Harriet's Story
Birth: December 13th, 1859 | female | in Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Death: July 27th, 1860 | Infant | in Nebraska
Memorial: Stone 9 | center column
Harriet's parents are Thomas Charles Shirley of England and Sarah Martha Maria Bubb of South Africa. Harriet was their 2nd child. Their 1st child died in 1859 also.
The family traveled from Port Elizabeth in South Africa to America. After they arrived there, they joined the William Budge Company to travel to the Salt Lake Valley. The company left Iowa July 20.
The company had traveled just one week when little Harriet passed away. No information was found as to why she died.
From William Budge's journal:
“Died in the evening Harriett Martha Sherley, daughter of Thomas Sherley, aged 6 months.”
Excerpt of a letter from wagon train captain William Budge, to George Q. Cannon, 3 Aug. 1860:
"...Friday evening July 27, when we arrived safely at Genoa, a little tired & weary. Fine weather had attended us up to the present time which blessing was much appreciated by us. Died in the evening Harriett Martha Sherley, daughter of Thomas Sherley, aged 6 months."
Little 6 month old Harriet Martha is buried on the Mormon Trail near Genoa, Nebraska.