anyone knows which siblings are in the picture I would love to know.

Also, for anyone interested we are trying to get another printing done of the Silcock Book "Come After Us" which is a biography of Almira's parents: Nicholas Thomas Silcock and Jane Heath Silcock. It is full of pictures, and is beautifully written and is full of inspiring stories. It is about 400 pages long. If we can get 100-200 orders then we can get another printing done.

Picture & Story of the Week: February 11, 2009 Irene Callister McCullough

The following was written by Gerry Ebert about this picture. Thank you so much for sharing!!!

"I don't know where the picture of my mother was taken. I assume it was in front or on the side of her house on G Street. I'm not even sure if she was married or not. I keep getting the feeling that it might be her on her wedding day. She also said that she weighed 98 pounds when she got married...She told me that to let me know and for her to remember that she was not always overweight. "

Items of note:
Irene & Verne were married 27 Sept 1917
Irene was almost 25 when she got married.

Happy Birthday Grandma Beth McCullough

February 5th is Beth McCullough Henderson's birthday! She was born in 1924. Here are some pictures of her when she was a baby.
This first picture is with her mother Irene Callister McCullough.
The next picture is with her Grandmother Ruth Susan Independence Keysor McCullough.

"Pictures of the Week" Nicholas Thomas Henderson

This is a picture of my great grandfather Nicholas Thomas Henderson. He went by N.T. He was a dentist.

He liked golf quite a bit I have heard, so this is a great picture. My uncle Mark recently told me the following about him:

When he came to visit them, he always took the boys out for a golf lesson, "whether they wanted to or not".

As the years went on he didn't like to have to pull his golf clubs around. So he fixed up a gasoline powered engine to attach to his golf club bag. It had a throttle to control it. Mark said that it often looked like the bag was going faster than he was. I sure wish we had a picture of that!

The other picture is N.T. with some of his golf trophies. This picture was taken in front of his home on Military Drive in 1932.

I would love to hear more stories about him...hint, hint, all my aunts and uncles. If you don't know how to leave a comment, have one of your children teach you...otherwise, e-mail me at funseekerfamilyhistory@gmail.com.

"Thoughts from Grandma Beth" Family, Friends & Time

January 8, 1984 Sunday

I have decided in this New Year I shall try and write in my journal at least once a week. Hopefully someday I shall find time to write a little every day.

Today Dianne played the organ in sacrament meeting--the prelude and postlude and all the Hymns. She did very well and I was proud of her. There is nothing like good practical experience. All the lessons in the world are not enough. One needs the opportunities to use what talents one has. Our church is so wonderful in this respect that it gives a member a chance to serve and use what talents he has and thus develop them. I will always appreciate the opportunities I had to use my musical ability in the various organizations of the church. Also to teach the gospel has been a real joy for me.

My very dearest friend, Kathryn Kirk has cancer and it breaks my heart. She has always been so healthy. It really makes one wonder what on earth one can do to avoid that awful disease. I feel sure Kathryn ate good healthy food. She had been working very hard on a book that contained the history and story of the lives of all her ancestors. She had been working on it for about two years. I got after her several times, to not spend so much time on it, as she was missing so many other things in her life. She told me several times that she did not know what it was that seemed to give her a sense of urgency to get the book finished. She said she just felt like she had to keep at it and finish it. I feel sure that was the Spirit urging her on.

I know the Lord can easily make her better if her mission here is not finished, but perhaps she is needed on the other side. I shall really miss her. She was a great example to me in many ways. I never heard her swear or tell a dirty joke. She really lived the commandments as far as I could see and put the church first in her life along with her family. I did get a chance to see her when they first brought her home from the hospital. She really wasn't having any visitors, but they did let me in to talk to her for a little while. We did cry together for we both knew how serious her condition was. It was significant to me that she said, "From now on I must get my priorities straight." Coming from one who gave so much time to the church and her family, I was somewhat surprised. She did give much service also to worthwhile community things. I can only guess that perhaps she felt that she tried to do too much at the expense sometimes of the things that matter most.

That is true in my life for sure. I am too busy and I don't do the compassionate service I should be doing. By that I mean, visiting with my sick friends, taking in food. I do some of that but not enough. I know if I knew that I was going to die in a short period of time, I would let all my clubs go and spend that precious time with my family, letting them know I loved them so much. All my clubs are really worthwhile and I learn a lot and develop my talents because of the things I do in the groups, but we still have to choose in life among many good and worthwhile activities. That is the real test, I am convinced, to learn what one must eliminate when there is just so much time. I know my husband often thinks I am too busy to spend time with him. Well, I shall try and do better, before it is too late!!

Beth

Picture taken on a camping trip to Colter Bay that the Henderson & Kirk family went on together. Kathryn Kirk and Beth Henderson standing next to each other in the middle.