George Jarvis

I, George Jarvis was the son of Thomas Jarvis and Elizabeth Billings. I was born in Harlow, Essex, England 25 March 1823. My parents had eight children, five boys and three girls. I was the fourth son. I commenced to make my living by herding and farming until I was fifteen years of age. Then I worked in a flour mill for two years, and for some time I had a desire to go to sea.

I was apprenticed to the owners of the Bargus Diadem. My first voyage was to South Australia, and my second was to West Australia; and from there to Java, Canton, China and back to London. My third voyage was to the Cape of Good Hope with troops for Kaffa War, at which place my apprenticeship expired. I continued my voyage to Ceylon with government stores and from thence to Calcutta and left the ship Diadem there and shipped on board of the John Dibby bound for China and thence to London, calling at St. Helena. On the voyage home, I had the misfortune to lose my big toe. Next voyage was to Kathann Stuart Forbes to North America up the St. Laurence River up to Parver De Loupe from thence to London. I joined H. an service and sailed in the Alarm to the West Indies where I had my eye hurt and lost sight of it. I was left in Jamaica for two months, was sent home to Hasler Hospital, was discharged from the service with a small pension for life which laterly I forfeited in not going to the Russian War.
link to Haslar Royal Naval Hospital

I married Ann Prior in 1846 and joined the service for five years for harbour duty. I heard the gospel and was baptized in the River Thames at Woolwick when I left the service and joined the Poplar Branch. Was ordained a Teacher in 1854, was ordained a priest a year later, was ordained an elder, was Superintendent of Sunday School, worked at my daily labor, acted in the capacity of a teacher, preached on Sundays at Westham and wherever I was sent. I took a few short trips to sea, went supplied with tracts and preached every time that I could get a chance on board the vessels, took a voyage to China, earned enough to bring myself and family to America. The man that had his passage free had to work for us. He was a lands man and was sick so I had to cook for 800 Saints on board of the Ship George Washington and landed in Boston in 1857.

Presided over the 1st City District of the Boston Branch under Elder James Cleary from Utah. In 1859 I sold my things, stove and feather bed and came to Florence with my wife and children. I made tents and wagon covers and bought provision for our journey across the plains. I walked all the way. I had a ride for about half an hour through the kindness of brother Morris of this city.

Arrived in Salt Lake City in 1860, and in 1861 we received our endowments and in the same year came to St. George. My wagon was the 21st. I was ordained a high priest in 1863. I labored very hard on ditches and dams, worked in the tunnel until it was completed, worked on the foundation of the Tabernacle, and worked on the Temple three years and a half. Built the scaffold for the new tower in the winter of 1882 and finished in 1883. As soon as the Temple was opened, I worked for my dead and received my 2nd anointings July 1877. Was set apart as second counselor to Bishop Miles F., Romney and when he resigned, continued my labors to Acting Bishop Fawsett of the 1st Ward, St. George and am at present 23 March, 1884, acting as Presiding teacher of the ward.