Missionary Journal of Elder Forrest Whitham Memmott Beginning of Mission-May 1906

I will be posting the Missionary Journal of Forrest Memmott in sections here on the blog.  You will be able to access all posts by clicking on the Forrest W. Memmott button at the top of the blog. Jay and Arlene Memmott gave the Journal to George and Rosalie Nolan. George transcribed the Journal and placed the pictures. The pictures are from Larry and Kathy Memmott who found the pictures in Grandpa Farr's mission box. The pictures have been placed where it seems they match what had been written in the Journal.

Missionary Journal of Elder Forrest Whitham Memmott

1906-1908

[This journal redacted to clarify the message. Some spelling, grammar and punctuation have been modernized.]

April 23, 1906 to May 1908

Southern States Mission

Virginia

Forrest Memmott around Mission age

{His parent’s home in the right background}

Missionary Journal of Elder Forrest Whitham Memmott

1906-1908

Inside cover of first journal – Elder F.W. Memmott home Scipio, Millard Co., Utah

Bought in Salt Lake City on April 23, 1906

Mr. Forrest Memmott

Scipio

Millard Co. Utah

April 20, 1906

Elder Forrest Memmott

West Radford

Montgomery, Co. Virginia

May 29, 1906

Diary:

Mr. Forrest Memmott travels and works while on a mission.  Left Scipio on the 21^st of April 1906.  Went to Salt lake City and stayed until the 25^th of April.  Then started by the way of the Union Pacific on the 25^th of April 6 P.M.

Traveled through the city or Ogden, Rawlins, Laramie, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis.

Arrived in Chattanooga on the 29 of Apr was set apart to labor in Virginia.  Went to Richmond was sent to labor in the county of Halifax Co. Started my labor on the 4 day of May.

Elder Bishop and I revisited families and had a very joy able time was entertained Cread Taylor Cody and was treated fine I canvass too houses which I enjoyed very well and left them some pamphlets to read.  I got some what tired walking but after I ate some dinner I felt much better We, I & Elder Bishop, stop at CR Roland and I enjoyed myself fine there was a shower came up in the afternoon Elder Bishop & I very near got wet. We held a meeting in the evening on the 5^th day of May 1906.

I spoke a few minutes on the truthfulness of the gospel and bore my testimony.  We had a very good time to gather Elder Bishop give a very nice speech.

On the 5 May 1906 Elder Bishop & I held Sunday School at C.R. Rowland had a very good attendance & enjoyed our selves fine  We had a testimony meeting most all bore a testimony to the truthfulness of the gospel  In the afternoon we held a meeting and had a very good attendance I spoke a few minutes on the truthfulness of the gospel & told some of my testimony I had received.

We stopped at James Woodson and enjoyed ourselves fine.  On our way I fell over a log and made a swelling on both of my legs I did not get very sore but I was lame for a few days.

May 8, 1906 – It looks very much like storm this morning but Elder Bishop and I are going to leave for Brites  We started and on our way we meet a man and he directed us wrong we went the way he told us and got lost we walked for a long ways we came to a farm the man told us which way to we was all right  We went to Mrs. Kuns and ate dinner their started for Brites we walked very long while until we came their at last I was a little tired  We stopped to T.T. Adams and was treated fine after supper I felt fine and was not very tired then  Brother Adams daughter played organ Elder Bishop & I sang a few songs then we retired for the night.

May 9, 1906 – Elder Bishop and I stayed to Sisters Adams while she done some washing for us.  I was some what lonesome for I had nothing to do only read & my eyes would get tired I enjoyed my self fine  We had Sacrament meeting and I enjoyed my self fine  it was a cold day the wind was blowing very hard.

May 9, 1906 – It looked like storm this morning and is very cold  We left Bro Adams for Ajax is a long ways to go  We crossed Joig river on a large bridge and meet several men and talked some on the gospel  we arrive to Bro Blankspif about sun down and was very nicely treated

May 10, 1906 – There was a very heavy frost and it was very cold  Elder Bishop and I started for Tailors Store from Ajax is a long distance so we had to walk very hard we walked until dinner time and I was going to ask for dinner we went to a house and I told them who we was and Elder Bishop he was standing listing to me talk  She ask us in and he all right and Elder Bishop ask for some dinner so I very near came asking for some after dinner we started for Tailors Store.  We walked until I was very near give out  We go to Tailors Store about a hour before sun down we got out mail and I got a letter from Elder James Memmott and was very glad to here from him we heard of some saints about two miles away we walked out here and got their about sun down I had all the walk I wanted we had come 20 miles  They had turned away from our religion said they wanted nothing to do with us They let us stop with them and was treated very well  There names were Crouch

May 11 --  Elder Bishop & I walked from Mr. Crouch to Tailors Store there was some pamphlets & other packages there  We had our grips full  & they a little heavy  We left Tailors Store and walked about 3 miles and called to a house and got out dinner   After dinner we walked for a short distance and went out in the woods and rote some letters  it was getting nearly night so we started to find a place to stop we came to a man & a boy plowing  He invited us to come and stop with him his name was J H Fisher.

May 12, 1906 – We called in a few houses and canvass them It was getting very warm so Elder Bishop and I went into the woods to sit in the shade and read  It did not take long for it to come dinner time  It was my turn to ask for dinner we went to a house & I ask for dinner & they to us to come in that pleased us.  After dinner we walked for a few miles and went in the woods for to read and to wait until it got cool when it got cool we started to walk we walked a short distance and Elder Bishop went to find out the right road he ask the man if we could stay with him  He said yes he was a Drunkard preacher his name was Bonvan.

May 14, 1906 – It was Sunday and a very fine day the gentleman where stopped was going off on Sunday morning so Elder Bishop and I had to travel  We walked a short distance and went into the woods for we did not want to walk on Sunday we spent most of the day in reading and writing letters about four oclock we started to find a place to stop we walking about five miles before we found a place to stop.  We stopped E.C. Akers he said we could stop but he did not want us to talk about religious matters.

May 14, 1906 – It is the first of the week Elder Bishop and I am enjoying our selves as we travel to wards Montgomery co.  I enjoy my self listening my companion talk with the ministers  I don’t have much to talk about on religious matters but I am trying learn to talk on it some We had a large Mt to climb over and it was very warm.  We got our dinner to a widows  We traveled over the top of the Mt and it look like it was all hills in Virginia  we walked along until it came night and stopped to J.D. Reed.  He treated us very nicely.

May 15, 1906 – We left the place where spent the night and started for Huffwill we came to Grove and Elder Bishop had a gospel conversation  We walked until we came to John Conner.  He invited us to eat dinner with him after dimmer he wanted to hold a cottage meeting after meeting started for one of our saints about a mile away we got there.  and after supper they wanted us to hold a meeting we held a meeting and had a very enjoyable time we spent the night with our saint and had a very nice time her name was Mary Lizziebeth Conner.

May 16, 1906 – Elder Bishop and had to lay over and wait for our mail we spent most of our time in reading in the morning  After dinner we went to the office and got some mail  we went back and read the news the rest of the day.  The San Francisco news had just came out and we wanted to see how had come out we stopped to a Saint named Mary Lizzibeth Conner.

May 17, 1906 – We left Sister Conner’s after dinner and went the office & got our mail I was very glad to get some letters from home for I had been away about 3 weeks and had not heard from home  I got five letters it took most of the day to read them we had a little difficult in getting a place to spend the night  we was refused four times  I tried it and got refused  Elder Bishop he got refused he said I could try this place he said it looked good to him.  I ask and the man said to come in he would to the best he could we said that was good enough

May 18, 1906 – We left the place where we stopped very early we walked until about ten oclock and went into the woods until it got a little cool when it came noon we went to a store and told him who we was and would like to have some dinner  he said he would give us a lunch out of the store  we told him that was all right of we ate our dinner we started on our way we past through Floyd the Co seat  we waked until night and came to a place and ask for entertainment he said all right to come in his name was J.D. Howell.

May 19, 1906 – We was going to try and get to one of our saints for Sunday so we had quite a walk  we ate dinner about two miles from the saints where we was going to spend Sunday. Elder Bishop knew the people.  They had moved from where they was living when he saw them we got their about five oclock and it started to rain in a few moments after we got there so we was lucky  There names was T.S. Ayers.  We had very enjoyable time.

May 20, 1906 – Elder Bishop & I had a very good time we was at one of our saints  we held a meeting I the afternoon and had a good congregation  Elder Bishop spoke for about ah hour explaining the gospel  we stopped to Sister Ayers.

ONE MONTH

May 21, 1906 --  Elder Bishop and I have been half soiling our shoes  I walk over to the store for some tacks we made a very neat job.  In the evening we held a meeting and had a very good time we wanted to rest up for we was getting a little leg weary and my feet was getting sore We stopped to Sister Ayers.

May 22, 1906 – I had a horse back ride  I road about 9 miles after a watch crystal  it made me so sore I could hardly walk.  After I got back we went over and help on some new ground  We did baptize one person in to the Church at night we held a sacrament meeting   the one we baptized was Ona Ayers.

May 23, 1906 – We left sister Ayers for Montgomery Co  it looked very much like storm  We walked until noon an got some dinner we had walked 11 ½ miles and I was little tired  after dinner I felt a lot better we went on our way we walked  until sundown and go refused a few times but there was a place provided for us & we stopped to a mans named J. C. Bishop.

May 24, 1906 – We started early for we had a long walk before us  We walked until noon and got some dinner  after dinner we started for Radford  we got their about 4 oclock  We stopped to sister Pain  Elder Bishop went after the mail  The line got down so the car stopped running & he had to walk back

May 25, 1906 – Elder Bishop & I are going rest for a few days for we have been traveling for about three weeks and are some what tired we walked out to East Radford to see one of our saints  he was feeling in the gospel  on our way back we stopped and saw a negro do some slight hand trick.  We came back to sister Pains to spend the night with her Elder Bishop thinks he is big cause he has go a new pair of pants.

May 26, 1906 – We wanted to go and visit some of our saints.  We went to West Radford shortly after we got to one of our saints it started to rain it rained most of the day.  It was very dry and dusty.  We went and saw pipe manufactory.

May 27, 1906 – It was Sunday and very stormy it rained most of the day.  Elder Bishop and I went to East Radford to hold meeting with Bro & sister Furrows we had a very good time after dinner we went across New River to see sister Waddell  we got there about three oclock and stopped with them all night.

May 28, 1906 – Elder Bishop & I was going to start to labor today but it is very stormy and the winds are blowing very hard.  We have decided to stay to day and see if it wont get a little better weather.  We stopped at sister Pains and read most of the day.  We walked down to the Post Office and to the store for we wanted some things

May 29, 1906 – We left Radford to start to labor we ate dinned with bro Ferrow we left his place and started for Christainburg  we walked about nine miles and had little difficult in getting a place to stay but we found one his name was H. C. Christman.  I had the Rheumatism in my right leg it is very hard for me to walk but I get along very well.

May 30, 1906 – We are busy at work canvassing through the Country.  We find some of the people a very bitter to-wards us  We have some difficult in getting places to stop but the Lord always provides for his servants  I cannot travel very well on the account of my leg but we get along very nicely.

May 31, 1906 – We got our mail at Bigtimel and I was very pleased to here from home we are at work tracting the homes of the people in Montgomery and we find some of them very bitter.  We came down the road by the Tide water RR there was many people working there as we was coming along they was blasting and a rock struck in front of us we came to a stream & washed our feet for they were getting sore then it came evening we had some difficult in finding a place to stop but there is always some good people that will keep us we came to a man and ask him and he told us no but we teased him a little while and he let us stay with him.

More Memmott Family Reunion History Information

Deseret News Mar 1, 1916
MEMMOTT FAMILY REUNION IN SCIPIO
(Special Correspondence.)

Scipio, Feb. 28.—In honor of Thomas Memmott, who was 78 years old Feb. 27. A family reunion was held on the 26th in the Relief society hall. There were present 115 members of the Memmott family, the majority of whom are descendants of Mr. Memmott and his deceased wife, Emma W. Memmott. All his children seven sons and on daughter their wives and husband, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were present. An appropriate program was given, games were played and a ball in the evening concluded the festivities.

Thomas Memmott was born in England son of William and Ann Memmott. He was married in 1857 and came to Utah in 1862. He lived in Deseret from 1864 to 1868, when he moved to Scipio, where he has since resided. His wife, Emma died in 1898 and in 1900 he married Catherine Hunter. Mr. Memmott has always been an active Church worker; know especially for his ability as a choir leader. He has also filled civic positions or responsibility.

In the 1979 Memmott Family Bulletin is this By Thomas Kemner Memmott:
It was in the year of 1935 that I first attended a Memmott Reunion. I was attending a summer session at BYU and went to Scipio to spend a weekend. As luck would have it, they were having a reunion. Calvin Memmott was conducting the meeting.

The family continued to meet annually at Scipio in a reunion type get-to-gether. They always were entertained with a fine program, using family talent. On two different years the reunion was held at Nephi and at Provo. New officers were selected each year.

Through the years committees were formed. Sometimes the head of the committee was called “chairman”. Other years he was called “president”. According to the records, that Paul Memmott produced, I found the following:
1936 Fenton Memmott, President
1937 Fenton Memmott, President
1938 no reunion
1939 Fenton Memmott, President
1940 Fenton Memmott, President
1941 to 1952 – No minutes are available
1952 Kemner Memmott, Master of ceremonies; held in Nephi
1953 Howard Memmott, Chairman
1954 Kemner Memmott, President
1955 Chester Memmott, President
1956 LaVoy Memmott, Chairman
1957 Jay Memmott, President
1958 Angus Memmott, President
1959 Howard Memmott, President
1960 Neil Monroe, Chairman

1961 no minutes
1962 no minutes
1963 Beulah Clayson was in charge
1964 no minutes from 1963 on; however, there are rosters of members attending in 1964, 1965 and 1966
Late 1960’s & early 1970’s – interest seemed to wane and for a few consecutive years no reunions were held. He then told the story that was also written by Clifton Memmott in the Memmott Family Bulletin 1986.
1972 Evan Jed Memmott, President
1973 Evan Jed Memmott, President
1974 Evan Jed Memmott, President
1975 Paul Memmott, President
1976 Paul Memmott, President
1977 Alice Adams, President
1978 Alice Adams, President
1979 Robert ‘Bob’ Memmott, President; reunion held in Mexico
1980 Robert ‘Bob’ Memmott, President
1981 Larry L Memmott, President
1982 Larry L Memmott, President; reunion held in California
1983 Larry L Memmott, President
1984 Wanda Carter, President
1985 Wanda Carter, President
1986 William ‘Bill’ R. Memmott, President
1987 William ‘Bill’ R. Memmott, President; reunion held at Lagoon
1988 Clayton L. Memmott, President
1989 Clayton L. Memmott, President; reunion held at Wheeler Farm
1990 Robert ‘Bob’ Salmon
1991 Dorthy Sorensen Smith, President; reunion held in West Valley City
1992 Dorthy Sorensen Smith, President
1993 Bryce W Memmott, President
1994 Cola Dawn Memmott Larsen, President
1995 Karma Jean Memmott Robertson, President
1996 no mention in Bulletin who was President
1997 Clayton Memmott, conducted the meeting, held at Wheeler Farm
1998 no mention in Bulletin who was President
1999 William ‘Bill’ R. Memmott, President; reunion at This is the Place State Park
2000 William ‘Bill’ R. Memmott, President
2001 Bonny Ingle, President; reunion held at Wheeler Farm
2002 Bonny Ingle, President
2003 no mention in Bulletin who was President; reunion at the Gardener Village
2004 Kimberly Daniels, President
2005 no mention in Bulletin who was President; reunion held at Bill & Joava Good’s home in Draper
2006 no mention in Bulletin who was President-reunion in Nephi
2007 Jill Memmott Olsen, President; reunion at the Gardener Village
2008 Jill Memmott Olsen, President
2009 William “Bill” R. Memmott, President; reunion at ‘This is the Place state park’
2010 William “Bill” R. Memmott, President
2011 Rosalie Memmott Nolan, President; reunion at the Gardener Village
2012 Rosalie Memmott Nolan, President
2013 Susan Memmott Allred, President Elect

Letter from the President:

Dear Family Members:

It has been a couple months since the Family Reunion 2011 at the Gathering Place in Gardener Village.  We appreciate those who helped pull it together, carried it out and all who participated.  We were able to acknowledge the 75^th Wedding Anniversary of Chester and Esther Memmott, who were present.

We found the owner of the lost camera that was mentioned at the Reunion – it was Karma Robertson and she now has it back.

One of the items discussed was this Family Blog it is the first try at it and any suggestions or helps will be appreciated.  We invite all Family members to submit births, weddings, missionaries, death, honors to family members and etc.  Pictures and family histories are needed.  We started with a brief summary of the organization as we understand it from past Family Bulletins and have included information on the Family that we know best.  Please provide input and information on your family line so we can get to know each other better.

There is still a need for to fill open position of officers on the Memmott Family Association Executive Board.  Second Vice president, Family Genealogist, Historian and Secretary are needed.

Sincerely,

Rosalie Memmott Nolan

Welcome

The William and John Memmott Family Association, Inc.

The Memmott Family Association, INC was incorporated in 2001 in the state of Utah - The William and John Memmott Family Association, Inc. which was incorporated in 1982 was not renewed so it had to be incorporated again.   It has researched and published genealogies and histories on the ancestors and descendants of the Thomas Memmott family living in Aston and Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

Since February 26, 1916 reunions have been held, these have been annually from 1972 to date.   The current Officers are as follows:

President – Susan Memmott Allred (Randy)

1^st vice President – 

2^nd Vice President – volunteer currently needed

Secretary – volunteer currently needed

Treasurer- Jackie Memmott Wampler (Forrest)

Family Genealogist – volunteer currently needed

Historian – Volunteer currently needed

Bulletin Editor –

Quilter – Dorthy Smith [she has given a quilt each year of over 40 years now]

Committee Members:  Bill (Collette) Memmott, Jill (David) Memmott Olsen, Joava (Bill) Memmott Good have served with the officers to hold a reunion the last several years.  Interest seems to have waned; to keep the reunions going more involvement from the Family members is needed.  Please help!

This family organization has been established to honor our progenitors by carrying out activates which will not only remind us of them, but which will inspire, motivate, and help all of us to achieve the purposes for which we have been born here on this earth. 

The organization will plan, design and carry out activities with the following in mind:

·         Perform Genealogical Research with reliable results

·         Prepare and gather Family Histories that will inspire and motivate

·         Gather and Organize information about John and William Memmott Families

·         Create a Family Archive of Family History

·         Gather Family Members and Keep family Records Current

·         Strengthen Families and individuals

·         Provide opportunities for descendants to socialize and become acquainted.

Please contribute to the Family Bulletin and Blog; send noteworthy news from the family branches and Family Histories to the President or 1^st Vice President or directly email them to memmottreunion@gmail.com .  Your news could include:

·         Family Research

·         Life sketches

·         Mission announcements

·         Births, wedding, deaths

·         Trivia

·         Project for kids

Obituary-- Elaine Kirkpatrick

Elaine Kirkpatrick 

  

1933 ~ 2011
Alice Elaine Probert Kirkpatrick, age 78, passed away in her Scipio, Utah home on 3 October 2011 after a valiant fight with cancer which she contracted from being a "Downwinder." Sincere appreciation is expressed to Dr. Saundra S. Buys and her staff for their help in prolonging Elaine's life, and to Jon Huntsman for creating the excellent Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City. Thank you to IHC Hospice and Home Health and Nurse Denise Allgood and Pam Robison and Donna Crapo for their excellent care.
Elaine was born on 31 July 1933 in Provo, Utah to Samuel Don Probert and Genevieve Alice Peterson, the last of their five children. She grew up in Scipio, and graduated from Utah State University in Logan with a degree in Elementary Education. She married Stewart Raymond Kirkpatrick on 1 June 1956 in Scipio. They were sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on 23 March 1984.
Kirk's service in the Air Force took them to Texas, Turkey, Virginia, Colorado, and Hawaii. When he retired, they moved to Farmington, Utah and lived there for 32 years.
Elaine has served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a teacher, counselor, and president of the Primary, Young Women's, and Relief Society organizations. She was very active in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and served as first vice president on the central board in Salt Lake City in the 1980s. Kirk and Elaine served two LDS missions in Hawaii and Istanbul, Turkey. They have lived in Scipio for the past 4 years. Every place they have lived, Elaine has made special friends, loving them and they loving her.
Elaine is survived by her husband of 55 years and their three children, Stewart (Kelly) of Billings, Montana, Mark (Sue) of West Valley City, Utah, and Suzie
(Chris) Roseville, California, 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, her sister Arlene (Jay) Memmott, and her brother Dick (Thelma) Probert of Scipio; sister-in-laws, Gloria Probert, Scipio, UT and Shirley Probert, Scipio, UT. Preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Carl Probert and Bud Probert.
Funeral service will be held Friday Oct 7 at noon at Scipio Ward, 85 W 100 N Street. The family will receive family and friends from 10 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Scipio Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Rasmussen Mortuary, Mount Pleasant, Utah.

Elaine and Kirk before their LDS mission to Turkey

I was able to attend Elaine's funeral, it was beautiful. My mother gave the tribute and said, "She's probably planning a party." I think so too! Elaine loved to have people around. She touched many lives, Elaine made everyone she knew feel important and special. She was very genuine and real. I truly feel that I'm a better person because I knew her.

Front of funeral program

Inside of the funeral program

The Pallbearers put their butoners on the casket. Her grand daughters made pink ribbons for Breast Cancer Awareness for those attending the funeral, and many put their ribbons on the casket.

Elaine wanted a pink casket and got it, even the vault was painted pink.

Elaine in a pioneer costume as a child

Elaine during her high school years
with the smile Kirk loved.

Elaine's Memmott line: Alice Elaine Probert, Samuel Don Probert, Sarah Memmott, John Memmott, Thomas Memmott, Ann Memmott, William Memmott, Francis Memmott.

If anyone would like to share memories of Elaine that would be wonderful. Please do so in the comments of this post.

Thanks to Elaine's daughter-in-law Sue Kirkpatrick for getting me many of these pictures.

History's James Wilson Memmott

Jill Memmott Olsen has transcribed many histories from family bulletins and has offered to send them along with the pictures she has. Thanks Jill for all your help!

James Wilson Memmott

 James Wilson Memmott (1841 – 1919)

Written by James Wilson Memmott

(Published in the 1976 Bulletin)

This is a sketch of the life of James Wilson Memmott born February 25, 1841, in Aston, Yorkshire, England.  Son of William Memmott, born in Aston, Yorkshire, England, on August 30, 1823 and Ann Wilson Memmott, born in Woodhouse Mill, Yorkshire, England on August 30, 1823.  My parents had seven children: Thomas, Martha, James Wilson, John William, William, Samuel and Sarah Ann.

I received some schooling until 10 years of age.  At about 12 years I commenced to learn the engineering trade.  At the age of 18 I learned a part of the milling business.  At 20 I married Elizabeth Hopkins on 24 March 1861.  Went to Utah April 23, sailing on a ship, Underwriter.  Arrived on New York 29 May 1861, about six days before the Civil War commenced.  Left New York for St. Joseph, Missouri, 30 May 1861.  Traveled by river, went up to Florence by steam boat arriving about 10 June 1861. Camped about three weeks there and then started for Salt Lake City, Utah in July.  Traveled in the Milo Andrews and Omer Duncon train.  Had a first rare time and good trip.  Our team, first two yoke oxen, one cow, with eleven family members.  We arranged our business first rate.

I don’t think we were five dollars to the good – or five dollars in debt.  We had a little trouble on account of Indians, but I consider we had a first class trip.  Some few died on the trip.  There were seventy- five wagons, five hundred head of oxen, and about five hundred people.

We camped in Salt Lake City about ten days and found some of our old Sheffield friends.  Harry Roper, Matthew Rowen and others.  We went to Payson, sixty or sixty-five miles south.  Found many friends and got along fine for newcomers and not being used to the country and people.

On 16 July 1862, my wife gave birth to a baby girl (Annie Elizabeth), which at this time is 51 years old and has eight living children.  But my wife never recovered and died 13 September 1862.  This was very hard on me and many a time I would have gone back to my old home, my Mother raised the baby and she called her Mother.

All my people moved to Scipio, Millard County, Utah, but I stopped in Payson until 1890 when I went to Mexico.  In the meantime I bought about $10, 000 of land, two threshing machines, two saw mills, and done general business which Mormons generally do so as to make a living and build a home.

In the years 1863-64-65 I made shingles, made two trips to Montana, in 66 I took charge of Simons Mill and held it for over twenty years.  I built a good home in 1866 and in 1871 – I married a young lady, Jane Mathewson, from Scotland.  We lived together for twenty years and had 10 children.  They are:  Martha Jane, James Wilson, Lillie, Mattie, William George, Lee Edward, David F., Zoe Helen, Maude May and Zella Ireta.

We lived in Payson for fifteen years, and then moved to Salem in 85’, and in 1890 we moved back to Payson.  In six weeks trouble got in the family and in less than forty-eight hours I was on my way to Mexico.  Arriving in Juarez on 9 July 1890.  I have made five visits to Salt Lake since I came to Mexico.  After arriving in Colonia Juarez, I rested for about twenty days, and then went to work for W.R.B Stowell to run his grist mill, of about 75 bushels per twelve hours.  At first I earned one dollar per day, but as people move in, business increased.  I had a great time as I did not know the Spanish language.  After a time I got acquainted and saved some cash, bought me a home and found me a wife.  I married Mary Ann Mellor, 14 June 1894.  Since that time we have had six children, two girls and four boys.  They are: Mary Etta, Joseph Fletcher, James Wilson, George Liecester, and  Hazel.

Many changes have come to pass, and today July 20, 1914, we are in Thatcher, Arizona, wondering who is in Mexico, and wondering when we go back to our home, and 200 acre farm with tools and everything complete.  I worked with and for  W. R. R. Stowell as miller about six years and was very much pleased and took much pleasure with the Stowell Family for three years, then built a mill below Jackson Mill, but before it was completed Joseph Jackson offered me his mill for $12,000 Mexican.  I ran it for seven years then sold it to Don Leuis Terrazas of Chih.  And moved to Colonia Juarez at the time I was making cash.  I bought P.N. Skousen’s farm for $6,000.  The seven years I run the mill and farm I cleaned up about $5.00 a year and did quite a large amount of business from 1890 – 1903.  After 1908 trouble in Mexico was talked about so I sold to P.N. Skousen $18,000 land.

When in 1907 I built a home worth $7,000 with a good barn, one hundred acres in San Jose, and one hundred in Chuachupa.  In 1912 we all left Mexico for a time, a few came back, and many never did.  We came back and had to leave again.

This was written by James Wilson Memmott.  He died February 13, 1919 in El Paso, TX.

Memmott Family Reunion August 13th 2011

This year's Memmott Family Reunion was held at The Gathering Place in Gardner Village. We enjoyed a delicious lunch, wonderful entertainment, and time catching up with family. A deli lunch was provided by The Gathering Place. The pre-program entertainment was given by Karli and Alexa Augat, who are granddaughters of Chester and Esther Memmott. We all enjoyed listening to their beautiful voices. Then Kirk Memmott shared some excerpts from the third volume of the Thomas Memmott journal. Susan Memmott Allred arranged the after lunch entertainment which was provided by Clive Romney and his group. They used our family history to write a song about our ancestors that will be available to us next year. We also raffled off a quilt made by Dorthy Smith, who has made a quilt every year for the raffle for the last 40 years and each one has gone to a different family.

Susan Memmott Allread put together this Forrest Memmott Family display.

Enjoying the good meal and wonderful company.

Chester and Esther's children recognized their parents 75th wedding anniversary. They never had a wedding reception and Esther never had a bouquet so their children provided a bouquet and all posed for pictures.

After lunch entertainment.

All pictures were provided by George Nolan.