Agnes Birrell

Agnes Birrell was born Jan 24, 1841 in Barony, Scotland to William and Mary Neil Birrell. Agnes is a Pioneer of Richmond.

History

In 1852, the Birrell family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Soon after, the Birrell family began preparations to move to the United States of America. To ensure every family member made it west, they strategized that one family member should go at a time. Agnes was the first to get west, leaving her family on April 11, 1859 sailing on the William Tappscott. The ship landed in New York City, New York on May 13, 1859.1 Through steamers, Agnes made her way to Florence, Nebraska Territory. Agnes joined the George Rowley Handcart Company on June 10, 1859 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on Sep 4.

Soon after her arrival, Agnes began working for William Thomas Van Noy and his wife Catherine Tabitha Hendricks. Agnes married William as his polygamous wife on Christmas Day, 1859 in the office of President Brigham Young in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Van Noy family lived in Salt Lake City until 1864 when they moved to Richmond.

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