I have posted this picture of Great Grandfather before so you might read again about what I wrote about him.
James Fletcher Hepworth
GGrandfather James's cousin James is about three and a half years younger. Both boys are the fifth child born into the Hepworth families. And, both are butchers by trade.
Cousin James did not marry and only lived to be twenty eight years old. I have not been able to find his exact birth date; only his death information which states he was born in Nov 1860 and died 21 Sep 1887 in Anaconda, Montana. Hopefully more information will come forth about cousin James. How did he die? Why was he in Montana?
When G Grandfather James Fletcher was born he had four older siblings. Julia-six years old, Samuel -4, Mary Ann -3, and Thomas - almost 2. Little Thomas dies just five months after James is born.
James marries Sarah Ann Kidgell when he is twenty five years old. Sarah Ann is eighteen.
One Hundred and Thirty
Years Ago Today
James Fletcher Hepworth and Sarah Ann Kidgell 30 Nov 1882 |
They were married "in the Home of Thomas Hepworth."
Witnesses were: J.W. Jenkins
Peter Olson [brother-in-law]
Thomas Hepworth
I even have the picture of the 'Bishop' who married them. However, he is not an LDS Bishop but a Bishop in the Episcopal Church. This man was well known in the Salt Lake Area. For many years he was a traveling Episcopal Bishop going from State to State. James and Sarah were baptized into the LDS Church and they continued to attend the LDS Church throughout their lives. James's mother Mary stopped going to the LDS Church and attended the St. Mark's Episcopal having her last three children baptized there. His father Thomas stayed in the LDS Church but was not active. So I am guessing it was Mary's idea to be married at the house and under the condition they be married by Bishop Tuttle. More about Bishop Tuttle: about D.S. Tuttle
Oh so many questions. How was the house decorated? How many guests attended? What did Sarah Ann wear? Did they go on a honeymoon? Just when did they live in the house next door to Thomas and Mary at 757 W 1st North [now 2nd North]? Was it ready for them to move in or at a later date?
James and Sarah live in Utah until about 1917 when James goes to Albion, Idaho to work in the Butcher Shop until his death in 1944 at the age of eight seven. It was a few years later that Sarah joins him in Albion. She dies at the age of eight two in 1947.
The journey begins in the life of James Fletcher and Sarah Ann Hepworth.
Renée