When George came home from his mission they lived in St. John and he was put in as Bishop of the ward. Hannah gave him every support in his calling. She was always in attendance at meetings and always early. In those days the people were not as prompt as they should be but when it came time to commence the meeting Hannah was there in her place.

[Editor's note - St. Johns wasn't made a ward until 1878 or so. George was the first bishop of the ward. He was the president of the branch - presiding elder - at this time.]

She taught her daughter Charlotte to spin yarn. She dyed the yarns so her finished materials were lovely to behold. Green she made from peach leaves, she used indigo for her blues, log wood was used for the black dyes, red came from madder while rabbit brush furnished the yellow. Sister Gould wove the cloth and Hannah made clothes for every member of the family.

George made arrangements with the Z. C. M. I, to run a branch store out at St, John. The daily and constant tending of the store, of course, fell to Hannah and her daughter Pauline. George did his share when he could, but he kept the store supplied with the staples, he did his farming, and freighting and his church work, while Hannah kept the house, cooked hundreds of delicious meals for visiting dignitaries and friends.

One day some salesmen came out from Salt Lake to the store to see George.

They wanted him to stock and sell liquor. He gave the problem some consideration because of the many requests for it. But reached no final decision. After listening to the their arguments he walked across his office and opened the door into the store. "Mrs. Burridge, " he said, "These men want us to sell liquor. What do you say? " Hannah drew herself up and in all her dignity she replied, "Mr. Burridge the day liquor comes into this store I walk out. " George returned to the men and said, "Gentlemen, there is your answer. Liquor will never be sold from this store. "

So the Burridge store remained free from selling anything that did not uphold the religious beliefs of the family. Hannah would rather lose some business than go contrary to her conscience.

One day a big buck Indian came to the store. He wanted to buy some "fire water' (liquor). Hannah was alone in the store at the time which was not an ideal situation. The Indian grew mean and ugly when Hannah told him there was none in the store. He kept demanding that she get some for him but she repeated over and over that they did not sell firewater. He finally grew so angry he grabbed her by the bob of hair on the top of her head. He dragged her across the room to the fireplace where he stooped and picked up a burning stick which they used for a poker, to poke up the fire. Still holding her helpless with her head held back he ran the blazing stick up and down the front of her dress until the bone buttons on her waist were burned.

During this rough treatment Hannah neither screamed, cried out or pleaded for mercy. Finally the Indian was struck by her bravery and grunted, "heap brave squaw". Then he let go of her hair, hurled the stick into the fireplace and strode out of the room.

Hannah thankfully put out the fire on her buttons and dress and was ready to meet the next customer.

In talking about it afterward Hannah always acknowledged the hand of the Lord in the preservation of her life and home.

She taught her children and grandchildren to be obedient to their parents and church leaders at all times. She expected and received implicit obedience. She taught them by example to always serve the Lord and keep his commandments in everything they did. At her knee they were taught to pray, to turn to the Lord through prayer for guidance and help when needed. To always remember whether their troubles be great or small to ask the Lord to guide them.

She had two pans for eggs. One was for the family and one was for tithing. When the eggs were gathered for the night every tenth egg was put into the tithing pan.

The Lord's tenth

One day Betsy and Grandma Gowans came to visit Hannah. Theirs was a very close and warm friendship because of the hardships, joys and sorrows they had endured together. So a visit from the Gowans was a welcome joyous occasion. The whole family gathered around to visit. Talk and laughter flowed around the room gathering all into it's warmth and comfort. Finally the children wearied and went to bed to sleep.

But the ladies sat on laughing and murmuring together. It continued while they prepared for bed. Betsy and Hannah's whispers were punctuated with smothered laughter far into the early morning hours, long after everyone else was asleep.

In the sober light of dawn Hannah took account of herself and felt she had sinned from laughing so much. She felt she was unworthy to lead the family prayers that morning.