Ruth was born 23rd April 1817 at Middleton, Lancashire, England. She was Christened on 10th August 1817. She was the daughter of James Butterworth and Mary Fielding.

Her first marriage was to John Briggs. They had seven children all born in England. The family migrated to America sometime after that last child was born in August 1855 and November 1856. Records show that her husband John and two of the children died in the same month of November 1856. Some illness must have befallen the family.

She married Benjamin Thomas Clark seven months later on 28th June 1857. They had one daughter Lavinia Alice Clark(e) born 2nd June 1858 in Salt Lake City. Lavinia died in November 1860. (aged 2 years 5 months old)

They were married less than three years when she died on 4th August 1860. Leaving her family of five ranging from 24 years to just 5 years.

Did Benjamin and his wife Ann Southwell care for the younger Briggs children? Or did the eldest daughter Eliza and or Sarah raise them.

Ann Southwell had two more children Ellen born 1857 and Charles 1859 with Benjamin whilst he was married to Ruth from 1857 to 1860.

Was he married to both women at the same time?

I have four journals on Benjamin Thomas Clark.

1. with Ann Shuker
2. with Ann Southwell
3. with Ruth Butterworth
4. with Marth Larkins


Benjamin Thomas Clark died at Sugarhouse in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA on 4th November 1867. He was buried at the Salt Lake Cemetery in November 1867.

Ann Southwell died in 1887, 30 years after Benjamin passed away

Marriages
Ann Shuker 25/9/1820
Ann Southwell 25/5/1850
Ruth Butterworth 28/6/1857
Martha Larkins 28/4/1866