Mary Jane Shadden Walker
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Life and Times of Mary Jane Shadden Walker Eldon H. Walker, Compiler Life and Times of Mary Jane Shadden Walker Born July 26, 1831 S Sing Sing, New York Died September 3, 1916 S Lewisville, Idaho Wife of William Holmes Walker Her memory and her many sterling qualities will long live in the minds of those who knew her Compiled by Eldon H. Walker, a great-grandson i Copyright © 2002 by Eldon H. Walker. All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America Any reprint of any portion of this book without the written consent of the author is prohibited. ii Table of Contents Ancestry. ....................................................................................................................................... iv Preface. ........................................................................................................................ vii Early Life......................................................................................................................... 1 Nauvoo. .......................................................................................................................... 2 The Exodus . .................................................................................................................. 3 Life at Winter Quarters and Council Bluffs. .................................................................... 4 Crossing the Plains ........................................................................................................ 5 Utah................................................................................................................................ 6 Move to Idaho............................................................................................................... 10 Tribute to Mary Jane by Veda Walker Green. .............................................................. 14 Death of Olive and Mary Jane. ..................................................................................... 16 Supplemental Information............................................................................................. 19 Bibliography.................................................................................................................. 24 Index ............................................................................................................................ 27 iii Ancestry Mary Jane Shadden married William Holmes Walker born 1831 Sing Sing, New York born 1820 Peacham, Vermont died 1916 Lewisville, Idaho died 1908 Lewisville, Idaho ———————————————— | | | Welby Holmes Walker married Sarah Hegsted born 1864 Salt Lake City, Utah born 1865 Huntsville, Utah died 1947 Idaho Falls, Idaho died 1947 Rigby, Idaho —————————————— | | | Oral Holmes Walker born 1896 Lewisville, Idaho died 1945 Portland, Oregon married Beatrice Mortensen born 1902 Mt. Pleasant, Utah died 1995, Idaho Falls, Idaho | | Eldon Holmes Walker born 1932 Lewisville, Idaho married Dorothy Wallace Born 1932 Idaho Falls, Idaho iv Mary Jane Shadden Walker v vi PREFACE Mary Jane Shadden Walker left no autobiography. However, several short biographical sketches were written about her by members of the family. The most comprehensive sources were written by Veda Walker Green and included in Veda’s autobiography, Insomnia, later published as Veda Jane. Another short history was written by Veda and is on file at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum, Salt Lake City, Utah. This life story was compiled using these sketches, with additional information located in other sources such as newspapers, church and census records, and sketches about her husband and children. Some of the stories were just that — stories that may or may not have happened. Mary Jane was a stalwart member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She knew many of the early prophets and apostles, and even knew the Prophet Joseph Smith. Her life presented many challenges. She lost her father when she was very small. Her mother remarried and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The family followed the Mormons to Nauvoo, Illinois, where Mary Jane lost her stepfather. Her mother migrated west, taking her three children, but lost her life in the exodus from Nauvoo, leaving Mary Jane to care for two younger siblings. Her half-brother succumbed to scurvy in Winter Quarters, Nebraska. Her half- sister Catherine came into the Great Salt Lake Valley in 1848. Mary Jane crossed the plains in a private wagon company in 1849. She had to work her way across the plains, being employed by the William Pickett family. She took care of their twins and did other chores. Her history is one of perseverance and patience. Hopefully the Life and Times of Mary Jane will help you become acquainted with her life. We can be proud to claim her as a progenitor. I have been as accurate as possible with the materials and my conclusions. I give thanks to all who have helped in any way - lending encouragement, correcting, and proofreading this manuscript. Especially do I want to express my appreciation to Hilary Hendricks for her effort in editing this manuscript. Her help was invaluable. Eldon H. Walker 4218 Ben View Drive West Valley City, Utah 84120 email: [email protected] vii viii Life and Times of MARY JANE SHADDEN WALKER Early Life was baptized in 1837. Fanny wished to tell her mother of her baptism and to share the Mary Jane Shadden, an early convert to The gospel with her. Her mother met her at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints door and told Fanny she was crazy for and early pioneer to Utah, was born in New joining the Mormon Church. York State in Westchester County. Known later as the town of Ossining1 near the Mother’s Second Marriage village of Sing Sing, it is located north of New York City. Sing Sing was once part of Sometime during 1835 or 1836 Fanny was the manor of Philipsburg2 and was well asked by Stephen Van Velsor to be his wife. known for the New York State prison built They were married in Westchester County, there in 1825. Situated upon ground which New York. Both were active members in gradually rises from the Hudson River to the the Church and belonged to the Sing Sing height of 180 feet, Sing Sing affords a fine Branch. Parley P. Pratt recorded in his view of Tappan Bay and the opposite shore journal, "In 1837 a branch of the Church of the Hudson. was established in Sing Sing." Stephen was instrumental in helping establish the branch. Mary Jane was born in these lovely The president of the Sing Sing branch was surroundings July 26, 1831.3 She was the Abraham Washburn, who played an only child born to Simeon and Fanny Cronk important role in the life of the Van Velsors Shadden who were married about 1829. in later years. However, shortly after Fanny became pregnant, they separated. Little is known Parley P. Pratt also recorded in his journal about their life together, but family tradition "November 22, 1839: New York: a General relates that about 1832 Simeon died of an Conference was held in this city on accident in a New York shipyard. Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Present were: Priests: A. Everett, Birge and As a result of the separation, Fanny went to Vanvelver [sic], a member of the Church work as a seamstress. When her baby, Mary from Sing Sing." No record of the Sing Jane, was born, they lived with an elderly Sing Branch has been found. The branch lady. This lady allowed Fanny to use her president, Abraham Washburn, left New sewing machine, and when she was called York for Nauvoo in 1841, and there is no away to work in a client’s home, the record of who assumed the leadership. landlady cared for Mary Jane. Neither Fanny’s nor Steven’s baptismal date has been found. Mother’s Conversion to the Church On December 18, 1837 Catherine Van Fanny had listened to Parley P. Pratt, one of Velsor was born at the family home in the Latter-day Saint (Mormon) missionaries, Sing Sing. There was a six-year and was interested in what he taught. She difference between her and her half sister, Mary Jane. A half brother, Robert, was born in 1839, also in Sing Sing, but he rate, little money down, and long-term only lived until 1840. On January 20, financing. This is probably the method 1841, another son, Henry G., was born. Steven used to purchase the land. Prior to his birth the family had moved to New Rochelle, a village in the southern part of Westchester County. A portion of this village and the lands surrounding it were occupied by elegant villas and country residences of people doing business in New York. Here the Van Velsors lived for the next three years. Move To Nauvoo In 1844 Steven and Fanny decided it was time for them to join the "Saints" in Nauvoo, Illinois, then the headquarters of the Church. According to the history of Catherine, Stephen, Fanny, and their three children Stephen built a beautiful home. It was left New York, probably via the Erie Canal probably a log home, built like the and railroad. When they reached the majority of the homes in Nauvoo at that Mississippi River they embarked on the time. Mary Jane and her mother grew steamship Maid of Iowa.4 They arrived in flowers in the garden surrounding their Nauvoo May 20,1844, with only the few home. belongings which they brought with them—mostly clothing. Mary Jane felt sad An 1844 tax list of Nauvoo lists the Van to leave her childhood memories, of lovely Velsor family residing in the Nauvoo dolls and buggy, bed, dishes, and story Third Ward. Steven was a member of the books. Twenty-second Quorum of Seventies. Life in