Patrick & Margaret Robinson Carroll & Family
Carroll Historical Sketch, 1765-1965By Iva Carroll Gray
1765: Armagh is the capital of Armagh County, Province of Ulster, head of the primacy of all Ireland, indebted for its origin to St. Patrick by whom it was built. In early 1760's my great great-grandfather, JAMES O'CARROLL was born in Armagh, Armah County, and grew up there while his country was invaded and conquered, the land confiscated and distributed many times.
1780: He owned property in Tyrone County; it was confiscated and he was forced to leave Ireland when about twenty years old. He went to St. Johns, Newfoundland, where he acquired a large shipping interest, met and married MARGARET POTTLE. To JAMES O'CARROL and his wife MARGARET, was born a son, PATRICK O'CARROLL.
1789: PATRICK O'CARROLL, my great-grandfather, was born in St. Johns, Newfoundland. He grew up in Newfoundland and New Brunswick. It was in New Brunswick that PATRICK met and married ANN NEGUS in 1811. They had both been deprived of financial aid which they should have received and the love and protection of their own parents.
1811: They settled at a place called Carroll's Ridge, about four miles from Canterbury Station, the nearest post office. The nearest large town, Fredrickson, was about forty miles away. It was here that eight children were born to this couple - three boys: William, Charles and PATRICK. Five girls: Isabella, Margaret, two Sarah's and Elizabeth. The first Sarah died when she was ten months old. Having a home and children of their own brought pride and joy to this couple. Their love for each other and their children grew very strong as the years passed. There in the southwestern part of New Brunswick, where timber was plentiful, PATRICK and his three sons and son-in-law cleared timber for their farm lands.
1827: My grandfather, PATRICK CARROLL, was the third son of PATRICK O'CARROLL and his wife, ANN NEGUS. He was born in New Brunswick on November 25, 1827. Having the Irish sense of humor he was always good company. His daily plans, even to the small details, were always carefully worked out before undertaking a task. His wonderful gifts of kindness, consideration and love for others were outstanding characteristics throughout his life. I loved to hear Mother tell the stories of early days, and always Grandfather PATRICK was one of her most loved and distinguished characters.
Growing up with the members of his family, PATRICK learned to work in the timber and on the farm, to build, to share and help others. I am certainly grateful to Willard, the oldest son of Charles (Grandfathers's brother) for his memory picture of their old Canadian home. The adjoining farms where each family had pride and joy in making a home of their own - the large log houses with the other buildings in the distance for the animals and necessary farm equipment. Willard remembers that their house had a front porch facing the east, the stable north toward his grandfather's place, a meadow surrounding the house, an and a spring house at the foot of a small hill. I was intrigued at the mention of the ladder which enabled them to reach the upper room, and the lumber cradle where William slept as a small child. In those days, tools and manufactured materials were scarce, and it was amazing what was accomplished with an axe, a saw, hammer, pocket knife and native material. Eating plenty of wholesome food, daily exercise in fresh air, they grew in stature and wisdom as the years passed, learning the many lessons of life by faith, love, experience and hard ship.
1832: It was in New Brunswick that Grandfather met, and married my grandmother, MARGARET EUPHEMIA ROBINSON. She was born in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland, March 27, 1832. Her mother, EUPHEMIA ROBINSON, died soon after she was born. Her father, HENRY ROBINSON, remarried and a few years later he died.
1839: In 1839, when she was seven years old, MARGARET's stepmother brought her to America to live with her uncle, George Robinson. She was only a small child, still her aunt expected her to earn her keep and worked her very hard. She was deprived of school and social advantages. They lived in Philadelphia, but later moved to New Brunswick where she met and married PATRICK CARROLL. She was a thrifty, efficient and conservative homemaker. Many are the incidents related how particular she was to have a clean, neat house and yard at all times. She was kind and considerate of everyone, giving and receiving love and respect. She, in later years, was known as one of the most loved and most faithful church workers of the Ashley Valley Pioneers.
1853: Then came the Mormon Elders, and they formed the Northumberland Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Brunswick. It was here the Carroll family first learned truths that were to make their lives more complete with joy and happiness everlasting. William, Charles and Sarah, with their families, were converted and baptized in 1853 and left New Brunswick for Utah in 1854. On the way, the wife of Charles, Lucy Elizabeth and two of their children died of cholera and were buried at Fort Leavenworth. Later, on the plains another child died, leaving only one son, Willard. Charles was then President of the South Hampton Branch of the Church. He was to lead the group of 57 converts to Utah. They started out on the 10th of May 1854, and arrived in Salt Lake City in October of the same year.
1857: When PATRICK and MARGARET's first child EUPHEMIA, was 15 months old, they were baptized members of the LDS Church and soon after left New Brunswick for Utah. The father, PATRICK, SR., was not converted, but after his wife, ANN, died in 1858, he also left New Brunswick to join his children in Utah, but he died on the way near Pike's Peak in Colorado. It took quite some time for PATRICK and MARGARET to make the long, rough trip to Utah. Like so many engaged in the same cause, they had to leave behind their worldly possessions and with courage of their convictions, bravely face the trials ahead. In Nebraska, PATRICK purchased and built a house at a small place called Wood River. Here their second child was born; it was another girl and they named her Emily Jane. Later, the Government took over the land, including PATRICK's home at Wood River, for an Indian Reservation, and again they started out with a few possessions in a wagon.
1860: It was August of 1860 when they caught up with the Frances Brown Company at Florence, Nebraska, and traveled with them for some distance on their way to Utah. In the company were two young girls, Margaret and Mary Jane Threlkeld, traveling alone. "The sisters comforted each other and were deeply grateful to those who were kind to them. PATRICK CARROLL and his good wife, MARGARET, were particularly kind, and their daughter EUPHEMIA proved a devoted friend throughout the years." Merle Coleman, "Our Pioneers Heritage," page 293. There were other stops along the way. At Green River, Wyoming PATRICK helped some men harvest their wild meadow hay. He was experienced in this manner of labor, and the methods he used were greatly appreciated by both Bill Ashton and Mr. Burton.
The next stop was at Millerville, on the Black Fork River in Wyoming. At the Pony Express Station, PATRICK took care of the horses and MARGARET cooked for the Stage Coach drivers and their passengers. It was a long, cold winter and they had many exciting experiences but were glad when spring came so they could be on their way to Utah again. The girls, EUPHEMIA and Emily, were five and seven years old and their parents were anxious to get settled in a home of their own.
1861: With their winter's wages and an early spring start, the rest of the trip to Utah for PATRICK and MARGARET seemed to pass quickly and they soon arrived at Heber valley. They were happy to see such a prospective place for their new home, and also to see Charles and Willard. Charles had remarried and had two children by his second wife. They having been among the first families to settle in Heber Valley in 1859, a very difficult and trying year. The snow came early and fell deep. Food was scarce and it seemed such a long time until spring finally came. When the snow began to melt in answer to their prayers, the first of April, new hope and determination awoke with the spring. Crops were planted, and by July 24th a church and school house was erected.
Most of the settlers belonged to the LDS Church. They had named their settlement for Heber C. Kimball, Councilor to President Brigham Young. The Heber Ward was organized in 1861. That fall, when PATRICK and MARGARET CARROLL's first baby boy was a month old, they proudly took him to church and there he received a name and a blessing. John M. Murdock gave him the name and blessing, and his name was Patrick Henry Carroll. Patrick had built a two-room house and later he built a saw mill. The logs for lumber were hauled from the mountains east of Heber. He was handy at carpenter work and enjoyed building on new rooms and adding new pieces of home-made furniture for their new home. Here, as in Canada. he learned many new methods of working at the trade he most enjoyed.
1862: By the time Euphemia was old enough to go to school, Wasatch County Seat was located at Heber. There were four districts of school in the county and school conditions had been greatly improved. The same year a grist mill was built at Snake Creek's lower settlement.
1864: As the years passed and Heber settlement grew, PATRICK and MARGARET CARROLL's family grew in numbers. Charles Edmond, the second and fourth child, was born in May of 1864. The third girl and fifth child Margaret Isabel, was born 14th of May 1866.
1867: In 1867 MARGARET and PATRICK went to Salt Lake City, had their endowments and were sealed to each other for eternity in the Salt Lake City Endowment House. Later, the first five children were sealed to their parents, and the other five born in the covenant.
1868: My father, WILLIAM CARROLL, was the sixth child, born April 15, 1868. At this time there were three children going to school and three at home. Robert the seventh child, was born 25, 1871 and Joseph Hyrum, the eighth child, was born June 4, 1873.
1874: In September 1874, Euphemia, the oldest girl married James Heber Moulton. The Moultons came to Heber a year before the PATRICK CARROLL family. The two families lived near each other and the children went to school together. Heber Moulton was always active in civic and church affairs. Much of his success, he claimed, was due to the help of a loving and devoted wife. They were the parents of thirteen children.
1875: Within the next four years two more sons were added to the PATRICK CARROLL family. Heber was born June 10, 1875 and Fredrick Robinson was born September 11, 1877. Home duties and church responsibilities increased and every hour was filled to the very brim with tasks that had to be accomplished. MARGARET kept a clean house, yet at the birth of her first child came the realization that the most important thing was to be busy about the proper care of her most precious possession. As each new life was entrusted to her care, she was ever ready to care for its daily needs. Her desire was to help in every way she could to build strong characters as well as strong bodies. The building was undertaken with a kind, firm guidance and by example she taught each one lessons of true worth. With ten children, seven of which were boys, she usually went at a very rapid pace to keep up with their needs. About the only way they could slow her down was to tie her apron strings to the round of a chair. (Uncle Joe tried this often). Sometimes the chair would be across the room before she discovered the joke.
PATRICK was a builder by trade, and taught his children important building lesson of life. His love and protective care gave each member of his family a desire to make of the world a better place in which to live. After his oldest child was married he became more concerned than ever of his responsibility to help his children become independent and settled by having a home of their own. He realized that to do this they needed more land than he could acquire in Heber. Several of his acquaintances were moving from Heber to Ashley Valley, a place to the southeast of Heber but in the same county. After careful consideration he filed on 160 acres of land in this valley. He saw the possibilities for a sawmill on the mountains surrounding the Valley and knew the settlers would need lumber to build their houses.
1878: About this time PATRICK's brother, Charles, and his nephew, Willard, became interested in the United Order and moved with their families from Heber to Orderville. The year before PATRICK moved his family to their new home. He took his sawmill and farm machinery, with other belongings, out to Ashley Valley. It was a difficult task taking such heavy machinery over the rough roads which were scarcely more than trails. However, they followed the paths of least resistance that were first traveled by the Indians and explorers. The old road went most of the way north of the present highway. In those days it took about three weeks to make the trip. Now it takes about three hours.
In 1878 the Hatches and other families moved from Heber to Ashley so PATRICK and his two older sons joined the party, driving oxen teams hitched to heavy high bed wagons. Winding their way from Heber up Daniels Canyon, they crossed creeks dozens of times as there were no bridges, down the Strawberry Valley about midway toward the present dam, east up Coal Creek Canyon, and down Soldiers Creek across the divide to where the present road runs along Deep Creek. Then they continued east a few miles north of Fruitland and far above the present crossing, striking Duchesne River several miles north of Duchesne City, then across Blue Bench reaching Lake Fork, continuing east to the North Myton benchland. There they turned northeast near the present site of Roosevelt. They crossed the Uintah River near the old Daniel's crossing in LaPoint vicinity, across Deep Creek Bench, over Blue Hill through the old Dodds Twist, then through the gap west of Maeser.
There had been many stops along the way. Some hills were so steep that four and sometimes six oxen had to be hitched to one wagon at a time in order to make the grade up to the top. Going down the steep mountain sides, the men often walked along the sides of the wagons in an effort to help hold them from tipping over. Stops for noon and night camping were when the boys went climbing or exploring, especially after the evening meal. They little realized when they looked down and saw across the bench land, miles away, which is now Vernal City, that they would have children who would live in modern homes with more luxuries than they ever dreamed about. Now all they could see was barren desert land, about the same view Escalate's party had a hundred years ago. It was here on the bench land that the Hatches and most of the party that traveled from Heber with them intended to settle.
As PATRICK and the boys drove on and turned north toward the creek and Old Ashley Town, their hopes raised and the boys were happy their father had chosen this site for their home along the creek. Here was evidence of growth and posperity. Stacks of meadow hay and a number of the Gibson's cattle grazed along the way. There were even small stacks of straw. Bill Bealer had brought out a threshing machine fed by hand and driven by horsepower. He had used it to thrash the grain along the creek bottom, but now the master wheel was broken so it just stood by the wayside. Soon PATRICK pulled up the team of oxen he was driving and they stopped near the place he had chosen for their house. The boys soon had the tired oxen turned loose to quench their thirst at the creek bank, then graze on the meadow hay which grew in abundance on various brush-free spaces on the homestead. Soon two happy boys were exploring places which were to mean so much to them later. The sound of the water rippling over the stones, little green spikes through the fertile soil at their feet, was so restful in comparison to what they had been accustomed to the past few weeks. After the evening meal and beds prepared, they all three sat together and watched the full moon come up over the eastern hills, casting shadows on Green River Gorge. A prayer of thanks was given for their safe arrival. Then came the restful sleep with the feeling of peace and security with each other at their new home. The next morning they were up early, ready to clear the space where the cabin was to be built.
As the days passed they worked diligently and accomplished more than they had expected - a large cabin built, ground cleared for spring grain and garden, meadow hay harvested and many rods of fencing around the lot and filed. While PATRICK was doing some carpenter work inside the house, the boys went through the brush up toward the foothills to gather wild berries. While running a race to the berry patch they were going around a large cholkcherry bush when suddenly they encountered a big, black bear. They were so frightened they did not know what to do, but luckily for them, the bear did not intend to attack, but only wanted to get out of their way, they both sat down and laughed all the while he was getting out of sight. When they had enough berries for supper they hurried home to tell their father the bear story.
The summer passed and their work on the homestead was finished until spring. Henry, the oldest son, filed on 160 acres and later Edmond (known as Ed) also filed on a homestead. PATRICK was pleased with the boy's work and they all felt paid for the time and effort spent. Knowing the boys were pleased with their new home made their father happy; his ream and plans for more land had come true. The machinery and equipment was stored away for spring and they were ready to return to Heber.
The return trip did not take so long. Even the road seemed shorter and not so rough. The oxen were rested, well-fed and there was no heavy load on the wagons. When they stopped at night to camp and firewood was plentiful, they would chop a few extra loads and put them in the wagons for their winter wood.
MARGARET and the rest of the family were happy to have them home safe and listened with interest to the stories about the new home. There were times that winter they looked with regret on the spring move because they had become attached to this home, their friends and neighbors, but most of the time it was anticipated with joy. Emily and Henry were not in school and , to them, spring seemed a long time coming. Little Margaret had been ill most of the winter. When spring came it was decided she would stay in Heber with the married sister, Euphemia, and go to Ashley Valley later.
There had been extensive planning and packing. The wagons were filled high above the sideboards when the day finally arrived to begin the long;looked-for-trip. MARGARET rode in the light wagon with PATRICK and the younger boys and, with a courageous heart, said goodbye to her little daughter and to the older entrusted with the child's care. Waving farewell to neighbors, friends and home they became so fond of, she and PATRICK bravely faced their journey to achievement and the future. Their greatest desire and aim was to help their children find those worthwhile things in life that would build strong characters and bodies.
The two wagons pulling up the rear each had a frequent change of drivers. The traveling and camping was enjoyed by all. So were the tasks. Soon it was time for MARGARET, Emily and the five younger boys to have their first view of the new home. As on the other trip, the enthusiasm ran highest as they reached their own homesite. In answer to their prayers there had been no accident - only a few scratches and bumps. Spring was in the air and joy filled each heart as they pulled up and stopped at the new cabin.
For the CARROLLs, life in the log cabin on this side of the creek in Ashley Valley was a happy and busy one. The older boys helped with the spring planting and more building. MARGARET and Emily arranged the belongings in the rooms of the new house with pride and joy. PATRICK had made a few pieces of furniture which, added to what they could bring from Heber, made a very comfortable and neat house inside. MARGARET had a way of adding touches that made any home she lived in always bright and cheerful. Outside the new buildings, a fence was neatly arranged, and the dark rich soil of the garden was marked off in even furrows. The markers and levelers had been made from small logs not used in building the house. The headgates to control the flow of water from the creek to the garden and grain field were also made of hand sawed lumber.
Now the spring planting was finished PATRICK and the older boys erected the sawmill up by Rock Point about where the new Canal comes out of the creek - just west of Doc's Beach. They hauled the logs down Spring Creek. Like bringing out the heavy machinery, getting the logs to the mill was a difficult task. Some places it was even necessary to take the wagon apart to get it up the hill. Because of the effort and time to took to erect the mill and bring down the logs, not a great deal of sawing was accomplished during the summer. However, there was enough material to do a lot of finishing-up jobs around the house. PATRICK taught the boys how to select and take care of the machinery. Henry had been helping in this kind of work for several years and was very efficient in every way. The other members of the family had learned to depend on him a great deal. He was kind and considerate of the younger boys and always showed respect and deep affection for his mother.
While the older boys were at the sawmill, the younger ones helped with odd jobs around the house and yards, keeping the garden watered and the weeds pulled out. They played in the brush or climbed the hill where they could see for miles around. They would look for Indians as they came into valley, which was often. Large bands were on the move in the spring and fall. A few were often seen coming and going at all times between moves. Not only could the boys look for Indians, but outlaws also visited the valley frequently. In fact, further up on the mountains to the northeast was where many of the outlaws had their hideouts.
Emily often went to the Old Ashley Town and soon made friends with the young folks. Britt's had a store and post office with extra attic rooms for boarders and cattle men who came to town. Gibson's also had a store and Bently's a saloon. The fall before, a log school house had been built near Nathan Davis's farm, and William Britt had taught a three month term of school. The people held church in their homes. Thomas Bingham was chosen as the first Presiding Elder in 1878.
PATRICK and his boys harvested a good crop of wild meadow hay, the grain was turning and they had a good garden. Word came by one of the settlers that had been to Heber that little Margaret was very ill. By the time her parents could get there she was very weak and lived only a few days. She passed away on September 6, 1879 and was buried at Heber.
With sad hearts PATRICK and MARGARET returned to their home and other children. All summer the boys had planned things to do when little Margaret came, but when they saw how hurt their parents were they tried to help by not showing how much they would miss her. As the family prayed together they asked for strength to bear this ordeal with faith and courage. They all knew it was time to finish the harvesting and prepare for winter; that helping each other would bring fulfillment of each one's desire.
The Meeker massacre happened on the 29th of September, near Meeker, Colorado. It was reported that the Indian agent, Meeker, was unfair and stubborn in his dealings. The Indians lassoed and dragged him until almost dead, then staked him to the ground and left him to die. His wife, daughter and the agency employees were forced to watch, then the women were kidnapped and some of the employees killed. While this Indian excitement was on. the settlers in Ashley Valley were advised to move in close together for protection. So many new families had moved in during the summer that now there were more than two dozen on the Bench. Sixteen of them built a fort about where J.C. Penny Store now stands. The ones at Jensen and Old Ashley Town made preparations to get together if necessary.
Emily Carroll married Charles Bentley November 2, 1879. They lived in Old Ashley Town and were prepared for PATRICK's family to move in with them if necessary. The younger boys had located a cave in the hill on the other side of the creek and insisted that if the family would go there in case of an attack they could ward off any band of Indians.
At the CARROLL homestead the harvest was gathered and stored. The Bealer threshing machine had been repaired and what grain was saved from the grasshoppers on the Bench was threshed first. Most of it was "smutty." The grain on the Creek ripened later but produced more bushels per acre and was free from smut. The potatoes were gathered last and stored deeply in what was called a potato pit. The log cabin had been redaubbed, making sure there were no cracked places, and sod piled around the foundation. Plenty of firewood was stored in the wood shed near the house for the cold winter days.
The snow came early and fell deep. The temperature dropped and stayed low all winter. There was no way in or out of the valley to get needed supplies. So many families had moved in late on the Bench with scant food supplies that many suffered from hunger. One party came as late as December. After a trying experience over the rough, snow-packed road they all (19 in number) had to live in a one-room log cabin with a dirt floor and roof. There were no trees on the Bench or wind breaks for the stock and many perished. When the scant supply of flour was used there was no way to grind what little wheat they had except in coffee mills. Bill Reynolds, a former miller, made a pair of stone burrs to grind what wheat they had. A sweep was cleared and the stones were turned my manpower for what animals were left were too weak to do work. The flour was nothing but chopped wheat, but it kept many people alive.
1880: The CARROLL family did not suffer from hunger or cold and were ready and willing to share with those in need. However, one thing they were not able to cope with was the dreaded diphtheria epidemic. It struck the Valley in the winter of 1878 and now again in 1879. The neighbors had told MARGARET how most every family had lost one or more members; one family lost six. She had kept a close watch on the three boys attending school for any sign of sore throat, but Henry was the first victim. He had worked hard all summer and when Ed, Will, and Robert had started to school he was anxious to make his father's work lighter by doing most of it himself. Working at chores that exposed him to the winter weather all hours of the day left him with little resistance to disease. He went often to Old Ashley Town in the evenings to visit his sister and friends. He was also interested in getting started on the homestead he had filed on so he could prove up on it. He finished some lumber they had sawed at the mill by using a hand plane. He intended to make furniture out of the finished material.
When MARGARET was aware of his condition she was greatly concerned and did everything she could to counteract the dreaded disease. As time wore on it became worse. On the 16th of January, after fighting for his life's breath for so many days, he passed away. Again the family faced an ordeal almost beyond their ability to endure. This was their oldest son and brother who had accepted responsibilities willingly. He was their mainstay in so many ways. How could they go on without him? The shortage of food, the fear of Indian attacks, the bitter cold weather were all forgotten as PATRICK made a casket for Henry out of the material he had so carefully finished. MARGARET, stricken with grief but always deft with the needle, used some prized white material (saved For Emily) and lined the casket. It took long hours to remove the snow and dig the grave on the plot of ground in what is now the Rock Point Cemetery. Because the disease was contagious, only a few people attended the burial. (Mark M. Hall dedicated the grave.) Henry was 18 years old in October and died three months later.
The dreaded diphtheria claimed as its next victim in the CARROLL family, little Freddie. he was only two years old and resented the throat swabbing. He was the one they had always tried to please and he asked so often to take the hurt away. Soon his little throat was so thickly coated with the white membrane that he could not breathe. He passed away on the 24th of February, 1880, and was laid to rest beside his brother, Henry. Now there were only five children at home where in 1874 there had been ten.
The winter of 1879-1880 is still known to descendants of the Ashley Valley pioneers as "The Hard Winter." The settlers went through some of the most trying circumstances of their pioneer days that winter. When on their last rations, they wondered how much longer they would be able to hold out. Some of the men volunteered to cross the mountain on snowshoes to Green River City in Wyoming for flour. They crossed the river on the ice and made the trip just in time to miss the spring breakup, risking their lives to bring back flour to the starving people.
It was April before the cold weather broke and signs of spring appeared. After the cold, dreary winter of fear, hunger, and sadness, the sun melted the snow and the water ran down the mountains into the creeks. The ground was made ready for the seed hauled in and the uncertainty of the last few months passed. With spring well on its way new hope came. The future again looked bright as the settlers went to work with a firm determination to make this valley the very best place they could for a home. This was the spring that Uintah County was organized and the first meeting of the county court was held.
Robert Bodily gave William Reynolds 40 acres in the western part of the valley, where Maeser is now, for a flour mill site. Here was built the first flour mill of Ashley Valley. The two burrs which had been used the previous winter were moved to the new mill site and used until new machinery could be installed. Water was flumed to the mill with about 15-ft. fall to furnish power. Because the grinding was so slow it was necessary to operate the mill both day and night the first winter. Everyone was willing to help Mr. Reynolds get started for they did not want to get short of flour another winter. For 25 years Bill Reynolds worked faithfully to keep a good supply of flour on hand. Southwest of the flour mill site on Big Hill, Mr. Gill located a dark vein he thought was coal but later it proved to be asphaltum. He filed on the land that contained the vein, also the 40 acres at the foot of Big Hill, just west of the present Maeser Cemetery.
North of the flour mill, up by Rock Point just west of Dock's Beach, Patrick Carroll and his three sons Ed, Will, and Robert, operated a sawmill. The mill was run by water power and supplied lumber, to the entire valley. The three sons at this time were only 16, 12, and 9 years of age, but Patrick, experienced in sawmill work, let each one do that part of the work he could handle best. With extra help in logging, he was pleased with each day's achievement. Margaret and the other two boys, Joseph and Heber, enjoyed visits at the mill sawing the lumber from logs was fascinating to watch, and she too was proud of the progress made in such a short time.
This family had experienced the growth of another settlement into a city, and they were sure Ashley Valley had just as great possibilities. They had met achievement and disappointment as the action proceeded, but steady progress with them had been certain and unceasing. The lonesome feeling came often for those loved ones who could not enjoy more of this wonderful life with them, but were thankful for the time they had been privileged to spend together. They not only understood that death comes to all, but also that the bonds of love hold through eternity. They prayed for faith and strength that in no way would they ever sever this bond, They were learning fast the worthwhile lessons of life, and the few years spent at the mill and log cabin on the creek were indeed gratifying and profitable years.
1881: Ashley Valley was organized into two wards of the LDS Church on 11 September, 1881 Ashley Ward's Bishop was Jeremiah Hatch, Sr. and Mountain Dell Ward had Thomas Bingham, Sr. as Bishop.
Like the early mountaineer trappers, early settlers were compelled to limit their schooling to the education of circumstance. When the Carroll family moved to Ashley valley in their log house on the creek, the nearest school house was located on the Nathan Davis farm. William C. Britt had taught a three month term in 1878; then in 1879, Mark M. Hall taught during the Hard Winter. Then in the fall of 1880, Ed Sayer started the term and Pete Dillman finished up teaching April, May, and June of 1881.
1882: In 1882, Fort Thornburg, named for Captain Thornburg who was killed in the Meeker Massacre, was moved from Ouray to the mouth of Ashley Canyon. The Military Reserve extended two miles west from William Akhurst corner, one mile north, and then west to the top of Little Mountain, going south from the Akhurst corner three miles to Merkley Ranch, then again west to the top of Little Mountain. Included in this Military Reserve, was Patrick Carroll's homestead. Along with several other settlers, he was compelled to find another location for his home. The government paid the settlers for their land, and Patrick and his son, Ed, filed on bench land in the southwestern part of the valley. A new sawed log house was built on their land where LeRoy Carroll's house now stands. Here the family lived for several years.
The soil at that time was very hard and dry. Cultivation was a difficult problem, and irrigation was necessary in order to raise crops. The Upper Valley Canal, started in 1880, took a long time to complete. The men plowed furrows and,as there were no scrapers, they used slabs called "Go Devils," pulled by oxen. First, they turned the water down the furrow for testing, and that helped remove the dirt from the canal bed, then they would scrape and shovel out the rest.
The same year Patrick moved to his new home, the section where he lived was organized as Mill Ward. For several years it was called Mill Ward because there were so many mills in that section of the Valley. The-first Bishop of Mill Ward was William Shaffer, and the Primary was organized in 1883, with Abigail Oaks as President. Before moving to Mill ward, he had belonged to Ashley Center Ward, where in December of 1889, Little Freddie had been blessed by Jeremiah Hatch, the Bishop of Ashley Center Ward. Bishop Hatch also ordained William a Deacon 11 December 1882. Robert was baptized by William Shaffer, and confirmed by Israel Clark, 1 May, 1881, in Ashley Center Ward, There were several wards in the valley by this time, and they all belonged to Wasatch Stake.
1885-1886: Ashley town site was surveyed 7 March, 1885 and that fall, the first store was opened by Blythe and Mitchell. On the 23rd of September 1886, a post office was established and called Vernal, Mitchell was the first Postmaster. Fort Duchesne was established in 1886 also. In 1866, Uintah Stake was organized, and on 24 July, 1886, Samuel R. Bennion was set apart as the first Uintah Stake President. The Rock Tithing House was built by Harley Mowrey in 1886 (Mowrey had lived with the Prophet Joseph Smith and worked on the Nauvoo Temple) the Rock Tithing Building was first located on the block just north of where Penney's store is now. The Daughters of Utah Pioneers had it moved in 1956 up to their lot just across the road west of the Uintah Stake Tabernacle. Here it was made part of their Museum Building, and along with the numerous other relics housed, there are the two burrs cut and installed by Mr. Taylor and W. G. Reynolds in 1879, when the scarcity of flour became a grave problem.
1887: The New White Stake House was built in 1887 on the same block as the Rock Tithing House, just west of where the Commercial Hotel now stands. The first conference was held in May of 1887. The Carroll family had lived in Ashley Valley eight years and during that time there had been many changes as the settlement made rapid progress. The boys were able now to take over the responsibilities of farming and the saw mill. Ed was 23 years of age, Will was 19, and Robert was 16. The planing mill had been moved down on that part of their land just across the road from the Maeser Store on the same corner where Verdin Johnson's store used to be located. The Carroll's were then building a two-story frame house below the planing mill on the same side of the street.
Among the new settlers in the spring of 1887, were the Colletts and the Wamsley's from Arizona. When Ruben S. Collett was called to be in the Stake Presidency of Uintah Stake, the two families decided to come to Ashley Valley and make a new home. The Colletts settled in Merrill Ward and the Wamsley's in Mill Ward. Ruben S, Collett was the son of Ruben Collett, Sr., and the nephew of Mary Ann Wamsley. He was set apart as First Counselor to President Bennion on 9 May 1887.
The fall of 1887, the Ashley valley Co-op Store opened for business. At that time there were many centers for amusements in the various wards. When the Reynolds flour mill building was enlarged, a large north room was used for dancing for quite some time. Ever since the Carroll brothers had come to Ashley, the settler's major amusement had been dancing. They would gather at different homes and dance to the music of the violin. At these home parties or dances, refreshments were always served. During the Hard Winter, the only refreshments were water and "graham bread." This bread was made from flour ground in a homemade mill, without cleaning attachments, with some smut, sunflower seeds and stems, which the young folks said added flavor to the bread. There were also cornhusking, candypulling, sleighriding, and home parties enjoyed by both adults and young folks.
In those days, doctors and nurses were very scarce, and those with time and ability to care for the sick, were given the opportunity to help. Meeting together in one room, heated with a coal stove either red hot or stone cold, gave everyone a turn at contagious diseases. The young folks were willing to relieve the adults when a sick friend or neighbor was in need of watchful care at nights. It was at a sick friend's home on such an occasion, that Will Carroll and Marinda Wamsley started to date, Will's brother, Ed, was keeping company with Marinda's sister, Esther, and the four of them had many enjoyable times together.
1888: The next winter, these two couples became engaged and on 29 February 1888, they were married. The wedding took place at the new White Stake House. Square dancing was very popular in those days. Will, Marinda, Ed, Esther, and their parents Patrick and Margaret Carroll, William and Mary Ann Wamsley, formed a set of four couples in the middle of the dance floor. Bishop James Harvey Glines performed the ceremony, and as soon as the "I do's" were said, the brides kissed, and the grooms congratulated, the music struck up a square dance tune and the four couples danced. Later, more sets were formed and an enjoyable time was had by all.
The land belonging to the Carroll's, south and west of the Maeser store extended from what is now LeRoy Carroll's place south 1 mile over into Glines Ward, then west one-fourth mile, north 1 mile, east one-fourth mile to LeRoy Carroll's which completed one section. Will's forty acres were to the extreme south and west in Glines Ward and included Cliff McCoy's resent residence. Will had built a two room log house on this land, and when he married Marinda Wamsley this was their home. The land had not been cleared for farmland, and was mostly covered with sage brush. The other section began at the corner where Verdin Johnson had his store, and extended north and east. The planing mill was located on the corner, and the two-story frame building facing the south on the same side of the road was finished, This home was Patrick's and Margaret's for the rest of their lives.
The Patrick Carroll saw mill was moved from Rock Point up to the Government Part, and the place where it stood is today known as the "Pat Carroll" Mill Setting. Ed and his wife, Esther, went up to run the mill soon after they were married. Later, they lived in the sawed-log house as Margaret and Patrick had moved into their new house.
Fort Thromburgh was located in the mouth of Ashley Canyon for about two years, but it was much later when it was released as a military reserve and settlers received back their land titles. William Oaks and Robert Carroll helped to make the final survey. Robert received enough of the old homestead which, added to what he had filed on made a section of river bottom land and he built his house where the Harvey Christensen home is now located.
Patrick and Margaret enjoyed their new home very much. Patrick still helped the boys at the mill when needed, but most of the time he was able to do his favorite work, as he expressed it, "at the bench." He made many pieces of choice furniture some of which are treasured by his grandchildren. He was ill much of the time, but still cheerful and contented to know that his boys were established, independent and busy. He took time to enjoy the company of those he loved. Always, he would leave a word of encouragement and cheer as he passed, feeling that this world was a better place in which to live because of what he was willing to share.
To Margaret, it was all like a beautiful dream come true. She went about each wonderful day, wishing it had more hours so she could accomplish more of the things she loved to do. The three younger boys were home most of the winter months, and Patrick was usually willing for her to fuss about his diet and see that he had plenty of rest. Then there were the other children and grandchildren to visit, prepare dinner for on Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and do the many other things families enjoy together. There was church with its responsibilities and blessings. The peaceful, quiet rest of the Sabbath Day at home after Church Meetings were over, was precious to them. Now they were both able to enjoy the rewards of faithful, unceasing efforts.
The Carroll's new frame house stood two stories, tall and stately, facing the south, surrounded by lawn shrubs and trees. There was a hitching post rail on the right of the front gate, or you could drive down the shady lane north to the back yard. This way you could enter the house by going up the steps of the back porch and in at the kitchen door If you left your horse tied to the front hitching post rail, unlatched the front gate and walked up the narrow path, you could enter by the front door.
As you opened the front door, the first thing to meet your eye would be the wide carpeted stairway with substantial polished railing. At the top of the stairs, to the right and to the left were neat, well arranged bedrooms. Down at the bottom of the stairs, there were rooms at the right or the left. Usually, the east door was chosen to enter as it opened into the living-dining room. Here was a table that could be pulled out until it was the longest of tables and held the very best food a person could want to eat.
The dining room opened into a large kitchen. Directly in front of the doorway, and over against the north wall, stood the old fashioned cookstove with a warming closet and a reservoir. The black lids were lifted off with a wire-handled stove lifter so wood or coal could be put inside the fire box, on the grate, to heat the top of the stove. No matter how much heat there was, the lids were kept shining bright and arranged neatly in the well-built cupboards and on the sideboard. At the farther end of the sideboard was a brown crock cookie jar that always had cookies in it. Near the stove was a wood box and over against the west wall was a large flour box. They too had the identity of never being empty. The floor boards had no covering, but they were always scrubbed clean. Up at the sawed log house, the soil in the front yard was clay and tracked in easily, so Margaret packed the clay down by carrying buckets of water and poured the water on it. It took continual packing, but she kept a door yard that was swept clean and the clay did not track in on her clean, scrubbed floor.
Out on the back porch, near the kitchen door, large nails held the men's outside attire, and on the north wall, other nails held the shining copper boiler, wash tubs, and washboard. On the outside of the porch, vines climbed on up above the many colored plants and, in the background, were tall hollyhocks proudly bearing their numerous blossoms. Nearby, was Patrick's workshop with the bench and neatly arranged tools. On out to the north were sheds for machinery, corrals, stables, and haystacks. To the west of the house was the orchard, and farther out west and north were the fields of alfalfa and grain.
1892: In less than four years, Vernal had grown`into a busy town with substantial business houses, well-built homes, running water, shade, and fruit trees, In the Vernal paper, called the Vernal Papoose, dated in 1892, appeared the following articles:
"Think of it, the grain is so heavy that no machine can cut the first round." "Farmer's Co-op soon to be moved to the new brick building on the corner of Main and Vernal Avenue Streets." "The Sunday School concert of Glines, Merrell, Mill, and Ashley wards will take place in Workman's Hall." "Notice is given that the undersigned has made application to the Hon. Secretary of the Interior for a permit to cut and remove various kinds of timber from a tract of land---commencing at a point (a rocky point on the south bank of Ashley Creek), about one mile west from where Fort Thromburg and Fort Bridger wagon road crosses the Soldier Park fork of Ashley Creek, running thence south. Patrick Carroll and Sons, P.O. Addresses: Ashley, Uintah County, Utah." "The number of fine dwelling houses that are built and in construction surprise the stranger when he considers that the valley has been settled only a few years.'"
The old log pole school house in Mill Ward was used for all church and community gatherings for many years. About 1889, the citizens canvassed the ward, gathering logs, pieces and scraps of lumber here and there, for the purpose of building a recreation hall. Such material constructed the greater part of this building which was located on the lot where Cedric Caldwell's home is now located. It was used for a schoolhouse for a short time after the old log schoolhouse burned down. It was also used for Church purposes. Later, an extension was built on the west and two north rooms were added to be used for Sunday School. It became known as the White Church and was used until 1929. It was in this building that several of Patrick Carroll's grand and great-grandchildren received their names and blessings.
The first school in the valley was held in Old Ashley on the Nathan Davis farm. Later, other schools were built throughout the valley, in Hatch town, in Jensen, in Mill Ward, and Merrill Ward. This was before consolidation, and each school had its own district and Board of Directors. Joseph Black was appointed as first superintendent of Uintah County Schools in 1880. A new two room brick building (the first brick building in Uintah County) was built where the new Central School building now stands. It had separate desks, where all the other buildings had long benches with a top for writing in front. In the new building, large double slates and slate pencils were used. At first, all eight grades were held in the two rooms.
In 1893, a third room was added which relieved the congested condition. The Stake Board of Education organized in September, l891, with Elder Henry Peterson as President of the Uintah Stake Academy. Nelson G. Sowards, a graduate of B.Y.U., became principal, and the Intermediate and Preparatory Departments were organized. In the spring of 1892, at the new building on the northwest corner of the Tabernacle lot, the attendance was nearly 40. From this small beginning, the school grew to be one of the best high schools in the state.
The first store in the valley was started in the cellar on the Gibson Farm. Later, it was moved to Old AshLey Town where Britt had a store and post office. The Blythe and Mitchell Store was the first store in Vernal, and Mitchell was the first Postmaster. This was:in 1886, and by 1892, there were several stores. Besides mercantile stores, there was a millinery and jewelry shop, a drugstore, meat market, restaurant, saloon, feed stable, several blacksmith shops, two grist mills, and two planing mills, a lime kiln, plaster-of paris and gypsum refinery and a coal mine.
There were many places for amusement; among the first were.S.M. Brown's, Jake Workman's Hall, Robert's Hall, and Social Hall. There were many parks throughout'the valley where picnics and celebrations were held. Up in Mill Ward, north near the creek, Burton's built a lake for swimming and boat riding. They also built a dance hall:and race track and, later on, rodeos were held there. Then a ball park was arranged on the ground where the First Ward Chapel is now located. Here, ball games and celebrations were held. At an election in 1893, the county seat was changed from Old Ashley Town to Vernal City.
Patrick Carroll had been a witness to all these changes and did his share in bringing them about. He had worked under difficult conditions with unceasing efforts to give his family and community those things he felt they needed most for their future growth and happiness. By efficient example, the lessons of real worth were taught his children. Now there were days when they were deeply concerned for his health and spent what time was necessary with him. Margaret was disturbed when her efforts did not help to improve his condition. There were times when the jovial smile was saddened, and so often she detected severe pain flit across his face. After a last attack, he grew very weak, and on 14 June, 1893, he passed away from effects of Bright's disease and gland trouble.
Again, the family was called to part with a loved one who had carried more than his share of the responsibility and concern for the care of others. They would miss that love and protective care in so many ways, especially his good wife, Margaret, who needed him now more than ever she realized at this time. Patrick Carroll was buried in the Mill Ward Cemetery (now Maeser) He was survived by his wife, Margaret, two daughters, Euphemia Moulton of Heber, and Emily Bentley of Old Ashley, five sons, Edmond, William, Robert, Joseph, and Heber; all of Mill Ward, Vernal Utah, and twenty grandchildren, nine in Heber, and eleven in Vernal.
~Received 1997 from Dean Johnson, Rexburg, ID by Irene L Losee, Vernal UT. Contibuted by Vickie Montgomery