George Darling Watt

George Darling Watt is my great-great Grandfather.  He was the first convert baptized in England in 1837 in the early years of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He won the right to that privilege by winning a foot race (a fact that we often cite when a member of our family shows a running talent).  He became Brigham Young's personal secretary and recorded many of the sermons of the early church.  He also developed the Deseret Alphabet.

There is a ton of information about George Darling Watt.  I'm going to list links and sources below as I find this information:

Videos about George Darling Watt
Deciphering Shorthand

Webpages about George Darling Watt
http://www.lds.org/friend/1985/07/the-deseret-alphabet?lang=eng
http://history.lds.org/article/lost-sermons-editorial-method?lang=eng
http://www.lds.org/ensign/1978/03/discovery/can-you-read-deseret?lang=eng

Books about George Darling Watt
England's First "Mormon" Convert
The Mormon Passage of George Darling Watt

Magazine Articles about George Darling Watt
Lost Sermons - https://history.lds.org/article/lost-sermons-editorial-method?lang=eng
The Deseret Alphabet - http://www.lds.org/friend/1985/07/the-deseret-alphabet?lang=eng
Can You Read Deseret? - http://www.lds.org/ensign/1978/03/discovery/can-you-read-deseret?lang=eng

Other information about George Darling Watt
Pioneer Database (Journal enteries and companies traveled with): https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/pioneerDetail?lang=eng&pioneerId=7941

Lois Jane WATT

 Lois Jane WATT

Born: 22 October 1911 in Thatcher, Box Elder, Utah.

Christened: 4 February 1912

Parents: Richard Golightly WATT & Mary Ann HARRIS

Married: Harold Ross COOMBS on 24 October 1935 in the Salt Lake City Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Mother to five children: Don, Harold, Eileen, Gae and Boyce.

Died: 5 May 1995 in Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah

Buried: 9 May 1995 in the Honeyville Cemetery, Honeyville, Box Elder, Utah

This is my grandmother.  We lived only a 15 minute drive from her, so I knew her well.  I knew she loved me.  During her last few years of life, she lived in my childhood home with my parents.  I knew she was the youngest in a family of many children.  She loved and stayed in contact with her sisters.  I personally knew Grace, Verna and Hattie.

I remember her baking (blueberry pancakes in shapes for breakfast when we slept over; homemade bread; fudge; pecan rolls; fruit leather; etc.).  I remember that she talked to my mother on the phone almost every day.  I remember her large garden, cherry trees, and walnut tree that was fabulous to climb.  I remember her standing on the porch and yelling, "here kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty" calling the cat to eat scraps from the kitchen.  My mom talks about Grandma feeding the "hobos" that came in on the train which ran right behind their house.  I remember her having her big picture window painted with Christmas scenes for Christmas and then my mother doing the same at our home.   I remember her hugs that were soft and warm and enveloped you in love.  I remember watching Lawrence Welk, her entry way that was hardly ever used (everyone came in the through the side door), and the laundry room that always had mice (according to my mom).  I remember cereal sorted into plastic containers, spoons full of protein powder and her dishwasher that hooked up to the sink. 

Her Headstone:
http://tams-hickman.blogspot.com/2007/08/harold-ross-coombs-lois-jane-watt.html
Cause of Death: Lois Jane WATT - Pulmonary embolism due to chronic renal failure due to high blood pressure.


Her Obituary:
Link: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/419395/DEATH--LOIS-WATT-COOMBS.html?pg=all

Lois Jane Watt Coombs passed away in Brigham City Community Hospital on Friday, May 5, 1995, after a short illness. She was 83 years old.

Lois was born on October 22, 1911, in Thatcher, Utah, to Richard Golightly Watt and Mary Ann Harris Watt. She graduated from Bear River High School and married Harold Ross Coombs on October 24, 1935, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.Though Lois was awarded blue ribbons and highest honors at county and state fairs for her baking and candy making, she dedicated herself to being a homemaker and found her biggest reward in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

All of her sons served LDS missions and each one of her children was married in the temple and is a college graduate. Lois also worked faithfully in the LDS Church, including service as secretary under three different Relief Society presidents, and was involved in various compassionate service projects in the community. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband Ross, who passed away on December 20, 1978, and by her parents and 11 brothers and sisters.

She is survived by three sons and two daughters, Don W. Coombs of Seattle, Wash.; Harold Ross Coombs of South Jordan, Utah; Boyce W. Coombs of Vernal, Utah; Mrs. John H. (Eileen) Sorensen of Omaha, Neb.; and Mrs. Bruce O. (Gae) Tams of Perry, Utah; 24 grandchildren (one currently serving an LDS mission), and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 9, at 11 a.m. in the Honeyville Ward Chapel, 2620 West 6980 North. A viewing will be held at the Olsen-Myers Mortuary, 205 South 100 East, Brigham City, Monday from 7-9 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Honeyville ward church building.

Interment, Honeyville Cemetery.

COOMBS Pioneer Crossings

Barentsen, Andrew
Andreas (Andrew), age 30, traveled w/ unidentified company with other wife (Gertrude) and 2 children (Eliza and Susannah).
Coombs, Joshua, Eliza, George
Eliza Astbury, age 51 and George, age 49, traveled with the William S. Warren Company in 1864. Son Joshua, age 22 was with them as well as 6 other children.
Golightly, Elizabeth, Richard, Isabella
Richard, 45, crossed separately with the John Tidwell Company in 1852. Isabella brought their 5 children a year later with the Appleton M. Harmon Company in 1853. Elizabeth was 12.
Harris, Thomas, Robert, Hannah
Robert Harris traveled at age 39 with the Levi W. Hancock/Jefferson Hunt/James Pace/Andrew Lytle Company (1847). Departure: 25-26 August 1847
Arrival: 11,16 October 1847
This company was composed of 117 returning Mormon Battalion veterans. They traveled over the Sierra Mountains from the Cosumnes River near Sutter's Fort in California. From the beginning, they divided and traveled separately in small groups, but generally within a few day's distance from each other. After crossing the mountains, they followed a course which took them to Fort Hall and then to Salt Lake Valley.
Later, Robert, 42, and Hannah, 32, brought their 7 children, including Thomas, age 9, with the Aaron Johnson company in 1850.
Huggins, Sarah, William, Mary Emeline
Emeline - 37, and William - 42, brought their family of children with the Anthony Ivins company in 1853. Sarah was 1. Company began in Toms River.
Payne, Mary Ann, William, Catharine
Catharine Louise Nicholas, 25, William Lauder, 34, and 3 children, including Mary Ann, 1 traveled in an unidentified company in 1850.
Watt, George, Elizabeth
George Darling, 39, crossed with the John Brown Company in 1851. He was with other wife Mary Gregson and one son. He was a captain of the third ten. Future wife Elizabeth Golightly, then 12, crossed with the Golightly family in a different company.

Cross Referenced:
Astbury, Eliza (found as Eliza Astbury Coombs)
Nichols, Catharine (listed as Catherine Louise Nicholas)
Richardson, Isabella, William (Isabella with Golightly family)

(Hannah) Marie EAGLES

Hannah Marie Eagles Harris Obituary
Obituary," Deseret News [Weekly], 14 Nov. 1888, 704.


Harris – At Portage, Box Elder County, September 29, 1888, Hannah Maria, widow of the late Thomas Harris, aged 71 year and three months. She was born in Apperly, Gloucestershire, England, June 11th, 1812.

Sister Harris was religiously inclined in her youthful days, and belonged to the sect known as the United Brethren. In the summer of 1840, Elder Wilford Woodruff came and she with many others was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On the 16th day of February, 1841, she sailed from Liverpool in company with her husband to gather with the Saints at Nauvoo, Ill. Here they settled till the exodus of the Saints from that place in 1840, and traveled westward in their wagon to Council Bluffs. Then there was calt by the government for five hundred men to serve in the war ? Mexico. Her husband volunteered, leaving Sister Harris and her six little children to do as best they could till his return. He returned in a little less than two years after he left them and found his family in Winter Quarters on the Missouri. They then had to prepare for their journey across the plains to this valley. They started in 1850, and arrived in the fall, stopped in Salt Lake City through the winter and in the spring of 1851 they settled in Kaysville, Davis County, till 1860. They then were called to take a mission to the Muddy, where they stayed till they were recalled from that mission. They again settled in Kaysville and remained till 1870, and then they removed to Malad Valley, Box Elder County. Her husband died in 1876, leaving Sister Harris with 13 children. In ? a daughter died leaving 12 children – six sons and six daughters. Sister Harris has been true and faithful through all the trying scenes and circumstances she has passed through and has gone, leaving 12 children and 118 grandchildren, also 4? great-grandchildren to mourn her loss. Her husband was buried at Kaysville, Davis County, and their children brought the remains of Sister Harris to sleep by her husband. Peace to their ashes.

Winter Quarters Marker for son, Robert Harris III.

Hannah & Robert Harris had a son who died while in Winter Quarters.  These two photos show a memorial in his honor located there in Nebraska.   This source states:  "Robert Harris; age 5 mos., 26 days; son of Robert and Maria Harris; deceased July 30, 1847; disease born with diseases; birthplace Winter Quarters; birthdate Feb. 3, 1847; grave 183."  There is not a headstone anymore for his burial location.


Additional Information:
Robert Harris - Hannah's Husband
Personal History PDF found here.

Robert HARRIS

Robert Harris Obituary

http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=%2Fdesnews3&CISOPTR=150008&REC=1&CISOBOX=harris

"Local and Other Matters. Obituary" Deseret News [Weekly], 15 Mar. 1876, 97.

Obituary – We have received the following concerning Brother Robert Harris, of Kaysville, deceased, in addition to the late notice of his death –

Brother Robert Harris was a native of Gloucestershire, England. He was born December 28, 1808. He lived for many years in Apperley, Gloucestershire, where he embraced the gospel in 1840, being converted and baptized by Elder Wilford Woodruff. Decease was a member of the “United Brethren,” hundreds of whom (nearly all) in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire were brought into the church through the labors of Elder Woodruff, under God’s blessing. Deceased, soon after his baptism, was ordained a priest, and was zealous in bearing testimony to the truth, and helping the work along, until he emigrated in February, 1841, at which time he was ordained an elder, in Liverpool, under the hands of Elder Brigham Young. He arrived in Nauvoo with his family in 1841. He joined the 17th Quorum of Seventies, about the time it was organized. He went through all the trials and persecutions until 1846, w hen he left for the West with the body of the church. At Mount Pisgah he volunteered into the “Mormon Battalion,” leaving his wife, with seven small children, on the prairie. He went with the Battalion to Mexico and California, sharing with them their great hardships and toils. He returned by way of Fort Hall to his family in Winter Quarters, reaching them in December, 1848. After residing two years at Council Point, preparing his outfit, he left on the 1st of June, 1850 with his family, crossing the plains in Aaron Johnson’s company and reaching Salt Lake City in September following.

In March, 1851, he moved to and settled in Kaysville. He was soon after ordained a President of Seventies. He moved south with the church when Johnson’s army arrived, returning home the same season. In 1865 he was called to go on a mission to settle in Southern Utah, which mission he filled with honor, laboring in the Muddy settlements three years until honorably released. He then returned to Kaysville, where he resided most of the time till his death. He held several prominent potions, one of which was Major in the Nauvoo Legion. He was true and faithful to the end, never wavering nor faltering in his faith. He has left a wife and thirteen children, all of whom are firm in the faith of the gospel (ten of them are married), and between forty and fifty grandchildren. He was loved and honored by all who knew him. His remains were followed to the grave by fifty seven carriages and over 300 people, among whom was Elder W. Woodruff, who preached the funeral sermon.

From findagrave.com:

Birth: Dec. 26, 1807
Hucclecote
Gloucestershire, England
Death: Feb. 29, 1876
Kaysville
Davis County
Utah, USA

Birth year on both stones is incorrect. Parish Registries of Leigh and Deerhurst, Gloucester, England show he was born at Hucclescote, Gloucestershire, England 26 December 1807 and christened 21 Feb 1808 at the Parish Church of Churchdown. Son of Robert Sr. Harris and Sarah Oakey.

Married Hannah Maria Eagles, daughter of Ann Sparkes and Thomas Eagles on 18 Mar 1835, by their Methodist minister. Because English law decreed marriage was legal only if performed in the Church of England, they were remarried 28 September 1835 after posting banns in the church for four Sundays and were married again by the Reverend John Bishop at Saint Mary De Lode, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England.
His sister Elizabeth and her husband, Daniel Browett were their witnesses.

Raised beef cattle and was a butcher by trade, as was his father and grandfather. Was an accomplished boxer, fighting at fairs and prize fights in England.

Converted to the LDS faith by Apostle Wiford Woodruff and baptized 11 June 1848 by Elder Thomas Kington. On 16 Feb 1841, sailed from Liverpool aboard the "Echo". Traveling with him, wife Hannah Maria (8 months pregnant), children; Joseph Robert 5, Elizabeth 3, William "C" 14 mos, along with Robert's youngest sister Diana and her husband, Thomas Bloxham, their sister Elizabeth, her husband, Daniel Browett, and Daniel's younger Sister, Martha Rebecca.

A month out to sea his fourth child, Thomas Eagles Harris was born on the Atlantic. Arrived New Orleans (USA) 16 April 1841.

Settled at Nauvoo, Hancock, Ill. where son Enoch was born 1843, & daughter Sarah Ann, 1845. Robert volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army, Mormon Battalion in the War with Mexico, July 1846. By 1847 his wife & children were in Winter Quarters, Douglas, Neb. where Robert III was born and died before Robert returned in early 1848. His sister, Diana H. Bloxham and his sister, Elizabeth's son, Moroni Browett also died before he was able to return for them.

Council Point, Council Bluffs, Potatwattame, Iowa, 8th child, Daniel Browett Harris was born Oct. 1848, named to honor their beloved Uncle slain at Tragedy Spring , Cal.

Settled at Kaysville, Davis Co. where following children were born:
Maria 1851, Lucy Emma 1852, Janetta (twin) 1854, Henrietta (twin) 1854, Robert Charles 1856, Julia Ann 1858, Mary Ellen 1860.

Officer in the Utah Militia, served in Echo Canyon. Served mission to Muddy River Arizona for LDS Church.

Moved family to farm at Muddy Creek, near Malad River, Idaho in 1869. Fell from a load of corn (about 1874) suffering a concussion. Stated to his children, "This fall will cause my death". After failing to fully recover, moved back to Kaysville near Holmes Creek; donated time to the building of the salt Lake Temple and died at his home 29 Feb 1876. Wilford Woodruff preached his funeral sermon. Buried at Kaysville City Cemetery, Utah.

Burial:
Kaysville City Cemetery
Kaysville
Davis County
Utah, USA
Plot: 11-4-A-23

From Mormon Overland Pioneer Travel:
Robert Harris traveled at age 39 with the Levi W. Hancock/Jefferson Hunt/James Pace/Andrew Lytle Company (1847). Departure: 25-26 August 1847 Arrival: 11,16 October 1847

This company was composed of 117 returning Mormon Battalion veterans. They traveled over the Sierra Mountains from the Cosumnes River near Sutter's Fort in California. From the beginning, they divided and traveled separately in small groups, but generally within a few day's distance from each other. After crossing the mountains, they followed a course which took them to Fort Hall and then to Salt Lake Valley.

Later, Robert, 42, and Hannah, 32, brought their 7 children, including Thomas (my direct ancestor), age 9, with the Aaron Johnson company in 1850.

Personal History found here (PDF).

Richard GOLIGHTLY

Richard Golightly Obituary:
Deseret News, Feb 21, 1872, page 12.

In this city, February 14th, 10.51 p.m., of dropsy, RICHARD GOLIGHTLY; born June 15, 1807, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumberland, England.

Deceased emigrated to this country in the fall of 1852, and was baptized in October of the same year. A short time after his arrival in this city he became a leading member of Ballo’s now Croxall’s, brass band. Soon afterwards he was ordained to the office of a Priest, and a short time subsequently to that of an Elder, and afterwards became a member of the Sixth Quorum of Seventies, from which position he was promoted to that of one of the Presidents of the Sixty-second Quorum. He also acted as a Teacher in the Eight Ward for many years, to the satisfaction of the authorities thereof. He was well known for his sterling worth and integrity, and was much respected by his brethren for his energy and faithfulness in officiating in every position he was called to fill.

He was kind and obliging to all, and upright in his business dealings. He was the principal baker and confectioner in this city for many years previous to his death. He leaves a large family to mourn his loss. Some of his children are grown to manhood and womanhood and married.

Julie Huff wrote at findagrave.com: "There is no readable marker for Richard however he would be buried in this area. The right half of the brown marker is missing because of the type of material however there is a first name of Richard on the marker but the dates are unreadable."

Salt Lake City Cemetery

Richard Golightly c. 1860s
 in his Nauvoo brass band uniform

Source: http://www.familytreerings.org/2011/07/happy-209th-birthday-jane-thorne.html#more

(Written by Anita Cramer Wells) 

"Richard Golightly had an interesting conversion story.  He was a famous baker in England: Queen Victoria was said to have ordered from his bakery and it had a reputation for a hundred miles around.  Richard and his first wife Isabella had a dozen children when he converted to the Church. Isabella was opposed, but Richard was determined to go to America.  One night be tied his clothes in his wife’s best sheet, and left home at two in the morning.

 Isabella hired a detective who watched every boat that sailed for a week, but Richard spent that week hiding out with a friend and every night disguised himself and passed his bakery to get one more glance at his wife and children.  At last he left, and came to Utah.  In Salt Lake, Richard founded the Globe Bakery and married another wife.  This bakery was well-known and provided baked goods to many Church leaders downtown.  Back in England, Isabella sold the bakery and made preparations to join her husband.  After a very arduous trip, she arrived in Utah only to discover that Richard had a new wife.  Isabella never recovered from this shock at the end of the hard journey.  However, Richard made a home for his first family, and Isabella was baptized and then cared for by the second wife before her death the next year." 

Personal note:  I found this information as I worked on my husband's family line.  Richard Golightly (who is my GGG Grandfather) married Jane Thorne as his 4th wife.  Jane's illegitimate daughter, Annie Thorn was the 2nd wife of Trent's GGG Grandfather, Stephen Robert Wells.  Trent's line comes through Mary Ann Lowe, the 1st wife of Stephen Robert Wells.  But interesting anyway as I see our lines converge.

Research on Cause of Death (COOMBS/WATT)

Lois Jane WATT -
(pulmonary embolism due to chronic renal failure due to high blood pressure)

Harold Ross COOMBS -
(respitory failure due to radiation fibrosis and malignant sarcoma)

Andrew Barentsen (Father of Maria BARENTSEN COOMBS/Mother of Harold Ross COOMBS) Death Certificate - Link
(Age 81 - Incompensated Heart Lesion - complicated by chronic nephritis)

Maria Barentsen COOMBS (wife of Joshua D. Coombs/Mother of Harold Ross COOMBS) - Link
(Age 58 - Bronchial Pneumonia complicated by influenza and diabetes myelitis)

Joshua David COOMBS (husband of Maria/Father of Harold Ross COOMBS) - Link
(Age 77 - Diabetes Gangrene in leg and foot complicated by diabetes myelitis and arteriole? heart disease)

Leo Joshua COOMBS (brother of Harold Ross COOMBS) Death Certificate - Link
(Age 30 - Burn Accidental from Gasoline)

Ervin Wesley COOMBS (brother of Harold Ross COOMBS) Death Certificate - Link
(Age 27 - Pneumonia complicated by Influenza)

****

Richard Golightly WATT Death Certificate - Link
(Age 72 - Coronary thrombosis)

Mary Ann HARRIS WATT Death Certificate - Link
(Age 72 - Vascular renal syndrome due to senility and arterial? sclerosis)

Thomas Eagles HARRIS Death Certificate - Link
(Age 86 - Apoplexy -contributed by old age) - which means bleeding or hemorrhaging can also refer to a stroke.

The Mormon Passage of George Darling Watt

"George D. Watt was a self-educated English convert with both unusual, for the time and place of frontier Utah, clerical skills and ambitions to improve his status. A man with intellectual pretensions, he had little formal training but a strong will, avid curiosity, and appetite for knowledge. Those traits made up for what he lacked in schooling and drew him into what served as intellectual circles among the Mormon elite and, later, to the church's disenchanted fringe. They also made him, for a time, essential to Brigham Young as a clerk and reporter but sent him into religious and social exile, due to a contest of wills with his employer that Watt had no chance of winning.

Reputed to have been the first of the many English converts to the LDS church, Watt's repeatedly demonstrated ability to learn quickly made him an early master of Pitman shorthand, just then coming into use. Employing this skill, he made two important contributions to Mormon literature: First, based on that shorthand, he, more than anyone, created the "Deseret Alphabet," which now is a curiosity but then was an innovation that, intended to create a unique Mormon orthography and pedagogy, stands well for the broad attempt to build in Utah the wholly self-sufficient culture of the Kingdom of God. Second, his efficient note taking allowed him to take down the sermons of Young and other church leaders and publish them in the Journal of Discourses, an indispensable historical record.

In addition, Watt learned, thought, and wrote about a variety of subjects, from horticulture to spiritualism, which helped define him as a resident Utah intellectual. He eventually left the Mormon Church, but the records of his domestic life before and after that decision provide a rich portrait of the working of polygamous households, particularly complicated ones in his case.
Despite his accomplishments, because of his potential, George Watt's story is at heart a tragedy. His breach with Brigham Young resulted in social isolation, poverty, and rejection by friends and associates. He never, though, lost his sense of independence or his avid mind. Whether facing an economic affront or pressing, in writing, his own conclusions about life and God, he engaged the challenge where he found it."

http://www.usu.edu/usupress/books/index.cfm?isbn=7568