Eleanor Caffall was born 25 April 1850 in Watford, Hertford, England to Richard John Caffall and Mary Ann Gibson Caffall.  She was my Great Grandmother.  I don't have any information on Eleanor before age 22.    In September 1872 she came to the United States with her Mother, Mary Ann and two brothers.  Her brothers were Alma age 11 and Charles W age 10.

The following information comes from the Mormon Immigration Index.  THE FOURTH COMPANY GONE-On Wednesday the 4th (4 Sep 1872)  instant another company of Saints, consisting of 602 souls, left Liverpool in the Guion & Co.'s fine steamship Minnesota.  Elder George W. Wilkins, returning missionary, has charge of the company.  Returning elders James A. Leishman, J.R. Park, C. Madsen, M. Anderson, and P.O. Tommasson form part of this company.  Though some of the Saints were quite advanced in years, the company were in good health and excellent spirits, rejoicing that the time of their deliverance had come.  We unite in wishing them a safe and speedy journey to their destination.  The steamship Minnesota sailed from Liverpool, England, with 602 Saints, in charge of George W. Wilkins.  The company landed in New York, Sept. 17th and arrived at Salt Lake City, Sept. 26th. No deaths accurred at sea, but the company was increased by the arrival of two babies.  On the 16th, the steamer anchored near Castle Garden, New York, and the next day (Sept 17) the emigrants went ashore.  On the 18th they boarded the train and traveled via Pittsburg, Chicago, Omaha, etc., to Salt Lake City, Utah.  One child died on the train and was buried in Chicago.  Halfway between Ogden and Salt Lake City the company was met by President Brigham Young, Elder Daniel H. Wells and other leading men, who immediately went through the cars, bidding their brethren and sisters from afar a hearty welcome to Zion.  On their arrival in Salt Lake City, Sept. 26, 1872, the emigrants were taken to the Music Hall, where a sumptuous dinner was awaiting them.  In course of the two following days the company was dissolved, friends and relatives taking the newcomers to temporary homes.

Eleanor married John Brown in the endowment house in Salt Lake City 18 May 1874.  John's first wife Sarah had passed away 21 January 1874.  John and Sarah had the following children which may have still been in the home when Eleanor and John were married: Son-Lorenzo born 1855 age 19, Daughter-Sarah Elizabeth born 1859 age 15, Son-Imri born 1862 age 12, Son-George born 1864 age 10, Daughter-Mary Louise born 1867 age 7 and Daughter-Mamie born 1871 age 3.  My guess is that this would have been a full time job for Eleanor.

Eleanor and John had the following children: Son-Walter born 1875  died 1883 age 8, Son-William born 1876  died 1877 age 1 year or less, Daughter-Mable born 1877 died 1878 age 1 year or less, Daughter- Irene born 1883 died 1886 3 years or less, Son-Samuel Vernon born 1878 died 1954 age 76, Male still born 1880, Daughter-Irene born 1883 died 1886 3 years or less, Daughter-Edna born 1885 died 1886 1 year or less, Male still born 1887, Male still born 1890, Son-Harold born 1893 died 1963 age 70.  I can not even imagine how hard it was to give birth and have that many children pass away.

Eleanor had 10 children but only 2 lived to be adults, get married and have their own families.

Samuel Vernon Brown was my Grandfather.

There is an 1880 Census record that shows Eleanor's occupation as keeping house.  The children listed in the household are: Imri age 17, George age 15, Mary L age 12, Mamie S age 9, Samuel age 1.  It is obvious that by this time Lorenzo and Sarah Elizabeth had left the household.

We have no details on the everyday life of Eleanor.  We do know that she was a practical nurse and while out nursing a patient she contracted spinal meningitis and passed away 1 December 1907.  Her son Samuel was age 29 at the time and had already gotten married.  Harold would have been age 14 and was probably still living at home.

Polygamy was practiced by the Church during John's lifetime.  He married Mary Burkhardt in  July 1887.  Records for plural marriage were kept privately in the Endowment House so despite trials starting in 1875 many families were protected.  Polygamy  was ended 24 September 1890.  John remarried Mary 28 October 1908 after Eleanor passed away.