. . . became a member of the Church, although my father did not, yet he was very favorable and assisted the Saints many times. In the year 1855 February 16, I, together with a younger sister, left home and sailed on board the "Nonas Queen" for Liverpool and arrived there next day for the purpose of going to America, very much against my father's wishes, but I believed in the principle of the gathering and felt it my duty to go although it was a severe trial to me and my feelings to leave my native land and the pleasing associations that I had formed there. But my heart was fixed, I knew in whom I had trusted and with the fire of Israel's God burning in my bosom I forsook my home but not to gather wealth or the perishable things of this world [p. 3] and on the 23 of February, 1855 embarked on board the ship Siddons bound for Philadelphia. We lay in the river until the 27th when the tug took us out to sea. I felt sick at heart but it soon was all over as the seasickness commenced on every side. I arose at 5 o'clock in the morning and went on deck to get the fresh air which I found to be of much benefit. I generally assisted those who were very sick to wash and dressed their children and had the good feelings of all on board. We got out of the channel March 4. We had morning and evening prayer and it made us feel better and more content.
March 8th. Had a most delightful dream. Thought that a voice spoke to me in comforting words from the Proverbs of Solomon [-] [p. 4]
March 12th. The wind right ahead, the ship rocked about but it was with the greatest difficulty we could keep our seats. Tins rolling about in every direction. We had an old gentleman, as traveling companion to preserve up from insult. His name was Kent and he treated us with every mark of respect and kindness. I often thought of home and my sister Anna.
March 14th. We were very stormy not making any way at all.
March 18th. Wind changed in our favor. Had a little trouble this morning with the steward. He struck an aged brother in the face and was tried for it.
March 20th. Blowing a gale. Ship making very little way.
March 22. Took cold. Had a sore throat and stiff neck. Felt very ill indeed, had to keep in bed all day. Took some medicine, it did not do me much good. Took everything that I thought would be of benefit to me. Had no comfort, it being so very stormy [p. 5] but still I do not wish to murmur at the providence of God concerning me. Although it is a most severe trial to be ill right among so many strangers.
March 26th. Feel rather better but still very weak indeed.
March 28th. There has a squall of wind, torn every sail to pieces. It did not continue long and did no particular injury to the ship.
March 30th. It continues very stormy. Still not making much way. The sea is rolling and dashing and at every quarter it is enough to alarm even the stoutest heart.
March 31st. We have been laying to all night and are now on the banks of Newfoundland which makes it very cold indeed. March, seen some icebergs. It is still very stormy and the water has got to some part of our luggage and spoiled it considerable.
April 1st. The storm has not abated yet. It seems as if the very elements are all combined against us to swallow us up in [p. 6] the deep. However, thank God there is [-] thus far although some of our things have got spoiled with the water. Attended meeting in the afternoon, it being Sunday. (The president questioned me in respect to Brother Kent. I felt rather hurt but assured him to the point. Am thankful now that it occurred for it has learnt me experience for my good.)
April 2nd. The morning is fine, all well and happy. Did not rest well last night could not sleep for thinking of home.
April 3rd. Although stormy, the ship is tossing and rolling about in every direction. Brother Kent is exceedingly kind in waiting on us.
April 4th. The morning is very cold. We have had several hail storms. The storms are much larger than common. We passed close to an iceberg. The weather is very cold indeed. It is quite difficult to keep warm. Helena is not very well today.
April 5th. Cold morning. Not making much way. I am quite tired of ship board.
April 6. [p. 7] This day is not so cold. The change is very grateful to us after so much cold. This is the day and month that my dear grandmother was buried, also the one that the church was organized. The president has given permission for the young people to have music and dancing on the deck.
April 7th. Fine morning, ship making 12 knots. I have the toothache very bad indeed.
April 8th. All well. Weather fine. Nothing of importance took place today.
April 9th. There has been one of our brethren found stealing provisions. He was exposed in public meeting.
April 10th. I did not rest much last night. The state room is too close and not enough fresh air. The weather is still very cold indeed. Quite unseasonable. Wind fair, ship making 10 knots.
April 11th. Had an invitation to the captain's cabin. Went with the president and Helena. Drank a glass of wine and enjoyed it very much indeed. [p. 8]
April 12th. Our provisions are done and we feel rather hungry. This morning the mates gave us a hard biscuit which we ate very hearty.
April 13th. The water has got into the ship in the night. It caused a little alarm. There is a ship in sight, the first we have seen for a long time.
April 14th. The weather fine. Went on deck and seen hundreds of porpoises quite near the ship. We are still three hundred miles of Philadelphia. There was a child of John Herberts' thrown overboard this morning.
April 15th. Not in sight of land yet, and we have not got much to eat. Have the toothache, feel quite ill with it.
April 16th. Fine morning, wind fair. There are several large ships in sight.
April 17th. Nothing of importance took place today.
April 18th. Pilot boat alongside. We had been expecting him 48 hours and he is here [p. 9] at last. The deck is crowded to [-] and all seemed happy. We dropped anchor at 10 o'clock.
April 19th. Tug boat along side. The weather is very warm. Saw land for the first time. Hope to get on shore in the morning. The prospect before us now is beautiful beyond description. Surrounded as we are by small fishing boats sailing along in the unruffled water as far on my right as the eye can reach. There are houses and trees to be seen and who but one who has passed two long tedious months on board the broad Atlantic knows how grateful that sight is. Sound of the tug which is now in front of us is very [-]. Altogether I feel very happy indeed and do not see one unhappy face anywhere around. Our president looks as if he was [-] of his company.
April 20th. Rose at 8 o'clock. A beautiful morning. We have been at anchor all night. I fear the day will [p. 10] be very warm. Expect to be in port about 2 o'clock this afternoon.
April 21st. I have been very happy all day with the [-]. Brother Clinton took dinner with us and then went ashore with him and Mrs. Fullmer who took us to a hotel called the "Stars and Stripes."
April 22nd. Slept well. Helena and I took a walk to the ship to see her for the last time. The captain took us home. In the meantime Brother John Taylor called to see us. Felt disappointed and now sitting in a splendid drawing room. After dinner Brother [-] has just called to take us to the meeting. We went through some of the principle streets. Seen the hall that Independence was proclaimed. The meeting was crowded to [-] and Brother Taylor welcomed us to their home and took tea with him at the [-] enjoyed ourself much.
April 23rd. We are now waiting for the train. Brother Taylor [-] us up. [p. 11] in the carriage.
April 24th. In the train. Spent a most unpleasant night being so long in a sitting position and we still 170 miles from Pittsburgh.
April 25th. Have just arrived. 4 o'clock in the morning. Did not sleep at all and we had been asking for Mr. Fullmer. He did not come till 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Took dinner at an [-] with Brother Kent. Did not see much of Pittsburgh. Went on board the "Mongahela" [UNCLEAR] steamboat. Took cabin passage which cost us $12 each. Poor Helena's feet has swollen very much so that she cannot walk. I have bandaged them with wet clothes and attend to them with cold water and vinegar.
April 27. Helena's feet are some little better. She has been enjoying herself with the [-]. It is her birthday and I fear that her feet will be worse 6 o'clock in the morning. I have been engaged in looking after some of our luggage and found part of it lost all through the neglect of those who had charge of it. [p. 12]
April 28. I have been very ill all night with the cramp. Helena has just gone for a doctor [-] is on board as she is frightened to be alone with me. It is the cholera and a most severe attack too. I got some medicine which relieved the pain, but I still feel very ill. Cannot sit up and am very thirsty. Took some brandy and water and did not get up all day.
April 29. Feel very sick. Still sat up a little after supper, think it is the sudden change of climate. The scenery on both sides of the river is quite delightful. Everything appears in the highest state of civilization, especially on the right hand side. The other being a slave state is not so good. Helena went out a riding with the captain and some more ladies and gentlemen as the boat stopped all day at a pretty little town called Marietta. I did not feel well enough to go.
April 30th. Could not sleep all night. The heat is so very oppressive. Sat up in the chair. [p. 13] We had just arrived Cincinnati at [-] town. We are going to stop an hour or two.
May 1st. We have now arrived at a town called Louisville but could not go out. It was too warm to walk and Helena's feet is not better yet Louisville is a large place about 30,000 inhabitants.
May 2. We have not been sailing all night. We are now in the canal going very slowly through it. Some of the passengers have gone ashore to see the Kentucky giant. Have just got through the canal.
May 3. The morning is cool. There has been a violent storm through the night. 3 of the passengers fell overboard but were saved. The mate jumped in and saved them. The state of Indiana on one side of the river and Kentucky on the other. We are still 400 miles from St. Louis. The ladies stare at us. I think we must look very different from them.
May 4th. The river is just like glass. Helena is in rather low spirits. Does not know how she will find her friends in the valley. [p. 14]
May 5. We are now in sight of the Mississippi. The boat stopped at a little town called St. Genesea where a poor man from the steerage was left behind. He ran for some distance when a boat was lowered for him.
May 6th. The boat has just stopped at a town called Chester about 100 miles from St. Louis. I have been busy in packing up. My feelings are very peculiar in seeing so many new places and in being so very far from home, but feel thankful to God for his care over us thus far and trust for the future. We are now in the state of Missouri on the left and Illinois on the right. We here stopped to get wood.
May 7th. Have arrived at St. Louis. Helena is sick. Got some medicine for her. We are going up the Missouri River. We have taken cabin passage on the "Polar Star", the fare 13 dollars.
May 8th. I have written home this morning. Took tea with Sister Wilson in the afternoon. Started up the river at 4 in the afternoon.
May 9th. Nothing of importance today. [p. 15]
May 10th. Got acquainted with a young lady of the name of Brooks. She is a pleasant sort of person. Had rather an awkward encounter last night with a colored gent. He awoke me out of my sleep with rummaging at my feet in the bed. I felt a little alarmed at the time.
May 11th. Cholera has appeared again. The lady in the stateroom is dead and is taken ashore.
May 12th. We have [been] running fast all night. It has rained very much. We expect to land at Stysen [UNCLEAR] in the course of an hour. We expect to have to sleep in tents tonight. 6 in the morning, just landed. Here we are in the levee and don't know where I'd turn. This indeed seems like emigration. Brother Betintine has just come and took us to his tent. The appearance of the camp is very novel.
May 14. The air is very grateful, but there has a storm just come in. It is the most severe one I ever witnessed the thunder was awful. The rain poured on us through the tent but we did not take cold. [p. 16]
May 15th. Nothing of importance.
May 16th. Was busy in working over our clothing. It has been very warm today.
May 17th. It has rained during the night in a most violent storm.
May 18th. Nils Hetherington slept with us last night.
May 19th. Nothing of importance took place.
May 20th. Still in camp. The weather very warm. Wrote some today.
May 21st. I feel very sick with the heat.
May 22nd. There has been a snake found in the tent. I don't like to see them.
May 23rd. We have just arrived at Mormon Grove. It is a delightful place.
May 24th. Went to see the farm. Was very much pleased with it.
May 25th. Very stormy this morning.
May 26th. Brother Andrews took us for a drive to see the place.
May 27th. There has been 30 baptized today.
May 28th. Went to town and bought some more provisions for the plains.
May 29th. Nothing particular.
May 30th. Rained again.
May 31st. Rained still.
June 1st. Cold with wind.
June 2nd. Nothing particular.
June 3rd. I have taken cold and suffer with my chest.
June 4th. Nothing particular. In bed sick.
June 5th. Don't feel much better. Cold day.
June 6. Went to the camp with Brother [William] Andrews. [p. 17]
June 7th. We get up very early this morning as we expect to start today. . . . [p. 18]
. . . Sept. 3rd. Have arrived in Great Salt Lake City. We went to Brother Cain's [Joseph Caine] house and were received with great kindness. . . . [p. 22]
BIB: Hindley, Jane Charters Robinson. Journals, vol. 1, pp. 3-18, 22. (CHL)
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