Jonathan Pugmire, III

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH - COMPILED BY LUCY NEBEKER (GREAT GRANDAUGHTER OF JONATHAN PUGMIRE SENIOR)

    Jonathan Pugmire was born at Welton, Cumberland, England a son of Jonathan Pugmire and Hannah Hetherington.  He was christened at Raughton. Head, Cumberland, England March 28 1799.

Little is known of his early life except that he was trained to be a blacksmith and he became an expert iron worker. This later proved to be of immeasurable worth, not only in providing a living for his family, but in helping to build up Zion and in making preparations for the great exodus westward of the Latter Day Saints from Nauvoo to Utah and in the establishment of settlements there.
Jonathan Pugmire Sr. married Elizabeth Barnes and they were the parents of ten children, seven boys and three girls, namely: George, Jonathan Jr., Sarah, Richard, Joseph, Hyrum, William, Elizabeth, John, Hannah, and Moroni. All of these children were born in England, except Moroni, who was born at Montrose, Lee Couty, Iowa, after members of the family immigrated to America in 1844.
During the early part of their married life, they lived in Carlisle, Cumberland, England then Jonathan Sr. moved with his family to Liverpool, England, where he was foreman of a shop owned by the Grand Junction Railway Co., located at Crown Street Edge Hill, Liverpool where he served as a trained blacksmith and worker in the uses of iron.
When his son Jonathan Jr. was 14 years of age, he began to serve an appreticeship at blacksmithing, with the company for which his father worked and he, too, became a well trained blacksmith. The father as foreman and the son as apprentice, continued to work for the conpany until the company moved their establishment to Crew Cheshire.
On Nov 14 1841, Jonathan Pugmire Sr, his wife Elizabeth and their son Jonathan Jr. were baptized in the River Mercy, into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They were baptized by Elder John James and confirmed by Elder George L Adams and they became active members of the Liverpool Branch. We do not have the baptism dates for the other members of the family except Joseph Hyrum. He was baptized in 1846 after the family came to America on the way westward from Nauvoo. The son Richard died at age 11 years on Oct 25 1839 while the family was still in England and before any of the family joined the Church. The eldest son, George, married Jane Russell, 11 Oct 1841 and the fact has been established that he and his wife remained in England. Our record is very incomplete about some other members of the family, but in the will of Jonathan Pugmire Sr. filed date of 11 Aug 1876, the three girls, Sarah, Elizabeth and Hannah were mentions as were two of the sons Jonathan Jr. and Joseph Hyrum.
The Pugmire family were active in the Church in England, as attested to by the account of the "Cartwright Drowning Incident" recorded in Church History through which incident Jonathan Pugmire Sr. and Thomas Cartwright were confined to Chester Jail for a period of six weeks and 3 days before a trial was held, at which time they were aquitted, or set free.
During there imprisonment Jonathan Pugmire Sr had a vision in which he was informed that they would be liverated; and he told Thomas Cartwright to be of good cheer for they would be exonerated (or acquitted) which they were.
By the year 1844, the desire to come to the United States and be with the body of the Church was so strong that preparations were made for the journey; and on Feb 11 1844, Jonathan Pugmire Sr., his wife and five children, 2 boys and 3 girls sailed from Liverpool, England for New Orleans, USA on board the ship "Isaac Allerton".
After a voyage of 45 days they landed at New Orleans and from there sailed by steamboat up the Mississippi River, landing at Nauvoo, Ill April 5th 1844 (25 days later) making a total of 70 days from the time they had left England and from that time, until the saits left Nauvoo, this family shared in common with their co-religionists, the possessions, harships and mobbings of those tragic and memorable days. Quoting from an account written by their son Joseph Hyrum, he states, "My mother, being a vry nervous person, she could not stand the troubles in Nauvoo after the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were murdered, so we moved across the river to Montrose, Lee County, Iowa and (according to a statement by Jonathan Jr it was here that his father purchased a farm:. On April 20 1846 my youngest brother Moroni was born.
"While living in Montrose, my father and my brother Jonathan Jr. were called to help prepare wagons for thos going westward to find a home for the Saints. After staying in this area for some 5 months my father Jonathan Pugmire Sr. was called by John Taylor to go to Winter Quarters to work at his trade of blacksmithing outfitting wagons for the trip of the Saints across the Plains. Enroute from Montrose, Iowa to Winter Quarters we traveled in Captain Danses' Company."
On Nov 3 1846 while living at Winter Quarters (or Florence Nebraska) Jonathan SR's wife passed away and was buried in the cemetery at Florence Nebraska. At the time of her death, her son Jonathan Pugmire Jr. was away with the Mormon Battalion, on their historic march westward to California.
Saddened by the loss of his companion, but spurred on by his desire to come to Utah, Jonathan Sr. made plans and preparations to continue his journey westward. Consequently, late the next spring (1847) he and members of his family started their trek across the plans to Utah arriving in the Salt Lake Valley 25 Sept 1847. They traveled with the John Taylor Company and in Joseph Hornes's Company of Ten. After a journey of over 1000 miles by ox team and having endured all the trials and hardships incident to that difficult journey, they at last had reached their destination, three years and 9 months after leaving England.
After arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Jonathan Pugmire Sr. married Elizabeth South, who was his companion for the remainder of his life. She was born in England May 9 1802 and passed away in Salt Lake City at 7 am on April 4 1894 at age 92 having survived her husband by nearly 18 years. Funeral services were held in the 7th ward meeting house at 2 pm April 5th 1894. Burial was in the Salt Lake City, Cemetery.
Quoting from the Biographical Sketch of his son, Jonathan Pugmire Jr, who was living at St. Charles, Bear Lake, Idaho at that time, I give the following:
"In the month of July 1876 I received a telegram from Bro Henry Dinwoody of Salt Lake City stating my father was very ill and that he requested me to be with him. I started immediately for Salt Lake City and upon arrival found my father ill as stated in the telegram. I stayed with my father and did all I could to make him comfortable - - seldom leaving his bedside until his death, which took place about 9 o clock the evening of Aug 9 1876.
Sometime before my father's death President Brigham Young sent for him to come to the President's office and be ordained my father Jonathan Pugmire Sr to the office of Patriarch. My father was also active in the High Priest Quorum.
My father departed this life without a struggle. He seemed to realize that he would not recover and frequently mentioned the fact to those who called to see him.
My father's funeral was the first funeral service held in the 7th Ward meeting house, of which I, Jonathan Pugmire Jr. was the means of starting while I was Bishop of the 7th ward. (1861-1864)"
Quoting from an announcement at the time of his death it states: "Jonathan Pugmire Sr died in Salt Lake City, Utah at 9pm on Aug 9 1876, from inflamation of the lungs at age 77. He was buried in the Salt Lake City, Cemetery.
"His departure from this life was mourned by his family and a numerous circle of friends and acquaintances. Thuse came to a close the life of a faithful and true Latter Day Saint who was ever ready to respond to the calls made upon him to assist in building up the great Latter Day Work, in which he was a firm believer."

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868 Edward Hunter - Joseph Horne Company (1847)

Age 48

 "John Taylor Company"

Departure: 17 June 1847 Arrival: 29 September 1847

Find a Grave

Birth: Mar. 28, 1799, England Death: Aug. 9, 1876

Salt Lake City Salt Lake County Utah, USA

Son of Jonathan Pugmire and Hannah Hetherington

[The following is a statement given by Jonathan Pugmire, Jr. about his father's involvement in a baptism at Crewe, England. His statement was recorded in the History of the Church, Period I, Vol. 6, pages 160-162.] "Thomas Cartwright(#6489264) was baptized November 6, 1843, unknown to his wife, by Elder Jonathan Pugmire Senior; but she had mistrusted he had gone to the water and went to Pugmire's house the same evening and inquired where Tom was (meaning her husband). Mrs. Pugmire answered she did not know. After this, Mrs. Cartwright went out and met them returning from the waters of baptism and shouted - 'Damn you, I'll dip ye!' and expressing her determination to have revenge on Pugmire's family, she used a great deal of very bad language. Some of the neighbors (not belonging to the Church) advised her not to speak too much against the Latter-day Saints, as she might yet become convinced of the truth of their doctrines and be baptized herself. She replied, 'I hope to God, if ever I am such a fool, that I'll be drowned in the attempt!' A short time afterwards, in consequence of her husband's talking to her about the truths of the Gospel, she consented to go to Pugmire's house and hear for herself. After attending a few times she told her husband she had a dream, in which she saw it was a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, and requested to be baptized. Mrs. Pugmire talked with her, reminding her of her harsh expression. She confessed all, and said, 'I am very sorry; and as my conduct is known to all this neighborhood, I do not wish to have my baptism public, but to have it done privately; and I wish no female to accompany me to the water but you.' On the night of her baptism (November 23, 1843), she was conducted to the water by her husband and Elder Pugmire, witnessed by Mrs. Pugmire and James Moore. Previous to this time, Elder Pugmire had baptized eight or ten persons in the same place. On arriving at the water, they found the creek had overflowed its banks, in consequence of a heavy rain which had fallen that day. Elder Pugmire examined its banks, and concluded he could attend to the ordinance without going into the regular bed of the creek. This was done; but on raising Mrs. Cartwright, and as they were walking out, they both went under the water. It was afterwards discovered that the water had undermined the bank, and it gave way under their feet. Meantime, Thomas Cartwright leaped into the creek and seized hold of his wife's petticoat; but the water carried her off, and left the garment in his hand. James Moore got hold of Elder Pugmire by the hair of his head, Mrs. Pugmire holding Moore's hand, and thus they dragged him out. Moore then ran to the village to give the alarm. On his return, he found Cartwright about one hundred yards from where he leaped in, with his head above water, holding on to the stump of a tree. He said he could not have remained in that situation one minute longer. George Knowlen swam the stream and got him out; but his wife was not found until the day following, where she was found about two hundred yards from where the accident occurred, standing upon her feet, with her head above water, the stream having fallen about two feet. On Pugmire reaching home, a Church of England minister had him arrested and dragged from his family the same evening, and kept in custody of a constable until a coroner's inquest was held on the body of the deceased. After she was buried, Cartwright was arrested, and both were sent to Chester jail to wait their trial before the judge of assize. They were in confinement six weeks and three days before the trial came on. The judge (Whitehead) remarked to the jury that baptism was an ordinance of our religion, and that it was a mere accident which had occurred. He advised the jurymen to be very careful how they examined the case before them--that it was an ordinance instituted by God (at that moment theLord spoke by the voice of thunder, which shook the court house) and advised the prisoners to be very careful in the future to select a proper place for the performance of that rite. They were then set free."

This story was sent to me by The Family Finder

Family links:

Children:

• George Pugmire (1821 - 1868)*
• Jonathan Pugmire (1823 - 1880)*

Burial: Salt Lake City Cemetery Salt Lake City Salt Lake County Utah, USA Plot: A_11_9_5W

Birth: Mar. 28, 1799, England

Death: Aug. 9, 1876 Salt Lake City Salt Lake County Utah, USA

Son of Jonathan Pugmire and Hannah Hetherington

[The following is a statement given by Jonathan Pugmire, Jr. about his father's involvement in a baptism at Crewe, England. His statement was recorded in the History of the Church, Period I, Vol. 6, pages 160-162.] "Thomas Cartwright(#6489264) was baptized November 6, 1843, unknown to his wife, by Elder Jonathan Pugmire Senior; but she had mistrusted he had gone to the water and went to Pugmire's house the same evening and inquired where Tom was (meaning her husband). Mrs. Pugmire answered she did not know. After this, Mrs. Cartwright went out and met them returning from the waters of baptism and shouted - 'Damn you, I'll dip ye!' and expressing her determination to have revenge on Pugmire's family, she used a great deal of very bad language. Some of the neighbors (not belonging to the Church) advised her not to speak too much against the Latter-day Saints, as she might yet become convinced of the truth of their doctrines and be baptized herself. She replied, 'I hope to God, if ever I am such a fool, that I'll be drowned in the attempt!' A short time afterwards, in consequence of her husband's talking to her about the truths of the Gospel, she consented to go to Pugmire's house and hear for herself. After attending a few times she told her husband she had a dream, in which she saw it was a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, and requested to be baptized. Mrs. Pugmire talked with her, reminding her of her harsh expression. She confessed all, and said, 'I am very sorry; and as my conduct is known to all this neighborhood, I do not wish to have my baptism public, but to have it done privately; and I wish no female to accompany me to the water but you.' On the night of her baptism (November 23, 1843), she was conducted to the water by her husband and Elder Pugmire, witnessed by Mrs. Pugmire and James Moore. Previous to this time, Elder Pugmire had baptized eight or ten persons in the same place. On arriving at the water, they found the creek had overflowed its banks, in consequence of a heavy rain which had fallen that day. Elder Pugmire examined its banks, and concluded he could attend to the ordinance without going into the regular bed of the creek. This was done; but on raising Mrs. Cartwright, and as they were walking out, they both went under the water. It was afterwards discovered that the water had undermined the bank, and it gave way under their feet. Meantime, Thomas Cartwright leaped into the creek and seized hold of his wife's petticoat; but the water carried her off, and left the garment in his hand. James Moore got hold of Elder Pugmire by the hair of his head, Mrs. Pugmire holding Moore's hand, and thus they dragged him out. Moore then ran to the village to give the alarm. On his return, he found Cartwright about one hundred yards from where he leaped in, with his head above water, holding on to the stump of a tree. He said he could not have remained in that situation one minute longer. George Knowlen swam the stream and got him out; but his wife was not found until the day following, where she was found about two hundred yards from where the accident occurred, standing upon her feet, with her head above water, the stream having fallen about two feet. On Pugmire reaching home, a Church of England minister had him arrested and dragged from his family the same evening, and kept in custody of a constable until a coroner's inquest was held on the body of the deceased. After she was buried, Cartwright was arrested, and both were sent to Chester jail to wait their trial before the judge of assize. They were in confinement six weeks and three days before the trial came on. The judge (Whitehead) remarked to the jury that baptism was an ordinance of our religion, and that it was a mere accident which had occurred. He advised the jurymen to be very careful how they examined the case before them--that it was an ordinance instituted by God (at that moment theLord spoke by the voice of thunder, which shook the court house) and advised the prisoners to be very careful in the future to select a proper place for the performance of that rite. They were then set free."

This story was sent to me by The Family Finder

Family links:

Spouse:

• Mary Baylis Haywood Pugmire (1804 - 1861)*

Children:

• George Pugmire (1821 - 1868)*
• Jonathan Pugmire (1823 - 1880)*

Burial: Salt Lake City Cemetery Salt Lake City Salt Lake County Utah, USA Plot: A_11_9_5W

Created by: Wes & Debi Grossnickle Record added: Sep 11, 2011 Find A Grave Memorial# 76363775