William Stiff NEVILLE
Concerning William Stiff and Ann Neville's intentions to marry. William
Stiff and Ann Neville were betrothed and their Banns read at this time.
The traveling Vicar or Rector came around very seldom, but a Bann read and
posted and approved was a valid marriage.
One child, William, was born before the marriage was solomenized, which
was the approved thing at that time.
After they (William Stiff and wife Rachael Jennings)joined the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,and made plans to emmigrate to the USA, their
records were questioned and William Stiff was required to register as William
Neville, his mother's maiden name.
Grandfather Stiff didn't ever, till his dying day accept Neville as his
surname. He died a Stiff and you will find many people named Stiff in
Woodruff,Utah. -Sigrid Neville Crandall, August 1990, Salt Lake City, Utah,
at the home of Tommie Neville Olson Pryde and William Pryde at a Neville family
reunion.
Joseph Hyrum Neville was a bricklayer, plasterer, surveyer of the town of
Byron, Wyoming and a Wyoming State Senator from Big Horn County. He built the
large two-story house for himself and family and also the large house across
the street for his daughter, Annie May known later as the Deaton House. These
two houses were exceptionally large and across from the General Store and LDS
Church, which was demolished in 1959 and the Byron School District built the
new Elementary Building. Today the Neville house is owned by Ernest Jensen and
the Deaton house is owned by Ida Mae Sessions (1990). In May of 1991, the
Deaton house was sold to James Frost of Cowley.
Film No. 1597546, History of Utah, Rich County, Woodruff, the following
information was copied from that source. "Bricks were made by Joseph H.
Neville (1884-1899). It was during this period that the Church, school house,
and several homes were built." Page 17.
"Church and school house completed in 1896. These are made of bricks
which were made of local material by men who lived in Woodruff. The man who
had the work in charge was, Joseph H. Neville, who was a resident of Woodruff
at that time." Page 18.
"Annie Stiff Cox born 19 March 1839 in Rotherwick, Hampshire, England came
to Centerville, Utah in 1866 and to Bear River Valley in 1873."
"Rachel Jennings Stiff born 7 June 1809 in Sherbourn, St. John, Hampshire
England, came to Centerville, Utah in 1866, and to the Bear River Valley in
1871. She died 6 Oct 1900."
"Betsy Stiff Smith born in England came to Bear River Valley in 1880."
Page31.
A message written by Joseph H. Neville to Ann Lydia before their marriage
in 1873 is as follows: " Dear Annie you and me together will be bound, a loving
pair will be found. It is the will of Charles and Eliza West that we should
marry and do our best. To let us try and stand the test, Joseph Neville and
Annie West. Of all the girls I ever sparked you are the jewel of my heart.
Let us try and never part. You and me together will be one as soon as my house
is done. The fifth of May is the appointed day. If I have money to pay my
way, we'll not postpone the day." By yours truly, Joseph H. Neville.
Information from Ed Neville (1992), Joseph was 16 years old when the family in
New York City, arriving there in 1868. One year later the family went by train
to Cheyenne, Wyoming and by oxen wagon train to Salt Lake City. They were in
Utah when the Golden Spike was driven in 1869.
He married Rachel Jennings 27 Sep 1826 at Hartley, Wespall, Hampshire, England . Rachel Jennings was born at Sherbourne, Hampshire, England 7 Jun 1809 .
They were the parents of 10
children:
Elizabeth Neville
born 2 Nov 1828.
Sarah Neville
born 27 Feb 1831.
Rachael Neville
born 3 Sep 1833.
William Neville
born 23 Sep 1836.
Ann Neville
born 19 Mar 1839.
Charles Neville
born 16 Jul 1841.
George Neville
born 19 May 1844.
John Neville
born 13 Jan 1847.
James W. Neville
born 28 Nov 1849.
Joseph Hyrum Neville
born 31 Aug 1852.
William Stiff Neville died 9 Sep 1880 at Woodruff, Rich, Utah .
Rachel Jennings died 22 Sep 1902 at Woodruff, Rich, Utah .