James Whittaker

  General Notes:

This family were industrious and anxious to get along in life. Thisfamily continued to enjoy life in their home in Haywood untill about theyear 1849 or 1850. Two missionaries called at their home. They knockedat the door. The mother answered the knock. Two strange men dressed inPrince Albert suits, white shirts and a derby hat were standing at thedoor. They told her they were missionaries from Utah, representing theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that they had a messagefor her and her family. She invited them into her home. They told herof the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Restoration of the Gospel of JesusChrist, the Book of Mormon, and other things. It seemed they were menwho spoke with authority. The missionaries continued to visit this homeuntill the father, mother, and all the children were converted to theGospel and in due time were baptised by "immersion" for the remission ofsins and afterwards confirmed members of the Church.

There is a principle in the L.D.S. church called the "Spirit ofGathering". When a person becomes a member of the Church in a foreigncountry, a strong desire to gather with the Saints comes into his heartand he feels that he must be [I] close to the authority of the church.It was true in this case, for as soon as they were confirmed members,they began to talk of gathering with the saints in Utah. This desirebecame so strong and urgent that they began disposing of their property,household goods--in fact, everything they owned was turned into cash. Inthe winter of 1851, the father purchased tickets on the good old ship"Independence", scheduled to soon leave Liverpool for the United Statesof America. They packed their few personal belongings and other things(as Hattie and Lottie say in their biography). Grandfather bought driedfish, dried fruit, and other concentrated food, which his family enjoyedon the trip, and being of a generous nature, he fed many hungry mouthsfrom his supply.

In the winter of 1851, they bade farewell to dear old England, the landof their birth and the land they loved so well, bade farewell to parents,brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors, to people whom they hadmingled with both in social and financial ways all their lives. Theycertainly had a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel inorder to do this. Many tears must have been shed when they left theirold home in Haywood, the old home which had sheltered them for so manyyears. But they, like hundreds of saints, had been caught in the [J]Gospel Net and were willing to make the sacrifice in order to reap theblessings. For they were a few of the tens of thousands who earnestlysought truth in the latter days, happily found it, courageously acceptedit, and were led into new places where, despite many trials, theydiscovered new and greater joys in living. May the memory of their faithand diligent work ever rest in the hearts of the coming generations. Forthis one man's family were caught in "The Gospel Net" and carried into afar country where, through the possession of eternal truth and much trialand adversity, found happiness among the Mormon people located in thestate of Utah.

James Whittaker and his family sailed from Liverpool, England on 22January 1851 on board the grand old sailing vessel Independence withabout five hundred Latter-day Saints, all bound for Utah, the land whereZion was located. They were eight long weeks in crossing the AtlanticOcean.

Their son James loved the beautiful ocean and longed to become a sailor. But God had a far different mission for him to perform during hislifetime. This family [K] and all on board landed at New Orleans on 20March 1851. They must have rejoiced and thanked God for His protectingcare during these long weeks on the ocean when they could only see water,water, and more water. They must have been glad to put their feet onMother Earth again, for they had landed on American soil, never to returnto their native country again. All remained in America, though son Jamesreturned to England in later years, but soon came back to America, thistime on a steamboat.

As soon as they landed, they began preparations to continue their trip.They purchased tickets on a boat going up the Mississippi River andfinally landed in St. Louis where the saints were gathered before leavingfor Utah.

The saints extened a hand of fellowship, love, and goodwill to Grandpa,Grandma, and the son and daughters. They made them wecome, for they wereall glad to welcome others of the same faith and mingle as the saints ofGod. Grandpa [L] and his son James, a lad of eighteen years, soon beganpreparations to go on the remainder of their journey. They finallypurchased a wagon and a yoke of oxen, but later decided to buy two yoke,could only get one more ox, but purchased a good cow to be yoked with theother ox. This proved a very good investment, for she pulled part of theload and gave a liberal supply of milk morning and night for the wearytravellers.

After many weeks and months of traveling, enduring many hardships dayafter day but full of faith in the future, these brave pioneers landed inthe Salt Lake Valley four years after the first pioneers entered thevalley when their leader Brigham Young said, "This is the Place." Thisband of pioneers landed there in September 1851 after nine months oftraveling since they had left their home in dear Old England. They musthave been thankful to reach the end of a long journey. However, they hadno beautiful home to go to, but depended on new friends for a shelter andadvice in getting the land for the beginning of a new home. [1] They hadjust gotten located in this new land when President Brigham Young,president of the Church, called Brother Whittaker and his family to goSouth. Being obedient to counsel, they again rounded up their oxen,loaded their wagons, and journeyed to Cedar City. They were about threeweeks or a month in making the trip. He helped build up a greatcommonwealth, went through many hardships in settling a new country, butthe father and mother remained there the rest of their lives in the townof Cedar City, true to the faith they had embraced in Old England. Whenthe Cedar City Ward was organized on 12 May 1852, Grandfather wassustained as second counsellor to the bishop.

In about 1933 in the Arizona Temple, I met a Brother Jones, an elderlyman. He said that he was from Cedar City. I asked if he knew JamesWhittaker Sr and his wife who lived there years ago. He said, "yes, Iknew them. They were the best people I ever knew."


James and his family traveled on the George W.Bourne ship which leftLiverpool on 22 January 1851. Here is a history of the voyage.


GEORGE W. BOURNE Ship: 663 tons: 152' x 31' x 15' Built: 1849 by GeorgeW. Bourne at Kennebunk, Maine On 22 January 1851 the square-rigger GeorgeW. Bourne cleared the Liverpool harbor with 281 Latter-day Saints aboardunder the presidency of Elders William Gibson, Thomas Margetts, andWilliam Booth. Fifty-seven days later, 20 March, the ship reached NewOrleans, and Elder Gibson proudly reported that "no company of Saintshad ever crossed the Atlantic with less sea-sickness." This pleasantvoyage was marked by one marriage, three births, two converts among crewmembers, and the death of a small boy who was dying of consumption whenhe boarded the ship. The vessel was apparently commanded by herpart-owner, Captain William Williams. This ship was a typical product ofYankee shipwrights, built with two decks but no galleries, three masts,square stern, and a billethead. Her owners were all from Kennebunk,Maine. In 1862, she was sold to foreigners. In some records her name isshown as Geo. W. Bourne and G. W. Bourne.-

From the history of James Whittaker: Born in England, James Whittakercame to Utah in 1851. He was called by President Young to go to IronCounty. "Mr. Whittaker was a yarn dresser by profession. Beingindustrious, thrifty and resourceful, he built a loom and wove cloth madefrom wool that was home raised and homespun, the texture of the clothcomparing favorably with the coarser cloths of today, being very firmlywoven with a smooth finish. The color was always gray, and the cloth wasmade into men's suits by the women of his household, and he looked likean English gentleman, which he had a right to do in his homespun suits."

Our Pioneer Heritage
Volume 15.

From the history of James Whittaker:

Born in England, James Whittaker came to Utah in 1851. He was called by President Young to go to Iron County. "Mr. Whittaker was a yarn dresser by profession. Being industrious, thrifty and resourceful, he built a loom and wove cloth made from wool that was home raised and homespun, the texture of the cloth comparing favorably with the coarser cloths of today, being very firmly woven with a smooth finish. The color was always gray, and the cloth was made into men's suits by the women of his household, and he looked like an English gentleman, which he had a right to do in his homespun suits."

This family were industrious and anxious to get along in life. This family continued to enjoy life in their home in Haywood untill about the year 1849 or 1850. Two missionaries called at their home. They knocked at the door. The mother answered the knock. Two strange men dressed in Prince Albert suits, white shirts and a derby hat were standing at the door. They told her they were missionaries from Utah, representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that they had a message for her and her family. She invited them into her home. They told her of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, and other things. It seemed they were men who spoke with authority. The missionaries continued to visit this home untill the father, mother, and all the children were converted to the Gospel and in due time were baptised by "immersion" for the remission of sins and afterwards confirmed members of the Church.

On March 12 1842 James Whittaker Sr and Jr. sailed from Liverpool, England on the ship Hanover to New Orleans. There were 200 peple on board and Amos Fielding was the leader of the company. They traveled to Nauvoo and spent six months there before returning to England.

There is a principle in the L.D.S. church called the "Spirit of Gathering". When a person becomes a member of the Church in a foreign country, a strong desire to gather with the Saints comes into his heart and he feels that he must be [I] close to the authority of the church. It was true in this case, for as soon as they were confirmed members, they began to talk of gathering with the saints in Utah. This desire became so strong and urgent that they began disposing of their property, household goods--in fact, everything they owned was turned into cash. In the winter of 1851, the father purchased tickets on the good old ship "Independence", scheduled to soon leave Liverpool for the United States of America. They packed their few personal belongings and other things (as Hattie and Lottie say in their biography). Grandfather bought dried fish, dried fruit, and other concentrated food, which his family enjoyed on the trip, and being of a generous nature, he fed many hungry mouths from his supply.

In the winter of 1851, they bade farewell to dear old England, the land of their birth and the land they loved so well, bade farewell to parents, brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors, to people whom they had mingled with both in social and financial ways all their lives. They certainly had a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel in order to do this. Many tears must have been shed when they left their old home in Haywood, the old home which had sheltered them for so many years. But they, like hundreds of saints, had been caught in the [J] Gospel Net and were willing to make the sacrifice in order to reap the blessings. For they were a few of the tens of thousands who earnestly sought truth in the latter days, happily found it, courageously accepted it, and were led into new places where, despite many trials, they discovered new and greater joys in living. May the memory of their faith and diligent work ever rest in the hearts of the coming generations. For this one man's family were caught in "The Gospel Net" and carried into a far country where, through the possession of eternal truth and much trial and adversity, found happiness among the Mormon people located in the state of Utah.

James Whittaker and his family sailed from Liverpool, England on 22 January 1851 on board the grand old sailing vessel Independence with about five hundred Latter-day Saints, all bound for Utah, the land where Zion was located. They were eight long weeks in crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Their son James loved the beautiful ocean and longed to become a sailor. But God had a far different mission for him to perform during his lifetime. This family and all on board landed at New Orleans on 20 March 1851. They must have rejoiced and thanked God for His protecting care during these long weeks on the ocean when they could only see water, water, and more water. They must have been glad to put their feet on Mother Earth again, for they had landed on American soil, never to return to their native country again. All remained in America, though son James returned to England in later years, but soon came back to America, this time on a steamboat.

As soon as they landed, they began preparations to continue their trip. They purchased tickets on a boat going up the Mississippi River and finally landed in St. Louis where the saints were gathered before leaving for Utah.

The saints extened a hand of fellowship, love, and goodwill to Grandpa, Grandma, and the son and daughters. They made them wecome, for they were all glad to welcome others of the same faith and mingle as the saints of God. Grandpa and his son James, a lad of eighteen years, soon began preparations to go on the remainder of their journey. They finally purchased a wagon and a yoke of oxen, but later decided to buy two yoke, could only get one more ox, but purchased a good cow to be yoked with the other ox. This proved a very good investment, for she pulled part of the load and gave a liberal supply of milk morning and night for the weary travellers.

After many weeks and months of traveling, enduring many hardships day after day but full of faith in the future, these brave pioneers landed in the Salt Lake Valley four years after the first pioneers entered the valley when their leader Brigham Young said, "This is the Place." This band of pioneers landed there in September 1851 after nine months of traveling since they had left their home in dear Old England. They must have been thankful to reach the end of a long journey. However, they had no beautiful home to go to, but depended on new friends for a shelter and advice in getting the land for the beginning of a new home. They had just gotten located in this new land when President Brigham Young, president of the Church, called Brother Whittaker and his family to go South. Being obedient to counsel, they again rounded up their oxen, loaded their wagons, and journeyed to Cedar City. They were about three weeks or a month in making the trip. He helped build up a great commonwealth, went through many hardships in settling a new country, but the father and mother remained there the rest of their lives in the town of Cedar City, true to the faith they had embraced in Old England. When the Cedar City Ward was organized on 12 May 1852, Grandfather was sustained as second counsellor to the bishop.

In about 1933 in the Arizona Temple, I met a Brother Jones, an elderly man. He said that he was from Cedar City. I asked if he knew James Whittaker Sr and his wife who lived there years ago. He said, "yes, I knew them. They were the best people I ever knew."

James and his family traveled on the George W. Bourne ship which left Liverpool on 22 January 1851. Here is a history of the voyage.

GEORGE W. BOURNE Ship: 663 tons: 152' x 31' x 15' Built: 1849 by George W. Bourne at Kennebunk, Maine On 22 January 1851 the square-rigger George W. Bourne cleared the Liverpool harbor with 281 Latter-day Saints aboard under the presidency of Elders William Gibson, Thomas Margetts, and William Booth. Fifty-seven days later, 20 March, the ship reached New Orleans, and Elder Gibson proudly reported that "no company of Saints had ever crossed the Atlantic with less sea-sickness." This pleasant voyage was marked by one marriage, three births, two converts among crew members, and the death of a small boy who was dying of consumption when he boarded the ship. The vessel was apparently commanded by her part-owner, Captain William Williams. This ship was a typical product of Yankee shipwrights, built with two decks but no galleries, three masts, square stern, and a billethead. Her owners were all from Kennebunk, Maine. In 1862, she was sold to foreigners. In some records her name is shown as Geo. W. Bourne and G. W. Bourne.

James and Rachel Whittaker and family landed in Cedar City in the fall of 1851 (quoted). The roads were bad, and it took five weeks to make this 278-mile trip in the dead of winter. They arrived at Cedar Fort on Christmas Eve after eleven months of travel from Haywood, England to Cedar, Utah. Imagine, if you can, that first Christmas in America. Grandmother's heart must have turned in fond memory to the comfortable home across the sea, where all her brothers, sisters, and loved ones were thinking of them and mourning for them as though dead when they disappeared into the new Western World. But James and Rachel were not discouraged, nor did they for one hour wish to turn back. The warmth and energy of religious fervor activated them now as always, and soon through cooperative help of all in the camp, logs were hewn and cabins were built, and the newcomers at least had shelter. Wood was plentiful, and so they had fuel for heat. Grandmother, undaunted by the looks of desolation, immediately set about helping to establish the new home. Their log cabin took on a homey atmosphere that came only through thrift and industry. She soon established herself among the people of the little colony as she went among them in her gentle English way, ever ready to help other women to learn to meet the crises of life that daily confronted the pioneers.

"Biography of James Whittaker."
James Whittaker was the son of Samuel and Sarah Whittaker.

He was born March 8,1809, in Preston, Lancashire, and as if in accord with his oft expressed desire, he passed away without a moment's illness, March 3, 1880.

He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the town of Heywood, near Bolton, Lancashire, England, in the early 40's, and decided to come to America, where he could associate with the body of the Church, With his son, James, who was then just a lad, he crossed the ocean and made careful in-vestigation, as to what a family would need, to be as comfort-able as possible while crossing the plains and getting to Utah.

Being a well to do me reheat of the middle class, he had always provided well for his family, and desired to lessen the hard-ships of pioneering, by careful planning. After a few months, he returned to England, and with his wife, made preparation to bring the family to America.

He, with his wife, Rachel Taylor Whittaker, and four child-ren, James, Ellen s Mary, and Sarah, real gentle English fold, bless their hearts, left their comfortable home, for the gospel's sake, on January 9, and sailed from Liverpool, January 22, 1851. They sailed in this ship, "George W. Bourne," and landed in New Orleans, U. S. A. March 20, 1851; being two months on the water. There were about 250 Latter Day Saints on this boat. They were under the Presidency of William Gibson, Thomas Margetts, and William Booth.

They sailed up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, which in itself, was quite an experience for an English family. The American customs, with the Negro service, were strange and amu-sing, as well as difficult,

Here preparations were made for the westward trek. No fam-ily ever crossed the plains in those days without much hardship, but grandfather made the best plans, that could be made at that time. They were the proud owners of two wagons and one yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows. The cows were milked in the morning, the milk placed in a well covered churn, and when they reached camp at night, there would be a lump of butter floating on the milk. Having milk and butter was a luxury many families did not have.
Grandfather also brought dried fruits, dried fish, and -other kinds of concentrated foods from England, which his fam-ily enjoyed on the trek. Being of a generous nature, many hungry mouths were fed from his supply.

Grandfather believed that the Lord helped those who helped themselves. He was industrious and frugal, and taught his child-ren to be the same. Due to these qualifications, he was always able to provide food and clothing for his family.

They arrived in Salt Lake Valley, in the fall of 1851, and made their camp on the Jordan River, near where the old bridge at 9th West and 1st North, later was built. They had crossed the plains in Captain Morris Phelps Co.

Grandfather was called by President Young, to go south to Cedar Fort, Iron County. They were among the first settlers to arrive there; in the dead of winter, just before Christmas. This fort was located on "Cool Creek," or "Little Muddy," as it was then called. Two years before, in 1847, Parley P. Pratt and his company had camped on this sopt, and designated it for settlement. It was later designated "Cedar Fort," on account of the dense growth of Cedar all over the valley. Later the families moved to higher ground near the mount-ains, which was a safer location. Immediately they set about preparing a little home in old Cedar Fort, for the family to live in during the winter. With courage, and a cheerful determination to meet the up and downs of pioneer life uncomplainingly, they were very succ-essful in building up a livelihood in a short time.

As soon as springtime made it possible to get out on the land, the father, with his son, James, and his little daugh-ters, Mary and Sarah, ploughed and planted twenty acres. In-dustry, frugality, and honesty were ever the motivating factors of their lives. When it was decided to vacate the Fort and move to higher ground near the mountains, grandfather took two lots in the North East corner of Cedar City, as this location was named, and later built a very comfortable home, where they resided ever after. A large barn, built in the corner of the lot, was a veritable wonderland to his grandchildren. The town lots were planted to orchard and garden. He also took up many acres of farm land, and engaged in farming and live stock raising. After a few years, the cattle and horses were sold to good advantage and he then engaged in Bee Culture, very successfully. He followed this occupation to the day of his ; death. We are sure it was the sweetest honey ever gathered.

It may have been our childish fancy but it was to us, the sweetest honey we had ever eat.. We really wonder if the clover and alfalfa blossoms had more and sweeter honey, in those good old days than they do in this age of grouch and pests.

Grandfather was a yarn dresser by profession. Being in-dustrious, thrifty and resourceful, he built a loom and wove cloth made from wool, that was home raised and home spun the texture of the cloth comparing favorably with coarser cloths of today, being very firmly woven, with a smooth finish. The color was always gray, and was made into men's suits by the women folk of his household, and believe it or not, he looked like an English gentleman, which he had a right to do in his home spun suits.

He had a fine physique, being about 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a weight of about 155 pounds, well proportioned, very kind-ly beautiful blue eyes, and as we knew him, snow white hair, worn rather long, inclined to wave, and a snow white beard well trimmed. To his family and grandchildren, he was everything that was good and noble, and we loved him dearly.

"Among my fondest recollections of happy childhood days," says Charlotte, I Ws as helping grandpa harvest his squash, melons, corn, and other vegetables gathered from the upper lot and hauled down to the barn in a good sized lumber hand wagon, which he had made,

Grandfather, James Whittaker, was considered by all who knew him, as an honest, dependable, good God fearing man. He was friendly and charitable to his neighbors and his fellow townspeople. His thrift, industry, and frugality gave comfortable living to his family and fine impetus to his neighbors to do their best, too.

Having a deep religious nature, and a firm testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and of the Divinity of the mission of Joseph Smith, made him a pillar of strength in the church and the community in which he lived.

He was a member of the first bishopric, that was organized in the Cedar City Ward, May 12, 1852. Bishop, Philip Klingensmith; 1st Counselor, Benjamin Husle; and 2nd Counselor, James Whittaker. His wife, Rachel, was a member of the first Relief Society organization and later became President, in which capacity she served for many years. His son and daughters each was chosen to position of responsibility in the church when the ward was organized, and they were active as long as they lived there.

Ellen the oldest daughter of James and Rachel Whittaker, was 1st secretary of the Relief Society, which position she held from November 20, 1856 to November 6, 1879, 23 years. She married Henry Lunt on March 25, 1852, at Parowan, Utah, He had been baptized into the church in Birmingham, England on October 6, 19U9, being the only one of his family to join the church He sailed from Liverpool January 10, 1850 and after two months sailing, arrived in America. After five months more of journeying, he arrived in Salt Lake Valley.

He, and Henry Lunt, remained there until December 7, when he joined the company of President George Albert Smith and started south to form a settlement in Iron County. It took then five weeks to make the journey of 265 miles, but they arrived at Center Creek, (Parowan) January 13, 1851. Here they built a stockade for defense against the Indians and established the settlement at Parowan,

On November 1, of that same year, Brother Lunt was made captain of a company of 23 men, to go 18 miles further south and establish Cedar Fort, which later became Cedar City, This was in November, and it was in December, just one month later, that James Whittaker, and his family, arrived on Christmas Eve, to cast their lot with the pioneers of Southern Utah, It must have been a glad day for Henry Lunt, when the Whittaker family arrived, for thus he met the beautiful English girl, whom he married just three months later, Ellen was small in stature, but she was religious, well trained, and cultured and she blessed every hour of his life and magnified find qualified the principle of plural marriage, which they later embraced. He later married three other women. This gave them children, as Ellen never had any.

James Whittaker Jr., the only son of the family, was keenly intellectual and had natural business ability. He was an ex-pert mathematician. He had good bass voice and had good train-ing in music. He led the Brass Band, in Cedar City, and was Ward Clerk, In later live, he was Choir leader at Circleville, for many years.

On March 12, 1856, he was married to Mary Ann Arthur, by her father, Christopher Arthur. They, the Arthur family, had come to Cedar City, in the spring of 1854. She had accepted the Gospel and was baptized in a large tank on the ship, as they were crossing the ocean. She was a beautiful girl, very modest and retiring in her nature.

James and Mary Ann lived two years later in Cedar City, then moved to Minersville, Beaver County, where they engaged in dairying and farming. Later moved to Greenville.

James drove ox teams back to the Eastern States, with barrels of butter with which he bought the first grain reaper ever brought to Southern Utah. While the machine merely cut the grain down, it was hailed as a "paramount wonder of the age."

He later settled at Beaver, and became Superintendent of Beaver Coop.

In the fall of 1877, the family moved to Circleville, Piute County, which became their permanent home. James, like his father, had good business ability, so by this time, he had accumulated considerable means, and soon became prominent in the business and the industries of that community.

He established a store for general merchandise, and bought the first "Starved Rooster" Threshing machine that was brought into the valley. In 1890, he built and ran the first Roller Mill in Kingston, and the roller mill now in operation at Junction, was built and first owned by the Whittaker's.

Ten children were born to James and Mary Ann. Five girls and five boys. Nine grew to maturity.

They both were known far and near, for their honesty and uprightness of life, and for their kindness to the poor and the needy.

Mary Whittaker, the second daughter of James and Rachel, was tall, brown eyed, and beautifully serene. She married Amos G. Thornton, who came to Utah in 1852, with his parents and settled at American Fork. In 1854, he was called by President Brigham Young, to go on the Southern Utah Indian mission, with Jacob Hamblin and others. Rufus Alien was their first President and their headquarters were at Fort Harmony, a few miles south of Cedar City.

Though most of his time was taken up with the haz-ardous work of trying to christianize and civilize the Indians, Amos found time to heed Cupid's call, and on December 18, 1856, he and Mary were married at Father Whittaker's home, the father, performing the ceremony.

The next spring, 1857, they moved 28 miles west and helped to settle Pinto. Amos was chosen as the first pre-siding elder of the branch and later when Pinto Ward was organized, July 11, 1867, he was appointed first Counselor to Bishop Richard Robinson.
On March 17, 1871 Pinto was organized in the United Order, with Amos as general business agent. He was associated with the Co-op Cattle Co. and had charge of the Co-op Sheep Co., for many "years.

Early in the year of 1880, Eliza R. Snow and Zina D. H. Young, come to Pinto, and organized the Primary Association. Mary W. Thornton was made President, which position she held for18 years and 6 months. When the Re-lief Society was organized there, May 9, 1869, with Emma E. Coleman President, Mary was chosen 1st counselor, Ann G. Knell, 2nd counselor.

Mary had the gift of song and gave of her talent in this and in every way to help build up the new colony.

She and Amos, together, built their lives through hardships, toil and sacrifice and finally created a home from which emanated true hospitality. Real joy came to all who gathered there. The Thornton home was always a gather-ing place, where old and young alike, were entertained. Whether it be an old fashioned spelling match, a quilting bee, a rag bee, or a dumb supper, or a picnic, or a party for the Primary, all were welcome.
There were nine children born to Amos and Mary, three boys and six girls.

When the Primary Association was organized in Cedar Ward, Feb. 7,1880, Sarah, the youngest daughter of James and Rachel, was made 1st counselor to President Mary Ann Stewart, Josephine C. Wood was 2nd counselor.

The Whittaker children were all musical and Sarah had her full share. She sang with a voice as clear and beautiful as a nightingale.

She was married to John Chatterley, a young man of intellect and ability, March 12, 1862. He arrived at the Port a few days before the Whittaker family. He came from Manchester, England, with his parents. They cros-sed the plains in 1851.

He was the second school teacher in Cedar City, and kept the first Coop store. He became chorfeleader, and band leader, and was Postmaster for many years. John was a real comedian and was the head of the Home Dramatic Co. for many years.

John and Sarah lived happily together, and were active in Civic and religious affairs. From their home emanated a constant stream of hospitality. It was always a gathering place for young people, (their children's friends) and their friends and their friends. They ate, sang, and danced, under the shelter and loving guidance of this home. They had seven children.

James and Rachel Taylor Whittaker were married Aug. 2, 1829, at Rochdale Old Church, Lancashire, England.

A few years after arriving in Cedar, James, married Catherine Winchester. She was an
advanced old maid, who had come to Utah, with a group of emigrants, expect-ing to be taken care of in marriage.

This was a sore trial to grandmother, but she bore it without a murmur. Aunt Kate, as she was called, was a very eccen-tric, but was kind and good to grandfather. She was a good nurse and served her family and neighbors well. She lived to be a very old woman and in her declining years, she lived in the home of John and Sarah Chatterley, and was careful cared for by them and their children.

In the homes of all these Whittaker children, there prevailed a religious cultured dignity, which radiated sheer joy and suppressed rowdyism. It was their heritage from their parents, and from their progenitors across the sea.

Obituary
Taken from "Journal History" Jan. to March 1880. Filed in Church Historian's Office, Salt Lake City.

Death of a Veteran Saint.

We learn from President Lunt of Cedar City, of the death on the 3rd Inst. of his Father-in-law, Elder James Whittaker Senior, of that place. He was a man over 70 years of age, and was apparently in perfect health the very day he died. It was about half past six in the even-ing, just after partaking of a hearty supper, that he was suddenly taken. He had partly raised out of his chair, to stir the fire, when he sank back in his seat and was dead In an instant. The disease was pronounced by the verdict of a coroners jury, apoplexy of the heart.

The funeral was held on Sunday the 7th inst., and was largely attended, the deceased being a man, who was beloved and respected by all who knew him. He came from Lancashire, England, joined the church at an early day, associated with the Prophet Joseph, at Nauvoo, after-ward returned to England, and brought his wife and children into the church and emigrated to Utah in 1851. He went that same year with Brother Lunt to settle Cedar City, and has been there ever since as a true and faithful member of the Church.

As an instance of the honesty and integrity of his heart, Brother Lunt mentioned that once when the scarcity of wheat had raised the price to $7.00 a bushel, Brother Whittaker, having a surplus, disposed of it to the poor, who were in need of bread, and would accept but $2.00 per bushel, the Tithing Office price. The example is certain-ly worthy of emulation."

1880.
The Deseret Evening News. Thursday, March 25, 1880

James married Rachel Taylor, daughter of James Taylor and Alice Turner, on 2 Aug 1829 in St Chad, Rochdale, Lancashire, England. (Rachel Taylor was born on 16 Apr 1808 in Abram, , Lancashire, England, christened on 5 Jun 1808 in Heywood, , Lancashire, England, died on 28 Jul 1876 in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, USA and was buried in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, USA.)