Pansy's History
Pansy's History: The Autobiography of Margaret E. P. Gordon, 1866-1966
Margaret E. P. Gordon
Transcribed and Edited by Claudia L. Bushman
Series: Life Writings of Frontier Women
Copyright Date: 2011
Published by: University Press of Colorado,
https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh
Pages: 326
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt4cgmnh
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Book Info
Pansy's History
Book Description:

Margaret "Pansy" Gordon's life covered a remarkable span of years and territory. She lived one century, and the years took her from England to residences in British Columbia, Salt Lake City, and an Ojibway village on Georgian Bay; back to Utah and then Canada to homes at the shore of Bear Lake, on an Alberta farm, and in a prairie town; and to Los Angeles for the last decades of her life. She had gone to British Columbia as the daughter of an Anglican missionary to the Tsimshian Indians. She lived in Los Angeles as a Mormon missionary assigned to work as a genealogist. Her personal journey through repeated frontier adventures, religious service, and economic challenges is as worth noting as where she went, but it would be far less engaging if she did not write about it so well. Her memory for detail and her felicity in putting it to paper will reward those who delve into her "Family History," as she titled her memoir. Claudia L. Bushman, descendant of Pansy Gordon, author of numerous books, taught American studies at Columbia University for many years and taught Mormon studies at Claremont Graduate University from 2008 to 2011. She has included letters and other documents that complement this memoir.

eISBN: 978-0-87421-783-4
Subjects: History
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  1. Front Matter
    Front Matter (pp. i-iv)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.1
  2. Table of Contents
    Table of Contents (pp. v-vi)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.2
  3. Illustrations
    Illustrations (pp. vii-ix)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.3
  4. Preface
    Preface (pp. xi-xv)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.4
  5. Acknowledgments
    Acknowledgments (pp. xvii-xviii)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.5
  6. Introduction
    Introduction (pp. 1-8)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.6

    Margaret Elizabeth Schutt Gordon lived a full century. She was born on 29 January 1866 in Bingley, Yorkshire, England. As a child of ten, she came to the New World, where she experienced frontier living in British Columbia; on the banks of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada; in Meadowville, Utah; in Raymond and Stirling, Alberta, Canada; and finally, in Southern California.

    Margaret Schutt’s England was deep into the industrial revolution when she was born. Her middle-class Grandfather Schutt was in textile manufacturing, prosperous enough to educate his two children, hoping that his son, Henry, would enter the civil service. Instead...

  7. Genealogy Charts
    Genealogy Charts (pp. 9-11)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.7
  8. Part I The Early Years
    • 1 England, to 1876
      1 England, to 1876 (pp. 15-28)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.8

      One of the greatest pleasures of my childhood was listening to father & mother tell stories of their own youthful years. My mother was a particularly charming raconteur, always thrilling me with her vivid pictures of the Past.—It is fortunate that we both so enjoyed this pastime, or much of the valuable information I have gleaned would be lost.

      My father was not so lavish with his tales, but gave glimpses of his home & earlier years; which are valuable to me now & which I will weave into this story with the events connected with his later years...

    • 2 America, the Journey West, August 1876
      2 America, the Journey West, August 1876 (pp. 29-33)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.9

      After all necessary preparations, we embarked on The SS Algeria of the White Star Line¹ one of the most sumptuous boats of that time,—but no way able to compare with the great lines today—I can remember the big ship being towed down the river Mersey out to sea,—(We sailed from Liverpool—), by the puffing tugs. Passengers were taken off on small steamers called tenders as the larger craft cannot come too close in. I remember the Algeria staying a few hours off Queenstown while Tenders came & took off the mail. Some of the passengers went...

    • 3 British Columbia, 1876–1879
      3 British Columbia, 1876–1879 (pp. 34-51)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.10

      It was one of the scenic routes of the world, through long channels of peaceful Water, within a stones through [throw] in places to the pine clad Mountains—whose evergreen verdure came right to the Water’s Edge. Often beautiful water falls could be seen tumbling from the top in Cascades of foaming water.—some times the channels broadened out—but always among lovely islets,—& no matter how the wind blew, no heavy Sea. Only in two places—Queen Charlotte’s Sound, & Milbank Sound, did we find the open sea & there the heavy swells caused the old boat to...

    • 4 In School at Victoria, 1879–1881
      4 In School at Victoria, 1879–1881 (pp. 52-59)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.11

      After being in Kincolith a year—when I was 13—my parents decided I must go away to school—as my education was only being neglected there. So arrangements were made with a Mrs. Frazer—an educated & cultured English lady, who in middle life had married & settled on a beautiful farm, 20 miles out of Victoria, the lovely city on Vancouver Island—She was taking a few “Young Ladies” in to her home & conducting a private school—So I was sent to her—& for $25.00 a month was placed in her care—Two other girls were...

    • 5 Salt Lake City, 1882–1883
      5 Salt Lake City, 1882–1883 (pp. 60-68)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.12

      And now begins another chapter of my life. Gone all the scenes with Indians, canoes, & ships. Deserts, mountains & the Salt Lake are the back ground for new experiences. We reached Salt Lake City in July 1882, when I was 16. And will I ever forget that day—We had been all anticipation of our visit with our unknown relatives. I knew we had 3 boy cousins as the oldest Fewson had written me while in Kincolith as he was 18 there was a romantic interest in my thought of him—The train pulled into the Station about noon....

    • 6 Henvey’s Inlet, 1883–1885
      6 Henvey’s Inlet, 1883–1885 (pp. 69-81)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.13

      My mother not having fully regained her strength—[my father] went alone ahead to take up his new Job. In sept. of 1883, he left us in Montreal⁹ at the Jacksons [the family of Pansy’s mother’s sister Emily Ann, the wife of John Jackson]. We to follow as soon as Mother was able. He left fully written out instructions for us to follow, the complete train schedule & boat schedule—so we would have no trouble making any connections. Late in Oct., Mother being able to make the journey—we bade farewell to our Canadian relatives—& never saw them...

    • 7 My Conversion, 1885
      7 My Conversion, 1885 (pp. 82-88)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.14

      That summer passed as usual—Out doors! fishing, berrying—enjoying the rare beauty of the woods—& occasionally dreaming of other things as what girl of 19 wouldn’t.⁴

      In the spring a strange thing happened to me—which changed my whole life. While in Montreal when I was 17—I had been confirmed a full member of the Church of England by Arch Bishop Bond [William Bennett, 1815–1906, Archbishop of Montreal from 1904 to 1906]⁵—& so was eligible to take the Sacrament—I had always been a religious girl—my nature is spiritual—so I was proud &...

  9. Part II The Middle Years:: Pioneering in Utah and Canada
    • 8 Salt Lake City II, 1885–1889
      8 Salt Lake City II, 1885–1889 (pp. 91-97)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.15

      The Indians rowed down the Inlet, beautifully wooded banks on both sides. On towards 10 AM. the wind came up & the sails were hoisted, & how merrily we bowled along. As the wind was a head one—we had to tack which is slow, & when it got strong, the boat was over on its keel quite a way—& when they changed the tack it threw it far over on its side—That scared Fannie very much—she began to cry—& beg the crew to land—as we “would capsize sure” They just laughed—that breeze was...

    • 9 Meadowville, 1889–1892
      9 Meadowville, 1889–1892 (pp. 98-114)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.16

      That year my father who had become tired of teaching & always had a dream of going to the country got acquainted with Joseph Kimball, son of Heber C. Kimball,² his mother Prescinda³—was a friend of the family & I often went to see her & hear her tell of her association with the Prophet [Joseph Smith], whose wife she had been. [Joseph Kimball] induced my father to come to Meadowville Rich Co[unty] where he was Bishop, open a store & teach the school there. The idea was abominable to us girls who were getting a nice circle of...

    • 10 Marriage and Motherhood, 1893–1899
      10 Marriage and Motherhood, 1893–1899 (pp. 115-134)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.17

      On the 12 July, 1893, Jim & I set off. We got an early start on a beautiful summer morning, driving in a covered wagon, driving through Meadowville before anyone was up at dawn—Up into the beautiful hills, & through the Majestic Canyons. All day we drove—stopping at noon to feed & rest our team & to cook our lunch—Can you picture us—a big wagon with a white top cover, bedding & clothes in the back & us on the front seat, almost oblivious to the beauty of the scenery, our minds so full of the...

    • 11 Stirling, 1899–1906
      11 Stirling, 1899–1906 (pp. 135-151)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.18

      We put in long drives Every day. Our stop in Fish Haven was with friends,⁸ & our next Visit was with Susans folks in Blackfoot [Idaho]. Gertie Thompson Susan’s daughter—[James Gordon’s sister’s daughter] went with us that far. She was a lovely sweet & clever girl then 18. She had spent the Winter with her Grandmother Gordon [in Meadowville] & we had enjoyed her very much. Our stop in Blackfoot was pleasant A family of attractive young women & they were very hospitable—When our lost horses we[re] found, we travelled on, as we were going to be in...

    • 12 Raymond, 1906–1917
      12 Raymond, 1906–1917 (pp. 152-194)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.19

      For a long time Jim had been thinking of moving to the rising little sugar town of Raymond, built by the Knight Sugar Company. He wanted to get me a better home—so began to look around. A chance to sell our farm land to a newcomer named Barton presented itself. And a nice large home in Raymond was for sale by the owner [of] a sugar factory official who was moving away. It probably was not a wise thing to do, but we liked the idea—so he sold our farm & paid $500.00 down on the home—&...

    • 13 Salt Lake City III, 1917–1923
      13 Salt Lake City III, 1917–1923 (pp. 195-206)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.20

      I think it was early in July 1916 ^June 1917^ [when] we left Raymond. I had been released from the Mutual the year before owing to very poor health. Ma[r]y [A.] Weed was put in my place. My health improved due to some medicine I got from a doctor in Lethbridge, which helped my stomach. When Pres. Allen saw how much better I got, he said–he would never have released me had he known I would get better. His coun[sel] or [and later bishop] J. W. Evans said—“Sister Gordon can do more & better work sick than the...

  10. Part III The Last Years in California, the Safe Harbor
    • 14 California, 1923–1926
      14 California, 1923–1926 (pp. 209-219)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.21

      I spent that winter with Blaine & Tensie & It was enjoyable, no cold. We attended the new Matthews Ward, & I taught the gleaner girls [the eldest YWMIA] class. During that winter Hortense started on the long trail with Barbara, & was very miserable, & always in her pregnancies was unusually sick, but I was able to help her, & so the time passed, & I felt I must go home to Dad So in the spring—and with the understanding I was to return in August when the baby would be born— I took the train for home....

    • 15 Genealogy, 1927 (or Earlier) to 1937
      15 Genealogy, 1927 (or Earlier) to 1937 (pp. 220-248)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.22

      Some time previous to this part of our lives I had been asked to be on the Genealogical Stake Board—under & by Bro Laubier a nice old man,⁴ but not quite up to that task, & I taught the gen Class at Union Meeting held monthly in Mathews Ward⁵—the subject Racial History. I enjoyed it & as usual had a good class of interested people. It was there I first saw my dear friend Annie D. Snow,⁶ who for 20 years helped me do research work in the Library—

      I had not wanted that work, though I had...

    • 16 Last Words, 1934—1964
      16 Last Words, 1934—1964 (pp. 249-270)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.23

      Choice friends were made all through the mission, a whole book could be filled with their kindness. As time passed organizations were effected in all Districts—Much could be written about my happy experiences in the mission.¹ Things at home were not going so well. Our Daddy was getting worse, still able & willing to do for himself while I was away but there was always a deep anxiety in my heart as I could see him failing.² About that time Fair & Ann’s condition was not good. So they came to share our little inconvenient home. I thinking it...

  11. After Thoughts
    After Thoughts (pp. 271-276)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.24

    Margaret Gordon was one of those fortunate individuals who, at the end, could make sense of her life. Her history marshals all the vagaries of her diverse experiences into a coherent story inhabited by a worthy self. By putting it all down, she went beyond her measured years on earth to speak to her descendants and continue her life into our present time. As she said in “Sketch of the Life of Margaret Gordon,” “In recording some of the events of my life, and the testimony so precious to me, it is with the hope that they will be an...

  12. Chronology
    Chronology (pp. 277-283)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.25
  13. Appendix
    Appendix (pp. 284-318)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.26
  14. List of Brief Citations
    List of Brief Citations (pp. 319-319)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.27
  15. Index
    Index (pp. 320-326)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt4cgmnh.28