John and Maria Linford: A Short Synopsis

SWEETWATER RIVER

Leaving their oldest son, James, to serve a mission in England, in 1856, John and Maria (pronounced like Mariah) Linford and their three youngest sons, George, Joseph, and Amasa, chose to leave England and join with the body of the Church in Utah. They were escaping persecution received from family and townspeople because they had become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

They joined the Willie Handcart Company that started West late in the season and wasn’t expected by the Saints in Salt Lake. On October 20, the company was in a starving condition at the Sixth Crossing of the Sweetwater River in Wyoming, about 270 miles from the Salt Lake Valley. All their remaining provisions had been issued, and there was nothing else to eat. John was extremely weak from ague and the freezing cold and lack of food. He had given his food and warm clothing to his wife and sons. That night, a blizzard raged.

Maria asked John if he had ever regretted leaving their home in England, coming to America, and crossing the plains. He replied, “No, Maria. I am glad we came. I shall not live to reach Salt Lake, but you and the boys will. I do not regret all I have gone through, if our boys can grow up and raise their families in Zion.” These were some of his last words. He died early the next morning and was buried there in a grave with several others. The rescue wagons from the Valley arrived later that same day. Their sacrifices cost them their earth life but not eternal life.