Lerwill, Thomas William

Male 1844 - 1929  (84 years)


 

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Ship Information



Mormon Mirgration Website

Thomas LERWILL

Standardized: Thomas LERWILL

Born: 1845

Origin: England

Occupation: Farmer

Voyage: Liverpool to New York
23 May 1863 – 10 Jul 1863

Voyage Accounts: Accounts for this voyage

Ship: Antarctic

Notes: BMR, p. 225, and p. 262

 

Liverpool to New York

Ship: Antarctic

Departure: 23 May 1863

Arrival: 10 Jul 1863

Church Leader: John Needham

# LDS Passengers: 535

Accounts: Jump to accounts

Source:  BMR, Book #1047, pp. 257-276 (FHL #025,691); Customs #703 (FHL #175,587)

Accounts

A Compilation of General Voyage Notes

 

"DEPARTURE. -- The fine packet ship Antarctic, Captain George C. Stouffer, sailed from this port on the 23rd instant, with 486 souls of the Saints on board. They were composed of people from thirteen different countries -- namely, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, America, France, Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. President Cannon, with Elders Jesse N. Smith, president of the Scandinavian Mission, and John L. Smith, president of the Swiss and Italian Mission, acccompanied by several other elders, visited the Saints on board on the afternoon of the 22nd, held a meeting and organized the company. Elder John Needham was appointed to preside, with Elders Philip De la Mare and S. H. B. Smith as his first and second counselors. Elders Carl and Ferdinand Dorius were appointed to take charge of the Scandinavian Saints, and Elder John Huber of the Swiss and Itailian, under the direction of President Needham. The Saints were then addressed by President Cannon in English, by President J. L. Smith in German, and by President Jesse N. Smith in Danish. Much valuable and cheering instruction and counsel were given, which, judging from the lively countenances and deep interest manifested on the part of the Saints was much appreciated by them. Several elders who have been laboring faithfully and zealously in various parts of the European Mission took their departure from Zion on this vessel, rejoicing in the privilege before them of sharing the blessings enjoyed by the body of the Church. They have with them the blessing of the Lord, the confidence of his servants, and the affection and prayers of the Saints among whom they have labored. The following are returing to their homes and families in Zion -- namely, Elder Needham, the president of the company, who arrived in this country from Zion Dec. 21st, 1860, and who, though not in the enjoyment of very good health, has labored faithfully since, in the south of England, presiding over the Kent Conference during the greater part of the time; Elder De la Mare, who arrived August 3rd, 1860, and has been presiding over the Channel Islands Conference; Elder S. H. B. Smith, who reached on the 27th of July of the same year, and has been presiding most of the time since over the Bradford Conference; Elder C. H. Rhees, who arrived on the 21st of September following, and has been laboring in the Bristol Conference; Elder John Marett, who reached on the 9th September, 1862, and has since labored, as his health would permit, in the Channel Islands Conference; and Elders C. C. N. and John G. Dorius, who reached this port on the 26th of August, 1862, on a mission to Scandinavia. The labors of these two last named brethren have been principally confined to Norway, where they have endured much persecution and have been instrumental in extending a knowledge of the gospel among the natives of that country. Elders Thomas Yates, who has been laboring in the Bristol Conference, Robert Wilson, who has been travelling in the Liverpool Conference, and John Huber, from the Swiss and Italian Mission, are emigrating with this company, and feel thankful to God for the privilege of gathering with the Saints , to be placed in a sphere where their usefulness can be more widely employed. Towards the close of the meeting President Cannon bestowed a parting blessing upon the ship and company, which we pray they may realize, and that they may be preserved to reach the valleys of the mountains in safety. May the angels of God go with them and his Spirit inspire them to works of righteousness, that they may be preserved from every danger and be instrumental in extending the cause of truth and the kingdom of our God on the earth." "Sat. 23. [May 1863] -- The ship Antarctic sailed from Liverpool, England, with 483 Saints, under the direction of John Needham. The emigrants landed in New York July 10th and arrived safely at Florence [Nebraska] a few days later." ". . . The Norwegians remained in Grimsby in charge of Elder Carl C. N. Dorius until May 20th, when they also traveled by rail to Liverpool, and on the same day went on board the ship 'Antartic,' on which also 60 passengers from Switzerland and many English emigrants went on board, making a company of 450 passengers. The 'Antartic,' which was a fine ship and well equipped for the voyage, sailed from Liverpool May 23rd . Before leaving Liverpool, President George Q. Cannon and other elders came on board and organized the company, appointing Elder John Needham president, with Philip De La Mare and Samuel H. B. Smith as his counselors. Carl C. N. Dorius was appointed steward, and together with his brother Johan F. F. Dorius given charge of the Norwegian Saints. Several deaths occurred on board, and several couples were married. The ship arrived in New York July 10, 1863, and the same day the journey was continued via Albany, Niagara, Detroit, Chicago and Quincy to St. Joseph, Missouri, and thence by steamer to Florence, Nebraska. A child (Jensen) died on the steamer and was buried in Holt County, Missouri. Sister Anneken Larsen's child died as the emigrants landed; it was buried at Florence. The greater part of the Scandinavian emigrants journeyed across the plains in three of the ox team companies sent out by the church that season to the Missouri River after immigrants. The first of these left Florence June 29, 1863, led by Captain John R. Murdock, and arrived in Salt Lake City Sept. 5th. The third company, led by Captain William B. Preston, left Florence July 10th and arrived in Salt Lake City Sept. 9th. The Church sent altogether 10 ox trains from the Valley that year to bring the poor Saints home to Zion and haul freight from the Missouri River. The Norwegian emigrants crossed the plains in Captain Peter Nebeker's company, consisting of 50 wagons. This company arrived in Salt Lake City, Aug. 24, 1863. On the journey across the plains, 2 adults and 7 children died and were buried by the wayside. . . ."

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Autobiography of Thomas Henry White

I, Thomas Henry White, was born 25 Nov. 1846, about one mile from Charlcutt Hill in a small village in England. When I was six or seven years of age, my parents moved to Calne. I was baptized 12 July 1855. At the age of eight years of age, I became on [an] apprentice to the blacksmith and machinist trade until I was fifteen. My father, George White died when I was thirteen, leaving my mother, Mary Rivers White, in very poor circumstances. She was a very good seamstress and made her living, for herself and her family, by needle work and dress-making. She also kept an open house for the Latter-day Saint elders, to hold meetings. They were always welcomed to her home.

Being a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she left her native country, with her four children: Thomas Henry, Amelia, George Ofred, Joseph, and Earnest Authenia White, and sailed for America in the old sailing vessel, Antarctic, an old sailing vessel, white-washed and covered with coal tar. On the journey the sailors were kept busy several hours each day, pumping water out of this ship, which leaked badly. We were on the ocean seven weeks after we left Liverpool, England. The drinking water was bad and we couldn't drink it without boiling it. The "hard-tack" we had to eat was eight or ten inches across. With the hardtack, bacon was served on our menu. The bacon was usually thick and fat and poorly cooked. Before sailing, mother toasted a quantity of bread, very dry and put it in a sack. We enjoyed this bread while it lasted. During our journey, seven emigrants died and were buried at sea.

We arrived in New York, 4 July, 1863. This being a holiday, the emigrants were not permitted to land until next day. They landed in Castle Garden and left soon after for Missouri. To make this journey, the emigrants were put in box or cattle cars, like so many sheep. They had to lie on the bare floor, dirty as it was. On a long train there were three passenger cars. At every station the soldiers would ask: "When are those Mormons coming through?" No one seemed to know. This was during the time of the Rebellion War. The emigrants were in danger, especially the boys, of being drafted into the army. We landed safely at St. Joseph, Missouri.

St. Joseph was a desolate looking town, no families, only soldiers of the Rebellion War were to be seen, who were looking for men to draft into the army. The soldiers would get one dollar for each man or boy they could get a pin or a ribbon on. If the ribbon was pinned on the man was counted as in the army, his word was out of the question. No one would believe him.

At St. Joseph I was on guard to watch the luggage, as the soldiers would take anything that was not guarded. They tried to pin a ribbon on me but they did not succeed. The soldiers stole one girl from the company. One young boy ask a soldier to let him get on his horse for a ride, the soldier at once reported that the boy was stealing the horse. The boy was hidden three days or he would have been taken by the army.

While sailing up the river to Florence, Nebraska, we met many Josephites who were eager to tell us what would happen to us if we went to Utah and did not do as we were told. The emigrants were met by the captains of the different companies. The wagons were loaded with telegraph wires and roofing for Salt Lake Tabernacle. Eight or ten passengers were assigned to each wagon. Peter N. Nebeker was the captain of our train. William Green, who afterwards lived in American Fork, Utah, was teamster. He was still living in 1912.

We traveled along the plains until we reached the Platte River. Some of the emigrants died, through walking so far and from exposure. Some very hard storms were experienced on the journey. One incident, worthy of note, three young girls who always traveled side by side, as usual, were walking together. And electrical storm came up. The lightning was very bad. It struck the middle girl, entering the top of her head and coming out the soles of her shoes. It also killed seven of the oxen in the train of about seventy wagons and knocked down some of every every [UNCLEAR REDUNDANT] yoke running along the chain. One of the teamsters had the skin taken off his nose, while sitting on his front end-gate. [p. 1]

Suffice it to say, after the long and perilous journey across the plains, building bridges, making roads, etc., we landed in Salt Lake Valley the fall of 1863, close to Oct. Conference. . . . [p. 2]

BIB: White, Thomas Henry. Autobiography (formerly in Msd 2050), pp. 1-2. (CHL)

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Autobiography of Thomas Wright Kirby

. . . We left Dover May Thursday the 21, reach London and stayed all night. Left next day and reached Liverpool in the evening. Went on board the ship Antarctic. I went on shore to buy some little extries [UNCLEAR, PROBABLY MEANING extras] such as a little sugar, cheese, flour, raisin currants &c. I slept onshore the night and went on board next morning. We sailed out of the Mercy about noon on Saturday, May 23rd. My brother and wife and two children were very seasick, and also Emily Swain, 13 year old daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Swain, Dover Branch, so that I had my hands pretty well full to see after these poor sick folks and had to fight against [p.83] it myself and take all the air I could on deck to prevent seasickness. After we had been out to sea a few days, a Sister Watters (or Waters) [Sarah Walters] was confined and died. Her husband was in England as a missionary. She had two other children with her. After a short time at sea the measles broke out among the children and we buried ten or eleven. My brother's [daughter] died. I took my turn nights and days watching over her and being very much attached to her. I felt very bad to see her buried in the sea.

We were seven weeks and two days getting from Liverpool to New York. Then by railroad and steamboat we reached to within three miles of Florence, Nebraska. We passed through some towns where they were fighting with bushwackers or some kind of outlaws till there was a continual flashing of firearms all over the town. When we arrived at St. Joseph's, Missouri, we had to be very careful how we acted and what we said for fear the Union soldiers should take offense and shoot some of us as many of them were there, and some very drunk and shooting around and swearing about the Mormons. This was a very strange thing to me after being working more or less for three years among English soldiers at Dover. And never had heard them insult the civilian and here they done it for fun, and I was told by people round there not to say a word to them, for if I did, and I was likely shot down dead. Somebody would bury me and that was all the trouble there would be about it. There was in our company about 700, about half British or English, Scotch, and Welsh, the other half what we British called foreigners. The British hired a large room and all made our beds as best we could and all laid [p.84] down as best we could to sleep till morning. Next day we went on board the steamboat, that was the worst part of all the voyage or trip. I never was more pleasant than I was when I saw the covered wagons with our brethren coming to fetch us to Utah. John Needham was president and Brothers Philip De La Mare and Samuel H. B. Smith, his two counselors over the company. . . [p.85]

. . . Captain Height [Haight] and company reached Salt Lake City at about 2 p.m. Oct. 4, 1863 and I arrived at about 4:30 p.m. . . . [p. 89]

BIB: Kirby, Thomas Wright. Autobiography (Ms 1033 1), pp. 83-85, 89. (CHL)

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Diary of Carl Christian Nikolai Dorius

BIB: Dorius, Carl Christian Nikolai. Diary (Ms 1622) [Danish], pp. 271-82. [DOCUMENT NOT INCLUDED IN DATABASE]

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History of Ole Amundsen

. . . In the spring of 1863, my father sold his house, having barely money enough to take us to Florence.

On the 27 day of April, early in the morning of 1863 we left our native land, took farewell to all. We was piled on deck of an old steamer bound for Copenhagen where we arrived the following day where we were piled in a little house for the night. We went by rail to Hamburg (Germany), thence to Grimsby, with a large steamer. We stayed in there nearly a month. Rations were very scant. After a short trip through England we reached Liverpool, and got on board an old sailing vessel Antarctic. We was 7 weeks & seven days on the sea: water got very bad. There were 11 deaths, 2 marriages, and 1 birth. We landed safe in New York. It was the time of the Civil War. Our route was then by way of New England, crossing the Niagara Bridge over the Niagara Falls. We had to cross the lakes & on ferries and finally was, we were put in cattle cars from Chicago to St. Joseph. When we got to St. Joseph's we got a steamer and here we was three days and got to Florence Bench about noon where ox teams waited our arrival for over a month. . . . [p. 2]

BIB: Amundsen, Andrew. History of Ole Amundsen, IN Maxine L. Breinholt, Biographies (Ms 8691), reel 4, p. 2. (CHL)

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Journal of Carl Dorius

. . . The trip to America was long in those days. We had to depend entirely upon the wind to guide our ship. When the winds were in the wrong direction our ship would move more backward than forward. This accounted for the many weeks it took crossing the ocean. Our voyage took four weeks, not counting time consumed resting at anchor. [p.106] The first week I was busy distributing the food for each family or group. The passengers did their own cooking, and made the best of the long journey. Meetings were held on deck. We had prayers morning and evening, and enjoyed singing and praising the Lord. John and I were kept busy taking care of the Scandinavians, to make sure that none out of the 300 emigrants was neglected. The Lord blessed us. There was very little sickness among the older people. However, a number of children on board came down with the measles, causing considerable worry. . . .

. . . During our stay at Florence, making ready for our trip across the plains, the Civil War was raging. Although Florence was some distance from roaring cannons and shooting guns, the people were in a state of excitement and confusion. John and I bought a yoke of oxen and a wagon, for our transportation to Salt Lake City. It seemed much better to be crossing the plains with oxen and wagon than when we covered the same route six years before with handcarts.

When all was in readiness we left Florence on July 24, 1863, under the guidance of our captain, Peter Nebaker. Our company was well organized. We made good progress, traveling from 12 to 16 miles per day. The trip was not without some tragedy. Some sickness was experienced. Two women and seven children died on the journey. We arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on September 25, 1863. [p.107]

BIB: Dorius, Carl Christian Nikolai, [Journal], IN Dorius, Earl N., The Dorius Heritage (privately printed, 1979) pp. 106-7. (CHL)

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Letter from John Needham - July 4, 1863

Packet ship Antarctic, July 4, 1863.President [George Q.] Cannon.

Dear Brother,--We presume, ere this reaches you, you will be anxious to learn of our welfare. The letter we sent you on Tuesday, May 26, giving you an account of our proceedings to that date, we hope you received safely. From that time to the present we have been actively employed; the measles having broken out that day among the children and extended to about forty cases, and there being many aged, they, together with the sick, kept us busy waiting on them. Independent of these cases, the health of all on board has been generally good; which we could not fail to notice, from the lively spirit manifested by the Saints, and we can truly say we would not wish to travel with a better people than the Saints have been during the voyage. We can also say we have been greatly blessed while crossing the ocean, although we had head winds nearly all the way. The captain willingly aided us in doing all we thought necessary to insure health and comfort, by continual cleaning, laying down lime, and the burning of tar. Elder [John] Needham has been somewhat sick, but has enjoyed much better health than on any previous occasion while crossing the sea. We will here remark that every Sunday it has been very fair and pleasant weather, and although we are at sea, the Saints do not forget that it is a day of rest, but feel to enjoy themselves in contemplating and speaking of the blessings they enjoy in having the privilege of gathering to Zion. We have had sacramental meetings each Sunday afternoon in the wards; and in the evening all the Saints met together on the lower deck, when they received such instructions as their circumstances demanded and the Spirit of the Lord suggested.

On Sunday, June 7, the Saints generally fasted. At 6 p.m. all met on the lower-deck, when a very spirited address was given by President [John] Needham; the Spirit of the Lord was made manifest, and his instructions were applicable to all. He exhorted the elders of Israel to be faithful in protecting the weak and inexperienced from evil, and to see that the Saints under their charge were not overcome by base and seducing spirits. His remarks were interpreted to the French by Elder De La Mare [Philip De La Mere], to the Norwegians by Elder [John] Dorius, and to the Swiss by Elder Huber.

We have had three marriages among the foreign Saints; on one occasion the captain, his wife, his brother and mate favored us with their presence, and also provided wine and refreshments for the occasion. They manifested a friendly feeling, and the captain took the opportunity of kissing the bride; it not being the custom in Norway, the bridegroom and bride looked rather astonished, but after being explained, the bridegroom soon followed the captain's example.

We are sorry to have to report to you the death of Sister Sarah Walters [p.556] and child; after some considerable suffering, she was delivered of a girl on Sunday, June 14; she died the following morning at half-past three; her remains were consigned to a watery grave at 8 p.m.; her infant child died on Tuesday, June 23. A son of John Dean, from the Preston Conference, named Henry, died on Friday, the 3rd instant, and a daughter, named Annie Leine, the following day; also, four infants of the Norway Saints, and a child and infant of the Swiss--making ten deaths to the present.

We found the extras so kindly furnished by you--such as the sago, arrowroot, soup and white sugar--a great boon, and many suffering from general debility attribute their recovery to the use of the same.

Friday, July 10.

We were met by Brothers [William C.] Staines and [John] Young on board, and landed at Castle Garden by 11 o'clock today. We start for Florence at six tonight.

Accept our united regards; wishing you every success in your labors, we remain your brethren in the kingdom of God,

John Needham,Phillip De La Mare [De La Mere], Samuel H. B. Smith, R. [Richard] K. Thomas, Clerk. [p.557]

BIB: Needham, John, et. el., [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 25:35 (August 29, 1863), pp. 556-57. (CHL)

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Reminiscences and Diary of Samuel H. B. Smith

. . . Friday, 22nd. Arose early, a young man and woman was waiting at the front door for admittance. At 4 a.m. wrote to Brother Nicolson, at 10 a.m. got into the cab in company with John [-], C. W. West, and John Needham and went to the ship. Meeting was held on board ship, Brother [George Q.] Cannon spoke, John L. and Jesse N. interpreted to the Swiss and Danish Saints. Brother [John] Needham was appointed president of the ship passengers, and Phillip Del-a-mere [Philip De La Mere] and myself counselors. Brother Cannon gave me some money; I had a talk with Brother Thomas Taylor. The brethren left by the tender; wrote to Sister Eastham.

Saturday, 23rd. I joined in with J. Burrows and wife in the eating line. Brother Del-a- mere [Philip De La Mere] & myself received a ham each from onshore, suppose Brother Cannon sent it. Wrote to George Swan and sent it with the pilot. Also sent a line to Brother Cannon to let Aaron Farrer £1. At 10:40 the ship began to move, a pleasant breeze. The ship is the Antarctic. [p.229]

Sunday, 24th. Lay in a calm. Held a meeting below. I spoke first. Brother Del-a-mere [De La Mere] followed, made arrangements for dividing the Saints in wards. Brother Del-a-mere [De La Mere] and myself went below and held meeting in No. 2nd Ward. Brother [John] Needham spoke. Some lost articles were brought.

Monday, 25th. Had a dance on board, on deck.

Tuesday, 26th. Weather was very fine, all well.

Wednesday, 27th. A little more wind. I spoke at the meeting.

Thursday, 28th. Held meeting. Spoke about ventilating the apartments. A motion to have both doors open.

Friday, 29th. Provisions served out. Many was seasick. Had meeting downstairs & spoke.

Saturday, 30th. Visited the folks below. Brother [Philip] De La Mere spoke. I went upstairs and spoke to the Saints in No. 1st and 2nd Ward. [p.230]

Sunday, 31st. Heavy gale at 3 p.m. Each ward met and had sacrament. Went downstairs and had a general meeting. I opened the meeting and spoke to the Saints.

Monday, 1st June - Many of the folks were sick. I was busy waiting on them, cooking, and so forth.

Tuesday, 2nd. The passengers were called out of number 2nd cabin and the place smoked with tar. Wind not favorable, the first mate said we had made 28 miles the last 24 hours, very tedious.

Wednesday, 3rd. We held meeting. I spoke fifteen minutes and we gave liberty for the Saints to occupy the time.

Thursday, 4th. I laid down in the daytime.

Friday, 5th. Provisions were served out.

Saturday, 6th. Wind changed in our favor.

Sunday, 7th. Fast day. Held meeting at 2 p.m. Brother [John] Needham & [Philip] De La Mere spoke. Went below and held meeting. Called on [John] Dorius & Huber to interpret to the Swiss and Danish Saints. Brother Del-a-mere [De La Mere] spoke to the French Saints. I spoke a short time and dismissed the meeting, fine day. [p. 231]

Monday, 8th. Wet day. Went below and visited.

Tuesday, 9th. Captain ordered all on deck to see if their number of passengers were correct. Found a few over the number specified. Some played at game in the evening and enjoyed themselves very well.

Wednesday, 10th. Read discussion of iconoclast & with the Reverend Mathias. Had a talk with the captain. I married a couple. Found out the captain had been provoked by a remark from one of the passengers. The ship's company was thrown into an excitement over their supposed rights &c.

Thursday, 11th. Held meeting, and in order to secure the friendship of the captain and officers and save trouble, we reprimanded Brother [Robert] Wilson for certain remarks. Had another wedding and invited the captain and lady to attend.

Friday, 12th. Rough sea, some little sick. Brother De La Mere and Needham was quite sick. Rations were not served, out [the sea] being so rough.

Saturday, 13th. Rough in the morning, rations served.

Sunday, 14th. Had meeting, spoke in reference to leaving their old heavy, boxes and the course to take.

Monday, 15th. Sarah Walters from Preston died. [p. 232] She left six children. I assisted in the ceremony and burial. Rained very fast.

Tuesday, 16th. Calm day. Two children died. I chatted with the captain, he spoke about his business transactions, &c.

Wednesday, 17th. I spoke at the meeting in the second cabin. Rather rough.

Thursday, 18th. Meeting in the second cabin. Instructed the Saints in reference [to] cleaning.

Friday, 19th. Got up at 5 o'clock a.m., attended meeting, and spoke to the Saints in reference to cleaning. Ready to land.

Saturday, 20th. Sister Swan sang songs for us.

Sunday, 21st. I had a thorough cleanup. Held meeting and administered the Sacrament. Had another talk with the captain on deck; returned at 10 p.m.

Monday, 22nd. Got up at five a.m. [-] ships, one passed within hailing distance, the captain spoke with the trumpet.

Tuesday, 23rd. Held meeting, told them to be kind to the sick. We went upstairs, they had not gotten through with their meeting.

Wednesday, 24th. Attended meeting in the 2nd cabin. [p. 233]

Thursday, 25th. Sister Swan washed my linen. We signed a certificate that there were more passengers than specified. Some young men refused to do their share of ship duty. They found that they had better change their mind & save trouble.

Friday, 26th. Provisions served out, moved slow.

Saturday, 27th. Wind changed more favorable.

Sunday, 28th. Held two meeting, I spoke on the blessings of the Saints.

Monday, 29th. But little wind blowing.

Tuesday, 30th. Had a talk with the brothers [PROBABLY, John and John F. F.] Dorius. The captain spoke [to] a ship 7 days out from New York. Said there were two private vessels [which] were not far from here.

Wednesday, 1st July - Had a talk with [John] Dorius, but little wind.

Thursday, 2nd. Had a bath, wet evening, danced.

Friday, 3. Provisions served out. Very foggy. Held meeting and gave out to have the place thoroughly cleaned out tomorrow.

Saturday, 4th. A thorough cleaning out, and a man by the name of [John] Smith undertook to dictate. De La Mere talked to him and he said he had been insulted a number [p. 234] of times since he came on board. I told him that he had insulted others. In the evening, the captain had a display of fireworks.

Sunday, 5th. Held meeting in the wards both afternoon and evening.

Monday, 6th. Got up early. Three or four vessels have in sight, one, the "Harriet Queen." The pilot came on board. Had a talk with the pilot.

Tuesday, 7th. I spoke at the evening meeting. All are anxious to get onshore.

Wednesday, 8th. Cast anchor, busy packing.

Thursday, 9th. Up early, tug came, anchor raised. The tug broke and cast anchor again. In the afternoon another tug came, anchored close to Castle Garden.

Friday, 10th. Brother [William C.] Stains and John Young came on board. Passed customs officers. Went to the office and found Joseph F. [Smith] had arrived. Joseph and I went out, had something to eat. I left by the evening train with the company.

Saturday, 11th. Arrived at Albany. Brother [p. 235] [William C.] Stains returned from there.

Sunday, 12th. Arrived at Suspension Bridge. Took train again at 1 p.m. Refreshments cost two prices [PROBABLY MEANING TWICE AS MUCH] at this place.

Monday, 13th. Arrived at Detroit, two of the Norwegian brethren were left.

Tuesday, 14th. Arrived at Chicago. [John] Dorius stopped to bury a child.

Wednesday, 15th. Arrived at Colchester, met cousin Don [UNCLEAR, PROBABLY C.] Came on the cars, I got off here and stopped a few days.

Thursday 16th. Sister Mary left for Jefferson City at 6 p.m., I gave her $30.

Friday 17th. Visited cousin Maria, saw Aunt Sophronia; Aunt Catherine came.

Saturday 18th. I visited two men who had been in the church, one very sick. Don [UNCLEAR, PROBABLY C.] was in the motion of going across the plains with us.

Sunday 19th. Visited the Methodist meeting and heard a sermon from the 21 chapter and 4 verse of Revelations.

Monday 20th. Cousin Alvin came and I went to cousin Maria, and stopped over night.

Tuesday 21st. Returned to Aunt Lucy, [p. 236] Alvin and I had a talk, they went home.

Wednesday 22nd. Uncle Arthur got a letter from Mary, she had been detoured. Don, George, and I went hunting and killed a squirrel.

Thursday 23rd. Got a letter from Mary, she had seen Edwin. Don C. & Maria got one each.

Friday 24th. Left by the 7 o'clock train, went to Aunt Sarah Dell's, Quincy. Went to see old Sister Pinkham. Returned in the evening and had an introduction to Mr. Bond and his sister Read [UNCLEAR]. I went and baptized Sister Reid's daughter, Helen Mar Cooley, who is a teacher of music, also baptized her son Elijah.

Saturday 25th. Went to their house and attended to their confirming. Got watch fixed; took boat then train, got into St. Joseph at 9:30, put up at the Pacific House.

Sunday 26th. Met with two or three apostates from Utah. Said he had a daughter coming in the next company and before she should go to Utah he would shoot her. Stopped at Pacific House. [p. 237]

Monday 27th. Walked to the railroad station, learned that the first company would be in this evening. Bought Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.

Tuesday 28th. [NO ENTRY]

[ABRUPT END OF AUTOBIOGRAPHY NO SALT LAKE CITY ARRIVAL DATE] [p.238]

BIB: Smith, Samuel H. B. Reminiscences and diary (Ms 4214), pp. 229-38. (CHL)

 

 


Linked toLerwill, Thomas William; Rawle, Betsy; Tucker, Charley

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