Emma Luella Lawrence
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Emmy was the sixth child of SImon Lawrence and Ann Archer. She was born at St Luke's Paris, Old Street, Islington, London.
One of the events of her girlhood that Grandmother Emmy often related was that of seeing Victoria crowned Queen of England. This was in the year 1837 when grandmother was about twelve years of age. Grandmother was eighteen years and six months old when she married Richard Collings who was nearly 26 years old, in the town of Tring, Buckinghamshire, England. Grandmother lost her first child, Alice, age four. In their grief, she and Richard found the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In the year 1856, when the church called for the saints to immigrate to Utah, they sold everything and with their five children sailed on the ship "Horizon" for America. The children were Louise (age nine), Frederic John (age seven), David (age five), George (age three), and Samuel Willard (age eight months). The trip across the Atlantic Ocean was terrifying and at times also beautiful. Emmy expressed how grateful she was for her husband. When the ship was about to hit an iceburg Emmy was very frightened but Richard always faced their problems calmly saying, "Just keep calm." They then have prayer which gave Emmy strength and security. Emmy was much impressed with the city of Boston (where the ship docked) whose streets were very wide and handsome and whose markets reminded her of England. She noticed even more the dress of the people especially the bonnets that the women wore. The bonnets had a curtain which was half yard in depth down the back of the bonnet like a shawl. She thought them most odd looking but soon she was glad to have on herself for the comfort from the blazing sun. When they arrived in St. Louis and discovered that the wagon they have paid for was going to be used for other purposes and they were going to have to pull a handcart and walk to Zion. I am sure Emmy again felt frightened and discouraged. Grandmother walked all the way carrying baby Samuel and pushing with one hand when she could. The carts broke down often. Emmy was so grateful that she had a husband with her to fix the broken wheels (as many of the women were single), but better still, he encouraged her so that she was able to keep up her persistance and cheerfulness. The family stayed cheerful despite their hardships but then (because of the delays of the Martin Handcart Co.) they were caught in the winter storms. On the morning of October 19th, Emmy awoke to find the beds covered with snow which had drifted in from the outside. About four inches of snow had fallen during the night. The air was bitterly cold, and a high wind drove particles of snow in every direction. No wonder her heart sank within her. When they reached the Platte River, the water was so cold some of the women were carried across. But Emmy tied up her skirt and waded through like the heroine she was. The storm continued for several days until the snow was 15 inches deep. They struggled on, many however falling by the wayside. Grandfather became very ill from the exposure and strain of pushing the cart. Emmy prayed for his life, she did not know what she would do without him. Grandmother spoke often of the three boys that came to carry them over the Sweetwater River, losing their lives from the exposure and of Brother Ephraim K. Hanks that brought relief when they were stranded and starving at Martins Cove, Wyoming. When Brother Hanks arrived in camp with the buffalo meat the starving mothers flocked around him reaching out their hands, saying, "Please give some meat for my hungry children." Now such care is taken in feeding our babies and the mother's diet is so important. I think of poor grandmother, half starved and frozen, walking all day. How did she feed her baby? The family was blessed, they all survived and arrived in Salt Lake City, true to their religion and their faith in God unshaken. As soon as the family recuperated they moved to Springville, Utah. Once more their life became stable and settled. Emmy gained the friendship and love of everyone in the community, and with each year she became more happy and thankful for her new home. Grandmother learned to bake salt-rising bread. She had always bought bread in London. She learned to churn butter, wash and card wool, spin it into yarn, and then had the yearn woven into cloth. They were called to help settle Monroe, Utah. Grandfather wanted Sylvia C Musig
Material taken from "Richard and Emmy (Lawrence) Collings written by Elaine Poulson and Sylvia Collings Musing, Granddaughter adapted by Alice Jo Cluff Ellsworth, 4th great granddaughter, 1997 |