Orpha's Beloved Pioneer Mother

Sabina Ann Adams Nicoll

Orpha's mother, Sabina Ann Adams, travelled with her family to Utah in the Samuel Gully-Orson Spencer Company. She was twelve. The Company departed on 28 May 1849 with 322 individuals and 100 wagons, beginning its journey from the outfitting post at Kanesville, Iowa (present day Council Bluffs). There is no family record with any particular details from their journey, but other sources provide some information that gives some context for her experience. The following is from the journal of Thomas Atkins:

"On July 5th, Brother Samuel Gully (captain of their company) died of cholera and was buried by the roadside." [Orson Spencer was president of the group, so he took over as captain.]

July 27th--passed Chimney Rock.

July 29th--forded the Platte River three quarters of a mile across, very deep, and quick-sand bottom.

August 3rd--passed Fort Laramie.

August 22nd--passed Independence Rock and camped at Devil's Gate, a narrow channel cut through a mountain through which the Sweetwater River runs, overhung by rocky crags. We here began to experience frosty nights.

September 13th--travelled eight miles and camped at Fort Bridger.

September 16th--travelled six miles and crossed Bear River. Rough mountain roads is the rule for the rest of the journey.

September 19th--travelled five miles and crossed the Weber River.

September 20th--travelled fourteen miles, chiefly in a canyon up and down steep hills, having to hold our wagons from upsetting with ropes.

September 21st--travelling over the big mountain.

On Tuesday, September 25th, we entered the Valley early in the afternoon and thus completed our long journey and at last gazed upon the Great Salt Lake Valley."

Sabina Ann's mother gave birth to her ninth child, a baby girl she named Orpha Elzeta, less than a month after arriving in the Valley. Though there is a twelve-year difference in their ages, the two must have been quite close. Sabina would name her seventh child (and your ancestor) Orpha Elzeta after her sister. Likewise, her sister Orpha named her first daughter Sabina.

Sabina Ann would later share some of her pioneer experiences with her grandchildren. Her daughter Armitta's children remembered the following:

"She said that a good milk cow was taken along as her mother insisted on fresh milk for the children. When the morning milking was done, the milk was put in a small wooden keg and strapped to the wagon. When they camped at night, the keg was opened; a nice pat of butter floated on the top. This was eaten on fresh corn bread or baked potatoes. The buttermilk was the evening drink. The night milk was used for breakfast.

Sabina Ann walked a good share of the journey and drove the cow and calf. Her father had given her the calf and she loved it dearly. When the journey was about half done, the Adams family camped by a river. The calf became lost in the brush along the stream. The family stayed almost a day looking for the lost pet. Her parents finally convinced Sabina that the Indians had already taken it or it would have come when the cow called. She left the camp heartbroken and was unhappy for the balance of the trip." 

As you think about your pioneer ancestors this holiday, remember young Sabina Ann's bittersweet experience on the trail.

Happy Pioneer Day!