Both sides of our family--our ancestors-- are comprised of men and women of strength, faith and courage. They each have individual talents and abilities, are definitely human and have had a part in the formation of the Cordell and Patricia Nelson Fonnesbeck Family. We hope that each of you may see a piece of yourself in someone in the stories that are told and feel a connection with the family members that have gone before, and who we will be reunited with someday.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Marinda Allen - Midwife

Marinda Allen was born in Queens, New York on June 21st, 1838 daughter of Daniel R. and Eliza Martin Allen. She was a pioneer with the Daniel A. Miller/John W. Cooley Company in 1853.
She was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while still a child, and as a young girl, drove an ox team across the plains, caring for the animals herself, and performing other arduous pioneer work. She came to Utah in1851 and settled at West Jordan, where she spent the remainder of her life.
She married Samuel Bateman, November 27, 1852, and became the mother of thirteen children. When she married, all she and her husband owned was a bed without a tick, a bed stead, some wooden benches for chairs made by Samuel and $11.00 in cash. In her Patriarchal Blessing it says, "You shall dream dreams and see visions and understand the principles of celestial glory that you maybe counted worthy to enjoy Celestial happiness with thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers.”
About January 1, 1887 Marinda went to Salt Lake City and enrolled in a School of Obstetrics, under the direction of Doctor Maggie Shipp, graduating with honors on her birthday, June 21, 1887.
For many years Mrs. Bateman followed the profession of midwife and it is estimated by the family that she officiated at about 700 births. She was known far and wide, having gone into hundreds of homes at times of illness and trouble, and thousands hold the name of "Grandma" Bateman in affection and regard.  She was twice president of the West Jordan Relief Society, and was Stake Relief Society President in Jordan Stake for several years. Her death occurred March, 18, 1919.
In March 1873, Marinda got very sick, near to death, and received a blessing and was healed. Her husband had to live in underground hideouts because he was a polygamist. She was separated from him often and wrote in a letter to him, "I wish I had a peep stone and could see in it so I could peep at you once in a while, but I guess it is best as it is, for I expect I would do nothing else but peep." Marinda served a mission with her husband to Dixie, Washington County, Utah.  She died and was buried in West Jordan.

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