JAMES FRODSHAM, GREAT GRANDFATHER of LEE LAMONT FRODSHAM
By GEORGE FRODSHAM (Grandson)
SKETCH
OF THE LIFE OF JAMES FRODSHAM
(Note: Spelling has not been changed.)
The subject
of this sketch who was born July 20, 1819, at St Helens, Lancashire, England a son of EDWARD FRODSHAM and SARAH WINSTANLEY,
and a brother of John, Thomas, Mary and George Frodsham.
He grew to manhood in his native land and followed
the profession of his ancestors, namely watchmaking. In the course of time he married and to this union four children
were born, one son Edward and three daughters, Anna, Mary and Fannie. (Wife’s name was Katherine).
In 1837 missionaries from America landed in England
and commenced to preach therestored gosphel of Jesus Christ. Their proselyte spread rapidly and in 1840, youn James,
barely 21 years of age, was baptized a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and sailed for the United
States. Twelve weeks were required to reach St Louis MO. Having a strong desire to gather at the heart of “Mormandom”,
the new convert made his way to Nauvoo, where he became one with the Saints. During his residence there, he joined the
Nauvoo Band, playing a trombone. When the Latter Day Saints were driven from Illinois and commenced their trek across
the trackless plains, this stalwart joined them in their journey and reached the Great Salt Lake Valley in 1849.
At the death of his wife Katherine he married
Miss Mary Shepperson, to whom were born Joseph Seymore, Mary Amelia, James William, Hyrum Plummer, Alfred Charles Shepperson,
Rose, Albert Norman and Franklin David. While in Salt Lake City he established a jewelry store which was robbed three times.
The family then moved to Provo during the time
of Johnston’s army, where James made and repaired watches for the men at Camp Floyd. Being of very genial nature
he formed the acquaintance of one of the officers who gave him hams and bacon which he took to Provo and freely distributed
them among the poor. Agin it was decided to change their residence, this time to Cedar City, where he parted with his
beloved companion 2nd of Jan 1865, she being only 36 years of age. His third consort was Amelia M. Aldrich, who prior
to her marriage to James Frodsham, had been married of (sic) Joseph Robinson.
To James and Amelia were born seven children,
being Emma A., Isreal Plummer, James, Zina Maria, Amy Cecilia, Carrie Cooper and David Aldrich. The family moved to
Springdale, then back to Cedar City, Washington, and finally to Salt Lake City again, then to North Bridge, Massachusetts
to visit Amelia’s father who was going blind.
The last change of residence was in Ogden, Utah,
where the family settled in the winter of 1870-71.
James Frodsham was a very genteel man, who never used a profane word and was an implicit believer in the WORD OF WISDOM,
revealed to Joseph Smith in 1833 at Kirtland, OH. He refrained from the use of tobacco in any form, liquir, tea, and
coffee. His son Isreal goes so far as to say: “The worst word I ever heard father say was ‘confound
it’, when he dropped a watch wheel and couldn’t find it.” His daughter Emma ads: ”Father was
a gifted whistler and I liked to hear him.” He weighed from 150 to 160 lbs. And nearly always wore a frock
coat, silk hat and used a cane, such as he was accustomed to wear in England.
During the year of 1866 while in the town of Washington, UT, the family was
deprived of three of its members. Albert Norman passed away on the 18th of Feb age 3 yrs, 5 mo. and 5 days; James
departed on the 9th of Mar age 7 yrs, 1 mo and 4 days; Carrie Cooper on the 5th of Sep age 4 weeks.
James joined his beloved companions in the paradise of God, when his noble
spirit departed this life on the 21st of Dec 1872 to be followed by his faithful wife on the 24th of Jan 1910.
James and his family were buried in the family
plot on the Ogden City cemetery where their son Isreal placed two beautiful monuments in the memory of ……………………………
Sent to Dan Frodsham May 1996, from Ida Frodsham, wife of Lee Frodsham from Burley Idaho.
