"Family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten".
This is my effort to collect and share stories from our family that will help us appreciate the service and sacrifice of our ancestors - and thereby increase our testimony and determination to stay faithful.
Earlier this year I had a chance to visit Springfield, MA - founded by my 9th-Great Grandfather, William Pynchon. I had a chance to visit Pynchon Park, and view two murals of him. Very few of my ancestors have left a visible mark like Grandfather Pynchon did - and I'm not likely to leave behind any statues or murals to my memory. But the collected choices and decisions of our ancestors have brought us each to the points where we are today - and I'm grateful for each of them.
This is taken from the Church News, dated 26 Oct 2002 under the title, "Hidden Marker". Grandmother Elizabeth was finally recognized with a burial marker 108 years after her passing in Salina, Utah. It is a testament to me of the importance the Lord places on each and every one of His children. I thank Cousin Eunice and Marjorie for sharing their experiences about one of my faithful ancestors.
My 10th Great-Grandfather, Captain John Thomas Rolfe, brought a viable strain of tobacco to Virginia and made it a sustainable crop for the Colonists. Although not a smoker myself, his efforts allowed for the growth and stability of the struggling colonies. He is also known for his marriage to the "dearest daughter" of Chief Powhatan - a girl known by the nickname of "Playful One", or Pocahontas.
My 4th Great-Grandfather, Chester Southworth exchanged letters with his cousin in Boston in the late 1800's. I have only this one letter (as of now) that Albert wrote to Chester, but it shows me the value of a "good name".......and we can take pride in being part of the Southworth legacy......
An interesting story of my 4th Great-Grandparents, Austin and Laura Merrill. They left all they had twice to eventually end up in Smithfield, Utah. They sacrificed much to the building of the Nauvoo Temple (where they received their endowments) and were later sealed in President Brigham Young's office (where the Lion House stands today). They gave up home, land and status to live in an abandoned chicken-coop when they arrived in the Salt Lake valley. Great examples of faith and devotion.
Here's a brief story about my 11th Great-grandfather, Sir John Henderson 5th of Fordell. Born in 1605, he went to Africa as a young teenager, was captured by Pirates - escaped with the help of the Princess of Zanzibar, returned to England to fight with Royalist forces in their Civil War and was Knighted by King Charles I.
My 10th Great-grandfather, Thomas Hatch, won the heart and hand of my 10th Great-grandmother, Grace Lewis, in a reaping contest in England in the early 1600's. But he had a bit of help as Grandma Grace "stacked the deck" in her favor! Hope you enjoy this amusing little story -
My 3rd-Great-Grandfather, Chester Southworth, filed two claims against the government seeking restitution for losses suffered at the hands of mobs in the State of Missouri. At the direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Saints were asked to document and seek legal recourse for the abuse, atrocities, damage and loss by lawless men. Nearly 700 men and women accepted the Prophet's charge and wrote almost 800 documents detailing the sufferings they endured.
You can read more about the Scroll Petition at the URL below (which both Chester and Mary Southworth signed) :
Just wanted to share a bit of fun that you all might enjoy. Found out that my 13th Cousin, 2-times removed is Robert LeRoy Parker......you might know him better as Butch Cassidy! If you have a few moments, check out the URL below for some fun and excitement while seeing to whom and how you are related to people from history.....
Be sure to check out all the fun applications under development at: fhtl.byu.edu
Something a bit different this week.....wanted to share an experience of mine that took 50 years to play out. I was baptized when I was 7 years old, and had to have my baptism ratified by the First Presidency in 2011. But it would have been cool to get re-baptized.....As bishop, could I then welcome myself into the Ward? Would I have to interview myself for baptism? What about the baptisms I performed, where they still good? Lots of cool mind-game questions...but it all worked out in the end.
Peter Tidwell was my 3rd Great Grandfather, and married Sophronia Hatch (see below). At age 25, he answered the "Call to the Rescue" issued by Brigham Young, and set out to help bring in the survivors of the Wille and Martin Handcart companies. I found later that he was actually saving some of his future descendents.....one of the great-granddaughters of a family he rescued, married his own great-grandson.....
This is a short story of my 3rd Great-Grandmother (Olivia's 5th Great-Grandmother) and her travels from Vermont, to Nauvoo, to Iowa. She heard the Prophet Joseph and dodged bullets in Nauvoo. Her life was not one of luxury or "fine things", but she is an example of faith and sacrifice that can serve as an example to us all.
Here is an incredible tale of a humble English shopkeeper who was marooned, sentenced to death, survived Jamestown, sailed on the Mayflower and hosted Indians in the Plymouth Colonies.....Stephen Hopkins is my 13th Great-Grandfather.
I also purchased a book from Amazon this week that looks very interesting. Just started it, but lots of great details on Great-Grandfather's life, times and exploits.
Bodel Monson married Niels Hogenson in 1871 in Denmark (they were both from Sweden). They joined the church and came to the United States in 1880, settling down in Cache Valley, Utah. She was one tough lady.....and an example of hard work, faith and determination. Whether driving cattle, killing sheep, butchering hogs or working the fields, she lived a life of sacrifice and honor. I thank Edries Hansen for writing the notes from which I take today's video.
Last week I shared some information on my Great-Great-Great Grandfather, Thomas Hillyard. Today, I'd like to share a few stories from his son, my Great-Great Grandfather, Thomas Alma Hillyard, know as Alma. The story of a man of principle and honor.
Just a bit about my maternal great-great-great grandfather that you might find of interest. A Master Carpenter, he learned skills at an early age that served him well throughout his life. A man of respect and honor, he lived a life that demonstrated to those around him that he could be trusted.
Wanted to continue a bit from last week's story of Great-great grandfather Burbank. In addition to being a sergeant in the Nauvoo Legion, he worked as a obstetrician and also as a carpenter on the Nauvoo Temple.......I think you'll enjoy the story of his rolling a cigarette!
Here's an incredible story of my 5th-Great Grandparents - Jeremiah and Elizabeth Hatch. Includes the miracle of Elizabeth's baptism and the Miracle of the Quail at Sugar Creek, Iowa. They leave behind a legacy of faith and determination.
This week I share a bit about my great-grandfather, Thomas Caradoc Lewis and his award winning Cake-Walk dance. I wasn't sure what the cake-walk was, and would have loved to seen him in action. I've included some old clips of what the cake-walk was, and hope you can imagine him doing something similar in your minds-eye.
Here's a couple of links showing what the "cake-walk" or "kake-walk" looked like at the turn of the century -
John Ash is my Great-Great-Great Grandfather. He crossed the plains with a handcart company and settled in Cache Valley. I wanted to focus on a poem I found that I believe is in his own hand - written (I believe) to his daughter, my Great-Great Grandmother, Ellen Matilda Ash Nelson. His words of counsel and advise are as pertinent today as they were when he wrote them (sadly, I don't have a date for this poem).
This is an incredible story of heartbreak, courage and dedication. My 5th Great-grandfather was held captive by Indians for 6 years - from age 4 to age 10. But he remembered his name and who he was and has been sealed to his family because he "never forgot"..........David's daughter, my 4th great-grandmother recorded this story in 1915.
Here's a sad story of my great-great-great grandfather Ira Elias Merrill.......he died at the hand of Indians in Smithfield, Utah in 1860 while collecting wood and brush to build a bowery to celebrate the 24th of July in Cache Valley, Utah......instead of a bowery for a celebration, Ira's wood was used to build the bowery for his funeral.
Debated with myself for several weeks about whether or not to include this story. It deals with my maternal great-great-great grandfather, Daniel Burbank and his 2nd wife......who killed him....allegedly. But, we can't choose what stays and goes in our past, it makes us what we are today. The past is what it is, and it's best we learn from it.
So - my lesson on this is - follow the Word of Wisdom and stay away from the coffee!
My maternal great-great grandmother walked barefoot from Nauvoo to the Salt Lake Valley, arriving in 1847. She lived a life of faith and sacrifice and is a great example of handwork and determination. Her obituary says she met and knew the first seven presidents of the church! Hope you have a wonderful Easter!
A short story about my Grandfather, Lex Lewis. He taught me some things that I am grateful for.....like how to bet on horses and dogs (just kidding). The twists and turns for our lives are not always understood at the time - but having faith and hope helps get us through times of trials. I am grateful for the examples of my ancestors.
Time has a tendency to alter memories.......this post is a correction of a story I shared earlier. I had details confused on the story told to me by my grandmother. This event actually happened to my great-great grandmother, Ellen Matilda Ash Nelson as a little girl. She was quite a woman.
Here's an incredible story about my maternal 9th-Great Grandfather - William Pynchon. Born in England, he came to the Americas with the Massachusetts Bay Company and settled/founded Springfield, MA. Involved with witchcraft trials 70 years before the Salem Witch Trials, he has the distinction of being the author of the first book banned and burned in the Americas! Lots of information online for those who would like to spend more time reading about this incredible ancestor -
Today's story is about my maternal great-great-great grandparents, Robert Nelson and Elizabeth Joseph Nelson. Irish ancestors who joined the church in Scotland and came to America. Elizabeth grew up Jewish, and was disowned when she was forced to marry a Christian boy - Robert Nelson. They lived in a chicken-coop after arriving in Utah, and settled in Cache Valley. What a great example of sacrifice and determination!
The life of Scottish Coal Miners was a difficult one. Back then, in Scotland, they were known as colliers, and they were "thriled" to the land owned by the Lord or Baron. Thriled means they were "staked" or tied/bound legally to the land. They were essentially slaves, and scholars use that term when writing about the colliers now. They could not remove themselves from the mine they were thriled to without the risk of arrest and prosecution.
Edward was a Coal Hewer (one who broke up the coal at the face of the mine) and Catherine was a Coal Bearer. They had to work together as a Team, and did so 12 hours a day, 6 days a week and were paid by the weight of the coal they brought from the face to the surface of the mine. Incredible work, and although they were uneducated and most likely illiterate, they are a wonderful example to me of handwork and persistence.
Welcome! Here's some background on my maternal great-great grandmother you might enjoy! She is a wonderful example of faith and determination in the face of great hardships and trials.
Olaus and Karen Johnson - my Great-Great-Great Grandparents came to this country from Norway and lived lives of service and sacrifice. I am grateful for their examples......
