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The Mormon Connection Main pages accessible through this section of the site: In 1830 Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – usually known as the Mormons – in New York State. From 1837 Mormon missionaries began recruitment campaigns in the industrial towns of northern England and arranged for groups of converts to emigrate from England to the United States. Several descendents of Joseph Dunkerley emigrated from England to the United States during the nineteenth century, eventually making their way to the western states of Utah and California. The first to go were Mary Ann Dunkerley and John Gregory, her husband, who left England in 1844 as Mormons. The story of the tempestuous crossing, their time in Illinois, and the treks by wagon train to Utah and later to California where they finally settled can be read in the article Oldham to California. I am lucky enough to be in contact with various of their descendents. Mary Ann's oldest sister was Harriet Dunkerley. Harriet was to marry no less than four times and several of her descendents converted to Mormonism and left England for America. The first to go were two of Harriet's children from her second marriage, Harriet Buckley and her husband Joseph Ball Higham in 1866, soon followed by Henry Buckley and his wife Sarah Ann Gledhill in 1867. In their turn they were followed by a granddaughter, Emily Williams in about 1880 and Emily's parents, John Williams and his wife Mary nee Goddard; Mary was a child of Harriet Dunkerley's first marriage. Harriet Dunkerley herself sailed for America in 1868 with her daughters Mally Buckley, Hannah Andrew (the only child from her third marriage) and a girl called Harriet Buckley who may have been her graddaughter. Harriet did not stay in America, however, and returned to England in about 1874, where she married for the fourth time and died in 1885. The story of the life of this remarkable woman, and the children who went to America, can be read here: Harriet Dunkerley. Again I am fortunate to be in contact with a number of the descendents of Harriet Dunkerley, one of whom, Howard Christenson, has sent me an account of the life of Harriet Higham with additional information about her family, including a photo. The story can be read here: Harriet Buckley Higham and Joseph Ball Higham. I shall be pleased to receive contacts from anyone else who is able to link to these American families, some of whom continue as Mormons to this day. You can contact me here.
This page was last modified on Thursday, August 07, 2008 |
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