James Burt (1868-1953) The birth record states that James Burt was born in East Kirkland, Dalry,

Ayrshire, Scotland, 26, November 1868. James was the tenth child of eleven born to William Burt and Margaret Gilmour. There were eight sons and three daughters living, plus three deceased children James Craig Burt (1859-1861), James Gilmour Burt (1865-1865, and Joseph Burt (1867-1867l), buried in Dalry, Ayrshire, Scotland . James parents were baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His father William Burts record of baptism is Oct.1 1851. Margarets in 1850 (this record could not be found) rebaptized Nov. 3 1885. It was 17 years later that William left his family in Scotland and came to Utah, sailing aboard the ship Constitution. There were 457 LDS immigrants in that company. Which departed Liverpool, England , 24 June of 1868, arriving 6 August 1868 at Crystal Palace in New York City, continuing by railroad to the end of the rail construction at Benton, Nebraska, where they were met by what was called the out and back covered wagons, a method organized by the church to help the new members complete their journey west to Salt Lake. When the railroad was completed in 1869 the need for the out and back covered wagons also ended. James father William was a plastering contractor in Scotland, as was his father. All of the sons except Peter McKeith Burt, followed the plastering trade. They were particularly skillful at plaster casting and molding. The family tells when William first arrived in Salt Lake, the Salt Lake Theater had just been completed except for 120 feet of ornamental cornice work. He was contacted to see if he could do this intricate work. He and his helper ran the cornice in one day. He was paid $100.00 plus $10.00 extra for his hired man. Five months after William left Scotland our Grandpa James was born in 1868, his father never saw him until Margaret arrived with the children the next year in 1869. Margaret Gilmour Burt along with her seven living children, James being the youngest at 10 months old, immigrated aboard the ship Manhattan departing Liverpool, England 22 September 1869, arriving 7 October 1869 at the port of New York. There were 242 LDS immigrants with Joseph Lawsen as their church leader. The company then traveled by train and arrived in Ogden, Utah 16 Oct 1869. The transcontinental railroad was completed in May of that year. A personal account by Lamoni Grix, a young man traveling in the same company reads: .I was born October 7, 1855 in Norwich, England a son of Jonathan and Sarah Florence Grix. We sailed from Liverpool September 22, 1869 on the steamship Manhattan and arrived in New York at dusk October 6. We landed the next day, my birthday when I was 14. We had a rough voyage on the Atlantic. There were three days

of severe storm. On Oct 16 we landed in Ogden from New York by train. Joseph Lawson was in charge of our company[p.175] BIB: Grix, Lamoni ,[Autobiography], Utah Pioneer Biographies, vol. 11 p 175 (FHL) The 1870 census shows the family living in South Cottonwood Ward. The youngest child, Peter McKeith Burt was born to William and Margaret 17 Feb 1871 About 1872 the family had moved to Salt Lake. In an interview with Pauline Redd Burt, James told her, All I could remember was we lived on E Street and 4th Ave. Father bought a little red wagon for me and Pete, he pulled us around in that red wagon, then father left. This was also a time of disagreements between William and Margaret. They were estranged, and never lived together again. According to Stannie Burt Park, in 1871 William left Salt Lake with his older sons William, John, and Willard to plaster Ft. Cameron near Beaver Utah. (Fort Cameron, 1872-83, was the only permanent regular army post in southern Utah. The fort was built as an aftermath of the Ute Black Hawk war 1865-1868, and the fear of more hostilities in the area. It was built of locally quarried basaltic lava stone, in a rectangular shape. There is one building still in existence from the old fort William built a home in Beaver, Utah probably while he and his sons were working there from 1871-1872, he went on to St George to plaster and work on that temple. Later Margaret and 4 children spent some time in the Beaver home, as recorded on the 1880 census. William married a second wife Louisa Willden in 1873, (no record of this event has been found) However, on January 19, 1874 both Margaret and Louisa Willden were sealed to William in the Endowment House . .Now back to James story. April 4, 1877 James was baptized in a branch ditch located at North temple and State Street. The ditch ran down North Temple Street to the Jordon River from City Creek canyon and turned the wheel of the bellows at the church blacksmith shop. James described this experience, The boys dressed in the bushes. The mothers formed a circle with their long shirts and the girls dressed there. When James was a young boy he remembered seeing Brigham Young buried, Brigham Young died 29 Aug 1877 so James would have been 9 years old at the time. Note his father is living in St.George in 1877 with the second wife, Louisa Willden and their three older children, Eleanor, Louisa and Charles. . .

The 1880 census reads as follows: Census Place: Beaver City, Beaver, Utah FHL film 1255335 National Archives Film T9-1335 Pg. 20 Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace Margaret Burt self F W W 48 SCOT. Occ: Keeping House Fa: SCOT Mo: SCOT Jane Burt Dau F S W 18 SCOT. Agnes Burt Dau F S W 16 SCOT. James Burt Son M S W 12 SCOT. Peter Burt Son M S W 10 SCOT. Burt Other M S W 1M Utah The 1880 Census Place: St. George, Washington, Utah Source FHL film 1255339 National Archives Film T9-1339 page 349 William BURT Louisa BURT Eleanor BURT Louisa BURT Charles W. BURT Thomas BURT self Wife Dau Dau Son Son M F F F M M M M S S S S W W W W W W 48 26 6 4 3 1 SCOT UT UT UT UT UT

While William and his son John were working on the St. George Temple an important faith promoting event occurred. An account of this incident can be found in the book Temples of the Most High page 89. One man by the name of John Burt, fell from the top of the Temple. He was plastering with George Jarvis, who had stepped off a plank causing it to tip, John jumped from the fire wall onto the scaffold about 3 or 4 feet below, the plank broke and he went right on through, falling to the ground some 84 feet, landing on the scattered rock, dirt, etc., on the ground below. The workmen rushed to him. He was conscious and calling for his mother. In ten days he was walking the streets of St. George. The fall did not disable him nor prevent him from continuing the work on the Temple. Thus fulfilling the words of President Brigham Young at the dedication of the temple site when he said there would not be any persons who would lose their lives on any of the works on this Temple. Williams second wife Louisa died May 29, 1883 leaving him widowed with 6 children all less than 10 years old. She was buried in St.George, Utah. 1883 At the age of 13, James lived in Cedar City with his older brother Willard and wife Jane. William wanted to take James to Manti to live with his half brothers and sisters. However, his mother Margaret, who was going to Colorado with Colonel Douglas wife as a governess, brought him back to Salt Lake to live with his oldest sister Margaret

Hilton. Whose husband, David Hilton was delinquent with his tithing. James was taken in to deliver meat for the tithing office to catch up the Hiltons back tithing. By the end of a month or so the debt was paid and he began earning his own money, about $1.50 a day, and he paid his tithing on that. He stayed at this for about three years. During this time be became quite well acquainted with the presiding authorities of the church. President John Taylor lived in the Gardo House at that time and James delivered meat daily. Pres.Taylors sister took charge of the house and she always told the cook to be sure and give the delivery boy a stack of hotcakes. Most people were as generous. It was at this time that the government was trying to put a stop to polygamy. About 1886 John Burt hired his younger brother James to drive his horses from place to place at a $1.00 a day. Maggie, (his sister Margaret) would save that money for James. He had about $200.00 saved. Older brother John borrowed the money but then wouldnt pay it back. John used the money to buy some furniture for the 2 rooms that James rented for his Mother in Johns home at 238 I Street. This home is still there in (year2010). Margaret left Colorado and returned to Utah. James and Pete lived with their mother on I Street in the apartment owned by her son John until her death. Margaret died 29 August 1892 while visiting her daughter Jane in Vancouver, Washington. Margaret was buried in the Salt Lake Cemetery. Just when James learned the plastering trade is not clear, however he seemed to have been as talented as his father and brothers. He made a good living with that trade and farming. William is listed as the plastering contractor for the St.George and Manti Temples. He also plastered the Brigham Young Academy in Provo and the State Mental hospital: also. the Deseret News Building and Studebaker Buildings in Salt Lake City. Sometime about 1892, William, sons John and James appear in a photograph of the men that were working to finish the Salt Lake Temple. One day I met my cousin Margaret Carlisle at the temple so she could show me exactly what James had shown her as their work, (some of the ornamental molding in the celestial room). It is always a special feeling to enter that room and know our own grandfathers had helped make the temple so beautiful. James married Amelia Catherine Jorgensen 18 January 1893 in the Logan Temple since the Salt Lake Temple was not yet completed. Amelias father was Jorgen Christian Jorgensen. He worked on the railroad that was being constructed through Devils Gate, Weber Canyon, Utah. He was killed 27 November 1868 in a blasting accident that buried him. That same railroad would bring James to Utah the next year. Amelia was just eight months old at the time of her fathers death. Her mother was Amelia Johanna Fredricka Knoppel.

During the early years of their marriage James and Amelia lived in the home of her mother Amelia at 679 7th Street. Four children were born there: Margaret, 11 Nov 1893; Irene, 12 July 1895; Stannie, 7 June 1898; and Gilmour, 18 May 1900. This home still exists today 2010. Margaret, James and Amelias oldest daughter said these were happy days for the family. Her father had a cow and a horse which he used to hitch to the wagon and go to work. Irene and Margaret delivered milk to several of the neighbors, and when their work was finished they played on the foothills and gathered sego lilies. Their Aunt Nett, (Janet Hilton) Johns wife, lived four blocks below them on 5th Avenue and I Street. In the wintertime they used to sleigh ride down to her home and coast down in wagons in the summer. Next door to Johns house was the fire department, and it was one of their delights to watch the firemen practice. The men slept and ate upstairs, and at the sound of the fire bell, the harnesses would drop automatically on the horses, the men would slide down the pole, jump onto the large red fire wagons, and in a very short while were racing down the hill with the bells clanging. James preferred to raise the family on a farm rather than in the city so he began to search for suitable property. He located ten acres of land in Millcreek at 39th South and third and forth East. He didnt move his family down until he had a lovely two story red brick home built, had planted an orchard, lawn, and shade trees. Margaret, James oldest daughter, said that he had everything ready for them, when they came to the place. James was always anxious about having his familys needs met and he was a good provider. In about 1922 one of the younger boys threw a sparkler on the roof of the home and burned it down. All of the family pictures and records were destroyed at that time. The house was rebuilt as a one story home. The older grandchildren remember this new home well, and have the fondest memories of how lovely and well kept it was, and with what warmth they were received by their grandparents. Five more children were born to the family in Millcreek: Melvin, 25 January 1903; Beryl, 13 March 1906; Agnes, 22 March 1909; Ervin, 30 January 1913; and James Herman 25 July 1915. James was very considerate of his wife. He saw that she had a nurse stay at the home and help before and after the children were born. Margaret contracted typhoid fever when she was about 18 years old and James hired a Danish lady, Miss Smith, to come into the home who lived with them for nearly two months. When the last child was born Miss Smith came and lived for many weeks, because they didnt know exactly when the baby was due. There was a lot of work attached to keeping up ten acres of land, a home, a demanding job like plastering, and a large family. James was a hard worker and gave responsibilities to each of his children as they became older. There were chores to do before and after work. Plastering was a very strenuous work, the men stood on a scaffold all day, held mortar boards filled with plaster in the left hand and with the right hand they spread the mud on with a trowel. Melvin says that his father was sure a worker, and once he got on the scaffold he never stopped. As soon as he came home at night he went out to his farm work.

Irene and Stannie helped their mother in the house, and Margaret helped her father outside until the boys were old enough. She learned how to hitch up the horses and drive the buggy, how to milk cows, ride the horse while her father cultivated, and many other jobs. When Gilmour learned to plaster it fell to Mel to manage the ten acres. Beryl said that they all had to help and Mel was a real stern boss. When they wanted to stop and get a drink, Mel told then to spit, and if they could still spit, he would tell them they didnt need a drink. They always had a large garden spot and sometimes the weeds would grow quite high before they were pulled. It was such a time when Margaret and Irene were sent out one afternoon to weed the garden. They had a hard time, the weeds so tall and such a hot day. There was a little ditch that ran by the property, the two girls stripped and went swimming. They broke out with hives, which were very painful [I think it was poison ivy which grew along the ditch.] They called it the seven year itch. Their mother brought out the sulfur and lard and daubed a mixture all over them. Then their clothes were boiled. That was the treatment and they just waited until they healed naturally. The only medicines they remember were Rawlieghs canker medicine and castor oil. James and Amelia desired the very best for their family. James bought a piano and the children were given the opportunity for lessons. He hired the best teacher he could find. Margaret practiced faithfully and became a good pianist. She was the organist in primary and Sunday school while she was in grade school, and then she became ward organist. All the children graduated from Granite High School. The first seminary of the church was at this school. Melvin remembered being one of those students. Margaret and Irene went one year to the University and received their teaching certificates. Margaret taught for four years before she was married. Stannie and Beryl went to Hennegars Business College. Each of the boys learned the plastering trade. Mel and Gilmour went on missions to Mexico. Agnes went to work in California and later met her husband Tom Harris and remained there. Ervin later moved to Richland, Washington; Irene to Nevada, and Margaret to Payson, Utah. The rest of the children stayed in the Salt Lake area. Melvin shared several stories that give an insight into their early life. He said that it was his job to open the gate at the end of the lane so his father could drive the horse and buggy out to go to work. One day Mel didnt show up on time and when his father came to the gate he had to get out and open it. The horse, named Bess, came through by herself but when she felt that no one was driving her, she ran away down the hill with the wagon. Boy his father was mad. James owned ten acres in Taylorsville and it was planted with alfalfa. The horse they used when cutting the hay had to be carefully handled. The driver needed to come to the end of the row and holler, Whoa, so the horse would stop. Then turn the horse and go the other way. Someone was mowing and didnt say whoa at the end of the row. The

horse kept on going first walking, then trotting and then running. She got out on the road with the mowing machine. Finally the horse and mower stopped after straddling a telephone pole. James did most of the plastering on the Mill Creek Ward. When Mel was a young boy going to the Edison School he went out and jumped in the slaugh and got his feet all wet so that he wouldnt have to go to school and could go back to the church and watch his father plaster. Mel and Gil owned a little pony and a racing buggy. That was the pride of the ward! The buggy had bicycle tires on it. They would race every kid that had a horse and buggy. They usually raced at Liberty Park. James never did attend church regularly in his life, but many tributes were paid to him about how much he had done for the church. Bishop Cornwall depended on him for donations of work and money. The Bishop also called on him for advice, especially where money matters were concerned. Melvin says that his father was generous in his donations to the church. James was compassionate to those who needed help. He loved and befriended all of his brothers and sisters families who were in need. Although he was next to the youngest in his family he seemed to be the leader and the one they all looked up to in times of trouble. He was especially good to his younger brothers widow Sadie. Pete died of cancer and his wife and their children were the recipients of many monetary gifts. Their daughter stated that there were many Christmases they would have had nothing had it not been for the generosity of Uncle Bish. James was nicknamed Bish because he was plump as a child and was called Bishop. Later, just Bish, a name used all his life by those who were closest to him. Whenever he butchered meat, he always sent some to the neighbors who were having a hard struggle. At Christmas time he would get some pork and potatoes and send to people around the neighborhood. He certainly used to take care of those in need. James also helped with money. No one really knows to what extent he loaned money to others. Mel remembered Milton Park who came to him wanting to pay back some money he had borrowed from James about thirty years previously. Milton explained to Mel that he was not able to pay the money back to James earlier and James had excused him from the debt. But now he felt that he had to pay it back before he died. He just could not meet James on the other side and still owe him that money. James was definitely the money manager in his home. His wife asked him for what she needed and he gave to each one of the children as he felt they needed it, but never a penny more. He hated waste of any kind. In his generosity with others, he saw that his own children were provided with the necessities, and he didnt realize that sometimes extras were very important to children. Beryl said that she and Agnes had wanted a new dress for a special occasion. Their father would not let them have it because he felt that

they had clothes enough. Irene, being much older went to him and suggested he give them the money for material and she would help them each make a dress. He consented to this. Margaret said that he provided money for her to go to Salt Lake and take piano lessons. Of course, it was the exact amount necessary and not a penny more. Sometimes her sweet tooth would get the best of her and she would walk from 39th South to 33rd South in order to save the carfare to have five cents to spend on a candy bar. As his children were all married he divided his property among them, and helped plaster a house for them when the time came. Margaret and her husband Luther Carlisle, lived on 329 East 3900 South until 1930, at that time they moved to Payson. The older grandchildren spent much time at their grandparents home. When one of the grandchildren had a birthday he always brought a sack of oranges and bananas. James took the morning paper and in order to read an evening paper also, he would go to Margarets home for the Deseret News. 13 March 1939 Amelia died. She had an inward goiter that had given her a lot of trouble along with high blood pressure. She was truly a choice lady, known and loved for her kind gentle ways and for her great patience. No one ever recalls her speaking ill of anyone. Beryl and her husband Pete Sanborn moved in with James while their new home was being built on 4th East. They lived with James for about a year. Irene purchased James home and resold it in 1946. Mel build a small house for James next door to Beryls on 4th East. During the next six years Pauline, Mel's wife, and Beryl took turns seeing that he had meals, his clothes washed, and his home cleaned. He soon learned to play one against the other for additional food and goodies. On the week Beryl cooked for him, her dad would go to Pauline and say,Ma girl, I havent had a bite to eat today! Pauline would immediately prepare something special for him. The same thing would happen when it was Paulines week. James was happy to spend his later years right with his family and be a part of their daily lives. [He called the grandchildren, ma girl or ma boy] In 1952 there was a fire in his home, fortunately not serious but at the time it was necessary that he live with someone for more personal care. He moved in with Stannie and her husband Sid Park. Stannie went to the genealogical library in Salt Lake once a week and her daughter Beth would bring her baby and take care of grandfather. They were good to him and made his last year as comfortable and easy as possible. As James became older his memory lapsed. He loved his family and his mind seemed to be occupied with them. He would repeat his childrens names over and over, from the eldest to the youngest.

27 November 1953 James died, the day after his 85th birthday. He was buried in the Elysian Burial Gardens, Murray, Utah next to his wife Amelia. He was a noble husband, father and worker. He provided well for a big family. He lived the best way he knew. His posterity owes him a great deal for the wonderful heritage he left.

Compiled and written by Lila Burt VanDenBerghe a grand daughter: Information from a personal interview of James Burt written by Pauline Redd Burt. Excerpts from a 1978 history compiled and written by Helen Carlisle Black a grand daughter also a history by Stannie and Beth Park Smith. Census and immigration records, birth and death records. Temples of The Most High a book published 1954 ninth edition. Other history and dates researched by Lila and Jan VanDenBerghe Garbett a great granddaughter.