posted by Sandy on Ancestors of Sandra Gale

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Elizabeth Thompson was the oldest child of four born to her parents John Thompson and Ann Odell.  In 1825 she married Thomas Barker and together they became the parents of twelve children.  The first five of six died as infants.  Biographical sketches by Elizabeth’s children and grandchildren describe her as a kind and faithful woman.  She taught her children and attended the Baptist Church before hearing the message of the Restored Gospel from the missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. She was baptized in 1856.  Elizabeth’s husband Thomas was antagonistic about the Church in the beginning, although he eventually heard the message and was baptized along with all of their children.  In fact, Elizabeth’s youngest daughter recalls how she had to conceal the missionary tracts from her father to bring them into the house for her mother to read.  Elizabeth was a resourceful woman.  She was a skilled lace maker.  She sold her creations to help support her family.  When she was settled in her Idaho home, she often commented that the moon shown brighter in Idaho.  She had previously tried to work on her lace in the darkness, after her children were asleep. Several of her children made the voyage to America and across the plains to Utah and Idaho before she did.  Her son, John Thompson Barker, who is our direct ancestor, worked and saved money to bring the remaining members of is family to America.   Elizabeth and Thomas settled in the Bear Lake Valley and are buried together in the St. Charles City Cemetery in St. Charles Idaho.

The migration of Elizabeth Thompson Barker

England to Idaho

Tags: Barker, england, idaho, lace maker, Odell, the mormon church, Thompson, utah