George Benjamin Craner ¹

   Ancestral File Number: 1WGG-WW.

  General Notes:

GEORGE BENJAMIN CRANER (1799-1854) AND ELIZABETH WEST (1799-1869

For several generations, the Craners lived in the villages of Maxstoke, Fillongley and the town of Coventry, Warwickshire, England. George Benjamin was born in Coventry 3 June 1799. He was the oldest of two children born to George and Elizabeth Robinson Craner. He was christened twice, once in Holy Trinity, Coventry, Warwickshire, England 13 June 1799 and again at St. John's, Coventry, Warwickshire, England, 13 September 1802. His parents had both been born in Coventry as well as his grandparents, William and Elizabeth Moore Craner.
Elizabeth West, George Benjamin's wife, was born 1 March 1799 in Fillongley, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Ranger West. She was christened 17 March 1799 in Fillongley, Warwickshire, England. She was raised in the village of Fillongley. All of these villages and towns are only three to four miles apart.
George Benjamin Craner and Elizabeth West were married 8 Feb 1819 in Fillongley, Warwickshire, England. Neither one of them could write their name. George Benjamin worked as a farm laborer. The family was very poor and when the children were old enough, as early as 13, they worked as servants or in the case of the son, Joseph; he was apprenticed as a tailor.
They were the parents of twelve children:

Name:Birth Date:Death Date:
1.Elizabeth Craner2 Jul 1818 Jan 1864
2.Mary Craner1 Apr 182016 Jan 1846
3.George Benjamin Craner, Jr.16 Apr 1822bur 8 Feb 1824
4.Joseph Craner17 Nov 18243 Aug 1898
5.Thomas Craner 9 Apr 1826
6.George Craner1 June 182917 July 1904
7.William Craner 1 Jul 1832bur 8 May 1838
8.Harriet Ann Craner26 Apr 183415 Sep 1874
9.Abraham Frederick Cranerc. 3 Apr 1836bur 23 Feb 1902
10.Ann Craner15 Jul 183825 Apr 1906
11.John Craner8 Jul 18424 Aug 1903
12.Martha Craner16 May 184419 Sep 1916

Two of the children, George Benjamin, Jr. (age 2) and William (age 5) died in their youth.
In 1845, the Craners listened to the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The gospel must have given the Craners new hope and vision. Elizabeth West Craner was the first to be baptized, 5 June 1845, followed by their son, George, 1 January 1846, then Harriet, 6 Jan 1846. George Benjamin followed on 10 March 1846. Three other children were baptized in England: Ann and Martha 1852, and Abraham Frederick 1856. The Saints were encouraged to come to Zion in America when they were able. So, that became the "Craner Dream".
In 1851, their son, George (age 21) emigrated to the United States. In the next few years, he established a home and a prosperous farm in Tooele, Tooele, Utah. He sent money back to England for his family to come to America.
By this time, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, and Thomas were all married or out of the household.
On the 22 February 1854, George Benjamin (age 54) Elizabeth (age 54), Harriet (age 19), Ann (age 15), John (age 11) Martha (age 9) set sail from Liverpool to the United States on the ship Windermere with a total of 477 Latter Day Saints. Joseph and Abraham Frederick planned to immigrate later. Eventually, Frederick emigrated in May 1862, but Joseph, his wife and family stayed in England.
A detailed description of the voyage is as follows:

Voyage on the ship Windermere
"As the vessel started in motion the songs of Zion blending in the soul inspiring harmony, thrilled the souls of the passengers and their many friends standing on the shore gazing at the departed vessel, shouting farewell, goodbye, with eyes streaming with tears; doubtless, recalling that only the night before seven vessels with all aboard went down in the depths of the channel.
As the land disappeared in the distance the sweet singing ceased and many began to feel sick. About 8 p.m. the first day at sea, an old gentleman, named Squires, died. All that night the wind howled fiercely, the sea was rough, the ship was driven from its course towards the Isle of Aton. About 11 p.m. off Holy Head, which is a most dangerous point, and the scene of frequent ship wrecks, was passed. On the morning of the 23^rd, Father Squire, who died the night before was thrown overboard. The sea was still rough and the wind was blowing. During the day the Windermere sailed by the remains of a wrecked vessel. Masts, sails, and other fragments were floating around. Likely, a few hours previous, many departed souls had tenaciously clung to these same objects for relief that never came. All had been consigned to a watery grave, for no signs of life remained and the rolling waves swept over the bodies of the lifeless sleepers, while the wind howled its requiem for the dead.
Some were now beginning to recover from sea sickness, but many were still ill and some confined to their berths. About this time, birds were seen flying which would rise from the water and fly a short distance and drop into the water again. Life on the Windermere was now growing monotonous; for its accommodations were poor for so many passengers, and then it did not sail like the ocean steamers now do which are propelled by steam. The Windermere was eight weeks, four nights and five days sailing from Liverpool to New Orleans, which now can be made in six or seven days. We were on the Atlantic Ocean about seven weeks without seeing land.
On the 12^th of March from 7 to 8 in the morning an exceedingly fierce storm arose. The wind roared like one of our mountain winds. The masts cracked and the sails were cut to pieces. The Captain of the Windermere expressed fears that the ship couldn't stand so heavy a sea, and in speaking to Daniel Garn, the President of the Saints on board said, "I am afraid the ship can't stand this storm. Mr. Garn, if there be a God, as your people say there is, you had better talk to him if he will hear you. I have done all I can for the ship, and I am afraid with all that can be done, she will go down."
Elder Garn went to the Elders, who presided over the nine wards in the ship and requested them to get all the Saints on board to fast and call a prayer meeting to be held in each ward at 10 a.m. and pray that we might be delivered from the danger. The waves dashed with white foam. The storm continued in all its fury but precisely at 10 a.m., the prayer meetings were held. The ship rolled from side to side. On one side the Saints were hanging by their hands and on the other they were standing on their heads. Then the ship would roll on the other side which would reverse their positions. About this time the large boxes which were tied with ropes under the berths broke loose and with pots, pans and kettles rolled with terrible force on each side of the vessel.
Although the prayers were fervent and earnest, as the pleading of poor souls brought face to face with danger and death, they ceased their prayers to watch and dodge the untied boxes and great confusion prevailed for some time. The wind roared like a hurricane. Sail after sail was torn to shreds and lost. The waves were very large and, as far as the eye could see, seemed to be one angry mass of rolling white foam. The hatches were fastened down. This awful storm lasted about 18 hours, and then abated a little, but it was stormy from the 8^th of March until the 18^th. Observation taken by the quadrant showed that the ship was in the same latitude as it was on the 8^th.
On March 20^th, which was two days after this terrible storm, the small pox broke out. One of three sisters was taken down with it. She had a light attack and recovered, but her two sisters then came down with it and both died. After that 37 others-40 in all, came down with it. Three days after the breaking out of the small pox the ship took fire under the cooking gallery. At this time, we had not seen land for three weeks or more. When the cry of "FIRE, the ships on FIRE" rang through the vessel, wild excitement and consternation prevailed everywhere. The sailors plied water freely. All the water buckets on board were brought into use and soon the fire was under control.
When the last of the three sisters, who took the small pox died, it was evening. W. W. Burton thought he would get a good place from which to see the body thrown overboard. So, he got outside the vessel and seated himself on the ledge extending out from the deck placing each arm around a rope that led to the rigging. His feet were hanging over the ocean and the ship was sailing about ten knots per hour. By this time darkness was fast setting in, but here he sat waiting to get a good view when the corpse would be thrown into the watery grave, where some said sharks were constantly seen following the prey. Brother Burton went to sleep and the funeral passed without him knowing about it. The sound of feet walking on the deck roused him from his slumber. A chill ran through him, his chair almost stood on end when he sensed his condition. Here he had been asleep, his feet handing off the side of the vessel which was rocking to and fro. He wondered how he had escaped falling overboard. It was now totally dark. He climbed into the ship and resolved never to expose himself so again.
About this time, the stench of the small pox was fearful in every part of the vessel. Emma Brooks was the name of the young lady just thrown over board. Her sister, Fanny, had died the same day, about half past 1:00 o'clock p.m. and was also thrown over board at 2:00 o'clock. The funeral service at sea is the most melancholy and solemn scene perhaps ever witnessed, especially when the sea is calm. A stillness like that often prevailed while an old sailor at intervals would imitate the doleful toiling of the bell of some old church such as heard in some parts of England. Funerals were becoming frequent.
About this time the Windermere had been about six weeks out from Liverpool and the passengers had never seen land from the time they had entered the Atlantic. The days were now generally mild and the weather very pleasant.
The sun set in grandeur and the bright pale moon seemed to be straight above our heads. On April 8^th a voice called out, "THERE IS LAND!" Excitement prevailed and there was a rush to see land once more. This land was the Isle of Domingo. On the 9^th of April we came in sight of the Island of Cuba. On this day at 10:00 a.m. a young man named Dee died of small pox. At the time of his death, the wind had ceased blowing, not a ripple on the water. The sea appeared bright and clear and seemed as a sea of glass. The young man that had died was sewed in a white blanket and at the feet was placed a heavy weight of coal. A plank was then placed with one end resting in the port hole in the side of the ship and the other near the main hatch way. The body was then placed on this plank. Then the doleful tolling of the bell began. Elder McGhee made a brief address, suitable of the occasion and offered a short prayer, after which the body and bedding of the young man were thrown over board. The ship was standing perfectly still and the body could be seen sinking in the water until it appeared no longer than a person's hand. Some thought it was seen sinking for full fifteen minutes, others still longer, some said half an hour.
The passengers of the Windermere had passed through a terrible storm, the panic created by the ship taking FIRE, their number decreased by the small pox; still another fearful calamity threatened them. The fresh water supply was getting short and the stores of provisions were failing. The passengers were now limited to one hard small sea biscuit of a day's rations.
The Captain sent some sailors in a small boat to intercept a ship that was passing in hopes of getting more provisions, but they failed. The Windermere now passed the Western points of the Island of Cuba. The passengers had a good view of the light house located on the most western point. The Gulf of Mexico was before them. The Gulf Stream flowed in like a vast river. Just think of this stream 500 miles across it, very deep and constantly flowing.
On the morning of April 20^th, the ship entered the mouth of the Mississippi River. The passengers were more glad to look upon the plantations of orange groves that bordered the banks of the river than the great strong surging waves of the Atlantic which they had left behind them.
Sometimes the Negroes would call from the shore and bid the emigrants welcome.
Among the passengers of the Windermere ship were George Benjamin Craner, age 54, his wife Elizabeth West, age 54, and their four children: Harriet, age 20, Ann, age 15, John, age 11, and Martha age 9.
They arrived at New Orleans the 24th of April 1854. During the voyage, there were six marriages, six births, and ten deaths." (61 days on the water)
On the morning after arriving at New Orleans, eleven persons suffering with small pox were sent to the Luzenberg Hospital, according to orders from the Health Officers at the port. Elder Long and five others were selected to remain at New Orleans to attend the sick until they were able to go on.
The rest of the Company continued the journey from New Orleans on the 27^th of April on board a steamboat to St. Louis, Missouri-a distance of 1000 miles up the Mississippi River. They then followed the Missouri River to Kansas City.
At Kansas City, George Benjamin Craner died on the 18^th of May 1854* (age 54) from an attack of cholera. He was buried "on the plains of Kansas" in a grave with two others, a young lady and a child, who had died of the same disease. Elizabeth and the four children continued the journey to Salt Lake City, Utah in the Fifth Company 1854.
Daniel Garn was selected to be Captain of the Fifth Company. He had been Captain of the Saints while on the ship Windermere. Captain Daniel Garn was released from presiding over the German Mission. And so accompanying him from Germany to Salt Lake City were a small company of Saints from the German Mission. They had traveled together across the Atlantic and continued together across the plains.
After arriving with his company in Westport (Kansas City) President Garn was appointed to take charge of a company of P.E. Fund Emigrants. To whom were added the German Saints referred to above. Captain Garn was assisted by Elder William F. Carter, who was returning from a Mission to Hindostau.
The Fifth Company 1854 with Captain Daniel Garn and his company, with about 40 wagons, left Westport (Kansas City) July 2^nd and on August 14^th was reported to have arrived near Ash Hallow. On 22^nd of September they were near Fort Bridger.
President Brigham Young sent a group of Saints from Salt Lake City to meet this company of Saints crossing the plains, and take to them fresh teams and provisions, and assist them to the Valley. Among this group of Assisters was Alexander Harris. He was born in Tennessee. He had accepted the Gospel there and had crossed the plains earlier. He met Harriet Craner, age 20 and fell in love with her and married her later, 6^th of June 1855 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This company finally arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah 1^st of October 1854 and camped on Union Square.
Elizabeth West Craner and her four children continued on to Tooele, Tooele, Utah where her son, George, had a home and farm to welcome them. What a welcome this must have been! After many years of preparations and finally to be here in Zion! One can only imagine the sorrow it must have been for Elizabeth in losing her husband and having to convey this news to her son, George. Elizabeth's strong faith and love of the Savior must have buoyed her up many times. The sacrifice that this family made in joining the church and the desire to be obedient in obeying the prophet's commandment in coming to Zion shows much courage and faith.
Elizabeth continued to live with her son, George and his family, in Tooele, Tooele, Utah until her death 8 April 1869. She was 70 years old. She is buried in the Tooele Cemetery.


Sources: Family Group Sheets, Naomi Lowe, 607 Holiday Drive, Brigham City, Utah 84302
Histories, Vera McBride, Beth Sorenson, 5311 Brush Creek Bay, West Valley City, Utah 84120
Maxstoke, Fillongley, Coventry (Holy Trinity and St John's), England Parish Records
Details from Immigration Records
Book: Lewis John Bowen and Adelaide Honey, "Together Forever", compiled and edited by Merlin Bowen, May 1996
*George Craner's Temple Record Book shows death date as 15 May 1854


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  LDS Information:

Baptism: 10 Mar 1846, , , England

Endowment: 24 Nov 1886, Logan Utah Temple

Sealed to Parents: 10 Nov 1992, Logan Utah Temple

  Noted events in his life were:

• Alt. Baptism: LDS Temple Baptism, 10 Mar 1846.

• Alt. Endowment: LDS Endowment, 10 Sep 1859.

• Alt. Seal to Parents: Temple Sealing, 13 Nov 1895, SLAKE.

He was sealed to his spouse on 10 Sep 1859 at Endowment House. (Elizabeth West was born on 1 Mar 1799 in Fillongley, Warwickshire, England ¹, christened on 17 Mar 1799 in Fillongley, Warwickshire, England, died on 8 Apr 1869 in Tooele, Tooele, Utah, USA ¹ and was buried on 10 Apr 1869 in Tooele, Tooele, Utah, USA.)