LIFE SKETCH OF ANN HOSSACK MCGREGOR

     (Written by Sadie M. Mitchell, her daughter)

            Ann Hossack was born in Balfron, Stirlingshire, Scotland February 7, 1822.  She was the second child in a family of three.  Her parents were John Archibald McDonald Hossack and Agnes Gourley (Gurley) and were in only moderate circumstances.  Her father was a printer and Ann worked in a calico print factory during her girlhood days, along with many other young girls.  The wages were only small.

            The Mormon Elders were doing good work in Scotland, and she was not satisfied with the form of her own church.  It was very different from the teachings of the Elders.  She studied the Gospel and, through prayer, knew this was what she sought.  Her parents opposed this and sought to keep her from the Mormons.  But on December 28, 1841 she was married to William McGregor, son of Campbell and Jean Brown McGregor in Glasgow, Scotland.  That same year she was baptized into the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints).

            Then there were children born, two sons and two daughters.  The first boy died at birth and the 2nd one died very young before they left Scotland.  During these years, the opposition on both sides of the family caused trials that she bore with fortitude and with a smiling face.

            With her staunch faith, she would take her babe in her plaid (or shawl) and walk seven miles to the meeting of the Latter Day Saints, and after the meeting, would walk home, more cheerful than before going.  Then in the year 1845, the sad news came from America that the Prophet Joseph had been imprisoned.

            A gloom settled over the usually bright Highland Saints and it was a gloom that rested on their hearts.  One day, Ann had been working in her home when a knock came to the door of their modest home.  When she opened the door, there stood an old man, his hair white as snow, and a beard.  He asked for something to eat.  She was glad to help anyone in need.  She invited him in and gave him of what she had.  He did not seem inclined to talk, and she watched him carefully.  Something had impressed her very much.  Finally, he arose, thanked her and blessed her and left.  She started for the kitchen, but curiosity prompted her to know where he went.  To her surprise, when she went to the door he was nowhere to be seen.  She surely thought she had been visited by an unseen Prophet.  That day word came that the Prophet Joseph had been slain.

            Then again, the little family began to prepare to emigrate with the Saints.  The relatives interfered and with the savings of the month they still did not have enough means to pay their passage.  So they decided to leave the eldest child with the relatives until they could send for her, but they were ever praying that the Lord would open the way for them so they could bring all their children.

            William was then an officer in the police department and one night while he was on duty, he saw a woman and man in a quarrel.  He made haste toward them, and when they saw his light, they ran away and he found a purse lying on the ground where they had been.  When he opened it, there was just enough money to pay for his child to be taken with them.  Ann’s uncle was then Captain Smart of the police Department, and through his kindness, they were allowed to keep the money, for which they were very grateful and knew the Lord had heard their prayers.

            In the year of 1849, they crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel named the “James Pennell”, taking six weeks to get over.  They left Liverpool 2 September 1849 and arrived in New Orleans 22 October 1849.  They then traveled to Missouri, where they remained for a time.  Then they went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and on March 10, 1850 another son (James D.) was born. 

          During this time they were preparing to cross the Plains and William did all kinds of work and made candy to sell among other work.  After three years, they had made full preparations for the trip.  They had bought a wagon and a cow and an ox.  Ann, with her two little girls and the boy, only 2 ½ years, trudged happily along.  At night she would put them to sleep with a lullaby in Scottish.  The company they were with was the Captain David Woods company which left Council Bluffs on 6 June 1852.  They would tie the youngest to the bow of the wagon, and when their shoes were worn out, Ann would make them shoes from whatever they had.  Some of the time they were made from her dress and from burlap that they had to keep the feet from burning in the sand with the heat of the sun.

            As their provisions were low, the cow which was used for an ox was milked and the milk was divided among those who were needy.  Ann was always anxious for those who were ill.  Many had the cholera and needed the help, but there was no murmuring as she knew God was with his people.

            On a bright, sunny day in September, 1852, the family and the company arrived in the Valley to find only sagebrush and a few homes built; but she, with tear bedimmed eyes, thanked God and was happy.

            The first home the family visited was that of Brother William Cowans.  He then lived on Main Street, and the youngest boy, James, being only two years old, was given a piece of bread and molasses and he always said that was the first meal he remembered having eaten. 

For one year the family lived in the First Ward where Ann Maria was born on August 21, 1853.  The family moved to the Second Ward on the corner of 8^th South and 4^th East, where still stands the first and only home, being an adobe room and one lay room.  After four more children were born, the lay room was torn down and an addition of rock rooms was built, which still stands.

When Johnston’s Army came, the Saints moved to Payson and the family moved with them, but William remained as an officer to help guard the town.  In 1858 the return home was surely a blessing to Ann.

Then began the work for Ann in helping others.  She was the first Sunday School teacher of the Bible class for girls, all of whom loved her.  She was also a councilor to the first president of the Relief Society of the Second Ward, Mrs. Nicholas(?) Olsen in March, 1868.  In a few years, she was first councilor to Sarah Smith Wheeler, and was Secretary of the Wheat Fund until the wheat was placed in the General Storehouse, there being a goodly amount, several hundred bushels.

During the early years, she worked hard and at one time embroidered on a baby dress for a farmer who gave her 100 pounds of flour for it.  It had taken her six months to do the work, but the flour was $25.00 per hundred.  Calico was $1.00 per yard.

She was the mother of 10 children.  They are:

Infant Son-born 1842 and died at birth in Scotland             

Agnes-born 1843 in Scotland

Campbell-born 1845 in Scotland, died in Scotland             

Jane Matilda-born 1847 in Scotland

James Davis-born 1850 at Council Bluffs, IA                     

Ann Marie- born 1853 in Salt Lake

William-born 1855 in Salt Lake                                         

Isabelle-born 1858 in Salt Lake

Sarah Emily-born 1861 in Salt Lake                                  

Daniel Wells-born 1865 in Salt Lake

            To the day of her death, Ann bore testimony to the truth of the Gospel.  She knew Brigham Young, and when William took another wife, President Young gave him the recommend and said “Brother McGregor, never forsake your first wife, for she is truly a noble woman.  She was considered truly a mother in the Second Ward, and bore many wonderful testimonials and was always ready to care for the distressed.”

            Ann Hossack McGregor died the 4^th day of February. 1899 and was buried on the 7^th of February, which was her 77^th birthday.