Harriet Jane Osborn (1847 - 1932) Profile

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Harriet Jane Osborn

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Davis, Harriet Jane Osborn, [Reminiscences], in Edith Parker Haddock and Dorothy Hardy Matthews, comp., History of Bear Lake Pioneers [1968], 172-73

Davis, Harriet Jane Osborn, [Reminiscences], in Edith Parker Haddock and Dorothy Hardy Matthews, comp., History of Bear Lake Pioneers [1968], 172-73.

<xhtml:p xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">My father, David Osborn, received most of his education by studying evenings by the light of the fire. . . . Father called his family together and asked them if they were willing to go west with him. Mother, being in poor health, felt that she would rather go home to her father's home (Indiana) at least until her health was improved, but we children all wanted to go with Father. Mother [Cynthia Butler Osborn], seeing how we felt, decided she would rather face the hardships of the journey than be parted from Father and we children. On June 15, 1852, our family started westward to Salt Lake City. We left Nauvoo [Kanesville] and after traveling 250 miles, Mother gave birth to her eleventh child, who was born dead. The company stopped one day only, then continued their way traveling over rough and untrodden roads. Two weeks later, July 2, 1852, Mother, who had braved hardships greater than she could bear, passed away. Eight children were left for my father to care for. Two were married and came to Utah with Father. We arrived in Salt Lake City September 9, 1852. We made the trip in covered wagons drawn across the plains, taking almost three months.</xhtml:p>

Transcript for Davis, Harriet Jane Osborn, [Reminiscences], in Edith Parker Haddock and Dorothy Hardy Matthews, comp., History of Bear Lake Pioneers [1968], 172-73

Osborn, David, Reminiscences and journal, 1860-1893, 23-25

Osborn, David, Reminiscences and journal, 1860-1893, 23-25.

We commenced fixing up and by the 2nd of June found ourselves on the bank of the Mo. [Missouri] River with quite a comfortable fit out. except clothing, 3 yoke of oxen and 4 cows some of which we worked occasionally.  I took a bed [....] and won [sic] it across the wagon box, on which we put a bed for Cyntha to lie on.  I was organised into Captain Howels company Jefferson & Josiah Harmer [Hammer] being in the same ten, of which Br Whitehead had charge.  we moved on quite comfortably Cynth[i]a [Butler Osborn] getting along full better than we had expected for 2 or 3 weeks.  but she began to grow worse, as the weather became hotter--she had been troubled with convulsion fits at times, which now returned harder than formerly--she gave birth to an infant, though not living--revived somewhat, and lingered along about 2 weeks and departed this life July 2nd 1852.  she suffered much in her last illness.  though she had her senses till the last—she realised that her time was come.  was worried at the thought of having her body left on the plains, exposed to devowring wolves--her last dying request was.  Take good care of my little children, for I expect they'l have a hard time speaking to Jefferson with the rest of us for all were present[.]  The brethren were very kind to us in this our affliction though there was no boards to be found in the camps 
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 of which to make a coffin--they took pains to go over the river nearly a mile distant and bring timber to lay over the corpse then filling the grave with dirt to preserve it from the wolves.  This was on the river Platte, 250 ms. W. of Mo. [Missouri] river[.]  Thus terminated the life of my old and worthy companion[.]  a life which had been checkered with many afflictions & hardships & anxieties—but they have passed away now[.]  
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  she is I hope where the weary pilgrims are at rest.  We lived together 24 y[ears] 2 m[onths] & 22 days during which time she brought me 10 children, 4 boys & 6 girls.  and Justice here requires that I should say she was a kind hearted & and affectionate wife and mother:  was truthful. industrious, clearly and strictly virtuous--sh[e] received and cherished the first principles of the Gospel--maintained her standing in the Church but in consequence of her previous traditions. the weakness of human nature, and the powers of darkness. her confidence was shaken in the presidency of the church, because of poligamy.  it being taught and practiced by them.  but notwithstanding, these things have presented a gloomy picture to my mind.  I was comforted with the promise in my Patriarchal Blessing that if faithful, I should have power to redeem and bring her forth in the first Resurrection.
<p xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">We arrived in S. L. Valley Sept. 9th 1852 all in tolerable health and spirits--</p>

Transcript for Osborn, David, Reminiscences and journal, 1860-1893, 23-25

"Pioneer Woman Passes On," Box Elder News, 10 Sep. 1920, 1

"Pioneer Woman Passes On," Box Elder News, 10 Sep. 1920, 1.

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