Frances Hannah Bickington

Francis’ parents were William Bickington and Ann Reader from England. Frances was their only child.

The family came from England to America and joined the Cyrus Wheelock Company to journey to Utah with other Saints.

From the journal of William Land Nuttle Allen, he says:

“Sunday July 17th was called up at 12. O. Clock A.M. to go on watch until 4 a.m., about 20 minutes past one <A.M.> a young girl named Fanny Bickington died. After breakfast I made her coffin, this afternoon we met together to serve the Lord. Brot Shurtliffs company having arrived about an hour previous he attended our meeting[.] we enjoyed ourselves first rate in testimony[,] Singing and Counsel from Capt Wheelock[,] D Shurtliff and others, we afterwards attended to the interment of the young girl which was about ½ a mile from the roadside 4 stakes where put in the ground to mark the spot.”

From a memory of Paul Olsen, from the company:

“The next day, a Sunday, a 6-year old girl, Fanny Bickington, died. Charles and William (who was a cabinet maker) helped carve the little girl’s coffin and she was buried a half-mile off the trail. Her grave was marked by four stakes in the earth. The Saints organized a sacrament meeting and shared their testimonies. The good Cyrus Wheelock led them in singing and gave a sermon to lift their spirits.”

Another note about Frances by James Farmer's journal:

"The journey was not without personal grief and suffering, for little 7 year old Frances Hannah Bickington, daughter of Francis’ sister Ann, died during the crossing of the plains, and was buried alongside the trail. She was their only child, they never did have more children." footnote: This little niece may have been ill for quite some time”

Little seven year old Frances is buried near Fremont, Dodge, Nebraska.