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.