History of Eliza Roxie Metcalf Bartholomew
by Margaret Adams

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Birth Date: 17 August 1850, Hull, Yorkshire, England
Died: 10 April 1924, Gunnison, Sanpete, Utah
Parents: John Edward Metcalf and Mary Elizabeth Waslin
Pioneer: Entered the Valley by wagon 17 September 1853 with the Claudius Spencer Company
Husband: John Bartholomew
Married: 11 October 1868, Manti Temple, Manti, Sanpete, Utah
Death of Husband: 23 September 1914, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah

Their Children

1. John Edward, 6 November 1869, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah
2. Roxie Ellen, 30 March 1872, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah
3. William, 26 June 1874, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah
4. Sarah Jane, 8 September 1876, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah
5. Alma C., 10 October 1878, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah
6. Joseph Smith, 20 September 1880, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah
7. Julia, 6 November 1882, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah
8. Mary Elizabeth, 24 June 1885, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah
9. Rose, 3 March 1887, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah
10. Alice, 9 August 1889, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah
11. Henry Lee, 1 October 1891, Fayette, Sanpete, Utah

Biographical Sketch

At the age of 2 years and 5 months, Eliza Roxie set sail from Liverpool, with her parents Mary Waslin and John Edward Metcalf and her five older siblings, on board the Ellen Marie, under the presidency of Elder James W. Cummings. The family arrived in New Orleans 7 March 1853. They then took passage on a steamboat to St. Louis and from there to Keokuk, Iowa, where they outfitted themselves for the trip West.
They traveled with the Claudius V. Spencer Company. All but the very youngest children walked by the side of the wagons. It was an arduous journey. It was getting late in the season; the nights became cold, with frost forming on their wagons and equipment. As the journey lengthened, food became scarce, and the children became fearful that they would not have anything to eat. Their mother, being a woman of great faith, assured them, "There will always be mixings in the barrel."

They entered the Valley on 17 September 1853 and lived in Salt Lake City until 1856, when they moved to Springville, and from there to St. George (1862). In 1863 Brigham Young called Eliza's father and his family to Warm Creek (now Fayette) to build a grist mill and run it year round. Eliza lived with her family in a dugout until a better home could be built, as most of the settlers did.

During Eliza's growing up years she learned the many skills that were necessary to keep a pioneer family functioning, such as washing the raw wool, carding it, dying it with homemade dyes, spinning it into yarn, and then weaving it into cloth. She also learned to sew, knit, make candles, dry fruit to be stored for winter, and many other things. She helped her mother with the cooking, her mother being one of the first women to use glass jars for the canning of fruit, and Eliza was taught this process also.

Even though life was hard, there were good times too. Eliza loved to participate in such events as sewing and quilting bees, dances, and dramatics. When she was younger, she loved taffy pulling bees, which were a favorite of the children.

When Eliza was eighteen, she married John Bartholomew, son of Joseph and Polly Benson Bartholomew, in the Manti Temple in 1868. Eleven children (5 sons and 6 daughters) were to bless this marriage. They were faithful and stalwart members of the Church throughout their lives.

John was called to be bishop of the Fayette Ward by Brigham Young in 1877 and served in that capacity until his death in 1914, 37 years later. Eiza served along with him, assuming various responsibilites to free his time for his Church duties. When someone passed away in Fayette, John, a skillful carpenter, not only conducted the funeral but made the casket, and Eliza fashioned the lining.

Eliza lived a full and productive life, greatly loved and respected by her family and friends.