Journaling has
always been hard for me to do, but through this project I am gaining a great appreciation
for my ancestors and the stories that have been preserved for us, to learn
about them and from them. My great-grandfather William Moroni Daines (pictured seated
on the far right in the family picture), in 1928 wrote his memories of his
parents. He had misgivings because of the length of time that had elapsed, the
lack of documentation and his own weaknesses but his recorded knowledge gives
us a glimpse into the life of our early pioneer heritage and the first family
members to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Robert Daines
was born in St. Cross, Suffolk, England on 3 Aug 1829, son of James Sillett and
Lydia Daines. Although he was the father of her child, Lydia did not marry James, but instead married Nathaniel Wilkinson in 1831. Nathaniel was a farm hand and labored hard to provide for his
family. It was shared in William Moroni Daines journal (Robert' son), that his step-father was very unkind to Robert because he was jealous
of the love that Lydia showed her son. Later in life, Nathaniel was able to acknowledged his jealously and asked Robert for his forgiveness, which was readily granted.
Out of need to
meet the needs of the growing family, Robert at age 6 to 8 years old was put to
work by his step-father’s employers herding the cows and sheep away from their crops
to keep them from being trampled. This experience began his training to become
dependable and hard-working. As a young man he hired out to farmers in the area
for 5 pounds, equal to $25 a year, plus board and lodging. He learned well the
methods of farming in Suffolk, which was one of the very rich farming districts
of England. He was very particular to do well in any undertaking, this was
exemplified by his ability to furrow entirely straight furrows with a hand plow,
earning him the praise of both employers and friends. Because of his dependability
and character his employers would leave him temporarily in charge when they were
absent.
Even though he
demonstrated hard-work and leadership there was no time for formal education,
coupled with, “The ministers of the Protestant churches and the people
generally of father’s (Robert) acquaintances referred to and quoted the
scripture which says, ‘That the sins of the fathers would be visited upon the
children unto the third and fourth generation,’ but would quote no further.
Some would apply these words to him.” Robert struggled with who he knew he was and
breaking out of where the world had placed him. At age 19, hoping to improve his
lot, he sought to enlist with the Queen’s Guard, but he was rejected because he
was a quarter of an inch short of the six foot requirement. The fact that with
all his discouragements, his refusal to join a lesser branch of the army shows
his ambitions and ideals to be of a high order. At the time he was very
disappointed but later in his life he acknowledged the over-ruling hand of
providence in his behalf that kept him from such a different life as the army
would have provided.
On the 11th
of October 1851, Robert married his first wife Mary Ann Barker, daughter of
Stephen Barker and Charlotta Curtis, born 19 Feb 1833, in Suffolk, England. She
was a beautiful, dark complexioned, black-haired girl, well respected by all
and a favorite among young people.
During the
summer and fall of 1851, Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Say
Saints labored for the first time in the neighborhood, and they were among the
first to accept their message. When the Elders taught the doctrine of
repentance and forgiveness of sin and quoted the scripture, ‘That the sins of
the fathers would be visited upon the children unto the third and fourth
generation,’ but then finished the verse, ‘of them that hate me, and showing
mercy to thousands who keep my commandments.’ It gave him more hope and courage
than he had ever had before and led him to further investigation and ultimate
acceptance. Robert and Mary Ann were baptized on 17 Dec 1851, by Elder William
Smith. Many in the area joined the church, including the Seamons’ family who would come to play a significant role in Robert’s life in just a few years.
Mary Ann bore
four children:
·
George
born 13 January 1852, died 2 June 1852, age 5 months.
·
Eliza
born 2 July 1853, died 27 February 1854, age 7 months.
·
George
born 5 November 1854, died 9 September 1855, age 10 months.
·
Ellen
born 5 November 1856, died 6 February 1857, age 3 months. She was born in New
Jersey after they had immigrated to America.
It was a great
trial in his life to lose his children, as well as the persecution of family
and friends for him and Mary Ann joining the church. He therefore went to the Elders
for comfort and consolation for both himself and his loved companion. Elder
Smith gave him a blessing and in the blessing he was promised that if he would
be faithful in his duties, especially in the payment of his tithing that the
Lord would open up his way in due time to emigrate to Zion and that he would
live to have a numerous posterity of sons and daughters to bear his name. While
this seemed almost impossible of fulfillment, the current conditions seeming so
much against it. They took courage, continued faithful and worked always with
that object in view.
It wasn’t
until my early adulthood that I had learned the origin of my last name being
Daines and that had Lydia married James Sillett that my name would have been
different. Even though, illegitimate children were not uncommon for the time in
England, it was obvious in my great-grandfathers telling of the story that
Robert was judged by the condition of his birth. Learning of Robert and his
trials gives me great hope and courage for my life because I know how his ends
and the blessing of Elder Smith does come to pass. We are all given
difficulties to overcome, but it is what we become as a result that is our
reward.
