Thomas and Alice Charlesworth are Lorelei and Meredith's 5th great-grandparents on their mother's side. They are pictured here with probably one of their grandsons. Thomas's birthday was 186 years ago today.
As told by Dathel (Charlesworth) Whitaker of Kanosh Utah, great granddaughter of Thomas Charlesworth b. Feb. 6 1823 Eng. He married Alice Barrow(s) b. Nov. 11 1827 Eng. This is a story of how Thomas came to America and how he started the Mormon line of his Charlesworths in Utah. Thomas's father died when he was a small boy. He remained with his mother until he was 14 yrs. old. He became discontented and decided to go to sea. There was a ship docked in the harbor. He stole into the ship and hid in the bottom deck. After two days sailing, he was discovered by one of the ships crew. The Mate took him to the Captain who tried to persuade the boy to return home but their efforts were fruitless, so he made his home aboard ship for some time. While aboard ship he met two Mormon elders who were going to England on a mission. These Elders taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ and converted him. He remained at sea until the age of 21. When the ship returned to the USA, he bid his ships crew good-bye and started for Nauvoo, Ill where the main body of the Saints was. It was in Nauvoo where he met a young girl by the name of Alice Barrows, who later became his wife. They were married on June 4, 1845 in Nauvoo. Thomas and Alice both knew the Prophet Joseph Smith. Thomas was one of the Prophet's body guards. The Prophet was a very good athlete and was clean and fair in all of his sports. Thomas wrestled with him several times and he was the only man who could throw Thomas. They were there at the time Joseph and his brother, Hyrum, was martyred. While residing in Nauvoo, a son was born June or July 24, 1846, whom they named Joseph after the Prophet. They left Nauvoo with the first company of Saints leaving for the Rocky Mountains. On their journey across the plains to Salt Lake City, They endured many hardships and heartaches. Their little son, Joseph, was taken ill and died (Aug. 13, 1847) (14 months old) and was buried on the plains. The trip was long and hazardous. They were forced to build roads, hunt food and watch continually for Indians who were very savage. One night when it was very cold, Thomas and others were out hunting and he shot a buffalo. By the time he got it dressed, it was dark and very cold. He crawled inside the buffalo to keep warm until morning. Upon reaching the Salt Lake Valley, they made their home there for some time, later moving to Deseret. During this time the following children were born Thomas-born May 24, 1848 John Carlos-June 22, 1852 Alice born July 2, 1850 and Moroni-Aug 10, 1854. In 1855 the family moved to Fillmore, Utah where a daughter, Maria was born-Dec. 16, 1856. It was also here that they moved to Corn Creek or Petersburg, which is now called Hatton. At this time the Indians were very hostile and the residents of Hatton maintained a guard to warn them of any possible attack. Whenever the guards saw the Indians approaching, they would give an alarm and everyone would gather at a designated spot, each family bringing their own food to care for their needs and to withstand the siege. On one occasion, Thomas and Alice had to make a trip to Fillmore, leaving the children at home. Maria, who was just a little girl, was left in charge of baking a batch of bread. When the parents returned home, all of the children were gone, as well as the bread. When they asked around, they had reason to think for sure that the Indians had been there and that they would never find their children alive. However, they later found their children with friends. The guards had warned the residents of approaching Indians, but were able to ward off the attack before any damage was done. Later under the leadership of Chief Kanosh, the Indians began to quiet down and made friends with the white settlers. Due to the acute water shortage in Hatton, Thomas moved his family to Kanosh, where water was more plentiful. Here they bought a home and farm, remaining here the rest of their lives.
While residing in Hatton and Kanosh, six more children were born to them:
James Charlesworth-born Jan 1, 1859,
George Charlesworth born Mar. 21 1861,
Heber born Sept 17, 1863,
Elizabeth born Jan 17 1866,
Sarah Ann born Jan 28, 1869
Isabel born Sept. 26, 1873
Alice Barrows Charlesworth died Nov. 20 1879
Thomas Charlesworth died Feb. 9, 1909
Both were buried in the Kanosh City Cemetery-Millard Co. Utah.
