Person:William Carter (54)

SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF WILLIAM FURLSBURY CARTER BY NORA W. CARTER

William Furlsbury Carter was the son of John and Hannah Knight Libby Carter and the grandson of Richard Carter and Jane McKenney. He was the fourth child of a family of eleven children. The first three were born in Scarborough, Cumberland Co., Maine: Dominicus, born 21 June 1806, Almira, born 3 January 1808; and Hannah, born 28 June 1809. The others were born while the family lived at Newry, Oxford Co., Maine: William F., born, 1 May 1811; Phillip L., born 17 January 1813; John Harrison, born 13 January 1815; John H., born 6 October 1816; Eliza Ann, born 28 September 1818; Richard, born 8 August 1820; Mary Jane, born 13 March 1823 and Rufus, born __ October 1825.

The early life of William F. Carter was spent in Maine, where his mother was healed by faith through the administration of two elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She joined the Church at that time, 4 July 1834 and William F. was baptized 17 November 1834 by Elder Daniel Bean.

About 1831, William F. Carter married Sarah York who was born 25 August 1812, Bethel, Oxford County, Maine. She was the daughter of Peter York and Abiah Russell York. Three children were born to them while living in Oxford County, Maine: Peter York Carter, born 5 July 1832; Abiah Russell Carter, born 22 August 1834, and Lyman Wilman Carter, born 6 December 1836.

The families of John Carter and William F. Carter moved to Ohio in 1836 where William F. was ordained an Elder in 1836 by President Hadlock in the Kirtland Temple.

In 1837, William F. Carter moved to Missouri. He was given a letter of commendation by a Conference of Elders, Joseph Smith, Chairman and J. G. Williams, Clerk, recorded, 6 October 1837.

While traveling from Kirtland, Ohio to Farr West, Missouri, one of his oxen died and William F. had to stop on the way and adjust the harness and wagon so that one ox could pull the wagon and in this way he continued his journey until he joined the Saints and his sister, Eliza Ann who started with him on the journey, but had gone on with the others.

William F. Carter was ordained a Seventy, 9 April 1838, and was recommended as one of the Seventy Messengers to the Nations by order of the Council of Seventies, 26 May 1839 at Quincy, Illinois, Joseph Young - Chairman.

He also received recommends to preach the gospel at Nauvoo, Illinois, 28 September 1842; at Lima, Hancock County, Illinois, 29 July 1843, and Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, 6 October 1844.

William F. Carter was appointed Drum Major in the 3rd Regiment, Second Cohort of the Nauvoo Legion by Jonathan H. Hale, Colonel of the Regiment on 21 September 1844 at Nauvoo.

William F. was ordained President in the 20th Quorum of Seventies, 24 January 1845, Nauvoo, Illinois by Joseph Young and Jacob Gates.

He attended a blessing meeting at the home of Isaac Morley, 24 February 1845, and was given a Patriarchal Blessing which promised him many wonderful blessings. A few words are as follows:

"The Lord has blessed thee, Brother William with the bounties of nature. Thy genius shall be blessed and released in ornamenting and decorating and in building the Temple of the Lord. Thou hast naturally the gift to work in ore and in fine steel and thou shall yet have the blessing to work in silver and fine gold. This will be thy gift by nature: proclaim the Gospel'".

His life proved the fulfillment of these blessings for he was a mechanic, carpenter and blacksmith. Besides making his own tools he made knives and forks and other needed articles. He could repair watches, clocks, jewelry, guns, musical instruments, and do most kinds of work needed in those days. He was also naturally a musician and this talent seems to be handed down to his descendents.

William F. and Sarah York Carter and other relatives received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple in 1846.

William F. Carter was a pioneer of Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and Utah. He became an excile when the mob forced the Saints to leave their homes in Illinois in 1846 to seek new homes in the wilderness.

While living near Council Bluffs the home and blacksmith shop of William F. was burned by the mob. The saints endured many hardships and worked hard to prepare for their journey westward. William F. Carter made hobbles, horseshoes, and garden tools and many of these were sold to people on their way to the gold fields in California. Because he did blacksmith work and repaired wagons to assist the emigrants in getting ready for their long journey may be the reason he did not come to Utah before 1851. He arrived in Salt Lake Valley in 1851, probably 20 June, when his brother Dominicus reached the valley as he was in Utah on August 5 when his own son Edwin Levan was born.

William F. Carter and family moved to Provo in 1852.

William F. held his religion sacred and taught the gospel at all times and did missionary work whenever given appointments in that line. His most important Mission was to Calcutta, India. He was the first elder to carry the Book of Mormon around the world and the second elder to circumnavigate the globe as a missionary. He left his family and friends at Provo for his Calcutta Mission 22 October, 1852, traveling with other elders the southern route to California. They held meetings and preached the gospel on the way. They reached San Bernadino, California, December 3, 1852. From there they proceeded to San Pedro and by steamer to San Francisco. The people were very good to them all the way, many of them giving them money to help them on their way. After some delay, they finally gathered enough money to pay their passage on the ship to Calcutta which was $200.00 each. They took passage on the American Clipper, "Monsoon" 29 January 1853. Finally after a long and tedious voyage, they arrived at Calcutta, 26 April 1853. They had held meetings all the way to give the sailors and passengers a chance to hear the gospel.

William F. Carter was appointed to work with William Fatheringham at Dinnapore, India. The heat was intense and the climate caused William F. Carter to have poor health. He became so weak he could hardly walk and could not travel in the heat of the day. None of the elders had much success in their labors because the people were divided into classes and if they joined the church they would lose their caste; which meant that they would be outcasts and no one would give them work. They would have to live on weeds and roots and beg for a living. These people had many peculiar customs and beliefs. Benares was called their "Holy City" and people would try to go there to die so that they could go straight to heaven as they believed they could. This was a beautiful city with as many as forty temples.

Most of the people in Calcutta stayed in their houses during the day because of the heat. A white man could not stand to be out in the sun very long at a time, for in the coolest place in a cabin it was often 120 degrees. The people in India look upon a white man with contempt and would cheat him out of everything he had if it were possible but many of them will be slaves for the whites for a few pieces of money. Money is a rare thing among the poorer classes. Their living is of curry and rice.

William F. Carter saw many sights while in India. After he was in Dinnapore for sometime he and his companion went back to Calcutta. Because of his age and the effect of the climate on his health, William F. Carter was advised to return home. Complying with this advice, Mr. Carter went on board the ship "John Gilpin" 7 July 1853, and set said July 9. The American Consul at Calcutta, Dr. Hoffnagle, paid his passage and gave him money for what clothing he needed. He had a fever which had lasted for two days, was grieved to part with his friends and had doubts of ever reaching America.

The John Gilpin was bound for Boston, Mass. and William F. Carter experienced another long and tedious voyage. The ship leaked and they were delayed for repairs, but he was glad to be on his way home for his health improved where it was cooler.

In his private missionary journal William F. Carter wrote the following on October 22, 1853:

"One year this morning I left home. I have not heard from home since I left. I have seen many dark and lonesome hours and days since I left my home that no one can realize unless they pass through like circumstances, which will be rare, if ever. While crossing the different seas I witnessed heavy gales, wind, thunderstorms and squalls almost without number which are very dangerous to encounter. Besides having the ship spring a leak twice in heavy gales, I have traveled through the land where the cholera had swept off its thousands from morning until evening. From evening until morning the dead bodies were floating on the surface of the water which bespoke the great mortality of the inhabitants of the land. I feel in my heart to praise my Heavenly Father for the preserving care he has had over me the past year and for the blessings he has bestowed on me.":

Finally, on 11 November 1853, the John Gilpin arrived in Boston at 10 a.m. It was with happiness and thanksgiving to his Heavenly Father that William F. Carter always remembered landing in Boston. He took a journey to Scarborough, Maine, the birthplace of his father, to visit relatives. He then returned to Boston and purchased a ticket to Cincinnati. Some difficulty caused delays with extra expense, and he had to sell some of his clothes to continue on his way. He reached one of his home towns, December 20, that of Lima, Hancock County, Ill. Here he visited his sister, Mary Jane Dowley and his brother, Phillip, and found them all well. Here he saw letters from Dominicus and Arletta, which said the folks at home were well. This was the first news he had heard from home since he left. So this caused him to rejoice.

William F. Carter again crossed the plains reaching Salt Lake City 30 September 1854 and was soon at his home in Provo.

William F. Carter did blacksmith work for the Perpetual Emigration Company in 1854. While living in Provo he worked in a mill, turning parts for chairs and furniture on a turning lathe. While doing this kind of work he nearly lost his life by being struck on the head by a piece of wood that flew out of the lathe. He made a threshing machine while living at Provo.

William F. lived at Provo until about 1864. He later lived in Mona, Goshen, Santaquin and Benjamin, Utah; farming and doing blacksmith work and moving where it was best for his work.

While living at Mona, Juab County, Utah, or Willow Creek as it was then called, he had a store and did carpenter work. The family left Mona and spent one summer at Goshen, then moved to Santaquin, Utah County, Utah in 1867.

William F. Carter moved to Benjamin, Utah County, Utah, about 1876. He did blacksmith work and farming at Benjamin, spending most of his time there until he lost his sight and became too old to do much work.

William F. Carter married four times. Besides Sarah York, he married two daughters of Edward Mecham and Irena Currier - Roscena , who was born 2 December 1830, Salem, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and Sally Ann, born 22 December 1842, Nashville, Lee County, Iowa. He also married Elizabeth Howard, born 5 August 1827, Worcestershire, England.

He was true and faithful to the end testifying to the last of his great faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He departed this life Wednesday, 11 October 1888 at 11:00 a.m. at the residence of his daughter, Arletta Chatwin of Santaquin, Utah. His death was caused by a general decline through age and hardships endured.

Funeral services were held at the Santaquin Schoolhouse. Words of comfort and instruction to the relatives and friends were spoken by Bishop George Holliday, Counselor Eli Openshaw and Elders Levi Openshaw and William Chatwin.

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM F. AND SARAH YORK CARTER - MD. ABOUT 1831

• Peter York Carter born 1832, Newry, Oxford County, Maine
• Abiah Russell Carter born 1834, Bethel " " "
• Lyman Wilman Carter born 1836, Newry " " "
• William F. Carter born 1838, Far West, Caldwell, Mo.
• Hannah Libby born 1841, Morleyville, Hancock, Ill.
• Martha Y. born 1843, " " "
• Sarah Melissa born 1846, Jacob, " "
• William Aaron born 1848, Kanesville, Pottawattonie, Iowa
• Edwin Levan born 1851, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Charlotte York born 1856, Provo, Utah

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM F. AND ROXENA MECHAM CARTER - MD. MARCH, 1847

(Roxena Mecham Carter born 2 December 1830)

• Irene Carter born 1849, Kanesville, Iowa
• Permelia Elvira Carter born 1851, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Edward M. Carter born 1853, Provo, Utah
• Arletta Carter born 1856, " "
• Wm. F. Carter born 1858, " "
• Marybaugh Roxena born 1860, " "

    Carter

• Sally Ann Carter born 1862, " "
• Junietta Carter born 1865, Mona, Juab County, Utah
• Amasa Carter born 1868, Santaquin, Utah
• Annelia Carter born 1871, " "

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM F. AND ELIZABETH HOWARD CARTER - md. 9 October 1854

(Elizabeth born 5 Aug 1827, Worcester, England)

• Robert Edward Carter born 1855, Provo, Utah
• Isaac Morley Carter born 1858, " "
• Mary Elizabeth Carter born 1859, " "
• Charles Edwin Carter born 1861, " "
• Simeon Carter born 1866, Goshen Valley, Utah
• Letitia Freeman Carter born 1869, Mona, Juab County, Utah
• Rosina Marion Carter born 1870, Santaquin, Utah County, Utah

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM F. AND SALLY ANN MECHAM CARTER - MD. 1857

• M. A. Arvilla Carter born 1859, Provo, Utah
• John E. Carter born 1861, " "
• Wm. Francis Carter born 1865, Mona, Utah
• Sophie Irena Carter born 1867, Santaquin, Utah
• Lewis M. Carter born 1869, " "

Emily Ann Carter born 1872, " "

• Verenus Carter born 1874, " "
• Maylan Carter born 1878, Benjamin
• S. Matilda Carter born 1882, "

36 Children - 17 boys and 19 girls

Another Account

IRENA'S FATHER, William Furlsbury Carter, hereinafter referred to as William F., as previously noted, was the son of John Carter and Hannah Knight Libby Carter. He was born in Newry, Oxford Co., Maine, 1 May 1811. He was the fourth child of a family of 11 children. The father, William F., with his parents and their family spent most of their early life in Maine. His mother was healed by faith through administration by the Elders of the LDS Church and shortly thereafter, 4 July 1834, was received as a member of the church through baptism. On 17 Nov. of this same year her son was also baptised. He accepted full church responsibility and fully devoted himself to church activities. Thus he advanced rapidly in and through the various church priesthoods. He received many outstanding and high recommendations and fellowships from high church authorities throughout all his life. William F. was self taught, except for the limited home training he received from his mother who had a sprinkling of scholastic training. William F. took to himself through marriage and in polygamy, five wives; all of whom begat him children except the second one--Hannah Cordelia Mecham who died about three months after marriage. He fathered from the four wives a total of 36 worthy children who gave him upward of 260 grandchildren.

William F. and his family like the rest of his coreligionists became exiles when the mob forced the Saints to leave their homes in Illinois in 1846. Westward into the wilderness to a chosen land were their forced plans. On this westward trek William F. stopped at a small but delightful place called "Parleys Spring, Iowa," This place was alive with activity brought about by the expenditures of the "gold seekers" on their way to California. This small settlement was later named Carterville, Iowa, honoring the Carter family since they had taken such an active part in stimulating the growth of the community. William F. had capitalized on his many arts of making and repairing for these gold seekers. From Carterville the family moved on to Kanesville (now Council Bluffs), Iowa.

The year 1847 was an active one for William F. On 3 January he took unto himself a second wife in polygamy--Hannah Cordelia Mecham. However, Cordelia died in Kanesville on 3 April of that year. While the Carter family was living in Carterville, they became well acquainted with the Mecham family that had recently immigrated to this small town. The oldest child of the Mecham family, as previously noted, was a girl named Roxena, born in Salem, Mercer Co. Pa., 2 December 1830. A courtship soon developed between William F. and Roxena and on 13 March of the year 1847 Roxena became the third (polygamous) wife. They were married by Brigham Young and received their Temple endowments and sealings in his office. To this union, one will note by referring back to the table of "Wives and children of William Furlsbury Carter, {page 2 and 3} ten children were born. Irena, the first child, was born here in Kanesville the 13th day of July 1848 and the other 9 children were born in Utah and Juab Co. Utah. The last of William F's children that was born prior to his families reaching Utah was William Aaron, mothered by Sarah York Carter.

While living at Kanesville, William F. carried on his skills of making and repairing for the travelers going west and the local people for miles around. Because of his thriving business, William F. had not made his way to Utah with as much dispatch as many of the other LDS families. The"Gentiles" were jealous of his success, for he did have a successful business and they burned to the ground his home and shop. Since his holdings were destroyed, he concluded that this was the time to make final arrangements on the long-planned journey to Utah, which they did. From the above, it has been noted that William F. pioneered in Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri before comeing to Utah and after reaching Utah it will hereafter be noted that he was surely a western pioneer and still a true and faithful Latter Day Saint throughout his life.