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 7th
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)
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.
If you have additional information about this family,
please contact me at alice@boydhouse.com.