John Brough & Mary Winter Fanthorp

History of

John Brough (1827-1909) and

Mary Winter Fanthorp (1831-1901)

by the BFO Research Committee, 2012

Ancestry of John Brough and Mary Winter Fanthorp

John Brough was born on 4 June 1827 in West Ashby, Lincolnshire, England. His parents were John Brough, a "Gardener", and Jane (Julia or Judith) Marshall, who had five children. On 5 November 1851, John Brough married Mary Winter Fanthorp in the parish church of St. James, Kingston-Upon-Hull, Yorkshire. She was born on 28 January 1831 in Thornton, Lincolnshire. Her parents were William Fanthorp, a "Farmer", and Mary Winter, and they had seven children. (John Brough and Mary Winter Fanthorp were married in the same church and on the same day as was John's younger sister, Caroline Brough--who married John Dawes.)

In March 1851, John Brough worked as a "Baker" while residing as an unmarried "23" year old "visitor" in the household of his older sister, Harriet, and brother-in-law, James Thomas Snarr (also a "Baker"), in Kingston-Upon-Hull, Yorkshire. On 5 November 1851, John Brough, a "Beer Shop Keeper", married Mary Winter Fanthorp in Kingston-Upon Hall. In March 1852, John Brough was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), and soon afterwards decided to leave England for "Zion" in Utah. (Mary was baptized into the LDS Church on 14 June 1854--shortly before crossing the American Plains for Utah.) On 13 January 1853, John and Mary's first child, Thomas Brough, was born in Lincolnshire.

Journey from England to America

Sometime between December 1851 and January 1854, John Brough became employed as a sailor. On 22 February 1854, John Brough, a "Seaman", and Mary Winter Fanthorp, along with their young son, Thomas Brough, left Liverpool, England aboard the ship Windermere. Also on board the ship was John's older sister, Harriet Brough, and her husband, James Thomas Snarr, and their three young children (Mary Ann Snarr, Thomas Sonley Snarr and Barton Snarr). After an eventful sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean, the Windermere arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 23 April 1854. An abbreviated account of the Windermere sailing adventure of early 1854 is described below (via the website: http://lib.byu.edu/mormonmigration/voyage.php?id=437):

A Compilation of General Voyage Notes [of the ship Windermere, February-April 1854]: "The ship Windermere, Captain Fairfield, sailed from Liverpool, England, bound for New Orleans, on the 22nd of February, 1854, with four hundred and seventy-seven Saints on board, the company being in charge of Elder Daniel Garn. Included in the company were seven ex-presidents of conferences, namely: Abraham Marchant, Robert Menzies, Job Smith, John T. Hardy, John A Albiston, J. V. Long and Graham Douglas. The Windermere arrived at New Orleans April 23rd. During the voyage contrary winds were encountered, arising at times to heavy gales; but at the end of five weeks a favorable wind set in, and the ship made one thousand miles in four days. After fifteen days sailing from Liverpool, the smallpox broke out on board and spread rapidly as the vessel approached the tropics, until 37 passengers and two of the crew were attacked but at this crisis the malady was suddenly checked in answer to prayer. Six marriages were solemnized on board, and six births and ten deaths [mostly from small pox] occurred. On the morning after arriving at New Orleans, eleven persons suffering with the small-pox were sent to the Luzenburg Hospital, agreeable to order from the health officers at the port; and Elder Long and five others were selected to remain at New Orleans to attend to the sick until they were sufficiently recovered to go forward. The rest of the company continued the journey from New Orleans April 27th, on board a steamboat, and arrived in St. Louis a few days later, from whence the journey was subsequently continued to Kansas City."

More in-depth accounts of the Windermere voyage can be found on the following three websites:

http://lib.byu.edu/mormonmigration/voyage.php?id=437

http://www.davidgorton.com/Father/Journals/windermere.html

http://robbwasdenfamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/voyge-of-ship-windermere.html

History of John Brough and Mary Winter Fanthorp

In 1979, a brief history of John Brough and Mary Winter Fanthorp was published by Alma Wilson Brough of Upland, California, entitled: "The Brough-Wilson Union" (FHL US/CAN Film # 1421580, Item #10). In 2010, Iris R. Ferre submitted two histories about "John and Mary Winter Fanthrop Brough" (reportedly compiled from earlier accounts by Lois Mangelson Brough, Enid Brough Christensen, Franklin Keith Brough, and others) to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP). The following historical account is an edited composite of these three histories (published by Alma Wilson Brough and submitted by Iris R. Ferre):

John [Brough] embraced the gospel [of Jesus Christ] as a young man while he was a seaman on a vessel which Mormon missionaries were on [and was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in March 1852]. His parents and [the] Fanthorpes didn't join, but were hostile to it. Mary joined later [and was baptized into the LDS Church on 14 June 1854--shortly before she crossed the American Plains for Utah].

William Fanthorpe and his wife, Mary Winter Fanthorpe, did not approve of John joining the Mormon Church, nor did they approve of their daughter leaving England to go to America. The Fanthorpes went to Liverpool to dissuade them from going, or at least Mary and her young son. Thomas Brough was the firstborn of John and Mary Brough. He was just one year old when this story begins.

The Fanthorpe's took Thomas and hid him. They thought Mary wouldn't go without him. Mary looked at the ship and out over the broad expanse of ocean and declared she would not sail. Mary hadn't yet joined the Church. John said, "I'm going. Think it over seriously." The ships whistle had blown for all to board when John finally found Thomas. Mary kissed her father, William Fanthorpe, and her mother goodbye; and, in tears, boarded the vessel for their trip to America.

John was determined to emigrate. Mary, with Thomas, would not remain behind without John, so they boarded the sailing vessel, Windemere. That strained the relations between Mary and her father so that they never communicated until many years later.

There were 477 souls on board the Windemere, all of them Mormons bound for the same destination. They were aided financially by the Perpetual Emigration Fund operated by the Church. It was a clever system established by Brigham Young to advance the costs of emigration to pioneers. They would deposit into the Fund as much money as they had, then when they got to Utah, they returned to the Fund the amount of their debt in the Fund, which, in turn, made monies available for others. The Fund probably paid for the vessel to go from Liverpool to New Orleans, and it carried as many passengers as it could.

The ship's passenger manifest lists John Brough, age 26, with occupation as a seaman. Mary, age 21, and Thomas, age 1, are also listed. But they were not traveling alone. John's older sister, Harriet Brough, and her family were also there [on board the ship]. They are listed as James T. Snarr, age 35, baker; Harriet Brough Snarr, age 31. Their children were listed as Mary A., age 8, Thomas, age 4, and Barton, age 2. John Brough's little family traveled all the way to Salt Lake with Harriet Brough and her family.

The remainder of this narration is gleaned from a very short account from John, a larger account written by Harriet and James Snarr, and the published detailed writing of William Jex, who was also on the Windemere for that unusual voyage.

The Windemere, with Captain Fairfield at the helm and Daniel Gran as president of the company of Saints, departed Liverpool on February 22, 1854.

As the vessel started in motion, the songs of Zion, blending in soul inspiring harmony, thrilled the hearts of the passengers and their many friends standing on the shore gazing at the departing vessel, shouting farewell, with eyes streaming with tears, doubtless recalling that only the night before seven vessels with all on board went down in the depths of the channel.

Our joy soon ceased, since most of us became affected by the rolling of the vessel as it moved out upon the ocean. In a word, many of us became awfully seasick. About 8 p.m. the first day at sea, an old gentleman named Squires died. All that night the winds howled fiercely, the sea was rough, the ship was driven from its course toward an island. About 11 p.m. Holly Head, which is a most dangerous point and the scene of frequent shipwrecks, was passed.

The next morning the body of Phillip Squires was thrown overboard. The wind continued to blow and the seas remained rough. This continued for days. The voyage was a difficult one. The sea became so rough and the waves so high at times to roll entirely over the vessel. The hatches were closed and all of the passengers were compelled to remain below in lantern light.

The Captain of the Windemere expressed fears that the ship could not stand so heavy a sea, and speaking to Daniel Garn, the president of the Saints on board, said; "I am afraid the ship cannot stand this storm, Mr. Garn. If there be a God, as you people say there is, you had better talk to Him if He will hear you. I have done all that I can do for the ship, and I am afraid after all that can be done she will go down."

Elder Garn went to the Elders who presided over the nine wards on the ship and requested them to get all the Saints on board to fast and call a prayer meeting to be held in each ward at 10 a.m. and pray that we might be delivered from danger.

The waves were lashed with white foam, the storm continued in all it's fury, but precisely at 10 o'clock the prayer meetings commenced and such a prayer few have ever seen. It is said that James Thomas Snarr gave voice to the prayer in their ward. During the prayers, the ship rolled from side to side. On one side of the ship Saints were hanging by their hands and on the other side they were almost standing on their heads. The ship would then roll the other way, which would reverse their positions. About this time the large boxes which were tied with ropes under the berths, broke loose and the pots, pans and kettles rolled with terrible force from side to side in the vessel.

Although the prayers were fervent and earnest, as the pleading of the poor souls brought them face to face with danger and death, they ceased their prayers to watch and dodge untied boxes, and great confusion prevailed for some time.

The wind continued to roar like a hurricane; sail after sail was torn to shreds and lost. The waves were very large. The ocean, as far as the eye could see, seemed to be one angry mass of white foam.

This awful storm lasted about 18 hours, then abated a little, but it was stormy until the 18th of March. Observations taken by the quadrant showed that the ship remained in the same latitude. It had progressed but little on its journey.

On the 14th of March, smallpox broke out. One of three Brooks sisters were taken down with it. She had a light attack and recovered, but her two sisters then came down with it and both died. After that 37 other passengers came down with it. The stench of the disease was fearful in every part of the vessel.

Three days after the smallpox breakout, the ship took fire under the cooking galley. We had not seen land for three weeks when the cry of "Fire. Fire. The ship is on fire" rang through the vessel. Wild excitement and consternation prevailed everywhere. All the water buckets on board were brought into use and soon the fire was under control.

Funeral services seemed very frequent and were very impressive. A funeral at sea is the most melancholy and solemn scene perhaps ever witnessed, especially when the sea is calm.

About six weeks out of Liverpool the days were generally mild and the weather pleasant. The sun set in grandeur and the bright pale moon seemed to be straight above our heads.

On the 8th of April a voice cried out, "There is land." Excitement prevailed and there was a rush of passengers to see the island of San Domingo. On the 9th we came in sight of the island of Cuba. On this day about 10 o'clock, a young man named Dee died of smallpox. His body was sewn up in a white blanket and at the feet was placed a heavy weight of coal. A plank was then placed with one end resting in the porthole on the side of the ship and the other near the main hatchway. The body was placed on this plank, then the doleful tolling of the bell began. Elder McGhee made a brief address, suitable for the occasion and offered a short prayer, after which the body and bedding of the young man were thrown overboard. The sea was very calm. The ship was standing perfectly still and the body could be seen sinking in the water until it appeared no larger than a person's hand. Some thought it was sinking for fully 15 minutes or longer.

Another serious problem arose on shipboard. The fresh water supply was getting low and the store of provisions was failing. The passengers were limited now to one hard small sea biscuit for a day's rations. The Captain sent some sailors in a small boat to intercept a ship that was passing in hopes of getting more provisions, but they failed.

On the morning of April 10th the ship entered the mouth of the Mississippi River. The passengers were glad to look upon the plantations of orange groves that bordered the banks of the river. We finally arrived safely in New Orleans on the 23rd. We were held on an island for three days under quarantine in consequence of our smallpox siege. As no new cases appeared, we were released and proceeded by river steamer up the Mississippi River to St. Louis.

While resting there for a time, John and Mary met a man and his wife who had no children. They proposed to buy Thomas, promising to provide him a good education. John said to his wife, "Mary, shall we let him go?" Of course, Mary refused and so they continued on their way up the Missouri River on another steamer.

When well up the river another misfortune overtook us. This time it was an outbreak of cholera. We had recorded 42 deaths. In some cases strong, robust men and women would be attacked by the disease, suffer intense pain for a short time and then succumb. We were often called upon to help bury the dead. As soon as a death occurred, a rude coffin was constructed in which the body was placed. We were then towed to the shore, a grave was hurriedly dug and the coffin deposited. Oft times it was difficult to find enough dirt among the roots and sod to cover the bodies. We had to work fast, for hardly were the graves dug and the bodies covered, than the ship's bell rang and the "all aboard" call went out and we had little time to make our way back to the boat. It was unlawful to consign the bodies to the river bottom, hence the shallow graves on the shore.

At length they arrived in Kansas City, Missouri, and proceeded to Atchison, Kansas, a distance of 1200 miles from New Orleans. In Atchison they proceeded to secure equipment for crossing the plains. Cattle, wagons, tents and other necessary supplies were purchased, and an organization was effected for the journey.

Church leaders were at this place to help in the organization and outfitting. One such wrote, "I have organized three companies of English, Welsh and Scotch Saints. Two of these are Perpetual Emigration Fund companies and one is independent. Each company is from 30 to 50 wagons. The Saints are from the ships Golconda, Windemere, John M. Wood and Old England. Some other companies have not yet arrived in Kansas. On account of the immense immigration to California and Salt Lake this season, prices are high. Oxen range from $75 to $110 per yoke and cows from $25 to $40 per head. Wagons were $67 in St. Louis." (Sometimes people in Salt Lake would drive their wagons back to Kansas or Iowa to help get immigrants moving.)

When they were getting ready to cross the plains, they had to get rid of the most of their belongings. There was a silver castor set and a pair of candle stick holders Mary couldn't bear to part with so she hid them down in a barrel of wheat. [Note: The silver castor set and pair of candle stick holders are now on display in the Daughters of Utah Pioneer's Museum in Nephi, Utah.]

[Note: It is not known which Mormon pioneer company the Brough and the Snarr families traveled in when they crossed the American Plains during the summer and fall of 1854. But it was probably either the Darwin Richardson Company or Daniel Garn Company. The Darwin Richardson Company departed Westport, Kansas City, Missouri on 17 June 1854, arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 30 September 1854, and consisted of "about 300 individuals and 40 wagons...when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Westport". The Daniel Garn Company departed Westport, Kansas City, Missouri on 1-2 July 1854, arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 1 October 1854, and consisted of "477 individuals and about 40 wagons...when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Westport". Interestingly, Harriet Brough Snarr gave birth to her fifth child, James Henry Snarr, on 11 September 1854 at Green River, Wyoming, and the Deseret News (of 28 September 1854) reported that "Elder Daniel Garn and company (was) seven miles this side (or west) of Fort Bridger (Wyoming) on the 22nd (of September 1854)".]

[While crossing the Plains] the two Brough families shared toil and burdens. On one occasion little Thomas Brough, a few months over 12 months of age, and little Bart Snarr, something past age two, were riding in the same wagon. Bart pushed Thomas out of the wagon and he was run over by a wheel. They stopped for 24 hours, during which time Thomas's life was in doubt. He recovered fully, however, thanks be to God.

Harriet was pregnant as they made their way over the plains. The jolting of the wagon affected her kidneys, giving her great pain thus she walked practically the whole distance. At Green River, Wyoming on September 11, 1854, a little son, James Henry, was born. Interestingly, John Brough and Mary had a son born in 1855 who was named John Henry. When this John Henry went on a mission to England, he searched out his Grandfather William Fanthorpe. Mr. Fanthorpe was in his later years and had lost his wife years before. William was anxious to learn of his daughter. His heart softened and he sent three [figurine] pieces for Mary's mantle back with John Henry. The message William gave was that Mary would recognize these articles and that they would serve to rebind them together.... [Note: The three figurines that John Henry Brough brought back to Mary Fanthorp Brough from her father are currently in the possession of Iris R. Ferre.]

[After arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in the Fall of 1854] John secured employment for three years on the Temple Block cutting rock. He was also sent by Brigham Young up Mill Creek Canyon to saw lumber. Later on he went to work in a saw mill located in Mill Creek Canyon where he was employed during the years 1856 and 1857 during which time he took a small tract of land and built a log house. [On 1 April 1856, John Brough and Mary Winter Fanthorp were sealed as a couple in the LDS Endowment House in Salt Lake City.]

In...1856...[John Brough],...[and] the Saints generally, were beginning to feel somewhat secure in their possessions and that they could worship all mighty God according to the dictates of their conscience without hindrance from their enemies in the East. Can you imagine what must have been their great disappointment when they received word that the Government of the United States was then mustering an army to send to Utah to annihilate them from the face of the Earth. They had, since the inceptions of Mormonism, endured and suffered many deprivations and hardships and had finally established themselves in the tops of the mountains far beyond the bounds of civilization and had commenced the construction of a commonwealth that was destined to grow and flourish until they became a mighty people.

They had been driven from their homes in Ohio to Missouri and from Missouri to Illinois and from Illinois into the western wilderness which was then unexplored and infested with wild beasts and savage Indian tribes. Their homes had been plundered; they had been robbed of their lands and their property; they had crossed more than twenty hundred miles of trackless plains to a spot out of and beyond the confines of this America and had settled a territory which then belonged to Spain. They had suffered all of the trials and hardships incidental to such an exodus; they had settled upon a barren waste and in a short period of ten years, they had made the desert bloom as a rose. And now they were threatened not with mob violence, as before, but were to be exterminated and annihilated, according to the news they had received, by the armies of the very government of which they formed a part.

On Sunday, March 21, 1858 at a meeting held in Salt Lake City, it was decided that before they would surrender, they would burn and destroy their homes and their property and begin another exodus southward. In the early part of May, it was decided that all of the Saints living North of Provo should abandon their homes and move to the South, leaving only a few men in each settlement to apply the torch and to burn everything to the ground in case the approaching army should carry out their purported threats. This epic is known in Mormon history as "the great move". Brother John Brough, with his wife and three small children, Thomas, John and Walter, were numbered among these exiles, and they arrived at Salt Creek, now Nephi, about May 25, 1858.

Salt Creek was then only seven years old and the little handful of people residing here at that time were nestled in their dug-outs, log and dirt huts on an area covered by nine blocks and surrounded by a wall twelve feet high, six feet at the bottom and two feet at the top which was constructed of mud and straw which had been built three years previous. The family was permitted to enter the fort at the large gate located at the north end, at or near the present site of the Forrest Hotel.

It was at this period of the history of Nephi that the Indian Wars were in full sway. The people were enjoying none of the modern conveniences. There was no such thing as money. The electric light and even the kerosene lamp were unknown to the pioneers and the darkness of night was dispelled by the pitch made with a rag and grease and even the tallow candle was a rare article. There was no water works system and the present canal of Salt Creek furnished the only stream of water that ran through the fort.

There were no doctors and such medical attention as was available was furnished by uncle Dan Fuller and Brother Chas. H. Bryan, who doctored with herbs and set the broken limbs as best they could. Brother Chas. Foote extracted the aching teeth of the children and Sister Jerusha Boswell, Eliza Gadd and later Sister Mary Ellen Neff were the midwives.

There were no railroads; in fact, the railroad did not reach Nephi until 1879. The telephone was unknown. In fact, the telephone did not come to Nephi until about 1889. Thomas H. Burton was the first public telephone operator in Nephi. The electric light system was installed in Nephi from 1903 to 1905 during which time James Walter Brough [a son of John Brough and Mary Winter Fanthorp] was a member of the City Council of Nephi City. The grasshoppers and the drought and the Indian depredations had, up to this time, been a constant menace to the settlers and they had made little, if any, progress in the building up of this community prior to the time that the Brough family arrived here.

Brother [John] Brough, when he left his little home in Salt Lake, had decided to go to Parowan, but when he reached Nephi he found his old sailor boy friend, Benjamin Riches, with whom, as a boy, he had sailed many seas, living here and he decided to look the place over before continuing his journey southward. Brigham Young, having advised him before leaving Salt Lake, that if he found a place that he liked, he was at liberty to stay there. He left his wife and three boys, Thomas, John and Walter at the Riches dug-out and took a little stroll over the Levan Ridge and back through the territory now covered by the south and west fields. He was so pleased with the country that he decided to cast his lot with the people of Salt Creek.

During the first year the family lived in a dug-out located west of the location of the home of James B. Riches. The east wall of the fort formed the east wall of the dug-out. The room was 12 x 18 feet and the roof was made from mud and willows. Here the family, with their scant belongings consisting of a few articles of home-made furniture and cooking utensils, such as an iron kettle and Dutch oven, spent the first year. The next year Brother Brough purchased from one Thomas Webster, the property where the old Brough home now stands and moved his family there in the fall of 1859 and here they lived the balance of their days. John Brough died at Nephi, Utah, April 5, 1909, and Mary Brough, his wife, died at the same place January 8, 1901. The east room of the original house built by Webster, and which was among the first houses built in Nephi, still stands and is now occupied by and forms a part of the home now owned and occupied by Barton Brough and his family. This home was torn down after a new home was built just east of it on the same property by Barton Brough's daughter, Marie and her husband, Ray Hall.

When the Brough family came to Nephi, they brought with them the span of large black oxen which Brother Brough had driven across the plains. He took a great deal of pride in these animals. They were not only large, but were good looking, well matched and well trained. The nigh one had a brockel face. Yes, they were so much admired by the town folk generally, that even the children knew them by their first names - Nig and Jerry.

It is said that "example is better than precept" and that we are victims of inheritance. Brother [John] Brough was a lover of cattle, and so his sons and grandsons generally have inherited that trait and many of them have followed the vocation of cattle and stock raising. He bought the Haywood Farm and engaged in farming and raising cattle the rest of his life.

Brother John Brough always abhorred profanity and, as a striking example and proof of this fact, the following story was recently told to me by one of his old friends: John Brough, so the story goes, was advised on one occasion that one of his steers was in the stray pond and that he had better go and get him. When he arrived at the pond, he was advised by the keeper thereof that, before he could take possession of the animal, he had to swear that it belonged to him. Whereupon, he immediately left the corral mad and indignant, muttering to himself that if he had to swear to get the animal that the pond keeper could keep it. And so we find this same trait of character running through the family generally, sons and grandsons alike….

John Brough's name is found on records of various community affairs [in and around Nephi]. He was on a committee for Nephi Agriculture and Manufacture Exhibition, the prototype of the Juab County Fair. On September 29, 1862, John Brough was judged to have the best sow and best peck of potatoes....

Examining the first three generations [of the Broughs who left England and settled in Nephi, Utah], they were honest people concerned about their integrity. While they were not always leaders, others in the community regarded them as honorable. They were independent and self-sufficient. They were dependant on each other and did not develop an extensive social linkage. What they had acquired was with internal pride. What they had was protected or improved for the long-term future.

There was pride for their children and affection toward them that was expressed verbally. Children knew they were loved. ...They were not without humor or gayety. Half of the family displayed musical talent. All respected educational attainment. Many were patriotic. They were respected. They…had strong values as to right and wrong. They dealt closely with others in business transactions and were in debt to no one….

Descendants of John Brough and Mary Winter Fanthorp

John Brough (1827-1909) and Mary Winter Fanthorp (1831-1901) had nine children: Thomas Brough (1853-1939), who was born in Lincolnshire, England, and married Lydia Sowby in 1883; John Henry Brough (1855-1913), who was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and married Anna Dawes in 1898; James Walter Brough (1858-1929), who was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and married Harriet Mevity (Maria) Warrillow in 1878; Ann Eliza Brough (1860-1931), who was born in Nephi, Utah, and married Edwin Robert Booth in 1893; Mary Winter Brough (1863-1865), who was born in Nephi, Utah; William Fallow Brough (1865-1944), who was born in Nephi, Utah, and married Mary Hannah Hewitt in 1900 (Div.) and Vera Johnanna Kerr in 1926 (Div.); Joseph Brough (1867-1949), who was born in Nephi, Utah, and married Jennie Sarony Leighton in 1908; Barton Brough (1869-1958), who was born in Nephi, Utah, and married Lucy Jane Carter in 1911; and Harriet Elsie Brough (1872-1877).

Currently, there are over 960 known descendants of John Brough and Mary Winter Fanthorp--and most of these living descendants reside in the western United States.