. . . We left London at 6 o'clock in the morning on New Year's Day, 1851, viz, I, my wife, Fanny, our children, Mary Ann, Fanny Louisa, John, and Jessy,[Jessie] who was an infant at the breast. With us also, Brother and Sister Robinson and child, Brother and Sister Ellett [Ellott] and their daughter, Ellen. We arrived at Liverpool at 8 o'clock in the evening the same day. We got lodgings. The first night the children cried. They wanted to go home and go to bed. Then dear Mother had to tell them they had no home now. I saw the tears begin to start, but we were comforted, knowing we were obeying the command of God together.
We went on the 2nd to Elder Orson Pratt's office and I paid nineteen pounds, five shillings for the passage of myself and family to New Orleans.
Jan. 3rd, Went on board the Ellen lying in the Prince's Deck to get our berths.
6th, Went on board with my family.
Jan. 8th, Sailed with 475 passengers, including children, Captain Phillips, an Englishman. And Elder J. [James] W. Cummings, was appointed to preside over the Saints on board the Ellen with Elders C. Dunn and William Moss, as his counselors. After we sailed, the company was divided into twelve parts, with a president over each division. I was appointed captain over the eighth division.
The first night we sailed, we ran against a brig, which carried away our jib and yards, so the captain ran the Ellen into Cardigan Bay, Wales, for repairs. The weather was very rough and some of the [p.11] brethren had to go with the sailors ashore to get water. We stayed and got our repairs completed and then left the bay.
My wife and children were very sick, but after a few days at sea, the sickness left them. We passed a ship which had lost her rudder. After this the weather was very fine and the ship went along at different rates according to the wind. When we were off the West Indies, I had to help the sailors wash the deck. The ship was rolling very much and the deck was very slippery. I fell down and the heavy bucket which I was carrying fell on my foot, which caused me much pain, and to be laid up, but I told some of the brethren that as soon as I could see the land I should be able to walk as well as them.
We arrived at New Orleans on the 19th day of March, 1851. I requested my wife to bring my shoe. My foot was as large again as the shoe, but my faith was strong. I thrust my foot into the shoe, and then ran to the side of the ship and jumped over, and ran as fast as any of the brothers ashore. I bought some bread, apples, and some provisions to proceed up the river. Brother W. Robinson loaned me one pound to pay my passage to St. Louis.
We left New Orleans on the 21st day of March in the "Alex Scott", Captain Swan. We arrived at St. Louis on the 27th. Brother Cummings put me as guard on the boat at the levee at St. Louis to keep anyone from taking the Saint's freight ashore. Brother Clive of London came aboard and invited me to his house and treated me and family very kindly, the next day went around with me to find a room for rent. I got a room on Market Street for four dollars per month. . . . [p.12]
[ JOHN'S HOME WAS IN ST. LOUIS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, LATER HE WRITES,]
. . . We arrived at Great Salt Lake City, September 21st, [1856] . . . . [p.55]
BIB: Powell, John. Autobiography and Journal (Typescript) (MS 8334), pp. 11-12, 55. (CHL)
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