SOPHIA WING PHILBROOK LAMBERT ROLLINS written by Ann S. Elmer Wilson

Sophia Wing Philbrook was born 12 December 1805 in Hampton, Penobscot, Maine. A daughter of John Philbrook and Nancy Philbrook (cousins). Her parents belonged to the Methodist church and were very religious.

Sophia married Abial Lambert in 1823. A sea captain who sailed the Atlantic waters from Maine to the Southern States. Going south his cargo was mostly lumber and his return voyage he carried merchandise. On his last voyage he went to Cuba. While waiting for his cargo and ship repairs he contracted Yellow Fever. Dying at sea before reaching his home port. He was buried at St. Thomas isle off the coast of Maine.

When his ship came into port at Bangor its flag was flown at half mast in honor of the dead captain. Sophia had not heard of her husband's death. She was out picking cranberries and saw his ship. Knowing at once the lowered flag meant sorrow for someone. Fear chilled her as she approached the pier. The ships crew informed her of his death. She was grief stricken at the loss of her dearly beloved husband.

Sophia had three children by Abiel Lambert. William Henry born 16 June 1824; Elizabeth 5 March 1826; and Marinda 28 November 1827. In her young widowhood she found friends in the Rollins family. She married Enoch Perham Rollins 29 April 1829. He was Methodist and a devout christian.

Sophia and Enoch had 5 children born in Bangor Maine. Mary Jane born 25 December 1829; Ann Sophia, 5th of March 1831; Sabra Sherburn 3 November 1832; Abby Amanda 10th of July 1835; and John Park 1st of September 1836. Abby Amanda and John Park were stricken with Scarlet Fever. Abby Amanda died on the 30th of June 1837 and John Park died on the 2nd of July that same year in Bangor Maine.

Sophia was the first of many of the Rollins and the Philbrook families to hear and be converted to "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". Three Mormon Elders, John Snyder, Isaac Russell, and John Goodson went to Maine to preach the gospel.

When these men visited the vicinity, Sophia received their message right away. Enoch was not interested in the new preachers who were not allowed to hold public meetings. Sophia and her son, William Henry attended some of the cottage meetings. William was much impressed with the story of the 1st vision and strange experiences of the boy prophet. He attended a Sunday meeting by himself, bought a book of Mormon and other literature and took it home to his mother. When Enoch found out they had sold books on the sabbath day he was horrified that a minister of the gospel would sell books on the Lord's day. He said he would not allow such wicked men in his house. He burned the books. Grieving over this William left home to live with relatives, never to come back. Sophia had promised the missionaries they could hold a meeting in her home. "You needn't stay and listen if you don't want to". She finally persuaded him and a meeting was arranged. He was one of the most interested listeners. He kept the missionaries up most of the night investigating the new principles of salvation and eternal life.

After Enoch accepted the gospel the family began preparing to go to Nauvoo. Sophia's life was beset with trials hard to bare all the way through. The family left Bangor Maine in the autumn of 1837. Sophia had only 4 of her 8 children with her. She received letters keeping her informed of their welfare. Elizabeth was not in good health and was in an institution for care. Elizabeth died in her 17th year and was buried in Bangor Maine. William Henry went to sea and died in 1845. He was buried on the Isle of St. Thomas. Not having a team and sufficient funds made the journey difficult. They stopped along the way to work and raise enough money to continue.

In Sing Sing, West Chester county, New York, on the 10th of August 1838 a daughter Loretta Delaney was born. Martha Philbrook was born on Mount Pleasant on the 30th of April 1840. Orson Hyde was born on the 27th of February 1842 in New Rochester. These births were all in the state of New York.

Desiring to be baptized into the church, the ice was cut on the river in East Pelham, West Chester County, New York on the 8th of February 1841. The parents and all the childfren old enough were baptized. The family was in White Plains New York when they received the news of Marinda Lambert's death in 1842.

In August 1843 the family left New York state and made their way to Akron Ohio, where Franklin Wheeler was born on the 31st of May 1844. It was here they heard the sad news of the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith. This was a shock and a disappointment. Their one desire had been to see and be with the Prophet. They arrived in Nauvoo six weeks after the prophet's death. Martha Philbrook died in 1845.

Their last child Charles Drowne was born in Nauvoo on the 11th of March 1846. Sophia and Enoch went to the Nauvoo Temple on the 7th of June 1846 and were sealed to each other. While here, death took another one of her children. Frank died the 30th of August 1846. In September of 1846, the mob marched into Nauvoo. Sophia had not been in good health all summer suffering with chills and fever. They were compelled to leave their home and all their possessions and depart in the night. A log canoe was dislodged from the mud and Rufus Allen helped four families get across the mile wide river. The women were rowing along with the men. Landing in Montrose Iowa a shelter was made with a quilt propped over a pole. Their provisions were meager and were among those saints who were fed by quail. Orson would catch quail and Sophia would roast them on the campfire for the family.

Mary Jane left home and went to work in St. Louis, Missouri. She had not agreed with her father about becoming a plural wife. She married Frank Williams, who drowned leaving her with a young baby. Before leaving Iowa, Sophia decided to visit Mary Jane. She took baby Charles Drowne with her. Mary Jane was very happy to see her mother and made a great fuss over Charles. Mary Jane thought Charles was a beautiful baby. Sophia tried to persuade her to return to the family, but to no avail. Mary Jane stayed where she was and wrote letters to her family telling them of her marriage to W. N. Taylor and her two sons.

Returning to the family, Sophia and the rest of her family crossed Iowa to Council Bluffs during the summer of 1848. Here two of Sophia's daughters married and left the family circle. Sabra Sherburn married Gilbert Smith in April 1850 and went with him to Salt Lake City that same year. Ann Sophia and Sidney Marcus Beckstead eloped on the 11th of June 1850, because Enoch did not approve of the marriage. They went to Traders Point Iowa to live with Sidney's mother and near her family.

Sophia was left now with only 3 out of 13 children, one daughter Loretta and 2 sons, Orson and Charles.

In May 1852, Sophia and Enoch and their family crossed the plains to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, coming withthe 1st Division. They arrived in November 1852 where Enoch secured some lots and built their first log cabin. Their daughter Ann Sophia and Sidney Marcus Beckstead came with the Beckstead's in the 2nd Division. They arrived to the valley in 1853. Soon after Sabra Jane their 1st child was born in a wagon box, since their log home was yet to be built. During the time that the two families lived there, Sidney and Enoch made wagons.

After Sidney initially traveled to the Valley in 1852, he again crossed the plains in 1864 to assist a company of Saints in traveling to the Salt Lake Valley.. On that return trip, he died en route from an accidental discharge of his gun.

The saints were sent from place to place to help colonize communities. Their moves were many. Sophia made homes in many parts of Utah, from Cache Valley to Goshen.

After Enoch's marriage to his 2nd wife Sophia spent her time with her children. She suffered from a lingering illness that prevented her from living alone and keeping house for herself. During the move when Johnston's Army marched in, she went to stay with Ann and Sydney in Spanish Fork and lived in a dugout. In 1864, Sophia and hew two sons went to Stewart's Ranch to live with Ann and help there. Ann's husband Sidney was called to go to Missouri for the Saints. He was accidentally shot on the return trip. During this tragic ordeal, Sophia and her two sons were a great comfort and aid to Ann. During the Gold rush Sabra and her husband Gilbert Smith went to California taking Loretta with them. There Loretta married Charles Symonds and never returned to Utah.

Sophia went to California to visit her daughters and grandchildren in Oroville. Her daughter Sabra died 3 Dec 1869 in Placerville, El Dorado, California. After her return from California, Sophia and the boys moved from Stewart’s Ranch and moved back to Provo. Orson married Ingra Benson and lived in Provo she lived with Orson for awhile. Charles Drowne married Elvina Norton and moved to Cache valley and lived in Paradise, later Sophia lived and with Charles.

Sophia's speech and behavior were circumspect. Followed the command of the Savior. "Let your communications be yea, yea, and nay, nay, for whatsoever more than these cometh evil." She did not criticize her associates. Chastized her descendents if they did so in her hearing. She was very polite and courteous to all.

A story was told, she was visiting her daughter Ann Sophia Rollins Beckstead, a man came to the door and asked, "if he could see the ole man." Sophia said, "Yes sir, I will show you the way." He followed her along a path into the garden. He said, "I can't see anything of old Sid out here." "Oh, she replied, Did you want to see Mr. Beckstead? I think he is in the blacksmith shop. This shrud is all we have of the old man around here."

Her two granddaughters, Sabra Rust and Sarah Elmer lived in Payson. On a visit there, while living with Sarah, she went through her last serious illness. She died on the 11th of March 1872.

She planned her own funeral services. An unusual request was for the Payson Brass Band to play her funeral march. The members of the band were glad to fill the request of a pioneer. She selected her favorite hymns and also the speakers. Her special wish was for the prettiest girl in Payon to sing for her. Mary Elmer, a member of the choir. Her services were carried out just as she planned and was buried in the Payson Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74278640/abail-lambert

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https://sites.rootsweb.com/~meandrhs/census/maine/hampden/1837.html