Susan Burgess Crandall
by Susan Burgess Crandall secretary of
Relief Society of Second District Payson Ward, Utah, Count Utah
February 3, 1881
I am the
daughter of Horace and Almira Burgess. I
was born Oct. 5, 1846 at Winter Quarters then Indian Territory (now
Nebraska). My mother came with the
children to Utah in 1846. My father
expected to come the next year but died with the cholera in the state of Iowa
June 17, 1849. I was baptized when eight
years old. I have two brothers (vis)
Hyrum and George. In the year 1856 there
was a famine in Utah caused by the crickets.
During the scarcity food was very scarce. I didn’t taste bread for near three weeks at
one time. I seen my mother divide the
last teacup of flour with a sick woman and the Saints all with few exceptions
divided to the last. They enjoyed the
Spirit of God.
In 1856-7
the authorities called for all the Saints in Utah to have a reformation and be
rebaptized. I was then rebaptized. In 1857 a crusade was sent against the church
under the command of one General Johnson by order of the U.S. Government. But they were not permitted by the saints to
come in the Valley until the spring of 1858 by treaty that they should quarter
no less than forty miles from Salt Lake City.
And during their march through Salt Lake City and valley the women and
children was moved south until fall when they returned to their homes. I was married Jan 6, 1860 to Jacob Crandall
in G.S.L. City. June 2, 1860 me with my
husband received our patriarchal blessings under the hand of Samuel Alger
patriarch.
April 27,
1862 our first child a son was born. I
called his name Jacob after his father.
That fall we were called to the Southern Mission and in 1865 came back
to G.S.L. City. Feb 2, 1867 we had another son born. I called his name Edward the next Sept. he
took the whooping cough died Oct 10, 1867 which made me feel very lonely.
April 18,
1868 myself and husband had our sealings and anointings at the Endowment House
Salt Lake City. Our next child was a
girl and was born Jan 6, 1869. We called
her name Susan after myself. Salt Lake
City June 2, 1870 myself and husband and two of our children Jacob and Susan
received our patriarchal blessings under the hand of John Smith patriarch of
the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We moved to Payson, Utah County, Utah in 1871
and April 27, 1872 we had another girl born.
We called her name Sarah after my husband’s mother. June 29, 1874 we had a son born. He died in birth. I called his name Horace Burgess after my
father. June 20, 1875 we had another
daughter born. I called her name Almira
after my mother.
In 1875 the
Saints were all requested to renew their covenants by baptism. We were rebaptized. July 26, 1877
we had another son born I called his name Thomas after my husband’s
father. In 1878 the Relief Society of
Payson was organized in four Districts.
My home is in the second District, (Payson Ward). I was ordained and set apart under the hands
of Bishop Joseph S. Tanner and council to the office of secretary of Second
District (Relief Society.) which I have filled to the best of my ability. I am now in my thirty fifth year and I never
seen the moment that I doubted the truth of this Gospel and I wish to bear this
testimony to my posterity that I do know that this is the kingdom of God and
that Brigham Young was also a prophet of the Lord in his day and that John
Taylor is a prophet also, and I earnestly entreat my posterity who may read
this to be true to their covenants as long as they live that they may secure
unto themselves Eternal Lives and Exaltation.
I may be sleeping in the dust when they read this, if so, remember the
testimony of your mother and take her council that you may meet her in
Eternity, where there is no more parting, where we may dwell through countless
eternities in each other company is my earnest prayer in the name of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Written by
Susan Crandall for her children (vis.) Jacob, Susan, Sarah, Almira, and Thomas
Crandall
