Elizabeth Ann Richards

Elizabeth Ann Richards

Elizabeth Ann Richards-keep

Elizabeth Ann The daughter of John Richards and Ann Williams was born in Aberavon Gla.

Wales, 4 Aug I867. She spent the first few years of her life in Wales, She often told her children of the fun she had going down to the banks of the Swansea River and the Tide lands of the Bay to gather shell fish and to watch the ships as they moved in and out of the

Port. Much water traffic passed thru Swansea and many happy hours were spent along the

waters edge by Elizabeth Ann and her sister Mary Alice and their friends.

Often her parents talked of Grandmother (Elizabeth Bowen Richards)far off in Utah and of their desire to gather to Zion with the Saints. How they saved and planned and then saved some more. Finally came that long awaited day when they would sail away to America and meet grandmother and uncles Tom and Rees whom the girls had heard much of but had never seen.

Of course there was some sadness mingled with the joy and anticipation of getting

ready to leave, they were leaving Grandfather and uncle William and Aunts Betsy, Catherine

and Mary as well as cousin Margaret so near Elizabeth’s age, and the other cousins who

were so dear to her but Daddy and mother were going and so she and Mary Alice would also go.

To cross the great Atlantic ocean, seasick at times, but childlike her and Mary Alice

getting fun from watching the huge waves that threatened them at times for they had a very

stormy crossing. Then to ride the train as it chugged past the pretty homes and cities of

the eastern part of the new country, to cross that great river and then to ride across the

vast plains of America, Past the buffalo range and then so swiftly up the mountains where

those she was going to see had pulled their hand cart through the narrow passes where those

who had gone before had struggled to get up. Then down past the high cliffs that she was

told had helped to delay Johnston’s army in its march toward Salt Lake City years before.

Then down Weber Canyon where it seemed there was hardly enough room for the train and the

River between the mountain sides. Now they could understand why Grandma couldn't get

down this canyon but had to climb the hill and go down into Salt Lake Valley. Down thru

the tunnels and then down the hill until they suddenly were out from between the mountains

and the valley lay spread out on their left. Now she understood why the Conductor had told

her that was the side of the car to watch out of. On the right the hills still stood high

above them shutting off their view until suddenly they too disappeared and all was level

ground again, and now they were at the depot and their Grandmother and Uncles were there

to greet them.

Out of the Depot and up the street toward the mountains stopping for a time to visit

the stores and then north toward Ben Lomond and North Ogden where they would spend so many

happy hours in the future ,Here in North Ogden to finish that job of growing up and helping

out with the work that seemed to be always present in this new land. But Also having fun

with the other young folks who lived there, Some of whom like her had come from far away

lands. Others had been born in the town and knew nothing of the joys and sorrows of leaving

home and friends to come to Zion. Did they really appreciate what it was like to be among

those who believed as you did, away from persecution and strife

Among those Elizabeth Ann met were two in particular who were to have a great influence on her life, One a young English girl named Annie Bartlett a daughter of Thomas Bartlett and Jane Bowden. The other a young man of English decent Henry Daniels older than either Annie or Elizabeth but who was lots of fun to be with. With the others of the group she and Annie

had many happy hours together, Finally though Henry made his choice and he and Annie were

married about 1883, Elizabeth’s friendship with Annie continued after the marriage and so

it was that as Annie lay dying from complications of childbirth she put Henry's and

Elizabeth’s hands together and asked them to take care of each other.

About six weeks after Annie’s death Henry and Elizabeth were married 12 May 1884 at

Plain City Utah. Henry and Elizabeth were to become the parents of eleven children, eight boys and three girls, John Henry, Ethel Ann, Joseph Robert, Sicily, Ray, Alice Etta, Louis Rheese,

Horace Ivan, Fredrick, Walter, and Leland James. (for details see Henry Daniels Story).

They lived in North Ogden the remainder of their lives working the soil raising their family and teaching them the correct way of life, the value of work well done as well as the necessity of them earning their own way in life.

Elizabeth was a good mother and taught her children as best she could, urging them to get an education although she herself was limited in this respect. She placed a high value on learning and urged her own children to get the best education they could.

Though saddened by the death of her first born as an infant and her second girl Sicily from pneumonia when just a year old. Also the loss of her two younger boys Walter who died Dec 1910 when six years old, and Fredrick two months later 15 Feb 1911 when he was almost nine. He died from the effects of drinking lye solution years before. Lye was used freely years ago as an aid in making soap as well as in cleaning and washing clothe. It was a familiar sight in most homes of that day.

When Fredrick was about two and a half years old and had been put bed for his after-

noon nap the butcher with his wagon loaded with fresh and cured meats came down the road

ringing his bell to tell the housewives he was there with meat products, As the means of

home refrigeration for the keeping of fresh meats was almost nonexistent his visits

were very welcome and usually the family came to the wagon to see what he had, And then

too, he often would pass out a few wieners or a piece of baloney to the youngsters.

It was while the family was out to the butcher’s wagon that little Freddie decided

he wanted a drink and of course he would find the lye solution even though it was high up

on a table. It was years later that a bean lodged in his lye scarred throat and the ensuing

convulsions caused his death.

Elizabeth grieved over the loss of her boys as any mother would, her life had been

one of hard work as was most of the women of the day. However there was much joy with her family. She lived for her family despite much physical pain and loved them with that deep quiet Welsh love , Not demonstrative but deep and abiding.

Her death came 27 Aug 1916 surrounded by her family and mourned by all who knew her

She was buried in the North Ogden Cemetery in the plot she and Henry had obtained years

before

Note: This was written by Dave Hellewell and Alice Etta Daniels Hellewell (Elizabeth Ann's daughter)