Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Jane Ann Burnhope

Female 1840 - 1865  (25 years)


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  • Name Jane Ann Burnhope 
    Born 17 Jan 1840  East Bolden, Westoe, Durham, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 28 Apr 1865  American Fork, Utah, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 2 May 1865  American Fork Cemetery, American Fork, Utah, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I6  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father Isaac Burnhope,   b. 15 Nov 1808, Wharmley (near Hexham), Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Feb 1869, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 60 years) 
    Mother Elizabeth Charlton,   b. 21 Sep 1806, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Apr 1887, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years) 
    Married 13 Aug 1831  Saint Andrew's, Hexham, Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F1  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Nathaniel Spens,   b. 21 Jun 1838, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 25 Nov 1916, Mountainville, Sanpete, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Married 4 Sep 1861  Newcastle upon Tyne St John, Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F7  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. In mother's obituary of 25 May 1887, she notes 2 daughters and 4 sons alive. This confirms this individual was still alive at that time. Of the siblings, Jane Ann Burnhope Spens was the only one deceased at that time which coincides perfectly with this database.

      2. See notes for Thomas Wallace with which there is included a transcription of his membership record with the following note: "Jane Burnhope Spense, daughter of Isaac Burnhope and Elizabeth Charlton, born 17 Jan 1840 at East Boldon, Durham Co., Eng., died at American Fork 28 Apr 1865. Thomas and Mary A. Burnhope Wallace reed 2nd 14 Jul 1886. Elvira Stowell reed 2nd 14 Jul 1886. Mary A. Burnhope Wallace Proxy."

      3. Reviewed Ancestry.com 23 Nov 2002.

      4. Censuses:
      1841 Eng: Westoe, Bedlington, Durham, p. 6 of 9, none born in county except Jane:
      Isaac Burnip, 30, ag lab.
      Elizabeth, 30.
      William, 9.
      Mary, 6.
      Joseph, 4.
      Jane, 1.
      James Henderson, 25, ag. lab., not born in county.

      1851 Eng: Whitburn, Durham, p. 16 of 20, #60, res: Stay the Voyage:
      Isaac Burnhope, 42, platelayer, b. Northumberland, Weamley.
      Elizabeth, wife, 44, b. Northumberland, Hendon-in-the-Wall.
      Wm., son, 18, sailor, b. Northumberland, Sunnyside.
      Mary Ann, dau., 16, b. Northumberland, Sunnyside.
      Jane, dau., 11, b. Durham, East Bolden.
      Isaac, son, 8, b. Durham, East Bolden.
      Thomas, son,. 6, b. Durham, East Bolden.
      Betsy, dau., 2, b. Durham, East Bolden.

      BIRTH:
      1. Birth Cert.; General Register Office, London, England; Registration District, South Shields; Subdistrict: Westoe in the County of Durham: Jane, dau. of Isaac Burnoph (laborer) and Elizabeth Burnoph formerly Charlton, b. 17 Jan 1840 at East Bolden.

      2. See note cited above on brother-in-law's membership record.

      3. Copy of holographic journal found by Chris Petersen; he does not note author but source of FHL film 362685 is cited. It has much information on the Isaac Burnhope family including the following for this particular individual: "Jane Burnhope, born Jan'y 17, 1840."

      4. Marriage sealing done after her death by her husband in 1869 shows reported birthdate of 13 Oct 1840 at Hexham, Cumberland, England. I do not use this considering it is secondhand and at variance to the birth certificate cited above.

      BIOGRAPHY:
      1. Partial quote from website : "Nathaniel Spens' Biography, draft by Louise Brown, February 2, 2003 [see notes for Nathaniel Spens for full citation]: " Jane Ann Burnhope. Later in 1861 Nathaniel returned to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and, on Sep 4, 1861, he married Jane Ann Burnhope - a Mormon! Nathaniel's brother, John, a confectioner, was present as a witness along with John Findley who has appeared as a witness on numerous other occasions. The wedding took place in the St. John's Parish Church "according to the rites and ceremonies of the Established Church after banns." We do not know the story of Nathaniel's introduction to Jane Burnhope or to the Latter-Day Saints, or the Mormons, as they were disparagingly called. Did he meet the missionaries while walking to and from his work? Or perhaps Jane Burnhope introduced him to the missionaries. What is known is that Thomas Wallace was a traveling Elder and married to Jane Ann Burnhope's sister, Mary Ann Burnhope and that later Nathaniel and Jane Ann would follow Mary Ann and Thomas Wallace to Utah. There are no records of Nathaniel's church affiliation after his baptism in the New Jerusalem Church nor of his family continuing with the Swedenborgian faith. Unlike the large building of the New Jerusalem Church in Edinburgh where Nathaniel had been christened, the Latter-Day Saints in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne were grateful for the small rented meeting room on Nelson Street in which to worship. According to the Sunderland and South Shields Branch records, Jane Ann Burnhope was born Jan 18, 1840 in Boldon, Durham, England and baptized May 31, 1853 in Hendon Bay. Her baptism record can be found in the South Shields Branch in Northumberland. Her personal decision to be baptized and accept the gospel was encouraged and supported by her parents, Isaac Burnhope and Elizabeth Charlton who joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints a few months prior to Jane Ann. Unlike the Burnhopes' joy over their daughter's affiliation with the Mormons, Nathaniel's marriage to a Mormon seems to have resulted in a division among family members. If not earlier, a division among the Spens family members became apparent following Nathaniel's decision to be baptized a Mormon on March 4, 1862. According to The Manuscript History of the British Mission, Elder Moses F. Farnsworth arrived in England on the 14th of August, 1862, shortly after Nathaniel's baptism and labored in the Newcastle-on-Tyne District as a traveling Elder, until called, on the 1st of May, 1863, to preside over said district. There does not appear to be any record of the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Branch activities in the early 1860s to verify Nathaniel's self-reported baptism date. During the first three years of their marriage, Nathaniel and Jane had two children and prepared to gather to Zion. First, Isobell Irvine, (pronounced Arvin by the Scotts, and thus written by the British registrar) was born in Jarrow, South Shields, Durham, England May 10, 1862 and named after Nathaniel's mother. Twelve months later, William Burnhope Spens was born 7 May 1863 in Jared, Durham, England, according to family tradition - there is no birth registration for William. On April 23, 1861, Jane Ann's sister, Mary Ann Burnhope Wallace left England for America, traveling with her husband Thomas Michael Wallace and daughter Annie (born 18 April 1860) on board the ship "Underwriter." Mary Ann states they came to America "for the Gospel's sake, "arriving in New York 22 May 1861. As Jane Ann and Nathaniel would later learn the Wallace family traveled to Winter Quarters and remained there from 2 June 1861 until 30 June 1861, at which time they began the trek across the plains by ox team with Captain Ira Eldredge. She noted that the captain was very kind and "had the mothers with babies ride all the way" while their husbands walked. This family arrived in Salt Lake City 15 September 1861 and in the spring of 1862 settled in American Fork where they bought a large one-room log home with one window. The first payment of $150 was made by selling their best clothes. On January 9, 1862 Nathaniel's sister, Sarah, lost her second husband, Cuthbert Douse. At that time Sarah and her family were living at 61 East Elswick Lane in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. James Spens reported Cuthbert's death and listed the same address as his own.
      Crossing the ocean. Between 1841 and 1855, most Mormon converts traveled to "Zion" by sailing to New Orleans then up the Mississippi River to various departure points. After 1856, however, options included travel by railroad from New York to Chicago and beyond. Elder George Q. Cannon, president of the European Mission, chartered three ships in 1864, "The General McClellan," "The Monarch of the Sea" and "The Hudson." These three ships transported a total of 2,633 Saints from Liverpool to New York City. The latter two ships made the voyage in 36 and 45 days respectfully [respctively]. In general immigrations to the U.S were very low due to the on-going Civil War. Undaunted, Jane and Nathaniel prepared to travel to the land of Zion to join with the Saints. Jane Ann must have looked forward to reuniting herself with her dear sister, Mary Ann. Among their possessions to be taken were Nathaniel's graining brushes, a small photograph album and a wooden-panel painting by Nathaniel. On Saturday, May 21, 1864 just after Willie's first birthday, Nathaniel and his little family sailed from Liverpool, England for New York City aboard "The General McClellan," commanded by Captain G. D. S. Trask. The following account is taken from the Millennial Star: "This ship was chartered to sail on the 20th ult. but, owing to the rain which set in, the upper deck could not be used for the purpose of examination of passengers, who had, consequently; to undergo inspection between decks. This put them to some inconvenience and discomfort, but, not withstanding this, we did not hear one unkind word or one ill-natured remark from the Saints during the proceedings, which occupied some little time. In consequence of unavoidable delays, the vessel could not be cleared until next day (21st). On the morning of the 21st President Cannon, with a number of Elders, proceeded on board the vessel for the purpose of organizing the company" (Mill. Star 26:364). Appropriate instructions were given to the Saints aboard "The General McClellan." Three returning missionaries on board were called to serve as a presidency to assist the Saints in gathering to Zion. Elder Thomas E. Jeremy was appointed to preside over the company, with Elders Joseph Bull and George G. Bywater as counselors. Elder John C. Graham who had labored in the "Millenniel Star" office for many years was appointed clerk. The account in the Millenniel Star continues, "The ship was divided off into (twelve) wards, over each of which an Elder was placed to preside. On the evening of the 21st the vessel proceeded to sea, laden with her freight of precious souls, and accompanied by the best wishes and prayers of all true Saints. She had 802 souls on board, nearly all of whom have paid their fares through to Wyoming." The Elders appointed over the wards assisted the presidency with the spiritual needs of the Saints as well as "serving out provisions" for the physical needs of these Saints. May 21, 1864, John C. Graham, clerk, sent the following communication to President Cannon through the kindness of the pilot: "All the Saints on board seem quite satisfied with their new condition. They have not yet had time to experience the effects of traveling, having been only about three hours on our way, (we started from off the Landing-stage at 6:15 p.m.); still those disagreeable effects which are invariably experienced by poor landsmen (such for instance, as myself) I presume will, in due time, be felt by our company. At present, I can hear the notes of some beautiful hymn being sung with evident delight and happiness, by a large portion of the passengers, and I suppose their countenances bear the marks of joy and gratitude for the deliverance which is afforded them by the Almighty, judging by the feeling with which they sing the verses of the hymn. We pray that our passage may be a safe, prosperous and happy one. It has been what thousands of our brethren and sisters have realized by their faith and trust in Him, and it is what we may realize, too, if we place our dependence upon God, who is the deliverer of his Saints, and the great Captain of our salvation. I hope, that I may be true to my holy calling and ever be found trying to work out my personal salvation. I have set out for this purpose. Nothing but my religion would ever have educed me to leave my native land with those prospects which are before me. I go to Zion to serve God, and I pray that when I get there I may do so (see Manuscript History of the British Mission, pp. 3-4)." On May 22, Brother Graham made the following entry: "We are just off Holyhead - all well. The boat that towed us out is just leaving. Everyone feels well, so far as I know. Those who felt a little regret before starting, now are quite satisfied and contented. I expect there will be many soon experience some disagreeable feelings - the ship having her sails unfurled and tossing a bit. We have now a fair wind and good prospects." We can only surmise the individual experience of the Spens family on board "The General McClellen" as they crossed the Atlantic Ocean, leaving behind their homeland. We do, however, have a carefully written account prepared as a report to President Cannon. Written Sunday, June 19th the report provides general information about the passage from Liverpool to New York City acquainting President Cannon and friends left behind of the expected "safe arrival of the ship and its precious cargo": "Our distance from the desired port is but 450 miles, which, with some of the winds that we have had while on the voyage, might very soon be made; but, with the winds that we at present have, it is not likely that we will be able to reach New York much before the expiration of another week." The brethren went on to explain that there were several sick on board who have, "since leaving England, suffered very much from extreme weakness." About the voyage, the Presidency reported: "Since bidding you adieu we have had cause for no other feeling but that of gratitude to our Father in heaven for the manifold blessings which have been conferred upon us during the passage thus far. The power of the Holy Ghost, with its healing influences, has been often demonstrated in our midst. Suffice it to say, no company could wish for a better and indeed, we very much doubt if they could have a pleasanter passage across the mighty deep than this company has had. Health has almost generally prevailed; peace, concord and the Spirit of God have been abundantly manifested." President Cannon was told that the pleasant weather, according to the captain, "has been made for the Latter-day Saints." Not only was the fair weather a subject of surprise to Captain Trask, but also the health of the crowded Saints. It is noted in the report that both the captain and the surgeon admitted, "that for such a large company, they never were associated with a more healthy or a happier class of people." Statistics confirm the health of the Saints. During the voyage only one death was reported. Five-week-old Seth Holgate died on June 6th and was consigned to a watery grave as his father mourned, his mother having died before the voyage began. Two babies were born and named after the ship - Jenny McClellan Gee and George McClellan Hutchison - the babies were healthy and both mothers recovered. The brethren went on to give more details of the voyage, recounting that "a good easterly wind" had taken the boat along smoothly for eleven days. Then came frequent head winds and a few calms, "and in consequence, the ship has had a great deal of tacking to do in order to take what advantage she could of the wind." Not withstanding the over-all good weather, some rough weather is also described: "On the night of Thursday, the 9th inst., while in the vicinity of the Banks of Newfoundland, the wind rose to a high degree, and continued to rage with increasing fury during the whole of the night. It was during this night that the ship experienced the greatest shock it had ever before, since it has been a ship, received. It was caused by a heavy sea which rolled forward in her course and completely engulfed the bow of the ship, causing the after part of the vessel to rise to a fearful height. The man on the look-out on the forecastle deck, and the man at the wheel, were nearly carried away. Such a noise of boxes falling and tins jumping caused the air to reverberate in a not very melodious manner; the cracking of timbers, mingled with a chorus of juvenile voices, you would never desire to hear again. The night was foggy (the horn being blown every few minutes), and as icebergs had been seen and felt - it was very naturally concluded that the ship had struck one of those formidable bodies and sprung a leak, for the rushing of water could be distinctly heard. However, the fears of the people were soon quieted by the reassuring words of the first officer who cried below, 'All's right,' and the words of a hymn soon restored to the timid and fearful, confidence..." Christopher Alston (Carter, 1965) was eleven years old at the time of crossing. He later recorded the storm, never having been told that, although there were icebergs in the vacinity, an iceberg did not strike the ship: "One night, in dense fog, our ship struck a monstrous iceberg and was nearly wrecked, but was miraculously saved. It was thrown from side to side - people, utensils and luggage in one great pile. The rattle of pans, dishes and baggage, and the cries of women and Children, the shouts of men, the commands of officers, the banging and bumping of the ship against the iceberg made it seem as if two monsters were trying to beat each other to pieces and the great floating mountain of ice would overwhelm the sturdy ship and sink her in the deep sea with all on board. But it was not to be so, we were in the hands of the "Master of ocean and earth and skies." Weather permitting, general meetings were held on deck and the Elders gave discourses on "the blessings which God had vouchsafed unto the Saints." Individual ward meetings were held morning and evening, and were devoted to singing, testimony bearing and praying. On the 19th of June a conference was held on deck "at which most of the passengers convened. The Presidents of the Wards occupied the chief portion of the time in bearing testimony, and advancing some timely counsel suited to the circumstances under which the Saints are placed. At this meeting several resolutions of thanks to the officers of the ship were drawn up and tendered to them, expressive of the gratitude of the Saints for the watchful care which had been shown to make them comfortable." A major item of business on the 19th of June was preparation for landing and is noted in the report to President Cannon: "In anticipation of sundry expenses which the company may have to meet - such, for instance, as the passing of the baggage through the Customs, and supporting on the journey from New York to Wyoming, those who are destitute of funds, of whom we find an unusually large number - we have made collections in the various Wards. Our call was cheerfully responded to by those who possessed means, and many were found to be acting too generously, for they were to some extent depriving themselves of what they would necessarily require. Again, in accordance with your instructions, the Saints have been recommended to deposit their sterling money in our hands, for the purpose of converting it into American currency, and taking for them advantage of the market. Those who possessed gold and silver readily transferred it for that purpose into our hands. Every preparation necessary to be made for the landing of the company at New York and everything that we could do to facilitate the business consequent on their deembarkation, have been done in view of lightening the labors of our brethren there." With so many people crowded together, the leaders were very strict and rigid in reference to cleanliness. There were a very few whose unclean habits needed repeated instruction. "Altogether, however, we can boast of a clean and orderly body of people, and the fact that none have been afflicted with any other complaint than sea-sickness, is sufficient to justify our statement." On Tuesday, June 21st, Nathaniel celebrated his 26th birthday. About 3:00 p.m. on that same day there was a "terrific commotion" on board. Someone had sighted the pilot boat. "The pilot! The pilot! The cry was taken up between decks followed by a tumultuous rush up the hatchway, and folks lined the bulwarks immediately, to await the pilot's arrival. Dinners were abandoned for the time, and a general holiday all over the ship appeared to be in full enjoyment, the excitement being intense." The pilot arrived "admidst thunders of applause." The "General McClellen" was about 130 miles from New York, traveling at about 11 1/2 knots per hour. On Wednesday, June 22nd, at 4:00 p.m., Sandy Hook came into view after 32 days of sailing. The report continued, "Expect to anchor for the night as soon as we get through Quarantine." Expecting to be leaving the ship, the resolution of thanks prepared by the company for the Captain was presented to Captain Trask shortly after sighting Sandy Hook. The Captain made the following written reply: "Gentlemen (Messrs. Jeremy, Bull, Bywater and Graham), - You will please accept and convey to the passengers my thanks for the very handsome testimonial which you have presented me with. I am happy that my endeavors to make your passage pleasant and agreeable have been successful, and acknowledge the pride I feel in so flattering an approval of my course and conduct. The gratitude evinced, the regard conveyed, and the thorough feeling of kindness and respect manifested by them, are both appreciated and reciprocated, and will be long treasured. And I trust this favorable passage is a foreshadowing of the remainder of your journey - not only to Utah, but through life - and that you and they may be richly blessed in the enjoyments a good people are deserving of. Signed GOD. Trask." NEW YORK, AMERICA. On that same June 22, in the evening the report to President Cannon continued with the following message: "9 o'clock p.m. - Just anchored in the bay. The people passed the medical officer without difficulty. Captain Trask handed Brother Graham a couple of sovereigns, one to be given to each of the parents of the two children born on the voyage, accompanied by his best wishes for the children's welfare. May the Lord bless him for his kindness to the people." The conclusion of the report was written on Thursday morning, June 23, 1864: "We are now waiting for our landing at Castle Gardens, so we will bring this letter to a close, and pray that God may bless you and all whom we have left behind, with the choicest of his blessings" (Mill. Star 26:476). Castle Garden was formerly known as Castle Clinton. Castle Clinton was a federal fort built in 1807 when tension between Great Britain and the United States was escalating. Situated on an island some 300 feet off the tip of Manhattan Island, its 28 guns and eight-foot-thick walls offered security through the War of 1812. In 1823 Castle Clinton was converted to a theater, renamed Castle Garden, and was the scene of many spectacular social events. Not many years later, Castle Garden was incorporated into Manhattan by landfill from the construction of subways. In 1855 Castle Garden became an immigrant landing depot and during the next 45 years about eight million people, including Nathaniel Spens, were processed at the old fort. Finally, in 1890, the federal government took over the state-operated reception depot after numerous reports of corrupt officials exploiting unsuspecting aliens. The continuing influx of immigrants swamped Castle Garden and, in 1892, the operation was transferred to Ellis Island. In 1946 Fort Castle Clinton was restored and designated as a National Monument (Allen, 1990). There were upwards of one thousand emigrants at Castle Garden in advance of the Saints aboard "The General McClellan," and it was necessary to spend one more night on board the ship. Elders Joseph A. Young, Brigham Young, Jr. and Paul A. Schettler boarded the ship Thursday evening and addressed the Saints. They expressed satisfaction at the prearrangement of the business connected with the landing of the people and their further journey toward Wyoming. Elders J. A. Young, B. Young, Jr., and Schettler had not received communication respecting the business of these Saints nor a list of the passengers. Notwithstanding the mail steamer with this information had been detained at sea, these three brethren were able to settle everything with surprisingly little difficulty as noted in the presidency's report: "There was but one obstacle that we foresaw would interfere with our immediate departure from New York, and that was the examination of the passengers' baggage, which we anticipated would be diligently overhauled by the officers. Doubtless through the heavy demands on the United States Government for the continued support of the expensive war now being waged upon this continent, a strict and rigid system of searching emigrants' luggage for contraband articles, is enforced; the officers charge for almost everything besides what individuals are clothed with. This obstacle, however, was removed, and we succeeded in having everything landed without the people being detained in New York longer than twelve hours. We left New York in the afternoon (Friday, June 24) for Albany, by the magnificent steamboat, St. John, and arrived early the following morning (Saturday, June 25). The organization of the company remained, at Brother Joseph A. Young's desire, as it originally stood."
      Travel from New York to Nebraska. According to young Christopher Alstron, the company traveled up the Hudson River toward Canada "to avoid the Armies of the Rebellion, broken bridges, uptorn railways, etc. incident to a war which was raging in the States between the North and the South, with blood and rapine in all the land " (Carter, 1965). After a few hours in Albany, the Saints continued their journey by "cars" (railway cars). On Sunday morning they reached Rochester where they were detained until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, according to the Manuscript History of the British Mission. There had been "an accident to the luggage-train locomotive which was in our rear." At Buffalo, "in consequence of our detention at Rochester," railroad officials distributed a quantity of biscuits and cheese to the passengers. Another distribution was made at Fort Huron. At Chicago Judge Kinney of Utah and Elders William S. Godbe and Francis A. H. Mitch gave President Thomas E. Jeremy fifty dollars to assist the immigrating Saints. According to the Manuscript History of the British Mission, "This money and the generous help of the railroad officials were much appreciated as a large number of the emigrants were entirely destitute of means and dependent upon President Jeremy and his assistants to supply their needs." Parley P. Pratt joined this company in Chicago and traveled with them to Wyoming near Omaha, Nebraska Territory. [Kerry's note: this appears incorrect since Parley died circa 1857 unless this should be Orson Pratt, Parley's brother.] Nathaniel must have heard firsthand some of the stories this missionary shares with present-day readers through his autobiography. Parley's joining the Saints surely was one of "the blessing of the Lord" noted to have been upon the travelers, "his providence has met us under every ill-favoured circumstance and supplied our wants." The presidency continue their report, "To no other power but the power of the Almighty can be ascribed our prosperity and success." On July 1, 1864 after six days on the train, the Saints arrived in St. Joseph, Missouri and "occupied a large shed-room attached to the warehouse of the Steam-packet Company." Having arrived on the frontier of civilization, the Saints took extreme safety precautions according to the following details from the Manuscript History: "Every able-bodied man was stationed as a guard, so that clear around the building there was a strong guard watching the safety and property of those who slept. Some of the Saints preferred sleeping in the open air, in consequence of the intense heat, which is such as many - especially from the old country - never experienced before. Around these was also stationed a strong guard." On July 2nd about half-past ten in the morning, the journey by steamer up the Missouri River began with the expectation of reaching Wyoming by the 3rd in the evening. As expected, on July 3rd, the company reached their destination of Wyoming, Nebraska Territory. No deaths had occurred since little Seth died while crossing the Atlantic. With only one or two exceptions, all the Saints who left England with this company, together with a few who had joined the company in New York and along the way, arrived in Wyoming safely.
      Crossing the Plains. Wyoming was a village situated on the west bank of the Missouri River, seven miles north of Nebraska City and 40 miles south of Omaha, Nebraska. The village of Wyoming was selected by the Church leaders as an outfitting station that year (Mill. Star 27:16). Two large warehouses had been constructed in addition to a store, the emigration office, a coral and a few dwellings. Elder Joseph Young was in charge of the outfitting station. Earlier this particular year, at Brigham Young's request, the Utah Church members again responded to the call to assist emigrating Saints. A total of 170 wagons, 1,717 oxen, 58 horses and 28 mules were sent in charge of six captains, 27 mounted guards and 144 experienced teamsters (Journal History of March 6, 1864). More was needed than transportation and good [h]onest men who were expected to conduct themselves as if on a mission. Supplies requested for the trip East included molasses, grain, meat, and cotton. A large amount of freight was also sent to Utah from Wyoming, Nebraska. The Union Pacific Railroad did not begin to move west from Omaha until July 10, 1865 so all freight ordered by merchants, contractors and private individuals was freighted through the Church Emigration Office. Merchandise, ironware, stoves, glass and other commodities were loaded on wagons and moved west. President Joseph Young stated that "after all the wagons had been loaded, there were still one hundred tons of freight in the warehouses ready for shipment." Gold seekers and pioneers migrating west to California, Oregon and Washington increased the shortage of good wagons and strong animals for the Latter-Day Saints' use. Immediately the newly-arrived Saints began preparing for their overland journey of more than a thousand miles - across the great plains of Nebraska, over the mountains in Wyoming and Utah and finally into the Great Salt Lake Valley to their new home in Zion. From the Presidency's report we read: "The Saints have commenced camp life already. Some are sleeping in wagons, others under tents, and others, again, with nothing but the sky to cover them. This change in their mode of life, however, has its novelty and its pleasures. A few only express themselves dissatisfied with the change, and because of the inconveniences they have been subjected to, consider that the Work of God here and on the journey hither, is not the same glorious Work which they labored to promote in those lands whence they came." Most of the Saints were assigned either to Captain Rawlins or to Captain Warren's company. Nathaniel, Jane and their children, Isabella and Willie, were assigned to the Rawlins Company, and on July 15th, just twelve days after their arrival in Camp Wyoming, continued on their way west. Joseph S. Rawlins's train was partially loaded with freight and families were assigned to certain wagons. According to the recollections of Harry M. Payne whose family joined the company in Camp Wyoming, his family and relatives, totaling fifteen people, loaded "all their earthly possessions on top of a part of a load of freight." So many assigned to one wagon naturally required "all able-bodied individuals make the journey on foot" (Payne, 1974). Richard Daniels Brown, Jr. joined the train part way across the prairie and noted that he had "walked on the prairie with sore feet, bleeding and hungry" before finding his parents in this train (Brown, 1973). Christopher Alstron remembered walking the full 1,100 miles on foot. He recalled severe trials and hardships. One particular night "after the tents were set up and the camp was asleep, there came up a fearful wind, then rain fell in torrents, and every tent was blown down except the one we were in..." Christopher goes on to recount details that must have matched the chores and worries of other young boys in the company. The same worries must have been shared by Nathaniel and Jane whose children were too young to assist them: "Crossing the prairie there was no fuel other than buffalo chips with which to cook our little meals of bread and meat. Think of cooking your supper, after a long day's walk, over a fire of "chips" with the wind blowing over the great plains, and sometimes rain putting out the fire, and going to bed without any supper, getting up in the morning at daylight to find everything soaking wet and nothing to burn to cook your breakfast with, hooking up the oxen and traveling until noon, trying to find some dry "chips" to make a fire to cook dinner! Such was our life on the plains before we reached the mountain country where we procured sticks to use with the "chips" (Carter, 1965). From the Millennial Star (26: 460, 476, 479, 539, 717-718) we learn more details of their journey: "Captain Joseph. S. Rawlins Church Train of ox-drawn wagons and consisting of a large company of emigrating Saints, left Wyoming, Nebraska Territory on July 15, 1864. Most of these Saints crossed the Atlantic in the ship, 'General McClellan.' " Captain Rawlins was at Laramie on the 20th of August (p.717). Another telegram indicated the train was at Deer Creek on the 26th of August and reported that "nine oxen died between Laramie and here." From a telegram sent to President Brigham Young from the Sweetwater Bridge under date of Sept. 1st, it was learned that "the train was in fine condition, traveling all right and all doing well." From one more telegram, sent from the Little Sandy Sept. 9th, it was learned that "the train was still in good condition, company well and cattle traveling well." A list of passengers in this company was published in the Deseret News Weekly, Vol 13, on August 17, 1864 on page 369 in anticipation of the company's arrival. The list was also published in Journal History September 20, 1864, on page one. Besides the Rawlins Company, five other church trains and three independent companies left Wyoming, Nebraska that same year. According to the Millennial Star (27:16), "Of the 2,697 emigrants, 118 provided their own teams. About 2,508 Saints (including Nathaniel Spens and his family) crossed the plains in Church Trains." The emigrants' nationalities were noted as 1343 English, 209 Scotch, 12 Irish, 132 Welsh, 427 Danes, 338 Swedes, 14 Norwegians, 31 Germans, 60 Dutch, 10 French, 79 Swiss, 1 Russian, 1 Italian and 20 Americans. Nathaniel is suspected to have announced himself as a Scot even though his little family were all English. The last train left the outfitting village of Wyoming, Nebraska in August and arrived in Salt Lake City November 2nd. President Joseph Young reported the last train had some worry of Indian trouble in Nebraska but proceeded safely. He noted that 1864 had been a prosperous season of work.
      Utah at last. In four months Nathaniel, Jane and their two children, traveling by ship, steamer, railway and ox-cart, had crossed the Atlantic Ocean, the United States, the great plains and the Continental Divide. All had gone well for Nathaniel and Jane. Then, on September 4, 1864, three days after leaving Sweetwater Bridge and just sixteen days before the J. S. Rawlins company arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley, little Willie Spens died. We do not have an account of Nathaniel and Jane's sorrow over the loss of their little son, but there is an account of the death of little Thomas Payne just two weeks prior to Willie's death. Thomas, a baby, nearly two years of age, "took sick about half way to Utah, and lingered along for two or three weeks and finally died on August 22, 1864, as we were camped at a place called "Bitter Cottonwood." He died a martyr to the cause for want of proper food. He cried for a slice of yeast bread cut from a loaf, which could not be provided. He could not be comforted. He was unable to eat the rough food that was provided the company." That sorrowful day the family stayed behind. "They dressed Thomas's body in a little red dress and sewed him up in a sheet, there being no material available with which to make a coffin. The body was placed in a grave, with the end gate of a wagon box laid over it to protect it as much as possible; another mound to mark the way to Zion" (Payne, 1974). Was William's a lingering sickness? Was he also sewed in a sheet? Did the little Spens family linger behind on September 4th? While Nathaniel dug the grave did Mrs. Payne, great with her next child (and Ann Price who also buried a little boy on the trail), linger behind with Jane to comfort her? And did those two women then take Isabella by the hand while Nathaniel comforted Jane? On September 20, 1864 the company entered the valley, and Nathaniel and Jane, like thousands of other Saints, had paid a price in answering the call to gather to Zion. Nathaniel would later learn that back in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on December 20, 1864 his sister, Sarah, lost her six-year-old daughter, Isabella Irvine Douse, to acute hydrocephalus. While Nathaniel's and Jane's grief was tempered by the gospel plan, Sarah's sorrow cut deep into her soul.
      American Fork, Utah. At the time of this writing it is speculative as to where Nathaniel Spens lived; however, it is thought that he settled with his wife and daughter in American Fork soon after his arrival in Salt Lake City. We can imagine the joyful reunion for Jane Ann and her sister Mary Ann Burnhope Wallace. Little Isabella met her cousin Annie. Aunt Mary Ann's sorrow over the recent death of Jane Ann's little Willie was genuine and brought fresh memories of her little Thomas, born 24 October 1862 and buried 22 May 1864 in American Fork. The Wallaces probably took Nathaniel and Jane Ann to visit their Thomas's little grave and shared the following poem which was penned by Thomas Michael Wallace 22 May 1864: "This evening at sundown died my son, Thomas. He was a lovely, mild, and affectionate boy. He has gone to the land of repose, No sorrow nor sin there annoys. But here we must mourn over the loss Of our lovely, affectionate boy. Farewell for a while, brightest gem. Thou wilt shine in thy newly won life. We will join thee in years yet to come When we've valiantly finished the strife." The following spring, 1865, Mary Ann and Jane Ann were both with child. On 10 March 1865, Mary Ann gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth. A few weeks later, on 28 April 1865, not even a year after Nathaniel and Jane arrived in Utah, Jane Ann Burnhope Spens died and was buried on the second of May, probably laid to rest beside Mary Ann's baby, Thomas. The new sorrow and loss Nathaniel and little Isabella felt were tempered by the hope of meeting beyond the veil, and were not reasons to berate God or his new religion. Death was not new to Nathaniel; he had lost his own mother at the age of thirteen and many of his brothers and sisters had died young. It seems that his mother, Isabella Irvine Spens, was a carrier for hemophilia as was his sister, Sarah. It is suspected that Mary Ann helped with little Isabella following Jane Ann's death. Mary Ann probably wrote her parents the sad news of Willie's and Jane's death. Some four years later, Isaac and Elizabeth Burnhope may have watched for a particular little mound near the Sweetwater Bridge that marked their grandson?s mortal existence. (The Burnhopes provided their own passage fare and sailed June 4, 1868 on the "John Bright," with two children, Thomas, 23, and Betsey, 20. Isaac was 57 years old at the time, occupation, slate layer, and his wife, Elizabeth was 59. "Crossing the Ocean.")

      MARRIAGE:
      1. One Ord. Index entry of 1989 in Provo shows marriage as 4 Sep 1861 at St. John, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, England. Appears correct; verify against LDS pioneer trail records.

      DEATH:
      1. See note cited above on brother-in-law's membership record.

      2. Biography notes death date of 2 May.

      SOURCES_MISC:
      1. Family group sheet submitted by Josephine H. Bird, 404 Cedar St., Mt. Vernon, Washington. She then lived in Orem, Utah. She cites personal records and autobiographies of Elizabeth Charlton Wallace Hickenlooper and Mary Ann Burnhope Wallace.