It was in Somersetshire, England, in 1818 that Francis Singleton first opened his eyes. It was a year later in 1819 on the seventh of April that the child, Amelia Ann Williams, who was destined to be his wife and help mate throughout his married life was born.
The boy and girl spent their childhood life together, all their games they shared and their childish troubles. Young manhood and young womanhood dawned, they became sweethearts, and at the age of nineteen they were married.
He was an expert musician and for several years he led the Presbyterian Church choir. His trade was that of a first class tailor. The uniforms which the English soldiers wore, were made by him. Also his trade was made up of the Aristocracy of Somersetshire.
Then the Gospel was carried to England. It was from two Elders that they first heard the Gospel preached. They were readily converted. They housed the missionaries and took an interested part in the Gospel. Two of these Elders were William Brammel of Springville, and John D. Dixon of Provo.
When it became known that he had joined the Mormons, his trade stopped, people refused to patronize him. His friends and associates pled with him to renounce the Mormons, then they would re-instate him in his community and his work.
He refused to do as they desired; he went on living his religion and baptized his children and confirmed them as members in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were Frederick, Albert, Melinda, Hubert, Rosenia, and Hercules. The two babies, Melvina and Leopold were not old enough.
Brother Singleton was then made a home missionary, and he preached the Gospel on the street corners of England. Always his son Hubert accompanied him to hold his hat while he preached. And Hubert would chase butterflies in the near by fields and meadows until his father was through. His wife many times would walk five miles and carry her baby all the way that she might hear her husband preach.
For awhile he and his family were severely persecuted, so they left Somersetshire. They then settled in Portsmouth. Here for awhile his business was more successful. But their hearts were filled with the Gospel and they decided to come to America and to the land of Zion.
Their oldest daughter, Melinda, was sent ahead with a friend. Their son, Frederick, then married, so a number of years passed by. The family decided to join their daughter here. They sold their belongings, and the money was used to make the journey upon. Just before they set sail on the English Channel, their tiny daughter Melvina died, so this tiny one was left on the shores of England.
For six weeks they were in the English Channel waiting for a favorable wind to carry them on their way. At last they reached the open sea. While the crossing was being made they had fair weather.
During the three weeks on the open sea, death crossed their path again. Their small grandchild, the daughter of Frederick, died and was buried in the sea. But with hearts cheerful and faces following the light they carried on.
They landed in America ready to start the overland trip. The first lap of the journey was made in a train driven by a wood fire. They were kept busy keeping the sparks, which were blown back upon them, put out, or their clothing would have caught on fire. After this experience, their journey was continued with a company made up of ox teams, Abraham Halliday now of Santaquin was the captain.
A great many of the miles across those trackless plains were walked. Sister Singleton would go ahead of the oxen and pick up buffalo chips with which she would make the fire for the evening meal.
When they reached the Missouri River, Brother Singleton became ill with the cholera. He became so ill that it became necessary for him to ride. It was at this time that their baby Leopold died. A shallow grave was dug in the hillside, the body was wrapped in a blanket and buried. On the family traveled leaving the baby on those lonesome plains. The grave hadn't been left so far behind, that it was supposed it was dug up by the wolves wild in that section of country.
A little further on they were met by the mule teams. Fort Bridger was the next stop. Brother Singleton was so ill it was decided that he would have to rest there, until he was well enough to travel. Sister Singleton took the children and left him to follow as soon as he was able. It was with good cheer that she said, "good-bye". It was later that a group of people caught up with the company, they told Sister Singleton of the death of her husband, and that he had been given a respectful burial at Fort Bridger.
The company arrived in Salt Lake City in 1864. From there they came to Springville. She met a friend here and spent her first days in Zion with her, working for her board while her children worked anywhere they could for their board.
In the year 1865, in the old Endowment house, Sister Singleton and her son Frederick had their endowment work done.
Bishop Aaron Johnson assisted her in getting a little school. He also gave her a plot of ground upon which a home was built for her and her family. Thomas Child built and plastered this home for her free of charge.
She was one of the first kindergarten teachers in Springville. Among her pupils was Cyrus E. Dallin, who is now the great sculptor. There are a number of her pupils left yet, who are living in Springville.
In 1878 when the Primary Associations were first organized in Springville, she was chosen a counselor in the Fourth Ward Primary, and for many years was a faithful Primary worker.
This noble woman has left a heritage to her descendants to be a guiding light to them always. She was faithful always to her Heavenly Father, being clean, noble, brave, and courageous; she lived a beautiful life.
It was in the same month when she entered this world, that she slipped quietly away, the third of April 1902.
A poem was written to her memory by Lucretia H. Mower, which follows:
Sleep in peace, life's toils are over,
You have left this gloomy vale,
Free'd from pain to rest forever
Where no evil can assail.
All life's weary scenes are ended,
And your pilgrimage is o'er
By angelic bands attended,
You have gained the shining shore.
Farewell friend! but not forever,
We shall see your face again
And unite to dwell together
When the Saviour comes to reign.
Written by Rosemary Hodson, great-granddaughter, November 1931
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