Sarah Jane Lewis

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868 Unidentified Companies (1851)

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Birth: Apr. 5, 1834 Steuben County Indiana, USA

Death: Mar. 20, 1917 Thatcher Graham County Arizona, USA

Life story of Sarah Jane Huntsman Lewis Sarah Jane Huntsman was born in Steuben County, Indiana, April 5, 1834. Her parents, James William Huntsman and Hannah Davis had two children when they joined the Church, Sarah Jane and Joseph. They moved to Nauvoo in 1840 when Sarah Jane was about six years old, and was in Nauvoo when the Prophet was killed and she remembered him quite well all her life. She said one morning in early childhood while her father James was milking the cow at the first home she ever knew or remembered, somewhere in Missouri, a wicked cowardly, cruel mob came in their yard, knocked her father down and lashed him to a fence rail. After beating him nearly to death, turned him loose and gave him this choice; if he would betray his people and join the mob he could keep his home and property. If not, he could take the old blind mare, hitch her to an old cart he had abandoned to the dump, fix it up and he would be allowed to take from his home all he could pile on the cart, and leave within a short time. His home and all he had would be taken over by the mob. Sarah Jane saw her father staggering to the house, and while her mother dressed his wounds he told her of the threat made by the mob. There was nothing for them to do but get out. So they laid their plans. While her father repaired the old cart, her mother packed up what she needed the most and the cart was overloaded. They said goodbye to their good home they had worked so hard for and were on their way to they didn't know where. Father leading the old blind mare, and Mother walking behind leading the children - a very sad family. Where would they go? All they knew for sure was that the Gospel was true and they wouldn't deny it for all the world. This is an example of what all the Saints went through for the Gospel's sake and it was the plan the Lord had in teaching his faithful followers the way of sacrifices they must make in order to gain the testimonies they must obtain to qualify them to be staunch members of His Church here on earth. This was only the beginning of their persecution. It is said that Sarah Jane Huntsmen worked in a Post Office and a store on the banks of the river just out of the town on the river front. She couldn't have been more than thirteen years old; but Grandma was doing a woman's work at home then, so she could have managed a job like that I am sure. She was smart and quick at figures so this may be true, but we have no proof. After leaving Council Bluffs in 1851, Sarah Jane crossed the plains to Great Salt Lake with her father and oldest brother, walking most of the way. She worked for other families a lot. She lived with Hyrum Kimball's family while in Nauvoo to help out. After coming to Salt Lake, she moved south as far as Parowan and worked for Tarlton Lewis. Later she married his son Samuel Lewis. They had four children while there, Samuel Edward, Orson James, Hannah Keturah, and Mary Ellen. Then they moved to Minersville, where six children were born; Oliver, Adelbert, Laura, Malinda, Joseph Tarlton, and Sarah Lavira. Then they moved to Panguitch where two more children were born, Lula Jane and Bertha Maria, making twelve children in all.

From one of their son Oliver's letters to his sister Laura, we learn a little about the happy home Sarah Jane and Samuel had in Panguitch, Utah: "I am dreaming tonight of our dear old pioneer home in Panguitch, and the snow is on the ground, the storm is raging wild outside, and big snowflakes are falling down. Mother is singing her sweetest lullabies to her babe on her knee. Father is reading the old reliable L.D.S. News, just as happy as a father can be. They have eleven children [Orson James had passed away at five years old] all at home, all happy, healthy and bright with a pitch pine log for a candle. We have all our lessons to get tonight and all huddled around the fire with our hearts plumb full of glee. We are back to the winter of 1876. The old home is warm with plenty of room with a big pile of wood outside. We have plenty of milk cows out under the shed and plenty of horses to ride, a herd of cattle on the range, and a big fat hog to kill any time we choose with plenty of beefsteak on hand and a dandy farm to boot. The best of neighbors by the score and a whole town full of friends. Both school and playmates all around, surely such pleasures will have no end. The peoples most valuable possessions were their community and their health, their hearts were full of mirth, trying to do all the good they could, their hearts were bound together with friendship and love. They never rode a bicycle or the kids a tricycle. They always rode a horse, or in a wagon when they went on a hike. Never saw an automobile, never rode a train. They were harmless as a kitten, but as rugged as a bear. They never used bad language, if you were looking for neighbors, you could always find them there." In 1881 the family moved to the Gila Valley, settling in Pima, Arizona. They later moved to Thatcher where Sarah Jane lived the rest of her life. Sarah Jane was a Relief Society teacher, but she was so heavy she couldn't walk much so she contented herself by reading. She had good eyesight so she read night and day. She was familiar with many prominent writers of her day and became well versed in the scriptures and in the Gospel. She was standing with her back to the fireplace one morning. The coals must have rolled down close to her skirts and before she knew it, a blaze ran up her back. She was old and inactive, and was very heavy. She must have weighed close to 250 pounds and was almost helpless. Her screams attracted Uncle Winfred Moody, who lived just down the lot. He ran, but was too late to save her. She was burned so badly that she died within a half hour afterwards. She and her daughter Keturah lived there together, but Keturah was away at the time. It was a terrible experience and it was a blessing she could go so soon. Funeral services were held in the Thatcher Chapel, March 20, 1917 with Bishop Franklin in charge. Appropriate selections were rendered by the choir and President and Sister Payne sang a song. The opening prayer was given by John Morris. The speakers were Selena Phillips, John Nash, Thomas Kimball and President Andrew Kimball. Each spoke of the noble character of Sarah Jane. The closing prayer was given by James H. Moody. Interment was in the Thatcher Cemetery. Photos to the right are her parents and identified under their pictures.

Family links:

Parents:

• James William Huntsman (1806 - 1867)
• Hannah Davis Huntsman (1816 - 1902)

Spouse:

*Samuel Lewis (1829 - 1911)

Children:

*Orson James Lewis (1855 - 1861)*

• Keturah Hannah Baker (1857 - 1939)*

Burial: Thatcher Cemetery Thatcher Graham County Arizona, USA

• Updated from MyHeritage Family Trees via daughter Lula Jane Layton (born Lewis) by SmartCopy: Oct 18 2014, 5:14:28 UTC

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GEDCOM Note

Short History of Orson Welcome Huntsman Written by two Grand-daughters, Leora Ashton & Florence Kite

Sometimes there appears among mankind one very different from the common run of the species. Different in that they ha Life story of Sarah Jane Huntsman Lewis Sarah Jane Huntsman was born in Steuben County, Indiana, April 5, 1834. Her parents, James William Huntsman and Hannah Davis had two children when they joined the Church, Sarah Jane and Joseph. They m

Life Sketch

Sarah Jane Huntsman, b April 5, 1834 in Lagrange, Steuben, Indiana. While living in Nauvoo, the Huntsman family became very well acquainted with the Tarlton Lewis family. Perhaps they knew each other even before this time. Tarlton Lewis and James William purchased their city lots in Nauvoo on the same day and in the same block (64). The Lewises were on Lot 3 and the Huntsmans on Lot 2, where they resided during the life of Nauvoo. Mr. Lewis and his wife, the former Malinda Gimlen, had a son, Samuel, who married Sarah Jane Huntsman on January 1, 1853. We dare guess that they became attracted to each other during their time spent as neighbors. Ralston Annals: This is a picture of Sarah Jane Huntsman Lewis, oldest child of Hannah Davis Huntsman to reach maturity who accompanied her father James William Huntsman overland to Utah in 1851 to make ready the home for the family. She is the progenitor of over 400 Ralstons [1934], most of whom are resident in Arizona.[photo of Sarah Jane Huntsman Lewis included in Ralston Annals.] Life Sketch of Samuel Lewis B. 1829 Samuel was described as a "tall, slender, man, well-built, who loved to walk. He was 6' tall, usually 180 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. He thought a lot, but was quiet, never saying muc

BAPL 1842 29 JAN 1965

SAR === BAPL 1842 29 JAN 1965

SARAH JANE HUNTSMAN LEWIS
Funeral Service and Brief History Sarah Jane Huntsman was born was born 5 April 1834 in Steuben County, Indiana. She lived in Thatcher, Arizona at the time of her death and funeral services were held 20 March 1917. Her clothes caught fire and she was burned so badly that she died a half hour afterwards: She was standing with her back to the fire - in front of the fireplace; the coals must have rolled down close to her skirts and before she knew it, a blaze ran up her back. She was old and inactive and very heavy; she weighed about 250 pounds and was almost helpless. Her screams attracted Uncle Winfred Moody who lived just down the lot. He ran but was too late to save her--she had to be buried soon.

She and her daughter lived there together, but Aunt Keturah was away at the time. It was a terrible experience but it was a blessing that she could go so soon. Funeral services were held in the Thatcher Church on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. Bishop Franklin Taylor was in charge. Appropriate selections were given by the choir and President and Mrs. Payne sang a song. The opening prayer was given by John Morris. The speakers: Selena Phillips, John Nash, Thomas Kimball, and President Andrew Kimball — he spoke of the noble character of the deceased. The closing prayer was given by James R. Moody. Interment was in the Thatcher Cemetery.

Sarah Jane Lewis was born in Steuben County, Indiana April 5, 1834. Her parents had two children when they joined the church —Sarah Jane and Joseph Smith Huntsman. They moved to Nauvoo in 1840 when Sarah Jane was six years old; they were in Nauvoo when the prophet was killed. She remembered him quite well all of her life.

Sarah Jane came to Salt Lake with her father in 1851. She worked a lot while there. She moved south to Parawan and worked for Tarlton Lewis and later married his son, Samuel Lewis. They had four children while there and then moved to Minersville where six children were born. They then moved to Panguitch where two more were born making twelve in the family. In 1831 the family moved to the Gila Valley and settled in Pima, Arizona. They later moved to Thatcher where she lived the rest of her life. Sarah Jane was a Relief Society Teacher but she was so heavy she couldn't walk much so she contented herself by reading. She had good eyesight so she read night and day. She was familiar with many prominent writers of her day and became well versed in the scriptures and in the gospel.

Nine children — six daughters and three sons — and many grandchildren survived her. She had a wonderful family!

Laura McBride Smith adds: "I used to stay with Grandma Lewis and go to school at the LDS Academy. It was fun to stay with Grandma Lewis — she used to tell me the most wonderful stories and read to me. She had lots of fig trees by her house and the fruit was delicious. She also had currents and cherries; they just grew as they pleased because Grandma couldn�t go care for things outdoors.

My grandparents separated years ago; they were never divorced but they each went their own way. Grandma had the property and Grandpa just lived here and there and never had a home of his own after they separated. I wish I had asked him more questions when I was with him.

I don't know if Grandpa could sing, but he used to stay with us and on moonlight nights sit out in the yard and sing "rup-i-tup-tup" over and over again and bounce my little sister on his knee. Grandma could sing a little; maybe they could both sing when they were young. I hope they are happy now and have patched up their differences; I hope we can meet them when we get over there. I loved them both very much. I could always joke with Grandma and have a good time. Written by Laura McBride Smith

GEDCOM Source

Description: age 16

GEDCOM Source

There is no way that there was a delay of more than ten days between death and burial. My record shows March burial. Thatcher Cemetery

GEDCOM Source

96PJ-VYZ Web: Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011 http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=structuredcrawledsite... Record of Marriage