. . . Myself and two sisters parted with father and mother, brothers and sister for the gospels sake. The date of our departure from the Graig Farm was April 10th 1861 for Cardiff where we lodged that night Elder David John was along in the company also my wife hannah then single who was joined in wedlock to me at Liverpool on the 13th April 1861 by Apostle C. [Charles] C. Rich at the office 42 Islington. This was a noted circumstance in my life. I had formed an association and kept company with this lady some time but had set no date for this union. Brother Rich thought then the set time it was so arranged. Arrived at Liverpool on the evening of the 11th April. Arranged for our tickets the next day to sail on the packet ship Manchester under the management of Captain Trask.

During our stay at Liverpool I wrote several letter home and other places. One for publication to the Welsh paper called the Udgorn Seion new Seren y Saint. It was published in said paper of our departure from the Old Country. Had the honor of eating a meal at 42 Islington in the company of three [p.11] of the Apostles, Amasa Lyman, C. C. Rich, and George Q. Cannon. Brother John Kay and Elder David John.

On the 15th April 1861 we were fixing and arranging our luggage and tin ware for the trip.

George Q. Cannon gave a speech and a course of instruction to the Saints for their benefit on ship. Claudins [Claudius] V. Spencer was appointed president of the company to New York. Elder's Edward Hanham & William Jeffries we made counselors. The company were divided into five wards or divisions. I and Brother D. John had charge of two parts to preach over.

April 16th 1861. The captain came on board the ship at 9:30. The Saints sang a hymn before starting then the steam tug boat drew out the ship into the channel about 30 miles. Wind was favorable, passed the Tuskan Lighthouse next day early mourn. One of the sailors was lost in the Bay of Biscay, fell from the rigging. An effort to recover him was made but sea was rough, case abandoned. This was the only serious mishap on the voyage as I know of. It would be hardly interesting to note concerning seasickness and appearances on deck of its effects. It would be of interest to note concerning the preparation of the food we had not been used to allowancing out so much meat, peas, rice, sea biscuits, groceries and the like and then to go to the galley to have our dishes &c cooked. It required some patience & waiting. It may, he said to the credit of our cooks that they were patient, for they were abused at times for partiality as supposed by some. They were duly appointed from among our people and did the best they could as we concluded under the circumstances. I will state a curious little affair after a shower of rain, the deck of the ship was slippery. A lady coming from the galley or cook place in crossing slipped and fell and sliding right across the ship deck with a dish of porridge, [p.12] spilt, made quite a sight. I smiled at it and the women noticed it for which I was never forgiven. I think because it was referred to afterwards as being cruel on my part to be so thoughtless but I was holding to the bull work [of] the ship side to keep from falling and sliding and could hardly help myself. These were the circumstances. I could render no aid , quite a storm and the ship was rolling and each had to care for self.

Sunday 21st April 1861. On sea the Saints wanted a meeting. They had dressed in their holy day clothes being Sabbath. A meeting was called on deck in the afternoon. I was called to offer prayer. J. H. Ward preached. Brothers Jeffries and Hanham made remarks. Brother William Bayliss by prayer closed.

We had calm and wind during the week. Rough sea waves rose high and flooded the deck at times.

Sunday 28th. Misty and cold. We were told that we were near the banks of Newfoundland. It was published previous that there would be a meeting on deck in the afternoon but being so cold it was postponed.

We had foggy and cold weather about this time. I took a severe cold and was quite sick and ailing. It was recorded on my day journal that on the 7th day of June came a heavy gale of wind from the west. The ship heaved and rolled to that extent many became helpless. The chests and tinware that were not tied & fastened kept sliding to and fro in a fearful manner. Children tumbling down, women seasick, the slop pails and water cans upsetting. Things were in a very unpleasant predicament and we were driven back eastward. Many miles during the day afterwards we had calm weather. The ship was at times nearly at a stand still then it was to us monotonous and dull. No progress forward.

We landed at New York on the 15th of June 1861. We were met by Apostle [p.13] Erastus Snow, N. V. Jones, Thomas Williams and others from Utah connected with the emigration. We arranged for our passage from New York to Florence, fare about $15.00. Our passage through the States was slow. Had a good chance to view the country and new scenery to us, towns and villages very different to the Old Country; much timber, wild and uncultivated at that period.

1861. Having had a desire for a long time to behold the great Mississippi River this was gratified on the 21 of May by steamboat from Quincy to Hannibal. A fine sheet of water appeared almost still considered the longest river in the world. I visited the city of Quincy at this time. 'Tis an elegant town. I made some purchases at a store there.

We had a rough ride through the State of Missouri. The Q. & St. Joseph's Railroad was new but not finished. Appeared to be the most uneven road for a railroad I ever traveled on.

Arrived at St. Joseph the same day and boarded a steamboat there next day for Omaha & Florence, 2 days on that turbulent stream. We had a great time of it twisting and rounding about sand bars and snags and loading wood for fuel to propel the boat. This was to me a curiosity. My wife was sick at the time, had to hire cabin passage for her, could not endure steerage passage. I stood the racket but had a hard time for bedroom on the lower deck had some meals in the cabin for extra pay. Had the privilege of attending my sick wife who was somewhat improving and recovered soon after our arrival at Florence on the 25 of May.

Attended meeting at the school room. Elders Jacob, Gates & Claudius Spencer preached being the Sabbath Day, 26 May. Rented a house there to live while getting ready to start on the plains.

Paid a visit to the camping ground on the 27 May and had a good time for [p.14] frontiers life on the border of the Missouri River. I went on the shore different times for fuel to cook with and into the thickets and capses and gathered some fine hickory goods for whip stocks for the driving of cattle on the road west. Picked some hazel nuts. Attended public meeting at the school room on Sunday 2nd of June in the afternoon.

The following week was spent in visiting Omaha and some old acquaintances there and making purchases for the plains.

Attended an open air meeting at Florence. Elders Jacob Gates and Milo Andrus preached. There were a large number of Saints present. A steamboat with upward of one thousand souls had arrived the day previous.

I purchased one yoke of spotted cattle for 15 English sovereigns for them. A large price at that time, but however they were beauties and good workers. This was on the 12th day of June 1861.

I herded cattle on the prairie with Brother Howels sometime while getting ready to start westward.

Sunday 16. Attended meeting at 10 a.m. in the new bowery erected by the brethren since their arrival since their arrival. Elders Martindale and Andrus preached to the Saints. I wrote a a [SIC] letter for publication to Brother Ajax the interpreter for the Udgorn Scion at the office at 42 Islington, Liverpool, and one to G. G. Bywater who succeeded me in the Cardiff Conference.

Tuesday 18th June. I went down to Omaha in company with B. Evans and D. John. Yoked my cattle for the first time, drove to town of Omaha, made purchase of provision for our journey to the vales of Utah. Returned to Florence in the evening.

Thursday 20. Packing and loading to leave for the camping ground started in the afternoon. Had a rough night, thunder & lightning, rained in torrents, looked [p.15]somewhat scaley to new comer. First night on the prairie we had a tent.

21. Two young fellows drowned in the mill pond in plain sight. They just came from London. They went in bathing with many others and waded into danger deep water, not able to swim. They sank and no aid in time, they went down the third time and were no more. Attended their funeral the next day at the cemetery. This was a sad affair. Their widowed mother died brokenhearted soon afterward and was buried with them. Elder Edward Hanham preached their funeral sermon.

Moved out from Florence on the 23 for the purpose of organizing the company of about 60 wagons. Homer Duncan was appointed captain of the company and captains of tens were also appointed and started out next day. The company made a purchase of a mule and presented it to Captain Duncan for the work on the plains to gather up the cattle. The matter appeared to give satisfaction to all the camp and a good expression was given at the meeting where collection was made for means to pay the expense. . . . [p.16]

. . . Camped between Big and Little Mountain on the night of the 12th Sep. and arrived in Salt Lake City next day. We were invited to stay at C. [Claudius] V. Spencer's house and slept their that night. . . . [p.19]

BIB: Wride, Barry. Journal and Autobiography, 1867-68, 1901-1903. (Special Collections & Manuscripts, MSS SC 204) pp.11-16, 19. (Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah).
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