Biographical Life Story of Sarah Wagstaff
Source:
"Sarah Wagstaff", was found in privately published history of Henry Herriman Hintze distributed in July 2005 at a Henry Hintze family reunion held in Copperton, Utah, which history was extracted from histories written by Drucilla Sears Howard and Heber J. Sears.
Sarah Wagstaff was born at Caldecote [current map; Caldecote was a hamlet in Northill until 1928], Northill Parish [map], Bedfordshire [GENUKI information], England, September 2, 1824, and died in Salt Lake City, Utah November 18, 1902.
In the year 1842, she married John Sears and eleven children were born to them. Their names are as follows: Septimus W., Isaac, Maria, Nathan, Maria Ann, Daniel John, Mary, Sarah Elizabeth, Heber John, Anna Elizabeth, and John Joseph. Four of these, Maria, Daniel John, Mary and Sarah Elizabeth died in infancy.
The part played by the wife and mother was not one which occupied the center of the stage, nor was she ever in the lime-light, yet her life was full of that quiet heroism which usually goes unsung. A wonderful helpmate, a devoted mother and a loyal friend. She was patient in trial, uncomplaining in adversity, and conscientious in all things. Her disposition was sunny and her love for the wild birds and flowers of England amounted almost to devotion. This feeling never left her and her hobby in later life was to have the finest flower garden in the neighborhood. The care of flowers sweetened her life and lengthened her days. All kinds of flowers and shrubs seemed to thrive and grow under her magic touch.
The schools of rural England at the time of her girl-hood were hardly worthy of the name, but she was endowed with a native intelligence, keen intellect, and quick perception. As she grew in stature and developed in mind, there came a comeliness, grace, and beauty which caused many a swain to sigh, and John thought himself very fortunate when he led her to the altar.
Sarah came from a stock that was solid as the rock. The Wagstaff's were conservative, thorough going, and thrifty. Not brilliant, but honest, frugal, dependable people. Their name was a symbol of honor. With such ancestry and reasonably favorable home environment, Sarah had the foundation for the part in life she played so well as a wife and mother.
