(Joseph Robbins)

Joseph Robbins, son of Edward and Agnes McAllister Robbins was born 6 January 1837, in Manchester, Lancastershire, England.  He attended the English school and learned the trade of glass blowing.  When Joseph was twelve years of age his father left the family in England and came to America to try and earn enough money to bring his family to America.  This left Joseph to help his mother to earn a living for the family.  The father died before he could bring the ones he loved here to the land of Zion.

In 1855 Joseph with his mother, brothers James and Cyrus, and sister Mary and grandmother Mary Ann Campbell Robbins came to America.  They arrived in Salt Lake City some time in October.  The grandmother had died while crossing the plains.  Joseph went to live in Provo.  The first year he lived in a tent and had frozen potatoes to eat.  On 28 April 1856 his mother died and was buried in Salt Lake City.

Joseph was asked by President Brigham Young to go back to Missouri and help bring the saints out to Salt Lake City.  It was on one of these treks that he met Ellen Arbon, whom he later married.  Joseph had joined the Provo brass band and they told him when he and Ellen were married they sure would have a merry time.  Joseph and Ellen were married a week before anyone knew about it.

After moving to Snowville Joseph was put in the bishopric, and many times he had to take charge of meetings while the ones who had more than one wife had to hide from the Federal Officers.

Joseph joined the Church in England and was baptized on 29 November 1849 along with his mother, father, grandmother, and brother James.  Joseph was one of eight children, four of them died very young.

Joseph used to be postmaster of Snowville and also read and reported the weather for the government.  He was great at entertaining the young people in their home.  He passed away at Snowville on 9 September 1912 and was laid to rest there.

Mrs. Emma Robbins Buxton