The birth date and place of Samuel Williams Davis was obtained from the LDS Temple Index Bureau (TIB) records for Samuel Williams Davis as listed in FHL Film # 1262842 (available in the Special Collections Room, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah). Two TIB records exist for Samuel Williams Davis, with both records stating that he was born on 25 December 1863 in Hyde Park, Schuylkill, PA., died on 14 December 1942, and married on 19 February 1890 to Mary Ann Martin; and one record stated that an LDS baptism by proxy was performed in his behalf on 1 October 1952, and that an LDS endowment by proxy was performed (by Thomas M. Davis) in his behalf on 17 August 1953.
In the 1870 Census (recorded on 15 August 1870) for Malad City (Post Office) in Idaho, Samuel Davis is listed as being about 6 years old (born about 1864), born in Pennsylvania, and residing with his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Davis, in Malad Valley, Idaho.
In the 1880 Census (recorded on the 25-26 June 1880) for Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho, Samuel Davis is listed as being about 15 years old (born about 1865), born in Pennsylvania, and residing with his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Davis, in Samaria, Idaho.
In the LDS Membership Ward Record for Samaria, Idaho (FHL Film # 7603, Item #2--U.S. & Canada Section), "Samuel W. Davis" is listed as a member of the LDS Church; his father was listed as "Thomas Davis" and his mother as "Elizabeth"; that he was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on 25 December 1864; that he married "Mary Ann Martin" in 1888; and that he died of "Cancer" on 14 December 1942.
The Index to LDS Patriarchal Blessings (FHL Film # 392646), lists the Patriarchal Blessing for Samuel Williams Davis as: Name: Samuel W. Davis; Birth: 24 December 1863; Birth place: Hyde Park, Luzerne Co., Penn.; Father: Thomas J. Davis; Mother: Elizabeth; Date of Patriarchal Blessing: 5 Dec 1881; Place of Patriarchal Blessing: Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho; Lineage: Ephraim; Patriarch: John Smith; Volume: 51; Page: 164.
HISTORY of Samuel Williams Davis & Mary Ann Martin and their Children:
The online Welsh Mormon History website (http://welshmormonhistory.org/index.php?/resources/view/611) contains the following history on Samuel Williams Davis and Mary Ann Martin and their Children:Samuel Williams Davis married Mary Ann Martin 19 February 1890. He engaged in farming at Pleasant View, owning land adjoining that of his father and brothers. He sold his land to Nephi Ipsen and bought sheep in partnership with Billy Price. But this venture did not turn out to be profitable and he returned to Samaria where he continued to live until the time of his death.
He and Mary Ann were the parents of seven children, two of whom died as children. Their children are Anna Davis Thomas Harris, Alvin who lived one month, Eliza Davis John, Melvin Martin Davis, Thomas Martin Davis, who died 3 January 1968 at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, and was buried in the Ogden City Cemetery at Ogden, Utah on 6 January 1968, Sarah who lived until 8 years of age and died of appendicitis, and Mary Davis De Young Stevens. Anna, Alvin, and Melvin were born in Pleasant View and the other children were born in Samaria.
When Anna was a baby, Samuel had the misfortune of losing his right hand in a threshing machine. He was standing on a platform and was feeding by hand bundles of wheat that had been tossed up to him by a man on either side of the platform, when his hand became caught in the machinery. It was removed just below the wrist. He learned to do many things without his hand. He could harness a team, cut down trees in the canyon and chop wood as dexterously as a man with two hands.
His wife was a very good cook. She made ice cream and sold it to anyone who came to her home on Saturday and Sunday evenings for a time. Then she had an ice cream parlor just north of the spring for several years and the young folks congregated there - the girls in their white embroidery dresses with sashes of pink or blue ribbon and the boys dressed up too. Many hours were spent there by the young and old alike.
Sam carried mail for many years on horseback to Pocatello Valley from Samaria. No matter what the weather the mail was delivered. He also drove the Samaria school wagon. Mary Ann passed away 10 November 1935 and Sam on the 14 December 1942. They are the great grandparents of the famous 0smond Brothers who thrill large audiences with their various talents.
Marriage Notes for Samuel Williams Davis and Mary Ann Martin-871
The marriage date of Samuel Williams Davis and Mary Ann Martin was obtained from the Temple Index Bureau (TIB) records for Samuel Williams Davis as listed in FHL Film # 1262842 (available in the Special Collections Room, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah). Two TIB records exist for Samuel Williams Davis, with both records stating that he was married on 19 February 1890 to Mary Ann Martin.
"Thomas John Davis" was born on 15 or 17 March 1820 in Neath, Glamorgan, Wales, as supported by the following information: The birth date and place of Thomas John Davis was obtained from the LDS Endowment record of Thomas John Davis as listed in FHL Film # 183408, page 21 (available in the Special Collections Room, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah), which stated that at the time of Thomas's live endowment on 12 December 1878 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah, the recorder stated that Thomas was born on 15 March 1820 in Neath, Glamorgan, S. Wales, and that he was baptized into the LDS Church in 1848, and that his parents were John Davis and Elizabeth Landick. However, the birth date of Thomas John Davis is listed as being 17 March 1820 on his gravestone in Samaria, Idaho (see FindAGrave Memorial # 29540889).
Research Note - April 2012:
In the past some individuals have suggested that the Thomas Davies who was christened on 31 July 1821 in Penrice, Glamorgan, Wales--and whose parents were John and Elizabeth Davies, might be the same Thomas John Davis who immigrated to the United States in 1856 (and settled in Samaria, Idaho) and whose parents were John Davies and Elizabeth Landeg. However, this Thomas Davies (chr.1821 in Penrice) is mentioned in the 1871 and 1881 Census as being born in about 1822 in Penrice, married to a "Mary", and residing with children in Aberdare, Glamorgan.Research Note - May 2012:
In the 1841 Census, a Thomas David is listed who is 19 years old (born about 1822), born in Glamorgan, Wales, working as a "M.L." (Male Labourer), and residing in the household of William and Margret Thomas, a "Farmer", in "Moors, Margam, Broombill", Margam (parish), Margam (sub district), Neath (registration district), Glamorganshire (county), Wales. (Note: There are eleven Thomas's with the surname of David, Davis, or Davies who were born between about 1818 and 1822 and residing in the Neath area during the 1841 Census. However, research suggests that the Thomas David, born about 1822 and listed above, is the most likely person of the eleven mentioned individuals to have been the husband of Elizabeth Williams.)In 1853, "Thomas Davies" was identified as being "28 years old" (born about 1825), a "Bachelor and Collier of Ystradgynlais, Glamorganshire, and that his father was John Davies, a Husbandman." This information is listed in his marriage record as follows: In 2009, MEG obtained the marriage certificate of Thomas Davies and Elizabeth Williams from Wales, which stated that they were married in the Registers Office of Neath on 27 August 1853, and at the time of their marriage Thomas Davies stated he was about 28 years old (born about 1825), a Bachelor and Collier of Ystradgynlais, and that his father was John Davies, a Husbandman; and that Elizabeth Williams stated she was about 25 years old (born about 1828), a Spinster of Ystradgynlais, and that her father was David Williams, a Fireman. The marriage witnesses were: Joseph Powell, Alexander Cuthbertson Jr., Alexander Cuthbertson Sr., and James Kempthorne--with the last three witnesses being Solicitors involved with marriages in the Register Office.
Geographic Note: The travel distance between Neath, Glamorganshire--where Thomas John Davies was born (in 1820) and married (in 1853), and Ystradgynlais, Breconshire--from which he was "of" and a "Collier" when he was married (in 1853), is about 10 miles.
According to some family histories, John Davies left Wales and immigrated to the United States in 1856. This is supported by the fact that he was married in 1853 in Wales, and mentioned as being in Pennsylvania during the 1860 U.S. Census.
In the 1860 U.S. Census (recorded on 9 July 1860) for Summit Hill (Post Office) in Pennsylvania, Thomas Davis is listed as being about 35 years old (born about 1825--which was five years older than Thomas's birthdate of 1820 but may have been stated by him to avoid showing too much of an age difference between himself and his wife, Elizabeth), born in Wales, working as a "Miner" and residing with his wife, Elizabeth, and their oldest child, John Davis, in West Penn Town (which was within the Post Office jurisdiction of Summit Hill), Pennsylvania. Note: the geographical travel distance from Coaldale, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania--where Thomas's son, John, was born--eastward to Summit Hill (Post Office), Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania, is only about 3 miles.
In 1868, Thomas John Davis took out a PeF (Perpetual Emigration Fund) loan and he and his family traveled across the Plains to Utah. See this website for further details: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneerdetails/1,15791,4018-1-51196,00.html.
In the 1870 U.S. Census (recorded on 15 August 1870) for Malad City (Post Office) in Idaho, Thomas Davis is listed as being about 49 years old (born about 1821), born in Wales, working as a Farmer, and residing with his wife, Elizabeth, and five of their children, in Malad Valley, Idaho.
In the 1880 U.S. Census (recorded on the 25-26 June 1880) for Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho, Thos. J. Davis is listed as being about 60 years old (born about 1820), born in Wales, working as a Farmer, and residing with his wife, Elizabeth, and seven of their children, in Samaria, Idaho.
The Index to LDS Patriarchal Blessings (FHL Film # 392646), lists the Patriarchal Blessing for Thomas John Davis as:
Name: Thomas J. Davis; Birth: 17 March 1820; Birth place: Neith, Glamorgenshire, So. Wales; Father: John Davis; Mother: Elizabeth; Date of Patriarchal Blessing: 30 November 1874; Place of Patriarchal Blessing: Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho; Patriarch: John Smith; Volume: 48; Page: 400.HISTORY of Thomas John Davis & Elizabeth Williams and their Children:
The online Welsh Mormon History website (http://welshmormon.byu.edu/Resource_Info.aspx?id=611) contains the following history on Thomas John Davis and Elizabeth Williams and their children:Thomas John Davis and his wife, Elizabeth Williams Davis and four children came to Samaria, Idaho to make their home in the spring of 1869. He was born 17 March 1820 near Neath, Glamorganshire, Wales and she was born 15 April 1832 in Ystradgunlais, Breckonshire, Wales. Thomas joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 15 May 1848 at Monmouthshire, Wales. He was an Elder in the Church and had charge of some supplies. He could read and write the Welsh and English languages. Elizabeth joined the Church 13 October 1851. They were married in 1853 and lived in Swansea from 1853 to 1856 where Elizabeth gave birth to three stillborn children.
After they joined the Church they had a burning desire to come to America and then to Zion. They worked hard and saved every penny they could to pay for their passage in 1856. They went to Coaldale, Pennsylvania where they lived while he worked in the mines with other Welsh friends and relatives to earn money to pay their way to Utah.
While living in Pennsylvania four children were born to them: John William 13 October 1858, Mary Ann, 10 December 1860, Samuel Williams, 24 December 1864 and Marintha Altheria, 3 May 1867. When Marintha was a few months old they came west to Evanston, Wyoming, traveling by train with two Mormon missionaries returning from the Eastern States Mission. From Evanston they traveled by ox team to Ogden, Utah where they lived for about a year and a half.
Their first home in Samaria was a dugout but soon Thomas built them a two-room log house. On 10 September 1869 Elizabeth gave birth to another son, Thomas Williams, the first white boy born in Samaria. Two more sons were born to them, Edwin Griffith, 9 February 1873 and Ephraim Rees, 11 January 1875.
Elizabeth had not had the privilege of going to school and so could not read nor write, but both she and her husband were very anxious that their children should have the opportunity for an education and so they encouraged them to study and improve themselves. They homesteaded land in Pleasant View where their grandson, Walter M. Davis now lives. In the winter Thomas went to Rock Springs, Wyoming where he worked in the mines in an endeavor to earn enough money to help support his family and to buy needed machinery for the farm.
Elizabeth and Thomas were very hospitable and they were glad to share what they had with their friends and relatives. She always wore a black sateen apron and kept herself and family neat and clean. She liked close neighbors, so she let the girls go to the ranch in the summer time as soon as they were old enough to cook for their father and brothers.
Elizabeth was a devout Latter-day Saint and taught her children by example. In 1878 she and Thomas went to Salt Lake City where they had their endowments in the Endowment House.
Mary Ann and Marintha learned much from their mother about managing a home. Elizabeth had been a servant in Wales and had been taught many household skills by her mistresses. She made clothes for all the family, knitted socks, stockings and mittens and was a good cook. Her grandson Walter can remember the delicious raisin bread and biscuits she always had on hand. She often shared her bread with the Indians who frequently hunted and camped in the valley.
One day while they were living in the dugout at the ranch, a buck Indian demanded some biscuits. As she went down into the dugout to get them, he followed her down, and stepping inside, he closed the door. Divining his intentions, she grabbed up a hatchet, and holding it above her head and advancing toward him, ordered him to leave. He opened the door and went up the steps laughing to himself and saying words that meant brave woman.
The children attended school in Samaria. Hugh Morris, a close neighbor of the Davises and a student of Oxford University, England, took an interest in the Davis boys, especially Edwin and Ephraim, and taught them much and encouraged them to go on to school. John, Edwin, and Ephraim attended the Brigham Young College at Logan, Utah. John graduated in 1886, and Edwin in 1894. The date of Ephraim\'s graduation is not known.
While Edwin and Ephraim were attending college along with other boys from Malad Valley. [sic] Marintha cooked and kept house for them, as her father thought a girl didn\'t need to go to school. At night she would study the boys\' books and when she came back to Samaria, she took the State Teacher\'s examination and passed it. Then she taught school in Samaria until a law was passed in Idaho forbidding Mormons to teach because of the practice of polygamy.
Thomas John Davis passed away 16 May 1891 at Samaria following a long illness of dropsy and asthma and was buried in the Samaria Cemetery. Elizabeth survived her husband twelve years passing away 3 February 1903 at Samaria and was also buried in the Samaria Cemetery.
John Williams Davis never married. In his early life he was active in the church, working in Sunday School, M.I.A., and as Ward Clerk. His handwriting was beautiful and the records he kept are easily read from microfilm. He took an active part in dramatics which provided much entertainment for the community in those days. He taught school in Samaria for several years. He later was interested in politics and served as county treasurer for one term. He loved to read and study and would often read into the wee hours of the morning by candle or lamplight. He had a store in Samaria in partnership with Elias Morris for several years, but the store closed because too many creditors did not pay their bills. He sold one hundred sixty acres of hay land to pay off the indebtedness of the store. He lived with his brother Thomas and family at the ranch in Pleasant View for many years before his death of natural causes on 18 October 1935 and was buried at Samaria Cemetery.
Mary Ann Davis married Thomas Williams 20 January 1881. Their daughter, Maude, born 10 March 1887 at Samaria was the only one of five children who lived to maturity. Thomas taught at Samaria, Henderson Creek, and Portage. He was called on a mission to Wales. Before going to Wales he married Agnes Bowen. Mary Ann did not have very good health and while her husband was away, her family looked after her. She died 13 June 1895 and Maude went to live with her grandmother Davis. Except for a couple of years that she spent at West Point, New York, she lived at Samaria. Maude worked in Ben Waldron\'s store and then for Daniel Williams when he took it over. She was a very active worker in the church and taught in Sunday School, M.I.A., and Relief Society and served as Young Ladies\' President of the YWMIA for several years. She was a member of the Ward Genealogical Society and did a lot of Temple work. She was clerk of the Samaria School Board of Trustees for many years beginning in 1925. At the time of her death, 18 July 1937, she was President of the Samaria Ward Relief Society. She was buried at Samaria Cemetery.
Samuel Williams Davis married Mary Ann Martin 19 February 1890. He engaged in farming at Pleasant View, owning land adjoining that of his father and brothers. He sold his land to Nephi Ipsen and bought sheep in partnership with Billy Price. But this venture did not turn out to be profitable and he returned to Samaria where he continued to live until the time of his death.
He and Mary Ann were the parents of seven children, two of whom died as children. Their children are Anna Davis Thomas Harris, Alvin who lived one month, Eliza Davis John, Melvin Martin Davis, Thomas Martin Davis, who died 3 January 1968 at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, and was buried in the Ogden City Cemetery at Ogden, Utah on 6 January 1968, Sarah who lived until 8 years of age and died of appendicitis, and Mary Davis De Young Stevens. Anna, Alvin, and Melvin were born in Pleasant View and the other children were born in Samaria.
When Anna was a baby, Samuel had the misfortune of losing his right hand in a threshing machine. He was standing on a platform and was feeding by hand bundles of wheat that had been tossed up to him by a man on either side of the platform, when his hand became caught in the machinery. It was removed just below the wrist. He learned to do many things with his arm. He could harness a team, cut down trees in the canyon and chop wood as dexterously as a man with two hands.
His wife was a very good cook. She made ice cream and sold it to anyone who came to her home on Saturday and Sunday evenings for a time. Then she had an ice cream parlor just north of the spring for several years and the young folks congregated there - the girls in their white embroidery dresses with sashes of pink or blue ribbon and the boys dressed up too. Many hours were spent there by the young and old alike.
Sam carried mail for many years on horseback to Pocatello Valley from Samaria. No matter what the weather the mail was delivered. He also drove the Samaria school wagon. Mary Ann passed away 10 November 1935 and Sam on the 14 December 1942. They are the great grandparents of the famous 0smond Brothers who thrill large audiences with their various talents.
On the 6 January 1892, Marintha Davis married Andrew Allen, a widower from Rockland, Idaho, who had four children and operated a general merchandise store, the U.S. Post Office and had some farming land. She was a good step-mother to his children and they had four more. Irene, Leonard, Lloyd, and Aida. Andrew died in 1904. Marintha stayed in Rockland until 1914 when she moved to Logan where she kept a hotel for years, and then built a house where she continued to board and room students. Many students from Malad and Samaria have lived with her while they attended school. She found time to be active in the church and was a worker in the Logan Temple. She passed away at Salt Lake City, 10 September 1925 and was buried at Rockland, Idaho. Marintha\'s great grandchildren are as talented in the field of art as Sam\'s great grandchildren are in the entertainment field.
Thomas Williams Davis who later became known as Thomas S. Davis, the \"S\" standing for Samaria, married Ann Morse 25 August 1895. A newspaper clipping tells the following about the wedding: \"Sunday evening at the residence of the bride\'s parents, Miss Annie Morse was married to Thomas Davis, Bishop J. W. Dudley officiating. The relatives of both parties were well represented and a most beautiful incident of the occasion was a vocal serenade by friends of the young couple. This was a most pleasant and agreeable surprise as the noisy, senseless chivarri is the usual demonstration at weddings. The serenaders continued for over an hour and the singing was exquisite. It is hoped that the happiness attending the ceremony will follow the bride and groom through life.\" They had the wedding solemnized in the Logan Temple 26 June 1917. They were the parents of the five still born and two living children. Walter Morse Davis, born at the ranch in Pleasant View and Esther Davis Pennington born in Samaria. The first part of their married life was spent living in Samaria.
Tom was away much of the time herding sheep. Then they moved to the ranch at Pleasant View. Ann passed away 9 October 1926 and Thomas died 23 September 1938 and they were both buried in Samaria Cemetery.
Though Thomas and Ann had only two children, many children could be found in their home. It was a haven for many of Ann\'s family. They cared for her parents before they passed away. Many of her nieces and nephews were given a home, Velda Wilson Brass and Emma Morse Errett for a much longer time than any of the others. Velda and Emma still call Walter \"brother\", and there is a closeness between them that reflects the good care and affection they received.
After Edwin Griffith Davis graduated from the Brigham Young College at Logan he married Elsie Poll, a University of Utah graduate and a teacher in Salt Lake City. They were the parents of two children, a girl who died as an infant in Boise, and a boy who is a government scientist in Washington, D. C. and is a concert pianist also.
Edwin went to West Point Military Academy in 1896 and graduated in 1900.From 1900 to 1903, he served in the Spanish-American War in the Philippines. He was a Lieutenant and served in the Eleventh U.S. Infantry under Major Davidson. From 1903 to 1907, he was instructor of history and Constitutional Law at West Point. The lack of a suitable textbook for such a course as he was giving, led him to the preparation of a textbook of Constitutional Law, which was published by Franklin Hudson Publishing Co., Kansas City, Missouri, in 1906.
He resigned from teaching at West Point and came to Boise, Idaho, and became interested in politics and practiced law. He was Assistant Attorney General for Idaho and the first native son to become a candidate for Governor of the State. During World War I, he served in the army in the Judge Advocate General\'s Department drafting legislation; 1921-25, District Attorney of Idaho; from 1925 to 1929, he was a lawyer with the Department of Justice in Washington, D. C.; from 1929 to 1934, he was a lawyer with the National Surety Corporation in New York. He died in Atlanta, Georgia, 24 July 1934, in a federal court room after winning his case. A newspaper clipping from the Salt Lake Tribune states, \"A heart attack struck Colonel Davis as he was leaving the witness stand after testifying in connection with a real estate receivership in which he was serving as trustee. He fell to the floor in front of the judge\'s bench and was dead before a doctor arrived. The body was taken to New York for funeral services, and he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.\"
Ephraim was a talented man. He could play the piano and sing very well. He attended Harvard University after graduating from the Brigham Young College. Not too much is known about him after he left Samaria. In 1911 he married Anna Goodwin and they were the parents of one daughter, Gwendolyn Davis, born in 1912. They lived at Santa Barbara and then at Modesto. One summer he and his family lived in Logan with his sister Marintha when she had the hotel. Gwendolyn graduated from the college at Santa Barbara. He died in California and his body was shipped to Samaria for burial in November, 1929.
If Thomas and Elizabeth could see their descendants today and know what they have accomplished along educational lines and in activities in the church they would realize that many of their dreams had come true, and the many sacrifices they made had not been in vain.
SOURCE: -- Walter and Marguerite Davis, Grandson and wifeHistorical Note: Thomas John Davis was a Mormon Pioneer, as follows (in FS PID#: KWV7-VJM:
"After they [Thomas John Davis and Elizabeth Williams] joined the Church [in 1848 in Wales] they had a burning desire to come to America and then to Zion. They worked hard and saved every penny they could to pay for their passage in 1856. They went to Coaldale, Pennsylvania where they lived while he worked in the mines with other Welsh friends and relatives to earn money to pay their way to Utah. While living in Pennsylvania four children were born to them…. [In about 1867] they came west to Evanston, Wyoming, traveling by train with two Mormon missionaries returning from the Eastern States Mission. From Evanston they traveled by ox team to Ogden, Utah where they lived for about a year and a half. Their first home in Samaria [Idaho] was a dugout but soon Thomas built them a two-room log house."
(See: http://welshmormon.byu.edu/Resource_Info.aspx?id=611).
(Also: https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/pioneerDetail?lang=eng&pioneerId=51196)
(Also: https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/pioneerDetail?lang=eng&pioneerId=51195)
In the 1851 Census, Elizabeth Williams is listed as being about 20 years old (born about 1831), born in Ystradgynlais, Breconshire, unmarried and "supported by [the] parish" while residing as a "relation" with Lewelyn Jones who was married (but her husband is not listed with her in the census) and thirty years old and living in Ystradgynlais, Breconshire, Wales.
The birth date and place of Elizabeth Williams was obtained from the LDS Endowment record of Elizabeth Williams as listed in FHL Film # 183408, page 20 (available in the Special Collections Room, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah), which stated that at the time of Elizabeth's live endowment on 12 December 1878 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah, the recorder stated that Elizabeth was born on 17 April 1832 in Yatradgynlais, Brecknock, S. Wales, and that she was baptized into the LDS Church on 13 October 1851, and that her parents were David Williams and Ann Rees.
In 1853, Elizabeth Williams was identified as being "25 years old" (born about 1828) a "Spinster of Ystradgynlais, and that her father was David Williams, a Fireman." This information is listed in her marriage record as follows: In 2009, MEG obtained marriage certificate of Thomas Davies and Elizabeth Williams from Wales, which stated that they were married in the Registers Office of Neath on 27 August 1853, and at the time of their marriage Thomas Davies stated he was about 28 years old (born about 1825), a Bachelor and Collier of Ystradgynlais, and that his father was John Davies, a Husbandman; and that Elizabeth Williams stated she was about 25 years old (born about 1828), a Spinster of Ystradgynlais, and that her father was David Williams, a Fireman. The marriage witnesses were: Joseph Powell, Alexander Cuthbertson Jr., Alexander Cuthbertson Sr., and James Kempthorne--with the last three witnesses being Solicitors involved with marriages in the Register Office.
In the 1860 Census (recorded on 9 July 1860) for Summit Hill (Post Office) in Pennsylvania, Elizabeth (Davis) is listed as being about 28 years old (born about 1832), born in Wales, and residing with her husband, Thomas Davis, and their oldest child, John Davis, in West Penn Town (which was within the Post Office jurisdiction of Summit Hill), Pennsylvania. Note: the geographical travel distance from Coaldale, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania--where Thomas's son, John, was born--eastward to Summit Hill (Post Office), Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania, is only about 3 miles.
In the 1870 Census (recorded on 15 August 1870) for Malad City (Post Office) in Idaho, Elizabeth (Davis) is listed as being about 37 years old (born about 1833), born in Wales, working to "keeps house", and residing with his husband, Thomas Davis, and five of their children, in Malad Valley, Idaho.
In the 1880 Census (recorded on the 25-26 June 1880) for Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho, Elizabeth (Davis) is listed as being about 49 years old (born about 1831), born in Wales, working to "keeping house", and residing with her husband, Thom. J. Davis, and seven of their children, in Samaria, Idaho.
In the 1900 Census (recorded on 18 June 1900) for Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho, Elizabeth (Davis) is listed as being about 69 years old (born about 1831), born in Wales in April 1831, a Widow, Farmer, and mother of 12 children--of which six children were living at the time the census was taken; that she immigrated in 1868 and had lived in the United States for 32 years--which was a mistake in the census as her family history states that she came to the United States in 1856 and that her son, John Williams Davis, was born in Pennsylvania in 1858; and that she was residing with three of her adult sons in Samara, Idaho at the time the 1900 Census was taken.
The Index to LDS Patriarchal Blessings (FHL Film # 392646), lists the Patriarchal Blessing for Elizabeth Williams as: Name: Elizabeth Williams Davis; Birth: 17 April 1832; Birth place: Estradygumdis, Braconshire, So. Wales; Father: Davis Williams; Mother: Ann; Date of Patriarchal Blessing: 30 November 1874; Place of Patriarchal Blessing: Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho; Lineage: Ephraim; Patriarch: John Smith; Volume: 48; Page: 400.
Historical Note: Elizabeth Williams was a Mormon Pioneer, as follows (in FS PID#: KWV7-VJ9):
"After they [Thomas John Davis and Elizabeth Williams] joined the Church [in 1848 in Wales] they had a burning desire to come to America and then to Zion. They worked hard and saved every penny they could to pay for their passage in 1856. They went to Coaldale, Pennsylvania where they lived while he worked in the mines with other Welsh friends and relatives to earn money to pay their way to Utah. While living in Pennsylvania four children were born to them…. [In about 1867] they came west to Evanston, Wyoming, traveling by train with two Mormon missionaries returning from the Eastern States Mission. From Evanston they traveled by ox team to Ogden, Utah where they lived for about a year and a half. Their first home in Samaria [Idaho] was a dugout but soon Thomas built them a two-room log house."
(See: http://welshmormon.byu.edu/Resource_Info.aspx?id=611).
(Also: https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/pioneerDetail?lang=eng&pioneerId=51196)
(Also: https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/pioneerDetail?lang=eng&pioneerId=51195)
Marriage Notes for Thomas John Davis and Elizabeth Williams-873
In 2009, MEG obtained marriage certificate of Thomas Davies and Elizabeth Williams from Wales, which stated that they were married in the Registers Office of Neath on 27 August 1853, and at the time of their marriage Thomas Davies stated he was about 28 years old (born about 1825), a Bachelor and Collier of Ystradgynlais, and that his father was John Davies, a Husbandman; and that Elizabeth Williams stated she was about 25 years old (born about 1828), a Spinster of Ystradgynlais, and that her father was David Williams, a Fireman. The marriage witnesses were: Joseph Powell, Alexander Cuthbertson Jr., Alexander Cuthbertson Sr., and James Kempthorne--with the last three witnesses being Solicitors involved with marriages in the Register Office.
The LDS Marriage Sealing of Thomas John Davis and Elizabeth Williams is listed in the FHL Film # 183402 (available in the Special Collections Room, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah), and states that on 12 December 1878, Thomas Davis and Elizabeth Williams were sealed in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the time of their sealing the recorder listed that Thomas Davis was born on 17 March 1820 in Neath, Glamorgan, Wales; and Elizabeth Williams was born on 17 April 1820 in Ystradgynlasis, Brecoa [Breconshire], Wales.
Geographic Note: The travel distance between Neath, Glamorganshire--where Thomas John Davies was born (in 1820) and married (in 1853), and Ystradgynlais, Breconshire--from which he was "of" and a "Collier" when he was married (in 1853), is about 10 miles.
In the 1900 Census (recorded on 18 June 1900) for Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho, Elizabeth (Davis) is listed as being about 69 years old (born about 1831), born in Wales in April 1831, a Widow, Farmer, and mother of 12 children--of which six children were living at the time the census was taken.
In the 1900 Census (recorded on 18 June 1900) for Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho, Elizabeth (Davis) is listed as being about 69 years old (born about 1831), born in Wales in April 1831, a Widow, Farmer, and mother of 12 children--of which six children were living at the time the census was taken.
In the 1900 Census (recorded on 18 June 1900) for Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho, Elizabeth (Davis) is listed as being about 69 years old (born about 1831), born in Wales in April 1831, a Widow, Farmer, and mother of 12 children--of which six children were living at the time the census was taken.
The birth date and place of John Williams Davis was obtained from the Temple Index Bureau (TIB) records for John W. Davis as listed in FHL Film # 1262841 (available in the Special Collections Room, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah). The TIB record for John states that he was born on 13 October 1858 in Coaldale, Luzen, PA., that he died on 18 October 1935, that his parents were Thomas John Davis and Elizabeth Williams, that he was baptized into the LDS Church on 5 February 1878, and that an LDS Endowment by proxy was performed (by George W. Osmond) in his behalf on 17 August 1953.
The genealogical records of Olive Osmond states that John Williams Davis was never married (which is verified in several census reports).
In the 1860 Census (recorded on 9 July 1860) for Summit Hill (Post Office) in Pennsylvania, John Davis is listed as being about 1 year old (born about 1859), born in Pennsylvania, and residing with his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Davis, in West Penn Town (which was within the Post Office jurisdiction of Summit Hill), Pennsylvania. Note: the geographical travel distance from Coaldale, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania--where Thomas's son, John, was born--eastward to Summit Hill (Post Office), Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania, is only about 3 miles.
In the 1870 Census (recorded on 15 August 1870) for Malad City (Post Office) in Idaho, John Davis is listed as being about 12 years old (born about 1858), born in Pennsylvania, and residing with his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Davis, in Malad Valley, Idaho.
In the 1880 Census (recorded on the 25-26 June 1880) for Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho, John Davis is listed as being about 19 years old (born about 1861), born in Pennsylvania, and residing with his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Davis, in Samaria, Idaho.
In the 1900 Census (recorded on 18 June 1900) for Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho, John W. Davis is listed as being about 41 years old (born about 1859), born in Wales in October 1858, single and a Farm Laborer, and residing with his mother, Elizabeth, and two younger brothers at the time census was taken in Samaria, Idaho.
In the 1910 Census (recorded on 28 April 1910) for Pleasant View Precinct, Oneida Co., Idaho, John W. Davis is listed as being about 50 years old (born about 1860), born in Pennsylvania, single and a Farmer, and residing with his brother, Edwin G. Davis, in Oneida Co., Idaho.
In the 1920 Census (recorded on 9-10 January 1920) for Pleasant View Precinct, Oneida Co., Idaho, John W. Davis is listed as being about 60 years old (born about 1860), born in Utah, single and a Farmer, and residing in Oneida Co., Idaho.
In the 1930 Census (recorded on 18 April 1930) for Oneida Co., Idaho, John W. Davis is listed as being about 71 years old (born about 1859), born in Pennsylvania, a Farmer, and residing with his nephew, Walter M. Davis, in Oneida Co., Idaho.
In the LDS Membership Ward Record for Pleasantview, Idaho (FHL Film # 7495- U.S. & Canada Section), "John W. Davis" is listed within the "Listing of Members" as a member of the LDS Church; his father was listed as "Thos. Davis" and his mother as "Elizabeth Davis", and that he had moved "from Samaria" and arrived in Pleasantview on about April 30, 1911.
In the LDS Membership Ward Record for Pleasantview, Idaho (FHL Film # 7495- U.S. & Canada Section), "John W. Davis" is listed within the "Individual Membership Records" as a "High Priest" within the LDS Church at the time of his death; his father was listed as "Thomas Davis" and his mother as "Elizabeth Griffs Davis"; that he was born in Wales on 13 October 1858; that he was "received (or moved) from Samaria (to Pleasantview) on 20 April 1911; and that he died of a "Stroke" on 18 October 1935.
The Index to LDS Patriarchal Blessings (FHL Film # 392646), lists the Patriarchal Blessing for John Williams Davis as: Name: John W. Davis; Birth: 13 October 1858; Birth place: Coaldale, Carbon Co., Penn.; Father: Thomas J. Davis; Mother: Elizabeth; Date of Patriarchal Blessing: 5 Dec 1881; Place of Patriarchal Blessing: Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho; Lineage: Ephraim; Patriarch: John Smith; Volume: 51; Page: 163.
In the 1900 Census (recorded on 18 June 1900) for Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho, Elizabeth (Davis) is listed as being about 69 years old (born about 1831), born in Wales in April 1831, a Widow, Farmer, and mother of 12 children--of which six children were living at the time the census was taken.
In the 1900 Census (recorded on 18 June 1900) for Samaria, Oneida Co., Idaho, Elizabeth (Davis) is listed as being about 69 years old (born about 1831), born in Wales in April 1831, a Widow, Farmer, and mother of 12 children--of which six children were living at the time the census was taken.
HISTORY of John Martin & Anna Jenkins and their Children:
The online Welsh Mormon History website (http://welshmormon.byu.edu/Resource_Info.aspx?id=682) contains the following history on John Martin and Anna Jenkins and their Children:John Martin, son of Dr. John Martin, a surgeon of Merthyr Tydfil, was born March 29, 1846 at Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, Wales. His paternal grandparents were Timothy Martin, a mine agent and Mary Grey. William Gibbs, a laborer, and Sarah Wilkins were his grandparents on his maternal side.
John Martin's father's family consisted of the following brothers and sisters; Benjamin, Christopher, Mary, Mary, Timothy, Jane, Elizabeth, Edward, Elizabeth, George, Joseph, and Thomas. Wales owes much to the Martin family. "A century and a half ago, when the early coal workings of the West of Wales attracted the notice of the bold and resolute spirits of the North of England, there came to the neighborhood of Swansea two counsins named Edward and Timothy Martin, who were of that stamp of men who make great careers and carry to a successful termination large enterprises. Timothy Martin, who came from Matterdale, Cumberland, England, became the leading mining agent at Penydarran, Merthyr Tydfil. He developed the ironstone and the coal wealth of the Penydarran Estate, sinking the first pit. He died in his 77th year, and was succeeded by his son Benjamin, who for many years was general manager of Penydarran Iron Company. Another son, George, went to Dowlais, and attained the position of mining agent under the Guest, doing the great work of developing mines for the Dowlais domain. George became the chief agent at Dowlais, where he lived to the end of his days.* It was George's son, Mr. Edward Pritchard Martin, who was High Sheriff of Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire in 1903.
John apparently grew up in Laugharne until he was old enough to work in the mines, and at that time he was in the Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare Districts of Wales.
Anna Jenkins, his wife, was born October 16, 1846 at Lantwit Vardre, Glamorganshire, Wales, the daughter of David Jenkins, a miner, and Anna Evans. She was a seamstress because her brothers saw that she received training at Mountain Ash, a village not far from their home in Aberdare. The old record states, "Anna Jenkins commenced her apprenticeship at Mountain Ash on Thursday 21 April 1864."
She liked to dance and play the tambourine and was a favorite at parties near her home. It was at a social that she met John Martin. They sang well together. Although she was to have left for Utah with her brother David, she and John Martin were married at the parish church in Aberdare on 17 April 1866. Her sister, Esther, was sent to Utah in her place.
A little over a year later, their first child, Catherine Anna, was born at Cap Coch, Aberdare, Glamorganshire on 18 June 1867. She had been engaged to marry a Mr. Crabtree, who incidently met the emigrant train thinking that she was with her brother when he arrived in Utah in 1866. It was a tearful and disappointing experience for him. In his despair he offered to marry her sister but she replied, "It was Anna you were in love with."
This family and her mother's left Liverpool Tuesday, 30th of June, 1868 for New York, on the steamship Minnesota. They reached New York, July 12th, and arranged to go by train to Laramie, Wyoming.
They left Laramie for Salt Lake Valley on July 25th in Captain Loveland's Company of 40 mule team wagons and 400 passengers. John Martin played his violin to help with the amusement and programs around the bonfires at night when they were encircled by the wagons. Salt Lake Valley was reached August 20, 1868. Uncle David Jenkins met the emigrant train and gave them a warm welcome.
While in Salt Lake, John and Anna's second child, Mary Ann, was born November 5, 1868. Finally this couple settled in Samaria, Idaho, in the autumn of 1869. Here John hauled the logs for Anna Evans Jenkins, his mother-in-law's home, to pay for money loaned to make the journey. In this little village they found friends whom they had known in the Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare districts in Wales. John was a farmer in Samaria and he and his wife were on pioneer programs in the village and later the children sang together and with others. Here also were born the rest of their family: David Richard, John Elias, Evan Jenkins, Sarah Jane, Esther Ellen, Edward Jenkins, Joseph Hyrum, and Edith.
At his home in Samaria, John and his family would circle around the organ, and while he played, the entire family participated in four-part singing. However, John was very strict with them. He was nevertheless as honest as the day was long.
He used to go to Providence, Cache, Utah to visit his Uncle Bill, William Gibbs who came to America with his father Richard Wilkins Gibbs and his mother Mary Morris. Richard Wilkins Gibbs was a brother to Mary Ann Gibbs, John's mother.
Anna, his wife, died July 16, 1888 and was buried July 18, at Samaria, Idaho. John Martin passed away September 12, 1900.
SOURCE: -- Raymond R. Martin, Grandson. *See a Historical Tour Through Monmouthshire, by William Coxe, pp. xv, (Monm.2)Historical Note: John Martin was a Mormon Pioneer, as follows (in FS PID# KWNL-MVB):
"This [John Martin] family…left Liverpool [England, on] Tuesday, 30th of June, 1868 for New York, on the steamship Minnesota. They reached New York, July 12th, and arranged to go by train to Laramie, Wyoming. They left Laramie for Salt Lake Valley on July 25th in Captain Loveland's Company of 40 mule team wagons and 400 passengers. John Martin played his violin to help with the amusement and programs around the bonfires at night when they were encircled by the wagons. [The] Salt Lake Valley was reached August 20, 1868…. Finally this couple settled in Samaria, Idaho, in the autumn of 1869." (See: http://welshmormon.byu.edu/Resource_Info.aspx?id=682)
"Hannah Jenkins Martin" is listed as "Anna" in the Deseret Evening News and came with her mother, Anna Evans Jenkins, and her brothers and sisters, and her husband, John Martin, in the Chester Loveland Company, which had about 40 wagons and 400 individuals who began their journey from the outfitting post at Laramie, Wyoming, on 25 July 1868 and who arrived in Salt Lake City on 20 August 1868.
(See: https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/pioneerDetail?lang=eng&pioneerId=44586)
(Also: https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/pioneerDetail?lang=eng&pioneerId=35772)
Anna Jenkins birth certificate gives her name as Hannah but she was known as Anna in life.
Historical Note: Anna (Hannah) Jenkins was a Mormon Pioneer, as follows (in FS PID# KWNL-MVY):
"This [John Martin] family…left Liverpool [England, on] Tuesday, 30th of June, 1868 for New York, on the steamship Minnesota. They reached New York, July 12th, and arranged to go by train to Laramie, Wyoming. They left Laramie for Salt Lake Valley on July 25th in Captain Loveland's Company of 40 mule team wagons and 400 passengers. John Martin played his violin to help with the amusement and programs around the bonfires at night when they were encircled by the wagons. [The] Salt Lake Valley was reached August 20, 1868…. Finally this couple settled in Samaria, Idaho, in the autumn of 1869." (See: http://welshmormon.byu.edu/Resource_Info.aspx?id=682)
"Hannah Jenkins Martin" is listed as "Anna" in the Deseret Evening News and came with her mother, Anna Evans Jenkins, and her brothers and sisters, and her husband, John Martin, in the Chester Loveland Company, which had about 40 wagons and 400 individuals who began their journey from the outfitting post at Laramie, Wyoming, on 25 July 1868 and who arrived in Salt Lake City on 20 August 1868.
(See: https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/pioneerDetail?lang=eng&pioneerId=44586)
(Also: https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/pioneerDetail?lang=eng&pioneerId=35772)