At this time there were very few Mormons, as they were referred to then, and they were treated very disrespectful. Yet, the great missionary, Wilford Woodruff, and his companion, William Cooper, taught his parents the gospel, his father being baptized 15 Dec 1850 and his mother nearly a month later, 12 Jan 1851. His father became president of the Heanor Branch of the church and many were baptized by his hands and many were taught the gospel. He was slow of speech but had the gift of healing and was sought after to administer to the sick and they would have faith that they would be made well and they would receive their health.
They all worked hard and were anxious to come to Zion, as their father felt that they should go to Zion where the saints were so his family could grow up and worship with members of the church. They were willing to sacrifice all for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
After great preparation and many sad good-byes, they left their home at Loscoe on 26 May 1863, (leaving behind their second son, George, buried at Heanor 6th yard, having died 20 Dec 1841) and traveled to Liverpool, England. On 30 May 1863, they embarked on the ship Cynosure with 754 other saints all bound for the Utah Territory for their religion.
According to the ship's passenger list: John Parkin age 41 profession Knicker Elizabeth, his wife age 41 housewife Son William Johnage 23 collier Hirriot age 19 spinster John Jr. age 15 Joseph age 12 Hyrum age 7 Heber age 1
They deposited $800 and had ticket No. 52. They were seven weeks and one day on the ocean in a sailing vessel that weighed 1,230 tons and were tossed about the waters of the mighty ocean as the winds desired. They arrived in New York port July 9, 1853; then traveled by train to Florence, Nebraska. After the preparation of getting ox teams ready, they left Florence, Nebraska, August 10, 1863, with the Thomas E. Ricks Company of 400 souls 60 wagons; and, after a long and tiresome journey, arrived in Utah at Salt Lake City, October 4, 1863. After a short rest they moved to Bountiful, Davis County around 14 miles from Salt Lake City and settled at the Jesse Perkins home at Woods Cross and South Bountiful at the present the site of the old home of James Isaac Atkinson; then finally located on Section 16 in the upper part of South Bountiful and took up farming as their occupation.”
Bair, Nell Betts Parkin and Mary Jane Betts Parkin. History of John Parkin Jr. Nyssa, Oregon, 1967.
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