Family Search The Cole(s) and Tilbury Lines
Esther Tucker (nee Bonner) and William Tucker
Esther was our Second Great Grand Aunt and was born on 6th February 1802 and christened on 7th March 1802 at Peperharrow, Godalming, Surrey. She was one of five children born to Robert Bonner and Sarah Bridger.
She married William Tucker on 17th October 1824 and both signed with an X mark. They had five children and their last two children were born at Thorncombe Street, Godalming.
A missionary from the Church of Latter Day Saints visited Godalming and they were both converted to the Church and sailed for America. They are listed in the "Crossing the Ocean Index" on the "Elvira Owens" on 15th February 1853. Only one of their children converted and sailed with them, namely, Harriet.
The Emigration Index listed William as a farmer age 51, Esther as 51 and Harriet as 24 years of age. The address given was Hare Lane in the Three Lions, Godalming, Surrey.
The Journal History gave the following information:
"September 19th 1853 - companies which crossed the plains in 1853 was led by one of the Immigrating Elder Cyrus A Wheelock. Men and women in the Ten Pound Company included: William Tucker, Thomas Bull, Esther Tucker and Harriet Tucker".
The three tuckers were "sealed" in the Salt Lake Endowment House by Heber C Kimball and subsequently baptized and confirmed.
Esther died in the early 1850's and was buried in the Heber C Kimball Private Cemetery. This was confirmed in the records under the section "Friends buried in that Cemetery".
William remarried and led a full and active life with a very close relationship with the family of Heber C Kimball. He was referred to as Father Tucker in various papers and reports.
He became gardening overseer to the President of the Church of Latter Day Saints.
In some articles found in the "Deseret News", one in 1892 and one in 18895 we find the following about William:
"Father William Tucker, of the Eighteenth Ward, yesterday celebrated the ninety second anniversary of his birth, having been born on January 19, 1801. Mrs. Hannah Snow, aided by Mrs. Seckels, prepared a birthday feast which was participated in by sixteen persons, who assembled at the residency of the aged veteran on First North Street. Brother Robert Patrick and William B Barton, with their wives and several ladies of the Kimball families, with other immediate neighbors and friends made up a pleasant social, at which Father Tucker was not the least active. He bids fair to witness several more anniversaries, if not to become a centenarian. The social was not a fashionable affair, but was decidedly Christian. There will be no publication of elaborate descriptions of the dresses worn by the participants."
"Ninety-fifth birthday celebrated - on Tuesday Father William Tucker, of the Eighteenth Ward, completed his ninety-fourth year, and occasion was taken to celebrate at his residency No. 41 East First North Street, his ninety-fifth birthday; when twenty of his old-time neighbors and friends, including Bishop O F Whitney and counselor Wm. Barton, and their wives, gathered to partake of a light repast, gotten up at the instigation of Sister Anna Snow. Tuesday was the fourteenth successive birthday party given in honor of the aged and respected gentleman."
William passed away 4 May 1895 and was buried 7 May 1895 in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. His obituary found in the "Deserat News" reads as follows:
"Tucker - at his residency 41 East First North Street on Sunday morning at 6:00 0/clock William Tucker aged 94 years.
Father Tucker was nearly a centenarian; died peacefully, retaining his senses to the last. He was born January 20, 1801 at Godalming, Surrey, England and was widely known, having been gardener for President Heber C Kimball for fifteen years".