William Tait

 

William Tait, his personal and family background, and his involvement in the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

William Tait (1818-1896)
Biographical Sketch

William Tait was born in Downpatrick, County Down in Ulster Ireland. His parents were Ulster Irish or Scots-Irish. His father and wife (named Mary McGuire) was also from Ulster Ireland. Evidently Tait married Mary Pridley/Pridey (1822-?), also an Ulster Irish but she died.
In 1850, Tait married Elizabeth Xavier (1833-1914) (in Bombay, India??). In spring 1856, they (she?) left India for Liverpool, England (where a newborn of theirs died). They (she?) immigrated to the United States. (Is this the woman from British India who was on the Willie or Martin handcart companies??)
According to John D. Lee, Tait arrived at Mountain Meadows with a militia company from Cedar City. Little else is known about Tait's role in the massacre.
References: Lee, Mormonism Unveiled; the Lee Trial transcripts; FamilySearch.org.
Further information and confirmation needed.
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