| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES:
1. George's middle name of "King" may have reference to the Methodist minister in Monmouth County, New Jersey. One of the earliest Methodist preachers [before 1778] was John King [ref: the book "Old Times in Monmouth," p. 100. Also the Ocean County Historical Association library in Tom's River, NJ has the following genealogical entry: John K. Predmore [John King Predmore], b. 10-12-1842 in NJ; d. 12-12-1924, Waretown; bur. Waretown; father Wm. Predmore b. NJ; mother Mary King b. NJ; died from arterio sclerosis, was sea captain, and lived in Waretown [Waretown, NJ is where Jonathan Winner operated as a sea vessel owner/captain in 1812 and is the village home of a large number of Predmores]. See Sarah (Predmore) Winner's hard file for cemetery records in Waretown and Barnegat, NJ for burials of several possibly related Predmores and Kings.
Per Mike Morrissey email 29 Aug 2004: "This same William Predmore also had daughters named after his mother, Phoebe Brown and his grandmother Azuba." Azuba was Sarah Predmore's (who md. Jonathan Winner) mother.
George's brother by the same mother, Reuben Haines Winner, was evidently named for the prominent merchant Reuben Haines in Dover Township (see Reuben's notes).
2. Other "Winner" last name research entries included here for informational purposes with some requiring more research and others resolved to avoid further research:
a. "Index of San Mateo County Times Gazette 1859-1899" also lists: "Winner, D.A., married William F. Armstrong 1 Oct 1864, paper of 14 Oct 1864." [Definitely related as a daughter since Geo.'s obituary mentions Geo. was William Armstrong's father-in-law. See marriage notes for Deborah Adalade Winner in this database.]
b. In Orton's "Records of California Men in the War of Rebellion 1861-7": Company 'L', 2nd Regiment, John Winner, farrier (one who tends to or shoes horses) from Placerville, California, mustered 20 Jul 1864, mustered out at Laramie, WY 10 Aug 1865 at expiration of term." [Doesn't appear related from a limited number of other sources I have seen.]
c. San Mateo County voter's registration lists (1879, 1888, 1890, 1892, and 1904) at the County History Library in Redwood City, CA lists two other Winners:
i. 1879: P. 36, entry #2452, reg. #1475: Winner, Marion; 28; New Jersey; Laborer; 6th township; native; registered 5 May 1869. [This is Moroni Winner who often used the name Marion or M. Winner. The 6th township was very rural and mainly redwood lumbering camps. There are very few inhabitants then as well as now high in the mountains on the San Mateo Peninsula south of San Francisco.]
ii. 1888: P. 202: James W. Winner; 21; Born in Iowa; Blacksmith; San Bruno; Native; Registered 1 Oct 1888. [He is not a direct relative but could be cousin several times removed from the related Winners who went to Ohio and then Illinois.]
iii. Son-in-law William Armstrong is in the 1877 voting registers for San Mateo County (per FHL film 977285): Entry #3764: William D. Armstrong, 49, England was country of nativity, local farmer, residing at San Gregorio [general name of La Honda area west to coast], naturalized citizen, registered 28 Aug 1875." It was at William's residence at which George died in 1877. William does not show up in the 1879 version.
d. "Index to Deaths in Santa Cruz County" (FHL film1290972) has Elizabeth Winner who died 27 Aug 1926. Santa Cruz librarian looked up obituary of 28 Aug 1926 of the Santa Cruz Evening News and she was born in Germany in 1844 and had only lived in Santa Cruz 14 years. She was a Christian Scientist, and left a son Charles Clayton [local], a dau. in the east, a niece Mrs. Joseph Hooper and a sister Anna Taylor both of Capitola [suburb of Santa Cruz]. She lived on Capitola Ave. [She does not appear related at all.]
e. 1870 US census for Copperolis P.O., Calaveras County, California, p. 233b, has B. Winner, 69, teaming, NJ and M.C., 65, F, keeping house, NJ. They are in the middle of gold mining country with most of their neighbors being Chinese gold miners. Not aware of any apparent relationship even though they are of New Jersey.
f. Per marriage license I reviewed in the County of Contra Costa, CA. Joseph Alexander Winner, native of CA, age 29, residing in Martinez, CA, married 24 Feb 1919, Isabel F. Lemas, 21, of Portugal. Same notes his father as J. A. Winner, Sr., who was born in California. His certificate of death dated 16 Nov. 1962 in the same county notes a birth of 5 Aug 1889 in California. They had a child named Bernice b. 24 May 1920. No apparent relation.
g. Reviewed records at both Ocean County Historical Association in Toms River, NJ and Monmouth County Archives in Freehold, NJ. No land transfers, Justice of the Peace dockets, birth, marriage, professional index, nor freeholder minutes 1789 - 1829 found for George Winner. Record keeping was poor in that area in George's time period.
3. Since George's wife Hanna died as supposed in 1853 in San Bernardino, CA, the currently genealogically unlocated younger Winner children may have been given out for upbringing and/or adoption to other families in the area which was quite common in that day and age.
4. Reviewed books:
a. Paul Bailey, "Sam Brannan and the California Mormons," (3rd Publication 1959, Westernlore Press): Quotes P.P. Pratt's Journal entry on George "Wimmer." Author adds note: "...served with Marshall at the Coloma gold strike." I believe this is probably an error and he may be confusing George with the large Peter Wimmer family who was indeed with Marshall and is not a relation. Many old records confuse the Winner name with either Wimer or Wimmer. J. Kenneth Davies, "Mormon Gold, the Story of California's Mormon Argonauts" (Olympus Publishing Company, SLC, UT, 1984), pp.16-17 in speaking of the Wimmer family (as opposed to the Winners): "The Wimmer story is complicated by overlapping names. Peter L. was the son of Peter and Elizabeth Shirley Wimmer. The elder Peter had a son John and a son Jacob as well as Robert and several daughters..."
b. LDS Journal of History: Entries for 11 Jul 1851 and 28 Aug 1851 are entries from P.P. Pratt's letters to Brigham Young and is the same information from Parley's journal already cited elsewhere in these notes.
d. Annaleone D. Patton, "California Mormons by Sail and Trail" (Deseret Book Co., SLC, UT) has good summary of what happened to the various Brooklyn families including the following: "Wimer, George K., wife and six children. Said to have descendants in Oakland, California. Sometimes spelled Winner." Also mentions that William Glover, one of the leaders of the Ship Brooklyn took $4,280 tithing from California to Church headquarters at Salt Lake 29 Sep 1849 of which $3,000 was unminted gold. The book "Mormon Gold" cited in note 4.a above indicates Geo. Winner was one of these tithe payers.
e. Edward Leo Lyman, "San Bernardino, The Rise and Fall of a California Community" (1996, Signature Books, Salt Lake City, UT):
i. Pp.16,17: "The following 'Brooklyn' Saints eventually moved to San Bernardino: Thomas Tompkins, wife, and two children; Isaac Goodwin and six children; Carolyn Joyce and two children; William Stout, wife, and one child; George W. Sirrine; Abraham Coombs, wife, and three children; George K. Winner, wife, and six children [1852 census shows only 5 children]; Horace A. Skinner; Quartus S. Sparks, wife, one child, and mother-in-law, Sister Hamilton; Daniel Stark, wife, and two children."
ii. P.96: "At the end of 1853 [Apostles] Lyman and Rich noted with brevity that the settlement had endured considerable sickness, 'though fatal in very few instances and those (mostly to) Children,' none of whom were named. Infant mortality was so common as to be natural." [The author goes on to list a few deaths by name for 1853 and 1854 but does not mention George's wife or Georgiana, his granddaughter.]
f. Susan Easton Black, compiler, "Early Members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," Vol. VI (U-Z), (Religious Studies Center, BYU, 1993, copy in Family History Library in Salt Lake City): "WINNER, George T. E. - Source: Early Reorganization Minutes, 1852-1871, Book A, p. 405"; WINNER, Israel I." - Same exact source as above; "WINNER, Lena Leoti - Source: Early Reorganization Minutes, 1852-1871, Book A, p. 377. [The two first entries are George K. and Israel J. and they are on the same page; the third is of Iowa and has been researched by me and is not a relation.]
g. Reuben Winner of New Jersey (younger brother to George who remained in NJ):
i. 1840, New Jersey, Monmouth County, Dover Twp., FHL film 016518: Reuben Winner, inland sailor, males: 2@under 5, 1@10-15, 1@20-30; females: 1@5-10, 1@30-40. [They are listed in same township as George at the same time.]
ii. 1860, New Jersey, Monmouth County, Matawan Twp., Middleton Post Office, p.359, 10 Jul 1860, FHL film 0803066: Dwelling no. 270, family no. 264, Reuben Winner, 49, M, Capt. of Vessel, $500 real estate value, $100 personal property value, birthplace New Jersey; Lavinia Winner, 49, F, birthplace New Jersey; Lucinda Winner, 26, F; George Winner [possibly named after "uncle George K."], 18, M, boatman; Charles Patterson, 16 M, boatman; Ann M. Patterson, 9, F.
h. FHL film 374940 has "The San Francisco City Directory," by Charles Kimball, Sep. 1850, printed by Journal of Commerce Press, S.F.. I found no entry for any Winners or Halls. There is a list of pilots for the Sacramento River and also one for the Ocean, but George does not show up on either list. There was, however, entries for the company George worked for (per his obituary):
-Cross, Hobson, & Co., com. mchnt's, San b. P and J.
-Cross, Alex, f. Cross, Hobson, & Co. San b. Pac[ific] and Jackson.
5. Census Findings:
1830 US: New Jersey, Monmouth County, Dover Township, P.374: George K. Winner, 1 M 20-30, 2 F Under 5, 1 F 15-20. [They are probably George, his wife, Mary Ann and Elizabeth]. Dover Township is now part of Ocean County since 1850.
1840 US: New Jersey, Monmouth County, Dover Township, FHL film 016518: George K. Winner, Males (Ages: 1@under 5, 3@20-30, 1@30-40), Females (2@Under 5, 1@5-10, 1@10-15, 1@20-30), Four listed as Coastal Sailors. [Supposition: George was one of the "20-30" males and an "Ocean" sailor, the other three were sailing associates or relatives, the boy was Moroni [under 5], George's wife [20-30], Mary or Elizabeth [10-15; but why only 1 listed?], Louisa [5-10], Emmajean and possibly an unknown daughter [2@under 5: this is confusing - was there another unknown girl who died before the Ship Brooklyn sailing thus explaining the large gap of 6 to 7 years in childbirths?].
1850 US: No record; San Francisco's portion of US Census was lost due to earthquake or fire.
1852 US: California Statehood Census, Los Angeles County (pre-San Bernardino), p. 143; note this census began June 1852 in this county with county wide results of 7831 total residents of which 2494 were white males and 1597 were white females. It's preface to the state compilation says that only about 5 in every 6 were counted due to the frontier and mobile nature of the population. Note that the second location is last residence.
George K. Winneo, 46, N.J., Utah, Farmer
Hanna, 46, N.J., Utah
Mary Ann, 23, N.J., Utah
Emojine, 15, N.J., Utah
Moroni, 10, N.J., Utah
Israel, 8, N.J., Utah
Adalade, 7, Cal., Cal.
This census is important and invites several interesting comments as follows:
i. No David Frederick [Mary Ann's future husband] even though he had moved to S.B. at least by 22 Mar 1852 where the colony clerk notes him making a payment to the colony. Mary Ann living at home unmarried, yet her daughter Georgiana will be born within 6 months or less. This lends credence to Daisy Van Wagoner's grandfather's [Mary Ann's great-grandson] handwritten note that Georgiana's father was not David Frederick but a possible "George Oakley" [or a variation thereof since he slightly misspells other names on the note]. There is no such individual yet found in my research for either San Bern. or San Fran. or from 1860/70 censuses of adjoining states; however, there is a merchant George Oakes in 1851 in San Francisco just a couple of blocks from where Winner's property was in 1846 in Bancroft's History - could he have fathered the child out of wedlock or a quickly annulled marriage in early March 1852 perhaps leading to George's removal of his family 3 Mar 1852 from San Fran. to San Bern. She was married to David Frederick by 1 May 1854 since she is mentioned in Amasa Lyman's journal as the wife of David; he was twice her age which may be explained perhaps by marriage to a woman with an out-of-wedlock child. This is merely conjecture on my part at this point and Georgiana may just have been a premature baby who did in fact die six months after birth and the marriage of David and Mary Ann may have in fact preceded conception.
ii. Some of the info seems close but suspect and may have been given by a neighbor; they had not lived in Utah, the WINNEO misspelling of WINNER, and the ages vary: Adalade's' age would mean she was born in 1845 before arriving in CA in 1846, Moroni's age is at variance to the 1870 census, etc.
iii. Mother's name listed as "Hanna" which coincides with P.P. Pratt's diary entry of "Hanna P. Winner".
1860 US: California, Santa Cruz Co., Soquel Township, FHL 0803066, p.584, dwelling 558, family 505:
Geo. K. Winner, 53, M, Sea Captain, $1000 real estate value, $200 personal property value, birthplace of New Jersey.
James Winner, 20, M, Woodchopper, New Jersey. [Most likely George's son Moroni.]
Israel Winner [most likely George's son Israel for whom census taker misheard 60 for 16], 60, M, Woodchopper, New Jersey.
Note that there were 166 households in Soquel; census taken 9 Jul 1860; no other individuals of New Jersey birth listed in records. As cited elsewhere, Geo. and his son Israel J. shortly hereafter enlisted in the Civil War Union forces from Santa Cruz. [See also obituary notes for Santa Cruz newspaper's comment of George in Squabble Creek area of Santa Cruz. Squabble Creek and Soquel are fairly close within 5 to 10 miles depending how one travels. The historic village of Soquel was located near the current intersection of Soquel Drive and Porter Street, just inland from Capitola.
1870 US: San Francisco, Ward 11, District 2, p. 613 A, household no. 900, family no. 836, enumerated 25 Aug 1870, there are 254 single individuals similarly listed as inmates and the staff includes over 20 individuals including physicians, nurses, cooks, carpenter, etc. Superintendent is listed as Michael Keating:
George Weinner, 62, NJ, Inmate Alm's House, noted for education that he cannot read or write.
6. Toms River is within Dover Township, Ocean Co., NJ. Ocean County was divided from Monmouth County in 1850. To see what a Monmouth County town looked like in 1850, go to Alaire State Park where they have completely restored a historic village. Toms River is part of the protected Barnegat Bay in today's New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail which is part of the National Park Service.
7. John H. Brown, "Reminiscences and Incidents of Early Days of San Francisco," p. 35: "Mr. Hall, the bridegroom, had accumulated considerable wealth in this country, and he left here in 1850, for Washington City. On his return home, he purchased a colored woman, a slave, Mr. Winner told me that Mrs. Hall treated the colored woman brutally; and the woman, tired of her treatment, and determined to have revenge, one day put Mrs. Hall's feet into the fire and held them there until she was burned to death." [Note: Elizabeth's death occurred 14 Dec 1857 meaning George Winner had contact with Mr. Brown sometime after in 1858 or later which puts him presumably back in San Francisco area after San Bernardino's Mormons return to Utah in 1857/8.]
8. The book "Discourses of Brigham Young," p. 475: "When the Pioneer Company reached Green River, we met Samuel Brannan and a few others from California, and they wanted us to go there. I remarked, 'Let us go to California, and we cannot stay there over five years; but let us stay in the mountains, and we can raise our own potatoes, and eat them; and I calculate to stay here.' We are still on the backbone of the animal, where the bone and the sinew are, and we intend to stay here, and all hell cannot help themselves." (5:230-231).
9. Reviewed records at both Ocean County Historical Association in Toms River, NJ and Monmouth County Archives in Freehold, NJ. No land transfers, Justice of the Peace dockets, birth, marriage, professional index, nor freeholder minutes 1789 - 1829 found for George Winner [nor for hardly any Winners at all].
10. Checked at Family History Library in Salt Lake City:
a. Book 979.471/S1 V22d I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Soquel, Santa Cruz County and found no indication of either Winner or Armstrong burials.
b. FHL 1290972 - Index to deaths in Santa Cruz County, 979.471/S1 B32ss - Santa Cruz Sentinel Local News Index, and 979.471/S1 B32s - Santa Cruz Daily Surf all had many Armstrong entries but after 1883 which is too late for our Armstrong family. The only two entries of interest are:
i. Elizabeth Winner died 27 August 1926. I requested 7 Jun 2003 of the Santa Cruz public library for a lookup on this individual.
ii. Armstrong, William D.; son, 02 Aug. in the Sentinel 12 Aug. 1865; Page 2, col. 4. This is a son and I have entered this info with file of George S. Armstrong.
11. Fellow Brooklynite and member of RLDS church is noted as landowner on Dec. 10, 1857 as "Moses Meder of Santa Cruz Co.," p. 290, Book B as the Lyman/Rich Ranch finally gave deeds just before abandoning San Bernardino. It was in Santa Cruz that Geo. and Israel Winner signed up for the California Volunteers - is there a connection to Meder that brought Winner to Santa Cruz? FHL film 1290965 - Santa Cruz Marriage Index has no references to Winners. There was a firm called "Stout, Sirrine, and Meder" for William Stout, John Sirrine, and Moses Meder. It was involved in the lumber business. Richard Bullock believes this firm was early in the history of Santa Cruz. John went out East due to some real estate interests and never returned. William went to San Bernardino and shows in the 1880 census living alone. Meder stayed on after acquiring a huge tract of land.
BIOGRAPHY:
1. The early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Jersey:
A. From a pamphlet in the LDS Historical Library, "The Sesquicentennial of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Stake of New Jersey, 1988" in an article prepared by Claire Bey and Louise Smith: "The Church... was introduced to NJ by Orson Pratt and Lyman E. Johnson in 1832 when they arrived 'without purse or scrip to preach the new and everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ.' [No details are known of their experiences.] Six years later, as a result of active proselyting by Benjamin Winchester [who entered New Jersey about 1837] and Jedediah Grant, there were 50 members in the Hornerstown area. In Oct., 1838 Elder Winchester was assisted by Abraham Burtis, a local elder, to organize a branch in Hornerstown. Elder Winchester then continued to Toms River where he organized a branch with more than 20 members [by July 1840]... Notes of the first Eastern States Mission Conference in 1839 indicate members from Shrewsbury, Hornerstown and Toms River were 'counted among the 21 Saints in attendance.' The Prophet Joseph Smith and Orson Pratt visited in December, 1839 where they met with a large branch in Monmouth County and 'sealed many converts in Toms River.' Erastus Snow preached to about 2,000 people over five days in Cream Ridge and organized a 100 member branch...Wilford Woodruff, president of the Eastern States Mission and later president of the Church, spent two weeks in New Jersey. He wrote in his journal of walking from New Egypt to Hornerstown and on to Cream Ridge... early prominent Church leaders had their roots in New Jersey. President Heber J. Grant's mother, Rachel Ivins, was from Hornerstown. She walked across the plains to Utah where she married Jedediah Grant. The future Church president was born just nine days before his father died... Church membership declined after Brigham Young called the Saints to emigrate to the west in 1848 to 'build up the Kingdom..." [Note: Benjamin Winchester apostatized from the LDS Church in 1844 and lived and died in Council Bluffs, Iowa area from 1854 to at least 1891.]
B. From the newspaper "Times and Seasons" of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I (Nov. 1839), 11, Benjamin Winchester reports of his labors over the last fifteen months: "I find by looking over my Journal, that since I commenced laboring in the state of N.J. which was chiefly confined to Monmouth, Burlington, and Mercer counties, that I have preached 200 sermons, baptized 40 persons, visited the saints in the city of N.Y. several times: and I feel myself authorized to say, that the work of the Lord is gaining ground in the region of country where I have been laboring." It was probably during this time the Winner family was converted considering the birth date of George's son Moroni which is a distinctive name from the Book of Mormon.
C. From a typescript in the LDS Historical Library, "Early Mormons in New Jersey," author unknown: "...Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, and Parley P. Pratt preached in New Egypt and Cream Ridge in Nov., 1839. Joseph Smith visited Monmouth County, New Jersey, for about 10 days, beginning about Dec. 30, 1839. Orson Pratt, who accompanied him, wrote as follows: 'I stayed with Brother Smith, in Philadelphia, about eight days; we then took the railroad and went some 35 or 40 miles, to a large branch of the Church in Monmouth County, New Jersey, which numbers ninety members. There I left him on New Year's Day and came to New York where I am at present.' Since Cream Ridge seems to have been the branch in Monmouth County closest to a railroad, having the number of members closest to 90 (64 in July, 1840), and coming closest to requiring a 35 to 40 mile train trip, I believe this is the branch to which Pratt referred. Joseph Smith could easily have visited other branches too, however, and local histories state that he visited New Egypt, Hornerstown, and Toms River... Mormon meetinghouses were built in Hornerstown and Toms River in the early 1850's... [in speaking of some derogatory remarks in New Jersey newspapers] think how a Mormon might have felt if he had read the Annual Reports of the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum for 1848-1851, listing the alleged cause of one of its patients insanity as Mormonism!... Anthony W. Ivins, later to become an Apostle and a Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, was born in Toms River, 1852." [Kerry's note: Anthony Ivins father was Israel Ivins, for whom George Winner names his second son.]
D. Excerpt from the early LDS publication "Times and Seasons," May 1842:778, which is a has a letter addressed to presumably Joseph Smith in Nauvoo from W.J. Appleby, Esq.:
"...I have been home but a few days from a tour of nearly two weeks along the sea shore (i.e.) Toms River and Forked River &c. There were six baptisms at Toms River while I was there and more believing; there are something near two hundred members here and in Cream Ridge, and Toms River exclusive of those who have gone west. I was informed by Br. Winner that Elder Divine baptized 18 in one day a few weeks ago at Long Branch, and that there had been 60 baptized there within a short itme. There are calls here for preaching on the right and left, we would like to see Br. Page or some other efficient elder, here as soon as you have an opportunity of sending one, I have understood you purposed coming east in the spring if you are I wish you to inform me as soon as you receive this and at what time you expect to be in Jersey..."
E. From the files of the Ocean County Historical Society Library, "Applegate File," article from "Asbury Park Evening Press," June 21, 1958, entitled "Richard Applegate Recalls Mother's Tales of Mormons," selective partial quotes pertaining to the time of George Winner: "...Between 1837 and 1861, the area around south Toms River was one of the most important Mormon settlements in America. Joseph Smith, considered the first prophet of the sect, was a frequent vistior. The church numbered 5,000 persons scattered throughout South Toms River, New Egypt, Forked River, and Hornerstown. It was probably one of the largest Mormon centers in America at that time..." [Note: the numbers of members seem exaggerated to me.]
F. From the files of the Ocean County Historical Society Library, uncited newspaper article dated 8 Mar 1985, in talking about a new LDS chapel being built in Toms River; selective quote pertaining to the time of George Winner: "...Mormons originally organized in the area in the 1830's, when a branch was begun in Toms River by Elder Benjamin Winchester, a missionary sent from the main body of members in Missouri. Services were held in the members' homes. A meeting house was built in the 1840s on Flint Road on the south side of the Toms River. The Mormons used this building until the late 1860s, when local church activity ceased and the building was sold. The Dover township church was re-established in 1960..."
G. From the files of the Ocean County Historical Society Library, in the "Mormons" file; "Journal" newspaper article dated 24 Feb. 1988, entitled "Mormons Color Area's History," by Daniel J. Weeks, selective quote pertaining to the time of George Winner: "Among the pioneering Mormons who made their way west in the 1840s to raise a tabernacle in the Utah desert were men and women native to the small settlements along the Toms River. In fact, soon after Elder Benjamin Winchester preached the first Mormon sermon in Ocean County in 1837, the history of Toms River for the next half-century became inextricably mingled with that of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. Winchester, a native of New York, was an early convert to Mormonism as professed by Joseph Smith, the founder and first Prophet of tthe Church. Although his initial sermon in Ocean County was delivered in a school house in New Egypt, Winchester gained enough converts to firmly establish the church throughout what has since become Ocean County. Early histories say Winchester's first lecture brought 50 converts to the church, including Abraham Burtis, who became a fervent preacher of the gospel according ot the Book of Mormon. Soon Mormon circuit riders were scouring the countryside, competing with Methodists for new church members. A church was built at Hornerstown, near New Egypt, and soon after, another small Mromon meeting house stood at Toms River on the south side of the river. According to church hstorian Claire Bey, the Mormons built a common house, where some needy church members lived, and had a small burial ground on the church property in Toms River. After church activity ceased in the 1870s, the heirs of Edward Ivins sold the church property, says Bey, Beachwood. the property later became the site of the Trilco Lumber Company. Bey says the burial ground disappeared during an expansion of the lumber company. "I'm not sure what happened ot the headstones, whether the lumber company moved them or the Mormons came and got them," she says... The first session of the Ocean County Court was held in the Mormon Church at Toms River soon after the county was created in 1850..."
H. From the files of the Ocean County Historical Society Library, in the "Mormons" file; "Ocean County Sun," newspaper article dated 27 Sep. 1940, entitled "Mormons Settled in So. Toms River in 1840": "A Mormon Church was located at South Toms River, where in 1840, Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, visited Toms River and sealed a large number of converts. Smith also visited new Egypt and Hornerstown about the same time. The Mormon Church stood near where the present site of the Co-operative feed mills is located in South Toms River, and was attended by many people from all the section between Toms River and Barnegat. The Mormon graveyard was at the rear of the C.C. Wills house, South Toms River, where some of the headstones of which may still be seen in their orignal location to the southwest of the church location. In 1852 many Mormon converts left Toms River for Salt Lake City, which was reached after many hardships. Included in this cavalcade were the Grant and Ivins families of Toms River, and the Joseph Chamberlain family of Forked River. Heber Grant, a descendant of one of these families, is the present head of the church in Salt Lake City."
I. From the files of the Ocean County Historical Society Library, in the "Mormons" file; uncited, undated, and untitled newspaper article: "...visited the site of the Mormon church at South Toms River, where in 1840, Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, visited Toms River and sealed a large number of converts. Smith also visited New Egypt and Hornerstown about the same time. The Mormon church stood near the present site of the Charles Feeney service station opposite the Central Railroad station, South Toms River, and was attended by many people from all the section between Toms River and Barnegat. The Mormon graveyard, some of the headstones of which may still be seen in their original location, to the southwest of the church location, on property now owned by township committeeman Clayton C. Wills. In 1852 many Mormon converts left Toms River for Salt lake City, which was reached after many hardships..."
J. From the files of the Ocean County Historical Society Library, in the "Mormons" file; "The Daily Observer 'Heritage '76,'" newspaper article dated 12 Dec. 1975, entitled "Toms River Once A Mormon Town," by Tim Deady; this article deals mainly with those who left Toms River for Salt Lake City in 1852, however, it contains a statement pertaining to the time of George Winner: "The Mormons, while the predominate religion in Toms River for 14 years, did not leave any artifacts of their presence. When they left the area, the early members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took with them all of their material belongings, never to return to Toms River. Though their history here was shortlived and sketchy, Mormon presence here for those 14 years was deeply felt as they halted the growth of other religions in the area and altered life in Toms RIver for over a decade..."
K. From the files of the Ocean County Historical Society Library, in the "Mormons" file is the following typescript entitled "The Genesis," no date nor author:
"In 1830 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized in the town of Fayette, New York. During the next six years, the Church was headquartered at Kirkland, Ohio, and missionaries were sent forth, first to England and next to the Eastern States, with the mission center in Burlington County, N. J.
Joseph Smith Jr., the Prophet, observed "The fields are white for harvest", so as early as 1832 the gospel was brought to the villages and cities of the East.
The first recorded contact of missionaries in New Jersey were Elders, Orson Pratt and Lyman E. Johnson, who arrived without purse or scrip, to preach the "new and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ."
Among the first converts of the Church, were Isaac and Sophia Higbee, and sons Elias and Isaac, of Gloucester County. Shortly thereafter, the two brothers went west to join the Saints in Ohio and Missouri.
Benjamin Winchester and Jedediah. N. Grant, who had been laboring in Pa. and N.J. spent a good part of the summer of 1838 in Monmouth County, visiting Hornerstown among other places. In Oct. of 1838 there were more than 50 converts in the area and the first branch of the church was organized in Hornerstown, Upper Freehold Twsp. Mon. Co. by Winchester and Abraham Burtis, a local Elder of the Church.
The roots of one Church President, Heber J. Grant, rise from the good solid stock of Hornerstown. Rachel Ridgeway Ivins lived there until at the age of 16, she went to live with her sister, Anna, in Phila., who had converted to Mormonism.
While there she heard Joseph Smith Jr. and Jedediah M. Grant preach. She too joined the Church.
When Anna and her husband, Israel Ivins, in 1853 decided to emigrate to Utah, Rachel, against her doctor's orders, accompanied them, walking across the plains, she endured many hardships and was blessed to complete the trip. In Utah, she remet Jedediah (who had lost his wife and daughter on the trek West) and at the age of 32 became his wife. She bore only one child, Heber J. Grant, in Nov. 1856, nine days later Jedediah died. She raised her son, who became the 7th Pres. of the Church. She died in 1909 in Salt Lake City.
There is reason to surmise that James Ivins, of Hornerstown after accepting the gospel, brought the message to his relatives, the Anthony Ivins family, in Toms River.
Elder Winchester writes of coming to Toms River to preach and stating "some members of a certain sect in the place locked-up the schoolhouse, where we were to meet. A congregation assembled, and with some noble-minded men, who had an independent spirit, the door was opened, and I preached to an attentive congregation."
Before the end of 1838 there were some 20 converts in the town and another branch of the Church was organized in Toms River. Within a few years, a church 30' by 40' was erected on the south side of the river. It was here that the first Court Sessions of the newly formed County of Ocean (1850) met until the new court house was completed in Sept. 1851.
In 1839 the First Conference of the Eastern States Mission met with Shrewsbury, Hornerstown and Toms River represented. 21 members attended. At that meeting it was voted to send money to help the Saints being persecuted in Missouri.
There were times in this period when there were heated debates with many of the surrounding pastors of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches.
In Dec. 1839, Joseph Smith Jr., the Prophet and Judge Elias Higbee, spent some time in Wash. DC endeavoring to lay before Pres. Martin Van Buren, the grievances of the Saints in Missouri, but the national debate at the time on States Rights and Federal Jurisdiction, hampered a decision. Higbee stayed to petition the court, while Joseph and Orson Pratt visited Phila. and then journeyed by railroad some 40 miles to a large branch of the church in Monmouth Co.
It is said that he also visited in Toms River and sealed many converts.
Shortly after, Erastus Snow preached over a period of 5 days to about 2000 people at Cream Ridge, and a branch of 100 members was organized.
In the 1840s 'it was stated that 8 to 10 were baptised in New Jersey each week.
Other sections of the state were proselyted by Elders William Smith (brother of Joseph), Sidney Rigdon and others. The seeds of the gospel were planted in the northern, more industrial communities, and branches were founded in Pompton, Granville, Keyport, Greenville, Little Falls, Lodi and Newark.
The inhabitants of Central N.J. were mostly from English stock, whose families had been in America for up to 100 years. They were farmers, millers, boat builders, fisherman, colliers, wheelwrights, store keepers, being law abiding and religious citizens. Families were self- sufficient, yet with strong, close family ties.
Many of the villages in the 1830's were hamlets, situated near a stream, with 4 or 5 stores, a tavern, a sawmill grist mill and perhaps a fulling mill. It is evident that the villages along stage coach runs, waterways, and railroads were the most frequently visited, altho travel by foot was not uncommon to neighboring towns."
L. "The New Jersey Genesis," vol. unknown, article "The Early Mormons of New Jersey," by A. William Lund, Asst. Church Historian The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.
"New Jersey was for several years in the early days of the Church, a fruitful missionary field for Latter-Day Saint Elders. Elders Orson Pratt and Lyman E. Johnson are said to have introduced the restored gospel into the State of New Jersey in 1832. In the year 1837, Elders Parley P. Pratt, Benjamin Winchester and Jedediah M. Grant, in their missionary travels, preached and baptized in New Jersey and in the following year (1838) Elder Benjamin Winchester raised up a branch of the Church there. In 1839 a branch of the Church was organized in Shrewsbury (Monmouth Co.) and at Toms River (Ocean Co). In 1840 William Appleby, a resident of Recklesstown (Burlington Co.) was baptized and became an enthusiastic missionary. Later he became presiding Elder over the saints in the Eastern States and made his home at Recklesstown mission headquarters. A number of branches were raised up by him in N.J.
Among the first converts to Mormonism in New Jersey was the Higbee family, of which Elias Higbee and Isaac Higbee, sons of Isaac and Sophia Higbee, became prominent in the Church. These two, together with their parents, as well as other members of the Higbee family, embraced the gospel in the spring of 1832.
1838 - Elder Benjamin Winchester, who had been laboring as a missionary in Pennsylvania for some time, spent some days at Hornerstown, Monmouth Co. and also at New Egypt, Ocean County. He spent a good part of the summer in these two counties and in the month of October he organized a branch of the Church in N.J. after having baptized a number of people.
1839 – Friday Aug. 9th. A conference was held at the home of Brother Caleb Bennett, Monmouth Co. at which Elder John P. Greene presided and Samuel James acted as clerk. Joseph T. Ball represented the Shrewsbury Branch, Monmouth Co. of twenty members.
In the spring of 1839 Elders Lorenzo D. Barnes and Harrison Sagers, preached in Ocean Co. on their way to New York. On their return they baptized five people in N.J.
Under the date of June 18, 1839, Elder Benjamin Winchester wrote as follows: "On January 28, 1839, I took leave of the Saints at Hornerstown, Monmouth Co. which, at that time, numbered 26 persons, to go to the State of Missouri. I went as far as Lightersburgh, Maryland, where I got more particular information of the late persecution in Missouri. I then concluded that my labors would be of more use in the world than at home; consequently, after preaching several times to the Saints at Lightersburg, returned to the State of New Jersey with the view of again proclaiming the truth to the people of that state. By request of some of the citizens, I went to preach at a town called Toms River, Ocean Co. situated near the seashore. Some members of a certain sect in that place, locked up the school house. A congregation assembled and with them some noble-minded men who had an independent spirit; the door was opened and preached to an attentive congregation. I preached several times in the place and baptized eleven persons. On April 1, 1839, Elder Lorenzo D. Barnes and Elder Harrison Sagers visited the branch in that place and preached several times, as they were on their way to the City of N.Y. ... On the 9th. of May I took leave of the Saints in N.J. to come to Illinois.
Nov. 20th. 1839 - Elders Orson Pratt and Wilford Woodruff arrived at Middletown, Monmouth Co., N.J. about 30 miles south of New York, From Middletown they travelled to miles by stage to Freehold, Monmouth Co. where they spent the night.
Nov. 21st. Elders Pratt and Woodruff walked 8 miles and then rode to the home of Elder James Ivins, whence the travelled 7 miles further to New Egypt, Ocean Co. where they stopped at Mr. Thomas Harrison's and preached in the school house to a large congregation.
Nov. 22nd. Elders Pratt and Woodruff attended a debate in the Methodist Meeting House in New Egypt, between a Mr. Speer, a Methodist preacher, and Elder James; it was the fifth day of the debate which closed that day.
Nov. 23rd. Elders Pratt & Woodruff rode three miles to hold a meeting in the Cream Ridge school house, where they preached that evening.
Nov. 24th. Elder Woodruff preached again in the Cream Ridge school house as also on the following three days.
Dec. 1st. 1839. Elders Wilford Woodruff and Samuel James preached at the school house in Cream Ridge and administered the Sacrament to the Saints. Thence the two Elders went to Hornerstown in Monmouth Co., but returned to Cream Ridge on Dec.3rd, disappointed in not holding a meeting.
On the 4th.Elder Woodruff attended a meeting at the school house at Cream Ridge, where Elder Parley P. Pratt who had arrived from New York to assist in the missionary labors in N.J., preached.
On the 5th. Elder Woodruff walked to New Egypt where he preached. On the 6th to Hornerstown and on the 7th. to Cream Ridge and again on the 8th. On the 11th. he went back to New York. About this time Elder Parley P. Pratt wrote that there was a branch of the Church at Jersey City, Hudson Co. N.J.
In the latter part of December 1839, Joseph Smith the Prophet, visited the Church in Monmouth Co. N.J. a spent several days there before returning to Philadelphia.
May 5, 1840 splendid progress reported by Elder Barnes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. On July 18th, a conference was held in the Brandywine Branch of the Church in Chester Co. Pa, at which Alfred Wilson represented the Church from Cream Ridge, N.J. reporting 64 members there and 20 at Toms River.
Sept. 28th. Elder Orson Hyde wrote from Burlington, N.J. that he had arrived there with Brothers Erastus Snow and Lorenzo D. Barnes and at a meeting there 16 were baptized.
1840, Oct. 17th, at Philadelphia, Elder George J. Adams represented the three branches of Monmouth Co. N.J. one under care of J.C. Devine at Shrewsbury, 16 members, one at Keyport and Granville of 13 members and another at Shark River of 6 members. Elder Adams reported that 7 persons were baptized at Newark N.J. and that he had spoken to 5000 persons at one time in the City of Newark, N.J.
Elder Wilson represented Cream Ridge Branch and said that it consisted of about 100 members. Pres. Orson Hyde said that Toms River had 16 members.
In 1841, April, at Phila. Pa. Elder Snow reported Monmouth Co. had 102 members, Toms River 24, Elder Devine told of 10 at Newark, Greenville N.J. 10, built up by Elder Thomas H. Curtis, Shrewsbury had 15 and Shark River 6.
On June 5th. E1ders William Smith and George A. Smith attended a meeting near New Egypt in the woods. Elder Smith remained in New Jersey.
Under date of July 10th, Elder L.D. [Batson?] wrote Phila. Pa. I have just returned to this city from a short excursion through the south part of New Jersey...
Oct. 5th Elder Joseph Peebe wrote from New York as follows: "I was ordained an Elder on March 4th, 1840. Since that time I have preached in many places and baptized 29 in all, one at Toms River, 23 in City of New York, and set up a small branch of the Church in Pompton, Passaic Co. N.J. of five members.
Nov. 29th. A conference held in N.Y. City, Elder John Heath represented the branch at Patterson N.J. with 18 members, Elder N.T. James from Elizabethtown, Union Co. N.J. with 6 where he hoped to raise up a branch of the Church, although there was, at that time, considerable opposition against the work of God. Elder Joseph Peebe stated that he had preached several times at Pompton N.J. Elder Chas. E. Reynolds reported that he had recently visited Whitehouse, Hunterdon Co. N.J. where he preached five times and baptized one person.
May 18, 1842. At a conference held in N.Y. City, Elder Dougherty reported that there were 3 members at Pompton, 8 at Shrewsbury, Toms River, 43 and 6 had been baptized at Long Branch, Monmouth Co. N.J.
Sept 4th A conference was held at Mead's Basin Passaic Co. N.J. for purpose of raising a branch at Ltttle Falls and Mead's Basin. Elder John Leach who had been instrumental in building up this branch, presided and Elder Addison Everett was unanimously chosen president of the branch with A.E. Wright as clerk.
Oct. 19th. at a N.Y. conference, five N.J. branches were represented; Patterson 10 members represented by Priest E.R. Young; Lodi Print Works 8 members represented by Elder Windley; Wacake (Wanaque) with 19 represented by Elder McClain; Newark with 6 rep. by John Leach. Elder Quartus S. Sparks stated that in the counties of Warren, Sussex, and Morris, where he had been laboring, there were 20 unorganized members.
During the months of October, & November 1842, Elders Wm. Hyde and Benjamin S. Wilber travelled on foot through the state of New Jersey as missionaries, preaching on the way. Elder Hyde writes "We held several meetings in New Jersey and were enabled to allay such prejudice which had been excited by reason of the wicked falsehoods put into circulation by John C. Bennett, who had been cut off from the Church for his iniquity."
April 5th, 1843 a branch of the Church was organized at Mt. Holly, Burlington Co. N.J. by Elder Newton with about 25 members.
April 10th. 1843. A Conference was held at Nauvoo, Ill. Elders Samue1 H. Rogers and Harvey Green were appointed to labor as missionaries to N.J. Elder Edwin Williams was also appointed to labor in Hunterdon Co. N.J.
August 18, 1843. Elders Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball visited Mt. Holly and preached. The following day they attended a meeting in the woods near Bordentown, N.J. where they met Apostles Wm. Smith, John E. Page, George A. Smith and Bro. Wm. A. Appleby.
August 20th. Elder Brigham Young and his missionary companions again held meeting in the woods at Rising Sun, near Bordentown N.J. a large number of people being present.
Oct. 29th. Abraham Curtis is mentioned as the presiding officer of the Church at New Egypt, Ocean Co. N.J.
Dec. 31, 1843 During the year 1843 Elder Elijah Swackhamer visited Newark. N.J. where he found 5 or 6 members of the Church, but no meetings had been held by them for a long time. He commenced preaching, baptized 11 persons and reorganized a branch.
In the fall of 1843 and the spring of 1844, Elders James H. Flanigan and Samuel H. Rogers labored in New Jersey and Maryland as missionaries.
1844, At a meeting held in Nauvoo, Ill. Elders Ezra T. Benson and John Pack were appointed to labor as missionaries in New Jersey to preach the gospel and to present to the people General Smith's "Views of the Powers and Policy of the General Government" and to diligently seek for voters who would sustain Joseph Smith as a candidate for the presidency of the United States.
April 22, 1844 Elder Wm. Smith arrived in Nauvoo with forty or fifty migrating saints from New Jersey.
May 17th. at a States Convention held in Nauvoo, E. Dougherty of Essex Co. Wm. Richardson and Thomas Atkins of Burlington and J. Horner of Monmouth represented the State of New Jersey.
Conferences were held Sept. 1st. in Phila. and Sept. 4th. In New York City. On Nov. 17th. Elder Samuel Brannan came to Toms River. N.J. and visited a number of Saints there and in other places in N.J. getting names of those who desired to go to California in a ship (Brooklyn) which he was about to charter.
March 1847 Elder Bune of Burlington was appointed to take charge of the branch at the Tabernacle in Burlington Co. and to have general jurisdiction in that locality.
April 17th. Pres. Wm. I. Appleby baptized 10 persons at Kaighn's Point on the Jersey shore of the Delaware, opposite Wilmington Del. July 26th. Elder Wm. I. Appleby wrote to Pres. Brigham Young from Phila. as follows: "Elders Bune and Scott (are) to take charge of the branches in Burlington and Elder Curtis in Monmouth to regulate and set the branches in order in those places and report their proceedings to me.
In October 1849 Elder Appleby visited Toms River and found some members in the faith but others cold not having had any meetings in two or three years. An Ephraim Potter Sr. a former Elder had done much injury to the cause. A meeting was held at Bro. Hugging's house. Reorganization of the branch took place, Bro. James Wilbur presiding. Permission had been obtained by Anthony Ivins Jr. to use the school house. Outside of the meeting house there was much cursing, swearing etc. On Nov. 1st. we left for Hornerstown where I (Elder Appleby) preached at the Ridge. The schoolmaster a Mr. Stewart tried to prevent the meeting being held. Mr. Peter H. Wikoff one of the trustees brought on axe to open door but key had been left."
2. The book: "A History of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Embracing a Genealogical Record, Etc.," by Edwin Salter, published 1890, p. lxiv: "Winner, Winnow - John Winnow's (or Winner's) house is named in a survey 1790 between North and Middle branches Forked River on main road from Goodluck to Egg Harbor. Jonathan Winner lived at same place at a little later date. Jonathan was m. to Sarah Predmore, July 28, 1800. His daughter or sister Mary m. Samuel Worden, who d. in 1812; she d. in 1828 at. 59 years of age. [George] King Winner of Toms River, a coasting captain, went west, probably to San Francisco, about forty years ago."
3. Brought his wife and oldest six children on the renowned LDS emigration and colonization ship "Brooklyn" leaving Feb. 4, 1846 from New York and going around South America via Honolulu and arriving on 31 Jul 1846 at Yerba Buena (San Francisco), California just about three weeks after the U.S. took over this part of California from Mexico as one of the opening moves of the war between the United States and Mexico. At the time there was only a dozen or so adobe buildings in the area. When they landed, they found USN Captain John B. Montgomery's launch "Portsmouth" at anchor, with some 70 marines and sailors controlling a village of approximately 150 people. The Brooklyn Saints more than doubled the number of inhabitants, and coincidentally relieved Capt. Montgomery of some anxieties he had concerning his ability to hold the village for the U.S. Government. The 230 plus Mormon emigrants were the first large scale and organized American colony in California making early San Francisco predominantly Mormon. Much of the colony and the passengers contributed many "firsts" to California history. With the religious purpose of the emigration, the Ship Brooklyn has been called the equivalent to the "Mayflower of the West." A major "Brooklyn" sesquicentennial event was celebrated in 1996 in San Francisco; see other files for celebration programs, histories, associations, San Francisco landmarks, and much more information in this regard. The emigration of Mormons living in the New York area to a distant location in the west was part of a larger movement of the general membership of the Church. The New York movement was sanctioned by Church leadership and was under the supervision of Parley P. Pratt, a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. An important letter from Elder Pratt to Elder Brannan, dated Nov. 1, 1845, discussed the planned venture: "Our Apostles assembled in meeting have debated the best method of getting all our people into the far west with the least possible hardship. We have read Hasting's account of California and Fremont's Journal of Explorations in the West, and we have concluded that the Great Basin in the top of the Rocky Mountains, where lies the Great Salt Lake, is the proper place for us... I enclose to you a letter of instruction from the Apostles, authorizing you to lead the group of Saints in its exodus from New York City and the Atlantic seaboard. Brother Brigham is this day, sending a letter to my brother Orson directing him to call a conference of all Saints in your mission to lay before them the plan to emigrate by water from New York [Ref: Leo J. Muir, 'A Century of Mormon Activities in California', v. 1, p. 30]." Bancroft's "History of California," Vol. 5, pp.546/7 lists passengers using a number of sources including the list published in the Honolulu "Friend," the "Nauvoo Times and Seasons," and Wm. Glover's "Mormons in Cal.., 1884": "George K. Winner, wife, and 6 children (a child died at sea)."
4. "Passenger List per Brooklyn from New York, Capt. A.W. Richardson, June 22, 1846," found in Hawaii by Mr. John D. Fretwell, 4012 Maywood Dr. S., Fresno, CA 93703-3330. Copy of original which was folded and contained all names on ship: "Manifest of Passengers on board Ship Brooklyn wharf A.C. Richardson is master... [contains a full listing including the following]
George K. Winner, United States, 39 years, Coasting Captain.
Hannah Winner, United States, 37 years.
Six children."
5. Will Bagley, ed., "Scoundrel's Tale, The Samuel Brannan Papers; Vol. 3, Kingdom in the West Series" (1999, The Arthur H. Clark Co., Spokane, WA) is a must read collection of many original letters, documents, and diaries concerning the Ship Brooklyn and their infamous leader Samuel Brannan with a very good bibliography. Some applicable quotes:
a. Pp. 137-139: "A letter about the Brooklyn's voyage that was reprinted throughout the United States appeared in August 1846 in New York's 'Journal of Commerce'. It described the pilgrims' progress to the island of Juan Fernandez, the legendary island of Robinson Crusoe, which in 1846 was an abandoned Chilean penal colony. The letter raises a basic question: who wrote it? Edward C. Kemble and John Eagar, former apprentices on the 'Messenger', have long been identified as possible authors, but neither man is its likely writer. Internal clues identify the author, who joined the captain on the quarterdeck; it seems likely that only the emigrants' leader, who shared Richardson's table, would be on such intimate terms with the captain. (Author's footnote: George K. Winner, a master mariner, might have had access to the quarterdeck, but no samples of his writing survive to compare to the 'Journal of Commerce' letter.) [The book's author suspects but is also unsure that the letter could also be Samuel Brannan's because it is slightly overblown and optimistic which he believes to be unmistakably Brannanesque. On the other hand, Enid Willardson, a Winner descendent and Winner family researcher states Winner family tradition is that George was the ship's navigator and the navigational emphasis though in the letter is more worthy of a seafaring man; consequently, the letter is quoted herein with George as the possible author.] The article: 'Progress of the Mormon Emigrants from this City,' New York Tribune, 27 August 1846, is reprinted in the book.
b. Pp.139.140: Materials H.H. Bancroft gathered in the 1880s at the LDS church historian's office for his histories of Utah and California included a short biographical statement by John Eagar. 'John Eagar, Unclassified Document, LDS Archives' [Entry for May 9th] ...the Company left Juan Fernandez and reached the Sandwich islands [Hawaii] on the 25th of June and anchored in the harbor of Honolulu; the island of Oahu the residence of King Kamehameha; where the company remained eight days, to discharge cargo, and receive wood and water. Bro. Winmer [Geo. K. Winner] on going ashore was asked by a native, if he was a missionary to which he answered in the affirmative; the native informed him that his [the native's] daughter was in the next room, and that he might 'visit' [quote marks added] her; bro. W. excused himself. [Evidently, the Protestant missionaries already on the island had a unworthy reputation among the Hawaiian women; gladly, George exhibited appropriate morality.]
c. Pp.141-148 is a copy of the article that appeared in the Honolulu's newspaper "The Friend," 1 July 1846 (see file for copy). At the end of the article is two lists. The first is a list of the ten deaths during the passage and one at Juan Fernandez of five adults and six children. Entry for the Winner girl is the ninth: "Friday, 27th March, two o'clock A.M. the daughter of Mr. George K. Winner died of the cankered sore throat, aged 6 months and 7 days." Many of the entries, but not this one, include latitude/longitude; however, by plotting the known death locations on a map, we can surmise the Winner child died approximately 750 miles just very slightly south of due east of Montevideo, Argentina at approximately Lat.36 S. Long. 43 W. The second list is a passenger manifest taken in Honolulu: "George R. [incorrect middle initial) Winner, Lady and six children." [The names of the six children are not given nor whether the count is before or after the onboard death of the Winner infant.]
d. Pp. 162-166 is copy of an article by John Horner, a wealthy farmer who had been a "Brooklyn" passenger 60 years before, which appeared in the LDS "Improvement Era" in August 1906 in which he recounted his experiences. He then summarized the entire experience with these thoughtful and eloquent words: "When I look back and contemplate the voyage of the ship 'Brooklyn' Saints, the distance traveled, time consumed, and purpose of the journey, and the incidents thereof, I now feel to rank it creditably with that of the Jaredites and Nephites [ancient Book of Mormon original peoples of the Americas from Old Testament lands] in their voyage across the Pacific to America, and with the voyage of the 'Mayflower' pilgrims crossing the Atlantic from Europe to America. I am impressed further with the thought, that we were sent and protected by the Great Father, as were the pilgrims abovementioned, and to help forward a great work as did they. We performed the mission assigned, as we then understood it, not comprehending its importance, as it now more clearly appears. We had no prophets [only the scoundrel Brannan] with us to guide and direct us, as did the Jaredites and Nephites, but we felt thankful upon being able to congratulate ourselves that we were blessed with a more complete and continued unity in our company during the entire voyage than the Nephite emigrants enjoyed. Neither were we chastised by the Great Father, as was the Brother of Jared because he had ceased calling upon him. Although some of the 'Brooklyn' Saints may have departed from the faith, yet I feel that the purpose for which they were sent was accomplished."
6. Reva Scott, "Samuel Brannan and the Golden Fleece" (1944, The Macmillan Co., New York) has many references to the Winner family. The author notes that she has taken some liberties where detailed scenes are involved, but the story itself is based entirely upon historical fact and every incident has been verified. Ms. Scott fails to give her references and some of her sources may no longer be in existence. Some quotes:
a. Pp.1-10: "George Winner, a first class pilot" was at Portsmouth Plaza in San Francisco when Brannan arrived from Sutter's Mill with news of the gold strike and was one of the first to know of it from Brannan himself. He was charged to gather up the fellow Mormons to meet at Winner's house that evening so Brannan could share the announcement and report of "Mormon Island".
b. Pp.103-107: In speaking of services aboard the ship Brooklyn: "On Sunday Sam preached a sermon, and on the many Sundays that followed he alternated with his counselors and William Glover, Barton Mowry, and George Winner, or other members of the company who could and would deliver some sort of sermon." Also mentions that Lizzie [Elizabeth] Winner led music probably including John Taylor's hymn: "We Are Going to California".
c. P. 116: Speaks of George Winner visiting onshore with William Glover while the Brooklyn docked in Honolulu.
d. Pp.130-133: Upon arrival at Yerba Buena which would later become San Francisco: "[Capt.] Richardson ordered the shore boats made ready, and when they were manned he and his mate took one of them ashore to present ship's papers properly at the custom house. The other boat was left for Sam and his group of picked men, who were going ashore to make arrangements for the landing of the whole company on the morrow and also to find what accommodations could be had...Sam and his men were rowed past the bow of the 'Portsmouth', to step ashore on the sand at a spot which, in another year, was to become the foot of Clay Street. This was a high tide landing place. Sam sent Winner, Glover, Robbins, and Stout, to call at the various homes and see how many of the company could be accommodated..."
e. P.142: On the second Sunday after their arrival in Yerba Buena, Sam arose early to make the Casa Grand ready for the first non-Catholic service the town had ever seen. It was the 16th day of August, 1846...Then the Mormons sang a hymn, led by Lizzie Winner.
f. P.143: Lizzie Winner had wasted no time in falling in love with one of the young service men [possibly of Fremont's men], and when John Henry Brown heard that an immediate wedding was contemplated between Lizzie and her beloved, Basil Hall, he made haste to offer his hotel as setting for the ceremony. In a little room in the adobe building which had once been used as a Mexican calaboose, Sam Brannan said the words which made them man and wife. Afterward the guests played games.
g. P.197 in late 1847 wherein Sam's active LDS mother-in-law is speaking to Sam after Sam Brannan had apostatized: Meetings are no good any more since you quit taking charge. George Winner is doing his best, but George Winner is no Sam Brannan. And besides, he lacks the authority to do the things that ought to be done.
h. P.213 in April 1848: Meanwhile, one of Sam's dreams came to fruition. On the morning of the third of April, 1848, Thomas Douglass opened his first session in the little redwood schoolhouse on the plaza...the curriculum posted outside in which the schoolmaster set forth his willingness to teach reading, writing, spelling and defining, and geography, for $5 per quarter [with additional subjects available at extra costs]...Sam met George Winner on Montgomery Street and buttonholed him at once. When they parted, George had promised to use his influence to get the Mormon children away from Marston [a competing private school] and into the Douglass school. Eventually there came to be an enrollment of 37 children in the new semi-public school - San Francisco's first real school.
i. P.233 in early 1849 as Samuel Brannan was buying up all the stocks of all the ships arriving in San Francisco to fill up his stores in Sacramento for the hundreds of people arriving daily: When Sam's own ship would not hold all the boxes and bales he had piled on the beach in San Francisco, the 'Whiton' took the overflow, and his old friend George Winner piloted it up the long sluggish river.
j. Pp.273-276 in early 1850 Sam ran into Barton Mowry and George Winner in the streets of San Francisco; the three men visited and entered: ...the rococo lounge of the Bella Union Hotel...In the lobby an elaborately dressed woman stopped Sam [Sam chided her for stopping him in public and sent her away when it was apparent that there was some kind of illicit relationship]...and then Winner looked at Sam curiously for a moment and then said, 'Yep, you sure have changed, Sam. Time was when you was decent through and through.' 'Oh, mind your business, George. I don't need any of your advice. I live the way I please.' Well, it's a way that us who are faithful in our religion deplore,' George replied, and walked away in turn.
7. Some partial excerpts from early New York, Honolulu, and Californian newspapers from the following website: which has a nice collection of national early newspapers with Mormon references:
a. "New-York Messenger Extra," Saturday, Dec. 13, 1845: To Emigrants. We have now on our books the names of about three hundred saints who wish to go by water, and it grieves us that only about sixty out of that number will have means sufficient to carry them through. If some of our wealthy brethren who are now dwelling at ease in the world, would but step forward and plant this company of poor saints, (that have not the means, nor likely to have,) upon the western soil, how soon would it be before they would have it in their power to return four fold? And how sweet would be the reflections of that mind capable of performing such a noble act. Where is the magnanimity of God's people? Alas, it is in the poor and meek of the earth. The passage for each person will be fifty dollars, children over five and under fourteen, half price. Each one will need from twenty to twenty-five dollars worth of provisions; the whole amount, seventy five dollars. If we obtain two hundred passengers, in all probability there will be a deduction. We have been looking for some assistance from another sourc
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
Abt 1807 - 1877 (~ 70 years)