Mary Ann Powell

Which of these photos of Mary Ann Powell should I use for my family tree wall?

Put your answer in the comments section.

Mary Ann Powell is my great great great grandmother.  She married David Dorwart Sabin and they are the parents of Henry Sabin who married Nancy Jane Stone and they are the parents of Henry Elmer Sabin who married Lillie Devena Christensen and they are the parents of Marvin Elmer Sabin who is my maternal grandfather.

I have a 12 page autobiography by Mary Ann Powell which is very interesting.  I will just tell you a few highlights that I remember.

She was born in South Wales where her father John Powell was an expert stonemason.  Her father converted and was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.  Her mother later converted.

I believe it was 1856 when they sailed across the "pond", as they say, and came to America.  She was 12 or 13 at the time.  Her mother was quite ill and Mary had to do a lot of the work.

Upon reaching America her family joined a handcart company and crossed the plains into the Salt Lake Valley. Mary walked the entire way.  Even helping to pull others' handcarts.

Her father John, being an expert stonemason, worked on the Salt Lake Temple.  Two weeks after reaching Salt Lake he died.  Her mother settled in Payson, Utah. Her brother William, also a stonemason, continued work on the Salt Lake Temple.

Here is a small snippet from her autobiography:

". On January 30, 1865, I married David Dorwart Sabin. He was born in Pennsylvania, and at the age of ten had come to Utah with his family. His parents settled in Salt Lake City and resided in the seventeenth ward until the spring of 1858 when there was a general move southward. I had known Brother Sabin several years before I began keeping company with him. He was an honorable upright man.

"We resided in Payson fourteen years. The first home we owned was a block north of the Payson flour mill. Brother Sabin built it. It was a blue adobe, two rooms, a little loft, and a nice cellar. There was a nice little orchard from which I used to gather and dry fruit. Those days there was a good price for dried fruit. 

"During our early married life, we were buying a molasses mill in Salem. My husband made the purchase for six hundred dollars. He repaired the machinery and set it to running at once. He made thousands of gallons of molasses. Our molasses was known throughout the state. The mill usually worked from September until November. For several years it ran day and night during the molasses making season. After the settlers quit raising cane, Brother Sabin changed the mill into a saw mill which he operated for several years. The wood for it was supplied from Loafer and Maple Canyons. 

"During the Black Hawk war, Brother Sabin held the position of home guard. Sometimes he would stand on duty for three or four nights in succession, but usually the turn came only one night a week. This lasted for two years. In 1879 we moved to Salem and hewed the lumber for our house from the Santaquin Canyon. He worked up the lumber in his own mill. Also made his own shingles and lathes. 

"We built a very nice home of seven rooms. In this home my three youngest children were born. Our family now numbered nine children. "1- Sarah Elizabeth 2- David 3- Henry 4- Mary Ann 5- John 6- Aretta 7- Margaret Amanda 8- Emma Eleanor 9- Ruth. 

"During the greater part of our married life, Brother Sabin held the office of Bishop´s counselor.He acted in this position during three different Bishops. He was superintendent of the Sunday school for a number of years also. 

"We were privileged to entertain many of the leaders of the church in our home. Among those who visited in our home was Joseph F. Smith, George I. Cannon, Dr. Hardy, Abraham Owen Smart, James E. Talmage, David John, and Brother Partridge. 

"Two years after Brother Sabin´s death, I sold our store and built a new home in the Central part of Salem where I am still residing. I am now in my eighty second year. The only living child of my father´s family. I am enjoying fairly good health for my season of life. My home is cozy and pleasant with all the convenience modern equipment can make. I am not burdened in any way. I take an active interest in the house keeping and work a little each day according to my strength. 

At this time in my life I recall the incidents of the past only for the pleasant memories they bring. I believe the todays are just as good as the yesterdays. My heart´s best message to my sons and daughters, grand children, and great grand children is Look Ahead. Don´t look behind." -- Mary Ann Powell, autobiography

 A remarkable lady!  There are many more stories about crossing the plains and life in jolly old England :-) in her autobiography.  I didn't know I was a direct descendent of some of the pioneers.  :-)