D Turner 1

Ould Family Histories

HISTORY OF DAVID AND ROSE COLLIER TURNER

By Venise Robinson

David Turner, Jr. was born June 3, 1819 in Pudsey, Yorkshire, England. His parents were David Turner and Mary Moorhouse. The town of Pudsey was a short distance from Leeds. Rose Collier, daughter of Richard Collier and Mary Butterfield, was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England January 16, 1821. Both David and Rose worked as weavers in a textile factory at Leeds. In 1839 they were married and remained in that city for the following three years. Two daughters, Mary and Sarah were born to them, Mary February 3, 1840 and Sarah 27 September 1841.

David's uncle, Isaac Moorhouse left England to seek a better way of life in the United States. The young couple heard the news of his successes and experiences as an owner of a textile factory in Milltown, New Jersey. These facts must have encouraged David and Rose to emigrate to the United States in 1842 with their two babies, Mary and Sarah. At the time the Turners sailed to America, each passenger was responsible for his own food and supplies for the entire voyage. Half the required amount was needed for each child under 14 years, and over one year of age. The following list was to be supplied by each passenger: 25 pounds of biscuits, 10 pounds of wheaten flour, 20 pounds of rice, 50 pounds of oatmeal, 10 pounds of pork, 5 pounds of sugar, 5 pounds of molasses, 1¼ pounds of tea, 3 pounds of butter, 2 pounds of cheese, 1 pint of vinegar, and 3 quarts of pure water for daily use. Each person was to furnish his own bed and bedding as well as his cooking utensils and boxes for his provisions.

On the passenger list of the ship named "Ship Sea" were the names of David Turner age 23, a mechanic; Rose 23; Mary two years and six months; Sarah 8 months, leaving Great Britain, destination United States. Ship Sea arrived in New York Harbor August 2, 1842 after a tedious journey of six weeks. Rose later told her children how difficult it was to keep the food fresh and most of it was rancid and unpalatable and the water was stale long before they reached their destination.

After docking in the United States they traveled to Milltown, New Jersey where David's uncle Isaac Moorhouse lived. Both David and Rose were experienced weavers, and besides being an experienced weaver, David was a skilled mechanic. He could assemble and repair any machine used in a woolen factory. They were both placed in a factory in Milltown where they remained for a period of time extending from about 1842 to 1853. The following seven children were born to them in New Jersey: Martha, September 2, 1843; William, May 26, 1845; Susannah, February 3, 1847; John, July 9, 1848; Joseph Henry, March 9, 1850; Rose Ann, March 22, 1852; and David, March 14, 1853. With such a large family it was necessary for each child to work as soon as the child was old enough. Mary started to work in the factory at the age of six and Susannah at seven. So we can assume that the other children would start to work at about the same ages. One of the most difficult tasks that Susannah had to perform was to wake her little brothers up each morning so they would be to work on time in the factory.

Children were hired at a very young age. The hours were long, from sun up to sun down. School was out of the question for these children who would often work from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. with one half hour off for lunch, but Rose taught all her children to read and write. Mary told her grandchildren that the Bible and dictionary were the two most important books in the home.

In 1850 Rose and David adopted William Moorhouse Webster, who was born January 29, 1850. At this time they had six children of their own. Mary, the oldest, was just ten years old. William was the son of Frederick Webster and Sarah Moorhouse. Frederick was the son of Robert Webster and Nancy Moorhouse, a sister of David's mother. Frederick's wife, Sarah Moorhouse, was the daughter of Isaac Moorhouse, the brother of Mary, David's mother. Their son William Moorhouse Webster would be a double cousin to David. William Moorhouse Webster's mother, Sarah, died in 1850 and his father Frederick, on April 27, 1853.

Rose's own son Joseph Henry was two months younger than Billy Webster. Billy's love for Rose was seen in the fact that he named his second daughter, Rose Ellen. His first daughter was named Sarah Ann after his own mother. He was a part of the Turner family all his life and much loved by them.

In the story of his grandfather David Turner, Dr. John Collier Robison wrote: "One day in Milltown, grandfather's uncle Isaac remarked, 'David they have killed old Joe Smith, so that will do away with the Mormons.'" Grandfather didn't know a thing about the Mormons, but this set him to investigating. It was not long after this that John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff, Mormon Missionaries, visited that part of the country and taught the principles of the gospel."

According to Mary's granddaughter, Martha Jenson Brian, it was John Sanderson instead of John Taylor who visited the Turner family with Wilford Woodruff. Some of the family were converted to Mormonism in 1849. Mary was baptized by her father and confirmed by John Sanderson. Rose wasn't baptized until 1859. Mary had a great love and respect for Wilford Woodruff and always kept his picture in her home.

Due to financial difficulties caused by panic, the textile factory in New Jersey was closed. David was sent to Glenham, Duchess County, New York to supervise a factory, and his family joined him a short time later. Here three children were born: Benjamin Godfrey, August 18, 1855; Sarah Elizabeth, December 29, 1859; and Lorenzo, May 11, 1861.

On February 27, 1860 David and Rose, with their older children, were privileged to hear the presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln, give his Cooper Union speech. In this speech he formulated his policies for the Republican Party. He stated that slavery would not be extended into the territories of the United States. His audience was impressed with the clarity and eloquence of his speech as well as the dignity and charm of the man. When the news of his assassination was telegraphed to Utah April 15, 1865, the Turner family sincerely mourned his death feeling that they had indeed lost a friend.

Working conditions weren't much better in New York than they had been in New Jersey. After living there for about six years the Turners decided to go to Utah where they could live with the people of their own faith. Their few possessions were sold, and tickets were purchased to travel by train as far as Florence, Nebraska which was the terminal for the railroad west. With eleven children ranging from the ages of twenty-one to one month old baby, the Turners left Glenham June 11, 1861: Mary 21, Martha 18, William 16, Susannah 14, John 13, William Webster 11, Joseph Henry 11, Rose Ann 9, David 8, Benjamin Godfrey 6, and Lorenzo one month old.

Rose, with the help of her daughters, made or purchased the clothes the family would need to cross the plains. They sewed and packed their belongings in readiness for their long journey to Utah. The girls objected to such plain durable dresses they would have to wear. Rose promised them that later on they would have pretty clothes after they reached Utah. Rose told her daughters to select one thing, something very small that they would like to take to Utah. Martha decided upon a pair of white gloves and Rose Ann a pretty pink parasol.

They reached Florence, Nebraska only to find that no immediate plans had been made for traveling. With little money and 11 children David and Rose were forced to camp out of doors until arrangements to travel had been made. Three weeks later they joined a Church company traveling to Great Salt Lake City. On July 4, 1861 they started the long journey across the plains. Susannah who was 14 years old remembered that her sunbonnet was pink. John R. Murdock was the captain of their company, numbering fifty wagons, each drawn by four yoke of oxen. The drivers of the wagons were experienced teamsters sent from Utah to bring the emigrants to Great Salt Lake City. The drivers and their wagons were divided into groups of ten. Each group had a sub-captain who in turn was responsible to the main captain, John R. Murdock. Each group also had a night herder who guarded the cattle at night.

The men, women and children of the caravan numbered five hundred. During the journey west 18 people died. The wagon in which the Turners rode was driven by Orson Holbrook from Fillmore, Utah. The night herder was John James Ellett, also from Fillmore. Certain laws were strictly kept. Sunday was a day of rest and no traveling on that day was allowed.

By 1861 the trails or roads to the west were wagon-wheel gutted and dusty, and had been well traveled by thousands of people. Many suffered from the intensive heat and dust while crossing the prairies during the summer months. The Indians were not the problems they formerly had been. Buffalo herds were not seen so frequently but mountain sheep were still seen in the higher elevations. During the summer of 1861 over 3,500 people traveled to Utah over the pioneer trail.

Rose Turner was very ill with what was called mountain fever, but her grandson, Dr. John Collier Robison, always believed that she had typhoid fever. Several days when she was so very ill John R. Murdock stopped the wagons earlier than usual to give her a much-needed rest. Her husband and children were grateful to him for this kindness to their mother. Mary, age 21, a young widow, and the older members of the family walked most of the way across the plains, each taking turns carrying their younger brother Lorenzo. The wagons were mainly used for the older people and the needed supplies. Children and able-bodied adults were expected to walk. One of the night herders, John James Ellett, was much attracted to the pretty young widow, Mary Turner Clarkson. He wanted to help her as much as he could and often he invited Mary to ride his horse when she was tired from carrying baby Lorenzo.

On September 12, 1861 they arrived in Great Salt Lake City. The Turners camped on the site where Hotel Utah now stands. They reported to Brigham Young for their assignment to the place where they were to live. They were sent to Fillmore, Utah. Orson Holbrook and James Etlett were happy about their assignment. After camping two nights in Great Salt Lake City they left for Fillmore where they arrived September 19, 1861. That night Chandler Holbrook, the father of Orson, invited the Turner family to dinner. This was the first meal they had eaten in a house since leaving their home in Glenham, New York.

In 1861, Fillmore was a small settlement of people. A few of the homes were built of the colorful sandstone quarried from the nearby mountains, while others were built with home-made adobe bricks. The first settlers had located in Fillmore in 1850. During the past eleven years, the pioneers were learning how to live with the Indians and to accept their new geographic environment.

The children who were old enough to work tried to fit into the community by finding jobs. The only type of work opened to the girls was house work. The boys worked in the fields and with the cattle. Susannah worked in the home of Daniel Thompson for much of the time and in shorter periods in the homes of Mrs. Hawley and Benjamin R. Robison.

In 1863 the Turner family was called to settle in the valley of Deseret, located near the Sevier River in west Millard County. The church authorities believed that this valley had great potentials for growing grains.

Benjamin Hancock Robison from Fillmore was called in the autumn of 1863 to be the Presiding Elder of Deseret. He was told to preside over the people and to see that a dam was built on the river and maintained. His wife, Lillas, felt that she couldn't leave her home in Fillmore. President Brigham Young advised Benjamin to marry a second wife and to proceed at once to Deseret. Benjamin H. Robison and Susannah Turner were married in the Endowment House on 26 March 1864 by Heber C. Kimball.

The nearly five years that the Turners lived in Deseret were difficult ones, but on the whole pleasant ones. Rose enjoyed the company of her three married daughters. Mary had married John James Ellett, November 11, 1861 in Fillmore. Martha and George Lovell were married January 28, 1862. They were the first couple in Deseret to be married by the Justice of the Peace, Leigh R. Cropper Sr., who served in that capacity for thirty years. Mary and Martha each had four children born in Deseret. Susannah's first and third children were born while she lived in Deseret. Her second child was born in Fillmore. James Edward, Rose and David's thirteenth child was also born in Deseret 18 October 1863.

Rose and her daughters learned to do all the tasks required in a pioneer home. In describing her home Susannah said, "Our home was similar to other pioneer homes. We sheared the sheep, spun the yarn and wove the cloth. We colored and made all our clothes and stockings as well as the linsey blankets. We milked the cows and made our butter and cheese. We gathered greasewood to burn and saved all the ashes to soften the water to make our soap."

When one of the girls or Rose would bake bread, word would be sent to the others inviting them to come over for a slice of new bread, but to be sure to bring their own butter. A child of to-day would wonder why they were told to bring their own butter. Butter was used for barter. A pound of butter sold for about 15 cents and if calico cost 5 cents a yard, two pounds of butter would buy enough material to make a dress. Most pioneers would prefer to eat fruit or berries preserved in molasses on their slice of new bread instead of butter. Butter would be used for the needed necessities for their home.

One of the first Charter Oak stoves in Millard County was purchased by Benjamin for his wife Susannah. This stove was in their home in Deseret and later moved to their home in Fillmore. Susannah enjoyed making currant bread with a sugar and cinnamon crust. The bread would be kneaded into three leaves and put into a black bake pan and placed on the floor under the stove to rise. The stove stood up on four legs.

Death was always near the pioneers. Life in the small settlements, dotted throughout the west, offered many anxieties to the people of Deseret. Fear for their lives was constant during this period. Cattle had been stolen by the Pahvant Indians, and an appeal to the government for help brought no satisfaction as the Army was involved with the winding up of the Civil War. A suggestion, however, was given to the people of Deseret that they were capable of solving their own problems. A town meeting was called and the decision to build a fort was approved by the members. Four captains were chosen. All males over sixteen years of age were conscripted to help build the fort.

An area of 550 square feet was designated for this purpose. The walls were to be ten feet high based on a lava rock foundation, tapering from three feet at the base to one and a half foot at the top. At the northeast and southwest corners port-holes would give views on each side of the fort. The walls were to be made of mud and straw mixed together by the feet of the oxen. As the excitement and competition grew, men, women and children helped to mix the mud and straw. One group finished their part of the walls in nine days, but as a part of the wall fell down, a tie was declared with the other group who finished in 9 1/2 days. Hannah C. Ashby in her poem,' "The Old Mud Fort", wrote "Our men but numbered ninety-eight."

The completion of the fort furnished a time for celebration which was held July 25, 1865. Friends from the nearby towns came to Deseret to enjoy the gala occasion. William Dutson brought his juvenile choir from Fillmore to sing for the occasion. Inside the fort a willow bowery was built to shelter the people from the hot July sun. The women of the town had cooked a banquet, and the men barbecued a two year old heifer.

The necessity to use the fort for the protection of the people never occurred. As long as fears of the Indians' depredations were common the fort was used as a corral. It served well in that capacity. It also gave the people a sense of security which was needed at that time.

Simeon Walker listed the names of the men who worked on the Mud Fort. These names were listed from memory. The names which would be of interest to the Turner family were: Benjamin H. Robison, Joseph Lovell, David Turner, John Elliott (Ellett), William Webster, James Polk Sampson, and George Lovell. This shows that the Turners and their sons-in-law were well represented in the building of the fort.

It was impossible to maintain the dam on the Sevier River until further technical knowledge was gained. In fact it wasn't until 1909 that a permanent dam was built on the river at Deseret. Each year the spring rains and the melting snows would destroy the carefully built dams of rocks, limbs, and soil. Much of the crops would be damaged and washed away.

This valley could produce grains, sugar cane, potatoes, fruit trees, currant bushes, melons and asparagus. The river itself was a rich source of food with the fish in the stream and many edible berries along the banks. One favorite wild berry, the bull-berry was used by the early pioneers as a substitute for currants. The berries were gathered in the fall and dried for future use.

Benjamin H. Robison was honorably released in 1868 to return to his home in Fillmore where he and Susannah made their permanent home. George and Martha Lovell left Deseret to make their home in Oak City.

From the MILESTONES OF MILLARD we read "Martha Lovell, wife of George Lovell, was a delicate, sweet, refined woman." David and Rose returned to their home in Holden where they lived until 1870. George Croft of Fillmore brought from the east a carding machine which David operated. David also owned a loom from which he wove blue jeans -- cloth made from cotton and wool. David was called by Apostle Erastus Snow to go on a mission to work in the cotton factory in Washington, near the city of St. George, Utah. Here the Turners stayed for the two years, then returned to their home in Holden where they lived until 1874.

David and Rose's son John Turner was killed in a flash flood in the Eureka canyon area in Nevada July 24, 1874. During that summer he freighted food to the mining camps near and around Eureka. Several men worked with him. On this particular day John was given the money collected by the freighters to take down to Eureka. He left earlier than the others. The suddenness of the flood gave him no warning and he and his team were drowned. William Albert Stevens from Holden with some of his friends went down the canyon to investigate the damage of the flood and found John Turner's body. The money was missing from his pockets. A man from one of the nearby camps told them who had taken it, and the boys were able to recover the money which they used to give John Turner a proper burial. This was to have been John's last freighting trip as he intended to marry Sarah Sabriska. The older grandchildren remember John with much love and affection. He was kind and gentle with them. In 1874 David was again called on a permanent mission to work in the cotton factory. From this time on David and Rose made their home it Washington. Lorenzo and James Edward accompanied their parents to their new home. Many of the draperies and tapestries used in the St. George Temple were woven under the supervision of David. He was recognized as an artisan in the craft of weaving.

The family names given to the Turner children were of interest. David and Rose were so very young when they left their home in England. The names which they gave their children must have given them a feeling of belonging to their respected families. Four names, Mary, Sarah, John and William were common to both families. From David's family were added the names David and Susannah, and from Rose's, the names of Rose, Godfrey and James.

The Indian uprisings in and around Glenwood, near Richfield, forced the inhabitants to move to different locations. The Isaac Sampsons moved to Holden where James Knox Polk Sampson met Rose Ann Turner and they were married in The Endowment House 13 December 1869 in Salt Lake City. The marriage was performed by Daniel H. Wells. They lived in Holden for a short time then moved to Glenwood in Sevier County where the Sampsons lived. In 1879, due to the unrest of the Indians, Rose Ann and her husband decided to join Mary, William, Billy Webster, Benjamin Godfrey and Lorenzo to make their home in Rabbit Valley, located in Wayne County, Utah. Later, Rose Ann with her husband Polk Sampson, and Lorenzo and his wife Lydia made their final homes in Delta, Millard, Utah. Joseph Henry and David Jr. remained in Holden where they reared their families.

Rose was a good neighbor, interested in the welfare of the people of the town of Washington. She would go into the homes where there was illness and offer her help. She was fastidious in her appearance. She always wore a frilly white starched apron. When she was older she wore a lace cap trimmed with a black velvet bow. Her hair was thin and difficult for her to keep in the way she wanted it.

David had a curl "in the middle of his forehead" which his grandchildren remembered. He was kind to them and when he would visit them he would take some fruit from St. George -- fruit they didn't have where they lived.

David Turner married, in polygamy, 11 January 1877, Alice Robinson, widow of John Jackson, St. George Temple. To them was born a son David.

Rose died on the 18th of December, 1882. Two letters, found in Susannah's trunk, where she kept her keepsakes, were written to her by her father. I would like to quote parts from each of these letters:

* * * * * * * * * * *

When Susannah received these letters, her husband Benjamin had died on 24th December.1882 also from pneumonia. He was buried the 25th of December 1882. On the 26th of December Susannah's 10th child, Lorenzo was born. Five years later on Christmas day, Susannah received word of her father's death. Both Rose and David, as well as James Edward were buried in the cemetery at Washington, Washington, Utah.

 

In writing the-story of my great-grandparents, I have used incidents and events related to me by my grandmother, Susannah, who was my link to the understanding and appreciation of this sturdy pioneer family. My cousin Rose Afton Hinckley Badger helped me to remember stories concerning our grandparents and great-grandparents. Others who have contributed information for this history are: Martha Jenson Brian, granddaughter of Mary Ellett; Roe Ann Sampson Gooch, granddaughter of Rose Ann Turner Sampson, and Freida Webster Brailsford, granddaughter of Billy Webster. She resides in Bakersfield, California.

Both places in which David and Rose had interest and connection: The Mud Fort In Deseret and the cotton factory in Washington, have recently been listed by the Utah State and the United States National government as places of historical interest.

By Venise Robison, Salt Lake City, Utah

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Following are entries from the Holden, Utah L.D.S. Ward records: (With a pound of butter worth 15¢ and calico 5¢ a yard, note these generous donations made by the Turner families.)

The undersigned met in the old school house to arrange to erectify a new and commodious meeting house March 25, 1871 and subscribed as follows: ....John Ellett 50¢, David Turner 50¢. List of offerings given at Holden Oct. 30, 1871 to pay expences of law suits against the First Presidency and others: ... David Turner $5.00, Joseph Turner $5.00, Mary Ellett $2.50, John Ellett $3.50 and Rose Turner $1.00.

Offerings to emigrate the poor saints from the nations of the earth to Salt Lake City, 15 Aug. 1872.

Offerings to Levi W. Hancock to assist him to raise means to purchase a cow for his family, Sept. 28, 1872: David Turner $1.00, Rose Turner $1.00, John Ellett $2.00......

Aid to Walter Stevens on his mission Nov. 5, 1872: John Ellett $2.00........

Offerings to Henry Lunt, Bishop of Cedar City, as he has been blind some two years, Mar. 30, 1873:...Joseph Turner $1.00, John Ellett $1.00, and John Turner $1.00.

Offerings given to assist Elder James Brown, a traveling missionary through the territory:....David Turner $1.00, Benjamin Turner $1.00, Joseph Turner $1.00, Rose Turner $.50, John Turner $.50 and John Ellett $.50.

Offerings to immigrate the poor saints from the old country April 1873: David Turner $5.00, John Ellett $10.00, and Joseph Turner $2.00........

Offerings to R. Society May 15, 1873 to gather poor saints: Rose Turner $.50......

Donations to help erect a temple to the Lord at St. George: Nov. 30. 1873, Joseph Turner and Mary E. Turner each $1.00........

Donations by the following named individuals to fit out the two boys: Samuel Bennett and David Turner: Joseph Turner (among many others) gave $1.40 in 15# flour and 10 peaches. (They received flour, grain, corn, wheat, rye, candles, merchandise and cash. The record didn't say why they outfitted them, nor where they were going.) Subscriptions of the following amounts sent by registered letter to aid Brother David Savage home from Eastern mission, now in Woodburn, Harrison County, Iowa, Nov. 16, 1875: John Ellett S1.00....(He received a total of $35.00.)

©2000 Venise Robinson

 


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