History of Marriott, Utah

Marriott is a settlement of approximately 350 people located about three miles northwest of the center of Ogden City. It was first settled in 1855 by John Marriott after whom it was named. John Marriott, a son of John and Frances Parish Marriott, was born 6 Mar 1817 at Rhoade, Northamptonshire, England.

On 6 May 1841, he was baptized into the Latter-Day Saints Church at Honeydon, Bedfordshire, England. He, with his wife Susanna Folks, left England in January 1843, on the ship Swanton, arriving in Nauvoo, Illinois, 12 Apr 1843, where he worked on the Nauvoo Temple, and acted as bodyguard for the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Marriott's arrived in Utah on 15 Sep 1851, and located in Kaysville, Davis County, where they remained until coming to Marriott, Utah.

Mr. Marriott was called by Lorin Farr, who then had charge of the settlers in this vicinity, to go and settle the portion of the country now known as Marriott. He readily responded to this call, and on 4 Feb1855, with his wife Elizabeth Stewart Marriott and their baby, Elizabeth (later Mrs. David Tracey) took up his abode a short distance west and north of the crossroads in the center of the settlement Here the family first lived in a wagon, during which time Mr. Marriott made a small dugout, without windows, which they used during stormy weather. In this dugout shelves were placed, and on one of these shelves the baby was put to sleep while Mrs. Marriott carried water for half a mile. It was not uncommon upon her return to find snakes crawling over the bed in which the child was asleep.

Later in the same year, other settlers arrived among whom were: Thomas Joyce, William Gill, William Beckington, Henry Reeder, Robert Hewitt and Simon F. Halverson with their families. Among other early settlers were: Thomas Stanger, Caleb Perry, William Morris, George Stanger, James Burton, Mrs. Lilly, James Rycraft, William Hodson,
Joseph Allen, Thomas Salisbury, Mr. Hill, Mr. Greenwood and their families.

In 1850, Moses Tracey, Lorenzo Tracey, Mr. Cheney and Mr. Rowe settled in the extreme eastern portion of the ecclesiastical Marriott Ward, which portion is known as Broom's Bench, and is located just inside of the limits of Ogden City. It was named after John Broom who came in 1855. In the winter of 1859, Ensign Tracey, Harrison Keys, Isaac Oldecarte, Joseph Hancock and four other families named respectively: Burns, Bell, Andrews, and Rolliston, moved to Broom's Bench and later left for California and Oregon.

The first house built in Marriott belonged to John Marriott. The original building was of logs with an addition made of adobe. This house was constructed by John Marriott with the assistance of Thomas Joyce.

After clearing the land for farming, it was found necessary to irrigate the crops, and the first ditch was dug in i855, carrying water from the Ogden River. Later, a ditch was dug in connection with the Dinsdales on Seventeenth Street up to where the Ogden Stadium is located, thus giving Marriott preference rights to irrigation waters. In due course of time, the water was filled in the State Engineer's Office, and a corporation formed known as the Marriott Irrigation Company under whose jurisdiction the water is handled, stocks being issued to the land owners.

The first school house was constructed of logs in 1868, and was located at the corner of Twelfth Street, and the road running north and south in the center oil the village. Later a one-room adobe house was built, followed by a two-room brick building, and at present (1935) a larger two-story brick building is being used.

In the early days, the ecclesiastical organizations formed an important part of the communities' activities. John Marriott was presiding Elder of the branch until 1863, when it was organized into a district with Simeon F. Halverson as President, and Thomas Joyce and William Gill as counselors. On 28 May 1877, the district was organized into a ward with James Ritchie as Bishop and James Burton and Helen H. Tracey as Counselors.

In August 1902, Moroni S. Marriott was sustained as Bishop with George Ritchie and Timothy P. Terry as counselors. After their release in 1908, Thomas E. Powell was made Bishop with John D. Peterson and Hyrum W. Marriott as counselors. In 1919, Lawrence Ritchie was sustained as Bishop and the following served as counselors at various times: Hyrum W. Marriott, Lawrence Slater, Orson Allred and Helen H. Tracey.

The Sunday School was organized in 1867, with Thomas S. Wadsworth superintendent, and the following assistants: Thomas Salisbury, Caleb Perry, Sr., William Gill, Ellen Salisbury, Sarah Joyce, and Nancy N. Tracey.

On April 26, 1868, the Relief Society of Lynne (Five Points) and Marriott were organized with Ann Beckington as President, Liddie Gates and Nancy N. Tracey as counselors and Nancy Gates, Secretary. Separated from Lynne Ward in May 1878.

The Y. M. M. I. A. was organized on 16 May 1878 with Annie Madson and Annie Parry and Mary Ann Joyce as counselors, and Nancy Mary Tracey, Secretary.

The Primary Association was organized on 27 Apr 1880, with Elizabeth Marriott, President, and Emma Butler and Nancy N. Tracey,.counselors, Annie M. Tracey, Secretary, Ellen Morris Marriott, Assistant Secretary, Mary Jane Tracey, and Ellen Salisbury, Chorister.

The population was so scattered that it was necessary to cover a large territory in one district and Marriott and Lynne were combined until 1878 when Marriott was severed from Lynne into an independent precinct with Thomas Salisbury as First Justice of the Peace.

The Schools of Slaterville, Marriott and Lynne were combined in one district with trustees, one from each settlement. Later, the three districts were segregated and three trustees appointed to operate the Marriott School, until such time as Weber County Schools were incorporated into one district. (Written December 1, 1935)