MARGARET WILLIAMS POWELL
Margaret
Williams Powell was born in Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, Wales on October 31,
1806. She came to the United States with her son, Hyrum Smith Powell, by sail
boat in 1865, the trip took six weeks. Her husband and the other children had
preceded her to the United States. Her husband, Daniel Powell, died in the
Civil War. Two of her children, John and Sarah, went on to Australia. A
daughter, Mary, married a Mr. Roland and lived in the Salt Lake area. Mary is
buried in Murray, Utah.
Margaret
Williams Powell and son Hyrum, after arrival in the United States, lived in
Scranton, Pennsylvania with her family for a time then both of them came West
and lived in Tooele where she had a brother. Next they moved to Salt Lake City,
where her son found employment.
She
became the plural wife of John Evan Price 15 December 1873, and later moved to
Samaria, Idaho, but it seems she continued to use the name of Powell. At that
time, the village was a branch of the Malad ward. A Relief Society was first
organized in Samaria on June 27, 1875 under the direction of Bishop Daniel
Daniels of Malad, and Margaret W. Powell was appointed second counselor to
President Dorothy Thomas who was the wife of James Thomas.
When
the Relief Society was reorganized on May 5, 1878, because of the illness of
the president, Margaret W. Powell was made first counselor to Mary Deer Davis
who became president on that date. She held that position until her death May
15, 1887. The family records maintain she died 1888.
She
dropped dead while getting ready for Sunday School. Margaret Williams Powell
was very adept at weaving straw hats. She would go into the grain fields,
gather straw and weave the hats.
-
Margaret Jane Powell Hill, granddaughter
