“From Scotland’s Mines to America’s Mountains: The Remarkable Journey of Margaret Adams Farnsworth”
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In the lush landscapes of Scotland, on 1st January 1840, a story began. Margaret Adams Farnsworth was born, the cherished daughter of David Barclay and Mary Cook Adams. Growing up alongside siblings James, Adam, Ann, Mary, David, and Ellen, she witnessed her family’s deep roots in the iron mines of Scotland, with her father being an expert in the field.
America, with its tales of better wages and improved working conditions, beckoned David. Thus, with a young Margaret in tow, the Adams family set sail across the ocean, eventually settling in Pennsylvania. Here, a new spiritual journey began. Embracing the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they were baptized under Elder Joseph Clemens’s guidance on 6 April 1844.
As Margaret matured, she felt a profound connection with the Mormon Missionaries. Their tales of the Rocky Mountains and Utah sounded not just like geographic locations but dreams waiting to be realized. In 1849, the family journeyed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, a temporary gathering place for many Mormons. The eventual goal: the plains of Utah.
Margaret’s trip across the eastern U.S. was filled with wonder. Her excitement peaked aboard a river steamer on the Missouri River. Yet, tragedy struck. Cholera decimated passengers, claiming her beloved mother, Mary Cook Adams. With heavy hearts, they laid her to rest on the riverbanks on 7 May 1849.
The family pressed on, with David remarrying to provide a nurturing environment for his children. In 1852, they embarked on another journey, joining 340 other Saints on a wagon train to the Great Salt Lake City. David’s expertise in ironwork later took them to Iron County and eventually Beaver.
By 16, Margaret had become a beacon of grace and amiability in Beaver. In line with Church teachings, she married 28-year-old Bishop Philo when she was just 17. In those times, plural marriages were common. Initially, Margaret lived with Philo and his first wife, Margaret Yates. However, Philo soon built a log cabin for her.
This cabin, a testament to the pioneer spirit, was made of logs, with gaps filled using wood wedges and clay. Its floors were hard-packed earth, providing warmth in the cold. The fireplace was the cabin’s heart, serving as a light source, heater, and kitchen.
Margaret’s life as a pioneer was filled with challenges and accomplishments. They crafted candles from mutton tallow and even made their own matches. As a plural wife, Margaret mastered numerous skills, from cooking and sewing to soap-making and meat curing.
The soap-making process was particularly labor-intensive. Margaret meticulously collected fats to make soap that would cleanse and refresh. The soap-making process was a testament to her patience and dedication.
Married life brought joys and sorrows. Margaret and Philo welcomed David Barclay in 1859, named in honor of her father. While other children followed, including Francis Marion, Laura Ellen, Alonzo Martindale, Susan Jane, and Mary Elizabeth, not all lived long.
By 1869, Philo, a father to 22 children from four wives, was a pillar of support, often bringing groceries and treats for Margaret and their children. Margaret’s unwavering faith was evident in her support of Philo and her own spiritual aspirations. In 1869, she took out her endowments and was sealed to Philo, marking a significant spiritual milestone.
However, Margaret’s health began to decline after giving birth to Isabella in 1871. By the spring of 1872, she contracted pneumonia. Mary Elizabeth recalled her mother’s final days, including a touching moment when Margaret comforted her hungry daughter. On 20 June 1872, Margaret passed away at 32.
The community rallied around the family. Some children, like Mary Elizabeth, found new homes with families like the Will Robinsons. Margaret’s legacy, rooted in faith and resilience, continues to inspire. Her Patriarchal Blessing promised that her descendants would remember and bless her. Today, her vast lineage continues to honor her memory and sacrifices.
