Item Detail
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Colborn, Sarah Bower
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1800-1871
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MSS SC 2402
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Letters
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Sarah Bower Colborn was born on 31 December 1800 in Genoa, New York. She was the daughter of Johannes Bauer and Anna Rosina Young, and was one of 12 children.
On 11 August 1825, Sarah married Franklin Thomas Colborn in Lyons, New York. Together they had 7 children, Amanda Bower, Thomas, Hannah Miranda, Sarah Matilda, Rosina, James, and Talmai Hamilton.
As an early member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sarah trekked west with her family in the Heber C. Kimball company in 1848.
She died on 27 December 1871 in Weber City, Utah. -
This collection includes 2 handwritten letters, from Thomas and Sarah to their family, mostly penned by Thomas. The first one, dated 2 June 1846, is addressed to a brother. They explain that they have decided to throw their lot in with the Mormon Church, and thats where they will stay. They allude to their plans to make the journey west, explaining that the rest of the Saints are making their way there due to the persecution. Underneath the signature is a post script letting the addressee know that Sarah would have loved to write to Mother and Hannah, but shes been busy making preparations.
The second letter is dated 6 September 1846, and is addressed to Brother, Sister, and Relations All. This one outlines how the Colborn family has left the Nauvoo area, and is only about 16 miles from Council Bluffs. The Saints there are destitute and are being driven out of the territory. The family has been doing well enough, despite everything, and they are happy with the Saints. They work hard to help the camp run smoothly, and if the addressees want to send anything, they should send it to Joseph L. Haywood of Nauvoo, and he will forward it to the Colborns. Sarah adds, in her own hand, a post script asking them to give her love to Mother and Hannah. She has not forgotten them. She would love to see them again but expects she never will again. Amanda and all of the children long to see their friends in Lansing.