Charles Edmond Thomas Mills by Grace Mills Pace

Sketch of the life of

CHARLES EDMOND THOMAS MILLS

A Utah Pioneer of 1861

Prepared by his grand-daughter, Grace Mills Pace

March 9, 1953

Camp Hoytsville, Summit County

Charles Edmond Thomas Mills, son of Charles Edmond Mills and Frances Farr, was born at Allbrok Winchester, Hampshire England. (found in an old bible), January 14, 1838.  He married Eliza Harriet Bailey of Farham, Hamps, Eng. (Allbrook is 6 miles southwest of Winchester)

His father, Charles Mills, was born at Peatsdale (Probably Rochdale) Lancs. England in 1795.  (1851 census)

Charles Mills and Frances Farr were married by Banns 17 April 1832 by Rev. A.J. Driffield at the parish church of Prescot, Lancs., England.

Charles was a laborer and Frances a domestic servant girl. According to 1851 census Charles was a Chelsea Pensioner and listed as a laborer.  Later in life, Louisa, said her father Charles was in the service of the queen under command of Lord Wellington and served as private in the 18th regiment of Foot.  She said he also served in the Battle of Waterloo.  No record of this has been found.

According to Charles Mills' own record, he had a family of 12 children recorded with births and deaths as follows.  Some later deaths I have added.

FRANCES MILLS, born 20 September 1831 at 12:30pm, died October 1, 1831 at 12:30am.

MARTHA MILLS born January 29 1832 at 9:30 pm, died 14 Feb 1832 at Belfast Ireland.

HARRIET MILLS born January 22 1834 (Wed) at 5:30am, died February 24 1836at Chatham, Kent, England.

MARY MILLS born April 5 1836 at 4:30am at Chatham, Kent, died September 22 1898, at Enterprise, Morgan, Utah

CHARLES EDMOND THOMAS MILLS born January 14, 1838, AT 6:36 am at Allbrook, died 6 January 1916 at Hoytsville, Summit County, Utah

(EMMA) ROSEANA MILLS born February 4 or 14, 1840, at 10:30am, at Winchester, Hampshire, England (1851census calls this child Emma daughter, age 11)

JANE RUTH MILLS birth August 26, 1841, at 5:15 pm, at Winchester, died July 28, 1842 at 1pm at St. MauricePar. Winchester, Hampshire

ANN MARIAH MILLS born April 22, 1844 at 8:45 pm, Winchester, Hampshire, died October 26, 1848  at St. Maurice Parish, Winchester, Hampshire

GEORGE W.D. MILLS birth July 12 1846 at 5:30pm, died November 1, 1848 at Winchester, Hampshire.

PHOEBE SARAH MILLS born October 12 1848 at 1:40pm, Porthouse Place, Winchester, died October 23, 1848 at St. Maurice Parish, Winchester, Hampshire

SARAH ELLEN MILLS born17 March 1852 at 8:40am, died October 25, 1929 at Randolph, Rich County, Utah

LOUISA HARRIET MILLS born January 13, 1850, Winchester, Hampshire, died November 17, 1939, Enterprise, Utah.

Following is information taken from the 1851 Census 107/1674 city of Winchester Hamp. Eng. Parish of St. Maurice, Poulson Place, Muddlebrook Street.

Charles Mills-head-md. 56-Chelsea Pensioner, laborer. b. at Peasdale Lancs. Frances Mills wife-38 born at Westbourne, Sussex, Eng. Mary Mills-dau-unmd.-14-born at Chatham, Kent. Charles Mills-son-13-Errand boy-b. at Allbrook Hamps Eng.  Emma Mills-dau-11-b. at Winchester, Hamps Eng. Louisa Mills-dau.-1-b. at Winchester, Hamp Eng.  Thomas Stayker, visitor-22 and elder of church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints b. in Guernsey, Channel Islands.

According to the birthplace of these children the family lived in various places including: Belfast, Ireland; Winchester, Chatham and Southampton, England.  Here I will give a brief description of two of the places where they lived.

Judging from the birth of the children, Winchester, Hamps., Engl. must have been the family home from about 1837 or 1838 to 1856 or 57.  Winchester is 75 miles SW or London.  It has been called the Cathedral City and was the ancient capital of England.  It is situated amidst the beautiful scenery of the Itchens River Valley in the heart of the sporting country of Hampshire.  "There is no spot in all England better worth study or more compact with historic associations." (E.A. Freeman History)

Winchester is a city or noble men and worthy of her distinguished ancestry.

The old area comprised 128 acres within the city walls.  Population in 1921-23,791.

It is set on a hill sloping east on the main line of the Southern R.R. between Southampton and London.  The Roman Emperors seem to have had weaving shops here.

Winchester, as it exists today, in its general plan of the older streets situated within the line of the ancient walls, is almost identical with that it was when the Roman Cohorts were stationed there.

Winchester was the British, Celtic, Roman, Saxon, Danish, and Norman capitol.

Today interest seems to center in the Cathedral, the college, and visitors from all over the world. Va. "4a Pages 410-428 (1926)

(The following is taken from the history of Louisa Harriet Mills Palmer)  It was while at "Winchester Hampshire, England that the family first heard the gospel.  It was carried to them by Brother Charles R. Savage, who later became a member of the Old Folks committee of Salt Lake City and William Wilde of Coalville, Utah.

Until this time my mother had belonged to the Baptist and Methodist churches, but did not seem satisfied with either.  The gospel came to them in a very peculiar way.  I was a baby of eleven months and was so ill the Doctor had given up all hopes of my recovery.  The minister passed judgment upon me and said that I would be dead by morning.  My mother was watching over her dying baby, waiting for the Doctor and minister to return, when someone knocked upon the door.  Upon answering the door she found two home missionaries who were strangers to her.  The visitors seemed quite boisterous, mother thought, and she became much annoyed.  She asked them to please be quiet because she had a dying baby in the house.  On hearing this, Brother Savage asked to see the baby.  He said, "In the name of the Lord you child shall not die."  My mother thought him beside himself.  He also said that with her permission he would administer to me in the name of the True and Living God.  She gave her consent but with instructions to be quick before he minister should return.  In the blessing he said, "You shall not die but shall live and be a savior unto our people and shall gather to the land of Zion."  Brother Savage also said that I should be dressed that day and that my mother should hear the Gospel and receive it at their hands.  Their promises were fulfilled.

While still a small child I remember John Taylor and Erastus Snow who were missionaries in our town. About the year 1857 my family moved to St. James St. in Southampton in order to be nearer to the church.  The church worked under great opposition at this time.  After a lapse of a few years I was baptized, having to go a long distance at night to the ocean.  I was baptized and confirmed by President Henry Puesy.

At this time the Saints were asked to fast and pray for three days fro the Saints in Zion because of Johnson's Army.  My mother fasted all three days and I fasted on day.  This was my first fast.

At this time my mother was called to do missionary work, I helped by taking the numbers of the houses while she distributed tracts.   It was a while at this work I received my first lessons in the Gospel, which have been very beneficial all through my life.  I also saw the mobbing of the saints and the breaking of windows by non-members.

In the year 1860 President George Q. Cannon, who was the President of the European mission counseled the saints to come to Zion.  If they did not have means to come all at once to send as many of the children as they could and the next year send more until all were in Zion.  Upon this advice my brother Charles Edmond Thomas, his wife, and my sister Mary were sent in the year 1861.  I was to go the next year and my sister Sarah the following year." end of quote

From Winchester the family moved to Southampton, Hampshire, Eng. about 1850 to 57 (Louisa says about 1857).  This is a large seaport town.  "There is no neighborhood in Great Britain where politeness and good breeding, harmony and friendship rein so universally.  Here the Royal Family show a preference for this part of England. And no wonder their families visit it annually.  South Hampton is supposed to be one of the prettiest and healthiest country towns in England.  Many people come here every year partly for sea bathing and order of physicians who consider the air in Southampton the healthiest in all England.  Its development was bound up partly with the lay out of the wool producing areas and partly with commercial and industrial development of Winchester and Salisbury.

These two towns commanded the Northeast and Northwest approaches to Hampshire Basin and the whole area encircled it.  Southampton was on of the three modal towns of the whole triangle.  Exter and Bristol being the other two.  Winchester in direct route to London.  The Itchens River was made navigable that far.  With the development of the cloth industry in the 14th century Winchester and Salisbury became very important and as cloth manufacturing centers.  While Southampton was the outlet for cloth to these two towns.  Southampton is 12 miles southwest from Winchester and 75 or 80 miles southwest of London. (quote taken from History of Southampton)

While living at Southampton my grandfather Charles Edmond Thomas Mills fell in love with Eliza Harriet Bailey of Southampton and they were married 26 January 1861.  The marriage license reads as follows:

Charles Mills of James ST. age 23, a laborer, married Eliza Bailey age 22 of #1 Nelson ST. at Registrars office in Southampton, Hampshire, England.  Witnesses to this marriage were Edward Farnham and Eliza Ingram.  Charles' father was listed as a laborer and Eliza's as a seaman.

Charles and Eliza did not stay long in their native land after their marriage.  In April 1861 arrangements were made for them and Charles' sister Mary to leave for America with Utah as their destination.  Arrangements were made and they were to sail on the ship Manchester.   The transportation records in the Genealogical library show that the Manchester sailed 16 April 1861.  Charles Edmond (Thomas) Mills, Eliza (Harriet) Bailey Mills, and Mary Mills, were on Board.  The ship log entered the following information:  Charles Mills Jr. 23 (Baker) E Hanham Ack. 2 April 1861 deposit 10 lb, 16 shillings, 0 pence, agent Geo. Q. Cannon-- Eliza Bailey 22 Spinster Southampton 2 April 1861, 1 lb, Ack. L.P. Balance 2 Lb. 16 shilling, 0 pence, total 3 lb. 16 Shilling 0 pence ack. of notification--Manchester ship--Mary Mills 25 Southampton April 11, 1861 Deposit 5 lb, o shillings 0 pence $5.00--$3.60--$1.60. returned.

Church Migration V 1. 2, 1851-1869 says the Manchester cleared the port of Liverpool, England 15 April 1861 and set sail the 16th for New York.  Having on board 379 emigrating saints under the presidency of Claudius V. Spencer and other missionaries.  President Spender had labored for a short time in the Southampton district.  Poor health compelled him to return to Utah.

The Manchester arrived in New York 14 May landed 15 May 1861.  Making it just a month on the water.  After attending to routine at Castle Gardens they proceeded west at 10pm the same day.  Twenty-two saints from the New York branch departed with them.

After a successful rail road journey the company arrived at Florence Nebraska from whence they crossed the plains (no roster of this company has been found).

Charles Edmond (Thomas Mills and Eliza (Harriet) Bailey Mills arrived in Salt Lake 11 October 1861 with the William Wright Independent Freight C. (Pioneers and Prominent me of Utah page 1040).

Charles Edmond (Thomas Mills) arrived in Salt Lake 11 Oct 1861 in with William Wright Independent Freight Co. Bk. #458 page 99 line 39 Historians office Files.

(Ms. 23;662-267) Eliza and Mary arrived safely.  We have no detailed information of the trip either on the water or crossing the plains.

Before the others of the Mills family left Eng. a sad thing happened.  The father, Charles Edmond, dropped dead in a public park in Southampton in March 1863.  That same year the mother and youngest child Sarah Ellen left England for America. (Frances Mills, wid. age 52, Fanny Mills, 18 sp. and Sarah Mills, 11.  So far cannot determine where Fanny Mills fits in the picture)

My grandfather Charles Edmond Thomas Mills was baptized 14 Aug. 1848 a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Southampton by Elder J. Lewis, London conf. British Mission age 22.  Residence James Street, Book 458 Page 99 Line 47.  He was endowed in Salt Lake Temple sealed to his wife 10 Mar 1865.  Charles T. Mills received his certificate of citizenship 17 July 1878.

(MISSING PAGE 7)

page 8 cont.

This time had reached what was then known as Great Echo and Echo Canyon.  Here grandfather secured work.  Had it not been for the railroad people would have suffered in this area during the winter of 1868 and 1869. 

In the fall of 1868 the Union Pacific was working in Echo Canyon about where the Monument marks the pioneers entrance into Summit County.  This was very fortunate for those early settlers for it made it possible for them to obtain work. Grandfather worked until a few days before Christmas.

With money earned he was able to buy a log cabin of 2 rooms from William Holt.  Who then owned the land on which it was located and the land north of Albert Mills home now owned by LaMar Pace family.

Mr. Holt was living in the home when grandfather bought it.  It was Mr. Holt who planted so many cotton wood trees about the place.  A double row along the path leading to the house.  The a row going south from the path then west forming a square.  He probably planted them thinking later on they would make a setting form his new home.  But instead they made shade and landscaping for the home built in 1907 by my father for his family.  One tree remained until about 1950 when we felt it might be getting old and if it blew down on our house it would cause much damage.  It was cut down but proved to be perfectly sound and had a diameter of at least 3 feet.  Some of its branches made a perfect framework for the house.  The house didn't look natural without it.

Grandfather planted a pine tree near his cabin.  The cabin is gone but the pine still stands.  The prevailing winds and shading of the cottonwood trees have caused it to lean to the north instead of growing straight.  We also have remains of the yellow roses and old fashioned lilacs grandfather planted.  Also a large pink honey suckle he planted form mother at the south side of her home.  Grandfather's Old Fashioned flower garden was a community attraction.  People came from far and near to get a bouquet or a start of his flowers.  I remember him selling his root of red peony to a lady in Park City for five dollars.  The next year his own was larger and more beautiful than before he disturbed it.  His purple "jackman" clematis was a thing of beauty as its purple blossoms spread out over a ladder he made for it.  After his death, his son Samuel moved it to his place in East Hotysville - but it didn't survive.  Others in town planed a clematis at the same time grandfather did, but his was the only one that survived.  He seems to have the proper knack or know how of making his plants survive and become beautiful.

Many varieties of wild and cultivated currents, gooseberries and rhubarb were grown on a large plot south of his home.  Also apple trees, transparent and crab.  These furnished much food for the family and friends.  Vegetables of the best varieties were grown also.  I well remember the horse radish that was ground and bottled for winter use.

For the evening meal in later life grandfather had cold potatoes and cold boiled bacon with home made vinegar, salt, and pepper.  Grandmother had boiled sego with sugar and cream.

Grandmother made cookies like a pie dough. Cut the shortening in, seasoned them with spice, and added raisins and currants.  Her children and grandchildren had a favorite name for them "Cakes my mother baked".  These cookies were also a favorite in our home.  I guess mother used grandmothers recipe, however she used cream for shortening.

As the family got larger, grandfather built two lean-to rooms on the back of his log house.  Making a house of four rooms  The two original rooms were built by LeRoy Holt and these were moved into the Old Fort, built for protection from the Indians.  His brother Wm. Holt lived in it.  After the Indian trouble was over he moved it to the location where it was when grandfather bought it.  As was usual in those early day homes, a cellar was built underneath the house, rocked up and used for vegetable and fruit storage.  Grandfather's was entered from a door on the South side of the house or raised a door from the kitchen floor.  Just south of that about 20 feet from the house was the well.  With it's old oaken bucket.  Years later when this water was tested for temperature for dairy purposes, it was the 2nd coldest well in the county.  One on a ranch in Park City was colder.  The well is still there, but hasn't been used since my father passed away.  He used it with an electric pump for dairy purposes and to water the lawn and garden.  Recent years the winters have been so mild the water in the well has been very low.

During the early years of grandfather's life, he was very active in church and civic affairs.  On the 24th of July in early days, the local towns always celebrated honoring the pioneers first arrival in the Salt Lake Valley.  A parade was always the order of the day.  Charles Mills was one of the main characters in one of these parades.  He had an old cap and ball shot gun and as he walked along he shot a chicken, pulled off the feathers and cooked it; just as was done crossing the plains (taken from "Echos of Yesterday" summit Co. Centennial History.)

We found some old papers hanging on a wire (as was custom) in an old building that gives us some little date on his service.  As near as I can tell he acted as trustee of the Unionville, later Hoytsville District school form 1871 to 1881.

Supt. of the Summit county schools from 7 Aug 1874 to 1879 when he was succeeded by A.E. Keeler.

He was also active in church affairs.  We found account of his acting as Pres. of the deacons quorum in 1869 being released to become counselor to Bishop Alonzo Winters in 1877.

He was also Superintendent of Sunday School in Hoytsville in 1869 and in 1978.

Alonzo Winters Jr., an early pioneer of the settlement who seemed to be authority on pioneer history, told me he was one of the best supt. they ever had.  He was always interested in education.  He read much.  Kept himself well informed.  His eldest son Frank became receiver for the land office for eight years.  They lived at Evanston, Wyo.  An article in the paper addressed him as the Honorable Frank Mills.  He also taught school.

His 2nd eldest son, Alonzo, belonged to the first faculty of the Agricultural College at Logan, Utah.  Only this year his picture appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune with History of the college and faculty picture.

Charles' daughter Maud also went to the same college.

Grandfather had led and active church life.  But something happened.  I don't know what.  He became inactive.  Probably had his feelings hurt.  It was a sad thing for he and his family.  Grandmother also became inactive.  They quit going to church. They sent their children to a protestant school held in a room above the Old Hoyt Mill and to a Protestant school in Coalville called the blue School.  As a result the spirit of the Lord was not in their home.

Their children grew up without church influence.  Only two were married in the temple.  Yet, when mother came into the family, grandfather would do anything he could to help her to get to her church activities.  He had a horse and buggy that was kept especially for the use of he and his wife.  "Old Flaxy", the horse and buggy were always ready to take mother (Martha) to her meetings.  At his death the horse and buggy were given to mother.

Every day of the year from the time mother (Martha) came into the family, till grandfather became ill, Flaxy and the buggy had their regular trips across the river to visit grandmother's sister, Elizabeth Edgel, or their daughter Jane Crittenden.  Years before that they made regular trips to Enterprise to visit his mother Frances and sister Louisa who married Thomas Palmer.  Also another sister Mary who married Benjamin Hibbert.  They lived in Enterprise too.  Later moved to Preston Idaho.

Grandmother Mills passed away 28 May 1910 at her home in Hoytsville.  She had poor health for years.  Later Grandfather was eating dinner at our home one evening when he had a peculiar feeling and tried to stand up.  He began to fall to one side.  He had a stroke from which he never recovered.  He had lived with us most of the time after grandmother died.  Mother gave him our front room.  He was not able to get around at all after his stroke or to read as was his custom.

Grandfather was a distinguished looking man with dark grey hair which he wore pompadour style.  He did not lose his hair after his stroke. He mustache was always neatly trimmed.  After mother had to feed him, he asked for his mustache to be cut off.  Most of his sons went bald quite early in life, but grandfather had a full head of hair, slightly graying, when he died.  He was very congenial and considerate to wait on, but he likes had changed.  The things that were appetizing to him before were not the same now.  He took his stroke in Nov. 1915 and died 6 Jan 1916.  He was laid beside his wife and 5 children in the cemetery at Hoytsville, Summit County, Utah.