3k 10 TITLE PAGE PIONEER (full name) BIRTH (date and place) DEATH (date and place) PARENTS MARRIED (who and date) ARRIVAL IN UTAH (date) (Company arrived with) Anne Shill Bird 21 January 1823-Syde, Gloucester, England 7 December 1898-Henefer, Summit, Utah Robert Chappell Shill Prudence Golding Andrew Bird 8 December 1850 October 1868 HISTORY (who wrote) (date written) (who submitted) (address) Edna Carter Morgan, Utah 84050 CAMP & COUNTY SUBMITTING Mt. Joy (Camp Historian address)_ County Historian & address)_ Morgan Chloe H. Heiner Camp County 1440 Old Hwy Road, Morgan, Utah 84050 Veloy Tonks Dickson PO Box 203, Morgan, Utah 84050 SOURCE OF INFORMATION & PAGE NUMBERS: ANNE SHILL BIRD 3lc Tiny in stature, but great in heart was "Granny" Bird. Although she had undergone many trials and great hardships in her own life, she was always cheer¬ful and ready to give encouragement and help to others. Everyone loved her, young and old. Anne Shill Bird was born January 21, 1823, at Syde, Gloucester¬shire, England. Her father was Robert Chappell Shill and her mother was Prudence Golding. She was one of a family of twelve. When the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to England preaching the Gospel to the people, many accepted and were baptized. Among them were Anne Shill and her family: her father, mother, sisters and brothers. Anne joined the Church on February 6, 1848, at Caudle Green. She was baptized and confirmed by John Johnson. When Anne was 27 years old she met and fell in love with Andrew Bird, son of Richard and Phoebe Norton Bird. They were married December 8, 1850, at the Parish Church in the Parish of Syde in the county of Gloucester. Witnesses at the wedding were Charles Richins and Louisa Shill. Louisa was a sister of Anne and it is worthy to mention that she later married Charles Richins and came to America. Anne was very desirous of sharing the blessings and joy that come from the Gospel with her "in-laws" and her husband. Andrew's brother, Alfred, joined the Church in 1849 and his mother joined in 1850. A sister, Meriah, joined on the 16 April 1855. On May 25, 1851, a baby daughter was born to Andrew and Anne. They named her Elizabeth. In 1853, on the 13th of August, another daughter was born to them and they named her Ann. 37 -2- During these years, the Elders had held many meetings with the Bird family, and after much study Andrew became converted to the Gospel. On February 20, 1853, at Caudle Green he was baptised by George Humphries. Andrew became quite active in the Church. On September 29, 1855, Phebe was born. On January 21, 1859, another daughter, Mary Marie, was added to the family. Hiram was born June 7, 1861, and Mary Louisa on September 27, 1864. Tragedy struct the family the following year when on September 8, 1865, Phebe was taken ill with diphtheria and died at the age of ten years. A week later Elizabeth died of the same disease. Anne, too, fell a prey to this scourge and her life was despaired of, but through the faith and prayers of her family she was made well again. One day Andrew was walking past a church which was being built when he saw a group of boys pull some pegs from under a scaffold. A few minutes later a man started to get onto the scaffold. Andrew called to him and told him of his danger. The man was a minister and was so grateful to Andrew that he gave him a Bible on the first page of which was written: "Presented to Andrew Bird by Thomas Wolstencroft, Rector of Syde, Gloucester Church, in grateful remem¬brance of the kind manner in which he pointed out the great danger to which I was exposed when removing a portion of the scaffolding of the new Rectory, November 28, 1866." The Bird family was very kind to the Mormon Elders and they were welcomed into their home at any time. One Elder in particular seemed to be their favorite; he was Elder Charles W. Penrose. They confided in him and he helped them in many ways. He often stayed with them for a week at a time. To converts who -3- are active, a desire seems to grow in their hearts. This desire is the Spirit of Gathering into one great body, to be with the Saints in the Rocky Mountains. This was the desire of the Birds. They received a setback when the father's health failed and they had to rely on the support of the community. Finally George Shill, brother of Anne, sent sufficient money to bring them across the water. On the 20th of June, 1868, they set sail on the 'Emerald Isle' for America. Captain Gillespie was in charge of the boat which was crowded to the fullest capacity. At this time Andrew was 39 years of age; Anne, 45 years; Ann, 15 years; Mary, 9 years; Hiram, 7 years; and Emma, 4 years. Also on the boat were Richard Shill, 58, and his wife, Phoebe, 53. Richard was a brother of Anne. George Beard who later resided in Coalville, Utah, and a friend, Mr. Kimber, were also on the boat. Due to the crowded quarters most of the family was sick during the crossing. The boat had to rely on the wind to sail it, and many times the winds were contrary so that they were driven back over the same course they had already traveled. Water became scarce and sea water was used for domestic purposes. Richard who was by trade an expert glass blower, died on the way over and was buried at sea. They finally reached New York harbor in September, 1868. Upon landing, they were taken through the Customs and Emigration Office. All the family, except Andrew, were taken to the hospital on Ellis Island. They were not given very good care while in this institution and almost starved to death. They also suffered from Cholera Morbus. They had been at the institution two weeks when the baby, Emma Louisa, age four, passed from this earthly existence on her birthday. One day Mr. Kimber, the friend who accompanied them across the ocean, visited them. He brought and gave to Anne Bird a watch, chain, knife and a few articles. She exclaimed, turning pale, "why these are Drew's. Where is he?" "The Lord will care for the homeless and the widowed," said Mr. Kimber, looking at her with tears in his eyes. He then related this story: As soon as Andrew saw his wife and children placed in the hospital, he went to an office where he was supposed to receive some money to help them across the plains. When he inquired for his money, the clerk informed him there was none for him. Fearful and heartbroken Andrew left the office without speaking. The next Mr. Kimber heard was of his death, probably caused by heart trouble. His valuables were given to Mr. Kimber to deliver to the family. He had died August 8, 1868. This was indeed a shock to Anne and placed an added burden upon her. She must now support her little family and find a way to bring them to Utah where her brothers and sisters were living. Elder Penrose, hearing of their trouble visited them. He brought food and other things for their comfort. His promise was given to them that they would be out of the hospital in a short time. He was true to that promise and within a week they were released. At that time the Church loaned money from an Emigration Fund to aid destitute families across the plains to Sale Lake City. Members who drew from the fund repaid the money when financially able to do so. Anne Bird and her family received aid through this fund. They decided to come on to the West even though they were in poor health. Part of the way was covered by train and the other portion they had to walk. Because they had very few clothes they suffered greatly from the cold. Anne had the extra burden of carrying most of their necessities -5- and tending the children. She missed Andrew so much and needed the comfort and love that he always gave her, but she was brave and went on from day to day making the best of her troubles. It took them a month or more to make the trip. In October, 1868, they were met in Echo Canyon by Thomas H. Stephens, who took them to friends in Coalvil'e, Utah. They remained overnight and the next day went to Croydon, where Anne's relatives lived. They spent two or three months in Croydon and then moved to Henefer, where Louisa Shill Richins lived. Here they settled. Anne supported her family by washing clothes for other people. Ann was the first child to go to work. Mary was next; she found employment in Coalville working for John Boyden, and stayed there for a number of years. When Hiram commenced to work he took over the burden of supporting his widowed mother and two sisters. Ann married Meredith Dawson and Mary married James Dearden. Both these families lived in Henefer all their lives. For a number of years Anne lived with Ann and Meredith Dawson. During the year 1881 there was a very severe winter. These three took their cattle up Franklin Canyon and lived there so that the cattle could have enough food to survive. They stayed for some time and then heard that the Indians were planning to attack them. They left and walked the five mile distance to Henefer at night. Anne Bird died December 7, 1898, at Henefer, Utah.