Emma Jeanette Wight, who later went by the nickname "Nettie", was born on the 16th of August, 1875 in Brigham City, Utah. Her father was polygamist Stephen Wight, and her mother was Stephen's second wife, Abigail Emma Pulsipher.
The Wight's next door neighbor in 1870 was farmer and Mormon apostle (and future president) Lorenzo Snow. Stephen's real estate value was listed at $200, or about $4,150 in purchasing power in 2021. Lorenzo's listing was $4,000 in real estate value along with $10,000 in personal estate value, or over $290,300 in purchasing power in 2021! The family listed after the Snows in the US census were the John Bates', whose estate value was listed at $100.
Just before Emma's 5th birthday, she was living with both of her father's families. Her 40 year old mother (who went by Emma) had 6 of her children living at home; 18 year old daughter Asenath, Wilford 15, Mary 13, Harriet (Hattie) 8, Emma 4, and 1 year old Phoebe.
Emma's half siblings at home were Sarah 21, Lucy 17, Charlotte 13, Marettie 8, and 5 year old Charles. Their mother was 46 year old Lucy, who would have been called "aunt Lucy" by Emma and her full brothers and sisters.
Emma kept a journal for a little over 2 years of her life before marrying. In her first known post, she recalled a social she attended when she was living with a cousin in Call's Fort (about 10 miles NE of Brigham City) when she was 19. Here is some of what she wrote, "The night was beautiful and we played out-door games during the first part of the evening, then were called in the house where the tables were spread with all the (delicacies) of the season such as icecream watermelons and apples and other eatables... followed by singing instrumental music, everyone seemed to enjoy his or herself."
Emma's other posts were a mixture of church activities, various places were she lived, expressions of loneliness, letters to and from her "friend" (future husband), family activities, and big events.
The church activities Emma wrote about included topics such as tithing, the "truthfulness" of plural marriage (even after the Mormon church publicly denounced it in 1890), having good character, and being careful when dating. One Sunday in February, 1896 the local tabernacle (church building) was on fire as Emma and her family approached to attend services. A furnace fire in the basement completely gutted the inside of the stone exterior structure. Although it wasn't insured and money was tight, just over a year later the building was completely restored for use.
Emma mentioned several trips during the 2 years she wrote. Most of them were with her mother and siblings to places in Utah and Idaho for visits. Her father was undoubtedly gone a lot, as she frequently mentioned being alone, or alone with her mother and siblings.
The Wights were particularly close to Emma's aunt Harriet (Abigail's sister) and uncle Ephraim Wight, who lived in Brigham City. Emma mentioned visiting Harriet's often. They attended wedding receptions that were held there after Harriet's children Lucinda and Henry were married. Food and singing accompanied by organ and guitar, were followed by wedding dances on both occasions. They also had Christmas dinner with Ephraim and Harriet's family in 1895.
Emma noted a letter that she received from her "friend" Frank May, who was living in Alberta, Canada in December of 1894. She added that she hadn't yet replied to him.
Her journal entry in June of 1895 reported the sad news that her 16 year old sister Phoebe died after being sick for some months. Speaking of Phoebe she commented "It was hard to part with her for she enjoyed life so much and was one bright star in our home... she was pure..."
Also, Emma was now living at "the saw mill" which was likely located in the mountains S.E. of Ogden, Utah, according to her account. She recorded that she went with her cousin "Clissy" to "get healthy." A group including Emma's uncle Ephraim, a carpenter by trade, and his son Marvin were working at the mill / camp. There were no other women at the camp, so Emma took over the cooking duties.
Loving nature as she did, Emma commented often about taking walks. She enjoyed taking them both by herself, and with her friends and family. In the same June 1895 post in her diary she wrote "We saw from there a pretty view of the timbers and while sitting on a large rock just as the evening star arose, I sang an old favorite song 'You'll Remember Me'."
During another walk in the woods, she carved her and her cousin's names on a quaking asp(en) tree.
In the afternoon of the 1st day of January, 1896, Emma was home alone while her mother and father were at a church "old folks" party. Her family had enjoyed a Christmas dinner at Harriet's. Emma also participated in a children's party and spent the evening at a "lively" ball. She expressed some disappointment, however, as she had been expecting a visit from her "friend from the North," who had to postpone out of necessity. She added that she hoped for a nice New Years, and was going for a night on the town, "to try and find the happy people."
More posts noted a January 1896 celebration for Utah's statehood, and a February fire that gutted the town's (church) tabernacle. Also, her cousin Lucinda mothered a baby girl and Henry went on a church mission to the Eastern States.
By May of the same year, she had received a letter from Frank (May). She used his actual name for the first time in her journal, instead of referring to him as her "friend." Frank had asked her to "make certain vows and keep them." An August 1896 entry recorded that she had wrote a letter to "F.M.," and that he hadn't been able to come that spring. She added that her 21st birthday had "passed quietly."
After a couple of cancelled visits from Frank and 2.5 long years, he finally came down from Canada and visited Emma during the 1st week of October. The couple went on a pleasant drive..........................
As an adult, Nettie was small in stature, gentle, and leaned toward the more cultural things in life. It was said that she had the sweetest disposition anyone could have, and that she never spoke ill of anyone.
Emma married Frank May on December 16, 1896. Just three weeks before Frank left on his Mormon mission to Canada.
Nettie had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She and husband Frank used to sing duets at church and community functions in the Beazer, Canada area, one of the songs being "Whispering Hope". Both she and Frank diligently served both church and community.
Emma returned to Box Elder County, Utah (her hometown area and husband's burial place) about 1.5 years after Frank's death. Her death certificate recorded the causes of death as "insanity and starvation because she refused to eat." She died on the 7th of April, 1925. Her attending physician in Baker City told the family that she had "melancholy".
Although her life had a sad ending, I choose to focus on Nettie's good nature, and her productive life.
Mitchell A. May
Great Grandson
Kennewick, WA
Updated 23 August, 2021
The Wight's next door neighbor in 1870 was farmer and Mormon apostle (and future president) Lorenzo Snow. Stephen's real estate value was listed at $200, or about $4,150 in purchasing power in 2021. Lorenzo's listing was $4,000 in real estate value along with $10,000 in personal estate value, or over $290,300 in purchasing power in 2021! The family listed after the Snows in the US census were the John Bates', whose estate value was listed at $100.
Just before Emma's 5th birthday, she was living with both of her father's families. Her 40 year old mother (who went by Emma) had 6 of her children living at home; 18 year old daughter Asenath, Wilford 15, Mary 13, Harriet (Hattie) 8, Emma 4, and 1 year old Phoebe.
Emma's half siblings at home were Sarah 21, Lucy 17, Charlotte 13, Marettie 8, and 5 year old Charles. Their mother was 46 year old Lucy, who would have been called "aunt Lucy" by Emma and her full brothers and sisters.
Emma kept a journal for a little over 2 years of her life before marrying. In her first known post, she recalled a social she attended when she was living with a cousin in Call's Fort (about 10 miles NE of Brigham City) when she was 19. Here is some of what she wrote, "The night was beautiful and we played out-door games during the first part of the evening, then were called in the house where the tables were spread with all the (delicacies) of the season such as icecream watermelons and apples and other eatables... followed by singing instrumental music, everyone seemed to enjoy his or herself."
Emma's other posts were a mixture of church activities, various places were she lived, expressions of loneliness, letters to and from her "friend" (future husband), family activities, and big events.
The church activities Emma wrote about included topics such as tithing, the "truthfulness" of plural marriage (even after the Mormon church publicly denounced it in 1890), having good character, and being careful when dating. One Sunday in February, 1896 the local tabernacle (church building) was on fire as Emma and her family approached to attend services. A furnace fire in the basement completely gutted the inside of the stone exterior structure. Although it wasn't insured and money was tight, just over a year later the building was completely restored for use.
Emma mentioned several trips during the 2 years she wrote. Most of them were with her mother and siblings to places in Utah and Idaho for visits. Her father was undoubtedly gone a lot, as she frequently mentioned being alone, or alone with her mother and siblings.
The Wights were particularly close to Emma's aunt Harriet (Abigail's sister) and uncle Ephraim Wight, who lived in Brigham City. Emma mentioned visiting Harriet's often. They attended wedding receptions that were held there after Harriet's children Lucinda and Henry were married. Food and singing accompanied by organ and guitar, were followed by wedding dances on both occasions. They also had Christmas dinner with Ephraim and Harriet's family in 1895.
Emma noted a letter that she received from her "friend" Frank May, who was living in Alberta, Canada in December of 1894. She added that she hadn't yet replied to him.
Her journal entry in June of 1895 reported the sad news that her 16 year old sister Phoebe died after being sick for some months. Speaking of Phoebe she commented "It was hard to part with her for she enjoyed life so much and was one bright star in our home... she was pure..."
Also, Emma was now living at "the saw mill" which was likely located in the mountains S.E. of Ogden, Utah, according to her account. She recorded that she went with her cousin "Clissy" to "get healthy." A group including Emma's uncle Ephraim, a carpenter by trade, and his son Marvin were working at the mill / camp. There were no other women at the camp, so Emma took over the cooking duties.
Loving nature as she did, Emma commented often about taking walks. She enjoyed taking them both by herself, and with her friends and family. In the same June 1895 post in her diary she wrote "We saw from there a pretty view of the timbers and while sitting on a large rock just as the evening star arose, I sang an old favorite song 'You'll Remember Me'."
During another walk in the woods, she carved her and her cousin's names on a quaking asp(en) tree.
In the afternoon of the 1st day of January, 1896, Emma was home alone while her mother and father were at a church "old folks" party. Her family had enjoyed a Christmas dinner at Harriet's. Emma also participated in a children's party and spent the evening at a "lively" ball. She expressed some disappointment, however, as she had been expecting a visit from her "friend from the North," who had to postpone out of necessity. She added that she hoped for a nice New Years, and was going for a night on the town, "to try and find the happy people."
More posts noted a January 1896 celebration for Utah's statehood, and a February fire that gutted the town's (church) tabernacle. Also, her cousin Lucinda mothered a baby girl and Henry went on a church mission to the Eastern States.
By May of the same year, she had received a letter from Frank (May). She used his actual name for the first time in her journal, instead of referring to him as her "friend." Frank had asked her to "make certain vows and keep them." An August 1896 entry recorded that she had wrote a letter to "F.M.," and that he hadn't been able to come that spring. She added that her 21st birthday had "passed quietly."
After a couple of cancelled visits from Frank and 2.5 long years, he finally came down from Canada and visited Emma during the 1st week of October. The couple went on a pleasant drive..........................
As an adult, Nettie was small in stature, gentle, and leaned toward the more cultural things in life. It was said that she had the sweetest disposition anyone could have, and that she never spoke ill of anyone.
Emma married Frank May on December 16, 1896. Just three weeks before Frank left on his Mormon mission to Canada.
Nettie had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She and husband Frank used to sing duets at church and community functions in the Beazer, Canada area, one of the songs being "Whispering Hope". Both she and Frank diligently served both church and community.
Emma returned to Box Elder County, Utah (her hometown area and husband's burial place) about 1.5 years after Frank's death. Her death certificate recorded the causes of death as "insanity and starvation because she refused to eat." She died on the 7th of April, 1925. Her attending physician in Baker City told the family that she had "melancholy".
Although her life had a sad ending, I choose to focus on Nettie's good nature, and her productive life.
Mitchell A. May
Great Grandson
Kennewick, WA
Updated 23 August, 2021
Emma Jeanette Wight, who later went by the nickname "Nettie", was born on the 16th of August, 1875 in Brigham City, Utah. Her father was polygamist Stephen Wight, and her mother was Stephen's second wife, Abigail Emma Pulsipher.
The Wight's next door neighbor in 1870 was farmer and Mormon apostle (and future president) Lorenzo Snow. Stephen's real estate value was listed at $200, or about $4,150 in purchasing power in 2021. Lorenzo's listing was $4,000 in real estate value along with $10,000 in personal estate value, or over $290,300 in purchasing power in 2021! The family listed after the Snows in the US census were the John Bates', whose estate value was listed at $100.
Just before Emma's 5th birthday, she was living with both of her father's families. Her 40 year old mother (who went by Emma) had 6 of her children living at home; 18 year old daughter Asenath, Wilford 15, Mary 13, Harriet (Hattie) 8, Emma 4, and 1 year old Phoebe.
Emma's half siblings at home were Sarah 21, Lucy 17, Charlotte 13, Marettie 8, and 5 year old Charles. Their mother was 46 year old Lucy, who would have been called "aunt Lucy" by Emma and her full brothers and sisters.
Emma kept a journal for a little over 2 years of her life before marrying. In her first known post, she recalled a social she attended when she was living with a cousin in Call's Fort (about 10 miles NE of Brigham City) when she was 19. Here is some of what she wrote, "The night was beautiful and we played out-door games during the first part of the evening, then were called in the house where the tables were spread with all the (delicacies) of the season such as icecream watermelons and apples and other eatables... followed by singing instrumental music, everyone seemed to enjoy his or herself."
Emma's other posts were a mixture of church activities, various places were she lived, expressions of loneliness, letters to and from her "friend" (future husband), family activities, and big events.
The church activities Emma wrote about included topics such as tithing, the "truthfulness" of plural marriage (even after the Mormon church publicly denounced it in 1890), having good character, and being careful when dating. One Sunday in February, 1896 the local tabernacle (church building) was on fire as Emma and her family approached to attend services. A furnace fire in the basement completely gutted the inside of the stone exterior structure. Although it wasn't insured and money was tight, just over a year later the building was completely restored for use.
Emma mentioned several trips during the 2 years she wrote. Most of them were with her mother and siblings to places in Utah and Idaho for visits. Her father was undoubtedly gone a lot, as she frequently mentioned being alone, or alone with her mother and siblings.
The Wights were particularly close to Emma's aunt Harriet (Abigail's sister) and uncle Ephraim Wight, who lived in Brigham City. Emma mentioned visiting Harriet's often. They attended wedding receptions that were held there after Harriet's children Lucinda and Henry were married. Food and singing accompanied by organ and guitar, were followed by wedding dances on both occasions. They also had Christmas dinner with Ephraim and Harriet's family in 1895.
Emma noted a letter that she received from her "friend" Frank May, who was living in Alberta, Canada in December of 1894. She added that she hadn't yet replied to him.
Her journal entry in June of 1895 reported the sad news that her 16 year old sister Phoebe died after being sick for some months. Speaking of Phoebe she commented "It was hard to part with her for she enjoyed life so much and was one bright star in our home... she was pure..."
Also, Emma was now living at "the saw mill" which was likely located in the mountains S.E. of Ogden, Utah, according to her account. She recorded that she went with her cousin "Clissy" to "get healthy." A group including Emma's uncle Ephraim, a carpenter by trade, and his son Marvin were working at the mill / camp. There were no other women at the camp, so Emma took over the cooking duties.
Loving nature as she did, Emma commented often about taking walks. She enjoyed taking them both by herself, and with her friends and family. In the same June 1895 post in her diary she wrote "We saw from there a pretty view of the timbers and while sitting on a large rock just as the evening star arose, I sang an old favorite song 'You'll Remember Me'."
During another walk in the woods, she carved her and her cousin's names on a quaking asp(en) tree.
In the afternoon of the 1st day of January, 1896, Emma was home alone while her mother and father were at a church "old folks" party. Her family had enjoyed a Christmas dinner at Harriet's. Emma also participated in a children's party and spent the evening at a "lively" ball. She expressed some disappointment, however, as she had been expecting a visit from her "friend from the North," who had to postpone out of necessity. She added that she hoped for a nice New Years, and was going for a night on the town, "to try and find the happy people."
More posts noted a January 1896 celebration for Utah's statehood, and a February fire that gutted the town's (church) tabernacle. Also, her cousin Lucinda mothered a baby girl and Henry went on a church mission to the Eastern States.
By May of the same year, she had received a letter from Frank (May). She used his actual name for the first time in her journal, instead of referring to him as her "friend." Frank had asked her to "make certain vows and keep them." An August 1896 entry recorded that she had wrote a letter to "F.M.," and that he hadn't been able to come that spring. She added that her 21st birthday had "passed quietly."
After a couple of cancelled visits from Frank and 2.5 long years, he finally came down from Canada and visited Emma during the 1st week of October. The couple went on a pleasant drive..........................
As an adult, Nettie was small in stature, gentle, and leaned toward the more cultural things in life. It was said that she had the sweetest disposition anyone could have, and that she never spoke ill of anyone.
Emma married Frank May on December 16, 1896. Just three weeks before Frank left on his Mormon mission to Canada.
Nettie had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She and husband Frank used to sing duets at church and community functions in the Beazer, Canada area, one of the songs being "Whispering Hope". Both she and Frank diligently served both church and community.
Emma returned to Box Elder County, Utah (her hometown area and husband's burial place) about 1.5 years after Frank's death. Her death certificate recorded the causes of death as "insanity and starvation because she refused to eat." She died on the 7th of April, 1925. Her attending physician in Baker City told the family that she had "melancholy".
Although her life had a sad ending, I choose to focus on Nettie's good nature, and her productive life.
Mitchell A. May
Great Grandson
Kennewick, WA
Updated 23 August, 2021
The Wight's next door neighbor in 1870 was farmer and Mormon apostle (and future president) Lorenzo Snow. Stephen's real estate value was listed at $200, or about $4,150 in purchasing power in 2021. Lorenzo's listing was $4,000 in real estate value along with $10,000 in personal estate value, or over $290,300 in purchasing power in 2021! The family listed after the Snows in the US census were the John Bates', whose estate value was listed at $100.
Just before Emma's 5th birthday, she was living with both of her father's families. Her 40 year old mother (who went by Emma) had 6 of her children living at home; 18 year old daughter Asenath, Wilford 15, Mary 13, Harriet (Hattie) 8, Emma 4, and 1 year old Phoebe.
Emma's half siblings at home were Sarah 21, Lucy 17, Charlotte 13, Marettie 8, and 5 year old Charles. Their mother was 46 year old Lucy, who would have been called "aunt Lucy" by Emma and her full brothers and sisters.
Emma kept a journal for a little over 2 years of her life before marrying. In her first known post, she recalled a social she attended when she was living with a cousin in Call's Fort (about 10 miles NE of Brigham City) when she was 19. Here is some of what she wrote, "The night was beautiful and we played out-door games during the first part of the evening, then were called in the house where the tables were spread with all the (delicacies) of the season such as icecream watermelons and apples and other eatables... followed by singing instrumental music, everyone seemed to enjoy his or herself."
Emma's other posts were a mixture of church activities, various places were she lived, expressions of loneliness, letters to and from her "friend" (future husband), family activities, and big events.
The church activities Emma wrote about included topics such as tithing, the "truthfulness" of plural marriage (even after the Mormon church publicly denounced it in 1890), having good character, and being careful when dating. One Sunday in February, 1896 the local tabernacle (church building) was on fire as Emma and her family approached to attend services. A furnace fire in the basement completely gutted the inside of the stone exterior structure. Although it wasn't insured and money was tight, just over a year later the building was completely restored for use.
Emma mentioned several trips during the 2 years she wrote. Most of them were with her mother and siblings to places in Utah and Idaho for visits. Her father was undoubtedly gone a lot, as she frequently mentioned being alone, or alone with her mother and siblings.
The Wights were particularly close to Emma's aunt Harriet (Abigail's sister) and uncle Ephraim Wight, who lived in Brigham City. Emma mentioned visiting Harriet's often. They attended wedding receptions that were held there after Harriet's children Lucinda and Henry were married. Food and singing accompanied by organ and guitar, were followed by wedding dances on both occasions. They also had Christmas dinner with Ephraim and Harriet's family in 1895.
Emma noted a letter that she received from her "friend" Frank May, who was living in Alberta, Canada in December of 1894. She added that she hadn't yet replied to him.
Her journal entry in June of 1895 reported the sad news that her 16 year old sister Phoebe died after being sick for some months. Speaking of Phoebe she commented "It was hard to part with her for she enjoyed life so much and was one bright star in our home... she was pure..."
Also, Emma was now living at "the saw mill" which was likely located in the mountains S.E. of Ogden, Utah, according to her account. She recorded that she went with her cousin "Clissy" to "get healthy." A group including Emma's uncle Ephraim, a carpenter by trade, and his son Marvin were working at the mill / camp. There were no other women at the camp, so Emma took over the cooking duties.
Loving nature as she did, Emma commented often about taking walks. She enjoyed taking them both by herself, and with her friends and family. In the same June 1895 post in her diary she wrote "We saw from there a pretty view of the timbers and while sitting on a large rock just as the evening star arose, I sang an old favorite song 'You'll Remember Me'."
During another walk in the woods, she carved her and her cousin's names on a quaking asp(en) tree.
In the afternoon of the 1st day of January, 1896, Emma was home alone while her mother and father were at a church "old folks" party. Her family had enjoyed a Christmas dinner at Harriet's. Emma also participated in a children's party and spent the evening at a "lively" ball. She expressed some disappointment, however, as she had been expecting a visit from her "friend from the North," who had to postpone out of necessity. She added that she hoped for a nice New Years, and was going for a night on the town, "to try and find the happy people."
More posts noted a January 1896 celebration for Utah's statehood, and a February fire that gutted the town's (church) tabernacle. Also, her cousin Lucinda mothered a baby girl and Henry went on a church mission to the Eastern States.
By May of the same year, she had received a letter from Frank (May). She used his actual name for the first time in her journal, instead of referring to him as her "friend." Frank had asked her to "make certain vows and keep them." An August 1896 entry recorded that she had wrote a letter to "F.M.," and that he hadn't been able to come that spring. She added that her 21st birthday had "passed quietly."
After a couple of cancelled visits from Frank and 2.5 long years, he finally came down from Canada and visited Emma during the 1st week of October. The couple went on a pleasant drive..........................
As an adult, Nettie was small in stature, gentle, and leaned toward the more cultural things in life. It was said that she had the sweetest disposition anyone could have, and that she never spoke ill of anyone.
Emma married Frank May on December 16, 1896. Just three weeks before Frank left on his Mormon mission to Canada.
Nettie had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She and husband Frank used to sing duets at church and community functions in the Beazer, Canada area, one of the songs being "Whispering Hope". Both she and Frank diligently served both church and community.
Emma returned to Box Elder County, Utah (her hometown area and husband's burial place) about 1.5 years after Frank's death. Her death certificate recorded the causes of death as "insanity and starvation because she refused to eat." She died on the 7th of April, 1925. Her attending physician in Baker City told the family that she had "melancholy".
Although her life had a sad ending, I choose to focus on Nettie's good nature, and her productive life.
Mitchell A. May
Great Grandson
Kennewick, WA
Updated 23 August, 2021
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