Item Detail
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Andrus, Abigail Jane Daley
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1815-1894
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MSS SC 188
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Biography
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Abigail Jane Daley was born 26 January 1815 in Marcellus, Onondago County, New York to Elizabeth Ennis Daley and John Daley Jr. Her parents moved to Ohio when Abigail was a young girl. In 1832, they were converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Abigail married Milo Andrus on February 21, 1833 and four months later, Milo was called to serve a mission. He continued to serve missions throughout his life, often leaving Abigail to care for the children and the farm while he was gone. In 1848, Abigail traveled to Utah Territory with her five young children without her husband, who was serving a mission in England with his second wife. Soon after the return of Milo and his second wife in 1851, Abigail and Milo chose to separate permanently. A year later, Abigail got remarried to a man named Elisha Wheat Van Etten. They moved to Richmond, Utah, where Abigail gave birth to two more children, Elizabeth and Sarah Jane. Sarah Jane died in infancy. Abigail's children: John, Sarah, James, Millennium, Mary, and Amanda, were devoted to her as she grew older and were at her bedside when she died in Richmond, Utah, on 27 October 1894.
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The biography was written by Abigail's granddaughter, Stella Fisher Brossard. This brief history of Abigail is two typewritten pages and focuses mostly on capturing important moments in her life. At times, it is difficult to read because there are many handwritten corrections made to the biography. The biographer writes about her grandmother's experiences crossing the plains and how her two boys had to take on the responsibilities of men. She also relates stories about the harsh winter of 1848, when food was so scarce that Abigail had to divide the last remaining bread amongst her children and have faith that they could get more food. At these times, Abigail left the room while her children ate because she gave herself no portion although her hunger was intense. The biographer also describes her memories of Abigail, who had deep pride in her ancestors, wore her hair in ringlets, fed her cottage cheese and pottawattamie plum preserves, and always kept her home immaculately clean. Although Abigail and Milo separated, Abigail remained friendly with him, and he found great comfort in the children of this first marriage as he grew older. Divorce, Polygamy, Mormon, Pioneer, Trek, Trials.
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1926-1978