Person:Christopher Arthur (2)

THE ARTHUR FAMILY:

By a member of this family.

Let us look into the lives of our mother's people - The Arthurs.

The Whittakers and Arthurs lived near each other in England, but they did'nt know each other until God led them to a new country. Father was the only boy in the Whittaker family while Mother was the only girl in a family of four children. Yet these two persons were to play an important part in the lives of a numerous posterity. Our second great grandfather, Robert Arthur was a Baptist Minister in Surry, England.

One of their sons, Christopher Abell Arthur, met and fell in love with Ann.,, the winsome daughter of John Jones of Monmouthshire, South Wales. The Arthurs lived in a little town of Pont-y-Pool, Monmouthshire, South Wales. They owied a bakery and a dry goods store. The father was a baker by trade.

My mother said, "The oven was so large four men could stand inside". He supplied the community with bread, pieg, cakes and soda crackers, while the mother ran the store for she was a strict business woman and the two working together became well-to-do.

The mother cared for the finances as her husband was too free hearted for the success of their undertakings. She always kept the money in an "urn" which she kept under lock and key. It had a special place on the parlor table.

The Arthurs were of the Baptist Faith and attended three meetings every Sabbath Day. No work was done in this home on this holy day. The religious teachings my mother received in her childhood remained with her throughout her life for she always kept the Sabbath Day holy. They continued to live in the town of "Pont-y pool" and enjoy life among relatives, friends and neighbors.

One day in the year 1847, two strange men came to the door of the Arthurs home, were invited into the parlor. They said they were Mormon missionaries from America, and they had a message for them. They explained the Gospel of Jesus Christ, told about the Prophet Joseph Smith, his mission, and the restoration of the gospel, explained the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and other things. The father, mother and the boys and Mary Ann listened to their teachings and were converted and asked for baptism. In time they were all baptised except Christopher and Mary Ann. Do not know why these two were not baptised now--maybe they were not converted. All we know Is that they preferred to wait a while.

The spirit of gathering took possession of these good people, and they, like many others had a strong desire to go where the Latter-day Saints were gathering, in the tops of the Rocky mountains. They began to dispose of their property, the dear old bakery, the store, the home, and everything they owned was sold for the highest price.

The Arthur home was a haven of rest for Mormon missionaries. They would always find a hearty welcome awaiting them after a long day of tracting and when they left for another field, grandfather would give them a "pound" or five dollars in American money. Very often it was $2500 to help pay for their expenses. When they parted, he would say "Come again". In November 1852 they had sold everything and were prepring to leave for "Zion". Grandmother could visionize to a certain extent what they would need in a new country, so she hired a seamstress to come to the home and sew articles of clothing they would need in a new home, many of the articles being made of pure linen.

They were preparing to leave immediately when a great sorrow came into the home. The mother was taken very sick. The doctor was called, but was of no use for she gradually grew worse every day. One day she called her daughter into her room and said, "Polly Ann (the nick name for Mary Ann, if any thing should happen to me you must keep the key to the money chest", for she feared grandfather would give all the money away because he was so free hearted.

Grandmother had heard many stories about people being buried alive, so she said to Grandpa, "If anything should happen to me, I want you to keep my body for a week, be sure I am dead". Mother told me that one day she said, "Polly Ann, have the cook fry me a piece of fish, put my best dress out of the closet, I am going to get up". Polly Ann was so thrilled to know that her dear Mother was going to get up that afternoon. She did as her mother requested her to do. She put her nice dress on the chair and brought the fish into her bedroom, but grandmother could not eat the fish or put the dress on. She died that evening, 22 November 1852. Polly Ann, a girl 16 years of age, lost the best friend she ever had. The father and children felt the loss of their wife and mother very keenly. they carried out her instructions. With a sad heart "We put her in a nice bedroom upstairs and kept mother's body for a week. Then we laid her tenderly away in a newly made grave near the window by the little church she used to worship in every Sunday"

Her son, Christopher returned to England on a mission in 1884 and visited this grave.

From the AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF CHRISTOPHER J. ARTHUR of Cedar City, Utah, we read the following account of this visit.

My mothers's grave is nearly midway on the East side of the English Baptist Chapel opposite our old house which is now occupied by John Daniels, and lies nearly underneath'the middle window of the Chapel in Abersychan, Monmouthshire, South Wales. The sides of the tomb are of dressed rock in one place. Also the ends. The top is a rock slab dressed, 4 inches thick 6 feet long and 3 feet wide rests on the rock sides about 2 feet above the ground and rests on the rock sides about 2 feet above the ground.When I was there in August 1884, I paid 10 shillings to have it put in good shape.

The lettering on the tomb is as follows: "Here Reposeth From the cares of mortality the remains of Ann, beloved wife of Christopher Arthur, late of Abersychan, who departed this life November 23, 1852, aged 56" Mother made every preparation to emigrate to Utah the following spring. She had held back from the sale several things and boxed them up to bring with her, such as she thought would be useful in a new home. She died 3 months before we left England for the mountains of Israel.

(Signed) Christopher J. Arthur

Grandfather mourned for the companionship and advice of his dear wife for they had lived together for 28 years, but he had a strong testimony of the gospel and the teachings of those missionaries. So he finished the task of getting ready to leave their old home and emigrate to Utah. No doubt this man, did not know that he was fulfilling the words of the Master when he left his home and all that was dear to him and journeyed to a new land.

Christopher Able Arthur: On February 28, 1853, the ship International sailed from Liverpool, England with 425 Saints, under the direction of Christopher Able Arthur, arriving in New Orleans April 23, 1853. Joseph Chambers and family were on this ship. They sailed up the Mississippi River to Keokuk, Iowa; then went overland to Council Bluffs. Here they started across the plains by ox team. Joseph fell ill on the way and died July 21, 1853. He was buried near Buffalo Creek, Nebraska, leaving his wife and four children to go on without their husband and father to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. Christopher Arthur arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in Sept. of 1853.

INTERNATIONAL: Ship, 1003 tons: 176' x 35' x 18' Built: 1851 by Clement Littlefield at Kennebunk, Maine. The square-rigged International made one of the most successful and notable Mormon emigrant voyages. It began at Liverpool on 28 February 1853. On board were 425 Saints under the presidency of Elder Christopher Arthur and his counselors, John Lyon and Richard Waddington. Captain David Brown of Provincetown, Massachusetts, was part-owner and master of the vessel. During the crossing there were seven deaths, seven births, and five marriages. Shortly after the ship left port, Elder Arthur called a meeting of priesthood holders in the company. He then divided the emigrants into eight wards, six for the steerage and two for the second-class cabin passengers. An elder presided over each ward and was accountable to a general council. These leaders were responsible for the health, behavior, and welfare of the emigrants. Every evening meetings were held for worship, instruction, and testimony bearing.

During the voyage the Saints were filled with religious fervor, and spiritual manifestations such as speaking in tongues and prophesying were reported. In a letter to President Samuel W. Richards, dated 26 April 1853, Arthur described a unique missionary success: These things and the good conduct of the Saints have had a happy result in bringing many to a knowledge of the truth. And I am now glad to inform you that we baptized all on board except three persons. We can number the captain, first and second mates, with eighteen (18) of the crew. . . . The others baptized were friends of the brethren. The number baptized in all is forty-eight (48).... The captain is truly a noble, generous-hearted man; and to his honor I can say that no man ever left Liverpool with a company of Saints more beloved by them, or who has been more friendly and social than he has been with us; indeed, words are inadequate to express the fatherly care over us as a people; our welfare seemed to be near to his heart. Except for minor bouts of seasickness, the emigrants were remarkably free from illness. For five weeks the ship encountered head winds and some heavy gales. In one storm the vessel nearly capsized. Yet at times she sailed about two hundred twenty miles a day. On 6 April the emigrants assembled on the forecastle to celebrate the twenty-third anniversary of the church. Six musket rounds were fired and the festivities began. The celebrants marched to the poop deck, and the leaders robed in sashes with white rosettes on their chests took seats with their backs to the mainmast. Twelve young men and twelve young women, picturesquely robed, seated themselves on each side of the presidency. Then there were scripture readings, partaking of the sacrament, speeches, singing, recitations, dancing, and four marriages. The program lasted until late at night. President Arthur wrote that "everything was done with the highest decorum." He added an interesting footnote: "I am happy to say we called Brother Brown (Captain) with others of the officers of the ship to office, Brother Brown to that of an Elder."This happy voyage ended at New Orleans on 23 April-a fifty-four-day passage. The Saints continued their journey by steamboat up the Mississippi to Keokuk, Iowa The International, which operated in the White Star Line and later in the Warren & Thayer's Line, was owned by Captain Brown and six other Yankees. Her registration indicates this three-master was built with two decks, no galleries, a square stem, and a billethead. In 1863 the vessel was lost at sea.

Our Pioneer Heritage Volume 12 Sailing Vessels and Steamboats From 1850-1859 Company E Letter wrote to President Richards Dear President S. W. Richards: We have just arrived at New Orleans, and it is with a heart truly grateful to God my Eternal Father, for all His multiplied mercies, that I now sit down to pen you a few items of our voyage across the Great Atlantic. Never I believe since the days of old Captain Noah, until the present emigration, has a more respectable company of Saints crossed the wide deluge of waters, to be freed from Babylon's corruptions, than has sailed in the International.I am happy to say that my right hand Counsellor, Elder Lyon, in conjunction with Elder Waddington, has greatly aided me in carrying out the following measures, which have greatly contributed to our comfort and happiness, during our voyage.After we left the shores of old England, we entered into the following order-I summoned a meeting of all the Priesthood, and when we had ascertained the number and standing of each person, we divided the ship into eight wards, and appointed six Travelling Elders for the steerage, and two Elders for the second cabin, each Elder holding his ward as a Branch of the International Conference, and having authority over the same, to hold meetings each morning, and otherwise to preside over all their affairs, spiritual and temporal. These Elders were to be held amenable to the General Council, in seeing after the Saints' welfare, and were to report the same, every Thursday evening, viz., state of health, sickness, behaviour, standing &c. They were to be assisted by a Priest or Teacher, in carrying out the above measures.I also appointed meetings to be held every evening for worship, testimony bearing, teaching, &c, under the prescribed order which was carried fully into effect.The Saints, without exception, have enjoyed a great amount of the Spirit of God, and our hearts have been made to rejoice in the gifts and blessings of the Holy Ghost, such as speaking in tongues, interpretation, prophesying, and in a flood of intelligence being poured out upon us in rich effusion through the Priesthood. These things, and the good conduct of the Saints, have had a happy result in bringing many to a knowledge of the truth. And I am now glad to inform you, that we have baptized all on board, except three persons. We can number the Captain, first and second mates, with eighteen of the crew, most of whom intend going right through to the Valley. The carpenter, and eight of the seamen, are Swedish, German, and Dutch. There are two Negroes, and others from Otaheite, &c. Many of them have already testified to the truth of this work, and are rejoicing in the anticipation of building up Zion. The others baptized, were friends of the brethren. The number baptized in all is forty-eight, since we left our native shores. The captain is truly a noble, generous-hearted man; and to his honour I can say that no man ever left Liverpool with a company of Saints, more beloved by them, or who has been more friendly and social than he has been with us; indeed, words are inadequate to express his fatherly care over us as a people, our welfare seemed to be near to his heart.The whole ship's company have been free from sickness of any kind, except the ordinary malady of sea-sickness, which was of no consequence materially, to those afflicted. We have had five weeks of head winds and some heavy gales, in which our good ship was nearly tossed upside down, having only distanced in that time about 1400 miles from Liverpool. But, wonderful to relate, in fifteen days we nearly reached the mouth of the Mississippi, sailing most days at the rate of 220 miles per twenty-four hours. The sea and the winds seemed to conspire together, to frustrate your prophesyings concerning us, still my mind reverted to your words which inspired me with faith to look for the fulfillment of them, for which I am truly thankful to our God.On the 6th of April, we held the twenty-third anniversary of the organization of the Church, which was, in our circumstances, a splendid affair. Early in the morning, a goodly number of brethren assembled on the forecastle, and fired six rounds of musketry, to usher in our festivities. At half-past ten we marched in regular procession to the poop deck, in the following order-President and Counsellors with sashes, and white rosettes, on their breasts, who took their seats with their backs to the main-mast. After them followed twelve young men appropriately robed, each with a white rod in his hand, with sashes, rosettes, &c. Then followed twelve young women mostly dressed in light dresses, each holding in her hand a scroll of white paper, bearing the significant motto "Utah's rights," adorned with ribbands and white rosettes. The young men took their seats on the right hand of the Presidency, and the young women on the left. Then followed twelve old, venerable men, dressed similar to the young men, each carrying a Bible and Book of Mormon in his hand, led on by Father Waugh, who read portions out of each book, illustrative of this Latter-day work.We then took the Sacrament, and attended to the celebration of four marriages, which finished our forenoon service. At two o'clock we met, and took our seats as formerly, and after an address from the President, songs, speeches, and recitations, commemorative of the occasion, followed in due order for three hours. Henry Maiben, from Brighton, composed and sang a song graphically and wittily portraying our happy company, and our progress from Liverpool. In the evening we met on the quarter deck, and skipped the light fantastic toe, to a late hour. During the whole day, everything was done with the highest decorum, and I can say to the credit of the company that a more harmonious festival was never before held on the high seas.I am happy to state with regard to our provisions that no complaints have been made, most considering the provisions to be good and ample. And in their name we have to return to you heartfelt gratitude and thanks for the exercise of that sagacity which God has so amply blessed you with, in providing for their wants, and otherwise in your choice of a vessel so well fitted to promote the health and comfort of all.I never enjoyed so much of the Spirit of God since I entered the Church of Jesus Christ, as I have with this company of Saints. I rejoice to say that my right hand Counsellor, Elder John Lyon, is one of the best men I have met with, and I hope we shall be near neighbours when we reach the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. Elder Richard Waddington has been unwell, he has now recovered, and is taking an active part in connexion with all the Priesthood. I hope to baptize brother (Captain) Brown's wife, before I leave New Orleans. I am happy to say we called brother Brown with other of the officers of the ship, to office-brother Brown to the office of Elder.Now, dear brother, with these few items of our procedure, I beg to conclude, praying God our Eternal Father to bless you abundantly for all you have done for us, in the name of Jesus. Amen. Yours, affectionately, Christopher Arthur

Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p.723: ARTHUR, CHRISTOPHER ABEL (son of Robert Arthur and Mary Abel). Born Sept. 25, 1796, Dorking, Surrey, Eng. Came to Utah Sept. 26, 1853, Claudius V. Spencer company, 12 days later than main company arrived.

Married Ann Jones 1826, who was born 1796. Their children: Joshua b. July 19, 1828, m. Charlotte Evans 1852; Christopher Jones b. March 9, 1832, m. Caroline E. S. Haight Dec. 30, 1854; m. Ann E. Perry Feb. 17, 1875; m. Marion Brown Nov. 22, 1875; m. Jane Condie Jan. 18, 1877; Benjamin Abel b. April 26, 1834, m. Jannet Easton Feb. 12, 1863; Mary Ann b. Sept. 26, 1836, m. James Whittaker March 12, 1856. Family resided Cedar City and Beaver, Utah.

1.   Ancestral File.
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 RG4: Surrey, Baptist, in England. Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1970. (Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths Surrendered to the Non-Parochial Registers Commissions of 1837 and 1857 held by The National Archives of the United Kingdom; Kew, Surrey, England: Ancestry.com )
   p. 10.