The christening of "William Walmesley" is listed in the parish register of Chipping, Lancashire (FHL Film # 1656769, Item #3), which states that he was christened on 19 July 1778 in Chipping, and that his father was "Joshua Walmesley".
Research Note: FamilySearch lists the death place of William Walmsley as having occurred in Minersville, Beaver, Utah. However, some of his descendants have suggested that he actually died in Lancashire, England. Interestingly, the GRO in England lists the death of a William Walmsley, age 93 or 98--as the index is not clear about his age when he died--that was registered in October-December 1877 in Preston, Lancashire. This death certificate should probably be ordered
from England.
The birth and christening of "Robert Watson Paterson" is listed in FamilySearch, which states that he was born on 11 April 1827 and christened on 29 April 1827 in Barony, Lanarkshire, Scotland, and that his parents were "George Paterson" and "Jean Watson".
The 1851 marriage of "Robert Pattison" and "Martha Mary Lowe" is listed and shown in FamilySearch, which states that they were married by Banns on 9 November 1851 in St. Peter's church in Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England; that Robert Pattison was of "full age" and a "Bachelor" and "Potter" of "Masons Square" and that his father was "George Pattison" an "Engineer"; and that Martha Mary Lowe was of "full age" and a "Spinster" of "Fenton" and that her father was "Joseph Lowe" a "Potter". The marriage was witnessed by Thomas Brough and Jane Pattison.
The 1870 death certificate of "Robert Watson Patterson" was obtained from the GRO in England by the Brough Family Organization in August 2023, and stated that he died of "Phthisis" on 28 July 1870 at "Sutherland Terrace" in Longton district, Staffordshire, England, and that he died when he was "40 years" old (born about 1830), and that the informant of his death was "Stephen Bryan [who was] present at the death [and of] 21 Howard Street, East Vale, in the Parish of Caverswall".
The burial of "Robert Watson Patterson" is listed and shown in FindMyPast, which states that he was buried on 1 August 1870 at St. James church in Longton, Staffordshire, England, and that his abode had been "Sutherland Place" and that he died when he was "40 years" old (born about 1830).
The birth and christening of "Martha Mary Lowe" is listed in FamilySearch, which states that she was born on 24 February 1830 and christened on 4 April 1830 at Methodist New Connexion, Longton Circuit, Staffordshire, England, and that her parents were "Joseph Lowe" and "Rachel Alcock".
The 1851 marriage of "Robert Pattison" and "Martha Mary Lowe" is listed and shown in FamilySearch, which states that they were married by Banns on 9 November 1851 in St. Peter's church in Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England; that Robert Pattison was of "full age" and a "Bachelor" and "Potter" of "Masons Square" and that his father was "George Pattison" an "Engineer"; and that Martha Mary Lowe was of "full age" and a "Spinster" of "Fenton" and that her father was "Joseph Lowe" a "Potter". The marriage was witnessed by Thomas Brough and Jane Pattison.
The 1873 marriage of "George Lester" and Martha Patterson" is listed and shown in FindMyPast, which states that they were married by Banns on 4 August 1873 at St. Peter's church in Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England; that George Lester was "48" years old (born about 1825) and a "Widower" and "Potter" of "Fenton Park" and that his father was "Joshua Lester" a "Potter"; and that Martha Patterson was "44" years old (born about 1829) and a "Widow" of "Fenton Park" and that her father was "Joseph Lowe" a "Potter". The marriage was witnessed by Thomas Lester and Anna Scott.
In the 1881 Census, "Martha Lister" is listed as being 51 years old (born about 1830), born in Longton, Staffordshire, a "Widow" and working as a "Potter Painter", and residing with her apparent stepson, George Lister (age 27 and unmarried and a "Potters Mould Maker"), at: 7 Sutherland Terrace, Longton, Staffordshire, England.
In the 1891 Census, "Martha Lester" is listed as being 61 years old (born about 1830), born in Longton, Staffordshire, a "Widow" and working as a "Potter Gilder", and residing with George Lester (age 35 and single and a "Potter Mould Maker") who was her "Stepson", at : 7 Sutherland Terrace, Longton, Staffordshire, England.
In the 1901 Census, "Martha Lester" is listed as being 71 years old (born about 1830), born in Longton, Staffordshire, a "Widow" and working as a "Potter's Paintress", and residing with her apparent stepson, George Lester (age 49 and single and a "Potter's Labourer"), at: the Union Workhouse in Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England.
In the 1911 Census, "Martha Lester" is listed as being 81 years old (born about 1830), born in Longton, Staffordshire, a "Widow" and working as a "Potters Painter", and residing at the Workhouse Hospital and Infirmary on London Road near Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, England.
In the 1921 Census, "Martha Lester" is listed as being 91 years and 4 months old (born about February-March 1830--as the 1921 Census was taken on 19 June 1921), born in Longton, Staffordshire, a "Widow" and working at "Home Duties", and residing at the Guardians Institution at 19 London Road, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, England.
The death of "Martha Lester" is listed in the online FreeBMD and Staffordshire BMD, which combined states that her death was registered in April-June 1924 in Stoke subdistrict, Stoke-upon-Trent district, Staffordshire, England, and that she died when she was "94" years old (born about 1830).
Marriage Notes for Robert Watson Paterson and Martha Mary Lowe-575
The 1851 marriage of "Robert Pattison" and "Martha Mary Lowe" is listed and shown in FamilySearch, which states that they were married by Banns on 9 November 1851 in St. Peter's church in Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England; that Robert Pattison was of "full age" and a "Bachelor" and "Potter" of "Masons Square" and that his father was "George Pattison" an "Engineer"; and that Martha Mary Lowe was of "full age" and a "Spinster" of "Fenton" and that her father was "Joseph Lowe" a "Potter". The marriage was witnessed by Thomas Brough and Jane Pattison.
History of Mary Palmer Graves.
History of George W. Bratton and Mary Palmer Graves. Compiled by Chaundelle Hill Brough in July 2004.
George Washington Bratton was born to James and Isabelle Bratton on September 3, 1812, in Wayne, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. In 1835 he married Mary Palmer Graves, the daughter of Reuben Graves and Phebe Palmer, in Erie City, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Mary Palmer was born September 13, 1818, in Concord, Vermont. After they were married they resided in Erie Pennsylvania for a time. It was here that their first two children were born; Caroline (September 25, 1836), and Elizabeth (January 19, 1838).
George was a cabinet maker by trade and had decided that by moving west he would be able to increase the family fortune. They settled in Ottowa, Iowa where they were given a very good farm by a friendly Potowatoma Indian. They lived in Ottowa about two years, and while there had their third daughter Laura (November 10, 1841). It was around this same time that the Nauvoo Temple was being built. George and Mary moved their family to Nauvoo where George worked on the Nauvoo Temple for five years designing much of the beautiful wood work found inside. They both were baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on January 21, 1846. It was in Nauvoo that their fourth daughter, Eliza Jane (March 6, 1845) was born. Mary’s mother also lived with them at this time.
During their last year in Nauvoo, the first covered wagon train of Mormons, under the direction of Brigham Young, left for the journey westward. Mary’s mother Phoebe Palmer was very anxious to make this trip, as her oldest daughter, Eliza Graves Rich, had gone with her husband (Charles C. Rich) in one of the earlier companies. However, she felt she could not go and leave Mary with her family of little girls behind. Mary wanted very much to make the journey as well, but her husband George, not being as deeply impressed by the gospel felt they had moved far enough west. Mary and her mother were very sincere and firm in their beliefs. They had already suffered so much persecution that they were reluctant to remain in Nauvoo when the main body of Saints was making such an effort to gather in Zion. Mary wished to rear her family in a community where she would be free to teach her children of God in the way of her church. Her husband could not see as she did. Mary also faced the prospect of a broken home seeing as George Bratton had become interested in another woman. The couple decided to separate. In the spring of 1852 Mary Palmer decided to head west with the Saints. George went with his family as far as Council Bluffs, Nebraska. Soon after their arrival their fifth daughter, Mary Florence (February 23, 1852) was born. Her appearance at this time tended to keep the family together a little longer, but it was only a temporary reconciliation.
In May 1852 Mary joined Captain Brim’s company of about fifty wagons. At the time she and George still owned the farm in Ottowa, the selling of which was put in the hands of Orson Hyde. From the money obtained for the farm George provided Mary with two very good ox teams and wagons for the long journey. Robert Brooks, a seventeen year old boy, had consented to drive one of the wagons in payment for his board. Mary’s mother would drive the other wagon, as Mary still had a very young baby to care for.
Mary had a cow that was part of one of her teams. Each day a portion of the milk obtained from the cow was put in an earthen jar in the wagon. With the jolting of the wagon they always had a nice pat of fresh butter for their evening meal. At night all members of the camp would gather around the central camp fire and sing, dance or tell lively jokes or stories. They would have group prayer in which everyone would bow their heads in tribute to their God, who had guided them safely on their journey that day.
At last they reached the Rocky Mountains. Just as the sun was setting they reached the mouth of Emigration Canyon. They arrived in Salt Lake City in September of 1852. The winter was spent in the Old Fort, now known as Pioneer Park. This fort had been erected as a protection against the Indians. The homes consisted of rows of crude houses built together. Many times the women folk were seen cooking over the stove, with an umbrella hanging over their heads to ward off the rain that leaked through the roof.
In the spring the Brattons moved into the home of Mary’s sister, Eliza Graves Rich in Centerville, Davis County, Utah, in what is known as the old Woolley home. This home was near the Nathan Porter home where John President Porter lived with his three motherless sons; Joseph Rich, Samuel C. (father of Orin Porter), and John. It was under these circumstances that Mary Graves Bratton and John President Porter met, and then married on March 24, 1853. There were two children born of this marriage; Charles Graves and Sarah Ellen (better known as Nell). Charles Graves Porter always said that in spite of the fact that there were three families all under one roof, the Porter family was a peaceful, happy, family.
John and Mary took up land in Centerville which proved to be poor and unproductive. After a few years of struggle and disappointment they moved to Morgan County in the Weber Valley and staked off a farm in what was later called Porterville, the town taking its name from these early settlers – Sanford Porter Sr., Sanford Porter Jr., and John President Porter.
Mary died June 18, 1896 and was buried June 21, 1896 in Porterville, Morgan County, Utah. John President Porter was buried May 30, 1895 also in Porterville. A lovely marker stands at the head of their graves. George Washington Bratton died February 2, 1901 in Brownville, Nebraska. The temple records show that Mary Graves Bratton Porter was sealed on March 27, 1853 in the President’s office, and again on February 25, 1855.
Note: Information taken from the journal of Elizabeth Bratton Parrish (daughter), and from information written by Bessie Porter Brough (daughter of Charles Graves Porter), Nancy P. Moffet, and Laura Walton Barber.
Marriage Notes for John President Porter Sr. and Mary Palmer Graves-1490
MARRIAGE: Also shown as Married Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah.