. . . I prayed for strength to settle our business and then I would gather with his Saints. I had no debts to pay and the Lord blessed me with success in collecting the money due my husband and myself, or the most of it.

My health continued very poor but I joined with a company that was getting ready to go to Nauvoo. The company sent an agent to Bristol to charter a vessel. He found a good sailing ship that was going to Quebec for lumber and the captain would have berths put up in her for our accommodation. This was the best he could do and it proved a success in the end. My nice furniture was made by my husband before our marriage. I have a knife box now that he made, it belonged to a long dresser with three shelves, they were filled with beautiful sets of dinner [p.13] dishes of all kinds. Many of these I have brought with me and some were sold with my furniture. Carpenters and coopers tools and other things were sold at auction with Mr. Hill's goods and I realized money enough from my sale to pay my passage and board to Nauvoo. This was a very trying time for me. Every day I had to take leave of some dear friend that I never expected to see again in this world.

The company was to start on Monday morning, the 4th of May. Thus in three weeks I had settled up our business and was ready to start with them. The last and hardest trial was to take leave of Father, Mother, brothers and sisters. My dear good mother was most broken hearted to see me go, but Father was more calm and I wondered at this for I was his favorite child. He asked me the name of the ship and when she would sail. I told him all particulars, thinking he would come and bring Mother to see me at the last before we set sail. I took some books with me and in giving them to my sisters said, "Here are some books for you to read when I am far away," and they never forgot those words. My two little sisters clung around my neck saying, "We shall never see you again." I had not told them this for I knew the parting from them would be very hard. Little Jane wanted to come with me but this was impossible as she was only eight years old. The next morning my youngest brother Charles came to Turkey Hall to see me once more, but we had gone and he was broken hearted. Oh, the grief and sorrow of this time I can never forget.

Thus on the 4th of May, 1841 I left all that was near and dear to me to travel some thousands miles alone and cast my lot with the people of God. We hired teams to take us to Gloucester and some of us started to walk a little way. When we came to the place where we would lose site of Father's house I sat down and might have stayed there if some of the company had not come after me. I was sick and quite overcome with the grief and sorrow I had passed through in the last three months. It is now forty six years since that time but to me it seems only yesterday. We were a sorry company that traveled to Gloucester that morning, myself and others wept all the way. I had been to Gloucester once since our marriage, the occasion being the wedding of two of my husband's friends. John was groomsman and I was bridesmaid. The ceremony was performed by the same clergyman at the same church in which we were married. I had seen the church I thought of the girl I was not six months ago. Now I had left all and was traveling alone to a land unknown to me but I cast my lot with the people of God and in Him I put my trust. We immediately took passage on a stage for Bristol. Arriving there we found our ship ready for us and we went to live in our little home.

Our ship was clean and the berths new, I did not see a flea or bug or anything of the kind on the ship. We had plenty of room by our berths, our heavy chests were put down in the hold. We could have one trunk by our berth and the rest were fashioned by ropes to the mast down the center of the ship by the sailors, thus making our petition down the middle of our big room. Then we hung curtains around our berths and thus made ourselves as comfortable as we could. We waited one week for the ship to get ready and had some fine walks to Clifton and round the suburbs of Bristol. By this time we got used to our little curtained room. While waiting, some lawyers from Gloucester [p.14] came to the ship on business with some of the passengers and inquired for Mrs. Davis, a black-eyed young woman dressed in black. They searched the ship through every day for about a week. I had been warned of this and counseled to lay aside my black. This I did and dressed like a gay young girl. I mingled with the girls and watched them searching for me, but they did not find the young widow with black eyes. I afterwards learned that father went to these lawyers and asked if he could compel me to return home. On learning the circumstances, they said I was of age had been married, and did not go home after my husband's death, and that he could not hinder me from going where I pleased. Then he told them that if they would find and persuade me to return with them he would pay them well for their trouble, but they could not find me. They did not get any of the money father might have given me, thus I left home without receiving a six pence from anyone. The reason was they did not know what money I had, and thinking I could not go without more said they would give me money to stay at home but none to go away with. But trusting in the work of God I bade them all adieu.

At last the ship was ready and we sailed out of Bristol Harbor with flag flying on or about the 12th of May, 1841. The first night many of our cups, pans, etc. went dancing and chasing each other about the ship. Some of the brethren got our of their berths to catch the things but they fell and went rolling and sliding about with the rest. Among the number was John Hunt who with his wife lived in one of Father's cottages, and he said he had a right to look after his young misses things. He was a droll man and made lots of fun that night in sliding and rolling about the ship. Of course it was fun for us lying in bed to watch them trying to catch the things. At last they gave it up and crept into their berths.

Our ship was a good strong sailing vessel called the Harmony. We had two captains on board, Captain Johnson was a passenger. Our captain had his wife and daughter, a little girl, with him and she was a very kind lady and used to sit for hours on deck and talk with us girls and would ask us to sing our hymns. The captain requested our people to hold service on deck on Sunday afternoon. When the weather was fine, they would all attend and be very attentive. The captain and mates were kind to the passengers and crew. The first storm we had the most of our company was seasick but one young man named William Gardener, Sister [Elizabeth] Simonds, and myself were not sick so we were able to wait on the rest that were. We used to go up on deck and cook for them. One day we went upon deck as soon as the hatches were open at noon with our saucepans to make some gruel for the sick. After waiting our turn at the fire we accomplished our task and turned to go down the stairs, the ship gave a lurch and we all fell in a heap on the deck. I was the last to fall so, I managed to save my saucepan of gruel. We were glad to get downstairs again. As I fell a saw a young man fall and slide along the deck to one of the deck doors that was open to let the water run off the deck. His feet and legs were through when his brother caught him and pulled him in. The waves washed over the deck so they had to put down the hatches thus shutting us down for the night. Our trunks broke loose and went sliding all over the floor. If they came to the owners we would try to catch and fasten them the best we could. There was a man and his wife opposite the berth on the other side of the ship. He was sick and his wife had gone up to wait on him. She was sitting on a large chest by her berth when the chest broke loose and came sliding across to my side. She kept her seat and the chest went quickly back again. She caught hold of her berth and crept into bed. I did not see her again that day, her husband got well, and we often laughed about the her ride [p.15] across the ship.

Soon after this I was taken sick with diarrhea which soon turned to flux and I was in a dangerous state. The captain missed me from the deck and inquired of Brother Collet where I was. On learning I was sick he asked what was the matter. On being told he sent me a bottle of brandy, telling Brother Collet to burn some and give me immediately. I had given my medicine to those that were sick and now had none for myself. The brandy was a great blessing to me. I soon got better but was weakly for some time. The first time I went on deck I thanked the captain for his kindness and paid him six shillings for the brandy.

When near the banks of Newfoundland we had a dreadful storm. Our main mast broke off below deck and the jib boon also broke, and as it came around on deck struck a sailor on his head nearly killing him. They carried him below and he was kindly nursed by his comrades. The captain was very kind to him. It was a close call but he got well in time. This was the only accident we had on board this ship during this dreadful storm. The captains stood on deck day and night looking with his glass for a pilot boat. At length one answered our signal. There were two young men. The captain engaged one of them and the other went away in his little boat and was soon out of sight. Soon after our mast broke a young man in our company took off his shoes and went on deck going to the fore part of the ship. He raised his right hand to heaven and in the name of Jesus Christ rebuked the wind and the waves and prophesied that the storm should abate and the good ship Harmony would carry her load of Saints in safety to their destination and this came true, for we all landed safe in Quebec.

At one time it was so cold we had to wear our cloak or shawls while sitting in the ship. Our pilot was a young man and looked small beside the captain, who was a noble looking man. The pilot immediately took control of the deck, and stood by the wheel directing the sailor who was steering, sometimes he would grasp the wheel and give it a quick turn. The captain, pilot and mates looked very anxious for some time, but at length our little pilot took the ship into Milford Haven. This was a beautiful little harbor that seemed provided by nature for ships to take refuge in from the stormy ocean. We stayed there two or three days till the storm abated and our ship repaired. Our captain told us the storm was so fearful at sea that no ship could live there. While we were in the harbor while here, some of the company went on shore but being still sick and weak, I did not go. When all was ready our gallant little pilot again took the deck and our ship passed safely out to sea. When we had good sailing water our pilot hailed a boat and left us to pursue our way having gained the respect of all on board.

On arriving at Quebec, we soon found and chartered a steamer. The machinery was on the upper deck and the passengers cabins were down below. We were tired of our ship but we soon found we had got into a much worse place, our berths were filthy dirty and the bed bugs had full possession. We were weary and tired, but rest or sleep was impossible. I sat by my berth all night trying to keep the bugs off my feet and legs but my cotton stockings and slippers were no protection against them and I passed a dreadful night. But morning came at last and light brought some relief from the vermin, but we ladies and to stay down in the dreadful place, all day as we could not go on deck among the machinery. My poor feet were so poisoned by the bugs that inflamation set in, and I could not lie down or doctor them so of course they got worse all day, and the drawing of the boat made them much more painful.

The steamer went down the river to Montreal and then crossed a lake called LaPraria to a station called LaPraprie, nine miles. Here we gladly left the wretched steamer and took the railroad for St. Johns. Their road was new and the cars jumped and shook very much. I suffered fearful pain all day and could do nothing to allay the pain in me feet and legs. When we got to St. Johns, [p.16] I could not stand on my feet or put them to the ground. I think Brother Collet carried me to a carpenters work bench a little distance off. It was a hard bed but better than lying in the dust and sand some six or eight inches deep. Here I lay for hours, while the company got the luggage off the train. I suffered extreme pain made worse by my stockings being on my feet. Sister Simonds tried to get them off which she did at last, but it was fearful painful work. There was a steamer ready to start up the river and the company would go on here if we wished to. Some of the company wanted to go on but Sister Green was sick, and not able to travel. Brother Green would no leave her, and Brother Collet said he would not leave me. I was too sick to care whether they left me or not but the company decided to wait till morning. Brother Green and myself took a room in the hotel with two beds in it. Sister Green was put in one and I was carried from the carpenters bench to the hotel and laid in the other one. Brother Green sat by his wife all night and took care of her. I sent for some sugar of lead and made a lotion for my feet and legs and some of the sisters changed the cloths when they got warm. This relieved me very much. Sister Green was better in the morning, and the company decided to go on as the steamer had waited for us till then. My feet did not pain so very bad but I could not walk or put them on the floor. Two of the brethren carried me to the steamer and up on deck in an arm chair borrowed at the hotel. The sisters made me a bed on deck and I lay there all day. Sister Simonds attended to my feet and sat by me all she could.

The scenery on the St. Johns River was lovely, the Canadas on one side and the U.S. states on the other. The Canada side was covered with beautiful farms the rows of grain sloping straight to the river. The houses and fences were white, thus making a contrast with grain fields. On the U.S.side was hazelnut bushes and on the bank of the river some distance apart were soldiers barracks. The machinery on this boat was down below, so the passengers had the upper deck to ourselves and enjoyed the lovely scenery all day. At night I managed to creep down to the cabin and lay on the floor, after this, and with care, my feet got better, and I was able to take care of myself. On looking after my things I found my bonnet cap and veil were gone. I never saw them again. I do not remember changing boats again until we got to a place where we chartered a canal boat, I think it was Whitehall.

We landed here in the morning and some of us went to a hotel, and got breakfast. This was the first I eat in a house since leaving home and we enjoyed it very much. The company soon chartered a boat and we started for Buffalo. The ladies had a cabin to ourselves, on this boat being a large company. We were crowded but comfortable.

While here we had a wedding in the company. A young man George Fidler and Eliza Clift decided to get married. Eliza began dressing for the ceremony and then told her mother she was going to get married. Her mother sent for her father and they wept and pleaded with their daughter not to marry the young man but she went with him to a magistrate were married, and soon repented of it. The young man, Paul Harris, one of our company who had been my brother's companion and like a brother to me, was going to Kirtland. His wife had come out the year before and was in Kirtland . He had remained a year to travel and preach in England. Brother Harris wished very much for Brother Hill and family, Brother Smith and family, Sister Simonds, and myself to go with him to Kirtland, and rest during the hot weather. We were tired of traveling and consented.

On arriving at Buffalo we took a steamer to Fairfort, then hired teams to take us through the country to Kirtland (12 miles). Here we rented a house, and stayed 7 weeks. The people of Kirtland were very kind and hospitable. We were invited out nearly every day but we were tired and wanted rest. The farmers would [p.17] come with their teams and want us to go and stay a few days or a week with them and they would bring us back when we wished to come. After we rested some of us went out to see the country. The Saints had nearly all left there and gone to Nauvoo, thus there was plenty of fruit lying on the ground for anyone to take that wanted it. In some places the sidewalks were covered with fine apples. Brother Phelps had charge of the few Saints that remained and the temple looked forsaken. We attended meetings in it every Sunday, Brother Phelps often being the only one in the singer's gallery. Father Granger died during our stay.

While here I finished some dresses I had in hand for a lady in the company and then I went to stay with a New York lady that lived in Richmond. Her home was on the bank of Lake Erie. It was a pleasant place, and the lady and family were very kind. Mr. Shepherd would take me to Kirtland any time I wanted to go. The company that went to Kirtland were Brother Hill and wife, Brother Smith and family, Brother Collet & family, Brother Hunt & wife, P. [Paul] Harris, W. [William] Gardener, Sisters Simonds, Moore & myself. Paul Harris, William Gardener, C. Moore stayed there. I have not heard of them since.

The Kirtland temple was commenced in June 1833, the work was done in two years. It was dedicated on the 27 Mar 1836, about 2,000 Mormons being present. After staying in Kirtland 7 weeks and the weather being cooler we are again preparing to continue our journey when we found a few families here from the north of England. They also had come there to rest. Mr. Maughan with his family being of that number. Some our company has bought teams and are going by land to Nauvoo. And some are going to remain here for the present. (I have not heard of them since), thus our company was broken up. Mr. Maughan with apart of his company was going up the lakes to Chicago and Sister Simonds and myself decided to travel with this company. I paid my traveling expenses after this, although I had paid my board passage money to Mr. Hill before I left England, but he did not offer me any money and I would not ask him for any. We left Kirtland by team, 25 miles to Cleveland. Here we had to wait one week for the vessel that was engaged to take us to Chicago.

We had a rough passage on the lakes, our vessel rolled dreadful. We were all seasick. We arrived in Chicago just in time to escape a dreadful storm early next morning. I met Brother Woodruff on the street he looked very tired and weary. Said his family was on the steamboat that had just landed. He had come off to find a place to take them to. They had encountered a fearful storm on the lake, had been nearly lost in the night and it was by the mercy of God they had been saved from a watery grave. We soon found teams to take us on our journey. We passed through Peoria, then there was one house a story and a half high. On the end of this hung a dilapidated sign board "Peoria House". Nearby was a small log cabin and a blacksmith shop. This was Peoria in 1841. Now in 1888 it is a great city, making all kinds of machinery and I think wagons also. We had a pleasant journey through the country after our ride. Through the day we would go out in the evening and gather hazelnuts and enjoy eating them.

On arriving at the Mississippi River, there was no station so we camped on the bank until the steamer came down and took us on board. They landed us at the upper stone house on the 10th of October, 1841. This was the landing place in Nauvoo. While unloading our luggage the men let one of my feather beds fall overboard and [it] was soon out of sight. I did not know what to think till I saw some sailors go after it with a boat. My bed was not much the worse for its ride down the river. [p.18]

The house was empty so the company stayed in it till they found their friends or rented houses to live in. Sister Simonds and myself went to find our company that afternoon at Kirtland as we had some of their luggage with us. It was Sunday afternoon and as we passed by the grove we saw Joseph Smith standing on a flour barrel. Brother Calab Baldwin stood before him and Joseph would put his hands on his shoulders for a desk. He was preaching to a small company standing around him. We listened a short time and then went on to find our friends. Brother and Sister Hill were staying at Brother Browett's and I again made my home with them. They arrived on the 6th of October, 1841 . . . . [p.19]

BIB: Maughan, Mary Ann Weston. Journal and autobiography (Ms 8237 1 #2), vol. 1, pp. 13- 19. (CHL).
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