Item Detail
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Day, Eliza Jane Staker
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1860-1947
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MSS 492
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Autobiography, biography, memoir
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Eliza Jane Staker Day was born on November 17, 1860 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah to Nathan Staker and Eliza Cusworth Burton Staker. Eliza attended school in Mt. Pleasant, but only to the level of the sixth grade. She married Eli Azariah Day on June 19, 1878 in the St. George Temple, and they had thirteen children. The family suffered persecution because of Azariah's adoption of polygamy, and they traveled frequently in order to escape being caught. Azariah was forced to flee to Castle Valley, leaving his family in Fairview, and at one point, Eliza and one of her young daughters were even subpoenaed to appear in court. In 1890, the family moved to Castle Valley, only to move later to Castle Dale. Years later, they returned to Fairview. Eliza died February 7, 1948 at age eight-seven.
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This collection includes a two-page autobiography, written by Eliza in 1942, which is followed by a one-page memoir entitled, 'A Short Sketch of My Childhood Days.' In this memoir, Eliza recalls the Indian scares that occurred when she was as young as five years old. She also writes about the grasshopper wars, in which she and her family would fight the grasshoppers with brooms. When she was eight, Eliza recalls going to stay with her married sister, Mary. Following, there is a page written by Eliza's daughter, Nola Day Deardon, in which Nola recalls her mother's sacrifices for her children. Nola describes Eliza as having been hospitable, and yet proud and spunky. Also included, is a four-page typescript entitled 'Little Golden Hats,' written by Mary, Eliza's sister. She recalls Eliza's birth, and several incidents that occurred, such as when Eliza nearly died after being caught in a stream. Afterwards, there is a five-page biographical typescript written by Geneva Day Larsen. She describes the first home Eliza lived in after marrying Eli (Azariah), and she also describes the trials the family faced because of Azariah's adoption of the law of polygamy. Following, is a five-page biography of Eliza's mother, entitled, 'A Sketch of the Life of Eliza Cusworth Burton Staker,' as written by Eliza. (Note: Provided in this collection are double copies of every typescript.)