John White and Sarah Ann Holton – Marjorie White’s Grandparents
John White was born on March 17, 1858, in Ampthill,
Bedforshire, England. He was a son and the last child of
Thomas White and Eliza Sear White, both of whom were born in
Steppingly, Bedforshire, which is separated from Ampthill by
a park. The seven children were born respectively, in
Steppingly, Ampthill and Eversholt in the same Shire. John’s
father was very strict with his children, so much so that
his son Alfred left home and his whereabouts remained
unknown to the family. John, too, had to “toe the mark”. If
he was not home by a certain time, he was sent to bed
without his supper. However, his favorite sister Ruth always
came to his rescue after their father had retired, so John
didn’t go to bed hungry. His father was an Elder in the
Wesleyan Methodist Church at Ampthill, England. He was a
very religious man and taught his children to honor the
Sabbath and attend church. When John was thirteen years old,
the Wesleyan Sabbath School Superintendence presented him
with a Bible as a reward for attendance and knowledge of the
scriptures. His mother was an invalid from the time of
John’s birth and spent many years in a wheelchair. The
family lived at No. 29 Woburn Street in Ampthill.
John left Ampthill to accept a position at Shuttelworth’s
Grocery Store in Northampton.
Sarah Ann Holton was born on July 3, 1857, in Northampton,
England. Her parents were John Samuel and Ann Scroxton
Holton. Sometime after Sarah’s birth, the family moved from
George Street to No 2 Fitzroy Street. This was a two story
house, and at the bottom of the stairs stood an urn which
contained the ashes of her grandfather. The home was covered
with grape vines, and the walled backyard had an apple tree
and vegetable garden. As a child, Sarah delighted in
household tasks and in caring for her little sister Cicely
Louisa, though she, herself, was just a child. Sarah dearly
loved this little sister, though she was just a toddler
herself; Sarah tended and cared for her and was very sad
when Cicely died two months before her fourth birthday. She
was very helpful to her older sister Hannah, who from
infancy was not strong, but lived to move to Utah.
Amusement in Sarah’s early days in England consisted of
visiting ancient buildings and ruins, hikes, and tea parties
into the woods and parks. Games and sports carefully planned
for the children were races, cricket, golfing, and tennis.
Northampton was a city of three-fourths of a million people,
boasted on one of the finest race courses in the country,
and extended for miles with well kept lawns, shrubs,
flowers, pools, and flower bordered streams. Sarah attended
theatres, operas, musical concerts, minstrel shows, and
bob-sleigh parties. However, Sarah never cared to dance or
ice skate.
May Day was a great event. Groups would gather and approach
the doors of homes with garlands of May and sing: “I bring
you here a bunch of May and at you door I stand; it’s all
put out and set about, by the works of my own hands.” The
ribbon tied garland would be accepted by the occupant; he
giving the child a penny or so. After disposing of their
floral offerings and collecting the coveted coins, the
children would assemble in a park where a public Maypole and
spring celebration were held, and the money was spent.
Guy Fawkes Day, better known as the Gunpowder Celebration,
was held on November 5th of each year. The children would
carry big clubs made from the branches of trees and knock at
the doors and sing. They were greeted and given coins; the
money was used to purchase fireworks. In the evening, a
fireworks celebration was held in the woods. [Vida May
Fowkes White (see section 30) is related to Guy Fawkes]. Guy
blew up the House of Lords with gunpowder, and then they put
poor Guy to death, for ages to remember.
Boxing Day was the day following Christmas. Christmas was
observed religiously, everyone attended church services and
holding the day sacred. Packages were delivered to loved
ones the next morning. Family dinners were held and a most
happy time enjoyed. Christmas trees were included and holly
wreaths made from holly gathered in the woods were hung on
doors and packages. All contributed to make it a festive
occasion. A huge roast of beef or young pig seemed to be the
favorite meats, though turkey later on began to make its
appearance, replacing the other roasts.
Later in life, Sarah often spoke to her children about
romping though the woods as a child, and later strolling
there with her husband. It was a sweet past-time, enjoying
the wild flowers: buttercups, daisies, bergamot, violets,
daffodils, and gathering blackberries, choke cherries, and
all kind of nuts, particularly chestnuts. The country
estates on the outskirts were beautiful and magnificent
sights. Green pastures and rolling hills made delightful
lover’s trails.
Now as a young lady, Sarah and her friend, Sarah Hassler,
were out walking one evening. Joe Farr and John White saw
them coming down the street. Mr. Farr knew them and asked
John if he would like to be introduced and join them. His
companion said, “Which one do you want—I like them both.”
John said, “I like the one with the beautiful long hair.”
This is how Sarah met John. Their courtship days were spent
principally in walking through the woods, often in the
cemetery. John, with his high silk hat and walking stick,
would start quoting Shakespeare. He knew Shakespeare as well
as he knew the Bible. “I am thy father’s ghost”, etc., would
usually come during the darkest part of the cemetery.1 It
was in a cemetery while reading inscriptions on headstone
that John read the epitaph that he on future occasions, and
at certain stellar times, would recite for the family,
“Let the wind blow free, where ‘er you be,
For the lack of wind was the death of me.”
As was the general custom during that era, many love letters
were written; Sarah Ann bound them with satin ribbons and
kept them in her lavender scented armoire until just a few
years before her death. Just prior to Sarah’s death, she
burned these letters in the fireplace in order to keep them
private.2
Sarah and John White were married in the Church of England
at St. Peters in Northampton on February 7, 1887, by their
good family friend, Reverend Tom. Her brother Fred and
sister-in-law Harriet witnessed the Certificate of Marriage.
The certificate states that Sarah was living in St. Peters
Parish, and John was living in St. Sepulcher Parish. The
marriage certificate states that John’s father was a brewery
man; elsewhere, his occupation was given as a farmer. It
stated that Sarah’s father was a shoemaker. Upon arriving in
Salt Lake City, they were remarried “for time and all
eternity” in the Salt Lake Temple. After their marriage,
they took several trips to London to visit John’s parent who
now lived in London. Sarah later said they were very kindly
treated; and a sweet affection existed between them; and she
remembered Thomas White as being jovial.
Soon after their marriage, the Latter-day Saint missionaries
came from Utah preaching the Gospel, among them being Thomas
Ezra Wrighton and Charles Kelly of Brigham City, Utah, and
later John Clark who became mayor of Salt Lake City, and
others. These young men were very fine morally and
spiritually. They made a deep and convincing impression on
Sarah and John and the rest of Sarah’s family. After John
Samuel Holton’s death, Jane Scroxton came to live with Ann
Scroxton Holton. They moved to Similong Street at Northcote
Terrace. Sarah and John lived next door to them at No. 1
Northcote Street, where Cicely was born on February 18,
1887. It was at Northcote Street that the Holton family
first became acquainted with the Latter-day Saints. Sarah’s
family was the first to investigate. Later, the missionaries
came to John and Sarah’s home. Both before and after their
conversion, the missionaries were always welcome to stay at
their home, without charge. As a couple of missionaries
would leave for another field or be released, they would
take into their home another pair, and so on. They were
always given the best of everything, accommodations as wells
as food. Their home became a haven of hospitality and
comfort for these missionaries traveling without purse or
scrip, and they appreciated the kindness extended to them.
The church meetings were held on Portland Street in a little
chapel over the stables; one would hear the horses below.1
Here they heard “Come Come Ye Saints” for the first time;
this song gripped their hearts.2 They first heard Daniel H.
Wells, President of the Mission, at this place. He was over
eighty years old and had to walk two miles through the snow,
at times. There was a fire burning in the open grate. Cousin
Ellen Holton and the Charles Browns were there. The Browns
invited President Wells to sleep at their home that night.
They had a fireplace and a warming pad made of copper,
filled with hot coals. It was a foot long.
Some of the young men were not as well versed in the
scriptures as those whom they endeavored to convert. In
fact, John helped them to understand the Bible more fully,
and taught them how “to argue their points more
intelligently.” They relied on John a good deal. John and
Sarah said they were converted “through the Spirit of God
and the spirit of humility and faith that the missionaries
possessed, rather than by their knowledge of the scriptures
and doctrines.”
Sarah and John were baptized by Elder Wrighton on March 16,
1888. He confirmed them members of the Church on March 18th.
Before baptism, they gave up their interest in the Church of
England, and when approached their minister and advised him
of going to Utah with the “Mormons”, he was taken back and
expressed grave regret, telling them he hoped they were sure
of the step they were taking. But, they assured him they
were, and that they would always remember the joy and
happiness and satisfaction that came to them in accepting
the Gospel. Their friends tried to persuade them otherwise,
but they had made up their minds. It took a lot of courage
to give up a splendid position, beautiful home, household
affect were auctioneered, the severing of fond affections
and bonds of friendship. But the acceptance of such a
glorious faith they felt compensated for it at whatever
cost, and never did they regret it. When John told the
manger of his company where he had been employed for a good
many years that he was coming to Utah, he used every effort
in induce him to stay, offering him an increase in salary,
etc. On leaving, the manager presented him with a token of
the love and esteem which he and the employees held for him,
and he corresponded with John for a number of years. John
had worked for two large stores: Margetts and the
Shuttalworth Grocery Company.
Two weeks before their departure for America, Fred and
Cicely were vaccinated for small pox. Cicely became very ill
from blood poisoning that set in after inoculation. John and
Sarah were advised by doctors, relatives and friends to
postpone their journey. In spite of the warning that Cicely
would be buried at sea, their faith that she would live
prevailed. The journey was started on schedule, but with a
measure of anxiety.
On April 23, 1888, their household effects were auctioned.
Some of those items were bedroom furniture, chairs, a couch,
three figures, crockery, a highchair and a perambulator, old
bottles, and twenty-two volumes of poets. This auction list
survived and is attached.
According to the Church Archives, the Whites left with a
group of seventy-one saints from Liverpool on April 28,
1888, on the steamship Wisconsin. John’s diary describing
their immigration read as follows, ”Before leaving, on April
26, 1888, we called to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Mayo,
Mrs. Ryan, and Mrs. Cheshire. Joe Farr called but were not
at home. April 27th a large gathering of saints to see us
off and wish us a pleasant journey. Harry Farmer brought our
luggage to the station gratis. Richard’s father called to
wish us goodbye. April 28th rather a difficult matter to
bring our luggage from railway but after tipping a tanner
all went well. S. S. Wisconsin clear out of Docks 12 o’clock
Saturday. Saw “City of Rome”, “City of Chester”, “Fire
King”, and “Nevada”. Fine afternoon but rough at sea. Irish
Channel 6:30 p.m. Charles Brown and wife sick; they had to
go to bed. 7:45 all our lot a bed, except myself—just
thinking of going; ship heaving water, dashing against port
holes, very rough on deck. Sarah and I had an 11 months old
baby and Fred three years. Baby very sick—people wondered
how we dared going with her; but we felt she would live and
get to Zion. April 29. Reach Queenstown 8:15 on the 29th.
Damp. Very rough voyage. At 6:30 p.m. can neither stand
upright on deck or below. Sarah and Mrs. Brown ill in bed.
Etruria 10 miles ahead of us. 5 p.m. Vomiting. April 30.
Rough caps of waves, ordered not to go on deck. Expect to
meet a storm. Ship rolling every way. All of us on deck but
very rough. 12:30 a hurricane came up; threw our boxes down,
tins, etc., rattling all over the ship; men and women
tumbling all ways; had a sing song this afternoon as they
would not have us on deck. Ginger ale. Two women in next
bunk to us have not gotten out of bed since we started. 7
o’clock p.m. Gale. Sunshine. Rough on deck. Singing below.
May 2. Freddie sick and our baby very ill so far. Passed
terrible night. Awfully rough this morning. Afternoon fine;
ship going in good style. First night’s sleep. May 3 Morning
rather damp but warm breeze. Sea very calm. May 4 A child
buried at sea. No vessel yet seen since leaving. Singing and
dancing. Very rough. Nothing to be seen around us since
Monday but water. Time altered by sun every day 12 o’clock.
Thursday, after dinner on deck. Irish and German girls
singing. Fog coming on but all jolly on deck. Ginger ale
drank in good measure. Been washing 1 dozen napkins for baby
today. Vaccination very effective. Singing and leap frog on
deck in evening. Rough night. Water all over vessel. 178
miles. 12 to 12 p.m. Next day 12 to 12 p.m. 298 miles.
Sturdy, rough morning. Freddie ill. German women picking
lice from their children’s heads. Brown’s pastry gone wrong.
Had to pay for board for 9 days. No sleep at night. Sunday
morning brighter. Went to services in the salon. Singing
hymns. For dinner – beef soup, plum pudding to all
passengers and crew. Roughest passage all thru the winter.
100 tons of coal used per day. Wet on board. The Wyandotte
boat, in distress, tugged into harbor. Arrived New York
Harbor a.m. Passed Customs Officer. Dunvorn Docks. Started
Thursday 4:15. Steamed across river to railway. 200 miles to
Litchberg. Stayed about an hour. Went up town for
refreshments. Foliage grand, log huts, etc. Virginia.
Bristol, Tennessee. 8:45 a.m. Richmond Virginia. 228 ½ miles
from Norfolk. 179 ½ to Bristol. Stopped to gather
watercress. Had a good feed. Thunder. Very hot. Fire flies
at night by the thousands. Then on to Chattanooga, Memphis,
Kansas. Roses in gardens, peas in bloom. Bought bread 5
cents per small loaf, 1 dozen apples 15 cents. Chattanooga
Station. Engine broke down in Tennessee, hindered us for
several hours. Into Memphis and left next morning. 9:15
crossed the Mississippi River in our sleeping cars on large
barge, engine on other side to draw us off. Washed in the
river. Kansas City. Change trains on through Prairie. On
watch at night. 1230 miles from Kansas to Salt Lake. 40
persons sleeping in our car. Over 20 dead cow lie side of
railway tracks. 9:40 a.m. Pueblo, Colorado. Waited til
afternoon then started on mountain railway, Rails 1 yard
apart. Fine morning, started from Pueblo 2:225 to Arkansas.
Snow-tipped mountains; viewed valley. 8:10 stood still on
top of mountain surrounded by snow. Beautiful wild country
with Rocky Mountains on either side, and wild flowers along
track. Board marked “Solitude”. Not a house, man, bird,
beast or anything to be seen alive for over 100 miles.
Arrived at Green River 190 miles from Salt Lake. 20 minutes
to wait but only 2 houses in the place. Average, nine fine
days out of 10. No rain for six months. Arrived in Salt Lake
on May 18.”
Upon arrival in Utah, they were met by, and taken to the
home of Cousins Richard and Ellen Holton and stayed with
them until John obtained work. Cicely’s health had not
improved. Charles J Thomas was called in to administer to
Cicely. He promised them that she would fully recover and
enjoy good health and fulfill an active, useful life because
of the courage and faith exhibited by her parents in
accepting the Gospel and in coming to Zion under such
adverse circumstances. Cicely immediately began to improve.
Richard and Ellen Holton (cousins of Sarah) and their two
children, Eli and Amy, were the first of the family to be
baptized. In May of 1887, they came over on the same boat as
Sarah’s brothers and sister, John Samuel, Fred J, and Hannah
Wilcox Holton, their mother Ann Holton, and Aunt Jane
Scroxton, were already living in Brigham City when John
White and his family arrived to Utah.
Fred J. Holton was Sarah’s brother and the
first immediate family member to join the Church. Fred was
educated at Regent Square British Grammar School but went to
work also when very young, as did the other members of the
family. He was a brilliant student, making at one time three
grades in one year. A wealth man wanted to adopt Fred and
educate him as he would his own, but Fred’s mother wouldn’t
listen to it. However, Aunt Jane came to his rescue and sent
him to Cambridge and Oxford. In May 1887, Fred, Ann Holton,
(Sarah’s mother), Aunt Jane Scroxton, and Aunt Hannah
immigrated to Utah and settled in Brigham City, Utah. At
this time, some of the men of the Church were in jail for
polygamy; business was at a standstill. Fred stayed at the
home of John Clark’s father. He couldn’t get work. He then
lived with the Kelly family. Brother Kelly went to Idaho,
and Fred went with him and got a job as a farmer while he
was helping Brother Kelly. He finally took up law, studying
at Columbia University in Washington, D.C. and at Ann Arbor.
He became a distinguished orator, was District Attorney and
later Judge of Box Elder County, and held many positions in
the Church and civic circles. He at one time taught school
during winter months. He married Lucy Perry.
Sarah was very close to her brothers Fred J. and John Samuel
thru her teenage years, and she was most proud to be seen in
their company. As youth in England, they had a lot of fun
together, and always enjoyed each other. They were most
devoted throughout their lives, especially John who made
numerous trips from Perry to Salt Lake to visit Sarah,
especially in her later years. Oft times before breakfast,
Florence and Cicely (Sarah’s daughters) would hear John
call, “Sarah, are you up”. At times, Cicely and Florence
were still in bed on the porch. Those mornings he would say,
“Well, girls, you get ready for work, and I’ll dress and
take care of Sally (Sarah)”. At that time, Sarah had lost
her sight, most of her hearing, and was unable to get around
by herself. John took over Sarah’s care while Cicely and
Florence were away. Sarah died on June 9, 1943 in Salt Lake
City, John died the next day in Perry, Utah.
John Samuel Holton, Sara’s brother, worked
as Chief Salesman for Alfred Crockerell Green Grocery
Company, the biggest store of its kind in Northampton. They
owned large farms where they produced all fruits and
vegetables, etc., for their business. They were a very
prosperous businessmen and very fond of John Samuel Holton,
who was a steady, honest, good man. They gave him a Bible
when he left for America in which was inscribed, “Presented
to Samuel Holton in appreciation of his many years of
faithful service.” His employer was very displeased when he
joined the Church and sent for Reverend Hull, Vicar of Old
Saints Church, and he asked him to knock the silly idea out
of his head. Hull and a friend named McIntyre took him to
the minister about 8 p.m. and talked religion until 2:30
a.m., but with no success. John could not be changed. They
asked him every kind of question about the scriptures and
also about Mormonism, and tried to baffle him, but he always
had a ready answer, John said the answers came to him as
quickly and clearly as if written on a blackboard before
their very eyes. Then the Reverend turned to his own Bible
and admitted that John knew much about the scriptures, in
fact, more than he did, and he remarked that John knew
enough to qualify him for a minister of any belief. John had
gained his testimony from the missionaries and the spirit
had taught him. John became a farmer; later he built and
owned the Holton Store in Perry. He was a High Priest; he
had been Superintendent of the Perry Ward Sunday School and
a Ward teacher. He had been a member of the Perry school
board. He was always active in the Church and civic affairs
and loved by all that knew him. His visited John and Sarah
White’s home at General Conference times and was a joy to
the family, and he was adored. His laugh was contagious and
made one feel good just to be near him. He married Olivia
Davis, and they lived in a home about half way up the lane.
As children, the White family spent many pleasant vacations
on the farm with them. They were always kind and loving to
the White family. John life came to an end twenty four hours
after his sister’s (Sarah Ann Holton) death. Upon receipt of
the news of Sarah’s death, John said he would be down on the
next bus. As he was sweeping the steps of his store, a drunk
driver came along and threw him several feet. As a result,
Sarah’s funeral was on June 12, 1943 and John’s funeral was
on June 13th on the same hour. He was buried on the Holton
lot in the Brigham City Cemetery.
Aunt Jane Scroxton was Ann Scroxton’s
sister and was greatly loved as an aunt [by Florence]. She
was a dignified, distinguished, and refined old lady. In
early life, she entered services of nobles and titled
people, becoming traveling companion to one of the royal
ladies, the wife of Baron Marquis Squires, who was known as
“Lady Sartoris”. She gave Aunt Jane the christening gown of
her babies. She gave it to Sarah Ann. All of Sarah’s
children were christened (in England) or blessed (in Utah)
in it. Aunt Jane was very well educated: she traveled in
many countries of Europe with Lady Sartoris and was a
governess for their children. When Jane decided to join the
Church, the Sartoris’ offered her a home and an independent
life if she would forsake her belief and continue to live
with them. Jane was engaged to a fine appearing young man,
but immediately broke off the engagement when she found him
intoxicated. She was particularly fond on Uncle Fred, her
nephew, for whom she did so much toward his education. Upon
arriving in Utah, Uncle John, his mother, sister Hannah and
Aunt Jane settled on farming property in Perry, Box Elder
County. They lived in a cute little log cabin purchased by
Jane (5 rooms, with only one inside door, from Aunt Jane’s
room to the dining room). They lived at the end of the lane,
west of what is now the Holton Store which is located on the
Highway. Bishop Alonzo O. Perry built the cabin which was
comfy and cozy, and it later became the vacationing place
for the children of the White family; many happy days were
spent there.1 This cabin was on property adjacent to the
farm which was later purchased by Uncle John. During the
latter part of Jane’s life, and that of Grandmother Holton,
Uncle Fred took the two old ladies into his home in Brigham
City, and together with Aunt Lucy, cared for them. Later on,
he also took Aunt Hannah. Just before Aunt Jane’s passing,
she sang “Oh My Father”, her favorite hymn, sighed and
closed her eyes.2 She was born January 1, 1827, and died
March 9, 1909.
On arriving in Salt Lake City, John White had a hard time
getting work. He walked the streets for days, but without
avail.1 Finally as he was standing in front of S.P. Teasdale
Store at 132 and 138 South Main, watching a man dress a
window, Mr. Teasdale came out and said, “Well, my man, you
have been looking in here, do you know anything about this
business.” John said, “Yes, sir, I use to do it in England.”
Mr Teasdale said to the man who was in the window, “Bring
this man anything he wants, he is going to dress the
window.” When it was finished, Mr. Teasdale said, “It is
splendid, you can have the job.” 2 [see picture of John in
this store]
Upon getting a job in Salt Lake City, they first lived in a
two story adobe home located at about 4th North between 3rd
and 4th West and later at a home on Apricot Street, and
later on 1st South between 7th and 8th East.
After Mr. Teasdale went out of business, John worked for W.
S. Henderson Company, then Marriot Market on Market Row, and
later for C. H. Cutting. Instead of taking a vacation, he
applied the equivalent in money (one week allowed) toward
family expense. The only places he visited were Brigham City
and Farmington, not more than a day at each place.
Though he managed the grocery department of the store, he
did most of the heavy work himself, such as carrying the
sacks of potatoes from the basement. He was very quick and
strong; if he asked a man to do something, he expected it to
be done right away; otherwise he would do it himself. His
motto was, “If you want something done right, do it
yourself.” He put all the energy he possessed into his work.
On market day, he was up at 4 a.m. (walking about a mile and
half) in order that he might be the first to select the
fruits and vegetables. If he didn’t sell them as fast as he
anticipated, they would be charged by father to his account
and sent to mother for her to pick over. When mother
complained, he would say, “Well, I bought too much, so I
should be the loser.” He taught the family to never take so
much as a pin from their offices.
For the first several years after living in Salt Lake,
John’s family had been so opposed to his joining the Church,
that they ceased any correspondence whatever.1 One day in
desperation because of no reply to his many letters, John
wrote his sister Ruth that he was in sore distress
financially. Immediately upon receipt of this letter, Ruth
wrote him, stating regrets at their silence, and offering to
send money for the return of the family to England. In fact,
the whole family without exception was most concerned and
offered any help necessary. To finally get a letter from
them, giving the family news of which he had long been
unadvised, delighted him to no end. 2 He replied that he was
not in distress financially or otherwise, and that living in
this good land was most delightful, but that was the only
way he could figure out that would bring word from them. He
had been known for his truthfulness and uprightness—he must
have been desperate. This was the beginning of regular and
steady correspondence from Aunt Ruth. Before her passing,
she delegated others to carry on where she left off. Aunt
Harriet, Aunt Anne, then her daughter Louis Thompson, and
upon her demise, her daughter-in-law Delcie Thompson had
written.
The White home at 225 Iowa Street was commenced on August 4,
1890, 1 and was built by Mr. Wade. It consisted of two rooms
and a lean to kitchen. Mr. Dangerfield did the plastering,
and Mr. Vine did the painting. The statement of Mr. Wade is
quite interesting, it totaled $513.12, water an additional
$47.50, an outhouse $9.50, paper hanging and painting inside
$17.00, to this was added $21.25 for a kitchen made of rough
boards; grand total $608.37 (attached at end of history).
John borrowed from S. P. Teasdel, his employer, and his mind
was never completely at ease until it was paid.2
On October 7, 1889, Alfred Thomas White was born. He must
have been an exceptional child. They would often say, “Ma’s
my baby; Pa’s my boy.”1 At the age of three, he caught
whopping cough. In trying to help the child get better, they
had repeatedly promised him a trip to Brigham City. He would
shake his head and say, “Alfie not get better. Alfie not go
to Brigham City.” Alfie died of whopping cough on June 10,
1892, just 18 days before Florence’s birth on June 28, 1892.
Sarah spoke of the pain she felt in washing Alfie’s finger
prints off the dining room window, and how she put it off
for as long as she could. 2 Sarah said that John was never
quite the same after Alfie’s death; in fact, years later,
John could not bear to gaze on the face of a little
neighborhood girl because she resembled Alfie. He’d say,
“Take that child home, she looks too much like Alfie.” This
event had become a serious blow to John’s happiness.
John was ordained an Elder on August 14, 1893, a member of
the 9th Quorum of Elders in the Eleventh Ward.
Ruth Evelyn was born on February 19, 1895, and died on
February 11, 1896. Florence remembered her as a sweet little
thing with dark hair and blue eyes. Alfred and Ruth were
buried within three years of each other. On May 9, 1897,
Grace Darling was born and was healthy, and the family was
completed. Grace would remain the baby of the family for
eighty years.
Conditions were rather primitive in those days. A cousin
would run over a mile to get coal and wood for the coal
shed; Fred would do this later when he became old enough.
The family had a range for cooking and two stoves for
heating. Very often, the stove pipe would get so red that
they would run out to see whether sparks were coming out and
landing on the wood shingles. When they did, and if John
were not at home, they would call their neighbor for help.
When the Sears were on their mission and his sister was
occupying their house including a large tent to the rear,
the tent caught fire. It was feared that before the fire
department could arrive, the White home would go as well,
since the fire department was drawn by horses taking time to
get to their home. Their good neighbor, Reverend Arnold
saved it by constantly playing the hose on it. The fruit
trees were scorched. Reverend Arnold owned the ground
adjoining his home, which extended to the corner of the
Avenue. Mr. Vine had a plaster house on which all kinds of
vegetables were grown. Nothing would please the children
more than to be called to the fence and handed an armful of
produce. They burned candles and lit their lamps for years.
It was the girl’s jobs to clean the lamp shades. Each girl
took turns moving and cleaning everything in the built in
cupboard, which had curtains instead of doors; polishing the
knives, forks, and spoons; dusting; going to 8th East
between 1st and 2nd South for yeast; and fetching water from
a spring at the corner of 3rd South and 11th East. They had
a hydrant that invariably froze on cold nights. They often
thawed it out with ashes and a red hot poker. The only
accessible telephone was at a laundry on Lincoln Street. The
street car had a motor man and a conductor, and they would
stop in the middle of the block, according to where the
passenger’s home was located. The first street cars had
stoves and ran on tracks in the middle of the road. Herds of
cows frequently prevented the White children from reaching
school on time, but this practice of herding cattle did not
last long. Fred first attended the Eleventh Ward School; he
and Cicely then went to the Bryant, and still later, they
all attended the Webster School.
Their dear friend, Sister Eliza Wood toiled six days a week,
that she might support her four fatherless children. After
her husband’s death, she immigrated to America and Zion. She
was a marvelous woman, and the Whites dearly loved her. In
turn, the children took her hot lunch very often. “I can see
her now, wiping the perspiration from her face with the
corner of her apron, smiling, kissing and thanking us. On
bidding us farewell, she would have a sweet message for us
to deliver to mother.” Some of their happiest times were
with her family; oft times, the children spent time playing
at her home, up a lane from 1st South. Florence made this
remark, “Sister Wood, if mother dies, will you be our
mother.”
Sarah Ann was a faithful member of the Church and regularly
attended Sacrament meetings, exercising her faith and belief
in the Gospel. She taught it diligently to her children, and
though quite and gentle, she was strong in her religious
convictions and often expressed gratitude that she had been
permitted to come to this land, blessed above all other
lands.
John’s religious activities were marred somewhat because of
working condition which necessitated going to the store on
Sundays. For years, he was a Ward Teacher and saw to it that
no one on his block suffered for lack of food, or coal,
often paying for these necessities from his own pocket. He
gave most freely to all contributions of the Ward, and he
enjoyed the Ward Teachers, Brother Mills in particular. He
was always anxious that his children participated in Church
activities. The family attended the Eleventh Ward located at
the corner of 8th East and 1st South. Robert Morris was a
favorite bishop, who was especially kind to the family,
especially during illnesses. Sunday evening, John felt too
tired to go to church very often, so he would remain home
while the family attended Sacrament meeting. He usually
greeted his children with hot, buttered baked potatoes on
each plate. 1 He even tried to make a Yorkshire pudding;
they were not able to eat it. They very seldom had a Sunday
dinner without a Yorkshire pudding; sometimes it was
steamed.2
John was very fond of B. H. Roberts, James E. Talmage, Orson
E. Whitney, President Heber J Grant, and others (General
Authorities of the LDS Church). He would often take his
children to the Salt Lake Tabernacle to listen to them. 1
Between General Conference sessions, he would buy meat pies
for his family.
One Sunday evening, the Bishop called father and William
Seare, their neighbor, to speak without notice. “Father was
a reserved, shy man, and this humiliated him.” He said,
“Speakers who were use to getting up before an audience were
told before hand and had time to prepare their talks, but he
had never done it before and it frightened him.” After that,
he avoided church and usually sat in the gallery as not to
be seen.
John would often recite Shakespeare to his family. He had
entire acts of the bard’s play memorized and would often
recite long passage to his family. On Saturday night, all
the Sunday shoes would be lined up in the kitchen, and he
would polish and clean shoes so his family would look
respectable when they entered the house of the Lord. The
family could always tell when their father was angry;
because when the bad mood hit, he would clean the pantry.
The family would leave a silent father, as they left their
home to attend sacrament meetings. When they returned, the
father would be whistling, and the pantry would have fresh
paper on the straightened and rearranged shelves. 2
John and Sarah were active in helping neighbors. They were
particularly devoted to Sister Frances Cornell, stepmother
of Florence Knight. She lived on the corner of Iowa Street.
Sister Cornell sewed carpets at Walker’s Department Store.
Her husband was not well, and she was forced to make a
living. Florence Knight looked upon Sarah as her own mother
and confided in her. Her husband was John M Knight who was
called on a mission before their daughter Minnie was born;
Mother made the baby clothes for this advent. Throughout the
years, Florence always kept close contact. Sweet friendships
developed with the Daingerfield, Isaac Seare, Rhoda Seare
and C E L Jackson who served one another. Hickcox, Hulberts,
Coulams, Vines, Arthur Brown, George Mills, Penroses,
Camerons, Martha Banks, and Sister Jones, Tucketts, Stams,
and Eisenmanns were thought of as friends.
In 1910, John’s exceptionally good health changed to the
worst. Early in the year, he came down with pneumonia. On
June 16, 1910, Dr. G. V. Parmelee diagnosed peritonitis and
was confined to bed from June 18th to July 12th. He started
work again on July 22nd. During his last illness, Dr.
Middleton was called in; at which time, John was suffering
from nephritis, acute inflammation of the kidney. He died on
October 2, 1910, at home at the age of 52. 1 As was the
customer in the early part of the twentieth century, his
body was embalmed in the parlor where his body remained for
the days prior to the funeral. The odor of the formaldehyde
in their home lingered in Grace’s senses, now thirteen years
old, as a haunting reminder of death for the rest of Grace’s
life. 2 The funeral services were held in the old stone
Eleventh Ward Chapel, and it was well attended. Many fine
tributes were paid to him, among which were stressed his
honesty and integrity and as being wise and strong. He was
buried at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
After John’s death, the Cracrofts, whose fine son Ralph
married Grace, became an important friend. This brought into
the family a loving tie, a joy that was expected to continue
into the eternity. Inasmuch as John their father passed
away, George Cracroft, who was so friendly and jovial, asked
the girls to call him “Dad”. Sarah, Cicely and Florence had
some lovely times with the Cracrofts and their Ford, which
he called “Lizzie”. Upon returning home he would say, “We
had a good time and thank God I brought you home safely”,
still unsure of his driving skills.
Sarah liked to read. Nothing in the newspaper escaped her,
not even the funnies or the ads. Before Mrs. Lucas phoned
her in the morning for her order, she would compare grocery
and meat prices. Sarah was a good manager of the family
budget and never wasted anything. Rhoda Seare and Sarah
listened to the radio every day.1 There were certain stories
which they followed: Betty and Bob, Our Gal Sunday, Ma
Perkins, Helen Trent, and other productions sponsored by
Rinso White, Oxydol and Ivory Soap. 2 The first radio was no
larger than a mouse trap. Cicely would put one receiver to
her ear and mother would listen over the other. While doing
this, she invariably scooped out a grapefruit with the other
hand. Cicely called this their ”radio fruit”. Florence would
read a book as this was going on. It was quite amusing to
see Mrs. Seare rocking in one corner of the room and mother
in another, and to hear them discussing what the next
episode would be. 1 “The darn fool,” Sarah would say, “He’s
doing it again. He should know better.” 2 Sarah particularly
enjoyed the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast and religious
services not only of her own church, but of other faiths as
well. She liked to compare their beliefs with hers and sing
with them, old hymns of her girlhood days. She liked to
listen to the activities of the Royal family and knew their
history. “Captain Dobbsie” charmed her every morning with
his, “The world is so full of such glorious things, I’m sure
we should all be as happy as kings.” 1
For several years in a row, Sarah’s delicate soft skin broke
out with terrible running sores. Impetigo, the doctor said.
But it didn’t look like impetigo. During the third year that
Sarah was in bed again suffering with this crazy illness,
their regular doctor was out of town, and a new doctor made
the house call. He took one look at his patient, asked is
she had been doing any gardening and if so where. He left
the house, went directly east of the porch, took hold of a
branch with his handkerchief wrapped hand, pulled it out of
the ground and said, “There is your impetigo - it’s called
poison oak. Sarah had been cultivating the pesky plant for
three years.
As a very little girl, Helen Cracroft was taken by her
mother (Grace) on occasion to Grandma White’s (Sarah)
following a disagreement between her parents. She remembered
Sarah never proving to be much of an ally for her daughter,
as she loved her son-in-law pretty much as well as she did
her daughter. Grace had gone to her mothers one day, crying
and telling the whole sad story of their immediate problem.
Sarah listened and then lit into her son-in-law, telling
Grace that he was no good; he was a bad person; and she
should leave him and come home to live. Grace spoke up and
said he wasn’t all that bad. Sarah than told Grace to listen
to herself, remember that she loved her husband, and to stop
making a fuss every time something didn’t go the way Grace
wanted it to go. 2
Sarah was a member of the Eleventh Ward and did a
considerable amount of temple work. She took her grandson
Jack White to the Temple for a blessing; his noble fine
character showed that he had been richly blessed of the
Lord. She always felt that though he was not made to hear
that the Lord would be mindful of him and work out all
things for his good. While at the deaf school in Ogden, he
asked if he couldn’t become a member of the Church and have
the priesthood. Ruth was not anxious to have her son become
a member. Finally, Fred and Ruth consented; Cicely proceeded
to make arrangements. Later, he and Vida were married by
President J. Reuben Clark in the Salt Lake Temple, and they
had three lovely children. The family attended to its duties
in the LDS Church. Jack had a good position with the
Tribune. 1
Only during the last few years of Sarah’s life did she
become discouraged. She lived to be eighty-five years old.
Her last illness was long and wearisome. The loss of her
sight and her hearing were more than she could graciously
stand at times. Every care was extended by medical science,
children, and friends. Prior to her passing, she spoke often
of joining her husband and children. When her mind was
clear, she wanted to live to see Laury Cracroft home from
the war, Paul from his LDS Mission, and Marjorie Thomsen
home from the war camps; they were absent when she passed
away. Sarah died on June 9, 1943. Thus came to a final
earthly existence that of the most precious mother in all
the world, one without a flaw or blemish, a noble soul of
sweetness, tenderness and devotion, one of faith in God and
loyalty to all she knew. God bless her memory. It will live
on through the ages in the hearts of her children. Her
services were held in the Eleventh Ward Chapel on Tenth
East. Bishop E. A. Child officiated. 1
Written by Florence White with inserts written by Helen
Cracroft White
Memories of Sarah:
I remember Grandma for her sweet gentle spirit and her love
of family. Grandma came from a very loving family. It truly
was always unconditional love for each of us. As to
criticism of her children, she had a deaf ear, especially
for my father, Fred. What a dear!
I remember her love for flowers. The flowers she loved in
England were sweet Williams, moss roses, lavender,
wallflowers, and violets. Grandma knew that I too had a
great love for the fragrant little violets. She would say,
“Marjorie dear, would you like to pick a bouquet of violets
for me?” These were especially happy times, to stoop down
and pick these fragrant little flowers, such joy for me!
My father, Fred, would take Grandma and the girls to Perry
and Brigham City to visit Uncle John, Uncle Fred, and their
families. Grandma always had a special cache of English
peppermint candy stashed in her handbag. She never lacked a
generous supply for each of us. I recall as a three year
old, going to Uncle Fred’s home on Forest Street to attend a
family prayer service for their son Perry, who died in
France during World War I. I was not familiar with family
prayer. I recall kneeling on the cold grey linoleum floor.
It was a new experience for me. I did not comprehend the
serious sadness they were enduring. Life gives us many
blessing and sorrows. We each have our share of both.
Hopefully, we will have Grandma Sarah’s patience and wisdom
when they occur.
Grandma had some physical problems, but modesty caused her
not to seek the help of her physician. She did have frequent
headaches, but a cup of steaming hot black Pekoa tea
alleviated the discomfort for her. Grandma developed
cataracts later in life, which finally caused her to become
blind. She spent time knitting woolen scarves while sitting
in her chair.
Grandma ordered her groceries from Lucas Grocery Store and
from Wirthlin’s Meat Market. She enjoyed conversing with
them. How times have changed; life is quite different now.
We do not have a special relationship with our grocer like
Grandma did. We have all become too busy to socialize. Maybe
we should stop and smell the roses once again, like Sarah
Ann did.
I remember Grandma whenever I smell lavender, peppermint
candy, and violets. The smell of Listerine will bring back
the memory of Grandma. Grandma used Listerine not only for
sore throats, but also as an antiseptic for skin sores. I
will always remember Grandma for her button shoes and her
beautiful braided hair. Her smile was like an angel. How
could I ever forget her gentle caress. Sarah Holton, my
angel Grandma.3
Written by Marjorie White Thomsen
A favorite poem of Sarah’s:
“He sees when their footsteps falter, when their hearts grow
weak and faint,
He marks when their strength is failing and listens to each
complaint,
He bids them rest for a season, for the pathway has grown
too steep;
And folded in fair green pastures, He giveth His loved one
sleep;
Like weary and worn out children, that sighs for the
daylight’s close,
He knows that they oft are longing for home and its sweet
repose;
So He calls them in from their labors ere the shadows around
them creep;
And silently watching o’er them, He giveth His loved one
sleep.” 1
1. Written by Florence White,
daughter of Sarah Ann, and gently edited by Richard W.
Thomsen
2. Written by Helen Cracroft White, daughter of Grace White
Cracroft
3. Written by Marjorie White Thomsen
Beloved Sarah Ann
John White in Northampton, England in 1887
Far left and middle: Church of St Peters in Northampton where John and Sarah were married. Far right: Family’s home at No. 1 Northcote Street, Northampton, England prior to moving to Utah.
Left to right: Cicely Janet, John White, Sarah Ann, Frederick John, and Ann Scroxton after immigrating to Utah in 1888.
John White is the first man on the left.
Sarah Ann and Jack White (Fred’s son) in 1910
Sarah Ann and John White in 1913
Sarah in 1939 loving her flowers in her backyard garden on Iowa Street
Sarah Ann, Carol White (Jack’s Daughter), and Florence in 1941
The White Home at 225 Iowa Street in 2006
Sarah Ann and Carol White (Jack’s daughter) in 1941 on front porch, Iowa Street
Sarah in her garden in 1941
Sarah’s greeting on a wedding card to Walter and Marjorie Thomsen in 1938
Sarah Ann came from England with this recipe in her head. She never used a recipe. Later in life, her daughters measured her ingredients as she pulled a handful of this or a pinch of that. This recipe card was copied by Marjorie White Thomsen and is in her hand.
This is the true, unadulterated, official Sarah Ann, Yorkshire pudding recipe, written by Cicely, and given to Ruth White. Marjorie White Thomsen believes the flour requirement to be 2 cups instead of 1 cup. 1 Qt of milk is one quart or 4 cups. Other recipes would suggest 2 cups of milk instead of 4 cups. Perhaps this is not the official recipe.
Did the Whites have problems with their numbers? The Cracrofts must have!
Helen, Paul, and Dick Cracroft are the grandchildren of Sarah Ann and the children of Grace White and Ralph Cracroft. The Cracrofts came from Eastern England, closer to France and thus, less reliable English blood. They believe they have the official Yorkshire pudding recipe that differs from the above recipe. Did the Cracrofts corrupt the recipe? When will this mystery be resolved?
Contractor’s Invoice for building the White’s Home at 225 Iowa Street in 1890
Auction List of Personal Items from home in North Hampton, England in 1888