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THE MORMON missionaries were active in the area, and Rebecca became very interested in their message. John was not interested at first, bur, being devoted to his wife, and not wanting to be separated, he began investigating. One Sunday morning he said, " If you are so determined about the Mormon Church, you may join." She was baptized that day, in 1849, and a week later John was baptized . They soon had the urge to emigrate to Zion, so they sold their home, their business and all their belongings they couldn't take with them and traveled 50 miles to Liverpool where they embarked on the ship "Windamere," a doubledecked packet ship. This was an old English sailing vessel, not intended for pasSenger travel, but fitted with bunks on both decks for the trip. They boarded the ship with their seven children. Two children, Job and Ann, had died in . infancy. -.. wards on the ship to call on all the LATER HE worked for William ; Saints to fast and call a special Sr., John Jr., Sally (Sarah) and Ford and Sons. This firm conNathan (son of James Ford) were tinued l mtil l1885 when J olln Sr., ' R. Smith for two wagon covers, out I prayer meeting to be held in each ' of which she made dresses for her: ward at 10 a.m., and pray that they stricken. Sally and Nathan died i retired j a well-to-do man. , self and girls, and the trousers for : might be delivered. Although their and were buried eight miles apart IN EARLY days there were no the men. She washed, picked and ' prayers were fervent and earnest, near Ash 'Hollow, John Sr. lay unthe storm continued in fury for 18 conscious for many days, but final- threshing or binding machines, and r - - - --- - --------- - ---- - - I their first grain had to be tramped . carded wool, made it into rolls hours, then abated a Httle, .but the : ly recovered. The family arrived in Zion on , 'out-~ilh horse~. Mr~ Fo~~i;;~-;;~- I and the daughters were taught t~ weather was stormy until the 18th. Four days after the storm, smaIl-- Sept. 24, 1854 and lived for one pert with the sickle, and cut most of spin and weave. She raised ducks pox broke out. About 40 'people year near the 10rdanRiver. Their the grain that way. He could cut, turkeys, chickens and geese,and caught the disease, and many died provisions and money gone, they bind and shock from one half to . I used the feathers to make feather and were buried at sea. The two were forced to glean the wheat three quarters of an acre per day. beds and pillows. . oldest Ford sons, Thomas and Wil- fields, dig potatoes on shares, haul His lucerne seed had to be flailed ' She was devoted to her family wood from the mountains and by hand, and brought $1 per pound. and her religion. She passed away I liam, contracted the disease, but trade one yoke of oxen for a cow He was the first man to bring . April 16, 1881, and is buried in the recovered. To add to their peril, blooded sheep, cattle and horses to Centerville ¢emetery. I the ship caught fire on March 17, and other commodities. Centerville. ' , THERE WILL be rio regular I but heroic work by the bucket bri- . THE FORDS moved to CenterAs was the custom for emig- monthly meeting of your Historical . gade manned ~y crew and passen~ gers soon put the fire out. ville the next year, where they rants, the father, mother and chil- : Society during December. Annual . , . '. . I were offered a home and work on dren who were old enough were ' election of officers will take place BEtAUSE!the voyage itook lon~ the farm of O.M. Deuel. The little rebaptized Sept. 29 , 1856. Mr. at the January meeting to be held ger t~an eXPfcted,' drinking water . log house stood near the northwest Ford was active in his church, and i Wednesday, Jan. 16, 1985. Y'all Ibecame scarce, also the fqod had to corner ofthe Wayman block. From became a Patriarch in 1897. His come! be rationed. On April 8 t~ey sight- 1859 to 1864 they cultivated the first wife and mother of all his chi 1. May we suggest a novel and ed St. Domingo, aJld the ext day, Standish farm in northwest Center- dren, died in 1881 , and he married I thoughtful gift to. give friends and . Mary Ann Wright, a native of Eng- . relatives for Christmas? Give them , Cuba. nte ship entered the mouth ville. of the Mississippi River: on April , Mr .. Ford then boug~t t~e Ricks . land, in 1883. Mr. Ford died Nov. the gift of a one-year membership THE "WINDAMERE" sailed 20. an4 !sailed upstream for two farm situated on the maIO hIghway, 22, 1902 at age 95, and is buried in in the Centerville Historical Socieand resided there the rest of his life. . the Centerville cemetery. ty.It's oilly $5 and it's tax deductifrom Liverpool on Feb. 22, 1854 days to New Orleans. SO!'le days The Fords took sheep and cattle for ble!.Call Charlene Austin, 295-6288 with 572 passengers. The voyage later, thos~ who w.er~ 10 good their labor, and for a time went in I took eight weeks and five days health c0!ltmued theIr Journey to with William R. Smith and Joel I A FEW lines are in order about or Alzina Barton 295-2742. ' from Liverpool to New Orleans. Kans~sCJty,wheretheymadepre- Parrish in the Davis County ! the life of Rebecca Chandler Ford. Life on board was very monoto~ paratJons for the trek west. . Cooperative herd. ' Hetunion with John Sr. brought II nous, ' and accommodations were John Sr. purchased oxen, wagon . children into their home, namely poor. On March 12 a furious storm and provisions, and the family ! WHEN EMIGRANTS passed I Thomas, William, Eliza, John, SaIarose, the masts were cracked and started across the plains in a com- through ontheit wayitd theCillifo1'- Iy,' Emma, Job, Ann and Jos~ph, the sails were torn in pieces. pany with Job Smith as captain. .nia gold ' rush, Mr. Ford .w6uld who were born in England, and The captain, fearful that the old Thomas and William were sent trade cattle and horses that wereiil Esther and James Hyrum who ship could not withstand so heavy a i back to drive Church . freighter ' good condition for their tired ones, were born in Centerville. They sea, called on David Gam, presi- teams, and while in the perform- and after he had fed them for were brought up by strict codes of dent of the Saints on board, and ~ ance of this duty Thomas was . awhile their value would double. manners, morals and thrift , and said, "I am afraid the ship cannot i stricken with cholera and died He also exchanged grain for gold ' were trained early too work. stand the storm. Mr. Gam, ifthere within six hours. I dust to miners who passed Rebecca was an excellent cook. be a God, as your people say there I .through. For the..first few years the She was also expert with her neeis, you had better talk to him if he ' HIS BODY was placed in an un- family suffered tor want of food. dIe, and made everything that her will hear you. I have done all I can, : known grave on the plains, and They lived on .bran bread, smut- children wore up to the time they and I am afraid she will go down!" William rode horseback to carry ty flpur and roots oli thistles and left home. She also made her husthe sad news to the family . An · pig~ee!ls. After thos, early years band's suits until her death. In 1857 ELDER GARN instructed the epidemic of mountain fever broke · they;~an to prosper in their stock and' 58 het son William worked for Elders who presided over the nine I out in camp near Ft. Laramie. John · raisihg [I;)Usiriess under the n~me of : a man for three yards of calico a . week. I I r I . '>