Eliza was named after my Great Great Great Grandmother. For journaling purposes... I wanted to write her story down, so Eliza knows where her name came from...
Eliza Briggs was born in England, but traveled with her family to America after they joined the LDS church. They arrived in Iowa City in June 1856, where they joined the Martin Handcart Company to make their (late) trek into Salt Lake City. Eliza was the oldest of 7 kids. Because of the terrible weather conditions and their late start, their journey was a lot longer than expected. Food rations were cut and cut again. John Briggs (Eliza's Father) gave most of his portions to his children thinking he could get along until the relief party arrived. "Only those who experienced this trial could realize the heart ache of parents seeing their children hungry and having to live on rations." When the handcart company reached Devil's Gate (Martin's Cove), heavy snows fell upon them. It snowed 15 inches in one night- they were snowbound. Because of John's weak condition from giving his food to his children, he passed away that night, along with 14 others.
Eliza was said to be very kind to her small brothers and sisters. She carried her baby sister Emma under her clothes so she could get the warmth from her body, to stay from freezing. It is believed that this tender care saved the baby's life. Eliza and her Mother Ruth, along with several of the other women would keep a fire burning throught the night to keep the smaller children from freezing.
When the relief party finally came, it was too late for many of them. Eliza lost her Father (42), her Brother Thomas (13), and her sister Mary Hannah (7). Her baby sister Emma died soon after they arrived in SLC.
Eliza was 20 years old when they reached Salt Lake. She was taken in by James and Francis Stratton. With Francis' encouragement, she became James' second wife. A few years later, Francis ran away with a soldier from Camp Floyd, and left her 3 children with James and Eliza. When Eliza had 5 children (along with Francis's 3) they were called by Brigham Young to go South and settle in Moap Nevada on theVirgin River (The Muddy). For the first year they suffered the "unbearable heat", and the "theiving indians", while living in a tent and wagon box with a cover. Eliza had 3 more kids while they lived in Moapa. When Eliza was pregnant with her 8th child, she was not well. James begged her to go back to Provo where she could get proper care. Her answer was "No, President Young called us on this mission to settle the "Muddy River" and so we shall stay until he calls us back." She died 6 days after the baby boy was born.
Eliza was a beautiful, strong, spiritual, and loving person. All the things I want my daughter to be. I'm so grateful for such wonderful ancestors who suffered severely for me and my family. Eliza Briggs Stratton was a wonderful example. I know she was giving My Eliza words of encouragement and strength, as she embarked on her very own journey into this world!
