Elizabeth Clark

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868 William Hyde Company (1864) Age 45

Departure: 9 August 1864 Arrival: 26-30 October 1864

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The Clark family, which consisted of the father, mother and five little girls, left Colchester settling in Barking, Essex County, seven miles east of London. Daniel Clark was a maker of shoes and soon established a good business making footwear for the people of the community. Elizabeth's mother was a professional draper and found work in homes and shops. The girls also became efficient seamstresses. A branch of the Latter-day Saint Church was organized in that community and Daniel Clark was made the presiding Elder. The visiting Elders, who ofttimes held meetings in their home, told them much about Utah, and soon they felt a great desire to emigrate and join with the body of the Church in Zion. Not having sufficient means to pay passage for the entire family, it was decided that the three eldest girls should go first. Accordingly, in April, 1861, Elizabeth, age 20; Sarah, 18, and Rebecca, 16, left their home to go to a strange land, not knowing whether they would ever see their loved ones again. The girls arrived in Liverpool and set sail April 23, 1861 on the ship Underwriter, docking in New York harbor May 22nd. On June 2nd they arrived at Florence, Nebraska where they joined the Joseph Horne company leaving that point seven days later. Walking most of the way the three girls reached Salt Lake City September 13th. By the end of the year the two younger sisters had married, each one to a widower with two children. Sarah married Alma Hale of Grantsville, and Rebecca married Thomas Stayher of Salt Lake City and later of Ogden. On June 7, 1862 Elizabeth married Caleb Ebenezer Crouch as his plural wife. Elizabeth was an ambitious woman, and it was her foremost desire to assist in every way possible to bring the other members of her family to Utah. By gleaning wheat, which sold for five dollars a bushel, she was able to earn one hundred dollars. This money she sent to her father.

On June 3, 1864 Daniel Clark, his wife and five children boarded the ship Hudson, with John M. Kay in charge of the Saints, and sailed for America. After arriving in New York City it was necessary for this company to detour through Canada and again enter the United States at Chicago, because of the Civil War then raging. They joined the William Hyde company at Wyoming, Nebraska, August 9th. There was much sickness and many deaths, Daniel Clark being one of the victims. He was buried near the first crossing of the North Platte River. When Elizabeth knew her family should be nearing the Valley she started walking to meet them. With deep sorrow she learned of her father's passing.

In the meantime Ebenezer had sold his business in Salt Lake to William Eddington and took in payment a piece of land in Weber Valley. In November, 1863 he moved his family there and built the first home in what is now South Morgan. It is not known whether Elizabeth went to Morgan then or a few months later. Elizabeth helped her mother by taking two of the youngest children, Rosa, seven and Frederick, four, to live with her. Industrious as ever, Elizabeth made the first American flag in Morgan and for a short time taught school in her home. She did the spinning and knitting for the family, also braided straw which she made into hats and sold. She excelled in the making of ladies gloves from the finest buckskin, lined with silk. Some had wide cuffs of beaver, or lace and ribbon, while the backs were often embroidered in silk flowers. For these she received five dollars a pair. In 1866, John Wood, his wife and family, settled in Richville, near Morgan and shortly thereafter he and his wife separated. Elizabeth's mother met and married Mr. Wood in 1867. This helped both families as it provided a home for her and the children, and the older boys could help on the farm.

On June 1, 1866 Elizabeth's first child, Emeline, was born, followed by Charles Edwin, born May 23, 1868, and William Arthur, born March 11, 1870. In spite of all her efforts to maintain a happy home, and probably because of the great difference in their ages, a rift appeared in their marriage which resulted in a separation. Elizabeth took Emeline and William and went to Ogden, leaving Charles with her mother. Not long after she met James Duncan who worked for the railroad. Although he was not a member of the Latter-day Saint Church, they grew to love each other, and were married. On June 2, 1872, a son, James, was born but died two days later. Complications after birth set in and within three weeks, on June 25, 1872, Elizabeth passed away. Ironically, Ebenezer, Elizabeth's first husband died the same day as her infant son. The three Crouch children were reared by their Grandmother Wood. — Birdice Crouch