Esther Haworth
1840-1898
Esther and her family resided in Darwen England in the 1860’s.and 70’s. Darwin was a manufacturing town and there were many large factories. All the family had to work, and Esther was considered one of the best weavers at the factory. She operated two looms at a time.
Although they weren't very well off, they always had enough to share with the Mormon elders. At one time a missionary was staying with them and, as was the custom, the missionaries would place their shoes outside the door of their bedroom. Then the good lady of the house would clean and shine them. So, in this case the elder did this, but when, Esther, saw the condition of his shoes, all worn with hardly any sole left she took action. She didn't have enough money herself, so she called all her children (each kept a part of the money he earned for his own use) and showed them the worn shoes. They were all willing to put in some of their hard-earned pennies, together with what she had, they bought a new pair of shoes for the missionary. He was a very surprised but happy man. When he saw what they had done he was very thankful to them.
Esther was born in the manufacturing town of Darwen England. She was the 4thof 6 daughters. Her father died when she was 5 years old, at the same time her youngest sister was born. Her mother took up the occupation of weaver.
Esther and John Kay were married in 1861. At one time when they were first married, John was head gardener at a large estate of one of the nobility and lived right there on the estate. Esther used to tell about the servants who worked in the large house who came down to visit with her. One servant said, when she was peeling potatoes, "My, my, woman, you will be the ruin of your husband. You mustn't peel them so thick; let me show you how.” She would barely take the skin off. "That is the way we must do at the big house." And the plum puddings had to be made months before they were used so that the people at the big house could digest them for they did no work at all, so all they ate had to be watched carefully.
Another interesting story Esther told was about a strike at the factory where John, Esther, and the children worked. John was wise enough to realize a strike was inevitable and knew what it would mean in suffering, hunger, etc., so he bought all the food he could while his money lasted so they didn't suffer much, and they helped relieve the suffering of others, many people suffered greatly before the strike was called off.
The Kays became very close with the missionaries. When Esther heard the gospel, she knew it was true and she wanted to raise her children knowing the truth. At that time, she had two little girls and a baby boy. Esther was baptized Sept. 26, 1868 by Eli Kirkham. John was baptized 71/2 years later on January 6, 1876. They were very active in the Church and raised their children in the gospel. They lost their first child but were the parents of 4 living children. Betsy, Jane, John and Kitty.
Esther’s mother died in 1878 having never joined the LDS faith.
When John and Esther’s daughter Betsy was 21, in 1884 she emigrated to Utah with a friend Miss Kirkman. They traveled with the help of William Smith Tanner a missionary who was returning home.
In 1889, Kitty Kay 18, the youngest daughter of John Kay and Esther Hawarth died. In the newspaper it said that she was kind to the elders, and ready to assist in any good work. She was loved and respected by all who knew her. A Large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends followed her remains to their last retiring place.
Seven months later Esther and her children, Jane and John Thomas, boarded the ship, Wisconsin, on June 28, 1890 and arrived in New York on July 10th. John Kay, left for America on August 2, 1890. These dates were verified from the actual ship manifest passenger lists. On the passenger list for the Wisconsin, Esther is listed as a nurse, Jane as a domestic and John Thomas as a mason.
John Thomas died on October 5, 1890, of typhoid fever just three months after coming to Utah. He was about twenty-two years old. Their sorrow was almost more than they could bear, losing two of their children within a year. But they were glad they were in Utah because of their religion. Their faith never faltered.
On Oct. 6, 1890 the manifesto ending polygamy was accepted in general conference. Further joy came to the family in 1891 when a grandson was born to Betsy Ann.
The Salt Lake Temple was dedicated Apr. 6, 1893. Exactly one month later Ernest Henry Goddard Betsy’s son age 6 died.
On January 11, 1896, John Kay passed away at Betsy's home.
Esther never got over this and at age 58 in 1898 she also passed to the great beyond. They were both buried in the Provo City Cemetery. They had been faithful L. D. S. to the very last.
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