The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

BRACKETT, Ezra (1805-1889) and Mary D. (1807-1882)

When she was about 50 years of age, Mary Brackett (née Davison), daughter of an influential banker and industrialist, left the Baptist Church to become a Sabbatarian Adventist in 1857. She “stood alone for more than a year” as the sole Sabbathkeeper in Convis, Michigan, before others joined her. Her husband, Ezra Brackett, a pioneer settler in Convis, “was not connected with the S.D.A. church.” According to his obituary, Ezra was nevertheless “a believer in the prominent doctrines of this people, and an observer of the Sabbath.” Despite his ambivalent relation to the church, Brackett took an active part in the landmark conference on church organization held at Battle Creek in 1860. In 1869 he was a member of a committee set up to build a church in Convis. The Bracketts received incidental mention in Ellen White's 1859 diary in connection with a visit she made to Convis. 1EGWLM 797.2

See: Obituary: “Ezra Brackett,” Review, May 21, 1889, p. 335; obituary: “Mary D. Brackett,” Review, Mar. 7, 1882, p. 158; Henry F. Thomas, A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan (New York: Lewis Pub. Co., 1907), pp. 87, 88; Herbert I. Brackett, Brackett Genealogy: Descendants of Anthony Brackett of Portsmouth and Captain Richard Brackett of Braintree. With Biographies of Immigrant Fathers, Their Sons, and Others of Their Posterity (Washington, D.C.: [author], 1907), p. 566; “Business Proceedings of B.C. Conference,” Review, Oct. 9, 1860, pp. 161-163; ibid., Oct. 23, 1860, p. 178; H. B. Peirce, History of Calhoun County, Michigan: With Illustrations Descriptive of Its Scenery, Palatial Residences, Public Buildings, Fine Blocks, and Important Manufactories, From Original Sketches by Artists of the Highest Ability, p. 154; Ellen G. White, Ms 6, 1859 (entries for Apr. 9, 10, 23). 1EGWLM 797.3