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Birthdate: 9 Sep 1834 |
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Mary Amelia was one of four children from her Father's second wife. There were three children from the first marriage. The family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and came west to Nauvoo, then on to Winter Quarters, Nebraska. It was here, in Nebraska, that Mary Amelia's mother passed away in April, 1847, leaving her father with seven motherless children so he arranged for Betsy Markham to help him with the household; later marrying her. He went on to have four more wives. Mary went out to work in Salt Lake City to help with the needs of the family. Mary again sought employment and was hired by Thomas and Mary Cloward. When Thomas and Mary saw how well Miss Gardner fitted into their family, she was asked to be Mary Cloward, his second wife. She and Thomas were married in the Salt Lake Endowment House in the Fall of 1853. Mary's married life was not an easy one, but Thomas was a good, kind husband and provided for her and her eleven children as best he could with his shoe-making business and farming. Mary and the first wife seemed just like sisters and got along well together. It was agreeable that Thomas be with his younger family more. After living in Provo for nine years Thomas moved his families to Payson where he was one of the first shoe-makers in that community. He built a one-room log cabin house for Mary and her family. Later they built a fine brick home. Mary Amelia was a very industrious person all her life. She would go over the trail of a sheep herd and gather the little tags of wool that were left on the bushes and fences. If a sheep died she would pick the wool from it. She carefully washed and corded the wool for bats for quilts. She did some spinning and weaving of cloth and blankets.Thomas made all the boots and shoes, so they were quite well dressed. Mary was an invalid for eight years before she passed away August 8, 1905. -From "Pioneer Women of Faith and
Fortitude by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers | |
