Dr. Maria 'Mattie' Cannon

Maria (Bennion) Cannon (daughter of John Bennion) took in Matilda (Pehrson) Bennion (wife of Israel Bennion, John Bennion's son) when she was ready to give birth to her first child. Matilda was a plural wife, having been married 2/20/1888. This was two years before 'The Manifesto', which said that plural marriage was no longer to be sanctioned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon). However, Matilda was one of the wives who'd already been married - before The Manifesto.

Since plural marriage was being punished by the US government, Matilda did not want to endanger her husband, Israel Bennion, by having a child which may be noticed by government 'watchdogs'. (Matilda was the second wife.)

So Angus Pehrson Bennion was born safely hidden away miles away from Vernon, Utah - where Matilda, (and Israel and his first wife) lived, in Salt Lake City, in the care of her husband's 1st cousin once removed - Maria (Bennion) Cannon.

To honor her benefactor's, Matilda named her baby, a son, Angus - after Angus Munn Cannon - Maria's husband.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 2 2018, 2:48:28 UTC