Husband George Benjamin Wallace
Born: Feb 16, 1817 - Epsom, NH 28
Christened:
Died: Jan 30, 1900 - Granger, Salt Lake, UT
Buried:
Father: John Wallace
Mother: Mary True
Marriage: Jun 4, 1845 - Nauvoo, IL
Other Spouse: Mary Critchett McMurphy - Feb 13, 1840 - Northwood, NH 28
Other Spouse: Lydia Davis - Oct 12, 1852 - Salt Lake City, UT
Other Spouse: Martha Davis - Oct 15, 1852 - Salt Lake City, UT
Other Spouse: Hannah Davis - Oct 15, 1852 - Salt Lake City, UT
Wife Melissa Mandana King
Born: May 13, 1823 - Pomfret, VT
Christened:
Died: Jun 17, 1897
Buried:
Other Spouse: Howes Crowell
Children
1 F Mary Melissa Wallace
Born: Jan 8, 1847
Christened:
Died: Sep 27, 1847 - Salt Lake Valley, Utah
Buried:
2 M George Crowell Wallace
Born: Jun 12, 1848 - Salt Lake Valley, Utah
Christened:
Died: Aug 14, 1848 - Salt Lake Valley, Utah
Buried:
3 F Louisa King Wallace
Born: Sep 20, 1849
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
4 F Melissa King Wallace
Born: Oct 14, 1853
Christened:
Died: Jan 15, 1901
Buried:
5 M John King Wallace
Born: Feb 2, 1856
Christened:
Died: Mar 24, 1925
Buried:
6 M Howes Crowell Wallace
Born: Mar 7, 1860
Christened:
Died: May 27, 1943
Buried:
General Notes: Husband - George Benjamin Wallace
George was living in 1886 at Taylorsville, Salt Lake City, a Mormon with several wives. Left behind in Epsom, NH his first wife.
Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia
Volume 1
Biographies
Cannon, Angus Munn
Wallace, George Benjamin, president of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion from 1874 to 1876, was the son of John Wallace and Mary True, and was born Feb. 16, 1817, at Epsom, NH, Merrimack county. New Hampshire. Becoming a convert to "Mormonism," he was baptized and confirmed in December, 1842, by Elder Freeman Nickerson, and he was ordained a High Priest in Boston in July, 1844, by Brigham Young. In the spring of 1844 he was selected by the Prophet Joseph to electioneer in his interest as candidate for President of the United States. This was at a time when agitation over the slave question was being brought to the front as a national issue in the politics of the country. At this time Bro. Wallace was carrying on an extensive lumber business in Boston, employing hundreds of men. He emigrated to Nauvoo in 1844, soon after the Prophet's death. At that city he acted as undertaker during some of the most trying days experienced by the Saints there. He was also the first sexton who dug civilized graves in the valley of the Great Salt Lake. When the emigration, which followed the Pioneers to Great Salt Lake valley in the fall of 1847, was organized, Geo. B. Wallace was appointed a captain of fifty, which he led to the valley, arriving on the present site of Salt Lake City in September, of that year. He built one of the best and most commodious houses in the Old Fort, and the general authorities of the Church held many important council meetings at his residence. At a meeting of the First Presidency held at the house of Bro. Wallace, in the Old Fort, Feb. 12, 1849, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards were ordained Apostles. The more Permanent organization of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion and the ordaining of nearly all the first Bishops in Salt Lake City also took place in Elder Wallace's house, in February, 1849. When the first missionaries were called in Great Salt Lake valley to go to the nations of the earth, Elder Wallace was one of the number. He was called to Great Britain, and crossed the mountains and plains late in the fall of 1849, together with four of the Apostles, and many other Elders. He arrived in Liverpool, England, June 9, 1850, and labored in the British Isles about two years, most of the time as counselor to Franklin D. Richards in the presidency of the British Mission. "He returns to Zion," [p.292] wrote Elder Richards editorially, "with our blessing, and the blessing of thousands of Saints who have been instructed, strengthened and built up in their most holy faith, by his ministrations while on his late mission." Returning home from his mission, Elder Wallace sailed from Liverpool, March 20, 1852, and arrived in Salt Lake City in August following. After his return from this mission, Elder Wallace yielded obedience to the higher law of marriage and again took an active part in Pioneer labor in the sterile valley of the Great Salt Lake. As a member of the High Priests' quorum he participated in the ceremonies of laying the corner stones of the Salt Lake City Temple, and offered the dedicatory prayer at the laying of the northwest corner stone of that noted structure. In 1867, among others, he was instrumental in securing the organization of the Brighton Ward, on the west side of Jordan river, At the April conference, 1860, he was sustained as second counselor to President Daniel Spencer, of the Salt Lake Stake, and at the April conference in 1866 he was promoted to the position of first counselor. He acted in the latter position till May 9, 1874, when he was called to preside over the Stake, succeeding John W. Young in that office. He filled this position about two years. From 1877 to the time of his death, which occurred at his residence at Granger Jan. 30, 1900, he acted as president of the High Priests' quorum in the Salt Lake Stake of Zion.
Our Pioneer Heritage
Volume 9
The Heroic Pioneer
Worthy Pioneer
Emigrant's Guide
George Benjamin Wallace was born February 16, 1817, in Epsom, NH, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, the son of John Wallace and Mary True. They had a family of 12 children, 7 girls and 5 boys. His mother died when he was about eleven years of age. George worked hard and helped on the farm, and also learned the trade of carpentry. Later on, when John Wallace became ill, he requested George to remain at home offering him one-half of his possessions if he would help him manage the farm. His decision was in the negative, as he was planning marriage with a distant relative and a very different career. When he was twenty-three years old he married Mary C. McMurphy who was born April 27, 1818, at Boston, Massachusetts. This marriage was performed either the 13th or 14th of February, 1840, in Boston, where they resided for some time, George becoming a building contractor. They were affiliated with the First Baptist Church.
Mormonism was brought to the attention of George by Elder Freeman Nickerson and "after conversing with him for about fifteen minutes, I was convinced I was building upon a sandy foundation. I invited him to go home with me and we spent the time from about 10 a.m. until evening, conversing in the parlor. I was convinced he was a servant of the living God. I purchased the only Book of Mormon he had." George was baptized in December 1842 by Elder Nickerson.
The following is taken from the journal of George Benjamin Wallace:
March 5th, 1845. Church meeting. I laid before the Saints the necessity of gathering to Nauvoo immediately to help build the House of the Lord and to prepare for their endowments, stating to them that I had been called to go to Nauvoo by Elder Ezra Taft Benson, leaving my wife and children until I can return; stating to them that I had one dollar to assist me in getting there; stating to the Saints that if they thought it was the will of God that they should help me to obtain money to go with, for them to come forward and do so; and they immediately raised money to take me to Nauvoo, and I blessed them in the name of the Lord. I ordained Brother Rogers to preside over them and he was received by unanimous vote, after which I received a vote of thanks for my past services and a letter of recommendation by unanimous vote.
March 7th, Friday. Left New Bedford with family for Boston to start from there on the 11th in company with others.
March 18th, Monday. Saw my wife and the children aboard the cars for New Hampshire and bid them farewell. Oh! May the Angel of the Lord protect them.
April 8th, Tuesday morning. Arrived in Nauvoo, Illinois. In good health after four weeks in company with about forty Saints. The yearly Conference was in session.
May 24th, Saturday morning at Nauvoo. 6 o'clock. The apostles, bishops, elders and Saints of God of the last days gathered around the Temple to witness the last cornerstone placed on the southeast corner of the Temple by Brigham Young, president of the entire church. A band played two tunes, after which the stone was laid in place. Then they prayed to God to protect and deliver us from the hand of our enemies, that we might be permitted to finish the Temple and receive our endowments. The whole multitude shouted, 'Hosannah, Amen' until the Heavens, as it were, said Amen. Then the people dispersed to hallow the day. (End of journal.)
Later, George returned to Boston as a missionary for the Church. It is not known whether his wife, Mary, joined the Church. He endeavored to persuade her to return to Nauvoo with him but she and her people were now very bitter against the principles of the Church, particularly polygamy. They did not want her to have anything whatever to do with it. This condition culminated in a separation between them, after a marriage of four years. She took their three children, Emma A., James Barnay and Sarah Ellen and returned to her parents. George returned to Nauvoo saying, "I feel I have done my full duty toward my wife Mary, and toward my God." He could not deny the faith; he had joined the Church completely, but it was tremendously difficult for him to give up his family.
There was previously, under date of January 29, 1844, a political meeting held in Nauvoo, at which time Joseph Smith was nominated for the President of the United States and on the 17th of the following May, at a state convention held there, the nomination was sustained. Mr. Wallace compaigned for Joseph Smith and delivered a political speech in Faneuil Hall in Boston. He was ordained a high priest October 18, 1844, and was given a patriarchial blessing by John Smith April 10, 1845, in the Nauvoo Temple. He acted as undertaker during some of the terrifying times in Nauvoo.
While George Wallace was presiding elder of the Boston Branch of the Church, Howes Crowell and his wife, Melissa Mandana King Crowell, requested a recommend transferring their membership from Boston Branch to Nauvoo. Later, when George went to Nauvoo, he again met Melissa who was heartbroken with grief at the death of her husband and their two children. Their friendship ripened into love and they were married June 4, 1845, in Nauvoo. When the Saints were leaving this ill-fated city, the Wallaces fitted themselves out for the long journey west and left for Winter Quarters where they spent the winter of 1846-47. Their first child, Mary Melissa, was born January 8, 1847, and a few months later they started their trek to Utah.
George Benjamin Wallace was appointed captain over fifty in Abraham O. Smoot's company of one hundred, which was organized June 17, 1847, on the west bank of the Horn River. They arrived in Salt Lake Valley September 26, 1847, and camped in the Old Fort. Their baby girl, Mary Melissa, died September 27, 1847, the day after their arrival. She was buried on a hillside in the northeastern part of the Valley. George Crowell Wallace was born June 12, 1848, died August 14, 1848, and is also buried there. The little girl, Mary Melissa, was the first person buried in that area.
George and Melissa built a log cabin inside the Old Fort. In this cabin four persons were set apart and ordained apostles, in a meeting held by the First Presidency of the Church. They were Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards. On February 22, 1849, in this home, when the Valley was divided into two wards, bishops of Salt Lake Valley wards were ordained under the direction of President Young, with President Heber C. Kimball, the Twelve Apostles and others. The next day another meeting was held in this log cabin home and Reynolds Cahoon and George Wallace were set apart as counselors to John W. Young in the High Priests Quorum; and Daniel Spencer was set apart as president of Salt Lake Stake.
The corner of First North and Second West Street was chosen by George Wallace as his property. It was then thought that this would be the future business street. The Union Hotel was built on the opposite corner and John Squires built a barber shop on the Wallace corner. The hotel was eventually used for a first class school known as the Union Academy, and still later the building was used as a temporary headquarters for the University of Deseret, Deseret Hospital and finally as a warehouse for the Salt Lake Knitting Works. George built a one-room adobe house near the corner. The bricks were made from a mixture of red clay and fine gravel; the roof was covered with boards and the cracks filled with rags. After it was completed, he moved the little log room, their first home in the Old Fort, to their new homesite.
On September 20, 1849, another child was born to George and Melissa whom they named Louisa King. She was one month old when George was called as one of the first missionaries to be sent from Utah, leaving for Great Britain, October 18, 1849. He gave a neighbor a yoke of oxen and several acres of land to look after Melissa and her little girl and to furnish fuel and other meagre necessities. She was given a dress by Vilate, wife of Heber C. Kimball, who advised her to reverse the material to the other side and Melissa made a fine dress for herself. Melissa learned to do work she had never done before, such as milking cows, growing a garden, raising livestock, taking in boarders, sharing her little dwelling with another family in exchange for fuel. She had a great faith and an undaunted spirit. Before George left for his mission she was concerned about a timepiece as the only one they owned was a silver watch he had brought from Boston. She asked him what she would do if he took the watch. President Young said, "Brother Wallace, if you will leave that watch with your wife, I will promise you that you will come home with a gold one." This promise was fulfilled for he did come home with a gold watch and chain, a gift from the Saints while on his mission. Before he left Salt Lake City, a little elderly lady at the depot pressed his hand in 'God speed' and left enough money in it to pay his fare and a few cents over. The Lord blessed him so he was able to send a little money home to Melissa and was able to bring back a parasol for her, the only thing she requested from him in the way of a gift.
Mr. Wallace, highly respected and loved by the Saints, remained in Great Britain nearly three years as first counselor to President Franklin D. Richards. He had issued a small circular among the Saints and friends with whom he labored to help pay his expenses home, and as a result had a purse of $800 in cash, also many other presents given to him by the Saints. He boarded the steamer Canada for the trip home, leaving Liverpool March 20, 1852, arriving in Boston approximately May 31, 1852. He went directly to Epsom, NH, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, in an endeavor to see his estranged wife, Mary C. McMurphy. She was not at home and he was unable to locate her, so he reluctantly left Epsom, NH for his home in the Salt Lake Valley.
In obedience to the law of plural marriage, George Benjamin Wallace under date of October 15, 1852, married the three Davis sisters, Lydia, Hannah and Martha, whom he had converted to the Church when in England. The parents, Edward and Sarah Drabble Davis of London, Middlesex, England, were also baptized. Lydia Davis, born June 15, 1830, died March 8, 1869, Salt Lake City, Utah; Hannah Davis, born May 4, 1832, died February 5, 1896, Granger, Salt Lake County, Utah; Martha Davis, born January 9, 1836, died October 7, 1913, Salt Lake City.
Three or four more rooms were added to the original red brick room and the family increased at a rapid rate. For Melissa it was quite a period of adjustment. Years later, on one occasion, Mr. Wallace received complimentary tickets from a circus manager for himself and family. Imagine the look of dismay on the manager's face when he saw George, his four wives and twenty or more children march past him!
In 1860 Mr. Wallace was chosen to act as second counselor to President Daniel Spencer of the Salt Lake Stake. In 1866 he was first counselor, and in 1874 was called to preside over the Salt Lake Stake, which position he held for about two years. In 1867 he was instrumental, with others, in organizing Brighton Ward on the west side of Jordan River. In October 1869 he filled another mission to the Eastern States. He left home in a wagon, accompanied by Nathan Eldredge. This mission was short as he returned the following April. He had charge of the territorial farm located where the Fairgrounds now stand, receiving this appointment from President Brigham Young. From 1877 until his death in 1900 he was president of the High Priests Quorum in Salt Lake Stake.
In 1875 George homesteaded 120 acres of land in Granger, where his wife, Hannah, lived. Martha and her sister Lydia resided at the home located at 168 North 2nd West, Salt Lake City. Melissa lived there for awhile, until her son Howes built her a home on Second Avenue in Salt Lake. Mr. Wallace planted the first trees in the community of Granger and his first nursery business stood where West High School now stands.
During the years of hardship the large Wallace families experienced, George was loving, patient and kind. He never aspired to any public office, either ecclesiastical or civil. He was not particularly shy, but never put himself forward. If his services were required, he was always ready and willing to respond. The last twenty-five years of his life were spent on his homestead; most of his family were now married, leaving him almost free from worry. During his residence on the farm, raids were made on many known polygamists but he seemed unafraid, traveling back and forth from the city home to the farm, visiting his wives with utmost concern. He was arrested and imprisoned for a term.
George Benjamin Wallace died January 30, 1900, at his home in Granger, Salt Lake County, Utah. Funeral services were held in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, when high tribute was paid him. -Geneva Watson Graham
General Notes: Wife - Melissa Mandana King
From son, Howes Crowell Wallace-
Before Father arrived in Nauvoo, Brother Crowell and the two children born to him and my Mother had all died, so when Father came to Nauvoo he found Mrs Crowell, the young lady that he had met in Boston a few years previous, to be a widow, almost distracted with grief, and who was naturally very happy to see him at this particular time.
Although Father had not obtained a divorce from his wife Mary, he married the young widow, Mrs Crowell, June 4 1845, and immediately thereafter returned to his former home at Epsom and other parts and preached his adopted faith to his old acquaintances and others.
Husband Samuel King
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: William King
Mother: Sarah Palmer
Marriage:
Wife
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
1 F Elizabeth King
Born: Nov 29, 1702 - Greenland, NH
Christened:
Died: Dec 2, 1745
Buried:
Spouse: George Kenniston
Marr: Oct 9, 1725
Husband Thomas Wilson
Born:
Christened:
Died: Abt Oct 1702 - Wells, ME
Buried:
Marriage: Bef 1699
Wife Sarah King
Born:
Christened:
Died: 1755 - Greenland, NH
Buried:
Father: William King
Mother: Sarah Palmer
Other Spouse: John Keniston - Bef Jul 1706
Other Spouse: Charles Allen - Sep 16, 1735 - Greenland, NH
Children
1 F Sarah Wilson
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
2 M Samuel Wilson
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
3 F Joanna Wilson
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
General Notes: Wife - Sarah King
Probably the ___ Allen's wife from Greenland Church records, died 1755, Greenland, NH.
Charles Allen, son of Charles1, married on 16 Sep 1735 Sarah King, who died in
Greenland in 1755. See NEHGR, April 2000, vol 154. Sarah Allen's Deposition, p 148.
Husband William King
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Marriage:
Wife Sarah Palmer
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
1 F Sarah King
Born:
Christened:
Died: 1755 - Greenland, NH
Buried:
Spouse: Thomas Wilson
Marr: Bef 1699
Spouse: John Keniston
Marr: Bef Jul 1706
Spouse: Charles Allen
Marr: Sep 16, 1735 - Greenland, NH
2 M Samuel King
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Husband Doctor Robert Woodbury
Born: Aug 16, 1767 - Salem, NH
Christened:
Died: Jun 15, 1856 - Barrington, NH
Buried:
Marriage: Aug 30, 1789 - Barrington, NH
Wife Abiah Kingman
Born: Jan 13, 1761 - Barrington, NH
Christened:
Died: Nov 26, 1821 - Barrington, NH
Buried:
Children
1 F Mary Jane Woodbury
Born: Mar 8, 1804 - Barrington, NH
Christened:
Died: Jun 30, 1880 - Dover, NH
Buried: - Pine Hill Cemetery, Dover, NH
Spouse: Noah Martin
Marr: Oct 25, 1825 - Somersworth, NH
General Notes: Husband - Doctor Robert Woodbury
Husband Shadrach S. Marden
Born: Abt 1827 - Manchester, NH
Christened:
Died: May 11, 1896 - Weymouth, MA
Buried: - Fairmount Cemetery, Weymouth, MA
Father: Newell Marden
Mother: Mehitable S. Seavey
Marriage:
Wife Mary Jane Kingman
Born: Feb 12, 1832
Christened:
Died: Mar 29, 1901
Buried: - Fairmount Cemetery, Weymouth, MA
Children
1 M Atwood Lewis Marden
Born: 1863
Christened:
Died: Oct 2, 1869 - Weymouth, MA
Buried:
Husband William Randall
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Marriage:
Wife Patience Kinston
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
1 M Jeremiah W. Randall
Born: Feb 18, 1826 - Middleton, Strafford, NH
Christened:
Died: Jan 23, 1890 - Barnstead, NH
Buried: - Barnstead Parade Cemetery, Barnstead, NH
Spouse: Louisa Abigail Twombly
Husband Gardner Ladd
Born: Jul 29, 1916
Christened:
Died: Oct 23, 1996 - Brentwood, NH
Buried:
Father: John Everett Ladd
Mother: Lizzie Franc Fellows
Marriage: May 21, 1945
Wife Mildred Kirchner
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
1 M David Gardner Ladd
Born: Jan 10, 1947
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
2 F Catherine Franc Ladd
Born: Aug 13, 1951 - Exeter, NH
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
3 M Stephen James Ladd
Born: Jun 14, 1954 - Exeter, NH
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Husband Arthur Commodore Kirk
Born: May 21, 1877 - Wisconsin
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Marriage:
Wife Ora Frances Marden
Born: Jan 4, 1878 - Chichester, NH
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Nathan Marden
Mother: Sarah Jane Mehitable Seavey
Children
Husband George M. Kirk
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Marriage:
Wife Lucia Saltmarsh
Born: - Concord, NH
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
1 F Carrie G. Kirk
Born: 1876 - Alexandria, NH
Christened:
Died: Mar 3, 1937 - Kittery, ME
Buried: - New Rye Cemetery, Epsom, NH
Spouse: George H. Brown