Beth's Notebook: Blessed, Honored Pioneers

The Lockhart Converts to the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Frederick County, Virginia

Mary Jane Foreman Lockhart

Beverly Lockhart

Mary Jane Foreman Lockhart (1848-1934) and her husband, Beverly Lockhart (1847-1922), were early converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Frederick County, Virginia near Winchester, Virginia.

This specific couple represents an important chapter in the history of the Church's Southern States Mission in northern Virginia.

Beverly Lockhart married Mary Jane Foreman on 9 March 1875. They lived and raised their family in the Back Creek an Rock Enon districts of Frederick County, Virginia, located just west of Winchester, Virginia.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Latter-Day Saint missionaries traveling through the Shenandoah Valley frequently baptized local families in rivers and creeks. Mary Jane was baptized into the Church in 1902, followed by Beverly in 1907.

Beverly was a Civil War veteran. He enlisted as a private in Company F of the 1st Infantry (United States) in February 1865 and was honorably discharged later that year. He spent the rest of his life working as a farmer in Frederick County.

Expulsion of LDS Missionaries:

In 1902 a declaration by community leaders in Winchester, Virginia, forbidding proselytizing directly affected members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This ban primarily enacted to target traveling LDS elders (missionaries), preventing them from knocking on doors, preaching, and distributing religious literature within the city limits. Because of the restrictions, LDS missionaries quieted their efforts and left the immediate area. Local historical records note that the decleration effectively cut off residents from hearing about the faith for several decades. Missionaries did not permanently stay away; They quietly returned to Winchester toward the middle of the 20th century, which ultimately led to the establishment of an active local congregation.

Beverly and Mary Jane Lockhart seemed to cling to their new found faith through this time period, regardless of not being a part of an active congregation and most likely with a certain amount of persecution by the locals.

Charles Martin Lockhart, son of Beverly and Mary Jane, had mentioned to his children and grandchildren that Mary Jane and Beverly would let the missionaries stay in their home on occasion to keep warm by the fire. Ironically, most of the descendants didn't realize that Beverly and Mary Jane had been baptized into the church but only that they had shown kindness to the missionaries.

The obituary of these converts leave clues to the fact that they still considered themselves part of the LDS faith even until death. Beverly's 1922 obituary mentions that he was part of a religious sect that had no clergy in the locality. Mary Jane's obituary states that her funeral was conducted by Elder Riley Glenn from Washington DC, who upon research was discovered that he was a leader for the Later-Day Saint who served in Washington DC.

The early 20th-century restrictions in Winchester, Virginia, reflect a broader, nationwide struggle over religious liberty. Anti-proselytizing ordinances eventually collapsed under Supreme Court challenges, paving the way for a local congregation to be established and grow.

Again, Charles Martin Lockhart was visited by the missionaries in the mid century and he was a son of Mary Jane and Beverly. There is no known record of him ever being baptized into the church at the time of Beverly and Mary Jane's baptism but several members of the Lockhart family say that Charles claimed he had already been baptized before the arrival of these missionaries. Research discovered that two Lockhart sisters of Charles had also been baptized at the time of Beverly and Mary Jane. Regardless of what had not been recorded, Charles' testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had been rekindled with the arrival of these young missionaries. So at this time, Charles introduced the missionaries to his nephew William James Lockhart and wife Dellitt Jenkins Lockhart and their young family. They took the missionary discussions and were converted to the gospel. Charles and Dellitt with her older children were baptized on the 5th of August 1950. Later, their father William was baptized in November of 1954. The Lockharts and others baptized in these years were instrumental in establishing the Church in Winchester, Virginia.

There are still many Lockhart descendants of these northern Virginia pioneers that cherish the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to this day and are

"True to the faith that their forefathers have cherished"

I feel very blessed to have married into the Lockhart family and discover the wonderful heritage they have. Soon, Winchester, Virginia will have a temple for the Church. A standing monument of the faith and sacrifice of a few converts in this area of our Lord's vineyard. Winchester has truly blossomed like a rose.