George and Elizabeth (Bailey) Coleman

George and Elizabeth (Bailey) Coleman

(Sarah and Elizabeth’s parents- Lewis brothers wife’s family)

George Coleman, son of George Simko Coleman and Sarah Wright, was born November 1, 1814 in Sherrington, Buckinghamshire, England. On October 11, 1834 he married Elizabeth Bailey. She was born October 17, 1816 in Onley, Buckinghamshire, England, daughter of John Bailey and Sarah Curtis.

George and Elizabeth were married in England and embraced the Latter-Day Saints religion in 1844. George bought and sold farm, dairy products, and groceries. It became a thriving business and the family was prosperous. They were industrius, ambitious, honest, and taught their children to follow in their footsteps.

George was made President of the Hemel Hempstead branch of the L.D.S. church - which position he filled honorably for many years. A young man named Samuel Claridge delivered bread to George's store each morning and generally stopped to chat. George enjoyed talking about the church to which he belonged. Mr. Claridge became interested and soon embraced the Gospel as taught by George. He not only joined the Church, but soon had a chance to leave for Utah. He returned to England in a year or two to fulfill a mission for the Church. When his mission was over George sent his oldest son, Henry, then only 17 years old, to America with his friend, Claridge.

They received word of Henry's safe arrival, but it was seven long years before they heard from him again. His parents worried about him, but in spite of rumors that he had been killed by the Indians, brought to them by a Mormon missionary, George never lost faith that he would see his son again. Henry soon established himself in America. He married Mary Jane Threlkeld on November 30, 1867.

About three years after they heard from Henry, they sent two more sons, William and Louis. They were then in their early teens. They were six weeks on the ocean and sailing being a new experience for them. They arrived at the crossing of the Missouri River, full of hope and ready for any emergency.

Although, mere boys in age, they were men in experience by that time. There they met a Brother Pratt there who offered William they job of driving a herd of cattle from there to Utah. William said he would be glad to do the job if he might take his younger brother with him. They were given the cattle to drive and were successful in reaching the Salt Lake Valley without major accidents or much trouble. This was another new experience for the plucky boys, who had to walk every step of the way.

In 1864, George and Elizabeth, son Samuel, and the three daughters, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Annie, set sail for America. The six week ocean voyage was very hard for Elizabeth (mother), who was seasick most of the trip. For a time they were afraid she might not survive the voyage. After a kind fellow passenger gave her a glass of malt beer she was better for the rest of the voyage.

The trip across the plains was hard on the whole family as they all walked most of the way. Even the children were not allowed to ride unless they were sick. In spite of their hardships, they arrived safely in Salt Lake Valley. They were very happy to be reunited with their three sons who were living in Midway, Wasatch County, Utah. They all spent the first winter there.

The next spring, in 1865, they moved to Holladay, where they established a comfortable home. At the age of 50, George Coleman received his endowment and was sealed to his wife Elizabeth Bailey on Friday, 10 November 1865in the Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.

In 1868 their son, George Jr., jointed them in Holladay. He was the last one to come from England. Two children, Charles and Joseph, never came to America.

George Coleman Sr., died June 15, 1888 in Holladay, Utah.

His wife, Elizabeth, died April 22, 1880 in Holladay, Utah.

George Coleman and Elizabeth Bailey Coleman were the parents of the following children;

1. Henry Coleman b. May 4, 1836 Sherrington, Buckinghamshire, England; md. Mary Jane Threlkeld on Nov 30, 1867 at SLC.

2. Charles Coleman

b. Feb 3, 1838 Sherrington, England;

md. Eliza Chapman.

3. Thomas Coleman

b. Apr 4, 1840 Sherrington, England;

4. William Coleman

b. Nov 24, 1842 Kempston, Bedfordshire, England;

md. Mary Clotworthy, Dec 11, 1866;

d. Aug 29, 1897.

5. George Coleman

b. Mar 30, 1845 Hemel Hempsteadshire, England;

md. Mary World, Oct 24, 1888;

d. Sep 5, 1911.

6. Louis Coleman

b. July 4, 1848 Hemel Hempstead, Bedfordshire, England;

md. Rachel Ellis O'Neil, Mar 20, 1875;

d. Sep 28, 1935.

7. Joseph Coleman

b. Feb 21, 1850 Hemel Hempstead, England.

8. Sarah Coleman

b. June 9, 1852 Hemel Hempstead, Bedfordshire, England;

md. Preston King Lewis, Sep 13, 1869;

d. Apr 11, 1938.

9. Samuel Coleman

b. July 4, 1854 Hemel Hempstead, England;

10. Elizabeth Coleman

b. Dec 6, 1856 Hemel Hempstead, Bedfordshire, England;

md. Siney Lewis Jan 5, 1874

d. Dec 18, 1932.

11. Annie Coleman

b. May 17, 1859 Sherrington, Buckinghamshire, England;

md. William McMillan, Nov 25, 1880;

b. Nov 6, 1939.