John Brewitt Milner (1830 - 1912)

Born 27 Jan 1830 in Gringley, Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Catherina Steiner — married [date unknown] in Utah Territory, United States

Descendants

Died 17 Oct 1912 at age 82 in Provo, Utah, United States

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Biography

Origins
John Milner (Jr.) was born 27 January 1830 ^[1] at Gringley on the Hill, Nottinghamshire, England, to parents John and Ann Milner.^[2] John was christened 7 March 1830 at Gringley on the Hill, Nottinghamshire, England, UK. Present were his parents John and Ann Milner.^[3]

At age 11 years John Milner was recorded in the 1841 England & Wales Census. He and his mother Ann Milner, age 37 years, were living at Gringley on the Hill, East Retford district, Nottinghamshire county.^[4] No other family member is record in this census.

Origin Notes Utah Death Certificate incorrectly names his father: According to the Utah state issued death certificate, John's parents were George B. Milner and Anna [Johnson] Milner; when, in fact, George was a son of John.^[5] Record confusion created during a time of death is understandable. Examination of the published Catalog of LDS Missionary Registers names John's parents as John and Ann [Johnson] Milner of Nottinghamshire.^[6]

American LDS Westward Migration
According to LDS published sources John's father passed away before his son was born. This is born out by the 1841 English Census. During his youth he heard the calling of visiting American Mormon Missionaries and decided to emigrate.

Brief LDS Church Background On 27 Jun 1844, Nauvoo, Illinois, jailed LDS founder Joseph Smith was murdered by a mob. Church leaders, who included Brigham Young decided to migrate to the Great Salt Lake region which at that time was a part of Mexico. The Pioneers set out from Nauvoo in April 1846 for the Great Salt Lake Valley more than 1,400 miles away.

24 July 1848: Brigham Young and about 148 followers crossed the Great Salt Lake Valley in the Utah Territory. Challenges included the large Native American presence. In early 1848 Mexico ceded about 525,000 square miles of its territory to end the Mexican-American War. This territory included part or all of present day Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah. In 1850 Congress designated the present day state as the Utah Territory. President Millard Fillmore appointed Brigham Young as territorial governor. Due to ongoing political controversy, in 1857 US President James Buchanan forced Young to step down and he appointed a non-Mormon governor.

1896 Utah territory became the 45th state admitted to the United States. In order to gain acceptance into the Union plural marriages were federally outlawed.

In 1852 Moses Clawson (b. 8 Oct 1801, New York) traveled to England as a missionary. He led the company of 332 converts who crossed the Atlantic on the ship Ellen Maria. [Hartley, pg.58.]^[7]

Arrival 7 March 1853 at age 23, John Brewitt Milner arrived in the United States from Liverpool, England on the Ellen Maria arriving at New Orleans, Orleans county, Louisiana, United States.^[8]

Between January and April 1853, eight sailing ships from Liverpool brought 2,586 Mormons to New Orleans. Most moved up the Mississippi River on steamers to St. Louis and then to 'Keokuk encampment' for provisioning.^[7]

Wagon Trains to Utah Author Hartley explains that before the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 "an estimated 300,000 people crossed the plains to Oregon and California and sixty thousand or more went to the Utah Territory." [Hartley pg.44.] Repeated across personal journals and diaries was the observation that (non-LDS) wagon trains of California gold rush migrants "could be seen on the horizon".

John B. Milner traveled in Captain Kendall's division, Cyrus H. Wheelock Company (1853).^[9]

Marriages and Children
Ester Elizabeth Yardley, (b. 24 Jan 1825, Tanworth, Warwickshire, England)

• Thomas Milner, b. 1851(?) England (?); d. bef 1912 not named in his father's Will but included in father's household for the 1870 Territorial Census.
• Benjamin Franklin Milner, b. 19 Sep 1855, Provo, UT.
• John William Seaton Milner, b. 8 Nov 1857, Provo, UT.; d. 1890
• George Brewitt Milner, b. 28 Feb 1861, Provo, UT.; m. Ann Smith, 1888 ^[10] See Notes
• Sarah Ann Milner, b. 29 May 1862, Provo, UT.
• Lilly Jane Milner, b. 4 Mar 1866, Provo, UT.
• Isabel Yardley Milner, b. 17 Oct 1868, Provo, UT.
• Mary Victoria Milner, d. young?

Catherine Steiner (b. 1833, Switzerland; d. 16 Aug 1904)^[11] Catherine was divorced when she died in 1904.^[12]

• Heber Joseph Steiner, b. 6 Aug 1871, Provo, UT.
• Louise, b. 1873, Provo, UT.; d. young

Marriage Notes
(1) Plural marriages: At this time documentation of evidence for a marriage, other than to Esther E. Yardley and Catherine Steiner, have not been located. The children from those two wives are named in his Will. But, this doesn't necessarily preclude any considerations made outside a Will if an additional (common law) wife and child existed. At this time it is believed he only had two wives and their named children.

(2) Errors in source "Conquerors of the West, Vol. 3: Sons of Utah Pioneers" pub. by The Generations Network, Inc., (pg.1681) incorrectly states that one Margaret Pembroke, b. 19 Apr 1845, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England (dau of James Earl & Sarah Day Pembroke) married John B. Milner on 20 Oct 1875, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. When, in fact, Margaret married Ephraim Evans and passed away 8 Mar 1905 as Margaret Evans [recorded in her Utah Death Certificate].

This same source "Conquerors of the West" (pg.1681) names Ann Smith, (b. 1846) as a wife of John B. Milner whereas she was in fact wife of his son George B. Milner [same error type, marriage notes (2)]. Refer to the Utah Territory marriage certificate between Ann and George. ^[13]

(3) Electronic transcription error: a derivative electronic record, probably created from source 'Conquerors of the West, Vol. 3" incorrectly has Ann Smith marrying her father-in-law (see marriage note 3.) whereas the actual digitized Utah Territory marriage certificate shows Ann Smith married his son George Brewitt Milner. This error has perpetuated itself in a FindAGrave memorial and in many family trees. Refer to John B. Milner's heirs named in his Last Will & Testament.

Profession & Career
While teaching, John B. Milner studied the legal system and became a self-taught attorney-at-law, later becoming a state judge, eventually earning the right to practice before the Supreme Court. He also served in the Utah Legislature. Based upon the numerous contemporary newspaper articles (accessed through subscription service at www.Newspapers.com) he was a well respected Utah Territory political activist and spokesman.

Death
At age 82+ years the Honorable John Brewitt Milner passed away on October 17, 1912 in Provo, Utah.^{[14] [1]}. He had lived in the State of Utah for 59 years and was buried 29 October 1912 at the Provo City Cemetery.

“The following are the names, ages and places of residence of his heirs of law of the deceased as known to the petitioner:”^[15][16]

• B.P. Milnor, age 58, Raymond, Alverta, Canada
• George B. Milner, age 51, Wellington, Carbon county, Utah
• Sarah A. (Milner) Roberts, age 50, Provo, Utah
• Lillie J. (Milner) Knight, age 46, Los Angeles, California
• Mrs. Belle (Milner) Bachman, age 42, Provo, Utah
• Weber (Heber) Steiner, age 37, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Seaton Milner, deceased, his son William Milner, age abt 30, Spanish Fork, Utah county, Utah

John B Milner, 80, and Katherine Rosly, 70, housekeeper, lived on 1st South, Provo, Utah.^[17]

In a hand-written page of his will, John Milner leaves "to Katherine Roslie, to have and to hold as her own, the east 1/3 of the west 1/2 of lot five in block seventeen (17) Plat Provo City Survey of Building lots with house thereon, furniture therein, and all appurtenances thereto. Witness the hand of said grantor this 12th day of May A.D. 1912. image 1625 of 2782
However, the lot was sold at auction in 1916.

Mrs. Belle Bachman, one of John Milner's heirs, petitioned that the residue of his property be expended by the administrator in the purchasing and erecting of a suitable monument with accessories over the grave of the deceased and in paying Provo City for the perpetual care of the cemetery lot. It was so ordered that $387.62 be expended for said purpose. Disposition of Money on Hand (image 1770 of 2782)

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Monumental Inscription, Find A Grave: Memorial #35131692
2. ↑ England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013. FHL Film Number: 95037. Reprinted [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Accessed 16 May 2020.
3. ↑ England Births & Christenings, 1538-1975; published db with images; FamilySearch.org https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3JL-ZPJ
4. ↑ 1841 England, Scotland and Wales Census. Citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey. Reprinted db with images FamilySearch.org https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7SH-TC8
5. ↑ Utah State Archives; Dept. of Health, Office of Vital Records and Statistics. Death Certificates, 1904-1961. Series 81448. Reprinted as "Death & Military Death Certificates: 1941-1953"; Series 3769. Utah State Archives, Salt Lake City, UT., USA. Reprinted [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
6. ↑ LDS Church History Catalog; Catalog of LDS Missionary Registers; Vol.1; pg.28/162 & Vol 2; pg.32/148. https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets?id=cfe60789-c0be-4a2d-bd6b-2ee1f2659c2b&crate=0&index=31
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Hartley, William G. "The Keokuck Encampment" pg.47. Brigham Young Univeristy Assoc. Research Prof. Mormon Historical Studies. http://mormonhistoricsites.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MHS_Fall2003_The-Keokuk-Encampment.pdf
8. ↑ Selected Passenger and Crew Lists and Manifests. National Archives, Washington, D.C. The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, Louisiana, 1820-1902; NAI Number: 2824927; Immigration and Naturalization Service; Record Group No: 85. Reprinted as New Orleans, Passenger Lists, 1813-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2006.
9. ↑ Pioneer Database, 1847–1868 https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/overlandtravel/pioneers/12808/john-brewit-milner
10. ↑ Utah, Select County Marriages, 1887-1937. Reprinted FamilySearch.org; FHL Film No. 430301. Reprinted [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Accessed 17 May 2020.
11. ↑ U.S. Social Security Applications & Claims Index, 1936-2007; [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Accessed 17 May 2020.
12. ↑ Death: "Utah, U.S., Death Registers, 1847-1966"
    Utah State Archives and Records Service; Salt Lake City, UT; Utah State Archives and Records Service; Series: 03864
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6967 #308397 (accessed 5 September 2022)
    Catherine Steiner death 14 Aug 1904 (age 71).
13. ↑ Utah, Select County Marriages, 1887-1937; Reprinted image db by FamilySearch.org; FHL Film Number 430301. Reprinted online db Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014, Provo, UT, USA. Accessed 17 May 2020.
14. ↑ "Aged Attorney Dead" Salt Lake City Telegram 1912 Oct_17
15. ↑ Utah, Utah County, Probate Estate Files; 4th District (Utah County); Case Number 2133; Probate Estate Files, Case No 2105-2151, 1912. Reprinted [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Accessed 16 May 2020.
16. ↑ Probate: "Utah, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1800-1985"
    Utah, Utah County, Probate Estate Files; Author: Utah District Court 4th District (Utah County); Probate Place: Utah, Utah
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 9082 #130733 (accessed 5 September 2022)
    John B Milner probate in 1912.
17. ↑ 1910 Census: "1910 United States Federal Census"
    Year: 1910; Census Place: Provo Ward 7, Utah, Utah; Roll: T624_1610; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0196; FHL microfilm: 1375623
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7884 #28861671 (accessed 5 September 2022)
    John B Milner (80), divorced, Sawyer, head of household in Provo Ward 7, Utah, Utah, USA. Born in England.

See Also

• 1870 U.S. Federal Census; Provo Ward 1, Utah, Utah Territory; Roll: M593_1612; Page: 265A; Family History Library Film: 553111. Reprinted [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Accessed 16 May 2020.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35131692/john-brewitt-milner: accessed 05 September 2022), memorial page for John Brewitt Milner (27 Jan 1830–17 Oct 1912), Find A Grave: Memorial #35131692, citing Provo City Cemetery, Provo, Utah County, Utah, USA; Maintained by Joy Pero (contributor 46594094).