Green, John (Dec 23, 1813 – Feb 5, 1883)

John Green was born December 23, 1813, in Wellingborough, Northampton,
England.  The third child and first son of John and Ann Rowney
Green.

John's father had been a soldier in the British Army and took part in
the Penensular War. He was a Sargent [sic] Major and fought under the
Duke of Wellington and the Duke of York.  He was badly wounded by
a saber cut in his head when his regiment was charged by the French
Cavalery [sic] and received his discharge for this reason. 
Because of this the British Government gave him a track of land in
South Africa as his reward.

John's parents emigrated from England to South Africa, in 1820. 
They set sail from Portsmouth, England, on a ship called the Weymouth,
under the leadership of Captain Duncan Campbell.  Among the
passengers listed were: John Green age 39, Ann Green 30, John 6, James
5, Mary 7, Thomas 3, William 2, and Hannah 9.

It is interesting to know the John Kirkman family of Manchester,
England, also sailed from England to South Africa, the same year.

The Kirkman family set sail from Liverpool, England, on a ship called
the Stetnor.  Among the passengers listed were: John Kirkman age
33, Mary Kirkman 31, Albert 7, Hannah ll, Mary 4, Margaret 2, and
Martha 1.

Both ships left their English harbors late in December 1819, or early in
January 1820, and landed at Algoa Bay (now known as Port Elizabeth) South Africa, after a voyage of 120 days.

John Green married Margaret Kirkman, daughter of John and Mary Alice
Ashworth Kirkman, December 23, 1835.  To this union nine children
were born.  (see family group sheet)

John acquired what education he could from the schools in South Africa,
from good books and from practical experience.  When his father's
property was lost during a British Army skirmish with the Kaffirs
(natives of S.A.) naturally John and the other children had to do
without many of the comforts of life, as well as some of their formal
schooling.  However, the schooling John was able to obtain, along
with his reading and association with the people about him, secured for
him a position as a school teacher.  In this capacity he pursued
his own private studies and through his own perserverance [sic] and
ability he was admitted to the Bar to practice law. In this profession
he became a lawyer of high rank. He was courteous and polite and his
counsel and advice were constantly sought in such legal matters as
drawing and probating wills, settling of estates and corporations,
etc.  He was a gifted and fluent speaker and was often called on
to read in public.  (Apparently it was a custom of the time,
whether in public gatherings, at church, or in court, to read important
messages or addresses of educated men on subjects thought to be of
interest and benefit to the general public. On many such occasions,
John was called upon by the judge, minister or presiding officer to
read; it being generally recognized that he was among the best of
readers.)

John was equally successful at holding the attention of audiences when
deliveringing [sic] addresses. His pleadings at the court of law were
listened to with marked

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attention by judge, jurors and spectators alike.  All apparently
appreciated his mannor [sic] of gathering and sifting evidence and his
arranging and presentation of material.  These things, accompanied
with wit, wisdom and sincerity often won for him a victory. Needless to
say, he had a pleasing appearance, was kind and considerate of the
feelings of others, was firm in his convictions and powerful in speech
[sic].

In 1853, three missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, were sent from England to South Africa to open a mission there
for the preaching of the Gospel.  Elders Jesse Haven, Leonard I.
Harris and William H. W[a]lker, after embarking at England on February
11, 1853, docked at Capetown, South Africa, on April 19, of the same
year.  On May 23, they organized the Mission of South Africa and
baptized the first convert, Henry Stringer on June 15th.  Within
six months these three Elders had baptized 45 persons, organized two
branches and blessed a number of children.  A little more than a
year later, John was baptized by Elder Walker. He was baptized 29
September 1854, and on the same day, was confirmed a member of the
Church by Elder Walker.

It is interesting to read what Elder Walker wrote of John and Margaret
in the history of the South African Mission: "Sister Margaret Kirkman
Green was baptized into the Church February 17, 1854, by William H.
Walker.  After a meeting March 10, 1854, John Green informed me
that his wife had been restored to health through the power of God,
under my administration."

After reporting this faith healing of Margaret, Elder Walker tells of his meeting and baptizing John:

"I had concluded that the Lord did not require me to stay in
Grahamstown any longer, but I felt that I wanted to leave the people
without excuse, and now I could leave them and feel that my garments
would be clean from their blood in the day of judgment.  With
these convictions, I returned to Ft. Beaufort, where the Saints spared
no pains in providing for my comfort and wants, everything that I could
desire.  A few days before leaving Grahamstown, I had dreamed that
I was travelling [sic] under a great load, but in a short while I would
baptize a Mr. John Green, who would be the first.  At that time he
was in the Kat River Country and at that time it seemed the prospects
were more favorable that several should be baptized before Mr. Green.
[sic]

A few days after his arrival at Ft. Beaufort, Elder Walker writes:

"I went farther up the country to the borders of the Kaffir land to
extend my labors. I found John Green, the one of my dream, on Kat
River; his wife had been baptized some time before, but he was
favorably impressed.  I had lost my horse which Brother Parker had
given me, which left me on foot.  A few days later as I was about
to start on my regular circuit, Mr. Green came to me and tried to get a
horse for me, for he did not like to see me go on foot.  I told
him if he desired to be baptized i [sic] would stay, if not I would
continue my journey.  Before I had gone far he overtook me with a
horse and asked me to get on and ride. I did so; we travelled [sic] on
for about two miles, when we came to the forks of the road; here we
talked for sorne time, he insisting on me going back.  I said I
would go on one condition, as he hesitated, I continued my
journey.  He called to me and said if I would go back and stay
till the next day, he would be baptized.  I readily consented and
returned.  In the meantime he went some twenty miles away on
business, and when he returned he had with him the horse I had lost
some three weeks before.  On September 29, 1854, I baptized John
Green and confirmed him a member of the Church. [sic]

In 1912, Alexander Dawson of Layton, Utah, said that John Green was the
best Gospel speaker he had ever heard in his life. Which tells us a
great deal about this man, for not only did he use his talents and
abilities to gain a living, but also preached the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.

Margaret Kirkman Green and all her children except Mary Ann, left South
Africa for Utah, in 1863, John remained there to dispose of the
property and settle an estate in the courts for which he was the
solicitor.  He was to come to Utah the following year, but for
some reason or other, never came.

John died in the home of his daughter Mary Ann Green Robertson, in Alice, South Africa, in 1883.

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Margaret Kirkman, born 11 April 1817, Manchester, England, the fifth child of John and Mary Alice Ashworth Kirkman.

Margaret's parents emigrated from England to South Africa and were known among the Settlers of 1820 of South Africa.

Living conditions were very poor and many hardships were endured, as
all who attempted to settle new land found out.  Besides the
hardships of building homes, the Kaffir tribes continued to harrass
[sic] the settlers. They were constantly in danger of attack. 
This deprived the family of comforts and the necessities of life; and
interferred [sic] with the school training of the young people.

Margaret Kirkman and John Green were married 23 December 1835, and to
this union nine children were born, six sons and three daughters. 
(see family group sheet) Both parents were students of the Bible and
well versed in its teachings.

Margaret Kirkman Green was a woman of strong character, a deep thinker,
firm and true to her convictions. She was naturally religious, a devout
christian, a faithful wife, a loving mother and a true and trusted
friend.  She was honest and true to every principle of truth and
taught her children a faith in Jesus Christ, to be obedient and
submissive to law and authority and to earn their living by honorable
means. She was charitable and forgiving.

In 1853, three missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints were sent from England to South Africa to open a mission for the
preaching of the Gospel in Africa. They were Elders Jesse Haven,
Leonard I. Harris and William H. Walker.  They arrived at Cape
Town, April 19, 1853, sailing from England February 11, 1853, and on
May 23, 1853, they organized the Mission in South Africa and on June
15, 1853, Wednesday, Elder Leonard Harris baptized Henry Stringer, who
was the first person to be baptized in Africa and within six months the
Elders had baptized 45 persons, organized two branches and blessed a
number of children.

Shortly after the opening of the Mission for the preaching of the Gospel in
South Africa by the Elders of the Church, Margaret Kirkman Green met
the only Mormon Elder who came into that part of the country, heard his
message, listened
to it attentively and conversed with him, read the doctrine as taught
and was soon converted and baptized into the Church, being among the
early converts in Africa.  She was baptized by Elder William H.
Walker, February 17, 1854.  Her children were baptized and her
husband John Green, was baptized seven months later.

From the Journal of Elder Walker we read, "About the first of March
Margaret Kirkman Green was stricken with a serious illness, the Elders
were called in to administer to her, she was restored to her health
almost immediately.  This was an incident that greatly
strengthened the testimony of Margaret and John and their family. [sic]

Margaret Kirkman Green having accepted the Gospel and witnessing it by
being baptized received the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands which
gave her an abiding testimony of the divinity of the mission of Joseph
Smith and with this testimony came also the spirit of gathering to Zion
with the Saints of God and in accordance with that spirit and desire
she and all her children, except a daughter Mary Ann who was
married.  She also brought a granddaughter with her departing for
America, Leaving from Algoa Bay, now Port Elizabeth, March 21, 1863,
arriving in New York, May 24, 1863.

When they arrived in the United States the Civil War was raging, Almost
[sic] at once the sons of Margaret Green were called to join the armies
of the North.  This they did, and as a result her son John lost
the sight of one eye.

They joined a company of emigrants who were under the charge of Elder
John Stocks, they arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2, 1863.

Shortly after arriving in Utah, Margaret and her family settled in
Layton, where they lived in a dug out for a short time.  They
obtained about 100 acres of land which still remains under the same
name.

Her son George kept the place in Layton and Margaret went with her son
John and other members of the family, to Enterprise in Weber
Canyon.  The boys went in to the mountain and cut pine trees and
built a fine log cabin for their mother.  She was very proud of
this home.

John Green did not come with the family to Utah.  He stayed to
dispose of his estate and was to come the next year.  He defended
and helped to carry on the work of the Lord, after the missionaries
left Africa.  He died there before he could join his family. 
He and one son and one daughter are buried there.

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On one occasion a bundle of blankets and other items of wearing apparel
arrived from John in South Africa which was indeed needed.  Other
packages which he sent were never received.

During the last few years of Margaret's life she was confined to her
bed, but she remained faithful to her religion.  One morning in
March 1883, Margaret told her family she had dreamed their father had
died during the night.  She was upset, but felt very strongly that
it was so.  Three months later they received a letter from South
Africa stating John was dead.  He had died the same day Margaret
had dreamed about it.

Margaret Kirkman Green was a tender hearted woman with a loving
disposition and firm in her convictions; she was a lover of peace, a
defender of truth, Obedient to law, submissive to the authority of
God.  By her kindly disposition, her gentleness of manners and the
abundance of love of which she possessed, she not only held a powerful
influence over her children, but she gathered around her many friends
all of whom felt their lives had been made better by having known and
associated with such a character.  She met the problems of life as
they came with courage and never complained of her lot, but always was
cheerful and acknowledged that the Lord had been kind to her and her
family and bestowed many blessings upon her.

She was a frail woman, rather delicate, but wherever there was
sickness, there you would find Margaret Kirkman Green, always willing
to help lighten the load others were called to bear.  She was an
invalid for several years before her death and confined most of the
time to her bed, but in it all she never faltered in her faith or
shrank from duty and died with the testimony the Joseph Smith was a
Prophet of God and with a prayer in her heart that her children would
remain faithful to the end.  She died at her home in Enterprise,
Utah, at the age of 66 years, 5 months and 2 days, September 13, 1883.

Source: Green Family Organization (1974).  John Green Family Record Book (pp. 1-4)