History as it Happened

By Melissa Shimamoto-Trek Historian

As we prepare for this journey we will be given a name of a pioneer who actually went on the trek.  Take the time to read the full story about the pioneer that is given to you.  These were real people, who experienced a profoundly trying and spiritual experience.  Their stories are extremely important: why they joined the church, what made them decide to come to this country and trek for hundreds of miles to reach an unknown land, who died along the way, whose lives were changed forever, whose testimonies were sealed because of what they experienced.  Their stories are nothing less than amazing. 

Here is a highlight of one of the pioneers that went on the trek

Emily Hill

Born: March 24, 1836 in England

Age: 20

Willie Handcart Company

Emily’s father was a farmer and wealthy enough to give his children every educational advantage.  Emily was the youngest child and had a very religious temperament.  When she was 12 years old, she became acquainted with The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by hearing the Elders preach and through a cousin who came to visit.  She wanted to be baptized, but her parents were against it.  The Elders would not allow Emily to be baptized without her parent’s permission.  Emily told her family that she would join the Church as soon as she was big enough.

            A brother John Halliday visited the Hill home and “bore such a powerful testimony” that Emily’s older sister, Julia also became interested in the Church.  Brother Halliday also blessed Emily and prophesied that “she should write in prose and in verse and thereby comfort the hearts of thousands”

            Julie moved to another town to work as an apprentice to a milliner, and soon her parents permitted Emily to go also.  Emily and Julia were baptized when Emily was 16 and Julia 19.   Four years later, early in 1856, they decided to answer the call to gather to “Zion”.

Emily and Julie became members of the Willie Handcart Company.  They faced many trials along with all the members of this company.  Some people in Iowa tried to persuade the handcart pioneers to not undertake this journey.  Julia and Emily were even handed anonymous notes as inducements to stay in Iowa.  Emily determined to walk the entire way, which she did.  Julia’broke down and was unable to walk”.  She was pulled in a handcart part of the way by her friends.  When they were caught in the early winter storms, rescuers from the Salt Lake Valley came to help them.  One of the advance party was Joseph A. Young, who had been acquainted with Emily in England. Upon seeing her, he burst into tears.  Why do you cry, Brother Young, she said, Oh because you look so starved he replied, and the provision wagons are miles away.  Then feeling in his pocket, he produced a small onion.  Eat this he said, Emily didn’t eat the onion right then but carried it in her hand.  Near the fire lay a man who was apparently dying.  Emily handed him the onion, and he declared afterward that is had saved his life.

            Emily and Julia survived their ordeal.  They both married men who had been part of the rescue party.  Emily married William Gill Mills in June of 1857 and they had a child in 1859.  Later, William deserted Emily and their child as well as an adopted child.  Emily later said that the pain of this experience made her trials in the Willie Co. seem like “child’s play.”

             Emily married Joseph Woodmansee in 1864, becoming his third wife.  The became the parent of eight, making a total of 10 children for Emily.  Emily and Joseph had a happy marriage.  They did suffer some financial reverses at one time, after which Emily entered into business and real estate with great success.

            Emily had the gift of poetry and song.  During her life, perhaps because of severe adversity, she was able to put very beautiful thoughts on paper about life and her God.  Orson F. Whitney called her the possessor of a poetic as well as a practical mind…Her busy pen has brought forth many meritorious productions.  Emily wrote the words used in the hymn, As Sisters in Zion and the primary song, Let the Little Children Come.  Emily was also interested in womens rights and helped champion their cause.  She lived to be 70 years old.