Mary Groom Born: October 8, 1828 Married: Albert George Swainston, Sr. Died: April 26, 1902; Whitney, Franklin, Idaho Immigration Date: March 1882 on "Nevada"

George Swainston and Mary Groom

George Swainston was born Sept. 11, 1825 and Mary Groom was born Oct. 8, 1828. Both were born in England. They had a large family consisting of ten children. George worked hard to support this large family. He was foreman over the stables and fields to two farms and was loved by all who worked for him.

The missionaries visited their home many times teaching them the Gospel. Mary kept a welcome house for all missionaries, and they enjoyed her kindness and love. The family was all baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints while in England. Sarah and Mary Ann (daughters) were baptized May 28, 1878, by Elder Samuel Claridge. He took them to a pond and baptized them during the night so the people around them wouldn't know they had joined the Church.

This family loved the Church and wanted to come to America so they could worship the Lord as they wanted to. Being a large family they could not all come at America at the same time, so arrangements were made for George Jr., Ebenezer and Albert to come first. After they had been in America for some time, they sent for some of the rest of the family. It was quite a problem to decide who was to go, as Sarah was quite sickly at this time. Mary Ann being quite small for her age could go for half fare, so it was decided that father George, Mary Ann and Henry Lorenzo were to come next. They left for America in March 1882.

They all continued preparing to come to America. In June 1882, mother Mary, Sarah, now 17 years old, Heber and his wife, Rose, sailed for America on the ship "Nevada". They reached Ogden, Utah, on July 9, 1882.

Evidently the family moved to Whitney, Idaho. Albert (the son) is mentioned as farming with James Ramsbottom (son of Henry and Martha Ramsbottom). James and Albert also surveyed the Whitney canal together, using a spirit level and bench to determine the grade.

Many of the Swainstons are buried in the Whitney Cemetery.

This record was taken from the History of Sarah Ramsbottom (daughter of George and Mary) that was written by Lottie Jensen.

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