The First Lemuel and Laura Leavitt Continued

Submitted by Jane Osmond
Their time would be cut short by Betsy’s death in August, 1867.
Sometime within the two years following Betsy’s death, Lemuel married the widow, Mary M. Craig. She brought with her an additional five children from her previous marriage. After about four years, Mary died.
On November 17, 1873, Lemuel married a divorcee, Mary Ann Morgan-Adams. She had two sons from her previous marriage. She and Lemuel would add two more children at Santa Clara:
Lorenzo Calvin 16 Nov 1874
Lemuel Alfred 18 Dec 1877 (d. same day)
Mother Sarah Sturdevant Leavitt assisted in the birth of Lorenzo. (the female statue in Santa Clara is of Sarah Sturdevant Leavitt. She is buried here in Gunlock Cemetary). Lemuel and the older boys worked on the construction of the St. George Temple during the 70’s. In 1877, he was called as a Counselor to Bishop Edward Bunker in the creation of a "United Order" settlement on the Rio Virgin some 35 miles southwest of Santa Clara. It would be known as Bunkerville.
In 1881, Lemuel married the widow Rebecca Gibbons-Waite. He built her a home in Bunkerville. Three children would be born of their union:
Joseph 21 Dec 1882 (d.1/1/83)
Mary Ann 15 Dec 1884
Alonzo Rowell 6 Jan 1887
Mary Ann was nicknamed "Little Mary" as she "is said to have suffered from spinal meningitis." Her mother. Rebecca Gibbons-Waite, died on October 17,1895.
Lemuel Sr. and Mary Ann (Little Mary) spent their last years in Santa Clara under the care of Lorenzo and Susette, his wife. Lemuel died on October 13, 1916. His and Lorenzo’s homes abuted one another. However, shortly after Mary Ann’s death, on January 12, 1922, Lemuel’s house caught fire and burned to the ground. Lorenzo’s Original House is located at 1408 South Quail.
Lemuel’s name would assure descendents of their definitive connection to Lemuel Sturdevant. This genealogical consideration would form a pronounced effect upon his lineage, as would the final verse to his poem: "I’ve laid up no money nor honors of men. It matters but little to me what people may think or say. I’ve done the best I could in my own weak way."