. . . I Thomas Ashment Senior left my native land October 6th, 1869. We took the train and arrived at Waterloo Station in the city of London, the distance of 131 miles. The next day, about half past 2, I hired a cab and went to Usten Square. Booked my luggage and took lodgings for the night. I went from thence to see my cousin who lived about 6 or 7 miles west. We took the express the next morning and arrived in Liverpool with my family about two p.m., the distance of 201 miles. I spent the afternoon in getting my luggage together. We went on board the Minnesota the same evening and put off to sea the next day, 1869, and arrived at New York, Oct. 19th. Some of us suffered much seasickness on board. We had rough sea for about 24 hours. The waves of the sea dashed themselves against the chimney and put the fire out. Several of the passengers thought the ship was going to sink, but the mercy of the Lord was with us and led us through the storm. We slept one night at Castle Garden and made for the cars the next day and arrived at Ogden, October 28th, 1869. The cars met in collision. 4 men in our company were killed and a few more on our side got hurt. One person on the other side was also killed. I saw his wife weeping for her loved one. We met Benjamin Peart and our eldest daughter, Elizabeth C. at Ogden, who took us to the city the next day, October 29th, 1869. . . . [p.49]
BIB: Ashment, Thomas. Journal (Ms 8919), p. 49. (CHL)
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