Alice Tomlinson

Alice Tomlinson was born Nov 28, 1829 in Waddington, England to Richard Jr. and Margaret Willson Tomlinson. Alice is a Pioneer of Richmond.

History

"Alice grew up on a farm and by living in the country did not get much schooling. Waddington being a small village, did not have advanced schools."2

In 1840, Alice and her brother Joseph were invited by friends to listen to missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were baptized on May 20, 1840 and did not tell any of their family members for fear of being removed from the family. Soon after their baptisms, they began saving to move to the United States of America to live with the other Saints.1

"They made a visit to their mother and tole the family of their conversion and that they were to sail January 6. [Their oldest brother] Richard flew into a rage and called them everything and forbade them to remain in the house. The mother, who was a timid soul, did not dare to oppose him. So they left and went directly to Liverpool. Just before it was time to set sail, Richard came to them and promised them everything if they would renounce their religion and go back home with him. When they refused, he bitterly reproached them again and told them that he hoped they would both die and be buried at sea."2

On Jan 6, 1851, Alice and Joseph sailed on the Ellen from Liverpool to New Orleans, Louisiana on March 14.1 While on the boat, Alice became acquainted with George Thomson.1

During their trip, Joseph began to get sick. His condition worsened while they traveled to St. Louis, Missouri. Joseph was sent to a hospital, and Alice stayed in St. Louis getting a job as a housemaid to a wealthy family.1

"She got off Wednesday and Saturday afternoons to go and visit her brother at the hospital. After working about three weeks, she went to see him and they told her he was dead [on Oct 27] and buried as they did not know where to find her. They gave her his clothes and what few keepsakes he had with him.

She was very sad and so alone in the world for she did not know anyone as all the converts who came on the ship had gone on to Utah. She did not have any money so she worked for Mr. Semple for one year, saving her money. At the end of the year she got a chance to come to Utah with some Saints who were coming."2

Alice joined the James C. Snow Company on July 5, 1852 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on Oct 9. Alice reacquainted with George Thomson and married him on Jan 1, 1860 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Richmond.1

"I remember one instance so well. Father had gone to the canyon for wood, when two Indian women came to our house and wanted everything that they could see. Mother had given them food, but still they were not satisfied and began to take things. Mother resisted them and in the fight, they got a lasso around her fastening her arms to her body. One held her with the rope while the other was taking what she wanted. I was about six years old. Mother called for me to bring a little hoe we had. I ran and got it and raised it to bring it down on the [woman's] head. This made her dodge which loosened the rope and mother got her arms out, and soon made short work of them with the hoe."3

Epilogue