Abraham Owen Smoot (1815 - 1895) Profile

Abraham Owen Smoot Sr. (1815 - 1895) Profile

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Abraham Owen Smoot, Sr.

birth-date-qualifier-birth

"Abraham O Smoot" General Epistles, CHL

"Abraham O Smoot" General Epistles, CHL.

Abraham O. Smoot diaries, Journal, 1837 April- 1838 November

Abraham O. Smoot diaries, Journal, 1837 April- 1838 November.

Biographical Encyclopedia

Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1.

Biographical Encyclopedia.

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971, 1852, Vol. 1, Part 1, 1837-1878, Page 22.

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971.

First Presidency missionary calls and recommendations 1877-1918

First Presidency missionary calls and recommendations 1877-1918.

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City, Page 121.

Birth: 15 Jun 1818, Chesterfield, New Hampshire Parents: Gardner and Sarah Ordained a High Priest: Apr. 1855 by Brigham Young

Transcript for Nauvoo Restoration, comp., High Priests of Nauvoo and Early Salt Lake City, M251.33, p. 121, Church History Library

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 15, 1844.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, January 23, 1837.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 22, 1856.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, September 8, 1851, Page 1.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, January 28, 1852.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, March 23, 1845, Page 1-2.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, October 8, 1844, Page 4.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 53, Line 2266.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, Page 57, Line 2266.

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list, Vol. 3, Page 149.

Nauvoo Restoration Inc., comp., Nauvoo Seventies list.

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, 977.343/N1 K29c

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, 977.343/N1 K29c, Page 26.

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, 977.343/N1 K29c.

"A Pioneer Gone. President A. O. Smoot of Provo," Ogden Daily Standard

"A Pioneer Gone. President A. O. Smoot of Provo," Ogden Daily Standard, March 7, 1895.

"A Pioneer Gone. President A. O. Smoot of Provo," Ogden Daily Standard.

Andrew J. Allen reminiscences and journal, 1857 July-1884 April

Andrew J. Allen reminiscences and journal, 1857 July-1884 April, July 1857.

The president Brigham Young with 150 men started the 10th of Aprel 1847 to seak a place to locate the Saints making the road as they went, the Brethren organized as folows Captens over 100ds and over 50ys and capt over tens and we started on the 13th of June. I had too [two] ox teems[.] one of my sisters, Marthy [Martha Allen], went with me[.] my wife [Delilah Emaline Andrews] and hir [her] was the only help I had to help me drive teem. I had 4 small children. The capt of the company of hundred I travild in ware A[braham]. O[wen]. Smoot[.] capt of fifty Russle [George B. Wallace], Capt of ten Samuel Turnbow. Now there ware on the road in all 600 waggons[.] my too [two] brothers not being able to get a fit out could not gow on and we had to part for the time beeing, the second night we reached the Elk Horn rivver which we found verry high and difficult to c[r]os[s] tho all got over and no serious acksadent.	
 The next night we campt at Lukefork [Loup Fork.] here we lay over till the back companyes came up. Here there was a young man got killed by indiany [Indians.] he was returning back to winter quarters with too ladyes with him and there was some indians came out from the brush and wanted one of his oxen which he refused to gave up to them and thay indians shot him and killd him. His name was Jacob wetherly.	
 We travild on then in regular order crossin the different watter coarses following the pyoneers trale[.] the streems was high and dangeros tho we had no bad luck, when we ware on the Plat[te] rivver the cattle took a stampeed and one company lost 80 head that they nevver got[.] our company stopt and went back to assist them up, we travild on the north side of the Plat[te] rivver. It was only a fiew nights after till the indians stole 6 hid of horses from our camp. We know it was indians by the bell beeing taken of[f] the beld horse and thrown down[.] when the bell was found then we knew it was indians. Here we stopt and done up some blacksmithing and one child died which ware the 2 de[a]th[s] in all the camps.	
 We then travild on crossing the north fork of Plat[te] rivver. It war verry difficult to cro[ss.] all got over safe[.] then crossed the south fork at laremy [Laramie] a trading poast [post], travild on one day the lay over and built a tar kill and made tar to greese our waggeons.	
 One more day brought us to sweet watter where one of my oxen tuck [took] suck [sick] and died next day. One other died that was at independance rock[.] at Devils gate another was sick[.] here we lay over too [two] days and he recoverd[.] many of the cattle were sick[.] it was owing to the payson [poison] on the watter.	
 Now my team ware so used up I had to put in some cows[.] I mad[e] one team of oxen for my wife and sister to drive and I put in too yoak of cows into the team I drove and a fine team it was[.] the cows all wanted to gow there own way and my job to controal them.	
 We met the president and the brethren that went a he[a]d as pyoneers [pioneers] at the pursific [Pacific] springs on there return[.] here we lay over one day and too nights, had a good meeting, they informed us they had found a good valley and had located a settlement which was good newse to us, Bro. Brigham preached and incouriaged us to go to the valley. Thay had layn up some log cabbins and lain out a foart [fort] etc. put in some seeds. Then thay started on there way to thare famelys at Cainesville [Kanesville]. We went ahead quite incouriaged, now I had been too [two] years and sea nothing grow to sustain human life.	
 When we got to Brigger [Bridger] a trading poast [post] the mountaineers told us we could not live in this valley we ware going to, it ware so coald [cold] and frosty. They offerd to pay one thousand dollars for one eare of corn matured in the valley, we travild on putting our trust in God. We reached the valley Nove. 25th 1847.

Transcript for Allen, Andrew Jackson, Reminiscences and journal, 1857 July-1884 Apr., 1-2

Andrew J. Allen reminiscences and journal, 1857 July-1884 April.

Black, Susan Easton. Membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 1830-1848 (Provo, UT: Brigham Young University, [1984-1988]

Black, Susan Easton. Membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 1830-1848 (Provo, UT: Brigham Young University, [1984-1988], Vol. 46, Page 863.

Black, Susan Easton. Membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 1830-1848 (Provo, UT: Brigham Young University, [1984-1988].

Brockbank, Isaac, Autobiography, in [Stephen W. Brockbank], Isaac Brockbank, Jr., 1837-1927: Autobiography [1997], 9-15

Brockbank, Isaac, Autobiography, in [Stephen W. Brockbank], Isaac Brockbank, Jr., 1837-1927: Autobiography [1997], 9-15.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849

Ezra T. Benson's 100, report

"Ezra T. Benson's 100, report", Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849, September 24, 1849, Page 8.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849.

Chronicles of Courage

A Brief Sketch of the Life of James Jackson Woodruff

James Jackson Woodruff, "A Brief Sketch of the Life of James Jackson Woodruff", Chronicles of Courage, 2, Page 127-129.

Chronicles of Courage.

Church Emigration Book

Church Emigration Book.

DUP Pioneer History Collection

Life Sketch of Levi Wolstenholme Sr.

"Life Sketch of Levi Wolstenholme Sr.", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 2.

The saints finally started for Utah. Mother, now a tiny woman weighing no more than 98 pounds was a widow with we three children to care for. I was the youngest. Just three years old and I had grown to be a fat huskey youngster. We came to Salt Lake in Abram Smoot's company. My parents had joined what was known as the ten pound company while in England therefore our transportation was paid. Nevertheless my mother had to walk a great portion of the way and also carried me. I have often heard my sister Lavinia and brother Daniel tell of how mother would pick up cloths on her way and when night came would sit down, and take off her worn shoes. She then would wash her bleeding feet and wrap them up again in the cloths she had picked up.


We finally arrived in Salt Lake City in the fall of 1852.

Transcript for "Life Sketch of Levi Wolstenholme Sr.," 2.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. DUP Pioneer History Collection.

George Benjamin Wallace Emigrating Company journal

George Benjamin Wallace Emigrating Company journal, June 1847.

Transcript for George Benjamin Wallace Emigrating Company journal, 1847 June-September

George Benjamin Wallace Emigrating Company journal.

George Washington Hill collection in Cache Valley Historical Material, circa 1955, reel 4, item 57, 18-31

George Washington Hill collection in Cache Valley Historical Material, circa 1955, reel 4, item 57, 18-31.

Transcript for George Washington Hill collection in Cache Valley Historical Material, circa 1955, reel 4, item 57, 18-31

Green [sic], Caleb, Journal

Green [sic], Caleb, Journal.

Hannah T. Brower autobiography, circa 1911

Hannah T. Brower autobiography, circa 1911.

Haskell, Thales Hastings, Autobiography, 1867

Haskell, Thales Hastings, Autobiography, 1867.

We now prepared to start across the plains in company with many others[,] destination not known. Started out and in a few days got organized into companies of hundreds, fifties, &amp; tens. A[braham] O[wen] Smoot was Captain of our hundred. Geo[rge] B[enjamin] Wallace Captain of fifty and a man by the name of [James] Smithies, Captain of our ten[.] I had never been accustomed to drive an ox team, and in a bad place managed to run one wheel on to a bank &amp; broke an axel tie. I heard a great many making remarks about me in being a very careless boy to let such an accident happen but I thought if they had a cautioned me a little before hand it might have done more good. The next day we got a stick and had <a>new one put in[.] Francis came back to meet us about this time having been at work on the Platte running the ferry boat. I now considered quite a load of responsibility taken from me. But he was soon taken sick with the rheumatism and could not get out and into the waggon without help. This made it rather hard on me again. I was large of my age and though but 13 years old was expected to do a mans work, standing guard hearding &amp;c. Some where about this time we had to turn out a yoke of cattle to go back and help Grants company whose cattle had been stampeded and had to have assistance and we put in a couple of yoke of cows in the team in place of the oxen and shortly after this another ox got tender footed so we now had one yoke of good oxen two yoke of cows and a single ox in the lead thus we traveled. Saw a great many Indians, the most of these were friendly, well dressed and well inv[..]tes[.] We also saw a great deal of wild game and vast herds of Buffalo[.] our hunters often killed a buffalo or an antelope so that we generally had a suppli of fresh meat. At the Pacific springs we met Brigham and the rest of the pioneers who told us that they had found a proper place for the saints to locate[.] Travld on a few days and arrived at Bridger's Fort and here Bridger told us some interesting stories about the valley of the great Salt Lake. Said that grain could not be raised there and the the snow fell so deep that the Buffalo had all died off &amp;c &amp;c[.] Started on again and soon began to get excited about getting to the valley &amp; some companies began to get divided the best teams taking the lead[.] I remember Elder Wallace got in sometime before us[.] We had a rough road &amp; Francis rheumatism still got worse and every rock the wheel struck would make him fairly scream with pain[.] I of course got duly lectured about careful driving &amp;c[.] Camped one night on the top of the little mountain and had to lock the wheel to keep from blowing back down the mountain as there was a perfect gale of wind. In the morning we got a glimpse of Salt Lake and the valley we so much desired to reach. Arrived in the valley[.] camped near where they had commenced building an adobe fort.</a>

Transcript for Haskell, Thales Hastings, Autobiography, 1867

Caleb Grant report

"Caleb Grant report", Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, December 12, 1856, Page 31-35.

G.S.L. City Dec. 12th 1856



The Church Train in charge of Capt. "A. O. Smoot, left Mormon Grove, K.T. on 10th day of August '56, it consisted of 22 Church Wagons, 3 A. O. Smoots, 3 B.H. Young's, 1 Erastus Snow's, 1 H. C. Kimball's, 1 Ira Eldredge's, 1 John Taylor's and 1 Travelling Carriage belonging to Capt. Smoot, also 1 Mess Wagon; At the commencement of the trip the train was much detained for want of drivers, as there were not men enough with it to move it all at once, it was moved part at a time for several days, we were then overtaken by Bro. F. B. Woolley, who had been to Florence W.T. to procure drivers, he brought some half dozen, raw hands mostly danish with wives, &amp; with this assistance we were enabled to move the entire train at once; but the men not being acquainted with teaming it was generally afternoon before they left camp.



When we arrived at Little Muddy Fork of Grasshopper we took with us 4 Waggons of machinery, 1 Waggon with a Threshing Machine, &amp; 1 with a steamboat boiler, &amp; pursued our way to Big Blue with middling good speed, which point we reached at noon of 20th August, our average speed to this place was 11 or 12 miles per day—



At Big Blue we unloaded one of the waggons containing machinery &amp; put the contents thereof into several of the church wagons, mostly those that had been lightened by consumption of provisions &amp;, this wagon with two others that were lying here we loaded with freight, left here in storage since last year, &amp; our teams being only barely sufficient when we started, were now badly overloaded,



the train left Big Blue on 22nd August noon.



On Monday 25th Augst. while carolled on the prairie between Big Sandy &amp; Little Blue at 5 p.m. Christen F. Neilsen, Tvede left camp in a fit of insanity, he was tracked by Bro Smoot on the following morning 15 miles to a crossing of the Little Blue, where he supposed he'd destroyed himself, but was since informed that he had found his way back to the States,



The train reached the Little Blue on the afternoon of the 26th August, here we found 10 [illegible] head of cattle branded F.G. that had stampede from their train,



we drove them with us until Friday 29th when we overtook the Freight train of Gilbert Perrish to whom the cattle belonged &amp; returned them to their waggon master, they left the river 13 days before we did with over 200 head of cattle, but now had only those that we took to them, their train consisted of 17 wagons &amp; about 20 men.



At 4 p.m. of the same day, a brother aged 18 years, &amp; named James Taylor, of Windsor, England, was run over across the chest which proved fatal in 15 minutes. He was buried at a Littlecreek 36 miles east of Kearney



On Saturday 30th Augst. at 10pm, camped 6 miles east of Fort Kearney, where we lay until Monday 10 am. reached the Fort about noon, &amp; recd. news of the destruction of Squire Babbitt's Train &amp; the murder of several who were travelling with him;



the remains of his train consisting of 4 wagons joined us on Wednesday 3rd Sept.



On Thursday 4th Sept. we passed Capt." Willie's train of handcarts, which were on the opposite side of the river (Platte), they were detained by losing some 30 head of cattle.



Our train lay still on the 5th inst, travelling being bad &amp; storming hard all day,



passed Cottonwood Springs 11 a.m. on Sunday 7th inst, near the Springs we found a Californian Wagon, marked "Pacific Distillery" which had been wrecked &amp; thee travellers killed by Cheyennes. the wagon was brought to this city,



on Thursday 11th we reached the crossing of the South Platte, at 1 p.m., the river was very shallow &amp; hard to cross, got safely over by sundown;



on Friday 12 we carolled [corralled] on the North Platte at 10 p.m. having a safe &amp; speedy decent of the Hill.



The train laid at the mouth of the ash Hollow over Saturday, at 2 p.m. on Saturday 13, O.P. Rockwell left our camp with the remains of Babbitts train &amp; 1 wagon of his own &amp; went ahead; our teams being light we had considerable difficulty in getting over the sandridge, &amp; had to double teams considerably.



On Monday 18th inst Capt G.D. Grant's train, camp up with us; they had in company Bro. F. D. Richards &amp; several returning missionaries, they reptd C. Thos. Margett's company destroyed by Cheyennes, also that 3 Hand Cart Trains were behind us with near 2,000 passengers; after this time we travelled fast, stopped a day at Roubideaux old station &amp;



reached Fort Laramie on Tuesday 23rd inst noon, where we found a party of apostates about to organize to leave for the states.



laid still on Friday 26th at Horse Shoe Creek;



on Monday 29, met Parley P. Pratt's company of missionaries above Ford crossing of North Platte,



made the upper crossing of Platte Thursday 2 Oct, met here a relief wagon with flour, which we recd. &amp; the wagon left for the valley.



We <s>reached</s>, passed Independence rock &amp; Devil's Gate on Monday 6th,



overhauled O.P. Rockwell's train on 7th inst[ance]



which went ahead again on the 8th.



Thursday 9th our provisions being nearly out, Bro Smoot went ahead from the 3 crossings &amp; left Ira Eldredge in charge of the train; at this point snow was first seen by us, there was a slight fall on the mountains.



Grass being very scarce on the new Southern Road we kept the old road, crossed Rocky ridge on Sunday 12th &amp;



reached the South Pass on Tuesday 14th, 2 p.m. &amp;



Little Sandy on 16th 4 a.m., here Capt Smoot retd with Flour &amp; reptd. a relief train on Big Sandy which we met the same evening &amp; recd. from them 19 men, several span of horses &amp; mules &amp; wagons, also Beef, Flour &amp; Vegetables,



left at noon of the 17th &amp;



reached Battis's station on Green River on the 20th, it snowed hard on 19th, 20th, all day &amp; it was very cold, Thermometer down to zero part of the time,



left our camp at 11 am. on Thursday 23rd &amp; reached Fort Bridger, where we lightened our loading, &amp; sent most of the females &amp; children ahead in horse teams,



on the 27th inst we left here also 8 Wagons &amp; their freight,



started from Bridger at noon 30th inst



&amp; met on the 1st &amp; 2nd of Nov about 150 teams going back to the handcarters;



on 3rd inst, we met an express from the Governor, stating that some one was to return &amp; bring on from Bridger the wagons &amp; freight we had left there as well as several useless &amp; tired out cattle left there by us; for this purpose Bro. Franklin B. Woolley accompanied Bro. Russ's [illegible] the bearer of the express to Bridger, who has since arrd in safety with his charge.



On 4th Nov, noon, crossed Weber,



on Thursday 6th at daylight snow was 1 foot deep, it having been snowing all night, left camp at 10 Oclock &amp; travelled slowly through a hard storm which continued all day, reached 300 yds from top of Big Mountain at 4 p.m. where we stopped &amp; chained the cattle to the trees, had an extremely cold night,



in the morning of the 7th we doubled teams &amp; reached the top, the decent was very difficult, slippery had 2 wagons capsize &amp; 1 Break, but righted &amp; repd them quickly &amp; reached camp near Hatch's at dark, where we found 2 loads corn &amp; 1 quarter of beef for us.



On Saturday 8th we camped at Willow Springs in Emigration Kanyon &amp;



at 3p.m. of Sunday 9th reached our destination in Great Salt Lake City



Description of Passengers exclusive of the officers of the train, 
American Total 26, men 13 women 5 children 8 
Danish 19 10 6 3 
English etc 31 18 6 7 
76 41 17 18



Also Captain A.O. Smoot, Ira Eldredge[,] William Wordsworth[,] Franklin B Woolley[,] Brigham H.Young[,] C[onrad]. Kleinman Officers, Caleb Grant, Clerk

Transcript for Caleb Grant report, 12 December 1856, in Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, 9 November 1856, 31-35

James Palmer reminiscences, circa 1884-1898, 103-13

James Palmer reminiscences, circa 1884-1898, 103-13.

James Smithies diary, 1846-1859, 3A-6A, 6B-19A

James Smithies diary, 1846-1859, 3A-6A, 6B-19A.

"Manti. John Crawford Dead," Deseret Evening News, 5 Sep. 1903, 7

"Manti. John Crawford Dead," Deseret Evening News, 5 Sep. 1903, 7.

Martha S. Heywood reminiscences, undated, Journal

Martha S. Heywood reminiscences, undated, Journal, January 1850.

Martha S. Heywood reminiscences, undated, Journal.

Maxfield, Elijah H. to S. S. Jones, Handcart Veterans Association

Maxfield, Elijah H. to S. S. Jones, Handcart Veterans Association, September 28, 1906.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Lyman Utah 9-28-6</center>



S.S Jones



Provo Utah



Dear Sir



While attending Encampment of Black Hawk Reunion at Fort Ephraim I see Thos Dobson a dear old friend whom I have travelled many miles with and stood many nights guard he extended an invitation to the hand cart Reunion I supposed I would be able to attend on account of so much Rain and Snow my grain is in such a condition it will be impossible to leave home which if you please give in a Report as there will be many expect to see me there two weeks after my marriage I left SLCity on the 7th of Sept 1856 in company with two old Batchelors (namely Bennet from Mill Creek &amp; Talent from Sugar House Ward) we each had two yoke Oxen we left a month before the Big rush was loaded with flour to help the hand Cart Companies we met Capt Elsworth Bunker &amp; Mc Carty went on to meet more went down on the Sweet water heard nothing of the Companies we returned to Ft Bridger we met the big rush I left my Oxen with Lewis Robison left my Bachelor company went back with the boys to help pull the carts Capt AO Smoot and three others ware bringing the Church train Smoot came for me to help them as they ware worn out I went to their assistance on East Canyon Creek the four Capt went home I had charge of the train when within two miles of the top of the Big Mountain we swamped in the biggest storm I was ever inn we chained the cattle to the trees they were soon covered over twenty five men and teams ware coming to meet us the came over the little mountain and ware obliged to retreat at 10 Oclock that night I went on foot to SL City arriving there 3 Oclock AM at 8 OClock had 80 Bush corn on the Road I was back to the train just as they started down the Big mountain I was five days getting in the City the hand cart Companies caught us and we all went in the same time I left home to be gone two weeks but was gone nine that winter I shed mostly my finger &amp; toe nails excuse me Dear Bro but I would like to tell it all hoping you may have a good time



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">With kind regards</center>



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">I Remain</center>



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Elijah H Maxfield</center>

Transcript for Maxfield, Elijah H. to S. S. Jones, Handcart Veterans Association, 28 September 1906. Handcart Veterans Association, Scrapbook 1906-1914, fd. 2

Maxfield, Elijah H. to S. S. Jones, Handcart Veterans Association.

Millennial Star

Foreign Correspondence

Thomas Bullock, "Foreign Correspondence", Millennial Star, December 20, 1856, Thomas Bullock Letter. Page 811.

Nebraska Territory 
Arrival of Missionaries from Utah.—News from the Plains. 
Florence, October 28, 1856 
Elder Orson Pratt.



Dear beloved Brother,—I take the earliest opportunity to inform you of my arrival at Winter Quarters on the Missouri river; and will give you a brief sketch of our travels, so that the friends and relatives of the emigrating Saints may obtain the earliest information of them.



On Sunday, the 10th of August, the following persons were called by the Lord, through the voice of His servants, the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to go as missionaries to England, namely, T. Bullock, Bernard Snow, Charles Hubbard, T. Pierce, John H. Tippitts, Wm. Brown, Ezra T. Clark, James G. Browning, George Gates, and Samuel F. Neslin. They were directed to prepare themselves to be in readiness to start by the middle of September.



On Sunday the 17th, Daniel Page, Jun. Samuel Roskelley, George Taylor, Henry Harris, James W. Stevens, Andrew P. Shumway, and Wm. Bevans were also called to be under the direction of the Presidency of the British Isles. On the 6th of September, the above persons received their blessings, and were set apart as missionaries; together with several others who were sent on missions to the United States, among, whom was your brother, Elder P. P. Pratt.



On Wednesday, the 10th of September, the day appointed by the Presidency for us to leave G. S. L. City, Thomas Bullock, Bernard Snow, and George Gates blessed our families, dedicated them to the Lord, and immediately started for Emigration Kanyon [Canyon], and the remainder followed, we met in Echo Kanyon [Canyon] and the camp organized by electing a captain, sergeant of the guard, chaplain and secretary, and we have continued traveling every day until the present time, on an average of twenty-two miles each day, having been most signally blessed of the Lord in being favoured with beautiful weather, with the exception of the 12th of October, when it rained through the day, and until the afternoon of the 13th, when it cleared the road, and caused us heavy traveling for three or four days afterwards; but the heaviest rain was on the 23rd of October. When we crossed the Loup Fork, which was the most difficult portion of our trip, we had nothing but "a dug-out canoe," and had to make many trips for the company with their baggage; the boxes were taken from the wagon, and stripped of their covers, and dragged across the stream; some of the wagons turned over several times, and on the last trip of the canoe Elders Snow, Shumway, Hubbard, and Huffaker, were capsized, by the boat striking on large snag in the river, but they were all-saved.



We have also been highly favoured in not having any nocturnal visits from the marauding tribes of Indians, especially when we consider that about the 9th or 10th of September a company of Unites States' troops shot down fifteen or sixteen Indians, of the Cheyenne tribe in a few days retaliated and killed Mr. A. W. [Almon Whiting] Babbitt, Thos. Margetts and his wife,—Condy and his wife, four of Mr. Babbitt's teamsters who had been continually cursing and swearing at the "Mormons" when they were at prayers, a Mrs. Wilson and her child, and four or five persons from California, who passed through Great Salt Lake City, and swore considerably because they could not get flour from the "Mormons" for their journey, at a time when thousands were living on half a pound of bread a day, and some hundreds had none at all. The Indians also took two women and one boy prisoners, and afterwards killed one of the women, because she could not travel fast enough for them. They were willing to give up the other woman, and a child, to the United States, officers in exchange for an Indian in their possession.



On the 15th of September we met, near Bear river, twenty-three wagons, with over 250 Danish Saints, led by Captain [Canute] Peterson; and fourteen wagons with English Saints. On the 17th we met the advance company of St. Louis Saints. September 18th, we were very agreeably surprised by suddenly coming upon the advance train of hand-carts, composed of about 300 persons, traveling gently up the hill west of Green river, led by Elder Edmund Ellsworth. As the two companies approached each other, the camp of missionaries formed in line, and gave three loud Hosannahs, with the waving of hats, which was heartily led by Elder P. Pratt, responded to by loud greetings from the Saints of the hand-cart train, who unitedly made the hills and valleys resound with shouts of gladness; the memory of this scene will never be forgotten by any person present. We inquired the reason why we had not heard any word from them, and they answered, "We have out-travelled every other company, not one has passed us, no, not even a solitary horseman, so we have to carry our own report, and we should have been here sooner if the teams which carry the heavy luggage could have travelled any faster." They were very cheerful and happy, and we blessed them in the name of the Lord, and they went on their way rejoicing. The same day we met a company of hand-carts, led by Elder D. McArthur; and a company of Saints from St. Louis, led by Elder John Banks, whom we miss seeing, on account of our traveling on a cut off the Big Timber on the Sandy, where we met the rear company of St. Louis Saints; and we were made to rejoice through hearing of the well doings of those we had missed seeing. On the 20th we camped on Pacific Creek, west of the South Pass, near a company of upwards of 650 Saints from England and Wales, with hand-carts, led by Capt. [Edward] Bunker. On the 22nd, a company of Saints from the Southern States, led by Capt. [Jacob] Croft, camped near us. 24th. When we had come to a halt near Independence Rock, 333 miles from Great Salt Lake City, we were gladdened by the arrival of Elder Franklin D. Richards, accompanied by the following missionaries, who were returning to their beloved homes and families, in the vales of Deseret, viz., D. Spencer, C. H. Wheelock, G. D. Grant, W. H. Kimball, J. Ferguson, J. A. Young, J. D. T. M'Allister [McAllister], J. Van Cott, C. G. Webb, W. C. Dunbar, N. H. Felt, and J. McGaw, they were in excellent health and spirits, and rejoice that they had completed the mission allotted to them. From these brethren we learned the particulars of the killing of the Cheyenne Indians by the United States' soldiers, near Fort Kearney, and their subsequent retaliation by their killing those above mentioned. They also blest us with comforting words, to prepare us for the duties that may be expected of us, and to prepare our minds for the trials that await us from a wicked and perverse generation.



On the 29th, we met Elder [Orrin] Porter Rockwell, in charge of seven wagons, four of them having the remnants of Mr. Babbitt's goods, and which he had successfully brought through the country of the hostile Indians; and shortly afterwards we met Elder A. [Abraham] O. Smoot, in charge of a train of forty-two wagons containing among other things a steam engine for President Young, books, and dry goods from England, and some other articles which had been cached or stored away in previous years; he was assisted by Elders Ira Eldridge and Brigham H. Young. October 2nd: I visited a short time with over 450 Saints, under the charge of Elders [Miner G.] Atwood and willies [James G. Willie] with hand-carts, about ten miles west of Fort Laramie. 3rd: We passed, at the Indian agents, sixteen miles east of Laramie, eighteen lodges, comprising the Cheyennes who had killed the whites. As they had killed the number of whites that had been killed of the Indians, by the United States' troops, they were willing to be at peace. They made overtures to give up a woman, supposed to be Mrs. Margetts, or Mrs. Wilson, and a boy, in exchange for another Indian, in custody of the troops. 4th: Elder Edward Martin, with over 700 Saints, as I was informed, with hand-carts, and Capt. [J. W.] Hawkins, with a company of Saints from the Cape of Good Hope, and other places, passed up the river road; we missed seeing them, on account of coming over the mountain road; we lay by half a day, on the 5th to send letters to Elder Martin and others, but our messenger returned without seeing them. In the afternoon of the 5th, we passed Capt. [John A.] Hunt, with a company of 50 wagons, encamped a few miles to the west of Chimney Rock or about 580 miles from Great Salt Lake City; they were tarrying to bury a small child. This was the rear company of this season's emigration, and the last of them who I took by the hand were brother Linforth, from the Office in Liverpool, who desired to be remembered to Elders Pratt, Benson, Calkin, Kay, the clerks in the office, and the Saints in Liverpool.



On the 12th and 13th we had heavy rains, when the weather again cleared up, and we had a view of the moon, when partially eclipsed; for a few days afterwards the road were heavy for traveling, many pools of water remaining thereon, and on the 23rd and the 24th, we had crossed the Loup Fork; the road was still bad, but the remainder of the journey has been as fine and favourable as our hearts could well desire. I may say that we have been blessed by the Lord God of Israel with beautiful weather for our journey; He has blessed us with exceeding good health, not one having been sick a day; He has preserved our animals unto us that not one has fallen by the way, or been stolen by marauding thieves. He has blessed us in enabling us to pass through the barren wastes inhabited by Indians, a few of whom have been shot down by United States troops, while peaceably eating corn, and who were according to their natures and tradition bound by the laws of hounour to send as many whites to the Spirit land as they had lost, and were therefore in hostile array, to such an extent that the Postmaster at Fort Kearney said he dare not send the United States mail, stating it could not go in safety, although escorted by a company of United States dragoons; and although several apostates, Gentiles, and a few traders joined us at Horse Shoe Creek and Fort Laramie, in order to go through in safety; still we have come through in peace, for they had to submit to the laws and regulations of the missionary camp; neither have we had much difficulty in crossing the various streams, except the Loup Fork. Therefore we ascribe the praise and glory to our Father in Heaven for His preserving care over us while traveling across these deserts, and trust in Him to open the way before us for the remainder of our journey.



Pray for us, brethren, Saints, that we may be prospered on the remainder of our journey; that we may soon be with you to help you roll on the cause of our God on earth; that they day may be hastened that the honest in heart may be gathered together from the four quarters of the globe; and Zion built up, and a place prepared that the Son of Man may come and bless his Saints, and reign triumphant over the earth.



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In the bonds of everlasting covenant, 
I remain, dear brother Pratt, 
Your obedient servant in the Lord, 
THOMAS BULLOCK</center>

Transcript for Bullock, Thomas, [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 20 December 1856, 811-13

Millennial Star.

Murdock, Gideon Allen, Autobiography and journal, 1873-1923

Murdock, Gideon Allen, Autobiography and journal, 1873-1923, Vol. 1.

During this winter there was conciderable sickness around these parts, and there was a man by the name of George Cooper and his wife died and left one only child about one and a half years old and Father being the only ordained Bishop on that side of the river he was instructed to take the child and take care of her and any property that mite belong to the family, and with that Father got on yoke of old gentle oxen and an old wagon, and Father had one wagon and two yoke of oxen.	
 So in the Spring of 1847 Father made up his mind that if he could get ready in time he would go to the rocky mountains that Summer, acordingly early in this Spring we started into Missouri to make an outfit for the valeys Father driving the one team of two yoke and I driving the one yoke[.] I was not large enough to keep out of the way of the wagon at all times and consequently had my feet and leg run over two or three times when Jumping out of the wagon to Stop the team. We made two trips into Missouri that spring one as far down as St. Joseph 	
 Then &lt;the&gt; 7th of June we left Missouri river and drove the Same three yoke of oxen into Salt Lake valey arriving there on the 24th day of September being only 62 days behind the first Pioneer company into the Great Salt Lake valey[.] (We were organized into companies of 100 and of 50 and of 10's. We were in the A[braham]. O[wen]. Smo[o]ts 100 Geo[rge] B[enjamin]. Walles [Wallace] 50 and John Nebekers 10)

Transcript for Murdock, Gideon Allen, Autobiography and journal, 1873-1923, vol. 1, 4-5

Murdock, Gideon Allen, Autobiography and journal, 1873-1923.

Nelson, Bengt, "An Autobiography of Bengt Nelson, Sr., Together with a sketch of his wife Ellen J. Nelson," 9-10, 15-16

Nelson, Bengt, "An Autobiography of Bengt Nelson, Sr., Together with a sketch of his wife Ellen J. Nelson," 9-10, 15-16.

After the second month Frank Woolley came up to get hands to drive teams across the Plains and I engaged to go with him, very much against the desires of Mr. Bovey, as masons were very hard to get hold of about Omaha. I had decided to take the first chance I could get to come to Salt Lake, so Mr. Bovey very kindly paid me a full hundred dollars for two months service.
As I was now at liberty to go west to Utah I made every preparation for the event. I had promised my sister [Caroline], younger than myself, to see her safely through to Zion the first opportunity I had, and now was the first chance that had presented itself. She had become acquainted with a Swedish girl by the name of Ellen Johnson, and was very anxious to have her go along with her for company, as they were the only two Swedish girls there and they had become very well acquainted. I talked the matter over with Brother Frank Woolley, and it was finally agreed that they could go along with the company and cook, and I would pay twenty five or thirty dollars extra, besides the work they would do. The starting point being Atchison, we left Omaha about the 5th of August and arrived in Atchison the 7th, and on the 9th we started with four yoke of cattle, three yoke being perfectly wild.
We had quite a time not being used to driving oxen and I found that most of the boys were just as green as I. But it was not long before I could handle them satisfactorily, and soon they were tamed. There were several in the company who understood the handling of cattle very well such as Porter Rockwell, Frank B. Woolley and our beloved captain A. O Smoot, and others whose names I have forgotten.
We arrived at Fort Kearney the 1st of September, nothing occurring of any consequence. Arriving at Fort Laramie the 27th, we continued our journey up the Platte; feed was getting scarce, the nights were cold, the teams were tired and tender footed. Snow was making its appearance on the mountains ahead of us, but finally we arrived at Fort Bridger October 27th. Here we rested a few days, as some of the teams were badly worn out.
The Captains desired to leave some of the wagons and go on over the mountains. We left Bridger the 31st, and very soon it started to snow, and it was not long before we were travelling in snow three feet deep and were compelled to camp right on the tops of the Rocky Mountains, tying the poor animals to the trees without a mouthful of anything to eat. It was bitter cold, but there was plenty of timber and we made big fires to warm ourselves and teams. Most of us were young and it is a wonder that we did not get our feet frozen, as I had to thaw my boots before I could get them off my feet.
The next day we met teams that had been sent out from Salt Lake City with corn for the cattle, this was a great help to us. We arrived in Salt Lake November 9th 1856. . . . 
After my recovery [from smallpox], I went to Omaha and there I fell in with Bengt Nelson and his sister Caroline. He had engaged to drive team across the plains and his sister did not desire to go alone, so I was invited to accompany her, we to do the cooking for the company. They were due to leave Atchison August 9th, we therefore boarded a river steamer and arrived at Atchison August 7th, 1856.
Everything was now in readiness for the journey we left camp on the 9th, and got along fairly well, although we found a long tedious trip ahead of us. The work was more than we expected, oftentimes there were 18 persons to cook for, and many times we would sit up over half the night to bake bread, and at times we drove team during the day when they were short of teamsters. Still as long as it was warm and pleasant we did not mind, but the nearer we approached the mountains and the more the season advanced the colder it became, and by the time we reached Fort Bridger we had snow and plenty of it. Across the mountains we waded through snow three feet deep. It was with very thankful hearts that we beheld dry ground on our approaching Salt Lake City, where we arrived November 9th, 1856, having been on the plains three months to the day.

Transcript for Nelson, Bengt, "An Autobiography of Bengt Nelson, Sr., Together with a sketch of his wife Ellen J. Nelson," 9-10, 15-16

Peter Olsen Hansen papers, circa 1869-1893, Journal, circa 1876, 67-69

Peter Olsen Hansen papers, circa 1869-1893, Journal, circa 1876, 67-69.

[1847]In due time the companys started <in charge="" elder="" of="" richards="" willard=""> &amp; followed the track of the Pioneers, which laid over the Elkhorn river &amp; Longs fork, up on the north side of Platte river to Fort Laramie, over the black hills and to the north side again, from thence up the Sweet water to the pacific Springs, down through Ecco canyon to the Weber &amp; so on over the big Mountain &amp; down into the Great Salt Lake Valley, where they had to cut their road through a Mable [Maple] grove. It was the 24th of July when they arrived there, and my brother claims that Prof. Orson Pratt &amp; him were two first in the valley.</in>



After wards some more companies fitted out &amp; started under the guidance of Elder John Taylor. I was started off on the 14th of June with a waggon &amp; 3 yolke of cattle. Four of the wagons were B. Kimballs. Our captain of ten was br James Smithies, and George B. Wallace who was president of the Boston branch when I joined the church, was our captain of fifty &amp; A[braham]. O. Smoot our captain of hundred. For the first week I felt tired when night came, but after that I <s>F</s> did not feel so any more and I was happy indeed, and felt proud of my trust. Beside Sister [Nancy Ann] Smithies we had two other women with us, Mary Ellen K[imball]. &amp; Mary [Ann] Forsgren. Bro. Fayett [Lafayette] Granger &amp; Moses Thurston came &lt;from Nauvoo&gt; with two wagons &amp; desired to travel with us for to have one woman each for them on condition that they would furnish us with bacon &amp; groceries, and this prooved a blessing unto us. Granger was a clever man to travel with and his teamster was a good lad. It was said that 9 hundred waggons had <s>past over the rocky</s> went on the road that season. But we got along well &amp; were much blest by our heavenly father continually, and the journey was very interesting to me and I took much delight in keeping a dayly journal for Mr. Kimball, which I, sorry to say, lost on another trip. Many a little insident transpired which I will make mention of as far as I remember them.



The first half of the journey we made on the north side of the Platte or Nebraska river. which is &lt;so&gt; very wide &amp; shallow &amp; was a great natural curiosity to me. Before we struck this we crossed the Elk horn on a raft. Now &amp; then we would see where the Pioneers had fallen cotton wood trees for their animals to brows on. And when we got to <s>the</s> Loup fork we camped for night and crossed over next day. This is no small <s>tas</s> undertaking as the river is very wide and full of quick sand, so that we were under the necessity of dobling teams, that is hitching-to with one another, which of course took dobble the time, as we had to go back after the other half of the wagons. Next day we continued our journey up the <s>river,</s> &lt;Platte&gt; always camping within a short distance of the river and how I used to delight to see our cattle on good grass, eating till they were filled and laid down. Now we were on the great planes where we sometimes would see many thousands of Buffalos in a day. This name however is misplaced as it belongs to a kind of ox without any hunch, and these are hunchbacked ones should be called Bisons. We passed three vacated villages belonging to the Pawnees. The houses or wikiups were round and built of wood. It was said that the Sioux had drove them away <s>because of hors</s> for horse stealing. Soon after this we passed a large encampment of Sioux of about 500 fine looking lodges made of Buffalo hides. Some of them followed us 2-3 days and were very friendly, nevertheless we were required to have our guns hanging in the wagons so as to be seen. We crossed over many fine streams of water &amp; travelled over many <s>a</s> beautiful meadows &amp; prairies, but trees &amp; bushes were very scarce. Jed[ediah]. Grants camp lost most of their cattle by a stampede. Some 60 miles behind us but few found.



The stampede was caused by a person going into the correl [corral] by moonlight in a white shirt &amp; several wagons broke down.



For 150 miles we were without any wood at all, and had to be thankful for the dry dung &lt;dropt by&gt; from the wild cattle, which answered very well for fuel. Windy days were ha[r]d on us teamsters, and we very glad after camping to go and have a good wash in shallow water which was warmed by the rays of the sun. One Sunday we were encamped oposite Scotts Bluff, which consist of hard clay &amp; is said to be 300 feet high. Notwithstanding the great width of the river, some of us waded across and ascended the Bluff where we found Bro. Parley P. Pratt ahead of us. On the top was a grove of scrub pines, and from there we saw 7 camps looking like so many white chalk circles on green paper. and returning I felt well paid for going. The plains being so exceedingly level this mountain is seen by The Traveler more than 20 miles below, where there is another curiosity of hard clay called Chimney rock &lt;because it resembles a high chimney&gt; which I ought to have mentioned first. This is also seen a long way off. B/ A few days after passing these places we came to Fort Laramie where below which we crossed over to the south side <s>of</s> and soon after crossed the Laramie fork, after which we came along by the Fort which had the appearance of being clean &amp; orderly. Pretty soon I saw a wild mountain sheep run up the hill for here we struck the extremities of the Rocky Mountains, and Laramie peak was looming up before, and the vast plains we saw no more that time. From this time hence we saw far less grass than we would liked to see, and <s>every where</s> &lt;the&gt; vegetation was more grey than green, for now we <s>got int</s> were in the regions of wild sage as it is rather wrongfully called. Now we went going into the Black Hills, which had been presented by to us by some strangers as being dreary, destitute of feed &amp; dangerous to pass.



B/ camping on wood river, plum creek, Elm creek etc. Dog town. One place in that region after the month of June because of a certain poisonous weed growing there.



We however did not find it so, and there were plenty of grass in places especially on the la Bont [La Bonte] &amp; the la Prel<s>l</s>e which are tributaries to the upper Platte. After coming out of the hills <s>which</s> we had some distance of level ground to travel over and then we had to cross over onto the north side again when we left the Platte and traveled over a barren Desert for 2-3 days till we struck the Sweet Water. This stream we followed up for a week, crossing it a number of times, the country being very rocky and bleake.



<s>After leaving Sweet water for good we crossed over the Summit of the rocky Mountains on what is called the south pass.</s>



first at Independance Rock where we camped for the night &amp; I took a good look at that solid rock with its many two names &amp; <s>in</s> Next day we traveled to Devils gate. We also camped at the three crossings. The Region is sandy &amp; full of granite rocks.



After leaving Sweet Water for good we crossed past through another ruggy region, crossing <s>goos</s> straw berry creek &amp; following up the Wagon Back a rocky ridge to pass over the summit of the Rocky Mountains or as it is called the south Pas[s].



When we crossed Greeswood [Greasewood] creek Grangers lead cattle got scared &amp; pulled the wagon off the bank &amp; it turned bottom up into the creek. One of the women were sitting in the wagon when it turned over and got under the load. Two of us jumped into the water &amp; saved her from drowning. We past Willard Snows <s>camp</s> &lt;company&gt; and stayed for to repare the wagon.



Just over the ri&lt;d&gt;ge we camped at the Pacific Springs, called so because it runs to the Pacific Ocean. On the north side of the road is a big meadow or swamp which however is rather dangerous for the cattle to walk on. Right there at the pacific Springs we met our beloved President Brigham Young, Elder Kimball and more than half of the Pioneers on their way back to Winter Quarters. We were of course glad to see each other, but as the air was very chilly we could not feel as good as we otherwise would. We stopped next day &amp; held meeting.



The Pioneers told us that they arrived in entered Salt Lake Valley on the 24th of July and hot. they had had to make much road[,] had commenced to plow &amp; sow the same day, but that after it had come up a company of the dismissed soldiers from the Mormon Battalion had arrived &amp; while they were rejoicing in dance their cattle destroyed a whole plantation. After this we traveled <s>for several days</s> over a level country crossing the Sandies [Big and Little Sandy Creeks], which are branches of Green river, which we came to after four days travel, forded it and continued traveling over a level country crossing the branches or as the here are called forks of the river. On the last of these branch streams lies Fort Bridger, a trading post. Here is a nice green plain, and from here to Salt Lake Valley we traveled over mountains. At first we came up through a forest of cedars where I saw two natural curiosities viz. two cedar trees in spiral form. After some days travel we came to a <s>opn</s> place where there was a spring of mountain tar or asphalt which we used for axel grease. Next we had Bear river to ford, <s>which is a very</s> at a very rough &amp; strong place. After this we came to a place where is a cave in the mountain side. From this place we traveled in 3 days down through Echo Kanyon [Canyon] and forded the Weber river before camping for night. The high perpendicular red &lt;sandstone&gt; cliffs at the mouth of Echo canyon drew my attention as one of the grandest natural sites I ever saw. Next day we travelled up thro Pratts pas[s], and after crossing a mountain stream &lt;many times&gt; which I afterwards learned was called Big canyon creek, we encamped at the foot of the Big Mountain or as we called it the "five mile hill" because we had a rough upward road for five miles. Going up that hill was our task the next day &amp; as it was near night when we got to the top <s>of th</s> and our cattle were tired we camped night but there were scarcely any grass &amp; after letting them browse a little on the oak brush we had to tie them to the wagons. Speaking of oak I must here <s>note</s> observe that the first place we saw oak was <s>t</s> in Echo canyon and I was the first seeing it for I had an occasion to go unto the hills to look for a missing ox &amp; coming down I came through an oak patch which reached to my knees. From this high point we could see the great salt Lake.



In the morning we took an early start. The road down was so steep that we had to lock both hind wheels, and so dusty that we had to stop at times to let the dust pas off so that we could see where w&lt;:h&gt;ere we were going, and there were also many stumps of maple trees which our Pioneers had cut down to make road. At night we camped on a flat place at the foot of the last <s>mountain</s> hill called the little mountain. To ascent this we had to double teams, and from there we had a <s>very</s> exceedingly rough road to travel down through what is called Emigration canyon &amp; encamped in a hollow on the west side of the mountains. After so much rough traveling I was glad for having got through.



Next day we drove down over the bench to the fort, arrived in G. S. L. City Sept. 29, 1847.

Transcript for Peter Olsen Hansen papers, circa 1869-1893, Journal, circa 1876, 67-69

Pomeroy, Irene to Ophelia M. Andrews

Pomeroy, Irene to Ophelia M. Andrews, March 5, 1848.

Miss Ophelia M. Andrews, 
 
North New Salem
 
Franklin County
 
Massachusetts. 
 
(Care of Col Wilson Andrews).
Kane Io[wa] May 16 1848
Great Salt Lake City March 5th 1848. 
Cousin Ophelia; Having a little leisure from domestic cares I thought (I would) write you a few lines knowing you would be very anxious to hear from us. We are all well contented and happy. We have a log house made of hewed logs sixteen by eighteen and covered with planks and slabs. Our fireplace is made of clay pounded into one corner and the fireplace cut out just such shape as you please. The rest is sticks plastered outside and in which makes it quite nice. We have quite a nice door made of fir boards which were sawed since we arrived. We have nothing but the boards of our wagon for floor yet. We have a window with five squares of ten by twelve glass and one of cloth pasted on. There is two beds at the east end of the room and curtains drawn across the room in front of the beds and a little chamber floor over the beds where we keep our provisions. Picture to your self Irene sitting in such a room as this writing on her same chest which stood in her chamber in Mass. Mr. Pomeroy and Thales have gone to what is called the Cotton Woods for poles to fence the land. Francelle is filling the little creampither (your mother and mine used to play) with water and washing it in the washdish. Mother is knitting. (I will fill this page with family concerns now I have come so near to it and tell you on the next how we came hear and what kind of place it is). We have two yoke of oxen; two cows, two heifers (two years old) a pair of horses, three hens, two chickens and a dog. We have killed one yoke of oxen for beef. We expect to have a garden in front of our house. Our farming land is five or six miles from hear. The houses are built adjoining each other in the form of squares enclosing ten acres each. It was thought wisdom to have them in this manner for this season because we could better defend ourselves from all kinds of danger. When the companies arrive next summer we expect to commence a brick house. There will be a city laid out then and each building will have land for all necessary purposes and a large garden and the farming land will be with out the city. When Mother [Ursula Billings Haskell] wrote you at winter quarters we were preparing for our journey still fart[h]er west. Thales went down into Missouri with Br Wallace and bought a new supply of provisions and we left winter quarters June 17th and I can assure you we passed through a variety of scenes (for) a distance of ten hundred and sixty miles from W.Q. Rivers, brooks, mudholes, mountains, plains, woods, broken waggons, Indians, Buffaloes, Wolfs, deer, antelope, wild dogs, bears &amp;c. The Indians were very friendly. They do no hurt if we kept strong guard out so they could not steal our horses and cattle in the night. We passed through some places where it (was) almost impassable, mountains of cragged rocks seeming as it were bending over us on either side of the road. At another time we would be on the side of a mountain below us on one side of the road 50 or 100 feet straight down a Grandmother says on the other side a mountain and seeming every moment as if the waggon would be upset. This was the last part of the road. The first 1000 miles was mostly praries, see nothing byt [but] land as far as the eye could reach. You can look on the map and see where we came. We came nearly the whole of the length of the Platte river and camped on its bank most every (night). We walked a great part of the way where there were bad roads. (Catherine says tell them I could walk 10 or 15 miles per day.) We generally travelled from 10 to 15 miles in a day sometimes 20 and once or twice 25. We did not travel on Sundays (and) on the whole we had quite a pleasant journey. We would (about half a dozzen) go on ahead of the waggons, find some place of curiosity and wait for the teams to come up. How many many (times) mother and I would say how Aunt Lomanthy would love to see this and that. Grandmother might have come if she had thought so. There is some older than she here. I presume you have heard of Richardson's bitters. The old man's son is here and his sons mother came from Vermont. Emeline is yet in W.Q. When we came away she was teaching school in the same family where she has been.
The[re] was about 500 waggons came last summer. Such only came as could buy provisions, the rest stayed to raise it. We expect a much larger company this season. Well after all this long journey when we were coming over mountains and between them, all at once a little narrow passage between the mountains called a cannian [canyon] (I think I have not splled i[t] right) opened into a beautiful valley.

Transcript for Pomeroy, Irene to Ophelia M. Andrews, 5 Mar. 1848, in Letters, court orders, and documents pertaining to the Saints in Missouri

Pomeroy, Irene to Ophelia M. Andrews.

Sant, Margaret, Autobiography, in Joel Edward Ricks, CacheValley Historical Material, reel 4, item 97, 2

Sant, Margaret, Autobiography, in Joel Edward Ricks, CacheValley Historical Material, reel 4, item 97, 2.

A[braham] O. Smoot was our captain and Christopher Langton his assistant. The Indians stampeded our cattle several times. My mother walked all the way. Many of the women had to wade the rivers there being no bridges in those days. The rivers crossed were the Bag, Little Blue, Virmilion [Vermillion], Platt[e], Green River, Sweet Water [Sweetwater], Bear River and Weber River. We arrived in Salt Lake City, the 3rd of Sept. 1852 with 31 wagons. The Company was called the Perpetual Friend Company. We were taken to the public square, now University square, in the 19th ward, my father [David Mustard] had a place prepared for us in the 15th ward where we went to live.

Transcript for Sant, Margaret, Autobiography, in Joel Edward Ricks, CacheValley Historical Material, reel 4, item 97, 2

Smoot, Abraham O., "Early Experience of A. O. Smoot," in Early Scenes in Church History, Eighth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series [1882], 25

Smoot, Abraham O., "Early Experience of A. O. Smoot," in Early Scenes in Church History, Eighth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series [1882], 25.

In April, 1846, I left Nauvoo and started westward with quite a large company of my southern friends. On arriving at Winter Quarters I was ordained a Bishop and appointed to preside over a Ward, and spent the winter in building cabins to shelter the people and in looking after the wants of the poor. In the spring of 1847 I was appointed to organize and lead westward a company of Saints having one hundred and twenty wagons. I chose as my assistants Major Russell and Geo. B. Wallace. We arrived in Salt Lake Valley on the 24th day of September. . . .
I remember a rather remarkable instance of healing that occurred at Winter Quarters, which I think worth relating:
During the winter of 1846-7 while the Saints were encamped on the banks of the Missouri there was a great deal of sickness among them, and many died. Among others who were afflicted was a man by the name of Collins, who had followed up the Church for some time on account of his wife being a member, but who never felt quite satisfied to embrace the gospel, although he never opposed the work. When he was taken sick it was not thought by his friends that he could recover, as he had appeared to be sinking rapidly under the effects of the disease, and for some time he lay in a semi-unconscious state, from which it was feared he would never rally.
However, he finally regained consciousness and looked around, when I asked him if he had any message to leave before he died. He immediately replied that it would not do for him to die then, as he had not been baptized, and urged very strongly to be taken right down to the river to receive this ordinance. . . . from that time became a healthy man.
CHAPTER III. A. O. Smoot ; On my return from England in 1853, on board the new steamer Pacific, we encountered a severe storm. . . . I had seventeen thousand dollars in gold in my possession, and I did not even fear that I would lose that. . . . we finally arrived safely in New York with the wrecked vessel, after a voyage of sixteen days. . . . I remained at Lexington about eight days looking after the interests of the Saints and purchasing stock, after which I returned to St. Louis, where I met the company of Saints I was to conduct across the plains. On reaching Atchison, our starting point for the overland journey, the company was stricken with the cholera. There were over forty cases, and of these some fifteen proved fatal. Numbers were healed instantaneously through the prayer of faith when the Elders laid their hands upon them, although apparently near death’s door; others gave way entirely to fear, failed to exercise faith and soon died. After we had started upon our journey and when the last person who had been afflicted had recovered, I was prostrated with the same dread disease. The train was stopped and the whole company fasted and prayed for two days for my recovery, but I continued growing worse until my limbs and the lower portion of my body were apparently dead, but then the faith of the Saints and the power of the Almighty prevailed in my behalf and I recovered. I had, however, lost seventy-five pounds in weight within a few days.

Transcript for Smoot, Abraham O., "Early Experience of A. O. Smoot," in Early Scenes in Church History, Eighth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series [1882], 25

Stuart, David M., Reminiscences, in David M. Stuart, Pioneer Missionary, True Life Story of David M. Stuart [1988], 5

Stuart, David M., Reminiscences, in David M. Stuart, Pioneer Missionary, True Life Story of David M. Stuart [1988], 5.

. . . I started west with the first emigration after that winer of '47. I drove team for John Benlow in Bishop Smoot's company. We carried with us everything we needed to colonize a new country: agricultural implements, seeds, and domestic animals, even to pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats, for we were leaving civilization to establish the Kingdom of God in the wilderness.
On arriving in Great Salt Lake Valley, as it was then called, a thrill of joy ran through my soul and filled me with delight and thankfulness to my Father in Heaven who had helped me to see the home of the Saints and the land where the Kingdom of God was to be established no more to be thrown down forever. I wept with soul felt gratitude to God who had prompted me to leave my native land and allow me to associate with the founders of God's Kingdom.

Transcript for Stuart, David M., Reminiscences, in David M. Stuart, Pioneer Missionary, True Life Story of David M. Stuart [1988], 5

The Book of the Pioneers

The Book of the Pioneers, Vol. 2, Page 28.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> </center>



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">1847—Utah Pioneer Jubilee—1897 
July 24, 1897</center>



PIONEER 
Geo. B. Matson



Residence 
Second Ward



Town 
Springville



County 
Utah



State 
Utah



Born 
Oct. 26, 1827



Town 
Centerville



County



State 
B[orn] at Delaware



Arrived in Salt Lake Valley 
Sept 23, 1847



Whose Company 
John Young



Captain of 100 
A. O. Smoot



Captain of 50 
Samuel Russell



Captain of 10 
2nd ten name forgotten



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Remarks</center>



 



Came in as a teamster and worked through the winter for my board.

Transcript for Geo. B. Matson in The Book of the Pioneers Volume 2 (Utah Semi-Centennial Commission, 1897), 28

The Book of the Pioneers.

William Broomhead diary

William Broomhead diary, October 1856.

October 5 at meeting Brigham called for teamsters and I volunteered to go back to meet the hand carts



went to find out when to start  



[October 6] went to meeting in the morning afternoon got a wagon. 



[October 7] Tuesday morning fixed the wagon. Start from the City at noon, tonight, camp between the mountains, from 10 til 11 onlook on guard.



Wednesday, 8th: Prayer by Br. Beckstead. Started at 7:00 o’clock, going up the big mountain it came stormy and snowed in the evening, on guard from 7 to 11



In the morning of that 12 sunday came to brigger and camped at 4 in the afternoon &lt;preyaer by [illegible, possibly J. Young] Snow thru the night



mondy 13 Started at 8 about 20 miles north met up by [Abraham] Smoot and David James. They stayed with us all night, preyar by C.[Cyrus] H. Welock [Wheelock], singing. 



Started in the morning at 8 tusday 14 went with J Peck to see some anchant looking mountains camped under hams fork at 4 o’clock. went out hunting to be back in the evening, singing and prayer by B.[rother] Smoot and some remarks by him and J. Young. Three [or eight?] more wagons came up and travelled with us



Started Wednesday 15 At 8  J Peck came up and traveld with us. J. Young wile and sum outhers went on ahed to meet the comp. [companies], but we catched them and camped with them that night on Big Sandy at 8. Preyar by C. Welock.



Thursdy 16 started at 8, met P.[Porter] Rockwell and his train, camped on Big Sandy at 4 went out to hunt antelope with sum outhers and we kiled one. B.[Brother] Smoot company came up at dark and camped with us killed a beef on gard from 2 till 7 had a dance in the eveng



friday 17 started at 12 smoots company and 18 of our hands went with him and we came to little sandy we met the frieter of gilberts [Gilbert and Garrish freight train] ahead and lerned from him the peticulrs [particulars] of babit [Almon W. Babbitt] and outhers that were kiled By indians



saturday 18 at 9 and came to sweet water [Sweetwater] and it snowd from 11 in the evenig we killed a beef



on sunday morning 19 snowed till 10 started at ½ past 10 left 7 [or 4 or 9?] men and 4 waggons and 4 beef oxen 17 horses and most of the flour  it was very coald we traveled 15 miles and camped on sweetwater  at 1 we met gilberts train of 15 waggons  camped at 4 singin in the evenig and prear by [illegible John B. Welby?]  it snowd in the eveng and it looked like as if we wear going to have a heve [heavy] storm but the clouds Devided to the right and left  it clearde up again about 10 and in the morning thear was about an inch and a half



monday 20 snowed in the morning and the wind was very high and coald  we stayed there all Day  it snowed all Day  in the evning Brother Willey [James G. Willie] and anouther man [Joseph Elder] came from the train and told us that they wer 23 miles from us and that they were out of provisions that night



tusdy 21 started at 8 camped with wiles [Willie's] company at 5 the day was cold and in the evening it snowed. they buried 4 that night and 5 the night before  the capten gave them flour and cl[o]thing and some teams to help them in. w. [William H.] kimbl [Kimball] went back with them. we by hadwood



wednesdy 22 drove 18 miles it was a bitter coald day and snow was from 8 to 12 inch Deep. camped at 6. &lt;on gard from 1 til 8.&gt; Singin, prey by Wm [William] Broomhead. snow that night



thursdy 23 stayed there all Day



friday 24 started at 12 drove to the three crosing  we saw two herds of Buffalow  in the evening gathered round the camp fir and had singing and prear  captain Grant gave us som good instrouctions on prear and said that if we was unighted [united] as one man that the lord would hear and answer our prears  remove the snow so that we could be a help to those on the plains and so he cald [called] on Br wilk [probably Cyrus Wheelock] to be mouth in prear and ask that for thos things that we need  layed hands on two of the Brothers that was sick and restored



saturdy 25 fin morning though the wind blew high, the feed for the anemals was all coverd with snow and it was hard on them as well as on us to gard them wher the snow was so Deep and the roads so bad to travel but the Lord blesd the anemals the waggons our food and us and we had caus to rejoise all the time for we are children of his care and he takes care of his children if they will listen to his word  started at 9 the river was hard to cross the ice was so thick and yet it was not thick anuf [enough] to cross on  we traveled abot 12 mils and camped abot 5 oclock after supper singin prear by captain grant  I sang sum Songs for the boys  had a good time as we had every night  retired abot 9 oclock



sunday 26 fine morning all is well traveled to within 2 miles of the Devils gate and camped  the express was at the gate had been there 4 days and had heard nothing of the carts  they came up to our camp  singin after supper  prayer by J Young  singin



mondy 27th the wind blew very hard  blowed sum of the waggon covers off  the capten sint an expres of 3 men to go as far as the plat[te] brige they started at 9  the camp moved about half a mile nearer the mountins to get out of the wind and to get wood hander  spint that day in cooking and geting wood and fixing ways to break the wind of  Singing after supper prear by Bro [illegible] three of us set up singin and talking till half past 11.  the wind was rathr high all night



tusdy 28 fine morning but [illegible] wind spint that Day in singin  remarks from sum of the Brethrn and getting wood and snowbaling  at Dusk it clouded over and snowed hard and it seemed as if we was going to have a Deep snow  the cap caled the camp togethr and made sum remarks on the goodness of god and that we was in his hands and wished us all to be one and caled on C H Wilock [Wheelock] to be mouth in Prear



wednsdy 29 clouded  the snow that fell in the night soon went  saw a herd of antelope  sum of us went out  t[w]o of the boys kiled one  in the after noon the captin red sum for us  on gard at night from 5 till one  prear by cap grant



thursday 30 fine morning  after Breckfast prear by Jahall [Joel] Parish  E[dwin] Peck and mysilf went on the mountins at Devels gat[e] with the spiglass to see if we could see anething of the Boys or the handcarts coming. But we could not  it was about 4 miles from camp to the top  wether fine  in the evening Joseph [A. Young] and the Boys returned from the compnes an gave thear report  they were on the Plat[te] prear by B [Brother] Ch Wilock [Wheelock]  started next morning at 9 o clock



Saturday 1 of Nov [November] Bro Wilock [Wheelock], D [Daniel W.] Jons [Jones] and myself was ap[po]inted to go to Cap Hogigts [Hodgett] compney and hury them up  we met the company at the Bad Slough  campd with them that night  caled the company together and talked to them  prear By D Jones 



started in the morning on sundy [November 2] C H W [Wheelock] and myself to go to Hunts comp[any]  it snowed and rand from 11 till 12 at night  met them about 7 [miles] from plat[te] river  camped without wood in the snow



[November 3] started in the morning at 9 came to willow springs  it was very cold sum of the sisters froze thear feet  camped ahead at large camp fire made and caled the camp together and spoke to the sa[i]nts  i was caled on to speak and i spoke with the spirit  it was as cold a night as i ever seen  that night the saints felt well and promised to do as they wear toald to  prear by wilock [Wheelock] and outhers Spoak   helped them up prospect hill and then started for the Devels gate got thear after dark



tusday 4 fine  in late some of the waggons of Hoggets [Hodgetts] for the hand cart comp  the hand cart camp started that day we[n]t about 3 miles  the last wagon left at sundown  we had a meeting that night  the Brethren spoke well and with the spirit  prear by E. [Edward] martin



wednesday 5 the wind [two or three word illegible] our teems could not face it [two or three words illegible] river  some of the boys came Back from the cart compny and they could not face it  went with H [Harvey] cluff to get sum from the moutin 



Wednesday 5 very coald 11 Degrees Bellow zero  fe[t]ched sum wood from the mountin on a cart  Brouther Hunts compny came up after Dark  we had a meeting at night prear By [illegible]



thursdy 6 the wind blew the snow so that we could not get up the cattle  We had a meting at night of the valey Boys of those that had the [instruments?]  the Brethren spoke well and with the spirit  i was caled on to speak and did so  Prear By C H welek [Wheelock]



fride 7 verey coald and windy  meting at night I was not thear



saturday 8 fine morning  got sum wood on a cart from the mountins  we cam up the river on the ice an loaded up hunts waggons  prear at night By R T Burton



sunday 9 got up the cattle to start  grat many of the cattell frose to Deth it was so coald and stormey  started at 11 Drove B [Brother John] godsalls teem  traveled 5 miles  Saw Som Bufalows



menday 10 fine all Day  Drove to the willowC rick [Willow Creek] and camped  eframe [Ephraim] hanks came to us from the valey and reported that 2 hundred teem had started but he did not no if they had not turned Back on acount of the storm and that c spencer [Claudius Victor Spencer] and van cot [John VanCott] came to our post and scared out and turned back  prear By E hanks



tusdy 11 fine morng but the wind Blew very coald  camped on Bitter cottonwood crick  Prear by c [Charles] Decker



wednesday 12 fine  met the middle of the 3 crossings  a fals alarm By a fire on the mountain  camped at the 3 crossings



thursdy 13 met 3 teems from the valy   fine came to the 16 mile drive   prear By M [Moses] Cluff



friday [14] fine  met 3 more teems  traveled 12 miles  prear By b [illegible wilkins?]  &lt;camp on sweet-water&gt;



Saturday 15 fine  camped on the rockey reges &amp; met sum teems that day



sundy [16]  pased hunts compny camped on strbry creek  prear B [Brother] E [Ephraim] hanks



mendy 17 [this entry should actually read Tuesday 18] met tems all Day  camped by the post  Fergson and kimbel [Kimball] met us [a few words illegible]  prey By J ferguson   snowd that night



tusdy 18- [Wednesday November 19] traveled to Big sandy river [illegible] captin grant and kimbel [Kimall] and fergson started hom on express  met sum oxen goeing to [illegible] wags comp  camped on Big sand[y] [road] &lt;C welock [Wheelock]&gt;



thursday 20 [Friday November 21] fine but cold camped on green river  that was my Barthdy My 23 &lt;prear J Simons [Joseph M. Simmons]&gt;



Friday 21 [Saturday November 22]  very could  i frosted my nose that Day  camped on Blacks fork



saturday 22 [Sunday November 23] it snowed  we came to Brigger [Bridger] had a weding there that night



sunday fine 23 [Monday November 24] camped 11 miles from Briger  met sum teem that night



mondy 24 [Tuesday November 25] camped on Bear river it was very coald



tuesdy 25 [Wednesday November 26]  met Joseph young and outhers   camped in ec[h]o can[y]on  snow 13 [or 15] inches Deep  sister squir[e]s was confined that night  the child lived and boath come in safe



Wednsdy 26 [Thursday November 27] camped on webber [Weber]



thursdy 27 [Friday November 28] camped in est [East] canyon in the cottonwood grove



friday [Saturday November 29]  crosed Boath mountins the snow was from 1 to 23 feet Deep and in kil[l]ians kanoun [canyon] snow 18 inches  



cam into the city about ½ past levan [eleven] on sunday 29 [30] Day of november   i was great hom By my wife and frends with joy



December mondy 1

Transcript for William Broomhead diary, 1856 October-1857 April

William Broomhead diary.

Woolley, Franklin Benjamin, Autobiography [ca. 1856], 13-15

Woolley, Franklin Benjamin, Autobiography [ca. 1856], 13-15.

. . . I received a letter from Bro A. O Smoot dated at Atchison K. F. and stating that Prest Young desired me to assist him (Smoot) in bringing the church train through that season, and requesting my immediate presence. So ended my “quick trip”. When leaving Florence Bro McGaw Agt. at that place made a present of ten Dollars, to buy some necessaries for my self. Arrived at Atchinson [Atchison] and assisted in loading the waggons and getting ready for the plains. As we were ready to start discovered we should be short of drivers being disappointed in our expectation of their being plenty who would like to get through to the valley &amp; to their mines of Calafornia [California]. I was despatched to Florence and vicinity among the Saints to procure the services of teamsters for the trip[.] I was so far successfull that among Saints &amp; Gentiles I procured the number I wanted by taking in some instances, an entire family with the man, and returned the day after, the train had started, they having taken a few waggons at a time, did my business, and started [-] 1 oclock Aug 11th 1856 for home[.] Travelled that afternoon 25 miles, mostly on foot, and the next morning early overtook the train. As an index to the labors, and perplexities of this trip, I will give the experience of that morning as a sample of what it was for large portions of the way. Commenced early to yoke up the cattle, men women and children surrounding the “corall” to keep them from breaking through; two or three of in corall with “lassos” to catch the wild ones, which were in proportion 5 to 1—all teamsters ignorant and of little use, and when cattle were caught and yoked, had to lead with lasso and coat to get hitched together, finally at 2 oclock in the afternoon, all were pronounced ready for start; and we broke “corall” herding each team to the road, one on each side of the cattle to guide them; and at every creek crossing or hill, I or some one of us from the valley had to drive every team. So ignorant were the cattle and their drivers herding the cattle at night and attending to the train in the day—devolved mostly upon Bros. Wardsworth—Porter Rockwell &amp; myself. Bros Smoot &amp; Eldre[d]ge who had charge of the train, being much of the time indisposed and, the teamsters not to be trusted[.] Sometimes I was on duty without sleep 36 hours and sometimes nearly 48—except perhaps what I might catch on horse back. or for an hour in that time in a waggon, as it seemed that unless one of us was immediately with the train something would go wrong. We had 375 oxen and 42 waggons. 1 carriage and 12 horses and mules.



	Owing to the lateness of the season and being too heavily loaded &amp;c, we had a hard trip and did not arrive until the snows began to fall in the mountains[.] We had the first snow at the “three crossings” of Sweetwater River and more or less afterwards until we got home. At Fort Ridges [Bridger] we left 8 waggons and their loads as it was impossible for our teams to take them all, through to the valley when at the mouth of Echo Kanyon [Canyon] Bro Smoot received a letter from Bro Young directing him to bring all the goods in and if he had not enough team to call upon the brethren who were out in the mountains with ox teams to assist the hand cart emmigrations, to assist in bring [-] the waggons that we left at Bridges [Bridger]. I was again called on to go back and bring up the rear which was able to do with considerable talking to some of the brethren who feared the season was too late to venture back to the fort with cattle but I succeeded in obtaining enough to answer my purpose and brought everything in, in good condition

Transcript for Woolley, Franklin Benjamin, Autobiography [ca. 1856], 13-15

Woolley, John Mills, Reminiscences [ca. 1851], 71-74

Woolley, John Mills, Reminiscences [ca. 1851], 71-74.

We got back about the 20
th
 [May 1847]. I then was busily employed in getting ready for the journey.
The 10th June we started[.] Went to the Horn river and joined with those who had previously started [and] were wa[i]ting for the rest if the company to come up[.] we camped there and tarried till the 20th June. They there organized for traveling
We sta[r]ted about the 20th[.] There was in all 566 waggons, The weather was tolerable warm, therefore our progress was slow as it was difficult traveling in so large companies, The country was destitute of timber in a great degree[.] some it be to scarse to afford wood for fuel, we used Buffalo dong [dung] as a substitute[.] some places we obtained kind of bush called Sage Brush, We travel[e]d up the Platt[e] to Larama [Laramie] then crossed the black hills, While on the plat[te] one of my cows died, and the only one that gave milk, The young man James J[ackson]. Davidson my driver (as I had 2 waggons I had a driver) he had one cow along[.] We then traveled up the sweetwater, 
We got to what is called the Pacific Spring[s] the 5th of September[.] this is what is called the south pass[.] here we met the Pioneers on their return to Winter Quarters[.] they staid there with us one day, 
the 7th we started[.] it snowed on us near half the day[.] the weat[h]er had been quite coll nigh[t]s[.] The place they had located in the Great basin of the Salt lake great basin of north America[.] this is about 230 miles from here 
We arrived in the valley the 26th of September[.] the roads for the last hundred miles had been hilly and rough in the extreme . . .

Transcript for Woolley, John Mills, Reminiscences [ca. 1851], 71-74

Young, Thomas, Autobiographical sketch

Young, Thomas, Autobiographical sketch.

I immigrated to Utah in 1856. Leaving England on February 18, I landed in New York on March 27, 1856. I crossed the sea in the ship Caravan and reached St. Louis on April 5, 1856 by railroad. 
I secured work on a farm and worked until the first of August, then left to get ready to cross the Plains. We began our great adventure on August 8 and reached Salt Lake City on November 9, walking all the way, driving an ox team for Abraham Smoot, father of Reed Smoot. We came in the Captain Willing company. There were five hundred people, one hundred twenty hand carts, five wagons, twenty-four oxen and forty-five beef cattle. 
When we reached Florence there were several days’ delay on account of the hand carts. We mended old carts, made new ones, and obtained supplies. 
We had many thrilling experiences crossing the plains, and some that made it very hard for our company. One was the Indians driving off our beef cattle. There was an extremely early winter that year and no one had warm enough clothing nor enough bedding to keep warm. The hand carts were so rickety that it took rawhide a plenty to tie them together. 
The provisions were so low that on October 12 every one was rationed out with ten ounces of flour. On the nineteenth the snow began to fall and fell eighteen inches deep on the level. We pushed on as far as we could but were forced to make camp on the Sweetwater. 
A company of men, headed by Franklin D. Richard, passed the immigrants and learned of their sad plight—their shortage for food, clothing, and their sickness. Brigham Young learned of this in the October conference. He dismissed the conference and sent twenty wagons, each with two teamsters, provisions, quilts and all kinds of supplies that had been volunteered to aid our company, and others who were on the Plains.
Two men were sent ahead to let the Saints know that help was coming, and to encourage them. Help came just in time; they had had nothing to eat for forty-eight hours. Nine died the night help came. When they reached the valley, one sixteenth of their company had been left buried by the wayside.

Transcript for Young, Thomas, Autobiographical sketch

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Abraham Owen Smoot labored as a local Elder in Tennessee and Kentucky. This entry is a letter from Wilford Woodruff, in which he reports the fruits of his labors and mentions Abraham O. Smoot. JH, 23 June 1835. On this day, it was necessary for Abraham O. Smoot to return to his home in the south on account of ill health according to Wilford Woodruff. JH: 23 Jan 1837. Jenson says he began his mission on this date.[CR 100 160 ID 1837-1]

Abraham Owen Smoot, Sr.

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