Letter
written by Mary Ann Mitchell Davis - March 9 1881 (Sealed in a time capsule to come forth 1930)
To my much
loved granddaughters:
My name is
Mary Ann Mitchell Davis. I was born in
London, England, October 19, 1823. My
parent’s names are Robert and Sarah Mitchell.
My grandfather and grandmother on my father’s side are Welch. Their
names are Robert and Mary Mitchell, which is all I know of my father’s
folks. My father died when I was two
years old.
My
great-grandfather on my mother’s side was named Gerring. They were born in Gloustershire,
England. My grandfather’s name was John
Hunt, my grandmother’s maiden name was Sarah Gerring. She was born in Gloustershire, England. They had ten children, two died in infancy
and eight were raised. Their names were
James, Susan, John, Elizabeth, Ann Sarah, Mary Ann, and Jane. They are all dead
except for Aunt Jane. She was married to
Henry Hansell in 1830. She has four children living.
I never had
a brother or sister. My mother lived a
widow until I was 11 years old, when she married William Booth. When I was 19 my mother went blind and
remained so until she died at my house in Lehi, Utah, Co., 1875, after being
blind 33 years.
I was
married to Elisha Hildebrand Davis, December 20, 1846. I am the happy mother of eight children whose
names are as follows: Ann Minerva,
Elisha Hildebrand, Sarah Agnes, Orinda Jane, George Edward, Alphonse Mitchell,
Edith Richards and Sabina Ann.
My oldest
daughter is deaf and dumb, but is of a very amiable disposition, and also a
natural genius.
She has made a variety of beautiful work which
is lovely to behold and she is a blessing to our household.
My son
Elisha married Sarah Ellen Stewart, from Battle Creek, 7 miles east of
here. They have had five children:
Elisha Stewart, Charles Ashwell (died), Pearl Ellen, Alphonse Leroy and Sarah
Ann.
Sarah Agnes
was married to Charles Karren of Lehi.
They have three children, Maud Agnes, Orinda Ann and Mary Edith.
Orinda Jane was
married to Delbert Allred of Lehi. They
have two children, Orinda Lenore and Jennie.
Alphonse
Mitchell was married to Martha Ann Winn of Lehi last December.
I received
the Gospel from Lorenzo Snow. I was
baptized the 4th day of February 1841. I can bear a faithful testimony to the truths
of the same, and set to my seal that God is true.
I sailed
from England in the ship “America” the 21st of Jan. 1847, arrived in
New Orleans the 3rd of April, in St. Louis, the 17th and
in Iowa the 24th of May in the same year. I arrived in the valley
the 9th day of October 1852.
I have been a Treasurer in the Relief Society for 14 years. I am also President of the Primary
Association, Second District, organized in 1878. Mary Ann Webb and Rebecca
Evans are my counselors, and Edith Davis, Secretary. I can truly say I have had a great joy in my
labors.
I thought I
would write the acrostic that
Wilford Woodruff wrote for me. (He was
one of the twelve apostles)
“More
precious than gold or the pearls of the east,
Are
the virtues and beauties that adorn thy mind
‘Round thee all noble spirits share in that richest feast
Your
melodious voice imparts from lovely gifts divine.
Adorned’s
thy soul, with gems which angels love
No
power shall take thy crown, for that’s secure above
Noble
has been thy aim, through thy deeds of life.
May
thy future life be marked by God’s own hand.
Inspired
by eternal truth, let peace and joy surround thy brow.
Tread
in the Holy Courts of God, in Zion’s chosen land.
Celestial
love shall through thy sacred bosom
flow,
Heaven’s
highest blessings are in store for thee.
Eternity
must lift the veil to point to thy domains,
Live
then, O noble lady, for those gifts so free,
Lift up thy
head in glory with kindred spirits reign.”
Your grandfather’s
name is Elisha Hildebrand Davis. He was born in Columbine Co. State of Ohio.
His father’s name was Isaac Davis, and his mother’s maiden name was Edith
Richards. His grandfather’s name on his
mother’s side was Abijah Richards. Abijah
was of English descent. His grandmother’s
name was Esther Daniels, who was of German descent.
Your
grandfather was on a mission a great many years. He traveled through many of the states,
preaching the Gospel of the Son of God, suffering much, but his labors were greatly
blessed, for many were added to the Church through his instrumentality.
He went to
England in 1841. We have been married 34
years, and have lived a life of peace and happiness, uniting our desires for
the benefit of our posterity.
We have a
great desire that our children’s children for many generations may walk in the
path of righteousness and enjoy the gifts of the Gospel which will bring them
joy and peace.
I have seen
many changes since I was baptised, also much joy and much sorrow. I have seen many turn aside and walk the
paths of the ungodly. I have, also, seen
the righteous praise God in the midst of their afflictions. I can say in the sincerity of my heart that
those who seek God shall find Him, and the faithful shall have grace sufficient
for their day.
I have
received many gifts of the Gospel, which have brought with them the spirit that
dwells with my Father in the Heavens, and my testimony is that the faithful
shall never be moved out of their place.
I conclude by wishing that my posterity may
never turn aside from the truths, that their habitations may be lovely and be
filled with the Spirit of God, and that lives may fall to them in pleasant
places, and that they may be numbered up as the precious jewels of Him who is
our Father and our God. Never forget
God, and believe me to be,
Your loving
and affectionate Grandmother,
Mary Ann
Mitchell Davis
Note: This is the come forth in 1930….fifty years
from now. My home is in Lehi, Utah Co.,
Utah Territory.
1 comment:
I really enjoyed that. Thanks for sharing.
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