Mary Cruse Born: December 1, 1812; Of Whyfield, Boxford, Berkshire, England Married: Thomas Tanner (1807) Died: October 11, 1851; St. Louis, Missouri Immigration Date:

Mary Cruse was born in 1809 at Whyfield, Berkshire, England. She was married to Thomas Tanner Sr. in 1831 in Newbury, Berkshire, England. It was a church wedding and they embarked upon a life full of work, joys, sacrifice and sorrows. They made their home in Newbury and here Thomas was born, August 1, 1831, their first child. They found the gospel here and were baptized in 1843. They were very enthusiastic about the gospel. Thomas baptized many of his neighbors and friends. The Woodburn Green Branch of the London Conference was established in the fall of 1843, with 11 members present. Thomas was chosen to preside over it as the presiding elder. He hadn't filled this position long when the spirit of gathering filled their breasts and they longed to come to Zion. They weren't financially able to make the trip, but a very tempting offer came from Thomas Howard, one of Thomas' counselors, who was emigrating as far as Winter Quarters with his family. Thomas Howard generously offered to share his money. They gathered what things they needed and embarked upon the ship "Olympus" which was bound for New Orleans on March 4, 1851.

They had eight children, Thomas, James Mumford, William, George, Ebenezer, Joseph, Alma, and a little girl, Mary, who died at birth. When they were well on their way the Howards discovered they had only enough money for themselves to make the trip, so it was with much hardship that the six weeks on the ship were endured. Mary was pregnant with their ninth child and Thomas spent most of his time helping take care of the mules and animals for their passage. They had to stay in New Orleans long enough to earn money to make the trip by boat up the Mississippi to St. Louis, Missouri. In St. Louis, they made a temporary home, but the trials and hardships of the trip, together with the arduous task of taking care of her large family was too much for Mary. Her baby was born September 24 and died on the 30th, and she, Mary, died on October 11, 1851. She never reached the Valley, but she stood by her husband, cared for her family to the end. Who was to say she was not a pioneer, for she gave her all for the gospel and those she loved.

From this union came grandfather and the heirs of many other large and honorable families. Thomas remained in St. Louis until 1853 and found another wife, Ann Newman. This good woman shouldered the burdens of Mary's large family and immigrated to Utah by ox team.

They received their endowments in the old Endowment House in the fall of 1860. Both wives were sealed to Thomas by Brigham Young. They made their home in Tooele, Utah.

Ann was the mother of Valison, Moroni, Jemima Mumford, and Allen.

This history was copied from the Book of Remembrance of H. Floyd Tanner, a great grandson of Thomas Tanner, through his son, Allen Newman Tanner and Mary Emily Barlow.