History of John Kay and Margaret Battersby and Family

Story of John Kay and His Family

1853-1880 , England & Mona, Utah

Parr is a small township in the parish of Prescot, Lancashire, England. John was a miner by trade when he married Margaret Battersby. He was 6 years older than Margaret. According to family tradition, Margaret ran a public house, serving beer, crackers, cheese and other snacks.

The missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints converted the entire Kay family. They were baptized in the St. Helen's Branch in Lancashire, England. Eight were priviledged to travel to Utah.

The family were devoted to the Church. They were filled with the "spirit of gathering" and began to make plans for traveling to America. They were willing to sacrifice all their worldly possessions for the opportunity to travel to the heart of the Church. Before they could realize their dreams, John was injured in a mining disaster.

Family history states that Edward carried his father out to safety, though warned of the danger to his own life in going into the mine after him. At this time Edward performed his first administration through the power of the Priesthood, and his father's suffering was greatly eased. John died on 31 July 1853 of consumption four months after Edward emigrated to America.

Edward and his wife, Sarah Partington, were the first to be able to leave England. They left Liverpool Tuesday, 15 February 1853, under the direction of J.W. Young. They sailed on the ship "Elvira Owen" and arrived at New Orleans 31 March 1853. They traveled up the Mississippi River and outfitted to come west in the Cyrus H. Wheelock Company. They crossed the plains with ox teams, walking most of the way and arrived in Salt Lake City on 16 October 1853.

Margaret and her remaining seven children, ages 7 - 21, sailed from Liverpool on the ship "John M. Wood" in the Robert Campbell Company, leaving 12 March 1854 and arriving in New Orleans. Records show that Margaret was aided in her exspenses by the Perpetual Emigration Fund, and the family tradition indicates a friend by the name of Houghton also helped the family financially.

After what must have been a long ocean voyage and many hardships crossing the plains, the family arrived in Utah. They made their first home in Payson. Later, they moved to Mona near Nephi. They lived in dug-outs by the old pond. They supposed the pond to be their only supply of water, but later discovered the streams coming from Mt. Nebo. This discovery enabled them to move toward the mountains.

Taken from the history of Mona: "No one lived on Clover Creek (Mona) from May 1853 until 1859 or 1860, when Edward Kay, who had previously located at Payson and later at Nephi, brought his family to Clover Creek and built a dug-out by the spring west of the present townsite of Mona. Mr. Kay was soon followed by a number of families from Nephi, Payson and other places and quite a little farming communtiy was soon in evidence. Among those early settlers were such pioneers as John Kay, William Kay, James Kay, Henry Kay and Thomas Kay. The first log house was built by William Kay and William F. Carter. At the erection of the first church building, Edward Kay, the first permanent settler, was made Bishop. He served until 1 July 1877. Edward brought locust tree seeds from Salt Lake City and started the first shade trees. His little grove was a source of supply for the inhabitants to get trees for their own sidewalks. Edward Kay built and ran the first eating house in the village. Margaret Battersby Kay became the first midwife in Mona serving faithfully and well.

During the early pioneer days considerable trouble with Indians developed and though it was a struggle to make a living in a new and barren region, the pioneers must guard their homes and cattle. Each man had to take his turn as guard and watchman in order that the village might be protected. As a watch-tower the chimney of the school building was used. Upon this chimney a box was built to which a ladder led from the ground. In the box one man was kept constantly stationed with spy glasses to keep an ever watchful eye on every movement of the Indians, and sound a warning cry to any suspicious actions that told of a probable attack or raid upon the cattle.

John and Margaret's children had learned well the lessons taught by their parents, being industrious, thrifty and not afraid of work. Aunt Nade, John Kay and Rachel Spencer's daughter, recalls that they were all of average build and medium complexion except Martha, who had a glorious crown of red hair. All of the family married and stayed in Mona, except Margaret Kay Webb, and were buried in the Mona Cemetery. Margaret Kay Webb and her family moved to Lehi, Maricopa, Arizona Territory.

Taken from Eva Hahn

Found on Ancestry.com Feb 2,2012