Elizabeth Robinson

Elizabeth Robinson was born May 17, 1836 in Beauvale, England to Samuel and Mary Ann Price Robinson. Elizabeth was a member of the Martin Handcart Company. Elizabeth is a Pioneer of Richmond.

History

Elizabeth was well educated for her time. After her graduation, she taught at an Infants' School in Beavale. In the late 1840s, members of the Robinson family were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, except Elizabeth. Though she defended the Missionaries and the gospel they preached, Elizabeth would not join the Church until 1854.

Elizabeth and her older brother Solomon were the first in the family to begin their journey to the United States. On May 25, 1856, they sailed on the Horizon and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on June 30.1

The group of Saints, led by Ecclesiastical Leader Edward Martin, made their way to Iowa City, Iowa. The construction of the hand carts took longer than expected, leading the Saints to leave at a later time. The Robinsons joined the Martin Handcart Company on July 28, 1856.

Many things were against the Saints during their travel. Not enough wagons, too many people, not enough food, more women and children than usual, and leaving late into the season. The Saints suffered starvation, drownings, and cold weather from an early winter storm. During the trek, Elizabeth lost her brother Solomon to the elements. Alone, she suffered the pains that many faced in the handcart company. After the rescue party from the Salt Lake Valley made their way to the handcart companies, Elizabeth was able to enter the Salt Lake Valley on Nov 30, 1856.

After her arrival, she moved to Bountiful, Utah where one of the rescue party members was living. While there, she met and married John Telford on March 13, 1857 in the Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1860, the Telford family moved to Richmond. They lived in Richmond until 1864, moving back to Bountiful, then moving back to Richmond in 1881.

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