Sarah Ann Findley Durfey ~ Index
Sarah Ann Findley Durfey was born April 10th, 1858 at Little Cottonwood in a covered wagon. Her parents, William and Sarah Shaw Findley Jr., had gone on the Move South when Johnson's Army came to the valley. Her parents were converts to the church from Scotland.
They came with the first settlers to Mendon, Utah. There she received a meager education. Her father died when she was about twelve years old leaving her mother and five small children. She worked early and late to help get enough food. The girls dragged willows from down by the river in the summer to keep the fires in the winter. When she learned to spin, she spun the yarn for most of their clothing and bedding.
She was married to Francillo Durfey Jr. in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City by President Daniel H. Wells and came to Beaver Dam (Box Elder County, Utah) to live. Her life was easier here and she was able to help her mother and sisters more. They bought the first sewing machine in this part of the country. All the neighbors came to use it and she was happiest when she was helping someone with their sewing.
She was the mother of six children, four girls and two boys. One boy and two girls preceded her to the great beyond. She was a kindly, cheerful, even-tempered, industrious and generous woman. Giving generously of whatever she had to those less fortunate. She was loved by all who knew her. She was called to be the first President of the Beaver Dam Branch, Relief Society on February 16th, 1879. This position she fulfilled with honor and integrity until March 28th, 1891, when she passed from this sphere of action to her reward.