We welcomed Tanner home from Disneyland on Saturday evening and in anticipation of our long-awaited family historical trek, we celebrated with a little sugar.
(It looked so cute on the bakery clearance shelf, I couldn't help myself for only $4.99...).
Packing and preparing a few days earlier allowed us to get an early start Sunday morning.
For several hours we enjoyed breath-taking scenery up and around Jackson, WY and along the Wind Rivers mountain range. There's still quite a bit of snow in the high country.
We saw a lot of wildlife and Aaron even spied a bear fishing in a river.
Despite traveling with several patrol offices, we arrived at Martin's Cove only 15 minutes after Bryant and Bonnie's family. We were greeted by wet and windy Wyoming weather! Our picnic meal was relegated to the cramped cars but we managed to fill our bellies with yummy croissant-chicken salad sandwiches, grapes, homemade cookies, etc.
Our tour began inside the visitor's center with a knowledgeable senior missionary. We could feel the significance of the sacrifices made by early pioneers as we gained a greater appreciation for what they experienced.
Our plans to hike into the cove for a family devotional were curtailed slightly.
Although everybody had a jacket (and rain ponchos), we weren't prepared for such rainy, windy 40 degree weather in June. Instead, we huddled together near the bridge and shared the beautiful spirit of lives well lived. Aaron and Bryant each prepared messages about their ancestors who were
part of the Martin Handcart Company - Isaac John Wardle and Mary Ann Ashton.
Isaac was born June 14, 1835 (or 1836) in Ravenstone, Leicestershire, England and was put to work at age 7. At 9 years old he worked in the lead mines and then worked the coal mines until 18 years old. It was about this time and under these circumstances that he heard and accepted the Gospel as preached by "Mormon" missionaries and began considering emigrating. Isaac was baptized (the first member of his family) September 23, 1853 by Elder Frederick Smith. He (alone) set sail 25 May 1856 from Liverpool on the ship Horizon. Also on board was the Ashton family - Mary Ann would later become his wife. After arriving in Boston, he took a train to Iowa City and then started for Council Bluffs with hand carts. In Isaac's words, "When we left Florence (NB) I had on my handcart a young man 18 years old by the name of Langley Bailey and 100 lbs flour and tent and camp equipment for 7 persons, with John Bailey (Langley's 15-year old brother) to help me pull it." Langley had become extremely ill at Florence and a Dr. said he would die if taken on the journey west. Elder Franklin D. Richards and a Cyrus Wheelock administered to him and blessed him that he would survive the trek to live in Zion which he did with the help of Isaac. While at the Cove, missionaries gave Aaron a copy of a letter written by Langley Bailey to Isaac Wardle on November 28, 1916 which included this "My dear Brother, I honor and respect you much more than I can explain. You and my brother John (he was only a boy 15) hauled me in the handcart for hundreds or miles. Can I forget you? Can I ever repay for your kindness? No. No..... I will now close my dear old boy. I am writing without the use of glasses. My hand is steady. In March I will be 79. You are 81." Great were the sacrifices made by Isaac Wardle to assist the Martin Handcart Company as he pulled others through swift and freezing waters and across sandy and backbreaking terrain. As nightly guard duty became a more frequent assignment and as cold weather set in and rations were cut, Isacc's strength began to wane. In his words, "Our old men and women commenced to give way with some young people too. We kept moving on a little everyday. Some of our brethren and sisters and children commended to die and give out by the wayside. I myself fell to the ground and lay for some time." With over 300 miles yet to travel, the company was met by rescuers at the end of October and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley November 30, 1856. Interesting to note, at least one member of my father's line (Abiah Wadsworth) was part of the rescue party who helped save Aaron's grandparents.
Mary Ann Ashton was born July 13, 1851 (or 1848) in Oldham, Leicestershire, England of the parentage of William Albert Ashton and Sarah Ann Barlow Ashton. Records show her parents were baptized in 1841 but did not join with the Saints until sailing from Liverpool on 25 May 1856 aboard the "Horizon". The hardships were many for the Ashton family and putting pieces together it appears that Mary Ann's parents had six children (girls). Ester died in England, Elizabeth Ann (baby) died at sea, Sarah Ann died shortly after birth on the plains of Nebraska and Betsey (age 11) died on the high plains of Wyoming. The mother also died on the plains of Nebraska. The father (greatly distressed and perhaps not mentally stable) abandoned his remaining children somewhere in Nebraska. They traveled with and endured the many challenges common to the Martin Handcart Company. Only Mary Ann (age 4) and her sister, Sarah Ellen (age 7) lived to reach Utah where they were taken in by others and/or passed from home to home. Little is known about Mary Ann until she married Isaac in Salt Lake City at the Endowment House 14 September 1867. Mary Ann was probably introduced to Isaac by his good friend Alex, whose brother, Thomas Beckstead, had married Mary Ann's sister, Sarah Ellen Ashton. Sadly, Mary Ann died from complications four hours after giving birth to one son, William "Haston" Wardle on 5 April 1869. "It should be noted that Isaac apparently gave the young son a name after his maternal grandfather, only he heard the pronunciation of his wife's maiden name as Haston rather than Ashton." It is through this one son that Aaron's father descends. Great is the posterity of Isaac and Mary Ann today.
Isaac was born June 14, 1835 (or 1836) in Ravenstone, Leicestershire, England and was put to work at age 7. At 9 years old he worked in the lead mines and then worked the coal mines until 18 years old. It was about this time and under these circumstances that he heard and accepted the Gospel as preached by "Mormon" missionaries and began considering emigrating. Isaac was baptized (the first member of his family) September 23, 1853 by Elder Frederick Smith. He (alone) set sail 25 May 1856 from Liverpool on the ship Horizon. Also on board was the Ashton family - Mary Ann would later become his wife. After arriving in Boston, he took a train to Iowa City and then started for Council Bluffs with hand carts. In Isaac's words, "When we left Florence (NB) I had on my handcart a young man 18 years old by the name of Langley Bailey and 100 lbs flour and tent and camp equipment for 7 persons, with John Bailey (Langley's 15-year old brother) to help me pull it." Langley had become extremely ill at Florence and a Dr. said he would die if taken on the journey west. Elder Franklin D. Richards and a Cyrus Wheelock administered to him and blessed him that he would survive the trek to live in Zion which he did with the help of Isaac. While at the Cove, missionaries gave Aaron a copy of a letter written by Langley Bailey to Isaac Wardle on November 28, 1916 which included this "My dear Brother, I honor and respect you much more than I can explain. You and my brother John (he was only a boy 15) hauled me in the handcart for hundreds or miles. Can I forget you? Can I ever repay for your kindness? No. No..... I will now close my dear old boy. I am writing without the use of glasses. My hand is steady. In March I will be 79. You are 81." Great were the sacrifices made by Isaac Wardle to assist the Martin Handcart Company as he pulled others through swift and freezing waters and across sandy and backbreaking terrain. As nightly guard duty became a more frequent assignment and as cold weather set in and rations were cut, Isacc's strength began to wane. In his words, "Our old men and women commenced to give way with some young people too. We kept moving on a little everyday. Some of our brethren and sisters and children commended to die and give out by the wayside. I myself fell to the ground and lay for some time." With over 300 miles yet to travel, the company was met by rescuers at the end of October and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley November 30, 1856. Interesting to note, at least one member of my father's line (Abiah Wadsworth) was part of the rescue party who helped save Aaron's grandparents.
Mary Ann Ashton was born July 13, 1851 (or 1848) in Oldham, Leicestershire, England of the parentage of William Albert Ashton and Sarah Ann Barlow Ashton. Records show her parents were baptized in 1841 but did not join with the Saints until sailing from Liverpool on 25 May 1856 aboard the "Horizon". The hardships were many for the Ashton family and putting pieces together it appears that Mary Ann's parents had six children (girls). Ester died in England, Elizabeth Ann (baby) died at sea, Sarah Ann died shortly after birth on the plains of Nebraska and Betsey (age 11) died on the high plains of Wyoming. The mother also died on the plains of Nebraska. The father (greatly distressed and perhaps not mentally stable) abandoned his remaining children somewhere in Nebraska. They traveled with and endured the many challenges common to the Martin Handcart Company. Only Mary Ann (age 4) and her sister, Sarah Ellen (age 7) lived to reach Utah where they were taken in by others and/or passed from home to home. Little is known about Mary Ann until she married Isaac in Salt Lake City at the Endowment House 14 September 1867. Mary Ann was probably introduced to Isaac by his good friend Alex, whose brother, Thomas Beckstead, had married Mary Ann's sister, Sarah Ellen Ashton. Sadly, Mary Ann died from complications four hours after giving birth to one son, William "Haston" Wardle on 5 April 1869. "It should be noted that Isaac apparently gave the young son a name after his maternal grandfather, only he heard the pronunciation of his wife's maiden name as Haston rather than Ashton." It is through this one son that Aaron's father descends. Great is the posterity of Isaac and Mary Ann today.
The cold weather enhanced our appreciation of the bitter conditions endured by such faithful saints 158 years ago.
And then we were back on the road again. Jameson joined us for the drive and Anna went with Lillian in the "smaller" car. Hours later, we arrived in Laramie, WY where we attempted another "failed" picnic for dinner. We unloaded the coolers long enough to put sandwiches together and dish up potato salad before climbing back into the warmth of our autos.
As daylight gave way to nightfall, the rain continued for hours. Personally, we have never experienced such prolonged wet road conditions. A bit unnerving even for experienced drivers! We navigated by closely following tail-lights of semi-trucks and safely arrived at our hotel in North Platte, Nebraska by 11:00pm. It was the ultimate test for our car topper - and I'm pleased to say it did the job. In the morning, the kids filled up via continental breakfast and we hit the road again.
Next stop - lunch at Pizza Ranch Buffet in Lincoln, NB. It came recommended by an acquaintance but didn't make the cut in my book. Not sure it's a good thing but the older I get, the more particular I am about food quality:).
I think the kids were satisfied and I secured more ice for the coolers so it was a worthwhile pit stop.
After lunch, we traveled to Omaha, NB to check out the Mormon Trail
Historic Center at Winter Quarters. We watched a moving film about the
conditions and circumstances of the encampment where 2500 members of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints were awaiting better conditions to
continue their trek west during 1846-47.
Again, fact-filled and spirit-filled senior missionaries gave us a tour of the visitor's center.
Apparently, Anna, Elsie and Lillian felt "free" to provide instruction as well since we were the only visitor's on site at the time.
Probably because it's early in the summer season, we received plenty of attention from tour guides and didn't have to "battle the crowds" anywhere we traveled. So wonderful!
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| Elsie, Anna, Lillian |
Anyone and everyone put forth their best efforts to pull this handcart over a well-positioned rock. Not an easy task.
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| Quinn and Bennett |
Across the street from the center, we explored the old cemetery and looked at the names/ages of those who passed away while at Winter Quarters.
Adjoining the cemetery, we walked around the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple grounds.
Closed on Monday, we enjoyed the peaceful quiet time spent outside this magnificent House of God. The stained-glass windows were incredible.
There were 15 of us all together. Aaron and Bryant shared the designated title of 'family photographer'.
We loaded back up and came upon this cool bridge as we headed for Council Bluffs, Iowa.
For a short time, the community of Council Bluffs was changed to Kanesville (after Thomas Kane). Later, it returned to its original name by which it is recognized today.
This large log cabin style tabernacle was built
by 200 members in less than three weeks as a meeting place for the
Saints to gather when they sustained Brigham Young as second prophet
and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints -
December 27, 1847.
Rounding up 11 children for another photo-op was no small undertaking. It you look closely, you'll find each one. Probably the last time we tried a "kids only" moment.
Loading up again, we hit the road for our final destination - Nauvoo, Illinois. En route we stopped for dinner at Subway and a trip to the grocery store for me and Bonnie (while the others made final potty stops and got gas). We purchased food to prepare meals while in Nauvoo - because eating out with large families is NOT cost effective.
1 comment:
I'm sure that cold, rainy weather made an impression on everyone about the hardships the pioneers endured. What a great opportunity to see those sites with cousins. Thanks for sharing. I'm tearing up just thinking about those dear ancestors.
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