Photo #45700
Last Name: Virgin
First Name: Amos
Middle Name: Moses
Subject's City: Fish Haven
Subject's State: ID
Subject's County:
Subject's Country: United States
Date: 1921-1940
Photographer:
Photographer's City:
Photographer's State:
Nee:
Type**: B&W
Comments: Amos Moses Virgin (Nee: ) | Fish Haven ID United States | 1921-1940 | Comments: Individual Summary for Amos Moses Virgin
24 Mar 2007
Page 1
1
,2
Event
Date(s)
Place
Description
Born
23 Jan 1854
Marston Mortaine, Bedfordshire, England
Christened
Census
1880
Saint Charles, Bear Lake, Idaho
Died
12 Oct 1942
Fish Haven, Bear Lake, Idaho, USA
Buried
15 Oct 1942
St. Charles, Bear Lake, Idaho, USA
Nickname:
AKA:
Married Name:
Sex:
M
ID:
AFN:
1P24-MH
Last Changed: 29 Apr 2006
Parents
Father
Relationship
Relationship
Mother
George Thompson Virgin
Biological
Mary Ann Barker
Biological
Marriages
Spouse
Marriage Date/Place
27 Sep 1875
Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Sarah Frances Merkley
Notes
AMOS MOSES VIRGIN
Amos Moses Virgin, son of George Thompson and Mary Ann Barker Virgin, was born in Marston, England, on January 23, 1854. After
his father was accidentally killed being crushed between two cars when the wrong signal was given, his mother was faced with
supporting two sons and a baby daughter. Mary Ann Barker had the great desire to go to Zion. On May 14, 1862, she with her two
sons, Amos Moses and Nephi Charles, and Mercy Ann, a baby, left England. They with eight hundred Saints on board the "William
Tappscott" set sail.
Amos Moses Virgin was now eight years of age, his brother, Nephi Charles, was under six. Even at this young age they with their
mother and baby sister walked almost the entire distance across the plains. They traveled with the Horton D. Haight Company. At
times Amos and Nephi would get so tired they lagged behind. One time they became so tired they lagged quite a ways behind and
would have been lost or devoured by the wolves if the provisions wagon had not stopped and picked them up. His baby sister, Mercy
Ann, had died on the plains near the Utah-Wyoming boarder October 6, 1862.
They arrived in Salt Lake Valley October 19 1862. Amos Moses and his family lived in Grantsville, Utah, with some relatives. Two
years later they moved to St. Charles, Idaho, in Bear Lake Valley to make their home in October 1864.
Although Amos Moses was but ten years of age, he did everything possible to earn a living for his mother and brother. This was a hard
task during the early years of the valley as homesteads were being made. Becoming a fisher and hunter, Amos Moses also became an
expert trapper and shipped furs to an eastern market. He made his own snowshoes to run his traps. He also loved boating, swimming,
skating, and sports of all kinds.
They were very poor. His mother, Mary Ann, was forced to glean wheat fields while Amos and Nephi fished and trapped. When Amos
and Nephi were looking after their traps at the mouth of the creek that emptied into Bear Lake, their feet and clothing would get so cold
and wet that they would take off their socks and wade in the icy water and then put their socks back on. They often laid on the ice
where they were fishing until their clothing would dry in the sun. They often became snow blind caused by the glare of the sun on the
ice and water.
-2 -
On September 27, 1875, Amos Moses married Sarah Francis Merkley, daughter of Christopher and Xarissa Fairbanks Merkley. Making
their home in St. Charles, Idaho, near Bear Lake, Amos Moses and Sarah Francis were blessed with ten children: Sarah Francis, Alice
Xarissa, Linda Rose, Mary Ann, George Amos, Eugenie, Jessie, Zalia Louise, Alicia Naomi, and Heber Harold.
Individual Summary for Amos Moses Virgin
24 Mar 2007
Page 2
Notes (Continued)
stay in St. Charles, he was a teacher in the Sunday School and also a ward teacher. On July 18, 1886, Amos Moses Virgin was
ordained a Seventy by C. D. Fulstead. Also during this time a daughter, Linda Rose, was buried in St. Charles.
One Sunday Brother Floyd told Amos' mother that he was going to Salt Lake City on Monday. He said he would bring her some chairs
if Amos would catch one hundred pounds of fish to send. After Sacrament Meeting Amos and his mother went to the creek where he
caught nine fish. His mother said this was enough so she took them to the house and dressed them. -They weighed one hundred
pounds. Floyd took the fish to Salt Lake City, sold them and brought home the chairs.
One time when Amos had saved five dollars for some needed shoes, t2iev aske6 for money to build "--he Logan Temple. He gave the
five dollars for the temple and pulled the old shoes together with wire and then went to the logging camp in Logan Canyon to help get
logs to build the temple
In August Amos ' Moses Virgin and his wife Sarah Francis moved to Salem,, Idaho, with their four daughters and two sons to be nearer
to their two oldest daughters who had married and moved there. There he bought a farm and in the Snake River Valley pioneered
again. He worked in ' the office of the Church while he served as a ward teacher.
After he had converted James Inman, his wife and two sons while ward teaching, they joined the Church. Amos Moses was blessed
with the gift of healing and was called many times to administer to the sick. His examples and precepts were always worthy of a Latter-
day Saint. George A. Pinnock ordained him a High Priest on May 1, 1909. His family is a credit and honor to him and his wife.
Sarah Francis Merkley Virgin died at Fish-Haven December 17, 1939, and was buried in St. Charles, Idaho. Amos Moses Virgin died at
the home of his youngest daughter, Alicia V. Howell, in Fish Haven, Idaho, on October 12, 1942. He was buried by his wife and
daughter in St. Charles, Idaho.
The following is information from the ship records of the William Tapscott. Amos Moses crossed the ocean, and walked accross the
plains with his mother when only seven years old.
Virgin, Amos, 1862, NA, Horton D. Haight, Deseret News Vol. 12 p. 98 microfilm 26589 _Virgin, Amos, 1862, NA, William Tapscott,
Ship roster on microfilm(s) 175576 25691 _Virgin, Levi, 1862, NA, Horton D. Haight, Deseret News Vol. 12 p. 98 microfilm 26589
_Virgin, Mary Ann, 1862, NA, William Tapscott, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 175576 25691 _Virgin, Mary Ann, 1862, NA, William
Tapscott, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 175576 25691 _Virgin, Mercy, 1862, NA, Horton D. Haight, Deseret News Vol. 12 p. 98 microfilm
26589 _Virgin, Nephi C., 1862, NA, William Tapscott, Ship roster on microfilm(s) 175576 25691
VIRGIN, Mary Ann <1832>
Age: 30 Origin: England Occ: Widow
Note: BMR, p.150.
VIRGIN, Amos <1855>
Age: 7 Origin: England
VIRGIN, Nephi C. <1857>
Age: 5 Origin: England
VIRGIN, Mary Ann <1862>
Age: infant Origin: England
Note: "Infant" (BMR).
Ship: William Tapscott
Date of Departure: 14 May 1862 Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
LDS Immigrants: 807 Church Leader: William Gibson
Date of Arrival: 25 Jun 1862 Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Source(s): BMR, Book #1047, pp. 126-164 (FHL #025,691); Customs #610 (FHL #175,576); SMR, 1862 (FHL #025,696)
Notes: ". . . On Tuesday, the packet ship William Tapscott, Captain Bell, cleared with 807 souls of the Saints on board, under
the presidency of Elder William Gibson, with Elders John Clark and Francis M. Lyman as his counsellors, and sailed on Wednesday
morning. Elder Gibson arrived from Zion in the beginning of December 1859, and for some time travelled through the Mission, teaching
and instructing the Saints in the various conferences where his labors extended. Since January 1st, 1860, he has presided over the
Cheltenham District. Elder F. M. Lyman, who arrived July 27th, 1860, has been presiding over the Essex Conference, and Elder Clark
over the Sheffield Conference. The following elders accompanied these brethren on the William Tapscott -- namely, Elder Samuel
Hargraves, late president of the Durham Conference, who arrived September 21st, 1860, Elder William Dallin, late president of the
Newcastle - on - Tyne Conference, who arrived August 26th, 1860, and Elder Thomas C. Staynet, from Zion, who have been on
missions to this country; also Elders Thomas Liez, late president of the Preston Conference, Thomas W. Rees, late president of the
Individual Summary for Amos Moses Virgin
24 Mar 2007
Page 3
Notes (Continued)
Eastern Glamorgan Conference, Israel Bale, late travelling elder in the Worcestershire Conference, William Shires, late travelling elder
in the Leeds Conference, and Joseph R. Morgan, late travelling elder in Herefordshire Conference, who with gladness and joy embrace
the privilege of gathering with the Saints. These brethren have all labored with diligence and faithfulness and are released with the
blessings of the presidency, and the prayers of hte Saints. Elder H. Whittall, who has labored in this office for some years, likewise
sailed with this company, feeling to rejoice at the privilege of gathering with his family to the valleys of the mountains. On Tuesday
afternoon, Presidents Lyman, Rich, and Cannon held a meeting on board, addressed the Saints, and organized the company. Good
feelings seemed to be enjoyed by all, and the Spirit of God was copiously poured out. May the prayers which were offered up on their
behalf be realized in their fulfilment, that their voyage and journey may be speedy and prosperous, till they reach their destination in the
home of the Saints. . ."
"Wed. 14. [May 1862] -- The ship William Tapscott sailed from Liverpool, with 808 Saints, under the direction of William Gibson, John
Clark and Francis M. Lyman. It arrived safely at New York."
Ancestral File Number: 1P24-MH
Were all Amos's children BIC?
-----Original Message-----_From: Rvhwheel@aol.com [mailto:Rvhwheel@aol.com]_Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 12:20 AM_To:
readbofm@hpi.net_Subject: Re: Mercy Truth Barker and patriarchal blessings of Amos Moses and Sarah Fran...__Yes, the children
were all BIC. When you look at their Deceased member Files you will find that some of them have the date of Amos and Sarah Frances'
sealing date in the SLTemple. I know that my Mother's sealing has been redone.__Yes, the history of Mercy Truth Barker Keetch is
VERY long. 36 pages in fact. I will send it as an attachment tonight. Please let me know that it arrived safely. I will put the patriarchal
blessings into one file so that they can come with one attachment. You mention that you can tell a lot from reading them. You'll be
interested in Sarah Frances'. It says that her calling and election has been made sure. Amos Fairbanks is of the leinage of Judah!!
interesting!
Virgin, Amos, 1862, NA, Horton D. Haight, Deseret News Vol. 12 p. 98 microfilm 26589 _Virgin, Amos, 1862, NA, William Tapscott,
Ship roster on microfilm(s) 175576 25691
1880 census St. Charles, Bear Lake, Idaho, p 105:
Amos VIRGIN Self M Male W 25 ENG Laborer ENG ENG
Frances VIRGIN Wife M Female W 23 UT Keeps House CAN IN
Sarah F. VIRGIN Dau S Female W 4 ID ENG UT
Alice T. VIRGIN Dau S Female W 1 ID ENG UT
1. Amos came to Utah 19 Oct 1862 in the Horton D. Haight Company. He married Sarah F. Merkley Sept 27, 1875. Her parents,
Christopher Merkley and Xarissa Fairbanks of Salt Lake City were pioneers of 1851 in an independent company. The family home was
in Salem, Idaho.
2. AMOS MOSES VIRGIN_Amos Moses Virgin, son of George Thompson and Mary Ann Barker Virgin, was born in Marston, England,
on January 23, 1854. After his father was accidentally killed being crushed between two cars when the wrong signal was given, his
mother was faced with supporting two sons and a baby daughter. Mary Ann Barker had the great desire to go to Zion. On May 14, 1862,
she with her two sons, Amos Moses and Nephi Charles, and Mercy Ann, a baby, left England. They with eight hundred Saints on board
the "William Tappscott" set sail.__Amos Moses Virgin was now eight years of age, his brother, Nephi Charles, was under six. Even at
this young age they with their mother and baby sister walked almost the entire distance across the plains. They traveled with the Horton
D. Haight Company. At times Amos and Nephi would get so tired they lagged behind. One time they became so tired they lagged quite
a ways behind and would have been lost or devoured by the wolves if the provisions wagon had not stopped and picked them up. His
baby sister, Mercy Ann, had died on the plains near the Utah-Wyoming boarder October 6, 1862.__They arrived in Salt Lake Valley
October 19 1862. Amos Moses and his family lived in Grantsville, Utah, with some relatives. Two years later they moved to St. Charles,
Idaho, in Bear Lake Valley to make their home in October 1864.__Although Amos Moses was but ten years of age, he did everything
possible to earn a living for his mother and brother. This was a hard task during the early years of the valley as homesteads were being
made. Becoming a fisher and hunter, Amos Moses also became an expert trapper and shipped furs to an eastern market. He made his
own snowshoes to run his traps. He also loved boating, swimming, skating, and sports of all kinds.__They were very poor. His mother,
Mary Ann, was forced to glean wheat fields while Amos and Nephi fished and trapped. When Amos and Nephi were looking after their
traps at the mouth of the creek that emptied into Bear Lake, their feet and clothing would get so cold and wet that they would take off
their socks and wade in the icy water and then put their socks back on. They often laid on the ice where they were fishing until their
clothing would dry in the sun. They often became snow blind caused by the glare of the sun on the ice and water.
Individual Summary for Amos Moses Virgin
24 Mar 2007
Page 4
Sources
1.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (R), Copyright (c) 1987, June 1998, data as of 5 January 1998.
2.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (R), Copyright (c) 1987, June 1998, data as of 5 January 1998,
Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150 USA.
Digital Image Only? YES
Everyone Listed In This Photo:
Amos Virgin