Mormon Trail - English Saints John WOOD and Ellen SMITH

Mormon Pioneer ancestor of Kirt DeMar WOOD From BR Sixth Generations back to John WOOD (1819-1911) and Ellen SMITH (1822-1899). Ellen delivered and lost her baby on the plains. John was very ill while walking all the way.

John and Ellen Wood

Known places of residence are: Hurst, Ashton UnderLyne, Lancashire, England -John / Staleybridge, Dukinfield, Cheshire, England-Ellen / Stockport, Cheshire, England / Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England / Lehi, UT /Grafton, UT / Nevada / Grafton, UT / Hurricane, UT-John. John WOOD Sr. age 33 / b. 1819 Hurst, Ashton UnderLyne, L. ENG - m. 1850 Stockport, C. ENG. - d. 1911 Hurricane, UT - Ellen SMITH WOOD age 30 / b. 1822 Staleybridge, Dukinfield, D. ENG - d. 1899 Grafton, UT BAPTIZED: John 7 May 1851, England and Ellen 7 May 1851 England Both ENDOWED: 26 Apr 1862 EHOUS SS: 1862 EHOUS SP: John 23 Sep 1965 SGEOR, Samuel WOOD and Sarah MAY SP: Ellen 10 Jan 1964 SGEOR, John SMITH and Ellen GARNER BY SEA: 1853 ship ‘Elvira Owen’ ‘Elvira Owen’ Information: U.S. / 874 tons Depart Liverpool: 15 Feb 1853 Arrive New Orleans: 31 Mar 1853 Company Leader: J. W.Young 345 LDS passengers “Under the direction of Joseph W. Young, who had presided over the Preston Conference, a company of 345 Saints sailed from Liverpool on 15 Feb 1853, on board the ship ’Elvira Owen’. On 23 Mar 1853, after a most speedy voyage lasting only 36 days, the ‘Elvira Owen arrived at the bar at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Three births, three marriages and three deaths occurred during the voyage. There were a few cases of small-pox, which, however, did not prove fatal, and the disease did not spread to any great extent. “Captain Owen treated the Saints with much kindness, especially the sick, and a memorial, expressive of their gratitude far his fatherly conduct to all, was presented to him by the passengers. “After being detained at the bar several days, the ‘Elvira Owen’ was towed up the river, and the emigrants landed in New Orleans on 31 Mar, 1853. Proceeding up the Mississippi River, the emigrants arrived at Keokuk, Iowa, on 13 Apr 1853, being two days short of two months from Liverpool, which was considered an extraordinarily rapid journey.” BY LAND: 1853 Cyrus H. Wheelock Company Departure: Kanesville, Iowa 3 June 1853 Arrival in Salt Lake Valley: 6-16 October 1853 Wood, John (33) Wood, Ellen (30) pregnant, Wood, Sarah Ann (2) daughter. Pioneer information: Ellen was expecting her third child when the company left for the trek across the Plains. She and her daughter were able to ride but her husband walked. John became terribly ill with Cholera and would have to stop frequently to rest. Ellen feared that he would never catch up with the company, but he did. Sometimes it would be late at night before he reached them. Food for the family was very scarce while crossing the Plains. Ellen gave birth to a son 17 June he died 21 Aug 1853. Ellen was full of sorrow as they left the little grave to continue West. (see: “Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude” p. 3434.) Sources: Perpetual Emigrating Fund, General Files. Company Information: About 400 individuals and 52 wagons were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Keokuk, Iowa. This company included a California company. They crossed the Missouri River on July 11. Read Trail Excerpt:. . . we left Keokuk. I wish I could afford a page to a description of our starting. The oxen were wild, and getting them yoked was the most laughable sight I had ever witnessed; everybody giving orders, and nobody knowing how to carry them out. If the men had not been saints, there would doubtless have been much profane language used; but the oxen, not understanding "English," did just as well without it. But it did seem so truly comical to witness the bewildered look of some innocent brother, who, after having labored an hour or more to get "Bright" secured to one end of the yoke, would hold the other end aloft, trying to persuade "Buck" to come under, only to see "Bright" careering across the country, the yoke lashing the air, and he not even giving a hint as to when he intended to stop. …At night, when we camped, the wagons were drawn up in a circle for protection, also forming a corral into which the oxen could be driven to be yoked. The teams, being unyoked, were driven to grass by the herdsmen, who guarded them through the night. Our camp presented a busy scene, some gathering fuel (which consisted mostly of either "buffalo chips," or sage brush,) some bringing water, others building fires and preparing supper, or baking bread for next day's journey. After supper, groups could be seen around the camp fires, singing the songs of Zion, talking of bygone days, or the hopes of the future, until the bugle call for prayers, when all except the guards (for we watched as well as prayed) retired to rest. (Cornaby, Hannah, Autobiography and Poems [1881], 32-35.) Trail Excerpt: Perhaps it is well to state here, that the church brought passengers from Liverpool to Salt Lake City, that year for ten pounds sterling, per adult, children half price infants (nursing) free. (Seymour, Charles William, Journal and reminiscences [ca. 1880-1906], 80-82.) Personal note: First child was with them. Second child had died in England. Third child born and buried on the Mormon trail. Neither John or Ellen ever heard from their parents in England again. Sources: Wood, John, 1853, NA, Elvira Owen, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200173 25690 Wood, John, 1853, NA, Cyrus H. Wheelock, Journal History 19-Sep-1853 p. 2-7 film 1259740 Wood, Ellen, 1853, NA, Elvira Owen, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 200173 25690 Wood, Ellen, 1853, NA, Cyrus H. Wheelock, Journal History 19-Sep-1853 p. 2-7 film 1259740 Wood, Sarah Ann, 1853, NA, Cyrus H. Wheelock, Journal History 19-Sep-1853 p. 2-7 film 1259740 Kirt DeMar WOOD - John Andrew WOOD pedigree