Item Detail
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Thompson, Elizabeth "Betsy" Virginia Ward
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1847-1912
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MSS SC 2728
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Diary
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Elizabeth Betsy Virginia Ward Thompson was born on 7 November 1847 in Blacklick, Virginia. Her parents were James Franklin Ward and Louisa Jane Ward, and she was the eldest of 3 children, her younger siblings being Sebastian Cabot, and Victoria Viola Jane. Little else is known about her early life.
On 6 October 1868, Betsy married George Peery Thompson, and together they had just one child, John Randolph. It took 5 years for John to come into their life, and at another time, Betsy was expecting another baby boy, but this child did not survive to full term. John himself became severely ill a number of times, and doctors often told Betsy and her husband that he would not make it through the night. But each time, George would find missionaries to come and administer to his son. He always pulled through after these blessings were given to him.
It was just 2 years after their marriage that Betsy and her family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as missionaries began to return to Virginia after the Civil War. They remained faithful to it for the rest of their lives. Georges father had already been a member since the Churchs early years.
On 28 October 1879, after many years of hard labor and saving everything they could, the Thompsons were able to board a train heading for Utah. Betsy became very ill before it was time for them to leave, but the moment she stepped into the car, her illness faded. She attributed the experience to Satan trying to destroy her before she could join the saints in Utah. She was often sickly, and many of her friends and family did not think she would live long, even when she was a child. While she was often ill, she strove to make hers a household that strictly adhered to the Word of Wisdom, which she believed helped prolong her life.
Despite her poor health, Betsy kept herself busy keeping house. She would can and dry fruit, bake bread, make candles, collect honey, and more, and when her health failed her, George would help with the womens chores. When he couldnt help, the sister from their Church ward would help. When they were better established, George hired a housekeeper to help with the chores.
Betsy and her husband both had a vested interest in genealogy, and as their relationships with family members healed (those who were back home and had disapproved of their conversion to the Church), they would gather accounts and names via correspondence.
Betsy was an organist prior to joining the Church as well as a brilliant singer, and she was often able to put her musical talent to work at a friend, Sister Romans, organ. Whenever possible, she attended Relief Society, and for a time was the director, and later the treasurer.
Betsy spent a lot of time in her home, due to her poor health. She spent much of her free time writing letters and collecting genealogical information, reading her scriptures, and even writing a few poems here and there.
Betsy, despite her hardships and personal trials, remained ever faithful to her Church and her family. She died from blood poisoning on 2 February 1912 in Riverdale, Utah. -
This manuscript is a 238-page photocopy of a handwritten diary belonging to Elizabeth Virginia Ward Thompson. It begins on 1 January 1896 and ends on or around 5 November 1905. Betsy opens her new account with the line, I, E.V.W. Thompson for the first time in my life will attempt to keep a diary.
The account mainly covers the day-to-day life of Betsy and her family. This life included such daily activities as cooking, cleaning, receiving visits from friends and family, and studying the Book of Mormon. She also shares occasional details on how various family members are doing, as well as times when she helps administer to the sick, be that her own son or someone else.
The diary states the familys location as Riverdale, Utah, and it mentions people such as Brother Bair, Brother Darnall, and Sister Mary Stimpson coming to visit from time to time. Betsy often comments on her health, the weather, and her daily work. She also describes the time she administered to her son when he was ill. One particular entry, dated 20 August 1897, expresses her frustration with her son over his impertinence toward Church leaders, and the subsequent delay of his mission. She does, however lay some of the blame on those [who] presided over him, and how they gave him very bad counsel.