Item Detail
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Davis, Mary Ann Mitchel
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1822-1892
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MSS SC 583
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Biography
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Mary Ann Mitchel Davis was born October 19, 1822 in London, England to Robert and Sarah Hunt Mitchel. Mary Ann was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1842, and she married Elisha Hildebrand Davis in London on December 25, 1846. They immigrated to the United States where they lived in Winter Quarters, Nebraska for one year and in Iowa for three years before immigrating to Utah in 1852 and settling in Lehi, Utah. Mary Ann received her endowment in Salt Lake City on March 24, 1854 and was sealed to her husband on March 31, 1854. Mary Ann and Elisha were the parents of eight children: Mary Ann Minerva, Elisha Hildebrand, Sarah Agnes, Orinda Jane, George Edward, Alfranzo Mitchel, Edith Richards, and Sabina Ann. Mary Ann was very involved in church service, and she served as a president in the Primary Association of Lehi for several years. She also served in the Sunday school and as a treasurer in the Relief Society. She died September 14, 1892.
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The biography of Mary Ann Mitchel Davis was written by her husband and is part of a larger collection bearing his name. This collection consists of Elisha's biography, Mary Ann's biography, their patriarchal blessings, a list of their children, an account of incidents in Elisha's missionary service, and some family history documents. Most of the papers are in Elisha's handwriting and all are photocopies of the originals. Mary Ann's biography is a short, two-page account of her life. Elisha outlines the main events in her life such as her birth and baptism and their immigration to Utah. He then gives tribute to her contribution to family and community, describing her as a 'true wife' and 'most affectionate mother' who lived a 'holy life.' She had great influence on the young people 'whom she won to her by her strong affection and undying love.' Elisha also explains that Mary Ann had the gift of interpretation of tongues since her conversion to the LDS church. Mary Ann's patriarchal blessing, which is included in the collection, was given by Wilford Woodruff during his time as an apostle.
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