Ancestor Conversion Stories: John Kemp and Phyllis Green

This story is about my Grandma Bodily's grandfather, John Kemp. It was submitted to the FamilySearch web site by Deserae Lynn Francis. 

John Kemp, son of John Kemp, and Sarah Gotts was born in East Huston, Norfolk, England on 26th Feb. 1821. His parents were poor so he had to work while very young, therefore he attended school but little. It is said to be only two weeks in his life.

When he was grown he began to do farm work for a Mr. Atthell or Atle. He did his work well and became a trusted and well thought of employee of this farmer. All together he worked for Mr. Atthell about 29 years.

While still a young man he heard the Gospel and was baptized in April 1844 into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A few months later he married Phillis Green, on 17 Oct. 1944. She was the daughter of John Green and Elizabeth Powley and was born 8 of October 1823 in Thurne, Norfolk. Her parents were also of the working class and she had little chance for schooling.

After they had three children Phillis joined the church also. She was baptized in Aug. 1849.

John received just enough wages to live on and he didn't see just how he could pay his tithing, which at this time was being taught to the Saints in England by the Elders, and how they would ever be able to save enough money to go to Utah. The elders promised them that if they would pay their tithing, they would be blessed and in time they would be able to gather with the Saints in Utah.

After they had joined the church their neighbors did not treat them the same as they had before. John was made fun of by the people with whom he worked. His employer was very mean to him and after several years of this treatment, John decided he could stand it no longer so he quit his job. He tried to make a living from a small garden. One day Mr. Atthell came by the garden, he asked Mr. Kemp if he could make a living on the small place. John told him that he could not. Then Mr. Atthell asked him to come and work for him again. John refused. Then Mr. Atthell said he would give him a shilling a week more if he would work again for him. This shilling would pay the Kemp's tithing. John then said he would go back to work if Mr. Atthell would not say anything more about his religion. Mr. Atthell agreed to this condition which he faithfully kept.

John's wife, Phillis, was a good cook and at times she cooked for the Atthell's when they had big dinners, such as at Christmas time and other special occasions. She would be rewarded with a portion of the dinner to take home to her family which was a great treat for them.

After John had worked several more years for Mr. Atthell he began to prepare to go to Utah. His employer begged him to stay and promised to see that he and his wife were well cared for, but John was determined to go to Utah. He and his wife and the five youngest children arrived in Utah, November 13, 1871. Emma, the youngest child, was 4 years old at the time. It took three or four weeks to cross the ocean.

They settled in Riverdale, near Ogden, Utah, for four years, and then they moved to Lewiston, Utah, where the parents lived until their deaths. James came to America before his parents. He came is 1868. Their son, John came to Nebraska in 1873, then, 14 months later, to Utah. Isaiah and George stayed in England. While John lived in England he was president of the North Waltham Branch of the Norwich Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In Lewiston the family “took up land” and build a home one mile west of the Third ward chapel. At that time there was only one Ward in Lewiston so they attended church in the First Ward. Bishop Lewis called John Kemp his minute man. He was a ward teacher.

He liked to do a good day's work for a day's salary. It is said that when he dug post holes for a Mrs. Cunningham he received 15¢ a hole or $1.50 a day, and he wondered if he wasn't taking too much money for his work.

John had blue eyes and was of slender build. He was of a jovial nature, kind and gentle to his family. His health was generally good. Phillis was of a more serious temperament, of a heavier set physically and her health was very good. Honesty and truthfulness were outstanding in their characters. The family was musically inclined. John died 10 Aug. 1881 at the age of 60. Phillis lived 24 years longer, her last 12 years being spend in the home of her son John. She died 4 Jan. 1905 at the age of 81. They were both buried in the Lewiston Cemetery.

Ancestor Conversion Stories: Sarah Goode Marshall

History of Sarah Goode Marshall

Sarah Goode Marshall is my Grandpa Gregory's great grandmother. There is some confusion as to whether her husband, Thomas George Marshall, ever joined the church. His record in FamilySearch shows that he was baptized during his lifetime, but the accounts of Sarah's life, as you will see below, indicate that he was very hostile to the church.

This was contributed to the LDS FamilySearch web site by Selena Gregory. I could not figure out who wrote it in the first place, it appears to be one of Sarah's Grandchildren.

Sarah (Goode) Marshall was the daughter of George Goode and Selena Mary Ann Holder. She was born 4 March 1822 (or 2 March 1821) at Abenhall, Gloustershire, England. While in her youth she learned the art of making kid gloves. Being deprived of scholastic education she always worked hard. Many times I've heard her say, "Idleness is the devil's workshop." However, she became a great reader of the Bible and often remarked, "There is more in the Bible than the ministers understand."

Sarah Goode  was married to Thomas Marshall 7 May 1843. During this early part of their married life they lived comfortably and happy until she became interested in the Gospel. 

She heard the Gospel in her native land and often walked twenty miles (with her babe in her arms) to hear the Elders preach. This caused confusion in the home, as her husband opposed her bitterly, and would sometimes follow her to the meeting to cause a scene and disturbance. But she was always impressed by the sweet prompting's of the spirit. "Sarah, you had better go. Tom is coming." She would leave the meeting immediately, but often took a severe whipping from her husband before reaching home.

Thus she became a victim of persecution and continued to live under those conditions until the death of her husband, which was in the summer of 1854, leaving her with six small children and penniless. I have often heard my Grandmother say, "I was so anxious to come to Zion that in my prayers I would ask my Heavenly Father to remove the stumbling blocks from my pathway." She often remarked, "Little did I think he would remove them by the death of my husband. I was hopeful that he would embrace the Gospel with me."

Her dreams of coming to Zion seemed utterly impossible, but she sought Divine help in this great undertaking, and worked very hard to save means for migration. During the day she worked as a "lady's maid" and at night she made gloves, and in two years she had saved enough to realize the desires of her heart. She had many friends as she always lived an honest life and was well respected by all. The night before leaving her native land, Grandmother's relatives and close friends had planned a party to show their respect for her. Some of the presiding Elders of the British Mission were invited guests at this party. Unfortunately, the spirit of discouragement spread like contagion among the members who were assembled. They began to gather around her and using their powers of persuasion in every way tried to get her not to leave, telling her she would lose her children and probably her own life on the way. One of the Elders overheard the discouraging remarks. He arose to his feet and by the power of God, raising his hands above her head he exclaimed: "I WILL PROMISE SISTER MARSHALL IN THE NAME OF ISRAEL'S GOD THAT SHE SHALL GO TO ZION AND SHALL NOT LOSE ONE OF HER CHILDREN BY THE WAY."

The following day, Saturday, 19 April 1856, my Grandmother Marshall with her little family boarded the ship "Samuel Curling" and sailed from Liverpool, England, under the direction of Dan Jones. They arrived in Boston 23 May, being on the water about five weeks. From there, they went by rail to Iowa City where preparations were under way for the long journey across the plains. This was the first handcart company formed, with Edmund Ellsworth as Captain. Grandmother procured a handcart and asked the captain if she could join with his company in crossing the plains. The company was large, and this was the first attempt in crossing the plains with handcarts. He answered, "Sister Marshall, it would be unreasonable for you to expect such a thing. You are a widow, with six small children. You would only be a hinderance to the company." Her answer was, "Well, Captain Ellsworth, I'm going and I'll beat you there.

After three months and seventeen days of trying hardships; enduring hunger, thirst, and fatigue and after ceaseless toil, pulling her handcart the entire distance, the end of their journey was at hand. The night before entering the valley, Grandmother asked the captain if she could arise early the next morning and start out ahead of the company as this would be their last day of travel. Permission was granted, and very early the next morning she with her little brood started out. After traveling some distance and being out of sight of the company, she discovered some men on horseback coming in their direction. As they came nearer they started yelling. Thinking them to be Indians, Grandmother gathered her frightened children about her. The horsemen, seeing her terror, stopped their noise, and rode quietly down to where she was. They were scouts sent out from Salt Lake to meet the Saints as the settlers in the valley had been anxiously waiting for the arrival of this company. These men assisted Grandmother, by taking her children on their horses to the settlement, hereby leaving her free to pull the cart. She and her children were the first of this company to arrive in Salt Lake, thus her statement to captain Ellsworth became a prophecy. "I'm going and I'm going to beat you there."

The tediousness of the journey ahead--the trails and hardships she would encounter--had not dawned upon Grandmother when she left Iowa City. Food was rationed out to them; only two ounces of flour were allowed for each member of the family a day to exist on, and at night they took turns in using the "bake ovens." One night members of the company had retired and Grandmother was no doubt very lonely, listening to the strange cries of the prowling beasts and birds while preparing her rations for the next day's journey. It was about eleven o'clock, when a young man came to her and said, "Will you please give me something to eat? I am starving to death." Knowing she was taking the food from her children, she shared what she had with him. I have heard my Grandmother say, "I have thanked the Lord many times that I shared my food with this young man, for he was found dead in his bed the next morning and should I not have done so my conscience would have condemned me the rest of my days."

I have listened with intense interest as Grandmother related her many various experiences while crossing the plains. After making camp one night, Grandmother was horrified when she discovered her little girl (Tryphena) was missing. The child was only eight years of age. Immediately she reported the situation to Captain Ellsworth and said, "I cannot rest until my child is found." At once he asked for volunteers to go back in search of the missing child. Grandmother with some of the brethren started out. After going back some distance they were forced to return to the company because of hungry wolves which were circling around them. Poor Grandmother, hungry and tired, had traveled late into the night until they came to water. What was she to do? Take a chance on her life, or return to camp worried and frantic? Approaching the camp they heard shouts, and to their great joy they found everybody rejoicing because the little girl was safe in camp.

She said, "I walked along with a man all afternoon. He sat down by the wayside to rest. He laid over on his elbow resting his head on his hand and went to sleep. I sat down by him and after resting for a while, I was afraid I would loose sight of the company, and I started out alone. Dark came on and I found that I was lost. Finally I saw a fire and walked toward it. As I came near it, I was afraid it was Indians and I crawled along on my hands and knees so they would not see me, and when I was sure it was our company, I raised to my feet and came in." The next morning some of the men went back in search of the man, and found him resting as Tryphena had said but he had passed away. They dug a grave and buried him at his place of resting. This man was an Italian and could not speak English; consequently, he and the child had no conversation.

Several days after her arrival in Salt Lake, Grandmother was washing and meditating on the hazardous journey crossing the plains and her words to Captain Ellsworth came to her. It was then she realized her statement of prophecy.

She was not in want for the necessities of life as long as her family remained in the fort, for their meals were cooked and brought to them. Her next home was in Ogden, where she lived for some time at the home of William Wasliegh. She was acquainted with him in her native land. Later she met Joseph Chadwick, a widower, and married him. They were among the first settlers in Franklin, Idaho. Two sons were born to this union, William and Charles Frederick.

Grandmother endured many trials and hardships, as did all the pioneers as the Indians caused them much trouble, and Mr. Chadwick was anything but a kind husband to her. Their next home was at Dayton, Idaho where they built up a small mercantile business in which they prospered until Mr. Chadwick's death in the year 1876. Grandmother was very ill at the time of her husband's death and suffered a big financial loss. Her stepchildren took the merchandise from the little business establishment and she was left again in strained circumstances. One of her friends said, "Oh sister Chadwick why do you let them rob you?" She replied, "The Lord says 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay." His answer was, "Oh Sister Chadwick, the Lord is so slow."

On the night of February 23, 1865, Grandmother awoke from her sleep startled with howling and barking of dogs. She hastened out into the darkness of the night. As she listened she distinctly heard cries for help. Rushing into the house, she went to her husband's room and found him sleeping. She woke him immediately and asked him to make an investigation; that she had heard someone calling for help and that they were in distress. But he consoled himself by telling her to go back to bed that it was only wolves howling. The following morning, teams were sent out to break road between Franklin and Oxford the snow being deep because of a fierce blizzard and the men discovered the frozen bodies of my Uncle John Boice, Jr. and my great Uncle George Barzee.

After the crops were harvested the farmers gave Grandmother permission to glean in their fields, and for days she with her children gathered the scattered heads of grain. In this way they secured flour. Truly she earned her "Bread by the sweat of her brow." Returning home one evening, tired and hungry, she discovered the axe had been stolen. Having great faith in prayer, she took the matter up with the Lord and asked that she might find the missing implement. A few days later, she with a neighbor lady, were on their way to the river with their water pails which was a distance of a half mile. We would think it terrible if we had to carry water that distance these days. As they were going down a dugway, a prompting told Grandmother to dig in the earth at the side of the road, but she paid no attention to it until she was prompted the third time. She then excused herself, told the woman she must go back, and in removing the surface, she discovered her axe under a few inches of earth.

Another time, after returning from her work, someone had stolen some buckskins which she kept on the cord under her straw tick. She intended to make her boy a buckskin suit for winter. This was such a disappointment to her that she asked the Lord to cause that the party who had taken her buckskins could not rest until they were returned. The next morning when she went to the shed to milk her cows, she discovered the buckskins stuffed between the willows underneath the shed. She had very good reasons for believing who this guilty party was.

While in the fields one day the Indians ransacked her home and after helping themselves to what they could find they left the house and when Grandmother returned in the evening, she found everything turned topsy-turvy. There were so many Indian depredations in those days that a person was subject to an assault at any time especially if they were alone; thus it was customary for several to be together at all times. One late fall Grandmother had prepared everything so she could be ready to take her grain to the grist mill on short notice. Early one morning she saw some men, with sacks of grain on running gears, a wagon without a box; boards being used instead, headed for the grist mill. Desiring to follow close behind them, Grandmother with the help of the children was soon ready for the trip. As the men were passing near her home, and fearing that she was trying to get ahead of them, they began lashing their oxen. In the excitement a sack of wheat slipped off their wagon. Grandmother began calling to them, but they hurried right along and pretended they did not hear her. Finally they came to a dugway. The oxen became stubborn and ran into the willows at the foot of the hill, and while the men were trying to get them back on the road Grandmother came along. Her oxen went steadily up the grade. Thus her opponents became excited, and two of them ran up the hill with clubs in hand and began to beat the heads of the oxen. The man at the flour mill was on the "mill-race" and saw what was going on. When Grandmother drove up with her ox team he took a sack of wheat from her wagon and said, "I have seen horse racing, but that is the first ox team race I ever saw. Those men ought to be ashamed of themselves for treating a widow in such a manner."

Grandma took up mid-wifery and has brought many souls into the world. She was surrounded with a comforting influence which gave courage and hope to suffering humanity in the hour of distress. She would never allow anybody to say anything about her religion or nationality. She always put her trust in her Heavenly Father, as she was a firm believer in prayer. She suffered many trials that no doubt account for her exceeding faith. Grandmother reached her desired haven here on earth and no doubt rich blessings await her in eternity. She left a numerous posterity to mourn her departure. She was laid to rest in Franklin, Idaho, having died in Dayton, Idaho, April 26, 1904 or 1905.

Ancestor Conversion Stories: Heman Hyde and Polly Wyman Tilton

This biography is about my Grandma Bodily's great grand-parents. I found it on the LDS FamilySearch web site. It was contributed to that site by Julia Baxter Christensen.

At the time of Heman Hyde's birth on 30 June 1788, his parents, James and Betty (Pennock) Hyde, were living at Manchester, in southern Vermont, but while he was still a baby they moved to Strafford, in the northern part of the state. Heman was raised there, being the oldest of a large family of brothers and sisters. Indications are that Heman received a fair amount of schooling as he grew up. On the fifth day of December, in 1810, Heman married Polly Wyman Tilton, a girl he had known ever since he could remember. Polly was the daughter of Phillip Tilton and Tabitha Prescott, an Indian woman, and was born 20 January 1786, in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. While Polly was still a small child her mother moved to Strafford, Vermont, and there married a widower, John Bullock. To this union were born seven children, half brothers and sisters of Polly.

Heman and Polly

The first child of this marriage, Heman Tilton Hyde, was born in Strafford in June 1812. Sometime during the next two and a half years the young father departed from his happy home to serve in the war of 1812, and also moved his family to York, Livingston Co., New York. In York, four more children were born: Charles Walker (named after a family friend), July 1814; Rosel (named by his uncle, Roswell Hyde, who purposely abbreviated the name), May 1816; William, September 1818; and Mary Ann, September 1820. Records show Heman to have been in the New York State Militia. From the Military Minutes of the Council of Appointment of the State of New York, 1783-1821, vol. 3, pp 1929, 2042, by Hugh Hastings: 24 April 1818. Genesee Co. 164th Regiment of Infantry, New York State Militia. Heman Hyde, Lieut. 27 March 1819. Genesee Co. 77th Regiment of Infantry New York State Militia. Heman Hyde, Capt. In the year 1825, Heman and Polly, with their children, left York and settled in Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., New York. Since that was wilderness, Heman cleared the timber from the land and developed a large farm. He also carried on a heavy business in wool carding and cloth dressing. He was well situated and much respected by all. Their house was ever a home to the weary and their hands never withheld from the poor. In May 1827, another daughter was born, Caroline, but she was not destined for adulthood in this life, and died the same day. Adjoining the family farm was the farm of Warren A. Cowdery, an early convert to "Mormonism," and it was from him, during the early 1830's that the Hyde family first heard of the restored Gospel and learned of the Book of Mormon. Warren obtained from his brother Oliver, some of the proof sheets to the Book of Mormon, some of which the Hyde family "had the privilege of perusing, and we did not peruse any faster than we believed." Heman's son William records in his journal that "early in the year 1834 Joseph Smith and Parley P. Pratt came to my father's house. They preached in the neighborhood two or three times, and conversed much in private. Before they left, my oldest brother was baptized." The Prophet Joseph Smith, in his journal, says of the occasion: “Sunday, March 9th.--We preached in a school house, and had great attention. We found a few disciples who were firm in the faith; and, after meeting found many believing and could hardly get away from them, and appointed a meeting in Freedom for Monday the 10th, and stayed at Mr. Warren A. Cowdery's, where we were blessed with a full enjoyment of temporal and spiritual blessings . . . “Monday 10.--We met our appointment, and preached to a great congregation; and at evening again preached to an overflowing house. After meeting, I proposed if any wished to obey, and would make it manifest, we would stay to administer to another meeting. A young man of the Methodist order arose and testified of his faith in the fullness of the Gospel and desired to be baptized. We appointed another meeting for the following day. “Tuesday 11.--Fulfilled our appointment and baptized Heman T. Hyde, after which we rode nine miles . . . .” This Heman T. Hyde whom they baptized was the son of Heman and Polly. Of this incident Elder Parley P. Pratt, who was the Prophet's traveling companion on this mission, says, “We visited Freedom, Cattaraugus County, New York; tarried over Sunday and preached several discourses, to which the people listened with great interest; we were kindly and hospitably entertained among them. We baptized a young man named Heman Hyde; his parents were Presbyterians, and his mother, on account of the strength of her traditions, thought that we were wrong, and told me afterwards that she would much rather have followed him to an earthly grave than to have seen him baptized. Soon afterwards, however, herself, her husband, and the rest of the family, with some thirty or forty others, were all baptized and organized into a branch of the Church--called the Freedom Branch--from which nucleus the light spread and souls were gathered into the fold in all regions round. Thus mightily grew the word of God, or the seed sown by that extraordinary personage, the Prophet and Seer of the nineteenth century”. The following is the story of Polly's conversion, as related by George Tilton Hyde, who said that his father, Rosel (son of Polly), told it to him more than once. Rosel said that the Prophet Joseph Smith was visiting at their home in Freedom, New York, and told them the thrilling story of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. “Mother said to him, ‘Mr. Smith, if what you say is not true, hell is too good a place for you.’ The Prophet replied, ‘I know it, Mrs. Hyde, I know it; but the testimony I have borne to you is true; I know it is true and you may know it.’ The words of the Prophet cut her to the heart, and before retiring that night she sought the Lord in humble prayer--her petition was answered--the next morning she applied for baptism." The journal of Orson Pratt states that he and Brother John Murdock were at Mr. Hyde's home on March 30, 1834. On April 7, Heman Hyde and William Hyde, among others, were baptized and confirmed. On April 11, Polly Hyde was baptized and confirmed. Other members of the family soon followed their example, except for Rosel ("because of a sort of shyness on my part, being at that time but a young man and never having joined myself to any religious body.") Heman was ordained an Elder not long after his baptism. From the Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt (p. 121) we glean the following added information: As I returned toward the West, I came to the town of Freedom . . . where President Joseph Smith and myself had preached on our outward journey, a few weeks previously, and where we had baptized a young man by the name of Heman Hyde, as the first fruits in that place . . . Heman Hyde accompanied me to Kirtland, where we arrived the latter part of April, and were kindly and hospitably entertained by President Joseph Smith. In May of the same year Heman Tilton Hyde was one of about two hundred volunteers who went with the Prophet Joseph Smith in the great march called "Zion's Camp," to Missouri to aid the persecuted saints there, returning in July or August. Heman Hyde and those of his household, were fully convinced of the truthfulness of the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and as time passed their testimonies burned stronger and stronger. In February of the year 1836 the family (including young Heman Tilton Hyde with his bride, Eunice Sawyer, whom he had married in October 1835) moved from Freedom, New York, to Kirtland, Ohio, at that time one of the gathering places of the Church, and the site of the first temple being built by the saints. Construction was nearly complete on the temple by the time the Hyde family made residence in Kirtland, and it was dedicated a month later. The family attended the dedication of the temple, except for the son Rosel, who still had not been baptized. William Hyde, in his journal, says of the dedication meeting: "This was, by far, the best meeting I had ever attended. The gifts of the gospel were enjoyed in a marvelous manner and Angels administered unto many." The people outside the temple heard a strange noise like the rushing of a strong wind and they beheld a bright light resting above the sacred building." In later years when George Hyde asked his father Rosel why he delayed asking for baptism, Rosel said that his father told him not to be in a hurry, but to wait until he was sure it was the right thing to do. Rosel told George further, that the evening of the dedication of the temple at Kirtland, Ohio, from his father's home on the farm near Kirtland, that he saw a bright light like a pillar of fire resting above the temple. After what he saw and also heard at that time he needed nothing more to convince him and soon after, he was baptized. The attributes and abilities of Heman Hyde were noticed by the Church leaders, and in 1837 he was ordained a High Priest, that he might more ably fill the capacities for which he was suited. Polly supported him fully, and did all in her power to assist in the strengthening of the Church. The Saints were commanded to gather in and about Independence, Missouri, but they were meeting with opposition from the other settlers. Heman Hyde's son William, traveled to Far West, Missouri, the route he had to travel being a journey of about 1800 miles, and arrived in the spring of 1838. He did what he could to help the Saints there in their trials and persecution. The rest of the family of Heman and Polly left Kirtland in September of the same year, intending to go to Far West and settle. When they had traveled as far as Huntsville, Missouri, about one hundred miles into the state and almost to their destination, they remained a few days in the woods where they were discovered by a mob, and for no other reason than that they were "Mormons,” were compelled by the armed mob to leave the state. They retreated to Quincy, Illinois. William Hyde was among those driven out of Far West in December, 1838, and he also fled to Quincy, where William found his parents. Three more of their children married while Heman and Polly lived in the vicinity of Quincy -- Rosel in December 1839 to Mary Ann Cowles; Mary Ann in March 1841 to Isaac Bullard; and William in February 1842 to Elizabeth Howe Bullard, sister of Isaac. Charles undoubtedly desired also to marry, but was crippled and probably felt that he would never enjoy the companionship of a wife. But his parents were happy to have him, with his kind disposition, remain at home with them. Heman Tilton Hyde died in May of 1842, not quite thirty years of age, leaving a widow and two small children, with another child born seven months after his decease. His death can be partly attributed to the persecutions and hardships which he had endured along with the rest of the Saints. His parents and family were greatly saddened by his death. Heman and Polly, during the summer of 1842, moved into Nauvoo, Illinois. Here they, along with their son William, built a comfortable brick home for themselves. In October of this same year Mary Ann's husband died, a mournful occasion for this bride of eighteen months. She later married David Grant in September 1843.

This is a photo of the Heman Hyde home in Nauvoo. The home was built in 1843. The photo was taken in 1939.

The family was part of the dramatic events at Nauvoo. They enjoyed its growth and prosperity under the direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith, whom they knew well. (Their son Rosel commented many times about their friendship with the Prophet, and he made special mention of the Prophet's unusual eyes -- that to look into them was to know that he was not an ordinary man.) They grieved at the tragic martyrdom of their beloved Prophet. They were there when the mantle of Joseph fell upon Brigham Young. They worked diligently to help complete the temple at Nauvoo so that they and the other Saints could receive their temple ordinances. It was a time of rejoicing when these temple blessings were finally realized. But the "anti-Mormon" presence was becoming more pronounced and more vicious. As Rosel told it, he and his family and friends "passed through those bitter scenes of persecution so well understood by those acquainted with the history of the Church. We suffered the most heart-rendering persecution that a cruel mob, actuated by the spirit of devils, could inflict upon us in the shape of burning houses, burning standing grain, etc." On the eighteenth of May 1846, Heman and Polly, with their children and their families, and what earthly possessions they could haul in their wagons, gazed for the last time on their comfortable homes, their beautiful city, and the Holy Temple, then crossed the Mississippi River, and started their long journey in search of peace in an unknown and desolate wilderness. The trail was by then well-worn, for the first fleeing Saints had left Nauvoo in the bitter cold and wet of February, followed by a steady migration. The Hyde families reached Council Bluffs the 12th of July. The two months had been hard and long, but others shared their plight and all buoyed each other’s spirits. Only four days after arriving at the Missouri River (Council Bluffs) William Hyde was mustered into the Mormon Battalion, leaving his wife and two children in the care of his parents in "this unsettled camp in the midst of an uncultivated, wild Indian country." Heman settled at what was called Council Point and because of his wisdom and abilities, he was appointed to the High Council (21 July 1846) to help govern the camps of the Saints at this temporary place of gathering. Heman and Rosel built crude homes for themselves, for Eunice (widow of Heman Tilton Hyde) and her three children, and for William's family. They also cultivated land during the summer. Fall came and Eunice's baby died. Rather than suffer further, she returned to her family home in Freedom, New York, taking her two remaining children with her. In February 1847, Mary Ann Hyde Grant died after a lingering sickness caused by exposure, as had many of the Saints in their inadequate circumstances. She left a husband and two children without their dear wife and mother. Heman and Polly then cared for their motherless grandchildren. The next summer Heman and Rosel toiled to raise all the crops they could, for the benefit of themselves and for all those that might have need of food as the winter season advanced. In December 1847, William returned from his march with the Mormon Battalion, amid much rejoicing by all. He had been absent seventeen months. Spring arrived at last and preparations were made for Heman and household to travel on. William and Rosel assisted their father and mother, so that they, with their son Charles and also Mary Ann's children, were able to leave Council Bluffs with the Saints that spring for the Rocky Mountains. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in September 1848, and settled there. It had been an arduous and seemingly endless trek across the plains, during which journey Heman acted in the capacity of a Captain of Fifty. William worked the farm at Council Point that Heman and Rosel had opened, and Rosel hired to drive a team for the government. William, Rosel, and their families made the journey to "Zion" in 1849. Heman was able to secure land and build an adequate home. He felt grateful to the Lord for the blessings his household now enjoyed, after the diverse hardships they had undergone. In 1851, Heman and Polly, after due consideration and prayer, decided to invite a friend to join them in the bonds of plural marriage. Consequently, a widow woman by the name of Prudence Bump, became Heman's second wife. In February 1852, their son Charles married Sarah Taylor, and remained in Salt Lake City. Charles was the last child to leave the family home. Rosel was called to settle Kaysville. William lived in Lehi, then Cache Valley, where Hyde Park was named after him. These sons were all a wonderful credit to their parents through their example and teachings. All three of them became Patriarchs of the Church and as they lived their religion to the fullest, they were known for their spirituality and faith. Sometime, probably during the 1850's a photographer opened either a permanent or a temporary studio in Salt Lake City. Heman and Polly dressed in their best (he in his uniform from the War of 1812), visited the photographer and posed for their pictures. What kindness, love and other emulative traits are recorded in their faces! In 1856 Heman married a third wife, Elizabeth Lane, who had emigrated from Wales. Because of her fine character, she was loved by all of Heman's family. Three years later, a fourth wife, Catherine Mary Griffiths, became a member of Heman's household. She was thirty-four years old, and like Elizabeth, an emigrant from Wales. Imagine the delight in the heart and home of Heman Hyde, who was in his seventy's, when during the first three years after this marriage this wife presented him with two sons, Heman and Henry, and then the sorrow when both children died of scarlet fever in 1865.

Heman Hyde Portrait

Heman and Polly were ever considerate of others' needs, serving their Church, family and fellow-men in every way that they could. Heman was a member of the High Council for several years after his arrival in Salt Lake Valley. He and Polly, in addition to Heman's plural wives, made a home for their granddaughter, Mary Ann Grant, until her untimely death at the age of seventeen, after she caught cold while attending a party. The wife and mother of this Hyde family, Polly Wyman Tilton Hyde, left this earthly existence on the thirteenth of September 1862. She was a woman of strong will, but gentle and kind, proud of her part-Indian ancestry, admired and loved by her family. She served well and devotedly, and when her sweet smile was missing from the family they greatly felt her absence. Polly was united on the other side of the veil with her husband, Heman on 11 June 1869. He died in Salt Lake City, Utah, his home of twenty-one years. His strong, fervent testimony which carried him through his years of trials is a permanent legacy for those of us who are his descendants. History written by Myrtle S. Hyde - 1964 Sources: 1. Patriarchal Blessings of Heman Hyde and Polly Tilton 2. Manchester, Vermont Deeds 3. Strafford, Vermont Vital Records 4. Records of Endowment House, Logan and Nauvoo Temples 5. Writings of George Tilton Hyde 6. Strafford, Vermont Census 1790, 1800 7. Hyde Family Records 8. York, New York Census 1820, 1825 9. Records of Charles Walker Hyde 10. Descendants of Humphrey Hide, by Willard S. Morse 11. Journal of William Hyde 12. Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt 13. Records of Rosel Hyde 14. Obituary of Heman Hyde 15. History of the Church, Vol II, pp 42,61,184,123,139,428 16. Early LDS Church Records File 17. Exodus to Greatness, by Preston Nibley p 206

Ancestor Conversion Stories: James Robertson Sharp, Sr.and Martha Arminta Griffith Sharp

James and Martha are the great grand-parents of my Grandma Gregory (Elizabeth Sharp Gregory). This ancestor story also came from the FamilySearch web site. It was submitted to the site a couple of years ago by Michelle Holt.

James Robertson Sharp

1809-1863

Compiled by a 4th great granddaughter, Michelle Kendall Holt Roy Utah, April 2012

James Robertson Sharp was born on 20 June 1809 in Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee. He died 22 May 1863 in Kaysville, Davis, Utah. His parents were James Deloss Sharp (b. 1783) and Mary Baldwin (b. 1785). He married Martha Arminta Griffith on 5 March 1835 in Madison County, Illinois. They were the parents of 14 children:

(1) John Martin Sharp, b. 8 December 1835 in Upper Alton, Madison, Illinois, d. 7 March 1916.
(2) Mary Sharp, b. 10 March 1837 in Upper Alton, Madison, Illinois, d. 5 October 1909.
(3) William Sharp, b. 17 November 1838 in Upper Alton, Madison, Illinois, d. 13 August 1839 in Illinois.
(4) Joseph Smith Sharp, b. 17 July 1840 in Bellevue, Calhoun, Illinois, d. 25 November 1899 in Egin, Fremont, Idaho.
(5) Sarah Emma Sharp, b. 23 April 1842 in Bellview, Calhoun, Illinois, d. 23 October 1899.
(6) James Robertson Sharp, Jr., b. 13 April 1844 in Bernadotte, Fulton, Illinois, d. 15 July 1901 in Blackfoot, Bingham, Idaho.
(7) George Washington Sharp, b. 1 April 1846 in Council Bluffs, Fulton, Illinois, d. 11 March 1900 in Soda Springs, Bannock, Idaho.
(8) Nancy Jane Sharp, b. 15 June 1848 in Lewiston, Fulton, Illinois, d. 11 March 1900 in Thatcher, Franklin, Idaho.
(9) Brigham Young Sharp, b. 24 March 1850 in Upper Alton, Madison, Illinois, d. 4 January 1938 in Chici, Buttle, California.
(10) Armintha Elizabeth Sharp, b. 20 January 1852 in Belleview, Calhoun, Illinois, d. 29 March 1888.
(11) Rhoda Rowantha Josephine Sharp, b. 6 October 1853 in Calhoun, Illinois, d. 7 October 1854.
(12) Jefferson Charles Sharp, b. 4 October 1855 in Mills, Iowa, d. 14 January 1881.
(13) Orson Pratt Sharp, b. 16 November 1857 in Kaysville, Davis, Utah, d. 1881.
(14) Heber Chase Kimball Sharp, b. 7 May 1862 in Kaysville, Davis, Utah, d. 27 November 1939 in Riverside, Riverside, California.

I found no accounts of the life of James Robertson Sharp as a young boy. The earliest information comes from a journal written by him where he recounts living in Davidson County, Tennessee for the 16 years following his birth, and then moving to Hickson County, Tennessee. His personal record indicates he immigrated to Mason County, Illinois in 1826.

James was a Methodist Minister and made his beginnings as such in Madison County, Illinois. He was what was known as a circuit rider. “Circuit Rider” was a term used to describe clergy in the Methodist
Episcopal Church (and other similar denominations) who travelled around the surrounding territories to organize and minister to their congregations. The pastor was responsible to visit, on a regular basis; those congregations on his circuit, conduct worship services and attend to the needs of the members. He also had responsibility to possibly establish new churches as he travelled the area. It was common for these preachers to ride on horseback because of the distance between churches. Another name for them was saddlebag preachers. Many circuits were so large it would take 5-6 weeks to cover them.

When James was on one of his circuit trips he attended a meeting where the Prophet Joseph Smith spoke. He later heard of another meeting where the Prophet was to address the congregation and told his wife he was going to attend and convert the young Prophet to the Methodist Church. Well, the roles were reversed. Instead of Joseph Smith being converted to the Methodist faith, James was converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He says in his journal, “Became a saint June 20, 1839.” He was a faithful and active member of the Church, baptizing many and preaching the gospel wherever he went. In his journal he details many of the places he travelled and names some of those he baptized. He continued to follow the pattern from his circuit riding days traveling extensively and organizing branches of the Church in some of the areas he visited. He recounts preaching in a place called Godspains where he organized a branch of sixteen members.

An interesting event happened in James life in April 1843. He was present at the excavation of 6 brass plates, known as the Kinderhook Plates, unearthed from a mound on property owned by one Robert Wiley, near the town of Kinderhook. Kinderhook is about fifty-five miles south of Nauvoo in Illinois. A statement signed by W.P. Harris, M.D., and published in the Times and Seasons says: “…a bundle was found that consisted of six plates of brass, of a bell shape, each having a hole near the small end, and a ring through them all, and clasped with two clasps, the ring and clasps appeared to be of iron very much oxidated, the plates appeared first to be copper and had the appearance of being covered with characters. It was agreed by the company that I should cleanse the plates: accordingly I took them to my house, washed them with soap and water, and a woolen cloth; but finding them not yet cleansed I treated them with dilute sulphuric acid which made them perfectly clean, on which it appeared that they were completely covered with hieroglyphics that none as yet have been able to read.” James and others signed a statement published in the same article. I quote it here, “We, the citizens of Kinderhook, whose names are annexed, do certify and declare that on the 23rd of April, 1843, while excavating a large mound in this vicinity, Mr. R. Wiley took from said mound six brass plates of a bell shape, covered with ancient characters. Said plates were very much oxydated. The bands and rings on said plates mouldered into dust on a slight pressure. ROBERT WILEY, W. LONGNECKER, GEO. DECKENSON, FAYETTE GRUBB, W. FUGATE, W.P. HARRIS, J.R. SHARP, G.W.F. WARD, IRA S. CURTIS, (From the Quincy Whig.)”

These plates created a great public curiosity in the area. Articles were published in the Times and Seasons and the Nauvoo Neighbor published a handbill which contained a reprint of the Times and Seasons article and also added facsimiles of the six plates – all twelve sides. Though there was talk of Joseph Smith making a translation of the plates, no such translation was made. The plates were later found to be a hoax. In 1855 W.P. Harris wrote a letter saying that he had talked with a blacksmith in Kinderhook named Bridge Whitton who said that he had cut and prepared the plates and that he (Bridge Whitton), with Robert Wiley, had engraved them. They then treated them with nitric acid and buried them the night before they were found. Wilbur Fugate also admitted to participating in the hoax and stated that none of the others who signed the certificate published in the Times and Seasons knew of the secret, except himself, Robert Wiley and Bridge Whitton.

Over the years there was much controversy regarding the authenticity of these 6 plates. The matter was finally put to rest in 1980 when tests were done on the 1 known remaining plate and they were declared to be fraudulent. A detailed history of the plates can be found in the August 1981 issue of the Ensign magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The article is titled, “Kinderhook Plates Brought to Joseph Smith Appear to Be a Nineteenth-Century Hoax” by Stanley B. Kimball.

One story from James’ journal illustrates the concern he had for his family as related to eternal things. His daughter, Emma, was being courted by a man by the name of F.C. Taft. Mr. Taft pursued Emma and also gained favor with Martha, Emma’s mother. The two wished to marry. James would have none of it. He said he would not suffer his daughter to marry out of the church and that if she did he did not want to be responsible for her salvation in the hereafter. He told them as much and his daughter agreed to be responsible for her own salvation. Later, after pondering the situation, he was blessed with a feeling of comfort concerning the matter and consented to the marriage.

James was said to have had a good home and owned a lot of property. He demonstrated his faith when he sold everything in 1852, at a great loss, to begin the journey west with his family. He and his wife had a great desire to immigrate to Utah with the Saints. They began their journey in September of 1852 but James became ill and they had to stop in Harrison County Missouri. There he remained for the winter. During this time he was asked to preach by two men – Mr. Gfolet and Hannabel Harrison. He wrote,” I preached for both of them to large audiences the first principles of the gospel and not getting another invitation I hereby seal up the testimony in this settlement to all but the honest in heart 11 February 1853. He recounts in his journal that he continued to preach. On November 1, 1853 he started a mission to “preach the gospel to the world”. Some of the places he mentioned are Harrison County, Missouri and Cakall County, Illinois, Brunswich County, St. Louis in the “Honduras”, Calhoun County, Illinois, Glasgo, Jefferson City, Boonville, Brunswick and Brush Creek in Horkens settlement. He stated in his journal – after recounting visits to the above places, “Started home Sunday 2nd with Charles Mullen, got home on Thursday 15th and found my family well.”

In May of 1860 the James Robertson Sharp family prepared to leave their home for the Salt Lake Valley. James states that all of his family accompanied him except Mary – who went in 1861. Two of his children were deceased before this time – William Sharp and Rhoda Rowantha Josephine Sharp. The record of the John Taylor Company (1860) – which is the company the Sharp family travelled in – states the
following as known members of the company: James Robertson Sharp, age 51, Martha Arminta Griffith Sharp, age 40, Joseph Smith Sharp, age 20, Sarah Emma Sharp, age 18, James Robertson Sharp, Jr., age 16, George Washington Sharp, age 14, Brigham Young Sharp, age 10 and Orson Pratt Sharp, age 2. The other six children are not mentioned in the official record of the company.
A narrative about the John Taylor Company (1860) says:

“Called the Iowa Company, this company actually consisted of English and Danish emigrants who had settled temporarily in various places in the United States, but especially in Iowa and Nebraska. The company started from Iowa City, Iowa, on May 24 with 123 emigrants, 23 wagons, 61 oxen, and 32 cows. John Taylor (not the Apostle and future President, but an early settler in Tooele) was company captain. Jens Peter Christensen was his assistant. Christensen had just spent a year presiding over a Danish branch in Alton, Illinois. After crossing Iowa, they left from Florence on July 3. On July 16, they had traveled to just west of Eagle Island, Nebraska Territory and on July 26 they were near Ash Hollow. They arrived in Salt Lake City on September 17 with 16 wagons. There had been one birth and no deaths.”

James reports that he was sick most of the way and lost his span of five mares on the plains. They left many of their belongings (bedding and other things) piled on the banks of the Missouri River because they did not have room to bring everything. He does not give details, but reports in his journal that he didn’t arrive in the Salt Lake Valley until October 4, 1860, this being 2 weeks later than the company in which he and his family traveled.

James and his family settled in the area around what is now Kaysville and Farmington, Utah. However, James died early in the development of Davis County, Utah Territory. In fact, he lived only 2 ½ years after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. He died in Kaysville, Davis, Utah on 22 May 1863 at the age of 53. It is believed he may have been buried on family property as there is no record of a gravesite for him.

James’ widow, Martha, married a man by the surname of Dwiggins. They moved to Washington. She died in Reardan, Washington 12 April 1905 and is buried in the Spring Creek Cemetery, Reardan, Lincoln County, Washington, USA.

Sources:
1. Ancestral File database, FamilySearch, http://familysearch.org
2. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Microfilm 1306457
3. http://www.findagrave.com, memorial# 57290099
4. James Robertson Sharp, History of James Robertson Sharp written by Elizabeth Bowles, July 1947, http://myweb.cableone.net/klt2000/JamesRSharp.html
5. Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847-1868, John Taylor Company (1860), http://www.lds.org/churchhistory
6. Personal History of James Robertson Sharp, my Great Grandfather, by Oliver Ira Griffith, www.docs.google.com
7. Journal of James Robertson Sharp, Wapello Camp of D.U.P, Bingham County, Idaho
8. Kinderhook Plates Brought to Joseph Smith Appear to Be a Nineteenth-Century Hoax, Ensign August 1981, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, www.lds.org/ensign
9. Text Files of History of the Church, http://www.boap.org/LDS/History/History_of_the_Church/
10. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, www.wikipedia.org
11. http://www.findagrave.com, memorial# 16365146
This history was submitted to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers in April 2012 by Michelle Holt, Weber West Company, Wilson Camp 55.