On December 10th of 1854,the sea traveled ship, the Hellias, waited in the harbor at Liverpool, England to be loaded with immigrants bound for America. At length all those listed for passage had arrived and were aboard settling into their places amidst much bustle and the jargon of many tongues. On the morning of December 17th, after a long week, the vessel finally got underway. She was just well into the Irish Sea when the Captain discovered the ship was filling with water and ordered it back to port. It was already listing quite badly, but the crew managed to keep it on an even keel. Once inside the harbor, the Captain requested that all disembark taking with them only enough baggage for immediate use and the ship was sent to drydock for repair.

Among the many young people aboard the ship was a young Scotch lass by the name of Mary Ann McFarland who was twelve years of age. She had spent most of her childhood in Edinburg with her father's sister who begged her brother to leave the girl with her. At this point, Mary Ann hoped her father might change his mind and let her stay with her Aunt, but her father was firm and said that she must go with her family to the new land.

Mary Ann McFarland was born October 22, 1841 at Borland Fifeshire, Scotland. Her parents, William McFarland and Margaret McCormick McFarland became converts to Mormonism together with the older members of his family, including his aged mother Mary Blair McFarland who were all baptized in the sea at Dysart, Scotland.

The ship, The Charles Buck, at this time arrived from India and it was decided that all passengers would board it headed for America. It was miserably unprepared for such a journey with so many aboard. The winter barrels were coated with green moss and, after entering into a terrible storm which lasted in intensity for several weeks, the poor passengers had their food rationed until they were nearly starving. Wllliam McFarland tried to reason with the Captain that he must release more food, at least to the young people, but to no avail. After eleven weeks on the high seas, the ship docked at New Orleans. Many of the passengers were ill for want of food and were warned not to eat too much at first. Those who ignored this advice died as a result. Those who were able to travel by boat were taken up river to St. Louis where William McFarland was astonished to find a lowery waiting to take him and his family to the home of an old Scotch friend who was a prosperous merchant. He outfitted them with clothing, utensils and all they would need for the plains journey.

Mary Ann wrote in a diary how dreary the trek seemed seeing the charred remains of campfires marring the snow-covered ground from wagon trains which had preceded them but she looked forward to reaching Salt Lake City.

On January 1, 1861, Mary Ann was married to Hans D. Petterson. The couple had nine children who were reared in West Weber, excepting for little Oscar Theodore who died at two months of age. The children born of this union were: Margaret, Bengta, Hans, William, Peter, Mary, Archibald, Jeanette and Oscar.

Mary Ann had the first sewing machine in this area and people came from all around to view it.

The pioneer homes were lighted by homemade tallow candles manufactured from scraps of fat. Mary Ann's husband improved the lighting system in their home by bringing from Salt Lake City the first kerosene lamp ever owned in West Weber. Mary Ann had the first home in West Weber with board floors and panes of glass in the windows, (1861)

Mary Ann's husband was always thoughtful and kind to his family and other children. His own little girl had the first Christmas tree in the settlement. He never went away from home, even for a few days, but that he returned with some pleasant surprise for them. This characterized him to his family, even after they had grown to maturity.

Mary Ann was never physically strong, she was true to her faith and much loved by all who knew her. She died March 6, 1817.

Submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Wendell K. Petterson, Mr. Petterson is a grandson.

Source:

In The Bend Of The River

History Of West Weber 1859-1976