LIFE HISTORY OF HENRY HUGHES
as Written by Himself
Mendon, Utah
June 15, 1862
I, Henry Hughes, son of Robert Hughes and Martha Reed, born in Flintshire, near
Mould, North Wales, December 25, 1825 and lived at Mould on Tell until I was 15
years old. I worked in the coal mine when I was 9 years old and did not see day
light only on Saturday and Sunday in the winter season.
I felt thankful to the Lord for my mountain home where I can bring my family up
without sending them to the coal pits for I had many narrow escapes for my
life. One which I refer to here which took place in 1837 on the 9th day of May
at the Argayd Coalery about one mile distant from Mould.
On that day 32 souls, men and boys including myself, descended the shaft which
was 70 yards deep, to work. There was an old deserted pit close to the one
which we worked which 65 years before had suddenly filled with water. Some of
the men had been warned not to work too near the old pit for fear the water
would break through and flood the one where we were working. At about 8:00
o'clock on the morning of the above date, the men and boys were called out as
the water had begun to break through from the old pit and was coming in on us.
When we got back to the shaft to be hoisted up, a man named John Owens told us
to go back as there was no danger. So we returned and resumed work.
In 2 hours afterwards the water rushed in in such quantity and force that 7 of
our number were drowned and the rest of us with the exception of 2, rushed to a
position in the highest part of what is called the "air course". Twenty-two of
us all huddled together with no way of escape, with no air to breathe and
nothing to eat. Death seemed to stare us in the face. In a short time our
lights went out for want of air, and to add to the horror of the situation we
were left in total darkness. Never shall I forget the fearful picture of human
despair which was presented by a young man named William Haliute than when he
realized his awful situation. He uttered shrieks of agony; he called the names
of his young wife and little children and plunged his hands into his hair and
tore it from his head in handfuls. Some sat silent and gloomy, speaking not a
word, apparently awaiting the visit of the grim monster, Death. Others wept and
I noticed 2 men who were large, corpulent men named Thomas Jones and William
Williams. They went a few feet aside from the others and prayed. They died in a
few hours afterwards. Later, to add to the horror of our position, the mud was
6 inches deep where we were. Among our number was a young man named John Jones
who had always manifested great interest and affection for me. This affection
remained with him until death as will be seen by the following incident. In
order to keep me out of the mud, he took me in his arms and laid me across his
lap. In this position I went to sleep and when I awoke, my dear friend was
dead. Breathing of the gas which had gathered in the place where we were
imprisoned caused a kind of stupor to come over us and it was well that it was
so, else we might have been tempted to drink some of the sulphuric water with
which the pit was flooded. This would have proved certain death. As it was, our
minds were so deranged that although suffering with burning thirst, we did not
know enough to go and drink it.
We remained in this terrible condition for 3 days and 2 nights, during which
time 12 of our number died. A portion of the time I laid on 4 dead bodies. The
people outside meanwhile had not been idle. They had been doing all in their
power to rescue us by emptying the pit of water as fast as possible. On the
third day relief arrived. The first person to come to us was my brother, John
Hughes, who was then a young man. The first man he reached was John Candrick;
the first word he said to him was, "Is Henry alive?" Candrick answered, "He was
a short time since." My brother John continued to crawl over bodies of my
fellow workmen, shaking them as he went, to see whether they were alive until
he got to myself. He shook me and called me by name and I answered by making a
mournful wailing noise. He took me in his arms and as the water was only about
a foot from the roof, he got on his back and paddled himself along, holding me
above the water until we got to the shaft. Those of us who were alive were
taken up a short distance at a time. If we had been taken up too suddenly into
fresh air it might have caused instant death. After we were taken up we were
carefully nursed and fed sparingly until our strength returned. I was among the
first to recover. The incident caused great excitement all over that part of
the country. There was a great fair being held at Mould on the 12th of May.
When we were being taken out of the pit all the people left the fair so that it
was completely deserted and came to see us. When we reached the top of the
shaft, the assembled crowed rent the air with deafening cheers and many of the
people wept for joy. Two men who were in another part of the pit were found
dead 11 days after we were taken out. During all the time I was imprisoned in
the pit, I had no fear of death and in fact no idea of it even entered my mind.
I often feel thankful to God that my life was spared so that I have lived to
hear and obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel thankful for my mountain home
and that I can bring my family up in the Gospel of Christ.
We went to Staffordshire, England when I was 15 years old and lived there until
I was 20 years old, then moved to North of Wingat, Grange, Coolerey where my
wife Ann Howells, came for the good of her health. We were married on the 4th
of November, 1850 and on July 2, 1851, I was baptized into the Chrust of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I was ordained to the office of priest and was
sent to a place of 5 houses, and I raised a branch of 23 members.
We had a son born to us in Wingate and we called his name Henry. He was born
June 14, 1852. I moved to Five Houses and was ordained an Elder and was
appointed to preside over the branch.
On March 28, 1853, we bid adieu to old England and arrived in Salt Lake City
October 16, 1853. We passed the winter in the city and then moved to South Mill
Creek Canyon. There the Lord blessed us with another son, Charles, born June
15, 1855. We moved to Cottonwood Canyon in 1855 and worked there for 7 years. I
was appointed teacher in Cottonwood Ward by Bishop Brinton. While there, we had
born to us John on April 13, 1857; and Thomas Howells, born September 15, 1859.
In May 1862 we moved to Mendon, Cache County, Utah. There we had a son, Edward
Robert, born August 20, 1862. I was appointed teacher in Mendon in 1862 and
1868 to preside over the Quorum, and 1870, I was appointed bishop of Mendon by
Brother Benson and Brother Maughan. On the 7th of October, 1872, President
Brigham Young and Brigham Young, Jr., George Q. Cannon, and Orson Pratt
ordained me High Priest and a Bishop. Brigham Young, Sr. was mouth. Myself and
my wife, Ann Howells Hughes, went down to Salt Lake City and were baptized for
the following named persons: my father, Robert Hughes; and mother Martha Reed
Hughes; and brother John Hughes. Father and Mother were sealed. We were
baptized for Grandfather and Grandmother Hughes; and Grandmother and
Grandfather Reed on my side; and for my wife's father and mother; for my wife's
sister Mary and her husband, Francis Wainwright; and for a friend, Emanuel
Jones; my wife's relation, William Howells; and Grandfather Howells and
Grandfather Hughes and Grandmother Hughes and Artis-cedilla Hughes. My wife's
sister Martha Howell, was sealed to me, Henry Hughes.
During this year, I labored hard for the Kingdom of God and raised a good crop
of wheat. Myself and the brethren quarried and hauled 600 purch of rock for the
granary at the depot and in lifting a big rock, I hurt my back which was healed
by the Elders of the Church and the blessings of the Lord.
In September, President Brigham Young gave me a dispatch to get ready for a
mission to Wales and at October Conference, 1873, I was called with 19 others
to go. I left home on the 19th of October for Ogden; left Ogden on the 20th for
New York, and arrived there on the 25th. We stopped here until the first of
November. We sailed for Liverpool on board the "Oceanic", a fine steamship 437
feet long. We arrived at Liverpool on the 12 of the same month in good health.
My health was good across the sea. The Lord was good to us. The day before we
got to Quinestown there was a heavy gale of wind and we were kept out of it.
Some of the fine steamships had to have help to come into Liverpool, but we
were blessed of the Lord and in a smooth sea all of the time.
When we arrived at Liverpool we went to 42 Islenton, that being the house where
the Apostles were kept. We met with Bishop L.J. Merick. He was left in charge
when Brother Caranton left for his home in Utah.
I left Liverpool for Wigan to see my brother, Thomas. I had not seen him for 26
years. We parted boys and met again grandfathers. I stayed with him for 2 days
and left for Jarrow on time to see my sister Elizabeth. I got there on the same
day that I left Wigam. The city had a large hotel that was worth about
$100,000,00. I went into the parlor and called for a glass of ale and I gave
Hubert, their son, my stachel to put by for me and my sister saw my name on it.
She called her husband in and told him she thought I was her brother Henry from
America. They both came into the room I was in to see me, but gave it up that I
was not the man they thought I was. I asked her for some supper, told her that
I had been traveling all day and that I was very hungry. She was put out and
did not know what to do. I asked her if she would give me a kiss if she could
not get the supper; she looked at me with vengeance and I smiled. Then she knew
me and fell in my arms and I got my arms full for she was only 200 pounds!
I had a very pleasant visit with them; then my brother-in-law, Hubert Clay,
went with me to Durham to see Richard Jones, his wife being my wife's sister.
We had some fun here. We asked them for lodgings and told them that we were
from America. Jones wanted to know what part we came from, I told him Mendon,
Cache County, Utah. He had my address and told his wife that we came from where
Henry lived. We heard her telling him to ask us if we knew one Henry Hughes in
that part of the country. I told him that I knew him well and that we had lived
together for years. He then brought my likeness to me and asked me if I knew
that man. I said that was Hughes. Then he brought my wife; I told him that she
was his wife. We had 3 hours' talk with them. I asked Ruth if I looked like
that man she showed me. She looked me in the face and said, "What, Henry?" I
said yes, that I was the very man himself. She said, "You have more wives than
one and I don't like it." I lived with them when I got married to her sister,
Ann. We had a good chat with them that evening and the next day and evening;
then left for my sisters. I stopped with them until November 28, then left for
my brother, Thomas, at Wigan and arrived there at 9:00 p.m. I left on the 24th
for Mold where I was born. I arrived at my cousin George Hughes, the same day
at 6:00 p.m. I went to his house; he was out, his daughter took me where he
was. As soon as I saw him I knew him. I asked him if he would have a glass of
beer with me. He said he would not until I told him who I was. I told him I was
his cousin. He looked at me and said he had but 4 cousins, John and Robert;
Thomas and Henry. He said John was older than he, that was over 60 years and
was at Australia. Thomas was at Wigan; Robert was in America and Henry was gone
to America 22 years ago. He thought he was dead. I told him that I was Henry.
He asked me to tell him one circumstance that happened to me in my youth. I
told him I was down the Argayd Coalery when the water broke in on us in 1837 on
the 9th day of May. He put his arms around my neck and kissed me and cried. I
stopped with him 2 days. Went to the coal pit that I was down. It was done
working years ago. I saw the place where I came up out of he pit 36 years ago.
I looked around me to see if I could see someone. There was no one around me so
I went to the woods close by and prayed to the Lord for His blessings to be
with me on my mission. I had not seen my family for 36 years (21 of them in
America" and came back with the Gospel for that people.
I left Mold on the 25th of November for Merthyr and arrived at 7:00 p.m. I was
meet there at the station by John E. Reel from Sanpete. We went up to 24 Mary
Street, Merthyr, that being the conference house kept by Brother Edmont
Harmont. We stopped around Merthyr a few days until Bishop L.J. Herick of Ogden
City arrived, and on the second of December we left for Neath (1873) and
reached there at 7:00 p.m. On the 3rd we left for Swansea and we had another
good meeting there. We stopped at the yellow house, a very dirty hole and a
damp bed and had something with the Bishop. We left on the 2nd, but we went on
the pier and carved our names (HH Mendon 1875) 5th of December. We preached at
Neath at 7:00 p.m. and stopped at the Veal of Neath. I left December 6th for
Glouster to visit my wife's Sarah Ann's Grandmother Moulder and Grandfather
Goatman. I stopped with him one night at Churchdown, 4 miles from Glouster. I
left on the 9th of January for Neath and preached there on the 11th. I left
Neath for Alldwan on the 12th and preached there the same evening. I stopped
with them until the 14th, then left for Swansea. I left Swansea for Merthyr the
same day. I preached at Merthyr on the 15th and on the 17th I left for Aherdear
and preached there the same evening.
I visited Enoch Lewis's sister and brother. They were good to me. I preached
here on the 18th and again on the 19th. This was a funeral sermon of Brother
Jankn Thomas of Abardear child, then I returned to Merthyr. I was down to
Cardiff about this time and got back to Merthyr in time to go to Pont Potine on
Christmas day and stopped in with Brother Henry Haynes. I left here for Tradger
on the 26th to preach there too. I had a good meeting of the Saints. I returned
to Pont Potine on the 27th, stopped here one night, then started for Merthyr. I
stopped here the 29th and 30th, then left for Cardiff to attend a funeral of
Brother Thomas Reese's wife, who was buried on the first of January 1874. I had
a debate here on the pier at Cardiff with some sectarian and came off good to
the satisfaction of all present. I left for Merthyr and found R. Villiros here
from Birmingham, he being the president of the Conference.
Jan. 3, 1874: Brother Mores and I went today up to Cavancoade Comer 2 miles
from Merthyr to see his cousin. When we came hom in the evening, we found
Brother G.H. Gibbs from Liverpool assigned on a visit to our conference.
Jan.4: We preached here today, all 3 of us and had a good time of it with the
Saints. We leave here on the 5th for Swansea to preach here this evening. We
stop with Sister Davis at the Trubet Dora.
Jan. 6: We leave here today for Neath to preach there this evening and we had a
good time of it and made one convert, Sarah Evans. She sent for her lover,
Brace is his name. I preached to him and he was baptized and they married and
were good Latter-Day Saints.
Jan. 7: We leave here today for Aberdare to preach there. We took dinner with
Enock Lewis' sister. He lives in Logan, Cache County, Utah, and is a good man
in the Church.
Jan. 8: We leave here today for Merthyr. We went up to the tunnel. It was
impassible. We had to return back by Aberdear and go by Quackers Yard to
Merthyr.
Jan. 9: Merthyr. We leave here today for Rhymner by Doulas Toot and saw a horse
burned to death, had a good meeting at Rhymner. Stopped with Brother Henry
Haynes all night.
Jan. 10: Rhymner. We leave here for Merthyr today. Brother R.V. Mores and I
have an appointment this evening to visit Mr. Jones and Peter Williams of
Merthyr and we had a good time of it. 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and we leave
here at 5:00 p.m. for Nawport. We had no meeting here but we gave them some
good council if they will give heed to it.
Jan. 12: We leave here today for Cardiff at 12:00 a.m. and arrived here at 1:00
p.m. and went to see Miss William's mother to Brother Miles Williams that is
here with me on a mission. We had meeting this evening at Brother Bassetts; the
house was full and we had a good time of it.
Jan. 13: Cardiff. We left here today for Trearock, arrived at 1:00 p.m. Took
dinner with Brother Timothy Wosley. Preach here this evening and went to see
the great Welch singer, Cradoc.
Jan. 14: We left here for Merthyr at 11:00 a.m. Arrived at 1:00 p.m. Went to
see Mr. Jones the artist and took tea with him and went to meeting in the
evening and preached and had a good time of it. I had a letter from Andrew
Anderson from Mendon, Cache County, Utah.
Jan. 15: Merthyr. Stopped at home today and went to see R.V. Moress off to
Birmingham alright.
Jan. 16: Went to see Brother George F. Gibbs off to Liverpool and wrote a letter
for A. Anderson, Mendon, Cache County, Utah.
Jan. 17: I left Merthyr today for Awldewan to preach there. Took supper with
Brother John Davis and stopped at Sister's house. She is a good sister.
Jan. 18: I left Awldewan for Astelvara to preach there. Walked 4 miles there
and back. Preach at Awldewan in the evening.
Jan. 19: Leave Awldewan for Swansea to preach there this evening. Had a slim
house and I would say that this branch is dead as to the Gospel.
Jan. 20: Swansea. I stopped here today to try to do the Saints some good. I
took dinner with Brother Sawawall Allen and tea with Brother W. Williams and
had a chat with Brother Morgan.
Jan. 21: Swansea. I had a walk by the sea-side. A very fine day. Went up to the
forall to Brother John Allen's for dinner then left for Awldewan to preach
there this evening. I sent a letter home, being the fifth letter since I left
home.
Jan. 22: I left here today for Neath and walked 5 miles and a very fine day.
Arrived at 4:00 p.m. and had a very good time with the brothers and sisters.
Jan. 23: Neath. A great day here today. The Duke of Edinborough is being
married to a Russian princess and the town is being illuminated tonight, but
the wind is too high for it. Had dinner with Sister Reese and stopped here
during day and had a good time of it.
Jan. 24: Neath. Leave here today for Aharkinpec at 10:00 a.m. Arrived at Bridge
End at 11:00 a.m. and walked to Aharkinpec. Stopped with Brother D. Lloyd. He
was very good to me. I sent a letter home to Father G. Goatman.
Jan. 25: Take a walk with Brother Daniel Lloyd up to the Cavern to see the
Saints and dined with Brother Joe Butler and came back to Aharkinpec and held 2
meetings, one at 2:00 p.m. and the other at 6:00 p.m. There is a good branch
here. The president is a fine man.
Jan. 26: I went with Sister to Maue today to see Brother Powell. He is 74 years
of age and is going to Utah in the spring. I left here for Bridge End to
Brother G. Shem's. Took dinner with them. They gave me 4 shillings and left for
Neath to preach there this evening.
Jan. 27: Neath. This branch was in a bad state when I first came here, but it
is good now. I baptized 7 last night and had a good meeting. Leave for Merthyr
at 3:00 p.m. Got 3 letters from home and good news.
Jan. 28: Merthyr. I sent a letter home today and I am getting ready to start to
North Wales to travel with Brother F.J. Horick from Ogden.
Jan. 29: I left Merthyr today at 8:00 a.m. for North Wales. I stopped at Raubon
where my mother was born at the Rose_____ 2 miles off from Raubon. I went to
Uncle John Owens and I found him at home, over 80 years old. Rose_____ I
visited my friends here 2 days and had a good time of it and took tea with
Brother Amos Clark and wife's aunte who lives at Newton, Cache County, Utah.
Jan. 30: I left here today for Mould near Raubon. I went to the church yard at
Raubon and I found my great-grandfather's grave. He was buried in the year
1782. Arrived at Mould at 7:00 p.m. and went to George Hughes, Esq., my cousin.
Feb. 1: I visited old familiar places which brought many things to my mind that
happened in my youth. My cousin Thomas Hughes was with me. We came back and
took dinner with his family. He wife was not well; she died shortly afer.
Feb. 2: I went to Mould church yard with George Hughes and found some records
of my grandfather's family. I left here and went up to Mineth Esa and found my
old friend, Thomas Hughes, not my cousin. He went with me to the house I was
born in. I returned to Mould, it only being 2 miles up to my cousin, G. Hughes.
Feb. 3: Mould. George and me went again to the church and got some records of
our family. I left for Liverpool at 11:00 a.m. and arrived at 2:00 p.m.
Feb. 4: Liverpool. I found the brethren at 42 Islenton all right and I went to
see Robert Williams, my cousin. I had not seen him for 32 years. He did not
know me but I knew him as soon as I saw him. We went to Thomas Hughes', my
cousin, and had a good time of it together talking of old times.
Feb. 5: Today I went to see a sister to Joseph Jones of Wellsville, Cache
County, and we had a warm time of it, but I think she is a good woman.
Feb. 6: We looked for Brother F.J. Herick to go with us to North Wales. He came
in time for me to go by the 3:00 p.m. train for Bagillt. I left Liverpool at
3:00 p.m., arrived at Bagillt at 6:00 p.m. at Brother Thomas Green's.
Feb. 7: Bagillt. I went to Flint today and sent a letter from here to home.
Went back to Bagillt to meet Brother Herick from Liverpool. He came by the 6:00
p.m. train.
Feb. 8: Today we went to Glolewall, 4 miles from here. That is from Bagillt and
came back and held 2 meetings then left for Prestaline at 6:00 p.m. We stopped
here all night. This is a nice village on the sea shore and the mountains on
the other side.
Feb. 9: Prestatine. We leave here this morning for Mostine. I walked 8 miles on
the sea shore and took the train from Chester. We had a lunch here, then we
parted. Brother Herick for Liverpool and me for Wroschm. I stayed here at night
and went to see Brother Gittens, now here at Mendon.
Feb.10: Left this morning for Merthyr at 9:00 a.m. Arrived at Merthyr at 4:00
p.m. and got a letter from Brother R. Foster, Mendon, Utah.
Feb. 11: Merthyr. I wrote a letter to my sister Elizabeth Clay, Jarrow on Tine,
County of Durham.
Feb. 12: Merthyr. I leave here today for Neath to preach there tonight. Talked
with Sister Edwards, we had a good time here with the Saints. Stopped all night
with Brother Thomas Evans.
Feb. 13: Neath. Leave here at 1:00 p.m. for Swansea. Stopped with Sister Davis
all night.
Feb. 14: Leave Swansea at 1:00 p.m. for Hanalley and stop with Brother John
Williams and preach here to the Saints and had a good time of it.
I don't think it would be wisdom for me to write all my travels while on my
mission, as it can be found in my diary. I would say here that it was the best
time I ever had in all my life. I left my home at Mendon October 19, 1873. I
got home June 3, 1875 in good health and done a good work in Wales.
