PIONEER OF 1859 WILLIAM TONKS Born July 18, 1832, in WILLENHALL, STAFFORDSHIRE ENGLAND Son of George and Martha Tonks. WILLIAM TONKS William Tonks was born in Willenhall, Staffordshire England July 18, 1832, son of George and Martha Tonks. He spent his early childhood in England, where he received some education and later learning the metal trade with his father and brothers in a lock factory. When he was eighteen years of age he heard the gospel and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. He met and married Martha Darricott, daughter of Charles and Mary Ashley Darricott. Martha was born May 24, 1823 in Willenhall, Staffordshire England. Their first child Elizabeth was born on December 7, 1854. Little Elizabeth was left with her grandparents, Charles and Mary Darricott while her parents came to United States. In 1856 they arrived in New York where they made their home for three years. While they were living in New York, William Tonks made a living working his trade as a blacksmith and saving what money they could for his journey to Salt Lake City. While in New York a son George M. Tonks was born. Two years later on November 15, 1858 another son William Henry Tonks was born. In the early spring of 1859 the family gathered their humble belongings together and with their two sons started to cross the plains with one of the many covered wagon companies. They had joined with an old man who later turned out to be very uncoop¬erative. William Tonks hired out as a night herder for money or in exchange for food. The journey was hard and treacherous and when the oxen became too poor to travel the old man had to cut the covered wagon in two and make a short box of it. Martha walked carrying her baby a good share of the way. On one occasion she became so exhausted that she sat down to rest, and fell asleep. When she awoke, the company had gone on without her. She hurried to catch them because she knew the dangers of being separated from the company. After running for some distance she came to a stream and stopped to remove her shoes before crossing. While she sat there a group of men on horses came to the crossing, she was frightened and very cautious as to whom she befriended. They proved their sincerity and she rode behind one of them across the stream. They arrived in Salt Lake City on October 1, 1859. Three months later on January 8, 1860 the fourth child was born, whom they named Martha Jane. Upon arrival in Salt Lake, William Tonks opened up a nail factory, and later took up the trade as a blacksmith. They lived in Salt Lake for five or six years where two more children were born. Louisa was born February 28,1863 and Mary Elizabeth better known as Polly was born July 20, 1865. Then the church sent them to Farmington to live, but later when they opened a road through Devils Gate into Morgan County, they were sent to help colonize that district. Upon arriving in Morgan they lived in a dugout on the land where the Walter Francis Home now stands. The dugout was a square hole about five feet deep with logs placed on each side of the banks and ends. The next row of logs was placed in about two feet with each succeeding row also indented two feet until only one log filled the space in the middle at the top. Willows were then placed all over the roof and then covered with dirt. Windows were made in the gable ends. This was their only light by day. The floors were sprinkled with water each day and swept to keep the dirt and dust down. After the floor became packed it was quite easy to keep the room clean, and to be able to sweep without rising great clouds of dust. On May 23, 1868 another son was born called Charles. On July 9, 1871 a daughter blessed their home whom was named Rebecca. The first blacksmith shop in Morgan County was opened in 1866 by William Tonks. He became very efficient in his work, and also tutored other men in this same line of work. He was also skilled as a wheelright and set many wagon tires. His first shop was on the land where the Morgan County High School now stands. Their first log home was situated where the L. D. S. Seminary Building now stands. While in this home an interesting incident happened. In one corner of the room a huge grain bin was build. On one occasion while the children were playing near that bin, it broke and their young son Charles was buried under the grain. Martha Tonks became very active in the Relief Society in Morgan County, serving as a councilor on the Stake Relief Society Board. One of her many duties was to help with the visiting of other wards. On these occasions she had her young son Charles drive her in the buggy. It took two days to go to Peterson ward. On the way down they would visit Littleton and Milton ward meetings. One would be held in the morning, the other in the afternoon. Then they would drive on to Peterson if it wasn't too late in the day and attend the meeting in Peterson the next day and then back to Morgan. It took two days to visit the Croydon Ward. Two concrete homes were built in Morgan by William Tonks and then in 1872 he purchased some land in Round Valley. The land was cleared of brush, and a canal was built for irrigation purposes. His sons took care of the farm while he still maintained his blacksmith shop in Morgan, walking back and forth night and morning. He had to cross the Weber river the year around, many times it was very high and dangerous and there were many times when he would be thrown from the horse and would have to swim. When they were settled in Round Valley the grandparents came from England and brought little Elizabeth with them. They lived with William Tonks in Round Valley until their death. Little Mary (Polly) died at the age of ten on Jan. 2, 1877. In 1890 William Tonks and a number of his neighbors organized a stock company and bought a large tract of land from the Union Pacific Railroad which was used for range purposes for their cattle and horses. William and Martha were loyal Latter-Day-Saints. They worked hard for the Church and their family. Never were there more true or faithful companions than they. God bless their memory, may they rest in peace forever. JAMES TUCKER HISTORY My parents names were John Tucker and Susan Blackmore. My father was born at High Brey, Devonshire England in 1812, my grandfather James Tucker was born at Goodleigh, Devonshire England, November 7th, 1767. I was born in the Parrish of Eastdown, Devonshire, England, July 22nd, 1836. My wife Betsy Lerwill Tucker was born at Kentisbury, Devonshire, England, July 20th, 1838. Her father William Lerwill was born at Eastdown, Devonshire, England, August 18, 1806; her mother Mary Rawle Lerwill was born at Kentisbury, Devonshire, England, April 14th, 1812. Up to the date of August 1859 I had investigated eight different forms of worship, all claiming to be the correct plan of salvation and instituted by Jesus Christ; this was proof to me that their teachings did not agree with Devine Record, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. After listening to two discourses delivered by Mormon Missionaries explaining the scriptures and doctrine of Jesus Christ I was filled with a desire to make further investigation and to gain positive proof for myself. I petitioned my Heavenly Father, and in that prayer I quoted James 1st chapter, verse 5, and I received my answer. At the end of thirty days I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. In April 1860, the year following, myself and companion and two other persons emigrated to America on the ship named Under Writer. We were five weeks crossing the great Atlantic, landing at New York. From there we traveled by boat and railroad to Florence, Nebraska, or the "Outfitting Place" as it was here we made preparations to continue our travels across the plains to Utah. Our company consisted of Richard Fry and wife, Ann Rawle Fry, myself and wife Betsy Lerwill Tucker. We purchased a wagon and two yoke of oxen, and two cows. The oxen names were Buck and Sam, Tip and Tyler. Our entire company consisted of thirty wagons, and our captain was J. D. Ross. Our journey from Florence Neb. to Utah took eleven weeks.