Nathaniel Eames (b. 1789), Catherine Griffiths, and Sarah Jones
The story of their conversion to the L.D.S. Church.

Submitted by Brett Gledhill

Ancestors - Petigree Chart

"Here and there, and now and then, God makes a giant among men." Such a man was Nathaniel Eames (b.1789), the great grandfather of Rebecca May Eames. He was probably small in stature, but this man stood head and shoulders above his fellow spit in the quest for truth. Nathaniel Eames was placed in the family line, surly by design, at the time when a transition figure was needed, one who had seen and appreciated the old way of life, yet had such a hunger and thirst for the truth that he willingly gave up the old life for a fullness of the new. Then, like Lehi of old, having tasted of the fruit of the Tree of Life, he stood beckoning his family and friends to come with him and partake of it, also.

When he was nearly 60 years old, an age when most men thinking of settling into the tranquility of retiring years, Nathaniel Eames chose to sell his worldly possessions and began a journey which he knew would be a hardship on a man half his age. With his second wife Sarah Jones, who was much younger than he was and who was expecting a baby, Nathaniel Eames and three children crossed the ocean, seeking to establish new roots in the land of freedom. Then, having made this sacrifice, Nathaniel, his wife and their children were unexpectedly called home to God before reaching their promised land in the mountains of the West.

What caused this educated former and his wife to sever their strong traditional and family ties and seek a new life for their little ones in America? Let's take a closer look at their story.

Nathaniel Eames was born in 1789, we do not know the exact date, but he was born at Penybwlch, Penrhyndeudraeth, Merionwthshire, Wales. Penrhyndeudraeth, which is abbreviated simply as Penrhyn, is a small village near the parish of Llanfrothen. Penybwlch may have been the name of the Hamlet or major farm nearby. Perhaps this is similar to our street names of today. Nathaniel was the fifth child and second son born to Rowland Eames and Margaret Jonet Humphries. He was baptized as an infant into the Church of England, as was the custom. This occurred on July 19, 1789, at the Llanfrothen parish church, the place where his father taught and led the music. The name Nathaniel had belonged to Rowland's father, who passed away only a few months before his grandsons birth.

It is difficult from the records to obtain specific details on the growing up years of children at that time. Nathaniel grew up in a rural environment, and practically his entire life was spent within five or ten miles of where he was born. It is known that in later years he was principally a farmer. His father had been a miner, but may have been more into farming than mining during his adult years. Nathaniel grew up in a home with a brother ten years older than he was and with sisters eight, four and two years older and one sister three years younger than himself. Music was a very important part of this family's daily living. The Eames family was known for their talent, particularly in vocal music. It is not certain whether they had any musical instruments in their home, but they likely had ready access to those belonging to the parish church at Llanfrothen. Where Rowland taught music and led the congregational singing.

Nathaniel Eames was an educated men. He signed his own name whenever a signature was called for in the records throughout his life. Nathaniel's tutor would have been his own father, Rowland, and perhaps also his mother, Margaret. Probably even Nathaniel's sisters learned to read and write, which was usual back then. As a teacher, Rowland undoubtedly had access to books more readily than the common man. His children would have learned of life in other parts of the world, of historical events and also the scientific revolution which was taking place during their day.

This family was known to be very devout religiously. The Bible was likely the most widely read the book in their home. We can't imagine some of the stimulating discussions they had regarding the teachings of the Bible, and how they applied to the Church of England. It is also possible that Nathaniel's mother came from a Calvinistic Methodist background, or at least she was exposed to it during her growing up years. Even though this family were definitely members of the Church of England they were probably a very open minded and well in lightened regarding religion were the Bible teachings were interpreted differently from their own. Whatever the source may have been, the seeds of light and truth were deeply rooted in the heart of Nathaniel Eames when he was young. There was hunger for new ideas, for finding a better way and an open-minded attitude toward other religions, which led Nathaniel change religions twice during his lifetime.

It was not unusual for the Eames man to marry at an older age than most men did. Nathaniel Eames was 31 years old when he married Catherine Griffiths. Catherine was just nineteen years old at the time and needed the consent of her parents to marry. They were married at Llanfair Juxta Harlech, a parish five or ten miles south of where Nathaniel was born. Nathaniel was said to be a bachelor of the parish of Llanfihangel-y-Traethau. This place is between Penrhyn and Llanfair. It is not known how long he had been there or what he was doing there. The marriage was evidently performed in the parish church, this bride and groom were probably still members of the Church of England at the time.

The bride, Catherine Griffiths, was said to be a spinster of the local parish of Herlech, where they were married. Her early history and ancestry is still being unraveled. The name Catherine Griffiths was a very common one back then, and any attempt to document her ancestry could have been very difficult, if it wasn't for an amazing bit of genealogy associated with the birth records of some of her children. Catherine was born in 1801, and was baptized on August 3, 1801, in the same parish where she was later married. Her parents were Griffith Richard or Pritchard and his wife Gwen David. Very little research has been done on this family, so we have no further information concerning them at the present time. One of the witnesses of the marriage of Catherine and Nathaniel was Eleanor Griffith, who could possibly have been a sister to the bride.

Shortly after their marriage, Nathaniel Eames (b.1789) and Catherine Griffiths moved to Penrhynfeudraeth, Nathaniel's home village, to make their new home. It was also about the same time that these newlyweds broke a long standing Eames tradition by leaving the Church of England to join the Scotch Baptist Church at nearby Ramoth. This was a bold decision for a young family to make, and one that could easily have been accompanied by community and family persecution. It is unfortunate that we do not have preserved for us the feelings and circumstances surrounding this and other changes this family made. We would assume that, as strongly patriarchal as family matters were back then, this decision was made by Nathaniel, but Catherine fully supported it. There is also strong evidence of understanding, if not the approval from the parents of this couple. Nathaniel and his bride sought to live very near their family. They named their first child Rowland, showing the bond between father and son in keeping with tradition. Then, as if this was not enough, they named the second child David Rowland. David was the surname of Catherine's mother and probably the given name of her grandfather. These two children were born before Rowland Eames (b.1756), passed away in 1825. The next child to Nathaniel and Catherine was named Margaret Rowland. In this child the name of both paternal grandparents were joined together. What does this tell us about the grandparents? Would this have been done had the marriage of Rowland and Margaret been filled with animosity? And what do we know of the bond that existed between father and son when the son took every opportunity during the first ten years of his marriage to give his children the name of that highly respected father? Another child was given the name Gwen, which was the name of Catherine smother.

One of the few insights we have into Catherine Griffiths came nineteen years after marriage, when her mother in law Margaret Humphries died. Margaret was over 90 years old at the time of her death. Prior to her death, she was living at the home of Nathaniel and Catherine. Who could we suppose was tenderly caring for her in her old age? Probably the person who in this case signed her name on the death of record as being present at the time of Margaret's death. Not one of her daughters, not even her son Nathaniel but Catherine Griffiths, her daughter in law.

So, there is good reason to suppose that during their marriage years, Nathaniel Eames and Catherine Griffiths were very close to their parents. Rowland and Margaret apparently never made a change to the Baptist religion themselves. Rowland was tied occupationally to the Anglican Church and dedicated much of his life of to upgrading the quality of their music. Both he and Margaret were buried at the graveyard of the parish church at Llanfrothen.

The Baptist Chapel where Nathaniel Eames and his family attended church was located at Ramoth, a place very close to Llanfrothen. A little over one year after Nathaniel and Catherine or married, that church recorded the birth of the Eames' first child, Rowland. The record states that he was born at Glanygors, Penrhyn. He was listed as the son of Nathaniel Eames by Catherine his wife daughter of Griffith Prichard, and Gwen his wife. Thus, in this single entry we also learn who the parents of Catherine Griffin's were. In subsequent years, similar entries were made before the birth of David Rowland, Margaret Rowland and Nathaniel. The record for Nathaniel differed in that he was listed as born at Brondanw Isaf, probably another location in either Penrhyndeudraeth or Llanfrothen.

We know of two other daughters born to this couple. Gwen was listed on the 1841 censes between the names of David and Margaret, and she was shown as older than Margaret. Thus, we assume that her birth occurred around 1826. Elizabeth was a name found on the pedigree has submitted by Mr. Bob Owen, our Welsh researcher. Her name does not appear on the 1841 census, so it is possible that she died before then. If berth information for Gwen and Elizabeth and was given in the Baptist records, Mr. Owen did not supply it to us. There may have been other children born to Nathaniel and Catherine which our records do not show, but it is quite unlikely that they could have lived to maturity

Another record for Ramoth Baptist Chapel was the Members Book. Here Nathaniel and Catherine are listed as members. We suppose that they were church members there from at least 1822, when their first child was born, until 20 years later, when Catherine died and was buried at the Ramoth graveyard. Nathaniel may have been a member of this church until his conversion to Mormonism in 1847. There was a note to the Members Book next to Nathaniel's name with the Welsh word "ymddwdan" April 28, 1839. Ymddwdan means talking or conversation. Perhaps this has reference to talk or sermon Nathaniel gave on that date.

Sometime, probably after Nathaniel Jr. was born in 1835, and at least by 1838, the Nathaniel Eames family moved to a new farm within the parish boundaries of Llnfrothen. This place was called Glanywern. Prior to this move, we can only assume that Nathaniel's principle occupation was farming. He may also have done some work in the local mines as his father and grandfather had done before him. After his move to Glanywern, there are several records where he was asked to give his occupation, and on each of these his answer same, namely, a farmer. It is not exactly clear from the records whether he owned the farm, was buying it or renting it, although family tradition has it that he was a property owner. His name was found among the list of persons entitled to vote in the election of Knight of the County Marionethshire in respect of property situated within the parish of Llanfrothen for the years up to 1838, and then again in 1841. On that record where it asks for the nature of his qualifications, it states that he was an occupier of land at rent above 50 pounds. This record may have been stating only the minimum qualification for voting privileges, and presumably a landowners qualifications would exceed that minimum. In the event that he was actually a renter of the farm, the amount of 50 pounds a year for rent at that time indicates that he had some means.

Life was not stagnant in the Eames home. The three boys were probably taught to read and write in addition to helping with the farm. It is known that Catherine Griffiths could read and write, and so could her daughter Margaret, but Gwen apparently could not write. Music was, of course, an Eames trademark by this time, and we suppose that most if not all the family participated in singing. Nathaniel was close to 50 years old when they moved to the farm at Glanywern, yet it seems as though his life was just beginning. Great men never stop progressing and extending themselves to reach their goals. Nathaniel, the converted Baptist, was still on the alert for more truth and a better way of life.

Great men are often humbled, yet they learn to bend before the wins and storms of life. In 1839, Nathaniel Eames lost a faithful friend when Margaret Humphries, his aged mother, died. But, then three or four years later, he lost his own sweetheart and companion, Catherine Griffiths, as well. The two most important women in his life were now gone. Nathaniel surely had been preparing to give up his mother, but the bride twelve years his junior had kept his spirit young and brought such great joy into his life. How could he parted with Catherine? He buried her at Ramoth, near the church they had enjoyed together. Surely, he thought, the day will come when they can be joined together again. He must exercise faith that God's promise would be the field in some unknown way.

Perhaps it was the children who mourned for Catherine the most. It is especially hard for the younger ones to understand death. Young Nathaniel was six, perhaps eight years old, when he lost his mother. His father tried to fill the void in this little Boys life, but it wasn't quite the same as before. The father and his son who bore his name were drawn very close together in their loss, which we shall see evidence of in the years that followed.

On November 17 of 1843, Nathaniel Eames married a second time. The bride was Sarah Jones, a girl working girl as a servant in the parish of, Trawsfynydd, about 5 to10 miles from Llanfrothen. She was the daughter of John Williams, a butcher. The marriage took place at the parish Church at Trawafynydd. The witnesses were William Jones and Robert Williams, probably kinsman of the bride. We do not know if she was born at Trawsfynydd or somewhere else. She had apparently never been married before, since she was listed a spinster. We know nothing of her life prior to her marriage other than her occupation, and the fact that she had little if any education. Being a servant, uneducated and the daughter of a butcher shows that her background was very much that of the average common single women of her day. The marriage record lists Sarah Jones as 36 years old, but she may have been as young as 32.

Nathaniel Eames at age 53 or 54, was starting a new life with the new bride. He would not let his age stop him from beginning a new family, a year after the wedding, they gave birth to John, and sixteen months later, she bore Ellin. Then, the three years after that, just a few months before Nathaniel's 60th birthday, she gave birth to Jane Heartley on board a ship while traveling to America. Some men grew weary of young children by the time they were 40. Nathaniel Eames never grew old. He was a man who could keep both tragedy and triumph in their proper perspective. He adapted to the loss of one sweetheart as well as to the habits of the new. He must have loved the sounds and exuberance of a young family. Children had a great deal in common with Nathaniel-- inquisitive minds, great adaptability, a yearning to grow and improve talents and an insatiable hunger to discover new truth.

In the year 1846, tragedy again struck the Eames home. Rowland, with the oldest son of Nathaniel by Catherine, passed away March 26. He died of phthisis, which was the name for several upper respiratory conditions, tuberculosis means the most common in the day. He was 24 years old and in the prime of life when suddenly he was gone. Perhaps Nathaniel had him buried near Catherine and Ramoth. The records we have from the Baptist Church there are not complete. Certainly, this was a sad occasion and a great loss to Nathaniel. At times like this, one does some earnest soul searching. Life seems so frail to us when we see the young passed away. Then we rehearse all those penetrating questions about life beyond the grave. Are there really any satisfying answers to these questions? Why are we here, where did we come from and where do we go at death?

Back in the spring of the year when Nathaniel and Catherine were married, across the ocean, there lived a fourteen year old boy named Joseph Smith, who also had a penetrating question of his own, which church is right? The heavens were opened to that boy as he prayed, and ten years later, through him, the true Church of Christ was established on the earth once more. Another ten years passed away, and in July of 1840, about the time that Nathaniel and Catherine were establishing their family of seven on the new farm that Glanywern, two missionaries sent from America were introducing the new dispensation of the gospel into Wales. Great impetus was given to the spreading of this work in early 1845, when in fulfillment of Joseph Smith's prophecy from Carthage jail, Dan Jones set foot on the soils of Wales to preside over the preaching of the gospel in his native land. During the next three years, several thousand souls were converted to the church in Wales.

The record of Featiniog Branch of the L.D.S. Church was miraculously preserved from destruction. It was only because of this preservation that we are able to know about the beginnings of the church in the region where the Eames family lived, and about their membership in it. It was probably in the early part of the year 1846, that Elder Robert Evans came from the Vale of Conway and first preached the gospel in the area near Festiniog, Merionethshire, Wales. Festiniog, is a parish located about 5 miles to the east of where the Nathaniel Eames family lived. Elder Robert Evans baptized a man named David Roberts at the time, and then about a month later elder Able Evans came into the area and confirmed him. Able Evans also baptized David Peters and his wife a Lowry. At least two other missionaries came through at nearly the same time, baptizing people into the church. David Roberts was given the Aaronic Priesthood, and after a few months, he was ordained an Elder and was called as the first president of the Festiniog Branch of the Church. The first meeting of the branch was held in the home of David Peters, and was probably held regularly in the Peters home, until they along with their good friends the Eames family and several others emigrated to America in 1849.

It was the custom back then for the missionaries to keep on the move, traveling around various villages, staying briefly at one home and then another. They would seek opportunities to preach the gospel on the streets, at public gatherings or in homes. They would testify of the recent restoration of the gospel to the earth and of the work and martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Perhaps a major reason for the success of the missionaries during the years that Dan Jones presided over the missionary work in Wales was the work which he did in publishing the written word in the Welsh language. He published a periodical called "Udgorn Seion", Zion's Trumpet, and also wrote several tracks in his native tongue.

Perhaps it was the written word, such as a tract, that first caught the eye of National Eames. Or it could have been a meeting on the streets or in home that the first exposed him to Mormonism. Nathaniel and his family were prepared for this great day. We know that it was a short time from when Nathaniel first heard the Gospel preached until he and his son Nathaniel Jr. were baptized. Robert Evans and Able Evans, the first two missionaries into the area probably preached the gospel to the Eames family, since they were the two who baptized Nathaniel at his son.

This conversion was like having the scales of darkness fell from their eyes. Zionist trumpet sounded its resilient notes in their ears. For Nathaniel, this was a new beginning. He had started over before, but never like this. Now, he had the answers to those difficult questions. His father, mother, Catherine and Rowland could all be with him again. Death was not the end, nor was birth the beginning. God had raised up a new prophet, and the authority of the Priesthood was restored to the earth. There was no turning back for Nathaniel. The still small voice had given him a new heart, he could not deny the witness he received. On March 3, 1847, Nathaniel and his eleven year old son entered the waters of baptism. This younger Nathaniel had accepted the truth all along with his father. He wanted to be part of what his father did. He would also emigrate to America with his father and his new family two years later, the only one of Catherine's children to go with them.

It is likely that Sarah, her young ones, David and perhaps that two girls also attended church and were taught the Gospel along with the two Nathaniels. It was quite common back then for people to spend months, even years studying the Gospel before they decided to join the church. No pressure was put on any of the family. Nathaniel had tasted of the truth, and now he desired more than anything for his family to join him in it. He encouraged them, and he set an example for them. His family could not help but see the change that had come over him and how much the church meant to this husband and father. Sarah probably could not read, but may be Nathaniel taught her how to read or he read the pamphlets to her. 5 1/2 months later, she also entered the waters of baptism, and four days later, on August 22, 1847, her husband was given the Aaronic Priesthood and ordained to the office of the Deacon. On February 20, 1848, nearly a year after his baptism, Nathaniel was ordained to the office of a Priest. Then, three weeks after that, his 24 year old son David was baptized, March 12, 1848.

We do not know if at the annual was ever given the Melchizedek Priesthood. Nor is there any record his son David being ordained an Elder while in Wales, yet we know that he held the Melchizedek Priesthood, because he confirmed someone a member of the church there. Nathaniel baptized someone into the church, but we find no record that he confirmed that anyone.

Family tradition has it that the two girls, Gwen and Margaret, never joined the church. Gwen may have been married by the time the family was being taught the Gospel. Margaret was almost nineteen years old when her brother David joined the church. She probably had a boyfriend, and may have been living away from home. When she was married in January of 1849, just a few weeks before her father and family emigrated, both she and the groom William Williams were living in Festiniog. The Festiniog L.D.S. Branch record shows that a William Williams of Festiniog was baptized on August 7, 1849. It was not known whether this is the husband of Margaret or not. David had remained in Wales as a missionary, and tried to convert that family, but his effort was said to have been unsuccessful. It is known that David a corresponded with his two sisters occasionally after his immigration, and that their families were not an active part of the L.D.S. Church.

The spirit of emigration had a great effect on the people of Great Britain, and particularly of the members of the L.D.S. Church in the latter part of the nineteenth century. It seems that soon after conversion, the Saint's desired to go to "Zion". Missionaries would accentuate this feeling with their longings to be with their families. Others brought tidings of a new place of rest for the saints in the mountains of Western America, where they were free from persecution would build a great nation to their God. Nathaniel Eames was totally converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Can anyone offer another explanation for his emigration at that time? Why should Nathaniel think of emigrating when he had lived near Llanfrothen all his life, and so had his ancestors before him. Many of his loved ones were buried nearby-- his father, mother, Catherine and Rowland. He had children, brothers, sisters and friends nearby who would not think of leaving. Nathaniel was not among the poor class of people, and at age 59, he was not among the young and adventuresome. And if these reasons were not sufficient for them to remain, his wife Sarah was expecting a baby due for delivery about when their emigration party would leave. Some of the family thought he was strange to emigrate, but he was caught up in the Spirit of the Gospel. He would find a place to raise this new little family where they could live with the Saints. Then, maybe they would not have to choose someday between the truth and a lover, or eternal life and tradition. Nathaniel Eames had a new family in the Gospel, too. The common bond of religion they shared made them brothers and sisters in the truest sense of Christ like love.

For whatever reasons, the fact is that on February 21, 1849, Nathaniel Eames and Sarah his wife emigrated to America, together with their children John (age 4) and Ellin (nearly 3) and also Nathaniel Jr., who was thirteen years old. They left in company with fourteen other branch members and several young children. David wanted to go with them. He had a girlfriend who he was hoping to convert before he left. He wished to be both places, but that mission call came to him, and so he stayed in Wales to fill it.

The Nathaniel Eames family left or sold virtually all their worldly possessions before making their journey to Utah. They may have left their property to David, who a year later would sell all his goods before emigration and have enough money for the L.D.S. Immigration Fund to make the journey possible for many poor saints.

This emigration in 1849, was not just an impulse of or hasty move, but was part of a well organized mass migration of Welsh converts and missionaries returning home. Their beloved Dan Jones was returning to America, and was their leader. This was the first company of Welsh Saints to come to Utah. The seventeen members (plus young children) of the Festiniog L.D.S. Branch were a part of hundreds in that company which became the nucleus of the early Welsh settlements in Utah

It is not clear from the record whether February 21 was the day the Saints left Wales or the day the ships sailed from Liverpool, England. This large number of the Welsh Saints did not all go together in one ship. The "Buena Vista" sailed from Liverpool on February 26, and the "Hartley" must have left port at nearly the same time with the Eames family aboard. Sometime during the voyage, Sarah Eames gave birth to a baby daughter, who was named Jane Hartley Eames, after with the name of the ship. It is not known exactly how long this voyage took to make, but typically it was six to ten weeks from Liverpool to New Orleans. The ship "Hartley" arrived in New Orleans on April 28, 1849, with approximately 400 passengers aboard. Within a few days, the Saints boarded the steamboat "St. Croix" and were on their 5 1/2 week journey up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to Winter Quarters.

Within just a few days, it became evident that this journey would be marred by tragedy. Cholera broke out among the passengers likely due to contaminated source of water, through which this killer disease is passed. Vomiting, dysentery and cramping would overcome passengers quite suddenly. Death would come through dehydration, as the body could not assimilate liquids rapidly enough to fight off the disease. Many passengers lost their lies during the next few weeks. Three year old Ellin was the first of these family to succumb to it. On Sunday, May 6, less than a week out of New Orleans, she passed away and was buried the next day on an island a few miles above the mouth of the Red River. On Tuesday the 8th her two month old baby sister, Jane Hartley, died along with four other passengers. Just three days later in the afternoon of May 11, Nathaniel Eames, nearly 60 years of age, passed away. He and one other man were buried at Cape Giraridan, Missouri. The next day, four year old John Eames died. He was buried about 4 miles below St. Louis at a place called Kihokia Bend on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. Then last of all, Sarah Jones Eames passed away on Monday, May 14, just eight days after she lost little Ellin, her first to die. Sarah died at St. Louis and was buried with six others at the mouth of the Missouri River.

We can only assume what prayers entered the hearts of Nathaniel and Sarah those last few days of life. If only some of the little ones could be spared. If only some of their seed could be established, nurtured and grow to maturity within the safety of this promised land. They must trusting God, and let his we'll be done. Many back home would say, they had been foolish, even a bit eccentric to attempt the journal …

(could not read this part of journal)

… nearly in trapped his party in the mountains east of Salt Lake City. Word would come to David that winter by new Welsh missionaries of the fate of his family and the plight of his brother. David would hastily settle his affairs and cut short his mission to be among the immigrants that spring of 1850. He would be reunited with his brother and have a new bride by the year's end.

About five years later, the younger Nathaniel would also pass away, leaving David only, of all his father's children to bear the revered Eames name. The Eames name had been bestowed by father upon son all those generations in Wales despite the prevalent tradition around them of changing surnames in every generation. We wonder if the hundreds, perhaps thousands of their descendants who bear the name today remember to bear it with the honor which has made it so special.

Today, there are thousands of descendants of Nathaniel Eames who enjoyed as commonplace those dreams which she died for-- a land of freedom, the fullness of the Gospel, the tradition of raising families that are healthy, well educated and spiritually founded in truth. If Nathaniel Eames could see us today he would probably not care that his own history has seldom been spoken for 100 years. But he would want us to never forget our heritage in Christ's Church and in the land of opportunity, both of which he and many others died to establish for us. If the history of a Nathaniel Eames could be heralded from the beginning to the end in one sentence, then we should select to use the words of a parable given by the Master himself:

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like an to a merchant man, seeking goodly the pearls:
"Who, when he found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." (Matthew 13: 45-46)