Description

Mary Ann Fenn Bird

Mary Ann Fenn was born 14 April 1811, in Billington, Bedfordshire, England into a large and happy family. When she was 21 years old she married Frederick Otto Bird and together they had seven children. Theirs was a happy family living in the rural village of Eaton Brae. In 1847 they were baptized and soon thereafter their hearts turned to Zion and gathering with the Saints in Utah. It took them years of preparation, and just as they were about to depart Frederick passed away.

Now a widow, Mary Ann and her seven children determined they would still go to Zion, and finally in April 1856, they left Liverpool on board the ship Thornton. Upon arriving in Iowa City the two oldest girls hired out as household servants to earn money for the journey.

Finally 15 August 1856, Mary Ann and her children, ranging in age from 19 to 5, left Iowa City as part of the Willie Handcart Company. Just before they left two young locals called on Mary Ann and pleaded with her not to make the trip, but she would not hear of it. They had come this far at great sacrifice for their faith and they could not stop now.

That first day the handcart people did not journey far. The next morning, to their surprise, those same two young men called on Mary Ann again and asked her not to go. Evidently their concern was less for Mary Ann and the children’s welfare and more because of their interest in her two oldest daughters. Mary Ann’s answer was the same. Unable to persuade her, the two asked for permission to take her two oldest daughters, Ann and Sabina, for a ride in their carriage. Mary Ann consented on the condition that the two be returned by nightfall.

She sat up and waited all night, but they never came back. The next morning Mary Ann faced what had to be one of the most difficult decisions of her life. Should she remain behind and go in search of the girls or go on with the company? “With many heartaches and tears shed, she [went] on with the handcart company.” She would never see her daughters again in this life.

The journey of the Willie Handcart Company is a legacy of faith and sacrifice; of suffering and sorrow, and in none were these more evident than in Mary Ann Fenn Bird. Her children were so young and small that they could not keep up with the daily trek of the company. Many an evening found Mary Ann’s family lagging behind and coming into camp at the end. Many a night found Mary Ann weeping with sorrow at the choice of Ann and Sabina.

But, notwithstanding all they endured, they made it safely to Utah. Mary Ann’s legs and feet were frostbitten on the journey and they never healed. She died 22 July 1865, still bearing the open wounds of the journey, but stalwart and firm in the faith.

Ten years later Ann and Sabina came to Utah for a visit. They had married the boys they ran off with and each had borne ten children.

There are some, not understanding, who might be tempted to find fault with Mary Ann, but I am reminded of what the Lord said, “He that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 37).

Source: The Biography of Mary Ann Fenn Bird Kellog by William Clayton

http://www.tellmystorytoo.com/pdf/Biographyofmaryannfennbird.PDF