Isaac Wardle: Patriarchal Blessings

This is forwarded to me by Iva Beckstead
On January 7, 1875, a notice appeared in the “Deseret News” newspaper of Homestead Patents that had been received in the Land Patent Office and which were now ready for delivery.  Isaac J. Wardle and William Wardle both appeared in this news column.

PATRIARCHAL BLESSING RECEIVED

 Blessing #373 – South Jordan, Salt Lake County, January 25, 1875.  Isaac was 40 years old when he received this Patriarchal Blessing.

“A blessing given by John Smith, Patriarch, upon the head of Isaac John Wardle, son of John and Mary Wardle, born in Ravenstone, Leicestershire, England on June 14, 1835.

Brother Isaac according to thy desire I place my hands upon thy head to in the name of Jesus Christ pronounce and say a blessing upon thee which shall be a guide and comfort unto thee.  Thou art of the House of Israel, thy pathway hath been fraught with trials and difficulties thy guardian angel hath preserved thy life for thou hast a mission to perform, which if thou art faithful will exalt thee hereafter and give thee peace.  Therefore be upon thy guard, seek wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that you may overcome the evils of thy nature and obtain the spirit of the Lord to direct thy mind and give thee strength and grace sufficient for thy day for it is thy privilege to live to a good old age and travel much for the Gospel’s sake and assist in gathering scattered Israel and do a work for thy kindred who are now in darkness for there are honest in heart who will rejoice with thee hereafter.  Thou art of the blood of Joseph through the lineage of Ephraim and entitled to the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with the gifts of the priesthood.  Therefore be prudent and seek to know the will of the Lord concerning thee so thou shalt be warned of events to come, the vision of thy understanding shall be opened and thou shalt see and understand things as they are.  Thou shalt realize that the hand of the Lord has been over thee for good.  He both heard thy petitions and will answer thee if thou wilt ask in faith and will be prospered in thy journeyings at home and abroad, be blessed in thy labor spiritually and temporally.  Therefore I say unto thee let thy faith fail not and every word of this blessing shall be fulfilled, for I seal it upon thee by virtue of the holy Priesthood and I seal thee up unto eternal life to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection a Saviour among thy kindred, even so, Amen”.
– H. S. – Recorder


SECOND PATRIARCHAL BLESSING RECEIVED

Blessing #345 – pronounced upon Brother Wardle when he was 72 years old.

A Patriarchal Blessing given at Parker, Fremont County, Idaho on February 25, 1908, under the hands of Andrew J. Hansen upon the head of Isaac John Wardle, son of John and Mary Kinston Wardle – born June 14, 1836 at Ravenstone, Leicestershire, England – R.F.D. # 3, Saint Anthony, Idaho.

“Brother Isaac in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I place my hands upon your head as a servant of the Lord, and in the authority of a Patriarch confer upon you a blessing which shall be with you through life and which shall be a beacon light unto you even into eternity.

Thou art of the Royal Blood of Israel of the House of Joseph through the loins of Ephraim and the blessings of the Holy Priesthood, the blessings of standing at the head of your generation’s and kindred as a saviour and redeemer be upon you.  The blessings of the patriarch’s of old, even Abraham, the faithful of the faithful, so shall it be unto you.

In thee and thy seed shall kindred tongues and peoples be blessed and a ruler, a leader, a preacher of righteousness shall not depart from thine house even unto the end of time.

Prophets and apostles shall come forth through thy lineage, and their record shall refer with pride and honor to Isaac, their father.

And now dear Brother at the eve of life I bless thee as one of the noble, venerable, faithful and true servants of the Lord, who has stood faithful through the trying ordeals of life, who have been polished, tempered, and purified, according to Gods own will and purposes, prepared in due time to receive a fullness of glory in the eternal mansions for a mansion hath been prepared for you and the blessings of the Lord await you on every hand.

I say unto you the Lord shall spare you from undue bodily suffering.  You shall live yet many years and enjoy life and the pursuits of happiness.  Generations unborn of your lineage shall prattle about your knees, shall stroke your cheeks, and kiss your lips, shall touch your heart and your joy shall be full.

Through them your inheritance shall be established in the hand of Joseph.  Through them you shall be represented in the various nations of the earth, in the temples of the Lord, in the redemption of the living and the dead.

In due time keys and powers of which you know not now shall be conferred upon you, even the keys of the resurrection and you shall call forth through the veil of eternity your wives and your children and complete the labours of this probation and enter into your glory.

In this life you shall find friends on every hand, your enemies and opponents shall sink into oblivion and they shall be blotted out from the book of your remembrance.

Your children shall gather around you and the old hearthstone and bless and comfort your latter days.

I seal you up unto eternal life to come forth even in the morning of the first resurrection, yea even to meet the King of Kings at his coming, in the clouds of heaven and welcome him and be of that happy number spoken of by the prophets of old.  And this shall be your reward for the acceptance of and the keeping of the laws of the Lord in your time and day, and eternal laws in the world to come forever, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, Amen.”  - Recorded by Solomon Hansen.

Your Heart Will Burn: Act 2 scene 12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iloudBbiNUQ
This scene portrays a Cedar City Sunday School many years later, and the comments of Francis Webster.  The song "We Became Acquainted With God" is based on his words.  Duane McGhie portrays this roll.  He is the descendant of handcart pioneers.  I have William Ashton joining his family at the end of the song.  By this I was trying to represent that even though he left the company, he did eventually join the Saints and his family.

Your Heart Will Burn: Act 2 scene11: Martin's Cove

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQfcC05RQg0
This scene shows the conditions in Martin's Cove.  Ashley Orton as the narrator sings a simple song, "Close Your Eyes" which sets the mood.  The leadership would often inspect the camp early in the morning.  Peter McBride's (played by Caleb) tent did blow over as depicted, and the family got out of the tent except for Peter.  He slept well, but his hair froze to the tent.  His sister, noticing he had not gotten out, assumed he had died in the tent.  I added this song to change the mood.  The play had been very emotional, and I wanted to leave on a more upbeat mood so added, snug as a bug.  Isaac and John Bailey did often have grave duty.  Langley did not as he was still bed ridden.  It was good news when they finally announced, no deaths in camp today.  However this was actually much later, after they left the cove and were headed to Salt Lake.  In the interest of time I could not depict the entire journey and so leave the party at Martin's Cove.  Langley Bailey road in wagon from Martin's Cove to Salt Lake City.

Your Heart Will Burn: Scene by Scene

Act 1 Scene 1 and overture: Coalville; Isaac Wardle "When Ye Shall Receive These Things" "Live Goes On"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YzTCQI1CbU
Act 1 Scene 2: Coalville; Isaac Wardle  "Your Heat Will Burn"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4D4eoTd4JU
Act 1 Scene 3: Fairfield; The Ashtons "London Bridge" "Your Heart Will Burn"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACC0Kn3-d5s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t7xQAaYvjw
Act 1 Scene 4:  Letters; William Severn and Mary Astle "When I get his letters"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X35ABIksPjY
Act 1 Scene 5: Coalville; Isaac Wardle "I love you Goodbye"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhLWUOlKTN0
Act 1 Scene 6: Deck of the Horizon "Friends for Life" "Farewell to thee England""Oh Zion" "When I get his letters" reprise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NuVa8yqnvc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd-LI2M7Zmc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLbn0tKV3ss
Act 1 Scene 7: Deck of Horizon; "wedding march"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFxlZMeY_M0
Act 1 Scene 8: Deck of Horizon; death of Elizabeth Ashton, "The Journey is Long"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbx9iYLL4SU
Act 2 Scene 1: Iowa City; Martin Handcart Company, "Working" "Going Through the Eye of the Needle"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArtP_YIGanQ
Act 2 Scene 2: On the trail in Iowa; Langley gets sick, "TheHandcart Song" birth of baby Sarah Ann Ashton "Life goes on" Reprise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pKzTkXYmHY
Act 2 Scene 3: Florence, Nebraska; "Cheer Saints Cheer" "Campfire Dance" Langley's blessing, death of Sarah Ann Ashton, "I Love You, Goodbye" Campfire Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgpwcyDV8rE
Act 2 Scene 4: Plains in Nebraska, site of A.W. Babbit wagon gravesite, death of Sarah Ann Ashton (not shown)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Dwurjv_w8
Act 2 Scene 5: Fort Laramie, William Ashton joins the infantry, "Live Goes ON" reprise "confrontation"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHnQLGH4Ioc
Act 2 Scene 6: Salt Lake City, Brigham Young starts the rescue"Get Them Here"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py60LvJaBbo
Act 2 Scene 7: Last Crossing of the Platte and its aftermath, Betsy freezes her feet "Oh Zion When I Think of Ye"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIewLpTYe1g
Act 2 Scene 8: Red Buttes, rescuers arrive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk3CHdqbBow
Act 2 Scene 9: At the Sweetwater, Rescuers carry many over the water "Get them Here" reprise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrJZFOrqW18
Act 2 Scene 10: Martin's Cove, Isaac gathers wood, "Come Come Ye Saints" Betsy passes away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UatDF_CLXVg
Act 2 Scene 11: Martin's Cove; "See Them for Real," Peter McBride and the tent,"Snug as a Bug" leaving the cove
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQfcC05RQg0
Act 2 Scene 12: Cedar City many year later; Francis Webster, "We Became Acquainted with God"
http://billywardlegen.blogspot.com/2013/01/your-heart-will-burn-act-2-scene-12.html
Curtain Call
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIwxd7nqdWY
Many Thanks to Susan McGhie for making the movie, Joe Eliason and Elaine Morris for the music.

My Dad’s Family During the Depression

Grandfather Wilford (my dad’s father) decided to move his family to Salt Lake City, as he had a job working in an auto body shop.  This job lasted two ears, when he lost the job due to the depression.  The family moved back to the Teton Basin to victor.  Grandpa worked as a sheepherder as this was the only job he could get.  Audrey and Lula (dad’s older sisters) went with him. 
He then moved the family to Lincoln, outside of Idaho Falls, and followed the sugar beets.  During the depression, there was plenty of work, but not enough money.  It seemed his parents were always on the verge of poverty.  Aunt Audrey related the following with regards to this period:
This was really the depth of the depression.  My parents were so poor I don’t know how we survived.  What my parents must have gone through.  Papa would work the sugar beet run and then do what odd jobs he could.  The two summers we were in Lincoln he contracted to thin and hoe huge fields of beets for different farmers.  I worked side by side with him, all day, every day but Sunday.  Lula helped too and my mother walked to the field and worked when her housework was done….One time we had no flour and no money to buy any.  I know my parents were frantic.  As we sat around our kitchen table after supper there was a knock on our back door.  When we answered it, there, in our little lean-to porch, was a 50-pound sack of flour.  We never knew who brought it….But what a heaven-sent gift.  (Chase, Audrey’s history)
Audrey relates another story, about a year later, which illustrates the economic condition of the family.  This was after Audrey had worked a summer in Pocatello:
I got paid $.25 an hour at my job.  One of my most precious memories was the result of my job.  No children in our family had ever had a bike.  It was something totally out of reach.  But my brother Wilford dreamed of one.  Most of his friends had one.  He went to Victor to stay….While he was gone I got him a bike for his birthday.  He got back the day of his birthday.  I had put the bike in his bedroom, which was a tiny room down a long hall and at the back of the house.  I told him there was something for him in his room.  He dashed back there.  I’ll never forget his face as he wheeled out that beautiful new bike.  At $.25 an hour, it took me most of the summer t pay for it, but it was well worth it.  (Chase)
From Idaho Falls the family moved to Pocatello where Grandpa worked on a W.P.A. project.  These were “government projects President Roosevelt had started to help the poor.” (Chase)  He worked for civic projects with a pick and shovel on bridges and buildings.  From there the family moved to Salmon, Idaho, and stayed about a year before moving back to Pocatello.
Aunt Audrey had received a two-year teaching certificate, and taught for a year at Bates School in the Teton Basin.  She saved enough money she was able to help her parents make a down payment on a farm the following year.  Aunt Audrey described this as a fertile farm, in Riverton, Idaho just west of Blackfoot.
Grandpa Wardle lost the farm after two years:
He got a little behind in the payment.  A man was sent to see him about it.  My dad reacted as he usually did and beat the fellow up.  He made that payment, but the fellow told Ellis, (Audrey’s husband) “I’d have worked with him, but now I’m just waiting to see him get behind again.  When he does, I’ll get him!”  Papa got behind again and lost the farm. (Chase)
From there they landed on a farm near Rigby, renting a couple of poor farms and eventually purchasing one.  This farm had rocky soil.  They farmed beets and potatoes, hay and livestock.  I know Dad also raised livestock—pigs, chickens and milk cows.  He also herded sheep with his father.  This community became the permanent residence of my Grandparents.

Mary Rupp, Leo Wardle: More Picture sharing and identification

This picture is identified on the back as Aunt Mary Rupp.  She is the daughter of William Haston and Annie Sorensen Wardle.  She was the third child of eleven born to this union.  She married Milton Woodruff Thompson and had six children with him.  When he passed away she married George Earl Rupp.  They had no children together but he did have four children from a previous marriage.  His first wife had also passed away.

 No identification on these two pictures.  Please help if you can.

Leo Wardle is also the son of William Haston and Annie Sorensen Wardle.  He was the fourth of eleven children.  He was married three times, Maude Tempest, Joy Jean Williams and Marian Adams.  My dad spent time with he and Aunt Joy during WWII when my dad was stationed at Treasure Island.  Uncle Leo worked for the rail industry.

This picture is identified as Lionel and Arthur Peterson, Children of Uncle Jim and Aunt Mary Peterson.  In ths case Mary is Mary Sorensen Peterson, youger sister of Annie Sorensen Wardle.  Lionel and Arthur are her two oldest children born 1901 and 1903.

William Haston and Anne Sorenson Wardle Reunion 1968?

Orrin, Norval, Reed, Delilah, Vernal, Leo, Mary, Wilford

 Uncle Roy is missing.

Adding spouses.  Please help to identify.  My Grandmother Melissa is in striped shirt. Lucile Wardle next to Reed.

I found these pictures amongst a bunch of pictures.  I am not sure of the year but probably between 1968 and 1972.  The reunion was always at Ross Park in Pocatello.  There was a big pot luck, and then leftovers later in the day.  One year a transcript was taken of memories.  There was a pool across the street, and big boulders to climb on.  Another year Fort Hall replica appeared on the hill.  The first year we had our run of the fort and played and played.