With tomorrow being Pioneer Day, I thought it would be fun to share one of the pioneers in our family tree.
Meet Richard Ballantyne, my husband’s 3rd great-grandfather.
Richard was born August 26, 1817 in Whitridgebog, Roxburghshire, Scotland. At the age of 25 years old, he was baptized a member of @churchofjesuschrist just outside of Leith.
After joining the church he had the desire to go to Zion. He was a successful baker with his own business. He left everything behind. With his mother, two sisters, and his brother, Richard boarded a ship and started off on a journey to America, landing in New Orleans and then taking a riverboat up to Nauvoo.
Richard stayed in Nauvoo for a few years, but in September 1846 he prepared to cross the Mississippi River. One night while on duty as an officer in the pioneer company he met Huldah Meriah Clark and was instantly attracted to her. The couple were married on February 18, 1847 in Winter Quarters by Heber C. Kimball.
On their journey to the Salt Lake Valley the couple welcomed their son Richard A. Ballantyne on June 1, 1848. Here is an excerpt from Richard’s journal:
My wife was taken sick about 3 oclock in the morning and after much suffering, through the mercy of Jehovah, brought forth a son weighing 8 () at 11 oclock the same forenoon. The child and my wife are both doing well for which I feel to thank Thee O God of our strength. May thy favor O Lord till further be extended with them. That their lives may be preserved and they both be () and relieved from suffering to endure all the fatigues of this journey. When the child was born we were and are now camped in our waggons on the West side of the Horne river.
Other notable accomplishments in Richard’s life is that in 1849, he established the first Sunday School among the Latter-Day saints. He also served a mission to India from 1852-1855.
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