Margaret McCullough b 15 Oct 1822

Margaret McCullough
Born 15 Oct 1822
Centerville, New Castle, Delaware
Married 19 Sep 1844
to John Steel CARPENTER
Died 4 Dec 1915
Glendale, Kane, Utah

mother of
Erastus Snow Carpenter b 31 Mar 1845
grandmother of
Frank Carpenter b 9 May 1886
great grandmother of
Ora Carpenter b 7 Aug 1912
great great grandmother of
Jay Omerza b 14 Apr 1942


large photo 1914: Five Generations, clockwise, beginning with front,
left: Margaret MCullough Carpenter Gheen Stewart, Elizabeth Carpenter Anderson, Malinda Anderson Jolley, Ruth Jolley Harris, Duaine Harris.



Crossed the plains in 1857 Jacob Hofheins/Matthew McCune Company
"New York Company, later the St. Louis Company"
Departure 6 June 1857
Arrival in Salt Lake Valley 21 Sep 1857



A SHORT SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF MARGARET McCULLOUGH
By Salome Smith Hunter

Margaret McCullough, daughter of John McCullough and Eliza Ann Stilley, was born in Centerville, Newcastle, Delaware, 15 October 1822. On the 19th of September l844 she married John Steel Carpenter, son of William and Elizabeth Lancaster Carpenter.

Eight years later, after a long illness, John died, leaving Margaret with four small children; Erastus Snow, Elizabeth, John Stilley, and James Deleplane. The widowed mother took her little family and went to live with her parents. The Gospel had been brought to this family by Erastus Snow, and they had made plans to come to Utah. Through the kindness of John’s sister Rachel, and her husband Joseph Crossgrove, her wish was gratified, and the brave little woman brought her small children and joined an independent wagon train of Jacob Hoffhein in April 1857. They took steamer at Wilmington, Delaware, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and there took train to Iowa City, where the outfits were organized for the 1300-mile trek to Utah.

Joseph Crossgrove had three wagons, with two yoke of oxen to each. One was for the accommodation of Margaret and her little family. A returning missionary, Jacob Hoffhein was chosen to be Captain, as he knew more about the country than any of the company. There were three handcart companies that came along with them, During the trek, the oxen made a stampede, tipping over one wagon and injuring two people. A little later, the oxen made another stampede, breaking out of’ the corral made by placing the wagons in a circle. Some of’ the frightened women jumped from the wagons, thinking they would be tipped over again. My great-grandmother Margaret was one of them. She sprained her ankle very badly, making it impossible for her to walk the rest of the trek. Seventy of the oxen got away, and were never found.

The company arrived in Salt Lake Valley in the fall of 1857, and Margaret and family made a home for some time in the 8th Ward, where Margaret and the older children were re-baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, August 1, l858.

Joseph Crossgrove, not liking the looks of the valley, went on to California, later returning to Delaware.

In the spring of l858, after learning of the coming of Johnson’s army to take possession of’ the State, the Saints were advised to go south, until the trouble was over. Through the kindness of some friends, the Carpenter family was enabled to go to Lehi and stay until peace was established. The family lived in Salt Lake City until 1868. In the meantime, my great—grandmother had married John Gheen, had one daughter, Margaret Louisa, or Maggie as she was always called. One day a little later, Gheen came home, buckled on his belt and six-shooter and left the house. They found him shot to death in a vacant lot. Grandmother was afraid he had killed himself, but President Erastus Snow told her he had been murdered, but they never did learn any details.

At that time there was a man living with them by the name of Stewart, who had been in the Mormon Battalion. He did everything he could to find the foe of John Gheen, but was not successful. While Boyd Stewart was in the Mormon Battalion, the following incident occurred: The men had traveled all day in the heat, with little or no water. When they came to a water hole, they all rushed to get a drink, but Captain Pike stopped them until his mules drank. Stewart said, "Men before mules,” and raised his kettle to strike him. The Captain then had Boyd Stewart tied by his thumbs to the wagon wheel all night. Boyd swore he would kill him if he ever saw him again.

Sometime later, 26 August l86l, Margaret married Boyd Stewart. Two children were born to them--Boyd Stewart, Jr., who died 15 October 1950 in Lovell, Wyoming, and Lydia, who died while yet a child.

In the fall of l868, Margaret and family moved to the Muddy Valley, in southern Utah, to help colonize the new settlements requested by the Church leaders. These settlements were later found to be in the state of Nevada, and back taxes were demanded by Nevada, even though the settlers had already paid taxes to the state of Arizona. On 20 December 1870, a letter came from Brigham Young, stating that petitions to Nevada and the U.S. asking for the abatement of back taxes were denied, and that it was advisable for the settlers to leave the Muddy Valley.

In March 1871, Margaret and family, with other settlers, moved to what is now known as Glendale, Kane, Utah.

Margaret’s daughter Elizabeth married Sven M. Anderson in 1870. Erastus Snow and Emma Millard were married in 1871. Erastus S. married Julia Ann Van Orden 16 March 1877. James D. and Catherine Judd were married at Glendale, 17 December 1871. John Stilley married Eliza (Margaret) Cutler, 1 February 1877. In September 1880 she died leaving two small children, John Cutler and Rosanna. Margaret took the children and cared for them until they married, then she made her home with John C. the rest of her life, except for the last few months, which were spent at the home of’ her daughter, where she died 4 December 1915, at the age of 93.

For many years Margaret was the treasurer of the Relief Society, and kept the quilts they made, and the grain that was donated to the Relief Society. When her grandchildren went with her to feed the chickens, she let them get grain from her own bin, but she made sure that no one touched the grain in the Relief Society bin.

She was one of the best natured persons ever to grace the community. She never lost her temper or scolded the children, but was always gay and pleasant, with a keen sense of humor. When she was about 80 years of age, she was determined to go for a horseback ride. When she was 85 she came into a room a man was papering. He was on a high scaffold, to reach the ceiling and asked her jokingly if she wouldn’t come help him. She said, “I don’t know anything about papering, but if it was white washing I could.” She was active in the Church until her last few years, and helped with the housework until a few days before her death.

This transcript was copied from a letter written by her son Erastus S. to his son Joseph L.

“Dec. 14, 1915—I must tell you first that which is uppermost in my mind. I received a letter this morning from your uncle John S. informing me that my dear old mother had passed on to her long resting place, and I have no doubt but to a happy one, for she was a good woman all her life long, and she lived to a grand old age, ninety-three years, Oct. 15, last. She passed away on the 4th of this month, John said. John C. and family had gone to Cedar City where they could get their boys in high school, and mother went to stay with Aunt Lizzie. She went outside, and coming back she fell and broke her hip. She said it didn’t hurt except when she moved her leg. The Doctor said she must have had a slight stroke. On the evening of the fourth day they sent for John S. as she wasn’t so well. She talked to him, turned her head on the pillow and went to sleep, and passed away as gently as a babe going to sleep. I cannot help but feel sad, but I can’t say “I am sorry,” for she is much better off, than she was in this life.”

I remember the many times I went to visit her, when I was a small girl. It was always something special for me, when I was allowed to go see her, and she was so happy to have any of us come and talk to her.

This short history was taken from notes belonging to my mother Margaret Carpenter Smith (named for her grandmother), the history written by her sons, Erastus Snow Carpenter, and John Stilley Carpenter.

Written by Salome Smith Hunter
2258 East 6675 So.
Salt Lake City, Utah