A Sketch of the Life of Sarah (Sally) Ann Ricks Smith

by A.E. Smith

Sarah Ann Ricks Smith was born 28 December 1832 in Olive Township, Madison County, Illinois, a daughter of Joel and Eleanor Martin Ricks.  The Ricks family had moved from Trigg County, Kentucky, to Illinois in the year 1829.   

Sally Ann spent her early childhood with the family in this locality.  In the summer of 1841, she joined  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with other members of the Ricks family.  They were baptized by George Boosinger. In 1845 they moved to Nauvoo where Father Ricks built a home and assisted in the building and dedication of the Nauvoo Temple. 

Times were hard and persecution almost unbearable.  When the Mormon people decided to leave Nauvoo, Joel moved his family across the state of Iowa and located on Silver Creek near Council Bluffs.  The family lived here until the spring of 1848 when they joined the pioneer company led by Heber C. Kimball and crossed the plains to Utah.

History records that she married Silas Sanford Smith on March 17, 1853, and soon thereafter moved with him to Parowan, a frontier settlement in Southern Utah.

In personal appearance Sally Ann was very fair, had sandy hair, and a beautiful complexion.  She was of medium build and possessed a mild and quiet disposition.  She was not easily discouraged and had an abiding and a sustaining faith in her husband and her religion.

Little is known of her hobbies and pasttimes.  Presumably she, like other pioneer women of the time, was pretty much occupied in keeping her little family clothed and fed.  She did have a hobby, however, and she left to us some beautiful and well­executed samples of her crocheting and quilting, which are among the treasured possessions of the family.

It is stated by relatives that because of the great distance away, the slow method of travel, and the danger of Indian attacks, home visits were rare.  She visited her home and parents only once after her marriage and her move south and, at that time, so great was her gratitude that she wept for joy.

Indians were a constant threat to the inhabitants of the early settlements and in the first few years of their married life, Silas found it necessary to spend a large part of his time in the military service, recovering stolen livestock, and punishing the offenders. 

While he was away, the family frequently found it necessary to take refuge in the fort under the protection of the home guard.

The five children born to this good mother were: John Aiken, Mary Eleanor, Hortense, Albert Ricks, and Hyrum Barton.  On June 30, 1864, fourteen days after the birth of Hyrum Barton, the mother died, leaving the care of the family to the father, to the relatives, and to friends.  Hyrum was a delicate child and died when only two months old.