Eliza Ann PHILBROOK Hardy (1807-1881)
The Hardys Elisha, Eliza and Flora 1868
Many stories have been told of the great sacrifices and faith of the early
Mormon Pioneers, following their expulsion from comfortable homes in Nauvoo, and
the hardships they endured while crossing the plains.
One of the most courageous histories was that of Zachariah and Eliza PHILBROOK Hardy of Searsmont, Waldo county, Maine. They were taught the Gospel by Elder William Hyde and baptized in 1840. Zachariah had been a sea Captain and ship builder.
One year later the family joined other converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and journeyed to Nauvoo, Illinois, arriving at their destination in may of 1841.
Besides the parents were the following children: Eliza Jane, Lucy Elvada, William Reed, Sophronia, Elisha Philbrook and Caroline Elvira. Two daughters, Syrene and Elmira, had died earlier.
The Hardys were soon involved in church and Civic affairs in Nauvoo. Zachariah served as a bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph Smith until his martyrdom
When Church members began leaving Nauvoo in January of 1846, Zachariah was assigned to help ferry families and their wagons across the Mississippi River. He became ill from exposure to the cold and damp and died 13 February 1846, just five days after the birth of Mary Ann, the seventh living child. The Hardy family was among the first to cross the mighty River into Iowa.
Kind friends and Church members returned to Nauvoo under cover of darkness and buried Zachariah in the Nauvoo Cemetery. Eliza and the children spent the remaining frigid Winter months in a canvas covered wagon box set on the ground.
When the weather moderated Eliza moved to Winter Quarters where they prepared for the journey across the plains.
The Hardy family started for the Great Salt Lake Valley 10 May 1851, with all their worldly goods piled into a light wagon. William drove the team with Caroline and the baby riding. Eliza and the other children walked, pulling a hand cart.
On 17 September the Hardys arrived at their destination and four days later were sent to East Weber (Uintah), arriving there 21 September.
In 1853, 16 year old Elisha left for the California where he worked for seven years, sending his mother all the earnings he could spare. Eliza earned money as a midwife.
In 1859 or 1860 Eliza moved her family to Mountain Green where they lived for two years, going form there to Morgan. It was here that Elisha met and married Flora Worlton, 13 Jan , 1866.
Flora, born 9 May, 1851, was a daughter of James Timbrell and Elizabeth Bourne Worlton. Her birthplace was Bath, Somerset, England. The Worltons came to the Valley in September of 1855 and settled in Lehi Valley, moving to Morgan 10 years later.
Eliza took her other children to Grantsville for a short time, then moved to Hooper where her son, William, built a home. His mother lived with him and family the remainder of her life.
Elisha and Flora made their home in Morgan for a short time where he contracted to build a section of the Union Pacific Railroad line through Weber Canyon. He always remembered the thrill of seeing the first train travel through the Canyon when the line was completed.
The family moved to Hooper where Elisha lost his right arm in a freak hunting accident. Thus disabled, he had a rough time making a living for his growing family.
He purchased a ranch in cottonwood Canyon, Mountain Green, where he built a comfortable home. Here the family lived during the Summer, raising hay and grain. He also ‘boarded’ other farmer’s cattle herds during the Summer when feed was plentiful in the Canyon. Elisha also owned a good-sized herd.
In 1900 Elisha moved his family to Morgan to be near his wife’s ailing mother. To earn money he went into the real estate business. Elisha and Flora had 10 children: Flora Elizabeth, Martha Ann, Nancy Lucinda, Elisha James, Nellie Serena, Margaret Emily, Charles William, Rosa Belle, Bertha Evelyn and Lillian.
Flora Worlton Hardy died in Morgan, 7 May 1917. Elisha died three years later. Both are buried in Morgan.
Our
Cottonwood Home
by RosaBelle Hardy Durrant
How well I remember the old home and all,
The high willow fence and the old rock wall.
The long, winding road and the high rocky hill,
The murmuring stream where our buckets we’d fill.
The old workshop, anvils, forge, bellows, too,
Where they’d heat the iron when the horses they’d shoe.
The pole corral where we milked all the cows.
The whole darn bunch of us–where are we now?
The trail that led to the old pig sty,
The babe that was lost and we heard her cry.
The spring by the house and the cup on the tree,
That we were all happy I think you’d agree.
The house and the flowers and the old rocking chair,
And when mother would read we’d all gather there.
When shadows lengthened and night birds did call,
We’d run for the hammock, it would hold us all.
Oh! How it would squeak when we started to swing,
Then Dad would call out, ‘ I wish you would sing!’
And We’d all sing aloud some good, old hymn,
If it wasn’t much ‘twould always please him.
When company came, how happy we’d be,
When they would unload the apples we’d see.
The rumble of wagon wheels rolled o’re the rocks,
And the call company gave you could hear them for blocks.
The neat little kitchen where our dear mother cooked,
The delicious foods and how much it took!
To recall that dear home, what pleasure it gives.
From "Mountain Green the Beautiful"
A History of Mountain Green, Morgan county 1824-1930
Herald Printing Co., Logan, UT 1985
Ogden FHL
by Iris Wadsworth Sewell, Hooper
Thanks to Betseylee Browning of Mt. Green, UT for sending me the information for this page.
