Author: Thomas K. Holyoak
For the Holyoak Family Reunion
Moab, Utah: August, 16, 1958
Minor Editions By: Chad Nichols, 4th Great Grandson

Born January 17, 1799, in Yardley, Worcestershire, England. He was the son of Isaac Holyoak and Ann Bird.

Baptized June 24, 1841. Endowed October 14, 1859.

The family, who were all members of the church, left England Sunday, February 2, 1851, on the ship Ellen Marie, in company with 378 Saints. (George, Jr.)

The Holyoak family consisted of George Holyoak, Sr., his wife, Sarah Green, and the children, William, George, Mary, Ann, Sarah, Henry, and Hannah. Eli Daniel died at the age of 5 years. The company arrived in New Orleans April 6, 1851.

The family took a steamer up the Mississippi River and landed in St. Louis April 16, 1851. From St. Louis they went to St. Joseph, Missouri. The family stayed in Missouri a little over three years.

They left St. Joseph, Missouri in June 1854, in Captain Camp Company and arrived in Salt Lake City September 21, 1854, after a hard and difficult time, having lost several dear ones, who died on the plains. Grandmother, Sarah Green, and her daughter, Ann, died on the plains in Nebraska, and I think Mary Holyoak Knowles, but I am not sure as to that.

The family was only in Salt Lake a short time when they were called to settle in Parowan. Grandfather made his home in Parowan, and if I am rightly informed, married two women by the name of Gunn, a mother and daughter. His home was just north of the old Rock Tithing Office, a little log house.

Grandfather died, October 27, 1881, and is buried in the Parowan City Cemetery. Our daughter, Mrs. Alice Holyoak Barton is paying five dollars a year for the care of this lot.

Additional history from other sources:

George Holyoak, Sr., is listed in the Utah Pioneer Book, published in 1913—probably submitted by Henry Holyoak since they are the only Holyoaks named in the book and the 4500 copies were subscribed and paid for before being printed—as “Holyoak Guy” (son of Isaac Holyoak and Ann Bird of Worcestershire, England). Born January 17, 1799, in Worestershire. Came to Utah October 1854, Dr. Rich Company Married Sarah Green of Mosely Ware, Green Common near Birmingham, England. Names the children.