Microfilm of the autobiography of Ann Prior Jarvis, written from approximately 1890-1895. The account contains reminiscences of Ann's childhood, her conversion to Mormonism, a cholera outbreak, her family's decision to travel to the United States, their shipboard experiences, their life in Boston, their overland travels to Utah, their often impoverished life in Dixie, and the death of Ann's son after being struck by lightening on the Tabernacle steps in 1881. The volume also includes much detail on Ann's family life and the lives of her children. Some notes were made by her daughter Victoria Josephine Jarvis Miles, who also wrote a biography of her father George Jarvis (1823-1913), which includes references to his worldwide travels as a ship's apprentice and his ill-fated time in the West Indies after joining the Royal Navy. The Jarvis autobiography (frames 69-117) is on the same reel as MSS MFILM 136 and MSS MFILM 138. All inquiries about this item should be directed to the H. Russell Smith Foundation Curator of Western Historical Manuscripts at the Huntington Library, San Marino, CA. Microfilm. San Marino, Calif. : Huntington Library Photographic Dept., 1949. 1 microfilm reel : negative 35 mm. Forms part of the Manuscripts Department's Mormon file, c.1805-1995. Ann Prior Jarvis (1829-1913) was born in London. She married George Jarvis in 1846 and both were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1848. In 1857 they with their five children joined over eight hundred fellow immigrants in James Park's company and sailed to Boston on the ship George Washington. George Q. Cannon visited the Jarvises in Boston in 1860 and implored them to travel to Utah. They arrived in Omaha by steamboat in 1860 and traveled overland in Jesse Murphy's company, arriving in Utah in August 1860. The Jarvis family volunteered to help settle Dixie and moved to St. George in 1861. Ann Jarvis died in St. George in 1913.
Jarvis, Ann Prior, 1829-1913 Jarvis, George (George Franklin), 1823-1913 Domestic relations--England Frontier and pioneer life--Utah Mormon converts Mormon families Mormon pioneers Mormon women Mormons--Utah--History--19th century Overland journeys to the Pacific Transatlantic voyages Boston (Mass.)--History Great Britain--History--19th century Utah--History 1890-1895 1895 Autobiographies Utah 19th century. (aat)
Source
Mormon Manuscripts at the Huntington Library Mormonism and the West, Huntington Digital Library
Provenance
Microfilm of original loaned by Mabel Jarvis through Juanita Brooks, December 7, 1948.
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
