Hannah Thomson

Hannah Thomson was born Oct 25, 1835 in Edinburgh, Scotland to John and Margaret Ballentyne Thomson. Hannah married John Rex Winder, who served as the Second Councilor of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and later as First Councilor of the First Presidency. Hannah is a Pioneer of Richmond.

Early Life

Hannah Thomson writes the following of her early life.

"Another particular incident, which marks that epoch of time, the year 1839 or 1840, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was brought to our native town by Elder Orson Pratt and George D. Watt. Among those who were earnest listeners was my mother, whose heart was honest and testimony of the truth was born to her. I well remember that time, as the traveling Elders were preaching the gospel without purse or scrip, often came to our home for rest, and there they found her hand and heart open to give them food and lodging, and her heart was prepared to receive the glorious truths of which they bore record."1

After the baptism of Margaret and her brother, the rest of the Thomson family were also baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including many of their extended family. The family continued to live in peace and harmony until the death of Margaret in 1843.1

"I was then eight years and two months old, and I well remember that night, when told she was dead. Father had been called home, and only reached her bedside to see her draw her last breath in that tabernacle of clay. It truly was a hard blow to him, for he was in full health and strength, and his occupation in life soon called him to new scenes, away from the family, leaving four children alone."1

After Margaret's death, some of the children worked while Hannah attended school for a short time. After a nervous breakdown from the oldest, Cecilia, Hannah took on the care of the home and ended her time in school. As Cecilia went in and out of the hospital and continued to become sick, she had Hannah move to another place of living to gain experience in life.1

"I met my mistress, who was a widow, a Sea Captain’s wife. She had an income and had an old lady living with her for company. That was all the family, but they kept up a good deal of style, and there was enough to keep me going early and late. It was a three story house beautifully furnished. The green, where we put the clothes, was right out to the edge of the sea sands. It was a lovely place, had I only had someone for company, as two old ladies were always up stairs in the parlor, and I in the kitchen at work, excepting when I had to go to market. However, I had made up my mind to be satisfied, for I had made an engagement for six months."1

She was there for only a little time when John came to get her to take her home. Margaret's brother, Richard Ballantyne, had paid the expenses for their family to move to Utah, and they needed to plan for it.1

Journey West

After Hannah and John returned to the home, everyone was expected to work to either prepare the money to go west, or prepare and organize things in order to move west.1

"Margaret had saved her wages, and father helped to equip us for the trip, which showed his willingness that we should go. He had previously made expressions, when referring to the members of the church, that they were deluded people, but it was evident that the Lord had touched his heart on this occasion and he consented to let us go. Uncle Richard Ballantyne, at the time of emigrating from Scotland to America, had promised Mother that he would not forget her children, when he bade her goodbye as she lay on her death bed, but was as good as his word. He arranged for our transportation, by borrowing money form the Perpetual Emigration Fund, and mortgaged his possessions in order to secure the means."1

Originally, John was not expected to go west with his daughters, as he saw the 'Mormons' as just "terrible diluted people." John accompanied his daughters on the train, then waved them goodbye at the station. The daughters reached Liverpool, England, and set sail to the United States of America Feb 10, 1852 on the Helen Maria.1

"When we got out in to open sea, we had lovely voyage excepting by being delayed by some contrary winds and dead calms, causing the vessel to scarcely move. We were nine or ten weeks at sea and reached New Orleans April 6, 1852. We then took a steamboat up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, where many of the weak hearted saints apostatized. After tarrying there a few days, we boarded another steamer and went up the Missouri River to Kansas City, where we landed. We were assigned, with others, to two log cabins, or rooms where we were to sleep, and to do our cooking at a fireplace, taking our turn with the bake kettle. We made our beds on the floor at night. It was here we learned to wait, be patient, and take our turn, as there were so many to use that oven. We were a pretty good set of people and did not quarrel."1

The daughters joined the Abraham O. Smoot company, and while on the trail, Cecilia died.

"We always stopped on the Sabath day and held meetings in the afternoons. In the forenoon, or morning we done a little washing, &c., which was rest from traveling, but all together my journey to zion was happy, with the exception of leaving my dear sister and others behind. Our company arrived in the Valley September 3, 1852, and were met by Ballos Brass Band, at Echo Canyon. We were the first company of saints to have been brought by the Perpetual Emigration Fund, which had been organized by President Brigham Young. We received great honors. Our dear Uncle Richard Ballantyne and his wife Hulda Maria and their sweet little babe, David Henry, also came to meet us with cakes and mellons &c. Margaret met them long before I did. She and many others were ambitious and went ahead of the company to see who would see the Valley first, or Great Salt Lake. I was very footsore and weary from the long journey, and did not care to hurry, but I just trugged along."1

Life in Salt Lake Valley

"Uncle Richard Ballantyne was called on a mission to Madras, in India, soon after our arrival to the Valley, and that was the next on the programme. In the meantime, Sister Margaret had taken a situation with a Sister Pancote, as circumstances had to be studied. Uncle and Aunt could not afford to provide and clothe more than one, and the sister with whom Margaret was living, was a member of the church, and all was well with us. We were happy now to be in Zion."1

While in Salt Lake, the daughters sent a letter to John about the death of Cecilia on the plains. He received the letter the same day he had buried his son, Alexander, after his death from consumption, the same thing that killed Margaret. John was now left with no children to care for in Scotland. The daughters continued to write to their father as much as possible for the next two years. Hannah records that she believes after sending a letter that Margaret was marrying to Ariah Coats Brower, becoming his third wife, and had a little girl, that John decided to move to America and Utah.1

While her Uncle Richard was away on his Mission in India, Hannah took care of his home along with his wife. Richard asked Hannah to stay single and not marry while he was away on his mission so that she could take care of the home, and so Hannah did for a while.1

"In the winter of 1854, the social times were started, as at previous times, and I was permitted to attend some of them. One night Aunt Anna Ballantyne Taylor, wife of President John Taylor, invited me to accompany her to a party, and during the evening she came to me all smiles and told me there was smart looking English man just anxious to be introduced to me, so I said all right. It was John Rex Winder, who afterwards became the councilor to President Joseph F. Smith in the First Presidency of the Church. However, he at that time was only a small man, regarding official standing, but he was then looking for a second wife. So she brought him and introduced him. He was very pleasant and social and we had a dance, but I did not think that way. He was father of three children, and did not need to see, or escort, me home. Aunt Anna was my escort for the evening. However as the Hollodays came and went, he often called to invite me to go with him to his home and have tea with himself and wife, and then accompany them to the dance."2

John Winder Marriage

"He had waited now about a year since he had sought my company, so before Father left Salt Lake to go with sister to her Grantsville home he had him accompany us to the Council House.

"I think it was the second Sunday in September. Brother and Sister Winder and his wife walked together as she had to be there so as to show her willingness for the marriage. Father and I walked together arm in arm. It was 20 September, 1854 and it was a little over a month before I would be twenty years old.

"It was with peculiar feelings that I went to my new home that Sabbath evening. I was very quiet; his wife furnished me a small bedroom, bed and bedding. I thought after my three years labor that my Aunt Maria would have furnished my bed and bedding. I had only two faded calico dresses that I soon cut into blocks and made an extra quilt, as winter was coming on and the new house that was being built would soon be ready for cleaning."2

While in her new marriage and home, Hannah took care of cleaning and washing the home, while Sister Winder, John's first wife, took care of the cooking. She also sewed and won competitions at the fair along with John Winder. However, due to a lack of children that Hannah was unable to produce, John married his third wife, Elizabeth Parker. Hannah and Elizabeth would soon become pregnant together and would give birth around the same time. However, Hannah's little boy would only live for a few weeks.2

"It was during that time I had the misfortune of losing my baby, and was left in a very bad state caused from his birth. He was a large baby boy with broad shoulders and large in every way. I had a very hard labor in the delivery, and had been careless in getting upon my feet too soon and as a result took cold and had chills for eight day. At the end of that time the cold settled in my bones of my left hip and in the spine, they called it rheumatic pleurisy. I was pillowed up in a chair for three months as I felt better sitting than by lying down. I had to be lifted to and from bed. Both of my breasts gathered and feeding did not agree with my baby's little stomach. I will not try to write the extent of my suffering. All my left side became helpless and I cannot describe my suffering nor do I like to dwell on the sorrow I had, but at the end of the nine weeks my baby boy died. I should have been glad to have gone down in the grave with my baby. I was 23 years old and knew I had a mighty work to do on the earth and took comfort from the comforting words spoken at the funeral. My Uncle Richard Ballantyne came and took lead and was so kind and sympathetic."2

As soon as Hannah was able to move herself around and walk again, the family moved to a tannery, by order from President Brigham Young, so that John could work as much as possible. Hannah and some of the other wives were in charge of meals for the men who worked in the tannery. While their, Hannah was once again in labor and gave birth; however, the child lived for only minutes.2

"My dear Uncle Richard Ballantyne and true friend, came again to comfort me in this my great trial, but there was still a greater one to come. However, I soon got able to be up so that I could wait on little Willie. My husband was truly kind and I had Elizabeth's sympathy too, yet I had a hard struggle with myself in order to say: "Father, Thy will be done."

"The babies are sleeping side by side in the Salt Lake City Cemetery by the babies of Mrs. Winder, one boy and one girl, till that glorious resurrection. But as all things had to be borne I had to bear up and endure. It is easy when you have a husband who is kind and considerate, and with you sharing the grief. Elizabeth also was so very kind and sympathetic."2

After Hannah was able to gain her strength back, she continued to work around the house and sometimes in the tannery. On June 27, 1806, Hannah gave birth to Anna Jane Winder, her only child who lived while with John Winder.2

Divorce of John Rex Winder

Due to having too much work to do and Elizabeth away, Hannah asked an orphan boy by the name of Joe to rock the cradle of Anna. While doing so, it began to rain outside, and Joe did not want to sleep outside, as he had done so many times before. Hannah said that he could sleep in her bed while she slept in Elizabeth's. Due to some miscommunication about Joe sleeping in Hannah's bed, John and Hannah had a falling out.2

"It was from that remark the mischief maker started a gossip and caused the trouble which came between me and my husband. As soon as idle gossip reached Brother Winder, he evidently became enraged and he came to me in a cynical and accusing manner and said; "Where did Joe sleep last night?" I was dumbfounded for a moment before making a reply. From that time he ostracized me from his affection. He never returned to my room from that time.

"I fasted and prayed much to have him converse with me, but he never would. I continued to make his clothes, knit his socks, spin yarn, cook for the men, milk cows and do the general work until my dear little baby grew to be four years old. I had been told by my husband, who had stood before God and Angels, that I should be fruitful and multiply and fill the measure of my creation, and that I should have sons and daughters."2

On a walk alone to see her aunt, Hannah went to the office of Brigham Young and singed a divorce slip that John would later sign. Hannah decided to leave Anna with John and his other wives so that she could live with her closer family.2

Life in Richmond

While still living with her aunt, Hannah received a letter that her sister and father. They, along with the other Brower family, were coming into the city from Grantville, Utah, and Hannah could live with them for some time.3

"Spring 1865, was hastening along, Brother Brower was going to move to Cache Valley and wanted me to accompany them. He took his first family and I went with my little Anna as an assistant.

"As soon as we got located in Richmond, a Brother Rainie came to see if I could take the school, as they were much in need of a teacher. I feared to undertake it, but after reflection, I thought the Lord must have sent him, Anna and I had only a wagon box in which to live and no home to care for. So I took the position as teacher May 1, 1865 and stayed with it until my birthday October 25, 1865. Anna was then five years old on the sixth of October. She was smart to learn and had gone through primer and could read some in the first reader, and very quick to learn everything and was my all of joy day and night.

"After school closed, my Brother-in-law offered me a home with his family, which I accepted. I had some business to attend to in the City, so he and I left Anna with Aunt Margaret my sister, and we spent a very pleasant time visiting friends and while on that trip in the City, 1865 I was married to Brother Brower in polygamy, becoming his fourth wife."3

While in Richmond, Hannah worked in the home of her father to keep herself busy while the rest of the Brower family lived elsewhere. Also, Margaret would die only a month after Hannah gave birth to her first child with Ariah. Hannah would continue to take care of Margaret's children while in Richmond, and all lived to adulthood except the youngest. Hannah herself continued to have two more children, with the last only living for a few days.3

Epilogue