Life History of

MARY ANN GIBSON (THURMAN) (PERKES)

by Edward Thurman Family

Mary Ann Gibson was born at North Rauceby, Lincolnshire, England, the daughter of William Gibson and Eleanor Charles. She was born October 15, 1820. The family was moderately well off and distantly of noble lineage. She was educated to be a lady. She could have married wealth and title, which was what her family wished, but she disregarded their demands and married the man of her own choice. Most of her family disowned her and she never returned to her childhood home again.

Edward Thurman her husband, was a brewster and a man of property. He provided her with a moderate home and enough servants to live graciously and be busy with the activities of a gentlewomen. To them two children were born, Edward Moroni Thurman, born December 15, 1848 and a daughter Mary Elizabeth Thurman, born April 8, 1850. She and her husband were deeply in love and were very happy together.

Her cousin Elizabeth, one of the few relatives who still spoke to her, invited her to hear two missionaries who taught a new gospel. She was deeply impressed at the first meeting, but when she returned home and attempted to tell Edward of the message, he refused to listen and forbade her to attend any more meetings. When she told him she would go in spite of his command, he became angry and slapped her. He was sorry and immediately apologized most humbly. It was their first quarrel, but as the months passed by, the difference in religion grew to be a great sadness between them. Although Mary Ann tried to forget it, she knew that the Gospel revealed to Joseph Smith was true and even against her own desire, was converted to the Church. Her husband pleaded for her to leave it alone, and when ~he joined the Mormons, he was completely broken hearted. In all kindness and love he begged her not to follow the new doctrine, but the principle of Gathering to Zion, was preached very forcibly at that time and considerable pressure was put upon Mary Ann to loin the Saints in Utah. It was a soul rendering decision; should she do the thing she believed to be the will of God, or remain with her great love and good life she had always known? With tears and a prayer, she decided to come to America, Edward tried to the last to persuade her to remain, always with gentleness and devotion. On the day of her departure, he told her that her home in Nottingham would always be open to her and waiting for her return; that his love would always be hers. Only her belief that she had acted according to the will of Deity gave her the power to leave.

On the day of her departure, March 29, 1854, after the final farewell kisses, when the baggage was in the vehicle which was to take her away, she turned for one last look at the beloved vine— covered house and well kept grounds. As she did so, she saw Edward seat himself on the beautiful front steps and cover his face with his hands while his body shook with sobs. For a moment, the parting was more than she felt she could bear and she turned to go back, but when she laid her hand on the great wrought iron gate, like a flash from the unknown, she realized that if she turned back now she would not have the courage to leave, and her decision returned. With a burning testimony and a steadfastness to duty greater than physical strength, she left comfort, security, and her heart’s fullest love. With eyes blinded with tears she clasped her babies to her and began the journey into persecution and the unknown. With her baby girl and -small son, she sailed steerage from Liverpool to New Orleans. The voyage lasted eleven weeks. Then, she continued up the Mississippi River by boat to St. Louis. On the voyage she became acquainted with another convert, James Perkes. He was accompanied by his three small children, who were dependent on him. Their mother had been unable to accept the Gospel and had remained in England. Not long after they were established in the States, Mary Ann and James were married. It was not a love match, but since each respected the other, it was a very agreeable arrangement. Upon their arrival in Utah Territory they were sent to Hyde Park in Cache Valley, where they lived in a tent for two years, until their house was completed.

Three children were born to this marriage: William Gibson Perkes, born March 3, 1856; Eleanor Emily Perkes, named after Mary Ann’s mother, born May 14, 1858; and Katherine Sarah Perkes, born May 12, 1861. Mary Ann knew a double loss when her two older children of this second marriage both died in 1869, but Katie was a charming child and adored by all the family. Also, the two children of Mary Ann’s cousin, Elizabeth Gibson Roberts, who died before she could save enough money to come to Utah, joined the family after the Perkes arrived in Hyde Park, and made their home with them after that. Mary Ann also raised an orphan girl, so her family was large and varied, being really five families in one. The great mother’s heart and gentle arms enfolded them all and guarded them to be upright citizens and faithful Latter—day Saints.

During the 1870’s James Perkes’ first wife came to Hyde Park, having been converted to the Gospel in England after her husband left there. She brought the younger children with her and they always stayed with her. Plural marriage was accepted at that time, so James remarried her and provided her a home and cared for her and her family as well as Mary Ann and her family. The second wife was named Eliza. James was a good husband and father and was loved by all who knew him until he passed away at the home of Mary Ann.

Thus, Mary Ann Gibson Thurman Perkes became a Mormon pioneer. It was a far cry from the life in England, but she accepted it as a challenge and filled her role well. She was a hard worker and did all the crafts of a frontier homemaker expertly. Her family was known for their refined upright and general good breeding. She never lost her poise or her love for flowers, her command of the social graces or her sincere humanity. There was always a place in her home for that one who needed help. For her grandchildren there were always cookies, often made extra good with caraway seed from her own garden, and words of encouragement and stimulation to do right. The soles of grimy shoes and sticky fingers went unnoticed in the sweetness of her hospitality.

Nor did the love for the one man in her life ever die. She always prayed that Edward Thurman would •see the light” and join her beloved church. Since she was always poor, her pride would not let her even attempt to communicate with him, as he was a moderately wealthy man.

She died May 22, 1898 at Hyde Park, where she was buried. Truly, it said that in a house with servant or in a tent in the sagebrush, she was in the fullest sense, “A lady and a true Saint.”

Written by a member of Edward Thurman’s family.

GRIFFETH / GRIFFITHS

FAMILY

A Compilation Of

Histories And Life Sketches

Collected By And In The Possession

Of Bernon Auger

July 1997

 PREFACE

As you read the histories herein, please be aware that every effort has been made to be careful and accurate. However, the original histories used to make this compilation were handwritten and in some cases, not easy to read. Also, in some cases I have combined several sources together and have had to make editing decisions when two sources were not in total agreement.

Spelling of names is consistent with the family group records and histories I have in my possession and——to the best of my knowledge——is correct. The amount of information is such that it is possible there are typographical errors or faults that come from voluminous copying.

Please accept the enclosed material in the spirit it is given. If you find there are mistakes or omissions, feel free to make your own interpretation.

Make note that wherever possible I have used the maiden names of female family members, noting their married names in parentheses. Also, when the writer of any history has referred to “the present time” I have tried to indicate in parentheses the date of the writing.

This volume is prepared in an effort to combine the many histories into one volume for the benefit of a generation that may not have access to this historic and spiritual information.

            Bernon J. Auger, husband of

     Quida Griffiths (Auger)

Reproduced with permission.