Journal entires for the ship George Washington

This is the ship that Ellen Carter and William Henry Bone traveled on.

Ship:     George Washington

            Date of Departure:        28 Mar 1857     Port of Departure:         Liverpool, England

            LDS Immigrants:           817                   Church Leader: James P. Park

            Date of Arrival: 20 Apr 1857      Port of Arrival:  Boston, Massachussettes

            Source(s):         BMR, Book #1046, pp. 12-50 (FHL #025,691); Customs (FHL #419,943)

           

Notes:   "DEPARTURE. -- The splendid ship George Washington, bound for Boston, cleared on the 27th of March, having on board 817 souls of the Saints.  There were amongst them 14 returning missionaries, namely:  -- Elders J. P. Park, J. B. Martin, C. R. Dana, D. B. Dille, James Carrrigan, J. C. Hall, Israel Evans, B. Ashby, A. P. Tyler, T. H. Latey, O. G. Workman, D. A. Curtis, A. M. Musser, and W. G. Walker.  We sent Presidents Benson and Ray on board to organize the Saints, by aiding them in the selection of their presidents and teachers.  About 3 o'clock, p.m., the Saints were called together on the upper deck.  After singing one of the soul stirring songs of Zion, prayer was offered up by President J. A. Ray for the blessings of the God of Israel to attend the Saints while journeying to Zion, and for Heaven's blessings to rest upon all Israel, in their various conditions in life, &c., to which a hearty amen resounded from the bosom of every Saint on board.   President Benson then proposed Elder James P. Park to be their president, and Elders J. B. Martin and C. R. Dana to be his counsellors, which was unanimously agreed to.  The vessel was divided into five wards, and the following elders were selected to be their respective presidents:  -- Israel Evans, B. Ashby, J. Carrigan, D. B. Dille, and J. C. Hall.   President E. T. Benson then addressed the congregation for about three quarters of an hour, as directed by the Spirit, touching upon the practical duties that would devolve upon them while travelling up to Zion; President Ray, and Elder Hatch, and Lunt followed making such remarks as were suitable for the occasion.  About the time the meeting was dismissed, we arrived on board:  the attention of the Saints was again called, when we proceeded to address them for a short time, upon the subject of patience, promising the Saints great blessings on condition of their faithfulness.  The meeting was then dismissed.  During the meeting several hymns suitable to the occasion were sung by the brethren and sisters in a spirited manner, one of which was -- 'Ye elders of Israel come join now with me,' &c., with the chorus 'O Babylon, O Babylon, we bid thee farewell, / We're going to the mountains of Ephraim to dwell.'  All hearts seemed to be filled with joy, peace, and praise to their Heavenly Father for his goodness in giving them an understanding of the gospel, for making known to them that the hour of his judgments (upon Babylon) were at hand, and for making a way for their deliverance.   About 6 o'clock we bade farewell to all on board.  Three cheers for 'Mormonism,' were given by the vast concourse, led by President Benson, making the air ring with -- Huzza !  huzza !  huzza ! -- handkerchiefs and hats were waved until we were out of sight.  May God bless and preserve his Saints."

<MS, 19:15 (April 11, 1857), pp. 233-34>

"NINETY-NINTH COMPANY -- George Washington.  817 souls.  The fine ship George Washington, Captain Cummings, sailed from Liverpool on the twenty-eighth of March, 1857, with eight hundred and seventeen of the Saints on board, including fourteen returning elders, namely, James P. Park, Jesse B. Martin, C. R. Dana, D. B. Dille, James Carrigan, J. C. Hall, Israel Evans, Benjamin Ashby, A. P. Tyler, Thomas  H. Latey, O. G. Workman, D. A. Curtis, A. M. Musser and William G. Walker.  James P. Park was appointed president of the company with Jesse B. Martin and C. R. Dana as counselors; A. M. Musser, secretary.  The ship had an unusually speedy and prosperous voyage, reaching Boston in twenty-three sailing days from Liverpool.  Four deaths occurred on board, and one child was born.  Captain Cummings, in reply to a complimentary note from President Park and counselors, and secretary of the company, stated, 'I am free to acknowledge that on no previous voyage have my passengers conducted themselves so orderly and peaceably as those in your charge; cleanliness, morality, sobriety, reciprocation of favors and general good behavior were preeminently conspicuous in their conduct and character.'   On Monday, April 20th, the George Washington arrived in Boston harbor, and on the following Thursday (April 23rd), the emigrants disembarked and most of them left Boston by rail the same day in the afternoon.  A few proceeded to New York, and perhaps other places, in search of employment, not having means to continue the journey straight to Utah, while the bulk of the company traveled westward via Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Toledo, Chicago and Rock Island to Iowa City, where they arrived on the thirtieth.  Here they were met by Elder James A. Little, the emigration agent who had arrived at the outfitting place the day before.  With considerable exertion he and the brethren of the company succeeded in getting the tents, wagon covers, and other commodities which he had purchased for the emigrants on the camp ground, and, considering that the luggage of the company had not yet arrived, except what little they had brought along for immediate or daily use, they were made quite comfortable for the night.  On the first of May a supply of provisions was got on the ground, and the tents were more permanently arraigned.  The bulk of the emigrants' luggage also arrived in the evening of that day, after which everybody set busily to work preparing for the journey across the plains.  (Millennial Star, Vol. XIX, pp.223, 334, 363, 377, 379; Deseret News, Vol. VII, p.141."

<Cont., 14:7 (May 1893), p.342>

"Sat. 28. [Mar 1857] -- The ship George Washington sailed from Liverpool, England, with 817 Saints, under the direction of James P. Park, bound for Utah via Boston."

<CC, p.58>

Journal Excerpt of John Edge Booth

            . . . My parents and four children sailed from Liverpool in the ship George Washington about the 26th day of March 1857 and made the trip to Boston in 22 days.  I was not seasick.  On the landing we at once took train through Albany, New York, Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago, Rock Island and to Iowa City, Iowa.  We camped out without shelter for about ten days or two weeks when we got wagons and cattle and started crossing the plains, the next stopping at Florence, Nebraska.  We then renewed our outfit and went on to Salt Lake.  This letter is too brief to explain the details of that trip and I expect to write more in my journal about it.  We arrived in Salt Lake City about noon on Saturday the 12th day of September 1857, having been nearly six months without ever having slept in a bed or house.  On that day I first ate a piece of watermelon and liked it, I have not changed in that regard. . . . [p.2]

BIB:     Booth, John Edge. [Journal Excerpt] IN Stringer Family by John Henry Stringer.  p. 2.  (FHL)

Autobiography of Charles Root Dana

            . . . Monday 23rd  Brother Pratt informed me that he had appointed me to aid Brother James P. Park in presiding over the Saints to sail on the George Washington.  This was not in accordance with previous arrangements but I “hunched up my shoulders” and determined to work well on the "offside", also having, I believe a very good idea of who had influenced others.

            Friday 26th  This evening the George Washington left the docks and in the morning we found ourselves out in the Mersey on the good ship at anchor there.

            This day (the 27th) the government officers came on board and discharged their duties and on the 28th, Saturday, the steam tug came and towed the ship out into the channel.

            Monday April 6th  I proposed to Brother Park, as this was the 6th day of April that I should like to have a conference on deck and sustain the authorities of the church &c,&c.  This he agreed to and a very good time we had.  The meeting was at [p.167] two o'clock in the afternoon.

            On Friday the 17th the wind blowed from the south this morning and we run very fast, but it changed into the west.  The seas were running high and the ship rolled from side to side and all of a sudden the cry of "fire, fire!!" saluted my ears.  I turned me around and gazed upon the awfulest sight that I ever beheld.  The cooking galley was all in a flame, the blaze issuing out of each door with tremendous fury.  The blaze also issuing out of the stove pipe to the height of several feet above and that too up to the main stay sail.  But through the good providence of God it had been raining and the sails rigging &c., was of course wet, which if it had been dry and the stay sails set (but at this time it was furled), the fire would have communicated with the sails and rigging and as the captain, Mr. [-] Cummings said it could hardly have been stayed and if the “hull of the ship had been saved it would have been by cutting the mast” &c.  However, [p.168] we were saved this calamity and even a worse one; for it happened that a cask of water stood near at hand and one of the brethren was very active and the flames were soon extinguished.  The fire originated from the barrel of slush which stood between the stoves, and by the rocking of the ship it emptied a part of its contents on to the red hot stoves and of course it took fire instantly.

            Sunday 19th.  At 9 this evening I saw a light in a lighthouse on Cape Cod; which was forty miles from the city of Boston.

            Monday 20th.  I arose early this morning and beheld the lights on shore; for we were within a few miles of Boston; but we had to bye bye for a short time waiting for a pilot.  He soon came and we were safely anchored in the Bay of Boston, having made the voyage in twenty three days.

            The wind increased to a regular storm, so much so that the ship dragged her anchors about one mile and was near being driven ashore.

            On the 22nd the tug came and towed [p.169] the good ship to the docks.  Elder John Taylor soon came on board.  He had made arrangements for our passage through the states by railroad to Iowa City for ten dollars & fifty cents each adult.

            On Thursday the 23rd we unloaded our luggage got it hauled to the station and left Boston at half past three in the afternoon.

            Monday, 27th  We arrived in Toledo about noon and tarried there until 9 in the evening.  We had suffered all sorts of abuse at Buffalo, Cleveland, and other places; but at this place I think that we suffered more than at all other places between Boston and here.

            Thursday, 30th - We arrived at Iowa City about eleven in the morning.  Brother Little met us there soon after we arrived and the Saints generally went to the campground, three miles. . . . [p.170]

            . . . Monday June 1st.  About four this afternoon a part of the wagon company started for the valley. . . [p.171]

            . . . Saturday 12th.  Drove thirteen miles and arrived safe in Salt Lake City. . . . [p.176]

BIB:     Dana, Charles Root.  Autobiography, pp. 167-171, 176.  (HDA)

Autobiography of Charles Root Dana

            The Lord is well pleased with your labors and His servants are also well pleased for you have done a good work in these lands and we feel to bless you in the name of Jesus Christ and say to you, inasmuch as you are released to return home go on your way rejoicing for ye shall return home and your brethren, the presidency, shall accept your labors and the Lord shall manifest Himself to you.  And inasmuch as you have been blessed heretofore with the spirit of revelation and prophecy you shall again be blessed, only more abundantly than you have ever been that you may in time of need have the revelations of the most high to rest upon you that you may comprehend all things that is necessary for you to understand from time to time.  We also say unto you, Brother Dana, mourn not because of the circumstances which have transpired with your family nor yet the loss of your property for we say unto that you shall receive an hundredfold, yea an hundredfold, and you shall live many years upon the earth and do much for the building up of Zion and we say unto you receive ye the gift of the Holy Ghost, even so, amen.

[A blessing given to Charles Root Dana given by Elder Pratt at the end of his mission.]

           

Autobiography of Robert Leeming Fishburn

            . . . On the twenty-eighth of the month we sailed out on board the George Washington, a sailing vessel, there being in the company 816 Saints aboard besides the ship’s crew.

            On our voyage we experienced some storms, but all things considered we had a pleasant one. We landed in Boston twenty-one days after leaving Liverpool, which was considered to be remarkably good time for a sailing vessel. We then traveled from Boston to Iowa City, in the state of Iowa, by railroad, remaining there three weeks. The reason for our having to wait so long was on account of our handcarts not being ready for us on our arrival. . . . [p.203]

BIB:     Fishburn, Robert Leeming, “Pioneer Autobiographies,” Chronicles of Courage, vol. 2 (Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1991) p. 203.  (HDL)

Journal Excerpt of Elizabeth Hollist

            . . . In 1857 we came to America.  We crossed the Atlantic on the ship, George Washington.  Elder Park was the president of the company.  Eight hundred sixteen were in the company; eight hundred fourteen landed, as there was one birth and three deaths on board ship.  Elder Ezra Benson came on deck and said that if the Saints would do as they were told, we should anchor in twenty-two days.  His word came true.  We sailed March 28th, but on account of having the measles on board, we were quarantined in the Boston Harbor until April 26, 1857. . . . [p.2]

BIB:     Hollist, Elizabeth [Journal Excerpt] IN Stringer Family by John Henry Stringer.  p. 2.  (FHL)

Journal of Frances Kerby

            Thursday, March 26 [1857] - Took train for Liverpool.  Arrived at one-half past 3.  Embarked for Boston on board the packet ship George Washington in company with 816 passengers presided over by Elder James Parks [Park] with Brothers Dana and Martin his counselors.  We had a pleasant voyage of 23 days, after which we landed at Boston.  My little son was blessed by President Parks [Park] and named Josepth [Joseph].  Took train for New York and arrived there on 23rd of April in good health and spirits.

1859

            ____, July 7 - Appointed by President Appleby and Clinton to preside over the New York Branch.

            ____, November 6 - Elder Stenhouse received an appointment from President Young to take charge of the Eastern Mission as Elders Appleby and Clinton were released and on their way to Utah.

            Tuesday, April 26, 1859 - My wife, Mary, was safely delivered of a daughter.

            May 17 - Left New York for Florence - arrived in Albany on the next day.

            May 28 - Arrived in Florence.

            June 5 - My daughter was blessed by Elder Cannon and called Eliza.

            July 31 - My daughter, Mary, being eight years old was baptized by Elder Hodges.

1860

            July 6 - Had the privilege to emigrate with the handcart company [Oscar O. Stoddard according to Genealogical Society Records] through Brothers Coward and De LaMere using their influence with Brother G. [George Q.] Cannon.

            September 24 - Arrived in Salt Lake City after a pleasant journey across the plains. [p.18]

BIB:     Kerby, Francis.  Journal (Microfilm transcript, Ms 8058), p. 18.  (HDA)

Journals of Robert McQuarrie - Summary

            I crossed the water in the sailing ship George Washington, James P. Park in charge of the company of eight hundred sixteen souls.  I crossed the plains in Captain Jesse B. Martin's company and arrived in Salt Lake City September 12th same year.

BIB:     McQuarrie, Robert.  Journals (Ms 2732), vol.1, pp.5-6.  (A)

Journals of Robert McQuarrie

            . . . 1857 Sunday 15 - I was released from the duties of my calling in the Greenock Branch and received a recommend previous to my departure for Salt Lake Valley.  According to counsel I was rebaptized & confirmed by Elder Peter McFarlane, president of the Greenock Branch.

            1857 Thursday 19 We left our homes and sailed from Greenock to Liverpool per steamship “Vanguard.”  Beside my father’s family we took with us Hamilton Garrick and Agnes Gray who after our arrival in Salt Lake became my brother Hector’s wife.  We stayed in Liverpool 8 days and took passage on board the George Washington for Boston with 816 souls on board.

            Before we set sail we were favored with the presence of Elders Orson Pratt, Ezra T. Benson, & J. Ray, the presidency of the European mission.  They gave us some good instructions and promised us a good passage and safe arrival in Boston.  Elder James P. Park was appointed president of the company, Jesse B. Martin and Charles R. Dana counselors with a host of Valley elders on board.  The second night we were at sea, a storm arose and the noise of the boxes and tin cans was terrible.

            1857 April 17 The sea was very rough.  The sea was rolling from one side to the other and upset some of the cooking utensils and set the ship on fire, but it was soon got out.  One of the cooks was ill scalded about the arms and heads, another brother got his hand scalded but soon got well. [p.5]

            1857 Monday April 20 We arrived in Boston Bay after 23 days of sailing.  The first mate said he sailed the seas for 32 years but never had better winds to take us into Boston.  As soon as we cast anchor a terrible storm arose of wind, snow, & rain.  Cast 2 more anchors.  The storm continued so that we could not get into the harbor till Wednesday about noon.  We stayed in the ship overnight.

            Thursday the 23rd 4 p.m.  We left Boston by rails.  Arrived in Albany on Friday.  Ferried across the [UNCLEAR, POSSIBLY Hudson] River.  Took rail again.  Arrived in Buffalo on Saturday at 10:00 o'clock a.m.  Left Buffalo and arrived in Cleveland on Sunday morning.  At 5:00 o'clock p.m. we went into the cars and stayed in them all night.  We left Cleveland at 5:30 a.m.  Monday morning arrived in Toledo about noon.  We left Toledo at 7 o'clock p.m. for Chicago.  Arrived in Iowa City on May 1st.  We camped 3 miles west of Iowa City.  Remained there one month during which time we were preparing wagons, bows, and yokes.

            Wednesday 3 We started with a company of 31 wagons, Jesse B. Martin, captain of the company, C. R. Danna, captain of the 1st ten wagons, James Carrigan, captain of the second ten, Oliver Workman, captain of the 3rd ten. . . . [p.6]

            1857 September Saturday 12 We started at 7 o’clock.  Brother Robert Baxter met us on the top of the little mountain, we went into Salt Lake City and camped on the public square. [p.15]

BIB:     McQuarrie, Robert.  Journals (Ms 2732), vol. 1,  p.5-6,15.  (A)

Diary of Amos Milton Musser

            Friday 20th - Took rail for Liverpool.  Day spent in business.  Took lodging at Mrs. Powell's, Crosshall Street.  In the evening attended the circus with several of the brethren.

            Saturday 21st - Meeting in the office.  I have been rebaptized by Brother John Kay in a tepid swimming bath, a nice place.  Brother Pratt and Ray confirmed me [p.69] & bestowed a peculiarly good blessing upon my head.  I feel thankful unto God, my Heavenly Father, for his great kindness manifested toward me thus far. & I do most sincerely & humbly pray unto him to grant unto me a pardon of all my past sins & assist me by the power of his Holy Spirit to do his righteous & holy will by living my religion in word, thought, and deed, that in the end I may have guaranteed unto me eternal life in His great kingdom.  In the name of Jesus, Oh Lord, I ask thee to give me strength, wisdom, & understanding, that I may live to do good & only thee & thy will to know.  Even so, Amen.

            Sunday 22nd.  10:30 a.m. At meeting in the Saints hall assembly rooms.  McKenzie Street spoke a while to the Saints.  At 5 p.m. attended a council meeting at 6 a preaching meeting Brothers Hatch and Pratt spoke.  Brother Pratt promised us in the name of the Lord a good & prosperous voyage across the sea & plains if we would obey counsel and live our religion.  We had a glorious time.

            May 23rd - Weather cold & stormy.  In the office assisting the clerks.

            Thursday 26th - Past few days engaged in the office writing & assisting in booking emigrants for the George Washington.  This day engaged in getting our luggage aboard of the ship.  Great confusion & anxiety prevails on all such occasions, but I am quite sure that less confusion characterizes of movement our people than those of other classes.  Instead of excessive property, inebriety & grumbling which are prominent characteristics of emigrants generally.  We observe with pleasure a contrary or opposite course with our people which goes to prove that all are prompted by the same spirit & motive endeavoring to do unto others as they wish to be done unto.  All were on board by night.  At 11 p.m. the ship went into the stream.

            Fri. the 27th - Slept on board during the night.  Early in the morning went ashore & returned again at 10 ½ with a number of brethren & sisters amongst whom Brothers Benson & Ray.  At a meeting held after our arrival the following organization was entered into:  Brother James R. Park was appointed president over the Saints, Brother J. B. Martin & Charles R. Dana were appointed [p.70] his counselors.  The ship is divided off into 5 wards.  The following men were appointed bishops over these wards viz. Brothers Dilta [Dillie], Evans, Hall [Hatt], Ashby, & Carrigan.  Each ward is divided into districts & a teacher appointed over each district to see that the public & private prayer is attended to & that wards are kept clean & pure by frequent ventilation, sweeping & washing.  A. [Amos M.] Musser was appointed secretary for the ship.  All these officers were sustained by unanimous vote.

            . . .

            Brothers Pratt, Benson, & others made us glorious promises & poured down upon our heads blessings in great profusion with a fervency becoming apostles of the Most High.  May the blessings predicted, some of which were life, a prosperous voyage, and a pleasant time, be fully realized, & may our conduct in every respect such as to merit those blessings & may also the blessings of high heaven poured out as propitiously upon all our brethren we leave behind is my humble prayer in the name of Jesus, Amen.

            The George Washington (a noble name) is an A-1 vessel and registers 1649 tons.  She is well adopted for carrying passengers.  Every passenger has 10 cubic feet allotted him for the luggage & a berth sufficiently for his person.  All (according to law) [- -] are adult passengers  & have had to pay £4.5 for their passage; under eight, and over, £3.5, infants one shilling.  Each adult all allowed the following scale of provisions: 132 [-] of water, 3 ½ ms of bread or biscuit [-] of flour, 1 ½ ms of oatmeal, 1 ½ ms of rice, 1 ½ ms of peas, 1 ½ ms of beef, 1 m pork, 2 ms potatoes, 2 ounces of tea, 1 m sugar, a ½  of mustard, a 1/4 ounce of ground pepper, 2 ounces of salt, & 1 jill of vinegar.  The water is issued daily.  The above is a [-] scale of provisions.  The provisions are of the best quality. [p.71]  The vessel has 816 passengers on board & with a few exceptions they are all Latter-day Saints bound for Zion via Boston.

            Sat. 28th - at about 5 a.m. we weighed anchor with the assistance of a tug.  Passed down the River Mersey into the Irish Channel & in a few fleeting hours we were out of sight of land.  A dense fog assisted amazingly in obscuring it.  It is soul cheering to listen to the songs of Zion issuing forth by ardent spirits from the pure hearts of my brethren & sisters.  They collected in groups over in the vessel.  Those more immediately applicable to our circumstances, mission, etc. are chosen, such as "Yes, my native land I love thee", and "On the gallant ship we ride", "The gallant ship is underway", etc. “To Leave My Dear Friends,” etc., etc.  We left the tug with a fair wind.  We have also [-] of the guard appointed to see that a watch is stationed at every hatchway every night to prevent ingress of strangers & unnecessary egress to Saints after a certain hour of the night.  We have on board English, Welsh, Scotch, Irish, Swiss, & Yankees, a medley of people & languages.  The captain [-] is from appearance a thoroughbred, “Jonathan.”  He appears kind, obliging, & affable with all.  The chief mate [-], tho quite repulsive in appearance & somewhat rude in his manner, is nevertheless obliging when approached in a condescending manner.  The second mate [LINE DRAWN THROUGH THE REST OF THE SENTENCE] surgeon.

            Sunday 29th - The morning quite rough and the wind varying.  The visages of the Saints  begin to [-] a longitudinal length equal to that of Uncle Ned’s digits & as ghostly as the witches of Endor dismissing their reports with becoming liberty & freedom.  A.M., had meeting in the 1st deck. Brothers Park, Martin, Dana, & Evans spoke upon things pertaining to our welfare on ship board, making great promises. [p.72]  P.M., about 7/8 of the (or more) Saints are seasick.  Some have truly a tough time.  Some are very sick indeed & most all are in their berths too unwell to wait on themselves.  The well are obliged to clean up after and wait upon them.  This they do with a spirit becoming Saints.  I have been administering to a great many of them.

            Tues. 31st - Yesterday & today very stormy & unsettled.  Out of the whole number of passengers about 800 of them are all down with seasickness, many of them too helpless to render themselves any assistance.  The G. [George] W. [Washington] might with propriety be called a floating hospital.  At 1/4 before 10 o'clock p.m. Mrs. Mary Anne, wife of Thomas Jenkins was delivered of a fine daughter.  The sisters, although sick, mustered up sufficient courage to help in this accouching the doctor, Mr. [-], & myself acting in our respective spheres as best we could. [THE NEXT SENTENCE IS CROSSED OUT]

            Wed., April 1, 1857,  Up till ½ past 2 with Mrs. Jenkins.  All day engaged in working upon the Saints.  Oranges, lemons, red herring, preserves, & jams are very necessary things for to bring along on a sea voyage.  The winds are quite contrary.

            Thurs. 2nd.  A very heavy sea outside which created a heavy or constant heaving within. The ship tossing to & fro personifying a [-] person.  The Saints are very sick & require more attention than I & the few well brethren can impart unto them.  The wind is dead ahead & we have but little sail set.

            Fri. 3rd - More calm.  The Saints, like a swarm of bees in the morning or after a storm begin to show themselves very numerously over the two upper decks.  I am truly glad to observe their convalescence.  It is a great relief to the well ones and much greater to themselves.

            Sat. 4th - Winds more favorable but few sick.  A.M. I acted as steward in supervising the issuing of the rations.  I had 10 assistants & yet it took 5 ½ hours to issue provisions for one week for the whole company.  P.M., got all on deck and fumigated the vessel by burning tar between the decks which is productive of much good in creating a healthy atmosphere.

            Sunday 5th - A.M., meeting on the lower deck.  & p.m., meeting in the upper deck.  Good & spirited times.  Joseph, infant son of Brother F. [Francis] Kirby [Kerby], was blessed by several of us elders, President Park being mouth.

            Mon. 6 - At 2 p.m. this day all are assembled on the upper deck & held a conference.  As usual, as onshore all of the authorities from Brother Brigham to last ordained were unanimously sustained by uplifted hands.  Brothers Park and others addressed the assembled Saints & all felt first-rate.  It is peculiarly pleasing to observe the order and the good feelings - the saintly decorum & the religious observances of the Saints of God on board of this ship.  The wind is strong & favorable promoting our interests at the rate of 12 or 13 knots per hour.

            Tues. 7 - The wind is still fair.  I regret to have to notice that we have on board 2 very sick females, one sister by name of F. [Frances] M. Puddiford & the other, Mrs. Jenkins,  who was a very few days ago confined.  She is quite delirious & I fear will not recover unless a change is soon effected.

            Wed. 8 - Sister P. [Puddiford] is much better but Mrs. J. [Jenkins] is worse.  Her disease has reached its acme or zenith.  We hope and pray for the best.

            Thurs. 9 - Wind favorable & pretty strong.  Going at the rate of 9 knots per hour.  The passengers gradually convalescent.  Some few still very local in their habits i.e. they remain in bed yet.

            Fri. 10th - At about 12 o'clock last night Brother John Shuttleworth, aged about 60 years, departed this life after an asthmatical illness not ameliorated by seasickness of over 4 months.  He was quite indisposed when he left Liverpool but it was thought by his son, who came with him & his friends, that sea air would be a source of blessing to him.  His severe illness not in the least mitigated by the mucous seasickness gradually assumed a more alarming aspect until at last his constitution had to yield.  At 8 this morning, his body after a few minutes of exhibition for the gaze of friends, was sewed up into a sheet, a bag of sand fastened to his feet, lowered over the bulwarks into the watery grave.  May he rest in peace.

            This morning I had 2 teeth pulled.  They were both decayed.

            We have many testimonies to sustain the conclusion that the Gentiles believe that the protecting hand of the almighty hand of Providence overrules [p.74] our emigration.  A party writing from America to a friend in Scotland told him to emigrate in a Mormon vessel with the Saints asserting that the charter ships that never sink nor meet with disasters.  An owner of a ship after hearing that several of our elders were on board of his vessel that set sail from America that had been out rather longer than anticipated exclaimed, "If they are on board she will come through safe."  A captain after taking a cargo of our people across the Atlantic said he would rather take our people for a trifle than "Irish cattle" for full price.  We have gained a notoriety amongst captains & shippers for our cleanliness, order and decorum, &c, &c, &c.  In the evening had several good exhortation meetings & with others.  I spoke a short time.

            Sat. 11 - Wind fair & all things going on pretty smoothly.  The sick are gradually improving.

            Sun. 12 - This morning Sarah Ann, daughter of Sarah Ann Coggle of Southampton, died of fever 11 months old.  It was buried in the deep.  The mother is not here.  Brother and Sister Hatt [George and Mary] were it's adopted parents.  A.M., had meeting on the main deck & p.m. & evening, had another good one on the lower decks.

            Mon. 13.  Wind quite unfavorable.  The sick convalescent.

            Tues. 14.  Wind favorable.  Burned tar again between decks.

            Wed. 15.  Went ahead again.  In the evening experienced a light gale.  Much rain falls & has been falling scarcely missing a day since we left Liverpool.

            Fri. 17 - Yesterday wind much calm.  About 1 o'clock this morning Mrs. Mary Ann Jenkins, wife of Thomas Jenkins, age twenty-five years from Herefordshire, England, died of [-] mania, or inflammation of the brain following childbirth.  After a brief prayer offered by myself she was like her two predecessors consigned to the watery deep as the only resting place we could find for her body.  She leaves a husband & 4 small children to lament her loss.  We paid her every attention we could.  I had 4 brethren & from 10 to 16 sisters taking turns in waiting on herself & child.  Several children on board have the measles.  Many are troubled with diarrhea and others with constipation. [p.75]

            Sat. 18 - Up early (after a restless night’s rest occasioned by severe earache), attended to the issuing of provisions, I trust for the last time.  We issue about 20 barrels biscuit, 4 tierce beef, 4 barrel pork, 4 bags of rice, 5 barrels flour, 5 oatmeal, 4 sugar, 4 barrel of peas, ½ chest of tea, ½ a barrel vinegar, besides pepper, mustard, salt, &c. every Saturday.  We are gradually and surely drawing near our destined haven, Boston Bay.  Have been & is still so fully occupied in taking care of the sick & helpless that the time passes away without my noticing it & to me the aquatic journey thus far has been extremely brief.  P.M., several of the brethren have been considerably burned through a barrel of grease tipping over & catching fire in the galley & so imminent did the danger appear that fears of no ordinary magnitude were entertained by some for the safety of the ship.  The cry of, "Fire!  Fire!!" was heard distinctly & repeatedly but happily the deck & everything was wet caused a heavy fall of rain & by throwing water profusely, the flame was soon subdued.  The sick are convalescent.  P.M., the between decks were again fumigated by burning tar.  In the evening helped cast a devil by the name of “Heehrel” out of Sister Mary Dyer.

            Sun. 19 - 2 good meetings this day.  In the evening rebuked another evil spirit by name of “Cosheon” in connection with by brethren from Sister Mary again.  The Lord acknowledged our administration & blessed be his name.  A good wind all the day.  About 10 o'clock in sight of the Cape Cod Lighthouse.

            Mon. 20 - Early this morning we anchored inside of Boston Harbor perhaps 2 miles from the city.  A more beautiful harbor I have not seen.  Thus in 22 days we have made a voyage across the Atlantic.  The Lord has sustained us all the while & blessed us in an almost unprecedented manner; more hereafter.  Brother Park went ashore leaving orders for me to ascertain who had not paid head money &c, that said have paid it.  Got through about noon when all the passengers were summoned before the emigrant commissioner to answer to their names, &c.

            Lucky for us, we got into the harbor this morning early, for it had been blowing a gale all the day.

            Tues. 21st - Most of the night making out a new list of all the passengers.  Got them all in bed at 9 last evening & then went to work in a successful manner.  This morning rougher than ever.  A [p.76] strong gale blowing the GW [George Washington] draws her anchor.  The strength of the wind is unprecedented in this harbor by the officers on board.  I am & have been as busy as a bee writing, making out lists, reports, &c, &c.

            Wed. 22nd - Weather more calm.  President John Taylor came on board.  Got the Saints together & received some instructions from him.  I’ve been very busy writing, making memorandums all for & concerning the disembarkation & business of the passengers.  Brother Taylor has contracted with Mr. J. Q. A. Bean, principal agent for the Lakeshore & Michigan Southern Railroad line, for the transportation of our people to Iowa city & elsewhere.  The fares are much reduced.  We are charged but $10.50 per head, adult; under 16 $5.25; under 6 free.  100 pounds of luggage free & $3.50 per 100 pounds of extra luggage.  This is truly very reasonable.  4 officers attending & accompanying the Saints go free.  Those going to St. Louis pay the same fare. Those going to Cincinnati $9 those going to New York $2.50 per head, per adult; ½ price for all under 16 years.  Mr. Bean has requested me to collect the train fares of the emigrants & guess at the weight of their luggage & receive pay for its freight, &c, &c.  This morning we hoisted anchor & with the assistance of a steam tug, arrived in due course at the [-] wharf  (river at Boston).

            Thurs. 23rd - I commenced last evening at 8 o'clock to collect the railway fares, &c. and have been assiduous all the night long just consummating the collection at break of day this morning.  It was a job of no small magnitude to wake the people up, exercise patience till they found their purses, metamorphosing English and French coin into American, making change, guessing at the extra luggage, keeping account of who paid, how many paid, [p.77] what paid for, where emigrants going, &c, &c.  Of course I had help.  All forenoon straightening accounts with Mr. Bean & the passengers.  I have collected $3,900.87 train money on passengers & extra freight.  P.M., accompanied Mr. B. [Bean] in his chaise to the Boston & Worcester Railway Depot to see the Saints off who disembark this morning.  A special train was deputed for their especial purpose.  420  went to Iowa City & St. Louis, 9 to Cincinnati, 106 to New York, others elsewhere, & a number stopped here or in this state.  Brother Park accompanied the Saints to Iowa City & I have been by Brother Taylor deputed to remain here & see to the disposing of the extra provisions, paying of [UNCLEAR, POSSIBLY head] money, & clearing & forwarding boxes of merchandise, getting off Saints, making reports, &c, &c, &c.  I am to follow in a few days by express.  I do not remember of ever before having so many "irons in the fire" at the same time & to prevent them getting burned.  I had been obliged to exert my mental & physical faculties to nearly the zero of their strength.  I regret to have to record the death of Sister Charlotte Stead [Steed], age 67 from Marlboro Worcestershire, England who departed this life this morning.  She will be interred in one of the Boston cemeteries.  She died of [-].  Mr. Freeman & Captain Storer called to see me & expressed much joy in meeting me.  They were officers on board the “Niobe” when [p.78] Brother Leonard and self went to Bombay from Calcutta in her several years back.  About 5 o'clock Brother Taylor left Boston with the Saints for New York & Philadelphia.

            Fri. 24th - Elder Taylor brought me a letter from Mr. Dunlap.  All day busily engaged with the business left me to accomplish.  Got the last Saints off for London in Canada.  I intimated to Captain Commings that I intended speaking encomiously of him, his officers, & the doctor with a report I proposed making out for publication in the "Mormon."  He thanked me & told me [if] I felt like writing an article upon our decorum, sobriety, morality, cleanliness, &c., he would have great pleasure in putting his name to it.  I in turn expressed my thanks for his kindness.

            Sat. 25 - I am putting up at Sister Melissa Rice, who has received me very kindly and administers faithfully to my wants.  Her husband is not a member of the church.  He is in California.  They are under tolerable easy circumstances.  While Sister Rice & her sister were yesterday witnessing the Saints making their exit at the railway station, one of the light fingered gentleman without solicitation & with an eye single to the comfort of his own back & belly, very clandestinely extracted a purse containing $40 some promissory notes, &c. from Sister Rice's pocket.  This is quite a loss and we presume it is gone for good.  The customs house Mr. [-] officer very kindly permitted the luggage of the Saints to pass without even a slight formal examination.  This saved a great deal of time & trouble.

            This morning succeeded in selling the extra provisions left on board the George Washington to Mrs. Taylor and Warren.  They are to be got out & weighed on Monday next.

            On visiting Mr. Armstrong for the purpose of pay the head money for the passengers staying in Massachusetts, I learned that a list of those who left the state as well as a list of the remaining is required.  I had to accordingly set to work & make 3 lists again.  I presume I have written the names of all the George Washington passengers over 3 or 4 times already & it is no small job to set down & transcribe 812 names of fixing & prefixing the number of their tickets together with their ages.

            Sun. 26 - Writing till after midnight last night & all day this day.  I am making reports for the "Mormon" & "Star" [THE MORMON AND MILLENNIAL STAR ARE LDS PERIODICALS] office concerning our emigrants business, &c.  At 7 p.m. attended meeting in the Saints meeting room, Tuckermans Hall.  We had good attendance & I spoke with good freedom.  Brother James F. Cleary from the Valley presides over the Boston Branch.  His address is 771 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.  Sister Rice's address where I am staying is number 11 West Orage Street.  It was pleasing to observe in the congregation numbers of familiar faces from Europe.  The Saints feel well.  I shall never forget the kindness of Sister M. Rice.  She pays me every attention to make me comfortable.  May the Lord abundantly bless & reward her for her goodness, Amen.

            Mon. 27 - Raining most of the day, my discharging stores.

            Tues. 28 - Discharged and received pay for the extra stores amounting to over $1400.  I paid administration money on 143 passengers at $2 per head, passed receipts & [-] everything, & at ½ past 5 p.m., [-] food by to brethren & took rail via Worcester & Western and Allen's Point where I took the steamer “Connecticut” for New York.  The steamer is a magnificent one.

            Wed. 29 - Arrived in New York this morning [p.80] bright and early.  Went to the “Mormon” office.  Found Brother T. B. H. Stenhouse . . . [THE DIARY IS ILLEGIBLE FOR THE NEXT SIX LINES]

            Thurs. 30 At 6 this morning left New York to sail for Albany, 144 miles.  We passed up the beautiful Hudson River.

            The scenery delightful.  The Catskill Mountains [-] with was plainly discernible [- - - - - - -] Albany. [-] gave me a free ticket to Buffalo about [-] miles.  Left Albany at 12 noon, reached Utica at ½ 6 p.m., Rochester at 9 p.m., Buffalo 11 ½ p.m.  Left 1/4 past 12.  The roads are very dusty.  The dust of [-] in great [-] in the cans.

            Fri., 1st May - Erie at 5 a.m., Cleveland [-] at 1 p.m.  At 12 at night last night, took tiny occasional naps of long or shorter durations on the seat.  The rails are very unevenly laid which causes much jolting [-] the cars [-] mode of conveyance in England is to be preferred to the mode in this country.  The first class cars alone in this country are to be preferred to those in England but with this exception the remainder of the arrangements are not near so complete.  Put up at Chicago at the City Hotel.

            Saturday 2nd - Mr. John F. Tracy gave me a free ticket to Iowa City.  Left Chicago at 9.  Arrived at Rock Island at a 1/4 before 5 p.m.  Crossed the Mississippi River to Davenport.  Arrived in Iowa City about 9 p.m.  The wide prairies look natural & the numerous prairie hens seen along the line bring to mind pleasant reminisces.  Our friend in the lead without ceremony run against a man & shoved him off the track without however doing him serious injury.  While coming along I overheard a private tete-a-tete between two parties upon the merits and demerits of “Mormonism.”  One said that a party of 1500 passed Cleveland a few days since for the west.  He said he did not wish them any particular harm but would have been gratified to see them all go over a bridge and break their necks.  Very liberal!  Put up in Iowa City at the [UNCLEAR, POSSIBLY Crummy] House.

            Sabbath, 3rd - Morning, hired a buggy and went to the camp about 2 ½ miles distant where I found the Saints in good cheer, feeling well, & looking well.  I found Brother James A. Little in camp.  He has bought [p.81] cattle and wagons but will not be here for some while yet for there is not grass sufficient to sustain the cattle. . . . [p.82] [ACCORDING TO HIS JOURNAL (pp. 16-17) HE ARRIVED IN SALT LAKE CITY SOMETIME BETWEEN SEPT. 4-24, 1857]

BIB:     Musser, Amos Milton.  Diary (Ms 8140 1), vol. 1, pp. 69-72,74-78,80-82.  (A)

Reminiscences of James Palmer

            . . . March 26th In good health, and spirits.  We pay our lodgings and go on board our ship.  We are much crowded and found it difficult to get our goods on board in good time owing to the throng.

            March 27th We found our noble vessel safely anchored in the River Mersey where we continued until next morning accompanied by many of the prominent elders, of our church, from the various conferences of England, Scotland, Wales, and Germany.

            March 28th The steam tug made her appearance and made fast alongside of us.  We passed up the English Channel with cheerful hearts.  President Pratt left with the tug when it returned the same day with loud cheers by the Saints.

            March 29th Seasickness came on slowly and continued to increase when rain came on and made it disagreeable on deck.

            March 30th We are suffering with saltwater colds and the sea is rough.  The sickness at the worst yet there are enough well to take care of the sick.  Ships and small crafts are seen all around us.

            March 31st The sickness continues most severe.  Little or no rest.  I am very sick.  It seems as though my nervous system is shaken with a saltwater cold. [p.169] The sea is very rough.  No rest at night.  My stomach rejects food all the time.

            April 1st I feel wretched in the extreme.  I am very weak.  The sea continues boisterous.  A ship is seen to the right and another to the left of us.  Prayers are attended to by our chaplain, morning and evening.

            April 2nd The sickness begin to abate quite fast.  We are making good headway.  Some of our sick are conveyed up on deck to enjoy the fresh air.  Some are very weak.  The weather is stormy at intervals making it disagreeable.  Today my health is much improved.

            April 3rd The sickness continue to abate, and the Saints begin to enjoy themselves in some degree.

            April 4th The provisions was delivered out today.  We are sailing slow and through the night we almost encountered a calm.  Our vessel lounges about in the sea.

            April 5th Quite a strong breeze sprang up we are making good headway, the wind favorable all day.

            April 6th Sailing at the rate of 10 miles an hour.  Quite a number are suffering with dizziness in their heads.

            April 7th Some continue sick medical aid is needed.  Great vigilance is observed by the Saints in regard to cleanliness.  An aged man very sick.

            April 8th The aged brother continues sick and also a young child and a Mrs. Jenkens [Jenkins], the effects of her confinement.  She has been delirious and suffered much.  She is not a member of our church.

            April 9th The aged brother is brought upon deck to enjoy the fresh air.  I perceived he was dying and I remarked to a person that stood near me.  The day passed the Saints appear to enjoy themselves.

            April 10th The aged brother is dead and his remains cast into the sea with a bag [p.170] of sand tied to his feet.  His funeral was solemnized by the official duty of Elder [Charles K.] Dana.

            April 11th We approached the banks of Newfoundland.  The weather became damp and fog increased.  Some of the weaker sex made too free with the sailors.  They are watched closely by the elders.

            April 12th The small child is dead and consigned to a watery grave.  Elder Martin officiated.  The fog continue and a lookout is placed in the forecastle.  He blows a horn at short intervals, to warn all approaching vessel and thereby prevent a collision.  Preaching morning and evening.

            April 13th The fog clears away and towards evening the breeze slackens to nearly a calm.  Considerable difficulty to keep some unruly girls of the upper deck.  They want to accompany with the sailors.

            April 14th Quite a calm.  At nine o'clock, however, a breeze sprang up and we glide along cheerily.  The weather is getting much warmer.  Some appearance of Spring.

            April 15th Weather much the same as yesterday.  Quite a number of sick.  We are evidently approaching some land as we discover quantities of seaweed adrift.  I am not well.  I shall be glad when we get to shore.

            April 16th Stormy during the day.  Again the wind slacken and our ship rolls and lounges about and the tin pans and slop pails continually upset.

            April 17th Mrs. Jenkens [Jenkins] is dead and cast into the sea.  She leaves four small children.

            April 18th A calm disagreeable and hard to stand on deck.  That evening a breeze sprang up and we sail at the rate of seven miles an hour.  My health is much better.

            April 19th We have a fair wind but very cold.  We are near land.  The sea gulls began to appear and the sailors are getting out the large cable preparatory to casting anchor.  We had public worship today. [p.171]

            April 20th We passed Cape Cod.  The lighthouses are in sight of both sides of us as we sail up Boston Bay, and we were soon safely anchored inside of Boston City, then inspector came on board when a storm came in snowing and blowing terrific.

            April 21st The storm continue.  Our ship drift quite a distance dragging her anchors.  At 4 o'clock storm slacken.  The ground is covered in snow.  I think I never saw a worse storm.

            April 22nd The ship is towed in and made fast to the pier.  We are glad to have the privilege to go onshore.  Elder John Taylor arrived from New York.  The necessary arrangements being made, we prepared to abandon the ship, next day.

            April 23rd All busy, the cars are come for our baggage.  We hasten to the station, we leave by an emigrant train direct Iowa City.  We pass Albany, Buffalo, Toledo, and Chicago, and arrive at Rock Island in the Mississippi River.  Myself and a few others took passage on board the “Metropolitan” steamboat bound for St. Louis, Missouri.  The main of our company went to Iowa City, thence to Utah.  My party arrived at St. Louis May 3rd.  I found business matters rather dull and mechanics just beginning to work.  I made my temporary stay with Robert Mongomery [Montgomery].  This man is a bootmaker by trade and learned the business with my father, when I was a schoolboy.  His parents was poor and he grew up to manhood without an education, and when he became familiar with me and listened to my reading he expressed a desire to learn to read.  I felt to sympathize with him and proposed at once to be his teacher.  I put him through his studies at odd times and he made wonderful progress in short time, so much so that many people were astonished and I was proud of my pupil and he was thankful for his tuition.  Child as I was at that time. . . [p.172]

            . . . and now today the same man is one of the finest boot makers in St. Louis and own a fine residence in North St. Louis.  He bade me welcome to his home where I received every mark of kindness that could be desire during my short stay with him which was until the 20th of the month, when business opened up effectually and I went to work, in my line of business and had steady employment; and a few weeks afterwards I purchased a bale of goods for the sustenance of my family and sent them by James A. Little’s train of merchandise bound for Utah which all arrived safe. . . [p.176]

            . . . Thank God for all his goodness, and his protecting care over his honest and much abused people.  We arrive at home, Salt Lake City, Sunday, July 11, 1858.  I found my house deserted, the windows were boarded up, and my house encompassed about with weeds; and wild sunflowers.  There [p.185] were a few currents that have ripened and a few peas fit to gather. . . . [p.186]

BIB:     Palmer, James.  Reminiscences (Ms 1752), pp. 169-72,176,185-86.  (HDA)

Journal of James Pollock Park

            March 28th  We went on board of the George Washington to sail for Boston.  I was appointed president.  Elders Benson and others came on board to give instructions and gave the Saints good counsel, and after I got through in the office, Elder Pratt came on board with me and others and blessed me with all power to preside over all on board.  Jesse Martin and C. [Charles] R. Dana, my counselors.  Brothers Israel Evans, J. [James] Carrigan, D. [David] B. Dille [Dillie], John C. [Hall], and Benjamin Ashby were appointed bishops and teachers were called, and all the organization was made complete.

            (29th.) - 11:30 we called the Saints together and had a meeting.  We had a very good time.  The winds ahead are very rough and stormy.  A great many seasick.

            (30th.) - The winds rather better and not so stormy.  Had prayers and then cooking, sweeping, and cleaning and all that we could think for the good of the Saints.  The winds blow hard and the sea rolls high and the great motion of the ship keeps many of the passengers sick.  Mary Ann Jenkins was confined.  Had a girl and it was named Mary Washington.

            (31st.) - We got many that were sick on deck.

            (1st.) April - Very wet and windy but the wind more favorable and the sick getting better.

            (2nd.) - The boxes, water bottles, and mugs had a dance between decks by the sea and the rolling of the ship.  Orders given that all is made fast below.

            (3rd.) - The sea is very calm and the Saints are getting over their sickness and more free to do their duties.

            (4th.) - We had a very heavy shower.  Wind southwest.  Sea smooth.  Making very little headway.

            (5th.) - A very fine morning.  Wind right aft, etc.  Full sails northwest 8 or 9 knots an hour.  Had a good meeting on the top deck and many of the brethren spoke and all spoke by the good spirits.  Closed the meeting by singing, "The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning."  Evening [p.46] and morning prayers meetings are held in each ward and preaching also.

            (6th.) - A very fine morning.  Wind favorable.  All sails full and being good.  I called a meeting on deck, being the 6th of April, to hold conference, and all the authorities were sustained on the George Washington, in Zion, and all the church of God in all lands and climes.

            (7th.) - Very wet and the vessel rolling very bad.

            (8th.) - A good wind going, 10 or 11 knots.  Peace and good spirits and all good blessings are with us.

            (9th.) - Two weeks today since we started from Liverpool.  A good wind and a fair day in good health.  Only two or three sick.  At 12 o'clock or near an old man died,  - John Suttleworth [Shuttleworth], age 62.  He was sick when he came on board.

            (10th.) - Good Friday.  A very fine morning.  Good winds and fair weather.  Brother Suttleworth [Shuttleworth] was buried in the sea.  Eight thirty a.m. all are very well.  Fair winds and all getting better and feel very well.

            (11th.) - A glorious wind and good feelings and all going on well.

            (12th.) - A child in the care of Elder Hall was buried, making two deaths in all.  We had good meetings.  Bad winds in the evening.  I gave some good instructions in relation to government, priesthood, and making Mormons in the right way.

            (13th.) - A good wind and fair.

            (15th.) - Good also.  Nothing very strange.  The things are as well as can be expected.  Buried another, - Mrs. Jenkens, not in the church.  She was confined on board.

            (16th.) - Fair wind a.m.,  p.m. rough and head wind.  Ship heaving and rolling.  Quite a number sick on account of the motion. [p.47] [NO ACCOUNT OF REMAINDER OF JOURNEY TO THE SALT LAKE VALLEY]

BIB:     Park, James Pollock.  Journal (Ms 12680), pp. [46-47].  (HDA)

Life History of Job Pingree

            . . . On August 13, 1856 some elders were baptizing some persons in our mill pond and I was also baptized, being then between 18 and 19 years of age.  Before this time I had been going to places of worship at different churches and sometimes met at the Latter-day Saints meetings and I felt there was a power that I felt in those meetings that I did not feel in the other churches.  I had talks with missionaries of the Mormon church and was asked by them to be baptized but I told them that I wished to see some pleasure in my life, time to get religion when I was old.  As when I went to some meetings I saw religious people professedly who did a lot of weeping at their places of worship and I told them for me to be in that state it would be time enough when I was old.  But they told me if I would join the church it would not decrease my pleasure in life but would increase it.  And this statement I have found verily true.

            In Spring of 1857 with my help, my mother sold the stock and furniture and rented the place and we left for Utah in March 28, on ship George Washington at Liverpool, there being on the ship 817 persons.  In three weeks, we arrived at Boston.  Some persons died crossing the sea.  They sewed them up in canvas with a weight at their feet, then just put them on a board, then put it on the ship rail and slid them, feet foremost, into the sea.

            We traveled from Boston to Iowa City, crossing big rivers in boats and the land in cars, part of the way in box-cars, comfort stations being by the side of the cars when the train would stop.

            Iowa City being a small place at that day, the company went from the cars a distance to a place to camp.  It rained that night and not having our bedding, we got wet.  We camped a while, bought a wagon, four oxen and cow and left there in Jesse B. Martin's company.

            In coming in cars to Iowa City Mother lost a little boy who died on the train.  She had to leave it for strangers to bury and pay them for it. [p.1]

            We had nearly 300 miles to travel to Florence on the Missouri River, which we crossed on a ferry boat, and while crossing we heard of P. [Parley] P. Pratt being killed near Saint Louis.  The government was fitting up the Johnson’s Army, so called to come to Utah to kill the Mormons so the people said. . . .

            . . . In our travels we crossed many streams of water.  From loss of cattle the ladies had to walk and to save them wading streams I carried many of them over.  Places selected for our camping, feed for cattle and water and wood or buffalo chips to cook with.  There was a handcart company caught up with us.  Sometimes it was ahead and sometimes behind us till we got into Salt Lake City, the same day September 12, 1857. [p.2]

BIB:     Pingree, Job.  Life history (formerly in Msd 2050), pp. 1-2.  (A)

Autobiography of Susan Melverton R. Witbeck

            . . . I remember that I was the first to pay tithing in two branches.  I paid from what little I had in Chard.  The first Sunday I was in Portsmouth was the first time the Saints were called upon to pay their tithing and I was the first to pay it there.  It was just one penny.  I had many good friends in Portsmouth and one of the best was Elder Phenes [Phineas] Young who gave me money towards my emigration.  With that, and what I had earned, I had enough money to take me to Iowa City so you see that the promise given me by Elder Harding was fulfilled.  And I know the Lord blessed me after paying tithing of the little I had.

            In company with other Saints I left Portsmouth for Liverpool, England on March 23, 1857.  On March 26th we boarded the ship, the George Washington.  With 813 passengers on board we left the dock on March 27th, and sailed on the 28th bound for Boston, U.S.A.  Never will I forget the hymn we sang as we sailed away, "Yes, My Native Land I Love Thee."

            I was seasick about three days, but I enjoyed the trip, for I loved the ocean.  Was I not going to Zion?  I was leaving every one of my kin and my native land behind me, going out into a new world.  What for?  Because God had told his children to gather to Zion.  I was obeying that commandment, for I had a testimony of this work.  That was forty-one years ago, and never have I seen the time that I was sorry for what I had done; and I have a stronger testimony to bear today than ever before.

            Our president on board was James G. Park.  Nothing of note happened on our trip across the Atlantic Ocean until we cast anchor at Boston Harbor, when there arose a storm that detained us until April 22nd.  We landed April 23rd, and started for Iowa City the same day, stopping at Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago, and Rockland [Rock Island].  We arrived at Iowa City at 11:00 April 29, 1857.  There were teams waiting for us.  They took us out three miles to the campground, where there was a grove of trees with a stream of water running through it.

            This was the end of the journey I had paid for.  I had no money left.  President Park had money from a fund which had been gathered on board the [p.3] ship and not entirely used.  They took a vote, and decided to use it to send someone to Utah.  Again I found I had many friends, for I was chosen to be that one, as I was young, being only eighteen years of age, and alone, with no one to protect me.

            In the company were three girls, Eliza Hallet, [Ann] N. England, and myself.  We had no money, so we went to the captain of the camp, James A. Little, and told him our plight.  He furnished us with something to eat, the first good meal we had had since we left England.  He also gave us permission to get work in Iowa City while preparations were being made for the trip across the plains. . . . [p.4]

            . . . While I had been working in Iowa City, preparations had gone ahead for the journey.  The handcarts were ready and loaded with our supplies.  They were rude two-wheel carts with a sort of box on an axle between the wheels.  There could not have been a more difficult mode of travel.  We would push and pull these carts across more than a thousand miles of trackless plains, barren desert, and towering mountains.

            I knew when we left England that ours was to be a handcart company but it was impossible for me to realize the hardships that I had to meet.  Misgivings or fear never entered my mind for it was the only way I could get to Zion and the journey had to be met with faith and courage.

            We left the campground on the 22nd of May, and moved out about three miles, where I had a chill.  The first week we traveled only from four to five miles a day on account of the rains.  Our bedding was wet all the time. . . . [p.5]

            . . . We crossed the Little Mountain, and arrived in Salt Lake at three o’clock p.m. September 12, 1857, where we were glad to lay down our handcarts, but sorry to part with our kind Captain Israel Evans and his assistant Ben Asby. . . . [p.6]

BIB:     Witbeck, Susan Melverton R.  Autobiography (Ms 11637), pp. 3-6.  (A)

Diary of William Lawrence Hutchings

            I, William Lawrence Hutchings hereby endeavor to give an full account of our journey from England to Utah, North America.  I leave Winsham on the 21 of March 1857,  with my wife, the daughter of George Robins of Winsham, Somerset.  Her father hauls our luggage and accompanied us to Taunton.  There we took the seven o'clock train and went to Bristol.  The same evening my brother-in-law met us at the station & took us to his house.

            Sunday 22  Went to the station to meet Brother Edward Harding the president of the Dorsetsher [Dorsetshire] Conference of which we were members.  With him were Sister Anne England of Bridport.  She was going to emigrate with us.  Took them to my sister's house at St. [-].  Took breakfast.  In the afternoon attended the meeting of the Saints.  There we found [-] Martin the pastor and several Saints that were going to leave the following morning.  Stopped at my sister's that night.

            Took the 5 o'clock train in the morning the 23rd with Marting & [-] for Liverpool where we arrived about half past five the same evening.  The day was cold and snowing.  Took our luggage to Mrs. Combs, Number Eleven Hunting Street.  There we lodged.

            Tuesday 24th,   I went in search of our large cloth bag from 9 in the morning until 6 in the evening but could not find it.  It was sent by luggage train and had not arrived.

            Wednesday 25th - Took the steamboat.  Went over to Burtonhead and got them to telegraph to Tauton for it but received no [-].  Returned and went again to Park Lane Station and there found it.  There arrived at one o'clock all soft.  Took it to our lodge.

            Thursday, 26 - Got ready and got our things to the Waterloo Dock.  There the ship called the George Washington was laying.  Went aboard her the same evening and launched out in the river that night.

            Friday 27  Stopped in the river.  Brothers Pratt, Benson, Ray, and others came on board and preached to us.

            Saturday 28 Early in the morning some of the brethren came out with the [p.1] steamboat that took us out in the open channel, then returned.  The wind being in our favor, we took good speed.  In the afternoon Sister Hutchings was taken sick.  The brethren organized the ship into forwards, Brother Parks being captain of the company.  Our berth was in the hind part of the ship with the president of the 5 ward which was John C. [-].  The afternoon came in rainy & through the night.  Then there was four teachers appointed over each ward for to see that everything was kept clean.  Brother Hall appointed me as his first teacher.

            Sunday, 29 - Many were sick but public prayers were held in each ward morning & evening.  The day was fair.

            Monday, 30 - Sickness increased so much that we could not hold our meetings, the sea being very high and rain almost all the time.  I also felt very sick.

            Tuesday, 31 - Very fair and sea very calm.  Good wind so we got out in the Atlantic Sea.  I felt better and went on guard at the main hatchway.  That night from nine to twelve.

            Wednesday, April 1 - The sea and wind was very high and heavy storms passing.

            Thursday 2 - The sea and wind very rough.

            Friday 3  The weather was favorable.  I went cooking in the galley that day.

            Saturday 4  The weather favorable.  I was this day appointed cook for one half of the Saints which was about 400 souls.

            Sunday 5  Fine.

            Monday 6  Conference meetings were held on the deck.  The weather fair.

            Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8, Thursday 9, Friday 10, Saturday 11 was fine.

            Part of Saturday, Sunday 12th, and part of Monday 13 we were crossing the banks of Newfoundland which were cold and very foggy and some rainfall.

            Tuesday, 14 - The sea was very calm.  Not scarce a wind to be seen.

            Wednesday 15th, Thursday 16th, Friday 17th - The sea was very high but the wind was in our favor until the evening of the 17th when it got very high.  About four o'clock our cooking stoves got loose.  The barrel of grease overturned and flowed over the stoves and caught in a flame while Brother [p.2] Jarvis, the other cook, was endeavoring to fasten the cast but could not.  Brother Jarvis made his escape out of the galley unhurt while myself and two others got burnt.  One of them was a brother, the other, a sailor, but I was burnt [-] the most.  The galley door was so much [-] that I could not get out but had to past back through the galley in the midst of the fire to the other door for to get out.  My face and arms was burnt much.  The left arm was most.  It was burnt from the fingers to the elbow and the skin full of it.  I went down below and called for the elders to lay their hands on me and anoint me with oil and rebuck the fire.  They did so and the [-] of the fire leave my face.  They wrapped up my wound and put me to a bed.

            Saturday 18  Laid abed.  Sister Hutchings was still sick and could not get up nor wait on herself.

            Sunday 19  Got up and attended meeting.  In the afternoon the lower [-].  Brother Blundon attended on me and dressed my wounds.

            Monday, 20 - Early in the morning we anchored in the river of Boston, making the passage in 23 days.  We all passed the inspectors.  The same evening a very heavy storm of rain & snowfall and the wind very high such as we had not before seen.  Boston streets were nigh full.

            Tuesday 21  Continued to rain & snow.

            Wednesday 22  The steam tug came out and took us into the harbor of Boston.  The weather fair.

            Thursday 23  The weather was fine.  We leaved the ship this morning, part our things on wagons and took them to Woostors Depot Station in Boston and leaved with the cars about 2 o'clock.  Boston is very large and beautiful city.  The country a little from there is very hilly and almost covered with rock.  Streams of water come out of the rocks both sides of the road from the mountains as we pass through.  We traveled all night laying on our luggage for bed.  The night was cold and frosty.

            Friday 24 We arrived at [-] Side at eight o'clock in the morning.  There we changed cars, passed [p.3] the river in a steamboat, passed through the city to the New York Central Station.  Leaved there about 2 o'clock and arrived at the city Utica at 7 in the evening.  Leaving from there, traveling all night, arrived at the city of Rochester at twenty minutes to five in the morning.

            Saturday the 25th.  The weather was fine.  We traveled on and arrived at Buffalo City at 11 the same morning.  Stopped there until 8 in the evening.  We again took the cars and arrived and Eril City at one in the morning making [-].  Leaving from there we arrived at Cleveland City at 7 a.m.

            Sunday 26  The weather was fine.  We there leaved the cars.  Stopped there all day.  Slept in the cars at night.  Cleveland is a beautiful place, [-] of steamshipping.  There the water is fresh and the lake is more than 70 miles wide.

            Monday 27  We leaved at ½ past 5 in the morning.  The weather fine, and we arrived at the city Toledo at one o'clock in the morning, 111 miles.  Changed cars and stopped there till ½ past 9 p.m.  Again took the cars, travel all night.

            Tuesday 28  Arrived at Bristol Station at a ½ past 11 a.m.  Pleasant weather, having traveled 135 miles we again leaved from there.  Travel all night calling at different stations.

            Wednesday 29  Arrived at Chicago City Station at ½ past 7 a.m.  Changed cars and stopped there till ½ past 4 p.m.  We leaved there by express and got to Rock Island at 2 a.m.  Changed cars.

            Thursday 30  Leaved Rock Island at 4 a.m. with the first class train and arrived at Iowa City Station at 11 o'clock a.m.  We then leaved from there for the camping ground.  The distance of 3 miles from the city.  Stopped on the ground until the evening in the open air.  Then Brother James A. Little came on the ground with the tents.  Put them up and slept in them. The evening was very rainy and the night.

            Friday, May 1 - Rainy.

            Saturday, 2 - Fair. . . . [p.4]

            . . . Friday [September 11], camp moved at [-] 8 a.m.  Travel within 5 miles of the city to the Human Square and camped. . . . [p.14]

BIB:     Hutchings, William Lawrence.  Diary (Ms 8297), pp. 1-4, 14 (HDA)

Autobiography of Ann Prior Jarvis

            . . . We arrived at Liverpool and Brother Budge had a nice lodging house.  Brother Jarvis came with one suit of clothes.  We did not bring anything for our use with us.  I had a nice furnished house.  We left good new carpets on the floors.  Brother Jarvis would not let me bring anything with us.  I must say we were young and foolish for in one month we wanted things for our own use again.   We sailed in the good ship Washington.  The servants of God, Orson Pratt and others, promised us a prosperous voyage, and we realized they spoke by the spirit of God.  Plenty of singing on board.  When some of the Saints would say, "I would rather be where I was" knew I was happy.  Then I dreaded living in Boston.  If it had been a city of Saints I might have felt different.   They had paid the passage of a brother to cook for the Saints but he was seasick.  There were eight hundred Saints.  They found that Father was a seafaring man and wished him to cook for them.  I thought I should have quite a treat and a pleasure trip with my husband.  I do not think I exchanged a dozen words on the voyage with him.  He cooked for the eight hundred with one assistant.  Brother [Amos S.] Musser called me to go to the hospital with a sick sister that had looked so jolly, and my husband had to be at his post twelve hours.  He would go to bed as soon as his work was done and be at his duty before six in the morning.  This dear sister was buried in the deep and left her newborn babe to the care of her husband with two or three other children.  We buried, I think, an old brother too.  I was sorry to see land.  My husband went to get lodging for us.  No one was very willing to have a family of seven off a ship, but Father declared we had no fever and were healthy.  The Saints had all landed and had gone to the Valley or to different places but one sister, an old maid, and a cross one at that, she told me she had no place to go.  I told her I was sure that Brother Jarvis would let her have a room with us.  I told him when he came back we could not leave her alone.  He said he had rented a room at one [p.10] dollar a week so we went to our new home. . . . [p.11]

            . . . When I saw the Valley  where God’s people were, I felt I could endure a great deal more for the same privilege.  I felt thankful to be able to see Brigham Young, the Lion of the Lord.  The Lord did bless us.  Brother and Sister Stalworthy took us home.  We had been kind to them in England and they were grateful and gave us shelter. . . . [p.17]

            [THE JARVIS' STAYED IN BOSTON UNTIL 1860 UNDER TREMENDOUS HARDSHIPS AND THEN EVENTUALLY WENT TO WINTER QUARTERS AND LEFT IN A WAGON TRAIN ACROSS THE PLAINS AND GREAT MISFORTUNE WAS THEIRS ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE PLAINS, ANN JARVIS WRITES]

BIB:     Jarvis, Ann Prior.  Autobiography (Ms 8620 reel 12 #6) (typescript), pp. 10-11, 17.  (HDA)

Journals of Jesse Bigler Martin

            Monday, March 23 - This morning I got up at three o'clock, got my breakfast, and went to the station with the rest of the Saints that was going to America and started on the cars at five o'clock for Liverpool.  We had a long tiresome ride of one hundred sixty two miles.  Wearied in Liverpool at five o'clock.  P.M., went to Mr. Jones, Number Eleven, Hunters Street, where we got lodgings for all the company.

            Tuesday, March 24 - Stayed in Liverpool all day.  Went and saw the fine ship George Washington that the Saints are going to sail on.  The 16th of this month met with the brethren of the priesthood at Brattes Chapmans.  Elder Benson preached.  I was called on to assist to reconfirm some of the brethren that had been rebaptized and then had some supper with Sister Rogers.  Then went home to my lodgings. [p.53]

            Wednesday March 25th  I stayed in Liverpool all day doing some business and getting tickets for some of the passengers.  Went to the Temperance Hall to attend the Saints meeting.  Had a good meeting.  Several of the elders, in connection with Elder Benson, addressed the Saints.  After meeting a collection was taken up to pay for the use of the Hall and to help some of the poor Saints.

            Thursday March 26th  Today we went on board the ship George Washington.  I worked very hard all day and most of the night getting the Saints on the ship.  At eleven o'clock at night, John G. Smith came with a company of German Saints and I assisted to get them on board.  After we had got them all safe on ship, Brother Smith and myself sat down [p.54] and had a pig’s foot and some bread at 2 o'clock in the morning.  I then laid down on some boxes to rest.  The ship went out of the docks into the river.

            Friday March 27th  The ship lay in the River Mersey all day.  Elder Benson with several of the brethren from the office came on board and organized the company.  Elder James Park was appointed president of the company and I his first counselor, C. [Charles] R. Dana his second counselor.  We had a good time.

            Saturday March 28th  This morning the anchor was weighed and the ship started at 5 o'clock a.m.  The steam tug took us out into the Channel and then returned to Liverpool.  We had a good wind all day and many songs of Zion was sung by the merry [p.55] hearted Saints.

            Sunday March 29th  This day we had a good breeze that caused our hearts to rejoice greatly.  Some little seasickness but the old ship was moving along briskly which caused every heart on board to feel well.

            Monday March 30  This day there was much seasickness.  The passengers were throwing up on all parts of the ship.  [-] well [-] enough to wait on the sick and everyone on the ship, looked sick and felt sick.

            Tuesday March 31st  This morning the winds began to blow to gale and the sea began to roll and the waves ran high and seasickness was very bad.  The winds continued to blow hard all day also all night, and the boxes and tins were rolling about the ship all night [p.56] and we were all very sick and felt that dry land was the best place for us.

            Wednesday April 1st  This morning the wind still blew hard and most of the Saints was sick.  I was sick and it was truly a bad sensation.  Not fair winds today.

            Thursday April 2nd  The sea was made calm, and the sickness began to abate and the most of the Saints felt better.

            Friday April 3rd  The sea was quite calm and we began to feel quite well and the merry voices again was heard singing the songs of Zion.

            Saturday April 4th  But little wind this morning but after prayers a fresh breeze came which filled the sails [p.57] and we moved along at the rate of 7 miles per hour and continued so all day.

            Sunday April 5th  We had a nice breeze all day and the seasickness had most all left the ship for there was but few that was sick.  We meeting between decks in the forenoon and afternoon and evening and many good things were spoken by the elders and the hearts of the Saints were made glad.

            Monday April 6th  The morning was fine and at half past 2 o'clock p.m. the Saints was called together by President Park to hold a conference.  I gave out the hymn on page 302, "When Earth in Bondage Long had Laid." &c.  Prayer by Elder [Charles R.] Dana.  Singing again.  President Park addressed [p.58] the conference for a short time, then presented the authorities of the church.  After they had been laid before the conference and had been unanimously sustained, Elder Evans was call upon to speak.  After he got through, Elder Park called upon me to speak.  I spoke for a short time, then Elder Dana spoke for a short time.  My heart was made glad at having the privilege of holding a conference on board the fine ship George Washington on the 6th day of April, 1857, 27 years since the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized.  The day was fine and the winds favorable, and everything even the elements appeared to smile upon us and unto God and the Lamb be all the glory forever and ever, amen. [p.59]

            Tuesday April 7th  This morning the winds blew fair and the ship was going about 12 miles an hour the sea was quite rough.  I do not feel so well as I did the day before, but I was glad that I was going so fast for the land of America.

            Wednesday April 8th  A wind this morning and I felt much better in health and most of the Saints was over their seasickness.  Some few still are sick, but are recovering very fast.

            Thursday April 9th  The weather was fine, and a fair wind which caused our hearts to rejoice.  The sick are fast recovering and are able to eat hearty.  This night at 12 o'clock a.m. Brother John Shuttleworth died.  He was sick when he came on [p.60] board at Liverpool, he had the as my age.

            Friday April 10th  A gentle breeze was blowing and the sails of the George Washington was spread to receive the breeze and we was wafted along at the speed of 9 miles per hour and the hearts of the Saints were filled with joy, but all at once a gloom was seen on every face at the appearance of the body of Brother Shuttleworth.  He died the night before.  He was put upon a board and a prayer was offered up and then his body was consigned to the great deep and his spirit we trust has gone to rest to await the resurrection of the just.  This is a day long to be remembered by the Saints on this ship.  The body was buried in the deep at 25 minutes to 9 o'clock a.m. [p.61]

            Saturday April 11th  The wind was still blowing fair and we was sailing fast.  This day is my birthday, 32 years old today.  Sister Elizabeth Walker made a pudding for me.  Sisters Annis Bedford and Priscilla Noble and Israel Evan and Benjamin Ashby help to eat it.

            Sunday April 12th  Still good winds this morning.  A child by the name of Sarah Anne Coggle was buried in the sea at 25 minutes to nine o'clock a.m.  I offered up a prayer before it was put into the sea.

            Monday April 13th  Still fair winds, we had good until we arrived in harbor at Boston Sunday the 19th.  I was called [p.62] upon to cast a devil out of a young woman but he would not go until I commanded him to tell his name.  When I commanded him in the name of Jesus to tell his name he yelled out Hecrael.  I then commanded Hecrael to leave and he left, but he did not like to go.  The girl was very weak after he left her body.  My heart was full of gratitude to my God for his blessings unto me and my brethren and sisters.

            Tuesday April 21st  The winds blew to gale and the captain was obliged to drop two anchors to hold our ship from being driven onto the rocks.  Very cold winds and we could not get onshore.

            Wednesday April 22nd  The ship arrived in the docks of [p.63] Boston at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon & remained on board all night.  Sister Sarah Smith came to see me and brought me a present of apples and pound cake.

            Thursday April 23rd  All the passengers bound for Iowa  left the ship & started on the train about four o'clock in p.m.  We traveled all night in the cattle cars.

            Friday April 24th  We arrived in Albany at about 10 o'clock this day.  There our luggage was taken out of the vans & removed across the River Hudson to another station.  It was safely put into other vans & this time we traveled in 2nd class carriages for Buffalo.  We passed Schenectady & Utica on the Mohawk River. [p.64]

            Saturday April 25th  We arrived at Buffalo at about eleven o'clock in the morning.  We passed through the city of Rochester & saw the falls of the river Gennessee.  In the evening of this day we left Buffalo at about 7 o'clock.  Part of the Saints traveled in 1st & the rest in 2nd class carriages.  We traveled all night & were very comfortable.

            Sunday April 26th  We came into Cleveland at about 7 ½ a.m. & camped under a wood shed, & built [- -] to cook our victuals.  Brothers Israel Evans, Albert Tylor & myself with several of the sisters took a walk along the lake shore.  Their names as follows:  Annis Bedford, [p.65] Priscilla Noble, Martha Frost, Mary Scobern [Scottorn], Elizabeth Walker, Elizabeth Trip [Tripp], Elizabeth Bennett, and Elizabeth Tully.  We enjoyed ourselves very much [-] the lakes & watching steamboats & sailing vessels, passing to and fro on Lake Erie.  About 12 o'clock we were called upon by President Park to remove from our camp to the railway cars.  We were all removed & comfortably settled at about 3 o'clock.  One of the sisters named Lewis was taken sick and was put to bed in one of the luggage vans.  Many of the citizens of this place felt rather concerned about us saying we were all going to the Valley to be shot down and told some of the sisters to stop & marry with them [p.66] in the place of going up to [marry] that damned Brigham Young.  Witness [-] Annis Bedford, Priscilla Noble.  They stood around our carriages as though we were some strange beings from some other planet.  We had been traveling on the Buffalo, Erie & Cleveland Railway.

            Monday April 27th  After having a comfortable nights rest we arose from our beds which were made up of blankets &c on the floor of the railway cars.  We left this place at about 7 ½ a.m. and arrived in Toledo at about ½ past 12 p.m. where we remained until nine in the evening.  At this place we occupied the cars destined for Chicago.  We traveled safely all night in first class carriage [p.67] which were very comfortable.  We retired to our beds (which were made in the seats of the cars) at about 10 o'clock and after turning and changing about time after time we at last got to sleep and rested considerably well this night.

            Tuesday 28th April  All this day we were traveling on the same line being detained a many hours by waiting for a luggage train which was ahead of us.  We passed LaPorte at about 10 o'clock p.m. which is a small state town in the north of the state of Indiana.  This night I stood guard in the cars for about 2 hours to keep out some ruffians who were traveling in the same train.

            Wednesday April 29th [p.68] We arrived at Chicago at about 8 o'clock being about 8 hours behind the proper time.  We were too late for the morning train & had to wait until four o'clock in the afternoon.  In the morning I went out with some of the Saints to look at the city & came back at ½ past 11 and got Sister Annis Bedford to write up my journal.

            Thursday, April 30 - We arrived at Iowa City at 11 o'clock a.m.  Met Elder [James A.] Little at the depot and he hired teams and took all our luggage to the campground 3 miles west of the city. [p.69]  In the evening Elder Little bought ten tents on the ground for the handcart company and a few wagon covers which we used to shield us from the rain...

[THIS JOURNAL ENDS WITHOUT ANY ENTRY INTO THE SALT LAKE VALLEY.]

BIB:     Martin, Jesse Bigler.  Journals, fd. 3, pp. 54-69.  (HDA)

Letter of Amos M. Musser - April 25, 1857

Boston, Massachusetts, April 25, 1857.

            President O. [Orson] Pratt.

            Respected Brother—I have much pleasure in transmitting to you an account of our safe and speedy voyage from Liverpool, which we made in twenty-three days.  For the first few days we encountered headwinds, which obliged us to go further south than we desired; but fortune soon smiled upon us, by sending a favorable wind which continued so without intermission for many days. With three or four exceptional days, we were thus favored up to the time of our arrival on last Monday morning, 20th instant. After we had cast our anchor the wind changed, and it blew a perfect gale, without cessation, for two days and nights, so hard, that it was not thought expedient to approach the wharfage with even the assistance of two steam tugs.

            After we left Liverpool, we entered into a systematic organization, dividing the ship into wards and districts, appointing presidents and teachers over them; appointing a guard or watch at the hatchways, to [p. 363] prevent ingress and egress to obtruders after stipulated hours, regulating about prayers, and other meetings, &c., &c. The seasickness was one of the most unwelcome visitors we had. The majority afflicted soon recovered, and measurably forgot it, and, commenced stowing away their rations with a liberality becoming hungry men. On the 6th instant we had a good conference, the feelings of the Saints were represented, and the priesthood throughout the world were unanimously sustained. We had meetings every Sabbath, and as often during the week as wisdom dictated.

            It is with regret I am obliged to inform you of the death of four our passengers, whose names, &c. occur as follows.  On the 10th instant, Brother John Shuttleworth, aged 60 years, from England. He had been troubled since Christmas with asthma, which was not mitigated by seasickness. On 12th instant, Sarah Ann, infant daughter of Sarah Ann Coggle, of Southampton. On the 17th, Mrs. Mary Ann Jenkins, aged 25 years, from Herefordshire. She died of puerperal mania, or inflammation of the brain, following childbirth. On the 23rd instant, sister Charlotte Head [Steed], aged 67 years, from Marlboro, Worcestershire. She died while her friends were disembarking with her, and was interred in one of the Boston cemeteries. The three former, of course, had a watery grave. We had one birth, the deceased Mrs. Jenkins, of a daughter, named Mary Washington. The blessings pronounced upon us by yourself and Brother Benson have been fulfilled in our prosperity. The conduct of Captain Cummings and Dr. Greely was marked all the way with kindness, courtesy, and condescension.

            On Wednesday, President John Taylor came on board, and gave us, besides much good instruction, one of his good old-fashioned welcomes.

            On Thursday the Saints disembarked, and by five p.m. those leaving this state were off per train for their various places of destination.

            The following are the reduced rates of fare secured by President John Taylor to Iowa City, $10.50 for adults; to St. Louis, same rate; to Cincinnati, $9 per head; to New York, half-a-guinea; to other places at the same ratio or corresponding rates. All over the age of fourteen were adults; over six and under fourteen, half price; under six, free. 100 pounds luggage, free; and $3.50 for every extra 100 pounds to the three former places, and 50 cents to New York.

            Brother Park accompanied the Saints to Iowa City, and Brother Taylor accompanied those for New York. The former will be about seven days making the journey, via Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Toledo, Chicago, and Rock Island. Brothers Taylor and Park, before they deputed me to stay here, and sell the extra provisions, pay head-money, for the four cases for Utah, and see the remainder of the Saints off. I will follow them in a few days, by express.

            I have nothing further of interest to communicate at present. Craving interest in your prayers for our speedy and safe transit across the plains, I remain as ever, your brother and servant.

Amos M. Musser, Secretary

BIB:     Musser, Amos M., [Letter], Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star 19:23 (June 6, 1857) pp. 363-64.  (HDL)