#dorcas keeling

[miniaturelovercollectionstuff]

Top:  Dorcas Keeling, Second Wife of William Burgess Sr. Mother of Rhoda Ann Dykes, Wife of George Martin Burgess

Bottom:  Grave of Dorcas Keeling Burgess,  Photo Taken by Charles Ivan Cook, May 1, 2016

[miniaturelovercollectionstuff]

William Burgess Sr.

Strange Relations - William Burgess Sr.and Dorcas Keeling

William Burgess Sr. and Dorcas Keeling were married and are both our direct ancestors.  But they didn’t have any children.  So here is the question - how could they both be our ancestors?  Drocas was William’s second wife.  When they were married, Dorcas had three children - Lee, Eliza and Rhoda.  At the time, George was helping to take care of two of his grandsons - Hyrum and George Burgess.  They were sons of his deceased son Horace through his first wife Violate Stockwell.

Hyrum and George were smitten by the Dykes women. Eventually Hyrum married Eliza and George married Rhoda.  Hyrum and Eliza had one son and were divorced.  George and Rhoda had a very happy marriage and eleven children. We are descended from their oldest son George Edward Burgess.

[miniaturelovercollectionstuff]

George Parker and Dorcas Keeling Dykes Family

Daughter Bottom Left: Eliza Jane Dykes

Daughter Bottom Right: Rhoda Ann Dykes, Wife of George Martin

[miniaturelovercollectionstuff]

George Parker Dykes was excommunicated and joined the RLDS. He wrote a large pamphlet about Joseph Smith entitled "The Choice Seer." The link below takes you to a copy of this pamphlet.

https://archive.org/stream/thechoiceseerbyg00dyke#page/n0/mode/2up

[miniaturelovercollectionstuff]

Rhoda Ann Dykes, Wife of George Martin Burgess

Some of Rhoda Ann Dykes’ Temple Experiences

The temple was very important to Rhoda.  She “received her endowment on September 12, 1860 in the Endowment House.  She was fifteen years old at the time.

George and Rhoda made the trip up to Salt Lake City, Utah... and were sealed together on June 20, 1867 in the Endowment House. At that time, children were not being sealed to parents in the Endowment House so their son George and deceased daughter Lillie could not be sealed to them. (Family Search Temple Records http://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/LDS_Temple_Records)

“In January 1887, George and Rhoda planned a trip to St. George to be sealed to their deceased daughter Lillie and their son, George Edward Burgess. Rhoda recorded the details of the trip in her journal.

‘January 20­—Baby [Clarence] is some better and Emily will tend him while George and I, Ted [George Edward] and Alice go to the Tempel. We went through for the dead and had our two eldest Children adopted or sealed to us. Went home, had dinner, took the two baby boys in to the Photography gallery, had their Photos taken. Little Clarence is quite sick yet, so we will start home in the morning, as I could not go to the Tempel if we stayed. Emily, Alice and Ted will stay.’”

It wasn’t easy for Rhoda to get to the temple.  She had health issues and it was a trip to get there. This is a record of one of her visits.  “Even though it was extremely cold, Rhoda and Sister L. Gardner [Leonora Cannon Gardner, Ruth’s future mother-in-law] decided to go with Eddie [George Edward] to St. George to work in the temple for a week. They left on February 9.

‘February 9 [1891] Early in the morning and we are all ready to start to St. George to work in the Temple. Sister Gardner, Eddie and I are going in the Tempel to work for our dead. Emily will go but not to work for our dead. Emily will go but not to work in the Tempel. We are going through today.

February 14—Evening Got back just at dark tonight. I found my family all well for which I felt to thank my Heavenly Father. We went through the Tempel four days doing the work for four coupels. It is beautiful work and we enjoyed it so much. I was washed and anointed and administered to and although the trip is hard I know I shall feel the benefit of it. The wind is blowing and it is very cloudy and stormy too.’”

Some temple rules have obviously changed over the years.  For example, Rhoda mentioned doing a washing and anointing for health.  Also, on more than one occasion she mentioned taking care of a baby while in the temple.  The following journal entry referred to her being able to take care of her four-month-old grandson, Edward W. Burgess, in the St. George Temple.

“February 16 [1892]  I stayed and tended Emily’s baby while she went through with her husband. She was also washed and anointed for her health and administered to by Brother McAlister. I took baby to her once to nurse and he slept most of the time. And how I enjoyed sitting there in the house of the Lord with that precious baby in my arms. I think I never spent happier hours in my life. And I hope and believe it will do Emily good. She has suffered so much the last few months.”

Rhoda was not able to attend the laying of the capstone in the Salt lake Temple on April 6, 1892, but her bishop did and he came home and told his congregation all about it.  Rhoda was deeply impressed by his words and wrote many of the details down.  Then she shared her beautiful testimony.

“April 17 [1892] We went to Town this morning. Got there in time for Sunday School. Went up to Alice’s for dinner then to meeting. The Bishop had just returned from Salt Lake City where he went to attend the General Conference, it being the sixty-second Conference since the organization of the Church. It consisted then of only a few members, now it numbers thousands. Truly the littel stone is filling a part of the earth and we believe that it will fill the whole earth in time just as the Prophet said it would.

The Capstone was laid on the Tempel at Salt Lake City with imposing ceremonies and shouts of “Hosannah!” It was laid by President Wilford Woodruff and the names of the President of the Church and his Counselors when the foundation stones were laid were enclosed, which was Brigham Young who laid the first corner stone. Also the names of the Twelve Apostels in his day and several of the Church books, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Spencers Letters, Voice of Warning, Pearl of Great Price and some others. The Names of the President and his Counselors, the Twelve Apostels that preside at the present as well as a photograph of the Tempel. The Dedicatory Prayer was offered by Councellor Joseph F. Smith.

It was a day that will never be forgotten by the Saints of latter days. I have read the Sermons delivered at this Conference and what beautiful truths and rules are in the words spoken by the Holy Prophets of God. Such kind fatherly advice and teachings. How can anyone doubt that this is the true Church and that it is led by the right men of Faith and Wisdom spending their time in teaching us the truths of Heaven. How diligent we should be in trying to observe them and to keep our feet in the straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal.”

Rhoda is still enjoying attending the temple.  Marilee Burgess Cook had an experience with her in the Denver Colorado Temple.

Marilee Burgess Cook, The Biography of Rhoda Ann Dykes

Rhoda Ann Dykes Burgess, Pine Valley Journal of Rhoda Ann Dykes Burgess Years 1881-1900, Transcribed by Rubie Hughes, Edited and Printed by Miles Burgess,1988.  

[miniaturelovercollectionstuff]

Rhoda Ann Dykes Wife of George Martin Burgess

Poem Written by Rhoda Ann Dykes (Burgess)

Do You Ever Think of Me?

By Rhoda Burgess

When the shades of eve are falling

O’er the blue and lonely sea;

When the whippoorwill is calling,

Do you ever think of me?

 When the great church bell is swelling

Its music o’er the lee;

When of absent friends you’re telling,

Do you ever think of me?

 When the silver stars are gleaming

Through the blue immensity;

When of other days you’re dreaming,

Do you ever think of me?

 And oh, when the white clouds linger

In the blue and azure sky;

When fond fancy’s trembling finger

Like a needle points on high;

 Do you then with sighs remember

Hoping in the yet-to-be

How we parted in December

And breathe a prayer for me?

 Does the moonlight softly glowing

On shrub and flower and tree;

Does the sound of waters flowing

Bring to you sweet thoughts of me?

This poem was most likely written in memory of her mother, Dorcas Keeling, who passed away on December 17, 1881.  The poem was written in Grass Valley, Utah, on June 12, 1889.

Rhoda Ann Dykes Burgess, Pine Valley Journal of Rhoda Ann Dykes Burgess Years 1881-1900, Transcribed by Rubie Hughes, Edited and Printed by Miles Burgess,1988.  

[miniaturelovercollectionstuff]

Rhoda Ann Dykes, Wife of George Martin Burgess

Rhoda’s Journal Entry Reveals a Great Amount of Faith, Courage and Trust in the Lord Despite Losing Two Babies - Lillie Burgess and Horace Martin Burgess (Mattie)

“April 16 [1881] The day is fair and pleasant and my mind goes back over the years that have passed. 17 years ago today since we were married. 17 years of sunshine and shade but today finds me contented, yes and happy too. Although we have had trials to pass through. Two years ago today we laid sweet Mattie on the hillside in his last sleep beside his little sister. And it seemed to me in my deep grief that all the world was full of sorrow and gloom. But today I can fully realize how merciful the All Father has been to me through all my past life. And I know that all will be well if I put my trust in Him and try to do His will.”

Rhoda Ann Dykes Burgess, Pine Valley Journal of Rhoda Ann Dykes Burgess Years 1881-1900, Transcribed by Rubie Hughes, Edited and Printed by Miles Burgess,1988.  

[miniaturelovercollectionstuff]

William Burgess Sr. Family Group Sheet