Sarah Ann Atkinson

Sarah Ann Atkinson was born Sep 28, 1834 in Sackville, Canada to William and Phebe Campbell Atkinson. Sarah is a Pioneer of Richmond.

History

"Her childhood and young womanhood were spent in [her home] where she exhibited the traits of character that remained with her through life: Self-reliance, self-sacrifice, and humility."1

In 1851, missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints visited the Atkinson home and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sarah was baptized the same year in the cold pond in the middle of winter.1

In 1853, the Atkinson family began preparations to move to Utah. The Atkinson's, along with Marriner Wood Merrill, left Sakville on April 22, 1853 and arrived in Keokuk, Iowa on May 9. Sarah's father was appointed the captain of the company heading for Utah. The Atikson company left on May 18, 1853 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on Sep 10.2 Two months later, Sarah and Marriner were married in Bountiful, Utah.

The Merrills lived in Bountiful until 1860 when they moved to Richmond. On June 4, 1868, Sarah was set apart as the first President of the Relief Society for the Richmond Ward. She served until 1875.1

Epilogue