David, Rachel - Biography by a Daughter

Rachel David Chambers -- Biography

By one of her daughters

Rachel David Chambers was the daughter of Morgan and Elizabeth Bowen David. She was born in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales, on 3 March 1842. When Rachel was five years old her father, being desirous of coming to this country worked to that end, and set sail for America on 5 March 1849. They first traveled on the Troubador, a steamer that took them from Swansea to Liverpool. On arriving they found out that the ship Hartley, on which they were to sail was not ready and would not sail for three weeks. They were permitted, however, to live on the ship during the time.

On the second night an unfortunate accident happened. Betsy, the nineteen-year-old sister fell from the top deck to the bottom of the hold. She was severely cut and bruised and unconscious when they found her. She was taken to a hospital but did not regain consciousness until the next day. Little hope was held out for her recovery, but through the prayers of the Elders she was made well again.

The ship left Liverpool on 5 March 1849. The voyage to America was without any mishaps, as the weather was very calm. After seven weeks and five days on the water they landed in New Orleans. From New Orleans they journeyed up the Mississippi River to St. Louis arriving on 12 May 1849.

The dreaded plague of cholera broke out at this time claiming many of the saints. Mother's mother was stricken with the disease and died the night they landed in St. Louis. The grief stricken family was not allowed to see her. She was taken away in the night and buried. They were not allowed to see where she was buried. Their father then moved his family to Day Hill where he worked in a coal mine.

Nine days after the death of their mother the hand of death reached out to them again, claiming their sister, Mary, wife of David Bowen and soon after, her nine-month-old baby died.

Some time later a Welsh family by the name of Williams who were living at Blue Ridge, four miles from Day Hill, heard of the Morgan David family. The Williams family traveled to Day Hill to become acquainted with the David's.

In the spring of 1852 the family started for Utah. They stopped at Council Bluffs Iowa, where they remained for ten weeks. During this time Rachel's father was busy preparing for the big journey with two oxen, two cows and a wagon. The family, consisting of ten people, started to the West. We have all heard of that memorable journey across the plains by our fathers and mothers, of the many things they endured for the sake of their religion, and we know the many things they suffered for.

They arrived in Salt Lake City on 19 September 1852 where they remained for three days. They then moved to Palmyra during the winter. At that time the Indians were still very unfriendly to the white people.

The family thus far had been living in dugouts, but it was now necessary to build a house for the coming winter. During the building of the two-room house, which was made of adobe, mother's sisters Hannah and Emma tended masons, drying the adobe in a basket on their head.

For three years they resided in Palmyra. In 1859 Brigham Young gave the orders to move to the present site of Spanish Fork, as Palmyra was not considered a desirable place for a settlement. When they moved to Spanish Fork their pioneer life was fraught with many hardships.

Their first crop of wheat was among the many to be destroyed by the grasshoppers. Following the catastrophe, the family lived on rations. Their bread was made from corn which was grated over a pan with holes driven in it. The next crop of wheat was a little more profitable. As patches here and there would ripen they would cut it, dry it, and thrash it with a flail.

The early morning wind from the canyon would blow away pounds of flour from the first grinding, and the rest was distributed among friends and neighbors. Even the bran and shorts were given away. The soaps they used were made from saleratus, which was gathered from clay beds and from grease. For lights they used a cloth dipped in grease which was kept burning in a pan. This was called bitch light.

In the summer of 1858 many people went to Provo and camped for three days for the purpose of picking manna, a sweet substance like sugar which they found on the bushes. Many said it was a direct message from heaven and had been sent by God. The pioneers were generous and shared what little they had, sharing with all alike, and in spite of their many trials and worry they were all happy.