Annie Maria Hansen

Biography

Anna Maria was born in Denmark, where her family was used to eating five meals a day. Her parents were part of the Methodist church, but became interested in the missionary’s message. Her father did not join, but he was supportive and they all migrated to be with the latter day saints. It wasn’t until Anna Maria left Denmark that she learned plain water was used for drinking, because they had always had coffee, milk, and tea for daily beverages.

The boat journey was very difficult and there were many storms. While drunk, the captain almost burned the whole ship down at one point and many passengers died of disease. Her little brother was one of those who died along the boat passage. However, they experienced miracles as well and one night on the boat, Anna Maria saw a vision of Christ.

Her family arrived in Utah when she was 15 and settled in Manti. At age 19, she married William Black as his third wife. They had four girls and five boys together. Anna Maria got along great with William’s other two wives and they were all friends. They would take turns watching the children so the other women could go to the theater or dances.

Anna Maria was one of the few people to own a sewing machine. She worked as a tailoress, a midwife, studied herbs, made quilts and burial clothes, and liked to garden. She almost alway had company over and because there were so few medical professionals around, she acted as a physician on occasion. She had a good, kindhearted nature and was loved by all. She died of heart failure in 1920 at age 79.