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Samuel Claridge research, 1852-1987

Overview of the Collection

Title
Samuel Claridge research
Dates
1852-1987 (inclusive)
Quantity
23 boxes, (10.5 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 228c
Summary
Biographical information, original writings, and correspondence of Samuel Claridge, his wives, and children including some noteworthy individuals such as Alfred W. McCune, Elizabeth Claridge McCune, and Clare Kimball Claridge (Mrs. Hyrum Claridge). Some notable items in the collection are original autobiographies and testimonial essays by Samuel Claridge. Some items are photocopies. Subjects include Samuel Claridge's conversion to the Latter-day Saints and his emigration from England to America, the LDS pioneering experience, LDS settlement experience and Claridge's moves to and from Utah, Nevada, and Arizona (Salt Lake Valley, 1853-1854; Nephi, 1850s-1860s; The Muddy, 1868-1871; Mount Carmel, Utah, 1871-1875; Orderville, 1875-1885; Gila Valley, Arizona Territory, 1885-1923); living as a polygamist having two wives and 19 children and Claridge's experiences as an LDS pioneer bishop and patriarch.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to public research.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
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Biographical Note

Samuel Claridge was born on December 5, 1828, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England. When he grew up, he ran a bakery in Hemel Hempstead. On December 9, 1849 he married Charlotte Joy who was born on September 28, 1819. Their son Samuel David Claridge was born on October 19, 1850. Elizabeth Ann was born on January 19, 1852. Samuel Claridge joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in June 1851, and immmigrated to Utah in 1853. After spending the winter of 1853-1854 in cramped quarters, when spring broke, he went to Nephi, Juab County, and established a farm, home, and family there. On July 3, 1865 he married Rebecca Hughes in the Endowment House, Salt Lake City. In Nephi he built a house, fenced his fields, began farming, and served in various church and civic jobs. At a conference in Nephi, July 19-20, 1868, Samuel Claridge was called by Brigham Young to settle the Muddy, Moapa Valley, and Lincoln County, Nevada. He and some of his family lived there from 1868 until February 1871 when the Nevada law prosecutions began. They then retreated to southern Utah to start again. The family located at Mount Carmel and remained there three years until Samuel Claridge joined the United Order at Orderville. He was an officer, a leader, and supporting member for nearly ten years. During those years, he went to England on a proselyting mission for the Church. He also spent time collecting his genealogy and visiting his family. During the fall of 1883, he moved his family to the Gila Valley, Graham County, Arizona. His tent was one of the first staked at the site of the village of Thatcher. There he continued farming and raising a large family: four by his first wife (Charlotte died March 1884) and fifteen by his second wife Rebecca. Samuel Claridge served as bishop of Thatcher for thirteen years when he was ordained a patriarch, a position he held until his death twenty-two years later.

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Content Description

This collection is split into four parts. The first part contains the original documents, writings, and correspondence of Samuel Claridge, his wives, and his children. Part II contains mostly photocopies of biographical material gathered during George Ellsworth's research of the Claridge family. Part III and IV are research and drafts compiled in preparation for the Samuel Claridge Book. The Samuel Claridge Research contains biographical information on Samuel Claridge, his wives and children including some noteworthy individuals such as Alfred W. McCune, Elizabeth Claridge McCune, and Clare Kimball Claridge (Mrs. Hyrum Claridge). There are some original writings and correspondence. Some notable items in the collection are original autobiographies and testimonial essays by Samuel Claridge.

Some subjects covered in the Samuel Claridge research papers are Samuel Claridge's conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his emigration from England to America. In his writings, he elaborates on the LDS pioneering experience and institutions. Samuel Claridge describes the LDS settlement experience and his moves to and from Utah, Nevada, and Arizona (Salt Lake Valley, 1853-1854; Nephi, 1850s-1860s; The Muddy, 1868-1871; Mount Carmel, Utah, 1871-1875; Orderville, 1875-1885; Gila Valley, Arizona Territory, 1885-1923) Samuel Claridge gives his account of living as a polygamist having two wives and 19 children, touching on the importance of a large family, unity, and cooperation. He also describes his experiences as a LDS pioneer bishop and patriarch. Samuel Claridge gave a patriarchal blessing to Spencer W. Kimball who later became president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Samuel Claridge research must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Preferred Citation

Samuel Claridge research, 1864-1987. (COLL MSS 228c) Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged in series and subseries as well as in numeric sequence according to box and folder

Acquisition Information

Gift of S. George Ellsworth (Samuel Claridge's grandson).

Processing Note

Collection processed by: Jolyn Hunting, March 2003.

Related Materials

  • S. George Ellsworth papers (COLL MSS 228).
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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Frontier and pioneer life--West (U.S.)
  • Mormon pioneers--United States.
  • Mormons--Arizona.
  • Mormons--Nevada.
  • Mormons--Utah.
  • Pioneers--West (U.S.)
  • United orders (Mormon Church)--Utah.

Geographical Names

  • Arizona--History--Sources.
  • Nevada--History--Sources.
  • Utah--History--Sources.

Finding aid created by the Special Collections and Archives Department at Utah State University
2008

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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