Ann Watkins Seely

Ann Watkins 

Ann Watkins Seely and William S. Seely

Seely - History of Coming to America from Wales

Ann Watkins Seely daughter of Thomas Watkins and Christiana Waters born May 22 – 1846 at Gilwern, Lanessay, South Wales, left South Wales at the age of 19 years, one year after her parents had immigrated, and crossed the ocean to America, leaving her only living brother Thomas. Before leaving went to Barry Ryde, President of the Manmash Conference, and received a blessing wherein she was told that a great storm should arise on the ocean but through faith she would be spared and safely reach her father and mother in America. During the journey, a terrible storm arose, the heavy ocean waves greatly threatened the destruction of the vessel and all but she clung to the blessing and landed safely in America, in New York. She Left New York the next day and went to Rush Dale, Pennsylvania, where she met her parents and sister Christiana, lived there for sixteen months during which time she worked out doing housework to get money to come to Utah, then started to Utah, went by train eight days and landed at end of the railroad at Fort Laramie, from there started with Wm. S. Seely’s company (afterward her husband) with ox teams to cross the desert, journeyed four weeks and landed in Salt Lake City on Aug. 29 – 1868. During this journey had no bed at all, She and another young woman sat up every night in a wagon load of brooms sitting in between the bundles of broom handles with a blanket wrapped around them. Left Salt Lake City Aug 30 – 1868 with her parents and came to Mt Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah, where she has made a home ever since. Three months later Nov. 25 – 1868 married Wm S. Seely in the endowment house in Salt Lake City, being married by Wilford Woodruff. Later May 24 – 1875 a son Wm Alfred Seely and on December 4 – 1883 a daughter Annie Rebecca Seely were born to them. Her husband died on Sept. 16 – 1896 and since that time she lived as a widow.