Mary Ann Williams Perkins

Born: Aug 27, 1851; Llantwit Vairdre, Glamorganshire, South Wales
Father: Evan Williams
Mother: Mary Davies
Died: Oct 11, 1912; Kane Springs, Utah

History

Early Life: Mary Ann Williams was a gentle girl who loved beauty in all its forms. She especially appreciated music and was involved in the choir in her area, and this is where she met Benjamin Perkins. He, too, enjoyed music and they had this in common. When time came for Ben to depart Wales and come to Utah, he asked Mary Ann if she would come if he sent for her. She said yes.

Marriage: Two years later, Ben managed to save enough to bring not only Mary Ann, but members of his family that had not yet made the trip. Mary Ann had the luck of being on the first train that would use the Transcontinental Railroad after its completion. Ben and Mary Ann were sealed in the Endowment House in 1869 and made their home in Cedar City, where they were blessed with a little girl, then a son who died shortly after birth, and two more little girls. Another was brought into their home to be raised after the death of her own mother.

The Call: When time came to leave Cedar City, Mary Ann had to say goodbye to the little house she’d spent so much time in, making it a home. She packed up all her belongings and made the arduous trek, a helpmeet and companion for Ben along the way.

Plural Marriage: After reaching Bluff, Mary Ann learned that Ben meant to take Sarah as his second wife. She had known from his patriarchal blessing that he would someday take another wife, but the fact that he chose her own sister was very hard to bear. But Mary Ann didn’t want to add to the burden Ben was already carrying, and after a time, she came to accept the situation and make the best of it, even though it certainly was difficult and trying.

Mary Ann passed away while living in a small cabin in Kane Springs, from which Ben operated a stagecoach route.

Source:
Submitted by:
Tristi Norton Pinkston, great-great-granddaughter of
Benjamin and Sarah Perkins. For more information, see the book ‘Season of Sacrifice’ by Tristi Pinkston at http://www.tristipinkston.com/books.htm

Family Search:
Mary Ann Williams Perkins on FamilySearch