Enterprise in Washington County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Eliza Jane Pulsipher Terry
26 July 1840 – 6 May 1919
She became the second wife to Thomas Sirls Terry on 6 May 1855, she was not quite 15 years old. She was the youngest sister of Thomas Sirls’ first wife, Mary Ann. From this marriage 12 children were born, 5 boys and 7 girls.
In 1856 Thomas was called on a mission. Eliza Jane spent much of that time with Mary Ann at the farm in Little Cottonwood (while Mary Ann was giving birth to her fourth child in Salt Lake). It was a hard winter with deep snow and severe cold; Eliza suffered because of the hard work and the cold. Her hardships were compounded when her brother William, who agreed to help with the heavy chores, left her alone because of a call from Brigham Young to help rescue the handcart companies in Wyoming. Eliza Jane had great faith and never complained because of these hardships.
In 1862 Eliza Jane and her 3 children along with Thomas Sirls and Mary Ann and the Pulsipher family traveled the long, rough, dusty road to Dixie. She gave birth to her fourth child a few months after arriving there.
Eliza Jane was very independent and very capable. She took a course in obstetrics from a trained nurse in St. George and became a very loving and compassionate midwife, much sought after to attend new mothers and those who were sick from various causes. Because of the loss of 4 of her own children while they were very young, she was very tender with those who were ill. She was a lovely woman with brown hair. She always wore a long black dress with deep pockets, and always had a coin or two in them for anyone who was in need. Eliza Jane and her family spent years building and operating the ranch and state station where she cooked for the drivers and passengers. She had the boys manage the ranch. When pologamy was outlawed, Eliza Jane purchased a home with her own money and moved to Panaca, Nevada, where she lived until her death on 6 May 1919 at the age of 79. Eliza Jane was told to rest in Panaca. Thomas Sirls was not there when she passed away but came soon and spoke at her funeral.
Children
Zera Pulsipher 1856-1949
Thomas Nelson 1858-1938
Eliza Jane 1860-1931
Aluna 1863-1916
Sarah Mariah 1865-1885
John William 1868-1868
Charles Henry 1868-1868
Olive Amelia 1869-1869
Josephine Rebecca 1870-1942
Franklin Durmoth 1872-1952
Tracy Roselee 1875-1876
Eva Elthera 1877-1958
Erected 1996.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1855.
Location. 37° 34.417′ N, 113° 42.25′ W. Marker is in Enterprise, Utah, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from Highway 18 near Highway 120. Located inside Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Enterprise UT 84725, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Thomas Sirls Terry (here, next to this marker); Mary Ann Pulsipher Terry (here, next to this marker); Hannah Louise Leavitt Terry (here, next to this marker); American Legion Hiatt-Hunt Post 80 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jefferson Hunt (approx. 5.6 miles away); Mountain Meadows Massacre (approx. 7.2 miles away); Siege, Murder, and Burials at the Emigrants' Campsite (approx. 7˝ miles away); Mountain Meadows Massacre Grave Site Memorial (approx. 7.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Enterprise.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2008, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 1,509 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 10, 2008, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.