William Davidson and Robert Broadhead were the first persons to set a plow to the ground for agricultural purposes within the Heber Valley. The larger group,
who came from the Provo area in the spring of 1859, found these two men already at work. They and James Davis had come up previously by several days from Nephi.

William and his wife Mary Ellen and family spent the winter of 1859-60 in the old fort and remained in Heber City several years before moving on. William’s first
wife Christina died in 1856 in Cedar City. He married Mary Ellen Nish shortly thereafter. William served in the Utah Territorial Militia both in Heber City and
Cedar City. In 1861 William married two ladies, Mary Liddie Nish the sister of his wife Mary Ellen and Grace Menzies, both younger ladies. William lived in Cedar
City before coming to Heber Valley and returned there and then came back to Heber City during the 1860’s They left the valley never to return as residents
sometime before 1870.

William was born in Hurlet, Renfrewshire, Scotland on January 1, 1820. He was the son of William Davidson, a poor coal miner, and Agnus Macfarlane. In the
1841 census in Scotland, Willam, as a twenty year old youth was also listed as coal miner. The date of birth for William in the 1900 census is incorrect and
doesn’t match his age found in the previous censuses. Whoever supplied the information to the census taker must have been uninformed because the
information shows that he could neither speak, read, or write in English. There are those who can’t often recognize the English language as spoken in Scotland,
but William though not highly educated managed rudimentary diary entries and could communicate in English. His diary gives his birth as stated above. It differs
from what is in FamilySearch. He and Christina Eadie( Eddie on the marriage record) were married in Old Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland on February 26,
1842. In another diary entry William says that the date was in 1843. I believe that to be misstated. The marriage record is for 1842.

William in his diary often uses the phrase: “nothing much happened until” and then lists the birth of a child. William and Christina’s first four children born in
Scotland succumbed to early deaths, two in Scotland and two after coming to America. William said: “ Nothing extraordinary happened to us till I joined the
Latter-Day Saints. I was baptized by Andrew Wilson and confirmed by Matthew Cruthers and Alander Bard…… .After I joined the church I was very diligent to
save means to take us to the land of Zion.“ This was in 1845 and yet apparently the record keeping was inadequate for he was baptized by proxy in the Logan
Temple in 1920. The fact that he was sealed in the temple to each of his four wives would suggest that he was an official member of the church at the time of
these ordinances. He was also ordained a Seventy in 1856. There is no evidence that his membership in the church had subsequently been removed. These are
questions that we can’t determine with the current information.

William and Christina and the two children sailed from Glasgow, Scotland to Liverpool, England on February 12, 1848 and on February 20, they sailed aboard
the British bark Carnatic bound for New Orleans, Louisiana. For days the ship was tossed about in a very violent sea. When the ship’s captain was about to
give up and return the weather broke and the ship continued on uneventfully and reached New Orleans on April 19, 1848. Twenty days later the group of Saints
arrived in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They boarded the river boat Manieluke in New Orleans and paddled up the Mississippi to St. Louis and then on the Missouri
River to their final destination. William’s family was in Iowa for five months when William returned to Missouri to obtain work as a coal miner, his former occupation in Scotland. Three months later his family joined him in Missouri and his daughter Anna was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 7, 1849. She was the first of William’s children to survive to adulthood. Before leaving Missouri, William said that he had been a coal miner for eighteen years and he didn’t want to do that kind of work anymore. Apparently, he started working in the mines in Scotland when he was eleven-years-old.

“I left Geneviere Coal Diggings to come to the great Salt Lake. I came up the river called the Missouri in a steamboat called Pocahontas to Council Bluff, then
traveled by land to the Great Salt Lake…….I left Salt Lake and came to Provo City and while there I was ordained a Seventy by brother Joseph Young and
Pulsiver. In Provo my son William was born and my son James”. From Provo, William and family were sent to Cedar City in 1853. William’s son James died in
1854 and a daughter, Mary Christina was born. In 1856 William’s wife Christina died giving birth to a son, Thomas, who survived the birth and lived to adulthood.
He then married Mary Ellen Nish, the fourteen-year-old daughter of a recently arrived convert from the same vicinity in Scotland where William was from.
William with his family moved to Nephi from there he came to the Provo Valley in the early spring of 1859.

William had no dairy entries past 1856 and the only information about he and the rest of the family past that point is obtained from census information. The fact
that the 1890 census was destroyed in a fire leaves a large gap in our knowledge. The one exception is a short excerpt written by a granddaughter.
She said that he was a quiet man who rarely engaged in much conversation. He was a hard working, thrifty man who preferred to bury gold around his property
than to trust valuables around others. The two middle wives divorced William between 1866 and 1870 and they remarried and went their own way. Some of the children stayed with William and others went with their mothers. The relationships and the locations of family members are quite confusing. In 1870 William lived in Bear River City, Utah and was still with his wife Mary Liddie and family. His wife Grace Menzie lived nearby in Corrine, Utah. Marry Liddle was remarried by 1872. In the 1880 census William lived near Burley Idaho in Sublett, Cassia, Idaho with his son Deseret and near his son Thomas and also near his daughter Anna. His wife Grace lived in Corrine, Utah with her daughters Lillie, Lottie, and Robert. There is no further census data until 1900 where William is found living with his daughter Anna Hutchinson and near his son Thomas in Indian Valley, Idaho. His wife Grace is living with her twenty-two-year-old son Robert in Custer, Montana. William died on September 8, 1902 in Indian Valley, Adams, Idaho, USA and is buried there.

HEBER VALLEY HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Wives of William Davidson
Brief Life History of Christina
When Christina Eadie was born on 1 April 1826, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, her father, James Eadie, was 27 and her mother, Christina McLaren,
was 25. She married William Davidson on 26 February 1842, in Old Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. They were the parents of at least 3 sons
and 6 daughters. She lived in Utah, Utah, United States in 1850. She died on 4 December 1856, in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, United States, at the age of 30, and
was buried in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, United States. 

Brief Life History of Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen Nish (sometimes spelled as Neish) was born on 2 Aug 1842 in Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland and emigrated to the US during an unknown year
(probably 1854 or 1855). She was the daughter of Thomas Nish and Elizabeth Penman. Ellen was married initially to a William Davidson on 17 Jul 1861 in UT,
but was divorced in 1866 at Salt Lake City, UT. She married John Allen Lambson, a veteran of the Indian Wars, on 26 Oct 1869 in Springville, Utah County, UT. By
age 74, when she filed for a widow’s pension, based on John Allen Lambson’s service during the Indian Wars, her right leg had been amputated at the knee.
Elizabeth Penman Nish and her two daughters, Ellen and Mary, traveled westward in the Richard Ballantyne Company in 1855. 414 individuals and 46
wagons were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at Mormon Grove, Kansas (Near Atchison). They departed on July 1st and 2nd,
1855.

Brief Life History of Mary Liddle
When Mary Liddle Nish was born on 25 August 1844, in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, her father, Thomas Nish or Neish, was
51 and her mother, Elizabeth Wilson Penman, was 43. She married William Davidson about 1861, in Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 1
son and 3 daughters. She lived in Althouse, Josephine, Oregon, United States for about 20 years and Merlin, Josephine, Oregon, United States in 1920. She
died on 29 March 1920, in Cave Junction, Josephine, Oregon, United States, at the age of 75, and was buried in Laurel Cemetery, Cave Junction, Josephine,
Oregon, United States.

Brief Life History of Grace
Grace Menzies was born on November 10, 1836, in Little Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland, the daughter of Margaret and Robert. She married William Davidson
on July 27, 1861, in Salt Lake City, Utah. They had six children during their marriage. She died on November 28, 1920, in Salt Lake City, Utah, having lived a
long life of 84 years, and was buried there.

Children of William Davidson
Brief Life History of Christina
When Christina Davidson was born on 10 July 1843, in Old Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, her father, William Davidson, was 20
and her mother, Christina Eadie, was 17. She died on 25 December 1844, in her hometown, at the age of 1, and was buried in Scotland, United Kingdom.

Brief Life History of Agnes
When Agnes Davidson was born on 27 December 1844, in Old Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, her father, William Davidson, was 21
and her mother, Christina Eadie, was 18. She died on 20 December 1845, in her hometown, at the age of 0.

Brief Life History of Mary Steel
When Mary Steel Davidson was born on 30 April 1846, in Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, her father, William Davidson, was 22
and her mother, Christina Eadie, was 20. She died on 21 October 1849, in Missouri, United States, at the age of 3, and was buried in Missouri, United
States.

Brief Life History of Janet
When Janet Davidson was born on 8 September 1847, in Old Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, her father, William Davidson, was 24
and her mother, Christina Eadie, was 21. She died on 16 October 1849, in Missouri, United States, at the age of 2, and was buried in Missouri, United
States.

Brief Life History of Anna Isabelle
When Anna Isabelle Davidson was born on 7 September 1849, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, her father, William Davidson, was 26 and her mother,
Christina Eadie, was 23. She married Thomas Nish Hutchison on 16 November 1869, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. They were the parents of
at least 7 sons and 9 daughters. She lived in Sublett, Cassia, Idaho, United States in 1880 and Indian Valley, Adams, Idaho, United States in 1937. She died
on 5 August 1937, in Boise, Ada, Idaho, United States, at the age of 87, and was buried in Indian Valley Cemetery, Adams, Idaho, United States.

Brief Life History of William
When William Davidson was born on 20 June 1851, in Provo, Utah, Utah, United States, his father, William Davidson, was 27 and his mother, Christina Eadie, was
25. He lived in Belt, Cascade, Montana, United States in 1900 and School District 56, McCone, Montana, United States in 1910. He died on 12 December
1912, in Helena, Lewis and Clark, Montana, United States, at the age of 61, and was buried in Forest Vale Cemetery, Helena, Lewis and Clark, Montana, United
States.

Brief Life History of James
When James Davidson was born on 21 November 1853, in Provo, Utah, Utah, United States, his father, William Davidson, was 30 and his mother, Christina
Eadie, was 27. He died on 4 March 1854, in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, United States, at the age of 0.

Brief Life History of Mary Christina
When Mary Christina Davidson was born on 12 July 1854, in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, United States, her father, William Davidson, was 31 and her mother,
Christina Eadie, was 28. She married John Horn on 17 October 1870, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 5
sons and 3 daughters. She lived in Provo, Utah, Utah, United States in 1860. She died on 10 September 1884, in Sublett, Cassia, Idaho, United States, at the
age of 30, and was buried in Sublett, Cassia, Idaho, United States.

Brief Life History of Thomas John
When Thomas John Davidson was born on 4 December 1856, in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, United States, his father, William Davidson, was 33 and his mother,
Christina Eadie, was 30. He married Lovina Electa Snyder on 21 May 1876, in Park City, Summit, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 5 sons
and 5 daughters. He lived in Sublett, Cassia, Idaho, United States in 1880 and Election District 2 Burlington, Big Horn, Wyoming, United States in 1920. He died
on 7 August 1934, in Burlington, Big Horn, Wyoming, United States, at the age of 77, and was buried in Burlington Cemetery, Burlington, Big Horn, Wyoming,
United States.

Brief Life History of Robert N
When Robert N Davidson was born on 22 October 1857, in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, United States, his father, William Davidson, was 34 and his mother, Mary
Ellen Nish, was 15. He died on 4 December 1857, in his hometown, at the age of 0.

.Brief Life History of Mary Timpanogas
When Mary Timpanogas Davidson was born on 7 October 1858, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, her father, William Davidson, was 35 and her
mother, Mary Ellen Nish, was 16. She married George Henry Horn on 15 June 1876, in Corinne, Box Elder, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at
least 7 sons and 5 daughters. She lived in Indian Valley, Adams, Idaho, United States in 1900 and Union, Union, Oregon, United States in 1910. She died on 19
July 1929, in Gridley, Butte, California, United States, at the age of 70, and was buried in Gridley, Butte, California, United States.

Brief Life History of Elizabeth L
When Elizabeth L Davidson was born on 28 August 1859, in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, United States, her father, William Davidson, was 36 and her mother, Mary
Ellen Nish, was 17. She died on 28 August 1860, in her hometown, at the age of 1.

Brief Life History of Francis Dezerette
When Francis Dezerette Davidson was born in May 1863, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, William Davidson, was 39 and his
mother, Mary Ellen Nish, was 20. He married Georgina Thompson on 25 November 1899, in Miles City, Custer, Montana, United States. They were the
parents of at least 1 son. He lived in Reserve, Carbon, Montana, United States in 1910 and Powder River, Montana, United States in 1930. He died in 1931, in
Miles City, Custer, Montana, United States, at the age of 68, and was buried in Miles City, Custer, Montana, United States.

Brief Life History of Anna Belle
When Anna Belle Davidson was born on 30 November 1864, in Utah, United States, her father, William Davidson, was 41 and her mother, Mary Ellen Nish,
was 22. She died on 12 March 1866, in her hometown, at the age of 1.

Brief Life History of Elizabeth Euphany
When Elizabeth Euphany Davidson was born on 22 November 1862, in Utah, United States, her father, William Davidson, was 39 and her mother, Mary Liddle
Nish, was 18. She married Stephen Douglas Long in 1890. She lived in Chouteau, Montana, United States in 1910 and Althouse, Josephine, Oregon,
United States in 1920. She died on 18 September 1939, in South Dakota, United States, at the age of 76, and was buried in Pine Slope Cemetery, Belle Fourche,
Butte, South Dakota, United States.

Brief Life History of George
When George Davidson was born on 30 November 1864, in Utah, United States, his father, William Davidson, was 41 and his mother, Mary Liddle Nish, was 20.
He lived in Chouteau, Montana, United States in 1910 and Merlin, Josephine, Oregon, United States in 1920. He died on 17 January 1928, at the age of 63.

Brief Life History of Agnes Ellen
When Agnes Ellen Davidson was born on 7 November 1866, in Utah, United States, her father, William Davidson, was 43 and her mother, Mary Liddle Nish,
was 22. She married William Moses on 26 December 1884, in Deadwood, Lawrence, South Dakota, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 sons
and 1 daughter. She lived in Belle Fourche, Butte, Dakota Territory, United States in 1880 and Belle Fourche, Butte, South Dakota, United States in 1900. She died
on 19 January 1906, in Spearfish, Lawrence, South Dakota, United States, at the age of 39, and was buried in Belle Fourche, Butte, South Dakota, United States.

Brief Life History of Sarah Jane
When Sarah Jane Davidson was born on 4 September 1869, in Utah, United States, her father, William Davidson, was 46 and her mother, Mary Liddle Nish,
was 25. She married Daniel Preston Roberts on 15 June 1886, in Deadwood, Lawrence, South Dakota, United States. They were the parents of at least 1 son
and 3 daughters. She lived in Rapid City, Pennington, South Dakota, United States in 1930 and Belle Fourche, Butte, South Dakota, United States for about 5
years. She died on 26 August 1949, in Butte, South Dakota, United States, at the age of 79, and was buried in Pine Slope Cemetery, Belle Fourche, Butte, South
Dakota, United States.

Brief Life History of Nephi
When Nephi Davidson was born on 4 March 1862, in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, United States, his father, William Davidson, was 38 and his mother, Grace
Menzies, was 25. He died about 1862, at the age of 1.

Brief Life History of William James
When William James Davidson was born on 3 January 1864, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, William Davidson, was 40 and his
mother, Grace Menzies, was 27. He lived in Sublett, Cassia, Idaho, United States in 1880. He died on 18 March 1895, in Montana, United States, at the age of 31,
and was buried in Custer County Cemetery, Miles City, Custer, Montana, United States.

Brief Life History of Margaret Amanda
When Margaret Amanda Davidson was born on 3 October 1866, in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, United States, her father, William Davidson, was 43 and her mother,
Grace Menzies, was 29. She died about 1866, at the age of 1.

Brief Life History of Charlotte
When Charlotte Davidson was born on 21 March 1872, in Corinne, Box Elder, Utah, United States, her father, William Davidson, was 48 and her mother, Grace
Menzies, was 35. She married John Betz on 21 July 1891, in Miles City, Custer, Montana, United States. They were the parents of at least 1 son and 3
daughters. She lived in Custer, Montana, United States in 1900. She died in 1905, at the age of 33, and was buried in Glasgow Highland Cemetery, Glasgow,
Valley, Montana, United States.

Brief Life History of Lillie
When Lillie Davidson was born on 22 March 1872, in Corinne, Box Elder, Utah, United States, her father, William Davidson, was 48 and her mother, Grace
Menzies, was 35. She married James Allen Epperson on 26 January 1891, in Ogden, Weber, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and
1 daughter. She lived in Salt Lake, Utah, United States for about 40 years. She died on 19 April 1956, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, at the
age of 84, and was buried in Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Millcreek, Salt Lake, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Robert Newman
When Robert Newman Davidson was born on 14 July 1877, in Corinne, Box Elder, Utah, United States, his father, William Davidson, was 54 and his mother,
Grace Menzies, was 40. He married Ada Emogene Hutchins on 30 August 1911, in Ganges Township, Allegan, Michigan, United States. They were the parents of
at least 2 sons. He lived in Arlington, Virginia, United States for about 10 years and Alexandria, Virginia, United States in 1942. He died on 9 December 1948, in
Arlington, McDowell, Virginia, United States, at the age of 71, and was buried in Columbia Gardens Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, United States