Robert and Elizabeth Nelson

Robert Nelson

• Born 4 September 1819 in Donegal, Ireland
• died 10 February 1902 in Smithfield, Utah
• parents made him marry Elizabeth after a stormy night out (read the story for more info)
• Crossed the plains in 1853 with the Moses Clawson Company
• Lived in a modified chicken coop their first year Utah

Elizabeth Joseph Nelson

• Born 1 November 1819 in Donegal, Ireland
• Died 12 May 1902 in Smithfield Utah
• Came to America in 1850 with her family sailing on the ship the "North Atlantic"   
• lived in St. Louis Missouri earning money to complete the journey to Utah
• was known for her cleanliness and butter making skills

ROBERT NELSON AND ELIZABETH JOSEPH

The following is an account of an incident that happened many years ago. The scanty details have survived through tradition. I suppose no one knows precisely what happened, but this is the way cousin Fon Hogg told it to Zona Hatch.

Robert Nelson, our great grandfather, as a young man, lived in Ireland. He was courting a   young Jewess by the name of Elizabeth Joseph. One time Robert and Elizabeth and some

friends decided to boat out to a small island off the cost of

Ireland for a picnic.

As they left shore with their boats, the water became choppy.  The wind blew and some of them became fearful because the storm seemed to be worsening. It was decided that they would return to the mainland and forget their picnic, that is, except for Robert. He said, "I came for a picnic, and I'm going to have my picnic." He and Elizabeth went on alone and made their way to the island. Although the two of them were safe on this bit of land, the storm continued; and in a while, the water became completely unsafe for a boat. Darkness came and the young couple had no choice but to remain on the island alone all through the night.

When the sky began to light up, the winds ceased and the water became calm enough for their trip home. It is very likely they anticipated the fury of their parents, especially Elizabeth’s; but worse than fury, they returned to find themselves in disgrace. Robert and Elizabeth were forced into immediate marriage by their parents. Because Robert was a

Christian and Elizabeth was a Jewess, the marriage arrangement, though unavoidable, was not acceptable to her parents. As was common under such circumstances, the Jewish parents severed their relationship with Elizabeth and her husband. Robert and Elizabeth began their married life estranged from her parents, John and Martha Joseph.

The following account was written by Jane M. Tidwell, their youngest daughter. The items in brackets are from an account written by LeAnne Tidwell Schlegel:

Elizabeth Joseph was born September 16, 1818 in Donegal, Ireland. [Elizabeth and Robert were born in Ireland. First Elizabeth joined the LDS Church. They were married in (Donegal per JMT) Muff, Ireland on December 12, 1842.  Robert joined the church about 3 years later.] Later they moved to Scotland, locating near Paisley. [They had 2 sons there.] 

They worked there until they earned enough money to pay their passage to the land of promise. [Around 1849/1850 they sailed on the ship "North Atlantic" from Scotland to America.]  They were on the sea eleven weeks; the sea being very rough at times, they would almost give up and think the ship would go down. But they arrived safely and landed at New Orleans, and from there they took a boat for St. Louis, Missouri. 

Going up the Mississippi River, they remained in St. Louis to earn money enough to prepare for the journey across the plains. [Two more children were born here: Joseph and Mary.] In the spring of 1852, the start was made. Mother and her son, Samuel, walked all the way from the frontier to Salt Lake City. They arrived in October 1852. My father and another man bought one yoke of oxen between them, and with an old wagon, they brought the belongings of the two families. While on the Sweetwaters, one of the oxen died, and my father borrowed an ox from a man who had one to spare; so they landed in Salt Lake City with one ox and an old wagon. 

I have often heard my mother relate the experience of their first winter in Salt Lake. They had no place but an old chicken coop which some kind man let them have. Father cleaned it out as nicely as he could and plastered it with mud, and they lived there 'til spring. They then moved to Farmington and lived there until the spring of 1860 [where they had 4 more children], then moved to Smithfield where they remained until their deaths.

They arrived in Smithfield on April 4. They lived in a dugout and wagon box until October, then they moved into our new log house: one room with a dirt roof. The house was built in the fort lines (where Claypools Store now stands just west of Smithfield Implement). From the time they arrived until they raised their first crop and had it threshed, they lived most of

the time on thickened milk, and they did not have enough of that. When they threshed, they had to take out wheat with one team to Brigham City to have it made into flour. My mother's

family was quite short of clothing, so they had a few sheep and she prepared the wool and made the family's clothes.

While living in Farmington, my mother would walk to Salt Lake to do her shopping and return the same evening. Mother was noted for her cleanliness and also for being one of the best

butter makers in the country. She also made soap and would give to those in need. She was always kind to those in need and was always willing to divide. She never was afraid of work.

Her many kind acts are still remembered by some of the dear pioneers still living, especially sister Margaret Sant and husband. Father was also a hard-working man. In the early days, he was noted for his ability in cradling and stacking grain. He served as a school trustee here in Smithfield for a number of years.

He held the office of High Priest. They were true to the gospel that they left their native land for. They were firm believers in the law of tithing and taught it to all their children, all of whom

have tried to follow their example. They were the parents of ten children, four girls and six boys. Three died in infancy and two after they had grown to womanhood. They have five living children, 3 sons and 2 daughters;

(Note: On Grandma's audiotape she joked about her parents giving her for tithing; but records indicate only 9 children.) namely, Samuel Nelson and Mrs. Royal E. Tidwell of

Smithfield; Joseph Nelson of Logan; John Nelson of Nampa, Idaho; and Mrs. A. A. Hatch of Vernal. All are members of the church of which their parents were true and faithful to the last.

They both lived to the age of 84 years when they passed away.

We, as sons and daughters of these dear pioneers, can never realize what they passed through and all for the sake of the Gospel we all love. May the memory of these dear pioneers never be forgotten. 

Jane M. Tidwell

Fort at Smithfield Utah, Robert and Elizabeth lived here with their family.

Smithfield Cache County, Utah,

Friday Jan. 3, 1930

TRIBUTE TO OUR PIONEERS

(Contributed by the Utah Pioneer Daughters)

MR. and MRS. ROBERT NELSON

Elizabeth Joseph Nelson was born September 16, 1818 in Donegal, Ireland and lived there until 22 years of age; was married to Robert Nelson December 12, 1842 at Donegal, Ireland. Later they moved to Scotland, locating near Paisley. They worked there until they earned enough money to pay their passage to the land of promise in the meantime they heard the gospel preached by the elders. They accepted same and had a greater desire to leave the land of their birth and come to Zion.  In 1849 they started for Zion. They were on the sea eleven weeks; the sea being very rough at times they would almost

give up and think the ship would go down. But they arrived safely and landed at New Orleans where there they took a boat for St. Louis, Missouri.

Going up the Mississippi River they remained in St. Louis to earn enough money to prepare for the journey across the plains. In the spring of l852 the start was made.

Mother and her son Samuel, walked all the way from the frontier to Salt Lake City. They arrived there in October 1852. Father and another man brought one yoke of oxen and an old wagon, the belongings of the two families.

While on the sweet waters one of the oxen died and father borrowed an ox from a man who had one to spare, so they landed in Salt Lake with one ox and an old wagon.

I have often heard mother relate stories of their first winter in Salt Lake.  They had no place to live but an old chicken coop which some man cleaned and plastered with mud. Here they lived until the next spring when they moved to Farmington and lived until their death.

They arrived in Smithfield April 4th. They lived in a dugout and a wagon box until October then moved into our new one roomed log house with a dirt roof.  The house was built on the lines of a fort. From the time we arrived until we raised our first crop and had it thrashed, we lived most of the time on thickened milk and we did not have enough of that.  When we threshed, we had to take our wheat with one team to Brigham City to have it made into flour.  Mothers family was quite short of clothing, we had a few sheep and she prepared wool to make our clothes.

While living in Farmington, mother would walk to Salt Lake to do her shopping and return the same evening. She was noted for her cleanliness and for being one of the best butter makers in the country.

She also made soap and would give to those in need. She always was kind to those in need and was always willing to divide. She was never afraid of work.

Her many kind acts are still remembered by some of the dear pioneers still living especially Sister Margaret Sant.

Father was a hard working man in the early days. He was noted for his ability in cradling and stacking grain. He served as a school trustee here in Smithfield for a number of years. He held the office of a High Priest.

They were true to the Gospel for which they left their native land. They were firm believers in the law of tithing and taught it to all their children; all of whom have tried to follow their example. They were the parents of ten children; four girls and six boys. Three died in infancy and two girls died after they had grown to womanhood.

Jane M. Tidwell.

The Indians, Grasshoppers and Bread

Robert and Elizabeth Nelson received the gospel in the year 1849 and soon after sailed from Scotland to the United States. It was a voyage of seven weeks, on a sailing vessel. On landing at New Orleans they took a steamer up the Mississippi River to St. Louis.

Robert Nelson remained in St. Louis for a period of two and a half years. He worked in the sugar factory for a man named Belsher.

In 1852 Robert and a man named George Marshal bought a yoke of cattle, and the luggage of the two families was put in a wagon. Mrs. Marshal was rather a delicate woman and had to ride most of the way. Elizabeth and son Samuel (age 7) had to walk all the way across the plains. When they came to the streams they had to ride across. Samuel made the trip barefooted. They arrived in SLC in October, then came as far north as Farmington where they stopped and prepared for winter.

In coming into the valley at Echo Canyon, one of the oxen died and another one was borrowed to complete the journey. They sold the other ox and Robert and Mr. Marshal divided the money received. Also, Robert took the wagon box and his partner the running gear.

They lived in a one room log house and were compelled to eat bran bread. The following year, 1853, they were hard up for food and Sam would go out and dig sego roots and get nettles to boil for greens- not a very rich food. In the fall of 1853 Robert worked hard and earned some wheat so they had bread for the winter. In 1854 they built a dirt wall at Farmington, to protect them from the Indians. In building this wall, they would have boards around and when threw dirt in Sam would have a mallet and pound the dirt down. They followed that occupation all that summer and fall. In the year 1855 Robert tried to farm and by doing so he raised some wheat so they had bread that winter. During the year 1856 the grasshoppers came by the millions and ate everything! This made bread very scarce the following year.  Robert managed to get some barley but could not get the hulls off so they had to eat the barley with the hulls on and they would get stuck in your mouth when you ate the bread. 

During all this time it was almost impossible to get clothes. Roberts’s family was underfed. In 1857-58 we got along better as there was more food in the country. In the spring of 1860 Robert sold out what he had and got a yoke and two cows and came to Cache Valley and located in Smithfield. During this year flour was scarce and they had to live on two meals a day. But they raised a crop that year and after threshing it they had plenty of wheat to eat that winter. They spent most of their time in getting out logs to build a meetinghouse. During the fore part of that winter of 1860 they got logs to build a house.

On the 23rd of July, 1860, they had trouble with the Indians. They were hauling brush to build a bowery so that they might celebrate the 24th. Sam was hauling clay to build a chimney. During the noon hour the Indians commenced shooting. Nearly all the men were in the fields. Thomas G. Winn, Sam Cousins, E.R. Miles, Moroni Price and Samuel Nelson. The Indians shot Sam Cousins, Jim Cowens near the heart, and shot John Reed through the windpipe, which killed him. After they shot these men, they went back and took their things and started for the canyon. The Indians were camped on the East side of town. On the top of the hill, just east of Smithfield City they met Ira Merrill and killed him, then shot Solyman Merrill but didn’t kill him. Then the Indians went to to Smithfield Canyon and disappeared behind some ledges of rock.

They were counseled to build a fort, the creek running through it. There was a heavy growth of trees along the creek and the men trimmed the trees so the Indians couldn’t get in without seeing us seeing them. This caused us to have to stand guard every night and even then the Indians came in and stole horses out of the stables. During the summer of 1860 all the cows were herded in one herd to protect them from the Indians and when we went into the canyons we would carry guns for protection.

The Trouble with the Indians cont. until 1863 and the winter general corner and a group of men came up and went out and gave the Indians a good licking killing some of them. After that we didn’t have so much trouble with the Indians.

Andrew Alexander Anderson

Andrew Alexander Anderson

born - 4 March 1832
died - 9 Aug 1909

• Born in Murray, New York
• emmigrated to Utah in 1849 with the Ezra T. Benson Company
• was a minute man for Brigham Young
• served as a City Councilman in Smithfield, Utah
• last name was Doll originally
• served as a Patriarch from 1901 until his death

HISTORY OF ANDREW A. ANDERSON

Andrew A. Anderson was born March 4th, 1833 at Murray, Orleans Co., New York. He was the son of Andrew Solva and Anna J. Johnson Anderson. For eight years they resided in the forest lands of Orleans County, New York, then they commenced their long western journey; purchasing land in Illinois, and there they conducted farming

operations until 1848.

Then as dutiful Mormons, they took up the line of march for Utah in the second year of the Mormon pilgrimage in one of the companies of the Saint, and reached Utah in 1848; settling at Salt Lake City. After two years residence in Salt Lake City, they moved to the new town of Lehi, where the Saints were struggling to sustain a footing, although seriously embarrassed by the hostile manifestations of the Indians.

In the summer of 1850 he aided in the construction of the first house erected within the present limits of the State of Nevada. This was built to be used as a trading post near the center of Carson Valley and at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains; but Mr. Anderson tarried here only three months. Thence going to California, where he was engaged in mining in various camps; but mostly on the middle Fork of the American River. They found a rich mine and was coining the gold.  The leaders of the Church sent part of the company on missions and the rest home. George Q. Cannon and other prominent men were in their company.  So they obeyed the orders of the head of the church and started for home.

As they left their mine his brother took a handful of the sand and washed enough gold out of it to make his wife a wedding ring. They all had a little money to take home, but felt in counsel their was safety, but it was a trial for them to leave their rich mine. On their trip home in 1851 his party was attacked by Indians on the Humboldt River in Nevada. In the mellee, a spent bullet struck Mr. Anderson on the mouth but no serious results occurred.   On his return home he bought twenty acres of rich land and also built a nice house for those days, with the money he brought home. Two years later he enlisted in the Utah Cavalry Regiment and he passed a very busy year in Indian warfare, many times being surrounded, but in every instance escaping without injury.  In 1853 and 1854 he was a Scout under General Wells and has never yet received his discharge from that service.

Andrew A. Anderson was a minute-man for President Brigham Young.  When he was called to carry a message no matter what work he was doing he left at a minute's notice. He had very good horses. President Brigham Young called he and another man to take a message to a Fort.  They were to deliver it to the President. They did not wait to ask any questions or to find out what was in the message. It was dark and they had over thirty miles to ride. They rode on horseback and they were travelling fast, when Mr. Anderson noticed a band of Indians. He Exclaimed, "Look at the Black Devils. Follow me!" and dashed into the brush; the horses jumping over fallen trees, stumps, thick underbrush, etc., but went like lightening. They got ahead of the Indians and reached the road still riding for life. When they reached the Fort they found the guard asleep. They had to holler two or three times before they awakened him. (They delivered the message, and within twenty minutes the Indians had surrounded the. Fort, but as they had been warned, every man was at his bastile and prepared. They saved the Fort without losing a man. The Indians gave their war whoops and made noise all night but left towards morning, thus saving the Fort.  If President Brigham Young had not sent the message everyone would have been killed.

The marriage of Mr. Anderson to Miss Mary Smith was consecrated July 27th, 1857, in the Endowment House at Salt Lake City. Their home was at Lehi, Utah. In 1857 he was a Scout for the Mormon forces in the campaign against General Johnson, and In dodging the Federal Soldiers, was kept incessantly un the move; as were the Mormon lenders to avoid capture.

Mr. Anderson said no guns were fired, however, and the ropes that Johnson brought to hang the Leaders of the Mormon Church were burned by a small detachment of Utah Troops.

In the year 1858 he was a member of that famous historic company that President Brigham Young sent from Salt Lake City to the Salmon River Settlement of Idaho to bring away the Colonists of Lehi. They were abandoning their homes they had built there to the savage Indians, who were thirsting for their blood. On their return he was awakened by a voice speaking his name three times and saying, "Andrew, you’d better be leaving here."   He awoke his brother and told him what he had heard, and

his brother said, "We will obey the voice.”  So all the camp was aroused and all arose and moved their camp a number of miles away, thinking the hostile Indians were lurking near. The next morning everything seemed to be quiet, so three of their members rode back to their camping place and were greatly surprised to find a large nest of rattle snakes just where they had camped, so they went on their way rejoicing to know they

had been in tune and obeyed the whisperings of the Spirit.

In 1860 he, with his wife and baby moved to Cache Valley, and Settled at Smithfield, Utah.  There he bought forty-five acres of Government land and built a home. In the military operations of that section of the West he was an active participant in every battle fought; his organization coming off victorious in all.

Mr. Anderson while living at Smithfield served as city Councilman for a number of years and was a Counselor to Bishop Roskelly. He also held other prominent positions of trust. .

He continued farming in Cache Valley until 1884 with the exception of one year in which he was called on a mission to Arizona to found a settlement; then he moved to Rexburg where he was engaged in agricultural operations.

In politics he was a republican and socially he was an estimable and public citizen, a congenial companion and a strong friend. He also enjoyed a universal popularity among young and old. He held many prominent positions and offices in the church, and was a Patriarch at the time of his death, which occurred in August 1909.

Andrew A. Anderson “Progressive Men of Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Fremont, and Oneida Counties, Idaho” pg. 350 & 353

A few of the “old timers” are yet with us today, men who did not come west in the palatial railroad trains, but marched across the plains, keeping step and time with the slow “bull teams;” men who know the meaning of the warwhoop, experienced the perils and excitement of Indian warfare, and were the ones who blazed the way for so many thousands of followers to come to this garden land of the Great West in safety and in peace.  Their numbers are steadily growing less and white haired remnant now existing will soon have passed away, leaving “the old pioneer” only a memory in the minds of the younger generation.  And one of this number is Andrew A. Anderson, who is now passing the closing years of an active, useful and adventurous life in the peaceful serenity and rural surrounding of his home at Rexburg, Idaho. 

Mr. Anderson was born on March 4, 1832, at Murray, Orleans county, N.Y., a son of Andrew S. and Ann J. (Johnson) Anderson, who came from Norway to America during the war of 1812, as one of the crew of a vessel, all being left stranded at New York City. He thereafter entered the American service and fought heroically against the invading English until they were driven from America, and afterward became a resident and citizen of the country his valor had defended.  He later located his family, first in the new forest lands of Orleans county, N.Y., for an eight years' residence, then they commenced their long westward way, purchasing land in Illinois and there conducting farming operations until 1848, when, as dutiful Mormons.  they took up the line of march for Utah in this the second year of the Mormon pilgrimage, in one of the companies of the "Saints."  In the spring of 1858 he was a member of that famous historic company that President Young sent from Salt Lake to Salmon River Settlement of Idaho to bring away the beleagured colonists of Lemhi, they abandoning the homes they had there created to the savage Indians who were thirsting for their blood.  After two years residence in Salt Lake City, the family home was transferred to the new town of Lehi, where the Saints were struggling to sustain a footing, although seriously embarassed by the hostile manifestations of the Indians, and here the father died in June 1858 the mother living to be ninety-four years old and dying in 1864.

The first individual enterprise of Mr. Anderson of this memoir was serving as an Indian scout for two year, in which he had not a few episodes of danger and other thrilling experiences. In the summer of 1850 he aided the construction of the first house erected. within the present limits of the state of Nevada. This was built to be used as a trading post, near the center of Carson Valley, and at the foot of the Sierra Nevada :Mountains, but Mr. Anderson tarried here only three months, thence going on to California, where he was engaged in mining at various camps, but mostly on the Middle Fork of the American River. On the return trip, in 1851, his party was attacked by Indians on, the Humboldt River of Nevada, in the melee a spent bullet striking Mr. Anderson on the mouth but with fortunately no serious results. Two years later he enlisted in a Utah cavalry regiment and passed a very busy year in Indian warfare, many times being surrounded, but in every instance escaping without injury. In 1853 and 1854 he was a scout under General Wells and has never yet received his discharge from that service. In 1857 he was a scout for the Mormon forces in the campaign against General Johnston, and, in dodging the Federal "Soldiers, was kept incessantly on the move, as were the Mormon leaders to avoid capture.  Mr. Anderson says: "No guns were fired, however, and the ropes that Johnston brought to hang the leaders of the Mormons were burned by a small detachment of Utah troops."

In 1851 Mr. Anderson purchased twenty acres of land near Lehi, where he made a pleasant home for his family arid cultivated the rich soil. In 1860 he took up forty-five acres of government land in Cache county, Utah, and in the military operations of that section of the West, in 1861, he was an active participant in every battle fought, his organization coming off victorious in all. He continued his farming in Cache county until 1884, with the exception of one year, when he was called to Arizona to aid in founding a settlement thence removing to Rexburg where he has been since engaged in profitable agricultural operations. In politics he is a Republican and socially he is an estimable and public-spirited citizen, a genial companion, and a strong friend, enjoying also a universal popularity among young and old.  In the Church of Latter Day Saints he was ordained as a teacher in 1852, an elder in 1855, one of the Seventies in 1856, a high priest in 1884, and as a patriarch in 1901.  

The marriage of Mr. Anderson with Miss Mary Smith was consecrated on July 27, 1851, her parents being Abram and May (McEwen) Smith, the father dying in Scotland and the mother later coming to Utah, where she resided at Beaver until her death.  The names of their children, the date· of birth, etc., are as follows: Andrew S. born November 28, 1858; Sarah A. born June 12, 1861; Almira M., born June 18, 1863; Joseph A. born July 8, 1865 died February 11, 1890.  buried at Smithfield, Utah; Jane, born in November, 1867, died at the age of three months; Mary A., born May 15,1870; John A., born January 26, 1873; Robert W., born March 17, 1875, died April 2, 1877; George W., born July 31, .1877; Solvay C., born December 4, 1881, died in September, 1883; Zina P., born January 29, 1885. Mrs. Anderson died on May 8, 1900, aged fifty-seven years, closing a life of true womanly and motherly attributes to the permanent sorrow of not only the members of her immediate family, but of a vast number of friends who loved her for her genuine, worth. 

Real Life

I started checking in on a number of blogs about two years ago.  To be honest I had a love/hate relationship with my regular check ins.  The lives I peeked in on seemed to be so put together.  Their children were clean, smiling and every hair was in place.  They traveled to exotic places and gave their family fantastic opportunities.  Dinner was well balanced and always on the table.  To top it all off every experience was documented with beautiful lighting in the most stunning photos I had every seen.  The kind of pictures that make you wish you were there, a part of the moment.  Inadequate, that is how I felt.  It was hard for me to imagine that these people could ever have a bad day.  Some how I think I believed that they were immune to real life.  Then thankfully I came across a post that was so undeniably relate-able I wanted to cry, but instead I just giggled, knowing that someone else out there in the blog world was real.  I couldn't find the exact post but anyone listed here lets me know that my life is pretty normal.  I also really like this post, she does a great job of comparing what we see with reality.  So in honor of real life and to begin a documentation of not only the sunshine and roses but the rainstorms and thorns I would like to welcome you to my house after a couple of weeks of trying to make memories before school started.  

We bought a new bed for our room, the mattress stayed in the front room for about 3 weeks while I decided what color to paint.  Guess what?  We never repainted.  It is finally set up.

This is a dropping ground, for purchases, shoes, gear for the next or previous planned activity.

At least there are clean dishes waiting to be put away and not just dirty dishes in the sink.

Laundry. Bleh.

Our desk is our own personal "Zion", the gathering place of our home.

I hope that my kids remember the reality of life and how we deal with imperfection allows us to grow.  Not to worry, the dishes were put away, clothes washed, and around the island causes no severe injuries.

Mary Smith Anderson

 

Mary Smith Anderson is my Great great grandmother
on my fathers side. 

 Mary Smith Anderson
born - 23 February 1841
died - 8 May 1900

• born in Dundee, Scotland
• came to America in 1856 at the age of 15
• was a part of the Willie Handcart Company
• helped settle Rexburg in 1884
• served as the 2nd counselor in the Fremont Stake Relief Socity presidency for 10 years

There are three different stories listed in this post, the first was given to me by my uncle, the second and third were written by her sister Betsy.  There are also two other great sources the first is a book entitled "The Price We Paid" by Andrew Olsen, page 42 lists Mary and her family specifically.  The other book  is "Tell My Story, Too"  by Jolene S.  Allphin.  Betsy once again is the family member listed but gives us great insight to Mary's experience on the trail.

Mary Smith Anderson

Mary Smith Anderson was born February 23, 1841, in the beautiful city of Dundee, Scotland.  Her father was a well to do merchant.  He owned large machinery and did not spare anything in giving his children a good education which was one of his strong characteristics.

The Mormon elders came to their city, so she in company with her mother and sisters went to their meeting to hear what they had to say.  They all felt it was the truth; they were converted and baptized into the Mormon Church.  Their father did not hinder them from attending their meetings, but he would not join as he was proud and could not stand the jeers of his associates.  He was a good man, loyal and true to his convictions.  He came down with typhoid fever and just at the turn of his fever, his counting house burned down with all his books.  This shock caused his death.  His family was cheated out of all the property, but a small store which they sold.  So Mary and her sisters went to work in a mill or factory to finish raising enough money to come to Utah.  They worked in the mill by day and did fancy work in the evening.  They soon earned enough money to come to Utah.

She left her beloved home in company with her mother, May McEwen Smith, Sisters, May, Jane, Betsy, and a brother Alexander who was just six years old.

On April 30, 1856 they sailed from Liverpool on the ship, Thornton, May 4^th; arrived at New York June 14^th.  They continued their journey by railroad and steamboat; arriving at Iowa City June 26^th.  They had to remain there until the handcarts were ready.  They had to remain there until July 15^th when they started across the plains in Captain J. G. Willie’s company.  Millen Atwood was the captain of the hundred in which they traveled.

They had a very hard and tedious trip across the plains.  They would travel about twenty-four miles a day, pulling the handcarts with their provisions and clothes.  They had traveled everyday for five weeks, Sundays included.  When they were in the buffalo country a lot of their oxen and cows stampeded so they had to lay over five days while the men hunted for the animals.  They found only part of them however, so one hundred pounds had to be added to each handcart.  Then the Captain said, “Fromm now on we will observe the Sabbath day.”

They were put on half rations and later were allowed only two ounces of flour.  Many died along the way.  While on their journey they cam to a patch of parsnips.  They gathered them and cooked them and ate their fill.  Then the Captain became all excited and told then not to eat another one.  He said there was enough poison in one to kill an ox.  Some of the women exclaimed, “Thank the Lord my stomach’s full”  None felt any bad results except one of the men who had eaten them after he was commanded no to do so; he died the next morning.

They and the last company that was two weeks later would have all perished if President Brigham Young had not sent help and provisions.  When they reached Utah they found many kind friends and were happy with their religion for which hey had sacrificed so much.  They arrived in Utah November 9, 1856.

Mary Smith was married to Andrew A. Anderson on July 27, 1857.  They made their home at Lehi, Utah until 1860; then they with their son moved to Cache Valley, and located at Smith field, Utah.  Here they lived until 1884.  Their children were: Andrew Smith, Sarah Ann, Mae, Joseph, Jane, Mary Alice, John Amos, Robert William, George Warren, Solva, and Zina.

She was a worker in the Relief Society and a teacher for many years in Sunday School.  She in company with her husband and children moved to Rexburg, Idaho in 1884.  This being a new country and not many doctors available, Sister Mary Smith Anderson who was a good nurse, was called out a great deal to wait on the sick.

She was sustained as First Counselor to the Stake President of the Relief Society of the Fremont Stake of Zion in 1890, which she held until the time of her death which occurred May 8, 1900.

She traveled around the Stake many times giving the sisters counsel to elevate them to a high standard of love and good works, and many sought her counsel as she made the weary take up their burdens and praise God for his wonderful love and care of his children.

It was said at her funeral that she was not only a mother to her own family, but to the city and Stake, and that no other women in the Stake would be missed more.

Sister Mary Smith Anderson did a lot of work for her dead relatives in the Logan Temple.

In all the trials she was called to pass through, she was never heard to murmur or complain, but always had a word to strengthen others in their faith and encouraged them to press onward and upward.

Resolutions of respect formed by the Stake Relief Society officers;

“Whereas in the dispensation of providence, God had seen fit to call home one of his daughters who labored long and well as First Counselor to the Stake President of the Relief Society of the Fremont Stake of Zion, and who also traveled many hundreds of miles visiting the different branches of the Relief Societies, in sunshine and showers.

And whereas she has proved herself an efficient worker in all her carious duties and was one whose kindness and generosity of spirit brought sunshine to all hearts, Visiting the sick and afflicted and helping the needy in time of want.  We can truly say that she was a peace maker and an administering angel.  Her memory will ever live with her many friends, and her bright gems of thought have been scattered broadcast to live in the hearts of men.

Resolved that we her sisters, united with her in the Stake Presidency with her earnest efforts and wise counsel.  To know her was to love her as we know she was one of God’s choicest Spirits.  Nevertheless less in this our loss, we feel to bow to the mandates of our Creator, who doeth all things well.

Resolved that a copy of these resolutions be sent to her family, a copy be placed on the Stake Record, and also a copy to be sent to the Woman’s Exponent for publication."

                                             Temperence Hinckley, Stake Pres and her Associates.

this history was given to me by my Uncle, Nylin Nelson

Family photo, from left to right:  Andrew Smith,  Andrew Alexander,
Joseph  (sitting on lap)  Sarah Ann,  Mary,  Almira Mae, standing holding
the hat, she is my great grandmother.

Mary's family,  Robert was a part of the rescue company that helped bring in the
members of the Willie Handcart Company.

Source: Goodwin, Betsy Smith, "Handcart Speech," Woman's Exponent, 1 Sept. 1888, 51.

Read Trail Excerpt:.

 . . we camped six weeks, waiting for the hand carts to be completed, and it was the first week in August ere we rolled out of Iowa to cross the dreary plains for our home with the Saints in Utah. My little brother [Alexander Joseph Smith] used to travel twenty and twenty-four miles in a day. We soon got used to travel, and while fair weather and full rations lasted we were all right. We traveled five weeks, never stopping for Sunday; then we were in the buffalo country; our cattle that hauled the provision wagons, and the cows were stampeded, and we camped there five days trying to find the cattle; most of them were never found; our captain then thought we had done wrong in not stopping to worship on Sunday. After that we kept the Sabbath day of rest for all.

Each cart had to its load of luggage one hundred pounds of flour, on account of our loss of cattle, now we were, in September, on half rations and cold weather. But we never forgot to sing, "Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear." With great zeal and fervor, many fell by the way, hoping to rise in the First Resurrection of the Just. God grant it! I will not dwell on the hardships we endured with hunger and cold, but I like to tell how many a storm raged to the right and to the left of us, and did not molest us. One circumstance I remember very clearly; my mother [Margery McEwan Smith] was taken very sick with cramp cholera, a very fatal trouble then; we all felt bad about mother. I remember thinking, "Others are dying, and mother may die, and what a dark world it will be without mother," and as I gathered the dry sage to make a fire, I was crying. Mother met me and asked, "What is the matter?" I told her how bad I felt. She said: "Do not feel like that, but pray for me; you and all the rest, and we will get through. I have just been asking God to spare our lives, so none of us will be left on the way; and no matter what trials we have when we get to the valley, I shall never murmur or complain." God heard us, and I can say she kept her word. We lived, and are living yet.

One more incident I will relate: One evening we camped near a marshy meadow, which abounded in springs and poison parsnips; every one was elated; we had something good to eat. Alexander Burt was among the first to find them; he came to our camp fire and commenced to unload. Mother said: "Brother Burt, what have you got?" They are parsnips, Sister Smith, a sort of white carrot; put on the pot and let us have a good mess." "I will do that," said mother, and we cooked and ate our fill of poison parsnips. I confess we felt like we had eaten rocks, so heavy they were, and not only us, but the whole camp ate of them. Our captain arrived late at camp that night, and when he found out what we had been eating, he groaned aloud, and cried, "Put them down, each one contains enough poison to kill an ox." We were glad we had eaten ours, for we would not have dared to eat any after that; he said it would be one of the providences of the Almighty if we were not all dead by morning. We did not realize the truth of his words until next morning one brother died; we supposed he had eaten of them after he knew better. Now we had one quarter of a pound of flour a day, with neither salt or soda; some could hardly wait to cook it. It was October, stormy and cold. Soon the flour was all gone. Then there were crackers for two days; then the blessed boys of Utah met us with provisions. They gathered our wood and made our camp fires, and let us ride in their wagons; they found time to do a little sparking, also, and many a noble son and daughter can say, "My mother was a hand-cart girl."

Three miles this side of Green River, as I was walking ahead of the the carts, leading my little brother, encouraging him along with a story of what we would get when we came to the valley; he said: "Oh, Betsy, I wish when we get to that creek we would meet Bob." "Well, come along, may be we will;" and when we got to the top of the bank, we looked down and saw a team with only one yoke of cattle on; we had never seen the like before, so we waited on the top until they would pass; and it was our brother; he stared at us, and when he halloed we knew his voice. He jumped off and brought Mary Jane and Euphemia in his arms; they had come up with the cart while little Alex and I waited on the bank. How we wept for joy. The cart was tied behind the wagon; little Alex climbed in the wagon, as happy as a king's son, instead of being a poor tired child. The next question was, "Where is mother and Mary?" "They are behind somewhere, you will find them by the road." Mother was still sick, and when she stopped to rest, she had to lie down, she could not sit up; some had died that way; they would go to sleep like a tired child and never wake up. Mary was afraid mother would, and tried to arouse her by telling her there was a team coming with only one yoke of cattle on. "Well, never mind; Mary, don't bother me." "Well, mother, the man is running this way; mother, it surely is Robert!" "Oh, no, Mary, that would be too good to be true." Well, she was soon convinced with tears and kisses; he helped her in the wagon; then she said, "I could not be more thankful to get into the kingdom of heaven than I am to get in this wagon."

Then explanations followed. He told how he had been sick with the mountain fever; how he had got our letter saying we were coming, and as soon as he could walk, he prepared to come and meet us; he got cattle from one, wagon and cover from another, provisions from others. So we proved, "God helps those who help themselves."

The Tired Mother

Source of Trail Excerpt:

Goodwin, Betsey Smith, "The Tired Mother: Pioneer Recollections," Improvement Era, July 1919, 775-81.

Read Trail Excerpt:

After six or seven weeks’ sailing, seasickness, and stormy weather, we landed in New York City, registered at the Castle Garden, and in a few days we reached Iowa, by rail.

There we camped for weeks, waiting for the handcarts to be completed for the journey. While there, I was so sick with scarlet fever that I could not open my eyes. I heard Sisters [Jane Allison] Henderson and [Jane McKinnon] McPhail say, “I am sorry she is dying; another death in camp soon!” One baby had just died. I seemed to know that they were speaking of me, and when mother came in from the camp-fire, with warm broth, she saw the tears in my eyes.

“Are you worse?” she asked me.

"Mother they think I am dying: I want to live and go to the Valley.”

My dear mother, at that time in her fifty-second year, then went and brought the elders, who administered to me and rebuked the disease, commanding it to leave both me and the camp. My recovery was rapid. I was able to travel, and on the 15th day of July, 1856, we rolled out of the Iowa City camp, on our way to cross the plains with handcarts. Our captain was James Gray Willie, and his counselors were: Millen Atwood and Levi Savage. There were 120 handcarts and six wagons, and about five hundred people, sixty-six of whom died on the journey.

We soon became accustomed to traveling twenty and twenty four miles a day. My little brother [Alexander Joseph Smith], six years of age, used to travel that distance, by me taking his hand to encourage him, and by telling him stories of the future and the good things in store for us.

Around the camp-fire we had very good times. There was Brother [Alexander] Burt, Brother David Anderson and others, and our girls who sang the old songs and hymns that warmed our hearts. While fair weather and full rations lasted, we were all right. We traveled five weeks, never stopping for a Sunday. Then we were in the buffalo country. Our cattle, that had hauled the provision wagons, and some cows, were then stampeded by the Indians, it was supposed. At the stampeding place we camped five days; the men went in all directions seeking for the lost cattle. Only a few were found. Our captain then thought we had done wrong in not stopping to worship on the Sabbath day, for we had lost more than we had gained.

Following this experience, we kept sacred the Sabbath day for worship and rest, and felt better for it. Owing to the loss of the cattle, there was added to the load of each cart one hundred pounds of flour.

September came, and we were on half rations and had cold weather, but we never forgot to pray, and we sang, “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” with great zeal and fervor. We realized that we needed the help of God to see us through. Many were dying from the hardships of the journey.

Let me add that I stood by a grave where sixteen people were buried at once; they were sewed up in sheets and covered with brush, then with earth and ashes. This happened during a very cold spell, and I think it was while we were coming through the Black Hills. I froze my fingers, but they were saved by good attention when we got to Lehi. At the same time, my mother traveled fifteen miles with little Alex on her back, as he couldn’t walk in the snow.

I will not dwell upon the hardships we endured, nor the hunger and cold, but I like to tell of the goodness of God unto us. One day, especially, stands out from among the remainder. The wind blew fresh, as if its breezes came from the sea. It kept blowing harder until it became fierce. Clouds arose, the thunder and lightning were appalling. Even the ox teams ahead refused to face the storm. Our captain, who always rode a mule, dismounted and stepped into the middle of the road, bared his head to the storm, and every man, as he came up, stood by him with bared head—one hundred carts, their pullers and pushers, looking to their captain for counsel. The captain said, “Let us pray.” And there was offered such a prayer! He told the Lord our circumstances, he talked to God, as one man talks to another, and as if the Lord was very near. I felt that he was; and many others felt the same. Then the storm parted to the right and to the left! We hurried on to camp, got our tents pitched, and some fires built, when the storm burst in all its fury! We had camped on a side-hill, and the water ran through the tents in little creeks.

Another circumstance I remember clearly. My mother was taken very sick with cramp and cholera. A very fatal trouble in our weakened condition. We all felt bad about mother. I remember thinking, “Many are dying: mother may die, and what a dark world it would be without our dear mother!” As I gathered the sage to burn on our camp-fire, I couldn’t keep from crying. When I met mother, she asked me what was the matter. I told her how badly I felt.

She said, “Do not feel like that; pray for me. I have been out yonder in the snow praying to the Lord to spare our lives, that we might get through to the Valley. I will never murmur nor complain, whatever we pass through, when we get there.”

God heard our prayers, and she kept her word. Even when, in years following, she went blind with age, she never murmured.

One more incident I will relate. One evening we camped near a marshy meadow spring. Poison parsnips grew there in plenty. Everybody was elated. We had found something to cook and to eat! By this time, our ration was four ounces of flour a day, and neither salt nor soda. Alexander Burt brought some parsnips to our camp fire.

Mother said, “What have you there, Brother Burt?”

He answered, “They are parsnips, Sister Smith, a sort of white carrot; put on the pot and let us have a mess.”

“I will do that,” said mother, and we cooked and ate our fill of poison parsnips.

I confess we felt like we had been eating rocks, so heavy they lay upon our stomachs. The whole camp ate of them. Our captain arrived late at the camp that night, and when he found what we had been eating, he groaned aloud, and cried, “Put them down; every one contains enough poison to kill an ox.” He said, furthermore, that it would be one of the providences of the Almighty if we were not all dead by morning. However, many were glad that they had eaten of them before they knew. We did not realize the truth of his words until the next morning when one brother died—a Scandinavian. We supposed that he had eaten them after he knew they were poison.

It was October now. The flour was gone, and we had enough crackers for only a two-days’ ration. We rolled into camp.

“Come, Bessie,” said Janet, “let us gather fuel for our fire.”

We went over a little hill toward the west, “Look, Jennie; there is a team of horses and two men! See, they are stopping to speak!”

Now, Jennie was eighteen and bashful, and whispered, “You answer,” as we went towards them. It was Joseph A. Young and Cyrus H. Wheelock. I learned this afterwards.

Brother Young said: “Sister, where is your camp?”

“Just over the hill yonder.”

“Is there any sickness in the camp?”

“No,” was the answer: “just one woman died today while eating a cracker.”

“Have you any provisions?”

“All gone but some crackers.”

“Well, cheer up,” he said, “help is coming!”

I turned to sister and said, “What ailed that man? I saw him wiping his eyes.”

“It may be that he is sorry for us. Let us hurry to camp and hear him speak.”

We did so, and he told us there were many wagons with provisions coming soon; and there were. The relief was followed by great rejoicing, and we thanked the Lord in prayer.

Brothers Young and Wheelock went on next morning to carry the news to Martin and Tyler’s company; two weeks behind us on the road.

The boys from Utah came the next day. How glad we were and how good they were! They gathered the wood, and made the fires, and let the weary ride in the wagons. On the side, I might state, also, that many lasting friendships were made between the boys and the young women. It looked that way to me!

About three miles on this side of Green River, as I was walking ahead of the train, leading my little brother of six, and encouraging him along by telling him stories of what he would get when we arrived at the Valley, he said: “When we get to that creek, I wish we could see our brother Rob.”

I said, “Come along, maybe we will, when we get to the top of the bank.”

When we arrived at the top of the bank and looked down we saw a wagon with just one yoke of oxen on. We had never seen the like before, so we waited on the summit until they should pass. The man stared at us, and as his team came beside us, he yelled, whoa, to the oxen. It was then we knew him. He jumped off the wagon and caught his sisters in his arms as they came up with the cart. How we all wept with joy!

The cart was then tied behind the wagon. Little Alex climbed into the wagon as happy as a prince, instead of a poor, tired child.

The next question from Rob was, “Where is mother and Sister Mary?”

“They are behind somewhere, Robby. You will find them by the road.” Mother was still sick, and when she stopped to rest she had to lie down; she could not sit up. Some had died that way; they would go to sleep and never awaken.

Mary was afraid that mother would do likewise, and tried to arouse her by telling her about a team coming with only one yoke of cattle on.

Mother replied, “Well, never mind, Mary; don’t bother me; I am so tired.”

"Well, mother, the man is running this way. It surely is Robert.”

“O, no, Mary; that would be too good to be true!"

Well, she was soon convinced, as Robert took her in his arms and helped her into the wagon. As he did so, mother exclaimed, “I couldn’t be more thankful to get into the kingdom of heaven than I am to see you, and lie here and rest.”

Explanations followed. Robert stated that he had suffered from a mountain fever, and was just recovering when he received a letter that we were coming. He then borrowed and hired an outfit to come and meet us. None too soon!

We arrived at Lehi in due time, and Bishop Evans welcomed us to his ward.

Quiet mornings

Last year we started driving our kids to school and picking them up.  It has made an enormous difference in not only our mornings but our lives in general.  Troy and I thought long and hard about our decision.  We considered the idea that the bus gives the kids opportunities to learn how to deal with challenges, that hard things make you grow and everything that goes with that.  But there were also so many things that were being introduced to our kids that I did not love.  Bullies, kids with i-pods and downloaded movies that we didn't approve of, and rated M games on the DS.  J.T. had been hit in the face and got a bloody nose for defending Sara.  Cambelle was being teased by this same kid.  I wondered what was going to finally happen that would make me regret not making the decision sooner.  We finally bit the bullet and decided it would be worth the time and the gas to make the drive twice daily, and how grateful I am.

We get almost an extra hour in the morning.  The bus would come about 7:15 or 7:20, now we can leave at 8:00 and make it on time.  This opens up all sorts of opportunities, the kids get their main chores done, pianos get practiced, and the stress level for getting out the door has dramatically been reduced.  The kids get a chance to read in the morning.  One morning I caught this vision with my phone.  I love it and am grateful Troy and I made the choice.