Historical Sketch
My grandfather, David Barber, was born in Chiddingly, Sussex, England, September 5, 1833. Baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 2, 1857, he came to Utah in the year 1877. He brought with him his family of 5 boys and 2 girls. His wife, Sarah French Barber had died on September 13, 1875. After arriving in Utah, he married Esther Jane Frency in 1877. She died December 9, 1883, leaving him with a family of small children for the second time.
My father, John Thomas Barber was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 22, 1867 in Chiddingly, Sussex, England. He came to Utah with his father and, being a young man, went to work for William Jennings at North Centerville, to help pay for the immigration for the family. He has always been an honest and industrious man. His political faith has always been Republican. He has worked in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as WArd Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent for over 20 years. He has followed the occupation of farmer and gardener. My mother worked hard in taking care of her home and helping to care for my grandfather’s family, as well as caring and rearing her own. Through their labors and industry, they purchased a home in 1896 in Centerville Ward where they still reside.
I was born April 16, 1883, in Centerville, Davis County, Utah, on the William Jennings farm, where most of my childhood days were spent. I had the advantage of attending Sunday School and Primary from a small child. I have never traveled. I have always lived at home with my parents, and through their good example and teachings are the things that have mostly influenced my life. The aspirations of my childhood days have been verified in being a wife and mother, having three boys. I am trying to rear them to be honorable men in the Church of Jesus Christ.
Sarah Grace Barber White
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Family Record
Frank White Born November 7, 1879, Pagham, Sussex, Married April 21, 1909 to Sarah Grace Barber
Sarah Grace Barber Born April 16, 1883, Centerville, Davis County,
Utah. Married April 21 1909 to Frank White.
Children:
Thomas Frank White, Born June 23, 1910, Centerville, Davis County, Utah
Charles Dennis White, Born March 27, 1912, Centerille, Davis County, Utah
Elmer Barber White, Born January 31, 1914, Centerville, Davis County, Utah
Lovell White, Born August 28, 1916, Centerville, Davis County, Utah, Died
September 1, 1916, Centerville, Utah
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(Note-I am not sure who wrote the following. It could be Frank White.)
My ancestors were all of English birth and so far as I know, they were not interested in any politics, and my father worked as a shoemaker most of his life. He is a quiet, unassuming man; honest, a good citizen and neighbor; true to his family and religion.
I was born in a little village by the name of Chiddingly in Sussex, England, and worked from a small boy at whatever I could do, there being no compulsory school law. I was sent to work to help support my father’s family, as they were very poor at that time. My mother died when I was quite young. We immigrated to Utah in the year of 1877, on the ship Wyoming 23rd day of July, 1877. I worked for William Jennings as a farmer until 1897, when I moved to my own home. I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1867 and have held different positions in the same church. I was ordained an Elder on December, 1881; a Seventy on March 15, 1905 and a High Priest on March 22, 1920. I was Second Assistant Superintendent in the Sunday School from May, 1896 to 1898, First Assistant Superintendent in the Sunday School from 1898 to 1902 and Superintendent from 1903 to 1916, a teacher in the Parent’s class, a Ward Teacher, and was called to work in genealogy in 1924.
I have visited the Gulf of Mexico, Fort Worth, Texas, and in the year 1900, Southern Utah and Idaho. I was called to be a Federal Grand Jury member in 1921.
I think the things that have influenced my life most were the teachings and good example of my parents and by the association of good men and women. My life work has been spent farming and gardening and caring for my family and trying to benefit my fellow man and the community where I live.
I was set apart as a Temple Worker, February 10, 1936.
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Julia Barber Barber
My father’s parents were of English birth and belonged to the Church of England. They were not interested in politics. I have never heard my father say very much about his parents, only that his mother died when he was about 11 years of age and his father was left with a family of 11 children, 4 boys and 7 girls. My father, Benjamin Barber was born April 24, 1828 in Chiddingly, Sussex, England. He met with an accident when about 16 years of age-a wagon ran over him, crushing his left leg which made him lame for the rest of his life. Through the kindness of the squire of the village, he was sent to school and received a better education than most of the children in those days. He was a very honest, industrious man whose word was as good as his bond. He was very fond of horses and successful in raising stock, having the care of a farm for 24 years for a gentleman by the name of Vallance Elam, who gave him an excellent letter of recommendation, for honesty and being trustworthy, when he came to America. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the year 1857 through the teachings of Elders who labored in that conference. He was converted to the Gospel and was baptized by Elder Moxy.
He was very desirous of getting means to gather with the Saints, but having a large family to provide for, in number-4 boys and 5 girls. It was not until the year 1878, that he was able to accomplish what he had labored for so long-that of gathering to Zion and bringing all his family with him.
He came over on the Steamship Nevada, in May, 1878. He also assisted in helping his brother Henry’s family who came at the same time, Henry having died a few months previous to their leaving England. It was a hard frail for father, who had never had any experience in traveling, coming in an immigrant train; there were no accommodations. We had to make beds on the seats. They, like other emigrants, worked at whatever they could for a while, finally settling on a small farm in Farmington, Davis County, Utah.
My mother was taken from a sick bed and carried to the train, having faith she would be able to make the journey and get well, which she did and lived to a good old, having died in 1903. She was the only one of her father’s family to join the church. Her home was always open to the Elders when in the Mission Field. She was of a retiring disposition. Her life’s work was caring for her home and children. She was loyal to her friend and her religion. She was an only daughter and sacrificed all for the Gospel’s sake.