Polly Chadwick

   Ancestral File Number: 2KTD-MQ.

   General Notes:

Polly Chadwick
Paternal Grandmother of Marion Perry

Polly Chadwick was born 24 June 1789 to Isaac Chadwick and Dinah Brewer in
Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.1 She was the first daughter and second
child in a family of eight children. She had five brothers and two sisters: Isaac, Electra
(who died at age 1), John Sophia, Ebenezer, Sylvester and Caleb.2 When Polly was about
four years old, her family moved to Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York. When
she was ten, they moved to Madison, Madison County, New York. They later moved to
Augusta, Oneida County, New York where her younger brother Sylvester was born in
1804.3
Polly became the seventeen year old bride of Asahel Perry 26 March 1806.4 They
began their life and family together in Madison, Madison County, New York. While living
there, Polly had six children: Isaac, Lucy Ann, Willard, William Chadwick, Orrin, and
Hiram.5 When Hiram was a baby, the family moved to Middlebury, Genesee County,
New York. Here four more children were born: Stephen Chadwick, Philander Jackson,
Lewis and Polly Maria. Lewis died 10 February 1827.6
Their first child to marry was Isaac. He married Lydia Sherwin 6 April 1828.7
Their daughter Lucy Ann married Isaac Story 8 February 1829.8 Lucy must have been a
great help in the home with eight brothers and although Polly was probably happy for
Lucy, she must have also felt a loss at having her leave. The next child to marry was
Willard. he married Fanny Carpenter 9 February 1832.9 After the marriages of these
three children , Polly's last child, Polly Maria was born. At this time Polly was forty-three
years old.
Asahel and Polly were kind and loving parents. Their home was the place where
their children learned religious and secular truths. In the summer and fall of 1832, Polly
with her family heard the gospel. While living at Middlebury, Polly was baptized a
member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 7 November 1832.10
Other dates recorded for her baptism are 4 August 1833 and 17 December 1833.11
Asahel and Polly had three sons marry in 1835. Two were married the same day.
William Chadwick married Eliza Brown and Hiram married Eva Nellis on 25 October
1835.12 Three weeks later, Orrin married Eliza Mather 15 November 1835.13
In the spring of 1836, Asahel and Polly decided to sell their property in New York
and move to Kirtland, Ohio to join the Saints and part of their children who had moved
there previously. To move to Ohio at this time was considered a step toward Zion. Their
three children Stephen, Philander and Polly Maria went with them.14 At this time their
son Isaac was a member of Kirtland, Ohio Branch and owned property in Kirtland.15
Lucy and her husband were in the area living at Mentor, Lake County, Ohio in 183516
Sometime before March 1835, William C. was in Kirtland and worked on the temple.17
Hiram and his family moved to Kirtland about the same time as his parents.18
In the two years that Polly lived in Kirtland, she had several faith promoting
experiences, "witnessing many many manifestations of the power of God and also the
power of the Evil one."19 By the Spring of 1838, the Saints in Kirtland were coming
under severe persecution: "So bitter became the spirit of opposition in Kirtland that
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were forced to seek safety in flight. They Departed from
that place January 12, 1838, on horseback, and journeyed towards Far West."20 Asahel
and Polly's family and many of the Saints joined together to move to Missouri in the spring
of 1838. 21
In Missouri, Asahel and Polly with their three children settled in Adam-ondi-
Ahman.22 Three of their marred children also moved to Missouri in 1838. Isaac, their
oldest son, participated in a special conference held at Adam-ondi-Ahman on 28 June
1838.23 William C. came with the Kirtland Camp arriving at Adam-ondi-Ahman 4
October 1838.24 Hiram also moved to Missouri.25
The Saints, including the Perrys, were not allowed to find security and peace in
Missouri. Almost immediately persecutions started against them. They were driven from
Adam-ondi-Ahman, Daviess County in November 1838. They went to Caldwell County
where they were permitted to stay for three months.26 While living there the weather was
very cold. They were forced to live in the only shelter available, tents and wagons:27

(The Perrys) staid in Caldwell Co., until February 3rd; they were then expelled
from the state under the exterminating order of Governor Boggs; crossed the
Mississippi River about March 1, 1839, finding themselves amongst strangers, and
reduced from affluence to almost abject poverty; gathering with the Saints to
Commerce (afterwards Nauvoo) in March, 1840.28

They arrived in Illinois cold, impoverished and destitute. The treatment they
received was very hospitable. Some material assistance was given. In their stricken
condition, a kind word and hand outstretched with relief were most welcome.29
By the fall of 1839, Asahel and Polly's children were scattered. They had all left
New York and were living from Pennsylvania to Illinois, covering a distance of about one
thousands miles. Asahel, Polly and their Children Stephen, Philander, Polly Maria and
Isaac were in Quincy or Nauvoo, Illinois. William Chadwick's family was living in Morley
Settlement, Illinois. Hiram's family was living at Ursa, near Quincy. Lucy Ann and her
family were living at Mentor, Lake County, Ohio. Orrin's familywas living in Bath,
Summit County, Ohio. Willard's family was living in Washington, Washington County,
Pennsylvania. (see individual histories.)
Asahel and Polly lived in Nauvoo for six years. While living there, their tow sons
Stephen and Philander married. Stephen married Susannah Collista Hidden 6 January
1840. She died 22 January 1843.30 Stephen later married Anna Maria Hulet 18 January
1844. 31 Philander married Sarah Ann Bleazard 8 August 1841.32
Polly and her family were active in building the community and involved in the
Church. Her husband Asahel worked on or contributed to the building of the Nauvoo
Temple. Their three sons, Isaac, William and Stephen worked as carpenters on the
temple.33 Polly and her daughters-in-law Susannah and Anna Maria were members of the
Nauvoo Relief Society.34
The Saints prospered and grew until they were becoming a powerful influence in
the state. The people in the surrounding communities and some that lived among them
became very antagonistic and bitter enemies. The Prophet Joseph Smith was killed 27
June 1844. Life for the Saints again became full of trials and persecution. They worked
diligently to finish the Nauvoo Temple. It opened for ordinance work 10 December
1845.35 Asahel and Polly received their endowments 17 December 1845.36 Before the
temple closed 7 February 1846,37 four of their sons Isaac, William, Stephen and Philander
and three daughters-in-law Eliza, Anna Maria and Sarah Ann also received their
endowments.38
As persecution increased, the Saints began leaving Nauvoo 4 February 1846.39
Asahel, Polly, and fourteen year old Polly Maria left in the spring of 1846. They were
destitute, having been stripped of most of their possessions. Asahel became very sick.
They nursed him through the summer in the Mississippi River Bottoms.40 They were
there to witness and be a part of the miracle of the quail.41 In the fall they moved as far
west as the Des Moines River, about twenty miles from Nauvoo. A year later in the fall of
1847, their sons helped them move to Mt. Pisgah where they remained for almost three
years.42
While living at Mt. Pisgah, Asahel and Polly's daughter Polly Maria married
William Smith 19 May 1850.43 Shortly after the marriage, the Perrys left Mt. Pisgah to go
by ox team to Utah. Asahel and Polly were in the forth Company with Captain James
Pace (David Bennett's Fifty). Other Perrys in this company were their son Stephen and his
wife Anna Maria with their two children; their daughter Polly Maria and her new husband
William Smith.44
When they left Mt. Pisgah to come to Utah, Asahel was sixty-six years old and
Polly was Sixty-one. They had joined the Church seventeen years earlier and since then
they had been persecuted, driven from place to place and endured many hardships. They
had lost all their worldly wealth and were now starting on a journey of over one thousand
miles, going over plains, rugged terrain and mountains. The faith and testimonies of this
couple must have been great to leave what was known as the civilized world and start on a
trek into the wilderness at this time in their lives.
The Company arrived in Salt Lake City 23 September 1850.45 Asahel and Polly
were sent to Springville to help establish the settlement there. At first they lived in the fort
with the other settlers. Their son Stephen and his family always lived close by or with
them. When they moved out of the fort, the lived in three different locations in
Springville. The first was a log cabin that they probably moved from the fort to 300 South
and 200 West. Asahel's and Stephen's families lived together.46 They later moved to
Main and 100 South where they built a home near Stephen's. They moved again and built
a home on the same lot with Stephen on Main and 500 South.47 They lived in this home
until Asahel's death. Their daughter Polly Maria also lived in Springville. Their son
Philander lived in Springville for a few years and then moved to Provo. Their son Isaac
came to Utah in 1852.48 He was sent to Parowan. He left Parowan before November
1853 and went to California.49 Polly received her patriarchal blessing 11 December 1851
at Hobble Creek, Utah from Patriarch Isaac Morley.50
Life on the frontier in Utah was challenging. The settlers had to battle the
elements, nature and the Indians. They had to be self-sufficient. Their food and clothing
were the products of their own hands. Land had to be cleared and gardens had to be
planted. The cattle and sheep had to be taken care of. Cows had to be milked and butter
churned; the wool from the sheep was sheared, carded, spun and woven into cloth by
hand. The berries and other fruits had to be gathered. During the time of the
"grasshoppers", finding enough food to keep alive was a challenge. Polly became a
widow on 16 February 1869 when Asahel died.51 She was 80 years old. After Asahel's
death, Stephen moved his wife Mary and her children into Polly's home,52 and probably
moved Polly in with his wife Anna Maria.
Polly's son Willard came to Utah in 1876. It had been forty years since he had
seen his mother.53 He stayed for a short visit, purchased some property and returned to
the East. Later he had Stephen sell the property for him.54
After being a widow for nine years, Polly Chadwick Perry died at the residence of
her son Stephen in Springville, Utah. She died 30 December 1878 at the age of eighty-
nine years six months and six days.55
Polly had ten children and all, except one, grew to be adults and have families of
their own. It must have saddened her that she and some of her children had differences in
their religious beliefs. The letters from the children show much love and concern for their
parents.
Polly was a faithful wife and mother who loved the Lord. There must have been
times when she wondered why she every left her easier life in New York, but she always
remained faithful to her husband and the Lord. She left her home in New York, was
driven out of Ohio, Missouri and Illinois. She was forced to endure many hardships and
still she chose to remain steadfast in the Gospel with her husband. She went from being an
affluent lady to one having lost almost all worldly materials. She could have remained in
the East but preferred to be with those of her faith. She came West and remained a
faithful member of the Church.
Polly Chadwick Perry - Obituary follows:
At the residence of her son, in Springville, Utah Co., on Dec. 30th, 1878, after an
illness of five days, Polly Chadwick Perry, aged 89 years, 6 months and 6 days.
Deceased was the wife of the late Asael Perry, a Patriarch in the Church and the
first President of Springville. She was born in Tyringham, Berks. County, Mass., June
24th, 1789; embraced the gospel under the teachings of Brigham and Joseph Young, and
was baptized on Nov. 7th, 1832, in Middlebury, Wyoming Co., New York; was gathered
with the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio, with her husband and part of her family, in the spring of
1836 whilst there witnessing many many manifestations of the power of God and also the
power of the Evil one; participated in the exodus of the Church from that place to
Missouri in the spring of 1838, taking her full share in all the trials and difficulties
attending that movement, arriving in Caldwell CO. Mo., about June, same year; soon after
settled at Adam-ondi-Ahman, Davis Co., Mo., from which place she was driven, with her
family and the Saints in November, same year; staid in Caldwell Co., until February 3rd;
they were then expelled from the state under the exterminating order of Governor Boggs;
crossed the Mississippi River about March 1, 1839, finding themselves amongst strangers,
and reduced from affluence to almost abject poverty; gathering with the Saints to
Commerce (afterwards Nauvoo) in March, 1840, passing through the afflictions and
difficulties attending the early settlement of that place, also witnessing the building of a
house unto the name of the Lord, received her blessings along with her husband in the
Temple there, was driven from Nauvoo in 1846, to become an exile in the American
Wilds; arriving in Salt Lake City September 23d, 1850, soon after settling in Springville,
where she resided until her death56

This is taken from a book - I don't yet have its name, but hope to find out. It was the
Asahel Perry family chapter.
Retyped by John Shaw - September 1998.

Polly married Asahel Perry, son of Abiel Perry and Miriam Walcott, on 26 Mar 1806 in Nauvoo, Hancock, IL. (Asahel Perry was born on 26 Feb 1784 in Williamsburg, Hampshire, Massachusetts, died on 16 Feb 1869 in Springville, Utah, Utah and was buried on 19 Feb 1869 in Springville, Utah, Utah.)