Nancy (Babbitt) Riggs (1854 - 1949)

Born 7 Sep 1854 in Salt Lake City Salt Lake County Utah, USA

Ancestors

Wife of Charles Hamblin Riggs — married 29 Nov 1875 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States

Descendants

Died 9 Feb 1949 at age 94 in Mesa Maricopa County Arizona, USA

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Biography

Birth: Sep. 7, 1854 Salt Lake City Salt Lake County Utah, USA Death: Feb. 9, 1949 Mesa Maricopa County Arizona, USA

Arizona Death Certificate

Nancy Marie, their youngest child, was born September 7, 1854, in Salt Lake City. Her children knew very little of her childhood, except that she lived with an aunt after the death of her parents. She often told of how her auntie–whom it is believed was Almera–would hold her in her arms, and kissing her gently, she would say, "Now we must say our night prayers." And the prayer she learned so well was, "Help me to be a good little girl so everybody will love me." Because the aunt indulged the child and gave generously of her love, others said, "My, that child is spoiled. Her aunt is just ruining her...." And so the child was taken to another home where it is said she grew to be a quiet but prayerful young woman. Nancy Marie's eyes were black, which delighted her father when she was a baby. He once remarked, "Her eyes will always be beautiful laughing eyes." Her ivory complexion needed no cosmetics to enhance her beauty. She loved to read, and learned to use the needle, making her own clothes, knitting, quilting and crocheting. She was very modest and scarcely noticed boys until she met Charles Hamblin Riggs. As they became acquainted, she found his early life had been much the same as hers. Charles and Nancy Marie were married November 29, 1875, in the Endowment House. She was twenty-one and he, twenty-eight years old. Their first child, Wallace, blessed with his mother's beautiful eyes, was born in Kanab, Utah, September 7, 1876. Soon they moved to what was known in that day as Sunset, Arizona, where they joined with others to live the principle of the united order. Because of Nancy's delicate condition, which precluded eating coarse food, they were advised by the leaders to change locations and go farther south to the mountains. The moment they viewed the beautiful mountain country with its heavy growth of pine trees and luxuriant grass, sufficient for their two cows, they were delighted, and soon Nancy Marie was feeling herself again. In May of 1878 a baby gi rl was born, whom her parents called Adaline and a second son, Almon, was born July 10, 1881. About this time Nancy and Charles received a letter from President Udall telling them the stake authorities were anxious to establish a settlement fifteen miles southwest of St. Johns (Concho), and requested that they move to this location. They answered yes to his inquiry. Don Frederick was born June 10, 1883, in St. Johns, where they were visiting her brother's family. Soon they moved to Concho, where Charles and Nancy, who were older than other Concho settlers, became known as Uncle Charlie and Aunt Nan to all; and Nancy, who loved nursing, aided the sick of the community upon many occasions. The man called to act as their bishop was Brother Kempe, a Danish convert of only a few years in America, who led his people in humility and love. Charles Riggs operated a sorghum mill, and when he first began making sorghum he said, "Now the last batch of every grinding shall be declared refreshments for the town party." The gatherings were a great success where old and young joined in making taffy. As other towns were located in the area, Nancy was called to many homes. She did not stop with her service to white families. She said, "These Mexican families need help just as much as we do." Nancy Marie had a rare gift. If it was a burn, a broken limb, a sore that wouldn't heal, a bad cold, having a baby or even terrible diseases which were brought to them, she ministered to the patients. She was always saving a few cents or a few eggs to buy a book on doctoring which she would read to gain knowledge to aid in more effectively treating each case. In 1893 a letter came from Kanab, Utah, telling the Riggs family that Grandmother Riggs was very ill and she kept calling for her son. Would it be possible for Nancy and Charles to come? They had been thinking of building a new house, but Nancy said, "Charlie, we'd never be happy, even in a palace, if we should neglect your mother." It was e arly June of 1893 that they began their journey. They loved the mother, but it was a sacrifice to leave their home for over a year. If a woman ever earned her crown of glory, Nancy Marie earned hers at that time. She bathed her mother-in-law every day as gently as she would an infant, changed her bed carefully and prepared her food. Charles insisted that no matter what his day's work was, that he sit by his mother's bedside each night to allow his wife much needed rest. They cared for her for 13 months and then one July evening she passed away and was laid peacefully to rest beside her husband. After all was over, the family met for a few moments and Charles told [p.572] his relatives of his and Nancy's intention to return to their home immediately. Even though the Riggs family had only been away a year, they found great changes in their homeland. Charlie realized more land and cattle would be necessary to maintain his family. He knew of 160 acres of land which would be suitable as added acreage with sufficient available water, so he used his homestead right to secure the land. As the children's education demanded more advanced schools, the family moved to Snowflake, and here in 1899 their baby daughter was accidentally killed, causing sorrow to the Riggs family. Their last son, was born December 30, 1899, just four months after their daughter's death. The Church sponsored a school of obstetrics and nursing. Both Riggs girls and their mother, Nancy, entered the class from which Nancy graduated with honors. She delivered many babies during the years that followed, and doctored many people for illness as well. Nancy Marie was a queenly woman who lived a life of honor and service. She died February 9, 1949. –Mrs. D. F. Riggs

Family links: Parents: Almon Whiting Babbitt (1812 - 1856) Julia Ann Johnson Babbitt (1808 - 1857)

Spouse: Charles Hamblin Riggs (1846 - 1932)*

Children: Charles Wallace Riggs (1876 - 1911)* Adeline Amerilla Riggs Dana (1879 - 1951)* Almon Isaiah Riggs (1881 - 1953)* Don Frederick Riggs (1883 - 1965)* Julia Ann Riggs Fish (1886 - 1979)* Mary Amalia Riggs Petereit (1889 - 1984)* Agnus Viola Riggs (1892 - 1899)* Brigham E Riggs (1899 - 1965)*

Siblings: Don Carlos Babbitt (1843 - 1912)* Almon Whiting Babbitt (1847 - 1918)* Julia Ann Babbitt Johnson (1849 - 1912)* Nancy Babbitt Riggs (1854 - 1949)

• Calculated relationship

Inscription: "Mother"

Burial: City of Mesa Cemetery Mesa Maricopa County Arizona, USA Plot: Section 128, Lot 2, Grave 4

Created by: Frank Elsberry Record added: Feb 05, 2011 Find A Grave Memorial# 65211242

Sources

• Identity of parents

Carter, Kate B. Our Pioneer Heritage. Salt Lake City, UT: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1958. Pages 570-571.

• Birth and death information

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=65211242