Ann Chatterly Macfarlane - Heroic Rescue of a Squaw and her Papoose

Ann Chatterly Macfarlane in 1891

Ann C. Macfarlane has told her grandchildren about the various tribes of Indians who would steal young papooses to sell to distant tribes.  Squaws near Cedar [Utah] knew of this danger and guarded their papooses closely.  They also knew and trusted "Grand Mac".  She told me of one, in the spring of 1855, who came running with her papoose, said Indians were after her.  Grandma opened a trap door in the floor - had the squaw and child get quickly into the small cellar and said neither one must make a sound.  Just as she covered the trap door with a rug, put a chair on it and sat at a table, Indians on horses rode up to the door.  They demanded the squaw and papoose.  Grandma pretended not to understand them - nor to know what they wanted - the Indians became very angry, but she bravely kept up her act and the Indians left.  Fearing they might return she kept the squaw out of sight for quite a while.

Many stories have been written about the many papooses of Ann C. Macfarlane saved - some stories have been published.  No doubt they are all based on fact with a bit of fiction added by the author to make a good story.  In the early days of Iron County, the pioneers were warned not to buy the papooses but a few did in order to save the lives of the helpless, frightened babies.  The only ones I heard about were in Parowan. 
                (From a biography by Ann's granddaughter, Ruth M. Penrose)

A photo of a Parowan Chief - Ute 1867-69

from the website www.firstpeople.us

(First People is a child friendly site about Native Americans and members of the First Nations. 1400+ legends, 400+ agreements and treaties, 10,000+ pictures, clipart, Native American Books, Posters, Seed Bead Earrings, Native American Jewelry, Possible Bags and more.)

Direct line ancestry: Ann Chatterly Macfarlane --> Charlotte Ann Macfarlane McQuarrie --> Ruth McQuarrie Penrose --> Lu Penrose Bond --> Kathryn Bond Berkowitz --> Lora Marshall Nehring

Ann Chatterley Macfarlane - Indian Persistence

Several weeks ago I taught a lesson to the young women at church about Heritage. I made a display to go along with the lesson about what my heritage is. My heritage, what has been handed down to me and I hope to pass on to my descendants, is family history. I brought the display home and hung it up in my workroom, right behind the computer, so that I can see it every day.


These are the women who inspire me! - 1st column: Annie Marie Sammon Caman, Sabra Adeline Dennis, Beatrice Ann Betts, Charlotte Ann Macfarlane McQuarrie. 2nd column: Kathryn Bond Berkowitz, Louise Elizabeth Lusty Penrose, Ruth McQuarrie Penrose, Florence Faye Alkire Love. 3rd column: Lu Penrose Bond, Joella Shewalter Cameron Love, Anna White Durrett Bond, Miriam Elizabeth Griffiths Bond Haddow. 4th column: Ann Chatterley Macfarlane, WIlburta June Love Linenbach, Florence Faye Alkire, Agnes Gray McQuarrie.

Among those women is my great-great-great grandmother, Ann Chatterley Macfarlane. She was an inspiring woman! There are many wonderful stories told of her, and each one impresses me with her dedication and her strength. I hope that I could be as up to the challenge as she was!!

I am going to share one of her stories today. The story of Indian Persistence.


"We have no photographs of Ann as a young girl, but from family comments and descriptions, she must have been attractive. Her hair and eyes were coal black, and didn't ever turn completely gray." - Anna Brooks Taylor

Ann was born in Manchester, England on 3 March 1837 to Joseph and Nancy Morton Chatterley. The family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and sailed to America to join the pioneer trek west to Utah. Joseph was an iron worker and his skills were needed in the Cedar City area.

From a biography by Ann's granddaughter, Ruth M. Penrose:

"When the Chatterley family arrived in Cedar City they found the Indians well established in the mountains and valleys roundabout. Ann, 15, wanted to learn more about them - even their language, which she soon did. The Indians admired her dark hair and eyes. One came to her father, Joseph Chatterley, and offered him 40 horses and 40 blankets for her - Joseph had no idea that the Indian was serious and thought no more of it; however, in about two weeks came this same Indian with 40 blankets and 40 horses and the tribesmen to help him. Joseph explained that white men did not sell their children - and for him to leave and take his tribe, blankets and horses. This caused much trouble - the Indians left in anger declaring to return and get her anyway.

"George A. Smith ordered Ann to remain inside the Fort until the affair quieted down regardless of the time it might take. Ann realized her own responsibility to keep the peace. After about three months and “lookouts” had reported no sign of trouble, Ann said as soon as it was really safe she wanted to learn to milk a cow. (Seems there was a space between the Fort and the enclosure where cattle were kept - this space between was for guards on duty at all times). One evening Ann was allowed to go to the corral with her brother at milking time. She watched how he did it - then he let her “strip” that cow while he went to milk another. She had started, but heard a slight rustling sound, looked up to see an Indian ready to grab her in a buffalo skin. She let out an awful scream and ran for the Fort. All were alerted and she was saved but did not recover from this fright for many a day, if ever. Every grandchild or great-grandchild over age 40 has heard this story - each one retells it - with his or her own degree of interpretation. This is my version. RMP"

The same story with different details is offered by Anna Brooks Taylor:

“The Indians were attracted to this little black-eyes, black hair girl and asked to buy her. Her father laughingly said, “She will cost 50 ponies and some blankets.” In only a few days the old chief appeared with the herd of ponies. When her father tried to explain, the Indian didn’t take kindly to the joke. During the next few weeks, she was guarded constantly. One night, as she carried a large bucket of milk to the fort, she spied a big Indian in the brush. She flew to the safety of the fort, but realizing he was gaining on her, she threw the bucket and the milk at him and fell through the door to safety.”

It is amazing what the pioneers went through as they crossed the plains and settled a new home in unfamiliar territory. It was a very different time!

Direct line ancestry: Ann Chatterley Macfarlane --> Charlotte Ann Macfarlane McQuarrie --> Ruth McQuarrie Penrose --> Lu Penrose Bond --> Kathryn Bond Berkowitz --> Lora Marshall Nehring