by Margaret P. Petersen (Edited for continuity by Gary Lee Walker)
Next to their children, I, being the oldest grandchild and having lived in their home for three years, probably remember hearing more incidents related by them than any other grandchild. I will not rely upon my memory alone, however, but will include statements and observations of my living uncles and aunts.
John Pitcher was born on March 11, 1845, at Shipdam, Norfolk County, England.
His father was a farm laborer and the custom of the time was that the members of the family would work with their father on the farm. I remember Grandpa telling us that his first duty as a child was to scare the birds out of the cherry trees. He became sleepy and fell asleep in the wheelbarrow he was sitting in. The foreman came along and wheeled him to another part of the orchard, and, when he awakened, he was frightened and feared he would be punished, but the next day the man just teased and laughed at the joke.
Grandpa was a strong, well-built young man and often told of how much he could lift, such things as bags of grain. Also, he often spoke of how far and how fast he could walk to and from work. He was also good at defending himself. I remember him telling us that the young fellows knew better than to try to take his girl (Grandma) away from him.
On the farm, the workers brought their lunches, and a mug of beer was furnished to drink with their lunches. Grandpa said “Not all the farmers did this, but this man was kind to his workers in many ways.” Grandpa’s work was appreciated. When he told his employer he was coming to America, the man offered him better wages and better living conditions if he would stay. “But my mind was made up so I refused the offer,” he said.
Grandfather never had any formal schooling and he never learned to read or write. But he had a keen mind and his mental arithmetic was astonishing, as I will mention later. His training on this farm carried through his life and accounted for his success as a farmer. He worked with his father, caring for the horses on the farm and acquiring a great love for them. The driving horses he drove were the best in town, and I feel sure it could be said they were the best cared for, also. Uncle Ed said, “Grandpa knew only one way to do anything and that was the right way and he would tolerate nothing less. He could stack grain bundles so perfectly there would be no damage from the weather, no matter how long they had to thresher.”
His fence lines were straight and well built. He could plow a furrow with a hand plow and horses as straight as a string.
My first memories of his work are of his large garden and his well-kept orchard. I loved to stand on the path and watch the water flowing down each carefully weeded row. The green peas were always staked so that they could be easily picked and none would be wasted on the ground. He was generous with his vegetables, and he would pull radishes and turnips for us to eat, but we were never allowed to tread in the garden. He prided himself in growing the earliest vegetables, and he would drive to Logan with a few sacks of new potatoes in the buggy and be paid a high price, I think about two dollars a hundred.
Until he was past eighty years of age he continued to do gardening and his garden attracted the attention of those passing by.
I remember as a child that Grandpa grew his own garden seed, and I watched him select and shell corn, also peas, onions and radish seed, and, of course, the best potatoes. Grandfather was born to humble parents of the laboring class of England, but the common virtues of honesty, faith, family loyalty, etc. were a part of their lives. Again, my uncle told this story, “When Great Grandfather was about to depart this life he deeded his property, a farm and house and lot in town, all to his youngest son, James Daniel, and said, ‘Now do with this as I would do.’ So the boys went down to the farm, located east of Bear River, and divided the land according to its value. Each were satisfied and there was never any bickering. Contrast that with the will and the court proceedings of today in settling many family affairs.”
My Grandmother, Rebecca Levell Browne, was born on December 14, 1846, at Shipdam, Norfolk County, England, to William Levell Browne and Phillipa Bates. (William Levell was born out of wedlock to Elizabeth Levell, who later married William Browne. Her son went by the name of Browne and this name is on her marriage certificate, that is, the marriage certificate of my Grandmother, Rebecca Browne. However, in tracing the genealogy in England, it was found that the census rules required her father to use the name Levell, so his family were all registered as Levell. We have no record of the father of William Levell.)
Grandmother’s background was almost the opposite of Grandfather’s. While I never heard her say much about her father, except that he was kind, much was said by both Grandma and Grandpa in describing her mother as educated, intelligent, influential, capable and beautiful. Also, she was determined that her children should receive the best education available. With this background, Grandma was able to obtain employment with the higher class people. She was an assistant to the Governess for the children. At one time, she had charge of the silver and crystal, and of setting the table. I don’t know, however, if these duties were with the same employer. Another advantage was living with her sister, Bertha, described as being very beautiful. Bertha married a wealthy man with some sort of title. They spent the summers in Scotland and while with them in Scotland, Grandma learned the Scottish brogue, songs, step dances and poems. She entertained us many times with these accomplishments. She danced a few measures at her Golden Wedding Day and also on her 80th birthday.
Her sister furnished her with lovely clothes, some of which, she brought with her to this country, but never wore because they were out of place in a pioneer community.
I cannot remember enough of their courtship to relate anything about it, so I will only state that they were married on December 25, 1867.
Grandpa’s parents had been members of the Church for years. Grandma was also familiar with the Church, because her mother entertained the missionaries and knew they had the truth, but did not have the courage to join the Church for fear of losing her friends and family.
Though she had many incidents which tried her faith, she remained true and steadfast. She told me one day that their only reason for coming to Zion was so their family would be reared in the Church.
With Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother, an older brother Edward (Ted) and his wife Susan, Grandma and Grandpa with their one year old son, Henry, left their home in England, September 22, 1869. They arrived in Utah on October 22, 1869, on one of the first trains to come into Ogden. The ship voyage was extremely rough and caused much anxiety and illness. The train trip across the continent was slow and uncomfortable. Grandpa said the men folks would jump from the train and gather bits of wood to burn in the stove in the passenger car, than run and catch the train again. There was no depot at Ogden. They and their trunks were dumped out on the river banks. Grandma said they were given some bread and molasses to eat, though I don’t know who furnished it. She also said that they saw missionaries, whom they had entertained in England, pass by and completely ignored them. The first winter they spent in Farmington, where the John Ladle family were living. Mrs. Ladle was Grandma’s aunt. Grandpa worked on the railroad between Ogden and Salt Lake City. While working, his arm was injured and became infected. They said the flesh dropped from the wound, and he carried a scar from his elbow to his shoulder the rest of his life. Grandma said the doctor wanted to amputate, but they refused. Through the administration of the Elders the arm was healed. Because Grandpa was unable to work it was necessary for Grandma to go out and do washing. Her soft, delicate hands, unaccustomed to the harsh soap and a scrubbing board, became so raw and bled so profusely that she had to plead for other work. She received bacon, molasses and flour for her work. The next year they moved to Smithfield. The town had been settled ten years before but pioneering conditions still existed. Living was difficult and Grandma said she almost died when she saw women going to Church barefooted and wearing sun-bonnets. Another shocking thing was that everyone was chewing something, which she later found to be gum.
The first summer in Cache Valley, Grandpa and Uncle Ted hired out to a charcoal burner, and they worked several months in a canyon east of Salt Lake City. Happy to have secured work that would give them something to live on during the winter, they returned, nevertheless, with their clothes worn to shreds, their shoes worn out and with no money. The man for whom they worked sold the charcoal and skipped with the money without paying them a penny. I remember Grandma telling us of her fright each time an Indian would make an appearance, and how she would lie awake nights planning how she might protect her baby, and then how grateful she was for Grandpa’s return, though they had no money. Uncle Ted’s wife, Aunt Susan, was Grandma’s source of comfort during the early days. However, this close companionship ended when Aunt Susan died eight years later. Grandma helped rear the two sons; the two daughters were raised by people outside of the family.
They lived in a one room log house with sod-roof. Grandma made curtains for the tiny window from her petticoats, brought from England. She planted morning glories which grew up and covered the roof, also Hollyhocks and any other flower seeds she could obtain. She was criticized for her curtains and any other thing she did to make her home the least bit attractive.
I was only a small child when I first sensed the refinement in my grandmother’s home. It was entirely lacking in the homes of other relatives. There was no coarse language, the table was always spread with a clean cloth, food was carefully prepared and properly served. There was an organ, singing and reciting, small courtesies such as “If you please,” and “Thank you.” It was a clean and orderly home, with well-kept surroundings.
A few years before her death she told me of the almost superhuman effort she made to rear her family in a better environment than the Pitcher family had known. Though they were honest, hard-working farmers, they had not been exposed to too much refinement. Grandpa was cooperative and was proud of Grandma and her abilities.
Going back to their first years at Smithfield, work was scarce and payments for work were scarce and were usually made in produce. Very little money was seen. Grandpa herded cows in the north and the east of town. He gathered the animals in the morning and returned them at night. They were known as the town herd. As soon as Uncle Henry and father were old enough, they took over this work.
When the railroad was built from Cache Junction around Cache Valley, Grandpa worked on the railroad and living conditions improved. Later, when the main line of the Union Pacific was built from Cache Junction north on the west side of the valley, Grandpa worked on this line. The family lived in section houses at Thatcher (now Virginia) and at Cannon (now Utida). Grandma cooked for the section hands. Much, if not all of the time, Grandpa was Section Foreman. I mentioned earlier Grandpa’s ability to figure or calculate in his head. All the while he was foreman the roadmasters thought he was educated, because he could so readily give them figures on costs and amounts. Grandma made out all written reports, so he was able to hold his job. Of course, the family was reared in the mean time. Uncle Henry was born in England. Father was born on June 13, 1871. Two boys, Tommy and Freddie, died in childhood of diphtheria. Next came Aunt Rose, then Charlie (who was drowned in Bear River at the age of fourteen), then Alice, Edgar, Joseph and Walter. While on the railroad they saved enough money to build one of the best homes in Smithfield at that time. It still stands west of the railroad tracks and brings back fond memories to all the grandchildren who were privileged to enjoy this hospitable and gracious home.
When they retired from railroading, Grandpa was around forty-five years of age. Then he began farming, with the three younger boys to help him. Another story from Uncle Ed, “Meals were served exactly on time, breakfast at seven, dinner at twelve and supper at six. No matter what they were doing Grandpa insisted they stop work and be cleaned up for the meal. I remember once when the thresher boss objected, saying we could work two more hours. Grandpa said, ‘If you eat here you eat now.’ No further trouble occurred. This regularly made it possible for the family to be together for family prayer, night and morning; also the women folk were through with their work in early evening. I think this habit was established while working on the railroad when regular hours were routine.”
Grandma was a born executive, organizer and manager. Everything she was in charge of showed her capability. In Church work, she was Primary President for years. Also, she was Relief Society President, in the days when there were no outlined courses of study, when looking after the poor, the sick, and the dead fell on the Relief Society. She was also in demand to take charge of banquets for the Old Folks Day, Civic and community banquets. Decoration and program committees, I must mention also. She had a fine voice and sang in the choir until her late sixties.
Grandpa held no offices, his lack of education made him shy, but he attended Church with Grandma. He also carried kindling and wood up to the Relief Society room and built the fire so it would be warm and comfortable when the women assembled. He hitched the horse to the buggy and drove many places that Grandma was supposed to be. Many times the call came in the night to care for the sick or the dying. I feel Grandpa should get his share of credit for the many things Grandma was able to do.
From necessity she learned to care for the sick, even to setting broken bones and delivering some babies. To her family she was Mother, teacher, doctor, nurse, advisor and always the example of a perfect lady.
In the year of 1923 they sold their home and their farm and moved to a smaller home, one and a half blocks west of the First Ward Meeting house. Though the house was smaller they were happiest when it was crowded with members of the family. Christmas and birthdays made family gatherings imperative. October 17, 1928, at the age of eighty-three, Grandma gave her last birthday party, which honored Aunt Rose and Uncle Jode.
She became ill in November and died December 23. During her illness, not one word of complaint escaped her lips. She was concerned about the comfort of her family that cared for her, and appreciated their devotion.
After Grandma’s death, Grandpa went to live with my father and mother. He endured the loss of his beloved partner patiently, but his sadness was easily detected. His mind was keen. He cared for himself, and many times I marveled at how carefully he brushed his hair and his long beard, which was still more brown than grey. His conversation was always as clean as his person, and he could not tolerate any immodesty. I must add my memories of his courtesy to Grandma. Some of the most beautiful pictures that come to my mind are of his meeting her and opening the gate for her and escorting her to the door, or of his picking his most beautiful rose and bringing it to her, or of telling her how good the food was or how well he liked her new dress.
For ten years he waited for the final call and on May 3, 1938, at the age of ninety-three, he was called home.
They were a wonderful couple, honored by loved ones and friends. May we, their descendants, appreciate the heritage they left us, and remember that they made a great sacrifice that their children, to the last generation, might be born in the Church.
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