utah

I had traced, and then lost, John VERRY and his wife and child after the 1861 census. And, failing to find any record of them in England thereafter, suspected they had emigrated. But to where? The problem was put aside for many years except for occasional doodling on the internet searching various passenger lists to the British Colonies - Australia, Canada etc. I was aware of the Mormon mission to Herefordshire and that many converts eventually made that heroic migration to the USA, first to Nauvoo and then to what is now Utah. My Verry's didn't seem to fit that mould. But I was wrong. One wet Sunday I decided to dig deeper, changed tack and explored the US Gen Web searching for all references to "Verry". Eventually there it was in the Utah Gen Web which led to an Elizabeth VERRY's death notice and the fact that she was born in Monmouth. It had to be her. It could be no other. Regrettably I have failed to discover the fate of her husband having exhausted what I believe are all the likely sources. The problem seems unsolvable but I remain hopeful. Late in 2008 I placed a message on Rootsweb's Utah Mailing List seeking information of any descendants of John and Emily HELM. Christine replied and forwaded a copy of Elizabeth's Will etc. I am indebted for her very kind helip.

While it may seem unusual that emigrants would wish to move to America during the Civil War period, many were no doubt influenced by the calming words of the Mormon newspaper published in Britain. The "Millennial Star", May 11, 1861 published in an article headed "Civil War in America - Its importance as a warning to the Saints",. After recounting the war's commencement in South Carolina the article pointed to the event as the fulfilment of Joseph Smith's prophecy given three decades earlier, that a war beginning in South Carolina would "pound out upon all nations". The article stressed that those gathering out west in "Zion" "shall be the only people not at war". Thus it was that in 1862 more Mormon converts moved to America than in any previous year. It has been estimated that in total some 90,000 crossed the plains to what is now Utah, pushing and pulling hand-carts in the early period, then on foot and wagon and in the later period by rail (often in cattle wagons). In 1864 nearly 3,000 crossed the plains to Deseret (Utah Territory - now Utah).

John's father died in 1842 of apoplexy. Although he was living in a rented cottage on Aconbury Hill he owned a small plot of land and a cottage in neighbouring Little Birch. His widow Alice may have suffered dementia. In 1851 she was living with a son Thomas Verry on Aconbury Hill. Sjhe died 1853 in the lunatic asylum, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. Possibly she was sent to be close to her other son James Verry, my great great grandfather who was living at Llantillio, Pertholey near Abergavenny when he married in 1852.

Following his mother's death John Verry filed a claim in the Consistory Court at Hereford alleging his father had died leaving no lawful Will. This was despite the fact that John Senior did indeed leave a Will and it was properly probated. Nevertheless John was granted administration in 1853 and the action, it may be supposed, was to wind up his mother's estate. Or were there matters in dispute arising from his father's will such as the bequest from aunt Jones to her nephew John Verry junior which was used by his father to help purchase the cottage and land in Little Birch?

Just when John and Elizabeth began taking an interest in the Mormon Church cannot be known. But as Elizabeth's obituary states she joined the church in 1861, we may guess John did too. The church likely came to their notice some years earlier however. A man John must have known well, Henry WALKER of Upper Bullingham, is recorded as presiding over the "Akenbury" banch for several years prior to his departure to the US in 1853. This may have been a short-lived branch as the LDS church hold no specific records of an Aconbury branch.

The only child of John and Elizabeth was Emily, christened Aconbury 16 May 1845. No other children are recorded in the 1851 and 1861 census or in the parish and civil registers. The last known reference to John and Elizabeth in England is the 1861 census, in which John is recorded as a master shoemaker, Aconbury Hill, with wife Elizabeth and daughter Emla (sic) and Richard TAYLOR his journeyman (and boarder) aged 42.

"Where others saw only sage, a great desert, the Momons saw the 'Lovely Deseret'"

Elizabeth VERRY 55 years, "wife" and Emily 19 years arrived at Castle Garden Immigration Centre, New York 19 July 1864 on the "General McClellan" which left Liverpool 2 June 1864 with 802 Mormon immigrants. They split into two parties of 400 and proceeded to Utah (then named Deseret) via Nebraska to avoid the Civil War. Their leader was Captain Joseph S RAWLINS ("Deseret News " 17 August 1864). John VERRY was not on board the General McClellan. The passenger list has "Elizb VERRY, 55, wife and Emily VERRY 19 spinster". Travelling with them was Richard TAYLOR 45, a shoemaker. It is now clear from his age and place of birth (Credenhill) that he was the same Richard TAYLOR a journeyman shoemaker who was employed by and living with John VERRY on Aconbury Hill (1851 and 1861 census). Richard TAYLOR according to other's research went on to marry Jane MANWEARING (25 January 1865?) Salt Lake City and died in Chicago. Jane was born at Peterchurch, Herefordshire 1816. According to other's research Taylor joined the church in 1851. I think this should be 1861 (the same year Elizabeth Verry joined). Reference to Elizabeth and Emily VERRY and the "General McClellan" roster is in the "Deseret News" 17 August 1864. The Pioneer Register makes no reference to John Verry and a soundex search of various immigrant records yielded nothing. Richard Taylor was also with the Rawlins' train. In 1880 (Census) Richard and Jane Taylor were residing at Union, Salt Lake Cty, his occupation labourer. His brother, George Bernard TAYLOR emigrated to Utah in 1864 and died at Mill Creek in 1910 - "a faithful church worker".

Despite extensive searches it has never been proved beyond doubt that John Verry emigrated. But his wife and daughter certainly did and John did not die in England and his wife is listed as such on the ship's manifest, the conclusion must be that he probably preceded them as so many others did. Not all Morman rosters have survived. (A number of the 1862 rosters for instance, one "missing").

Richard TAYLOR    45   Shoemaker
Elizb. VERRY          55   Wife
Emily VERRY          19    Daughter

It is clear from this order of listing that they embarked and travelled together. The "Deseret News" also reports their arrival together.

"Died Union 25 February 1868 John Abraham son of John HELM; (and Emilyh (sic) VERRY from Hereford, England) 6 months 26 days."

"Died South Cottonwood 26 May 1869 Joseph Richard son of John and Emily HELM, his wife late of Hereford, England 22 days." "Millerinial Star - please copy"

"At Union Fort, Salt Lake County April 12, 1878 of heart disease and dropsy, Elizabeth Verry. Deceased was born December 10, 1805 at Monmouth, England. Joined the LDS church Feb 1861, emigrated to this valley in 1864".

John HELM, 32, Carpenter. Both parents born PA.
Emily HELM 25 Keeps House Both parents born England
Elizabeth VERRY 64 At Home Born England

The IGI records the marriage of Emily VERRY/John HELM 21 April 1866 Salt Lake County (extracted from the original record).

John HELM 45 Blacksmith Both parents born PA
Emily HELM 35 Wife Keeps House Both parents born England
William HELM 9 Son, at School Born Utah

(John HELM, 16 years, parents and siblings arrived from Pennsylvania in Moses THURSTON's Company in 1855., He was born 16 September 1858 Jackson Township, Sandusky, Ohio. John Helm died 8 March 1911 Salt Lake City.)

1880 Census, Union, Salt Lake County
Richard TAYLOR 61 Born England, Labourer
Jane TAYLOR 64 Born England
Malanda TAYLOR Niece Born Utah

Submitted Entries (source not available) There are several, all clearly researching the HELM family

"Emeline VERRES (sic) died 1882 Salt Lake, father John VERY (sic) and Elizabeth" (possible transcription error). There are several similar entries including some incorrectly identifying her birthplace as Avenbury in Herefordshire, not Aconbury. Another identifies the spouse of John Helm as both Emily Verres and Verry. Helm family research notes state that a bio sketch of Abraham Helm (her father-in-law) identifies her name as Emily VERY

The "Deseret Evening News" obituary 1878 states that she was born at Monmouth 10 December 1805. Thee is no way of confirming a birth date at this period. The Monmouth parish register records christenings. Christenings usually took place within a few weeks of birth. But some families delayed. A clue to the birth year being later than 1805 is her marriage entry, February 1829 - "with consent of parents" indicating one party at least was under 21 years. It was not John Verry - he was 22 years. Joseph and Elizaeth VERRY of Monmouth seemed determined to have a child Elizabeth. The Monmouth Register -

Christened 30 August 1807 Elizabeth daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth VERRY
Buried 4 December 1808 Elizabeth daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth VERRY
Christened 21 July 1809 Elizabeth daugher of Joseph and Elizabeth VERRY

Christened 15 August 1813 Eliza daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth VERRY - but for the fact that this girl Eliza can be accounted for. She married John DOWDING, Shoemaker and their child Elizabeth DOWDING "Niece" to John Verry, head of household aged 9 was living with or visiting John and Elizabeth Verry on Aconbury Hill, 1851 census. This census confirms John's wife Elizabeth born in Monmouth in the calculated year 1808.

I have therefore concluded that Elizabeth Verry who married her cousin John Verry was tjhe one christened at Monmouth 21 July 1809 and that she was born late in 1808 or in 1809. Her obituary recording a birth date of 10 December is probably correct but the year was almost certainly 1808.

Administration of the estate, Elizabeth Very (sic) dated 9 December 1893. It described the location of nearly 7 acres of land in Union Fort, Salt Lake County valued at 640.00 dollars. The purpose of the late administration was - "that all the heirs of the deceased, John HELM and William A HELM have sold all interest in the land to the petitioner William BOGGESS who is now the owner"...... and that "the last owner was her daughter Emily Verry HELM who has since died leaving her only heirs, her surviving husand John HELM and her only cnild William A HELM". William Helm was then living at West Jordan, Salt Lake.

A grave marker has been located for William Helm in Ogden City cemetery . It is a small granite stone with carved inscription - "William Helm aged 49 years. Died September 25, 1923". There is a photo on the Find A Grave website. No markers have been found for Elizabeth or Emily.

It is likely they were influenced by friends and relations who preceded them. The Verry's were living at Ridge Hill, Upper Bullingham from 1806 to ca 1808-10. The WALKER family from Upper Bullingham joined the church in 1851, emigrated to Salt Lake via New Orleans in 1853 with some of their PREECE kin including James PREECE who died during the voyage. Henry WALKER of Little Holm Farm, Ridge Hill (born 1806, died 1879, Utah) and a contemporary of John Verry was a son of Thomas WALKER and Mary Ann nee WOAKES. His plural spouses included Ann PREECE of Callow (died 1859), Maria NOTT, Susanna PRITCHARD, Susan PREECE and Elizabeth PHILLIPS. An LDS biography of Henry Walker states he presided over the "Akenbury" branch for several years before he emigrated.

There are two PREECE families to consider, though they may be related. Firstly Thomas PREECE. He farmed Brook Farm in Callow and married Ann ARNOLD there in 1795. He was a son of Robert PREECE and Elizabeth nee BIGG. This PREECE family were related by marriage to the WALKER's who later acquired the farm. This farm, then part of Guys Hospital's Herefordshire Estates. has been identified by another PREECE researcher as being occupied by William VERRY (John's ancestor) at the time of his death,1743, but I found nothing in Guys Hospital records, now at Hereford Record Office, to substantiate this. William certainly tenanted a cottage and land in Callow which may have been Guy's Hospital property.as they owned much of the parish after ca.1743.

Thomas and Ann PREECE emigrated to Nauvoo in the 1840's. Their son Richard, a blacksmith, married Susanna PRITCHARD in 1832. He died in 1851 at the staging post, Winter Quarters, Iowa (also called Kanesville). His wife and children proceeded to Salt Lake and Susanna later became one of the wives of Henry WALKER.

10. The "Journal of John H WALKER of Brooke Farm, Callow March1895 /April 1897 with Christenings and Burials of the PREECE family" (LDS Library, Utah) mentions several of our VERRY's but some birth years are wrong. It now seems clear that the VERRY references were made retrospectively - "late of Brooke Farm" being more appropriate. John Henry WALKER was born in 1843, died Union, Salt Lake and had married Mary Ann PHILLIPS at South Cottonwood, Salt Lake in 1864. He was a son of the aforementioned Henry WALKER and emigrated in 1853 when he was about 11 years old. He is well documented in LDS biographies. As noted John HELM and Emily (VERRY) were also in South Cottonwood at this period. South Cottonwood was a rural district. In 1860 it had only some twenty families. It is now Murray City. Much of the following biographical data on Henry and John Walker and the Helm family was extracted from the Utah Newspapapers Digital Archive.

Abraham HELM, father of John was born 1813, Leesburg, Cumberland Co. PA and joined the Church in 1854. Died 1894, Holliday, Salt Lake City. Married Mary RICHERT (also known as RICHARDS) from Germany and settled at Sandusky Co. Ohio where eleven children were born. Arrived in Salt Lake with Captain Moses THURSTON company, 1855. His sons John, Bartram and Joseph were involved in the Black Hawke Utah War. Bertram became Second Counsellor to the Bishop in Idaho and another son Levi became High Priest and President 61st and Member of 91st Quorum and member Utah State Legislature. He died intestate but the probate documents reveal him as owner of a large farm, and have a detailed inventory of livestock and implements.

John HELM (who married Emily VERRY), carpenter and blacksmith was one of the two farriers in Lot SMITH's volunteer cavalry unit. "Salt Lake Herald" 12 December 1909 - "Lot Smith's Heroes to be pensioned" ... "The Lot Smith company was raised by Brigham Young at the request of Presient Lincoln and performed valiant services in the protection of the telegraph and overland mail in and about Independence Rock in 1862 at a time when the situation in Indian warfare was most hazardous and critical." (The famous Ben Holliday was proprietor of the overland mail). This unit of irregular cavalry was comprised mainly of farmer volunteers who provded their own horses and arms; and who were known as "scouts", ":rangers" or "bandits and scoundrels", depending on one's point of view. The unit was belatedly awarded pensions long after most had died - "Salt Lake Herald" 17 December 1909 - "Among the other veterans of the company who are probably still alive Mr Young says ...... John Helm now living in Idaho". His name was subsequently found in a list of Civil War pensioners - "John Helm, Canyon Co. Idaho; Utah Independent Cavalry".

After his wife Emily (Verry) died in 1882 he may have moved to the Helm family farm at Mill Creek. The 1900 census -

Mary HELM, Head, Widow born 1812 Germany 87 years
John HELM, son, Widowed born 1833, 61 years, Famer

William Helm, only suriving child of John Helm and Emily (Verry) was living at Toano, near Cobre, Nebraska in 1920, working as a plumber. He was still living at Cobre 1923 when he died in Ogden, Utah that year, possibly while visiting relatives. Buried in Ogden City Cemetery. His death registration states he was "single". Perhaps he married, then divorced. No children are known or recorded.

(Genealogical data on HELM family may be found on Rootsweb's World Connect Site.)

P.S. Lot SMITH later moved to Arizona where he became prominent in church and civil affairs. He was killed by Indians at Tula, Arizona in 1892. His daring service in the Utah War is celebrated.

Henry WALKER, born Upper Bullingham 1806. He farmed Little Holm (10 acres) in Upper Bullingham but had earlier learned the trade of a cooper and ship carpenter. Obituary "Deseret News Weekly" 9 April 1879 - "At Union Ward, Salt Lake Country of pneumonia and old age, Henry Walker, Deceased was born 9 November 1806 at Upper Bullingham, Herefordshire; emigrated to the valley in the year 1853; was a member of the High Priest Quorum, ordained 7 May 1866. Died in full faith of the Gospel. Millenial Star plese copy".

Henry Walker first settled at Nauvoo, IL on property one and a half miles south of Pontoasuc but moved to Salt Lake when the Mormons were drvien out of Nauvoo. When the government set out to destroy the Mormons in 1857/58 Walker was one of the volunteers who opposed them. He had settled at South Cottonwod, Salt Lake County by April 1855 - "Deseret News" - "Taken up. Came into the enclosure of the subscriber about the first of January last, a white cow ...... the owner can have her by proving property and paying charges. Heny Walker, South Cottonwood."

He had converted to the faith in 1841 during the Woodruff mission in South Herefordshire. A biographical note on the British Mormons web site states that "he presided of the Akenbury (sic) branch for several years."

John Henry WALKER, son of Henry WALKER and Ann (PREECE) was born at Upper Bullingham 1843. With John HELM he enlisted with Lot Smith's Volunteer Cavalry Company and was a veteran of the Washakie Indian War, 1862. He was ordained in 1869 and between March 1895 and May 1897 was on mission in Norwich, England. Also served as a JP and Constable. Died of Erysipelas 18 November 1915 at Union, Salt Lake County. A journal of his mission yeas is in the LDS Library, Salt Lake City. It mentions some of the VERRY family of Herefordshire though ages and dates are often incorrect and there is reference to a Nellie Cook Verry who has not been identified.

A. Alice PREECE christened Little Dewchurch 29 September 1745 married JONES.She died 1828. Her will confirms some of the family structure below. Possibly married John JONES at Sellack 5 May 1768.

B. William PREECE christened Upper Bullingham 16 September 1753. married Ann JONES, 7 February 1780 Callow. Children -

(i) Richard PREECE christened Little Dewchurch 21 October 1806 or christened Callow 26 October1808 (of Council Point, Pottawatamie, Iowa. Died young. Issue Salt Lake County.

C. Elizabeth PREECE christened Callow (unconfimed) 1752. Her child was Alice Ann PREECE christened Aconbury 1781 married Thomas PRITCHARD of Skenfrith at Callow 7 March 1804. Elizabeth married 1. Richard MINTON, farm labourer of Kilpeck at Callow 1790 (Issue) and 2. Thomas GWILLIM 1811, Kilpeck. (1781-1832).

D. Thomas PREECE christened Upper Bullingham 1756. Believed by some Preece descendants to have emigrated to Nauvoo and later refused to go to Salt Lake because of polygamy. Joined the Mormon Reformed Church and settled at Lamoni, Iowa.

E. Mary PREECE married Davies, known only from will of Alice Jones 1828. Possibly Thomas DAVIES married 2 March 1772 All Saints Hereford.

DIARY EXTRACTS

THE DEPARTURE

"We had the pleasure of clearing the ship General M'Clellan (Captain Trask) for the port of New York, on Saturday, the 21st ultimo. This ship was chartered to sail on the 20th ultimo, 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, nothwithstanding 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. Appropriate instructions were given to the Saints, and Elder Thomas E. Jeremy was appointed to preside over the company, with Elders Joseph Bull and George G. Bywater to assist him as counsellors. Elder John C. Graham was chosen clerk of the company. The ship was divided off into 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 (Nebraska). Four elders who had come from Zion on missions, sailed in this vessel. Their names are Thomas E Jeremy, Joseph Bull, George G Tywater and M F Farnsworth........."

The "General McClellan" was a ship (three masts, square rigged on all) of 1,466 tons built in 1862 at Thomastown, Maine. It was built of wood and owned by Trask and Dearborn of New York. It was rumoured and widely reported, that she was sunk on her return voyage to Liverpool by the Confederate warship "Alabama". but some have said this is incorrect and she was sold to Laurence Giles & Co who owned her until 1881.

"My History" - Maria Walker WHEELER ca. 1895, LDS Church Archives

My two aunts, Catherine, mother's sister-in-law, Hannah PREECE and her boy John stayed at Kanesville. Having met some old Nauvoo Mormons who told them that the Mormons would marry them for plural wives they would not go further. She also mentions Joseph GOUGH "my other brother-in-law" amd "cousin Bill PREECE" (possibly the one who died at Nauvoo 1853?). Her comment re plurality (polygamy) suggests that that aspect of Mormonism was not always made known by the English mission. It also helps to explain why some remained in Illinois and did not proceed to Utah. (Mary Walker, one of the daughters of Henry Walker and Ann (Preece) born at Upper Bullingham 1837 married Thomas Wheeler and died 1930 El Dorado Co. California. Arrived Salt Lake with Claudius SPENCER Company 1853).

Abstracted Diary Notes - The Voyage

"Our ship sailed 300 miles north off-course to avoid Confederate Warships and got amongst the icebergs. We hit one but no great damage was caused. We passed through Castle Garden Immigration and travelled up the Hudson by boat and on railway cars for nine days. The church sent ox Teams and we camped for three weeks. Joseph YOUNG preached a sermon and then we were off to Salt Lake. We gave up our notes to the church to pay our passage across the plains. For most times the able bodied walked with the cattle alongside our wagons. We collected buffaloe dung and used these chips to light our fires. Captain Joseph RAWLINS was our captain and a good man. On Tuesday September 20^th 1864 we arrived at Great Salt Lake. We journeyed up the Platte River for hundreds of miles, passing through Indian territory. Captain Rawlins gave sugar to them to allow our journey. At night we formed our fifty wagons in a circle"

"The company proceeded to Wyoming, Nebraska. The Mormon boys from Deseret (Utah) were there helping the Saints to gather to Zion. Most of the young boys made their drop a number of times and met the women they later married. We left there on July 15^th (1864) on a trip of over 1000 miles. Most of the time the younger people would start out early in the morning and go on foot ahead of the wagons but one day the captain said the Indians were on the war path and ordered us to keep close or we might be killed. We sent a telegram from Sweefacto to our President Brigham Young. Our trip took 67 days and we were met by kind loving family and friends. I had walked the whole way.

During our voyage our ship (General McClellan) struck a monstrous iceberg.It was a fearful experience. Everything that was not lashed down was thrown from side toside and the cries of women and children and shouting of the men and sailors fearful. On arrival several collections were made among the Saints to help other less fortunate ones who had no funds at all. A large number of Saints were entirely destitute of means and dependent upon the Church for their needs."

(Further trail excerpts can be found on the Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel database).