John and Ann Bunney
Information comes from Mrs. W Louis Perkins in the History of Bear Lake Pioneers. This story has been condensed from the original.
John Bunney was born 15 Oct 1827 in Cornwall England, one of eight children born to John Bunney and Grace White. After completing the required years of school, he went to work in the lead mines. Ann Mallett was born 5 May 1830 in Liscard, England, of of seven children. John and Ann were married 1 Jan 1851 in Liscard and lived there for 3 years. In 1854 they met the missionaries from the LDS Church and were baptized. They left England sailing on the Samuel Curling arriving in Boston 23 May 1856.
From there they traveled by cattle cars to Council Bluffs Iowa arriving in Salt Lake Valley in Sep 1856. President Brigham Young with many others, was there to welcome them. They must have presented a pitiful sight because President Young wept when he saw them. They following day they went north to Bountiful and John worked in the fields while Ann did domestic work. They were forced to leave their home when the news of Johnston's Army reached the valley.
In the fall of 1863, the family was called by President Young to aid in the colonization of Bear Lake Valley. They arrived in Paris in November and spent the winter there. The next spring they crossed the valley and assisted in the settlement of the town that was to become Montpelier. They spent the remainder of their lives in Montpelier.
Children of John Bunney and Ann Mallett
1. John Francis Bunney b-29 June 1858 in
Pleasant Grove; d-1 Mary 1874 in Bear Lake
2. Ann Maria Bunney b-21 Apr 1862 in Bountiful Utah; d-17 Dec 1948 in
Montpelier; m-Perkins
John was very interested in music and musical events and was the leader of the choir and possessed a very fine tenor voice. He was blessed with good health to within a week of his death. He died 21 June 1913. Ann held teaching and executive positions in the Relief Society and the Primary for many years. She presided over a ward Primary for over twenty years. Her life was one of usefulness and she spent a great deal of time caring for the sick. She died 1 May 1920.