My Genealogy Home Page:Information about Thomas Broadbent
Thomas Broadbent (b. 29 Dec 1833, d. 14 Dec 1901)
Notes for Thomas Broadbent:
!Misc: Thomas took his mother's maiden name of Broadbent and not his father's name of Wrigley.
! Source: Parish records in possesion of Dee Broadbent, of Logan, Utah.
! Alternate Endowment: 21 Feb 1974 LA.
! Source: Sealing to Parent, Endowment -- IGI Batch # 6940413, Call # 415443-
415457, type Film.
History of Thomas Broadbent
by his daughters
Nora B. Bullock and Eva B. Ekins
1940
Thomas Broadbent’s mother, Nanny Broadbent, was the oldest child of Thomas and Dina Botts Broadbent; the oldest of nine, six daughters and three sons.
When Nannie was 36 years of age, she left her work at the cotton mills of Oldham; and with her four children, John, Joseph, Sarah Ann, and Mary, went to her parent’s home in the little suburb of Saddlesworth, almost a part of Oldham, to give birth to her expected child.
In the cold gray fog of early morning on December 29, 1833, the blue-eyed, curly-haired son of James Wrigley, a flower shop proprietor of Oldham, was born to Nanny.He was given the name of Thomas Broadbent, and shared with his half brothers and sisters her love and care in the fatherless household at Oldham.James Winterbottom had sired her four other children, but Nanny had reared them, working all day and going each night to take them home from the neighborhood nursery for their hours together.The children had assumed their mother’s name.
It was a busy, happy home, and somehow, the maternal spirit which was Nanny’s, gave to her children training and culture.
“Tom o’ Nanny’s” as Thomas was known in his childhood, through self-effort, and his mother’s aid, acquired a good education.He grew to be a man of average height, always well-groomed, with an erect carriage.His movements were those of ease and smoothness. Waves of medium-blond hair with a coppery feature; each changing mood and emotion was expressed first, by them.
As to the inner-man – he was refined above the average, capable of mixing with the most select people, had a keen sense of humor, and was always a leader.Music had a special place in his heart and in his life.He had a highly emotional nature, was extremely quick-tempered, but also quick to forgive and to ask forgiveness.
In about his fifteenth year, the gospel was brought to him.He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on January 17, 1849, by Dawson Marlow, and confirmed on January 26, by William Scott, at the age of sixteen years.Thomas believed in the teachings of Mormonism, as it had been taught by the Elders; but after being baptized, the change was great from that of the Church of England and the adjustments were often difficult.He was still a youth, and former friends and associates naturally opposed and shunned him, causing him to be an outcast among them.During this questioning period, while finding his place and work in the new church, he had the assurance of its validity very strangely impress upon his heart.
He was attending a branch meeting and had risen to bear his testimony; it was difficult for him to express his feelings.Suddenly, what seemed to be a large ball of fire, rolled in at the door, up the aisle to where he was standing, and seemed to completely encompass him.He felt that he was elevated from the floor, and ardor filled his being.The ball of fire rolled away and disappeared, but it left with him the flaming knowledge of the truthfulness of the everlasting gospel.This testimony remained with him throughout his life, and he has born it with power and conviction, often with tears of humility, on many occasions.
In his youth he had played, gone to school and to work in the cotton mills, with a brown-eyed, brown-haired girl called Elizabeth Gladhill, and when she was sixteen, and Thomas was nineteen years old, they were married at Millsbottom Church, Oldham on July 17, 1853.There was born to their union six children within the course of ten years, but only one was spared past infancy.
Thomas was ordained a Priest by George Fox, March 9, 1855; he was ordained an Elder, April 9, 1857.As an Elder, he served in the Oldham Branch as Secretary, Superintendent of the Sunday School, and Branch Chorister; he served as general recorder of the branch up to November, 1860, when he was set apart as Branch President, by James McGie.
In the first part of May 1862, he took his two little sons, James Thomas, four and a half years, and Francis William, Seventeen months old, and his wife Elizabeth, and departed for America.Thomas was the last of Nanny’s brood to leave her.The others were gone, and Nanny, now 65 years old, had seen her sons and daughters depart for this new land of promise, aimed with their faith.Now she must give up her youngest, her “Tom o’ Nanny’s.”This new change was not for her.Her heart was heavy, and so was Tom’s.He knew that this was his final farewell to his mother, but the call of his faith could not be denied.
Elizabeth, the wife and mother, must leave her three children’s lonely graves, her friends and loved ones, and with her young husband turn her face, her heart and her feet to the new land and the new faith, bearing in her arms her baby which was so ill that she dared not let the boat officers see him.Fear gripped her heart that it might be necessary to bury the little boy at sea.
They sailed from Liverpool on the ship Wm. Tapscott, on Wednesday, May 14, 1862.There were 808 saints on board under the direction of William Gibson, John Clark, and Francis M. Lyman.It arrived in New York in July.From there, they took the train and after leaving it, came up the river to Florence, Nebraska.In route, their baby died, and at Chicago, they placed the little boy in the hands of strangers for burial; no time for ceremony, no time for tears, not even knowing where his final resting place would be, nor who would care for it.With aching hearts, they clasped their one remaining son to them and followed the westward trail.
At Florence, they took to ox teams and wagons, for the long scorching trip across the plains.They arrived in Salt Lake City, September 1862, five months after leaving England, five months of suffering, privations and hardships.
While at Salt Lake, they stopped at the home of Elizabeth’s sister, Margaret, who had married Issac Duffin, and had come to Utah as a convert a few years previous.From Salt Lake they went to Lehi, Utah County, where Joseph Broadbent, son of Thomas’ half brother, John, had settled in 1859.
On April 11, 1863, at the Endowment House in Salt Lake, Thomas had Elizabeth, his wife, sealed to him for time and eternity, and upon that same day he married Mary Jane Nuttall (at right), of Rochdale, England.(A small town about seven miles from Oldham.) There had been a friendship between the three in the old country, and with Elizabeth’s consent, Thomas took her in plural marriage.
Unable to locate permanently in Lehi, with the help of John Nield, a friend from England who had come to Utah with them, and the loan of his ox team, they went to Spring City in Sanpete County to the home of Thomas’ sister, Mary Schofield, who came to Zion in 1859.The home of Mary was their haven through all the trying years.While at Spring City, Thomas worked as a sheepherder and at odd jobs of any sort to be found, in an attempt to establish himself and his family.He used his talents, as always, in the service of his church and community.That September, just one year after arriving in Utah, Elizabeth gave birth to, and buried her only daughter, her sixth child
Finding Spring City and vicinity too well taken up by settlers to offer opportunities for new ones, it was necessary to seek for a more suitable place.In the bitter cold of January 1864, Thomas, with his small son, James Thomas, his wife Elizabeth, and representatives from 50 other families, went to Sevier Valley in South Central Utah in search of a place to live.Mary Jane was left behind with Mary at Spring City, where a month later she gave birth to her first daughter, February 26, 1864.She was given the names of both wives, Mary Elizabeth.
The company went as far south as Marysvale, but found it too small a place for the number of settlers, so turned back to a creek 15 miles north, and settled Alma, or what is now called Monroe.Each man drew one city lot and 20 acres of land.They dug cellars to live in until crops could be planted.The Broadbent family lived in a dugout, one corner left open to serve as a chimney.Volumes could be written of the experiences of those trying days; stories of Indians have thrilled the children of later generations.
For two years they fought a losing fight against hunger, weather, and Indians.The years of 1865 and 1866 were ripe with stories of Indian raids and massacres.In April of 1867, the Saints were all removed from Sevier Valley to places of safety.Back to the home of Mary went the weary Broadbents.
The church leaders then asked Thomas to go to Goshen and organize a choir and work in the church, with the understanding that he should receive a house and farm in exchange for his services.The family lived there, in a rented house, for seven years.Thomas worked in the mines at Tintic, coming home to his family and his church work, and to run a small rented acreage when not employed at Tintic.
At Goshen, Annie, Joseph, and David were born to Mary Jane; she brought into the world four daughters and seven sons.Elizabeth did menial labor for “our children,” as she unselfishly called them, to contribute to the building of “our husband’s” kingdom.The home and farm at Goshen were not granted.
The choirs of Goshen and that vicinity had been carrying on an exchange of music and entertainment and finally Thomas was induced by the ward officers of Santaquin, David Holladay and Eli Openshaw, to move to that town.The family first rented a home there belonging to Joe Smith; it consisted of a story and a half, two rooms down and two upstairs, which were reached by means of a ladder on the outside of the house.This was a temporary shelter, as they later moved to the Healis home.He was promised 10 acres of water.All went well until Brother Healis died and his brother John took charge.John took the 10 acres away.Later George Holladay was made bishop, and he sent Thomas Broadbent on a mission to Spring Lake.It was the birthplace of Charles and Geneva.
In Spring Lake, a tiny settlement three miles north of Santaquin and a branch of that ward, (so named because of a beautiful little lake formed by a great spring bed) was a group of talented, energetic young people who needed guidance and an outlet in activities.George Holladay, bishop of Santaquin, called Thomas on a mission to organize a choir and assist in that branch of the church.Several times each week he took his two wives and older children and drove to the little village.There he built his choir, playing his violin to teach the young ears the melodies.He was their organist; he was their entertainer at parties, carrying on monologues to his own accompaniment.He was their conductor and their inspiration.
Among his choir members was a dark, glowing girl, Chana Ellen Spainhower, whose people had come as converts from North Carolina.On December 27, 1877, in accordance with the principle of plural marriage, she became his third wife.She was the mother of 14 children, nine of whom were reared to maturity; seven daughters and two sons.
Through struggle and much careful planning, the family had acquired a 22-acre farm at Spring Lake, and the family had been moved there from Santaquin and lived in a rented log house one block west of the Spainhower home.Sylvester, Mary Jane’s son, and Nannie and Sarah, Chana’s first two daughters, were born there, the children of the two wives being cradled in the same crib.
As years passed the Broadbent family, or posterity, made it necessary to find more room for their housing and comfort.They returned to Santaquin, and bought a half block of land, east and across the street north of the Healis place.There they built their first home.What a thrill of happiness it must have been!What a thrill after their many changes and discomforts to see the walls of a home of their own rise.
White adobe bricks were dried in the sun and hauled from Goshen; these were laid in lime mortar.The house was a building of four warm rooms with a shingled roof.Choice fruit trees were planted and a good garden was raised.The older girls helped by doing housework for others, for which they received two dollars a week.The younger boys herded cows and sheep and fished from Utah Lake, while the older boys worked on the farm at Spring Lake with their father.
Thomas’ sister, Sarah Ann, had come to live with them.She was suffering with tuberculosis and needed special care.Chana, with her three little girls, moved into a one-room log house, which stood on the place, and cared for her until she passed away.Thomas again went to the mines at Tintic when he could be spared from the farm.Never in his life were his church activities neglected.
The family now consisted of Thomas, the three wives and thirteen children.There was need for further expansion.Thomas sold the farm at Spring Lake to his son-in-law, Loranzo Huish, and with the proceeds bought 120 acres of land, between Monroe and Elsinore.(The Brooklyn branch as it was later known.)In late February of 1885, he took his youngest wife, Chana and her three daughters, Nannie, near seven years; Sarah, about five; and Nora, two and a half years old, back to Sevier County to Monroe, that place of unhappy trial.With them went May Jane’s sons: Joseph, 16; and David, 14 years old.In two wagons were loaded their meager household furnishings and equipment and some seeds.With the little girls and their mother in the head wagon driven by Thomas, and the second span of horses in the hands of young Joseph, they set out.En route, they went through a terrific blizzard and lost the trail.Finally arriving at their destination, the family found only 15 acres of land were tillable soil; the remainder was heavy gumbo clay, and a wilderness to be won, of greasewood.They moved into one room with a mud roof and floor.The place had been used as a stable, and like Joseph and Mary of old, Thomas and Chana set out to make a home for their family and the two families to follow after.
The poverty and trials that they lived through during the first year were enough to shatter any but those with inspired faith and an indomitable will.No clearer word picture could be painted of that home than to quote from the memories of Joseph and Nannie, the two older children of Mary Jane and Chana.Nannie writes:
“I remember when we got to the place that was to be home, just about sunset on that cold February day.The house stood on a knoll; the stock had wintered around it and broken down the door and bedded there.The mantle was laying (sic) on the floor, covered with manure.The men unloaded the wagon to get shovels and cleaned the place out and made a fire in the fireplace.We had a bite to eat, and sometime, in the long winter evening, they but hay on the floor and made beds on it.
“It was a long story of struggles, through the spring and summer, trying to get the land in shape to plant the crops.Mother had a hard time; and when I remember how Joseph and David worked day and night to help, and all the hard times they had, I realize more each year the fine qualities those boys had, to stand the hardships they did.
“We had very little to eat, and at one time there was nothing but dark, coarse bread and a very little rancid bacon; this we children did without, for mother was so poorly that she had to have it, to be able to eat at all.(Mother was four months pregnant when we left for Sevier.)
“For two weeks we lived on dry bread, except for a little vinegar that Grandma Spainhower had made and given to mother.I was very fond of pickles, so we put a little salt and pepper and water in some vinegar and ate that with our bread; all that we had to eat.Then she arranged to milk cows for Dick Lowe, a neighbor, and we got what one cow gave, as our share; it was never more than two quarts, sometimes not more than one.Mother divided it in our cups and the times when there was little, we just dipped our bread into the milk and ate it.When there was more, we could crumb our bread in the milk and eat it with a spoon; that is when the family saying was coined, “Mother, can we dip or spoon tonight?”
“Often it would be ten or eleven o’clock at night before the boys could get over to do the milking, and there would be three hungry little girls, sleepy and crying for their supper.”Joseph says of that time, `The young, courageous wife kept the place scrupulously clean, our clothing washed and fixed, the meals well prepared.If any preference was shown in favoring one or the other, it was not her own little girls, but the working boys.She must surely, have been converted to the great cause of multiplying and replenishing the earth, and subduing it.’”
It was a terrible spring and summer for Thomas.His duty and his affection toward his families kept him almost all of the time on the road between Brooklyn and Santaquin, a distance of a hundred miles, which, in those days, meant four or five days of travel.In May, Geneva, Mary Jane’s little girl, had injured her knee and was injured internally while on a May Day walk, and had been at the point of death for two months.Thomas had been in Santaquin because of her illness in July, and had just returned to the farm.On the 17th of July (1885) he delivered Chana of eight months triplets, two boys and a girl.(John Thomas, William Henry, and Margaret Ann.)They lived only long enough for him to bath their tiny bodies, bless each one, and give it a name, then lay them away.
The following day, he received word that Geneva was dying, and to come at once.He wept, and did not know what to do.Chana was in a serious condition, but she urged him to go.He found a girl to stay with her and help with the family.The children tell of what a time they had.The girl was Danish and could neither speak nor understand a word of English, and they, of course, could not understand her native tongue.She was homesick and cried every day she was with them.
Thomas went on horse back to Salina; the nearest railroad point, and arrived at Santaquin in time for the burial. (Geneva died July 26, 1885.) He came back to his family at Brooklyn and had to return soon to Santaquin as Mary Jane’s last son, Thomas Standring, was born August 5, 1885.In less than six weeks time, there had been four births and as many deaths in the family.
This was also a trying time for the church.The Edmunds law against plural marriage was passed by President Arthur, March 22, 1882, but had remained more or less a dead letter.During 1882, prosecutions under this act were carried on with great hostility by the federal officials and courts in Utah and Idaho; a large number of polygamists were imprisoned, and many went into exile, some going into Mexico.
In 1887 a supplemental act was passed known as the Edmunds-Tucker law.Any person unwilling to take a test oath, (which in brief was a promise to discard their families) was deprived of his franchise; no polygamist had the right to vote and they were imprisoned and heavily fined.The church leaders were in hiding and much of the church property was being confiscated.The first arrest of this tort was made November 3, 1884.Rudger Clawson was the victim; he was sentenced to four years imprisonment and a fine of $800.(As of 1940) he is still alive and active in his church work.
Somehow during that busy summer and fall, the Broadbents built a home on higher ground and moved into it the following winter.The house was a log structure of three rooms.The little bedroom in the back served many times for a hiding place for the younger wife.The house set on a corner, and a row of Lobardy poplars, that the sentinel of Utah was planted around it.They were a blessed spot of shade in the dessert.The following year another home was built for Mary Jane, and the two families were moved to Brooklyn.Elizabeth lived with Chana and helped care for her family of small children.
There was much adjustment to be done in the new community, and Thomas was constantly involved in court proceedings in an attempt to establish laws and rules regarding water rights and a proper irrigation system.He had been called the Pioneer of Irrigation in that section.The family had joined the Elsinore Ward, which was three and a half miles from the farm.But distances and road conditions and poor facilities for travel had nothing to do with Thomas’ devotion to his church nor his families’ participation in its activities.Meeting time invariably found them in their places.Social activities were carried on at the farm and the houses of neighbors.The Broadbents were a fun-loving group, and the father was usually at the front in planning their programs and music.Home evenings, with supper over, the small children put to bed, and his newspaper read, he would gather his older children around his beloved melodeon, take his violin in his hands and teach them new songs.He and his wives formed a melodious quartette and were often in demand.
The entire family helped with the harvesting of crops.The children gathered wild ground-cherries, at odd times.These were gathered in large gunnysacks . . . with the loads of grain to be sold.From the proceeds the children’s extra clothing was purchased.Parties went bull-berry gathering; spreading down their blankets and baskets, they whipped the thorny bushes with clubs to obtain the luscious fruit.Many of the small fruits, not raised on the place, were picked on shares so that a variety might be had.
At Elsinore on special holidays, the celebration was held in the bowery.This was a large platform in a setting of trees with a roof of branches for shade, gay bunting and flags for decoration.The family was loaded into a wagon and all taken to town for their happy times.At Christmas no child was forgotten.Homemade molasses candy and popcorn balls, and carefully made rag dolls made up the presents.As a special favor at some time during their childhood, each girl was given a “Store” or china doll.Stockings were not hung at the Broadbent home After the Christmas morning at their individual homes, the children went to “Aunt Lizzie’s” where tarts, twisters, or crullers - fried in sweet home-rendered lard were found on a plate placed for each child.Balls were made of cork wrapped tightly with carpet rags and covered with twine or old yarn and cat-stitched all over the outside.Sometimes a homemade “poppy-show” a cat’s cradle—a large button, so placed on a string that it whirled and sang when pulled between busy fingers, was to be found.There were always molasses cookies.A charm string of beautiful buttons; occasionally, jelly beans and gumdrops, and once or twice, even an orange was found.
The father’s birthday was the most brightly colored in memory of all the holidays.There was always company.Chickens were roasted with “stuffing;” vegetables were cooked; apple and pumpkin pies were baked, in addition to molasses cakes and white cakes with frosting.A program was held, each child taking a part in it, and each was allowed his choice of songs for the father to sing.There was one general favorite which all clamored for – Parson Brown.
In 1867 about two hundred were imprisoned in the Utah penitentiary for the infractions of the anti-polygamy laws.Many were in exile in Mexico and Canada.In that same year, September 21, Bertha was born to Chana.The young wife could no longer remain at home to care for her babies.Those living in polygamy were being persecuted, imprisoned, chased down like wild animals; even neighbors were not to be trusted.The children were questioned and harassed with questions; they were frightened and perplexed.Chana left her brood with Aunt Lizzie, the ever-willing, and with her young baby, went from place to place working for church members wherever she could find protection.She dared not use her own name, and was known as “Nellie White.”Her babies were born, and some of them died and were buried in exile.On September 12, 1889, she bore Rebecca at Lehi.Soon after the birth of Rebecca, Thomas had word of a raid to be made in that settlement, and sent this wire to the home of his friend where the mother and babe had found a temporary shelter.“Put that mare and colt of mine in a new pasture.”It was the word for Chana to leave.It was also the time for that ever faithful Aunt Lizzie to add to her all ready numerous responsibilities.Again Nannie tells the story, “Mother had to be away so much of the time that some one had to do for us little girls, and dear old Aunt Lizzie took the burden.Mother went from place to place and finally settled in Lehi.The baby, Bertha, and I were with her.In about two years, Rebecca was born (September 22).Mother had to go to a safer place, so Aunt Lizzie took Bertha, two years old, and myself back to Brooklyn.We camped three or four nights on the way at friends homes.Every night Bertha would cry and beg to be taken to mother, until she fell asleep exhausted.I think I cried harder than Bertha, but no one knew it.And dear Aunt Lizzie! I just wonder what she did.”
Chana went to Salt Lake, and after some time worked at the John W. Young home, caring for her sick baby in her room.For 17 months Rebecca survived.Her brothers and sisters saw her only once, when they were taken to their grandmother’s home in Spring Lake, Chana with her baby, was taken there secretly for a glimpse of her children.The suffering baby died October 25 or 26, and was buried Monday, October 27, 1890 in a Salt Lake cemetery, a tiny martyr to a terrible regime of injustice and cruelty.Thomas arrived after her death and was there for the burial.
That Spring of 1889, Thomas had been arrested for “Unlawful Cohabitation,”as they (the law) termed it – in his heart and mind because he would not desert the wives and children with whom God had blessed him.He was sentenced in the 1st District Court at Provo by Judge Judd to three and a half months imprisonment, and a $100 fine.He began his term October 29, 1889, his 56th birthday was spent there.He says of this day in his journal, “December 29, my 56th birthday, was spent in reviewing my past life and thinking much about my family, and friends, knowing I would be missed from their circle this day above all others.`I, imprisoned in a felon’s cell, for no other cause than honorably living with, and supporting, my own wives and families.A prisoner indeed, for conscience sake.’”He had this to say of his first day at prison.“I felt considerably better than I had expected to as all were very sociable; but on hearing some one sing Home Sweet Home, I became very sad.I was invited by Brother Woods to join the choir, and he introduced the song Love At Home, which I had taught my children just before leaving them.The sadness prevented me from taking part in the choir that day.”
All was not dark at that prison.The men who had been sent there to serve time were sure in their hearts that they were not guilty of any crime, and their spirits were kept up by music and association with the others.There was a choir organized and Thomas was appointed conductor at the release of Brother Woods.Warden says of him, “He was worth a hundred guards or trustees, for his male choir, in the limbo of Uncle Sam, did more than any other thing to keep all prisoners at ease and in a pliable condition.”There were songs of home and loved ones, and making originals of their plight.This one was a prime favorite:
“All you co-habs still dodging around,
You’d better keep in underground,
For if with number two you’re found,
They’ll pop you into Limbo
They’ll shave your face and mow your hair,
And give you striped clothes to wear,
And see you have the best kind of care,
When you get into limbo.
Some guard will meet you at the gate,
Take your complexion, height and weight,
The coopers from your pockets take,
When you get into Limbo.”
Thomas’ head was never shaved, as he claimed that that would rob him of his power to sing.Because of his work at the prison, his fine was suspended and certain days taken from his term.But dark days awaited him.
Ben Barney, a neighbor, had served his time and was going home to Elsinore. Thomas was very anxious to send certain messages to his family.He repeated these to Barney day after day, but Barney couldn’t remember and suggested Thomas should write a letter which he would put in the bandages which had to be worn on his bad leg.WOE to Thomas!The letter was discovered in Barney’s pocket when he was to take his departure.As punishment to him for trying to smuggle a letter, he was to be kept longer and sentenced to solitary confinement.He was not a well man and Thomas feared for his welfare.
He asked that Barney be absolved of all blame, saying he was the one responsible and was ready to pay the penalty.They were about to sentence him to solitary confinement, but one of the guards suggested a better way to punish Broadbent;“Hurt his pride.This is his greatest punishment.”Canceled were all of Thomas’ privileges; the fine was raised to $325 and he was put down among the lowest of criminals in what is know as the sweat box, and confined to cell no. 69 for the duration of his term.But here, as elsewhere, he made friends among those `toughs’ as they were called.It was here he did the most good with his singing and chorus work.
On that Christmas day of 1889 he writes,
“The toughs were very kind to me.Some of them saying that mine was the most cruel treatment that had ever been given for such an offense.December 25th was spent about as was Thanksgiving, only the Union Glee Club, led by Professor Thomas, sang a concert in the dining room.They sang, Where Would I Be, which was appropriately answered by the smiles and looks of the brethren – HOME!”
He left the prison on January 29, 1890, and visited his wife Chana and her sick baby in Salt Lake.He met Joseph at Lehi, February 1, with the teams; he arrived at home February 8, 1890.For his family there at Brooklyn, it was a happy time, mixed with sadness.
Chana was still away on “the underground” and Aunt Lizzie was still mothering her children.It had taken much of the last year’s harvest to pay the fine imposed in prison, and times were hard and trying.On September 13, 1890, the manifesto was signed by Wilford Woodruff and was approved and accepted by General Conference, October 4.The persecution of the Saints began to abate, although there was still some arrests made and fines paid.
After a siege of malaria fever, which both Sarah and Nora (two of Chana’s daughters) suffered, “Nellie White” was taken home; but she was still in hiding.A daughter, Minnie, was born, lived two months, died, and was buried in the night.Chana again had to leave, and was with her people in Spring Lake for some time.
On September 19, 1891, at Payson, another daughter, and named for her two mothers, Chana Elizabeth was born.Thomas took his wife home arriving there October 30, 1891.He said that he would spent the remainder of his days in jail, rather than let her leave her home and family again.
On February 10, 1890, he went to Richfield, where he deeded each family their homes, and farmland was expressed in his will, and gave bills of sale of property belonging to each one.James Thomas (who had previously moved to the farm) moved into the home with his mother (Aunt Lizzie), and Chana and her family occupied the home vacated by them.As persecution abated, Chana took her place with her family, and great was the rejoicing for them to see her active in her church and community.It had been 19 years since she had been recognized publicly as a wife and mother.In Brooklyn, a daughter, Florence, and Arthur Merion, the first son that she had given her husband and had been able to keep, were born.
The Brooklyn Branch had been organized in the meantime, and Thomas acted in different offices.He was superintendent of the Sunday School, and later President of the Branch.The little melodeon was loaded into the wagon each week and taken to the schoolhouse, which served as a church, and there, with his family of singers and his violin, he was again happy in his service to his community and his God.
The life of Thomas was never smooth.In the spring, April 26, 1892, he was trampled by a stallion, and his shoulder and hip was both broken.Twice at Elsinore an attempt was made to set the broken bones, and the third time Chana, with her baby in her arms, drove the team and took him to Provo, where they were again re-broken.The operation was performed by Doctors Pike and Shores, August 23, 1892.Always after that time, Thomas wore a built-up shoe, and assisted his arm with the other hand.The spirit was unchanged, but mellowed; he was still strong for his faith and what he believed to be right.
The older boys, seeing no opportunity for them at Brooklyn, had one by one left the farm for educational purposes, and the other had followed.For some years, James Thomas, Elizabeth’s son, and his family had been living in the farm, but later returned to Santaquin and there a home for Elizabeth was purchased near them.
Finding himself unable to longer handle the work of the farm, Thomas traded the remainder of the property at Brooklyn for a little house and a bit of land at the foot of the Manti Temple.There he moved Chana’s family.Here, Eva, the last of Chana’s seven living daughters was born.
Thomas worked at the temple for about three years.He decided that he wanted his families closer together, so he moved Chana and her family to the Santaquin place of Elizabeth, and went to Provo in search of a place for them.He was there for Thanksgiving Day of 1901 and wrote Chana he would soon be home to locate her at Santaquin.
He had taken the agency of the “Wheller and Wilson” sewing machines and although he was not well when he arrived at Santaquin, went to Goshen in the hope of making some sales there.He came back after making a short trip, suffering from a terrible cold.Within 10 days, on December 14, 1901, he was dead of pneumonia.
Aunt Mary Jane’s boys arranged for and moved Chana and her family to Provo, and in one month after losing her husband, Chana’s child, her 14th and a son, Merlin Wield, saw the light of day.He was the 31st child of Thomas Broadbent.
There is a picture in the memories of his younger children of a softened, kindly, loving man, with deep blue eyes and graying wavy hair.In a great wooden rocker he sits with a brown-eyed, baby girl and a grey-eyed son on his knees and a daughter on each chair arm, singing tender songs.
Thomas Broadbent rests in the little cemetery at Santaquin; beside him sleep his three wives.
Our Father!Here is My Image of Him
He was a medium height and complexion; blue eyes and curly hair.
He was rather good looking, in spite of his somewhat long nose.
He was a real gentleman in appearance and action.
I never heard him swear; if he had any bad habits, I never knew of them.
Among men, he was a leader with rigidness enough to win in the cause of right.
If by their fruits men are known, he certainly was a man of God.
He lived a good life, fought a good fight, and remained true to the faith.
I am proud to be one of the thirty-one that bear his name.
Sorena Broadbent Vance
These excerpts from patriarchal blessings:
May 24, 1900, by Patriarch John Ashman at Manti –
“ . . . And your posterity will be very great in the Holy Priesthood, for from your loins come forth prophets and priests and kings, and your name will be honored among many nations, for thou art of the royal seed of Abraham. . . . For, like Jeremiah the Lord knew you before you were born and appointed the time and the parentage through which you would come to earth.”
August 11, 1889, by Patriarch C. H. Blackburn at Elsinore, at the time his prison sentence was pending;
“ . . . Thou shalt have wives and a numerous posterity and of their increase there shall be no end, and none of them shall be lost . . . Prophets and Apostles shall come of thee.”
All his living children join David A. Broadbent in paying this tribute of Edgar A. Guest –
I Follow a Famous Father
I follow a famous father. His honor is mine to bear.
He gave me a name that was free from shame; A name he was proud to bear.
He lived in the morning sunlight, and marched in the ranks of right.
He was always true to the best he knew; And the shield that he wore was bright.
I follow a famous father, and never a day goes by
But I feel that he looks down to me to carry his standard high.
He stood to the sternest trials, as only a brave man can,
Though the way be long, I must never wrong the name of so good a man.
I follow a famous father, not know to the printed page,
Nor written down in the world’s renown as a prince of his little age.
But never a stain attached to him, and never he stopped to shame.
He was bold and brave, and to me he gave the pride of an honest name.
I follow a famous father, And him I must keep in mind –
Though his form is gone, I MUST CARRY THE NAME that he left behind.
It was mine on the day he gave.It shone as a monarch’s crown;
And is fair to see, as it came to me.It must be when I pass it down.
To My Father
from
His Last Daughter, Eve
I did not know you, My Father –
You are a legend to me;
A legend of music, and life and fire,
Man of God – – Child of desire.
A lilt of song from a violin’s strings
Seem to echo down the years,
A lullaby for a little girl,
To dry her lonely tears.
Some say you were stern, My Father,
With a temper fierce and wild,
But they also say you were quick to love,
With the generous love of a child.
You carried a cross, My Father –
You wore a stilt-like shoe,
But all the trampling, the pounding
Of that vicious stallion “LIFE”
Could not warp, nor mar, nor cripple
The glorious soul of you.
Your eyes were blue, My Father,
Mine, like my mother’s are brown.
I am the living image of her,
Your southern bride.
But I have your smile, My Father
And smoldering inside – –
Your flaming, lyric spirit,
Your song on a muted string –
A symphony – – In a minor key –
Of WORDS that strive to sing.
Eve B. Ekins, 1940
(The material contained on the following pages was copied from two sheets of paper, which were written on both sides by Thomas Broadbent; and were apparently leaves, which had been cut from a biographical sketch, which the author had made.The last two pages were apparently written as a daily diary, while the first two are from memory only.
This writing was in ink, the first two pages of which were of a pale color, which would not photograph with ordinary film, but the second two were more dark, and were reproduced for Mrs. Bullock.)
From Decr. 29th, 1833, to December 29th 1888–89, and 90, &c, &c.This short Byography, and Names &c, where written by Thomas Broadbent, son of James Wrigley and Nanny Broadbent, at his Farm House Nr Elsinore, Seveir Co Utah.He, T. B. was born Decr 29th 1833, was Baptized Jan 17th 1849, in the Oldham Branch, Lancashire, England, was ordained a Priest about 1850–51 and was ordained an Elder in the Melchizadec, acting in that capacity in different positions mostly oranixing and conducting Choirs, Sunday School teaching, Superintending S. Schools &c., &c.And subsiquently presiding over the Oldham Branch, after which he emigrated to Utah in 1862 with his wife Elizabeth Glenhill Broadbent, who was married to him on the 17th July, 1853, at Oldham Church.We had two children when we started, James Thomas, and Francis William.The later of which was sick all the way across the sea and on the cars until we reached Chicago, where he died and had to leave him to be burried by strangers not having the privilage to bury him ourselves as the R. R. Train could not wait which was a great grief to us.After leaving the cars we came to the River to Florence, and from therein Ox Teams across the plains walking on foot most of the way.Landed in Salt Lake in September having been on our Journey about 5 months.Leaving Liverpool, England in the beging of May, in the Ship William Tapscott.We stayed in Salt Lake a few days with Isaac Duffin.Then Came to Lehi Utah County in John Nields’ Ox Team.Stayed there some time Working Out.Herding Sheep &c.On the 11th of April 1863, Was Endowed and had my Wife Elizabeth and also Mary Jane Nuttall Sealed to me for Time and all Eternity.Not yet being able to get us a Home on Acount of Strineh Regulations by the People, (Viz) Not allowing anyone to Settle with them and Bye a Samll piece of Land Except they warre able to Bye out Enterly and be Moving away, thus leaving no chance for new Settlers whatever,Con’quently Myself and A number representing 50 Familys Started in January 1864 to Sevier Vally to Explore for Homes.Went to Marys Vale But finding it to samll A Place for our Company we Returned to A Creek 15 miles North and Located what is now known as Monroe, Each one drawing on City lot, and 20 acres of Farming Land.We dug Cellers &c. to live in till we got in our crops &c.My family living in the dug out without Roof, and One Corner for A Chimney, till we got Crops in &c.Got Along pritty well til the Indians comenced to Trouble killing our Stock and Stealing them and our Sheep also killing men and Women until finally after 2 years we had to Abandon the Place Scarcly with anything to leave with.Being again without Homes, I then went Back to my Sister Marys in Spring Town, until I was Promised Land and Home in Goshen, Utah C. if I would organize them a Choir &c.Went and did so but never go Anything for it only what I worked hard for.Stayed there 7 years and was about to Return to Sevier Vally, When Br David Hollady and Eli Openshaw who had then come to Goshen And Made Me an offer to Ten Acrs of Water to Live there at Santaquin, went, organized Choirs and Sunday School &c. done well till Br Hollady died.Then his Br John took Charge, the Ten Acrs was taken from me.Finally George Hollidy of Pleasant Grove was sent to Santaquin for Bhishop,He then Apointed me a Mission to Spring Lake to Organize, Choirs,
(Page from later sketch)
Wednesday Morning 29th was set at liberty, aplied for my Mail &c. got about 14 letters that had been detained.Went to Salt Lake on the Train.Met My wife at Jas Thos 4th South Street.Stayed visiting til the 31st.
Feb 1st 1890 went to Lehi on the U.C. in the afternoon where I met my Son Joseph with team to take me Home
Monday, Feb 3rd
4that Spring Lake.
5thNephi.
6stat the Bend of the River.
7that Salina
8thHome where I was Warmly received by My Family.Sorrounded by samll Children all kissing me and crying for Joy which so overcame em that I could not speak scarsly to them.It was Imposibal for me to Eat or talk till next day.
The 9thWent to meeting in the afternoon and spoke about one Hour to the People. felt very free.the good Spirit dectatating me,
Monday the 10thWent to Richfield with My wife Elizabeth and Son Joseph where I deeded Each Family There Homes and farm Land as Expressed in my will, Contained Herein.Also gave Bills of Sales to Property belonging to Each one.
Sunday 23rdwent to Richfield to conference.A Good time in general.Apostle Antone Lund being Present.
September 1890Nother very special and unusaul only Heraring from My wifechana who was still in Exile and attending to dutys at Home
October 24thReceived a Message from Chana that her Babe was still very Sick and to come at once.Started to her on the 25th arrived on the 26th and found Baby dead after An Illness of 6 months caused through Exposure Resulting in Inflamation of the Bowels.Buried her in Salt Lake Cimatry on
Monday the 27thReturned Home again Ariving on the
6 day of Novr 1890Moved Chana from Salt Lake But still Remains on Exile.Going first one Place then another,October Conference 1890 Heard the Manifesto Read Isued by President Woodruff.And saw the Conference vote to sustain it.There Where no Hands raised against it.But I thought it was a very Slim vote Considering the multitude Asembled.My own feelings were very Peculiar and I could not Conciencious vote and saw A good many others in the same way.Some with tears in there Eyes.A very solam feeling Prevailed in the meeting.From now on watched the Sign of the Times and the different changes Transpiring and often Hearing from C. still away from Home ––––––
*May 2nd 1891.I was ordained an High Priest at Richfield by Bro Seegmiller and Clark, the former being mouth.This was in acord with A call as A Collector for the defence fund.Which was Gotten up for the defence of the Church and the Payment of money already Expended on the Same, for Excheate case and others.
July 24th at Santaquin Acted as Chaplin by Request of Bp E. Openshaw.Was well Entertained.Returned Home and spent the Summer on the Farm Working.during the Fall heard from Chana who still in Exile, visited her on the 25 Septr as she had been delivered of a Very fine Girl.Returned on the 30th
Octr Conference 1891at Home much Interested in Reading News of the Conference. among other things the Resolutions denouncing Report of the Utah Commission &c.From now on Watched with Interest the Policy Pursued and Answers given by the Presidency and others in the Eschate cases before the Court held in Salt Lake City.after carfuly Reading and Studying over the mater I concluded that My Wife Chana had suffered Enough of Exile life and on the 21st of Octr Started to Bring her Home.And returned with her and Baby on the 30th Moved J. Thos Family to his mothers, and Chana and her Family to the House formerly ocupied by Them.
More About Thomas Broadbent:
Baptism (LDS): 17 Jan 1849
Burial: 17 Dec 1901, Santaquin, Utah, Utah.
Endowment (LDS): 11 Apr 1863
Record Change: 09 Sep 2001
Sealed to parents (LDS): 26 Feb 1974, LA.
More About Thomas Broadbent and Elizabeth Gledhill:
Marriage: 17 Jul 1853
Sealed to spouse (LDS): SL.
More About Thomas Broadbent and Mary Jane Nuttall:
Marriage: 11 Apr 1863, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.
Sealed to spouse (LDS): 11 Apr 1863, SL.
More About Thomas Broadbent and Chana Ellen Spainhower:
Marriage: 21 Dec 1877
Sealed to spouse (LDS): SL.
Children of Thomas Broadbent and Mary Jane Nuttall are:
- +Mary Elizabeth Broadbent (Gourley), b. 26 Feb 1864, Spring City, Sanpete, Utah, d. 15 May 1924, Provo, Utah, Utah.
- George Heber Broadbent, b. 14 Dec 1865, Spring City, Sanpete, Utah, d. 08 Oct 1867.
- Annie Eliza Broadbent, b. 14 May 1867, Goshen, Utah, Utah, d. 03 Jan 1937.
- Joseph Franklin Broadbent, b. 01 May 1869, Goshen, Utah, Utah, d. 01 Aug 1942.
- David Albert Broadbent, b. 14 May 1871, Goshen, Utah, Utah, d. 02 May 1962.
- Charles Nuttall Broadbent, b. 01 Jun 1872, Santaquin, Utah, Utah, d. 19 Jan 1963.
- Geneva Lavina Broadbent, b. 16 Jun 1875, Santaquin, Utah, Utah, d. 26 Jul 1885, Santaquin, Utah, Utah.
- Sylvester Broadbent, b. 03 Apr 1878, Spring Lake, Utah, Utah, d. 28 Jun 1964.
- Serena Broadbent, b. 04 Nov 1880, Santaquin, Utah, Utah, d. date unknown.
- Leo Moroni Broadbent, b. 07 May 1883, Santaquin, Utah, Utah, d. 09 May 1886, Santaquin, Utah, Utah.
- Thomas Standring Broadbent, b. 05 Aug 1885, Santaquin, Utah, Utah, d. 21 Jun 1916.