Mary Ann Eccles Robinson biography by Anna Deal Robinson Black

Mary Ann Eccles

born September 1844 in Lanshire, England daughter of Thomas and Mary Alice Hardman

married Richard Smith Robinson 1858 - 59  (She was fourteen years old)

died 19 July 1906 Provo, Utah, Utah

The following was told me by two daughters-in-law of Mary Ann Eccles, Mrs. David (Nellie) Robinson and Mrs. Wilford (Maude) Robinson. Both knew her personally. Maude knew her before Maude married into the family.

Mary Ann Eccles was born 6 September 1844 in Lanshire, England, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Alice Hardman. The church records state that the two girls Mary Ann and Martha were with their parents when they crossed the ocean. Mary Ann was five years old. They crossed the plains this same year with the first hand cart company, walking most of the way. (note: Mary Ann Eccles and her family were part of the Martin handcart compant - Rhonda)  They arrived in Salt Lake Valley in 1851. Soon after they were called to settle on the Santa Clara in Southern Utah. Here they suffered the trials and hardships of that country. As the meadows and grazing lands were not sufficient for those there, the group separated and part went to Santa Clara and part to Pinto. Thomas Eccles and family went to Pinto. While living here Mary Ann's sister Alice Jane was born.

Albey Lyman Sherman by Martha Richards

Mary and Ellen Sherman were the daughters of Albey Lyman and Mary Elvira Swan Sherman. Albey was the son of Lyman Royal and Delcina Diadamia Johnson Sherman. Delcina was the sister of the noted Benjamin F. Johnson to whom we are indebted for our information about Lyman Royal Sherman.

Lyman was born about May 22, 1804 in western Massachusetts or eastern New York state. At marriage, January 16, 1829, was living in Pompfiet, Chautauqua County, New York. His son, Albey Lyman, was born in that town. Lyman met the Mormon Elders in 1831 and was soon baptized. Soon after joining the church he was ordained a High Priest. His next act was to join the Saints at Kirtland. His first test as a true Mormon came when he joined Zion's Camp and made the famous trip to Missouri in 1834. The writer's ancestor, Alfred Fisk, was also in that camp. Lyman and Alfred probably knew each other, for both were from western New York.

Mary Smith attends Relief Society

 Sep 1842: I have heard about a new society for women that was organized by the Prophet on the 17th of March, 1842. His wife, Emma was made President. Emma was actually chosen by the Lord as the elect lady to expound and teach the scriptures. The women in our little settlement have been talking about It and I knew that I must find out about this new event in our lives.

The Society first met in the Masonry Hall above Joseph Smith’s Store, but it has outgrown that room and is now meeting in four groups in the little groves.

Today I told Edward I was going into Nauvoo for a meeting of some women. He was a little upset. “You mean you are going to take the younguns to a meeting al the way into Nauvoo? Don’t they have enough meetings around here without trotting all over the country?” I didn’t back down. I said: “Mr. Robinson, this is something special and I have made up my mind to go. The younguns are going over to the Taylors and your dinner is in the warming oven. Goodbye.”

I felt guilty as I drove the horse and buggy down the road to Nauvoo, but something told me I was doing the right thing. I found the meeting. It was so different, with the women presiding and doing the talking. They have found out that we can do things without the men taking charge. Emma Smith told us how the Lord has revealed the way this organization should be started--orderly and under the Priesthood. We had a lesson on gospel principles, the Eliza R. Snow read to us the purpose of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo:

“To provoke the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor, searching after objects of charity, and in administering to their wants, to assist, by correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the community, and save the Elders the trouble of rebuking that they may give their time to other duties in their public teaching.”

The Prophet told the ladies at the first meeting: “You will receive instructions trough the order of the Priesthood and I now turn the key in your behalf in the name of the Lord. This Society shall rejoice, and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time henceforth; this is the beginning of better days to the poor and needy, who shall be made to rejoice and pour forth blessings on your head.”

The Treasurer discussed funds which started with a $5 gold piece the Prophet had given Emma. Many women stood up and told of what they were doing, such as sewing, cooking, cleaning and other things to help build the Temple. We were told to visit our neighbors and report back of anyone in need. We were cautioned not to spread gossip, but I am afraid that is wishful thinking. How could we have a women’s society without gossip? We sang a song by Eliza R. Snow. The spirit of the Lord was there and I loved the women and our new Female Relief Society of Nauvoo.

Jehu and Sarah's sacrifice

On June 15 Jehu and Sarah's daughter Lucretia, then six years old, fell off the front of one of the wagons and was killed as the wagon passed over her neck. The company stopped briefly; a grave was dug; and the little girl was placed in it. The family received many expressions of support and sympathy from others in the company, but they had to move on, leaving the little grave behind them on the plains. A short but moving statement from the diary Jehu wrote many years later "...when we were coming up on Platte River to the valley she was run over with a wagon and died June 15, 1848," tells much of pioneer suffering and fortitude.


The Coxes joined the church in difficult times and left a grave as monuments to the most of the important historical places and events in Mormon pioneer history: the baby Nephi (1846) in Nauvoo, the City Beautiful; the baby Joshua (1847) at Winter Quarters; Lucretia (1848) on the plains of Nebraska on the epic trip to Zion, Henderson (1848) at Tragedy Springs near Donner's pass after the famous Mormon Battalion march. Later Elisha (1856) a baby was buried at Union during the difficult early years in the Salt Lake Valley.

Jehu and Elias Cox at the transfiguration of Brigham Young

According to his son Albey, Elias reported that on one occasion as a young child he sat on Joseph Smith's knee and talked to the prophet. After the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and during the height of the Illinois persecution, the family moved into Nauvoo during the winter of1845-1846. Here on February 2, 1846, Jehu and Sarah were endowed in the Nauvoo Temple. It was also reported that Elias Cox and probably other members of the family attended the meeting at which Brigham Young was recognized as the rightful head of the Church despite the claims of Sidney Rigdon. Elias reports that he said to his father while they were at the meeting, "Brother Joseph's come back." His father explained the transfiguration to him. According to those present, Presidents Young's voice and mantle were transfigured into those of Joseph Smith and the people who saw and heard him knew he was to be their leader.