Mathew Ivory (b 1809)

Mathew Ivory

Birth: 13/16 July 1809 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death: 17 October 1885 in Beaver, Beaver County, Utah Territory, USA

3rd great-grandfather (my relation)

Family

Parents

Spouse & Children

Mary Susan Cox (unknown-unknown)
- Susan Cox Ivory (1831 - )
- Ann Deacon Ivory (1833-1923)
- Margaret Antron Ivory (1836 - )
- Richard Cox Ivory (1838 - )
- Mathew Hayes Ivory (1839-1930)
- Mary Cox Ivory (1843 - )
- Elizabeth Ivory (1844 - )
Mary Elizabeth Judith Beemus (1832-1870)
- George Washington Ivory (1855-1931)
- Reuben Norris Ivory (1857-1937)
- Linus Brigham Ivory (1857 - )
- Isaac Eneas Ivory (1860 - 1943)
- Martha Amelia Ivory (1862-1944)
- Mary Ann Ivory (1864-1941)
- Frederick Olsen Ivory (1866-1947)

Historical Overview

Mathew Ivory was born in July 1809 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He was born either the 13th or 16th, but there are conflicting records that state both dates. See below for more details.

He is the son of Mathew Ivory and Ann McNulty. Not much is known about Mathew's parents, but all of the research found on them thus far is found on each of their profile pages. Go check it out!

Mathew married Mary Susan Cox in September 1830 in Burlington County, New Jersey. Together they had seven children. Mathew joined the Mormon church in 1840, which made his wife Mary unhappy. Eventually Mathew left Mary and their children in New Jersey and he made his way west to meet up with the Mormons.

Mathew was one of the first Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley with their leader, Brigham Young. Mathew made at least one trip back east to help other Mormons make their way to the Salt Lake Valley.

Mathew later married Mary Elizabeth Judith Beemus in December 1854 in Fulton County, Illinois, likely while he was helping other Mormons make their way to the Utah territory area. Together Mathew and Mary (Beemus) had seven children. This made 14 total children for Mathew.

Mathew has left a legacy to many descendants. Read through Mathew's history in more detail below.

- Last updated 8 April 2018

Timeline

13/16 July 1809 - Birth

Mathew Ivory was born on either 13th or 16th of July 1809 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Mathew Ivory and Ann McNulty. Both of those dates appear in several different records, so the exact date is unknown. His birth date (16ht) comes from his Catholic baptismal record, whereas there are several sources that provide conflicting information. Below is a breakdown of the different records that provide the date of his birth, and which date they state.

13 July 1809

Family bible that Mathew supposedly brought with him across the plains with the Mormon pioneers (2)
Mormon patriarchal blessing (dated 3 April 1847) (4)
Various "histories" written by descendants

16 July 1809

Catholic baptismal register (1)
Conquerer's of the West, Volume 2 - a publication by the Son's of the Utah Pioneers (3)
Various "histories" written by descendants

12 July 1809 *

Headstone in Beaver, Beaver County, Utah

* This headstone is not Mathew's directly. This headstone was created many years after Mathew died. One of Mathew's daughters, Martha Amelia (Ivory) Hoopes' family had this headstone created and there are several other Hoopes individuals on it. I am confident this is not Mathew's actual birth date.

Though I do not have a definite answer as to his actual birth date, here is my analysis as to why I personally believe he was born on 16 July 1809, and not the 13th:

The earliest record of Mathew's birth is his Catholic baptismal record. His parents would have been the ones to provide the date to the church. Ann would have obviously been there at the time of the birth, and therefore could have provided that on the day of the baptism.

Yes, Mathew would have provided the 13th in his own family bible, as well as to the Mormon church for his patriarchal blessing, but it is possible Mathew was incorrect about his own birth. Mathew's father, Mathew, died in 1812 when Mathew would have been less than 3 years old. After Mathew's (Sr.) death, the family completely disappears for about another 14 years when Mathew (Jr.) married Mary Susan Cox. We also don't know where Ann (McNulty) was after about 1817. She very well could have died around that time, leaving Mathew and Isaac orphans (this has NOT been proven either way). Depending on Mathew's situation, education, and overall upbringing, he very well could have been mis-informed about his own birth.

In the end, I think it is safe to say that Mathew was born either the 13th or 16th of July in 1809. Although we may never know the exact date, We are fortunate enough to have the information about him that we do. - Last updated 8 April 2018

Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA

Sources:
(1) Old St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Register of Baptisms, Volume VI (January 1, 1809-January 8, 1823), p. 53, Mathew and Isaac Ivory, baptized 26 August 1810; digital image, “Philadelphia Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms,” Findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com), accessed March 2018.
(2) Personal Bible of Mathew Ivory, born 13 July 1809, copy of original Bible; photocopy obtained from George Kay Ivory, original last known in possession of Erma Field Martin of Wyoming.
(3) “Conquerors of the West, Vol. 2,” Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com), Mathew Ivory and family, accessed October 2011.
(4) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Patriarchal Blessing for Mathew Ivory, born 13 July 1809, blessing given on 3 April 1847 in Winter Quarters; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.

1810 Catholic baptismal record for Mathew Ivory.

26 August 1810 - Catholic Baptism

Mathew and his brother Isaac Ivory were both baptized into the Catholic Church on 26 August 1810. The ceremony took place at the Old St. Joseph's Church, located on Willings Alley.

Old St. Joseph's is the oldest Catholic church in Philadelphia, which was founded in 1733 by Fr. Joseph Greaton, and English Jesuit who came to Philadelphia from Maryland in 1729 to establish a mission. In 1759, the original chapel was replaced by a larger church.

The chapel Mathew and Isaac were baptized in was torn down and rebuilt in 1839, which is the present church today. - Last updated 14 April 2018

Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA

Source: Old St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Register of Baptisms, Volume VI (January 1, 1809-January 8, 1823), p. 53, Mathew and Isaac Ivory, baptized 26 August 1810; digital image, “Philadelphia Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms,” Findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com), accessed March 2018.

1817-1830

Between about 1817 and September 1830 when Mathew married Mary Susan Cox, Mathew's location and history remains a mystery. In March 1812, Mathew's father, Mathew Ivory (born 1765), died of typhus fever. Mathew and Isaac were both very young, leaving Ann a widow to raise them all by herself.

For the next several years Ann could be found in Philadelphia city directories, living just about a block away from where they likely lived when Mathew died. Ann is located in those directories up until 1817, and then she disappears. I have never found any record that verifies whether she remarried, moved from Philadelphia, or died. Since Mathew and Isaac were so young at the time, I have not been able to find them in any records either. - Last updated 14 April 2018

(possibly) Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA

1830 marriage for Mathew Ivory and Mary S. Cox.

30 September 1830 - Marriage to Mary Susan Cox

On 30 September 1830 Mathew Ivory married Mary Susan Cox in Burlington County, New Jersey. They were married by Mathew McHenry, a Justice of the Peace in the county.

We don't know how or exactly when Mathew and Mary met. There was that gap of about 13 years between 1817 and 1830 when we don't know Mathew's whereabouts; it is possible that Mathew and his brother and mother left Philadelphia, crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey and settled in Burlington County. Although this is a possible scenario, nothing has been verified and thus just remains a possible scenario. - Last updated 14 April 2018

Mary Susan Cox
(unknown-unknown)

Burlington County, New Jersey, USA

Source: Burlington County (New Jersey) County Clerk, Marriages, Volume C (1819-1836), p. 253, Mathew Ivory and Mary S. Cox, married 30 September 1830; FHL Microfilm 848873, Item 1.

26 August 1831 - Birth of Daughter, Susan Cox Ivory

Mathew and Mary's first child was Susan Cox Ivory, born 26 August 1831, likely in Burlington County, New Jersey.

Susan's birth date is known because of a family bible Mathew had, which he recorded each of his children's birth dates. See further down on this page to see the family bible. - Last updated 14 April 2018

(likely) Burlington County, New Jersey, USA

Susan Cox Ivory
(1831-unknown)

17 August 1833 - Birth of Daughter, Ann Deacon Ivory

Mathew and Mary's second child was Ann Deacon Ivory. She was born 17 August 1833, likely in Burlington County, New Jersey.

Ann's birth date is known because of a family bible Mathew had, which he recorded each of his children's birth dates. See further down on this page to see the family bible. - Last updated 14 April 2018

(likely) Burlington County, New Jersey, USA

Ann Deacon Ivory
(1833-1923)

21 February 1836 - Birth of Daughter, Margaret Antron Ivory

On 21 February 1836 Mathew and Mary's third child was born. Her name was Margaret Antron Ivory. She was likely born in Burlington County, New Jersey.

Margaret's birth date is known because of a family bible Mathew had, which he recorded each of his children's birth dates. See further down on this page to see the family bible. - Last updated 14 April 2018

(likely) Burlington County, New Jersey, USA

Margaret Antron Ivory
(1836-unknown)

16 January 1838 - Birth of Son, Richard Cox Ivory

Mathew and Mary's first son, Richard Cox Ivory, was born 16 January 1838, likely in Burlington County, New Jersey.

Richard's birth date is known because of a family bible Mathew had, which he recorded each of his children's birth dates. See further down on this page to see the family bible. - Last updated 14 April 2018

(likely) Burlington County, New Jersey, USA

Richard Cox Ivory
(1838-1920)

23 November 1839 - Birth of Son, Mathew Hayes Ivory

Mathew and Mary's second son, Mathew Hayes Ivory, was born 23 November 1839, likely in Burlington County, New Jersey

Mathew's birth date is known because of a family bible Mathew had, which he recorded each of his children's birth dates. See further down on this page to see the family bible. - Last updated 14 April 2018

(likely) Burlington County, New Jersey, USA

Richard Cox Ivory
(1838-1920)

1 February 1840 - Baptism (LDS)

According to several family accounts, Mathew searched for many years trying to find the "true" church. One of Mathew's daughters, Martha (Ivory) Hoopes, from his second marriage, said in one family history that the story of Mathew's searching for the "truth" first came by affiliating himself with the Presbyterian Church. Unable to find what he was looking for he turned from there to the Baptist Church. At the age of 25, still trying to find that which would satisfy him, he tried the Catholic Church again. Mathew was married to Mary Cox and has several children during this searching period of his life.

Sometime around 1840 Mathew came into contact with the Mormon Church. There are several histories written about Mathew by various people in the Ivory family, and all of them state that he was baptized into the Mormon (LDS) Church on 1 February 1840 by a man named Joseph Newton. I have tried to find a baptismal record, but have yet to find it. The location of Mathew's baptism is not known, so it is hard to track down a Mormon Branch to look for records. - Last updated 14 April 2018

Mathew's decision to join the Mormon Church caused problems with his wife. We find the following account in the journal of an early church member, Charles Sreeve Peterson:

In the spring, after leaving Mr. Wells, I went to work for a Mr. Powell, new Sreeveville, three miles above Mount Holly, New Jersey. My work was farm work in the summer and in the winter hauling fencing from the cedar swamps and wood and coal for fuel, and fertilizer for the land. This occupied my time from 4 oʼclock in the morning until after dark at night. I lived in a house on the farm, rent free, and received cow feed the year around and $13 per month. January 1, 1842, a son, Andrew was born. In the fall of this same year, while hauling coal, I met a man who lived near Burlington, New Jersey, who told me of a strange people whom he had just visited in Illinois. He had become converted to their faith. His name was Mathew Ivory. His rehearsal of the faith and Principles of their Church gave me peculiar feelings that I could not throw off my mind. I did not believe in any of the numerous sects, although my parents were members of the Methodist Church, and were I believe, honest in their convictions; but there was such a difference in the believe of the different sects in regard to the meaning of the writings in the Bible that I had become almost an infidel.

In a short time I passed Mr. Ivoryʼs again, and he came out from the field and commenced talking again. He said he had some pamphlets he wished me to read. I told him I would be pleased to read them. He said he would have them in the field when I returned with my load of coal. They were locked in his chest and he dared not let his wife see them or know where they were. She was so bitter against those people and their doctrines that she would have burned the pamphlets had she found them When I returned, Mr. Ivory had the pamphlets ready for me. They were headed “The Gospel Reflector” by Benjamin Winchester. I then learned for the first time that this strange and hated people were called Mormons or Latter-day Saints. I took the pamphlets home and in the evening read while my wife sewed. We were so interested that midnight was upon us before we were aware of it. From that day to the present, I have never doubted the truth of the Latter-day work.

I think it was in December I told Mr. Ivory to send the first Latter-day Saint elder he saw to my house, and he said there would be an elder up from Philadelphia in a few days. Accordingly, he sent Elder Joseph H. Newton to my house.

I engaged the schoolhouse in Sreeveville for him to preach in. He delivered two discourses and I told him we were ready and wanted to be baptized, and on the first Sunday in February, my wife and myself and Thomas Leary, a young man, were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a short time there was a branch of the Church organized with forty members, called the Sreeveville Branch.

(possible) New Jersey or Pennsylvania, USA

Sources:
(1) Various family stories and written histories
(2) “Membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-1848,” Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com), Matthew Hayes Ivory, born 13 July 1809, baptized 1 February 1840 by Joseph Newton, accessed April 2018.
(3) “Utah, Missionary Department Missionary Registers, 1860-1937,” FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org), Matthew Ivory, baptized 1 February 1840 by Jos Newton, accessed April 2018.

1840 census for Mathew Ivory (page 1)

1840 census for Mathew Ivory (page 2)

1840 (sometime after June 1) - Residence (U.S. Federal Census)

Mathew and his family were living in Burlington County, New Jersey, when the 1840 U.S. Federal Census was enumerated. The census began on 1 June 1840. The enumeration was to be completed in 9 months, but was later extended to 18 months. The exact date of enumeration for Mathew and his family is unknown.

Below is a detailed abstract of that census, breaking down each individual recorded. The U.S. Federal Census did not record all members of the household by name until 1850. Prior to that, it only recorded the head of household's name and tick marks for the rest of the individuals in the house, broken down by age groups.

All of Mathew and Mary's family was accounted for in the census, but there is one young boy who was recorded in the 5-9-year old age group that remains unknown. This person was not in Mathew's family bible, nor have I ever seen any other evidence of this person other than the 1840 census. It is likely that this person may have been a niece or nephew who may have been living in the household at the time. - Last updated 14 April 2018

If you would like a copy of this abstract, please contact me.

Burlington County, New Jersey, USA

Source: 1840 U.S. Federal Census, Town not stated, Burlington Township, Burlington County, Pennsylvania, p. 18, Line 5, Mathew Ivory household; digital image, “United States Census, 1840,” FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org), accessed July 2017.

8 May 1842 - Birth of Daughter, Mary Cox Ivory

Mary Cox Ivory, Mathew and Mary's sixth child was born 8 May 1842, most likely in Burlington County, New Jersey.

Mary's birth date is known because of a family bible Mathew had, which he recorded each of his children's birth dates. See further down on this page to see the family bible. - Last updated 14 April 2018

(likely) Burlington County, New Jersey, USA

Mary Cox Ivory
(1842-1936)

20 November 1844 - Birth of Daughter, Elizabeth Ivory

The last child recorded in Mathew's family bible is Elizabeth Ivory. She was born 20 November 1844, likely in Burlington County, New Jersey.

(likely) Burlington County, New Jersey, USA

Elizabeth Ivory
(1844-unknown)

1846/1847 (Winter) - Emigrated to Illinois

By the winter of 1846-47 it was necessary for Mathew to make a choice, with his wife demanding he give up his faith or leave. He made the great sacrifice of departing from his family and going west to join the Mormons who were then at Winter Quarters preparing for the great Exodus to the Rocky Mountains. He, along with a David Powell, after experiencing many hardships in the mid of winter, met John Brown who was traveling from Mississippi through St. Louis, Missouri with five Negro Slaves to join Brigham Young for the journey west. - Last updated 14 April 2018

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Disclaimer: All of the information on this site is according to my personal knowledge from conducting thorough research. There are many online trees and other information available online that may have more information than this site, but I do not add information to this site unless I have verified or discovered the information myself. Also, at any time I may change/update information on this site based on new evidence. If you have any questions about the information on this page or you are a distant cousin, let me know!