Our family name was Pergrin, and remained so until between 1849 and 1852 when we took the name of Perkins. My Paternal grandfather, Thomas Pergrin died in February 1823, when I was a small child 2 years old. My grandparents were of good character, My grandfather was a religious man, an Independent, and a deacon of two churches, one in Slandle and the other in Grossin, near Skatty. These churches were seven miles apart and were in Glamorganshire. Their children (as I remember) were John, Thomas, Hopkins, Mary, Ann, and Catherine Pergrin.
My Grandfather, Thomas Pergrin had a brother named Oliver Pergrin, who had a son named Thomas, who also had a son named Thomas. Grandfather's brother was also an Independent. My father Thomas Pergrin was born in the year-1780 in Glenmorganshire Wales.
My mother, Ann Mathews was born in 1776, being four years older than father. Their children were Ann, born in 1808, Thomas born in 1811, Margaret born in 1814, Mary born in 1817, Joseph born Sunday, September 24, 1820, Mary the 2nd, born in 1823, Ruth born 1826, Elizabeth born 1820 and Kittie born 1833. All of us children spoke the Welsh language, which was our mother tongue. Father could speak but little English, but Mother could, speak pretty well in English.
My maternal grandmother kept a public house, called the "Trap", where she had lived for about seventy years. Her husband died when my mother was about seven years old. Mother spoke of having a brother.
This Grandmother when 88 (eighty-eight) years old was robbed of 1400 pounds. She died shortly after the robberty. In her will, I was to have 7000 pounds and my sister Margaret 7000 pounds.
I went to work in a coal mine when I was eight years old, at Sanghar. I made six pence a day. I dragged, coal in a little cart when I was eleven years old, and I made one shilling and two pence a day until I was 19 years old. Then I was selected to drive a horse on the outside of the mine at an engine pump to draw water out of the mine. My wages were put at one shilling and six pence a day. I was very small until after I was 19 years, when I grew six inches in six months. I worked at this job one year, Sundays and work days, then I felt I was a man.
I left that place and went to Swansea, where I drove a horse underground at three shillings a day. I worked at this place until I was 22 years of age. One Thursday about 3PM the gas in the mine took fire. My car was off from the rails. Nine men came to help me to get it on and while we were trying; to get it on the rails, the gas took fire. We were then about five miles underground. I was struck senseless. I suppose my foot got caught in the car, and I was un-conscious. I had pulled my knee out of joint and also my ankle, until my foot was turned completely around with my toes at the back of my foot. When I came to, I was on my father's back, 300 feet from the surface of the ground. Five of the ten men were killed at the car. A Little boy was driven by the gas against the car wheel and his head was split open from ear to ear. His father was killed at his side. I was taken home and the Doctor came about 5 O'clock. He ordered me to have new milk, as he thought I was burned inside. That tasted very nasty to me. I was so badly burned that the flesh came off the calves of my legs.
I was placed in bed and became unconscious again, and remained so until the next day, Friday, about 7 p.m. My father went to the doctor and asked what he thought about me. The doctor said if I lived until 7 p.m., "he will be out of my judgment". About 4 a.m. Saturday morning I called my mother and I said, "I believe my enthrals are running out." I was burned on my side and there was a large water blister. This had broken and the water had run under me and I thought it was my insides. I was unconscious for some time, and thought I was in the company of Queen Victoria. In, time I got well. One year passed before I was able to go back to work.
I left home and went to Daolais, 32 miles from Swansea. I moved there in August, 1844.
My brother, William, had been baptized into the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the year 1843. My father and mother were baptized in 1845, after listening to the preaching of Hopkins Mathews, Able Evans and Elders, 1846 I was converted to the Faith of the Latter Day Saints. I did not like the idea of my parents being members of the Church.
I was in the company of a man who was a freighter, and he became a member of the church. His name was John Evans. One Sunday morning at seven o'clock I went to a prayer meeting with him and I heard him Praying for me. This melted me, I went to brekfast with him, then to morning meeting and at 2 O'clock that day I was baptized by Elder David Evans. This was on April 27, 1846. I was confirmed the same day by Elder David John. I was working in the Iron mines at Dowlais at this time, and continued there until the spring of 1847, then I moved to Avmback. At this place I worked in the coal mines. .
I was ordained a teacher in 1848, and acted in this capacity until the fall of 1851, when I was called to preside over the Avmback branch. Soon after this I was called to be a missionary to work in Cardiff, Cowbridge, Aberdare and Irwin (Corwen?).
In the spring of 1852 I was calculating to get married and one Monday morning the gas caught fire and 19 Elders were killed in the mine. It was thought the total of the killed was off at the time selling tracts. I continued to preach and sell tracts until the mine was in condition to work again. Before this accident happened I was working in another mine. This particular night I was sleeping with Elder John Taylor, one of the Twelve Apostles, and I had a dream. I was groaning and Brother Taylor woke me up and I told him my dream. I dreamed the coal works were fire. Brother Taylor told me not to go to work that day. About 5 o'clock my father called me and said something was the matter at our coal Works. I Jumped up and dressed as soon as I could, and I ran with my father to the top of the coal works and then we found that the gas had exploded. In about 10 minutes after we got there, a young man got up out of the pit. He was burned all over-- all his clothes burned off, We took him home in sheets and he died that evening. An Elder named John Pugh was also burned, and died a few days after. Eight were killed at this explosion. I would have been there if Brother Taylor had not told me not to go that morning. Two other people who were burned, recovered and later came to the Valley.
On December 25, 1852 I was married to Margaret Martin, who was born December 21, 1833, Near Dowlais, Glamorganshire. Her parents were Thomas Martin and Genllain Williams. After I was married I moved to Dowlais in January 1853. March 12, 1854, my father was taken with a paralytic stroke. He could not Talk, hear nor swallow for twelve days before he died. He was buried in Aberdare in the old Church cemetery.
I worked in Dowlais until I was released to come to the Valley in the year 1855. My father-in-law gave me 33 pounds to emigrate me and family to Salt Lake Valley. He gave me other money besides this to help us to Liverpool.
My first child, named Thomas Perkins was born, June 9, 1854, at Dowlais, Glamorganshire, Wales. When we arrived by train in Liverpool, it was found we would have to visit a week for a boat. We sailed on the ship Chimbarabo for Philadelphia. Edward Stevenson was President of the Latter Day Saints on board this ship number about 700 souls. We came in sight of land in three weeks--near the mouth of the river. Our ship was tacked (tossed) about for two weeks. The pilot was aboard all this time. Finally our Captain engaged a steaming vessel and in 3 hours we were in Philadelphia. We were out of drinking water before we arrived there. My wife was sick the whole of the voyage. We stayed in Philadelphia two days and nights, then took the train to Pittsburgh. Then a steamboat down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers to Atchison, and we arrived in Mormon Grove in May. Edward Stevenson, our President across the sea, on the Railroads and on the rivers to Atchison, was kind and brotherly all the way.
We traveled until we came to the Big Blue River, arriving just before sun-down and camped. In the morning Captain Harper went on his horse and tried to ford the river. He came back and informed us we had to lift the wagon bed 10 inches to keep them out of the water. Captain Harper drove his own oxen and wagon into the river. The water took team and wagon down stream. He jumped on the off side. I plunged into the river and swam. and turned them upstream. We had to rough-lock both hind wheels and then men had to hold on to ropes to keep the wagons from going too fast into the river. I helped twelve wagons across the river. He called me out of the river and said I had stayed in the water long enough. After the 13th wagon, loaded with 22 sacks of flour and the freight of the passengers, got across, the water rose 4 feet. Our train consisted of 32 wagons.
We stayed several days by this stream, our company on both sides of the river. While we were thus camped, a brother in the church, a Frenchman, started to swim the river. He was a good swimmer, and tried to swim straight across the stream with his clothes on. He sunk into the water. With a rope in my hand, I jumped in after him, and with the other hand I grabbed him and brought him out. After much trouble his life was saved.
We stayed at this camp eight days. On the ninth day General Harvey, with United States Troops came up and told Captain Harper to use the ferry. We had forded the river to save paying ferry charges, He drove his cattle and wagons across on the ferry and we camped together that night. The baby died that night and was buried next morning.
Captain Harper gave a wagon as payment for ferry charges of part of the train being ferried over Big Blue River. General Harvey also crossed his company over the ferry and went on ahead of us.
We traveled on the plains until we came to Ash Hollow. We had one yoke of cattle on each wagon and one yoke of oxen to hold back with a chain, behind each wagon. The hill was very steep. The Welsh part of our company got down all right. A wheel was broken on a wagon of the English. It was dark when we arrived at the Platte River. Six men at a time remained on guard at night. An express came to our camp early this morning from General Harvey's command and told us to leave as early as possible as they were expecting a fight with the Indians on the Platte. The soldiers stayed and guarded us for 3 days. Three of the soldiers went with us to the valley.
From the Platte to the Sweet Water River we got along all right. At the Sweet Water, two young men went back to buy some nails for shoing cattle. Re-turning the young men took a wrong road and got ahead of us. We had taken a "cut off". We got along all right to Fort Bridger. Elder E. Stvenson met us here and traveled with us to the valley, arriving October 31st.
When we reached the city, John Davis, a printer, came to our camp and took me and family to his house. We were eating dinner when my sister, Ruth, came into the house. She arrived in the valley a year before. The next morning with Ruth and Sister Davis we started for Bountiful. The following day walked to Ogden, and the next to North Ogden.
I had about 4 or 5 days work before winter set. in. About the last of November, I was taken down with rheumatism. Bishop T. Cunn administered to me every day for awhile; later two Brethren were assigned to administer to me every day. After about two weeks the Bishop came to the house. I was getting worse and it was killing my faith. This was a Wednesday morning. He told me to pray, have faith and fast until Thursday night. That Thursday night with help I went to meeting. A Welsh brother sitting by my side told me Uncle John Young, brother of Brigham Young, was addressing the meeting. I felt that if he would administer to me I would be all right. After the meeting was over I asked the bishop and Brother John Young and Crandel Dunn, and they administered to me. Brother Young called on Brother Crandel Dunn, to' be mouth and before they had their hands off my head I was well, I don't expect I will forget that night in time or eternity.
Crops were short in 1855 and my family was supported by donations until harvest in 1856. We had two acres of barley which was for the poor. Nineteen families had this to cut and trash and have ground.
During the winter of 1859. 1 felt greatly in need of a cow and l went and prayed by a bush. I made a covenant with my Heavenly Father right there that I would not eat or drink until he would open up a way for me to get a cow. Next morning about 6 o'clock the Bishop, knocked at the door. I was still in bed, I jumped up and let him in. He asked me if I had a shawl I would like to sell for a heifer. I asked my wife what she would say in the matter, She said, "I will leave it to you." I went and got a doulb shawl and showed it to the Bishop. He told me he would let me have the heifer and two dollars worth of butter for one half of that shawl. This heifer was two years old and would calf that season. Then he asked me if I had a nice handkerchief I would sell, I told him I had a black silk handkerchief I bought for my father's funeral. He said, "I'll let you have a steer calf in the spring for it." At that time the snow was over 3 feet deep. I told the bishop I didn't know what to do with them. He told me to let them stay at his hay stack until grass grows. Watered them three times a day until spring came. During the harvest of 1856 my wife went gleaning every day even though she was on the way for the twins. I thrashed at nights .what she gleaned during the day, and we had it ground. My wife had a pair of twins on the 22 of September 1856, named Margaret and Joseph Matthew Martin.
The year of 1857 was called the "move". All the people of North Salt Lake County were going to move south of that county. I went to Salt Lake City, and stayed four days in the City, I went and hunted for my heifer and calf, and found them and took them to Salt Lake City and put them in a herd over Jordan. Next day I went to town and met Brother Stevenson on the street and asked him if he would buy my yearling? He asked. me where it was, I told him it would be at my house that evening. He came, saw it, and gave me shoes for myself and family and gave me a pack of flour besides.
From Salt Lake City I removed to Provo and worked for Bishop Blackburn. Made some money working on Provo Canyon road ($40,00). I walked to Salt Lake, 50 miles to try and get some clothes for my family. They would not look at my scrip. I walked next day to Provo, 50 On the 20th of August, my wife had a son which we called William Daniel. He died September 5th. This month I went to camp Floyd in Cedar Valley. I got work making adobies and in 13 days I made $30.00 in *gold and got back home. The first thing bought was a bake kettle for $11.00 That winter I worked for Bishop Blackburn. We took a contract to move Church grain and flour, and sometimes I made $6.00 a day. I worked around the tithing office until late in 1659.
January 10, 1860, my wife had another son, Edward Martin. The latter part of March I started for Cache Valley with Brother Thomas Smart. We arrived in Wellsville, April 5th, Brother Smart and others went to find a place to settle one April 15th, we arrived in Franklin. Several families were there when we arrived. Brother Peter Maughn came seen after we arrived and appointed Thomas Smart, President and S.R. Perkins and James Saunders, his counselors, We removed on the site of, the present town of Franklin. In April, the land was surveyed in 10 acre lots, which were called the South Field. Our names were called and we drew tickets out of a hat for choice of land. We made & Corral and then commenced plowing. I was working for Brother Smart this season. Owen Roberts came to Franklin June 3rd and brought my wife, his sister-in-law, with him. This month of June, President Brigham Young and company came to Franklin and appointed Preston Thomas as bishop.
I got a team of oxen, cows, sheep, and a wagon.
In 1862, on the 20th of April my daughter Celia Jane was born. I was gaining property.
In 1864 we moved out of a fort into town lots. I had a good let. On the fourth of November, I had another son born, Lorenzo Martin. May 1, 1867, Nephi Martin was born. My son David Alma was born February 11, 1670
August 31, 1872, I. was working in American Fork Canyon, and received word that my son, Joseph, was killed (shot). I started for home the 3rd of September, He and another boy named Jordan Hickman were out shooting ducks, and he was shot accidently, I suppose. Bishop L.M. Hatch counseled the people to dig his grave. They took him over to the Grave Yard and put him in his grave until I came home, covered over with a little hay. After I arrived home, Bishop Hatch called the people and we went to the grave yard and uncovered him so as I could see him. The bishop ask me if I would like him brought up out of the grave and open the coffin, but I said, "No." I could not recognize him as he was discolored, Then he was buried and the grave was dedicated. The bishop asked me if I was satisfied to have a funeral sermon preached next Sunday. I answered, "Yes."
After this I went to work for Amos Hawkes at a saw mill, and worked there until it closed up.
In 1873, I worked on the gravel train in the spring, then I went to work on the saw till September, then to work on Bear River Canyon Road. Then I worked on the U, & N. Railway grade,
On December 10, 1874 I married Harriet Paece in Salt Lake City. In the spring I went and worked on the section, on the U. & N. Railroad, and worked until about July, then I went to work for LM Hatch and Brigham Young, Jr. boring for coal until about October. We sunk about 78 feet.
On the 31st of October, my wife Harriet had a-son named Joseph Ephraim. In the spring of 1875,.I went working for coal again for L.H. Hatch and Brigham Young, Jr., in the South field, Coveville, Utah, in a hollow. We run into soap stone, and quit in the same king of stuff 58 feet deep, working until June, then went up Cub river to gather hay. Afterwards went and quarried rocks for Logan Tabernacle. Worked at Franklin in the Temple quarry during 1876 and 1877.
In the month of May, I moved my family up Cub River, on my ranch. On July 26th my wife had another son, named Hyrum James. I worked on the Rail-road most of the year 1879.
Joseph Perkins died June 7, 1889.