by Gary Lee Walker (from some facts related by Phoebe Clarissa Pitcher Boman)
Hannah Thompson Brower was born on October 25, 1835, at Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, the daughter of John and Margaret Ballantyne Thompson. Her parents were also natives of Scotland.
The Gospel was presented to her and her family by Elder Orson Pratt. Hannah Thompson was eight years of age when the Elders baptized her, and she said, while she was alive, that she remembered the incident well.
Sister Brower was 17 years old when she sailed from Liverpool, England on February 10, 1852, bound for Salt Lake City. She reached New Orleans 10 weeks later, after a long and trying sea voyage. From New Orleans, she traveled up the Mississippi River, on a steamboat, reaching Kansas City and, from there, she and her family traveled to Independence, Missouri. On June 20, 1852, she and her family started across the plains for Utah, probably in a covered wagon train. They reached Salt Lake City on September 3, 1852. They had many hardships and several members of her family died while enroute on the plains.
She and her family lived near Salt Lake City for a long period of time, and then moved to Richmond, Utah.
Hannah Thompson lived in polygamy. She was the second wife of a Brother Winder and later became the fourth wife of Ariah Coates Brower.
On September 8, 1918, in Lewiston, Cache, Utah, she departed this earthly life.
January 2014, by Susan Carey:
The following are from the website Mormon Migration.
She traveled from Liverpool to New Orleans on the Ellen Maria (10 Feb 1852 – 5 Apr 1852)
Source: BMR, Book #1044, pp. 30-64 (FHL #025,690); Customs #157 (FHL #200,169)
From the Autobiography of Hannah Thompson Brower
We had experienced our first ride on a steamboat, coming from Glasgow to Liverpool, and had a very rough journey for 24 hours, and Cecelia and I were very sick, but Margaret proved to be a good sailor.
After arriving at Liverpool, we tarried there for a few days, waiting for the good ship- Ellen Maria, the ship on which we emigrated, to get loaded, there being a large company of Saints, so we had to time to look around the city and to go to the shops to buy, and hear them talk English, which was quite amusing to us, as we had never been out of Scotland until then. We also had time to reflect back to the time of bidding an affectionate farewell to our loved ones and many neighbors, among whom we had been raised in the town of Edinburgh, on the coast of the beautiful Firth of Fouth, where our hearts were much endeared to the many hills and dates, where we three girls with our brother, Alexander, had roamed with our many comrades in the neighborhood, 47 India Place.
It was February 10, 1852, we sailed from Liverpool, and the Saints all sang Hymn #No. 235, Page 241 of the Latter-day Saint Hymn Book-“Yes My Native Land, I Love THEE,”
All thy scenes, I love them well; [p.8]
Friends, connections, happy country,
Can I bid you farewell?
Can I leave thee,
Far in the distant lands to dwell?
[verse] 2
Home thy joys are passing lovely,
Joy no stranger heart can tell;
Happy home ’tis sure I love thee.
Can I, can I say farewell?
Can I leave thee,
Far in the distant lands to dwell?
[verse] 3
Holy scenes of joy and gladness
Every fond emotion swell;
Can I banish heartfelt sadness
While I bid my home farewell?
Can I leave thee,
Far in the distant lands to dwell?
verse [4]
Yes, I hasten from you gladly,
From the scenes I love so well,
Far away, ye billows, bear me,
Lovely, native lands, farewell.
Pleased I leave thee,
Far in distant lands to dwell.
verse [5]
In the deserts let me labor,
On the mountains let me tell
How he died, the blessed Savior,
To redeem a world from hell.
Let me hasten,
Far in distant lands to dwell.
verse [6]
Bear me on, thou restless ocean,
Let the winds the canvas swell;
Heaves my heart with warm emotion,
While I go far hence to dwell.
Glad I bid thee,
Native land, farewell, farewell.
The first few days of our sailing along the Irish coast was very rough and stormy, and Cecelia and I were again very sick, but Margaret proved again to be a good sailor and able to help us a little.
When we got out in the open sea, we had lovely voyage excepting by being delayed by some contrary winds and [p.9] dead calms, causing the vessel to scarcely move. We were nine or 10 weeks at sea and reached New Orleans, April 6, 1852. We then took a steamboat up the Mississippi River to St. Louis , where many of the weak-hearted Saints apostatized. After tarrying there a few days, we boarded another steamer and went up the Missouri River to Kansas City, where we landed.
We were assigned, with others, to two log cabins, or rooms where we were to sleep, and to do our cooking at a fire-place, taking our turn with the bake kettle. We made our beds on the floor at night. It was here we learned to wait to be patient and take our turn, as there were so many of us to use that oven. We were a pretty good set of people and did not quarrel. President A. O. Smoot, was our captain. [p.10]
. . . Our company arrived in the Valley September 3, 1852, and were met by Ballos Brass Band, at Echo Canyon. We were the first company of Saints to have been brought by the Perpetual Emigration Fund, which had been organized by President Brigham Young. We received great honors. . . . [p.14]
BIB: Brower, Hannah Thompson. Autobiography (Ms 10204), pp. 8-10, 14. (CHL)
A Compilation of General Voyage Notes
“THE ELLEN MARIA cleared on the seventh, but owing to adverse winds did not put to sea until the tenth, of February. Her entire complement was made up of the Saints’ company, and consisted of three hundred and sixty-nine souls, one of which was born during the detention; both mother and child were remarkably comfortable at the date of departure. . . .
. . . With this company we are called upon to part with Elders J. D. Ross, Glaud Rodger, Haden W. Church, J. W. Johnson, Henry Evans, and Lewis Robbins — all presidents of conferences from this important field. . . .”
MS, 14:5 (March 1, 1852), p.72
“By letter from Elder Isaac C. Haight, we learn that the Ellen Maria arrived at New Orleans on the 7th of April, after a very pleasant and prosperous voyage. There were three births, four marriages, and one death, (Sister Rolph, aged 89 years, of diarrhea,) during the voyage. Captain Whitmore is spoken of as a very kindhearted and considerate man.”
MS, 14:13 (May 22, 1852), p.202
“FIFTY-SEVENTH COMPANY. — Ellen Maria, 369 souls. The ship Ellen Maria which the year previous had brought a company of Saints safely across the Atlantic, was again chartered by the presidency at Liverpool to bring another company to New Orleans; and on the seventh of February, 1852, she cleared, but owing to adverse winds, did not put to sea until the tenth of February. Her entire complement was made up of Saints, numbering three hundred and sixty-nine souls; one of which was born during the detention. (Both mother and child were remarkably comfortable at the date of departure.) Among those who sailed with this company were a number of prominent Americans and native elders who had performed efficient missionary work in the British Isles, such as James D. Ross, Gland Rodger, Haden W. Church, J. W. Johnson, Henry Evans and Louis Robbins; these brethren had all acted as presidents of the conferences.
Elder Isaac C. Haight, an American elder, was an appointed president of the company, which included one hundred and eighty-two P. [Perpetual] E. [Emigration] Fund emigrants.
After a very pleasant and prosperous voyage, the Ellen Maria arrived at New Orleans on the seventh of April. There were three births, four marriages and one death during the voyage. The person who died was a Sister Rolph, aged eighty nine years.
Captain Whitmore, as a very kind and considerate man, treated the emigrants with all due respect and consideration.
From New Orleans the journey was continued by a river steamer to St. Louis, Missouri, where the company was met by Abraham O. Smoot, who acted as agent for the P. E. Fund Company, and who purchased supplies for the Saints who emigrated to Utah through the agency of that company, to make the overland journey with.
After co-operating with Elder Smoot in this connection according to instructions, Elder Issac C. Haight, who had led the company to St. Louis, returned to England, and
Elder Smoot conducted the emigrants to Council Bluffs, and subsequently lead the first British company of P. E. Fund emigrants across the plains, consisting of those who had crossed the Atlantic in both the Kennebec and Ellen Maria.”
Cont., 13:9 (July 1892), pp.414-15
“Tues. 10. [Feb. 1852] . . . The ship Ellen Maria sailed from Liverpool, England, with 369 Saints, under the direction of Isaac C. Haight. It arrived in New Orleans April 6th.”
CC, p.45
Diary of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company
Liverpool, Feb. 10th 1852
Passenger ship Ellen Maria, Captain Amhurst Whitmore, with 367 passengers on board including 264 adults, 89 children under 14 years of age & 14 infants. Elder Isaac C. Haight, president of company, Elders L. [Lewis] Robbins and J.[Joseph] W. Johnson, counselors, Henry E. Pugh, clerk. Left Victoria Dock, Liverpool, Feb. 10th, towed out into the river & came to anchor for the night. The company was organized in the following order, viz: steerage: Elder George Hill to 2nd, Elder John Leishman 3rd, Elder Robert Watson 4th, Priest William. Hudson 5th, Elder John Dunn 6th, Priest Edward Davies [Davis] 7th, Elder Edward Milnes 8th and Elder Eliezer Edwards 9th. 2nd cabin: Elder Claud Rodger 1st, Elder Isaac Brockebank [Brockbank], 2nd. Prayers to be attended morning & evening.
Wednesday 11th. At past 10 o’clock a. morning, the ship was tacked and towed by steam tug, which left us about 4 o’clock p.m. when the sails were spread before a gentle breeze which wafted us smoothly along for a short time when the wind freshened, the sea became rough which caused much sickness among the passengers during the night.
Thursday, 12th. Wind blowing strong from southwest which drove us back past the Isle of Man; seasickness still among the passengers. About 2 o’clock p.m., Jonathan Young & Sarah Farr were married by Elder Lewis Robbins.
Friday, 13th. Wind changed to northeast, sea calm & passengers began to recover from sickness. Provisions served out to the passengers. Peace and charity prevailing throughout the ship. The Saints enjoying much of the spirit manifest in their united love & good feeling one towards another.
Saturday, 14th. Favorable winds & weather during the greater part of the week & on Saturday 14th a marriage took place on board between Edward Simon and Jane Beddoe from Wales who were married by Elder Eliezer Edwards.
On Sunday 15th. [p. 1] three meetings were held on board, one in the 2nd cabin & two in the steerage, when the sacrament was administered and & good feeling manifested.
On Monday night, 16th. at 11 o’clock p.m. Sister Mary McLauchlan [McLaughlan], wife of Mark McLauchlan [McLaughlan], was safely delivered of a fine female child. The remaining part of the week good breezes and calm sea, the passengers in good health & spirits. Elder Henry Brown met with a slight accident by falling from the steerage stairs & dislocating his shoulder, but it was immediately adjusted by the Captain Whitmore & he is now favorably recovering.
Sunday, 22nd. Fine weather, wind blowing a gentle breeze northeast, good health generally prevailing among the passengers, those who have been ill gradually recovering. Captain Whitmore has been unremitting in his attention to the passengers in promoting their comfort & happiness. There was a meeting held on the top deck in the afternoon. The meeting was addressed by Elder J.[Joseph] W. Johnson, who was followed in his remarks by President I. [Isaac] C. Haight, much to the edification & instruction of the passengers. The sacrament was administered & a good spirit prevailed. After the sacrament was over Brother McLauchlan’s [McLaughlan’s] child, who was born on board, was blessed by Elder J. [James] D. Ross and named Eliza Anne Haight, the meeting was dismissed by Elder I. [Isaac] C. Haight & the Saints returned to their respective berths, feeling much gratified.
Monday, 23rd. Fine weather, wind blowing northeast the ship going at the rate of 9 knots per hour, the passengers enjoying good health & buoyant spirits with but very few exceptions.
Wednesday, 25th. Fine weather and wind favorable, good health and spirits generally prevailing among the passengers.
Thursday, 26th. Fresh wind & sea rather rough; some of the passengers feeling rather sickly from the effects thereof. [p. 2]
Friday, 27th. Wind and weather much the same as yesterday and passengers generally in good health.
Saturday 28th. Wind & weather more favorable than yesterday and sea calmer. The passengers busily engaged in cleaning & for the morrow [UNCLEAR]; good health and spirits generally prevailing.
Sunday, 29th. Fine weather, wind west, southwest. The generality of the passengers enjoying good health and spirits. Held a meeting on the top deck in the afternoon when Elder J.D. Ross delivered a very interesting and instructive discourse. The sacrament was administered and the meeting was dismissed by Elder H. [Haden] W. Church. The daughter of Brother Thomas Child who was born Feb. 8th while the vessel lay in the Victoria Dock, Liverpool, was blessed by Elder Glaud [Claud] Rodger and named Ellen Maria.
Monday, March 1st. Fine weather, the wind west, southwest, good health and spirits generally prevailing among the passengers.
Tuesday, 2nd. Sea rather rough, but fine weather and wind favorable. A vessel in view, the first seen for more than a week. This afternoon a lecture was delivered by Elder Horner on the subject of his leaving the Baptists and going a Latter-day Saint. The passengers generally in good health & spirits.
Wednesday, 3rd. Wind favorably northeast, fine weather, sea still rather rough, good health generally prevailing among the passengers.
Thursday, 4th. Fine weather, wind northeast. This afternoon was very interesting. A lecture was delivered by Elder Lewis Robbins on the life and death and the character of Joseph Smith; the passengers enjoying good health.
Friday, 5th. East wind, fine weather; provisions were served out to the passengers and all seeming to [be] doing well.
Saturday, 6th. Wind favorable & very fine weather. Some of the passengers very ill, the captain showing great attention and kindness to them. The weather very warm [so] that several took their beds upon deck & slept there all night.
Sunday, 7th. Weather rather squally; had a meeting on the top deck when [p .3] Elder H. W. Church addressed the passengers & after the sacrament was administered & [meeting] was dismissed.
Monday, 8. Fine weather and wind favorable; the passengers generally enjoying good health and spirits. [p. 4]
BIB: [Diary] IN Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company. General Files (1849-1898) bx. 1, fd. 4. British Mission historical records and minutes. [LDS Church Archives, LR 1140 2, April 6, 1852, pp. 1-4; Acc. #2396] (CHL)
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