Taken from http://alumni.byu.edu/chapters/pdf/globalization.pdf -
The Globalization of the Church Educational System
Elder Joe J. Christensen, San Diego Temple president, emeritus First Quorum of Seventy,
and former Church Education System associate commissioner
19 August 2001
The seriousness with which the Brethren have taken that responsibility to carry
the gospel to all the world is evidenced by so many of the early mission calls to elders to
leave their families and go into the far reaches of the earth. Among my own family’s
ancestors, Robert Owens, a great-great-grandfather, marched with the Mormon Battalion,
and, when released from his military obligation in San Diego, California, made his way
to the Salt Lake Valley, where he was reunited with his wife and the surviving children—
three of the others his wife Catherine had buried at Winter Quarters.
Within just a few years, he experienced one of those calls over the pulpit in the morning
session of a general conference in 1852. He was called again to leave his family—to go
on a mission to India and Australia, with the assurance that the announced missions were
"generally, not to be very long ones; probably from three to seven years will be as long as
any man will be absent from his family."10 To respond to such calls required great faith
because you can't get much farther away from home than that!
________________________________________________
Taken from Mormon Pioneer Website at: http://www.xmission.com/~nelsonb/nmsrch.cgi
http://www.mormonbattalion.com/history/roster.shtml
January 5, 2003 -
Owens, Robert, 1846, NA, Co. B-private, Pioneers and Prominent Men pages 43-45
Owens, Robert, 1850, 0, NA, 1850 Utah Census from Microfilm 25540
Owens, Robert, 1850, 1, NA, 1850 Utah Census from Microfilm 25540
Owens, Robert, 1850, 33, NA, 1850 Utah Census from Microfilm 25540
Owens, Robert T., 1850, 33, NA, 1850 Utah Census from Microfilm 25540
_____________________________________________
From: Barbara Stoddard
To:
Date: 8/19/02 3:25:05 PM
Subject: Robert Owens
Dear Angie and Cheryl,
We just returned home from a wonderful vacation in Utah and Nevada to visit family. A secondary goal was to visit and photograph family gravestones in Utah. While at the Parowan Cemetery I found a very interesting and amazing double grave stone. It was for Thomas Robert Owens born June 4, 18?0 in Glenmorgan,Wales. He was married to Margaret Evans Owens who was also born in Wales. The stone is hard to read in the photograph but if you think this might be your family I will enlarge it so I can make it out. The stone gives their dates and places in Wales they were born. Our Robert Owens married a Martha Evans Owens and also lived for a while in Parowan, but the T. Robert Owens and Margaret Allen is not our family. Our Robert was born in Delaware and Martha Allen was born in Kentucky. Our Robert died and is buried in Los Angeles. Martha is buried in Smithfield, Utah. Our Robert and Martha had a daughter named Margaret. The names were so similar I kept wondering if they were related but not being contemporaries and coming from Wales. We also went to the Daughters of Pioneers (DUP) museum in Salt Lake City. In the photo files there was a T. Robert Owens. Must be the same family but not our line. If this is your family you will want to know there were other family members related to this T. Robert Owens in the Parowan Cemetery. Let me know if I can be of any assistance. Sincerely, Barbara
________________________________________
From Mary Waller - on 9/30/02 4:30:35 PM
Hello Angie
I made a couple errors yesterday as I wasn't on my home computer. George's middle name is William and Brigham is another child of Robert and Catherine's.
Elmer Fredrick was born in 1907 not 1908
Marlyn Fredrick (Fred) was born 19 Jan 1938 d. 16 Jan 1991 m. Sharon Anderson 18 Jun 1961
Burton Eldean (Burt) b. 23 Mat 1939 d. 1983
Elmer McNamara b.1 Nov 1936 d. 30 Jun 1996 m. Lillian (Lilly) ?? (her last name starts with an S and is not Baker).
Thanks and sorry for the misinformation the first time. Serves me right for trying to do that from the top of my head.
Mary Waller
Don't have a phe right now will let you have it when I do.
_________________________________________________
From: "joc2"
To: "Angie Sullivan"
Subject: More on Nephi article
Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2001 08:26:28 -0600
Angie,
I tried to call you last evening, but you were not home. I was just going to hit base. Well email works also, then a person can pick up on it when they have time. Sometimes I get busy and miss a day on the computer. My husband's health is not great, he has good days and bad days.
I believe I may have sent you the sheet I wrote up on Nephi's Court info from Salt Lake. If so, I found a note that I had written after the info to the effect that Robert was on a mission at that time. Needless to say, I had my years mixed up in my head 1852 instead of 1862. Robert was of course living in Las Angeles at the time Nephi got into trouble. I just wanted to correct this information
I don't know where my head was at that time, guess that I was researching too many things at the same time.
I ran across a newspaper article the other day about the shooting of Arthur Sullivan. If you don't have a copy and would like one let me know.
Take care, and keep in touch
Love,
Your cousin, Merla
___________________________________________
Taken from gencircles on September 19, 2002 -
Robert Owens 1 2 SmartMatches
Birth: 10 Jul 1818 in Dover, Kent, Delaware 1
Death: 9 Nov 1883 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 1
Sex: M
Father: Edmund H. Owens
Mother: Margaret Turner
Burial: Nov 1883 Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 1
Changed: 14 Dec 1999 1
Baptism: 21 Sep 1844 Ohio
Reference: 1-12
Catherine Ann Williams (Wife) 1 Marriage: 1837 in Franklin County, Ohio Children:
1. Nephi William Owens
2. Jerome Owens
3. Sarah Owens
4. Josephine Owens
Martha Evans Allen (Wife) 1 Marriage: 7 MAR 1850 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah Children:
1. William Owens
2. Margaret Owens
3. Mary Ann Owens
4. Joseph Owens
5. Rial Owens
Individual:
Some researchers state:
Robert Owens born: 10 July 1818 Dover, Kent, DE; Died: 9 November 1883 Los Angeles, L, CA, Married: Catherine Ann; Father's name: Williams Edmond Owens Mother's name: Margaret Tur(ner) [141815.ged]
!OCCUPATION: Farmer by trade
!BORN: LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596 lists sources & variations
!PARENTS:LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596 lists sources
!MARRIED 1):LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596 lists sources
Sld. to Catherine then married & sld. to Martha in his home i n Salt
Lake, Utah Terr. by Heber C. Kimball, Wit. Brigham Young & Th os.Bullock
source - Nauvoo living Sealings Records pg. 751 film #183373
!CHILDREN 1):LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596 lists names & birth da te & place
!MARRIAGE 2):LDS Membership 1830-1848 FHL fiche #6031596
!CHILDREN 2):LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596 lists names & birth da te & place
CHURCH: in 34th Quorum of Seventies
1852 Oct. departed for Mission to India & Australia
1849 April 9 Pat. Blessing Salt Lake City #589 Vol. 10 Pg. 456
!NOTE: Journal Hist. of Church Aug. 28. 1852 Robt. called to foreig n miss.
Manuscript Hist. Australasian Miss. Oct. 10 Robt arrived
Manuscript Hist. Australasian Miss. Oct. 24 sailed to Tasmania
Manuscript Hist. Australasian Miss. Apr. 27 embarled
Letter Geo. Q. Cannon to John Taylor Burr & Owens returning f rom miss.
Church News July 17, 1982 'Down Under' Stake grows in Tasmani a pg.12
!CENSUS:
1850 Iron Co. Robert with Catherine & children: Jerome, Nephi , Sarah,
with Martha & child: Margaret
!RESIDENCE:
after mission:
1854 Salt Lake to Parawon to California
1860 Iron County (census)
1862 California to Moccasin Springs
1875 Moccasin Springs to Parawon
1883-4 Los Angeles (in City Directory) San Pedro Street
!MILITARY: Private in Company B Mormon Battalion
mustered out 16 July 1847
arrived in Salt Lake 16 Oct. 1847
!BIOGRAPHY & picture
Treasures of Pioneer History by Kate B. Carter Vol.4 pg.467 D UP
For the Building of the Kingdom compiled by Barbara Stoddard
Robert Owens' Mission
Robert Owens and the Mormon Battalion
!DIED: fiche #6031596 lists 5 sources
TIB Nauvoo #12 Bk. 1 Pg. 385
California Certified Copy of Death Record
Probate papers:
Map of lot on San Pedro St. known as lot #16 of Muriat T ract,
with Improvements, boarding house of but little or no va lue
Inventory & Appraisement lot $1500
!NOTE: Eva Jorgensen believed: His forebears came from Wales to Irel and and
from there to America.
ORDINANCES:
Bapt.: FGS filmed 1966 Olsen- FHL film #510808 Eva Jorgense n patron
21 Sep 1844 Archive Record patron - Eva Jorgensen
21 Sep 1844 LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596
3 July 1981 LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596
End.: FGS filmed 1966 Olsen- FHL film #510808 Eva Jorgensen p atron
7 Feb 1846 Nauvoo Temple Register
7 Feb 1846 Archive Record patron - Eva Jorgensen
7 Feb 1846 NV Nauvoo endowment record #12 Bk. 1 Pg. 385
7 Feb 1846 NV fiche #6031596 gives 3 sources
Sld. to Par. FGS filmed 1966 FHL film #510808 Eva Jorgensen p atron
19 June 1933 fiche #6031596 gives 1 source
Sld. to Wife 1) IGI SLC 7 Mar 1850 EH; A183374 2587 (marr. pr eviously)
7 Mar 1850 TIB Nauvoo endowment record 12 Bk. 1 Pg. 385
7 Mar 1850 Fiche #6031596 gives 2 sources
7 Mar 1850 Archive Record Eva Jorgensen patron
Sld. to Wife 2) IGI SLC 7 Mar 1850 EH; A183374 2588 (& marrie d)
7 Mar. 1850 fiche #6031596 gives 1 source
!OCCUPATION: Farmer by trade
!BORN: LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596 lists sources & variations
!PARENTS:LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596 lists sources
!MARRIED 1):LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596 lists sources
Sld. to Catherine then married & sld. to Martha in his home i n Salt
Lake, Utah Terr. by Heber C. Kimball, Wit. Brigham Young & Th os.Bullock
source - Nauvoo living Sealings Records pg. 751 film #183373
!CHILDREN 1):LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596 lists names & birth da te & place
!MARRIAGE 2):LDS Membership 1830-1848 FHL fiche #6031596
!CHILDREN 2):LDS Membership FHL fiche #6031596 lists names & birth da te & place
CHURCH: in 34th Quorum of Seventies
1852 Oct. departed for Mission to India & Australia
1849 April 9 Pat. Blessing Salt Lake City #589 Vol. 10 Pg. 456
!NOTE: Journal Hist. of Church Aug. 28. 1852 Robt. called to foreig n miss.
Manuscript Hist. Australasian Miss. Oct. 10 Robt arrived
Manuscript Hist. Australasian Miss. Oct. 24 sailed to Tasmania
Manuscript Hist. Australasian Miss. Apr. 27 embarled
Letter Geo. Q. Cannon to John Taylor Burr & Owens returning f rom miss.
Church News July 17, 1982 'Down Under' Stake grows in Tasmani a pg.12
!CENSUS:
1850 Iron Co. Robert with Catherine & children: Jerome, Nephi , Sarah,
with Martha & child: Margaret
!NOTE: Eva Jorgensen believed: His forebears came from Wales to Ireland and
from there to America.
He has 2 wives 1st Catherine Ann Williams
2nd Martha Evans Allen
There is question whether Dover, Kent is in Delaware or Maryland.
Robert marched in the Mormon Battalion.
_________________________________________________
Heart Throbs of the West
Heart Throbs of the West: Volume 10
The Move South
John Halleft -- Frightful Accident
William and Joseph Owens.--Robert Owens and his wife joined the church in Ohio in 1844, and
moved to Nauvoo. When the United States called for volunteers, Robert accepted the call and went
with his brothers in the Mormon Battalion to California, while his wife drove her ox team to Utah and
brought her five children. When Robert came home in 1850, he met and married a second wife,
Martha Allen, who had come to Utah with her brother. They had five children, two girls and three
boys. Their first son, Willlain, was born in Salt Lake City, February 6, 1853. He was blind at birth.
Five years later, two more boys, Rial and Joseph were born, and one of these, Joseph, was also blind.
These two blind boys never went to school, but grew up at home together. From early childhood
William had a strong desire to investigate all machinery from threshing machines to old clocks and
watches. When he was fourteen years old he left home with his brother, Joseph, to make their own
way. They traveled by foot and after the railroad came they walked the rails from town to town; Joseph
selling books, while William mended watches and clocks and tuned pianos.
When William, was a man, he wanted to find a doctor to help him gain his sight. This desire took him to England, where he lived with the ,family of Joseph Edgley. The oldest daughter, Mary Ann, was his guide while in London. William never found any help for his eyes, so the time came to go home. Knowing the desires of the Edgley family to come to Utah, William offered to pay the passage for two members, so Mary Ann and her father, Joseph, came with him. Soon after on September 26, 1888, William and Mary Ann became man and wife. They lived for a few years in Logan and Smithfield, where five children were born. He built a home there himself and it is still in use.
In 1898, the family moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where the Edgley family had settled, and there William Owens built a home and a store. He called it "Live and Let Live Mercantile." He sold most everything needed in the home. He arranged things in their places and insisted they were to be kept there so he could find them. His wife helped him and they did well, but her health failed so they sold the store and moved to Shelley, Idaho, where father farmed for two years, but since it took eyes to farm, he did not do well, although mother's health improved. Soon the ' family moved back to Pocatello where father built another home. He hired carpenters, but bossed the job himself, and when it came to the plumbing, the plumbers charged too much so he sent away for the fix, tures and did the job himself. That plumbing is still in use. He opened a small store in that home and the rest of his life he sold groceries.
Father had a very great sense of hearing, and with his cane he could go anywhere he had ever been before without help. He always knew when he came to a corner or a hole in the sidewalk. He could count the buildings and doorways by sound. But for his cane, one would never know he could not see his way. Sometimes as a young girl I tried to hide by being very quiet when I saw him coming, but he always knew and spoke to me. He was a High Priest in the Church, and died July 17, 1923, in Pocatello. Uncle Joe lived for many years in Lewiston, Utah. He married twice. First, to Sarah Butterfield, and second, to Elizabeth Ellis. He was the father of six children. He died at Lewiston, March 16, 1943.--Eva Owens Jorgensen.
____________________________________
Treasures of Pioneer History
Treasures of Pioneer History: Vol 4
Stories of the Mormon Battalion
Harmon Dudley Pierson
Robert Owens died in Los Angeles November 9, 1883.
—Rose Eva Owens Jorgerisen
_______________________________________
Treasures of Pioneer History
Treasures of Pioneer History: Vol 4
Stories of the Mormon Battalion
Robert Owens
page 468
Robert Owens was born July 10, 1818 in Dover, Delaware. He was a son of Edmond Owens and
Margaret Tur. He was called into service at Mr. Pisgah in Company "B" of the Mormon Battalion
and [p.468]made that memorable trek to San Diego with the infantry. General Kearney in praising
the Battalion said, "Bonaparte crossed the Alps, but these men crossed a continent."
_____________________________________
Treasures of Pioneer History
Treasures of Pioneer History: Vol 4
Stories of the Mormon Battalion
The Mormon Battalion
Alexander, Horace M. Eastman, Marcus N. Owens, Robert
Allen, Elijah Evans, Israel Park, James P. 1st
Allen, Franklin Evans, Wm. Park, James P. 2nd
Allen, George Fife, Peter M. Pierson, Ephraim
Bigier, Hemry W. Follet, Wm. A. Pierson, Harmon D.
Billings, Orson Freeman, Elijah N. Prouse, Wm. C.
Bingham, Erastus Garner, Philip Reed, Calvin
Bingham, Thomas Garner, Wm. A. Richards, Peter F.
Bird, Win. Hanks, Ephraim K. Rogers, Samuel H.
Bliss, Robert S. Haskell, George W. Simmons, Wm. A.
Boley, Samuel Harris, Silas Sly, James C.
Borrowman, John Hawk, Nathan Smith, Azariah
Brackenberry, Benj. B. Hawk, Wm. Steers, Andrew J.
Brown, Francis Hinckley, Arza E. Stevens, Lyman
Bush, Richard Hoffheims, Jacob Stillman, Dexter
Bybee, John M. Hunter, Edward Stoddard, rufus
Callahan, Thomas W. Huntsman, Isaiah Study, David
Camp, James G. Jones, David H. Walker, Wm. H.
Carter, Isaac Philo Keysor, Guy M. Watts, John
Carter, Richard King, John H. Wheeler, John L.
Cheney, Zacheus Kirk, Thomas Whitney, Francis T.
Church, Haden W. Lawson, John Wilcox, Henry
Clark, George S. Martin, Jesse B. Willis, Ira J.
Clawson, George McCarty, Nelson Willis, W. S. S
Colton, Philander Miles, Samuel Winters, Jacob
Curtis, Dorr P. Morris, Thomas Workman, Andrew J.
Dalton, Henry S. Mount, Hiram B. Workman, Oliver G
Dayton, Wm. J. Murdock, John R. Wright, Charles
Dayton, Willard T. Murdock, Orrice C. Young, Nathan
Dunham, Albert Myers, Samuel Zabriskie, Jerome
Dutcher, Thomas P. Noler, Christian
________________________________________
Treasures of Pioneer History
Treasures of Pioneer History: Vol 3
They Came in 1853
The Year of 1853
Fri. 29—At a conference of American Elders held at Calcutta, Hindustan, Nathaniel V. Jones was
sustained as president of the East India mission; Richard Ballantyne, Robert Skelton and Robert
Owens were appointed to labor in Madras; Wm. F. Carter and Wm. Fother-ingham in Dinapore;
Truman Leonard and Samuel A. Woolley in Chinsura, and Nathaniel V. Jones and A. Milton Musser
in Calcutta.
__________________________________
Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah
Names of Those in the Mormon Battalion
Company B
Privates
47 Harris, Silas
48 Jones, David H.
49 Keyser, Guy M.
50 King, John M.
51 Kirk, Thomas
52 Lawson, John
53 Morris, Thomas
54 McCarty, Nelson
55 Mount, Hiram B.
56 Martin, Jesse B.
57 Murdock, John R.
58 Murdock, Price
59 Myers, Samuel
60 Miles, Sanreel
61 Noler, Christian
62 Owens, Robert
Questions about the John Graham information - conflict between information given to me by Barbara Brumble Stoddard and Terry Moyer (see letter below). John Graham or George Samuel Graham?
Dear Cousin Angie,
. . . The Owens family were friends and associates of my ancestors. Robert Owens and Catherine Williams seemed to always be fairly near my people, and interacted with them. A few stories:
Robert was with the Mormon Battalion when his wife, Catherine, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. He later was discharged and joined her. She was living ina little home-made shelter made by pulling a bunch of willows together and tying them off at the top --- and then throwing a buffalo rober over the top of the willows. She thus had a little "teepee" along the banks of one of the creeks in Salt Lake, and was living there when Robert arrived.
Supposedly, when Robert arrived, he went to Brigham Young and asked permission to return to Winter Quarters to get Catherine. Brigham, who dealt not too favorably with Catherine, said, "You don’t need to. She’s already here. That damned woman will not listen to counsel!"
Robert and Catherine had one son, Jerome Owens, who got cross-wise with the law. In Parowan, he and another 14-year-old were assigned to guard the sheep by night. They got to playing with their pistols. One shot was fired, which killed the other boy (Johnny Pugmire). Jerome Owens was transported to Salt Lake City for a trial. On the day Jerome was indicted by a grand jury for first degree murder, the newspaper also reported that his father, Robert, had been called to serve a mission in India.
The trial was held, and Jerome was found guilty. Governor Brigham Young then implemented the juvenile justice system of the time: Scare a wayward kid to death, then tell him to get out of the territory. (Unfortunately, the one folio missing from the governor’s papers is the one which dealt with Jerome Owens.) Anyway, Jerome did indeed "get out of the terriorty." He went to Eureka, California, where he lived out his remaining years. He died there in 1902.
Robert took multiple wives, and non of them seem to have been very happy with him. Some lived in Southern Utah, others in the Salt Lake Valley. He left on a mission to India, where he seems to have had good success. But when he arrived home, he discovered then one or more of his wives had divorced him while he was gone!
Anyway. Years and years later my own ancestor, George Samuel Graham, lost his wife in childbirth (1872) at Fredericksburg, California (suburb of Carson City, NV). He took his two little girls, one an infant, with him to Utah. The older girl he left with his sister, Carolyn Graham Shumway, and the younger girl he took to his brother and wife: Catherine Owens Graham (married James Graham after she divorced Robert Owens). Years later, he learned that his daughter had become pregnant, so he took her to Eureaka, California, and left her with Jerome Owens and wife. They took care of the girl, Georgianna Graham, and were with her when her baby came. Then Jerome and wife adopted the baby. In 1902 Jerome Owens went out of Eureka harbor alone in a small boat, which then capsized. He was drowned in the sea.
I have in my possession a photograph of an aged Catherine Ann Williams Owens Graham with a roughly ten-year old adoptive daughter, Georgianna Graham (photo about 1882). Here she is sixty-something, raising someone else’s ten-year old. Her hands are huge and bony and worn with a lifetime of work. What a dear, good soul she was!
I understand that Catherine Ann Williams came out of what is now West Virginia, the daughter of wealthy parents. When she joined the LDS church, she was disowned and disinherited by her parents. As nearly as I know, she never wavered, never faltered. She remained true to the Church throughout her life.
On the other hand, husband Robert Owens left Utah and went to Southern California, where he shows up in the Census. He was buried in Los Angeles, apparently out of favor with the church.
Well that’s all I can come up with off the top of my head. If you have information which would confirm or deny any of what I’ve said, I’d be delight to hear from you. Although Robert and Catherine are not my actual relatives, I still love and appreciate them for what they did for my people.
Terry J. Moyer
For the Building of the Kingdom
A Polygamist Family - Robert Owens
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This biography has been compiled by Barbara (Brumble) Stoddard from the stories by Rose Eva (Owens) Jorgensen; research by Lyle Owens and other Edgley & Owens Family Organization members; land records; census records; church records; Temple records; Vital records; and information on his mission from the Historical Department of the LDS Church. - This is not to be given to companies who sell the information for profit.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
On the tenth of July 1818, Robert Owens was born in Dover, Kent County, Delaware. His parents were Margaret Turner and Edmund H. Owens. Robert’s brother and sisters were William, Margaret and Elizabeth. The family resided in Caroline County, Maryland near Margaret’s family. Margaret and Edmund inherited property there in January 1808 from her father when he died.
In 1826 and 1827 Edmund and Margaret sold their property and in 1828, when Robert was ten the family moved to Wayne Township, Pickaway County, Ohio. Robert’s father died just a couple of years later. A stepbrother, George, joined the family when Margaret remarried.
In 1837 in Franklin County, Ohio, Robert married at the age of nineteen. His young bride was Catherine Ann Williams, the daughter of Esther Ruffner and William Williams from Virginia.
Catherine and Robert had their first child in September 1838. They named him Jerome. He was born in Madison County, Indiana. A daughter, Josephine, was born two years later in Whitt County, Illinois. One and a half years later, Isabelle joined the family in Gallatin County, Illinois. The family moved to McCrackon County, Kentucky.
In Kentucky Catherine and Robert heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints preached and believed it. In March 1844, they had a son. The depth of their testimony is demonstrated in the name that they gave their new infant, Nephi, the Book of Mormon Prophet. Six months later, on the twenty-first of September 1844, Robert and Catherine were baptized. They gathered with the saints in Nauvoo in the spring of 1845. They were there when the Nauvoo Temple was completed. Robert and Catherine were both able to receive their endowments the seventh of February 1846; the last day ordinances were performed in that temple. After the Prophet, Joseph Smith had been martyred the persecution increased against the ‘Mormons" again. Catherine and Robert were swept up in the forced migration west to Deseret in the tops of the Rocky Mountains.
It was unusually bitter cold that February 1846 when the Saints were forced to cross the Mississippi River. Within a day or two, that great river froze a mile wide creating a roadway for the pioneers as they fled Illinois. This was a great miracle and manifestation of the mercy and power of God in behalf of His people.
At Mt. Pisgah the Saints remained for a time while the brethren plowed some land and planted grain for the emigrants who would follow. Captain James Allen of the United States Army arrived there on the 26th of June 1846, accompanied by three dragoons. The camp of Saints was momentarily thrown into great excitement by this event, and the cry ran throughout the camp, "The United States troops are upon us!"
Captain Allen had come to "accept the services for twelve months of four or five companies of Mormon men who may be willing to serve their country in our present war with Mexico."
The men were furnished with $21,000 for clothes, etc. By making do with the clothes they had they were able to provide the means for their families to complete their journey west. President Young was also desirous to have the saints established in the west first before the gentiles could lay claim and drive the Mormons out again. Elder Little and Colonel Kane had diligently worked in Washington to get this opportunity to help the pioneers.
Robert and his family were in Mount Pisgah when Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young arrived to appeal to the Saints to join. Robert was one of the five hundred to volunteer. He was a private in Company B serving under Jesse D. Hunter, Captain.
On Saturday, 18 July 1846, President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards and John Taylor met in private council on the banks of the Missouri River and there gave the men their last charge and blessing, with firm promise that on condition of their faithfulness their lives should be spared, the expedition should result in good and their names should be held in honorable remembrance to all generations.
Before the army’s departure from the camps in the vicinity of Council Bluffs, a "Ball" was held in their honor. Under a bowery of trees where the ground had been trodden hard and to the music of violins, horns and sleigh bells they danced with light hearts from an early hour till the sun went down. In the silence that followed a young lady sang "By the River Babylon: and they all sat down and wept when they remembered Zion. An Elder asked the blessings of Heaven on all who with purity of heart and brotherhood of spirit mingled there then they all dispersed.
On the twentieth of July 1846, they took up their march for Fort Leavenworth. The Battalion arrived at the fort on the first of August and began their preparations for the great western march.
Due to the loss of the most able men, it was determined to make camp and get settled before winter rather than proceeding onto the mountains. Permission was granted, due to the circumstances, allowing the saints to set up a temporary settlement on Indian Reservation Lands.
A place on the Missouri River where the saints could be gathered was sought. A "high plateau overlooking the river" was the sight selected and given the name of "Winter Quarters". This is situated some five or six miles above Omaha.
The pioneers gathered there and were divided and subdivided into groups. Soon the "miracle" of a city regularly laid off with streets and by-ways appeared in the wilderness.
It was the policy of Brigham Young to keep everybody employed. The women, in addition to their household duties engaged in spinning, knitting, making leggings from deer hides and family clothing.
These were very hard times for Catherine Ann. There were occasional annoyances, chiefly caused by the thieving propensities of the Indians surrounding them, and the intermittent assaults make upon the Omahas by the Iowas and the Sioux. More serious trials however, were the tragedies of loosing all three of her daughters, Josephine, Isabelle due to diphtheria and the new baby, Mary Elizabeth born just five weeks after Robert left. He never got to see her. Catherine was not alone in her suffering. There were six hundred burials a Winter Quarters before the cold weather brought relief. The saints called the fever and disease the "black canker". The hot swamp air was heavy with disease germs. The deficiency of their diets also caused scurvy.
While in Winter Quarters on December 7, 1846, Catherine Ann received her Patriarchal Blessing under the hand of John Smith. She was told that she would have the same right as the men that had the Priesthood. This was a great blessing in her life.
When Robert left Catherine was fully outfitted with a pair of well-broken oxen. The captain of one of the companies took them away from her saying a woman would only be a nuisance to the company. That didn’t seem to discourage her for she broke in two of her heifers and with her two young boys, Jerome 9 and Nephi 3, followed right behind the company. While crossing the plains the animals stampeded. She was holding on to them for dear life but she didn’t forget to holler back to Jerome, "Hold on the to the churn dash." She milked her cows on the way to the valley. This also helped her to live until they could get some crops planted and harvested. Catherine and her boys arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley October 4, 1847, with the Daniel M. Thomas Company, one of the first wagon trains.
The Mormon Battalion followed what is known as the "Cimmeron Route". From the Mormon Camps to San Diego exceeded 2000 miles. Much of the route lay through trackless desert. At few points could food be obtained in sufficient quantity for man or beast, and some time even water failed. Wells were sunk in the wilderness, on one occasion at least; the men traveled 100 miles without water. At Santa Fe rations were reduced and soon after were further reduced to ½ and finally to ¼ allowance. The meat being the flesh of such animals as were unable to proceed further, even their hides and entrails were eagerly devoured, being gulped down with droughts of water, when water could be had. While suffering these hardships the men were compelled to carry their own knapsacks, muskets and extra ammunition, and sometimes to push the wagons through heavy sand or to help drag them over rugged mountain ranges.
Passing through a New Mexico Pueblo on the 24th of October some of the men were almost naked as on the day of their birth, except for a breach cloth. In this plight in the middle of December the battalion reached the San Pedro River, some 340 strong, and here occurred the only battle the battalion fought during their campaign, an encounter with a heard of wild bulls.
On reaching San Diego the army thought the journey ended, but after two days they were ordered
to garrison duty at the San Luis Ray Mission. Six weeks later Company B was ordered back to San Diego for duty to relieve the dragoons. They were about thirty in number and under the command of Lt. Stoneman camping at Old Town, near the sight which is known as Ramona’s Marriage Place. Religious services were held every Sunday and were well attended by the gentiles.
The battalion is credited in four great movements that made the development of the west: 1) The opening of the highways; 2) The conquest of Northern Mexico; 3) The discovery of gold in California; 4) The adoption of irrigation farming by Anglo-Saxon people.
Robert at last completed his enlistment and mustered out of the Battalion July 16, 1847 in San Diego, California. On the twentieth of July 1847, at Los Angeles, Robert with the majority of those who did not re-enlist were organized into companies for traveling, after the ancient and modern Israelitish custom, with captains of hundred, fifties and tens. On the twenty-first, the pioneers advanced scarcely knowing whither they went. Under the most trying difficulties they traveled northward. On the twenty sixth of August the men camped two miles from Sutters Fort. They gathered supplies and made preparations to go to the Valley to join their families. Half of the company turned back to work the winter in California. Robert along with the rest, continued on to the Great Basin arriving there October 16, 1847.
When Robert arrived in Salt Lake City, he was completely worn out from the long trek. He met Brigham Young and said he wouldn’t possibly be able to start back for his family. To his relief, Brigham Young told him Catherine and the children were here. He bowed to his knees and thanked God in tears. He was overjoyed to be reunited with his family and friends again.
Robert and Catherine lived by the Jordan River. They named their first baby born in the valley, Sarah. She was their sixth child. They had little to eat. Catherine would dig segos, gather greens and such to make a meal but she, being in delicate condition, was not able to eat what she prepared. She would go once a week and do work for a lady who was a little more fortunate than she. She had some white flour and would make Catherine hot biscuits and coffee. They would practically last her until the following week. Therefore, when Sarah came into the world she was a little delicate eighth month baby. Catherine was fortunate enough to raise her.
Robert received his Patriarchal Blessing under the hands of John Smith, Patriarch. This was on April 9, 1849. He was told that he is of the tribe of Levi. He was in the 34th Quorum of Seventies.
Many colonists left the forts in the spring of 1848 and began to spread out a few miles to establish other neighboring colonies. Robert settled in the Big Cottonwood area of Salt Lake Valley to the southeast of Salt Lake City. Catherine had two children born there: Sarah then Robert named for his father in November 1849.
In his home, Robert was sealed to his wife, Catherine Ann on the 7th of March 1850. Following this sealing he was married and sealed to Martha Allen as a plural wife by Heber C. Kimball. Brigham Young and Thomas Bullock served as witnesses.
Martha Allen was born the 7th of March 1823 in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, the daughter of Margaret Evins and Rial Allen. She was invited to go with a neighbor girl to hear the preaching of the Mormon missionaries. When she heard Wilford Woodruff preach she believed it to be true. Before retiring that night she prayed for a testimony and straightway there came a light in her darkened bedroom. Accepting this as a divine manifestation, she joined the church in 1838, at the age of fifteen. Three of her brothers: James, Andrew Jackson and Lewis also accepted the Gospel and immigrated to Utah. Martha came to the Valley with her brother, Andrew Jackson and his family in September 1847 with the A.O. Smoot Company. Her other brother, Samuel and his family followed the Oregon Trail settling in what became Lane County, Oregon.
Robert moved his families to Iron County. June 1850 found Robert, Catherine with her four children and Martha with her six month old daughter, Margaret, all living together. His property was valued at $1300. Little Margaret was born partially blind.
In January 1851, the colony of Parowan was established in Iron County. The following August 27th, Robert arrived there with the Captain Shirts Company. Martha had her second baby daughter here in February 1852 and named her Mary. The family returned to Big Cottonwood. Brigham Young, who was a friend to them as he was to all, visited them in their home. He used to say to them, "Just give me the skim milk that you take off the top."
During a special conference, August 28 and 29, 1852, the saints were admonished to welcome the new emigrant saints into their communities and share with them the abundance of their gardens which the Lord gave to them. They were to treat the weary pilgrims, as they would wish to be treated. This was at 10 AM in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City.
Next, Brigham Young spoke on opposition. He said, "Do you suppose I am sorry because of persecution? No! I have thanked God a thousand times that the devil is not yet bound for if he had been; the saints would have gone to sleep. Light, knowledge, truth, wickedness of every kind, the works of the Almighty, and the works of the Devil, all conspire to roll on the great work that the Lord Jesus Christ is doing upon the earth."
Before concluding, the objective of this special conference was announced. With about two thousand elders and their wives assembled in the Old tabernacle, President Young made clear the necessity of sending out missionaries. He asked what would have happened if the Church had sent missionaries to the four quarters of the earth six years earlier, shortly after leaving Nauvoo? Where would the converts have gathered? We needed to build up Zion first as a gathering place. Now we were ready as a Church to carry out this important step.
At the end of the morning session, President Brigham Young asked his counselor, President Heber C. Kimball to read the names of those who had been selected. At that time he read 96 names of individuals who had been proposed for Missions to Nations of the Earth to preach the Gospel. One and a half hours later, at 2 PM the conference was again called to order by President Brigham Young. At this time the elders were appointed to their several missions. A total of 108 were actually sent out. The list seemed to go on and on of missionaries who were being called to almost everywhere: Washington, Iowa, New Orleans, Nova Scotia, Texas, England, Wales, Ireland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Denmark, Norway… Then came the calls to Asia - Hindustan was first. Shock registered on the faces of Martha, Catherine and Robert Owens when they heard Robert’s name called to the Hindustan in the Australasian Mission. Others received calls to China, Siam (Thailand), Africa, Australia, and the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii).
Nine were chosen to go to Calcutta East India. They were: Brothers Nathaniel Vary Jones, Samuel Amos Woolley, Richard Ballantyne, Truman Leonard, William Fortheringham, Robert Hodgson Skelton, Robert Owens, William Furlsbury Carter and Amos Milton Musser. There had been no forewarning for these missionaries and their families. A hymn was sung and the benediction given by George A. Smith. Robert was set apart this same day to labor in Madrus.
Of the nine elders who were called with him to Hindustan, Brother Musser wrote, "I was somewhat acquainted with all of these brethren. A few of them I had known since the battle at Nauvoo. But we got to know each other considerable better before we all returned home. I have never known a more devout, courageous, dedicated group of men in my life."
Robert’s call, like many others, had come at the lowest ebb of his fortunes. It meant a mission to the other side of the globe when he was already destitute and both of his wives were expecting babies in the near future. How could his families survive without him during these critical times. What kind of a place was Hindustan? If the call was a shock to Robert, it was an even greater shock to his companions. On the way home from the meeting, tears were shed, lips quivered, and the icy hand of fear seemed to claw at their hearts, but numbly and silently they began to make plans.
Leaving wives and children behind, as most of this group did, was terribly difficult. In addition to the emotional strains, it placed financial and other burdens on families that took years to overcome. But, they accepted the Lord’s call. Nathaniel Jones, Levi Savage, Jr. and Robert Owens had already served in the Mormon Battalion before coming to Utah and fought the battle of the crickets.
In the days that followed this new call, the two women went to work to outfit Robert for the journey. With aching hearts they darned his socks, mended and scrubbed his frayed shirts and underwear. They patched his worn coat and from homespun made a new suit for him.
Several training meetings were held in which various topics were discussed and plans developed. The leaders decided these missionaries would travel by wagon train by way of southern California, as had been suggested by Elder Willes in a letter from India. This plan required the purchase of wagons, horses and mules (ox drawn wagons were too slow), harnesses, and all that went with such travel. Of course, it would be necessary to camp on the way so they also had to take cooking gear and utensils, food, blankets, tents, and everything one needs for minimal comfort on a long journey.
During the next two weeks, they assembled themselves into a wagon company. Then, one morning, as the first streaks of dawn broke in the east; Robert threw the last bundle into the wagon, and then walked to the two women waiting to bid him adieu. He kissed them and his young children fondly, gave them each a kind word of counsel, pleading with them to think of him in their prayers, to live the gospel and take care of each other. He told his wives, "If you need anything to go to the Brethren." Brigham Young had promised to look after them if things got too bad. "Trust in the Lord and never doubt His watchful care over us. All will be well." Robert then promised to write as soon as possible and kissing each in turn, he climbed quickly into the wagon and started the mules down the road. Wanting to be as much like the Apostles of old, they truly went without purse or script.
The missionaries headed south on the first leg of their journey to India. While on their way, they stopped at the Point of the Mountain to take one last look at the Great Salt Lake Valley. Leaving Provo they continued south through Springville and Spanish Fork to ‘Peeteetneet", or Pauson, a beautiful location of saints in the south end of Utah Valley where the 38 missionaries called to Calcutta, Siam, the Sandwich Islands, Hong Kong, and Australia had planned to meet. They held meetings and taught the gospel at the different settlements through which they traveled. They stayed at the homes of Latter Day Saints where they were generously fed, sheltered and supplied with fodder for their horses.
At Nephi, where the elders were hospitably entertained by church members and featured at a special meeting in the schoolhouse, the traveling brethren were requested to speak their feelings, and it was glorious to listen to the power of the Spirit of the Lord that was with them. They bore mighty testimonies. They felt they had forsaken all things for the Gospel’s sake, but they were not forsaken of God. Twenty-five missionaries spoke at the meeting.
As they were nearing Indian Territory they organized into an orderly Company, electing a Captain, a Sergeant of the Guard and Chaplain. Near Savier Lake they met heavy rainstorms for two days. They slept on the ground during the deluge, and woke in the morning with an inch of ice frozen on the water surrounding their bunks. They arrived in Fillmore about noon on the 27th of October, and were royally received with grain for the animals. Next they moved on to Corn Creek, crossing several ranges of low mountains. They passed through Dog Valley; a name derived from the existence of a veritable "Prairie Dog City". (It was here that Brigham Young said the Gadianton Robbers had their stronghold.) On November first they arrived at Parowan Fort. Here Apostle George Albert Smith directed personally the outfitting of the company for the trek across the desert to California. He also advised them to "refresh ourselves in dancing and preaching."
A dance was held that night in honor of the missionaries. The evening included songs, recitations and addresses. Elder George Albert Smith, in the opening talk, cautioned the Elders of the dangers they might expect from women and evil spirits and the great deep. Because of the new doctrine of plural wives they would be considered licentious men, subject to suspicion unless their lives were very circumspect. Amply supplied with grain and food the company resumed their journey. As they pulled away from the Fort, the American Flag was unfurled, and cheers rang in their ears.
Now they crossed the desert. Traveling was monotonous so they occupied their time reading to each other and conversing about the gospel. Several of the group had served previous missions and as they traveled along gave instructions on how to speak to an audience, which parts of the Gospel generally gained the most interest, and how best to deal with anti-Mormons. There was also much reflection about the future, the trials they would have to face without money to pay their way. They talked of their families and dear ones left behind.
Their wagons took them over a rocky and hilly road to Mountain Meadow where a few years later was to be the stage of the infamous massacre. On the eleventh of November after a particularly hard day on the trail, the camp was visited by a small band of Piute Indians who stalked into camp and made themselves comfortable. These redskins were dirty, shifty eyed and puny. With only a few grunts and signs they made it plain they expected some food and the warmth of the fire. After partaking liberally of the missionaries’ rations the savages calmly rolled into their blankets and slept ‘til morning. There is no doubt that if there was a missionary there who had never before slept with one eye open he learned to do so that night. On the 13th of November they were joined by a few emigrants who were going to California to get gold. On the night of the 15th they camped at the base of a mountain. Here they left the Rio Virgin River and began the treacherous assent to the top. They traveled nineteen miles over this mountain. Three cheers were given as the last wagon reached the summit in safety.
Then on to the Muddy, a small stream about twenty feet wide and two and a half feet deep, where they camped for the night. Ahead of them was a fifty-two mile stretch of desert to Las Vegas. They reached Vegas the 18th of November. The country was infested with wolves and Indians. November 22, in the face of a heavy snowstorm they pushed 23 miles westward.
In crossing the Mojave Desert they found little feed for their horses. The soil was sandy and the wagon wheels sunk deeply. It was a tedious 96 miles but on December first, they camped for the last time in the desert beside the feeble Mojave Creek. Then the company climbed for seventeen miles over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Two days later a tired and dusty group of missionaries halted at Lugo Rancho in San Bernardino. This ranch had been purchased by the church as a supply depot for the LDS emigrating to Utah. Here the Elders disposed of their traveling outfits, collected means to carry them further on their journey, visited, studied and wrote letters to their families. They had encountered the usual difficulties associated with travel in those days: sickness, lack of water while crossing the desert, blacksmithing when a horse lost a shoe or something broke on a wagon, etc. The trip to California took about six weeks.
On the seventeenth of December 1852 they resumed their journey to Los Angeles, arriving there two days later, in a drenching rain, being brought hither by the San Bernardino Saints. Los Angeles was a pioneer town. Here they saw much of the human dregs of America, as well as the enterprising pioneer. After a few days there, they went to San Pedro and parted with the Saints. These good people refused pay for bringing them in their wagons.
The group went to San Pedro and then sailed up the coast to San Francisco instead of going directly west to San Francisco. The reason was they feared that an early winter storm through the Sierra Nevada might cause serious problems. The southern route was warmer, but even then they encountered some snow as they crossed Cajon Pass.
On Christmas day 1852, the missionaries found a small two-masted ship, the brig Col. Fremont and bargained with Captain John Erskine, Jr., to carry them to San Francisco, where after ten days they landed on January 9, 1853. The ocean was rough, and they could hardly hold down anything they ate. The crew had brought four Spanish steers on board for fresh meat while en route, but even before they sailed, two of the beasts became enraged, driving passengers to the hold or cabins and the sailors to the rigging. The steers were killed immediately. While at sea, the other two cattle broke loose and were similarly disposed of.
The weather was still blowing a gale when they arrived at the Golden Gate and San Francisco harbor. Brother Fortheringham described their arrival in these words: "When within a mile of the wharf…the captain ordered the sailors to let go the starboard anchor. The chain jammed in the windless; at the same time the tide was running at the speed of a mill race. The sails being in a condition to render the brig no assistance, she drifted down with the tide, running against a large ship laying at anchor in the bay, carrying away the ship’s flying jib-boom and martingale, and her own try-sail-boom and gaff. She got clear of the ship without any further damage, still drifting astern, when they let go the starboard anchor, which brought her up." Needless to say, they were grateful to the Lord for His deliverance and for sparing their lives.
San Francisco was a terrible city. Every vice imaginable was available: gambling, drinking, prostitution, brawling. No one seemed to keep the Sabbath. The city’s sinful temptations were not a problem for the missionaries. Their problem was to raise enough money to sail to India. Their wagons and horses had been sold in southern California, and most of them sent the proceeds home to their needy families. As missionaries, they intended to serve without purse or script. They did not believe they could prove the nations without providing them with the opportunity to serve the Lord’s servants.
Now the matter of raising money to pay passage to the Orient was faced. January fourteen a meeting with the Saints of that region was held to discuss it and the suggestion was made that the funds be solicited from outsiders. Although skeptical of the results the Elders decided to try it. They divided San Francisco into districts and went door to door asking for donations. Some of the brethren even went to Sacramento and many gold mining towns. But after three weeks the 13 missionaries had raised only about six hundred dollars. (The missionaries going to Siam remained with the nine.) Only $650 was collected through the combined efforts of all solicitors, and $3000, or about $200 per person was necessary. At that point, John M. Horner, a Church member along with his non-member brother contributed the remainder of the needed funds.
The next problem was suitable transportation to the various destinations. The missionaries finally arranged cabin passage with Captain Zenos Windsor, Master of the Clipper Monsoon, which was almost ready for sail for India. Captain Windsor had sailed from Boston the same day we received our calls, August 28, 1852. He had arrived at San Francisco the same day we did. They felt strongly that he had been guided their way by the hand of God. The Monsoon was an exceptional ship. Brother Carter said it was "the finest ship I ever saw and with the best accommodations in the cabin of any ship that I have ever seen."" We were assigned to suitable cabins when we boarded on January 27, 1853.
Life on shipboard fell into a routine with morning and evening prayer. They held frequent meetings for preaching and teaching each other, for there was much to learn. From the first night on board, Captain Windsor gave them the privilege of meeting in his cabin every evening to sing hymns, speak, and offer prayers and frequently met with them.
On board ship Richard Ballantyne and Levi Savage contracted smallpox while in San Francisco. They were placed in a vacant stateroom and nursed by Elder Skelton. Through faith and prayers and the blessing of God, they both completely recovered without spreading to any others. Most of their clothes and bedding were thrown overboard.
On March third, the Elders convened to name heads for the missions. As the day approached when they would embark at Calcutta, they intensified their studies and preparation. School was held morning and afternoon. Ballantyne and West lectured on English grammar. They practiced preaching sermons to each other and were free with suggestions for improvement. As the conclusion of their journey drew near they were thrilled with the prospects that lay ahead.
Catherine Ann was left alone again to shift for herself. She was a good, thrifty worker, always willing to do what was right. When the men were away she was called to administer to the sick, which she never failed to do. She healed and helped the women with their work, sharing her faith and principles with all she came in contact with. A few months after Robert left, in December 1852, Robert and Catherine’s eighth and last baby was born. He was given the name George Brigham after the prophet. Martha also had a son, William, the following February. Little William was born blind.
On April 24th, the ship dropped anchor off Sagar Island, about 120 miles south of Calcutta. The island was flat, sandy, and swampy, infested with alligators, crocodiles, and Bengal tigers. Also, there were hyenas, jackals, and birds that survived on carrion, mostly human bodies that been ritually placed or dumped in the river after death. The held many ships that had come down from Calcutta. The citizens of Calcutta who occupied the ships were fleeing a cholera epidemic.
Early in the morning of Monday, April 25, 1853, anchor was raised and they proceeded up the river. Elder Savage described the scene; "We soon arrived where the land appeared on either side. It is thickly scattered with dwellings and small villages situated on the riverbanks, which are small huts composed of mud walls and roofs thatched with straw. Domestic animals are quietly feeding in the green fields or strutting up and down at the waters edge. We passed this day very pleasantly viewing the different and strange to us scenes as we passed up the river."
They arrived in Calcutta safe and in good spirits at six P.M. being three months since they sailed from San Francisco. The lights of Calcutta glowed over the glassy waters. The Elders had traveled half way around the world. On sea alone they had traveled 10,936 miles in fifty six days, altogether six months from home.
At the wharf they were met and greeted by a thirteen year old boy, Henry Fredrick McCune. His father, Mathew, one of the first three converts to the church in Calcutta in 1851, and was now serving in the English army near Rangoon in the Burma war. His mother opened her home and prepared many home cooked meals for the homesick Elders. Henry was an excellent guide who soon awakened guests to the stern realities of India. He pointed out tall Afghans in dirty white garments; Arabs, Malays, Hinus, and giant Sikhs were to be seen on every side. Then there were beggars with horribly distorted limbs with running sores and self inflicted injuries. Occasionally a leper could be seen slinking down a dark alley.
The missionaries were taken to the home of James P. Meik. Their expectations of a thriving branch of the church were blasted when their host informed them that there were less than twenty members in the city and only about six were still active. The Elders were determined to leave no stone unturned to spread their message throughout India. Notice of the arrival of the missionaries was printed in the newspapers. Then plans were completed for holding of a conference, the first to be held in Asia in the latter days.
On Friday 29 April 1853, in Calcutta, at number 2-1/2 Juan Bazaar Street this conference convened in the chapel built by James P. Meik. There were present 13 missionaries, the local Elders, Meik and Saxton and five women.
Nathaniel V. Jones was sustained as President of the East India Mission, to establish his headquarters in Calcutta with Amos Milton Musser as his companion and clerk. Richard Ballantyne was appointed to take charge of the Madras district with Robert Skelton. Robert Owens was to join them later. Singapore was the destination of William F. Carter and William Fortheringham and Truman Leonard, and Samuel A. Wooley in Chinsurah. The handful of saints surrounded by a turbulent and prolific heathen population was like an oasis in the desert. They soon faced bitter condemnation for the doctrine of polygamy in a land where polygamy was prevalent and child marriage common. The climate was ravaging. They were drained physically and mentally.
While waiting transportation to their several missions the Elders continued to have a home with the Meiks on a farm in Acra, eight miles outside Calcutta. Each day the Elders inquired of the ships leaving Calcutta for passage to their destinations. They had little or no money. The monsoon season was approaching and the urgency of getting away became more evident every day. The Hindustanee missionaries extended their labors throughout India as the way opened. Finally on the 24th of July Elders Ballantyne and Skelton arrived at Madras but they found there, as in Calcutta, much opposition to their message.
Elder Robert Owens was appointed to serve in Madras in the East India Conference. He arrived in Madras from Calcutta on the second of January 1854 in good health. He brought a small quantity of books for President Jones. These supplied a lack, which at first was a great disadvantage to the cause. Elder Owens was appointed to labor at Chinaderaput, in the suburbs of Madras. He lived with Richard Ballantyne in the home of Mr. Brown.
Robert was not succeeding in opening the doors for the preaching of the Gospel either. The March 6, 1854 report was that the branch at Madras included seven members and three Elders. During the month of February four were baptized. The Hindu festivals were often orgies of licentiousness and excess. One of these celebrations was witnessed by Richard Ballantyne and Roberts Owens, who had recently joined the mission in Madras. It was just another shock to the Elders. They were upset by the demoralizing effect it had on the people.
The structure the missionaries had tried to build was crumbling away rapidly. The mission was losing headway. The report was that in Calcutta the people rejected the Gospel and the Lord has withdrawn His spirit from them. In 1855 preparations were in progress for the closing of the Indian Mission because of lack of interest. The Elders found the Hindustanees "destitute of honesty and integrity, insomuch that when converted and baptized they would for a few pice join any other religion, and the Europeans were so aristocratic that they were hardly approachable."
Miraculously, although some of the missionaries spent days very ill, none of them died. Generally, they had their health and strength. God blessed them with life, food, clothing, money, places to stay, means of transportation, and safety but not many converts. God did not take away any man’s agency, nor did he allow the missionaries such power.
Robert Owens left Calcutta, India July 25, 1854. Tuesday, October 10, 1854, he arrived in Sidney, Australia where he reported to the brethren in Sidney that the work in India was closed for the present because of the lack of interest and that all the Elders sent there expected to leave at the first opportunity. He arrived in Sidney well supplied with books and pamphlets. He sailed on the "Hellespont" to serve with Burr Frost in Tasmania from Sidney. He was reported to be in good health.
Robert was in Australia from 13 October to 27 April 1855 when he sailed for San Pedro from Victoria on the brig "Tarquenia" in the company of Elder Frost who was in charge of 72 souls emigrating to Utah. They sailed from Hobson’s Bay Melbourne bound for San Francisco, California.
The vessel having sprung a leak ran into the harbor at Tahiti for repairs and to take in a supply of fresh provisions. After a week’s delay, the voyage was continued to Hawaii and Honolulu was reached July 5, 1855, but before arriving there the ship had sprung another leak. Further repairs were made at Honolulu, after which they finally sailed for California. The old craft, which was virtually unfit for sea, was handled so roughly by the waves and wind that she began to leak worse than ever. She was compelled to return to Honolulu, being in danger of sinking. The vessel was sold and the passengers left in Honolulu to shift for themselves as best as they could. A number of the saints sailed on the schooner "Willimantic" arriving in San Francisco August 24, leaving Brothers Burr and Owens in charge of those left behind.
George Q. Cannon, while in San Francisco, wrote to his uncle, John Taylor, 4 September 1855 (Before Robert’s return), "It is extremely cheering to witness the spirit of peace and happiness which attends the brethren on returning from their long and toilsome mission, all uniting in one grand testimony that, whether on the land or on the sea, in typhoons or in clams, in sickness or in health, the Lord has always been with them and they have been delivered, they had traveled thousands of miles among all races, casts and classes, without purse or script, yet they have lacked for nothing. India, through their instrumentality, has once more, after a long night of darkness, had the glorious gospel of the Son of God laid at its feet, and whatever the results may be, the brethren have the proud satisfaction of knowing that all in their power was done to lay the principles in plainness before them. Australia still yields a few to swell the number of those who are to be gathered out of every nation."
While Robert was laboring in India, tragedy struck. Martha’s second baby, Mary, was burned to death in their home December 1853. After being gone for two and a half years, Robert had two little sons to get acquainted with, Martha’s William and Catherine’s George (Brigham) Washington.
Life in Deseret was not easy for these hardy pioneers. Immigrants were pouring into the valley and there was political unrest as President Pierce had assigned Colonel Steptoe governor at the end of President Brigham Young’s term.
In 1851, the San Bernardino Ranch of 80,000 acres was purchased for a settlement for the Saints. Five hundred migrated there from Utah that year and commenced a Mormon colony. Soon after Robert’s return from his mission he determined or was called to join that settlement.
Martha and Catherine did not get along with each other and Catherine refused to go. Robert took his wife Martha and her two surviving children and headed for San Bernardino. Their last two children, the twins: Joseph and Rial, were born on the Mojave River in California, November 1858. Joseph was blind while Rial had good eyesight. Through some disagreement, Martha told Robert to go his way alone and she would go hers. By June 160, Martha was living alone with her four young children: Margaret, William, Joseph and Rial, in San Bernardino.
Catherine Ann remained in Utah. She continued to struggle along as best she could, cooking for the men who worked in the mines and doing everything she knew how to make a living. She married a second time to Dave Graham, a farmer from Alabama, who was seventeen years, her junior. They had two children: Catherine Ann called Addie and William. Catherine also took in one of John Graham’s children, George Ann, to raise because her mother had died when she was born. When George Ann was two years old, her father came and took her away from Catherine, but she cried continuously and he brought her back and told Catherine Ann she could have her. George Ann stayed with her adopted mother until Catherine’s death.
Catherine Ann came to Smithfield in 1865 so she could be close to her daughter, Sarah, where she was called on to nurse her young son Robert. He was fifteen years of age when he passed away. Catherine lived in Smithfield, Utah until her death on 6 May 1886.
Martha traveled back to Parowan with a group of saints. One man in the group was William Marshall II, a convert to the church from Australia. He was the widower of Francis Bridger who had died in San Bernardino. William was left with three young children. After arriving in Utah, William Marshall and Martha were married October 10, 1863.
Martha’s father, Rial Allen, died the 26th of September 1865 in Missouri. In the Andrew, Missouri County Court in its November Term 1868, Martha and William Marshall were awarded $250 as were her four brothers and sister.
The youngest of William Marshall’s children was William Marshall III. He was just eleven months older that Martha’s twins. In 1878 William III married Martha Permelia Allen, his stepmother’s niece, Lewis Allen’s daughter.
After Robert had been in California a few years he returned home in May 1860. Catherine Ann had a two year old daughter and was confined with the birth of her son, William Graham. Robert wept bitterly to find his wife had married again. Robert left his testimony and family record with his children and returned to California. He wrote to his family for some time, advising his children to keep the faith and instructing them in the truth.
In 1862, Robert went to Moccasin Springs then in 1875 back to Parowan where Martha and her family were living. He finally settled in Los Angeles where he ran a small grocery store. In June 1880, Robert was living in a boarding house on San Pedro Street in Los Angeles with John Diller, a forty year old Prussian laborer. In the census, Robert’s occupation was listed as laborer but due to rheumatism, he was unable to work. His address in 1883 was 92 San Pedro Street. He died in Los Angeles November 8, 1883, at the age of sixty-five. The inventory taken to settle his estate, consisted of one lot on San Pedro Street known as lot 16 of the Murat tract with improvements and a boarding house of but little value totaling $1500.
Martha’s oldest daughter, Margaret, married James Clark and had two children. Then Margaret left him and later became her stepfather’s polygamist wife. Martha and Margaret, her daughter, lived together as sister wives of William Marshall.
Martha received her patriarchal blessing at Winter Quarters on the sixth of June 1846. The Patriarch was John Smith. She was told that she was of the house and lineage of Jacob. She received a second one in Parowan on July 12, 1874. Abel Lamb was the Patriarch. Martha was told that she is of the tribe and lineage of Joseph.
Martha’s weight used to be a joke. Her nephew teased her about her 250 pounds plus and she would never say how much plus.
Margaret died 21 December 1887 and William Marshall II died February 1894. Martha went to Smithfield to live with her son, William Owens and his family. Amy Owens, her granddaughter, described her grandmother as hard to get along with. Martha died in her son’s home on the 4th of July 1897. Catherine died in Smithfield in 1886.
Robert, Catherine Ann and Martha had strong testimonies and took part in the historic event and persecution of the early period of the restoration. They recognized the truthfulness of the gospel and joined that unpopular faith even though it meant leaving families behind. Robert and Catherine attended the Nauvoo Temple for their endowments and headed west with their prophet, Brigham Young whom they idolized. Robert participated in what every the Prophet asked: Mormon Battalion, colonizing, foreign mission and even plural marriage.
______________________________________________________________________________
New information received on Edmund Owens lineage (2001). Source Barbara Stoddard.
John H. Owens was born about 1608 in of Tower Street, London, England. He died after 1979 in London, Middlesex, England.
Richard Owens was born about 1630 in of Tower Street, London, England. He died before 8 May 1684. He married Ann Fuether.
William Owens was born about 1664 in of, Somerset, Maryland.
William Owens was born about 1888 in of, Dorchester, Maryland. He married Sarah.
William Owens was born about 1710 in of,, Maryland. He married Elizabeth.
William Owens was born about 1725 in of,, Maryland. He married Ann LeCompte.
William Owens was born about 1752 in of, Caroline, Maryland; died about 1815 of Denton, Caroline, Maryland. He married Elizabeth Miffin 1775 in Caroline, Maryland, daughter of Matthew Miffen. She was born 1754 in Dover, Kent Co., Delaware.
Descendants of John H. Owens
(As of March 30, 2001)
(This was compiled by Merla L. Becker with the assistance of my mother and many aunts and cousins, as shown in the end notes, along with years of research. It is probably inevitable that in entering all of this information that I may have made a type O. If you note anything please let me know.
I request that the personal information on living individuals not be made assessable on the net or web pages.)
Generation No. 9
10. ROBERT9 OWENS (EDMUND H.8, WILLIAM7, WILLIAM6, WILLIAM5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, RICHARD2, JOHN H.1)19 was born July 10, 1818 in Dover, Kent Co., Delaware20, and died November 9, 1883 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California21. He married (1) CATHERINE ANN WILLIAMS21 1837 in Franklin Co., Ohio22, daughter of WILLIAM WILLIAMS and ESTHER RUFFNER. She was born December 11, 1819 in Salt Works,(Kanawha) Cannon Co., (West) Virginia23, and died May 6, 1886 in Smithfield, Cache Co., Utah23. He married (2) MARTHA EVANS ALLEN March 7, 1850 in Salt Lake City, Slat Lake, Utah, daughter of RIAL ALLEN and (PEGGY) EVANS. She was born March 2, 1823 in Alstia, Pulaski Co., Kentucky24,25, and died July 4, 1897 in Smithfield, Cache Co., Utah.
Notes for ROBERT OWENS:
Information from Mrs. Cecil Miles, Preston, ID= Mojave, Los Angeles Co, now in Kern Co. After 1860
The following information was taken from Treasures of Pioneer History, Stories of the Morman Battalion, by Kate Carter-ref pages 467 and 468: "Robert Owens" was born July 10, 1818 in Dover, Delaware. He was a son of Edmond Owens and Margaret Tur. (Family researcher found that Margaret's name was Turner instead of Tur) He was called into service at Mt. Pisgah in Company
"B" of the Morman Battalion and made that memorable trek to San Diego with the infantry. Gen. Kearney in praising the battalion said "Bonapart crossed the Alps, but these men crossed a continent." Robert Owens died in Los Angeles Nov. 9, 1883.
Eva Jorgensen believed: His forebears came from Wales to Ireland and from there to America. (3rd Great Grandfather died in London?)
There is a question whether Dover, Kent is in Delaware or Maryland.
He was Sld. to Catherine then married & sealed to Martha in his home in Salt Lake, Utah Terr. by Heber C. Kimball, Wit. Brigham Young & Thomas Bullock-source Nauvoo living Sealings Records pg. 751 film # 183373.
More About ROBERT OWENS:
Baptised: September 21, 1844, Ohio
Burial: November 1883, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California26
Ebdowment: February 7, 1846, Nauvoo
Military service: Private in Company B Mormon Battalion, mustered out 16 July 1847, arrived Salt Lake 16 Oct. 1847
Mission (LDS): October 1852, Departed for Mission to India & Australia-Oct 10, arrived/Oct 24 sailed to Tasmania/Apr 27 embarked.
Nationality: English
Occupation: He was a farmer by trade
Residence: 1854, Salt Lake to Parawon to California, after mission27
Notes for CATHERINE ANN WILLIAMS:
Salt Works, after Civil War is in Kanawha CO, West Virginia
Catherine Ann Owens along with Jarone (Jeome) and Nephi are listed in the 2nd Group, Fifth Ten that set out from Iowa in summer of 1847, and arrived in Salt Lake Valley Oct 2, 1847. (This information is from "Heart Throbs of the West" by Kate B. Carter, Page 431.)
(Note in reference to Mormon migration from Ill to Salt Lake City, Captain Edward Hunter- said Second hundred departed June 17, 1847 and arrived in Salt Lake Valley Sept 29, 1847)
1860 Census: Salt Lake City, Catherine with husband, David Graham, her Owens children: Nephi, Sarah, Robert, Brigham, and her Graham children.
More About CATHERINE ANN WILLIAMS:
Baptized: September 21, 1844, Ohio
Burial: May 1886, Smithfield, Cache Co., Utah28
Ebdowment: February 7, 1846, Nauvoo
Nationality: German/Dutch
More About ROBERT OWENS and CATHERINE WILLIAMS:
Marriage: 1837, Franklin Co., Ohio28
Notes for MARTHA EVANS ALLEN:
There is more information on Martha Allen's family Line in World Family Tree Vol. 4, Pedigree #55.
Martha was sealed to Robert Owens as a polygamist wife - Info= Eva Jorgensen.
While Martha was married to her second Husband, William Marshall II, she was sister wife with her oldest daughter, Margaret Owens who also left her first husband and married him - Info= Lyle Owens.
More About MARTHA EVANS ALLEN:
Baptized: 1838
More About ROBERT OWENS and MARTHA ALLEN:
Marriage: March 7, 1850, Salt Lake City, Slat Lake, Utah
Children of ROBERT OWENS and CATHERINE WILLIAMS are:
i. JEROME10 OWENS29, b. September 25, 1838, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana30,31; d. May 2, 1902, Eureka, Humboldt, California32,33.
ii. JOSEPHINE OWENS34, b. August 7, 1840, Whitt, Montgomery, Illinois34; d. Abt. 1846, Winter Quarters, Douglas, Nebraska35.
More About JOSEPHINE OWENS:
Cause of Death: Diphtheria
iii. ISABELLE OWENS36, b. February 8, 1842, Gallatin County, Illinois; d. Abt. 1846, Winter Quarters, Douglas, Nebraska.
More About ISABELLE OWENS:
Cause of Death: Diphtheria
11. iv. NEPHI WILLIAM OWENS, b. March 24, 1844, McCracken Co, Kentucky; d. October 3, 1927, Bruneau, Owyhee Co., Idaho.
v. MARY ELIZABETH OWENS36, b. July 29, 1846, Iowa; d. 1946, Winter Quarters, Douglas, Nebraska37.
12. vi. SARAH OWENS, b. July 31, 1848, Big Cotton Wood, Salt Lake Co., Utah; d. March 29, 1931, Smithfield, Cache Co., Utah.
vii. ROBERT JR OWENS38, b. November 26, 1850, Big Cotton Wood, Salt Lake Co., Utah; d. February 8, 1865, Smithfield, Cache Co., Utah39.
13. viii. GEORGE W. OWENS, b. December 12, 1852, Big Cotton Wood, Salt Lake Co., Utah; d. March 6, 1931,
Weiser, Idaho.
Children of ROBERT OWENS and MARTHA ALLEN are:
ix. MARGARET10 OWENS, b. December 20, 1850, West Jordan, Salt Lake Co., Utah40; d. December 21, 1887, Beaver, Iron Co., Utah; m. (1) JAMES BURNETT CLARK, June 27, 1870, Salt Lake City, SL , Utah; m. (2) WILLIAM II MARSHALL, April 14, 1873, Salt Lake City, SL , Utah; b. March 9, 1822, Biddington, Kent, England; d. February 1894, Parowan, Iron, Utah.
More About MARGARET OWENS:
Other Info: Born partially blind
More About JAMES CLARK and MARGARET OWENS:
Marriage: June 27, 1870, Salt Lake City, SL , Utah
More About WILLIAM MARSHALL and MARGARET OWENS:
Marriage: April 14, 1873, Salt Lake City, SL , Utah
x. MARY ANN OWENS, b. February 26, 1852, Parowan, Iron Co., Utah; d. December 20, 1853, Parowan, Iron Co., Utah.
Notes for MARY ANN OWENS:
NOTE: She was left in the house asleep while Martha was busy outside somewhere and the house caught fire and the baby burned before help came - Eva Jorgensen
More About MARY ANN OWENS:
Cause of Death: Fire
14. xi. WILLIAM Q. OWENS, b. February 6, 1853, Big Cottonwood, Salt Lake Co., Utah; d. July 17, 1923, Pocatello, Bannock Co., Idaho.
xii. RIAL OWENS41, b. November 10, 1858, near the Mojave River, California42; d. November 14, 1923, Westwood, Lessen Co., California; m. LENA LOUANNA MORTENSON, April 22, 1885, St. George Temple, Washington Co., Utah42; b. February 25, 1866, Parawan, Iron Co., Utah; d. October 6, 1906, Cassia Co., Idaho.
Notes for RIAL OWENS:
they had 11 children, info from Idaho State Gen. Library & 4th Gen. Chart submitted by Cecil L Miles and Robert Owens
More About RIAL OWENS and LENA MORTENSON:
Marriage: April 22, 1885, St. George Temple, Washington Co., Utah42
xiii. JOSEPH OWENS43, b. November 10, 1858, near the Mojave River, California44; d. March 16, 1943, Lewiston, Utah45; m. (1) SARAH ELIZABETH BUTTERFIELD, April 10, 1879, Salt Lake City, SL , Utah; m. (2) ELIZABETH ELLIS, April 27, 1892.
More About JOSEPH OWENS:
Other Info: Born Blind
More About JOSEPH OWENS and SARAH BUTTERFIELD:
Marriage: April 10, 1879, Salt Lake City, SL , Utah
More About JOSEPH OWENS and ELIZABETH ELLIS:
Marriage: April 27, 1892
Taken from Pedigree Resource File on 4/2/2001 -
!BORN-PARENTS-MARRIED(1)-SPOUSE(1)-CHILDREN-MARRIED(2)-SPOUSE(2)-CHILDREN- DIED: 9 Nov 1883; ORDINANCES: B: 21 Sep 1844 (FGS)/ReB: 3 Jul 1981 (TIB) /E /P/S(1)/S(2); LDS Membership 1830-1848; FHL fiche #6031596; SOURCES:
!NAME-BORN: 10 Jul 1818 Dover, Kent, Delaware/Maryland; MARRIED: 1837 Franklin, Ohio; DIED-SPOUSE(1)-ORDINANCE: S(1); Herbert David Brumble (Sr.)'s Genealogical Pencil Record book.
!NAME-BORN: Dover, Kent, Maryland; SPOUSE(1)-MARRIED(2)-SPOUSE(2)-ORDINANCES: S(1)/S(2): Sealed to Catherine then married & sealed to Martha in his house in Salt Lake, Utah Territory, at 5PM, solomnized by Heber C. Kimball, Wit. Brigham Young & Thos. Bullock: Nauvoo living Sealings Records; 1846-1857; Index, FHL film 183373; Record of Marriages & Sealings, p 751, FHL film 183374.
!DIED:
!NAME-AGE
Barbara Stoddard. 584-05~1.GED (Personal Ancestral File (R) 3.0). 9800 S. E. Harrison, Portland, Oregon 97216, e-mail: dhstoddard@effectnet.com, Date 4 Jun 1999.
<<MORE NOTES THAN CAN BE DISPLAYED>>
This biography has been compiled by Barbara (Brumble) Stoddard
from the stories by Rose Eva (Owens) Jorgensen; research by Lyle
and Robert Owens and other Edgley & Owens Family Organization
members; land records; probate records; census records; church
records; court records; Temple records; Vital Records; and
information on his mission from the Historical Department of the
LDS Church.
TIME LINE
1816 ca: William born [brother of Robert]
1818 July 10: Robert Owens born in Dover, Kent, Delaware, s/o
Edmund H. & Margaret Turner
Edmund & family resided in Caroline County, Maryland
1820 Ca: Margaret born [sister of Robert]
1823 March 7: Martha Allen born in Somerset, Pluaski, Kentucky,
d/o Rial Allen & Margaret Evins
1824 ca: Elizabeth born [sister of Robert]
1828 Robert's parents & family moved to Wayne Twp., Pickaway,
Ohio
1830 ca: Edmund died
1831 March 8: Margaret Turner married Joseph Beavers in Pickaway
Co.
1832 ca: George Washington Beaver born in Pickaway Co.
[half-brother of Robert]
1837 Robert & Catherine Ann Williams married in Franklin Co.,
Ohio
1838: Martha joined the church
1838 September 25, Jerome born [Catherine] in Anderson, Indiana
1840 August 7: Josephine born [Catherine]
1842 February 8: Isabelle born [Catherine] in Shawneetown,
Gallatin, Illinois
1844 March 24: Nephi born [Catherine] in McCracken Co., Kentucky
1844 September 21: Robert & Catherine baptized
1845 spring: to Nauvoo, Illinois
1846 February 7: endowed Nauvoo Temple
1846 June 6: Martha received patriarchal Blessing from John
Smith at Winter Quarters
1846 June 26: enlisted in Mormon Battalion at Mt. Pisgah
1846 July 29: Mary Elizabeth born [Catherine] in Charcrik, Iowa
Terr.
1846 Isabelle died in Winter Quarters [Catherine]
1846 November: Josephine died in Winter Quarters [Catherine]
1846 December 7: Catherine received patriarchal blessing from
John Smith
1847 Mary Elizabeth died in Cager, Iowa [Catherine]
1848 July 16: Robert mustared out in San Diego, California
1847 September: Martha with brother Andrew Jackson Allen,
arrived in Great Salt Lake Valley
in the A.O. Smoot Company
1847 October 4: arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley with
Daniel M. Thomas Company
1847 October 16: Robert arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley
1848 spring: Robert & Catherine settled in Big Cottonwood
1848 July 31: Sarah born [Catherine] in Big Cottonwood
1849 April 9: Robert received patriarchal blessing from John
Smith
1850 June: Census Iron County - Robert and both families together
1850 March 7: Big Cottonwood, Salt Lake, Utah Robert sealed to
Catherine & married Martha Allen
1850 November 26: Robert born [Catherine] in Big Cottonwood
1850 December 20: Margaret born [Martha] in West Jordan, Utah
(part blind)
1851 August 27: Robert & Martha to Parowan, Iron Co. with the
Captain Shirts Company
1852 February 26: Mary Ann born [Martha] in Parawon, Utah
1852 August 28: Robert called to Hindustan in the Australaisan
Mission
1852 December 12: George Brigham Williams born [Catherine] in
Big Cottonwood
1853 February 6: William (blind) born [Martha] in Big Cottonwood
1853 December 20: Mary Ann died in house fire [Martha]
1855 September: Robert arrived in California from mission
Robert & Martha to San Bernadino, Catherine remained in Utah
1856 ca: Catherine married Dave Graham in Utah and had two
children: Addie & William
1858 November 10: Joseph (blind) & Rial born along the Mohave
River, Kern, California [Martha]
1860 May: Robert returned from California and found Catherine
married and just had 2nd child
1860 June: Martha & children in San Bernadino, Robert in Los
Angeles, Catherine in Utah
1863 February 8: Sarah married to Joseph Smith in Salt Lake City
[Catherine]
1863 October 10: Martha married William Marshall II
1865 February 8: Robert (Jr.) died [Catherine]
1865: Catherine to Smithfield
1865 September 26: Martha's father Rial Allen died in Missouri
she inherited $250
1870 June 27: Margaret married to James Burnett Clark in Salt
Lake City [Martha]
1873 April 14: Margaret married William Marshall, II in Salt
Lake City (plural wife) [Martha]
1874 July 12 : Martha received (2) patriarchal blessing from
Abel Lamb in Parowan
1879 April 10: Joseph married Sarah Elizabeth Butterworth in
Salt Lake City [Martha]
1885 April 22: Rial married Lena Lasanie Mortensen in St.George,
Utah [Martha]
1886 May 6: Catherine died in Smithfield
1887 December 21: Margaret died in Beaver, Utah [Martha]
1888 September 26: William married to Mary Ann Edgley in Logan,
Utah
1892 April 27: Joseph married (2) Elizabeth Ellis [Martha]
1894 February William Marshall II died, Martha went to
Smithfield to live with son William
1897 July 4: Martha died in Smithfield
1898 ca: Jerome died in California [Catherine]
1923 July 17: William died in Pocatello, Bannock, Idaho [Martha]
1923 November 14: Rial died in Westwood. Lassen, California
[Martha]
1931 March 6: George Williams died in Weiser, Idaho
1931 March 24: Sarah died in Smithfield, Utah [Catherine]
1943 March 16: Joseph died [Martha]
_______________________________________
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Husband
Robert Owens Pedigree
Birth: 10 JUL 1818 Dover, Kent, Delaware
Christening:
Marriage: 1837 , Franklin, Ohio
Death: 09 NOV 1883 Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Burial:
LDS Ordinances
[Baptism: Completed] : 21 SEP 1844
[Endowment: Completed] : 07 FEB 1846
[Seal To Spouse: Completed] : 07 MAR 1850
Wife
Catherine Ann Williams Pedigree
Birth: 11 DEC 1819 Kennawah Co, , , West Virginia
Christening:
Marriage: 1837 , Franklin, Ohio
Death: 06 MAY 1886 Smithfield, Cache, Utah
Burial:
LDS Ordinances
[Endowment: Completed] : 07 FEB 1846
[Seal To Spouse: Completed] : 07 MAR 1850
Father: William Williams Family
Mother: Esther Ruffner
Children
1. Jerome Owens Pedigree
Male
Birth: 25 SEP 1838 Anderson, Madison, Indiana
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
LDS Ordinances
[Endowment: Completed] : 11 MAR 1925
[Seal To Parent: Completed] : 18 NOV 1960 SLAKE
2. Josephine Owens Pedigree
Female
Birth: 07 AUG 1840 Whitt, , , Illinois
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
LDS Ordinances
[Baptism: Completed] : 21 OCT 1959
[Endowment: Completed] : 13 NOV 1959
[Seal To Parent: Completed] : 18 NOV 1960 SLAKE
3. Isabelle Owens Pedigree
Female
Birth: 08 FEB 1842 Galiton, , , Illinois
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
LDS Ordinances
[Baptism: Completed] : 21 OCT 1959
[Endowment: Completed] : 13 NOV 1959
[Seal To Parent: Completed] : 18 NOV 1960 SLAKE
4. Nephi Owens Pedigree
Male
Birth: 24 MAR 1844 Mccraken, , , Kentucky
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
LDS Ordinances
[Baptism: Completed] : 20 OCT 1959
[Endowment: Completed] : 13 NOV 1959
[Seal To Parent: Completed] : 18 NOV 1960 SLAKE
5. Mary Elizabeth Owens Pedigree
Female
Birth: 29 JUL 1846 , , Iowa
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
LDS Ordinances
[Baptism: Completed] : 21 OCT 1959
[Endowment: Completed] : 13 NOV 1959
[Seal To Parent: Completed] : 18 NOV 1960 SLAKE
6. Sarah Owens Pedigree
Female
Birth: 31 JUL 1848 Big Cottonwood, Salt Lake, Utah
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
LDS Ordinances
[Endowment: Completed] : 14 JAN 1865
[Seal To Parent: Completed] : 18 NOV 1960 SLAKE
7. Robert Owens Pedigree
Male
Birth: 26 NOV 1850 Big Cottonwood, Salt Lake, Utah
Christening:
Death: 08 FEB 1865 <Big Cottonwood, Salt Lake, Utah>
Burial:
LDS Ordinances
[Endowment: Completed] : 11 MAR 1925
8. George W. Owens Pedigree
Male
Birth: 12 DEC 1852 Big Cottonwood, Salt Lake, Utah
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
LDS Ordinances
[Baptism: Completed] : 20 OCT 1959
[Endowment: Completed] : 13 NOV 1959