You cannot tell the story of Elizabeth Xavier without telling the story of her husband William Tait and how he came to India to find her.
William Tait was born in Ireland to John
Tait and Mary McGuire. He lived in Scotland w/his 1st wife Mary Priday who died in grief at the death of their son, George Priday Tait I. Mary was the one who brought the gospel to William they were both baptized in Scotland by Parley P Pratt.
William trying to deal with his grief joined the East India Company and went to Bombay India. this is where he met his 2nd wife Elizabeth Xavier teaching school. Her heritage came from Portugal. They had 2 sons, William James Tait and John. June 1853 it had stopped raining and Wm James wanted to play outside. Elizabeth really didn't want him to but relented IF he stayed out of the water. But as little boys do puddles are too inviting, by nightfall he had contracted Cholera and died. William was away on gaurd assignment. It took him almost 2 days to get home to Elizabeth and their grieving family and friends.
In 1854 Elizabeth was pregnant again, the plans to travel to Zion with Elder Hugh Finley had to be changed. William and little John went with Elder Hugh Finley by boat traveling by way of the orient, Asia, Hawaii and San Francisco. They came to Salt Lake by the back way.
After Elizabeth had the baby girl, Mary Ann and they were both strong enough she traveled to England and then with the saints crossed the Atlantic by boat and took the Enoch Train to Iowa where they would head out for Utah. But on the Enoch Train Elizabeth could not keep baby Mary Ann warm enough and she died of pneumonia in Iowa City. One cannot imagine having to bury a child when her own father has not looked on her and held her. But Elizabeth's testimony of the gospel and love for her family waiting for her kept her strong enough to carry on.
Elizabeth was assigned to the famed Willie Handcart Company and suffered the challenges they had. Finally with no strength or food to carry on with too much snow they stopped. Praying help would come.
Help was coming, they arrived from the trail the morning of General Conference in Salt Lake to tell Brigham Young they still had people on the trail. Pres Young opened conference and said, "Go and bring our people in." and among the rescuers was William Tait, he had been told that when they saw the group Elizabeth was alive but that she had lost Mary Ann in Iowa City. What pain and yet joy he had to of felt. Knowing his beloved was alive but that their sweet daughter had died and Elizabeth was carrying that burden alone.
Family tradition states that when the cries of joy broke thru camp that the rescuers were there, Elizabeth looked out from underneath her makshift tent covering looking from rider to rider looking for that red hair and beard. When he swept her into his arms what a bittersweet reunion. 12,000 miles they had come to this moment. They settled in Southern Utah the rest of their lives in Iron county.
My 4th greatgrand mother, Elizabeth's heritage is still in our family today. My children have her olive skin and almond shaped brown eyes. The sacrifices they made and testimony they had are still appreciated by their decendants today.
In researching I have found many "internet cousins" and have great joy in renewing our family relationships.
I know Grandma and Grandpa Tait are looking down on us and are pleased we are all part of a larger family. That we can still support and help strengthen each other in returning to our Father in Heaven.
William Tait was born in Ireland to John
Tait and Mary McGuire. He lived in Scotland w/his 1st wife Mary Priday who died in grief at the death of their son, George Priday Tait I. Mary was the one who brought the gospel to William they were both baptized in Scotland by Parley P Pratt.
William trying to deal with his grief joined the East India Company and went to Bombay India. this is where he met his 2nd wife Elizabeth Xavier teaching school. Her heritage came from Portugal. They had 2 sons, William James Tait and John. June 1853 it had stopped raining and Wm James wanted to play outside. Elizabeth really didn't want him to but relented IF he stayed out of the water. But as little boys do puddles are too inviting, by nightfall he had contracted Cholera and died. William was away on gaurd assignment. It took him almost 2 days to get home to Elizabeth and their grieving family and friends.
In 1854 Elizabeth was pregnant again, the plans to travel to Zion with Elder Hugh Finley had to be changed. William and little John went with Elder Hugh Finley by boat traveling by way of the orient, Asia, Hawaii and San Francisco. They came to Salt Lake by the back way.
After Elizabeth had the baby girl, Mary Ann and they were both strong enough she traveled to England and then with the saints crossed the Atlantic by boat and took the Enoch Train to Iowa where they would head out for Utah. But on the Enoch Train Elizabeth could not keep baby Mary Ann warm enough and she died of pneumonia in Iowa City. One cannot imagine having to bury a child when her own father has not looked on her and held her. But Elizabeth's testimony of the gospel and love for her family waiting for her kept her strong enough to carry on.
Elizabeth was assigned to the famed Willie Handcart Company and suffered the challenges they had. Finally with no strength or food to carry on with too much snow they stopped. Praying help would come.
Help was coming, they arrived from the trail the morning of General Conference in Salt Lake to tell Brigham Young they still had people on the trail. Pres Young opened conference and said, "Go and bring our people in." and among the rescuers was William Tait, he had been told that when they saw the group Elizabeth was alive but that she had lost Mary Ann in Iowa City. What pain and yet joy he had to of felt. Knowing his beloved was alive but that their sweet daughter had died and Elizabeth was carrying that burden alone.
Family tradition states that when the cries of joy broke thru camp that the rescuers were there, Elizabeth looked out from underneath her makshift tent covering looking from rider to rider looking for that red hair and beard. When he swept her into his arms what a bittersweet reunion. 12,000 miles they had come to this moment. They settled in Southern Utah the rest of their lives in Iron county.
My 4th greatgrand mother, Elizabeth's heritage is still in our family today. My children have her olive skin and almond shaped brown eyes. The sacrifices they made and testimony they had are still appreciated by their decendants today.
In researching I have found many "internet cousins" and have great joy in renewing our family relationships.
I know Grandma and Grandpa Tait are looking down on us and are pleased we are all part of a larger family. That we can still support and help strengthen each other in returning to our Father in Heaven.
You cannot tell the story of Elizabeth Xavier without telling the story of her husband William Tait and how he came to India to find her.
William Tait was born in Ireland to John
Tait and Mary McGuire. He lived in Scotland w/his 1st wife Mary Priday who died in grief at the death of their son, George Priday Tait I. Mary was the one who brought the gospel to William they were both baptized in Scotland by Parley P Pratt.
William trying to deal with his grief joined the East India Company and went to Bombay India. this is where he met his 2nd wife Elizabeth Xavier teaching school. Her heritage came from Portugal. They had 2 sons, William James Tait and John. June 1853 it had stopped raining and Wm James wanted to play outside. Elizabeth really didn't want him to but relented IF he stayed out of the water. But as little boys do puddles are too inviting, by nightfall he had contracted Cholera and died. William was away on gaurd assignment. It took him almost 2 days to get home to Elizabeth and their grieving family and friends.
In 1854 Elizabeth was pregnant again, the plans to travel to Zion with Elder Hugh Finley had to be changed. William and little John went with Elder Hugh Finley by boat traveling by way of the orient, Asia, Hawaii and San Francisco. They came to Salt Lake by the back way.
After Elizabeth had the baby girl, Mary Ann and they were both strong enough she traveled to England and then with the saints crossed the Atlantic by boat and took the Enoch Train to Iowa where they would head out for Utah. But on the Enoch Train Elizabeth could not keep baby Mary Ann warm enough and she died of pneumonia in Iowa City. One cannot imagine having to bury a child when her own father has not looked on her and held her. But Elizabeth's testimony of the gospel and love for her family waiting for her kept her strong enough to carry on.
Elizabeth was assigned to the famed Willie Handcart Company and suffered the challenges they had. Finally with no strength or food to carry on with too much snow they stopped. Praying help would come.
Help was coming, they arrived from the trail the morning of General Conference in Salt Lake to tell Brigham Young they still had people on the trail. Pres Young opened conference and said, "Go and bring our people in." and among the rescuers was William Tait, he had been told that when they saw the group Elizabeth was alive but that she had lost Mary Ann in Iowa City. What pain and yet joy he had to of felt. Knowing his beloved was alive but that their sweet daughter had died and Elizabeth was carrying that burden alone.
Family tradition states that when the cries of joy broke thru camp that the rescuers were there, Elizabeth looked out from underneath her makshift tent covering looking from rider to rider looking for that red hair and beard. When he swept her into his arms what a bittersweet reunion. 12,000 miles they had come to this moment. They settled in Southern Utah the rest of their lives in Iron county.
My 4th greatgrand mother, Elizabeth's heritage is still in our family today. My children have her olive skin and almond shaped brown eyes. The sacrifices they made and testimony they had are still appreciated by their decendants today.
In researching I have found many "internet cousins" and have great joy in renewing our family relationships.
I know Grandma and Grandpa Tait are looking down on us and are pleased we are all part of a larger family. That we can still support and help strengthen each other in returning to our Father in Heaven.
William Tait was born in Ireland to John
Tait and Mary McGuire. He lived in Scotland w/his 1st wife Mary Priday who died in grief at the death of their son, George Priday Tait I. Mary was the one who brought the gospel to William they were both baptized in Scotland by Parley P Pratt.
William trying to deal with his grief joined the East India Company and went to Bombay India. this is where he met his 2nd wife Elizabeth Xavier teaching school. Her heritage came from Portugal. They had 2 sons, William James Tait and John. June 1853 it had stopped raining and Wm James wanted to play outside. Elizabeth really didn't want him to but relented IF he stayed out of the water. But as little boys do puddles are too inviting, by nightfall he had contracted Cholera and died. William was away on gaurd assignment. It took him almost 2 days to get home to Elizabeth and their grieving family and friends.
In 1854 Elizabeth was pregnant again, the plans to travel to Zion with Elder Hugh Finley had to be changed. William and little John went with Elder Hugh Finley by boat traveling by way of the orient, Asia, Hawaii and San Francisco. They came to Salt Lake by the back way.
After Elizabeth had the baby girl, Mary Ann and they were both strong enough she traveled to England and then with the saints crossed the Atlantic by boat and took the Enoch Train to Iowa where they would head out for Utah. But on the Enoch Train Elizabeth could not keep baby Mary Ann warm enough and she died of pneumonia in Iowa City. One cannot imagine having to bury a child when her own father has not looked on her and held her. But Elizabeth's testimony of the gospel and love for her family waiting for her kept her strong enough to carry on.
Elizabeth was assigned to the famed Willie Handcart Company and suffered the challenges they had. Finally with no strength or food to carry on with too much snow they stopped. Praying help would come.
Help was coming, they arrived from the trail the morning of General Conference in Salt Lake to tell Brigham Young they still had people on the trail. Pres Young opened conference and said, "Go and bring our people in." and among the rescuers was William Tait, he had been told that when they saw the group Elizabeth was alive but that she had lost Mary Ann in Iowa City. What pain and yet joy he had to of felt. Knowing his beloved was alive but that their sweet daughter had died and Elizabeth was carrying that burden alone.
Family tradition states that when the cries of joy broke thru camp that the rescuers were there, Elizabeth looked out from underneath her makshift tent covering looking from rider to rider looking for that red hair and beard. When he swept her into his arms what a bittersweet reunion. 12,000 miles they had come to this moment. They settled in Southern Utah the rest of their lives in Iron county.
My 4th greatgrand mother, Elizabeth's heritage is still in our family today. My children have her olive skin and almond shaped brown eyes. The sacrifices they made and testimony they had are still appreciated by their decendants today.
In researching I have found many "internet cousins" and have great joy in renewing our family relationships.
I know Grandma and Grandpa Tait are looking down on us and are pleased we are all part of a larger family. That we can still support and help strengthen each other in returning to our Father in Heaven.
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