. . . About ten months after I became a member of the church, one of my mother's great uncles died and left her a neat little sum of money which she deposited in the church office at Liverpool to pay for the emigration of our family to Utah. A good wagon was bought, also two yoke of cattle and food for the journey after we should arrive at Florence, Nebraska.

We Sail

On Monday April 11th 1859 we bid our native land adieu and set sail for the land of America. We sailed on board the Tapscott, an old sailing vessel, commanded by William Bell. We had 725 Saints on board who were presided over by Robert Neslen.

Our journey across the mighty deep was at times pleasant but sickness came and with it came death and two were consigned to a watery grave. We also had some storms but landed safely at New York May 13th, 1859. We traveled by steamer and rail 2000 miles until we reached Florence May 25th, 1859. . . . [p.65]

. . . At last everything was in readiness for our journey across the plains, a distance of a thousand miles. Our company was composed of Saints with sixty wagons. . . . [p.66]

. . . On September 18th 1859 we arrived all well in the valleys of the Great Salt Lake and camp on what was known then as Emigration Square. The day was beautiful and the sun shone in all his splendor. Our train was led into the city by a two wheel covered cart drawn by one small white ox. The animal was covered with garlands of wild flowers and on the sides of the vehicle was this motto in large letters: HAIL COLUMBIA, THIS BEATS THE HAND CARTS.

After our arrival hundreds of people came to our camp to seek for friends and presented us with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. That evening we were entertained at supper by a family by the name of Haywood. The following day we went to the home of Brother and Sister B. Stringham in Sugar House Ward. We remained with our friends for some time, then we got the use of an old adobe house which stood in a field. . . . [p.67]

BIB: Kirkham, James, [Journal], In Kirkham, E. Kay, George (Wm.) Kirkham: His Ancestors and Descendants to the Third Generation (privately printed, 1973) pp. 65-67. (CHL)
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