Item Detail
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Ruth Welton Tyler
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1820-1897
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MSS SC 481
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Autobiography
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Ruth Welton Tyler was born 25 April 1820 in Spafford, Onondago, New York to Asa Welton and Clarissa Norton. Her father died at a young age and her mother married Daniel Pulsifer. Ruth was an excellent student, particularly in regard to the Bible. At age nine Ruth was baptized into the Methodist church and insisted on being baptized by immersion though the minister tried to convince her to do otherwise. At age 12 a Mormon missionary came and preached to her family and although at first reluctant after an evening of listening to the elders teachings she knew his words to be true and was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the following morning. Two years later her family moved to Kirkland, Ohio and it was here that she met and married Daniel Tyler on 11 September 1836. The following day Ruth set out with her new husband and his family on the difficult journey to Far West, Missouri. Ruth was present for both the Hauns Mill Massacre and the Crooked River Battle. Her family and many other Mormon saints were forced to leave Far West and headed for Nauvoo, Illinois. Ruths husband was called to serve a mission to the southern states and Ruth provided for herself and her daughter in Nauvoo. There she also joined the first Relief Society organized by Joseph Smith (soon after its organization it was dismantled until its reorganization by Brigham Young). Ruth and her family decided to make the long journey across the Rocky Mountains and during their expedition Daniel volunteered as one of the 500 men required to join the Mormon battalion. Again Ruth cared for herself and her daughter staying with a family at Council Bluffs were she gave birth to another daughter. Upon the return of her husband they finished their journey west, they took up permanent residence in Beaver, Utah. There their family grew with the addition of other children and Ruth served on multiple occasions as Relief Society President and Stake Relief Society President. Ruth was known for her unfailing faith, her endless service and her loyalty to her religion and family. Ruth Tyler passed away on 14 April 1897 at age 77.
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This manuscript is a collection of biographies and life sketches of Daniel Tyler. Included is a four-page typewritten autobiography of Ruth Welton Tyler. She begins her account with her early childhood and ends with their emigration to Utah. She includes major life events such as her conversion, her marriage, and the multiple times she was forced to flee her home. The history is chronological, easy to follow and typewritten making it easily legibility. Also included in the manuscript is a three-page typewritten history of Danile Tyler, a five-page typewritten life sketch of Daniel Tyler, a seven-page photocopied autobiography of Daniel Tyler (in legible cursive), a four-page typewritten letter from Daniel Tyler to President Richards outlining his labors in the Swiss and Italian Missions, a four-page typewritten history of both Daniel and Ruth Tyler (another helpful source of information regarding Ruth). This last manuscript has attached to it two small photos, one of Daniel and one of Ruth. This last manuscript is harder to read due to faded ink. The final item in this collection is a family record including all of Ruth and Daniels children with their names, birth dates and death dates.
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1820-1906