Samantha Call Willey
1814-1905
I, Samantha Call was born November 15, 1814, at Fletcher, Franklin County, Vermont. I was the oldest daughter and the fourth child of Cyril Call and Sally Tiffany Call.
My father was born June 29, 1785 at Woodstock, Vermont. My mother was born November 27, 1790 at Cambridge, Vermont.
When I was four years of age my parents moved from Franklin, Vermont to Madison, Ohio, where we lived for a short time. From there we went to Mentor, Ohio, but finding the climate very unhealthy, soon moved back to Madison. Our means being limited, my father taught school, which I attended. Years flew by and by hard labor father made enough money to buy a farm, which he did near Grand River, about five miles from Lake Erie. We all helped in getting along the best we could. I went out to nurse, sew and spin. At the age of seventeen, I went to the Art, Coal, and Furnace Boarding House with Hettie Parker, and cooked six months for twenty men. On recommendation, Mrs. Allen, the landlady of the Unionville Tavern, came to see if I would assist in getting an oyster supper for the Caravan. I did so and remained three months, but the hard work I had been doing the last nine moths had pulled my health down so that I was obliged to return to my lighter labors of sewing and spinning. I supported myself entirely and helped father some.
At the age of fifteen, I joined the Methodist Church. My parents belonged to that church. About the time I was working so hard at cooking. The Elders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would often come and hold meetings. I would listen to them explain and tell of the principles of the gospel and enjoyed hearing what they had to say. But, being a sincere Methodist and whether through pride or fear, and not having the privilege of going to their meetings often, did not join. My father approved and soon accepted the gospel, but mother was very much opposed to it.
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My father was born June 29, 1785 at Woodstock, Vermont. My mother was born November 27, 1790 at Cambridge, Vermont.
When I was four years of age my parents moved from Franklin, Vermont to Madison, Ohio, where we lived for a short time. From there we went to Mentor, Ohio, but finding the climate very unhealthy, soon moved back to Madison. Our means being limited, my father taught school, which I attended. Years flew by and by hard labor father made enough money to buy a farm, which he did near Grand River, about five miles from Lake Erie. We all helped in getting along the best we could. I went out to nurse, sew and spin. At the age of seventeen, I went to the Art, Coal, and Furnace Boarding House with Hettie Parker, and cooked six months for twenty men. On recommendation, Mrs. Allen, the landlady of the Unionville Tavern, came to see if I would assist in getting an oyster supper for the Caravan. I did so and remained three months, but the hard work I had been doing the last nine moths had pulled my health down so that I was obliged to return to my lighter labors of sewing and spinning. I supported myself entirely and helped father some.
At the age of fifteen, I joined the Methodist Church. My parents belonged to that church. About the time I was working so hard at cooking. The Elders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would often come and hold meetings. I would listen to them explain and tell of the principles of the gospel and enjoyed hearing what they had to say. But, being a sincere Methodist and whether through pride or fear, and not having the privilege of going to their meetings often, did not join. My father approved and soon accepted the gospel, but mother was very much opposed to it.
To get the complete history download below.
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