The Pioneer Conductor for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir - A Family History Story

I don’t know if anyone else feels like this, but July is the month that truly encapsulates summer for me. Between firework shows, outdoor concerts in the park, family vacations, and sitting around the campfire after a scorching hot day, the month of July is truly magical. July in Utah is extra special, as we dedicate time to reflect on the pioneers that founded our state. 

Fleeing religious persecution in the eastern United States, pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints bravely made the trek of over 1,000 miles to a place that was unknown, unfamiliar, and potentially uninhabitable. They pulled handcarts and wagons, filled with what little belongings they could manage to pack as they left their homes for good. These pioneers endured hardships that are hard to fathom, and I believe that they deserve so much respect. In their honor, Utahns celebrate Pioneer Day on July 24th of each year, which is the anniversary of the arrival of the first group of pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Without their bravery, faith, and diligence, Utah would not be the state that it is today.

Two pioneers that I am especially grateful for are Ebenezer Beesley Sr. and Sarah Hancock Beesley, who are my great great great great grandparents (that’s a lot of greats!!). Ebenezer and Sarah were both born in England in 1840. They were married in the Spring of 1859 and left England for the United States shortly after. Ebenezer and Sarah began their trek in Nebraska, where they joined the George Rowley Handcart Company. Early in their journey, Ebenezer would play his violin or flute as the pioneers sang around the campfire to try to keep spirits high.

They suffered through starvation, sickness, unsheltered travel in the summer heat, dying oxen, dangerous river crossings and difficult terrain. To survive, they ate wild rose berries along the trail when their supplies ran low. Kind mountaineers and Native Americans took pity on the starving travelers and gave them food on the trail. Handcart companies from Salt Lake trekked hundreds of miles to meet the George Rowley Handcart Company to bring them food, saving them from starvation. Sarah said that they walked about 25 miles each day on their way to the Salt Lake Valley. 

Many years later, Sarah said “Yes, I crossed the plains with a handcart once but I am thankful that I never had to again. I couldn’t do it. One such experience is quite enough.”

After reaching the Salt Lake Valley in September 1859, Sarah and Ebenezer settled in Northern Utah. Ebenezer was a musical prodigy in his childhood, and became a composer of hymns for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, such as “High on the Mountain Top”, “Welcome, Welcome, Sabbath Morning”, “Sing We Now at Parting” and “Reverently and Meekly Now”. He was the conductor for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 1880-1889. Sarah and Ebenezer had 10 children together. Without the sacrifices that Sarah and Ebenezer made–crossing oceans, plains, rivers, and mountains–I would not be where I am today. I am so grateful for the journey that they made 165 years ago.

Whether or not you have Utah pioneer ancestry, we all have ancestors who made sacrifices that have impacted who we are. Some great ways to honor your ancestors are to:

• Learn their stories through family history websites like Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org.

• Visit the cemeteries where your ancestors were buried.

• Ask living ancestors to share their memories of their grandparents or other ancestors.

• Read journal entries of their experiences.

• Share stories of your ancestors on social media.

• Reflect on how you have been or can be a pioneer for your descendants.

We hope you have an amazing Pioneer Day!

Kylee