Hannah Corilla Wells

Biographical Summary:

...Hannah C. Free Wells. I was born on a farm near Belleville, St. Clair County, Illinois, June 9, 1829. About the year 1832 or 1833, two Mormon elders, Simeon Carter and John Brown, called at our home and taught my parents, Absalom Pennington Free and Betsy Strait Free, and they with my father's parents, my two sisters, Louisa and Emmeline, and a large number of our relatives, embraced the gospel. We moved to Missouri and settled on farms about seven miles from Far West, where I remembered having seen the Prophet Joseph Smith. After being driven out of Missouri we returned to St. Clair County, Illinois, where we remained until we moved to Nauvoo..."

"...When I was fourteen years of age some elders came to our neighborhood and preached as usual, and after one of the meetings which I attended, they called for those who wished to be baptized. I was the only one to rise and walk to the front. To this day there is nothing in the world of which I am so glad as for my baptism..."

"...In 1845 we moved to Nauvoo and in the following year were driven out. In 1847 we were at Winter Quarters where we remained until 1848, when we left for Salt Lake Valley. On the trip across the plains I became acquainted with Brigham Young, who had married my sister Emmeline and with Daniel H. Wells, who later became my husband. On arriving in the valley, we lived on a farm where Liberty Park is now located and later near the present site of the City and County Building. While living at this home, I was married and later moved within the wall around the block on which the Hotel Utah now stands. In 1855 we came near starving, and two years later, when Johnston's Army came to this valley, we moved to Provo, determined to destroy everything we had in case of interference on the part of the Army. When the Army moved on to Camp Floyd we returned to Salt Lake..."

"...When, in 1864, Squire Wells was called to preside over the European Mission, I went with him and spent one year in England. He was called a second time in 1884, and while he was there my mother died, and also my sister Louisa. My father had died two or three years before. Later, President Wells was called to preside at the Manti Temple, where I spent a good deal of my time..."

"...In thinking over my life, it seems that I have passed through some very eventful scenes and experiences. I have seen all of the presidents of the Church and have known them intimately. I have seen five temples built for the work of the Lord, and have witnessed the growth of the Church from a small beginning to a mighty people. (End of journal.)..."

"...Mrs. Wells was a most lovable and amiable woman, always full of good cheer, wit and delightful conversation. While she took no leading part in public life, she made life pleasant for those about her. Her home was open to friends and visitors, and she made it a place where all who dwelled rejoiced, and all who came, went away delighted. She was true to the faith, and scattered cheer and sunshine wherever she went..."

"...Hannah C. Free Wells was buried March 8, 1913..."

SOURCE: Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 8, p. 195. Retrieved from Find A Grave Memorial# 24896488. www.findagrave.com