Margaret Ann Griffiths Clegg

Margaret Ann Griffiths My Great-great-great grandmother's name is Margaret Ann Griffiths Clegg. Margaret was born in Liverpool, England on April 15,1840. Four months before Margaret was born, both of her parents were baptized into the gospel. The family moved from Liverpool to Woolwich and were an influence on bringing many to the gospel. When Margaret was thirteen it was decided that her older brother Tom would head to America so that he wouldn't be drafted into the army. Little did the family know it, but this would be the last time that they would see Tom. This same year, 1853, Margaret`s mother died from a pregnancy. A few months after her mother died, Margaret`s father remarried. Three years later, in 1856, Margaret`s family decided to go to America and help the saints settle in the west. They left from Liverpool, with almost 900 other saints who were headed to "Zion". The group left May 25, 1856 on the ship Horizon. They arrived at Iowa City on July 9th. Not much was said about the journey that they had on the way from England to America. Margaret and her family would be traveling out west in the Martin Handcart company. There were many things that slowed down the handcart company from leaving on time, and with an early winter many of these saints wouldn't make it to Utah. Margaret's journey, like so many others, was one of heartache and pain. Margaret traveled out west with her father, step-mother, younger sister and two younger brothers. They endured many hardships along the way. When the company of saints came to the North Platte River, Margaret notes in her journal that she believes she was the only woman who pulled the handcart through the icy river. On their journey, Margaret lost half of her family. Her eleven year old brother died first, two days later her five year old brother died. The day after the group arrived in Salt Lake her father died. Margaret and her sister were put into homes of the saints. Margaret was in a few different homes and then came to Henry Clegg's home. It was stated that it was love at first site. Margaret became Henry's second wife on August 14, 1857. Margaret and Henry's first wife Ann got along wonderfully. They both worked hard to raise their families. Ann had seven children and Margaret had six. Some of the jobs Margaret had were things like washing whites, making soap and candles, mending clothes, and gleaning the fields. Margaret and Ann lost their husband in August 1894. Margaret died July 29, 1929 at her home in Heber city. Notes: (Newbold, 1996)