Tuesday Sept. 14th—1875 (Nottm) [POSSIBLY: Nottingham]. Arose early and made ready for my journey to Liverpool. I hired a cab and he took me, Brother Bryan, and Sister Spencer to the railway station, where I procured tickets for Sisters Raymor, Harriet Crooks and myself for Liverpool. It was a lovely morning and we had a splendid ride of one hundred miles and landed in safely at our destination. I went to the Millennial Star office where I had the pleasure of shaking hands with President Joseph F. Smith, Brother Lyman, Ernest Young and others. I soon after met with Brother Farsell, who came to Liverpool with some Saints from Brekenham. My box and things went with their's to the ship—Wyoming. I went back to the office and wrote a few lines for the Star, and then accompanied Brother McFarland to the S. S. Wyoming. [p.154]

Wednesday Sept. 15th 1875. (S. S. Wyoming) I eat supper and slept on board and had an excellent nights rest and feel fine this morning. All was bustle with some confusion among the steerage passengers. Brother [Albert] Carrington and a host of Valley elders came aboard to see the Saints off. Brother McFarland and I were birthed in the same room, and it was a magnificent one it was. The accommodations thereof met with my most unqualified approbation. The names of the returning missionaries are President Joseph F. Smith, F. M. Lyman, R. N. Morris, Archibald McFarland, B. H. Watts, P. O. Hanson. Evan Yorgansen, and myself. There were several others from Utah who had been on visits to their friends. R. N. Morris was appointed president and myself and the other missionaries except Brothers Smith and Lyman were appointed assistants.

Thursday Sept. 16th 1875. (S. S. Wyoming) I retired to bed about 9 p.m. and arose about 7 a.m. and had a comfortable nights rest. We all went to the steerage and Brother Smith was mouth in prayer. I eat a hearty breakfast and feel well. About the time I arose the ship arrived [p.155] at Queenstown and stayed there about 2 hours. Brothers Lyman, Birnrows, and McFarland are down with seasicknesses. Their places were vacant at the lunch table. Quite a number of the passengers are in the same fix, that is seasick. I wrote a letter for Sister Raymor last night, and posted it at Queenstown this morning. The weather thus far has been remarkably fine. The ship making fine time about 12 knots per hour. I cut Brother Joseph F. Smith hair. We were out sight of land about 1:30 p.m. A brother by the name of Watts, who was a few minutes since writing besides me, left his sent in a hurry, saying as he went that if he stayed home much longer he would be sick. 4:40 p.m. English time I have not felt the least signs of seasickness at present and am in good hopes I shant.

Friday Sept. 17th 1875. (S. S. Wyoming) On rising from my berth this morning I felt a little dizzy but I managed to eat a little breakfast. The weather is still very fine, but nearly all the emigrants are sick, in fact, I never saw so much seasickness before. I felt some symptoms of it myself. Brother Smith and Morris have both been sick. Went down to lunch and eat a little lettuce, beet and radishes, after that I felt worse, till at length [p.156] I had to make quick tracks, and forthwith cast up my accounts. I neither eat dinner nor supper, but retired to bed early.

Saturday Sept. 18th (S. S. Wyoming) I slept pretty well through the night with the exception of being disturbed by an unpleasant dream. I did not feel the least bit of sickness. I arose this morning, but I did not feel like eating, and so did not go to breakfast. I have been round waiting upon the sick, and although the weather be fair and the ship not rocking very much, yet the sickness is not much abated. The Liverpool time is now 11:27 a.m.

Sunday Sept. 19th 1875 ( S. S. Wyoming) Wind favorable making splendid time. Ship rolling a little more than she has hitherto done. 2:30 held meeting after singing and prayer. I being called on addressed the people for a short time. Brother Smith also spoke and a Danish brother spoke in Danish. The people still pretty seasick. I feel pretty well, but have but little appetite. Ship rolling very much.

Monday Sept. 20th 1875 (S. S. Wyoming) Very rough all night, but wind favorable. Made over 300 miles per day since we left Liverpool, and thus is the 5th day. [p.159] The difference between Liverpool time and the ship's time is 2 1/4 hours. The fore part of today we could not walk the deck for the ship rolled so much. English time 7 p.m. The sun is shining and the sea more calm, and the most of the emigrants up on deck. If the weather continue favorable we shall be in New York in about 5 days.

Tuesday Sept. 21st 1875 (S. S. Wyoming). Smooth sea all night. Cold wind this morning coming from the northwest. Saw a magnificent iceberg this morning, about 1000 feet long and 300 feet high. It was about 5 miles off. We could see it quite distinct through the glasses, now on the line of Newfoundland. 302 miles was traveled between noon yesterday and noon today. My appetite is poor otherwise I feel pretty well.

Wednesday Sept. 22nd 1875 (S. S. Wyoming). Sea very calm, scarcely a ripple to be seen. I learned this morning that the engine being damaged stood still for 2 hours some time during the night. Engine out of repair again, which caused several hours delay. Only made 230 miles from noon yesterday to noon today. I enjoyed my food better today. Played checkers [p.168] with Brother Lyman. I got the best of the game.

Thursday Sept. 23rd 1875 (S. S. Wyoming). A most lovely morning. A large 3 masts steamship passed us this morning. She left Liverpool a day after us. Most of the seasick folks are better and all seem lively and happy. Spent a pleasant evening with the brother in company with the captain and his two sisters. I retired to bed early.

Friday Sept. 24th 1875 (S. S. Wyoming). Wind somewhat favorable. Traveling about 12 miles per hour. Sea not so smooth as yesterday which makes some feel a little bilious. My health is splendid and appetite in first class condition. Spent an interesting time reading from "Pickwick." Wrote a letter to Brother Farrell and one for Sister Raymor, to her husband. Head winds all day, slow traveling. I was amused at witnessing a poorly got up concert this evening.

Saturday Sept. 25th 1875 (S. S. Wyoming). Passed a ship lighthouse about 7 a.m. About the same time a pilot came on board. Head wind.

Sunday Sept. 26th 1875 (New York). Still on board the S. S. Wyoming. Arrived at this place sometime in the night. Brother [William C.] Staines came on board this morning [p.169] and handed me two letters, one was from my son Jonnie containing the mournful intelligence of the death of my dear little daughter Velangie Maude. She departed this life on Thursday the 9th of Sept. after a sickness of severe vomiting and purging twenty one days. She suffered very much and was reduced to nothing but skin and bones. She was born on the 14th of Sep 1874 and was therefore one year and seven months old all but five days. She was buried on Sunday morning Sept. 12th just one year and ten months since I landed in Old England. That little baby I have never seen, I was looking forward with joyful anticipation of learning the little stranger to love her father. How many times have I spoken about her, and thought and wondered how she looked and how she would receive my fond embraces, and how proud her mother would be to present the little darling to her father, and get her to go through her funny little ways, which she knows would be so pleasing to me, but alas! Alas! Those joyful anticipations are fled, the blooming rose has faded, the little pet has gone. She was only lent to us for a little season, just to brighten up the household, then off to her little brothers and sisters, who came and went in like manner. This makes the tenth child I have buried. I pray my Father who art in Heaven that I may so live that I may [p.170] have them again in the resurrection of the just. I also deeply sympathize with my wife the mother of the departed little pet, and pray that strength may be given to her in the great bereavement, and that we all may be able to say the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away and blessed be the name of the Lord.

Monday Sept. 27th 1875 (Castle Garden). Got our luggage off the ship, and passed the custom house officers. Collected about 32 dollars to help a widow to emigrate. Met and had some conversation with Spencer Clawson. Our luggage was taken in a dray to a steamboat and from the steamboat to the cars in which the company were seated and at 7:30 p.m. moved out of the station at New Jersey and commenced our journey westward. Borrowed five dollars of Brother John Bourows.

Tuesday Sept. 28th (Board the cars) Slept well last night considering there being no bed. Eat a hearty breakfast. Passed over the Alleghary Mountains. Weather fine and magnificent scenery.

Wednesday Sept. 29th 1875 (On the cars-Ohio). Slept well, enjoyed my breakfast. Susan Atkinson had her satchel stolen last night, containing about 14 [p.171] pounds sterling, gold watch, ring and other things. Brother Reaves and son missed the train at Columbia. They got out to purchase provisions.

Thursday Sep 30th 1875. Crossed the Mississippi this morning and came to Burlington.

Friday Oct. 1st (Council Bluffs). Arrived here at 6 a.m. I watched 3 hours through the night. The car came uncoupled which caused some little delay. Crossed the Missouri. Left Omaha at 10 a.m. Traveled slow with lots of stoppages.

Saturday Oct. 2nd 1875 (On the cars). Stopped long and often through the night. Grant passed us in a special train yesterday—going to Salt Lake. On the prairies lovely morning, passing little settlements every few miles.

Sunday Oct. 3rd (Cheyenne). Arrived at this place about 8 a.m. Slept well last night. My health is splendid and I feel well. About 2 days travel of Ogden.

Monday Oct. 4th 1875. (Green River) I retired to bed about 9 p.m. and soon after went to sleep, but on arriving at Evanston which was about 11 p.m. most of the brethren with myself awoke and I arose, but soon after went [p.172] to bed again and tried to sleep, and as I lay thinking some one inquire for me. I sat up to see who it was, when to my great surprise, I found myself in the embraces of my son Jonnie. I soon after arose and spent the remainder of the night asking him questions &c. His eldest son named John Henry was with him and about the first thing he asked for was the presents I had promised him.

Tuesday Oct. 5th 1875. (Ogden) Arrived at this place about 6 a.m. and at the station met several people whom I knew and who seemed pleased to see me. At 9:40 a.m. we took the cars and came to Salt Lake City and at the depot I had the pleasure of meeting my dear sons Walter and Henry, who came with a buggy to me and meet me and take me home. Brother Maiben was also at the station to bid me welcome home. We all got in the buggy and rode to the 20th ward where I had the pleasure of meeting with my beloved wives and children. . . . [p.173]

BIB: Squires, John P. Reminiscences and Journals, 1848-1900; (MS 2143); [vol. 4] pp. 154- 56, 159, 168-73.
(source abbreviations)