Amanda Ellen Smith

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868

Perkins, Amanda Ellen Hollingshead

Birth Date: 27 July 1838

Death Date: 21 Sept. 1903

Gender: Female

Age: 9

Company: Brigham Young Company (1848)

Pioneer Information: 

She was the daughter of Isaac and Mercy Wilcox Hollingshead, but at the age of two weeks she was given to Dicy Perkins who was the only mother she ever knew. Her own mother died at her birth. She crossed the plains as a "Perkins." 

Sources:

Ancestral File Source Locations

Smith, Amanda Ellen Hollingshead Perkins, Memorial from Magrath Ward Relief Society, before 25 Sept. 1903. -

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Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868

Brigham Young Company (1848)  

Departure: 5 June 1848 

Arrival in Salt Lake Valley: 20-24 September 1848

Company Information:

1220 individuals were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Winter Quarters, Nebraska.

View a list of individuals known to have traveled in this company.

View a list of sources to learn more about this company.

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Amanda Ellen Hollingshead was born in Jobs Settlement, Ill. It has been

said that she was the first white baby born there. Her mother Mercy

( Mercy Mary) Wilcox Hollingshead died when Amanda was born and on her

death bed she ( Mary ) gave baby Amanda to William and Diecy Perkins to

raise. The Perkins brought her to Utah. William Perkins was a Patriarch

in St. George.

Endowment House record # 183404 says--

                                    Amanda Ellen Perkins

                                    born 27 July 1838

                                    Jobs Settlement, Mac Donaugh Co., Illinois

                                    Bap. 28 July 1846 - Isaac and Mercy                                                 

                                                                Hollingshead pg 81

                                    Endowment- 21 May 1856

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Her obituary was in the Lethbridge ( Alberta Canada) Herald Examiner.

BURIAL:in Magrath, Alta., Canada.

BIRTH: 27 Jul 1838

FATHER: Isaac Hollingshead

MOTHER: Mercy Wilcox

SIBLINGS:

Married:Thomas Sasson Smith 16 July 1857

ENDOWMENT:21 May 1856

SEALING_SPOUSE:16 Jul 1857 E.H.

BAPTISM:28 Jul 1846

MISSION: In 1864 she and her husband Thomas Sasson Smith were called as pioneers

to settle Muddy River (Utah)

EMIGRATION: 1893 She went with her children to Alberta, Canada

Her first three children were born in Farmington. They were able to enjoy a comfortable home for a time, The fruit trees, berries, shrubs, and flowers however, had to be left and they went on a colonizing mission to Clark County, Nevada in the fall of 1864. This was called the "Cotton Mission" where they arrived in January of 1865. A town was laid out and named St. Thomas for Amanda's husband who was the leader. This Nevada town site is now under Lake Mead. Here, in primitive circumstances, she cared for her three little ones. Here, Frederick Thomas was born, Amanda used her ability to teach and her skill in making clothing. She taught the Indian women to do housework and to prepare gardens.

Thomas had malaria and Amanda nursed him until in 1868 he returned to Utah for medical help. She and the four children were likely very happy to return to Farmington and join with Thomas. Here (Farmington), four more children were born; Jacob Henry, George S., Jonathan, and Albert.

Next they went on a colonizing mission to Wilford Flats, Fremont, Idaho. Amanda was always cheerful and kind, making friends wherever she went. She was an active member of the Relief Society and a teacher for many years. Her daughter, Cynthia Ellen Smith sometimes accompanied her mother while she was visiting teaching. Cynthia remembered that Amanda always carried a basket when visiting teaching. Sisters donated spools of thread, homemade soap, or eggs which went into the basket to be taken to the Relief Society president for the needy.

After Thomas' death in 1890, Amanda moved to Magrath, Alberta, Canada. In August of 1903, she fell and dislocated her hip. She died on 21 September 1903 in the Galt Hospital in Lethbridge. Her great faith in God and her testimony of the Gospel sustained her to the last and she passed peacefully away. One of her great granddaughters, Alta Lyons Ferrin attended the funeral and remembered that Amanda was wearing a beautiful black dress.

Amanda taught her children well!. When she died, her oldest son, Jesse Lucius was serving a mission in Tomstown, Pennsylvania. Many of her descendants have or are serving missions in many parts of the world. She taught her children to share their worldly goods and the Gospel with others. Descendants have been aware of the need to do this and have followed in her footsteps.

At her death, a sister Fletcher, a very dear friend of Amanda wrote a memoriam in her honor.

Resolve:

           That we, the members of the Magrath Relief Society, extend our heartfelt sympathy to              the family in this, their hour of sorrow.

           That we ever cherish her memory, and regard her virtues as worthy of emulation.

.

            O Lord, responsive to Thy call

            In life, or death whate'er befall

            Our hopes for bliss on Thee depend,

            Thou art our everlasting Friend.

What were those blessings given to Amanda by the Prophet Joseph Smith? We do not have a record of the blessing he gave, but we can surmise from her life that there may have been some reference to maintaining faith, making wise decisions, and experiencing inspiration by following priesthood authority. Her posterity calls her "blessed".

                                                                                   Wilburta Moore, pres. 

                                                                                    Jeremiah Smith Permanent 

                                                                                         Family Organization

                                                                                    160 N. 200 W. #6

                                                                                     Salt Lake City, Utah 84105

                                                                                         (801-595-8191)

A Copy of a Note written by Mrs. Fletcher,(a dear friend of Amanda) from

Magrath , Alberta, Canada.

IN MEMORIUM

It is painful to record the death of a dear friend at all times, but when one has lived out the full time, we cannot mourn as we would if their life were in its morning or noonday season. Sister Amanda Ellen Hollingshead Smith was born July 27, 1838. She was a daughter of Isaac and Mercy Wilcox Hollingshead, but at the age of two weeks was given to Sister Dicey Perkins who was the only mother she ever knew. Her own mother having died at her birth. On July 29, 1857 she was married to Thomas S. Smith of Farmington, Utah. In 1864 they were called as pioneers to settle in Muddy (Utah). Some years later they again returned to Farmington. After this they moved to Idaho. On July 1st, 1890 her husband was taken from her in death which was a severe trial to her. She came with her children to Canada in 1893 enduring many hardships and trials, but still trusting in her Heavenly Father and remaining steadfast to the principals she had embraced. She has been a member of this ward (Magrath, Alberta, Canada) for two years.

On August 1st,1903 she met with a fatal accident in dislocating her hip which caused her death in the Galt Hospital at Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, Sept. 21, 1903. In her earlier days she was an active worker as a teacher in the Relief Society. She was of great faith even to her last moments, and passed peacefully away.

She is the mother of eight children. Five sons and one daughter survive her. She has a number of Grandchildren and several great Grandchildren. The oldest son Jesse is now on a mission to the Eastern States.

She was a kind mother, a true Latter-day Saint and a good friend always.

The funeral being held in the meeting house at 2 P.M. Friday September 25, 1903.

Resolve:

           That we, the members of the Magrath Relief Society, extend our heartfelt sympathy to              the family in this, their hour of sorrow.

           That we ever cherish her memory, and regard her virtues as worthy of emulation.

.

            O Lord, responsive to Thy call

            In life, or death whate'er befall

            Our hopes for bliss on Thee depend,

            Thou art our everlasting Friend.

That a copy of this be presented to the bereaved family, and one be placed on the record of the B.L. and one be sent to the Woman's Exponent for publication.