William and Mary (Matthews) Robertson and family

Mary (Matthews) Robertson with sons Frank (left) and Oba

Robertson Family: Back, Frank with Nell, Oba Chancy. Front: Winnie Russell, Will holding Glen, Cecil, Mary (Matthews), Myrtle, Mary

born: 16 Jul 1850, Shelbyville,Shelby Co.,Indiana

died: 4 May 1927, Tacoma,Thurston Co.,Washington

bur.: Chesterfield,Idaho

spouse: William Hugh ROBERTSON

marr: 21 Mar 1880, Sterling,Johnson Co.,Nebraska

born: 6 Oct 1852, Alton,Madison Co.,Illinois

died: 6 Oct 1931, Salt Lake City,Utah

bur.: Chesterfield,Idaho

Children:

Chauncey Lee ROBERTSON

Oba Alvin ``Obe'' ROBERTSON

Lizzie Harriet ROBERTSON

Frank Chester ROBERTSON

                      |--------Joel MATTHEWS (1755, (probably) Virginia - 1834, OH)
                      |
           |---------James MATTHEWS (1779, Virginia - 1837, Indiana)
           |          |
           |          |--------Patty (1757, (probably) Virginia - )
           |
  |------Tunstal Quarles MATTHEWS (1807, Kentucky - 1878, Nebraska)
  |        |
  |        |          |--------
  |        |          |
  |        |---------Margaret REED (1784 - 1824, Ohio)
  |                   |
  |                   |--------
  |
Mary MATTHEWS (1850, Indiana - 1927, Washington)
  |
  |                   |--------
  |                   |
  |        |---------
  |        |          |
  |        |          |--------
  |        |
  |------Harriet STONE (1808, New York - 1895, South Dakota)
           |
           |          |--------
           |          |
           |---------
                      |
                      |--------

Mary moved with her family to South English, Iowa, when she was 3 years old. Later the family moved to Sterling, Nebraska. She had not had an opportunity to attend high school or college, but at age 16 passed a teacher's exam. Her first job was in South Dakota at $20 a month. Since her father was elderly, her teaching supplied her family with its major source of income. As she taught, she would rotate from family to family for room and board. At times she had to keep the children at school overnight when a blizzard struck unexpectedly. Even though Mary was plain in appearance, she had beautiful long hair, grey eyes, mobile face, and a good sense of humor. She would have been tall, but her back was stooped.

Mary was at first repelled when she met Will Robertson at prayer meeting, but when she heard his beautiful singing voice, she decided that he couldn't be all bad. Her sisters and their spouses all voiced disapproval of her choice, especially Permelia and Alfred (Doc) Shipman. Even though Will had many good qualities, his violent temper and his inability to stick to a job, made life miserable for the family. Will never hit Mary, but his tirades were to be avoided. He whipped his children unmercifully for various infractions.

Mary made do with what she had on hand, and used her abilities to earn money in her home. She loved debate, and on the frontier it was a major form of entertainment.

In her travels in a covered wagon, Mary kept a small trunk with mementos of her family: letters, albums, leather goods made by her father, and a lock of sister Clarinda's hair. She and Will joined the Mormon church and their home became a gathering place for their fellow believers. They used their energies and what little they owned to help those in need. Several records about her various family members are known because Mary and Will submitted the names and birth and/or death dates to the LDS church for the LDS ordnances.

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Sources for this individual: @S145@ @S193@ @S366@ @S407@ @S1778@