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Autobiography of Sariah Holmes Brown
I was born in Arnold, England on April 16, 1860. My parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about 1849. My mother's parents joind the Church about the same time and they were faithful and true to their religion. Receiving many gifts that were in the Church in the early days. My mother belong to the John Wesley religion before being converted to Mormonism. My grandfather Joseph Holmes play a brass instrument in the Church of England for many years. My grandmother Ann Holmes was a devout Baptist and was burried in the Baptist private cemetery.. They never heardthe Gospel.
I grew up in Arnold, England, and attended the public schools. My mother [Sarah Chantry Holmes, daughter of John Chantry] was a dressmaker, my father [William Holmes] a glove maker. I was the only girl in the family and was always with my mother who was a very religious woman having the gift of tongues as well as interpretation. My two older brothers came to Utah in 1872 and father and mother and balance of the family came November 3, 1984 when I was 14 years old. We settled in West Weber, Utah. My father died two years after we arrived here.
Things were not so pleasant here as in England and I longed to be back to run through the beautiful fields again.
At the age of 16 I worked as Relief Society teacher. I also was a Sunday School teacher in West Weber until 1881. In 1877 the Retrenchment Association was organized at West Weber and I was chosen Counselor and Asst. Secretary. I was also a member of the choir and dramatic.
I was married December 3, 1880 to John Martin Brown II, my husband also living in West Weber. We remained here until 1883 when we moed to Wilson Lane, Utah. Soon after which twin boys were born. We lived in Wilson Lane until June 1925. All of my children except one were born in the same house. I was blessed with 13 children, 7 boys and 6 girls. Eleven of whom are livings. I taught my children the principles of the gospel and they always attended their Church duties. In 1891 I was chosen to work in the Primary at Wilson Lane, which position I had to give up afterwards on account of my health.
My husband had a small farm and also worked for about eight years during which time he bought a farm at Roy, Utah, and in 1905 built a large brick house. On June 3, 1905 we moved to the farm where we lived until November 1919, at which time we sold the farm and voed to Ogden, Utah.
We have sent three boys on missions and my husband filled a mission to England, loeaving her June 15, 1915, and retunred August 1, 1917.
My parents while in England made a home for the missionaries, among whom was the late Apostle Francis M. Lyman, who used to hold me on his lap. My childhood days were certainly happy days.
I labored as teacher in the Relief Sociaty in the Roy Ward. And am at present a Relief Society teacher in the Sixth Ward, Ogden Stake, Utah. And trying to do my duty. My desire is to help my fellowmen in every way I can.
Signed, Sariah Holmes Brown
[Sariah Holmes Brown died August 16, 1931 in Ogden, Weber, Utah and is buried in the Ogden City Cemetery.]
Sources:
PAF - Archer files = Captain James Brown + (1) Martha Stephens > John Martin Brown I + Lovina Wilson > John Martin Brown II + Sariah Holmes.
Genealogical Charts and Biographical Sketches of Members of the L.D.S. Church, Ogden Stake, Vol. 11, Ogden Sixth, A-G. LDS Q 979.228 020? D.11. Prepared under the direction of Stake Relief Society, Vincy R. Barker, Chairman Genealogical Committee, 1915-1920. Researched and submitted to this webpage by Erold Clark Wiscombe.
[Bracketed, bold, corrections, additions, and photos added by Lucy Brown Archer
Copyright 2004 www.OrsonPrattBrown.org
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