Mary Ann (Marianne) Holmes Hunt
Approx 1789 - 1855
Mary Ann Holmes is the daughter of Amelia Webb and John Holmes. She was born approximately 1789 in Lancaster, England. Later, Mary Ann was married to William Hunt in Rampton Parrish, Cambridge, England. 
Mary Ann and William had 10 children, eight boys and 2 girls. William was a cutler by trade, but everyone in the family had to help out because of their financial situation. When the children were small the Hunts heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and became converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1851. At once they began saving money to someday come to America. Son number five Isaac was earning good money as a mason and he saved enough to come to America. Here is a sad but interesting story. "It seems that Isaac was a favorite son of his mother, and it was hard for him to leave her. He bid goodbye to all the family, and since his mother was not in the room; he went in search of her: He found her weeping. He said, "Mother don't you want me to go?" She said, "Yes, Isaac, go to Zion, but I just don't seem able to get along without you." He said, "Mother I have worked long and hard to get this money and I feel it is my duty to go." She threw her arms around his neck and wept bitterly. He tried to console her, and said to her, "Mother if you will let me go, I promise in the name of Israel's God that you shall go to America. " He unclasped her arms and turned to leave. She gave a terrible scream and fell prostate to the floor: Isaac knew if he stopped to console her he would hate to leave her, and the parting would be harder to bear. He then rushed out of the house to board his ship. His statement that his mother would come to America came true. But Isaac never again saw his mother. )) 
Isaac did send enough money for his parents and family to come to America. They bought passage on the ship, "Charles Buck," Smalley was the Captain. Travel on the ship was difficult and many of the people became sick. They had brought plenty of food but were denied their rations by the crew. They were at sea for six weeks. On March 27th, 1855 they sailed into New Orleans and then travelled up the Mississippi to Michigan. 
Preparations were made to travel across the plains in the Ballantine Company. It is not clear why Mary Ann died but the difficult voyage had to play part in her death. Mary Ann died on the Sweetwater and a day and a half later her companion William also died and was brought back to be buried by her side. The rest of the children continued on to Salt Lake without their parents including Levi Hunt. Isaac learned only of his parent’s death by receiving some articles of their clothing, never seeing them again in this life time. 
Quotes by "Pearl Hunt Rogers." Granddaughter of Emanuel Hunt.