Pioneer Story of

Martha Ann Hughes Pulsipher Leavitt

Arranged by Nora Lund - Family Historian

Since I began collecting Pulsipher records and histories, I have felt very sympthetic toward the subject of this sketch. I don't think for a minute that she would want my sympathy, or any one elses. but I still think she is reaping a great reward for being the fine, unselfish person that she must have been.

What always bothered me, was the fact that she never had a sprightly young husband all her own. She shared with other wives a husband in both of her marriages.

We of today can hardly imagine a child just 14 years of age marrying a man of 68. I have heard her immediate family members say, however, that she was a well developed young woman at 14. Of course., in the early days of the Church, plural marriage was being preached and practised by the church leaders. Young girls were encouraged to marry those mature and steadfast men. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if parents didn't do some of the match-making and gave encouragement too. Nevertheless, when Zerah Pulsipher asked Martha Ann to become his wife, she accepted. They were married March 18,1851, in the Endowment House there in Salt Lake City. I have heard it said that she always got along fine with Zerah's other wives, Mary and Prudence.

To show the condition of her second marriage I would like to quote a paragraph from the history book of Dudley Leavitt, stalwart pioneer of Southern Utah, written by his grand daughter, Juanita Leavitt Pulsipher Brooks.

"The year 1872 brought another event of mement to the Dudley Leavitt family. Dudley married another wife. This time, Martha Hughes Pulsipher, the widow of Zerah Pulsipher. In some ways this was a greater trial to Mary (the first wife) than his earlier marriages had been, The other four had all been girls together; they had sacrificed for each other; they had worked together; they had stood by each other, in sickness; they had grown old before their time together. Now to have their husband pay attention to this lively, twenty-seven-year-old widow while they cared for their families, was really a trial. The courtship was short. The young woman, left with four children, had few resources, and had been working out in the various homes to support herself. The marriage took place November 30, 1872, in Salt Lake City, with Daniel H. Wells officiating. Once it was over, she took her place with the other wives, receiving no favors, and fitting in the family very well."

Martha Ann had her humble beginning in Moreland, Pembrokshire Wales, where she was born July 1, 1843. Her parents were James and Ann Picton Hughes. They heard the gospel message of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints preached by the Mormon missionaries. They believed its truths and were baptized, Their great desire was to bring their family and come to "Zion". They saved their small earnings and finally set sail, in company with other Mormons. On landing in America, their next big problem was getting across the plains to Utah. They were happy, to finally arrive in the Valley of the great Salt lake, the home of the Saints.

Martha Ann received what little schooling she had there. She worked hard, doing her part in the home and faithfully attending to her church duties.

Then at 14 she advanced one step farther in the progress of life by marrying Zerah Pulsipher. On December 21, 1861, she gave birth to her first child, Martha Ann. Then March 13, 1861, she gave birth to another fine daughter whom they named Mary Elizabeth.

Salt Lake and vicinity was getting crowded with people as many were joining the church in every nation and gathering to Zion. President Brigham Young, the greatest colonizer the world has ever known, had sent scouts out in every direction to find suitable places to establish towns for his people.

In 1850, scouts had come south and found rich iron deposits west of where Cedar City is now located. The 'Iron County' mission was organized and people settled Parowan in 1851. More extensive exploration was made and it was found by Jacob Hamblin and others who were laboring with the Indians on the Santa Clara Creek, that cotton and all kinds of fruits and cane could be raised owing to the warm climate. Consequently, the Dixie Cotton Mission was established with headquarters in St. George.

Part of the Pulsipher family were called south in 1861. The remainder, at October Conference of the same year. It was with the latter group that Martha Ann and her two little children traveled, long with her husband the the other wives. The trip was made more tedious for her because she was soon to give birth to her third child, which was born April 27, 1863, in St. George. He was given the name of Zerah James to honor his father and grandfather Hughes.

The Pulsiphers were soon established in Hebron where Sarah Jane was born, June 24, 1856. She wasn't long for this earth, however, and died July 17, 1865. Andrew Milton was added to the family November 20, 1867.

The living conditions were rather pleasant in Hebron. Of course, Martha worked hard to provide the necessities of life for her family. But she was happy and contented and enjoyed a fine relationship with her neighbors and friends.

Her husband was getting along in years. He had lived a full life and the Lord saw fit to call him "Home" January 1, 1872 at the ripe old age of 83.

Martha Arm carried on in her fine way, working where ever she could to continue to support her family. When Dudley Leavitt, who was just 13 years her senior, asked her to marry him, she was happy to do so. She knew him to be a good, kind man, fair and loving to his wives and children. This second marriage meant security for herself and children. She also bore Dudley three children, Lydia, born December 25, 1873; Minerva and then Dudley Charles, who both died in infancy.

I would like to again quote from Juanita's Leavitt History Book:

"In 1872 there was a heavy flood at Hebron which washed out their flume and the ditch along the hillside. People, generally, were very much discouraged, for it would mean such a lot of hard vork to rebuild it. Dudley still had holdings at Gunlock and Mountain Meadows, as well as a small place at Santa Clara. Except for the block an which they lived, he had little at Hebron, so this year they decided to sell out and care for their other places. They had plenty of fruit and farm land at Gunlock to keep them busy."

Everything was going along fine in Gunlock. The families were prosperous and contented. Then early in 1877, a group decided to move further down onto the Virgin River, and set up a community where they could live the United Order. Dudley decided to go too and he put his substance into this venture. They named the town Bunkerville, after their leader, Edward Bunker. Family members say that Martha had some cattle from her husband, Zerah Pulsipher's estate, and she put those into the Order also.

After about 2 1/2 years, those living the United Order commenced to divide the property and stock among the members. Martha didn't realize much for her earlier contributions.

When the 'Order' was broken up, Dudley, moved across the Virgin River to the site of the present town of Mesquite and established his familes there. Juanita says his wife, Mary, had a rock house, Maria was a block past, with Janet just beyond, and Martha lived south of Mary and Thirza west, down near the Big Wash.

For four years the families lived here and were an independent, self-supporting unit. They raised everything they ate. Molasses, honey, grains, fruit, vegetables, milk, butter and meats. In 1878, Dudley and his boys had taken a contract to run the mail from Bunkerville to St. George. This made it necessary for him to place his families at different points so fresh horses could be provided. Martha was stationed at Bunkerrville.

Her daughter, Martha Ann, married Ashel James Barnum and had a family of ten children. She died September 8, 1936. Mary Elizabeth married Dudley Leavitt, Jr., and was the mother of eleven children and died November 21, 1925. We have the account of Zerah James's death recorded by his half-brother, John. May I quote:

"My little brother, Zerah James, father's first son of his last family, died this morning twenty minutes to 2:00 o'clock at our house. When his mother, Martha, married Dudley Leavitt, after father's death, the lad chose to stay with me. He had never had good health, a frail constitution. Seems to be of riper years and more manly than boys in general of his age - 16.

"He complained of a pain in his side and back for two or three days, which we could not cure by faith or work, but it was eased by both. He wanted my hand on it much of the time, so he could rest. I ordained him an Elder on the eve of the 4th of January. I had gone to bed on the morn of the 6th when he was struck with death. I came right to him. though he was in good care. He talked, called the connections who gathered around. Some heard singing. He said he could see his friends who were already to accompany him in the Spirit World. Oh! That we could all go as happy as he did - when our time comes."

Andrew Milton, married, first, Sarah Waite and later Sarah Leavitt Hansen, a young widow - and died February 20, 1939. Lydia married Walter Hughes, died November 17, 1917. They all made their homes in Southern Nevada.

The years of 1875 to 1888 were ones of deep concern for Martha and Dudley's other wives. The United States Marshalls, McGeary and Armstrong were hot on the trail of the polygamists. I like Janita's little story of how her grandfather out-smarted these men on one occasion as told by his daughter, Mary Jane:

"One day I went with father to the cotton factory at Washington," said Mary Jane, "An Iverson girl was the clerk. We had just unloaded our cotton, when the black-topped buggy that carried McGeary and Armstrong drove up. The girl was in a panic.

'Run,' she said. 'Run, Brother Leavitt. Here come the officers. They will get you sure. Quick! Hide!'

"Father knew it was useless to run, so he snatched up an old coat, pulled a slouch hat down over his eyes, picked up an oil can, and started to oil the machinery. He was the busiest man you ever saw climbing up the ladder to get at some parts, and going about it as if he were an expert.

"The officers came in, went through the whole place, kicking at trap doors, going through cotton bins, turning over boxes, and trying to find concealed hideouts. Father went about his work, apparently paying no attention. At last they got into their buggy and rode away."

Martha was a very ambitious person and she worked here and there at different jobs. For years she cooked for the miners at the Key West mine in Nevada.

Her husband, Dudley Leavitt, passed from this sphere of existence August 15, 1908. Martha had made her home for some time with her daughter, Lydia Hughes. She died in June of 1909, having lived a good, full life.