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Show SOME INDICATIONS OF PREGNANCY 6 April 13th-Sunday-Last Sabbath being the 6th of April the Conference was appointed but in consequence of the stormy day was postponed till Monday when it was all done up in one day to the disappointment of many. The principal business done was the appointment of Bishop Hunter to the place vacated by Bishop Whitney's death, as Bishop to the whole Church and Brother Wells, trustee to .x Also appointments of several brethren to Iron County and amongst the many going is Mr. Haywood just for the good of his health, to accompany the presidency who are going to visit the settlement. Today the weather is uncommonly pleasant. Had a good meeting this forenoon. Brother Benson spoke very lengthily and then Brother Brigham followed with divers sermons done up in short order. First, taking the trees and shrubbery from City Creek Canyon, showing the ridiculousness of depriving the water of the creek of its protection from being fouled. Next that of Parley P's canyon which right he sold out to several individuals for his benefit to provide for his expedition and such individual rights ought not be interferred 1 Edward Hunter succeeded Newel K. Whitney as presiding bishop. Daniel Hanmer Wells later served as second counselor to Brigham Young in the First Presidency and filled many civic posts. See Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:62-66. 56 SOME INDICATIONS OF PREGNANCY with.2 Another sermon was on the absurd principal of a woman coming to him to know what she must do with her husband; and another sermon was about building a temporary place of worship to be put up this summer on consequence of the unhealthy and uncomfortable state of the present.3 Since I last wrote in my journal I have had but poor health. I have reason to think it is in consequence of a change going on in my system giving me some hope of in due time becoming a mother, for which indication I bless the Lord in my inmost soul. Visited to Mrs. Farr's and Mrs. Stratton's this last week and called to see Mrs. Rosad's three babies born at a birth.4 April 20th-Sunday-A steady rain storm during last night and up to this time (noon). Though disappointed in a contemplated good meeting there is a satisfaction in thinking how much advantage this steady rain will be to the wheat and general vegetation. I have sowed a number of flower seeds during this last week commencing on Monday and my one apple and four peach trees are leaved out and looking well. Grape vines show no signs of life as yet which with the others I planted about a month ago or a little over. On Wednesday attended the Council house to receive my endowment. Sister Buck officiated in the washing and annointing of me and my husband took me through the vail, being the same day (16th) three months, that I was married " and expect him to start in two days on his contemplated tour to Little Salt Lake to be gone 6 or 8 weeks. He and Ben Johnston will travel together, to whose family we visited last week. Nature is rapidly growing greener every day. My health has been a little better last week but not so well as I could wish it. April 27th-Sunday-1851-Mr. Haywood left last Tuesday afternoon for his Salt Lake trip in company with Benjamin Johnston whose health was yet more miserable than Mr. Haywood's. It is to be hoped that they will find what they are after. Alley has recovered her health since he has been gone." Visited to Mrs. Stringam on 2 Parley P. Pratt had opened the "Golden Pass" road through Parley's Canyon on July 4, 1850, providing travelers with a shortcut to Salt Lake Valley in exchange for a toll of seventy-five cents. 3 Martha made an excellent resume of Brigham's brief sermons. 1 The birth of triplets would have been an unusual event. Martha was probably even more interested in these newborn babies because of her own pregnancy. * Martha's endowment would be a source of comfort and strength to her during her pregnancy and Heywood's absences. ° Ally, as she was called, was the four-year-old daughter of Joseph and Sarepta Heywood. She was listed as Alice in the 1850 Census. 57 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD Wednesday. I made a call on Mrs. Joseph Young and had a smart discussion on the merits of my choosing a man who had a wife and how much more the first wife had [to] endure than those who voluntary took the men afterwards. This I would not allow. My doctrine is that both have their trials, not alike but one exists as much as the other. Spent Thursday afternoon with Sarah Lawrence where I had another battle with a Mrs. Butterfield, one of the neighbors on the same subject that arose from a remark she made among others that she would not consider a man her husband who had another wife. It seems to me a strange thing to believe Mormonism and not believe or receive the doctrine of plurality of wives as coming from the one source of authority and when the subjects of this principle are not respected on its account then the principle is not.7 Today we ate for the first time some of our garden produce in the shape of lettuce and pepper grass. May 26th-Sunday-Last evening Mr. Haywood returned rather unexpected and we in the midst of great confusion in consequence of the house undergoing repairs-the foundation having given away during the rain storms. We have had a full supply of rain during the last month which has been unexpected and vegetation has throve under its influence with rapidity. But many have suffered from leaky roofs and some blown off from the great winds. We have been nearly three weeks in perfect muss but have not experienced the calamity of ill health as some have in this place, even to the loss of life. Brother Knowlton lost his youngest daughter very suddenly of three day illness-also Sister Ashby of less than two weeks. I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from my dear friend Mrs. Strong full of affection and interest and through this medium heard also from Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. That was peculiarly gratifying to me. Mrs. S. is much.concerned on the subject of polygamy and requests me to write her the truth and the whole truth. This afternoon I attended meeting and heard Brigham Young preach an out and outer sermon on gold, merchants, lazy women and men who want nothing but fine clothes-sowing seeds for their own destruction. June 8th-Sunday-For two weeks past I have felt rather miserable in health and some puzzled as to the true cause of it Although polygamy was practiced in secret and denied in public during the Nauvoo period, it was not yet fully accepted among all the Saints. Not until 1852 would it be declared to all the world as God's "higher law." 58 SOME INDICATIONS OF PREGNANCY having some indications of pregnancy and some rather opposed to it. It tries me a little as to what is the matter with me.8 Mrs. Haywood has felt pretty weakly for the same time and Sister Vary as usual complaining. But thanks to our Heavenly Father for it, Mr. Haywood has felt well and hearty since his return and seems to enjoy better health than ever I have know him to. His farm speculation seems to gain ground in his mind every day and I feel well pleased with the plan laid out of going there and if it's carried out the Lord will give me wisdom and health for my situation. Last Sabbath I did not feel able to attend meeting but this afternoon I did and enjoyed the remarks of Joseph Young in reference to keeping the Sabbath holy. Also Brother Kimball in that of not visiting on that day and that of Brigham's in keeping stillness and order during the public services. Mr. Livingston arrived today from the states and expressed so strong a desire to board here that it has been decided to board him and also others six in numbers when they shall arrive.9 7* I have spent a pleasant hour this afternoon with William Snow's family and attended singing school where I also enjoyed myself. I feel as if I gained a little in strength of voice from the exercise but my secret motive is to have a little exercise of mind during my present state of health of the Lord. June 15th-Sunday-We have had two exhibitions during the last week. On Tuesday evening Don Cesar DeBazan and Dead Shot and on Saturday evening the Stranger and The Gentle Shepard. All went off very well. It fell to [my] lot to make the greater share of the dresses and they looked very well.10 Mr. Livingston has been very sick since his arrival and continuing so has had a Doctor Lee from Cottonwood to attend him who boards with us.11 Mr. L. keeps his bed. By him I have heard that Joseph 8 This is so typical of Martha's temperament: the desire to know at once and without question. 9 There were other Livingstons in Salt Lake City, however, later diary references indicate that Martha was referring to the merchant James Monroe Livingston who brought the first stock of goods for the Utah market in 1849 and opened business as a partner in Livingston, Kinkead, & Co. 10 Although Martha no longer took a leading role in directing the exhibitions, she was largely responsible for the costumes. 31 Ezekiel Lee, "popularly known as Doctor Lee," was bishop of the Big Cottonwood Ward in the early 1850s. See Francis W. Kirkham and Harold Lundstrom, eds., Tales of a Triumphant People: A History of Salt Lake County, Utah, 1847-1900 (Salt Lake City: Salt Lake County Company, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1947), p. 74. He may also be the Ezekiel Lee, physician, listed as living in the Nineteenth Ward, west of Capitol Hill, by E. L. Sloan, comp., The Salt Lake City Directory and Business Guide for 1869 (Salt Lake City, 1869), p. 119. 59 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD Johnston does not think of coming here this season. This intelligence has since been confirmed by gold emigrants who have arrived during the last week and yet I cannot think it possible that he will not come. A. Babbit has been expected in with his family for the last few days.12 There is not much gold emigration started from the states this season. My health has been rather better for two or three days past till today and I again feel poorly. I made out to attend meeting this afternoon, but felt distressed while there-so much so that I could not profit much by which was said. Father Kempton was the first to speak.13 Major next and then Doctor Richards 14 who spoke on our accountability of receiving instruction when we had opportunity and he also referred to a remark of Father Kempton's that he lived a whole year in Hell and felt that he kept all the commandments. He wished information not conceiving it possible that a person keeping the commandments could have a Hell made for them not even by all the devils in Hell. After the doctor sat down Father Kemp-ton rose and acknowledged the whipping as he called it that the doctor gave but would like to ask him where was Lot when he was in Sodom. The Doctor at once answered "in Hell" which sent quite a lively sensation through the audience. Had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Lewens able to be out again and looking very well. June 22nd-Sunday-During last week I felt very poorly indeed but today am better tho weakly and subject to pain. My husband had a long conversation with me last night counselling me to, if possible, assist in the housework sufficient to avoid the hiring of a girl during Mrs. Haywood's expected confinement. I felt as if she did not know how willingly I would enter into the spirit of doing so if I had health and strength to do it. But at all events I am determined to do the best I can and if I am blest with a restoration of comparative health I will do all that lays in my power to be useful to the family for the time I will be with them. I realize that I have " Almon W. Babbitt, Heywood, and John S. Fullmer were in charge of LDS church affairs at Nauvoo after the exodus. Later Babbitt served as secretary of Utah Territory. Martha's interest in the Babbitts may have stemmed from an acquaintance with his wife Julia Ann Johnson Babbitt, an elder sister of loseph Ellis Johnson. "This was probably John Kempton, a member of the High Council of Salt Lake Stake, 1849-52. See Lynn M. Hilton, ed., The Story of the Salt Lake Stake, 1847-1972 (Salt Lake City: Salt Lake Stake, Church of Tesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1972), p. 298. 34 Dr. Willard Richards, second counselor to Brigham Young from 1847 to 1854, filled a large number of church and civic posts. See Jenson LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:53-56. 60 SOME INDICATIONS OF PREGNANCY both a good and a kind husband to look to and to trust in and I hope I may yet be able to prove to him that I realize this. The repairs of the house are now about finished and I believe we shall all feel better of it. Mr. Livingston is recovered sufficient to come to his meals again, having commenced this noon in so doing. Attended meeting this forenoon and heard some good speaking from the brethren but particularly from Brigham Young. He spoke very warmly of the Church store being abused and especially by the sisters and in connection with this matter he alluded to how little tithing was sent in and how much was expended on public improvement. June 29th-Sunday-An eastern mail arrived last evening. No news of any importance. Heard that A. W. Babbit left with the Government officers the 16th of M.-Kanesville. On Friday Brother and Sister Blair visited with us in company with Judge Brandenbury, our new officer.15 Mother Snow happened in during the day and she also spent the afternoon. I should have enjoyed the visit but for a violent bowel complaint that came quite sudden and prostrated me for the rest of the day. I had a little visit with Mother Snow and enjoyed it well. July 6th-Sunday-Had a delightful 4th of July excursion in the form of a trip to Salt Lake where I enjoyed myself in the ride, exercises on the ground and the bathing.16 Returned much better in health about two o'clock yesterday and rode to the warm springs and bathed there for the first time and today I feel better than I have for the last few months--so much so that I have attended meeting all day, visited to Brother Snow's and attended singing school. Had most excellent preaching in the forenoon from Father Cahoon,17 Father Kempton and Brother Brigham, the burden of whose remarks were that constituted, Hell was "wanting to do it and couldn't". This afternoon Thomas Bullock, Brother Felt and Brother Kimball. "Lemuel G. Brandebury was named chief justice of Utah in 1850 and would therefore have been associated with Joseph L. Heywood, the new U. S. marshal, and Seth M. Blair, U. S. attorney. The Blairs were no doubt introducing the judge to the city's society. See Tullidge, History of Salt Lake City, p. 78. 16 Many Salt Lakers celebrated the July 4 holiday by taking an excursion to Black Rock, Great Salt Lake. See Andrew Jenson, comp., Church Chronology (Salt Lake City, 1914), p. 43. "Reynolds Cahoon came to Salt Lake City in 1848. Born April 30, 1790, at Cambridge, N. Y., he joined the LDS church on October 12, 1830, and was for years closely associated with Joseph Smith. At Far West he served under David Patten of the Danite band. He settled in Murray, Utah, where he died April 29, 1861. See Stella Cahoon Shurtleff and Brent F. Cahoon, Reynolds Cahoon and His Stalwart Sons (Salt Lake City, 1960). 61 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD July 13th-Sunday-Moon changed yesterday which brought us a delightful shower today,18 the first rain we have had for several weeks. Last Sunday I felt so well that I supposed I was about having better health, but from walking too much or something else on Wednesday I flattened down again. Sister Susanna Richards called here on that day and having consulted her she told me what it was that caused my pains and prescribed for me. It has been a relief to my mind to have some little knowledge of what the matter was with me. Time seems to confirm my suppositions of being pregnant for which I feel grateful to my father in heaven and willingly will bear the trials consequent to it tho this is not connected with the pains and distress that I suffer so much from. Oh may the Lord give me strength to bear and bring forth a child in this my advanced age, and to his service will I dedicate it with all my heart and soul. Mr. Livingston's brother arrived here on Thursday, 10th, and was here to supper. He is an interesting appearing young man and very sociable. Ruth Kimball19 had her confinement this night, a little girl who died or was dead on coming into this world. This calamity was very unexpected as the mother was so uncommonly well all the time of her pregnancy. Mrs. Haywood to our great surprise still keeps about. July 20th-Sunday-On Tuesday the 15th between 12 and 1:00 o'clock Mrs. Haywood was safely delivered of a daughter and both have been doing very well since. The babe is very sweet and interesting and I think will favor her mother more than Alice does. She is a lively interesting good baby and already I love it very much. Mrs. H. was about four hours in labor. Yesterday the 19th Alman Babbit arrived. He brought me a letter from Joseph E. Johnston who writes me that he is not coming this year and wishes me to send on some money by the return of Mr. Babbit and also that he sends me a stock of cap materials.20 May the Lord bless him in his afflictions as he seems to be wading through them in pecuniary affairs. Mother Johnston is well but not coming for which I am very sorry, as also Mrs. Therman. It seems hard to me that Mr. B. would come without them but Mrs. Carter and others of his family are on the way as also Mrs. Snider's. 1S An item of folklore from the period. "Ruth Reese Kimball, wife of Heber C. and sister of John and Enoch £?ESu' . , , . ? , _ - l n f a n t S u s a n n a h w a s °ne of some fifty-six persons buried in the Kimball-Whitney Cemetery on Gordon Place between Main and State streets bee Carter, Our Pioneer Heritage, 10:392-93, 427. " A stock of cap materials would be most welcome, for Martha would probably get better quality at a lower price from Johnson. 62 SOME INDICATIONS OF PREGNANCY Zerubbabel Snow, Mr. Snow, etc. Government officers came with Mr. Babbit. They had much rain by the way which caused them delay and serious damage.21 Mr. Livingston's first train of goods came in during last week. His goods are of the first quality. August 3rd-Sunday-Mrs. Haywood has gained as well as could be expected for her and now about the house and able to wait on herself. The baby has been very healthy but troubled some with colic-grows very fast. She is named "Sarah Idoo". My health is not very good-weather warm and my situation makes me feel miserable all the time. Did not exercise very much last week but sewed steady. Spent Wednesday afternoon to Mrs. Butterfield's to visit Mrs. Sindy[?]. Did not find her very interesting. Some like her daughter but make out to learn something of the folks back. Did not attend meeting today but learned that Doctor Bernhisel spoke of his travels very interestingly this forenoon and Brother Brigham this afternoon. Brother Babbit is expected to speak next Sabbath forenoon. Reports of the cholera raging East and at the mines and high water destruction. Mr. Livingston started this morning to meet Mr. Kinkaid.22 Mr. Haywood's health has been poorly for three or four weeks and I believe it will not be better till he makes his trip to Salt Creek. The last mail brought nothing for me. I feel confident that letters have been written but gone astray.23 21 "Four of the newly appointed Federal officers for Utah, namely, Judge Zerubbabel Snow, Secretary Benjamin D. Harris and Indian Agents Stephen B. Rose and Henry R. Day arrived in G.S.L. City, accomplished by Dr. John M. Bernhisel and Almon W. Babbitt." Jenson, Church Chronology, 43. Bernhisel became Utah's first delegate to Congress on August 4, 1851, when the new territory's first general election was held. See Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:724. Zerubbabel, a brother of Erastus Snow, was one of two associate justices of the territorial supreme court. "Kinkaid (sometimes spelled Kincaid or Kinkade) was Charles A. Kinkead of Livingston, Kinkead & Co. For an interesting glimpse of pioneer merchandising see Kinkead's sworn testimony given before a Washington, D.C., justice of the peace in July 1856 in J. Cecil Alter, Utah, the Storied Domain, 3 vols. (Chicago and New York: American Historical Society, 1932), 1:217. 23 Martha refused to think that her friends just might have forgotten to write or been too busy. Her trust in the enduring ties of friendships is cheering. 63 |
