Nov 17, 2023

Many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are familiar with the events at John and Jane Benbow’s Farm in Herefordshire, England, in the spring of 1840. Elder Wilford Woodruff was inspired to teach the Benbows and the members of the United Brethren congregation. The impact on the growth of the Church was enormous. 

Benbow Farm and Pond, England by Francis R. Magleby

But what led Elder Woodruff to visit the Benbows? The Benbow Farm visit was a result of inspiration and missionary work by Elder Woodruff and a young member of the Church, William Benbow, who was taught by Alfred Cordon. This short story recounts the role of Alfred in the Benbow Farm history. 

Alfred Cordon

Alfred Cordon and his wife, Emma, lived and worked in The Potteries, a unique collection of six distinct towns in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. Alfred and Emma Cordon were non-conformists; they did not accept the Church of England’s teachings. From when Alfred was young, he “was very fond of reading the Bible,”¹ and he and Emma started to teach an independent Bible study group in Burslem.

In the spring of 1839, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mary Powel, came to Burslem and encouraged Alfred to go to Manchester to hear their missionaries.² After his discussion with Mary Powel, Alfred resolved to learn more about this restored Church and stated, “Away I went to my Bible and to prayer.”³ Alfred walked the 30 miles from Burslem to Manchester, not having the means to procure other transportation.⁴ He heard the Elders and was baptized the night of June 30, 1839.⁵

After his baptism, Alfred Cordon set up his “preaching room” in Burslem.⁶ He taught the principles of the restored gospel, and he also visited people in The Potteries. One such visit was made to William Benbow in Hanley. In his journal on January 2, 1840, Alfred recorded: “I went in the evening to William Benbow, Shop Keeper at Hanley and conversed with him and his wife. They received the truth joyfully.”⁷

That was not his last visit to William Benbow and his wife. Alfred recorded on January 18, 1840, “I went to Hanley to William Benbow. Him and his wife were willing to take upon them the name of Christ Jesus. After he closed the Shop, we went down to Stoke [river] . . . and they were baptized at Midnight, a most precious season.”⁸

Persecution had increased. Members of the Church usually met at midnight, in secret, for baptisms. Three days later, Alfred recorded: “Tuesday Evening I Preached at Burslem, there was a wicked Spirit made manifest. This Evening bro Wilford Woodruff, one of the twelve and bro [Theodore] Turley, one of [the] Seventies, came from America to proselytize.”⁹

Elder Woodruff stayed with the Cordon family during most of his time in Burslem.¹⁰ He stayed some nights with William Benbow’s family too. Elder Woodruff was in Burslem from January 21, 1840, until he left for John Benbow’s farm on March 3, 1840.¹¹

William Benbow accompanied Elder Woodruff on his ride to the Benbow Farm. When they arrived, William Benbow introduced Elder Woodruff to his brother John Benbow. John invited Elder Woodruff to teach his family and associates. What followed was an enormous outpouring of the Spirit and the eventual conversion of literally thousands of members.

Painting of Wilford Woodruff by Filippo Pistrucci, January 20, 1841

Alfred Cordon wasn’t officially called as a missionary at first. But that didn’t stop him from preaching in Burslem and Hanley. Alfred Cordon’s faith and missionary work led him to William Benbow. William Benbow led Elder Woodruff to his brother John and ultimately to thousands of new converts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It truly was “a most precious season.” 

Alfred Cordon’s missionary journals reflect his faith and dedication. Alfred remained a devout member of the Church until his death in 1871 in Willard, Utah. Today, thousands of his descendants honor his name.

Steve Thorsted was born at Fort Lewis, Washington, when his father was in the US Army. Later, his family returned to Utah where he has deep pioneer roots. He and his wife, Lynnette, live in Ogden, Utah. They are parents of three sons and the grandparents of four grandsons. Through his maternal line of ancestors, Steve is a second-great-grandson of Alfred and Emma Parker Cordon who settled in Willard, Utah. Steve is an avid family historian.