Susan Hammond Ashby

In Marblehead, Massachusetts lived the family of Edward and Rebecca Flack Hammond. One of the children of this fine family was a daughter named Susan. This lovely lady grew to womanhood in the town of her birth. The ancestors of Susan had been among the earliest settlers of Maine. Her family had given to Susan a fine heritage.

Susan met and married Nathaniel Ashby on November 30, 1826 in Salem, Massachusetts and became parents of a large worthy family. They had eleven children: Benjamin Ashby, Susan Ann Ashby, Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby, Martha Ellen Ashby, Harriet Maria Ashby, Nathaniel Ashby Jr., Richard Hammond Ashby, William Hardin Ashby, Mary Jane Ashby, John Jefford Ashby and Emma Smith Ashby.

The Ashbys were converted to Mormonism by Elder Erastus Snow who was then laboring as a missionary in the Eastern States. The Ashby family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1843. During the early 1840's the Nauvoo Temple was being rushed to completion. The Ashby family gave generously of their substance toward this wonderful cause. Susan had woven two rugs, one with a wreath of roses and one with a basket of flowers. These, together with a beautiful Brussels carpet, went into the Nauvoo Temple.

When the great western exodus began the Nathaniel Ashby's were among that devoted band that started West. Soon
after leaving Nauvoo Nathaniel Ashby died September 23, 1846, three years after their youngest daughter was born on the plains near Bonaparte, Iowa.

The family of this good man continued on to Winter Quarters where they met Joseph Bates Noble and they were married Mar 3, 1847 at Winter Quarters. Susan and family remained in Winter Quarters during the Winter and Spring of 1847-48.

In June 1848 Susan and her children started West and traveled in Brigham Young Company to the Salt Lake Valley. On arrival they were met by Joseph B. Noble and taken into one of his homes in the North Fort. Here they were kindly received by Mary Noble and here the Ashby family lived for some time.

In Nov 9, 1849, a daughter named Louisa Adeline Noble was born to Susan and Joseph Bates Noble. This child grew to
womanhood and later married Rodney Badger of Salt Lake City.

In Feb 1851 when Mary Noble died, Susan Ashby Noble took into her home the three motherless children of Mary and gave to them loving care. But Susan was not to live long herself. She passed away May 16, 1851, in Salt Lake City.

The life of this good woman was an example of devotion and sacrifice to her family and to the Gospel she embraced.
(Susan and J. B. Noble were married for Time Only).

Her history is also on BIOGRAPHICAL WIKI

Note: When Susan died, they included her first husband, Nathaniel's name with her own on their gravestone in Salt Lake.

Note: Susan and Joseph Bates Noble were married for time only.