Item Detail
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Redd, Sariah Louisa Chamberlain
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1849-1908
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MSS SC 2604
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Letters
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Sariah Louisa Chamberlain Redd was born on 8 October 1849 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the only child of Solomon and Theresa Morse Chamberlain. Because of her parents financial troubles and disagreements, the little family moved around a lot during her childhood. By the time she was 8 years old, Solomon and Theresa separated, and Louisa, as she was called, stayed with her father. By that time, he was already old and in poor health.
The two of them moved to Santa Clara, Utah. They had a small farm where they planted cotton, peach trees, and other fruits and berries. Soon after settling there, though, Solomon took very ill, and, with no neighbors nearby, Louisa had to take care of him all on her own. It was during this time that a terrible storm raged through the area, flooding their land and all the land round about. Through her own determination, will, and strength, she was able to hoist her sick father to safety the night the Virgin River, next to which their house stood, flooded. In addition to her father, she was also able to save a couple of keepsakes, including a green and yellow box containing valuable papers.
They were able to wait out the night in a tree near their house, but unfortunately, this only saved her fathers life for a short time, as he passed away within the next year, 1862. Louisa moved to New Harmony, Utah, where her now remarried mother lived. She only stayed with her mother for a couple of months, independent as she was, and she spent the next 3 years working in various homes for her keep.
It was this work that led her to her husband. He was looking for help in his home, as his wife, Keziah, was sick. As the two became attached, he took her on as his second wife. Louisa married Lemuel Hardison Redd in October of 1866, in the Salt Lake Temple. She was 17 years old. Lemuel and Louisa had 14 children together: Moriah Vilate, Wilford Solomon, Wayne Hardison, Benjamin Franklin, Terressa Artemesia, Lemuel Burton, George Edwin, Susan Elizabeth, Parley, John Wiley, Jennie May, Effie, Ancil Rey, and Hazel Lurena. Unfortunately, the eldest two children, Moriah and Wilford, died before either of them reached their first birthdays, leaving Louisa with 12 children to raise.
Louisa was talented when it came to making things. As was customary for her time, she as the woman of her house was primarily responsible for making things like clothing, food and preserves, soap, candles, rugs, and other essentials. Due to her particular talent in making beautiful articles of clothing and rugs and the like, she would often be requested to make them for others who could spare the expense. One thing she would often make for people was a pair of embroidered buckskin gloves, for which she would charge 12 dollars a pair. It was a great way for her to make a living and put clothing on her childrens backs.
Louisa was a faithful wife, mother, and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In everything she did, whether is was raising her children, helping her husband, or fulfilling her church duties, she was stalwart. This led to some trial in 1885, when the US government arrived to investigate and try to eradicate the practice of polygamy in Utah. Because she was a second wife, she had to lay low and stay hidden much of the time to avoid running into the officers who might arrest her.
In 1890, in fact, there was one particular instance where a pair of US Marshalls came to the house. Her older boys, Burt and George, were able to warn her of their coming, and she fled out the back door before they could discover and arrest her. Because she had a small baby at the time, she had to lay the child in the cradle and leave her with the other children. The officers stayed a long time, knowing that if there was a small child in the house, the mother could not be too far. Luckily, the baby had just been fed, and slept through the whole incident. After searching the house and waiting for so long, the officers finally decided to leave. As the family knew they would return, Louisa had to stay away from the house for a few days, so the baby was taken to a neighbor in town, where Louisa could go and care for her in secret.
Because of the rising persecution, Lemuel decided to move his second wife to a different part of the country. Louisa and most of her children moved to Bluff, Utah, while Wayne, Ben, and Artemesia stayed with Lemuels first wife, Keziah. The living conditions there were less than ideal, especially for Louisa, who liked to keep an immaculate house. With dirt floors, easily muddied walls, and only 2 rooms for 9 people, she had to work hard to keep her new home clean.
In 1891, Louisa fell ill for much of the summer, as she was expecting another child in July. It was about this time that the children who had stayed with Keziah came to join the rest of the family in Bluff. They managed to arrive just before the new baby was born.
In the meantime, the US Marshalls persisted in their search -
This folder contains photocopies of 3 handwritten letters written by members of the Redd family.
The first letter numbers 3 pages and is dated 4 May 1910, from Colonia Dubln. It is written by L.H. Redd (Lemuel Hardison Redd) and is addressed to a Miss Jennie Redd, who is identified as my dear daughter, as well as to Susie and Hazil. The letter is short. It thanks the recipients for a letter they had previously sent and catches them up on how a few other family members are doing, including Burt and Parley. The letter also recounts a visit to El Paso to get new shoes and to get a pair of eye glasses fixed. L.H. mentions that he may not have long for this earth, but he is still willing to rise to fulfill his lifes mission.
The second letter numbers 2 pages and is dated 17 January -54. It is written by Parley Redd and is addressed to Art and Effie. The letter that talks about Parleys worry for Millard, and how Jennie must have her hands full with him. Kent is returning from his mission in about two weeks, and the store is getting good business. He talks about how there are a lot of oil rigs popping up in the area, and that if Pearl was planning to, she should come down and do some leasing now. The letter also tells the recipients how a few other members of the family are doing, such as Irene, Gordon and Margaret.
The third letter numbers 7 pages and is dated 14 January 1908 from Colonia Jurez. It is written by S. L. Redd (Sariah Louisa Chamberlain Redd) and is addressed to Mr. L. Burton Redd (Lemuel Burton Redd). It opens by addressing him as my dear son, and asks him if he got the Christmas card sent to him previously. The letter mentions that Alice has announced she will be getting married to Albert Rich, from Idaho, and talks about a boy who was accidentally shot and killed while playing with his Mexican friend. This boy is the second one lost in that manner in four months. S. L. expresses gladness that L. Burton is taking interest in his missionary work and provides encouraging words to that end. She goes on to mention reading her fathers old day book, which had served as his missionary journal 65 years prior. She asks for him to get his picture taken and sent to her. Wiley has quit all his bad habits and is now paying his tithing and saving his money faithfully. Sister Olive Stoer gives her kind regards and gratitude for a card L. Burton sent her. The letter closes with S. L. wishing the Lords blessings on him and is signed, as ever your loving mother, S. L. Redd.