William Webster Personal History

William Webster, Utah pioneer of 1855, was born in Luton, Hertfordshire, England, November 15, 1816. He was born to Thomas and Mary Bent Webster.

 

He was an early convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was baptized by Thomas Squires in 1843. Twelve years later he came to America and to Utah. The family crossed the plains in the Milo Andrus Company.

 

He married Hannah Day, October 14, 1837 in England. Hannah was born May 4, 1817 to James and Mary Seabrook Day at East Hyde, in the parish of Luton, England.

 

They were the parents of nine children. Four of them died and were buried in England before the parents left there. The children who came to America were: George, born May 7, 1838 at Hitchin in the counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. He married Christiana Elliott in May of 1858.

 

Mary Ann, born March 12, 1840, at Harpenden parish, the area adjacent to New Mill and East Hyde, Hertfordshire, England.

She married John Anson.

 

Levi, born January 1, 1843, at Luton, Bedfordshire, England. He married Agnes Higgs, January 1, 1864. She died December 3, 1894 and Levi married Edith Marston Harris, widow of James Harris.

 

Sarah Webster, born July 7, 1844, and married Thomas Ogden.

 

Ellen, born April 14, 1847 at Luton, counties of Hertfordshire and Befdfordshire. She married William Marston.

 

The family of William Webster were six weeks crossing the ocean. After arriving in America, they stopped for a time in Mormon Grove, near Atchison, Kansas. Here they drove oxen to plow some ground before moving Westward. On arrival in Utah, they came to Kaysville. William bought a quarter of a section of land on the west side. William was a good farmer. Energetic labor went into everything he did. He showed the same spirit in promoting the gospel principles.

 

Hannah was a good wife. She was a seamstress and made hats. Her husband planted wheat and when the grain was cut, she braided the straw into strands and made hats from them. Much of the strawbraid was taken to Salt Lake City and sold for cash. It has been told that the Websters had money. Only a few people had any cash. The straw and also butter made by Hannah were taken to Salt Lake and sold at Mr. David Day’s store. Mr. Day, who was the brother of Hannah was one of the first storekeepers in Utah.

 

William Webster was ordained a High Priest, April 5, 1858 by Elias Morris. In 1859, he was set apart as a counselor in the presidency of the High Priest Quorum of Davis Stake. He held this position until his death. He was prompt in his church work and remained a staunch member of the church he embraced in England.

 

He loved his church, his family and his farm. He died July 4, 1894 at the age of 78 years. He is buried in the Kaysville City Cemetery. Four years later, in March, 1898, his faithful wife was buried beside him in Kaysville.