FRANCOM, Mary Ann: Biography: Francom Family Genealogy

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FRANCOM, Mary Ann: Biography

Biography of Mary Ann Francom Selman. Written by daughter, Lillie May Selman Dean Maland. Copied 2 Apr 2006 by J.F.

Mary Ann Francom Selman, daughter of William and Amy Harding Francom, was born in Uitenhage, South Africa, on November 25, 1853. Her parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1848.

On April 18, 1865, she left South Africa with her mother and three brothers, John, Samuel and James, bound for the land of America. The voyage across the Atlantic was made in a sailing vessel called Mexicana, and it required six weeks to make the trip. They were fortunate in having good sailing, the ocean being quite calm all the way. There were forty Saints in the company, all of which were going to Utah. Miner G. Atwood was in charge of the Company.

They arrived in New York on June 18, 1865. Mary Ann was baptized in the Missouri River in July 1865 by Miner G. Atwood. A short time after this they arrived at Omaha, Nebraska. They were required to stay there fro some time as the company had to buy ox teams and other equipment suitable for making the journey across the plains.

The Company was finally ready and a start was made. After traveling for some days, they arrived at Laramie, Wyoming. Here camp was made, and after supper was over with and the cattle taken care of for the night, everyone but the night guards went to bed. In the night everyone was awakened by the Indians, who had rushed in on the camp. It seemed for a time that they were doomed to destruction. No one was harmed, however, but the cattle were scattered all over. It required a few hours the next morning for the men and boys to round up the cattle. The trip was resumed about 11:00 a.m.

While they were camped for dinner, a large band of Indians rushed in on them, whooping and yelling. One young mother was taken. An Indian came up quickly on his horse, threw a rope around her body, and drug her away. The woman was never heard of after, leaving her husband and small child. There were eight others wounded.

At times along the journey, herds of buffalo would be seen, and many times the immigrants’ cattle would be stampeded.

The first cold weather they experienced was at Sweet Water. Here May Ann saw snow for the first time. There was great rejoicing when they reached Immigration Canyon and they could look down upon Salt Lake City. This was late in the evening and the little flickering candle lights lead them to the end of their journey.

After staying in Salt Lake City for two days, her parents moved to a little town called Glenwood on November 22, 1865. On account of the Blackhawk War, they moved to Millville, Cache Valley. The next fall they moved to Payson, Utah. Here her parents made their home.

When Mary Ann was 16 ½ years old, she was married to Charles Selman, April 4, 1870. Later they went through the Old Endowment House in 1876. Through this union ten children were born: Mary Elizabeth, Lillie May, Clara Dora, Sylvia Charlotte, Charles William, George Lewellyn, Emorn Franklin, Delsel Giles, Harry Drexel, and Leonides Harding.

In 1901 her husband moved his family to Canada, settling at Raymond, assisting in pioneering this place, and enduring many hardships that always come in settling a new country.

Charley and Mary Ann were directors on the Raymond Fair Board many years. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary April 3, 1920 at the Raymond Opera House where their children assembled with one hundred invited guests for the happy occasion. They lived fifty-eight years together.

She writes: “It was in the Spring time that my lover came and I suppose it was love on first sight. We joined together in the Springtime, April 4, 1870. Since that time we have lived together in the sunshine, in the rain, sharing one another’s pleasures, on another’s pains. In 1920, I met with an accident which made me a cripple. I had to retire from public life. The saddest part of my life came when I had to part with my lover January 1, 1929.”

The following are brief bits from the funeral services of Sister Mary Ann Selman:

From the opening prayer given by Brother Clarence Allred:

“Our Heavenly Father, we present ourselves this day in this building according to appointment, to show our respects to this, our sister, who has departed this life, and we thank Thee, Heavenly Father, for the peaceful influence here, and that we can meet Thee here unmolested. We thank Thee for the life of this good woman, and that we have been permitted to know her and be her friend; and we realize, Heavenly Father, and know that we are a blessed people.

“We thank Thee again for the life of this woman, that she joined the Church early in life and embraced the gospel and migrated to this land, and that even in early days she was called to hold responsibility in the presidency of the first Relief Society organized here, and we remember her faithfulness in these early days when it was difficult to get about. We thank Thee for this woman who never complained and never tired of the work she was called to do. We thank Thee for her family left with us, and pray that they will cherish the wonderful birthright they have and that they may have the courage and strength to carry on.”

From the remarks of Brother Fairbanks:

“My Brothers and Sisters, we have met on this occasion to pay our last earthly respects to one of our departed sisters, a woman with whom I have been well acquainted from my early manhood. I remember her when they lived in Payson before they came to this land of Canada. It was there I became acquainted with her and I deem it an honor to be privileged to come and pay my respects to her by her own request.

“I have a short sketch of her life here that I will just read. Sister Mary Ann Selman was born in South Africa, November 25, 1853. She was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in her early womanhood, and left her home in company with her mother and 48 other converts in a ship going to the United States and which docked at New York. The boat left South Africa April 12, 1865 denoting that she was a girl of but 12 years. She came to Utah, crossing the plains with a wagon team, a journey of 1000 miles. Her father was a Mormon, a man of considerable means, so the family was fairly well equipped for the journey. They settle first in Cache Valley and later in Payson, Utah County, Utah.

“On April 4, 1870, she married Charles Selman, a noted character and a man of integrity, a native of England. From this union were born four girls and six boys, all living except George and Emron, both of whom were married at their demise. Of the ten children, nine married, and as a result the family number was increased to 37 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. The Selman family were pioneers of Raymond, coming here from Payson in the year 1901. Two of the boys have filled honorable missions, and one grandson is now preaching the gospel to the people of the world. The girls as Church workers are a credit to any community, offering their services when needed.

“Sister Selman, who had devoted her life to her family and friends, died September 18 at the mature age of 86, a fine woman, a worthy wife and mother. God bless her and may she rest in peace and come forth to glorify the resurrection by joining her husband, children and friends.”

From the remarks of Bishop Fawns:

“Brothers and Sisters, I too feel it an honor in being called on to speak on this occasion, having known the family as long as Brother Fairbanks. I went to school with the older children and attended the same parties, so I am well acquainted with them, not only when they lived in Payson but since we came to Canada, having come to Canada about the same time, so I am pleased to be here at this time.” (missing the rest)

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