William Douglas

William Douglas is the only child of John Douglas and Ann Johnson, both from England. When William’s mother, Ann, passed away in 1843, his father married Mary Dyson. The family immigrated from England to America and joined the Edward Martin Company to journey to the Salt Lake Valley in 1856. Along with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the handcart company left late in the season. The Saints experienced tremendous hardships including the lack of food, snowstorms, and frigid temperatures. Food was severely rationed and many died of hunger and exposure.

On November 19, 1856, a rescue party reached the Edward Martin Company providing food and bundled the pioneers in covered wagons and headed for Salt Lake. Unfortunately, the rescue came too late for 16-year-old William. He died that day from the harsh elements he had endured. He is buried on the Little Sandy River in Wyoming.

From his father’s journal: “A depressing time for John and Mary Douglass. This day that should have been filled with such joy and hope, because of our rescue, was filled with sadness and sorrow. Our only child, William, breathed his last and died that same day. He was buried at Little Sandy in Utah Territory.