Written by her brother – Thomas A. Davis 

Gwenifred Bowen Davis, daughter of Titus Lazarus and Mary Bowen Davis, born at Llanwenog, Cardiganshire, South Wales in the year 1844, July 15. About the year 1855, she with her people, moved to Carmarthenshire and while here she was in the service of an expert milliner and dressmaker. In that line of work she became capable. She, like the rest of the family, were members of the Baptist Church and took part in their singing as she, like her Mother, possessed a beautiful voice and as companion, most excellent in the home. 

Later in life, she, at the request of her Father, moved to Dowlais, Glamorganshire, South Wales, and here became his temporary housekeeper. Because of his trade he had moved here. He, about this time, became a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and occasionally attended their services and they became fully acquainted with their beautiful hymns and doctrine in all of which she took part. She saw many remarkable manifestations of the Holy Priesthood such as the gift of tongues and interpretations and healing power. All this made a wonderful impression upon her young mind, but the great test of her life had not come yet. Her Father was gradually preparing her mind for this ordeal. Two of her elder brothers had become members of the church. She, during this time – faithfully kept the new home while her Mother still kept the farm home for the younger children. About this time her Father, together with eldest brother, were to visit her Mother for purpose of getting an expression, final expression from her, in relative to moving to America. During this time the several ministers were doing their utmost persuading her, Mother to remain firm and immovable, that he, (her Father) would not go without her Mother. Her Mother would not yield but consented to let the children, but one, to go with their Father. The babe, a child of three, was to go, while the next in age (5) to remain to help his Mother on the farm. 

When her Father returned, bringing the little one in his arms, she could see clearly what had happened at her old home. On his return he put the final great question to her as to which she would prefer doing, go with him and help take care of her little brothers and do what she could for the rest, or return to her Mother and brother, who were still at the farm. “You are at liberty to do either,” said her Father.  “What do you want me to do?” she asked her Father. “This to me,” said he, “is hard thing to answer, so we will take time,” she was the only daughter and a true friend to both alike. She was not a member of the Church as yet. If she had made up her mind, by this time, she kept it to herself. In person she was handsome – bluish grey eyes and long golden tresses, slight trace of brown running through. To the writer, her brother, she was most handsome. 

About this time (1861 and 1962) she had fully made up her mind to accompany her Father and part of the family on their long journey. Her elder brother was called on a mission to remain for one year. This weakened the little group. Her Father, she could rely on for help, for he was a man of great faith, but for all this, she could see that to leave his earthly companion,, the Mother of his children, was a severe blow to him and her. The word had gone for them to go, however. She and Father made ready to go on the first sailing vessel for the year 1863. In May of that year and with a stout heart and many tears, she bid her Mother and her native land goodbye  forever. The day her vessel was to begin the long voyage, Dickens, the great English writer, came on board. She, with her Father, sang for him in their native tongue. He proclaimed her voice equal to any that he had ever heard. At close of their song, she completely broke down and wept. It was asking too much of her. She made the long journey bravely and with her Father, took the best of care of her little brother. 

I might add that, on landing of the riverboat at Omaha, Nebraska, she there amongst the teamsters, met John L. Edwards, the young man who later became her husband, the first week in October -same year – they arrived at Salt Lake City – the new world for them. 

“Blessed are they who trust in the Lord.” 

(Picture of a home with trimmed shrubs and trees around it, taken from the street. The captions says: Home of John Edwards and Gwennie Davis Edwards in Willard, Utah. This home is on the State Register of the Historical Society. Photographed May 1985.)