1 (Lynn@hagworthingham.freeserve.co.uk). IN MY MOTHERS WORDS [Email from Lynn O'Connell]

As my grandfather, Thomas Hughes, had gone to America, on his first visit, when he, Thomas Hughes, was in his early 20's and had met Joseph Smith; I would put this first visit at around 1840's. On this visit he contracted black water fever and all his teeth dropped out. At this period The Eastern and Western Railways had still not joined up.

The anti Mormon feeling was running very strong; and so started the thousand miles 'trek', by foot, mule and wagon. Through desert, river and mountain range. They finally crossed the ridge of mountains looking down on the Great Salt Lake and the salt flats. In this wilderness Brigham Young ordered that this was where they would stay, and build a church. This church would be known as the church of the Latter Day Saints. They were now in the state of 'Utah'.

When my grandfather returned to America for the second time, he was accompanied by his second wife Sarah. I would think, in the 1860's. The Federal Government are 'calling in' the Indians to the reservation. This was completed in 1868. It covered 25000 square miles; Mostly in Arizona.

My mother told me that my grandmother wore a six-shooter underneath her skirt. The roaming Indians were creating mayhem, shooting, plundering and running away with white women. One day my grandmother heard screams and saw an Indian, galloping past on a pony with a white woman who was screaming "Save me! Save me! I am Irish". My mother spoke of the 'Navaho Indians' who are also related to the 'Apache'. Mother mentioned 'Lake Tahoe', somewhere where the Mormons camped. I cannot find it on a map: and wonder whether it is a small-unmarked lake \endash to which they gave the name.

When the state of Utah became the forty fifth state of the Union it then became under Federal law; where amongst other things polygamy was banned. The Mormons were forced to concede.

MILLER STREET

My grandfather has returned to England, once again. He is now an Elder of the First Church of the Latter Day Saints to be built in Manchester. This is in Harpourhey, two miles approximately from Manchester. He and my grandmother Sarah Mathers ,(christened Martha Mathers but known as Sarah -father John Mathers - mother Sarah Topham sister to Jemima) now Sarah Mathers Hughes (whom he met when he was a widower) are living in Miller Street. He is older than her and they have six children \endash five girls and a boy. My mother, Perla, was born in 1886 \endash when my grandfather was sixty years old. His son David helped to build the organ at the Harpourhey church. The Americans are still coming to England on missionary work. My grandfather has a thriving business, in Miller Street, Manchester, selling cloth and tailors trimmings. The American Missionaries are still coming to England. As Miller Street is about four minutes walk from Victoria Station their first 'stop' is of course my grand father's home. 'Sister' Sarah Mathers Hughes takes great pleasure in 'holding court' over her lavish 'High Teas'. My grandfather is quite annoyed by this constant expenditure. One time my grandmother asked a young missionary what he would like to start with? He replied, "I guess I'll start with your home made custard pie, Sister Hughes". My grandfather snapped, "No you won't, you will start with bread and butter like everyone else".

The two elder daughters \endash Addy (Christened Harriet) and Sarah \endash decided to live in America. On board ship Sarah met a man named Adolph Gring. They married, when they landed in America. They had one son only whom they called Philip and he became a doctor. They lived in Cleveland, Ohio. Jessica went to America much later on, but all trace of her died out.

The above is an extract from my mothers life story




Thomas Hughes born 1827
Apparently visited America in his teens before
Marriage to Catharine Butler in 1848 tho their first child is recorded as being born c1846/7
Various other children including William (b 1852) and Thomas (b.1858) Both these are recorded on Manifests as living in New York
Catharine died 1862 and Thomas married Martha Mathers in 1864.
Thomas Hughes (Snr) made several other visits to America during1860's 70's 80's
According to my mother Martha definitely visited America with him
Their children who visited included
1886 manifest David Hughes visited brother William Hughes (Brooklyn)

1903 manifest Sarah Mathers (christened Sarah Martha Hughes aged 33 to stay with Aunt Mrs J L Tempest in Terre Haute
1907 manifest Sarah Martha Hughes aged 38 and Harriet Hughes aged 27 to stay with brother Thomas in New York

My Grandmother Perla Hughes (Thomas/Martha) kept in touch with the Topham / Dewsnup Family \endash . In particular Joe Dewsnup (A police inspector) born 1865 and my mother remembers being taken to the funeral of Joseph Nixon Dewsnup (Joe's nephew) in 1924