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The Merrimack River has its source in beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee, which lies in the eastern 'mid-section of the state of New Hampshire. From the town of Franklin the river flows almost due south through the Capital city of Concord and on to the northern part of Massachusetts. At the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, it makes a definite turn to the northeast and flows onward to empty into the Atlantic Ocean. In the bay formed by the mouth of the river, some of the early immigrants to America found a sheltered harbor and navigation good for some distance up the river.
As early as 1635 a settlement was established on the southern shore of the bay. It was registered as Newbury, Massachusetts. The inhabitants found a good supply of timber for their homes and plenty of fish for their table.
These early colonists were supplied by their English sponsors with all the needs for their existence for a year, except corn and fish, but during the Civil Wars in England, the transportation of supplies ceased, and they were left dependent on their own mercantile enterprises.
Governor Winthrop recorded that "the want of foreign commodities set us to work to provide shipping of our own. The work was hard for want of money, but the shipwrights were content to take such pay as the country could make." Salem, Boston, Marblehead and other seacoast towns, including Newbury, set about to construct their own vessels for trade.
New England developed her interest in shipping mainly through the fisheries which were at her door, but as the demand for cotton, sugar cane, molasses, rum, etc., increased, they extended their trade to the West Indies and other foreign ports.
Increase in shipping privileges created a demand for shipwrights. These artisans were invited and assisted to come to American ports. Each shipload of colonists added to the population of Newbury. Soon the port section became an established center of docks and shipbuilding. In 1764 the port was separated from the mother town and became known as Newburyport.
On January 15, 1736, Joshua Mitchell, shipwright, and Esther Swett of Newbury, Massachusetts, posted their intentions of marriage, No record has yet been located which reveals the birthplace and parentage of Joshua Mitchell. Perhaps he was one of the shipwrights brought from England to assist with the American ship building project. One of the original grantees of Newbury, Massachusetts, was John Swett, who arrived in June 1635 on the ship "James." He made his home on the first lot east of the old landing. Those were the days when Indians lurked in the brush by the pathways to waylay and kill the colonists. Esther Swett grew up on Indian war tales related by her grandfathers, Captain Benjamin Swett and Nathanial Weare, who took part in many Indian skirmishes. Captain Benjamin Swett lost his life in 1677 at the battle of Black Point, Maine, while fighting Indians.
To Joshua and Esther Mitchell were born in the town of Newbury, six children, five daughters and one son; Betty was the name given their third daughter. She was born January 20, 1744. The Congregational Church Government prevailed in the New England colonies at this time, so when Betty’s smother died, she was compelled to remain silent for a long period of time while the minister prolonged his sermon and prayed at great length for the soul of her mother. She was now eleven years old. She assisted her two older sisters, Sarah and Esther, to care for Joanne, Caleb and wee baby Nanne, until one year later, when Joshua Mitchell married Allis Holt.
When Betty was fourteen, the Mitchells joined the Weare and Benjamin Swett families in a move to New Hampshire. They located near Portsmouth Bay, where her father could resume his work as shipwright.
There was tenderness in Betty's large brown eyes and a glint of gold in her beautiful auburn hair. Animation filled her being, and when she turned her deepening smile on the male members of the community, they vied for an opportunity to court her.
Betty was in no hurry to leave her father’s tender care. She reminded him, to a great extent, of her mother, and she consequently became the recipient of favors not accorded the two older girls.
Accuracy and efficiency are words which are a must in reference to the ability of a shipwright. So much money, labor and life depend on his "know-how" to build a sea worthy ship that he cannot be otherwise. When one considers that there were no less than 150 vital parts to a sailing vessel, each part depending on the accuracy in computing measurements for its durability and strength, one realizes that a man must spend the greater portion of his life in preparing himself to receive the title of shipwright. Gnarled and tar-stained were the hands of Joshua Mitchell, but they gave a loving caress to his children. Harsh was his voice from calling and shouting to the men at work on the ship he was building, but he could croon a lullaby to his wee one. Power in his shoulders and stance, tone in his muscles remained with him the major portion of his life. However, exposure to the elements was bound to bring decay eventually. Joshua died July 12, 1761, but not before he dictated his will. He appointed his second wife, Allis Mitchell, as executrix of his estate, which two of his shipwright friends, Michael Shute and Hubertus Neal, appraised at 18,194 pounds. His two older daughters were married, and Betty was now seventeen. After providing for the care of his wife and other children, he gave the following instructions: "To my daughter, Betty Mitchell, her heirs etc., forever, I bequeath 500 pounds old tenor, a mourning suit and a piece of chence I have bought to make her a gown to be paid for out of my estate at the age of eighteen years or her marriage day."
This chence, or chintz as we might call it, came from India. From Spartacus we read: "At the time - - about 400 B.C, the most precious material in Rome was not silk, it was the delicate and wonderfully sheer cotton spun in India, having a gossamer quality that no si1k-Could equal”. Although it had been used in India these many centuries, it was Queen Anne, who came to the throne of England in 1702, who promoted the use of the material in her court. Aside from the floral designs, it in no way resembles the chintz as we know it today.
By this time, Betty was being courted by Benjamin, the eldest son of Peter and Hannah Morrison Folsom, original proprietors in Exeter, New Hampshire. Betty fashioned her wedding dress from the piece of chintz which her father had given her. The colors of the tiny flowers blended with the neutral mauve background. The full skirt fell in graceful folds about her lithesome body. A soft cream-colored lace fichu collar adorned the plain neckline, intensifying the brown of her eyes and hair. Betty was ready with her linens and woolens as she clasped Benjamin's hand and repeated her marriage vows (no marriage date available).
The great fireplace in Grandfather John (Jr.) Folsom's home at Piscassic (now Newfields), New Hampshire, almost filled the entire north end of the kitchen. On the shelves of a small open cupboard step-grandmother Mary kept a few pieces of pewter and some of her cooking supplies, but the niche at the other end was just right for a boy of ten to sit with his back to the oven, his knees drawn up and his feet braced against the west wall. That was where young Benjamin, son of Lt. Peter Folsom of King Philips War, loved to be. Sometimes he had to coax the family dog out of the niche with a piece of jerky, but where the dog lay made a warm spot for him. Benjamin's own grandmother, Sarah Lyford, great-granddaughter of Governor Thomas Dudley of Massachusetts, had recently died, but he remembered her kindly ways. Grandfather John knew what the boy came to the house for. He wanted to hear the tales of how his great-grandfather, Francis Lyford, sailed the rocky coast of Maine and back to Boston, first piloting one of his vessels and then another. Sometimes John would tell of the time Francis Lyford piloted one of the ships to Nova Scotia and how appalled he was to see the fifty-foot tide which came into Fundy Bay. Then there was the time when the Lyford ships were requisitioned to carry the inhabitants of Saco, Maine, to Boston during one of the Indian uprisings. Young Benjamin decided that no life was quite as intriguing as the life of a Trader of the Seas.
There was work to be done on his father Peter's farm and sawmill, but he was at the docks and wharfs of Portsmouth Bay much of his time. His greatest ambition was to own a ship, so he set about with determination to accomplish this desire. He was still a young man when he became known as a “Trader" with a ship of his own. Being original proprietors of the town of Exeter, New Hampshire, the Folsoms and Gilmans either inherited from the original or setup their own saw and lumber mills in the Bay area. At first Benjamin traded in building materials which he bought from relatives, but soon had orders for ship-building lumber.
Benjamin Folsom was 18 years old when the Joshua Mitchell family moved from Newbury, Massachusetts, to Newmarket, New Hampshire, about 1758. It took no time at all for the ability of Joshua Mitchell as a shipwright to become known in his new location. No doubt Benjamin knew where to find the right kind of seasoned hardwood, had it laid down at the Newmarket piers and helped Joshua Mitchell build the ship which he had so longed for. Along with the acquaintance of Joshua came the acquaintance of his daughter Betty. So Betty sewed her wedding dress of chintz, and she and Benjamin were married. They made their home in the Piscassic (Newfield) section, and Benjamin conducted his trade in building supplies. For a short time he kept a tavern near Pike's Tavern. That he was granted this permit, bespoke the confidence which the selectmen of the community had in him. Only men of high standards of living were permitted to run a tavern. A tavern of that day was not a beer parlor as we know it today, but a place where honorable citizens found lodging as they traveled through the country.
Here at Newfie1ds and Newmarket the great forests furnished the masts for His Majesty's ships. The "broad arrow" was cut upon the trees chosen for this purpose by a person appointed by the authorities. Benjamin's immigrant grandfather, John Fo1som~ was one of the first men appointed to this task in Exeter, New Hampshire. One tree cut at Newmarket bearing the King's sign was eight feet in diameter and one hundred and eleven feet long. At that time oxen were used as beasts of labor. Being a hardwood tree, it required seventy oxen to draw it to the riverside to be floated into Portsmouth Bay. Newmarket also furnished the timber for the ship "America". Paul Jones supervised the building of the ship at the docks at Newfield. A great day of festivity and games was planned for the launching of each ship, so that when we say that 21 ships were launched at Newmarket and Newfie1ds in one year, we must realize-that there were 21 holidays to celebrate. Perhaps-this item will give you an idea of the vastness of the forest and the type of living which existed at that time at the west arm of the Portsmouth Bay, where these people lived. Many vessels found shelter in Portsmouth Bay, bringing with them captains and sailors of foreign lands. Joshua Mitchell would have no trouble locating a shipmaster who could bring him the chintz for daughter Betty's wedding dress.
In the year 1727 twenty-seven men of the Gilman family of New Hampshire and 153 other filed a petition at Boston, where the government by Crown was administered, to set up a community about twenty miles north of Concord, New Hampshire, on the Belmont River. Because of the number of Gi1mans listed, the town was registered as Gilmanton. They took their religion along with them, and the first service was held in the barn of Jotham Gilman.
The way to Gi1manton was merely a horsepath marked by spotted trees. In the winter the path was widened by cutting out trees, to make way for ox-drawn sleds. By 1761 arrangements were made to open a cart path, and then in 1770 be Province Road was laid out from Portsmouth to Canada, going by way of Gilmanton. Some of Benjamin Folsom's brothers and sisters and their families had moved to Gi1manton and urged him to come there also.
It was about 1768 when Benjamin and Betty left Newfields and went to Gi1manton, where they settled on a portion of land near Winthrop Gilman and his wife Deborah. Benjamin wished for a larger portion of land, so when a group of men petitioned for a settlement on the southeast corner of Lake Winnipesaukee, he joined them. This was really forest primeval, but it had access to shipping on the lake, and that is what attracted Benjamin. This settlement was given the name of Wolfborough. The trees of the forest were huge and profuse, but when the land was cleared of them, it produced bounteous crops.
Benjamin Folsom was present at the Charter Election of Wolfborough, held September 28, 1770, where he was given a minor office. At the election of 1773 he was chosen highway surveyor, seer over landed areas, and chairman of the Board of Selectmen. (A Selectman was one chosen to exercise authority in local affairs.) He evidently rose rapidly in the esteem of the community.
The first legal instrument by town authorities of Wo1fborough, still extant, is a highway surveyor's warrant. Here is a copy of it:
X X X X X X X X X X
******Province of New Hampshire, County of Stafford. To Captain Thomas McLucas one of the surveyors^ of Wolfborough for the current^ year.
Greetings:
You are in his Majesty's name Required to Levy^ and collect^ of the Inhabitants and Estate as they are Set Down in this list of Rates^ Delivered to you the total to the amount of said^ Inhabitants and Estates^ in Labor at two Shillings per Day which you are to lay out on the Main Road from Tiftonborough Line to Birch Camp so called^ and if any of the Inhabitants Shall Neglect or Refuse to Pay the Above Sum or Sums given to you in the^ List you are to Distraint on the goods Chattels^ or Estates^ and them safely Keep^ the Space of Four^ Days at the charge of the owner or owners of the^ goods or chattels^ and if the owner or owners Shall not Pay the^ sum or sums within the^ Four^ days, you are to expose and sell at Public Vendor to pay the sum or sums with Incidental charges as the Law Directs and Return the Over Plush money if any there be, immediately^ to the owner or owners.
Dated at Wo1fborough this 2 Day of September 1773 and in the thirteenth year of His Majesty’s Reign.
Selectmen:
Benjamin Folsom Thomas Taylor James Connor
There is no way of knowing who wrote this warrant. It might have been one of the Selectmen or the town clerk. It might have been a circuit judge riding through on his way to court. All used the same prolonged sentence structure with no punctuation. They seem to have had no rule about which word to capitalize. The strange part is that they misspelled some words, and yet they knew how to spell a more difficult one.
The first season at Wolfborough was spent house-raising, with neighbor assisting neighbor, until all were housed against the six and eight-foot snows and raging blizzards. Benjamin managed to cut some timber on his homestead in 1771 and 1772. Shortly after the road work was shut down for the winter of 1773 he set about at clearing more land. Since his son Benjamin Jr. was but eight years old, Benjamin had to perform this task alone or sometimes find a neighbor to assist him. It was in December 1773 that he was caught under a falling tree and fatally injured. He was but thirty-three years old and had given little thought to the possibility of death, let along the making of a will. In his last few hours of life, he requested that his friend and relative, Winthrop Gilman, of Gilmanton, act as administrator of his estate. A will might have named Benjamin and Betty's children, but since there was no will, we have a record of only Benjamin Jr. and a daughter, Hannah, born 1772 at Wolfborough. The history of Wolfborough states that the town lost a valuable citizen, and then says that Benjamin left a widow and seven or eight daughters. Well, that could have been possible.
Betty had thought little of needing the "mourning gown" which her father bequeathed her as she put it in the bottom of her wooden chest. It was terribly wrinkled when she brought it forth, but she was pleased to have it for Ben's funeral.
Winthrop Gilman took Betty Folsom and her family back to GilmantoD4 but the Gilmanton records are of little value; too many Folsoms, with little to distinguish the ancestor.
It was only three years after the death of Benjamin Folsom that Deborah, wife of Winthrop Gilman, passed away, and soon thereafter Winthrop (age 44) married Betty Mitchell Folsom (age 32), widow of Benjamin, They had four children born at Gilmanton: Caleb, Sally, Shuah and John,
Benjamin Jr., his sister Hannah, and the other children of Benjamin Folsom made their home with the Gilman family, but young "Bennie" spent a good deal of time with his grandfather, Peter Folsom, who was now making his home in Gilmanton. This was at the time of the Revolutionary War, when there was much debate and discussion, for and against the war, in the homes and community. Many were corning and going into the service. All this made a deep impression on Bennie, and he wished he were old enough to enlist. With so many men away at the war, it was not difficult for him to find employment, so by the time he was twenty-one he felt that he had accumulated enough money and chattels to marry and be "on his own". It was at Gilmanton that he married Agnes Fullington, daughter of William and Abigail Moulton Fullington of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The charter for the town of Holderness, New Hampshire, was granted on November 10, 1751. Here was virgin timberland for the asking and plenty of work of all descriptions in the lumber mills. "Bennie" and Agnes decided to cast their lot in this locality. They filed on a large tract of land on the west side of Squam Lake. We learn just how large it really was after Bennie's (now Ben) death, when Agnes filed a petition August 14, 1823 with Arthur Livermore, praying for the administration of the estate. She stated that she was "entitled to dower in 150 acres of land with house (which seems to have been quite spacious), a cow barn and orchard next to the road leading from Captain Curry's over the hill to Esquire Morse's".
Their first child, Betsy, was born at Holderness, September 21, 1785 and on November 12, 1787 William Fullington Folsom was born. Then followed Benjamin, Samuel, Hugh Ramsey, and Abigail.
But something happened to "Ben" which made it impossible to better his financial condition.
One evening Ben sharpened his axe and hung it in the leather guard near the kitchen door. He was up early the following morning to be about his work of clearing more of his land. No man went into his field unarmed, so he carefully lifted his gun from its rack above the fireplace. He was very proud of his gun. It was one of the newer flintlock models which his grandfather, Peter Folsom, had assisted him in purchasing. Testing the powder, which he kept in a small leather pouch, he complained to himself about its texture, but since none other was available, he knew it must serve him. With a rod he rammed the powder into the bore, then shredding a bit of worn cloth he poked it carefully to prevent the powder gas from escaping. Next came the bullet, which he had molded from melted lead poured into a bullet mold. Again some wadding was tamped gently into the bore of the gun. With his powder pouch and a few extra bullets tucked away inside his leather cap to keep them dry, some pieces of dried meat and parched corn in a small bag hanging from a waist thong, he was ready to meet his neighbor, Morse, at the corner of the clearing where the property lines met.
Due to possible accidents or a surprise attack by Indians, men did not~ work alone in their fields and clearings.
Neighbor Morse was not at the clearing when Ben arrived, so he commenced to fell a tree. Chips flew and there was a cracking noise as the bark began to split. Looking to the left, Ben saw a good-sized bear lumbering away into the timber. Soon she stopped. She was not liking the sound of the axe. Ben was putting plenty of power behind that axe and it didn't take him long to make ready for the fall. With the crash, the tree fell across a £a11en log, sending pieces of rotted wood flying into the air. A whimper from two bear cubs reached the mother bear before it reached Ben. She had clawed out a portion of the dead log and had made a place of shelter and protection for her cubs. A bear is a coward and will promote no fight unless it is cornered or its offspring is in danger. Giving severa1 grunts and a deep growl, she was now running around trees and through brush to reach her young ones. It took but a few seconds for this to transpire and Ben was unprepared for the outcome. He was in the path which the bear was taking as she came into the clearing. Perhaps bears do little thinking, but this one decided Ben was responsible for hurting her young ones. Bewildered, he turned to reach for his gun, but discovered that the tree stump upon which he had left it was too far away for him to retrieve it. A blow from his axe did little harm to the bear except to infuriate it. Before he realized what was happening, the beast was tearing his flesh and overpowering him.
Morse seemed in no hurry to be about his work that morning, but on hearing Ben's scream for help; he bounded over the zigzag fence and dashed to his assistance. With the entrance of Morse and his noisy shouting as he came, the bear released Ben and was about to deal him a blow with her paw, when a shot from Morse's gun reached its mark. The bear attempted to make a comeback, but it was too late. It was a pitiful sight to see her trying to crawl to her little ones, but Ben was in no condition to feel sorry for the animal.
Agnes was at the barn when she heard the faraway scream of terror and then the shot. Realizing that there had been an accident of some kind, she thrust the wooden milk pail into little William's hand and hurried to the clearing. Regardless of modesty, she lifted her skirt and tore her top petticoat from her body to use making tourniquets for the most serious bleeding. She and Morse then fashioned a makeshift stretcher out of some limbs and her second petticoat, placed Ben on it and carried him to the house. Like all pioneer women, she had some training in the use of herbs and the care of the sick. Since there were no sedatives available, she and Morse gave hard liquor to Ben until he was out of his misery. Morse hastened to town for a doctor. After an examination, the doctor decided that other than sewing up the major wounds there was 1ittle he could do. The ligaments in Ben's legs had been torn and pulled away. He had no knowledge of how to put them in order. After many weeks of suffering, Ben arose from his bed, a cripple for life. With one leg in a better condition than the other, he could get about with a crutch; but he wondered how he could care for his home and earn a living for the family. Neighbors were kind, but he disliked charity. His wife Agnes did not lack courage to assume her new role in life, but she found much of adversity to test her in the battle for security for her family.
Although William (Fullington) Folsom and his sister were entirely too young for the responsibilities which now fell on their shoulders, they accepted their new assignments without complaint. At first mother Agnes found some employment in the community; but as soon as William was old enough, the supervisors of the sawmills made work for him. From then on he was schooled in every phase of handling and treating lumber at the lumber mill and the remodeling and replacing of the wharfs and docks. He graciously shared his earnings with the family. He also became acquainted with most of the families in the vicinity of Holderness and the towns bordering on Lake Squam and Lake Winnipesaukee. The quays and wharves of Lake Squam form the southern border of the town of Holderness. Around the corner and to the north of Holderness lies the town of Sandwich, New Hampshire. At the northwest entrance to this town, one finds an intersection of the highways known as Skinners Corners.
The charter for Sandwich, Carroll County, New Hampshire, was granted October 25, 1763. It was the outgrowth of a small town formed at Squam Lake where Gilman and Beede conducted large lumbering operations. Captain Nathaniel Folsom and Samuel Folsom were commissioned to layout the town. When the county road was opened from Thornton through Sandwich in 1801, the farmers from Vermont' used this road to convey their products to Portland, Maine. It was about this time that Jedediah Skinner, his wife Sarah and six children arrived from Vermont to make their home in Sandwich.
Jedediah was a descendant of Thomas Skinner of Colchester, Connecticut, and his wife, Mary Pratt, a daughter of Richard Pratt of Charleston, Massachusetts, and granddaughter of John Pratt of Malden, England. About 1753 Jedediah's parents, Joseph and Ruth Strong Skinner had come up the Connecticut River from Hebron, Connecticut, on the ice and snow to help make a settlement at Lyme, New Hampshire. Here they became members of the Congregational Church in 1773, and Joseph was soon installed as Presiding Elder. Four of Jedediah and Sarah's children were born in Lyme. They then thought to better their financial condition by moving to Washington, Orange County, Vermont, where two more children were added to the family, and then they moved to Sandwich, New Hampshire. Here at Sandwich Jedediah built a large substantial home, very comfortable by early standards, with neatly arranged and well-constructed barns and outbuildings. He was not only a good carpenter, but he also possessed a mechanical mind. He served as the community music teacher at a time when a pitch pipe and tuning fork were the only means of locating pitch for singing. Perhaps you can get a better picture of him from the following story:
Unless one saw Jedediah Ingersoll Skinner, one would not understand the meaning of "raw boned". Now in the prime of life, he reclined in the old, handmade, wooden rocker with its rumpled, cushioned, padded back. His legs seemed to extend endlessly toward the hearth in his home at Sandwich, New Hampshire. The hard manual labor of his early life had rounded out his broad shoulders with firm sinewy muscles, but at this period of life no part of him seemed to belong to another. Kindly, intelligent eyes spoke from a well-sculptured face. Only his hands told of undeveloped latent talents which might have brought forth some invention of worth for the benefit of mankind had the opportunity presented itself. This quality of mind he passed on to his children and grandchildren. Around his neck hung a talisman. It was no golden cross, nor piece of jade; only a memory which concerned his name.
The room became warm, and as he dozed in his chair he thought of his childhood in Lyme, New Hampshire. A smile came to his face as he remembered some childish prank, and then it relaxed as he recalled lying before the hearth one wintry day and hearing his mother, Ruth Strong Skinner, relate how she chose a name for the sandy-haired boy who lay before her.
It seemed that she knitted endlessly on the family stockings and at the same time told of the letter which her grandfather Jedediah Strong had written to his family just before he was killed in the Great Swamp Indian battle. Then she was reminded of her emigrant grandsire, John Strong, who as Presiding Elder of Northampton, Massachusetts, had set apart the Reverend Soloman Stoddard as pastor of the Congregational Church. Most of the Strong men were tall and muscular and won colonial records for their wrestling bouts. She was undecided as to whether the name for her son should be Jedediah or John. Her heart went out to Jedediah, alone in the Great Swamp, fighting to make safe their home, and so she decided on Jedediah. "Jedediah would mean 'courage' and 'service to others’," she said. The Ingersoll was added to his name because the great grandfather, John Ingersoll, believed in having but "one hearth. II Then she told how the Ingersoll children were still in possession of the old homestead. "Ingersoll" was to stand for "stability."
Since of necessity his surname must be Skinner, she related how the Skinner family had helped open up the iron mines and iron works in Colchester, Connecticut. "All of them honest men of the 'forge and the mill'," she said. This name he must respect to bring him "strength of character."
"Well," thought Jedediah, there in his comfortable home, "I have fought no pitched battle with the Indians as did Jedediah Strong, but some of my neighbors have been about as "ornery" as they. I’ve pulled no shroud over a dead man's face or pried into the morals of the congregation as did old John Strong, but son Elijah and I donated the ground, and between us built a meeting house which we presented free from debt to this community for their worship. I've dug no ore .nor run no "iron works" but I've been drenched with sweat over the forge and anvil trying to keep the ferry boat in repair which ran across the Connecticut River at Lyme, New Hampshire, and in which my father Joseph had partnership. I think I've plodded through as much acreage behind a plow as Old John Ingersoll. I may not have fulfilled all the expectations of my mother, but I've at least kept out of the mire."
Like a jack knife he drew up his legs and lifted his six-foot frame from the chair. "Guess I better be goin' to the school house to help those young runs with their singing. No good can come of Jedediah Ingersoll Skinner lettin' the community go to waste. Got to keep 'em busy and out of mischief with one thing or 'nother, - Ma! Where's my tuning fork?"
William Fullington Folsom was graciously received at the Skinner home in Sandwich when he called to court Jedediah's daughter Hannah. The adversities of his youth had deprived him of some of the material things of life, but by so doing had strengthened his character. He never shunned the obstacles which beset him, because he saw all about him the misery of life as others found it. Who was he to complain? At twenty-one he was quiet and unassuming, yet alert to opportunities and felt that he wanted to give to the world the benefit of whatever experiences and talents he had.
He "lent a hand" to all projects being developed at the Skinner home, especially with the erection of a large log shop which Jedediah was building for the express purpose of having a place where any member of the family could come and feel free to work on any project in which he was interested. He listened to the discussions by the family on the scientific inventions of Hannah n s brother Elijah, who 'was considered insane when he talked of railroads, conversing over wires, and sending news along wires by electricity long before these improvements were developed. He was there while Elijah was developing his idea for a serpentine waterwheel and an endless screw, for which he later received patents. No doubt William Fullington Folsom spent more time assisting with the work in the shop than he did in courting Hannah.
He possessed an urge to get ahead, but 1809 was not a time of progression. War clouds with acts of aggression were reported everywhere. England was having a hard time living up to her claims in America. However, the date for the wedding was set for August 9, 1809.
All the summer preparations for the wedding had been going on. Once when William called at the Skinner home, Hannah was leaching lye for soap. That was a dirty job, and they laughed together at her untidiness. Another time she was just coming from the smokehouse where she had been attending the fire. It was burning too briskly, and she had to "smolder" it. William helped her beat the flax stocks to soften them ready for spinning for her linen, and together they often went ‘berrying’ for elderberries and blackberries for preserves and wine. Trying to talk above the noise of the spinning wheel never proved satisfactory; there was too much "hum" and at times when she sat tatting or crocheting for her lovely underthings there was no time to hold hands. William generally managed to be in the shop when there was butter to churn and pack into salt. Apple-paring parties and cornhuskings were not too bad, he thought, if there was plenty of popcorn and molasses candy to go along with. As he watched Hannah assist her mother with all these preparations he decided that he was "just plain lucky" to be getting such a wife. By the time of the wedding, Hannah's trousseau, or "bride's fitout" as it was then called, was the envy of her girl friends.
Then came the scrubbing and cleaning of both the house and the shop. The boys shifted the mechanical devices and other working material into a lean-to shed and the shop was cleaned for a dance. Pans, kettles, crocks and tubs were borrowed from the neighbors to prepare food for a community affair. Mother Sarah hired some of the food cooked in the home by friends. Such a display of food as was spread out on the great tree-slabs held up by tressels! Jedediah was no wealthy man, but he was a good provider. There were baked beans with plenty of side pork and molasses, homemade bread and butter, smoked meats, goose, turkey, chicken, cheese, doughnuts and tarts, suet puddings boiled in their cotton sacking served with brandied sauce. A ewe and a shoat cooked on an outdoor spit was delicious. Some Indians Jedediah had kept from starving one particularly cold winter, brought venison and partridges. The beverages were homemade wine, brandy and cider.
Note: At that period of our national history there was no surplus commodities program. Every man planted his grain, took out his flour and stock feed and carried his surplus to the nearest home distillery. Hard liquor stood on the cellar shelves as part of the food supply, along with the crocks of salted butter and preserves, vegetables and smoked meats. Whatever liquor was in excess of the home needs was sold.
As William and Hannah stood up to greet their friends and relatives at the wedding, her brother Jeddie stood beside her, turning his toes in, knocking his knees together, twiddling his thumbs, and crossing his eyes, causing the guests to laugh. With a frown Hannah turned to see what prank he was playing. Drawling his words, he remarked that William wasn’t the kind of a life partner he would choose, but since that was her choice he guessed he’d have to go along with it. At least she couldn’t go without him or she’d only be half there, ‘cause he was the other half, her twin brother. This remark brought forth hearty laughter from everyone.
This was August, and the air in the shop where some of the quests were dancing soon reeked with the odor of human bodies and liquor. As the fiddler fiddled and the caller monotoned his “sashay all” and “alleman left” the young newlywed couple stepped outside, where some of the guests, whose religion kept them from participating in the dancing, were playing games, wrestling on the short grass around the premises, and playing mumblety-peg. The festivities lasted all through the night and it was morning before Hannah and William arrived at their small new home in Holderness.
William was still employed at the sawmills and wharfs and he assisted his parents as he could. Lydia Ann, their first child, arrived March 28, 1811.
War with England was declared June 18, 1812. The first battles of this war were fought by the Navy. Portsmouth Bay was one of the targets. Several ships were sunk; the wharves, piers, and docks were burned as well as many homes and historical places in the town. Restoration called for many workmen and William pondered the advantages of joining them.
Hannah’s second baby, Benjamin, was born January 20, 1813, and by the time he was old enough to travel they had definitely decided to move to Portsmouth, visiting relatives and places of interest along the way.
As they approached the road leading to the wharf at Wolfborough, they saw some geese waddling single-file down for their daily swim in the lake. William was reminded of the story about the geese which his father Ben told him many years before. It seems the housewives decided that Wolfborough was an excellent place to raise geese and they might be able to sell some of the feathers for ticks and pillows. Depriving themselves of geese for the table, they nurtured and tended their flocks with great case. Everyday the geese were herded into the road, where they hissed their way to the wharves. Each year the flocks increased and were soon destroying crops. One day they were caught in a grain field and driven into a velar by the owner of the grain. Word was sent out that the geese would be restored to the owners on payment of a fine. The housewives assembled, but could not determine which geese belonged to which wife. There was much clicking of tongues and angry words to think one of the townsmen would do such a thing. Eventually the husbands paid the fine and the geese waddled up the road, each goose knowing its home path.
Hannah laughed merrily at this story, and soon they found their way to the Benjamin and Betsy Folsom homestead. They remained but a short time, then went on around the end of the lake to Gilmanton.
At Gilmanton they were welcomed by the Winthrop Gilman family, Great grandfather of Peter and Aunt Sarah Fullington Nelson, whose husband, John Nelson, was a goldsmith. The Gilmans had a family party for them the night before they left to continue their journey to Portsmouth, and they were truly surprised at the aunts, uncles, and cousins who called to participate in the “get-acquainted” affair.
They stopped to fish in one or two of the beautiful small lakes on the way to Durham where they left the main road to go to Newmarket and Newfie1ds.
The Mitchel1s and Fo1soms of this area were so delighted with a visit from Benjamin and Betsy's grandchildren that they feasted and talked and questioned them until way into the night. Next day they were escorted around the town and shown Benjamin's tavern and the place where he anchored his boat in the finger of the Bay which comes up to Newfie1ds.
As they jogged happily along the road to Exeter, William turned sidewise on his horse and very solemnly said to his wife, "Hannah, you won't forget to sprinkle some sawdust on the children's porridge once in a while, will you?" Unable to believe that she was hearing correctly, Hannah pulled on the near line and asked, "What did you say, William?" William solemnly repeated his request, "How si11y~" said Hannah just as the cart wheel went over a rock, almost upsetting her. "Why would I be doing that?" "Well," replied William, hardly able to refrain from laughing at the frown on his wife's face, "I remember father Ben saying that all Folsom wives were supposed to sprinkle sawdust on the children's porridge so they wouldn't forget that they were suppose~ to be carpenters."
"Exeter! Now this is where the Fo1soms and Gilmans settled when they first came to America," said Hannah.
"No," spoke up William quickly. "Those people in Newfields have you all mixed up. The immigrant grandparents, Edward Gilman and John Folsom, came with the Reverend Peck from England in 1638. At first they were granted land at Hingham, Massachusetts, where many of their relatives and neighbors from Hingham, England, were already located. Grandfather Gilman had eight square miles at Skeehonic (Rehoboth near Plymouth) and John Fq1som was granted four acres along the "P1ayne" and then land and a permit to use the water in certain streams to erect saw mills. So you see, the Folsoms have been in the lumber business ever since that time. Edward Gilman came to Exeter in 1650, the same time the Reverend Samuel Dudley did. Samuel Dudley was Sarah Lyford Folsom's grandfather. He came to Exeter as pastor of the congregation after Wheelwright left. John Folsom didn't come to Exeter until after his son Ephraim^ was born in 1659. He set right out to build more sawmills in Exeter so his sons wouldn't forget how to run them."
"I don’t know things like that about my people. How do you know all that?” asked Hannah.
"Well, Ben used to think and talk a lot about his people while he was lying in bed after the bear got him. He used to talk a lot about them to keep from thinking about being crippled, I guess," William replied.
As they drove along High Street in Exeter they recognized Grandfather Peter's home from the description given them at Newmarket: They wondered why he would leave such a lovely place and go to Gilmanton. While driving around Exeter for some time locating the old homesteads, they passed a general merchandise store with a faded sign which read "Gilman, Folsom and Gilman." The two children were asleep in the cart, so William tied the horses to the old post and he and his wife went into the store. They purchased one or two articles and then asked about the sign. "Oh, I don't bother to cover that up. I figur' it's a drawin' card for me. What's your name?" the proprietor asked.
When William announced his name the proprietor was delighted. "So, you're old Ben Folsom's grandson. I remember when they sold the tavern and sent to Gilmanton, So now they were trapped for a long recital. William hurried through the major events concerning Ben's family and then asked about the store. "Well, Sir, Gilman, Folsom, and Gilman did a large business in trade, in shipbuilding, and in ventures at sea. Look here at this old bill nailed on the wall. I think it's rather clever, so I leave it there." The sign read:
"Crimson, Scarlet, and Other Color'd Broadcloths. Scarlet, Green Ratteens. Scarlet, Blue and Green Plushes. Colored and Black Figured Cotton Waist Coat Shapes. Crimson, Scarlet, Black, Blue green, and Cloth Shalloons."
“They also dealt in hardware. Let me show you some I've kept," he said. There were guns, flints, hourglasses, H &. H L hinges, thumb latches, warming pans, shoe and knee buckles. Tammay's and durants. Dungareens, tandems, romalls, snail trimmings, firmers, jobents, splentor locks, and cuttoes. Some of those I leave in the window. People see 'em and come in. Before they leave they buy something.”
By this time the baby was crying, so Hannah went out. William finally took his leave of the old gentleman, and the family hurried along the road toward Hampton Falls 0
Wherever they went people admired Hannah's lovely hazel eyes and her long, beautiful, light brown hair. It pleased her, but it also embarrassed her so that she didn't know whether she wanted to make any more family calls or not.
It was getting dark when they reached Hampton Falls, so they found an inn and stayed there all night. Even the children slept late, and the tap room was almost empty when they came down for their breakfast next morning.
"So, you're Ben the Trader's grandson", said the innkeeper as he rubbed his hands on his leather apron and plied William with more questions. "Have you been to see your grandmother Betty Mitchell Folsom's folk here?" he asked. When William said "No" the innkeeper said that he better, because there was no greater Indian tracker or Indian fighter in the colonies than Betty's grandfather, Capt. Benjamin Swett. Why, he could track an Indian on a stone mountain, and Hampton Falls was still teaching their school children about the raid he conducted at Slackpoint, Scarborough, Maine in 1766.
"Did you know he was massacred there?" he asked William. He was captain of the militia.
"I'm afraid we'll have to come back some other time and visit the Swetts, the Stanyans, the Robinsons, and the Weares. If I don't get over to Portsmouth I won't find a job, and we promised Mother we'd visit her people, the Moultons. We’ll be on our way," was William's reply.
They had no trouble locating the Moultons, and while William went to register for work some of the family made ready some food and took Hannah and the children out to the "Point of Graves", where they showed her the headstone of Great-grandmother Ayers. It read: "Here lies entered the body of Alice^ Ayers, wife of Edward Ayers, age 53, died in 9 Feb 1717." When Hannah asked about the Moulton graves, she was told that the great-grandmother was killed by the Indians, at York, Main. The father and his sons were captured, but the sons were released. The father was carried into captivity and never heard from again.
By this time Hannah decided she had enough information to tell her children to fill a book. Hannah had heard but a mere portion of the trails of the members of this family. She hoped her side of the family had fewer tribulations, but she would learn that freedom of any kind is bought with a price and the Skinner family also paid a price.
William had no trouble obtaining employment. We worked mostly on the rebuilding of the docks and wharfs. They rented a small home in Portsmough where Hannah gave birth to her third child March 25, 1815. He was given the name of William Harrison Folsom, of whom we shall learn more as the story unfolds.
The survey work for the great Erie Canal was commenced in 1810, but due to unsettled conditions during the War of 1812, work on it was delayed. The burning of Washington by the British in 1814 caused great consternation in the nation, but the signing of the Treaty of Ghent December 24, 1814, relaxed the tension felt by the citizens. Although the majority of the people of the young nation were not satisfied with the terms of the treaty, they responded to the call for national improvement, and the newspapers, magazines, and placards blazed forth in large headlines the continuation of work on the Erie Canal. William Fullington Folsom was still under contract for his work at Portsmouth, but gave much though to inducements of work on the "Big Ditch." By the time the controversy was over as to where the canal should enter Lake Erie, at Black Rock or Buffalo, he had decided to assume the risk.
Hannah was not too cooperative. That was a long trip for the new baby, Mary Jane, who had been born June 26, 1817, and she was right. Some of the roads were abominable, due to the influx of workers and their families, and food was so scarce and often unsanitary. As they plodded along in their covered wagon from canal town to canal town, they were compelled to associate with some very undesirable people. They reached Buffalo in time for the opening of the work on the harbor in 1820, according to a letter written by Benjamin Hodge to Ebenezer Goodale.
On May 30, 1821, a daughter, Elizabeth, was born in Buffalo. She passed away September 15, 1822. Three more children were born here at Buffalo. Louisa Maria, May 30, 1823, Ebenezer Johnson, April S, 1827, and Sarah Augusta, August 22, 1829. Sarah Augusta died October 6, 1829.
The first City Directory of Buffalo was published in 1829, with William Folsom, listed in it as a carpenter on Pearl Street, but according to the birth record of Elizabeth, we know he was in Buffalo before this time.
His name appears on Judge Samuel Wilkeson's list of men who worked on the docks and harbor which also gives the sums they contributed for the building of the Buffalo Harbor. William Folsom's contribution of $25.00 seems small to us, but at that time it was a considerable amount of money, and the record proved that he worked on the docks.
The history of the building of the canal is extremely interesting and sheds light on the influences which helped to form the character of our progenitor, William Harrison Folsom.
The first full-fledged settlers of Buffalo Creek were Ezekiel Lane, his wife, her father Martin Maddough, and Cornelius Winney. They came from the Hudson River and established a trading post. By 1794~ a blacksmith shop and a silversmith shop were established and the population had increased to twenty-five. Then in 1801 the Holland Land Company set up headquarters in the village of Batavia, New York, about thirty miles east of Buffalo Creek. A few people from the eastern states came to take up homesteads and in 1807 the great Genesee County was divided to form Niagara County, designating Buffalo as the county seat.
Forty-three families and a few young businessmen now comprised the population of this town. By popular consent a school house was constructed, and in 1809 Dr. Ebenezer Johnson opened a drugstore of sorts and commenced the practice of medicine. They also had a newspaper, the Buffalo Gazette, but the national news must have been quite ancient by the time it reached Buffalo. However, they reported the surrender of Detroit and the raid of the United States at Newark, Canada. Then came General McClure and burned both Buffalo and Black Rock. December 30, 1813. Forty corpses lay side by side in the blacksmith shop of David Reece, one of the three buildings remaining after the raid and fire.
Some of the inhabitants, who fled to neighboring villages for safety, returned to rebuild the town. Following the war~ great numbers of people left their worn-out farms in the East and flocked to the western frontier. This influx of population created a demand for better roads for transportation. The earnest ambition of the New York politician DeWitt Clinton soon showed his fellow citizens the benefits to be derived from the construction of a waterway from Lake Erie and Lake Champlain to the tidewaters of the Hudson Riber. A survey was commenced in 1810 to determine the feasibility and approximate cost of the project, but it was not until 1815 that he presented the memorial for its construct ion.
"Eighteen Hundred and froze to death" or "Poverty Year" was spoken of the year 1816. Not only did the crops of the nation freeze~ cutting off the food supply, but there was much political strife in regard to the National Bank and tariff regulations. Consequently it was 1817 before the bill was passed authorizing the construction of the Erie Canal. Clinton was elected governor of the state of New York.
The population increased rapidly and prosperity reigned. Old towns expanded and new ones arose. With the promise of cheap transportation~ commerce and manufacturing skyrocketed, and wealth came pouring in, as well as boatloads of Irish immigrants for the railroad construction work, By the time the canal was completed in 1825, the population had increased to over one million people.
Slowly and tediously the William Folsom family made its way from canal town to canal town until they reached Buffalo, about 1819.
In 1822, when William Harrison Folsom was seven years old, he witnessed the erection of a theatre in Buffalo, New York. It served as a place for public gatherings, political and social affairs, as well as frontier dramatics. There is no doubt about "Willie" having attended many functions in this building. Boys are boys wherever they are and no doubt he "pulled the ropes" and "shifted the scenes." As he grew older he attended political rallies and swung his partner in the quadrilles of the day in this same building.
The year was 1825, the day October 25, and the place Buffalo, New York. This was to be an eventful day, celebrating the completion of the great Erie Canal. As the crowd gathered for the parade, old men knocked the tobacco from their pipes and talked of the Indians who originally lived in the locality and of the buffalo which foraged along the creek giving the town its name.
Most of these men had given service at one place or another .along the canal, and they laughed heartily as first one and then another would tell about the feuds and terrible fistfights they had witnessed among the fiery-tempered Irish canallers and railroaders - especially when they were "liquored up!" While the men reminisced, the women shook the dust from the bottom of their long skirts and wandered to and fro to chat with their friends and neighbors. Little girls played "ring-around-the-rosy," and little boys wrestled or tried for the longest jump.
Soon the shrill notes of the fife were heard, along with the roll of drums. As the band came nearer, the spectators lined up on both s ides of the road. By this time a few flutes and horns could be heard. Balance of tone made little difference; they were leading the parade for the opening of the Great Erie Canal. Rathbun Rifle Company followed the bank in a precision march. Then came the canal diggers with their spades, masons with trowels, carpenters with saws and hammers. Sailors and mechanics brought up the rear. In horse-drawn vehicles, the military officers, Governor DeWitt Clinton, and officers of the Canal Project followed.
As William Fullington Folsom marched with the workers in the parade, his family watched, waved and shouted from the side of the road. Little ten-year-old "Willie", his twelve-year-old brother Benjamin, and eight-year-old sister Mary Jane, sat on the ground in front of their mother. Fourteen-year-old Lydia Ann holding two-year-old Louisa Maria stood close by until the formal parade passed. At this time the Folsom family joined the other spectators who fell into step and followed the parade as it made its way to the canal dock. Here they heard the speech and the roar of the cannon as the canal boat "Seneca Chief" commenced its maiden voyage on the canal to Albany and then on to New York City.
The work on the great canal and the Lake Erie docks was by no means completed at the time the "Seneca Chief" made its initial run on the canal in 1825. There was a constant demand for enlargement and repair on all the building projects as travel and Commerce increased. Wharfs and docks were built on the man-made lakes at points for loading and unloading the boats and barges which supplied not only the main canal, but the laterals as well. New warehouses, homes and business buildings appeared as if by magic. The skill of William Fullington Folsom as a carpenter of repute 'was called for repeatedly. As soon as his three sons, Benjamin, William Harrison and Ebenezer were old enough to assist with the projects which their father contracted, they were taken along to learn the trade by participating in it. In other words, they served their apprenticeship with their father and were sometimes left to supervise the work.
William Harrison Folsom advanced in this vocation until he was an accredited "joiner" at the time, of his marriage in 1837. He received his early scholastic training in the schools of Buffalo and according to knowledge and ability he displayed later in life must have had some higher education.
On August 24, 1834, the family gathered at the bedside of their mother, Hannah, to bid her farewell as she passed away. She was buried in the family plot in Buffalo, New York.
The inhabitants of the state of New York soon recognized the advantages of transportation by canal and petitions flooded the governor's office for extensions of the system. Some petitions were granted and some were not. At Avon Springs, New York, William Fullington Folsom found work on a lateral canal. While working at this location, he became acquainted with Ann Cornwall Bettis, daughter of John and Elizabeth Wright Bettis. William and Ann were married at Avon Springs on December 25, 1834. They made their home at this location until after the birth of a son, Martin Van Buren Folsom, on October 27, 1835. As soon as the work on the canal project at Avon Springs was completed, William took Ann and the baby to his home in Buffalo, where Lydia Ann, William Harrison, Louisa Maria and Ebenezer made them welcome.
During the absence of her father, Lydia Ann was very faithful in her service to the other members of the family. She was now about 25 years old and very beautiful, with hair that was a darker brown, more abundant and even more luxurious than that of her mother. It is interesting that although she received many invitations to outstanding social events in Buffalo, she never married. Brother Benjamin had married Hannah Ford November 26, 1834, just one month before his father's second marriage. Sister Mary Jane died March 12, 1836 about one year after her marriage to Valoras D. Ford.
Connecticut claimed that her western boundary extended at least to the Mississippi River. She therefore set up her Western Reserve west of the Allegheny. Moses Cleveland was commissioned to survey and set up townships in this Reserve. Several prominent surveyors and their families, along with assistants, relatives and friends, mostly from Connecticut, accompanied him on this venture.
Among these settlers was Richard Clark, his wife Susan Gillett, and their five daughters (no sons). They established a home at Atwater, Ohio.
Education is a "must" with the inhabitants of Connecticut, so the first families who came into this Reserve brought their culture and education with them. This Clark and Gillett family claimed lineage from some very influential early American colonists. Among them was the Honorable Daniel Clark, Magistrate and Secretary of the Colony at Windsor, Connecticut. When his wife's sister, Sarah Newbury Wolcott, died, Daniel took her sons and educated them in law. No less than twelve Wolcotts became governors, due to his interest in their welfare. The Reverend John Russell was also included in their lineage. Then there was William Gager, who came with the Winthrop Company as "that honorable and skillful
'chiurgion' (physician; surgeon)." Listed as progenitors also were the Roots, Griswolds, Newburys, Ellsworths, Buells, and many other educated and honorable families.
Zerviah Eliza Clark, fifth daughter of Richard and Susan Gillett Clark was born February 5, 1818 at West Suffield, Hartford, Connecticut, West Suffield lies on the boundary line between Massachusetts and Connecticut; consequently some records state Massachusetts as her birthplace. None of the grandchildren of Eliza Clark Folsom have any recollection of her, since she died shortly after her arrival in Utah. Because the record gives her name as Zerviah (from her Griswold heritage) we have referred to her as Zerviah, but census records give her name as "Eliza" We shall therefore use the name "Eliza" when referring to her.
Her secondary education trained her for a teaching profession. She was serving in this capacity when she became acquainted with William Harrison Folsom. He was tall and well-built, with dark brown hair, a pleasing personality and dignity in his bearing. He was meticulous in his personal appearance. His "dry-wit" made him an interesting companion. They decided that August 21, 1837, should be the important day in their lives. The ceremony was performed at Pembroke, New York, not too far from Buffalo. They made their home in Buffalo, where Eliza's sister, Susan Clark, soon came to live with them until her marriage to Dr. Judson Hinman Day on August 26, 1838.
The year 1837 proved to be a disastrous one nationally, The demand of the Jackson Administration that public lands be paid for in “hard" money, the failure of certain business houses in England which had invested heavily in American securities, and the wave of speculation were all swept into the lap of President Van Buren, Banks failed and the government had no money with which to pay its employees. This not only included the government staff, but reverted to the canal and railroad employees and on to the general public~ causing a tremendous and far reaching financial panic. The chaos thus created was gradually set in order during the administration of President William Henry Harrison (1841), but not without leaving its mark on the nation. In fact, "meager circumstances" could describe conditions at the William Harrison Folsom home at this time.
It was during this period of recession that the first child of William Harrison Folsom and Zerviah Eliza Clark was born, August 23~ 1838~ in Buffalo, New York. She was given the name of Harriet Amelia Folsom. Then on September 1, 1841, a son, Hyrum Pearse, was born.
In the William Fullington Folsom home, his wife Ann gave birth to a second son, Thaddeus Joy, December 24, 1837, Then on August 10, l840~ Ann's third son, Adolphus, was born, but he died August 24, 1841, Ann had no more children,
Congregationalists and Presbyterians both built small chapels in Buffalo, New York, and most of the inhabitants were listed as members of these units, but the remainder of the citizens were indifferent about religion. The news of the first baptisms for the newly-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at Seneca Lake" New York, gave rise to much comment and controversy in Buffalo (William Harrison Folsom family record; Buffalo statistics).
On May 6, 1839" John P. Greene was appointed to preside over the Latter-day Saints in New York State. Just who was directly responsible for the conversion of William Harrison Folsom and his wife Zerviah Eliza, is not known~ but having recognized the truth of the message, they expressed a desire to be baptized immediately. They entered the water for baptism by immersion on February 17, 1842. John P. Greene officiated. Extreme cold prevails in this region in February and so it took some time to cut through the ice of the Niagara River, where the ceremony was performed.
Folsom was soon called to serve as clerk of the Buffalo Branch, with Enoch Reese as president. There were 247 members enrolled, and at a conference held in Buffalo, September 1, 1843, the clerks of the branches reported on the number present. Folsom reported five members, one High Priest and one Elder from the Buffalo Branch. Allegheny County, Niagara County, Genesee County, Etc., as well as representatives from Maine and Connecticut were also in attendance. Missionaries were selected and it was moved and seconded that the minutes be recorded in the Times and Seasons.
. . . Signed by John P. Greene, chairman, and William H. Folsom, Secretary, (History of the Church, 6:1).
William Fullington Folsom was disturbed when his son and wife affiliated themselves with the "Mormons”, but there is nothing in later history of the family to indicate that friendly relationships ceased or that they were forbidden to enter the father's home.
William Harrison Folsom had his first experience with missionary work in Buffalo, New York, where at this time most every man walked his own way in regard to his religion. Few bothered to talk about it or make a decision; consequently Folsom and his good friend Enoch Reese found little response to their missionary effort in this frontier town. Members of the present-day family of Enoch Reese say that it was Eliza Folsom who persuaded Enoch to marry Hannah Harvey. At any rate, the two couples became intimate friends for the remainder of their lives.
Special note: Hereafter William Harrison Folsom will be referred to as William H. or William H. Folsom, or simply Folsom, except when quoting proof of his labors.
On October 20, 1843, John P. Greene arrived in Nauvoo with about one hundred Saints from New York State (Andrew Jenson, Church Chronology). A list of the names of those accompanying Elder Greene is not available, but according to events which followed it is presumed that William H. and Eliza Folsom and their two children, Harriet Amelia (age five) and Hyrum Pearse (age two), were with this group. Evidently these Saints were preparing to leave New York at the time of the Conference they held in Buffalo on September 1, 1843.
At a political meeting held January 29, 1844, in Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph Smith was nominated as a candidate for the Presidency of the United States of America. A large number of Elders were notified that they were to be assigned to certain states to electioneer for him. They were to leave Nauvoo in May for this purpose. William H. Folsom's assignment was Ohio (HG, 6:339). Just one month after the meeting, on February 29, 1844, Eliza gave birth to a baby boy, William Burdette, here in Nauvoo (Records of Lima Branch and Nauvoo 5th Ward). When Burdette was three months old, his father left on his electioneering mission. On June 27 of this year the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were martyred at Carthage Jail. Confusion and turmoil caused by this event made it impossible to continue work on the Nauvoo Temple for a short time, but when .work did resume Folsom continued with his assignment as "joiner" in the construction.
The first of the Saints leaving Nauvoo at the expulsion following the atrocities by the mob crossed the Mississippi River February 4, 1846. Many of them had received their Endowments in the Nauvoo Temple before leaving. William H. Folsom and his wife Eliza were privileged to receive their Endowments January 8, 1846.
Sealings for couples commenced the following day, January 9, 1846. We are at a loss to know why William H. and Eliza did not have this ordinance performed at this time. The sealings did not take place until March 2, 1861, in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah. President Brigham Young officiated. Patriarch John Smith had given William H. Folsom a Patriarchal Blessing on February 5, 1846, in Nauvoo.
The Folsom family was not among the Saints leaving Nauvoo in the spring of 1846. They witnessed the dedication of the Temple on May 1, 1846, and William H. continued to work on some of the interior finishing.
Church Historian Andrew Jenson records the following:
"The few remaining Saints at Nauvoo, of whom only about one hundred and twenty-five were able to bear arms, were attacked by an armed mob, about eighteen hundred strong, who with five pieces of artillery bombarded the city for several days. The brethren organized for self-defense and stopped the mobbers about two miles from the city. --The mobbers were prevented from entering Nauvoo by the gallantry of the "Spartan Band", who fired on the enemy with cannons made of steamboat shafts." (Church Chronology for Sept. 10 & 11, 1846.)
The following is a description of the Battle of Nauvoo as related to Church Historian Andrew Jenson by William Harrison Folsom, one of the Spartan Band:
When the mob observed that most of the able bodied men had left Nauvoo in the Spring of 1846, they increased their indignities. This condition increased all during the summer months. Finally, those in charge of the Saints remaining in Nauvoo asked for sixty days in which to prepare to leave the City but Carlin and Thomas S. Brockman, who were in charge of the mob, gave orders for their men to march on the City and force the Saints to leave immediately. On the 10th of September, Brockman, at the head of his group, marched into Nauvoo. The Saints or "Defenders" as they were called were organized into three small companies under Commander Gates, William Anderson and Repshaw. Daniel H. Wells, Captain Clifford, and William Cutler were also officers of the "Defenders." (Note: These officers are listed in the Journal of John W. Dutson, member of Nauvoo Legion, but Church records state that Captain Anderson and Almon L. Fuller were in charge of the "Spartan Band", as the "Defenders" were known. To continue with the Folsom story...)' "The Saints had been promised reinforcements by Mayor Parker, but they did not arrive. They soon realized that they would be attacked and must rely' on their own resources to defend themselves. Consequently, they converted old steam boat shafts which they salvaged from the Mississippi River, into cannon. Each company built a shelter during the night time and they attempted to prevent entrance into the City."
"Thursday 10 September (1846) I was in the Nauvoo Temple repairing guns at the time the mob was cannonading our brethren. In the evening Wendall Nance, Elijah Fordham and myself were in the south side of the Temple making powder plot. We 'worked until late and slept in the Temple. About noon of the 11th we put one (powder plot) in the ground at the northwest corner of Esquire D. H. Wells field in the lane. At this time the mob was advancing across Law's North hemp field and were in sight before we got it planted. The mob formed a line of battle and advanced towards us until they were stopped by William Gheen's cannon who fired the first shot at them. The next was fired by William Somerville and the third by William Gheen; then we retreated some distance and the mob halted a short time.
Levi Nickerson directed us to a hewn oak log house to which we dragged Gheen's cannon while the mob advanced under cover of Mr. Covey's orchard and began firing. Gheen fired five shots of old iron from the bar lead cut and put into small casks. The mob soon left the grounds. Several shots were fired at the cannon stationed by Mr. Barlow's log barn, which were returned. Near sunset the mob retreated a short distance and camped north of Law's hemp machine for the night. There was a strong guard posted during the night."
"12th September. One company of the mob advanced toward Hyrum Gates breast work, halted and commenced firing at Gate's Company, who ordered his men to hold until the mob came up as near as they would. Gates ordered Gheen and Bolander (a Methodist minister) to return the mob fire. Several shots were fired on both sides. The mob soon retreated and joined the main camp which was retreating down Law's Lane. They proceeded to Franklin D. Richards' brick house, thence south to Mu11ho11and Street, returning east as far as Squire D. H. Wells house thence turning West On White Street, then flanked out in the cornfield. The firing of the mobs artillery was kept up while they were advancing. After the mob reached Boscoe's brick house, the small arms began firing and continued one hour and twenty minutes. Thomas Tidwell was sent across the River to Montrose to buy some fine powder. He procured about a dozen cans and got to the River to re-cross to Nauvoo when he was met by a mob sentinel who threatened to shoot him if he persisted in crossing the river with the powder. Tidwell had a brother standing near whom he requested to shoot the sentinel if he offered to fulfill his threat. He felt bound to cross the River with the powder, which he did." (Journal History.)
Historians record that the mob numbered 1800, but those participating in the battle felt there were many more. As the cannon balls fell, some of the women picked them up and carried them to the "Defenders" to be re-used.
John W. Dutson states in his diary that on the twelfth of September Captain Anderson and his son, August L., a boy of fifteen, and David Norris were killed.
After the enemy entered the city they suggested a treaty. General Daniel H. Wells felt that it would be futile for the poorly-equipped Saints to continue their defense of the city and suggested that they comply with the enemy's request.
The articles of the treaty pledged that the Saints would be protected until they could be removed; that the sick and helpless should be treated with humanity; that the firearms taken from the Saints were to be returned when they crossed the river; that the trustees-in-trust of the Church were to be permitted to remain in the city for the disposition of the Church property; and hostilities were to cease immediately. Almon W. Babbitt, Joseph L. Heywood and John S. Fullmer, who were serving as trustees-in-trust for the Saints, signed the treaty. But, no sooner had the treaty been signed than some members of the mob commenced searching homes and wagons for firearms. Houses were entered and members of the family threatened. Some members of the mob descended upon those Saints who were waiting to cross the river and plundered their wagons and possessions. They inquired of each person if he had participated in the battle. They threw some of the "Defenders" into the river and some were returned to the city for court-martial.
The Folsom family suddenly found themselves with the Saints encamped on the marshy river bottom at Montrose, Iowa. There had been no time to assemble possessions. They were thankful to be alive and all together. People wandered about trying to decide what they should do. They were without clothing, bedding and food. Word was dispatched to Winter Quarters, but it took a long time for the word to be delivered and supplies to return. It was the ninth of October before the wagons with supplies arrived. For twenty days the Saints shared their meager food supply and tried to comfort one another. It was during this time that the Lord sent quail to sustain them. Harriet Amelia Folsom was eight years old at the time and often told of catching the quail for her mother to cook.
Evidently the William H. Folsom family had no means of transportation to continue to Winter Quarters or Council Bluffs where the Saints were located. With two or three other families they walked from Montrose to Farmington, Iowa. Upon arrival at this place, they and a Whitesides family were permitted to find shelter in an abandoned house on the outskirts of the town. The days and nights were growing colder and they had little in the way of protection from the cold. Proceeding into the town, Folsom was fortunate in convincing one of the merchants that his condition was serious. The merchant gave him an order for some washboards and horse nets in order to pay for food. What else he did to provide for his family while living here we do not know, but feel sure he did not remain idle.
In Benjamin F. Johnson's story of his life we read that the Des Moines
River, which flows through the town of Farmington, Iowa, freezes in the winter time. In order to catch fish for their food, inhabitants of the town cut holes in the ice, slid around on the ice to frighten the fish swimming underneath so they would swim to the open holes, where the people could then catch them. No doubt this was one way Folsom had of supplying food for his family.
It was in the fore part of February 1847 that William H. Folsom made his way into the town of Farmington. He walked as usual along the main thorough fare toward the mercantile establishment, where he passed a group of men talking in undertones. Recognizing no one of them, he attempted to proceed on his way. Suddenly he was caught in the arm, whirled around and asked if he was a "Mormon", and if he had participated in the Battle of Nauvoo. Folsom had no intention of denying his affiliation with the Church, consequently he answered in the affirmative. The ruffians soon had a rope ground his neck and roughly "strung him up" from the awning rod in front of the store.
Benjamin F. Johnson confirms this incident:
"...The final struggle in Nauvoo had ended in victory for the mob, and the driving of all the Saints --the aged, sick, and poor-- across the Mississippi River, left by hundreds in the hot midsummer sun upon the opposite bank, without shelter or food. Among others, my brother Joseph E., ... being obliged to leave Nauvoo, came to Bonaparte, in Lee County, Iowa, on the Des Moines River, and being earnestly invited to come back and wait for him, I began to yearn for his company At Bonaparte... I concluded to start a small business in saddlery...
At Nauvoo there had been a nest of thieves and counterfeiters, as vultures, to prey upon the property and character of the Saints. These, too, were driven from Nauvoo, and were now plundering the people, creating bitterness towards all who were from Nauvoo. One Gibbs, a near neighbor whom I regarded as honest, was found wit~ stolen property, affirming it was left at his house by an absent party. He, being under arrest, I was induced to go with him to Farmington, six miles distant, to help him out of trouble; but I was soon convinced of his guilt, which left me in bad order with the people. When they learned that I was the Johnson that kept the Nauvoo Mansion, a large crowd gathered around me...It was but a few days previous to this, they had hanged Brother Folsom, our temple architect, until he was nearly dead; and apparently they would serve me worse, judging from their savage looks!" (My Life's Review, 115-116.)
William H. Folsom sometimes told of his work as a joiner on the Nauvoo Temple, but members of the family do not recall that he ever claimed to be the "architect". This was just the way Ben Johnson had of recognizing Folsom's work on the temple.
There is also another record of this event (Manuscript History of Brigham Young):
"Tuesday, 9 (Mar 1847) ...1 met with brethren of the Twelve and Bishop Whitney. Bros. Alexander McRae and Andrew L. Lamoreaux brought a mail of eighteen letters from Nauvoo, and confirmed the reports of the persecution of the Saints near Farmington; the mob had hanged bro. Wm. H. Folsom, whose friends had much difficulty to restore his sensation. Rodney Swazey was also hung by the mob by the heels for about five minutes; six other brethren were also hung on Sunday, Feb. 7th."
Eliza, Folsom's wife, was attending a quilting bee when notified of t4e condition of her husband. Rushing to their home where friends had taken him, she gave what comfort she could. She was very much concerned not only about her husband's physical condition, but his one and only coat was ripped completely up the back. From this time until his death, Folsom had trouble with his breathing. No doubt this condition was caused by the displacement of vertebrae at the time of the hanging. As soon as he was able to travel, the family made its way to Keokuk, Iowa. At Keokuk they were given a place to live and something to eat by "Mr. Hughes," who then assisted in obtaining employment. There were two Hughes families residing in Keokuk during its early days; a Dr. Hughes who established a medical ~ol1ege there in 1850 and a Major Ross B. Hughes, manager of a mercantile establishment. Both of these men were honorable citizens, interested in the welfare of their fellow men. It is not known which one befriended the Folsom family.
From the Millennial Star, Vol. 1:22 for May, 1840, we learn that Keokuk, Iowa, was an important town on the west bank of the Mississippi River, about ten miles below Montrose, Iowa, and about the same distance from Nauvoo, Illinois. The Indians called it "puck-e-she-tuck", Or place at the foot of the rapids. The first permanent white settlement was made in 1820. In 1829 the American Fur Company established a trading post here and named the post for Indian Chief Keokuk. The City was platted in 1857.
The following interesting items are found in Church history concerning Keokuk:
"When the Saints were driven from Missouri in 1839 and were looking for a place to settle, attention was drawn to Hancock County, Illinois, and Lee County, Iowa. Among the places visited by the Church Committee was Keokuk, in the later part of 1839. In 1842 the Prophet Joseph Smith sent his uncle, John Smith, and Daniel C. Davis to help build up the city of Keokuk, since he planned to establish a branch printing office in that city. It was, however, decided later not to establish the printing office there. The peace of the Saints living there was disturbed by the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1844, and some of them prepared to move west. In 1846 some of the Saints took their departure but were replaced by others who had left Nauvoo."
By the time the William H. Folsom family arrived in Keokuk in the spring of 1847, they found a shifting, changing population in a city but a few years old. For some time it seemed impossible to find any proof that this particular Folsom family ever lived here. According to a recent historian, Ray E. Garrison, no copies of early newspapers or early birth records have been preserved. Although Keokuk received its charter as a city in 1841, no registration of inhabitants was made until 1856, when Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) and his brother Orian Clemens compiled the first city directory. The Folsom Family had moved to Council Bluffs before this survey was made and published.
But Grandma Eliza had her own way of keeping records in the family Bible. She recorded Keokuk, Iowa, as the birthplace of two of their children: Hinman Day, born February 14, 1849, and Frances Emily, born September 20, 1853.
In 1964 when the Lee County, Iowa, census for 1850 was searched, it verified the fact that William Harrison Folsom, his wife Eliza and their chi1dr2n Amelia, Hyrum, William Burdette and Hinman were, indeed, residents of Keokuk. Frances Emily, born in 1853, would not be included in this census.
From Church records we learn of the ordination of William H. Folsom to the office of a Seventy by Joseph Young. The clerk who recorded the ordination gave no date, but stated that the recipient resided at Keokuk, Iowa.
In Journal History concerning Keokuk at this time we find:
"Elder Horace Eldredge was in charge of a branch of the Church at St. Louis, at this time. He and Elder Mace organized a Branch at Keokuk. The Saints held meetings at the home of Wandel Mace and Thomas Howell. They administered the Sacrament, bore testimonies, did some baptizing, babies were born, people died and were buried."
Although records and vital statistics of the Branch cannot be found, the ordination previously mentioned would seem to prove that William H. Folsom was active in the Keokuk Branch.
The city fathers of Keokuk had seemed content with the status of the city for a long time, and then a corps of officers was elected, who were civic minded enough to see the need of improvement to increase the commercial rating of the city. They decided to improve streets, sanitation, etc. There had been no plan for laying out the original town.
Each man erected his home or business establishment where he pleased. In 1840 John Cleghorn had erected a two-story brick home. Excavation for straightening the street on which it stood left the front of the house high above the street. Folsom family tradition says that William H. Folsom was in charge of placing a “story" under this house in order to bring an entrance at street level. He spent some time locating a number of large jacks, which he placed at intervals around the house. Men were hired to manipulate these jacks as he blew a whistle to designate the time and number or turns of the jacks to lift the house. With the upper stories thus raised, he and his assistants erected a street-level addition, then lowered the upper part on to it. With modern equipment, such an architectural feat is an easy task, but it was considered a novelty at that time.
The City of Keokuk has no record as to who held the contract for this work, but older citizens knew that it was done. The house is still pointed out as "the house with the third story built on the bottom" (Ray E. Garrison).
Apollus W. O'Hara, in his booklet, Illiamo, states that our Folsom family resided at Warsaw, Hancock County, Illinois, at one time. Those in charge of Warsaw statistics at the present time find no such record. It is possible that William H. Folsom found work in Warsaw and resided there temporarily.
The "piecework" he did from time to time failed to supply the needs of the family and provide funds to outfit them for the journey to the Salt Lake Valley.
Even though the Morse Code was adopted in 1820, telegraphy was not in common use when gold was discovered at Sutter's Fort, California; but that bit of news seemed to "flip" across the American continent as if by the wave of a magic wand. The word “gold" has ever held a profound influence on the minds of men. Without any preparation, men vanished from the communities in which they lived; others left good farms and homes and subjected themselves and families to sickness, hardship and often death in crossing the continent in order to reach their goal on the western coast. The demand for transportation by water was so great that Congress worked overtime on petitions from steamship companies seeking permission to build new ships and remodel old ones. The ships left New York, Philadelphia and New Orleans for Chagres, the port of entry to the Isthmus of Panama and around the Horn. Many of these vessels were so unreliable and unseaworthy that they fell apart when buffeted by storms. No one will ever know how many lives were lost in this manner.
Disheartened by his inability to accumulate funds for the journey to the Rocky Mountains to be with the Saints, Folsom accepted the offer of a friend, Mr. Hughes, to furnish funds for his transportation and "grub...stake" if he would go to California, build shacks, sluice boxes or do other carpenter work demanded by gold seekers, and if possible locate a mining claim. If successful, he was to share the profits with his benefactor. He realized that this meant leaving his wife with a young baby (Hinman Day) and four other children. What he didn't know was that it would be a very dangerous undertaking with many hardships for him to endure.
Housed in the Bancroft Library at the University of California at Berkeley, one may find a declaration made by William H. Folsom and transcribed under the direction of the historian Hubert H. Bancroft.
It was given at Manti, Utah, in 1886 and stands as evidence 9f his experience in California. Part of this declaration reads:
..."from (Keokuk, Iowa), in 1849 I went to California via New Orleans and the Isthmus, sailing on the ship "Charleston" from Panama to San Francisco, reaching that place in January 1850." (Used by permission of Bancroft Library)
The streamer going down the Mississippi River was overcrowded and he slept whenever and wherever he could. The ship from New Orleans to Chagres was also overcrowded. Food was passed out to the passengers who sat on the deck to eat it. At Chagres the condition worsened. It seemed that half of the world was there. The crowd milled and thrashed around, trying to find food, water and transportation to Panama on the opposite shore of the Isthmus. Thousands of people, women included, found themselves with possessions which could not possibly be transported to Panama. These articles were either sold for a pittance or put in storage, where they were usually stolen by the natives who flocked to the docks to find work. Some of the natives brought burros, which they rented out; some brought hammocks, in which they carried patrons and their possessions. However, most of the gold seekers walked from Chagres to Panama. Hundreds lost their lives on the boats coming to Chagres and were 11dumped" into the ocean; many contracted tropical diseases prevalent in this hot jungle climate, and died. The food was unsanitary and the water impure. William H. Folsom wondered if his senses had left him when he decided to make such a journey, but having come this far, he felt bound to fill his part of the contract which he had made with Mr. Hughes. He ate and drank as carefully and sparingly as possible, hoping that conditions in Panama City would be better. In Panama he found the crowd larger and more vicious than at Chagres, but he was able to get on a boat for San Francisco. If a man found standing room on a vessel going to San Francisco, he considered himself very fortunate; hence Folsom was exhausted from 1ack'of food and rest by the time he reached that port. There is a record of a boat named "Charleston" reaching San Francisco harbor when Folsom said it did, but after reviewing the condition under which it sailed, one can understand why there is no passenger list available. Webster gives the definition of pandemonium as "a place of abode of all demons." This very well sums up Folsom's thoughts concerning San Francisco at the time of his arrival.
Referring again to the Bancroft document:
"I went to Rough and Ready and went to mining, and from there I went to Coyote Diggings. And in the spring of (18)51 I helped to organize the Deer Creek Water Co. and we built a ditch nine miles long, I think one of the first enterprises of that kind in that section. I was one of the proprietors and Supt of the work. In the fall of (18)52, I returned to Keokuk and moved from there to Council Bluffs."
Our thanks is extended to Bancroft Library for preserving this document and also to Allen R. Ottley of the Sacramento Library for his untiring but futile efforts to find other records concerning William H. Folsom. A few ships kept records. Generally speaking, as soon as a man set foot on shore he was off to the diggings regardless of registration. Registration on deposits at the banks in San Francisco did not take place until after Folsom returned to his family; consequently there was no listing of him from that source. Bancroft Library accepts his declaration without questioning it.
At Rough and Ready Folsom found the populace as "rough" as the hills on which they lived and "ready" with their guns and ropes. They attempted to establish a fabulous state, independent of the United States Government, and secede from the jurisdiction of the same. That was definitely not to Folsom's liking. Although he had suffered from mob violence and lack of governmental cooperation in Nauvoo, he would have no part in a secession movement. He left Rough and Ready and went to Coyote Diggin's, which, along with Red Hill and Rich Gulch, was located in Eldorado County on the north side of the south fork of the American River. Altogether, including Mormon Island, this was called Michigan Flat. For a time the dirt from which the gold was extracted was hauled to Deer Creek to be washed. Then someone conceived the idea of digging a ditch to carry the water from the river to the digging. This called for a survey and plenty of shovel work. Supervising such work was no problem for Folsom, as he states in the Bancroft document. Soon other groups or companies decided to use the same plan and as a result, appropriated the water claimed by prior right. At that time there were no "prior rights" in California. Every man helped himself to what he found where he found it. But the time arrived when a registration of claims took place, in order to establish some standard of ownership. A lawsuit was filed and executed. No doubt it was a primitive affair, but it had the "order of the court!1 behind it. When all negotiations were completed, the clerk of the court recorded the decision, but made no mention of all the parties involved in the proceedings. There was a sale of the property and canal right, according to information given by William H. Folsom, for which he received "much money." He evidently had something to sell. He was paid in gold nuggets and octagon gold pieces which were being minted at that time. Some of each remained in the family's possession for several years. Folsom had no desire to remain for further gain. He had enough money to purchase equipment for the trek to the Salt Lake Valley. His greatest desire was to "be out of that environment" and at home with his family.
Negotiations and contracts for a railroad across the Panama Isthmus were com111eted in 1850, and the road was partially built by the time he was ready to leave San Francisco in 1852. However, reports of murder among those attempting to, take their gold back to the States by that route were so prevalent that he decided to take passage for Hawaii and around the Horn in order to get home. . This was a commonly-used route at that time and it meant that he would be landing at Philadelphia. So he sent word for his wife to meet him at the home of her parents in Atwater, Ohio. Before retiring for the night on the vessel, he knelt and thanked his Maker for the preservation of his life. He had seen more then he cared to remember of a mass of humanity gone mad over gold. Exhausted, he lay on his bed in his cabin, feeling that he had had no rest for years.
The trip to the Islands was quite pleasant and interesting, but from the Islands and through the Strait of Magellan was a terrifying experience. If the weather is calm where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet, the scenery through the Strait is beautiful, but winds of high velocity prevailed at the time the vessel carrying Folsom made its way through the channel. From Sir Francis Chichester's description in Life Magazine, June 9, 1967, we learn that the Captain and all of the crew were taxed to the limit of their strength to bring the vessel through the rocky outcroppings which .form part of the southern extremity of South America, All passengers were greatly relieved when they learned that the ship was safely on its way northward.
During this long, tedious part of the voyage, William H. Folsom preached the Gospel to his fellow passengers.
At port in the Delaware River, Folsom was impatient at the delay in get his baggage from the ship, as he was anxious to be on his way to greet his family. The delay must have been lengthy because he spent the time visiting the Fairmont Water Works, the Theatre, the Pennsylvania Hospital, which was built of brick imported from England, the Cramp Shipbuilding Yard, the Philadelphia Library with its Doric lines and trim and, of course, Independence Hall. He made note of many architectural features, expecial1y the use of the Doric column on civic buildings and homes.
What means of transportation Eliza used to take her children to Atwater- is not known, There were a few short railroad lines at this time, but none which would carry them all of the way from Keokuk to Ohio. But the family did arrive, and there was great rejoicing when they met their father. The Clark sisters (there were no brothers) held a family reunion, where a picture was taken. (Picture extant, and we of the present generation regret that the parents were not included in it,) The picture portrays our Grandmother, Zerviah Eliza Clark Folsom, and her sisters: Mrs. Robert (Harriett) Denison, Mrs. Ebenezer W. (Juliett) Gray, Mrs. Daniel Wells (Emily) Hillyer, Mrs. Addison (Rebecca (Antonette) Wolcott, and Mrs. Judson Hinman (Susan) Day
New clothing was purchased for Eliza and the children. Some lovely gifts were presented to the Clark grandparents. Just where Folsom purchased the golden cross breastpin and matching tiered earrings, which he gave to his wife Eliza at this time, is not known. Both were set with real pearls. He also gave her some other lovely pieces of jewelry, as well as some souvenirs.
After visiting at the Clark home, Folsom decided to make a trip to Buffalo, New York, to visit his family and friends. He and his family made the trip by rail and by boat (on Lake Erie). They found Grandfather William Fullington Folsom ill. Now sixty-four years old, he recalled the many experiences of his life time and wondered that he was permitted to retain his health as long as he had. Many happy hours were spent visiting friends and relatives. The children saw the great Niagara Falls and the place in the river where their parents had been baptized. Departure time came too soon, but William H. knew that he must return to Keokuk and settle his affairs.
Tickets were purchased for the trip from Buffalo to Toledo, Ohio, on Lake Erie. As the two families waited at .the dock for the time of departure, William H, suddenly announced that he had changed his mind about leaving on that day. The family thought this strange, until he explained that a voice had said, "Don! t goon that boat;" Since the message had been repeated, he decided to heed the warning, It was learned the following day that one of the quick, violet storms so characteristic of Lake Erie had capsized the boat on which the Folsom family was to have gone, All but two of the passengers were lost.
From Toledo, Ohio, the family went by train to Cincinnati, Ohio, and then by boat down the river to Keokuk, Iowa.
There was excitement among the children as they made plans for their journey to Salt Lake City, until Eliza became seriously ill with a pregnancy. Postponement of this trip was a disappointment for all. In order to support his family during the delay, Folsom invested part of his money in a small mercantile establishment.
He realized very little from his venture, because he trusted so many people and helped so many in distress. "He that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord," was a proverb he had learned in his youth.
Under date of January 17, 1853, we read in Church Chronology:
"The ship "Ellen Marie" sailed from Liverpool, England, with 332 Saints~ under the direction of Moses Clawson. It arrived at New Orleans March 6th, where Elder John Erown acted as Church emigration agent that season. The emigrants continued up the Mississippi river to Keokuk, Iowa, which had been selected as the outfitting place for the Saints crossing the plains in 1853."
The reason for the change in outfitting places was that the merchants in Council Bluffs were taking advantage of the Saints in their purchase of supplies. The Mayor of Keokuk was cooperative and a camping ground was selected on a hill by the river. It was said that this campground contained more people than the city. Unfortunately, the ocean voyage and trip up the river proved fatal to many of the immigrants. Wandle Mace, the Branch President, became very busy caring for the sick and burying the dead in the Keokuk Cemetery. William H. Folsom gave what assistance he could by building caskets and administering to the sick.
In March 1853 the Folsom family received a letter from Aunt Lydia Ann Folsom, enclosing a clipping from the Commercial Advertiser of Buffalo, New York, which read:
"Folsom, William. In this city on 21st instant, William Folsom. Funeral tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon at 2 o'clock from his late residence at 33 Jackson Street. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend."
Lydia Ann gave some details of the services, calling attention to the fact that now there were but Ann (stepmother), Thaddeus and herself at home, but in .the family burial plot lay their father, mother (Hannah), sisters, Mary Jane Ford, Elizabeth and Sarah Augusta, and half-brothers Mart in and Adolphus. Dear, lovely Lydia Ann, who never married and never ceased to serve willingly in her care for others. It was impossible for William H. Folsom to return to Buffalo at that time, but the family was thankful they had made their recent visit.
Baby Frances Emily was born September 20, 1853, in Keokuk, Iowa.
Keokuk proved to be an unhealthy place for an outfitting station, so in 1854 Church Emigrant authorities moved their headquarters to Westport, near Kansas City, Missouri. Folsom didn't complain at the severe losses which his business suffered as a result of this change, but only urged the family to prepare to leave for the West before their money was gone. He purchased traveling equipment, stocked the wagons with supplies from the store, then sold the business for a meager sum. Realizing that he was late starting the journey, he hoped to make connection with a wagon train. Unhappily, the year's last wagon train out of Westport, Missouri, had gone on its way when the Folsom family arrived in 1854.
Daughter Harriet Amelia was now fifteen years old. She had inherited the beautiful and abundant light brown hair and hazel eyes of her grandmother, Hannah Skinner.
What she failed to gain scholastically from the schools she was privileged to attend. was supplemented by the training of her "schoolteacher" mother. She learned to play the 'piano as well as to be an expert seamstress. Having assisted her mother in the struggle to conquer "three mischievous brothers," she was delighted with the arrival of the wee baby sister, Frances Emily. Many dainty articles were fashioned by her hands for the baby as well as for herself. Upon arrival, Frances Emily was so tiny that the dainty clothing had to be laid aside and her bed, for some time, was a shoe box: She was quite a "curiosity."
The city of Omaha stands on a long, narrow plateau on the west side of the Missouri River, in Nebraska. It was originally a stopping place for trappers, traders and explorers, as they made their way west along the Oregon Trail. In 1804 Lewis and Clark, representing the Federal Government, held a conference here with the Omaha Indians. A trading post was set up in 1805. The Oregon Trail had its original base at Independence, Missouri. It followed the Kansas and Little Blue Rivers to Fort Kearney, then along the North Platte River to Fort Laramie. Merchandise and equipment was transported along the old Buffalo Trail by pack animals. It is said that the first wagon tracks along the Trail were made in 1830. When the American Fur Company established regular steamship transportation up the Missouri River in 1832, Omaha and Council Bluffs became important outfitting stations.
As the white population of the United States moved westward, many nations or tribes of Indians found refuge in the rolling plains of what is now Kansas and Nebraska. They established themselves near the many small lakes and creeks and along the North Platte River, while strife continued among them over hunting ground rights. John C. Fremont made a government survey of this country in 1842, and in 1844 the first bill was introduced into the House of Representatives requesting admission as a territory. In spite of repeated pleas to Congress, it was 1854 before the United States Government was able to make satisfactory final negotiations with the Indians for such a movement. The first real white settlement in this vicinity had been made by the Mormons in 1846-47.
Alfred Sorenson, in his Early History of Omaha, tells us that the first legislative assembly of the Territory of Nebraska met at Omaha in 1854 in a building which had been built by the Ferry Company (p.60). It was voted to erect a capitol building and the contract as let to Bovey & Armstrong. Rumors of the impending territorial grant traveled rapidly from city to city. Soon, along the roads and waterways, people could be seen making their way to the first Nebraska capital at Omaha. By this time the eastern terminal of the Oregon Trail had been established at Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Doctors, lawyers, merchants, territorial officials and artisans in many fields of labor camped temporarily in the vicinity, demanding housing.
Since the Folsom family was unable to go West that season, they traveled en to Council Bluffs, Iowa. After providing the best available comforts for his family, William H. went about inquiring for employment. He contacted Bovey Armstrong and was given the contract for erecting a colonnade at the Capitol Building. Logs for these pillars or columns were cut from the timberlands to the northwest and floated down the Missouri River. Great iron hooks and ropes were used to pull these logs onto the riverbank to dry before the barking, grooving and finishing could be done.
Commenting on the engraving of "The Old Territorial Capitol," Sorenson says: .
"The engraving, however, does not do justice to the building, as it was made from a photograph taken after the colonnade, which surrounded it, had been torn down When the columns were standing it is said that the structure presented a very handsome appearance, excelled by but few other buildings in the country at that time.... It was erected by Bovy & Armstrong" (p. 91).
Folsom was immediately awarded other contracts and soon established a thriving contracting and bui1d~ng business of his own. The population of both Omaha and Council Bluffs was growing by leaps and bounds. Saints living in this area had erected a few comfortable homes and some business buildings. Nevertheless, in 1852 Brigham Young urged all Saints residing in or near Omaha and Council Bluffs to make an effort to come to the Rocky Mountains. Twenty-one companies besides a few independent companies left for the West, but of course not all of the Saints were able to go at this time. The church emigration point was moved to Keokuk, Iowa.
Orson Hyde, who had been presiding over the Saints in Council Bluffs and editing and publishing the Frontier Guardian, sold the publication and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. When the Fo1soms arrived in Council Bluffs in 1854, L.D. Littlefield and Joseph Ellis Johnson were publishing this paper. Other members of the Ezekiel Johnson and Wilson families, the Le Barons, Almon W. Babbitt and John Leavitt were also in residence. B. Franklin Brown and his brother Philander were in the hotel business; C. R. Savage had set up a photograph parlor; Lewis S. Hills was serving as United States Land Registrar.
Shortly after the Fo1soms arrived in Council Bluffs; they received word of the death of Eliza's father, Richard Clark, at his home in Atwater, Ohio. He passed away November 13, 1954.
On November 4, 1854, Apostle Erastus Snow organized a Stake of Zion at St. Louis, Missouri, with Milo Andrews as President and Charles Edwards and George Gardiner as Counselors. A High Council was also organized (Andrew Jenson, Church Chronology).
November 22, 1854, the first number of the St. Louis Luminary was published by Erastus Snow (Church Chronology, p. 52).
May 12, 1855, the Luminary published the following:
"We have been favored with a brief report on the Conference held at Council Bluffs City, April 8, 1855. William H. Folsom as President of the Branch; Francis A. Brown, Clerk. The names of the General Authorities were presented and unanimously sustained by vote of the Conference. The Indian Creek Branch was represented by James McCallister contains 16 members, including the officers. We have not been furnished with representatives of other Branches. Instructions were given and general business taken care of, after which, Francis A. Brown addressed the congregation. 'I feel to acquiesce in the remarks of President Fulsom and I rejoice that we still wish to preserve that union and perseverance in the great work we are enlisted in.... It was said that we could not sustain an organization here, but thus far it has been kept from snags and shoals and our most sanguine expectations have been more than realized'.
Brother Brown concluded with a report on conditions then existing in Council Bluffs""
Correspondence: St. Louis Luminary, September 29, 1855:
"Brother Spencer, we have a Branch of the Church here of some eighty members Brother William H. Fulsom is the Presiding Elder,
who with Brother Francis A. Brown and myself, hold meetings regularly every Sabbath and preach and bear Testimony to the trust of Mormonism. The old members have generally been re-baptized and a
few new ones have embraced the Truth, but it is an uphill business here, as is the case in every place where the authorities of the Church have been removed, It then becomes kind of a spiritual whirlpool that gathers within its vortex all the filth and scum of apostasy that floats in the wake of the Church. But we are determined, by the help of God, to keep up the organization here...."
Yours respectfully,
L. O. Littlefield
In 1901 William Burdette Folsom, son of William H. Folsom, was seeking the date of his first baptism. He wrote a letter to philander Brown of Provo, Utah, to determine if he had the information. Philander Brown's reply follows:
Provo, June 2, 1901
"Brother Wm. B. Folsom,
We were baptized on the 21st day of May, 1858. Your father baptized us all in Spoon Lake and then we went up to your house and he confirmed us himself. C. R. Savig was Secretary^. I do not know whether^ you was baptized the same time or not. Give my regard to all yours tru1ey.
P. Brown"
Mary Brown Hales of Orem, Utah, daughter of philander Brown, stated that her father had written that letter. She referred to the William H. Folsom family as their intimate friends.
Ralph Graham Savage, son of C. R. Savage, was born in Council Bluffs, and according to T. Edgar Lyon, Harriet Amelia Folsom did some "baby sitting" for some of the families in Council Bluffs.
October 9, 1855, marked the arrival of the sixth child of William H. Folsom and his wife Eliza. Mary Louisa was the name chosen for her. Her features were more rounded than Sister Frances Emily. There was a constant twinkle in her dark eyes as if she knew something nice about you. The two little girls grew to be inseparable companions.
Someone arriving in Council Bluffs with a grand piano decided that it would be impossible for them to transport it across the Plains, so Folsom purchased it and Amelia and Burdette soon received instructions for playing it. They eventually became quite proficient in playing this instrument. The piano was brought across the Plains by the family in 1860. Burdette also played the violin.
In 1907, the citizens of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of the county. They published a brochure telling of outstanding historical events of the county and histories of some of the prominent early settlers. At the time of the celebration, one F.T.C. Johnson of Neola, Iowa, was still living. He dictated some of the incidents of his life for the publication. Among other things he states that he was born in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, a son of Francis al1d Mary Jane Hall Johnson. In 1855 he came to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he was employed at his trade of carpentering by William Ho Folsom, but later bought out the business and began contracting and building on his own account. He says that he found it necessary to employ a large force of skilled workmen in executing the contracts which he took over. Mr. Johnson remained in Council Bluffs for fifteen years, then purchased prairie land at Neola, Iowa, where he raised registered livestock. In 1857 he married Caroline Babbitt, daughter of Lysander Babbitt and Amelia Caroline Farmer. Lysander Babbitt served as Registrar in Council Bluffs land office. F.T.C. Johnson died October 5, 1913, at Neola. This personal printed testimony determines how Folsom disposed of his contracting business in Council Bluffs and how extensive his contracting business was.
On Ju1y 23, 1860, William H. Folsom and family left Florence, Nebraska, with -the J6seph W. Young Company for the West (Folsom family record). They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley October 3, 1860. The Deseret News of October 10, 1860, states:
On the evening of the 3d instant, Captain Joseph W. (Watson) Young arrived with his freight train, consisting of some thirty wagons, with ox teams, which have made the trip to the Missouri river and back this season. The cattle, which we did not see, are said to have returned in good order and condition, looking better than some that have only been driven from the States this year. Capt. E. D. Woolley, with a train of nine mule wagons, with which he went to the east from this city last spring for merchandise, was also in company, and several others, increasing the number of wagons that came in with Captain Young to fifty one.”
Joseph W. Young brought the machinery for the paper mill with this freight train.
BIG MOUNTAIN
I hope the leaves were russet, green,
Chartreuse and golden yellow,
That orchid grey came up between,
When Grandma crossed Big Mountain.
And as she looked with tired eyes
To yonder sun burned desert,
God's autumn garden round her there
Gave courage where had been despair,
To block the wheels, plunge head long down
O'er rock and rut along the Trail
Into the Promised Valley.
Composed by Nina Folsom Moss
After the Folsom family decided they could leave for the West, and while her husband was setting the Branch affairs in order and selling his business, Eliza wrote to her friend, Hannah Harvey Reese, in Salt Lake City to give her the good news.
Hannah and her husband Enoch busied themselves locating a home for the Folsoms. One of the Clawson homes, which stood at 53 East 1st South, was vacant, so Enoch reserved it for his friends. While residing in this home, the Folsoms were registered in the Thirteenth Ward. On October 26, 1860, twenty one days after their arrival, all of the family who were old enough were rebaptized.
Immediately after arrival, William H. Folsom rented a small shop on South East Temple Street (now Main Street), inserted an advertisement in the Deseret News and had business cards printed (extant) to announce his trade as an "Architect".
On October 26, 1850, the Seventies held a meeting in the Bowery in Great Salt Lake City and decided to build "The Seventies Hall of Science.” Dedicatory services for this building took place Christmas Day 1855.' By February 12, 1856, the Seventies quorums, now numbering forty, held a jubilee, at which time they dedicated improvements which had been made on their Hall. This Hall served as a reading room, lecture and study room for science, agriculture, geography, manufacturing, animal husbandry, etc. (It stood on 1st South and State Street, opposite the City Hall, on the north side of the Street)
The first building contract William H. Folsom was asked to consider after his arrival in the Valley was a large addition to this Seventies Hall. The Deseret News of May 4, 1861, announced that fifty Presidents of Seventies from man:' sections of the Territory and Salt Lake City met to make arrangements for a Hall of Science. This article is followed by another article, dated June 26, 1861, which states:
"The Seventies throughout the Territory and those abroad among the 'nations will learn with satisfaction that Prest. Brigham Young -the elected Trustee in Trust, of the Hall of Science -- has now everything in a forward state for the immediate erection of that edifice."
The News article continues with an explanation that the brick for the structure being made at the Seventies Brick Yard under the direction of Brother Rumell. Shares were to be S9ld to individuals and quorums. Also:
"It is the calculation to enclose the building this season.... With President Young as Trustee in Trust, General (Horace S.) Eldredge as general agent, Mr. Folsom as architect, and Mr. Rumell as superintendent, there can be little room to doubt of everything being done in a proper and efficient manner."
It seems that due to the increasing number of Seventies, it was deemed necessary to make a large addition on the original Seventies Hall, but for reasons not known at the Church Historian's Office at the present time, this addition was never built. The drafts and plans for this structure were the first presented to President Brigham Young by William H. Folsom. They have been erroneously credited as being the first plans submitted by him for the New Tabernacle.
SALT LAKE THEATRE
Then came the assignment for drawing the plans and superintending the construction of the Salt Lake Theatre. He must have been requested to draw the plans for the Seventies Hall and the Salt Lake Theatre about the same time, since Hyrum B. Clawson informs us:
"After the plans of William H. Folsom, the Architect (of the Theatre), were approved, work was at once started with Joseph A. Young as superintendent of supplies. May 6, 1861, arrangements for making 250,000 adobes were completed. The first rock was hauled June 20, and the building was started the first of July. By August 21 the following workmen were at work on the building: Sixteen diggers, under William Woolstenhulme; eight stone cutters, under Alexander Gillespie; three millwrights, under Henry Grow; and fifteen carpenters, under Joseph Schofield. At this time the water table was up and the stone work four feet high. The power for hoisting the rock and timber was supplied by an under-shot wheel placed over a water ditch. This wheel connected with a shaft and gearing." (Carter, Our Pioneer Heritage, 5:223.)
John Sharp and his brother Joseph were in charge of hauling the rock from Red Butte Canyon for the Theatre. A bowery was built in the northwest corner of the site, where the lumber was stacked. Joseph Schofield (foreman) and his associates formed the sections for the truss roof, also the King and Queen posts.
This truss roof was the first of its kind built in Salt Lake City. Round wooden pegs one and one-half inches thick, varying in length, were covered with glue and inserted in augured holes to hold the truss together and in place. Some square nails were used, but nails have a tendency to split lumber and could not be used on some parts of the building.
Although William H. Folsom drew the plans, computed the amount and type of material and supervised most of the work of erection, there were many skilled artisans who assisted. Credit is due them for their contributions of labor.
"William H. Folsom was the first stage mechanic. He was assisted by stage carpenters William Hunt, George Quinn, James Van Tassel and George Laub. Others employed later were Peter Reid, Hyrum P. Folsom, and James Evans. These men built the scenery and arranged it." (Our Pioneer Heritage, 5:232.)
Notwithstanding these men worked diligently and overtime, the Theatre was not completely finished for the dedication, which had been scheduled for March 6, 1862. This may have been due, in part, to the heavy snowstorm on January 8, 1862, which brought greatly needed moisture for the water supply in the Valley, but definitely impeded progress on the Theatre.
When the time of dedication arrived, it was customary then, as now, for the architect of the building to submit a report to the Authorities. Following is the report on the Salt Lake Theatre sent to the First Presidency of the Church by William H. Folsom:
"The building was commenced July 1, 1861, and completed, for temporary use, March 5, 1862. The building is situated on the corner of the State Road and First South Street. The size of the building on the ground floor is 80 X 144 feet, 40 feet high from the water table to the square of the building. The roof is self supporting and hipped all around, with a promenade on top, 40 X 90 feet. The south main entrance has an opening of 32 X 20 feet supported by two Grecian Doric Columns. The exterior of the building is Grecian Doric. The auditorium has a parquet and four circles, 60 feet on the outer circle, 37 on the inner and covered with a circular dome in ogee or bell form. In the interior, the stage has an opening at the drop curtain of 31 feet front by 28 feet high, shows 27 feet in flats and 62 feet deep from footlights, 10 feet proscenium and 40 feet high from stage floor to ceiling. The building is still in progress and will probably be completed the present season."
Folsom must have been deeply impressed by the effects of the Doric columns he made and used in Omaha and he was anxious to make use of them in Salt Lake City.
The Doric column was originated by the Dorians, one of four branches of the Greeks, and depicted the proportions, strength and beauty of man. To the Greek mind, religion and life were indiso1ubly woven together~ consequently her artists strove to achieve beauty in simplicity and strength in the construction of their temples 0 The earliest temples were generally rectangular in shape, with no ornamentation. The first departure from this form was the addition of an entrance porch, to which columns were added.
Two Doric columns supported the entrance to the Salt Lake Theatre, but Architect Folsom placed six partial columns across the front of the building at equal distances and in this manner produced the effect of a colonnade. The two Doric columns erected at the entrance of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Memorial Building and those used at the University of Utah Memorial Theatre, stand as a reminder of the artistic expression of William H. Folsom, Architect.
On certain occasions a dance floor was laid over the parquet of the Theatre. A ball in commemoration of the Fourth of July, 1863, was such an occasion. Invitations were issued and guests paid admission. The party commenced at 5:00 o'clock P.M. and lasted until 5:00 o'clock A.M. The dance floor covered the parquet section, and then expanded to the large stage, which made room for forty cotillions. It took six men two days to set up this floor, which was made in sections and set up on tress1es. When dismantled, it was stored in the basement under the great stage. (Journal History)
Although the rafters and supports of the Theatre were fireproofed, perhaps with terra cota. authorities later became concerned lest the floor storage prove a fire hazard, so it was done away with.
Not in the whole history of the stag, ancient or modern," wrote Edward Tullidge, "was ever a theatre before thus endowed as a sacred dramatic temple for the people" (p. 744). It is a remarkable fact that while the theatres were originally fostered by the churches for miracle plays, in later days there were condemned by the churches. But President Young saw that with proper regulations the stage offered a great field for education.
The Salt Lake Theatre was credited as being superior in every respect to the noted Royal Theatre in Edinburgh or the Oxford in London and more tastefully finished than Wallacks.
CHURCH ARCHITECT
It was during the construction of the Theatre that Folsom was called to the office of the First Presidency of the Church. He had been in this office many times, but was shocked by the request those in authority made of him on this occasion, for they had called him to be the Church Architect! He was sustained at the October Conference in 1861.
Truman O. Angell had served the Church faithfully and efficiently all during the difficult years following the arrival of the Saints in the Valley. He was left with so many problems of ways and means to accomplish his work, and now he was in ill health. From the diary of Truman O. Angell we read, under the date of April 1867:
"My health so left me that I resigned to W. H. Folsom and went out on my farm ... but alas I found I must stop, and what could I do to live. I pondered for days and came to the conclusion I would try joiner work on the new Tabernacle. I did so and while the warm weather of 1866 lasted I was enabled to do a fair summer work, but the cold days of late fall sent me from this back to the farm. Here I stand till spring of April Conference, some 5 months and did not do a days work, but at conference I was called and voted to take the office of Architect again. I accepted the mission.
Members of the Folsom family and friends were pleased that William H.
Folsom was gaining recognition, but they soon learned what a tremendous responsibility now rested on his shoulders. Folsom had had much experience working for and with individuals, but now he was rapidly gaining experience in dealing with voluntary labor. Sometimes he worried and lost sleep, which immediately aggravated his asthmatic condition. This was not due to lack of architectural ability, but rather from trying to cope with the personal temperament of members of the numerous building committees throughout the Church. Although he had the loyalty of the workmen, it was still a tremendous responsibility. This was before the advent of the railroad and he either walked, rode a horse, or traveled long distances by team and wagon – sometimes in very severe weather.
St. George, Utah, was to erect a large meetinghouse -- later called the Tabernacle. From a history of the erection of the building, written by Hazel B. Bradshaw, we read that “Brother Folsom was Church architect at this time and lent considerable aid in planning and designing the building." (Carter, Heart Throbs of the West, 3:64.)
In a personal letter to Nina Folsom Moss, Mrs. Bradshaw stated that Miles Romney, who was superintendent of the construction of this building, gave her the information concerning the aid which William H. Folsom rendered.
On March 8, 1862, the West Jordan meetinghouse was reported near completion. This project had demanded some of Folsom's attention. And as the population increased with the arrival of more Saints, so did the responsibilities of the Church Architect as he was called upon to assist with plans, means of construction, and many, many other problems connected with the building of edifices to accommodate them.
One of the manifold problems confronting Folsom was the Salt Lake Temple construction. Under the direction of former Church Architect Truman O. Angell, the Temple foundation was laid with sandstone and the walls had started to rise, when word was received in 1857 that Johnston's Army was approaching Utah Territory. The Authorities immediately ordered the foundation covered to protect it from desecration. As soon as the army was gone, all of this dirt had to be removed before the building could be resumed. Aside from this, Folsom felt a deep concern about the building materials being used for the Temple.
At a meeting with the Authorities, he suggested that they remove the sandstone foundation and construct the Temple with granite, for a granite edifice would--be handsome and everlasting, without any need for upkeep or repair. Folsom had been to the quarry in Little Cottonwood Canyon to determine the extent and quality of the stone and had explored the possibility of building a canal to ease transportation of the stone to the Temple site. The Authorities accepted his recommendation to build with stone and the work of uncovering and raising the sandstone foundation began. Huge blocks of granite were moved from quarry to Temple site by ox team until the canal could be completed. The architectural plans of Truman O. Angell were in no way altered and with their realization in everlasting stone, we have today a beautiful building to last into the eternities.
Journal History, May 20, 1863, records that as the men were replacing the Temple foundation, "President Brigham Young, Daniel H. Wells, Wilford Woodruff and William H. Folsom took a walk over the Temple Block and through the Theatre from top to bottom. President Young expressed his satisfaction with the present work on the Temple."
From the time of their arrival in the Valley, Eliza accompanied her husband to many of the social functions in the city. Then July 22, 1862, she gave birth to a. son, Richard Clark Folsom, who was permitted to remain with the family but a short time, passing away November 20, 1862. Eliza did not regain her health after the birth of this child, but went valiantly forward with her responsibilities,as best she could.
It was on October 20, 1862, that Colonel Patrick Connor arrived in Salt Lake City with his California Volunteers. The report was that theyha4 been sent by the United States Government to "protect" the Saints. They marched through the city and encamped on the Red Butte Canyon stream, where they built stables for their horses along the creekbed. Drainage from the Camp polluted the water used for culinary and irrigation purposes by residents in that section of the city.
In 1864 a "Petition of Grievance" was written, addressed to the United States District Court, to have the problem corrected. Wilford Woodruff served as Chairman of the Committee. William H. Folsom assisted as a member of the Committee.
The arrival of this army also caused a spirit of subjection to prevail throughout the Territory. No doubt the Saints wondered if they would be permitted to remain in their homes.
On October 17, 1962, William H. Folsom was ordained a High Priest by President Brigham Young.
Shortly thereafter, an opportunity presented itself whereby the Architect could purchase a home. A receipt, still extant, verifies the fact that on April 15, 1863, he paid $3,000 for lots 7 and 8 in block 78, plat A, in Salt Lake City. This property, comprising two and one-half acres, was located at the corner of South Temple and First West Streets. The deed bears the signature of the previous owner, Amasa Mason Lyman, with Albert Carrington and William Clayton as witnesses to the transaction; John Wooley, recorder, and E. C. Woolley as deputy. The home on the plot was small, but Folsom had no time to make improvements. There was an apple orchard and garden plot on the premises. The family was happy that they now had a place to call home. They were registered in the Fourteenth Ward.
It was just after the dedication of the Salt Lake Theatre that William
H. and Eliza Folsom had their pictures taken. In this picture, Eliza is wearing the pearl earrings which complemented the pearl cross given her by her husband on his return from California (p.28). That was the last picture she was to have taken. Her health was failing fast and she was taken from the family August 16, 1863. Eliza had been a source of inspiration to her husband. She had faith in his ability and she offered love and devotion, which in turn gave him courage and strength. Their home life had been one of seeking spiritual as well as temporal blessings and serving the Lord.
It had been Folsom's intention to prepare a vault for himself and his wife in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, but at the time of her death this had not been done. She was buried, temporarily, in the apple orchard in their home lot at First West. June 1, 1889 Folsom purchased lots 3 and 14, plat D, block 4, deed #2743, in the cemetery, prepared the vault, and moved the remains of Eliza and Baby Richard into it.
Folsom's sorrow lay deep within him. To mingle with others seemed impossible; yet he accepted President Young's invitation to join a party of General Authorities for a trip to Logan to take care of some business. The party left Salt Lake City on September 1, 1863, and stopped at Layton, Ogden, Brigham City and Box Elder Canyon (Wellsville), holding meetings and greeting Saints. At Logan they held a conference where there were speeches, special music and lunches. One member of the group decided that the bank played all night, since it was playing when he went to bed and playing when he awoke.
On the way back they held a meeting in the courthouse at Brigham City and the Tabernacle in Ogden. In Ogden the audience was addressed by Daniel H. Wells, John T. Caine, William H. Folsom and George A. Smith. This meeting was four hours long. The company returned to Salt Lake City on September 24, 1963 (John V. Long report).
The first Art School in Salt Lake City formed as an association in 1863, was named Deseret Academy of Art. The teaching faculty was trained in a variety of lines. Officers elected were: George Martin Ottinger, President, Landscapist and figure painting; Vice President, William Morris, decorator; Secretary E.L.T. Harrison, architect; Treasurer, C. R. Savage, photographer. Additional teachers of the institution were William H. Folsom, architect; William Silver mechanical drawing; and Daniel Weggeland, painter of landscape and figure painting. The school functioned for a short time only. (Carter, Heart Throbs of the West, 2:463).
A "home mission" call was issued William H. Folsom November 2, 1863, signed by President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Daniel H. Wells. All of these assignments and architectural responsibilities kept Folsom away from home a great deal and caused him to be concerned about the wellbeing of his children. The two little girls, Frances and Louise, were content to be with their sister Amelia, who had married President Brigham Young on January 24, 1863, just seven months prior to the death of her mother. This arrangement did not please their father, because he wanted to have his family together. Hyrum was now twenty-two years old and assisted his father with his church assignments in many ways. But Burdette and Hinman, nineteen and fourteen years, presented teenage problems - they needed a mother. Folsom realized that it was unwise to leave his family in such a condition.
Elizabeth was readily accepted by the Folsom children, who called her "Aunt Lizzie". With this arrangement of affairs in his home, the architect could now better concentrate on his church assignments.
CITY HALL
Following the incorporation of Great Salt Lake City on January 9, 1851, with Jedediah M. Grant as Mayor, the city fathers met in the Councilor State House. The minutes of this meeting record that they were anxious to purchase or erect a city hall. On April 12, 1852, John Van Cott, Soloman Angell and N. V. Jones were appointed to select a site and confer with an architect to accomplish this project. Later in the year they gave a report, but ~heir findings were discarded when Territorial Governor Brigham Young suggested that the southeast corner lot on State Street and First South be purchased for this purpose. The City Council voted to accept his proposal and the Committee paid Joseph L. Schofield $2,000 for the plot, which included his small home. The Council held its meeting in this home for some time after the purchase. On March 21, 1856, two rods of adjoining land on the east was purchased for the City by J. C. Little from W. Batchelder, and Mr. Little was instructed to plant trees on it. By October 16, 1857, a new building had been erected, into which the Council moved its records and equipment. The Schofield home was turned over to the Police Department for a station and a jail. The new building was constructed of rock and was dedicated April 5, 1858, just before Johnston's Army passed through the city on its way to Camp Floyd.
The population of Salt Lake City increased rapidly, and by 1863 it was decided by the Council that this building was no longer adequate for its needs. R. V. Burton, ,William H. Felt, Enoch Reese and Robert Campbell were delegated to draw up specifications and call for plans and bids for a larger building. At the council meeting held January 22, 1864, the plans for the new hall, submitted by William H. Folsom, were adopted. By January 2, 1866,the City Council was privileged to meet in the new City Hall and the dedication date was set for January 8, 1866.
Most of the Territorial dignitaries, the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apostles, members of the Legislature, Honorable Elias Smith, Judge of the Probate Court, City and County officials, newspaper reporters and a few others, including William H. Folsom and wife, were present for the dedicatory service. The name of William H. Folsom is on the list of invited guests hanging on the wall of the building at its present location.
George Q. Cannon offered the dedicatory prayer. Mayor A. O. Smoot, Territorial Governor Charles Durkee, Honorable John Taylor and Heber C. Kimball gave remarks. Songs by William Willis were appropriate and beautifully rendered. A grand banquet followed. The entire second floor was occupied by the party, with the large west room serving as a ballroom. The Stars and Stripes and other banners added much to the appearance of the room. The Council Room was fitted out as a drawing room. A full-length oil painting of President Brigham Young was presented for the first time. It was the work of E. W. Perry. The frame of the picture for the occasion was eleven yards of draped black velvet arranged by James Bird. The mayor's office and the courtrooms were used as dining rooms, where meats, poultry, pastries and desserts were served under the direction of William Eddington. This sixty foot square building was surmounted by a domed octagon tower rising out of the center of the building, with a promenade around the tower. The clock bell was not included in the original building. It was installed later by W. Y. Silver and George G. Bywater.
This building was used by the City Council until the erection of the City and County Building in 1894. After this it was used for various purposes until the early 1960's, when it was dismantled and moved to Capitol Hill. Restoration completed, it was rededicated January 4, 1964, as an official state information center and home of the Utah Travel Council.
THE SALT LAKE TABERNACLE
William H. Folsom sat in council with the General Authorities for many hours discussing the erection of the New Tabernacle. His plans, drawn according to President Young's specifications, were approved and he and his sons were at the Temple Block to assist Jesse W. Fox with the building survey in April 1863. Family tradition says that Burdette and Hinman were so anxious that they "stepped off" the location previous to the actual survey.
A description of the New Tabernacle with its domed roof appeared in the Deseret News of June 3, 1863, crediting William H. Folsom as architect.
Drawing plans for this structure required enormous mathematical skill and construction artistry, for the unique ediface must be durable and functional as well as beautiful. It is not surprising that President Young and Folsom accepted the bridge-span idea as the most practical means of attaining desired results for the roof. Indeed, the patented Remington Bridge Span incorporated the same basic construction features as the hipped, trussed and latticed roof well-known to both men. Since Henry Grow was already authorized and had successfully used Remington patent privileges, he was called to apply the patent as Supervisor of Construction for the Tabernacle roof.
From apprenticeship days with his father, Folsom learned and lived by the rule that "a structure of any kind is no stronger than its foundation". Few people pay any attention to the buttresses of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. They stand like "stone hedges" erected by the Druids of old and they are not particularly attractive, yet without the permanent durability of these supports, the roof would surely fall.
Sandstones for the forty-four piers, each nine feet by three feet by twenty feet high, was cut and hauled from Red Butte Canyon, east of the city. How well these buttresses were founded and placed is attested in the journal of James Moyle, Supervisor of Stone Work on Temple Block: "After the one-year time which President Young designated for the pillars to settle before starting work on the roof, there was not over one inch difference in the measurement."
Indians in the southern portion of the Territory were using "killings" and "depredation" in order to gain revenge for white men intruding on their domain. Men were called into military service to quell the uprising. President Young issued letters calling for men to assist with brining the telegraph line into the settlements. Sixty men and their families were called to the Muddy Mission in the southwestern part of the Territory. The Church Authorities purchased a large tract of land in Hawaii and called a number of men and families to build mills, homes and schools, as well as to labor as missionaries in this field. The Saints anxiously awaited the appointment of a new governor following the death of Governor Doty on June 13, 1865. A period of unrest fell over the nation following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. There was a widespread epidemic of measles with several fatalities. As the number of immigrants increased, so did the demand for teamsters and supplies to meet the Saints in the East and assist them to the Valley. All of these projects demanded men who otherwise might have contributed services at the Temple Block.
In addition, dedicated effort was lacking among those "volunteers" who did come to do most of the actual building of the Tabernacle, because too many of them nurtured the sincere belief that such an unusual structure could never materialize! Indeed, their reaction reminds one of the difficulties encountered in rebuilding the Chapel of Saint Sophia in Constantinople. Even though Byzantium Architecture was popular in 532 A.C., some of the architects declared the roof designed for St. Sophia would fall on the worshippers. After a tremendous struggle, it was finally built and is still standing today a masterpiece of art:
First developed by the Asiatic Greeks, Byzantium Architecture features the domed roof supported on pendatives, piers, arches or pillars. The Salt Lake Tabernacle is similar in structure to the Cathedral of St. Sergus, built during Justinean’s reign. Probably few if any Saints had actually seen a domed roof because it was the first in this locality and perhaps they, the Saints, simply lacked the faith to become "anxiously engaged" in getting the project on the way. "President Young again used forceful language to persuade the Saints to harken to their responsibilities". Finally some of the construction material lay ready on the grounds, but it wasn’t until the latter part of August that Daniel H. Wells, Chairman of work on the Temple Block, gave his approval for work on the roof to begin September 1, 1865.
Architect Folsom poked at a small wood fire in the shop on Temple Block, adding a few more chips to create enough heat to warm his hands. A few minutes later James Moyle followed George Romney into the shop, where the three men exchanged greetings, talked of family affairs, expressed approval of the recently-elected Mayor, Daniel H. Wells, recounted the advantages of the telegraph which would soon be ready for the wire, and spoke of the dedication of the new City Hall. They also talked of the cold weather and remembered the severity of the past winter, 1865-1866, during which several people had frozen to death. By this time they concluded that no one was going to report for work on such a cold day, so they left the shop and walked through a biting wind to survey progress on the Temple and Tabernacle building. After noting that some of the timber on hand was well-seasoned and some green, they moved toward the west, where they encountered a man with a load of hoofs. They directed him to the hoof pile by pointing out the large iron kettles in which the hoofs were processed to make glue, to mend cracks in the timber and secure the wooden pegs in the trusswork of the Tabernacle roof.
As Romney and Moyle left, Folsom noted a few things needing his attention and pondered the lengthy struggle to get these buildings underway. After all, he was just as impatient at the numerous delays as his co-workers, but there are times when a "man’s hands are tied".
Another year passed, with Folsom feelings even more frustrated and thwarted in his purpose. Although he had long since accepted the idea that problems are an inescapable part of life and had learned to deal successfully with most human frailties, he apparently was not prepared to cope with the now-present undercurrent against him, spawned by professional jealousy. He felt defeated!
Rain dropped ceaselessly from the eaves of his home on First West as Folsom stood dejectedly looking out of the window. The grey of the murky sky was reflected in the pallor of his face. His eyelids dropped low over his pain-stricken eyes as the furrows of his brow were deepened by the misery of his soul. After four days of illness, he was finally able to arise from his bed and put on his clothing. The available drugs and herbs which he generally used to alleviate his asthmatic condition seemed to have lost their potency. He complained of the wheezing which now accompanied his breathing.
It was morning and wife Elizabeth hurried the preparation of the meal. Frances tended baby Eliza ("Lyle"), while Louise dressed young Henry. Burdette and Hinman brought dampness and mud into the kitchen as they came with milk from the barn.
Following customary Folsom family ritual, the chairs were placed with their backs to the table, ready for the morning prayer, but there was a feeling of depression as the family knelt by their chairs to ask for Heavenly Father’s guidance and care during the day and to utter thanks for their food. As the chairs were turned toward the table, the father was in no mood for eating and asked to be excused. He was under great mental stress while making a decision. Recalling the joy he had found in his work when first appointed, now he realized that he could no longer give wholly of himself and his talent if he could not find happiness in so doing.
"Let my cry come near before Thee, O Lord, give me understand according to Thy word." - Psalms 119:169
In finally deciding to resign from his duties as Church Architect, his greatest concern was that the responsibility would return to Truman O. Angell, who was admittedly suffering physical distress. Nevertheless, at his request William H. Folsom was released from duties as Church Architect during the April 1867 General Conference, but he was sustained along with Truman O. Angell, Jr., as an Assistant Church Architect, with Truman O. Angell as Architect. There would be plenty of work for all three men. When called upon to address the congregation, Folsom stated that at the time of his appointment as Church Architect he thought it would be much easier to direct others in the decisions at hand than to force himself to the point of exhaustion to accomplish a given task, but he had arrived at the conclusion that he was mistaken; there were just as many problems as there were people involved in the various undertakings. He felt that the supervision of the erection of Church buildings was just as much a mission as proselyting the Gospel (condensed from report by Ramona Cannon in the Juvenile Instructor).
While speaking in a meeting held September 4, 1867, in Ogden, Folsom remarked that he had ever found God faithful to the promises made to his people inasmuch as they had been faithful in performing their duties. At this same meeting President Young requested carpenters to take their tools and go to Salt Lake to help complete the New Tabernacle for October Conference (Journal History).
Although men responded to the call and the Tabernacle was "closed in" so that conferences were held there each April and October beginning October 6, 1867, the building was not ready to be dedicated for another eight years! This delay was caused when it became obvious almost immediately that a balcony was needed to more adequately accommodate the large conference crowds. Architect Truman O. Angell designed the balcony along with the other interior details and supervised the remaining construction.
Dedicatory services for the Tabernacle were held in connection with the October Conference, October 9, 1875. People came from all over the Territory to participate and to hear Elder John Taylor read the dedicatory prayer for their great house of worship. A glorious sense of fulfillment must have resounded in the hearts of those stalwart Saints as they sat in this beautiful, new, acoustically “perfect” building, listening to a well-trained choir singing to the accompaniment of the huge, nearly completed organ! Through the years the world has continued to acclaim the Tabernacle, the Organ, and the choir for their beauty, quality and uniqueness. But they were precious to the Latter-day Saints as expressions of religious idealism created by a struggling Pioneer ancestry!
Pondering the tremendous Tabernacle accomplishment, one can only feel to honor all who gave of talent, time, or means to make it possible, and to particularly remember the four men whose vision, ingenuity and artistry thrust them up as leaders in the challenge, each one adding a different dimensions:
President Brigham Young for his foresight in realizing the need for such a building, his inspiration regarding its design and his watchful eye and persuasive influence in seeing it brought to desired completion.
Architect William H. Folsom for his ability in translating President Young’s vision into well-drawn plans and masterfully executing the architect’s duties in seeing the vision properly interpreted in the building exterior.
Henry Grow for so ably superintending construction of the unique roof.
Architect Truman O. Angell for designing the balcony and the beautiful and functional interior, and for assuming the architect’s role in bringing the ediface to completion.
With each man’s contribution so great and necessary and so specialized, and the need for harmonious effort so vital, it seems unfortunate that controversy arose. From our vantage point a century later, it is useless to conjecture all that was involved, but it seems fair to acknowledge that part of the problem was connected with the title of architect. Folsom consistently maintained that he was the architect and that he drew the Tabernacle plans, but no one seems to know why these plans were inadvertently left with his many other plans and drawings in the cupola room of his home when he sold it. As of 1972, some members of the family who purchased the Folsom home verify the fact that the Tabernacle plans were in this room, that they saw and handled them, and that they were among the items which the Fire Department ordered burned.
That these plans really did exist is verified in an article published by the Salt Lake Herald of March 31, 1901, just two weeks after Folsom’s death. It alluded to the controversy, by stating that Henry Grow carried business cards with a picture of the Temple, Tabernacle, and Assembly Hall on one side and a signed statement by Mr. Grow in which he says he is the Architect of the Tabernacle.
The Herald maintained, however, that the Folsom family has "documentary evidence in the shape of original plans and drawings of the Tabernacle which bear the signature of William Harrison Folsom".
The Bancroft document is the Berkeley Library contains these verified statements from William H. Folsom:
"I was six years architect for the church on Salt Lake Temple and architect of the Tabernacle and drew the plans for the same, but Brigham Young gave me the idea and explained to me what he wanted, and I drew the plans and they were accepted..."
Henry Grow was Supt of construction and he has since claimed to be the designer and architect of the building (Tabernacle), but such is not the case. Brigham Young conceived the idea and I drew the plans."
Andrew Jenson’s Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states that "the Tabernacle was planned and erected under the direction of President Brigham Young, with William H. Folsom as architect and Henry Grow as master mechanic", (page 858).
In January 1864, the Rock Meeting House at Farmington, Utah, was dedicated. Although there were two feet of snow on the ground, the Church Authorities attended the service. President Brigham Young called the meeting to order and Elder Wilford Woodruff offered the dedicatory prayer. Heber C. Kimball addressed the congregation and William H. Folsom offered the benediction. At the afternoon session, Wilford Woodruff, Horace S. Eldredge, William H. Folsom, and President Young addressed the meeting. The presence of William H. Folsom at this meeting and his address to the congregation indicate that he drew the plans for the chapel. He personally stated that he did, although Farmington records do not recognize him.
"Two meetings were held in the Old Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on February 21, 1864. William H. Folsom preached in the forenoon and Elder John Taylor in the afternoon. The elders then spent the evening conversing upon things which pertain to the Kingdom of God. Other Elders in attendance were Wilford Woodruff and Franklin D. Richards." (Journal History, Feb 21, 1864)
On April 25, 1864, Hyrum P. Folsom, eldest son of William H. Folsom and Zerviah Eliza Clark, received a missionary call to England. Hyrum had served as an apprentice and helper to his father for several years and his absence would curtail the accomplishment of some of the projects. Nevertheless, Hyrum willingly accepted this call and his father was proud to have him go.
Since coming to Utah, the Folsoms had found much to admire in the Romney family. They were great artisans as well as noble men. About the time of Hyrum’s departure, William H. Folsom and George Romney formed a partnership for contracting and building. Working together in this business produced a lasting friendship and enabled Folsom to finance the needs of his family. It is interesting to note that since his arrival in Salt Lake City, Folsom had never signed any major contracts for his personal financial gain, as all of his work was done for the church. His wife was well-acquainted with the use of "script" issued by the Church.
At the 1865 Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, William H. Folsom was re-sustained as Church Architect and also sustained as a member of the High Council of the Salt Lake Stake. Salt Lake Stake territory extended to all city limits at the time. The duties of this new calling added to those to which he had been called previously, made more for him to worry about. There was trouble at the flume in Big Cottonwood, someone injured at the sawmill, supplies needed, an accident at his home, the new baby was ill or a new ward needed plans and assistance in building a meetinghouse. He had long since come to realize why Truman O. Angell lost his health.
Under date of September 14, 1867, we learn from the Journal History that President Young and companions traveled to Paris, Bloomington, and St. Charles, Idaho, to learn of the needs and problems of the Saints living there. Elders Lorin Farr, Shipp, Crosby, Eldredge, Layton, Stenhouse, Noble, Call, Stevenson, Folsom, and George D. Watt addressed the congregation.
The unexpected events which caused Folsom to request a release from his duties as Church Architect left him battered, but not completely disheartened. Still, it took time for him to gain his poise and perspective. He made an attempt to work harder with his hands in order to take part of the load from his heart, and he responded enthusiastically to his calling as Assistant Architect. Folsom and Romney signed a contract with N. S. Ransohoff to erect a building on South Main Street. Due to lack of understanding concerning part of the contract, they found themselves entangled in a lawsuit. Paying the court cost for this suit caused financial distress, but pay it they did, according to receipts signed by E. W. East, Clerk of the Court (extant). It took quite a little time for him to turn the key on the past and try to gain wisdom by these experiences.
In a small shop which he and his sons had built at the home place, they experimented with the construction of various types of vehicles. The Deseret News of June 18, 1868, reported that the Carriage, Wagon, and Sleigh Makers held a meeting, with William H. Folsom, Esq., as secretary. Smual Bringhurst, Burr Frost, and Henry E. Bowring were appointed as committee to draw up resolutions for a cooperation. They reported that a stock company should be formed and it was voted that 50,000 shares would be offered at $50.00 per share, to be payable as soon as the company was organized. Research may determine what happened to this organization. At present it is not known.
In early days the main highway to the southern part of the Territory ran from the center of Great Salt Lake City in southeasterly direction to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, then on to the south. A number of Saints had settled in “Little Cottonwood” because of the fertility of the soil and abundance of water. A ward had been created as early as 1849. On Sunday, August 2, 1868, Daniel H. Wells, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, George Q. Cannon, A. M. Musser, John T. Caine, William H. Folsom, Rogert Campbell, Thomas Williams, and others accompanied President Brigham Young to hold a meeting at Brother Andrew Cahoon’s Ward in Little Cottonwood. There were speeches and special music, and all were served a substantial repast by the Relief Society in the School House. A bowery had been erected to accommodate the large crowd assembled. Banners and mottos expressing a welcome to the visitors were hug in conspicuous places and a Sunday School chorus, directed by Chauncey G. Webb, furnished delightful selections for the occasion. (Journal History)
Imperfections found in early-day furniture, door and window casings, stairway banisters and so on, denoted that the grooving, shaping and ornamental work was done by hand. It was almost impossible to make an exact duplicate of any article. The first machinery for duplicating woodwork was imported with ox-team by Thomas Latimer, George H. Taylor, Charles Decker, and Zenos Evans. Latimer and Taylor were sash and door makers, while Decker and Evans owned a sawmill which furnished lumber for the establishment. Their financial condition provided little hope for their desire to own machinery to better thair products. After much deliberation it was concluded that they should borrow the money for the project. In the fall of 1867 the necessary five thousand dollars was available and an order for the machinery was sent to the East through the agent, Fred Perris.
Upon arrival of the machinery in Utah, they lacked the power to run it. Finally an engine was located, but the eight mules required to furnish power for the engine lacked experience in this type of work. They tipped the machine over! It was a happy day when they were finally in production.
Theodore Nystrom, son-in-law of George H. Taylor, tells us that the first steam whistle heard in the Valley was not that of the railroad, but rather that of this steam planing mill, which was erected opposite to the southeast corner of the present City and County Building. (Nystrom, Story of the Planing Mill)
About this time, Henry Dinwoody ordered equipment for the enlargement of his furniture business. Among the supplies was a four horsepower steam engine. Taylor and Latimer lost no time in calling on Mr. Dinwoody and came away with a contract for the use of the steam engine. Many people predicted failure for their effort, but undaunted they proved their ability and received orders for their product. On June 23, 1868, a disastrous fire destroyed the mill. Friends came to their assistance financially, but instead of setting up the mill again, they found employment in order to reimburse the donors.
Folsom and Romney, who had continued in partnership since 1864, now invited Taylor and Latimer to join their firm. The planing equipment, which Latimer had repaired, was moved to the Folsom property on South Temple Street between First and Second Westm where a large two-story frame building was erected. The two front rooms, with access to South Temple Street, were used for office work and drafting plans. In the drafting room were to be found slide rules, compasses, huge sheets of drafting paper, pencils and pens of several types, transits for surveying, plumb lines, tape measures, and many other articles necessary to architectural work and the erection of buildings. Two high stools stood before a slanting desk, or drafting board, which extended the full length, of the east side of the room. The planing equipment, sanders, lathes, machinery, and tools of various kinds were house in the rear and upper floor of the building. Drawknives, hammers, saws, axes, vises, paints, varnishes, glue, nails, screws, etc., were stored in drawers or hung on hooks above the work benches.
Sepcial finishing lumber was stacked in the long, open-faced shed on the east side of the lumber plot, and a large assortment of plank, in various sizes, stood in orderly piles in the lot. A U-shaped roadway accommodated the wagons as they loaded the timber.