Wednesday, March 29, 2017
John Lowe Butler and Caroline Skeen- Part 1
Once, my parents, siblings and I were driving during a family reunion and we were all communicating with the different cars using walkie talkies. (This was before cell phones were common). We were playing a game called, "Things You Would Never Hear," or something like that. From another car my Uncle Chris said, "The one thing you will never hear a Stapley say...is that I don't have an opinion." He was right.
You see, we Stapley's are quite opinionated and stubborn. I blame both sides of my family. It's in our DNA.
Two family members who exemplified those traits were John Lowe Butler and his wife Caroline Skeen. There is a whole book about them, so I'll just give you the rundown. They were from Kentucky and Tennessee. As a child and into his young adult life, John suffered from severe rheumatics. On February 3, 1831, John Lowe Butler married Caroline Farozine Skeen, the daughter of Jesse and Keziah Taylor Skeen, the daughter of Robert Taylor and Ann or Nancy Herring.
On the day they married, Caroline's father gave them some slaves so that Caroline could continue to live life as a proper lady. But John Lowe Butler's family had never had slaves; they did not believe in slavery, and neither did John. Caroline sided with her new husband, and she gave her slaves their freedom on the very day of her wedding.
John wrote that, "From that day forward she took over all those duties her slaves had formerly performed, and she measured up one hundred percent. She not only took care of her own requirements but cared for her family and others, too."
They had two children, a son and a daughter. Life was good. But like so many others, John and Caroline were searching for a religion to follow. He attended numerous churches, but he always felt that he had not found the true church. His Mother wondered when he would find it. He recalled that it was like the refiners fire.
Then one day, he met the Mormons. He recalled, "They preached about the order of the kingdom and I had never heard anything so plain in all my life before; a child could understand it all. It was just the thing that I had been hankering after and now I felt to rejoice and was perfectly satisfied they were sent of God as the saints of old. I went home, thanking my Heavenly Father for the blessings that he had bestowed upon me from time to time and I felt to go forth and obey his commandments. I asked my wife what she thought of the Mormon elders. She said she thought they were men of God, and that it was the only true church of God and the only way to be saved."
On the 9th day of March, 1835, about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, John and Caroline were baptized. Caroline's sister, Charity who was deaf and dumb was also baptized. Their Father was not pleased. He told John he was going to shoot him (multiple times) and John, being John, replied that he had a rifle of his own and that his Father in Law had permission to try. By then they had another daughter.
It was no longer safe for them in Kentucky so they went to Missouri to be with the rest of the members of the LDS Faith. However, life was difficult for them there. They were barred from voting, because people were afraid the Mormons would all vote together. John, however, was determined to vote.
This is the part where the stubbornness came in. John remembered, "When myself and Brother Gee got there, there was a large crowd of folks. Soon after the election commenced it was rumored around that the Mormons should not vote and that drew the brethren together. They commenced talking about how there had been a man going around among us finding out who the Mormons were going to vote for and when they heard it made them mad. They said that the Mormons should not vote because the Mormons did not vote to suit them; they must not vote at all. Now this the Saints did not like to be deprived of, their liberty and rights, so some were determined to go and put in their vote. Now for my part, I felt like backing everyone for it was our right.
I was about the last one and the brother that was on ahead got knocked down and then Brother Riley Stuart interfered for him and one of the mob rushed at him with a knife. Riley turned and ran when he saw the man draw his knife. I then ran after the ruffian and as it happened, I saw an oak stick lying in the road; it was split, one of those sticks that they have to build chimneys with and just as the fellow struck Stuart, I struck him and as I struck him there had been another fellow running after me with a loaded horsewhip and struck me right between the shoulders, but it did not seem to hurt me much only I felt that I could take them all if they would come along. Just as the fellow struck me, I turned around and struck an underhanded lick and just fetched it under his chin and broke his jaw in two places and down he came; we had no more trouble with him.
There was so much excitement after that, that I could hardly tell what did transpire, but one of the brethren had a large cotton handkerchief full of earthenware and some fellow broke some of them with a stick, and he then made a weapon of them and commenced breaking the rest of them over their heads. I know that I knocked them right and left, every one that came in my reach and I know that there were over eight or ten. There was one fellow commenced bawling when he saw one of his companions lie motionless on the sod. He said that they had killed poor (Dick Wilkdin) Bill, and a brother hearing the poor fellow wailing for his companion thought that he would give him something else to cry for, it was Washington Vorus. He came up with a rock and threw at him and struck him right in the mouth. He boohooed and cried out what d--nd hard licks those d--nd Mormons do hit. They then commenced carrying off the men that had been knocked down and some killed and some were standing up against the fence and against the house with the blood running from their heads and faces, and I expect that some of them were from the effects of the teacups and saucers. However, they looked pitiful objects indeed, and when it was all over, Brother Vorus looked at the crockery ware and there was not a piece left the size of an inch and the handkerchief and all was covered with blood."
Needless to say- it did not go over well. John, Caroline and their family left the next morning for Far West, Missouri. The mobs forced them out and they walked to Nauvoo, Illinois.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Andres (Andrew) Christian Nielson the "Mormon Preacher" Part 1- Childhood to Conversion
Note- This is about my 3rd Great Grandfather, the "Mormon Preacher." There will be a few postings because his life was so amazing. Most of the information was found in A.C's Biography and Autobiography.
My 3rd Great Grandfather- Andres "Andrew" Christian Nielson (AC) was born on the 23rd of March 1840 in Mojen, Ugilt, Hjerring, Denmark. His father Niels Pederson was a well to do farmer, he was born at the same place having inherited the homestead from his father named Peder Nielson. His mother Anne Magretha Anderson was born in Hestrup, Hjorring, Denmark, February 11th, 181 and married his father in 1839.
His parents were very religious and belonged to the Lutheran Church and he was educated. When he was 10, his mother died and his father remarried. Andrew remembered about his teenage years- "My health was generally good. I never had a serious sickness or hurt in any accident. I was of a lively disposition and soon to excel in all kinds of sports, hence took part in many things, which I knew was displeasing in the sight of God. In 1859 I hired out to a man by the name of Maller Anders in Berglium. My salary for this was 40 Bigsdealter equal to $10.00. Out of this I had to buy my clothing, my dancing tickets and all my spending money."
When AC was a young man, he became interested in religion. He met the LDS missionaries. This is what he recalled, "The Mormon Elders also were working in the neighborhood and until then I had never entertained any doubt to the Lutherian Church not being the true church. I went to the meetings of the different sect. Only the Mormons of whom I had heard so many bad reports about that I actually prayed to the Lord to save me from ever being connected with them. But I listened to the different preachers, I became convinced that I need to live a better life and hence I began earnestly to pray that I might have forgivement of my sins and as I was reading and studying my bible I soon came to the conclusion that the Lutheran Church was not the true church of Christ. I was inclined towards the Baptist, but continuing in praying I also found that they were also not of the true followers of Christ. I was very much worked up in my mind. At length a feeling came to me that I ought not to condemn the Mormons before I had heard them, but go and hear them I would not. No, not for anything.
"But a feeling kept working within me that I must know what their doctrine was, so I sent and got a Book of Mormon. I thought by reading it I should soon satisfy myself, actually I believed then that it was a fraud. As soon as I read the title, “the Testimony of the Witnesses” I felt I had something important to deal with, for it is either the truth or the greatest fraud ever known. I prayed, I pondered, I read and in spite of myself, I believed against my own will. I could not help myself. I want ed to make it falsehood, but I could not. This was in the spring of 1860. I worked hard in the daytime for generally 14 hours and in the night by a piece of tallow candle I read and prayed sometimes I had no sleep. It was, I think, in the latter part of May 1860 I had about finished the Book of Mormon. I knelt beside my bed as I had done almost every night and sometimes repeated several times in the night. As I was earnestly praying I asked God to in some way make it known to me whether the words of Mormon and Moroni, I had been reading, was the truth or not. I had not prayed very long when I heard a voice as coming through the roof above my head speaking distinctly not very loud, but more penetrating than anything that I had ever experiences until this day and it went through every fiber in my body. This is about the words I heard: “This book you have read is the word of God and contains the true everlasting Gospel and has been translated by the Power of God to the salvation of all who receive it, and damnation to all who reject it.”
Now, what more could I ask. I had asked and I had received. But from that time my real struggle commences. To accept meant to turn all my friends, my enemies. My flesh was weak but my spirit was willing and I yielded to the flesh and for to conquer the good spirit that had worked on me, I went to many extremes in sin, though I will say that I never did any great crimes, but I could not pray any longer and my mind became darkened. I was in misery only when I was with my wicked crowd. In this way I kept on probably three weeks or a month, then in my lonely hours at night I felt that I was damned and that there could be no forgiveness for me. The Lutherian Doctrine was that when a man is damned he is damned forever. One night as I was reflecting upon my condition – that was in the latter part of June – I came to the conclusion that something must be done, for I could not live in that state of mind. Consequently after a long struggle, I at last got to praying, earnestly seeking to find out if my lot must be in hell forever. Now I prayed, I know not how long, but before I realized I had the following vision: I seemed to me I died, though in leaving mortality I felt myself exactly the same. I seemed to have the same body and senses and everything as before. I was taken in charge by a person and was led before a Tribunal where my fate should be made known to me. While I was thus led away I felt as sure as I lived my lot would be in Hell for my whole course of mortal life stood plain before me and as we approached the Tribunal a person with authority from God sat there and only with the waving of his right hand motioning to the left and my doom was sealed. I saw others coming and going, some to the right and some to the left. My eyes followed those that went to the right and away in the distance I could see a beautiful city with towers glistening in the sun where those destined that went to the right. I was led off to the left for some distance and there was a prison prepared for me and it was right into the solid earth. There I was left. The door was closed, there was not way of escape, but what darkness – I stretched out my hand and I could feel it. It will be impossible for me to describe my condition while there.
The Savior says there shall be weeping and nashing of teeth. That was certainly fulfilled in my case. I felt my punishment was just. I had rejected and not obeyed the voice that had spoken to me. Oh, that those that shall read this will take heed and avoid not coming to such a place. Well, after I had suffered the remorse of the damned for some time my prison door was opened and my guide told me I had suffered enough and I had the privilege of going and joining the crowd that went to the right, but as I strove to join them I found myself partly lying on my bed. Now then, that was enough. I could then say goodbye to my former friends, parents and all and could then go and be baptized into the Mormon Church and I did go and I can testify that after I had hands laid on me for the reception of the Holy Ghost that I did believe it."
And AC did just that. He was baptized and wanted to preach the good word of God. He endured trials and mobs to teach the people of Denmark.
My 3rd Great Grandfather- Andres "Andrew" Christian Nielson (AC) was born on the 23rd of March 1840 in Mojen, Ugilt, Hjerring, Denmark. His father Niels Pederson was a well to do farmer, he was born at the same place having inherited the homestead from his father named Peder Nielson. His mother Anne Magretha Anderson was born in Hestrup, Hjorring, Denmark, February 11th, 181 and married his father in 1839.
His parents were very religious and belonged to the Lutheran Church and he was educated. When he was 10, his mother died and his father remarried. Andrew remembered about his teenage years- "My health was generally good. I never had a serious sickness or hurt in any accident. I was of a lively disposition and soon to excel in all kinds of sports, hence took part in many things, which I knew was displeasing in the sight of God. In 1859 I hired out to a man by the name of Maller Anders in Berglium. My salary for this was 40 Bigsdealter equal to $10.00. Out of this I had to buy my clothing, my dancing tickets and all my spending money."
When AC was a young man, he became interested in religion. He met the LDS missionaries. This is what he recalled, "The Mormon Elders also were working in the neighborhood and until then I had never entertained any doubt to the Lutherian Church not being the true church. I went to the meetings of the different sect. Only the Mormons of whom I had heard so many bad reports about that I actually prayed to the Lord to save me from ever being connected with them. But I listened to the different preachers, I became convinced that I need to live a better life and hence I began earnestly to pray that I might have forgivement of my sins and as I was reading and studying my bible I soon came to the conclusion that the Lutheran Church was not the true church of Christ. I was inclined towards the Baptist, but continuing in praying I also found that they were also not of the true followers of Christ. I was very much worked up in my mind. At length a feeling came to me that I ought not to condemn the Mormons before I had heard them, but go and hear them I would not. No, not for anything.
"But a feeling kept working within me that I must know what their doctrine was, so I sent and got a Book of Mormon. I thought by reading it I should soon satisfy myself, actually I believed then that it was a fraud. As soon as I read the title, “the Testimony of the Witnesses” I felt I had something important to deal with, for it is either the truth or the greatest fraud ever known. I prayed, I pondered, I read and in spite of myself, I believed against my own will. I could not help myself. I want ed to make it falsehood, but I could not. This was in the spring of 1860. I worked hard in the daytime for generally 14 hours and in the night by a piece of tallow candle I read and prayed sometimes I had no sleep. It was, I think, in the latter part of May 1860 I had about finished the Book of Mormon. I knelt beside my bed as I had done almost every night and sometimes repeated several times in the night. As I was earnestly praying I asked God to in some way make it known to me whether the words of Mormon and Moroni, I had been reading, was the truth or not. I had not prayed very long when I heard a voice as coming through the roof above my head speaking distinctly not very loud, but more penetrating than anything that I had ever experiences until this day and it went through every fiber in my body. This is about the words I heard: “This book you have read is the word of God and contains the true everlasting Gospel and has been translated by the Power of God to the salvation of all who receive it, and damnation to all who reject it.”
Now, what more could I ask. I had asked and I had received. But from that time my real struggle commences. To accept meant to turn all my friends, my enemies. My flesh was weak but my spirit was willing and I yielded to the flesh and for to conquer the good spirit that had worked on me, I went to many extremes in sin, though I will say that I never did any great crimes, but I could not pray any longer and my mind became darkened. I was in misery only when I was with my wicked crowd. In this way I kept on probably three weeks or a month, then in my lonely hours at night I felt that I was damned and that there could be no forgiveness for me. The Lutherian Doctrine was that when a man is damned he is damned forever. One night as I was reflecting upon my condition – that was in the latter part of June – I came to the conclusion that something must be done, for I could not live in that state of mind. Consequently after a long struggle, I at last got to praying, earnestly seeking to find out if my lot must be in hell forever. Now I prayed, I know not how long, but before I realized I had the following vision: I seemed to me I died, though in leaving mortality I felt myself exactly the same. I seemed to have the same body and senses and everything as before. I was taken in charge by a person and was led before a Tribunal where my fate should be made known to me. While I was thus led away I felt as sure as I lived my lot would be in Hell for my whole course of mortal life stood plain before me and as we approached the Tribunal a person with authority from God sat there and only with the waving of his right hand motioning to the left and my doom was sealed. I saw others coming and going, some to the right and some to the left. My eyes followed those that went to the right and away in the distance I could see a beautiful city with towers glistening in the sun where those destined that went to the right. I was led off to the left for some distance and there was a prison prepared for me and it was right into the solid earth. There I was left. The door was closed, there was not way of escape, but what darkness – I stretched out my hand and I could feel it. It will be impossible for me to describe my condition while there.
The Savior says there shall be weeping and nashing of teeth. That was certainly fulfilled in my case. I felt my punishment was just. I had rejected and not obeyed the voice that had spoken to me. Oh, that those that shall read this will take heed and avoid not coming to such a place. Well, after I had suffered the remorse of the damned for some time my prison door was opened and my guide told me I had suffered enough and I had the privilege of going and joining the crowd that went to the right, but as I strove to join them I found myself partly lying on my bed. Now then, that was enough. I could then say goodbye to my former friends, parents and all and could then go and be baptized into the Mormon Church and I did go and I can testify that after I had hands laid on me for the reception of the Holy Ghost that I did believe it."
And AC did just that. He was baptized and wanted to preach the good word of God. He endured trials and mobs to teach the people of Denmark.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
A tale of Charles Sr and Sarah and Charles Jr and Sarah, or how the Stapley Family left England for Australia and then for Utah
Once upon a time there was a man by the name of Charles Stapley. His parents were named Henry and Elizabeth and he was born in Kent, England on March 15, 1800. He married Sarah Watson Bryant and they were married in the Rolvenden Church on 1 December 1822, just weeks
after the marriage of his sister, Sarai Stapley to Sarah Bryant's brother Samuel Charles Bryant.
Between 1837-1838, Charles, Sarah and their children traveled on the ship "Westminster," to begin a new life in Australia. It was there that the Stapley family met the Mormon missionaries and joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They, along with 63 others boarded the "Julia Ann" on Friday, 10 March 1854, leaving Australia for San Pedro, California (now Los Angeles). After 90 days at sea the Julia Ann docked at San Pedro, California, on 12 June 1854.
They stayed in California for some time, before eventually moving to Utah. They settled in Toquerville. Charles planted the first very first alfalfa seed. He also planted the first grape vines and wheat in Dixie. When the prophet asked the members to stop growing grapes and making wine, Charles plowed under his vineyard. Both he and his wife has handsome headstone in the Toquerville Cemetery with a Faith in Every Footstep Marker placed on it by a loving descendants.
As they traveled, their oldest son Charles Stapley Jr. met a beautiful divorcee by the name of Sarah Parkinson. Sarah Parkinson was born 24 May 1831 in Ramsey, Huntingdonshire,
England, the oldest daughter of four children (two brothers older and a
sister younger) to James Parkinson and Elizabeth Chattle. She already had two children named John and Sarah. They fell in love and were married and had 9 more children. Their son, William Francis Stapley is my great-great Grandfather.
Charles was a good man and made an effort to live the Golden Rule by being
good to his neighbors but still he was concerned as to whether he was
living an acceptable life according to the standards of the Church. As
he was thinking very seriously about it one time, a vision came to him
and his whole life was shown to him in a ‘panoramic view’. He was told
that his life was acceptable except for the habit he had of swearing.
He took immediate steps to correct this habit.
Life was not easy in Toquerville. One time Sarah took the wagon cover they used when coming from California, dye it and made dresses for her children. Sarah spent the rest of her life keeping her large family (12 children) well supplied with food, clothing and affection. She was noted for her fine cooking, dexterity with a needle and a gentle listening ear.
Mary Janet Stapley Bringhurst, a daughter of Sarah and Charles Jr. has
written: “Our first home Toquerville was made of logs with a dirt floor
and roof. The first church was also a log building with a dirt floor
and roof. My Father danced barefoot on it. My uncle, Tom Stapley was
the fiddler. When my people first came here, they were very poor. They
had to make the lines for their harnesses out of factory (muslin).”
Another child remembered- “We use to raise beets and made beet molasses for a sweetner. Also, on special occasions, we had vinegar pies. We baked them with one crust and filling was made of vinegar, water, beet molasses and flour. In the early days you could live without cash. You raised things yourself or traded for things you needed. Many times you did without. Mother sold some butter to some soldiers who were passing through for seventy-five cents. That was all the cash we had for two and one-half years.”
“In the old days we were always afraid of the Indians. Father was even-tempered and would always feed the Indians and they generally liked him well. Father used to stand guard at night when they were bad. When we first came here, we used to raise cotton. Father hired one Indian to work for him. He worked for us so much that he became known as ‘Charlie’ in charge. He would scold us if we did not work fast enough. He could pick about three rows to my one.”
“One old Indian named ‘One Eye’ came to Mother one day when Father was down to LaVerkin Creek gathering wood. He had a pistol and threatened to kill all of Mother’s babies. She was so frightened, that she grabbed the pistol and twisted it out of his hands. Where she got her strength, she never knew, but she always believed the Lord helped her. When she got the pistol, she told ‘One Eye’ to go away because he wasn’t a good Indian. Days after, he came back and wanted to be forgiven as he was afraid he would be punished. After that, whenever ‘One Eye’ came to our home he always praised Mother for being so brave, as he said he would have killed them all if she had not been.”
Shortly before Sarah died, a rarity occurred. An automobile arrived in Toquerville. Everyone in the community was anxious to see the new contraption, but Sarah wanted more than that—she wanted a ride. The driver cheerfully complied and Sarah had her ride.
 |
| Charles Stapley Sr. |
 |
| Sarah Bryant Stapley |
Between 1837-1838, Charles, Sarah and their children traveled on the ship "Westminster," to begin a new life in Australia. It was there that the Stapley family met the Mormon missionaries and joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They, along with 63 others boarded the "Julia Ann" on Friday, 10 March 1854, leaving Australia for San Pedro, California (now Los Angeles). After 90 days at sea the Julia Ann docked at San Pedro, California, on 12 June 1854.
 |
| Many LDS people traveled on boats like this from Australia to California. |
They stayed in California for some time, before eventually moving to Utah. They settled in Toquerville. Charles planted the first very first alfalfa seed. He also planted the first grape vines and wheat in Dixie. When the prophet asked the members to stop growing grapes and making wine, Charles plowed under his vineyard. Both he and his wife has handsome headstone in the Toquerville Cemetery with a Faith in Every Footstep Marker placed on it by a loving descendants.
 |
| Charles Stapley Jr |
 |
| Sarah Parkinson |
 |
| Charles and Sarah |
Life was not easy in Toquerville. One time Sarah took the wagon cover they used when coming from California, dye it and made dresses for her children. Sarah spent the rest of her life keeping her large family (12 children) well supplied with food, clothing and affection. She was noted for her fine cooking, dexterity with a needle and a gentle listening ear.
 |
| Charles Jr and Sarah with their Grandchildren |
Another child remembered- “We use to raise beets and made beet molasses for a sweetner. Also, on special occasions, we had vinegar pies. We baked them with one crust and filling was made of vinegar, water, beet molasses and flour. In the early days you could live without cash. You raised things yourself or traded for things you needed. Many times you did without. Mother sold some butter to some soldiers who were passing through for seventy-five cents. That was all the cash we had for two and one-half years.”
 |
| The Stapley House |
“In the old days we were always afraid of the Indians. Father was even-tempered and would always feed the Indians and they generally liked him well. Father used to stand guard at night when they were bad. When we first came here, we used to raise cotton. Father hired one Indian to work for him. He worked for us so much that he became known as ‘Charlie’ in charge. He would scold us if we did not work fast enough. He could pick about three rows to my one.”
“One old Indian named ‘One Eye’ came to Mother one day when Father was down to LaVerkin Creek gathering wood. He had a pistol and threatened to kill all of Mother’s babies. She was so frightened, that she grabbed the pistol and twisted it out of his hands. Where she got her strength, she never knew, but she always believed the Lord helped her. When she got the pistol, she told ‘One Eye’ to go away because he wasn’t a good Indian. Days after, he came back and wanted to be forgiven as he was afraid he would be punished. After that, whenever ‘One Eye’ came to our home he always praised Mother for being so brave, as he said he would have killed them all if she had not been.”
Shortly before Sarah died, a rarity occurred. An automobile arrived in Toquerville. Everyone in the community was anxious to see the new contraption, but Sarah wanted more than that—she wanted a ride. The driver cheerfully complied and Sarah had her ride.
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