BIOGRAPHY: Zina D. H. Young; state of Utah

Transcribed by W. David Samuelsen
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EXPIRED COPYRIGHT (1884)

REPRESENTATIVE WOMEN OF DESERET

A BOOK OF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES TO ACCOMPANY THE PICTURE BEARING THE SAME
TITLE.

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY AUGUSTA JOYCE CROCHERON

ZINA D. H. YOUNG,
FIRST COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE L. D. S. WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS.

     "And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the
hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with
a curse." how fitting are these sacred words to the subject of this sketch and
her family. In obedimoe to this command renewed in this dispensation,
searching through their genealogical records for ten generations back, they
have brought forth to light, and to eternal life in the celestial kingdom of
God, the forgotten and unknown ancestry of their family, finding now and then
some noble representative of their race linked with even a kingdom's honor,
and at last, far back, upon the throne of England.

     Sister Zina's career of religious devotion and service is not a new
feature in the Huntington family, nor America a new field of labor to them.
One hundred years ago Lady Salina Huntington, saving to herself only
sufficient for the real needs of life, devoted a great portion of her vast
fortune to missionary service, for theintroduction of Christianity among the
North American Indians, by the founding of schools for the natives and the
support of ministers and teachers. "She allowed herself but one dress a year.
Lady Salina Huntington was the second daughter of the Earl of Ferrars. She was
born in 1707, and was the co-laborer of Whitefield and Wesley. 'The pedigree
of Lady Huntington and her husband, and of George Washington, first President
of the United States, (as traced by Mapleson in his researches) meet in the
same parentage.' 'Lady Huntington and her chaplains often journeyed during the
summer, making their presence a means of religious revivals wherever they
went. A church needed. With her, to resolve was to accomplish. Her jewels she
determined to offer to the Lord. They were sold for six hundred and
ninety-eight pounds, and with this she erected a house of worship in 1760. Her
daughter, Lady Salina, was one of the six earls daughters chosen to assist the
Princess Augusta to bear the train of Queen Charlotte on her coronatiion day."
Did it foreshadow an era of revelations dawning upon the world, when she
prayed "that God would give us new bread, not stale, but what was baked in the
oven that day." Lady Huntington built seven chapels, her private property,
beside aiding sixty others1 At the age of eighty-four a few hours before the
last struggle she whispered joyfully, "I shall go to my Father tonight," and
so she went honie, June 17th, 1791.

     Thus by birthright and by heritage is the land of Freedom the
Huntingtons field of religious labor. The mantles of Lady Huntington and
remoter noble ancestors have at last been lifted from the silence and the
shadows of departed centuries to the shoulders of worthy descendants and
representatives, who are doing works of greater magnitude than they ever
comprehended. Superintended by Dimock B. Huntington, and assisted by the
family, Zina and her sister Prescinda have been baptized for ten generations,
numbering nearly five thousand.

     By permission I select from matter collected and published by Emmeline
B. Wells, in Woman's Exponent the following portions of biography:

     "Zina Diantha Huntington was born January 31st, 1821, at Watertown. Her
father was William Huntington, her mother Zina Baker, whose father was one of
the first physicians in New Hampshire. Her grandmother on the mother's side
was Dorcas Dimock, 'descended from the noble family of Dimocks, whose
representatives held the hereditary knight-championship of England; instance:
Sir Edward Dymock, Queen Elizabeth's champion."

     "The father of Mrs. Zina D. H. Young was also a patriot and served in
the war of 1812. Samuel Huntington, one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence, was the uncle of this old revolutionary soldier. She says: 'My
fathers family is directly descended from Simon Huntington, the Puritan
immigrant who sailed for America in 1633. He died at sea, but left three sons
and his widow, Margaret. The church records of Roxbury, Mass., contain the
earliest record of the Huntington name known in New England, and is in the
handwriting of the Rev, John Elliot himself, the pastor of that ancient
church. This is the record: 'Margaret Huntington, widow, came in 1633, her
husband died by the way of small pox. She brought children with her.' 'My
grandfather, Wm. Huntington, the revolutionary soldier, married Prescinda
Lathrop, and was one of the first settlers in the Black River Valley, Northern
New York. The Huntingtons and Lathrops intermarried, and my sister Prescinda
Lathrop Huntington, bears the family name of generations. The Huntingtons
embraced the Gospel at Watertown, New York, and Zina D., when only fifteen
years old was baptized by the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, August 14th, 1835, and
soon after went to Kirtland with her father's family. In this year she
received the gift of tongues, On one occasion in the Kirtland Temple she heard
a whole invisible choir of angels singing, till the house seemed filled with
numberless voices. At Kirkland she received the gilt of interpretation. She
was also at the memorable Pentecost when the spirit of God filled the house
like a tnighty, rushing wind. Zina was also a member of the Kirtland Temple
Choir, of whom but few are now living.

     Sister Zina experienced the persecutions in Missouri, during which the
mother died from fatigue and privation, and only two of their family were able
to follow her remains to their resting place. She says; "Thus died my martyred
mother."

     Sister Zina was married in Nauvoo, and had two sons, but this not
proving a happy union, she subsequently separated from her husband. Joseph
Smith taught her the principle of marriage for eternity, and she accepted it
as a divine revelation, and was sealed to the Prophet for time and eternity,
after the order of the new and everlasting Covenant.

     Sister Zina was a member of the first organization of the Relief Society
at Nauvoo, and when the Temple was ready for the oMinances to be performed,
received there her blessings and endowments. After the martyrdom of the
Prophet Joseph and Hyrum, she was united in marriage for time to Brigham
Young, and with the Saints left Nauvoo in the month of Feb. mary, crossing the
Mississippi on the ice. Arriving at Mt. Pisgah, a resting place for the
exiles, Father Huntington was called to preside and Zina D., with her two
little boys remained with him temporarily. Sickness visited the camp, and
deaths were so frequent that help could not be obtained to make coffins. Many
were buried with split logs at the bottom of the grave and brush at the sides,
that being all that could be done by mourning friends. Her father was taken
sick, in eighteen days he died. After these days of trial she went to Winter
Quarters, and was welcomed into the family of Brigham Young. With them, she in
May 1848, began the journey to this valley, walking, driving team, cooking
beside camp-fires, and in September arrived here, living in tents and wagons
until log houses could be built. Here, April 3rd, 1850, was born Zina,
daughter of Brigham Young and Zina D. Young.

     When the Relief Society was reorganized in Utah by President Brigham
Young, Sister Zina was one of the first identified with that work, as
Treasurer, and when Sister Eliza was called to preside over all the Relief
Societies, she chose Zina as her Counselor.

     One of the most useful fields of her labor, has been sericulture. She
has raised cocoons, attending to them with her own hands, and had charge of a
large cocoonery and mulberry orchard belonging to President Young. When the
Silk Association was organized, June 15th, 1876, she was chosen President.
Great good was accomplished, mulberry trees were planted and cocoons raised in
every part of the Territory where the climate would permit. A good article of
silk was manufactured with home machinery." Sister Zina also took a course of
medical studies, being perhaps the first to adopt the wish of President Young,
for as many of the sisters as would be useful for the practice in the many
settlements, among their own sex; to qualify themselves. Ladies came from
different settlements, stimulated by her example. "In all departments of
woman's labor for the public good, Sister Zina had been found at her post
doing her share of active work in the best wanner possible. She has traveled
among the different settlements visiting organized societies, or assisting
Sister Eliza or the local authorities in organizing. "At a Mass Meeting of
ladies held in this city, November 16th, 1878, Sister Zina delivered a very
eloquent impromptu address." I was one of the reporters on that occasion, and
noting the increasing earnestness in her voice and words, raised my eyes to
her standing just before the table we were using. Suddenly, as though her
words struck home like an electric shock, several gentlemen sitting at my
right hand, clutching the arms of their chairs, started as though they would
rise to their feet; their faces burning with the truths they heard, their eyes
fixed upon her fearless face and uplifted hands. I can never forget that
moment. It was more than eloquence, it was inspiration. I will quote that
portion of her address.

     "The principle of our religion that is assailed is one that iles deep in
my heart. Could I ask the heavens to listen; could I beseech the earth to be
still, and the brave men who possess the spirit of a Washington to hear what I
am about to say. I am the daughter of a Master Mason! I am the widow of a
Master Mason, who, when leaping from the window of Carthage Jail pierced with
bullets, made the Masonic sign of distress; but, gentlemen, (addressing the
representatives of the press that were present) those signs were not heeded
except by the God of heaven. That man, the Prophet of the Almighty, was
massacred without mercy! Sisters, this is the first time in my life that I
have dared to give utterance to this fact, but I thought I could trust my soul
to say it on this occasion; and I say it now in the fear of Israel's God, and
I say it in the presence of these gentlemen and I wish my voice could be heard
by the whole brotherhood of Masons through.. out our proud land. That
institution I honor. If its principles were practiced and strictly adhered to
would there be a trespass upon virtue? No indeed. Would the honorable wife or
daughter be intruded upon with impunity? Nay, verily. Would that the ladies of
America, with the honorable Mrs. Hayes at their head; would that the Congress
of the United States, the law makers of our nation, could produce a balm for
the many evils which exist in our land through the abuse of virtue, or could
so legislate that virtue could be protected and cherished as the life which
heaven has given us. We in common with many women throughout our broad land
would hail with joy the approach of such deliverance, for such is the
deliverance that woman needs. The principle of plural marriage is honorable;
it is, a principle of the Gods, it is heaven born. God revealed it to us as a
saving principle; we have accepted it as such, and we know it is of him for
the fruits of it are holy. Even the Saviour, Himself, traces his lineage back
to polygamic parents. We are proud of the principle because we know its true
worth, and we want our children to practice it, that through us a race of men
and women may grow up possessing sound minds in sound bodies, who shall live
to the age of a tree." "During the summer of 1879, Sister Zina decided to take
a trip to the Sandwich Islands for her health, and was accompanied by Miss
Susa Young. She had the opportunity of meeting many persons of note to whom
she imparted correct information regarding our people; distributing tracts and
books. Great respect was paid her and many ovations. She assisted the native
members of our church in getting an organ for their meetings, and contributed
liberally for other benevolent purposes." "“On her return she spent most of
her time attending meetings of the various organizations. Sericulture was not
forgotten or neglected. She also continued her labors in the House of the
Lord. In the tall of 1880, Sisters Zina and Eliza went to St. George, to labor
in the Temple, and visit the organizations of the women and children, wherever
practicable. They held meetings by the way, often camped out over night, and
traveled thus over one thousand miles. Returning March 31st, 1881, they were
met at the depot by a party of thirty ladies, in carriages, who es corted them
to the Lion House where a reception of welcome home awaited them.

     August 20th, 1881, Sister Zina, accompanied by her foster son, Lieut.
Willard Young, started for New York to gather up the records of her relatives.
Dr. E. B. Ferguson was going to pursue her medical studies further in some
branches, to be of greater service among the people. Previous to their going,
they were blest and set apart by the First Presidency of the Church, to speak
upon the principles of our faith if opportunity presented.

     Sister Zina was cordially received by her relatives, and invited to
speak in Sunday School and Temperance Meetings. Visited New York City, and
listened to many celebrated divines. Attended the Woman's Congress at Buffalo,
N. Y., but was refused five minutes to represent the women of Utah. Visited
Watertown, N. Y., then to Vermont, and thence to Albany Co., and spoke in
several meetings. Sister Zina returned to New York to attend the N. W. S. A.
Convention, without opportunity of addressing them. She however assisted the
brethren in organizing a Relief Society in New York. With Lieut. Willard Young
she visited West Point. Mrs. Young returned to this city March 7th, received
by her daughters and many friends, the return being the occasion for a most
delightful party. On the Friday following, the Relief Society Conference
convened, and her many friends had the opportunity of welcoming her home.

     Picture and words are alike powerless to convey the beauty of her face,
her spirit and her life. Each succeeding year adds a tenderer line to her
face, a sweeter, gentler intonation to her voice, a more perceptible power to
her spirit from the celestial fountains of faith; widens the circle of her
friends, strengthens and deepens their love for her, and brings a richer
harvest of noble labors to her name. Could 1 say more? I could not say less of
her who has for eighteen years been my most intimate friend, my counselor, my
second mother. A mother, not to me alone, to her belongs in its sweetest,
widest sense, the name a "mother in Israel."