Samuel Smith

Samuel Smith, son of Daniel William Smith (1792 - 1845) and Sarah Wooding Smith (1797 - 1865), was born 22 May 1818 at Sherrington, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom. He emigrated to Utah Territory, arriving with the Aaron Johnson Company on 6 September 1850. A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served the church as High Priest; patriarch; high councilor of Box Elder stake in1855-77, and vice-president and assistant superintendent of the Brigham Co-op. Samuel served his community as judge of Box Elder county; Mayor from 3 March 1879 to 14 March 1883; Postmaster 1855-82, of Brigham City. Farmer, manufacturer, merchant, railway builder, Samuel had five polygamous wives and at least 51 known children. He died 2 October 1896 at Smithfield, Cache Utah, and was buried at Brigham City Cemetery, Plot: B-16-52-13, Brigham City, Box Elder County, Utah, United States.

Marriages and Children

1. Mary Ann Lines (1811 - 1903), daughter of Michael Lines and Hannah Abley of Hemel Hempstead, Hartfordshire, England, married 12 October 1837 Hemel Hempstead, Hartfordshire, England. Their children:
   1. Mary Ann Smith (23 July 1839 - 22 June 1840) infant
   2. Mary Ann Smith (19 April 1841 - 23 August 1843) age 2
   3. Samuel Lorenzo Smith (born 17 July 1843), married:
      1. Amanda J. Tibbets on 4 February 1864
      2. Eunice Tibbets in 1873
   4. Sarah Ann Smith, twin (20 November 1845 - 19 September 1846) infant
   5. Eliza Jane Smith, twin (20 November 1845 - 4 November 1846) infant
   6. Hyrum James Smith (born 31 October 1847), married:
      1. Sarah A. Fosgreen on 10 October 1870
      2. Cornelia B. Walker on 30 December 1878
   7. Maretta Smith (born 9 September 1850), married Dr. O. C. Ormsby on 11 October 1869
   8. Hannah Lines Smith (20 October 1852 - 15 October 1861) age 8
   9. David John Smith (15 February 1855 - 12 July 1855) infant
2. Sarah Jane Ingraham (1836 - 1872), daughter of William Ingraham and Susannah Griffith, of Worcester, Worcestershire, England, married on 10 May 1853, Salt Lake City Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States. Their children:
   1. Thyrza Ann Smith (born 20 November 1853), married Heber C. Tippets in October 1872
   2. Daniel William Smith (5 November1865 - 8 September 1873)
   3. Isaac Smith (born 31 December 1867), married:
      1. Harriet C. Ensign on 28 December 1876
      2. Anna Elizabeth Carlisle
      3. Elizabeth Fuhrimann
   4. Sarah Eliza Smith (born 13 January 1860), married David P. Evans on 8 September 1881
   5. John Wooding Smith (born 12 May 1862), married Mary Neeley in January 1880
   6. Susannah Smith (born 24 May 1864), married Thomas B. Evans on 18 October 1883
   7. Frances Mary Smith (born 9 January 1867), married Eli Fosgreen on 23 April 1885
   8. Franklin Richard Smith (20 August 1869 - 6 August 1870) infant
   9. Alice Rozella Smith (born 18 July 1871), married William Impy on 25 December 1888
3. Frances Ann Ingraham (1840 - 1923), daughter of William Ingraham and Susannah Griffith, married on 31 July 1856, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States. Their children:
   1. Esther Ann Smith (born 22 January 1858), married Charles Fosgreen on 18 October 1876
   2. Priscilla Smith (born 14 January 1860), married Elias Jensen on 16 June 1886
   3. Elias J. Smith (27 December 1861 - 13 August 1862) infant
   4. Mary E. Smith (8 November 1863 - 12 October 1864) infant
   5. Olivia J. Smith (born 22 July 1865), married John T. Kelly on 3 January1887
   6. Phoebe E. Smith (18 November 1867 - 23 May 1874) age 6
   7. Roxey A. Smith (5 February 1870 - 5 May 1874) age 4
   8. Viola May Smith (25 February 1872 - 18 October 1874) age 2
   9. Eliza Beatrice Smith (born 29 September 1875), married Joseph H. Weeks on 15 August 1894
   10. Warren Samuel Smith (born 22 September 1877), married Esther Coleman on 3 January 1900
   11. Everet Smith (born 7 April1880), married Lillie J. Fishburn on 9 September 1901
   12. William Rufus Smith (born 7 December 1881), married:
       1. Meriam Miles on 10 June 1903
       2. Hannah McClain on 12 January 1908
   13. Phosa Smith (born 4 February 1884), married Rast Larsen
4. Janett Maria Smith (1839 - 1928), daughter of George Smith and Caroline Harrison, married on 7 May 1857, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States. Their children:
   1. Abraham Smith (born 20 April 20 1868), married Laura M. Fishburn on 23 December 1880
   2. Letitia Smith (born 3 May 1860), married Charles Oscar on 18 Dunn October 1876
   3. Thomas Smith (born 22 October 1862), married Frances Van Nov on 29 December 1881
   4. James George Smith (born 3 November 1865), married Louisa Gilbert on 18 November 1885
   5. Leslie Smith (21 April 1869 - 18 November 1869) infant
   6. Lester Smith (7 September 1870 - April 1874) age 3
   7. Earnest Charles Smith (born 18 August 1875), married Annie Laughton on 6 November 1902
   8. Charles Eli Smith (born 11 March 1879), married Lillie Laurensen
5. Caroline Smith (1841 - 1929), George Smith and Caroline Harrison, married on 7 June 1857 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States. Their children:
   1. Delina Caroline Smith (born 23 June 1859, married Gordon E. Beckstead September 27, 1877;
   2. Jacob Smith Smith (born 18 March 1861), married Sophia Jensen on 24 December 1878
   3. Rose Emma Smith (27 June 1863 - October 1864) age 1
   4. Eliza M. Smith (6 July 1865 - March 1878) age 12
   5. Netta Smith (17 July 1867 - 1 March 1874) age 6
   6. Lorenzo D. Smith (10 July 1869 - January 1874) age 3
   7. Cynthia Smith (12 November 1871 - 8 March 1874) age 2
   8. Vilate Smith (born 13 November 1873), married Ralph B. Wiggins on 12 February 1894
   9. Edessia Smith (born 8 October 1875), married Arthur D. Hamsen on 24 July 1894
   10. Janett Laura Smith (20 January 1878 - 12 December 1890) age 11
   11. Theodore Smith (13 July 1880 - 6 December 1889) age 9
   12. Tobias Chancy Smith (28 January 1883 - 18 December 1889) age 5

Biographical Sketch

Samuel's family had been mat-makers in Sherrington, Buckinghamshire for generations. They gathered rushes that grew in the creeks and swamps and wove them into mats, which Samuel took to London to sell. The route to London led him through a small place called Hemel Hempstead. Here he became acquainted with a young lady named Mary Ann Line, who helped him in his efforts to become better-educated. Only five feet tall, but sturdily-built and ambitious, in 1835 Samuel accepted a position in a London oil-cloth mercantile. He married Mary Ann Line (1811 - 1903), daughter of Michael Lines and Hannah Abley of Hemel Hempstead, Hartfordshire, on 12 October 1837 at Hemel Hempstead, Hartfordshire, England. At some point Samuel went into business for himself, becoming an importing merchant, and enjoyed much success.

Their first child, Mary Ann was born 23 July 1839. Sadly, she died just eleven months later on 22 June 1840, and was buried in St. Albans, in England. Their second child also named Mary Ann, was born 19 April 1841 in St. George The Martyr, Surrey, England.

In 1841 the Smiths first heard testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Samuel and Mary Ann studied the new religion very carefully. Soon Samuel's parents were also listening to the missionaries on a regular basis. Samuel and Mary Ann, as well as Samuel's parents, joined the LDS church in December 1841. The following year he was ordained a Priest and set apart as a local missionary to preach the gospel in London.

During this ministry in London a remarkable healing occurred. He was sent out to visit a house where the woman of the house was sick with cholera. The local minister was there to administer last rites as the doctor had given her up to die. On entering the house it was made manifest to Samuel that the woman was not appointed to death and that she could be healed. He asked all who were not believers to withdraw from the room. Then by the authority of the priesthood he rebuked the sickness and the woman was healed. After her recovery the woman and her husband bore testimony that they heard a voice declare to them that she was healed by the Power of God.

A year later both families sailed from Liverpool for the United States, on 15 January 1843. They arrived in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, in April. Here their second daughter, only two years old, died on 3 August 1843. While in Nauvoo Samuel became acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum. At this time the Fifth Quorum of Seventies was organized, and Samuel Smith was chosen as one of the Presidents, being ordained and set apart by Brother Joseph Young. About this time the Nauvoo Legion was organized and he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant, President Joseph Smith being the first Lieutenant.

Samuel Smith was in Nauvoo at the time of the martyrdom of the Prophet and the Patriarch. Soon after this he was sent with a company of Legion to a small settlement about four miles from Nauvoo, known as Evans Settlement. In the spring of 1846, Samuel Smith and his family were driven out of Nauvoo. They crossed the river on the ice, leaving so hurriedly they could not take much with them; therefore, they suffered a great deal. Many of the Saints were barefoot in the snow and lacked warm clothing, food, and shelter.

Samuel's family located in Iowa where he took a contract which enabled him to employ many of the poor brethren, who had lost all when they were forced to flee from the mob. Hardships and privations caused the death of many. Here two of Samuel Smith's daughters Sarah Ann and Eliza Jane died, making a total of four they had lost.

Samuel had many rough experiences and narrow escapes from death. On one occasion on Fox River, a mob collected to tar and feather him, because he would not renounce Mormonism. Hardly an imposing figure at only 5 feet tall, Samuel nevertheless ascended a mound, drew a gun to defend himself, and told them that whoever tried to tar and feather him would never live to do it. This bold and fearless front saved him. The mob retired and thereafter left him unmolested.

In the spring of 1850, Samuel and his family started for Utah. On their way from Iowa to the Missouri River, they were continually harassed by mobbers. However, they reached the river in safety. At that point they were assigned to travel in the company of Aaron Johnson. Here he was elected clerk of the company, which consisted of about 100 wagons. They started on their journey in June. Shortly after, the first deaths in the company occurred on Salt Creek when 18 pioneers died of cholera.

On the banks of the Platte river, cholera again broke out. During this trying time Samuel testified that he saw a man standing by him in the night. The visitor said that the company should stop and clean themselves and their wagons thoroughly, and be baptized. Then, the man said cholera would leave them. The Captain and the chaplain each stated that they too, had a similar vision. The company did as directed by the messenger. The company had no more sickness and arrived in Salt Lake City in September 1850.

They arrived in Salt Lake City in 1850 and settled in Big Cottonwood, Utah Territory. In the four years from 1853 to 1857, Samuel married four additional women under the then-LDS doctrine of polygamy. Each time Samuel Smith took another wife he had them stay for two weeks at the beginning of their marriage with his first wife, Mary Ann Line Smith. She taught them how to live in polygamy and consequently there was practically no trouble or jealousy between the different families.

Early in April 1855, Samuel was called to go to Brigham City, Box Elder County. There he was appointed a counselor to President Lorenzo Snow. He made a plat of Brigham City and the surrounding country, which was examined and approved by the proper authorities. In that same year Samuel was appointed postmaster of Brigham City, and continued working as postmaster for 17 years. A special agent of the Postal Department was sent to induce him to give up Mormonism but he boldly told them his religious convictions were dearer to him than anything else.

Samuel was very active in assisting in the development of the resources of the County. He made roads, built mills, and layed out ditches. When the militia was organized every able-bodied man in the district was enrolled and mustered into service. Samuel was elected first major of the cavalry, and was appointed the commander of the Northern Post. He commanded the militia in that district in expeditions aqainst hostile Indians. He taught the less-hostile Lamanites that the Mormons were their friends.

In 1860 he was elected Probate Judge of Box Elder County, a position he occupied for fifteen years. During the building of the Utah and Northern Rail Road, he was Superintendent of Construction and later was one of the Directors. The people also elected him as Mayor of Brigham City in 1879 and reelected in 1881. When church leaders thought it best to organize cooperative stores instead of businesses, Samuel Smith turned in his merchandise, valued at $10,000. Ho later became one of the Directors of the Brigham City Co-operative and also its Assistant Superintendent.

Samuel Smith a very small man, but was nevertheless quite a wrestler and often threw men that were much taller and heavier than himself. He was of a humorous disposition and entertained his associates with his wit and humorous stories. He was also of a loving father and grandfather. Samuel Smith died at Smithfield, Cache County, Utah on 2 October 1895. He was buried in the family lot in the Brigham City Cemetery.

Obituary from The Brigham City Bugler - Saturday, October 5, 1895

ANOTHER PIONEER GONE - Patriarch Samuel Smith dies at Smithfield. Funeral Today. Thursday at 2:30 a.m., the spirit departed from his body, and Samuel Smith is no more. He died in Smithfield, where he has been for several months. The deceased has been very feeble for years, many times appearing to be on the brink of death, but as often rallied, much to the surprise of his friends. His death was quiet and peaceful. He fell into a deep sleep some twenty-four hours before the end. He continued in this state and his light went out so quietly that the spectre Death was not suspected until the patriarch's soul had gone to meet his Maker. The funeral services will be held in the Brigham City Tabernacle at 10 o'clock this morning, after which the remains will be laid away in the Brigham cemetery.

Samuel Smith, age 76 [actually 77], was one of the pioneers and founders of Brigham City; ever standing as one of the chief pillars of the town. That he possessed many admirable qualities and was held in the highest estimation by the people, is evident by the numerous honorable positions he held. He has been prominently connected with the woolen mill, flour mill, co-operative store etc. City Councilman, Mayor of the city and Probate Judge of the county; besides holding many responsible ecclesiastical positions. Brigham City never had a more enterprising, loyal and honorable citizen. All regret his departure for the obscure land of the hereafter.

Sources

• Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah photographs, page 215
• Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, page 1170
• Find A Grave Memorial# 15846511
• Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel. Samuel Smith and family; Clerk of company; from England. Birth Date 22 May 1818; Death Date 2 October 1895; Gender male. Aaron Johnson Company (1850); Age at departure: 32. Sources: Journal History, Supp. after 31 Dec. 1850, p. 4; New FamilySearch/Family Tree; Tullidge, Edward W., Tullidge's Histories of Utah, vol. 2, "Biographies (Supplemental Vol.) of the Founders and Representative Men of Northern, Eastern and Western Utah, and Southern Idaho" [1889], 120; Trail Excerpt. Source Location: Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah; University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott Library, Salt Lake City, Utah; Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah; Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
• Family Histories of the Smith Family

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=15846511

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Apr 16 2016, 2:36:06 UTC

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Son of Daniel William Smith and Sarah Wooding

Married - Mary Ann Line, 12 Oct 1837, Hemel, Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England

Married - Sarah Jane Ingraham, 19 May 1853, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Married - Frances Ann Ingraham, 31 Jul 1856, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Married - Jennett Maria Smith, 7 May 1857, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Married - Caroline Smith, 7 Jun 1857, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

History - Samuel was an ambitious young man: one who was determined to make his mark in the world. He was not a tall man: early records indicate his full height was a scant five feet. But he was a stoutly built person who was agile on his feet and physically able to take care of himself. Economic conditions were rapidly deteriorating in England. England was in the grip of a severe recession, which, in many places was actually a pinching depression. Though the Smiths were not engaged in mining, the repressive economic downturn affected business everywhere.

Samuel and wife Mary Ann longed to find a new place where they would have freedom to take full advantage of their opportunities. They were even willing to consider leaving England (and its bitter memories of their two lost children) if the right opportunity presented itself.

Samuel removed from Sherington to London in 1835. It was in the year 1841 that the Smiths first heard the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their chief contact with the church was through Elder Lorenzo Snow, who was later to become the fifth President of the Church. Both Samuel and Mary Ann studied the unique new religion very carefully and soon, not only they, but Samuel's parents as well, were listening to the missionaries on a regular basis. They joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dec 1841. They sailed from Liverpool with his parents and family for America 15 Jan 1843. They came to Salt Lake City in 1850 and moved to Big Cottonwood.

Each time Samuel Smith took another wife he had them stay for two weeks at the beginning of their marriage with his first wife, Mary Ann Line Smith. She taught them how to live in polygamy and consequently there was practically no trouble or jealousy between the different families.

Samuel was called to Brigham City in 1855 where he was chosen as counselor to Lorenzo Snow who was presiding in Box Elder Stake. He was appointed postmaster of Brigham City in 1855 and continued in that position about 17 years. Samuel was elected Probate Judge of Box Elder County in 1859 and served the people in that office for 15 years. Samuel was also elected as mayor of Brigham City in 1879 and reelected in 1881.

After the reorganization of the Stake he was chosen President of the High Priest Quorum and was ordained a patriarch to the Stake which the latter position was held at his death.

• From THE BRIGHAM CITY BUGLER-Saturday, October 5, 1895 p. 1

ANOTHER PIONEER GONE-Patriarch Samuel Smith dies at Smithfield. Funeral Today.

Thursday at 2:30 a.m., the spirit departed from his body, and Samuel Smith is no more. He died in Smithfield, where he has been for several months. The deceased has been very feeble for years, many times appearing to be on the brink of death, but as often rallied, much to the surprise of his friends. His death was quiet and peaceful. He fell into a deep sleep some twenty-four hours before the end. He continued in this state and his light went out so quietly that the spectre Death was not suspected until the patriarch's soul had gone to meet his Maker. The funeral services will be held in the Brigham City Tabernacle at 10 o'clock this morning, after which the remains will be laid away in the Brigham cemetery.

Samuel Smith, age 76 [actually 77], was one of the pioneers and founders of Brigham City; ever standing as one of the chief pillars of the town. That he possessed many admirable qualities and was held in the highest estimation by the people, is evident by the numerous honorable positions he held. He has been prominently connected with the woolen mill, flour mill, co-operative store etc. City Councilman, Mayor of the city and Probate Judge of the county; besides holding many responsible ecclesiastical positions. Brigham City never had a more enterprising, loyal and honorable citizen. All regret his departure for the obscure land of the hereafter.

Thus ended the earthly life of Samuel Smith, a valiant leader in the cause of Zion. Those of us who descended from him are indeed proud of him and his wives. They all made outstanding contributions to the church and community and, as it has been stated of other great leaders, "generations of posterity will rise up and call their names blessed." We certainly do.

Family Histories of the Smith Family

Brigham City Cemetery Map

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 7 2016, 6:58:30 UTC

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GEDCOM Note

Informal family records show another child was born in 1838, but died unchristened. No official record has been found to this time. See Box Elder Lore of the Nineteenth Century, for more info on Samuel Smith. page 75.