Mary Bathsheba Gillions Wagstaff

Mary Bathsheba Gillions Wagstaff was born October 13 1788, at Caldecote, Bedfordshire, England, the daughter of William Gillions and Bathsheba Lee.

She married Isaac Wagstaff on July 12, 1808. The following children were born to this union:
1. William Wagstaff, born 13 Jul 1909.
2. Mary Wagstaff, born 25 February 1811.
3. Elizabeth Wagstaff, born 31 December 1812.
4. Jane Wagstaff, born 8 October 1814.
5. John Wagstaff, born 25 April 1816.
6. James Wagstaff, born 11 May 1818.
7. Samuel Wagstaff, born 20 October 1820.
8. Martha Wagstaff, born 11 December 1822.
9. Sarah Wagstaff, born 2 September 1824.
10. Ann Wagstaff, born 23 March 1826.
11. Rachel Eleanor Wagstaff, born 20 May 1829.

Isaac died March 1, 1844, but his widow and her youngest daughter, Rachel, were permitted to continue living on the Harvey Estate where he had been employed.
When over sixty years of age, Mary Bathsheba trekked across the western plains in America where six of her married children in time made new homes as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She arrived here September 22, 1853. She lived the remainder of her life as a faithful member of the same church and died at the age of 68 at Lehi, where she was buried October 29, 1856. Her son William wrote that she was a devout Christian and insisted upon her children’s attendance at Sunday School no matter what the weather, which may account for their sincere religious convictions standing throughout their lives. Family tradition says she was a remarkably strong, healthy woman, full of energy and ambition, and is reported to have walked from Lehi to Salt Lake City to visit her children, and back again, even when carrying a basket of fruits to Salt Lake City and another basket of store groceries back to Lehi.

Her eleven children were also noted for their excellent health. All living and growing to maturity in a world that knew nothing of sanitation and very little concerning favorable health habits. Only one child of her eleven, Martha, died as young as 44. Three died in their 70's and tow reached 80. One, the oldest, living to be 88 lacking 2 months.

She was noted for her sincere outlook on life and her stimulating influence. No one of her household could be lazy or neglectful, and wrong doing of any kind was impossible in her presence.

Her children mourned her loss in death sincerely, and tried to glorify her memory by living sterling principles of integrity and righteousness which she had instilled into them far back in their childhood days.