Sarah Caroline Young

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Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868 Thompson, Sarah Caroline Williams

Birth Date: 24 Nov. 1830, Death Date: 16 Feb. 1907, Gender: Female, Age: 20 Company: Unidentified Companies (1851)

SOURCE: http://lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneerdetails/1,15791,4018-1-...

Biographical Summary:

Sarah Caroline Williams (1830-1908). Williams was born 24 Nov 1830 in Murfreesboro, Rutherford, Tennessee, the daughter of Isaac Horton WILLIAMS and Margaret WALKUP. Sarah died 16 Feb 1908 in Torrey, Wayne, Utah, and was buried 19 Feb 1908 in Torrey, Wayne, Utah.

Sarah Caroline Williams was the fourth plural wife of John D. Lee. In a journal begun when she was about fifty years old she used phonetic spelling throughout with very few punctuation marks. She began by stating that she was "the daughter of Isice and Margaret Walkup Williams." The peculiar spelling of her father's name, I-s-i-c-e, was undoubtedly her own phonetic way of sounding out what appears to be the name Isaac.

The 1840 census verified the presence of the Williams families in Rutherford County at that time. One of the "Heads of Household," in fact, was an Isaac, and probably Caroline's father. The record, however, did not list names of family members, so it would be difficult to verify that supposition. Isaac appeared again the 1850 census, but the name of his wife did not appear. This is probable indication that she died sometime before 1850, perhaps even before 1840. This could be the reason for Caroline's later leaving home at an early age.

There were two families listed in those census years bearing Caroline's family's maternal surname, Walkup. That was such an unusual name that those people must have been close relatives, if not immediate family members of her mother, Margaret Walkup.

Caroline continued, "...joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when quite young, came to Nauvoo in 1843" Whether or not Isaac and Margaret were ever members of the Mormon Church was not known. It is likely they were not, for Caroline traveled from Tennessee to Nauvoo with the William Pace family. The Paces were from the same general area as the Williams family, and like Caroline, they had been converted through the efforts of John D. Lee.

In Nauvoo she lived with the Lee family. John wrote that Caroline was "adopted" into his family on April 19, 1844. By that he meant that she was sealed to him as a plural wife.

Less than a year later, the Mormons abandoned the city of Nauvoo. She was among the Lee family members who crossed the river on March 4, 1846. Her journal contained an entry to that effect: "...left Nauvoo with the first company of Saints in 406 [46]. Before leving Nauvoo i was seeled to John D. Lee."

Just eleven days after Lee returned from his mission to Santa Fe, Caroline went back to the settlements in Missouri with her Aunt Marcia Allen. John's journal entry of the account was found under the date, December 2, 1846: "...About 3 pm Sister Marcia Allen and Caroline Lee started for English Grove in...Missouri." Although he said Sister Allen promised to be like a mother to her and see that she had a good home, "it was not however, without feelings of sorrow."

There was a finality in Lee's words which leads one to suspect that Caroline's move was meant to be permanent, or at least for an extended period of time, for he had assumed without question that he would be leaving for the Salt Lake Valley in a few months with the first pioneer company of 1847. Those included would be hand-picked by President Young, and of necessity, numbers in the first group would be limited. Caroline would likely not have been selected. She could not be left alone at Winter Quarters with no close family member to help her, since she was only fifteen years old.

Subsequently Lee, much to his disappointment, was assigned to stay at Summer Quarters and grow corn. During that time he received word occasionally of Caroline's welfare and life with Aunt Marcia in the settlements. Just two months following her departure, he received information from Missouri by a teamster that "Caroline was doing well." A month later he received a letter from Sister Allen that Caroline was well.

Shortly after the Lee family took their 1848 departure for the Salt Lake Valley, Caroline, it is believed, went back to Tennessee and there met and married a man by the name of James Thompson. They later had a child on April 26, 1849 while living in Cannon County, Tennessee.

In her life story Caroline nowhere mentioned those years. She only said "...Have passed throu meny triles. In 18501 [1851] came to Salt Lake." She rejoined the Lee family as John D. Lee's wife and moved south with the rest of the family to Parowan in 1852. John D. Lee grew very fond of the boy, James Thompson, and often referred to him in his journals as his step-son.

Caroline's first child by John D. Lee, Harvey Parley Lee, was born October 1, 1852 at Parowan. He was the first of eleven born to them over the next twenty years. She had her last child while living at Kanab, Utah at the age of forty-two. Two of her children, George Albert and Margaret Ann, died at Fort Harmony when the walls collapsed during the storms of 1862.

Caroline was often mentioned in Lee's journals during the 1860's, accompanying him on visits to various settlements in southern Utah. When the Lees moved to Skutumpah, she and her family were there.

In 1871 because of confiscatory action taken by the federal government against individuals practicing polygamy, church authorities sent advice to such members throughout the territory to deed all property over to their wives and John did that.

"Thurs., Nov. 15th [1871]. Finished making out my deeds, distributing my property among 5 of my wives and children. Namely, Rachel Andora Woolsey, Polly & Lovina Young, Sarah Caroline Williams & Emma Batchelor & acknowledged them before Justice McConnell."

When the family moved to the Colorado River, Caroline remained in Kanab where she bore her last child. She later moved into the home in Panguitch deeded to her by John where she was living when he was captured by federal marshals. When he was imprisoned, she was faithful in corresponding and continued to write and encourage him until his execution in 1877.

Four years after his death, Caroline, fifty-one years old, married William Young, a member of the LDS Church. The following year they moved to the Gila Valley in Arizona. She had commenced keeping records in a daily journal while living in Utah. She continued after moving to Arizona.:

"I was with the sick a greate deele of my time. it seems to be my mission here on earth. My labor commenced in Arizona in 1882 as a midwife...and don much of the same labor in Utah before I left thear, but have lost my record."

She followed that explanation with sixty pages of names and dates of those whom she attended in her work. These services were performed in the Pima-Central-Thatcher areas of Graham County. "Elizabeth R., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Cluff, bornd March 16th at seven o'clock in the morning at Central, 1885...James W., son of Washington and Lena Jolley was bornd Feb. 7, 1887 at nine o'clock at knight at Thatcher."

Following the death of her husband in 1890, she moved back to Panguitch: "i went to Panguitch and tuck up my labors amoung the sick women and other duties in keeping house for my youngest son." She later lived a few years with some of her children in La Plata, New Mexico, then went back to Panguitch.

"August 27, 1902...Ate breakfast with my daughter and the brethren [visiting general authorities of the church during Stake Conference]. President Roberson tuck me back to Sister Joness and came back for Brother Cimble [J. Golden Kimball]. Sister Jones lingered along until about seven o'clock and through the mercy of the Lord and the assistance of Sister Williams and myself she was delivered of a son. I staid the rest of the night. the 29th came home this morning, milked, feed my chickens then went back...helped to fix her bed, then came home to attend to my work."

In the last years of her life, she continued in much the same manner. "In the year 1907 in my 77th year I put Bishop Stewart[s] wife to bed on the 6 of April with a lovely daughter."

The last entry in her journal was made "25 Dec 1907 put Seth Jacobs wife to bed with a fine son."

Caroline passed away about that time. Maneta Prince Henrie gave her death as February 16, 1907, the date carved on her tombstone in Torrey, Utah. Since Caroline was still writing on December 25, 1907, that was apparently incorrect. It is likely that she died on February 16, 1908.

Though she had no formal education, Sarah Caroline Williams lived a remarkably productive life, raising twelve children almost single-handedly and giving of herself to others over many years. Hundreds of those whom she served remembered her kind ministrations. Whatever the date of her departure from this life, she must have made the transition with the conviction that she had done her best, lived an exemplary life, and was ready to meet whatever lay beyond the veil.

She married (1) James THOMPSON.

They had 1 child:

i. James Horton THOMPSON, born 26 Apr 1849 in Cannon County, Tennessee. He married Mary COVINGTON. James died 25 Oct 1873.

Sarah married (2) John Doyle LEE 19 Apr 1844 in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois.

They had 11 children:

ii. Harvey Parley LEE, born 1 Oct 1852, died 4 Feb 1927.

iii. George Albert LEE, born 1856 in Old Fort Harmony, Washington, Utah, died in childhood 6 Feb 1862 in Fort Harmony, Washington, Utah.

iv. Margaret Ann LEE, born 3 Jan 1857 in Old Fort Harmony, Washington, Utah, died in childhood 6 Feb 1862 in Fort Harmony, Washington, Utah.

v. Rachel Olive LEE, born 26 Nov 1858, died 16 May 1924.

vi. Sarah Ann "Sadie" LEE, born 6 Nov 1860, died 21 Dec 1920.

vii. Charles William LEE, born 11 Aug 1862, died 8 May 1941.

viii. Mary Elizabeth LEE, born 15 May 1864, died 15 Jul 1941.

ix. Robert Edmund LEE, Sr., born 2 Jan 1866, died 23 May 1928.

SOURCE: http://www.wadhome.org/lee/chapter_05.html

• Updated from MyHeritage Family Trees by SmartCopy: Oct 29 2014, 15:50:21 UTC

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Daughter of Isaac Williams and Margaret Walkup

Married John Doyle Lee, 30 Apr 1845, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois

Children - George Albert Lee, James Thompson Lee, Robert Edmond Lee, Margaret Ann Lee, Ammon Doyle Lee, Helen Josephine Lee, Harvey Parley Lee, Mary Elizabeth Lee, Charles William Lee, Walter Bingham Lee, Sarah Ann Lee, Rachel Olive Lee

Married James Thompson, Tennessee

Son - James Horten Thompson

Married John William Young, 28 Oct 1880

History - Sarah Caroline Williams was the fourth plural wife of John D. Lee. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when quite young, came to Nauvoo in 43. Caroline traveled from Tennessee to Nauvoo with the William Pace family. The Paces were from the same general area as the Williams family, and like Caroline, they had been converted through the efforts of John D. Lee.

In Nauvoo she lived with the Lee family. John wrote that Caroline was "adopted" into his family on April 19, 1844. By that he meant that she was sealed to him as a plural wife.

Less than a year later, the Mormons abandoned the city of Nauvoo. She was among the Lee family members who crossed the river on March 4, 1846. She left Nauvoo with the first company of Saints in 46. Before leaving Nauvoo she was sealed to John D. Lee.

Just eleven days after Lee returned from his mission to Santa Fe, Caroline went back to the settlements in Missouri with her Aunt Marcia Allen.

Lee was assigned to stay at Summer Quarters and grow corn. During that time he received word occasionally of Caroline's welfare and life with Aunt Marcia in the settlements. Just two months following her departure, he received information from Missouri by a teamster that "Caroline was doing well." A month later he received a letter from Sister Allen that Caroline was well.

Shortly after the Lee family took their 1848 departure for the Salt Lake Valley, Caroline, it is believed, went back to Tennessee and there met and married a man by the name of James Thompson. They later had a child on April 26, 1849 while living in Cannon County, Tennessee.

In her life story Caroline nowhere mentioned those years. She only said "... Have passed throu meny triles." In 1851 came to Salt Lake. She rejoined the Lee family as John D. Lee's wife and moved south with the rest of the family to Parowan in 1852. John D. Lee grew very fond of the boy, James Thompson, and often referred to him in his journals as his stepson.

Caroline's first child by John D. Lee, Harvey Parley Lee, was born October 1, 1852 at Parowan. He was the first of eleven born to them over the next twenty years. She had her last child while living at Kanab, Utah at the age of forty-two. Two of her children, George Albert and Margaret Ann, died at Fort Harmony when the walls collapsed during the storms of 1862.

Caroline was often mentioned in Lee's journals during the 1860's, accompanying him on visits to various settlements in southern Utah. When the Lees moved to Skutumpah, she and her family were there.

In 1871 because of confiscatory action taken by the federal government against individuals practicing polygamy, church authorities sent advice to such members throughout the territory to deed all property over to their wives and John did that.

When the family moved to the Colorado River, Caroline remained in Kanab where she bore her last child. She later moved into the home in Panguitch deeded to her by John where she was living when he was captured by federal marshals. When he was imprisoned, she was faithful in corresponding and continued to write and encourage him until his execution in 1877.

Four years after his death, Caroline, fifty-one years old, married William Young, a member of the LDS Church. The following year they moved to the Gila Valley in Arizona. She had commenced keeping records in a daily journal while living in Utah. She continued after moving to Arizona:

"I was with the sick a greate deele of my time. it seems to be my mission here on earth. My labor commenced in Arizona in 1882 as a midwife...and don much of the same labor in Utah before I left thear, but have lost my record."

She followed that explanation with sixty pages of names and dates of those whom she attended in her work. These services were performed in the Pima-Central-Thatcher areas of Graham County. "Elizabeth R., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Cluff, bornd March 16th at seven o'clock in the morning at Central, 1885...James W., son of Washington and Lena Jolley was bornd Feb. 7, 1887 at nine o'clock at knight at Thatcher."

Following the death of her husband in 1890, she moved back to Panguitch: "i went to Panguitch and tuck up my labors amoung the sick women and other duties in keeping house for my youngest son." She later lived a few years with some of her children in La Plata, New Mexico, then went back to Panguitch.

"August 27, 1902...Ate breakfast with my daughter and the brethren [visiting general authorities of the church during Stake Conference]. President Roberson tuck me back to Sister Joness and came back for Brother Cimble [J. Golden Kimball]. Sister Jones lingered along until about seven o'clock and through the mercy of the Lord and the assistance of Sister Williams and myself she was delivered of a son. I staid the rest of the night. the 29th came home this morning, milked, feed my chickens then went back...helped to fix her bed, then came home to attend to my work."

In the last years of her life, she continued in much the same manner. "In the year 1907 in my 77th year I put Bishop Stewart[s] wife to bed on the 6 of April with a lovely daughter."

The last entry in her journal was made "25 Dec 1907 put Seth Jacobs wife to bed with a fine son."

Caroline passed away about that time. Manetta Prince Henrie gave her death as February 16, 1907, the date carved on her tombstone in Torrey, Utah. Since Caroline was still writing on December 25, 1907, that was apparently incorrect. It is likely that she died on February 16, 1908.

Though she had no formal education, Sarah Caroline Williams lived a remarkably productive life, raising twelve children almost single-handedly and giving of herself to others over many years. Hundreds of those whom she served remembered her kind ministrations. Whatever the date of her departure from this life, she must have made the transition with the conviction that she had done her best, lived an exemplary life, and was ready to meet whatever lay beyond the veil.

Utah Death Certificate

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 12 2016, 21:53:47 UTC

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• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: May 9 2022, 23:29:09 UTC