| OCR Text |
Show ONCE MORE IN THE BOSOM OF MY HUSBAND'S FAMILY 12 April 28th-Monday-Left the city with Bro. Merrill on an excursion as far south as Nephi to hunt up bread stuff and what other provisions we could get hold [of] for trade.1 Arrived in Draper-ville at two o'clock and found Bro. Brown and his family packing up for Carson. Maryanne, formerly Bro. Kimball's wife, started with us for her home in Provo, having married a good man of the name of Walton.2 I proposed to myself to be very taciturn so that I might not enlist my sympathies in her behalf which I carried out till after we left Draperville and by the time we arrived to Bishop Harrington's I found myself deeply interested in her recital of all the circumstances that caused her to leave Bro. Kimball. Next morning before leaving we were blessed with a smart snow storm and were delayed till about ten o'clock in consequence. The weather was very inclement. Arrived in Provo about three o'clock and put up to Bro. Stewart's for the night. Remained in 1 Zion was in the grip of a famine. Crops had failed, and winters had been severe. Many cattle had died. Even well-to-do families had to ration their grain through the winter of 1855-56. The poor suffered the most, of course, and only the "semi-patriarchal character of the community preserved thousands from perishing." See Tullidge, History of Salt Lake City, p. 113. A graphic description of the famine is given in the letter of Heber C. Kimball to his son William that Tullidge published on pp. 113-15. 1 The only Mary Ann listed among Kimball's wives by Orson F. Whitney is Mary Ann Shefflin, but this is not she. 124 MY HUSBAND S FAMILY Provo next day which passed very lonesome as my thoughts were busy on my circumstances, more especially in the loss of the sweet society of my little girl. Spent the most of the day with Beans who were very kind to me. We learned that bread stuff was in Provo but hard to be got. Arrived in Nephi the second of May in the afternoon and noticed some improvements, especially Cottonwood trees. The people seemed [happy] to see me and my grief for my little girl was taken from me and perhaps it was owing to my realizing how much sympathy was due to others and their sufferings in a measure greater than my own. When sitting with Sister Lucy Smith she opened the subject of the spirits being required in the world of spirits and related the circumstances of Sarah Smith who died about five years ago and left her boy whom Lucy took care of and one night when having her feelings drawn out considerable towards the child who was suffering from a cold, the mother came to her and Lucy asked her if she was happy and she said she was and that she was very busy, that she was all the time making temple clothes. She also told me how Brigham told father John Smith when on his death bed to tell Joseph that he was doing the best he could for this people and if he was not to let him know what he should do. The simplicity of the message pleased me. I enjoyed the company of Bro. Merrill during my ride very much. And now I am once more in the bosom of my husband's family and I am determined to do all I can for our mutual comfort and advantage. May 11th, 1856-Sunday-Yesterday the eastern mail arrived in this place and we had by it the third letter from Joseph who is rapidly improving in his health and in good spirits. Sister Vary very much prostrated by chills and fever. May 17, 1856-Sunday-Sister Vary continues very feeble. Sat in the room during morning prayers. She is much prostrated. During the past week my health has been quite good and my mind enjoying that peace and happiness that is so desirable. My boy (who is now my only comfort) is gaining in health for which I feel grateful. On Monday we heard of the death of R. W. Woolcott, a missionary to England. He died there of the small pox. Our intimate acquaintance with his wife and himself caused us to feel as if he were one of our own family. The Lord continues to bless us in not only the necessities of life but also the comforts. I got in my possession this week a daguerreotype taken two years and three months ago by Bro. Cannon-myself and 125 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD two children which is now very precious to me and as a special providence.3 May 25th-Sunday-Nothing very special occured during the past week to us as a family. Sister Vary continues very low. Attended the "pollysophical" on Friday evening and heard my name called for a piece for the next week. June 1st-Sunday-Last night I dreamed that I was travelling some road and saw two men and their horses as if they came a distance having that rough look that indicated the same and as I kept looking at them I realized the elder one was Brother Foote and the younger his son Guy. He came right up to me and appeared glad to see me and told me his [wagon] was right by, all loaded. I went along with him to where the wagon was and he assisted me in and I sat as it were on the edge of the front board conversing with him as to where he was going and if it were true that he had left Nephi and he assured me of the fact. Sister Foote was in the back part of the wagon and I spoke to her and asked if she was not very glad to go north to be near her sister (having heard from Bro. Foote that he was going north). She said she was and asked me if I would not go see her. I answered that I surely would. I asked Mr. Foote if Sarah had not died. He said she had not, she was alive. I told him I considered it then a miracle. They kept travelling along and I realized they were not going my road. I noticed that Sister Foote's hand was bound up in a cloth which reminded me of its being burned. I did not see Sarah. I then went where I was going which was like going into a basement and met the one I expected but whether it was Mrs. Hayes or Sarepta Heywood I did not distinctly understand. She had a calico print that I much admired as also the make of it and remarked that I wished I could get as good and pretty one. I told about Brother Foote and while telling it I remarked-I know you are not so much interested in it as I am but for my part I am greatly delighted in Brother Foote's leaving Nephi. A few nights previous I dreamed of the Botty [?] horse getting in the house and my trying to get him out and others engaged in the same things. She was docile. The other mares seemed the first in the dream. 2 Marsena Cannon was the first known resident photographer in Utah and the first to take daguerreotype portraits. He came to Utah in 1850 and for a decade was the most important photographer in the territory. His are the earliest photographs of Salt Lake City. See Nelson Wadsworth, "Zion's Cameramen: Early Photographers of Utah and the Mormons," Utah Historical Quarterly 40 (1972): 33-39. 126 MY HUSBAND'S FAMILY This is the second dream I have had about horses. The former one was when the horses were running and I admiring their swiftness, etc. etc. This morning attended meeting and heard a Bro. Smith just come from his mission in Africa. He spoke right well, seemed to possess a very good spirit. Brother Kimball spoke after. Friday evening attended the Pollysophical and made my debut as a contributer.4 The piece I read was that on my mother written some years ago. My health is running down of late. I have come to a decision this day-to quit drinking TEA. June 1st. June 8th-Sunday-1856-I have to record that my resolution of not drinking tea has failed. My health was so miserable during that I was tempted to take a cup Friday evening to enable me to attend the Pollysophical Society and since then have used tea fully and feel suprisingly better. This forenoon attended the Bowery and was truly comforted and instructed by the preaching of Bros. Joseph Young, Kimball and Brigham. There were such a variety of good instruction that I feel unable to scan it. Attended Ward meeting which consisted of business matters pertaining to the canal which is to fetch the waters of Big Cottonwood into the city.6 The meeting was well attended and a good spirit and interest manifested. Friday evening attended the Pollysophical which was well attended and Bro. Brigham, which is two evenings running on. On account of the lateness of the hour there was not many essays delivered but there was much music and singing. June 15th-Sunday-Attended meeting this forenoon and heard Bro. Brigham who read a revelation given to the Church, Sec. 4 The Polysophical Society was organized in 1854 at Lorenzo Snow's hall. The society's activities and its forced demise in October 1856 when reformation swept the church are discussed briefly in Maureen Ursenbach, "Three Women and the Life of the Mind," Utah Historical Quarterly 43 (1975): 28-29, 31-32. 5 Ward members were probably discussing their contributions to this public works project. The proposed canal was to be used to freight granite for the temple into the city. This impractical scheme was abandoned with the coming of Johnston's army. See Wallace Alan Raynor, "History of the Construction of the Salt Lake Temple" (M.S. thesis, Brigham Young University, 1961), pp. 96- 110. 127 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD 18, concerning the appointing of Edward Partridge to the Land of Zion, etc.* Bro. Brigham dwelt some on those who are commanded and obey such commandments because they are commandments and do not those things willingly in and of themselves are unprofitable servants. He also spoke of those who want revelations. Many may have some given them before long but the revelation will be to cut them off from the Church. He also spoke to the bishops about getting acquainted with the families of their wards, seeing into their circumstances, etc. He related a circumstance about a child going round begging under false circumstances, also of some woman being overheard telling of keeping their money and going to Brigham and obtaining flour from him by making a good story. June 19, 1856-Thursday-Three months today my dear little Sarepta left this world of care and the love and embraces of a mother who loved her with a fondness that has since made her absence so painful and lonesome. Still I am thankful that I enjoyed the precious boon as long as I did. Oh, she was always so sweet to me. Friday evening called on Erastus Snow's family and found Elizabeth very comfortable with her little daughter five days old. Also on Brother Horace Eldridge's folks who were well and attended the Pollysophical meeting which was very interesting. I read my essay on the subject of judging one another. Saturday rode ten miles north and visited Bro. Call's.7 The wheat looks well, looks abundant tho in a few patches seemed dried up for want of water. This is the first north trip I have taken. Sunday attended meeting in the afternoon and heard Bro. Brigham preach a discourse that was very comforting as well as instructive to me. Subjects-The Spirit world was right here if we could but see it; the necessity of having trials and temptations; the necessity of going through the ordeal of going below all things like unto Jesus whose birth and life on this earth was of a humiliating character, etc. June 23rd-Monday-Had a family group taken at [daguerreotype] room of Sister Vary, Ida, Nealy and Benny, which consumed the forenoon. Started from there and made some calls first on Mrs. Howard where I stayed near an hour. Next on Sister Zina Young 6 Edward Partridge was the first presiding bishop of the LDS church. ' Probably Anson Call. 128 MY HUSBAND S FAMILY who chaperoned me through Brigham's new house, commencing with the school where Sister Pratt presides.8 The scholars are all from Bro. Brigham's family and I like her system if she can carry it and advance her pupils in scholastic learning. Went all through the house but a few rooms finished and occupied.9 A large number of workmen to work. Visited his other house and Sister Maryanna received me very warmly.10 Tarried about half an hour and had an interview with Brother Brigham who spoke kindly to my little boy and kissed him. Called on Sister Emeline and Sister Wells, also on Bro. Barlow's family and finally found myself at home with a mind full of new thoughts and plans.11 One of the latter was embroidering. Tuesday after the morning duties started to Sister Lea-wood's [?] and had a few hours delightful visit and felt strengthened in my purpose of accomplishing something. In the afternoon went down street with Sister Heywood and on our return turned in to Bro. Barlow's and visited there. July 6th-Sunday-This forenoon attended meeting and heard Brother Brigham preach on the necessity of obeying all the ordinances which will give us light and enable us to know whether we can judge or not, nor can it be expected that persons just coming to the valley . July 20th-Sunday-Four months ago this morning I saw the little tabernacle of my dear Sarepta for the last time, embraced it and saw it covered from my sight. We left the house taking the precious burden to the burial ground, there depositing it in the depth prepared, covering it up and starting from there to this place. For the 3 Zina Diantha Huntington Smith Young was a. sister of Dimick B. and Prescindia. A plural wife of Joseph Smith, Jr., Zina was later married to Brigham Young. She served as the third president of the Relief Society, president of the Silk Association, and vice-president of the National Council of Women. See Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:697-99. Sister Pratt may have been Keziah Pratt who later had a school at First South and Richards streets. 9 The Lion House, designed by Truman O. Angell, was built during 1855- 56 for the church leader's growing family. The home was several months away from completion, although some of the family were living there. The Deseret News of September 24, 1856, announced that the large dwelling was completed. The family's school was in a downstairs room of the Lion House until 1862 when a separate schoolhouse was built for the children. A good description of the rooms Martha may have seen is found in Carter, Heart Throbs of the West, 1:234-36. "Martha had stopped at the Beehive House, just east ot the new Lion House and visited with Mary Ann Angell Young. The Beehive House had been completed in 1854. It, too, was designed by Truman O. Angell, Mary Ann s 11 Martha may have visited Emmeline Free Young, a wife of Brigham, and/ or Emmeline B. Wells, a wife of Daniel H. 129 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD last month I have visited much among my acquaintances. Last Tuesday with Sarepta and Sister Vary spent the afternoon with Bro. Brigham's folks on the Hill. Thursday we all spent the afternoon to Sister Southworth's. Friday I started in the forenoon to make a long contemplated visit to Brother Barney's folks and on the way made some calls, one of which, Sister Haven, I enjoyed. July 27th-Sunday-Visited the Big Cottonwood canyon which was a very interesting circumstance to me, being the celebration of the 24th. It was a most fitting illustration of the thing to illustrate. It was in my heart to go but I could not think of getting a chance for myself while the rest of the family would remain at home, but Sarepta having arranged a visit to her brothers I felt free to take the first opportunity that presented itself.12 This forenoon a Bro. Orrin Smith gave his experiences. It was interesting to me as he went through a Millerite course. Joseph Young followed with the best of instructions to us as a people and then Bro. Brigham followed with a whip on the Bishops. This afternoon we heard from Bro. Townsend who had been to Carson Valley and California.13 He gave a deplorable account of California and not a very good one of Carson. August 1st-Attended the Pollysophical party which was very interesting and enjoyed myself very much and had the very great pleasure of dancing with Brigham which did my soul good. Had letters from Mr. Heywood last from Chicago. His health improving all the time. August 4th-Monday-Commenced to work in the and Sister Woolcot commenced to learn and work at the business. Attended the Agricultural and Mechanical Society meeting and tho few attended the remarks of Bros. Blair and Clements were very interesting. 14 Had a visit to the sugar works, or rather to Sister Smoot which I enjoyed very much. 12 The celebration took place at Brighton in Big Cottonwood Canyon. A large bowery was built for shade. Swings and rafts for use on Silver Lake were designed to entertain the young. The Nauvoo Brass Band, Captain Ballo's Band, and many other musicians provided entertainment and music for dancing that lasted until after midnight. On the Twenty-fourth itself the campers were awakened at five minutes to five with reveille, and at five o'clock two rounds were fired from a cannon. See Deseret News, July 30, 1856. 13 James Foss Townsend had been a missionary companion of Wilford Woodruff in Maine. He reportedly built the first hotel in Utah. See Esshom, Pioneers and Prominent Men, p. 352. 14 The Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society was incorporated on January 17, 1856, by the territorial legislature to promote home industry. See 130 MY HUSBAND'S FAMILY Sister Vary has been working all the week on the rug designed for the Exhibition and it bids fair to be very fine. August 9th-Saturday-Attended another A. & M. Meeting. Bro. Brigham was there but did not address the meeting. Heard excellent remarks from Bro. Clements. Pretty well attended. August 10th-Sunday-Was not well and did not attend the Tabernacle but learned that Bro. Brigham came out in plain terms on home manufacture and the necessity of making our own wearing apparel. Attended ward meeting and Bro. Pack spoke very interesting on home produce and manufacture. August 8th was the return of dear little Sarepta's birthday but my beautiful daughter has been removed from my care for some reason that I do not yet comprehend. August 17th-Sabbath-Was addressed by Bro. Whitney and Bro. Brigham in the forenoon and in the afternoon Bro. Merrill and a few remarks from Bro. S . Home manufacture and the spirit of home manufacture seems much on the increase, although last week's editorial goes to the contrary.15 Friday evening attended the Pollysophical and was much entertained. I had prepared a subject on home manufacture in rhyme but had not the opportunity of presenting it. Saturday afternoon spent about three hours with Bro. Parley and family where I enjoyed myself much and from there to the Mechanical and Agricultural Society but was very late and only heard some remarks by Bro. Woodruff which were very good and heard a song by Bro. Willis.16 Our mare Fairner died Wednesday. August 24th-Sunday-This forenoon Bro. Samuel Wooley gave a report of his mission to Hindustan which was deeply interesting but previous to his speaking Bro. Renny gave a history of himself and Father Cuder of Silver Creek and how he, Father Cutler, was led to apostatize from the Church. After Bro. Renny had con- Leonard J Arrington, "The Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society in Pioneer Utah," Utah Historical Quarterly 24 (1956) : 165-70. 15 Martha may have been referring to an editorial in the Deseret News of August 20, 1856, that posed the problem of locally produced goods such as hats and shoes costing more than the imported items. To be successful, the editorial stated, home manufacturers must produce goods that were better and/ or cheaper. 16 Wilford Woodruff said the society was in its infancy but promising. He showed some soap made by Dr. William France that was superior to the imported article. The apostle said that the ladies could greatly influence home industry by giving it their support. The singer was a W. Willes. See Deseret News, August 27, 1856. 131 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD eluded his remarks Bro. Kimball stood up and moved and it was seconded and an unanimous vote of the Church that Bro. Renny be accepted as a brother in the Church in full fellowship. Bro. Brigham testified as to his knowledge of his good character and remarked that it was the order to [go] down into the water and be baptized and be confirmed by the laying on of hands. This evening attended the ward meeting and if ever I heard music from men's voices I heard it tonight from Bro. Blair. He spoke most splendidly. Eastern mail arrived Friday evening, August 29th and we received three letters from Joseph one of which gave us an account of his Sans ceremony, dismissed from the office of U. S. Marshall. His health was very good and was in good spirits. His business was not in the least settled.17 " See footnote 15, chapter 11. 132 |
