Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Elizabeth Boyes or Boyce

Female 1831 - 1919  (88 years)


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  • Name Elizabeth Boyes or Boyce 
    Born 19 Apr 1831  Redford, Wayne, Michigan, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 6 Nov 1919  Gunlock, Washington, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 7 Nov 1919  Hamblin Cemetery, Hamblin, Washington, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I2626  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Family Jacob Mica Truman,   b. 30 Aug 1825, Niagara, Niagra, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Nov 1881, Truman Ranch, Vejo, Washington, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 56 years) 
    Married 19 Apr 1849  Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F438  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Censuses:
      1880 US: Gunlock, Washington, Utah, NA Film T9-1339, p. 392C:
      Jacob M. Truman, farmer, M, 55, NY - NY.
      Elizabeth, keeping house, wife, M, 49, MI Eng Eng.
      Catherine, keeping house, wife, M, 50, Scot Ire Scot.
      William T., farmer, son, S, 21, UT NY MI.
      Lulu E., dau., S, 15, UT NY MI.
      Abbot H., son, S, 12, UT NY MI.
      Mary L., dau., S, 9, UT NY MI.
      Lacina, dau, S, 6, UT NY MI.
      Esta P., dau., S, 4, UT NY MI.
      M.S., son, S, 15, UT NY Scot.
      Ellen S., dau., S, 12, UT NY Scot.
      Arthur M., son, S, 10, UT NY Scot.

      1900 US: Hebron Precinct, Washington, Utah, p. 173A:
      Elizabeth Truman, Apr. 1839, 61, widow, MI Eng Eng.
      Esther Hunt, dau., Jan 1876, 24, m. 4 years, no children, UT NY MI.
      Jonathan R., son-in-law, Jun 1872, 27, m. 4 years, UT KY IA, farmer.

      2. Reviewed Rootsweb.com Worldconnect 8 Dec 2002. Parents are George Boyes, b. 1795 at Musket, Yorkshire, Eng., and Ann Geldard, b. 1798 at Thornton, Yorkshire, England. Entries use last name of Boyce or Boyes; however, obituary uses Boyes.

      3. FHL film 480147 "The National Archives, Mexican Dependents, Certificate no. 5739, pensioner Elizabeth B. Truman, widow of veteran Jacob M. Truman, can. no. 399, bundle 49. Note she gives under oath birth of 19 Apr 1931 at Redford, Wayne, Michigan and marriage of 19 Apr 1849 on her 18th birthday in Salt Lake City by John Taylor. Death is given as 6 Nov 1919 at Gunlock, Washington, Utah. Death of Jacob Truman is given as 22 Nov 1881 which varies from obituary date of 23 Nov 1881.
      p. 1: Declaration of Widow for Pension. Stamped by the US Pension Office 28 Apr 1887. Territory of Utah, County of Washington, 18 Apr 1887, Elizabeth B. Truman, a resident of Gunlock, Washington Co., Utah Territory attests she is the widow of Private Jacob M. Truman, commanded by Captain James Brown of the Iowa Volunteers regiment of Company C., Mormon Battalion, commanded by Col. Allen and P. St. George Cook. Her husband enlisted 16 Jul 1846 at Council Bluffs, Iowa. She was married under the name of Elizabeth Boyes by John Taylor on 19 Apr 1849 at Salt Lake City. Husband died 22 Nov 1881 at Hamblin, Washington Co., Utah Territory. Notes her husband served the one year and his service included marching with his company enroute from Council Bluffs to Mexico and was honorably discharged at Los Angeles on 16 Jul 1847. Elizabeth notes that she is 56 years of age and was baron 19 Apr 1831 at Redford in Michigan.
      p. 2: Continuation of page 1. Elizabeth claims pension because she is dependent for support by Franklin O. Holt and other citizens of Gunlock who furnish her breadstuff and also contribute to assist her in clothing and supporting her children. She notes that she includes affidavits from Franklin O. Holt and Henry W. Bigler and that she has lived in Gunlock since the death of her husband. She signs her name as Elizabeth Boyes Truman and Franklin O. Holt signs as witness. Affidavit is dated 18 Apr 1887 and sworn to in Washington County, Utah.
      p. 3: Continuation of pages 2 and 3 which is the cover sheet for the Widow's Declaration including a copy of the act of Jan. 29, 1887.
      pp. 4 and 5: Deposition, pp. 12 and 13, deposition E, in the case of Elizabeth Truman, no. 3167, dated 5 Oct 1888 in St. George, Washington, Utah Territory of Lorenzo Clark before E. P. Halstead, special examiner of the Pension Office. Lorenzo states he is 82 years old, occupation as watchman, residence in St. George. He states he has known claimant for 26 years and her husband since 1846 in the Mormon Battalion in the same company. He was not sure if Jacob was married at that time, but knew them as man and wife 26 years ago from which time they have lived as man and wife until Jacob's death about seven years previously. He thinks Jacob may have had another wife later. The couple had children with the oldest being nearly 38 years old. She has not remarried or lived with another man since the soldier's death. He is not related.
      pp. 6 and 7: Affidavit of Witness. Henry W. Bigler on 18 Apr 1887 at Washington Co., Utah Territory, attests to the same information given in the widow's affidavit including marriage and death dates and places. He further adds that it was each of their first marriages and that he also served with Jacob Truman. He notes that she is poor and that he has heard that she has had to be helped by her neighbors and friends. Signed by Henry W. Bigler.
      pp. 8 and 9: Form noting ":Pensioner Dropped" per Certificate No. 5739, class: Mexican Widow. Notes last pension was paid $20 to 4 Sep 1919 and has been dropped due to death dated 6 Nov 1919. Additional typed note included saying that check #5598240 for $60 dated 4 Dec 1919 for Elizabeth B. Truman of Gunlock, Utah has been returned and canceled.
      pp. 10 and 11: Affidavit of Witness. Franklin O. Holt on 18 Apr 1887 at Washington Co., Utah Territory, attesting to the same birth, marriage, and service information given by Elizabeth in her application. He was not in the Battalion but had heard Jacob speak of being a member of it. He was with Jacob when he died at Hamblin.
      p. 12: Mexican War Widow card no. 5739, noting pension rate of $8.00 commencing 29 Jan 1887. Certificate dated 23 Oct 1888 and mailed 26 Oct 1888, payable at San Francisco Agency. Stamped Dead. Another slip of paper on same page is a handwritten note from the postmaster of Gunlock, Utah, dated 8 Dec 1919 addressed to the Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C., informing them of Elizabeth Truman's death of 6 Nov 1919 and that her friends wish to ask you to send them $50 as part of funeral expenses.
      p. 13: Form advising admission from E.P. Halstead, Special Examiner, to Chief of Old War and Navy Division for their consideration.
      pp. 14 and 15: Claimant's Statement, Deposition F, pages 14 and 15, 5 Oct 1888 at St. George, Washington, Utah Territory, by Elizabeth B. Truman, case no. 3167, to E.P. Halstead, Special Examiner of the Pension Office. She notes that she does not desire to be present if other witnesses need to be examined and that she has no attorney. She states she can provide more witnesses if desired and that she has nor paid any fees connected with this application.
      pp. 16 and 17: Deposition of Ute Perkins, Deposition D, p. 10, 5 Oct 1888, at St. George, Washington, Utah Territory. He states he is 72 years old, a farmer, and resides at St. George. He has been acquainted with the claimant and her husband for 35 years and that they were living together as husband and wife and that they continued to do so until his Jacob's death about 7 years before. He has known them intimately for 27 years and Jacob had no other wife when he became acquainted with them. He does not know if they were married prior to their marriage to each other. She has not remarried or lived with any other man since her husband's death. Signed by Ute Perkins.
      pp. 18 and 19: Deposition of Daniel D. McArthur, Deposition C, p. 8, 5 Oct 1888 at St. George, Washington, Utah Territory. He is 69 years old, a farmer, and a resident of St. George. He states that he knew her before her marriage in 1846 and met her soldier husband in 1849. Neither had been previously married and they have lived together as husband and wife since that time until Jacob's death about seven years previously in Gunlock. He notes that in 1846 and 1847, he traveled with and was neighbors with Elizabeth. He is not related. Signed by Daniel D. McArthur.
      pp. 20 and 21: Deposition of Caroline McArthur, Deposition B, p. 6, 5 Oct 1888, at St. George, Washington, Utah Territory. She is 68 years old, a housekeeper, and a resident of St. George. She attests to the same information as her husband. Signed by Caroline McArthur.
      pp. 22 and 23: Deposition of Elizabeth B. Truman, Deposition A, p. 4, 5 Oct 1888, at St. George, Washington, Utah. She states that she is 57 years old, a housekeeper, and a resident of Gunlock, Washington, Utah Territory. She states that she is the widow of Jacob M. Truman who enlisted 16 Jul 1846 and served his term of enlistment up to his discharge of 17 Jul 1847. She was married to Jacob the day she was 18 on 19 Apr 1849 by John Taylor. Neither of them had been married before. Jacob was born in 1825 and that they lived together as husband and wife since then to his death on 22 Nov 1881. She has not remarried since then. She requests Lorenzo Clark, Daniel D. and Caroline McArthur, and Annie C. Woodbury to be examined as witnesses. She has resided in Gunlock since her husband's death. Signed by Elizabeth Truman.
      p. 24: Letter dated 5 Oct 1888 from St. George, Washington, Utah to John C. Black, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C. in which it is recommended that Elizabeth receive the pension. He notes that her case had been referred to the Special Examination to determine if she was the legal widow.
      p. 25: Notice of Special Examination sent from the Dept. of Interior, Office of Special Examiner at St George, Utah, to Elizabeth B. Truman, dated 5 Oct 1888 advising her that on 8 Oct 1888 at St. George that her case will be examined. She acknowledges and signs her name that she has received the notice.
      p. 26: Index to Special Examiner's Report indexing the various forms and statements showing a total of 15 pages. Each of the statements is noted as "good" and it is recommended that she be admitted.
      p. 27: Handwritten note: "Gunlock Utah Oct 16, 1916. Washington D.C. I am the widow of the late Jacob M. Truman who was a veteran of the Mexican War or Mormon Battalion. My name is Elizabeth B. Truman. I was born on Apr. 19, 1831 in the State of Michigan, Redford, Wayne Co. Certificate no. 5739. [Signed] Mrs. Elizabeth B. Truman, Gunlock, Washington Co., Utah."
      p. 28: Widow's Brief. Notes service dates of Jacob and that Elizabeth was born 19 Apr 1831. She is 56 years old and married 19 Apr 1849. Jacob died 22 Nov 1881. An examiner notes that there is no record evidence of service in the Bounty Land Claim. Declaration filed 28 Apr 1887, submitted 4 Jan 1888 for $8 per month commencing 29 Jan 1887.
      p. 29: Widow's Brief. Notes same information as previous page however now it is endorsed by the Adjutant General, an Examiner, a Pension Searcher, a Bounty Land Searcher, and a Re-reviewer. Approved 22 Oct 1888. Later stamped with note that the pension was changed to $20 per month commencing 8 Sep 1918 under Act of same date.
      p. 30: Widow's Service Pension card with summary of service record of soldier, age of widow, death date of soldier, and marked received 28 Apr 1889.
      pp. 31-33: Mexican War Claim for Increase Under Act of 9 Jan 1893 filed 21 Jan 1893 for Elizabeth B. Truman, aged 61, of Gunlock, Washington, Utah, enrolled at San Francisco Pension Office, Certificate No. 5739, authorizes Alex M. Kenaday, attorney in Washington D.C. to prosecute her claim for increase of pension. Signed by Elizabeth B. Truman. Witnessed by Franklin O. Holt and John F. Laub., both of Gunlock.

      BIOGRAPHY:
      1. The book "Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude" by the daughters of Utah Pioneers (photo accompanies article): "Elizabeth Boyes/Boyce Truman, b. 19 Apr 1831 at La Harp, Michigan, d. 6 Nov 1919 at Gunlock, Washington, Utah, parents are George Boyes and Ann Gelard/Geldard, pioneer of Jul 1847, m. Jacob Mica Truman 19 Apr 1849 (he died 23 Nov 1881 at Veyo, Washington, Utah), children:
      Martha Ann, 2 May 1850
      John Franklin, 7 Jul 1851
      Emma Marie, 5 Nov 1852
      Jacob Boyce, 24 Jul 1855
      George Almus, 2 Mar 1857
      William Thomas, 20 Dec 1858
      Laceus/Lucius, 5 Apr 1860
      Lucy Elizabeth, 8 Oct 1864
      Albert Henry, 20 Oct 1867
      Mary Lois, 26 May 1871
      Lacina Almena, 11 Sep 1873
      Esther Priscilla, 4 Jan 1876
      Elizabeth Boyes (Boyce) was born 19 April 1831 at La Harp, Michigan. She died 6 Nov 1919 at Gunlock, Utah. Parents were George Boyes and Ann Gelard (Geldard). It seems that members of George's fist family (Ann) changed the spelling of their name to Boyce because, they said, it was easier to keep the mail straight. Elizabeth spent the winter of 1846 in Council Bluffs, Iowa and then came west with one of the first wagon trains. She walked most of the way arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in July, 1847. She married Jacob Mica Truman on April 19, 1849 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah by John Taylor. He passed away on Nov. 23, 1881, leaving her widow for 38 years. He died at the Truman Ranch near Veyo, Washington county, Utah. At the age of 19, Elizabeth was set apart as a midwife and doctor. This calling became her well because, by nature, she was endowed with wisdom, sincere faith and keen knowledge of the functions of the human body. She continued this practice of a midwife until she was 75 years old. Her calls were many and on horseback of in a wagon drawn by oxen, mule or horse, she answered them all going as far as 60 to 70 miles from her home to do so. When they were living in the Cottonwood area in the Salt Lake Valley, her husband went back East to get his mother and two sisters. Elizabeth was left at home with their small children to care for during the year he was gone. While he was gone she milked cows and made butter sufficient to clear the indebtedness of $300.00 on their place. She, with her husband, were one of those called to settle Dixie at the October Conference in Oct., 1861, by Brigham Young. They arrived in St. George early 1862 and spent eight years during the trying times of trying to tame this arid land. In 1870, she, with her family, moved to Mountain Meadows (Hamblin) where she lived until 1877 when the family moved to a small farm two and a half miles below Gunlock, Washington County, Utah. Here she planted an orchard, obtained a weaving loom for weaving carpets and rugs and carried on her practice of being a midwife. She and her family would walk into Gunlock every Sunday for Sunday School and Sacrament Meeting. She was a teacher in the Sabbath School and for many years taught the Book of Mormon class. She was President of the Relief Society from Nov. 7, 1895 until 1897. She had may beautiful traits of character as well as beauty of feature. Her eyes were black with smiling wrinkles around them. Her hair was white in her old age and was beautiful. Her stature was short and rather plump. There was neatness in everything she did. Work was her philosophy, she cut and dried enough fruit to encircle the globe, made quilts sufficient to cover the families of a city, wove miles of carpet besides making tons of butter and cheese, gathered bushels of wild fruit. She gathered grain in the fields after the thrashing machine had finished. She was a wonderful woman and an example to her posterity."

      2. The book "Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude" by the daughters of Utah Pioneers has the following biographical information on Elizabeth from the biography of Jacob Truman's second wife Catherine Maxwell Truman: "...Upon her (Catherine's) arrival in the valley, she learned that a Mr. Gaddis, the man who had helped pay her way to Utah with the intention of marrying her when she arrived, already had a wife. Elizabeth said, 'I will be the second wife to no man!' Elizabeth later met Jacob Mica Truman, from New York. They were married three months later on Dec. 21, 1856 with Brigham Young officiating. Although she said she would not be a second wife, that was exactly what she was. Jacob had married Elizabeth Boyce on April 19, 1849, and was living in South Cottonwood. Having lived the first 25 years of her life in the industrial cities of Scotland, Catherine had many adjustments to make as a pioneer wife. Catherine and Elizabeth were able to build a good relationship. Often indeed, did Catherine's fiery temper have the upper hand. Some felt sorry for the gentler Elizabeth, but can remember well their mutual anger when their husband brought home a third wife, Julia, on June 14, 1857. They made him see his error, and soon the new Mrs. Truman left. Catherine learned to cook and keep house, but she never enjoyed doing it...The family lived in South Cottonwood... They moved to Salem at the time of the Johnston's Army problem. Jacob was a Captain in the Nauvoo Legion and was in charge of making sure that the settlers were evacuated from South Cottonwood. In 1860, the family was called to settle Peoa, Utah. In 1862, to help settle St. George, but his wives did not like the heat in the summers in St. George. They would move to Diamond Valley where they had cattle and made butter and cheese... They were again called to help settle Fort Hamblin (Mountain Meadows). They built a new home, had a garden and a lot of cattle, and there was plenty of grass for Jacob was the presiding Elder there... On Nov. 23, 1881, Jacob contracted pneumonia and died at the age of 56 years. He is buried in the Hamblin Cemetery. Jacob's first wife lived in Gunlock and had 12 children, and passed away there on Nov. 6, 1919..."

      3. From the website www.softcom.net/users/paulandsteph/jmt/elizabethshistory.html 8 Dec 2002: "History of Elizabeth Boyce - Pioneer to St. George, Utah - 1862; by Erma Bowler Bracken. (This history is taken from the book As Time Goes By by Nellie Rae Hunt Jones): Elizabeth Boyce was the daughter of George and Ann Geldard Boyce. She was born April 19th 1831 at Laharp, Michigan. Her childhood and early education took place in that state when it was the borderline of civilization and physical learning of how to make gardens, milk cows, and make butter and cheese, raise a few sheep, shear, wash, dye and spin the wool was common knowledge among the young ladies of her day, yet she learned to spell, read, and write. She was highly intellectual and each day of her entire life added knowledge to her fine mind. In her childhood she loved to roam the green hills of her homeland and gather the wild flowers and in the spring the wintergreen berries to chew. This flavor was always her favorite choice throughout her life. Her father was the fine type the Latter-day Saint missionaries found when they went proselyting the Gospel and as soon as he became a member of the Latter-day Saint faith he gathered his family and went to Nauvoo to be with the Prophet Joseph Smith and the body of the Saints. Her mother, Ann Geldard, one of God's noble women was endowed with faith to heal the sick, drive the power of the destroyer from her habitation and her talent was to set a table of abundance of the things of the earth with very little with which to do it. She was a peacemaker and enjoyed, with her husband and Children, the spirit of the Valleys of the Rocky Mountains. Elizabeth Boyce, with her parents, brothers and sisters, was with the Saints when they were driven out of Nauvoo and spent the winter of 1844 at Council Bluffs. It was here we presume she met Jacob Mica Truman who was born August 30th, 1825 in New York State (Niagara County). He had not reached his 21st birthday when on June 26th 1846, Captain James Allen of the United States Army arrived at Mount Pisgah, Iowa and presented to these homeless, driven, and persecuted refugees a circular asking for 500 men to take part in the war with Mexico. He was among the first to volunteer. He was placed in Company C. He was with the Captain James Brown Company of 90 men and 14 officers, 104 men all told. According to Daniel Tyler's journal Jacob Truman was among the soldiers who made the entire trip to San Diego and up to Sutter's Fork on the Sacramento River and was there when gold was discovered. He obtained work from Captain John A. Sutter. Sutter was hiring men to build sawmills, flour mills and dig a millrace. He was one of the ones Samuel Brannan met on his return trip from meeting Brigham Young and took his advice to remain in California and work the winter there. He returned to Salt Lake in the fall of and on the 19th of April 1849 Jacob Mica Truman took Elizabeth Boyce to be his bride. They were married on her 18th birthday by John Taylor. They went down in the South East part of the valley and took up land in South Cottonwood and built a house and both went to work to plant a garden and a few acres of wheat that they might reap a harvest and be sustained in this barren desert land. Soon after her marriage she was called, in fact at the age of 19, and set apart as a midwife and doctor. This calling became her well, because by nature she was endowed with wisdom, sincere faith and keen knowledge of the functioning of the human body. The first child she brought into this world was when she was all alone. She continued the practice of midwife until she was 75 years old and attributed all her great success to the Father in Heaven, who had restored his priesthood authority to men and they were always called in to administer and bless the patient whom when with her own faith was delivered in safety and brought back from the gates of death with a wee one safe and secure. Her calls were many and on horse back or in a wagon drawn by oxen, mule or horses she answered them all, going as far as 60 to 70 miles from her home to do so. Of such women words are great symbols to praise their name, surely there are laid up for them crowns of glory for the reward of their love and unselfishness. We love them and will always revere the memory of such heroines as Elizabeth Boyce Truman.
      When she had three little Children... her husband went back to the States (from Salt Lake) to get his mother and two sisters, Maria and Lauretta. He was gone a year and in that year she milked cows and made butter sufficient to clear the indebtedness of $300 on their place. It was one of the outstanding homes and small farms in that district. They were so proud of it and were prospering very well when the call came for them to pioneer into Utah's Dixie country. Obedient to the call, the place was sold and a wagon and outfit was purchased, and sometime in 1862 they, along with the others and their family of seven children set out. Brigham Young had visited southern Utah and could see resources there that would make a more self-supporting people and put to use their trade and abilities. Therefore, in the year of 1857, he called 28 families who were from the cotton growing states of Virginia, Tennessee and Texas to move south. Then in 1862 many more were called so that by March 22nd, 1862, sufficient numbers had responded that a conference was called and the City of St. George was divided into four wards. That fall 100,000 pounds of cotton was raised in Washington County. This trip to the south was the most trying, hard and perilous trip our pioneers encountered. Then they came to the great Black Ridge (which is the southeast corner of the Great Basin), this side (northeast) of St. George, Elizabeth Boyce could not see how they would ever get over it and the story is told how in places the gulches were so straight down and narrow (that) it was necessary to unload the wagons, take them apart, and piece by piece take them to the side. Such obstacles overcome the doubt of 'how on earth would they ever be able to live in such a desolate looking place.'
      While on the road, George Almus, her little son of five years, fell out of the wagon and had his leg broken. The company laid over one day to set the limb and journeyed on the next day. They lived in their wagons until they could build one small adobe room. It was shelter and was dear to them with its surroundings of mesquite and arrow willows. Soon a garden was planted, trees brought from the mountain and flowers edging the walk and geraniums in the windows made it "Home Sweet Home" to everyone. The water was brackish and warm and very unsatisfactory to quenching the thirst and made the entire family ill. The first three or four summers the Truman family moved up on the south side of Pine Valley Mountains and made butter and cheese for everyone who had cows in the settlements around. In 1870 they moved to Mountain Meadows, (and) in April 1877 (they) moved from Mountain Meadows to a farm 2 1/2 miles below the town of Gunlock. Here she planted an orchard, obtained a weaving loom for weaving homemade carpets and rugs and with her practice of midwifery lived for thirty-eight years. Gunlock was a very small place and had only a community square with a one-roomed school house and (church) meeting house combined. (It was) also used for a public amusement hall. The nearest store was at St. George, which was 20 miles away and would take a complete day of travel (each way). They received mail only when someone went to St. George, therefore, they didn't get many letters and they wrote very few. In the month of June 1874, father and mother Truman, their daughter Emma Maria and Franklin Overton Holt left St. George for Salt Lake City in a covered wagon. The occasion was to have their young folks married by the authority of the Church in the proper way. This was done July 6th, 1874, for time and all eternity and sealed for that purpose by Brigham Young. It took three weeks to make this long trip to Salt Lake City and three weeks to return home. Such faith and obedience to the principles as taught by their elders make us of today marvel at their loyalty and desire to adhere to council. When they arrived in the City they went to (visit) Elizabeth's sister, Nona Boyce Taylor. She was touched by the signs of toil and hardships as shown on brow, hands and bended back, and the poverty of dress and equipment so she said (to them), 'Out yonder is plenty of corn, if you shuck it you may have all your wagon will hold.' Thanking the Good Father above and loving their kind sister and auntie more than mere words can express, they set to work and in a few hours the wagon was heaped to running over with golden ears of corn. They took it, and with the bags of dried peaches, to the market and sold it, spending every cent in needed clothing, shoes, yarn and yardage goods. Oh how happy they were and Elizabeth (is) quoted (as saying), 'Alright Jacob, we can go home now and be assured we are covered until prosperity and markets come to southern Utah.' We who live in the northern part of the state of Utah where the railroad came to carry our surplus to market will never know the struggle of our brethren and sisters in the southern part where it never touched, and each family raised an abundance and could neither trade, nor sell, or give away their surplus for not even a postage stamp. Her home Gunlock was situated 2 1/2 miles below the town and when Father Truman was gone from home, which was a great part of time, as his second wife, Katie and family still lived up on the farm at Mountain Meadow, mother Elizabeth would take her entire family and walk to Sunday School and Sacrament Meeting every Sunday. She was a teacher in the Sabbath School teaching the Book of Mormon class for many years. She was also appointed President of the Relief Society on November 7th, 1895 and served until 1897 when she was released. In 1896 when she was 65 years old, Elder Mathias F. Cowley, an apostle visiting them asked her how old she was and she answered, 'Sixty-five.' He replied, 'You are good for twenty years more.' She lived 22 years (after that), enjoying the fruits of her labor in the well organized home and (with) faithful living sons and daughters. They loved her and her grandchildren revered her and knew her taste for green peas, mashed potatoes and dried peaches, stewed and made into a pie with nutmeg sprinkled on it. The summer time (in Dixie) is very warm and (so) when grandma was coming to spend the day, the children would draw water from the well and sprinkle it all over the door yard and walls of the house to cool and make pleasant the arbor where she could sit and enjoy herself as she sat and knitted and visited with them. She had many beautiful traits of character as well as beauty of feature. Her eyes were black and (had) smiling wrinkles that patience, sympathy and true devotion to her God and His children hat etched about her mouth, and with her white hair she was beautiful. Her stature was short and rather plump, and (she had) neatness in everything she did.
      She often remarked (that) no one had ever seen her bed unmade, nor her dishes not done. Indeed work was her philosophy - she had cut and dried enough fruit to encircle the globe, made quilts sufficient to cover the families of a city, woven miles of carpet, besides (made) tons of butter and cheese, gathered bushels of wild fruits, and followed day after day garnering wheat after the man who cut (it) with an old fashioned grain cradle. We have no count of the babies she brought into the world nor the lives she saved through her administrations. She always reminded her grandchildren to always do two jobs while you are doing one. If you went to feed the cow, bring back an arm full of wood on your return; if you went for water, draw (up) an extra bucket (and put in) the trough for the animals; if you were visiting, take your stitching or knitting with you, thus wasting not a minute of the day so that at its close you may truthfully say, 'Something accomplished, something done has earned a night's repose.' These latter-day women of the past generation were Saints defending a new religion, they were also Saints of perfection as they lived their span of life. Elizabeth Boyce was the first of three wives of Jacob Mica Truman. She was the mother of the following children:
      Martha Ann Truman (2 May 1850-26 Feb 1892)
      John Franklin Truman (7 Jul 1851-14 Jun 1866)
      Emma Maria Truman (5 Nov 1852-6 Sep 1921)
      Jacob Boyce Truman (24 Jul 1855-18 Nov 1873)
      George Almus Truman (2 Mar 1857-22 Mar 1919)
      William Thomas Truman (20 Dec 1858-11 Aug 1947)
      Lucuis Truman (5 Apr 1860-6 Feb 1861)
      Lucy Elizabeth Truman (8 Oct 1864-21 May 1905)
      Albert Henry Truman (20 Oct 1867-1 Apr 1939)
      Mary Lois Truman (26 Mar 1871-17 Aug 1959)
      Lasina Almena Truman (11 Sep 1873-13 Aug 1959)
      Esther Priscilla Truman (4 Jan 1876-24 Jul 1936)
      Two of them, John and Lucius, died young. Jacob, her fourth Child, went hunting jack rabbits with a boy friend and as they were going under a fence, the gun in the friend's hand went off and Jacob was shot (and died). She also saw her daughter Emma Maria lose her beautiful daughter, Roxie, by being burned to death and another grandchild drowned. The following were the children of Catherine Maxwell, Jacob's second wife:
      Ralph Maxwell Truman (2 Oct 1857-5 Jul 1871)
      Rhoda Maria Truman (4 May 1859-21 Jul 1907)
      Lauretta Catherine Truman (4 Aug 1861-6 Mar 1933)
      Elizabeth Ann Truman (26 Apr 1863-9 Jun 1865)
      Mica Spencer Truman (19 Oct 1865-19 Mar 1947)
      Ellen Sophia Truman (18 Feb 1867-8 Mar 1956)
      Arthur Monroe Truman (12 Dec 1869-9 Mar 1925)
      Catherine was always known as Katie by (her) family and friends. No record available of children, if any, of (Jacob's) third wife, Julia Ardena Hales. She came south sometime after the other families but, according to history, returned to Salt Lake area after a short time. She may not have been accepted very well by the other two wives. Jacob Mica Truman died November 23rd, 1881 after a few days illness leaving Elizabeth a widow for (the next) 38 years. (She followed her husband) from this life on November 6th, 1919. Funeral services were held in the open air at Mountain Meadows on the 7th, Bishop James L. Bunker of Veyo presided. The Enterprise Choir, composed mostly of her grandchildren furnished the singing. The speakers were Elder Jacob Truman and George Henry Bowler, (both grandsons). She was laid to rest beside her husband and the grave was dedicated by Bishop Bunker.
      Dear Pioneer Grandmother
      You were sweet and lovely
      Spreading cheer far and near
      Even in our hearts today when
      We read and hear and revere
      The memory of such as you.
      Did you know then you were
      Weaving a pattern for us to live by
      That we, like you, may be true, and love,
      Be loved and give love that the world is
      Left better for all whoever they may be
      Who may bear your name or chance to know
      Your posterity you have left behind.
      -Bertha Sager"

      BIRTH:
      1. FHL film 480147 "The National Archives, Mexican Dependents, Certificate no. 5739, pensioner Elizabeth B. Truman, widow of veteran Jacob M. Truman, can. no. 399, bundle 49. Note she gives under oath birth of 19 Apr 1931 at Redford, Wayne, Michigan and marriage of 19 Apr 1849 on her 18th birthday in Salt Lake City by John Taylor. Death is given as 6 Nov 1919 at Gunlock, Washington, Utah. Death of Jacob Truman is given as 22 Nov 1881 which varies from obituary date of 23 Nov 1881.

      2. Date of 19 Apr 1831 per website for Utah State Historical Society Cemeteries Database; 8 Jan 2002. Ancestral file has date of 13 Apr 1831 as does the obituary; however, Elizabeth swears in court her birth is 19 Apr 1831 at Redford, Michigan when she applies for a Mexican War widow's pension. 1900 census uses a variant date of Apr 1839 and DUP biography quoted above uses 19 Apr 1831 at Laharp, Michigan. I use the court affidavit.

      3. I cannot find Laharp in Michigan even though obituary names that location. Some Ancestry.com sites have county as either Wayne or Laharp; however, I cannot find a Laharp County and the Library of Michigan checked several historical gazetteers and found no such place. They found LaHarps in other states and they also suggested that the original citation may have been have been given wrong to the newspaper (for example there is a Lothrop in Shiawasse county, MI and a La Carp in Mason County, MI). I also contacted local genealogical societies and researchers in Michigan and they confirm the same about there being no LaHarp in Michigan. I use Michigan only because it is confirmed by the censuses.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. FHL film 480147 "The National Archives, Mexican Dependents, Certificate no. 5739, pensioner Elizabeth B. Truman, widow of veteran Jacob M. Truman, can. no. 399, bundle 49. Note she gives under oath birth of 19 Apr 1931 at Redford, Wayne, Michigan and marriage of 19 Apr 1849 on her 18th birthday in Salt Lake City by John Taylor. Death is given as 6 Nov 1919 at Gunlock, Washington, Utah. Death of Jacob Truman is given as 22 Nov 1881 which varies from obituary date of 23 Nov 1881. See full quotation above. Note also that she gives her maiden name as Boyes.

      2. Per DUP biography and obituary as quoted herein.

      DEATH:
      1. Date per website for Utah State Historical Society Cemeteries Database; 8 Jan 2002.

      2. Per website ; "Cemetery/Death Indexes (1852-1996) in Washington County, Utah," compiled by Wesley W. Craig, Ph.D: "Elizabeth Boyce Truman, b. 19 Apr 1831, d. 6 Nov 1919, Hamblin Cem."

      3. Per DUP biography of Jacob's second wife Catherine Maxwell as cited above.

      4. Per DUP biography cited above.

      5. Per obituary.

      6. FHL film 480147 "The National Archives, Mexican Dependents, Certificate no. 5739, pensioner Elizabeth B. Truman, widow of veteran Jacob M. Truman, can. no. 399, bundle 49. Note she gives under oath birth of 19 Apr 1931 at Redford, Wayne, Michigan and marriage of 19 Apr 1849 on her 18th birthday in Salt Lake City by John Taylor. Death is given as 6 Nov 1919 at Gunlock, Washington, Utah. Death of Jacob Truman is given as 22 Nov 1881 which varies from obituary date of 23 Nov 1881.

      BURIAL:
      1. Place confirmed per website for Utah State Historical Society Cemeteries Database; 8 Jan 2002.

      2. Per obituary.

      OBITUARY:
      1. Utah Pioneer of 1847 Dies at Age of 88. (Special Correspondence.) Gunlock. Washington County, Nov. 22. - Mrs. Elizabeth Truman died here at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Emma M. Holt, Nov. 6, at the age of 88 years, after an illness of five days. Elizabeth Boyes Truman was born at LaHarp, Mich., April 13, 1831. She joined the Church at an early age and crossed the plains to Utah in 1847 in Captain John Taylor's company. She was married to Jacob M. Truman (a member of the Mormon battalion) in 1849. She accompanied her husband to St. George in 1862, to settle the Dixie country, and underwent all the hardships incidental to pioneer life. After residing in St. George a number of years, they moved to Mountain Meadows, where her husband died. Afer the death of her husband, Mrs. Truman moved to Gunlock with her family, remaining here 38 years, then to Enterprise for a few years, finally ending her days at Gunlock. She was a mother of 12 children, six of whom survive her, as follows: Mrs. Emma M. Holt of Gunlock, William T. Truman of Enterprise; Albert H., Mrs. Mary L. Jones and Mrs. Lasina Bowler of Gunlock, and Mrs. Esther P. Pace of Enterprise. She is also survived by 85 grandchildren and 121 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held in the open air at Mountain Meadows on the 7th, Bishop Jas. L. Bunder of Veyo presiding. The Enterprise choir, composed mostly of her grandchildren, furnished the singing. The speakers were Elders Jacob T. Truman, a grandson, and George H. Bowler. She was laid to rest beside her husband, the grave being dedicated by Bishop Bunker of Veyo. Mrs. Truman is very highly spoken of by friends and neighbors. She was kind and helpful, a true wife, a devoted mother, and a good neighbor. She died as she had lived a true and devoted Latter-day Saint." Deseret Evening News, Tues., 25 Nov 1919, p. 6.