Chapter I My Birth Leicester-England, September 4, 1845. Aunt and Uncle Page were down from London on their annual visit on the above date and appeared greatly interested in the advent of the first son born in this branch of the family tree. They had no children and although a devotee of the protestant faith Uncle Page imbibed quite freely his favorite champagne. That was Saturday and on the day following as the chimes of St. Margaret church floated through the air Uncle Page addressed the family group as follows: “What do you intend to name the boy?” “We thought of naming him James after his uncle, my brother,” was the reply of my mother. “Will you permit me to add to that my name Samuel Page which would make it complete for both his uncles and later should it be agreeable to all concerned we should be pleased to adopt him heir to our estate.” After a brief pause my mother replied Uncle Page for your first request is granted but the matter of adoption must not be seriously considered. With this mutual understanding I was christened James Samuel Page Bowler and before returning to their home in London a deed was drafted signed and delivered to my parents which gave me the title to certain property on Humberston Road Leicester-England. My parents and grandparents were firm believers in the Gospel of Christ as taught by the Mormon Missionaries and it was tacitly understood by them and Aunt and Uncle Page that an avoidance of religious contention should be strictly maintained. Protestantism and Mormonism is here mentioned as a means leading to an end or to show that man proposes and God disposes. Sealed packages with tokens of love frequently arrived from London each containing a guinea for the boy, JSPB and renewed invitation for an early visit to the metropolis. Aunt Page always solicitious for the time when her boy should be with her informed my parents that arrangements were in progress for the consummation of that event. Thus passed the winter of 1845 and spring of 1846 when a message from Uncle Page informed my parents that he was called to France on very important shipping business, he being a shipping merchant.
Early in August Aunt and Uncle Page came to Leicester for an extended visit and for a month their carriage made frequent visits to noted personages in that vicinity; the boy always accompanying them as a matter of presumed heirship to the privileges in the Page family. On the day following the first anniversary of my birth which was celebrated in right good old English style they were called home on very important business that required their presence in London. Upon their departure their request to return the compliment appeared almost imperative but unforseen events occurred that changed that arrangement and deferred our promised visit to London nearly another year. Sealed packages continued to arrive at our home as before even though Aunt and Uncle Page were touring the eastern continent for six months. Time arrived for their annual visit to our home and ere the elapse of another year I was ushered into their palatial home in London where for two years I was surrounded with all the luxury that wealth could procure. During that period my brother John was born December 3, 1847 and at brief intervals the carriage with the Page coat of arms conveyed Aunt Page and her boy, as I had become known to her many intimate friends, to the place of my birth. On each of those occasions might be heard a feigned dispute as to who had the best right to care for the boy especially so since the babe needed all my mothers care as my Aunt smilingly averred. What brighter prospect could be anticipated than my future appeared at that time unbounded love with all that employs fabulous wealth and social rank in society with the worlds allurements before me so early in youth. Was this to materialize or was there an overruling providence guiding my destiny for good? The sequel to the above query may prove very interesting to all for whom this book is written. The first visit of my parents and grandparents to the mansion was of the most pleasant nature and the most cordial intimacy was mentioned until their second and final reunion. On that occasion some mental foreboding of unpleasant happening seemed to be present to them and they took it as a warning to be prepared for whatever might transpire on their journey and in the near future. Although they were not superstitious they were sure that something of an uncommon nature awaited them. Their reception was all that could be desired nor was there anything lacking in any manner that a casual observer might interpret as signs of approaching disruption.
It appears to be an immutable law of the universe that nothing remains stationary and therefore the human family must bow to the inevitable. It had been an open secret that Uncle Page hinted that it was only a matter of time until he should openly proclaim me his adopted son and heir and that he contemplated me being trained for the ministry. “Oh consistency thou art a jewel” truth and error cannot assimilate when this subject was broached in the family circle the ball of opposition began to roll. We shall term the controversy Protestantism versus Mormonism and therein portrayed prejudice contention vindictiveness on one side and humble honest earnest truthful conviction on the other. My parents and grandparents testified that the gospel of Christ had been revealed from heaven to the prophet Joseph Smith and having embraced the truth that was to them the only safe anchorage through life. Uncle Page took exception to this and having imbibed too freely of champagne he became very aggressive and denounced Mormonism and all who adhered to it. Thus a breach was manifest that could not be repaired or entirely reconciled to the former status. The tongue is surely an unruly member as the wise man said and Uncle Page regretted that unguarded moment but it could not be recalled and he tried to appeal unrelenting. I was taken home during this estrangement but the question may be asked why should I have to forfeit all those fine and glittering prospects within my reach because of a difference upon religious principles? True religion has ever been a chapter of much sacrifice when considered by an earthly basis but experience has taught us that there are riches that surpasseth all understanding and in this instance there was no other alternative than to renounce one or the other. I shall now proceed to outline the ultimatum of this chapter in detail.
Occasionally a sealed package came to our address from London containing the guinea for the boy as heretofore, but no urgent request for another visit to the metropolis. Thus the estrangement became very apparent to all concerned and which caused some comment because of the publicity of former events in the town Leicester where there had appeared no small recognition of the distinguished guests of the years previous. Coming events may cast their shadows before in some instances but there was a surprise in store for all of us as when my mother and grandmother were walking down Belgrave Gate the principal thorough fare in the town they saw a carriage stop and heard a familiar voice call aloud Ann, Ann. The wellspring of sisterly love was in evidence as Aunt Page took my grandmother affectionately to her and wept tears of joy caring not for the gaze of strangers passing by. All former formality was dispensed with as they proceeded to the abode where once many happy hours had been spent and where the boy first saw the light of day to the joy of all present. The absence of Uncle Page was noted on that occasion but very little reference was made to the fact more than it was surmised that he would appear later which proved to be without foundation. Aunt Page stated candidly that she came with the intentions of making a final appeal for the care of the boy and assured my parents that they need have no fear of my religious training. The matter was discussed pro and con not as in the home in London however but in a spirit of consideration towards each other. They made it a matter of prayer but as no answer came my mother kindly asked Aunt Page not to press the matter further but to try and recognize the fact that the sacrifice was too great.
If the curtain could be drawn across this scene with justice to all concerned I should be pleased to do so but that would make incomplete the incidents leading to a full understanding of my early experience. Aunt Page then stated that she had hoped to persuade her sister and family to renounce Mormonism as a delusion and to show the extreme folly of making any sacrifice for such an unpopular religion. She also emphasized the aversion of Uncle Page to any innovation to the established Protestant church and stated that the law of the land would finally prohibit the Mormons preaching their new doctrine in England. How nearly this prediction was in after years disgracefully fullfilled many honest souls might could tell but truth is mighty and will prevail. Further discussion on that subject was precluded by the boy falling head long in the fire which for a time caused some little excitement in the family although nothing more serious happened than the boy losing his eyelashes and the pet dog Tiney he had been playing with was disposed of. “There” Aunt Page exclaimed “that is a judgement on you for keeping the boy when you have three children and I have none.” When on the day following Aunt Page said adieu as she said for ever and at the same time taking me in her arms she placed on the table before me an hundred pound note on which appeared a tear in parting. Childlike and having had so much attention I clung to my aunt seeming to realize her love for me at that particular moment.
In order not to appear unkind my mother uninvited accompanied Aunt Page in the carriage to the market place, my grandmother taking her seat by the side of her sister. Silence reigned excepting the fond words spoken in my ear by Aunt Page. Words that have echoed in my ears so many times since especially so when in my wandering I have realized the fact that fortune does not always accompany the wanderer. There was another parting scene that might have been witnessed by the casual observer but no apparent relention on either side as the carriage disappeared on the London road on its journey homeward. Often have I in contemplation of that parting pondered on the words of our Saviour that tell us “ He that will not leave everything for the gospel sake etc. etc.” but it’s not my purpose here to question the propriety of my parents and grandparents on that occasion but suffice it to say that the original plan mapped out for me by Aunt and Uncle Page was changed entirely. The curtain now falls on the first scene of this drama.