John Jenkins WILLIAMS

                   John Williams was a music composer and choir leader.  Settled in Wellsville,
Utah, later moved to Toole. Rebecca his wife was a very fine singer.

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HISTORY OF JOHN JENKINS WILLIAMS
Written by Mary Elizabeth Green


John Jenkins Williams son of Daniel Williams was born on November 19, 1827 at Templeton Green Pembroke So. Wales.  We have no record of his childhood, but we do know that as a young man he became proficient enough to teach music, and that one of his pupils was Rebecca Evans, whom he later married.  He and Rebecca were married on November 17, 1848, at Amroth Parish, Pembroke Wales.

By trade John was a coal miner, following the occupation of a great many of the Welsh people. As the rich coal mines opened along the South coast of Wales.  Many young couples migrated from all parts of Wales to these coal mines.  John and his family were among them.

I have accounts of them at Rummy Abravale, Aberdare and Cornelli. At Cornelli he held the responsible position of Superintendent of the mines. At this same place he was a traveling Elder for the L.D.S. Church showing that he must have joined the church some time earlier.  During these years nine children were born to them.  Elizabeth, Thomas, Mary Ann, Margaret, Daniel V., Catherine, Agnes, Isaac, Cornelius.  Of these nine, five died in infancy.

Like most saints in foreign countries, the Williams family had a great desire in their hearts to join the saints in Utah, also John's father had immigrated some years previous about 1853, so there was more than the spirit of gathering to bring him here.

Fortunately this dream was soon made possible.  With the discovery of ore in Utah, it became necessary to find  ways of smelting in this country.  Previous to this time there had been no facilities for smelting in this region, and ore had to be shipped to Wales.  This as we can readily see was far too lengthy and costly a project.  Therefore smelter workers, men who knew the trade in Wales, were sent for.  John Jenkins Williams was one these chosen workers.  He with his wife Rebecca and their four children set sail on April 23, 1862 on the sailing vessel John J. Boyd.  During this voyage tragedy came to the Williams family.  As typical Welsh people they loved music and were good singers.  One of the children, Daniel Vincent, was especially gifted.  Eight year old Daniel loved to show his ability to sing and entertain.  During one of their entertainments on the ship he turned quickly and accidentally fell down the hatch.  He was killed instantly.  We can well imagine the anguish of those parents being compelled to bury their child at sea. After seven long weeks they reached the shore of America, and eventually arrived at Florence  Nebraska.

From Florence they turned -westward across the plains on July 22, 1862.  Copying from Journal History: "They crossed the plains in Captain Homer Duncans First Church Train, about five hundred emigrants saints. They left Florence Nebraska on July 22, 1862. Brigham Young received a telegram September 9, saying they had arrived safely at Pacific Springs.  They arrived in Salt Lake City on September 24, 1862.  From Florence to Salt Lake City in 130 days.

This little family spent  a few days at the home of George Bywater a fellow Welsh man who gave generously of his hospitality to his country men until they could get located in this new land.  After several days they went on to Tooele to the home of John's father Daniel Williams, who had located there some years earlier. They lived in the old Fort which was built by the pioneers as a protection

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against the Indians.  John went in the mines as was scheduled, but remained there less than a year.
Pres.  Brigham Young found men were needed more on farms and to settle and colonize new territory, also the work in the mines had begun to affect his health considerably.  Once again he gathered his family together and set out for Wellsville, Cache County, to homestead there, as there was a scarcity of money and material.  They had no box on their wagon so the entire family together with their belongings rode the running gears to Wellsville a distance of nearly hundred and fifty miles.  For a time they lived out in the open, with only the stars as a roof over their heads. Then they were able to rent a barn from a Mr. Bailey.  It was in this barn that another baby boy came to bless their home August 10, 1863, John built a log cabin for his family.  There were no windows in this cabin only the top part of the doorway was covered with a table cloth to let in the light.

The first harvest of crops John thrashed his grain with a flail he had fashioned himself.  After the crops were gathered in he hauled wood from the mountains for fuel and building.  Because of his declining health, and failing eyesight his family suffered many hardships and privations, but one of the family characteristics was to make the best of what they had.  They exemplified the Welsh native pride in ability to be self sustaining and independent.  John was a very versatile man, his skills were many and now he taught them to him children.  They learned from him special ways to knit fence stitching, Fox and Geese Stitching, and to make beautiful knitted lace.  They also made straw hats by hand using the straw from the straw stacks., and bleaching it white.

During the first winter in Cache Valley he made shoes for his children.  Tanning the leather himself, and cutting up his precious Prince Albert coat to make the uppers.

Five children were born to them in Wellsville: John, Edith, George, Susan and Rebecca, Martha who died at birth was born after they moved back to Tooele., making 15 children in all.

Not to much has been recorded of his activities in the next few years.  He was present at the driving of the Golden Spike Celebration on May 6., 1869.

A few years later we find him back in Tooele working at his old trade of smelting.

He passed away February 12, 1875.  The mines had taken their toll.  He died of lead poisoning. His life span was short only forty eight years old, 12 of which he was privileged to spend in the Promised Land.  He has a large posterity-enjoying the blessings made possible through his labors and sacrifices.

from Alice Gayle Fife Jensen