Chester Southworth 1871 letter exchange with his cousin in Boston

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......

Austin Shepherd Merrill and Laura Wilder Harris - my 4th Great-Grandparents

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.

Pirates, a Princess and a Knight (probably NOT in shining armor)

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.

You reap what you sow......literally.....

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 -

Chester Southworth - and the Mormon Redress Petitions

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) :

https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/mormon-redress-petitions-documents-1833-1838-missouri-conflict/part-iv-appeal-en-masse-0

You can read more about the Mormon Redress Petitions at the URL below:

https://rsc.byu.edu/out-print/mormon-redress-petitions-documents-1833-1838-missouri-conflict

Not a direct-line relative - but an interesting one - Robert LeRoy Parker

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

A Story 50-years in the Making

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.