I'm honored to be asked to speak to the British American Business Society in New York City on November 1st. And as I thought about British-American relationships through the years, my recollection goes back to my great grandmother.
Elizabeth Stuart was 19 years old when she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Mormon Church - in Northampton, England. Later that year, when she was almost 20, she boarded a sailing ship for the United States. It took several months for her to cross the Atlantic and when she landed in the Gulf of Mexico, she was hit by one of those Gulf Coast hurricanes. The ship lost its rigging and she just barely made it into New Orleans.
She got on a paddle boat and came up to St. Louis where she got a job working in a store to make enough money to buy provisions for her trip across the plains from St. Louis to the valley of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. When she left England, she had no money and when she arrived in St. Louis, she was really penniless.
She had been working in a store in St. Louis for about a month when a kerosene lamp she was carrying exploded, caught her dress on fire and burned over two-thirds of her body. Yet three months later, still suffering from burns, she walked across the plains behind a covered wagon.
When she arrived in Utah, she said it was a barren looking place, around 1851. She said she had no money, she had no hope of earning any and she went from house to house asking if she could work in the home for meals and a roof over her head. Finally, a large family took her in to take care of the cleaning of the home, the cooking and to care for the children.
About six months after she arrived in Salt Lake, she met my great grandfather, John Marriott, who also came from Northampton, England, and I think they'd known each other before in Northampton, but not very well. They were married and their first home was in a wagon bed in those cold Utah winters. Later, they built a home out of the sod, which they cut from the earth. She said it was her first home and how thrilled she was to be living in a house made of sod. She bore nine children and she was a faithful member of our Church and a devoted mother. She's sort of a heroine in our family because of the trials and tribulations that she went through and the great faith and strength that she had.
My grandmother on my mother's side came to the United States from Leeds, England, when she was a young girl. Her mother brought her over to Utah and there she grew up and married my grandfather, Edwin Sheets. They had two children, Walter Sheets and my mother, Alice Sheets. My mother and dad were married in 1927 and came east to Washington, D.C. in a Model T Ford to start Marriott with a nine stool A&W root beer stand.
I'm very proud of my British roots. In fact, my son David went to England and served a mission for our Church in Manchester, England, just about ten years ago. The British-American relationship has been an important part of our life and our family and I'm very proud of our British ancestors.
This is Bill Marriott and thank you for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Marriott Family Roots in England
Mr. Marriott:
I am amazed by the history of your story. I have always told you, there are so many who long to know the journey that preceded you. As I write about you, I have used the great resource of your blog where you are telling your story. I am truly empowered as you have further reinforced that it is our history that assist in the courage of “the can do spirit of today” that so many are seeking. I will certainly send to you a copy of the 5 book( Gifted Magical 95 Percent Series) to be released on 10/10 my birthday:
i) A Fun Political Educational Conversation: From Whence We Came…Where are We Now...Where are We Going ...Utopia???
ii) Energizing Your Phenomenal Power: Reclaiming Incredible Strides of Women in Politics
iii) Presidential Legacies: What Are You Demanding???
iv) The Economic Power of One in Politics: What Experiences….
v) Is it You??? Republican/Democrat. Fascinating Historical Facts about America’s Two Major Political Party
Thanks again for sharing yourself as you keep Marriott on the Move.
Posted by: Juliette Adams | 09/01/2010 at 07:50 AM
Not really to do with your English antecedents but I tought that you should know that an edition of CEO Exchange, in which you appeared with Bob Johnson, will be shown on The Business Channel in the UK on SATURDAY, 5 JANUARY 09:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 22:00
TUESDAY, 8 JANUARY 06:00 | 09:00 | 13:00 | 19:00.
In talking about your time at the head of the Marriott HOtel Group, you naturally talked about your father - very enlightening. As the Director of Programmes, I found your approach to bringing new employees into the industry captivating and, in my company, will try to emulate your principles. Martin Everard
Posted by: Martin Everard | 12/14/2007 at 02:48 AM
What a wonderful story. I agree her life should be the basis of a great movie. My question is, do you plan on having another hotel in Lahaina, Maui? The one that was converted is badly missed.
Posted by: Bill | 11/23/2007 at 05:06 PM
Do you know if you are related to a Captain Charles Stuart, Mr. Marriott? If so, I have tons of information about him!
Posted by: Tyler | 11/22/2007 at 05:04 AM
That is great and if true why do some of your hotels not offer Governmnet rates...even the low-end ones like Fairfield in Lexington Park, MD.
Posted by: Daniel | 11/13/2007 at 07:42 AM
Dear Sir, I was very pleased to read that you keep an active interest and relationship with regard to your family roots here in the UK, and that your son has also kept said relationship maintained. I would, however, like to ask a question of you and the associates. As a very frequent visitor to Marriott properties and a holder of the Marriott Visa card, why do US citizens receive greater benefits from using a Marriott rewards visa card compared to a UK citizen? I would not call this a fair policy considering the history of your family! Surely advantages and rewards should be equal in both countries?
Posted by: Karl Szulakowski | 11/11/2007 at 01:26 AM
I echo the question posed by Michael James on Nov. 1, 2007, about whether the J.W. Marriott who was a Titanic victim was a relative of your family. My husband and I saw his tombstone at the cemetery in Halifax, and then noted his name on the ship's manifest at the Maritime of the Atlantic Museum in Halifax. On the manifest, he was listed as a "pantry" worker. We are owners in MVCI and think Marriott is the best!
Posted by: Betty Zane Morris | 11/09/2007 at 08:13 AM
I am wondering if your family as taught you about keeping friendly relations with associated industries, such as Livery and the like?
Posted by: Gary Fox | 11/09/2007 at 02:55 AM
Good morning Mr Marriott,
What a fascinating and absorbing story you related to us all, and I am delighted your British roots are so deep! Marriott's are Number 1!
Posted by: John Black | 11/07/2007 at 07:55 PM
I have a question off the topic.
Will you ever have a hotel in Cabo san Lucas????? I keep waiting..
Posted by: Terri Clark | 11/06/2007 at 03:33 PM
I believe it is a great thing to know of your ancestry. Knowing where your roots are and what sorts of travels, trials, and tribulations someone has gone on is a great way to establish a knowledge of oneself in the present.
Posted by: William | 11/06/2007 at 12:31 PM
Bill, what an absolutely charming story. It reflects the the true spirit and determination that your Great Grandmother was blessed with, you and your family must be very very proud of her. I was not aware of your British roots, this is a very pleasant surprise. Needless to say, keep on maintaining the high standards you have set and keep on following the examples of your Great Grandmother, I very much look forward to my next visit to one of your hotels. Thanks......
Posted by: Mike | 11/06/2007 at 10:01 AM
hi there, what a fasinating story. this will be our first time staying at a marriott hotel, in michigan. it looks beautiful. looking forward to it. thanks, susan.
Posted by: susan | 11/05/2007 at 02:50 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott - As a avid traveller and lover of the Marriott family of hotels, it was fascinating to read and listen to your family story. As an MBA student in Canada we chose Marriott as a company that we would research and compare to Hilton. I am happy to say that we can see from your annual report that the Marriott has seen steady growth over the last 5 years and are well position to grow the Marriott brand around the world! I hope that our report does your company justice.
Posted by: Shelley Dooher | 11/03/2007 at 01:56 PM
She was certainly a gallant person. Wish I could have been in NY to hear your story.
Posted by: Janis Wohl | 11/03/2007 at 09:14 AM
Dera Mr.marriot
The Marrriot got me through many a travel story, including a sad divorce and the loss of my father.
It brought me much peace in the custom of my English mother Dixie Ann Spencer Gabriel . That being absolute hospitality good taste and well mannners.
I seriously would love to be your travel girl secret shopper and blog on world travels with Marriot. If ever you are in need Im the girl for you.Please never stop being number1!
Sincerly
Kathawren
I am a writer of song and poetry and I love traveling next to taking care of my five beautiful grandchildren.
never stop being number 1.
Posted by: kathawren | 11/02/2007 at 10:19 AM
There is a JW Marriott who lost his life on the Titanic and is buried in Halifax at the Titanic Memorial Gravesite. I cannot help but believe they must've been related to your family in someway, he was in his early 20s when he lost his life on that tragic night. Do you knw if this person was related to your father's side of ther Family?
Posted by: Michael James | 11/01/2007 at 03:12 AM
Mr. Marriott, I found you ancestry story fascinating. I think the Marriott story has enough it for a great inspiring movie. WOW
Posted by: RS | 11/01/2007 at 03:09 AM
002-082-865. I have been a faithful member of the Marriott Hotel chain and have always enjoyed my many stays. I lived for 18 months at the LAX Marriott. I also appreciate your humble beginnings. If only others would read about it and get motivated to succeed.
Posted by: terry sentonaris | 11/01/2007 at 01:21 AM
Hi Mr. Marriott,
Each time I visit this blog, I learn not just how to operating a business, but different things such as family value, leadership, environment, and many other things from you.
Posted by: Jasmine | 10/31/2007 at 06:58 PM