Joseph Cornwall

Cornwall Line

Joseph Cornwall

Joseph and Charlotte Cornwall

Father of Joseph Alexander Cornwall, Grandfather of J. Spencer Cornwall, Great Grandfather of J. Shirl Cornwall.  Here are a few excepts from the history of Joseph Cornwall written by one of his children in 1932.  It is beautifully written and describes his love for and sacrifice for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One hundred years ago, (August 27, 1832) a youngster was born of a poor family in the way off country of Ireland.  He was named Joseph Cornwall.  The parents were of humble rank and were not favored with fortune.  The conditions then existing in Ireland were such that families of their cast could enjoy but few comforts and limited educational advantages.  The family consisted of father, mother and six children - two girls and four boys.

It has been said that he had a desire for the ministry.  This denied, he occupied most of his spare time in the interest of self improvement.  But he was born under a lucky star.  Five months before his spirit was permitted to leave its birth place, the architects had hewn the small stone and given it momentum.  A sentence had saluted the startled ear.  They had broken their long silence.  April 6, 1830 had rolled around.  The worthy forerunner whose voice had been stilled for 1900 years had reappeared.  The groves were still God’s temples.  The prayer for light and knowledge had ascended and the petition granted.  Earth kissed heaven in a grand salute.  Light and knowledge had come forth. Once more earth’s inhabitants could hear a prophet’s voice.  The remnants of lost and scattered Israel had their ears to the ground. 

This family in Ireland was awaiting the tidings.  They were to hear the story from the new world.  A few short years of waiting and it burst upon them.  Men clothed with the long-lost authority knocked at their door.  Their language was simple but their testimony was unimpeached.  Their ears heard and their hearts were touched. One by one the members of the family were converted to this absorbing story until all but three joined.  The desire to leave their native land and gather with this “peculiar people” became contagious.  It was now apparent that this hitherto happy family were now to be gathered or scattered.

Records have it that father was baptized August 22, 1851, being then about nineteen years old.  Some time after, he was ordained an elder and enjoyed the privilege of presiding in his native land.

Ten years passed between his joining the church and leaving for America.  This period was marked with such serious consequences that it required more than ordinary courage and determination for its accomplishment.  The regret that his mother could not see the truth as it had impressed him; the hardships attending his church activities in the little branch; the constant dream of his leaving the land of his birth and gathering with the people of his accepted faith; the leaving behind of his beloved mother with only a stone to mark her resting place; the privations and hardships that he knew would attend his emigration weighed heavily upon his mind.  His force of will power and more than human determination to accomplish this desire will excite the admiration of all future generations. 

 Oh that last line - His force of will power and more than human determination to accomplish this desire will excite the admiration of all future generations - that is us.  I have typed up his complete history and will be sharing more in the future - but it did excite my admiration.  Thanks be to Joseph Cornwall who recognized the truth and did something about it.