The History of the Whittaker Family from Lancashire, England

The History of the Whittaker Family from Lancashire, England

The History of the Whittaker Family from Lancashire, England

This page created July 13th 2010

The History of the Whittaker Family from Lancashire, England

Researched, complied & edited by Rodney G. Dalton

Rodney G. Dalton is related to this Whittaker family by the marriage of Charlotte Ellen “Nellie” Whittaker, daughter of James Whittaker Jr. to Martin Carrell Dalton Sr. who is Rodney’s Great grandfather.



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Before we start with the history of the Whittaker’s here is information pertaining to the Whittaker DNA as compiled by Rodney G. Dalton in concurrence with Arthur R. Whittaker.

There has been a recent new development on our Whittaker DNA. Arthur R. Whittaker of Kaysville, Utah has received his new upgraded 37 marker DNA test, which changes his Haplogroup to G (M201). This DNA test now shows a greater percentage of where our Whittaker ancestors may have come from.

The ancestors of the Whittaker family must be put in a timeline of history. We will naturally start out with the Twelve Tribes of Isreal and show how the Samarians or others mentioned in the text below were the early ancestors of the people of Northern Ossetia. Then later in history some of the people of Ossetia migrated, mainly to the west.

Here is my timeline for the Whittaker migration to England. Remember this is my theory and is only speculation.

Started with one of the Twelve Tribes of Isreal.

As early Caucasians tribes, settled in the area where North Ossetia is today.

Migrated west to Gaul.

Was made a slave by the Romans.

Went to Britain with the Invading Romans.

Stayed in Britain after the Romans left.

Settled on land in the north of England near Littleborough, Lancashire.

Came to America and then onto Southern Utah.

DNA and genetic studies:

Genetic and demographic investigations of the Samaritan community were carried out in the 1960s. Detailed pedigrees of the last 13 generations show that the Samaritans comprise four lineages:

The Tsedakah lineage, claiming descent from the tribe of Manasseh

The Joshua-Marhiv lineage, claiming descent from the tribe of Ephraim

The Danfi lineage, claiming descent from the tribe of Ephraim

The priestly Cohen lineage from the tribe of Levi.

If you look on a map of Russia it will show the area of Northern Ossetia. This is the area where our new Whittaker DNA haplogroup shows 30 to 60% of the populace live today.



By 500 BC, some of the people living in Russia were called the Scythians.

The territory of North Ossetia was first inhabited by Caucasians tribes. Some Nomadic Alans

settled in the region in the 7th century, forming the kingdom of Alania. It was converted to Christianity by Byzantine missionaries. Alania greatly profited from the Silk Road which passed through its territory.

What is (M201) of Haplogroup G

Haplogroup G is defined by a mutation at M201. The first man to have the M201 mutation is thought to have lived about 30,000 years ago (1,200 generations), perhaps in Anatolia (Asia Minor). His descendants dispersed into central Asia, Europe and the Middle East during the Neolithic expansion. Some of them went east on into southeast Asia, south China and the Pacific Islands.

About 10,000 years ago (400 generations) things began to change for the members of the four Haplogroups G-J. Prior to this time all humans were hunter-gatherers. The people of what was known as the Fertile Crescent developed agriculture and the world would never be the same again. Population could expand rapidly and farmers began moving out of the Middle East, through the islands and along the shores of the Mediterranean, through Turkey into the Balkans and the Caucasus Mountains.

The descendants of M201 who went east have very small numbers of living male-line descendant members in China, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines and the Polynesian Islands.Those that went north have small numbers of living male-line descendant G-folk in Syria (Arab), Russia (Adygeans), Uzbekistan (Tartars and Karakalpaks), Mongolia, and western China Uygurs).Those that went west and north live today in Italy, Sicily, Hungary, Austria, Germany, France, Norway and Sweden. In the Republic of Georgia (Caucasus Mountains, south of Russia and north of Turkey ) members of G make up as much as 30% of the population. There are 14% on the island of Sardinia, 10% in north central Italy, 8% in northern Spain, almost 7% in Turkey, and lesser percentages in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Ukraine, Lebanon, Greece, Hungary, Albania, Croatia, and Ethiopia. G is still represented in the Middle East — some of these are Arab, some are Jews, many are neither. Across northwestern Europe, G haplotypes occur at a low frequency, 1-3%.

M201 has relatively few descendants. Only about 1-2% of modern-day people of European ancestry are in Haplogroup G, with a gradient from southeast (most common) to northwest (least common). Most geneticists currently believe that when Haplogroup G, J and E3b are found in Europe, they are markers for the spread of farmers from the Middle East into Europe 6,000-8,000 years ago. Worldwide, Haplogroup G is most common in the Caucasus region, especially the Republic of Georgia where the prevalence approaches 30%. It is also fairly common in Turkey

The initial distribution of haplogroup G in Europe may reflect a migration of agriculture-bringing Anatolian people into the Mediterranean Basin. The haplogroup may also have been brought by invading Sarmatians, Alans and Jasz (all descendant groups of the ‘Iranian’ Scythians), which is a good fit with the historically attested spread of these peoples across the Central Asian steppe.

According to Samaritan tradition, Mount Gerizim was the original Holy Place of the Israelites from the time that Joshua conquered Canaan and the twelve tribes of Israel settled the land. The Samaritans have insisted that they are direct descendants of the Northern Israelite tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, who survived the destruction of the Northern kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians in 722 BCE.

Caucasus:

The haplogroup is the most frequent in the Caucasus (found at over 60% in ethnic North Ossetian males and around 30% in Georgian males). The Kabardinian and Balkarian peoples of the northwestern Caucasus are known to be 29% G. Armenians are known to have around 11% of their males in HgG.

The exceptionally high level of G in the North Ossetians has attracted attention and speculation. Since the Ossetians trace their descent from the Alans it was thought that the Alans and their presumed ancestors the Scythians must also have been high in Haplogroup G.

From here in the timeline there is only speculation on how our Whittaker ancestor ended up in Lancashire, England in c. 1724. This is my (Rodney G. Dalton) theory on how this happened.

Taken from history-migration to Gaul:

Around 370, the Alans or we might say, Ossetians, were overwhelmed by the Huns. They were divided into several groups, some of whom fled westward. A portion of these western Alans joined the Vandals and the Sueves in their invasion of Roman Gaul.

The Romans and their Gaul slaves:

The Gaulish culture then was massively submerged by Roman culture, Latin was adopted by the Gauls, Gaul, or Gallia, was absorbed into the Roman Empire, all the administration changed and Gauls eventually became Roman citizens.

Slavery in the ancient world and in Rome was vital to both the economy and even the social fabric of the society. While it was commonplace throughout the Mediterranean region, and the Hellenistic regions in the east, it was not nearly so vital to others as it was to the dominance of Rome. As the Romans consolidated their hegemony of Italy and Sicily followed by the systematic conquest of western Europe, countless millions of slaves were transported to Rome the Italian countryside and Latin colonies all over Europe.

The Romans arrived in Britain in 55 BC. The Roman Army had been fighting in Gaul (France) and the Britons had been helping the Gauls in an effort to defeat the Romans. The leader of the Roman Army in Gaul, Julius Caesar, decided that he had to teach the Britons a lesson for helping the Gauls – hence his invasion.

During Cæsar’s last campaigns in Gaul, he captured so many prisoners that it is said every soldier in the Roman army had at least one Gallic slave to wait upon him; but in spite of crushing defeats the Gauls rose again and again, until Cæsar punished the rebels by chopping off their right hands.

In late August 55 BC, 12,000 Roman soldiers landed about 6 miles from Dover. Caesar had planned to land in Dover itself, but had to change his plan as many Briton soldiers had gathered on the cliffs ready to fight off the invaders. Even so, the Britons followed the Romans to their landing place and a fierce fight took place on the beach. The Romans were forced to fight in the water as the Britons stormed down the beach. Caesar was impressed with the fighting qualities of the Britons:

Caesar returned the next year in 54 BC. This time he had 30,000 soldiers and the Britons were not prepared to fight the Romans on the beach. This gave the Romans an opportunity to establish themselves as a military force in Britain. Once they had done this, they took on Briton tribes one by one.

So I have two theory’s on how our Whittaker ancestors ended up in Lancashire area of northern England. Naturally this is open to speculation, but my first guess is that one of our people was a servant or slave of a soldier of the Roman army that invaded England and continued to live there after the occupation (Read the above timeline). My second guess is that one of our people was a Gaul that come to Britain sometime in history. The Gauls were certainly of the same Celtic race as that which already occupied the island. At all events, small states of some extent were formed by the conquerors. Thus the Cantii tribe occupied the open ground to the north of the great forest which then filled the valley between the chalk ranges of the North and South Downs.

But wait! This was very early British history. Where did our Whittaker’s live in Northern England and how did they get the surname. The ancestors of this early tribe Cantii or Roman slaves must have lived around in what is the present day town of Littleborough in Lancashire. Littleborough is a small town within the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, in Greater Manchester, England.

Littleborough began as a scattering of weaving hamlets within the Parish of Hundersfield, a large area stretching from Rochdale to Todmorden.

On the way up to Blackstone Edge, above Hollingworth Lake is the ancient farmstead, or fold, of Whittaker. The earliest house possibly dates back to the fourteenth century. Whittaker was restored in the early 90s. Close by is Whittaker Golf Club, and Whittaker Wood which is owned by the Woodland Trust.

Hollingworth Lake is a lake in Littleborough, in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, Greater Manchester. To the west of Hollingworth Lake is Whittaker Golf and Whittaker Wood.

Whittaker Wood is in a large woodland area at the end of Whittaker Lane. Notice the spelling of Whittaker with two tt’s.

So then this is the area in Lancashire where I believe our early Whittaker’s lived and where they took their name from.

Rodney G. Dalton, July 2009

The Start

1 – JOHN WHITTAKER SR. was born sometime in 1724 in the little village of Spotland, next to Rochdale in Lancashire England. His date of death is unknown. He met and married a girl from Rochdale named Betty Ramsbottem. Samuel & Betty has one child that we know of – James Whittaker Jr.; Rochdale is just north of Heywood on the Roch river in Lancashire. This is all we know about this John Whittaker Sr. at this time.

The Parish Church of St Chad, Rochdale: Marriages for the years 1741 – 1754

1 Jan 1744 John Whittaker and Betty Ramsbottom

Spotland occupies the north-west part of the parish, and has a total area of 14,174 acres. Its name is allied to Spodden, a valley running from north to south of it, down which flows a tributary, the Roch River on the western side of Rochdale.

2 – JOHN WHITTAKER JR. was born Oct. 22 1749 in Walsden, Lancashire. He died on May 16, 1802. He married a girl from Spotland named Mary Frank Farrar. They had 8 children:

Mary, born ?

Grace, born ?

Betty, born 1771.

John, born 1772.

Ambrah, born 1774.

Hannah, born 1777.

Samuel, born 1780.

Sarah, born 1780.

John Jr. and his wife Mary Farrar first lived in Walsden, near Todmorden and then moved to Preston, Lancashire, a large town, where their son Samuel Whittaker was born on March 8, 1780, who grew up and fell in love with Sarah, the daughter of George and Mary Crowther Whittaker.

3 – SAMUEL WHITTAKER was born on Sept. 13, 1780 and died on June 28, 1835. He married Sarah Whittaker, daughter of George. They had 11 children; Mary, 1803, Rochdale; John, 1805, Heywood; Thomas, 1807, Heywood; James Sr. 1809, Blackburn; Elizabeth, 1811, Blackburn; Ellen, 1812, Hoghton; Sarah, 1814, Preston; Robert, 1816, Todmorden; Hannah, 1818, Preston; Samuel, 1821, Preston; & Whittaker, 1825, Preston.

This means that Samuel the father, must have lived and worked in Blackburn when James Sr. was born, this according to the LDS Church record below:

James WHITTAKER Birth: 8 Mar 1809

At Time Of Christening, Abode was Blackburn, Lancashire, England.

Christening: 27 Mar 1810 Todmorden, Lancashire, England.

One the map below is where our Whittaker’s come from.

Hoghton being halfway between Blackburn and Preston. We know from the history of Samuel Whittaker that he made his living as a weaver, and he must have worked in one of the mills in Blackburn and Preston when his daughters, Elizabeth and Ellen was born.

It is interesting to know that these first Whittaker’s all lived in the same small area of Lancashire which includes the small towns of Spotland, Rochdale, Todmorden, Walsden. Bacup, Butcher Hill, Wrigley Brook, Heywood and then larger, Preston and Blackburn.

Some information about the our Whittaker places of births, deaths and residences:

Spotland occupies the north-west part of the parish, and has a total area of 14,174 acres. Its name is allied to Spodden, a valley running from north to south of it, down which flows a tributary, the Roch River on the western side of Rochdale.

Rochdale is a large market town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amongst the foothills of the Pennines on the River Roch, 5.3 miles north-northwest of Oldham, and 9.8 miles north-northeast of the city of Manchester. Rochdale is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Borough of Rochdale, of which Rochdale is the largest settlement.

Todmorden, is a township, and a chapelry, in Lancashire. The town stands on the river Calder, the Rochdale canal, and the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway, 7-1/2 miles NE of Rochdale.

Walsden is a small village, near Todmorden, that occupies the northern slope of the hills, as the surface descends to the Calder River.

Butcher Hill is within one mile East of Todmorden.

Heywood is a town within Borough of Rochdale, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the south bank of the River Roch and is 2.4 miles east of Bury, 3.7 miles west-southwest of

Rochdale, and 7.4 miles north of the city of Manchester. Heywood’s nickname is Monkey Town, a name with unclear origin, but known to date as far back as 1857.

Bacup is a town within the Rossendale borough of Lancashire, England, near the border with West Yorkshire. It lies 14 miles north of Manchester, 22 miles east of Preston, and 35 miles southeast of the county town of Lancaster.

Heap Bridge is where Rachel Taylor was born and it is a small place within a mile of Heywood.

Blackburn is 75 miles west from Todmorden & 8.9 miles east of the city of Preston.



Towns where our Whittaker’s lived

At the time that Samuel lived in Blackburn it was one of the main mill towns in Lancashire. Weaving in 18th century Blackburn, was carried out mainly by hand loom weavers working from their own cottages. However, as power looms began to be introduced into local mills from 1825, the percentage of the workforce employed as hand loom weavers began to decline. This decline occurred more rapidly in areas closer to the center of Blackburn, with hand loom weavers continuing to make up a sizable portion of the workforce in outlying rural areas.

Hoghton a village, and a chapelry, in Leyland parish, Lancashire. The village stands on the river Darwen, 5 miles W by S of Blackburn; and has a station on the railway, and a post office under Preston.

Preston is a city and non-metropolitan district of Lancashire, in North West England. It is located on the north bank of the River Ribble. In 1768, the first practicable powered spinning machine was installed in Preston at the start of the Industrial Revolution. In 1777 the first cotton mill in the town was erected. By 1857 there were seventy-five cotton spinning and manufacturing establishments and ranks of workers’ terraced housing, spread over vast tracts of land. This brought the ills of dreadful living conditions and diseases which combined to bring about the highest infant mortality rate in the kingdom.

Wrigley Brook is a watercourse in Greater Manchester and a tributary of the River Roch. Originating in the Hareshill area to the South of Heywood, it flows northwards through Heywood and joins the River Roch. It s said that the first spinning mill was built on Wrigley Brook. Some Whittaker researchers has sad that James Whittaker Jr. was born in Wrigley Brook, but he may have been born in Blackburn where he was baptized.

Baptismal of two children of Samuel Whittaker:

Elizabeth Whittaker was baptized: 12 May 1811, St Mary the Virgin, Church in Blackburn, Lancashire, England:

Elizabeth Whittaker – Daughter of Samuel Whittaker & Sarah.

Born: 17 Jan 1811

Abode: Blackburn

Register: Baptisms 1792 – 1812, Page 350, Entry 8

Source: Film 1278804

Ellen Whittaker was baptized on 8 Nov 1812, St Mary the Virgin, Church in Blackburn, Lancashire, England:

Ellen Whitaker – Daughter of Samuel Whitaker & Sally.

Born: 19 Oct 1812

Abode: Hoghton

Register: Baptisms 1792 – 1812, Page 373, Entry 9

Source: Film 1278804



Todmorden in the 1840’s

The old St. Peter’s Church in Todmorden, Lancashire, England

Samuel Whittaker died at Butcher Hill, Todmorden on 28 Jun 1835 & his wife, Sarah, died on 23 Apr 1854 in Rochdale, Lancashire Co. England.





Samuel was known to be a shoemaker and a weaver.

Todmorden is situated at the extreme westerly end of the West Riding of Yorkshire and the Borough Boundary on that side is the boundary between Lancashire and Yorkshire. Formerly, part of Todmorden lay in Lancashire, but in 1888, when County Councils were set up, the whole of Todmorden was included in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

The industrial revolution of the 18th century, during which turnpike roads were constructed along the valleys, and the Rochdale Canal joined the Calder and Hebble with the Bridgewater Canal in Lancashire, saw the farming out of cotton spinning and weaving into surrounding villages in Lancashire and the neighbouring Yorkshire districts.

The first cotton mill was erected in 1786 by John Fielden at Walsden. Other mills were soon erected, but to Joshua Fielden of Laneside may be traced the rise and progress of the cotton industry in the town. Every day he walked to Halifax market carrying woollen pieces, but seeing a greater chance of success in the cotton industry he set up cotton spinning and weaving in three small cottages at Laneside. He soon enlarged the building, and took steps towards the founding of the future Waterside Mill.

The valleys are drained by the River Calder running down from Portsmouth, which is joined at the Market by Walsden Water coming down the Walsden valley, and the various tributaries of these two rivers.

The prevailing winds are westerly with northeast to east winds especially in the spring. The valleys are particularly liable to mist and fog which is, perhaps, induced to some extent by smoke that tends to hang in the valleys.

On the heather moors is peat and bilberry, ling, crawberry and whin grow; in boggy places cranberry, sundew, sedges and bog as hodel are found. On the grass moors there are, mat grass, sheep’s fescue grass, wavy hair grass, tormentalla and ladies bed-straw. In damper places are purple Molina grass, several species of rush and cotton grass, and the four leaved heath. On the hill pastures are woodrush, quaking grass, yellow violet, gentian, milkwort, eyebright, adder’s-tongue fern, and many common grasses.

In the woodlands there is little to be found except the broad shield fern, anemone, lesser celandine, woodruff and wood sorrel, but in thinner woods and on the better soil are dog-rose, raspberry, ivy, bramble, honeysuckle, cowset, lady fern, male fern, soft grass, and golden rod.

In damp portions of the woodland are coltsfoot, lesser celandine, wood anemones, stitchwort, bluebell, garlic and ragged robin. With bracken and cow parsnip in the summer. The trees are beech, oak, sycamore and wychelm, with ash, hazel, alder and elder, willow and mountain ash.

The Rochdale Canal was constructed at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries. The railway came later, being begun in 1837 and opened to Littleborough from Manchester in 1839, and a year later to Normanton from Hebden Bridge. The last portion of the line between Todmorden and Littleborough was not finally completed until 1841, owing to the great difficulties in the construction of the Summit Tunnel and the spanning of the valleys.

The year is 1750 to 1850 in Todmorden. Imagine, if you will, an extensive plateau of moorland and pasture, wild, exposed, peaceful and idyllic. There is no one about although the sheep are plentiful, grazing amongst the long spiky tufts of grasses. The ground undulates in a haphazard way rising another 500 feet above the plateau then falling steeply down to craggy outcrops of rock, which when viewed from below, overhang and appear to be joined together with heather, grass and gorse, tumbling down to the valley below. Peer down from the plateau and you will see nothing but a stream gently weaving its way along the floor of the valley between the woods and marshes.

The odd traveller may come in to view, probably on foot with his load on his back, or maybe with a horse and rickety old cart.

Dotted about there is the occasional farmhouse, some having been there for centuries, and each with smaller cottages and outbuildings attached. They are built of stone with earth floors covered with straw, many are lime washed, and each one has a chimney spewing spirals of smoke into the air to welcome any weary passer-by. Narrow tracks link the farms, some just about suitable for wheels, but many simply worn by the feet of the local people. There is just one through route, paved with slabs of stone, allowing single passage of strings of horses carrying merchandise from one town to another. The trail follows the contour of the plateau with the occasional limb breaking off to zigzag down to the bottom of the valley and on up the more gentle slopes on the opposite side. The floor of the valley is too wet and marshy for any packhorse to cope with. If one travels at all in these parts it is either on business or to attend church, and is on foot or horseback.

There are some small communities dotted about along the heavily wooded lower slopes. Here the cottages also have lime washed stone walls, and have gardens, barns and stables. Wherever there is a plentiful supply of water there are corn mills with giant water wheels. This is a century before steam power comes to the valley and more than that before the gas mantle is to replace the candle.

The houses are built to withstand the bitterly cold winters and the damp summers and they have large fire places in which to burn whatever fuel is available, mostly wood and peat or dung. The children play until they are big enough to work. Lots don’t survive, but most do. Disease is a problem, but less so on these rugged moors than in the towns, for the water is fresh and clean and the inhabitants have space in which to dispose of rubbish and sewage. The girls help their mothers and the lads do errands and odd jobs for whatever they can earn. They all help on the land and in the weaving sheds attached to their homes.

Further north along the valley lies the village, nestling at the junction of three main valleys. It isn’t much of a village. The church is perched on a small eminence, adjacent to which is Todmorden Hall, recently sold by the Radcliffe’s who have met impecunious times. There is an inn, which is linked to the church by a farmyard. There is also a free school, built in 1713 at a cost of £150. The schoolmaster has gratuitous use of the schoolhouse but he must be careful for his appointment is by majority vote of the freeholders of the township. Apart from this, there are just a few cottages and an odd shop or two. There are no roads in the valley.

Over to one side in the distant Burnley valley there is a large manor house known as Scaitcliffe Hall.

The gentry at Scaitcliffe own much of the land. The people on the tops are mainly tenant or yeomen farmers. They spin and weave wool from their own flock of sheep, keep a few cows, poultry, pigs, and maybe a horse or two, and grow crops such as oats and barley. The ones down below do whatever they can to put food on their plates and clothes on their backs. They work in the corn mills, or as carriers or labourers, they grow crops for their own consumption and tend a few animals to produce milk, butter and cheese. To supplement their meagre incomes most of the households rent hand looms for the weaving of wool obtained from the farms on the moor.

Everyone is self-sufficient.

Porridge, bread and milk are the staple diet of most of the ordinary folk. This meal is repeated three times a day with occasional rabbit, pigeon and potatoes or a small piece of bacon for dinner. On special occasions a piece of parkin may be baked on the back stone and served with mint tea sweetened with treacle. Some households have tea and coffee but have no idea what to do with the leaves or grains. It is quite common for the leaves to be boiled in water, the water to be drained off, and the leaves eaten with treacle! This is then served with a pot of milk to drink!

On Sundays they all go to the Church in the village, dedicated to St. Mary, and they have a long distance to travel. Several miles, in some instances, across rough terrain and in all weathers.

There is no abject poverty – there are too few people – and life carries on at a very slow pace. Church on Sunday, work the rest of the week; the women look after the children, the home and their men. Water has to be fetched from the wells, fires are laid, bread must be baked, clothes are washed and the floors cleaned; the men do the labouring and bring home the money, or what is left after the nightly visit to the tavern for a pint or two of ale and a chat with the other men of the area. Yes, each hamlet has its own alehouse. There is little else. The people have to walk to the village with the church to find a boot maker, tailor or general shop. The “Old Shop” has been there for years, providing everything from baskets to lamp oil.

There is little education. The free school serves those who can afford it -for the word “free” should not be taken too literally, although there are a few free places for those of outstanding ability. Few are able to read or even write their names. The only books are Bibles. These low levels of literacy among the people mean that the clergymen and the pulpit are vital for the spread of knowledge. The taverns and the village well are the only other meeting places where news is spread.

Nothing lasts forever, and no more did this rural, peaceful scene, for this village is Todmorden, changed forever by the coming of cotton and modern innovation. The people in our stories are just some of the folk who changed it.

The textile industry has been around in the Calderdale area since before medieval times. For many centuries it was mainly woollen cloth that was manufactured, the sheep on the moors providing the raw material, which was converted to cloth by the rural inhabitants in their own homes and sold on by the clothiers at market. In the Todmorden area it seems that the majority of the manufacture was organized by local farmers, and they became known as Clothiers. They built farmhouses with land on which they might have kept their own sheep. Some would be small affairs with two chambers on the upper floor and two rooms downstairs. The entrance was through the gable end into the living area and there were service rooms built along the back length of the house. In the 1730’s Paul Helliwell, who was a clothier-cum-farmer, occupied such a house, known as Lower Ibbotroyd. Another is Flailcroft at Todmorden Edge.

Smaller farms such as the above would normally accommodate just one loom. Other farms were larger and would incorporate a workshop for the production of the woollen cloth. Most of these farms were at the centre of a small settlement, which would contain a few cottages. These were often used to house members of the extended family. These cottagers relied almost entirely on the cottage industry to eke a living.

The clothiers-cum-farmers would obtain the wool either from their own sheep or by buying it in. They would manufacture much of it themselves and distribute the rest to local small farmers and cottagers. This was known as “putting out”. After the wool had been made into cloth the handloom weavers would walk from their hillside farms and cottages with their finished pieces to deliver them to the clothier’s house in return for payment and more wool. This was known as “taking in”.

The clothier’s workshop would almost always be on an upper floor of his house with a separate door for the purpose, arrived at by a flight of stone steps. Some had a hoist instead of steps. These were larger farmhouses and would house several looms as well as the taking in shop.

When the cloth was finished the clothiers travelled by packhorse to the markets and piece-halls of Rochdale, Hebden Bridge, Halifax and Leeds to sell their cloth. There were no valley roads as such until the mid 1700’s when the turnpikes arrived.

The packhorse trails criss-crossed the higher ground. They were narrow, winding and rough, climbing the heights and down again over the shoulders of the hills, but avoiding the valley bottoms which were mostly heavily wooded and too marshy for the horses. The only travellers in these parts were on business. No-one did it for fun.

The small hillside farmers who were given the residue of the wool to manufacture in their own homes combined this with farming. The main processes of this stage were carding, spinning, weaving and finishing.

As it needed maybe 7 or 8 people to card and spin for one weaver, the entire family was involved. Everyone from 4 to 84 who could see and who had nimble fingers played a part. If the farmer had insufficient family, then he had to employ neighbouring cottagers to assist.

The men of the family would busy themselves with the work on the farm whilst the women would see to the milking and the cheese making as well as the household chores. When that was finished the wife and her daughters did the carding and the spinning. They were known as spinsters, hence the word normally given to unmarried women. The weaving was hard manual work and usually left to the men folk. The system ensured full employment for the whole family.

After the carding, spinning and weaving were done, the cloth had to be finished. The first stage of this was known as fulling. After the weaving stage the cloth was little more than sack cloth with loosely interwoven thread. The fulling process tightened and shrank the cloth into a closely woven piece and also served to cleanse the cloth of the grease and oil introduced during the spinning and weaving stages. Initially this was done by men walking and trampling on the cloth in a tub containing a mix of stale urine and water, or in shallow streams using fullers’ earth.

By 1700 the woollen industry was arguably the most important in Britain.

In the late 1600’s the fashionable ladies of the affluent society were wearing cotton fabrics imported from India and these became very popular. In order to protect the existing woollen and linen industries, in 1700 the Government placed so much tax on imported cotton goods that the practice ground to a halt and was then banned altogether, which in turn prompted the country to develop a home-based cotton industry.

By 1750 pure cotton as opposed to the cotton-linen mix known as fustian was being produced in Britain. The import of raw cotton from the West Indies began in a serious way, most of which found its way to the hills and valleys of East Lancashire mainly due to the damp atmosphere, which was needed to help with the spinning process. The local folk were already experienced wool manufacturers and had no difficulty in changing over to cotton, as the processes were much the same

The cotton arrived by ship at Liverpool and was taken to Manchester, and from there the merchants carried it by packhorse to the villages of East Lancashire, including Todmorden & Walsden.

The weavers walked down to the village market place to collect the bags of cotton, returning at the next visit to hand in the finished cloth and receive payment. The merchant would carry the finished goods back to Manchester where it would be dyed before being sold on again. It wasn’t long before the entrepreneurs of the district realized that money was to be made by cutting out the merchant. Some of them set themselves up as middlemen, known as fustian masters.

They travelled to Manchester themselves to collect the bags of raw cotton, often carrying these home on their backs. They opened up the upper floor of their homes as “putting out and taking in” shops, and therefore became similar to the woollen clothiers.

The masters attended the weekly market in Manchester where they sold their pieces of cloth to the merchants, returning with more bags of raw cotton. These middlemen became known as putters-out and were the pioneers of the cotton trade. They worked hard for their money, setting off to market very early in the morning so as to find the best bargains, and returning the same day.

By then this cottage industry had brought great wealth to some and provided valuable income for the majority of the inhabitants of Calderdale. In some families the farming was subsidiary to the manufacture and in others it was the other way round. If the rent could be raised from the farming side alone, so much the better. For a piece of cloth made from 12 pounds weight of cotton, a weaver could be paid 18 shillings plus a further 18 shillings for the carding and spinning. This would be about a fortnight’s work.

In Todmorden the first schools for children of the ordinary working family did not appear until after 1810, and only a fraction of the children attended regularly. These early schools were mainly established by the various religious bodies, and only opened on a Sunday. They concentrated on teaching the children of both sexes to read. The education was very basic by necessity as the teachers were drawn from the local communities and were barely literate themselves.

The earliest known school in Todmorden was the Endowed School, the gift of Richard Clegg, vicar of Kirkham in Lancashire, who was born at Stonehouse, Walsden in 1645.

The school, immediately adjacent to St. Mary’s Church, held up to 100 scholars and was on the ground floor, with the schoolmaster’s living quarters above.

In 1833, there were 31 fee-paying children and 4 free scholars. The endowment was worth between £6 and £15 a year. The original school was rebuilt in 1851 and closed in 1877.

Let’s stop here and tell about the History of the Surname of Whittaker:

The history of the most ancient Anglo-Saxon surname of Whitaker reaches far into the chronicles of the Saxon race. The Saxon Chronicle, compiled by monks in the 10th century, now resides in the British Museum.

“One who came from Whitacre (white field) in Warwickshire; dweller at the white field.”

History researchers have examined reproductions of such ancient manuscripts as the Domesday Book (1086), the Ragman Rolls (1291-1296), the Curia Regis Rolls, The Pipe Rolls, the Hearth Rolls, parish registers, baptismal, tax records and other ancient documents. They found the first record of the name Whitaker in Warwickshire where they had been seated at Wheatacre from ancient times before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066. (Sir Simon de Whitacre)

William The Conqueror in 1066 had England surveyed to determine how much property there was in England and who owned it. This survey became known as Doomsday Book. This book lists Sir Simon de Whitacre of Warwickshire as the land proprietor in Warwickshire. Many believe that this Sir Simon in the ancestor of the Whitakers of Holme and other Whitaker lines.

Different spellings were encountered in the research of the surname. Throughout the centuries the name, Whitaker, occurred in many records, manuscripts, and documents, but not always with the exact spelling. Spelling Derivations: Whitaker, Whittaker, Whitteker, Whitacre, Whitacar, Whitacher, Wheatacre, Whitiker, Whiteker, Whiteaker, Whitcher, Whitakert, Withacre, Wythacre, Witacre, Witacur, Wyteacre, Wetaker, Witteacres,Whittacre, Witaker, Wittaker, Whiteacre, Weiteaker, Waiteaker and Whittiker and the variations in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. Scribes and church officials, often traveling great distances, even from other countries, frequently spelled the names phonetically. As a result the same person would be recorded differently on birth, baptismal, marriage and death certificates as well as other numerous records, recording life’s events.

The Saxon race gave birth to many English surnames not the least of which was the surname Whitaker. The Saxons were invited into England by the ancient Britons of the 4th century. A fair skinned people their home was the Rhine valley, some as far north east as Denmark. They were led by two brothers, General/Commanders Hengist and Horsa. The Saxons settled in the county of Kent, on the south east coast of England. Gradually, they the ancient Britons back into Wales and Cornwall in the west, and Cumberland to the north. The Angles occupied the eastern coast, the south folk in Suffolk, north folk in Norfolk. Under Saxon rule England prospered under a series of high kings, the last of which was Harold.

Is your name Whitaker?

If so, you may spring from one of the oldest families in Lancashire, whose name is delivered from High Whitaker, near Padiham, or from Whittaker, near Rochdale. The name has been spelt with one or two ‘T’s and at the end of the thirteenth century was spelt Quitacre.

John de Quitacre came from High Whitaker to live at Simonstone in 1311 and was succeeded by his son Roger who was living in 1326. Richard de Whitaker, probably son of Roger, was living at Simonstone in 1333. The family continued to live at Simonstone Hall and Richard Whitaker and his wife Margaret were in occupation in 1434. Their son Thomas died in 1448, and in the reign of Henry VII the owner was Myles Whitaker. He had two sons, Lawrence and Henry, the former dying in 1515. Henry’s son was Thomas, who lived during the time of Queen Elizabeth, and who was followed by his son Myles, who died in 1600. Next in line of succession was Thomas, who refused a knighthood from Charles I and had to pay £10 as fine. Even so the Whitakers were Royalists and two members of the family were imprisoned in Clitheroe Castle and their property confiscated by Parliament. During the Commonwealth period, John and Lawrence were at Simonstone Hall and are mentioned in 1650 and 1657, and in 1686 Miles Whitaker was out bailiff of Clitheroe, dying in 1705. The family estates included lands in Huncoat, near Accrington, when Charles Whitaker died at Simonstone in 1843.

A branch of the family lived at Holme, near Burnley, and descended from Richard, who settled there in the fourteenth century. Thomas Whitaker, of Holme, was living in 1431, and was followed by Robert, and then his son Thomas, who spelt his name Quitacre. Two generations later Thomas Whitaker, born in 1504, married Elizabeth Nowell, whose brother was Alexander Nowell, Dean of St. Paul’s. Their third son was William, who became Doctor of Divinity and Master of St. John’s College, Cambridge. William’s eldest brother Robert inherited Holme, and was succeeded by his son Thomas. Two generations later Thomas of Holme married Judith, daughter of James Whitaker of Broadclough, another branch of the family. The outstanding member of this family was Dr. Thomas Dunham Whitaker, LL.D., Vicar of Whalley and a very well-known historian, born in 1759.

Another branch of the family, from High Whitaker, was living at Henthorn, near Clitheroe, in 1509, when James Whitaker had two sons, Henry and James. James was succeeded by his son Nicholas, who was followed by John, whose wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John Baskerfelde, of Clitheroe, and who died in 1585.

There were numerous branches of the Whitaker family in the Burnley district and it is likely that they were from the same stock.

The Whittaker’s of Whittaker, near Rochdale, were found there in the fifteenth century when Cornwallis Whittaker married the heiress of the Cradock family. Their son Richard had a son, Thomas, who married the heiress of the Taylor family. The family registered their pedigree in 1567 at the visitation of the heralds and now widespread in Lancashire. Both parent families used the same arms.

Source: Lancashire Life Magazine, July 1959.

The Whittaker family of Utah has not yet made the connection to any of these Whitaker families mentioned above.

FORWARD TO THE JAMES WHITTAKER SR. DESCENDENTS HISTORY

Many family genealogists have contributed to this history. Most notably is Mary Whittaker Sewell. Mary Whittaker Sewell’s original hand written journal is located in the Southern Utah University Special Collections Library. We have Faun Whittaker to thank for typing it into the computer. Faun at the time was in the final stages of cancer and said that this effort was what he wanted to contribute to the Whittaker Family descendant’s before she died. Her father did the initial editing of Fawns draft.

Quote from a page n Mary Whittaker’s history:

“This family history was written that the coming descendants of these worthy people may know the names, places of birth, and the characteristics of their forebears, that they may realize the rich heritage they left for them.

The material was taken from family history handed down by themselves, and the living descendants of today. Much of the information was taken from the JOURNAL OF CHRISTOPHER J. ARTHUR, of Cedar City, Utah, the LIFE SKETCHES OF JAMES AND RACHEL TAYLOR WHITTAKER by their granddaughters, Charlotte (Chatterly) Perkins and Hattie (Thornton) Snow of Provo, Utah. Much information was given by Tennessee Ann Thompson Smith and her daughter Mozetta Smith Whittaker.

James Whittaker Jr. and his wife gave information regarding their parents etc., and other resources. Not half of the good deeds of these people have been told-only some of the highlights in their life.

Many grammatical errors and misspelled words and duplications are found. But when you read it, consider the writer is just a self made woman. Pass by these errors and try and find the good”

(Signed)

Mary Whittaker Sewell Phoenix, Arizona

Floyd J. Whittaker wrote many articles about his Whittaker History.

Through the years Raymond S. Whittaker and Donald C. Whittaker has collected and written Whittaker Family genealogy. A lot of the information was taken from one of these works. It was painstakingly typed into the Legacy genealogy program by Heber Dee Whittaker.

Melva Kauer has contributed much to our understanding of our Whittaker line.

Rodney Dalton of Ogden, Utah has done much research and typing in writing about the Whittaker Family for his book on the Dalton’s.

Dee Whittaker has spent many days typing in data and taking pictures, interviewing people and composing The History Tour of Circleville. He has been invaluable in the many days that he has spent in typing information into the Legacy Computer Program.

We appreciate each of you family members that have taken the time to gather information and submit it to Arthur Whittaker for submission into this work. Many of you have contributed money for this effort which is greatly appreciated. It is a rule that the game doesn’t get started until someone picks up the ball and throws it. This, the Whittaker family owes Arthur Whittaker for this effort. He has picked up the ball a number of times in the past and organized reunions, collected information, spent many days typing it into the computer and gathering more information. It is time to disseminate all the information that has been collected throughout the years.

During the year of 2003-2004, Donald, Dee, and Arthur have had a weekly call assigning tasks, coordinating information and thinking together about the reunion that was held in Cedar City, Utah on the 13,14,15 August 2004. As it turned out the published disk at the Cedar City reunion became a rough draft of the James Whittaker Sr. book. Much editing needed to be accomplished and much more information needed to be included. Melva Kauer took a written copy home and did much of the editing. Dee Whittaker decided to publish the disk in book form and started to do that. After a review by Arthur Whittaker and Dee Whittaker it was decided that much more work was needed before it was ready for publication.

James Whittaker Sr. also wrote a journal or diary in longhand dated between March 21th, 1842 and May 7th 1842 aboard the ship “Hanover” en route from Liverpool, England to New Orleans, USA. He took this trip with his young son, James Jr. who was only a lad of 9 years. Unfortunately this journal has only been copied in sections that are readable and only the original journal is in the hands of a lady that will not lets anyone view it to transcribe. There was also a journal wrote by both James Sr. & James Jr. during their second trip to America, with family, in 1851. There is a few excerpts here in this narrative.

The Story & History of James Whittaker Sr.

4 – JAMES WHITTAKER SR. Was born on May 9th, 1809 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England and died on March 3rd, 1880 in Cedar City Iron Co. Utah. He must have been foreordained in our pre-existence to play an important part in the Whittaker family. He did not know that he would leave the land of his birth and go to a land choice above all other lands and there be come the immigrant ancestor of a large posterity of Whittaker’s. For he is the Ancestor to a numerous band of Whittaker’s located in the states of Utah, California, Arizona, and other states.

James married Rachel Taylor Whittaker on Aug. 2, 1829, at Rochdale Old Church, Lancashire, England.

James Whittaker was our first immigrant that came to America. He sailed on the ship; “George W. Bourne” He arrived in Utah with his family in 1851.

The James Whittaker Sr. family consisted of four children:

1. Ellen, was born July 6, 1830 at Heywood Lancashire, England, she married Henry Lunt of Cedar City, Iron Utah.

2. James Whittaker Jr. was born April 27, 1833, Heywood, Lancashire, England, he married Mary Ann Arthur; Mary born 18 of November, 1838 at Heywood Lancashire, England.

3. Mary, was born Nov. 18, 1838. She married Amos Thornton, Pinto Washington, Utah.

4. Sarah, was born 16, of May, 1841 at Bank Top, Sharples, Lancashire , England, She married John Chatterley, Cedar City, Iron, Utah.

Let us quote from the biography of Rachel Taylor by Lottie C. Perkins and Hattie Thornton Snow. “Heywood, near Bolton was a village surrounded by a verdant country, and much scenery of a highly picturesque description. There are quiet green valleys, murmuring waters, rustling trees, cloudless summer skies, and children playing, heath, wild wood, leafy screens with blooming honey dew, and flowers of every hue. The town of Heywood was very cold, and the people religious, following in a picture of a Sunday morning in one of those homes nestled so securely among all this beauty. Breakfast consisted of porridge with butter cakes accompanied with a word of good admonition. Breakfast was soon over, the children dressed for chapel and at the toll of the first bell of the Heywood cathedral the children all strolled forth-so clean and fresh, so glad and sweet looking, as clean as a new pin.”

SHARPLES, a township and a sub-district in Bolton-le-Moors parish, Bolton district, Lancashire. The town-ship lies 2½ miles North of Bolton, and contains the villages of Banktop.

The township of Heap, next door to Heywood was where Rachel Taylor was born. When Heywood became a borough on 18 February 1881, Heap was incorporated into it the name was lost forever. At this time, the district included 67 cotton mills and weaving sheds, 67 machine works and other workshops, 75 cotton waste and other warehouses and 5,877 dwelling houses. It had 22 churches and chapels and 24 Sunday and day schools.

This James Whittaker family of Todmorden were industrious and anxious to get along in life. This family continued to enjoy life in their home until about the year 1839/40 when two Mormon missionaries called at their home. They knocked at the door. The mother, Rachael answered the knock. Two strange men dressed in Prince Albert suits, white shirts and a derby hat were standing at the door. They told her they were missionaries from Utah, representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that they had a message for her and her family. She invited them into her home. They told her of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, and other things. It seemed they were men who spoke with authority. The missionaries continued to visit this home until the father, was converted to the Gospel and in due time was baptized by immersion for the remission of sins and afterwards confirmed members of the Church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to the British Isles when seven LDS missionaries landed at Liverpool, England, on July 19, 1837. The success of this first mission (more than 1,500 converts by April 1839) set the stage for the even more successful apostolic mission of 1839-1841, which saw nine of the eleven apostles (the twelfth place was vacant at the time) serving as missionaries in England under the direction of Brigham Young. The Church grew rapidly in Great Britain among the working classes of the Northwest, the Midlands, and, especially in the Lancashire area.



This is how the Missionaries must have looked to the James Whittaker family

When the first Mormon missionaries arrived in the British Isles, they landed at Liverpool and then traveled east to Preston, England, where Joseph Fielding’s brother, Rev. James Fielding, had invited him and his missionary companions to preach at his Vauxhall Chapel. James’s enthusiasm waned when it became apparent that he risked losing his congregation, and he promptly closed the chapel to the missionaries. They then taught in private homes, and a week later baptized the first nine British converts in the river Ribble, at Preston. By Sunday, August 6, there were nearly fifty converts in Preston, and Elder Heber C. Kimball organized the Preston Branch. In two months, membership had reached 140, and the original branch was divided into five separate branches in October. Missionary work was extended to Bedford, and to Alston, near the Scottish border, where the missionaries had relatives. Elder Kimball preached in the villages of the Ribble Valley.

During the year of 1839, a small LDS Church was planted in Burnley by Elder Thomas Richardson, and many were added during the summer in the older branches, through the instrumentality of the local elders and priests, who were generally very faithful. Therefore it was probably from this Burnley ward the these missionaries were headquartered.

The Census of Bolton, Lancashire, England, 1841 Library Call No. GS # 306921 Page 11 Address Bank Top shows:

James Whitaker 30 Occupation: Dresser of Yarn

Rachel Whitaker 30

Ellen Whitaker 11

James Whittaker 8

Mary Whitaker 2

Sarah Whitaker 3 weeks

Bolton is a large town in the North West region of England. Situated close to the West Pennine Moors, 10 miles north west of the city of Manchester.

We don’t know how James Whittaker Sr. was found in the Bolton census, but it is safe to say that since his daughter Sarah was born in Banktop, Sharples near Bolton he must have lived & worked there at the time. Bolton was another large textile manufacturing area of Lancashire and since James Sr. was a dresser of yarn, this explains why he was counted in the Bolton census of 1841.

James Sr. was a man of means at this time and had the money to buy two tickets on a ship to go to Nauvoo where he knew the Saints had built a large city. He wanted to find out for himself if what the missionaries had told him was true.

James Whittaker Sr. and son James Jr. sailed from Liverpool, England on Sat., March 12, 1842 on the square-rigger “Hanover” to New Orleans. The trip took 51 days and arrived in New Orleans on May 2, 1842. There were 200 people on board and Amos Fielding was the leader of the company. They went up the Mississippi River to St. Louis and then traveled to Nauvoo and spent six months there before returning to England.

Many Mormons kept a record of their New Orleans observations in their diaries as they approached the Queen City on the Mississippi between 1851 and 1853. John Woodhouse described the mouth of the river as “filled with dense growth of large bamboo canes, common to the tropics” with the first dwellings “built on piles, and only accessible with boats”. It was there he marveled at “the largest oysters I ever saw … Some of them as long as eight inches and large in proportion.” Just before New Orleans he viewed the “large orange groves” with oranges “laying thick on the ground”. Jean Rio Baker was a wealthy Mormon woman who also commented on the orange groves, “the perfume from which is very delightful, as the breeze wafts it toward us. Thousands of peach and plum trees are here growing wild and now in full bloom.” She also mentioned seeing foxes, wild geese, storks and raccoons.

“The houses of the planters are built in the cottage style, but large with verandas on every side, and beautiful gardens. At a little distance are the Negro huts. From 30 to 50 on each plantation. They are built of wood with a veranda along the front, painted white, and mostly have either jasmine or honeysuckle growing over them. Each cottage has a large piece of garden ground attached to it in general appearance they are certainly very far superior to the cottage inhabited by the poor in England.”



Translation of page 7A of James Whittaker’s Diary

The above page was wrote by Melva Kauer when she had access to the first diary of James Whittaker Sr. He wrote this when he and young son James were on board the ship “Hanover” on their way to America in 1842.

By way of explanation about the diary’s of James Whittaker and son James Jr., all Whittaker researchers agrees that there may have been 3 different books. The first was in 1842 belonging to James Whittaker Sr. The second also belonging to James Sr. The third one is the shorthand one belonging to James Jr.

Upon James Sr. return to his little family, he told them about the wonderful fellow saints in Nauvoo and the wonders of American and the great opportunities it presented to them all. It took almost 8 years before James Sr. settled his affairs and sold his belonging before he & his family departed for America.

There is a principle in the L.D.S. church called the “Spirit of Gathering”. When a person becomes a member of the Church in a foreign country, a strong desire to gather with the Saints comes into his heart and he feels that he must be close to the authority of the church. It was true in this case, for as soon as they were confirmed members, they began to talk of gathering with the saints in Utah. This desire became so strong and urgent that they began disposing of their property, household goods–in fact, everything they owned was turned into cash.

In the winter of 1851, James Whittaker Sr. purchased tickets for his family on the good old ship George W. Bourne, scheduled to soon leave Liverpool for the United States of America. They packed their few personal belongings and other things (as Hattie and Lottie say in their biography). Grandfather bought dried fish, dried fruit, and other concentrated food, which his family enjoyed on the trip, and being of a generous nature, he fed many hungry mouths from his supply. In the winter of 1851, they bade farewell to dear old England, the land of their birth and the land they loved so well, bade farewell to parents, brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors, to people whom they had mingled with both in social and financial ways all their lives. They certainly had a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel in order to do this. Many tears must have been shed when they left their old home in Haywood, the old home which had sheltered them for so many years. But they, like hundreds of saints, had been caught in the Gospel Net and were willing to make the sacrifice in order to reap the blessings. For they were a few of the tens of thousands who earnestly sought truth in the latter days, happily found it, courageously accepted it, and were led into new places where, despite many trials, they discovered new and greater joys in living. May the memory of their faith and diligent work ever rest in the hearts of the coming generations. For far country where, through the possession of eternal truth and much trial and adversity, found happiness among the Mormon people located in the state of Utah.

James and his family traveled on the George W. Bourne ship which left Liverpool on 22 January 1851. Here is a history of the voyage.

GEORGE W. BOURNE Ship: 663 tons: 152′ x 31′ x 15′ Built: 1849 by George W. Bourne at Kennebunk, Maine On 22 January 1851 the square-rigger George W. Bourne cleared the Liverpool harbor with 281 Latter-day Saints aboard under the presidency of Elders William Gibson, Thomas Margetts, and William Booth. Fifty-seven days later, 20 March, the ship reached New Orleans, and Elder Gibson proudly reported that “no company of Saints had ever crossed the Atlantic with less sea-sickness.” This pleasant voyage was marked by one marriage, three births, two converts among crew members, and the death of a small boy who was dying of consumption when he boarded the ship. The vessel was apparently commanded by her part-owner, Captain William Williams. This ship was a typical product of Yankee shipwrights, built with two decks but no galleries, three masts, square stern, and a billet head. Her owners were all from Kennebunk, Maine. In 1862, she was sold to foreigners. James Whittaker and his family of six sailed from Liverpool, England on 22 January 1851 on board the grand old sailing vessel George W. Bourne with about five hundred Latter-day Saints, all bound for Utah, the land where Zion was located. They were eight long weeks in crossing the Atlantic Ocean.



Passengers boarding a ship in Liverpool, England in the 1850’s

GS #025690 page 121

Shipping Records – Ship “George W. Bourne”

James Whittaker 41 Yarn Dresser

Rachel Whittaker 40

Ellen Whittaker 18

James Whittaker 16

Mary Whittaker 14

Sarah Whittaker 10

Their son James loved the beautiful ocean and longed to become a sailor. But God had a far different mission for him to perform during his lifetime. This family and all on board landed at New Orleans on 20 March 1851. They must have rejoiced and thanked God for His protecting care during these long weeks on the ocean when they could only see water, water, and more water. They must have been glad to put their feet on Mother Earth again, for they had landed on American soil, never to return to their native country again. All remained in America, though son James returned to England in later years, but soon came back to America, this time on a steamboat.

For some reason the GEORGE W. BOURNE didn’t set sail until January 22, 1851 because of stormy seas.

“January 22nd. The George W. Bourne sailed from Liverpool, England, with 281 Saints, under the direction of William Gibson; it arrived at New Orleans March 20, 1851.”

The ship docked at New Orleans on March 20, 1851 after eight weeks at sea. The following is Elder William Gibson’s report of the ocean voyage.

‘There was always a feeling of thanksgiving among the passengers as they arrived safely on the shores of America. This is aptly expressed in this report from the Millennial Star:

‘May 1, 1851. By letter from Elder William Gibson, dated New Orleans, March 22nd, we are informed that the George W. Bourne arrived at that port on the 20th of the same month, after a passage of eight weeks from the time she left the Mersey. He says. “I feel to offer my heartfelt gratitude to God our Father for his great goodness to us, for I do not believe that ever a ship crossed the ocean with less sickness than we have had; there was one marriage, three births, and one death, on board; the latter a boy belonging to sister Baker, of Poplar Branch of London Conference; he was about five years of age, and was far gone in a consumption before we sailed. The births were by sister Hughes, a son; sister Gall, a son; and sister Clark, a son; all doing well.’



Dancing on deck of the ship to pass the time

“We placed ourselves in the hands of the Lord and his will, whether we should live or die”.

Daily life for the steerage passengers on board an emigrant ship consisted of various routines and duties. When weather permitted, the passengers were usually up on deck. Some were busy cleaning and others with games to pass the time. On the George W. Bourne in 1851, the women were occupied with cooking, sewing and knitting. Some had to look after the children and care for the sick. The captain usually held Sunday services on deck. On ordinary weekdays, there was often dancing on deck. Activities depended on weather conditions, but music instruments could be put to good use even when the weather was bad.

With many passengers gathered in a limited space, rules regarding conduct were no doubt necessary. These rules set boundaries for daily life on board. On the ship, rules were posted in the steerage stating exactly what was permitted and what was not. Some captains were strict while others cared little about what the passengers did. While all types of games and entertainment were allowed and encouraged on some ships, such activities were forbidden on others. The following is an excerpt from a set of rules.

Ship Rules:

1. The fire will be lit on the fire place (stove) each morning at 6 o’clock a.m., and every passenger not hindered by sickness or some other valid reason shall get up no later than 7 o’clock a.m.

2. The fire shall be put out at 8 o’clock p.m. and passengers must be in their bunks by 10 o’clock p.m.

3. The deck in the passengers’ quarters and under the bunks shall be swept each morning before breakfast, and the sweepings be thrown overboard. Once a week the deck in the passengers’ quarters shall be scraped.

4. Each morning before the fire is lit, necessary fuel and water will be distributed to the passengers. This task, and cleaning of the deck and the cabins on deck, will be carried out on a daily basis by a suitable number of men on a rotation basis. This group is also to check the cleanliness of the passengers and adherence to all other regulations.

5. Lamps will be lit in passengers’ quarters after dark and be kept burning until 10 o’clock in the evening.

6. Tobacco smoking is not permitted below deck, nor is the use of open flame or hay or straw permitted.

7. All cooking utensils must be washed after use and always be kept clean.

8. All bedding must be taken up on deck once or twice a week and be aired out, and the bunks cleaned each time this is done.

9. Clothing may not be washed or hung up to dry below deck, but each week, as conditions permit, a day will be determined for general washing.

10. All passengers who bring spirits or other alcoholic beverages on board are obligated upon embarking the ship to hand over the same for safekeeping. These passengers may receive a reasonable daily portion. Passengers are forbidden to have gunpowder in their possession, and this as well as guns or other weapons brought on board must be placed in safekeeping with ship’s officers. These will be returned to passengers at journey’s end.

11. Cards or dice are not allowed on board since these can easily lead to quarrels and disagreements. Passengers should treat each other with courtesy and respect. No quarrelsome or disputatious behavior will be tolerated.

12. No seaman is allowed on the passenger deck, unless he has received orders to do specific work. Nor is any passenger, under any circumstances whatsoever, allowed in the cabin of a crew member or the ship’s galley. It is not permitted to drill holes, do any cutting, pound nails or do any other kind of damage to the ship’s beams, boards or decks.

13. It is expected of the passengers that they appear on deck each Sunday in clean clothing and that they, as much as circumstances permit, keep the Sabbath.

14. All manner of games and entertainment are permitted and recommended as contributing to the maintenance of good health during a long journey. Personal cleanliness also contributes a good deal to this and is therefore highly recommended to the passengers.

15. Passengers must not speak to the man at the helm.

16. It is taken for granted that every passenger is obligated to obey the orders of the Captain in all respects.

Another account of the trip to America on the Ship George W. Bourne:

About 280 other Mormons, sailed from the Port of Liverpool on January 22, 1851 on the ship George W. Bourne. This was a typical Maine-built vessel with two decks but no galleries. It had three masts, a square stern, and a billet head. The ship had to wait in the Mersey River fourteen days for the wind. We were in the Irish Channel nine days with a rough head wind. We were tossed about in a most unpleasant manner. I was seasick two days and two nights and could not eat anything. I shall never forget it. We could not sleep; we had to bolt ourselves in bed. There was an awful noise with the boxes rolling about and the chains and the sailors and the Captain.

We were eight weeks going from Liverpool to New Orleans. We stayed in New Orleans two days – 6,000 miles from Liverpool. Then we got into a steamboat and went to St. Louis,1,200 miles from New Orleans. We were on the boat seven days. This journey from Liverpool was made with a company of about two hundred Mormons, presided over by William Gibson. When we got to St. Louis, my wife was better. I got work in a brickyard. I was very fortunate; many of the saints could not get work. Many of them were sick and in poverty, and many of them died with cholera.

It may be of interest to know that many of the immigrating saints in those days were under the necessity of laying in supplies for their trip before leaving shore. Such supplies as bacon, herring, potatoes, butter, sugar, rice, oatmeal, etc. and sea biscuits or hard tack, as it was sometimes called.

The immigrants had to take fresh water aboard the ship; enough to last them the entire journey. Therefore, it was necessary to measure it out, perhaps as little as a pint of drinking water per day per person. This measured water had to be used for cooking, which they did themselves in the galley. Sometimes they had a hard time thoroughly cooking such things as rice and beans which absorbed so much water. Whether these conditions were true on the ship that the Whittaker’s was on, we do not know.

Elder Gibson’s company of saints stayed two days in New Orleans after their arrival. On the afternoon of the 22nd of March 1851 they headed up the Mississippi River on the steam boat Concordia. Elder Gibson continues his report:

‘We go up the river this afternoon by the steamer Concordia, for 10s. 5d. each adult; infants and baggage, free; distance twelve hundred miles to St. Louis. I am informed that two of the crew wish to be baptized, and several of them speak of accompanying us to the Valley.’

The Concordia arrived in St. Louis on March 29, 1851. Apparently there were several days’ layover there for the saints. In all likelihood the Whittaker’s were on the steamboat Sacramento which sailed the Missouri River from St. Louis to Kanesville April 13, 1851. They arrived there May 2, 1851.



Mississippi River steam ship

As soon as they landed, they began preparations to continue their trip. They purchased tickets on a boat going up the Mississippi River and finally landed in St. Louis where the saints were gathered before leaving for Utah. The saints extended a hand of fellowship, love, and goodwill to Grandpa, Grandma, and the son and daughters. They made them welcome, for they were all glad to welcome others of the same faith and mingle as the saints of God. Grandpa and his son James, a lad of eighteen years, soon began preparations to go on the remainder of their journey. They finally purchased a wagon and a yoke of oxen, but later decided to buy two yoke, could only get one more ox, but purchased a good cow to be yoked with the other ox. This proved a very good investment, for she pulled part of the load and gave a liberal supply of milk morning and night for the weary travelers.

‘In the Frontier Guardian of June 13, 1851, the Saints who had not yet started for the Valley, but who intended to go that season, were urged to start at once and not cross the Missouri River later than the 20th of that month. They were also advised to keep strong guards out so as to protect themselves against Indian depredations, for it was reported that the Pawnees and other tribes were bent on mischief and theft, and had already robbed and plundered several companies on the plains that season. Then next intelligence about the emigration of 1851, was given by Apostle Orson Hyde, who on his journey from Kanesville to the Valley, wrote from the Platte River, 108 miles east of Laramie, under the date of July 22nd, to the effect that he and his party on the 11th of that month, near a branch of the Loup Fork, were assailed by about 300 Pawnee Indians, who robbed them of between seven and ten thousand dollars.’

‘It has been estimated that about five thousand emigrants crossed the plains and mountains from the Missouri River to Great Salt Lake City in 1851. A letter to Apostle Parley P. Pratt, who was absent on a mission, under the date of October 23, 1851, President Brigham Young said: “The emigration of Saints from the east has closed for the season, with general prosperity, and little sickness or loss, compared with the previous years. Probably 550 or 600 wagons may have come in, besides a good supply of merchandise–more than there is gold to pay for it.”’

When the George W. Bourne approached America in March of 1851, the land was a welcome sight to the weary passengers. It was spring in New Orleans, and the beautiful green trees and growth along the shoreline were a much appreciated change from the open sea. The mouth of the Mississippi River was so immense that it appeared to be more of a continuation of the Gulf of Mexico than a river. New Orleans was about 100 miles up the river, and the passengers were filled with the excitement of embarking on a new adventure in this awesome and beautiful new land. They passed along great swamp, which were nonexistent in England. Finally the they made their destination, New Orleans, which was the portal through which immigrants going west entered.



James Whittaker is the little man in the back

The steamboat-cotton wealth was developing on the Mississippi. One enthusiast called the New Orleans Waterfront the master street of the world. Nowhere else, it is said, could be found such a concentration of steamboats. They stretched for four or five miles, curving with the river itself, sometimes two and three deep. By night, the procession of boats on the lower river was one of magical splendor. Hundreds of lights glanced in different directions from the villages, towns, farms and plantations on shore, and from the magnificent “floating palaces” of steamers that frequently looked like moving mountains of light and flame. However, with all the romance of the gambling and party atmosphere of the steamboat, such trips could be arduous. The cabins on some boats were extremely small and the service negligent with meals confused and disorganized. Outside the cabins a simpler, rougher life went on. Roustabouts and crew stretched on the decks, and with them deck passengers who might be poor traders trying to sell wares inland, new settlers, or immigrants from Europe. In the social caste system of the south such passengers received little heed and almost no care; they sat wherever they could. The transportation to the west was upstream by boat and then overland by wagon, so the Whittaker family probably traveled under such conditions. They had a long journey up the Mississippi River and the Missouri to Kanesville, Iowa (now Council Bluffs), before traveling west.

The Mississippi River was treacherous, filled with snags, driftwood, and shoal points just below the surface. The pilot often operated in darkness and the passengers were dependent upon him for their safety. He received top pay and generally deserved it. Despite the training and experience the pilot operated much on instinct for the river constantly changed and he had to take chances at every point. The activities of the pilot were mostly unobserved by the passengers, especially by those, such as James, who were still in awe of even being in America. At every tiny settlement there were vast stacks of cord wood for quick pickups by the boats, as the engines hungrily swallowed fuel.

When the river boat arrived in Kanesville, Henry found that most of the population consisted of Mormons making preparations to go west. The city was situated in the mouth of a small valley beside a called Indian Creek. Some of the church members were still living in large holes dug in the sides of the hills, which had been made by Illinois members of the Church who had fled from Nauvoo four years before.

About the time James was in Kanesville, there were approximately 7,000 people; however, many long enough to earn sufficient money to get out. The population highly unstable. It is difficult to conceive how the L.D.S. converts could ever have made a one-thousand-mile trip across the plains and mountains to Utah without they could rest, make repairs, and lay in supplies.

At the time the whole of the Pottawatomie County where Kanesville, as well as considerable adjoining territory, control of the Mormons. There was such a rush f emigrants and gold seekers westward that sometimes they would have to wait for days to just ferry across the Missouri River.

The Latter-day Saints who gathered there were urged to collect seeds, grain, food, shrubbery, trees, the best stock of beasts and fowl, the best tools for farming utensils of every description, spinning ‘wheels and looms and every other article that would be needed to survive during their travels and in settling in a new territory. Therefore, the Whittaker’s began gathering supplies to make ready for the trip westward.

Finely the Whittaker family was ready to leave for there new home. It is reported that the family of James Whittaker was with the Captain Morris Phelp’s company which departed on June 9th 1851 from the outfitting post at Kanesville, Iowa. (present day Council Bluffs).

The Whittaker’s were to traveled only a few miles that first day, but the monotony was broken by many events that later happened. They had to watch their teams to keep them from mingling with the buffalo.



It was a long hard trip to Zion

The following statement was written in one account of the trip. “We journeyed among herds of buffaloes and were not at any one time out of sight of them. They had eaten the grass to such an extent that there was little remaining for the cattle, and fires also had to be dealt with. The company had to scout ahead to find spots where there was feed and the grass was not burned. Fortunately, the Mormon exodus occurred at a time when the Indians of the plains were at peace with the whites.

In the evening they camped on the banks of the Platte River and formed a semicircle. The river was on one side as a defense and one of the four wheels of each wagon was driven up to the back wheel of the wagon ahead forming a corral for the horses and cattle as well as providing security from the Indians. They offend had problems with the stampeding of the cattle which usually occurred when they forming camp.

Countless in numbers almost were the graves, on plain and mountain, those silent witnesses of death by the way. The mounds were to be seen in all imaginable places. Each day we passed them singly or in groups, by the banks of streams, on grassy hillocks, in the sands, beneath groves of trees, or among piles of rock the graves were made.

Another story about this crossing. “The night drives were among the most trying experiences upon the overland journey. Usually they were made necessary to us from the drying up of some spring or stream where we had expected to make our evening camp, and the consequent lack of water for the people as well as cattle made it necessary to go forward. Yes, to the emigrant company of those days the drying up of a stream was often of serious import. Water enough might have been carried to quench the thirst of human beings, but what of the many cattle? The ox that suffers too much from thirst becomes a dangerous animal. Let him scent in the distance the coveted water, and who shall curb his strength? How nearly we met with disaster from this same cause. Almost useless were the brakes; how fiercely the thirst tortured animals strained at their yokes. It was a pitiful sight, and as we approached, boulder-strewn edge of the stream, our position was somewhat dangerous”

By 1851 the plains was so well organized that many of the prior problems had been solved and some diarists described the trip as a rather enjoyable event.

After traveling through a deep ravine they reached the head of the canyon and came in full view of the Great Basin, to them the land of promise. They stopped and viewed the fertile valley spread out before them and the glistening waters of the Great Salt Lake, and they were excited to proceed into the settlement. They had journeyed more than a thousand miles through flats of the Platte River and plateaus of the Rocky Mountains, and over the burning sands and eternal sage regions, willow swales and rocky regions, and now had finally reached their destination. What a grand view it was.

When the wagon train arrived in the city, the first concern of the weary travelers was to find lodging, usually with settlers who already had homes. Many of them continued living in wagons, much as they had along the trek, until they could construct better facilities. Those who intended to establish permanent residence in Salt Lake City soon began to build their own homes. James Whittaker made their first camp on the Jordan River, near where the old bridge at 9th west and first North latter was built.

After many weeks and months of traveling, enduring many hardships day after day but full of faith in the future, these brave pioneers entered in the Salt Lake Valley four years after the first pioneers entered the valley when their leader Brigham Young said, “This is the Place.” This band of pioneers landed there about September 26, 1851 after nine months of traveling since they had left their home in dear Old England. They must have been thankful to reach the end of a long journey. However, they had no beautiful home to go to, but depended on new friends for a shelter and advice in getting the land for the beginning of a new home. They had just gotten located in this new land when President Brigham Young, president of the Church, called Brother Whittaker and his family to go south. Being obedient to counsel, they again rounded up their oxen, loaded their wagons, and journeyed to Cedar City. They were about three weeks or a month in making the trip. He helped build up a great commonwealth, went through many hardships in settling a new country, but the father and mother remained there the rest of their lives in the town of Cedar City, true to the faith they had embraced in Old England. When the Cedar City Ward was organized on 12 May 1852, Grandfather was sustained as second counselor to the bishop.

“In about 1933 in the Arizona Temple, I met a Brother Jones, an elderly man. He said that he was from Cedar City. I asked if he knew James Whittaker Sr. and his wife who lived there years ago. He said, “yes, I knew them. They were the best people I ever knew.” (Mary Whittaker Sewell.)

The story about the trip south to Cedar City:

James Whittaker was one of the men called by President Young, to go south to Cedar Fort, Iron County. They were among the first settlers to arrive there; in the dead of winter, just before Christmas. This fort was located on “Cool Creek ,” or “Little Muddy,” as it was then called. Two years before, in 1847, Parley P. Pratt and his company had camped on this spot, and designated it for settlement. It was later designated “Cedar Fort,” on account of the dense growth of Cedar all over the valley. Later the families moved to higher ground near the mountains, which was a safer location. Immediately they set about preparing a little home in old Cedar Fort, for the family to live in during the winter. With courage, and a cheerful determination to meet the up and downs of pioneer life uncomplainingly, they were very successful in building up a livelihood in a short time.

As soon as springtime made it possible to get out on the land, the father, with his son, James, and his little daughters, Mary and Sarah, ploughed and planted twenty acres. Industry, frugality, and honesty were ever t he motivating factors of their lives. When it was decided to vacate the Fort and move to higher ground near the mountains, grandfather took two lots in the North East corner of Cedar City, as this location was named, and later built a very comfortable home, where they resided ever after. A large barn, built in the corner of the lot, was a veritable wonderland to h is grandchildren. The town lots were planted to orchard and garden. He also took up many acres of farm land, and engaged in farming and live stock raising. After a few years, the cattle and horses were sold to good advantage and he then engaged in Bee Culture, very successfully. He followed this occupation to the day of his death. We are sure it was the sweetest honey ever gathered.

It may have been our childish fancy but it was to us, the sweetest honey we had ever eat.. We really wonder if the clover and alfalfa blossoms had more and sweeter honey, in those good old days than they do in this age of grouch and pests.

Grandfather was a yarn dresser by profession. Being industrious, thrifty and resourceful, he built a loom and wove cloth made from wool, that w as home raised and home spun the texture of the cloth comparing favorably with coarser cloths of today, being very firmly woven, with a smooth finish. The color was always gray, and was made into men’s suits by the women folk of his household, and believe it or not, he looked like an English gentleman, which he had a right to do in his home spun suits.

He had a fine physique, being about 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a weight of about 155 pounds, well proportioned, very kindly beautiful blue eyes, and as we knew him, snow white hair, worn rather long, inclined to wave, and a snow white beard well trimmed. To his family and grandchildren, he was everything that was good and noble, and we loved him dearly.

“Among my fondest recollections of happy childhood days,” says Charlotte, I was helping grandpa harvest his squash, melons, corn, and other vegetables gathered from the upper lot and hauled down to the barn in a good sized lumber hand wagon, which he had made,

James Whittaker, was considered by all who knew him, as an honest, dependable, good God fearing man. He was friendly and charitable to his neighbors and his fellow townspeople. His thrift, industry, and frugality gave comfortable living to his family and fine impetus to h is neighbors to do their best, too.

Having a deep religious nature, and a firm testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and of the Divinity of the mission of Joseph Smith, made him a pillar of strength in the church and the community in which he lived.

He was a member of the first bishopric, that was organized in the Cedar City Ward, May 12, 1852. Bishop, Philip Klingensmith; 1st Counselor, Benjamin Husle; and 2nd Counselor, James Whittaker. His wife, Rachel, was a member of the first Relief Society organization and later became President, in which capacity she served for many years. His son and daughters each was chosen to position of responsibility in the church when the ward w as organized, and they were active as long as they lived there.

The following information was researched and compiled by Rodney Dalton from various sources, including the books: “The History of the Iron Count Mission, Parowan, Utah”; by Mrs. Luella Adams Dalton. “Henry Lunt Biography”; by Evelyn K. Jones. “A Trial Furnace-Southern Utah’s Iron Mission”; by Morris A. Shirts and Kathryn H. Shirts.

At the time of the October 1851, General Conference of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Brigham Young ordered another mission of 50 “Volunteer’s” to go south of the new town of Parowan to establish a settlement to find and mine iron ore. He chose George Albert Smith to lead this party. There were not many that did volunteer in the coming months so Brigham Young basally chose the one’s to go! Most were English with the skills to mine ore.

In early November, 1851, George A. Smith, the leader of the Iron Mission issued orders for everyone in the company to rendezvous at Fort Utah (Provo) during the first two weeks in December. Henry Lunt, who later married James Whittaker’s daughter, Ellen, was George A. Smith’s private clerk on the trek south.

James Whittaker Sr. and his son James Jr. had just arrived in Salt Lake City during the fall of 1851 and found a friend, Henry Lunt who was one of the leaders of this pioneer group called to go south on a mission. Somehow James Sr. and his son, James Jr. was chosen or volunteered to go. These pioneer traveling companies were structured along military lines.

On November 1, of that same year, Brother Lunt was made captain of a company of 23 men, to go 18 miles further south and establish Cedar Fort, which later became Cedar City, This was in November, and it was in December, just one month later, that James Whittaker, and his family, arrived on Christmas Eve, to cast their lot with the pioneers of Southern Utah, It must have been a glad day for Henry Lunt, when the Whittaker family arrived, for thus he met the beautiful English girl, whom he married just three months later, Ellen was small in stature, but she was religious, well trained, and cultured and she blessed every hour of his life and magnified find qualified the principle of plural marriage, which they later embraced. He later married three other women. This gave them children, as Ellen never had any.

After all members of this group of Pioneers, which had formed up at Fort Utah, started out for Center Creek, (Parowan) After getting there the built a fort for protection from the Indians as was the custom of the times. It is interesting to knew that three members of the Dalton family was with this group that helped build the fort at Parowan, and later helped settle the most southern area of Utah, (John Dalton Jr. and cousins, Harry Dalton and Charles Wakeman Dalton who would in the future have a son, Martin Carroll Dalton that married Charlotte Ellen “Nellie” Whittaker. This was the start of many other marriages that connected the Dalton’s and Whittaker families in Circleville, Utah.

During the time spent in Parowan building the Fort, a military company was formed. James Whittaker Sr. and son James Jr. were members of the Second Battalion, Iron Regiment, Nauvoo Legion, under the command of Henry Lunt. This group belonged to Company F (foot)

On Nov. 11th, 1851, Henry Lunt’s journal records that “a company of 11 wagons and 36 men started from Parowan”

Henry Lunt also writes, “On the 11th day of November 1851, a company of emigrants left Parowan, Iron Co. Utah, who have settled there and had come down to settle Cedar. They arrived here about 7 p.m. of that day”

Most of the men left their families in Parowan when they left for Coal Creek. At first the new company of men camped by what they called “the Knoll”, north of present day Cedar City. Henry Lunt lived with James Whittaker in a wagon box with James 18-year-old son. This was temporary only until the rest of the Whittaker family arrived.

James Whittaker Sr. writes, “We traveled from Parowan to Coal Creek on Wednesday 12 November”

On 18 November he writes “Another 16 wagons arrived in Cedar. Most of these settlers were Scots”

The men of Cedar City spent Tuesday, November 25, making a wind break around each of the wagons out of cedar trees. James Whittaker, who had been visiting his family in Parowan, arrived back in the settlement that day with his daughter, Ellen. Many families were moving now that the corral was completed. During a meeting that following evening, Lunt announced that everyone could work at cutting their own house logs the next day.

On Saturday, March 20, some of the settlers, including Henry Lunt, followed the trail of one of James Whittaker’s oxen which had been missing for several days. After about five miles, they found the bones very clean picked. They also found a very bloody arrow a short distance from where the ox had been butchered, however, they did not see any Indians. That evening they agreed to herd the cattle in turns.

On Tuesday the 25th of November, James Sr. returned to Parowan to get his daughter, Ellen to bring her back with his to Cedar.

Bishop Johnson, of Parowan, visited the settlement on Sunday, November 30, and attended the noon meeting. Some of the brethren expressed their discontent with two of the brethren who had cut a set house logs before the public works was finished. One of these men was President Carruthers.

However, during the month of December the settlers worked on their own homes, only donating one day a week to public works. In spite of their anxiousness to complete their homes, they faithfully held meeting each week on Sunday. When food came short, it was necessary to make a trip to Parowan to replenish supplies.

James Whittaker wrote the following on Sunday, December 21 concerning his family in Parowan:

“Dull morning. Commenced snowing about 9 o’clock a.m. continuing until noon. I went to Parowan with three yoke of cattle for mother, sisters, and wagon. Arrived at 5 a.m. That same day at about 12 o’clock [noon] John C. L. Smith, John L. Smith, James Lewis, Tarlton Lewis, James A. Little, W. H. Dame, and John Steele arrived at Coal Creek from Parowan. They had a meeting at about 3 o’clock when these visitors addressed the congregation and said they were well pleased with the progress made. The meeting closed at 5:00 p.m., and they met again at 6 p.m. and continued till 12 o’clock night.”

Henry Lunt visited all the people and told them to prepare for a public dinner at noon on December 22 James Whittaker wrote: “They did so, and the table was filled with a good dinner such as would not disgrace the most refined part of the world.”

As soon as springtime made it possible to get out in the land, the father, with his son James, and his daughters, Mary, and Sarah ploughed and planted twenty acres. When it was decided to move out of the Fort to higher ground near the mountains, James took two lots in the North East corner of Cedar City as the new town was new called.

The Whittaker journal, kept jointly by James Whittaker Sr. and son James Jr., gives the best information on the early weeks of the Coal Creek settlement. Henry Lunt, usually a steady journal keeper, wrote little on the colony first days. After recording arrivals of the first groups from Parowan on 10 ” 12 November 1851, he is uncharacteristically silent.

At this time lets read the Journal keep by James Sr. and I believe that his son James Jr. also wrote items this Journal.

DIARY OF JAMES WHITTAKER Sr. – January 7,1851 – August 2, 1852.

This diary was found on microfilm in the LDS Church Genealogy Library on 3 Oct 1992. The transcription of this diary is a typed reproduction of the diary with the spelling and punctuation as the original document has it.

(Be aware there is some duplication of this journal in other parts of this history)

January 7th 1851-

Left Bank Top for Liverpool with my son James. The rest of my family left, met them at the Liverpool Railway Station we then went on Board the George W. Bourne.

Jan 23rd-

Set Sail for New Orleans. Landed March 20th.

March 22nd-

Went on board the boat Concardia. Arrived Saint Louis on the 29th. Started from St. Louis 14th of April with son James & two waggons for Kanesville. Arrived on the 27 May. Met my family who had come up the river Missouri.

Jun 29th-

Started for the Great Salt Lake City. Arrived September 27th. Left G.S.L.C. for Parowan Iron County on the 10th of October, arrive on the 29th Wednesday, November 12th 1851. Very cold. Left Parowan to help build up a New Settlement at Coal Creek. Distance 20 Miles.

Thursday, Nov 13th 1851-

Sharp frost. Worked on the Corral.

Friday Nov 14th 1851-

Continued work on the Cattle Corral. Sharp frost. Worked on the corral.

Sunday Nov. 16th 1851-

Very Windy day. had a meeting round campfire in the evening.

Monday Nov.17th 1851-

Very fine warm day. worked on carral. had a Meeting in the evening as usual when work was done.

Tuesday Nov. 18th 1851-

Fine day. worked on the carrel. A company of 16 waggons came in most of whom were Scotch. had a meeting in the evening.

Wednesday Nov. 19th 1851-

All hands worked on the carrel except Bro. Tout, who was making a public grindstone. Clear fine day. but very cold. had a meeting as usual after supper. When Bro. Lunt cohered the brethren to obey council & suffer wrong, rather than do wrong & for the Sake of a few house logs, not to let the devil get into our minds, as Lorenzo Barton had come to cut house logs for Bro. Carruthess. The people were much dissatisfied at it, as it was against bro Carrishers (The presidents) council.

Thursday Nov. 20th 1851-

After our morning prayer a few men went for a for a few more pickets to finish the carrel. The remainder went to commence making the water ditch. Bro’s Lunt & Chatterley, fixed on the place to take out the water from the Creek, very fine day

Friday Nov. 21st 1851-

Worked on dam & walled (?) ditch Saturday

Sat. Nov. 22nd 1851-

Went to Parowan to see my family while I was on my way I met James who had been thrashing 20 bushels of wheat, which I bought for a yoke of cattle from bishop Calls he also thrashed 10 bushels over for which he got 1 bushel. I also traded another yoke to Holbrook. for 20 1/2 bushels Arrived at Parowan about Sundown, fine day.

Sunday Nov. 23rd 1851-

Slight fall of Snow early in the morning very cold North wind, had a meeting at one o’clock. When President Carruthers, Lunt. & bro. Gould, addressed the meeting, after meeting bro. Lunt re-baptized some of the brethren in Coal Creek, whose names are Jos. Chatterley, Jas. Williamson, Alex Keir & his wife Merryn Keir & Sam Ross, Dan Ross Jr., Mary Easton. In the evening those who had be re-baptized were confirmed by Lunt & Carrishers.

Monday Nov. 24th 1851-

The people moved their waggons on the South Side Carrel. Bro’s Lunt, Chatterley, & Carruthers went to explore, & found some saw logs & quaking ash poles in a canyon 5 miles south.

Tuesday Nov. 25th 1851-

Warm day, The brethren at Coal Creek, spent the day in making it comfortable round the waggons with cedar to keep the wind from blowing on them while sitting round their little fires. I & my daughter Ellen arrived at Coal Creek in the evening. We came down with B(?) & left Mother & Mary & Sarah with Henry Mogridge, where they had been staying while I was at coal Creek. Got 16 lbs of beef from Chatterley’s.

Wednesday Nov. 26th 1851-

Very fine day went to cut logs, for the house. Meeting in the evening, bro Lunt spoke to the brethren, & returned thanks to the Lord that no one had cut themselves and no accidents occurred.

Friday Nov. 28th 1851-

Very fine day. went to cut House Logs, took our dinner with us, which was some beef, father made a fire & forsled(?) it. & we ate it with some bread, & were very comfortable.

Saturday Nov. 29-

Went to the cotton wood. Very fine day.

Sunday Nov. 30th-

Very cold day Strong South wind, had a meeting about noon, bishop Johnson was present, as some of the brethren were dissatisfied about bro. Johnson, & bro. Carruthers having each a set of house logs cut. before they had done public work, I was satisfactory settled that each of the Individuals have their Logs.

Monday Dec. 1 1851-

Snow on the ground about 3 inches, fine day, hauled house logs.

Tuesday Dec. 2 1851-

Went to the cotton wood for a lad of house logs. Br Walker & Sons, &Bladon. Hunter came into camp. Snow melted considerable.

Wednesday Dec. 3rd 1851-

Very fine day Snow Nearly all Melted…… hauled logs and did something about them as I cannot tell now, because I copied this from bro. Lunt’s journal.

Thursday Dec. 4th 1851-

Very fine Mild day. Snow nearly all gone, hauled logs.

Friday Dec. 5 1851-

Hauled logs. Very windy night.

Saturday Dec. 6 1851-

Snow fell during the night Some 4 inches yesterday while we were away to the cotton woods someone took away a shovel from the side of our waggon which we could not find anywhere – around-began to build the house.

Sunday Dec. 7th 1851-

Very cold day fine & Sunshine in the after part. Several of the brethren went to Parowan.

Monday Dec. 8 1851-

Father went to Parowan for flower I went to Cotton wood to Cut logs

Tuesday Dec. 9 1851-

I helped Slack to put up his house – fine day

Wednesday Dec. 10/57

Helped Slack to put up his house Father returned from the city with some flower & wheat.

Thursday Dec. 11th 1851

worked at the house, alsoon friday & Saturday Slack helped us 2 days for those I worked for Him.

Sunday Dec 14/51

fine day Meeting at one clock Carrithess & Lunt Addressed the meeting

Monday Dec. 15/51

Went to the cotton wood for some logs & poles to finish the house -Tuesday Dec. 16/51

Worked at the house, also on Wednesday Thursday & Friday Saturday

Dec. 20th 1851

Worked on public work, both Father & myself at cutting poles very cold day,

Sunday Dec. 21/51

Dull morning commenced Snowing about 9 o clock, a.m. continued til 12. I went to Parowan with 3 yoke of cattle for Mother sisters & waggon. arrived at 5 1/2 – about 12 o clock lie L. Smith John L. Smith., James Lewis, Tarlton Lewis, James A Little, W. H. Dame & John Steel arrived at Coal Creek from Parowan. They had a meeting about 3 o clock when the visitors addressed the congregation. & said they were well pleased with the progress made. Meeting closed at 5 1/2 pm. They met again at 6 1/2 & continued till 12 o clock night.

Monday Dec. 22nd/51

Fine Morning Lund went round to the people & told them to prepare for a public dinner for 12 o’clock. They did So. At that time the table was filled with a good dinner, Such as would not disgrace the most refined part of the world. The Parowan brethren enjoyed themselves very much, several toasts were given & 3 cheers to favor brig Young

Tuesday Dec. 23/51

Father helped Dame to Survey the Field. I came to Coal Creek with waggon & I arrived at about an 3/4 hour after Sundown. Very cold, rained & snowed.

Wednesday Dec. 24/51

Father helped Dane in the morning. I hauled a load of fire wood on Walkers waggon, as as we had broke our little waggon while hawling logs. Worked at house in the aft’n.

Thursday Dec. 25/51

Worked at the house – very Cold day Snow & Sleet – Friday Dec’r 26/51

Worked at house cold & blusterous

Friday Dec. 26/51

Worked at house cold & blusterous

Saturday Dec. 27/51

Worked at house removed Waggon to the house

Sunday Dec. 28/51

Had a meeting in the evening

Monday Dec. 29/51

Worked at House

Tuesday Dec. 30/51

Father went to Parowan for some grinding & wheat. I worked at plastering

Wednesday Dec. 31/51

Sharp frost I worked about house

Thursday Jany 1, 1852

Worked about the House Father returned from Parowan in the evening – fine day

Friday Jany 2/52

Fine day – worked at house A boy of Tugmires was Shot while herding cattle with a boy of Br Owens,

Saturday Jany 3rd 1852

Hawled logs for another house

Sunday Jany 4

Sleeting in the afternoon & Evening when bro Lund urged the closing of the fort – John Lowe & Ed Willins came from Parowan to see us.

Monday Jany 5th/52

Nice day. went to the Cotton wood for Pickets & dry Logs -John Lowe helped us

Tuesday Jany 6/52

John Lowe, helped us to put up a house, at the end of the one we now have – Fine day

Wednesday

Worked at the house – very Cold day Snow & Sleet -

Thursday Jany 1, 1852

Worked about the House Father returned from Parowan in the evening – fine day-

Friday Jany 2-52

Fine day – worked at house A boy of Tugmires was Shot while herding cattle with a boy of Br Owens,

Saturday Jany 3rd 52

Hawled logs for another house

Sunday Jany 4

Sleeting in the afternoonn & Evening when bro Lund urged the closing of the fort – John Lowe & Ed Willins came from Parowan to see us.

Monday Jany 5th/52

Nice day. went to the Cotton wood for Pickets & dry Logs -John Lowe helped us

Tuesday Jany 6/52

John Lowe, helped us to put up a house, at the end of the one we now have – Fine day

Wednesday

Weld to Cotton wood for a load of Pickets & fine day

Thursday Jany 7th/52

Put up the Pickets at the end of the house Jno Lowe went to Parowan – We hurried out our cattle last Night & have Missed or not Seen one – which we could not find as we have hunted round several times, So we Suppose either Some Spaniards, who are going to California have killed them or the Indians.

Friday Jan’y 9/52

Worked at home. Saturday

Jany 10/52

worked at home. also Sunday Monday tuesday worked about home – very frosty

Wednesday Jany 14

The Co of Sspaniards started for California, James Baird, Ducan Ross, & John Lowe went with them – as I cannot say what kind of work we did each day, the sum of what we did between Feby 15th is hawling & cutting poles – making posts, fencing & ditching in the big field & except one day of public work & for father on the 19th Jany – in lengthening out the big field -

Sunday, Feby 15th/52

Fine morning rather Cloudy About 10 o clock, all our family turned out for baptism & nearly all the persons in the fort – Br Carruthers called the congregation to order, Sang a hymn prayer by Bro J L Smith. Lunt then went into the water & baptized 33 persons. Had a meeting by Bro. Lunt’s house, about one o clock The persons who had been baptized were ordained or confirmed by bros Carruthers – J S Smith & bishop Lewis after confirmation the following persons were ordained elders Alex Easton James Easton – James Whittaker -James Whittaker Jr. Alex Keir, William Broomhead. Joseph Walker. David Shiddard, Jos Bullough James Williamson, Thos Rowland, under the hand of bros. Eddson E Whipple -J D Lee, Duncan. The congregation were them addressed by J. L. Smith, Whipple, Lee and Chapman, Duncan, Lewis & Dame. the congregation were then dismissed by bro Carrithus. The brethren from Parowan returned home in their carriage. Had a meeting in the evening at bro Ross’s home. Bro Carruthers & Lunt addressed the congregation after which many of the brethren & Sisters bore their testimony, every bosom seemed to be full of the Spirit of God. Several persons were ordained elders.

Monday Feby 16/52

Father & Myself worked on the water ditch, public work, also to days each last week.

Tuesday Feby 7/52

We worked on public work. Considerable rain fell last night & Some little during the day. The tops of the mountains and the trees on the high parts were covered with snow The green grass begins to Show Itself.

Wednesday Feby 17/52

Snow Storm in the morning came down very fast but most of it melted as it fell cleared up about noon when there was Snow 2 inches deep, which disappeared in about 2 hours The ground was very muddy

Thursday Feby 19th. 1852

Slight frost commenced Snowing about 7 o elk a.m. Continued till noon. Snow fell about 4 inches – most of it soon melted during this wet weather we were making posts for garden & ox pen. had a prayer meeting at Bro Rosses house

Friday Feby 20/52

snow about 3 inches deep Snow fell all the day

Saturday Feby 21 1852

Sharp Frost. Fine day. The ground very muddy – put up garden fence.

Suday Feby 22nd 1852

Very Sharp frost Snow Storms at intervals – Amon the Indian came to the fort with several others. Bro Lunt & Walker went round to beg for him, They got about 50 Ibs of flour & made him a present of it. He seemed very thankful for it – as he had eat nothing for 2 days as the weather was so inclement. There was no meeting.

Monday Feby 23 1852

Very Sharp frost – Clear day

Tuesday Feby 24 1852

Cloudy day ground very muddy

Wednesday Feby 25/52

Fine day Snow nearly all melted – Father went to Parowan for lumber. I was hewing the logs in the house at the one not finished. Quorum meeting in the Evening

Thursday Feby 26/52

I worked on public work – at the water ditch – Father returned from Parowan with Lumber

Friday Feby 27th/52

Slight frost fine day – Father & I worked on public work-water ditch.

Saturday Feby 28/52

Slight frost very fine day – wind blew – Strong in the evening from South, put up fence at the end of garden Lot back of the house.

Sunday Feby 29/52

Fine morning – very windy Carruther & Wiley went to Parowan Bro Lunt went round and informed the brethren there would be a meeting at bro Chatterleys House at 10 1/2 a.m. bro Lunt delivered a lengthy discourse – from the 4th bk -Ephesians 3 first verses. Showed the fruits of the spirit of god – closed discourse by reading the text. – Ellen & I had dinner with Sister Wiley Meeting at 2 1/2 p.m. – when John Easton confirmed the words spoke in the morning. Thunder & rain in the aft’n Snow Storm – Meeting in the Evening. 6 1/2 p.m. Several of the brother & sisters bore their testimony.

Monday March 1st 1852

Harsh frost ground. Slightly covered over with Snow. fine day Snow soon melted away Father & I went to cotton wood for a load of poles, firewood & C for ox pen

Tuesday March 2 1952

Very Sharp frost, Cold south wind – made the back house open & c – Peter Falane & bro Graves came in.

Wednesday March 3/52

Fine day, very high wind. Father & I worked on public work -on the water ditch I have heard that Amon the Indian Says that Duncan Ross & the rest who went with him are killed by the Indians.

Thursday March 4th/52

Worked on public work – I & father – Strong South day Wind

Friday March 5th 1852

Fine day Strong South wind. Walker the Indian came and camped on the Old camping ground with his band. He was very thin and looked as if he had suffered with hunger this winter he said the was going to live at Parowan and build a Wickaiip. Bro Hadshead and his wife came – and joined us also a young and two of his Sisters. Al from San Pete Ellen wrote a letter to Ellen Williamson and Mother one to her Sister Jane gave them to two men that were going to California Gold mines with a …(?) wheel.

Saturday March 6th 1852

Fine day Strong South wind. Went to the Cottonwoods for willow and fire wood was informed that the Indians had been Stealing oxen from Johnsons heard that the Brother fro his place had pursued the Indians and Shot two of them In the Evening bro Lunt called the Brother together & instructed them to have all their guns in readiness and to treat the Indians in a proper manner.

Sunday March 7th 1852

Fine day. Very cold Strong south wind commenced raining in the evening. I traded with a Squaw a tin bucket for two Buckskins some Brethren Collected Some 50 Ibs of flour for Walker, he and his band left for Parowan. He seemed to be peaceable with us. Had no meeting today

Monday March 8th 1852

Fine day. James and I furrowed out our 10 acre lot for irrigation and made the garden gate. Br Chickens Smith arrived in the evening left his waggon about 1 mile from the fort stuck in the mud.

Tuesday March 9th 1852

Fine day very Strong South wind worked on the ditch outside the garden and put some willows on one side of the ox pen.

Wednesday March 10th 1852

Ditched till noon and then commenced to make a table. Morning very windy. A very heavy Storm of Snow and wind commenced about 10 o clock a m. considerable Snow fell, but melted nearly as soon as it fell about one o clock it stormed tremendous for about half a hour, continued to snow most of the afternoon & Evening.

Thursday March 11th 1852

cold Stormy day, Snow fell about 3 inches deep, in places it was drifted 12 inches deep I finished the table. Br Wood returned from Parowan reported that the Indians had Shot his gray Stud horse, and that – there were several other horses missing Also that Kanarrow the Pihede Chief and Walker had fought with their fists in John L. Smiths house Walker declared he wants kill Kanarrow and all his band for killing Mormons Oxen in the Evening I attended the Quorum Meeting Where Lunt instructed the men to take care of the Cattle & horses and when ever they went out to go well armed.

Friday March 12th 1852

Stormy Morning – Made Some forms for Shirts. A dozen men on horseback well armed went to Shirts’ Creek to fetch him and his family to our fort till the Indian difficulties were over the family came in the Evening, but Bro shirts was gone to Parowan. In the Evening Robert Henry was married to Mary Ross by President Carruthers. Henry Lunt and Ellen went to the wedding.

Saturday March 13th 1852

Very Sharp frost. Chinked and mended part of the house, and made a box for the ashes In the Evening there was a dance at Robert Henry’s house.

Sunday March 14th 1852

Frosty morning, Most of the Snow disappeared during the day. had a meeting in the afternoon at Bro Rosses house Bro Carruthers addressed the congregation. Met again in the evening had an Excellent meeting, about 1/2 past 8 a gun was fired off in the Fort, Bro Lunt went out to see who had fired it. he found to be Some Brethren from Parowan namely John L Smith, Bishop Tarltonn Lewis, John D Lee, Edson C Wipple, James a Little and Job Hall, he brought them into the meeting. Bishop Lewis informed us two men had come from G S.L City. News had come from the States that the gentiles were burning the houses in Kanesville and had warned the Saints to leave there by June next. That there was likely to be war between England and America and that there was likely to be a great emigration to California. Most of the Brethren Spoke

Monday March 15th 1852

Fine Day. At 8 o clock Bro Lunt blew the horn for muster. The foot company was drilled by Lient. Col James A Little. The horse Co by Adjt. J. L. Smith after Parade we met in a Quorum Capacity in Bro Ross’s house, as there was some difficulties existing relative to the Iron busisness amongst the Brethren in this place, considerable was said on the subject, Bro J L Smith instructed them to obey council and be led by those in authority, told them that some of them had got the big head, and thought that they knew more than those that were placed above them, which was wrong They must humble themselves and be united Considerable instruction was given by the Parowan Brethren The spirit of the Lord was manifest in our midst After dinner Myself and James worked on the house, Ellen wrote a letter to Aunt Jane and mother one to John Entwistle.

Tuesday march 16th 1852

Very Sharp frost, cold North wind worked on Public works, the water ditch, Br Shirts came from Parowan last night, Said that the Indians had Shot an ox with 5 arrows, belonging to Bishop Robinson, and they were obliged to kill it, also said that some of the Pihedes had told the Brethren at Parowan that these were but four Pihede Indians that were mad and would Kill the Cattle, all the rest were friendly. He said that a Co of the Brethren intended to go out on horse back today in pursuit of the Indians, Br Shirts went back with his family to his new farm.

Wednesday March 17th 1852

Fine day, Worked in the garden Planted turnips, beets. Onions, Sowed Some radishes, Lettuce, Onions

Thursday March 18th 1852

Sharp frost, delightful fine day, James was out most of the day hunting one of our Oxen named Tom, which had been missing ever since Monday, he Saw nothing of it.

Friday March 19th 1852

Beautiful morning day rather cloudy, We ploughed our garden lot, William Walker went on horseback to seek Tom but did not find him he Saw a moccasin track heading towards the Cottonwood also marks of an Ox’s foot So he concluded the Indians has driven our Ox away, Bro Russell returned from GSL City.

Saturday March 20th 1852

Sharp Frost. Very fine day. I went with Walkers boy to see the Ox trail, and afterward Showed it to a Company of horsemen that were detached to follow the trial and pursue the Indians The following person’s Started about 11 o clock am, under the command of Lieut. George Wood Henry Lunt, Alex Easton, George Easton, Wm. Bateman, Philip KlinkenSmith. Thomas Bladon Daniel Ross and White. They followed the trail for Some fifteen miles, and found the bones of our Ox, very clean picked, they also found an arrow a short distance from the place where the Ox had been Butchered, very bloody, they then took a route round the mountains and got back to the fort about sun down, but did not see any Indians. attended a quorum meeting in the evening at Bro Ross’s house Agreed to herd the Cattle in turns Thomas harrowed the garden lot. Beauty Calved, after dinner.

Sunday March 21st 1852

Delightful fine day, Meeting at 1 o clock East Side of Bro Ross’s house, Administered the Sacrament had a good meeting and the Spirit of God was with us. Meeting again in the evening, Bo Carrnthey preached a Sermon from the following Text. He that findeth a good wife, findeth a good thing and obtaineth favor from the lord.

Monday March 22nd 1852

Very fine day; James and myself went to the Cottonwood in the morning, in the afternoon Ploughed some water furrows in the garden Our Black. Cow Calved early in the morning. Che… a heifer calf we’s .. it the morning.

Tuesday March 23 1852

Fine day, quite warm, James and myself ploughed water furrows in the garden all day.

Wednesday March 24th 1852

Very fine day, it Thundered once or twice in the afternoon. Sowed Some garden Seeds, Peas, Lettuce, Radish. In the afternoon I helped Bro Lunt & Br Wiley to fix up one of Br Bosnells’s rooms, for a feast. in laying the floor …

Thursday March 25th 1852

Morning rather dull, hailstones after dinner and a beautiful evening My daughter Ellen was Married to Bro Henry Lunt, myself, James and Mary with several others attend the Wedding at twenty minutes to seven we left Cedar City for Parowan, in two carriages one drawn by four horses, the other by two, as we started a Salute was fired with guns, which echoed through the mountains and the City had the appearance of a joyful morn, by the inhabitants being collected together to see us set-off, and giving us three cheers as we Started. Soon after we left we Saw it storming North and North West. it came within a very short of us and continued to storm all around us. nearly all the way to Parowan. About one mile before we got to Parowan. the Tire of one of the wheels of Bro Woods carriage came off. It detained us about twenty minutes. We arrived at Parowan at twenty minutes past nine o clock distance twenty miles. We were met at the carriages by Pres John L Smith, and invited us into his house .. They were married at 1/4 to twelve am. By Bishop Lewis. Before the Ceremony we Sung the 100th hymn and after it Redeemer of Israel after Marriage they were blessed by the Brethren with the richest of Heavens blessings. I breakfasted with Bro John D Lee’s, and left Parowan accompanied by another Carriage, containing, Pres. John L Smith, bishop Lewis, John d Lee, and 4 Ladies. Arrived at Cedar City at 4 o clock, when our ears were deafened with the cheering of the Saints and firing of guns when we arrived at the assembly rooms there was a sumptuous feast prepared for about 150 persons. After dinner a number of the Brethren were amusing themselves in the center of the Fort by running races jumping etc. Shortly after Dancing commenced and was constrained until four o clock in the morning, a great variety of Songs were Sung, and Several Comic pieces performed, Joy and gladness seamed to be in every countenance. I never saw party that enjoyed themselves like unto this, Such order and a oneness of spirit prevailed throughout the Whole evenings entertainment. The horses in the carriages had in their bridles and white ribbons attached there to Some 12 inches as long, which added to the appearance of the fine prancing Animals.

Friday March 26th 1852

Delightful morning, took breakfast with the Bride and Bridegroom and our Parowan Brethren at Bro Boswells house has an excellent Breakfast after Breakfast, commenced dancing again Continued until 5o clock in the Evening, the Parowan Friends returned about 7 o clock. Spent the afternoon with Henry & Ellen in council together.

Saturday March 27th 1852

Fine day, but cold north wind. Myself and James worked on the Public water ditch, James and Bateman herded the Cattle.

Sunday March 28th 1852

Sharp frost cold South wind commenced Snowing about 10 o clock p.m Stormy at intervals throughout the day. Had a meeting in Bro Bosnells house at two o clock the Sacrament was administered. Several of the Brethren Spoke. Bro Carruthers read Several passages in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, another meeting was held in the Evening at Bro Chatterley’s house. Staid at home, Henry & Ellen came to see us had a deal(?) of very excellent talk on the principles of Salvation

Monday March 29th 1852

Very Sharp frost, Snow fell during the night Some 4 inches deep it also snowed for Some time during the morning Myself and James worked on the Public water ditch

Tuesday March 30th 1852

Very sharp frost a little more Snow fell during the night, continued working on the water ditch

Wednesday March 31st 1852

Beautiful day we still worked on the water ditch. Bought a plough from Bro…….

Thursday April 1st 1852

Cloudy Morning. We again worked on the public water ditch

Friday April 2nd 1852

Fine day but a very cold wind I ditched for Bro Lunt on his garden fence received 26 1bs of Beef from Bro Chatterley

Saturday April 3rd 1852

Fine day, A heavy Shower of rain fell in the evening. In the morning I helped Bro Lunt to bring down his waggon so the north end of our house we moved our two waggons alongside it. In the afternoon I did some little jobs in the house.

Sunday April 4th 1852

About one inch of Snow fell early in the morning The morning very dull and misty cleared up very fine day Meeting at one o clock in Ross’s house Sacrament administered. Elders quorum were afterwards engaged in transacting business meeting again in the evening, Bro ClingenSmith preached on adoption.

Monday April 5th 1852

Delightful fine morning Myself and James went to the Cottonwood in the afternoon I commenced to make a harow.

Tuesday April 6th 1852

Fine day. I finished the harrow and then went to the field to see James and Bro Lunt who were plouging I then we to hunt cattle Several of the Parowan Brothern came down, James got his Naturalization paper from Bro james Lewis. I got mine in Nov last The cost was to Dollars paid Bro Lewis 3 yards, of white fleeece. had a meeting in the evening.

Wednesday April 7th 1852

Fine day. James and Bro Lunt plowed somebodies (?) lot in the big field I harrowed the Same and Sowed Some wheet.

Thursday April 8th 1852

fine day, but a very high wind We plowed and harrowed in the big field till noon, after which we plowed part of Bro Lunts garden planted some Potatoes, and Beets.

Friday April 9th 1852

Very stormy Morning cleared up and turned out very fine. Bro Lunt James & Myself plowed harrowed and Sowed in the big field.

Saturday April 10th 1852

Beautiful day, We again plowed in our ten acre lot. Sunday April llth 1852

Delightful fine day. a meeting held at Bro Ross’s house morning and afternoon Sacrament administered, 8 person re-baptized & confirmed the Iron men had a meeting in the Evening Bro Lunt & James hurded, I assisted them in bringing up the cattle.

Monday 12th 1852

Beautiful fine day. Ploughed and sowed with wheat 1 1/4 acres in the big field assisted by Bro Lunt Elders quoram met in the evening in Bro Huloc’s house.

Tuesday April 13th 1852

Very fine day. James and myself ploughed in our ten acre lot.

Wednesday April 14th 1852

fine day, James and Bro Lunt finished plowing Seven acres all finished plowing seven acres all sown with wheat. I worked in the garden all day sowing Seeds.

Thursday April 15th 1852

Very fine day. Assisted Bro Lunt to plow a small patch of land in his garden Spent the rest of the day in planting Potatoes.

Friday April 16th 1852

Very fine day. Spent the day in watering the garden.

Saturday April 17

fine day. finished watering the garden, in the afternoon put up the fence for Bro Lunt at the South end of the big field

Sunday April 18th

Fine warm day 5 person rebaptized A meeting held at Bro Ross’s house 1/2 10 a.m. President Groves, & J.D. Lee addressed the meeting, who had come on a visit from Parowan Said that the brethren had tied their hands in taking too much land, which would prevent them from getting along with the Iron works. Elders quorum met in the afternoon Bro Groves & Lee left for Parowan.

Monday April 19 1852

Very warm day. worked on Public water ditch.

Tuesday April 20 1852

Very warm day. worked on water ditch.

Wednesday April 21st 1852

Very cloudy morning. rained a little about noon worked again on Public works

Thursday April 22nd 1852

Very Stormy morning. thunder and hail and rain Continued very stormy all day Continued very stormy all day with showers of hail and snow assisted Bro Lunt in putting up has Posts and rails for fencing, and ditched some of it extraordinary cold day.

Friday Aaril 23 1852

Very sharp frost, ice 1/2 inch thick very cold morning Worked on Public work.

Saturday April 24th 1852

Snow 3 inches deep Several times during the day all melted away in the Evening in the afternoon myself with James helped Bro Lunt to ditch having promised to help him do all his fencing & ditching for a churn & a door & frame he got made for me left of at 4 of clock washed & shaved for Sunday

Sunday April 25th 1852

frosty morning. Very fine day, Had a meeting at 1/2 past ten o clock in Bro Ross’s house, met again in the afternoon Same place the Sacrament administered. In the morning Prest Carrssthous Bros Lunt & Klingensmith addressed the meeting. Klinginsmith’s Indian, told him that the brethren in San Pete had Shot Walker and four of his Indians and that the Indians had Killed one of the brethren.

Monday April 26 1852

Very fine day. Assisted Bro Lunt to plow in one acre of wheat.

Tuesday April 27th 1852

Very fine day Worked in the field and jabbed about the house

Wednesday April 28th 1852

Fine day. Myself James & Mary assisted Bro Lunt to plow in 1 3/4 acres of wheat.

Thursday April 29th 1852

fine day a few Short showers fell in the forenoon Bro Lunt assisted me to Plow water ferrows on 4 acres of wheat. James drove for him in the afternoon, whilst I worked in the garden sowed some peas, English & American Beans.

Friday April 30th 1852

Fine Windy day, Myself and James plowed one acre of land for corn, spent the morning and Evening in clearing the land from Rabbit brush ready for plowing.

Saturday May 1st 1852

Fine day. a very Strong South wind, Spent the day in Ploughing till 3,O clock, when I went home for I could scarcely See for dust, I washed & shaved

Sunday May 2nd 11852

Showery, Meeting at 1/2 past 10, a.m. Bro Alexandr Easton addressed the meeting Met again at 1 p.m. Sacrament administered, after which the Elders quoram met

Monday May 3rd 1852

Sharp frost fine day, Worked on the Public water ditch till 11, a.m. Spent the remainder of the day in ploughing.

Tuesday May 4th 1852

Fine day. I put up the fence at the north end of the big field

Wednesday May 5th 1852

Fine day. First up(?) the fence today Yesterday I did odd jobs.

Thursday May the 1852

Fine day. Assisted Bro Lunt to Plow 3/4 acre of wheat in for Bro Clews.

Friday May 7th 1852

Fine day. James could not find the Cattle which caused me to work at home till noon after dinner I assisted Bro Lunt to clear part of his 10 acre lot from rabbit brush.

Saturday May 8th 1852

Fine day. Assisted Bro Lunt to plough a patch of land and plant a bushel of potatoes half of which he gave to me.

Sunday May 9th 1852

Morning. Showery. Afternoon fine, Several of the Brethren in this place went to Parowan Brigham having arrived there on Friday the 7th … i staid at home all day reading the Deseret News there being no meetings here.

Monday May 10th 1852

fine day, worked in the garden in the forenoon. about 3 o clock p.m. Prest Young, Heber, C. Kimble, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff G.A. Smith and a many others, arrived this place, about 6 o clock there was a meeting called which was held at the front of Bro Carruthers house. Prest young G. A. Smith, and a Bro Major from London addressed the congregation After meeting four of the Brethren, musicians, enlivened the Fort by playing a little music, it sounded delightful.

Tuesday May 11th 1852

Fine Day. Mustered at 8 o clock. Had a meeting at 10 o clock, Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, and Heber c. Kimble, Preached. Had another meeting at 4 o clock in Bro Ross’s house of the brethren only, for the purpose of organizing an Iron Richard Harrison was appointed to Superintend the management of the Iron works, and Henry Lunt, Clark, other brethren were appointed to manage the different departments. The Brad Band played considerable in the Evening.

Wednesday May 12 1852

The morning fine, Brigham Young and company left for Parowan I went with them rode with Bro Bateman, Rather showery on our way. Meeting in the Counsel house at 4 o clock. Parowan, and Cedar Cities were organized into one Stake of Zion, also a Presidency over the Same. John Calvin L Smith, President, John Steele 1st Counselor, Henry Lunt 2nd Counselor. The above named Presidency were ordained to their office and also High Priests. a High council was also organized Philip smith was ordained Bishop of Cedar City. James Ferguson read an epistle from Brigham Young, and Heber C. Kimball. The meeting was dismissed by Pres’t J C L Smith. Bro John Kay, Prefer Carrington, Barney Ward, and several others came in from exploring, reported very fine, large and extensive valley. also that they had discovered that there were Spaniards digging Silver in the mountains. Attended a Balal in the Council house in the Evening.

Thursday May 13th 1852

Fine Morning, took a walk with Bro Lunt in the field before breakfast. B

& lot Started for the Great Salt Lake Valley. I left with bro Bateman in his waggon together with Bro Lunt and Bro. shirts, arrived at Cedar Fort at 1/2 past 10 a.m. Attended the Elders Quoram meeting in the Evening. Bishop Smith, chose Bro Huke, & myself as his Councilors and ordained us.

Friday May 14th 1852

Stormy Morning, a little hail and rain fell. I worked on Public Works.

Saturday May 15th 1852

Fine day, Worked in the field planting corn

Sunday May 16th 1852

Delightful fine day, Good attendance at the meeting which commenced at 11 o clock a.m. an excellent spirit prevailed. The Chorus sang most beautifully, for the first time they played their music, which consisted of an o…clyde Clarinett and Flute. the singer seemed to have the Spirit and the understanding also. The meeting was dismissed at 1/4 past 12. Met again at 2 o clock. Pres’t Lunt instructed the brethren to be punctual in their meetings, and that in future the meetings would commence every Sunday, precisely at 11 o cloak am, and 2 o clock pm. and that the horn would be sounded a little before the times. The Sacrament to be administered every Sunday afternoon by the Bishop. Had a business meeting at the close of the afternoons meeting. Considerable business was transacted. Bro Lunt instructed the brethren to suspend with watering on the Sabbath day as we had abundance of water and not only so but he did not like to see” Saints work on Sundays.

Monday May 17th 1852

Fine day worked in the field and prepared my land for irrigation.

Tuesday May 185h 1852

Fine day Watered my wheat and the children planted some corn Killed two snakes today and 2 once before.

Wednesday May 19th 1852

Fine day. Worked on public Water ditch till 11 o clock a.m. After dinner Bro Lunt assisted me to plant some corn.

Thursday May 20th 1852

Fine day a shower of rain fell during the night covered the mountains with snow. Myself & Sarah planted corn & vines all day. In the evening a few of the brothern with the Pres’t Bro Lunt held counsel together in my house to consider the best way to enclose the big field.

Friday May 21st 1852

Very warm day, Worked on public water ditch till 11 o clock a.m. after which I assisted Bro Lunt to ditch. The greatest portion of the lower dam swept away by the high water. Creek still rising.

Saturday May 22ed 1852

Warm Day. Thunder & rain on the mountains. Worked in my garden. Bro John Calvin L Smith, and John Steele came down from Parowan Bishop Lewis also came with Brother Bateman.

Sunday May 23rd 1852

Very war day. Thunder Storms in the mountain Attended Meeting at ll o’clock in Bro Ross’s house, Pres’5 J C L Smith and John Steele addressed the congregation counseled the Brothern to Stay planting in any more grain to take care of what was in and other good instructions. Pres E Smith called a meeting of the High council to meet at my house, immediately after meeting, which was done. Pres’t Smith opened the meeting by Prayer, afterwards informed the Council that he had received instructions from Pres’t G.A. Smith to organize the Counselors with the Bishop & his Council in this place into a quorum with Pres’t Lunt at their head, Some businesss was transacted by the council. Meeting commenced again at 1/2 past 2 pm. The Sacrament was administered. Smith, Steele & Lunt address the congregation.

Monday May 24th 1852

Very warm day. Pres’t smith and Steele returned to Parowan.

Tuesday May 25th 1852

Delightful fine day. the High Council met at my house 8 o clock a.m. dismissed at 2 pm. After which I went i the field. Also went to examine the dam belonging the garden ditch.

Wednesday May 26th 1852

fine day. had a short thunder Storm. Worked public work on the dam belonging the garden ditch. The main creek being so high it had wasshed it away. Yesterday, the Council made Alex Easton & myself into a commitee to look after watering of the big field.

Thursday May 27th 1852

Very warm day. I watered Bro Lunts Potatoes, and my garden.

Friday May 28th 1852

Very warm day. watered my garden in the afternoon I …ded out half of the roof belonging an unfinished room of mine.

Saturday May 29th 1852

Very warm day. the foot company were put under Martial law, and commanded to putting up the fence in the big field.

Sunday May 30th 1852

Fine day Meeting morning & afternoon in bro Chatterley’s house, several of the Brothern addressed the congregation.

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday,

I worked on the public water ditch Very warm all the time.

Thursday June 3rd 1852

Fine warm day. A day appointed for fasting, & Prayer, and to rest from all labor. I with my family, kept the day accordingly. Attended meeting morning & afternoon at Bro Chatterley’s house, a good Spirit prevailed.

Friday June the 1852

Fine day. worked on the Public water ditch. Saturday June 5th 1852

Fine day, Very Warm. Worked on the Public ditch Sunday June 6th 1852

Warm cloudy day, stormy on the mountains. Meeting in the morning in Bro Chatterley’s house. Congregation addressed by Bro John Steele. John L. Smith, and Bishop Johnson. Met again in the afternoon a many of the Brothern confessed their sins. Had (?) a good Spirit prevailed. The High council met in my house, noon & Evening had good meetings.

Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday

I worked on the public water ditch.

Wednesday Jun 9th 1852

Fine day, Watered Bro Lunts wheat

Thursday June 10th 1852

Fine day, Watered my wheat.

Friday June 11th 1852

Fine day, In the morning I went to the big field, and did some thing to

the creek. In the afternoon I and James did the other half of the roof.

Saturday June 12th 1852

Fine day, worked on public water ditch.

Sunday June 13th 1852

fine day, In the morning I went to hunt one of our cows that was missing, at home in the afternoon.

Monday June 145h 1852

Fine day, worked on public water ditch

Tuesday June 15th 1852

Fine day, Did a few little jobs at home.

Wednesday June 16th 1852

Fine day, Worked on public ditch until noon then commenced to water my wheat.

Thursday, June 17th 1852

Fine day, a short shower, after noon. Watered Bro Lunts Wheat

Friday June 18th 1852

fine day, Watered my wheat & Bro Lunts.

Saturday June 19th 1852

Fine day Watered my wheat & Bro Lunts & fixed up my ditches.

Sunday June 20th 1852

Fine day, In the morning I was in the big field went to meeting in the afternoon.

Monday June 21st 1852

Thundered, lightened and rained in the night continued at intervals till 8 o clock am. almost all the people in the Fort went out on a picnic party to Elk Horn spring. Started about 9 o clock when I came home from watering my wheat, afternoon, there were several Indians in the fort, They came in my house and made us to understand that all the Mormons had gone away. The party returned about 7 o clock pm. Had a dance in the evening.

Tuesday June 22nd

Fine day, Was in the field all day watering wheat, James and Several others commenced making a road in the Canyon, in the evening Peter Fil.. reported that Alexander Easton’s mare had been shot by the Indians with an arrow.

Wednesday June 23rd 1852

Fine day, Watered my wheat. short thunder, showered in the afternoon, heard that the mare is dead.

Thursday June 24th 1852

Fine day, Watered 2 acres of Bro Lunts wheat.

Friday June 25th 1852

Fine day, I worked in the field & garden

Saturday June 26th 1852

Fine day, Watered the garden and worked about the house.

Sunday June 27th 1852

fine day Attended meeting in the morning, bro Brimhall addressed the meeting after which he showed us some Isinglass stone as clear as glass that the Indians had given him whilst at Shirt’s said that it was only two sleeps off.

Monday June 28th 1852

windy day watered Br Lunts wheat.

Tuesday June 29th 1852

Watered my own wheat

Wednesday June 30th 1852

Very windy day Thunder & rain in the Evening work in the cellar.

Thursday July 1st 1852

Fast day went to meeting … some of the Parowan brotheren speak Brother White returned from salt Lake valley.

Friday July 2nd 1852

Work on public works till noon James went to herd all day worked in the cellar

Saturday July 3rd 1852

Finished the cellar & h…..the floor,

Sunday July 4th 1852

attended the meeting at br Bosnall’s Br Marker & I administered the sacrament had a very good time.

Monday July 5th 1852

Fine day James and i watered Br Lunts wheat.

Tuesday July 6th 1852

Watering all day weather Hot

Wednesday July 7th 1852

Very hot day, worked in the garden

Thursday July 8th 1852

Repaired my waggon

Friday July 9th 1852

Weather still very hot I watered five acres of wheat for Br Curruthers.

Saturday July 10th 1852

Worked in the field, watered vines in the garden watered Curruthers wheat a short time.

Sunday July 11th 1852

Very hot but rather windy. Watered Br Lunts wheat corn oats etc. Beautiful showers in the evening.

Monday July 12th 1852

Beautiful day. James and I watering all day on my own lot.

Tuesday July 13th 1852

Worked in the garden. Took the wheels to Brother Pugmire to had the tires set.

Wednesday July 14th 1852

Got the wheels back and fixed up my waggon.

Thursday July 15th 1852

Thunder and a little rain, worked in the garden and field.

Friday July 16th 1852

I watered Brother Currithers wheat. James went to work up the … there was a very heavy shower of rain in the afternoon with thunder & lightening. the rain came through the roof of the house and wet nearly everything in it. got into the waggon and wet the flour and wheat.

Saturday July 17th 1852

Thunder but no rain, both waggons and worked in the house raised

the roof and put a …. under it.

Sunday July 18th 1852

Fine day attended a council meeting a Br Lr Lunts about noon, had a very good meeting in the afternoon in the school house.

Monday July 19th 1852

Work on public work

Tuesday July 20th 1952

fine morning heavy rain in the afternoon. Watered Henry wheat.

Wednesday July 21th 1852

Fine morning watered my own wheat, heavy rain & thunder in the afternoon.

Thursday July 22nd 1852

Fine morning heavy shower about noon worked about the house and in the garden.

Friday July 23rd 1852

Fine day, went to Parowan for the celebration of the 24th of July, returned the following day.

Sunday

went to meeting on the afternoon

Monday July 26th 1852

Fine day went to Cottonwoods for a load of polls.

Tuesday July 27th 1852

Worked in the field

Wednesday July 28 1852

Worked in the field

Thursday July 29th 1852

Went for load of hay … my waggon tongue a furry ha… shower of rain in the afternoon.

Friday July 30th 1852

fine day made a new tongue for my waggon slight shower in the eveing with thunder.

Saturday July 31st 1852

Rather showery worked in the field.

Sunday August 1st 1852

fine day attended the meeting in the morning a council meeting afternoon & evening.

Monday August 2nd 1852

Stayed at home all day. Rheumatism in my back.

End of this Journal. Lets continue with the Whittaker story.

James Whittaker Sr., upon arriving at the settlement, first records laboring on a corral. Protecting valuable livestock was high among settlers’ priorities. The very day after his arrival, 13 November, he works on the corral; again on the 14th and 15th; breaking for Sunday 16th; and again on Monday through Wednesday, 17-19 November. On the 20th he reports that “a few men went for a … few more pickets to finish the carrel”.

House Building in the Compact Fort; or Wagon-Box Camp:

On 24 November, James Whittaker Sr. reports, “The People moved their waggons on the South Side Carrel. From this point on, the Wagon Box Camp slowly disappears, as each wagon is moved from there corral and from the corral, eventually, to its owner’s new houses somewhere along the perimeter of the yet-to-be-enclosed fort. But the first day was spent, Whittaker recalls, with men and wagons jostled close to the wall of the corral, “making it comfortable round the Wagons with cedars to keep the wind from blowing on them while sitting around their little fires.”

Whittaker records cutting the logs for his house between 27 November and 8 December, while from 16 December he and a neighbor, William Slack, took turns helping others build their new homes. Christmas was marked only by the entry “Worked at the house-very cold day snow & sleet,” suggesting both how busy and how tired Whittaker was. The following Saturday’s entry noted a small yet important milestone: “Worked at house. Removed waggon to the house.” Occurring 45 days after Whittaker arrived in Cedar City, this move severed his last ties to the Wagon-Box Camp and documented his shift to the Compact Fort.

Surveying the Big Field:

The destination for much of the water diverted into the two new ditches was the Big Field, the first major planting site of the Coal Creek settlement. As in Parowan, settlers planned to live inside the community or fort and have their farms on the perimeter. The Big Field, however, was presumably not surveyed until after the settlers arrived. In the initial survey James Whittaker records helping William H. Dame, “to survey the field on 23 and 24 December. Most likely, this is the formal survey of the Big Field, covering approximately 500 acres, laid out in 10 and 20-acre plots north of the Compact Fort and corral.

The Big Field was laid out in blocks and the lots drawn. Some settlers received 10 acres and a few 20. Each man also received a one-acre lot on the south end of the Big Field to raise “garden truck for Summer use and vegetables for winter“.

Henry Lunt and his wife Ellen, chose a corner lot in Cedar Fort, Plat A, Lot 5, Block 19. Henry wrote: “November 1, 1852: Took a walk and looked at the lot I had selected on the plot for the city. Found that it was rather broken having a hollow running through it and some large rocks on it. I was well satisfied with it knowing that no one would envy us of it, and they could not say that we had chosen one of the best lots.” Henry hauled many loads of adobes and rock in preparation to start building a home. Ellen and he were excited to get started on the foundation now that all the lots had been assigned.

Domestic Life in the Settlements:

Social aspects of southern Utah pioneers life appears in snippets of information. It is particularly negligent in recording the little household descriptions and family anecdotes that bring settlement history to life, but this is entirely understandable given the drain on Henry Lunt’s time and energy of a people who literally depended on him for their lives. His father-inlaw, James Whittaker, provides domestic details a little more frequently but often in the sparsest of prose. For example, he tells us on 10 March 1852 that he ditched until noon and then “commenced to make a table.”

On Friday, 12 March, he records what appears to be a companion entry, “Made some forms for seats.” These are the first known comments on furniture making in Cedar City and we can wish that Whittaker had been able to look ahead and see how much his future readers would relish more information. Which wood did he choose for his table and chair for instance? Certainly not the softer cedar or cottonwood.

Henry Lunt’s first entry about domestic work occurs on 14 April 1852. Noting that he has already plowed seven acres for James Whittaker.

Ten days later, Whittaker reports working with Lunt: “In the afternoon myself with James helped Bro. Lunt to ditch having promised to help him do all his fencing & ditching for a Churn he got made for me and a door & frame.”

Source of the above quotes by Henry Lunt and James Whittaker is the book
“A Trial Furnace”; by Morris A. Shirts and Kathryn H. Shirts.

In the first survey of Cedar City in 1853, James Whittaker Sr. had one plot of land: Lot # 29 of plot A. This lot was next to Henry Lunt, his future son-in-law.

Henry wrote on Saturday, January 29:

I baptized Catherine Chatterley in the afternoon seven times for the restoration of her health. I also re-baptized Mary Ann Corlett, Mary Whittaker, and Joseph Chatterley.

Father and James Whittaker put some earth on Henry and Ellen’s house on Friday, February 4. They also hauled a load of firewood for them. Henry and Ellen moved out of the Whittaker’s house into their new home the next day.

On February 5. Henry Lunt wrote:

“Removed from Father Whittaker’s house to my own house on new city lot. Father Whittaker & his son James assisted me. Father Whittaker has been working for me for the past week”I feel very thankful to them and the rest of the family for their many acts of benevolence and charity rendered unto me and my wife. I have not in my power at the present time to pay them for their work done for me, but if ever I should, it is my desire to pay them for their labors. Father Whittaker has been working for me for the past week and Mother Whittaker furnished us with a number of articles necessary in housekeeping which we were entirely destitute of, such as pots and kettles. May the Lord reward them for their goodness. I will in return for their kindness to me endeavor, by the help of Jehovah, to prove myself worthy of their good deeds and live a life which may be acceptable to God and show myself to be an honorable member of His Kingdom and a dutiful son-in-law. In the evening in my usual evening’s devotion, I thanked the Lord for the comfortable house that he had given me and my wife and asked His blessings to rest upon it and dedicated it to the Lord. It is an adobe house with 15 inch walls, 15 feet by 16 feet–l0 feet high and well-finished inside. It fronts the south Lot 5 comer lot, Block 19 (Plat A), and is the first adobe house built in Cedar City. Praise be the Lord for his goodness unto me forever. Amen

The Cedar City lot entitlements of 1853 also shows that James Whittaker Sr. owned in plot A, lot #4, block 19. On Sept. 11, 1845 James Sr. owned lot # 3, block 11. On June 25th 1855 James Sr. owned in Plot B, lot 14, block 37. As you can see, James Whittaker lived next door to Henry Lunt.

In the year of 1853 there was Indian troubles in iron County.

Monday, February 7, 1853: At noon Bishop Smith, with his carriage, drove myself and Walker, the Utah Chief, and Ammon over to my house. I also invited Brother Carruthers and Nephi Johnson who also came. The dinner party consisted of Walker, the great ‘King of the Mountains, Amon and his brother, Toniamp, and another Utah brave, a Pihede Indian, Father Whittaker and James Whittaker, Mary and Sarah, Ellen and myself, Brother Carruthers and Nephi Johnson. We had a good plain substantial dinner. Walker manifested a very good spirit. He ate, he said, until he was full up to the neck. After dinner we/went up to the Iron Works and I showed my visitors the Works and explained things to them as well as I could. Walker seemed very much pleased and interested with the Works.

Henry Lunt wrote a letter to George A. Smith on February 11, 1853, telling of the conditions in Cedar City and describing the events with Chief Walker:

Dear Brother Smith:

Knowing your most anxious desire at all times for to hear of the welfare and prosperity of the saints in Iron County, I will endeavor to say a little. It has always been peace and prosperity since we first rolled into camp on Center Creek with the 101 wagons and no saints to bid us welcome. But a few of the poorest kind of Indians who were scared at the sight of a white man, was the only token of any of the human family roaming in this sublime part of God’s creation, but now, and in but a little over two years, what is the appearance–three large cities are being built and a number of forts and smaller settlements made and cattle ranches established stretching out for more than 50 miles, including some of the best fenced fields, I will venture to say, in the Territory. Manufacture of different kinds are erected and being erected, among which is the blast furnace sending forth its clouds of smoke above the mountain tops. And, verily I may say, this part of the Lord’s vineyard bids fair to become–and that, too, in a very short time–the great emporium for manufacture, commerce, and wealth, and also an endless quantity of the very choicest of land which will grow any kind of grain and vegetable, for we have proved it.

All is peace and prosperity–no sickness, no death as yet in the valley–at peace with the natives. Walker, the Indian Chief, is here and has been a week. I had him and four more dining with me on Monday. Gave him about 150 pounds of flour and a few potatoes which well-pleased him. I talked considerable with him and he manifested the best spirit I ever saw him do. He says, by and by, he intends settling down by us and cultivating the earth. I talked to him about some of his men killing some 5 Pihedes a short time since, and he said he was mad at them for doing so. Walker was not with the band that killed the Pihedes, he was over with the Moquitch Indians at the time.

This next was copied from a single sheet of paper typed on an old typewriter, in the possession of Arthur Rexford Whittaker. It was taken from an old Cedar City Relief Society Minute Book A – 1856 to 1875.

On May 20th, 1855, the Cedar City stake was organized and James Whittaker was called as the first stake clerk.

On April 4th, 1857 the city council was organized and James was chosen as one of the councilmen.

Sometime in 1860 James Jr. went to San Bernardino, Calif. To buy some horses for the city to improve the stock. When there he got the pulling horse “Chief” who was from true pulling stock to the last colt.

In 1852 James was named second councilor in the first bishopric.

In 1855 become the 1st, Lady’s Benevolent Female Society was organized. On Nov. 20th, 1856, Rachel Whittaker was the councilor and Ellen Whittaker was secretary who keep the record book. This book was made by each member contributing a page and it was not at all like most of the books you would see now. The outside was made of deer hide and this covered the wall paper. The big theme of this book was that the women obeyed the husband and to encourage them to live the gospel. (this was during the time of the practice of polygamy)

In the drawing of lots on March 25th, 1857, Christopher Arthur drew the lot which now is just south of the Presbyterian Church. James Whittaker Jr. drew the lot next to his and James Whittaker Sr. drew the lot next to this and a lot down near the creek was where he had a house for Aunt Kate.

The Iron Works Account Book:

Correspondence between the iron missionaries and Brigham Young was important, not only because it revealed personal interaction within the infant settlements but also because it tracks the iron worker’s first serious attempts to assess local iron. Even so, the chief source of information on iron-related events from December 1851 through Sept. 1852 was Henry Lunt’s journal and the Iron Works Account Book.

The “Iron Works Account Book” is a descriptive title used by Morris Shirts for an important document—it has no cover or title, consisting of 34 pages of pale blue paper and measures 7-3/4 by 12-1/2 inches, the whole held together by stitching as if it were once a larger notebook. Thirty-one pages, ruled into debit and credit columns, each headed by the name an iron missionary, have survived. The pages record how much each man drew against the company (mostly in services since there are hardly any cash transaction) how much each contributed to the project, ending with a closing balance for each. The last three pages are summaries of transactions and additions to the register.

The Iron Works Account Book appears to have been a final audit rather than a daily record. For example, William Hunter’s ledger has him with credits of eight days’ work from 16 December 1851 through June 1852, all included in a single entry. Thus, the account book seems to have been copied, with summarized entries, from logs kept in a day book that has not survived. All the entries are written with the same hand and level of legibility, as if they were made the same day, with the same pen, by the same person. The handwriting is extremely similar to that of James Whittaker Sr., as it appears in his personal journal. Both James Whittaker and Matthew Carruthers are known to have helped Henry Lunt write reports of the various iron works activities. Even though this account book is not a daily logbook, it is probably the best surviving source for identifying individual iron workers by name.

As Lunt’s diary entries show, not all those living on Coal Creek were “iron men.” It is possible, using the account book, to reconstruct the personnel at the iron works with some accuracy. The 31 men whose names are identified on separate pages include: (All not listed here, but no. 30 is James Whittaker)

The original Iron Works in Cedar City was later sold.

Where it was: The original iron manufacturing site is at 400 North, 100 East in Cedar City. Here, thirty-five men, the founders of Cedar City, constructed and operated the blast furnace, producing the first iron manufactured west of the Mississippi River. They established the first mining camp in Utah a few miles west of here, from which they procured the iron ore. The foundry was operated for eight years at a cost of $1,000,000. Ore used in this monument was hauled here from the mines by pioneer workers and the pig iron bars in this structure were made by them. A site near Coal Creek was selected in November 1851 for the Iron Works because it was conveniently located between the iron deposits to the west, coal deposits and timber to the east, and water. Originally called Little Muddy, then Coal Creek, Cedar City was named for the cedar (actually juniper) trees in the area. When the first Cedar City settlers arrived from Parowan on 11 November 1851, they lifted their wagon boxes off the running gear to use as temporary shelters in a cove on the north side of a hill on the north end of present day Cedar City. By the end of November, the settlers had establish a site for a fort nearby (Old Fort Plat) and began construction of homes, the rear walls comprising the fort walls. The fort would be moved twice before arriving at the final site for the establishment of Cedar City. The first fort site was abandoned because Mormon leader judged the new fort to be too close to a hill and therefore vulnerable to Indian attack from above. The second site for Cedar Fort (also called Plat A) was surveyed by William H. Dame in 1852-3. The eight-foot adobe wall was complete by January 1854. Present day I-15 bisects the site of this fort and the western boundary was approximately where today’s Airport Road is. Due to Coal Creek flooding, this fort was abandoned for a new site (Plat B)

Ten months after initial site selection, the new colony completed a small blast furnace in Cedar City and began to operate the iron foundry. The furnace was charged with a mix of ore, coked coal, and limestone. The first iron was produced on the morning of 30 September 1852. It was the first iron to be manufactured west of Missouri, but the quality was poor due to the high sulfur content of the coal.

The settlements were called the “Iron Mission” because settlers were called by their church to serve a mission to produce iron for the growing Mormon presence in the Intermountain west. Like the missionaries called in ancient times by Christ, these settlers received no financial support on their mission. They were not paid for their mission labors. Instead, they had to support their mission through farming and subsistence hunting. The mission was later converted to a cooperative owned by many of the settlers and other investors — the Deseret Iron Company.

Of note is when the shareholders of the Deseret Iron Company met that November for their 1853 annual meeting, they elected a board of directors as dictated in the revised charter and approved by the legislature. Further complying with legal requirements then in operation, President Erastus Snow and Secretary Franklin D. Richards gave bonds in the sum of $10,000 each, Treasurer Thomas Tennant in the sum of $50,000 and each of the elected trustees-Isaac Haight, Vincent Shurtleff, Christopher Arthur and Jonathan Pugmire-$2,000 each.

Although the territorial charter cleared up the legal deficiencies in the original Deseret Iron Company compact, it did not address aspects that still might lead to dissatisfaction among the iron workers. First, the compact did not provide for any management options or policy-making input from the iron workers themselves. Such decisions were reserved exclusively for the board of directors listed in the Articles of Incorporation. But iron production in southern Utah required the good will of the workers and, with the iron works under the direction of the Deseret Iron Company, the common laborers were even more likely to resent supervision. Many of them were there only because they saw their jobs as a mission. Knowing that the company did not have the resources to operate on a strictly cash basis must have increased their frustrations. Second, the price of shares was too high. Almost no one in Utah could raise the £500 or $2,420 needed to purchase a full share, thus preventing virtually all the iron workers from investing in the company-the very people who had the greatest immediate interest in seeing it succeed. Further, shareholders could not vote on company policy unless they had paid for their stock in full.

Henry Lunt, James Whittaker and Matthew Carruthers bought the account book unto date , the also made a detailed inventory of the company’s property. There were 56 names of the men that was owed money to on this sale. Henry Lunt was owed $188.00. James Whittaker, $41.05.

James Whittaker continued to keep the books for this new company.

James Whittaker account with the Deseret Iron Co. the first store south of Salt Lake City was: A third reader, Hygiene, grammar, geography, reader books, two plugs of tobacco and finery for the women. $19.84 was the total.

Massacre at Mountain Meadows:

“On September 11, 1857, Mormon settlers in southern Utah used a false flag of truce to lull a group of California-bound emigrants from their circled wagons and then slaughter them.

Regarding the local leaders’ involvement, this set of facts was perhaps the most disturbing to me. After Sunday worship services, a council meeting was convened to discuss plans to attack the emigrant train:

The meeting included members of the Cedar City stake presidency—Haight and his two counselors, John Higbee and Elias Morris; the Cedar City bishopric—Klingensmith and his counselors, James Whitaker Sr. and Morris’s father, John; and members of the stake high council. Other leading citizens were also present.”

We have no proof that James Whittaker Sr. was involved in this massacre.

Ellen the oldest daughter of James and Rachel Whittaker, was 1st secretary of the Relief Society, which position she held from November 20, 1856 to November 6, 1879, 23 years. She married Henry Lunt on March 25, 1852, at Parowan, Utah, He had been baptized into the church in Birmingham, England on October 6, 1849, being the only one of his family to join the church He sailed from Liverpool January 10, 1850 and after two months sailing, arrived in America. After five months more of journeying, he arrived in Salt Lake Valley.

During the days that followed the organization of the new L.D.S. Stake, Henry Lunt wrote;

“Tuesday, May 13th, 1852: Fine morning. Took a walk with Brother Whittaker in the field before breakfast….. I left with Brother Bateman in his wagon, together with Father Whittaker and Peter Shirts, and arrived at Cedar City at ½ past 10 a.m.” At a meeting of the elders that was held, Bishop George A. Smith chose Brother Hulse and Father Whittaker for his counselors over the Cedar City ward and ordained them.

Another experience which reinforced the fact that the Indians could not always be trusted happened on the evening of May 30, 1853. Two Pauvant Indians shot at the local Pihedes in their wickiups and drove off two oxen. Henry Lunt visited the Pihedes camp and found that six Indians were trailing the Pauvants. He tried to get some of the Minute Company to follow but could only get a few men. Matthew Carruthers and Henry Lunt tried to get Dan Ross to go but he refused. Henry wrote, “I bore with him some time and visited him twice, but all of no use. I asked him to let someone use his horse and he, again, refused.” The group, which agreed to go, started at about nine a.m. on May 31, on horseback. Those included were Henry Lunt, Matthew Carruthers, James Whittaker, William Walker, John Stoddart, James Thorpe, Thomas Mecham, Derius Davis, and a Pihede Indian named Moquachec. They didn’t take any provisions because they thought they would be able to find the marauders in a matter of hours. (No deaths were reported from this indicant.

Retuning missionaries were required to report their mission to the proper authorities in Salt Lake City, Utah before they were released. Henry Lunt fulfilled this assignment after arriving back in Utah when he had an interview with President Young. Henry recorded the following in his journal:

Sunday, September 27, 1857 – I was the first of the returned missionaries to be called upon to speak. At the close of the meeting Brother Woodruff invited me to go and dine with him. Arrapine, the Utah Chief, also accompanied us. Brother Woodruff took me through his orchard which was well stocked with a great variety of fruit trees which were loaded so heavy that many of them had to be supported with props.

He planned to stay in Salt Lake City for a while and notified his wife and her family of his arrival home. They traveled to Salt Lake City to join him.

Henry wrote the following in his journal while in Salt Lake City:

October 5: My father-in-law, Brother James Whittaker, arrived from Cedar City, Iron County, with my beloved wife, Ellen. He came with a light-covered wagon and a yoke of oxen and made the journey, 280 miles, in the extraordinary short space of time of nine days. We were both glad to see each other. Especially were Ellen and I pleased to see each other’s faces again in the flesh after an absence of three and a half years. (Henry Lunt had served on a mission to England) Our feelings can be better imagined than described. The unspeakable pleasure I enjoyed in my wife and father and with my brethren and sisters in Salt Lake on my return seemed to more than repay me for my long absence.

Henry had been Mayor of Cedar City since the spring of 1861. It was necessary to be a citizen in order to qualify to hold a public office. The records of the Second District Court in Beaver, Utah Territory index book listed a “Certificate of Naturalization” for Henry Lunt. A Letter sent from Parowan to inform the Territorial Government of this election is as follows:

Parowan, February 21, 1863: to Secretary, Frank Fuller: I embrace the opportunity to notify you that, on the second Monday of this month, Henry Lunt was duly elected Mayor, and James Whittaker and Samuel Leigh, Aldermen, for Cedar City.

The City Council roll call in the city minutes dated February, 1867 listed the following: Henry Lunt, Mayor, James Whittaker, Alderman, Samuel Leigh, Alderman.

Ellen Whittaker Lunt: Was the first child of James Whittaker Sr. and Rachel Taylor. She was born at 10:00 P.M. on June 6th, 1830 in Heywood, Lancashire, England. She died on May 19th, 1903 in Mexico. She married Henry Lunt. They had no Children.

Ellen Whittaker, was a young lady twenty-one years of age when she came to Utah, was a small woman with a personality radiant with love and kindness. The next year she met a fine-looking man by the name of Henry Lunt. They courted and fell in love and were married on 25 March 1852. She did not bear any children, but her husband took other wives and married them as plural companions. They all lived together and raised many sons and daughters. Ellen loved these children as her own. When the United States government persecuted the saints for having plural wives, many were sent to prison. Henry Lunt left Cedar with his families and moved to Dubland, Mexico. Thus it was that dear Ellen was called to separate from her loved ones again. She bade farewell to her sisters Mary and Ellen and her brother James, friends, and neighbors, and moved to Mexico. She soon made numerous friends and remained true to the Gospel, living to be an elderly lady and died in Mexico and is buried there. Henry Lunt also lived the remainder of his life and died there at a ripe old age.

I have met many women in the Arizona Temple who knew Aunt Ellen in Mexico. All spoke of the good works she did and how much they loved her. She was known as Aunt Ellen Lunt to them all. She was a genealogist, keeping a record of her father’s people, the Whittaker’s, and did a great work for her nearest kin in the St. George Temple. Her niece Mary Whittaker

Sewell has in her possession (1944) Aunt Ellen’s family record and has been able to find the names of our ancestors from it.

According to Hattie and Lotte’s biography, the schools in England at the time (1840) of James and his sisters Ellen, Mary, and Sarah were mostly private, with special instructors in the arts and trades, to which young people were apprenticed. They were all taught the fundamentals of education. Ellen learned sewing and millinery. James studied music and business. Mary learned needle crafts as applied to sewing, knitting, and art work. Sarah studied music. These few years of intensive training proved of great value in the future lives of these children.

When Ellen Whittaker came to Cedar City with her father in November of 1851, Henry Lunt was immediately drawn to her. She was fair complexioned, small and a very pretty girl. In a very short time she and Henry became very fond of each other. This association, undoubtedly, helped Henry forget about the girl he had left behind in England, and it was just a matter of time before he and Ellen decided on marriage. Actually, they must have been considering it for quite a while because Ellen had been sewing and preparing for the wedding.

She was an expert milliner and seamstress and had made and sold many types of hats while in England. She had brought a supply of thread, lace, and silk from her homeland, which she used to continued her trade.

James Whittaker, Brother Wiley and Henry laid a floor and fixed up one of the rooms in Brother Bosnell’s house on Wednesday, March 24, in preparation for the wedding celebration and feast. On Thursday, March 25, Henry Lunt and Ellen Whittaker were married. Ellen’ s father, James Whittaker, wrote the following detailed account in his journal of the proceedings that day:

My daughter, Ellen, was married to Brother Lunt today. Myself, James and Mary, with several others, attended the wedding. At twenty minutes to seven we left Cedar City for Parowan in two carriages–one drawn by four horses, the other by two. As we started, a salute was fired with guns which echoed through the mountains, and the city had the appearance of a joyful mom by the inhabitants being collected together to see us set off and giving us three cheers as we started. Soon after we left we saw it storming north and northwest; it came within a very short distance of us and continued to storm all around us nearly all the way to Parowan. About one mile before we got there the tire of one of the wheels of Brother Wood’s carriage came off It detained us about twenty minutes. We arrived at Parowan at twenty minutes past nine 0′clock–a distance of twenty miles. We were met at the carriages by President John L. Smith and invited into his house.

Henry and Ellen were married at 1/4 to twelve in the morning by Bishop Lewis. Before the ceremony we sang the 40th Hymn, and after it we sang Redeemer of Israel. After the marriage they were blessed by the brethren with the richest of heaven’s blessings. We breakfasted [actually, it was lunch] with the John D. Lees and left Parowan accompanied by another carriage containing President John L. Smith, Bishop Lewis, John D. Lee, and four ladies. Arrived at Cedar City at 4 0′clock when our ears were deafened with the cheering of the Saints and firing of guns. When we arrived at the assembly rooms there was a sumptuous feast prepared for about 150 persons.

After dinner a number of the brethren were amusing themselves in the center of the Fort by running races, jumping, etc. Shortly after, dancing commenced and was continued until four o’clock in the morning; a great variety of songs were sung and several comic pieces performed. Joy and gladness seemed to be in every countenance. I never saw a party that enjoyed themselves like unto this–such order and a oneness of Spirit prevailed throughout the whole evening’s entertainment. The horses on the carriages had rosettes in their bridles and white ribbons attached there to some twelve inches long, which added to the appearance of the fine prancing animals.

Delightful morning. Myself and wife took breakfast with our Parowan friends at Brother Bosnell’s house–had an excellent breakfast. After breakfast we commenced dancing again and continued until 5 o’clock in the evening. The Parowan friends returned home about one 0′ clock. We spent the afternoon with Father and Mother Whittaker in counsel together. In the evening I took Brother Wiley out for a walk and told him that I believed it was the will of the Lord that him and I should part, which he consented to do.

Henry and Ellen lived in a wagon box and had very few possessions. In addition to the bed, there was only one chair. They had very few dishes, and most of them were made of tin. Brother Whittaker helped Henry move the wagon on Saturday, April 3. They paced it at the north end of the house which the Whittaker’s were building, and they placed the two Whittaker wagons alongside. Henry, together with James and James Jr., was soon busy plowing, harrowing, and preparing the soil for a garden and crops. They planted wheat in what they called the big field which was a ten-acre plot. On that same day, Lunt wrote: “In the afternoon I and my wife planted some peas and some lettuce seed in the garden.” The day before, April 2, he wrote: “My cow, ‘Ten,’ calved this morning, and my other cow, “Snip” took the bull”

In the Bowery in 1851, a call for volunteers was made to go settle Iron County. Henry Lunt volunteered to go with George A. Smith and others.

Henry Lunt: Was born on July 20th, 1824 in Mickley Hall, Cheshire, England. He died on January 20th, 1901 in Colonia Pacheco, Chihuahua, Mexico. He married Ellen Whittaker.

Cedar City – Obituary

Henry Lunt, Patriarch, Dies at His Home in Mexico:

A letter has been received in this city containing the sad announcement of the death of Patriarch Henry Lunt who passed away at his home in Mexico on the 22nd of January 1902. His death was brought on by a cancer on his right cheek from which he had been an intense sufferer for several months. He was a good and honorable man and near to the hearts of those who knew him. His death, therefore, has saddened the community in which he lived, although the sorrow is mitigated by reason of the fact that he was released from his terrible suffering.

Henry Lunt was born in Mickley Hall, Cheshire, England, on July 20, 1824, being, therefore, in his 77th year. He became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1849, at Birmingham, England, and on January 10, 1850 he emigrated to Utah. It seemed to have been his fate to be a pioneer, for in September of the year of his arrival in Salt Lake he was called to go to Parowan, Iron County, in company with Apostle George A. Smith. In October he was directed by Apostle Smith to take a company of men to Cedar City and assume charge of the settlement there. He was made a Counselor to President J. C. L. Smith of the Parowan Stake [Iron County Stake] in 1852 and in 1854 was called on a mission to England. As a missionary he was faithful and sincere and his diligent labors were crowned with success.

He returned home in 1857 in charge of a company of Danish Saints. He acted as Bishop of the Cedar Ward for some time when he was made a Patriarch under the hands of President Young. Soon afterwards he was made counselor in the Presidency of the Parowan Stake and, subsequently, Bishop again. In 1886 he went to England, taking his wife with him, but was only gone eight months.

With the idea that Mexico offered more advantages for him and his family, he broke up his home in Cedar City and started by team for the land of the Montezumas. After a long and wearisome journey through Arizona and New Mexico, he arrived at Colonia Pacheco, Chihuahua, Mexico on January 29, 1890. There he built him a home and remained the rest of his life.

Henry Lunt was a strong and intelligent man, true to his friends and charitable to his enemies, of which he had very few, indeed. Though he suffered greatly during the last few years of his life, he was patient, even cheerful, throughout it all and never permitted his affliction to become the burden of his theme. He was the type that made this new commonwealth strong and substantial, and he goes down into his grave full of years and virtues and his memory will always be esteemed in the midst of his people.

End.

It was sometimes necessary for Henry to go to Church in broadcloth suit, silk hat, but barefooted. On the 25th of March, 1852, he drove to Parowan in a sleigh, taking Ellen Whittaker, where their marriage ceremony was performed. That same year he was called on a mission to Great Britain. By this time the clothes he had brought from England were worn out, but he was anxious for his relatives to learn more of Mormonism. His young wife took her blue serge underskirt and made him a coat. He started on his mission to England clad in this coat, a hickory shirt, buckskin in trousers and Indian moccasins on his feet. He traveled across the plains with Erastus Snow and Orson Spencer with ox teams. When he arrived in Philadelphia, he met a good many Saints. A Brother Winters gave him a pair of boots and five dollars, a sister gave him two dollars and fifty cents, a Brother Walters gave him a trunk and he was invited to stay with t he Saints without charge. He now traveled on to New York; after spending two days there he left on the boat “Constitution,” paying his fare and providing his own provisions. While on the ship one morning at 4 A. M. he heard a sailor whisper the following message to a companion, “The cholera h as broken out on this boat.” Henry hurriedly dressed and went up on deck, called upon the Lord in the name of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Priesthood that he held rebuked the destroyer. The one person that had the disease died, but no other people on that boat were afflicted. He arrived at the Conference House, England, October 15th. Brother Franklin in D. Richards told Brother Henry Lunt that he would loan him some money to buy himself some clothes, which offer he gladly accepted, purchasing a complete outfit. The next thing he did was to go and find his mother, who was delighted to see him.

Ellen Whittaker Lunt – wife of Henry

James Whittaker Jr., the only son of the family, was keenly intellectual and had natural business ability. He was an expert mathematician. He had good bass voice and had good training in music. He led the Brass Band, in Cedar City, and was Ward Clerk, In later live, he was Choir leader at Circleville, for many years.

On March 12, 1856, he was married to Mary Ann Arthur, by her father, Christopher Arthur. They, the Arthur family, had come to Cedar City, in the spring of 1854. She had accepted the Gospel and was baptized in a large tank on the ship, as they were crossing the ocean. She was a beautiful girl, very modest and retiring in her nature.

Ten children were born to James and Mary Ann. Five girls and five boys. Nine grew to maturity.

Mary Whittaker, the second daughter of James and Rachel, was tall, brown eyed, and beautifully serene. She married Amos G. Thornton, who came to Utah in 1852, with his parents and settled at American Fork. In 1854, he was called by President Brigham Young, to go on the Southern Utah Indian mission, with Jacob Hamblin and others. Rufus Alien was their first President and their headquarters were at Fort Harmony, a few miles south of Cedar City.

Though most of his time was taken up with the hazardous work of trying to Christianize and civilize the Indians, Amos found time to heed Cupid’s call, and on December 18, 1856, he and Mary were married at Father Whittaker’s home, the father, performing the ceremony.

The next spring, 1857, they moved 28 miles west and helped to settle Pint o. Amos was chosen as the first presiding elder of the branch and later when Pinto Ward was organized, July 11, 1867, he was appointed first Counselor to Bishop Richard Robinson.

On March 17, 1871 Pinto was organized in the United Order, with Amos as general business agent. He was associated with the Co-op Cattle Co. and had charge of the Co-op Sheep Co., for many “years.

Early in the year of 1880, Eliza R. Snow and Zina D. H. Young, come to Pinto, and organized the Primary Association. Mary W. Thornton was made President, which position she held for18 years and 6 months. When the Relief Society was organized there, May 9, 1869, with Emma E. Coleman President, Mary was chosen 1st counselor, Ann G. Knell, 2nd counselor.

Mary had the gift of song and gave of her talent in this and in every way to help build up the new colony.

She and Amos, together, built their lives through hardships, toil and sacrifice and finally created a home from which emanated true hospitality. Real joy came to all who gathered there. The Thornton home was always a gathering place, where old and young alike, were entertained. Whether it be an old fashioned spelling match, a quilting bee, a rag bee, or a dumb supper, or a picnic, or a party for the Primary, all were welcome. There were nine children born to Amos and Mary, three boys and six girls.

When the Primary Association was organized in Cedar Ward, Feb. 7,1880, Sarah, the youngest daughter of James and Rachel, was made 1st counsel or to President Mary Ann Stewart, Josephine C. Wood was 2nd counselor.

The Whittaker children were all musical and Sarah had her full share. She sang with a voice as clear and beautiful as a nightingale.

Biography of Rachel Taylor Whittaker:

Written by Charlotte Chatterley Perkins Jones and Hattie Maria Thornton Snow, her granddaughters of Cedar City, Iron Co.; Provo, Utah Co. and of Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

To more fully visualize character, a study of the physical and social environment in which it was nurtured needs careful attention. Hence the following: as the home setting of the Whittaker family, Heywood, Lancashire, England, was a village surrounded by a very verdant country and has much scenery of a highly picturesque description. There are quiet, green valleys, murmuring waters, rustling trees, cloudless summer skies, and children playing neath wild wood’s leafy screen, with blooming honey dew and flowers of every color. The town was very old and the people religious. The following is a picture of Sunday morning in those homes nestled so securely among all this beauty. Breakfast, consisting of oatmeal porridge and butter cakes accompanied with a world of good and gentle admonitions, was soon over and the children dressed for chapel. At the toll of the bell of the Heywood Cathedral, the children strolled forth so clean as a new pin from tip to toe.” Quoted from a book-”Heywood and its Neighbors.” This picture is typical of the Whittaker home and could one turn back the pages of time, we would see the four Whittaker children strolling peacefully, happily with their neighbors to Sunday School in the Heywood Cathedral and a fond mother standing in the door, watching their departure.

This mother was Rachel Taylor Whittaker, daughter of Alice Turner Taylor and James Taylor. She was born April 16, 1808, in this same small town of Heywood that has been so beautifully pictured for us. Here she grew to womanhood in a cultured religious environment. On August 2, 1829, she was married to James Whittaker, a fine vigorous young Baptist, in Rochdale, Old Church, Lancashire, England. She was a Methodist, and the strict discipline under which she was reared in this faith, had much to do in molding a splendid characteristics which gave her poise and self-control. These characteristics contributed much to the success of her life.

The most important events that came to the lives of these young people in the next twelve years, were the births of their children, Ellen, James, Mary, Sarah. They were tenderly nurtured and given the best educational opportunities the times afforded.

The schools in England at that time were mostly private, with special instructors in the arts and trades to which young people were apprenticed. They were all taught the fundamentals of education: Ellen learned sewing and millinery. James studies music and business, and worked with his father in the mercantile business; Mary learned needle craft as applied to sewing, knitting and art work.

Early in the 40’s the gospel message came to them and they accepted it. Leaving the comfort and loveliness of their home in Old England, they for America to make their home in the western wilderness with the body of Latter Day Saint Church. Leaving Liverpool, January 22, 1851, they arrived in New Orleans, March 20, 1851. They proceeded up river to St. Louis and there made preparations for crossing the plains. Details of this trek have been given in Grandfather’s biography.

Arriving in Salt Lake Valley, in September 1851, they were allowed to stay there scarcely a month when President Young called them to proceed to Southern Utah. The roads were bad and it took five weeks to make this 278-mile trip in the dead of winter. They arrived at Cedar Fort, Christmas Eve, after eleven months of travel. Imagine, if you can, that first Christmas in America. Grandmother’s heart must have turned in fond memory to the comfortable home across the sea, where all her brothers, sisters and loved ones were thinking of them and mourning for them as dead as they disappeared in this new Western world. But they were not discouraged, or did they for one hour wish to turn back. The warmth and energy of religious fervor actuated them now as always and soon through cooperative help of all in camp, logs were hew, and cabins were built and the new comers at least had shelter. Wood was plentiful and so they had fuel for heat, and coal was in the canyons nearby.

Grandmother, undaunted by the looks of desolation, immediately set about helping to establish the new home, where her family could be comfortable and happy. Their log cabin took on a homey atmosphere that comes only through thrift and industry. She soon established herself among the people of the little colony, as she went among them in her gentle English way, ever ready to help other women to learn to meet the crises of life that daily confronted the pioneers and there were many in those pioneer days who felt like giving up. Like an angel of mercy, nursing the sick, sewing, mending, encouraging, she went about-wherever there was work to be done or service to be rendered, she was there.

When the first Relief Society was organized in Cedar City, November 20, 1856, she was chosen second counselor to President Lydia O. Hopkins. Annabella Haight was first counselor-and her oldest daughter, Ellen W. Lunt was chosen secretary, Ellen serving in this position until November 6, 1879, giving 23 years of faithful efficient service.

On June 4, 1868, the Relief Society was reorganized and Rachel Taylor Whittaker was chosen President, with Annabelle Haight and Mary Higbee her counselors. She held this position until June 3, 1875, having been active in the presidency for 18 years, 7 months, and 14 days. I suppose her release then was occasioned by failing health for she died the next year, July 8, 1876.

Grandmother was about 5 feet 9 inches tall, had brown eyes and brown hair. She had a pleasing personality, was quiet and unassuming, but firm and dignified in her conduct always. She believed and exemplified the maxim “That Cleanliness is akin to Godliness,” and her home radiated an atmosphere of both cleanliness and godliness.

Charlotte Chatterley Jones, co-author of this sketch, has fond memories to record as follows:

“Altho I was not quite eight years old when grandmother died, I remember some of the lessons she taught me. She said to me more than once, “Charlotte, when you are talking to anyone, turn your face toward the person you are talking to.” I have never forgotten it. She had a number of the brightest stars she had named for us children, and mother, being a very busy woman, grandmother often came to our home on Main Street, to help put us children to bed and help with the evening household duties. In the summer evenings we would sit in the yard.

Grandmother in the old wooden rocker, would show us our star, and tell us that particular star was watching us. I’m sure it helped us to be better children. There were no finer people ever came to this country than James Whittaker and his family. May we and our children after us ever prize this sacred heritage they have left us.

When babies came to her daughters, Mary and Sarah, Mother Whittaker was the nurse who took care of them, and when Amos had to go on long trips through Arizona and New Mexico, to labor with the Indians. Mary took refuge with her father and mother, and often times lived with them for weeks at a time. Her two first babies were born in their home, and the second baby, a son, Amos, was born while his father was out on that hazardous journey when young George Albert Smith was killed by the Indians and the other missionaries had to travel day and night to escape being murdered themselves. Besides the regular hardships of food shortage and general privation there was the constant threat of the Indian depredations.

Had these biographies been written 40 years earlier they could have been much more complete, much more intimate, for there were those who could have recorded much important detail that we do not now know. But at this distance through the years, we, their granddaughters have penned down as best we could gather and remember these few facts.

This we do know, that they were Pioneers of Utah who came in 1851, and we know too, that all dates here given are correct.

A local author of considerable fame expresses for us just how we feel-She says: “I wonder how many of us really feel what a splendid thing it is to be a daughter or granddaughter of pioneers, and what it means? It means courage; it means faith; it means sacrifice; it means almost all the finer qualities that a man or woman can have in his or her character, being a son or a daughter of the pioneers.”

Rachel Taylor Whittaker

Obituary:

Taken from “Journal History” Jan. to March 1880.

Filed In Church Historian’s office, Salt Lake City.

The Deseret Evening News. Thursday, March 25 1880.

Death of a Veteran Saint.

“We learn from President Lunt of Cedar City, of the death on the 3rd inst. of his Father-in-law, Elder James Whittaker Senior, of that place. He was a man over 70 years of age, and was apparently in perfect health the very day he died. It was about half past six in the evening, just after partaking of a hearty supper that he was suddenly taken. He had partly raised out of his chair to stir the fire, when he sank back in his seat and was dead in an instant. The disease was pronounced by the verdict of a coroner’s jury, apoplexy of the heart.

The funeral was held on Sunday the 7th inst. and was largely attended, the deceased being a man, who was beloved and respected by all who knew him. He came from Lancashire, England, joined the church at an early day, associated with the Prophet Joseph, at Nauvoo, afterward returned to England, and brought his wife and children into the church and immigrated to Utah in 1851. He went that same year with Brother Lunt to settle Cedar City, and has been there ever since as a true and faithful member of the Church.”

In the Cedar City cemetery are the following epitaphs:

Sacred are the memory of Rachel wife of James Whittaker

born Apr. 16 AD 1808 departed this life 28 July 1878

age 68 yrs 3 months and 12 days

James Whittaker, husband of the above

Born at Preston, Lancashire England March 8 AD 1809

Passed away instantly March 3 AD 1880

Age 70 yrs. 11 months and 24 days

A few years after arriving in Cedar, James Sr., married Catherine Winchester, therefore becoming a polygamist, which no dough caused he much grief. She was an advanced old maid, who had come to Utah, with a group of emigrants, expecting to be taken care of in marriage.

This was a sore trial to grandmother, but she bore it without a murmur. Aunt Kate, as she was called, was a very eccentric, but was kind and good to grandfather. She was a good nurse and served her family and neighbors well. She lived to be a very old woman and in her declining years, she lived in the home of John and Sarah Chatterley, and was careful cared for by them and their children. In the homes of all these Whittaker children, there prevailed a religious cultured dignity, which radiated sheer joy and suppressed rowdyism. It was their heritage from their parents, and from their progenitors a cross the sea.

This is how this second marriage come to be:

About the year 1865 or 1866, James Whittaker took a trip to Salt Lake City to attend General Conference or attend to some business affairs. While there, he met a young woman whom he was advised by the authorities of the Church to take as a plural wife. Grandfather, being of an obedient nature, followed their counsel and married her in Salt Lake City and brought her back to Cedar City. When he introduced her to Grandmother as his wife, she did not chide him, but accepted her as his wife with an aching heart. Grandma was too fine a woman to say anything about her or the principle of plural marriage, but my mother said, “Grandma received a severe shock when she was introduced to her as Grandpa’s wife, which she never fully recovered from.” This good woman was known in the family as Aunt Kate (Catherine Winchester) and cared for grandfather after Grandma died. She lived many years in Cedar City after Grandfather and Grandmother had both died.

Research by Arthur Rexford Whittaker indicates the following about the 2nd Mrs. Whittaker.

Catherine Winchester Whittaker:

Researched and compiled by Arthur Rexford Whittaker over a 40 year period.

Catherine Winchester was born on 3 Mar 1827 in Bristol, England. She was the third child of Daniel Winchester and Mary Ann. Her father Daniel was born about 1796. Their first child Elizabeth was born about 1821. She married John Storer and they had a daughter Elizabeth Storer. Elizabeth died on the 26 June 1844 while living in Bristol, England. Catherine’s middle sister Mary Ann was born about 1824. She only lived 20 years and died 20 Feb 1844. Catherine was 17 years old when both of her sisters died. Her mother died before her 14th birthday. Elizabeth’s death in 1844 left Catherine to take care of her niece Elizabeth who was about four years old.

In the diary of Jessie Bigler Martin on the date of 5 January 1857 he states “I was taken worse with a cold and fever was not able to attend the party on Monday night. I continued to get worse for eight days but through the anointing of oil and the prayer of faith and the blessing a kind father I began to get better until the 27th, when I was able to walk out for a short distance. I also went out into the town on the 29th, I did not go out but spent the day in talking with Henry Lunt who had come to see me. The saints were very kind to me during my illness. Sister Fuller sent me some good wine. She is a servant girl and a good girl, and a faithful saint. I also must mention Sister Turner. She was very kind to me and brought me many things to nourish me up. Also Sister, Catherine Winchester. She came almost every day to see me and make my bed and make a fire in my room and get what she could for me. Here we have established that Henry Lunt and Catherine Winchester knew of each other. We have also established that Catherine was a member of the church at this time. She would have been 30 years old on 3 March 1857. Her Niece Elizabeth would have been 17 years old.

On March 23 1857 Catherine and Elizabeth boarded the train to take them to Liverpool one hundred sixty two miles away. And arrived in Liverpool at 5 O Clock and spent the night at No 11 Hunters Street with the rest of the Bristol Saints. They boarded the ship George Washington on Thursday March 26, 1857. On March 28, 1857 at 5 O Clock AM the steam tug took the ship into the Channel. There was a good wind all day and the many song of Zion were sung by the Saints. The winds blow hard and most of the Saints were sea sick for a couple of days. The ship arrived at the Boston, Mass port on April 21, 1857 but the winds blew a gale and the Captain was obliged to drop two anchors to hold the ship from Being driven on the rocks. On April 22, 1857 the ship arrived in the docks of Boston Harbor at about 4 O’clock in the afternoon. Everyone remained on board that night.

On April 23, 1857 Catherine and Elizabeth left the ship and started on the train bound for Iowa at 4 O’clock PM. They arrived in Albany about 10 O’clock the next day. Their baggage was transferred to another train and they traveled 2nd class to Buffalo, New York. They arrived in Cleveland at about 7:30 O’clock AM and camped under a wood shed, and build fires cook their victuals. They left this place at about 7:30 AM and arrived

in Toledo at 12:30 PM and remain there until 9 PM and traveled first class all night to Chicago. Tuesday the 28th of April traveled all day after being detained for many hours waiting for a luggage train. They Passed La Porte, Indiana at about 10:00 PM. They arrived in Chicago at about 8:00 PM eight hours behind schedule so they had to wait until 4:00 PM for the next train. They arrived at Iowa City 10:00 AM. [All this information was taken from Jesse B. Martin's diary]

Here Elizabeth stays in Iowa City and Catherine proceeds to Salt Lake City in the Israel Evans Hand Cart Company. She departed Iowa City on 22-23 May 1857 and arrived in Salt Lake Valley 11-12 September 1857. It was the sixth handcart company and had 149 individuals with 28 handcarts in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting at Iowa City, Iowa.

Here is the narrative of this company.

This was a Mormon handcart company, but it differed from those of the first year of handcart travel in 1856. In this company, participants had to buy their own outfits because the Perpetual Emigration Fund had run out of money. The trip across the plains cost approximately $50.00 in 1857. Captain Israel Evans was returning from a four and one-half year mission to England and Wales. Earlier, he had served as a member of the Mormon Battalion, marching from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to California and back to Utah. His emigrant company of 1857 consisted of 150 persons (69 males and 81 females, 21 under 8 years of age, and 2 over 60 years of age). They had 31 handcarts and a mule-drawn wagon that carried nine tents and provisions. Evans’ assistant was Benjamin Ashby. As a tribute to these leaders, a member of the company penned the following lines:

“All hail the day that Israel was appointed to preside

To guide us Saints across the plains in Zion to reside.

He governs us in righteousness; his ways are true and just;

Those who his counsels all obey shall greatly be blessed.

Hurrah for Captain Evans, hurrah for Ashby too;

They used all wisdom possible to guide us safely through.”

On May 20 the emigrants made final preparations for their trek, in spite of rumors that the United States Army would soon march against the “rebellious Mormons” in Utah. Because the handcarts had a limited capacity, the travelers paid extra to send excess baggage by wagon. The party started west on May 21, traveling just three miles. Then they received final instructions from Church emigration officials Erastus Snow and James A. Little. For the next week it rained almost every day, so hard at times that the company remained in camp. The road became muddy. On the 28th men started military drill; on the 31st, a number of non-Mormons came to hear Captain Evans preach. The train passed the following places: Norton City on June 2 where they bought some store goods, Des Moines on the 4 where they paid 10 cents per cart to use the toll bridge, “Are Deal City” (possibly Add-here the emigrants forded a river, possibly the North Raccoon), Grove City on the 9th where there were but four houses, Indian Town on the 10th, and Bluff City on the 12th (probably Council Bluffs). At this last place the travelers camped in the woods. Along the way fleas had troubled them. Nevertheless, all were in good spirits.

Before crossing the Missouri by tugboat on June 13, the company met some eastward-bound Mormon missionaries. At Florence they met missionaries who had just come from Salt Lake City by handcart. These gave the travelers good advice. An emigrant party of about 20 persons from St. Louis joined the company. From the 13th to the 17th it rained, heavily at times. On the 18th the company made final preparations for plains travel but they could not locate their mules. Finally, on the 19th they again headed west. Six miles from Florence they stopped at the Little Papillion. The next day they passed the Great Papillion and then camped on the Elkhorn. Here the travelers found William Walker’s wagon company waiting for the river to go down so it could safely cross. Reportedly, the river was three miles wide. Sunday, June 21, the emigrants from both camps met together for religious services. On Monday, Captain Evans elected to go upstream to Fontanelle. After passing through that town the handcarts crossed the Elkhorn at the upper ferry. It was hot and rainy. The train now followed the Old Mormon Trail.

By the 26th the travelers were on the Loup Fork, camped at a place a diarist called Greerdy City. The next day, despite a heavy storm, they reached Looking Glass Creek. Here, they met men from the Mormon settlement at Beaver Creek (Genoa). These spent the night with the handcarts and then loaded part of the emigrants’ luggage into wagons and hauled it to the settlement. Because it was Sunday, emigrants and settlers attended meetings together. Members of the Walker train were also there as Erastus Snow addressed the congregation. It was here that travelers and settlers learned about the assassination of Parley P. Pratt. The handcarts remained at Genoa until June 30; then, they crossed Loup Fork, with help from the settlers. A wagon went into the stream first, and then a man or woman pulling a handcart grabbed the wagon tailgate with one hand and the cart with the other as they crossed the stream. A bonfire dried people out.

July 4 the train forded Prairie Creek, and on the 6th it camped at Wood River. On the 8th it passed Elm Creek and camped on Buffalo River. The travelers saw many herds of buffalo and here Captain Evans and others shot a buffalo and parceled the meat out to the company. Upon crossing Buffalo River the train stopped to wait for Erastus Snow and John Taylor, who were also traveling to Salt Lake-and to allow the Walker train to catch up. All three groups camped together. During the night it rained hard, causing animals belonging to the handcarts to stray. In spite of a diligent search, the animals could not be found, so Captain Walker loaned Captain Evans three yoke of oxen to pull his provisions wagon.

Some 280 miles west of Genoa one of the handcart people, James Reader, died after a prolonged illness. On July 25 the train camped near Chimney Rock. Walker and company were still near enough to hold joint meetings on Sunday, July 26. August 1, the handcarts stopped for two hours at Fort Laramie and then forded to the north side of the North Platte. They reached the Horseshoe settlement on the 4th, after traveling 14 miles on empty stomachs. Here, they secured a fresh supply of flour and had a blacksmith make some repairs; but they had to sign over their entire outfit to the Church in return. On the 9th they were at the Deer Creek settlement, again they had crossed to the south side of the North Platte. Here the settlers received the emigrants with great joy and supplied them with meat and flour. On the 10th everyone danced and sang the evening away, accompanied by a violin. August 14, it rained hard. Nevertheless, the company crossed the North Platte one last time. Shortly thereafter the handcarts and the Jesse Martin wagon train traveled together. According to one source, these parties traveled together nearly all the way.

August 16, the handcarts were at Willow Springs; on the 17th they were four miles east of Independence Rock; on the 18th they paused on the Sweetwater River to gather a supply of saleratus. They camped that night at Devil’s Gate. Here they harvested currants, replenished their flour supply, and had their oxen shod. They found the Sweetwater Station abandoned. Brigham Young had recalled the men because Johnston’s army was now marching toward Utah. August 26, at Pacific Springs, the handcarts met a 70-man expeditionary force that had come from Salt Lake City to watch the movement of the U.S. troops. The next morning there was frost on the ground half an inch thick. After taking the right-hand road, the company camped at the Little Sandy. The August 29 camp was on the Big Sandy; it was at the Green River on the 31st and at Black’s Fork River on September 1. The train passed Ham’s Fork on the 2nd and camped at Black’s Fork Crossing. It had rained.

September 3rd, the travelers were at Fort Bridger, where they stocked up on potatoes, turnips, beets, flour, and beef. By the 6th they were at the Bear River. The September 7th, camp was in Echo Canyon. On the 8th, certain items were missing from the company wagon. Captain Evans made a thorough search of the camp but did not find them. That night the company camped on the Weber River. On the 9th, they were on East Canyon Creek. A heavy thunderstorm doused them the next day. Camp was at the foot of Little Mountain. September 11th, the company traveled to within five miles of Salt Lake City, then stopped so the emigrants could clean up before marching into the city. An emigrant later recalled that the hardest part of the journey was pulling the handcarts over sand hills, but by cooperative effort and moving the carts in relays, these obstacles were overcome. In addition to the man who died, an infant also died. Also, somewhere out on the prairie a little girl was temporarily lost but was quickly restored to her family.

To bring everyone up to speed on the interaction between Catherine Winchester, Henry Lunt, and Mary Ann Wilson (Henry Lunt’s second wife) we see that Catherine knew Henry in England.

Mary Ann Wilson. Here is the first information we have about Mary Ann. I quote from page 190- of the biography of Henry Lunt. After spending several weeks in London, Henry traveled to several other cities and visited friends and relatives. One of the places he visited was the Newcastle upon Tyne Conference which included Carlisle, England. Earlier, while he was serving in this area he conducted and preached in a conference in June, 1856. At the close of the meeting a young woman, Mary Ann Wilson, came up to him and expressed her satisfaction with his sermon and told him that “it appeared that he had been acquainted with all she had been anxious to know for some time and he had answered every inquiry in her mind”. She became more interested as she continued to investigate the Gospel, and a deep friendship grew between them. After she was baptized July 27,1856, by Elder Thomas Adams, her family disowned her. Henry advised her to sell her personal belongings and join the saints going to America which she did, and sailed from Liverpool on March 28,1857, on board the George Washington.

Henry stayed in England until April 25, 1857, traveling with Ezra T. Benson to various conferences. He arrived in Liverpool barely in time to board the sailing ship, Westmoreland, which had moved out of dock ready to leave when he arrived. End of Quote

Catherine and Mary Ann sailed together on the George Washington and became fast friends. Henry sailed on the next ship out.

Henry Lunt arrived in Salt Lake City on 28 September 1857, Catherine and Mary Ann arrived on September 11, 1857. Henry’s biography speaks of numerous occasions that Henry and Mary Ann dined with Henry’s friends. His biography states, He planned to stay in Salt Lake City for a while and notify his wife and her family of his arrival home. They traveled to Salt Lake City to join him. Henry wrote the following in his journal about the time he spent there.

October 3rd, 1857:

I ate supper in company with Sister Wilson at Sister Bathsheba Smith’s, a wife of Apostle George A. Smith. His wife, Zilpha, from Parowan was with us and I made her a present of a woolen scarf shawl for her many acts of kindness to me while in Parowan.

October 4th,-

Attended meeting at the Bowery in company with Mi8ss Wilson and we were invited to dine with Brother William Jennings and family where we had a most sumptuous and elegant dinner.

October 5th,-

My father-in-law, Brother James Whittaker, arrived from Cedar City, Iron County, with my beloved wife, Ellen. He came with a light-covered wagon and a yoke of oxen and made the journey, 280 miles, in the extraordinary short space of time of nine days. We were both glad to see each other. Especially were Ellen and I pleased to see each other’s face. Again in the flesh after an absence of three and a half years. Our feelings can be better imagined than described. The unspeakable pleasure I enjoyed in my wife and father and with my brethren and sisters in Salt Lake on my return seemed to more than repay me for my long absence.

October 6th,- The Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Bowery at 10:00 AM, which I attended in the company of my wife, her father and Sister Mary Ann Wilson, both morning and afternoon.

October 7th,-

Attended conference again and, at the close of the morning’s meeting, I asked President Young if I could have the privilege of having a young woman sealed to me. He said, ‘Come my off with her in about one hour’s time.’ Accordingly, I went at the time mentioned with my wife, Ellen, and her father and Sister Wilson to President Young’s office and he conducted us upstairs into a very nice room and sealed Mary Ann Wilson to me for ‘time and all eternity.’ I thanked him and gave him five dollars which he accepted. He then took my hand in both of his and made me a present of the same five dollars and said, ‘God bless you.’ I thanked the Lord our Heavenly Father for giving me another of his handmaidens to wife, and I pray that we may both prove faithful and true to our God and each other and keep sacred the solemn covenants which we have made, and have peace, love and union always abide in our habitation and children to grow up ’round our table like olive branches that shall become mighty for the truth’s sake in the Kingdom of our God. Conference closed in the afternoon.

October 8th,- President Young sealed Miss Catherine Winchester, late of Bristol, to Father Whittaker. The following two days we spent in visiting a number of our old friends, including President Brigham Young and

family with whom we ate supper. They treated us to peaches and grapes and gave us some to eat on our way home.

October 11th,- We bid adieu to Salt Lake City and started on our way for Cedar City in Iron County were we arrived all safe on the 27th [2 weeks and 3 days]. We were greeted with a hearty welcome by our many old friends. Brother James Haslam, Captain of the Brass Band, with his brethren serenaded us in the evening with music and stayed until a late hour.

OK, let’s review the facts about the marriage of Catherine Winchester and James Whittaker:

1. Catherine knew Henry in England and they were friends.

2. Mary Ann Wilson and Catherine were on the same ship

together coming to Utah. They probably became friends.

Catherine was 30 years old, Mary Ann was 33.

3. Both were unmarried and had never been married

4. Catherine was going be left all alone in Salt Lake City with

the departure of Mary Ann and Henry.

5. Henry was 43 years old and James Sr. was 48 years old.

6. The marriage of James and Catherine was a spur of the moment

thing. It happened between 12:00 PM on Saturday and 12:00 PM

on Sunday.

7. Rachel, James wife was not contacted and did not give her consent

8. Rachel was not pleased, in fact was very upset with James.

9. Catherine never had any children.

10. Catherine lived in a separate house.

Rachel died the 28 July 1876. Catherine then took care of James until he died on 3 Mar 1880. In the 1900 Census we see that Catherine was living with Sarah Whittaker Chatterly.

Catherine died on 31 Mar 1909 in Cedar City, Iron, Utah. She is buried next to James and Rachel in the Cedar City Cemetery.

Sarah Whittaker Chatterley: Born 4:00 A.M. 16 May 1841, Bank Top, Sharples, Lancashire, England.

Sarah, the youngest sister of James Whittaker, was married on 12 March 1862 to John Chatterley. He arrived at the fort a few days before the Whittaker family. He came from Manchester, England with his family. They crossed the plains in 1851. He was the second school teacher in Ceder City. and kept the first Co-op store. He become choir leader, and band leader, and was postmaster for many years. John was a real comedian and was the head of the home dramatics Co. for many years. John and Sarah lived happily together, and were active in civic and religious affairs. Their home was always a gathering place for young people. They spent their lives in Cedar City and raised a big family of 7 boys and girls. My father told me “he loved his baby sister very dearly, and when she was a little girl, he taught her to say the alphabet as it is arranged and backwards also.” Sarah was such a good-natured woman and had much patience. For example, if a child came to cut out paper dolls with her, no matter what she was doing, she always took time to please the child.

Sarah Whittaker Chatterley

These three women remained true to the faith they had embraced in Old England (from Hattie and Lottie’s biography of James Whittaker). There were no finer people who ever came to this country than James Whittaker Sr. and his family. May we and our children after us ever prize this sacred heritage they have left us.

A Sketch of the Life of Sarah Whittaker Chatterley:

By Lottie C. Jones, her daughter; Maude Lunt Matheson and Violet Lunt Urie.

Old Fort Camp Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Cedar City, Utah.

Sarah Whittaker Chatterley was born May 16, 1341, in Bolton, England, the daughter of James and Rachel Taylor Whittaker. She, with her parents, two sisters, Ellen and Mary, and one brother, James, left their comfortable home and surroundings for the sake of the Gospel which they embraced in the early 1340’s. It was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which they joined, and they came to Utah, landing in Southern Utah in the autumn of 1n5l after a long, tedious trip bearing many hardships incident to pioneering at that time.

They brought with them one yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows, the cows being milked night and morning and the milk placed in the churn in the back of the wagon so that it would be made into butter by the time they arrived in camp in the evening. Mother’s father was a well-to-do merchant among the middle class in the city of Heywood, England, so that it was a great sacrifice for them to leave.

Being a great lover of nature, Mother chose to do the outside work, helping her father with the gardening, harvesting, etc. As she grew older she helped to card and spin the wool which her father wove into b1anlets, cloth for men’s suits, and many varieties of cloth woven very beautifully on a homemade loom. We have some pieces of the blankets at this time, which have been used practically all these years in the wintertime until about five years ago (1925) when they began to wear.

Sarah Whittaker was married to John Chatterley, March 12, 1862. Nine children were the result of this union, four of whom are now living: Mrs. Sarah Ellen (Nellie) Haight, Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Lottie C. Jones, John E. Chatterley, and Mrs. Nancy May Walker, all of Cedar City. There are now living nineteen grandchildren and forty-three great grandchildren.

In gathering data in the history of Mother’s life, I was able to find but very little. She, being an unusually busy woman, did not take time to keep a diary or record, making it difficult to tell of her splendid life. But we remember her as a kind friend to all with whom she came in contact, a patient, loving wife and mother, bearing her burdens (and she had many) cheerfully and uncomplainingly.

She loved music and was gifted with a very fine contralto voice. She could read music and was able to sit down to the organ and play her own accompaniment to the songs she loved to sing. They were the proud possessors of an organ, the second one to come to Cedar City. Such songs as “Make The Home Beautiful,” “Gone to the war,” “We’d Better Bide A Wee,” and many, many more of the songs of that day that had so much meaning to them were her favorites. To think now of the music we had in our home, Father also being a singer, brings very pleasant memories of my childhood.

Mother loved flowers to the extent that she always found time to have flowers in her garden and also many house plants. I well remember how she would get out in the garden as soon as it was light enough to see and work for two or three hours in the spring and summer mornings, then return to the house and prepare breakfast. She always found ways and means to obtain bulbs and seeds. She delighted in picking flowers for any or all who cared for a bouquet.

She loved her friends and fellow townsmen almost too well if such could be the case, preparing little socials in tribute to some one of her friends who had returned to the old home town for a visit or some one of her friends whose birthday it happened to be, regardless of her extremely numerous home duties.

She was a devoted church worker, serving as Secretary in the Relief Society for a number of years. She worked in the Primary for many years, being selected as a Counselor when it was first organized and later serving as President.

She was a member of the Cedar City Choir, and my father also, from the time they were young people until they began to be classed as old folks. They were delighted and happy in the choir as they enjoyed taking part in the singing and its social life. She took an active part in dramatics when she was a girl, being gifted along these lines also.

Later in life when Father was manager of the city dramatic company, she did much toward the success he attained in dramatics, putting her own work off always to help him in every way possible.

Our home was always open to the different organizations, especially the band and choir, in which they often held practice when the meeting house was not available. Mother and Father both made the members feel welcome to come at any time they desired.

Mother left us to go to her home in Heaven, May 2, 1903, and was paid high tribute at this time. A great number of the children of our town followed the procession to the Tabernacle, each one bearing flowers in their arms and placing them on the casket there. These children, many of them being her Primary pupils, along with the rest, loved her dearly because of her kindly, cheery, charitable disposition. We are proud of our heritage, and our desire is to live that we may be a credit to the memory of our dear parents.

Violet Lunt Urie wrote:

I feel it an honor to pay tribute to our dear neighbors, Uncle John and Aunt Sarah Chatterley. Our family and theirs were closely associated, besides being neighbors, and we felt it our privilege to frequent their place and do and feel as though we were at home.

We considered it a community center, and the children of the town would gather at the Chatterley yard where teeters and swings and whirligigs were a constant thrill. It seemed to me the robins built more nests and sang sweeter songs in Chatterley’s trees where we swung in hammocks made out of Aunt Sarah’s quilts, and beneath their tall trees nestled their cozy home where our acquaintance started.

The doll village, up under the current bushes, where numerous families dwelt, was a daily delight to the children of the neighborhood. Each family had their cozy home built of dry goods boxes, and the furniture consisted of little boxes or blocks and broken dishes, etc. They lived a realistic community life participating in all the activities of a village such as meetings, parties, etc. And I will always remember the impressive funeral services held for one of the departed dolls. Aunt Sarah had a notions store in one of her front rooms, and we thought it a great pleasure to help unpack and place the treasured vases and notions upon the shelves.

The first strawberries I ever saw growing were in Aunt Sarah’s garden. She had the largest pansy bed in town, and I shall never forget the impression it made upon my childish mind when she took me to see her pansies and said, “Haven’t they bright eyes and happy faces?” The first pine nuts I ever remember were given me by Aunt Sarah. The first Bantam chickens were brought to Cedar by the Chatterley’s, and to say they were a curiosity does not begin to describe it. The old well with its cool, clear water was always enjoyed by passersby.

Aunt Sarah was President of the Primary for years, and we spent many hours under her instruction learning dialogues, songs, recitations. In fact, we can picture Aunt Sarah and Uncle John as outstanding figures in all the activities of the community from our earliest recollection. I am relating some of the little personal happenings to show the wholesome influence Aunt Sarah and Uncle John had upon the children.

What made the children love them was because they gave of their love. The poet has said, “The only thing we keep is that which we give.” Their children have inherited the beautiful attributes of kindness, sympathy and love; that is why we love them so dearly.

As we grew older and were called into public service, Aunt Sarah was sought for advice. We young members of the choir loved to sit by her, for she could read the notes and we would follow.

When reproof was needed her gentle tones and dignity of manner always had the desired effect. I have never heard a word of slang or any coarse expression come from her lips. Her example taught patience, generosity, loyalty, charity and faith. I think she lived as nearly as possible the great commandment, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”

May the coming generation of these noble pioneers nurture and stimulate in their lives the wonderful characteristics which they have been born heir to, so it can be said of them, “They are like their grandparents.”

And so then this is the history of The Whittaker family of Lancashire that migrated to The United States and help settle Cedar City, and Circleville, Utah

©2010 DALTON – WHITTAKER FAMILY ASSOCIATION OF UTAH
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