The History of Edward and Sarah R. Garratt Ogden

My Great Grandparents

Arranged and written by Martha V. Ogden

Typewritten by her daughter Fern Ogden Anderson

Feb. 1950

"Go ye into all the world preach the gospel to every creature, acting in the authority which I have given you, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And he that is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be dammed." (Doc.&Cov.68.)

In obedience-to the commandments of-the Lord Missionaries were sent to the nations of the world. They laboured dilligently in England the home of our forefathers and many converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were made.

Edward and Sarah Garratt Ogden with seven of their nine children (2 daughters having died in infancy, were living comfortably and happily together in their home at Mottram, Cheshire, England. They were in very comfortable circumstances owning a hotel or-Inn, which was known as Angel Inn."

Around two hundred two or three years ago, as Sarah was about her

daily tasks, Two Mormon Missionaries knocked at her door, and as she

opened the door, the two strangers stood there, they a - sked her if

they

might rent her hall to hold some meetings in. She kindly consented.

One day as she was working she heard beautiful singing comming from the

hall. Then one of the Elders prayed, such a prayer she had never heard

before. They sang again, as she stood outside the door.

"How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can He say than to you He hath said,

You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled.

In every condition in sickness or health, In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth. At home or abroad on the land or the sea, As thy days may demand so they succor shall be."

What beautiful words. She could not help listening. She must hear more,

Fear not, I am with thee, 0 be riot dismayed, For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

Who could they be to sing such words. She could not leave. They sang on,

When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'er flow, For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, no never forsake.

What kind of people could the be? Such prayers such singing, but she must not be found listening, besided she had work to be done. But the words of that song kept ringing through her soul. She told Edward, her husband, about it, and the next meeting found them just inside the door.

These young men sang, prayed and sang. It was all so impressive they were almost dazed. Sarah wished to hear that song they sang last week again, and made the-request. While they sang it for her she seemed to be carried away. They looked like angels. Then they spoke on the first principles of the gospel. They told the things plainly which she had asked her minister to explain and he could not. The humble testimony of these two missionaries bore down upon their souls. Their hearts were strongly inclined to worship. They were eager to know how they should worship, for they could see in the religious contentious of those days, a spirit that was

strange to the teachings of the Bible. The new spirit of a coming

dispensation was upon them. They were in very truth 11 Sheep that knew

their shepherds voice." They had a heartfelt desire to know the whole

truth of God's existence, and His divine purpose respecting the children

of men.

They began reading, talking, studying and Praying for light and knowledge. They did not delay obedience to those ordinances which opened the door of enjoyment of greater light. Edward asked baptism at the hands of the Elders and was baptized 17 Sent. 1848. Sarah, his wife, and the children who were old enough followed his example and we're baptized 17 Oct. 1848. The fullness of the everlasting gospel had come to them at last. It filled their hearts with great joy. Their-doors were open to the servants of God. They enjoyed entertaining the Elders. Such happiness they had not known before.

Soon however, a restless spirit within them turned their thoughts, their desires, and at last their hopes to the-land of Zion and her people. There was Zion- the Promised land. There where the prophets and Apostles, bearers of the eternal Priesthood of God dwelt. They must go there. The spirit of gathering was upon them.

-A letter written by Issac and Lucy Kefford Ogden in 1851 to his son Edward and wife Sarah, tells that Edward had lost his eyesight and was sympathizing with him, also stated about Edward and family planning on coming to America.

This problem of emigrating required careful consideration thoughtful planning, and was thoroughly discussed among them. They loved their native land, the land of their forefathers. Here lived their loved ones, the burial place of their two little daughters.

The new land with new customs would make new problems for them, but they decided to break away from the past, take a chance on the future, and gather with their people, the Latter Day Saints.

Early in the year 1853 the set about making preparations for the long journey, in those days it was a long, tiresome journey to cross the ocean. It was a very busy time for them. "Angel Inn" must be sold and

all else they had that could not be taken with them. Many things they

would liked to have taken with them, but must be left behind. But they

only smiled. They would be gathering with the People of the Lord.

Goodbyes to their loved ones and friends were said. Only those who have left their native hearth can understand the tugging at the heart strings, when the land of birth and home fades away from sight. No matter how much the new land offers, human nature is that way.

At length they set forth on their journey. It took a great deal of faith and courage for that Mother to start on such a long journey with a blind husband and seven children- They were -

Samuel nearly 18 yrs. rather sickly.

William would be 16 yrs. in Aug.

The twins Esther Emily and Lucy Alin 14 yrs. in Aug.

Elizabeth 10-1/2 Yrs.

Edward G. nearly 6 yrs.

Mary nearly 4 yrs.

The long trip across the ocean was made in a sailing vessel. Many times the sea was very rough, and tossed the vessel about. Most all the Mormon converts from the old countries crossed the ocean as steerage passengers They cooked their own food and cared for themselves every way. They usually came in large companies from three hundred to a thousand on a boat, with two or three missionaries returning from foreign missions, to look after them.

They were always organized into a traveling branch of the church and held their meetings regularly on ship board. As a result of this Practice they administered comfort and assistance to each other, and they escaped many of the disagreeable things that usually fell to the lot of steerage passengers. Many converts were made to the church of officers and sailors who saw the conduct of these happy passengers. A practical Christianity they had never seen before. Mormon immigrants to America became known as the most desirable type of passengers.

Divine Providence watched over them. Not one of those' vessels went down with a Mormon on board. They were about six weeks on the ocean. Safe and sound they arrived at the Promised Land. Eager they were to reach the place where the Saints were to assemble and make ready for the trek across the plains.

Sarah purchased a charter oak stove and what furniture she thought would be necessary for them they told her the thin s would be brought 9 to her train by boat, but when the boat arrived she was informed it had tipped over and all was lost. She set about purchasing wagons, oxen, cows, supplies, and other necessary equipment. This kind of work was all so new and strange to her, but undaunted still, they were ready and anxious to go on. When the Saints who were leaving were fully organized the Ogden family was to travel in the John Brown Company.

The wagons carried food, clothing, bedding and necessary camp equipment. The people themselves, who were able, walked along the roadside.

As they marched along they sang the songs they loved, "O Babylon, 0 Babylon, we bid thee farewell","Come, Come,_Ye Saints, no toil nor labor

fear." etc. They were a happy lot despite their discomforts. William,

their second son drove one of the yoke of oxen across the plains at the

age of 16 yrs.

Somewhere, out on the plains Edward become very ill with Mountain fever. A bed had to be made in one of the wagons for him, some of the things they had must be discarded in order to have room, one of these was a rocking-chair they had brought with them from their home across the sea and was much treasured. Bro. John Brown was very kind and attentive to the sick husband and father, and the Ogden family thought a great deal of him. After a weeks illness Edward passed away,7 Oct 1853, leaving his wife and seven children to finish their journey. Sarah carried the body of her husband in his bed three days, trying to reach Salt Lake City before burying him, but was forced to bury him on the eve of the third day. On the 10th of October at the close of the days travel, a shallow grave was dug by the light of a bon-fire, on-the east bank of the Bear River, near Meyers Crossing. The Precious remains of the husband and farther was carefully wrapped in a blanket and placed in the grave Very early the next morning, the sorrowing, but brave little mother aroused her children to help her gather rocks to cover the grave, to- protect the earthly remains of their loved one from being disturbed by wild animals.

Thus passed from the scene of action one of God's noble sons. He gave his life to the supreme cause and counted not the cost. He did not attain his goal, which was to reach Aion. His unselfish devotion to a righteous cause can be set as an example to follow, rich in acts of kindness marked by the virtue of truth, honesty and courage, Edward lived such a life. He Passed away life a beautiful ray of sunset, with an abiding assurance of a glorious and brilliant sunrise upon the morrow.

Sarah gathered her children about her and prayed for strength to go on. There was still a long tiresome journey ahead of them. It was getting along in the fall, and they were anxious to travel as fast as possible. They were asked to look over their things and discard whatever could be got along without, to make the loads lighter. Here Sarah left a beautiful set of china dishes she treasured dearly and had brought them with her from her native home. She cheerfully obeyed and the dishes were left by the roadside.

Written in their old family Bible are these words, I Sarah Ogden with my seven children arrived in Salt Lake City in Bro John Browns company 16th October 1853.

Sarah was now left single handed to provide for her self and family, but she met the situation with fortitude and courage.

The following winter and the next summer, was a trying one for her. the twins were put in the home of Pres. Brigham Young, to help tend the children, wash dishes, or whatever else they could do, and Sarah did what ever work she could find. When they were paid for their services in flour, meat, or what ever it might be, she was very grateful for it and felt it was a blessing from the Lord. The two older boys would go to the canyon with the oxen and haul wood for the fire, they dug sego roots, gathered pigweeds thistles and watercress to help get something to eat.

When Johnstons army came, and the saints left their homes and moved to the south part of Utah. The Ogden family went also and took up a piece of land in Spanish Fork, and remained there until the people came back to Salt Lake City. The boys tried to farm in Spanish Fork but it proved unsuccessful and they were compelled to give it up.

Sarah received her endowments 24 March 1854. In 1861 she moved her family to Kaysville, Ut., purchased a farm and home. Later she purchased another farm in Enterprise, Morgan Co. Ut. William took care of the farm in Morgan and Edward G. took care of the one in Kaysville.

Although the years had brought setbacks and failures she did not get discouraged. She squared her shoulders, called upon the Lord for guidance, and went about whatever task she was called to do. Idleness or laziness was foreign to her. She taught her children to pray and walk uprightly before-the Lord.

Sarah, like other pioneer woman, was a homemaker whether she lived in a dug-out, log cabin, or rock house it was always clean and cheerful. She was also clean in both body and mind.

She was a woman of refinement, dressed with dignity. She used very choice language. Would not gossip, nor tolerate foul speech, or listen to one who was not careful of the character of others. These wonderful qualities were taught to her children by example as well as by precept.

The children married and were all honorable, useful, and highly respected men and women in the communities where they resided. She had taught them to be thrifty and industrious in the home. They knew how to make a little go a long way.

Sarah was strong in the faith, had a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. Her ideals were high and lofty. She was very active in the church and did temple work for her kindred dead.

Many are the lives that have been enriched by coming in contact with her. Although her life was a very busy one, she found time to visit the sick and dying, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, to comfort the sorrowing and love to the lonely. She lives in the hearts of all who knew her.

Sarah never remarried, she held her husband's memory in cherrished affection to the day of her death.

In her declining years she was cared for by her youngest son Edward G. and his wife Louisa. At the ripe age of 82 years she passed away suddenly and peacefully.

It was so kind of our Heavenly Father to make such a wonderful woman; the kind of a woman that makes another woman proud of her sex. She will never know what a fine example of strength, gentleness, and mercy she was until she is face to face with her own record in the morning of the resurrection, and we know that the Angel will amake no mistake when he records her name upon the roll of the Mormon heroines.

Today, the posterity of this worthy couple are numerous, and highly respected, are prominent in the religious and civic life of the communities and in the number of trusted officials in numerous capacities. That one original family has become a multitude and through the goodness of the Lord has been prospered exceedingly on this the chosen Land of Promise,

Edward Ogden was born 5 March 1812 in Duckinfield, Cheshire, England, he was the son of Isaac and Lucy Kefford Ogden.

Sarah was born 1 April 1808 at Youlgreuve, Derbyshire, England and was the daughter of William and Sarah Rooth Garratt.

Information for this sketch was given by Louisa C.E. Ogden, a daughter in- aw of the above couple and Joseph H. Ogden a grandson of the above Also from their old family bible, now in possession of Jos. H. Ogden.