We left dear old England's shore in February 1855 on board the ship Caravan. It was an almost worn out old vessel, but it landed us safely in the Castle Garden, New York, a place prepared for emigrants to rest a day after their voyage. We left New York by train; we belonged to the independent company, paying our own expenses. Little did I think such trouble and hardships were before me. We arrived in Iowa and a number of us rented a house at twenty dollars per month. A Brother Parker and his family and several others that crossed the sea with us all remained until the camping ground was ready; then we bought material for a tent and made it. We went out on the [-] of May, very cold weather. My husband, not caring to be around doing nothing, got some work to do at $1.00 per day, but they were such long days work that he would not do it for so small a sum; so of course our money was diminishing. We stayed on camping ground until the last company (of which Edward Martin was captain) of these; a great many Saints left England after us as the handcart operation was not settled until after we left, and we were on the ground until the last company. Three companies started before us. Sometimes my husband would want to go, then he would not; he was full of misgivings, so we waited until the last, fourth, as I did not want to leave him; but, poor man, I did not think he would suffer with myself as we did. But I know it was not my Father in Heaven's will, for I was faithful and willing to draw a handcart 1,000 miles. I hungered for the gospel of Christ. I never left my home for money or other gain. Among one [p.2] company that arrived were some very dear friends, which I did not expect to see, but which made my heart rejoice. They were Brother and Sister Binder; they have ever been good, kind friends to me and my heart is full of gratitude to them and many others. But I am not telling you about my journey; there are many incidents which I do not remember. We at last bought our cart, paid our emigration from Iowa to Salt Lake City, started with my husband, myself and children, John, age nine, Henry, seven; Robert, five, and Marian three. Seventy-five pounds of bedding and other clothing, three days' provisions and one cart with tents and another with poles and bake kettle, my little girl and boy in the cart. My heart was happy and I rejoiced and sang the songs of Zion. My only hope and desire was to reach the Valley where my children could be raised in the true gospel. . . .[p.3]
. . .with that food that was so kindly sent out to us from the people in Salt Lake, our lives were spared. On a bright Sunday morning we were met in Emigration Canyon by hundreds of people in buggies and wagons and horseback to see us. We stopped near the tithing house, many had their friends to meet them and take them to their homes. . . .[p.8]
BIB: Sermon, Elizabeth. Autobiography (Ms 8237 4 #98), pp. 2-3, 8. (CHL)
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