Ann Graves, (Greaves) John Gailey’s wife
Baptized March 27th by Wilford Woodruff
Ann Greaves (Graves) Gailey It is not known what the relationship between John (Gailey) and Ann Graves (Greaves) was prior to their boarding the ship in Liverpool to sail to America, but they were not married until after they arrived in Nauvoo. Ann was baptized on 24 Mar 1840, the same day that Wilford Woodruff baptized John Gailey. She was one of the 600 members of the United Brethren Church who was baptized on the Benbow Farm. Descendants from Ann have stated that her parents were very angry with John for enticing their “young” daughter to accompany him to America.[1] Ann Graves’ mother was Ann Preese, the daughter of John Preese and Ann Gailey Preese. This would make both John Gailey and Ann Graves grandchildren of Ann Gailey, each having a different grandfather. As mentioned, the relationship between John Gailey and Ann Graves created ill will in the extended family. This may have been the cause. John was courting his half cousin.
Ann was 26 years of age when they left Liverpool. John Gailey, Ann Graves and Eleanor Harris Gailey, John’s mother, were passenger numbers 32, 33 and 34 respectively aboard the ship Yorkshire when they sailed to America. John had listed his occupation as “farmer” and their ages were listed: John 29, Ann 26 and Eleanor 72. The date of passage is blotched and not readable, but they landed in New Orleans, Louisiana on 10 May 1843.
John Gailey and Ann Graves were married civilly on27 Jun 1843inNauvoo Hancock County,Illinoisby Elder William Jenkins, twenty seven days after their arrival. It is interesting that the anniversary of their first year of marriage would have been celebrated on the day of the martyrdom of the Prophet and his brother Hyrum
Little is known about John and Ann’s home, work, living conditions, church callings or other assignments while living in the Nauvoo area. Their assignment of residence, however, was not in the city of Nauvoo, rather it was in a Mormon settlement approximately ten miles east and two miles north along the Nauvoo / Laharpe Road, called Camp Creek . There the Camp Creek Branch had been formed in 1842, a year prior John and Ann’s arrival
John and Ann’s names were listed with the following grouping of members.
…Also Susan Cheaney; Edward Phillips, [E]lder; Hannah Phillips; William Vanmeter; Loisa Vanmeter; John Keel, [E]lder; Susan Coones; Adeline Coones; Perry A. Goderige; William Young; Leah Young; William S. Young; James A. Young; Susanah Burrow; Thomas Green; John Gailey, Elder; Ann Gailey… [2].
They were struck with additional sadness and grief while living under such terrible conditions at Council Bluffs. Ann gave birth to twins who lived only briefly. Ann was 33 years old and John was 36. They had no choice but to bury the tiny infants in a simple grave, then turn their faces to the West.
John and Ann owned 1 wagon, 2 cows and 3 oxen.[3]
When John and Ann arrived in Salt Lake City they found it surveyed and plotted by Orson Pratt and Henry G. Sherwood. There were originally 190 lots with names of occupants assigned and John and Ann were among them. They were assigned to Block #22, Lot #1, which was the corner lot of 7th South and Main Street. The front of the lot (10 rods wide) faced 7th South and the depth (20 rods long) paralleled Main Street. They settled with their wagon and animals on the lot.
John and Ann Gailey’s lives were blessed. On 22 May 1849, Ann gave birth to a baby girl they named Sarah Jane, who they treasured dearly. On 22 Jul 1851, she gave birth to another daughter to whom they gave the name Elizabeth Ann. Though blessed with these precious babies, deep sadness struck John’s life again. Twenty days following the birth of Elizabeth, his beloved Ann died leaving him to care for the two children, the infant only three weeks old.
Ann Graves Gailey’s blessing was as follows:
A blessing by John Smith Patriarch, upon the head of Ann Gailey, daughter of James and Ann Graves born October 27, 1816 in Herfordshire, England.
Sister Gailey, I lay my hands upon your head by the authority given me by Jesus Christ to bless the fatherless in his name. I place upon thee all the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant, consisting of the holy priesthood and all things which are [appropriate?] to make life agreeably and to prepare thee to gain the blessings of eternal life in common with thy companion thou shalt be blessed with every desire of thy heart if thy faith does not fail, therefore let thy prayers come up before thee [__?__] and the lifting up of thy hands as an acceptable sacrifice before him, let thy patience have its perfection worked and thou shalt be satisfied with every good and perfect gift and thou shalt enjoy the same blessings and promises which Hannah received of old, when she prayed before Eli in the house of the Lord for thou hast a right to have a son as she had, and he shall be as mighty a man in the house of Israel as Samuel was in ancient days. Thy name shall be in honorable remembrance ‘til time shall be no more. The number of thy days shall be according to the desire of thy heart. Thou shalt stand on the earth with thy companion and reign with Christ a 1,000 years, therefor sister give heed to conditions named above in this blessing even so- Amen.”[4]