Elizabeth Thomas

Elizabeth's Story

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The Story

Elizabeth's Story

researched by Penny Magnusson Hannum

Birth:  February 15th, 1864   |   female   |   in Wales

Death:  August ??, 1868   |   4 years old   |   Somewhere near Laramie, Wyoming

Memorial:   Stone 16

Elizabeth Thomas is the last of four children born to parents Hugh William Thomas of Wales and Mary Ann Sparrey of England. Hugh and Mary Ann were married in 1857 in Wales.

Hugh and his family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wales, and desired to be with other Saints gathered in Utah. They boarded the ship “Minnesota” and sailed to America. After arriving, they traveled by train to Laramie, Wyoming. There they joined the William S. Seeley Company which began its journey from the outfitting post in Laramie, Wyoming, departing August 1, 1868.

Exhaustive travel conditions, disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and extreme weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. Along the way, 4-year-old Elizabeth contracted measles and passed away. She is buried on the trail somewhere near Laramie, Wyoming.

The company arrived in the Salt Lake Valley 29 August 1868.

submitted by The Daughters of Utah Pioneers and Days of ‘47