William Hymas Great Great Grandfather

William Hymas and Mary Ann Atkins

William Hymas

Mary An Atkins








William Hymas was born July 26, 1806 at Rayleigh, Essex, England. He
was the son of Edward and Sarah Howlett Hymas. Rayleigh islocated on
the coast east of London, at the mouth of the Thames River. At the time
of his birth, George III was King of England.

We have no record of his life until he was married to Mary Ann Atkins on
January 6, 1834, at which time he was twenty-seven years of age. Mary
Ann Atkins was born at Hockley, Essex, England,December 20, 1813.
She was the daughter of William Atkins and Lucy Hart. They became
the parents offive sons and three daughters, namely: George William,
William Alfred, John Atkins, Sarah, Susan,Benjamin, James and Mary
 Ann.

After their marriage they lived in Rayleigh where their first seven children
were born. It appears from the records that they moved to Hockley
before the birth of the youngest child in 1851. Here William was foreman
over a small group of men, caring for the estate of an English Lord. Two
grandsons of William and Mary Ann give a description of this farm after
their visit while on missions in England. Theysaw the house and stables
and the trees that were around the house and a pond of water in back of it.
They told of the thatched roof and the old-fashioned stables. They saw
the old brew house, which at that time was being used as a place for
storing wood and coal. They entered the kitchen of the old home where
on the left they saw the old fireplace and went into a large front room.

In the year 1853, L D.S. missionaries were preaching the gospel in England,
and some membersof the Hymas Family became interested in the gospel.
Charles W. Penrose, a missionary (and later a member of the First Presidency
of the Church), spent considerable time at the Hymas home, teaching the
gospel to them. The youngest daughter, Mary Ann, told in her history, “I
remember C. W. Penrose, a traveling Elder there, taking meon his lap, singing
the songs of Zion and making his home at my mother's, while preaching the
gospel there.” The following year John was baptized a member of the
Church May 21, 1854. His mother was baptized May 26th and his father on
June 25th. The other members of the family joined the Church in the next
few years, with the exception of the oldest son,George, who never became
a member. After William and his family became members of the Church,
they had a desire to come with the saints to America. Two years later, in
1856, John sailed for America, and the following year William Alfred left
England and joined his brother, who was living in Iowa at the time.

William and Mary Ann began to make plans to bring their family to the
United States and join theboys who were there. Several years later
preparations were completed, and they were ready to go to Liverpool,
where they could sail to America. William, his wife Mary Ann and their
children, Sarah, Susan, Benjamin, James and Mary Ann sailed on the
ship "Underwriter" April 23, 1861. George, the oldest son stayed in
England. There were 624 saints on board the ship under the presidency
of Elder Milo Andrus, assisted by Elders Homer Duncan and
Charles W. Penrose as counselors. Apostles Amasa M. Lyman,
Charles C. Rich and George Q. Cannon visited the ship on Sunday, the 21st
of April and held a meeting, giving the saint their blessings  relative to
their jounrey.

Two marriages were celebrated during the voyage, and two small
children died before the crossing was completed. Meetings were held every
Sunday during the month they were on the ship. The “Underwriter" arrived
in New York onTuesday, May 21st.

The family remained in Brooklyn for a year where they worked in the

shipyards to earn money for the trip to Utah. From there they went to

money for the trip to Utah. From there they went to Florence, Nebraska.

William and his family joined the James Wareham Ox Train and left
Nebraska about the first week of July 1862 with 46 wagons and a company
of 250 emigrating saints. On the trip they endured the hardships of pioneer
life, walking most of the way and enjoying the evenings by singing and

dancing around the campfire. On the 26th of September the company
arrived in Salt Lake City. Their son John, whom they had not seen for
six years, and his wife Mary Ann Pitman Hymas welcomed the members
of the family. John and his wife had arrived in Salt LakeCity in the fall of
1861. William Alfred and his wife, Mary Edwards Hymas and her
daughter Catherine James by a former marriage, also came to Salt
Lake City with the James Wareham Company, thusbringing the entire
family together with the exception of the son George.The family remained
in Utah until the spring of 1864 when the Church leaders called them to
help settle Bear Lake Valley. When the family moved to Bear Lake Sarah
and Susan remained in Utah.

William and Mary Ann, his wife, and the younger children, Benjamin, James
and Mary Ann, together with the William Alfred and John Hymas families
arrived in Bear Lake Valley in the Spring of 1864. They first went to Paris
where a permanent settlement had been made in the fall of 1863, but decided
to settle farther north where the town of Liberty is now situated. They were among
the earliest settlers of that community. Mountains surround Bear Lake Valley on all
sides, and a large lake occupies the southern portion. At the time of its settlement,

Bear Lake was considered to be very primitive territory where wild game was
plentiful and the lake and streams were stocked with fish. Wild grasses suitable
for grazing of livestock covered the valley and the adjoining mountains, and
timber suitable for building existed in large quantities.

When the settlers arrived in the valley they were confronted with the ordinary
conditions of earlypioneer life. Land had to be cleared and plowed for the
planting of crops, homes had to be built, roads constructed, and ditches and
canals dug for the irrigation of the land. During the year of 1864 about 700 people
arrived in Bear Lake Valley to make their homes. During this year the towns of
Bloomington, St.Charles, Fish Haven, Ovid, Liberty, Montpelier, Bennington and

Georgetown were established under theleadership of Charles C. Rich.

In histories that have been written we are told that Mary Ann, wife of William,
and the three younger children, Benjamin, James and Mary Ann went to
Hyde Park, Utah in the fall of 1864 where they lived for many years. William
and his two sons, William Alfred and John, remained in Liberty. It appears from the
records that William and Mary Ann did not live together after this time.

Mary Ann received her endowments on September 30, 1872 at which time she
was married to John Anthony Wolf. Later she moved to Canada and lived there
until her death on October 13, 1906 atCardston, Alberta, Canada, being at the
time of her death nearly ninety-one years of age. She is buried inthe Cardston
cemetery.

Laura Cahoon, a great grand-daughter of William and Mary Ann Atkins Hymas,
now living in Cardston, Canada, has written some interesting things she learned
about her great grandmother, and thefollowing is taken from her writings: “She
was very retiring, didn’t talk very much, but when she did it was something worth
listening to. She was very neat and correct in everything, and very pleasant to be
around. You could set your clock by the things Grandma did, and she was very

punctual and did everything at a certain time. Father said."

William Hymas & Mary Ann Atkins Grandma always went to bed the same

 time every night; I think it was 8:00 p. m. in the winter and 9:00 p.m. in the

summer. She also got up the same time every morning. My mother remembers
her, but that is about all. She had only been married a few years when Grandma
died. She said that when my father George Alfred Duce, was about 10 years
old he lived on winter with Grandma Hymas. He would go to her place after
school and get coal, wood and water for her. Then after supper he would do
his homework while Grandma Hymas would knit or read. In the morning he
would build the fire and empty ashes, etc. before going to school. She used
to go to my Grandmother Duce’s (Mary Ann) every Thursday to do her mending
and darning. This was in Hyde Park before she moved to Canada.

She apparently had one hobby or she thought it was a special task for her to do.
She would make yeast with hops and potato water every day and give it to the
neighbors when they wanted to make bread. She said she couldn’t do much but
she could make yeast. People used to think her yeast was very good, and made
excellent bread. She wore black dresses with large pockets and one of the
great-grandchildren told me she alwayshad peppermints in her pockets
and would give them to the children.Grandma Hymas wanted to be independent
and take care of herself as long as possible, but shehad a stroke and was
helpless toward the end of her life. They would help her into a chair and some of
her great grandchildren can remember sitting on the side of her bed and fanning her.

William Hymas remained in Liberty where he engaged in farming, as hehad done
in England. He experienced the hardships that the pioneers passed through
during the early years of the colonization of Bear LakeValley. The winter of 1864-65
was especially severe. The grain crop planted during the spring of this year froze
before it was mature, and during the winter the pioneers were compelled to grind
frozen wheat with a coffee grinder in order to make flour. The bread made from this
wheat was of very poor quality, being sticky and unpalatable. The snow was very
deep during this winter. The cold was intense, and feed for livestock was very scarce
and some of the livestock died before spring came.

William’s home in Liberty was located on the hill just west of the present Benjamin P.
Hymas home. Stories of William’s life during the early days of pioneering in Bear Lake
Valley show that he ‘was a man of generous nature and was always willing to help
others. During November of the year 1865, Joshua Jarvis was coming to Bear Lake
Valley by way of Emigration Canyon, and due to the bad road he was unable to drive
his wagon over the top of the divide. He walked into Liberty for help, coming to
the William Hymas home. William took his team and brought Brother Jarvis' wagon
and family into the valley. The Jarvis Family stayed with William until their animals
were rested and then proceeded on to Paris.The records show that William had a
second wife whose name was Ann Watkins, but it appears that they did not live
together very long. Later he married Christina McDonald on the 6th day of July 1869,

at which time he received his endowments. Christina died prior to the death of
William, and during his later years he lived with his son William Alfred. William died
May 7, 1889 at the age of 83 years, and wasburied in the Liberty Cemetery.

Written by Edith & Darwin Haddock

Posted by Bart

John A. Hymas, Great Grandfather

I was working on some family history things a few days a go when I came on a couple of photographs of our great grandparents on the Hymas side of the family.  I thought some of their posterity might also appreciate seeing another level of their roots. I don't have a lot of detail, but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.  I am always amazed at the quality of the photographs, considering the times in which they were taken.  It would be interesting to know how each of these ancestors of ours have turned out and what their families are like.  I think it's safe to say that over the course of time since these pictures were taken, that hundreds, probably thousands, of additional family members have been added.  I am also sure that these people and their decedents have had a huge impact in the lives of many wherever they have lived.

This picture is actually of John A. Hymas (Great grandfather) and the children of his first wife, Mary Ann Pitman, who died young, and his second wife Mary Jane Watkins.  Our Great grandmother was Mary Jane Pitman Hymas, who was deceased at the time of this photograph.  We are the direct decendants of Benjamin Pitman Hymas, a son of John A. Hymas, and his first wife Mary Ann Pitman.

This photo shows the sons of John A. Hymas.  Hyrum, whose photo is being held here, had passed away before these pictures were taken.

It was a remarkable family. I'm glad that we all hove some of their blood running through our veins and hope we can all measure up to the legacy of faith which they left us. 

Thanks to Erin's comment I decided to see what else I could find.  Thanks to some other cousins, who are much more capable and devoted to researching and preserving the history of those gone by than am I.  I was able to find this more interested and detailed history of my great grandfather John A. Hymas. I hope this is more meaningful than just the pictures which I ran on to the other day.  We live in a marvelous age.  I think an unseen hand is involved in every aspect of this work, from the little comment made by Erin, to the great work of research done by Edith Haddock, to those who actually first recognized the truth of the restored gospel, and had courage and faith enough to follow the prophets and to come to America, Zion, and eventually the Bear Lake Valley, where so much our our family roots were able to take hold and develop. We are indeed indebted to so many in the past, who were led by the Spirit, to do what they did and who have influenced our lives in largely unseen yet profound ways.  I shall for ever be grateful to the many and appreciate the opportunity to learn more of those dear and faithful ancestors, whom I didn't know in this life, but whom I feel sure I once knew in a former place and time, and whom I will without question meet in a time of rejoicing in the not to far distant future.

JOHN A. HYMAS HISTORY

Biography of
JOHN A. HYMAS

     John Hymas was born Sept 1, 1839, at Rayleigh, Essex, England, and was the son of William and Mary
Ann Atkins Hymas. He was the 3rd child in the family,
there being 4 other boys and 3 girls. His father was a
farmer and had charge of a large farm in England.
John helped with the farm work when he was a small
boy and had very little chance for an education, but,
because of his desire to learn, he became a good reader
and writer.
In the year of 1853, a missionary of the Latter Day Saint
Church, was holding a meeting one evening at the Forks
of the road, in England, and as he began to sing, a group
of boys and girls nearby, went to listen to him. At the
close of the song, the missionary told them he had traveled
6,000 miles, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and
explained that he did not receive pay for preaching, but
that he loved the people, and wished to tell them of the
wonderful plan of salvation. John was very interested in
what the missionary had to say and was pleased when
another time of meeting was announced. At the close of
the meeting, John rushed home, and returning hurriedly,
all out of breath, handed the missionary a small amount
of money, which comprised all of his savings. He felt that
this would help with the expenses of the missionary.
John was 14 years of age at this time, and he was so
impressed with what he had heard, that he anxiously
told his mother all about it, and asked her to go to the
next meeting with him. After some coaxing, on his part,
she decided to go, and thus, attended her 1st L.D.S.
meeting. After this, John attended many meetings and
became very interested in the Gospel. He tried to get the
members of his family interested, but his mother was the
only one who seemed to listen to him. He finally was
convinced of the truthfulness of the Gospel, and was
baptized and confirmed a member of the church, on
May 21, 1854. He was the first one of his family to
become a member, but his mother was baptized soon after.
The 2 years following John’s baptism, he earned and
saved all the money he could, because he was very anxious
to come to America. It was in February 1856 that he bade
his parents, brothers and sisters farewell and left his home,
for Liverpool, where he could set sail for America. He was
then a boy of 16 years of age. He sailed on the boat called
“The Caravan,” which left Liverpool on February 18th. He
was very lonely, as he knew no one on the boat, and the
voyage took about 6 weeks. However, he became friendly
with some people by the name of Brown, and they were
willing to do what they could to help him. It was the
morning of March 27, 1856, when they landed in New
York. During the first afternoon, while on the streets, the
 children gathered around him and made fun of his talk
and clothing, so he told Mr. And Mrs. Brown, that evening,
he was sure he would not like the Yankee people. The next
morning he and Mr. Brown went to Long Island in search
of work. John secured a job at a market, for five dollars a
month, but Mr. Brown was unable to find work, so he
asked John to borrow 3 months pay, in advance, and loan
it to him, and at the end of this time, Mr. Brown was to
 mail it back to him, and John was then to go and live
with the Browns. John worked hard for 3 months, to pay
off the loan, and at the end of the time, no word came from
Mr. Brown, and he never did hear from him again. Having
quit his job, expecting to go with Mr. Brown, he was very
disappointed and worried, as he had no money and no job.
Soon, however, John met an Englishman, who belonged to
the church, and told him his story. The old Englishman
took John to his home, They were very poor, but were
willing to share all they had with this young man. Being
a shoemaker, there was very little work to be had, so he
decided to take John and go to Newburry, about 200 miles
from New York. The man’s wife had to stay in New York,
as they did not have enough money for all 3 to make the
trip. They took passage on a boat, up the Hudson River,
and soon after sailing, the old Englishman had an idea
how to earn some money. He was rather bold and John
was rather bashful, but they made a very good
combination, and soon became the boat’s musicians.
The man had a fiddle and a concertina, and while he
played the fiddle, John would play the concertina.
After they played for some time, the hat was passed,
and they were able to earn their support and a little
money besides.
At Newburry, they secured work on a farm, for a man
named Gillis, and here they cut hay with a scythe, but
this was rather hard for the shoemaker, so he soon quit
and started to apply his trade, making shoes. John,
however, went right on working, as he needed the
money. This work was very hard, as he had to work by
the side of the farmer, and sometimes got so tired, he
could hardly keep going. And then, to make things
worse, Mr. Gillis found out that John was a Mormon,
and he said that “he would rub Mormonism out of him
with a piece of fat bacon,” but this only made John
stronger in the faith, and when he left the farm, he was
still a good Mormon boy.

     After leaving Newburry, they went to Iowa, where
 they worked for the railroad, John hauling cars of dirt
and the shoemaker hauling water. One day, while at
work, John received a letter from his brother William,
telling him to meet him at the Post Office, Sunday
morning, at 9 o’clock. This made John very happy,
for he had been very homesick. It was surely a happy
meeting for the 2 brothers, and John was glad to hear
of his home and the people he loved.

For 2 years, John and William worked together and
received oxen and a wagon for part of their pay, then
they left Iowa City and began their journey westward.
Before starting the trip, they put all their money in one
purse, ans William carried it, but when they needed
money and he reached for the purse, it was gone. They
were sure no one had stolen it, and remembered there
was a place that it could have been lost, but it was too
far to return, and look for it, so they continued on their
way.

Council Bluffs, Iowa, was their next destination, and
here they both secured work, but soon William was
sent back to Iowa City, on business, and while making
the trip, he decided to go in search of his lost money.
To his surprise and delight, he found it, so upon his
return to Council Bluffs, he and John traveled to
Omaha, where they became friendly with a family
by the name of Lewis, and it was here that John
met a charming girl, Mary Ann Pitman, daughter
of Mrs. Lewis. They met at Sunday School, and
became very friendly, and it was not long before this
friendship ripened into love.

John was very anxious to get to Salt Lake, so he
planned on driving and ox team to Utah, and
traveled with the Creighton Telegraph Train, in
October, 1861. Mary Ann soon made arrangements
with a family who was making the trip. John met
her in Salt Lake City, and they were married in the
Endowment House, November 10, 1861. They
made a home for themselves in Salt Lake, and
spent 3 happy years there. During these years, John
was a body guard for Brigham Young. In the fall of
1862, just a year after their marriage, the Hymas
family came from England, to join them. All of them
came, with the exception of the oldest brother,
George, who never did join the church. About the
same time, the Lewis family came to Salt Lake, so it
was a happy reunion for John, Mary and the 2 families.
In the year of 1864, John and his wife left Utah, and
went to Bear Lake Valley, Idaho, to make their home.
It was in the spring of the year and they went by way
of Soda Springs, locating by a stream, called North
Creek. Here, they soon became busy building a home
and plowing the ground, in which wheat was planted.
Disappointment greeted them in the fall, as the frost
 came so early, the wheat did not mature. This made
the first winter, spent in Bear Lake Valley, a very hard
one, for food was scarce. Wood, however, was very
plentiful and easily gotten, so this helped the few
settlers a great deal. John, and brother William, were
the first settlers in Liberty, Idaho, and they had a great
many trying experiences. It was during the first winter,
on February 22, 1865, that John and Mary’s first child, a
son, was born. Grandmother Lewis, mother of Mary Ann,
stayed with them at the time. As the years went by, 5
more sons and 4 daughters came to their home. They
were: John William, Mary Ann Adelia, Joseph M.,
Benjamin P., Hyrum, Clara D., Caddie C., Arthur J.,
Alice E., and David M.  Two weeks after the 10th child
was born, sadness came to their home. The mother,
Mary Ann, passed away, on January 22, 1878, leaving
John with the responsibility of 10 children. In his deep
sorrow, he penned these verses:


TO THE MEMORY OF MY DEAR DEPARTED WIFE

Died January 22, 1878

Farewell! It is a word of sorrow
To the strong and to the brave,
When we’re called upon to follow
Our beloved ones to the grave.
Oh, how sad to me, the parting
Very few on earth can tell,
While I write, the tears are starting,
While I say the word “Farewell.”
Farewell for a little season,
Dearest treasure of my heart,
How I mourn, ‘tis for that reason
That we’re called upon to part.
Oh how sadly I have missed you,
And how dreary seems my life,
Yet, I hope some day to meet you
Yes, my faithful, loving wife.
Thou was always truth defending,
And the race thou bravely run,
Always to God’s will was bending,
Thou nobly fought, the battle won.
Though I’m left to mourn, in sorrow,
And my heart is full of pain,
Though I live today, tomorrow,
May unite us once again.
Oh Lord, preserve my little flock,
Who’re left without a Mother’s care,
May Thy good spirit be their pro
This is Thy servant’s humble prayer.

Signed: John Hymas

Even in his sorrow, John carried on, and with the exception
of the little 2 weeks old baby, who was taken to live with
the Grandmother, all of the children remained at home,
and were cared for by the older girls, the oldest one, not
yet 12 years of age. Friends asked to take some of the
children, but John wanted to keep them together, if
possible, and he solved the solution in this way. He knew
a good woman, Mary Ann Watkins, who was willing to
share the responsibility with him, so they were united in
marriage, on October 24 1878. To this union, were born
10 children, 6 girls and 4 boys, thus making 20 children
in all. These children were as follows: Thomas N.,
Martha Jane, Birtha, Rebecca Rose, Charles E., Emily E.,
Wilford W., Lottie, Melvin M., and Mabel. Two of these
girls passed away while very young.

After settling in Bear Lake Valley, John lived to see
many changes take place. He was a leader in his
ommunity and had many sincere friends and neighbors,
whom he enjoyed greatly. He was willing, at all times,
to serve his church and community, and taught his
children to do likewise. He was choir leader for many
years, and contributed greatly, along musical lines,
composing many songs, both the words and music.
He also aided others who were interested in music.
In the early days, in Bear Lake, on form of
amusement was home production plays, wherein the
people were their own producers and actors. Here
John was in the height of his glory, when he was busy
making copies of plays, making scenery, and helping
in many ways to make the theatre a success.

He owned and operated a fine farm, and it was at all

times his desire to have everything in order.He passed

away November 8, 1917, at the age of 78, leaving a

total of 176 descendants. He was greatly loved by all

who knew him, and for many years, before his death,

all his family gathered at the old home, on his birthday,

September 1st, to honor him. And since his death, this

has still been done. Many of his children have passed

away, but the next generation is still carrying on the

tradition of the annual reunion, and of thus honoring

their early pioneer ancestor, who braved all, to have

his posterity brought up in the Mormon Church, and

live in the valley’s of the mountains.

_______________________________________________________
Written by Edith Parker Haddock, with some additions
made by Adelia Parker Knudson, grand-daughters of John A. Hymas.

Posted by Bart

The First Real Taste of Spring

The First Real Taste of Spring

As a child in the Bear Lake Valley, where the coming of spring often lingered well into April or sometimes even May, some things seemed to herald the dawning of the change and warmth that accompanied the changing of the seasons. One of these was the unmistakable sound of Canada Geese winging their way northward to their nesting grounds. Some times these beautiful birds would land on the baring stubble fields in search of some grain that had been lost in the harvest of the previous season. It was always with a good deal of gratitude and anticipation that these great birds were awaited.

Another sure sign of spring was when Dad would come home with a bag full of fresh water cress.This was the first real taste of spring and one that was always appreciated. The water cress grew in small springs where the water temperature was a little higher than the surrounding environment. Some of the favorite places for gathering this early water cress was the Spring at the Lyme Hymas farm and also at the old Rill Long sawmill in Sharon. This fresh green water cress was especially tasty with a slice of Mom's fresh home made bread, strait from the oven, and some good sharp cheddar cheese. I still relish this delicacy of my youth and try to continue the tradition each spring. Since we moved to Logan this has, of necessity taken a few turns, as to time and place. The tastes are still the same and the anticipation of the coming spring are not diminished after all the years.  I found this small patch of water cress in Logan Canyon during a walk on the Stokes Nature Trail a couple of days ago. Needless to say I have been feasting on green for the last few days. Simple Pleasures.

After a pleasant walk along the Stokes Nature Trail on Friday I was reminded that there is a time and a season to all things. The picture above was taken the following morning just outside our door. Sometimes we anticipate what is surely coming only to be reminded that the time is not yet, and that we are not the ones to set the clock of all things. This is true in our own daily walks of life, as well.  Patience is indeed a virtue, just as is faith in what will surely come to pass. Just a few musings on the past and the future from the vantage point of the present.

by Bart