Abraham Chadwick Sr.
- Born on 30 March 1821
- Died on 4 July 1904
- was a tailor by profession
- played the saxhorn in a band that played at the ceremony when the cornerstones were layed for the Salt Lake Temple
- was married to 4 women named Mary
ABRAHAM CHADWICK (SR.)
Written by Dora Dutson Flack, a Great-great-granddaughter
Life Before
Joining The Church
Among the sooted smokestacks and damp yards of Crab Lane,
Blackley, Lancashire, England, Samuel and Esther Consterdine Chadwick welcomed
their fifth son into the world on 30 March 1821. Little did they dream, as they
gazed happily at their newborn, how this baby's commitments would carry him even
across the Atlantic Ocean.
(For many years the Chadwick Family had resided at Crab
Lane, a township in the Parish near Manchester, known as Higher Blackley. In
1835 it became Blackley, sometimes spelled Blakeley. St. Peter was a Parish Church in the town.)
Eight sons and one daughter of Samuel and Esther were all
born in Blackley, Lancashire, England, and were christened at St. Peter:
1. John,
christened 9 December 1810.
2. James,
christened 21 February 1813.
3. William,
born 17 April 1815, christened 21 May 1815.
4. Samuel,
christened 14 January 1818.
5. Abraham,
born 30 March 1821, christened 15 July 1821.
6. Robert,
born 20 November 1823, christened 30 November 1823.
7. Thomas,
christened 17 May 1826.
8. Edwin,
christened 20 July 1828.
9. Sarah Ann,
born 19 April 1831, christened 17 July 1831.
These children learned to work early in life. As a youth
Abraham enjoyed little play time. At age
8, he began working with his father in the "dye works." Uncle John
Elsely (or Elsby) was an expert tailor. This profession appealed to Abraham. So
at age 14 or 15 he began his 5-year apprenticeship
under his Uncle John, then earned his living chiefly as a tailor the rest of
his life.
However, he also availed himself of additional employment
opportunities on the side. Possessing a
jovial disposition, his eyes searched for humorous opportunities. For example,
one evening while assisting in serving eminent officials at an exclusive
banquet, Abraham watched as the guests seated themselves at the various tables,
all looking like penguins in their starched white shirts and long-tailed black
coats. Hurrying from the kitchen to the large dining room, he carried the steaming
dishes, then returned the emptied plates. At one point he simply couldn't
resist the impulse to unobtrusively tie the tails of one distinguished, stiff-collared
penguin's coat to the legs of the chair on which he sat. That tied-down penguin
had trouble leaving the table.
Lean Abraham was of medium height with broad shoulders. His
pleasant face showed medium-high cheekbones, a prominent nose, light brown hair
and twinkling blue eyes. Cleanliness of mind and body were his lifetime
qualities.
The New Church
Changes Lives
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was being
introduced into England when Abraham was in his late teens. Upon hearing the missionaries,
he believed. The Chadwick Family were faithful members of the Church of
England. At age 18 Abraham informed them of his desire to join the new church.
Upset, the family closed their door to him. He was baptized 6 May 1839 by Elder
Jackson. This was not quite two years after the first baptisms in England,
which had been performed in the River Ribble 30 July 1837. This became the
turning point in his life.
Soon Abraham met an attractive young lady, Mary Burton. Mary
was the eldest of eleven children of William and Jane Shippenbotham Burton. She
was born 26 June 1820 in Bolton, Lancashire, England. (The Shippenbotham name
is spelled several different ways in records: Shipperbottorn, Shippabotharn,
etc. We know of no reliable spelling.) Her ten siblings were Hannah, Alice,
Sarah, Ellen, Ann, Eliza, John, George, Jane, and Joseph.
Early in their lives these family members were also taught
to work hard. But they were a close family who loved to laugh and play when
they could, and quarreled like most children. As a child, Mary sang little
ditties that her family enjoyed. Her singing often accompanied work.
At a very early age Mary learned to weave and to sew, a much
needed talent with such a large family. As a teenager she soon had charge of
four weaving looms on her job.
The whole Burton family joined the new church, which is
probably where Abraham Chadwick met Mary Burton and they became friends. Since
Abraham was a tailor by trade and Mary a weaver and dressmaker, they
immediately had common interests. With Mary's spontaneous singing, they quickly
shared their love of music.
From early childhood Abraham sang and whistled and later
played a saxhorn. Their friendship quickly blossomed into courtship. After
being alienated from his own family, Abraham doubly appreciated the fellowship
of Mary's home.
Sewing equipment was put away long enough for them to go to
Manchester, Lancashire to be married 20 December 1840 in the Manchester
Cathedral. Abraham was 19 years old, and Mary was 20.
Abraham and Mary became very faithful members of the Church
and constantly were subjected to the urge to go to America to join the
expanding number of members there. They soon availed themselves of the
opportunity for Patriarchal Blessings.
Abraham received his blessing on 13 July 1841, seven months
following their marriage, from John Albiston, Patriarch of the Newton Moor
Branch. Patriarch Albiston was born 3 June 1783 at Coogleton, Cheshire,
England, and was ordained a Patriarch 6 April1841 at Manchester, England, -by
Brigham Young. This blessing was given at Dukinfield:
"Abraham Chadwick born at Blakley, Lancashire, March 30
A.D. 1821.
"Dear Brother, I lay my hands and pronounce the
Blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I say unto Thee, as Thou hast obeyed the
Gospel ordinances of Baptism, having believed-Thou art brought into the new and
everlasting covenant and hast a claim to all the promises of the Gospel.
"The Mysteries of Redemption by Jesus Christ shall be
revealed to Thy mind in clearness and Thou shalt preach the fullness of that
Gospel to other seven in Foreign Lands and assist in gathering the scattered
tribes of lsrael and Judah.
"Being blessed with wisdom and knowledge and
discernment-and be saved from error and declare the whole council of God-and be
brought to Zion and overcome all enemies and see signs and wonders wrought in
the name of Jesus Christ, and have an inheritance with the Saints. Many
blessings shall be given Thee-all the glorious things of the day of Christ.
"Thou art ofthe blood ofEphraim. I seal Ye, Amen"
Even though Abraham and Mary were happy in their home, work
and church, they seemed drawn "to gather to Zion." The land of
America might offer more opportunities for greater development in occupation,
church and family.
America Is
Inevitable
Fourteen months after their marriage, on 5 February 1842,
Abraham and Mary boarded the ship Hope bound for America. Elder Burnham and
Elder Amos Fielding supervised the company of 270 Mormon immigrants. The young
couple, with hope in their hearts, two receipts for their boat fares and an
empty purse, watched as their beloved country receded in the background, fading
smaller and smaller. Watching the waves of the ocean, they realized that a new
life awaited them in the New World.
For two long months the ship Hope sailed across the
Atlantic. Concentrating on the name of the ship sustained them during the long
days, and the young couple felt they would someday reach their destination in
spite of the dangers. One night Abraham stayed on deck to watch a crushing storm.
The ship was lifted high by the rough waves, then sank to opposite depths.
Suddenly a large cannon broke loose on deck and barely missed slamming the
young observer into a watery grave. Many prayers were offered for safety during
the long voyage.
The fare to America had squeezed the last penny from
Abraham's purse. When they left England, they also brought fabric. Mary was
ready with her needles and thread. So Abraham resumed his tailoring trade
aboard ship. With the money received for making three suits, he was able to
purchase the fare from New Orleans to St. Louis, and a little money to spare.
Their voyage from England to New Orleans took 56 days, 8 full weeks, arriving
in St. Louis 2 April 1842. What a relief to walk on dry ground again.
After resting a week in New Orleans, they boarded the boat Louisiana.
On April 10 they started up the Mississippi River with its elevated spring
flow. When they reached St. Louis, Abraham and Mary decided they had endured
enough water, and remained there for six years. After finding a home, Abraham
searched for work. Tailors were in great demand and he found a job in one day. In
those six years in St. Louis, the couple welcomed three babies into their
family:
#1 Wife,
Mary Burton
1. Mary
Jane, born 29 April1843 (named Mary for her mother
and Jane for
her grandmother).
2. Abraham,
born 30 March 1846.
3. Ann (Annie), born 8 May 1847.
Missionaries sometimes stayed at their home overnight,
always reporting news about members of the church elsewhere. One of their
guests was Orson Hyde, returning from dedicating Palestine. Their home was used as the major
headquarters.
Mary's outstanding singing voice brought attention from more
than L.D. S. Church members. Another
Christian church offered to employ her as a soloist for their services. Money
was needed, but she refused the opportunity because of her many
responsibilities and the continuing desire to go West. Nor did she want to be
involved with another sect.
Westward Ho!
Church members were gathering at Council Bluffs preparing to
settle in the Rocky Mountains in the West. The Chadwick Family joined some of
the Saints in Kanesville, Council Bluffs,
Iowa, and purchased a piece ofland for $11. Here Mary's last baby was
born:
4. Sarah, born 16 October 1849.
However, family security and peace was not to last. After
helping a woman who was afflicted with cholera, Mary contracted the disease.
The woman recovered. However, on the hot evening of July 14, 1850, the
venturesome tailor Abraham stood beside the bed of his devoted wife often
years, watching her strong lungs and throat suck frantically for air which
carne too slow for her congested lungs. Her once-clear eyes closed in death,
from cholera, and Abraham was left alone. How could he manage their four little ones? She was buried at Kanesville (Council Bluffs),
Pottawattami County, Iowa.
Wife #2-Mary
Foxall
Abraham and Mary Burton had experienced nearly ten
precarious years together-crossing the Atlantic, then living on the edge of
civilization in the New World. Five ofMary Burton's siblings had recently
immigrated to America for the new church: John, Joseph, Anna, Alice and Ellen.
The timing was ideal because they now assisted with their sister's four young
Chadwick children.
Obviously the youngsters, especially the nine-month-old baby
Sarah, needed a mother's care. Surprisingly,
within three months of Mary's death, Abraham found his second Mary. Mary Foxall. (Foxhall) was born at Colwell, Herefordshire,
England, 3 January 1832, the daughter of James and Mary Jenkins Foxall
(Foxhall). At 13, she became a member of the new church. Her siblings were: William, Hannah, Anne, James, Elizabeth,
Sarah, Ellen and Martha. The Mormon Elders carne to the community, and family
members were baptized, although some of the dates cannot be found. The mother,
Mary Jenkins Foxall died 16 April1845 of Typhus Fever and the father James
Foxall died 9 October 1846 of cancer.
In time Mary Foxall emigrated to America and settled in Kanesville,
Pottawattami County, Ohio. When she was 18, Abraham Chadwick met her and
immediately felt she would be a good mother for his children who also accepted
her.
Abraham Chadwick and Mary Foxall were married 27 October
1850, only three months after his Mary Burton died. Baby Sarah was barely a
year old. After their marriage and sealing, performed by Orson Hyde, Mary
Foxall stood proxy for Mary Burton's sealing to Abraham.
The following spring (1851) Abraham and Mary prepared to
join with a company of pioneers bound for the Rocky Mountains with 150 wagons,
pulled by oxen. The Chadwicks packed all their belongings into their wagon.
Daughter Mary Jane and son Abe (Jr.), 8 and 6 years old, walked much ofthe way
so that four-year-old Annie and baby Sarah could ride in the wagon. The miles
inched slowly. Riding on a wooden wagon seat was anything but comfortable. Mary
already expected her first baby, and the wagon was more than crowded.
One day six-year-old Abe fell in the rough path, slipping
beneath a moving wagon wheel. With a
crushed leg, young Abe had to ride in the wagon. His father, sensing the lad's
boredom, raised the side of the wagon cover so he could watch the prairie as
they plodded forward.
The next challenge came when Mary gave birth to her
firstborn, and the wagon served as the hospital to bring the baby into this
world:
#2 Wife Mary Foxall 1.
Marion, born 27 July 1851, on the plains.
After crawling across the dusty prairie for six months, they
finally reached the salt-stained valley in Utah Territory on 11 Octo her 1851.
Salt Lake City was four years old, a blossoming community which numbered over
30,000 inhabitants.
Life Begins in The
West
Two years in the Salt Lake Valley passed quickly. Their
little Marion was only 18 months old when Mary gave birth to her second baby:
#2 Wife Mary Foxall 2. Edward, born 20 December 1852, in
Salt Lake City.
Now this 20-year-old woman must care for six children, the
oldest being 9 years of age.
Utah's first musical band, under the direction of Walter
Baker, was scheduled to play on 6 April 1853 for services to lay the
cornerstone of the great Mormon Temple. Abraham played the "Saxhorn"
and became a member of that band. With great pride he described the ceremony:
"The General Conference opened at 1 0 A.M. and after a
few remarks by President Young, a procession was formed and moved forward to the
S.E. comer of the Temple site. When all was ready, the First Presidency,
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards with Patriarch John Smith,
laid the S.E. Corner while the choir sang a hymn. An oration by Pres. Young
followed. Then Pres. Kimball offered the dedicatory prayer. Another song was sung
and the procession moved to the S.W. corner, where Presiding Bishop Edward Hunter,
his council and various presidencies of the Lesser Priesthood laid the
cornerstone. The oration was delivered
by Edward Hunter. The prayer of dedication by Alford Cordon. The choir sang and
the order of the procession was resumed until the N.W. comer was reached. Pres.
John Young and Council ofHigh Priests Quorum, David Fullmer, Pres. of the Stake
officiating John Young delivering the oration, and dedicatory prayer was
delivered by Elder George B. Wallace. Then the N.E. corner was reached, 11 of
the 12 apostles were present. Orson Pratt being absent in Washington on a
mission, the First Council of Seventies and the Presidents of the Elders Quorum.
The oration was delivered by Elder P. P. Pratt, and the dedicatory prayer was
offered by Orson Hyde thus the cornerstone was laid. President Brigham Young blessed
the people when all were assembled in the tabernacle and received
instructions."
Abraham's tailoring skill was needed extensively in the
Valley. In fact, he was honored to make the first new suit for Brigham Young.
President Young wore that suit for the Temple Dedicatory Service.
Wife #3-Mary
Wheeler
Women were in the majority among the L.D.S. converts, but
the frontier offered no security for single women. Polygamy became a real
blessing to many of those settlers, including Abraham and Mary. They reasoned
that bringing another wife into their family circle could mean survival for 20-year-old
Mary Foxall with their 6 children under 9 years of age.
The couple decided the newfound Mary Wheeler would be ideal
for their family. At the same time it would give her stability. Mary Wheeler
had immigrated to Utah with an elderly couple from Council Bluffs, Iowa. She
was born 8 May 1831 in Gravely, Cambridgeshire, England, the daughter of John
and Elizabeth Gillings Wheeler. A year younger than #2 wife, Mary Foxall, Mary
Wheeler was a woman of remarkable physical strength.
At his office on 22 May 1853, Brigham Young performed the
marriage ceremony for Abraham and his third wife, Mary Wheeler. But complex crises continued in the Chadwick
family.
Mary Wheeler gave birth to her firstborn:
#3 Wife Mary 1. Albert William, born 4 March 1854.
Two months later, on 10 April 1854, Mary Foxall lost
3-year-old Marion, her oldest child. Four
heart-breaking days later, on April 14, she also lost her 16-month-old Edward,
both with Scarlet Fever. This reduced
the size of the Chadwick family down to five living children.
Father Abraham was also gone at this time. He had been dispatched
as a missionary to Fort Supply country for ten months. (This is now Fort
Bridger.) At that time it was a tract of land 30 miles square, purchased by
Brigham Young, located on the Green River. Abraham left Salt Lake City 15
November 1853 with 52 others and their teams, farming implements, seeds and the
supplies necessary for equipping a new settlement. Apparently he stayed there
to help with the spring planting.
News from home had not reached him. When he returned 29
August 1854, he was shocked to learn that Marion and Edward, his daughter and
son by Mary Foxall, had died from Scarlet Fever. His feelings were lifted somewhat with news
that Mary Wheeler's baby Albert had arrived five months before. These two Marys could never have survived
without each other's assistance.
That autumn, on 14 November, Abraham took his family north
to Bingham's Fort, where Mary Foxall's third baby arrived:
#2 Wife Mary Foxall 3. Alonzo, born 21 March 1855, at
Bingham's Fort.
Final Move to
North Ogden
The area north of Ogden seemed to hold promise to Abraham,
where the Great Basin floor sloped upward to meet the massive mountains,
especially the one later called Mt. Ben Lomond.
Snow in the crevices promised water. Abraham felt this assured him of
future farmland. So he planted a homestead, scratched furrows into the land,
and scraped hollow ditches to make the water flow where he planted seeds. North
Ogden became their permanent home.
So much had happened since Abraham joined the church, and
closing the Chadwick door in England, and he felt that his family should be
informed. Without communication for 20 years, the family in England had assumed
Abraham was dead. They were overjoyed to hear from him at last. Immediately they answered his letter
informing him that all was forgiven. Correspondence continued regularly after
that.
#3 Wife Mary
Wheeler gave birth to her second child:
2. Elizabeth, born 15 September 1855, in North Ogden.
A year later
Mary Foxall had her fourth child:
#2 Wife Mary Foxall 4. Eva Elizabeth, born 23 October 1856, at
North Ogden.
When Eva was only five months old, her mother, Mary Foxall,
died 11 March 1857, after being married to Abraham for only seven demanding
years. This left Mary Wheeler with eight living children to rear, two from
herself, and six from two other mothers, the oldest child being 14 years of age.
Often Mary Wheeler was the lone voice of authority when Abraham was called to
assignments away from home.
On July 24, 1857, after the saints had been in the Valley
for ten years, a memorable celebration was held at Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Abraham played his saxhorn in the band. During the program word came to Brigham
Young that Johnston's Army was on its way to the Territory to eliminate the
Mormons, which caused great alarm. President Young promised the congregation
that no harm would come, because the saints had been falsely accused.
Father Abraham was called to join resistance forces up Echo
Canyon. As he walked with a companion up the canyon, he realized that his only
weapon was a long pair of tailor's shears which he took apart, giving one blade
to his companion. However, fighting was unnecessary. So he put his tailor's
shears back together. Johnston's Army marched through Salt Lake City and set up
their operation at Camp Floyd (now Fairfield) where they remained until the
Civil War broke out. The Camp Headquarters is now a tourist attraction near the
military cemetery at Fairfield.
Abraham's occupation of tailoring provided livelihood along
with his farming, for a very active life in North Ogden. He tailored suits for·
men in surrounding communities and also sewed overalls to be sold at the Sidney
Stevens Mercantile in North Ogden.
Abraham was always active in the Church. In 1863 Bishop Dunn
was called to settle in the Bear River Valley. People in North Ogden were
called to a meeting and instructed to vote for their choice of a new bishop.
Abraham Chadwick and Henry Holmes received the most votes. Chadwick lost by
three votes. That same year he was appointed a Ward Teacher, a position he held
for many years. That same year he was also called to be a "Home
Teacher" which required him to preach in different settlements and
occasionally in the Ogden Tabernacle.
Here is a quote from one ofhis sermons: "There is room
for improvement within all of us. Yet I love the people and feel well in the
Kingdom of God. And polygamy, though a stumbling block to many, iflived up to,
as designed by the Almighty, would prove the salvation of the human family." Obviously Abraham believed strongly in
polygamy.
In 1866 Abraham was called to be Second Counselor to Bishop
Holmes in the North Ogden Ward. One responsibility never seemed sufficient and
that same year he was also named to the School Board.
Church and community really kept him busy. But so did his
home and growing family. Even though Mary Wheeler worked hard at rearing the
children she inherited from the first two Marys, she also bore ten more, making
a total ofher 12:
#3 Wife Mary
Wheeler 3. Esther Caroline, born 2 September 1857.
4. Clarissa,
born 18 June 1859.
5. Mary
Louise, born 21 December 1860.
6. Samuel, born
1 October 1862.
7. Olive
Alberta, born 10 May 1864.
8. Ellen
Adelia, born 8 March 1866.
9. Frances
Alice, born 18 October 1867.
10. Eliza Ann,
born 30 May 1869.
11. Sarah
Emily, born 17 April1871.
12. Joseph Edward, born 30 March 1873.
Abraham continued primarily to be a tailor, not a farmer. So
Mary spent long hours working in the fields to keep food on the table. She was
also a good seamstress and taught her girls homemaking skills. Especially her
first daughter sewed well. Mary also carded wool to make clothes for her
children. Indeed she was the capable, skilled woman Abraham needed.
In addition to caring for her large family plus farm work,
Mary was active in the Church. By 1866
Mary Wheeler had eight children of her own. As if that were not enough, four
more were yet to arrive (all listed above).
Wife #4-Mary Ann Newby
On 8 October 1866 Abraham married a fourth Mary-Mary Ann Smurthwaite
Newby-only a short time after her arrival in North Ogden.
Mary Ann Newby was the daughter of John Newby and Isabella
Smurthwaite, born 16 December 1836 in Monkwearmouth, Durham, England. She had
assisted her father in his tailor shop in England and learned the intricacies
of expert sewing. Her family had joined the Church in her early years and she
was baptized at age 8. Shortly after her parents' deaths, she and three sisters
emigrated to America in Thompson's Company on the ship "Arkwright."
Once in America, the girls exchanged their expertly-fashioned clothing for
rough wear and walked across the trackless plains, gathering chips and other
needed materials for fires for the camp. They entertained the Company in the
evenings with singing and dancing in the light of the fires. In many ways they helped
their fellow travelers as needed, finally reaching the Valley.
Mary Ann was an outstanding young woman and it showed in her
appearance. She stood 5' 4 1/4" tall, weighing about 135 pounds. Her dark
blue eyes and black hair gave her a striking appearance. Her skill with
tailoring became an immediate bond with Abraham when they met, also her talent
with music and speaking. Immediately he sensed she would be a great help to his
Mary Wheeler and their large family.
A month later Abraham became Second Councilor to President
Holmes in the North Ogden Ward Presidency which position he held until 15 April
1868. In attending to his church duties, he blessed and confirmed many
individuals. The same year Abraham was released, in 1868, Mary Wheeler was
sustained as Second Councilor in the Relief Society Presidency. Her Elizabeth Ann
was born the next year. Three years later she became First Councilor, then
President in 1878, serving in that position until 1904. Never could that woman
have served in such demanding positions if she had been the solitary caregiver
for her huge family, without the other faithful wife, Mary Ann Newby.
Mary Ann taught in Relief Society for many years and sang
for social gatherings, meetings and funerals. No task seemed too difficult, night
or day. She left her family many times in the dead of night and walked many
miles to minister to the sick and dying. She could always cheer them up in
their dark moments. After sick ones passed away, she often prepared burial
clothing and outfitted the family with suits, coats, or dresses as needed from
cast-offs. Then they could be presentable at the funeral. Her speedy fingers
made this possible and she never charged a needy family for such service.
Mary Ann's outside service continued as she helped Mary
Wheeler with all her 12 children, plus the other Chadwick children still at
home, and she gave birth to 6 of her own:
#4 Wife Mary
Ann Newby
1. Isabella, born 27 September 1867.
2. George
Edward, born 19 December 1869.
3. Elizabeth
Ann, born 3 May 1872.
4. Thomas
Henry, born 29 June 1875.
5. John
Charles, born 20 February 1878.
6. Margaret May, born 17 June 1880.
#5 Wife (But Not a
Mary}--Ellen Burton
Ellen Burton, sister to Abraham's first wife Mary Burton,
needed to obtain her U.S. Citizenship papers, so Abraham married her 7 July
1873. This would ensure that process. After nine months of marriage to Abraham,
they were divorced on 22 April l874. Fortunately children did not complicate the
problem. For the nine months of that marriage, Abraham had three wives at the same
time, which was not an easy assignment for any of them.
With such industrious companions, Abraham was able to assist
in community improvement projects-roads, ditches and canals. He was honored to
hold the plow that made the first mark for the Harrisville Canal.
In the hard winter of 1867-68 he sold five tons of hay for
$150, also 30 shocks of corn for $130, to be made into fodder. Many animals
starved because of the hard winter. To help their dying animals, men took sacks
and gathered dry grass from the area around Utah Hot Springs.
Life In A New Home
Early in the 1870's Abraham built a new brick home in the
center of North Ogden where Mary Wheeler lived with the large family. Mary Ann
Newby and her family lived in the smaller first home.
Each day during the summer, Abraham drove his herd of dairy
cows to pasture. Sensing that spurs were cruel, he carried a little willow as
he rode his bay mare Betty, while herding the cows. Because he loved to chat with acquaintances,
some days he didn't return home from herding until noon. He also enjoyed
stuffing some ofhis garden vegetables inside his shirt, then climbed on
"Old Betty" and delivered the vegetables to his married children and
others.
Abraham's love of music was life long. For years he walked
to Ogden to play in the brass band. On his return at night, he always whistled
the same tune so his family would know who it was, and not an Indian.
In the 1880's the United States Congress shouted opposition
to polygamy, causing serious trouble among Church members. By this time
Abraham's first two wives were deceased. But he still had two wives which kept him
on the "Feds" hot list. Much of his time was wasted, hiding in the com
and tall grain. However, on 4 September 1886 he was arrested and the Federal
Government subpoenaed his two surviving wives, Mary Wheeler and Mary Ann Newby.
On January 8, 1887, Abraham began a six-months sentence at
the penitentiary, located on the south side of 21st South, between 13th and 17th East in Salt Lake City. In those days the prison men wore outfits with stripes
going around them. A fine of $300 was also added to the imprisonment. He was discharged July 8 and returned home. Abraham
felt he couldn't abandon either of his two surviving wives. So two years later
he was again arrested for "unlawful cohabitation."
As noted above, the last child in the Chadwick Family was
Margaret May, born 17 June 1880, making a total of 26 children! At Margaret
May's birth her mother, Mary Ann Newby, was 44 years old.
Abraham went to the Temple and performed many ordinances for
his deceased ancestors. On 11 April 1898 alone, he was baptized for 40 souls.
Abraham's Last
Days
Abraham always enjoyed his children and grandchildren, and
he was their favorite. Especially on
summer evenings Abraham herded in the cows for the night and greeted residents
as he urged the cows home. In his pocket was candy for grandchildren. When he
knew his wife would be away next day, he invited neighbor children to his house
to make kites, or candy, or to pop com. Great-great-grandson Jack Stephan
Bailey wrote this verse:
Children
loved Pop Chadwick
He
understood them well;
If they
hungered for amusement
He had a
''yam" to tell-
And as he
told his story
The children
echoed hints;
Then with a
sigh, he'd wink his eye
And hand out peppermints.
Being a skilled tailor, Mary Ann Newby made clothing for
neighbors as well as her own brood, also for the needy, and for affluent
individuals. She was an excellent housekeeper, homemaker, and Church worker.
Near the end of her life, she suffered intense pain in a long siege with cancer.
Finally Mary Ann died 1 July 1893 at the age of 57. She left only three
unmarried Chadwick children in the care of Mary Wheeler.
At the time of Mary Ann's death, the worry of polygamy
ceased because Mary Wheeler was Abraham's only surviving wife for 11 more
years.
Abraham died peacefully 4 July 1904 at his home in North Ogden,
and was buried in the cemetery there. John Hall spoke at his funeral The following lines from his sermon reflect a
quality not heretofore mentioned: "As long as I have worked alongside of him,
I have never heard him swear or tell a smutty joke .. .If something went wrong
or he became upset, he would say, 'Oh, bother to it."'
Abraham worked throughout his 83 years and maintained his
straight stature, measuring about 5' 7" tall. His light blue eyes
continued to sparkle with enthusiasm as he served his neighbors and remained
active in the Church. He left a real legacy to his growing posterity, which
reaches into the seventh generation at this writing in 2002.
Mary Wheeler lived another eight years in her nice brick
home in North Ogden. She died 2 November 1912 and was buried in the cemetery
beside Abraham. Their generation came to an honorable end.
Mary Richards
