Neff Times

Spring 1995 Neff Times Volume 1 Issue 1

My Great Grandmother, Mary Barr Neff by Verna Seely Carter

Mary Barr was born on December 1, 1801, in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; a daughter of Christian and Susanna Brenneman Barr. She grew up in a large, well built, brownstone house. She was one of thirteen children, she being the fifth child. Her brothers and sisters were: Michael, Christian, Jacob (who died young), Amos, Benjamin, Susan, Anne, Elizabeth, Fanny, Judith, Barbara, and Jacob. It is interesting to note that this family, at this time, knew nothing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; therefore, they believed that when their first son Jacob died, that was the end of him. Therefore, they named another son Jacob.

Mary learned to cook, weave cloth, sew, keep a clean house, and tend the garden and livestock. By holding a lamp close to a bedside while her mother cared for the sick, she learned home nursing and the use of herbs as medicine.

When Mary was eighteen years old, her father painted a fresh coat of blue paint on the gate of the white picket fence, signifying that there was a daughter of age to marry living there and young men were permitted to come calling. They did, and each sat dutifully with the family in the parlor until the daughter was permitted to go walking with the young man. Mary selected the distinguished young John Neff II for her husband. He was 26 years of age and she was 21. They were married on January 12,1822. Along with quilts, hand woven chair covers, cured fruits and vegetables, Mary brought a cow and several pigs as her dowry. On Mary̓s wedding day, her mother took her in her arms and gave her a tight hug, telling her to be a good wife. Her father patted her shoulder, wished her well, and told her, You have made your bed, lie in it," which meant, “You have made a marriage, stay with it.”

Mary’s first child, Barbara Matilda, was born on October 28, 1822. Nine other children were born within one and one half to two years of each other. They were Franklin, Amos Herr, Cyrus, Mary Ann, Susanna, Benjamin Barr, Amanda, John Ill, and Elizabeth. All grew to maturity except Amanda, who passed away at the age of four.

Mary Barr made a good choice in a husband. John Neff II was the only living son of his family, and his father had given him the opportunity of a liberal education. At the time of his marriage he had land and a few head of livestock. With knowledge of what to do and how to do it, combined with a willingness to work, he and his wife built up a prosperous livelihood and, at one time, he was considered one of the wealthiest land owners in Lancaster County. They owned woolen shops, flour, shingle, and molasses mills, plus a brewery.

The story is told of John and Mary discovering four of their sons slacking their thirst much too often at the brewery, so the door was bolted and the sons were put on a diet of straight molasses until they were “purged” of their indulgence.

John Neff was a personal friend of President James Buchanan. Mary was a gracious hostess to him in their fifteen-room home of rock.

In 1842 two Mormon missionaries came to Lancaster County, and John and Mary were converted and baptized by Elder Henry Deem. Seven of their children were also baptized and the others were baptized as they become of age.

It is not certain how many times John and Mary visited the Prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, but we do know that they were there as guests of the Prophet and his wife in the Mansion House in the year. 1844, just weeks before the martyrdom of the Prophet and his brother Hyrum. Mary told her children that the Prophet had told her husband, “I shall not live long.” In grave sadness John Neff inquired, “Brother Joseph, then what shall we do?” The reply was, “There will be someone in my place."

Before the Neffs left the Mansion House, John Neff said to his wife, ‘The Prophet Joseph could use some money to help take care of the saints.” and Mary helped him remove some gold pieces from the heavy leather money belt he wore around his waist.

Six weeks later, news reached the Neffs that the Prophet and his brother had been murdered. With grief John and Mary prepared to sell all their holdings in Pennsylvania, which they sold at a loss. With their family and loaded wagons, they moved to Nauvoo, where the Saints were being driven from their homes. The Neffs joined the exodus from Nauvoo and, with the saints, suffered the trials of the long trek to Winter Quarters, which culminated in a tragedy in their lives. Their son Cyrus became ill and spent many days with fever in the wagon where his mother practiced all the nursing skills she knew. They were to no avail, as he worsened and passed away. He was buried at Winter Quarters.

The Neffs spent the winter of 1846-47 in Winter Quarters where John and Mary again went to the money belt for help to build a flour mill. In 1847, they moved on with Captain Jedidiah Grant̓s company. Their family went with them with the exception of Franklin, his wife, Elizabeth, and their little girl. Franklin stayed in Winter Quarters to operate the flour mill as long as it was needed by the saints.

Arriving in the Salt Lake Valley on October 2, 1847, the Neffs spent the first winter at the Old Fort. When Franklin and his family arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in the spring of 1848, the whole family moved to what became East Mill Creek. There they built log houses and started to build a flour mill on Mill Creek. The logs were hauled from a canyon which was named Neff̓s Canyon.

Mary Barr Neff won the love and respect of everyone. She was a staunch supporter of her husband, a good wife and mother, an example of good homemaking and thrift, but generous with what they had. The money belt worn around John̓s waist was well known by the family and they called him President Young̓s Treasurer. They said they witnessed Brigham Young driving up in his carriage to their home, and after a brief interlude with their father, John Neff would go to his wife with this statement, “Mother, President Young needs a thousand dollars:” Then came an entry in the expense account, “Let Brigham Young have a thousand dollars.̓ A son records that after a time he did not see the money belt again.

Mary Barr Neff outlived her husband by six years and died In Salt Lake on December 1, 1875. She was 74 years old on that day.

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Getting to know our President, Alice Neff

Hi! I am Alice Neff, daughter of J H and C P. I am married to B Neff the son of T and A Neff. B̓s grandfather is Samuel Neff, son of Amos Herr Neff and Catharine Elizabeth Thomas. My great great grandfather John Parry came across the plains with several other Welsh saints. They sang as they walked. When the first general conference was held in the bowery on temple square, Brigham Young ask John to lead his Welsh Choir in the hymns. As years passed others joined the Tabernacle Choir. John Parry served as their leader for several years.

My great great grandfather Jonathan Herriman Hale was a bishop in Nauvoo. While crossing the plains, he, his wife, Olive Boynton and 3 children, died. Their 4 orphans continued into the valley. They were given S acres of land to farm in the Sugar House area. Aroet Hale, the oldest, worked hard every day trying to get water to the wheat. Then the crickets came and devoured it all. Aroet went to Neff Mill to trade his horse, bridle and saddle for 4 pecks of flour. The miller scolded him for asking for so much. “There are women with baby̓s in their arms asking for 4 cups of flour and you want 4 pecks. What a booby?”

Aroet went away in tears. How was he to support his brothers and sister? Then he saw some strangers coming out of the canyon and went to talk to them about a trade. They were on the way to California and one of them had a pair of twin colts, born on the trail. He asked Aroet if he would trade his horse, bridle and saddle for the colts. Aroet asked for food also and received bags of flour, corn meal and bacon.

My father has loved genealogy for as long as I can remember. He was about 75 years old when he got a computer and he entered about 12,000 names, from his records, before he died 2 years ago. He told us stories and shared his research and temple experiences with us. He was one of the only people I knew that kept track of the living descendants of my grandfathers and great grandfathers. He seemed to know every one. Whenever my sisters or I had a date he would visit with them a few minutes and then inform us that we were related.

I grew up in the Millcreek area and graduated from Granite High School. While attending the University of Utah, I met B at a Lambda Delta Sigma Halloween Dance. The next July we were married. We have 6 children.

I have been able to stay home with the children most of their lives. I have worked in the PTA and the community. While serving as the PTA president at Hillcrest High, S and I were involved in starting a Psycho\Social Drama program to teach Elementary and Junior High Students to say No” to drugs.

When the children began leaving home I had an opportunity to sell a computer program to businesses and train them in it̓s use. I learned the computer from Bob and the software from classes. I read the book and called tech, support a lot. For 5 years I worked with computers daily. A couple of years ago I had earned enough to buy the computer I wanted.

Then I received all of my Fathers records. I began doing genealogy again. While J was serving in the Indianapolis Mission a letter was misdirected and Glatha Neff wrote to see if we were related. We weren̓t, so I forgot all about it. She didn̓t. In the spring of 1993 I received an invitation to the International Neff Reunion in Lancaster Pennsylvania. I thought it was a reunion for our Franz and Hans Heinrich Neff. The itinerary included a tour of John Neff̓s home and Franz Neff̓s mill site. I, my mother-in-law and my daughter-in-law were able to go to the reunion.

Bob Neff Tours took us on tours of different homes, churches and cemeteries. While driving-up to the John Neff home the guide said, “This home was built by John Neff II for his Father and Mother, John and Elizabeth Herr Neff. After his parents and his brother and sister died, John II listened to some Mormon Preachers and sold everything and left. We don̓t know any more about that branch of the family.” While we were looking at the house and grounds. I introduced myself to the guide and asked if I could tell the rest of the story. When we got back on the bus he let me have the mike.

Telling of John and Mary̓s trip west had some advantages. Everyone on the tour knew who I was, how I fit into the family, that we are Mormon and that I had records none of them had. I was able to talk to several of them and exchange genealogical information.

There are still several questions to be answered on our Neff genealogy. Some of them we may not find here on earth. We can not prove any relationships to the Swiss Naf̓s. There are no shipping records. Family tradition has our Neff line going back to Adam Naf, Kappel Switzerland. We were blessed to be able to go to Switzerland when Steve was released from his mission. We made contact with the Neff Organization there and made arrangements to meet Hans Naf in Zurich. We were concerned as we got nearer the meeting point. How would we know him? We recognized him. Hans looks just like our Neff̓s.

I have a lot of interest in the Neff Family at this time and look forward to working with each of you. After so many years of being involved in Genealogy, it is nice to have names to do in the temple. We have a noble heritage and need to preserve it. Not just keep track of names, but tell our children and grandchildren stories of their ancestors. We would like to help you do that in your own family. This newsletter and the socials we are planning are to help bring your family and ours closer.

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Patriarchal Blessing of Mary Barr Neff 13 May, 1844 Nauvoo, Ill.
A blessing given by Hyrum Smith, Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A Patriarchal blessing of Mary Neff, daughter of Christian and Susanna Barr, born in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1 December 1801.

Sister Mary, I lay my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and bless you and I seal you up unto eternal life and what I seal on earth shall be sealed in Heaven, the same is in answer to the desires of your heart, a blessing by promise and a gift of God, a blessing, there is none greater. The same shall be your comforter henceforth and forever if you will believe for the same is the second comforter as it is written in the testimony of John, therefore I say unto you, Mary, you are blessed verily and shall share in common with your husband in all things that are sealed upon his head, even in all things pertaining to your house and habitation.

Your outgoings and incomings, Basket and store, fields and flocks and also the blessings of the Priesthood the communion and power, the Holy Spirit is also the blessings of your posterity which goeth down from generation to generation and also your inheritance which is the lineage of your fathers and the blessings of Abraham to crown your head with glory, honor and immortality and eternal life, even the fullness of the everlasting covenant and its blessings that shall honor and realize and fully appreciate to the honor and glory of God, even in the days of your probation and your name will be perpetrated, written and commemorated in the chronicles of your brethren, wisdom and knowledge shall your heart and move you into action and bring you up into your place upon Mount Zion in the midst of the Saviors, that time wash their robes and made them white through the brood and redemption of the love of God and then to inherit the mansion that is prepared and have a name and a place like Sarah and Rachel and as to your days and years they shall be intended according to your faith and the desires of your heart. These blessings I seal upon your head, Even so, Amen,

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Franklin Neff 1824-1882

(From “The Neffs & Fishers of East Millcreek" by Louise Fisher, Submitted by Cal Fisher)

Franklin Neff built one of the first brick and adobe mills In the country on the quarter section of land he homesteaded near what is now 38th South Street. The First home built by John and Franklin Neff was on the Old Mill site at what is now Oakwood in East Mill Creek. It was built of adobes made by them. Franklin Neff also operated the first shingle mill and they also operated a molasses mill.

Later, Franklin Neff was called by Brigham Young to go out among the Indians as a scout to make friends with them and help later companies of Saints through safely. President Young̓s policy was always, "It is better to feed the Indians than to fight them." Franklin and his brother-in-law, Orrin Porter Rockwell, on many occasions gathered around the campfires and smoked the pipe of peace with the Indians. They also let their hair and beards grow long as a compliment to their Indian friends.

On one occasion, an Indian Chief grew so fond of Franklin that he offered him his daughter in marriage and was so insistent that he accept this high favor that he ordered a feast to honor the marriage. A dog was killed on which to feast. Franklin managed to extricate himself from the bond of matrimony, and also the feast, without incurring the ill-will of the Indian Chief.

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One Hundred and Ten Attend Birthday Party!
By Alice Neff

September 18, 1794 John Neff II was born in Strasbourg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We decided September 2nd to get together for his 200th birthday party September 23 at the Chapel on Evergreen. When we began calling we had a list of 28 relatives. Thanks to the your response, the list expanded to over 200 and more than 100 of you came. Now there are 350 names on our mailing list. Thank you.

R S Neff designed the invitations and programs. Sharlene H, Natalie B and Alice Neff set up displays in the Multipurpose Room and back Foyer. We had reserved the Relief Society Room for the meeting. As people began to arrive it became evident that we had under estimated the attendance. We moved to the chapel. 110 descendants of John Neff signed in.

Elwood Neff welcomed all those present and told of some of his experiences as a member of the Neff Family. Gordon Neff gave the opening prayer. Natalie presented a slide show history of East Millcreek. She had taken pictures of some of the homes that were still standing and places where our ancestors̓ homes had been. She told stories of the area. Not just Neffs but Bagleys, Stillmans and Fishers had lived in that area. It was an excellent presentation.

Alfa Jean Carter gave a report on the Genealogical Research that has been done over that last 15 years. Our John Neff of 1794 is the great grandson of Franz (Francis) Neff not Hans Heinrich (John Henry) Neff as once believed. She has all the documentation to substantiate this and would love to share it.

Kathryn Neff gave a Financial Report of the Family Organization, We have about $2,000 that has been donated to research our ancestors and defray the costs of keeping the family organization going.

An election was held and enclosed you will find the slate of officers. Only two families were not contacted. If you can help us find representatives from these families, we would really appreciate it. Russ Capson gave the closing prayer.

Cherry and her daughter made and decorated 2 delicious birthday cakes and S B Neff brought ice cream. Natalie brought sketches of John and Mary and most of their children.

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We have not found a picture of Mary Ann Neff. If you have seen one, please contact one of the officers. The Rockwell̓s would really like to have a copy.

On October 16th the executive Committee met at the home of Alice Neff and discussed putting out this newsletter, its format and content. We also decided to have 2 socials in 1996, an Orrin Porter Rockwell fireside April 23 and a report on the International Neff Reunion in September or October. We would like to have a John Neff family reunion the summer of 1996 and host the International Neff Family reunion in 1998. To accomplish these goals, we would like names, addresses and telephone numbers of all John Neff descendants. Please help us.

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Upcoming News

The bylaws of the John Neff Sr Family Association states that, “The oldest living descendant of John Neff Sr. shall be the Honorary President of this Organization.” WHO IS THE OLDEST DESCENDANT IN YOUR FAMILY?

We would like to reach every descendant of John Neff to pull together and strengthen each of us. Please send names, addresses and phone numbers to your representative on the executive board, We would like to do a book on all the descendants of John and Mary Neff. We need your family group sheets & histories and those of your married children and your parents.

We would like to blend old news, histories and family history research information with new news. In the next issue, we wish to highlight John Neff. Please call Alice Neff if you have a history or story about John Neff. In future issues, we want to print stories of each of Johns and Mary ̓s children. Please start looking through your files this spring.

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A Neff Reunion in Switzerland

On June 18,1995 the descendants of Adam Neff who was born in. about 1500 will celebrate Neff Day at the Nafenhaus (Neff House), in Kappel am Albis, Switzerland. We are all invited. Bob Neff Tours in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is arranging a tour leaving June 10 and returning June 20.

You will arrive in Zurich, Sunday June 11 and be transported by private motorcoach on a tour around Zurich and Kappel. Monday you will tour Appenzell and several Neff historic sites. Tuesday you will tour Berne, the capitol and see many government buildings. Then on to Zermatt. Wednesday will be a free day to go up to the top of the Matterhorn. Thursday you will travel through the Pillon Pass to Interlaken. Friday you can go up to the top of Mt. First. Saturday you will go on a luncheon cruise on Lake Lucerne. Sunday is the Neff Family Day at Kappel. Monday you will go up Mt. Pilatus and then on to Zurich from where you will fly home Tuesday, June 20th.
The cost of the tour is $2,825.00 per person.

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BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY! HEAR THE REAL STORY!
EXCITING FIRESIDE! ORRIN PORTER ROCKWELL
Presented By John Rockwell--Slides & Stories

East Millcreek Chapel, 2702 E. Evergreen Ave. (3435 S) Sunday, Apr 23, 1995 7 p.m.