This history was in my father, Ralph M. Smith or M. Ralph Smith’s, records when he died. I am not sure who the author is but I found it interesting since I had just recently added her bio to the blog.
Mary Aikens Smith
My third great-grandmother Mary Aikens was born on the 13th of August 1791 in Vermont. She later moved to St. Lawrence New York to teach school. She became acquainted with and married a man by the name of Silas Smith. Silas’ first wife had passed away leaving him with four children to raise. Silas and Mary had three sons of their own. Mary also helped take care of Silas’ aging parents. In 1830 Joseph Smith Sr. came to visit his family and taught them the gospel. Silas was baptized by Hyrum in 1835, but Mary decided to wait until so knew for herself that the gospel was true.
In 1836 Silas, Mary, their children, and Silas’ mother, Mary Duty Smith, moved to Kirtland Ohio to join the Saints. On July 18, 1837 Mary was baptized in the church by Hyrum Smith.
On April 13, 1838 Silas, Mary, and part of their family set out to Missouri but before they reached Far West they were turned back because of ‘the exterminating order.” They spent the winter on the west bank of the Missouri river. Mary’s son John died at the age of six. In February the crossed the river to a community called Pittsfield Ill, before they could go on to Nauvoo Silas became very ill and died of pneumonia. Mary and her two sons lived with family and friends and Mary taught school to support her family.
When Brigham Young announced that the church was going to resettle in the Rocky Mountains Mary decided quickly that she and her sons would be among the Saints to move. She was discouraged by some family members because she was a widow and little to support herself. Many suggested she wait until later to move but Mary was very determined to go West. Mary and her sons, Silas Sanford and Jesse Nathaniel, worked hard to prepare themselves to go to Winter Quarters and on to the Rocky Mountains. In September of 1847 Mary Aikens Smith and her two sons entered the Salt Lake Valley as part of the “Big Company.” Mary was fifty years old when she arrived here. Mary and her sons spent the first winter with very little and the next spring helped to battle the crickets as they ate their crops.
Mary thought that she finally had a home, however, in 1815 Brigham Young asked Mary and her two sons to help build the new settlement of Parowan. Mary spent the next 27 years of her life there.
Mary could have chosen to stay with other family members in Nauvoo, or waited to stay until they had more money save before they came West. Despite all that she had sacrificed and lost Mary had gained her own very strong testimony of the gospel and knew that she wanted to be in “Zion” with the rest of the Saints. Her Grandson gave this tribute to her.
“Mary was a courageous woman of unusual faith and strength of character. She struggled heroically to rear her two boys, Silas and Jesse, to manhood…Through her teachings and her wonderful example she helped her sons acquire, early in life, a firm testimony of the truthfulness of Mormonism. To Mary Aikens Smith and her sons the gospel of Jesus Christ was always the thing of greatest importance in their lives.”
I am grateful for the good person and example that Mary Aikens Smith is for me. I hope that when I am faced with difficulty in my life that I can be as valiant as she was and Choose the Right. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
July in Manassas
Dear Family Members: I hope that some one besides Lauri and I are reading this---anyway, while in Manassa for Pioneer Days in July, I attended the Enoch M. and Margret Jamima Reese Rogers reunion. It was well attended by representatives of all their children with the exception of Aunt Texy Rogers Weimer. While there a handout was presented by the reunion committee of some family histories and funeral remarks made by Winfred S. Haynie. He was married to Cloe Rogers Haynie, the daughter of G. Wayne and Berneice Jackson Rogers. They had been compiled by Donald L. Haynie from the personal files and notes of his father Winfred S. Haynie.
As I read through them, I found his remarks given at Grandpa George E. Smith's funeral, also a couple of writings by Madge about Grandma May Smith. I compiled the two articles written by Madge, and edited the dates that she had used about the George E. and May Smith family. I used existing dates from church records and family genealogy records when corrections were necessary.
With regard to Grandpa Smiths broken and crushed leg--I was only about 9 years old when Grandpa died, but well remember how his leg looked. I watched Grandma and Madge change the bandages sometimes twice a day on it. Several times it seemed you could see the silver plates holding his leg together. I know that his health from the effects of the broken leg and from having malaria that he contacted while serving his mission, was truly a heavy cross to bear. However, I remember he was always cheerful around me and always greeted me with a smile and a kiss and a hug. And it was expected that he received the same from all the family that visited him each time. I remember him sitting in his big high-backed overstuffed chair, with his foot on a stool. He was usually dressed in a long sleeve shirt with bib overalls. In the top pocket of the overalls was a pocket watch attached with a braided leather watch fob. He usually had some small change in his other pocket to give out to the grand kids 'to go to the store and buy some penny candy'.
When Grandpa died, I spent most of the evenings and nights with Grandma. We listened to the radio for entrainment. But mostly, we played marbles (on her braided rugs), and checkers, and some card games. There was always her famous homemade bread, served with cream and sugar, big sugar cookies, or fresh strawberries, or raspberries, or cooked rhubarb with cinnamon and sugar also served with cream. And her homemade beans, cooked slowly on that old wood burning stove are un-equaled in taste. It is fun to remember being at Grandpa and Grandma Smith's home.
As I read through them, I found his remarks given at Grandpa George E. Smith's funeral, also a couple of writings by Madge about Grandma May Smith. I compiled the two articles written by Madge, and edited the dates that she had used about the George E. and May Smith family. I used existing dates from church records and family genealogy records when corrections were necessary.
With regard to Grandpa Smiths broken and crushed leg--I was only about 9 years old when Grandpa died, but well remember how his leg looked. I watched Grandma and Madge change the bandages sometimes twice a day on it. Several times it seemed you could see the silver plates holding his leg together. I know that his health from the effects of the broken leg and from having malaria that he contacted while serving his mission, was truly a heavy cross to bear. However, I remember he was always cheerful around me and always greeted me with a smile and a kiss and a hug. And it was expected that he received the same from all the family that visited him each time. I remember him sitting in his big high-backed overstuffed chair, with his foot on a stool. He was usually dressed in a long sleeve shirt with bib overalls. In the top pocket of the overalls was a pocket watch attached with a braided leather watch fob. He usually had some small change in his other pocket to give out to the grand kids 'to go to the store and buy some penny candy'.
When Grandpa died, I spent most of the evenings and nights with Grandma. We listened to the radio for entrainment. But mostly, we played marbles (on her braided rugs), and checkers, and some card games. There was always her famous homemade bread, served with cream and sugar, big sugar cookies, or fresh strawberries, or raspberries, or cooked rhubarb with cinnamon and sugar also served with cream. And her homemade beans, cooked slowly on that old wood burning stove are un-equaled in taste. It is fun to remember being at Grandpa and Grandma Smith's home.
Remarks at Funeral of George Essex Smith
The following remarks were given by Winfred S. Haynie at the funeral of George Essex Smith, on May 28, 1949 in the Manassa Ward Chapel, Manassa, Colorado.
Again, we are face to face with the realities of eternal life. George Smith had been in failing health for some time. The lines in his face were a clear indication of his pain and suffering.
Last night, as he lay in state, he seemed to be at rest and peace. Each of us is one step nearer that same experience. In life, George was fortunate and blessed with the kindness and attention of loved ones who really cared for him.
George's life has already been reviewed for us here. Members of his father's family first came to Manassa in July, 1879, and camped on main street. They had come from Bluff, Utah, to Alamosa, Colorado, for supplies. In 1880, the older members of his father's family came to arrange for permanent settlement here and in 1882, George and the immediate Smith family came to settle, when George was only four years old. The family pioneered here in a bleak desert, where cold winds blew and the snow came early. Pioneer homes were not well-built, they were not insulated, and they were not heated by such means as coal, oil, or gas. Rather, the homes were built of green cottonwood logs, chinked with mud. When the logs shrunk, the chinking had to be done all over again. There were no electric lights, telephones or radios. The walls were not covered with wall paper, and the floors were not polished. There was no modern furniture and there were no automobiles, trucks or tractors, and (however) there were a few good horses. But the pioneers bowed and prayed and surely learned that they were children of God.
George grew up to be kind, considerate, mild-tempered and long-suffering. Some may have thought that George was not active in the Church. They did not know of his physical handicap and that he was always suffering. But, he did have a testimony and great faith. Anticipating his funeral, he had requested that there be very little eulogy; rather, he wanted us to discuss the principles in which he believed. He knew that there are no conversions at funeral services. He knew that faith comes slowly, that it grows and develops with righteous living and prayer, and by overcoming temptation and evil. Worthwhile things result from long and great effort.
When missionaries are set apart, they are instructed to leave the mysteries alone, and to preach and teach (the) first principles of the Gospel. This was George's belief. It was the patten he followed when on his mission to the Southern States from 1899 to 1900. George followed the pattern of John the Baptist who taught faith, repentance and baptism. George believed in absolute repentance if one is to be brought forth as the first fruits of the resurrection.
When I was his bishop, I called on George for Gospel sermons and he always responded, teaching the first principles with a fine knowledge of the scriptures and with the fervency of John the Baptist.
George bore a lifetime of suffering as his cross to bear. He contracted malaria on his mission in 1899-1900. When the ailment recurred after his marriage, he went to Idaho and Utah to regain his health. While breaking a bronco for a rancher (in Idaho), he was thrown and the horse fell on him breaking his leg. Two silver plates were used to heal his leg and, for eight years, he made many visits to hospitals for treatment. He never complained that the pain never left him. That was his cross.
Again, we are face to face with the realities of eternal life. George Smith had been in failing health for some time. The lines in his face were a clear indication of his pain and suffering.
Last night, as he lay in state, he seemed to be at rest and peace. Each of us is one step nearer that same experience. In life, George was fortunate and blessed with the kindness and attention of loved ones who really cared for him.
George's life has already been reviewed for us here. Members of his father's family first came to Manassa in July, 1879, and camped on main street. They had come from Bluff, Utah, to Alamosa, Colorado, for supplies. In 1880, the older members of his father's family came to arrange for permanent settlement here and in 1882, George and the immediate Smith family came to settle, when George was only four years old. The family pioneered here in a bleak desert, where cold winds blew and the snow came early. Pioneer homes were not well-built, they were not insulated, and they were not heated by such means as coal, oil, or gas. Rather, the homes were built of green cottonwood logs, chinked with mud. When the logs shrunk, the chinking had to be done all over again. There were no electric lights, telephones or radios. The walls were not covered with wall paper, and the floors were not polished. There was no modern furniture and there were no automobiles, trucks or tractors, and (however) there were a few good horses. But the pioneers bowed and prayed and surely learned that they were children of God.
George grew up to be kind, considerate, mild-tempered and long-suffering. Some may have thought that George was not active in the Church. They did not know of his physical handicap and that he was always suffering. But, he did have a testimony and great faith. Anticipating his funeral, he had requested that there be very little eulogy; rather, he wanted us to discuss the principles in which he believed. He knew that there are no conversions at funeral services. He knew that faith comes slowly, that it grows and develops with righteous living and prayer, and by overcoming temptation and evil. Worthwhile things result from long and great effort.
When missionaries are set apart, they are instructed to leave the mysteries alone, and to preach and teach (the) first principles of the Gospel. This was George's belief. It was the patten he followed when on his mission to the Southern States from 1899 to 1900. George followed the pattern of John the Baptist who taught faith, repentance and baptism. George believed in absolute repentance if one is to be brought forth as the first fruits of the resurrection.
When I was his bishop, I called on George for Gospel sermons and he always responded, teaching the first principles with a fine knowledge of the scriptures and with the fervency of John the Baptist.
George bore a lifetime of suffering as his cross to bear. He contracted malaria on his mission in 1899-1900. When the ailment recurred after his marriage, he went to Idaho and Utah to regain his health. While breaking a bronco for a rancher (in Idaho), he was thrown and the horse fell on him breaking his leg. Two silver plates were used to heal his leg and, for eight years, he made many visits to hospitals for treatment. He never complained that the pain never left him. That was his cross.
Into a cross maker's shop one day came a man who wearily took down his cross from his shoulder and set it on the floor. "And what can I do for you?" the cross maker asked him. "I want to exchange my burden," said the man. "This one is too heavy for me to carry. I stagger under the load." "Very well," replied the cross maker. "Take your pick of all these crosses and see which suits you best." So the man gladly set about trying them on. The first was very light -- for a moment or two -- but as he walked about, testing it, he concluded that it wouldn't do, for soon it became heavier than his old one. So he tried another, and another, and another, until at last he found one lighter than all the rest. "I can bear this one easily," he told the cross maker. "May I have it?" "Very well," the cross make answered, "but that is the one you brought in with you." George never complained and bore his cross proudly.
(The remarks above by Winfred S. Haynie were assembled from notes in his personal files by his son Donald L. Haynie.)
VISTO MAY ROGERS SMITH
(by Margaret Smith Chapman , June 1986)
Visto May Rogers was born to Enoch Milton and Margret Reese Rogers in Dealville, Alexander, North Carolina, August 27, 1880. May was fourteen when her mother passed away, leaving her husband, Enoch, with eight children. May became her father's right-hand helper in managing the affairs of the family. She always gave praise to neighboring sisters who taught her how to cook, mend clothes, and render lard and care for meat when her father butchered. She often mentioned Sisters Patterson and Grantham.
May became an excellent cook and proficient seamstress. While her fiance was on a mission, she worked as a seamstress for Fanny Beacroft, who operated a dress shop on the corner of Main Street in Manassa. (Where the Town Hall now stands.) Until her children were all grown, she made all of their clothes. Where ever she lived, she always hand made the temple burial clothes for the dead, until they could be purchased through the church.
May started dating George Essex Smith, in their teens, when they were teamed to braid the May-pole. She was outgoing by nature, loved people, loved socials, and above all else, loved to dance. May and George were married in Manassa, August 1, 1901, at the home of his parents, Silas Sanford Smith, and Martha Eliza Bennett Smith.
The following year, November 8, 1902 their first child, May Rhue was born. I 1903, they moved to Layton, Utah, where George, Jr, was born on August 5, 1904. In 1905, they moved to Moore, Idaho, where land was being let for homesteading. In the spring of 1906, George filed on a homestead in the fertile sagebrush valley of the Lost River. Another daughter, Margaret, was born on May 17, 1906. On January 16, 1908, a baby boy, Bennett was born. He lived only a few days, and is buried in the Moore cemetery. In February of 1911, May traveled back to Layton, where Sanford was born February 20, 1911, in the Kaysville hospital. Baby Martha was born on the Idaho homestead, on August 20, 1915. While the family was en route to the Uintah Basin, to again take up a new homestead, Martha died November 21, 1915. She is buried in the Kaysville, Utah cemetery. They youngest child of the family, Milton Ralph, was born October 26, 1918, in Roosevelt, Utah.
Visto May Rogers Smith, was a 'COULD DO ANYTHING PERSON.' She was well known for her sewing, rug making, and her beautiful,hand made quilts. She was also a very good cook. On wash days, we were sure to have beans and baked potatoes for dinner, we could count on it. (They were oh so good!!) She never used recipes, but her butter-milk biscuits would put the highly-regarded 'Kentucky Fried Chicken' ones to shame. But the one thing her family have always remembered was her home-made taffy candy. Sometimes it was made with a sugar base, sometimes plain honey or molasses. In any event, we all got into the 'pulling' act. Dad was always the best puller of all. In Idaho, the winter nights were very long, so Family Home evening was an almost every evening event for us. Our treat varied from taffy to buttered popcorn, or popcorn balls, or apples. Sometimes, it was cookies and milk, punch, or lemonade. Mom and Dad, played the harmonica and they entertained us with solos and duets. They also sang to us and read to us. In the summer months, when we could be outside, Mother often played marbles, hopscotch, jump rope, and other games.
We never bought a ball, yet we played ball a lot. But we had the best balls to throw, catch or bat that you can imagine. Mother made them for us. Each ball wore well, in spite of the hard use it got. She would carefully select a good cork that she had saved from the jugs and bottles of that day. (cork was used for lids) May would start winding yarn around the chosen cork. As she wound the yarn around the cork, she would stop and securely sew the yarn in place. By the time the ball was a little larger than a baseball, it would be as round, as tight, and as smooth as any baseball, and almost as hard. They wore well, but we wore out a great many of them.
Dad worked at odd jobs to provide for the family while improving on the homestead. He was breaking broncos for a neighboring rancher. When one of the horses was suddenly startled, it reared back and fell on Dad, crushing his leg from foot to knee. He was along time in the Blackfoot hospital. Mother would not hear to the doctor's verdict that the leg be amputated. He was finally released to a nurse's care, at her home in Arco. Arco was closer to the homestead, so we could visit him often.
When he was finally released to come home, Mother went to a sale and purchased a red velvet couch with a 'raised head'. (Dad still could not walk upon his leg.) It was placed by the kitchen window so he could visit with her and also see what was going on. A couple of days later, as we were walking home from school, we saw a heavy smoke curling upward. It looked like our house was on fire. We ran, but as we approached the house, we discovered Mother in the yard burning the beautiful red couch. She had drenched it with kerosene, and as it burned she was chopping away at it with an ax. Not until she calmed down did we learn the 'why'. Dad had started itching while lying on the 'red couch'. After examining Dad and the 'red couch', she discovered it was alive with bed bugs.
She moved Dad to a chair and by sheer strength of anger, dragged the 'red couch' outside and away from the house, where she completely destroyed it.
Through all the many moves May was required to make in the sojourn throughout Idaho, Utah, and Colorado, she never complained, but she never lost her homesickness for Manassa. The family returned to Manassa in November, 1921. Her son Sanford, died December 6, 1928, and her beloved husband George, died 27 May, 1949. May passed away in her home in Manassa, June 27, 1954. She is buried beside her husband and near her son Sanford, in the Old Manassa cemetery.
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