Family History
Nancy was born August 8, 1827, in Willsboro, New York. She was the sixth daughter and 10th and final child of Andrew Allen and Eunice Miner. Nancy was just 3 years old when the Prophet Joseph Smith organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fayette, New York about 300 miles to the southwest of Willsboro.
Nancy’s mother, Eunice MIner, joined the LDS Church in June 1832. Nancy’s father joined the Church but later apostatized. On April 3, 1842, at age 14, Nancy was baptized and confirmed a member of the LDS Church. Church headquarters at the time was in Nauvoo, Illinois. Just two years later, Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred.
Nancy Allen
August 8, 1827
Nancy Allen
8 August 1827 to 25 January 1905
Parents:
Andrew Allen (1782-1867)
Eunice Miner (1783-1866)
Siblings:
Gorden Allen (1806-1893)
Clarissa Allen (1807-1851)
Cyrus Allen (1809-1880)
Jude Allen (1811-1900)
Harriet Allen (1813-1835)
Ira Allen (1814-1900)
Marry Allen (1816-1838)
Emily Allen (1820-1844)
Sarah Allen (1822-1879)
Spouse: 1 January 1847 or 1848
Joseph Nicholas (1822-1888)
Children:
Sarah Iantha Nicholas (1848-1848)
Sarah Annette (or Anetta) Nicholas (1850-1886)
Eunice Alice Nicholas (1853-1933)
Joseph Gordon Nicholas (1855-1944)
Nancy Helen Nicholas (1858-1939)
Mary Ann Nicholas (1862-1935)
Ida Pauline Nicholas (1867-1958)
Clarissa Eva Nicholas (1870-1870)
Rosa Florence Nicholas (1872-1937)
Copyright (©) Ward B. Rasmussen. All rights reserved.
Six of Joseph & Nancy’s children: Top L-R: Ida, Mary Ann, Rosa; Bottom L-R: Nancy, Joseph, & Eunice
At the age of 20 (1848), Nancy married Joseph Nicholas in Parma, Ohio. Joseph was not a member of the Church at the time, but he joined five years later. Nancy contracted cholera. To treat the condition, she was given medication that unfortunately crippled her legs. Joseph and Nancy crossed the plains to come to Utah around 1852. Nancy had to ride all the way in the wagon regardless of stream or mountain trails. Joseph always walked beside the oxen to steady them and to comfort Nancy.
In 1854, Nancy and Joseph were endowed and sealed in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah. By 1858, Joseph and Nancy had moved their family to Willard, Utah. Later they decided to move to Almo, Idaho.
On a trip between Willard and Almo, Nancy and Joseph were coming across the flat between Snowville and Strevell. There were no settlers or homes in the area at the time. One of the horses rubbed off his bridle. Joseph got out of the wagon to replace the bridle. Before he got the bridle on, the horses became frightened and began to run leaving Joseph behind. Nancy didn’t have the reins in her hands. She tried to hang onto the wagon to keep from being thrown out.
Nancy began to pray to Heavenly Father for help. Suddenly in the trail ahead stood a man. He was able to stop the team and quiet them. He replaced the bridle and handed the reins to Nancy. She thanked him and turned to see how far behind Joseph was. When Nancy turned around, the man was gone. She could see for miles in all directions, but they never saw him again. Nancy knew the man had appeared in answer to her prayer.
Nancy died January 25, 1905 in Almo, Idaho. She is buried in Willard, Utah.
