Joseph Lawson

Joseph Lawson was born on the 9^th of December, 1824, at Douglas, the fifth son (sixth child) of Edward Lawson & Margaret Cottier. As he grew up he worked in his father's business, keeping the books and generally running the business. In 1844 he joined the Church of the Latter Day Saints (The Mormons) and was, allegededly, promptly disowned by his parents. In the following year he married Eleanor Garrett on the 9th of December. In 1850 Joseph emigrated to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he worked in the docks, probably as a stevedore or longshoreman. As related by his grandson Mick Lawson, Eleanor joined him there in 1853 but almost immediately contracted yellow fever and died. However, Joseph's obiturary indicates that Eleanor accompanied Joseph when he first emigrated. After the death of Eleanor, Joseph returned to the Isle of Man but evidently could not settle down because in 1855 he decided, once again, to move to the United States of America.

On March the 31^st, 1855, he sailed on the sailing ship Juventa for Philadelphia with 500 Mormons. During the voyage to Philadelphia he met Ruth Margaret Greenway, a twenty-nine year old welsh girl who was travelling to Salt Lake City to be married. On their arrival at Phildelphia they learned that Ruth's intended husband had been killed in a mine accident. They travelled by railroad and steamboat to Atchison, Kansas, where they joined the Mormon wagon train. Fifty-three wagons left for Utah on June the 7th, arriving at Salt Lake City on the 4th of September, 1855. Joseph and Ruth were married on the 9th of September, 1855.

Joseph farmed and was prominent in the early developement of Utah, involved in the building of roads and canals in the area around Ogden. Joseph paid several short visits to the Isle of Man during two church missions to Great Britian in 1866-1869 and again in 1889. See his obiturary and diary excerpts for further details of his life. Joseph died on the 1st of January, 1896, at Ogden, Utah.

Eleanor Garrett

Eleanor Garrett was born in November, 1823, the daughter of Hugh Garrett and Catherine Christian. She died without issue on the 27^th of July, 1853, after contracting yellow fever in New Orleans.

Hugh Garrett was born in 1789. He married Catherine Christian on the 1^st of June, 1823, at Braddan. He died in 1825.

Catherine Christian was baptized on the 29^th of April, 1789, at Rushen, the daughter of James Christian and Eleanor Creejan. After the death of her first husband, Hugh Garrett, she married William Kaighan on the 31^st of May, 1835. William died in 1850 at Onchan. Catherine died on the 19^th of November, 1862, at Onchan.

Ruth Greenway

Ruth Margaret Greenway was born on the 6^th of December, 1826, at Llanbadarn y Garreg, Radnor, Wales, the daughter of John Greenway and Elizabeth Price. She died on the 19^th of March, 1909, at Ogden, Utah..

Joseph Edward lawson

Joseph Edward Lawson was born on the 6^th of January, 1857, at Ogden, Utah. He died on the 30^th of June, 1863, aged six and one half years.