Mary Ann Watson

Mary Ann Watson was the oldest child of Shadrach Watson and Mary Cooper and the older sister of Shadrach Charles Watson.

Mary Ann is recorded to have come with her younger sister Rhoda Watson to the United States in 1868 on the Ship Minnesota leaving Liverpool, England June 30, 1868 and arriving in New York City on July 12, 1868. The family records that I have listed her death date as July 14, 1868 while crossing the plains. From the previous link, there's a diary of Zebulon Jacobs (also in the group) that tells about Mary Ann's death and burial.

July 14. All ready got on the train and started up the Hudson River and gladly bid adieu to New York. As we passed up the river scenery was beautiful. Many places were perfectly enchanting. Passed by West Point where youth are taught the art of war and science in case their country needs them for the service providing they graduate properly. An hour or so before we arrived at Albany, a Sister Mary Ann Watson expired through weakness & heat. She has been ailing for sometime. On our arrival at Albany the sun was very hot. We had to go about 200 from the cars to the station house, prepared for transferring to another line. In so doing, about 12 or 15 persons were sunstroke. Amongst the number was Brother Ezra J. Clark. We got him on the train and made him as comfortable as possible. Here, old Brother [Richard] Pickering was struck with death. Administered to him and he recovered. At the time he got up his wife was stricken. It required faith and work to save her. Many others had got their stroke and were suffering. Here we left Sister [Mary Ann] Watson in charge of the officers to inter as we could not attend to it.

Another thanks to the Mormon Migration Database - in helping learn about some of my ancestors. Mary Ann wasn't quite to "crossing the plains" when she died, but she was on her way.

Rhoda Watson continued her trip to Utah as part of the Chester Loveland Company - arriving in the Salt Lake Valley on August 20, 1868.