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Show July 1 03.qxd 12/7/2021 Volume VIII Issue VI 4:12 PM Page 9 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 9 July 1, 2003 I REMEMBER MAMA – Sarah Jane Burnett Fuller My Mother, Sarah Jane Burnett Fuller, was born September 9, 1868, at Sugarhouse, Salt Lake City, Utah, a daughter of William V. and Sarah Jane Wilde Burnett. Their home was at the old log State Penitentiary at Sugarhouse where Mama was born while grandfather, along with his brother Dave, were employed as guards under Porter Rockwell. Mama was the oldest living child in the family of fourteen children, John and Violet having died in infancy. The family moved from Sugarhouse after two years to Tooele, Utah, where they operated a molasses mill. Grandfather traded his share for a pair of oxen and came to Harrisville, Utah, where he operated a small family farm. Of the six years there, two summers were spent at Liberty, Utah, in a temporary home while grandfather cut and piled logs to build a permanent home at Harrisville, later called Farr West. From the diary of William V. Burnett, I have copied: in the fall of 1876, I decided to move my family to Eden, Utah, where I had purchased a farm of 160 acres and also taken a railroad grant of 340 acres more.” There were now six children in the Burnett family and from the first minute book entitled “Fifteenth District, Eden Branch, Eden, Utah.” and from the pen of Francis Clark, clerk, I also have copied: “In the month of May (1877), William V. Burnett and family were received into the Eden Branch from the Harrisville Branch in this County (Weber), signed, Alonza Dabb, President of the Elders Quorum. This would have been one month before Eden became a Ward. and seventeen years after the very first settlers came into Eden. From the same record book under births, baptisms and confirmations, I again copied; Thursday, being Fast Day, fifteen children arrived at the age of eight years or older. All were baptized by Peter Johnson and confirmed by John Carver on the same day.” I took note, one of the fifteen children was Sarah Jane Burnett. She would have been nine years of age. Another, John Fuller, was eleven years old. Thirteen years later John and Sarah were united in marriage. The Burnett home just below what is now know as Patio Springs, (Wolf Creek Country Club) was located on the brow of a hill overlooking Ogden Valley and just west and north of the Eden Mountain View Cemetery. Twelve children grew to maturity in this home, all being musically inclined and contributed much to the early life of Eden. Mama talked of her pioneer home she loved in spite of all the hardships. She told of roaming the hills barefoot as a child gathering wild flowers that carpeted the entire countryside. It was a “Garden of Eden” she always remembered. She loved the recreation afforded by the community, and nostalgically recalled the drama of Christmas festivities, and the July celebration both the 4th and 24th. Then there were the dances! There were two dance halls with dancing at each the same night by the music of Jesse Wilbur on his fiddle, Wilmer Ferrin at the organ, and sometimes someone on the banjo providing “music this side of heaven” in Mama’s day. Mama told us the boys would line up at one side of the dance hall and the girls on the other. When the signal was given, the boy would dash across the floor and with a wink or a sign, try to get the partner of his choice. We danced the square dances, quadrilles, Virginia reels, and then came the waltz. Gliding around the floor with your partner, each clasping hands. It was such a thrill! Mama didn’t forget two of her girl chums dancing together, politely escorted from the floor for teasingly lifting their long skirts to the ankle. Mama worked in many pioneer homes, washing clothes on a board all day long or scrubbing rough wooden floors with lye water. The pay, one dollar per week. But with that dollar you could buy a pretty hat, or enough cloth to sew a dress, or sometimes a pair of shoes. Mama remembered helping carry baskets of eggs and butter to the Huntsville store—later Elisha Wilbur’s store in Eden—for exchange of commodities of that day. She spoke of trudging down through the fields barefoot, putting on her shoes just before entering the store and taking them off shortly after leaving. She remembered Papa courted her on horseback, with never a saddle, alighting from a high stool behind her partner and off they would ride. Later a horse and buggy was indeed a luxury. Mama married John Fuller October 20, 1890. Their home was just east of the Eden church, which consisted of two unfurnished rooms. Later six more rooms were added to make a more comfortable home with all the conveniences as they unfolded in that day. This was the only home Mama was to know throughout her entire married life. (This is the home currently owned by Chuck and Patricia Millet of Eden.) At the time of her marriage, Mama was tall and stately with coal black hair hanging in two long braids to her waist, or sometimes neatly wound in a bun at the nape of her neck, but there was always a natural wave in front. She had fair skin, pretty gray eyes, very small features and elegant hands with long slender fingers. My very first and lasting impression of Mama was a pretty face hidden behind a stiffly starched sun bonnet, flowered calico dress with long sleeves, tight bodice and full skirt touching high topped laced black shoes. Mama had poor health throughout her married life due, she said, to catching cold while recuperating from the mumps as a teenager, and loitering at the gate with a girlfriend on a cool Ogden Valley evening. She did a great deal of her work from her rocking chair, rocking gently back and forth, a soothing therapy she always said. A portrait I shall never forget was Papa with his large workworn hands resting on the platform of her rocker, Mama singing in her beautiful soprano voice her favorite ballad: “After the Ball is Over After the Break of Morn,” Papa humming along in his deep monotone, “Bom, Bom, Bom.” Not one note in harmony, while Mama peeled potatoes or mended some article of clothing. I also recall the swish, swish of the dash of the churn in rhythm as she sang: “Two Little Girls in Blue, Two Little Girls in Blue.” Mama had many experiences. She told of losing her teeth at an early marriaged age. A midwife gave a prescription of iron by way of teaspoon, thus destroying her beautiful teeth. As was the custom in that day, the only sedative was a good dose of whiskey. After the extraction by Elisha Wilber, the local dentist, Mama didn’t remember very much for several days. A story I like to tell; as a little girl Mama and I went to Ogden one beautiful June day. Mama, after driving a fine horse and buggy down Ogden Canyon, arrived at the livery stable in Ogden, gave the attendant 25 cents and said she would be back to pick up the rig in late afternoon. Later we drove back through Ogden Canyon, entered out own driveway and Papa came from the house exclaiming, “’Blankity blank,’ where did you get that horse?” It seems the wrong horse had been hitched to the right buggy at the livery stable, Mama driving all the way home never noticing the difference. Our home was a home of hospitality. Mama was an excellent cook and spent a great deal of her life with this occupation. An extra plate was often set for a hobo passing by and invited in by Papa. Many a peddler was given lodging. Along with a large family of her own, the extra hay hands in the summer and threshing crews every fall became a ritual to Mama. I scarcely remember a time in growing up that relatives from either side of the family didn’t make his or her home at our house for a short time. Some came to help, others to visit, and some less fortunate were extended a kind hand of sympathy and given a temporary home. Along with friends we always had a full house, all saying they loved to come in Uncle Jack’s place where they were always welcome, and where there was plenty. Mama had a beautiful friendship with her neighbor across the way. Marie Graham and Mama, it seemed, began their marriages together. They shared and shared alike all through the years. One of my brothers, a frail little baby (Jodie), was always reminded that he had been given his start in life from the milk of Maria, she having enough for two babies. Mama treasured many a beautiful gift of crocheting, tatting, netting from the artistic hands of Maria. Sari and Mari, as they were affectionately known to each other, were separated but two short weeks apart in this life in the summer of 1928. Mama, the mother of eight children, all grown to maturity, was always known as Ma, but to me she was always Mama. She survived several illnesses and operations but was taken that June of 1928, at the age of 60 years, and laid to rest in the Mountain View Cemetery. Note: This biography was written by Rose Story, the daughter of Sarah Jane. Historical Photo This is the Huntsville Church. The only known person is Elizabeth Bronson Jensen, fifth from the right in the front row with her hands together. Photo courtesy of Fern C. Manning of Salt Lake City. The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. Please mail, email, or call at Shanna 745-2688, or Jeannie at 745-2879 if you have material that you would be willing to share. Corrections In the June 15, 2003 edition of The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS, incorrect dates were printed in the Historical article on Weber High School in “Milestones in the History of Weber High School.” This section of the arti- cle is being reprinted with the correct dates. The information was taken from “Weber High, Through the Years,” compiled by the Weber School District. Milestones in the history of Weber High School 1926 1927 1928 1929 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1948 1954 1959 1960 1965 1968 1971 1973 1974 Bond issue approved, construction starts on original Weber High School. Hot lunches approved for schools in district with facilities. November 11, Weber wins first Little Brown Jug Game. First FFA Harvest Ball. Senior class gives sound system for auditorium. First photography darkroom established in hallway. Roof torn off by windstorm, and gas furnace explodes. First class to graduate during war time. Two boys blow up lavatory with chemicals. School opening delayed until September 20, and Christmas vacation ended on December 26. Warriors win state basketball championship. South Wing completed. Warriorettes formed. Bonneville High School built. Roy High School built. Site purchased for new high school in Pleasant View. Warriors win second state basketball championship. Students move into new high school in Pleasant View. March 28, new Weber High School is dedicated |