Elizabeth Edwards Piggott

Biography

On the 21st day of February, in the year 1845, there was sent to bless and cheer the widow of George Cannon a frail and delicate baby girl. The name given to this youngest child of George Cannon was Elizabeth. The babe made her entrance into mortal life in Nauvoo, Illinois, where at that time trials, hardships and heartaches prevailed generally among the people. The difficulties of the mother were similar in most respects to those experienced by many others. One incident, however, connected with her escape from the stricken city is little short of miraculous. When the people were driven out, the mother, leaving baby Elizabeth on the west side of the Mississippi, decided to cross back, hoping to be able to get a cow which had been left behind. While she was engaged upon this errand, the mob took possession of the river at the crossing, cutting off her return. It is not difficult to imagine the anxiety and anguish of the parent, her babe on one side of a broad stream, she on the other and a merciless enemy between.

Noticing her distress, one of the mob approached the almost frantic mother and asked what was her trouble. She told him the cause of her worry, and also gave him her name. Yielding to an impulse of humanity, he placed her on a part of the ferry boat concealed among the guns and ammunition; and when the one in charge inquired what was on board, the answer was: "Nothing but Cannons." Thus the mother was taken across to her helpless baby.

......Although her youth was spent under the protecting care of a greatly beloved stepfather, she always regretted that she had never known the affection or seen the face of her own father. Yet when she came to have children of her own she took frequent occasion to correct or modify this statement of never having seen her father, adding by way of correction: "Yes, once I did." Then she went on the explain that one night while watching by the sick bed of her mother she had either a dream or a vision --- call it what you will --- and felt rather than saw that she was not alone. On looking for the presence that she knew was there, she saw a man standing not far from her and gazing at her with a tender smile, as if to show his appreciation and approval of what she was doing. Later when telling this experience to her mother after she had awakened, and describing the personality of the dream or spirit presence, his clothing and his looks, the mother said: "Lizzie, can't you guess who that was? It was your father." This was a great comfort to the girl, for she felt she had her father's love and blessing.

......After William died she spent most of her time with her children. During her last three years she was afflicted with cancer in the throat and nose. All that could be done to relieve her was done, but still she suffered terribly.

The last fall and winter of her life were spent in Logan with her daughter Mary and in Randolph with her daughter Alice, the final nine weeks being with the latter. She told her daughters that before leaving home she had been visited n dreamland by her departed husband, who wanted her to go with him..She begged for a short stay, as she felt that she was not ready to go just yet. He replied, "The next time I come you must go, whether you are ready or not." This dream so impressed her that she at once began to set things in order as she wanted them, even making disposition of her personal effect by will; and when this was all completed, she felt and announced that she was now ready to go whenever the call should come. She had been in Randolph, about two months, when one morning at the breakfast table she remarked: "I had a strange experience last night, I thought I saw your father; but I guess it was only a shadow, because when I turned the light on, he wasn't there." After this, however, she seemed easier and more comfortable, though even when her pain was most intense she made no complaint and bore her suffering with saintly fortitude. Entering her room in the early morning of March 27, 1920, her daughter found her with her head resting upon her hand, locked in that last long sleep which knows no awakening in mortality.

In 1857 the women of the Salt Lake City LDS 14th Ward created a quilt that was raffled off to raise money for the poor, the Perpetual Immigrating Fund, and various Mormon charitable enterprises. Each block was designed and signed by one of the women, many of whom were wives of leading church authorities. Unfortunately twelve-year-old Elizabeth's block is not intact. Luckily the corner that did survive is the one with her signature.

The following is an excerpt from the book The Salt Lake City 14th Ward Album Quilt, 1857: Stories of the Relief Society Women and their Quilt:

Elizabeth's musical instrument was the melodeon. Hers was only the second to arrive in the city, and it was a gift from her stepfather.” Her musical talent coupled with her sewing skills served her well as teacher of music and dressmaker years later while she supported herself and children in the absences of her missionary husband, William H. Piggott, whom she married in 1869.
Elizabeth's early service to the Relief Society in the Fourteenth Ward did not wane. In her lifetime she served as a Relief Society secretary for seventeen years. She also was a president of the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association. In Bloomington, Idaho, where she and her husband raised their Six children, Mary Elizabeth, Catherine Cannon, Alice Cannon, Leonora Cannon, William Cannon, and George Cannon, she also wore the hat of post mistress.

Sources:

• The Salt Lake City 14th Ward Album Quilt, 1857: Stories of the Relief Society Women and their Quilt, by Carol Holindrake Nielson
• Cannon Family Historical Treasury, page 287-294, written by Claude and Elma Reay, Edited by Beatrice Cannon Evans and Janath russell Cannon

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Daughter of George Cannon and Mary Ann Edwards

Married William Henry Piggott, 29 Nov 1869, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Children - Mary Elizabeth Cannon Piggott, Alice Cannon Piggott, William Cannon Piggott, George Cannon Piggott, Leonora Cannon Piggott, Catherine Cannon Piggott

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 2 2018, 2:48:28 UTC