Amelia Partridge is rather tall, with a fine form, black hair, dark eyes, dark complexion, sweet expression of countenance, and very mild and amiable in disposition. She and her sister Eliza had been servants in the family of Joseph Smith, in Nauvoo.
Amelia has four children, to whom she is devotedly attached. She is a kind and gentle mother, patient and forgiving,—one of the excellent ones of earth. She takes but little interest in family matters, outside of the circle of her own children.
Mrs. Augusta Cobb is a native of Massachusetts, and formerly resided in Boston. She is a large, fine-looking person,—dark hair, gray eyes, and clear complexion. She is very stylish in appearance, and of dignified demeanor. She was converted to Mormonism at Boston, fifteen years ago, left her husband and a very interesting family of children, and with one little girl, Charlotte, came to Utah, and took up her residence at the Harem, as a plural wife of Brigham Young.
She is high-spirited and imperious. She once returned to her family in Boston, and remained two years, but was too deeply involved in the meshes of Mormonism to be satisfied away from Zion, and again returned to Salt Lake. She now lives in a neat little cottage near the Lion House, and is supported by Young. Her son, James Cobb, after finishing his course of study in the East, came to Salt Lake, and after some years, through the influence of his mother, joined the
church. Previous to becoming a Mormon, he expressed much anxiety about his mother and sister Charlotte,—now an interesting young lady,—and used many arguments and entreaties to induce them to leave, but finally himself yielded to the seductive influences which surrounded him.
Charlotte at one time enjoyed the proud title of "the belle of Salt Lake." She has steadfastly opposed polygamy, and hence has remained unmarried.
Mrs. Smith is an elderly woman, who admired Brother Brigham very much, and desired to be sealed to him, to insure her salvation. Young did not reciprocate her sentiments toward him, but compromised the matter by sealing her to Joseph Smith for eternity, and to himself for time. After this ceremony had been performed, he committed her to the care of the Bishop of the ward, directing him to support her.
There are many of this class of women in the Territory.
Clara Chase, the Maniac.
This woman was of medium height, dark hair and eyes, rather sullen expression of countenance, low forehead, and her features indicative of deep-seated melancholy. When Young married her, he treated her with marked consideration. He assigned to her an elegant apartment, in which hung the only oil-painting of himself. She from the first distrusted the principle of polygamy, and had many misgivings of conscience in regard to her course in marrying the Prophet.