This is my new Family History Series, where I share the stories of my ancestors. Past posts of a genealogical nature have connected me with people in ways I never thought possible, and I’d like to see who else might get in touch with me as I post about those who are part of my family tree.

THOMAS HENRY CARTWRIGHT

December 23, 1814…..January 9, 1873

Written by Elizabeth Baldwin Dean

His Great Granddaughter

My Great Grandfather Thomas Henry Cartwright was born 23 December 1814 in Upholland, Wigan, England. He was the son of Joseph Cartwright and Jane Glover. As a young man he learned the trade of Blacksmithing and worked at that trade and other odd jobs that were available. He married Sarah Yates, his first wife, 25 Sept. 1836 in the Parish of Standish, Lancaster, England. They had 3 Children. Thomas was baptized without telling his wife. She became very upset and used some bad language. Some of her non-Mormon friends advised her not to speak too much against the L.D.S. saints, for she might become herself. She replied, “I hope to God, if ever I am such a fool, that I’ll be drowned in the attempt.” A short time after, her husband talked to her about the truths of the Gospel, she consented to go to some meetings and hear for herself. She was very sorry about her conduct in front of everyone and she requested to be baptized privately. The creek that was usually used had been overflowing its banks, but her husband and elder Pugmire thought everything would be all right. After the ordinances were performed and they were walking out. The bank gave way and the Elder and Mrs. Cartwright went under the water. Thomas tried to rescue her but she slipped away and her body was not found until the next day. After Mrs. Cartwright was buried, Thomas and Elder Pugmire were arrested and confined for six weeks and three days before their trial. The judge remarked to the jury that Baptism was an ordinance of our Religion that it was a sad accident that had occurred. They were then set free.
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My dad is not only an organic farmer, but a business owner as well. His business is called Clearwater Supply (website to come soon, they are working on that) and it’s an agricultural business that helps farmers water their fields using a process called drip irrigation. I really admire my dad, managing a business (with two locations no less) as well as a farm is a huge undertaking. My mom really impresses me tool, she keeps right up with him in terms of his business knowledge (while managing her own business) and I love how they work together to make both endeavors great.

This is what you see when you walk in the front door. To the right of the frame is my dad’s office, and to the left is a large room with several bays for the employees. In the back they have a warehouse where they load the drip tape and other supplies for the farmer’s who purchase them.
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The day after the funeral was my dad’s 49th birthday! My sister made him a cheesecake from scratch (gluten-free), and I enlisted my cousins to help me resist the urge to eat a slice.

My grandma brought out an old hat (I think she mentioned she thought it was her brothers?) and this sailor outfit that she dug up at the ranch, probably out of one of the junkyards (junkyard scavenging at the ranch is one of my favorite activities EVER).

I want to dress him up every day now! I just couldn’t narrow them down because he looks so cute in all of them.

I think this is my favorite. Even if it is a little blurry.

He loves using this app, called Rattle, on my iPad. What a spoiled baby! I used to think my doll that “grew” hair was fancy and wondrous.

A few shots that I grabbed while we were in Minneapolis on our way back to Chicago. My parents were sad to see us go, but I admit, I was more than ready to be back in my apartment and in my routine again.

My lil’ stinker.

The biggest news about this trip? T1 officially started walking! He’s still pretty unsteady on his feet, but he walks all over the apartment now. I’ve even seen him pushing himself up onto his feet from a sitting position on the ground. I just love watching him toddle around.

While I was home I ran out in the cold to try to get a new portrait for Twitter/Facebook (to celebrate dropping another 10 lbs, which is an awesome reward if you’re looking for ways to reward yourself for your weight loss) but I didn’t like anyo f myself enough to use them.

My sister though, of course look adorable, even in her high school sweatshirt and rubber boots.

The funeral was held on Saturday. I admit that I didn’t think it was a big deal to be there before I went, but after it was over I realized that I would have missed out on a lot if I stayed home. So many beautiful stories about my grandmother and her life were shared.

A few people asked what an LDS funeral is like. I haven’t been to many, but I thought I’d share what this one was like (as I think it is a nice representation of the norm).

We met in a room off to the side of the chapel as a family for an opening prayer. Then the casket was moved into the chapel and we all filed after it. We sang a song, a prayer was offered, then the meeting outline was introduced by the bishop. First the great-grandkids all sang a song. My grandma spoke, then my aunt, and then my cousins and I sang Tenderly. My uncle spoke, we sang a closing song, and another prayer was offered.

After the funeral was over the pallbearers moved forward to help move the casket into the hearse. We mingled with guests for a bit (everyone was invited to the graveside but most didn’t come) and then we lined up behind the hearse for the trip from the church to the cemetery.

At the cemetery the pallbearers removed the casket and set it over the grave.

My grandpa offered a prayer of dedication over the grave, and then we said our goodbyes.

There were plenty of tears (mostly during the service at the church) but lots of laughter and smiles too!

My grandma was buried only a few feet away from my little brother’s grave.

The family. T1 and I missed the memo about wearing sunglasses.

This picture makes me laugh. All of us revolve around T1 now that he’s here

My grandma’s boots, which were on display at the luncheon after the funeral.

Notice the hearts on the end? Adorable!

We ended the day with a big dinner of leftovers (and some oreo truffle balls that I indulged in and very much enjoyed) where we all enjoyed feeding things to T1 and watching him make silly faces in response.

I love watching this cousin of mine with my son. I used to hold and play with her all the time when I was her age! It’s kind of strange to see the passage of time illustrated in this way.

We’re both glad we went home.

Mom and dad, thank so much for flying us out. It meant a lot to me.

My great-grandma, Marion Cecile Epstein Spence, passed away yesterday.

For the past few weeks our family has been in a strange place. Most of us are members of the LDS Church, and our faith includes the belief that there is something far better waiting for us after we pass through the test that is this life. My grandma has been sick for a long time, in a nursing home for months now, and after a very rapid decline last week I found myself praying for God to release her from her mortal body and just let her die. It felt strange, and I danced around the issue a little bit with varying cliche phrases, but the underlying message was “Please, release her from her pain and just let her die, she can do more good for you on the other side.”

Yesterday, I received the text message I had been hoping for, letting me know that she was gone. I felt no sadness, only peace. There is no part of me that doubts where she is, who she is with, and what she can now look forward to. That peace is priceless to me.

I am so lucky to have had so much time with her growing up. I remember how glamorous her life seemed, as a child it felt like she was always off on cruises, exploring a new part of the world. Each Christmas we would ask my mom excitedly “Is Grandma Spence coming this Christmas?” I know she knows how much her great-grandchildren loved her. One year she began giving out jewelry to her granddaughters, and I still have a pair of purple gemstone earrings she gave me that I love to wear. The most lasting gift she gave me though, was encouragement for my love of reading. I loved looking through her books and curling up with a Mary Higgins Clark novel in the back room of my grandma’s house, under a big pile of blankets. Whenever we were able to get together in person I liked to ask her what she was reading lately. I hope to inspire a love of reading in my daughters/granddaughters/great-granddaughters as well.

I am so glad that as I taught myself how to better use my camera, that she was often a subject in front of my lens when I was home. I’m sad that my son won’t remember her, but I hope he will value the pictures of the two of them together as I strive to make sure her memory and spirit live on through the generations.

Grandma,

I’ll miss you, but I’m so happy for you. You made my world a better place.

Love,

Jenna