Elias and Ellenor Roberts Lewis
Elias Lewis, son of John and Martha Evans Lewis, was born October 3, 1833, near Swansea, South Wales. When Elias was five years old his mother died, and a few years later his father passed away. Elias was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 14 years old. The Book of Mormon was published in pamphlet form in the Welsh language and Elias received copies of them every two weeks, and by the time the last copy was published he had memorized the entire book. In April, 1856, Elias and three of his brothers, Enoch, David and William, and his sister Ellen, prepared to come to America. They sailed from Liverpool, England. In this company of Saints was Ellenor Roberts, sweetheart of Elias and daughter of John and Susannah Hughes Roberts. She was born March 4th, 1833, at Black and Blue, North Wales. Ellenor's father and mother were members of the Latter-day Saints Church and they were willing for her to come to Utah. Her father said to her, "Go my girl, and before the year is gone, I will be with you in Zion." In a short time her father died and she never had the privilege of seeing her people again.
The sea voyage from Liverpol was a difficult one and after six weeks they landed in America. During their stop at Iowa City, Elias and Ellenor were married. The ceremony was performed by Daniel Jones, June 4th, 1856, under a shade tree at Iowa camp. With other Saints of the company they helped in the construction of the handcarts. Their cart was small, consisting of two wheels with with a framework covered with boards for the bottom. The framework extended in front with a crossbar by which the cart was pulled. The clothing and food was strapped to the frame. Seventeen pounds were allowed each person. This was very disappointing, for Elias and Ellenor had brought many treasured belongings which had to be discarded when the journey was continued. The roads were very rough and much rawhide had to be used on the handcarts to keep them from falling apart. Although this journey was a weary one, they were cheerful and tried to be happy. The song they sang as they journeyed along was, "Some Must Pull and Some Must Push." As the journey continued, food became very scarce and many of their priceless possessions were traded for food. One of these was Ellenor's wedding ring, which was exchanged for flour.
Elias and Ellenor walked the entire distance. Ellenor was always very proud and particular about her shoes. She always kept them shiny and clean. When they reached the Missouri River she took them off, set them on the bank of the river, and when she got on the other side she discovered she had left them. She walked the rest of the journey barefooted. They arrived in Salt Lake in October 1856, a weary, hungry band of Saints, happy that their journey was over and joyful to be with the Saints in Utah. They went to North Ogden and remained there until 1858 and later moved to Spanish Fork where they established their home. Elias took a prominent part in the building or roads, canals and railroads. Elias died February 21, 1913, at the age of 79 years, and Ellenor died on February 16th, 1917, at the age of 84 years. - Leah Holt Nelson and Jennie Lewis Johnson.
