History of Ann Phillips
Compiled by her
daughter, Adah Phillips Jessee
Written from
observation as told to me by Mother
Ann Thomas Phillips was of Welsh descent. Daughter of Mary Davies and Jacob Thomas. Born on Christmas
Day, 25 December 1839, at
Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, South Wales. She had two sisters and one
brother--- John, Phebe, and Zillah. They were a busy,
happy family. Her father was a weaver. Became very efficient in his trade and
did much work for the aristocratic people. When Ann was a small child her father
accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was baptized
28 March 1854 by her father.
At the age of ten years she gave up the opportunity of going to school and went
to work in a factory for Mr. Owens. It was her aim and desire to earn sufficient
money to enable her to go to
America where
the Latter-day Saints were established. She labored in the factory ten years
before her goal was reached. Mr. Owens was a Methodist. He treated the girls in
his employ kindly. They were requested to keep the Sabbath Day holy. Never permitted to do any work. Meals were prepared on
Saturday. The dirty dishes were piled on large, stone shelves. Left to be washed on Monday. Mr. Owens knew Ann belonged to
the Latter-day Saint Church, commonly known as Mormons. This he did not oppose,
but told the girls if they had no Sunday School of
their own to attend, they should go to the
Methodist
Church.
At that time the Church published a paper called Udgorn Seion. He
frequently read them and asked Ann questions about her religion. In those days
the shoes were made by the shoemaker. Ann went to have her shoes measured by the
shoemaker. He told her he would make the shoes on one condition: "That you stop
believing in old Joe Smith's lies." At the appointed time she called for the
shoes, but they weren't finished. He said, "You didn't promise not to believe
Joe Smith's lies." She said, "It would be the greatest blessing you ever had if
you believed his teachings." This made him angry. He tried to thrash her with a
leather strap. She managed to get away. She felt sad at being ridiculed and no
new shoes. Mormonism being unpopular, she had joy as well as sorrow. This made
her bigger and stronger in her desire to forge ahead. The time came for her
departure to
America. Leaving home, her friends and loved ones behind. Perhaps never seeing them again in this life. It required
faith and courage. Ann's parting was different from many who had cast their lot
as she had. Her parents were willing, gave their consent and blessings. The
money she earned working for Mr. Owens was entrusted to a man supposed to be a
staunch friend of her parents. He was leaving for
America with his
family. Ann's father thought it would be best. He promised to advise and help
her on the journey, but he failed to keep his promise.
In 1860 they crossed the ocean for
America. Required six weeks to make the voyage in a sailing vessel.
The sea was rough and stormy. Much sea sickness. After
landing in
America, while
at Florence
Nebraska, preparations were being made to
cross the plains. The man who had her money arranged for
himself, wife, and children to go on. A lady asked what he intended to do
about Ann. He said, "She can do the best she can. I am through with her." Continued on his way leaving Ann penniless. She went to work
for a Mrs. Perkins. He tried to obtain what she earned here but failed. Not
being able to speak English and unfamiliar with American ways, Ann was
discouraged. While Ann was in the employ of Mrs. Perkins a very stylish lady
came and tried to persuade Ann to come with her. Made some glowing promises of
what she would do for her. Mrs. Perkins feared her intentions weren't honorable
and advised Ann not to go. She told her that her parents had sent her to
Utah and that she should be
obedient. Ann was grateful for the advice and declined the offer. About this
time Julia Harrington with her three sons-in-law, Arba
L. Lambson, Charles and Thomas Avery and families,
were preparing to cross the plains as an independent party. Charles Avery's wife
asked Ann to come with them. They would love and help her as their own child.
She accepted. The trip was made by ox team and was long and tedious. They had
plenty of provisions.
Ann and Charlotte Avery were assigned to herd the oxen when
they camped one night. They lost them in the oak brush. After a long search they
were found. Being very frightened, it was an experience they never forgot.
Charlotte was a daughter of Charles
Avery. She and Ann were devoted to each other and became lifetime friends.
The company arrived in
Provo in August 1860. Continued
traveling and settled in Springville,
Utah. Ann made her home with the Charles
Avery family. She didn't want to impose on them and tried to find work, but she
wasn't successful. She could join a family if she would become a wife. In other
words, marry in polygamy. She wasn't desirous to do so. Her thoughts turned to
home and loved ones. Homesick and discouraged, but with a
prayer in her heart. Wondering what was the best for her to do. Decided
if a good, worthy, single young man would ask her to marry she would accept.
Perhaps she could have a home of her own.
It wasn't long before her desire was fulfilled. She met the
young man Jonah Phillips. His being Welsh was in his favor. He had come to
America for his
religion, pulling a handcart across the plains with the pioneers of 1856. They
were married 26 October
1861 at the home of Samuel Parrish by Bishop Aaron Johnson in
Springville,
Utah. They later married in the Endowment
House in Salt Lake City. Ann was
happy and anxious to meet the problems ahead in making a home. For six weeks
they lived with Daniel J. Thomas. During this time Jonah was busily engaged,
preparing their home for the future which he had previously purchased from Hyrum
Clark. Here Ann started making the home. So much different
from this day. No handy devices to add to comfort. Not many necessities
such as soap, paper, paint brushes, furniture. The walls were white washed with
a rag. Floors scoured with sand. When wash day came people who were lucky enough
to have soap allowed those that had none to use their suds. Her first sewing
machine was very useful in the community. The men wore shirts with tucked
fronts. Ann did the tucking on her machine for her neighbor. Some job to keep
them starched. Joseph Reynolds was a tailor. He gave her patterns to make
clothes for her little boys---coats and pants. The cloth used was woven by Ann.
At this time the knowledge she had acquired in
Wales about
weaving came in handy. Several ladies in Springville excelled in weaving of
coverlets, counterpanes, and shawls. In that day a shawl was a priceless
possession. Most pioneer ladies had one. Ann brought a beautiful Paisley one
from Wales. No
doubt woven by her father, Jacob Thomas. Cloth was also woven. Linen made from
flax grown by themselves. Ann wove cloth for her
children's clothes. Her loom was made by Edward Kindred. Jeans used for men's
and boys' pants. Linsey for bedding and clothes. One type of cloth was Bellmerel used to make ladies skirts. Ann excelled in making
this. Her daughters were clothed in material made from black and white wool.
Dyes used for them were made from herbs. Indigo, copperas,
logwood, aniline, madder red. By mixing they made red, blue, green, and
yellow. James Whitehead operated a woolen mill in Springville. After it began
operating Ann discontinued weaving cloth and wove carpet and rugs. The woolen
mills were located near Spring Creek where the fish hatchery now operates. Ann
was very artistic in blending colors. The ladies in the community were well
pleased with her work. Received much joy and comfort through
their rag carpets that added beauty to the pioneer home. One year she
wove one thousand yards. As time passed on their family increased. Their were seven children attending school at one time. It
was a struggle to fee and clothe them. They were taught to work. Each one had a
responsibility. Jonah was a blacksmith. He hade many
play things for the children: skates, sleigh, shovel, wheelbarrow, also tools to
be used. In pioneer times a familiar scene was gathering ground cherries to be
made into preserves. Also dried squash, using molasses for
sweetening.
Lots of sugar cane was raised. As time passed fruit trees
began to bear, and dried fruit was used. Apples, peaches,
apricots, plums. Mother always had a large supply of dried apples. They
were served in a variety of ways, tasty and palatable. Rag and quilting bees
were looked forward to in the neighborhood. In this manner they helped one
another. Such things also helped the social side of life. During the troublesome
times with the Indians they had cause for anxiety. The men responded to the call
to guard their homes and families against the Indians if necessary. Many poor,
distressed people were helped on their way by Ann's kindness and generosity.
She was often found at the bedside of the sick to lend a
helping hand, and she also helped in laying away the dead. She passed through
the ordeal of sickness and death. Her oldest daughter Mary Ann, age 22, died of
typhoid fever. Algada of diphtheria, and Mary Jane. She was the mother of twelve
children---five boys, seven girls. At their birth she was cared for by a
midwife. Later Sarah used a doctor, and her advice and care were appreciated in
caring for her family. It was much different from this day. No hospitals or
hurses. All taken care of in the
home then. During her trials and struggles to rear a family and forge
ahead Ann often longed to see her parents and loved ones in the far away land of
Wales. Later in life when she had sufficient means that she could return to her
childhood home the desire had vanished. Many had left this sphere of action.
Perhaps it wasn't to be. She had one sister, Mary Williams, who came to
America. Lived in California.
She came to Ann's home once. The only time we ever had the privilege of seeing
and mingling with her. During the years that passed they built a two-story brick
home in Springville,
Utah. It required two years to complete the
job. Still standing on the corner of Second West and Second
South. Some remodeling done. Their Welsh friends
from Spanish Fork frequently came to visit. The man who left her penniless on
the plains moved to Springville with his family. They came to visit, dined
often, and always conversed in their native tongue of Welsh. Ann was big enough
to overlook his wrong doings toward her. She had much more worldy goods than he had at that time and throughout the
remainder of their lives.
In
her ambition and desire to do for her family she kept boarders for
a number of years. She was successful in this work, meeting many fine people.
Being a home woman she devoted much to the care and upkeep of her family. A woman of untiring industry and sterling honesty, a helpful
neighbor and friend. Being a member of the
LDS
Church she adhered to the end. Her
desire was to rear her children to be honest and faithful in the Church and
community. Much joy came into her life when her son Levi fulfilled a mission.
She was faithful in the Relief Society. Performing the duty of a visiting teach.
At this time they carried a basket when visiting their district. Accepting
whatever was given them---butter, eggs, bacon, soap, etc.
Wm. Bramall asked each time they
visited his home when the Relief Society would give him a pair of pants. On one
visit she took her tape measure with her. When he asked about the pants she
produced the tape saying, "We are going to measure you today." He blushed and
said, "I was only fooling, wasn't serious." He never asked again. One special
date was 25 December, her birthday. The family, her children and grandchildren
looked forward to spending the day at her home, partaking of her hospitality.
She was an excellent cook. Always had an abundance and variety of food which was
prepared for the occasion. Never forgotten. Also had a program. Songs, stories,
speeches, recitation.
As time passed Ann was called to part with her companion.
They had come a long way together, sharing joy and
sorrow. On 3 September 1903
Jonah departed this sphere of action. She carried on with a heavy heart. Smiling through her tears.
Much more could be said of her in her efforts in helping make
the desert blossom as a rose. Establishing a home, rearing a
family in the valleys of the mountains. Fulfilling her
purposes and desires in life. Brought about by
sacrificing, trials, and tribulations. For this her posterity should love
and honor her memory. She was ill six weeks before her death on 14 June 1920. During this time she
received word that her only brother, John Thomas, had died in
Wales. Ann's
funeral was conducted in Springville Second Ward.
Burial Springville
City Cemetery. Friends and loved ones mourned her passing. At present
there are two living children: Theophilous Acwilla and Adah Jessee. At the time of her death there were nine living
children. Mary Davis, her mother, died at the age of 103 in
Wales. Ann was
81 years. Ann frequently went to the
Manti
Temple to do work for the dead. I
hope I will always be blessed to cherish her memory.
History written February 1930. Copied for Record Book September 1959. "Adah Jessee."
