Item Detail
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Howard, Elizabeth Anderson
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1823-1893
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MSS 360
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Diaries and account books
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Elizabeth Anderson Howard was born July 12, 1823 in Carlow, Carlow County, Ireland to Robert and Lucretia (Ward) Anderson. Ireland was home to Elizabeth for the first thirty years of her life. When she was just seventeen years old, Elizabeth married William Howard on June 9, 1841 in Belfast, Ireland. Elizabeth and her family were introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1851 and joined the Utah Saints in September 1853. After their arrival in Utah the Howard family settled in Big Cottonwood Canyon. In later years they also resided in both Salt Lake City and Holliday, Utah. William and Elizabeth Howard led busy lives raising their ten children and actively participating in church service. William provided for his large family with involvement in real estate and the iron industry. Elizabeth served in a number of church callings including that of secretary of the Relief Society in 1867 and also counselor to Mary Isabella Horne in the General Retrenchment Association. Elizabeth was also the first secretary of the Salt Lake Stake Relief Society which was organized in December 1877. In 1868 Elizabeth left her home in Utah to accompany her husband on a two-year mission to England and Ireland. William, her husband, died on December 19, 1890 in Holliday, Utah. Following his death, Elizabeth served as a member of the General Board of Relief Society from October 10, 1892 until her death on March 12, 1893.
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This collection comes from the diaries of Elizabeth Howard and three of her descendants, Katherine A. Brockbank (Elizabeth's daughter), Libby Howard, and Lucas Howard. There are four boxes in this collection and each has photocopies of the original handwritten journals. The journals contain autobiographical information as well as some financial records and street addresses of family and friends. Elizabeth's journals take up the majority of the collection - about three boxes. In these diaries she discusses the details of her daily routine as well as the health of family and friends, her social visits to members of the community, the Relief Society, and the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association (Y.L.M.I.A.). She also frequently mentions Eliza R. Snow, a close friend, and prominent female leader in the early Church. Elizabeth's journal entries are often brief and date from January 1, 1868 to March 4, 1893. At the end of each diary there are cash accounts that are listed by the month. In these accounts Elizabeth lists her expenses, everything she bought, the cost of each item, and when she received money. The financial accounts vary in their detail from year to year. Katharine's journals comprise some of the third box and most of the fourth. Her diary entries date from January 1, 1871 to December 31, 1922 - although there are not entries written for every day. Katharine was born April 28, 1843 to William and Elizabeth (Anderson) Howard. She later married Isaac Brockbank and lived in polygamy as one of his plural wives. Katharine was an excellent seamstress and was occasionally paid for her sewing. She also suffered from inflammatory rheumatism and frequently had severe headaches. Katharine's journal entries are often emotionally charged as she discusses polygamy and her family situation and relationships. She also talks about church meetings, social functions and visits, health problems, and often mentions Brigham Young. Her entries are short but very honest. Libby Howard is Elizabeth's granddaughter, though it is not clear who's daughter she is. The diary entries date from January 1 to November 10, 1893, presumably when Libby was in her teenage years. In her journal she mentions going to school, participating in a singing class, and assisting her mother with household chores. Her journal takes up one folder of this collection. Lucas Howard's journal entries date from January1 to December 31, 1901 and also take up one folder of the collection. It is not clear what his exact relationship is to Elizabeth Howard, but he is probably one of her grandsons. At the time he is keeping the journal Lucas is married and living in Salt Lake City. He records that he is 5'10 and 1/2 tall, weighs 170 pounds, and also that his hat size is 7 1/8. Lucas' journal gives detailed information about his work digging ditches and working on dams, farming chores, purchases, and expenses. He also mentions the weather, church meetings, and trading goods with other men.
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1850-1852