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Arthur Fowlke Marrott (1858-1901) and Selena Martha Stradling Marrott (1859-1945) – Pioneers of Orem, Utah, and St. Johns, Arizona

 File — Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS 8914

Content Description

This account of the lives of Arthur and Selena Marrott by Russel Backus draws on a family biography by their daughter, Harriet, while focusing on information from two pocket ledgers that were kept by Arthur. Among other things, Arthur's ledgers identify people in the community with whom the Marrotts cooperated as their farms were being developed on desert land in the area that is now Lindon and Orem, Utah. The paper tells about these settlers and illustrates the extent to which they relied on one another in an economy that was based on the trade of labor and goods rather than cash. Arthur's involvement in the development of irrigation canals and the sugar industry is addressed. Background information about the St. Johns, Arizona, settlement is provided along with an account of the Marrotts' three years of service there. Selena's trials and achievements as a widow raising twelve children are discussed, as well as her devotion to ward Relief Society service and temple work. Attachments to the paper include copies of Harriet's family biography (two versions) and Arthur Marrott’s two pocket ledgers.

Dates

  • 2016

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Arthur Fowlke Marrott (1858-1901) and Selena Martha Stradling Marrott (1859-1945) – Pioneers of Orem, Utah, and St. Johns, Arizona must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Commmittee.

Biographical / Historical

Russel Benson Backus is the grandson of Samuel Cordner (1876-1960), a businessman and farmer in Utah County at the beginning of the 20th century.

Russel Benson Backus was born to Elmer Eugene and Gertrude Violet Cordner Backus. He attended Utah State University in Logan, UT. Backus is involved in preserving the memory of his grandfather, Samuel Cordner, through donating his papers to the BYU HBLL Special Collections department.

Backus was raised in Utah and spent some time in Idaho but currently resides in Virginia.

Extent

1 folder (0.1 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Donated by the author in 2016.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Russel Benson Backus; September 2016.

Appraisal

Utah and Western American and LDS cultural, family, social, intellectual, and religious history (19th Century Mormon and Western Manuscripts collection development policy IV.a.i.1 and 4, November 2013)

Processing Information

Processed; Ryan K. Lee; 2016.

Title
Register of Arthur Fowlke Marrott (1858-1901) and Selena Martha Stradling Marrott (1859-1945) – Pioneers of Orem, Utah, and St. Johns, Arizona
Status
Completed
Author
Ryan K. Lee
Date
2016 September 15
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States