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Show Volume XXV Issue X The Ogden Valley news Page 9 April 1, 2019 James Jr. and Annie Hughes Burt Note: This biography is from “Early History of liberty and the People.” paid since they came to Utah. With this money, I guess James felt he could now ask his sweetheart Annie Hughes to marry him. They were married 12 July 1869 in Farmington, Davis Co., Utah. Their first child was born in Cottonwood, Utah 1 May 1870. At the age of 13, on 16 July 1883, he was accidently shot by a cousin as the boys were taking an uncle’s gun out through the window. James Burt Jr. was born in Merry Maiden, Lanark, Scotland 25 September 1846. His parents were James Sr. and Mary McBride Burt. He was the third child or second son to his parents. At the age of 16, on 9 May 1862 he sailed from Scotland with his parents and brother John and four sisters: Ellen, Elizabeth, Mary and Christina. His father had made good money working on the railroad in South America, so they were able to come to Utah to be with the Saints. His parents had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1850. James was baptized 25 January James Jr. and Annie Hughes Burt—Early Liberty homesteaders 1857. James’ father was a good blacksmith. He was extra good at Next were twins [born] 16 August 1872— making wheels, so President Brigham Young Cathern and William. William died soon sent James Sr. many different places to help after he was born. Cathern was killed in the build mills that were needed in different parts [Liberty] snowslide 17 March 1785. of Utah where people had moved to live and What a terrible day that must have been make new homes. for James. He had just left his house to go They hadn’t been in Salt Lake long when do chores. He heard a rumbling sound, and they moved to Goshen. President Young turned to see his home being carried and soon called Grandfather and his two sons buried by a huge snowslide that came out of to do some work in Salt Lake. So they left Bridge Canyon (between Nordic Valley and Grandmother and three younger sisters in the North Ogden Divide). His wife, Annie, Goshen, but the next spring they were moved who was expecting a fifth child, and three back to Salt Lake. children were in the home—James, Cathern Soon Grandfather was asked to go to and John Edward who was born 17 April Logan to help build a grist mill. He obtained 1873. George Survivor was born 2 April one of the Johnston Army big covered wag- 1875, just three weeks after the slide. ons. Their belongings and family, all but James’ loud calls were heard all over the the eldest sister Ellen (she was working and little valley. Men came running with shovels planning for marriage) were loaded in this and started digging. James’ sweet Annie was big wagon, drawn by four head of horses, found as were the two boys, but Cathern and the family went to Logan. It took two had been sitting in the highchair close to the days to get there. At first they couldn’t find a stove. They felt her neck was broken as she house to live in. Finally, as cold weather was was thrown against the stove. The family was coming on, they moved into a one-room log taken to homes of relatives until James could cabin with dirt floors and no windows. At build a new home. the door they had to hang an animal skin to James had three sisters and their families keep out the snow and cold. A small fireplace who had come to Liberty to homestead. They furnished the place to cook on and try to keep had built cabins in the center of the little warm by. More animal skins were put on the town. Walter Lindsay, husband of his sister floor to sit and lay on. As soon as that job was Elizabeth, on the northeast section; John completed, they moved back to Salt Lake. Marshall, husband of Christina, on the southOn 22 May 1868 President Young had west section; and Thomas Atkinson, husband made a contract with the railroad to build the of Mary, on the northwest section. So James grade through Weber Canyon, because the took the southeast section, now that the railroad was to come to Ogden and not to snowslide had taken the cabin his father had Salt Lake, although he had worked so hard built earlier when they first came to Liberty to get it to Salt Lake. Hearing this news, soon after they left Logan. Grandfather took his two sons, James Jr. and Their 6th child was Robert, born 5 August John, his wife and two youngest daughters, 1877; 7th was Mary McBride, born 30 Mary and Tina, and moved to Weber Canyon. September 1879; 8th was Samuel, born 19 He, James and John, made a dugout and tent October 1881; 9th and 10th were two more of willows and animal skins to live in while twins, Alberta (Bertha) and Albert, born 19 he and James and John worked on the rail- December 1883; 11th was Ellen, born 20 road. Grandmother and the two girls did the May 1886; 12th was Anne, born 20 January cooking, gathering wood to make bonfires to 1888; 13th was Sarah Jenett, 20 November cook their food. 1890; 14th was Joseph Royal, 29 November This was the first money they had been 1892; 15th and 16th, two more twins, boys, Walter and Wilfred, born 26 June 1894. Mother Annie died when they were born, Walter died two days later 28 June 1894, and Wilfred died 20 July 1894. James and Annie’s first three children were buried in Eden in Grandfather Burt’s plot. James, who was shot in 1883; Cathern, who was killed in the snowslide in 1875; her twin brother who died at birth; and also a brother-in-law, John Marshall, were all buried in Eden, as there was no cemetery in Liberty. Now another child and wife? Liberty had now been a Ward for two years, so James gave a piece of his land, just southwest of his home, to be used as a cemetery. Here his wife and last two children were put to rest, close to his home. So I feel that rightfully it should be called Burt Cemetery, and not Liberty. Also, through some understanding or dealing with first Bishop Judkinson, who owned land just south of James, the new church was built on the northwest corner of James’ land. There was a road into the Tithing Barn and Granary, which was built on the dividing line between Bishop Judkinson’s and James’ land. So this same road to the Tithing Barn and Granary has been used to get to the cemetery, and still is used. Four years later, in April 1898, James married Agnes Waldrum Bunker. She had two sons, Rex and Harry. Later Agnes was born. By this time, 3 of the 11 living children were married. The youngest at home was Royal, age 6. So with a family of ten children to cook, wash and do for, it may have been too much for Agnes. Anyway, it was not the happy home James was used to with Annie. With all the child bearing and work, Annie seemed to be able to handle and make a much happier home. James’ mother died 16 May 1897. His father was a very lonely man alone in Eden. So he sold his blacksmith shop to Jesse Wilbur, who had been working for him at an early age. James helped to build a cabin just south of his home in Liberty, where Grandfather could be closer to his four children: James, Lizzie, Mary and Tina. John had moved to Montana to do freighting work. Ellen was married and lived in Salt Lake with her husband Robert Miller and family. Agnes kept the James Jr. home for her and her children. James moved to Ogden where he died 18 February 1907. He was buried by his dear wife, Annie, in his own cemetery 21 February 1907 in Liberty, Weber County, Utah. From The Past . . . Valley School Student Council 1937-38. Pictured, but not in order, are Gilbert Shaw, President; Norma Shaw, Vice-President; Ernest McKay, Secretary-treasurer; Ross Thompson, cheerleader; and Mr. Ernest Rauzi, faculty advisor. Photo courtesy of “The Many Faces of a Bulldog.” The Ogden Valley News is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. 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