SAMUEL GREEN

Samuel Green was born 28 October 1831 in Claverley, Shropshire, England, the son of William Henry Green and Mary Bennett. He was their first child. The town of Claverley is a beautiful town of half-timbered buildings. The parish church of Claverley is an ancient one, and has an interesting series of wall paintings of five pairs of knights on horseback, which dates back to about 1200. A Saxon font which dates to the late 7^th century is found in the church, along with a Norman font. Claverley was owned by Leofric, Earl of Mercia, whose wife, Lady Godiva, is associated with the famous legend.
 

Other children, John, Mary, and Hannah were born in Claverley. William Henry worked as a laborer, so he had to move the family from town to town to find work. Melissa Green Manwill states in her history of William Henry Green: “The Green family started shifting around to find employment, first in Gloucestershire and Staffordshire. At an early age Samuel and John shifted for themselves, seeking employment. Later they joined their father. William Henry and wife had already heard the missionaries and were anxious to have the two boys home with them so they could all embrace the gospel at the same time. They were all baptized on January 11, 1850.  Mary Bennett was baptized in 1849." (Life of John Green)  Samuel was 19 years old when he was baptized. Other records show that Mary Bennett Green was the first to be baptized, on 17 September 1849, then Samuel's sister Mary in 1849, then William on 28 October 1850, then Samuel and John on 5 November 1851.
 
 

In 1852 the family prepared to travel to Utah to gather with the Saints. The trip was eventful: “Arriving at Liverpool, William deposited 6,000 shillings to pay for their transportation to America. After making all arrangements, they were told that the sea was rough and dangerous and that no ships would sail before the middle of January. The only thing William could do was rent a small place and wait. The Green family was assigned to sail on the Ellen Maria, but the Captain informed them that only Samuel would be able to go. Having no desire to sail alone, Samuel sold his ticket to another passenger and he remained to travel with his dear family.”
 
 

The Green family boarded the Elvira Owen in February 1853. The passenger list showed:
 
 

                                         Born            Age              Origin

Green, Mary                     1796             57              Worchester

Green, William                  1810             43             Worchester         occupation: Labourer

Note: BMR, p. 106

Green, Samuel                   1832            21              Worchester

Green, John                       1835            18              Worchester

Green, Mary                      1839            14              Worchester

Green, Hannah                   1842            11              Worchester
 

 
 

Address of the William Henry Green family, January 28, 1853, as recorded on the ship's register was: M. Rowan, Worcester, Worcestershire, England.
 
 

In the emigration records of Liverpool is found the following: Wm. Green, age 43, served in the British Army in Company E, Address McRowan St. Watford, Worcester; Mary, his wife, age 57; Samuel, son, age 21; John son, age 18; Mary, daughter, age 14; Hannah, daughter, age 11.
 
 

The Millennial Star reported: “Under the direction of Joseph W. Young, who had presided over the Preston Conference, a company of three hundred and forty-five Saints sailed from Liverpool on the fifteenth of February, 1853, on board the ship Elvira Owen. On the twenty-third of March, 1853, after a most speedy voyage lasting only thirty-six 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, it 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 for 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 the thirty-first of March. Proceeding up the Mississippi River the emigrants arrived in Keokuk on the thirteenth of April, being two days short of two months from Liverpool, which was considered an extraordinarily rapid journey.” (Millennial Star, Vol. XV, pp. 154, 288 and 361)
 
 

The next part of the voyage was difficult: “On March 23, 1853 after a speedy voyage, lasting only 36 days, the ship arrived at the bar at the mouth of the Mississippi. The trip across the vast span of water was far from being pleasant. The Green family, along with others, were frightened and seasick from the rocking of the ship and the violent waves dashing over the deck. Food and fresh water must be taken along. One pint of drinking water a day was allowed each person. All cooking was done in a small room on deck, then the food had to be carried down the ship ladder to the family members below. There were daily prayers for guidance and safety.”
 
 

John Brown, the Church agent in charge of emigrating Saints welcomed the family: “After being detained for several days, the vessel was towed up the River, landing in New Orleans the 31st day of March. Proceeding up the river they arrived at Keokuk on April 13, being two days short of being two months since leaving Liverpool. This was considered an extraordinarily rapid journey. While journeying, Brother John Brown told the Green family about the beautiful Utah Valley, with its groves of cottonwood trees and sparkling streams of fresh water. "It would be an ideal spot to call home", said Elder Brown. While making necessary preparations for the long trek across the Plains, the Green family pitched their tents at Montrose, Iowa. When everything was in readiness, they started the trek into the wilderness. The morning they left, the sun was shining full strength overhead. This was the morning of July 11, 1853. Some of the Company came under the provision of the Ten Pound Company, and some by the Perpetual Emigration Fund. The Greens came by the Ten Pound Company.”
 
 

The company list for the Cyrus Wheelock Company shows:
 

William Henry Green

Mary Bennett Green

John Green

Mary Green Jr.

Hannah Green
 
 

A study of the passenger list of the ship "Elvira Owen" and that of the Cyrus H. Wheelock Company indicates that the 345 Saints who left Liverpool, England, February 12, 1853, stayed together as a whole and made up the bulk of the 396 members of the Cyrus H. Wheelock Company. The William Henry Green family made the journey, although the name of Samuel Green is not included in the Cyrus H. Wheelock Company passenger list. It is not known how Samuel Green reached the Great Salt Lake Valley. There is some evidence, however, that he did arrive with his family. (History of the William Henry Green Family)
 
 

The Company had “17 horses, 2 mules, 216 oxen, 83 cows, 12 heifers, 52 wagons, and one carriage.” The family walked the 1500 miles, and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on October 16, 1853.
 

The family rested in Salt Lake for a short time, then traveled south to help settle Pleasant Grove, Utah. The Fort had just been completed, and the family lived inside the Fort in their covered wagon. Later a one-room house was built inside the Fort Square.
 

1855 was a difficult year: “Mid-summer promised a bounteous harvest, but with the return of the crickets, coming in a cloud and eating every blade of green grass there was, discouragement ran high. By the time these pests were destroyed, the crops were also destroyed.” The family lived on sego, thistle and red-root.
 

At 26 years old, Samuel Green married Pamelo Wishaw, who was then 17 years old. They had sixteen children. Eight children grew to maturity: Samuel James, William Henry, Charles Edward, Mary Ella, Herman, Joseph Erving, Alfred Ray, and Susie Josephine. Samuel and Pamelo built a two-story soft-rock house near the south and east walls of the then-abandoned Grove Fort. This home is now listed on the National Register of Historic Homes.
 
 

1860 census, Pleasant Grove (Battle Creek), Utah County, Utah

Samuel Green's family became inadvertently involved in the Black Hawk War in 1863. William H. Seegmiller tells of the battle at Pleasant Grove, Utah: "On the evening of April 12, 1863 we camped at Pleasant Grove, Utah County. We had been camped but a short time when a band of Indians, probably fifty, under the leadership of Little Soldier, came to our camp and inquired if we were Americats. We answered no, and he then asked if we knew where the Americats were camped; we told them that we did not know. They then said: "We find them." They passed on down the street towards the center of town. Some of Brigadier General Connor's command from Fort Douglas were in town...Soon we heard a loud report and learned that Connor's men had found out that the Indians were coming for them, and had shot a Howitzer, a small cannon, at them as they were turning south to where the soldiers were located. We were informed that the soldiers went to Samuel Green's house on the east side of the road and asked the people to leave, which they did in a hurry. The soldiers then went into the house, pulled their cannon in with them, pulled up some of the floor and got under it, leaving their wagons in the road and their mules and horses were in a corral on the west side of the street. The Indians dared not follow the troops into the house, but shot into it through the door and window, peppering the back wall with bullets. When the Indians saw they could not successfully rout the soldiers or kill them, they turned their attention to booty. But when the soldiers saw they were going to lose their horses they fired a charge of grape shot from their cannon into the corral at their animals, preferring to kill them to letting the Indians get them. They killed and maimed some; the Indians got those not hurt and loaded them with blankets and supplies, and struck for the mountains very much pleased with their success." Some sources say this battle took place at the home of John Green, Samuel’s brother.
 
 

1870 census, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah

Samuel Green was a hard-working man, and became one of the prosperous farmers of Pleasant Grove. Timpanogos Town describes Samuel Green as "a farmer who brought forth some of the biggest crops per acre in fertile Utah Valley". Samuel worked for the Utah Sugar Company as a Utah County field agent for many years. Samuel Green was an elected member of the Pleasant Grove City Council. He was ordained a High Priest and was an active Church member.
 
 

1880 census, Pleasant Grove, Utah

In The History of William Henry Green Samuel is described: “Those who remember Samuel Green recall him as a man who stood upright, had square shoulders, was of medium height and of slender appearance. His hair was heavy and ruddy brown. He wore a full beard and mustache. Samuel Green was a quiet man and a thinker, but not a conversationalist; two stories from out of his life describe his personality. At one time the family grocery account at the Pleasant Grove Mercantile was getting rather high in the mind of the proprietor, William L. Hayes. It was the custom for townsfolk to charge the few items they had to buy at the store from one harvest season to another, and then settle the account as cattle "came off" the mountain or the yield of the farms was "in". The Green family followed this practice. William Hayes spoke with Samuel Green about the bill, to which Samuel replied, "I pay my bills."The other incident was a remark by one of Samuel Green's associates: "Sam Green doesn't say much, but he sure keeps up a hell of a thinking."
 

Samuel enjoyed becoming a grandfather: “Samuel Green and Pamelo Wishaw enjoyed their family. They were hospitable and generous with their grandchildren. Grandpa Green is remembered as having favored little girls, probably because he lost so many of his own small daughters.” (History of William Henry Green)
 
 

1900 census, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah

Pamelo Wishaw Green died on January 10, 1907, when Samuel Green was 75 years old. His son, Joseph and his family moved in with him to care for him. “A family incident occurred when the family of Joseph Green was living at the Samuel Green home to care for the aged Grandfather. Their eldest son, a boy of about seven, became irked at something and announced he was going to run away from home. His absence did not cause his parents concern until nightfall; a neighborhood hunt did not locate the boy. Then Grandpa Green "thought like a boy" and looked under the granary. There he found the sleeping lad.” (History of William Henry Green)
 
 

Samuel died when he was 78 years old: “On the day before his death, Susie Josephine Green Robison and her eight year-old son visited Samuel Green. While standing on a chair, the little boy recited "Little Orphan Annie" to his Grandpa, whereat the elderly gentleman tried unsuccessfully to find a nickel in his packet. "Come tomorrow and I'll have a nickel for you," said Grandpa Green, but he was unable to keep his promise. At 7:20 a.m. on January 18, 1910, the 78 year-old man was sitting in a favored kitchen chair playing with his grandchildren when death came.” (History of William Henry Green)
 
Samuel's obituary was printed in the Pleasant Grove News on January 21, 1910:

The Deseret Evening News, Tuesday, January 18, 1910, on page 8, carried the following:
 
 

SAMUEL GREEN ANSWERS SUDDEN SUMMONS
 
 

Samuel Green, one of Pleasant Grove's most prominent and respected citizens, died suddenly this morning a few minutes after 7 o'clock. He was in his usual health, and was sitting in his chair talking to his grandchildren when he was stricken with heart failure and expired at once.
 
 

He was born October 28, 1831, at Greatbridge, Shropshire, England, and came to Pleasant Grove in 1853 with his parents and their family. He has taken a prominent part in the development of the town ever since. For many years he was a member of the City Council. Of late years he was the agent of the Utah Sugar Company here. Six sons and two daughters survive him, besides many grandchildren. His wife died three years ago.
 
 

The funeral will be held in the Tabernacle here on Thursday at 2:00 p.m.
 

Samuel Green was buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery.