The Exuberant Run to the River Ribble in Preston, England

Henry Clegg, Senior

The Exhuberant Run to the River Ribble in Preston, England

By Cyndy Weiss

 

Deborah Weiss was able to go to the Clegg family history sites in Preston, England in February 2018.  Attached are some of her pictures with a bit of explanation.  (Thanks, Deb!)

Henry Clegg, Senior (1788-1865) was a boot and clog maker and also a toll collector.  He was the father of eight children, and two of them eventually settled in Heber City, Utah.  (One of his sons is Cyndy's 2nd Great grandfather, Henry Clegg, Jr. who immigrated in 1855.) 

Henry, Senior, was married in St. Lawrence Church to Ellen Cardwell in October 2, 1809.  Henry's parents, Thomas Clegg and Elizabeth Smith were married in St. John's October 11, 1784.

St. Thomas-Church where Henry's parents were married.

Henry’s family lived in Walton le Dale, about 3 miles from Preston, England.  Preston was also known as "Priest-town" and was a center where religion was openly discussed and different sects were mostly welcomed.

The "Mormon" missionaries arrived in Preston in 1837 on a holiday just before the Monday Parliamentary election.

Deborah standing in the Preston City Square where Heber C. Kimball and other elders first preached in  Great Britain.

"People crowded the streets. Bands played, and political banners flew with an air of gaiety.  Just as the missionaries’ coach arrived, a flag was unfurled over their heads reading “Truth Will Prevail” in large, gilt letters.  Seeing this, the missionaries cried aloud as if in one voice, “Amen!  Thanks be to God, Truth will prevail!”    (See The Gathering, Scot and Maureen Proctor, p. 19)

There was a British Pageant entitled "Truth Will Prevail" that was first performed in 2013 in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the beginning of missionary work in England.  It would be wonderful to be able to see that production!  Donald Owen served his mission near this area of England.

Henry Clegg, Senior and his son, Jonathan, were in the Vauxhall Chapel on Sunday July 23, 1837 where Heber C. Kimball and his companions first taught the restored Gospel in Preston. Vauxhall Chapel no longer stands.  Rumor has it that a stone was saved and is on the Preston Temple grounds.  Ask Deborah. 

Deborah standing in the water of the River Ribble where her 4th Great Grandfather ran to be baptized.

Looking down from Promenade to the River Ribble.

Heber C. Kimball baptized Henry Clegg, Sr. on July 30, 1837 with nine English saints that Sunday morning.  There is some controversy about this story and the best discussion about it is found here:   Who Came in Second?  By Garth N. Jones, In Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Vol. 21, Num. 2, Summer 1989, pp. 149-153  (Link to this article is in Family Tree Memories of Henry Clegg, Sr.)

In The Gathering by Maurine and Scot Proctor, there is a powerful description of these first baptisms:

“The crowds of Preston taking their Sunday morning strolls in Avenham Park paused to watch the excitement that morning as George D. Watt and Henry Clegg raced to the River Ribble to see which of them would be the first to be baptized in England. 

More plaques in the garden area.

“This exuberant run was a moment in history not lost on its participants. 

Bridge over the River Ribble, Preston, England.

“They ran because the silence of centuries when humanity concocted their own religions had ended and God had spoken again. 

Plaque doesn't mention the name of Henry Clegg Sr.
but family lore causes many to believe it was simply clerical oversight.

“They ran because the priesthood and power and pattern of the ancient church had been restored. 

“They ran because even if their minister scowled, they had felt the Spirit whispering to them that God knew them intimately and loved them. 

Looking down from Avenham Park to the bridge where the baptisms took place.

“Watt, who was twenty-two years younger than Clegg and had youth on his side, won the race.”  (see The Gathering, Maureen and Scott Proctor, page 21.)

Estimates say there were between seven and nine thousand who witnessed the first LDS baptisms as they were walking on the nearby promenade with a clear view of the River Ribble.

Henry Clegg, Sr. was listed in the journal of Joseph Fielding as one of the earliest ordained to the Priesthood.  Henry had previously been ordained a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained as a Priest on Christmas Day, 1837.  (The transcription of the diary is found in the documents for Henry Clegg, Sr. in Family Search.)

It was in the "Cockpit" where the early ordinations took place.  (This was also the location where people were being prepared to live the Word of Wisdom five years before the LDS missionaries arrived.)

The Old Cock Pit was a meeting place used by the early Preston members.

Henry Clegg, Sr. was buried with his wife in St. Lawrence Parish in Walton le Dale.  

St. Leonard, Walton-Le-Dale Parish Church.

Cemetery Register at Walton-Le-Dale Parish for Henry Clegg.

The stone marker was replaced in 2000 with a new one.  The scripture on the headstone was quoted in a letter Henry Sr. wrote to his son, Henry Clegg, Jr. in America:  "Who relied wholly on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus."

This "new" headstone was placed and dedicated in June 15, 2000 by loving family members.

This story of the "Exuberant Run" is part of our wonderful family legacy.  

Deborah in church yard by Clegg headstone. 

Clegg headstone centered in the distance.

Meeting times.  Deborah was unable to enter the church.

12 Characteristics of 12 Impressive Ancestors

I thought I would share some of the outstanding characteristics of our ancestors.  Most of these individuals have more complete stories elsewhere on this blog. These are characteristics that have impressed me and are worthy of emulation by their descendants. 

Perseverance-Jensine Marie Jensen Moulton
Mary was one of three plural wives who moved to Old Mexico to try to keep the Joseph Moulton family together.  Things didn't work out when the law against polygamy caused her husband to live with his first wife and "Mary" did her best to provide for her family.  First as a seamstress, then a store owner.  She ran boarding houses in Utah and California and cared for many years for her invalid daughter. 

Overcoming Obstacles-Emma Amelia Croft Chase
Emma Amelia Croft would settle for nothing less than a temple marriage in the Logan Temple. Amelia wrote letters to her fiance's Centerville Bishop to help Frank get his temple recommend.  Twenty-five years into their marriage, her husband deserted their family of nine children.  She did the best she could to carry on as a single mom.  She passed away in 1933 in the home of her daughter, Clairissa Chase Weiss, before knowing whatever happened to her husband.  

Taking Risks-George Ogden Chase
George Ogden was unafraid to try.  He fearlessly headed west with his family in 1847 as a young boy of 15.  One risk he took was marrying Emily Hyde, the Apostle Orson Hyde's daughter.  Emily had a home in Farmington and was mother to six of George's children.  She felt George was away from home to much and eventually asked to be divorced and moved to California.  George was obedient to the Prophet Brigham Young when Brigham suggested he take the young school teacher, Josephine Streeper, as a plural wife.  Fifteen children were born to that union.  George helped build the mill at Liberty Park and another mill in Farmington.  He discovered natural gas in Ogden and built the first bicycle track and lakeside resort on the shores of the Great Salt Lake.  He was a farmer and respected in Chase Park, north of Centerville, UT.  He was unafraid to take risks.

Creativity-John Croft
John was a branch president in England.  He was a counselor in the Presidency on the boat as they crossed the ocean. He married into a respected family and brought his new wife with him to America in 1860.  He did carpentry work on the Lion House, the Bountiful Temple and many of the fine homes in Salt Lake.  He helped plan and build the canals in Enterprise/Peterson area.  He helped his son in law, Frank Leslie chase, build the farmhouse that still stands in Centerville, UT.  John Croft's Enterprise farmhouse and outbuildings were among the finest in Utah.  He was an inventor and was among the first to use a power pump to irrigate his fields.

Hospitality-Phoebe Chase & Chase Family
Christmas was quite a production at Chase Park in Centerville, UT.  The tradition of hosting all the extended family continued until Kate Chase's death in 1937.  Kate learned from her mother, Josephine and her grandmother, Phebe.  Phebe regularly hosted her son-in-law, Brigham Young, and his good friend, Heber C. Kimball, at their Liberty Park home.  The Salt Lake Chase home was known a favorite "out of town" spot and the site of numerous dances, parties, and sleigh rides.

Generosity-Simon S. Weiss
Simon S. Weiss was a Jewish man with a very generous streak.  When his wife's father disappeared, he was quick to take the family in and support them during difficult financial times.  His mother-in-law, Amelia Chase, was cared for in his home until her death. 

Devotion to Family-Hyrum Chase Moulton
Chase would lower the kitchen counters to make them easier for his eleven children to help their mother.  He was continually remodeling and enlarging his Heber City home.  His Ford Garage was "through the block" and water filled inner tubes brought fun to all the neighborhood kids in summer. He left his business in Heber and worked as a plumber in Wyoming and in Salt Lake to provide for his large family during the depression. His children all learned to thread pipes and dig ditches after school to help him in his work. 

Developing a Talent-Margaret Lillian Moulton
Lilly played the organ for church functions from the time she was eight years old.   For many years she accompanied soloists and played the hymns for funerals all over Wasatch County.  Lilly could have been a concert pianist or a tabernacle organist according to her professor at Brigham Young Academy.   Instead, she became a mother of eleven very musical children, helping them each develop their own musical talents.  

Work-Henry Clegg, Jr. 
Henry Clegg, Jr. was a beloved Conference President in England for many years before leaving to come to America.  With help from the Perpetual Emigration Fund, he planned to bring his wife, Hannah Eastman, and his two sons, to Zion.  In Kansas his wife became ill and died from cholera. A few days later his infant son passed away as well and was carried back to be buried in his mother's arms.  Henry came to Utah and married two more wives.  He worked hard to provide for his large family in Salt Lake, then Springville, and was an early settler in Heber Valley.  He was always teaching his 25 sons how to work to provide for their families.  He was a cobbler, kept cattle and sheep, worked a farm, made shingles, ran a grocery store and made time to become a beloved Bishop in Wasatch Stake, Heber City 2nd Ward.

Sisterhood-Ann Lewis and Margaret Griffiths-Plural Wives
Ann Lewis and Margaret Griffiths were sealed to their husband the same day by Brigham Young.  They learned how to work well together and even sang and performed with their husband all over Provo/Springville.  They sang in the choirs and worked with their husband to build up his new businesses.  They supported him while he was Bishop in Heber.  These sister wives respected each other and learned to work well together.

True Conversion-Isaac Chase  
This good Quaker recognized restored truth and joined the LDS Church in 1840.  As one member of the family wrote:  "He left his wealth in New York and Nauvoo.  He left his tools at Liberty Park but he always kept his testimony."  "Father Chase" once spoke in General Conference.  When asked to leave his mill at Liberty Park and move to Centerville, he did.  We don't have all the details of his business dealings with Brigham Young, but we know he died faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that he loved.  Some family members felt Brigham had cheated Isaac in taking over the Liberty Park Mill property.  Isaac said, "Land o' mercy, don't look at the faults and shortcomings of the people for your guidance.  Look well to the principles of your Church!"


Testimony-Emma Amelia Mitchell Croft
Emma Amelia wrote a letter to her missionary son encouraging him to be patient with those who persecuted him.  This letter to her son was read by a member of a mob in Arkansas who was about to tar and feather Frank.  The ruffian's heart softened as he read of the missionary's mother counsel and Frank was allowed to leave unharmed.  Emma Amelia was known for her powerful prayers.

Look On The Side That’s Bright-The Life of Henry Clegg, Jr.

"Look On The Side That’s Bright" - The Life of Henry Clegg, Jr.

Henry Clegg - My Hero

Bishop Henry Clegg is one of my heroes.  His life is evidenced deep faith, sensitivity, great love,  and kindness.  His musical talent has been passed onto many of his descendants.  He lived looking for goodness in all situations. He could be the poster child for the modern #share goodness.  

Henry Clegg wrote a poem that I have often enjoyed reading:

Look on the side that’s bright;

Let Hope your bosom swell;

All things will turn out right

So whisper:  “All is well”.

I have one 90 page book entitled “Oh, Henry” that has been written about the life of Henry Clegg, Jr.  by Noal C. Newbold in 1998.  At one time Clegg descendants produced a play about his life.  (Another more complete 261 page pdf  “From England to Utah” compiled by Chris Christiansen is available at the amazing Clegg Family History website:  ww.clegghistory.org.)

Below are a few of the more interesting details about Henry’s life.

Henry was 12 years old when Heber C. Kimball and other LDS missionaries from America arrived in Preston England with the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  Tradition says Henry’s father (Henry Sr.) ran a race to the River Ribble in Preston to see who was to be the first baptized but lost the race to George D. Watt, a younger man.  (See Blog of August 2014- Deep Roots, Henry Clegg, Sr. and Ellen Cardwell.)

River Ribble in Preston, England

Pic of Preston England

Henry Clegg, Jr., was baptized at age thirteen by Joseph Fielding in Preston and was associated with the Church in Preston for eighteen years, meeting Brigham Young, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, and John E. Page.   (See: http://welshmormon.byu.edu/Resources/pdf/7512.pdf page 188.)

Henry was following the boot and clog making trade of his father in Lancashire, England.  He and his wife of eleven years, Hannah Eastman, were saving means for ten years to immigrate to Utah with their two sons.  

 Prior to leaving England, Henry had already suffered the loss of his oldest son, Thomas, who was accidently burned to death in 1853.

In March of 1855, the Rose Place Branch of Liverpool Conference, presented their Branch President, Henry Clegg, a “testimonial” before leaving for “Zion”.  (The original testimonial is in LDS Historical Archives.)  It begins:

Dearly Beloved President,

In presenting this testimonial to you, we feel that words are inadequate to convey those sentiments of esteem and regard that we have for you as a Brother, A Man of God and an Elder in Israel.” 

They also composed a three-stanza poem which reads in part:

“Farewell, dear Brother Henry, Till we all shall meet again;

And may Brigham’s God defend thee, Till Mount Zion thou doest gain,

Then may his spirit still attend, And be with thee until the end.”

The Clegg family sailed from Liverpool, England in the American steamship “Juventa” on March 31, 1855.

Ship manifest from Juventa says Henry was a “clockmaker” but it probably should have read “clogmaker”.

Juventa Ship Manifest

Liverpool, England to Philadelphia
7 May 1855

http://www.immigrantships.net/v4/1800v4/juventa18550507_01.html

145*

Henry       Cleg        29     M Clockmaker     England     US    3 Packages

146* Hannah      Cleg        36     F Wife           England     United States 

147* Israel      Cleg         5     M                England     United States 

148* Henry J.    Cleg           10m M                England     United States

Six weeks later they landed in Philadelpia.  They took a train to Pittsburgh and then a steamboat down the Ohio River to St. Louis.

In June, Hannah died of cholera and was buried at Mormon Grove (near Atchison, Kansas) along with her one year and 3 month old son, Henry James. (Some sources say he was 3 years old).

Henry Clegg, Jr. and his son 6 year old son, Israel, joined the Richard Ballantyne Company of 42 saints and 45 ox-drawn wagons.  They left 1 July 1855 and four months later arrived in Salt Lake Valley on September 25 1855.  Thirty year old Henry was greeted by a Welsh girl, Ann Lewis who eventually became his second wife.  They settled in the 19^th Ward in Salt Lake City.

There still exists a copy of a paper signed by Brigham Young giving Henry permission to be sealed to his third wife, Margaret Ann Griffiths. 

Signature of B. Young in the lower left quadrant.

Some sources say Brigham Young sealed them in the Endowment House.  Margaret Griffgiths was a young 17-year old immigrant girl who lost three members of her family in the early snows faced by the Martin Handcart Company in 1856.  Margaret was taken into the Clegg household while she was recovering from frostbite.

In 1859, Henry moved his family to Springville and then joined other men in Echo Canyon holding back the invasion of Johnston’s Army.  He decided to stay in Springville, UT where he became a leading citizen.  He was a fine musician and he played the dulcimer for dances.  His dulcimer can still be seen in the Provo Museum on 5^th West and 6^th North.  There are 3 surviving dulcimers that were built by Henry and his sons.  All were built out of wood from Big Cottonwood Canyon. The wire and pegs were brought from England.

Henry Clegg's Dulcimer in the Provo City Museum on 5th West 6th North.

Henry organized and directed a 60-voice choir in Springville.  Both of his wives were good singers and would sing with him when he gave lectures in nearby wards and towns.  He continued his shoemaking trade and managed to make one pair of shoes a year for each member of the family.

In 1872, Henry Jr. and his family moved on to Heber City in order to better provide opportunities for his sons.   

Sons of Henry Clegg, Jr.

In Heber, he homesteaded the southeastern portion of Heber and he farmed, raised stock, and worked a saw and shingle mill in Clegg’s Canyon.  The Clegg family also worked a rock quarry. 

Clegg Canyon near Heber City, Wasatch County, Utah.

Apparently there is a hiking trail up Clegg Canyon in Wasatch County.

Henry taught in a private school with 40 students that met in one of the lower rooms of the court building in 1882.  He was so popular that his classroom was full and he had to “refuse admission to seventeen who recently applied to him for instruction, having no room to accommodate them.”  (See article in Heber City paper, Feb 3, 1882)  as well as organized and directed the “Band of Hope”.   He would become an honored Bishop of the Heber City West (2^nd) Ward for many years.  He also served as stake clerk, Sunday School Superintendent, and in the Wasatch Stake High Council. 

Bishop Clegg wrote many poems and hymns. His Christmas Hymn was published in the Springville, UT Telegraph and can be found at the Clegg Family site (www.clegghistory.org).   

Henry Clegg was an expert mathematician and helped with surveying the canals in Heber Valley.  (While searching for other family members we found the documents for the transfer of property in Strawberry Reservoir area in the Duschene County records before the Wasatch County was formed.)  He was part of the director of the Lake Creek Irrigation in 1888.   He was Justice of the Peace for a number of terms.  In 1884 he was an officer of the Heber Dramatic Combination.

Later he worked the mercantile trade and ran the store on Center Street that also helped support his wives after his death.  Elsie Clegg Condie wrote,  “Tenderhearted Henry Clegg, Jr. never killed a living creature.  He hired his pigs butchered and stayed away from home until they were dressed.”

Henry Clegg died at the age of 69 years on 30 August 1894 of a heart attack while working in the store.  He left two widows, Anne Lewis Clegg and Margaret Griffiths Clegg to provide for the family.  His funeral was noted in the local paper with “A Good Man has Gone.  The people universally mourn his loss.  The Stake House was profusely draped.  The longest funeral Procession ever held in the County.”  (See the article at the

There were 12 pall bearers carrying the casket from the Clegg home to the Stake Tabernacle.  The Tabernacle was still draped for the mourning of the death of President Garfield who was assassinated in July.  There were 120 teams in the procession to Heber City Cemetery.  (Wasatch Wave, 4 Sept. 1894).

Clegg headstone in Heber City, Utah Cemetery. Many of our ancestors are buried here. We would do "grave rubbings" of Henry's headstone when we visited the cemetery.

Henry Clegg, Jr. and his wives Ann Lewis and Margaret Griffiths are buried together in the Heber City, Utah Cemetery. There is a tall monument with the west facing side having the inscription:

IN MEMORY OF

HENRY

CLEGG

BORN

JUNE 7, 1825

BAMBER BRIDGE

WALTON LE DALE

LANCASHIRE. ENG.

DIED

AUG. 30. 1894

The base of the monument is inscribed with:

CLEGG

A loving husband a father dear

A faithful friend he has been here

He lived in love he died in peace

We hope his joys will never cease

Inscription on Henry Clegg headstone in Heber City Cemetery.

The North facing side is inscribed for Ann Lewis Clegg, and the Southside is inscribed for Margaret Griffith Clegg. Their graves are in front of the monument, with Henry in the middle, Ann to the North and Margaret to the South.

Clegg Family Headstone in Heber City, Utah.

Another interesting fact was that the old Clegg home was used from 1920-1925 for LDS Seminary classes.  When the old Clegg home was torn down, the materials were used to build the Seminary Building. Today the location where the old home once stood (next to the old Heber High School) is a City park.


Widowed Margaret Griffiths Clegg lived at 100 West and 300 South until her death in 1929.  This "newer" home is still standing on the northwest corner.

Clegg home in Heber City, UT today.

Here is the entire poem about “Look on the Side That’s Bright”:

I like to think that these might have once been lyrics to a hymn that Henry sang with his two wives:

Look on the side that’s bright;

Let Hope your bosom swell;

All things will turn out right

So whisper:  “All is well”.

Suppose the times are hard,

‘tis useless to look sad.

It can no help afford

And invites the sad..

If troubles fill your breast-

They also come to me;

It may be for the best,

That grief at times we see.

If we the bitter taste

We more enjoy the sweet,

And oft’ from dregs of waste,

Spring joys that are complete.

Seas are not always still

Oft’ angry billows roll,

And test the sailor’s skill

His vessel to control.

Our hearts can find relief

Our burdens be made light

If we in facing grief

Look on the side that’s bright.

And so Henry Clegg, Jr. lived, looking on the side that’s bright.

It seems that Henry’s motto was similar to that of a modern prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley:

“It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.”
― Gordon B. Hinckley

May we “sing” with our most honorable ancestor, Henry Clegg:

Look on the side that’s bright;

Let Hope your bosom swell;

All things will turn out right

So whisper:  “All is well”.