TITLE PAGE PIONEER (full name) Thomas Henry Stephens BIR TH (date and place) 20 January 1839 DEATH (date and place) PARENTS Henry Stephens Susannah Ireland MARRIED (who and date) Mary Jones 29 Janua ARRIVAL IN UTAH (date) (Company arrived with) HISTORY (who wrote) Erma Richins, Irene Rouser, Elna Richins (date written) (who submitted) Dorene Rowser (address) 235 S State, Morgan, Utah 84050 CAMP & COUNTY SUBMITTING South Morgan DUP Camp Morgan County (Camp Historian & address) Lois B Peterson 82 W 200 N, Morgan, Utah 84050 County Historian & address) Dena C. Rich 1266 n Morgan Valley Dr., Morgan, Utah SOURCE OF INFORMATION & PAGE NUMBERS: 5 pages LIFE HISTORY of THOMAS HENRY AND MARY JONES STEPHENS Nestled at the foot of Spoonbill Hill Gloucester, England, is the beautiful but small town of Miserden. Here in this little farming community so peaceful and friendly lived Henry Stephens and his good wife Susannah Ireland. To this couple were born the following children: John, Thomas Henry, Richard, Isabella, Zachariah, Ann, Henry Thomas, and George. It was 20 January 1839 that Thomas Henry, the second child was born. Daring his childhood we can visualise this little fellow playing on the slope of the green hills. Perhaps he enacted the stories he had been told of its battles just as children of today do. Then again he might have gone swimming with his boy friends in the River Stroud, and being an ambititious lad he no doubt helped his mother around the farm doing the many jobs that bays like to do. His father, Henry, beside farming worked with an uncle in the Painswick Quarry so as Thomas grew older he did much of the farm work. He was also a butcher, which trade he learned well. He had very little schooling so his education was limited. It was here in this green enticing country and around the farm so endeared to him that Thomas spent the first twenty-two years of his life. Thomas was a man of medium stature being five feet ten inches tall, weighing between 150-160 pounds. He had light complexion with grayish-blue eyes that twinkled with merriment or snapped with annoyance. He had a beautiful head of dark-blonde hair always well groomed with a curl that lay along the top. He always wore a well-trimmed mustache which gave him the appearance of a distinguished gentleman. He was pleasant and agreeable, but could be stern and commanding should the occasion arise. Thomas met a charming young lady, Mary Jones, who changed the course of his life completely. She was born at Brimpsfield, England 16 June 1842 to William Jones, who was born in Brimpsfield, England 7 June 1805, and Mary Shill born 7 December 1812 at Syde Gloucester England and died in 1848 At Brimpsfield England. Mary was an attractive, intelligent person, one whom everyone loved for her unselfishness, kindness and thoughtfulness to others. When she and Thomas fell in love she introduced him to her brother Robert, who was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thomas became interested in the Gospel Message and was baptised 7 March 1861, in Brimpsfield by Robert Jones. Thomas's parents were against this and resented it very much. He was the only one in the family to accept the gospel. Feeling the bitterness and heartaches of his parents he worked and saved for his passage to America. Three years later, 3 June 1864, he sailed from London on the "Hudson" under the leadership of John M. Kay. There were 863 people aboard the ship which landed in New York. Upon arriving in America, they started the long trek to Utah. Thomas walked the last 1,000 miles of prairie land between the Missouri River and Salt Lake City. He was selected by Brigham Young as one of the hunters to keep fresh meat such as deer, antelope and buffalo for the covered wagon train. With his experience as a butcher in England he was very helpful in preparing and dressing the wild game. On one accasion he became lost in the hills and had considerable difficulty in locating the wagon camp before nightfall. After months of hardship and suffering from cold, hunger and diseases they arrived in the valley of Salt Lake City, Utah. Thomas had seven dollars left of the fifteen he had when he landed in America so he sought employment immediately. As he walked the streets he remembered that years ago a friend had promised him that if he ever came to America he would help him find a job. He had almost given up hope when a butcher offered him work in his meat shop. He was capable of doing this type of work so accepted it. As the days went by he found Mr. Papworth, his employer, to be the uncle of his lost friend Dick who had promised him a job. During his short stay in Salt Lake City, he acted in the capacity of policeman. He also worked in the slaughter house of William Jennings, a great cattleman of that territory. In the summer of 1865 he made his way to Henefer (then known as Henneferville) to meat Mary Jones when she arrived from England. "While waiting he worked on shares for Charles Richins. Some of the ground he farmed is now owned by John Dearden at the mouth of Main Canyon and the other ground that was called "The Island", is now owned by the Stephens Ranch on the east side of the railroad track and by Bernard Jones on the west side of the track. Thomas helped to build the Weber Canyon road and put a bridge over one of the gullies on the Anderton bench. Mary anxiously awaited news from America. She was ready to leave and join her friends and Thomas. On Saturday, 29 April 1865, she left Liverpool on the ship "Belle-wood" under the leadership of Win. H. Shearman. There were 636 people aboard the ship and it also landed in New York. On her arrival in Utah she was invited to live with Edward Richins and his wife Ellen. Ellen and Mary were girlhood friends in England so naturally they wanted to renew this friendship of so many years. On 25 December 1865, Mary and Thomas were married by Charles Richins, presiding Elder of Henefer. The marriage took place at the residence of Edward Richins, located at Lenord's Point between Henefer and Echo, Utah. After paying Mary's expenses to this country they had very little money left to start their married life. They lived in a rock dugout that Thomas built on the property of Edward Richins. He made what furniture they had out of native woods. Mary used considerable ingenuity to make the dug-out into a home where friends gathered for good old fashioned fun. During these trying times she made soap out of the tallow Thomas brought from the butcher shop and then she sold or traded it to help out. In the year 1866 Thomas and Mary were living in Henefer in a two room log house with a lean-to on the back. This house was built on the property now owned by Parley R. Stephens, a grandson. It was built close to the edge of the hill where the garage now stands and some of the rock foundation is still there. While living here the following children were born to this happy couple: William Thomas, 20 February 1867; George Henry, 5 July 1868; Heber Charles, 23 December 1869; Fredrick Jones; 27 October 1871; Mary, 9 February 1873; John Jones, 16 November 1874; Robert Jones, 25 May 1877; Susannah Jones, 23 July I860; and Lucy Ann, 31 August 1883. In the fall of 1867 the grasshoppers came and as a result nothing was raised the following year. Fortunately the railroad was being built from Echo Canyon to Ogden and it helped supply work. Thomas, being a resourceful man, soon had his first retail meat market in Echo, and then one in Evanston, Wyoming. He furnished meat for these shops from his slaughter house at Henefer located below the present homes of Parley R. Stephens and Ordell Stephens. He also supplied dressed meat for Beckworth and Lowder's general mercantile store in Crass Creek where the Union Pacific employed a number of men to mine coal. The coal was of fair quality and was used for household purposes and for making steam. Thomas's son, Fred, drove the meat wagon from Henefer to Grass Creek, a distance of twelve miles three times each week to meet the demands of this western boom town for fresh dressed meat. Dressed beef in those pioneer days was delivered to the shop for three and one-half cents per pound. In June 1873, Thomas, his wife Mary; Robert Allen Jones and his wife Elizabeth Jane Parker; Joseph Edgeworth and his wife Prudence Jones traveled together from Henefer by team and wagon to Salt Lake City to the Endowment House, where they received their endowments and sealings. Just before this trip Mary was re-baptized for her health. This was also the year that their little Mary was born. She came into their home like a ray of sunshine. Her golden hair and soft blue eyes and that little mischievous smile won the hearts of the family as she was their first girl. Four years later on 18 November 1877, during an epidemic of black diptheria, Mary contacted the disease and passed away. She was buried in the Henefer Cemetery. Words fail to express the sadness and loss felt in this home that had been brightened by Mary's presence. On 20 September 1876, Thomas took his citizenship papers out in the Third District Court in Utah Territory. Mary featured in the early history of the Henefer Relief Society. On 24 August 1078, a meeting was held in Henneferville for the purpose of organizing the Female Relief Society. Bishop Charles Richins and his counselors were present, but the meeting was under the direction of Sister Eliza R. Snow, Sister Horn and Sister Davis of Salt Lake City. Sister Snow spoke a short time giving instructions to the sisters in regard to the object and benefits of Relief Societies. Sister Mary Stephens was unanimously elected first president of the Henefer Relief Society and was set apart by Bishop Charles Richins with sister Susan Randall first counselor, Emily Bond as secretary, Elizabeth Francis second counselor, Lucy Richins assistant secretary and Lovina Brewer treasurer. Mary presided until 20 August 1885. She was a choice person, humble, gentle, understanding and faithful to her calling as well as to her family. She was always ready to help in time of sickness or need and her everyday acts gave evidence of her love for her Heavenly Father and for all humanity. Her favorite hymn was "An Angel From On High". About the year 1685, Thomas and Mary realized the need for a larger home. They obtained the brick from the brickyard up by the Thomas Dearden place and built a home. This home is still standing and is the residence of Parley R. Stephens. Mary was very happy to have such a roomy, warm and comfortable home. It had four large rooms with ten to twelve foot ceilings and a good sized pantry. A pump house attached on the building by the tack door supplied them with plenty of water. This pump house was also large enough to be used for summer cooking and storage. There was a porch across the front and also a smaller side porch. Two large windows gleamed brightly in the front room and one on the side. Eventually this room was covered with a heavy green flowered carpet equal to a good grade wilton rug now. The carpet was purchased from the Walker Store in Croyden, where they did most of their shopping. An old black cook stove graced the kitchen where Mary could be found through the day busily cooking for her family and others. The kitchen floor was the bare boards and hard to scrub and keep clean. A large long table served the needs of the big happy hungry family. Each son brought home his young bride to stay until they could get located in their own home. Mary, although always busy, found time for her yard and her love for flowers made it a scene of beauty. She had flower beds on each side of the long boardwalk and around the house and porches. She also planted lilac bushes which are still blooming in the yard. Each day found her busily working and digging in her garden and sweeping the back yard with her broom which was a lifetime habit. Mary had a pleasing personality and she was appreciative of all that was good and beautiful. Her pleasant smile won her many friends. It has been said of her that there was always a meal prepared so no traveler ever left hungry. Thomas, thoughtful and considerate of her, always had extra help. Sophie Brewer and Emily Bond were hired to help with the dishes and cooking. During all their married life, from their first dugout, the log house and then the brick home, they enjoyed the Saints as they immigrated through on their way to Salt Lake City. Many of them stopped to rest and share the hospitality that was extended so warmly to them. At times when their horses were worn out and weary from travel Thomas let them have a fresh team to continue the long journey over the Big Mountain into Salt Lake Valley. In Henefer, Thomas gained many acres of land. By homesteading and legal purchases he obtained Main Canyon where John Bearden's ground is now located and also the upper side of the highway in Main Canyon to where the Heber Stephens home now stands. He also obtained a piece of ground up by Lone Tree and one called the "Bottoms" on the upper end of town from John P. Stevens to Bachelors. In town the ground where Parley R. Stephens' home now stands, including Al's Merc, down the highway to LaVell Stephens' fence line and back in the bottoms to the Weber River bank and then up the river to the river bridge and back up to Shephens' home all belonged to Thomas Stephens. He bought squatters rights from Charles Stevens for the ground on the upper end of town now owned by Dearden Brothers, including part of the Henefer Cemetery. This ground was purchased in his earlier life and being short of enough money at the time he borrowed $950.00 from a friend, Bill Louder of Echo—"Sure," said Bill and handed Thomas the money without security claiming that his word was as good as a bond. Thomas made good on his next trip to Salt Lake with cattle so he paid the note off promptly. Part of this ground he contributed, along "with John Paskett and Charles Richins, to the town for the pleasant peaceful cemetery on the hill. Through the years of hard labor on the land they obtained fine gardens, orchards and crops. Vegetables of every kind were raised in the gardens and the orchards grew apples, pears, cherries, plums and small fruit such as gooseberries, black and red currants and raspberries, in the fields on the upper end of town large crops of sugar beets were raised and used as feed for cattle. They were a very industrious family and with saving and careful use of their money they laid away a little for the future. When the Red Devil Cement Plant was first built they traveled the distance of about four miles to this small town by wagon and team to sell vegetables and fresh meat from tent to tent. They never brought home any produce but gave away what wasn't sold. Thomas was known throughout the county as being very generous and free hearted. He helped many in and around this community, not only with food, but also money. Several have testified how he would bring in a quarter of beef and other food to large families in need. The town people well remember him for his outstanding character. He was prominent in civic affairs, always ready to do his part. He was honest in his dealings and enjoyed the respect and love of his family and friends. There was no faltering in his duty whether it was business or other assignments. He was president of the Henefer Irrigation Company, and treasurer for Henefer Amusement and Dramatic Company. He helped with the church and school affairs and was faithful and active in his church work having been ordained a Seventy by Samuel Gentry, Jr., 11 May 1884. He was appointed one of the committee of five to purchase a new organ for the meeting house 26 December 1886. As the years slipped by he received letters from his mother who longed to see him once more. The letters made him realize how long he had been gone and he had a great desire to go back home to England. He wrote to his friend, Robert Allen Jones, then serving there on a mission and told him his plans and how he would like to keep his visit a surprise. Leaving things here in the capable hands of his wife and grown sons, he left for his old childhood home and family in the year of 1892. After weeks of travel he arrived and was met at the boat by his friend, Elder Jones. When the news of his mother's recent death was told him he was shocked and saddened to think his arrival was too late. Robert and Thomas journeyed to his brother Richard's home but Richard did not recognize Thomas and he had to explain who he was. Henry, his father,came into the home and although he was almost blind, he recognized Thomas as soon as he spoke and he knew his son had returned and his arms went out to him. George, his younger brother, also recognized him by his voice. There was great rejoicing that dispelled the cloud of gloom that had been hanging over the home. The rest of the family were still bitter and extended no invitation to him, but Thomas held no hard feelings. He had a wonderful visit with his father and brothers and friends and tried to get his younger brother George and family to come back to America with him at his expense but George's wife refused. A few months later Thomas came back to Utah with Robert Allen Jones when he was released from his mission. Weary from his long trip he was glad to get home to Mary and the family. A year later word was received of his father's death at the age of Eighty. Thomas continued his work of farming, buying and selling cattle and dressing beef. He also gained interest in the meat business in Salt Lake City. He and his two sons, George and Fred, and a friend George Roberts, had a wholesale house on third south and fifth west and a retail market on State Street. Their slaughter house was located one-half mile north of Beck's Hot Springs and was standing until a few years ago. During the years the meat business was good, Mary and her husband moved to Salt Lake to help take care of the business and to make a home for Fred and George. Heber and his wife remained in the home in Henefer until their return. After two years they were very happy to return to the country, so Thomas Richins and his wife, Esther Ellen took over their place in Salt Lake and kept house for Fred and George. Thomas trailed large herds of cattle over the Big Mountain. Most of the cattle were his own, but some were entrusted to him by his neighbors and friends in the valley and surrounding towns. Those who made these drives with him were his sons, Heber, Will, Bert and his friends Alma E. Richins, Thomas Richins and Hyrum Bird. When one extra large herd had been sold, Thomas had seven thousand dollars in cash. This was not all his money but friends had trusted their cattle to his care and were waiting anxiously for his return. On riding back with his youngest son, Bert, they stopped at Dixie Creek to water the horses and an armed man attempted to rob them, but was unsuccessful. They were able to outwit him and get home safely. Thomas realized this was taking too much risk, so after that he started to send the money on the stage coach until he started taking his pay in checks. About 1900 they suffered a loss of 33500.00 in the meat company at Salt Lake City when one of his trusted employees walked out with the profits. In order to save some of the stockholders money, Thomas sacrificed his other three shops. Starting again at the bottom was not an easy thing to do at his age, but he had the help of six sons who were married, responsible men. He and his sons always worked together very systematically and so together they knew they would make it. George and Fred were the butchers (Fred could dress out a beef in 30 minutes and a lamb in three minutes). They also ran the smoke houses in Henefer and Layton. William was the rancher. He started his early plowing with oxen when just a young boy. He also cared for the crops and cattle. John had the dairy stock and fed the feeders. Sometimes it was necessary to take them all over the country to locate enough grass to fatten them. Heber was the sheepman and also the family homesteader. He did most of it in his fathers name, out later homesteaded ground for himself. Robert was the youngest of the boys and usually spent his time traveling around the countryside with his father, buying and selling cattle. The girls were never idle. Susannah helped Fred milk fourteen cows night and morning and helped thin the long rows of sugar beets. Lucy excelled as the horseback rider and liked to race with her husband and others and often won. Her responsibility was to see that the cows got to the pasture and home again. Mary, being the mother of nine children had always been a hard worker. Her life was spent for her family and each felt blessed to have such a mother. She was of medium stature with dark hair and fair complexion. She had a cheerful countenance and was devoted to the gospel and had a strong testimony of its truthfulness. Being helpful was a trait she carried throughout life. Mary had the misfortune to step on a rusty nail while down in the barnyard causing blood poison. Not long after this a blood vessel broke in her leg which troubled her for years. Her health was poor at times so she had to depend upon others for help. In 1905 she became violently ill from a poisoning in the body and it was necessary to call her family home to her bedside. On 12 July 1905, the day she received her patriarchal blessing from Robert Jones, she passed away a few minutes after 10 P.M. at the age of sixty-three. She carried her load of responsibility to the last leaving her family and husband who through the years had been so devoted to her. Her funeral services were held 14 July 1905. Her six sons were the pallbearers. Edward Richins and W.W. Cluff were the speakers. Thus ended the mortal life of a devoted and loyal mother and wife. Thomas missed Mary. He had retired from so much hard work and he spent his time visiting with old friends. He lived at home and lucy and her husband Ed moved in with him to help. Three years later he suffered gland trouble and was taken to Layton to a doctor. After being there for two weeks he was brought home along with a trained nurse to care for him. Not long afterward he has a severe attack and was rushed to Salt Lake City to St. Mark's Hospital where he was operated on, but he passed away 5 August 1908 at the age of sixty-nine. He was brought back home and laid to rest in Henefer Cemetery beside his beloved wife. His passing ended the life of a splendid manager, successful frontierman, faithful Latter-day Saint and a friend to everyone. His eight Children survived him. Gathered and compiled by Erma Richins, Irene Rowser and Elva Richins, written by Irene Rowser. Proofread and retold under the direction of Thomas and Mary's only living daughter, Susannah Stephens Fowler. All facts and dates have been corrected by Susannah and granddaughters.