SAYING HELLO, SAYING GOODBYE...

New babies came again to the family. Charlotte's first child, born a year after the move to Ephraim, only lived long enough to be christened with the name Ephraim. Sarah had another son they named John Morset in 1868 and the following month Charlotte had a little boy they named Thomas.

During the winter months, Peter had been keeping steady company with a lovely girl, Johanna Thompson. Sanie had been going with a the handsome Anthon Lund, who had came over from Denmark. Often on moonlit nights during the spring, the four of them would go for rides in the surry or on horseback. It therefor came as no surprise to  Canute and Sarah when the young people announced they wanted to be married in May.......


At practically the same time, Canute received word he was needed to go to Scandinavia to preside over the Mission there. The Peterson household again was in a flurry of work and preparations, both for the double wedding and Canute's departure from them for two years.

The emotions of the family as they gathered around to see them off was indeed mixed. The joy and good wishes for the young couples, and the heartache of once more saying goodbye to their beloved husband and father.  After kissing his numerous sons and daughters goodbye, Canute in turn embraced and kissed his wives, with Charlotte being the first. She clung to him sobbing, this being her first experience at bidding him farewell. Marie next bid him goodbye with expediency, this being her second time to see him off. Then coming to Sarah, he held her close and long, their love flowing in wordless silence.

"Take good care of the family Sack" were Canute's last words as they drove away. "God bless you" Sarah called. This was her third farewell to the man she adored as he left on a  mission. The thoughts came to her that this time Canute would not marry again.

As the five of them rode away, the young folks to have their marriages performed and Canute to start off on another journey to Norway, Sarah cheerily called out "Well, come on everybody, there's much to be done before the newlyweds return."

Charlotte turned away and walked off thinking Sarah's cheerfulness was out of place at such a grave time as this was. Little did she know the heartache Sarah was covering up with her chatter at not only saying goodbye to her husband, but also the ache that comes to a mother when her children marry. She knew the worries and responsibilities that comes with marriage and here were her two first fledglings stepping off the nest in their trial flight at independence and struggle. And while she was very happy for them, and their choice of mates, she still felt that inexplicable heartache.

Three days after their marriage, the young couples returned to a big celebration. The whole town gathered and there was plenty of food, dancing and laughter. The next day they moved into a long adobe house, two blocks away, until they could get their own separate homes built.  *Note* these homes are still standing. I'll share pictures soon.

It seemed there was a race on to see which of the couples would be the first to present Sarah with her first grandchild. They both wanted this honor, so there was much anxiety and speculation with the approaching event. As the time grew closer, Peter chided his beloved sister Sanie by  saying she would have to hurry if she was going to have the first grandchild. Sanie would always laugh and say she was the better runner and would come in first. And sure enough, just three days ahead of Johanna, Sanie gave birth to a little boy they named Anthon Canute.

When Peter and Johanna's baby arrived, it was a girl. Peter was very proud and happy. Taking hold of her little hand, he fondly told her how cute she was and although she didn't hurry faster to beat her little cousin, she was Sara's first grand daughter, so he would name her after her grandmother. Sarah. *Note* She was called Saze..Aunt Saze to me..I knew her when I was a little girl.

Two years later Sanie and Antone had their second child, another son, and that same year another daughter was born to Peter and Johanna. Six months after Canute had left, Charlotte gave birth to her third child, a little girl. Sarah had always taken care of the two other wives when they had their babies. She now attended to the births of her grandchildren, taking care of the mothers and babies during the laying-in period. To her it seemed the chain of births was an unbroken sequence. None the less, she gave each one in turn her full measure of love, attention and devotion.

Much work and activity helped speed the time that Canute was gone. The two years soon passed and he returned home in 1872. This time he brought with him the biggest company of coverts he'd ever brought. Nine hundred people had come with him from the Scandinavian countries.


Many of them came on to Sanpete, settling in the different communities and settlements. More Scandinavian names were added to the list of already confusingly similar 'sons' and 'sens' It was confusing to know who someone was speaking to or about. For instance, one night in a meeting, a presiding leader asked 'Brother Peterson' to please say a prayer. Twenty men stood up to do his bidding. which made him explain he meant Peter Peterson, so six of the men sat down. Some means of identification had to be devised so the system of nicknaming was put into use.

*Note* Aunt Edith has added a whole page of some of the nicknames used. They're quite comical and some are still used today. Seems that's something that was never changed around here. If anyone want's to read them, I'll post them another time. Let me know.

In 1873 Charlotte's fourth child, a girl, was born.

Two years later Sanie and Antone had a baby girl they named Daisy. She was a beautiful child but only lived seven months. At this time they were now living in the home they had built only one block from Sarah's home. Antone had also built a large store building and had gone into the furniture business.

Peter had built a home just north of Sanie's. In the year 1876 he and Johanna became the proud parents of their first son, given the name of Peter Canute. * Note* I remember him as Uncle Peetie.

On the 7th of February, 1876, Charlotte gave birth to a lovely baby girl they named Ida Albertina. She was the last of Canute's children.....


And yes, there's more story coming...


REMEMBER...
The THIRD GIVEAWAY POST..

See ya Yesterday..