Joseph Giles was the son of Thomas Davis Giles (1820-1894) "The Blind Harpist" and Margaret Thomas Giles (1821-1856). Joseph was born in Nanty Glo, Wales and in 1856 sailed to Boston on the Samuel Curling with his parents and siblings. Hyrum and Joseph traveled with their parents and the Edward Bunker Handcart Company, but were sent back to the care of Welsh Saints including Hannah Evans, with the John A. Hunt Wagon Company, traveling alongside the Martin Handcart Company. Their mother died on the plains of Wyoming after giving birth to their sister Elizabeth. Newborn Elizabeth also died. Their father was desperately ill and believed to be dying, also on the plains of Wyoming. After the ordeals and rescue of the Willey and Martin Handcart Companies, Joseph (about age 8) and Hyrum (age 6) arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, December 1856. Their father survived the journey, after a blessing from Parley O, Pratt, who happened to be traveling through, going in the opposite direction. Thomas arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley October, 1856, more than a month before his children. Thomas Davis Giles and his sons later traveled the settlements of Deseret entertaining the Saints playing their instruments, singing, and leading square dances. They were well known to Brigham Young.
Joseph Giles last documented residence was in Ogden, Utah on the 1860 US Census. His father and brothers received a letter from Joseph in 1876. That is the last that we know of him.
Joseph Giles last documented residence was in Ogden, Utah on the 1860 US Census. His father and brothers received a letter from Joseph in 1876. That is the last that we know of him.
Joseph Giles was the son of Thomas Davis Giles (1820-1894) "The Blind Harpist" and Margaret Thomas Giles (1821-1856). Joseph was born in Nanty Glo, Wales and in 1856 sailed to Boston on the Samuel Curling with his parents and siblings. Hyrum and Joseph traveled with their parents and the Edward Bunker Handcart Company, but were sent back to the care of Welsh Saints including Hannah Evans, with the John A. Hunt Wagon Company, traveling alongside the Martin Handcart Company. Their mother died on the plains of Wyoming after giving birth to their sister Elizabeth. Newborn Elizabeth also died. Their father was desperately ill and believed to be dying, also on the plains of Wyoming. After the ordeals and rescue of the Willey and Martin Handcart Companies, Joseph (about age 8) and Hyrum (age 6) arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, December 1856. Their father survived the journey, after a blessing from Parley O, Pratt, who happened to be traveling through, going in the opposite direction. Thomas arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley October, 1856, more than a month before his children. Thomas Davis Giles and his sons later traveled the settlements of Deseret entertaining the Saints playing their instruments, singing, and leading square dances. They were well known to Brigham Young.
Joseph Giles last documented residence was in Ogden, Utah on the 1860 US Census. His father and brothers received a letter from Joseph in 1876. That is the last that we know of him.
Joseph Giles last documented residence was in Ogden, Utah on the 1860 US Census. His father and brothers received a letter from Joseph in 1876. That is the last that we know of him.
Gravesite Details
This a Memorial. Time, place of death, and burial are unknown.
Family Members
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