The question is; how did this couple meet? I
would love to know the answer. Not just this couple but, all my ancestors. .
This is Samuel Hepworth, the second child and first son born to Thomas and Mary Hepworth. Sam was the one born on the Mormon Trial at Wood River Nebraska. (There are records that put his place of birth as Pottawatomie Council Bluffs, Iowa) It is true that the wagon train stopped at Wood River for Mary to give birth, then within a few hours the wagon train continued on their journey. It was 3 July 1852. He became a butcher; one of the sons of his father's business Thomas Hepworth and Sons butcher shop.
Mary Jane Powell was born in St. Louis, Missouri to John Powell Jr. and Margaret Thomas. John and Margaret were born in Llanelly, Carmarthinshire Wales. They were married in Wales and four of their eight children were born there. The family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on 23 July 1847. On 17 October 1850 (163 Years ago this month) the family sailed on the ship Joseph Badger for America. "They arrived in New Orleans 22 Nov. 1850 and on the way up the Mississippi River the father took sick with Malaria Fever. When he regained his health his means were exhausted and he went to work in a coal mine." (From the History of John Powell and Family by Margaret S.P. Davis, daughter 25 Sep 1932 via Leroy Brown)
Eleven years after coming to America living in St. Louis, Missouri and Genoa, Nebraska the Powell family crossed the plains in 1861. Mary Jane was six years old. Her family came with with the Job Pingree Co. and arrived in Salt Lake City on 15 Sep 1861. Her parents settled in St Johns,Utah.
Sam was twenty two years old and Mary Jane was twenty when they were married in Salt Lake on 30 Nov. 1874. Sam and Mary Jane were the parents of four children. Only two lived to adulthood. Their second child Ella died just before she turned eight years old. Their fourth child Aurelia died at age six. Their first child was Hettie Irene born 21 Dec 1875 and their third child Samuel LeRoy was born 10 July 1881. More on this family will continue.
Renee
