Mary Ann Elizabeth Lance

Mary Ann Elizabeth Lance is the third child and first daughter of Lewis Lance of Canada and Temperance Tomlinson of North Carolina. The Lance Family was living in Montgomery County, Texas until they left Texas for Nebraska with Mary Ann and their two sons, George and James.

With a desire to journey with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the family joined the Daniel D. McArthur Company and left Nebraska on August 14, 1868. When the Company arrived at Fort Bridger, Wyoming, 16-month-old Mary Ann suffered from cholera and passed away. She is buried at Fort Bridger, Wyoming.

From a history written later by the family, the following was recorded: "My baby can't be buried in black stockings" sobbed Temperance as she gazed upon the little still form of her 16 month old Mary Ann Elizabeth. Then Temperance fainted. By the time she was revived, an understanding gentle pioneer woman had donated a pair of white stockings for the tiny body to be buried in. She was buried at Ft Bridger, near Green River Wyoming in a small trunk which had held her clothes in life. Temperance emptied the trunk, gave its contents to needy children and laid her darling to rest.”