. . . I was born 2 Jan. 1836 at West Melton via Rotherham, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. My father's name was John Walker. My mother's maiden name, Nancy Harrison. At age of 12 I entered coal mine and left at 14 to enter school prior to serving as apprenticeship as tailor remained in school until past 16. Served nearly 5 years after. Set off in business as tailors in Ellsicas. Here I made the acquaintance of Mary Ann Thompson. We were married in the year 1858 Oct. 25. She belonged to the sect know as Latter-day Saints. This brought me in contact with the elders and being convinced of the truth I was baptized on Oct. 6, 1860. My wife being in service away from the branch was rebaptized at the same time. We became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pilley Branch in the Sheffield Conference. Baptized by Elder George Batty, president of Branch and confirmed by Nathan A. Meads. Ordained a priest by Elder Thomas Wallace and George Batty. Emigrated to West in 1861. We sailed in the Underwriter about 23 April 1861. Before landing in New York May 22 the pilot brought word of the defeat of Union troops. [p. 1] We left New York for Dunkirk and then to Cleveland and Chicago to Quincy to Hannibal and St. Joseph's and thence to Florence. I and my wife engaged to cross the plains with delegate Hooper, William H. Hooper and family who had accompanied the delegate to Washington D. C. We arrived in Salt Lake City in August [1861]. . . . [p. 2]

BIB: Walker, Samuel F. [Autobiography] (Copy of original in possession of Cheryl A. Bean) pp. 1-2.
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