Thursday, February 7, 2013

Martha Allen's dad is William Henry Hammond Allen!



After many years of searching for the father of Martha Allen, I have finally found her family.  This is the information passed down to us from Martha Allen’s granddaughter Harriett Kenney Pierce:

1.      Martha was born in 1809 in Vermont, she had an uncle named Ethan Allen of historical fame although she was living in Saratoga Springs NY when she met and married Garrett.
2.      Martha had a sister named Ruth Allen who married a Spaulding, who was living in Sturgis Michigan in 1950 when Martha died, who took daughter Helen to live with her.  “A sister of Grandmother’s Ruth Spalding of Stugis, Michigan took baby Helen home with her and raised her as her own daughter Mary, who was about the same age as Helen, she dressed them alike as twins.”
3.      Martha had a niece named Harriett Allen who married a Spencer, with whom Garrett made his home in 1856. 
4.      Martha named her children after some of her siblings or other family members—Milton was named after her brother.

With these clues in mind, when I found two family trees that confirm her parentage, I became convinced I had found her family.  The two trees are found at:
new.familysearch.org – look for Martha by searching LCP4-GC7

I was able to check each of these clues against what was listed for this family.
1.  The 1850 Census gives the information that Martha was born in New York.  This contradiction confirms my suspicion that Martha was not related to the famous Ethan Allen, but perhaps she did had an uncle with that name.  Perhaps someone else supposed that it was the famous Ethan Allen.  The family tree found at new.familysearch.org shows a brother named Milton.
2.  At both trees Martha has a sister named Ruth b. 1811 in New York who marries Alvah Spaulding.  The 1860 census for Sturgis, St. Joseph, Michigan shows Alvah Spaulding, 50, Ruth 49 b. NY, Hellen, 13 b. NY and Mary F. 12, b. NY. 
3.  In both trees Martha has a brother named John b. 1805 NY who married Elizabeth or Eliza Corbin.  In the new.familysearch.org tree, they are shown with a daughter named Harriett Allen. 
4.  Martha named a son Seneca and another son Milton.  She has siblings with the same name on the other family trees.  She also has a brother named James Harvey, and names a son Harvey.  

This is a big breakthrough!  I made this discovery several months ago and spoke on the phone with one of the submitters of these trees.  Now I can look these Allens up and learn about them.  Finding kin is always such a thrill!

Friday, February 1, 2013

Memories Written by Charles Henry John West



A Letter from C.H.J West to Thomas Charles West, July 12, 1893

Your letter dated June 18th came to hand, we were glad to hear from and learn that you were all well, and looking forward to our visit on the 24th.  We have trusted to our memory for the following of particulars of the past events.  In the fall of 1863, I worked for Bishop Miller making molasses, my first work in Utah.  I got for my pay, produce.  We lived in the house owned by the Bishop’s wife’s father.  Our furniture consisted of boxes and one raw hide bottom chair loaned to us and our bake kettle.  We had two candles given to us by sister Marvells Miller, the Bishop’s wife.  At this time our daughter, Mary Ann Young West took worse, she had been sick during our journey across the plains, with diarrhea.  We went to bed early to save candles and fuel, during the night she wanted to get out, we persuaded her to go to sleep again but before going to sleep, she called us all by name and said, goodnight.  In the morning I found her dead in my arms.  Oct. 22, 1863, two days afterwards she was buried in  Provo Cemetery, Utah, Bishop Miller took us to the cemetery in his carriage just ourselves.  She was put away without one word of prayer which we both felt very keenly after we arrived home, towards evening between the lights mother and I were feeling very sourful at our loss, and the way our child was put away, we were thinking over our past lives and trying to call up anything we had done to suffer this loss here with no one to comfort us while in the frame of mind, a gentleman walked in our room and sat down in the rawhide chair and commenced talking to us.  We thought him one to one to cheer us up during he gave us some word of comfort and said he had come to cheer us up during his talk which lasted out two minutes we felt a different feeling, all our troubles seemed to vanish.  He seemed well acquainted with our history, and blessed us in the name of God. 

In leaving us I noticed that he walked backwards towards the door.  I followed and looked out in the street to see which way he went, but could not see him.  He stood about 6 ft. high and very erect had on a gray suit of home made cloth, he wore a long beard and very gray.  We shall never forget the joy and peace of mind and comfort his words and presence caused us.  As soon as I saw the Bishop, I thanked him for his kindness to us but more especially for sending us, so good a man to comfort us.  Thinking him a teacher I gave him a description of this man, he said that we had been Brother West, we have no teacher in the ward that answers your description.  He said that we had been highly favored with a visit of one of the Nephites that was to tarry on the earth till the Savior comes.  We stayed in Provo, Utah, till the fall of the following year 1864.  Mother and I taught school in the 4th ward and did some laboring work.

We all turned out during the harvesting to glean wheat and gleaned 21 ½ bushels, during that year flour had gone up to 25 dollars for cwt.  I walked to Salt Lake, a distance of 50 miles, to see Mother’s brother Jabez Dangerfield and other old friends.  While there I came across George Clark of London, he persuaded me to go and live in Provo Valley where he lived.  So I went with our family to live there that fall.  I took up a lot there and hit it recorded after taking in and commencing to build, the folks there said, I was jumping a claim so to save feelings I gave it up bit it still stands recorded in my name.  I rented a small log house expecting mother to be sick, I bought me a stove for which I paid a cow, my bake kettle and 12 dollars not having a pipe and not being able to get any I made one of wood.  Mother was taken sick, she had another daughter, named her Mary Rebecca, born Jan. 9, 1866.  While mother laid sick in bed the roof of the house took fire but through the kindness of our neighbors they soon had it out.  I was away trying to get something for the family.

While at Provo Valley, I worked for Mr. Clement making lime, we burst it with wood.  I had to take the night shift while resting one night against our shanty I fell off in a doze when I awoke an Indian was standing over me loading up his gun.  For the time it scared me, he said he wanted to go in our shanty.  I told him my mate was there and he could not go in.  He said, he was mad his squaw had left him and he intended to shoot her.

I learned the next day that he stopped at a farm house and made them get up and bake biscuits and cook meat for him, their men being away from home.  I went in the canyon and cut about 800 poles thinking they would be useful when I got some land, while cutting I cut my finger on my right hand and laid it open about 2 inches.  I wrapped it up and went to work again.  I got one load to the house, not being able to get the rest, we had a very severe winter, I hauled wood for firing from the river bottoms on shares.  It was so cold that as soon as the sun went down I had to walk or be frozen.  The tears on my eyes would freeze on my cheeks.

One day the cow could not get home, the snow being so deep I had to shovel the snow away and tramp it before I got her home to feed.  Being a very poor place to get along I went in the spring to Salt Lake to get work, while there I came across Jessie C. Little and agreed to work his farm on shares.  I stayed there and got the farm in good shape when I received a letter from mother telling me that the Indians were very troublesome, and that they had to move out of their home.  My son Thomas borrowed oxen and a wagon and took the family to Brother James Coles’ house to live, I soon had an outfit ready to move them in to Salt Lake.  I borrowed 2 yoke of oxen and a wagon and started to Provo Valley and found them well but very scared.

On account of the owner having to move in from the outside they had our furniture and bedding out in the street when it was raining.

Mother and I received our endowments, March 23, 1864, I will give you more particulars as you go along.  We all expect to be out to your place on the 24th also Carrie Jabez will take his team from here.

Love to all from your Father, Charles H. J. West.

A Short Biography of Charles Henry John West


This biography was among the papers given me by my Grandma May Donaldson West.  No author is listed.  It was too faded to scan well, so I will transcribe it insteadI typed it as originally typed, no corrections or updates made.

Charles Henry John West was born in St. Lukes, Middlesex County, England, on the 12th of Jan 1833.  He was the third son of John and Lydia West.

His father was a native of the same place.  He was born the 12th day of June 1799.  His belief is that he is of American and English descent because a Delaware American was named after Thomas West (Lord Delaware), one of his ancestors.

His mother was a native of London, Middlesex County, England.  She was born on the 14th of February 1801.  His father by trade was a Vellum binder and his mother a silk weaver.  They were married after teh ceremony of the English church at St. Matthews, Bethnel Green on the 25th of April 1823.

Their issue were 8 children, five sons and three daughters.  Their names were John Francis, John, Charles Henry John, Benjamin, William, Lydia, Elizabeth and Maria, respectively.  John Francis died July 20, 1828.

Charles Henry John followed the occupation of stationer with his father till sixteen years of age which time, being of a religious frame of mind and member in a Church Sunday School, he began to think of an existence in another state.  His parents were independent his oldest brother a latter day saint, his sister Lydia a Baptist.  He did not know which to join but by the help of the Lord he was determined to find out.  He went with his companions to the Latter day saints meetings in the old road branch.  He found no fault with them after hearing what they said at the meeting.

About this time he was keeping company with a young woman, Elizabeth Dangerfield, the third daughter of Thomas and Caroline Buckwell Dangerfield.  Her father was a leather cutter.  He was also a Deacon in the Baptist Church.

One day while visiting John Hyde, a cousin, also a member of the church of Jesus Christ, they invited him to attend that church and read their works, which they did.  They both felt convinced of the truth and thanked God for making them known.  They were accordingly baptised on Oct. 16, 1849 in the Pentonville Baths, by Elder John Hyde and confirmed the following Sunday.  John Hyde confirmed Elizabeth Dangerfield and Orson Pratt confirmed Charles Henry John.

He continued in the church and rejoiced in the signs following.  He felt he had become a member in the church and kingdom of God and that he was not to be idle, but to be up and doing.  On Friday evening, Dec. 21, 1850 he attended Castle street Meeting in Clerkenwell.

Elder Wallace being present spoke upon the subject of young men going on missions to preach the gospel.  Towards the close of his remark he asked if there were any young men who would offer their service upon so glorious undertaking.  Elder John Hyde, President of the branch, pointed out John West and Charles Henry John West as suitable and asked their feelings about going.  They said they felt weakness, but had no objections.  This same evening Charles Henry John was ordained an elder by brother Wallace and called to leave homea nd go out and preach the gospel.

His parents were willing for them to go and did their best to help them out.  His young lady's parents had no objections but thought it advisable for them to get married.  Accordingly, on the 25th day of Dec. 1850 they were married at St. Andrews church, Hebborn, England by Rector J.J. Toogood.  After this he introduced the gospel to this father in laws house.  A few of them after proving for themselves felt convinced of the truths.  They were baptized although the mother had been a member of the Baptist church for 30 years, she knew her sins had not been remitted during that time, Charles Henry John West felt glad that so many had joined the church, five in all.

On the 28th day of Dec. 1850 he started on his mission.  Took the train at Easton Station.  Arrived at Bedforn the same day, went to the house of elder Squires was well received by the saints, he could not (pg. 2) forget his feeling when he arrived there.  He was 62 miles away from home, he had only been away from home one night in his life, and was away now to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He had never stood up before a number of people to speak, by determination and the assistance of teh Lord he did the best he could.  On the following Sunday he spoke to the Saints in Bedford about ten minutes and bore his testimony to the truth of the work.  In the evening he went to the house of one of the saints, had some singing and found the saints on hand to assist, next he visited Evershalt Worborn, went through the park and admiring the beauty of it a man stepped up and gave him some money.

He stopped at a house in Evershalt and was well received by the saints they had to entertain him on the quiet as the place was resist ridden and they would be discharged from the Duke service if it was well known.  He stayed there two or three days then walked to Benford a distance of 11 miles, there he met a brother Job Smith, got permission from President Squires to labor in Stony Stradford as his wife had friends there.  He stayed at Mr. Brown's was well received by them but they had no accommodations for sleeping so he had to sleep in the town. 

He went on to Duesary Branch, three miles across the fields, being night time was very much startled to hear a voice say good night.  There he received a letter from his wife stating his father-in-law had sent a overcoat as he thought it would be cold there.  He found roads very muddy and very bad walking.  Visiting the villages around about and felt himself very backward in talking to the people, as he did not have that gift.

He called at a man’s house who was bedridden for some years, he was the only preacher in the village, after reading and talking to him for some time, he said that his religion was the best and to come again.

After this he went to Wolven Hampton did not visit any one there as they could not get into any of the houses, then went to Buckingham Seighton, at Fenny Stratford visited three of the saints, held meetings in the evenings, after meetings slept at the house of a nurse, sister Jan who was very kind gave up her bed and staying up all night herself, which he did not know of until the next morning.  After doing all he could under the existing circumstances at Bedford he and his partner agreed to write to the president of their intentions of returning home, after three weeks absence he returned home and reported himself to the president of the London conference, said he did not feel competent to the task of a preacher and teacher, and was well received, and was invited out to a supper which was accepted at the table was Orson Pratt, one of the twelve apostles which he said he would never forget his feelings about being there in the presence of an apostle.  He felt that he had not done his duty, first of all getting married before going and not relying more on the arm of the Lord.  And felt as though he could crawl in a nut shell but he was spoken to very highly by those who were present.

After supper he went home and next day began looking for a situation through the day he would help his wife at night at box work.  After a few weeks they got a situation at William Coopers and Co. Stationers at West St., Smithfield.

He started to work Monday Feb. 16, 1851, as cutter and folder of cloth and paper, working by piece at 2 shillings per 20 reams, cut into eights put up in 6 sheets, by working hard he was able to earn from 15-17 shillings a week.

He continued with this work for 8 or 9 months after which his employer gave him a job as under warehouse man, with a salary of 15 shillings per week, and assisted his father-in-law as leather cutter.  

His wife doing all she could to make things comfortable at home, making fancy box work.  Considering all these things he thought that he was greatly blessed by the Lord.

On Sunday they attended meeting which was held at 23 Radcliffe Terrace presided by elder Cook of Jewin St. on account of not continuing (page 3) on with his mission he was suspended from his office for a short time buy his good conduct he soon regained his former position.

As he continued in his employment and attended his duties he felt the Lord was blessing him all the time.

On the 5th day of December 1851, his wife gave birth to a fine girl (Mrs. Greenway was midwife).  Mother and child did well, and received great kindness from her mother Caroline Dangerfield. 

The child was blessed and named at the Gosell road branch, bu Elder Jacob Gates, from Salt Lake City, Utah (America.)  She was named Caroline Eliza and was promised she would gather to zion and be a mother in Israel, which has all been fulfilled and witnessed by the writer.

Nothing particular occurred during the next two years until Oct. 16, 1853, when his wife gave birth to a son, at 20 Forston St. Hoxton, (Mrs. Thompson was midwife).  He was blessed Nov. 8, 1853, by Elder MC Laughie and named Thomas Charles.

On the 20th of August 1854, Charles Henry John had the privilege of BAptising Mary Ann Eagle at the Baths in Cuberland St.  In the year his father died (John West) and was buried in the Illford Cemetery. 

Charles Henry John, continued to do all he could to help build up the kingdom by preaching and acting as Sunday school teacher, paying tithing and other calls.

On the 1st day of May 1856, another girl was born, and named and blessed in the Goswell Road, named Ann Lydia.

He continued working at the William Coopers with an increase of salary of 2 shillings per week.  On the 14th day of May 1858 another son was born at Brewer ST Clerkenwell, Parish.  He was blessed at the Goswell Road Branch, Jabez William on the 22nd day of May daughter was born, she was blessed and named Mary Ann Young.

He continued working for William Cooper and Co. and received an advance of wages with the birth of every child.  On the 6th day of April 1862, he attended a conference in St. George.

On his return home another child had been born a girl, she was blessed and named Eliza Alice at the Goswell Branch.

Shortly after he had a visit from two elders from America, brother John Brown and Bro. Gleason, he was very much pleased to see and hear them talk.  During their remarks they brought up the subject of immigration which was always on his mind.  He said the children came faster than they could save the means for the purpose.  They had been trying to save means for immigration since 1853 but up to this time only had 13 pounds in the fund and thought it would be some time before the way would be opened to go.

Bro. Brown suggested they send 2 children to the valleys in the following spring, said he wouldn’t not tell them to do so but promised if they did they would follow them in the next spring.  So upon the promise they looked for some one to take the children.  They found a brother and sister King who were going and had no family.

They agreed to take them so he sent two daughter Caroline and Annie age 10 and 6.

Brother and sister King started in April 1862 and promised to take care of them as if they were their own children.  They went from London to Liverpool by railroad.  From there across the ocean in a sailing vessel “Captain Fapstock”, arrived at New York, then took cars for Florence where they met Utah Brothern with ox teams to take them across the plains, Brother King lost his mother and wife and they had to bury them out on the prairie, the children were left at Provo, Utah with Bishop William Miller who took good care of them.  After the children safely arrived Charles Henry John thanked God for it and strove with all his might to gather means together to make the trip.

His wife being of the same mind worked hand in hand with him and took council of the brothern, although they had incurred a debt of 5 pounds to send the two children.  They tried to lived within their means and believed the Lord was good to his word and would help them.

(Page 4)  They found through economy and using wisdom in what means they had they were able to clear their debt and save enough to take themselves and four children as far as Florence, names of children were:  Thomas, Mary Ann, and Eliza.  They also had charge of two other children.

His employer, Mr. Cooper made him a present of 30 shillings in gold for good conduct while being in his employee.

They spent a week before leaving visiting some of the principle places.

They left England, June 1, 1863 on the ship “Amozon”.  His wife’s sisters Mary Ann, Martha, Marie and her mother (Dangerfield) took “Tea” with them before leaving the docts.  Her father gave her 2 shillings and 6 pence as a present.  They had a brass band on board composed of Welsh brothern.

After leaving the Clifts of Dover they felt seasick, the saints on board were divided into wards.  Grandfather had his turn at night to stand guard and had nothing but head wind all the way across the Atlantic.  They had one very stormy night in which some sails were lost also one death on board.  The body was wrapped in canvas with a large shot at its feet and was buried at sea.

They saw some large whales and other fish.  After 42 days sailing they arrived at New York.  Stopped one night at Castle Gardens.  The next morning went to Steam barge and went to the pier landing of the Hudson River Railroad.  They traveled rail cars day and night for 7 days then took a steamer up the Missouri River as far as St. Joseph and a few days at Florence before starting on the plains by ox teams.

They consisted of three yoke of oxen to one wagon.  In some instances two families travelled together with one team.  The provisions were flower, bacon, dried apples, quite different to what they had on board ship, also salt, beef, peas and oatmeal crackers.  Those that brought luxuries were more fortunate.

After traveling 10 weeks on the plaines they arrived in Salt Lake City Oct., 1863.

 

Charles Henry John West, A Man of Faith and Integrity, by Hazel West Lewis

In this post, I publish a history originally written by Hazel West Lewis.  My grandmother May Donaldson West gave this history to me.  It once was sized to fit into an 8.5 x 14 inch Book of Remembrance.  Page numbers imply it may have been published as a book.