Life Story of William B Smith
William B Smith, son of John and Lucy Brown Smith, was born in Denton, Bedfordshire, England, February, 1814. He was a member of a family of seven children, four brothers and two sisters.
His mother died when he was a small boy and he made his home with an uncle and aunt who had no children of their own. He was not very comfortable while living there. They were very unkind to him and wouldn't let him have enough to eat. During the winter he would herd sheep and was dressed very scantily. When he would return home at night they would give him a piece of bread and send him to his room without letting him near the fire to get warm. He stayed there for some time and then begged his father to take him away. From there he was taken to the home of his grandparents, Brother and Sister Gabriel Smith, where he enjoyed the comforts of a home and lived with them until he grew to manhood.
He was married to Ann Barnes in October of 1838, at Sandy, Bedfordshire, England. shortly after this the elders visited their home. among them were John and Peter Sheffield who were relatives of the Sheffield family in Kaysville, they became interested, were converted and baptized.
The spirit of gathering took possession of them and January 1, 1843, they left their home in Sandy for Liverpool where they joined a company of saints and emigrated to America. The landed in Nauvoo April 23, 1843, and were greeted by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
After arriving in Nauvoo he worked with John Marriott, William Payne and Henry Wooley digging ditches and breaking prairie land so they could raise crops. These three families all came to Kaysville to make their homes and were lifelong friends.
He was a member of the Nauvoo Legion whose duty it was to protect the authorities and to help guard the temple. He was present at the meeting when the Prophet Joseph Smith addressed the Legion and asked them if they would fight for him or die for him. They all echoed "yes" and he said he was content and he would die for them if it became necessary. He remembered the day Joseph and Hyrum were martyred. He was present at the meeting when the mantel of Joseph fell on Brigham Young making it clear to the people that he was the one chosen to lead them. He stood guard many nights while the Nauvoo temple was being built. He had the privilege of receiving his endowments there.
In 1846 they started their journey westward and were driven from place to place. They built four houses and were driven from them by the mobs. When their day's travel was done they would gather around the campfire and tell stories, sing songs and dance.
On September 17, 1850, they arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. Brigham Young advised them to go farther north. They came to Kaysville where they homesteaded the farm where George W. Smith lived. His entire life was spent on this farm where he proved to be a very successful farmer and cattle and sheep raiser.
He was very kind to the poor and unfortunate, giving men work and letting them make their home with him. George Stevenson of Layton, Edward Edmonds, Lambert Blamiers, Fred Cawley, Christopher Holland and William Barnes were among the men who enjoyed his hospitality. Elizabeth Layton, daughter of Christopher Layton, made her home with them from the age of thirteen months, the time of her mother's death, until she was married to William Galbraith. He furnished a man and part of a team to go back to the Missouri River to help bring the saints to the valley. He was very quiet and retiring, but was always ready to assist in any public enterprise.
On January 10, 1855, he married Isabella Burton in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. To this union six children were born.
His first wife, Ann Barnes, was the first president of the Relief Society organized in Kaysville. She had no children. She died at her home in Kaysville, June 5, 1871.
He was a man of great faith as portrayed in this instance. He was very ill and all hopes for his recovery were few, but he said if only he could be administered to by Lorenzo Snow he would get well. Brother Snow lived in Brigham City and was a very dear friend of the family. His wife wrote to him telling him of her husband's illness. In this letter she sent a handkerchief and asked Brother Snow if he would anoint and bless it and send it back to her. William Barnes delivered the letter to President Snow on horseback and he did as he was requested and sent the handkerchief back to them and told them to wipe his face and head and put it under his pillow and he would begin to recover. His health was restored to him, which recovery was brought about through his great faith and the faith of the family. A copy of the letter follows:
'Brigham City, Utah, Feb. 9 1866
Dear Brother Smith,
God bless you and heal you up, is my prayer and the prayer of your friends. You have been a true friend to God and your heart has been full of integrity to Gad and your brethren and he will never forsake you and will raise you up and you shall be crowned with celestial glory, and your joy shall be full for the Lord is your friend and has appointed you unto eternal life which is the greatest gift which God can give.
We have blessed your handkerchief with healing powers and sprinkled it with essence which has been consecrated, dedicated to holy purposes and according to you faith so shall it be. I know that god loves you for your integrity and faithfulness, and I feel confident you will be restored unless our Heavenly Father wishes to call you to himself for some holy purpose. He will bless you and your dear family for your posterity shall continue and have no end, and your foundation is made sure and immovable in the God of your salvation.
My family all unite with me in their prayers in your behalf and send love to you and your family.
I say again god bless you and restore you to health my Dear Brother William.
Lorenzo Snow'
Brother Smith was always know as William Smith until he arrived in Utah when he was advised by Brigham Young to us the initial "B" in his name to distinguish him from the many other William Smiths who were already here. The "B" was suggested because Lucy Brown was his mother's maiden name. From this time has had been known as William B Smith.
He died at his home on the farm in Kaysville, October 11, 1897 at the age of 83. He was buried in what is now known as the Kaysville-Layton Cemetery.
contributed by Mildred Crawley Ensign (granddaughter)
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