History of Rebecca Morgan Davis
Rebecca Morgan Davis was born January 30, 1828 in Llantrist Vandra, Glamorgan, South Wales. Her father Lewis Morgan was born in 1795 and died January 9, 1880 at Llantrist. Her mother Margaret Phillips was born 1801 in Breckenshire. She died January 24, 1867 at Llantrist Vandra. Both of her parents were buried in Llantrist Churchyard.
Rebecca Morgan was married to Richard Jenkins Davis of Rhondda Valley of Llantrist Vandra, on July 22, 1850. She was baptized and became a member of the Mormon Church in 1851. On February 5, 1853 they sailed from Liverpool on the ship Jersey for America. After being on the ship six weeks to the day, they landed at New Orleans. They went from New Orleans to St. Louis on the steam boat John Sioms. From St. Louis they went to Keopruk where they stayed six weeks then went to Council Bluffs. From this point they traveled with ox team across the plains and landed in Salt Lake City on October 10, 1853. They stayed here four days then they went to Sessions a settlement now called Bountiful, where they lived with Father Cyrel Call. In the spring of 1854 they moved to Willow Creek (Willard) where they lived until the time of Rebecca's death on April 5, 1896.
Along in the early 1860's Richard Davis married a plural wife named Phoebe Davis. In April 1865 he was called to go to Wales to do missionary work. When Richard left for his mission, Rebecca had eight children and Phoebe two. The two women and their families lived happily together. Rebecca was very handy with her needle and was also gifted in handling their farm. She also followed the mid-wife business until 1882, having never lost a case, with all of her home cares. This way Rebecca went out while Pheobe cared for the house and the children. Richard was gone a little more than three years. When he returned he found his family well but destitute. The two wives had lived in the same house and had gotten along in harmony. All had given their best efforts to obtain a well kept and peaceful home.
With all of their home cares Rebecca always found time for social and religious activities, taking an active part in musicals, dancing and singing in the early settlement. She was a member of the first Willard Choir led by John P. Woods. She was also a member of the first Relief Society, and in connection with Aunty Parish and Jane P. Owens, attended the gathering of wheat for the Association. Jane Owens, Rebecca, and their sons, William Owens and Richard Davis, made many trips driving a team with their mothers to gather this wheat. The wheat was first stored in bins, then it became full of weevil. The wheat was taken out, cleaned and disposed of and fresh wheat was then gathered and put in the new granary. After that, it was sent to large elevators and finally made into flour and sent to relieve the suffering during the World War.
Rebecca had eight children, of which only two were living at the time this history was written, Richard and Thomas. Her first child William was born in Wales and was among the first children to land in Willard. Rebecca did a great deal of good in her life. During her last two years, she suffered a great deal but she always clung to the great work of the Lord. Rebecca had five brothers and two sisters: Thomas, David, William, Hoak, Elias, Ann, and Barbara all of whom lived to mature of old age.