It was found standing alone in a room of a log cabin in Far West. My father was told the house had been vacated by a family of Saints who had recently moved to Nauvoo. It was in the time of the troubles in Missouri.
My father with a company of Saints arrived from Canada in the Fall of the year, and moved into the house until he could build. When the new home was completed as no one claimed the chair, it was taken there and for some time was the only one in the family, and was known as "Mother's Chair", and in all the changes and movings of those days it was carefully guarded so no harm came to it.
When preparing for the journey across the plains, my brother said we must take Mother's Chair that she might have something to rest upon by the camp fires. It was fastened on the back of one of the wagons and was a comfort to many a tired sister in that long journey across the plains.
Shortly after our arrival in Salt Lake City, Sister Zina Young, who had been a near neighbor to my mother in Canada, called upon us. She noticed the chair, and with a look of surprize in her face, exclaimed, "Why Sister Russell, where did you get my chair?"
Explanations followed the discovery until both were thoroughly convinced it was the identical chair left by Aunt Zina, in Far West. Mother tried to have her take it, but she said no. She thought in bringing it from Missouri to Salt Lake, Mother had the best right to it.
Many years after those two dear ones had passed to the better land, the chair was given by Sister Mary Russell Gray, to the family of Sister Zina.
These are the simple facts in its history. A long story could be woven about it, but only a few would understand. To the common eye it is but a plain and homely old fashioned chair, of little value, but to me, it is draped with the mantle of sweet memories, gems of price.
Touch it with love and reverence, for unto two families at least, it is a sacred thing.
SARAH ELIZA RUSSELL
Daughter of Mary Walton Russell