Esther Ann Robinson 1865-1951 Wife to William James Whitehead

       A Life Sketch of Esther Ann Robinson as told to her family

(see Whitehead Tab for family line)

Esther Ann Robinson was the wife of William James Whitehead and the daughter of samuel Gregory Robinson and Esther Ann Bourne.  Born September 6, 1865 at American Fork, Utah, married May 8, 1883, died June 28, 1951; buried at Claresholm, Alberta, July 2, 1951 at age 86 years.

Esther Ann related the following:

“The first little incident that I can remember was when I was four years old.  My mother dressed my oldest brother, Samuel, call up and took us across the street and sent us up to her mother’s place one and a half blocks away.  As we walked along the pole fence, I heard my mother scream and as I looked back, I saw a team of horses running away behind us and my mother ringing her hands.  I grabbed my brother’s hand and pulled him under the fence as the team went by, but I had torn a hole in my little blue jacket.  She grabbed us both and said, “Never mind the jacket just as long as you both are alright.”

My mother (Esther Ann Bourne) died when I was ten years old and a year later my father married Martha Lovina Hensen, Biggs, who was a very good stepmother to me and my brothers.

After my mother died, my grandmother, Elizabeth Bourne took my baby sister Harriet Matilda Robinson and kept her until she was 13 years old.  At this time, harriet, my sister came to live with us at Franklin and about the same time my stepmother’s adopted son became part of our family.

Even at Esther’s early age she had to assume many womanly tasks ordinarily belonging to older folks.  One of these was to mix the bread for the family use.  Because of her shortness in height, her father made a box for her to stand upon while doing this particular task.  She did much of the cooking and learned to scrub the wooden floors to a shiny condition by using a brick to polish them.  Hot biscuits for breakfast was another duty.  She used to laugh and declare that when she got married this would be one thing that she would not do.  Her stepmother often said that she could not have managed without Esther’s help.

Esther’s great grandmother, Harriet Matilda Johnson, was set apart as a midwife by the Prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo.  He blessed her with a healing touch.  She had her own team of horses and when called upon she travelled over the American Fort valley.  It is quite possible that much of Esther’s skill as a midwife was instilled upon her by this good woman.  Esther regularly went over to her great grandmother;’s place every morning to comb her hair and rend help.  She had wonderful black hair which she kept braided.

One time her great grandmother was called up into the hills to deliver a baby and when she was coming home the horses got frightened at something and became out of control, upsetting the buggy and broke her arm.  It required much time and search before she was found.  Hence Esther’s help and care was graciously given.

Esther told of their moving to Franklin, Idaho.  “My father took three wagons and four teams of horses.  One team belonged to Uncle James Robinson who was helping us to move.  We took three cows and one calf.”  She and her brother Elijah became the cow herders and said, “We sure had some time walking and driving them, especially over the sand ridges.  We managed to keep up with the slow moving wagons even if the cows did get out into the thick sage brush.  Every evening father would examine us closely behind our ears to see if we had any wood ticks still with us.  One afternoon it stormed and it got awful dark before we camped.  Father had to use a torch to find the road to the river but he got us safely down to the river bottom where we camped for the night.  It took us seven days to go from American Fork to Franklin Idaho.

Esther remembered an experience in the early days of pioneer life that included grasshoppers.  She explained how her father had her and her brothers drive the hoppers into the irrigation ditches by flopping long apron they wore thus forcing them into the ditch.  The water would carry them down to the head gate where their father, with a shovel,  would force them under the water and drown them.  Later they were shoveled into containers and burned.  It was a tremendous effort to save their crops. 

Esther met William James Whitehead for the first time at Franklin and it was there that they were married on May 8, 1883.  There were eleven children born to them, seven sons and four daughters.

Esther loved to dance and so did William.  He used to say that when they went together, he would take his bass violin under one arm and Esther under the other.  Laughingly, he would tell that the violin was the larger and more difficult to carry.  He, at times, played the violin or the accordian in the orchestra at these dances.  Her stepmother was a good seamstress and Esther always had lovely clothes.

William was an experienced lumberman and held a foreman’s position.  For a number of years Esther went with him in the winter months to the neighbourhood of Butte, Montana where there was logging activity.  He also did freighting to and from Helena and other places.

Esther told some interesting things about the pack rats that would come in the night and carry things away.  To be safe from their raids, things had to be kept in containers which defied their entry.  If a window or door was open they would come into their house.  Esther liked to watch them as they were very agile and climbed everywhere.

Rhoda Whitehead Hansen, a daughter of William and Esther Whitehead’s relates that she remembered her father returning to their home in Franklin one time and stating that while he was away he met a couple from Alberta, Canada and from what they told him he thought that their future home.  It was decided that William should make further investigation which convinced him of the many opportunities of this new county and in consequence he purchased a half section of land near Claresholm, Alberta.

When it became known that they were going to move from Franklin, their relatives and friends gave many parties in their honour.  The older children were some what loath to part with the many friends and close companions they had in various relationships.  Rhoda states that her father, Sam and Burt went ahead of the rest of them with the care of the horses, cattle and other belongings.  The rest of us remained with relatives and friends for a time and when we finally went to the railway station to depart, there was an immense crowd of these relatives and friends to wish us farewell and prosperity.  Rhoda gives her own feelings as being a growing concern for the future of all them.

Esther had prepared food for the trip of three or four days, and also had a supply of clean clothes.  Then she made sure that the children did not use any other but their own towels.  She watched closely that their contact with other children was not too familiar as she had fears of measles or other like calamities.  The family changed trains in Pocotella, Idaho and at Butte, Montana.  When they arrived at Great Falls, Montana, William was there to meet them.  They were surely thrilled to see him and when he told them that they were to stay in a hotel over night they were very excited.  From Great Falls they took a train to Sweet Grass and then crossed the border line at Coutts, Alberta.  They next boarded a train that had only onr passenger coach and a few freight cars.  They found that their belongings were in the freight cars of this same train.  At Coutts, the immigration officer asked Esther if all these children were hers, she replied, “yes sir, and I am proud of it.”  

At Claresholm they stayed for a time at the Queen’s Hotel until their house on the farm was ready for occupancy.  In spite of all the guarding care Esther gave the children, they caught the measles from two little girls from the train with them.

On the 15th of April, 1908 the family arrived at Claresholm, Alberta, Canada.  they did extensive farming in the area.  They owned a steam land breaking outfit for grain harvesting.

If the images below are not as clear, please go to the archives at the Glenbow Museum site.

This is the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railways) building that they would have
arrived at.

A team of horses in 1902 just a few years before the Whitehead's would
have arrived.

This is a peaceful celebration of the end of WW1 on November 18, 1918
This is on the main street.  The Whiteheads were most likely there.
( I alson expect that the Bowie's were there too!)

The men would have had equipement very similar to this.

This is downtown Claresholm in 1945

Esther was a wonderful woman.  The Gospel came first in her life.  She was a friend to everyone.  Being a mid-wife, she took care of many women, rich or poor, in their homes before there was a hospital in Claresholm.  She worked with the local doctor.  She treated them all alike and helped many a poor family by taking food and lothes to them in the time of their need.  Often she did extra work when they were unable to afford help at the time of their confinement, besides looking after the mother and the baby.

This is a picture of the Clarsholm hospital where she worked and where she was
taken such good care of.

The doctors that she worked with said that they never worried when they found that mother was to be the nurse.  One of the doctors, (Dr.McMullen) paid her a wonderful compliment when she was taken to the hospital in her later life.  He told the matron to “give Mrs. Whitehead the best room and the best care for she is a monument to the community”.  He said further, “If anyone deserves it, she does”.  She was loved by all.  One lady described her to a granddaughter in this manner, “Your Grandma Whitehead was the cutest little lady, so active and very wonderful nurse.  She brought sunshine into every home she entered.  She was known as Grandma Whitehead to everyone,”

I've Been Thinking

I've been thinking about the series of questions that I saw on ancestry.ca.  When my mom put together a tribute book for my grandparents (Jack and Mary Morton) in 1979 she asked each one of my grandma's sisters and brother to write something special about Mary.  I was shocked to read that almost everyone of them mentioned how much Mary loved peas.
Grandma Mary died when I was 7 and so I have limited memories of her.  One of my memories is Grandma sitting beside me on the couch and teaching me how to 'shuck' peas.  For the past 10 years I have grown a garden and the peas are always a favorite.  I became so grateful for those written accounts and memoires about Grandma so now whenever I plant, shuck and eat peas I am reminded of my wonderful grandma.
There are many qualities that I know she had.  Mom said that she always serviced generously, she sewed beautifully and she loved to work (and she had fun doing it).  These are a few of the qualities I want to take from her.

Her are some of the pea quotes from her siblings:
Velda said:  When we shelled peas we counted our a certain number- then raced to see who could finish first.
Ruth said: I remember when we were little and whenever in the summertime we couldn’t find her, we just went into the pea patch and Mary would be eating peas her dress lap full.  I wonder if she still likes peas that well now.  
When I was telling a cousin (Diane Sommerville) about Grandma Mary she told me another story about peas and grandma.  She told me that Grandma told her the secret to her delcious gravy was that she used always used the pea water!!


So please take some time and start recording some of your memoires and stories, you never know how they can affect future generations.

Some Great Questions

So I was looking on Ancestry and they had this great activity.

Family Questions

Print these fun family-oriented questions and sit down with your loved ones to hear their responses. Brace yourself; their response might surprise you – so don’t forget your pen and paper!

Family Questions

Do you have a family legend or story that has been passed down for generations? 

What traditions do you look forward to at family get-togethers?

 What is unique about your family background or ethnicity? 

How did your ancestors change your life?

Do you have any advice for future generations? 

What is the most important thing you learned from your parents? 

When was the best time in your life and why was it great? 

What are you most proud of about your family? 

How do you want to be remembered? 

What is your favorite thing about being part of your family?

My Family

What quirky personality traits run in your family? 

What physical characteristics run in your family? 

What is/was your favorite activity to do with your mother or father?

 How would your family spend a typical day together? 

How would your mother or father punish or reward you as a child? 

What things did you do with your brothers and sisters when you were growing up? 

How have your brothers and sisters influenced your life?

Fun Family Questions

Who is the biggest troublemaker in your family? 

Who in your family would you want to be stranded on a desert island with? 

Which family member do you think could be famous? 

Who do you most want to be like in your family?

 Who has the best sense of humour in your family?

World Questions

What do you think was the biggest problem facing the world when you were growing up? What do you think is the biggest problem facing the world today? 

What do you think are the discoveries and inventions that changed your life? 

What do you think the world will be like for your family’s future generations in 100 years? What is your wish for the future generations of your family?

What I wouldn't give to be able to read some of these answers from my ancestors.

Making Connections- More on William Whitehead

I was able to have the privilege to meet (on-line) one of my cousins (well second cousins once removed) who had quite a bit of information on William.  
I want to share it with you.
Some of the information is a bit of a repeat from my last post, but that's OK.  We can learn from repetition.
Thanks Kris for the info! I look forward to meeting you one day and to many more family learning time.

Born: 23 Nov 1839 in Calf Hey, Yorkshire, England

Source: Independent Chapel (Delph, Yorkshire) Church records, 1780-1851; Family History Library Film 1484390, Page 89-90

He was the illegitimate son of Robert Wright, a machine printer at Denshaw Print Works, and Martha Whitehead.  Martha went on to marry Henry Ramsbottom.  Robert Wright

Calf Hey is a small area just north east of Oldham, Lancashire and is located at 53°35'12.23"N,  2° 4'47.97"W (Google Earth coordinates).  Today, the only trace is a small, residential road called Calf Hey Rd.  I’ve attached a map of the area in 1851 (Crompton Fold).  Calf Hey is near the top, just to the right of center.

Christened: 18 May 1840 in the Independent Chapel, Delph, Yorkshire, England

Source: Independent Chapel (Delph, Yorkshire) Church records, 1780-1851; Family History Library Film 1484390, Page 89-90

The Independent Chapel was Wesleyan Methodist and is located at 53°34'8.22"N,  2° 1'23.55"W, (Google Earth coordinates).  I’ve attached a map of the area in 1854.  The Independent Chapel is near the top, just right of center on the north east corner of the intersection in the middle of Delph.  The words “Independ Chapel” are just below “Delph Barn”, “Trough”, and “Cobler’s Hill”.

Text from a Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth for William Whitehead, certificate, CG 700422, 13 Dec 1974:

"Certified Copy of an  Entry of Birth

Pursuant to the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953

Registration District - Saddleworth

1839.  Birth in the District of Delph in the County of York

No.: 38

When and where born: November Twenty Third 1839 at Calfhey Friar Mere

Name, if any: William

Sex: Boy

Name, and surname of father: Robert WRIGHT a Machine Printer at Denshaw Print Works

Name, surname and maiden surname of mother: Martha Whitehead

Occupation of father: -----

Signature, description, and residence of informant: Hannah Whitehead X her mark Calfhey In Attendance

When registered: November Twenty Ninth 1839

Signature of registrar: John Brook

Name entered after registration: -----

Certified to be a true copy of an entry in a register in my custody.

<Signature> Superintendent Registrar."

Emigrated from Liverpool to New York from 11 Apr 1859 to 13 May 1859 on the ship “William Tapscott”

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormon Immigration Index (CD).

BMR, Book #1046, pp. 102-130 (FHL #025,691); SMR, pp. 69-77; Customs #367 (FHL #175,547); SMR, 1859 (FHL #025,696).

I’ve attached accounts of the immigration voyage from others who were on that ship at the time.

He was in the 8^th handcart company, the George Rowley Company, which left Florence, Nebraska (now Omaha) on 7-10 June 1859 and arrived in the Salt Lake valley 4-6 September 1859.  (more info athttp://lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompany/1,15797,4017-1-17,00.html)

He married Margaret Green on 28 Mar 1862 in Farmington, Davis, Utah.  He subsequently married (plural marriage) Alice Butterworth on 22 Aug 1870 in Salt Lake City.

In 1861, he took his family and settled in Franklin, Idaho.  He lived there until his death in 1881.  Once the settlers moved out of the fort, he lived in a small house directly east of the corner of Maple Creek Rd and 3^rd East in Franklin.  The house still stands, though the roof has caved in and, according to legend, was a chicken coop for a while.  I’ve attached a picture of it.  The Google Earth coordinates for the house are 42° 1'15.99"N, 111°47'48.25"W.

From a program from the 50^th anniversary of Franklin in 1910, it says this about William Whitehead: “William Whitehead, a farmer, was captain of the infantry at Franklin, organized under the laws of the territory of Utah.  He was one of the first city councilmen of Franklin, and had some talent in the dramatic line and was a well educated man for his time.”

Here is a sketch of William that I do not know who wrote:

“Sketch of William Whitehead

“He was born at Oldham, Lancaster England.  His childhood was spent in the home of his grandparents, James and Hannah Hepworth Whitehead at Oldham until he came to the United States.  He came to the U.S. with an Elder Taylor who had filled a mission in England and was from Lehi, Utah and at whose home William lived until his Aunt Mary came for him.  Aunt Mary had walked from Ogden to Lehi to bring him back with her as she had promised his mother she would care for him until the Ramsbottam family could emigrate to Utah.  In the early spring of 1861, William, along with his two cousins Ben and James Chadwick, moved to Franklin where he helped these two boys in the canyon to get logs out with which they built his Aunt Mary and mother a house at Franklin, Idaho.  Shortly after arriving at Franklin he and Thomas Mendenhall went to Ogden and brought back two loads of tithing seed grain for the people to plant that spring.  Because he had the advantage of a very fine education in England, he was valuable to the people of Franklin.  He brought some books from Lehi with him and after his days work was finished he would read and study by candle and fire place light until very late hours.  He was so eager to learn he attended the night school of William Wright, also the Elders' School.  He was a bookkeeper and a clerk for Marrick and Duffin and also for the first cook store.  He was clerk of Franklin Village for years, choir leader, dramatic art leader, and one of the players and he also played musical instruments.  He was an outstanding figure in the community for his cleanliness and neatness of person.  It is said of him every hair on his head must be laid just right at all times.  He belonged to the Militia and was a minute man.  He took his turn with the rest of the men in standing guard on the little mountain of Mt. Lookout for the protection of the people against the Indians.  He also went to Logan each month to take military training.  He was thoroughly converted and lived up to his religious beliefs of strictly keeping the Word of Wisdom, of paying his tithes and offerings.  He was honest, honorable and humble, a kind and loving father.  In 1862, he left Franklin for Salt Lake City to meet his sweetheart whom he had, in England in 1859, expecting to bring her back to Franklin with him.  When he arrived there he found her already married.  A short time later, he married Margaret Green.  They were married March 28, 1862.

“William met his mother and her family at Ogden in October of 1869 and brought them to Franklin.  He also later married Alice Butterworth as his plural wife.  He was a very busy man with the fund of rich knowledge he acquired and was always willing to help others - in fact he was always busy at something.”

He died 2 Apr 1881 in Franklin, Idaho.  His obituary was published in the Deseret News.  Here is what it said (even though it got the birth place incorrect):

“DESERET NEW WEEKLY

APRIL 13, 1881

VOLUME 30:176

“At Franklin, Oneida county, Idaho, April 2nd, of inflammation of the bowels, William Whitehead, age 42 years, 4 months and 9 days.  Brother Whitehead was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England; embraced the gospel when very young; he emigrated to Utah in the year 1859, drawing a handcart across the plains, in Captain George Rowley's company.  On his arrival in the valley he went to Lehi, lived there a short time, then moved on to Weber.  In the year 1861 he moved to Franklin, and lived there until the day of his death.  Brother Whitehead was a faithful member of the Church and was a useful man.  He was assistant superintendent of Sunday School for many years, and was always found at his post.  He was also a member of the choir.  Since his arrival in Franklin he held offices in the city, and was a member of the City Council at the time of his death.  He was a faithful servant to the people of Franklin, who feel to mourn his loss.  His funeral services were held at the Franklin tabernacle, on Sunday afternoon.  His body was carried to the tabernacle by the Mayor and Council, and the teachers of the Sunday School, followed by all of the Sunday School children.  Remarks were made by Brother Joshua Hawkes, and by Brother Samuel R. Parkinson and Thomas Durant.  Benediction by Bishop L. L. Hatch.  His remains were taken to the grave, followed by 35 vehicles, besides a number on foot.  Brother Whitehead was taken sick three days before his death; he died firm in the faith, with the hope of a glorious resurrection.  He left a wife with 10 children to mourn his loss.  Our loss was his infinite gain.”

William Whitehead 1839-1881 (or 1882)

               This information was taken from The Whitehead Family Magazine Number 10 June 1975.

William Whitehead was born the 23 of November. 1893 at Calfhey, Friar Mere, Saddleworth, Yorkshire, England.

He was the son of Martha Whitehead and Robert Wright, who was a machine printer at the Denshaw Print Works.  According to family history we grew up in the home of his grandparents, James Whitehead and Hannah Hepworth in Oldham.

It is said that he received a fine education in England.

He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but the date of his baptism seems uncertain.  According to the Franklin Ward records he was baptized by James Gledhill in November 1852 and confirmed the same month by William Scofield.  This would have made him about thirteen years old at the time.  However, according to the Temple Index Bureau record card he was baptized November 20, 1854.  This would have made him just a few days short of fifteen years old.

William emigrated to Utah in 1859.  he sailed on the William Tapscott a ship of 1,750 tons register. The ship had been chartered by the Church and sailed from England(probably Liverpool) for New York on April 11, 1859.  His age is given in the emigration records as twenty, though he would not have reached the full age of twenty until November of that year.  According to the emigration records, he gave his address as Manchester, and his occupation as factory worker.  The price of his ticket, steerage class, was 4.20 pounds.  There were 601 adults, 92 children, and 32 infants making a total of 725 emigrants from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland.  Also, included were some missionaries according to family history was an Elder William Taylor with whom he later stayed in Lehi, Utah.

The William Tapscott arrived in New York after a pleasant voyage of 31 days.  According to the book, Handcarts to Zion, the party of emigrants left New York on May 14, 1859 on the Steamer Isaac Newton for Albany.  From Albany, they took the Hannibal and St.Joseph railway to St.Joseph, Missouri.  From there they took river boots on the Missouri River to Florence Nebraska.  Florence was the staging and departure point for the handcart companies.  

William Whitehead was a member of the eighth handcart company.  According to the book, Handcarts of Zion, the company was made up of 235 persons.  There were 60 handcarts, the 6 ox-drawn wagons to haul provisions and the sick.  George Rowley was captain of the company, and there was a sub-captain for each ten carts.  The carts each had a cover made from bed ticking and stretched over three bows.

The company started from Florence on June 9, 1859 and travelled four miles. On the tenth they laid over to get organized.  On the eleventh they started out in earnest and travelled sixteen miles. On the twelfth they traveled twenty-two miles and ran into swarms of big mosquitoes.  Provisions for ten days for one person included ten pounds of flour, one pound of bacon, a little sugar and salt.

The company met a large band of Sioux indians on July 3.  They were the first indians most of the emigrants had ever seen, and it was a terrifying experience for them.  The indians demanded food, and were given three sacks of flour and some bacon.  That night the indians staged a dance.  Next morning, the company left early hoping to elude the indians, but some of the indians followed them and tried to make a deal for a “white squaw”.  

There was another encounter with Indians in the Devil’s Gate area which frightened the immigrants.  There had just been a battle between two tribes.  The victorious tribe had a number of prisoners, and they invited a number of the men in the handcart company to visit their camp to watch the prisoners being tortured to death.  The men respectfully declined the invitation.

The company ran low on food and many were suffering from starvation when a supply wagon train from Salt Lake City reached them after traveling a night and day to come to their aid.

The company arrived in Salt Lake City on the afternoon of Sunday, September 4, 1859.  They were met on their arrival by a huge crowd, including two or three bands.  

According to family history, due to the extreme heat and exposure during the trek, and the strain of pulling the hand cart, William ruptured a blood vessel in his head and was in serious condition for sometime.  It is said that as a result of the hardship of the handcart journey, he was never a strong man.

William located at Lehi, living with Elder William Taylor, until his Aunt Mary brought him to Ogden.  Mary had promised to look after William until the Ramsbottom family could emigrate,  (William’s mother, Martha Whitehead married Henry Ramsbottom in August of 1853).

In the early spring of 1861, William along with his two cousins, Ben and James Chadwick, moved to Franklin, Idaho.  He helped Ben and James bring logs out of the canyon and helped them build a house for their mother (William’s Aunt Mary).

Margaret Green with her twins Hannah Jane and John Charles

According to family history, in 1862 William went back to Salt Lake City to meet his sweetheart whom he had left in England in 1859.  He expected to bring her back to Franklin with him.  However, when he arrived he found her already married.  On the way back from Salt Lake City, he married Margaret Green whom he had previously known in England.  Family records indicate the marriage date as March 28, 1862.  However, there seems reason to believe that the marriage may have actually taken place a year later in 1863.

In 1872, with his first wife’s consent, William married Alice Butterworth, and they all lived together in the same house.  Alice died soon after the birth of her first child, Alice Whitehead.

According to the records of District Court of the third Judicial District of the Territory of Idaho, i and for the County of Oneida, William Whitehead made application for and was granted United States citizenship on July 8, 1873.  According to family history, William was one of the first city councilmen chosen when Franklin was organized a city in 1878.

After his day’s work, William would read and study by candlelight until very late.  He was eager to learn and he attended the night school of William Wright.  he also attend the Elder’s School.  He was a bookkeeper for Merrick and Duffin, also for the first Co-op store.  He was ward clerk and choir leader and active in dramatics.  He was a member of the militia and was a minute-man.  He was also a good mason and farmer. (According to the 1880  census record he gave his occupation as stone mason).

William was always noted for his cleanliness and neatness of person.  It was said of him, “Every hair and thread must be laid just right at all times.”  

William had eleven children by his wife Margaret.  He loved his family dearly, but they were very poor.  He was a small man of medium complexion with blue eyes.

William's wife- Margaret Green Whitehead, with some of her children. Left to right back row: Jenette, Abraham Lorenzo, Peter Green, Martha Front Row: Mary, William James, Margaret Green Whitehead, John Charles, Margaret Elizabeth

He died of a ruptured appendix, but the date of his death does not seem certain.  the Archives of the Genealogical Society in Salt Lake City give the date as April 2, 1880.  Family records and the Franklin Ward records give the date as April 2, 1882.  If 1881 is the correct date, he would have been forty-one years old at the time.


I love this story told:

The following experience was told to Sarrah Eppich by an unidentified son of William Whitehead on February 21, 1940 at Cornish, Utah.

I left Monday morning to go up Maple Creek to chop log.  When I left Father was not feeling very well.  

Monday night, a strange woman came into my cabin and woke me.  She told me I was needed at home.  I woke the other men and asked then if they had seen her, but none of them had.  Then I got up and looked for tracks in the snow, but although it was three feet deep, there were no tracks.

The next morning I had just felled one tree and started on another when the same woman I had seen came and told me I was needed at home.  Then, in a flash, I saw my brother, Peter G., coming on a horse to meet me.  I told my friend and we locked the cabin and started down the canyon.  We met Peter, six years old at the time, at the bottom of Lowe’s Hill.  He was coming on a horse to meet us.

When I reached home my father was sitting in a big chair with a quilt wrapped around him.  I talked to him for a white, and then my mother came into the room and told me the cows had broken through the willow fence and got out.  I left to fix the fence, and when I returned they told me my father had just passed away.  He had died of appendicitis while sitting in the chair.

I have more information on his life and will get it to you soon.

Christian Hans Monson Travel By Hand Cart to Utah

When Christian Hans Monson came across the ocean he travelled to Utah with the Christian Christiansen Company (1857) They left on 15 June 1857 and arrived in Utah on 13 September 1857.  The Company Information is as follows: 7th handcart company which had about 330 individuals, 68 handcarts, and 3 wagons in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Iowa City, Iowa. This company was first headed by James Park, David Dille and George Thurston.

Christian Christiansen Company (1857)

                                       I found this picture on the net- not a picture of Christian Hans Monson


Narrative:

Most of the people in the Christian Christiansen handcart company were Scandinavians (Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes). They numbered about 330 souls, including a girl with a wooden leg and a 60-year-old blind woman. Because the Perpetual Emigrating Fund was exhausted, the emigrants had to purchase their own outfits with pooled resources. They had 68 handcarts, 3 wagons, 10 mules, and 1 cow. The cow soon died but others were purchased along the way. Likewise, the travelers purchased a fourth wagon and oxen to pull it. Elder J. P. Park, a Scotsman, was the company captain, but he had to communicate with his charges through an interpreter because he could not speak nor understand their language. Also, he was reportedly unsympathetic towards them. "The less said about this unfortunate choice of a leader for such a people as us," wrote an emigrant, "the better for him." 

Parks and the wagons usually traveled so far ahead of the handcarts that the emigrants sometimes took a wrong road. The company left Iowa City June 12, with many of the people leaving prized personal possessions behind-clothing, bedding, books, and so on-because they could each take only 17 pounds of luggage. One man, however, kept a few books. The emigrants believed that a Church wagon would later bring their things to Utah, although this never happened. Later, the captain had individuals reduce their freight to 15 pounds. For the first week or so, progress along the trail was slow because many were sick. Almost daily some of these fell by the wayside and had to be gathered up in the evening by the wagons or by handcarts that had been unloaded and shuttled back to the camp. Nevertheless, some invalids complained that they had to wait long hours for a ride because the wagons were overcrowded and had to make more than one trip. Young, healthy men sometimes took turns carrying the faint on their backs. They also carried many of the infirm across rivers. It was hot and it rained frequently. The roads were muddy; curious settlers occasionally lined the road, asking questions and making comments in English, but the travelers did not understand them. June 21 an elderly woman died and was buried. The company crossed the Des Moines River on a long bridge and on July 2, it reached Council Bluffs via Glenwood Road. Here, officials refused to allow the train into the city, claiming that the emigrants had smallpox, which was not true. The next day, after taking the long way around, the party crossed the Missouri via a steam-driven ferry. At Omaha, Scandinavian settlers greeted the travelers; here, too, the emigrants saw their first American Indians.

At Florence men from Utah visited and spoke encouragingly to the company. Here, too, the travelers shared some of their food with visiting Indians. Elder Christian Christiansen, a native of Denmark who had lived in Utah and who was returning from a Church mission in the Midwest, now became company captain. This change in leadership was universally welcomed. One emigrant said Christiansen was like a father to the company. Another recalled that he was a capable leader and inspired his followers with confidence. A third reported that the captain often helped pull her cart up hills. A fourth said he was liked and respected by all. Again, he was gentle and fatherly. The train left Florence on July 7. Almost immediately one of the handcarts broke a wheel and had to return to town for repairs. At Papillion Creek, Captain Christiansen inspected the emigrants and insisted that all who were unhealthy or not adequately prepared should return to Florence and wait for the next year's emigration. Some of those who remained behind sold their equipment to emigrants who had been waiting at Florence for an opportunity to go west. At least one young emigrant left her family in Florence and pursued her westward journey alone. But a Swede who was told to remain in Florence because his wife was too weak trailed along behind the train just out of sight until the company was too far along to turn him back. Then he rejoined the train.

July 9 the travelers reached and crossed the Elkhorn. Two days more and they were on the Platte. The Loup Fork was a major obstacle; it was about a mile wide and filled with quicksand, shifting holes, and sandbars. The emigrants raised the wagon boxes to keep their cargos dry and then employed local Indians to transport the women across on horseback and to guide the vehicles over. Multiple teams pulled the wagons while the strongest men dragged empty handcarts through the treacherous currents. The crossing took two days. Fortunately, there were no accidents. The night after this crossing, there was a severe rainstorm, accompanied by thunder and lightening. Because of illness, two families now dropped out of the company. Between Loup Fork and Wood River the travelers suffered greatly for lack of water. At Wood River a woman slipped away from camp long enough to deliver a baby girl, returning with the infant wrapped in her apron. She got to ride in a wagon for a while. Somewhere on the sandy plains of Nebraska another baby girl died and was buried, with a sieve covering
her face. As the company toiled on, men and women weakened and again lightened their loads. The strong accepted the burdens of the weak. When shoes wore out travelers wrapped their feet in burlap or cut rawhide from carcasses of dead cattle to make new footwear. Unfortunately, the rawhide often got wet, then dried hard. Feet became chafed and bloody.

On August 3 a 36-year-old man died, his feet so swollen that he could no longer walk. The travelers often saw Indians but had no trouble with them. They witnessed a prairie fire but escaped harm. When the company reached the vicinity of Fort Laramie on August 9, it stayed north of the Platte and quickly moved on into the Black Hills. August 22, the train was at Devil's Gate. Here another man died. Water was a constant concern. Often, men or boys had to walk great distances to fetch it. One young man got lost while carrying water and ended up spending a rainy night alone. A second boy,returning to camp after dark and wearing for shoes old socks to which his mother had attached canvas soles, walked into a patch of prickly pear, and when he sat down to extract the painful spines, he sat on a clump of the cactus. Thirsty men sometimes forgot their manners; one grabbed a container from a water boy and satisfied his thirst before allowing nearby women or children a drink. An old man got lost while trying to find a shortcut to water. He was gone for a day, ate berries, and was rescued by trappers who led him back to the train.

Hunger stalked the travelers almost constantly. At one point, some of them were so hungry that they killed, cooked, and ate a crow. An old man, unacquainted with American wildlife and with no sense of smell, bludgeoned a skunk to death with his cane and brought it into camp. All the others scattered. At the Sweetwater, the commissary of Johnston's army, then marching to put down the "Mormon Rebellion" in Utah, took pity on Christiansen's followers and gave them a lame ox to slaughter. This was the first meat the company had had in weeks. Though they passed through vast buffalo herds, these emigrants killed only one; it had become separated from the herd. Otherwise they feared that a stampede would destroy them all. East of South Pass, relief wagons from Salt Lake met the train. The travelers purchased flour, offering their handcarts as security. These wagons then carried the weakest members of the party back to Salt Lake. Those who remained with the carts bought more flour at Fort Bridger. In Echo Canyon rain, hail, and a very cold night made life miserable for the company. Ice on mountain streams lacerated already abused feet.

Thirty miles from Salt Lake, wagons loaded with bread, cake, and fruit met the company. As the train crossed Big and Little Mountains, the people had to help the exhausted mules reach the summits. Then, with the Danish flag flying from the lead handcart, the company arrived in Salt Lake City on September 13. One emigrant said that the first time he saw his image in a mirror, he was shocked at how tanned and skinny he was. Approximately 15 people died on the journey. 

Source of Trail Excerpt:

Christensen, C. C. A., "By Handcart to Utah: The Account of C. C. A. Christensen," trans. Richard L. Jensen, Nebraska History, winter 1985, 337-44.

All the images came from the internet- not actual images of Christian Hans Monson

Story of Christian Hans Monson

When I was 10 years old I was sitting in primary and heard a girl share this story in a talk, I knew the story because my dad would tell it to me- it was the story of his great great grandfather.  I get a lot from this story because it illustrates what a strong person he was to stand up for his convictions.  I want to emulate this quality and want to teach my children that we need to be strong in times of difficulty.

"The Key", Friend, June 1976, 42

A True Story

Christian fingered the key in his pocket as he walked toward the jail. It had taken months of study and prayer before he had finally decided to use that key for something more important than just opening the jail door so he could carry meals to those who were held there as prisoners.

Almost all the men in the jailhouse were Mormon missionaries. Many of them had sailed into the Port of Frederikstad in a pilot boat they had fitted up and named Sions Löve (Zion’s Lion) so that they could easily travel to coastal areas of the Scandinavian Mission, then including all of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

At first Christian hadn’t paid much attention to the missionaries, for he was busy learning the catechism so he could correctly answer any questions he might be asked by the priest at the confirmation service that was soon to be held for prospective young members of the Lutheran Church. He was not concerned about the fact that almost as soon as any Mormon missionaries arrived in Frederikstad they were arrested.

Lutheranism was the national religion of Norway and missionaries who taught other doctrines were promptly jailed, some for only a few weeks, others for many months. During this time they frequently were taken to court and almost forced to renounce their religion and declare allegiance to the national church of Norway. Refusing to do so, they were then returned to their quarters.

Christian worked for the warden of the jail who instructed him to heckle and be as unpleasant as possible to the prisoners when he carried meals to them. This seemed like fun until one day a young missionary said, “Why do you talk and act as you do? Remember that so persecuted they the Christ and His followers in Bible times.”

The startled boy asked him to explain what he meant, so two of the elders began talking about the gospel and gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon.

Every night as Christian studied for his confirmation examination, he also studied the Book of Mormon, comparing it with his Bible and the Lutheran catechism. As the truthfulness of the restored gospel became more and more apparent to him, Christian prayed to know what he should do. Since no answer came before the confirmation date, he purposely failed the examination and then made application to take it again in six months.

Thinking back over his months of prayer and study, Christian knew what he must do. He finally decided to use his key to the prison to let the two missionaries out of jail long enough to go with him to a nearby fjord so he could be baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Afterward the three walked back to the jailhouse where the elders returned to their room and Christian turned the key in the lock to their cell.

Because of the persecution toward members of the Church throughout Norway, and also because he knew how angry his father would be, Christian did not tell anyone of the thrilling event that had taken place on that cold winter night of 1852. He knew he would not be able to make his stern father understand what he had done. He tried to talk with his mother but she would not listen. When the next confirmation service was held, Christian honored his application and appeared for his examination with the other prospective young Lutherans.

“Do you believe in God?” was the first question asked by the priest.

“Oh, yes,” Christian answered quickly.

“Can you describe Him?” was the next question.

“I know He is a Being with body, parts, and passions,” Christian replied. “I also know He does not sit on the top of a topless throne. I know our Heavenly Father is good and kind, that He sees, hears, and answers prayers. I know we are made in His image as was His Son Jesus Christ.”

The priest was surprised by this description but continued with the examination, becoming more and more amazed with the answers Christian gave. As the boy glanced at his father he could see that he was very upset. Finally, the priest said angrily, “You answer as if you belonged to that sect known as Mormons.”

“I do,” Christian said, “and I’m proud of it!”

At this declaration, Christian’s father arose from his seat near the front of the Church and rushed up the aisle and out the door, striking his cane hard against the floor with every step he took. Confused and embarrassed, Christian’s mother followed her husband, and their son was abruptly dismissed.

Christian went home wanting to talk with his parents, but he was afraid of what they would say. Having carried his usual armful of wood into the house that night, Christian was piling it near the fireplace when his father came into the room. At the sight of his son who he felt had disgraced him, Christian’s father struck him with his cane and then began to beat him. At last, panting for breath, his father laid the merciless cane on the table.

“Oh, Father,” Christian said quietly, “it feels good to be whipped for the gospel’s sake.”

At these words, the father became even more furious. He picked up stick after stick of firewood and hurled them at Christian. When the wood was gone, he opened the door and shouted, “Get out of my house. I never want to see you again!”

Bruised and bleeding from the beating and the wood that had been thrown at him, Christian dragged himself out to the barn where he threw himself upon the hay. Late that night after her husband was asleep, Christian’s mother noiselessly tied a little food and a few of his belongings in a handkerchief and went out to the barn. Tearfully she treated her son’s injuries as well as she could.

“Why, oh why, did you do this thing, Christian?” she pleaded heartbrokenly.

“Because I had to, Mother,” Christian replied. “I have studied and prayed and I know this is the only true Church. I tried to tell you but you would not listen to me. I cannot deny what I know, Mother. If I did, it would be to deny Jesus Christ, our Savior, and I cannot do that.”

“If, as you say, you know this is right, my boy,” his mother told him, “then you must stand firm. But oh, how my heart aches.”

When the first streaks of dawn appeared in the sky, Christian’s mother crept back into the house. Christian picked up the little bundle she had brought to him and started walking down the road. As he passed his house he breathed a good-bye to his parents, for he knew he would never see them again.

Christian Hans Monson didn’t know where he would go or what he could do. “But I have a testimony,” the fourteen-year-old boy said to himself. “Whatever happens, I can never deny that. And I know that because of my testimony, all will be well.”

[illustrations] Illustrated by Ed Holmes

Here is a link to more info on the exodus of new LDS converts from Norway, Sweden and Finland: 

http://www.norwayheritage.com/articles/templates/voyages.asp?articleid=29&zoneid=6

Unbelievable Findings

I truly did not realize what a gem www.ancestry.ca truly is!!

I have blurry eyes as I have been staying up WAY TOO late working on establishing my family tree.
Almost every time I write the name of an ancestor I get a little waving leaf telling me that they have found connections to that name.  I am in awe of the ancestors I am finding.

For example, my great grandmother Ellen Olive Carlson who married John Bowie was from Freemont Dodge Nebraska however, her family came here from Sweden.

My Aunt Marian (dad's sister in law) has recently found the names of her sisters and parents.  She even got Ellen's parents and both sets of grandparents-the she found 2 sets of great grandparents (in relation to Ellen Olive).

Through the family history wonder of www.ancestry.ca I was able to FIVE more generations with children and some of their souses and children.
I am so grateful for this program.  Money very well spent.  If you don't want to spend the money or don't have a lot of access, you can go to your nearest archives and most public libraries have access to this program.

Also, you can set up your own profile without joining and you can access various resources.
AMAZING

My tree is expanding and I love it.

I was so excited I just had to share even though this entry is taking me way longer to write because I am so tired and making LOTS of typos which I can not stand so I am doing many corrections.