My Grandfather; Daniel McMillan born March 2, 1819, in Dumbarton, Scotland, was the son of Ephraim McMullin, who was born about 1775, and Rose Palmer who was born about 1777. Ephraim was born in Ballymena, Antrim, Ireland and Rose was born in Coleraine, County, Ulster; Ireland. They were not of Irish descent, as their parents were exiles from Scotland and had fled for their lives along with others when their lives were in danger, and found shelter in Northern Ireland where they lived for many years. We know Ephraim and Rose Palmer McMullin came to Dumbarton, Scotland, to live, as this is where my Grandfather Daniel was born. The family was staunch Catholics.

Daniel had one brother, Peter McMillan, who married Margaret Baxter; and two sisters, Susan, who married John Bums, and Margaret who married John Gallagher. As far as we know the brother and sisters stayed in Scotland.

My Grandfather Daniel McMillan, when a lad of 15 years, left his father's home in Dumbarton, Scotland, and went to Liverpool, England, and apprenticed out to learn the blacksmith trade. As far as we know he never went back to see his parents and brother and sisters and their families. We do know that he did correspond with them even after he came to Utah.

In Liverpool he met and married Janett Davies, a daughter of William and Phebe Ruffler (or Roughley) Davies. The family belonged to the Church of England. They were married December 8,1844, at the St. James Church in the Parish of Walton-on-the-Hill, in the County of Lancaster, at the Old Swan, by Henry Hampton, a Minister.

Janett Davis was born June 2, 1819. In Liverpool England [alt birth information: 24 Dec 1844, in West Derby, Lancaster, England] Daniel and Janett, made their home in Liverpool, Lancaster, England where their six children were born. Phebe, my mother was born 18 November 1846; Ephraim, born 14, November 1848; William, born 9 December 1849; Mary Ellen, born 30 June 1851 and Margaret, born 13 August 1853. She died in 1855 and Janett born in 1855. She died in 1856. The two younger girls were born and died in Liverpool, England and are buried there.

During these years the Mormon Missionaries (George Q. Cannon) found this family and taught the Gospel to them. They knew it was the truth and gladly gave up their religion. In the year of 1849 they became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This was an unusual occurrence for a staunch Catholic and a member of the Church of England to give up their religion for another, but this couple and their family did and those who were old enough were baptized in 1849.

The time came that this family wanted to come to Utah or Zion and they began to make preparations for the trip. It was very difficult to obtain passage on the shops at this time. They did, and when it came their turn to go, there was nothing else for them to do but to go. Their two boys, Ephraim and William, were apprenticed out to learn the trades of printer and blacksmith, It would be two years before their apprenticeships would be completed. Daniel made arrangements with the missionaries to bring the boys to Utah when they had finished their apprenticeships.

Daniel and Janett, with their two girls, Phebe and Mary Ellen left Liverpool, England, with the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Company, of the packet ship "Cynosure", May 10, 1863. The Captain was J. Smith and there were 775 emigrating saints on board. On this ship the company was organized by George Q. Cannon with a President and two counselors, and with other officers. Before sailing the Saints on board were organized into wards or companies, and from two to four teachers were appointed to assist in each ward and also a Captain of the Guard was appointed.

This Company was on the water six long dreary weeks. The waves were so great at times it seemed the ship would be swallowed. But they had great faith in the Lord and felt that their mission on earth was not finished and the Lord would protect them. They did arrive in America. On July 19, 1863 the ship "Cynosure" docked in New York.

From New York they traveled in different ways to Florence, Nebraska, where the Saints made preparations to cross the plains. Daniel McMillan purchased the necessary food, equipment, teams and wagons. They made the journey across the plains in a Company lead by Captain Thomas E. Ricks. They shared in all hardships of the two-month's journey. On this Journey, my mother Phebe, 16 years old at the time, rode one-half day and walked the rest of the one thousand mile journey. Many times her feet would be bruised and bleeding, but still she plodded on to do her part to be with the body of the Saints. She was a great pioneer.

In 1865 the family moved to Heber City, Wasatch County, Utah to make it their home. Daniel set up a blacksmith shop and was the first Blacksmith in Heber City. William, Daniel's son worked with him in the shop.

Daniel liked to sing as he worked and this was one of his favorites.

In 1871 Daniel McMillan married Mary Murdock Mair, an elderly lady about his own age, she had raised a family of children by her first husband, Allan Mair. She still had a daughter; Mary and two sons living with her. Andrew Mair was about 15 years old and Alexander Mair was about 13 years old. Daniel was naturally of a kind, generous disposition, and proved to be a kind, considerate stepfather to these boys. In fact, he was generous to a fault and he made many friends and few enemies. With the help of his second wife, Mary, who was of a very thrifty and saving disposition, and his own hard work in the Blacksmith shop. They, in time saved enough money to build a very nice stone house, in which they lived and were very comfortable for many years.

Daniel was a firm believer in the Gospel, and bore a strong testimony to its divine source many times in public and private.

He lived in Heber City for 37 years. Aunt Mary, his second wife, as she was lovingly called by all who knew her, helped Daniel raise his granddaughter Mary (May) Janette Nelson Sessions from birth until she was six years old. They also raised two other girls who were very small, whose mother left them in their care for only a few days, but she never come back to get them. These girls were Nettie and Elva Qlsen. They were three and five years old, and proved to be of great help to Daniel and Mary. The girls lived with them until they were married.

My grandfather's wife, Mary was the only grandmother I ever saw and knew, as my grandmother Janette died long before I was born. I always loved Grandmother Mary. I remember when my mother took us children to see her and how she always wanted us children to have some bread and butter. I still remember how good it tasted, as no cake tasted better.

I can remember seeing her in bed knitting stockings. Twelve years before her death she became an invalid, not able to turn over in bed with out help, she was paralyzed. She was never known to utter a complaining word. Her energy continued on as she knitted stockings, and many pieces of lace. She also read a great deal to her Daniel as his eyesight was becoming very dim.

On the morning of December 5, 1900, Mary died as she had lived-true to the faith and religion, for which she left her first husband, home and country. At her passing, she was surrounded by those who were near and dear to her in her life.

Now my grandfather Daniel was getting old, and after Mary died he made his home with his son, William, and his daughter Phebe. He received good care from both families in the last few years of his life.

Daniel McMillan passed away peacefully on April 29, 1902, at the age of 83. He is buried beside his wife Mary in the family plot in Heber City, Utah.

BROTHER DANIEL, I BLESS YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH HEALTH AND STRENGTH SUFFICIENT FOR YOUR DAY, AND SAY THAT YOU SHALL LIVE AS LONG AS LIFE SHALL BE DESIRABLE UNTO YOU.

I SEAL UPON YOU ALL THESE BLESSINGS OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT, AND SAY UNTO YOU THAT YOU SHALL HAVE MUCH JOY IN THE PRINCIPALS OF THE HOLY GOSPEL THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED WITH AN HONEST HEART. YOU SHALL HAVE THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART IN ALL THINGS THAT WILL BE FOR YOUR GOOD. I SEAL YOU UP INTO ETERNAL LIFE AND SAY THAT YOU SHALL COME FORTH IN THE MORNING OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION AND HAVE POWER TO GATHER AROUND YOU MANY OF YOUR KINDRED AND FRIENDS, AND BE CROWNED WITH HONOR AND GLORY IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND THE HOLY ANGELS. ALL WHICH I SEAL UPON YOU UPON CONDITION OF YOUR FAITHFULNESS TO THE END OF YOUR DAYS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.

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