JAMES ALONZO HOLMAN
James A., the oldest son of James Sawyer, was born September 1, 1835, probably at Beaver, Crafford County, Pennsylvania. He was the second child in a family of twelve, six boys and six girls. Being the oldest boy in the family, he developed at an early age a sense of responsibility in helping to care for his father’s family. James A. moved with the family to Payson in 1853.
He became identified with Indian troubles, being a minuteman and a member of the calvary. During the most strenuous of these times, horses were kept saddled ready for the men to go at a minutes notice to the rescue of the settlers. James A. did not move to Fountain Green with his father’s family, but in November of that year married Sarah Ann Mathis. He remained with the army until 1867, taking part in all the Indian troubles.
The Indians at last became more friendly and peaceable through these valleys, but in the outlying country, they remained hostile and treacherous. The mail those days was carried on horseback or by stage. He was called to go with the New York Company to Wyoming to guard the mail route, and was gone nearly one year.
Not only were they called to fight the Indians and guard the settlement, but also in 1858, when Johnson’s Army, a Division of the U.S. Army came to Utah to kill off the Mormon people, the militia hastened to meet them in Echo Canyon. It has been said that they stationed themselves on a knoll in the canyon, built bonfires, and then spent the night marching about these fires. Their numbers were so few in comparison with the U.S. Army; they knew they must resort to some kind of strategy to frighten the soldiers. The soldiers watched the militia marching past the fires during the night, never dreaming that it was the same men who marched past again and again in that weird light. Thinking the mountains were full of Mormons, they became very much alarmed and worried. Early the following morning, the officers of the militia appeared at the camp of the commander of the army and demanded that a certain amount of arms, ammunition, and provisions be delivered to them. This the soldiers very reluctantly did, not knowing what else to do to save their quarters far beyond the borders of the city. Once more the Saints were preserved by the hand of God and their enemies delivered into their hand.
James A. engaged in various enterprises. He took contracts for grading and building railroads, building and running sawmills, and many other things that tended toward growth and development of resources in this new country. When the railroad was being built across this state, he was actively engaged, at one time, making a trip to Helena, Montana, with four double teams to bring back powder that was used in the construction of the tunnels through Weber Canyon, which was considered a wonder in railroad construction. He worked until the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroads united. He was present when the golden spike was driven. He spent much of his time freighting. Later he moved his family to Fountain Green, where he engaged in farming and later in prospecting.
In 1902, he moved with some of his younger sons to Box Elder County where land could be obtained more readily. He made a new home again and remained there until 1910 when he moved to Lindon where he spent most of the remaining years of his life in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Jane Walker.
He was always thoughtful and considerate of others, being generous to a fault. He remained ambitious and enterprising and his mind was clear and active. He was a great reader, and was well informed. He was a High Priest at the time of this death. He died as he had lived B full of faith in the gospel, and in a glorious resurrection, September 24, 1920 at the age of 85 years. He was the father of thirteen children, ten of which are living with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.
REES REES LLEWELLYN
Rees R. Llewellyn, son of Rees Llewellyn and Margaret Williams, was born on September 23, 1828, in Aberdare, Glamorganshire, South Wales. He was the eleventh and youngest child in a family of six girls and five boys.
Rees R. Llewellyn worked in the coalmines from the time he was a very small boy. It is doubtful that he received much formal education until after the time of his baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The date of his baptism was April 7, 1850, and this ordinance was performed by an early Welsh missionary, David Evans. He was ordained to the lesser priesthood and the office of a priest in May 1851, and his devotion and zeal for his faith was evidenced by his activity in the years that followed. Only July 7, 1851, he was ordained an Elder by Erizer Edwards, and he labored for two years as a local missionary, and must have had a great deal to do with the conversion of his wife as none of the rest of her family belonged to the Church at that time.
Rees R. Llewellyn was married to Ann Llewellyn on January 29, 1854 in Myrthr Tydvil, Glamorganshire, South Wales. Ann did not change her name in marriage, although nothing in the history that we can find indicates they were related, and both Rees and Ann said they were not. I have a certified copy of their marriage certificate. Neither Rees nor his bride Ann signed their names on this document. Their “X’s” are marked in the space provided for a mark or signature.
Ann’s father died when she was nine years old and so at that time she went to work in the mines as a sweeper. This left no opportunity for her to acquire any schooling. Her mother also worked in the mines providing lunches for the miners. After their marriage both Rees and Ann worked in the mines in the time that followed. Rees also acquired some formal type of schooling. He was employed as a timekeeper in the coalmines, became an excellent penman and was able to read and write well when he and Ann sailed for the United States on April 19, 1856.
The decision to come to America meant giving up their loved ones and friends, as they were the only ones in either of their families who were members of the Church at that time. It also meant selling and giving away many of the things they had acquired in their early married life as it was impossible to bring much with them. It was a very tearful farewell with their loved ones and especially for Grandmother Ann because her mother practically disowned her for joining the Church and moving to America. She was her only living daughter and was very dear to her. Grandfather, Rees, had to promise that he would never take another wife in plural marriage if Ann were allowed to go with him. This was a promise he kept very faithfully, in spite of the fact that he was asked three different times by Church authorities to take another wife.
The shipping records of book #1045, page 103 gives the following information in regard to their crossing: “Reese R. Llewellyn, 27, miner, and his wife Ann, 20, sailed from Liverpool, England on April 19, 1856, arrived in Boston, May 23, 1856 aboard the steamship, Sam Curling.”
They were with a company of Welsh saints and at the completion of the ocean voyage; they traveled 1300 miles to Iowa City in cattle railroad cars. Here some of the men were offered inducements to remain and work. Those who had trades such as iron rollers were offered as much as $10.00 per day. Although some of the saints remained, most of them saw a greater goal in sight. Their hearts were set on reaching Zion. Of those who did remain in Iowa City many apostatized and some died during a severe outbreak of cholera in that area.
A handcart company was organized under the leadership of Captain Edward Bunker and when the saints had completed their handcarts they were ready to begin their journey. The third handcart company consisted of nearly 290 individuals, 58 handcarts and three wagons. Tearfully, they buried their lovely paisley shawls, china and other treasures from Wales, which would not be accommodated in a handcart. Rees promised his weeping wife he would return for her lovely things and he did at a later time, but was never able to find any of the things they buried. There were three hundred Welsh saints in the Edward Bunker Company. Rees R. and Ann were in the third group of ten and Rees R. was chosen to act as clerk of the company. He kept a daily record of the travel until they reached Salt Lake City on October 2, 1856. The handcart load consisted of 100 pounds of flour and they were allowed 17 pounds of baggage. Three mule-driven wagons went with the company to haul heavy provisions. The weather was fine and the roads were good but the people in the towns and cities made fun of the saints as they walked along and pulled their handcarts. The company left Iowa City on June 23rd and arrived in Florence, Nebraska on July 19th. It was necessary to remain there until the 30th of July to repair the handcarts and prepare additional supplies for the long journey ahead. The Indians were bothersome on the trip. One day one of the men in the company told an Indian brave he would like to trade his little girl for a pony. Two days later several Indians rode to meet the company with an extra pony and were very much in earnest about making a trade. This foolish statement made it necessary for the entire company to stop until a peaceful settlement could be made with the Indians.
The trip across the plains was a very difficult one for Ann. She was ill during the trip and became very discouraged. She was a short fat little woman and the many miles of walking galded her body so that every movement was one of pain. More than once she became balky and refused to go any further. One day she sat down on the trail and refused to go another step. She was very weary and heartsick and said she didn’t care if they were devoured by the wolves, she said, “To hell with it,” she would not go a step further. Rees R. went on with the company for the rest of the day, and then when camp was made for the night, he unloaded his cart and started back for his balky wife. The saints were on half rations at this time, which meant they were allowed to have only one ounce of flour per person per day. While the Llewellyn cart was gone from the circle a large buffalo wandered into camp and was killed to the delight of the saints, and a blessing to the entire company. This was a miraculous thing, for they had not seen any buffalo for several days. The meat of course added necessary food to their slim diet and buoyed them onward. Ann’s shoes wore completely out and she and her husband took turns wearing his boots the rest of the journey. One of the reasons the trip was so hard on Ann and Rees was because they had worked underground for so long they were not used to the extreme heat. This of course was a much cooler climate and very few had worked in the sun. The company finally arrived in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska the last of August and then were back on the trail until October 2nd, 1856, when they landed in Salt Lake City. Rees R. took off his boots and gave Ann the privilege of walking into the city in a pair of shoes, while he walked along barefoot.
Rees and Ann received their endowments at the Endowment House and were sealed on September 11, 1857.
Shortly after their arrival in Salt Lake, Rees and Ann were standing on the street, hardly knowing what to do when a man by the name of Ben Johnson approached them and engaged in a conversation with them. He asked about their plans for the future and Rees told him that he didn’t know what he was going to do. Ben Johnson then invited Rees R. and Ann to his home and told them they would be welcome there. After a few days Rees asked him upon what terms they could remain to live with him and work for him. Ben Johnson told Rees that he could not hire him for wages by the month or year, but offered to let them continue to live and work for him until fully rested and recovered so that he might look about and find a home or circumstances that would suit them better. As winter was coming or Ben said if they decided to stay in him home they would be provided for as though they were a part of his family, and were free to leave at any time they desired.
Rees R. and Ann remained with the Johnson’s through the winter and in the spring they again asked if they would work for “Uncle Ben” Johnson. He again told them that they could stay as long as they pleased, as a part of the family, as though born in his house, to share equally in all labors, sacrifices and blessings; and when they left they would be regarded and treated as his own children.
Rees R. was treated as a son, a companion and Uncle Ben learned to lean on him for strength during the many problems he faced as head of a polygamist family. Rees R. stood by the side of Ben Johnson in Echo Canyon where the saints were fortified against the U.S. Army in the winter of 1857, serving as a regimental staff officer to John D. T. McAllister, the commanding officer.
In the spring of 1858, Rees R. went with Ben Johnson to colonize Santaquin, where he served as postmaster. While at Santaquin, there were many Indian skirmishes. Two powerful tribes, the Utes and Piutes were natives of this country. They set fire to fields of grain, stole cattle, and caused the settlers a great deal of anxiety. They also fought among themselves, and during one battle when the Utes were raiding the Piute tribe, an Indian squaw was killed and three small children were deserted. They were members of the Ute tribe and were taken by the Piutes. The children were brought into the settlement of Santaquin, and given to Ben Johnson in exchange for flour and meat.
Rees R. remained with Uncle Ben Johnson for four years and was then asked to help Uncle Ben’s brother make the settlement of Fountain Green, Utah, in the fall of 1859. Rees had become very fluent in the English language and Uncle Ben considered him his equal in matters of management so he urged Rees and Ann to leave and provide separate homes for themselves. “Uncle Ben” told Rees as he was leaving his home as a son he would share equally, according to his number, in all that Uncle Ben’s family possessed. He received two yoke of oxen, with a wagon, cow and other necessary supplies. In addition as they had their first daughter, Julia Ann, born while they were with “Uncle Ben”, he gave them a little Indian girl, named Viret, which had been given him in exchange for meat and flour that winter. At this time Viret was four years old. She was loved and cared for in the Llewellyn home and reared to womanhood there. She was an intelligent girl and particularly clean with her person and the home.
A post office was established in Fountain Green as soon as the colony was set up with Rees R. as the postmaster. The mail was carried by Pony Express and he took care of the horses for the express as well as for the stagecoaches that came through. Ann and Viret operated the first boarding house in Fountain Green. Rees R. built Lynn Oldroyd’s home, the first brick house in Fountain Green. It still stands and is now nearly one hundred years old. The settlers in Fountain Green first built their homes of logs with roofs of dirt, and without any doors or windows. All the homes were built within a rock fort and an enclosure was also made of rock for the livestock as the Indians raided the area constantly and it was necessary to guard the forts day and night.
At one time when the alarm was sounded as the Indians drew near, women and children were hurried to safety in the home of Bishop Johnson. This home was chosen because its location made it possible to see outside the fort, as there was an upstairs in the home. Women took their small children in their arms and scurried to safety. When Ann reached the upstairs she discovered she had the child of Rhoda Cuyman rather than her own daughter. There was always a hearty laugh when Ann told the story. Viret was terrified during the Indian raids that perhaps they would try to take her away with them, in spite of the fact that Rees and Ann considered her as one of their very own daughters.
A second baby girl was born in the small one-room log home, which Rees first built. She was named Margaret Eleanor and was the first girl born in Fountain Green in September of 1860. The first boy born to this couple had his birthday on August 24, 1862; he is my father and was named Reese William Llewellyn. In all, there were five boys and four girls born to this couple at Fountain Green. As time went by, circumstances improved. Rees added two rooms to increase the size of the cabin. He was always active in the community and the Church. He served as a councilor to Bishop Robert Johnson and was the choir director in Fountain Green for twenty-eight years. He helped present concerts and various entertainments for the purpose of raising funds for the Perpetual Emigration Fund. Rees had a wonderful tenor voice and loved to sing. He was a member of the 47th quorum of Seventies. He was elected president of the Town Council on August 3, 1885, a position he held for seven years. He was postmaster of Fountain Green for 28 years, served a long time as tithing clerk. He served as Magistrate of Fountain Green for 18 years. He served a term in the legislature of the territory of Utah in 1886. He was sent on a mission from Fountain Green to Wales and the British Isles, being sep apart on October 30, 1875, by Orson Pratt and returning home on November 12, 1876. He was successful in presenting the Gospel to several members of his family in Wales; he tried to convert his brother, who later came to this country and settled in Pennsylvania, but was not successful. On his return home, Rees brought Ann several pieces of china from Wales and also paisley shawls Ann loved so much.
Rees bought more land, making about seven acres. Here he built a large barn where horses used to carry mail were tethered. His barnyard is one I’ll never forget. He had a log granary with steps leading to the top where there was a platform to stand on and pour the grain in the bins through the roof. Many times I have sat on that platform and watched the beautiful peacock spread his colorful tail. Ann took pride in raising chickens, ducks, geese, guinea hens and the special peacock. There were also cows and horses on the farm. Ann made and sold butter and cheese.
Later on Rees built a lovely two-story brick home, (Ned Ora Peterson’s) with eight large rooms.
There were three fireplaces in his home and skilled painters and a professional artist painted the entire house. The parlor of this home was especially beautiful. It was painted in delicate colors, one with beautiful birds and flowers over the mantel and on the ceiling. The floor tapestry was like velvet. There were two large white verandas. A creek, which supplied the water for the town, ran through the grassy meadow at the east of the house. It also ran the gristmill and the saw and shingle mill. Rees had stock in these businesses. He also owned twenty-five acres in what was known as the “big field”.
Rees was a well-educated man and every night he would spend the evening reading to Ann. He was hard of hearing in his later years and as he solemnly read the newspaper to Ann in the evening, we would ask her to tell of her life in Wales. Occasionally he would lower his paper and ask, “Ann, are you listening to me?” We would all smile and say “Yes, but really none of us had heard a word he said, we had been listening to Ann tell exciting stories. As “Grandpa Rees” grew older it became my job to run and hand him his cane and help him to his feet when he wished to stand.
Rees was a very spiritual man, and was set apart to help administer to the sick, and brought relief to many through the power of the priesthood. He was honest and upright and had a wonderful testimony of the gospel; which has been an inspiration to many. One morning as we got up from our family prayer he put his hands on my head and said, “I bless you my little girl. You will never see the time when there is a single doubt in your mind as to the truthfulness of this gospel.” And I am grateful to say that this statement has been true.
Rees Rees Llewellyn was the father of eleven children, five boys and six girls; Julia Ann, Margaret Eleanor, Reese William, Gomer David, Mellissa, John Thomas, Mary Katherine, Benjamin Franklin, Ester Rosalia, Henry Watkins and another daughter was stillborn and not named. Ester died on scarlet fever at the age of eight years, and Henry Watkins met death with a shooting accident in young manhood while in the mountains herding sheep.
Rees R. Llewellyn died in June 1904, at the age of 76 years. He succumbed to Brights Disease and heart trouble at his home in Fountain Green. His beloved wife, Ann, followed him in death in September of 1912.
