True Grit: A Story about my 5th Great Grandmother, Tamson Parshley Egan.
Tamson was born in Barnstead, New Hampshire on July 27, 1825. She married Howard Egan in December, 1838. She was just thirteen and a half years old, he was 10 years her senior at 23. Four years later they both joined the Mormon church, having been taught by Elder Erastus Snow (D&C 111:2-3, 10) They set out for and settled in Nauvoo that same year.
Tamson and her husband Howard were a part of many of the great events that transpired in Nauvoo during those closing years and months of Joseph Smith’s life.
Tamson was left alone at Winter quarters during the summer of 1847, while her husband left with the Vanguard Company (the very first company to move West, accompanied and lead by the prophet Brigham Young), to scout out and find a new home for the Saints to build Zion. She wasn’t alone long though. No sooner had Howard arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, than he turned around and returned to Winter Quarters to retrieve his family. He and Tamson spent the winter together in Winter Quarters and set out the following spring for their new home.
Howard was a man of skill and capacity and was often called on to lead and help those in need. This left Tamson alone to fend for herself in the difficulties of pioneer life. She proved to be no less capable.
The following story has been related about Tamson descending the last stretch of Emmigration canyon before entering the Salt Lake Valley –
At the head or summit before entering the canyon, Major Egan was called to assist in some repairs that were necessary on Heber C. Kimball’s wagon, which made it necessary for Tamson to drive the team until he should catch up, which he expected would not be long. She had two yoke of oxen and a yoke of cows which she drove down the canyon. It was said that she missed more stumps and rocks than any other driver. She crossed the winding stream twenty seven times. Sometimes she would be ahead of the team, some times between the cattle and the wagon, to pass brush, trees and rocks. (Her son, Erastus, was in the wagon) Those of the family who could walk were on ahead. Mrs. Egan’s team led the way. It was humorously reported that someone ahead would holler out to her to tease, “Here is another creek, Mrs. Egan.” She being tired and weary and would holler back: “Damn the creeks.”
Tamson was a woman of grit and determination. I’m not sure that she wasn’t fearful, mournful, or intimidated by the challenges she faced in her life. Like many of her time, the challenges she was called to pass through likely brought moments of self doubt, fear, and even, certainly, regrettable failure at times. Still, in the face of challenge – the repeating and unrelenting waves of trials and difficulties – she was remembered for her call: “Damn the creeks!”
I think about that in my own life sometimes. When things are hard and worry overwhelms me. I remember how Tamson moved forward through difficulty, time and again. She would not be dissuaded from her path. She wouldn’t wait or whine when the moment to cross another creek came. Instead she moved forward, in spite of her weariness. Damn those creeks, or any other obstacle that came – she was following the Lord.