A Sketch of the Life of Frances Dence Stephens
Written by her grand-daughter
Katheryn Stephens Jensen, 1949

At the early age of 12 years she went to work as a kitchen maid in the home of Colonel William Thomas Townsend Hall. This home was a part of a large estate named Syndale. It had footmen, chamber maids, butlers, cooks, etc., and little Frances found much to interest her. She loved to see the beautifully-dressed ladies and gentlemen that visited Syndale.

She used to tell her children how the Fox Hunts were held and how exciting they were, even to the onlookers. The beautifully-tailored riding habits of brilliant colors were worn by both the men and the ladies. The well-groomed horses were brought from the stables, and the hunting hounds were impatient to be off. There was much laughter and excitement in the gathered group in the yard, and the excitement spread to all of the servants, old and young, male and female. As soon as the word came that they were off, the members of the household made a dash for the stairway to find a vantage point from which to watch the race. Soon after the finish of the race they could be found back at their various jobs, working doubly hard to make up for the time lost while they watched the race. The fine dinner, and the whole house must be in readiness for the participants of the race upon their return.

Frances was a slender little girl with large dark eyes and brown curly hair. She was a favorite in the Hall household. She was energetic and quick, and she became an excellent cook. At an early age she became chief cook at Syndale. Colonel and Mrs. Hall treated her kindly and showed interest in her welfare. They objected to her marrying Isaac Stephens, a worker in their powder mills, but when they found that the young couple loved each other and were determined to marry, the Halls gave them their blessing, and provided a comfortable cottage at Syndale for them.

Theirs was a Church wedding at the Faversham Church in the Spring of 1846, with the Rev. Dr. Burt uniting them in marriage.

Frances continued her work at Syndale and Isaac worked on at the powder mills. They worked hard and saved as much of their earnings as possible. Their first child, Charles, was born 24 June 1847. Three years later another son, Henry, was born, but lived only two years.

In 1850, the Mormon missionaries called at this home and almost immediately Frances was filled with a desire to learn more and more of their wonderful teachings. At their invitation, they made many visits to this home, and on 16 June, 1851 she was baptized by Elder James Allsworth. A month later her husband was baptized and now they were both members of a church held up to ridicule and abuse by their once friends and neighbors. Not only their friends but their parents, their own brothers and sisters, all turned from them because they were "Mormons." Frances and Isaac now worked hard with a new determination. They would save their money and as soon as possible they would join the Saints in Utah.

Their family continued to grow and, of course, that took from their savings. Two more sons and two daughters were born during the following ten years. Isaac was badly burned when there was an explosion in one of the buildings at the powder mills and was unable to work for several months. Frances nursed him back to health and cared for their little ones, and still continued her work at Syndale. It must have been a discouraging and wearisome time for the little wife and mother.

I have mentioned that the Halls seemed to think a great deal of Frances. It was about this time that the Hall’s young son and heir died, following a short illness. The Halls were deeply grieved at their great loss. A very impressive funeral was arranged and many titled people were in attendance. Frances was invited to attend the service and the Halls brought her a beautiful black taffeta dress for the occasion. The dress was the envy of all the other members of the household as well as was the special invitation given to Frances. For years, the black taffeta was her most cherished possession. it was well packed when they came to America and after many years of wear it was made into a cape and jacket for her youngest daughter, Ella. Ella in turn was very proud of her little jacket and cape, especially so since her Mother had brought it with her from England. (Material was made to last in those days).

The Stephens family were finally able, in 1862, to realize their dream of sailing to America. Frances and Isaac called on their parents before leaving to tell them goodbye. Frances mother put her hands behind her back, refusing to clasp the hand of a Mormon, even though it was her own daughter, and knowing that there was only a remote chance that they would ever meet again in this life.

Frances had little time to nurse her grievances, however, as there were five children to care for and make ready for their journey-the oldest boy was almost 16, and the baby, a boy of seven months. The long trip in the sailing vessel, the train, the steamboat, and then the long trip across the plains by ox team, all had to be planned for with the necessary clothing and other necessities. However, the last trunk and chest were finally closed and locked and deposited with their owners on the ship Manchester. (See Isaac’s sketch for more details of the trip.)

Shortly after starting across the plains, the three little children were stricken with whooping cough. Lizzie, Harry, and Polly were very sick children for days, especially Polly who was four years old at this time. The baby George did not take the disease. He had his first steps alone, perhaps showing off for his birthday, having his first anniversary on the plains. Isaac’s legs gave him a great deal of trouble and that threw extra work on Frances in crossing the plains. Charles did a man’s share of the work however, so the family made out very well.

After reaching Salt Lake City, they with some others, were sent to help settle Cache Valley. They reached Hyrum, Utah, on the 21^st of October, 1862. Winter had already arrived and there were no houses available. Isaac and son Charles, with the help of good neighbors, soon provided the family with a home called a "dugout." A large room was dug in the side of a hill and the outside wall was built across the open side of the room. The floor was Mother Earth but a good fireplace was provided, which gave warmth and cheer. Cooking over a fireplace was quite a contrast to the large stove and fully equipped kitchen back at Syndale, or to the stove in her own little cottage, for that matter.

The next summer they built a house of logs. Frances made a real home in this little log house. Shelves were placed on the walls for dish cupboards, and for their clothes, and each article had its own place whether it was a dish or an apron. It was said that you could put you hand on the shirt, dish or apron, towel or whatever you wanted, even in the dark. As soon as the washing, ironing, and mending was completed, the clothes were folded and put in their places. After a few years another house was built where they lived the remainder of their lives. Trees and flowers and a nice lawn surrounded their home, and Frances loved it all, especially working with her flowers. She would sometimes say she would love to see Kent again in the springtime, with its beautiful flowers and countryside. However, when asked if she would like to return to England, she would quickly answer, "for the visit yes, but no, if I would have to stay their the rest of my life."

She had a great appreciation for the rights and liberties that her adopted country gave to her. She always made it a point to teach her children to love and appreciate America.

Two years after they came to Hyrum, Frances gave birth to a stillborn girl and she did not regain her strength readily. About a year later she was stricken with typhoid fever, and for many days it was thought she could not live. The two little girls took the fever and they too were dangerously ill for days. After weeks of fever and suffering, Frances was able to leave her bed with the aid of crutches. Her back and hips were so affected by the disease that for three years she was unable to walk without her crutches, and she suffered a great deal of pain and discomfort.

It was at this time that she discovered she was going to have her eight child. In her physical condition it seemed an impossibility for her to have the necessary strength to carry her through the ordeal of childbirth successfully. As always, she turned to her Church for strength and support. Patriarch Hyde came to see her and have her a blessing. She was promised that if she would hold true to her faith, that with the birth of her child she would regain her wanted health and strength. The pain-filled months passed slowly, but finally her time arrived, and after many hours of pain and suffering a little girl was born, Frances Ella. All the pain and discomfort left her and when she was able to leave her bed, she no longer needed her crutches. She enjoyed very good health all the rest of her life.

Frances always took a part in church activities. She taught the First Intermediate class in Sunday School for nine years. She was a block teacher in Relief Society for many years, and also served as a counselor in the Relief Society for a long time. Aunt Ella told me how she always went to the meetings with her mother on Thursday afternoons, which was also fast day.

Frances did beautiful embroidery work and enjoyed keeping the home clean and making it a place of joy and comfort for her family. Perhaps the thing her children and grand-children remember best about her was her excellent cooking-the English Plum Pudding boiled for hours in a bag, the cookies, the pies, the roast goose, and all the many good things that made up their special and holiday dinners.

In March 1989, Frances did not feel well for a few days. She was not confined to her bed, and neither she nor her family thought it serious. On March 4^th, while taking a nap, she slipped quietly out of this life, leaving many cherished memories with here dear husband and children. She was buried in Hyrum Cemetery. Hyrum, the place in Zion that was so dear to her heart. Three years later, Isaac too departed this life and was laid to rest by the side of his beloved Frances.