William Ajax papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0064

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The William Ajax papers (1862-1890s) consist of photocopy of typescript of Ajax's diary and some news articles. The diary records the emigration of Ajax and his family, converts to the LDS Church, from Liverpool, England, to Salt Lake City, Utah. It describes their trek, as well as their lives once in the Salt Lake Valley. The news articles describe the later years of William Ajax's life and his struggles to keep his mercantile business going.

Dates

1862-1890s

Creator

Ajax, William, 1832-1899 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical / Historical

William Ajax (1832-1899) was converted to the LDS Church in 1853 in Wales. Before emigrating to Utah, he worked on the Welsh church paper, Udgorn, and acted as clerk for the Welsh Mission. He and his family set sail for the United States on 19 May 1862, arriving in New York on 26 June 1862. They arrived in Utah in October of that same year. He moved his family to Rush Valley after 1869 when the firm of Watt, Sleater, and Ajax failed. He created the Ajax Underground Store in Centre, Utah. Ajax died in 1899, but his family carried on the business until around 1913 when Mercur, Utah, closed down as a mining town.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (1 Box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The William Ajax papers (1862-1890s) consist of Ajax's diary and some news articles. The diary records the emigration of Ajax and his family, converts to the LDS Church, from Liverpool, England, to Salt Lake City, Utah. It describes their trek, as well as their lives once in the Salt Lake Valley. The news articles describe the later years of William Ajax's life and his struggles to keep his mercantile business going.