Biography of William Findley

by Betty Jean Marble Rhead (great granddaughter)

William Findlay was born 10 May 1831 at Markinch, Kirkfothafues, Fifeshire, Scotland, the son of William Findlay and Lindsay Hannah Highes. In the 1841 census returns of Markinch, William was 10 years old and his sister Ann was 2. His father's occupation was a coal miner. William heard the Mormon missionaries at a streat meeting which he attended. Becomeing interested in the Mormon relgion he visited another meeting two weeks later and just before his seventeenth birthday on the 7th of May 1848 he was baptized in the Lochgelly Branch of Fifeshire by Brother James Watson. He later went to England to live, probably to work in the coal mines there. It is not known if his father, mother and sister went at this time or not. The next known of William was his marriag to Sarah Shaw, the daughter of Samuel Shaw and Mary Boestick. They were married in the district church according to the ceremonies of the established church after Banns were posted. The marriage was solemnized 25 Decmber 1849 at Wingale, count of Durham, England. William's occupation at the time of his marriag was a Pitmann in the coal mines and Sarah was a house servant. They lived at Wingale after their marriage. William was ordained an Elder on 29 June 1851 at the Wingate Branch by Brother Carmchel.

On 27 August 1852 their first child, a boy was born; but instead of great joy they were to know heartache as the baby lived only five minutes, not even long enough to be named. (He was later givn the name of Samuel William Finlay by proxy 19 October 1972 and sealed to his parents in the Logan Temple).

In 1854 William and Sarah lived at 112 Todd Street County A. Wingate Durhame, England. Many of the saints were emigrating to America and William felt it best they should join them. Sarah, however, was reluctant to go; probably because she would have to leave her parents, and her little son was buried there; and also because she was expecting her second child. As later told by their daughter Lucy, my grandmother, her father William decided to go to Liverpool alone; but left money for Sarah's passage to Liverpool with a friend saying he was sure she would come to go with him. He waited in Liverpool a few days and sure enough Sarah came to join him. They came to America through the Perpetual Emigration Fund as most of the Saints did. For this fund, applications for passage were received by the Liverpool church agnt, who in 1854 was Samuel W. Richards and when there was sufficient applications on hand a vessel was chartered and the passengers were notified by printed circulars containing instructions when to be in Liverpool to embark. They were to board the ship either on the day of thir arrival at Livrpool or the following day.

William and Sarah sailed from Liverpool 12 March 1854 on the ship "John M. Woods" under Captain Barstow Hartley, along with their good friends, the Robert Forester family. There were 395 aboard of whom 58 were from Switzerland and Germany. Once on board the agent organized a committee of president and two counselors. Elder Robert Campbell was appointed president of the company.

This committee proceeded to divide the ship into wards or branches over each of which an Eldr or Priest was placed. Each family was allowed a certain amount of pounds of baggage on board ship. It seems Sarah had a small extra weight to contend with. William wore some kind of a cotton cap most of the time and Sarah had a little iron to iron his cap with, so she carried it under her skirt tied to her apron strings and didn't let anyone know about it.

There was very good order on the ship. Passengers were to arise about 5 or 6 o'clock, cleanse thir respective portions of the ship and throw the rubbish overboard. Prayers were offered in every ward and then the passengers prepared their breakfast and during the day occupied themselves with various duties. At 8 or 9 o'clock at night prayers were again said and all retired. jWhen weather permitted, meetings were held on Sundays and two or three times during the week. Schools for adults and children were frequently conducted. On the "John M. Woods" we have accounts that the Swiss and Italian emigrants studied the English language aided by several missionaries. Lectures were also delivered.

The good order and cloeanliness, regularity and moral character of the Mormon passengers seldom failed to make a good impression on the ship's captain and crew and other persons on board who were not Latter-day Saints, and there were often conversions during the trip over. The "John M. Woods" encountered adverse winds in the Irish Channel the first week after sailing from Liverpool, after which the weather was facorable during the remainder of the voyage. Six person's died on board, two children (twins) were born, one couple married and one new member was baptized. William and Sarah were again to know sorrow. Sarah miscarried the child she was to hav. The captain, being a kind man, found a small metal box for it to be buried at sea in. This incident was not reported in the captain's log, as they did not enter miscarriages. It was told the family by a lady in Mendon, Utah years later, who was a child on board the ship with them and whose parents were close friends. The rest of the trip Sarah was not too well.

On the 28th of April 1854 the sihp arrived at the Balize, where it waited for a tug a short time, then proceeded up the river the company landed at New Orleans on 2 May and started the following day on the steamship "Josiah Lawrence", for St. Louis and then on to the outfitting place at Kansas City in Jackson County Missouri, 14 miles west of Independence. If the vessel had made a quick trip across there would b some provisions left. Th "John M. Woods" did make a quick trip across and so there were a few provisions left to use crossing the plains. The emigrants were to furnish their own bedding and cooking utensils and the church agent was in charge of outfitting the company. The Perpetual Emigration Fund allowed a certain amount of flour, beans, rice, sugar, and dried apples, etc. to each wagon. Emigrants who had the means whould purchase what they pleased. Owing to the high prices demanded for cattle, wagons and camp equipment, a great portion of the emigration of 1854 was not able to purchase sufficient cattle to cross comfortably. Consequently, many of the teams that were too heavily loded were about to give out before half the journey was completed. Some made their tents and wagon covers on the way to save expenses. Also, due to loss of cattle sustained by stampedes it was necessary for large numbers of teams from the valley to be sent to help the companies in. Ten individuals were the number allotted to one wagon, one tent, and one team. The William Findlay and Robert Forester families traveled together in one wagon. Sarah was still quite ill at the time of departure, probably because of the result of the miscarriage.

They had inspection every morning and the sick or any who couldn't keep up had to drop back to a later wagon. So Sarah was dressed, her hair combed and she was propped sitting up each morning until she was better so she could stay with the family and she would not be considered too ill to travel.

The following are excerpts from the journal kept in the Robert L. Campbell company. Sunday evening, July 16, Prairie camp, President Campbell inquired if each family had nough provisions to leave the 18th and told them that all men from age 10 to 60 were to b called out that evening to see how they could handle fire arms; and that Brother Thomas Fisher would be wagon master of the English brethren and Brother Baliff of the foreign brethren. He then instructed that the captain of each 10 should see there was a strong rope in his company to hitch to the wagons to take them across creeks and difficult places.

On July 18, 1854 a fine morning, the camp rolled out at 10 o'clock and traveled as far as Indian Creek where there was plenty of water, feed for the cattle, and fire wood. The next day we traveled 12 miles. This was about the mileage we made each day, maybe a little less and maybe a little more, depending upon our problems. In the course of our journey Brother Campbell often called meetings for insturctions. He exhorted the brethern as to the care of the oxen, to treat them kindly and not beat the cattle as crossing the plains depended so much upon them. As we traveled in some places the road was very good, other places uneven, and we had to cross many steep hills which put much strain on the wagons and animals. Many a wheel was broken, but there were several carpenters in the company to repair them. While passing through Nebraska territory there was beautiful scenery but it required several men digging to secure enough water for all. We crossed the Caw River on a ferry boat and encamped on the other side on July 29th. The next day we passed a hill which commanded a view as far as the eye could see and had on the top of it a pile of stones, or rocks, with a pathway going up to it, as if some Indians or ancient people worshipped them. We stopped as a number of wagons needed their wheels made tight; the heat of the sun had made the wheels loose. On August 3 we were aroused at an early hour by one of the brethren, his team driver having run away with his pony about midnight. He was not heard of again as there was no time to search. He had been a sailor on board ship and not a member of the church and seemed of not too good a character.

Sunday, August 6th, thunder and lightening accompanied by heavy rain descended upon us and lasted one hour. The prairie took fire at about 15 miles distance and burned rapidly, coming during the night to about one half mile from our camp, but the wind being favorable the fire went right into the woods. On August 7th, an ailing sister Maria Hughes, age 49 died and was buried. Another incident right soon after when a Brother John Pons, an Italian, in taking his gun out of the wagon was shot in the arm and hand leaving a dreadful wound, but he lives. However, we have very little medical help for him and have to travel on. It later rained for hours soaking through the wagon covers and damaging a lot of goods. The following day was windy and warm so we camped to dry out the clothes and take care of the ill man. Elders Erastus Snow and Orson Spencer and others from Salt Lake who were on missions to the states came to our camp and spent the night. In the evening they gave some instructions and accounts of the prosperous state of Utah Territory. We found their presence to be a joy and a blessing. On August 17, we met a company of 33 wagons returning to the states from Fort Laramie having been there with provisions for the government. We traveled on and as we neared Fort Kearney many wagons needed repair. We saw plenty of deer and buffalo and had plenty of food and water for the cattle. At Fort Kearney there were about 62 soldiers with their officers and a surgeon stationed there so Brother Pons who had been wounded by his gun stayed at the fort to be cared for. We purchased provisiojns from the store although the prices are nearly double and left August 20. As we go along thousands of buggalo throng each side of the road. All the horses and horseman have been busy riding before the wagons keeping the road clear of them. About ten days later we met a party of Cheyenne Indians who were not inclined for peace. They brandished their firearms. We camped and treated them kindly giving them plenty to eat and Brother Campbell gave his tent for them. Our cattle had been corralled at the time. The Indians soon left the tent and went away, but all the men in camp were on guard all night. The next day we did not go far until there were Indians on every side of us. They were all on horseback and well armed. They blockaded the road in front of us, but every man in camp carried his rifle loaded on his shoulder and we drove right through them. Brother Campbell exchanged hands with them and instructed every wagon to give them a little sugar. They stated they were going to war with another nation. Later on we met the Indian agent who advised us to be on the lookout, as all Indians had left Fort Laramie and gone no one knew where.

On Saturday, September 9th, we arrived at Chimney Rock which has been visited by many, as there are hundreds of names written upon it. On Sunday there were special prayers for the sick, as many were down with mountain fever and at 7:30 Sister Lee gave birth to a daughter and we rolled on again at 4:30 for three miles and then caped where there was two settler's stores; and then on to Fort Laramie, where we could get flour, but not under $20.00 for a 100 pound bag. From here there was a lot of traveling in sand. Many oxen died and there was no feed for the rest. We went out of the sand country into swampy spots. On Wednesday, October 4th there was a severe frost, the ice was one inch thick on the water; but on into the mountainous country we went. After going through South Pass a letter from Brigham Young was received giving instructions for the use of provisions and cattle that have ben sent out from Salt lake t9o help the emigrants replace the many oxen that had died in sand and stampedes. On and on we rolled through swamps, dangerous ravines, and down steep descents in the snow; sometimes doubling and re-doubling teams to make it through. On Saturday, October 28, 1854, the morning was find and we started at 9:00 a.m. The day was somewhat mild, and the snow was fast disappearing. We entered the valley of the Great Salt Lake, a view of which we have patiently endured everything to obtain. Ours was the last train of the season. Our camp halted and President Campbell addressed the people saying he felt happy we had arrived safe and in good condition and that he was highly pleased. He concluded praying that the blessings of heaven might rest upon each one in camp after they separate. A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Brother Campbell and Brothers Gales and Burns and the brethren who assisted them to meet us with provisions and cattle. It was the end of the 1189 mile trek and the beginning of a new life for all.

William and Sarah and Robert and Margart Forester settled in Big Cottonwood, living together in the same cabin until they could get out enough logs to build another cabin. On 4 January 1856, another child was born to William and Sarah, a boy who they named James Shaw Findlay. In the same year, William's parents and sister Ann came from England and settled by them in Big Cottonwood. However, Sarah's parents never came to America. Her mother died four years after Sarah left England and I'm sure she was homesick for them many times.But in those days there was much to do in the home leaving very little time for reminiscing or loneliness. William was ordained a Seventy in the 10th Quorum the 23rd of February 1857 by Royal Barney. They had their endowments and Sarah was sealed to William in th Endowment House 28 August 1857.

Their next child was born on the 10th April 1858. This time a lovely little daughter to be named Sarah Ann.

Early in the season of 1859 the family left Big Cottonwood and went to settle in Mendon, Cache Valley, Utah some two years after the settlement of Mendon was started. William was active in the early building up of the town. He was made a member of the High Council organized in Cache Valley by Orsan Hyde and Ezra Taft Benson Sr. in November 1859. He and his family lived in the old fort until 1864 when city lots were surveyed and the people began to move onto them. William worked for a time at Promontory Point cutting wood for the railroad in addition to farming. He had some of the best farm land in Mendon and twelve beautiful horses.

In 1862 the first dramatic company was orgainized in Meandon and William joined the company and played in three plays, "Green Bushes," "The Family Jars," and "The Three Robbers." The scenry was made from wagon covers and quilts and the landies borrowed dresses from each other for costumes and the shows where put on by candlelight.

Here in Mendon were born the rest of their children: Lindsay Jane, 8 September 1861; Mary Shaw, 19 May 1863. However Mary was to be with them only a little while. She died in 1864 leaving the family in sorrow once again. Then on 7 September 1865 Elizabeth Hannah was born and on the 15th September 1867 Lucy Sylvia, my grandmother was born.

William, being valiant in the gospel and worthy was called upon by the church authorities to take a second wife in plural marriage. With Sarah's consent he married Agnes Muir 14 December 1868 and she was sealed to him in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah.

However, William was not to see his children grow up and marry, nor was he even to see his only child by his second wife, Agnes, as he died of pneumonia on 8 May 1869, two days before his 38th birthday and was buried in the Mendon Cemetery. The child, a daughter was born five months after her father's death on 4 October 1869 and was named Mary Elizabeth Findlay. Borth Sarah and Agnes were left to face the problems of raising his family alone and supporting them as well.

William proceeded his son James in death by only one year and four months. James drowned in the Logan River 6 September 1871, at the age of fifteen and was buried next to his father in the Mendon Cemetery. (James was baptized by proxy 2 March 1972; endowed 19 June 1972 by proxy; and sealed to his parents 19 October 1972 in the Logan Temple).

This left Sarah with four girls to raise. They grew up in Mendon living by William's sister Ann Findlay Westover to whom the little iron referred to earlier was given and she told to pass it down to someone always named Linzy. It is now in the possession of Linzy Shelton Larsen, William's granddaughter and will be passed on to her granddaughter Linzy.

Sarah was married a second time for time only to Henry Hughes, 6 November 1872, and she died 4 May 1891 and was buried in the Mendon Cemetery.

William and Sarah's daughters married the following men:

Sarah Ann married Francillo Durfey Jr. 8 Feburary 1877.

Elizabeh Hannah married Henry Shelton 10 April 1882

Lucy Sylvia married Francillo Durfey Jr. 26 November 1884 as a plural wife,

her older sister Sarah Ann his other wife.

Great was the stress and strain upon these early pioneers and many sorrows did they bear in humility and with a never wavering testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To us, their posterity, did they bequeath a great heritage. May we be worthy to carry on after them and give our posterity their great qualities of character along with our own testimonies of the gospel. May their lives always be an influence in ours.

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Sources of information for biography.

1. 6184, F 942, K2m, Pt 1, Utah Emigration and Immigration - SLC Utah Genealogical Library.

2. Utah, 34, Vol. 13, Imigration L.D.S. Church (records of ship "John M. Woods at Salt Lake City Gen. Library)

3. 6192 F. Utah, pt. 34, Richards, Franklin D. History of Emigration

4. 13656, Eng., Pt. 64, Wingate Branch Eng. 1848-1853 - SLC Gen. Library

5. Ms. F, 143, #13 - Journal History October 2, 1854 to September 1855 (crossing the plains, Robert L. Campbell Company, excpts from pages 3 -34)