George Mills' Birthplace 1836

(the following articles was found in an English Gazetteer dated 1831.)

Bognor was a small market town and chapelry in the parish of South Bersted, county of Sussex, 7 miles (S.E.) from Chichester, and 68 miles (S.W. by S.) from London. The place, anciently called Bogenor, implying, in the Saxon language, a rocky shore, was, prior to 1790, and insignificant village, inhabited only by a few labourers and fishermen. The rocks, extending several miles along the coast, render it accessible only to small fishing boats and ships of small burden, detracting from those commercial advantages which the situation in other respects offers: it owes its increase to the salubrity (healthiness, freshness) of the air, and the commodiousness (attractive, accommodating) of the beach, which have made it eligible as a place for bathing. In 1790, Sir Richard Hotham, Kent, member of parliament for the borough of Southwark, perceiving the natural advantages which Bognor possessed as a watering-place, erected a handsome villa for his own residence, and several lodging-houses, which he furnished at considerable expense for the accommodation of visitors. From this circumstance the town is also frequently called Hothampton, in honour of Sir Richard, whose additions to it were such as to entitle him to be considered its founder. After his decease, his estate here being sod to different purchaser, Bognor increased the more, and in a few years became a place of fashionable resort. The town is pleasantly situated near the peninsula of Selsea, and is sheltered from the north winds by a chain of hills, called the South Downs, extending from Portsdown to Dover; but it is exposed to inundations of the sea, which frequently breaks in upon the adjacent coast: it commands an extensive view of the Isle of Wight; and, in a clear day, the Ower's light may be distinctly seen, which at night assumes the appearance of a gem in the ocean. It contains several handsome villas, respectable lodging-houses, and a commodious hotel, and is connected by good roads with the pleasant village of Aldwick, and other places in the vicinity, and by a ferry over the river Arun with Little Hampton, whence are pleasant rides to Worthing and Brighton. The warm and cold baths are conveniently arranged for the use of invalids; there are two subscription libraries, and races occasionally take place on the sand. The character of the place seems to render it peculiarly eligible to families who seek to avail themselves of the benefit of sea-bathing and marine atmosphere in tranquility and retirement, rather than to frequent watering-places in search of amusement. There is no other trade than what is necessary for the supply of the inhabitants, of whom several are employed in the fishery, for the supply of the London Market. (Topographical Dictionary of England. Vol. 1, by Samuel Lewis, 1831)

The birthplace of Caroline Boxall, Cocking was a small parish in the county of Sussex, 2.5 miles South from Midhurst, containing 340 (1830 census) inhabitants. The church is in the early style of English architecture, with some later additions. In 1730, stephen Challen bequeathed certain messuages in trust, for the education of twenty children of this parish and the parish of Oving; but the rental was only 4 pounds a year, part of which is paid to a schoolmistress for teaching four children of this parish to read. (Topographical Dictionary of England. Vol. 1, by Samuel Lewis, 1831)

The Wisconsin (Updated 11/1/09

"Wisconsin”

The Wisconsin was a single screw (propeller) steamship with a shipping tonnage of 3238 tons and was 378 feet long and 43 feet wide. It was built in 1870 by Palmer's Shipbuilding & Iron Co. at Jarrow-on-Tyne, England.

More than eighty-eight hundred Mormons were transported from Liverpool to New York aboard this British steamer. The thirty-three emigrant companies ranged in size from 7 to 976, the first sailing on 31 July 1872 and the last on 11 October, 1890. The passages averaged eleven days. During these voyages the following captains commanded the vessel: Thomas W. Freeman, William Forsyth, Edward Bentley, Charles Leonard Rigby, Thomas Dunn, and John P. Morrall.

This three-decked Guion Line steamship's home port was Liverpool. She was built with an iron hull, two masts, one funnel, and the earliest compound engines used in the transatlantic service. Her tonnage was later increased to 3700. She was the sister ship of the Wyoming. In 1893 the Wisconsin was scrapped.

The Emigration

"Come To Zion!" (As written by LaMar Mills)

The call, "Come to Zion!", "Flee Babylon!", "Build the Kingdom!" was heard throughout the Church in Europe beginning in the early 1850s. What was it that really convinced our ancestors to come to America? What were conditions really like in England during this time? Why would a family desire to leave their home of generations to travel to a new and strange land?
In my search I came across a book called "Expectations Westward", written by Taylor. He had gathered a tremendous amount of information on this subject that is far too detailed to repeat here, but I'll try to bring out some pertinent facts that will make experiences of our ancestors more interesting and believable to us all. I will never try to convince my readers that I speak with great authority or understanding but only that I have a sincere desire to learn more about my ancestors. If I had had this enthusiasm for history in college and I might not have suffered such a great loss in my GPA. But here I share with you my meager findings.
In 1872 when George Mills and his small family emigrated from Sussex County, England Victoria had been queen of England for about 35 years. It was a time when religious freedom was sought by most everyone. It was a time of change in the way people worked and played. What was known as the Victorian Golden Age had

begun to grow weaker and industrial expansion in England was slowing down. Unions had been formed to protect the workers in the large cities and common men in the rural areas were banding together to buy and distribute produce and consumer goods among themselves on a large scale. The rural class was expanding and growing though the country was on the brink of a financial crisis that was to touch both England and America.
Everyone was looking for new opportunities and the Church was there to provide it with promises of a better life, spiritually and physically.
The words that seemed to be most common among the early missionaries was that Mormon converts were to flee from "Babylon", which was doomed in some early future to suffer God's punishment, and gather to Zion, which would give them not only safety but also a positive role in building the Kingdom. The Millenial Star (the forerunner of our Ensign ) printed numerous reports and letters from leaders of immigrant companies and even from ordinary immigrants writing to their relatives who had remained in Britain. The main purpose of The Millenial Star was to keep Zion firmly in their minds. It printed numerous reports and articles describing conditions in Utah, devel¬opments in communications, proceedings of conferences, movements of the Church leaders. The articles were

sweetened with comments like, "vegetation flourishes with magical rapidity. And the food of man, or staff of life, leaps into maturity from the bowels of mother earth with astonishing celerity....This great basin is adequate to sustain many millions of people." (Millenial Star, x,40-l [1 Feb, 1848])
With the rapid expansion of the settlement of Utah, under Church planning, meant that many laborers were needed. "We have got a nation to raise, cities to build, and temples to erect." (Millenial Star, xii.358 [1 Dec. 1850])
The preamble to the law incorporating the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company contrasted the "unremitting toil" of the "poor and oppressed!" of Europe, whose work was "insufficient to procure even the most common necessaries of life," with life in Utah, "a more genial soil...a place where labor and industry meet their due reward." In Britain, workers lived in "poverty and...refined yet cruel slavery...free to starve, and the willing toiler free to beg, and often to beg in vain for the privelege to toil;" (Dale L. Morgan, "The State of Deseret," Utah Historical Quarterly, viii [1940], p. 187.)
It was no wonder that some 55,000 British Mormons emigrated between 1840 and 1890.

George Mill's Family Photo

The Family of George and Coroline Boxall Mills

The Family of George and Caroline Mills

On March 30, 1859 George married Caroline Boxall of Cocking, Sussex, They settled in Bognor.

The first son to come to this new family was Henry George, arriving November 13, 1861. The next child was John Herbert, born July 21, 1864. His time was short for he lived just 3 days short of 5 years. Sometime during the next 2 years George must have found other employment so he moved his family to Yapton, a small hamlet just 5 miles North East of Bognor where, on the 14th of October, 1866, Ellen Charlotte was born. Nearly 2 years later Mary Ann Elizabeth made her appearance, October 12, 1868. By the time Margaret Kate was born, (February 20, 1871), they had moved back to Bognor. On August 9, 1871 Caroline was baptized into the LDS church.

It wasn't until July 27, 1872, just 3 days before he emigrated to Utah that George was baptized. George, at age 36, and his wife, Caroline, 32, and their children, Henry G., Ellen C, and Mary E. sailed on the "Wisconsin" from Liverpool, Eng¬land, July 31,1872 in the company of 174 other members of the Church who were also emigrating to Utah. According to an article printed in the Millennial Star, August 5th, 1872, "Saints were evidently greatly rejoicing that the time of lived for a brief time on the Weber River near their deliverance from Babylon had come. All their friends wish them a safe and speedy journey to the land of Zion." The group was led by Elder George P. Ward and accompanied by Elders Ben W. Driggs, Joseph Wadley and David M. Dunconson.

It is believed that Margaret Kate died during the trip because we have no death date or
evidence of her arriving in Utah. Stories indicate that she was buried at sea because there was no ice to preserve her body until they made port in New York.

Elder Ben W. Driggs gave no indication of this in a letter later printed in the Millennial Star, "...plenty of room in this fine ship which gave the saints many advantages of comfort." The Wisconsin arrived in New York August 12 and the group started for Utah on the13th in good health and spirits.

John, George's younger brother, was supposed to have emigrated with them also,
George's brothers, Richard and Charles, had emigrated earlier. Richard with his wife Mary Ann Scarce came on the ship "Emerald Isle" to Centerville, Davis, Utah. on November 30, 1855. His mother, Charlotte emigrated on the "Constitution", June 24, 1868 to join Richard in Centerville, Utah. Thomas doesn’t join them until 1879 when he leaves England September 6 on the “Wyoming”. Margaret doesn’t come over until October of 1902 and then joins her family in Centerville.

George and his family my have joined his father’s family in Centerville for a short time. In 1875 or 1876 George lived for a brief time on the Weber River near Ogden. The 1880 census shows only Richard living in Centerville. George, his father and their families are shown to be located in Joseph, Sevier County. George and Caroline were re-baptized in Joseph, August 5, 1883.


George leased some property known as the Vaca Ranch across the Sevier River from the thriving little town of Cove, now called Sevier. Access to Cove was by a swinging foot bridge. It was here that George and his son William were almost drowned by a four foot wall of water caused by the breaking of the Marysvale Reservoir. Quoting from an article taken from the Richfield Advocate, April 6, 1898, “One mile below Sevier is Vaca, where lives the family of George Mills. Shortly after eleven that morning Mr. Mills started fording the river at Vaca, driving a team to a heavy wagon, he had crossed one branch of the stream and was on an island in the middle when his son, William Mills, who was coming behind him and had seen the approaching flood, shouted to the old gentleman to hasten for his life. Mills then heard and saw the swollen, turbulent waters above, and plunged across the remaining branch of the river just in time to escape. One minute later and he would have been swept out into the muddy, angry current and drowned."

The broken reservoir was suspected of being blown up by landowners above the dam whose land had been covered over by the rising waters behind the dam. Early in the 1900s the railroad built a siding near Vaca as a shipping point for sheep, ore and coal. Sheep were brought to Vaca from the east desert and other places to be sheared and shipped out. At one time over 100,000 head of sheep were sheared at Vaca. Some men could do as many as 60 a day but the average was more like 35 a day.

George and Caroline boarded many of the shearers, herders and others in their home. There were as many as 50 sheep shearers in the area at one time to get the job done. One report identifies George as "Daddy" Mills. Caroline was active in the civic affairs in the small community. Her name is listed as one of the trustees for the new rock schoolhouse built in Cove. Other school trustees in office at the time were Joseph Hyrum Levie, Sr., and Bob Bridges.

Caroline taught school in Cove, Joseph and Marysvale. She passed away eight years before George June 29, 1905 at the age of 66. George died at the age of 76 and was buried in Joseph, March 30, 1913.

George & Caroline Boxall Mills

(This information was taken directly from a newsletter written by Lamar M. Mills)

George Mills

1836-1913

George was born to Thomas Mills and Charlotte Cole in Bognor, Sussex, England June 26, 1836. He was sixth of what was to become a family of eleven. His brothers and sisters were: Robert Thomas, Joseph, (who lived only 6 months), Margaret, Charles, Richard, George himself; Charlotte Anne (lived only 9 years), Joseph (lived less than a month), Mercy, Frances Jane, and Henry Isaac, most of whom later emigrated to Utah. Bognor is located about 68 miles southwest of London on the south shore of England on the English Channel.

Apparently the church they attended was located in South Bersted, just a mile or less west from Bognor, because that is where the christening: and burial records were found. George's father, Thomas, joined the LDS Church and was baptized March 9, 1844 and George's brother Richard, was baptized about 2 years later followed by Charles in 1851, Frances "Fanny" in 1852, Margaret in 1867, Henry Isaac in 1871, and John in June of 1872.

Caroline Boxall
1839-1905

Caroline was born second in a family of 10 to Henry Boxall and Carolina Hatfield, on the 13th of November 1839, in Cocking, Sussex County, Eng¬land which is about 25 miles north of Bognor. She was preceded by Jonathan on the 21st of January, 1838. On the 30th of May, 1842 she was joined by Mary Ann Elizabeth. On the 22nd of December, 1844, Henry Boxall, Jr. was born. Ellen Boxall came on the 28th of February 1847and Albert on the 8th of November 1849. Charlotte was born on January 11, 1852, Harriet, the 31st of January, 1854, William, 14th of October 1856 and finally, John Charles came on the 23 of September 1860.

Jane Blake Branch 20 Dec 1857 - 22 Mar 1947

Jane Blake Branch
20 Dec 1857 - 22 Mar 1947

Although Jane Blake Branch was too young to remember anything of the family home in Salt Lake City, she does remember distinctly the day they arrived at the old Adobe Yard Camp in St. George in the winter of 1861. She was almost four years old, and when their wagon came to its stop in the lineup, her father took her in one arm and her sister Harriet, nearing two years old, in the other, "saying Mother, where I shall put these girls while we unload”. The ground about the wagon was so thick with sand and ants and cactus, he could not find a place for them until he had cleared these objectionable, items away. So he hoisted them back up onto the wagon to wait till he had made a small clearing and they could make their camp along with the others called to this Dixie Mission.

Born in Salt Lake City 20 Dec. 1857, Jane was ninth in the family of thirteen children born to Benjamin Frederick and Harriet Hollis Blake, L.D.S. converts from the London area of England. They came to Utah in 1853, bringing five of their seven children, two having died in England. Jane's sister Emma was just six weeks old when they began their voyage to America. Her father was an apprentice-trained upholsterer and paper hanger, and in England operated a large furniture store, along with which he did upholstering and repair work. Her mother, though of a wealthy family, was an expert needlewoman, a training which was a positive asset when the Blake's came to Utah. She was the only member of the Hollis family to join the L.D.S. Church at that time.

In Salt Lake City, Jane's father learned from Brigham Young the making of glue from hoofs of animals, also the manufacturing of nears foot oil, and this work along with furniture repairing helped to make a living for his family. They ware doing fairly well in Salt Lake City when the call came for the Dixie Mission, the Blake family being included, and the trek south began in Nov 1861, the company arriving just ahead of the Erastus Snow wagon, being of that company.

Among her memories of the weeks at the Adobe Yard Camp was the day her little sister, Harriet, in their play, sat down on the piping hot lid of their Dutch oven, which had been set aside near the camp fire one which the cooking was done. Oh, how that poor little sister cried from the burns inflicted. Enough to say, it was many days before Harriet could sit down again. Jane also remembers the first Christmas celebration and the weeks of rain that followed, with the discomforts of wet bedding, wet fire wood, and soggy wet clouds forever drizzling or pouring rain on the camp for forty days and nights

She also recalls one of the early May Day celebrations. This English custom was also observed with great ado. On that particular year, Pres. Brigham Young was also with them. A large beef was barbecued and the entire town of St. George turned out for the big event. Miss Annie Birch was Queen of the May Day and was beautifully suited for the role. In the afternoon, following the community program, there were horse races and other sports, and her brother Benjamin, won a horse racing prize of five dollars, a coveted purse in those days.

In this new place her father’s trade of furniture repairing and making was of definite value. He operated a turning lathe and became known as “Chair maker Blake” because of the work he did along this line and to distinguish him from the others of the same name. Many people in Dixie until recently, owned chairs and other furniture items of his making. He also made a spinning wheel and a large loom for his own family to use and on this loom, Jane wove enough material for homespun cotton underwear. They grew the cotton in their own yards, she picked it herself, took the seeds out by hand, spinning her own thread and weaving the cloth. This was the last homespun they made on their loom, although they did weave lots of rag carpet, Jane making some for her wedding outfit.

Often when her father was rushed with furniture orders, and when he could not get help, Jane and her sister Harriet turned the lathe for him. Often too Jane’s arms ached so from this heavy work, she wished people just wanted their furniture made plain, instead of all the curves and curleyques which meant so much work, although she admired her father's skill in this art. Jane and Harriet often applied the first coat of paint for this furniture, to assist their father in completing his orders on schedule.

When they first came to St. George, the little Blake girls had only silk dresses made over from the many dresses their mother had brought with her from England. They were often the envy of other girls because of their clothes, which her mother's clever hands’ fashioned from her own gowns of wealthier days in England. Jane and her sisters were plenty happy when all of these made over dresses were worn out and they could have calicos, brand new calico prints from the factory. Jane's first calico print was such a thrill to her and so fragrant of the dyes used in making the pattern of bright flowers on it, she kept taking it from its place in her dresser to smell again and again the perfume of the new cloth, new pattern cotton clothier instead of silk.

She remembers her mother telling of how once she traded one of her fine black silk dresses for a little flour during the cricket troubles in Salt Lake City. Her brother-in-law had two wives. His wife Emma had a fine Black silk dress and the other wife had none. Uncle Gale also had flour, and though be would sell none of it; he did offer to trade some for one of Mrs. Blake's black silk dresses to give to his wife. The Blake's were in dire need of flour so the exchange was happily made, for Mrs. Blake had other black silk dresses and was willing enough to part with this one which matched that of her sister-in-law Emma Gale, and the flour would make bread for her little family. This is only one of the interesting stories of early days still clear in her mind.

Along with other pioneer children, Jane had little schooling, but she does recall her first teachers. Lovingly she speaks of her first teacher, Orpha Everett, in whose home she went to school. Later teachers were James G. Bleak, John M. Macfarland, and John Spencer and still later, her final teacher for two years, Elida Crosby Snow. She completed the old fourth reader, which was a fair start at schooling those days. She also liked rote singing of Geography, which she still recalls. It was Elida Crosby who helped her to understand parsing in Grammar.

When they were just small children, Jane’s father and brothers took up land at the foot of Pine Valley Mountains which is still known as the Blake ranch. Here they spent the summer and often their ranch was the center for young people to gather. What fun they had when a load of friends would come from St. George to visit for a week or longer. They had plenty of milk and vegetables which they exchanged for cheese and other things, and always had plenty of food for the visitors. They also put down a winter's supply of butter for themselves in the jars made by John Eardley. Often too, they visited in Pine Valley and enjoyed the social events of that place.

Jane was just a small girl when she learned to dance, in fact, her entire family were-good dancers, and loved parties and social affairs. Their home was often the scene of molasses candy parties, little home made dramas, and dancing parties. One of their main helpers in these events was Mary Mansfield (now Bentley) who was near Jane's age, and Marion Carter (Bentley). Often when they had candy pullings, they would dance in the kitchen to music made by their father on his fine old violin. They had a large kitchen, which their father fitted with curtain rods and other essentials for their dramatic exploitations, which the neighbors attended and participated in. All of these events stand out in her memory to obliterate the hardships which were plentiful enough those days, She was always so happy, the hardships and work were not irksome.

When she was age 15, Jane went to Salt Lake City with her parents and sister Harriet to attend the wedding of her sister Emma to John Benbow Carter. This was a great event. John and Emma were married in the Salt Lake Endowment House and returned to St. George while the others spent the summer in Ogden. This was a gay summer, picnics dances and so many good times. They were guests at the home of Uncle Gale (Brother-in-law of Jane’s father.) The girls did the house work and cooking, while mother Blake and Aunt Emma Gale patched quilts, quilted then, made netting spreads, and knitted and did all manner of sewing while they visited. Sundays all of then went to church, but on work days while their father helped Uncle Gale in his furniture store, the others had a merry time at home,

On the night of her sister Emma's wedding, Jane tucked her piece of wedding cake under her pillow and did dream of the boy who became her husband a few years later. This was Eugene Elisha Branch of St. George, of whom she had known through association with his brother Henry; butt did not meet him until after they returned from the summer in Ogden, since the Branch family lived in the farther part of St. George until after her return. They met in the ward circle of young people.

By the time she was 16 they were already good friends, in fact she was allowing Eugene dates for dances and parties but they did not marry until 18 Jan. 1877 when she was age 19. The St. George Temple had just been opened for services one week earlier, and many of the young people who had awaited this opportunity, were married there during the first weeks after the Temple opened. After the Temple ceremony, they had a big family dinner at the Blake home and in the evening a wedding party, once more dancing in the Blake's spacious home, in a large room which had just been added. Many of their friends were there and it was a happy time.

Prior to their marriage, Jane was one of the large throng who attended the Dedicatory services of the St. George Temple, 1 Jan. 1877. Well does she remember what took place on that memorable occasion, the singing, the deep and humble prayers, and the righteous indignation of Brigham Young, who rebuked men for their lack of reverence and left the imprint of his cane ferrol across the pulpit from which he was speaking, in emphasizing his statement. She also attended the final dedication of the building 6 April of the same year when the annual L.D.S. conference was held.

Jane and her husband were among those called to the Muddy Valley Mission and settled in Mesquite, Nevada. They had two children, a girl and a boy and a second son was born in Mesquite. After being released from this Mission where they spent three years 1881 to 1883, they spent another year in St. George and were then called to help settle Carbon County in 1884, moving to this cold part of the state in November. They lived in Price for several years, and her husband was then called to be the ward clerk in the Wellington Ward of Carbon County. They had three children when they moved to Price, three more were born during their sojourn in Price, and three more in Wellington. Then Mr. Branch was called on an LDS Mission to the State of Montana, where he spent two years. After his return home he was made Bishop of Wellington Ward. A year later their tenth child was born. When this baby was age five, Mr. Branch died suddenly.

A plasterer by trade, her husband followed this throughout his life. In Wellington they also kept a small store and Mr. Branch had just gone to his place of business one morning when he suffered a sudden heart attack and died before help could come. This was a great shock to his wife, but like many of the pioneer women, she knew what her responsibility was with respect to her family, and shouldered her burden bravely. Already three of her children were married and with steadfast courage she reared the other seven to manhood and womanhood and saw all of them set up in their own homes and rearing their own families.

Before her husband went on his mission, he had been appointed as the Wellington Postmaster, and when he left this duty fell on her. She also kept the store, took care of affairs at home and was made registration agent, thus was able to make a fairly good living. After her husband's death she disposed of the store and, other interests and took in boarders. One by one her children married, and after they were gone, she was fixed financially so she could devote her time to visiting among them and to doing Temple work, something she had long desired to do.

Even with all her responsibilities otherwise, she never did neglect her religious duties. She was Primary President for 18 years, and for another 18 years was President of the Wellington Relief Society. She also took active part in the Mutual Improvement Work, serving as a counselor for a short time. Besides helping to keep her husband on a mission, she provided later for four of her sons to fill missions and gave all of her children a fairly good education, at least sufficient for them to be self-sustaining. Their third son Levi died during the influenza epidemic of World War 1, leaving a wife and 6 small children. Jane recognized that much of her success in rearing her family was due to the fine cooperation of her children, and even since their marriages, they have been devoted to their mother.

Reflecting back on the sweet memories of her home life with her parents, Jane wishes to tell how her father always rose early in the morning to begin his day's work. Then early in the afternoon, he liked his wife to don one of her silk dresses and for all of the family to be cleaned up and have an enjoyable time together. This they did whenever possible. Mother Blake would read while the girls bathed their father's feet and combed his hair, and then all did fancy sewing. This was a very enjoyable time of the day and stands out as on of her happy recollections. Since marriage Jane has devoted her time to Temple work, performing these ordinances for hundreds of dead relatives. She died 26 Mar. 1947 at the age of 90.

Mary Brown Pulsipher 2 Mar 1799 - 7 May 1866

(I found a photo of Mary's Headstone that is in the Hebron Cemetery, Hebron, Utah, United States at this web site)

Autobiography of Mary Brown Pulsipher

1799 - 1866

My grandfather and grandmother Brown, I knew little about; they died when my father was quite young. They had three sons; Joseph, John and Jonathan. My grandfather and grandmother Fairchild, I well remember. Grandmother died when I was four years old, in Connecticut. Grandfather then went to Pennsylvania and died there. I think they had five sons and two girls. The names that I can remember are Samuel, Sherman, Stephan, Eunice and Sarah. Grandfather's name was Stephen, and Grandmother's name was Eunice. My father, John Brown, born Feb. 25, 1770. Their children were: Juda Brown, born 2 Nov 1793; John Brown, born 24 Aug 1795; Eunice Brown, born in August of 1794-7; Mary Brown, b. 2 Mar 1799. Thirsa Brown, born 11 Jul 1802; Sally Brown, born 27 Feb 1805; Catherine Brown, b. 13 Aug 1808; Loring G. Brown, b. 17 Aug 1811. They were all born in Connecticut, but Catherine and Loring who were born in Pennsylvania.

My father moved from Connecticut to Pennsylvania when I was six years old. My father's home was a home for the Methodist Preachers and all other preachers when they came. I joined the Methodist church when I was 13 years old. I lived in Pennsylvania until I was married in 1815 to Zerah Pulsipher. My oldest child was born 30 May 1816. We lived in Pennsylvania, seven years. Did a great deal of hard work there; then left and moved to New York State in Oneadago County. There we heard the gospel preached for the first time by the Latter-Day Saints. We went forth and were baptized in the year 1832 by Jared Carter. He baptized about 20 in that place. Then ordained by husband, Zerah Pulsipher, and left him to preside over the Church. He baptized more. We stayed there about two years, then moved 20 miles to Fabious; lived with a Doctor New come one-and-a- half years. Then we all went to Kirtland, Ohio, together. Stayed there four years. Zerah was ordained there one of the First Seven Presidents by the hands of Joseph Smith, the Prophet. He helped build the Temple. Got his endowment in it, then we were driven form that place with the rest of the Saints. We started in July (15th) with a large camp for Missouri. We all got there in the fall and went to Davies County. My husband was one of the Council that led the camp. We stayed in that place one month; then we were driven from there by the mob. Then we went to Far West and stayed there through the winter. Then we had to go again. We started in March for Illinois. We stopped 25 miles from Nauvoo, in Bear Creek Woods. The winter we were in the far western part of Missouri, we had to part with our good old Mother Pulsipher. She was sick one week, and then died. The day before she died, she lay looking up. I said, "Mother, what do you see?" She said, "Oh, don't you see that light?" I looked, but could not see any. The next day she saw it again over her bed. She said, "That is a light to light me through the dark valley of death." Then she fell asleep without a struggle or groan. I think she was 85 years old.

We stayed in Bear Creek Woods nearly two years. Then the First Presidency had gotten out of prison and out of Missouri. The Saints had begun to settle Nauvoo. They sent for us to move there. We went there and stayed, I think, five years. My youngest child, Fidelia, was born there. She was a very smart, promising child, but we could not keep her only four years and three months. We buried her there. We helped build the Temple there - got our endowments in it - then we started with the rest of the Church west to find some place where we could live in peace. We were two years, not forty, in going to Salt Lake. We helped cultivate the bare desert and make it "Blossom like the Rose." My husband was one of the City Council most of the time we were there.

Then we were called to go south three hundred miles and help cultivate another barren desert. We have lived 10 years in this place, Hebron. We have enjoyed great blessings, lived in peace, none to molest or make afraid, although we have had to part with some of our dear friends here. Almira, my daughter, died in March, 1868, and John's wife, Rosilla, and little boy, William Lewis, died. We lived here, enjoyed ourselves well with our children and grand children all around us until my husband was called away by death, in January 1872. He lived to a good age, and then went down to the grave like a shock of corn, fully ripe. I am spared yet. I hope to do a little good before I die.

I used to say when my children were small if I could live to see my children grow up and be honorable men and women, it would be all I could ask for. I have lived to see them all settled with good families, all trying to do what good they can to build up the Kingdom of God. I feel very thankful and much pleased with my children. I hope they will live and do much good; be united and be agreeable, and try to help each other and carry out the council their father and mother have given them. I write this after I am 72 years old, for my children to look at. It is written very poorly. Perhaps you cannot read it.

Testimony of Mary Brown Pulsipher
May God Bless You All!

By request I write a little more history and experiences. Eight years have passed away since I wrote the little sketches. I am still here. I will begin by my first experiences in the Methodist church. My parents taught me to be honest, industrious, and to keep the Sabbath Day. They were very strict Methodists. When I was about 13 years old I thought I ought to join the Methodist Church. It was the only church I knew much about. The preachers came every week to preach at father's house. I told him I wanted to join the church and he said I could. I did not know but they would call on me to relate a great experience when I was converted, but I could not have told them. All they did was to put my name on the class paper for six month's trial. When six months was out the preachers said, "Here is Sister Mary. She is a good, faithful, worthy Sister. I motion that she be taken in full fellowship." I was voted in. Perhaps one year passed - not a word was said about baptism. I said to the preacher, "Do you believe baptism to be aduty for us to obey?" He said baptism was not a sving ordinance. Just to answer a good conscience, I said, "I see by reading the New Testament, I consider it a duty - a command." He said, "What say?" I said there was only one way that looked to be right - to be immersed and buried in the water. He said, "the Savior set the example and He was not immersed. He went out into the water and knelt down and had some water poured on his head." He said he had seen it in history. He went to the water. He sang and prayed, then took me by the hand and led me to the water, saying, "Step in and kneel." I did. He dipped a little water, said over the ceremony, and poured it on my head, while he stood on the bank - did not wet his feet. I thought if baptism was to answer a good conscience, I was not satisfied. It looked like mockery to me, but I had done my duty.
I write this to let my children see the darkness and ignorance the world was then in. Surely the Prophet could say darkness and sin had covered the earth, and gross darkness, the people. I rejoice that we live in a day that the true light and true gospel was shining. I think I was in the Methodist church about 20 years before I heard the true gospel. We happened to see the Book of Mormon. We borrowed it, read it, and believed it, but did not know anything more about it. We were very anxious to know more about it. It was not long before a Mormon preacher came. We had a great many questions to ask. He told us how the Book was found and translated. He said baptism by immersion was the only right way. It was for the remission of sins. I thought that looked right. In a short time some were ready to be baptized. I wanted to be at the first opportunity, but satan thought he would hinder it. The night before baptism, I was taken very lame with rheumatism or something. I was so sick I could not get around much. As they were fixing to go, Brother Carter said to me, "Sister Pulsipher, if you will do your duty, you shall be healed." I took a cane and hobbled to the water and went in. It was a very cold day, but I came out well, left my cane, and went away rejoicing.

I was very ignorant, I had not heard anything about being confirmed, or receiving the Holy Ghost. The next evening went to meeting and the six that were baptized were there. When he put his hands on my head, he said, "Sister Pulsipher, by the authority of the Holy Priesthood and in the name of Jesus, I lay my hands on your head to bless you and to confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus, I lay my hands on your head to bless you and to confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I say unto you - receive the Holy Ghost." He promised great blessings if I would be faithful. The Spirit of the Lord was there. We sang, prayed, and praised God together. It was not long before the news went around that Brother and Sister Pulsipher were Mormons. Some would not believe it until they came to see us. We had plenty of visitors. Some came to try to convince us that it was all delusion. They thought they could reclaim us, but went away disconsolate. Others came to inquire. They said if we had got something better, they wanted to know it. They would be baptised and go home rejoicing. I will mention one that came to see me. My brother-in-law, Joseph (Joe) Childister. he lived four miles from me; he was going to move away, but could not go without seeing me. I had belonged to the same church he did. He was a preacher. He said I was the last one he thought of as being led away with such hearsay and elusions, as he thought it was. "Well", I said, "If this is what the world calls hearsay, to worship my God," said I, "I know in whom I believe." He said, "I think in about six months you will see your error. I think Mormonism will be all down flat in that time." I said, "Joseph, I have not the least idea that it will. It will stand. But if it does come down I never could go to the Methodist or another church that I know of. It would be going right into darkness." He said, "I see I cannot convince you, but I have done my duty." He cried and bid me farewell. I said, "I thank you for the kind feelings you have for me. Do not worry about me." I never saw him after that. He moved away, lived a few years and died very suddenly with heart disease. He had an appointment to preach the day he was buried. His wife, my sister, died soon after. I think they have heard the gospel preached before this time. Zera and Joseph were great friends. He had not read the Book of Mormon nor heard a sermon preached. He judged before he heard - like so many others. If they would hear and heed, without prejudice, there would not be half so many among hearsay, delusion, and false prophets.

Well, I began to gather with the Church. Went to Kirtland, there had my blessings from the first Patriarch in this Church, Father Joseph Smith. He said I should have my friends with me in this church, and that I would be the means of saving and redeeming them. I believe every word, but did not understand how it could come to pass. I never heard nor thought of being baptised for the dead. He said I had left all for the gospel, I should have a hundred fold in this world and in the world to come, life everlasting, with many more good blessings if I would be faithful.

I am almost 81 years old, have lived and enjoyed myself well with my children a long time; I expect the time will come when I must leave them. I have watched over them, tried to comfort them and instruct them right. I pray that they may live in peace, be united, and keep all the commandments of God. If riches increase, set not your hearts on them, but lay up treasures in Heaven. It is the only safe place that we can lay up riches.

I would like to have my children live near together to help and comfort one another. May God bless you all!
Mary Brown Pulsipher
Hebron, March, 1880.

MEMORIES OF MY MOTHER, MARY BROWN PULSIPHER

By her son John I, John, take the liberty to write a little in his book, as mother has passed away from mortal life.

She died on the 7th of May 1886, in the midst of friends and about as near ready as mortals ever get. So I record a little more of her history in this book.

As she lived to such advanced age, her children well desired her to give up housekeeping and live with some of us. Then we would know if she needed anything and could help her so much better than if she was alone in her little house. So she did close her house and had a good time. She went to St. George and visited her daughters, Sarah and Eliza, and their children and friends for several months. She then returned to Hebron and had pleasant happy time with us at Hebron for about two years.

Truly we did have an enjoyable time talking of early life, incidents of history in Connecticut, and the USA and the restoration of the Gospel and the rise of the Church in this age of the world.
When she died, we buried her by the side of father in Hebron Cemetery. Here is some of Mother's own loose papers that I will record in this book.

March 2, 1879 - "When I went to the Relief Society Meeting I expected to see 10 or 12 sisters and 3 or 4 of the brothers there - the Bishop told me he was going. When I opened the door, the first I saw was long tables loaded with pies, cakes, cheese and the comforts of life. I looked around and saw about every family in town seated there, about 90 percent besides the babies. I was so surprised it almost overcome me. I said, `What does all this mean? I came to a meeting but it looks more like a feast.' I then took my seat. The Bishop then arose and said, `This is nin honor of Mother Pulsipher. This is her 80th birthday.' I then began to cry, I was so overcome. The food was then blessed and all enjoyed it to their fill until all had enough. I was then called on to preside over the meeting. After singing, I asked my oldest son, John, to open the meeting with prayer. Another hymn was sung, then I walked onto the stand and said, `I don't know as I can say much, but I think these people can keep a secret, for I knew nothing of this feast until I was right here and opened the door. I feel very unworthy to have so much honor and respect shown me. I thank you all. I ask my Heavenly Father to bless you all. I suppose I am the oldest person here - 80 years old today. I have been in the Church over 47 years; have passed through persecutions, mobings and driving with the Saints since the days of Kirtland. I rejoice that I am worthy to have a name and place with these people.

"I left all my friends but my own family. Father Smith, the first Patriarch in the Church, laid his hands on my head and blessed me. He said I should have my friends in his church, would stand on Mt. Zion, help save and redeem them. He said I had left all to obey the Gospel and that I should in this world have a hundred fold. That is fulfilling very fast. I have 56 grandchildren and 75 great grandchildren. So you see there is upwards of a hundred fold now and increasing at a wonderful rate. I beg you all, the sisters of the Relief Society, to be faithful, do all the good you can, be united, put your faith in God, and you need not have any fears."
Mary Brown Pulsipher's Farewell Address to Hebron (These are a few lines mother wrote on Oct 16, 1883, before going to St. George to live awhile.)

I have been in Hebron from the beginning. I located with my boys as they were herding cattle at Shoal Creek when the main part of this country was a desert and sage plain. I have worked hard to make this a beautiful happy home. With the help of my boys, I built the first house out of the fort. Have lived in it about 15 years, and enjoyed myself wonderfully well in it. Have had much joy and confort in it. Have seen the place grow and flourish, but the time draws near when I expect to leave it, perhaps never to return, but I leave it with the best of feelings. I never expect to find any place I like as well. If I should die away from here I want to be brought back and buried here with my friends that are waiting for me behind the veil.

I have been in this Church 52 years; passed the persecutions with the Saints, but never felt to complain, but that all would be well. I pray my Father in Heaven to bless Hebron, bless the people. May Lord bless the land, the water, the cattle, and all; may it be a healthy delightful place. I bid you all farewell! Farewell, dear Hebron, we love so well, Farewell, dear Saints, that in it dwell May ou all be true, keep covenants well That we may all in Glory dwell.
by Mary B. Pulsipher

James Brace

James Brace

Born: Mar 6, 1854 - Died: Apr 4, 1915
Son of William Brace & Sarah Probert Brace
Short Biography by his daughter, Lousia Brace Olsen,
Written by her daughter Wanda Olson Clark the summer of 1979

James Brace was born the 6 March 1854 at (Forge Row Street), Ebbw Vale, Monmouth, Wales, at home. He was named after his grandfather, and lived in Ebbw Vale all his life, until he was converted to the gospel by Mormon Missionaries, and came to America.

James and his brother William John were the only children born to the family of William Brace and Sarah Probert. William John was born 4 May 1865 according to my father’s journal. A certified copy of a Entry of Birth pursuant to the births and deaths registration act of 1953 Entry 294 in the Register Book of Birth,. No. on the 17 day of Nov 1971. He was named William John but the birth certificate reads only William.

I Lousia Brace Olson feel my father was correct, and also on the death date of William John from the genealogical dept. of 50 East North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah states William John died on 4 April 1915 the birth and death date is the same as my fathers James Brace. I am in doubt if this is so, that William Johns birth and death date are exactly correct, according to the vital statistics.

My father had a good education. He could read and write and spell two languages, Welch and (English) he learned after coming to America. I remember my father was about five feet tall broad shoulders, dark brown hair and brown eyes. He was a good looking man. He was very neat and clean and kept his hair cut short. He always wore polished shoes, except the shoes he wore at the Mines. My father had a beautiful singing voice and sang at church meetings and different programs. He really went over good on St. Patrick’s Day Programs because he had an accent that people enjoyed to hear. He loved to read. I had to go to the Post Office every night after school (This was my job) to pick up the Denver Post News Paper and years later when my father went blind I read the Denver News to him. I would be about 13 years old.

I helped my father in the garden, and once I went with him with a wagon and team up in the cedars to get a load of wood to burn. We cooked with wood in the summer time, and in the winter we burned coal. I used to take him for walks and also to do business when he went blind. He went blind because of a blasting accident. He understood blasting because of his many years (40) experience working in the coal mines. A Canal was being built from Schoefield, Utah to Miller Creek Utah. This one day all the shots fired but one, he and other men waited for quite sometime to see if it was just a delay then the men returned to the shot, just as my father got close the shot exploded and a rock cut my fathers head and severed the optic nerve. He lived a little over two years after this accident.

I am a coal miner’s daughter. His occupation was a miner in Wales England, and also in America, In Wellington, Utah I remember as a child my father raised a lovely garden and had a few animals like milk cows, pigs and enjoyed raising chickens, ducks, geese. He also worked in the coal mines. We lived in Huntington, Utah when he worked in the Schoefield mine. He worked in Sunny Side, Castle Gate, Kennlliworth and Spring Canyon. Because of mine lay offs he had to go to the mine where men were being hired, and this is the reason why he worked in so many different mines. He worked in the coal mines with his father William Brace in Ebbw Vale, Wales at the age of nine years. This was during the summer when he wasn’t in school. My father had a good education young because his father had him read the bible every night and then come to his father and tell him what he had read. It was when he was nineteen years of age when he was on his way home in Ebbw Vale one evening he noticed a group of people standing on a street corner and he was curious to know what it was all about, and as he drew closer he saw two young men neatly dressed and talking to the group, so he stopped and listened. He had studied the bible a great deal that when he heard these Mormon Missionaries he knew they had the truth. He attended their meetings and in the year 1873 was baptized by the Elders in Wales, but later he was re-baptized in the Price River at Wellington, Utah when I was baptized in 1914 because the record was lost.

After my father was converted and baptized he came to America and helped get some of the granite out of the mountain to help build the Salt Lake Temple. He also worked in Fountain Green, Utah for a sheep man who he knew from Wales. The mans last name was Lewis, and while he was at this place he received a letter from his family saying his mother was very ill and she wanted him to come home, so he went back to Wales. My father and mother Sarah Jane Davies grew up in the same town Ebbw Vale. The attended the Welch Baptist Church, but don’t know if they went to the same Church. His and her family knew each other. My mother Sarah Jane Davies was born in Ebbw Vale 1 Jan 1862. She was the youngest of three sisters and one brother. Her father died when she was very young. She never remembered her father. After the fathers death the family continued living in the same house with my Great grandmother and Uncle Will.

Sarah Jane’s mother Mary Davies had to work, so her mother Mary Davies took care of the three little girls and a relative took the little brother and cared for him so his mother could work. The Davies family rented and lived in this home over one hundred years. Sarah Jane’s mother took care of her mother until she died at home and was buried in Ebbw Vale, Wales.
When my father returned from America back to see his ill mother is the time he started to see and going with my mother Sarah Jane. They were married in Wales 22 Feb 1880 Llanwenarth, South Wales.

Sarah Brace their first child was born in Wales and then they came to America. My parents landed in New York City 3 July 1881. My mother did not speak much English. She saw the news paper boy shouting (Read all about it) she asked my father what all the excitement was about. He said “The President had been shot.” This was President McKinley. They stayed in New York that night, and then next day they went by train to Penn. James Brace and his wife and child left for America 22 June 1881.

In Wales at the train station to get to Liverpool to come to America other friends and relatives and her mother were crying that they would never see Sarah Jane again. A Irish neighbor lady put her arm around my mother and told her not to cry. She said “America is a wonderful country and you can buy a whole pork very cheap.” My mother Sarah Jane always remembered and laughed about this.

My mother told our family that this little girl Sarah was a little frail girl and the trip across the ocean was too much for her and she died a couple of weeks later 26 July 1881. She is buried in a Welch Cemetery at Hyde Park Penn. My father was not satisfied until he came back to Utah to live with the Latter Day Saints and being a coal miner he settled in Wellington, Utah where he died.

All of Mothers children called her Ma’Am, Welch for mother. She had Medium brown hair, blue eyes and pretty skin. She was a little plump and she had pierced her ears and wore little small gold earrings for years. She was short a inch or two taller than my father. She was a very good cook. She made meat and vegetables delicious and also made wonderful pies and raisin bread and rolls and rice pudding. She was thrifty and had a good sense of humor. A good neighbor and a Mother of thirteen children I Louisa was number 10 child. She never went to school very much and what she did it was in Wales. My father taught her many things in English that when you would meet her she appeared to have quite a good education although she never learned to read and write in English when she came to America.

My parents are buried in Wellington Cemetery by my brother William (who was killed by a cave-in in the Sunny Side coal mine). He was twenty one years old, and also Thomas Brace 3 days old and a grandchild Elmer Chub Brace and Jean and Blaine Olson my two children. I am thankful for my good parents. The good training they gave me. They were strict, because they loved us, and wanted us to be good Latter Day Saints and true Americans. They wanted us to be very true American Citizens, so they would not teach us the Welch Language.

Benjamin Frederick and Harriet Hollis Blake

WE HONOR OUR GRANDPARENTS

BENJAMIN FREDERICK AND HARRIET HOLLIS BLAKE

UTAH PIONEERS OF 1853

(Prepared and presented by Emily L. Wollaston for a Blake family reunion held in Millcreek Canyon, Salt Lake City, Utah, 25 July 1958.)

Two of our grandparents who were born in the southern part of England, in the early l800s were destined to become a part of the great pioneer movement of western America. Benjamin Fredrick and Harriet Hollis Blake left their homeland, because of their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and journeyed to America to assist in the building of Zion. Whenever and wherever a new trail has to be blazed, someone must lead the way. Men and women of vision and faith with the ambition to venture forth and build new empires, those who have blazed trails, have earned from their grateful fellowmen the hero title of pioneer. These grandparents of ours were truly pioneers. Not only do we pay homage to them for their part in our great American birthright, but for the heritage they left us of the church 'for which they made so great a sacrifice. They blazed a trail for religious freedom for a church not yet understood by many. It was their faith in God that gave them the courage to suffer hunger, thirst, heat, cold, persecutions and the dangers of the trail. It was their faith and understanding that helped them not only to stand firm but to carry on.

What makes a nation's pillars high

And its foundations strong?

What makes it mighty to defy

The foes that round it throng?

Not gold but only men can make

A people great and strong,

Men who for truth and honor's sake

Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,

Who dare while others fly--

They build a nation's pillars deep

And lift them to the sky.

-Ralph W. Emerson

Because they met this challenge, characteristic of the western movement, and yet retained firm faith, we honor them. We recognize our debt of gratitude to them and treasure the heritage they secured for us, their descendants. With Frank Liebermann we can say, "I am an American. My fore-fathers were America in the making."

Benjamin Fredrick Blake was born March 12, 1815 in Dorset, England. He was remembered, for his jovial nature, since he was always a cut-up and tease. After his school days he was apprenticed to the upholstering and paper-hanging business and later learned to make mattresses and furniture which became his means of livelihood.

Grandmother Harriet Hollis was born in Bishopstoke, Hampshire, England on December 11, l820. When her schooling was completed she obtained an apprenticeship in dressmaking. Harriet's parents were concerned about their daughter's health and feared that she was not strong enough to be married. Therefore, it was with some difficulty that grandfather gained their permission to marry his sweetheart. They were married in England in l84l. Grandmother's health improved and they were blessed with seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Their marriage must have been a very happy one, for it was said if there was any disagreement between them, no one knew it except themselves. They prospered during the first twelve years of their marriage while they lived in England. Grandfather had a large furniture store which boasted of mirrors, a rare commodity for those days.

In 1851 they were taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their testimonies of its divinity were such that they were willing to make any sacrifice asked of them. In 1853 they gave up their home, business, loved ones and all that was dear to them to come to America. In company with over 500 other converts to the church, they left England aboard the sailing ship Falcon. Many of the events of the journey were recorded by Mr. James Jack, secretary of the company. We learn from his journal that meetings had been held prior to their departure in which plans were made for daily activities during the voyage. The members were given encouragement for the trials before them, so that they would not murmur but would be able to bear them like saints of the most high God. They set sail on the morning of March 28, l853 and were singing hymns as the ship left dock. Mr. Jack records that the first few days on the ship were trying ones. The winds had been against them; there was general dissatisfaction because they did not receive all of the food which had been allotted to them. Food was not served on schedule and was improperly cooked. Their spirits were not high.

The leaders counseled together for the comfort and edification of the saints. As a result, wards were organized, each ward to share alike in the privileges given, that there might "be a general satisfaction in all the ship. A school was organized for the children and men were given different tasks to perform for the comfort of the various groups. It was explained to the saints that all of the food was not distributed because the captain did not know how long the journey would be, and the surplus would be divided on arrival. The saints were exorted to work to keep peace and to unite their faith that the winds and waves might be in their favor. Better feelings resulted and by April 6th the sea was more calm and the winds favorable. As the journey progressed the people as a whole were in good health, however, three babies were stricken and died. In each case, less than half an hour after they died, their little bodies were lowered overboard because of danger of the sharks. (We can imagine the gratitude of our grandparents for the preservation of the lives of their young children.)

Three marriages were performed on the boat during the voyage. By the middle of April the saints had started making wagon covers and

tents. After about seven weeks the ship reached New Orleans. Another twelve days was spent going up the Mississippi river to Keokuk, Iowa where the group was divided into smaller companies before they started to cross the plains early in June. It was the last of September when they reached Utah.

Our grandparents lived in Salt Lake the following seven years, with the exception of one year when they were in American Fork when Johnson's army came to Utah. The saints were determined that mobs would not move in and live in the homes they had built here in the west, as had been the case in Missouri and Illinois. Before moving south, preparations were made to burn Salt Lake City if necessary and leave it men. This would have been done had not the President of the United States been informed of the true conditions in Utah and an intervention made.

During these early days in Utah, the crops were often poor and food was scarce. Grandmother often thought of the days when she was attending dressmaking school and was compelled to eat an apple dumpling before each dinner. The teacher thought it helped to digest the food. How she hated apple dumplings then, but how she wished that she might have one now. Three babies were born to this family while they lived in Salt Lake City, before they were called to help colonize a new settlement.

The Mormon pioneers were constantly pushing out into new localities. After the settlement of Salt Lake City, almost every valley of what is now Utah was settled by families picked, by Brigham Young for the task. It is said that in founding infant settlements, Brigham Young carefully selected, the best and strongest saints for pioneer work. No weaklings could conquer the desert, the Indians, the wild animal’s and. extremes of climate and live to develop the country. An example of the truth of this statement is given in the description of the "Settlement of St. George" by Ada E. Woodbury Scott:

"As early as December, l849 the provisional government of Utah commissioned Parley P. Pratt to raise a company of fifty men fitted out with supplies, pack-horses, etc. to explore Southern Utah. Among them were men who understood soil, climate conditions and various rock formations. Part of this company visited the Rio Virgin Valley. It was a tremendous undertaking to get down into the valley because of the mountain fastness of volcanic rock formation making it all but impossible to reach. However, they were men of undaunted courage who had braved every peril to build a Western Empire and no barrier was too great for them to scale. With mule and pack trains they finally reached the valley and found a balmy climate warm even in December, and a soil suitable for growing cotton. Indigo, tobacco, Chinese sugar cane and other semi-tropical products because of the long growing season. It was these findings that later gave St. George the title of Utah's Dixie.

In 1860 President Young visited and explored the Rio Virgin Valley and decided that its resources should be fully developed. His idea was that the territory should be self sustaining. In time of war if necessary the people might produce all that was essential to sustain life. In 1860 President Young stated at a meeting that he wished a city to be built at the junction of the Rio Virgin and Santa Clara rivers, to be named St. George. He called three hundred missionaries to settle that country. Many of these were tradesmen and artisans fitted to aid in the building up of a new country."

Our grandparents were among those chosen to settle St. George. They moved there in l86l. Again grandfather built a furniture shop and worked to make it equal to the one he had left in England. The shop was divided into three rooms; the work room had only three walls so he could have plenty of fresh air. Grandfather did not like to be confined indoors for any length of time. He was a master in his trade and had charge of the upholstering work in the St. George temple.

BENJAMIN FREDERICK BLAKE

Benjamin Frederick Blake was born in Blandford, Dorset, England, 12 March 1815 to Isaac and Sophia Wood Blake. At the age of twenty-five he met and married twenty year old Harriet Hollis. They married 1 May 1840. In 1842, their first child was born while living in Daunton, Hampshire, England. He fathered thirteen children, six died young. In the year 1844, they moved to Blandford, Dorsetshire, England. In 1846, they moved to Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. This is where they first heard the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In May of 1851, they and their eldest son Frederick, who was eleven, joined the church. The year following, they and their five children, having buried two of their seven children in England, emigrated to America and on to Salt Lake City, Utah, with the Ten Pound Company. He is mentioned among the “Pioneer’s and Prominent Men of Utah”. It is on film at the Genealogical Society in Salt Lake, 1953 WK 2362. Benjamin Frederick Blake was a High Priest in the Mormon Church, a noted furniture and cabinet maker. He was also known as “Chair Maker Blake”, in the Dixie Mission. He had a row of shops 6 rooms long on his lot, where he made and sold furniture. After his death 9 March 1884 in St. George, his shops burned completely down in 1911. The city had no fire department and the bucket brigade was no match for it. Most of all the early day homes in St. George and surrounding towns have furniture made by Benjamin Frederick Blake. One rocking chair now in the possession of his great grand-daughter Roberta Blake Barnum was restored by her husband and brother Trueman and wife DeLoris Cox Blake. It can be seen at her resident at 4522 W. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada. There is also the signature of Ben Blake written in deep pencil on the bottom of the seat. This chair is estimated to bee, well over 100 years old.

Harriet Hollis Blake

Taken from family ledger, written by Harriet

Harriet Hollis Blake, daughter of William Hollis and Maria Wooldridge, was born at Bishopstoke, Hamp. Eng. 11 Dec. 1820. Moved to Netley Lodge Farm when one year old and when eight years of age, moved to Brittern near Southampton, England, where I went to school and when I was fourteen years of age was apprenticed to the dress making business in Southampton. Here I joined the Baptist Denomination but did not feel satisfied with that religion. When I was twenty years of age I married Benjamin Frederick Blake and moved to Blandford, Dorsetshire, England and in 1846 moved to Salisbury, Wilshire, England, where we heard the true Gospel preached by an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I, with my husband joined that church in May 1851 and in 1853 we emigrated out to the Great Salt Lake City, Utah with our family of five, having buried two in England. Our oldest was baptized before we left England. He was eleven.

We came by the “Ten Pound Company”, leaving Liverpool the last week in March and arriving in Salt Lake City, the last of Sept. We lived in the 12^th Ward and moved south to American Fork Grove at the time of Johnson’s Army was camped in Ham’s Fork. We returned with the rest of the saints until we were called to go to the “Dixie Mission” in 1861, to which we responded.

We went back to Salt Lake City in 1864 and got our Endowments at the April Conference in the Endowment House. We renewed our covenants farther in the St. George Temple.

I am the mother of 13 children, six of these children died young and I never had the privilege of raising the to maturity. Seven married in the Church and are all very active members and good people. My one daughter Emma died from childbirth of her first. Her husband was so broken hearted that the church thought it best for him to go on a Mission. This he did, going to England where he met a women by the name of Mary Ann Bowler Ellicock, whom he persuaded to come to America and became my husbands second wife. (Benjamin Married Mary Ann Bowler on Jun 26, 1879 in St. George, Utah) Her eldest daughter later married my son Benjamin.

After over three years of suffering, my husband died 9 Mar. 1884 of gravel. (Which is Sand like concretions of uric acid, calcium oxalate, and mineral salts formed in the passages of the biliary and urinary tracts, the debris which is formed from a fragmented kidney stone.) He died in St. George, Utah and is buried there in the Blake Family plot.

It is noted from Harriet Hollis Blake’s ledger that she went to the Temple quite often and has done many of the ordinances for our direct and kindred dead. Also her husband and many of her children has attended to this important work.

“Under Dixie Sun” the book states that there were “English Gentle Women” who are remembered for their exquisite manners and the refining effect that they had upon the Pioneer Women. Harriet Hollis Blake is mentioned as one of these women. Page 97

Harriet Hollis Blake died in St. George, Utah 31 Oct 1908 at the age of eighty-eight. She is buried along side of her husband in the St. George Cemetery.