Item Detail
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Farr, Nancy Chase
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1823-1892
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MSS 1464
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Nancy Chase Farr was born January 27, 1823 in Bristol, Addison County, Vermont, to parents Ezra Chase and Tirzah Wells. In 1827 the family moved to Livingston County, New York, and in 1839, following the family's baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they moved to Nauvoo, Illinois. In 1842, Nancy became one of the charter members of The Relief Society. Nancy married Lorin Farr January 1, 1845. The Farr family was forced out of their home in Nauvoo, relocating to Winter Quarters, and in July of 1847 they left for Salt Lake City with the Daniel Spencer Company, arriving in September 1847. After living in Salt Lake City for two years, Brigham Young asked Lorin to lay out a town in Weber County, finally building an eleven-room house in 1856. When Johnston's Army approached the area, Nancy packed her few possessions and took refuge in Provo, Utah until the end of the conflict. In 1859, the family attended the first great Ringling Brothers Circus, in 1859, on Tabernacle Park. After living many years in their adobe home, it was replaced with a brick home in 1889. She was the mother of eleven children; Enoch, Sarah Farr Smith, Tirzah Farr Gay, Ezra, Lorin, Farr Rich, Diantila, Isabel Farr Sears, Newton, Lorin, and Balina. Nancy died September 10, 1892 in Ogden, Utah.
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Part of the Mary Ellen Stoddard Smith collection, this three-page typescript biography, written October 3, 1937, is located in the twenty-seventh folder of the collection. The biography begins by describing some of Nancy's ancestors, including Samuel Chase, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and William Chase, who made the pilgrimage to America in 1630. The manuscript also described Nancy's first encounter with her future husband while drawing water from a well. Little detail is given of their hardships in Winter Quarters, and of the journey to Salt Lake City. Nancy recalled, "The journey across the plains was the happiest time of her life and she had no stories to relate of hardships. Nancy is described as very modern, tender, full of hope, and full of devotion. The family enjoyed many pleasures, carriage rides, plays, and balls in Salt Lake City. The manuscript describes that because of Lorina's many church and civic positions, she was required and fulfilled all of her duties as a hostess. She was always dressed for any occasion and took great importance to her appearance.