Housley

by

Sharp – Cartwright Wedding

Mary Ann (Bailey) and William Sharp — son of Thomas Sharp and Elizabeth Cartwright

George and Ann (Matthews) Cartwright of Misson, Nottinghamshire, and Thomas and Anne (Stennett) Sharp of Misson, Nottinghamshire, announce the marriage of their daughter Elizabeth Cartwright to Thomas Sharp on 29 December 1823 at the parish church of St John the Baptist, Misson. The witnesses were Sarah Hunt and John Parkin.

The Cartwrights and the Sharps were both Misson families. The Cartwrights had been there for generations, Elizabeth’s grandfather John Cartwright (1730–1814) and grandmother Mary Amcoats (1742–1790) had married in Misson in 1761. Her father George Cartwright was baptized there on 3 February 1774. Her mother Ann Matthews was christened 14 September 1783 in Everton, Nottinghamshire, a village approximately eight miles southeast of Misson. Ann was the daughter of Edmund Matthews of Everton and his wife Hannah Broads, a widow who had previously been married to William Wilson of Everton. Edmund and Hannah had married in Everton on 21 May 1782. George Cartwright was nine years older than Ann Matthews. Their marriage banns were published on 23 January 1803 and they married on 1 February 1803, Elizabeth was born and baptized ten months later, on 20 December 1803.

Edmund Matthews’s will, made 27 November 1810 and proved 25 February 1820, names “Ann the wife of George Cartwright of Misson” as one of his two daughters and heirs. The estate included two tenements and dwellinghouses at Everton and a close called the Clay Field Close of approximately three acres. The will also left twenty pounds and a chest of drawers to Mary Brougham, Hannah’s daughter from her first marriage to William Wilson, and Ann Matthews’s half-sister. Under the will, Hannah received the life interest in the property. Only after Hannah’s death in September 1835 would Ann and her sister Elizabeth Matthews inherit their shares. Annie Thompson records that George Beighton, whom Ann married in June 1823, gambled away her money at the Doncaster races. The timing is suggestive: Ann’s inheritance from the Matthews Everton estate would have arrived in 1835, twelve years after the Beighton marriage. If Beighton dissipated that inheritance at Doncaster, Elizabeth Cartwright Sharp, then 31 years old, would have witnessed it directly. The will is the source of the “wealth and refinement” tradition in Annie Thompson’s account, the Matthews family owned real property in Everton, modest but substantial for a labouring community.

Will of Edmund Matthews of Everton, Nottinghamshire, made 27 November 1810, proved 25 February 1820. Names “Ann the wife of George Cartwright of Misson” as heir.

The Sharps had traveled a longer road to Misson. Thomas Sharp’s father, Thomas Sharp Sr., was born on 18 September 1768 in Armthorpe, Yorkshire, a village three miles east of Doncaster. Thomas Sr was the son of John Edward Sharp (1730–1806) and Frances Fretwell (1733–1809). He married Anne Stennett on 3 November 1788 at Ewerby, Lincolnshire, approximately thirty-five miles southeast of Armthorpe. Anne had been born there on 30 July 1769, the daughter of John Barber Stennett and Lettice Housley. The family’s first children were born in Lincolnshire: Elizabeth at Ewerby on 9 July 1790, and Ann at Ewerby on 13 May 1792. By November 1794 they had moved to Stamford, in southern Lincolnshire, where a son Thomas was baptized on 1 November 1794, and then back to Ewerby, where Mary was baptized on 23 December 1794.

By approximately 1797 the family had returned northward toward Yorkshire. The Cantley parish register, held at Doncaster Archives, reference P12-1-A3, confirms Thomas Sharp Sr. and Anne in Cantley, Yorkshire by October 1799, when their daughter Mary was baptized there on 20 October 1799. Cantley lies five miles east of Doncaster, neighboring Armthorpe where Thomas Sharp Sr. had been born. George Sharp was born in Cantley on 9 May 1804 and baptized there on 22 July 1804. A Cantley christening of 5 March 1797 is almost certainly this Thomas. The family was in Cantley throughout this period, and the dates and geography align. By 1810 the family had settled in Misson, approximately ten miles south of Cantley, where Ann Sharp was baptized on 11 March 1810 and James Sharp on 7 March 1813.

Thomas Sharp Sr. died in Misson on 23 August 1847, age 78, found lying in the street by a neighbor named Elizabeth Orton. She thought he was having a fit, obtained the assistance of William Mason and John Hobson, but he died immediately. The inquest verdict was visitation of God. The inquest notice appeared in the Lincoln Rutland and Stamford Mercury on 3 September 1847.

Inquest notice for Thomas Sharpe, Lincoln Rutland and Stamford Mercury, 3 September 1847, p. 3
Death certificate for Thomas Sharp Sr., died 23 August 1847, Misson. GRO DYB565322.

His wife Anne died in Misson on 10 December 1849, age approximately 79, from a fall, and was buried three days later. Their death notices appeared in the same Lincolnshire newspaper — the family had maintained connections across sixty years and three counties.

Death certificate for Ann Sharp (née Stennett), widow of Thomas Sharp Sr., died 10 December 1849, Misson. GRO DYB565321.

Thomas Sharp, born approximately 1797, probably in Cantley, was a Labourer, as recorded on his children’s birth certificates and his own death certificate. The death certificate gives his age at death as 43 years, the burial record as 45. This two-year spread likely reflects the imprecision natural to a family where neither parent could write and where exact ages were not always known. He died of Consumption on 13 July 1841 at Misson, just weeks after the June 1841 Census recorded him in the household. His sister Ann Thickett, wife of Thomas Thickett of Blyth, Yorkshire, four miles north of Misson, was present at his death and registered it. He was buried at Misson on 15 July 1841.

Death certificate for Thomas Sharp, died 13 July 1841, Misson, of Consumption. GRO DYB541596.

Annie Thompson, writing from family tradition in 1957, describes Elizabeth as having grown up “a tall young lady, reared in an atmosphere of wealth and refinement.” Her father George Cartwright was buried at Misson on 27 February 1820, age 46, when Elizabeth was sixteen years old. Three years later, on 4 June 1823, her mother Ann remarried a widower named George Beighton at the Misson parish church, by banns, witnessed by John Robinson and John Cartwright, confirmed in the Bishop’s Transcripts in the Nottinghamshire Archives. Six months after her mother’s remarriage, Elizabeth married Thomas Sharp.

Elizabeth could not write. On both her daughter Ann’s birth certificate in 1838 and her son James’s birth certificate in 1840, she signed with an X mark.

Thomas and Elizabeth had eight children, all baptized in the Misson parish church and recorded in the Bishop’s Transcripts at the Nottinghamshire Archives. The dates below give the christening date from the Bishop’s Transcripts, the birth dates held in family tradition are noted separately where they differ, representing the difference between the event remembered by the family and the event recorded by the church.

George Sharp, christened 11 November 1824, died 15 November 1824, four days old.

Mary Sharp, baptized 27 November 1825, died in infancy. No death record has been located.

William Sharp, christened 7 January 1827, family tradition gives his birth as 10 December 1826. He would go on to help found Plain City, Utah. See Sharp-Bailey Wedding and the William Sharp Personal History.

George Sharp, baptized 13 May 1829, died 23 December 1833, age four years and seven months, buried at Misson.

Isabella Sharp, christened 15 January 1832, family tradition gives her birth as 22 December 1831. She would emigrate with William to Utah and settle in Mill Creek, Salt Lake County. See Sons of Joseph and Isabella Carlisle.

Elizabeth Sharp, baptized 11 June 1834, she remained in St. Louis and married John Quayle. See John and Elizabeth Quayle.

Ann Sharp, born 8 July 1838, baptized 29 July 1838, died 2 September 1838, eight weeks old, of convulsions. Elizabeth registered her birth with an X mark on 10 July 1838. A neighbor, Mary Laister, registered her death, Elizabeth was not the informant.

Birth certificate for Ann Sharpe, born 8 July 1838, Misson. Elizabeth signed with her X mark.
Death record for Ann Sharpe, died 2 September 1838, Misson, age 8 weeks, of Convulsions.

James Sharp, born 7 January 1840, confirmed by GRO birth certificate (BXCC548222), with Elizabeth signing as informant with her X mark on 22 January 1840. See James Sharp.

Birth certificate for James Sharp, born 7 January 1840, Misson. GRO BXCC548222. Elizabeth signed with her X mark.

By the time Thomas died in July 1841, the family had buried four children. George at four days, Mary in infancy, the second George at four and a half years, and Ann at eight weeks. The 1841 Census, taken just weeks before Thomas’s death, records the household: Thomas (40), Elizabeth (37), William (14), Isabella (9), Elizabeth (5), and James (1). Thomas Sharp Sr. was living just a few households away in the same village.

Milo Riley Sharp — grandson of Thomas Sharp and Elizabeth Cartwright

Conversion and Emigration

William Sharp was the first family member baptized into the LDS Church, or formally The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on 20 June 1848. His mother Elizabeth followed on 11 August 1849, and Isabella on 16 September 1849. The Misson History Hub records that “In 1848 LDS Missionaries visited the village and several conversions apparently took place” and notes that the converted “travelled to the USA, crossed the continent and made new lives and families there.” Among the elders who lodged at Elizabeth’s home was Elder George Emery.

Elizabeth decided to emigrate with her family to Utah. Annie Thompson records the family’s resistance: “her folks tried hard to discourage her from taking the hazardous trip; they told her if you leave for the West, ‘A red Indian will eat ye.’” The ticket cost twenty-five pounds sterling. On 2 October 1850 Elizabeth (age 45), William (age 24), Isabella (age 19), Elizabeth (age 26), and James (age 10) sailed from Liverpool on the ship James Pennell, under the direction of Church leader Christopher Layton. There were 254 Latter-day Saint emigrants on board, the Fiftieth Company.

The voyage nearly ended in disaster. As the James Pennell approached the mouth of the Mississippi River, a terrible storm drove the ship back into the Gulf of Mexico, breaking the main and mizzen masts and washing part of the rigging overboard. The crippled vessel drifted for several days with provisions nearly exhausted before a pilot boat found it and guided it to the river mouth on 20 November. The Millennial Star reported simply that the James Pennell “had lost her main and mizen masts, which is all the information given of her.” The ship arrived in New Orleans on 22 November 1850, towed alongside the Joseph Badger, which had sailed from Liverpool two weeks after the Pennell. The full dramatic account is preserved in the William Sharp Personal History. The voyage is documented at Saints by Sea (BYU), where the Sharp family passengers are listed.

From New Orleans the family traveled by river to St. Louis, Missouri. Shortly after arriving, Elizabeth fell ill. She died on 17 February 1851 in St. Louis, never reaching Utah. She was 47 years old. Her burial place in St. Louis has not been located. Annie Thompson gives her death as “probably late in the year 1850.” The 17 February 1851 date comes from other sources and is consistent with a November 1850 arrival and a short illness through that winter. Her children were left on their own in an unfamiliar city. Elizabeth Sharp married John Quayle and remained in St. Louis. James, aged eleven, tried to arrange passage west but the company he was to travel with turned back; he stayed in St. Louis and eventually became a partner in a meat packing business. William married the widowed Mary Ann Bailey Padley in St. Louis, and in 1853 he and Isabella, now married to Joseph Carlisle, traveled west in the Moses Clawson Company, arriving in Salt Lake Valley between 15 and 20 September 1853.

Temple Work

In December 1881 Isabella Sharp Carlisle traveled from Mill Creek, Salt Lake County, to the St. George Utah Temple, at that time the only operating temple in the world, to perform proxy ordinances for her deceased daughter Elizabeth Ann Carlisle. While there, between 20 and 23 December 1881, ordinances were completed for her father Thomas Sharp and her paternal grandfather Thomas Sharp Sr., and the sealings of both men to their wives. Ordinances were also completed for her maternal grandmother Ann Matthews Cartwright. These ordinances were completed for six people across four generations in four days.

Thomas Sharp’s sealing to Elizabeth Cartwright was completed 30 April 1920.

Sources

Primary documents: Thomas Sharp death certificate (GRO DYB541596, 13 July 1841); Thomas Sharp burial, Bishop’s Transcripts, Nottinghamshire Archives (15 July 1841); Elizabeth Cartwright baptism, Bishop’s Transcripts, Nottinghamshire Archives, FHL film #503793 (20 December 1803); Thomas Sharp and Elizabeth Cartwright marriage, Bishop’s Transcripts, Nottinghamshire Archives, page 14 (29 December 1823); Ann Sharp birth certificate (GRO, 8 July 1838); Ann Sharp death record (GRO, 2 September 1838); James Sharp birth certificate (GRO BXCC548222, 7 January 1840); 1841 Census of England and Wales, Misson, household 1612123; children’s christenings confirmed in Bishop’s Transcripts, Nottinghamshire Archives, pages 34 (George 1824), 37 (Mary 1825), 42 (William 1827), 50 (second George 1829), 60 (Isabella 1832), 69 (Elizabeth 1834); second George Sharp burial, Bishop’s Transcripts, Nottinghamshire Archives, page 32 (23 December 1833); Thomas Sharp Sr. christening, Bishop’s Transcripts, Borthwick Institute for Archives (18 September 1768, Armthorpe); Thomas Sharp Sr. death certificate (GRO DYB565322, 23 August 1847); Ann Sharp Sr. death certificate (GRO DYB565321, 10 December 1849); George Cartwright baptism and burial, Bishop’s Transcripts, Nottinghamshire Archives; Ann Matthews christening, Bishop’s Transcripts, Nottinghamshire Archives (14 September 1783); Will of Edmund Matthews of Everton, proved 25 February 1820; Death Duty Register IR27/174, The National Archives; Ann Matthews and George Cartwright marriage, Bishop’s Transcripts, Nottinghamshire Archives (1 February 1803); Ann Matthews and George Beighton marriage, Bishop’s Transcripts, Nottinghamshire Archives, page 13 (4 June 1823); Thomas Sharp Sr. christening (Armthorpe) and Thomas Sharp Sr. and Anne Stennett marriage (Ewerby, Lincolnshire), Lincolnshire Parish Registers.

Secondary sources: Annie Thompson, Life History of Elizabeth Cartwright Sharp, 27 August 1957; William Sharp Personal History; Kent Nielsen (1931–2020), a descendant of Joseph and Isabella Sharp Carlisle and thus of Thomas Sharp and Elizabeth Cartwright, contributed extensive primary source research to the FamilySearch Collaborate record for this family between 2011 and 2014. His careful documentation of the Cantley, Yorkshire connection, the GRO certificates, and the census evidence forms the foundation of the genealogical record presented here. FamilySearch Collaborate notes on Thomas Sharp (KWJ5-679) and Thomas Sharp Sr. (KP7V-4HL), 2011–2014; Saints by Sea, BYU, James Pennell voyage 2 October–23 November 1850; Misson History Hub, Written History.

For more on the Sharp family and Plain City’s founding generation, see:

Sharp-Bailey Wedding — William Sharp and Mary Ann Bailey
Sons of Joseph and Isabella Carlisle — Isabella Sharp and Joseph Carlisle
John and Elizabeth Quayle — Elizabeth Sharp and John Quayle
James Sharp — James Sharp in St. Louis
Early Settlers in Lehi, Utah, before Plain City, Utah — William Sharp (no. 68) on the Lehi consecration list
History of Plain City — the community William Sharp helped found
Sharp Family History Outreach — broader Sharp family connections

by

Casper Wyoming Temple Open House

We took the opportunity to attend the Casper Wyoming Temple Open House on 31 August 2024. We planned the weekend to do some sightseeing and visit some church and family history sites. I am reposting as this has updates on 3 additional ancestors that also came through the Overland Trail.

We left on the Friday morning with the hope of making it all the way to Casper before nightfall. We took old US Highway 30 through Soda Springs and Montpelier. We made a stop to visit the grave of my Grandmother in Dingle.

Aliza, Lillian, Paul, James, and Hiram Ross at the graves of Bud and Colleen Lloyd

We drove through Cokeville and reminded the kids of the story of the Cokeville miracle. As we drove along the old highway, I pointed out the old railroad Y that used to go to the Stauffer mine that was located in Leefe, Wyoming. I spent the first summer or two of my life at Leefe while my dad was tasked with tearing down and removing the mine with Circle A Construction. We stopped in Kemmerer to refuel and also drive past the first J. C. Penney store. We made a quick stop at the Parting of the Ways along the California, Mormon, and Oregon trails.

James Ross at Independence Rock

With four kids, we often stop at rest areas. As you can see above, we stopped at the one at Independence Rock. The rock is nearby and doubles as the parking location to visit the rock.

We finally made it to Casper about sunset. We ate an amazing Italian meal at Racca’s Pizzeria Napoletana and checked into our hotel.

Casper Wyoming Temple

We got up early, dressed appropriately, and headed out to visit the Casper Wyoming Temple. It was beautiful. Much smaller than I had anticipated. It is definitely one of the smallest temples, but that is because of the population and distance to other temples. It will supposedly have five stakes in its temple district, some of which will still come from a long distance to attend. Don’t let size fool you, it still has all the distinct parts of a temple and related quality. I think I may very much prefer the intimacy of the smaller temples. It actually reminded me of the Helena Montana Temple on size and flow.

Ross family at the Casper Wyoming Temple Open House

The temple does not have an adjoining chapel, but it does have a distribution/visitor center. We watched the video, enjoyed waiting in the line, and got to see the whole temple. If I were asked, there are a couple of design changes I would make for flow, but this temple will not regularly see these types of crowds or have those issues.

Ross family with the Casper Wyoming Temple

We hurried back to our hotel, changed, loaded up the car, checked out, and headed off to our next stop: The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper. I did not take any pictures there, but it was very well done. I enjoyed the visit, helped the kids with their junior ranger activities, and learned a few things. Part of the museum had its own little room and video dedicated to the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies.

We stopped at Independence Rock again on our way headed west. We walked around the massive rock and looked at a number of the signatures carved into stone from over 160 years ago. It was hot and we needed to get our little doggies along to Devil’s Gate.

I will write about this more in a bit, but Devil’s Gate was a major landmark on the trail going west for all pioneers on the trails. But Devil’s Gate became more than a landmark and became a historical site in the tragic fall of 1856. Fort Seminoe was based there on the west side of Devil’s Gate, but it had been abandoned earlier that same year. It was that fall that the Martin Handcart Company found itself stranded in the snow. Days later the stranded handcart company moved into a nearby cove to get away from the wind, snow, and cold. That cove is now known as Martin’s Cove.

The Sun Ranch from Devil’s Gate, now The Martin’s Cove: Mormon Trail Site

We found the visitor’s center much more hospitable than some of our ancestors. As I worked through my family history, I had some of my own ancestors who passed through this very Devil’s Gate and area. Here are my ancestral lines that came across on the Mormon Trail. I had counted only 3 while in Casper, but hadn’t realized the Williams clan came over in two separate trips.

William and Mary Ann Sharp in 1853. Wagon train. Moses Clawson Company. William and Mary Ann met in the wagon train and married in Nebraska in 1853. William and Mary are my 3rd Great Grandparents.

John Williams in 1860. Wagon train. John Smith Company. John came over with his two sons John Haines (1829) and Richard (1838). I don’t know why his son David went separately in 1864. I am a descendant of John through David. John is my 4th Great Grandfather.

Johanna Benson in 1862. Wagon train. Joseph Horne Company. Johanna came over with some of her children and their families, her daughter Agneta, came over in 1864 with her family. Johanna is my 4th Great Grandmother.

William Edward Stoker in 1863. Wagon train. Unknown Company. William was traveling with his family, including the baby Mary Ann. William is my 3rd Great Grandfather, Mary Ann is my 2nd Great Grandmother.

John and Agneta Nelson in 1864. Wagon train. William Preston Company. Agneta is the daughter of Johanna Benson who came over in 1862. John and Agneta are my 3rd Great Grandparents.

David D and Gwenllian Williams in 1864. David is the son of John mentioned above. Wagon train. William S Warren Company. Gwenllian came with her sister Mary. Both married on the ship in Liverpool before setting sail for Utah. Gwenllian and Mary’s parents, David and Margaret Jordan, came over in 1872 crossing the plains by rail. David and Gwenllian are my 3rd Great Grandparents.

That gives me 10 ancestors that crossed the plains by wagon, none by handcart that I can tell. The unknown companies were all wagon trains as there were not handcarts those years.

Devil’s Gate – 2024

Every single one of these ten ancestors of mine who came west on the trail would have passed through Devil’s Gate. Here I stood on this sacred ground and snapped this photo of my daughter, my descendant and their descendant, at Devil’s Gate.

Aliza Ross at Devil’s Gate

It took me a bit more work, as I am not as familiar, to find those family lines of Amanda’s that also would have passed along the Mormon Trail to the west before the railroad made it much, much faster and safer. It took me several occasions over a couple of weeks to spend the time to research all these lines.

Henry and Ann Jackson in 1852. Wagon train. James C Snow Company. This is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents.

Regina Hansen in 1853. Wagon train. John E Forsgren Company. Her son, Hans Hansen, also accompanied her on the trip. Regina’s husband stayed behind. Regina is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandmother, Hans is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Grave of Hans Hansen in Plain City, Utah. Edith Sharp Ross’ stone is the stone at 10 o’clock from the top of this stone, my Great Grandmother.

David Buttar in 1854. Wagon train. William Empey Company. He appears to have traveled alone. Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Birthe Jacobson in 1854. Unknown if wagon train or handcart company. Birthe’s daughter, Maria Jacobson, also accompanied her on the trip. Her husband Jorgen died in Missouri as part of the trip. Birthe is Amanda’s 5th Great Grandmother, Maria is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandmother.

Harriet Housley in 1856. Handcart company. Edward Martin Company. Harriet’s son, George Housley, also accompanied her on the trip. Two other children came later. Harriet is Amanda’s 5th Great Grandmother, George is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather.

Richard and Christine Hemsley (1836 – 1915) in 1857. Handcart company. Israel Evans Company. This is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents.

Ole and Anne Jensen in 1861. Likely wagon train. Unknown company. Amanda’s 5th Great Grandparents.

John Crompton in 1862. Wagon train. Joseph Horne Company. John also had his daughter, Hannah Crompton, with him. John is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather, Hannah is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandmother.

Anna Nielsen in 1862. Wagon train. Christian Madsen Company. She traveled alone. Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandmother.

Joseph and Penelope Thompson in 1862. Wagon train. John Riggs Murdock Company. Their son, Joseph Thompson, also accompanied the family. Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents, Joseph is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Joseph Wayment in 1863. Wagon train. Unknown Company. Appears to have come alone. Although his parents and most of his siblings would come later by rail. Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Axel Boyer in 1866. Wagon train. Abner Lowry Company. Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather. Also traveled with the Keeps, other ancestors of Amanda.

James and Ann Keep in 1866. Wagon train. Abner Lowry Company. Their daughter, Sarah Keep, also accompanied the family. James and Ann are Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents, Sarah is Amanda’s third great Grandmother. Also traveled with Axel Boyer, other ancestor of Amanda.

Richard Hemsley (1801 – 1866) and his later wife Sarah in 1866. Wagon train. William Henry Chipman Company. Amanda’s 5th Great Grandfather.

Peter Peterson in 1866. Wagon train. Joseph Sharp Rawlins Company. Peter is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather.

That is the Hemsley line alone, Amanda’s Dad. I count 26 ancestors of Amanda’s Dad that came through Devil’s Gate.

James, Lillian, Hiram, and Aliza Ross at Devil’s Gate Mormon Handcart Visitor Center

Amanda’s Mom’s line, the Holden family, has the following:

Edwin and Ruia Holden in 1852. Wagon train. Uriah Curtis Company. Their son, Henry Holden, also accompanied the family. Edwin and Ruia are Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents, Henry is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Jesse and Temperance McCauslin in 1851. Wagon train. Unknown Company. Temperance passed away in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She did not make the trail in Wyoming or Devil’s Gate. Their daughter, Louisa McCauslin, also accompanied the family. Jesse is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather, Louisa is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandmother.

John and Adelaide Roberts in 1863. Wagon train. Thomas Ricks Company. Their son, Hyrum Roberts, also accompanied the family. John and Adelaide are Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandparents, Hyrum is Amanda’s 2nd Great Grandfather.

Thomas and Mary Ashton in 1851. Wagon train. Morris Phelps Company. Mary also passed away in Iowa. She did not make the trail in Wyoming or Devil’s Gate. Their son, Joseph Ashton, also accompanied the family. Thomas is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandfather, Joseph is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather.

Sarah Jarvis in 1854. Wagon train. Job Smith Company. She came with some of her family, but not with her son, Amanda’s ancestor, George Jarvis. Sarah is Amanda’s 4th Great Grandmother.

George and Ann Jarvis in 1853. Wagon train. Unknown Company. George and Ann are Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandparents. George is the son of Sarah Jarvis mentioned above.

William and Rebecca Finch in 1854. Wagon train. Daniel Garn Company. William and Rebecca are Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandparents.

Joseph Finch in 1853. Wagon train. Joseph Young Company. Joseph is the son of William and Rebecca Finch mentioned above.

John and Hannah Davis in 1851. Wagon train. Eaton Kelsey Company. Their daughter, Mary Jane, also accompanied the family. The family also has Davies listed for their last name sometimes. John and Hannah are Amanda’s 4th great grandparents, Mary Jane is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandmother.

John Evans in 1866. Wagon train. William Henry Chipman Company (same company as Amanda’s Richard Hemsley above). His wife, Sarah, died on the trip from the United Kingdom in New York. His son, John Evans, also accompanied his father and brother. John is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather, John is Amanda’s 2nd Great Grandfather.

James and Elizabeth Boyack in 1855. Wagon train. Milo Andrus Company. James and Elizabeth are Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents.

James Boyack in 1853. Wagon train. Appleton Harmon Company. James is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandfather. James is the son of James and Elizabeth Boyack above that came in 1855 across the plains.

Margary Waterhouse in 1855. Wagon train. Milo Andrus Company. Margary is Amanda’s 3rd Great Grandmother. She came across with the same train as James Boyack’s parents, presumably that is how she met her future husband. The Company arrived 24 October 1855 in Utah, James and Margary married 23 November 1855 in Springville, Utah.

That is the Holden line alone, Amanda’s Mom. I count 26 of ancestors of Amanda’s Mom that came through Devil’s Gate. As an aside, I also looked at her biological line (as she is adopted), and not a single one of her biological ancestors passed through Devil’s Gate.

James riding while Hiram, Lillian, and Aliza Ross pull a handcart at Devil’s Gate Mormon Handcart Visitors Center

We also stopped and visited with the sixth crossing of the Sweetwater River. This was the location where, like the Martin Handcart Company, the Willie Handcart Company also got stuck in wind, snow, and cold in 1856. Their rescue occurred here.

The next day, on our way to Grand Teton National Park, we made a stop at Fort Washakie, Wyoming. This is one of the alleged graves of Sacagawea. We stopped and remembered her, whether her final resting place or not.

All in all, I was surprised by my own connection to the Mormon Trail. I had never considered that I have 10 ancestors who had literally came this way. Or that my children have 59 ancestors that literally come this way. They passed by Independence Rock, through Devil’s gate, and two of those 59 suffered with the Martin Handcart Company. I will write more on the Housleys later as there have been other interesting interactions with that clan since our marriage.

by

George Frederick Housley Transcript

George Frederick Housley

Transcript

Transcript for Housley, George Frederick, [Reminiscences], in Life histories of George Frederick Housley and Maria Christina Jacobsen Housley

“The Bishop of the Ward wanted George to talk in Church and tell of his coming across the plains, but George said he just could not speak in public so his wife’s brother-in-law, George Wood, who was a lawyer, came to his home and took his story down in short hand as George told the story to him. Then they had it read in a reunion. It was as follows:

“In the year of [1856], I with mother left our native land England, with about 600 others for our America “The Zion of Our God,” on the good ship “Horizon,” spending five weeks in our voyage to Boston. Where we took passage on a steamboat to Iowa. Awaiting there for three weeks for our hand-carts to be made that were to carry our “all” across the vast stretch of the plains to Utah. Each family supplying themselves with the necessary food for their journey if they were well. At Iowa City, where we were camped, a gentleman told me that we would starve to death if we went there at this season. One of our people and his family decided to stay over. I became tempted to do likewise and upon telling my mother that we better stay she became much depressed in spirit and told me to wait a little while. During the time she prayed to Our Heavenly Father for guidance. One fellow traveler, after deciding to stay, sent out one day in the woods to hunt for game, and while away was seized with fever and ague. He hurried home and upon entering the tent where mother I were awaiting him, he laid upon the cot and commenced singing in poetry and rhyme, telling mother to take me with her to the valley and that we should get through alright. Mother told me she had made it a matter of prayer and by this means her prayers were answered. I told her then that we would go to the valley at all hazards because I was satisfied all would be well.

“Upon the company starting we were in line with our cart and ready. All went well as we joyously sang, “For some must push and some must pull as we go marching up the hill. As merrily on the way we go, until we reach the valley, Oh!” As days wore on, our spirits lagged as we became weary. Some of our people became sick and were compelled to ride, thus compelling others to be more heavily loaded. Provisions commencing to get scarce as the days wore on, necessitating our captain to put us on shorter rations. Many dying by the wayside where they were buried each night where we camped and their graves were left unmarked except by our tears. At this season and at this part of the plains it commenced getting cold, and were again placed on shorter rations of 4 ounces of flour to each person per day. We traveled to the Sweet Waters River where we camped, being so weak and exhausted that it was almost impossible to move. Many of our people while there died of starvations while others froze to death by the wayside.

“A man from London by the name of Stone, while trying to get to an Indian camp was devoured by wolves; when found by some of our camp, nothing was left of him but his legs inside his boots.

“Receivers were sent out from the Valley to assist us in and could not find us, thinking we were lost on the plains the rescue party concluded to return to the Valley. But one of their number stated that he would go to the States but what he would find us. About noon a horseman was seen coming into our camp, and he looked like an angel to us poor starving emigrants who had eaten nothing but flour for three days. With words of encouragement he entreated us to make another start. But, many, while their will was good, their strength failed them and they dropped and froze to death by the way.

“The relief party returned and met us and assisted us with some provisions. But scores of our brethren and sisters died and were left in unmarked graves by the wayside. At this time I was permitted to sleep in a tent with two of my companions. Each of them dying by my side where I slept by them ’till morning when they were taken away and buried.” In a later trip across the plains to assist the emigrants at one of our camps I saw many of the bones of my companions that had been dug up by the wolves. At the time of my companions death I became despondent through weakness that I longed for death and tried to hide myself from the company that I might die, but one of the brethren returning back for something, found me sitting behind the rock where I had hoped to die. He took me along with him for a day before we caught up with the company. I was permitted to sleep in a wagon that night, where I slept with a dead man all night.

“The next day we were permitted to see and enter into the Valley (November 29, my birthday). Although I was too weak to walk, my feet being much swollen I wrapped them in my mother’s shaw until we were taken care of by kind friends who were awaiting us. But brother Slack, our kind friend, would not allow me only a limited amount of bread as he was afraid it would kill me. But after they had gone to meeting I finished up the whole pot pie which had been prepared for the family, and I am alive yet and I have been hungry to this day.”

“President Parkinson of the Hyrum Stake was present at the reunion and when he heard of the hardships, suffering and hunger George went through, he made arrangements with the Church authorities to grant this couple the privilege of receiving their second endowments. After they received theirs, Mary Ann stood proxy for George’s first wife, who received their second endowments of the 28th of July 1910. This is a privilege and blessing that only a few people have had since the Church was organized…. An addendum was added: “One time while visiting in Mapleton at his son Ben’s home, he and my Grandfather—Marshall Franklin Allen—were reminiscing over old times. Grandfather Allen told of one time when “Brother Brigham” had called him to accompany several other young men in going out to meet the Hand Cart Company, to take them some provisions and assist them into the Valley. As he knelt in prayer the evening before going, he said that he told the Lord that it was a foolish thing to do, going out in such weather and with no roads to follow. But while he was still in the act of prayer, it was made known to him that he should go. It was also made known that he would be able to save many of their lives. After search many hours the rescue party became discouraged. Thinking the Hand Cart Company had been lost on the plains, they decided to return to the Valley. Grandfather said, “I told them I would go ’til I reached the States but what I would find them” About noon they found a group of handcarts with their poor, starving people. Thinking there may be more farther back, he rode on for some distance. He saw a dark spot among some rocks. Upon investigating, he found it to be a young man. He wrapped his blankets around him and helped him onto his horse. Then Grandfather Housley spoke up and said—”The horse had one white leg, a white strip in it’s forehead and the rest of it was coal black.” Grandfather Allen said, “Yes.” Grandfather Housley said, “It was a bright plaid blanket.” Grandfather Allen asked, “How do you know?” Grandfather Housley said, “Because I was the one you found!” Then he stood up and said, “And I want to tell you, if it hadn’t been for the prayers of my mother and the faith of the Saints, I would not have lived ’till you found me and I never would have reached the Valley!”

by

6th Grade, Park Elementary, Richmond, Utah

Back (l-r): Dennis Alvey, Scott Christensen, Terry Vinson, Curtis Smith, Doug White, Oral Ballam; Middle: Tommy Johnson, Dennis Cartwright, Doug Jonas, James Miller, Garry Bowles, Dell Bair, Robert Randal, David Traveller; Front: Shannon Ryan, Debbie Baird, Janet Bright, Joy Bair, Sandra Small, Nancy Johnson, Maxine Housley, Christie Buttars.

This is the first class picture I have for my Uncle Doug.  This his is 6th Grade year at Park Elementary, Richmond, Cache, Utah.  This is probably the 1962-1963 school year.  The year of the famous Richmond earthquake (30 August 1962).

If anyone has any updates, I am happy to include them.  Doug told me that Robert Randal’s family moved to town to tear down the Benson Stake Tabernacle and to rebuild the new Stake Center in Richmond.

Mr. Oral Lynn Ballam (1901 – 1993). He was both the Principal and 6th Grade Teacher. He has appeared in other posts as teacher and also as student!

Dennis F Alvey (1952 – living)

Dell Bair (? – living)

Joy Bair (? – living)

Debbie Baird (? – living)

Gary Bowles (? – living)

Janet Bright (? – living)

Christie Buttars married Giles (? – living)

Dennis G Cartwright (? – living)

Scott M Christensen (1952 – living)

Maxine Housley married Farnsworth (1952 – 2000)

Nancy Johnson (? – living)

Thomas Melvin Johnson (? – living)

Douglas Norwood Jonas (1952 – living)

James Miller (? – living)

Robert Randal (? – living)

Shannon Ryan (? – living)

Sandra Small (? – living)

Curtis Smith (? – living)

David M Traveller (1952 – living)

Terry Vinson (? – living)

Doug White (? – living)

by

4th Grade, Park Elementary, Richmond, Utah

Back (l-r): Jay Purser, Kirt Hatch, Jeff Theurer, Charles Pratt, Gary Anderson, Mr. Harold Grunig;  Third: Faye Housley, Shanna Bullen, Debbie Day, Ann Bair, Peggy Plant, Genna Randall, Susan Jones; Second: Fern Housley, Sherri Bundy, Barbara Housley, Jane Robinson, Beth Ann Miller, Sandy Jonas, Dixie Eskelson, Beth Cartwright; Front: Zan Christensen, LuDell Tripp, Leslie Smith, Kim Christensen, Jimmy Johnson, Reed Webb, Steven Bowles

This picture is from the 1963 – 1964 school year at Park Elementary in Richmond, Utah.

Mr. Harold Junior Grunig (1924 – 1994)

Gary Anderson (? – living)

Ann Bair married Downs (1954 – living)

Steven Bowles (? – ?)

Shanna Bullen married Gibbons (? – living)

Sherri Bundy (? – ?)

Beth Cartwright (1954 – 2018)

Kim Christensen (? – living)

Zan Leonard Christensen (1954 – 1996)

Debra Lynn Day married Purser (1954 – 2010)

Dixie Eskelsen (? – ?)

Kirt Hatch (? – living)

Barbara Housley married Sharp (? – living)

Fay Housley married Purser (? – living)

Fern Housley married Taylor (? – living)

Jimmy Johnson (? – living)

Sandra Jonas (1954 – living)

Susan Jones (? – living)

Beth Ann Miller (1954 – 1974)

Peggy Anne Plant married Ivanyo (? – living)

Charles Pratt (? – living)

Jay Purser (? – living)

Genna Randall (? – living)

Jane Robinson married Larsen (? – living)

Leslie Smith (? – living)

Jeffery Theurer (? – living)

LuDell Tripp (? – living)

Reed Leon Webb (1954 – 1992)

 

by

3rd Grade, Park Elementary, Richmond, Utah

Top (l-r): Susan Jones, Ann Bair, Kirt Hatch, Mrs Faun Dahle, Charles Pratt, Jeff Theurer, Zan Christensen, Mrs Leola Ash, Barbara Housley, Jane Robinson, Sandra Jonas; Middle: Sherri Bundy, Faye Housley, Peggy Plant, Barbara Watts, Debbie Day, Shanna Bullen, Fern Housley, Beth Cartwright; Front: Steven Bowles, Reed Webb, Kim Christensen, Jay Purser, Gary Anderson, Leslie Smith, Jimmy Johnson.

This 3rd grade picture is from the 1962 – 1963 school year at Park Elementary in Richmond, Utah.

Mrs Leola Long Ash (1920 – 2008)

Mrs Faun Singleton Dahle (1904 – 1994)

Gary Anderson (? – living)

Ann Bair married Downs (1954 – living)

Steven Bowles (? – ?)

Shanna Bullen married Gibbons (? – living)

Sherri Bundy (? – ?)

Beth Cartwright (1954 – 2018)

Kim Christensen (? – living)

Zan Leonard Christensen (1954 – 1996)

Debra Lynn Day married Purser (1954 – 2010)

Kirt Hatch (? – living)

Barbara Housley married Sharp (? – living)

Fay Housley married Purser (? – living)

Fern Housley married Taylor (? – living)

Jimmy Johnson (? – living)

Sandra Jonas (1954 – living)

Susan Jones (? – ?)

Peggy Anne Plant married Ivanyo (? – living)

Charles Pratt (? – ?)

Jay Purser (? – living)

Jane Robinson married Larsen (? – living)

Leslie Smith (? – living)

Jeff Theurer (? – living)

Barbara Watts (? – living)

Reed Leon Webb (1954 – 1992)

 

by

2nd Grade, Park Elementary, Richmond, Utah

Back (l-r): Reed Webb, Roland Hobbs, Jeff Theurer, Kirt Hatch, Zan Christensen, Gary Andersen, Flora Allen; 3rd Row: Susan Jones, Peggy Plant, Ann Bair, Jane Robinson, Molly Lulwyler, Debbie Day, Barbara Housley; 2nd Row: Shanna Bullen, Pamela Bun, Beth Cartwright, Sherry Bundy, Fern Housley, Faye Housley, Sandra Jonas, Barbara Watts; Front: Jay Purser, Michael Smith, Brent Haslam, Tommy Hatch, Jimmy Johnson, Kim Christensen, Leslie Smith

This picture is from the 1961 – 1962 school year at Park Elementary in Richmond, Utah.

Mrs. Flora Greene Allen (1906 – 1996)

Gary Andersen (? – living)

Ann Bair married Downs (1954 – living)

Shanna Bullen married Gibbons (? – living)

Pamela Bun (? – ?)

Sherry Bundy (? – ?)

Beth Cartwright (1954 – 2018)

Kim Christensen (? – living)

Zan Leonard Christensen (1954 – 1996)

Debra Lynn Day married Pursuer (1954 – 2010)

Brent Haslam (? – living)

Kirt Hatch (? – living)

Tommy Hatch (? – ?)

Roland Hobbs (? – ?)

Barbara Housley married Sharp (? – living)

Fay Housley married Purser (? – living)

Fern Housley married Taylor (? – living)

Jimmy Johnson (? – living)

Sandra Jonas (1954 – living)

Susan Jones (? – ?)

Molly Lulwyler (? – ?)

Peggy Anne Plant married Ivanyo (? – living)

Jay Purser (? – living)

Jane Robinson married Larsen ( – living)

Leslie Smith (? – living)

Michael Smith (? – ?)

Jeff Theurer (? – living)

Barbara Watts (? – ?)

Reed Leon Webb (1954 – 1992)

by

1st Grade, Park Elementary, Richmond, Utah

Top (l-r): Oral L Ballam, Flora Allen, Leslie Smith, Barbara Housley, Kirt Hatch, Ann Bair, Shanna Bullen, Jimmy Johnson; 2nd Row: Zan Christensen, Jane Robinson, Sandra Jonas, Jeffery Theurer; 3rd Row: Barbara Watts, Reed Webb, Susan Jones, Faye Housley, Molly Lulwyler, Beth Cartwright, Gary Andersen, Johnny Durney; Bottom Row: Peggy Plant, Kim Christensen, Fern Housley, Pamela Bun, Roland Hobbs, Debbie Day

This picture is from the 1960 – 1961 school year at Richmond Grade School (the name given in the photo). I only knew it as Park Elementary.

Playground to the North of Park Elementary, see the Benson Stake Tabernacle on the far left.

I had to do some research and talk to a few people.  Originally the site of Park Elementary was the old Richmond High School.  Richmond High School was built in 1911-12.  North Cache High School was built in 1920.  Richmond High then became Richmond Grade School.  In 1939 an addition was built and it was named Park Auditorium.  Richmond Grade School was always called Park Elementary, but nobody knows when it formally changed or adopted the name.  Cache County School District just recently abandoned the buildings and donated it to Richmond City.  The students now attend White Pine which is now an elementary school.

I understand the 1911-1912 high school portion has been torn down with the 1939 Park Auditorium addition the oldest portion of the complex.  The Auditorium and other newer additions are still present, but will now house Richmond City offices.

1959 Jonas Reunion with Park Elementary in the background with the auditorium addition.

Mr. Oral Lynn Ballam (1901 – 1993).  He was both the Principal and 1st Grade Teacher.  He has appeared in other posts as teacher and also as student!
Flora Greene married Allen (1906 – 1996)
Gary Anderson (? – living)

Ann Bair married Downs (1954 – living)

Shanna Bullen married Gibbons (? – living)

Pamela Bun (? – ?)

Beth Cartwright (1954 – 2018)

Kim Christensen (? – living)

Zan Leonard Christensen (1954 – 1996)

Debra Lynn Day married Pursuer (1954 – 2010)

Johnny Durney (? – ?)

Kirt Hatch (? – living)

Roland Hobbs (? – ?)

Barbara Housley married Sharp (? – living)

Fay Housley married Purser (? – living)

Jimmy Johnson (? – living)

Sandra Jonas (1954 – living)

Susan Jones (? – ?)

Molly Lulwyler (? – ?)

Peggy Anne Plant married Ivanyo (? – living)

Jane Robinson married Larsen (? – living)

Leslie Smith (? – living)

Jeffery Theurer (? – living)

Barbara Watts (? – ?)

Reed Leon Webb (1954 – 1992)