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Show • • • I l I L E P J.. G E PIONEER NAME JOHN TOONE DIRTH DATE AND QEATH DATE AND PLACE __A~ p~r_i_1_ 10~ ,:..,181~3~·~ B~in~ni:n::..g=~ham:::::..!:,....W:.:.a=r:.w::..i:=c~k~s L,~E~n~gl=a~n~d --~ FATHER MOTHER I ·, PLACE . __A_ u-g..u.._s,-t--"3'-1-_ , _18'--9-=3-_.,_,_C_r_o'"'"_yd o_n -',~ U.t.,;,.a,;;;.h;:.:.._ ________ John Toone Elizabeth Readin WHO MARRIED AND DATE YEAR ARRIVED IN •U TAH 1852 NJ\ME OF COMPANY Captain Thomas Howell Com~ • WHO WROTE HISTORY AND DATE Teresa D™Q.n Ol s9n, Feb, 198o WHO SUBMITTED HI STORY AND DATE _...loJt.,-an- e!C-DM-......H u.~e r---------------- J\DDRESS 174 N 100 W. Morgan, Utah ________________ TELEPHONE NO. 829-6316 . I ~::::T=~AME--_;.~::~~=t=:n~M=o=r=g=an=------------ - ---------------J. --.-." --------------------------~ CA.MP HISTORIAN Luc ille ' O . Wi lliams ADDRESS ·-'----------:......--:-------------------~~~~ COUNTY HISTORIAN Barbara C. Porter J\DDRESS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- ---~---~-------- JPEG-Bk13 A History of John Toone and His Wives John Toone, our great grandfather, was born to John and Elizabeth Reading Toone the 10th of April, 1813, at Birmingham, Warwicks England. Being the eldest of fourteen children John had many advantages. He and his four brothers were all given a good education, as their father was a prominent builder and contractors in Leamington. It was important to him that his sons learn the trades of plumber, plasterer , builder, painter and carpenter. Some of the special things John studied were law, medicine and music. He had a strong thirst for knowledge, reading and studying many books . He was a talented musician and played his violin in the Royal Orchestra of Queen Victoria, as well as at the old Salt Lake theatre and social Hall. Old time dances at Croydon, Henefer and Echo often heard the lively strains of John's Fiddle. John was about twenty-two years of age when he met and fell in • love with a lovely and refined young lady whose name was Emma Prosser . She was born April 26 , 1819, at Herefordshire, England, the third child of James and Mary Ann Morgan Prosser, who had nine children, Six Girls and three boys . • Emma was tall and slender with brown hair and sparking brown eyes, along with a lovely smile. She was reared in a comfortable home with nice clothes and pleasant surroundings. She grew up happy and secure . She had a good education and special training in dressmaking and fancy sewing, which came in very handy in her pioneer y~ars. John was a tall handsome fellow, well over six feet , with an abundance of curly hair and smiling blue eyes. When he was twenty three years old, and Emma but seventeen, they were married in the Leamington Chapel on the 12th of June, 1836. They made their home in Leamington, where six of their eight children were born and two were JPEG-Bkhl.iried . • There had been Mormon missionaries in Leamington a number of times, but they had not been to successful in that part of England. In 1848 Brother Alfred Cordon, who had been converted a few years earlier was sent on a mission to England . While he was in Leamington and Warwick , he preached the gospel to some of Emma's relatives, and they were converted and baptized. The following is taken from Brother Cordon's Journal and given to Sister Dora Toone Brough , by his great, great granddaughter, June Cordon Garfield . On April 3, 1849, we baptized Mr. John Toone of Leamington, who afterwards became an efficient Elder . In Conference, held April 15, 18~9, he was visited by Elder Levi Richards, who had a commission to travel in any part of England he so desired. On April 19, 19~9, John Toone and William Chiveral were ordained Elders. John was later appointed to preside over the branch . Emma was also baptized in 18~9 , along with other members of the Prosser family. When Elder Cordon was released from his mission to return home, the saints of the Warwick Conference presented him with a contibution to help pay his expenses. Elder John Toone, representing the conference, wrote : "When at last we reflect upon the lonely situation in which you found us, and the wonderful things that have transpired in so short a time, we with reluctance say, 'Go home , dear brother Alfred, to the bosom of thy family, but this event will cause the breaking fourth of many a tear . When we reflect upon your past labors your diligence and faithfulness to build up Zion, by aiding her with converts from the • land of our nativity , we will unite to bless you in the name of Israel's God. We testify to all around that we have found the Church JPEG-Bkl~nd Kingdom of the living God . " These quotations are from the Journal of Alfred Cordon. • In 1850, John and Emma were anxious to come to Utah and join the saints . They began planning for their future in a new land. At this time they were expecting their sixth child . Little Ann was born the 23rd of November, 1850. They loved the precious gospel, were humble and faithful and more then happy to make the sacrifice necessary to leave. In early winter,. February 1, 1851, the little family set sail for America , Mary Elizabeth, age 12; William Henry, age 10; Charles Jabez, age 8 and baby Ann. Soon after sailing Ann was taken ill and died on the 16th of February, only 2 months, 21 Days old. The tiny girl was buried at sea. Can we mothers realize the anguish of Emma when she had to wrap her darling baby in a blanket and see her cast into the ocean? In those days it took from six weeks to two months to make the voyage by sailing vessel. Emma and John were on their way to a new land, to make a home in the west, leaving Emma Georgena and Hezakiah Prosser buried in their native land and baby Ann at sea. The voyage was long and tiresome, with much sickness and hardship. They finally arrived in America in March of 1851, and made preparations to cross the plains . They left Pottawattomie June 7, 1851, in Captain Thomas Howell's company . They spent some time at a place called Little Pigeon, Indiana , getting wagons and oxen ready. There were 10 families, 79 souls, 12 wagons , 77 oxen, horses, sheep and calves. They left there June 7 , 1852 , just one year later. This company sent a letter on ahead to the presiding council in Salt Lake, dated August ~th Upper Ferry of the Plate River, signed Captain Howell,and John Toone,as clerk. The letter stated they were on their • way and hoping they would have food enough to carry them through. They arrived in Salt Lake Valley the 27th of September, 1852 with their remaining three children JPEG-Bk13 15'/ • • Soon after arriving in Salt Lake they bought a homestead about "D" street and 3rd Avenue, and built a nice four-room adobes house, where Emma kept busy sewing and taking care of her family. She did beautiful fancy work for many noted women of Utah, and made burial clothing when needed . How happy Emma was when she could sit in the theater in her black, or brown, lace trimmed dress and see her John in the orchestra, playing th cello, or other times the viola. On the 19th of February, 1854 another son was born to Emma and John. They named him John Prosser. He was a strong healthty baby their 7th child . This same year John was called to go back to England on a mission, giving him the chance to preach the gospel to his family in Leamington. His family was very nice to him and told him they loved him, but were not interested in his new found Mormon religion. Emma was lonesome, but kept busy. She worked in the Primary, holding the position of President for 20 years. While on his mission John converted a very nice young English school teacher by the name of Hannah Wardle, born the 2nd of April 1821, at Hookley, Heath, Warwickshire, England. She came to America and crossed the plains in the Martin Handcart Co. listed as a spinster 34 years of age. When John returned from his mission in 1856, traveling in Apostle Richards' Company, he met another young lady at winter quarters, her name was Jemima Cook . Jemima was the daughter of Richard Cook and Elizabeth Johns, to our knowledge she was the only one of her family to join the church. Her early childhood was one of nine children, 5 boys and 4 girls, Jemima was the youngest daughter. The children were all born at Stoke Damerel, Devonshire, all except Jemima, she was born at Devonport, JPEG-Bk~von, England. ff& When she became old enough she had to help support the family, therefore her schooling was very little, two or three months each winter, over a period of a few years. When she heard the Mormon Missionaries preach the gospel, she became very interested, although her family was very opposed to her listening to their teachings and attending their meetings. She would slip away after they thought she was in bed, and slip back in through the window unobserved. She was baptized in February 185~ against the wishes of her family. She ask the tailor, for whom she worked and had trained her to be a very good seamstress, to hold a little of her earnings back each week until such a time as she would be ready to start for America. The night she left she wrote her parents a note, then she slipped quietly through the window. Her parents rushed to the harbor, but the • ship had already set sail. She came to Utah in 1856 in the Captain Edward Martin's Handcart Co. listed as a spinster 28 years of age. ' She often pushed a handcart through 18 inches of snow. One night she was so exhausted she tried to steal a ride on one of the wagons, and the teamster guide used his bull whip on her. This incident was told by Jemima to one of her granddaughters, with whom she used to live. Most of the way they suffered many hardships. She told of men digging graves where fires had been burning all night, as the ground was softened and every where else the ground was frozen hard .. One night 18 souls were buried in one grave. Captain Martin stated 576 persons started the trek, there was 135 to 150 deaths enroute. Their provisions ran out and they became very hungry. Some ate the flesh from their own forearms. At night, when they stopped their clothing was covered with ice and snow and frozen to their bodies. JPEG-Bk13 s • • ' Large fires were built to thaw them out, only to have them awake in the morning and find two or three feet of snow on their beds. Some of the saints were so exhausted and from frost bite they lost hands, feet and legs, even ask to die, for they felt they could not go on. Some were buried only in the deep snow. President Young heard of their suffering and distress and sent men and provisions to help them . One of the greatest Mormon Scouts was Ephraim Hanks, and he said the storm during those three days was simply awful. In all his travels in the Rocky Mountains, before and after, he said, "I have seen no worse. It lay on the ground so deep it was impossible to move wagons through it. The sight that met may gaze, as I entered their camp, can never be erased from my memory. The starved forms and haggard countenances of the poor, suffering souls was enough to touch the stoutest heart. I was camped in South Pass one night and earnestly prayed for meat to take to the starving saints. Upon arising next morning, a buffalo crossed my path. I shot it ant took it to the starving saints." John was one of the may men sent to help rescue the Saints. At a place called Devil's Gate, in Wyoming, John again met Hannah and Jemima. Traveling together through such hardships they had become friends and comforted each other. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley the 1st of November, 1856. John and Hannah were married the 1st of February, 1857 and three weeks later Jemima became Johns' third wife on the 22nd of February, 1857. Jemima, like Emma was also a beautiful seamstress. She made many suites for the army officers at Fort Douglas, also for President Young and other church leaders, for which she was well paid. She bought green tea from Fort Douglas and paid $5.00 a pound for it. JPEG-Bk13 • • ' /b3 At one time, President Young asked her to make a coat and a pair of pants for a speaker who was to appear at the Opera House . She told him she would for a pound of tea and $10.00. President Young thought it too high, but they needed the clothes badley, so they gave her what she asked, and the suit was made. William Driver, a pioneer druggist of Salt Lake, said she made him a suit out of a blanket. He was very well pleased, and said he would never forget her . When Johnson's Army came to Utah in 1857, it caused much unrest. John, and his family, stayed in Salt Lake until the early part of 1858. Here Jemima gave birth to their first child, Lyon, born the 6th of March, 1858 . Emma and Hannah, John's other two wives were both expecting babies . There was a move south, so John and his three wives moved to Payson, Utah . On the 19th of March, 1858, at Payson, Emma gave birth to another son, Benjamin Prossor, her eighth child . It was a terrible hardship for all concerned. Living conditions were very poor, with practically no conveniences. His second wife, Hannah, gave birth to premature twins, she and both babies died the 20th of July, 1858. That same week, on the 23rd of July, Emma's tiny son Benjamin, died. He along with Hannah and her twins, were buried at Payson. Years later , members of the family went to Payson and tried to find the graves, so markers could be installed, there were so may others, the graves were never identified. After the army trouble was over the family moved back to Salt Lake, and they were very happy to get back to their own homes. JPEG-Bk13 7 • • • The following year Jemima gave birth to a son, Felix, born the 25th of August, 1859, Richard was born the 28th of February 1862, George was born the 2~th of January 186~, Emma was born the 15th of November at Croydon, Utah, Caroline was born the 16th of November 1867 and Elizabeth was born the 20th of May 1971. John and Jemima had seven children, four sons and three daughters, all born in Salt Lake City, except Emma Jemima, who was born at Croydon, Utah. In 1863, John Prosser, Emma's youngest son, was almost ten years old . His two bothers , William Henry, 21 and Charles Jabez, 19, and their father were sent to Lost Creek (later named Croydon) by President Brigham Young to help build up the town. In October of 1865 Lost Creek was first organized into a branch of the church. In 1865 William Henry married Hannah Webb and Charles Jabez married Sarah Augusta Squires . They both made their homes in Croydon. John Prosser remained in Salt Lake with his mother. As most boys he was very unhappy, because he felt he was big enough to go along with his big brothers and father. As John traveled back and forth between Salt Lake and Croydon, he continued to serve church affairs and families. Emma and Jemima were alone much of the time, so Jemima moved to Croydon, Utah in 1871, after her youngest daughter Elizabeth was born and made Croydon her permanent home. Emma chose to remain in her comfortable home in the Salt Lake 20th Ward area, where she had served in the Primary for so many years, and had many friends. Her daughter, Elizabeth, had married John Lyon in April of 1857, and lived close to her. Emma was lonesome at times, but always enjoyed the company of her grandchildren, who stayed with her often . She passed away April 7, 1889, at the age of 70, with her four living children by her side. JPEG-Bk13 8 • John was tall , with an abundance of curly white hair and a long white beard , a description given by many of his grandchildren. He carried a walking stick , and a dog was always at his heels. He always had such exciting stories to tell about people, places and things. He would teach the children songs and music , and he sang with them, as they listened to him play his fiddle, as he often called it . He died just four years after Emma's passing , the 31st of August, 1893 at the age of 80 years . Jemima was 65 years of age when John died . As a young women she had been tiny in statue, with small hands and feet , brown hair and blue eyes . As she grew older, her weight was always a problem. Her sons used to call her, jokingly, a little round butter ball . She was almost as round as she was tall . Jemima loved the gospel but was very shy at taking part in public • affairs . Her first and last concern was always John and the children . After Jemima ' s health began to fail , she went to live with her youngest daughter, Elizabeth (Bessie) Hardy, in Morgan, Utah . • Jemima lived 1~ years after John's death, and died the 3rd of January , 1907 , age 79 . She is buried in Croydon, by the side of her husband, John, in the beautiful little valley where they raised their children and had helped build a settlement. Compiled and written by Teresa Dawson Olson Great Granddaughter of John and Jemima Cook Toone February 1980 JPEG-Bk13 9 |
