These are Steve's great-great-great grandparents, married in 1863 in Salt Lake City. Charles Ramsden Bailey was born in Honley, Yorkshire, England, August 31, 1839. Susannah Hawkins was born on 8 Mar 1847 in Kensington, London, Middlesex, England.
The Story of Charles Ramsden Bailey
Charles grew up in a religious family with a mother who always attended church and loved the Bible. He began to go to Sunday School at a young age, and the family worshiped in the Church of England.
He was an exceptionally fast runner (I mention this because Steve also has this talent), and at age 14 he won 13 out of 14 races. When he was 13, his family moved to Lancashire to work in the cotton factory. The family received two visitors while living in Lancashire who are an important part of their conversion story.
The first visitor was Charles' cousin Mary A Weelock. She was the first member of the Church Charles had ever met. She stayed with their family for about two months, talking with different people about the gospel. Two of his sisters were baptized into the Church at this time. The first sermon Charles ever heard was an open air sermon by Cyrus H Wheelock.
The second visitor came a few months later: Uncle William Broomhead, who was currently a Branch President. He visited Charles' family one evening on his way to Liverpool and spent the night. This night was a memorable one for Charles as he heard him preach. the next morning when his uncle left, he told Charles that it wouldn't be long before he came into the Church. Charles thought of those words often, and it wasn't long before they came to pass.
In May of 1852, Charles and his sisters went on a visit to some of their relatives living in West Broomwick. They planned to stay about 10 days, but after a week they received a letter from their mother. She told them she and their father were having trouble and that she was going to leave him and would join them soon. His father was a good man, although he was very easily led by company to drink. In June of 1852, Charles and his mother were baptized in the West Broomwick Baths. Elder John Taylor baptized them and they were confirmed by Elder James Bowers.
After 10 months, the family moved to Manchester where his mother and sister found work. There were 400 saints in Manchester. They wanted to go to Zion, and were excited to hear of an opportunity in Liverpool in 1854. Unfortunately their first attempt was foiled with a damaged ship, but another opportunity came a few months later, and they bid farewell to England.
After 10 months, the family moved to Manchester where his mother and sister found work. There were 400 saints in Manchester. They wanted to go to Zion, and were excited to hear of an opportunity in Liverpool in 1854. Unfortunately their first attempt was foiled with a damaged ship, but another opportunity came a few months later, and they bid farewell to England.
The voyage was long and hard. Charles said, "I had no fear for I knew the God would watch over us". They arrived in New Orleans in March after eight weeks crossing the ocean. They then went to St. Lewis by steam boat, where cousin Benjamin Broomhead took them to his home for six days to rest.
The next stop was Atchison where they worked for six weeks before going to work in Missouri. Thousands of Saints were now gathering at Hickey Grove, later called Mormon Grove. By now the Saints had started to immigrate, and those gathering numbered in the thousands. Charles and his family left in 1855 to travel across the plains.
While they were traveling along, the little Blue River Charles' Sister Mary Ann had an accident. She was sitting on the wagon tongue, giving Charles a drink of water, when she fell in front of the wheel. It went over her chest and the hind wheel went over her jaw, breaking it. Charles ran and picked her up--she appeared to be dead. He called upon some of the Elders to administer to her and prayed to God to restore her to life. She soon showed signs of life. An old man set her jaw. She was a little disfigured, but otherwise recovered. There were eleven accidents on the journey. Food was very poor. A stampede broke 16 of their wagons, which had to be repaired. They ran out of provisions and that night, they were met by a wagon of wheat and flour. They were so thankful that they danced into the night.
After ten months of their journey, they were 15 miles from Salt Lake City. President Young and others of the twelve came to greet them. They told them what to do and what to expect and warned them that they may find living difficult for a while. Cousin William Broomhead came with a team and wagon and took them to his home where they stayed for the winter.
In 1859 Charles moved to Cache Valley and settled in Wellsville. He knew this was the place he wanted to live. He was well liked by many and died peacefully in Wellsville, Utah on 16 Jan 1910.
The next stop was Atchison where they worked for six weeks before going to work in Missouri. Thousands of Saints were now gathering at Hickey Grove, later called Mormon Grove. By now the Saints had started to immigrate, and those gathering numbered in the thousands. Charles and his family left in 1855 to travel across the plains.
While they were traveling along, the little Blue River Charles' Sister Mary Ann had an accident. She was sitting on the wagon tongue, giving Charles a drink of water, when she fell in front of the wheel. It went over her chest and the hind wheel went over her jaw, breaking it. Charles ran and picked her up--she appeared to be dead. He called upon some of the Elders to administer to her and prayed to God to restore her to life. She soon showed signs of life. An old man set her jaw. She was a little disfigured, but otherwise recovered. There were eleven accidents on the journey. Food was very poor. A stampede broke 16 of their wagons, which had to be repaired. They ran out of provisions and that night, they were met by a wagon of wheat and flour. They were so thankful that they danced into the night.
After ten months of their journey, they were 15 miles from Salt Lake City. President Young and others of the twelve came to greet them. They told them what to do and what to expect and warned them that they may find living difficult for a while. Cousin William Broomhead came with a team and wagon and took them to his home where they stayed for the winter.
In 1859 Charles moved to Cache Valley and settled in Wellsville. He knew this was the place he wanted to live. He was well liked by many and died peacefully in Wellsville, Utah on 16 Jan 1910.
The Story of Susannah Hawkins
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| James Richard Hawkins |
They spent 61 days crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a sailboat. They crossed the planes with the Jacob Gate company, reaching Salt Lake April 4, 1853. They first settled in Tooele, moving to Wellsville six years later. Susannah and Charles were married in 1863.
One of Susannah's great-grand daughters shared the following memory about Susannah Hawkins: "I remember, not long before her death, how she stood up in a family reunion and bore her testimony as to the truthfulness of the Gospel. She bade her posterity to ever be faithful and diligent in the work of the Lord." At the time of her death--at age 85--Susannah was the oldest pioneer woman living in Wellsville.
