Upton/Tayler

Mary Taylor Upton and her husband William Upton (pgs.43-4) had been married less than a year when they joined the Martin Company on the ship, Horizon.  Mary had been a teacher and loved to work with children and probably taught while on the ship.  An interview with her great-grandson, J. D. Fretwell, who was raised on the stories of the Martin Handcart Company, revealed that she loved to play games like, “If I were going to Zion,” so she is depicted in the book (pgs. 43, 85, 96, 233-4) as being the originator and instigator of this game.  Wheeling (done to encourage the wheels over rocks)  as described on page 93 also came through J. D. Fretwell.   He knew so much about their trek that it was like interviewing an actual participant of the Martin Handcart Company.

Mary traveled with her parents, Joseph Taylor (44) and Harriet Sidwell Taylor (49).  Her Father died on October 8 after making the Last Crossing of the Platte River and her mother and husband died on October 9 (pg 270) after the snow came.  Jolene Allphin, in her book, Tell My Story Too (pg 217), also indicates that she gave birth and lost a child as well during the trek.  There are no dates indicated.  One source says that her husband William cared for her after the loss of the child.

Mary's feet froze and were black.  One of the rescuers, William Bert Simmons, took her unconscious body in his wagon and cared for her.  (Pgs. 326-7)  When they reached the Valley, he took her home and his wife, Amanda Simmons, skillfully cared for Mary’s legs and feet with a poultice of tar.  Amazingly Mary did not lose any toes.  When Mary had regained her strength and health, the Simmons who had previously veered away from polygamy welcomed Mary as a second wife.  They had five children.  When William died in 1866, Mary married Joseph Robinson.  They had four children.

Mary used her wonderful voice throughout her life and served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faithfully until the end of her days.