DEATH OF JULIA BOICE
This life story is located in my grandmother
Leta Boice Boutwell’s Book of Remembrance
(Spelling and punctuation corrections have been made
– no changes were made to the sentence structure or
voice – other corrections will be shown in parenthesis –
Linda Fretwell Duchaine – June 2007)
This story was originally written by Julia’s stepmother
Samantha Tryphena Brimhall Boice Foley
Daughter of Benjamin Boice and Martha Eliza Philpot, sister of John Edwin Boice. The beautiful young woman
of whom I am about to write died at the age of sixteen, about two miles south of the village of Oxford, Idaho 10
June 1876.
Her mother who had passed on about three years before had been a survivor of the Hand Cart Company
(Martin Hand Cart Company not sure she was with the Martin company, but this is a historic reference) of
1856. Julia was the oldest of her mother’s eight children whom she was called to leave at the age of twenty-
nine years.
One child had gone before her to the other side, leaving a family of five boys and two girls. The Mother had
always been frail on account of helping to draw a Hand Cart across the Continent at the age of 13, and her
natural faculties had caused Julia to be burdened with many of her Mother’s cares in the raising of the
younger children. Although her mother was frail, she was very exacting as to her own appearance as well as
that of her house and children. After the demise of her Mother, Julia allowed her energy to slacken and was
not so precise in her dress and housekeeping. Tired and listless, one day she lay down upon a day bed and
soon fell asleep, and when she awoke, she said that her Mother had appeared to her and as her wont was
dressed very neatly as she had always appeared during lifetime. Julia took this as a gentle rebuke for the
listless habits which she had fallen into. She also stated that she felt her mother’s hand upon her head as she
said: “Julia, You will live three years to help take care of my children and then you will come to me where I am.”
Many of Julia’s friends tried to persuade her that it was only a dream and best to forget it, but she knew and
was not turned aside from her convictions. Strange things happen: and after all the many years of my sojourn
on earth I have never found a suitable reason to explain why I have become the stepmother of Julia before her
Mother had been gone a year. Perhaps it was because I had been raised in a large family and that the raising
of the children was the one and only object in life. She was scarcely past thirteen years of age, and I scarcely
past fifteen years of age when our relationship began. We were neighborhood children and had gone to the
same school, yet she had learned more of cooking and housekeeping while I could take a bag of wool – card,
spin and ye it and then weave it and cut and make me a dress. So while she know some things, I knew others,
and we got along with the care of the six children. We worked and we played as other children do. I was clever
with a needle and loved to make clothes for the children, especially the younger girl Ellnora, who was about
five years old, a very pretty but delicate child.
About one year went by quite smoothly until a mortgage long over due on the home was foreclosed, and we
were compelled to go out and live in Stringtown, about two miles from the village, where neighbors lived on
farms some distance apart and the main highway ran along the east side of a lofty and verdant mountain
chain. Here in a one log house with a bowery over the east door the family were huddled to begin life anew.
Julia’s health was on the decline, and so was that of her little sister. The fraternal grandparents had taken the
little one to their home and were caring for her and her younger brother. It was here in this room that Calvin,
my own first child was born in the month of Oct, 1875. Julia was there, and with the aid of my own mother, I was
soon able to assume the duties of the household. Will say here of Julia, that she was a true and honest friend.
A girl of remarkably good sense. She realized the great responsibility had fallen on me in the care of her
mother’s helpless children. She had confidence in me and always treated me with respect. The winter months
of 75 & 76 fell hard upon her and a consumptive cough revealed the danger she was in. Yet, she came and
went with friends and bravely enjoyed the strength she had which she well knew was on the wane. Her bed and
mine were on a line with each other on the same side of the room. This was for her convenience for her voice
had failed, and she could only speak in a whisper which she knew always awakened me from my sleep at
night. She called me “Smantee” as that was a nickname from my school days, and which I preferred the
children to call me.
To the neglect of my own baby girl, a laundry decorated the clothes line each day and Julia was kept neat and
clean. Just after midnight on the morning of 10 May, she awoke and called “Smantee”, who in turn called her
father who lit a candle and went to her bed. She had been stricken with a pain in her heart and needed
attention. We arranged warm applications and with simple remedies, she found relief, but not consent to our
remaining up with her or even to leave the candle burning. So according to her directions we lay down again.
When I went to her in the morning, I noticed a great change in her countenance and she said: “Smantee,” I am
going to die today. I tried to dissuade her, but her features revealed that she spoke the truth. I asked what it
was that we could do to please her, then she began giving orders for the coming event. First, she wanted us to
send for her Grandmother to come and help give her a bath, including the washing of her braided hair which
was to be put on curlers after her demise. Her Grandmother came and her order as to the bath was filled. Of
course, in that neighborhood the news went from house to house of what was going on. Her many friends were
allowed admittance only so far as to take a short look at her from the door. After her bath, she had desire to sit
in the rocker for a while. It seemed I see her sitting there, composed with her eyes filled with a bright luster as
they had never been before, her only answer to the salute of her friends was the peaceful smile which lit her
face. When the noonday had passed she said: “I want to go to bed now and want my Grandfather and Brother
Hepworth to come and administer to me.” She was put to bed and a conveyance went to bring the desired
visitors. They came and she was anointed by Joseph Hepworth and the anointment confirmed by her
grandfather Patriarch John Boice. He simply dedicated her to the Lord, and told her she should not taste of
death but be gathered to her mother’s people in Peace. After leaving her with this blessing, they went away
and Julia said: “Lay me down now, I want to go to sleep.”
She went to sleep while I, with three others, sat outside under the Bowery. But I felt uneasy and with my babe
in my arms, I stole softly into the room time and time again. Finally, at about four in the afternoon, she looked
up at me and said, “Smantee, I am dying now.” I hailed her Father and two lady friends who were sitting
outside. They went to her, she said, “Raise me up.” She was sitting against the prop of pillows. She seemed to
speak in a louder whisper than before and left kind regards to all her friends and appreciation of all they had
done for her. She spoke of her five little brothers and told them to be good. She requested that her Temple
work be done and that she should be sealed to a worthy young man whom she loved. Finally, she looked at
me and said, “Smantee, I will tell Mother that you have been good to me, to which I replied, “Alright Julia.” Then
her peaceful head lay back on the pillow, and she went fast asleep to awaken no more in this world where we
had, had a rich experience in many arts that few of her tender age will ever know. One month later little Elnora
died.
Written by Samantha T. Foley
(Samantha was the 2nd wife of Benjamin Boice and after his death she married Andrew Foley in 1899 – she
died in 1948.)
___________________________________________________________________________
Some biographic details about Samantha:
Samantha Tryphena Brimhall Foley was born in Ogden, Utah, on 22 March 1858. She was a member of the
"community of saints" who settled the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado, and spent ten years in the
villages of Los Cerritos and Manassa. In the Spring of 1888 or 1889, Samantha and her family left Colorado
and, traveling in two horse-drawn wagons, followed the Rio Grande to Albuquerque, New Mexico. They arrived
in Albuquerque at the time of a diptheria epidemic, and two of her five children died of the disease within a few
days of one another. Griefstricken, Samantha prayed, and heard a "sweet small voice," which directed her to
study Spanish. She began her study of Spanish while riding on the wagon seat, as she and her family
continued on their journey to Mexico. Her knowledge of the language provided purpose and meaning to her
life, the remainder of which was spent working with Mexican converts. She helped found the colony of Dublan
in the Mexican province of Chihuahua, where she was widowed within the first year. Samantha lived in the
colony of Juarez, in Casa Grandes, and in "the city of Mexico" for the next several years, teaching school and
acting as an interpreter. She married Andrew L. Foley on 5 January 1899. Their son, Andrew B. Foley, was
born two years later. The Foleys returned to Salt Lake City in 1904, where Samantha studied nursing at LDS
University. She was certified by the Utah State Medical Board in 1905. As her health was too poor for the
practice of nursing, she taught Spanish and worked as a translator. After the death of Andrew L. Foley,
Samantha settled in Southern California with her son. While in Southern California, she served as Director of
Theology for the Relief Society, did genealogical work, and was active in the movement to include Spanish-
taught classes in the local Sunday schools. She died on 5 November 1948, in Rosemead, California.
also written by Samantha:
This sketch prepared by Samantha T. Brimhall Foley
appeared in the Women's Exponent in 1910.
In among the many noble women who embraced the Gospel in the early days of the Church was Philomelia
Smith, daughter of Parker Smith and Sarah (Sally) Loomis, she being their sixth child and born in Brookfield,
Prince County, Vermont, 13 April 1794. At the age of twelve she was bereaved of her mother and left to the
care of her grandmother, Sarah Huntington Loomis who, although crippled with age, sat in her armchair and
gave her daughter's children the benefit of her wise counsel in domestic training, and also her deep religious
conviction, which was a natural result of all those who were favored by a rich flow of Puritan blood in their
veins. Many of those splendid principles are embodied in the following verses which have been handed down
to posterity by the poor lame Grandmother as she addressed herself to Philomelia who was bereaved of a little
brother.
Your little brother is dead and gone;
We all must die before 'tis long.
And when you think he young did die
Say, In the grave I soon may lie.
And may you early learn to know
Good children's souls to God do go;
At last their bodies sure will rise
To dwell with him above the skies.
She also wrote the following acrostic for Philomelia:
"Your poor, lame grandmother has made and written this for you, and you must have it rolled on a round stick
and keep it a long time to remember me by."
Pretty girls should always mind
How they talk and spend their time,
If they strive with all their might,
Learn to spin, sew, read, and write;
Obey their parents and they'll see
Most glad they surely then will be.
Even brother must be kind,
Love sisters, too, and always mind
And never quarrel, so repine.
Some little girls are so pretty
Many would call them very witty.
If they are proud they soon will know
That shame is lurking there below,
Hence friends will turn, they'll find it so.
Thus trained to love God and home, Philomelia was capable of taking upon herself the duties of a wife and
mother. At the age of eighteen years she married Ira Smith, [2 January 1812] and with him become the mother
of five children, viz. Lymon, James Harvey, Elizabeth, Boardman, Josiah William, and Esther.
Ira Smith died in the 36th year of his age. Philomelia then became the wife of James Lake [8 September
1823] and with him again the mother of ten children: Sabra, William Bailey, Barnabus, Clara, Jane, Lydia Ann,
Moroni, Samantha, George, and Sarah Amanda. She was a wise and loving mother and was noted for the
neatness and order of her home. She was adept in all home manufacture. She knew the art of spinning, and of
dyeing the most beautiful colors, and in the weaving of many kinds of cloth, she also excelled. Her fame as a
maker of the best flavored butter and cheese was known wherever her name was heard.
Her children partook of her meek and docile, yet lofty and noble nature and when the Gospel came to them
in Upper Canada, she with her husband and family were some of the first ones to embrace it. Philomelia was
baptized 31 December 1832.
Brigham Young took the gospel to them and they were baptized by Eleazer Miller. Their house was always a
welcome place for the Elders traveling in Canada. Brigham Young making their home his home for a year or
more.
They gathered with the Saints in Kirtland and shared all the hardships of early days. James Lake with an ox
team and assisted by his sons, handled the first cornerstone to the Kirtland Temple and helped to lay it in its
place, at the beginning of temple-building in this dispensation.
Philomelia Smith Lake received a Patriarchal blessing under the hands of Joseph Smith, Sr. the father of
Prophet Joseph Smith, in which he called her "Beloved of the Lord" which name was most appropriate, for she
not only was beloved by the Lord but by all who knew her. She was tall and graceful, with broad forehead and
full dark brown eyes, her dark brown hair was silken and luxuriant and the noble name of mother was
appropriate to her in its most dignified meaning. Her husband was appointed captain of fifty and was
successful in arriving in the Valley in the fall of 1850. They settled four miles north of Ogden City on a farm.
James Lake was ordained a patriarch and many of the saints of Weber County were comforted through the
blessing they received at his hands.
He was a member of the high council and with his wife enjoyed the honor and esteem of all who knew them,
while almost worshipped by a numerous posterity, members of which can be found in nearly every settlement
of the states and from Canada to Mexico. I have often thought of the life career of my Grandmother and have
led to exclaim:
"If every soul were of such worth,
Nearer would heaven be to earth."
--Samantha T. Brimhall-Foley
Philomelia Smith Lake died on 20 March 1873 in Oxford, Oneida County, Idaho.
This life story is located in my grandmother
Leta Boice Boutwell’s Book of Remembrance
(Spelling and punctuation corrections have been made
– no changes were made to the sentence structure or
voice – other corrections will be shown in parenthesis –
Linda Fretwell Duchaine – June 2007)
This story was originally written by Julia’s stepmother
Samantha Tryphena Brimhall Boice Foley
Daughter of Benjamin Boice and Martha Eliza Philpot, sister of John Edwin Boice. The beautiful young woman
of whom I am about to write died at the age of sixteen, about two miles south of the village of Oxford, Idaho 10
June 1876.
Her mother who had passed on about three years before had been a survivor of the Hand Cart Company
(Martin Hand Cart Company not sure she was with the Martin company, but this is a historic reference) of
1856. Julia was the oldest of her mother’s eight children whom she was called to leave at the age of twenty-
nine years.
One child had gone before her to the other side, leaving a family of five boys and two girls. The Mother had
always been frail on account of helping to draw a Hand Cart across the Continent at the age of 13, and her
natural faculties had caused Julia to be burdened with many of her Mother’s cares in the raising of the
younger children. Although her mother was frail, she was very exacting as to her own appearance as well as
that of her house and children. After the demise of her Mother, Julia allowed her energy to slacken and was
not so precise in her dress and housekeeping. Tired and listless, one day she lay down upon a day bed and
soon fell asleep, and when she awoke, she said that her Mother had appeared to her and as her wont was
dressed very neatly as she had always appeared during lifetime. Julia took this as a gentle rebuke for the
listless habits which she had fallen into. She also stated that she felt her mother’s hand upon her head as she
said: “Julia, You will live three years to help take care of my children and then you will come to me where I am.”
Many of Julia’s friends tried to persuade her that it was only a dream and best to forget it, but she knew and
was not turned aside from her convictions. Strange things happen: and after all the many years of my sojourn
on earth I have never found a suitable reason to explain why I have become the stepmother of Julia before her
Mother had been gone a year. Perhaps it was because I had been raised in a large family and that the raising
of the children was the one and only object in life. She was scarcely past thirteen years of age, and I scarcely
past fifteen years of age when our relationship began. We were neighborhood children and had gone to the
same school, yet she had learned more of cooking and housekeeping while I could take a bag of wool – card,
spin and ye it and then weave it and cut and make me a dress. So while she know some things, I knew others,
and we got along with the care of the six children. We worked and we played as other children do. I was clever
with a needle and loved to make clothes for the children, especially the younger girl Ellnora, who was about
five years old, a very pretty but delicate child.
About one year went by quite smoothly until a mortgage long over due on the home was foreclosed, and we
were compelled to go out and live in Stringtown, about two miles from the village, where neighbors lived on
farms some distance apart and the main highway ran along the east side of a lofty and verdant mountain
chain. Here in a one log house with a bowery over the east door the family were huddled to begin life anew.
Julia’s health was on the decline, and so was that of her little sister. The fraternal grandparents had taken the
little one to their home and were caring for her and her younger brother. It was here in this room that Calvin,
my own first child was born in the month of Oct, 1875. Julia was there, and with the aid of my own mother, I was
soon able to assume the duties of the household. Will say here of Julia, that she was a true and honest friend.
A girl of remarkably good sense. She realized the great responsibility had fallen on me in the care of her
mother’s helpless children. She had confidence in me and always treated me with respect. The winter months
of 75 & 76 fell hard upon her and a consumptive cough revealed the danger she was in. Yet, she came and
went with friends and bravely enjoyed the strength she had which she well knew was on the wane. Her bed and
mine were on a line with each other on the same side of the room. This was for her convenience for her voice
had failed, and she could only speak in a whisper which she knew always awakened me from my sleep at
night. She called me “Smantee” as that was a nickname from my school days, and which I preferred the
children to call me.
To the neglect of my own baby girl, a laundry decorated the clothes line each day and Julia was kept neat and
clean. Just after midnight on the morning of 10 May, she awoke and called “Smantee”, who in turn called her
father who lit a candle and went to her bed. She had been stricken with a pain in her heart and needed
attention. We arranged warm applications and with simple remedies, she found relief, but not consent to our
remaining up with her or even to leave the candle burning. So according to her directions we lay down again.
When I went to her in the morning, I noticed a great change in her countenance and she said: “Smantee,” I am
going to die today. I tried to dissuade her, but her features revealed that she spoke the truth. I asked what it
was that we could do to please her, then she began giving orders for the coming event. First, she wanted us to
send for her Grandmother to come and help give her a bath, including the washing of her braided hair which
was to be put on curlers after her demise. Her Grandmother came and her order as to the bath was filled. Of
course, in that neighborhood the news went from house to house of what was going on. Her many friends were
allowed admittance only so far as to take a short look at her from the door. After her bath, she had desire to sit
in the rocker for a while. It seemed I see her sitting there, composed with her eyes filled with a bright luster as
they had never been before, her only answer to the salute of her friends was the peaceful smile which lit her
face. When the noonday had passed she said: “I want to go to bed now and want my Grandfather and Brother
Hepworth to come and administer to me.” She was put to bed and a conveyance went to bring the desired
visitors. They came and she was anointed by Joseph Hepworth and the anointment confirmed by her
grandfather Patriarch John Boice. He simply dedicated her to the Lord, and told her she should not taste of
death but be gathered to her mother’s people in Peace. After leaving her with this blessing, they went away
and Julia said: “Lay me down now, I want to go to sleep.”
She went to sleep while I, with three others, sat outside under the Bowery. But I felt uneasy and with my babe
in my arms, I stole softly into the room time and time again. Finally, at about four in the afternoon, she looked
up at me and said, “Smantee, I am dying now.” I hailed her Father and two lady friends who were sitting
outside. They went to her, she said, “Raise me up.” She was sitting against the prop of pillows. She seemed to
speak in a louder whisper than before and left kind regards to all her friends and appreciation of all they had
done for her. She spoke of her five little brothers and told them to be good. She requested that her Temple
work be done and that she should be sealed to a worthy young man whom she loved. Finally, she looked at
me and said, “Smantee, I will tell Mother that you have been good to me, to which I replied, “Alright Julia.” Then
her peaceful head lay back on the pillow, and she went fast asleep to awaken no more in this world where we
had, had a rich experience in many arts that few of her tender age will ever know. One month later little Elnora
died.
Written by Samantha T. Foley
(Samantha was the 2nd wife of Benjamin Boice and after his death she married Andrew Foley in 1899 – she
died in 1948.)
___________________________________________________________________________
Some biographic details about Samantha:
Samantha Tryphena Brimhall Foley was born in Ogden, Utah, on 22 March 1858. She was a member of the
"community of saints" who settled the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado, and spent ten years in the
villages of Los Cerritos and Manassa. In the Spring of 1888 or 1889, Samantha and her family left Colorado
and, traveling in two horse-drawn wagons, followed the Rio Grande to Albuquerque, New Mexico. They arrived
in Albuquerque at the time of a diptheria epidemic, and two of her five children died of the disease within a few
days of one another. Griefstricken, Samantha prayed, and heard a "sweet small voice," which directed her to
study Spanish. She began her study of Spanish while riding on the wagon seat, as she and her family
continued on their journey to Mexico. Her knowledge of the language provided purpose and meaning to her
life, the remainder of which was spent working with Mexican converts. She helped found the colony of Dublan
in the Mexican province of Chihuahua, where she was widowed within the first year. Samantha lived in the
colony of Juarez, in Casa Grandes, and in "the city of Mexico" for the next several years, teaching school and
acting as an interpreter. She married Andrew L. Foley on 5 January 1899. Their son, Andrew B. Foley, was
born two years later. The Foleys returned to Salt Lake City in 1904, where Samantha studied nursing at LDS
University. She was certified by the Utah State Medical Board in 1905. As her health was too poor for the
practice of nursing, she taught Spanish and worked as a translator. After the death of Andrew L. Foley,
Samantha settled in Southern California with her son. While in Southern California, she served as Director of
Theology for the Relief Society, did genealogical work, and was active in the movement to include Spanish-
taught classes in the local Sunday schools. She died on 5 November 1948, in Rosemead, California.
also written by Samantha:
This sketch prepared by Samantha T. Brimhall Foley
appeared in the Women's Exponent in 1910.
In among the many noble women who embraced the Gospel in the early days of the Church was Philomelia
Smith, daughter of Parker Smith and Sarah (Sally) Loomis, she being their sixth child and born in Brookfield,
Prince County, Vermont, 13 April 1794. At the age of twelve she was bereaved of her mother and left to the
care of her grandmother, Sarah Huntington Loomis who, although crippled with age, sat in her armchair and
gave her daughter's children the benefit of her wise counsel in domestic training, and also her deep religious
conviction, which was a natural result of all those who were favored by a rich flow of Puritan blood in their
veins. Many of those splendid principles are embodied in the following verses which have been handed down
to posterity by the poor lame Grandmother as she addressed herself to Philomelia who was bereaved of a little
brother.
Your little brother is dead and gone;
We all must die before 'tis long.
And when you think he young did die
Say, In the grave I soon may lie.
And may you early learn to know
Good children's souls to God do go;
At last their bodies sure will rise
To dwell with him above the skies.
She also wrote the following acrostic for Philomelia:
"Your poor, lame grandmother has made and written this for you, and you must have it rolled on a round stick
and keep it a long time to remember me by."
Pretty girls should always mind
How they talk and spend their time,
If they strive with all their might,
Learn to spin, sew, read, and write;
Obey their parents and they'll see
Most glad they surely then will be.
Even brother must be kind,
Love sisters, too, and always mind
And never quarrel, so repine.
Some little girls are so pretty
Many would call them very witty.
If they are proud they soon will know
That shame is lurking there below,
Hence friends will turn, they'll find it so.
Thus trained to love God and home, Philomelia was capable of taking upon herself the duties of a wife and
mother. At the age of eighteen years she married Ira Smith, [2 January 1812] and with him become the mother
of five children, viz. Lymon, James Harvey, Elizabeth, Boardman, Josiah William, and Esther.
Ira Smith died in the 36th year of his age. Philomelia then became the wife of James Lake [8 September
1823] and with him again the mother of ten children: Sabra, William Bailey, Barnabus, Clara, Jane, Lydia Ann,
Moroni, Samantha, George, and Sarah Amanda. She was a wise and loving mother and was noted for the
neatness and order of her home. She was adept in all home manufacture. She knew the art of spinning, and of
dyeing the most beautiful colors, and in the weaving of many kinds of cloth, she also excelled. Her fame as a
maker of the best flavored butter and cheese was known wherever her name was heard.
Her children partook of her meek and docile, yet lofty and noble nature and when the Gospel came to them
in Upper Canada, she with her husband and family were some of the first ones to embrace it. Philomelia was
baptized 31 December 1832.
Brigham Young took the gospel to them and they were baptized by Eleazer Miller. Their house was always a
welcome place for the Elders traveling in Canada. Brigham Young making their home his home for a year or
more.
They gathered with the Saints in Kirtland and shared all the hardships of early days. James Lake with an ox
team and assisted by his sons, handled the first cornerstone to the Kirtland Temple and helped to lay it in its
place, at the beginning of temple-building in this dispensation.
Philomelia Smith Lake received a Patriarchal blessing under the hands of Joseph Smith, Sr. the father of
Prophet Joseph Smith, in which he called her "Beloved of the Lord" which name was most appropriate, for she
not only was beloved by the Lord but by all who knew her. She was tall and graceful, with broad forehead and
full dark brown eyes, her dark brown hair was silken and luxuriant and the noble name of mother was
appropriate to her in its most dignified meaning. Her husband was appointed captain of fifty and was
successful in arriving in the Valley in the fall of 1850. They settled four miles north of Ogden City on a farm.
James Lake was ordained a patriarch and many of the saints of Weber County were comforted through the
blessing they received at his hands.
He was a member of the high council and with his wife enjoyed the honor and esteem of all who knew them,
while almost worshipped by a numerous posterity, members of which can be found in nearly every settlement
of the states and from Canada to Mexico. I have often thought of the life career of my Grandmother and have
led to exclaim:
"If every soul were of such worth,
Nearer would heaven be to earth."
--Samantha T. Brimhall-Foley
Philomelia Smith Lake died on 20 March 1873 in Oxford, Oneida County, Idaho.
Benjamin Boice and Martha Eliza Philpot