William Draper was born 24 April 1807 to William Draper and Lydia Luthrop, in upper Canada. In June 1832 William heard the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ preached by a missionary named Elder Miller and by others that were with him. Later he heard Brigham Young preach the same gospel and he knew it was true. William was baptized 20 March 1834. He took his wife and 2 children and left Canada for the sake of the gospel. William found a location where he could build a home and by hard work he provided a comfortable living for his family. They were quite poor as to worldly goods but William labored hard and prospered.
In 1835 William helped to build the Kirtland Temple and after he went on a mission back to Canada.
William attended the Theological school which was superintended by the Prophet Joseph Smith. There he was taught preparatory to the endowment for when the temple was finished.
On 6 April 1836, there was such an outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord that William was unable to express it. but he said "the Spirit was poured out and came like a mighty rushing wind and filled the house, that many who were present spoke in tongues and had visions and saw Angels and prophesied and had a general time of rejoicing such as had not been known in this generation."
In 1838, William was set apart to go to Illinois to take charge and preside in a branch of the Church that had been previously raised up.
After William was swindled out of his home and land, they left for Morgan County Illinois and traveled 120 miles until the weather was so bad they had to stay for a week.
William was close to the Prophets family. Joseph's father, the first patriarch gave William a blessing and then William and his family started out on their journey again. They traveled on uninhabited country roads and came to a place in Caldwell County Missouri which was about 4-5 miles from Far West. There was a small branch of the Church there so William bought a snug little home with a blacksmith shop and 7 acres. He had 1 yoke of oxen, 1 house and 2 cows. corn and pork were plentiful, corn being the main bread stuff, so William set to work at shoe making and made his family a comfortable living.
William was in the crowd when the Prophet Joseph and his brethren were carried off never to be seen again.
When William returned home he found the heads of his oxen lying in the road. All he had left was a cow and a horse to make a team to leave the State in the spring.
When Williams family left to travel West, they were with out incident until the latter part of March. They came to a small town called Attas on the border of the great Mississippi Bottom in Illinois.
In 1850, there was a new settlement started on what was then called South Willow Creek, about 20 miles south of Salt Lake. William was asked to come and settle there. William moved his large family and the settlement became large enough that it warranted a branch of the Church to be organized and William was called as the bishop.
Then later William moved his family to Spanish Fork and purchased 4 houses and lots with about 80 acres of land which 50 acres could be farmed. William grew enough grain for his family and had plenty to share with others.
In 1863, when the grasshoppers and crickets destroyed the crops one yea,r the following year, he had failed crops. Wood was hard to come by and he had 4 houses to keep going. The oldest boys had grown and married and left home which only left small children and only had the mothers to help him.
William moved his families to Moroni where he bought 15 acres of land and a share in a gist mill.
The following is a testimony by William;
"I William testify of the truth of the everlasting gospel as introduced by the Prophet Joseph Smith. and I also join the labor to call upon all men, Jew, gentile, bond and free, Priest and people to home and abroad; all who have not obeyed the gospel to listen and hear and believe and be baptized. Now I will come to a close on the day (Dec. 11, 1881) which makes me 74 years old and the husband of 5 wives and father of 51 children and grandfather to about 100 children and great grandfather to about 20 more. Now I leave my blessing upon them all and ask Heavenly Father to seal the blessing of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob upon their heads, and that they may be honorable members in His Church and Kingdom, even so, Lord let it be. Amen"
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Amy Hansen-Great, Great, Grandmother, Hepworth side.
Amy Hansen was the third child born to Nils (Nelson) Hansen and Marilla Terry. She was born 14 September, 1852 near Glenwood, Mills, Iowa. The family knew much happiness on a farm at Indian Creek near Glenwood, but Nils decided he wanted to go to California to seek his fortune in gold, but Marilla wanted to go to Utah where her parents lived, so they packed up and each went their separate ways, Marilla taking the children with her.
Amy was about 8-9 years old at the time and she helped with camp chores on the long tedious journey across the plains.
In 1862 the Hansen family received a call to move South, there they raised cotton on the Virgin River. Quite a large number of the Terry family went also.
When Amy was 14 years old, she married Almond Draper at Rockville and two years later she had her first child, Elzina who later married Thornton Hepworth...Elzina was the mother to Malinda Hepworth, my grandmother, Dennett side.
Amy 2nd child married Squire Hepworth, brother to her brother-in-law Thornton.
Amy and Almond struggled alone making a meager living in Rockville so they decided to move to Springdale, 5 miles to the east, to see if they could make a better living there.
Amy was a faithful Latter-day Saint and a good mother and an honorable person. She was rather short, heavy set with gray eyes and light brown hair. Her general health was good.
Amy was a hard working woman, she raised chickens and sold the eggs. She had cows and would make butter and an excellent cheese to sell. She made numerous amounts of quilts which she would give to those in need and when she died she had several large stacks of quilts ready to sell or give away.
Amy had artistic abilities, she was a quiet woman and of a retiring nature. She never put herself forward in the public eye. Nevertheless, she was much sought after as a worker in the church. She was a counselor in Relief Society and a teacher in Sunday School.
After Almond (called Ab) secured a small piece of land with a small house on it, he preceded to move the house. After moving the house 3 times, Amy put her foot down and said no more moving the house.
It was in this very house that she got pneumonia and died at age 37. 23 April, 1889. When Amy would laugh it became contagious and would soon have everyone laughing. There were 8 children born to this family.
Amy was about 8-9 years old at the time and she helped with camp chores on the long tedious journey across the plains.
In 1862 the Hansen family received a call to move South, there they raised cotton on the Virgin River. Quite a large number of the Terry family went also.
When Amy was 14 years old, she married Almond Draper at Rockville and two years later she had her first child, Elzina who later married Thornton Hepworth...Elzina was the mother to Malinda Hepworth, my grandmother, Dennett side.
Amy 2nd child married Squire Hepworth, brother to her brother-in-law Thornton.
Amy and Almond struggled alone making a meager living in Rockville so they decided to move to Springdale, 5 miles to the east, to see if they could make a better living there.
Amy was a faithful Latter-day Saint and a good mother and an honorable person. She was rather short, heavy set with gray eyes and light brown hair. Her general health was good.
Amy was a hard working woman, she raised chickens and sold the eggs. She had cows and would make butter and an excellent cheese to sell. She made numerous amounts of quilts which she would give to those in need and when she died she had several large stacks of quilts ready to sell or give away.
Amy had artistic abilities, she was a quiet woman and of a retiring nature. She never put herself forward in the public eye. Nevertheless, she was much sought after as a worker in the church. She was a counselor in Relief Society and a teacher in Sunday School.
After Almond (called Ab) secured a small piece of land with a small house on it, he preceded to move the house. After moving the house 3 times, Amy put her foot down and said no more moving the house.
It was in this very house that she got pneumonia and died at age 37. 23 April, 1889. When Amy would laugh it became contagious and would soon have everyone laughing. There were 8 children born to this family.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Almond Draper-Great, Great, Grandfather...Hepworth side.
Almond Draper was born 28, Oct. 1846 in Pottawatomie County Iowa. He was the son of William Draper and Martha Weaver. They were early converts to the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and came from east Canada. After Almond's family come to Utah in 1848, they settled in Moroni. Almond had 56 siblings as his father had 7 wives. Altho Almond was the only child born to Martha.
Almond married Amy Hansen when she was only 14, (Dont even think about that Grandkids) he was 20 years old and their first child was Elzina Jane, She is our line. Almond and Amy had 9 children.
Almond with go with other men to fight the Indians that were on the warpath. In 1880, Almond's family moved from Rockville to Springdale which was 5 miles to the East. Almond liked to trade and move around, he liked to change possessions often . When Dixie country was crowded and the farms were to small and no jobs were available, Almond wanted to move to "greener pastures".
Almond was a large, well built, fine looking man. His average weight was 160 pounds an his height was 5 feet, 6 inches tall. He had beautiful brown wavy hair and brown eyes. He was quite the entertainer at parties an dances and would often do the call for square dances. He was a good singer and really fleet-footed in the popular jog dances.
Before Martha died (1st wife) on 23, April 1889, she told Almond that if she dies and Phebe Barton whom Almond had taken a fancy to, was still single, he had her permission to marry Phebe., which he did soon after Martha's death. Almond married his 3rd wife, Mariah Durffy of Springdale. People living plural marriages were "Taking off" for Mexico Almond took his wives an children and started for Mexico also, they got as Taylor Arizona where Martha's sister and her husband lived . They lived there about a year and Almond decided not to go to Mexico and thought he could do better at home in Springdale. The family got as far Lee's Ferry on the Colorado River and decided to stay. They lived there for a year then moved back to Springdale. After 5 months Almond moved his family to Duncan, further down the river. They stayed there for three or four years and then moved back to Springdale for the next few years.
Almond was a real "Cut-Up" and used to cause quite a bit of sport for the crowd by performing rodeo stunts with wild range cattle. While several town men were going to a job site on Mount Trumble, which was a saw mill, Almond grabbed a red blanket and started to put on his act and acted weird and making noises for the cattle that were passing by them. When the cattle seen him they took off like scared coyotes, except one old cow. When she seen Almond, she stopped, turned, snorted, bellowed and charged him. The horn's just grazed Almonds "britches" but he jumped clear over the wagon to safety.
In Nov 1898, Almond decided to move again. They moved to Beaver Bottoms near Milford. After about a year they moved to Konash and then in 1902 they moved to Provo.
Almond died in 1920 while they were living in Hinckley. He is buried in Lemington by his wife Phebe. He was 73 years old.
Almond married Amy Hansen when she was only 14, (Dont even think about that Grandkids) he was 20 years old and their first child was Elzina Jane, She is our line. Almond and Amy had 9 children.
Almond with go with other men to fight the Indians that were on the warpath. In 1880, Almond's family moved from Rockville to Springdale which was 5 miles to the East. Almond liked to trade and move around, he liked to change possessions often . When Dixie country was crowded and the farms were to small and no jobs were available, Almond wanted to move to "greener pastures".
Almond was a large, well built, fine looking man. His average weight was 160 pounds an his height was 5 feet, 6 inches tall. He had beautiful brown wavy hair and brown eyes. He was quite the entertainer at parties an dances and would often do the call for square dances. He was a good singer and really fleet-footed in the popular jog dances.
Before Martha died (1st wife) on 23, April 1889, she told Almond that if she dies and Phebe Barton whom Almond had taken a fancy to, was still single, he had her permission to marry Phebe., which he did soon after Martha's death. Almond married his 3rd wife, Mariah Durffy of Springdale. People living plural marriages were "Taking off" for Mexico Almond took his wives an children and started for Mexico also, they got as Taylor Arizona where Martha's sister and her husband lived . They lived there about a year and Almond decided not to go to Mexico and thought he could do better at home in Springdale. The family got as far Lee's Ferry on the Colorado River and decided to stay. They lived there for a year then moved back to Springdale. After 5 months Almond moved his family to Duncan, further down the river. They stayed there for three or four years and then moved back to Springdale for the next few years.
Almond was a real "Cut-Up" and used to cause quite a bit of sport for the crowd by performing rodeo stunts with wild range cattle. While several town men were going to a job site on Mount Trumble, which was a saw mill, Almond grabbed a red blanket and started to put on his act and acted weird and making noises for the cattle that were passing by them. When the cattle seen him they took off like scared coyotes, except one old cow. When she seen Almond, she stopped, turned, snorted, bellowed and charged him. The horn's just grazed Almonds "britches" but he jumped clear over the wagon to safety.
In Nov 1898, Almond decided to move again. They moved to Beaver Bottoms near Milford. After about a year they moved to Konash and then in 1902 they moved to Provo.
Almond died in 1920 while they were living in Hinckley. He is buried in Lemington by his wife Phebe. He was 73 years old.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Lucy Ann Newel Very-Great, Great, Grandmother...Dennett side
Lucy Ann Very was born 12 June 1818 to Jonathan Very and Susan Peabody, in Oxford Massachusetts, just north of Salem. The very name has been traced back to a Bridget Very who came from England with her 3 children. She was born about 1600 and Lucy is the 7th generation from her.
Lucy's mother died when Lucy was only 10 years old. Her father remarried in 1838. Lucy married Thomas Flannigan in 1842, he was from Ireland. They had one child. Thomas died at age 26 when their son was only 1 year old.
Lucy's step mother, Lucy and her sister Charlotte were the only family members that joined the church. Lucy took her child and the other family members and traveled to Nauvoo along the Mohawk Trail which started in Massachusetts. The Trail had originally been only a foot path and became a very popular route West as early as 1786.
Arriving in Nauvoo was a special time, it is an added witness to the inspiration of Joseph Smith.
Lucy received her patriarchal blessing on 30 June 1845 just 3 months from the last record of her in Salem.
Lucy crossed the plains with the other pioneers. After she married Daniel Quimby Dennett, they came to Dixie, it was in 1861. Lucy had an argument with a neighbor over a bed sheet and lost her membership. On 10 June 1849 she was re baptized.
When the saints got to the Salt Lake Valley, baptism was requested by Brigham Young so they could renew their covenants.
Lucy and Daniel were resealed in the presidents office on 3 Feb. 1857.
Lucy had twin boys, Alma and Amulek. While they were infants-8 days old..they were given blessings, parts of the blessings were;
Alma, would be powerful like David the son of Jesse and an instrument in the hand of God in doing much good in building up Zion.
Daniel Amulek, would be like Daniel of old-interpreting dreams and understanding dark sayings and powerful like Amulek in the ministry and his strongest features will be seen like Alma whom none but the power of the highest could move.
Lucy's husband Daniel sang many solo's in many events and meetings. He was an exceptional man. Daniel helped build the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Lucy died ate the age of 58 on 5 January, 1876, only 4 years after Daniel.
Lucy's mother died when Lucy was only 10 years old. Her father remarried in 1838. Lucy married Thomas Flannigan in 1842, he was from Ireland. They had one child. Thomas died at age 26 when their son was only 1 year old.
Lucy's step mother, Lucy and her sister Charlotte were the only family members that joined the church. Lucy took her child and the other family members and traveled to Nauvoo along the Mohawk Trail which started in Massachusetts. The Trail had originally been only a foot path and became a very popular route West as early as 1786.
Arriving in Nauvoo was a special time, it is an added witness to the inspiration of Joseph Smith.
Lucy received her patriarchal blessing on 30 June 1845 just 3 months from the last record of her in Salem.
Lucy crossed the plains with the other pioneers. After she married Daniel Quimby Dennett, they came to Dixie, it was in 1861. Lucy had an argument with a neighbor over a bed sheet and lost her membership. On 10 June 1849 she was re baptized.
When the saints got to the Salt Lake Valley, baptism was requested by Brigham Young so they could renew their covenants.
Lucy and Daniel were resealed in the presidents office on 3 Feb. 1857.
Lucy had twin boys, Alma and Amulek. While they were infants-8 days old..they were given blessings, parts of the blessings were;
Alma, would be powerful like David the son of Jesse and an instrument in the hand of God in doing much good in building up Zion.
Daniel Amulek, would be like Daniel of old-interpreting dreams and understanding dark sayings and powerful like Amulek in the ministry and his strongest features will be seen like Alma whom none but the power of the highest could move.
Lucy's husband Daniel sang many solo's in many events and meetings. He was an exceptional man. Daniel helped build the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Lucy died ate the age of 58 on 5 January, 1876, only 4 years after Daniel.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Rebecca Alvira Stout-3rd Great Grandmother
Rebecca Alvira Stout was born at Mill Creek, Salt Lake City, Utah 13 january 1857. She was the daughter of Allen Joseph Stout and Amanda Melvina Fisk. Her parents came from Kentucky and New York. She was the 5th child of 14 children.
When the family of Allen Joseph was called by the Church authorities to move South to help settle Dixie, they settled first in Harrisburg butb the soil wasnt very good so they moved North to Long Valley and settled in a canyon just North of Glendale Utah. The Canyon is now called Lydia's Canyon. Two years later they were forced to move because of the Indians and the Black Hawk War. They settled in Saint George but the weather didn't agree with Amanda so they moved to Rockville, near Zion Canyon. Amanda was a very "fleshy" woman, (maybe thats where we get our fat-haha)
Rebecca married John Fabyan Dennett 18 April 1872. Rebecca's father had been a bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph. Rebecca was the 2nd wife to John, his having been widowed shortly after coming to America. He had 4 children to care for . John and Rebecca had 12 children, the 4th child is my grandfather John Fabin.
John and Rebecca came to Salt Lake 2 October 1851 and settled in Pleasant Grove before being called to settle Dixie. Rebecca was a very loving, caring person, she spent 40 years tending to the sick and afflicted. She had cared for her ailing mother and her brothers and sisters before she had married. She brought many children into this world as a midwife..
Rebecca, who was called Becky, had a great knowledge of herbs and would make her own medicines for every ailment. She developed a medicine called 5-part for babies and a preparation for blood poisioning.
One time the river was flooded and the wagon couldnt cross so Rebecca unhitched the wagon and rode the horse across the swollen river in time to deliver a baby and comfort the mother. One time Rebecca drove a buggy as far as she could up the mountain and then rode a horse the rest of the way, along a very narrow trail, which took all day and half the night.
One time an Indian came to the door and demanded bread. Rebecca said she didnt have any so the Indian pulled out a knife and stood over the baby, as it lay in its crib. Rebecca remembered an old useless gun in the logs which served as a roof on the cabin, so she stood on a stool and got the gun, she then pointed it at the Indian and told him to "go", which he did to her relief. Another time a Mexican came to the door while John was away from home, and asked to buy a pony. Rebecca said it wasnt for sale. She was afraid he would come back in the night and steal it so she tied a rope around the horse and held the other end in her hand all night.
John and Rebecca were very devoted to their families and each other, they were respected by all who knew them. They called each other "Pa and Ma." They could always be counted on to help both with money and aid. Rebecca lived a good life, she died 16 November 1934 in Rockville Utha at age 78. She left 7 living children, 56 grandchildren, 68 great grandchildren and one great, great, grandchild. Her greatest rewards in life was in being able to help others.
When the family of Allen Joseph was called by the Church authorities to move South to help settle Dixie, they settled first in Harrisburg butb the soil wasnt very good so they moved North to Long Valley and settled in a canyon just North of Glendale Utah. The Canyon is now called Lydia's Canyon. Two years later they were forced to move because of the Indians and the Black Hawk War. They settled in Saint George but the weather didn't agree with Amanda so they moved to Rockville, near Zion Canyon. Amanda was a very "fleshy" woman, (maybe thats where we get our fat-haha)
Rebecca married John Fabyan Dennett 18 April 1872. Rebecca's father had been a bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph. Rebecca was the 2nd wife to John, his having been widowed shortly after coming to America. He had 4 children to care for . John and Rebecca had 12 children, the 4th child is my grandfather John Fabin.
John and Rebecca came to Salt Lake 2 October 1851 and settled in Pleasant Grove before being called to settle Dixie. Rebecca was a very loving, caring person, she spent 40 years tending to the sick and afflicted. She had cared for her ailing mother and her brothers and sisters before she had married. She brought many children into this world as a midwife..
Rebecca, who was called Becky, had a great knowledge of herbs and would make her own medicines for every ailment. She developed a medicine called 5-part for babies and a preparation for blood poisioning.
One time the river was flooded and the wagon couldnt cross so Rebecca unhitched the wagon and rode the horse across the swollen river in time to deliver a baby and comfort the mother. One time Rebecca drove a buggy as far as she could up the mountain and then rode a horse the rest of the way, along a very narrow trail, which took all day and half the night.
One time an Indian came to the door and demanded bread. Rebecca said she didnt have any so the Indian pulled out a knife and stood over the baby, as it lay in its crib. Rebecca remembered an old useless gun in the logs which served as a roof on the cabin, so she stood on a stool and got the gun, she then pointed it at the Indian and told him to "go", which he did to her relief. Another time a Mexican came to the door while John was away from home, and asked to buy a pony. Rebecca said it wasnt for sale. She was afraid he would come back in the night and steal it so she tied a rope around the horse and held the other end in her hand all night.
John and Rebecca were very devoted to their families and each other, they were respected by all who knew them. They called each other "Pa and Ma." They could always be counted on to help both with money and aid. Rebecca lived a good life, she died 16 November 1934 in Rockville Utha at age 78. She left 7 living children, 56 grandchildren, 68 great grandchildren and one great, great, grandchild. Her greatest rewards in life was in being able to help others.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Nils (Nelson) Hansen-3rd Great Grandfather. (Marilla Terry)
Nils was from a very prominent family who had considerable land holdings. Nils was well educated in the Norwegian schools but was listed as not being able to read or write. Some assume that ment he never learned the English language after coming to America. The Hansen family were very religious in the Lutheran faith.Nils Hansen was born March 26, 1806 in Bergen Norway. Genealogy has been traced back to Denmark.
Nils was a sturdy, hard working and progressive farmer. He had 2 quarters sections of pararie land with lots of woods. Nils was determined that his children have a good education.
Nils was an honest man, his dealings with his fellowmen was always fair. He had little use for religion and no respect for preachers.
Nils and a young wife with their 4 children came to America and the young wife died, Nils put the children into the homes of good friends and went to Nauvoo where he met and married Marilla Terry. They were married in the Nauvoo Temple 28 Jan. 1846.
The family moved to Iowa where 7 children were born to them. Marilla had joined the church in Canada and when her parents left for Utah, she wanted to move also but Nils wanted to go to California where the gold rush was. Nils "outfitted" a wagon and Marilla and the children, all but 10 year old Andrew Jackson, went with their mother and Nils later went to California. It would be 20 years before Andrew would see his mother again.
The Hansen name in Norway was "Veste" but when Nils came to America, he left the "Veste" name off.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Marilla Terry- My Great, Great, Great Grandmother-Hepworth side.
Our ancestor Richard Terry came to America in 1635 and helped to make history in the new world.
Marilla Terry was born 2 June, 1823 in Albion Home District, Upper Canada, to Parshall Terry 3rd, and Ann Hannah Terry. They were first cousins, there were 13 children born into this family. 7 born in New York and the other 6 born in Canada with Marilla being the 10th child. This part of Canada was a wild and rugged land so it was hard work clearing it, but everyone pulled together in a united effort to clear it so homes could be built and a living made. There was a lot of brush and heavy undergrowth.
Marilla's early life would be spent in the same way as other frontier children. little schooling and just the bare necessities of life and very few pleasures.
About 1837 the Mormon Missionaries came to Albion, the Terry family were immediately interested because they were well acquainted with Joseph Smith and knew what a fine boy he was. Marilla's brother Jacob was a good friend of Joseph's, who was the same ages.
Marilla joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Feb. 1838 and with most of the family came to the United States to gather with the other Saints in Missouri. When the family was driven from their home by an extermination order from Gov. Boggs, out into the bitter cold, Deborah, then age 11, died from exposure.
When Marilla was 18 she married John Crawford and had 2 sons, one dying in infancy and the other lived to be a mainstay in Marilla's life.
When John Crawford died in Dec. 1843, Marilla got along as best as she could with a son to care for. On Jan. 28, 1846 Marilla married Nils (Nilson) Hansen in the Nauvoo Temple. He had come from Norway with a young wife and 4 young children. His wife died leaving the children for him to care for. In 1848, Nils moved the family to Iowa, 20 miles from Glenwood. They lived there until 1861, 7 children were born there.
The family wanted to move to Utah but Nils wanted to go to California for the gold rush. He "fitted out" the wagon but he took his 10 year old son out of the wagon too try to make it harder for the family to leave. Marilla never seen her son again until he was a grown man. Nils had put him in the home of a good family while he went off to fight the Indians. He was never seen again. He died after 1865 in California.
Marilla was a tall and nervous person but she traveled across the plains with her family in the David H. Cannon Company, settling in Draper Utah.
When the call came from President Brigham Young for the Saints to go south to Dixie, Marilla and her family went with the others, they left in the fall of 1863. They arrived at a small settlement called Adventure, just East of Grafton in the Rockville area. Marilla's family was one of the first families to settle in Rockville.
The women as well as the men had to try to make a living out of an nonsupporting land which was surrounded with sage brush and mountains. Their first home was made out of rough rocks with mud placed between them to hold them in place. The roof was made out of logs hewn out and placed for rafters with cedar bark and a quantity of dirt over that which let the roof leak if it rained, and when there was a downpour, the place was covered with mud. There was one corner with a bed that did not leak and the children were put on the bed and all the neighbors came and stayed in the one room to try to stay dry.
Marilla had lots of fruit trees and two long rows of currents bushes in her lot. She had a small oval wood box that she kept her valuables in, it was believed to have been given to Marilla by her first husband, John Crawford. Her son John has it in his possession.
Marilla was a very intelligent person and people liked to talk with her. She had a small one room home in the center of town in the upper side of the street. She lived alone and her needs and wants were few. She looked after her family, yet she wouldn't let anyone help her unless it was with something she could not do. She was a very plain spoken person as well as being superstitious. She would never call "Come In" when some one was at the door because she thought she might be admitting the Devil in.
Marilla passed away in her home in Rockville, Utah on October 19, 1894 at the age of 72. She was survived by 2 sons, 4 daughters and 46 grandchildren.
Marilla Terry was born 2 June, 1823 in Albion Home District, Upper Canada, to Parshall Terry 3rd, and Ann Hannah Terry. They were first cousins, there were 13 children born into this family. 7 born in New York and the other 6 born in Canada with Marilla being the 10th child. This part of Canada was a wild and rugged land so it was hard work clearing it, but everyone pulled together in a united effort to clear it so homes could be built and a living made. There was a lot of brush and heavy undergrowth.
Marilla's early life would be spent in the same way as other frontier children. little schooling and just the bare necessities of life and very few pleasures.
About 1837 the Mormon Missionaries came to Albion, the Terry family were immediately interested because they were well acquainted with Joseph Smith and knew what a fine boy he was. Marilla's brother Jacob was a good friend of Joseph's, who was the same ages.
Marilla joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Feb. 1838 and with most of the family came to the United States to gather with the other Saints in Missouri. When the family was driven from their home by an extermination order from Gov. Boggs, out into the bitter cold, Deborah, then age 11, died from exposure.
When Marilla was 18 she married John Crawford and had 2 sons, one dying in infancy and the other lived to be a mainstay in Marilla's life.
When John Crawford died in Dec. 1843, Marilla got along as best as she could with a son to care for. On Jan. 28, 1846 Marilla married Nils (Nilson) Hansen in the Nauvoo Temple. He had come from Norway with a young wife and 4 young children. His wife died leaving the children for him to care for. In 1848, Nils moved the family to Iowa, 20 miles from Glenwood. They lived there until 1861, 7 children were born there.
The family wanted to move to Utah but Nils wanted to go to California for the gold rush. He "fitted out" the wagon but he took his 10 year old son out of the wagon too try to make it harder for the family to leave. Marilla never seen her son again until he was a grown man. Nils had put him in the home of a good family while he went off to fight the Indians. He was never seen again. He died after 1865 in California.
Marilla was a tall and nervous person but she traveled across the plains with her family in the David H. Cannon Company, settling in Draper Utah.
When the call came from President Brigham Young for the Saints to go south to Dixie, Marilla and her family went with the others, they left in the fall of 1863. They arrived at a small settlement called Adventure, just East of Grafton in the Rockville area. Marilla's family was one of the first families to settle in Rockville.
The women as well as the men had to try to make a living out of an nonsupporting land which was surrounded with sage brush and mountains. Their first home was made out of rough rocks with mud placed between them to hold them in place. The roof was made out of logs hewn out and placed for rafters with cedar bark and a quantity of dirt over that which let the roof leak if it rained, and when there was a downpour, the place was covered with mud. There was one corner with a bed that did not leak and the children were put on the bed and all the neighbors came and stayed in the one room to try to stay dry.
Marilla had lots of fruit trees and two long rows of currents bushes in her lot. She had a small oval wood box that she kept her valuables in, it was believed to have been given to Marilla by her first husband, John Crawford. Her son John has it in his possession.
Marilla was a very intelligent person and people liked to talk with her. She had a small one room home in the center of town in the upper side of the street. She lived alone and her needs and wants were few. She looked after her family, yet she wouldn't let anyone help her unless it was with something she could not do. She was a very plain spoken person as well as being superstitious. She would never call "Come In" when some one was at the door because she thought she might be admitting the Devil in.
Marilla passed away in her home in Rockville, Utah on October 19, 1894 at the age of 72. She was survived by 2 sons, 4 daughters and 46 grandchildren.
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