Henry Goddard
1821-1901
Henry and Hannah were so excited as they prepared to make the voyage to the US and on to UT. They were well off and without any children except their niece Mary Ann Kirk. Her mother, Henry’s oldest sister had died when Mary Ann was 6.
This would be an adventure sailing across the sea and traveling in style in a new covered wagon with a hired driver. Henry sold most of their belongings, so he would have the money to buy the provisions they would need to make the journey comfortable for his lovely wife. Henry and Hannah intended to buy an independent outfit. A new covered wagon, yoke of oxen and provisions to last them on their journey.
But in the company, they were assigned there were many who did not have enough to buy anything. Captain Harper counseled them to loan money to these people to help them get to Utah. Henry gladly did this and gave up the plans for an easy journey across the plains to help the less fortunate.
Henry loaned money to 23 people and they promised to pay him back. He never got a cent from them. He did have the knowledge that he had helped 23 families through. Instead of riding in a wagon they had to walk most of the way. They had always worked inside and the journey across the ocean had weakened their bodies. They were not acclimated to the rough dry country. Hannah got rheumatism and suffered the rest of her life.
Henry Goddard was born Feb. 16, 1821 at St. Mary’s Parish, Nottingham, England. He was the fourth child of twelve children. His father died when the youngest child was just a small baby. Henry was almost 14 so he had to work to help support the rest of the family.
His occupation was that of silk stocking and glove maker. His work was of the highest type and very beautiful. When he was 26 he met and married a very beautiful girl named Hannah Astill. In the year 1850 the gospel was brought to them by the missionaries, on by the name of James Works. Hannah first accepted and was baptized by Elder George Taylor. And confirmed by Enoch Stone. In Sept Henry was baptized and confirmed. Henry and Hannah sold everything they had to prepare for their travels to Utah.
They boarded the ship Samuel Curling
From the Millennial Star: “On the twenty-second of April, 1855, the ship, Samuel Curling, sailed from Liverpool with five hundred and eighty-one Saints on board, of whom three hundred and eighty-five were Perpetual Emigration Fund emigrants, all under the presidency of Elder Israel Barlow.
In the midst of a storm the captain got somewhat disheartened, and declared to Brother Barlow, the president of the company of emigrants, that he, in his long experience as a seafaring man, had never encountered a worse one; he then added that the tempest had not reached its highest point yet, but that the next half hour would be worse still. Brother Barlow, in reply, told the captain that the storm was nearly over, and would not increase in violence. This bold remark of Brother Barlow made the captain angry, as he thought he knew more about the weather and the sea than anyone else on board; but on going into his cabin to examine his barometer and other nautical instruments, he found that Brother Barlow was right; the storm abated almost immediately. Elder Barlow afterwards told some of the Saints that while the storm was raging he saw the ship surrounded by scores of angels, who stood in a circle around it with joined hands.
While crossing the plains at one time the company was stopped by a big band of Indians, Sioux, who came riding up. They spread their buffalo robes in the path of the company. The Captain, instead of driving over the robes, ordered the wagons to drive around them. The Indians stood in surprise to see the whole company of 150 wagons pass by. No one knew why the Indians had done it unless they were just daring and if they (the company) had crossed over the robes, they would have all been killed. As it was the company passed without harm. Another time they heard a terrible roar and saw a large herd of buffalo on the stampede coming toward them. Before they could get out of the way or protect themselves, the herd was upon them, tipping over wagons, etc., but by God's blessing, no one was seriously hurt.
They began their trek across the 28thof July 1855.
Mary Ann Kirk, one of Henry’s sister's children, was with them and was a beautiful girl of sixteen. Just before entering Salt Lake Valley, she died, not being strong enough to stand hardships of the journey. This was a great trial for they loved her dearly. She was buried at Little Mountain, Echo Canyon. At the time of her death Henry was not expected to live for he also had been very sick. They arrived in Salt Lake City Oct. 31, 1855.
Henry was so sick they had to stay there in Salt Lake. Elder James Works was very good to them, helping in every way possible. After Grandfather began to get better, they moved to Provo. They located in the north western part of that city, where they lived for about a year. They had lots of good clothes they had brought from England. They were able to trade silk dresses and a broadcloth coat for land. They bought a log cabin in the southern part of the city where they lived for many years until they built a larger home. But it was in this log cabin where the rest of their children were born.
Grandfather helped build the wall on the west and south of town, but it was never completed. There were many friendly Indians who used to come and camp near their home; the children played and wrestled with the Indian children. Grandfather furnished teams and provisions for the Indian War.
They had many hard times. In the 1870 census Henry was listed as a laborer and in the 1880 census Henry is listed as a farmer. They used to get by, by leeching wood ashes so they could make soap. When there was no sugar, they went to the northern part of town to gather leaves from which they extracted a sweet substance. As there were no matches, they had to bank their fires, so they would last till morning; if the fire went out they would go to the neighbors and get fire. Grandmother had a piece of steel with which she could sometimes start a fire.
One-time Hannah their beautiful little girl with black hair and eyes attracted the attention of one of the older Indians. The Indian said to Hannah’s father, “my little girl”, Henry said yes in fun, but the Indian thought he meant it. When they were ready to leave, the Indian came to get her, and Henry had a hard time preventing him from taking her.
Henry and Hannah raised one girl and two boys. They had 20 grandchildren. Henry died April 9, 1901 more than a decade after losing his sweet wife.
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