Individual Details
Mary Ann BROWN
(2 Mar 1799 - 7 May 1886)
Autobiography of Mary Brown Pulsipher
My grandfather and grandmother Brown I knew little about; they died when my father was quite young. They had three sons; Joseph, John and Jonathan.
My grandfather and grandmother Fairchild I well remember. Grandmother died when I was four years old, in Connecticut. Grandfather then went to Pennsylvania and died there. I think they had five sons and two girls. The names that I can remember are Samuel, Sherman, Stephan, Eurnice and Sarah. Grandfather's name was Stephen, and grandmother's name was Eunice.
My father, John Brown, born February 25, 1770. Their children were:
Juda Brown, born November 2, 1793
John Brown, born August 24, 1795
Eunice Brown, born August, 1794
Mary Brown, born March 2, 1799
Thirsa Brown, born July 11, 1802
Sally Brown, born February 27, 1805
Catherine Brown, born August 13, 1808
Loring G. Brown, born April 17, 1811
They were all born in Connecticut, but Catherine and Lorine. They were born in Pensylvania.
My father moved from Connecticut to Pennsylvania when I was six years old. My father's home was a home for the Mehodist Preachers and all other preachers when they came. I joined the Methodist church when I was 13 years old. I lived in Pennsylvania until I was married in 1815 to Zerah Pulsipher. My oldest child was born May 30, 1816.
Mary Ann Pulsipher, born May 30, 1816
died July 14, 1816
Almira Pulsipher, born September 8, 1817
married Horras Burgess
died March 8, 1868
Nelson Pulsipher, born March 28, 1820
died May 7, 1824
Mariah Pulsipher, born June 11, 1822
married William Burgess
died , 1893
Sarah Pulsipher, born November 20, 1824
married John Alger
died January 1909
John Pulsipher, born July 17, 1827
first marriage: Rosella Huffaker
second marriage: Esther Barnum
died April 9, 1891
Charles Pulsipher, born April 20, 1830
Marh Ann Pulsipher, born November 20, 1833
married Thomas S. Terry
died September 17, 1913
William Pulsipher, born January 21, 1836
married Ester Chidester
died March 12, 1880
Eliza Jane Pulsipher, born July 26, 1840
married Thomas S. Terry
died May 6, 1919
Fidelia Pulsipher, born October 13, 1842
died January 8, 1846
We lived in Pennsylvania seven years. Did a great deal of hard work there; then left and moved to New York State - in Oneadago County. There we heard the gospel preached for the first time by the Latter-day Saints. We went forth and were baptized in the year 1832 by Jared Carter. He baptized about 20 in that place. Then ordianed my husband Zerah Pulsipher, and left him to preside over the Church. He baptized more. We stayed there about two years, then moved 20 miles to Fabius; lived with a Doctor Newcome one-and-a-half years. Then we all moved to Kirtland, Ohio, together. Stayed there four years. Zera was ordained there one of the first Seven Presidents by the hands of Joseph Smith, the Prophet.
We helped build the Temple. Got his endowments in it, then we were driven from that place with the rest of the Saints. We started in July (the 15th) with a large camp for Missouri. We all got there in the fall and went to Davies County. My husband was one of the Council that led the Camp. We stayed in that place one month; then we were driven from there by the mob. Then we went to the far west and stayed there through the winter. Then we had to go again. We started in March for Illinois. We stopped 25 miles from Nauvoo, in Bear Creek Woods.
The winter we were in the Far Western part of Missouri, we had to part with our good old Mother Pulsipher. She was sick one week, and then died. The day before she died, she lay looking up. I said, "Mother, what do you see?" She said, "Oh, don't you see that light?" I looked, but could not see any. The next day she saw it again over her bed. She said, "That is a light to light me through the dark valley of death." Then she feel asleep without a struggle or groan. I think she was 85 years old.
We stayed in Bear Creek Woods nearly two years. Then the first Prdsidency had gotten out of prison and out of Missouri. The Saints had begun to settle Nauvoo. They sent for us to move there. We went there and stayed, I think, five years. My youngest child, Fidelia, was born there. She was a very smart, promising child, but we could not keep her only four years and three months. We buried her there. We helped build the Temple there - got our endowments in it - then we started with the rest of the Church west to find some place where we could live in peace. We were two years, not forty, in going to Salt Lake. We helped cultivate the bare desert and make it "blossom like the rose." My husband was one of the City Council most of the time we were there.
Then we were called to go south three hundred miles and help cultivate another barren desert. We have lived 10 years in this place, Hebron. We have enjoyed great blessings, lived in peace, none to molest or make afraid, although we have had to part with some of our dear friends here. Almira, my daughter, died in March, 1868, and John's wife Rosilla, and little boy, William Lewis, died. We lived here, enjoyed ourselves well with our children and grandchildren all around us until my husband was called away by beath, in January 1872. He lived to a good age, and then went down to the grave like a shock of corn, fully ripe. I am spared yet. I hope to do a little good before I die.
I used to say when my children were small if I could live to see my children grow up and be honorable men and women, it would be all I could ask for. I have lived to see them all settled with good families, all trying to do what good they can to build up the Kingdom of God. I feel very thankful and much pleased with my children. I hope they will live and do much good; be united and be agreeable, and try to help each other and carry out the council their father and mother have given them. I write this after I am 72 years old, for my children to look at. It is written very poorly. Perhaps you cannot read it.
May God Bless you All.
By request I write a little more history and experiences. Eight years have passed away since I wrote the little sketches. I am still here. I will begin by my first experiences in the Methodist church. My parents taught me to be honest, industrious, and to keep the Sabbath Day. They were very strict Methodists. When I was about 13 years old I thought I ought to join the Methodist Church. It was the only church I knew much about. The preachers came every week to preach at father's house. I told him I wanted to join the church and he said I could. I did not know but they would call on me to relate a great experience when I was converted, but I could not have told them. All they did was to put my name on the class paper for six month's trial. When six months was out the preachers said, "Here is Sister Mary. She is a good, faithful, worthy Sister. I motion that she be taken in full fellowship." I was voted in. Perhaps one year passed - not a word was said about baptism. I said to the preacher, "Do you believe baptism to be a duty for us to obey?" He said baptism was not a saving ordinance, just to answer a good conscience. I said, "I see by reading the New Testament, I consider it a duty - a command." He said, "What say?" I said there was only one way that looked to be right - to be immersed and buried in the water. He said, "The Savior set the example and He was not immersed. He went out into the water and knelt down and had some water poured on his head." he said he had seen it in history. He went to the water. He sang and prayed, then took me by the hand and led me to the water, saying, "Step in and kneel." I did. he dipped a little water, said over the ceremony, and poured it on my head, while he stood on the bank - did not wet his feet. I thought if baptism was to asnwer a good conscience, I was not satisfied. it looked like mockery to me, but I had done my duty.
I write this to let my children see the darkness and ignorance the world was then in. Surely the Prophet could say darkness and sin had covered the earth, and gross darkness, the people. I rejoice that we live in a day that the true light and true gospel was shining.
I think I was in the Methodist church about 20 years before I heard the true gospel. We happened to see the Book of Mormon. We borrowed it, read it, and believe it, but did not know anything more about it. We were very anxious to know more about it. It was not long before a Mormon preacher came. We had a great many questions to ask. He told us how the Book was found and translated. He said baptism by immersion was the only right way. It was for the remission of sins. I thought that looked right. In a short time some were ready to be baptized. I wanted to be at the first opportunity, but Satan thought he would hinder it. The night before baptism, I was taken very lame with rheumatism or something. I was so sick I could not get around much. As they were fixing to go, Brother Carter said to me, "Sister Pulsipher, if you will do your duty, you shall be healed." I took a cane and hobbled to the water and went in. It was a very cold day, but I came out well, left my cane, and went away rejoicing. I was very ignorant. I had not heard anything about being confirmed, or receiving the Holy Ghost. The next evening went to meeting and the six that were baptized were there. When he put his hands on my head, he said, "Sister Pulsipher, by the authority of the Holy Priesthood and in the name of Jesus, I lay my hands on your head to bless you and to confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I say unto you - receive the Holy Ghost." He promised great blessings if I would be faithful. The spirit of the Lord was there. We sang, prayed and praised God together. It was not long before the news went around that Brother and Sister Pulsipher were Mormons. Some would not believe it until they came to see us. We had plenty of visitors. Some came to try to convince us that it was all delusion. They thought they could reclaim us, but went away disconsolate. Others came to inquire. They said if we had got something better, they wanted to know it. They would be baptised and go home rejoicing.
I will mention one that came to see me. My brother-in-law, Joseph (Joe) Chidister. He lived four miles from me; he was going to move away but could not go without seeing me. I had belonged to the same church he did. He was a preacher. He said I was the last one he thought of as being led away with such hearsay and delusions, as he thought it was. "Well", I said, "If this is what the world calls hearsay, to worship my God," said I, "I know in whom I believe." He said "I think in about six months you will see your error. I think Mormonism will be all down flat in that time." I said, "Joseph, I have not the least idea that it will. It will stand. But if it does come down I never could go to the Mehtodist or another church that I know of. It would be going right into darkness." He said, "I see I cannot convince you, but I have done my duty." he cried and bid me farewell, I said, "I thank you for the kind feelings you have for me. Do not worry about me." I never saw him after that. He moved away, lived a few years and died very suddenly with heart disease. He had an appointment to preach the day he was buried. His wife, my sister, died soon after. I think they have head the gospel preached before this time. Zera and Joseph were great friends. He had not read the Book of Mormon nor heard a sermon preached. He judged before he heard - like to many others. If they would hear and heed, without prejudice, there would not be half so many among heresay, delusion, and false prophets.
Well, I began to gather with the church. Went to Kirtland, there had my blessings from the first Patriarch in this church, Father Joseph Smith. He said I should have my friends with me in this church, and that I would be the means of saving and redeeming them. I believe every word, but did not understand how it could come to pass. I never heard nor thought of being baptised for the dead. He said I had left all for the gospel, I should have a hundred fold in this world and in the world to come, life everlasting, with many more good blessings if I would be faithful.
I am almost 81 years old, have lived and enjoyed myself well with my children a long time; I expect the time will come when I must leave them. I have watched over them, tried to comfort them and instruct them right. I pray that they may live in peace, be united, and keep all the commandments of God. If riches increase, set not your hearts on them, but lay up treasures in Heaven. It is the only safe place that we can lay up riches.
I would like to have my children live near together to help and comfort one another. May God bless you all.
Mary Brown Pulsipher
Hebron, March, 1880.
I, John, take the liberty to write a little in this book, as mother has passed away from mortal life. She died on the 7th of May, 1886, in the midst of friends and about as near ready as mortals ever get. When she died we buried her by the side of father in Hebron Cemetery. So I record a little more of her history in this book.
As she lived to such advanced age, her children well desired her to give up housekeeping and live with some of us. Then we would know if she needed anything and could help her so much better than if she was alone. She went to St. George and visited her daughters, Sarah and Eliza, and their children and friends for several months. She then returned to Hebron and had pleasant happy times with us at hebron for about two hears.
Truly we did have an enjoyeable time talking of early life, incidents of history in Connecticut, and the USA and the restoration of the Gospel and the rise of the church in this age of the world.
March 2, 1879 - "When I went to the Relief Society Meeting I expected to see 10 or 12 sisters and 3 0r 4 of the brothers there - the Bishop told me he was going. When I opened the door, the first I saw was long tables loaded with pies, cakes, cheese and the comforts of life. I looked around and saw about every family in town seated there, about 90 per cent besides the babies. I was so surprised it almost overcome me. I said, "What does all this mean" I came to a meeting but it looks more like a feast." I then took my seat. The Biship then arose and said, "This is in honor of Mother Pulsipher. This is her 80th birthday." I then began to cry, i was so overcoe. The food was then blessed and all enjoyed it to their fill until all had enough. I was then called on to preside over the meeting. After singing, I asked my oldest son, John, to open the meeting with prayer. Another hymn was sung, then I walked onto the stand and said, "I don't know as I can say much, but i think these people can keep a secret, for I knew nothing of this feast until I was right here and opened the door I feel very unworthy to have so much honor and respect shown me. I thank you all. I ask my Heavenly Father to bless you all. I suppose I am the oldest person here - 80 years old today. I have been in the Church over 47 years; have passed through persecutions, mobbings and driving with the Saints since the days of Kirtland. I rejoice that I am worthy to have a name and place with these people."
"I left all my friends but my own family. Father Smith, the first Patriarch in the Church, laid his hands on my head and blessed me. He said I whould have my friends in his church, would stand on Mt. Zion, help save and redeem them. He said I had left all to obey the Gospel and that I should in this world have a hundred fold. That is fulfilling very fast. I have 56 grandchildren and 75 great grandchildren. So you see there is upwards of a hundred fold now and increasing at a wonderful rate. I get you all, the sisters of the Relief Society, to be faithful, do all the good you can, be united, put your faith in God, and you need not have any fears."
Mary Brown Pulsipher
Mary Brown Pulsipher's Farewell Address to Hebron
(these are a few lines mother wrote on October 16, 1883, before going to St. George to live a while)
I have been in Hebron from the beginning. I located with my boys as they were herding cattle at Shoal Creek when the main part of this country was a desert and sage plain. I have worked hard to make this a beautiful happy home. With the help of my boys, I built the first house out of the fort. Have lived in it about 15 years, and enjoyed myself wonderfully well in it. Have had much joy and comfort in it. Have seen the place grow and flourish, but the time draws near when I expect to leave it, perhaps never to return, but I leave it with the best of feelings. I never expect to find any place I like as well. If I should die away from here I want to be brought back and buried here with my friends that are waiting for me behind the veil.
I have been in this church 52 years; passed the persecutions with the Saints, but never felt to complian, but that all would be well. I pray by Father in Heaven to bless Hebron, bless the people. May Lord bless the land, the water, the cattle, and all; may it be a healthy delightful place. I bid you all farewell.
Farewell, dear Hebron, we love so well,
Farewell, dear Saints, that in it dwell
May you all be true, keep covenants well
That we may all in Glory dwell.
Mary B. Pulsipher
! MARY ANN BROWN, RHT'S great-great-grandmother, was born 22 Mar 1798, at Kent Litchfield, Connecticut. Mary Ann, age 16, married ZERA PULSIPHER 18 Aug 1815, at Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Mary was baptized 11 Jan 1831, in New York State, by Jared Carter. Mary Ann moved from Kirtland to Adam-Ondi-Ahmen in 1838. Mary Ann witnessed the mantel fall on Brigham Young. Mary Ann crossed the plains in 1848, as a member of the Brigham Young Company. She lived in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Oneadago, New York, Kirtland, Ohio, Adam-Ondi-Ahmen, and Far West, Missouri, Nauvoo, Illinois, Winter Quarters, Salt Lake City, and Hebron, Washington, Utah. Suffered through most of the persecution. Mary Ann died 7 May 1886, at age 88, and was buried at Hebron, Washington, Utah. She was the mother of eleven children and moved was called to Dixie with her husband in 1862. Official Church records record that her husband was made a General Authority under the hands of Joseph Young Senior President of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy, but Mary Ann recorded that he was ordained under the hands of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
!Received a partial endowment in the Kirtland Temple in 1836. Received Endowment at the Nauvoo Temple 12 Jan 1846. [Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register]
!Mormon Pioneer, had a son in Kirtland and two daughters in Nauvoo. Lived through all of the persecutions. 2nd wife of Zera Pulsipher. Had eleven children.
!Her grandfather may have been a general under George Washington, John Brown. John Brown's grandmother is listed as Cherokee mother. Witnessed the mantle falling on Brigham Young. Crossed the plains arriving in SLC 23 Sep 1847. Married at age 16. Two of her daughters married Thomas Syrls Terry. Dixie Pioneer moving to Hebron in 1862 and was buried there.
! Baptized 23 Jan 1832, in Oneadago County, New York, Buried a daughter at Nauvoo. A daughter had a vision in which she was told who would follow Joseph Smith as the next prophet. Lived in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Kirtland, Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Far West, Nauvoo, Winter Quarters, SLC, and Hebron. Suffered through most of the persecutions. Wife of a General Authority.
! Was steadfast and helpful through all the terrible persecutions that the Saints endured in the early rise of the Church.
! Convert from the Methodist Church. Mary joined the Methodist Church when she was 13 years old. Mary was 16 years and 5 months old when she married Zera Pulsipher whose wife, (Polly) Mary Randall, had died in child birth.
!Zera at age 26 a widower moved to Susquahannah Pennsylvania, a new country where there was much good timber. He built a mill, cleared a farm, and married Mary Ann Brown, age 16, 18 Aug 1815. He describes her as a very agreeable companion by whom he had a large family of kind children. He stayed eight years in that country, seven years after they were married, laboring hard rafting on the Susquahannah River. Their first four children were born there.
ENDOWMENT:
!Mary Ann received a partial endowment in the Kirtland Temple in 1836. She received her full endowment 12 Dec 1845, in the original Nauvoo Temple. She was sealed to Zera Pulsipher, 8 Mar 1862, in the Endowment House in the Great Basin.
1799 - Mary Ann Brown was born 2 Mar 1799, Kent Litchfield, Connecticut, USA. 1805 - [Age 6] moved with parents from connecticut to Pennsylvania. 1812 - MAB [Age 13] joined the Methodist Church. 1815 - MAB [Age 16 and 5 months] married Zera Pulsipher, 8 Aug 1815, Susquahannah. 1816 - MABP [Age 17] #1, Mary Ann, born 30 May 1816, Susquahanna; Died 14 July 1816, Susquahanna. 1817 - MABP [Age 18] #2, Almira, born 8 Sep 1817, Susquahanna. Died [Age 50] 8 Mar 1868, Hebron. 1820 - MABP [Age 21] #3, Nelson, born 28 Mar 1820, Susquahanna. Died [Age 2] 7 May 1824, New York. 1822 - MABP [Age 24] #4, Mariah, born 17 Mar 1822, Susquahanna, Died [Age 72] 1893, Huntington 1822 - Moved fromSusquahannah, Pennsylvania, 7 years after her marriage, to Onondaga, New York. 1824 - MABP [Age 25] #5, Sarah Ann, born 20 Nov 1824, Stafford, NY. Died 1 Jan 1909, St.
George. 1827 - MABP [Age 28] #6, John, born Spafford,Onondaga,New York. Died [Age 64] 9 Aug 1891. 1830 - #7, Charles, born 20 Apr 1830, Spafford, New York. Died [Age 85] 20 Nov 1915,Huntington, Utah 1832 - MABP [Age 32] was baptized 23 Jan 1832, Onondago County, New York. 1833 - #8, Mary Ann, born 20 Nov 1833, Scott, Courtland, NY. Died 17 Sep 1913, Hebron, Washington,UT 1836 - MABP [Age 37] received a partial endowment in the Kirtland Temple in 1836. 1838 - #9, William, heap strong man, born 22 Jan 1838, Kirtland, Ohio. Died 12 Mar 1880, Buried Hebron. 1840 - #10, Eliza Jane, born 26 Jul 1840, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois. Died 5 May 1919, Panaca, Nevada. 1842 - #11, Fedelia, born 13 Oct 1842, Nauvoo. Died 8 Jan 1846, Nauvoo 1846 - MABP [Age 46] received her Endowments in the Nauvoo Temple 12 Jan 1846. 1862 - MABP [Age 62] was sealed to Zera Pulsipher 8 Mar 1862, Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Utah. 1886 - Mary Ann Brown Pulsipher died 7 May 1886, Hebron, Washington, Utah, USA. 1886 - Mary Ann Brown Pulsipher was buried in Hebron, Washington, Utah, USA. [Nauvoo Land & Records Office, Nauvoo Restoration Incorporated] [M Pulsipher Autobiography, BYU- A, 2]
MARRIED CHILDREN:
#2, Almira Pulsipher [Age 19] married Horace Burgess, 1836, Susquahannay, Pennsylvania. #4, Mariah Pulsipher [Age 18] married William Burgess, 1840, Lima, 25 miles SE of Nauvoo #5, Sara Ann Pulsipher[Age 17] married John Alger, 13 Feb 1842, Nauvoo Temple, Nauvoo. #6, John Pulsipher [Age 26] married (1) Rosella Huffaker 4 Nov 1853, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. #6, John Pulsipher [Age 45] married (2) Ester M Barnum 11 Mar 1872, #7, Charles Pulsipher [Age 19] married Ann Beers 30 Apr 1839, #8, Mary Ann Pulsipher [Age 16] married Thomas Sirls Terry 25 Dec 1849, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake. #9, William P Heap Strong Man [Age 23] married Esther Chidester 27 Oct 1861, Salt Lake City, Utah. #10. Eliza Jane Pulsipher married Thomas Sirls Terry 6 may 1855, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, FIELD NAME Page FIELD NAME Page VALUE accessed 23 Aug 2011), entry for Mary Ann Brown, person ID K2W3-FNR. _INFO P FIELD NAME Page
My grandfather and grandmother Brown I knew little about; they died when my father was quite young. They had three sons; Joseph, John and Jonathan.
My grandfather and grandmother Fairchild I well remember. Grandmother died when I was four years old, in Connecticut. Grandfather then went to Pennsylvania and died there. I think they had five sons and two girls. The names that I can remember are Samuel, Sherman, Stephan, Eurnice and Sarah. Grandfather's name was Stephen, and grandmother's name was Eunice.
My father, John Brown, born February 25, 1770. Their children were:
Juda Brown, born November 2, 1793
John Brown, born August 24, 1795
Eunice Brown, born August, 1794
Mary Brown, born March 2, 1799
Thirsa Brown, born July 11, 1802
Sally Brown, born February 27, 1805
Catherine Brown, born August 13, 1808
Loring G. Brown, born April 17, 1811
They were all born in Connecticut, but Catherine and Lorine. They were born in Pensylvania.
My father moved from Connecticut to Pennsylvania when I was six years old. My father's home was a home for the Mehodist Preachers and all other preachers when they came. I joined the Methodist church when I was 13 years old. I lived in Pennsylvania until I was married in 1815 to Zerah Pulsipher. My oldest child was born May 30, 1816.
Mary Ann Pulsipher, born May 30, 1816
died July 14, 1816
Almira Pulsipher, born September 8, 1817
married Horras Burgess
died March 8, 1868
Nelson Pulsipher, born March 28, 1820
died May 7, 1824
Mariah Pulsipher, born June 11, 1822
married William Burgess
died , 1893
Sarah Pulsipher, born November 20, 1824
married John Alger
died January 1909
John Pulsipher, born July 17, 1827
first marriage: Rosella Huffaker
second marriage: Esther Barnum
died April 9, 1891
Charles Pulsipher, born April 20, 1830
Marh Ann Pulsipher, born November 20, 1833
married Thomas S. Terry
died September 17, 1913
William Pulsipher, born January 21, 1836
married Ester Chidester
died March 12, 1880
Eliza Jane Pulsipher, born July 26, 1840
married Thomas S. Terry
died May 6, 1919
Fidelia Pulsipher, born October 13, 1842
died January 8, 1846
We lived in Pennsylvania seven years. Did a great deal of hard work there; then left and moved to New York State - in Oneadago County. There we heard the gospel preached for the first time by the Latter-day Saints. We went forth and were baptized in the year 1832 by Jared Carter. He baptized about 20 in that place. Then ordianed my husband Zerah Pulsipher, and left him to preside over the Church. He baptized more. We stayed there about two years, then moved 20 miles to Fabius; lived with a Doctor Newcome one-and-a-half years. Then we all moved to Kirtland, Ohio, together. Stayed there four years. Zera was ordained there one of the first Seven Presidents by the hands of Joseph Smith, the Prophet.
We helped build the Temple. Got his endowments in it, then we were driven from that place with the rest of the Saints. We started in July (the 15th) with a large camp for Missouri. We all got there in the fall and went to Davies County. My husband was one of the Council that led the Camp. We stayed in that place one month; then we were driven from there by the mob. Then we went to the far west and stayed there through the winter. Then we had to go again. We started in March for Illinois. We stopped 25 miles from Nauvoo, in Bear Creek Woods.
The winter we were in the Far Western part of Missouri, we had to part with our good old Mother Pulsipher. She was sick one week, and then died. The day before she died, she lay looking up. I said, "Mother, what do you see?" She said, "Oh, don't you see that light?" I looked, but could not see any. The next day she saw it again over her bed. She said, "That is a light to light me through the dark valley of death." Then she feel asleep without a struggle or groan. I think she was 85 years old.
We stayed in Bear Creek Woods nearly two years. Then the first Prdsidency had gotten out of prison and out of Missouri. The Saints had begun to settle Nauvoo. They sent for us to move there. We went there and stayed, I think, five years. My youngest child, Fidelia, was born there. She was a very smart, promising child, but we could not keep her only four years and three months. We buried her there. We helped build the Temple there - got our endowments in it - then we started with the rest of the Church west to find some place where we could live in peace. We were two years, not forty, in going to Salt Lake. We helped cultivate the bare desert and make it "blossom like the rose." My husband was one of the City Council most of the time we were there.
Then we were called to go south three hundred miles and help cultivate another barren desert. We have lived 10 years in this place, Hebron. We have enjoyed great blessings, lived in peace, none to molest or make afraid, although we have had to part with some of our dear friends here. Almira, my daughter, died in March, 1868, and John's wife Rosilla, and little boy, William Lewis, died. We lived here, enjoyed ourselves well with our children and grandchildren all around us until my husband was called away by beath, in January 1872. He lived to a good age, and then went down to the grave like a shock of corn, fully ripe. I am spared yet. I hope to do a little good before I die.
I used to say when my children were small if I could live to see my children grow up and be honorable men and women, it would be all I could ask for. I have lived to see them all settled with good families, all trying to do what good they can to build up the Kingdom of God. I feel very thankful and much pleased with my children. I hope they will live and do much good; be united and be agreeable, and try to help each other and carry out the council their father and mother have given them. I write this after I am 72 years old, for my children to look at. It is written very poorly. Perhaps you cannot read it.
May God Bless you All.
By request I write a little more history and experiences. Eight years have passed away since I wrote the little sketches. I am still here. I will begin by my first experiences in the Methodist church. My parents taught me to be honest, industrious, and to keep the Sabbath Day. They were very strict Methodists. When I was about 13 years old I thought I ought to join the Methodist Church. It was the only church I knew much about. The preachers came every week to preach at father's house. I told him I wanted to join the church and he said I could. I did not know but they would call on me to relate a great experience when I was converted, but I could not have told them. All they did was to put my name on the class paper for six month's trial. When six months was out the preachers said, "Here is Sister Mary. She is a good, faithful, worthy Sister. I motion that she be taken in full fellowship." I was voted in. Perhaps one year passed - not a word was said about baptism. I said to the preacher, "Do you believe baptism to be a duty for us to obey?" He said baptism was not a saving ordinance, just to answer a good conscience. I said, "I see by reading the New Testament, I consider it a duty - a command." He said, "What say?" I said there was only one way that looked to be right - to be immersed and buried in the water. He said, "The Savior set the example and He was not immersed. He went out into the water and knelt down and had some water poured on his head." he said he had seen it in history. He went to the water. He sang and prayed, then took me by the hand and led me to the water, saying, "Step in and kneel." I did. he dipped a little water, said over the ceremony, and poured it on my head, while he stood on the bank - did not wet his feet. I thought if baptism was to asnwer a good conscience, I was not satisfied. it looked like mockery to me, but I had done my duty.
I write this to let my children see the darkness and ignorance the world was then in. Surely the Prophet could say darkness and sin had covered the earth, and gross darkness, the people. I rejoice that we live in a day that the true light and true gospel was shining.
I think I was in the Methodist church about 20 years before I heard the true gospel. We happened to see the Book of Mormon. We borrowed it, read it, and believe it, but did not know anything more about it. We were very anxious to know more about it. It was not long before a Mormon preacher came. We had a great many questions to ask. He told us how the Book was found and translated. He said baptism by immersion was the only right way. It was for the remission of sins. I thought that looked right. In a short time some were ready to be baptized. I wanted to be at the first opportunity, but Satan thought he would hinder it. The night before baptism, I was taken very lame with rheumatism or something. I was so sick I could not get around much. As they were fixing to go, Brother Carter said to me, "Sister Pulsipher, if you will do your duty, you shall be healed." I took a cane and hobbled to the water and went in. It was a very cold day, but I came out well, left my cane, and went away rejoicing. I was very ignorant. I had not heard anything about being confirmed, or receiving the Holy Ghost. The next evening went to meeting and the six that were baptized were there. When he put his hands on my head, he said, "Sister Pulsipher, by the authority of the Holy Priesthood and in the name of Jesus, I lay my hands on your head to bless you and to confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I say unto you - receive the Holy Ghost." He promised great blessings if I would be faithful. The spirit of the Lord was there. We sang, prayed and praised God together. It was not long before the news went around that Brother and Sister Pulsipher were Mormons. Some would not believe it until they came to see us. We had plenty of visitors. Some came to try to convince us that it was all delusion. They thought they could reclaim us, but went away disconsolate. Others came to inquire. They said if we had got something better, they wanted to know it. They would be baptised and go home rejoicing.
I will mention one that came to see me. My brother-in-law, Joseph (Joe) Chidister. He lived four miles from me; he was going to move away but could not go without seeing me. I had belonged to the same church he did. He was a preacher. He said I was the last one he thought of as being led away with such hearsay and delusions, as he thought it was. "Well", I said, "If this is what the world calls hearsay, to worship my God," said I, "I know in whom I believe." He said "I think in about six months you will see your error. I think Mormonism will be all down flat in that time." I said, "Joseph, I have not the least idea that it will. It will stand. But if it does come down I never could go to the Mehtodist or another church that I know of. It would be going right into darkness." He said, "I see I cannot convince you, but I have done my duty." he cried and bid me farewell, I said, "I thank you for the kind feelings you have for me. Do not worry about me." I never saw him after that. He moved away, lived a few years and died very suddenly with heart disease. He had an appointment to preach the day he was buried. His wife, my sister, died soon after. I think they have head the gospel preached before this time. Zera and Joseph were great friends. He had not read the Book of Mormon nor heard a sermon preached. He judged before he heard - like to many others. If they would hear and heed, without prejudice, there would not be half so many among heresay, delusion, and false prophets.
Well, I began to gather with the church. Went to Kirtland, there had my blessings from the first Patriarch in this church, Father Joseph Smith. He said I should have my friends with me in this church, and that I would be the means of saving and redeeming them. I believe every word, but did not understand how it could come to pass. I never heard nor thought of being baptised for the dead. He said I had left all for the gospel, I should have a hundred fold in this world and in the world to come, life everlasting, with many more good blessings if I would be faithful.
I am almost 81 years old, have lived and enjoyed myself well with my children a long time; I expect the time will come when I must leave them. I have watched over them, tried to comfort them and instruct them right. I pray that they may live in peace, be united, and keep all the commandments of God. If riches increase, set not your hearts on them, but lay up treasures in Heaven. It is the only safe place that we can lay up riches.
I would like to have my children live near together to help and comfort one another. May God bless you all.
Mary Brown Pulsipher
Hebron, March, 1880.
I, John, take the liberty to write a little in this book, as mother has passed away from mortal life. She died on the 7th of May, 1886, in the midst of friends and about as near ready as mortals ever get. When she died we buried her by the side of father in Hebron Cemetery. So I record a little more of her history in this book.
As she lived to such advanced age, her children well desired her to give up housekeeping and live with some of us. Then we would know if she needed anything and could help her so much better than if she was alone. She went to St. George and visited her daughters, Sarah and Eliza, and their children and friends for several months. She then returned to Hebron and had pleasant happy times with us at hebron for about two hears.
Truly we did have an enjoyeable time talking of early life, incidents of history in Connecticut, and the USA and the restoration of the Gospel and the rise of the church in this age of the world.
March 2, 1879 - "When I went to the Relief Society Meeting I expected to see 10 or 12 sisters and 3 0r 4 of the brothers there - the Bishop told me he was going. When I opened the door, the first I saw was long tables loaded with pies, cakes, cheese and the comforts of life. I looked around and saw about every family in town seated there, about 90 per cent besides the babies. I was so surprised it almost overcome me. I said, "What does all this mean" I came to a meeting but it looks more like a feast." I then took my seat. The Biship then arose and said, "This is in honor of Mother Pulsipher. This is her 80th birthday." I then began to cry, i was so overcoe. The food was then blessed and all enjoyed it to their fill until all had enough. I was then called on to preside over the meeting. After singing, I asked my oldest son, John, to open the meeting with prayer. Another hymn was sung, then I walked onto the stand and said, "I don't know as I can say much, but i think these people can keep a secret, for I knew nothing of this feast until I was right here and opened the door I feel very unworthy to have so much honor and respect shown me. I thank you all. I ask my Heavenly Father to bless you all. I suppose I am the oldest person here - 80 years old today. I have been in the Church over 47 years; have passed through persecutions, mobbings and driving with the Saints since the days of Kirtland. I rejoice that I am worthy to have a name and place with these people."
"I left all my friends but my own family. Father Smith, the first Patriarch in the Church, laid his hands on my head and blessed me. He said I whould have my friends in his church, would stand on Mt. Zion, help save and redeem them. He said I had left all to obey the Gospel and that I should in this world have a hundred fold. That is fulfilling very fast. I have 56 grandchildren and 75 great grandchildren. So you see there is upwards of a hundred fold now and increasing at a wonderful rate. I get you all, the sisters of the Relief Society, to be faithful, do all the good you can, be united, put your faith in God, and you need not have any fears."
Mary Brown Pulsipher
Mary Brown Pulsipher's Farewell Address to Hebron
(these are a few lines mother wrote on October 16, 1883, before going to St. George to live a while)
I have been in Hebron from the beginning. I located with my boys as they were herding cattle at Shoal Creek when the main part of this country was a desert and sage plain. I have worked hard to make this a beautiful happy home. With the help of my boys, I built the first house out of the fort. Have lived in it about 15 years, and enjoyed myself wonderfully well in it. Have had much joy and comfort in it. Have seen the place grow and flourish, but the time draws near when I expect to leave it, perhaps never to return, but I leave it with the best of feelings. I never expect to find any place I like as well. If I should die away from here I want to be brought back and buried here with my friends that are waiting for me behind the veil.
I have been in this church 52 years; passed the persecutions with the Saints, but never felt to complian, but that all would be well. I pray by Father in Heaven to bless Hebron, bless the people. May Lord bless the land, the water, the cattle, and all; may it be a healthy delightful place. I bid you all farewell.
Farewell, dear Hebron, we love so well,
Farewell, dear Saints, that in it dwell
May you all be true, keep covenants well
That we may all in Glory dwell.
Mary B. Pulsipher
! MARY ANN BROWN, RHT'S great-great-grandmother, was born 22 Mar 1798, at Kent Litchfield, Connecticut. Mary Ann, age 16, married ZERA PULSIPHER 18 Aug 1815, at Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Mary was baptized 11 Jan 1831, in New York State, by Jared Carter. Mary Ann moved from Kirtland to Adam-Ondi-Ahmen in 1838. Mary Ann witnessed the mantel fall on Brigham Young. Mary Ann crossed the plains in 1848, as a member of the Brigham Young Company. She lived in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Oneadago, New York, Kirtland, Ohio, Adam-Ondi-Ahmen, and Far West, Missouri, Nauvoo, Illinois, Winter Quarters, Salt Lake City, and Hebron, Washington, Utah. Suffered through most of the persecution. Mary Ann died 7 May 1886, at age 88, and was buried at Hebron, Washington, Utah. She was the mother of eleven children and moved was called to Dixie with her husband in 1862. Official Church records record that her husband was made a General Authority under the hands of Joseph Young Senior President of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy, but Mary Ann recorded that he was ordained under the hands of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
!Received a partial endowment in the Kirtland Temple in 1836. Received Endowment at the Nauvoo Temple 12 Jan 1846. [Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register]
!Mormon Pioneer, had a son in Kirtland and two daughters in Nauvoo. Lived through all of the persecutions. 2nd wife of Zera Pulsipher. Had eleven children.
!Her grandfather may have been a general under George Washington, John Brown. John Brown's grandmother is listed as Cherokee mother. Witnessed the mantle falling on Brigham Young. Crossed the plains arriving in SLC 23 Sep 1847. Married at age 16. Two of her daughters married Thomas Syrls Terry. Dixie Pioneer moving to Hebron in 1862 and was buried there.
! Baptized 23 Jan 1832, in Oneadago County, New York, Buried a daughter at Nauvoo. A daughter had a vision in which she was told who would follow Joseph Smith as the next prophet. Lived in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Kirtland, Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Far West, Nauvoo, Winter Quarters, SLC, and Hebron. Suffered through most of the persecutions. Wife of a General Authority.
! Was steadfast and helpful through all the terrible persecutions that the Saints endured in the early rise of the Church.
! Convert from the Methodist Church. Mary joined the Methodist Church when she was 13 years old. Mary was 16 years and 5 months old when she married Zera Pulsipher whose wife, (Polly) Mary Randall, had died in child birth.
!Zera at age 26 a widower moved to Susquahannah Pennsylvania, a new country where there was much good timber. He built a mill, cleared a farm, and married Mary Ann Brown, age 16, 18 Aug 1815. He describes her as a very agreeable companion by whom he had a large family of kind children. He stayed eight years in that country, seven years after they were married, laboring hard rafting on the Susquahannah River. Their first four children were born there.
ENDOWMENT:
!Mary Ann received a partial endowment in the Kirtland Temple in 1836. She received her full endowment 12 Dec 1845, in the original Nauvoo Temple. She was sealed to Zera Pulsipher, 8 Mar 1862, in the Endowment House in the Great Basin.
1799 - Mary Ann Brown was born 2 Mar 1799, Kent Litchfield, Connecticut, USA. 1805 - [Age 6] moved with parents from connecticut to Pennsylvania. 1812 - MAB [Age 13] joined the Methodist Church. 1815 - MAB [Age 16 and 5 months] married Zera Pulsipher, 8 Aug 1815, Susquahannah. 1816 - MABP [Age 17] #1, Mary Ann, born 30 May 1816, Susquahanna; Died 14 July 1816, Susquahanna. 1817 - MABP [Age 18] #2, Almira, born 8 Sep 1817, Susquahanna. Died [Age 50] 8 Mar 1868, Hebron. 1820 - MABP [Age 21] #3, Nelson, born 28 Mar 1820, Susquahanna. Died [Age 2] 7 May 1824, New York. 1822 - MABP [Age 24] #4, Mariah, born 17 Mar 1822, Susquahanna, Died [Age 72] 1893, Huntington 1822 - Moved fromSusquahannah, Pennsylvania, 7 years after her marriage, to Onondaga, New York. 1824 - MABP [Age 25] #5, Sarah Ann, born 20 Nov 1824, Stafford, NY. Died 1 Jan 1909, St.
George. 1827 - MABP [Age 28] #6, John, born Spafford,Onondaga,New York. Died [Age 64] 9 Aug 1891. 1830 - #7, Charles, born 20 Apr 1830, Spafford, New York. Died [Age 85] 20 Nov 1915,Huntington, Utah 1832 - MABP [Age 32] was baptized 23 Jan 1832, Onondago County, New York. 1833 - #8, Mary Ann, born 20 Nov 1833, Scott, Courtland, NY. Died 17 Sep 1913, Hebron, Washington,UT 1836 - MABP [Age 37] received a partial endowment in the Kirtland Temple in 1836. 1838 - #9, William, heap strong man, born 22 Jan 1838, Kirtland, Ohio. Died 12 Mar 1880, Buried Hebron. 1840 - #10, Eliza Jane, born 26 Jul 1840, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois. Died 5 May 1919, Panaca, Nevada. 1842 - #11, Fedelia, born 13 Oct 1842, Nauvoo. Died 8 Jan 1846, Nauvoo 1846 - MABP [Age 46] received her Endowments in the Nauvoo Temple 12 Jan 1846. 1862 - MABP [Age 62] was sealed to Zera Pulsipher 8 Mar 1862, Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Utah. 1886 - Mary Ann Brown Pulsipher died 7 May 1886, Hebron, Washington, Utah, USA. 1886 - Mary Ann Brown Pulsipher was buried in Hebron, Washington, Utah, USA. [Nauvoo Land & Records Office, Nauvoo Restoration Incorporated] [M Pulsipher Autobiography, BYU- A, 2]
MARRIED CHILDREN:
#2, Almira Pulsipher [Age 19] married Horace Burgess, 1836, Susquahannay, Pennsylvania. #4, Mariah Pulsipher [Age 18] married William Burgess, 1840, Lima, 25 miles SE of Nauvoo #5, Sara Ann Pulsipher[Age 17] married John Alger, 13 Feb 1842, Nauvoo Temple, Nauvoo. #6, John Pulsipher [Age 26] married (1) Rosella Huffaker 4 Nov 1853, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. #6, John Pulsipher [Age 45] married (2) Ester M Barnum 11 Mar 1872, #7, Charles Pulsipher [Age 19] married Ann Beers 30 Apr 1839, #8, Mary Ann Pulsipher [Age 16] married Thomas Sirls Terry 25 Dec 1849, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake. #9, William P Heap Strong Man [Age 23] married Esther Chidester 27 Oct 1861, Salt Lake City, Utah. #10. Eliza Jane Pulsipher married Thomas Sirls Terry 6 may 1855, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, FIELD NAME Page FIELD NAME Page VALUE accessed 23 Aug 2011), entry for Mary Ann Brown, person ID K2W3-FNR. _INFO P FIELD NAME Page
Events
| Birth | 2 Mar 1799 | Kent, Litchfield, Connecticut, United States |  | ||
| Marriage | 18 Aug 1815 | , Susquahannah, Pennsylvania, United States - Zerah PULSIPHER | |||
| Emigration | 1848 | Brigham Young Company To Utah | |||
| Death | 7 May 1886 | Hebron, Washington, Utah Territory, United States | |||
| Burial | 9 May 1886 | Hebron, Washington, Utah, United States. | |
Families
| Spouse | Zerah PULSIPHER (1788 - 1872) |
| Child | Mary Ann PULSIPHER (1816 - 1816) |
| Child | Iona Almira PULSIPHER (1817 - 1868) |
| Child | Nelson PULSIPHER (1820 - 1824) |
| Child | Mariah PULSIPHER (1822 - 1892) |
| Child | Sarah Ann PULSIPHER (1824 - 1909) |
| Child | John PULSIPHER (1827 - 1891) |
| Child | Charles PULSIPHER (1830 - 1915) |
| Child | Mary Ann PULSIPHER (1833 - 1913) |
| Child | William PULSIPHER (1838 - 1880) |
| Child | Eliza Jane PULSIPHER (1840 - 1919) |
| Child | Fedelia PULSIPHER (1842 - 1846) |
| Father | John BROWN (1770 - 1845) |
| Mother | Sarrah FAIRCHILD (1771 - 1855) |
| Sibling | Eunice BROWN (1779 - ) |
| Sibling | Judith BROWN (1793 - ) |
| Sibling | John BROWN (1795 - 1814) |
| Sibling | Thriza BROWN (1802 - ) |
| Sibling | Sarah (Sally) BROWN (1805 - ) |
| Sibling | Catherine BROWN (1808 - ) |
Endnotes
1. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hebron Ward Records 1881-1905.
2. Cemetery Records.