Grandfather’s Wives – By the Family

ELIZABETH PARTRIDGE TILLOTSON

Elizabeth Partridge Tillotson, grandfather’s first wife, was the mother of eleven children. She was honored by the other wives and thought of as coming first after grandfathher in the Whiting home. She was a very quiet, refined, klind-hearted and industrious. As a child, I see her very old as one who had passed through many sorrows and trials, who had struggled hard and had overcome the obstacles that stood in her way. She seemed to be descending the hill and looking toward the sunset of life. She taught school before her marriage and had charge of the Sabbath School for small children for many years after coming to Utah. She had a very brilliant mind, yet was simple and reserved in her appearance and manner. As I remember the old home, the picture uppermost in my mind is the old arm chair she sat in with its black velvet cushion and raw hide bottom, one of the chairs made from the native wood by grandfather, in which she reclined by the old Charter Oak cook stove. Her children and grandchildren have her, many admirable qualities.

(signed) Wayne Johnson

ALMIRA M. MEACHAM

Almira M.. Mecham. was born May 13, I824 in New York. She was grandfather’s second wife and was the mother of seven children. She did not live in the big house, but Grandfather built her a home near by where she lived and raised her children.

Edward, her eldest son, was dependable and aided in the support of the family. She was a good nurse and gave service to neighbors when needed. Many babies saw the light of day for the first time in her faithful care. She was kind and gentle, even tempered and gracious to everyone. She respected Elizabeth, the first wife, as the head of the house hold along with Grandfather and was congenial with the other wives who taught correct principles to her children who loved, honored and respected her. Leaving friends and relatives, as a young girl, she came to Utah as a pioneer and when she suffered poverty and many other hardship common to the early days. May these faithful souls be rewarded in the great beyond.

(signed) Gertrude P. Killpack

MARY ELIZABETH COX

Some great man has said that every man is justified in saying I have the best wife and the best mother in the world. I heartily agree with him. When memory takes me back to my childhood days, I wonder what I could have accomplished without my mother, with her loving care, wise counsel and advice. She had three titles: Mother to a favored few — Grandma to a large number — and Aunt Mary to a host of loving friends. She spoke no evil. She was patient and uncomplaining in sorrow and adversity. She loved young people and children, joining in their games and amusements until the day of her death. She was never idle; could nit, read and rock the cradle at the same time. Mother loved to play the quiet home games of her day. About the only time I ever heard her swear was when I was able in a game of checkers to maneuver around and take three or four of her men. Then she would exclaim. “O the devil” perhaps meaning me. Mother was a devout Latter Day Saint and came as near living perfect life as mortals ever attain.

By John C. Whiting

HANNAH HAINES BROWN

Hannah Haines Brown was born in Clumbiana, Ohio, June 21, 1834, daughter of Abia Brown and Abbie Caldwalder. Hardships and trials of early pioneering softened her life, giving her a lovely disposition. She was ever charitable, tolerant, thoughtful of others, sacrificing and joygiving. As a child of fourteen, at the time of Grandmothers death, I cannot recall ever hearing her speak an angry word. Quoting from a letter written in 1843 by her father to his mother, Ann Haines Brown, which I have in my possession, and nearly one hundred years old, he says: My dear little girls are a great help to their mother and me. Jane is taller than Ann, but Ann is quite womanly and trusty, but Hannah is the flower of the flock in every way. She excells her sisters in industry, and if she keeps on will excell in personal appearance. All through her Grandmothers life, she had these chacteristics which make her a sweet and lovable woman. She made this statement that all the other wives of Grandfather were to her as sisters and she loved and respected them in their homes as such.

By Hannah Bird Mendenhall

MARY ANN WASHBURN

Mary Ann Washburn was born in November, 1828 in the town of Sing Sing, New York. She joined the Mormons and came to Utah when a young girl, leaving her sweetheart behind which was a heart ache and sorrow through all her life. She named her youngest son for her first love, Monroe Frink. Arriving in Utah, she married Joseph Noble, but after their second child came, she was separated from him and married Edwin Whiting, my Grandfather. She had two sons, Daniel Abraham, my father, and Monroe Frink. She did very fine hand sewing, especially on temple clothes for herself and others. Her hemming and stitching were unexcelled. She was known to be one of the best house keepers. She was overcome with sorrow when her youngest son, Monroe went away to Arizona among hostile Indians, but was overjoyed at his early return. She had many serious trials and hardships in her life. She died at the age of fifty-four years, October 10, 1882.

By Mary R. Smith

Source: From the Marie J. Whiting Collection. All spelling and punctuation original.

Father Edwin Whiting by Verona Whiting, wife of Charles

Part of a sketch of the Edwin Whiting family written and read at the Reunion by Verona, wife of Charles Whiting, son of Edwin & Mary E. Cox Whiting. Aunt Verona was with grandmother on the trip from Ariz when Aunt May died.

Our ancestor Edwin Whiting, the first of the Whitings to join the Church, was a grand, old man. The old Whiting Home was in Springville, it was a two story building. I imagine it was one of the nicest in those early days. This was a great place for young people to meet and I guess our father must have been very tolerant, because I never heard of any complaint from him. I have heard his sons tell of some of his sayings when they were among themselves. One of them was when they were riding along and one of the boys driving slashed the whip around and accidently struck father on the ear. He exclaimed, “Judas!! Cut and slash, Cut and slash, Cut a man’s ear off!”

They were sorry but they always saw the funny side of things. This is only one of the sayings among hundreds that they would tell among themselves and laugh and have a good time. Albert and the boys had been out late one night and Father Whiting was having a hard time to get them up, when someone asked if the boys were up yet and he said, “Well, I got Albert up on his haunches, but I suppose he has laid down by now.”

He lived in Manti, San Pete Co. for 12 years when they first came to Utah, where most of their children were born. He was a horticulturist or nursery man, a lover of beautiful flowers and cultivated many fruits: growing them from the seed and pits. These were grafted when they were old enough. I have seen three kinds of apples growing on one tree.

The winters were so cold in Manti that things would winter kill, so he was advised to move to Springville where the climate was more moderate.

Red Juniper Tree, planted in Springville by Edwin Whiting on Main Street at approx. 445 South, on the east side of the street. It grew in front of the Family home and is still standing, Aug. 2012.

Miscellaneous Edwin Whiting Notes

He was always in a hurry. He was a man of few words.

Grandfather traded for an ox and later decided he had not paid enough so sent Uncle Al (Albert Milton, a son) with 10 bushel more of wheat.

When he tried to get his sons out of bed when they were sleeping in the shed. He climbed a ladder and used a raker (a rake).

Source: Elda Whiting Brown from Arizona, 1985

Edwin and the Buffalo

As the company of Pioneers were traveling toward the West there were many buffalo in great herds. They were dangerous.

One day a group of wagons was starting the make camp when they saw a herd of buffalo coming straight to them. Edwin stood on a one of the wagons tongues with a large buck whip and with others swung those and yelled so the Buffalo parted and went on each side of the camp. No one was hurt.

Source: Elda Whiting Brown, Arizona, 1985

An Incident With the Bull Whip and Edwin

An incident in the life of Edwin Whiting as told by his son, John Whiting of Charleston, Utah.

Ren (Lorenzo, a son) and the boys were up the canyon with father. Ren took the Bull whip and flipped it around fathers ear and cut it. Father wasn’t one to swear but his Yankee spirit couldn’t be squelched and he remonstrated, “Hell and Judas, cut a fellow’s ear off.” Then they they tittered as the rode on down the canyon, he added, “You’ll titter and he and haw, and don’t give a damn.”

Source: A hand written scrap of paper in the handwriting of Marie J. Whiting in her collection of the Life of her Grandfather.

A Physical Description of Edwin Whiting

Edwin’s build – No picture shows him as a large men. As to height he has both tall and short sons but none heavy. Someone has stated he held himself straight and walked with his hands behind himself. None of his sons are very bald. He was never bald in any pictures.

Source: A handwritten note by Marie J. Whiting in her Collection

Memories of Ethel Whiting Matson- Granddaughter

June Whiting Blanchard of Springville, Utah, records her memories of a visit with Aunt Ethel Whiting Matson of Lorenzo, Idaho, daughter of Albert Milton annd Harriet Susanna Whiting, about her Grandfather Edwin Whiting.

“I visited Aunt Ethel Matson April 1965. I checked dates with her from her Family Bible record. I also visited Aunt Lorna Tibbits and checked records with her. Between the two of them I was able to get several dates that I did not have, and also make just a few corrections,

“ Aunt ETHEL MATSON told me these little incidents that are very dear to her and therefore are treasured by me also.

“Aunt Ethel still has 12 roses that were brought across the plains by my great grandfather, Edwin Whiting. She obtained these roses from Aunt Abby Whiting Bird. This she told me on April 1,1965.

“Aunt Ethel is this month of April,1965, 81 years old. She told me that she can remember her grandfather Edwin Whiting, one day when she was very small he said to her, “Ethel, I have a cornstalk as high as both of us.” Her took her, and stood her with a foot on each shoulder and he was right, sure enough the cornstalk was as high as them both.” ”

Edwin Whiting Homestead 1883

There are three separate records that refer to Edwin Whiting’s Mapleton Homestead:

1.Edwin Whiting was granted a Homestead Patent number 2023, according to the United States Land Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, March 15, 1883.

Source Deseret News, 1883-0321., pg 8

url: http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/deseretnews3&CISOPTR=740325&CISOSHOW=740369

Note: The map and aerial photograph in the early pages of the Mapleton Historic Sites show the location of this homestead parcel.

2. Early Houses in Mapleton, Utah, published by the Camp Union DUP (Daughters of the Utah Pioneers), page 94, published April 1994, “On February 10, 1883. the United States of America deeded the South half of the north west quarter of Section 10 in Township 8 South, Range 3 East of the Salt Lake Meridian to Edwin Whiting.”

3. The United States Government Bureau of Land Management online records show this same date and property description, 10 February 1883 given to Edward Whiting along with two other parcels. Since many of Edwin’s descendents have occupied this property over these many years, we suppose that the BLM records are a misprint of the name.

Edwin’s Cabbage

Matters and Things at Manti

Manti, Setptember 15, 1852

Editor:

I have often heard it stated, that the valley of San Pete would not produce mellons. This story has probably originated from the fact that the brethren have heretofore not succeeded in bring melons into maturity. This has been laid to the door of Jack Frost, but this is not the sole cause, for it is well known that while there from one to five hundred Indians in our midst during the greater part of the summer, and while they are allowed to travel over our fields, gardens, &c., unmolested and unrestrained, we can do but little in the way of raising melons. This season, many of the bretheren have their city lots fenced, and are living on them; those that are thus situated, are blessed with fine melons, squashes, pumpkins, tomatoes, &c.—articles that have not been raised with any degree of successes, previous to this year. I had a squash from the garden of bro. Holden a few days since, that was equally good as any I ever saw in G.S. valley.

Bro. Edwin Whiting showed me a number of heads of cabbage a few days since, that equal any that ever grew in Bunkomg, N.C. He raised his cabbage from the seed last season, (‘51) cut the heads from the stalks and buried the stocks in the fall so as to protect them from the winter frosts.– In the spring he took them and set them in rows, from 20 inches to two feet apart; after they had started the many shoots that usually come out on an old stock, he selected the healthiest and most thrifty bud or shaft, and broke the others off. The buds so left, have sprung into large, hard, white heads of cabbage; in fact, this cabbage is better headed than any I have ever seen in the valleys.—Bro. Whiting has tried this experiment two seasons, with good success, and recommends this process of raising cabbage very highly

We have had a high frost on the bottoms, but none to injure any sort of vegetation in this city as yet. We had a very severe hail storm in this place, this morning; but as the harvesting is almost over, it could have done but very little damage. After the hail, it rained a fine shower, which will hasten the growth of turnips, &c.

I am yours, AND. L. SIL’ER

Source: Deseret News Deseret News 1852-11-06 pg 2

http://www.lib.utah.edu/digital/unews/dn.html

Note: Original spelling and punctuation retained.

Edwin Whiting Missionary Letters

Edwin Whiting’s Missionary Service – Documents and Letters

Edwin Whiting was called on a mission to Ohio in 1854, and he served until August, 1856.

Source: Edwin’s Missionary Calling: Conference Minutes, Deseret News, July 6, 1854, pg 2

Set Apart as a Missionary: Edwin Whiting Missionary Set Apart

A blessing upon the head of EDWIN WHITING, given under the hands of Orson Hyde and John Taylor in the vestry of the tabernacle in Great Salt Lake City, 31August 1854, setting him apart for a mission to the Eastern States.

The blessing was not given in the world famous dome roof tabernacle. The construction of that building was begun soon afterward. The earlier tabernacle stood in the south side of Temple Square.

BROTHER WHITING, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Master, we lay our hands upon thy head, and set thee apart unto the mission upon which thou art about to be sent, that thou mayest have strength to perform all the duties in relation thereto, that thou mayest magnify thy office and thy calling, and not one hair of thy head shall perish or fall to the ground without the notice of our Heavenly Father.

We seal upon thee every blessing which thy heart desires to advance the Kingdom of God, that thine eye may be single and thy whole body full of light; that thy voice may be powerful and mighty and thy thoughts and meditations be the result of inspiration of the Holy Ghost; that thou mayest declare the testimony of the most High in faithfulness and in power; and do a good work in the field of thy labor; and thou mayest be preserved from the enemies of the truth, and have power to overcome them with everything that raises up against thee, either in the shape of disease or of the power of men or spirits of devils; that thou rnayest have power to overcome them and be successful in establishing the truth of our Father in Heaven, in the hearts of those who seek the redemption of Israel.

Grant, our Father, that the angels of thy presence may be with this, thy servant, that he may be kept and preserved, that his spirit may be pure, and his mind fruitful and not entangled with sin, but keep and preserve him as a monument of thy favor, pure and spotless to return in thy own time to rejoice in the midst of the saints of Zion.

These blessings and every blessing (Brother Whiting) thy heart desires, we seal upon thee in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Published in The Whiting Red Book. Editor, Annette W. Farr (1969) Published here with Permission.

Edwin Whiting Missionary Letters and Newspaper Articles

#1

Nelson, (Ohio) April 15, 1855

Br. Carrington:

I left Great Salt Lake for my mission to the States, 8 Sept., 1854, with company of elders, among whom were br. John Taylor, and br. Preston Thomas was over out captain across the plains. We had a pleasant journey, and fair weather.

My field of labor was in Ohio, in company with br. Elisha Edwards. Br. Edwards and myself have preached in different counties, namely, Portage, Geauga, Cayahoga, Summitt, and Lorain. There is much opposition to the gospel. Where the people will hear us, they come our of curiosity and say they have got religion enough.

Elder Edwin Whiting writes from Hiram, Ohio, June 11, that he and br, Edwards had baptized 4 persons, and re-baptized one, and nine had promised to come forward. They met with much opposition, but were strong in the determination to search out the honest in heart, so far as they might be blessed with ability therefor.

Source: Deseret News, June 13, 1855, pg 4

(2)

Elders Elisha Edwards and Edwin Whiting wrote from Ohio, March 4, as follows. “There is almost a famine here, many of the poor are suffering for the necessaries of life. The rich are so afraid that they shall starve, that they hoard their money and provisions. Cattle are dying by hundreds for want of feed. Snow is 18 inches deep. Spiritualism is the order of the day here; it takes with the people like fire in stubble.

Source: Deseret News, 23 May 1855, pg 5

(3)

We have found some few brethren that are scattered in the land, and have preached to them and strengthened them all we could. Some say they will go to the mountains, and will if they d not lose their faith. A few are believing, but they have not moral courage enough to come out and obey the truth. Spirit rappers are plenty, and on the increase. We see the light shining in darkness and the darkness compehendeth it not.

I do not expect to sty in Ohio much longer, unless our President should direct us so to do. The people here will believe any and everything but the truth. We have borne out testimony to the, in the name of the Lord, and that the work which he commenced, and lived and died for, will roll on until it tills the whole earth. When we have borne this testimony to the people, it made them quake and fear, but they prefer to live on in their wickedness.

EDWIN WHITING

Source: Deseret News

(4)

July 1st,

Elders Edwin Whiting an Elisha Edwards were at Hiram , Ohio, baptizing a few persons.

Source: Deseret News: Sept 12, 1855, pg 5

(5)

Elder Edwin Whiting writes from Hiram, Ohio, June 11, that he and br. Edwards had baptized 4 persons, and re-baptized one, and nine had promised to come forward. They met with much opposition, but were strong in the determination to search out the honest in heart, so far as they might be blessed with ability therefor.

Source: Deseret News Sept 26th, 1855, pg 5 Letters from Elders

(6)

Emigrants for Utah

Members of the wagon Company list Hannah H. Brown, Edwin Whiting, Elisha Edwards (his missionary companon)

Source: Deseret News 6 Aug 1856. pg 8

(7)

Arrivals- Elder Philemon C. Merrill from his mission to England, reached this city on the 13th inst. He came in a little in advance of his company, for the purpose of making preparations for camping, herding stock, &c. Elder Merrill reported the company in excellent health and spirits.

On the 15th, Elder Samuel A. Wooley, from his mission to Hindostan, and Dr. Jeter Clinton, from his mission to the States, arrived in the same company; and on the 16th several more of the company rolled onto the public square in the 17th ward, among whom wee Elders Enoch B. Tripp, Elisha Edwards and Edwin Whiting, from their mission in the States.

The remainder of the company arrived on the 18th. The missionaries seemed much rejoiced with the privilege of again greeting their families and friends in the mountains, and of participating in the blessings which only the saints enjoy.

EldersWhiting and Edwards, with higly commendable forethought and care, brought several gafts from choice varitie of apple trees in the Western Reserve, Ohio.

Source:Deseret News, Aug 20 1856, pg 5

(8)

Arrivals—Elder Philemon C. Merrill, from his mission to England, reached this city on the 13th ___. He came in a little in advance of his company, for the purpose of making preparations for camping, herding stock, etc. Elder Merrill reported the company in excellent health and spirits.

The remainder of the company arrived on the 18th. The missionaries seemed much rejoiced with the privilege of again greeting their families and friends in the mountains, and of participating in the blessings which only saints enjoy.

Elders Whiting and Edwards, with highly commendable forethought and care, brought several grafts from the choice varieties of apple trees in the Western Reserve, Ohio

Source: Deseret News Aug. 1856

(9)

edwin-whiting-fruits-flowers-from-mission

New Kinds of Fruit- Brs. Elisha Edwards and Edwin Whiting, late from their mission to Ohio, succeeded in bringing home the following varieties of fruits and flowers:-

Ohio Greening, Pound Pippin, two kinds of June Sweet, Signefider, (probably a vulgarism for Seek-no further) Rhode Island Greening, Winter Pippin, Winter Wine, and some other choice kinds of which the names are lost. Damson and Egg Plumbs, – Quinsee. Shaker Peach. English Gooseberry. Isabella Grape. White and Red Currant.-Four kinds of tame Roses. Lilac, Flowering Almonds.

We regret the loss of the names of the imported varieties of fruit, fit produces a hesitancy and doubt in the minds of those who are limited I ground, but who wish to cultivate one or more of each from the largest range of the best kinds. Brs. Edwards and Whiting will please accept our thanks for the list of fruits and flowers.

Source: Deseret News Aug.1856

Edwin’s letter to his family from the mission:

Hiram; April 22nd 1855

To my family, wives, children, brothers, sisters All.

God bless you all in Manti. I received a letter yesterday dated Dec. the 17th of which was a satisfaction to me to hear from you and learn that you are well. I am at Brother Hiny’s in Hiram. My health is very good at present. Brother Edwards had just returned from Cleveland. He is well. I was sorry to hear that sickness and death had made its way into your ranks. My prayer is that God may bless you all the day long. We have been a traveling and preaching until the people have refused to turn out to hear. We meet with much opposition. _________(Sencence on fold- not readable.) They say our business is to steal property and get more wives. They have gone so far in Hiram as to get up a spirit communication to learn how many wives we have got. They say that the spirits told them that Brother Edwards has twelve and that I had ten. We tell them their revelation is false, but we are very sorry. We have not received but seventy five cents in the last six months and we have been obliged to go to work to get a little clothing. Times are very hard; Cattle horses and sheep are dieing by hundreds for want of food. When I think of home and the blessings of God that surrounds the Saints I can hardly content myself to stay here any longer. All hell is afloat in this country; mobbing, murder, riots, war and bloodshed in every direction. This country is a perfect hell to me. Yet I mean to be contented whilst I stay. I have been staying at Polly’s (his wife’s sister) a few weeks. They are all well.

How soon I shall return I cannot tell. We expect to be governed by council. Prospects for doing much here at present is dull. I received a letter from Amos the other day. They were all well and calculating to go to the mountains this season_________(unreadable)___. When I see the wickedness of this generation and the signs of the times. The abuse of his servants it makes me feel strong in the work; For I feel that the words of the prophets are being fulfilled;

I want you should write as soon as you get this; George and Erastus Prichard (brother in laws) have made about one thousand lbs of sugar this spring. I have helped them a little about it so children look out for a lump when I come. I write no more at present; May the Lord bless you all amen;

My respects and love to all of my relation brothers and sisters in Manti; God bless you all

Edwin Whiting

Elizabeth

Almira

Mary

Punctuation and spelling original.

Source: Copy in the Marie J. Whiting Collection

Elizabeth Partridge Tillotson Whiting A Biography

The incidents in this story are true and are taken from papers and letters in the possession of Teressa Fullmer Johnson, great granddaughter of Elizabeth P. Tillotson Whiting. Some of the letters are more than 100 years old. This is NOT a first-person account, but rather an account written in the voice of Elizabeth by William S. Johnson, therefore there are some historical discrepancies with other Whiting histories.

Elizabeth Partridge Tillotson-300x426

My name is Elizabeth Partridge Tillotson. I was born on April 15, 1814, in Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. I was one of fourteen children born to Sarah Partridge and Samuel Tillotson. They were humble, average New England people. While I was still a child, my parents and the rest of the family, including myself, moved to Nelson, Ohio. I was extremely interested in education and received all the education available to me in those frontier days. This education served me well when I later became a school teacher, teaching frontier children the fundamentals of learning.

One day while still living in Ohio, I met Edwin Whiting. We fell in love and were married September 21, 1833. Shortly after we were married, we learned of a new religion, fathered by Joseph Smith. We were so impressed by the principles and teachings set forth by the Prophet Joseph Smith, we joined the Latter Day Saint Church and received a testimony of its truthfulness. So strong was our faith, we left our home and moved to Kirtland, Ohio.

During my early church association, I received numerous letters from my family, particularly from my sister Polly, who criticized me for accepting the Gospel and joining the Church. If only I could impress upon them the truthfulness of the Gospel. Polly wrote that the Book of Mormon had originally been written as a novel but that certain men had felt that it would have greater sales as a religious work.

Stirred by bitter men, the feelings of the townspeople of Kirtland turned against us Mormons. Angry mobs forced us to flee our home, escaping only with our clothing, bedding and our lives. And while we were living in Lima, Illinois a group of hateful men forced their way into our homes. They had waited until the men of the Mormon families were away helping to guard the prophet Joseph Smith. On that horror-filled night, the only Mormon home that was spared was that of father Elisha Whiting, who was so ill that he could not be moved from his bed. Fires were set to all the homes and buildings. The brightest flame in the night was that of the Whiting chair shop. Valuable lumber and expensive machinery shot showers of sparks into the air. My daughter, Sarah, who was three years old at the time, clapped her hands and danced about as if at a party at seeing the great number of enormous bonfires. Great was the fear in my heart, as I spent the night huddled on a pile of blankets we managed to save, trying every way to keep the baby Emily, who was sick, comforted and warm.

The next morning, teams came from Nauvoo. We loaded our meager possessions on to wagons and moved to a new home in Nauvoo. Edwin helped to erect the temple there. Great was our joy to enjoy the teachings and companionship of the Prophet Joseph.

“A group of crazed and angry men have killed the Prophet Joseph Smith, breaking their way into the Carthage jail where Joseph and others were being held. They shot him.”

Once more we were forced to flee from our homes by angry mobs. After leaving Nauvoo, we settled for a while at Mt. Pisgah, Union County, Iowa. While we were there, Edwin was president of the branch for a few seasons. Sorrow came to us at Mt. Pisgah where my darling daughter Emily, who was six years old at the time, passed away. Added sorrow came to us when father Elisha Whiting and his wife Sally contracted malarial fever during an epidemic and also passed away. Their names are inscribed on the monument there. This monument was erected by the Church, honoring the many Saints who rest there in unmarked graves.

So great was our faith that we heeded the call of our leaders — in 1849. We undertook the task of crossing the plains to Utah. Day after dreary day crept slowly by as we trudged our way onward. My five children and I walked most of the way. We braved numerous hardships and suffered many trials. My wagon was next to that of George A. Smith. His wife, Bathsheba, and I became fond friends. Elder Smith was in charge of 50 wagons in Ezra T. Benson’s train of 100 wagons.

Finally our goal was almost in sight as we slowly fought our way up the slopes of what is known as South Pass. As we started to assent, snow began to fall. As we neared the summit, the storm had grown into a raging blizzard. For three days we were beaten by the falling snow and the howling winds. Numerous cattle and other live stock were lost in the deep snow and bitter cold. At last, tired and weary, we worked our way through the pass and into the valley below. We arrived in Salt Lake Valley in November, 1849. But upon our arrival, Brigham Young asked us to go with Morley’s company to start a new settlement in the area, which was later to be known as Manti in Sanpete County. With our foot-sore oxen, it took us three weeks to travel from Salt Lake City to the sight of our new settlement. After leaving Provo it was necessary to make our own trails and to build several dugways and bridges in order to continue our journey, which ended the latter part of November.

A large band of Indians, numbering about 500, were already living in the area. We made dugouts in the hillsides where we spent the winter. We shared our meager possessions with the Indian band.

Snow fell very deep and all our cattle and oxen perished of starvation. The Indians were constantly begging for food. When spring finally came the Indians left to go to their hunting grounds in southern Utah. But they left behind the aged mother of the chief, who was too feeble and weak to make the trip. They placed her in a hole in the ground, left her a jug of water to drink and a piece of dried venison to eat. They covered her with brush and left her to die. Some children found her there before she died so she was taken to the home of Bishop Aaron Johnson for special care. She lived for several years, unknown to the chief, though he would have been very angry if he had found out the whole story.

I was very shocked at the treatment the Indians gave to their old people. When one became old and feeble, they would tie his feet to a horse with a rope and drag him over the rough rocky ground to their burial place, which was on the south side of what is now temple hill.

Edwin went to Salt Lake to sell the chairs, which he had made during the winter. These chairs were made out of timber, which he had pulled down by hand from the canyon himself. He had fashioned the seats out of rawhide. With the money he received, we were able to buy food and supplies for the family.
My daughters, Caroline and Louisa were born in our primitive, humble dugout home. The city, which we had settled was named Manti, and it was decided by the Church authorities to build a temple there.

Our dugout was located at the bottom of temple hill. One spring a great multitude of rattlesnakes crawled from the rocks of temple hill and invaded our homes, causing great fear and terror among us. However, thanks to God, no one was ever bitten.

In 1855, Edwin was called to go on a mission to the East. While he was gone, a plague of grasshoppers descended upon the valley and destroyed all our crops. I spun wool, made straw hats and knit socks for my neighbors to procure food for my children. In the fall, my son William and I drove by ox team to Springville where William tearfully allowed me to exchange his pet colt for a wagonload of corn.

After the marriage of my daughter Amelia to Archibald Buchanan, and my daughter Sarah to Bishop Warren Snow of Manti, and my son William to Rebecca Losee, Edwin and I and our four children, Lucius, Oscar, Louisa, and Caroline, moved to Springville.

I was delighted and pleased to hear from my sister Polly, to learn that she had joined the LDS Church. I was very happy to receive each one of her letters. We have kept in touch through the years even though it takes great lengths of time for our letters to be delivered. I knew in my heart that she had made the right decision. Her daughter, Sarah, later married Lorenzo Snow, who was later to become the President of the LDS Church.

I had the privilege of serving as counselor in the first Primary in Springville along with Zabonia Alleman and Mary Crandall.

The twilight years of my life were spent in a comfortable home surrounded by an abundance of fruits and flowers. I have lived a full life, have had a wonderful husband and family. I truly have been blessed by the Lord.

Elizabeth Partridge Tillotson Whiting died February 4, 1892 and was buried beside her beloved husband in the Springville Cemetery. She was a kind and gentle home-loving person. She was loved by all.”

Compiled by William S. Johnson – May 1955, From Marie J. Whiting Collection

Samuel Tillotson

Samuel Tillotson, son of Joseph Tillotson and Theodosia Young, was born in Farmington, Connecticut on October 4, 1758.

Samuel served as a private in Captain Ezra Whittlesey’s Company, Colonel John Brown’s detachment, in the Revolutionary War. Samuel entered service on Sept 7, 1777 and was discharged Sept 30, 1777. Whittlesey’s Company was raised in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Samuel later served again as a Private in Captain John Collar’s Company, Colonel John Ashley’s (Berkshire County) Regiment. Samuel entered service July 19, 1779, and was discharged Aug 27, 1779 after serving one month, nine days. The company marched to Connecticut under command of Lieutenant Colonel Powel.

Samuel married Sarah Partridge on March 16, 1786. Sarah was born May 15, 1769 in Tyringham, Berkshire, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Silas Partridge and Abigail Rawson. Sarah and Samuel produced fourteen children. The first three died in infancy, but the remainder lived long enough to marry and produce children.

· Samuel Tillotson was born November 10, 1786 and died July 04, 1791.

· Sarah Tillotson was born July 28, 1788 and died May 4, 1792.

· Daniel Tillotson was born June 25, 1790 and died June 3, 1794.

· Samuel Tillotson was born March 23, 1792 and died August 30, 1869. He married Lucy Dena Jackson.

· Zadock Tillotson was born December 26, 1793 and died April 28, 1859. He married first Susan Caroline Rodgers. Later he married Elmira Benjamin Babcock.

· Daniel Tillotson was born March 25, 1796 in Lee, Massachusetts. He married first Tryphena Hulet on November 23, 1820. They became the parents of Franklin James Tillotson. Later Daniel married three sisters in turn: Harriet Turner on December 2, 1829; Olive Turner on March 6, 1831; and lastly Sally Turner Hulet on January 18, 1862. Daniel died June 3, 1863 in Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio.

· John Tillotson was born May 18, 1798 and died October 18, 1873. He married Adeline Demontank Hitchcock.

· Sarah Tillotson was born March 23, 1800 and died May 25, 1831. She married Cortis Stevens on June 21, 1820.

· Leonard Tillotson was born March 11, 1802 in Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He married Mary Cossitt Thomas on February 27, 1825 in Liverpool, Medina County, Ohio. Mary was the daughter of Seth Thomas and Susan Cossitt. Susan Cossitt was the half-sister of Orpha Cossitt, mother of Roxa Adams, mother of Jane Ann Sexton. Leonard died December 1, 1862 in Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio.

· Polly Tillotson was born May 28, 1804 and died March 20, 1886. She was married twice. She first married John Prichard. Later she married Thomas Dutcher.

· Seth Tillotson was born March 29, 1806 and died March 29, 1865. He married Mary Matilda Curtis.

· Meletiah Tillotson was born October 27, 1809 and died February 18, 1892. She married Lucius Warner.

· Betsey Tillotson was born September 24, 1811 and died April 25, 1852. She married first Elisha Taylor. Later she married a man surnamed Allen.

· Elizabeth Partridge Tillotson was born April 15, 1814 and died February 4, 1892. She married Edwin Whiting.

Solomon Harvey, James Stearns and Henry Parker were the first settlers in Brunswick, Ohio in October and November of 1815. Shortly afterwards in that same year, Samuel Tillotson brought his wife Sarah and younger children to Brunswick. Samuel built a farm on land he purchased from the State of Connecticut. (In those days the District of Ohio was considered an extension of Connecticut.) That farm remained in the Tillotson for four generations until the final owner, Grant Eugene Tillotson, sold it to the Eyssen family in 1927.

In 1817 the residents of Brunswick organized a Methodist Church. Samuel and Sarah Tillotson were among its original members.

The first school house was a log cabin erected on the West line of Brunswick to accommodate families living in the neighboring Liverpool township. Sarah Tillotson (Samuel and Sarah’s daughter) became the first teacher at the young age of seventeen. Sarah had 16 students in 1817.

Samuel Tillotson lived to the ripe old age of 91. He died in Brunswick on December 3, 1848. His wife Sarah had died on April 11, 1846, reaching the age of 77. They are both buried in Westview Cemetery in Brunswick.

The following memoir by Samuel’s great-grandson Grant Eugene Tillotson offers more information about Samuel and Sarah.

“Sarah Partridge was a staunch Methodist, and the first religious meetings in Brunswick, both prayer and preaching, were held at Samuel’s home. Both their names are among the founders of the first church in Brunswick — Methodist of course.

“Sally or Sarah as she became known taught the first school in Brunswick, while her mother, being quite adept with herbs, travelled for miles to alleviate the sick before the advent of a physician. Sarah, the daughter and not the mother, as one might think from the name, was the teacher.

“Samuel Tillotson (1758) came to Brunswick, Medina Co, Ohio, in the fall of 1815, bringing with him his wife Sarah Partridge, his five sons and five daughters, and one daughter-in-law, Susan Caroline Rogers, who had married Zadock in August.

“Two wagons furnished the transportation, one drawn by a yoke of oxen and the other by a span of horses. The men walked and the others either walked or rode as seemed expedient. They brought along a fresh cow that furnished milk and butter for daily use. The cow was milked morning and evening, and the unused portion put in the churn on the wagon, and the rocking and jolting of the wagon churned the milk, so a small bit of butter was found each evening at stopping time. When they went through Cleveland there were only twelve houses, and one of them was a block-house compound, or means of defense.

“They came first to the house of Timothy Doan in Columbia township. The day after arriving at Mr. Doan’s, Samuel and the boys all came on into Brunswick, locating their claims, and Samuel cut the first tree to build the first house in Brunswick. Only Samuel returned to Mr. Doan’s, he going and coming each day to bring food. The boys remained in the woods until the house was completed.

“On returning to Mr. Doan’s the first night, Samuel found that a Mr. Harvey had arrived there with a large family, making nearly 20 people to sleep in a one-room log house. They slept heads out and heels in. Mr. Harvey’s people came right on into Brunswick, and completed cutting logs for a house also. They turned in and helped Samuel “roll up” his house one day and Mr. Harvey’s the next. It was a saying afterward that Samuel Tillotson built the first house but that Solomon Harvey (Sol) rolled the first wheels in Brunswick.

“When they returned to Mr. Doan’s they found Zadock’s wife sick with the measles, which delayed their moving in. They finally came on with the Harveys.”

Women of the Western Reserve (p. 715) says this about Samuel and Sarah:

Brunswick Township is situated in the northern part of Medina County, twenty miles southwest from Cleveland. No railroad has ever invaded this peaceful hamlet. In October, 1815, the families of Samuel Tillotson and Solomon Harvey came to the unbroken wilderness of Brunswick, which up this time had been the undisputed habitation of Indians and wild beasts.

Sarah Partridge became the wife of Samuel Tillotson in 1785, at the age of sixteen. She left her home in Lee, Massachusetts, together with her husband and ten children, the latter part of August, 1815. There was a bonnie bride in the little company, for Susan C, Rogers was married to Zadoc, one of the sons, just before the family started on the long tedious journey. Susan was a sweet singer, and the life and joy of those around her.

The journey was made with two yoke of oxen, a span of horses, and large covered wagons, and occupied six weeks. A cow was tied behind one of the wagons, and after a few days was given her liberty to follow. The journey from Cleveland to Timothy Doan’s, in Columbia, occupied three days, the father and sons being obliged to use their axes in many places to clear the way through the wilderness; here the family remained until their own house in Brunswick was ready to receive them. This was the first house erected in the town, and was built of logs, in the most primitive style. Mrs. Tillotson was the mother of eight sons and six daughters. She was a good nurse and the only physician in the township for two years. She was often called to neighboring towns to attend the sick; with a bag or herbs, and simple remedies, she mounted a horse, and sometimes was absent from home several days on her mission of mercy.

Polly Stearns was the wife of Solomon Harvey. To her belongs the honor of being the mother of the first white child born in Brunswick, and the child was named “George.” Mrs. Sarah Partridge Tillotson was the attending physician. The Harvey family came from Massachusetts, and arrived at Timothy Doan’s, in Columbia, the next day after the arrival of Samuel Tillotson’s family. Their log house was rolled up the next day after the completion of Mr. Tillotson’s house, by the same set of hands, and they had the distinction of moving into town and occupying their house one day before Mr. Tillotson’s family came.

Measles broke out in Mr. Tillotson’s family and they were delayed one day, but the next morning the sick one was wrapped up, and the family came to Brunswick, and moved into their new home.

Back to my Tillotson genealogy page.
Back to index of my personal genealogy pages .

Last modified by pib on July 6, 2003.

Internet pib (phil burns)

Source: Saints of Kirtland

Tillotson Genealogy

Tillotson Genealogy From Saints of Kirtland

Tillotson, Elizabeth Partridge (Female)¹Birth: Tillotson, Elizabeth Partridge (Female) Date: April 15, 1814 Place: Tyringham, Berkshire, MA, USA

Parents: Tillotson, Elizabeth Partridge (Female) Father: Tillotson, Samuel Mother: Partridge, Sarah

Death: Tillotson, Elizabeth Partridge (Female) Date: December 8, 1892² Alternate Date: February 4, 1892³

Marriage Information: Tillotson, Elizabeth Partridge (Female) Spouse: Whiting, Edwin Date: September 21, 1833

Church Ordinance Data: Tillotson, Elizabeth Partridge (Female) Baptism⁴ Date: November 27, 1875

Temple Ordinance Data: Tillotson, Elizabeth Partridge (Female) Endowment⁵ Date: January 7, 1846 Temple: Nauvoo, Hancock, IL, USA
Sealed to Spouse⁶ Date: January 27, 1846 Temple: Nauvoo, Hancock, IL, USA
Sealed to Parents⁷ Date: August 29, 1946 Temple: Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT, USA

Tillotson, Ephraim (Male)⁸

1Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register 1845-46
Family Group Sheet-Father
Nauvoo Social History Project. Smith, James
Temple Index Bureau

8Family Group Sheet-Self
Family Group Sheet-Father
LDS Biographical Encyclopedia. Jenson, Andrew. 1951
Volume: 2 Page: 15

Samuel Tillotson and Sarah Partridge

samuel-tillotson-headstone
Above: Headstone of Samuel Tillotson, located in the Abbott Cemetery, Nelson, Ohio, USA. Tom Haymond, a descendant of Samuel is kneeling next to the headstone.