Janet Stafford's Funeral Report

My kind cousin, Margaret L., has a fragile newspaper clipping of the funeral report for Janet Stafford (b. 1880, d. 1903), which she typed up and sent to me.  Thank you SO MUCH, Margaret!

Report from the Local Newspaper of the Funeral of Janet Stafford

REMARKABLE SCENES AT A GEE CROSS FUNERAL

A Hyde young lady’s death in America.

There were some remarkable scenes in Hyde Chapel and the adjoining churchyard on Saturday afternoon last, on the occasion of the funeral of Miss Janet Stafford, daughter of Mr. Able Stafford, of the Gerrards, Gee Cross.  It will be remembered that the young lady mentioned died in America a short time ago.  The body was embalmed, and placed in a hermetically-sealed coffin, and brought several hundreds of miles on the railway, and then across the mighty Atlantic to be buried in Miss Stafford’s native village, this being done, we understand, in accordance with the express wish of the deceased young lady.  The body arrived, along with Miss Stafford’s mother, on Wednesday last week, and the interment was fixed for Saturday.  The ceremony was one of the most impressive and touching that has been witnessed in Gee Cross for a long time.  Almost all the elder scholars and members of the Primitive Methodist Chapel and Sunday School, where the late Miss Stafford was an earnest worker and member of the choir, followed the body of their former companion to its last resting-place, and the chapel yard and inside the edifice was crowded with numbers of sympathising friends.  As the remains were laid to rest there was scarcely an eye that was not moist with tears at the sad tragedy of death coming to one so young so many thousands of miles away from home in the midst of – excepting her mother and a few relatives, - strangers.  It will be remembered that the deceased young lady left Gee Cross on October 23^rd 1902, in company with her cousins – who were at that time over on a visit, - from Salt Lake City, USA.  Miss Stafford had been ailing for a considerable length of time, and it was thought that the change of climate, together with the sea voyage, might prove beneficial to her health.  After having been there a short time, however, she gradually grew worse, and as her condition assumed a serious character her mother left England for America on June 30^th and Mrs Stafford remained with her daughter up to the last, death taking place on August 17^th, despite the attention of several medical men.  The deceased young lady, who was in her 23^rd year, was greatly respected and esteemed in Gee Cross and the immediate vicinity.  She was a most active worker at the Gee Cross Primitive Methodist Sunday School and was also a member of the chapel choir, and from which place she will be greatly missed.  Along the route on Saturday, on the occasion of the funeral from the house to the chapel, the blinds were drawn at every house.  The coffin, which was of polished oak, was of a casket shape, with heavy silver mounts, and bore the inscription: “Janet Stafford, died August 17^th 1903, in her 23^rd year.”  It was carried from the house to the chapel by two of her cousins, Messrs J Rowbotham and Wm. Stafford, and Messrs. Fred Harrison, Wilfred Harrison, Frank Winterbottom and John Wilson, young men from the Sunday School.  Preceding the coffin walked six more of the deceased young lady’s cousins, Messrs Hy Stafford (Hyde), Arthur and Walter Stafford (Denton) Ernest and Walter Williamson (Woodley), and W.S. Rowbottom (Hyde).  These six acted as carriers from the chapel to the grave, and they were also preceded by the members of the young lady’s class from the school, the members of the chapel choir, members of the congregation and friends and also several of her late workmates.  Following the coffin came the chief mourners, as under:  Mr and Mrs Stafford (father and mother) and the other members of the family.  Then followed a large number of relatives of the deceased.  The officiating minister was the Rev. W.D. Judson, circuit minister, who conducted the service both at home and in the chapel in a most impressive manner, and at the graveside the hymn “Lead Kindly Light” was also sung.

The following is a complete list of the floral tokens received.

Harp, from her Father and Mother.

Harp, “To our dear Sister” from her sorrowing Brothers and Sisters.

Harp, “With Deepest Sympathy” from Uncle, Aunt and Cousins (Mr and Mrs E Rowbottom and family).

Wreath, “In loving memory” from Uncle Sam and Aunt Kate and Cousin May and Dick.

Anchor, “In loving remembrance of dear Janet”, from her Cousins, Salt Lake City.

Cross, “With sincere regret and loving sympathy” from her Cousins, Salt Lake City.

Wreath, “With heartfelt sympathy” from her workmates.

Harp, “In loving memory” from the members of the Choir.

Wreath, “With deep sympathy” from the Officials, Teachers and Scholars of the Gee Cross Primitive Methodist Sunday School.

Harp, “In loving memory” from the Young Ladies’ Class.

Wreath, “With deepest sympathy” from Mr and Mrs Brierley and family.

Wreath, “In deepest sympathy” from Mr and Mrs S Wilde and Family, Mottram Old Road, Gee Cross.

Wreath, “With deepest sympathy” from Mr and Mrs Bennett and family.

Wreath, “With deepest sympathy” from Mr and Mrs Frost and Mrs Mellor, Clough Fold.

Wreath, “With deepest sympathy” from Miss M. A. Aldcroft.

Wreath, “From Sympathising Friends” from Mr and Mrs Schofield, Rusholme.

Casket, “With love for Janet” from Miss Liggings.

Harp, from Mr Wm. Edwards and family.

Anchor, Mr and Mrs Jas. Wilson and family.

The following sent bouquets:

“A token of love to Janet” from Lizzie Garside.

“A token of deep sympathy” from Mrs Redfern and Family.

“With deepest sympathy” from Miss Aileen Hague.

“A tribute of sincere sympathy” from Mr and Mrs George Woolley.

Mrs J Stafford (Denton Aunty).

Mr and Mrs R Eyre.

Mrs Harding.

Miss Essie Taylor.

Miss E A Wilson.

Miss Florence Lees and Mrs Ingham (Haughton Green).

There was also an artificial wreath with globe and stand, from her brothers and sisters.

The remains were embalmed by Mr Joseph W. Taylor, Undertaker of Salt Lake City, USA, who also supplied the coffin, together with the case in which it was enclosed.

September 12^th 1903.

Stafford Family Photos

Joseph Dean's sister was Eliza (Dean) Stafford.  Her husband was Abel Stafford.

Many of the people in these picture have been identified with the kind help of my (sort-of-) newly-found cousin, Margaret L., and her mother.  Thanks SO MUCH!

Abel Stafford & Eliza Dean

Abel Stafford & Eliza Dean

This copy seems to have been sent to Joseph Dean in Wyoming, since the mounting board is from Evanston.

Abel & Eliza (Dean) Stafford Family

Sitting, Front:  Sarah Elizabeth "Cissie" Stafford, Samuel Stafford
Sitting, Middle (L to R):  Charlde Wild, Martha Ellen (Stafford) Wild, Abel Stafford, Eliza (Dean) Stafford, Janet Stafford
Standing, Back (L to R):  Lavinia (Stafford) Mottram, Alfred Mottram, Hannah (Whitehead) Stafford, David Stafford

Wedding Picture of Martha Ellen Stafford to Charles Wild
taken outside the family home on Ralph Fold

Most of the people on the left are probably family of the groom, Charles Wild.
Back Row (L to R):  1-8 (groom's family?), 9-David Stafford, 10-Hannah (Whitehead) Stafford,11-Samuel Stafford, 12-?, 13-John Ingham "Jack" Dean (Eliza Dean Stafford's nephew)
Middle Row (L to R):  1-4 (groom's family?), 5-Charles Wild (groom), 6-Martha Ellen Stafford (bride), 7-Abel Stafford, 8-Eliza (Dean) Stafford, 9-Janet Stafford (who died in America), 10-may be Lavinia or Clarinda Stafford
Front Row:  (groom's family?)

Ingham Family Photos

The Inghams were Mary Jane's side of the family.  Several captions were written on the backs of the pictures.

Alfred Ingham & Margaret Dawe

Mary Jane Ingham's parents
taken about 1881 (according to Mary Evelyn (Bullock) Hess

For Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Andrew
from Lavinia
Margaret (Dawe) Ingham & Lavinia Dean

With Mr. & Mrs. Hannah Compliments to Mr. & Mrs. Dean
probably written by Mrs. Ann (Ingham) Hannah

Mary Jane Ingham Dean with her Mother and Sisters
Martha Ann, Dinah, Emily or Annie?
Taken spring 1907
Emily standing in the middle
written by Mary Evelyn (Bullock) Hess

Sitting, left to right:  Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean, Margaret (Dawe) Ingham.
Standing, left to right:  Dinah Ingham or Ann (Ingham) Hannah?, Emily (Ingham) Varty, Dinah Ingham or Ann (Ingham) Hannah?
Missing:  Elizabeth (Ingham) Jensen was probably in Idaho; Martha (Ingham) Cheetham Scanlon was probably in Massachusetts.

With Mr. & Mrs. Hannah Compliments to Sister Lizzey
probably written by Mrs. Ann (Ingham) Hannah

This picture seems to have been taken the same day as the one above.
Sitting, left to right:  Margaret (Dawe) Ingham, Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean
Standing, left to right:  Dinah Ingham or Ann (Ingham) Hannah?, Emily (Ingham) Varty, Dinah Ingham or Ann (Ingham) Hannah?, Joseph Dean?
Missing:  Elizabeth (Ingham) Jensen, aka "Sister Lizzey," was probably in Idaho; Martha (Ingham) Cheetham Scanlon was probably in Massachusetts

Small Family Groupings

Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean
"Bessie" Margaret Elizabeth Dean or Edith Vilate Dean
"Jim" James David Dean

postcard
Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean
son [which one?]
Joseph Dean

Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean and Myrtle Dean
at their home -- 763 East 100 South, Salt Lake City
Alvin Richey, a friend / suitor of Bessie's
Buster, the dog

Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean, Margaret (Dawe) Ingham,
son John Ingham "Jack" Dean?  or son Joseph Henry "Harry" Dean?
baby Helen Dean? or baby Margaret Foulds Dean?

The son's and baby's names are guesses based on who had children before Margaret (Dawe) Ingham died in 1909.
If you can help identify the son and / or the baby in this picture, please contact me.  Thanks!

Dean Family Photos in Wyoming

Almy, Wyoming Chapel
Effie Dean (d. 10 Dec 1897) was buried from here.

Dean Residence in Almy, Wyoming, 1897
L to R:  Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean, Myrtle Dean (child), Mrs. Bowns, Tina Mae Bowns, Lavinia Dean, Minnie Mae Bowns, Edith Dean, Fred Reese, Margaret Elizabeth Dean.
The Dean house was the dark red one where the laundry is hung.  The white house was Bishop Bowns'.

"Harry" Joseph Henry Dean and Effie Eliza Dean

Effie Dean

Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean

Hotel in Spring Valley, Wyoming
This is the hotel the Deans operated.  Joseph Dean served as the postmaster here, and the first LDS  ward, over which he was bishop, met in the basement.

Spring Valley Bishopric
[I need to double check this.]

Pictures of Joseph Dean & Mary Jane Ingham

Joseph & Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean
This might be their wedding picture.

Mary Jane (Ingham) and Joseph Dean
postcard to Mr. & Mrs. David Stafford 
"with compliments of season from Uncle Jos & Aunt Mary"

Joseph and Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean
at their home – 1130 Bueno Avenue, Salt Lake City

Birthday Postcard to Joseph Dean from His Sister, Eliza Dean

undated
Birthday postcard to Joseph Dean from his sister, Eliza (Dean) Stafford

"The Bowery" -- A Poem about People and Life in Almy, Wyoming

1934 & 1938

"The Bowery"

A poem about people and life in Almy, Wyoming.

Written by William Nisbet.

The Bowery, built long, long ago
By Bishop Bowns, as you all know
For pleasure and not just for show
We loved the dear old Bowery.

The building, we did all adore
Tho it didn’t have a hardwood floor
There men and women by the score
Did dance in the old Bowery.

From Crampton’s, down to Bruce’s Ranch
Both old and young did there advance
And light as fairies, they did dance
Around the gay old Bowery.

In summer when the sun was hot
We often went to that cool spot
And there a lot of comfort got
In the shade of that old Bowery.

The children from each Sunday School
Went there to play and not to fool
And there observe the Teacher’s rule
In the sacred little Bowery.

The young sparks, they went there to spoon
And hide from the nasty old man in the moon
And oft did not get home too soon
To please their folks, from the Bowery.

Some roughnecks, they would gather here
And sometimes bring a keg of beer
Which made old Sandy Wilson swear
For he was the Bobby for the Bowery.

The student in his leisure hour
Would visit this calm quiet bower
And store his mind with mental power
In Bowns’ good old Bowery.

The old folks, they went there to rest
And watch the sunset in the west
And felt that they were truly blest
In the quiet Almy Bowery.

Some friends we met in days of yore
Have gone unto a fairer shore
Where we hope to meet them all once more
In another lovely Bowery.

Where Scottish, Welch and English too
Will meet just like one family true
And cite the joys that we all knew
In this old hallowed Bowery.

Now let us vow, while we are here
Although our ranks grow less each year
We’ll do our best, each one to cheer
And bless the dear old Bowery.

[signed]   Wm Nisbet, Aug 14, 1938

At playing football we were swell
Tam Foulds, he kept the goal right well
Bill Fowler charged wee Jimmie Bell
Right o’er the line in Almy O.

To the Temple of Honor as you know
Sometimes we’d hike to see a show
Where Thomas Cutler was the beau
of half the girls in Almy O.

Sometimes a dance was just the thing
Jock Hunter played his fiddle string
Johnnie Martin danced the Highland Fling
And shouted good for Almy O.

July 4th and other days
The Bisohp’s Bowery was the place
Where old and young, did jump and race
On the river bank at Almy O.

John Cooper with his tenor voice
His songs they made our hearts rejoice
We swore we’d made a happy choice
By settling down in Almy O.

George Griffin he made quite a speel
The Armstrong’s danced a Scottish reel
And every son-of-a-gun did feel
So full of joy in Almy O.

Old Georgie Reeves served out the beer
Joe Bird, he says, “Don’t bring it ‘ere
For Laban Howard he will swear
To see such stuff in Almy O.”

Matt Morrow, sober, serious chap
He says, “Now Joe, don’t be a sap
For we must surely have a drap
Of Ale in dear old Almy O.”

Then Jimmie Hood and his brass band
There was no better in the land
When they turned out they sure looked grand
In the good old town of Almy O.

Their music filled us up with pep
John Crawford shouted out By Heck
Every blooming man is out of step
Except me, this day in Almy O.

Some other names I’d like to tell
Easton, Crompton, Bruce and Bell
I’m sure no one will go to h—
Who lived in good old Almy O.

We’re here a merry crowd to-day
Our thoughts some forty years away
When to Wyoming we did stray
And settle down in Almy O.

Some come from England, some from Wales
Some from Ireland’s sunny dales
And some from Bonnie Scotland’s vales
To make their homes in Almy O.

From England came Dick Fearn and Bill,
Jim Bowns, Joe Dean, who is with us still
The Burtons, Simms and Browns did fill
Half the camp of Almy O.

From Wales, by Damn, now just look you
Came Blacker, Loveday, Daniels, too,
Williams, Gibbs and Jones so true
Were a credit to old Almy O.

The land of heather sent fine men,
Millers, Nisbets, Scotts, ye ken,
Faddis, Beverage, McPhie and then
They had swell fold in Almy O.

A mining camp, so full of pep,
A better you could never get,
And so we made a solemn bet
To stay right there in Almy O.

To dig the coal out of the mine
Each man and boy did very fine,
And troubles they were left behind
On the big black dump in Almy O.

Our joys and sorrows we did share.
We were just one big family there
And did each other’s burdens bear
For all were friends in Almy O.

We helped each other on the way
A kindly word, we’d often say
Which always meant a happy day
Among our friends in Almy O.

We’ve heard old Mr. Ramsay say
That men who work must have some play
So let us have a holiday
And have some fun in Almy O.

I’ll mention now before I’m done
Blight, Barron, Wilson, Robinson
And Tommy Kirby, made some fun
When he was Judge in Almy O.

Al Peterson and Jimmie Clark
Archie Neal and Stephen Sharp
And Charles Morgan, he was smart
Because he lived in Almy O.

There Bishop [Bowns? Browns?] we all love well
Though he in Almy did not dwell
He always had some good to tell
About us folks in Almy O.

Now we are scattered far and wide
A lot gone to the other side
Where the good Lord says, “Come right inside
All those who came from Almy O.”

And now my story is at an end
I hope no one I did offend
For I’m here and glad hand to extend
To all who lived in Almy O.

We’ll meet again each coming year
And help each other’s hearts to cheer
For the sake of friendship very dear
We made in dear old Almy O.

Wm. Nisbet, Aug., 18, 1934

Joseph Dean's Will and Condolences at His Death

1936 Dec 15
Joseph Dean's Last Will and Testament

Transcript

Last Will and Testament

I, Joseph Dean, of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, State of Utah, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, and not acting under any duress or fraud, and revoking all former wills and testamentary instructions of every kind and nature, do hereby, by this last will and testament, give, devise and bequeath unto my Children, namely Lavinia Dean Bullock, Edith Vilate Dean Stiles, Myrtle Irene Dean Wentworth, J. Harry Dean, James D. Dean, Dr. Hugh Elmer Dean, all my personel property, namely moneys, jewelery, diamond, clothing, &c, after all funeral expenses have been paid, then said Children to receive equilly devided share and share for each.

And be it further understood that for value recieved I do give and devise and bequeath unto my Daughter Myrtle Irene Dean Wentworth, all my equity in the cottage, we have held together, located at 1144 Bueno Ave., Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, State of Utah, and I hereby request that she be permitted to serve as Executrix of this my last will and testement without bond.

In witness whereof, I have subscribed my name this 15th day of December 1936.

Joseph Dean

*****

Letters of Condolence at Joseph Dean's Death

1939 Dec 22
Letter of Condolences from the Almy Old Timers

1939 Dec 22 Letter of Condolences from Lyman Brown

Joseph Dean Letter about LDS Conversion

1932 Apr 20

Letter from Joseph Dean to his granddaughter, Margaret Foulds Dean, describing his conversion to

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

  The letter is four handwritten pages, but is incomplete.

Transcript

To My dear Grandaughter,
Marguerett Folds Dean

Salt Lake City
April 20th, 1932

A short history or of my life or how I become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latterday Saints.

I was born in Vernon Street, Hyde, Cheshire, England, 78 years ago on March 23st 1854. Soon after my birth my parents moved to Apethorn were my Mother died after a short illness, and was soon followed by my Father, leaveing me an Orphan at the tender age of three year, with a Sister two years my senior, also a Brother who was the oldest of the three. I went to live with my Aunt, and when old enough I was put to work in the cotton mills at Apethorn were i stayed untill I was 18 years old. I went from place to place untill I got a position as stripper and grinder at Giberalter Mills. It was while working at these mills that I first heard and read of the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints, better known as Mormons.

After a thorough investigation, and a bitter fight trying to prove the doctrines false, I became satisfyed in my own mind, that the teachings were just the same as those laid down by Jesus Christ and his apostles. I could do nothing less then obey them.

I was Baptized Nov 2 1878, by James Barton in the public baths in Stockport, England, and Confirmed, Nov 3rd at Stockport by Adam Lees. After being Baptized, was when my troubles began.

I tried to keep the fact from my wife and the public, but it was only a very few days before it was talked of far and wide, as the saying goes. My wife had been told of the fact, at the mill. The first thing she said when she come in from work, before she took her clothes of, was had I joined the Mormons. I did not answer for a short time but she was very presistent and I had to give her an answer. And as I could not denie what she had heard I therefore said yes, I had been baptized into the Mormon Church, if that was what she ment.

She did not answer but got busy gathering up her clothes and all the furniture, and everything that she thought was her properity. When she got everything that she called hers there was nothing left for poor me, only my clothes. After she had gathered everything together, she then went to her parents home which was close by and asked her Father if he would fetch all her things away from our home as she was leaveing me. Her father at once wanted to know what the trouble was. Then she told him that I had joined the Mormons.

Her father being a man of good sound judgement asked her if that was all that I had done. She said is not that enough? He told her no, and he also told her to come back home and waite untill I should give her cause to leave. Then she began to cry and told her Father that he was very cruel. I went to her Fathers home and asked my wife if she would come with me and have some tea, as we had not had anything to eat since coming home from work.

So after a time she come home but there was no eating by eather of us. It sure was a miserable time for us at home, because we both loved each other dearly and we had a little boy about two years old, who was quite delacate.

The next day when I went to work I found that the news had spread considerable. My sister and her husband and most all our friends would call to have a talk with me and beg of me to quitt the Mormons and go back to the Methodest Church. The leaders of the Church would call and ask me to pray with them which I readily did. They would pray that the Lord would open my eyes so that I might see the error of my ways. I said, Amen, to their prayers because I surely did want to know if I was wrong, but instead of being convinced that I was wrong, my faith was strengthened so that I was able [to] defend the principls of the Gospel.

Several ministers of the Churches would call on me and in their prayers would promis me that our dear little boy should get better if I woul only renounce Mormonism and not bother the principle of that man Joe Smith.

The mean and false stories that was put in circulation after it become public gossip that Joe Dean had joined the Mormons. The gossip go[t] so bad that my Friends and quite a number of my relatives would pass me up on the street and refused to speak to me. I would be pointed out when going to and from work. I did not mind it so much because it had a tendency to induce me to call upon the Lord for strength.

Being of a relegious turn of mind I ready turned to my Father in prayer. I prayed very earnestly that God would be with my dear wife and give her strength that she might withstand the gibes &c that was hurled at her; and like myself, she was pointed out on the street as the wife of one of those dispised Mormons. It was for her sake to save her from all this that I almost repented.

She was in delecate health she haveing being pragnent. She had alwas been very sick dureing this period and it was worrying me considerabe. So much so that I went to the man that had introduced the gospel to me or me to the Gospel, for advice as to what I should do in regards to my wife. Then to my surprise he sprund a new subject on me. He told me when the Mormon Elders come around he would ask them to administer to her and lay hands upon her for her health, &c. Well things got quite serious.

Well to make a long story short, the traveling Elders come around and held meetings in the open air, about a block from our home and I, along with a couple of other young men, was called upon to speak, in defense of the Mormon relegion. You should have seen the scorn on the faces of a number of neibors and some of the audance that was my nearest and what I thought among my best friends &c.

After that meeting the Elders give us some tracts to pass out from door to door, and then to go around the next week and collect them in again and leave another, all treating on the first principles. We also was expected to answer any and all questions that should be asked. This was quite an experance to me, also very educateing as I was often called upon to answer so meny questions, that I myself had asked when I was first investagateing, &c.

Time was fast moveing right along when low and behold I was asked If I could take a couple of the Elders to sleep at my home. Now my dear wife had not as yet shown any desire to forgive for joining the Mormon Church, but was still on the look for an axcuse to leave me. So if you can place yourself in my position, and go and ask a Mormon hater if you can take a couple of Mormon Elders to sleep at your home. After considerable time and talk she give her concent for them to sleep, but they must not preach any of their Mormonism to her but get up in the morning and go. It did not make any [...]


[Typed from the original, handwritten letter. Punctuation and paragraphs have been added to aid in readability. Spelling has been retained as in the original. Unfortunately, the four pages we have do not contain the entire letter. Held in 2011 by RayDean Hill.]

50th Anniversary Letter, Joseph Dean to Mary Jane Ingham

1925 May 22     

Letter from Joseph Dean to his wife, Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean,

on their fiftieth / golden wedding anniversary.

Salt Lake City, Utah,
May 22, 1925.


A Remeniscent of My Married Life, dedicated to my Dear Wife, on this the fiftieth Anniversary of our wedding.

It is fifty years ago today since we covenanted with each other to take each other for better or for worse in sickness or in health, to love, honor and cherish each other until death doth us part.  ‘Tis fifty years go today since we gave authority to the world to pronounce us man and wife.  How faithful or otherwise we have kept those covenants, we will leave to a higher tribunal to pass judgment.

In looking back over that period of time, I fail to find one regret of ever making that covenant.  In allowing my mind to wander back over a period of fifty years, I see a beautiful picture of a young man standing by a bedside, a smile of satisfaction resting on his features as he was looking down upon a beautiful woman laying upon the bed holding a beautiful baby to her bosom, as she raised her face beaming with smiles and full of joy and satisfaction looking at the young man, and gently placing her hand in his and drawing him down towards her until their lips met in a lingering soul kiss.  Thus, my dear wife, did we renew the covenants at the birth of our first born, which we had previously made, and thus has it ever been on down the stream of life, happy in each other’s society and in the society of our dear children, when a new light burst in upon our lives, which threatened for a time to disrupt a happy and beautiful home.  It came in the shape of a message as it were, from God, borne by his servants, the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ, bearing the everlasting Gospel truths.  I very readily accepted the Gospel and was baptized, which was a hard blow for you.  You fought it and threatened to leave me if I did not renounce my faith and quit attending the Mormon Church.  I will not dwell upon this part of our lives, but will say that in a very short time you also, accepted the Gospel and was also baptized into the Church, for which I was very thankful to My Heavenly Father.

Things went along very nicely until we decided to emigrate to Zion.  Then you decided to leave the land of your birth, and leave all that was near and dear to you by the ties of nature, amidst pleadings and persuasions of friends and relatives, and stand by me through good and evil.  Oh, what love, what confidence, for a young and beautiful wife to place in her husband, to forsake everything and go with him to a new country to start life anew among strangers.  No wonder that my love grows every day stronger towards such a confiding and faithful wife.  Then again, instead of waiting for the time that death should come and part us, we have taken a step ahead of death by going into the house of the Lord and there being sealed to each other for time and eternity, thus proving to the world and to each other that after fifty years we stand ready and willing to renew the covenants we made with each other and go on hand in hand unto the end.

My Dear Wife, I do not write these lines to you to flatter you nor to cause you to build up any false hopes, nor yet boastingly, but I thought this, our fiftieth or Golden Anniversary of our wedding, a suitable time to let you know that my love has grown stronger with each succeeding year.  I did not wish to wait until you had passed to the great beyond, then cover your grave with flowers, but I felt that I must let you know while you were in a condition to understand and realize just how I felt towards you.

Now, My Dear Wife, I hope and pray that you will receive these few lines in the spirit in which they are written, that is, the spirit of love and charity, because I realize that I have a great many weaknesses and shortcomings, but my desire is to do good at all times, and I must say that I feel this to be the happiest day so far that I have experienced.

Here we are at the fiftieth mile-post of our married life, surrounded by our children and their children.  Truly, we ought to be happy and give thanks to our Heavenly Father and pray that we may be spared to live in peace and comfort through the rest of our days.  Amen.

Letter from Joseph Dean to David Stafford

1903 Jun 10
Letter from Joseph Dean to his nephew, David Stafford, describing Janet Stafford's (David's sister) health.
Janet passed away in August 1903 in Salt Lake City.  She was buried in England.

Transcript

Spring Valley 6/10 [19]03

Mr. David Stafford
102 Hyde Gee Cross

Dear Sir,

My Dear Nephew.  In answering your very kind and welcome letter recieved a little while ago, I will say that I was somewhat surprised at the tone of your letter, and I wish to say right here that it as never been looked upon by any of us as a burden, and we are only too sorry that things have taken the corse they have.  We know that your Father & Mother were doing what they thought was best for Janet, and not only what they thought best, but what they beleived to be their duty, and we have done all that money or Doctors could do, and in spite of all it seems the will of our Heavenly Father that your dear sister is not long for this earth unless something great & marvelious happens, for the Dear Girl is getting weaker & lower every day.

We called in another Dr. yesterday and he like the other three said there was no hopes for her.  Now my Dear Nephew, I do not want to make you feel bad in the least but do not be surprised if you should at any time get a letter telling you of her passing this mortality to immortality, and give thanks to our Heavenly Father for he doeth all things well.  We will have to look to him for strength to bear the trial, for I can truly say it is as great a trial for us to bear as though she was our own sweet Girl.

Now My Dear Boy it is not without prayers and tears that I am telling you these things, because myself and others of my family have tried to tell you but our harts have failed us.  The last letter that I wrote your Dear Father & Mother, I tried to tell them of the worst but I know I did not make it plain and do not blame us for not writing because the last month or six weeks we could not do it.  Now David I want you to tell your Father & Mother but for the love you bear them break the news gently.

Now in regard to some one coming out here I will leave that with you folks, because it is a long long ways, costs lots of money and as lots of dangers by sea & land, and this much I will promise you, that all shall be done for her that loveing hand can do.

Now I can’t tell you any more but we will all hope and pray for the best.

From your Uncle, Aunt, and the rest of the family,

Jos Dean

Oh, I may just state that the Doctors advise us to take her to the Hospital.  It may be best and if it is thought so we will take her but whichever way rest assured she will have good care.

Joseph Dean


[Typed from the original.  Spelling has been preserved, but some punctuation and paragraphing has been added to aid readability.  Original held in 2011 by RayDean Hill.]

Mary Jane Ingham's Naturalization

1888 Nov 6
Mary J. Dean's Declaration of Intention to become a citizen of the United States of America

1890 Jun 23
Mary Jane Dean's Declaration of Intention to become a citizen of the United States of America.

I don't know why there are two of these.

LDS Church Documents

1885 Jul 14
Joseph Dean's Seventies License

1922 Sep 18     Patriarchal blessing for Joseph Dean.  Due to the sacred nature of these blessings, it will not be posted online.  If you are a direct descendant of Joseph Dean and would like to receive a copy of this blessing, please contact me.

1927 Apr 28
Temple Recommend for Joseph Dean

Introduction / Purpose

My ancestors were real people!

This blog is a place to preserve and share information about the Joseph and Mary Jane (Ingham) Dean family -- documents, pictures, stories, and more.  Because all  families are inter-connected, there will also be information about the Deans' ancestors and descendants.

Many of the basic facts about family members (birth, marriage, and death dates and places, etc.) are available on FamilySearch.org's Family Tree.  Please visit that site for those kinds of details.  Joseph Dean's PID # is KWJ7-456 and Mary Jane Ingham's PID # is KWJC-HPV.  For ease of reference, I will refer to married women by their maiden names, even though several documents will list their married names.

Back in 2011 I tried setting up a website for this purpose, but found it too cumbersome.  I need a format where it will be easy to share, because I have SO MUCH to share about this family.  Hopefully the labels will make navigation easy enough for readers.

If you are related to the Deans, I'd love to hear from you.  I was named after my two grandfathers -- Ray and Dean, so for a long time I've been drawn to those who came before me.  (Just for fun, one of my sisters was named after our grandmothers -- Mary + Edith = Meredith!)

Please keeping checking back because I will continue to add updates.  Thanks!