God First, and Never Stop!

Short Story: Pioneer Day! 

Happy Pioneer Day! What? What are you talking about? Well, for my heritage, religion, and tradition, many of my ancestors were pioneers. I want to share a story about one of them with you. Her name is Ellen Parkinson. Ellen was the sixth child of nine children. She was five years old when she and her family left Scotland to walk across the plains in handcarts with other Latter-day Saints. Her parents had gained a testimony of Christ and felt the need for all of them to follow Jesus and go to Zion. 

At a young age, Ellen prayed, showed kindness, and remained faithful in her testimony of Jesus Christ through the challenges of her life. I draw much of my strength from her example of putting God first, loving Him, and loving and serving others. I repent for all my mistakes and, no matter what, I will never quit. 

Here is Ellen’s story. The following is an excerpt from a book called “Tell My Story.”  We have another account in the family history book. Still, I wanted to share with all of you the story of one woman whose drive and determination to live and love God, even in the most dire circumstances, have strengthened many of us over many generations. 

“Ellen’s first memory of her emigration was of her father carrying her on board the ship  Horizon, sitting her on a plank, and giving her a sea biscuit. This large family consisted of parents, John (age 37), Ellen (37); and nine children - Samuel (18), Joseph (15), Jane Elizabeth (11), Margaret (8), John (7), Ellen (5), Mary (3), Esther (2), and William (infant). (A daughter was also born and died in 1843.) John Parkinson had paid for a wagon and ox team, but it was “not to be had” upon reaching Iowa City. The Parkinsons made a major decision that year, to discard many belongings and travel by handcart.

The Parkinsons may have lost more members than any other family in the company. Before leaving the campground near Iowa City, baby William died on July 20, and Mary on July 25. (One family record also notes July 25 for Esther's death.) Three days later the family left this sad scene for their journey westward. 

Other family death dates are not known, but records indicate that they all occurred in October. Joseph collapsed while still in his handcart harness. The night that Ellen’s father died, her mother took his coat to keep herself warm and had Ellen sleep next to her. Ellen became very cold and tried to wake her mother, but could not. She snuggled next to her mother’s body through the night, and when morning finally came, Ellen’s mother was wrapped in a blanket and buried in a shallow grave with several others. Samuel left the family at some point and returned on the trail to Florence. 

Ellen was now bereft of parents and five siblings, including two older brothers who had often carried her on their shoulders. Ellen, Jane, Margaret, and "Johnnie" continued to the Valley, where Ellen and Jane were taken to the home of Leonard Hardy to recuperate. Brother Hardy had stayed at the Parkinson’s home in England when he was there on a mission and had blessed Jane as a child. 

A Mr. Atwood took Margaret and Johnnie into his home. It is said that when Ellen was a “young lady,” she ran away from the Hardy home and spent her time between her two sisters’ homes until she married Hyrum Covey at the age of 16. Jane married Hyrum’s brother, Joseph. Margaret married a German man, William Deppe. Johnnie moved from the Atwood home when he reached adulthood and went to work in the mines near Salt Lake. He was killed in a logging accident on 9 May 1864 at the age of 15. Samuel married, returned to Utah with his family for a time, and died in Nevada in 1883.

In July 1889, Ellen’s two sisters died about 2 weeks apart from each other. Ellen was the lone survivor of this large family. One day, a gentleman representing the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company approached Ellen. He offered to pay her the difference for the wagon and team her father had paid for, as well as the cost of the handcart journey. Ellen was hurt and offended and refused the money. It is said that she gave the PEF representative “a most thorough scolding.” 

Ellen lived until 1915. Her posterity wrote of her: “She was a kind mother and friend. She never turned anyone away from her door. She had a keen sense of humor. She spent much time seeking information about her ancestors.” It seems that the following excerpt from John Parkinson’s Patriarchal blessing was fulfilled in Ellen: “Thy posterity shall be blest and they shall rejoice even as they shall enjoy the good things of the Land of Promise.” (Given 24 Aug 1840 in Preston by Patriarch Peter Melling).”

I will share her story each Pioneer Day. We must share the memories of our past so that they are honored and we don’t forget the sacrifices they made, allowing me to enjoy my life today. Thank you, Jesus for bringing her safely to the Valley. Her faith in always knowing God and never stopping fuels me today.