Sketch of the Life of Mary Leonore Morley Hansen
By her Daughter Lucy Cordelia Hansen Nielsen
Daniel and Mary Blakeslee Finch are the parents of a noted character. Hannah Blakeslee Finch was a pioneer indeed, born on 19 Mar 1811 at Waterbury, New Haven, Connecticut. Only two sisters listed: Mary Ann and Rosetta Finch.
At the age of 20, she married Edwin Parker Merriam on 6 Nov 1831 in Watertown, Linchfield, Connecticut. Through this union three sons were born: Amasa Edwin, Joseph Newel, and George Francis. The second died in infancy. The third died in infancy also, just 15 days before his father passed away. The eldest Amasa grew to manhood, crossed the plains westward with his mother in 1848. He was a mail carrier between Salt Lake City, Utah and San Bernardino, California.
About 1864, he went to the Missouri River for merchandise and to assist the pioneers. Through cold and exposure he became partially paralyzed. He took active part in church and civic affairs. He married Olive D. Lytle and reared a family of nine children.
Hannah Blakeslee Finch Merriam became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and married Isaac Morley Sr. in 1844. Three children were born to them, Joseph Lamoni, Simon Thomas, and Mary Leonore Morley. The eldest died on 18 Oct 1846 in infancy and was buried on the banks of the Missouri River while the mobs were burning the home behind them. The second born in Salt Lake City on 13 Jun 1849. While still an infant, he passed through a startling experience.
Chief Walker and his braves were on the warpath. They threatened to burn the homes of the colonists in the new settlement of Manti, Utah. President Morley tried to make peace, but was accosted by Chief Walker and demanded custody of the child to test the sincerity and honesty of President Morley and the colonists toward the Reds. Regardless of protest from the parents, the Chief carried the child to his wigwam while the frenzied mother paced the floor all night. Morning came and with it came Chief Walter and the child. Contrary to the Chief's custom the baby was spared and the the town saved. The child died in his sixth year.
The third child, Mary Leonore Morley, was born on 26 Mar 1852 at Manti, Sanpete, Utah. Her education was such as the early pioneer schools afforded. She learned to be thrifty and her mother taught her spinning, carding of wool, weaving, knitting, and sewing. She was an excellent seamstress.
Her sweet soprano voice made her prominent in the community and among friends. She danced the "Highland Fling" with Marie Wingate at a celebration when Brigham Young visited their community.
When still a child, she witnessed Johnstons army marching through the streets of Salt Lake City and saw piles of straw to be burned to destroy the city if the soldiers broke their compromise.
She married Hans Christian Hansen on 3 Jan 1870 in Salt Lake City, Utah by Daniel H. Wells. She is the mother of 11 children, five sons and six daughters, four died in infancy, two died on the third and fourth of July 1883 and were buried in one grave.
Father and Mother witnessed the dedication of the Manti Temple and heard the singing of the "Heavenly Choir" as many others did.