LIFE OF MARY STEPHENS
JONES
By Mrs. Ann “S” Jones
Lewis (Daughter)
26 February 1935
Mrs. Mary Stephens Jones was born June 20, 1842, at Pencader, Carmarthenshire, South Wales.
She was raised on a farm. She was talented in singing. She and Aunt Margaret
Stephens, Uncle Dan’s wife, used to sing for most every gathering. She was also
a good reader.
On 16 October 1862 she married David C. Jones who was a
carpenter by trade.
On 4 January 1864, I was born, and I have heaerd mother say that when I was six days old she had to
get out of bed to do her work.
One-and-a-half years later on 4 July 1864 David S. my
brother was born, and when he was six months old they started to this country
for the gospel’s sake. At first it was thought it would be best for father to
come alone and later send for his little family, but on second thought they
decided to stay together, make money as they went the best they could, and all
pioneer together, which they did. Mother was sick most of the trip, especially
while crossing the plains. Mother’s family—her father, mother, brothers, and
sisters came with them, with the exception of Tom and Ann who had preceded
them.
They first lived in the back part of John Edwards’ house,
and father worked at odd jobs, trying to get ahead. It was quite a handicap
though, as neither father nor mother could speak a word of English. That winter
he got a job helping to build the grist mill at Willard.
In the spring of 1869 they went to the north part of
Willard, which is now called Perry, and leased a farm where they worked hard.
While father worked at his trade every chance he got, mother worked in the
field, helping to put in the crops, and in the fall helped to cradle the grain.
On 19 December 1868 my brother Tom was born. They lived in but one room, where
the fireplace was the only stove they had. Mother’s bed was a pile of straw in
one corner of the room. It was a very cold winter. Mother’s health was poor,
and that winter she developed a chronic ailment which bothered her as long as
she lived.
