Daughter of George Alley and Mary Symonds
Married Daniel Hanmer Wells, 4 Apr 1852, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 8, p. 191
Lydia Ann Alley Wells. "I was born on January first 1828, at Lynn, Essex Co., Mass. My parents were George Alley and Mary Symonds. My first ancestors in this country came over from England in 1634. My father's family sailed from London and settled in Lynn. My mother's family were from Kent Co., England, and settled in Salem, Mass. the same year.
My parents were married Sept. 15, 1822, by Jessie Fillmore of Salem. I was their second daughter. When I was between two and three years old they moved to Salem, my mother's childhood home. When I was 13 years old the Gospel was brought to us by Elders Erastus Snow and Benjamin Winchester, and in 1841 my parents accepted and embraced it, and were baptized in 1842. At this time I also received a strong testimony of its divinity which greatly impressed me, although I was but a child, and it has never left me. In October of the same year they started with their family of seven children for Nauvoo but did not arrive until the first of January, 1843; on account of the Mississippi River being frozen over, we were obliged to remain at Alson, Illinois, for about six weeks, then we started again and got as far as Quincy and went by team the rest of the way. There we had the privilege of seeing the Prophet Joseph Smith and listening to his voice and to the words of inspiration that fell from his lips. I shall never forget them. They are as vivid to my mind as if it were but yesterday they were uttered. I can testify of his Divine Mission and know for a surety that he was a prophet of the Most High God. In 1844 I was baptized in the Mississippi River at Nauvoo by Erastus Snow and confirmed by Elder Amasa Lyman.
In the summer of 1846 my father and family crossed the Mississippi, preparatory to our journey west. We camped on the banks of the river for some time, then moved about three miles to an encampment of the Saints in a small grove where we remained several weeks. My mother was very sick at this time and we were fearful we would have to leave her, but through the blessings of the Lord she recovered. In the meantime, my father obtained a team and moved slowly westward. We went as far as Farmington, where we remained a few weeks, then moved on a few miles to Bonneparte where Father obtained a quantity of flour, but being unable to take it with him left it at the mills, and continued with his family as far as Mt. Pisgah. He then returned for his flour but the people being very scarce of provisions, he was persuaded by Brother Charles Rich to leave it.
To me the journey through Iowa was the hardest part of our journey, as we were all sick with fever and ague. In the late fall we arrived at Winter Quarters on the west side of the Missouri River, in tolerable good health and enjoyed the rest and quiet we had so much desired from mobs and persecution.
In June of 1848 we again took up our march for the Valley of Salt Lake in President Brigham Young's company and arrived the 20th of September, after a long tedious journey, but very thankful to arrive at our journey's end. We passed through all the hardships incident to settling a new country, but were happy and cheerful, trusting in our Heavenly Father's care. We moved to the North Canyon for the winter, where we could have plenty of wood. Father built a log cabin and moved into it the first of December. We were often without bread and subsisted on meat, roots, porridge and were often quite hungry. But the Lord blessed us and we never felt to complain, but rejoiced in looking forward to the future, having full faith in our leaders. In the spring of 1849 Father moved his house and family to the city and made our home in the Eighth Ward.
On the 3rd of April, 1852, I was married to Daniel H. Wells by President Brigham Young. I have had six children, three of whom have passed to the other side.
I became a member of the Relief Society in 1868 when it was organized in our ward, but on account of young children did not take an active part until 1871 when I was appointed a teacher, which position I held for several years. In 1882 I was set apart as first counselor in place of Sister Bathsheba W. Smith, she having moved to the 17th Ward. I held this office until 1890, when I resigned, having moved to the 20th Ward. In 1882 I was called and set apart as president of the Primary Association of the 13th Ward, which office I held for five years, when I was set apart as second counselor to President Ellen Clawson of the Salt Lake Stake, which office I held until her death. Then I was chosen and set apart as first counselor to President Camilla Cobb, which office I held until the Salt Lake Stake was divided, when all the officers were released.
In April, 1877, I accompanied my husband and daughters Kate, Dessie and Emmeline and sons Junius and Heber to St. George to attend conference and to witness the dedication of the Temple at that place, which I appreciated and enjoyed very much. There we were baptized for many of our ancestors and attended to other ordinances for the dead. On our return we stopped at Manti where President Brigham Young dedicated the ground for the Temple at that place. I was also present at the dedication of the Logan Temple in 1885. I again visited the Temple in company with my sister Susan and my son Louis, who there received their endowments.
In 1893 I was called by President Lorenzo Snow to be a worker in the Salt Lake Temple, but because of sickness I was unable to respond until September 18, when I was set apart to this office by President Snow assisted by Brothers Winder and Madsen, which office I still hold and hope to continue as long as my health will permit.
I am now seventy-seven years old and I feel very thankful to my Heavenly Father for being permitted to take part in this glorious work, for I know it is the work of God, and I hope to be faithful to the last. (End of autobiography.)
Lydia Ann Alley Wells passed away August 6, 1909, at the age of 82.
Married Daniel Hanmer Wells, 4 Apr 1852, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 8, p. 191
Lydia Ann Alley Wells. "I was born on January first 1828, at Lynn, Essex Co., Mass. My parents were George Alley and Mary Symonds. My first ancestors in this country came over from England in 1634. My father's family sailed from London and settled in Lynn. My mother's family were from Kent Co., England, and settled in Salem, Mass. the same year.
My parents were married Sept. 15, 1822, by Jessie Fillmore of Salem. I was their second daughter. When I was between two and three years old they moved to Salem, my mother's childhood home. When I was 13 years old the Gospel was brought to us by Elders Erastus Snow and Benjamin Winchester, and in 1841 my parents accepted and embraced it, and were baptized in 1842. At this time I also received a strong testimony of its divinity which greatly impressed me, although I was but a child, and it has never left me. In October of the same year they started with their family of seven children for Nauvoo but did not arrive until the first of January, 1843; on account of the Mississippi River being frozen over, we were obliged to remain at Alson, Illinois, for about six weeks, then we started again and got as far as Quincy and went by team the rest of the way. There we had the privilege of seeing the Prophet Joseph Smith and listening to his voice and to the words of inspiration that fell from his lips. I shall never forget them. They are as vivid to my mind as if it were but yesterday they were uttered. I can testify of his Divine Mission and know for a surety that he was a prophet of the Most High God. In 1844 I was baptized in the Mississippi River at Nauvoo by Erastus Snow and confirmed by Elder Amasa Lyman.
In the summer of 1846 my father and family crossed the Mississippi, preparatory to our journey west. We camped on the banks of the river for some time, then moved about three miles to an encampment of the Saints in a small grove where we remained several weeks. My mother was very sick at this time and we were fearful we would have to leave her, but through the blessings of the Lord she recovered. In the meantime, my father obtained a team and moved slowly westward. We went as far as Farmington, where we remained a few weeks, then moved on a few miles to Bonneparte where Father obtained a quantity of flour, but being unable to take it with him left it at the mills, and continued with his family as far as Mt. Pisgah. He then returned for his flour but the people being very scarce of provisions, he was persuaded by Brother Charles Rich to leave it.
To me the journey through Iowa was the hardest part of our journey, as we were all sick with fever and ague. In the late fall we arrived at Winter Quarters on the west side of the Missouri River, in tolerable good health and enjoyed the rest and quiet we had so much desired from mobs and persecution.
In June of 1848 we again took up our march for the Valley of Salt Lake in President Brigham Young's company and arrived the 20th of September, after a long tedious journey, but very thankful to arrive at our journey's end. We passed through all the hardships incident to settling a new country, but were happy and cheerful, trusting in our Heavenly Father's care. We moved to the North Canyon for the winter, where we could have plenty of wood. Father built a log cabin and moved into it the first of December. We were often without bread and subsisted on meat, roots, porridge and were often quite hungry. But the Lord blessed us and we never felt to complain, but rejoiced in looking forward to the future, having full faith in our leaders. In the spring of 1849 Father moved his house and family to the city and made our home in the Eighth Ward.
On the 3rd of April, 1852, I was married to Daniel H. Wells by President Brigham Young. I have had six children, three of whom have passed to the other side.
I became a member of the Relief Society in 1868 when it was organized in our ward, but on account of young children did not take an active part until 1871 when I was appointed a teacher, which position I held for several years. In 1882 I was set apart as first counselor in place of Sister Bathsheba W. Smith, she having moved to the 17th Ward. I held this office until 1890, when I resigned, having moved to the 20th Ward. In 1882 I was called and set apart as president of the Primary Association of the 13th Ward, which office I held for five years, when I was set apart as second counselor to President Ellen Clawson of the Salt Lake Stake, which office I held until her death. Then I was chosen and set apart as first counselor to President Camilla Cobb, which office I held until the Salt Lake Stake was divided, when all the officers were released.
In April, 1877, I accompanied my husband and daughters Kate, Dessie and Emmeline and sons Junius and Heber to St. George to attend conference and to witness the dedication of the Temple at that place, which I appreciated and enjoyed very much. There we were baptized for many of our ancestors and attended to other ordinances for the dead. On our return we stopped at Manti where President Brigham Young dedicated the ground for the Temple at that place. I was also present at the dedication of the Logan Temple in 1885. I again visited the Temple in company with my sister Susan and my son Louis, who there received their endowments.
In 1893 I was called by President Lorenzo Snow to be a worker in the Salt Lake Temple, but because of sickness I was unable to respond until September 18, when I was set apart to this office by President Snow assisted by Brothers Winder and Madsen, which office I still hold and hope to continue as long as my health will permit.
I am now seventy-seven years old and I feel very thankful to my Heavenly Father for being permitted to take part in this glorious work, for I know it is the work of God, and I hope to be faithful to the last. (End of autobiography.)
Lydia Ann Alley Wells passed away August 6, 1909, at the age of 82.
Daughter of George Alley and Mary Symonds
Married Daniel Hanmer Wells, 4 Apr 1852, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 8, p. 191
Lydia Ann Alley Wells. "I was born on January first 1828, at Lynn, Essex Co., Mass. My parents were George Alley and Mary Symonds. My first ancestors in this country came over from England in 1634. My father's family sailed from London and settled in Lynn. My mother's family were from Kent Co., England, and settled in Salem, Mass. the same year.
My parents were married Sept. 15, 1822, by Jessie Fillmore of Salem. I was their second daughter. When I was between two and three years old they moved to Salem, my mother's childhood home. When I was 13 years old the Gospel was brought to us by Elders Erastus Snow and Benjamin Winchester, and in 1841 my parents accepted and embraced it, and were baptized in 1842. At this time I also received a strong testimony of its divinity which greatly impressed me, although I was but a child, and it has never left me. In October of the same year they started with their family of seven children for Nauvoo but did not arrive until the first of January, 1843; on account of the Mississippi River being frozen over, we were obliged to remain at Alson, Illinois, for about six weeks, then we started again and got as far as Quincy and went by team the rest of the way. There we had the privilege of seeing the Prophet Joseph Smith and listening to his voice and to the words of inspiration that fell from his lips. I shall never forget them. They are as vivid to my mind as if it were but yesterday they were uttered. I can testify of his Divine Mission and know for a surety that he was a prophet of the Most High God. In 1844 I was baptized in the Mississippi River at Nauvoo by Erastus Snow and confirmed by Elder Amasa Lyman.
In the summer of 1846 my father and family crossed the Mississippi, preparatory to our journey west. We camped on the banks of the river for some time, then moved about three miles to an encampment of the Saints in a small grove where we remained several weeks. My mother was very sick at this time and we were fearful we would have to leave her, but through the blessings of the Lord she recovered. In the meantime, my father obtained a team and moved slowly westward. We went as far as Farmington, where we remained a few weeks, then moved on a few miles to Bonneparte where Father obtained a quantity of flour, but being unable to take it with him left it at the mills, and continued with his family as far as Mt. Pisgah. He then returned for his flour but the people being very scarce of provisions, he was persuaded by Brother Charles Rich to leave it.
To me the journey through Iowa was the hardest part of our journey, as we were all sick with fever and ague. In the late fall we arrived at Winter Quarters on the west side of the Missouri River, in tolerable good health and enjoyed the rest and quiet we had so much desired from mobs and persecution.
In June of 1848 we again took up our march for the Valley of Salt Lake in President Brigham Young's company and arrived the 20th of September, after a long tedious journey, but very thankful to arrive at our journey's end. We passed through all the hardships incident to settling a new country, but were happy and cheerful, trusting in our Heavenly Father's care. We moved to the North Canyon for the winter, where we could have plenty of wood. Father built a log cabin and moved into it the first of December. We were often without bread and subsisted on meat, roots, porridge and were often quite hungry. But the Lord blessed us and we never felt to complain, but rejoiced in looking forward to the future, having full faith in our leaders. In the spring of 1849 Father moved his house and family to the city and made our home in the Eighth Ward.
On the 3rd of April, 1852, I was married to Daniel H. Wells by President Brigham Young. I have had six children, three of whom have passed to the other side.
I became a member of the Relief Society in 1868 when it was organized in our ward, but on account of young children did not take an active part until 1871 when I was appointed a teacher, which position I held for several years. In 1882 I was set apart as first counselor in place of Sister Bathsheba W. Smith, she having moved to the 17th Ward. I held this office until 1890, when I resigned, having moved to the 20th Ward. In 1882 I was called and set apart as president of the Primary Association of the 13th Ward, which office I held for five years, when I was set apart as second counselor to President Ellen Clawson of the Salt Lake Stake, which office I held until her death. Then I was chosen and set apart as first counselor to President Camilla Cobb, which office I held until the Salt Lake Stake was divided, when all the officers were released.
In April, 1877, I accompanied my husband and daughters Kate, Dessie and Emmeline and sons Junius and Heber to St. George to attend conference and to witness the dedication of the Temple at that place, which I appreciated and enjoyed very much. There we were baptized for many of our ancestors and attended to other ordinances for the dead. On our return we stopped at Manti where President Brigham Young dedicated the ground for the Temple at that place. I was also present at the dedication of the Logan Temple in 1885. I again visited the Temple in company with my sister Susan and my son Louis, who there received their endowments.
In 1893 I was called by President Lorenzo Snow to be a worker in the Salt Lake Temple, but because of sickness I was unable to respond until September 18, when I was set apart to this office by President Snow assisted by Brothers Winder and Madsen, which office I still hold and hope to continue as long as my health will permit.
I am now seventy-seven years old and I feel very thankful to my Heavenly Father for being permitted to take part in this glorious work, for I know it is the work of God, and I hope to be faithful to the last. (End of autobiography.)
Lydia Ann Alley Wells passed away August 6, 1909, at the age of 82.
Married Daniel Hanmer Wells, 4 Apr 1852, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 8, p. 191
Lydia Ann Alley Wells. "I was born on January first 1828, at Lynn, Essex Co., Mass. My parents were George Alley and Mary Symonds. My first ancestors in this country came over from England in 1634. My father's family sailed from London and settled in Lynn. My mother's family were from Kent Co., England, and settled in Salem, Mass. the same year.
My parents were married Sept. 15, 1822, by Jessie Fillmore of Salem. I was their second daughter. When I was between two and three years old they moved to Salem, my mother's childhood home. When I was 13 years old the Gospel was brought to us by Elders Erastus Snow and Benjamin Winchester, and in 1841 my parents accepted and embraced it, and were baptized in 1842. At this time I also received a strong testimony of its divinity which greatly impressed me, although I was but a child, and it has never left me. In October of the same year they started with their family of seven children for Nauvoo but did not arrive until the first of January, 1843; on account of the Mississippi River being frozen over, we were obliged to remain at Alson, Illinois, for about six weeks, then we started again and got as far as Quincy and went by team the rest of the way. There we had the privilege of seeing the Prophet Joseph Smith and listening to his voice and to the words of inspiration that fell from his lips. I shall never forget them. They are as vivid to my mind as if it were but yesterday they were uttered. I can testify of his Divine Mission and know for a surety that he was a prophet of the Most High God. In 1844 I was baptized in the Mississippi River at Nauvoo by Erastus Snow and confirmed by Elder Amasa Lyman.
In the summer of 1846 my father and family crossed the Mississippi, preparatory to our journey west. We camped on the banks of the river for some time, then moved about three miles to an encampment of the Saints in a small grove where we remained several weeks. My mother was very sick at this time and we were fearful we would have to leave her, but through the blessings of the Lord she recovered. In the meantime, my father obtained a team and moved slowly westward. We went as far as Farmington, where we remained a few weeks, then moved on a few miles to Bonneparte where Father obtained a quantity of flour, but being unable to take it with him left it at the mills, and continued with his family as far as Mt. Pisgah. He then returned for his flour but the people being very scarce of provisions, he was persuaded by Brother Charles Rich to leave it.
To me the journey through Iowa was the hardest part of our journey, as we were all sick with fever and ague. In the late fall we arrived at Winter Quarters on the west side of the Missouri River, in tolerable good health and enjoyed the rest and quiet we had so much desired from mobs and persecution.
In June of 1848 we again took up our march for the Valley of Salt Lake in President Brigham Young's company and arrived the 20th of September, after a long tedious journey, but very thankful to arrive at our journey's end. We passed through all the hardships incident to settling a new country, but were happy and cheerful, trusting in our Heavenly Father's care. We moved to the North Canyon for the winter, where we could have plenty of wood. Father built a log cabin and moved into it the first of December. We were often without bread and subsisted on meat, roots, porridge and were often quite hungry. But the Lord blessed us and we never felt to complain, but rejoiced in looking forward to the future, having full faith in our leaders. In the spring of 1849 Father moved his house and family to the city and made our home in the Eighth Ward.
On the 3rd of April, 1852, I was married to Daniel H. Wells by President Brigham Young. I have had six children, three of whom have passed to the other side.
I became a member of the Relief Society in 1868 when it was organized in our ward, but on account of young children did not take an active part until 1871 when I was appointed a teacher, which position I held for several years. In 1882 I was set apart as first counselor in place of Sister Bathsheba W. Smith, she having moved to the 17th Ward. I held this office until 1890, when I resigned, having moved to the 20th Ward. In 1882 I was called and set apart as president of the Primary Association of the 13th Ward, which office I held for five years, when I was set apart as second counselor to President Ellen Clawson of the Salt Lake Stake, which office I held until her death. Then I was chosen and set apart as first counselor to President Camilla Cobb, which office I held until the Salt Lake Stake was divided, when all the officers were released.
In April, 1877, I accompanied my husband and daughters Kate, Dessie and Emmeline and sons Junius and Heber to St. George to attend conference and to witness the dedication of the Temple at that place, which I appreciated and enjoyed very much. There we were baptized for many of our ancestors and attended to other ordinances for the dead. On our return we stopped at Manti where President Brigham Young dedicated the ground for the Temple at that place. I was also present at the dedication of the Logan Temple in 1885. I again visited the Temple in company with my sister Susan and my son Louis, who there received their endowments.
In 1893 I was called by President Lorenzo Snow to be a worker in the Salt Lake Temple, but because of sickness I was unable to respond until September 18, when I was set apart to this office by President Snow assisted by Brothers Winder and Madsen, which office I still hold and hope to continue as long as my health will permit.
I am now seventy-seven years old and I feel very thankful to my Heavenly Father for being permitted to take part in this glorious work, for I know it is the work of God, and I hope to be faithful to the last. (End of autobiography.)
Lydia Ann Alley Wells passed away August 6, 1909, at the age of 82.
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