Davidson and Farrier Family Histories

This is a site for us to upload family histories and pictures of our Davidson and Farrier family ancestors. I have not written most of the histories, although I have put together the timelines. The histories have been gathered from various sources, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of their information.

If you recognize any of these people and have information to add or correct, please post a comment, including your email address if you wish, so we can be in touch. I would love to connect with other descendants of these family members.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Arland Lorenzo Davidson, 1890-1979


  • Born 8 Jul 1890 Fairview, Sanpete, Utah
  • Died 4 Sep 1979 Highland, Utah, Utah
  • Parents: Lorenzo S. Davidson and Anna Louisa Peterson
  • Spouse: Sarah Elizabeth Pearce (md. 8 Mar 1918 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah)
  • Children: Blanche Elizabeth Davidson, Alvin Lorenzo Davidson, Hyrum Davidson, Anna Vernessa Davidson, Thelma Pearce Davidson, Myrl Wesley Davidson, Ethel Davidson

"Arland was born 8 July 1890 in Fairview, San Pete County, Utah, in a frame building home. He was the second child of Lorenzo Davidson and Anna Louise Peterson Davidson. When Arland was 20 months old, his father and mother decided to emigrate to Wyoming and settle in the Big Horn Basin. The household consisted of one older daughter, Mary, of this union, and three half-sisters, Anna Wilhemine Peterson (Annie), Ellen Olive Peterson, and Regina Josephine Peterson (Rena) from a previous marriage of his mother to Johan Wilhelm Peterson.

"The family arrived in Teton Valley on May 22, 1892. The snow and drifts were so high they were afraid to travel any further. They shared a house with the Henry Todd family in Darby. On May 29, a week after they arrived, a brother Arthur was born.

"Because Arland was born prematurely, he was not very strong, and he didn’t walk until he was two years old. Also, he had scabs all over his head that caused his mother much concern.

"A log house was built and here Lenora and John David Nathaniel were born. When the valley was surveyed, it was found that the house was built upon the borderline of the Todd and Davidson farms. Because of this mistake Lorenzo built another home. The first log house was used for a dance hall, school house, and for parties, because it was the largest room around. In the second house, Eskil Leander and a stillborn son were born. Arland started school, then he was 8 years old. Sarah Holden was his first teacher. When he was in the sixth grade, he won the school spelling match by spelling the word, “Rome”.

"His boy friends were Boyd Todd, Archan Melvin Hill, and Sidney Blattner, with whom he had many enjoyable experiences. Fishing was a great sport. One time as he was riding a horse to go fishing he was thrown off onto a log fence, landing on his hip. His hip bothered him for three or more weeks.

"In 1902, an epidemic of diphtheria was in the valley. Arthur and Lenora were very sick, and it was feared that Arthur would not survive, as he was spitting up much , and fainting from weakness. Asifidity bags were tied around their necks, and the house was fumigated with carbolic acid and formaldehyde, to kill bacteria.

"Men came from the Pratt Ward to buy hay. Lorenzo asked them to have a prayer circle for Arthur. The next morning after the prayer circle, the little boy asked for a bucket of cold water. They hesitated in getting it for him, but he insisted, saying he would die if he didn’t get it. He doused his head in the water, and then said he was going to recover. Pete Larson, who was assigned to check out the sick families was very much surprised the next morning, to find Arthur almost fully recovered. He would not have to dig his grave.

"At first, Darby was just a small branch, with a few members. In 1895 it was organized into a Ward, with Emanuel Bagley as its Bishop. Arland’s mother was Relief Society President for 8 years, and Primary President for 9 years. She loved the Gospel, and taught it to the children early in their lives.

"Arland served in several Church jobs--1st Counselor in the Deacon’s Quorum, Assistant Secretary in the Mutual Association. He was ordained a Deacon in 1904, a teacher In 1909, and a Priest in 1909, and then an Elder in 1912. Parties and Church meetings were held in the Davidson home. People came long distances, and sometimes stayed all night.

"In the Spring of 1912, the family moved to a large brick home on the south side of Parker. Arland, being the oldest son, had many responsibilities. He helped to feed and care for 15-20 head of cattle, 10 horses, pigs, and chickens. His father let him build a barn by himself. As they hadn’t sold their farm in Darby, they had two farms to care for. The farm in Parker was quite rocky.

"In the summer of 1913, a group of young people—Mary, Arland, Arthur, Lenora and Lottie Rhodehouse went on an outing. They were chaperoned by a man and his wife, and they all went to Jackson Hole. Here, by the lake, they built a log raft. All of them went out on the lake, but Arland. Because he loved fishing, he hiked up the side of the lake where he found a boat. He got in it and asked Lottie to go with him. They circled round and round the raft. And because Lottie was Arthur’s girl, this teasing made Arthur jealous.

"He was called to go to Salt Lake City to meet with the General Authorities to be ordained an elder. He was ordained Nov. 5, 1913. The next day, Nov. 6, he received his endowments. He was called to serve a mission in Sweden. Thirty elders crossed the Atlantic on the Ariscratic [sic]. After docking at Liverpool, he traveled on, arriving at Stockholm, Sweden on Dec. 6. One of the men who crossed the Atlantic with him was Elder LeGrand Richards, who was to preside over the Swiss-German mission. He labored first in Eskilstuna with Homer Holmgreen, his companion. One day, while tracting, a man who disliked the missionaries pushed Arland down the stairs. He labored for awhile with two companions, J. Alma Johnson, and Carl J. Carlson, and spent several months on the island of Gotland.

Arland Davidson, missionary to Sweden
"All missionaries were called home from Europe, when World War I broke out. After leaving Stockholm 28 Oct., 1914, the elders stopped in England to get their assignments to finish their missions. He was called to finish his mission in South Carolina. Charles A. Callis was the president of the Southern States Mission; headquarters were at Chattanooga, Tennessee.

"After laboring for a year, he became ill with typhoid fever--25 Oct., 1915. He spent 41 days in the hospital and another four weeks recuperating. before he could travel home. He arrived in Parker, Jan. 5, 1916. That spring, he moved to Dehlin—about 20 miles east of Idaho Falls, to run a farm with his sister Mary and her family.

"It was that summer that he met and courted Sarah Elizabeth Pearce. She was from Paradise, Utah, but was keeping house for her brothers who [were] also farming in the Dehlin area. They courted for more than a year and then journeyed to Salt Lake City, where they married on Mar. 8, 1918 in the Salt Lake Temple.


Arland and Sarah Davidson, year unknown

"Patriarch Thomas Wakitt Lee gave him his patriarchal blessing in July, 1919. Arland served as first counselor to Bishop Ezra J. Nelson, with Russell William serving as 2nd Counselor. He also served as counselor for Bishop Arthur Schweider.

"A daughter, Blanche Elizabeth was born 8 Feb. 1919. Arland assisted as school trustee for five years. A severe draught made financial conditions very bad. The crops didn’t start growing until the middle of the summer. Unable to meet their debts and mortgages, they were forced to move from their farm, and Arland turned the farm over to his brother Arthur.

"Their first son, Alvin Lorenzo, was born Nov. 27, 1920 in Iona, Idaho. A second son, Hyrum, was born Sept. 28, 1922. He was not well, and lived only two weeks. Sarah stayed with Arland’s sister Mary, while Arland took care of the farm and animals. Later the little family moved to Iona, Idaho. A daughter, Anna Vernessa, was born Dec. 14, 1924, in Idaho Falls.

"Arland's father, Lorenzo, died April 12, 1924 in Salt lake City.

"They moved back to the dry farm after Anna was born. Sarah stayed with Arland’s sister Mary, while Arland stayed on the dry farm, taking care of the animals and chores.

"In the spring of 1925, Arland and Sarah moved to Parker, Idaho, to the house where Arland lived as a youth. He farmed the land jointly with his brother Nathaniel. Here, a daughter, Thelma Pearce, was born Feb. 24, 1926.
James Albert Pearce, Arthur Davidson, Charles Housley, Arland
James and Charles are Arthur and Arland's brothers-in-law
"Arland and Sarah were active in the Church. Family prayers were always a part of their lives. He served as a Ward Teacher, and the teacher of a religion class.

"To get wood to burn, Arland took two trailers and a couple of teams of horses to the Island Park area.

"In the spring of 1926 Arland assumed the mortgage on the farm. He was to farm the north part and Nathaniel the south side. They exchanged houses because Arland was living on the south lands house.

"During the autumn of 1927 Arland had a most remarkable spiritual experience. Rainfall had been scarce, crops were small, prices were low and yet payments of the farm must be met. One night as he lay awake thinking about their financial situation, he found sleep impossible. He decided to arise and read in the Improvement Era and pray to his Heavenly Father. He began by reading an article by Elder John A. Widtsoe, ‘Alma Speaks to the Twentieth Century’. And as he relates his experience.... "I hadn't read very far when a personage appeared in my room, standing in the air. His apparel was plain, his countenance was beautiful, giving the impression of extreme intelligence. I did not converse with him, but I felt his supreme being surround me. I don’t think he had any message for me, except to bring peace to my troubled mind. He was of rather large stature, and reminded me very much of President Woodrow Wilson. I received the impression that he was Alma - the same that was written about by Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Council of the Twelve. Peace came to my soul. I haven’t been in much debt since. I take the vision to be a fulfillment of my patriarchal blessing’s promise, ‘Thou shalt see visitations of angels, receive different portions of the Priesthood and labor in various callings.’”

"On Sept. 20, 1927, a son, Myrl Wesley was born. Two years later on Christmas day 1929, a daughter Ethel was born.

"In the fall of 1931 as he and his brother-in-law Irl Rohwer were hauling potatoes out of the potato pit he was caught between the top of the load and the ceiling of the cellar. Irl administered first-aid by blowing into his mouth. He tried for some time to revive him, and at last his efforts were successful.

"The mortgage was foreclosed and in the spring of 1932, the family moved to Egin Bench (the Kimball place) on the south side of Egin. It was during the depression of the 30’s and people had to work very hard to get the means to care for their families. Arland worked, for different farmers. He cut wheat for Mark Orgille. Mr. Orgille gave him permission to rake the hay grounds after Mr. Orgille had hauled the hay off.

"In 1933 Ethel got pneumonia and was very sick. Cinthia Orgille came and helped care for the child until she recovered.. The family lived in the three room frame home on this farm for two years.

"Arland then moved his family to the north side of Egin to the Doss Hargis place. Winter and spring of 1934 brought no snow or rain so the sub-irrigation water was very low. He was renting 80 acres of ground. Arland provided the best he could for his family. He gave his children a patch of potatoes, and in the fall the crop was sold, and the money divided up among the children. All the machinery was pulled by horses. Hay was hauled by horses pulling a hay rack. Hay was stacked by using a derrick and the Jackson fork, which took the hay from the hay rack to the top of the hay stack, by the use of a horse pulling it with a cable. Grain was cut and shocked, then hauled to the farm yard, and thrashed with a thrashing machine. Some of his horses he rode. He liked horses, and gave each a special name--some of them were Tony, Snap, Nig, White Queen, Black Queen, and Kidd.

"The family bought a car--a 1928 Dodge which had been owned by the President of B.Y.U.--Karl G. Maesor [sic]. During the summer of 1936 the family drove to Yellowstone Park for three days. They also went again in 1936.
The Davidson Family in 1938
Standing:  Ethel, Anna, Blanche, Thelma, Myrl
Sitting:  Alvin, Sarah, Arland
"During the winter, water was hauled from the canal by the farm, and also from the lake north of the farm with a “dummy sleigh”. Blocks of ice were stored in sawdust and used in the summer to freeze ice cream for an occasional treat. He always took his family to Church, even in the winter when drifts were high. Rocks were heated and placed in the sleigh. With blankets, the family kept warm while riding to Church.

"Choke-cherry picking was fun. The family loaded up the wagon, put in buckets and wash tubs, and would go berry picking out north of Egin, by the sand dunes.

"Arland and Sarah took their family fishing. They would travel in a wagon pulled by horses. The best fishing holes were in Snake River, south of Egin. Fish were fried over a campfire for a tasty picnic dinner.

"The family rode to Bear Gulch and to Elk Wallow, to get wood for the winter supply. Picnics were eaten and huckleberries were picked to be taken home to bottle. The relatives would remark that Arland always provided Sarah with plenty of wood. Arland and his two sons chopped wood until the woodpile was half as high as the house. This would be carried to the woodshed by the girls, where they would stack it inside for the winter supply.

"The winter months brought rabbits to the haystacks. Arland would poison them. Then the furs were sold to help with finances. One year 1000 rabbits were sold at five cents apiece. One night he brought 213 rabbits home. He also trapped coyotes and bobcats on the “Junipers”-- the mountains to the north.

Coyote trapping
Another coyote caught


"About the year 1939, crickets became a threat to the crops. Hordes of them came from the north-east. For miles, ditches were made with tin on one side to keep the crickets from coming onto the farms.

"The cattle herd increased to about sixty head. During the summer, they grazed on the “brakes’, north of the place, which was the area between the farms and the sand dunes. Sometimes they were taken across the sand hills. The girls took turns taking the cattle out to graze, and going to get them at the end of the day.

"The farm home was lit by kerosene lamps until 1940, when an electrical line was extended to the farm.

"Arland had several Church jobs. In 1941, he was appointed first counselor to Bishop Merrill Cruser. Ivan Mathie was the second counselor. He served as a Ward Teacher and a Gospe1 Message teacher in the Sunday School.
The Davidson Family (date unknown)
Standing:  Arland, Anna, Alvin, Thelma, Myrl
Seated in front:  Thelma, Sarah, Ethel
"In 1941, Blanche married Charles Bert Christensen, who was from Chapin. Idaho. Alvin was called to serve as a missionary in the Western States Mission.

"World War II started in Dec. 1941. Gas, meat, sugar, and tires were rationed. When meat was needed, Arland supplied the family with venison.

"Two years later, Alvin returned from his mission. In 1945, he married Clara Salerno from Salida, Colorado.

"In the fall of 1948, Thelma went on a mission to Holland. Myrl at this same time went to the Spanish American Mission.

"In March, 1948, Ethel married Darrell Lords, of St. Anthony, Idaho, and in April, Anna married Alden P. Adams of Cedar City, Utah.

"While keeping two missionaries in the mission field, Arland bought a farm on the South side of Egin, the Dr. West Place. Final payment was made just before Myrl returned from his mission. Farm prices were higher, after the war.

"In June, 1953, Thelma married David White, of Philadelphia, Pa. Myrl married Shirlene Siddoway from Teton Idaho, in 1955.

"Arland and Sarah accomplished one of their main goals in life when all of their children were married in the Temple. They made many trips to Idaho Falls to do temple work.

"Arland got sick and hemorrhaged from stomach ulcers in Sept., 1951. He was in the hospital for several days. He had another attack on November it 1953. He spent 57 days in the hospital in 1957 - in several trips. On Oct. 2, 1967 he was operated on in the Idaho Falls hospital. Two thirds of his stomach was removed. A gland operation was done in the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City about this time.

"His health returned, and Arland and Sarah continued to attend the temple regularly. Pres. Kilpack asked him many times to work at the veil in the temple. He did endowment work for many people in the Idaho Falls, Salt Lake City, Manti and Logan Temples, and a few times in the Provo Temple. He kept a record of every name he did work for, over a thousand names.


"Arland continued to farm until 1963 when he sold his half of the place to Alvin. They continued to raise a large and beautiful garden. Sarah’s health was failing, and Arland gradually took over the household duties as well as the garden.


"Arland was grateful for the many blessings he received in his active and full life and expressed his gratitude many times and especially for his wife as they supported each other in serving the Lord.

Arland reading by lamplight
"One of his greatest desires was to help his grandchildren financially, as they served on missions. From 1975 to 1979, he spent much of his time among his children, and going to the temple as often as he could. He loved to read and although his eyesight was poor he read the scriptures through many times."
The Davidson Family - 1965 - Egin
Standing:  Blanche, Alvin, Anna, Thelma, Myrl, Ethel
Seated:  Sarah, Arland

Arland and Sarah with the grandchildren - 1965 - Egin 


--This account of his life was recorded by Ethel as her father dictated it to her.

* * *


Arland developed cancer of the throat in the spring of 1979, and spent several weeks in the L.D.S. Hospital. in Salt lake City. He passed away on Sept.4, l979, while staying at Anna and Alden’s in American Fork, Utah. He was survived by his wife, six children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Sept. 8, at the Egin Bench Chapel and burial was at the Parker Cemetery.


Sunday, December 28, 2008

Mary Alice Davenport, 1861-1937



Written by her oldest son, Thomas Joseph, in 1961.

"Some things I remember of her life and Elizabeth, (Lizzie), sent me some.

"Mary Alice Davenport, born 4 April, 1861 daughter of Edward Wilcox Davenport and Clarissa Danforth Crapo. She was born Draper, Utah. Mother was idolized by her older brothers. She was tall and dark like her father and had his sweet and gentle disposition. She was loved by all who knew her. She went through all the hardships the pioneers had to go through. Most of their work had to be done by hand in the house and on the farm. They did not have the things to work with as we have them today.

"Mother did all the washing by hand on the washboard and tub. When we were small she had a hard time to take care of us and get her washing done and take care of the housework.
When I was a small boy I got kicked with a horse as father led them to water. He was heading the team past the corner of the stable. One of them kicked me in the face and I was knocked out. I guess I was badly bruised but not serious. I have a faint recollection of when I came to. Mother was worried about me. They were working with me.

"When the threshers came to do the thrashing, there was lots of work to be done. The grain had to be threshed by horse power driven by six teams of horses going in a circle. There was a big change of things when the steam thresher came in. There was six men with the threshing machine besides those helping to handle the grain, about fourteen altogether. Mother had to do lots of work to prepare for then. She hired some help. I remember it well because we had lots of good things to eat. Generally there were two to three meals to prepare.

"Father was a good gardener so he would plant a good garden and mother and the children had the job of taking. care of it, There was a large orchard on the place so we had plenty of fruit. Mother peeled apples and dried them in the sun by the sackful.

"She made all the clothes when we were young. She made knee pants for the boys and long dresses for the girls until we got older. I wore knee pants when I was a small boy and I was proud of them.

"Mother was very much concerned about the company we went with especially the young people and I think all of us have done very well.

"I did not know very much about my mother before she was married. I am indebted to the Davenport family for this information. Grandfather left Draper, Utah, and went to old Paradise, now Avon, and settled there in the year 1862. Grandma and family came later. They moved to Brigham City, Utah in 1875 and lived until 1878. While in Brigham City, Mother learned to trim ladies’ hats. In 1878 Grandfather bought Grandpa Crapo's home in Paradise, and the family moved back there to live.

"When mother was a child, Grandmother took in a little Indian girl to raise whose name was Nancy. They became very fond of each other, and Nancy was just afraid of the Indians as Mother was. Nancy died when a child.

"Mother was idolized by her five older brothers. Grandfather had to travel 12 miles to Logan, Utah, to get supplies and clothing, food, and shoes. Mother’s shoes were too small and hurt her feet. I think that is what caused the bunion on her big toe.

"When Mother was 17 years old, her brothers bought a small saw mill in White Pine Canyon east of Paradise. Mother helped cook for the men until she married.

"On 1 December 1881 mother married Thomas Joseph Pearce in the Endowment house in Salt Lake City, Utah. To get there from Paradise, about 80 miles from Salt Lake City, they had to travel in a lumber wagon with a wagon box and a spring seat on it. The wagon was drawn by horses. I bet they hurried down there and were slow coming back!

"After their marriage they settled in Paradise and lived there the rest of their lives and were buried there.

Back row:  l. to r. Sarah E., Warren, William E., Edward, Clarissa J., Albert
Middle row:  Thomas Joseph Jr., Mary Alice D., Thomas Joseph Sr., Agnes
In front:  Eudora
"The first house they lived in was a two roomed building. It was made of white pine logs sawed on four sides with lumber siding on the outside and lath and plaster on the inside. They lived in this house until Albert (Bert) was born. The new one was built sometime between when Bert and Marcus was born. Marcus died when he was 18 days old. They held the funeral at home in the new house.

"I have heard Mother and Father tell about when I was born in the two roomed house. It was not finished so when I was born, they had to put canvas on the roof so they could make a bed for Mother. It was raining hard, so, they had to hurry. Babies were born at home in those days and midwives were the doctors.

"When Bert was a baby a bad case of typhoid broke out in the family. I did not get it. I was going to school and one day when I came home they were all quarantined in, I was staying at Grandma Pearce's at the time so I did not get it. There were six of the children sick at the same time. I guess Mother had a problem on her hands to care of all of them. Clarissa was the worst. When she got better she looked like a stack of bones. She just about passed away. The doctor told Mother to go to bed. No, she said, I have to take care of my family. The doctor gave her some medicine and she did not take it. All got better, but it was a miracle. This was about the worst thing they ever had in the family.

"There was lots of Indians passing through Paradise in the early days. They were begging food. Many times after they were married the Indians would come to the house for food. She could make good loaves of bread and many of them went to feed the Indians.

L. to r.  Thomas Joseph, Edward, Eudora, Mary Alice Davenport Pearce
"In the spring of 1906 Mother and father met with a bad when the horses ran away. We did not have a white buggy so Father used a wagon with a box on it. To make it easier to ride, there was spring seats to put on the box. There were five of us in the wagon. Father and I in the front seat, Sister Lizzie Smith and Mother in a seat behind and my brother Will standing up behind them. The horses got frightened at something, they whirled to the right, and broke the tongue of the wagon, and turned back the way they came. Father went over the front endgate down behind the horses and I think the wheel ran over his hand. Mother, Sister Smith and Will were thrown out, spring and all. I dropped down in the wagon box and the only way I could get out was to crawl to the back of the wagon and drop out. I did not. get hurt. Mother got her wrist broken as she hit the ground. The rest of us were all right. I saw people taking care of them so I followed the team. They came to a stop when they went straddle of a tree. I straightened them out and then up town to Logan. We were about a mile from the center of town. Somebody took them to the doctors office. Father’s hand was crippled. It was fairly good. Mothers wrist was always stiff.




"Among Mother’s accomplishments were soap-making and her beautiful knitted lace. She used to quilt for the Relief Society and was paid one dollar for every spool of thread she used on the quilt.
Mother had a sweet, gentle. disposition and was loved by all who knew her. She loved her family and was kind to them. Two of her sons died. Marcus was born 4 April 1898 and lived 18 days. He died 24 (?) April 1898. Edward grew to manhood and did not marry. He passed away in his 38th year on 6 March 1927."

Saturday, December 27, 2008

History of the Cherry Family

[Note:  I do not know who compiled this history.  It has been in our family for many, many years.  I have not done personal research on this line and do not know more about it.  I am a descendant of Ebenezer Griffin Cherry, whose picture appears below.]

1407 Thomas De Cherrie of Picardy and Normandy France were Lords of Bearivel, Linquere and Villencourt.

1. Thomas De Cherrie at the time of the Huguenot persecution in 1407 got permission from the King of France to pass into Normandy to arrange some family affairs, from there they escaped into England where he owned property in Plympton and north Hamilton and never returned.

2. Jean his son was a young boy at that time, in 1412 Jean DeCherrie lived in England and married there.

3. His son John who lived at Maidenhead in Bray England, dropped the De from his name and spelled it Cherie.

Only the oldest son of a family were listed as they inherited the property the rest had to go out and make their own way, so it was hard sometimes to find the children's record. John's son Richard.

4. Richard son of John, wife's name was Mary they lived at Cassington England he had a son Thomas.

5. Thomas Cherry married Elizabeth and lived at north Rilworth Co Leicester England, they had a son Thomas.

6. Thomas had a son John born in 1525.

7. John married Agnes they had a son named John born in 1548 who married Agnes Pratt.

8. John Cherry born in 1548 who married Agnes Pratt had a son, Thomas born in 1571 he married Margaret Watkins.

9. Thomas Cherry born in 1571 who married Margaret Watkins, also had a son named Thomas born in 1597, who married Ellen Pownee.

10. Thomas Cherry who married Ellen Pownee, had six sons and one daughter they lived together 35 years and were buried together in one grave 20 Sept 1657.

11. Thomas their son born 1629 went to Scotland and married a Scottish woman and moved to Ireland about 1650 settled in Antrim County, they had two sons named John and William, most of the records were lost in the war only the Hearth money rolls of Antrim County were left.

12. Record of John living at Belfast Barony and having 1 hearth and William as living at Nazareen Barony Lisburn Parish and having 1 hearth. Each hearth was taxed so most people built one fireplace in center of their house.

At this time there is a break in the Cherry family line, we do not know which of these two sons was the father of Edward, who married Alice and came to America in 1737 with three sons, Aaron, William and Thomas. William had no children. Aaron is believed to have been killed in an Indian raid. Thomas born in 1717 at Antrim Co Ireland, married Rachel Emlem 1743 think the daughter of Luke Emlem.

13. Edward Cherry who married Alice and came to American in 1737 with three sons, Aaron, William and Thomas.

14. Thomas married Rachel Emlem believed to be the daughter of Luke Emlem. They had a son Aaron which is our grandfather he married Mary Johnson, when his father made his will he gave him the home with the custody of his mother as long as she lived. His father Thomas Cherry was killed by the Indians.

15. Aaron Cherry our Grandfather who married Mary Johnson, fought in the Revolution he served from 1775 to 1783 and later was killed in the Indian war in Kentucky 1790.  [There is some information that suggests that Aaron Cherry was not killed in the Indian war, but lived to be 110 years old and was buried in Texas on the Cherry family land. And a governor of Texas, Price Daniel, declared Sept. 22, 1957 to be Aaron Cherry Day in honor of his being a revolutionary war hero.  There is a picture at Find a Grave.com that supports this thesis.  You can see it here.]

16. His son John is our Great Grandfather he married Rebecca Anthony they lived on a place owned by William Cherry a cousin, son of Captain William Cherry.

Captain William Cherry was granted 3000 acres for his service in the army his children and brother lived on his land.

William Cherry Jr. died leaving his wife Mary Gibson and two small daughters, Mary and Sarah Ellen. Mary married Edward Johnson. After the of William his wife married again and grandmother Rebecca Anthony Cherry raised her children.

They called our grandfather Ebenezer Griffin Cherry their brother. Mary named her children after grandmothers family, from information given by a granddaughter of Mary Cherry Johnson said her grandmothers brother Ebenezer Cherry had joined the Mormons and gone west. This gave us our connecting link we were looking for.

Our Cherry family went through much persecution in the early days. They built Fort Cherry as a protection from the Indians. Many were killed by the Indians. Later the family moved into Kentucky and was there for a while but the Indians stole their horses and cattle and everything they could get a hold of until they were obliged to come back to Ohio again. They then petitioned the Governor of Ohio for small tracts of land they could settle on and pay for, saying many of us have been great suffers of the late Indian War, some not having a horse left to till the ground--have been much disappointed in letting land in Kentucky and we humbly request that congress may take it into serious consideration, whether it would not be just to give us that are actual settlers the preference of purchasing the land where we are now settled, and request that the land be sold in smaller quantities than full sections, as it appears there is a number of fractions on the Miami and Whitewater River, we do further request that where it appears that there is sufficient in a fraction for a small plantation that it may be sold, so as to suit men of lower circumstances and your petitioners will ever be in duty bound to pray.
Ebenezer Griffin Cherry

17. Ebenezer Griffin Cherry son of John Cherry and Rebecca Anthony was born 24 September 1814 at Hillsborough Highland Co Ohio, he died 27 Feb 1887 at Lewiston Utah and was buried in the Lewiston Cemetery.

He married first Susannah Evertson they had twelve children, John - Mary Rebecca - Edward R - Nancy Ann - Aaron Benjamin - Griffin - William Aaron - Daniel Henry - Francis Marion - Susannah - Hyrum S - and Wilford.

They joined the church grandfather Ebenezer being baptized 1 March 1846 and grandmother the 6 April 1846 they came west. They received their endowments 1 Sept 1852 and was sealed 9 April 1853. She died and was buried in Bountiful Utah, about 1862 Grandfather married 2nd Mary Amanda Shumway they were the parents of 11 children, they are both buried in Lewiston Utah. She had been married before and had children by her first husband.

Grandpa Ebenezer and his second wife moved up around Lewiston Utah and lived and died there. He was the father of 23 children, his descendents are scattered all over Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and California, and many other places in United States as well as foreign lands in the Service of their country.

18. Aaron Benjamin Cherry son of Ebenezer was born 5 July 1843 in Adams Co Ill. He married Phebe Ann Leavitt, daughter of George Leavitt and Jeanette Brinkerhoff 15 of Aug 1868 in the endowment house in Salt Lake City Utah, they were the parents of 15 children. They buried three children in Lewiston Utah and two in Rexburg all of their children were born in Lewiston except the oldest which was born in West Point Nevada. They moved to Salem Idaho and lived a number of years one died in 1902 and the other in 1904 leaving small children. They are both buried in the Rexburg Cemetery.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Isaiah Lacey Bennett, 1853-1929


  • Born 23 Sep 1853 Stoke Prior, Worcestershire, , England
  • Died 24 Dec 1929 Preston, Franklin, Idaho
  • Parents: Thomas Bennett and Anne Lacey
  • Wife: Nancy Jane (Rose) Foster (md. 25 May 1874 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah)
  • Children: Nancy Jane Bennett, Isaiah Carson Bennett, Sophronia Ann Bennett, Emma Susan Bennett, Thomas Richard Bennett, Pheobe Eliza Bennett, Ada Alzada Bennett, Mary Rosetta Bennett, Zeffie Fern Bennett

  • Wife:  Zoay Martha Holman [Long] (md. 11 October 1900 in Logan, Cache, Utah)

"Isaiah Lacey Bennett was born of humble parents in a little town in Worcester County, England, 23 September 1853. His father was Thomas Barnibee Bennett, and his mother Anny Lacey Bennett. His family had never belonged to any religion, and being converted by Mormon missionaries while Charles W. Penrose was President of the British Mission. They sailed for Zion in 1864.

"After sailing on the ocean for seven weeks, they landed in the fall of the year at New York. They crossed the plains in an ox team company. Because of very poor health, Isaiah was allowed to ride on top of the wagon load while crossing the rivers.

"A few days after their arrival in Utah, Isaiah was baptized by his father in the Jordan River. They then went to Draper, Utah, where they made their first home and took up farming.

"During Isaiah's early boyhood days he wore dresses, but soon after his arrival in Utah he conned his first pair of trousers which were made from Linsey, spun by his mother. He went to school in a little one room log schoolhouse. The horror of the 'rod' was the main subject taught inside this door. On one occasion, because of tardiness, Isaiah was called to the front of the room, where with out-stretched hands a two inch hardwood ruler was forcible placed upon them. The muscles drew the hands closed and they remained so for several hours.

"While herding cows and sheep in the meadows, Isaiah was often approached by Indians. If he gave them his lunch they would peacefully return to their wigwams. On one of their visits they persuaded him to take them to his home to get flour. Heeding to the teachings of Brigham Young "be kind to the Indians", his mother shared her flour with them. The squaw took the bucket of flour to the creek where she made a paste. It being too sticky to knead, she went back for more flour. Isaiah's mother had given her half of the flour in the first place, but the squaw became so ugly and determined that she was given the rest of it. After rolling the dough in her hands and 'slapping' it on the ground several times, it was hard to tell whether it was mud or dough. The dough was then patted into small moulds and set in the sun to dry for the hungry papooses to eat.

"Isaiah was of a large family and as the older ones were all boys, he was compelled to stay in the house and help his mother. While thus working he learned to sew and cook with great skill. The skill later was a great help to him. He was still a young boy when he pieced together enough blocks to make a 'log cabin' quilt. His mother quilted this for him when he was married.

"He told of another experience. One night after dark his father sent him to a spring which was a short distance from the house. As he neared the spring he saw a great white object between him and the spring. But fearing his brother's contempt for a coward more than anything else, he went on, each step causing him untold agony. When he finally reached the spring, much to his relief and surprise, he found only the churn with a white cloth over it which his mother had set in the stream to cool for the next day's churning.

"Another time when Isaiah was breaking a colt for his father, the colt fell. As Isaiah landed on the ground he broke his little finger. There was no doctor available for miles around, so he set his finger the best way he could. However, it always remained double and stiff.

"When he was still a young boy his family moved into Idaho to a place called Gentile Valley. They had to travel from Gentile Valley to Franklin to get provisions, a distance of thirty miles. While on one of those trips he met Nancy Jane Rose Foster, who later became his wife. He married Nancy Jane in May 1873 at the old Endowment House of Salt Lake City. They traveled from Gentile Valley to Salt Lake in a heavy covered wagon, with eggs and butter to buy what furniture they had to have. They took his mother with them to Salt Lake and she helped them choose their furnishings. These furnishings consisted of a bed, kitchen chairs, and one or two other items. They were very plain, but of good material. Perhaps it was this experience that made him resolve to become a first rate carpenter, which he did.

"After Isaiah and Nancy Jane were married they lived at Gentile Valley for some time, and here two children were born, Nancy Jane and Carson. They then moved to Coverville, Utah where Nancy Jane's folks lived. Here two more children were added to their family, Sophronia Ann and Emma. From here Isaiah and Nancy Jane, with their family moved with a number of other families to Mapleton, Oneida County, Idaho, where they helped to pioneer the country. They settled on what is now known as Foster Bench. Nancy Jane's stepfather, Abraham Foster, was the first to get an irrigation system started from the creek, so the place was named Foster Creek.

Standing in back:  Sophronia Ann, Isaiah Carson, Emma Susan, Thomas Richard
In front:  Phoebe Eliza, Nancy Jane, Zeffie Fern, Isaiah, Ada Alzada Jean

"There were good times as well as bad, and one year they felt very proud because they raised and sold enough turkeys to get a whole winter outfit for each of the children. One night in the fall when the corn was ripening for seed, Isaiah heard something in the corn patch. Thinking it was cows, he went out. Looking down the rows he could see what he thought was his black cow, but when he got within three feet of it, the object stood on its hind legs. He whistled for his dogs, and after much persuasion, they finally raced the bear back into the mountains.


"Isaiah and Nancy Jane were blessed with five more children, Thomas, Phoebe, Ada, Mary, and Zelpha. Mary died in infancy. When Zelpha was seven months old, Nancy Jane, the mother, took suddenly ill with pneumonia oferricipolis and after nine days illness, she passed away 12 March 1891. Because of six feet of snow they were unable to get to Franklin to the cemetery, so they took her to a knoll on the farm and there buried her. (Her body was later moved to the Preston Cemetery to lie next to her husband's.) After Nancy Jane's Isaiah, with the help of his oldest daughters Nancy Jane and Sophronia Ann, carried on, he acting as both father and mother. He used his early skill with the needle and cooking utensils. He taught his girls to be skillful too, as well as cooking and sewing for his family, even making quilts and curtains that were needed. My mother, Sophronia Ann, said that often when he went to Franklin for supplies he had such a good memory she would tell him a dozen or more things that were needed in the house, and he could always bring every item back without as much as writing one thing down. He became an expert carpenter, doing such beautiful work that there were few families who didn't have something in the household made by him.

"He made 'bobsleighs' for the men and hand sleighs for the children. I remember the hand sleigh he made for us children. It would go better and faster than the wind. His speciality was hand-made caskets, especially for children. These were made with every bit of skill he possessed so it would give comfort to the parents of the small one. He would get his own hardwood from the canyon, carve it into the desired shape, line it with cotton and then, with fingers as nimble as any woman's he would cover the cotton with silk.

"Franklin was the meeting place for these saints, but after so many unsuccessful tries in the winter to get there, for it was a long way, they made a temporary Sunday School at Mapleton, then known as St. Joseph. Isaiah was chosen as Sec'y and Chorister. Early each Sabbath morning one could see him and his eight motherless children going to church. Their meeting place was a one-room log cabin. No one could have had better meetings or finer socials than they had. At one of these socials (a masked party) Isaiah, who had a knack for making a good party even better, made a costume for himself from cretonne or curtain calico as it was then called. He disguised himself so well that no one knew him and if you had known my grandfather, you would have known how much fun he had. When they unmasked, everyone's eyes were upon him and what a shocking surprise to see such a charming lady fast fade into 'just grandfather.'

"Community Christmas was celebrated in those days on Christmas Eve. The parents would bring their children and gifts to the church and always Isaiah would be Santa Claus (I can only remember him when he had a white beard) and so a false face was unnecessary to make him look like St. Nick. Many times when parents were too poor to give their children a Christmas, in some mysterious way there would appear a hand-carved sleigh, a wooden doll, or a small cupboard or table, so that every child in the group would receive a gift. He was truly a Santa Claus.

"Isaiah loved flowers and gardens and always raised a variety of both vegetables and flowers. He built a bower and had hop vines covering it for his little girls play house. Even during a shower the children could play in it and not get wet.

"After living in Mapleton for ten years following the of his beloved wife, he moved back to Gentile Valley with his four unmarried children. While there he was engaged in farming and carpentry work. Six years later he moved to Preston in order to send his youngest daughter, Zelpha, who was sixteen, to high school. He built his own house and while Zelpha attended school he continued his carpentry trade. Some years later, when his children were all married, he became so lonesome he sold his home and went to live at intervals with each of his children. Nothing was ever nicer than the times when he was at our home. He had a marvelous voice and would sing to us children for hours. Some of his favorite songs were: "The Vulture", "Two Little Girls", and "After the Ball". We were well supplied with cradles and cupboards. I shall never forget the little crocheted red cap he gave me with the big bow of ribbon on top.


"During the first part of his life Isaiah was sickly, but as he grew older he became stronger. When he was seventy years old he had a cancer in the corner of his left eye. The doctor said unless it was removed he would lose his eyesight. Because of a weak heart he was unable to take an anesthetic, so he was strapped to the operating table and the cancer was removed without anything to help kill the pain. The last six years of his life he enjoyed good health and weighed one hundred and seventy-five pounds.

"On 25 November 1929 while staying with his daughter Zelpha, he fell on some ice and broke his hip. Because of his age it was impossible for him to recover. He was moved to his daughter, Emma's, who live closer to town, and after much suffering, he passed away on 24 December 1929. Surviving him were eight children, one sister, on brother, forty-three grandchildren, and forty-three great-grandchildren. He lived through the administration of every church president, except Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and the later part of President Heber J. Grant.

"Needless to say, he lived a good, honest life and one his posterity may be proud of."

--Written by a granddaughter, Sophronia Stephenson Agutter, from materials gleaned from memories of him and material received from his daughter, Zelpha Bennett Peterson.

Gravestone in Preston, Idaho

* * *

Timeline

1853 September 23
Born in England to Thomas B. Bennett and Ann Lacey Bennett  [1]

1861 April 23 to May 21
Age 7
Emigrates to the United States on the ship “Underwriter,” which sailed from Liverpool, England to New York. Is accompanied by mother Ann (age 42), brother Ephraim (19), brother George (16), brother (?) Edmund (13), brother Hyrum (11), and brother Enoch (4).    (Isaiah’s father, Thomas, and elder brother William had emigrated earlier to the United States.) [2]

1861
Age 7
Travels with an unknown company to the Salt Lake Valley.  Is accompanied by father Thomas (age 45), mother Ann Lacey (41), brother William Barnabe (20), brother Ephraim (18), brother George (15), sister Emma (13), brother Hyrum Joseph (10), and brother Enoch Lacy (4).  [3]

1870 September
Age 17
Living in Willow Creek Ward, Salt Lake, Utah with father Thomas Bennett, Hannah Bennett, brother Enoch Bennett (age 14), and sister Ann M. Bennett (age 8).  [4]

1874 May 25
Age 20
Marries Nancy Jane (Rose) Foster in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.

1875 Mar 3
Age 21
Daughter Nancy Jane Bennett is born at Chesterfield, Caribou, Idaho.

1876 August 30
Age 22
Son Isaiah Carson Bennett is born at Gentile Valley, Franklin, Idaho.

1878 July 22
Age 24
Daughter Sophronia Ann Bennett is born at Richmond, Cache, Utah.

1881 March 17
Age 27
Death of father, Thomas Bennett in Mound Valley, Franklin, Idaho

1883 October 19
Age 30
Son Thomas Richard Bennett is born at Richmond, Cache, Utah.

1885 December 4
Age 32
Daughter Phoebe Eliza Bennett is born at Richmond, Cache, Utah.

1887 May 21
Age 33
Daughter Ada Alzada Bennett is born at Richmond, Cache, Utah.

1889 January 27
Age 35
Daughter Mary Rosetta Bennett is born at Richmond, Cache, Utah.

1889 February 10
Age 35
Death of daughter Mary Rosetta Bennett.

1890 July 18
Age 36
Daughter Zeffie Fern Bennett is born at Mapleton, Franklin, Idaho.

1891 March 12
Age 37
Death of wife, Nancy Jane at Mapleton, Franklin, Idaho.

1900 June 27 & 28
Age 46
Living in St. Joseph Precinct, Oneida, Idaho with children Carson I. (age 23), Emma (age 18), Thomas R. (age 16), Phoebe E. (age 14), Ada A. (age 13), and Zeffie F. (age 9).  Working as a farmer.  [5]

1900 October 11
Age 47
Marries the widow Zoay Martha Holman Long in Logan, Cache, Utah, United States.  Both families so objected that they never did live together. [6]

1907 January 26
Age 53
Death of mother, Anne Lacey, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Utah.  [7]

1910
Age 57
Living in Marsh Valley, Bannock, Idaho with daughter Zeffie (age 19) and son-in-law Joel Peterson (age 28).  [8]

1929 December 24
Age 76
Dies in Preston, Franklin, Idaho.  [9]
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[1]  "Idaho, Death Certificates, 1911-1937," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLYY-B25 : accessed 10 Feb 2014), Issac Lacy Bennett, 24 Dec 1929.

[2]  British Mission Emigration Register, Book #1047, pp. 17-44 (Family History Library #025,691); US Customs Lists (Family History Library #175,567). Viewed online 7 My 2015 at http://mormonmigration.lib.byu.edu/Search/showDetails/db:MM_MII/t:passenger/id:5265/keywords:Ann+Bennett .

[3]  Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel database, viewed online 7 May 2015.  https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/pioneerDetail?lang=eng&pioneerId=41188

[4]  "United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MNCT-JX2 : accessed 10 Feb 2014), Isaiah Bennett in household of Thomas Bennett, Utah, United States; citing p. , family 69, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 000553110.

[5]  "United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MM5T-J12 : accessed 10 Feb 2014), Isaiah Bennett, Mink Creek, St. Joseph Precincts, Oneida, Idaho, United States; citing sheet , family 140, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1240234.

[6]  "Utah, County Marriages, 1887-1937," index,  FamilySearch  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X2BP-4X8 : accessed 20 January 2015), Isaiah L Bennett and Miss Zoay Long, 11 Oct 1900; citing Cache, Utah, United States, book , county courthouses, Utah; FHL microfilm 430,305.  Also, email correspondence with David Long, Zoay’s great-grandson January 2015.  He got the information about the families from Blanche Hollingsworth, whose father was the first sheriff of Franklin County.

[7]  "Utah Death Certificates, 1904-1956," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XZLR-FHJ : accessed 12 Feb 2014), Ann Bennett, 26 Jan 1907.

[8]  "United States Census, 1910," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MLHF-2W4 : accessed 11 Feb 2014), Isaah R Bennet in household of Joel Peterson, Marsh Valley, Bannock, Idaho, United States; citing sheet , family 79, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1374234.

[9]  "Idaho, Death Certificates, 1911-1937," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLYY-B25 : accessed 11 Feb 2014), Issac Lacy Bennett, 24 Dec 1929.

Marriage certificate for Isaiah L. Bennett and "Miss" Zoay Long, 11 October 1900 in Logan, Cache, Utah.