Mary (VALENTINE) SAWYER

Mary and Ben were married in Goshen, NY in April 1846.

In 1850, she, Ben and their 2 children (Libbie and Edgar) came West. His land was entirely frontier country. They spent the first winter with their neighbors, the Titus family. The men of the neighborhood cleared the land for crops the next Spring, and put up a cabin from the logs they cut. After prosperity came, he put up a fine brick house and furnished it in grand style.

Ruth remembers her grandma (Mary Valentine, Ben's wife) as a humble little lady but she had a very great influence on her family. Her boys worshipped her. She was very deaf in old age. The grandchildren and most adults could not make her hear us. Her daughter Libbie always sat next to her at the table or in family gatherings. In a low tone of voice, she would repeat the converstation and Grandma understood every word she said. She suffered in silence in her last sickness and no one realized how sick she was. At her death, her son Benjamin Franklin, wrote this poem:

MY MOTHER

Whose arm encircled me when small?
Whose foot was swift to save a fall?
Whose ear caught e'en the faintest call?
Whose eye saw my needs both one and all?
My Mother's.

Whose Hand didst ply for me in youth?
Whose tongue taught my lips to speak the truth?
Whose heart did it pain to hear an untruth?
Whose voice was gentle in giving reproof?
My Mother's.

Whose prayers were answered in later year?
And drove away all doubt and fear?
Whose life didst sow in many a tear?
The seed that grew my life to cheer?
My Mother's.

Whose form lies cold neath the casket's door?
Whose trials and tribulations are over?
Whose spirit has crossed to the other shore?
To be with Jesus forevermore?
My Mother's.

Sources: Dear Folks and hand-written notes by Clifford Sawyer