Item Detail
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Clark, Susan Leggett
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1838-1902
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MSS 8
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Biography
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Susan Leggett Clark was born August 25, 1838 in Carlston, Norfolk, England to William and Sarah Leggett as the eldest of eight. The family moved to Locastuf and was later converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when Susan was eighteen. Susan helped her father financially by working as a seamstress and dressmaker. Although she was not able to go to school after she was twelve years old, she loved to read. She left her father's home in April of 1861 and traveled across the plains with other saints. When they reached Salt Lake City, she was met by Ezra T. Clark, who remembered her from serving his mission in England. She became his second polygamous wife on November 8, 1861, and they had ten children. She was later called as a secretary of the Relief Society, and was very active in the Church. Her father's family later joined them, and Susan cared for her aunt, father, and mother until their deaths. Susan died on November 4, 1902.
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This seven-page typescript from the Margaret Steed Hess collection was written by Annie C. Tanner. Annie opens the biography with a broad introduction before writing of Susan's life. Annie describes Susan as a 'tall, healthy, beautiful, young woman,' having 'abundant dark hair, brown eyes and tall stately figure.' It was difficult for her family when she left, though they knew it was right, and Annie writes of Susan's particular difficulty in saying goodbye to her grandmother, whom she knew she would not see again. Susan quickly made friends and she 'won the favors of the captain and his wife' in her voyage across the sea. Similarly, when preparing to cross the plains, Susan befriended a young father and mother, and offered to help care for their children. While crossing the plains, Annie describes the entertainment during the evenings, in which the people gathered together and sang and danced. While traveling, Susan embroidered cloth, which she used later as baby clothes. After being received by Ezra in his home in Farmington, Susan 'busied herself sewing for the family in the Clark home, making pants, coats, or dresses.' Though life was different in America from in England, Susan accommodated herself and learned to make candles, dry fruit, soap, and preserve molasses. She did extremely good needle-work and was also very active in the Church. She was extremely generous with her substance, time, and service, and her family eventually joined her in Utah. In 1888, she took care of her aunt, Susanna Leggett in her own home, and later also cared for her father and mother. Annie concludes the biography with a reaffirmation of Susan's faithfulness in the Church, and the accomplishments of her children, who 'revere with loving devotion the memory of their mother.' Trek