Tracing Mormon Pioneer Ancestors: The Survey

As you follow along in this tutorial, you could take the opportunity to review the state of your own genealogy and find new information about your own family as we learn about the Litson family.

Family Records

The first step is to look at the genealogical records kept within the family. You may need to contact a relative for a digital (.ged) file. My .ged file shows the family genealogy as traced by my parents and other family members, and for a program, I use both Reunion for Mac and RootsMagic.

The records on my Glade lines are pretty good, although not complete, but I have only done original research on the Pettits so I do not know how much of the following family group record is correct and where the information came from. The information is not documented, which means that no sources are listed.

A family group record can contain a lot of information. This one notes that Richard Litson was born in 1819 in Devonshire, England. Frances Ann Mathews was born in 1819 in Glamorganshire, Wales. They married in 1845 in Glamorganshire, Wales, and had four children: Eliza, Joan, Richard and Joseph. Sometime between 1858 (Joseph's birth date) and 1878 (Richard's death date) they emigrated to Utah. The family group record lists Richard and Frances's parents and the spouses of three of their children and other information including death and burial dates and places. Their LDS ordinance data is also contained in the .ged files, but I will discuss that separately in the Church Records section of this tutorial.

After checking the information you already have, the next step is to see what is available through other sources. Have other relatives put information online? 

But before we start looking at these sources, here is an important warning:

DO NOT TAKE INFORMATION FROM ONLINE FAMILY TREES AS FACT

Unless you find the rare online family tree that has been researched and sourced, do not use an online family tree as anything but a starting point and suggestion of where to look for records. As a rule of thumb, people who put their family trees online do not tend to document them, and people who tend to document their family trees do not like to put them online. I am not entirely sure why this is the case, but it proves true time after time. NewFamilySearch has the potential to solve this problem, and Ancestry.com, the subject of an upcoming post, also has very good collaborative features.

FamilySearch

FamilySearch is the genealogical department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is also a website. (For more information about using FamilySearch, see my father's recent book, The Guide to FamilySearch Online.) 

The relevant part of Familysearch.org for our purposes is Ancestral File. To find it, go to familysearch.org, look at the horizontal menu above the search box, click on "Trees," and enter some information about the ancestor. Here is a family tree for Richard Litson:

This tree adds a second marriage for Richard. It looks like it may have been a temple sealing to a deceased sister of Frances Ann Mathews, as was sometimes done back then. I also see that the name "Mathews" is spelled "Matthews" in these records. These discrepancies should be noted on a list for further research.

New Family Search

NewFamilySearch (NFS) is mostly available to members of the Church for the purposes of doing temple work, but if I understand correctly, it will be eventually made public and added to the FamilySearch website. The NFS information on this family is almost identical to the Ancestral File information.

RootsWeb

I use RootsWeb's WorldConnect Project less frequently since NewFamilySearch became available, but every now and then it can be a place to find family trees. Try to choose one that includes sources. There are five trees for this family, all almost identical, and if you look at them, you can see a number of errors, including three of the children being listed twice.

Those three websites can all provide information for the genealogical hunt, but as noted, take all the information with a grain of salt.

Assignment #2

Locate a .ged file of your genealogy if one exists. If you're starting from scratch, start a file with yourself as the first entry in the program, and go from there, building your family generation by generation. Check the resources listed above for family trees. The next installment in this series will be posted on Thursday, so you have two days to look at online family trees. Have fun!

Brigham Jarvis in the Juvenile Instructor

These letters by a life-long resident of Salt Lake City, Lula Greene Richards, were meant for an audience of young children belonging to the Primary (children's) organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The heads of the auxiliary organizations of the church regularly toured the outlying areas of the church, and they continue to do so today.

These letters are valuable not only for the mention of Brigham Jarvis, the third child of George and Ann Prior Jarvis, but for the glimpse of life in St. George in the late 1890s.

LETTER TO THE PRIMARIES.

St. George, Washington Co.,

Utah, June 15, 1896.

Dear Children: Think of being three hundred miles from home. That will seem like a long way to some of you. It seems quite a distance to me, when I think of my own home and children in Salt Lake City.

It was on the fourth of this month that I left home, with Sisters Mary Freeze and C. R. Wells, to visit the Primaries down here, and at some of the settlements between Salt Lake and St. George.

At Parowan, Summit and Cedar the children met with, and sung and recited for us, and listened to us so attentively that we felt well paid for the journey we had taken to see them. Every one seemed so willing to do what the Primary officers requested, and everything was done so well, we enjoyed all the meetings very much; and we felt all the time, whether we were in meeting or not, that everyone was so kind to us; we found with all whom we met the spirit of love and charity, shown in words and actions.

There may be some boys and girls in the Parowan Stake who are not always good and obedient to their parents and teachers; but we did not see them[.] And we asked those whom we did see to act as missionaries to those who might not be so good, and try to get them all to go to Primary meeting and to Sunday school.

The day we came to Parowan we passed through an open place in a mountain, called "The Gap." Bishop Adams of Parowan, with whom we were riding, stopped his team and let us get out of the carriage and look at some curious characters, called hieroglyphics, on the rocks. We were much interested in the figures, or writing, which must have been cut on those rocks a very long time ago. Some of the figures seem to represent men, others look like animals, snakes, walls, suns, balls, chess-boards, and many other shapes. You can find characters which look very much like some we saw on the rocks, in the Book of Abraham, Pearl of Great Price. I know two little Primary boys who like to look at the plates in that book, and get some older person to tell them what the characters mean. You can do the same if you wish.

The day we came to St. George we rode with Brother Brigham Jarvis. I want to tell you about Brother Jarvis' team. He said they belonged to the "Primary Department," and that was their first trip away from home. They were colts, five years old this month, had never been turned out, but raised right at home. We agreed that colts, like children, do better if they are kept at home instead of being allowed to run just as they please, until they are wanted to go to work. Those colts went along as steady as old horses, or more steady than some of the old horses do. Their names are Don and Duke; one is a dark and the other a light brown.

We have had a real nice Primary Conference here. The children have great faith in the gift of healing. One little boy, who was quite sick the day before Conference, through faith and the blessings of the Lord, was enabled to go to meeting and take part in the program. There are very bright and beautiful children here, the same as we find in all the Stakes of Zion, and kind and earnest sisters at work with them.

The Indians who live here are a great help to our people: the Indian women do the washing and scrubbing for their white neighbors. They are strong and work well. Some of them seem very attentive to the meetings. The Temple here, though not so large and grand as the one at Salt Lake, is filled with the same happy, restful spirit. God bless our children everywhere.

Your loving friend,

Lula [Greene Richards].

SECOND LETTER TO THE PRIMARIES.

Dear Children: Last month I wrote to you from St. George, where I had gone to visit the Primaries.

I told you of the well-behaved colts which Brother Brigham Jarvis, who owns the team, said belonged to the Primary Department. When we were ready to leave St. George, and visit other settlements in the south, the same brother kindly accompanied us again; but this time he took a span of mares, which he said belonged to the Relief Society Department. One of them was the mother of one of the colts with which we had traveled before. The names of this team were Janet and Valessa.

Traveling in some parts of Dixie is very hard. Deep sand makes the roads heavy and the horses have to step slowly and pull hard to get the wagon along; sometimes the driver must let the team stop and rest every few yards or the poor horses would give out and could not go at all.

Brother Jarvis is a natural trainer and educator of animals. He treated the kind, faithful team with which we traveled with great tenderness; and yet the pulling was so very hard for them that one of them actually bled at the nose the day we left St. George.

We held meetings in several of the settlements — Sister Wells for the benefit of the Relief Society, Sister Freeze for the Young Ladies' Associations, and myself for the Primaries. Everywhere the humble spirit of love and peace seemed to prevail among the Saints; everywhere the children were so good and bright and beautiful. We were constantly reminded of a saying recorded in the Holy Bible. "Children are a heritage from the Lord; blessed is he that hath his quiver full of them."

One day while we were in St. George President David H. Cannon took us all through the holy Temple there, and told us much about its history that was good to listen to. We felt greatly blest; for although we had worked much in the Salt Lake Temple, it still seemed a choice privilege which we then had of entering the St. George Temple, the first one finished and dedicated to the Lord in Utah, where we now have four. The same heavenly influence which we felt in the temple seemed to be with all the humble, faithful Saints with whom we met, those whose diligence, industry and dauntless courage have made beautiful, happy homes all through the country there, where less determined, energetic people could not have lived.

The children born there seem to inherit the brave hearts and strong faith of their parents. It was indeed gratifying to meet with them, and our visit there will always be gratefully and lovingly remembered.

Brother Thomas Judd, Superintendent of the Washington Cotton Factory, invited us to visit through that building. We did so, and found much there that was very interesting. It is wonderful to see how many changes the cotton is put through before it comes out cloth ready for use. Brother David Morris showed us through the factory, and told us much that was instructive about it. Sometime I hope our people will have many more factories, and make much more of the strong, good cloth such as is made at Washington. We were given a souvenir each, two towels, twelve napkins, and gingham for an apron. This will often remind us of the hard-working, large-hearted people of Dixie.

That evening, June 16th, we held meetings at Toquerville, where we stayed over night. It was the hottest night throughout all the country there, so far as we learned, that had been known for several years.

In my next letter I shall tell you of wonderful Kanab, besides some other places.

Lula [Greene Richards].

SOURCES

Richards, Lula Greene, "Letter to the Primaries," in Deseret Sunday School Union, Juvenile Instructor, Salt Lake City, Volume 31, No. 14 (July 15, 1896), pp 437-38. http://www.archive.org/details/juvenileinstructv3114geor

———, "Second Letter to the Primaries," in Deseret Sunday School Union, Juvenile Instructor, Salt Lake City, Volume 31, No. 16 (August 15, 1896), pp 499-500. http://www.archive.org/details/juvenileinstructv3116geor

A Note About the Picture of a Young Rebecca Hill Pettit

Yesterday the post from Mary Isabell Pettit's diary included a picture sent by Pettit cousin Sharon Wilbur that was identified as Rebecca Hill Pettit and included an unidentified child. 

I had never seen the picture before and it is always a pleasure to see new photographs, especially when the only idea you have of a person is at a certain age, which is particularly the case for Rebecca Pettit, since all the pictures I'd seen show her at a distinguished middle age:

The facial features are very alike on the portraits, so I will assume that the family identification of the younger photo as Rebecca Pettit is correct.

And, for purposes of identification, the person who scanned the photograph was very kind to include the photographer's mark.

Savage & Ottinger was a Utah business run by two notable Utah artists, photographer Charles R. Savage (1832-1909) and artist George M. Ottinger (1833-1917).

 

This article from the American Phrenological Journal, New York, May 1868, mentions a number of their business concerns but most particularly the line of business we are interested in:

Besides supplying the "Saints" and the "Gentiles" with the best literature of the Old World and the New, they produce good pictures—we may safely say some of the best we have ever seen. Portraits of the "saints" and "sinners"—are not all sinners?—"we reckon"—Indians, pictures of trees, mountains, water-falls—real river waterfalls, not the sort we see in the opera or on Broadway—and some of the most sublime scenery in the world.

The gallery and bookstore, between the post office and Council House in downtown Salt Lake City, opened in December 1863. The partnership lasted until 1872.

It is quite likely, therefore, that the picture of Rebecca was taken between 1863 and 1872, which would put her between the age of 18 and 27.

Rebecca married Edwin Pettit in October 1864, so the picture was probably taken after this date since her only sister, Hannah Hood Hill, was three years older and married to Miles Park Romney by the time the photograph studio opened, and since the child in the photo is not a sister, she is more likely to be a stepdaughter or daughter.

There are two likely possibilities. First, the child in the photo could be Rebecca's stepdaughter Alice Maria Pettit, who was three years old when Rebecca married Edwin, and was eleven years old when Savage and Ottinger ended their partnership.

Mary Pettit Green

Second, the child could be Rebecca's oldest daughter Mary Isabell, the diary writer. She was born in 1866 and would have been six years old when the Savage and Ottinger partnership ended. Edwin and Rebecca had three other children during this time period. Clara Anna Hill Pettit was born in 1868 but died at the age of 16 months in 1869. Emeline was born in 1870 and although she was just barely the right age to show up in the image if it was taken as late as 1872, probably would have been photographed together with her older sister Mary. Edwin Pettit, Jr., was born in 1872.

The photograph could be more closely dated by an expert in Utah photography, but without having that done, the choices are that this is a photograph of Rebecca and Alice, or that this is a photograph of Rebecca and Mary.

My best guess is that this picture was taken after Clara died, and shows Rebecca and Mary. But it could also be taken shortly after her marriage and be a picture of Rebecca with Alice. What's your best guess? Anyone know for sure?

For more information on the photographers, see Peter E. Palmquist and Thomas R. Kailbourn. Pioneer Photographers of the Far West: A Biographical Dictionary, 1840-1865. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press, 2000.

1890 Diary of Mary Isabell Pettit, Part 11

After posting all the parts of this diary, I will put up a final post which will include a link to each post.

Mary's mother, Rebecca Hood Hill Pettit, with unknown child, perhaps Mary.

1 October – Wednesday

I have been rather low spirited for some reason I can’t account for. I feel wretched. I have not had much appetite for the last week. At present H is here cleaning out the well.

2 October – Thursday

I didn’t rise untill almost seven oclock. Breakfast was nearly ready. I ate breakfast and hurried off to the store. We had a quiet day. Mr. Fyler has arived. He looks well and seems very well satisfied with my labor while he was absent.

3 October – Friday

I left home a little late. Met Harry and upon ariving at the store found some big changes. Moving and refiguring. Left at seven.

4 October – Saturday

This has been a big day for us. At noon I went and bought Harry a pin for his birthday. I hope he will like it. I left work at nine oclock met Harry walked slowly home. Sat on the porch a while. On going in found a letter from Pa. Went to bed about half past eleven.

5 October – Sunday

I stayed home all day. Ma and Emma went to conference and left baby with me. He cried most the time. We had supper. H. came back and we spent the evening in talking.

6 October – Monday

I found on ariving at the store that my desk had been moved and several changes made. But I must follow the desk and continue my old occupation. The day passed rapidly and night came before I hardly knew it.

7 October – Tuesday

This morning is quite cool but pleasant. I seems like a spring morning instead of the 7th of October. This is a day I shall always remember and look forward to and I hope with as much joy and pleasure as the present day and evening has passed.

8 October – Wednesday

The morning was unusualy cool but the day has been a pleasant one. I have been standing so much I feel very tired. H. came down and we spent another evening together.

12 October – Sunday

I have been to school the first time for several Sundays. Emma has had a few of her friends to spend the afternoon and evening. Harry came and we went to meeting.

13 October – Monday

I have written a letter to Pa and one to Uncle William this has helped to pass the time.

14 October – Tuesday

Have been to the store and worked unusualy hard. Twas a busy day. I went to the dance in the school house and had a splendid time. Twas late when we came home. I feel a little tired but that is one of my failings.

15 October – Wednesday

Nothing unusual has happened. Business is very quiet. Harry came and that broke the monotony of the day and the evening passed as other do when he is here.

To be continued...

Many thanks to Sharon Wilbur for sending the picture of Rebecca Pettit.

The John Tanner Daguerreotype

Recently, a picture was added to Ancestry with a note that it is a daguerreotype of the Mormon pioneer John Tanner. I have spent quite a bit of time tracking the image down, have very much enjoyed getting to meet some interesting and very nice people in the process, and will eventually write a blog post on the subject of the image and the identification of the people in the image. It's been a very interesting project!

1890 Diary of Mary Isabell Pettit, Part 10

"Harry," around the time of this diary

16 September – Tuesday

I have had a very dull day.

17 September – Wednesday

This morning Alice has gone home and Eddie has gone to California. He is much delighted to think of going on such a trip. I think he will be more delighted to get home. We all regret to see him go but sincerely hope he will have a good time.

18 September – Thursday

I have had very litle rest my tooth has ached so badly. I don’t feel much like going to the store. My tooth has ached all day and I went and had it drawn and suffered terrible pain. I came home with H. and went to bed early and was ready for a long nights rest.

19 September – Friday

Today I have had a pretty big row with our book keeper and his wife, which resulted in my having no farther use in any way for either of them. H. came to the store at noon and brought proofs of his photo which I thought very good. We got a card from Pa. He was in Denver.

20 September – Saturday

I have been busy and am very tired. Went to supper with Mrfs Bowers & Mr. Martin. Had a very nice supper. On our way back called and seen Harry. I left the store about 9 oclock. Walked slowly home.

21 September – Sunday

Have had a terrific headache all day. H. came over. We went to see Lizzie Thomas who is very low with typhoid. We then went to even. meeting. Harry Green and Bro. Carlquist spoke. We went home and stayed with Ma. She felt very lonesome without Pa.

22 September – Monday

It was late when I arose this morning. I hurried and went to the store. My head has ached all day and I feel more like being in bed than being any other place. I came home, drank some tea and went to bed.

23 September – Tuesday

My head is a little better. I have been to the store. Received a card from Pa. He was in Burlington when he wrote. I answered it immediately. Came home at my usual hour.

24 September – Wednesday

I have been reading considerably today. Business is dull. I left the store, came home, had supper. Harry came and spent the evening.

25 September – Thursday

Today I bought me a dress and took it to Mrs. Marcroft to be made. I went to the School house but there was no meeting. So I came home again. I received a letter from Eddie Seeley.

26 September – Friday

I went up to the Z.C.M.I. before I went to work and applied for a position. But without success in obtaining one. I spent my time at the store untill seven oclock. Went and had my dress fit on. Came home and went to bed.

27 September – Saturday

We have been extremely busy all day. Left at nine oclock. Found Harry waiting for me. Came home and sat on the porch for a short time. Two letters from Pa waiting for me.

28 September – Sunday

I have been working this morning. It does not seem like Sunday. My eye is very sore and inflamed. I have not been out today untill evening meeting. Grandpa stayed with us all night. It was late when Harry went home.

29 September – Monday

According to appointment I went to see Mr. Hall this morning. But no definate answer was given me. They made agreement to come to night but did not come. This is Dasies birthday and she has had a little company. H came over and spent the evening.

30 September – Tuesday

I have been reading a great deal today and feel real well and not tired. H has been down and we have been fixing the well. I have taken my first lessons in plumbing and made great success. It is beautiful and moon light. We lingered at the gate untill late.

To be continued...

1890 Diary of Mary Isabell Pettit, Part 9

1 September – Monday

I arose early this morning. Harry came over at about 7:30. We went to the depot and took the 8:15 train for Ogden. This was my first trip to that place so I made good use of the time in seeing all I could. We went to the Broom Hotel had dinner. Went driving then went to the depot. Met a Mr. Brown of Denver. Had supper and came home in Pulman sleeper at 8 oclock.

2 September – Tuesday

I feel very much better after my day of recreation not at all tired. Went to work at eight with H. Have been at the cash desk today and find it not such hard work as I have been accustomed to. I think I will like it. I left about seven oclock and walked home as usual.

3 September – Wednesday

I have been more busy today and the time has passed slowly. I expected to find the [f]olks from California here but was disappointed when I got home. Harry came down and we spent the evening in the house. The weather is much cooler.

4 September – Thursday

This morning it is quite cool. I prepared breakfast but seemed to be laboring under dificulties. It took me so long. Finaly we ate breakfast and I started for the store a little late. I fulfilled my duties for the day and returned home in company with Harry about half past seven.

5 September – Friday

It is quite cloudy and looks like rain. I have a lively time now. Not much hard work. My neck and shoulders are very stiff and painful. I must have taken cold. I came down with Harry and it was blowing terrible heavy. A camp of Mexicans were stationed near home.

6 September – Saturday

It looked like rain when I got up and rained a little as I went to the store. I have been extremely busy today and feel tired. It was about 9 oclock when I left the store. H. was waiting at the corner. I did not go in the house untill about half past ten.

7 September – Sunday

This has been conference but I have not been once. Harry and I went a long walk. Spent the evening at home.

8 September – Monday

I went to the store as usual and have not done much of anything today.

9 September – Tuesday

I have been more busy than usual today. Harry came home with me about half past eight. Uncle David and Aunt Mary Seely from Cal. was there. H. had supper with me. We sat up untill quite late. Listened with much interest to their experience in coming here and various other subjects.

10 September – Wednesday

I left home a little earlier than usual this morning. Walked up with H. He seems to be very favorably impressed with our visitors. And expressed a very kindly feeling toward them. We each departed to perform our days duties. Then came home together and spent the evening there. Wrote to Alice & Eddie Seely.

11 September – Thursday

I have been so sleepy today. I have hardly been able to keep awake. I left work at the usual hour. Came home and went to bed early. I was very tired.

12 September – Friday

Another full day has passed. Harry came up to the store and found me almost dosing. We went to Y.L.M.I.A. conference in the evening and had a very nice meeting. Alice came in to visit a short time.

13 September – Saturday

I have been very busy all day. But do not feel very tired. I left about nine oclock and walked slowly home with Harry. Sat on the porch for a short time.

14 September – Sunday

I have not been to meeting today. We have had lots of company. We spent the evening in music, singing, etc.

15 September – Monday

I arose early and started breakfast but had to leave it to go to the store. Pa and our visitors have gone by the D. & R.G. to take a trip East. I could not go and see them off. I very much regretted. Alice came to the store at noon then went down to Uncles to visit.

To be continued...

Picture of 1890 Ogden, Utah, from www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/2671415287/.

1890 Diary of Mary Isabell Pettit, Part 8

Main Street, Salt Lake City, about 1890.

16 August – Saturday

Arose early and had breakfast and at 9 oclock we left our old camping ground for home, all very much regretting we had to leave the place where had spent so enjoyable a week. After traveling all day and getting awfully sunburnt and tired we reached home about dark. Found Winnie very sick.

17 August – Sunday

I have been dreaming of the canyon and our good times we had there. I have been to S. School and everyone seems to be pleased to meet us after our trip. Also went to evening meeting. Uncle Samuel [Samuel Hood Hill (1840-1903)], Aunt Martty [?] and others have been here all afternoon.

18 August – Monday

This morning I went to the store and found many changes. Mr. Fyler is now our manager. The stock has all been taken and we are marking down goods and preparing for a sale. I left the store at 9 oclock and Harry met me at the car and walked home with me.

19 August – Tuesday

Went to the store this morning at eight oclock walked up with Harry. The store is still closed we a rebusy and tired of such dirty work. Left about half past nine. Went down on the car. Harry met me.

20 August – Wednesday

My dreams are still of the canyon. Have been to the store as usual. Left a little earlier than last night. Harry came over and spent the evening.

21 August – Thursday

We have had a busy time today. Not very much rest on account of the big sale which has attracted a great many people and business has been very good. I left work about seven feeling awfully tired. Harry always waits for me. Ever faithful.

22 August – Friday

I feel almost too tired to go to work but must go. I find my hours eight till seven are almost to much. I am pleased to see the evening come for that I know brings rest!

23 August – Saturday

I have sick headache and sick all over. I will not give in though for I am needed at the store. We have been very busy again. It was just ten minutes of ten oclock when I left the store. Harry was waiting.

24 August – Sunday

This morning I feel like I very often would if I would consent to my feelings that is stay home and rest but I know it is not right to do so. I went to the Tabernacle but did not enjoy it very much. I was so sleepy. Spent the remainder of the evening as I do most Sunday Evenings.

25 August – Monday

Went to the store as usual and left at the regular hour.

26 August – Tuesday

I am getting rather tired of writing the same every day but must say something to keep up my record.

27 August – Wednesday

Have been to the store as usual and the day has passed very rapidly. We have been busy. Mr. Fyler has gone East and Mr. Bifast is rather anxious to keep all hands busy. Harry of course spent Wednesday evening with May.

[2]8 August –Thursday

I have been promoted to cashere at Walker Bros. & Fyler Co. and like it very much. I went home alone. Harry has gone to the beach for a few hours. I hope he has a good time for it is the first time he has went any place without me.

29 August – Friday

This morning is so much cooler and I enjoy my walk. H. is rather leang try (?) but I have company. Harry and I went to Mrs. Marsdens to a surprise party and had a very nice time. Twas late when we got home.

30 August – Saturday

I felt very sleepy this morning but must go to work any way.

31 August – Sunday

I have not been to any meeting today. Harry came down. Mrfs E. and L. Bowers came to the gate and we stood but a short time. The wind came up so sudden and a terrible dust storm. We went to evening meeting and afterwards went to Thos. Brimley and spent a pleasant evening.

To be continued...

Picture of Main Street from wikipedia.

1890 Diary of Mary Isabell Pettit, Part 7

1 August – Friday

How rapidly time does pass. Today as been a little cooler and the nights are real cool almost chilly. It has been rather a quite day.

2 August – Saturday

I got up quite early and ironed this morning untill time to go to work. I have been very busy all day and did not leave the store untill about half pat nine. Harry was waiting for me. We came down and listened to some of the speakers at the Liberal meeting on the corner of West Temple and 3rd South.

3 August – Sunday

I didn’t go to school this morning but Harry came and we went to the Tabernacle. Bro. Miner and O.F. Whitney spoke. Stayed home the rest of the evening.

4 August – Monday

The weather is very much cooler. Ma is feeling quite strong and will be able to get up tomorrow. This has been a very lively day lots of music and lots of people are out on account of the election.

5 August – Tuesday

I have been to the store as usual. When I came home Mrs. A. Leaker was here. They were having supper. After I partook of a good hearty meal I felt much better after fasting so long. I asked Pa about our canyon trip which he approved of very much.

6 August – Wednesday

I arose before any of the rest of the family having a little writing to attend to. After having finished that I went to the store and spent the day. Harry came.

7 August – Thursday

I went to the store at 9 as usual was very busy in the afternoon. I went to Y.L. meeting in the evening and afterwards went with Harry to Thos. Brimleys to arrange for going to the canyon for a week. We stayed untill late. Spent a pleasant time.

8 August – Thursday

The usual part of my time was spent in the handling notions untill noon. I then came home to prepare a little for my trip. Harry came down to fix the wagon.

9 August – Saturday

I arose and after breakfast went to the store and found that our new manager, Mr. Fyler had returned and was busying himself in the store. I had a short talk with him and left about 5 oclock. Came home with Harry. We left home with the crowd bound for East Canyon at 7:30. Traveled untill almost midnight. Had a lovely time. Jessie, Ada, Lavinia and myself retired to rest on the wagon.

10 August – Sunday

Awoke about 4 oclock and felt rather tired of my bed. We arose had coffee and crackers and proceded on our journey. We roe, walked, laughed and talked and had a lively time. At 12 oclock we reached a nice place and decided to stay. Pitched the tent had dinner and passed the day very pleasant. The boys went fishing. A rain storm came and drove all back to camp. It rained very hard during the night.

11 August – Monday

I awoke and found it had rained so hard our bed and clothes were quite wet. We did not arise untill about 9. Had breakfast and still it rained. About 4 it cleared and Harry and I went away up the canyon shooting. We did not have much success as there was no game came our way. It rained all evening.

12 August – Tuesday

We had breakfast and loaded up our traps and went about 4 mile farther up the canyon and found a beautiful camping place where we thought it the best we had found. The boy put up the tent and we found we were just in time as anther shower came. Harry & I went with the team down to Kellys for hay. Came back had supper spent the evening music & sing.

13 August – Wednesday

The boys arose early and went fishing which gave us all we wanted for breakfast. We spent the day reading, talking and occasionaly sleeping. Every one was agreeable and so far not a single incident had occurred to mar our enjoyment. We had supper sang songs went to bed.

14 August – Thursday

Tom and Jessie, Harry & I all arose early about five oclock and went fishing. I didn’t get one but got so wet from the dew and rain on the grass was glad to get back to camp. Spent the remainder of the day almost alone with Harry.

15 August – Friday

It has been raining almost all night and still it rains. After breakfast we washed and cooked and began to prepare a little for going home. In the afternoon Harry and myself went for a long walk in the canyon shooting but got no game.

To be continued...

Photo of sunset over Emigration Canyon from www.flickr.com/photos/tkellyphoto/5883106905/.

1890 Diary of Mary Isabell Pettit, Part 6

Pettit girls in Fifth Ward Sunday School, about 1888. 
Mary Pettit's three sisters are: 1) Fannie Pettit, 2) Daisy Pettit, 3) Nellie Pettit.

16 July – Wednesday

There was a terrible wind storm about five oclock and it looked very much like rain. H. came and spent the evening with us.

17 July – Thursday

This morning it was hot and sultry and a little cloudy and threatened rain all day. I went to Y.L.M.I.A. in the evening. We came home and sat on the porch with pa untill almost eleven oclock.

18 July – Friday

Have had a little rain today. Something out of the usual run has occurred today. Mrfs Walker wanted to go to the lake in the Eve and asked me stay for her. I refused which caused a few unpleasant words to pass between us and we have scarcely spoken all day. I stayed and let M. Barret go which still caused more feelings toward me.

19 July – Saturday

This was a hot sultry morning. After breakfast I went to the store. At noon I went to Dr. Dunford and had two teeth drawn which made my face ache the remainder of the day. I left the store about 9.30 feeling very tired and worn out.

20 July – Sunday

My face aches so bad I think I will not go out today. After breakfast and I had my bath and dinner over I lay down and slept. Harry came down. Had not felt well all day. I went to meeting with Emma. Bro. Gill and Bro. Mcmurren spoke.

21 July – Monday

Another morning has dawned upon us. Hot and sultry as many others have before. Making me feel very much the same.

22 July – Tuesday

Today I have had two more teeth drawn and feel rather shakey.

23 July – Wednesday

Harry came over about nine oclock. I met him on the bank. This I believe was the first time I ever went out to meet him. I feel unusually happy tonight.

24 July – Thursday

I arose about 6 oclock and felt good and very much like work. Which is almost as great a surprise as I have had lately. I worked around untill noon when I receved a note from H. stating he would be down and we took the 2:45 train for the beach. Did not return home untill almost midnight. Enjoyed it immensely.

25 July – Friday

I feel a little tired after my trip to the Lake. Have been very busy after I arived home. I wrote a letter to Uncle Alfred Pettit and then went to bed.

26 July – Saturday

Today has passed off as usual bringing forth no important items or events worth mentioning.

27 July – Sunday

This morning I arose and found ma had been very sick all night. I remained home all day and assisted with the work. At five minutes to one at noon another addition was made to the family [William Alfred Pettit, Rebecca Hood Hill Pettit's fourteenth and final child]. Ma is feeling pretty well. I did not retire untill very late. Harry has been here but a little while today.

28 July – Monday

I went to the store but had been up so much during the night that I felt very tired. Ma was feeling very weak this morning but when I came home was feeling much better.

29 July – Tuesday

I am almost sick myself today. The worry over exertion and excitement besides being up so much last night. I have felt very much like coming home. I had to lay down when I came home I was so worn out.

30 July – Wednesday

Today has been very hot. I wrote a letter to Alice. I went up to the Equitable today noon and had a long talk with Bro. Emery and Langton. Harry came over in the evening. I made him feel bad. My temper will be the cause of much trouble for myself if I don’t control it. I have resolved to try and do better.

31 July – Thursday

This morning I walked to the store. The morning was much cooler. I also walked home with H. in the evening. We talked over our trip which we are contemplating up the canyon soon.

To be continued...

Many thanks to Sharon Wilbur for sending the picture of the Sunday School.