Elizabeth
(Betsy) Wheeler was born 16 Oct. 1789 in Chesterville, New Hampshire.
She was the daughter of Randall and Experience Alden Wheeler. In 1815,
when she was 25 years old she married Gideon Russell Brownell in Mass.
He was also 25 years old, having been born 5 May 1789 in Danby, Rutla
Co. Vermont. His parents were Benjamin Brownell and Mary Ann Russell.
According
to the family group sheet in possession of Violet Cook, this young couple
made their first home in Quebec, Canada, where Betsy gave birth to twin
girls on 2 March 1816. They were named Mary Ann and Experience after each
of the girl's grandmothers. Experience died as a child.
About 1817
Gideon moved Betsy to Ohio. Here they lived about 25 years. Betsy gave
birth to Zora in 1817, she died young, Gideon Russell in 1818, Fanny Elizabeth
in 1820, Gladys in 1821 - died as a child, and Hannah, in 1823 - died
as a child.
The Brownells
were perhaps still living in Ohio when they heard all the stories about
the young boy Joseph Smith in New York who claimed to have heavenly visions.
They would hear about the Mormon Church being organized and about the
Latter-day Saints moving to Kirland Ohio.
We don't
know just which missionaries explained the gospel to them in such a way
that they were converted, but both Gideon and Betsy were baptized the
same time, in May of 1841. (Children, Mary Ann was baptized 21 March 1845,
Zora in 8 Sept. 1843 - died, and Fanny in October 1845).
As soon
as the Brownell family became affiliated with the Mormon Church they thought
it would be best to go to Nauvoo, Ill. Where the main body of saints were
then assembling. They wee no doubt there when the Prophet Joseph Smith
and his brother Hyrum were martyred in Carthage jail, and were grieved
with the rest at this terrible thing.
Betsy's
daughter, Julia, married James Myler while they were in Nauvoo. Betsy
did what she could to assist her husband (and sons) in their work one
the Nauvoo Temple, so it could be completed to perform the sacred ordinances
for which it was being built. Under great trials and financial difficulties
and severe mob persecutions, this valiant band of people accomplished
this great thing. Gideon and Betsy received their endowments and sealings
on January 3, 1846 in the Nauvoo temple.
We are all
familiar with the mob persecutions and the great exodus of the saints
from Nauvoo, across the ice clogged Mississippi River, into Iowa. The
Brownell family were as ill prepared as the thousands of other homeless
refugees who spent the cold and disagreeable winter at a temporary camp
at Winter Quarters.
As if the
trials of the Mormons weren't enough, on 26 June 1846, Colonel S. W. Kearny
of the U.S. Army, issued a "circular to the Mormons," delivered by Catp.
James Allen to enlist the volunteer services of some 500 men to right
the war with Mexico. President Young could see the hand of the Lord in
this. Here was a way where by the soldiers could receive army pay which
money could be used to get their families across the plains. (Essential
in Church History) All the able bodied men of the camp were much enthused
over this idea, and came forth and volunteered for this trek.
We find
in the book "Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p. 44, which lists the
names of the officers of Company "C", the name of Russell G. Brownell,
musician (Corporal at M.O.)
This was
an anxious time for Betsy Brownell because, on page 415 of Treasures of
Pioneer History" we note that on July 21st, 1846, five companies
of Mormon volunteers marched away from Winter Quarters. Gideon was 57
years old, and this was a trek fitting for younger men. Betsy worried
that the trip might be too hard on him. He was also concerned about leaving
her, who was also 57, living in a wagon box with her daughter, Julia Myler
and her 2 little children. But Gideon and his son-in-law, James Myler
braved the hardships of the march to Santa Fe and were mustered out in
California.
They returned
to their loved ones in December 1848. The menfolks got work in Missouri
the rest of the winter in preparation to cross the plains in the early
summer. "Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah" also Julia's history says
that they crossed the plains in William Miller's company, and arrived
in the Salt Lake Valley, September 22, 1849.
However,
they did not remain long in Salt Lake, but went North to Farmington in
Davis County. From the Farmington write-up in the Davis County book, "East
of Antelope Island" we get the interest information that Hector C. Haight,
who crossed the plains in 1847, was the first man to locate his family
in this district. Of course, others soon followed in their search for
permanent homes.
It is recorded
on page 42 of Jensen's Church Chronology, that on Tuesday, January 21,
1851, President Brigham Young and party held a meeting with the people
of North Cottonwood (Farmington) in the school house, and appointed Gideon
Brownell presiding Elder of that Branch.
Betsy enjoyed
living in Farmington. She found the people friendly and kind. She appreciated
the comfortable home Gideon provided for her and the association of her
children and grandchildren.
The group
sheet in possession of Violet Cook give the information who Betsy's children
married as follows: Mary Ann married Ascot Sherbourke, Gideon Russell
Jr. married Malissa Call, Fanny Elizabeth married James Harimson, Julia
Ann married James Myler and Benjamin married Caroline Ann Howell. (We
can't find out how many of them came to Utah).
In 1859
Julia Ann and her husband and family moved to Logan. In 1862 Gideon was
released from the Bishop's job in Farmington, then they moved to Logan
to be with their daughter. They were both 73 years old at the time.
The family
record shows that Gideon Russell Brownell died in Logan 16 March 1871
and Elizabeth (Betsy) Wheeler Brownell, died in Logan 5 September 1871.
They had both reached the good old age of 82. They had lived 56 years
together, enduring and enjoying the good and the bad things of life.
