1856. April 28th. Left Graverly taken train at Offord. Paid $13.10, to Peterboro. Staid over night. Left for Liverpool Paid 4.11.8. Waited for train at Blisworth Station 3 hours and stopping at every station we arrived at Liverpool half past seven. Secured the Luggage and got to their house about 9 or ten. Went to bed sometime after 11. Slept until 5 rose at 6 Wednesday, 30.
May 1. Went to the office &c.
May 2nd. Came on board the ship Thornton and secured our berths.
Saturday was visited by F. [Franklin] D. Richards. Gave some counsel &c.
May 4 Launched out with a steady gale. Watches set at the hatchway.
Sunday received instructions from President [James] Willie, &c.
Monday. Saw 2 ships following. The Saints generally sick. Myself, wife, Joseph and Amasa some, George not.
Tuesday I am better. Saw four ships going toward England. Prayer and singing in each of the wards, five in number.
Thursday. Two deaths: an aged woman 75 and a Danish child. There is a doctor with the captain to attend the sick but he has not much to do. The captain read over the corpses but allows the elders to pray over them.
Friday. Rainy. The Saints is better. 13 hundred miles from Liverpool.
Saturday 10. Fine morning [- - - - - - - - -] [p. 1]
Sunday 11. Held meetings up deck. The captain gives President [James G.] Willie the privilege of standing up on the poop deck that is over the first cabin.
Monday 12. Good sailing, 12 miles an hour, &c.
Tuesday. Calm sea. Cleaned our ward &c. Called up deck to hear preaching by President Willie, Elders Haywood, M. [Moses] Clough his counselors; also Elder [John] Chislett, until it was dinner time. Partook of the sacrament. The Danes came up to preach &c. It is strange to hear men talk so long and then be ignorant to what they say, but they have one, their president can talk English. Elder Willie addressed them, then their President interpreted what he said &c. After this some singing (and be not alarmed if you should hear that we have 2 or 3 fiddlers on board, and some dancers too.) In the evening the captain gave the children some tarts &c. Called in our wards by President [Jeremiah] Baker for family prayer. Afterwards went to see the captain and others his companions, 2 females [- - - - -]. [p. 2]
Wednesday 14. Morning calm and fine. Afternoon more gale. I was called to take part of this ward to see that they had their water, pork, beef, &c. Unexpected to me, as I am the same here not ambitious. You will believe me if I say I did not ask for an office. I am well & all my family and we enjoy ourselves first rate. Tea is now ready. The children run about and play at cat after the mouse or any other things they please. [p. 3]
BIB: Linford, John. Diary. (Ms 3984, fd. 2); pp. 1-3. (CHL)
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