Tovey History
(By Mrs. Daniel L. Tovey)
Grandmother Mary Williams Richards Tovey was born June 21, 1796 at Bedwellty
Parish, South Wales. Grandma Tovey was married twice. Her first husband was
Morgan Richards. There were four boys born to them: Morgan, Joseph, John and
Francis. Grandpa Richards having died, Grandma married George Tovey. Later he
died leaving her another son, Daniel Tovey.
Having been converted to the Mormon church, she and two of her sons, Francis
and Daniel, sailed for America and landed at New York May 13, 1859. They went
to Johnstown, Pennsylvania. There they lived for two years, where Francis and
Daniel worked in the coal mines and Grandmother ran a boarding house. In a
year's time they had saved enough money to send to Wales for Daniel's
sweetheart, Ann Evans. She came to America in June and was married to Daniel
on the 23rd of June, 1860. A short time afterwards, Francis died which left
Daniel the sole support of his wife and mother. But Grandmother, being strong
and of an independent nature, did her part in her support.
In 1861 they had saved enough money to continue their journey on to Utah.
Grandmother pushed a handcart most of the way across the plains. They remained
in Salt Lake City and Willard until 1868, when they came to Idaho and located
at Cherry Creek, where Grandmother homesteaded a farm. There she lived until
her death, January 31, 1886.
It would be well to say a little about her son, Daniel, who helped his mother
and built a rock house on her homestead. He also built four other rock houses
at Cherry Creek, which are landmarks at the present time, and will be for some
time to come. The homestead great grandmother entered is still in the family
and is being operated by Daniel Lynn Tovey, a great-grandson, at the present
time.
Grandfather Tovey was very musical. While he lived in Willard, he was the
choir leader. Older residents of Willard still talk about the good times they
used to have, when Dan Tovey was their choir leader.
Grandfather Tovey was the father of two daughters and four sons: Daniel,
George, Dave, Morgan, Margaret, and Mary Ann.
