Mystery Solved

John Jarvis Wainwright Jr.

John Jarvis Wainwright Jr. Born: 21 Mar 1821 Landelph, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom Christening: 17 Apr 1821 Saint John's, Longton, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom Death: 11 February 1892 Croydon, Morgan, Utah, United States Burial: Croydon Cemetery, Morgan, Utah, United States John Wainwright Jr. was born 21 March 1822 at Lanedelph, Staffordshire, England. His parents were John Wainwright Sr. and Ellen Jarvis. His father was born in Hawarden, Flint, Wales and his mother was born in Lanedelph, Staffordshire. This area of England known as the Staffordshire Potteries or just "The Potteries" contains a special kind of clay that makes fine china for which England is famous. The first L.D.S. missionaries arrived in England in July 1837. Elder Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde and several others enjoyed great success in the areas north and east of Liverpool, particularly in Preston and Manchester. Elder Hyde returned to Nauvoo, leaving the missionary work under the direction of Willard Richards. On January 13, 1840, eight apostles again returned to England. At a conference held in Preston, it was decided that Elders Wilford Woodruff and Elder Theodore Turley would go to the Potteries where they were to preach and further organize branches of the Church (See "Harvest in Herefordshire" p. 46 of the Ensign, Jan. 1987.) Several months later, Elder George A. Smith wrote the following description of the area (See letter from George A. Smith to C.C. Waller, 6 June 1840 in Times and Seasons 15 Nov. 1840 p. 223 and "Harvest in Herefordshire" p. 46 of the Ensign, Jan 1987.) "The greater portion of China and Earthen ware sold in America is made in this district; about 70,000 persons obtain a good living when there is employment but consequently, in a state of starvation. I have seen delicate females gathering manure to get a living for their famishing children." And Wilford Woodruff records the following in his journal (See Wilford Woodruff journal, 22 Jan. and 26 June 1840 also see "Harvest in Herefordshire") "The Potteries include the following market towns Tunstell (Turnstall), Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Laneend, and several other villages." During the times described, John was a young man of 18. It is recorded that Elders Woodruff and Turley found ready reception and acceptance of their message. Large numbers of people in Stoke-on-Trent and surrounding villages were baptized and organized into branches. Brigham Young and Wilford Woodruff met with the Saints of the Hanley branch in April 1840, where Brigham preached at two meetings and attended a third for the sacrament. Two years later, in 1842 at the age of 20, John Wainwright Jr. was baptized and become a member of the Hanley Branch. "Wilford Woodruff worked hard as a missionary in various towns around Stoke-on-Trent. Of particular interest was his relationship with William and Ann Benbow in Hanley. William was the keeper of a provision store at the Hanley Market Place. He and his wife had already joined the church through the efforts of Alfred Cordon and were strong in the faith. It was probably through the Benbows of Hanley that Wilford learned of John Benbow of Herefordshire and more particularly of the United Brenren, of which John was a member." "The day after he celebrated his thirty-third birthday, Elder Woodruff recorded in his journal, 'The Lord warned me to go to the south'. And so he began his eighty miles journey. Herefordshire would subsequently prove to be one of the most successful missionary areas in nineteenth-century Britain" (See "Harvest in Herefordshire"). There is no record of any other members of John's family being baptized. The desire to gather to Utah was strong with the new converts and was so with John. He began to work and save for the trip. He married Elizabeth Mellor on 8 June 1846. He was 24 and she was 44 years of age. On February 10, 1852, ten years following his baptism, John at age 30 and Elizabeth at age 50 with John Wainwright Sr. age 66 left the Hanley Branch to sail on the ship Ellen Marie. No family record is had of their voyage. It is recorded that they crossed the plains in the Abraham Smoot wagon train and that John Wainwright Sr., an invalid for 12 years, died August 27, 1852 at age 66 at the crossing on the Green River and was buried there. It is a desolate area out on sagebrush plains and not easily accessible. The church has fenced in the area from cattle and there are a number of pioneer graves there. It is recorded on temple records that John Wainwright Sr.'s baptism and endowments were performed by proxy in Feb 1890 in the Logan temple. John Jr. and Elizabeth settled in Salt Lake and on 23 July 1858, Elizabeth dies at age 56. They had no children and so John was left alone. One year later on 30 Aug. 1859 he married Margaret Aspey (Huxley), a widow, age 26. She had two children from her first marriage who were later sealed to them (11 Jan. 1895). This family was blessed with 7 children (five girls and two boys). The first three children were born in Salt Lake, one was born in Henefer, Utah and three were born in Croydon, Utah. Eliza Jane, our progenitor, was born in Croydon. John Wainwright Jr. was able to obtain a good education for a young man of his day. He taught school and also learned the trade of a potter. John taught school in Croydon. He as very fond of music and was called on to sing at many entertainments. He was also active in the church. He died at the age of 70 on 11 Feb. 1892 of dropsy and was buried in Croydon, Morgan County, Utah.