William's Family

After William's mission ended in about 1857, he moved his family back to Sheffield. There he again worked as a cutler to provide for his family. He made a good living and worked conscientiously to provide for his family.
However, he did not buy expensive furniture or keep his family in any extravagance. He wanted to bring his family to Zion and knew that he needed to save all the money he could.
Two more children came to bless their home. Henry Ammon was born 29 November 1857 and Florence Ellen was born 28 April 1860.
William's children would run to meet him as he came home Saturday nights with his paychecks. He never forgot to bring them some nuts or fruit. He never bought candy for them however.
In 1860 when Harriet was four years old, she was run over by a heavy dray wagon. The man driving was late and had taken a shortcut though their narrow street. Large wagons were not really allowed down that street, but he took a chance. The children playing in the street ran for safety as the big wagon came speeding along. Harriet was knocked down and then run over by the wagon. William was sent for as well as a doctor. Her toes were smashed to pieces. The doctor said they would have to be taken off. William said, “No, No, I will not have them taken off.”
At that the doctor became angry, “Well if you know more than I—all right I'm leaving.” And he left in a huff.
William washed the toes very carefully and anointed them with oil. He then gave her a priesthood blessing. He put cotton around each little toe and did them up. They soon healed and left no ill effects.
The poor wagon driver begged William, “Please don't report me, it means losing my job, and I have a family to keep.” William must have believed that the man would be more careful from then on because he never did report him.
Living in Sheffield, they often saw Ellen's parents and siblings. Harriet writes, “My earliest recollections were pleasant visits to Grandmother's home. They were religious in their lives. I remember them always saying grace at mealtime and prayers at night.” In another place she wrote, “They always treated us very kindly, but none of them joined the L.D.S. Church” (Allen).
When Harriet was old enough William and Ellen sent her to school. Unfortunately prejudice against the Mormons was even in the schools. The other children were unkind and would pull her curls. She was so ill-treated that William and Ellen took her out of school and taught her at home.