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Document Number: 61
Author: JENSEN, Myrtle Fenton
Institution: Personal Experience
Classification: ORIGINAL: GeneralHistory
Location: USA, Utah, Salt Lake, Salt Lake City
Date Range: BTWN 1840 and 1907
Biography of WILSON, Annie Marie
Document Entry Number: 1
Transcription:
History of Annie Marie Wilson, Mother of Joseph Fenton
written by Myrtle Fenton Jensen
Annie Marie and her 17 year old sister joined the Mormon church against the wishes of their family. Somehow they saved enough money to come to America alone and friendless, with the heartfelt knowledge of complete severing of family, loved ones, and friends. The sister became ill on the ship and was buried at sea. To a young girl, born and reared in a fairly prosperous home, educated to be a teacher and skilled in dressmaking, this was a heartbreaking decision to have made.
She arrived in America not knowing how she would reach her destination, Utah. Somehow she located a man who had been sent east by the church authorities to bring to Utah, by covered wagon, a shipment of trees and shrubs to be used in Salt Lake on a part of the tabernacle grounds, of which Grandfather (Thomas Fenton) was the landscape gardener. She asked permission to come with this group and was flatly refused. However, after much pleading it was decided inasmuch as she was friendless, with little money and no possible way of returning home, even if she had wanted to, she was allowed to come.
The only space available was the tiny space between the top of the bushes and trees and the canvass of the top of the wagon. The days were long and the road rough. Grandmother walked as much as possible. She became ill along the way. The driver of the wagon, not wanting the passenger in the first place, became more and more unhappy with the situation. By the time they arrived in Salt Lake City, the driver was more than disgusted. Grandfather had anticipated the arrival of the precious trees and bushes and was at the tithing house to greet the incoming group. The driver climbed from his wagon and in an angry tone asked someone to remove that sickly troublesome passenger. Grandfather, feeling sorry for the young girl, she was 17 at the time, took her to his home, where she recovered and helped around the house. This was the home of the second wife, Mary Coombs, who had married Grandfather in 1854 and they had several children. She became a private schoolteacher. Many of her students were children of the church officials. She was also an expert seamstress, doing dressmaking and exquisite hand work.
On May 12, 1866 she married Grandfather and a home was established for her near the other Fenton home which was located on 4th South and 5th West in the Sixth ward. Grandmother had 6 children 4 sons and 2 daughters, my father being the fifth child and the youngest son.
I remember visiting Grandmother's home as a small child, the beautiful gardens, the romantic summer houses, the velvet lawns, the "Kitchen Gardens," the herb spot, the mingueette borders, all in well kept order, the marble top tables, the long button charms. I was allowed to sit primly on a straight back chair and look at them. The small china doll that came with Grandma from her far away home, the green glass bead porteirs.
I remember Grandmother coming to our home very correct in her bonnet tied under her chin, her high button shoes, and the full long skirts that bounced out in back with each step, the cape and the paisley shawl, and her very formal way of addressing my parents. Her visits were short, and my brother and I were taught to be very proper while she was there. It was definitely the era when children were seen and not heard.
Only once did I ever see her features relax and her big brown eyes soften with washed tears. That was during her last illness in our home when she lay in the parlor looking at Grandfather's picture which was on an easel which mother had moved from its usual place in the corner to a place where Grandmother could more easily look at it. She died as quickly as she had lived, April 3, 1907, and lies beside Grandfather in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
She was a woman of courage and great determination. Her life was not an easy one being left a widow with three children to care for at the age of 50. She left the memories of undying devotion to husband, family, and church.
Associated Persons and Marriages:
WILSON, Annie Marie (Id# 499) Religion, MEDIUM
WILSON, Annie Marie (Id# 499) BurP, MEDIUM
WILSON, Annie Marie (Id# 499) DiedD, MEDIUM
WILSON, Annie Marie (Id# 499) DiedP, MEDIUM
FENTON, Thomas (Id# 500) BurP, MEDIUM
FENTON, Thomas and WILSON, Annie Marie (Id# 1117) MarrD, MEDIUM
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