SARAH JENKINS JAMES
By Marion Lofthouse Maxwell
Sarah Jenkins was the daughter of John Jenkins and Emma/Emily Jones. Llangendeirne
Parish Church in the County of Carmarthen has record of John and Emma's marriage, page 51
and is #151, "John Jenkins of this Parish, Bachelor and Emma Jones of the Parish of
Llandeveilog, Spinster were married in this church by Banns, Twenty-ninth day of April in the
year One thousand eight hundred and twenty three".
Sarah's father, John Jenkins was the son of Thomas John/Jenkins and Elizabeth Evan/s
who lived on a farm called Stickle Farm (Ysticlau Farm) in the Parish of Llangendeirne, County
of Carmarthen, Wales. Sarah's mother, Emma Jones was the daughter of David Jones/John and
Catherine Francis (still proving her name) who lived on Brynygorse Farm in the Parish of
Llandeveilog, County of Carmarthen, Wales. Ysticlau or Stickle Farm and Brynygorse Farm
were only a mile or so apart. We have been there and attached are pictures of these two farms.
Sarah had two half -brothers, David Jenkins born to John Jenkins 2 or 3 Jun 1820 on
Stickle Farm, Llangendeirne Parish, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Baptism for the dead has David's
birth 3 June and endowment for the dead his birth is 2 June. He was christened at the
Llangendeirne Parish Church 16 June 1820. The second brother is Daniel Evans who was
christened at the Llangendeirne Parish Church 30 June 1822, son of Emy (Emma) Jones. Daniel
is named in Emma's fathers, David Jones' will and gives his bed and bedding to his grandson
Daniel Evans.
Children born to John and Emma Jenkins were John Jenkins born 30 Dec 1823, Elizabeth
Jenkins born 22 July 1826 and William Jenkins born 27 Nov 1827 whose residence or abode, at
the time of christening was Stickle Farm, Llangendeirne Parish, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Soon
following were sisters Margaret Jenkins born 2 Jan 1830 at Kidwelly and Maria Jenkins born 4
Nov 1831 at Llangendeirne. Sarah Jenkins was born 17 Feb 1834 in Llanelly, Carmarthenshire,
Wales. Many hours have been spent searching for Sarah's christening with no results. Twin
sisters Ann and Mary Jenkins were born 15 Jan 1839 in Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Civil
Registration began in 1837 and birth certificates verify the twin's birth date, place and parents.
Also the twin's christenings were found in the Capel Als Independent Chapel in Llanelly.
At the birth of the twins in 1839, father John Jenkins occupation was listed as a Carter
and their abode was Cadu, Llanelly. The following quote from the Dyfed Family History
Journal, April 1998, p 88, may give some light on their moving to Llanelly. The Tinplater: "For
a whole century, Llanelli was the centre of the world's tinplate industry. The tinplate works at
Kidwelly had started in 1737 and came second only to the original Hanbury work at Pontypool.
It was more than a century later that the Dafen Works was built, in 1846 - an event which saw the
beginning of the great surge forward in the tinplate trade. As the town grew, workers flocked in
from the surrounding countryside and further afield. In the first half of the nineteenth century
many of the peasantry of south-west Wales were living in poverty. In the growing industrial
towns work was available, wages higher and hours shorter than in rural areas. Most of the
incomers were young having left older relatives behind, the main reason for the move was to
improve their lot and provide a better future for themselves and their families." This is only a
report of the area of Llanelly and we will never know the real reason for their move.
It is told in the family the story that they lost Stickley Farm due to a loan to someone who
hadn't paid them back. We set out to prove this by any action taken of Stickley Farm, searching
at the Carmarthen Record Office, the Quarter Sessions April 1828 through April 1832, finding no
such records. Searches at the National Library of Wales were made of the Great Sessions 1828-1832, Plea Rolls Apr 1827-Aug 1830, Precipe Books 1825-1850 with NO results. We did
however, find the following, interesting, which may or may not be our John Jenkins:
"Carmarthenshire Quarter Sessions April 1828 - April 1832, page 439. The King on the
Prosecution of John Jenkins and William Hugh against David Hugh of the Parish of Llangunnor
in the said county of Carmarthen Yeoman - Indicted at this present Quarter Sessions for stealing
one sythe of the value of three schillings of the goods and chattels of the said John Jenkins
and....of William Hugh. The said David Hugh ...found guilty of the felony...be committed to the
house of corrections of this county there to be confined for the term of one calendar month and
kept to hard labor." Interesting, but we can't be sure with information therein that this is or isn't
our John Jenkins.
The 1841 Census Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales on Swansea Road, lists John Jenkins,
age 60, occupation Lab. (Labourer), Emily age 38, William, age 13, Margaret age 12, Mariah age
10, Sarah age 7, and Ann and Mary ages 2.
It appears that the family may have been in the Llanelly area 1830 to 1841 and maybe
longer. The 1830 birth of Margaret in Kidwelly which is close to Llanelly, Sarah born 1834 in
Llanelly and the twins, Ann and Mary, born 1839 in Llanelly and the family on the 1841 census
in Llanelly are strong indicators they were there and perhaps stayed there during those years.
Back on the farms on the border of Llangendeirne and Llandefeilog Parishes we find on
the 1841 Census of Llandefeilog Parish, Hamlet of Cloygin, grandfather DAVID JOHN, age 75,
Farmer, and second wife Jane at the Carreg Coch Farm which is right next to Brynygorse Farm.
Probate records contain the will of DAVID JONES, Garregcoch Farm date June 30 1843. He
leaves his possessions to son George Jones and to his daughter Emy Jenkins and to her son, his
grandson Daniel Evans. And to his second wife Janes children.
Death Certificate: First of July 1843 at Gareg Goch in the Parish of Llandefeilog,
DAVID JONES, Male, 78 years old, Farmer, informant George Jones present at the death,
Brinygorse, Llandefeilog. Burial at Llangendeirne Parish Church Yard, July 5, 1843, again states
age 78 years and of Garreg goch. The last name Jones and John are the same in Wales. The
spelling variations of the farm Carreg Coch, Garregcoch, Gareg Goch, Garreg goch were typed as
written in each document, census, probate, death, and burial.
In tracing this family, the next events were in 1848 in which Sarah's older brother John
Jenkins and older sister Elizabeth Jenkins were married. Elizabeth married Richard Jones, 11
Jun 1848 at Neath Register Office in Neath, Glamorganshire, her residence was Cwmavon. John
married Catherine Jones, 23 Dec 1848 at Cadoxton Juxta Neath Parish in Glamorganshire, his
residence was also Cwmavon. Obviously part of the family were in Glamorganshire.
The death of John Jenkins, Sarah's father, was 31 August 1849 and surprisingly, he was
back on the farm only this time on Garreg Goch Farm in Llandefeilog Parish in the County of
Carmarthen, the same farm that Sarah's grandfather, David Jones, died at just 6 years earlier.
Brynygorse Farm, and Garreg Goch Farm, both in Llandeveilog Parish and Usticlau (or called
Stickley) Farm in Llangendeirne Parish are within a mile or two of each other.
At the death of David Jones July 1843, Sarah's maternal grandfather, her parents John
and Emma Jenkins, and younger children may have gone back to Garreg Coch Farm in the
Llandefeilog Parish, Carmarthenshire. John Jenkins, father to Sarah, died on the same farm and
quoting his death certificate: Llangendeirne District, County of Carmarthen, #7 when and where
died, Thirty-first August 1849, Garreg Goch, Llandefeilog, JOHN JENKINS, Male, 71 years of
age, occupation Labourer, cause of death, Rheumatism, 6 years not certified, informant William
Jenkins, present at the death, Garreg Goch, Llandefeilog. John Jenkins was buried three days
later, September 3, 1849 at the Llangendeirne Parish Church Yard, County of Carmarthen, the
burial record lists his abode as Garreg-Goch and age71 years.
This may or may not be Sarah's brother William as it does not state the informant's
relationship which would be son. The informant, William Jenkins, gives his address as Garreg
Goch, the same as the deceased, which is a strong indicator that it is William, the son. William
later moved to Ashland, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA, which we have records of his
purchasing land in 1854 and 1855.
The 1851 Census, Michaelstone Super Avon, Glamorganshire, Wales, page 31, Emma
Jenkin, lodger, widow, age 49, born Llandyfaelog, Maria Jenkin, age 19, lodger, Tinplate
Cleaner, born Llangendeirne, Sarah Jenkin, age 17, daughter, Tinplate Cleaner, Daniel Jenkin age
27, lodger, Tailor, and Ann Jenkin, age 12, lodger. Sarah, Daniel, and Ann were born in
Llanelly. The enumerator put lodger by all family members except Sarah. Continuing on in
this census, page 58, lists a Mary Jenkins, servant, age 15, who could be the twin sister. Family
histories passed down in our family states Sarah went to work in the Tin Works at age 15. The
1851 Census verifies this.
"In the tinhouse, responsibility rested upon the team operating the "tin-sets" - of which
there were five - and this consisted of tinman, washman, grease boy and list boy. Women did the
lighter tasks such as openers, cleaning and packing the plates, while the children started off in
simple jobs as list boys or grease boys in the tinhouse or cold roll boys in the mills, before being
promoted through seniority to more responsible occupations. " DFHJ, April,1998, p. 88.
The 1851 Census, with mother Emma Jenkins and children was a Daniel Jenkin, who is
indeed Daniel Evans, Sarah's half brother who was living at Cwmdu Hamlet, Eastern Maesteg,
County of Glamorgan. The 1851 Census Cwmdu, Llangynwyd Parish, village Maesteg, has
Catherine Evans, head, married, age 24, Tailor's wife, born Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, son John
age 3 born Maesteg, Glamorgan which is Daniels wife who was at their home. Daniel was
perhaps visiting his mother and sisters which was a few miles from his home in Cwmdu. We
have been to Maesteg and Cwmavon, a beautiful place. Daniel could have easily walked to
Cwmavon and stayed over night with his family.
I would like to quote from Hazel James Call, daughter of David James, granddaughter to
Sarah, wrote: "Sarah was a very good seamstress and always made her clothes look like they
were bought from a tailor, they were always finished so nicely. She looked a perfect beauty in
her red and black plaid woollen dress. The waist was made in a basque and a full gathered skirt.
Most of the time she wore a white apron and a pretty lace cap, and a three cornered white scarf
over the shoulders, crossed in front and pinned at the neck with a beautiful brooch". This is the
native Welsh dress. The above 1851 Census has Sarah's older brother, Daniel Evans, whose
profession was a Tailor. Every census record, his marriage, birth of children, death of two
children, his own death record, his occupation or profession was always a Tailor.
Sarah Jenkins and William James were married at the Register Office in the district of
Neath, County of Glamorgan. The certificate reads as follow: #11, when married, Twenty
Second October 1854, WILLIAM JAMES, 24 years of age, Bachelor, profession Collier,
residence at time of marriage, Cwmavon, father David James, deceased, occupation Labourer.
SARAH JENKINS, age 20 years, Spinster, residence Cwmavon, father John Jenkins, deceased,
profession Collier. (This is about the only time we see him listed as a Collier)
We will go back to catch William James with his family on the 1841 Census of Swansea,
Glamorganshire, address, Penllwyn Robert, David James age 40, Catherine James age 40, John
James age 13, WILLIAM JAMES age 10, Hannah James age 8, Esther James age 5, Sarah James
age 12 months.
William James' father, David James' death was in the newspaper, "The Cambrian", dated
14 Oct 1843, page 3: "SUDDEN DEATH, On Tuesday last, an inquest was holden before
Charles Collins, Esq., coroner, on the body of DAVID JAMES, of Penllwynrobert, in the parish
of St. John's, cartman, who was found on the previous morning dead in his cart. Enoch Elias
states as follows: On Monday morning about eleven o'clock, I saw the cart and horses belonging
to the deceased standing near the Pwilywern coal pit, and a little girl informed me, that she
thought the deceased was asleep in his cart. I got on the shaft, and on looking into the cart, I saw
the deceased lying in the tub of the cart on his face, and I found that he was dead, but the body
was warm. The deceased was employed in carting coal from the Pwilywern pit to the Havod
copper works. Anne Williams, widow stated: I am a near neighbour of the deceased. I had
known him many years. He was 43 years of age. I saw him last Sunday night, and he was then in
better health than usual. He had not been in good health for many years, and he was not able to
do any hard work. He had recently recovered from a severe illness. I do not know that he was
subject to fits. He has left a widow and six children. The jury returned a verdict, that the
deceased died by the visitation of God." Death Certificate, "Swansea District, Llangafelach,
County of Glamorgan, #26, when and where died, Ninth of October 1843 at Pwllywern,
Llangafelach, DAVID JAMES, Male, 43 years of age, occupation Labourer, cause of death, Fit.
Visitation of God, Charles Collins, Coroner, Swansea".
William and Sarah left the County of Glamorgan and moved to the County of
Monmouth. The Birth Certificate of their first child: Parish of Rumney, Monmouthshsire,
Wales, when and where born, 24 Jan 1856, Yellow Row, Sirhowy (Village), DAVID JAMES,
Boy, father William James, Coal Miner, mother Sarah James formerly Jenkins, informant Sarah
James mother, Yellow Row, Sirhowy.
Tredegar LDS Branch Records, Family History Library, #104,172, entry #3 William
James, occupation Miner, residence Sirhowy, baptized and confirmed March 17, 1857 by B.
Evans. Entry #25 Sarah James, Sirhowy, immigration, March 22, 1857. This is all that was
written on this entry of the Tredegar LDS Branch Records. The family records has her baptized
18 Nov 1854, which was soon after her marriage in October 1854.
Also in the same film was the Register of Children blessed in the Tredegar Branch of the
Monmouthshire Conference. Entry #24 David James, Male, blessed April 6, 1856, by John D.
Roberts, name of parents, William and Sarah James.
Tredegar L.D.S. Branch Records, FHL 104,172, #230, Sarah James, residence Queen
Square, baptized 25 Dec 1852 by Dd Phillips and confirmed 30 Dec 1852 by T. Giles. #252,
Catherine James, residence, Queen Square, baptized by Dd Phillips - no date listed. The above
could be William James' mother Catherine and his sister Sarah.
Immigration, Ship Samuel Curling, date of departure 19 April 1856, Acknowledgement of
Notification, p. 94, Catherine James, age 58, widow, address 4 East Lane Tredegar, Monmouth,
son John, age 27, Miner, and daughter Sarah age 15, Spinster. 500 deposit, transferred 400
(copied as best as I could read it), PE Fund. Date of arrival 23 May 1856, port of arrival Boston,
Massachusetts. Also on the same ship was Catherine's married daughter Hannah James, husband
George W. Turner and child Joseph. They changed their surname from Davies to Turner. On the
shipping records the surname was Davies.
It is told in our family that William and Sarah gave money for Williams mother,
Catherine Bowen James and family to come to America. William and Sarah stayed to earned
money to come later, which they did the next year 1857.
Catherine Bowen James, son John, daughter Sarah and married daughter Hannah
departed 19 Apr 1856 on the ship Samuel Curling which consisted of 707 souls and about 550 of
those were from Wales. This ninety-fourth company was lead by President Dan Jones. The ship
Samuel Curling cleared the port of Liverpool on the eighteenth of April and sailed for Boston the
following day. On the way, several storms were encountered and on occasions the brethren
assembled for prayers and curbed the fury of the winds and waves by the power of the holy
priesthood.
"On the twenty-third of May the Samuel Curling was towed to quarantine ground, at
Boston. In a few hours the inspectors came on board welcomed by the spontaneous three cheers
of seven hundred people, 'and strange as it may seem,' writes Elder Dan Jones, 'called the names
of all and passed them in less than one hour and a half without any further complaint than that "I
was taking all the handsome ladies to Utah."
"The passengers were all remarkably clean, as well as the ship, which commanded the
admiration of all. In proof of the latter I would say, that I had made a wager with Captain
Curling, upon leaving Liverpool, that the Lower decks would be whiter than his cabin floors, and
the quarantine doctor decided in my favor.' On the twenty-fourth of May, President Jones
contracted with the railroad officials to take about four hundred of the passengers to Iowan City,
for $11.00 per adult over 14 years old, children half price. The kind-hearted captain allowed the
passengers to remain on board the ship till Monday the 26th of May, when the journey was
continued to Iowa City." (Millennial Star, Vol XV111, pages 283, 411, 426, 542. Deseret News,
Vol V1, page 160; also MS 14:1 (Nov. 1892), p. 20.
Date of arrival was 23 May 1856 at the Boston Port, state of Massachusetts, United States
of America. Outfitting Post was Iowa City, Iowa. Date of departure was 23 June 1856, left
Florence Nebraska 30 July, Captain of the Company was Edward Bunker, 3rd Handcart Company,
arrival in Salt Lake City was 2 Oct 1856.
From the journal of William Woodward, (also written as Woodard) a member of this
handcart company, who was president of Dorsetshire prior to the voyage to America, we find the
death date and place of William James' mother, Catherine Bowen James. "Tuesday (the) 10th,
Catherine James died in camp age 57 years". They were 2 miles west of Iowa City, Johnson
County, Iowa.
The following year, Sarah and William James came to America. Immigration Records,
FHL #25,691, page 38, Ship George Washington, Master Roster, William James, age 25, Miner
Sarah James, age 22 and son David James age 11 months, address 4 East Lane, Tredegar, Mon.
(Monmouth). On the same ship, at the same time, was Sarah's sister, "Margaret Jenkins age 26,
Spinster, origin Swansea, Wales".
A compilation of General Voyage Notes: "The splendid ship George Washington, bound
for Boston, cleared on the 27th of March, having on board 817 souls of the Saints. The saints
were on board and a meeting was called, talks were given... patience, promising the Saints great
blessings on condition of their faithfulness. "Several hymns suitable to the occasion were sung
by the brethren and sisters in a spirited manner, one of which was - Ye Elders of Israel, come
join on with me, chorus O Babylon, O Babylon, we bid thee farewell, we're going to the
mountains of Ephraim to dwell. All hearts seemed to be filled with joy, peace, and praise to their
Heavenly Father for his goodness in giving them an understanding of the gospel." "About 6
o'clock we bade farewell to all on board. Three cheers for 'Mormonism' were given by the vast
concourse, led by President Benson, making the air ring with Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! -
handkerchiefs and hats were waved until we were out of sight. May God bless and preserve his
Saints". MS, 19:15 (April 11, 1857), pp. 233-34
Brothers Pratt, Benson and others made us glorious promises and poured down upon our
heads blessings in great profusion with a fervency becoming apostles of the Most High. May the
blessings predicted, some of which were life, a prosperous voyage, and a pleasant time, be fully
realized, and may our conduct in every respect such as to merit those blessings and may also the
blessings of the high heaven poured out as propitiously upon all our brethren we leave behind is
my humble prayer. From a member journal
"The George Washington, a noble name is an A-1 vessel and registers 1649 tons. She is
well adopted for carrying passengers. Every passenger has10 cubic feet allotted him for the
luggage and a berth sufficiently for his person, all according to law. Adult passengers have had
to pay 4.5 pounds for their passage, under eight and over 3.5 pounds, infants one shilling. Each
adult all allowed the following to scale of provisions: 132 of water, 3 ½ ms of bread or biscuit of
flour, 1 ½ ms of oatmeal, 1 ½ ms of rice, 1 ½ ms of peas, 1 ½ ms of beef, 1 m pork, 2 of vinegar.
The water is issued daily. The above is a scale of provisions. The passengers on board with a
few exceptions are all Latter-day Saints bound for Zion via Boston".
"A fine, large square-rigger with three decks, a square stern, and a billethead, the George
Washington sailed from Liverpool on the 28 March 1857 with 817 Saints. Captain Josiah S.
Comings stated, "I am free to acknowledge that on no previous voyage have my passengers
conducted themselves so orderly and peaceably as those in your charge; cleanliness, morality,
sobriety, reciprocation of favors and general good behavior were pre-eminently conspicuous in
their conduct and character."
Tuesday 31st Yesterday and today very stormy and unsettled. Out of the whole number of
passengers about 800 of them are all down with seasickness, many of them too helpless to render
themselves any assistance.
Thurs 2nd A very heavy sea outside which created a heavy or constant heaving within.
The ship tossing to and fro personifying a person. The Saints are very sick and require more
attention than I and the few well brethren can impart unto them. The wind is dead ahead and we
have but little sail set. One saint records: Never will I forget the hymn we sang as we sailed
away, "Yes My Native Land I Love Thee". I was seasick about three days, but I enjoyed the trip,
for I loved the ocean. Was I not going to Zion? I was leaving every one of my kin and my native
land behind me, going out into a new world. What for? Because God had told his children to
gather to Zion. I was obeying that commandment, for I had a testimony of this work. The above
four paragraphs are from the Diary of Amos Milton Musser.
Friday the 17th the wind blowed from the south this morning and we run very fast, but it
changed into the west. The seas were running high and the ship rolled from side to side and all of
a sudden the cry of "fire, fire"!! Saluted my ears. I turned me around and gazed upon the
awfulest sight that I ever beheld. The cooking galley was all in a flame, the blaze issuing out of
each door with tremendous fury. The blaze also issuing out of the stove pipe to the height of
several feet above and that too up to the main stay sail. But through the good providence of God
it had been raining and the sails rigging etc was of course wet, which if it had been dry and the
stay sail set, the fire would have communicated with the sails and rigging and as the captain Mr.
Cummings said it could hardly have been stayed and if the "hull of the ship had been saved it
would have been by cutting the mast etc. However we were saved this calamity and even a worse
one, for it happened that a cask of water stood near at hand and one of the brethren was very
active and the flames were soon extinguished. The fire originated from the barrel of slush which
stood between the stoves, and by the rocking of the ship it emptied a part of its contents on to the
red hot stoves and of course it took fire instantly. Quoted from the Autobiography of Charles
Root Dana
April 20th We arrive in Boston Bay after 23 days of sailing. The first mate said he sailed
the seas for 32 years but never had better winds to take us into Boston. As soon as we cast
anchor a terrible storm arose of wind, snow, and rain. Cast 2 more anchors. The wind increased
to a regular storm, so much so that the ship dragged her anchors about one mile and was near
being driven ashore. The storm continued so that we could not get into the harbor till Wednesday
about noon. We stayed in the ship overnight. Quoted from the journal of Robert McQuarrie.
The Port of Arrival was Boston, Massachusetts. Immigration records state William
James, age 25, occupation Miner, Sarah James, wife, age 22, David James, age 1, address 4 East
Lane, Tredegar, Monmouth, acknowledgement of notification Mar 5, 1857, deposit 1079, refd
179, total 900 and the last column was the description of the immigrant - 'ordinary'. Records
state 4.5 pounds was required for adult passage, 9 pounds for William and Sarah. The 900
recorded on above documents could be pence. It was hard to understand exactly the figures.
Mormon Pioneer Companies Crossing the Plains, BX 8601.B291m has record of this
couple: Date of departure 28 March 1857, William James and Sarah James, ship George
Washington, date of arrival 20 April 1857, 23 days, Port of arrival Boston, Outfitting Post
Florence, Nebraska, Date of Departure 6 June 1860, Captain of Pioneer Company, Daniel
Robinson 9th Handcart Company, Arrival in Salt Lake City 27 August 1860. The question at
hand is where were they from April, 1857 to June 1860, a three-year period.
Perhaps Sarah and William went straight to Ashland, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
where Sarah's brother, William Jenkins lived. William (her brother) purchased land in Ashland
in 1854 and 1855 stating his residence as Ashland, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He sold
land in 1859, residence was Mt. Carmel, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. This same
brother, William, his wife and two infant daughters (died June 1857 and the other died Sep 1861)
are buried in the Brock St. Cemetery, Ashland, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. William
Jenkins died from an explosion of gas in the Keystone Mine in 1871 which was walking distance
from Ashland.
Margaret Jenkins (later Morgan), sister to Sarah, single at the time she was on board the
ship with them coming to America settled in Pennsylvania as well. She was in Ashland for the
birth and christening of a child in 1866. Margaret and George Morgan and one grandchild are
buried at Fountain Springs, Christ Church Cemetery which is very close to Ashland.
The birth of William and Sarah Jenkins James' second child, Emily James was probably
in Ashland, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Endowment House records for Emily Jenkins
James and her brother David Jenkins James, Monday, Nov. 15, 1875 page 291 and 292, states her
place of birth was Ashland, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Also on the record of sealing
children to parents, Emily was recorded as born in Ashland. Paradise Ward records have
Ashland, Pennsylvania as her birth place as well. Family records state Scranton, Pennsylvania as
their residence. With what evidence I have cited, it is my assumption that they lived in Ashland
and William worked in the mines. The occupation of Collier or Coal Miner was on his marriage
certificate, birth of son David in Monmouthshire, Wales LDS Branch Records, Shipping and
Immigration Records.
1860 Census, to date I have not been able to track William and Sarah Jenkins James and
two small children, David and Emily. Perhaps in route to join the saints along the trail.
Hazel James Call, granddaughter to Sarah and William and daughter of their oldest child,
David James, compiled and wrote a history of William and Sarah James which I quote: "After
they landed in New York (actually was Boston) they went to Scranton, Pennsylvania where her
husband went to work in the mines as an expert mine inspector. He walked four miles to and
from work. He would go in the mines before every shift and test for gas and air. (The Anthracite
Coal Mining Museum in Ashland, Pennsylvania that helped me locate the death of William
Jenkins told me that the men quite likely walked to and from work each day. We saw the
remains of the Keystone mine where the accident involving her brother William). Sarah was
always afraid he would not return to her some day as there were so many accidents in the mines.
She wanted him quit the mines and find some other work. He made good money and saved up a
good sum which he gave to a friend to go to Florence, Nebraska to buy a good outfit to take them
to Utah. Again when they left Scranton, they had to part with many of their friends and relatives,
and Sarah's sister Margaret and her family stayed and worked in the mines and later became very
rich, one of her sons became a millionaire in California. (Margaret's husband was George
Morgan. The 1860 Census, George Morgan's occupation was plasterer, 1870 Census, George
Morgan's occupation was a plasterer, 1880 Census his occupation was a slater, 1900 Census
occupation was a slater. research of Marion L. Maxwell).
William and Sarah Jenkins James, with two children, David and Emily came West to be
with the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"At Florence they met with another disappointment, the friend they had given money to
disappeared and there was no wagon, oxen or equipment ready for the trip West. With much
faith and courage Sarah and her husband with their two children decided to go with a handcart
company who were about ready to leave Florence."
They joined the Ninth Handcart Company, Captain Daniel Robinson. This company
departed 6 June 1860, Outfitting Post was Florence, Nebraska. They are not listed per se on the
roster, which could be due to the last minute changes. Perhaps of interest, in 1859 it was $14 on
rail to Florence, Nebraska.
"Soon after leaving Florence, Sarah's husband William James became ill and had to be
hauled in the cart many miles. Their daughter Emily also became very ill and on one occasion
was so low that the people thought she would die because there was no food suitable for a sick
child. At this time the fervent prayer of the mother was answered. A dove, that sacred bird
offered no resistance or evidenced any fear. So she took it in hand, killed and dressed it, and
prepared soup of which they freely partook. Their sick ones immediately gained strength and
recovered".
The Ninth Handcart Company was 82 days on the road coming to Salt Lake City. They saw
bands of Indians, Missionaries and other groups on their way to California. The company
consisted of Farmers, Miners, and Industrial people. They reached Salt Lake City 27 August
1860.
William and Sarah settled in Ogden, Weber County, Utah where their son, William James
was born 26 Dec 1860 and John James was born 15 Dec 1862. William James' sister Hannah
James and husband George William (Davies) Turner were in Ogden.
1861, William James was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood to the Office of
Seventy.
No doubt word came to Sarah from Wales that her sister, Mariah Jenkins Harris died 15
Nov 1862, her son Henry Harris died 11 Nov 1862, followed by another child John Harris 17
Nov 1862. And a daughter, Emma, followed in death 5 Sep 1864. This was in the village of
Cwmavon, sometimes referred to as Michalestone Lower, Parish of Michalestone Super Avon,
Glamorganshire, Wales. All burials were in the St Michaels' Church Yard, of the above Parish.
Death came to Sarah's mother and I quote the death certificate, "Neath District, County of
Glamorgan, #180, when and where died, 12 Oct 1863, Pelly Street, Michaelstone Lower,
EMMA JENKINS, Female, 62 years of age, widow of (ditto marks) Jenkins, Farmer, informant
was George Martin (Ann Jenkins husband) present at the death, address Pelly Street,
Michaelstone Lower. Ditto marks in place of Emma's husbands name could be that the son-in-law did not know his first name as he married into the family in 1863 and he died in 1849.
Burial record is from the Family History Library, Salt Lake City, film 104,890 page 27, #220,
Emma Jenkins, abode CwmAvon (Village), buried 14 Oct 1863, 62 years of age at the Parish of
Michaelstone Super Avon, St. Michaels Church Yard, in the County of Glamorgan. Mother,
Emma Jones Jenkins was indeed on the 1861 Census with Mariah and her husband David Harris.
Sisters Elizabeth, Mariah, twin sisters Ann and Mary all stayed in Wales. They all
married and were living at one time in Cwmavon, Michaelstone Lower, Michaelstone Super
Avon Parish, Glamorganshire, Wales. Sarah and Margaret came to America, a total of six
daughters in the family. Two sons, William and John came to America and lived in
Pennsylvania. Brother David died at age 15 and brother Daniel lived very near Cwmavon, in a
village called Cumdu, Maesteg, Parish of Llangynwyd, Glamorganshire, Wales. John and Emma
Jones Jenkins had a total of 10 children.
Sarah and William were in Willard, Box Elder County, Utah for a time. William's sister
Sarah James who married John David Jones lived here and seven of their 10 children were born
in Willard, Box Elder County, Utah. Then they moved to Old Paradise which is now Avon.
1870 Census, Paradise in the County of Cache, Utah, William James, age 40, Farmer,
Sarah, age 36, keeping house, David 14, Emily 12, William 9, John 7, Sarah 5, Catherine 2.
"They had moved to Old Paradise to make a home and homestead some land. Here Sarah
helped her husband build a cabin and till the soil, she dried corn, service berries and choke
cherries for winter use, she also dried apples and plums."
"They then moved to the present location of Paradise where they took up land and built
them a two-room log cabin with windows and a floor in it. Grandmother would scour this floor
with sand and kept it as white and clean as it was possible to do. She was fortunate in buying a
stove which she cherished for years and kept it shining. She washed and corded the wool which
she spun to make their clothing, their bedding and then spun most of it when she first came to the
valley, later she had the yarn woven into cloth at the mills. She did knit all the stockings,
mittens, and jackets they wore and being a good seamstress she made most of their clothes."
1880 Census, Paradise, Cache County, Utah, William James, age 50, Farmer, Sarah
James, wife, age 46, Willie James, son, age 19, John James, son, age 17, Sarah James, daughter,
age 15, Catherine James, daughter, age 12, and Josephine James, daughter, age 7.
"They had a large orchard and she helped pick the fruit and she has dried tons of apples
and plums which she sold in Logan at the Co-op Store and such places or exchanged them for
merchandise. She also helped her good husband extract honey to be sold. She was always thrifty
and in the Fall of the year they ground apples and made sweet cider and barrels of cider vinegar
which they sold for a good price."
1900 Census, Paradise, Cache County, Utah, William James, Head, born Mar 1830, age
70, married 46 years, Farmer, can read, write, speak English, own home, free, farm and house.
Sarah James, wife, born Feb 1834, married 46 years, 8 children, 7 living, read, write, and speak
English. In the event someone would like to see the location and home, the address in Paradise
is about 275 West on 9200 South. The home is still remaining and a picture of it was taken in
1962 and a picture of remodeling of the home, and the finished product is herewith.
"Grandmother attended her meetings regularly and was a very good member of the
Female Relief Society, as it was called in the early days. She was always charitable and was
called away many times to help take care of the sick and make the burial clothes. She loved to go
to conference which was held at Logan and later at the Hyrum Stake. When she went to church
on Fast Sunday she always bore her testimony. She was always immaculate with her home and
in her own personal appearance." Above quotes from Hazel James Call.
1910 Census, Paradise, Cache County, Utah, William James, Head, age 80, married 56
years, own home, free, Sarah James, Wife, age 77, mother of 8 children, 7 children living. A
history of one of Sarah's sons mentions a child named Benjamin James who died very young
which this census validates his statement of a male child being born.
Grandfather and grandmother lived to celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary. They
were the parents of eight children.
They had 125 grandchildren and great grandchildren in 1913 when they celebrated their
60th wedding anniversary. She passed away at her home in Paradise on her birthday, February 17,
1916. She was laid to rest in the Paradise Cemetery. Notes from their 60th wedding anniversary
party.
Quoting Josephine James Lofthouse, a daughter, "She was a hard working exemplar
woman, and taught her children to be the same. Also faithful, honest, and a truthful Latter-day
Saint."
Grandpa William James was a High Priest and went to church all the time. They had
High Priest meetings before Sunday School at 8:15 a.m. He always had a beard. My father John
Henry Lofthouse, a grandson, and W.H. Shaw said he always bore his testimony and always went
to Sacrament meeting. The tears would roll down his cheeks as the song Come, Come Ye Saints
was sung. William James was never known on any record in Wales as William Bowen James,
this must have been something that he used after he came to Utah.
Grandma Sarah Jenkins James while living in Paradise carried water for a block from a
canal. The canal is still there and is about a block from their home. She would put a towel
around the top of her head and carry a bucket of water up there and one in each hand and walk
home without slopping any out. Josephine James Lofthouse, her youngest daughter, said she
never had a hump or round shoulders. When she left Wales on the train, her sister came running
to wave at Sarah and took off her bonnet and threw it to her sister. Josephine also said in Sarah's
blessing it said the three Nephites would call on her. She was very sick and thought she would
die and these three men stood at the foot of her bed and told her she would live much longer and
her life was not completed.
1920 Census, Paradise, Cache County, Utah, John H. Lofthouse, Head, age 53, married,
Farmer, Josephine, Wife, age 47, John Henry, son, age 19, Blanche, daughter, age 18, Vandell,
son, age 15, True, daughter, age 12, Ruby, daughter, age 9, Chauncey, son age 5, WILLIAM
JAMES, wife's father, age 89, widower.
William James worked in the mine wells and had miners consumption (lung disease), the
doctors said he would never live to cross the ocean when they left Wales. He died 3 August
1922, age 93, dying of natural causes. He had a small build and when he died he weighed 75
pounds.
Tombstone inscription: "We will Meet Beyond the Veil, William James, Mar 8, 1830 -
Aug 4, 1922 and Sarah Jenkins, Feb 17, 1834 - Feb 17, 1916. JAMES inscribed at the bottom.
