Emma Sutton Smtih Compiled from a history of Emma written by Bertha A. Babcock for the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers

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Emma Sutton was born in Ridware, Staffordshire, England, March 2, 1838, to Jane Sutton. She was christened in the beautiful cathedral in Lichfield, England.

Her childhood was spent in the little town of Ridware. When she was still a young girl, she went to work for an English lady and assisted her in caring for her children and doing household tasks. She was especially gifted in caring for the lady's children. They loved her and knew her better than they did their mother. She used to tell her grandchildren about the time her mistress became angry with her for some reason and sent her away. When it was time to put the children to bed, they refused to settle down. The youngest one cried for hours saying, "I want my Emma. I want my Emma," until they finally had to go and bring her back.

Emma went to work after this at an English farmhouse. Here she cooked, fed the chickens, milked cows, washed dishes and did many other household tasks, even sometimes helping to bring in the hay as it was the custom for "all hands and the cook" to help at the "haying while the sun shone." At this farm she met a young man who was one of the farm hands. He was a tall and good looking boy who looked at the serious and practical side of life, honest and fearless and very religious in nature. Emma was a pretty girl with a round rosy face and serious gray eyes. She had a spirit of independence and a certain spirited air which attracted the young man whose name was James Smith. In his later years, he said he made up his mind when he first saw her that she was the "lass" for him.

Emma Sutton Smith and son, Arthur (4) Photo taken just before leaving England.

When he finally won her, they were married on November 19, 1860, and lived in the small town of Oakley for several years. Here the Mormon missionaries found them and were made welcome in the little home. Both James and Emma were interested in the gospel and were converted by the teachings of the missionaries and by their own study of the gospel. They were baptized by Elder John Nicholson of Salt Lake City, September 23, 1863.

After joining the church, they made plans to go to Zion. They left England for their long journey to America April 29 or 30, 1866. Emma was now 28 yrs old with three children - Arthur, Jane and Martha.† They sailed on the ship "John Bright" and were on the ocean for six weeks. There was a company of saints and several missionaries who were returning to Utah. They traveled in what was called "steerage" or in the lower part of the ship and very uncomfortable but less expensive. In the company there were two or three babies born on the ship and Emma took care of them. She had to beg hot water from the steward for the morning baths. Whenever she asked, she was greeted with a gruff tone and rough sailor's language.

Emma Sutton Smith

After arriving in America, they traveled through some of the states in cattle cars. They crossed the plains in the Thomas E. Ricks Company. Starting in Wyoming, Nebraska, on July 6, 1866, in the company of 251 souls and 46 wagons, they arrived in Salt Lake August 29, 1866.†† They came with the first mule train to cross the plains. That did not mean they could ride. There were provisions to bring. James was sick all the way to Utah with Mountain Fever and had to ride part of the time but walked the greater part of the distance with the aid of two walking sticks letting the two younger girls take turns riding on his shoulders. It was a most difficult journey. Emma walked a thousand miles. Since she was healthy, she was not permitted to ride. Every morning she carried her 1 year old baby. Arthur was five and Jane three so they walked. Since they were in hostile Indian territory much of the time, the men had to guard at night. Emma often told her grandchildren how she crossed the Platte River clinging to the end-gate of the wagon dragging her feet through the cold water. When they reached Echo canyon (8 or 10 miles from Salt Lake) in Utah, Captain Ricks told Emma to get up in the wagon, "for," said he, "you have walked all the way." They were standing near a rock and he continued, "Sister, sit down on this rock while I give you a blessing. You deserve it, for you have been faithful." These were the only miles Emma rode in the wagon.

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† The youngest child to sail was indeed Martha, although the ship list states "Matthew".
†† SOURCES: Deseret News, 16 Aug. 1866, p. 289
"First Immigration Train," Deseret News [Weekly], 30 Aug. 1866, p. 309.