This page gives introductions to the lives Francis and William Webster and their families. For more details, click on the links given in the navigation bars. More information is given on some individuals than on others because that information was available.

Early Life of Francis Webster

Francis Webster was born on February 8, 1830 in Wymondham, Norfolk, England. During his first six years, his "health was very poor and my parents had but little hopes of my living to be a man." He attended school from age 6 to age 12. He then worked for a Mr. Weston and a Mr. Cann until he was 18.

He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April of 1848 (around the 17th). Six weeks later he went to Australia. He worked for a Mr. Harper for three months as a servant and then worked on a trading ship, traveling between Sidney and Melborne.

After a year in Australia, Francis went to San Francisco. He worked helping build a street in San Francisco, and then he went to the gold fields and worked in the mines. He then returned to England with 1500 dollars in gold dust, having been gone for four years.

He visited the LDS church meetings in England found that "I had lost my standing with the Saints through going to Australia thence to California without the counsel of the church." He continued attending the LDS meetings and "always found them very interesting to me."

After being in England for six weeks, he returned to California, taking "several of the works of the church with me to read on the journey." This time, instead of working in the mines, he opened a provision store in a partnership with a Mr. William Smith.

While in California, he experienced a lot of diarrhea, so he sold his interest in the store. He later sold his claim in the mines for 150 dollars. He had 800 dollars in Wrights Savings  Bank, but during the bank crisis of 1854, he lost that money; he was able to sell his bank certificate for 400 dollars. All in all, he was able to return to England with 1200 dollars. After arriving in England, he attended the LDS meetings and was re-baptized on October 13, 1855 (Note: re-baptisms were performed to renew ones faith, not to renew ones membership in the Church, as would be the case today).

Francis and Ann Elizabeth (Betsy) Parsons are Married

On December 5, 1855, Francis and Ann Elizabeth Parsons were married. They made preparations to go to Utah in the Martin Handcart Company. Francis paid for the transportation to Utah for nine others besides his family.

Francis and Amelia Reese are Married

Amelia Reese was born in Wales in 1856. Her parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the family emigrated to Utah; three of Amelia's sisters emigrated to Utah before the rest of the family joined them. Amelia's father was killed in a train wreck before they reached Salt Lake City (near Ogden, Utah).

Amelia worked at odd jobs until she was 18, and she then married David Williams. After just a few years of marriage, David was killed when his team spooked on a mountain road. On July 25, 1878, Amelia married Francis Webster as a second wife.

Early Life of William Webster

William Webster was born in Norwich, Norfolk county, England on January 21, 1836. He was the youngest child in a large family. When he became an adult, he was unhappy being home, and he went to Yorkshire county seeking employment.

While living in Yorkshire, William met and married Caroline Burdett, and they lived in that general area for many years. William worked in the coal and iron-stone mines, and he advanced to be Superintendent of the mine.

In 1888, after 20 years of marriage, Caroline died after being exposed to cold, night air while assisting with a birth. Then hard times came as the mines were closed due to a strike, and William realized he would have to leave England to find work. During this time, William's sister-in-law, Ann Elizabeth Webster (Aunt Betsy) was visiting England with her son, John James Godson Webster who was finishing a LDS mission in England. William and most of his children decided to go to Utah with them. William lived the remainder of his life in Cedar City.