In Memory of Utah’s First School Teacher

In Memory of Utah's First School Teacher

By Philip L. Orth

Prompted by a desire, that "Service" should be rewarded in a durable manner, Mr. Philip L. Orth and his wife (Sarah Schow Orth) proposed that a Bronze Tablet be erected to the memory of Mrs. Mary Jane Dilworth Hammond. Miss Mary J. Dilworth arrived in Salt Lake Valley with the second com- pany of Pioneers, in September, 1847. And in the following October, she assembled the few children that were with the Pioneers and held school, teaching in a tent. This was the first effort in teaching that is recorded in the Territory of Utah, and was the first stone in the foundation of the present magnifi- cent school system of which Utah is proud. Miss Dilworth married Elder Francis A. Hammond, and after performing a mission with her husband to the Sandwich Islands, they settled in Huntsville, in 1865, where Elder Ham- mond was later ordained bishop. She was an active worker, both religiously and in civic affairs in the young ward, holding the office of president of the Relief Society, being the first sister to hold that office in the ward. She died in Huntsville, in 1877, and her body was the first interred in the present cemetery. The proposition for a monument was presented to Elder David 0. McKay, of the Council of the Twelve, who heartily endorsed it, and used his good offices in its promotion. To take charge of the erection of the monument, Bishop Joseph L. Petersen selected as a committee to find a suitable rock, Philip L. Orth, Peter H. Olsen, Jr., and Arthur Grow; and as a com- mittee to prepare the design and inscription, Prest. Thomas E. McKay, Architect S. T. Whitaker, Mrs. Amelia Grow, Philip L. Orth, and Peter M. Jensen. The committee found a rock on the mountain side near the mouth of South Fork canyon, and its condition and dimensions, are as nature designed, unhewn by human hands. It is of sedimentary sandstone formation (probably converted by metamorphic action into a quartzite), eight feet nine inches long, two feet eight inches wide, with an average thickness of ten inches. In contemplating the monu- — ment it is wonderful what a beautiful rock it is the pink color — — the smoth surface the dark vein running through it and — withall without a blemish, check or seam. It is a slab that will endure for ages. It is placed on the school campus in a con- crete base, 41 inches by 62 inches, and 3 feet deep, and is

788 IMPROVEMENT ERA

over seven feet above the surface of the lawn. It stands as a token for service. The monument was unveiled at the home- coming celebration, held in Huntsville some three years ago; the late Elder Fletcher B. Hammond, then her oldest living son, was present at the ceremony. The cut of the monument and the inscription follow:

In Honor of The First School Teacher in Utah Mrs. Mary Jane Dilworth Hammond Taught First School in Salt Lake City October, 1847 Came to Huntsville with her husband Bishop Francis A. Hammond 1865 Where she resided until her death 1877 Utah's First Free School was established at Huntsville.

Huntsville, Utah