ESLTRS-1850-02-27-From,BemanArtimesia(Snow),UtahGreatSaltLakeCity-To,SnowErastus,EnglandLiverpool

ESLTRS-1850-02-27-From,BemanArtimesia(Snow),UtahGreatSaltLakeCity-To,SnowErastus,EnglandLiverpool

Letters from Artimesia Snow [Artimesia Beman (Snow) 1819-1882] to her husband,

Erastus Snow, Feb. 27, 1850-May 16, 1880.

Presented to the Society by Stanley S. Ivins.


Typed copies of these letters in

Unpub. MS. file.


Mr. Erastus Snow [Elder Erastus Snow 1818-1888]

In the care of O. Pratt Esq.

Millennial Star Office

Liverpool

England


Great Salt Lake Citty Feb. 27, 1850


Kind and affectionate companion. It is with feelings better felt than discribed [described] that I seat myself at this time to write you a few lines to let you know how we are at home. The first news I have to write to you is that the destroyer has made invade into our midst in your absence and taken from us our son James [James Snow]. he died Feb 5 after an illness of nine days although he was about a day or tow [two] after he began to complain before he took his bed the Doctor says he died with the scarlet fever and throat [distemper] but I am not exactly satisfied with his decision. I think his death was caused by the humour [humor] he had in his head which caused his deafness. He took a violent cold and caused a fever [as such] it settled there it commenced swelling about his neck and ear which caused him great distress he complained of nothing but his head all the while he was sick all we done for him was to no purpose. I [bring] on to him with all the faith I could get and your promise I you gave us before you left untill [until] death closed his eyes. It seems that the destroyer takes the advantage of your absence to aflict [afflict] us why it is so I know not I feel to exclaim sometimes [so] is hard but when I take the cecond [sic] thought I know it all is aright it is just there is wisdom in it although it is hid from our view. I realize has taken a mission the same as you have only in a little different way you we expect to return but him we do not he is doing as much good in his sphere as you are in yours. I had often thought what a help he would be to me in your absence but my hopes and anticipation are all blasted they are all niped in the bud you must needs think that I [dread] a few lonesome hours it would have been a great satisfaction to me to have had you here to share in my sorrows as well as you no dobt to have been here during his sickness but it was to be otherwise. I therefore will not complain the rest of the family are all well at present and I truly hope the few lines will find you wherever you may be in England or Denmark enjoying the same great blessing I recieived a few lines from you written october 30 but have not heard anything from you since I understood there was letters sent but they went by the way of [fort hall] and we did not get them it has been a very hard winter here this winter thus far there has been some very severe weather and much more snow than we h ad last winter it has been almost impossible to get into the [onions] for food it has been selling from 6 to 8 dollar a load though we have not suffered any for the want of it but many have the barn we did not get up last fall brother Bay was taken sick and was unable to do any thing for some weeks and there was so much to be done and came on bad weather that we concluded to sell the dobies [adobies] and and [sic] make more next summer and put one up we have got along verry [very] well thus far we shall I think have a plenty of bread [stuff] to last us untill [until] harvest and perhaps a little to spare. I have heard no cry for the want of bread yet as we did [lat] winter and I hope we shall not we had 26 bushels of potatos [potatoes] and about 30 bushels of turnips the brethren have been having quite a play spell with the indians at [Utare] they have been killing off quite a number of their cattle and making some threats and the brethren here thought it not best to bear it any longer and took measures to prevent it they raised a company of a hundred men or more and sent up to put a stop to it they fought to some two or three days but the indians were hid up in the brush so much they could not do much with them untill [until] they succeeded in removing them they do not know the exact number they did kill but I think they found 27 warriors that they had killed and some few squaws and children although they were not intentionaly [intentionally] and took some 25 or 30 prisoners and brought them home with them and distributed them around there was one of our brethren killed Joseph Higby [Israel] Higbys son and several wounded some of our brethren escaped verry [very] narrowly they brought old Elk head home with them and his squaw what will be the result of this I do not know but I hope good will come out of it instead of evil. Louisa has been confined to her bed all winter she was taken down just a week after you left. She was very sick for a few weeks every time I went to see her I thought it would be the last, but she revived up again and has been some better untill [until] quite lately she begins to fail again. I think she will not stand it long after warm weather comes on the rest of our friends are all in comfortable health I believe. I congratulate myself in thinking that a third of a year has gone and I shall [soon] have it to say that a third of the time has passed but when I think of the length of time you are to be gone and the various changes this church is subject to and the task and [brethren] that is before you I almost despair of ever seeing you again but I do not suffer my spirits to be waid [weighed] down thinking of these things any longer than I can help you know what I am I alog [alone] look on the dark side of the picture but I feel to say roll swiftly on ye wheels of time and bring that day when I shall clasp him who is the object of my affections to my bosom once more you have my prayers continually all the day long that you may be prospered and blest [blessed] that your life may be preserved from the many dangers and evils which you may be surrounded and return in safety we have not heard anything from Edgar and Henry since they left Mahonri says tell Father he has got that five cents you gave him and when you come home you must bring him another one Sarah is well and sends her love [show] little Artimesia is well and beginning to run alone I must close and leave room for the girls and Charles to write. I send this letter by Mr. Livingston who is a going to start for the states in a few days he is not a going the mail only a few private letters and through the influence of Sister Terry I have the priviledge [privilege] of sending this that man called yesterday to have that Seventy dollar note taken up he wants the cash next Sunday is my birth day if you were here I would get you the best the house affords pray for me as I do you this from your friend Artimesia [Artimesia Beman (Snow) 1819-1882] [T]. E. Snow


Sunday April 14 As one storm after another came on and prevented Mr Livingston from starting until our mail is ready for a start I thought I would put a few more lines in this letter and send it by the mail nothing worthy of note has transpired since I last wrote until our conference came on we had a first rate conference there was but little business to be done but we had some good preaching they sent off on missions some to Scottland [Scotland] some to England some to the Pacifick [Pacific] Islands to assist brother Pratt and also to take to him his family they have sent brother [vay] to the states on a mission so you see that leaves Charles single handed it is almost impossible here [but] he will have to do the best he can our family is all well at present except little Artimesia she is sick with the measles Erastus [Erastus Beman Snow 1853-1900] has had them there has been several deaths this spring [Claudius] Spencer wife is dead brother [Farley] wife and Sister Levet [Levitt] and father Tanner is dead I do not see any prospect of any increase in your kingdom in your absence unless there [shows] some new plan adopted for its enlargement our friends are all well and send there love to you Sister [Grey] asked to be remembered to you Louisa is failing very fast she to all appearance will not tarry here long. I think you will not grumble that you have not got a full letter for I do not know where I could put any more this from your wife Artimesia [Artimesia Beman (Snow) 1819-1882] Erastus Snow [Elder Erastus Snow 1818-1888]


Dear and ever remembered Erastus [Elder Erastus Snow 1818-1888]

It is with pleasure that I seat myself this evening and take my pen in hand to address a few lines to one who is often the contemplation of my mind and one that is near and dear to my heart daily and hourly do I think of you; and how long it will be before you will return home many may be the changes that will transpire before you will return. Death has already been in our midst since you left and how many more of us may be laid in the silent grave while in your absence we know not. but I hope and trust the rest of our lives will all be spared to behold your face once more. My health is very good this winter. much better than it was when you left. Elizabeth [Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby (Snow) 1831-1915] and me moved into the log room with Charles [Charles B [Charles Beal Westover 1827-1919] and his Wife [Eliza Ann Haven 1829-1923] soon after you left we get along first rate. Erastus [Erastus Beman Snow 1853-1900] has grown very much since you left. he is healthy and well and can walk around the room by the chairs. Mothers health is very good this winter she mooved [moved] into her house in December. I attended a party at President Youngs [Elder Brigham Young 1801-1877] the 24 of last month. there were about two hundred present. many a time did I think of you in the cours [course] of the evening and think how much better I should enjoyed it if you could been there. I expect when this reaches your hands you will be in a strange land far from your home, and those that are near and dear to you and will be in the midst of strangers far from the society of the saints. and my sincere and daily prayer is that the Lord will keep you from the hand of the destroyer and every evil forever that may be exerted against you. you may be called to pass through many unpleasent [sic] scenes while absent, but may the spirit of God rest upon you tocomfort your heart, to cheer you up, to uphold and sustain you untill [sic] you have fulfilled your mission. and be permitted to return to your home, and to those who will be ready to receive you with open arms, and welcome you with Joy. remember me always in your prayers. and likewise our little sone [son] Erastus [Erastus White Snow 1849-1888] that his life may be spared for he is a great comfort to me while you are gone. I should hardly know how to pass away the time if it were not for him. I think I have wrote all that you will wish to read from me so I will draw to a close but not without wishing that the choicest of Heavens blessings may rest upon you, and that our lifes may be spared to behold each others faces, is the earnest wish, and sincere prayer of your absent but affectionate friend, Minerva [Minerva White (Snow) 1822-1896]


Brother Erastus [Elder Erastus Snow 1818-1888] . It is with pleasure that I improve this opportunity of writing you a few lines although I have not much news to write as the rest of the family have wrote the most of the news and some that will be sad new to you. Eliza [Eliza Ann Haven 1829-1923] and myself have enjoyed good health this winter and hope the same blessing attends you. We get along first rate, but I feel sometimes as though I was not capable of fulfilling my mission. Br Bay is quite discontented. he blames me for using my influence in keeping him from seeing his dear father and mother. sometimes talks that he will only stay till spring and sometimes as though he would rent all the land in the valley besides building a house. The place you intended for a house spot on the farm is a small fraction (of about an acre and a quarter) which I knew nothing about untill [until] I saw a man building on it. he has got a claim on it. I shall try and buy him out if I cannot I shall have to build someway from the fence. Br Willard Richards [Elder Willard Richards 1804-1854] is going to enclose a large pasture between the big field and jordon [Jordan River?] he has given me the privilege of helping make the fence and have an interest in the pasture. I would like to have you write what you want me to do that you did not think of when here. What your intentions were concerning Edgar and Henry Whether they was to give you half they made and the animals or whether they were to keep the animals. Brother Parley went south exploring sometime after you left. he returned a few days ago after a very hard and laborious tramp through the snow I believe they found no place for a settlement we had quite a shock of an earthquake here last week so that the houses shook considerable. I must now draw to a close praying that you me be blest [blessed] and prospered on your mission that you may return in safty [safety] to your family.

I remain as ever your friend and brother.

Charles B. Westover [Charles Beal Westover 1827-1919]

Dear Erastus [Elder Erastus Snow 1818-1888]

As there is room left for me I seat myself to write a few lines to let you know you are not forgotten you see by this the destroyer has visited your house and robbed it of one of its innocents we know not what scenes we may be called to pass through while in your absence but we pray the Lord that he will spare our lives and bless you while on your mission that he will comfort your heart sustain you under all the trying scenes you may be called to pass through for I feel assured they will be many while among strangers in a strange land I enjoy myself as well as I could expect this winter although it is very lonesome I am now sewing for Lucy Young I shall be there about one week there is not much room therefore I will close by asking the Lord to bless you and spare your life that you may be permitted to return in safty [safety] to the bossom [bosom] of your family that we may embrace you and rejoice in your safty [safety].

your ever true and affectionate friend

Elizabeth [Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby (Snow) 1831-1915]