SAMUEL D. WILLIAMS
Samuel D. Williams was born 10 April 1826 at Brenmellon Farm, Breconshire, South Wales and embraced the
gospel when a young, single man. He was the son of Ruth Jones and Daniel
Williams. His grandparents were William Jones and Mrs. Margaret Jones, Roderick
Williams and Elizabeth Williams.
He married Ann Price. She was born on his birthday, 10 April 1826, in Breconshire, South
Wales. Her parents were Daniel Price and Mary Davis. They grew up
together on neighboring farms. She was a Latter-day Saint before her marriage.
To this union were born four children: Daniel, Mary Ann, Ruth, and Samuel John.
He planned to come to America
before his children were born, and sold everything from the farm and paid the
first payment for passage to America.
While preparations were being made to make the voyage, Grandmother, Ann Price
Williams fell from the loft in the barn to the floor and was so badly injured
they had to give up the trip at that time. But Grandmother was consoled by
seeing, in a dream, the suffering and deaths of the Saints on the plains. When
she awoke from the dream, she told Grandfather what she had seen, and he said
that he believed it was well they did not go as the Saints were almost starving
and suffering so and some were dying on the plains. That was in 1853.
Grandfather restocked the farm and stayed there 15 years
longer. During those years his four children were born and his wife died and
was buried in Wales.
Grandmother, Ann Price Williams, died very suddenly in the night and being a
long distance from the neighbors, Grandfather had to leave the children with
their dead mother while he went for help. He called the children and told them
their mother was dying; then he put the children in bed by their dead mother
and left the house to bring back friends to the saddened home.
He married Elizabeth Parry in 1866 and brought her to America.
To this union were born eleven children. Elizabeth
was born in Wales,
the others in America.
He once more sold everything he owned and the family prepared to come to America.
He never intended to leave Daniel in Wales,
but when he went to Grandfather Price to get his son to bring him to America,
Grandfather Price with tears streaming down his face said, "Samuel, if you
take the boy from me, it will break my heart." So, Grandfather Williams
left his son with his Grandfather Daniel Price. It is said, when returning home
from this errand, that he came to the top of the hill and stopped and looked
back over the farm that he would never see again, as he stood there he could
see his little boy driving the cows home. Realizing
that was the last time he would ever see his son in this life, intense grief
took possession of him and he fell to the ground and wept in agony and sorrow
because he was leaving his oldest son in Wales forever.
It was hard treatment for Grandfather, but he did it for
the gospel's sake. He never let Mary or Ruth see their brother before leaving Wales,
as he knew the parting would be hard for them.
The family left Wales
and sailed from Liverpool, 4 June 1868 in the sailing vessel, John Bright. They were six weeks on the sea and traveled across the
plains by mule team under the direction of Captain Horton D. Haight. Grandfather had the measles on the plains and his
daughter, Mary, had mountain fever when they arrived in Salt
Lake City, 24
August 1868. They camped under a shed in the old tithing yard where
the Hotel Utah now stands. They stayed there one week and then went to Brigham
City to his father's place.
His parents had been in America
for 15 years. John Williams, his brother, who was living in Malad,
came to Brigham City in a wagon and
took the family up there. They lived in Malad the
first winter and in the spring of 1869 Grandfather moved to Samaria
where he lived the rest of his life quietly and peacefully.
Their first home in Samaria
was a one-room log house with a dirt roof and floor. This is where the rest of
his family were born: Margaret, Sarah Jane, William,
Joan, John, Brigham, Ezeriah, Hannah, Annie, and
Oliver. In 1968 there is only one member of this family living, Annie Huntsman
living in Farmington, Utah.
Grandfather was of medium height, a heavy set man, dark
complexioned, even tempered and kind to his family.
He took an active part in Church and civic affairs. In
December 1869 he was made the second presiding Elder of the branch and
conducted the first meeting held in the Church which was completed in March of
1870. He held this position for eleven years until they organized the Samaria
Ward of the L.D.S. Church
in 1880.
He surveyed the ditch to bring the water for irrigation
into Samaria. He did a lot of that
work. He was also considered a good doctor. He was skilled in setting broken
bones and rendered service to many people for which he received very little
pay. Sometimes he would be paid fifty cents or a couple of dollars. He was just
as good to doctor animals as people.
He owned farming land in Samaria,
milked cows and did many other things to earn a living.
Grandfather was a prince among men and was well respected
by all who knew his worth. It can be said of him that he was a true Latter-day
Saint, a peaceful neighbor, a good citizen, and a loving and tender father. He
passed away quietly 27 August 1900
and was buried at Samaria. His life
and integrity of character is worthy of emulation.
- Earl J. Thomas, Great Grandson
