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“The Ship Brooklyn Story - Volume 2” by Richard H. Bullock The Orrin Smith Family The Orrin. Smith family consists of the father Orrin Smith, his second wife Amy Ann Dowd Hopkins Smith, his children by his first wife, Henry Merriman Smith, Amelia Ann Smith, Elizabeth B. Smith, and Francis Erothis Smith; his step-daughters who were daughters of Amy Ann Dowd and her first husband, Ellen Mariah Hopkins and Emily Marilla Hopkins, children of Orrin and Amy Ann, Orrin Hopkins Smith and Amy Ann Smith. Orrin Smith had been born 20 February 1808 at New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut to Andrew Smith and Ruth Judd Smith, the youngest of six children; one girl and five boys. He had been baptized into the Christ Congregational Church on 2 May 1824 at Haddam, Middlesex, Connecticut. A year later he changed his Church to the Methodist Church in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut. He felt more comfortable with the Methodist faith. He met and courted a young lady by the name of Wealthy Maria Merriman in New Haven She had been the daughter of Moses Merriman and Lois Wantwood. Wealthy had been the ninth of ten children, three of whom died in childhood. She had been born in 1802 at Hamden, Connecticut. They were married 26 July 1827 by Minister T. Spicer of Hamden, Connecticut. Their first child had been born 22 February 1829 and they named her Elizabeth Bradley Smith. They had their second child born to them in 1831 and they named him Henry Merriman Smith. They later moved to Painesville, Lake, Ohio where their third child had been born on 29 September 1836 and they named her Amelia Ann Smith. The next to arrive is a son they named Martin Van Buren in 1840. Orrin and Wealthy sold their Hartford property in 1840 to a man named Charles Wells for $1000. They then moved back to Bristol, Hartford, Connecticut where 1 their last child had been born on 3 March 1842 and they named him Francis Erothis Smith. Orrin had also become a Presbyterian Minister. He next joined the Millerites and following their teachings he gave away all he owned. He and Wealthy dressed in ceremonial robes and went out at midnight to greet the Savior. When the Savior didn’t appear they returned to their home, discouraged but wiser. Their friends gave them back all their possessions and life went on. Sadly on 9 June 1843, Wealthy Maria died leaving Orrin a widower with five small children. Orrin felt almost helpless in trying to care for his children and recognized he needed help. He courted a widow by the name of Amy Ann Dowd Hopkins, who had two daughters, and they were married on 30 July 1843 by Edward Savage at Forestville, Middlesex County, Connecticut. Amy Ann Dowd Hopkins had been the daughter of Israel Dowd and Anne Clark of Hartford, Connecticut. She had previously married Andrew Bennett Hopkins on 27 July 1834 at Harwinton, Litchfield, Connecticut. The couple had two daughters. Ellen Mariah Hopkins, born 16 May 1835 and Emily Marilla Hopkins, born 3 December 1837. Amy’s husband Andrew Bennet Hopkins died on 3 May 1841 at New Haven, Connecticut leaving Amy Ann a widow. Deeds of Hartford, Connecticut, Register of Deeds Vol. 62, 1839-40, Sale #4540. 1 1

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Page 1: “The Ship Brooklynshipbrooklyn.com/pdf/orrenesmith.pdf · “The Ship Brooklyn Story ... Martin Van Buren in 1840. ... Harwinton, Litchfield, Connecticut. The couple had two daughters

“The Ship Brooklyn Story - Volume 2”

by Richard H. Bullock

The Orrin Smith Family

The Orrin. Smith family consists of the father Orrin Smith, his second wife Amy AnnDowd Hopkins Smith, his children by his first wife, Henry Merriman Smith, Amelia Ann Smith,Elizabeth B. Smith, and Francis Erothis Smith; his step-daughters who were daughters of AmyAnn Dowd and her first husband, Ellen Mariah Hopkins and Emily Marilla Hopkins, children ofOrrin and Amy Ann, Orrin Hopkins Smith and Amy Ann Smith.

Orrin Smith had been born 20 February 1808 at New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut toAndrew Smith and Ruth Judd Smith, the youngest of six children; one girl and five boys. He hadbeen baptized into the Christ Congregational Church on 2 May 1824 at Haddam, Middlesex,Connecticut. A year later he changed his Church to the Methodist Church in New Haven, NewHaven, Connecticut. He felt more comfortable with the Methodist faith.

He met and courted a young lady by the name of Wealthy Maria Merriman in New HavenShe had been the daughter of Moses Merriman and Lois Wantwood. Wealthy had been the ninthof ten children, three of whom died in childhood. She had been born in 1802 at Hamden,Connecticut. They were married 26 July 1827 by Minister T. Spicer of Hamden, Connecticut.

Their first child had been born 22 February 1829 and they named her Elizabeth BradleySmith. They had their second child born to them in 1831 and they named him Henry MerrimanSmith. They later moved to Painesville, Lake, Ohio where their third child had been born on 29September 1836 and they named her Amelia Ann Smith. The next to arrive is a son they namedMartin Van Buren in 1840. Orrin and Wealthy sold their Hartford property in 1840 to a mannamed Charles Wells for $1000. They then moved back to Bristol, Hartford, Connecticut where1

their last child had been born on 3 March 1842 and they named him Francis Erothis Smith. Orrinhad also become a Presbyterian Minister. He next joined the Millerites and following theirteachings he gave away all he owned. He and Wealthy dressed in ceremonial robes and went outat midnight to greet the Savior. When the Savior didn’t appear they returned to their home,discouraged but wiser. Their friends gave them back all their possessions and life went on. Sadly on 9 June 1843, Wealthy Maria died leaving Orrin a widower with five small children.

Orrin felt almost helpless in trying to care for his children and recognized he needed help. He courted a widow by the name of Amy Ann Dowd Hopkins, who had two daughters, and theywere married on 30 July 1843 by Edward Savage at Forestville, Middlesex County, Connecticut. Amy Ann Dowd Hopkins had been the daughter of Israel Dowd and Anne Clark of Hartford,Connecticut. She had previously married Andrew Bennett Hopkins on 27 July 1834 atHarwinton, Litchfield, Connecticut. The couple had two daughters. Ellen Mariah Hopkins, born16 May 1835 and Emily Marilla Hopkins, born 3 December 1837. Amy’s husband AndrewBennet Hopkins died on 3 May 1841 at New Haven, Connecticut leaving Amy Ann a widow.

Deeds of Hartford, Connecticut, Register of Deeds Vol. 62, 1839-40, Sale #4540.1

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The missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were preaching inthe New Haven area in 1843 and Orrin and Amy were very interested in the words of the Prophetand the Book of Mormon they were given to read. They joined The Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints on 27 December 1843 at New Haven and were baptized by Elder E. Ward Pell.Orrin had been ordained a priest in New Haven, Connecticut, December 23, 1844 by WilliamSmith, brother to the prophet. Orrin and Amy had their first child together on 11 August 1845 atNew Haven and he had been named Orrin Hopkins Smith. Immediately they felt pressure andpersecution from those around them and decided to join the Brooklyn expedition in 1846. Surprisingly, Amy Ann found herself pregnant again in December 1845 and knew the journeycould now pose a threat to her and the babies.

In fact they found her health to be in danger before they had reached Hawaii and theiryoung son Orrin suffered from the effects of malnutrition. Under these circumstances Orrin andAmy had decided to stay in Hawaii until they could regain their strength enough to follow therest of the group. Sadly the health of the little boy, theirfirstborn, deteriorated until he died on 15 July 1846. He isburied in the Oahu Cemetery, Section 2, Strangers Plot 55,Grave U, Honolulu, Hawaii. Amy Ann then suffered apremature birth of a little girl that lived only a few hours. Shehad been named Amy Ann Smith and had died in about thethird week of July 1846. She also is buried in the OahuCemetery, Section 2, Strangers Plot 160, Grave V, Honolulu,Hawaii. When the cemetery had been visited in 2005 byfellow researcher Kerry Petersen of Palmer, Alaska, helocated the graves and observed that there are no markers. There is no indication why the two children were not buriednext to each other. After resting for a few weeks, Amy AnnDowd Smith regained her strength and the family caughtanother sailing ship that took them to Yerba Buena on 10October 1846, where they were re-united with the rest of theirBrooklyn friends.

Orrin Hopkins Grave - Oahu Courtesy Sandra P. Olson

Oahu Cemetery Entrance

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Orrin Hopkins Smiths obituary reads:DIED: In Honolulu, July 15, Orren Hopkins,

infant son of Mr. Orren and Mrs. Ann Smith,

aged 11 months and 4 days. The family belongs

to the company of migrants bound to

California, but remained behind, when the

“Brooklyn” left, on account of illness.2

Orrin found contact with many of his fellow Brooklynpassengers difficult at best. He had beenexcommunicated by Samuel Brannan during thevoyage for considering engaging in polygamy. He andthree others had been blacklisted by Brannan. All ofthese persons were having a difficult time in YerbaBuena because the “Saints” were reluctant to trade ordo business with them. Orrin had been a shoemakerand tried to continue his trade with the materials hehad brought from the East, but materials began todwindle and he couldn’t support his family on such

small business, so he became a carpenter. The building of new homes, shelters, businesses andshops became a major priority in San Francisco and Orrin did much better financially. When thelots were sold in early San Francisco Orrin had been too poor to purchase property, but by 1847while traveling in Sonoma and staying at the Blue Wing Inn, he bought two lots across from theSonoma Mission on 10 March 1847. He moved his family to this new location and the next yearAmy Ann gave birth to a little girl that they named Elizabeth Ann or Lizzie Smith. Orrin openeda small hotel and made a great deal of money, most of it in gold dust.

The family then moved to Calistoga, that great little resort city that Samuel Brannan hadbeen building. Perhaps Orrin had contracted with Brannan to help in the construction ofBrannan’s dream. Here Amy Ann gave birth to Eugene William Smith on 1 January 1850, aNew Year’s baby. Orrin had now become well-to-do and his daughters did their part to spend asmuch as they could on lavish living. The 1850 census shows the family in Sonoma County.

Orrin had been approached in the early 1850's by Amasa Lyman and C. C. Rich tomigrate to San Bernardino and make his home there. Orrin followed their guidance and in 1855the family migrated there.

From Elder Parley P. Pratt to Elder George A. Smith - Historian. ‘The following is a list

of our spring emigration from the San Francisco Conference of the C.J.C.L.D. Saints, to San

Bernardino and Salt Lake, according to the organization completed here this day.’ The list

The Polynesian, Saturday July 16, 1846. Courtesy of Sandra P. Olson, Sandy, UT2

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included the names of Orrin Smith, Anna A. Smith, Ellen M. Hopkins, Amelia A. Smith, Emily H.

Hopkins, Francis Smith, Ann Smith and Eugene Smith.3

There is little evidence of Orrin Smith in Utah, or the activities that encompassed thefamily. He received his Patriarchal Blessing on 9 July 1857 and shortly afterward his olderchildren were all married, except Francis (Frank). Amelia Ann Smith married 24 Jul 1858;Elizabeth Bradley Smith married soon after; Ellen Mariah Hopkins married 19 July 1859 andEmily Marilla Hopkins married 22 April 1858. He made his home in Davis County.

Reported on this date: You will notice in the ‘News’ an account of the late shooting affair

in Davis County, and Brother Orin Smith it is said recognized Beattie at first sight as one of the

celebrated Jacquins’ robber band in California.4

With all the children accounted for except Henry; Orrin and Amy Ann decided to returnto Northern California, taking the younger Amy Elizabeth and Eugene William Smith with them.

ca. 1900Photo courtesy of Sandra P. Olson, Sandy, Utah

Journal History, 30 April 1855.3

Ibid, 15 July 1859.4

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He purchased thirty-eight acres of land from Harriett E. Handley at Sonoma, Sonoma,California for a sum of fifty dollars.5

We next find that Orrin had been baptized a member of the Reorganized Church of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints on 17 December 1866 at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, byJohn Roberts. Later he also became an Elder in the Church. Amy Ann Smith heard ElderAlexander Smith speak about the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints whenshe had been in Utah. She chose to be baptized a member of the RLDS 11 August 1868. Sheattended the West Oakland, California Branch.

The 1870 census lists Orrin as living in Napa and has taken up shoemaking again. Theyapparently moved to Oakland in the early 1870's as Amy Ann died there on 22 March 1877. Herobituary reads:

At Oakland, California on the 22nd day of March 1877, sister Amy Ann, wife of Bro.

Orrin Smith, of the West Oakland Branch of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints, aged 62 years, 1 month, and 12 days. Sister Smith embraced the faith of The Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Haven, Connecticut and was baptized into the Church by

Elder E. Ward Pell, in November 1843. Prior to this she was a Primitive Methodist. In company

with her family she arrived in San Francisco, 10 October 1846, being one of those who came to

California in the ship Brooklyn, under the management of Samuel Brannan. Having been raised

from a bed of sickness several times through the power of God, by obedience to the ordinance, she

had a desire to be found among the faithful, and went to Utah [to receive her blessings], hearing

brethren Alex H. Smith and William Anderson preach in Utah. The family came to San Francisco,

and sister Smith was baptized by Elder John Roberts of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints, August 11 1868, and died as she had lived in the full belief of the Gospel ofth

Jesus Christ and its promises. Preamble and resolution: Whereas, it has pleased our Heavenly

Father to remove from the labors and cares of this life, our sister Amy Ann Smith; and whereas,

while we all sincerely feel the loss of her presence among us, yet we feel to rejoice that while she

has ceased from her labors here on earth her works do follow her unalloyed by the cares of earth in

that far better life in the Church Triumphant. Therefore, resolved; that we, members of the west

Oakland Branch, realizing the weakness and inadequacy of the offering, yet sincerely and earnestly

render our heartfelt sympathy and condolence to Br. Orrin Smith, the companion and sufferer for

the cause of Christ with our deceased sister, and extend the same to the children and relatives and

pray our Heavenly Father to so temper this dispensation to the condition of each of them, and us

that we may truly say, ‘Thy will, O, God, be done.’6

Orrin had Amy Ann buried in the Irvington Memorial Cemetery, Pioneer Section B, Lot107, Row 5, Irvington, Alameda, California.

Orrin married a widower named Harriet S. Hodges a few years later and they appear onthe 1880 census of San Juan, San Benito county, California. Orrin is a shoemaker aged 68, andHarriet S. Smith as his wife, age 53 with a step-son to Orrin named Samuel C. Hodges, age 17. The marriage may not have worked out very well as Orrin is living with Hiram Davis inIrvington, California when Orrin’s health began to fail him in the mid 1890's. Thinking a visit tohis son Eugene might help his health he traveled to San Rafael, Marin county, to visit Eugeneand his family. While there he had an attack of Brights disease that put him in bed and he never

Sonoma County Deeds, book 18, page 694. Courtesy of Barbara Wills, Livermore, California, 94550.5

Saints’ Herald Obituaries, July 1877, page 208. Courtesy of Sandra Olsen, Sandy, UT 84070 to author6

in 2005.

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recovered, dying on 23 February 1896 at San Rafael, Marin County, California. His obituaryreads:

Orrin Smith died at San Rafael, Marin County, California, of Bright’s disease, February

23 , 1896. He was born February 20 , 1808, at Haddam, Connecticut. In 1828, he married hisrd th

first wife, and to them were born six children all of whom preceded him to the land of rest . In

1843 he married Amy Ann Hopkins, of New Haven, Connecticut, she having two children, Ellen

and Emily. The last named being Mrs Emily Bartholomew of Independence, Missouri. To him

and his second wife were born five children, of whom two survive, Eugene and Elizabeth. In 1877

his second wife died and was brought to Irvington for burial. A few years after, he married Mrs.

Harriet Hodges, of Watsonville, California, who still lives. His home was with Hiram Davis of

Irvington. Not feeling well, he resolved to visit Eugene, thinking it might do him good. Two days

afterward he took to his bed. Every comfort was provided, but could not stay the hand of death.

As we stood around his bed on the morning of his eighty-eighth birthday, we knew the end was

near. Two days after this his spirit took its flight. He was first a Methodist, then a Presbyterian

minister, then he joined the Millerites and was one of them that gave all their worldly effects away,

and went out in their robes to meet their Savior at midnight. Of course they came back

discouraged but the people were very kind to them and gave back their effects. From that bitter

cold night, father and mother were no longer Millerites. A few days after, they heard two Elders of

the Latter-day Saints persuasion. The ice was broken, they were born again. In 1846 they started

on the ship Brooklyn, Samuel Brannan being the captain of the company, for California, afterward

they went to Utah and passed through many trials, then joined the Reorganized Church and he was

ordained an Elder. At a ripe old age he has been gathered home. His body was brought to

Irvington, and services held at the home of Bro. and Sister Davis, by Elder J. C. Clapp; an old time

and loved friend of the family. 7

Orrin’s body had been shipped to Irvington where he is buried at the Irvington MemorialCemetery, Pioneer Section B, Lot 107, Row 4A, space 6, Irvington, Alameda, California. Whenthe author visited the cemetery no marker could be found for Amy or Orrin, but the familycollected funds for a marker to be placed on the grave, which was dedicated in September 2006. The memorial service included the following poem:

Orrin and Amy Ann Smith Tribute

Your tombstone now stands among the rest.

Your names and dates are chiseled out

Upon polished marbled stone.

It reaches out to all who care.

It isn’t too late to mourn.

You did not know that we exist.

You died and we were born.

Yet each of us are part of you,

In flesh, in blood, in bone.

Our hearts pump and beat a pulse

Entirely not our own.

Dear Ancestor, the place you filled

So many years ago,

Spreads out among the ones you left,

Who would have loved you so.

We wonder how you loved and lived,

We wonder if you knew,

FHL Film # 2026765 Zion’s Ensign Obituaries, 7:11:8. Courtesy of Sandra Olsen, Sandy, UT, 84070 to7

author in 2005.

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That someday we would find this spot,

And come to visit you.8

Elizabeth Bradley SmithElizabeth Bradley Smith has been a difficult

research project, as little about her has been located. She had been born 22 February 1829 at Wallingford,New Haven Connecticut, to Orrin E. Smith andWealthy Maria Merriman. She migrated with herfamily and half-sisters on the Brooklyn when she hadbeen seventeen years old.

Nothing is known of her early life in Californiabut she likely attended the few local schools that wereavailable, and helped her step-mother Amy Ann DowdSmith with the household duties. She left California atthe age of nineteen years and traveled to Utah with theEbenezer Brown Company, arriving 10 October 1848. She moved to Farmington with the rest of her family. She met and married Henry Willard Brizzee about1849, probably in Farmington, Utah. This means thatElizabeth Bradley Smith would have been about twentyat the time, and Henry about thirty-three.

Henry Willard Brizzee - Courtesy of Donna Ford, Wells NV.

Henry Willard Brizzee - Also Courtesy of Donna Ford ,Wells, Nevada.

Provided to author by descendant Ms. Greta L. Gregory, San Mateo, CA in September 20068

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Henry Willard Brizzee had been born 1 May 1826 at North Leverett, Franklin,Massachusetts, the son of Henry Brizzee and Lucinda Pratt. He had been a restless young manand desired to travel the west in search of adventure. While on this journey he met the Eldersand became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1846. He exitedNauvoo with the Saints and answered the call to arms made by Brigham Young when theMormon Battalion had been formed. He had been a Private in Company D and after hismustering out in July 1847 he re-signed as one of the Mormon Volunteers under Captain DanielC. Davis. After the completion of his service to the Mormon Volunteers he made his way to SaltLake City where he married Elizabeth Bradley Smith about 1849. Henry and Elizabeth wentback to the gold fields near Sacramento, but they were soon divorced.

Henry met a widow named Emily Amanda Rockwell Bates whom he married about 1851. Emily is the daughter of Orrin Porter Rockwell and Luana Hart Beebe and had been born 30January 1835 in Jackson, Independence, Missouri. When she reached sixteen years of age sheeloped with Hiram Bates to California, with the help of Battalion veteran Levi Fifield. HiramBates died in September of 1850, leaving Emily Amanda to care for two sons by Hiram’s firstwife, Thomas and Solomon. Both boys were later killed by Indians. She then married HenryWillard Brizzee in about 1851. An interesting discussion by William Bickham on March 2 ,nd

1851 includes the Brizzee’s.At last the curtains before the ladies* dressing room raised, and the fairy procession

glided gracefully into the room, and to the benches along the wall, there awaited the attention of

the beaux. First there was Mrs. Brizee, lately the widow of the Mormon Elder Gates, [Bates] and

now a new made bride. She headed the procession of ladies as if by right due to experience and

some degree of beauty. Her figure was tall, well-formed, and rather muscular; her hair, brown,

teeth white, eyes indescribable, the principal features being boldness, impudence, scornfulness and

lasciviousness; complexion fair, cheeks rosy, and lips looking as though they would be nice to the

taste. Her voice was rather masculine; her hands and feet neither very large or very small; in short

they were what might be termed sizable. Mrs. B. was attired in a figured purple silk dress which

fitted her well formed person with exactness, her neck was bare, but not too much so for delicacy;

her hair ‘done up’ very simply and plainly; her fingers ornamented with several brilliant rings, and

her feet encased in an elegant pair of ladies* cloth and patent leather booties. Her ‘tout ensemble’

was very good. Unfortunately for her general praise, the expression of her features were too closely

scanned by most of those present. This is more the case with Californians than with any other

people with whom I have met; they always judge of women by the expression of the countenance

in connection with the slightest action. All countenance readers do this, but the Californian is

always studying the countenance. . . .

. . . .There were Mormons with long hair tied up with ribbons like a woman*s, generally

fantastically dressed, having numerous stars, crescents, etc. stuck in their coats, hats, etc., and one

of them, the Lord of Mrs. Brassee (Brizzee) appeared in black velvet pantaloons (I forget the

Spanish name for them) open to the knees and garnished with silver buttons placed about 1/4 of an

inch apart. . . .

. . . . The next cotillions were called and I enjoyed myself exquisitely looking at the

participants. Mr. Bisee [sic] shook his buttons with a vengeance, and I thought several times would

have kicked the delicate shins of the ladies.9

Ham, Randall E., A Buckeye in the Land of Gold - The Letters and Journal of William Dennison9

Bickham , The Arthur C. Clark Company, Spokane, Washington, 1996, page 137

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Henry Brizzee and Emily Amanda had two sons born to them; Charles Porter Brizzee andHenry Willard Brizzee Jr. The marriage didn’t last long as Emily Amanda filed for divorceagainst Henry Brizzee in 11 July 1859. She later married David Tyrell in about 1860 and shedied near Grouse Creek, Box Elder County, Utah.

Henry married third, Malinda McKenzie Woodbury. Two daughters were born to thismarriage, Mary Malinda Brizzee, and Katherine Brizzee, who died in infancy. The fourth wife ofHenry Willard Brizzee is Ann Long Didsbury, also married at about the same time, 1860. Theywere sealed in the Endowment House. To this couple were born eight children: five were born inUtah and three in Arizona. Henry had met Ann Long Didsbury at a dance held by the TerritorialLegislature. Henry represented Summit County in political matters at the time and he becamepart of a Committee to draft a Constitution for Statehood. He also operated a business in SaltLake City as a nurseryman. He built bridges across the often violent streams in Summit countyand got authorization to charge toll fees for crossing.

Edward Stevenson reported to the Deseret News on the travels of Brigham Young and his

party on a missionary tour of Summit County. ‘At Weber we passed free over the toll gate and two

bridges kept by H. W. Brizzee, all in good condition, and put up at his house, after passing through

a heavy thunderstorm. Here are beautiful fields of grain, one of which, owned by Brizzee and

company, containing 100 acres of small grain, is looking remarkably well, and no grasshoppers to

hurt them. The grain here is mostly jointing and in boot, while in Great Salt Lake County we

passed some which will be ready next week for the sickle.’10

Henry continued to be active in politics and rose among the ranks of the Brethren, as hefrequently would travel with Brigham Young to address audiences throughout the area. Henryspoke mainly upon the politics of the Territory and the officers that were making the laws. Finally he received a call to go on a mission to Massachusetts with N. H. Felt in 1869 and heperformed his mission well, speaking to many hundreds about the Gospel.

His efforts were well noticed by Brigham Young as in 1875 at a General Conference he,along with others were called to open a mission to Mexico.

The first Latter-day Saints to set foot upon Mexican soil were the men of the Mormon

Battalion who were mustered into service in 1846 to fight in the Mexican War. As they pushed on

toward California, their journey took them through Mexican territory. They went as far south as the

San Pedro River into the state of Sonora. Although some few others of the Church had passed over

the boundary line into the states of Sonora and Chihuahua, no definite steps were taken to

introduce the gospel until the general conference of the Church held in 1875, when President

Brigham Young called Daniel W. Jones, Anthony W. Ivins, Ammon Tenney, James Z. Stewart,

Helaman Pratt, Robert H. Smith, Wiley C. Jones and Henry Brizzee to open a mission in the

Republic of Mexico. Later, Meliton C. Trejo was called.11

Henry Brizzee received another call from Brigham Young, along with many othersincluding George Warren Sirrine, to settle southern Arizona in the area that came to be known asMesa, Arizona. So the Brizzee family moved to Mesa in January 1880, settling down for the lasttime with his wife Ann and his children. Henry is known for his love of dancing and music andcalled the square dances at many of Mesa’s gatherings. His last years were spent in loving his

Journal History, 14 July 1867.10

Carter, Kate B., Our Pioneer Heritage, compiled by Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Salt Lake City,11

Utah, Volume Eighteen, 1975, page 355.

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family and grandchildren, hunting on occasion, and gardening. Henry passed away on 29 March1898 at Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona. He and many of his family are buried together at the MesaCemetery.

Elizabeth Bradley Smith Brizzee met and fell in love with William H. Kentzel soon afterher divorce from Henry Brizzee. They were married about 1850, probably in San Francisco. Inthe 1860 census William is described as a pilot for his occupation. With the large number ofabandoned ships in the San Francisco harbor, it required a skilled pilot to bring the incomingships to port.

William H. Kentzel had been born about 1820 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to parentsthat are presently unknown. When he came to California is also unknown. He may have had aprior marriage in Pennsylvania as he came to California with a son or a brother named James thathad been born in 1843. William and Elizabeth started their family in about 1855 when a son theynamed William Kentzel Jr. had been born. He had been followed by Joseph Edward Kentzel 27January 1859; Richard Kentzel about 1861; Leoinade Kentzel, a daughter, about 1863; TheodoreKentzel about 1863 and Robert Kentzel in 1868.

William Kentzel joined the police force of San Francisco and progressed to the positionof Captain on the force and provided a comfortable home for his family. He evidently workedhard in his police duties as evidenced by this article:

THE HARBOR POLICE – During the month of April [1870] the officers connected with

the Harbor Police, and whose duties have frequently considered light, made the following arrests,

etc. as shown by the report of Capt. W. H. Kentzel: Drunks, 44; assaults and battery, 12; vulgar

language, 4; petit larceny, 7; fighting, 1; insanity, 1; manslaughter, 1; misdemeanor, 5; burglary, 1;

bench warrant, 1; robbery, 1; assault with a deadly weapon, 1; desertion, 2; total, 81. Vessels

boarded, 10; conveyed to the Hospital, 3; found dead, 3; rescued from drowning, 1; lost children

returned to parents, 2.12

His wife Elizabeth Bradley Smith Brizzee Kentzel cared for him and the children as feltpride as each child grew into adulthood. She took ill and died on 24 January 1883 in SanFrancisco. Her obituary reads:

KENTZEL – in this city, January 24, Eliza B. wife of Captain Kenzel, a native of Connecticut

aged 53 years, 11 months and 2 days. (Philadelphia and Salt Lake papers please copy)

Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral. Today - Friday, at 10

o’clock AM from her late residence 7 Franklin Street.13

Elizabeth Bradley Smith Brizzee Kentzel’s burial location is unknown at the present time. William continued with his work on the police force until his death in 1889 at the age of sixty-nine.

Captain William H. Kentzel, known as the “Fat Boy” of the Police Force, died toady after an

illness of many months.14

A second article appeared the next day: DIED – KENTZEL – In this city, April 19, Captain William H. Kentzel, a native of Harrisburg,

Daily Alta California, 3 May 1870.12

San Francisco Morning Call, 26 January 1883. Author thanks Sandra Olsen, Sandy, Utah for this13

information

Sacramento Daily Union, Vol. 61, No. 49, 20 April 1889.14

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Penn., aged 69 years 1 month and 20 days.15

His family was well respected for the performance of Captain Kentzel as evidenced bythis article that appeared six months after his death:

Token of Respect – At a meeting of the Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the Police

Department yesterday engrossed resolutions of sympathy and respect, to be presented to the

families of a number of policemen who have recently died, were submitt4ed and approved. The

work of engrossing was artistically approved. They will be sent at once to the families of Francis J.

Corrigan, Samuel B. Alden, Jas. O. McVey, William H. Kentzel and Thomas Greggins.16

Henry Merriman SmithHenry Merriman Smith had been born to Orrin E. Smith and Wealthy Maria Merriman in

1831 New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, the first born son for each parent. Henry had beenfourteen years of age at the time the Brooklyn set sail and, needless to say, had many adventuresaboard ship for a young man of his age. There are no written records about Henry and his fateremains a mystery at present. He probably had some experience at mining gold at MormonIsland, but we have no record. He came with the Orrin Smith family to Utah as part of theEbenezer Brown Company, leaving California 10 August 1848 and arriving in Utah 10 October1848. When his sisters got married and went on their own, there is a possibility that Henry madehis home in Missouri and later Cheyenne, Laramie, Wyoming. On the 1880 census forCheyenne, Laramie, Wyoming we find an H. Smith, age 50, merchant, Mary Smith, wife, age 36,from Missouri, Seymore, a son, age 20, born Missouri, Hettie, a daughter, age 18, born Missouri,Eudiss, a son, age 9, born Missouri, May, a daughter, age 6, born Missouri, and Joseph Smith, ason, age 3, born Missouri. Additional research is needed on Henry. His death and burial areunknown. The family lost track of him in 1860.

Amelia Ann SmithAmelia Ann Smith is the second daughter and third child born to Orrin Smith and

Wealthy Maria Merriman. She had been born on 29 September 1836 at Painesville, Lake, Ohio.The main thing Amelia remembers about the voyage of the Brooklyn is that she had injured herfinger and Captain Richardson had treated her every day with great kindness until the injury hadhealed. Amelia felt pride that the Captain had singled her out for special care. She alsoremembers seeing icebergs near Cape Horn.

After she reached California she stayed with her parents in the mad rushing months of theGold Rush and their ensuing wagon train trip to Salt Lake City in 1848. Her father Orrin hadopened a hotel during the gold rush and made a great deal of money.

Amelia is rumored to have had a lover in California before the family left for Utah, butthe author finds this not very credible, as she would have been only twelve years old. Alsotradition says that Orrin purchased an expensive and luxurious outfit to take his family to Utahand hired a driver by the name of Henry Faust. They left Sacramento with the Ebenezer BrownCompany and arrived in Salt Lake City on 10 October 1848.

Little more is known of the Smith family pioneer struggles in Davis county except thatOrrin had been a witness to a murder. Undoubtedly Amelia Ann attended some schooling and

Daily Alta California, Vol. 80, Number 112, 21 April 188915

Ibid, Vol. 81, No. 106, 14 October 188916

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helped her mother with the chores ofraising a family, learned to cook, sew,spin yarn etc. Amelia Ann visited SaltLake City one day and came under theeye of a young man by the name ofJoseph Woodmansee. Joseph fell in lovewith the young beauty and courted herfor some months.

Joseph Woodmansee isdescended from a long line of Americanpatriots who had fought in theRevolutionary War. His maternal line ofthe Terrell brothers were given a landgrant in Virginia of some 1500 acres fortheir help in the War for Independence. Joseph had been born to JamesWoodmansee and Sarah Terrell on 17December 1826 at Highland County,Ohio. When Joseph reached twelveyears of age, the family moved to Iowaand settled on the Mississippi River nearpresent day Burlington. For the nexteleven years he and his younger brothersCharles and Henry worked the farm fortheir father and in the winter attended thedistrict school.

It is while here in Iowa that thefamily joined The Church of Jesus Christof Latter-day Saints and drew close to the teachings of Joseph Smith. His mother died in 1845and the father in 1849. The three sons stayed on the farm and continued working the land until1853 when their uncle, Joel

Judkins Terrell, who had joined the Mormon Battalion in 1846 returned to Iowa. Here hepersuaded the three nephews to sell the land, buy goods and wagons, and travel to Salt Lake City,where opportunity abounded on every side. The three brothers did as he suggested and with theirthree sisters, Emily, Mary and Sarah they went overland with all they could carry. They arrivedin Salt Lake City on 25 August 1853 and located on the corner of Third South and Main street,where the Judge Building now stands.

They soon sold all their goods at a fair profit and opened a store on Main Street betweenFirst and Second South. This store had been built quickly and looked rather primitive but theybecame one of the early founders of commerce in Salt Lake City. Their business soon prosperedand Woodmansee Brothers, as they were called, soon had branch stores all over the Territory. Charles did most of the traveling between stores and organizing freight teams with goods until

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he located Ogden, Utah. He thought this would be his great opportunity for a grand business anda home so he sold out his interests to Henry and Joseph in 1864. The brothers had become sowealthy they had ventured into mining, real estate and livestock. They once owned manyhundreds of head of cattle and horses. Joseph purchased a major share of the Sunbeam mine inthe Tintic Mining District for $1800; a mine that produced over $500,000 for its owners beforewater forced the closure of the mine.

So, when Joseph asked for the hand of Amelia Ann Smith in marriage it proved to bequite an offer to the young lady. She readily accepted and Joseph went to Brigham Young aboutthe marriage. Brigham Young gave his consent to the marriage, with one catch. Brigham feltthat since Joseph had become so prosperous that he should take two wives instead of one. So on24 July 1858 Joseph married Amelia Ann Smith and also a widow named Lavinia HawkinsHyde. About 1862 Joseph married another widow, Emily Hill Mills.

Emily Hill Mills has a story that is also interesting. Emily had been born 24 March 1836,Warminister, Wiltshire, England to Thomas Hill and Elizabeth Slade. Emily had heard themessage of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1848 when she had been twelvebut didn’t join until 25 March 1852. Her family had been wealthy and she took every advantageto gain a good education. She and her family migrated to America in early 1856 and became partof the ill-fated James G. Willie Handcart Company. Her rescuer had been Joseph A.Young whohad been acquainted with her in England. He gave her a small onion and she in turn passed it tosomeone is worse condition than herself. This man later said the onion had saved his life.

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After she had arrived in the valley and recovered from her ordeal, Emily married WilliamGill Mills as his second wife. However when he went on a mission to England he stayed there,his first wife went to join him, and they abandoned the child they had adopted. Emily had a verydifficult time to survive until Joseph Woodmansee heard of her situation and offered his hand inmarriage. Joseph and Emily had eight children of their own, so Emily had a house full with ten

children to raise.Emily also had a great

talent to live in adversity andyet write beautiful words ofpoetry and verse about lifeand her God. Many of thesongs we sing from theHymn book of today werewritten by Emily Hill MillsWoodmansee.

Joseph and Ameliahad their first child on 8August 1861 at Salt LakeCity, Salt Lake, Utah andthey named the little girlEmily Francis Woodmansee. Lavinia also had a child afew months earlier that theynamed CharlotteWoodmansee. They allappear in the 1860 census ofGreat Salt Lake City in Ward14.

The next child alsohad been a girl that theynamed Julia Woodmansee,born 14 January 1864, butshe died 2 September 1866. Next they had a son, born 26October 1869, but he died 7August 1870. I haveidentified several others butdo not have birth dates forthem; they are James, Henry,and Nettie for a total of sixchildren. Between the three

wives of Joseph Woodmansee they bore him a total of twenty children.Joseph became a patron of the arts and contributed much to that aspect of the city,

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including theater, music and literature, owning one of the finest libraries in the city. Hecontinued with his mercantile business, making frequent trips to San Francisco to buy goods. While on one of these trips across Nevada he had been approached by an old Indian who offeredto sell his son for a small amount of merchandise. The boy received the name of Indian Joe andstayed with the Woodmansee family until he died. Over the years there are records of many ofhis trains arriving in the valley to supply the needs of the Saints. His business grew so well thathe built a new stone building on Main Street that cost over $50,000. It had been located at about65 Main Street, near what would later become the ZCMI store.

Brigham Young’s Journal discusses things on Main Street in the city and comments about

the finishing of a new building by Joseph Woodmansee. He then goes on to describe ‘some dozen

or fifteen saloons and victual shops, and quite a company of soldiers quartered in the store

opposite the south entrance of the Tabernacle who have a guard patrolling the streets and taking

care of the drunken soldiers, and then the guard will get drunk, and they have to send another

guard to wait on them home, and so it goes.’17

Joseph Woodmansee proved to be such a good planner that he had been asked byBrigham Young to help organize the Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institute in 1868.

A group met in City Hall in Salt Lake City on October 15, 1868, and organized a

community-owned merchandise establishment which was dedicated to support home industry and

to sell goods ‘as low as they can possibly be sold, and let the profits be divided among the people

at large.’

The following officers were chosen: Brigham Young, president; William H. Hooper,

vice-president; those two gentlemen and George A. Smith, George Q. Cannon, directors; William

Clayton, secretary; and David O. Caller, treasurer. Franklin D. Richards, Aurelius Miner, Henry

W. Naisbitt, and Joseph Woodmansee were appointed a committee on constitution and bylaws, and

the secretary was urged to collect the subscriptions by the 1st of November, if possible, but by the

end of the year at latest.

During the ensuing weeks, Mormon merchants were encouraged to take stock in the new

enterprise by turning their inventories into the new institution. Stock should be sold to the public

generally, and individuals, both poor and rich, were advised to purchase it. Before long a circular

in the form of the original constitution was sent to all the wards in the territory:

ZION*S CO-OPERATIVE MERCANTILE INSTITUTION

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Preamble:

The inhabitants of Utah, convinced of the impolicy of leaving the trade and commerce of

their Territory to be conducted by strangers, have resolved, in public meeting assembled, to unite

in a system of co-operation for the transaction of their own business, and for better

accomplishment of this purpose have adopted the following

Constitution:

Holiness to the Lord! Zion*s Co-operative Mercantile Institution.

Sec. 1 — This Association shall be known by the name and style of ‘Zion*s Co-operative

Mercantile Institution,’ and shall have perpetual succession.

Sec. 2 — The objects of this Institution are to establish and carry on in Salt Lake City and

such other places as may be determined by the board, the business of General Merchandising.

Sec. 3 — The capital stock of this Institution shall be three millions of dollars

($3,000,000) and may be increased to five millions, ($5,000,000) and be divided into shares of one

hundred dollars ($100) each.

Sec. 4 — The Officers of this Institution shall consist of a President, Vice-President,

Journal History, 20 November 1864.17

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Board of Directors, Secretary and Treasurer, each and every one of whom shall be stockholders in

this institution.

Sec. 5 — The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five (5), nor more than nine

(9) persons, including the President and Vice-President, who shall be ex-officio members of the

Board.

Sec. 6 — It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Institution

and of the Board, and to sign all documents, as are, or may be, prescribed by the Constitution and

By-Laws, except certificates of dividends to stockholders. In case of absence or disability of the

President, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President, and in all meetings of the

stockholders the President shall have the power to adjourn the meetings from time to time to

accomplish the transaction of the business.

Sec. 7 — It shall be the duty of the Board to enact By-Laws for the general management

and direction of the business of this institution and to procure suitable places for the transaction of

the business by lease, purchase or construction, also so far as may be necessary, to employ and

appoint committees, delegates, agents, attorneys and clerks to assist in carrying on the business and

promoting the welfare of the Institution, and to discharge the same at pleasure.

Sec. 8 — They shall also have full power to bargain, sell, convey and deliver under the

seal or otherwise any and all species of property belonging to this Institution, which may not be

needed for the business thereof, on such terms and conditions as they may deem for the best

interest of the same; provided, that the sale of shares and merchandise shall be for cash only.

Sec. 9—It shall be the future duty of the Directors to furnish quarterly statements of the

business and balance sheets of the books for the inspection of the shareholders, the first to be

furnished on the fifth day of July, 1869, and quarterly thereafter, said statements and balance

sheets shall remain open in the office of the Secretary for not less than thirty days.

Sec. 10 -- There shall also be furnished by the Directors, statement in detail of the

business of the Institution, to be read before the general meeting of the stockholders to holden at 2

p.m., on the fifth days of October and April in each year, at such places as the Directors may

designate, also declaration of dividends, the first semi-annual meeting to be held on the fifth day of

October, 1869: Provided, that if any of said fifth days shall fall on Sunday, said reports shall be

furnished and meeting held on the day preceding.

Sec. 11 — The Directors shall have further power to call special general meetings at such

other times and p laces as in their judgment may be required, reasonable notice being given

thereof.

Sec. 12 — The Board of Directors shall have power by a two-thirds vote of their number,

to remove any Director or other officer from his office for conduct prejudicial to the interests of

the Institution; if the officer sought to be removed be a Director he shall not vote on any matter

connected with such removal.

Sec. 13 — All business brought before the Board for consideration shall be determined by

a majority of the whole number, each member being entitled to one vote and one only, irrespective

of shares held by said Directors.

Sec. 14 — The Directors shall convene for the transaction of the business of the

institution at the call of the President, and as they shall adjourn from time to time.

Sec. 15 — All officers of the Institution shall be elected by a majority of votes given at

the general meeting, holden on the fifth day of October in each year, provided, that whenever a

vacancy shall occur from any cause, the Board may fill such vacancy by appointment, till the next

general meeting; all officers shall hold their office until their successors are elected and qualified.

Sec. 16 — In all matters transacted in general meetings each stockholder shall have one

vote, and one only for each and every share owned by him.

Sec. 17 — The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings, and conduct all

correspondence under the direction of the Board, he shall hold the common seal and attend to all

other duties whether prescribed by this constitution or the by-laws required by the President.

Sec. 18 — The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds belonging to the Institution, and

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shall employ or disburse the same, as required by the provisions of the Constitution, and shall

furnish statements to account when required by the Board.

Sec. 19 — The funds of the Institution shall be subject to appropriation by the Board

only, and disbursed by the Treasurer on order signed by the President or Vice-President, and

counter-signed by the Secretary.

Sec. 20 — No person or persons shall be eligible for membership, except they be of good

moral character and have paid their tithing according to the rules of The Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints.

Sec. 21 — The Directors of this Institution shall tithe its net profits prior to any

declaration of dividend, according to the rules of the Church mentioned in the preceding section.

Sec. 22 — The President, Vice-President, Board of Directors, Secretary and Treasurer,

before entering upon the duties of their several offices, shall take oath or affirmation for the

faithful performance of all duties required by this Constitution.

Sec. 23 — The Treasurer shall give bonds with approved securities to the Institution, in

such sums as may be deemed necessary by the Board, subject to increase, as circumstances may

render advisable.

Sec. 24 — The Secretary and Treasurer shall be the only paid officers of the Institution,

and their remuneration shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Sec. 25 — All certificates of stock issued by the Institution shall be for one share, or

multiple thereof; they shall be signed by the President or Vice-President and Secretary, under the

common seal, they shall be registered in the office of the Secretary, and shall be deemed personal

property, and as such, subject to sale and transfer. The form of certificate, registration and mode of

transfer shall be prescribed by the Board.

Sec. 26 — All dividends shall be paid, if required, within thirty days after the same shall

have been declared.

Sec. 27 — The private property of shareholders shall not be held subject to the liabilities

of the Institution.

Sec. 28 — The seal of the Institution shall bear the inscription ‘Holiness to the Lord’

‘Zion*s Co-operative Mercantile Institution, 1869,’ with beehive and bees in center.

Sec. 29 — This Constitution may be amended or altered at any general meeting of the

shareholders, by a two-thirds vote of the shares represented, provided that thirty days notice shall

have been given in some public newspaper of this Territory, of such contemplated amendment or

alteration.18

The women were determined not to be outdone:On December 13, 1890, the project was resumed under the name of the Woman*s

Cooperative Mercantile and Manufacturing Institution, a store located at 123 East First South

being rented for the purpose. Shares in the organization were taken up by the members of the

Relief Societies at $5.00 a share. A board of directors was appointed with M. Isabella Horne,

president and Maria Y. Dougall, vice-president; Gladys Woodmansee, secretary; Emily H.

Woodmansee, treasurer; Martha N. Thomas, superintendent; Maria N. Wilcox, Caroline C.

Raleigh, Lucy S. Grant, Matilda P. Spencer, Carrie S. Thomas and Anna S. Musser, directors.

The store then began to make considerable progress and in December 1891, in charge of

Mrs. Goddard, advertised a good display of useful and ornamental holiday goods, also dolls and

toys. Also that L.D.S. burial clothes could be supplied. In 1893, in charge of Matilda P. Spencer,

the employment of young women in the workroom in an environment approved of by their parents,

while at the same time they were learning a useful trade, was commenced. In 1894 the manufacture

of ladies* and girls* dresses and boys* suits from homemade materials was commented upon by the

Carter, Kate B., Our Pioneer Heritage, compiled by Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Salt Lake City, UT,18

Volume Twelve, 1969, page 129-133.

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Deseret News as fostering one of the most important industries of the territory.19

Amelia Ann, Lavinia, and Emily worked with each other in cooperation and raised themany children in three different households, 309 Fifth South, 121 West 4 South, and 839 Southth

Ninth East. Joseph continued to work hard at his merchants business and all four had joy as thechildren grew, even though some of the children had died young. Amelia Ann SmithWoodmansee became the first of the group to die when she contracted cancer. She died 2December 1885. Her obituary reads:

December 2, 1885, this city, Amelia Smith, beloved wife of Joseph Woodmansee, and

daughter of Orrin and Wealthy Smith. Born in Painesville, Ohio Sept. 29, 1836. She went to

California with her fathers family on the Ship Brooklyn, which sailed from New York in 1846.

Came to Utah in 1856 and was married to Joseph Woodmansee July 24, 1858. She was the mother

of five children, four of whom survive her.20

Amelia Ann Smith Woodmansee is buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, atop a smallhill at location Block E, Plot 10, Grave 4-1 West. A nice granite stone marks her resting place.

Salt Lake City Cemetery. Her name in the records was recorded as Wodmansee. LocationBlock E, Plot 10, grave 4-1 West

Ibid, page 156.19

Deseret News, 5 December 188520

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Following her death, the next to pass away had been Joseph Woodmansee, when he diedwhile on one of his trips East to buy goods at Burlington, Lee, Iowa on 15 February 1899. Hisbody had then shipped back to Salt Lake City by train and he is buried in the Salt Lake CityCemetery at location F-CA-1-1, about one hundred feet southwest from Amelia Ann. A granitespire marks his grave.

Next to die had been Emily Hill Mills Woodmansee on 23 October 1906. She is buriedin the Salt Lake City Cemetery at location N-2-9-E-5, far from any of her family. The last to diehad been Lavinia Hawkins Hyde Woodmansee on 1 May 1910. She is buried next to herhusband Joseph at location F-CA-1-E-2.

Francis (Frank) Erothis SmithFrancis or Frank Smith had been born as the last child of Orrin Smith and Wealthy Maria

Merriman on 3 March 1842 at Painesville, Ohio. He had been the seventh child born to thismarriage. His mother passed away when Frank had only reached the age of one. When theBrooklyn sailed from New York, Francis or Frank, had nearly reached the age of four and so a lotof attention had to be paid to taking care of him and protecting him from injury. This job mostlyfell upon the shoulders of his sisters and half-sisters.

He witnessed the burial of two ofhis siblings in Hawaii, but being so youngcould hardly remember the experience inhis later life. He tried to mine gold butmostly got in the way of others. He wentwith his family to Utah in 1848 as part ofthe Ebenezer Brown Company. He hadstill only reached the age of six years andso he became a handful to take care of onthe trail, mostly riding in the wagonduring the journey. After reaching Utahhe went to the local school and probablyhad been one of the students of AngelineM. Lovett before she married ThomasKittleman. She had taught school at OldFort in Salt Lake City and had been afellow passenger on the Brooklyn.

The family traveled back toCalifornia and eventually settled in theCommunity of San Bernardino inSouthern California. They migrated backto Utah in 1855 and Frank had nowreached the age of thirteen. Again thefamily went to California and this timeFrank and his sister Amelia Ann remained

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behind in Utah, as Amelia had married Joseph Woodmansee and Joseph had hired young Frankto help in his merchandising business. Frank met a young lady in the store one day by the nameof Isabella Price. He had been smitten by hercharms and they courted until they marriedon 30 November 1867 in the EndowmentHouse; Frank had been twenty-five years old.

Francis loved his work atWoodmansee Brothers store, located atabout 65 Main Street in Salt Lake City. Hisbrother-in-law Joseph Woodmansee heldstrong promise to become a major businessman in the area and perhaps Francis wouldone day manage a store of his own. Howeveran accident at work one day shattered hisdreams and his spine. While climbing a ropefrom one floor to another he slipped and fellinto the basement, breaking his back. Hesuffered in great pain for nearly a weekbefore finally dying from his injuries. Hisdeath occurred on 27 October 1868 at the ageof twenty-six. Isabelle had been pregnantfor only a few weeks and had not yet becomeaware of her condition. The child had beenborn eight months later on 27 June 1869 andreceived the name of Frances Amelia but hadthe nickname of Frankie.

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The obituary for Francis Erothis Smith had been published the day after his death andreads:

Frank Smith died yesterday afternoon from injuries received last Saturday week on the

evening of that day. He was trying to go from one story to another in the store of Woodmansee

Brothers by a rope, when his foot slipped and he fell down into the cellar, the trap door leading to

it being open. His back was broken by the concussion and his spine was severely injured. He was

taken home and the best medical and surgical skill of the city was in attendance during the

prolongation of his suffering, which were very acute most of the time up to his death. Deceased

was the son of Orrin and Wealthy Smith and was in his 27 year, having passed his 26 year on theth th

third of March last. He was unobtrusive and of amiable disposition making warm friends of those

who learned to know his good qualities. He leaves a young widow, to whim he was married less

than a year ago and a number of relatives to mourn his loss. The funeral took place today at two

p.m.21

Frank is buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery , burial Number 3580, Plat E, Block 3, Lot5 ½ N, Salt Lake City, Utah. The simple stone that marks his grave covers the great hopes hehad for he and his wife Isabelle. Isabelle went on to marry Solomon Kunkle 8 June 1873 andthey had nine more children of their own.

Ellen Mariah HopkinsEllen Mariah Hopkins, born 16 May 1835 at Southington, Hartford, Connecticut, is the

daughter of Amy Ann Dowd Hopkins and Andrew Bennett Hopkins. Andrew Hopkins had beenthe first husband to Amy Ann Dowd and had died 3 May 1841. Ellen and her sister became step-children to Orrin E. Smith when he married Amy Ann in 1843.

She had reached the age of ten years when she went aboard the Brooklyn with the rest ofher family. She needed to help her mother Amy Ann in caring for the younger children ElizabethBradley, Frances Erothis, and Orrin Hopkins Smith. She listened to the school lessons beingtaught aboard ship when she had a chance, but her hands were full with the twins Eliza andFrances. She grew very close to her mother after the young Orrin died and the baby, Amy Ann,had been stillborn in Hawaii. She attended school briefly in San Francisco before the Gold Rushput an end to school.

She had reached the age of thirteen when she traveled overland to Salt Lake City with theEbenezer Brown Company in 1848. She immediately started school under Angeline M. Lovett atthe Old Fort. When she reached the age of twenty-four she first received her Patriarchal Blessingon 9 July 1859 at the hand of John Young and then gave her hand in marriage to Lewis LeartusNewell on 19 July 1859 in Salt Lake City. Lewis had been born 9 February 1832 in Homer,Courtland, New York, a small mountain community south of Syracuse. Lewis obtainedemployment with the Overland Express Company but needed to operate on the line from SanJose, California to Los Angeles, California. Therefore the couple moved back to California andmade their home in San Jose. Here Ellen had a child born on 30 April 1860 that they named EllaIrene and another soon after they named Emily Josephine. Her husband Lewis died 13 August1862 in San Francisco, leaving her a widow with two small daughters. Ellen moved into thehome of her parents temporarily and then very soon married James Denby.

James proved to be an intemperate man and it really bothered Ellen. They had a daughterthat they named Adella Frances Denby, but the drinking became such a problem that Ellen filed

Deseret News, 28 October 186821

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for divorce in 1872. She had joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintson 3 July 1871 at San Francisco, being baptized by J. Roberts and confirmed by Hervey Green. This re-dedication to her faith is probably why she divorced James Denby.

Ellen next married a man named Archibald C. Bryan in 1872 in San Francisco. Archibald had joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 5 February1865 and it is probably through their church attendance that Ellen and Archibald met and weremarried. They made their home in Oakland where a son had been born named Archibald C.Bryan Jr. on 17 April 1873. Sadly, he only lived for three years and died in 1876. The couplethen had another child, this time a daughter they named Lillian May Bryan. Archibald had beenmade an Elder in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 3 June 1874 atOakland and Ellen felt proud of this man and his faithfulness.

Ellen only lived another couple of years and died on 19 October 1876. She is probablyburied in the Oakland Cemetery but this author cannot verify her location. Her burial serviceswere conducted by Elder William Anderson of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.22

Emily Marilla HopkinsEmily Marilla Hopkins is the last child born to Amy Ann Dowd and Andrew Bennett

Hopkins. Her birth occurred on 3 December 1837 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut. Shehad only reached the age of a little over three years old when her father died. She walked aboardthe Brooklyn when only seven years of age. Like her older sister and half-sister she studied whatschooling she could during the voyage and the early years of San Francisco, but most of hereducation came at Old Fort in Salt Lake City.

In Salt Lake City she met and married George Bartholomew on 22 April 1859 at the ageof twenty-one. George Bartholomew had been born 14 May 1833 on the farm of his father NoahW. Bartholomew, and his mother Miranda Catlin, in Erie County, New York. He had migratedacross the Plains and had been residing in the Salt Lake 14 Ward at the time of his marriage toth

Emily. They had their first child born on 14 February 1859, before their marriage. This childonly lived for two years and five months when she died on 14 August 1861 in San Francisco. She had been named Adella Josephine Bartholomew. 23

By the time of the 1860 census they had moved to San Bernardino where they wererecorded as a family for the first time. George Bartholomew, age 24, manager of horses; EmilyM. age 21; Josephine A., age 1, Clorinda, age 22, Emily J., age 3, infant, age 3 months. Clorindamay have been a sister to George. They then traveled to Los Angeles with the horse circus showthat George had been developing and here they had a daughter born that they named Nettie on 5March 1865 at San Pedro, California.

Two years later the family had moved yet again. This time they were in Salt Lake Citywhen a son named George Bartholomew Jr. had been born on 8 April 1867. Traveling east withhis now famous horse show, they were in St. Louis, Missouri, when a daughter they namedEmily Mae Bartholomew had been born on 3 June 1877. The last child had been born when the

Information supplied by Kerry Petersen of Palmer, Alaska in June 2001.22

San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin, 15 August 1861.23

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horse show, now World famous, made its stop in Oakland and the child had been born 8November 1881, she is named Estella Miranda Bartholomew.

George and Emily were interested in keeping up their religious faith as evidenced by thefollowing:

A Branch of the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints has been incorporated with

George Bartholomew, William Anderson and Hiram P. Brown as Directors.24

Let’s examine the horse business and Circus Show that George Bartholomew developedover the years. George apparently began his working with horses while living in San Bernardino. He had always loved horses and felt amazed by how intelligent they were. He started by gettingthem to do tricks with picking things up with their teeth, whinnying, following hand commandsetc. As he moved to Los Angeles and then back to Utah he developed a show where the publicwould pay for a presentation of the tricks he had taught the horses and the show proved to bevery popular. He started traveling all over the country presenting his show and gaining profits. He soon purchased two custom built train cars to carry the show from place to place, at a cost of$60,000! The first car had been dedicated to the safety and protection of the horses, his source orincome, and the second car had been built for the comfort and protection of his wife and family. His performers were twenty-four horses and several mules and donkeys. He called his show“Bartholomew’s Equine Paradox.” He finally settled in Independence, Missouri and had a finehome built at River Boulevard and West Lexington Street. With Independence as his base ofoperations his train cars would travel to locations all over the country.

Returning to San Francisco at least twice over a period of ten years his shows were awonderful success as evidenced by the following articles.

The famed horses of George Bartholomew drew a good house last night. The unanimous verdict

of the people was “It is the best horse show ever given here.” And so it is. Not before has such a

wonderful exhibition of animal intelligence under training been made. It is an amusing

performance, with not a little of dramatic effect, and Mr. Bartholomew himself has the dramatic

instinct strong within him. He and his horses are really equal to producing some very interesting

dramatic situations. A matinee today at 2 p.m. with a low price of admission for children. A

matinee has been arranged for Friday, when a souvenir will be distributed containing a portrait of

the ladies favorite – the intelligent mare “Nellie.” The performance will be repeated tonight. 25

Ten years later he was still making his traveling show available to the public for areasonable price of admission.

Horse Extravaganza Professor George Bartholomew’s Horse Extravaganza, an aggregation of

fifteen learned horses, will arrive here Monday, October 4 , and give performances during theth

week in his own portable theater, which will be located on the northeast corner of Fifteenth and M

streets. Professor Bartholomew’s reputation as an educator of the equine family is enough to

assure the public of Sacramento that it will be a show worth seeing. The new transformation

scenes and scenic effects add greatly to the entertainment given by the horses.

Stella White, their youngest daughter, wrote about the show business:The family car was known as the ‘palace car,’ and it was fully equipped with the latest

improvements. The interior was furnished in ash wood, with a living room, dining room,

bedrooms, a kitchen and an office, all lavishly furnished. The horse car had a system of doors on

each side which were used as ‘bay windows,’ with the names of the horses underneath, when the

Daily Alta California, Vol. 41., Number 13567, 22 October 188624

Sacramento Daily Union, Vol. 57, Number 128, 20 July 1887 25

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cars were standing. These two cars were valued at over $60,000 – a fortune in that day.

Stella . . . .was a little girl during these travels, but when she was elderly she could

describe the various stage acts of the trained horses as though she could still see them. In speaking

of the ‘battle scenes’ she said, ‘if the horses had been human beings, they could not have done

better.’ The stage was set with a fort of guns, a platoon of six horses on each side with a Captain.

As the signal was given and the guns were fired, some of the horses would fall to the floor as if

dead, while others continued to act.

In the schoolroom scene the Professor took his place at his desk. The horses came into

the room and took their places, while the mule took the Professor’s hat and coat to hang up. The

school was called to order and a few tricks performed. Then the Professor excused himself from

the room. One of the horses immediately went over to the clock hanging on the wall and turned up

the hands to twelve o’clock. This meant that school was dismissed and the horses scampered off

the stage.26

With the profits from the traveling show, George built a luxurious home for his family inIndependence that is described by Bill Curtis as follows:

All the woodwork was solid walnut and on the stairway going upstairs, which was also

solid walnut, there were incised in it beautiful crystal gems of different colors so that the stairway

just sparkled at night when the light was on. In the sitting room there were beautiful stained glass

windows in a curved room.27

The home later served as headquarters of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints for a number of years and then in 1967 the house had been razed for a parkinglot.

An historic landmark is being removed from the Independence scene. The old

Bartholomew Hall, which served for 17 years as Center Stake headquarters and was owned by the

General Church for approximately 60 years, is being demolished. The work is being done by the C.

S. Ehinger building wrecking firm of Kansas City. John H. Boren, assistant to the Presiding

Bishopric, said the work should be completed within 30 days. Brother Boren said the two white

houses just north of the Bartholomew building also would come down. There are no specific plans

for this area. Trees are to be removed and the area where the buildings stood will be seeded with

grass. The parking lot for the Stone Church will be kept intact, according to Brother Boren.

Available information indicates the historic building, constructed in 1887—88, was once

the show-place home of Brother George Bartholomew, Sr., a trainer of fine horses and a showman.

The building shows evidence of the fine handwork done in its construction and interior finishing. It

was first purchased by the Church in 1900 when E. L. Kelley was the presiding bishop. Later it

was occupied for a short time by Dr. Joseph Luff who used it both for his family residence and his

office. When the E. L. Kelley family moved from Lamoni to Independence in 1905, it became their

home. Jeannette Kelley, a daughter of Bishop and Mrs. Kelley, was married to Paul N. Craig in

front of the bay windows of the big livingroom in 1912. Men of the ministry and visiting Saints

enjoyed the home*s hospitality. It was always crowded during Conference.

For a time the building was used for offices of the General Church and when general

offices were moved to the Battery Block in the 1920*s, Bartholomew Hall still had space for

Carroll L. Olson, when he served as church statistician in 1928, the Graphic Arts Bureau directed

by C. Ed Miller and the office of the Church historian, S. A. Burgess. It also housed the Emma

Hale Smith Memorial Library with Blanche R. Farrar, librarian.

During and following the Depression, the library books were stored in the Auditorium and

Curtis, Bill, Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation, Newsletter June 2003-December 2003, Number26

32, page 3-5

Ibid.27

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Bartholomew Hall was used for the music studios of Paul and Jeannette Craig (voice and piano

teachers), for church class rooms and for social events.28

Emily and George lived out the balance of their lives in Independence and took pride inthe children and grandchildren. They had both joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints, Emily had joined on 10 April 1881 at Oakland, Alameda, California andGeorge on 1 May 1886, also at Oakland, California. By giving their home to the ReorganizedChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints they demonstrated their faith in the Church and itsleader Joseph Smith III.

Emily Marilla Hopkins Bartholomew died on 6 December 1917 and is buried in theMound Grove Cemetery, Independence, Missouri at location Block 2, Lot 26, Grave 6. A specialceremony and remembrance service has been held in her honor on 28 September 2003. Headedby Kerry Petersen of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Ron Romig of theReorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the grave marker has been restored anda plaque showing that Emily had been a passenger on the ship Brooklyn was installed on herheadstone.

Current Events Newsletter of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1328

September 1967. Courtesy of Kerry Petersen, Palmer, Alaska.

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Mound Grove Cemetery, Independence Missouri

George lived for another three years when he also passed away in Independence. Hisobituary reads:

Bartholomew – George Bartholomew was born in Erie County, New York, May 14, 1833,

on the farm of his father, Noah W. Bartholomew. His mother’s maiden name was Miranda Catlin.

He married in Salt Lake City, Utah April 22, 1858, Emily Marilla Hopkins, daughter of Andrew

and Amy Ann Hopkins. Died April 10, 1920, after an illness of nine months [George]. He leaves

four children: George Bartholomew, Jr., of Kansas City, Missouri; W. H. Bartholomew,

Independence, Missouri; Mrs. L. C. Wells, Oakland, California; Mrs. M. S. White. Independence,

Missouri, with whom he resided. He was baptized at Oakland, California, in 1886. Funeral

Restored headstone for Emily made by the Community of Christ in 2001Photos courtesy of Ronald E. Roming and Kerry Petersen

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Close-up of George’sHeadstone

services at the home of M. S. White, under direction of I. N. White; prayer by F. G. Pitt; sermon

by Joseph Luff; interment at Mound Grove Cemetery.29

This concludes the story of Orrin and Amy Smith’s family. They have many descendantstoday all over the United States. The author has been in contact with Donna Brizzee Ford ofWells, Nevada, and Donna has recently put up an internet site that tells the story of HenryWillard Brizzee and many of the Smith family. The site is located at www.BrizzeeRockwell.com.

Zion’s Ensign, 15 April 1920, pp 337. Courtesy of Kerry Petersen, Palmer, Alaska.29

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