Daughter of William Veach and Nancy Ann Elliott

Married William Crawford Lewis, 27 Feb 1853, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

History - Sarah Jane Veach Lewis, Pioneer Midwife Of Sarah Jane, William C.'s first wife, we read the following account from "Pioneer Midwives," in Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 6:

The year 1873 came with one of the biggest events in the life of Sarah Jane, now 39 years of age and the mother of nine children. It was in this year that she was called on what she chose to call her "mission." She tells of it as follows:

"Eliza R. Snow came to Richmond to find two women to be sent to Salt Lake to study midwifery. I, Sarah Jane Lewis and Mrs. Sarah Durney were chosen. When I found I was to go, I said plenty of mean things about the ones who thought I could go. I was leaving nine children, the youngest 18 months old. I thought there were plenty others who could go easier and do better work than I.

My sister Julia, wife of Henry Grow, lived in Salt Lake City so I decided to go visit with her and have a heart to heart talk with President Young and tell him how impossible it would be for me to leave my family. President Young listened to me very patiently and then said, 'Sister Lewis I will give you my blessing; you will stay here the allotted time, study; your children will be well and happy during your absence. You shall be blessed in your work. When you have a difficult case, call on me, I promise to be with you, and above all things, have faith.'

On returning home I had the best of luck. I always lived in settlements where there were no doctors until Doctor Adamson came to Richmond in 1893. I not only attended women but doctored men and children and was never sorry for the knowledge I attained. I always thought of myself as a missionary." It appears that the young woman had an undying faith and confidence in the blessing of Brigham Young.

From the practice of obstetrics she branched into other phases of the roll of "country doctor." The large portion of the rest of her active life she spent caring for the sick. She was always subject to call, day or night. Most of her work she did as a matter of free service. Occasionally a patient was able to pay and when she could, Sarah Jane's "going price" was three dollars for a delivery. Never did she receive more than five dollars. In the summertime she would gather tansy, hore-hound, peppermint, rhubarb-root, and sage, dry and powder them, and place them in her small black satchel along with calomel, assaferida, camphor, etc.

Sarah Jane, aged 78 years, passed away... in her own home... She had spent much of 33 years of her life in bringing relief and comfort to the sick. To them she was kind, good natured "Aunt Sarah."

Utah Death Certificate