MARY ELIZABETH THOMAS was born 30 May 1840, Nauvoo,Illinois to (NANCY MCCURDY and HYRUM KOYLE) and died 15 Sept 1880, Spanish Fork UT

MARY ELIZABETH KOYLE

Born May 30 1840
Died Sept. 15 1880

Mary Elizabeth Koyle, daughter of Nancy McCurdy and Hyrum Koyle, was born May 30, 1840 at Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois. Mary was baptized in 1848 in Pottawattamie by Isaac Morley.

Mary’s father Hyrum Koyle died 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois. Nancy was left with her daughter Mary age 2 and her son Hyrum age 1. Nancy then married James Woodward
Jan 30 1844 in Nauvoo.

Mary came west with her parents, Nancy McCurdy Koyle Woodward & step father James Woodward, stopping at Council Bluffs and Winter Quarters for a time before taking up their tedious journey across the plains. Mary was twelve years old when she arrived in Utah in 1852, in John B. Walker Company.

Mary had a vivid recollection of many of the drivings and burnings and mobings of the Saints. She remembered distinctly when the women and children fled to the corn fields for safety and also remembered crossing the streams in leaky boats.

At the age of 15 Mary Elizabeth married James Wylie Thomas, his age 21, on January 1, 1856 at Palmyra, Utah County, Utah in the fort. 17 Feb 1858 they went to Salt Lake and were married in the Endowment House
.
In 1866 the Black Hawk War broke out, James Wylie left home to take part and keep back the hostile Indians from destroying property and lives of our people.

James Wylie went on a mission to Mississippi leaving Mary Elizabeth with a large family of young children. She endured with patience the trial and cares that come to a mother of a large family of eleven children.

Mary was kind and charitable to the poor, often dividing her last bit of food with the needy. Mary was a good neighbor and friend and a loving mother and wife.

Mary died young, 15 Sept 1880 at the age of forty, giving her life to motherhood leaving her infant babe, David Hyrum to the care of the family.



Spanish Fork interment list shows "THOMAS, ALBERT W" owns 17 adjacent plots likely for family members.
THOMAS, JULIA A
THOMAS, GEORGE
THOMAS, MARY ELIZABETH
THOMAS, DAVID H
THOMAS, JAMES WYLIE
THOMAS, ROBINA MOFFAT
THOMAS, JAMES MADISON
THOMAS, JOHN A
THOMAS, JOHN A
HANSEN, HARRIETT E
THOMAS, PERRY ANDREW
THOMAS, MARY LAVINA FULLER
THOMAS, ALBERT W
THOMAS, JENNIE MAE OLSEN
COOK, DELORES THOMAS
THOMAS, ALBERT HOUGHTON
THOMAS, VERA HALES