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Show MARGARET BENNIE JOHNSTON MID WIFE and NURSE. Born June 24, 1826 Stirlingshire, Scotland Died Sept 7, 1910 Coalville, Summit Co Utah Arrived in Utah Sept 1861. In Joseph A. Young's Company Husband's name: Andrew Johnston History written by a grand-daughter Janetta (Jessie) Mildred Johnston Creager Submitted by same. Written May 21, 1962. MOUNT JOY CAMP - MORGAN COUNTY, UTAH Jessie Creager-Historian Morgan County Camp Daughters of Utah Pioneers MARGARET BENNIE JOHNSTON Hoytsville MID WIFE AND NURSE Margaret Bennie was born June 26, 1826, Stirlingshire, Scotland, a daughter of John and Jannet Hutchison Bennie. married Andrew Johnston in Scotland in the year 1847 or 1848 as near as we know. Not much is known of their life in Scotland. they Joined the Church of Latter- Day-Saints while there and the meetings were held in their home until they left with their three children to come to America in 1856. Their parents were very much against them for joining the Church. Margaret's parents never wrote to her and the only way she ever heard anything about them is through letters written by her sister occasionally. After landing in New York they went to Willlamsburg, Virginia, where Andrew obtained employment cutting cord wood and working in the coal mines to earn money to help bring them to Utah. Margaret was a good nurse and a mid wife. She did a great deal of it while or the ship coming to the United states and at Florence or winter quarters while they waited to get transportation with Joseph A. Young's church train. They arrived in Utah and settled in Hoytsville, Summit County, Utah, September 1861. Margaret was the only mid wife or doctor around these parts for many years. One time a man came and got her to go to take care of his wife who was about to be confined. She had a young baby herself so she took it along as she had done many times. On their way the man complained of not feeling well, so when they got to the home Margaret told the man he had better go to bed and keep warm. The mother was confined that night and next morning the man was covered with small-pox. Margaret was quarantined in with this family for six weeks. Another time a father who lived on the other side of Weber River from Coalville where Margaret lived, came for her. It was the month of April and the river was high. The water was splashing onto the bridge when he came over but when he and Margaret got back the bridge had washed away. he un-hooked the horses from the wagon and put Margaret with her little satchel on one and he mounted the other. He guided the horses into the water side by side, his on the lower side so he could help guide (2) Margaret Bennie Johnston the one with Margaret on and he swam them across the river. When they got to the house there was no time for her to change clothes and her heavy black skirt and white apron were wet to the waist. After the baby was born she said she didn't know which was the wettest, she or the floor around the bed. She delivered many of her grand children also her great-grand children. She had a large blue chest and she always told her grand-children when they asked about the babies, that was where she kept them, children didn't know about babies then as they do today. Margaret didn't go out doctoring after a doctor came to Coalville, but I can remember the last baby she delivered. Dr French was called to Upton and he told this father if his wife started in labor before he got back to go for Grandma Johnston. When I saw Grandma going toward this home with her black dress and white apron on carrying her little satchel I certainly felt as if my nose was cut right off, for she had promised when she got an extra baby we could have it and now she was taking it to the neighbors. She was a very small person and had worked very hard through out her whole life and suffered many heart breaking experiences. She died September 7, 1910 at the age of 84. Written by a grand-daughter Jessie Johnston Creager |
