A short sketch of
the life of Sarah Jane Barratt, daughter of Thomas and Ellen Julian
Barratt. She was born in American Fork,
8 May 1858, the second child and first daughter in a family of twelve.
Her parents were
thoroughly converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and joined the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Leaving their native England for the Gospel’s sake, arriving in Salt
Lake City in December 1855, coming to American Fork the following year.
Being the oldest
daughter in a large family much was expected of her. She was taught thrift and industry by the
many labors incident to pioneer life.
Her kind loving disposition so admired and sought after in her youth has
characterized her whole life and won for her the love and esteem of all who
knew her, culminating in the ability to make and hold many dear friends.
On March 27, 1879,
she was united in marriage in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City to James
Andrew Crystal, son of Andrew and Elizabeth Cousins Crystal.
The day they were
to be married, they left American Fork by wagon with Miss Laura Webb and
Charley Logie, at the “Point of the Mountain” the men stopped their wagon and
ask the two women to make up their minds for sure before they took them any
farther, if not satisfied they would put them out to walk back home. They were united in marriage that same day
and returned to American Fork to make their home.
To this union ten
children were born: William James, Ellen (Nell), Ann Elizabeth, Emma Mary,
Andrew, Grace, Charlotte (Lottie), Thomas Barratt, Jennie and Arnold Barratt
Crystal.
Mr. Crystal’s
occupation was mostly mining which took him away from home a good part of the
time leaving the labors of home and training of little ones to the mother.
In the year 1910
they bought a farm in Idaho and moved there, it was here 10 November 1916 that
her husband passed away. In the year
1917-18 immediately following this bereavement, she was called to part with her
son Thomas, who was killed in World War I in France just before the signing of
the armistice. This was a great sorrow
as the details of his death were never known to her.
In 1923 she
returned to American Fork, Utah where she since has resided. Before moving to Idaho she was faithful
Relief Society teacher and while there was chosen first counselor in the Thomas
Ward Relief Society serving for two years.
Five weeks ago
she met with an accident, breaking her leg and complicated with diabetes, which
had troubled her for several years caused her death 8 October 1930, at the home
of her daughter Ellen Julian. She was a faithful wife and loving mother, always
cheerful and optimistic even in her last moments. She loved her family and they in turn did all
their loving hands and hearts could do to make her life one of happiness and comfort. She died as she lived, a faithful Latter-Day
Saints.
She is survived
by three sons and six daughters, William James Crystal, Mrs. James (Nell)
Julian, Mrs. William (Ann) Greenwood, of American Fork Utah; Andrew Crystal,
Los Angeles California; Arnold Barratt Crystal, San Francisco, California; Mrs.
Alma Baxter, Pocatello Idaho; Mrs. Henry Munson, Moreland Idaho; Mrs. Frank C.
Capson, Salt Lake City, Utah; forty two grandchildren, eight great
grandchildren; one brother, Edwin Barratt and one sister, Mrs. Ellen Gardner of
American Fork. One other daughter whose
name was omitted on the original copy, Mrs. Elmer (Charlotte) Cobbley.
[The
above was taken from a funeral sketch.]
Things I remember about my grandmother Sarah Jane Barratt
Crystal, as related by Frank C. Greenwood.
Grandmother was
a Barratt, a short stoutish woman, with light blond hair, about five foot two
inches tall, a very pleasant person, not easily aggravated to anger. She was a good match for grandpa and his
impatience. She was easy going and calm,
the opposite of him, adding a quite stability to the home. She was very devoted to him and supported him
in whatever he decided to do.
After Grandfather’s death and the shocking
news of Thomas’ death, along with the farm not doing well. They decided to sell the farm and move back
to Utah.
She came down to
Salt Lake City and kept house for her son, Arnold, me and my brother Burton
Greenwood and a girl named Jenivie Hammond from Moreland, Idaho. She was the cook and housekeeper for us in
the Hollywood Apartments on East Second South.
It was great to have grandmother there with her expertise in cooking,
having hot meals and home like place to stay.
Later not wanting
to go back to Idaho, she went to American Fork, Utah, and took up housekeeping
in one room of Mother’s home. In the
meantime we had moved away and I lost track of her for awhile.
Grandmother was a
very pleasant person and had a good word for everyone. She never wanted to be a bother to anyone and
like the rest of the Barratts was very independent, and kept much to
herself. Mother would invite her in for
meals, sometimes she’d accept and I think other times she ate a little bit
early so as not to bother those people.
Grandmother’s
history is one of selfless service to others.
When on the farm she was always helping neighbors who had a problem or
were ill. A family named Broadheads
lived near the Crystal farm and seemed to have no end of troubles she was
always helping them, also the Turpin family.
When a baby was born to any family in her area, she was especially
helpful. She gave compassionate service
to all and never neglected her own family.
She always helped make quilts for newlyweds and those people with large
families in need of bedding or making a dish of food for someone in need.
Coming from a
family of very independent people, the Barratts, only wanting to be around her
family and enjoy them and not bother anyone.
She was very happy being close to her family. I remember the thankfulness I’ve always had
for her ability to make children feel comfortable in her presence. When you did something for her she always
thanked you and as little money as she had she saved some small change in the
old sugar bowl. Often giving you a dime
saying “your worth a million, but I can only pay a dime”. At that time a dime would buy a large sack of
candy. We always respected her for her
goodness and dedication to her family.
She was a
diabetic in her later life and the treatment of this disorder was in it’s
infancy then and the cost of treatment was high. She watched her diet and pretty well controlled
it.
She decided she’d
go visit Aunt Nell Julian for awhile and then return to her one room she called
home. She was so happy just being close
to her family.
She was a
dedicated Relief Society worker and wholeheartedly believed in giving service
to those in need and accepted the challenge of the name of this organization,
of bringing relief to those around her.
Grandfather and
Grandmother are buried side by side in the Greenwood lot in the American Fork
City Cemetery.
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