Briant Stringham

Briant Stringham was born March 28, 1823 in Colesville, New York, to George Stringham and Polly Hendrickson Stringham. He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in June of 1841 and came to the Salt Lake valley with the first group of pioneers on 24 Jul 1847.

He married Susan Ann Ashby March 21, 1850 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born February 1, 1830 in Salem, Massachusetts, to Nathaniel Ashby and Susan Hammond. They were the parents of ten children, two died young. She died 28 Apr 1896 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He married Harriet Maria Ashby April 20, 1852 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born April 8, 1834 in Salem, Massachusetts to Nathaniel Ashby and Susan Hammond.

They were the parents of eight children, one died young. She died April 15, 1921 in Pasadena, California. He married Martha Ellen Ashby Buckland, widow of Alandes D. Buckland, August 12, 1856 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born August 20, 1832 in Salem, Massachusetts to Nathaniel Ashby and Susan Hammond. They were the parents of seven children, two died young. She died March 25, 1872 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He married Nancy Garr Badger, widow of Rodney Badger, December 14, 1858 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born October 14, 1822 in Richmond, Indiana. They were the parents of two children. She died April 1, 1900 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He died August 4, 1871 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The orphaned Ashby children were left in the care of Briant Stringham when Susan Hammond Ashby died. Briant had married Nathaniel's older sister, Susan Ann Ashby Young, in 1850. Briant worked with the Church cattle on Antelope Island in the Salt Lake.

History of Briant Stringham

Briant Stringham became foreman of the Antelope Island ranch serving from 1855 to 1871. Born in Colesville, New York in 1823, Briant joined the Mormon Church and participated in the great western trek, entering the valley with the first pioneers in 1847. He was a butcher, an explorer, a builder, a soldier, and a stockman.

He had four wives and twenty-seven children. Stringham transported the stock to and from the island on a large flat-bottom boat. He grew grain and alfalfa, cultivated a large garden, and planted an orchard. During his tenure as a foreman, the church-owned livestock company invested in valuable stallions and brood mares which were turned loose to run and breed on the island.

The band of horses sometimes numbered over one thousand. Briant was known for his kindness to animals, and he enjoyed the time spent caring for the horses. During these years, the Stringhams maintained residence in Salt Lake City, but the family spent considerable time at their Island Home.

In July of 1871 Briant Stringham was caught in a storm on the lake and was soaked and exposed to the chilling wind. He became ill, developed congestion of the lungs, and died August 4. He had worked on the island for nearly sixteen years.

* Ranching on Antelope Island

Children not listed below: Phyllip Stringham