Albert Knapp Headstone

This picture was kindly provided by David Skidmore.

This is called the Centerville Pioneer Cemetery in Fremont California.As you can see Albert Knapp has a fairly new headstone with a Mormon Battalion medallion on it.

I have not checked to see the original records or who was responsible for the placement of the grave marker.

Lydia Ackerman Knapp Coulson

I recently received this picture from someone who read this blog.  I am grateful to her for sharing.  The Knapp family is actively looking for information about ancestors.  I've had more contacts from this woman's descendants than from any other of my family lines.  Thank you for sharing, KO.

I love seeing this picture - I think I see somethings that remind me of my mother.

Sara Armina Knapp

This picture was orginally published on will.rackliffe.org

Sarah was the wife of William Lobark Skidmore. They married 28 Mar 1868 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah. Her parents were Rosina Shepard and Albert Knapp. She was born 10 Feb 1853 in Farmington, Davis Co., Utah. She was the mother of twelve children and died 14 Nov, 1891 in Richmond, Cache Co., Utah.

Justin Albert Skidmore

This picture, provided by David Skidmore, was taken when Justin Albert was working in a creamery. I believe the creamery to have been in Cache Valley.





This is his brand registration,. filed
while he lived in Benmore, Toole, Ut.

Justin Albert Skidmore Boyhood Journal

The following journal was provided to me by David Skidmore. He transcribed it from the original. I have transcribed it from his typewritten copy. The original spellings have been preserved. If you have trouble figuring out a word, it helps to try to say what is written out loud. I have proof read it but there may yet be errors. Please feel free to contact me if you have a typed copy of this manuscript and notice errors.

It is interesting to see the work and the play of ten year old boys in the late 1880's.
Justin mentioned a few games that are unfamiliar to me. I wonder if anyone out there in blog land knows what "foot and a half" and "pitch quakes" are. Boys played games that would be more familiar to us. They played at races, they went swimming and boating, hunting and fishing, they played ball and runsheep, they went to the theatre once during the year and one day and school was highlighted by songs and recitations. They played police, which I assume would be a role playing type of activity.

The work responsibilities of young boys was significant. Besides being an errand boy with trips to "Aunt Malinda's" and Post Office, Justin had regular "chores", milked cows, gathered eggs, charred posts (Anyone know why they did this?), weeded, hoed, broke clods, shocked the grain, cleaned potatoes, planted, even helped to tear down the old house. He has a pretty impressive list of work experience for a ten year old.

David includes a brief introduction which is also included here. I have amended David's introduction to include the names of Justin's later wives. The picture is of Justin with Rachel Allen, his second wife.

Justin Albert Skidmore Journal
26 Dec 1884 to 25 Sept 1885

Introduction
Justin Albert Skidmore was born 6 May 1873 in Richmond, Cache County, Utah. He was the surviving twin and third of twelve children born to William Lobark Skidmore and Sarah Armina Knapp. He married Agnes Emoret Stoddard, a girl from his home town, on 21 April 1897 in the Logan Temple. They lived in Richmond until 1905 when they settled Rush Valley in Tooele County with the Bennion family, calling their new town Benmore. They had nine children, one son living only three days while the rest grew to maturity. Agnes Emoret died 19 April 1918. Justin eventually moved to Delta, Utah, where he married Mrs. Rachel Allen in 1927. He had subsequent marriages to Lenora Dillow and Charlotte Cheshire. He finished his days in Salt Lake City as a temple worker. He died 3 May 1955.

He calls this journal his second although no earlier journal has been found at this time (1978). The journal covers the period of 26 Dec. 1884 to 25 Sept 1885. During this time he experiences his twelfth birthday, his sister Malinda is born and his father takes a plural wife. Although no mention of this last event is made. An interesting correlation of these events can be made by a day to day comparison with the journal of his father which is on deposit with the Church Historian’s Office in Salt Lake City.

The journal gives great insight into life in 1885 as seen through the eyes of a twelve year old Bishop’s son in a small northern Utah town. The spelling and punctuation, or lack of it, have been kept and copied as correctly as possible. It is felt that much of the charm of the journal is found there.

Justin A. Skidmore

2th Journal

Richmond

Cache

Co.

Dec 25th

1884

Dec. Fri. 26th 1884

I went up to the store and got 3 yds of calico, 2 spools of thread number 24 and one spool of white number 50 and 2 lbs of raisins and I come home and my father moved to the Tithing Office and Wm my brother drove around the Tithing Office and I ate my dinner and then went after our calf and I found it down on the river and come home and went up to Aunt Malindas and around to the Post office and got the mail and then went down to the coop store and got some gate hinges for the Tithing gate and then dun my chores.

Dec. Sat. 27th 1884

I fed the cows and went up to Bill Thompson’s and he killed our pig and I went down to Uncle Justin’s and got a long line and I ate dinner and Wm my brother shod our hand sled and I dun my chores and went down to the Tithing Office and my father partly made a path and I come home and ate my supper.

Dec Sun 28th 1884

I fed the cows got reddy for Sunday School and C H Monson opened it and MW Merrill talked a few minuts about order and asked how many of the boys was gowing to go out quiot and James Sheperd desmist Sunday School I ate my dinner got reddy for Meeting and Justin Sheperd opened it and Wm Hendricks spoke about different subjects and Present Merrill talked about eateable and about dancing subjective and I come home and sister Tomos and sister Hamp wanted to see my father as useuel and I ate my supper and I dun my chores.

Dec Mon 29th 1884

I went down to the Tithing Offace and made a fire cut some wood went up to the store with my father and then went up to Thomas Griffens and around to the stores and my father fixed up the Tithing Offace I come home and ate my dinner and went up to aunt Malindas to git a sosagae stuffer and I come home and my mother was grinding some meet and I dun my chores and my mother and father stuffed some sosage guts.

Dec Tuesday 30th 84

I dun my chores and my brother Wm Skidmore went to naber and he could get a saw and they was some boys had it and he went up to brother Hyers and he got a saw and we sawed 2 blocks off and we waited a half of a day for John Anderson to catch some caffs and we got theme then I dun my chores and went down to the Tithing Offace and helped my father

Dec Wen 31th 1884

I got my chores and played all the fournoon and my brother killed a rabbit and I went up the Post Offac and I come home and dun my chores and they was 50 head of cattle come up and too men stade to our house all night

Thursday Jan 1th 1885

I fed the stock went with my brothers down to the traps and come home and ate my breakfast then went up to town with Wm my brother and took some chickens around to the poor and I come home and the fokes come down for a visit and they ate dinner and I dranked som beer and I got up to Byrd Harrison store and had to come home and I went up to the dance and danced twice and I come home and dun my chores

Fri Jan 2th 1885

I dun my chore and Wm my brother borrod a saw from brother Monson and I helped to catched some calfs and we sawed one block off from a 3 ft log and sawed another log up all but 2 blocks and I went up the store to git a dance ticket and I come home and dun my chores and got reddy for the danced

Sat Jan 3th 1885

I dun my chores which is feading the cattle and I ate my breakfast and took C H Monsons saw home which we borrod the day befor which was Friday and I come home and took some wood down to the Tithing Offac and made a fire and I come home and my brother went a hunting and I come home and cut some wood and ate my dinner and cut some wood and my brother come back and he killed 2 pigeons and my Uncle Morgan killed 3 ducks and 5 pigeon and he couldent git one of the ducks and he come and he took the 7 pigeons and he give 1 to Justin Knapp and 1 to us and I plade a little while and when my father come home I helped to take cair of the team.

Sun Jan 4th 1885

I done my chores got reddy for sunday school and Wm Keer opened it and T H Merrill talked a little while and John Bornet desmist and come home and wrote in my journal and ate my dinner and went to meeting and brother Rainey give some very good instruction and I come home and don my chores

Mon Jan 5th 1885

I got up and one my chores ate my breakfast got reddy and went to school studied my lessons and come home and went down to the Tithing Offac and got the hay knife and I done my chores and got some excamples

Tue Jan 6th 1885

I done my chores ate my breakfast got reddy for school and recited my lessons and the boys put up the back houses and I come home and went down to the Tithing Offace and come and done my chores

Wen Jan 7th 1885

I don my chores got reddy and went to school and I plaid at noon and when the bell went in the school and I recited my lessons and come home and done my chores and ate my supper

Thu Jan 8th 1885

I got up and done my chores ate my breakfast got reddy and went to school and recited my lessons and at night I come home and done my chores

Fri Jan 9th 1885

I done my chores got reddy and went to school and we didn’t resit my Arithmetic and in the after noon we had a spelling school and the side I was on beet and their was too praizes, red and I desmist school, and come home done my choars.

Sat Jan 10th 1885

I done my chores and it commenced snowing and it was all day and I sawed a little wood and I helped catch some of the Tithing calfs and I come home and I dun my chores

Sun Jan 11th 1885

I done my chores and got reddy for Sunday School and my father told scoloars that they must not tair up their books and I come home and at night I done my chores and went to meeting.

Mon Jan 12th 1885

I got my chores done and wnt to Charles Olsops and I rode up to school a horseback and I done my chores at night

Tues Jan 13th 1885

I fed the stock and then got reddy and went to school and recited my lesson and at noon the boys played police and at night I road home and done my chores

Wen Jan 14th 1885

I got up in the morning done my chores got reddy and went to school and the boys played pleece and at night I come home done my chores

Thu Jan 15th 1885

I done my chores got reddy and went to school recited my lessons and come home and my brother wodent help the others with potatoes and I come home and done my chores

Fri Jan 16th 1885

I done my chores went to school and I dident have any dinner I recited my lessons and at night I come home and done my chores ate my supper and went to meeting and brother Carololia gave some good remarks and then Elder B H Roberts took nearly all of the time he spoke about Jobe and the word of whidsom and Thomas Merrill desmist

Sat Jan 17th 1885

I done my chores and went with my brother Wm went down to the mill and come home and went down to brother Hendrickes mill and come home and done my chores





Sun Jan 18th 1885

I got up and went to sunday school and Wm Merrill tought our class and my brother took us home in the slay and I went to meeting and the brethren give some very good remarks and I come home and ate my supper

Mon Jan 19th 1885

I went to school and recited my lessons and at night I come home fed the cows and horses and I come up to the house and the dog was tairing some cloths and I give him a pounding

Tue Jan 20th 1885

I done my chores got reddy and went to school recited my lessons and I come home and done my chores and then went down to the Tithing Offac and come home and ate my Supper and our hired girl come

Wen Jan 21 1885

I dun my chores and my Father and brother and I went to school and I desmisted school and come home and done my chores

Fri Jan 23th 1885

I done my chores and got reddy and went to school and in the four noon and we had spelling and I refused to resite a resation and we had songs and resations and I come home and went to the theatre

Sat Jan 24th 1885

I cleaned out the stable and beddied it and the pigpen and I helped pack in the wood and went down to the Tithing Offac and go the hay knife and done my chores

Sunday Jan 25 1885

I done my chores and got reddy for Sunday School and it was terable noisy and I come home ate my dinner and went to meeting and my father talked about 20 minutes and then brother Christain spole about a grand panoramana and I come home and done my chores

Mon Jan 26th 1885

I went to school and recited my lessons and I come home and done my chores

Thu Jan 27th 1885

I went to school and at noon they was some boy fighting and I come home and was till moonlight a gitting them done


Wen Jan 28th 1885

I went to school and recited my lesons and at night I went up to Eli Webs to git Harrat Charles Jeorge school Tuition and I come home and done my chores

[pages missing]

Mon Feb 9th 1885

I done my chores got reddy and went to school receited my lesons and come home and done my chores and drawed a map of Europ and got 300%

Tue Feb 10th 1885

I got up in the morening and it had snowed about half a foot and done my chores got reddy and my father took me up to school and S H Bullen desmist school and my father come after me and I done my chores

Wen Feb 11th 1885

I got up in the morening and I had been snowing and I done my chores and my father took me to school and at night I had stay in about 5 minuts and my father came after me and she let me go with gitting 300 hundred words and my Geography and I come and done my chores and I got my words and Geography

Thu Feb 12th 1885

I went to school recited all of my chores and we was writing and my father come after me and I borrod a hay knife and done my chores

Fri Feb 13th

It was storming very heard and I done my chores and went down to the Tithing offac and then went down to the depo with my father and he took a funnel mill there and I got reddy and went to school and it was took up and it was still storming so my father come after me and Charles and me crolled under a quilt and my hat blew of and we stop on the account of that and finely we got home and I got worm, and I bundled up and went out and done my chores and it had slacked up a little and I went down to the Tithing Offace and helped to git some calfs in the barn and I come home and Ch H Monson was here and he showed me his daughter’s picture he red a letter saying she was well and brother Shects come and ate supper with us he come from north and it the storm cominced a little hearder

Sat Feb 14th

I done my chores and I went down to the Tithing Offac and John Anderson gave me a pare of moccisons and went down to depot and I come up home and cleaned out the stable and the pigpen and helped John Olson sharpen his hay knife and got washed all over and done my chores

Sun Feb 15

I went to Sunday School and it was little noisy and I come home anad went to meeting and Henry Hobison spoke about his travle to Arezona the Colorida River was very high and T H Merrill Preached about that which has prophesied

Mon Feb, 16,

I went to school rescited my lessons come home done my chores and helped fill a bed tick

Tue Feb 17th

I done my chores got reddy and went to school and at night my school Teacher told me I hat to write 200 words with 10 letters in for wispern and I come home and done my chores

Wen Feb 18th

I got up a little after 4 o’clock and got some of my lessons and greeced my boots done my chores got reddy and went to school recited my lesons and come home and catched a horse and took caer of him

Thu Feb 19
I done my chores got reddy and went to school recited my lesons done my chores

Fri Feb 20

I done my chores got reddy and come home and Wm. Skidmore and I done my chore




Sat Feb 21th

I done my chores and partly cleaned out the stawl and after my breakfrast I finished it and then cleaned out the pigpen and Thomas Lishman and brother Handson as hole Misheniers come Wm my brother and father halled gravle and done my chores

Sun Feb 22th

I got reddy and went to Sunday school and Thomas Lishmen preached and come home went to meeting and brother Handson spoke and Thomas Lishman spoke and they ate supper and was took too Cove Ville and I done my chores

Mon Feb 23th

I got my chores done and went to school as useal and then recited my lessons and it was very muddy and I come home and plade a little while and went up the the post offace and got a letter and the Deseret Newes

Tue Feb 24

I went to school and recited my lessons and just befor school was out I got a lick acrost my hand and come home and done my chores

Wen Feb 25 and Thu Feb 26th

I went to school and at noon there was nearly all of the boy took after the girls and we had to stay in at recess for dowing so and at Thu Feb 26th 1885 I went to school as useal and at noon I plade foot and a half and in the after noon I recited my lessons

Fri Feb 27th and Sat Feb 28th

I went to school and receited my lessons and at night I started home and I met my father and come home and Saterday Febueary 28th 1885 I cleaned out the pig pens and I went down to Brother Nelsons and I run away down to Brother Webs and plade ball and runsheep and I was very sorry for running a way and I rode up the post offace with George Davis and I got two letters and a paper

Sun Mar 1th

I was purty lay a getting up but my father told me that our had a calf and I though he was a fooling me and as it was inspecked it was so and my Aunt Malinda was nearsing a little baby and come to find out it was my mothers and realy it was a little girl but I went to Sunday school and Brother Burnham spoke to the sunday school but I come home and my brother Charles was taking the grand News around to our relations but I ate my dinner to late to go to meeting

Mon Mar 2th

I went to school and at noon some of the boys stade out a little while to long and she made them take the first Division and they would have to stay in after school and in the after noon there was a young gentleman who is gowing to teach school but I come home done my chores and plade runsheep

Tues Mar 3th

I went to school and my new school master receited nearly all of our after noon lessons and I come home and done my chores

Wen Mar 4th

I went to school and our new teacher taught and I like him purty well and I come home and plade marbel and done my chores

Thu Mar 5th

I done my chores got reddy for school and recited my lesson and the teacher whipped 3 boys for moving a bench and some had to stay in and my brother was with them for lafing then I come home done my chores and my mother was better and still getting better

Fri Mar 6th

I went to school and things went as I expecked and I like my new school teacher purty well and at night I plade foot and a half and then come home and never done any thing mutch the rest of the after noon

Sat Mar 7th

I done my chores and cleaned out the pig pen and I went hunting with my uncle Justin Leronzo Bullen my brother and myself and when we got down to brother Griffens pasture Justin and my self took the horse and went through the N.O. farm Leronzo and my brother follod the river down and they shot 8 shots with moving out of their tracks and uncle Justin killed 2 ducks and one flew up the river and one down so we dident git any of them and finely there – oze 2 ducks come down the river and he shot one but we dident git it and at night Justin and myself rode on the horse but Lorenzo and my brother went up the river and he couldent git it so I come home and my father come from Logen and I helped to take care of the team

Sun Mar 8th

I went to Sunday school and brother Hox which had been on a mission to the Southern and Eastern States which just returned home in the fall he spoke to the Sunday school of latter day sand of Jeas Christ and I come home and fed the pigs there dinner and I went to meeting and brother Hox spoke about his travels of those states and I come home and my father cut the hay for mem so I could feed the cows and I hunted the eggs and got 25

Mon Mar 9th

I got reddy and went to school and Alex Harras gave me some gum and I go all of my lessons purty well except gerogeaphy my school teacher whiped a boy by the name of Orion Griffen which was put nearly crazy and I come home and when we had all of our chores done and supper eatin and studdin their was a stranger come and raped 3 times on the window and my brother said here what are dewing and he wanted the keys to the Tithing Stabels and finely he raped a gain and our hired girl said she wished papa was home he was down to the Tithing Offace and my little brother went and lifted up the window blind and looked at the stranger

Tue Mar 10th

I went to school recited my four noon lessons and at noon I plade ball all noon and my teacher whipped a boy by the name of Walter Monson he got a whipen for the purpose of the one day be fore which was throing mud acrost the room I come home and done my chores

Wen Mar 11th

It was not dripping nor storming I went to school recited my lessons and in the after noon at recess their was 8 are 9 plade the truent and the teacher put their names down on a peace of paper and the next day he keped them in

Thur Mar 12th

I went to school as usual and recited my lesson and plad bal all noon hour and got my lessons purty well and when I heard that my brother had killed a goose and I done my chores

Fri Mar 13th

I went to school and recited my lessons as useal and at noon we had a half a hour but we plaid ball for all of that and in the after noon visitors from the heigh school and some from Logan collage and the school was very noisy and I come home and done my chores
Sat Mar 14th

I cleaned out the pig pen and my brother went a hunting befor day light and when I got the pig pen cleaned out I helped father make a hitching post made a fire burnt the posts carred it up to our small gate helped him put them up and went up the store and got copple of bots 1 ½ inches and my brother come from a hunt and never killed any think I went up to the grass and plade ball a little while and I got my brother Charles ball whitch had got lost a Friday befor so I went up to the post offace and Just as I got their my sister Harrot beat me a little befor and so I come home and my brother William had the tooth ake so bad that he couldent ardly stand it



Sun Mar 15th

I got reddy and went to sunday school and brother Webs class un specked was called to recited the chapter of the bible questions and ancers and brother Write from Odgen and in the afternoon brother Talford spoke which is very old man and brother Burgess addressed the congeration and I come home and my brother and mother still had the tooth ake and I sit near done all the chores

Mon Mar 16th

I went to school and it was raining and I recited my lessons and at night it was raining and got wet nearly through and I done my chores

Tue Mar 17th

I got up in the morng done my chores and went to school and at noon we plade ball and recited my lessons and come home and done my chores

Wen Mar 18th

I went to school and recited my lessons and at night I come home and helped my father put up a step and come in and ate my chores and plade a little

Thur March 19th

I went to school as useal and the sky was clear and the sun shone clearly so at noon I had a game of ball and I was called to order with the bell and at recess their was some plad the truent




Frid March 20th

I went to school and at noon I asked my teacher if I could’en go down to the other school and my teacher said he couldent spair any and at noon their was some scolars come from the other school and when school took up they sent a message for them to go to their school and we went on with our exercises and when school was about to desmis our school Teacher said maby we would have a dance at the end of the Turm

Sat Mar 21th

I cleaned out the pig pen went down to the Tithing Offace throad rocks at the calfs and come home and helped clean out the door-yard

Sun Mar 22th

I went to Sunday school and Thomas Merrill took charge of Sunday school and when it was out it was raining partly but more snowing never went to meeting on the count of that

Mon Mar 23

I got reddy and went to school and recited my lessons and come and done my chores and at night went down to brother Nelsons and plade too are three games

Tue Mar 24th

I ate my breakfast and sister Robison come a running down with a un
expecting thought and that was that Nancy Kennedy had took cramp as soon as she had got in the house father rushed up their and she was dead and my Uncle Morgan Knapp went to snake river and I went to school and recited my lessons

Wen Mar 25

I went to school and the Funiel was at 10 o clock and at night I come home and fed the cows and milked one

Thur Mar 26th

I went to school recited my lessons and at night come home and went back to the store and then done my chores




Fri Mar 27th

I done my chores went to school and at noon I watched the boys play and we had too spelling classes and then I come home and done my chores

Sat Mar 28th

I milked a cow and ate my breakfast and my Parents and our hired girl went to Logan I went down to the T. O. and drove the church team up here and took the cows up come home and drove the team back again and Wm my brother skinned a calf and went home and got my dinner and went back down there and hooked the team up cone up home and cut and planted some potatoes and then my brother went a hunting and I had to feed the cows and pigs and milked 3 cows

Sun Mar 29th

I got washed all over in the tub got redy and went to Sunday School and brother Baker spoke and come home and plad till meeting was out and went to the outsiders Sunday School and it was the first time I had been their and come home and milked 2 cows

Mon Mar 30th 1885

I went to school and receited my lessons and I come home and set the old lewisern and done my chores

Tue March 31

I went to school done all of my lesson come home ate my supper and took some chickens

Wen April 1th

I got up in the morning and it was raining and went to school recited my lesons and come home and went down to the Tithing Offace and put the chickens away

Thur April 2th

I went to school and recited my lessons and at night I come home and went down to the Tithing Offace and hunted the aggs and done my chores




Fri April 3th

I done my chores went to school and a cople a boys had made a mean act and I had to go out and get a willow to whip them with

Sat April 4th

I went up to the store and done some little errands for my mother and cleaned out the pig pen and plade nearly all the time

Sun April 5th

I went down to the T. O. and helped to hook up the team and I come home and my father had milked the cows and there was sent any Sunday School nor meeting and my uncle Justin let me ride his little poney that will be 2 years old in June

Mon April 6th

It was a pretty fair morning and I went to school and my teacher John J James asked me to help hom to make a fire and I got my lessons and I come home at night and hunted the aggs milked two cows

Tue April 7th

I done my chores went to school and recited my lessons and we did not have any noon because it was the last day of school and I plade ball a little and come home and Thomas Richarson was here who in old age and I hunted the ages and rode uncle Justin mair and come home and milked cow

Wen April 8th

I helped to hall some manure I loded and drove the team down to the Tithing Offac and went to my Uncles and droped some potatoes and halled some manure

Thur Arpil 9th

I done my chores plade around home and their was a man come along my father bought some strawbearies and some apple trees

Fri April 10th

Their was some boys come up to our house and plad a little while and my father sat out some shade trees

Sat April 11th

I helped to sat some trees out which 4 and waited till the afternoon and planted some trees

Sun April 12th

I don y chores and got reddy for Sunday school and the brother T Merrill took cair of sunday school and I come home and plade nearly all the time and went after the cows

Mon April 13th

Went down to the T. O. and told my brother that we had to hal some m…… and come to count the strawberries and their was only 40 and which hat art to be 100 and went up to brother Nelson’s to get some strawberries and he did not have time to git them because he had to go on a mishen and went up again and to 403 and come home and went after the cows and helped to clean some strawberries.

Tue April 14th

Went down to the T. O. and plade their about one hower and their was our young calf took sick and father held his mouth till my brother Wm. Pord a quort of sota water down it and we plade a little while and dug _______ and come up to the barn and plade alittle while longer and the deary boys come after the cows

Wen April 15th

The dairy men come up to breakfast I done my chores went down to the T. O. and their were 12 head of cattle just as they were about to start it commenced storming and there was a lot of boys and I had some fun in the born it soon quit storming and they took the cows but they had a hard time getting them of I cleaned out the pig pen and sawed wood the rest of the day while it was not storming

Thur April 16th

I milked 1 cow took them of to the heard and the heard was gon went down to the born and plade a little while and it was storming of and of all day

Fri April 17

I plade a little went down to the T. O. plade a little while come home helped to catch a rabbit and got all wet and went over to our nabords

Sat April 18

Dident do anything till about 10 o’clock and then helped uncle Justin get a large stone up to his door for a step which wade about 600 hundred pounds and I helped dig a ditch

Sun April 19

Went to Sunday school and got through with their exercises come home ate my dinner went to meeting some few men come to preach I come plad ball went up to Beacen Lewises and took some meet and hunted the eggs

Mon April 20th

Drove the cows to the heard helped to post up young trees so the cows would not rub down the trees and I went after the cows

Tue April 21th

Drove the cows to the heard ate my breakfast and went after the horses and found them down by C Hyer Pasture and fetched them home and plade all the rest of the after noon

Wen April 22th 1885

Drove cows to heard come home trimed of some shade trees which is 1 year old went down where Wm was fixen the trees and my uncle Justin Knapp said if I would weigh his little poney he said he would let me ride it and I got them and she would throug me of I come home while was eating my dinner it commenced snowing and halling and it did so all the after noon

Thu April 23th

Drove the cows to heard come home read the minets of the last cort I went to the heard and saw a Galloway Bull which was the first one I had ever seen

Fri April 24th 1885

Milked 1 cow cut a little wood and curried the horses took my sister up to the shoe maker Andersons to git some rose bushes and fooled around a little while and pealed some bark of from the trees and hunted the eggs




Sat April 25th 1885

Helped to hall some _____________ and went a fishen and rosted some wiennies come home done my chores

Sun April 26th

Dooked the cows of with Uncle Justin’s mair went to Sunday school and sister Alsoop, the suptendent of the Primery school called me to hir and she give me and Charles a peace for the aniuel meeting and I went to meeting and brother Taliford spoke and then Pres Merrill give some very good remarks

Mon April 27th

Drove the cows to the heard come home got reddy and went to school for the first day of the tearm Teacher Thomas Merrill and I come home hunted the eggs and I got a setting hen out of a hole.

Tue April 28th

Took the cows to the heard come home got ready for school recited my lessons come home plade ball ate my supper and milked too cows

Wen April 29th

I drove of the cows to heard went to school recited my lessons come home and done my chores

Thu April 30th

Went to school plade ball recited my lessons come home and done my chores

Fri May 1th

I milked one cow and drove all cows to the heard come home ate my breakfast put up my dinner and went up to brother Hendricks with two eggs and some more boys come and I went up to the Post Offace with a letter and come back and stade there about one hour and us boys clubed to gather and to some assid and candy and went a way walking up on the hills and went over the cherry crick and crosted on the north side and some of them on ther other side and because we dident go their they got mad and before we had our dinner un dun they said we was too stingy to give them some but still we give them most of the candy and drank the water assid and suger and I come home



Sat May 2th

Helped to sprout out the Tithing potatoes and in the after noon we cleaned our the born stable which took us about ½ of and hour we did not get the potatoes done

Sun May 3th

Took the cows off to the heard come home and tended a cople of my brothers while the rest went because I had a boil on my neck and there was some girls come down here

Mon May 4th

Drove my cows to the heard but I couldend go to school because my boil was not any beter but in the afternoon twisted a fish line

Tue May 5th

Went up to Walley Burnhams and got the cow blocks and come home helped to cut some potatoes’s and to 11 ½ lbs of carrots

Wen May 6th

Befor I got dressed my brother gave me a birthday present I 12 year old tended to my chores and dug some bate and went a fishen when I was down ther uncle Justin packed me acrosed a puddle of water which was about 8 feet wide but I could not catch any and I done my chores and my older brother gave me a birth day present

Thu May 7th

Took the cows to the heard come back and fasted although I hoed some garden stuff and then I went to school come home and done my chores

Fri May 8

Went to school as usual recited my lessons come home and went down the unle Knapp’s and he made some fishing nines

Sat May 9

Went up to the store and got a bottle of lemon 2 lb of apples and 2 lb of beans come home and hoed a little and I had to go up again to git some curronts and some apples come home finished howeng and went to primary and donated 5 [cents] to it come and done a little

Sun May 10th

Got reddy and went to meeting and their was some very good instructions and I come home ate my dinner and went to meeting again and our new meeting houre was dedacited and went on with the meeting so I come home helped to milk a heffer

Mon May 11th

Milked a cow ate my breakfast went to school recited my lessons and at night I come home went down to the Tithing Offace and got a calf in the born went home and Samul Burjace which I was a quanted with stade all night

Tue May 12th 1885

Milked one cow went down to the T.O. and told some tramps to out of their and come to count them and their was 12 so I come home went to school recited my lessons went after the cows and their was a boy got throad of from a horce but did not hirt him but I come home and milked a cow


Wen May 13th

Milked a cow ate my breakfast got reddy and went to school recited my lessons come home and done my chores

Thu May 14th

Milked a heffer got reddy and went to school recited my lessons come home went down to the Tithing born hunted the eggs and set a cople of hens

Fri May 15th

Went to school and in the afternoon had Grammer and had songs and peaces come home broke some clods

Sat May 16th

Done chores cleaned out the pigpen went down to the T. O. helped to clean out the stable sprouted some potatoes and my unt come up on a visit went to the store




Sun May 17th

Uncle Thomas Richenons come to give my my patericarick o blessing went up to Aunt Malinda’s and went to meeting and a few Elders spoke

Mon May 18th

I milk 2 cows went to school recited my lessons come home hunted the eggs come up home and done my chores

Tue May 19th

Done my chores went to school and at noon I come home for my dinner which was 5 blocks and went back and run a race and went in school recited my lessons come home and done my chores

Wen May 20th

Done my chores plade _______ a little while went to school and recited my lessons come home and broke some clods up and went and hunted the eggs

Thu May 21th

Done my chores and plade pitch quakes got reddy and went to school recited my lessons hoed a little patch of potatoes

Fri May 22th

Went to school and receited my lessons and come home and done all of chores and got reddy and went up to Thoms petties and did not have any fun

Sat May 23th

Done my chores got reddy and went to Logan with T. O. and had to buy my dinner and when was coming home stoped to see some races which was betten on horses

Sun May 24th

I done my chores got reddy for sunday school and red the first, second and Third chapers of Genesis out of the bible went to Sunday school and when it let out I stade to pratic songs for the anuel meeting on the 1th of June 1885 and I stade home and tended to my little brothers



Mon May 25th 1885

Milked 2 cows got reddy and went to school receited my lessons come home and set a chicken

Tue May 26th 1885

Milked 2 cows ate my breakfast got reddy and went to school and learnt all of my lessons come home and done my chores

Wen May 27th
Milked 2 cows went to school recited my lessons and my mother had bought me a pair of overalls and I took a letter to Thomas Petty Post Offac Wm Keer bought a pair of overalls for Charles and also J C Whittle.

Thu May 28th

Milked 3 cows went to school receited my lessons come home and hunted the eggs and done my chores

Fri May 29th 1885

Done my chores went to school which was my last day come home hunted the eggs and fixed a stick to throw a new way

Sat May 30th

Ate my breakfast and furrod out the little garden stuff and then went to the Tithing Offace come home and went to Primary meeting and practiced my peace for the Anuel meeting come home and trimed some trees

Sun May 31th 1885

Got reddy and went to Sunday school and come home and went down to brother Web’s and plade mumble peg and come home and done my chores

Mon June 1th

Done my chores pulled weeds out of the onions got reddy and went to the Annul meeting and spoke a recitation come home and done my chores

Tue June 2th 1885

I helped, to tend the horses borrod a shuvle and went up to George Thompson’s house to see if could have the water and we could not so I come home plade all the time and then done my chores

Wen June 3th

I hoed a patch of cabbag a strawberry patch and in the after nboon went out in the field to water and the man was not quoite done so Wm and I ducked the don in the ditch and went to waterning

Thursday June 4th

Went out in the field and commenced waterning and along the west ditch and washed a lot of potatoes and come home ate my dinner went back and commenced waterning

Friday June 5th

Milked my cows and it started to rain my brother Wm went out to turn the water and got wet with the rain ate my breakfast went down in the Tithing Offace tended to the chickens I came home and never done any thing until
night

Sat June 6th

Went up to Aunt Malinda’s to see S D Bullen but he was not back from Lewiston so I plade with a chip-munk went down to the Coop store and I took letters up to the post offace and got 3 sticks of candy come home and dovided it among the children got reddy and went a fishing and it started to rain and I did not catch any fish so I come home and done my chores

Sun June 7th

Get reddy and helped Alonzo clean up the Stall and when S.S. was out I come home and some boys come up here and plade tended the horses made a swing done my chores went to meeting and brother Moses Thatcher preached

Mon June 8th

Went up to the store got a roast boar to the coop store and come home and had to take back and get one at S H Hobison come and tride to catch some mice and I got my hook and fouled it up and let it loose

Tue June 9th

Went in the field and charred some posts ate my dinner and charred the rest of them for a pasture and went over to the crick to get some water and I fell in the crick and got one leg wet went up the wagon and set in some posts and hooked up the team and come home tended to the team

Wen June 10th

Went in the field charred posts all day exeped when I come home I milked a cople cows

Thu June 11th 1885

Went down in the field waited intill my father got some ploud home ground and shoveled it out and it comenced raining and we maid a fire and comencind working and it comenced raining again and made another fire and ate my dinner went to work and got about 3 thirds up and come home and done my chores

Friday June 12th

My father could not go in the field because he had a bad cold all the same we got along all which was cleanind a ditch out and charred some posts come home went up to my aunt’s to get some __________

Sat Jun 13th

Went down in the field charred 19 posts ate my dinner went in swimming went down to the river come up to the wagon helped to set a few posts I helped to dig some posts holes got reddy and come home

Sun June 12

Got reddy and went to sunday school come home ate my dinner went ot seventies meeting come home done my chores wend to Young mens and ladies meeting

Mon June 15th 1885

Started at the onions and weaded them started on the beens and some peas wenet up to sister Merriles and a spinning sheel

Tue June 16th
Weaded the onions some beets and some boys come up to buy some rabbits done my chores

Wen June 17th

Weaded the carrots tomatoes cucumbers furrod the beens tomatoes strawberries weaded some beans furrod of peas went up to aunt Marian’s got my dinner come home commencing doweng the same

Thu June 18th 1885

I cot cold the day before did not do anything only took some butter up to my aunts and at night had a privet dance and dident let out intil 12m

Fri June 19th

I did not do anything much laid on the bed about all day the cough got pirtty bad

Sat June 20th

Went up to brother Burgewises went to draw some water and the rope broke bucket went in the well tied some sticks to gather and got it again whitewashed a room went a fishing went in swimming all the after noon come home and saw a skunk sented a boys leg

Sun June 21th 1885

Went to Sunday school sweaped the vestry out went through our exercises come home tended my brother while mother went to meeting

Mon June 22th

Went to the store and got some lye come home and it commenced raining and I did not do anything

Tue June 23th

Went down the T. O. come home picked some pear ate my dinner went to took them up to my aunts come home and plade the rest of the time

Wen June 24th

Got the chores ate my breakfast dident do anything on the account of beaing subject to a cough

Thu June 25th 1885

Went down in the field to stretch some wire arount our calf pasture finished one side come home done my chores slep out on the stack




Fri June 26th 1885

Ground some malt took a little up to my aunts went over to Burgesses know one home come home ground a little malt and done my chores

Sat June 27th

Ate my breakfast made some dames to water the lot and I had to go 5 blocks after the water watered the gardin went down in swimming and a little while after worts after that a boy but near got drowned but my brother got him out come home picked some peas

Sun June 28th

Got ready for sunday school shelled some peas before I went to school and I hat to stand out on the acount of the Jublee and I went to meeting

Tue June 30th 1885

We hoed 9 roes of potatoes picked a mess of peas ate my dinner went down in the field and helped hoe 3 quorters of and acor dome home and done my chores

Wen Jul 1th
Went down to the T. O. and watched them brand and mark the cattle so they could put them in the pasture went up to the post offace and got a letter

Thu July 2th

Done my chores thinned out some beets and did not do any thing all day

Fri July 3th

Watered onions and the water was stoped of and after while it come down and watered Beets carrots and some Beens

Sat July 4th

My Uncle come and wake me up because it was the 4 of July done my chores and the people marched down here and I went up in town with my brother and I come home ate my dinner went in town and looked at them

Sun July 5th 1885

Got reddy and went to sunday School come home ate my dinner went to meeting had some good instructions and plaid the rest of the day

Mon July 6th

Went to work in the little shade trees done my chores

Tues July 7th

Aug Monday 10th 1885

Went up to Johan Anderson’s to get harness come home went down in the field rode the horse to plow in ditches and he fell down and I ate my dinner and went down to hoe and after that I went in swimming

Aug Tuesday 11th

Took the horses down to J Johnson to take a machanic up to our 5 A peace so he could cut it and I helped to shock it up come home ate my dinner sharpened the ax and helped to rig up for the canian

Aug Wensday 12th

Done my chores got ready and went to the canun and went up to the drag road for the first time and thout I would never git to the top and when retearned my father cut the logs my brother smoked it and when got a lot we had to drop some of it took that down went back after the rest hooked then to gather gownd the house broke a tug and fixed it went down put on the lode was gowing down the canine I went to sleep and broke another tug and finished my jorny and never got home till half past 9 o’clock

Aug Thursday 13th

I done my chores wond quoils to weave ate my dinner went down to the Excurison and know one of our folks come I went down to the tithing Offace and met one of our hired girls friend come up and so I done my chores

Aug Friday 14th 1885

I done my chores ate my breakfast went to work and made a little wagon ate my supper and done my chores

Aug Saterday 15th

Tearned the water on the gardin hooked the horses up took a cople of wamon over the river went to one place and I plade on a cordian come home put up the team ate my supper and done my chores

Aug Sunday 16th

Got ready and went to sunday school come home ate my dinner stade home watched the melons and I went down to brother Nelsons and plad a little while

Aug Monday 17th

I cleaned som cabbage seads went up to the chores went down to John Johnson and went a boat riding for the first time I ever was in a boat and I had a good time and come home

Aug Tuesday 18th

I got up in the morning done the chores got ready and went down in the field helped to shock up 2 rounds on the wheat went after the calf but did not find it went to the buggy and ate my dinner helped to water the horses went a boat riding and come home

Aug Wendsay 19th

Went down in the field finished shocking up the wheat shoked up some oats ate my dinner finished shocking up went after a calf found it in Frank Robinson’s Pasture and we got it in our owne pasture went over to pount and had a boat ride come home done my chores

Aug Thursday 20th

I done my chores ate my breakfast dident do any thing all day

Aug Friday 21th

I did not any thing stade home and done my chores

Aug Saterday 22

Done my chores turned the water on the lot started up to aunt Malinda’s to get her horse and saddle but Lorenzo H Bullen was fatching the horse down my father went to Logan I stade home and tended the Tithing Offace while the boys went to bathe it comenced raning still cep on raining of and on went down to the Tithing stacks ran races with some boys went up to Uncle Justins and ran with Briggy Hyer and out ran him and comencing to cry





Aug Sunday 23th

Done my chores did not go to School because it was raining ate my dinner went out and got a water meolin went down to brother Nelsons plade a little while come home done my chores ate my supper went down

Aug Monday 24th

I done my chores ate my breakfast did not do anything ixeped hooking up the horses so he could take the fanning mill home

Aug Tuesday 25th 1885

I done my chors ate breakfast went down to the T. O. maid grain until noon went home ate my dinner had the head ake went a sleep went down to brother Nelsons some got on a horse went to see if I could git some rakins

Augs Wensday 26th

Done my chores ate my breakfast hookep up the team took the loom home come home ate my dinner staid to the T. O.

Aug Thursday 27th 1885

I ate my breakfast was cleaning out the pig pen a pig got out ate a water melon went down to the T. O. to see Wm shout ________done my chores

Monday Sep 14th 1885

Done my chores ate my breakfast tride to make a wire ship tended the baby got dinner went down to T. O. stade down therir alittle while hooked up the horses went up to T. Griffens to git a hind axletree wen we was gowing I got 5 [cents] worth of candy

Tuesday Sep 15th

I got up on the old house took the saddle boards off comenced tairing down the chimely toar of the shingles Wm my brother come and helped me we toar rafters ate my dinner took the ceiling and started to take away the lining ate my supper

Wen September 16th 1885

Milked 2 cowes ate my breakfast helped to tair away some dobys took down the logs took up the flower

Thirsday September 17

Toar the roof off the house bought a few peaches ate my dinner took down the lath

Friday Sept 18th
[no entry]

Thu September 24th 1885

Done my chores ate my break-fast went up to sister Brights to git some rossom for the tooth ake and stid dowind dewing any good it made it ake

Wen September 25th 1885

Done my chores at my breakfast and to marge eavening went down on sitycrick hunting but did not kill anything

Justin Albert Skidmore Life Sketch

This brief biographical life summary was provided by David Skidmore and was transcribed by him. David reports that this document was found on the microfilmed journals of William Lobark Skidmore. He does not recall if what he transcribed was handwritten or type written, but thinks it was probably typewritten because he (David) bothered to note that the initials were signed.
Justin Albert Skidmore died in 1955, so this is an incomplete portrait of his life.

My mother has in her possession one of the medals won for butter making mentioned in this document. I'll try to take a picture of it next time I am home to add to this blog.



Delta Aug 27, 1941

I was born a twin (to Judson Alfred who died in infancy) May 6 1873, Richmond, Utah. Whooping cough left bad lung troubles for life, had to keep away from grain or hay dust. Among my first teachers were Maggie Thompson, Elmer Barrett, Joseph Campbell and Mrs. Fannie (Gibbs) Stoddard and C.Z. Harris and Thomas H. Merrill. (Also J.H. Paul and Wm W. Kerr at B.Y.C.).

In 1894 worked at saw mill on South Moody Creek, 22 miles from Rexburg Idaho, operated by Uncle Morgan Knapp and others. While there lost four toes in a circular saw, which laid me up from June 3rd to November but which healed in time without leaving me seriously crippled. (Strange that the large toe was not also cut off). It healed up finally while I getting out wood in the canyon and when there was snow on the ground.

Commenced working in the Union Creamery in Richmond the following holiday time. In the summer of 1896 became foreman. Remained in this and the Condensed Milk factory which bought it out, for a period of eleven years. Exhibited butter and cheese at the Utah Dairy Convention in Salt Lake City and took sweepstakes of both.

Next I sold out and became foreman of the Rush Valley Farming Co. in Vernon and Benmore, Toole Co., which had been organized by a number of B.Y. College instructors and other Cache Valley business men. I carried on a dry farm project and operated a Reeves steam engine, holding thousands of acres for a time. Remained here 14 years and then went to Delta. Charles and I owned the Jorgenson’s homestead.

Dry farming in Rush Valley did not prove very successful. The trying times of the valley need not be mentioned in the write-up. The Lord gave the best girl on earth for a companion. She, Emoret Stoddard Skidmore, bore me seven sons and two daughters. One son died April 11, 1918 and Emoret Apr. 19, 1918.

The Fall of 1920 moved all my belongings to the bank of the Sevier River, 1 mile west of Delta, Millard Co., Utah. Though certain reverses and failures followed here also with the years, yet I have never been sorry for coming here.

After rearing eight motherless children for nine years I married Rachel Ann Thompson Allen, Oct. 5 1927, in the Salt Lake Temple. She is the mother of four sons and seven daughters, all alive save one. All our living children are married but three sons, two of mine and one of hers. These three are away from home and making good. We two live by ourselves in a little humble cottage in Delta by the side of the way, happy and taking notice of things around us.

Baptized 1881, ordained teacher 1891, ordained Elder 1895, ordained Seventy 1905, ordained High Priest 1914, President of Benmore Branch 1914, 1st Counselor to Bp Israel Bennion of Benmore Ward 1915. Member of Deseret Stake Sunday School Board 1922 (2nd Assistant and later 1st Assistant) nine years on the board; Manager of Church Welfare Storehouse of Deseret Stake, Mar 20, 1940; 1st Counselor to Pres Eugene E. Gardiner of Deseret Stake High Priest Quorum, Mar 24 1940; these two positions and that of Ward Teacher I now hold.

(signed) J.A.S.

William Lobark Skidmore wagon driver

This rememberance is excerpted from of William Lobark Skidmore Journals, page 222; September 10 1913. This is on the third reel of microfilmed journals available at the Church Historians Office. I love it for it's honest recollection of hardship, service and youthful judgement.

"Wed 10 Unloading fruit, Feeling very much under the weather. Not much doing. Morgan Knapp and wife called. 50 years ago today I returned to Richmond from a 5 months trip across the plains and mountains to Florence Nebraska and return. I drove a team of 4 yoke of Oxen. Was called by the Bishop Merrill. There were (p. 223) nine of us. 8 teamsters and 1 night guard. We joined a company of 60 wagons. W. B. Preston was our captain. Our mission was to bring Mormon emigrants to Utah. The emigrants came by steamboat, and landed at Florence where we received them. I had a man and wife and her mother. We were a jolly lot of young men. I was only 18 1/2 years of age and about the youngest and smallest one of the number. Our food was furnished by the people of the ward. About 3 weeks we had eggs molasses and salt pork. We were furnished with 5 gallons of whisky, to be used for sickness and special purposes. It was not needed for sickness, so we used it for special purpose which lasted about 2 weeks, and then the whisky was all gone. But my! there were some hilarous times while it lasted. Then our provisions simmered down to straight flour and pork. I was assistant cook. Eli Harris was the cook and I fried the pork, and Eli cooked the bread in the grease. When I had fried 8 frying pans full of bacon, and Eli had cooked 3 dozen flap jacks in the grease from the bacon our meal was ready. And that was our only & unchangeable fare morning noon and night for four months."

Justin Albert Skidmore & Children

This is a photo of Grandpa Justin Albert Skidmore taken about 1919.
Left to Right, Top:  Robert Arland (Arland), Albert LeRoy (Albert), Evan
Justin (Evan), John Reed (Reed), Bottom Row: Agnes Emoret (Agnes), Meryl
Stoddard Meryl), Justin Albert Skidmore (Father), Relia Sarah (Relia),
William Kenneth (Kenneth).

This photograph was provided by David Skidmore a grandson of Justin Albert Skidmore.

Edward Partridge

Born 27 August 1793 in Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts to William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Edward was a successful hat maker in Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio when he heard of the gospel.
He was married to Lydia Clisbee with six children when he made the trip in mid-winter to see for himself. There is some thought that he went at the instigation of friends and neighbors who trusted his judgement.

He arrived in Fayette, New York and was convinced almost on sight of the prophetic call of Joseph Smith. He wanted to be baptized immediately and the story is that Joseph thought it could wait till the next day.

His life would never be the same. He would be called to be the first presiding bishop of the church. He would struggle to know what to do with a prophet a thousand miles away in Ohio while Edward was in Missouri in a calling without precedents. He would be chastised in revelation and praised in revelation. He seems to have accepted both with meekness.

He was subjected to tarring and feathering while in Missouri and the expulsion of the Saints from Missouri was something from which he never physically recovered. He died in Nauvoo on 17 May 1840.

There are extensive biographies written on Edward Partridge.

He wrote the words to Hymn #41, "Let Zion in her Beauty Rise"

Lydia Clisbee

Lydia Clisbee (or Clisby) was born to Merriam Howe and Joseph Clisbee on the 26 Sept 1793 in Marlbourgh, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

She married Edward Partridge 22 Aug 1819 in Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. They would have a prospers life together for ten years and give it all up when they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

They were the parents of at least six children. They would move to Missouri at the bidding of the Lord.

She would have survived the problems and displacements of the Missouri era of the church only to have her husband die while in the middle of building a home for the family in Nauvoo.

She married again, William Huntington, who died at Mt Pisgah, Iowa. She would make the trek west. At one point in time she was directed by Brigham Young to sell the land in Independence, Missouri that was in the name of her deceased husband, Edward Partridge. Her husband had been bishop of the Church and had land in his name that belonged to the church. She was the only legally authorized agent to sell this land and his heir.

She spent her last years in the Millard County area with her children. She died 08 un 1878 in Oak City, Millard Co., Utah.

She wrote the following Acrostic for her son Edward.

Each day let all your actions be
Devoid of strife or enmity
Walk in the way thy father trod
Attend his council which was good
Remember in thy youth, thy God
Desire to know his holy word

Prepare thyself thy place to fill
And seek to know thy Master's will
Repent of all thy faults each day
Try to pursue the heavenly way
Refuse not counsel from thy friend
Improve thy time til time shall end
Depart from sin, make truth thy choice
Grim death may come with all his force
even that day thou mayest rejoice

Lydia Partridge

Lydia was the daughter of Edward Partridge and Lydia Clisbee.
She was born 08 May 1830 in Painseville, Lake Co., Ohio and knew from infancy the challenges of the new church her parents had joined. Her childhood was spent in Missouri in desperate poverty and her father died in Nauvoo when she was ten years old. She spent her early teen years in Nauvoo; her later teen years on the plains of Iowa and Nebraska, and her early twenties in a newly settled Salt Lake Valley. Her husband would move his families to Millard County so they could be near each other.

She would marry Amasa Lyman as a polygamous wife 07 Feb 1853. Her sisters Eliza and Caroline were also wives of Amasa and the three sisters worked together to survive and raise their children.

One of the things Lydia did was make gloves of buckskin. The sisters were very poor, but worked together and loved each others children. Lydia was the mother of four children.

She died at a young age having been ill for some time prior to her death, 16 Jan 1875. She was buried in Fillmore, Millard Co., Utah.

Amasa Mason Lyman

I love this picture because he looks so sad - and I think he was. At age 62 (about 1875) he was struggling, having been in the leading counsels of the church he was attracted to another spiritual philosophy and confused. He was estranged from at least some of his polygamous wives because of these beliefs. He was excommunicated from the church after having been reproved once for his preaching contrary to the gospel. Before his death in 04 February 1877 he bought some paper and the family believes that he intended to write in regard to these issues but he never did use that paper. Pride seems to have stood in his way.

A daughter, Martha Lyman Roper tells of having heard his voice calling from beyond a river - she called back asking what could she do? The answer came that Francis would know what to do. Francis was serving in the Quorum of the Twelve and would present his father's claim for restoration of blessings. The petition was granted and his blessings were restored through the man who had taken his place in the Quorum of the Twelve when he was excommunicated.

As a boy, Amasa (pronounced in the family Amassee) had been left with his grandfather when is mother remarried and then left with an uncle when his grandfather died. He was in a way a homeless child who found a spiritual home in the gospel. He was born 30 Mar 1813 in Lyman, Grafton, New Hampshire to Martha Mason and Roswell Lyman.

Amasa Mason Lyman spent his life in the service of the Lord, he was known for the power of the sermons he preached. He was often homeless, yet had eight wives and at least 30 children. His wives often found themselves alone as he went on mission after mission. He was one of the first settlers of San Bernadino, California.

Enoch Bartlett and Anna Hall Home

David Sessions

David was the son of David Sessions and Rachel Stevens. He was born 4 April 1789 in Vershire, Orange Co., Vermont. He died 11 August 1850 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah.
His first wife was Patty Bartlett.

Patty Bartlett

Patty is a well known character in church history because she kept an extensive journal over many years. These journals have been annotated by Donna Toland Smart and published.

Patty was born to Enoch Bartlett and Anna Hall on the 7th of February 1794, in Bethel, Oxford Co., Maine. She married David Sessions 13 Jun 1812 and Died 14 Dec 1893 in Bountiful, Davis Co., Uah.
After David died she married John Parry. Both of her husbands took polygamous wives and that was a trial for her. She was known for being a midwife and for her industrious work habits.

This sampler done by Patty was used as an illustration in the Ensign Magazine in recent years. She was weaving and knitting into old age.

Cyril Call

Cyril Call was the grandfather of Fanny Emoret Loveland. He was born 29 un 1785 in Woodstock, Windsor, Vermont. He married Sally Tiffany in 1805 (her given name might have been Sarah)

I know of two pictures of him. One shows him with one eye closed and dro0ping as if he has Bell's Palsy or some such condition.

Fanny Emoret Loveland

Fanny Emoret Loveland was born 13 Dec 1838 in Amherst, Loraine Co., Ohio. Her parents were Chester Loveland and Fanny Call. She Died 14 My 1917 in Bountiful, Davis Co., Utah.

Perrigrine Sessions

Perrigrine Sessions was the son of Patty Bartlett and David Sessions on 15 Jun 1814 in Newry, Oxford, Maine. He was the husband of eight women. I don't have sorted out which children belonged to which women. He married Fanny Emoret Loveland 13 Sept 1852 and promptly went on a mission. She was very young at the time. He died 3 Jun 1893 in Bountiful, Davis Co., Utah.

Donna Toland Smart has written a book titled, "Exemplary Elder" that details his life.

Agnes Emoret Sessions

Agnes Emoret Sessions was born 26 Mar 1851 in Bountiful, Davis Co., Utah. She was the child of Perrigrine Sessions and Agnes Emoret Loveland. She married at the young age of fifteen and was the mother of fourteen children. She grew up in a polygamous family. Her mother and a sister wife were blood relatives and raised their families together. She died 21 Jan 1913 in Richmond, Cache Co., Utah.

John Telford

John Telford was an Irishman, born 2 Mar 1892 in Armagh, Ulster, Ireland. At this time, I know little about him. He married Jane Telford, possible a cousin of some sort. They were the parents of Anna Telford who married Charles Henry Stoddard. They were the grandparents of John Robert Stoddard. John Telford died 19 Jan 1896 in Richmond, Cache Co., Utah.

John Robert Stoddard

John Robert Stoddard was the son of Charles Henry Stoddard and Anna Telford. He was born 26 Jan 1855 in Bountiful, Davis Co., Utah. He died 13 Mar 1920 in Richmond, Cache Co., Utah.
He was married to Agnes Emoret Sessions 25 Sept 1876 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were the parents of 14 children.

Lydia Ackerman

I don't have a picture of Lydia Ackerman but I have recently come across information that she wrote herself about the early years of her life.  (edit March 2013 - A picture came to my attention so it has been added  here.)
 

I was maried to Silas Knapp in the year 1821 in July. 1825 July the 10 my son Albert was born Mo in the town of Antwerp, Jefferson Co New York. My daughter Melvina was born in the town of Champion, Jefferson County September the 8 in 1827. My daughter Marinda M was born May the 22 in 1830 in the town of Champion, Jefferson County, State of N Y. My son William was born July the 8 in 1840 in the town of Teray, Jefferson Cou, NY. My daughter Emma Amelia was born in January the 18, 1843 in Nauvoo, Hancock Co, Illinois. My daughter Eliza Sarinda was born in April the 6, 1848 in Potowatamie, Ill.
My two oldest children are dead; Albert and Melvina
Provo City 1880

I Lydia Ackerman was born May the 3 185 (eighteen five) in the town of Galiway, Sarytoga County New york state in the year of 188 (eighteen eight) my father and family moved to Jefferson County, New york and there bout a farm and we resided their til I was maried in 1821. My Husband Silas Knapp bought a farm in the town of Antwerp Jefferson Cou New york in 1823. There was a revival of religeonist and previous to this I had experienced relegion and joind the Baptist at the age of twelve years old and I believed in one Lord one faith one Baptism by Immersion and allways felt anxious to see a church that was endowed with the gifts that was in the Church in the days of Christ and the Apostles.

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and in the year of 1823 I went to my secret place to pray and when I prayed that I might see a Church adorned with all the gifts that were in the Church in the days of Christ and the Apostles and a voice spoke over my head Daughter be of good cheer for thou shall have the desire of thy heart I felt filed with joy and love to God I felt humble I came back to the house and told my Husband he pokd at it and it took no efect on him when I went to meting I told my Baptist Brothers and Sisters I believed I would see the day when their would be a Church having all the gifts that were in the Church of Jesus and the Apostles and they said I was deluded I was getting insane they said I never would see that day but I held on to that faith til the year 1834 I heard a man say the fulness of the Gospel was restored buy revelation for the angels were sent from heaven to Joseph Smith to resote the Gospel and the Priesthood and such a serman I never heard before it thriled through my hul sistim I had been afflicted fore 4 years vary poor health I asked the man to pray for me in the name of jesus that I might be healed and he laid his hands on my head and prayed the Lord would heal me and I was healed I was healed and I felt to prais God with all my Soul Might mind and strengh I went forth and was babtised and I received such light as I never had before

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I got the Book of mormon I read its pages through and found the same Gospel that I found in our bible the history of a peple on the (south?) had received the Gospel preached buy the Saviour and the Apostles Ive had many testimonies of the truth of this work in this dispensasion of the Gospel I’ve been healed by the power of God through the administration of the Priesthood by the laying on of the hands of thoes who has been ordained and set a part for that purpus and I have seen others healed by the same power my time has been spent in laboring in this Church ever since the year 1834 I came to Nauvoo in 1842 the December 25 and stayed til the next spring me and my Family moved to Shockocon 25 miles from Nauvoo

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and there we all had the ague and feaver and continued to be sick the hul summer me and my family recoverd so as to be tolerable comfortable but my Husband Silas he continued sick he died in a short time after Joseph and hiram Smith was Marterd my Husband was buried in Nauvoo there to lay til the morning of the resurection I was left vary destitute my Husband was sick no able to doa days work after we came to Shockocon we had no home of our own we lived in a rented house me and my son Albert rented a piece of ground that next summer after my Husband died and we raised our bread and some mellons
and sold them and gather means to get away from that place for the mob was thretning us every day and night that we

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could get but vary little rest well we come to Nauvoo in 1846 and from there to Salom and stoped there a few weeks and the mob began to be hostile and we lad to leave that place and goe to Osgalusia and we thought to stay there for a while and I was Maried to Docter George Coulson we had not ben there but a few days until the mob thretened to drive us out buy force if we did not goe willingly we fixt ourselves and started on our journey to Ioa and there we stoped and made a farm and built houses and made ourselves comfortable and then my Husband tuck sick and died and the mob was thretning us again and the litle branch of the church thout best come to the Vally of the mountain

all in (ways?) well I had to leave my farm all my efects that the mob had not tacen the mob had taken my valuble property and caried of such as could be caried they went into the blacksmith shop and took two sets of tools besides severals plowshiers and loads of grain and potatoes and Cows and hogs and took them and they want satisfied they come into my house and took my furniture and quilts and 5 trunks and they took my chairs and dishes horce worth (?) and stove and looking glass and left me allmost destitute then I don the best I could and got ready and come to U Lak and here Ive laboured vary hard to get a living and when the grass hopers came and destroyed our crops we had but vary little to eat we were drove to eat nettles for greens and dig segoes and such them to eat

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Well in all this it did not leson my faith in the Gospel that I had embraced I kenw that God was at the helm and would bring the Ship safe to shore my testimony is I kow I have embrced the Gospel jesus tough his Desiples revieled to Joseph Smith by angels als by Christ the son of God I feel to witness by the same spirit it is true and the help of the Lord I feel the Saviour to follow the Saviour and finish my mission and receive my reward here is my potograph for you to look upon your great Grandmother Lydia Coulson the wife of George Coulson

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I lydia Ackerman had A dream I had at the age of 12 years old

I dreamed I walked with Salina Brooks through a piece of woods til we come to the riverjordan I said to Salilna I going to cros over into the land of canan she said the water was deep and I could not waid it but I said I could fly over if she would get on my back I would carry her over she got on my back and I flew over into the land of Canan it was a beautiful place then I woke up and found myslef in bead but I felt happy to think of that beautiful place I soon had a letter from Salina she said she had experienced religionl

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I had another dream

I was walking through the same woods with Eliza the sister of Salina I went with Eliza til we come to the river jordon I said to Eliza Im going to cros over this river into the land of Canon if you will get on my back I will carry you over I caried Salina ove and can carry you acros she said no I never shall see that place I left her and flew over to the land of Canon I was awake again and found my self in bead about 4 years after this I dreamed I walded with Eliza through the same woods and came to a road where there much travel I took the right hand road and she took the left hand road I said to her don’t you
That road the right hand road is to get heaven she said no I cant goe to heaven I must goe to hell I said goe with me to heaven but she turned to the left and I to the right I went a few steps I heard her call me I looked behind me she was in a pit with both her hands reached as high as she could rais them but I could not help her I traveld on til I came to a very large house so large I could not describe it at the door stood a man he said to me Daughter enter thou in he took me by the hand and lead me into the house it was ful of pepole drest in white all praising God I was happy there I wakend with surprise to find my self in bead a short time the news came to me that this same Eliza had

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hung herself the bible says no murderrer has eternam life in them after this I heard there was an apointment for a Mormon Preacher to be at our school house I told my Husband and my cousin I wanted to goe to hear him Preach well my heart beat with anziety my cousin said Ill hitch up his team and take me to the meting I went and after I got seated the Elder came in he was the same man I see in my dream that lead me into that big house and he is the man that Baptized me into this Church the latter day Saints and I vear witn001eys to the truth of this work in this last dispensation this is from Grandmah Coulson now Seventy 6 the 3 day of May

Albert Knapp

Albert Knapp born the 10th of Jul 1824 in Antwerp, Jefferson Co., New York. He served in the Mormon Battalion. He married Rosina Shepard 07 Jan 1849. They had at least six children. He had at least one other wife.

Albert Knapp left his family to pursue mining interests.
He wrote the following letter to persuade one of his daughters to join him.


Dec. 11, 1863
"Dear Daughter [Malinda]:
I receivedf your kind letter last Satuday on the way to the city on business. It ound me in better health than I have been sine last January, the cause I will tell you before I get through.

I saw Survina and John. She and little Johnny were well but his father had been very sick, but he was getting better. They have plenty to eat and wear.

You say you are all well and going to school and step-father is kind to you. I tell you I was truly glad to hear of that and to get those little tender lines written by my own daughter's hand.

I want you write as often as you and I will answer.

You say I have forgotten the ear rings I promised you and Armina. Have you forgotten the Coledonias I sent by Hiram Judd to make sets of to put in them? I you have kepp them until I see you and I will keep my promise.

Bishop Hess and Lott Smith promised me before I left home that my famioy should not suffer while I was gone.

Your mother worked very hard and I will tell you a little what I was doing. I was prospecting for money to send to you and to help myself with. I aws traveling the first summer I left home among the Indians[savage] where my life was in danger all of the time and many and many's the day I had to go hungry and without water to drink and traveling over those hot deserts an sometimes I would get a rabbit and sometims I wouldn't.

Thus I passed off the time when John Hess and I discovered leads in Eldorado Canyon. We located them leads for ourselves and others and formed a company so as to get enough to help ourselves with and get machinery to get out the money with. Thus I worked the next summer from 14-16 hours a day and I wrote your mother every opportunity and told her if she could get along a couple of years longer we would have plenty.

And while I was riding to gather grass for the mules I received a private injury that will last me as long as I live, and I have not done a day's work in the apst year.

One year ago on th 8th of this month I sold Levi Parsons $2,500 worth of the company and went with him to San Fransico to be paid. Providence has seen fit to lead me to this tresury and I am now in possession of means to help myself and my children. I have got it by hard licks the same as I have always got my living and I intend to enjoy som of it myself. When my children can see fit to come to live with me, they can help me enjoy it; While I live and after I am gone. Tell Silas I am glad he is mindful of his father. O I wish I could see and talk with you.

If you were here I could give you a better education than it is possible to get there. There are many young ladies here of your age and older that have a good education to reading, writing, and music. They can sit down adn take the accordian out or the piano and enterain guests and they can have an agreeabale time together with everything else around them to make them happy. o, my children, I cannot explain to you the beauties of this country and climate. It is raining a slight mist and it is warm and the grain is just beginning to start and people are beginning to plow.

I do not know you will believe the half I have written so I will quit. So, goodbye children. Write, I want to hear from you all. Malinda will write for you.

From Albert Knapp to Malinda, Armina, Silas, Justin, Willis and Morgan

He died as a result of a mule kick and was buried in Centerfield, Alameda Co., California.