Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Martha Catherine Frederick

Female 1858 - 1896  (38 years)


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  • Name Martha Catherine Frederick 
    Born 9 Mar 1858  San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 24 Aug 1896  Marysvale, Piute, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Thompsonville Cemetery, Marysvale, Piute, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I1260  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father David Frederick,   b. 15 Sep 1801, Minden, Montgomery, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Feb 1888, Huntington, Emery, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years) 
    Mother Mary Ann Winner,   b. 24 Sep 1828, Dover Township, Monmouth, New Jersey, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Feb 1859, Parowan, Iron, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 30 years) 
    Married 16 Oct 1853  San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F815  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Father Ebenezer Hanks,   b. 11 Feb 1815, Greenwich, Washington, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Apr 1884, Hanksville, Wayne, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years) 
    Relationship Adopted 
    Mother Jane Wells Cooper,   b. 4 Oct 1817, Cambridge, Washington, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Mar 1896, Parowan, Iron, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Relationship Adopted 
    Married 27 Oct 1839  Burton, Adams, Illinois, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F686  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 William Shoemaker,   b. Abt 1833, , , New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married Abt 1879  of Parowan, Iron, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Divorced Yes, date unknown 
    Children 
     1. Effie Jane Shoemaker,   b. 5 Feb 1880, Parowan, Iron, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Sep 1880, Parowan, Iron, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 0 years)
     2. Mary Grace Shoemaker,   b. 29 Jul 1881, of Parowan, Iron, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Jan 1970, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 88 years)
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F846  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Michael Stoker,   b. 12 Sep 1833, Bloomfield Township, Jackson, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Sep 1904, Junction, Piute, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years) 
    Married 29 May 1883  Summit Creek, Iron, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Divorced Yes, date unknown 
    Children 
     1. Sarah Catherine Stoker,   b. 15 Apr 1884, Junction, Piute, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Apr 1967, Ogden, Weber, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years)
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F847  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 3 Reuben Lyman Stevens,   b. 29 Aug 1838, , Ray, Missouri, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Feb 1889, Burrville, Sevier, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 50 years) 
    Married Abt Jul 1886  of Cedar City, Iron, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Amos Ebenezer or Ebbe Stevens,   b. 5 Apr 1887, Annabella, Sevier, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Jan 1964, Sparks, Washoe, Nevada, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years)
     2. Joseph Franklin Stevens,   b. 25 Nov 1888, Annabella, Sevier, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 6 Dec 1888, Annabella, Sevier, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 0 years)
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F848  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 4 John Solomon Ferris,   b. 5 Aug 1840, Clearlock, Richland, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Jul 1931, Beaver, Beaver, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 90 years) 
    Married 29 Oct 1889  Bloomington, Washington, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. John Lincoln Ferris,   b. 28 Aug 1890, Harrisburg, Washington, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 May 1937, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 46 years)
     2. Charlotte Ann Ferris,   b. 25 Oct 1893, Marysvale, Piute, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Jan 1895, Marysvale, Piute, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 1 years)
     3. Elton Richey,   b. 8 May 1896, Marysvale, Piute, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Feb 1991, Ashton, Fremont, Idaho, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 94 years)
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F12  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Censuses:
      1860 US: Can't find with index searching. Not in Parowan. Searched the entire Parowan census. Father and brother are in Parowan in 1860. Not with Hanks in Provo.

      1870 US: Parowan, Iron, Utah, enum. 17 Jun 1870, Roll 16 Book 1, p. 293b, household 169, family 165:
      Ebenezer Hanks, 53, woolen manufacturer, $10,000 real estate, $2,000 personal property, NY.
      Jane W., 53, homework, NY.
      Martha, 12, at house, CA.
      Jane, 6, UT.
      Hyrum Coombs, 31, laborer, IL.

      1880 US: Parowan, Iron, Utah, FHL film 1255336, National Archives Film T9-1336, p. 355A:
      William Shoemaker, occupation: laborer, age 47, married, birthplace: NY, father's birthplace: PA.
      Martha Shoemaker, occ.: keeping house, age 22, birthplace: CA [birthplaces of parents not given].
      J. Effy Shoemaker, dau., 4 months.

      2. Newspaper article in Piute County, 14 May 1937:
      "World Waits for Aluminum from Marysvale Area. A dozen Utah counties point with pride to mines of gold, silver, and lead. But one only can boast, in addition to these, a mineral in universal demand, and that in unlimited quantity. The area around Marysvale has, so far as known, a monopoly of 'alunite,' the rock from which aluminum is extracted. Adventure and romance attended the discovery and development of the silver, lead and gold deposits which first lured prospectors to Marysvale and the adjacent territory. Originally 'Marysvale' was not 'Marysvale' at all, nor was it a mining settlement. Beautiful trees and sparkling waters made it a summer camping spot so ideal that Mormon church leaders, on an exploring expedition in 1858, called it 'Merryville.' Its present name was adopted later. Frank E. King started a ranch there. While he raised calves, an old California miner named Hewitt panned for gold. The miner found 'colors' along Pine creek. Jacob Hess and Ebenezer Hanks, in 1869, tried sluicing. This failed, but, crossing the creek they discovered a lode and filed on the 'Webster,' the first mineral location in Piute county. The ore was rich, but transportation cost was prohibitive and a home-made smelter did not work. Some 200 prospectors flocked in. Good croppings were found, but no one could afford the wagon haul to Salt Lake City... After the completion of a railroad to Marysvale the Webster mine was enabled to send ore out to the smelters..." Ebenezer Hank's wife Jane Hanks had adopted Martha and she died later in Marysvale.

      3. Letter from Kerry William Bate, 543 E. 6th S., SLC, Utah 84102 dated 10 Jan 1979 addressed to Kerry Petersen states: "I have been working for several years on a genealogy and biography of an early Utah pioneer named Ebenezer Hanks ... About 1860 he adopted a girl named Martha Catherine Fredericks, and she subsequently became an important part of the Hanks family, is mentioned in the probate records as Hanks, and inherited property equally with Ebenezer Hanks' other children..."

      4. Martha was adopted at the time of her mother's death by Ebenezer Hanks and his first wife Jane Cooper around 1860. Jane was childless. This same couple had also adopted an Indian boy named Albert. Jane's husband Ebenezer took a second wife, Sarah Casper, in 1861 with whom he had many Children. "Auntie Jane" was a New Englander and very educated and educated both sets of children.

      5. According to the book "The Ebenezer Hanks Story": "She was adopted early by Ebenezer Hanks, probably soon after her mother died in Parowan. She is called Martha Catherine Hanks in Jane Wells Cooper Hanks' will, and her children received equitable portions to the other heirs. She d. 24 Aug 1896 Marysvale, Piute, Utah, bur. three miles south of Marysvale. Little enough is known of Martha Catherine. She was medium in Jane's séances. She had four marriages, some unhappy, and died leaving a number of small children."

      6. Court case awarding custody of Sarah Catherine Stoker from her step father to her natural father. At this time, Michael had been divorced from Martha Catherine Frederick for about ten years and she had been married to Ferris for about seven years and had recently died; Sarah was 12. 1900 US Census confirms that Sarah was living with Michael Stoker after this case. Transcriptions:
      "Piute District Court, Minute Book A (3 Feb 1896 - 1 Dec 1922," p. 25, Tuesday, Oct 20th 1896 per FHL film 497779: "Michael Stoker vs. John S. Ferris. On this day came John S. Ferris bringing before the Court the body of Sarah Catharine Stoker, in pursuance of a Writ of Habeas Corpus heretofore issued herein; and not then being represented in said case by and of any counsel and stating to the court that he was unable to employ an attorney to defend him in said case; it was therefore ordered that Gilbert R. [Beebe?], Esq. be and is hereby duly appointed by the court to represent defendant in this action; Samuel L. Page, Esq. appearing as attorney for the plaintiff herein. And the Court after hearing the arguments of counsel for the respective parties and being fully advised in the premise ordered that the custoday[sic] of the Child, Sarah Catherine Stoker be and the same is hereby awarded to the plaintiff herein and that decree and finding be filed accordingly." W.M. McCarty, Judge.
      "Piute District Court, Judgement Record, Book A, May 11, 1896 - Oct. 8, 1924, pp. 11-14: "In the District Court of the Sixth Judicial District of the State of Utah, Piute County, [Case] No. 18, In the Matter of the Application of Michael Stoker, vs. John S. Ferris for Writ of Habeas Corpus. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. This cause haveing heretofore, on the 20th day of October A.D. 1896 submitted to the Court for decision upon the petition of plaintiff and the return of the defendant to the Writ of Habeas Corpus heretofore granted and served herein, Samuel L. Page, Esq., appeared as attorney for the plaintiff and Gilbert Beebe, Esq., appeared as attorney for the defendant. And the Court having heard the proofs of the respective parties and considered the same and the records and papers in the same, and the arguments of the respective attorneys thereon, and the same having been submitted to the court for its decision, and the court being fully advised now finds the following facts.
      First. That one Sarah Catherine Stoker of the age of twelve years, the infant daughter of the above named plaintiff and one Martha C. Stoker, now deceased, is the person for whose custoday [sic] and application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus was made by the plaintiff.
      Second. That said Sarah Catherine Stoker is the infant daughter of the plaintiff herein, and one Martha C. Stoker, a former and divorced wife of petitioner now deceased.
      Third. That on or about the 10th day of May, 1886, the said Martha C. Stoker was divorced from the plaintiff herein, and was decreed to be the lawfull [sic] guardian of the said Sarah Catherine Stoker then of the age of about two years.
      Fourth. That on or about the [blank] day of [blank] 18[blank] the said Martha C. Stoker became the wife of the defendant herein and remained so until her death which occurred on or about the [blank] day of [blank] 1896 at Marysvale, Piute County in the State of Utah.
      Fifth. That at the time of death of the said Martha C. Ferris, formerly Martha C. Stoker as aforesaid, the said Sarah Catherine Stoker was residing with and under the care and control of her the said Martha C. Ferris and the defendant herein.
      Sixth. That after the death of the said Martha C. Ferris as aforesaid to wit on the 27th day of August A.D. 1896 the plaintiff demanded of the defendant the custoday of the said Sarah Catherine Stoker, but the defendant refused and continued to refuse to deliver to the plaintiff the custoday of the said Sarah Catherine Stoker.
      Seventh. That the allegations and arguments contained in the petition of the plaintiff are true and that the denial and allegations of the defendant's answer on return to the Writ of Habeas Corpus are untrue.
      As conclusions of law from the foregoing facts the court now hereby finds and decides:
      First. That the plaintiff is entitled to a decree as prayed for in his petition, adjudging, that he is the lawful guardian of the said Sarah Catherine Stoker and that she, the said Sarah Catherine Stoker be restored to him and that he be awarded the sole care, custoday and control of her the said Sarah Catherine Stoker.
      Second. That the defendant John S. Ferris and all present members of his family be permitted at all reasonable times to visit and converse with her the said Sarah Catherine Stoker and that she the said Sarah Catherine Stoker be permitted to visit defendant and all present members of his family at such times as the plaintiff may see fit, said visits in no case to exceed three days and nights in duration without the consent of the plaintiff.
      Third. That the plaintiff is entitled to a judgment for his costs herein taxed at $26.35 and judgment is hereby ordered to be entered accordingly. (Signed) W.M. McCarty, Judge. Junction October 20th 1896.
      In the District Court of the Sixth Judicial District of the State of Utah, County of Piute. In the Matter of the Application of Michael Stoker, vs. John S. Ferris for a Writ of Habeas Corpus. Judgment by the Court. This cause came on regularly for trial on the 20th day of October A.D. 1896, Samuel L. Page, Esq., appearing as counsel for the plaintiff and Gilbert Beebe, Esq., appearing for the defendant, upon the petition of the plaintiff and upon the answer and return of the defendant, and upon proofs taken in said action from which it appears that all the material grounds of plaintiff's petition were true and sustained by testimony free from all objection as to its competency, admissibility, and sufficiency and the evidence being closed the cause was submitted to the Court for its consideration, and after due deliberation thereon the court declares its findings and decision in writing which is filed and ordered that judgment be entered in accordance therewith. Whereupon by reason of the law and findings aforesaid it is ordered adjudged and decreed that the plaintiff is the lawful guardian of Sarah Catherine Stoker and that she the said Sarah Catherine Stoker be restored to him and that he is entitled to and do return the sole care, custoday and control of her the said Sarah Catherine Stoker and that the defendant John S. Ferris and all present members of his family be permitted at reasonable times to visit and converse with her the said Sarah Catherine Stoker, and that she the said Sarah Catherine Stoker be permitted to visit defendant and all present members of his family at such times as the plaintiff may see fit, said visits in no case to exceed three days and nights in duration without the consent of the plaintiff and that the plaintiff do have and recover of and from John S. Ferris the defendant the plaintiff's costs and disbursements incurred in this action ammounting [sic] to the sum of Twenty Six Dollars and Thirty five cents. Judgment rendered Oct 20th 1896. (Signed) W.M. McCarty, Judge.
      I hereby certify the foregoing to be a full true and correct copy of Judgment and Findings & Conclusions in the above entitled action. Horace Morrill, Clerk."

      BIRTH:
      1. Online Ordinance Index information provided by Martha herself as cited below.

      2. County was previously known as Los Angeles before 1853 but was San Bernardino County by 1858.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Michael Stoker and Martha C. Stoker married 29 May 1883 in Summit Creek. Piute County, Utah Records, v. 1, p. 143. (Decree of divorce dated 10 May 1886, Piute County Probate Court,, as cited below confirms marriage date of 29 May 1883 at Summit Creek, Iron, UT.)

      2. Other Husbands:
      a. William Shoemaker
      b. Reuben Stevens
      c. John S. Ferris (29 Oct 1889) St. George

      3. Marriage to John Ferris per:
      A. Marriage license copy with Kerry Petersen. Marriage certificate states marriage was in Bloomington, Wash., UT.
      B. Per website ; "Early Marriages (1862-1919) in Washington County, Utah: Male and Female Surname Indexes," compiled by Wesley W. Craig, Ph.D.: "Ferris, John Soloman, residing Bellevue, Wash., UT and Martha Catherine Stephens, residing Burrville, Piute, UT, lic. and mar. 29 Oct 1889 at Washington, Wash., UT, number A-29."

      4. Handwritten note [with bad spelling] from grandfather of Daisy Van Wagoner [Cleveland, Utah] who was grandson of Martha's sister Cynthia indicates the husbands of Martha were: "Evratt Stevens, died; Shooemaker, devorsed"; Michael Stoker, md 29 May 1883, divorced 10 May 1886; John Farris." Daisy recalls hearing that Michael Stoker was a difficult man to be around.

      5. It was only to Reuben Stevens that Martha had herself sealed in the temple while she was alive. She did this the same date she received her endowment and she married John Ferris (evidently for time only). This was about 6 months after Reuben died. She has been sealed by proxy to her other three husbands just since the 1990's. She was of course divorced from her first two husbands.

      6. Divorce of Michael Stoker and Martha Frederick, 10 May 1886, "Piute County Probate Court Record, Sept. 2, 1872 to May 27, 1886, FHL film 497776, pp. 143-146:
      "Probate Court of Piute County, May 10th, 1886. Case of M. Stoker vs. Martha C. Stoker, In Divorce. This case coming on regularly to be heard on this day and court having convened at 9 a.m. - M. Stoker the plaintiff on the case was present and announced himself ready for trial. [The?] service of summons having been made on the plaintiff [defendant?] as appears from the certificate of the Constable of Price Precinct on the 29th day of March A.D. 1886, and the said defendant having failed to appear and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that defendant did not wish to appear, the trial was preceded with. The complaint herein charged that the said Plaintiff and defendant were married at Summit Creek, Iron County, Utah on or about the 29th day of May 1883, and that they have ever since have been and now are husband and wife and that the said plaintiff has been a resident of this County and Territory for more than one year last past. Also that the said defendant had wilfully deserted the said plaintiff for more than one year previous to the commencement of this action, and asks for a dissolution of the marriage contract now binding and that cost of this action be paid by the defendant. Proof of the points mentioned in the said complaint was made by the testimony of the Plaintiff and by the Affidavit of Lydia A. Johnson. It was therefore ordered that the relief prayed for in said complaint be granted with cost of court to defendant and also that the Child, issue of said marriage be awarded to the said defendant. (Signed) R. A. Allen, Judge. Attest: John Morrill, Clerk.
      "In the Probate Court of Piute County, Utah Territory, Michael Stoker vs. Martha C. Stoker, in divorce. Findings of Court. This coming on to be heard on the 10th day of May 1886 and being submitted to the court for decision upon the complaint of the plaintiff, and the necessary evidence thereto, the court being fully advised, now finds the following facts:
      "1st. That the said Plaintiff and defendant were married one to the other at Summit Creek, Iron County, Utah, on or about the 29th day of May, 1883, and that they have ever since continued to be husband and wife.
      "2nd. That there is one child, issue of this marriage.
      "3rd. That the said plaintiff has been a resident of this county and Territory for more than one year last past.
      "4th. That the said Plaintiff and defendant have not been able to agree as husband and wife and that the defendant has wilfully deserted said plaintiff for more than one year preceding the commencement of this action, and has refused to live with him any more.
      "As conclusions of law and justice from the foregoing facts, the court finds that the plaintiff is entitled to a decree of this Court, dissolving the bonds of matrimony heretofore existing between said plaintiff and defendant each to be freed from the bonds of matrimony and all the obligations thereof, and that the defendant is entitled to be awarded the sole charge, custody, and control of the Child, issue of said marriage. Dated at Junction this 10th day of May 1886. (Signed) R.A. Allen, Judge. Attest: John Morrill, Clerk.
      "In the Probate Court of Piute County, Utah Territory, Michael Stoker vs. Martha C. Stoker, Present Hon. R. A. Allen, Probate Judge. Decree of Divorce. This cause having been brought on the 10th day of May 1886, upon the complaint of the plaintiff above named and upon the proofs heard by the court on said action from which it appears that the facts therein proven as sufficient, free from all legal exceptions as to its competency, admissability, and sufficiency, to which the plaintiff to the relief prayed from the complaint. It is therefore ordered, adjudged, and decreed that the court, by virtue of its power and authority therein vested, and in pursuance of the statute in said case made and provided, do order, adjudge, and decree that the marriage between the said plaintiff, Michael Stoker, and the said defendant, Martha C. Stoker, be disolved [sic], and the same is hereby disolved [sic]accordingly. And the said parties are and each of them is freed, and absolutely released from the bonds of matrimony and all the obligations therof. It is farther ordered, adjudged, and decreed, that the said defendant be and is hereby awarded the sole charge, custody and control of the Child, issue of said marriage, and that she also pay the costs of this suit. Done at Junction this 10th day of May 1886. (Probate Seal) (Signed) R.A. Allen, Judge. John Morrill, Clerk.
      "In the Probate Court of Piute County, Utah Territory, Michael Stoker vs. Martha C. Stoker, In Divorce. March 22, 1886, Petition filed. Summons issued same day and copy of complaint and summons sent to Constable at Price, Emery Co. to be served on defendant. April 2nd. Summons returned, endorsed served at Price, Emery Co, Utah, March 29th, 1886. May 10th/86, case heard. Petition granted. May 12th/86 minutes recorded. Finding and decree made filed and recorded. Costs on page 147." [Note: no cost shown on page 147.]

      7. Copy of letter received from Dave Frye and on file with me addressed to Sarah Gibbs by Ellen DeGraw Frederick (wife of David Frederick, Jr.) with a mention about Martha Catherine Frederick, David Frederick Sr. (Dad) and David Frederick Jr. Martha had evidently just left Michael Stoker and the two children were Mary Grace Shoemaker and Sarah Catherine Stoker. A copy of the envelope with a two cent stamp is included with the letter - it is addressed to Miss Sarah Gibbs, Salt Lake City, 123 N. 40 W. St." with note penciled "rec'd June 27, 1885." The transcription:
      "Glendale, June 24th, 1885. Dear Sarah, I recieved [sic] your kind and welcome letter and was glad to hear from you but was very sorry to hear of you looseing your little brother. It must be a terrible blow on your mother. Dad is not here now. He went to Parowan in April to see about his pension. He wrote back that he got there all right and found many warm friends. I also received a letter from Martha. She has left her husband again. She has got two children. I have got a baby boy 13 months old. Dad alway said that he reminded him so much of Frankey that he could not help loving him. David is not at home at present but I think he will be home in a few days then we are a going to move to Castle valley. There is not much new to write. Hoping this finds you as it leaves us all well. I remain as ever your friend. Ellen G. Frederick. You must not forget to write again. Please direct to Muddy Creek, Emery Co., Utah."

      8. The summons for her divorce was delivered to her March 29, 1886 in Price, Emery, Utah.

      DEATH:
      1. Piute County District Court case in 1896 for the custody of Sarah Catherine Stoker notes that Martha had died in Marysvale. See citation above.

      2. See obituaries.

      OBITUARY:
      1. "Daily Enquirer," Sept. 9, 1896. The people she saw in vision would be her biological mother Mary Ann Winner and her daughter Charlotte Ann Ferris; the "grandma" may have been Hanna ( ) Winner, wife of George King Winner or perhaps a nickname for Jane Wells Cooper Hanks, her adoptive mother who had just recently died a few months earlier. It is also interesting to note that Martha had a testimony of her LDS religion which counters the perception that her adoptive mother Jane Hanks was apostate. The obituary:
      "Death at Marysvale. Editor Enquirer.
      Marysvale, Utah, Aug. 31, 1896 -- I write to inform the relatives and friends of the death of Martha C. Ferris, my wife, at this place on August 24, at 6:25 p.m. Her illness was nervous debility, caused by prolapsus-uteri, which took her away in some ten days sickness.
      She leaves her husband and five children to mourn the great loss of wife and mother.
      In her last hours she gave the strongest testimony of her faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, and, arousing at times, would say, "Oh what white robes there are in heaven that I am going to wear. I am going to my dear little Lottie and grandma, and my own real mother. They are here. See! See!" and many other expressions that showed that she was crossing the river to that land of eternal day.
      Sister Ferris was the daughter of David Frederick of the Mormon Battalion, and was born at the Mobava [Mojave] in California. Her mother died, leaving her in the care of Jane W. Hanks, the wife of Ebenezer Hanks, when she was only thirteen months old. The name by which she was known was Martha Hanks."

      2. April 13, 2003 email from AEParshall@aol.com: obituary from the Piute Pioneer (Marysvale's first newspaper, so the cemetery referred to is Marysvale - grave has no extant marker, though), of 29 August 1896: "Died - Ferris, Martha C., aged 32 years, 6 months of nervous prostration, Monday evening August 24th at 6:30, after an illness of about ten days. Funeral services took place at the district school house under the auspices of the Mormon priesthood. The speakers were Bishop John Morrill of Junction and Elder Bay. B'p Morrill spoke at length upon his early acquaintance with the deceased, and told of her many virtues, also of the resurrection and eternal life. He spoke comfortingly to the bereft and encouraged them to live upright lives that they might enjoy eternal union with their departed wife and mother. Elder Bay spoke of the resurrection and bore his testimony of the Divine message of Joseph Smith. After which remains were taken to the cemetery where they were dedicated and laid to rest. She leaves a husband and five small children to mourn her loss."

      SOURCES_MISC:
      1. Family with John Ferris per family group sheet prepared from the memory of Murtina Powell Ferris, dau. in law by marriage to first child.

      2. The book: "The Ebenezer Hanks Story," author Kerry William Bate; 1982; Address: Kerry Bate, 543 East 600 South, SLC, UT, 84 102.

      ACTION:
      1. Ancestry.com database "Piute": May be a fourth child named Jonathan Lester Ferris b. abt. 1895.

      2. April 13, 2003 email from Ardis Parshall, Piute County genealogy web coordinator : There are court records concerning at least three of her children (the two smallest, who were put up for adoption, and an older girl by Michael Stoker over whom there was something of a custody battle). Note I have found and transcribed the custody battle between John Ferris and Michael Stoker over Sarah Catherine Stoker.

      3. Look for a marriage date and location with Stevens. The summons for her divorce from Stoker was delivered to her March 29, 1886 in Price, Emery, Utah. Her first Stevens son was born in Sevier Co. in 1887.