Ellen Benbow

Ellen Benbow Carter - was born 20 May 1825 in Grendon, Winslow Parish, Herefordshire, England, the third child of Thomas Benbow and Mary Jones. Ellen's father died when she was only 11 years old. Ellen and her brother, Thomas, decided to live with their Uncle John Benbow and his wife, Jane. They became their foster children as Jane was not able to bear children. They were living with John and Jane at the Hill Farm when Wilford Woodruff brought the restored gospel to John Benbow. Ellen was baptized by Wilford Woodruff 9 March 1840.

Ellen, with John and Jane Benbow and her brother, Thomas, left Liverpool on 8 September 1840, on the ship “North America”, and arrived at New York City on 11 October 1840. They arrived in Nauvoo 24 November 1840. In Nauvoo, John Benbow obtained a farm and patterned it after his prosperous farm in England, where he built a grist mill. William Carter, a convert from Ledbury, Herefordshire, England brought his grain to John Benbow's grist mill to be ground and there he met Ellen. They were married by Wilford Woodruff, on 5 December 1843 in Nauvoo. In 1846 William and Ellen, along with other Latter-day Saints, were expelled from their home and driven from Nauvoo, moving to Winter Quarters.

William was called to go with the first company of Saints to cross the plains. He said, "I cannot go. My wife is at death's door." Brigham Young told him, "If you come, I promise you that your wife shall be healed and follow you." Ellen was healed and drove an ox team and wagon across the plains. She came in the company of her uncle, John Benbow, entering the Salt Lake Valley on 20 September 1848. When her foster mother, Jane Benbow, died from exposure and hardships at Winter Quarters, Ellen comforted and cared for her foster father, John Benbow. She managed the home and farm expertly. When William was called to settle in St. George, Utah, she stayed in Salt Lake to manage the farm and raise food. After Ellen travelled to St. George, she raised silkworms and planted mulberry trees. She was a kind and loving friend and neighbour, having an especially close relationship with William's second wife, Harriet Temperance Utley. They loved each other like sisters and cried when William provided them with separate homes. Ellen served as a family doctor. Her speciality was setting bones. Ellen and William were given three children: A son, William John, and two daughters, Marion and Eunice. Because of the heavy farm work she performed, Ellen developed a hernia from which she suffered much.

Ellen died on 6 May 1901 in St. George, Utah - Age 76.