In 1856 a group of about 600 converts to the Mormon church were caught in an early snow storm in the middle of Wyoming on their way to what they believed to be Zion. Because of their faith they were willing to walk the distance pushing and pulling handcarts all the way from Iowa to Utah. It was their faith that kept them going, mile after hard mile. Then when their food supply ran out and their clothing failed to protect them from the elements they began to die. Still their faith never failed them. Their prayers were answered when the rescue teams began to arrive. The hardships they went thru are profound. Some members of this group were my ancestors and others were the ancestors of my husband. One of the rescuers who came to their aide was also one of my ancestors.
As a descendent of members of the Martin Handcart Company I was privileged to participate in a reunion of the descendents on September 2 nd and 3 rd at Martin’s Cove, Wyoming. I took my two youngest sons with me and we were part of a modern day trek. I learned an important lesson about me and my sons- had we been part of the original group we would most likely have died. I with my health issues and my second son having sprang his ankle the first day were unable to participate on the 2 nd day’s five mile walk. Nevertheless on the first day I did my part and I am now more fully aware of what the concept of walking that whole distance would have meant.
I am very grateful for my ancestors determination that kept them going. Had they given up I perhaps would not have been who I am. So to my great, great grandfather Frederick Collings who was only seven years old I say thank-you. To my great, great, great grandfather William Collings and his wife Emma Lawrence Collings I say thank-you for keeping Frederick alive. Then to my husband’s great, great grandmother Mary Ann Openshaw who was ten years old I say thank-you for not giving up so my husband could one day be born and to her parents William and Openshaw and to her big brothers Samuel and Openshaw I say thank-you for looking out for Mary Ann. To my great, great Grandfather John Cole I say thank-you for hitching your team to your wagon and driving all that way to the middle of Wyoming in the snow and freezing your feet to rescue our ancestors Frederick’s and Mary Ann’s families. But most of all I give thanks to God that He answered their prayers and performed the miracles that kept them alive so that my family could exist today.