Autobiography of Clarissa Wilhelm
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We lived in [[Ellery, New York|Elery]] about seven years. Then we moved to the eastern part of the state of [[New York]] in 1834. We stopped in the town of [[Locke, New York|Loch]] for about one year. I commenced then to work from home to earn my own clothes. We moved from [[Locke, New York|Loch]] to [[Summerhill, New York|Summerhill]], a town about four miles from [[Locke, New York|Loch]]. We did not live in [[Summerhill, New York|Summerhill]] or Summerville more than two years. While in Summerville I joined the Methodists. It was there my two sisters Mary and Silence left to go to the state of [[Ohio]]. The next place we moved was to the town of [[Venice, New York|Venice]]. | We lived in [[Ellery, New York|Elery]] about seven years. Then we moved to the eastern part of the state of [[New York]] in 1834. We stopped in the town of [[Locke, New York|Loch]] for about one year. I commenced then to work from home to earn my own clothes. We moved from [[Locke, New York|Loch]] to [[Summerhill, New York|Summerhill]], a town about four miles from [[Locke, New York|Loch]]. We did not live in [[Summerhill, New York|Summerhill]] or Summerville more than two years. While in Summerville I joined the Methodists. It was there my two sisters Mary and Silence left to go to the state of [[Ohio]]. The next place we moved was to the town of [[Venice, New York|Venice]]. | ||
| - | Twas there I got acquainted with a young man by the name of [[John Benjamin Williams|John B. Williams]]. He was the son of [[John Andrew Williams (Johann Andreas Wilhelm)|John | + | Twas there I got acquainted with a young man by the name of [[John Benjamin Williams|John B. Williams]]. He was the son of [[John Andrew Williams (Johann Andreas Wilhelm)|John Williams]] and [[Mercy Farrington|Mercy Williams]]. He had two sisters and three brothers. The names of his sisters were Betsy and Sarah. The names of his brothers were [[Silvester Williams|Silvester]], [[Daniel Williams|Daniel]], and [[Martin Williams|Martin]]. I was married in the year [[1838]] to John and we settled in [[Venice, New York|Venice]] about a mile from his brothers and about the same distance from my brothers. I had a son born in [[1840]] and we named him [[James Return Williams|James Return]]. |
In 1841 my father moved to the state of Indiana. My brother William got married about that time to Ellen Heath. She lived to have one child and died in child bed. The baby was still born. My brother lived single about a year then married his wife’s cousin. | In 1841 my father moved to the state of Indiana. My brother William got married about that time to Ellen Heath. She lived to have one child and died in child bed. The baby was still born. My brother lived single about a year then married his wife’s cousin. | ||
| - | In 1842 I had a [[Susan Clarissa Williams|daughter]] born April 20th. About this time my husband’s father died. He had been sick about seven years. He had the asthma. About this time Mormonism cane along. An elder by the name of Paltine Brown preached on the other side of Wasco Lake. It was about eleven miles from where we lived. We went around the lake to visit some friends one Sunday and went to meeting to hear the Mormon preach. It was when my second child was six weeks old. We went to meeting and believed the gospel but did not obey it as my husband’s sister, Sarah did. We went home but did not feel that we had done right. Our baby took sick and lay thus until we made up our minds to obey the Gospel, then she got better. Then we went again to meeting and was baptized by Brother Shearron and his son, Norman | + | In 1842 I had a [[Susan Clarissa Williams|daughter]] born April 20th. About this time my husband’s father died. He had been sick about seven years. He had the asthma. About this time Mormonism cane along. An elder by the name of Paltine Brown preached on the other side of Wasco Lake. It was about eleven miles from where we lived. We went around the lake to visit some friends one Sunday and went to meeting to hear the Mormon preach. It was when my second child was six weeks old. We went to meeting and believed the gospel but did not obey it as my husband’s sister, Sarah did. We went home but did not feel that we had done right. Our baby took sick and lay thus until we made up our minds to obey the Gospel, then she got better. Then we went again to meeting and was baptized by Brother Shearron and his son, Norman [[July 4]], [[1842]]. We went home feeling that the spirit of the Lord went with us. Then we began to have the spirit of gathering. Before the Gospel came we felt that we would live and die on the little place we had, when we went to keeping house. If anybody had told me that I should leave that place I would have felt bad. But now we began to lay our plans to go to [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]]. We had to spin and weave all our own clothes for the summer and winter including table linen, towels, and grain sacks. We dried our own fruit and had enough surplus butter from our cow to buy some store goods. In those days children went barefoot from the time they were born until they were grown. I remember going places, carrying my shoes. When I would get almost there I would put my shoes on. We lived on coarse foods and lots of sunshine. I do not remember any epidemic of whooping cough or measles when I was a young woman. |
Well we still kept making preparations to go to [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]]. My husband and his brother Martin, were in partnership with two farms and there was no sale for land then, so we had to stay awhile longer. In [[1843]] we had another [[Bateman Haight Williams|son]], [[November 14|Nov, 14]]; we named him after Bateman Haight. Still we couldn’t sell our farm so we gathered up what money we could to take us to [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]], and left our farm, horses, cattle, and sheep, and hogs. We went leaving all behind. Daniel and Martin took the freight and Aunt Sarah to the canal. We followed in a buggy to Gettysburg, to the Erie Canal. From Buffalo we went to Cleveland, Ohio, thence to Portsmouth, where we took a steamer on the Ohio River. The river was so low we were on the sandbar half the time. My daughter Susan took sick with a bowel complaint and come near dying. We came to St. Louis and took a steamer out to the Mississippi River getting to [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]] the first of October, after Joseph's and Hiram’s deaths. On the road before we got into town we were often stopped and ask why we wanted to go to [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]] -- that Joseph Smith was dead. When we got to [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]] we stayed first at Isaac Haight’s. The next morning we went to Bateman Haight’s. My little girl was no better. I did not know what to do. She wanted to drink all the time. I took some cottonwood coals and put them in a bowl of water for her to drink during the night. On the morning I tasted it and it tasted like lye. I thought I had killed her, but she began to get better. | Well we still kept making preparations to go to [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]]. My husband and his brother Martin, were in partnership with two farms and there was no sale for land then, so we had to stay awhile longer. In [[1843]] we had another [[Bateman Haight Williams|son]], [[November 14|Nov, 14]]; we named him after Bateman Haight. Still we couldn’t sell our farm so we gathered up what money we could to take us to [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]], and left our farm, horses, cattle, and sheep, and hogs. We went leaving all behind. Daniel and Martin took the freight and Aunt Sarah to the canal. We followed in a buggy to Gettysburg, to the Erie Canal. From Buffalo we went to Cleveland, Ohio, thence to Portsmouth, where we took a steamer on the Ohio River. The river was so low we were on the sandbar half the time. My daughter Susan took sick with a bowel complaint and come near dying. We came to St. Louis and took a steamer out to the Mississippi River getting to [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]] the first of October, after Joseph's and Hiram’s deaths. On the road before we got into town we were often stopped and ask why we wanted to go to [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]] -- that Joseph Smith was dead. When we got to [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]] we stayed first at Isaac Haight’s. The next morning we went to Bateman Haight’s. My little girl was no better. I did not know what to do. She wanted to drink all the time. I took some cottonwood coals and put them in a bowl of water for her to drink during the night. On the morning I tasted it and it tasted like lye. I thought I had killed her, but she began to get better. | ||
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About this time, my daughter Susan consented to marry Brother Heaton. We all went to the City. We visited his two sisters and brother on the way. We were in the City on the 24th of July. Susan was married and they went back to the Order. I stayed in the City because the President said he wanted to see me. He wanted me to keep house for his daughter Alice's children. Sister Mary Ann Young boarded with us. She was Brigham Young's first wife. I stayed there three months, then went to take care of Franklin Richard’s wife Laura Snyder. | About this time, my daughter Susan consented to marry Brother Heaton. We all went to the City. We visited his two sisters and brother on the way. We were in the City on the 24th of July. Susan was married and they went back to the Order. I stayed in the City because the President said he wanted to see me. He wanted me to keep house for his daughter Alice's children. Sister Mary Ann Young boarded with us. She was Brigham Young's first wife. I stayed there three months, then went to take care of Franklin Richard’s wife Laura Snyder. | ||
| - | In April 1876, I went back to Orderville with Brother Hoyt. That spring, Brother Heaton, Susan, Alvin, Bateman, Grace, and Haight all went to the City. Brother Heaton went to the doctor. His health was failing. Amelia went to see her half sisters in Panguitch. While they were gone Clarissa, Francis, and Marion stayed with me. My health was poor. I had [[collerymorbus]] all the time. Brother Spencer asked me to oversee the making of some more butter at the ranch. Anthony Blackburn, Chris Heaton, Maggy, Tena, and Ann McConnel went. I returned to Orderville early because Brother Heaton died. I returned to the dairy after his burial. We made about six hundred pounds of butter. That fall Bateman went to Arizona. He liked it very much. | + | In April 1876, I went back to Orderville with Brother Hoyt. That spring, Brother Heaton, Susan, Alvin, Bateman, Grace, and [[Bateman Haight Wilhelm, Jr.|Haight]] all went to the City. Brother Heaton went to the doctor. His health was failing. Amelia went to see her half sisters in Panguitch. While they were gone Clarissa, Francis, and Marion stayed with me. My health was poor. I had [[collerymorbus]] all the time. Brother Spencer asked me to oversee the making of some more butter at the ranch. Anthony Blackburn, Chris Heaton, Maggy, Tena, and Ann McConnel went. I returned to Orderville early because Brother Heaton died. I returned to the dairy after his burial. We made about six hundred pounds of butter. That fall Bateman went to Arizona. He liked it very much. |
The next spring, Brother Fackerel took over the Meadow Dairy, and Brother Hoyt took over the Hoyt Dairy, but I didn't go to either. I had a chance to go to Panguitch with Heber Clayton. I visited the Youngs and Littles. Susan came for awhile, also Amelia. We were able to get some good flannel for dresses. From there I went to upper Kanab for ten days to teach some people how to make cheese for the factory. I returned to Orderville with Sisters Frost, Olliphand, and Ford. | The next spring, Brother Fackerel took over the Meadow Dairy, and Brother Hoyt took over the Hoyt Dairy, but I didn't go to either. I had a chance to go to Panguitch with Heber Clayton. I visited the Youngs and Littles. Susan came for awhile, also Amelia. We were able to get some good flannel for dresses. From there I went to upper Kanab for ten days to teach some people how to make cheese for the factory. I returned to Orderville with Sisters Frost, Olliphand, and Ford. | ||
| - | Brother Snow came through that winter. I decided to go to Arizona to a farm Bateman was to have. William Maxfield, Brother Lundquist, and Brother Johnson went. We started December 11, stopping the first night at Glendale. Five miles out of Glendale the next day, Brother Maxwell broke down and had to go back to Glendale. We did not make very good progress. We spent Christmas Eve on the road in six inches of snow. One of our horses was stolen. I did most of the cooking. We lost part of our cows. They wandered away or were stolen. We had to kill one for food. We camped many times before we reached our destination near Concho. We arrived on my birthday, 26th of February | + | Brother Snow came through that winter. I decided to go to Arizona to a farm Bateman was to have. William Maxfield, Brother Lundquist, and Brother Johnson went. We started December 11, stopping the first night at Glendale. Five miles out of Glendale the next day, Brother Maxwell broke down and had to go back to Glendale. We did not make very good progress. We spent Christmas Eve on the road in six inches of snow. One of our horses was stolen. I did most of the cooking. We lost part of our cows. They wandered away or were stolen. We had to kill one for food. We camped many times before we reached our destination near Concho. We arrived on my birthday, 26th of February 1880. After getting settled, I went to Round Valley to Brother Maxwell's. His wife was about to be confined. A Gentile woman was living in part of the house. She wanted me to take care of her too. Their confinements were ten days apart. They both came through fine. Charlie Riggs’ wife had a baby about this time. Also Grace. I helped Bateman put in his garden but I took sick and had to go to bed. I was administered to and recovered. I went with Bateman to Snowflake to get a load of lumber, stopping off in Woodruff to take care of Sister Greer. I stayed about six weeks. Then Jacob Hamblin came along on his way to Utah. I went with him and the Everett and Shumway families went along. We got to Johnson. It was very cold. There was a man there going to Glendale so I asked him to take me. I walked part of the way to get to Orderville. |
| - | I had a good visit. I waited on Sister Esplin. She named the baby after me, Clarissa. I spent the winter in Orderville. In the spring I went to Rockville. Here the sister of Bateman's first wife Lydia took sick and both she and her little girl died. Soon after, Haight came for his mother, Lydia. We had to wait till quite late In the summer because of high water. We got as far as Kanab and I had to leave part of my things with Jacob Hamblin because the load was too heavy. We stayed for Conference. Susan came from Orderville to attend Conference. | + | I had a good visit. I waited on Sister Esplin. She named the baby after me, Clarissa. I spent the winter in Orderville. In the spring I went to Rockville. Here the sister of Bateman's first wife Lydia took sick and both she and her little girl died. Soon after, [[Bateman Haight Wilhelm, Jr.|Haight]] came for his mother, Lydia. We had to wait till quite late In the summer because of high water. We got as far as Kanab and I had to leave part of my things with Jacob Hamblin because the load was too heavy. We stayed for Conference. Susan came from Orderville to attend Conference. |
It rained on us most of the way to Arizona. We had a hard time finding dry wood. One morning all we could find were a few weeds. I lit them under a ledge of rock and got breakfast. The cattle were uneasy every night, but we did not lose many. | It rained on us most of the way to Arizona. We had a hard time finding dry wood. One morning all we could find were a few weeds. I lit them under a ledge of rock and got breakfast. The cattle were uneasy every night, but we did not lose many. | ||
We got to a town named Joseph in Arizona and I left my things with a family named Greer and went to Concho to find a house. I found a house and started back on the mare. I decided on a short cut and got lost. I rode into a grove of cedars and got off my horse and tied my pocket handkerchief on the saddle horn. I tried to send her back to town but she wouldn't go. It was a good thing she didn’t. Her real home was in Woodruff and she might have even gone there. I found a wagon track and tried to follow it. It got so dark I had to feel my way. The mare had its colt with it. When the colt would lie down, I would let it rest awhile, then I would drive it up and lie down where it had been so I could get warm. I spent a lonely night. I asked the Lord to direct me. In the morning I went over the hill and saw a small town. I stopped and gazed a long time. I was so bewildered and tired I didn't recognize it. Finally I realized that it was Concho, the very town I had left the day before. I went into town and after eating and resting I started again, but didn't take any short cuts. | We got to a town named Joseph in Arizona and I left my things with a family named Greer and went to Concho to find a house. I found a house and started back on the mare. I decided on a short cut and got lost. I rode into a grove of cedars and got off my horse and tied my pocket handkerchief on the saddle horn. I tried to send her back to town but she wouldn't go. It was a good thing she didn’t. Her real home was in Woodruff and she might have even gone there. I found a wagon track and tried to follow it. It got so dark I had to feel my way. The mare had its colt with it. When the colt would lie down, I would let it rest awhile, then I would drive it up and lie down where it had been so I could get warm. I spent a lonely night. I asked the Lord to direct me. In the morning I went over the hill and saw a small town. I stopped and gazed a long time. I was so bewildered and tired I didn't recognize it. Finally I realized that it was Concho, the very town I had left the day before. I went into town and after eating and resting I started again, but didn't take any short cuts. | ||
| - | After I settled in Concho, Bateman wanted me to make cheese in the mountains near Malipies. We bought the equipment and started for the ranch which he was going to homestead. We found some Mexicans there. They made trouble for us and the matter went to court. We won the suit. After Bateman got lumber for buildings he moved Lydia up. We soon went to making cheese but the rainy season set in and the Indians got so bad we decided to move back. We had an awful time. It rained solid sheets. We got stuck and drenched. I decided to walk to the Malipies. I was as near dead as alive. Haight went for help but it was several days before we reached Concho. | + | After I settled in Concho, Bateman wanted me to make cheese in the mountains near Malipies. We bought the equipment and started for the ranch which he was going to homestead. We found some Mexicans there. They made trouble for us and the matter went to court. We won the suit. After Bateman got lumber for buildings he moved Lydia up. We soon went to making cheese but the rainy season set in and the Indians got so bad we decided to move back. We had an awful time. It rained solid sheets. We got stuck and drenched. I decided to walk to the Malipies. I was as near dead as alive. [[Bateman Haight Wilhelm, Jr.|Haight]] went for help but it was several days before we reached Concho. |
A new town sprung up near Concho. They named it Erastus. I went there and helped Brother Adair make cheese. Then I went to the molasses mill. I stopped with Wilson Shumway. I bought two horses from Mexicans, and resold them to keep a little money. I took in a Mexican girl and taught her English. The same fall I was put in President of the Primary with two Sisters Johnson for my counselors. | A new town sprung up near Concho. They named it Erastus. I went there and helped Brother Adair make cheese. Then I went to the molasses mill. I stopped with Wilson Shumway. I bought two horses from Mexicans, and resold them to keep a little money. I took in a Mexican girl and taught her English. The same fall I was put in President of the Primary with two Sisters Johnson for my counselors. | ||
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By this time the officers started to hunt for men with more than one wife. Bateman and four others were arrested, but Bateman got away. The four others went to prison. Bateman and Grace went to old Mexico. Brother Johnson left for the same place so that left me with the store on my hands. | By this time the officers started to hunt for men with more than one wife. Bateman and four others were arrested, but Bateman got away. The four others went to prison. Bateman and Grace went to old Mexico. Brother Johnson left for the same place so that left me with the store on my hands. | ||
| - | The next two years were not eventful. I was counselor in Relief Society, then I decided to go to the Temple and do some work. I got Haight to take me. We started on the 12th of November in company with Joseph Rogers and his wife. We stopped in Orderville to visit Susan. She decided to go with us. Rogers decided to go to Dixie. We had a stormy time going North. The divide was not bad but the roads near Ephriam were awful. We went to the Salt Lake Temple and the St. George Temple that winter. We spent New Years at James Terry's near Clear Creek, on the way to St. George. | + | The next two years were not eventful. I was counselor in Relief Society, then I decided to go to the Temple and do some work. I got [[Bateman Haight Wilhelm, Jr.|Haight]] to take me. We started on the 12th of November in company with Joseph Rogers and his wife. We stopped in Orderville to visit Susan. She decided to go with us. Rogers decided to go to Dixie. We had a stormy time going North. The divide was not bad but the roads near Ephriam were awful. We went to the Salt Lake Temple and the St. George Temple that winter. We spent New Years at James Terry's near Clear Creek, on the way to St. George. |
| - | Early in February my health was so poor I decided to sell my possessions in Arizona and move to Orderville. I arrived at my Arizona home the 22nd of February. The store was getting along fine. I stayed until Haight harvested his summer crops, then I prepared to leave. The day before I left the townspeople turned out and gave me a farewell party. We left for Utah November 6th. We went to Woodruff, where we stopped with Eddy Webs. Then we went to Winslow. Near Winslow we saw several trains go by. We bought a barrel of water and some nose sacks and proceeded through the San Francisco and Moencopi Washes then to Willow Springs and Bitter Springs. We had our first storm at Soap Creek. We slipped off the road at Kanab and broke the wagon. Haight had to go for help. Near Mt. Carmel, we met Charley and Amelia with a wagon. They had Fred Carroll with them. They turned back with us. I went to their place. They had to carry me to the house. I had a bad night. Next day Charley and Haight went back to the dugway where the wagon had tipped and gathered up things. Charley got back about noon. There wasn't so much broke, just the stove. I soon got better and went to Conference. On the 21st day of March Haight went to Arizona. | + | Early in February my health was so poor I decided to sell my possessions in Arizona and move to Orderville. I arrived at my Arizona home the 22nd of February. The store was getting along fine. I stayed until [[Bateman Haight Wilhelm, Jr.|Haight]] harvested his summer crops, then I prepared to leave. The day before I left the townspeople turned out and gave me a farewell party. We left for Utah November 6th. We went to Woodruff, where we stopped with Eddy Webs. Then we went to Winslow. Near Winslow we saw several trains go by. We bought a barrel of water and some nose sacks and proceeded through the San Francisco and Moencopi Washes then to Willow Springs and Bitter Springs. We had our first storm at Soap Creek. We slipped off the road at Kanab and broke the wagon. [[Bateman Haight Wilhelm, Jr.|Haight]] had to go for help. Near Mt. Carmel, we met Charley and Amelia with a wagon. They had Fred Carroll with them. They turned back with us. I went to their place. They had to carry me to the house. I had a bad night. Next day Charley and [[Bateman Haight Wilhelm, Jr.|Haight]] went back to the dugway where the wagon had tipped and gathered up things. Charley got back about noon. There wasn't so much broke, just the stove. I soon got better and went to Conference. On the 21st day of March [[Bateman Haight Wilhelm, Jr.|Haight]] went to Arizona. |
The balance of this good woman's autobiography is a day by day recitation of the weather and other uneventful happenings. | The balance of this good woman's autobiography is a day by day recitation of the weather and other uneventful happenings. | ||
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| + | [[Category:Autobiographies|Wilhelm, Clarissa]] | ||
